Tag Archives: #thriveorsurvive

Economic realities of the Entrepreneur

30 Oct

Economic realities of the Entrepreneur.

Everyone is an entrepreneur.
A lot of people are too scared to put the work in. Strong words but salient concepts.
In my new series here at Moov Magazine I will embark on a journey with you to unravel the entrepreneurial journey.

-Economics.
A lot of people are scared in this day and age. In this market, in this economy, people feel they have no way out. They don’t. believe there is a way out. I think that’s fool hardy. Its lies and misdirection fed to us.
The simple truth is economics are irrelevant. The future, your future is in your hands. Are you aware that more millionaires have been made in the great depression and the great recession we are in now? Well its a fact.
My question to you the reader is simply What do you want?
What do you expect?
What are you going to do?
Until you can answer these you are lost.
However I’ve got some great basics to start with.

-Personal finance vs business finance.
As an entrepreneur there is one huge mistake a lot of people make- using their money and credit to make an empire. Never use your money. Set up an llc, S corp or other such venture. Why? It protects your assets. It saves your credit and your dollars. There is honor in standing by your risks. And there is greater honor in handling business ventures as an adult. I personally won’t use an S corp as it still leaves me with liability. However you choose your safe haven- but choose you must. Also why not have 5 corporations? Every idea you have is worthy of its own respect and llc et al. Make it happen.

-Debt.
Avoid negative debt. Sounds foolish and opposite I’m sure but hear me out. Debt is not needed but can build an empire. See America. Taking on a reasonable amount of debt to build your business is smart. Use that debt to get the tools you need not the Benz you want. Debt will expand not detract if your business model is right. The only question is will you make it right or dream it wrong.

-Credit.
Credit is funding that can be found from multiple sources. What’s better is it doesn’t always have to be paid back! You can literally build your business on the backs of others with no downside. Now this isn’t always but it is definite. There are many methods of procuring funding. Do your due diligence and you will find state, federal, and private funding as well. Facebook had numerous private investors put a lot of money into them. And now with the advent of kickstarter and its ilk we can all find credit.

-Success.
I’m going to end on a non-financial note. Success isn’t being a billionaire; its being Trump. Now I know he is a billionaire but hear me out. Trump has had failure after failure. Been bankrupt or close to it twice or better. And yet he keeps coming back. He has a diversified revenue stream and a successful mainstream that few of us even dream of. It wasn’t his money, it was his will. His tenacity. Success is a journey not a destination.

Let’s meet along the road.
#thriveorsurvive.

Tony L. 3rd.
Tony@changeinadvance.com

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Quick Lessons I Learned Bouncing a VIP Party Last Night

28 Oct

Quick Lessons I Learned Bouncing a VIP Party Last Night.

So I worked a party in Brooklyn on my birthday. And it was interesting to say the least. The venue was pretty sweet and the music was great. I’m going to list a few things that did and didn’t work for you.

-Location, location, location.
This place was great. It had parking, easy to reach from the highways and so forth. I came from a different borough and still got there real quick. The venue itself was rooftop and had amazing views of the skyline. From the security standpoint it was easily defensible and controllable which I appreciated. These things created optimal conditions. Any realtor will tell you location beats all.
What business is McDonald’s in?
Not burgers folks.
Not even selling proven systems.
Real estate. McDonald’s has surpassed even the Catholic church as the largest land owner in the world. They buy prime locations and resell/lease them. Where you sell, market, or recruit is more important than many people realize.

-Planning and Execution
The event had all the trimmings. There was music, lighting, dj equipment, amps et al. They had staff and security. However there was poor execution. A good few items were not found or simply not brought. This impeded order and profitability. Simply planning for an event or business move isn’t enough. Its the execution and follow through that make you successful.

-Funding.
A lack of funding killed the VIP section at the party. And it would have added some 30% to the take. Aka the profits. It was to be a heated tent at the highest point of the rooftop party with bottle service and more. However the budget fell to pieces. Secure funding for your entire plan asap. Don’t assume things will work; assume they won’t. To have adequate funding 3 weeks prior to the date of an event is key. All along you should have also been making deposits and such but you need cash on hand and cash for emergencies. Set the bar higher.

-Team Unity.
One great asset was that my partner and I were of one accord. No matter who was there and what happened we had each others’ back. We weren’t worried about our safety so much because we knew someone had an eye open. Your team has to be a cohesive unit. It has to be well coordinated, well funded and well led. It also requires they be on the same page. They have to know what is expected and also want to work together. A united team is like a rope made of multiple strands- it has greater strength than any single strand.

