"It's No Fun
Running Your Own Business
When There's So Much to Do,
And No Time to Do It"


Ever feel like a one-arm wallpaper hanger?
Then congratulations,
you're a small business person!

John Rust Consulting specializes in small business management and marketing. We work closely with small business owners who want to get the basics right to best utilize the scarce resources of their small enterprises.

A solid foundation and your hard work determines your business' success. Many small businesses fail because the owners don’t get the basics right.

Small businesses are faced with unique challenges. These challenges require solutions appropriate for a small business and its limited resources. Some of the key factors among these challenges that contribute to your success are keeping overhead low, avoiding direct competition, maintaining pricing and margins, understanding your costs, and very important, maintaining a positive cash flow and cash availability.

Small Business in Maine

Maine's small businesses face even more challenges. Not only must you watch the basics like every other business, you must pay attention to higher regulatory burdens, higher taxes, bureaucratic delays, high energy costs, and state and local government that often seems unfriendly to business owners.

And while Maine's workers are generally loyal and hard working, they often lack appropriate training and can be quite scarce in rural areas.

If you are looking for more information about state and local government business programs, visit our Maine government business resources page.

Jack of All Trades

Whether you are just starting out, expanding or having financial difficulties, the sooner you start tackling your situation and concerns, the sooner you will reach your goals.

Even though you may be a small business, you still must cover the entire range of basic business functions. Our small business consulting services involve many of the following areas to meet your needs:


Marketing & Sales:

  • Marketing Plans
  • Market Analysis
  • Product & Service Development
  • Advertising & Sales Promotions
  • Website Development
  • Website Marketing
  • Trade Shows
  • Pricing Analysis
  • Competitor Analysis
  • Opinion Surveys
  • Sales Rep & Dealer Expansion


Financial Difficulties & Bankruptcies:

  • Cash Management
  • Cash Flow Projections
  • Cost Controls
  • Down-sizing
  • Interim Management
  • Workout Plans
  • Restructuring
  • Business Plans
  • Breakeven Strategies
  • Cost Reduction Programs
  • Cash Generation


Financial Management:

  • Budgeting
  • Financial Statements
  • Cash Management
  • Cash Flow Budgets
  • Cost Controls
  • Inventory Control
  • Working Capital Management
  • Profitability Analysis
  • Product Costing & Pricing
  • Breakeven Analysis


Business & Strategic Planning:

  • Business Plans
  • Budgets
  • Goals
  • Objectives
  • Competitive Analysis
  • Market Analysis
  • Market Shifts & New Competitors


Business Development & Acquisitions:

  • Deal Analysis
  • Pricing & Valuation
  • Marketing Evaluation & Due Diligence
  • Proforma Financial Analysis
  • Interim Management


Business Start-Up & Expansion:

  • Business Plan
  • Market Analysis
  • Financial Projections
  • Cash Flow Budget
  • Capital Requirements
  • Interim Management


Manpower Planning:

  • Manpower Projections
  • Hiring & Recruiting
  • Training
  • Skills Analysis
  • Productivity Analysis
  • Company & Employment Policy Manuals


"Call Now to Arrange a Free Consultation"

Or click here to send me an E-mail, and I will call you. Let's get to know each other, and discuss some of your most pressing problems, during a brief, confidential, visit in your office. I will freely share my ideas with you, even though there is no charge for this meeting, and no obligation.


Business Management Consulting | Marketing Consulting | Small Business Consulting
Tourism Marketing Consulting | Website & Search Marketing Consulting | Financial Consulting
Association Management Services | Interim Management Services | Technical Writing Services
Maine Consultants Home Page

"Creativity, dedication and high standards come to mind as qualities that I associate with John Rust. He is a professional in every sense and would be an asset to any organization."

Philip E. Spillane
General Manager
Super Spot Technologies

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"John's professional approach and clearly stated objectives allowed us to achieve numerous promotional successes. He kept my staff focused and motivated ... Being intelligent, insightful, honorable, dedicated and interesting are qualities that have made John a unique colleague and friend."

Michael Lloyd
President
Lloyd and Clark Communications

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"Last night's presentation on Website Marketing by John Rust was well attended and very informative. I attend very few presentations where I learn any useable 'real world' information, but last night I went home with several pages of notes and a new appreciation of what it takes to get a decent ranking for your website at Google."

Bob Hamer
Executive Director
Moosehead Lake Region Chamber of Commerce

"His ability to communicate at all levels within an organization enables him to quickly gain the support of colleagues and pull diverse staff members into cohesive teams ... [John Rust] brings a strength of character to any organization he is affiliated with that is based in honesty and integrity."

John A. Schultz
President
Cablemaster

News & Announcements

Did You Know?
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"John strives to understand all sides of an issue, gives careful consideration, and seeks a common solution. He has received our outstanding service award for his dedication and extensive contributions to our Association and to the guiding industry."

Don Helstrom
Chairman
Maine Guides Association

"I have appreciated your thoughtful approach. John deserves credit for filtering [the] feedback and providing us a look at the sticking points."

Bruce Kidman
Director of Communications and Government Relations
The Nature Conservancy, Maine Chapter