Companies Economy International The Buzz Street Sweep Corrections Pre-market Trading After-hours Trading US Stocks Bonds and Interest Rates Currencies Commodities Mutual Funds World Markets Subscribe to Real Money Newsletter Subscribe to Money Magazine Money Magazine Real Estate Taxes Jobs Ask the Expert Money 101 Autos Mutual Funds The Help Desk Loan Center Best Places to Live Subscribe to Money Magazine Ask the Expert Ultimate Guide to Retirement Retirement Calculators Rules of Retirement Best Funds Best Places to Retire Fortune Tech Apple 2.0 Google 24/7 Techmate Tech Talk Questions & Answers Innovation Nation Small Business Video 50 Best Places to Launch Resource Guide Next Little Thing Subscribe to Fortune Magazine Fortune 500 Fortune Tech Investing Management Executive Interviews Rankings Log in Register Log Out Profile Alerts Newsletters My Watchlist
Table of contents: VOL. 16, NO. 8 - October 1, 2006
COVER STORY
How the Pillsbury doughboy explains consumer behavior. (more)

Features
breaking big
By upgrading its credit card reader for vending machines, USA technologies won a lucrative deal with Coca-Cola. (more)
green tech
Georgia startup Tricycle makes recycled-paper carpet samples that look just like the real thing, and save the planet too. (more)
local color
A Missouri fish farmer prospers from a ban on imported beluga. (more)
off hours
The best new hardware made by small businesses. (more)

A marble yard hosts artists. (more)
One business owner's idea to make extra money for his fuel dock has grown over the past 25 years into a $4 million, world-class fishing tournament. (more)
owner's manual
I sold my company and happily walked away. So how did I end up right back in the game? (more)
people skills
Three leaders use innovative strategies and rewards to motivate employees. (more)
publicity
A fast-growing franchise aims to simplify marketing for small businesses. (more)
roi/technology
An online seafood merchant boosts sales by giving other Web sites a piece of its action. (more)
New accessories help cut your telecom bills at home and on the road. (more)
small biz makeover
FSB helps a California entrepreneur expand her restaurant business, hoping to give her more free time. (more)
One year after its makeover, a prosthetics firm has nearly doubled sales. (more)
startup
Force Protection manufactures trucks that can protect its passengers from a landmine blast. (more)
When seeking a new secretary, I made a big mistake. I hired one who didn't understand my business--or me. (more)
Entrepreneur Alex Cushing founded an Olympic ski resort. (more)
A safety net for insurers could put an end to entrepreneurs' precariously high premiums. (more)
Massachusetts is considering a bill that would require all companies to offer 12 weeks of medical or family leave to employees. (more)
3 small companies share their secrets. (more)
RECENT ISSUES