Everybody’s buying Gold and Silver. Let them Buy from YOU. Click for details.

30 Jul

#thriveorsurvive

Hemingway is Right.

30 Jul

#thriveorsurvive

TRY

29 Jul

“The best angle from which to approach any problem is the TRY-ANGLE” – Author Unknown

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GreAtneSs

28 Jul

“Its not how good you are, its how good you want to be”

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Exclusive Interview #2. Spotlighting Ceddy J of www.Duskspot.com

28 Jul

Exclusive Interview #2. Spotlighting Ceddy J of http://www.Duskspot.com
——————–
The second interview in a series highlighting up and coming entrepreneurs and leaders.
Today we interview Ceddy J.

And without further ado:

-Where you from?
Originally From Trenton, NJ and Now Living In Dallas, TX.

-Age?
I’m currently 25 years of age.

-How did you get in the game?
This all sparked from playing many instruments at a young age along with being on the newspaper staff back in high school. After a college professor recommended I take her voice and diction class, she encouraged me to become a radio personality.

-What made you embrace your position?
As far as event promoting, I went to an event for homecoming at my college, which was real fun until some random lames decided they wanted to have a huge brawl. This lead to not only the event ending early, but also lead to the venue never letting Black people have nothing there again. I told myself that night I was going to become a promoter and have events that weed out fighters. After I threw a “Project X” type of party I was involved with some of the premier events in the Dallas area. After a while, I took the experience I have as a promoter, radio personality, and musician to fuse myself into the DJ that I am today.

-What keeps you in your position?
I’m not afraid to take risks along with not allowing rejection to get in the way of I’m passionate about.

-What are your secrets to success?
I always study trends of the industry, understanding every position so that I can convey exactly what I want done the way I want it.

-What don’t you like in the game?
There are always a lot of sharks who say “it takes money to make money”, but half of them are the exact people always looking for handouts. PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH!

-What do you like in the game?
The Underground Aspects Of The Industry set the tone for the majors. Like for instance, internet radio shows like mine focused on the upcoming leaders in the entertainment industry. This lead to major radio stations playing more local music and having weekly shows with local artists.

-What would you change in the game?
Stop letting budgets dictate talent. If an artist is GREAT, let’s find them some investments so that we have quality.

-If I gave you a milli what or whom would
you invest in?
With a milli, I’m investing in starting foundation to help small businesses get their feet off the ground through strong planning and executing.

-What sets you apart from the game?
I understand the basics of the game and then play by my rules and feed off of suggestions to keep myself well-rounded.

-What are your thoughts on 360 deals?
360 are worth it depending on how much a label is willing to invest into its artist, especially when it comes to marketing.

-What made you love hip hop?
My appreciation for multiple genres helped me love hip hop. Its a genre of music that has sparked a huge culture that is always evolving over time.

-Who is your fav rapper/lyricist?
Phonte because this dude is the full package that the industry has been blessed with. He always delivers when he says he has another great project coming out.

-Best person to ever play your position?
Ricky Smiley, because a personality he is not afraid to be himself show after show.

-Best rapper alive?
If we want to talk revenue and talent, hands down Jay-Z.

-Advice for my readers?
I have a coinphrase I say at the end of every show, which is “Where There’s A J, Or A U(You) There’s A Way!” I live by this everyday and encourage my listeners to always go after what they want the best way they can with as many ways possible.

-Your definition of success?
Success is being able to realize that you set the tone through how confident and knowledgeable you are in your position.

-Any projects you’d like to promo?
My social network for upcoming stars in music and modeling called DuskSpot.com which is dedicated to playing an direct role in its members’ careers. I also would like to promote my partner in crime, DJ P Bucc, because without his continued support and direct involvement with all of my projects I would almost give up.

#thriveorsurvive

SUCCESS

28 Jul

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will.
-???

#thriveorsurvive

Truth

27 Jul

Give yourself no excuses even when you can. Build the right #attitude.
-Anon

#thriveorsurvive

Lessons from the movie Paid In Full.

27 Jul

Lessons from the movie Paid In Full.

So I’m in a waiting room after a back injury and was discussing the movie Paid in Full with a colleague and while its a ‘hood movie’, or a ‘drug movie’- I found some great points for any business person.
The protagonist whose moniker is Ace has an unusual way of doing business and leading. At least in comparison to his peers.

-Keep pricing down.
In any business if your clientele and partners can purchase at a lower cost your average goes up.
I was part of a business that required me to buy product monthly for consumption or to give away. Now the product was great- is great. Top notch. But the problem I had was that the costs were high and then they went up! And I couldn’t convince people to buy my product. Oh I had some sales and didn’t walk away bankrupt. But the costs were extreme. And you can easily say- Tony you failed there not them. And you might be right. However if the product was a better value for the dollar I think I would have believed in it more and my customers would have bought more and been more numerous. The lesson here is simple- if your product can’t be moved in your market at the desired price- lower it. Now you may not be able too, but if you can do it. Ever notice that Old Navy and Gap inc always have sales? Or how about Honda and Toyota? Both product types are in demand. Both offer quality products. However sale pricing closes the deal. In a psych-sales/marketing class the teacher spoke on how the $19.99 pricing of a unit could lead to a 30% profit margin over the similarly priced $20.00 unit. You see, the sale price is akin to a fish hook covered in tasty bait. That one penny difference not only lures them in but seals the deal.
In the Movie ACE sold a higher quality. product and at a cheaper price. This enabled him to move product faster and satisfy his consumer base. He also benefited by having his money in hand faster and being able to buy more product faster. Also the faster you can profit the more you can minimize your risks and increase value to clients.

