The Rule of 90/10

I read about the Rule of 90/10 in Robert Kiyosaki's book, "Rich Dad, Poor Dad."  Simply put, it says that in any profession 90% of the money is controlled by 10% of the people.

Is this important?  It certainly is!  It can help you determine where to focus your time and energy to maximize your success.
 
You have heard me say I that I have often dreamed of being an artist.  I go to museums and look at the magnificent paintings and wish I could create something as beautiful.  Why don't I?  Because I haven't got the talent.  I know I could never be in the top 10%.  So rather than devote my time to something I know I will never be very successful at, I focus my need for creativity in other directions.  But as a trainer and coach, I am certain that I can do very well.  I want to teach other baby boomers and other women how to start and run successful businesses.  And I am very good at what I do!

If you want to boost your earning potential to new heights, you need to do the same thing.  Focus your time and energy on the things that can maximize your business.  Leave those other pursuits to other people.

If you want to be at the top of your field, you cannot be average.  Do you have what it takes to be in the top 10%?  Do you have the courage to step out of your comfort zone and try something different?  Do you have the patience to build your business step by step?  Do you have the determination to devote your time to achieving your goals when all your friends are doing something else?  Can you be a positive role model when everyone around you is complaining about their circumstances?

If you answered "Yes" to these questions, then go for it!  Be one of the 10%!  How?  Learn from those who are already there.  Read their books.  Attend their seminars.  Ask them questions and LISTEN to their answers.  Find the things you can be good at and focus your time and effort there.  Do something - at least one thing - every day to get you closer to your goal.  And never give up!

What do you think of the Rule of 90/10?  Does it apply to your business?

The Best Boomer Blogs

Blogging is one of the easiest, most cost effective ways to build an online presence.  They are a great way to showcase your expertise, build web traffic, and gain potential clients or customers.  Many of my friends, colleagues, and clients have incorporated a blog into their overall business strategy.  You should too! 

Do you need some inspiration?  Great!  Today I am going to share with you some of the best blogs written by, for, and about my target market - the baby boomer!

1.  Two of my favorites boomer blogs are written by the same person - Heidi Caswell.  The first, WordPress 101 for Boomers, has information on everything from keeping spammers out of your contact form to uncluttering your sidebars. With the information available here, I am often able to help my clients solve their WordPress problems.

2.  I have recently discovered Heidi writes another blog - Home Grown Lifestyle.  I found it when she posted a recipe for Pork Cabbage Stir Fry with Peanut Sauce on Pinterest.  So far I have learned how to make my own laundry soap, that you can plant cabbage in February, and that it's never too early to start gardening.  I'm still discovering all this blog has to offer, but I think I'm going to become a regular here as well.

3.   Written by the Redhead herself, Heidi Richards Mooney, Redhead Marketing is one of my favorite business blogs. Heidi is a one-stop shop for information on everything you need to know about your home business.

4.  Looking for a blog with a little sass and a lot of class?  The Feisty Side of Fifty celebrates that distinctly unique individual - the baby boomer woman.  Written by Mary Eileen Williams, this where to go for topics as diverse as the post-50 job search to the power of hope, and interviews with fellow boomers such as Karen Colligan and Janet Neal. 

5.  Aging But Dangerous - their mission statement says it all:  "Aging But Dangerous inspires, empowers and challenges women over 50 to self-fulfill, self-actualize and live their lives to the absolute fullest."  What more could you want from a boomer blog?

6.  Sometimes God shows up in the most unusual places.  And the one of the few women I know that would blog about that experience is Bev Mahone.  Check out her latest post on this subject as well as all the other great insight she shares on her blog, Baby Boomer Talk and Other Stuff.

7.  As she describes it, Jo's blog is "just my little journal as I live my life in my tree house."  In fact, it is so much more.  A Majority of Two is a wonderful look at the intricacies of life through the eyes of a remarkable woman.

8.  I am a foodie.  I can spend hours happily puttering in my kitchen trying some new kitchen gadget or experimenting with a new recipe.  Which is why I love the Diva of Tiny Foods.  Where else can you get the recipe for Italian Meatball Bruschetta AND Peanut Butter Marshmallow Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars?

9.  A Gathering of Thoughts by Rebecca Nelson is the blog I read during quiet times.  Rebecca loves to share the fabulous old finds she has discovered during the course of her life.  You will love reading her stories.

10.  If you need articles on health, beauty, family, money, finances and relationships with a baby boomer perspective, then you need to read Rita Morgan's blog Not Just The Kitchen.

These are 10 of my favorite boomer blogs.  I'm sure they will provide plenty of inspiration for other bloggers. 

Do you have a boomer blog the rest of us need to know about?  Don't be shy!  Now is the time to share!

How Much Will I Make?

I get asked this question a lot.  Someone approaching me to help start a business often wants to know if it's worth it.  Potential network marketers want to know how successful they will be.  I'll be honest...I don't have a clue! How hard are you willing to work? How much time are you willing to devote to building your business? Are you going to follow the advice of your trainers and coaches? Are you going to stick with it when it seems like no one is interested in your products, services or business opportunity?

I love it when prospective clients and business partners ask me this question. I want to pull out my magic crystal ball and give them an answer. But honesty is really best in this situation - for two reasons. First, they don't expect it and so it gives me an opportunity to show them that I really am legit and I am not going to make promises that neither of us may be able to keep. Second, it shows them that the income they earn is largely dependent on what they do...or don't do!

I have clients and team members who are millionaires. I have clients and team members who are making $60K or more a year. I have clients and team members who are only making an extra $1000 or so a month. And I have clients and team members who haven't made a dime.

I now have helped over 400 people either start their own business or get involved in network marketing. Most of them are at least moderately successful. Some of them are not. And I'll admit - some of the successful ones took me by surprise. And a couple that I really expected would do well are getting ready to quit. What made the difference? Effort. Listening to me and other business leaders. Persistence. Faith.

How much will you make? I don't know. You could change your life. Or you could continue as you have all these years. All I do know is if you don't do it now, when will you?

31 Days to MillIonaire Marketing Miracles

I am a certified bookworm.  I would almost rather read than eat or sleep.  In fact I have sometimes chosen to do just that.  That's why I love being part of the jvAlert family.  Whenever a "member of the family" publishes a new book, the rest of us are often the first to hear about it!

