Editor’s Note: YoungEntrepreneur’s Ask the Expert column seeks to answer questions about everything from starting a business to growth strategies. To follow the column on Twitter — and ask a question — use hashtag #YEask, or leave a comment below. Your query may be the inspiration for a future column.
Jeff R. Lamb and Kevin Hiser’s life work is helping hungry young entrepreneurs launch their web concept quickly and effectively. As the founder (Lamb) and president (Hiser) of the Columbus, Ohio-based QStart Labs, the duo provides startups with access to a savvy advisory team made up of entrepreneurs, designers and investors with decades of software development experience in key areas of project management, systems administration and design.
Since its launch in 2008, QStart’s concentration has been on helping startups and their investors reduce the time and costs typically associated with launching a new web-based venture. To date, they’ve helped launch more than 17 companies.
By now, Lamb and Hiser know what works and what doesn’t. “We focus on what a relationship would look like if there was a team that could remove barriers for startups, advise them in key business areas such as strategic planning, sales, marketing, HR, finance and IT, and create alignment with their objectives and exit strategies,” Hiser says.
These two start-up gurus say they’re always eager to share their passion and knowledge with young entrepreneurs — preferably over a beer or a coke. So why not put them to the test? For this month only, they’re game to tackle your burning-business questions each week. Feel free to ask small-business related questions, including queries about bootstrapping, raising capital, strategic planning, technology, sales, marketing, building a team and engaging employees.
Submit your questions in the comments section below and those with the most likes from other readers will be answered. On Twitter, use the hashtag #YEask. Please include your first and last name, your location (city and state) and the name of your business in your comment.