-More importantly keep cost down.
Now if your product is cheaper than your competitors your advantage is astronomical. And when marketed it right sales will grow exponentially. In the movie ACE purchased a higher quantity of “merchandise” at a time which enabled him to make a larger profit easier. What’s even more amazing was that since he was in essence buying wholesale he could lower his price and still make a killing. Remember profits are made wen you buy not when you sell. That applies to buying homes, flipping homes and cars and even signing contracts. Ill let you figure how the last one applies ;).
—-

-Share the wealth.
Profit sharing can have enormous implications when related to sales, profit, loyalty and growth. Now you can keep 80% of your profits and see what happens. After costs you might have 2% left to pay employees and partners. And I don’t know about you but I won’t bust my hump for peanuts- especially for your dream and not mine. See that’s a normal human reaction. Even if I give you a 110%, eventually someone else will see my caliber and snatch me up. This is avoided by either profit sharing and or paying an exceptional wage. People who are paid what they are worth or more will give more. In the movie ACE worked this out by not cutting out his competition. He made it possible for everyone to ‘eat.’. Every individual who wanted in was in. Everyone looking to cash in- DID. Your team will work. But pay them like family and you all win. Disagree? Email me.

-Share the power.
ACE shared power with friends and confidants. He didn’t rule Nazi wild style. People were given rolls and responsibilities. While ACE was top dog he had enough people whom he had given a stake too that these people kept the cogs in the machines rolling. Look at our government in the USA- there are three branches to create a balance where power is concerned. In your own business you need partners. And with these partners you may keep a majority share but when their voices don’t count they won’t care. Also in sharing power you relinquish some power but also remove a burden; a yolk is lifted from your neck. Share people. It will improve ALL results.

-Reward friends.
In business many people reach out to and or work with friends before anyone else. Now this is ideal- providing you do it right. Your friends don’t want to be slaves or butlers. They want a say, and some equality. Now here’s the tricky part- KNOW YOU. If you don’t you fail. You have to know if you can share. You have to know if you even want too. However friends deserve to be rewarded. The people who stick with you and help you build an empire must reap the rewards. Giving them this form of loyalty rewards you with theirs. And when the friends are rewarded they work harder.
In the movie ACE had a true friend in Mitch who was a hustler when ACE walked the straight and narrow. And when the tables turned and ACE was the boss he rewarded Mitch richly. Which gave him not just loyal workers but a friend for life. Now it wasn’t the materialism side that fed and freed people for ACE- it was the simple act of giving. When you reward those who are with you, everyone wins.

-Overall this movie was a ‘hood classic.’. However what people are missing is that the protagonist was able to use real business principles to succeed. He also quelled violence, saved lives and rewarded Rico the friend of Mitch. Now that dog bit the hand that fed him you might argue, but he was rewarding Rico’ loyalty to Mitch.

#thriveorsurvive.

“Lack of loyalty is one of the major causes of failure in every walk of life.” -Napoleon Hill

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-
Changeinadvance@gmail.com
@changeinadvance
Or simply reply to this article.

#thriveorsurvive

My First Live Radio Spot! (Thanks to Ceddy J for all the Love) #TrendingTopicThursday – #GoldStandard with @Tonecash 03/22 by Life After Dusk Live | Blog Talk Radio

26 Jul

In advance of our interview with Ceddy J coming this Saturday and his Show tonight we are reposting my first radio show spot with Ceddy J discussing “the Gold standard.”

Physical wealth and cash are the talk points.
Give it a listen and enjoy folks.
#thriveorsurvive.

#TrendingTopicThursday – #GoldStandard with @Tonecash 03/22 by Life After Dusk Live | Blog Talk Radio

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ceddyj/2012/03/23/trendingtopicthursday–goldstandard-with-tonecash

#thriveorsurvive

From the big bro Ceddy J over @ Duskspot.com

25 Jul

After an almost month hiatus, tonight I return back to the airwaves!

In honor of The 3rd Annual Dusk Model Month, I have assembled a panel of modeling industry professionals for tonight’s topic “How Bad Do You Want To Model?”

We will briefly share our opinions on how you know if you’re prepared for the industry, and how to identify what lane to go in.

Listen Live!

Link: http://blogtalkradio.com/ceddyj/2012/07/26/the-panel-how-bad-do-you-want-to-model

Time: 11pm – 11:30pm EST/8pm -8:30pm PST

If you miss the show, don’t worry it will still be available for playback at that link, free on iTunes, DuskSpot.com, and various other outlets.

Thanks for your time everyone!

@CeddyJDusk
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