That is exactly what happened when Tracy Repchuk published her book, "31 Days to Millionaire Marketing Miracles."  And of course, since Tracy is "family", I hurried right over to buy my copy.  I am so glad I did!

If you're like me then some of this Internet marketing stuff is still a mystery.  We've read all the books that tell you what to do and why to do it.  But there are many that tell you HOW to do it. 

Tracy covers every aspect of Internet marketing.  From something as simple as your email signature (mine needs an overhaul) to article marketing to product creation to PPC, Adwords, and Facebook - Tracy covers each one in depth.  But the best part is that she means it when she says 31 days!  And so she leads you by the hand, step-by-step, telling you what you need to do each and every day. 

Each chapter is devoted to a particular step in the process.  Chapter 2, for example, tells you how to prepare by finding your market and creating your brand.  In Chapter 4, you learn how to create products, set up a sales page, and perhaps even start an affiliate program.  Then at end of each chapter is your Action Plan.  Steps to take to move to the next level.  Things like create your Facebook page.  Join an affiliate program.  Set up a sales page. 

Many books I have read do something similar.  What makes Tracy's book different is what comes inside those chapters.  For example when your Action Plan says create your Facebook page, she doesn't just leave you there.  She tells you exactly how to do it - even what to use as the name for your page.  She even describes the difference between a personal page and a business fan page - and why you want to have both. 

I absolutely love this book.  I think I might finally understand Internet marketing!  Day 1 and counting.  See you in 31 days!

School is in Session - Time to Look Back

We just returned from a fabulous vacation in Disney World with one of our daughters and her children.  Spending a week in Florida with our daughter and grandchildren was the perfect end to our summer. It capped off a year that also included a trip to Daytona Bike Week (my husband's dream vacation), a relaxing visit to the Florida Keys (can you tell we like Florida), and a trip to Denver to attend jvAlert Live.  Still to come - our annual Halloween trip to Las Vegas. 

That's four vacations this year plus a trip to Denver - which is almost like a vacation to me since I so enjoy attending a jvAlert Live event.  Would you like to be able to travel like that?  I assure you that it is easier than you think to accomplish this goal!

More on this in a minute. I first want to share with you why I am choosing to blog about this today. There are several reasons.

I am sure you are aware that is the first day of September. Summer is just about over and we will soon be looking towards the end of 2013.  We have already completed our annual shopping trip for new school clothes for the grandchildren.  In fact, two of them have already returned to school.

Several years ago I learned the power of reflection from the incredible Mr. Jim Rohn. Jim teaches you should set aside some time to reflect - at the end of each day, each week, each month, and finally at the end of the year. After all, if you don't monitor your results how can you ever know if you are on track to claim your dreams? The truth is you can't. And so, I set aside some time each evening, just before bed, to look back on my day or my week or my month and take stock of where I am and where I want to be. Since I have adopted this philosophy the results in every area of my life have been amazing.

As I write this, it is almost 10:00 pm CDT here in Arkansas. That's just about the end of my day.  As I sit here reflecting over the day, I am looking at pictures from the trip to Disney World with our grandchildren and it made me realize that summer is almost over and fall will soon be upon us. Before you know it, we will be planning Halloween costumes, whose house to spend Thanksgiving at, and what to get the grandkids for Christmas. It made me start looking back on my year so far and getting extremely excited for what's ahead.

How has 2013 been for you so far? Are you on track to achieve your goals? Are you one step closer to achieving your BIG dreams? I truly hope you are. However, the sad but true fact is that most people are not making progress in their life. They are either exactly were they were last year or even worse they are quickly moving backwards.

If what I described sounds familiar to you... intimately familiar (if you know what I mean) I have GREAT news for you. You can decide today to make 2013 the year you start your own business.  It's not too late!

Every year I strive to improve on last years results. As 2013 rapidly winds down I am extremely proud to say that we are finishing up our best year EVER financially. Here is the key. Every year in late December I make the decision to make the following year even better. I may not always know exactly how I am going to do this at that point. But I set the goal and that's the first step. The how-to's always come to me along the way.

Now, I don't tell you this to brag or impress you. I simply tell you this to demonstrate that you too can create amazing results, in every area of your life, if you are just willing to take consistent, persistent and massive action! I learned that from the fabulous Carrie Wilkerson - the key to success is massive action to completion!

I also want to let you know that my success did not come over night. At one point right after I left the military, I was earning a whopping $500 a month! Try living on that! Now, we can thankfully look back and laugh at it.

Since then, we have experienced success beyond anything we ever dreamed. We don't have the big cars or the fancy clothes - because they aren't important. But we have a house with room for all the kids and grandkids, and land for them to run and play, and have dogs or whatever sort of pet they want. And we have something more important to us than almost anything - time.  Time to travel.  Time to spend with family.  Time to do what we want to do when we want to do it.

Although we have been fortunate enough to experience incredible results, especially these last few years, we didn't do it alone. I had many mentors who guided me along the way. One of the BIGGEST keys to our success is the fact that we have always been and continue to remain willing to listen to the advice of those who have gone before. Why reinvent the wheel?

As you read this you are probably asking yourself what in the heck does this have to do with me. Here is what it has to do with you...

If you want the freedom to live life on your terms, I want to help you do just that. 

There is much more to life than just being successful in business. If you are ever going to be TRULY wealthy you must have abundance and wealth in every area of your life. I know plenty of people who are well off financially but they absolutely hate their lives.

Now, once you have these ingredients, the last piece of the puzzle is a vehicle to get you to your goals and dreams quickly. I have been working from home for almost 10 full years. I know what it takes to start a business from the ground up.  And I can help you start your own path to freedom.

Let me first tell you what being an entrepreneur has done for us.

In this past month I have earned more than most people make. (We do this every single month. Believe it or not this is not the amazing part.)

Here is the best part... I took lots of time to travel and spend time with family this year.  My husband has some health issues and so spending time with each other and with family is extremely important to us.  And yet, even while we were traveling, I was able to earn a living.  I know what you are saying right now.  You don't travel that much. Your spouse and family are healthy. You make enough to pay your bills and still be comfortable. Well here is another reason. Two years ago, Dearl had a heart attack. I took time off to be with him while he recovered. How many of you have had a major illness with a spouse or child and wished that you could be there but instead you had to go to work every day? Because I can work from home, our business still rolled on bringing in the cash for us.

