This week’s articles highlight Los Angeles as a successful place for start-ups, share the great ideas founders used to start their businesses, discuss how founders define entrepreneurs, and provide strategies on how to avoid failure when starting a business.

6 Reasons Los Angeles Is Suddenly Booming With Startups – David Hochman, Forbes

A list of reasons why Los Angeles is quickly become a popular region for startups.

I Knew I Had a Great Idea When… – John Brandon, Inc.

Seven entrepreneurs share their stories of when they knew they had a great idea for their startups.

21 Great Minds on What it Means to Be an Entrepreneur – Jess Draper, Mashable

Successful founders share with Mashable how they define entrepreneurs.

How to Avoid Being a Startup Failure – Ilya Pozin, Forbes

Strategies on what one startup used to ensure a successful startup.

This post was authored by Founders Workbench.

This week’s articles discuss the impact of the entrepreneurial spirit for the self-employed, the other side of Silicon Valley, how small businesses can get an ROI from social media, and what entrepreneurs look for in an executive team member.

When is it Time to Stop Calling Yourself a Freelancer and Become an Entrepreneur? – Amber Leigh Turner, The Next Web

The labels of freelancer, self-employed, entrepreneur are often used interchangeably, but oftentimes, freelancers are more hesitant to call themselves entrepreneurs and miss out on more opportunities.

Going Public In The Other Silicon Valley, Sans Dogs, Pool Tables And Cucumber Water – Connie Guglielmo, Forbes

A look into the IPO of a start-up founded in the less popular side of tech in the Silicon Valley.

How to Get Your Money’s Worth From Social Media Campaigns – Jason Falls, Entrepreneur

An entrepreneur discusses the best ways to get the ROI from social media.

Would You Hire An Entrepreneur For Your Executive Team? – Scott Gerber, ReadWrite

Eight successful entrepreneurs discuss what they look for in an executive team member.

This post was authored by Founders Workbench.

This week’s articles discuss the role of entrepreneurs in making a social impact in society, profile the next hot spot for start-ups, highlight how 10 entrepreneurs spend their lunch hour, and include tips from Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh.

The Rise of the Social Entrepreneur – David Bornstein, The New York Times

Many entrepreneurs recognize their role in advancing positive social changes with many businesspeople spreading new approaches through nonprofits, businesses or within the government, and addressing problems more successfully than in the past.

Where’s the Next Hot Startup Spot? – Sean Griffin, CNBC

While Tulsa, Oklahoma is one of the most unexpected communities for entrepreneurs, the entrepreneurial ecosystem there has recently grown for small businesses, much like other larger cities.

How Entrepreneurs at 10 Cool Startups Spend Their Lunch Hour – Kara Ohngren, Entrepreneur

Ten young entrepreneurs share what they do during their lunch breaks to help re-energize for the rest of the work day.

Grow Your Company as Big as Zappos.com: 7 Tips From Tony Hsieh – Allison Fass, Inc.

Zappos CEO and serial entrepreneur Tony Hsieh shares tips on how to grow a company as big as his.

This post was authored by Founders Workbench.

This week’s articles discuss what a small group of entrepreneurs is doing to help with Hurricane Sandy relief efforts through digital media, share the results of a survey on social media for small businesses, provide a list of tips on how to start your business from home, and give reasons to invest in consumer and retail businesses.

In The Eye Of The Storm, Entrepreneurs Band Together – Young Entrepreneur Council, Forbes

A group of young entrepreneurs created the group SandyBaggers, a grassroots Facebook movement that incites immediate and effective local disaster relief by leveraging the power of digital media.

Small-Business Owners Spending More Time, Money on Social Media – Kathleen Davis, Entrepreneur

According to a recent survey, more small-business owners have been focusing their marketing efforts on social media, with a 66 percent increase compared to last year.

6 Steps to Starting a Business From Your Home – Nellie Akalp, Mashable

Six ways to start your own business from home, helping keep costs down as you’re starting out.

5 Reasons to Invest in Consumer and Retail Businesses – Ryan Caldbeck, Forbes

A list of five reasons investors should finance in consumer and retail businesses.

This post was authored by Founders Workbench.