The Simplaris TentWhen I set out to establish my first business, I was in over my head. There were many tempting online offers including free marketing plans, free website templates, free web calendars, free online business advertising, free this and that. There didn’t seem to be a shortage of resources, except for the one I really needed: a central source for the most important tools and someone to explain the significance of each so I knew which ones were right for my business. While, deep down, I understood that I needed technology, it seemed overwhelming to manage the options. For the first time, I became afraid of my limitations.

James Gaskin offers an insightful analogy for this dilemma in an article I recently read at NetworkWorld. He states “[T]echnology has become the tent pole holding up every business today. Unfortunately, sometimes we spend so much time struggling to keep the tent pole working properly we forget to enjoy the tent.” Gaskin notes that he often hears small business owners discounting the impact of technology on their livelihood. Comments tend to run the lines of, “I run a flower shop, not a computer company. That doesn’t apply to me.“  He believes this reaction to be an indicator of business owners who love to do what they do, but it’s that effort to keep the technology ‘tent pole’ propped up that consumes so much and robs them of the time and energy to do exactly that.

Fortunately for emerging entrepreneurs Simplaris alleviates these frustrations by delivering all of the online and on demand services that are needed to operate and grow a business - from one place, through one system. Simply put, Simplaris simplifies technology by just making it work.

Upon signup, you’ll receive a free account that allows you to design and develop a professional business website in as little as 10 minutes. No special skills or experience required. Simplaris then puts it on the web… free, for life, and if that’s all you need to run your business, you’ll never pay anything. However, most small businesses will eventually need more than just a website, so additional services can be added as needs grow over time. Whether its HR management, email, scheduling, collaboration or marketing services, it’s all available at your fingertips as needed and when needed, and with a time commitment and price you can ‘afford’.

Freedom is the result. No more expensive start-up costs, boxes of obsolete software cluttering your shelves, or debilitating fear over which new technology tool or resource to throw in the mix - only time to enjoy the ‘tent’.

As the Business Manager for Simplaris, I am completely committed to the model because of my first-hand experience in this area and the difference I know that this can make to help small business owners succeed. I invite you to stay tuned over the upcoming weeks to learn more about Simplaris’ products and services in development.

- Gail Bryanton