-Funding comes before fun.
Birthday or not I have a commitment and a family to provide for. While there are just the two of us it is still a focus of mine to bring in more. And with Sandy approaching it worked out well as I bought supplies and had extra cash on hand.
Also as an entrepreneur I need additional funding to procure the necessities of any good start-up. Advertising, internet, incorporation costs- all require funding. And as such it behooved me to put aside 10 hours on my birthday. This little sacrifice has led to more contacts and more work. It also has provided me with a greater network. And as I mentioned, the cash was pretty cool too.

Priorities people. They can shift but require you know what needs to get done. Small sacrifices will build bridges to great freedom.

#thriveorsurvive.

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.

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Today’s word is: COMMITMENT

25 Oct

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Small Money, Small Success

23 Oct

Small Money, Small Success.

Small money, small success. Sad but true, this mentality is probably handicapping more entrepreneurs and start ups than I can imagine. The scope of your dreams defines the rise of your success.

Before I get into theory and concept let me preface my mindset with a story. You see I moved recently and ran into a former coworker. We were discussing my move and some of the new logistics that came with it. Previously I’d had an indoor garage parking spot and as such parking was never an issue. At my new residence however I have to park anywhere I can. Indeed it is almost a Darwinian situation in some aspects (kidding). Now I have to find a parking spot and dodge meters, street cleaning, and school zoning. I don’t particularly mind because the trade off in parking was worth the proximity to my job and the great neighborhood and superior building service. At this point in the conversation my former coworker stated that having to pay a few bucks a week for parking when I can’t get a good spot gets to be expensive. I had to pause here and I’ll tell you why. On the average week I’m paying about 4 bucks to park over a 7 day week. That’s not bad in my opinion. It adds up to 16 dollars a month which is not a lot either. Now being fiscally rabid isn’t smart but for me it’s an economic win win. This works out to be cheap because I cut my gas bill and car mileage dramatically. I now spend about 50 a month on gas. I used to spend 35 dollars a week or better. So when you do the math my gas and parking bill at its highest month is still about half what I used to spend. Keep in mind that that’s the average numbers. There are weeks I don’t pay for parking at all so the savings are even greater when we look at expenditures for certain months. Also as I mentioned my mileage is down dramatically. I went from 20 miles a day to about 3. If you use the IRS’ numbers for the value/cost of usage per mile this is a big savings. I’m doing 110 miles less a week on average. So now my resale value will rise dramatically. My wear and tear and thus maintenance also will drop precipitously.

I say all this to point out the difference in mindset. I saw gain, ease of access, and peace of mind when I moved. My compatriot saw the 4 bucks. This is ludicrous. I lowered my living expenses overall while increasing my standard of living. And therein lays the key.

What do you see when you spend? Do you not spend money on your education or to grow your business out of fear of losing capital? Or do you spend to build your regime? Life is short and the less you invest in you the less you gain. If you sweat the small dollars you won’t make the big riches. Being fiscally prudent is always important- but you can’t make money if you don’t spend money. I think the quotes below will indirectly end this article better than I ever could.

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”
-Oscar Wilde

“The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become” – Buddha

#thriveorsurvive.

#findyourfuel.

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.

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Complacency, Distraction, and other Devils

20 Oct

Complacency, Distraction, and other Devils.

So life is a mess!- for average folks.
No. I’ll rephrase that. People who want average things or put out average effort end up in a mess. I know a few devils that I let hold me back and I’m going to discuss them here so we can all learn together. Complacency, Distraction, and

-Complacency.
Complacency is a robber. It is called a valid contentment by some but I think that’s malarkey. Complacency robbed me a few years ago. You see I got a great job with the city. Benefits galore, great hours, room for advancement, free tuition and good pay.
Pretty cool right? Wrong. I went into that job with dreams of an LLC and making moves. I didn’t follow through though. I got comfortable in my steady check. When I was a freelancer I was looking to make money not take a check. And I had to suffer a major setback to move forward again. Now I’ve kept my job, I won’t lie. I love it. Also I’m no longer complacent. Seeing what awaits me is kindle for my fire. It sets me in motion, gets me amped. I may even retire from my job- but I will have independent wealth regardless. In my last three ventures I’ve made money or value. I learned great skills too but even better- like I said, I made $$$. And I did it for me. By me. My sweat and tears and team building yielded fruit. And guess what, it only happened when I decided making good money wasn’t enough. It happened when I decided that short hours weren’t enough. What’s holding you back?