Much more important than our own results are the results of the people I work with. There our countless people working today generating amazing results for themselves and their family as well. This is where my true passion is. I get the most excitement from assisting others to create tremendous results in their own lives!

There has never been a better time to become a "boomerpreneur."  More and more of us are being downsized, pushed into retirement, and left scrambling to find a way to survive our remaining days.  What were supposed to be our "golden years" are now all too often years of struggle and sacrifice.  But the power of the internet makes starting a business of your own extremely easy and incredibly inexpensive.

If you aren't sure how to start, or even if you are ready, that's where I come in. Ken Evoy says everyone knows something that someone else will pay to learn.  Working together, we discover what your "something" is. Once we find your vehicle, we work together to bring your vision into reality. But once your business is up and running, it doesn't mean we leave you on your own.  As a member of the BoomerBizCoach community, you can still access all sorts of coaching and assistance. Tune in to my teleseminars and listen to my amazing guests as they share their knowledge and experience. Some require a fee but many are absolutely free! Visit the sites of the many mentors I list and learn from them as I have.  Best of all, you get to share your knowledge and experience with others who are just getting started.

I look forward to working with you very soon! One of our main goals for 2013 was to assist as many people as possible to start a business of their own. I am VERY proud to say we assisted many, many people to achieve this goal. In 2014 we are looking to dramatically increase the # of people we assist to do this.

The only question right now is will you be one of the people who achieves this goal in 2013 or one of the people who lets opportunity pass them by?

Here's where you begin - Start your business!

Can't wait to start working with you!

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Things I Learned at jvAlert Live Denver - Part 2

I know I promised I would give daily updates. But one of the things I learned is that you can't go to presentations all day, network all night, and still be coherent enough to write. The human body requires at least a few hours of sleep per night - or at least when they do when they are as old as mine. And so I told myself I would share everything the minute I got home. But Mother Nature and the electric company had other plans. If you've been following the news then you know our little corner of the country has been battling storms and flooding and power outages. But the sun is finally shining and I have cleaned up the mess and repaired most of the storm damage and now at last I have time to sit down and write.

Fortunately, the information you get at jvAlert does not go out of style.  The people you meet there are experts in their fields and what they share has real lasting value.  So even though it is late, it is not TOO late.  So here it is:  Things I learned at jvAlert Live Denver Part 2!

1.  If you are an author - or if you aspire to be an author - you need to be at Author 101 University in October in Las Vegas.  If you want to know what publishers are looking for, how to get your manuscript read even if you haven't published a thing yet - and meet David Hancock of Morgan James Publishing (shameless plug for you David!), register now. 

2.  Your brand is the way your core customer should feel about your business.  Be focused and consistent in your message and people will remember.  Present yourself differently each time and no one will know who you are.  (Honey and Blaine Parker - Slow Burn Marketing).

3.  People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it. (Richard Weiler - eVision Marketing).

4.  If you take care of your customers - above and beyond what they expect - they will take care of you.  (Ray Edwards - Direct Response Copywriter, Speaker, Author, and Marketing Strategist).

5.  Outsourcing = Freedom!  (Daven Michaels - 123employee).

6.  It is possible to greatly lower the risk for diseases often thought of as an inevitable part of the aging process. (Kay Rice - Nutrition and Meditation Expert and Yoga Instructor).

7.  By eating one button a day of a mushroom you can reduce your risk of breast cancer by 64%. (Aimee Piacentino - Holistic Health and Wellness Coach).

8.  Learning to juggle can change your life forever!  Don't believe me? Just ask Larry!

9.  You can pack a survival kit in an Altoids box!  Don't believe that either?  Just ask Survivor Jack!

10. We all have an impact - whether we want to or not.  (Ken McArthur - Internet Marketing Expert and Creator of Impact).

This is just a small portion of what I learned and only a representative sample of the wonderful people I met at jvAlert Live in Denver.  But it's enough to demonstrate why these events are so valuable.  The next one is in September in Scottsdale, AZ.  It's not to late to register.  Don't miss out!

Things I Learned at jvAlert Live Denver

I am at jvAlert Live in Denver.  For those of you who aren't familiar, jvAlert is a fabulous conference hosted by the equally fabulous Ken McArthur.  They are held all over the country several times a year.  I have been attending whenever possible for many years and owe much of my success not only to the actual content provided at the conference, but also to the networking that happens before, during, and after the conference sessions.

I love sharing the information I get at this event.  It is so valuable that I want everyone I know to benefit from it.  And so I will be blogging the highlights of what I have learned each day.  I hope you all get as much use from it as I do.

Today was the first day.  There weren't any workshops or presentations scheduled today.  Joel Comm held his one-day intensive workshop.  Unfortunately, I slept through it.  Not that you aren't an awesome speaker, Joel.  But 23 hours without sleep is about my limit.

Even so, there were lessons to be learned today.  I will share them with you now,

1.  If MapQuest tells you the trip takes 12 hours, plan on 15.  Even without stops.  Except for potty breaks.

2.  At 5280 feet, things behave differently.  Shampoo erupts from its bottle as soon as you flip the lid.  Your clothes steamer only does half the amount of clothing.  Face cream continues to flow like lava from the tube even when you are no longer holding it.

3.  There is a cut off time for maid service.  And it is possible to sleep through it.  Especially after a 23 hour day.

4.  No matter how well you plan, there will be a crisis at home just because you are 15 hours away.

5.  Adrenalin, Attain Bars, and coffee will keep you running long after you should be in bed!

6.  Once you join jvAlert Live family, you can never leave.  It's sort of like the Mafia.  Once we have you, we keep you.

7.  There is such a thing as an App Entrepreneur!  Who knew?

8.  Duct tape fixes everything.  Just ask Survival Jack!

9.  The Dull Men's Club is alive and well and living in England.  Except for their spokesperson who is here in Denver.  Trying not to get too excited.

10.  You never know just who or what you may find at jvAlert Live.  But it will always be fascinating, entertaining and sometimes even useful!

More lessons tomorrow! 

How To Take Advantage of Free Business Advice at Your Local SBDC

SBDC stands for Small Business Development Center.  SBDCs provide a wide range of assistance to small businesses through their network of 900 service center.  It is one of the largest federal small business assistance programs in the country. 

SBDCs will assist in developing your business plans; provide financial packaging and lending assistance; market research services; and much more.  They serve all populations: women, minorities, veterans, people with disabilities, and even young entrepreneurs.  And the best part is the advice is free!

