Ask the Patch Pro: Local Experts Answer Questions About Starting Your Own Business

Our panel of experts are waiting in the comments to answer your questions about starting a business in the latest installment of Ask the Patch Pro.

It's time for another edition of Ask the Patch Pro, where each week we tackle a different topic and open up the comments section for questions. Our team of experts stop in to help you out and answer your questions. This week we're talking business. Thinking about starting your own business, but not quite sure where to start? Patch wants to help you find answers to your questions this week, but we needed some help. We've compiled a team of experts to help us out. Meet the experts: Have a question? Ask our experts in the comment section below! 

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Robin Tidwell

8:25 am on Monday, March 4, 2013

I don't see the benefit of two separate checking accounts, just more fees for the bank and more work for you and your partner. As for the phone - sounds to me like more of an expense again. Even if Charter doesn't charge a fee for this, if you're using a cell as a business phone why would you want it to ring to your home? In my experience, most people answer a home phone with "hello" which, by …   more ›

Meet the Owner of Brazikat Steak and Seafood House

At this new Clayton restaurant, you can enjoy a feast of meat brought right to your table.

When Sam Barakat opened his first Brazilian steakhouse, Gaucho's Brazilian Steakhouse, in 2005, the native St. Louisan picked Valparaiso, IN. Now, seven years later, Barakat opened Brazikat Brazilian Steak and Seafood in Clayton. He's still in love with the unique restaurant concept. “Ten years ago, my wife took me to a Brazilian steakhouse in Chicago. I didn’t have any clue what it was about," Barakat said. "There’s Brazilian restaurants, then there’s Brazilian steakhouses.” At a Brazilian steakhouse, patrons are given gorgeous hunks of meat, lightly seasoned and grilled to perfection over a mesquite wood fire. The meat is brought straight from the grill to your plate by servers who roam the restaurant with fresh skewers of steak, shrimp …

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Trunk Show Tonight at Lusso in Clayton

Browse the photos of pewter displays at Lusso boutique in Clayton. If something strikes your fancy, be sure to visit the shop's trunk show on Friday night.

New European Restaurant Opens Near Richmond Heights

Pan D'Olive's menu consists of Italian and other Mediterranean offerings.

Pan D’Olive, a new Italian and European restaurant, had a soft opening last week. The restaurant is located at 1603 McCausland Avenue, in the block south of Olympia, the well-established Greek restaurant. The menu will include fresh seafood, steaks, pasta and homemade flatbreads, Owner Sam Kacar said. Sandwiches and paninis are available for lunch. Stay connected to Clayton and Richmond Heights news by liking Patch on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ClaytonRichmondHeightsPatch He said it’s a casual setting, where a couple can have dinner for less than $50. It’s hard to miss the onyx bar on the main floor. “We’ll pack this bar, then we have a dining room in the back and downstairs,” he said. “It’s a reasonably-priced Mediterranean menu. Mainly …

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Nearly Half of Americans Begin Holiday Shopping Before Halloween, What About You?

The Natinoal Retail Federation released its annual holiday shopping forecast. Americans are shopping earlier than ever, the survey shows, which could lead to a 4.1 percent increase in national sales.

Accustomed to pinching pennies thanks to years of economic downturn, holiday shoppers this year will look for ways to cut corners, comparative  shop online and even plan to travel less, if not at all, the National Retail Federation said in its annual shopping forecast for the Christmas season. On average, the NRF expects holiday consumers to spend $749.51 on holiday gifts, decor, greeting cards and more in 2012. That's more than the $740.57 shoppers actually spent in 2011. And before you think Patch is reporting on the holiday season, think again. According to the survey, nearly half of Americans say they've begun holiday shopping before Halloween—12.3 percent of those surveyed before September; 7 percent during September; and 22.1 percent…

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SCORE Helps Business Owners

No, there's not a catch. SCORE's experienced mentors will help you take your business to the next level.

When it comes down to it, behind just about every small business is an entrepreneur hoping to turn their passion into a paycheck. But, as many wise business advisers have noted: Hope is not a strategy. Business owners need support to turn dreams into reality. That's why Patch is pleased to announce a new partnership with SCORE, a nonprofit organization with 12,000 business experts nationwide who provide free mentoring to small business owners. The partnership makes sense because we believe that when local commerce grows, the whole community gets stronger. Patch already provides free listings for local businesses and other tools to help build local brands. Whether you're a 10-year-old jewelry designer or a 79-year-old who carves wood knives…

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2012 Readers' Choice Nominees: Clayton, Richmond Heights

Patch wants you to vote for your favorite local businesses through Aug. 17.

Numerous businesses in or near Clayton and Richmond Heights are up for a 2012 Readers' Choice award from Patch this month. To vote for your favorite business, simply click on its name below. You'll be taken to the appropriate poll. Questions about the Readers' Choice contact may be directed to nate.birt@patch.com. Favorite Beauty Salon Best Sushi in the Area Best St. Louis-Style Pizza Best Toasted Ravioli Best Wine Selection Restaurant with the Friendliest Staff Coziest Coffee Shop in the Area Best Place to Entertain Kids Best Facebook Page in the Area Favorite Nonprofit Favorite Movie Theater Favorite Golf Course See more Readers' Choice categories on Clayton-Richmond Heights Patch.

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Vote for St. Louis' Readers' Choice 2012 Winners

You get to decide who is named Readers' Choice. Click on the categories below and vote for your favorites.

There is a lot to celebrate about St. Louis—great family-friendly activities and great local businesses. But who do you think is the best?  Help Patch determine the best of the best by voting for your favorites in each one of the categories below. Click on the links under each category and vote in the poll attached to each article. Cast your vote by August 17 and help us decide who's best. Whichever business gets the most votes will be named the Readers' Choice winner. Businesses were added to polls following an earlier nomination period. If you want to help make a case for your favorite business, be sure to add a comment and tell your friends on Facebook. Health & Beauty Food & Drink Kids & Family Services Entertainment Automotive

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Richmond Heights' Newest Business is a Bridal Shop

The Ultimate Bride's new store on Big Bend Boulevard opened earlier this summer.

Brides-to-be now have a new place in Richmond Heights to search for that perfect dress with the opening of The Ultimate Bride at 1115 S. Big Bend Blvd.  The bridal shop moved to Richmond Heights after its previous location at 1512 S. Brentwood Blvd. became part of the development for a Drury Hotel. Store Manager Hope Ciuffa said the new site is a much bigger space and benefits from being right next door to a popular nail salon.  The business opened its doors May 23 after nearly nine months of work to rehab the building, inside and out, which Ciuffa said had previously been home to a Walgreens and a hardware store.  The decor and layout is an upgrade from the previous location, according to Ciuffa. She said it allows them plenty of space to…

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