US Media Studios Highlights the Top Five Cities for Start-Ups

We really don’t like to brag. US Media Studios is located in the south Florida area which came in second place on the Kauffman Index: Start-Up Activity creation report. We can attest that the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, Florida area is a great place to start a new business. As are the other four.

Report Background

The Kauffman Index: Start-Up Activity (PDF) report is one which compiles and crunches data to determine the rate of entrepreneurs opening businesses in any month. It also runs the data to find out if the businesses started because the market was good or because its owner had no other options for work. The report also measures the number of newly created businesses that employ at least one other person per 1,000 companies.

Top Five U.S. Cities for Start-Up Creation

Austin, Texas came in first and understandably so. It is a growing vibrant city with a continual growing entrepreneurial community. It is a supportive city for start-ups, no matter which industry the business is in.

Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL came in second. Other than its low tax rate and low cost of living, the area is rich with immigrants from the Caribbean, Cuba and South America. These enterprising residents open the smaller mom and pop shops, eateries, craft houses, etc.

Following these two are: Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. Los Angeles has always has a strong creative spirit that invites business creation. San Francisco is California city in which high tech start-ups thrive. Las Vegas has year-round pleasant weather and plenty of space in which to open a business.

US Media Studios believes in start-up creation, supporting those new businesses, and cities providing support for the entrepreneur. If not, we would not be here ourselves.

US Media Studios Notes Affordable Cities to Open a Business

One part of the American Dream is to own your business. With that said, there are some cities which are more affordable to begin a start-up than others.  US Media Studios notes the five most affordable cities.

Chattanooga, TN

It is not surprising to us that four of the five most affordable places to open a business are in the South. Located in sunny south Florida, we can attest to the number of start-ups that open here.  We took a look at the data run by SmartAsset for start-up costs over the first year of operation: cost of office space, price of gas and electricity for that space, legal and accounting fees, and payroll costs for five full-time employees making the city’s average annual salary.

Based on these factors, below are the five cities where entrepreneurs might want to open their new venture’s doors:

1. Chattanooga, Tennessee
2. Wichita, Kansas
3. Greensboro, North Carolina
4. Columbia, South Carolina
5. Knoxville, Tennessee

Many American cities are great for starting up a business.  There are events for entrepreneurs to get together, financing to help the new business owner become and stay operable, and some cities have a great number of graduates from universities and tech schools to recruit.  It should also be noted that some of these cities, and others in the South, have an affordable cost of living, which makes living there an added bonus. Some of the top ten cities have strong economic support in specific industries such as education, technology, or healthcare, which would be great for the entrepreneur with products or services in that field. Click here for the full list of affordable start-up cities, and more the list of most expensive cities to open your own business.

US Media Studios Notes the Best U.S. Cities for Everyone

Most Americans would say that their city is best place to live. There really is much to love about our hometowns and home cities. Despite the daily grind of life, traffic congestion, and cost of living rates, home is where we long to be, where we are eager to return after vacation, and where we feel most comfortable.

The Woodlands, Texas

Great Places 

US Media Studios knows that there are hundreds of great U.S. cities. Each one has its own personality, its on history, and its own unique benefits. Below are five U.S. cities which a recent survey ranked as being some of the best. They are in not in particular order:

The Woodlands, Texas – Despite its name, the outdoor activities are not all that plentiful. However, it does boast plenty of great job opportunities and an educated population. Texas is a great state in which to live, anyway.

Austin, Texas – There is plenty to love about Austin from its vibrant music and entertainment scene to its schools, neighborhoods and its diversity.

Boulder, Colorado – Clean air, an abundance of outdoor activities, great public schools, and short work commutes make this city beneath the mountains one of the best in the country. What more could one ask for?

Arlington, Virginia – Arlington is really more of a county than a city. Nonetheless, it is close to the nation’s capital, therefore, offers plenty of outdoor events, monuments, and great public transportation. Its public schools are rated A-plus, and its family friendly.

Provo, Utah – It is well-known for its nightlight, short commutes, and overall good health and fitness. US Media Studios also notes that the city boasts short work commutes and a happening night life.

Where do you want to live?

US Media Studios Drives Road Safety Tips

How are the roads and interstates where you live? In some parts of the country, the main roads are free of potholes and unsecured debris scattered across the lanes of traffic. In other parts, the commute to and from work, or on a road trip, can be wrought with safety hazards. US Media Studios drives road safety tips for every person on the road – two lane country streets or major four land highways.

Look ahead

Look Ahead

It pays to look ahead. Drivers should scan the road ahead for traffic slowdowns, debris on the road, or rough roads. It is also best to not tailgate the vehicle in front of you. Leave room between your vehicle and the one in front of you to allow for sudden stops, or when at traffic lights.  It can make the difference if you need to swerve or stop suddenly when there is debris in the road. The American Automobile Association reports that more than 200,000 wrecks in the last four years can be blamed on blown tires, trash and other debris that litters roads and interstates. It doesn’t matter where you live, debris will end up on the road. From palm tree fronds to a plastic grocery bag, road debris is can wreak havoc on any vehicle and driver. If carrying a load, be sure it is secured and covered with a strong tied down tarp.

Wet Roads

The most dangerous wet road to drive on is one which is just wet enough to cause skidding. When a light rains falls and wets the road, it makes it more slick from the oil and water. Slow down and allow plenty of room to stop. Torrential rain can also wreak havoc for drivers. Poor visibility along with flooded intersections or places where drains are located creates trouble. Stay in the middle lane, if possible, to avoid flooded intersections or drainage areas. US Media Studios encourages readers to slow down, take your time, and arrive at your destination safely. Pull of the road if necessary and wait the rain out. Your life is more important than making it anywhere on time unsafely.