SBDC assistance is available virtually anywhere throughout the U.S., the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In addition to the free business advice offered through the SBDC, you can find free and low-cost training programs available to help you improve your skill set.  Classes can cover everything from how to start a new business to how to export your product.  There are classes on marketing, accounting, taxes, and more.

SBDCs are a great resource to help you make your small business a success.  Find your local chapter of the SBDC and take advantage of free business advice, business resources, and business consulting today.

Is This One of Those Pyramid Things?

One of the first questions I inevitably get when presenting my network marketing company is "Is this a pyramid scheme? Aren't those illegal?" So let me state once and for all - NETWORK MARKETING IS NOT A PYRAMID SCHEME. Pyramids do exist and sometimes it's hard to tell a legitimate business from a scam. What makes them different?


1. A legitimate network marketing business will have a genuine product or service. This product or service will have value of its own and be priced accordingly. In a pyramid, there is usually no real product or service. If it does, they are often priced well above fair market value.

2. A legitimate network marketing business will disclose any information about the company to anyone interested in knowing more. Pyramids offer little to no information about the company unless an investor purchases the products and becomes a participant.

3. Network marketing businesses encourage the sale of the products or services offered by the company. Commission is paid on these sales to reps involved in the business. Pyramids promote an income stream that chiefly depends on the commissions earned by enrolling new members or the purchase by members of products for their own use rather than sales to customers who are not participants in the scheme.

4. In a network marketing company, the money to pay commissions comes from the sale of products or services. In a pyramid, the money to pay commissions comes primarily from the participants.

5. In a network marketing company, you can earn a decent living. In a pyramid, 90% of the participants never recoup their initial investment. In a pyramid scheme, those at the bottom can never advance higher or make more than those at the top. In network marketing, this is not the case.

Pyramid schemes do exist. They get more sophisticated and harder to spot all the time. And everyone wants to be sure they're not getting caught up in some sort of scam. But there are many good, solid, legitimate network marketing companies also. If you are looking for a way to make some extra income, or even one day replace your job with a business of your own, I highly recommend you consider one. If you aren't sure if it's a legitimate business, review the checklist above. If anything about the "opportunity" makes you uncomfortable, look elsewhere. And if the person you are speaking with about the business pressures you to get involved, RUN! That is a definite warning that they are more interested in recruiting other people into the business than in selling products. I will ask you to look at my business. I may even get a little pushy because I care about you and want you to have the same opportunity I did. But if you look at the compensation plan, the business overview and the products, and still tell me you are not interested - I will NEVER, EVER push you to be on my team!

Toss Away Your "Could Haves" and "Should Haves"

It's Toss Away Your "Could Haves" and "Should Haves" Day!  And you are invited to be part of it! For one day, you are invited to toss away a certain "should have" or "could have" that leads to stress, guilt, misery, or any sort of sadness. What a perfect day to give up some of those regrets that are holding you and your business back!

I should have been able to quit my job by now.
I could have finished my education and gotten a "real" job.
I should have made more prospecting calls.
I could have placed that advertisement.
I should have learned about social media marketing.
I could have started a blog.
I should have published more articles.
I could have attended more networking events
I should have done more____
I could have...

Many people starting a business think they "should" be doing this thing or that thing to be successful.  And then when they don't succeed at the pace they think they "should", they start thinking of all the things they "should have" and "could have" done differently.

When I started my business, I would sometimes work late at night or early in the morning. But I began to get criticism from some of my friends who would get emails or faxes from me at all hours of the day and night. They felt that if I was going to be taken seriously, then I "should" work 9 - 5 like most "normal" business people. I let them persuade me that this was true and tried to change my schedule. But I am a night owl by nature and forcing myself to change my natural rhythm caused stress and made me very unproductive and irritable. And so I went back to my normal routine.  And then when I experienced some setbacks, it was very easy for me to say to they were right.  I should have adjusted my schedule.  I could have if I had wanted to.  It took me a long time to realize that I was right and they were not.   By giving up this "should have" and working when I feel at my best and most creative, I am actually more efficient and productive - and much easier to get along with! Yes, it's true that I do have to be available during some portion of "normal" business hours to interact with clients and prospects. But much of my business is not restricted by time so why should I place this expectation on myself?

There ARE certain things necessary to be successful in business. You have to have a viable product or service. You have to promote yourself and your products or services. You have to earn the trust and respect of your customers. There are many ways to do these things. There is no one way that "should" work for everyone. If your business isn't growing, it's probably not because you should have done this thing or that thing.  You should have done what felt right and worked best for you. 
 
And so today I invite you to toss away your "should haves" and "could haves". Take a look at your business. Make a list of all the things you did because you "should have". Now review your list. Is there anything on the list that was not effective? That caused you stress?  That you spend time worrying about how you "could have" done it differently?  What would happen if you stopped worrying about it and just started over? I encourage you to try it just for today.

I "should have" worked longer today. I "could have" since I had nothing else on my schedule.  But I didn't. It was a beautiful day and I took Bob and Austin for a walk, sat on my porch and read, watched my hummingbirds at the feeder, and talked to friends. And I am not going to worry about what I "should have" accomplished today.  What did you toss away today? I'd love to hear. Feel free to share in the comments.

What's Your Why?

What are your reasons for starting a business?  Many businesses fail because the owner can't answer this simple question.  If you don't know why you want to be an boomerpreneur, then you won't be able to set goals.  And without goals, the roadmap for your business success, you are apt to get lost along the way.  Your why can even help determine the type of business you start!

You may have more than one why.  That's fine.  Most of us do.  I started because I needed to care for my dad.  So one why was the ability to control by own schedule.  But I also needed an income.  So another why was money.  But my main reason was the control.  If I had been able to find a job that allowed me the schedule I needed, I would probably still be working for someone else today.

What's your why?

Are you like me?  Do you need or want more control over your work schedule?  If so, then you will need to ensure your business does not depend on the schedules of others.  Businesses like online auctions/ebay, internet marketing, and blogging are some examples of the perfect business for you.  You can build your business regardless of the hour - day or night. Goals for you might be increasing sales in your online store or the number of subscribers to your blog.

Are you in it for the money?  Do you simply need cold, hard cash?  Then you want the types of businesses where you can make a profit fairly quickly without a large investment.  Business such as child care, pet sitting, house or business cleaning don't require a lot of money up front and have the potential to produce fast cash.  Your goal may be as simple as find more clients - or as grand as building a business large enough to employ others.

