Most people are familiar with the Stella Liebeck v. McDonald’s Restaurants hot coffee case. Mrs. Liebeck was in the McDonald’s parking lot putting cream and sugar in the coffee she just purchased from McDonald’s when she accidentally spilled the coffee in her lap resulting in third degree burns. She was awarded $160,000 in compensatory damages and $2.7 million in punitive damages due to the injuries she suffered.

Madame Mazuni is a website and business that designs and sells psychedelic tie-dye clothes, cotton bags, jewellery and other colourful creations, often with a distinct American Indian influence. The Bard of Ely was so impressed with what he saw on the site that he interviewed the owner for his HubPage and was told about how the culture of the Zuni tribe has been a big influence.

An effective marketing plan is essential to the success of your new business. While it does not need to be perfect, it must be a clearly-drawn map to guide the marketing side of your business. Your marketing plan, as an integral part of your business plan, shows potential lenders and investors that you have thoroughly planned how you will sell your products or services and make money doing so.