A clear look at what to tackle gives everyone a fresh start

Every business should have goals. Putting them in priority tells which ones are most important to pursue to stay productive and ahead of the competition.

Small businesses have more flexibility than large corporations for goal setting because there is no board of directors to answer to. On the other hand, solopreneurs have much less help to call on for advice. Most times they are on their own.

Such is the challenge for Kathryn Lang. The author and speaker has attached an additional title: “hopesmith.” She wants to bring hope to others while saving a good bit for herself as she takes on the marketing world.

Fine tuning her goals for the next 12 months, Lang talked with small-business owners Ivana Taylor and Iva Ignjatovic to compare tactics that have worked for each of them.