What if your why is to leave a legacy?  Many boomers have all the money they want or need.  Many are retired and have the time to do what they please.  But they dream of leaving something behind.  Financial freedom for their families.  A business to pass on to their children and grandchildren.  If that is your dream then you must keep that in mind when choosing your business.  I don't foresee leaving Boomer Business Coaching to my daughters or grandkids.  It is a business based around me.  But my online tshirts and gifts are another story.  Some of the grandchildren have already shown an interest and a talent for design.  I can already see one of them taking over one day.  My goal for this business - teaching them the skills necessary to become successful entrepreneurs.

The tshirts also fulfill secondary why for me - the need to be creative.  Now we all know I can't draw.  But that doesn't mean there isn't a wanna-be Monet buried deep inside.  So while I can't do the actual art work, I do get much satisfaction from creating the idea or concept for our next design and then letting another boomerpreneur with a creative why, PopArtDiva, do the actual artwork.  Are you the creative type?  Businesses like interior design, landscaping, graphic artist, catering, or photography are perfect for you.

What if none of these fit.  You have time.  You have money.  You have already provided for your family.  You are not particularly creative.  But you are BORED with retirement.  Perhaps your why is simply the desire to do something new, exciting and challenging.  As long as your business provides you with enough stimulation, you can do almost anything!  What are your interests and passions in life?  How can you turn those into a thriving business?

So...what's your why?  Determine exactly what you hope to achieve from your business before you start.  It may mean the difference between success or failure.

It's Not About You, It's About Bacon

Yes, that's right.  It's all about BACON!  Or at least that's the premise of author Brian Basilico.  You may have noticed I have been conspicuously absent for the past week.  Partly because this week seemed to be my week for everything to blow up - flat tires (that's what happens when you run over a ladder - even in a Jeep), recurring knee problems, sick pets, husband's health problems (and the news that his cardiologist has been suspended!) etc, etc.  But when I wasn't dealing with the latest crisis I had my nose in Brian's book. 

I warn you now.  If you are looking for another marketing book with lots of pictures, charts and diagrams - something you can whip through in a night or two - this isn't it.  This is 276 pages of information.  But trust me - you will want to read - and even re-read - every word.  The information Brian shares will change the way you network, if you use it.

Brian says the this book is a "Why-to" not a "How-to".  But I still found lots of "How-tos" here.  Things like how to choose the best networking groups.  How to build the 5 pages essential to every website.  How to create great content.  But Brian was right - he not only shares some of the "Hows" he also shares the "Whys".  So many "coaches" simply tell you "do this/don't do that" without ever explaining why.  If you hate that as much as I do, then you will love Brian's book.

It's Not About You, It's About Bacon explains networking in all its forms.  Not just social media.  Face-to-face networking.  Blogging.  Websites.  But don't worry all of you Facebook fanatics and Twitter addicts.  Brian devotes entire chapters to each of these, as well as LinkedIn, Google+ and Pinterest.  And yes, he even tells you why-to (and how-to) use YouTube.

Each chapter starts with a list of Bacon-izms - statements of the important points of each chapter.  Things like getting people to like you takes time and effort.  Web stats rarely tell you the whole story.  You can't just copy and paste images, text or videos.  You know this stuff.  Brian just makes it all make sense.

I met Brian through Felicia Slattery's 21 Ways to Make Money Speaking program.  I am SO glad I did because I must admit - Brian, I love you but I probably would not have bought this book.  But after hearing you talk about it during our group sessions with Felicia, I knew I had to have it.  If it was even half as good as you made it sound, I knew it would be an invaluable resource.  Well, I hate to tell you but it's even better than you described.

It took me a week to to read the book.  The information in it will be forever worthwhile.  I intend to start back at Chapter 1 and take each tidbit of info and see how it applies to my business.  I can't wait to see what happens when I do! 

The Spirit of the Spartan Sprint

For whatever reason, with everything else I have going on right now, I recently decided to participate in a 31 Day Blog Challenge.  That means I am supposed to post a blog entry every day for the next 31 days.  I am also getting a presentation ready for jvAlert Live Denver at the end of the month, participating in the 21 Ways to Make Money Speaking coaching program, writing a book, running my businesses and trying to keep up with my home and family.  Do I look crazy to you?  I think I must be! 

In addition to writing each day, we are encouraged to read the posts of other participants.  So today, since my mind is mush and I didn't have one good idea to write about, I decided to do that first.  The first blog I checked out is A Pocketful of Rocks written by Lisa Friedt.  This was the first time I had checked out her blog and her post on Growth is Intentional was great.  I liked it so much that I scrolled down to read some of her previous posts.  And that's when I found her post about the Spartan Sprint. 

The Spartan Sprint is an obstacle race.  They hold events all over the world.  Her blog post described her participation in her first run.  I was a runner in my military days.  With a former Army Ranger for a husband and Seal Team members for friends, you almost had to be.  It was required!  So I wasn't that interested in how she prepped for her first event.  Been there.  Done that.  And while I must admit I haven't ran in years, I'm sure I could do it again if I chose to.

No, what caught my attention was the part where she wrote about how she and her team decided that no one would be left behind.  That they would finish as a team or not at all.  She wrote about finding a fellow runner on the course who had been abandoned by her team because she couldn't keep up.  To them is was all about the win.  Lisa and her team mates absorbed this woman into their group and with their help and encouragement she went on to finish.  Lots of life lessons to be learned here!

But the part that really struck me was when she shared what she had learned from this experience.  And as I was reading it, I realized that not only did it apply to running, or training, but to business.  And so  I would like to share Lisa's lessons with you and how they apply to your business.

Lisa's Lesson #1) I can do anything I set my mind to.  Lisa decided to run this race and she did it.  The same is true of building a business.  If you truly set your mind to it, you can do it.  The decision is yours.  Make the commitment and then go do it! 

Lisa's Lesson #2) With a strong, solid team you can jump farther, reach higher and make it through a set of monkey bars.  Lisa's team helped her and others reach the finish line even when they thought they couldn't do it.  She did not run this race alone.  And you don't have to run your business alone.  There are so many great people out there who are willing to help you. Or simply provide encouragement when you think you will never make it.  That's one of the reasons I will be going to jvAlert Live in Denver.  To rekindle past friendships with some of the people who have helped me.  And to perhaps be a help to others who are just starting.  Find a team - a mastermind group, a networking group, a coaching group - or just some fellow entrepreneurs to have lunch with now and then - and help each other over the hurdles.

