Changeinadvance's Blog

Entrepreneurial Freedom Or Slavery

These days life is nuts!
Inflation goes up we pay,
Deflation kicks in we pay,
Or we are told we will and the sky is falling, falling!
What is an entrepreneur to do?!
Heck, what is a regular joe to do?!

There seems to be no way out. Its debt or excess taxes right?
You make more money by getting a second job and they tax the excrement out of you. And then come April you get hit again probably because you jumped a tax bracket. So frustrating! I know folks. I’ve been there. Heck, me and the wife live there- our income is too high versus our expenses. So Uncle Sam comes in at night and picks my pocket.

Now when it comes to the flip side of debt- we are being crushed as Americans. Not to smash the rest of the world but I live in America so I focus on my situation.
Now as I was saying, americans have now passed a trillion dollars collectively of educational debt alone. That’s money spent to make your position in life better. So you have this great plan to make money- but it is based on a foundational bedrock of debt.
By the way you can’t expel that debt.
So you have a higher income now. You are a doctor. Doctors when I was young had Benzes. These days they drive Toyota Prius’. Sorry but that’s disgusting. Saving the planet is admirable but what was the 225,000 in debt and 15 years of school for?
I want to be at the top and live at the top folks.
And doctors can’t say they will live there anymore. Payments and reimbursements are getting cut to pieces and Obamacare isn’t even in full effect yet. No slam on Obama there, but 30 million ppl added to the system means more checks cut from the same bundle.
I don’t even save aggressively folks- I cut debt as fast as I can afford to.

So what does the average joe do?

I say you choose a job or build your empire.
Life is too short to work for someone else for 40 years.

I remember when my Father’s boss shut down his shop. My father and his coworkers kept the place open and worked independently. They made Jewelry for Cartier, Tiffany’s, and private clientele. And for a few years it worked. The economics of jewelry changed and a lot of people were taking 50-60% less than my father charged as an artisan. The end result was he went to work for the hospital system. The union was good to him as were the benefits. But he had no freedom. And his income was limited. Dependable but limited.
He is about to retire now as he is turning 66. A good man and a great worker.
But did he milk the system?
No.
I don’t mean cheat- by no means do I mean to take advantage.
But he did not let his unique skill set earn him a grand living.

So I ask you who read my articles-
Is that what you want?

Seeing the freedom he had as an entrepreneur made an indelible mark on me. I always wanted to make my own money, be my own boss.
And now that I’m in my 30′s I see that life is either slavery or freedom. My day job is my master. I have to do what the boss says even if he is wrong.
Even if he is ignorant despite being certified and having numerous diplomas.
How do I stomach this?
I have a plan.
I mind my own business. When I punch out I’m all Tony. I’m making dollars or creating avenues to make income while I’m at my day job. And once I make the required dollar amount to retire my wife, I will throw a party.
Then, at that party, I will declare a new timeline to reach the next goal on a specified timeline to free myself as well.

To sum it up folks- build your business. No one will want more for you than you do.
Mlm, life insurance, commission sales-
I don’t care what you do- but do something!

That’s it folks. Not a lot of advice here but a real story from a real man who has worked from the age of 11 and wants not just the best for me, but the best for all of you as well.

#thriveorsurvive.

No one goes to the Olympics for silver.

Thoughts? Concerns?
Questions? Think I’m wrong?
Let’s chat.
Need ideas?
Want to learn how to invite?
Let’s chat.
Want a mentor or maybe the guy who will bounce ideas back and forth with you?
Let’s chat-
Tony@Changeinadvance.com
@changeinadvance

http://www.changeinadvance.com

Or simply reply to this article.

#thriveorsurvive

Tags: #thriveorsurvive, @changeinadvance, deflation, economy, entrepreneur, freedom, income, inflation, mindset, money, slavery, success

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Categories Mindset

IS FEAR Killing Your Future?

11 May

IS FEAR Killing Your Future?
It’s a really simple question that a lot of people don’t ask. And it is fear that gags them, preventing that question

Fear is what I call Emotional Cancer. It is acute, pervasive, and far reaching. It will permeate your every thought, action, and emotion if you are not on guard against it.
Fear is simply the belief that what u are afraid of is stronger than what you are capable of. Nothing more.
How do I know?
I’m scared as hell.
Every time I write an article, I approach clients, and when I make music. It never fails. Speaking to an audience kills me. I learned the hard way that my fear had a little dollar amount. It could be marked in an accounting ledger as consecutive losses as I was deeply afraid of recruiting people.
Have you been there? I’d bet many of you have been in my shoes.
Fear of rejection was killing my business.
I actually started blogging out of fear. I was afraid to speak so I figured I’d write.
Cheap cop out I know.
But I did play my strong suit against my weakness so it was kind of a smart idea.
However, I wasn’t fighting the fear.

