The ideal attitude is to be physically loose and mentally tight.
-Arthur Ashe
#thriveorsurvive
No one goes to the Olympics for silver.
Thoughts? Concerns?
Questions? Think I’m wrong?
Let’s chat.
Need ideas?
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Let’s chat.
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Tony@Changeinadvance.com
@changeinadvance
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Or simply reply to this article.
#thriveorsurvive
Recently I’ve upgraded my hunger.
Let me explain. You see i love writing, reading, and interviewing people.
Yup as I’ve built my sites and my dreams I decided that I wanted to interview not just entrepreneurs but my favorite emcees and entrepreneurial heroes as well.
So I made a list, and yeah I checked it twice (lol).
I decided on 7 rappers and 3 DJ’s. After that the entrepreneurs come. Now I got off track and lost that order as some amazing people stumbled into my path. Miss163, Jean Alerte, and Javier Saldana to name just a few. And boy was it worth it.
However today I’m here to talk about the waterproof emcee, The Lyrical Master, RAS KASS.
This lyricist, sorry rapper is to shitty a term, was not only down to earth but gracious, intelligent, genuine, and cool as a fan.
BH: How did you get started with rap?
RK: Hearing older cats rapping and getting the bug to rhyme had me. I was a late bloomer in the rap game. rap resonated heavy for me after 6th grade.
BH: Who was your favorite rapper growing up?
RK: Kool G Rap, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, EPMD and Kool MO Dee.
BH: Nice.
RK: But I patterned myself after KRS One. He was more informative.
BH: How many albums have you done?
RK: Conceptually 9. But some were leaked, bootlegged or blocked. A former manager lost one as well so there is a litany of Ras Kass that isn’t out to the market a a whole.
BH: Speaking of hold outs- did you run up on the label for your masters? As a non-fan the legend of you literally taking back what was yours by force was awe inspiring to me. The willingness on your part to go to jail to feed the seed as I heard it, is amazing.
RK: I did what the situation called for no regrets.
BH: What are your current plans in hip hop?
RK: I’m staying in. I haven’t done all I want. I have more to say and more to obtain fiscally. The game is never done for me. It is a career not a cycle. I have so much more in store.
BH: A rebirth?
RK: Naw. I’m doing it til I’m done with it.
BH: Thoughts on the rap game?
RK: It is really just the pimp game turned on it’s back. You could call it the new form of slavery. It is all business nut business has an objective and talent gets the short end of the stick.
BH: You left handed or right handed?
RK: Left handed.
BH: Word?! ME TOO!!
RK: you find a lot of talented and or simply successful emcees are left handed their mindset and general existence is geared towards creativity and expressing innate talent.
BH: thoughts on The Horsemen?
RK: I left the group in 2012 but they are my brothers. Forever we will work together. We are friends to the next level.
BH:Thoughts on Slaughterhouse claiming the fame of said name?
RK: Hey, they did what we couldn’t- make commercial success from their unity. They got it out execution wise so how can I argue.
RK: They did what Wu-Tang did as they set out and respect is deserved. They say God laughs when you make plans…
BH: Your son Taj Austin rhymes as well. Thoughts? feelings?
RK: He was rapping since he was little. His mother is a singer and I’m a lyricist so he is set up well. As I was coming up I had no one to bounce ideas and concepts off of. He has the benefit of both our experience to add direction and or guidance to his career/objectives.
BH: How did you come up with the track Interview With A Vampire?
RK: It started as a joke. I said I could do a song with Jesus on an island and if no one heard it, it would still be worthless. From there the song evolved almost on its own.
BH: As a lyricist myself I feel you. Some songs seem to write themselves.
RK: Indeed some tracks I cough and they damn near done.
BH: What is your favorite song you have done?
RK: I don’t have one. My catalog is 20,000 songs deep or more and they are all reflective of what I’ve done, where I’ve been, and who I am. I can’t pick one honestly.