Lisa's Lesson #3) Life is sweeter when shared with those you love.  Lisa's husband and friends ran with her which made the experience that much sweeter.  Don't forget your family while building your business.  Share your successes - and your failures - with them.  Teach your children or grandchildren about your business.  Let them help you.  My grandchildren created some designs for my Tshirt shop and you know what?  They actually sold some!  How cool an experience was that for them?!

Lisa's Lesson #4) Always keep in mind what matters most. I will choose my team over time - every time.  Don't sacrifice your values for the sake of reaching a goal.  It will catch up with you in the end.  If you find yourself dreading working each day.  If you feel sick or anxious when performing certain activities, take a step back and make sure your values are aligned with your business activities.

Lisa's Lesson #5) Sometimes the journey to the top gets dirty. But the view from the top is worth it.    As you can see from the pictures posted on Lisa's blog, she was pretty muddy and banged up by the time she finished.  But it was worth it to know that she had pushed herself and finished.  Building a business is also hard work.  Sometimes you will be pretty banged up by the time you finish.  But oh is it worth it when you see what you have accomplished!

Lisa's Lesson #6) You only fail if you don't get back up.  This was true of the race.  As long as they got up and kept going, they would finish.  The same is true of business.  It may take longer than expected at the start.  It may not end exactly the way you thought.  You will fall down many times before the finish.  But the only way you will fail is if you don't get back up.

I challenge each of you to apply the spirit of the Spartan Sprint and Lisa's lessons to your business.  See you at the top!

PS! Lisa's story has inspired me!  There is an event in Burnet, Texas in May 2014.  I plan to be there!  Anyone else up for an adventure?!

Stand Out In A Crowd

Do an internet search for business coaches or internet marketers or network marketing coaches - or photographers - or caterers - or just about any business - and what will you find?  Lots of competition!  Each battling for their piece of the market pie.  Many of these businesses will struggle for months or years to get their businesses noticed and eventually, many will give up and quit.  But for those who learn how to stand out in a crowded market, the possibilities are truly endless.

How do you get noticed when there is so much marketing noise all around you?  You've got to find and hone in on those things that make your business different from all of the others.

What is it that sets you apart from your competitors?  Is it your over-the-top customer service?  Just last night my husband and I went out for dinner.  We have a street in our town called Restaurant Row - for good reason.  There are plenty of them located there!  I think every restaurant chain in the country has a location there. (Okay - that's probably a bit of an exaggeration.  But there are a lot of restaurants on Restaurant Row!).  Since none of them particularly stand out in the Restaurant Row crowd we tried one we hadn't been to yet for the first time.  The food was good but not spectacular.  The drinks were okay.  But the service?  Out of this world!  I worked as a waitress while in college so I feel pretty qualified to judge and I can sincerely say this was probably the best service I have ever had.  It was so good that my normally hard-to-please husband actually asked to speak to the manager so he could compliment our waiter.  Did the service set them apart from all the other restaurants? Definitely!  Will we eat there again?  Count on it!  Will we rave about them to our friends?  Absolutely!  Stellar customer service is definitely one way to stand out in any crowd!

What are some other ways to set yourself apart from the competition?  Does your business offer something the others don't?  Do you cater to a specialized market?  Are you the expert in your chosen field?  Do you go above and beyond most other businesses?  For example, last night when we mentioned it was our first visit, the restaurant gave us free appetizers AND a gift card to come back again.  No other restaurant has done that for us.  That was the icing on the cake.

Need some more ideas?  Do you offer an outstanding guarantee?  Can you do the job better, faster, or cheaper than your competitors?  How about giving back to your community?  I do much of my shopping from a particular business simply because they donate a percentage of their profits to my favorite charity.  How do you treat your customers after the sale?  My insurance agent sends me a birthday card every year.  I get Thank You cards periodically from my hairdresser - sometimes with a special offer.  My vet sends a sympathy card whenever we have to put a pet to sleep. 

It doesn't necessarily take a large amount of money to make yourself stand out in the crowd.  Find what makes your business unique.  Focus on it.  Market it. 

How do you make your business stand out?  I'd love to hear your ideas!

A Tribute to My Daughters

Today is July 4.  Independence Day.  And I gave much thought to writing about freedom - freedom to make your own opportunity.  Freedom to live life on your terms.  But somehow everything I wrote sounded phony and contrived.

I turned on the television to watch some of the 4th of July festivities, hoping for a little inspiration.  And I did find one that stirred me.  It was a tribute to our service men and women.  Throughout the day, that was a theme I heard repeated.  That freedom isn't really free and that we need to express our appreciation to these heroes.  But as I kept hearing that message, I started to remember my own service days.  And I realized that I had not served so I could receive thanks and adulation.  I served because I believed in my country and what it stood for.  And I'm fairly certain that most of my fellow service men and women feel the same way.  Sure, it's nice to be appreciated.  But we all knew what we signed on for,  All we wanted was the acknowledgement of a job well done, respect for ourselves and the country we served, and the ability to pick up our lives when we returned to civilian life.

As I sat thinking about this, a commentator on the program I was watching stated almost my same thoughts.  And, he said, if anyone deserved praise and commendation, it wasn't necessarily the service member but instead the military spouse.  I was surprised to hear that comment and I gave it some thought.  After all, not only was once an active member of the Armed Forces, but I had also been a military spouse.  I kept the household running when my husband was deployed.  I wrote and called to encourage him while he was gone.  And I welcomed him back when he returned.  But he did much the same for me when it was the other way around.  We both knew what we had signed on for when we married.  We made the choice anyway.  We didn't feel like we needed praise.  Just some understanding and support when we needed it.  And respect - for us, for our spouse, and for our country.

But then it came to me.  There was a group of people who deserved all the admiration, appreciation, and praise we could give them.  They had not signed up for the military life willingly.  And yet they served every day.  I am talking about the children of military families.

And so, to my daughters, I want to pay a long overdue tribute.  Your mom was not always able to make it to field trips and concerts.  But you made sure Dad recorded them so I would not miss seeing you perform or hearing you sing.  Thank you.

For all of the holidays you celebrated with babysitters, nannies, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and neighbors because mom had duty that day - thank you.