I have good news though folks-
Fear wins wars as well.
You see when a Lawyer is victorious in court he has fear on his side. When the last seed team triumphs over series kings, it is fear that they conquered.
Fear is a great motivator. My fear of failure could paralyze an elephant. And in the past I’ve let it be my achilles heal. I’m naturally a speaker. I can run my mouth and build a case in my head rapidly and then present it with panache and pride, just not in front of recruits and perspective buyers.
Sounds ridiculous right?
How did I beat this fear- I Spoke.
That’s it.
I wanted to interview the guy who owns the gym I frequent- so I asked.
I wanted an interview with my favorite two lyricists- so I asked.
And I got a yes each and every time- across the board.
Has everyone I asked said yes?
Of course not.
I get a lot of no’s. More than before actually. But I wasn’t getting a single yes by staying silent. It’s called playing the game.
If I was a batter in Major League Baseball- and I refused to swing I might get the occasional walk from the pitcher at the mound. More likely than not I’d just have a 0 batting average and be dropped from the team regardless of cost.
Ted Williams used the press to motivate him. He fed their caustic opinions of him- and then he fed off it.
It gave him power.
It gave him fuel.
And he is a legend now decades after his passing.
Back to that lawyer I mentioned. If he knew every minutiae of the law but never made an opening argument could he win a case?
Nope.
Imagine Thurgood Marshall letting fear speak for him. No. Never.
Good leaders, heck good people simply fight fear and make it their slave.
When you master fear you can conquer the world.

My last point is Christopher Columbus: the Church wanted to kill him, the people doubted him, he was considered a heretic in many circles. Now we could argue about his being a mass murderer if you want- or we could look at the fact that he refused to let fear stop him. If he was wrong he would literally sail off the earth, die, or be executed after years of suffering at sea.
Instead I get a day off every year due to his action (get the hint: do it- act don’t let fear castrate you).

#thriveorsurvive

No one goes to the Olympics for silver.

http://www.changeinadvance.com

Or simply reply to this article.

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Tags: #business, #thriveorsurvive, cancer, emotions, FEAR, mindset, mlb, success, ted williams, thurgood marshall, Winning

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Categories success

Have you met Jean Alerte?

9 May

Have you met Jean Alerte?

I have and the man is on fire! I interviewed him recently at the Latiq Agarde benefit that I was privileged to attend. As a key note speaker he electrified the room. We sat down together to discuss, life, leadership, and frozen yogurt.

-When did you begin your entrepreneurial journey?

JA: it began at the age of 18 and has grown and evolved with me. I am now 31.

What made you write your impressive tome Do Right Do Good?

JA: The goal was to inspire one kid. One Single kid/teen. That’s it. And that was prefaced by a young gentleman I worked with who told me “Jean you need to write a book.” And after thinking about it a while it all came together.

-How long did it take to write Do Right Do Good?

JA: From concept to completion the writing of the book took about 3 months. It took about a year to complete as far as publishing, cover creation et al. From its inception it seemed to literally write itself. It came to me naturally.

-I noticed you don’t sell your book on Amazon, a trend that is quite enormous among new writers-Why?

JA: I donate $10 dollars of every sale to charity. To sell units through Amazon would cheat those who benefit from these funds. Every copy is also personally signed by me and shipped by me with a care package. The personal touch is not only cool but for the young readers it impacts them greatly. It makes an indelible mark that resonates for them for years to come.

-Do you see more writing in your future?

JA: of course.

-Will you be opening a non-profit such as Latiq to impact even more young lives?

JA: I can see that occurring in the future.

-Recently your newest venture, Brooklyn Swirl, a frozen yogurt stand was featured on Love & Hip Hop, how did that come about?

JA: It was a known favorite of some of the cast and they approached us for filming purposes. The exposure was great.

-Hiring practice:

JA: I only hire people who live in the same area of Brooklyn where Brooklyn Swirl is located. It keeps the dollars in the community and builds the economic zone and gives self esteem to the youth I hire.

http://www.jeanalerte.com/

I could literally write two more pages about Jean. The son of Haitian immigrants, Jean completed his college education and went on to the finance industry. He set goals and reached them. He is literally the definition of follow through. As an educator I was preach to the young adults I work with that discipline and follow through accomplish more than talent. Michael Jordan practiced with fervor. And more to the point he wasn’t the legend from the get go. He wasn’t above average either. He worked at it. Talent helps, but discipline is the key and Jean Alerte may be the living embodiment of it.

