#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.
Perception is a great dictator of where you will be in the future. Knowing where you are now will aid in this process. And so I present you this semi- #infographic to remind you where you are dictates where you will go- provided you learn the truth, and make moves to be ahead of the pack. Nothing happens without effort so be a pack mule and carry your burdens to get to the blessings.
#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.
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.
I don’t want you to trust me or these nifty images folks.
I want you to go out and learn finance. Study the history of currency, gold, silver, banking, commerce– everything. There is a wealth of knowledge out there and you can build your financial wisdom up to a point where you can greatly influence how and where every dollar you make goes. Invest, hedge against inflation with numismatics, or maybe silver bullion. heck! Go buy some copper if you feel the need. Just be aware of what others consider real money, what a fiat currency is, and what could happen to your retirement fund, and savings aka LOOT.
Not interested? Fine. But a little due diligence never hurt anyone right? The talking heads on television don’t care so you should.
#thriveorsurvive.
Finance (Photo credit: Tax Credits)
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.
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.
Porsche 911 Club Coupe
#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.
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
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
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.
3 MINUTES WITH KEVIN JACKSON(INTERVIEW #1 IN A SERIES).
If you have followed my work on other sites then you know I love interviews. Sitting with leaders and entrepreneurs expands not only the minds of my readers but myself as well.
And with my new series I aim to raise the bar. Without further ado:
Today we spent our time with Kevin Jackson,
A man well ahead of the curve.
-Where you from?
Originally Texas, but I have lived all over, including China, a short time in France. Presently I live in St. Louis.
-Age?
49.
-Tell my readers exactly what you do- Businesses you own, ventures, products, etc-
I am a former management consultant. I have two Amazon best-selling books, and host a syndicated radio show out of Tampa, FL.
What brought about theblacksphere.net?
I was frustrated politically, specifically with how black people were being used as political pawns.
-Give my readers a brief synopsis of your three blacksphere projects and tell us which you are most passionate about?
Changing things in the black community. Our Forever Families project gets over 100 kids adopted each year, as whole siblings units. We have a radio project that will build character in the black community. And finally we have a pro-CHILD project that focuses on the sanctity of life.
-I enjoyed your mission statement, please break it down in part with your vision as stated on the site?
My vision is to create more black CEOs. I am achieving this by explaining to black people that we are not victims, we are VICTORS! It’s a tough love approach, but it’s necessary.
-What needs to change in politics immediately?
We need to End Identity Politics. The idea that “color” is the reason somebody can or cannot make it is ridiculous.
-Who did you vote for in the last two elections?
McCain and Romney.
-How did you build your sites popularity and success?
I think if you are true to yourself and your vision really addresses who you are, you can be successful…if you’re relevant. I don’t shoot for temporary success, but success that can sustain itself. The only way to do that is to be true to your message, and fearless in delivery and defense of the message.
-What are your thoughts on social media? Social media has changed and will continue to change the world.
-Do you believe in it’s power?
Absolutely. It can certainly help make a person, again, as long as the person works it correctly, and isn’t looking for 15 minutes of fame.
-What made you embrace your position?
I have seen people gain followings methodically, and with proper messaging obtain rabid supporters.
-What keeps you in this position?
I can see our constant growth, and that’s encouraging.
-What are your secrets to success? Incrementalism and steadfast work ethic. I have also assembled an amazing team of supporters.
-If I gave you a million dollars what or whom would you invest in?
If I were selfish with it, I would likely put it in becoming self-sustaining, i.e. a small farm where I grow everything, have running water, etc. I think we spend far too much on the bare necessities, which are getting more and more expensive. Unselfishly I would continue to do things for kids, just amp it up a bit.
-Advice for my readers?
Be critical thinkers. Don’t believe everything you are told and do the research. Don’t be so dogmatic in a position that you are not willing to look at the other side of things. If blacks did this, there would be no Tiger Woods, because “black people don’t like golf.” We tend to classify things as “white” because we have never done it. Open your minds. The mind once expanded never regains its original shape.
-Your definition of success?
When you know who you are, truly know who you are, that is success.
-What’s your hobby?
I’m an avid martial artist, and continue to train some elite athletes and my youngest son. I love music, and play piano poorly.
-Any projects you’d like to promo?
Just follow my work, KNOWING that I want America to be a place where people can achieve their dreams, unencumbered. I will be promoting some fun project, i.e. a short comedy tour, and I have been asked to put together a sketch comedy show.
#thriveorsurvive.
#BlogHeavy
Changeinadvance 