For the many times you were uprooted from a school, a neighborhood, a city, a country where you had just settled in and made friends and a life - thank you.

For the many nights you lay awake missing your parents, wondering when they would come home, if they would come home - thank you.

For the hugs, kisses, cards, poems, pictures, stories and the many other countless ways you tried to cheer me up when I was lonely, or tired, or worried - thank you.

For all of the best friends, confidants, first loves, and companions you made, only to leave them behind with the next transfer - thank you.

When you were born, you signed on to a lifestyle that can often be challenging and sometimes even heartrending.  You weren't asked if you were ready.  You were not given the chance to say no.  And yet you went.  From base to base, duty station to duty station, from one town to another, country after country.  You learned to speak a smattering of many languages.  You learned new customs and tried new foods.  You made countless new friends around the world.  You became part of whatever community you were in.  And although there were moments when you were frustrated and even angry, most of the time you went with a smile, willing to face whatever new adventure was coming your way.

The television shows were right.  Freedom isn't free.  My daughters paid a price.    They served - right beside their father and mother. And they did it with pride, enthusiasm and grace.  Thank you girls.  We couldn't have done it without you. 

How to Get On The News Without Committing Murder

Well, she has done it again. My friend and mentor, Beverly Mahone, has written another fabulous book. When she first shared the title - "How to Get On The News Without Committing Murder" - I knew I had to have it. Bev is a PR genius! If she was going to share some tips, I wanted to know what they were.

When I was working as a "professional Girl Scout" (yes, there is such a thing) I handled much of the publicity for local events so I am not exactly a newbie when it comes to PR. But Bev taught me a thing or two in this book. In fact, she taught me 8 things. Her book contains 8 Killer Tips and each of them had at least one thing I found useful. Whether it was the list of journalists on Twitter (Killer Tip #5) or information on podcasting (Killer Tip #7), I finished the book armed with some new media savvy. If you have some PR experience, you, too, will still find helpful advice. If you are new to the world of publicity, this book is a must read!

In addition to her PR tips, Bev has also provided an invaluable list of resources. She leads you to the best press release sites, shows you places to post your teleseminars and workshops, and gives you a list of podcast directories. Just the resource list alone is worth the price of the book.

This book is simply brilliant. Bev tells you exactly what you need to know and shares her personal secrets on getting media attention. With all of the information she provides, she makes it easy to gain the publicity you need to shine the spotlight on yourself and your business. And now I'm off to look at the sites where I can post event announcements (Killer Tip #6). I have a teleseminar coming up soon and I'll be needing some publicity!

I Know You Want To So Let's Make It Happen!

Let's get together at the big jvAlert Live Event. I'm going and I know that you want to go too, so let's make it happen.

http://jvAlertLive.com/?id=4345

If you can get there, it will be a "win-win" situation for both of us.

There's just nothing like meeting face to face and we can talk about all kinds of ways that we can work together.

Not only can we get together, but I have some great people to introduce you to.

So, what's holding you back?

Maybe it's the "boss." Everyone's got one for sure. Maybe the spouse or significant other?

Look I know the feeling, because I have someone that watches the purse strings pretty carefully too.

They want to know the bottom-line, which is ...

Money.

Ah yes, that money stuff! I've got a few opinions on that subject!

http://jvAlertLive.com/?id=4345

You can get all THREE days for only $695 with the Early-Bird Special. Compare that to other conference prices!

Ok, now that the money part is solved, what about the, "What am I supposed to do while you are off having fun at your conference!" objection.

No doubt about it, jvAlert Live is FUN!

So ...

Bring the spouse and kids for an adventure, while you write off your expenses as a business deduction!

Remember, the proceeds from a SINGLE joint venture could cover your costs.

Here's a quote from Jane Mark and Phil Basten to their newsletter subscribers talking about the results after they attended jvAlert Live!

=================

"We went down to Philadelphia to meet with a group of marketing experts just to brain storm, kick around ideas and make some lasting friends and Joint Ventures."

"To say it was prosperous would be an understatement. We have already made JV's deals from that event that made us over $25,000 in two weeks. Not a bad days work and that was only a start."

Jane Mark and Phil Basten

=================

No wonder they are coming back for more!

Check out all the details at:

http://jvAlertLive.com/?id=4345

See you there!

How To Write A Business Plan

When starting your own business, it is essential that you have a business plan. You wouldn't start on a trip without a map, would you? Why would you want to start a business without some idea of where you are going?

There are different ways to create your plan. There are several business plan software packages available to help you with the process. I have never used any of them, so I cannot recommend one in particular. I am more comfortable just creating my plan myself. If that interests you, then read on to see how I do it.

There is a suggested order to your business plan elements and I encourage you to learn it. If you ever decide to look for outside financing or a business partner, they will expect to see all of these elements. For my own use, I am not quite as formal. I will teach you everything, though, so you can get familiar with it.

The first part of your plan should always be an "Executive Summary". This is the who, what, when, where, and how of your marketing strategy. Although it is the first part of your written plan, it is typically created last, after all of your marketing analysis has been completed.

Yes, I said marketing analysis. You will need some information about your industry and your competitors before you launch your business. This should be the second part of your business plan. You will want to research the strengths and weaknesses of your industry as a whole, plus your competitors. You need to find out as much as you can about them. Trust me - if they are successful in the business, they know all about you!

The third part of your business plan should focus on your products or services and your target markets. Information such as target market demographics, industry trends, societal/cultural trends, and the needs/wants of your target market go here. If you don't know how or don't have the time to do this yourself, you can purchase the information. Again, I have never done so. My husband loves spending countless hours on the internet researching this stuff for me, and he works cheap so I let him do it!

Next you will want to outline your actual marketing strategy. How will you get the word out to your target markets? What promotional activities will you use? What type of marketing programs? Will you be strictly online or will you use some offline marketing? What pricing strategies will you use for each of your products/services? State your overall marketing objective and then describe how you are going to get there.

You will also need to describe how you are going to measure whether your strategies are succeeding. Most formal business plans include this information in a separate section. Since no one sees my business plan except me and my husband, I just include it with the information above. But you do want to describe how you will monitor your progress and make adjustments if necessary.

The last part of your business plan is your forecast. This is where you will forecast your growth and financial analyses. Information to include: What does it cost to produce your product/service (including all overhead costs and other expenses)? How many of each product/service will you need to sell to make a profit? How long will it take to make a profit? What will you do if you don't sell enough? What will you do if you sell more than expected?