Buy the book, donate to the scholarship, eat the yogurt. If you’re going to support someone he is the obvious choice.

Tags: #business, #mlm, #thriveorsurvive, 501c3, @changeinadvance, arts, blog, brooklyn, determination, Do Right, do right do good, economics, economy, entrepreneur, finance, freedom, Frozen yogurt, goals, growth, haitian, Jean Alerte, jean alerte.com, knowledge, Latiq, latiq agard, latq agard foundation, leadership, marketing, michael jordan, mindset, money, motivation, obama, power, recession, sales, strength, success, truth, wealth, wisdom, zangba thomson

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Categories Interviews

Never Give up

21 Apr

“I was raped at the age of 9 “
-Oprah Winfrey

“I didn’t even complete my university education”
-Bill Gates

“I was sexually, mentally, emotionally and verbally
abused by my father as far back as I can remember until I left home at the age of eighteen”
- Joyce Meyer

“I struggled academically throughout elementary school”
-Dr Ben Carson

“I used to serve tea at a shop to support my football training”
-Lionel Messi

“I used to sleep on the floor in friends’ rooms,returning Coke bottles for food, money, and
getting weekly free meals at a local temple”
- Steve Jobs

“My teachers used to call me a failure”
-Tony Blair

“I was in prison for 27 years”
-Retired President Nelson Mandela

Difficulties are here to stay.
Use them as stepping stones,
Not stumbling blocks.

NEVER GIVE UP!

#thriveorsurvive

No one goes to the Olympics for silver.

http://www.changeinadvance.com

Or simply reply to this article.

#thriveorsurvive

Tags: success, #thriveorsurvive, bill gates, motivation, Failure, mindset, nelson mandela, steve jobs, Oprah, triumph, succes, tony blair, joyce meyer, dr ben carson, lionel messi, rejoice

Comments 2 Comments
Categories Mindset

Need More Time On Those Taxes? 6 months extension- FREE

15 Apr

Need more time to file?
Use TaxACT Online to file Form 4868 FREE for an automatic extension until October 15, 2013.
Start your TaxACT return now to file an extension and even if you don’t complete/file your return with them the extension remains in force and no cost.

#thriveorsurvive

No one goes to the Olympics for silver.

http://www.changeinadvance.com

Or simply reply to this article.

#thriveorsurvive

Tags: #business, #thriveorsurvive, 2013, automatic extension, cashflow, file, filing, finance, Form 4868, free, irs, money, October 15, online, success, tax, TaxACT Online, taxact.com, taxes, until

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Categories finance

QUICK TAX TIP

14 Apr

Taxes are due tomorrow unless you filed already or have an extension filed as well.
Do your due diligence folks and be sure not to cheat.

Now Folks, if you have a legit business you need to work your deductions.
There are legal, healthy deductions the government allows for every business. Competitive, entrepreneurial growth is not only desired it is encouraged by the government.
Now let’s say you meet a potential client while at the local watering hole/hamburger spot. You can legally claim a % of that meal. But you want to make sure you have proof.
So you save the receipt for sure.
Most of my readers know to keep every receipt forever so that’s not a new concept.

Here’s the new concept:
Write the date, time, name and contact info on back of that receipt.
Now you have a great frame of reference for you and your CPA.

Want a Bonus tip:
Every time you get a business card from someone or a contact card- write their info and a first impression on the back.
Something like: Peter Parker, likes Silver coins, on a 1-10 his interest peaked at a 7.

See how simple this is?
How easy it can be to bulletproof
your taxes,
accounting,
and recruiting?

The business victories aren’t found in sealing the deal. The details are where you find every victory.
Prep work, and follow through deliver a greater ROI in every business.
I don’t care what you sell, who you train, or what you blog- my two aforementioned rules will deliver. Guaranteed.

#thriveorsurvive.

No one goes to the Olympics for silver.

http://www.changeinadvance.com

Or simply reply to this article.

#thriveorsurvive

Tags: #business, #thriveorsurvive, blog, cpa, deductions, deductr, don't cheat, finance, gains, Government, info, irs, law, receipts, ROI, sales, success, taxes

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Categories finance

Infographic: Anatomy Of A LINK

12 Apr

(Via Hubshout.com)

No one goes to the Olympics for silver.

http://www.changeinadvance.com

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Tags: #business, #mlm, #thriveorsurvive, @changeinadvance, blog, blogging, determination, economics, economy, entrepreneur, facebook, growth, hubshout, hubshout.com, infographic, marketing, mindset, motivation, napoleon hill, panda, Programming, SEO, social media, success, technology, wealth, Web-Based, wisdom, \

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Categories SEO

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