BH: I came to be a fan of yours quite late- 2005 or so to be honest. But between your verses with CANibus and and the Horsemen I was won over before I heard your early works. As I’ve matured since then I’ve invested in all of your catalog I could find. And as such I have to ask- Where did you conceive of the cover for the EAT OR DIE Mixtape that released in stores?
RK: It was a tribute to the photographer. He went for pictures and came back with a conscious. And in the end he took his own life. Reality was really raw for him.
BH: Newest project?
RK: Barmageddon the album that dropped this year. It is pure hip hop with the feeling of raw lyricism.
If you listen to Barmageddon you hear I’m still human, still love hip hop, still love to rap.
BH: Amen! As a fan I’ve heard it and concur.
Where can fans reach you/find you?
RK: @raskass is perfect.
http://raskass.bandcamp.com/album/barmaggedon for the new album and links to cop my catalog.
BH: Shout out to RAS KASS, The Waterproof Emcee.
#blogheavy
RIGHT THE WRONGS FOUNDATION LLC: WHY DON’T WE SUPPORT THEM EN-MASS?.
Folks, I’ve been real blessed.
And I don’t mean what my parents did for me.
The last 4 months I’ve had the privilege of sitting with an amazing group of men and women who want nothing more than to give and or give back, \You see there are people who never had who refuse not give back.
There are also individuals who have had and refuse not to give beyond the scope of their existence. And in a day and time where the average inner city community member is labeled as greedy, selfishly zealous, or just pure ignorant I’ve been blessed to sit and speak with leaders and visionaries who spend all of their time consumed in one mission: giving back.
On April 23rd I was privileged to sit with Javier Saldana of RIGHT THE WRONGS FOUNDATION LLC. And this brother was the real deal.
RIGHT THE WRONGS FOUNDATION LLC is about giving back and job creation. It is literally that simple. Now I can break down their mission statement for 8 pages but it boils down to a sincere drive to put people back into the work force. It doesn’t end there either. the long term goal is to create a viable workforce with longevity. not a flash in the pan, one term measure of growth- but real numbers. And beyond the numbers are the people. Jobs have been a lot more scarce since 2007 or so. And while there is a lot of talk about jobs and helping the average Joe- I don’t see much folks.
So What Can We Do?
We can support Javier Saldana and RIGHT THE WRONGS FOUNDATION LLC.
Why?
BH: What does RIGHT THE WRONGS FOUNDATION LLC do?
JS: We provide the skills and tools for employable longevity to those we serve.
BH: Expound on that please.
JS: In the world of business and industry there are jobs. In fact there is a deep need, about 2 million open spots. And while we cannot provide the exact training job for job, we can reinforce the basics and lead a multi-generational movement in workplace intelligence and etiquette.
BH: So you have a multi point plan, break that down deeper for my readers please.
JA: Simply put, there are three key facets: Employ-ability, interviews, and etiquette. These facets, when mastered increase the ability of any individual to rise beyond their daily existence to become pivotal players, leaders, and integral parts of their communities.
BH: Is college the answer?
JA: Not always. Simply put there are individuals that school simply isn’t meant for. But they may got to their local McDonald’s and start from the bottom and rise to become a regional vice president or better. Skill sets are vastly suitable for a large percent of the population, especially when we build them up so their esteem and self-profitability become more than concepts, and rise to be innate traits.
BH: So the main goal then is?
JS Sustainability. It has never been about getting them a job and walking away. The goal is to create a fulcrum of pure, sustainable, community based growth. In the end it isn’t jobs- it is a life skills set that leaves the community at large enriched.
BH: So if I hear you right you don’t advocate college over a career plan?
JA: Not at all. As a species we are vastly diverse. So to expect the same result from all of the species is redundantly ignorant. instead we aim to meet the needs of the population as a whole. From that perspective success becomes synonymous simply with action.
BH: Could we sum up the general flow then as 1st knowing your mindset. And 2nd acting accordingly?
JA:YES.
#BlogHeavy
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
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.
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
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.
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.
“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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
(Via Hubshout.com)
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
Changeinadvance 