-Distraction.
When you become distracted from your goals, from your drive for success- you lose. ever watch a batter who is at bat? He has to tune the world out. That pitch comes fast. It comes hard. And he has to get it to achieve. Ted Williams used distractions to increase focus. The press and their irritation’s fed him. He used it. Sadly most people don’t. If your friends want your time, your family wants your time, the xbox, or PS3- RUN! When you aren’t focused on your main goal you won’t make it. Just quit. Everybody has excuses to avoid success don’t be everybody. Be the best. The cream rises to the top. The people want leadership. The losers want distractions. Lead don’t follow. Books not Television.
Get the gist?

-Paperwork.
Please folks- keep your paperwork in order. Being lazy, or messy never ends well for a business owner. Taxes, expenses, lodging- get the software if you have to. LAZY is not cool!

#thriveorsurvive.

“If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary”.
-Jim Rohn

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.

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We Accept What We Think We Deserve

19 Oct

We Accept What We Think We Deserve.

Simple. Wrong. Frustratingly Factual.
Its kind of upsetting folks that this one thought process ruins lives and dreams systematically.

-Accepting less than you deserve.
In life you deserve the best. No questions asked. The question is will you accept that?
Will you accept the blessings and responsibilities that come with it?
Your Mindset will literally predict your income and success levels. When we tell ourselves we deserve nothing- WE GET NOTHING! Simple as that. I can predict a prospect or students fiscal trajectory with a few questions. And the less they expect out of life and out of themselves the less income they will generate. The less mental wealth they will accrue.
To get to the top you have to first believe you actually belong there. If you don’t, well you don’t. A champion first believed that they were already champions, it was only a matter of time and commitment. Nothing else. Ever hear doctors tell sick patients that a positive outlook literally effects them? It does. What is your mindset?
Are you willing to accept that you are amazing? That you deserve it all?
Don’t forget the responsibilities of greatness. To whom much is given much is required. When you reach your zenith you must give back. Others must be shown the same path. This will reward both your heart and your wallet. Pretty cool I say.

-Playing small.
Playing small serves no purpose.
No one was made to be nothing- pardon the double negative, it’s intentional. Greatness is destiny. There is unlimited potential in all of us. Reach for it. When you achieve build off of it. Every achievement is a stepping stone. as such you must continually progress to being greater than you are today. Your tomorrows don’t belong to you so make them amazing for others and you will in turn be amazing. Be a wellspring of true greatness.

-Manifest your success.
The easiest way to break this down is that its exactly what it sounds like. Only you have the ability to create your success. You may come from wealth, or have a huge family company- irrelevant. And I know a lot of people will argue me on this but my position is simple: you are only successful by your OWN hand. What you create, design, or maintain. How many lottery winners aren’t broke 5 years after they win? Heck 2 years creates a path of tragedy that for some even culminates in suicide. How sad that is. Some people inherit vast empires and run them into the ground ruining that which their forefathers sweated for. You see what you don’t have equity in you don’t value. As this works out in my head means only one thing: you make yourself what you are. Statistics would label me a failure based on generic acquired data. To put it another way an unacceptable percentage of males in my position, sex, race, etc fail at life. Yet I never accepted failure as an option. I have had numerous pitfalls and I myself have been the author of my disaster at times- and I always bounced back. Deep in my heart there is a fear of failure. But there is a bigger fear of not being me. And I’ve always wanted to be the best or amongst the best. I want to win. I meditate on thriving and not surviving (#thriveorsurvive).

#thriveorsurvive.
#findyourfuel

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.

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TRUTH

19 Oct

Writers are not just people who sit down and write. They hazard themselves. Every time you compose a book your composition of yourself is at stake. E.L. Doctorow

TRUTH

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Aside

7 Tips to Build THE LinkedIn Super Network

18 Oct

7 Tips to Build THE LinkedIn Super Network

Social networking has increased internet use and become a boon to big and small businesses alike., LinkedIn may just be the most critical as many business owners and decision makers congregate there.  The key to making it work is to not simply connect with your cousins, bros, and frat members, but cultivate, unique and critical relationships with both other business owners and potential clients.

However this Super Network won’t happen in 24 hours.  I’ve got 7 tips to get you the true benefits of a LinkedIn

1. You must Optimize your profile: right out the gate the easiest way to do this is change your profile picture. LinkedIn considers this freshness so to speak and it may help your ranking when others are searching for just what you have or are.

