Yahoo has launched a new site called Yahoo Small Business Advisor with tools and information for entrepreneurs. It includes tips from celebrity entrepreneurs, such as chef Ming Tsai.
The site was launched in beta late last year, but it’s apparently ready for prime time now.
“We are thrilled to present our users with a destination that provides them with the support they need in these complicated economic and political times,” said Tom Byun, vice president and GM, Yahoo Small Business. “We are passionate about providing the small-business community with the necessary counsel – whatever that means to the individual – to help them achieve their entrepreneurial dreams.”
The whole thing reminds me a bit of the strategy we’ve seen Demand Media implementing with its eHow property – offering content created and curated by celebrities (like Rachael Ray and Tyra Banks) in an effort to boost the quality of content, along with the deletion of thousands of lesser-quality articles. Yahoo deleted thousands of its Associated Content articles last year as well.
An interview with Tsai is the feature for today’s launch, and Yahoo says this is the beginning of a broader series spotlighting celebrity small business owners. Yahoo promises, for one, an interview with Dyan’s Candy Bar CEO Dylan Lauren.
The site will include original articles and videos from Yahoo’s “Small Business Experts” as well as content from Entrepreneur, Inc., and Retuers.
It will also have a personalization element to it, utilizing Yahoo’s new C.O.R.E. system. Yahoo’s Social Bar will highlight the business news a user’s personal social network is reading and talking about, and users’ content will be available through Yahoo’s Livestand iPad app. There is also integration with Yahoo Answers.