US Media Studios Relays Hack-Proof Tips

Who better to learn about hacking tricks that work other than those that are paid well to do it for some of the world’s biggest corporations? US Media Studios relays hack-proof tips for all users.

The Internet-of-Things and Social Media

Many people spend a great deal of time on the Internet and on social media sites every day. Yet, the most cunning hackers can break into the digital coding or a newer vehicle through the Internet and take control of it. The same can happen anything digitally connected in the home or office.

Social media sites are also easy for hackers using phishing schemes to gain personal and financial information about users. A hacking team announced, at a recent convention, it created a bot than can phish social media users and their interests, and send a catered post or message. The social media user believes the post or message to be authentic, clicks it and the hacker has their personal information. It pays to be careful what links we click on when perusing social sites.

Chip and PIN Cards

US Media Studios has read many reports about the hazards of using this new technology. It is usually touted as the safest way to use a credit or debit card. In reality, the card readers can be easily tampered with and financial data stolen.

Public Wi-Fi

Any business that offers public Wi-Fi where every guest or customer has access to the same log in credentials is opening up those people to a potential hack attack. Instead of using it, find a private Wi-Fi source through a wireless provider or something small and convenient and use that.

Safeguard your personal and financial data from hackers.

US Media Studios with a Consumer Report on Buying Used Cars

How much research should a consumer do before buying a used car?

Consumer Research

We can search for and read consumer reviews from several good websites such as Edmunds and Cars.com about the year, make and model of a car. We can spend hours evaluating those reviews. These reviews are generally frank and to the point. It is the consumer’s opinion about the specific vehicle, after reading reviews, if that vehicle is reliable or not. For instance, a consumer can read 10 reviews on one review site and five are positive and five are negative.  He or she can also read 10 reviews on another review website where six are positive and four are negative. That’s 20 consumer reviews read. Which reviews should the consumer believe? And should the consumer search for even more information about the vehicle, such as recalls for the vehicle, known mechanical issues for the vehicle? How many consumers do that? It is the consumer’s choice to spend the time to do that or not.

The Used Car Dealer’s Responsibility

Used car dealers have a responsibility too. When a dealer takes in a used car, they should take the time and expense to be sure that vehicle is operable and safe. All defects should be clearly noted on the vehicle’s documentation. US Media Studios has heard dealers’ standard reply “we wouldn’t sell you an unsafe car because we know it means possible lawsuits or the return of the vehicle.” In that case, why even put the vehicle up for sale if it could mean possible litigation or return of the vehicle? It is far easier and more profitable for the used car salesperson to sell a vehicle with open recalls and known defects and make commission than steer a consumer away from an unsafe, unreliable vehicle.  It is their innate responsibility to know everything about that vehicle. If a consumer expresses an interest with the vehicle, wouldn’t it be wise to do more than make cosmetic and cheap fixes, such as replacing windshield wipers? Would it be too expensive and time consuming to check the tire pressure, run it through a thorough mechanical and safety evaluation, before selling it to a consumer?

Bottom Line

There are two parties in a vehicle sale: consumer and dealer. Both parties should be transparent about the plusses and minuses of the vehicle of choice. No one wants to see a driver or passenger injured or killed due to faulty parts in the sold vehicle. That said, each US state also needs to step up and enact specific laws to protect consumers from bad car sales. A consumer’s life is more valuable the dealer’s profits. CBS News has a great article on car sales in Florida, and the link for the National HighwayTraffic Safety Administration to search before buying a used car is very useful.

US Media Studios Offers Advice for Road Travel

Travel on America’s roads and interstates can be fun, adventuresome, and maybe troublesome. US Media Studios offers advice for road travel which we hope readers will find helpful. After all, it is no fun getting stuck on the side of the road with a car problem.

Road Tips for Road Warriors

Road warriors on road trips surely know the ups and downs of getting their destinations. They also know where the best travel center and rest areas are, and who to call when vehicle trouble forces them to wait on the side of the road for help.  It may also be useful to know that some states are better at taking care of stranded travelers than others. What might a driver need or want before hitting the road:

• A good GPS for navigation and traffic updates
• A charged smart phone to use for emergency calls, texting, and music, recorded books or whatever.
• Water. Water keeps you hydrated.
• Portable snacks such as whole fruit, protein bars, sandwiches just in case a long traffic jam delays the trip or the wait for help takes longer than normal.
• Jumper cables, Fix a Flat, heavy duty duct tape, scissors, one regular size spare tire in good shape, tire pressure gauge a first aid kit, small and large working flashlights.

 Must Know

Every driver should have roadside assistance coverage. Breakdowns can happen on the commute to or from work, or on the way home from far away. It is reassuring to know that someone is on the way to rescue the driver and the vehicle. Most of roadside assistance coverage is not very expensive to add to vehicle insurance plans. Most companies that provide this can GPS locate the caller with permission from the caller first. Having had this locator service performed twice – once locally and once out of state – we vouch for its usefulness.

What Else?

USMedia Studios suggests getting a full vehicle inspection including all fluids replaced or topped up, tire pressure check, alignment, and mechanical and safety checks before getting on the road for a long road trip. Keep emergency numbers easy to find on smart phones or download an app if there is one. Hitting the open roads of America for pleasure or business is a great way to travel. Take the time to be sure you have everything needed before departure.