2. Tell people who you are, who you help and how you help them in your headline: If your headline communicates these it will grab a person’s attention. If I don’t read your headline and know exactly what you offer and why I need you and not the next guy in the cue- you’ve already lost me.  Be clear and compelling folks.

3. All current and past work experiences must be filled out: People are always looking for you.  Maybe not you but what you offer and a past acquaintance may be just the thing to swing their vote in your favor. When you list all of your places of employment, including where you went to school, you create a vast net for catching those who are a perfect fit and those who need your resources and skills. Also these connections may be through people you don’t know personally but through other relationships you’ve made.

4. Join targeted groups: This is perhaps the most effective way you will connect with professionals of the same mindset.  These groups are filled with people serious about their LinkedIn network.  These are the folks looking for deeper connections. Participation in these groups fosters a greater exchange of knowledge between you and others.

5. Create a targeted group: Leading a group can give you a certain level of credibility.  It also allows you to connect with serious professionals on your field.

6. Use personal invites: I think these surpass connection requests. This is the first time people hear from you.  So make what they see count.  Be cordial, engaging, and helpful.

7. Endorsements and recommendations go along way: This will enhance your profile.  However done wrong you are self-sabotaging.  Mass/generic e-mail to clients or colleagues asking for written recommendations etc isn’t proper. . 1st, make a list of those who have great stories about you to share.  2nd, contact them personally.  A call is best but a personalized email will do.   Let them know your intentions and discuss how you helped them in the past so they know what story would work best.  Endorsements are the same, and are a simple click of the button too. And don’t forget to let them know you will be endorsing their strong suits, or unique skills as well.

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#Marketing Tip:

16 Oct

#Marketing Tip:
A key part of building your brand is promoting a polished and consistent image. Your image is reflected in everything that represents your business – logo, business card, packaging, tag-line, etc. To make a lasting impression, be sure every aspect of your marketing strategy mirrors that image in design, color and overall appearance.

http://www.memarketgroup.com

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Find Your Rhythm (Find Your Fuels 3rd installment)

15 Oct

Find Your Rhythm.

Life moves fast. And odds are you are wasting a hefty amount of time not by being unproductive but by being off point. Ever notice that when you’re in the groove things work in an almost magical way. Your stars align, the trains on time, and the dry cleaner made your suit ever so crisp.
The secret here isn’t vitamins or magic incantations or mystical blessings.
It’s Finding Your Rhythm.

-Go With Your Gut.
At every turn their are options. You have to focus and learn to know without knowing. And no, I’m not a Jedi. What I am saying is that we all have an intuition. Intuition let’s you see what’s coming albeit not as clear as a picture. Intuition is what I consider to be my guiding light. It will show me many paths and usually in an order that precipitates growth, peace, or success. I’ve had my intuition show me danger and save me from it. Literally. I’ve met people who would bring me harm or rob me of my peace. And intuition has shown me out the gate that these people are poison. And so I avoided them. This is really important folks. Many people will disrupt your rhythm. In fact they may come into your life only to do just that. Many people thrive on bringing failure to others. And knowing to avoid them alone will bring you unparalleled success. This is essential when picking your team folks.
Intuition will help you feel what avenue to travel on the road to success. Ever worked a job you hated? And from the first day it felt wrong? There was a voice inside of you that knew this wasn’t right. At that point you were out of your rhythm. Not every dollar is a good dollar. And most jobs we take can be equated to slavery. Why you ask? Because even though you are paid you are suffering the whole time. Someone else is winning off of your efforts. For me I feel this a lot. I have a great job. Love it. However it isn’t what’s best for me. Rising to the top as an entrepreneur is. How do I know?
The idea brings me peace.
The idea has been there since critical thinking’s inception in my cranium.
And as my intelligence has grown so has my intuition. And both tell me its time to fly solo.

-Dancers.
Lastly have you seen Dancing with the Stars? A lot of these people can’t dance. They have no rhythm. They are out of sync. And it shows. Do you see where you are out of sync? Are you aware you are off rhythm to the Beat of Life? Finding your rhythm will be akin to fresh air. It will be like enlightenment to a Buddhist I hope this last bit of imagery illustrates how important it is to Find Your Rhythm.

#findyourfuel.
#thriveorsurvive.

“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.” Wayne Dyer

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.

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