A business plan is essential for business success.  It's the road map that helps you get where you want to be.  It generally project 3-5 years ahead and outlines the steps you plan to take to build your business.  Follow the outline above, hire someone to help you, use an online template or a software package, check out the suggestions on the SBA.gov website - do whatever you need to.  But before you do anything else with your business, write your business plan.

Where Do I Find the Time?

Q. I have a full time job and an extremely busy life with 3 kids and my husband going back to school part time while still working his full time job. I want to start my own business - although I'm not sure which one yet - but I don't think I have the time. How can I make it work?

A. You DO have the time. You just may need to make some adjustments.

First, let's take a look at your expectations. If you think you are going to put in a couple of hours a week and yet be able to quit your job in 6 months, you need to adjust your expectations. That is just unrealistic. But if you and your husband are willing to continue to work your jobs and start your business part time, you can soon be bringing in a nice supplemental income while you continue to grow your business.

If you have decided that a part-time business is fine while you grow, then the next thing you may need to adjust is how you spend your time. Get a calendar for the month. Let's start with July since it's just getting started. First, pencil in your and your husband's work schedules. This is time that is already blocked and can't be used to grow your business. Next mark any other dates and times that are absolutely locked in - anything that can't be rescheduled or cancelled. Next, pick one day that is for you and your family. No work allowed. My day is Sunday. That's the day I very rarely do any type of work, but instead devote myself to church and family. Now look at your calendar. Allowing for sleep of course, the remaining hours are the times you have available to work your business. Start scheduling yourself some "appointments." These don't have to be real appointments to meet with someone, but I have learned that if you write down a commitment to do something and schedule a time to do it, you are much more likely to actually follow through. So let's say we skip our favorite Monday night TV show and use that hour to solidify your business concept. Tuesday night perhaps your husband doesn't have class but he's on the computer doing homework anyway so let's schedule him to register a domain name. Wednesday let's spend some time doing market research on your business. Thursday do a little research on your competitors. Friday attend a local business networking event. Saturday start building your online presence (website, social media, etc).  See?  By the end of the week you will have made significant progress towards starting your business.

My point is that in the beginning it's not so much the quantity of time spent as the consistency. Do a little something - ANYTHING - but do something every day to help your business grow. Read information about your industry, attend webinars, make a contact list of prospects, make a few phone calls, send some emails, mail a brochure, update your website. Every day do at least one thing to grow your business and you'll see that slowly but steadily, your business will grow, your income will grow and you WILL one day be able to take your part-time business to a full-time lifestyle. Good luck!

What Are Your Goals?

Did you know that less than 3% of people have written goals? Why? Studies have shown that the most successful people are the ones who have specific, written goals.  This is true in both your personal and your business life.  Perhaps most people don't have written goals because they don't understand how to set and use them. Since setting goals is one of the most important keys to achieving business success, let's learn how to use them wisely.

Setting a goal is not like a New Year's resolution. That is just a wish, an annual ritual we use to lull ourselves into thinking next year will be different. But just wishing and hoping for something isn't going to make it happen. You need to have a target to shoot for and a plan to get there. That's where goal setting comes in. 

When planning your goals, first establish the time frame. They could be lifetime goals, 10 year, 5 year, 1 year, 6 month, 3 month, 1 month or weekly goals. I have a 5 year plan and a yearly plan that I use to set up monthly goals. I also have ongoing goals, such as exercising 3 - 5 times a week.

Be specific when you write your goals. Don't just write down "I want to lose weight" or "I want to increase my client base." Write "I will lose 60 pounds by December 2013" or "I will have my new Training for Trainers website online by August 1, 2013" (which is actually MY newest goal!).   Make sure your goal statement is positive. Don't say, "I don't want to be fat." Say "I will be a healthy weight by July 2013."  Instead of saying "I don't want a job" say "I will start a home business by January 1, 2014."

The achievement of a worthwhile goal can seem overwhelming at first. The easiest way to proceed is to break your goal down into smaller steps. Start with the first step then move onto the next. When making your plans, a good way is to start is from the end part and work your way to the present.

Measure your progress. After you complete a step, check it off. Watching steady progress is a good motivator. For example, while working towards my weight loss goal, I can mark off milestones of 10 pounds or 20, 40, and finally 60!  Each day, as I build a page of my new website, I know I am one page closer to reaching my goal.

Don't be discouraged by setbacks. All successful people experience setbacks, disappointments, and failure along the way. That's just part of the process. That's part of learning. Many times these act as course corrections to get you back on target.

There are several success principles used in goal achievement. One is properly programming your mind. You need to review your goal morning and at night before you go to bed. Have your goal written on a 3 x 5 card so you can review during the day. At night, ask your subconscious mind for solutions to problems, and methods or tools for helping you achieve your goal.

Another important principle is that of persistence. No one has enjoyed great achievement without persistence. Do something everyday towards your goal. A day's action puts you one step closer to your objective. Doing something everyday creates a momentum that is hard to stop.

When it comes to achieving your goals, you need to think of yourself as an unstoppable force moving relentlessly toward your objective. Keep moving forward, one step at a time, and before you realize it, you will be marking another goal as "Accomplished!".

21 Ways to Make Money Speaking

When I heard that my friend Felicia Slattery had a new book out, I knew I had to have it. Everything she offers is of such immense value, I was sure that this would be no different. And I was right. The book is everything I expected.

I have been speaking as a trainer and coach for several years and I must admit I even discovered some exciting new ideas in this book. If you are a new speaker, this book will be an invaluable tool in helping you learn to build an income as a speaker.

The book is amazingly easy to read in spite of being packed full of information. I read it through the first day. Now, I am going back through it and picking out the ideas that I want to incorporate into my own business. I suggest you take the time to read it thoroughly the first time. Have a highlighter with you so you can highlight the ideas you want to use. One of the fabulous things about this book is that it is filled with ideas you can use now. Today. So you will want to take note of them so you can put them into practice. 

Not only does she give you ideas for making money as a speaker, but most of the chapters provide a list of resources to help you get started. No searching for the information or tools necessary. Felicia leads you right to them.

21 ways to make money speaking. Each one described so you know exactly how to do it. With resources to help you get started. And guidance from one of the best professional speakers and coaches in the business - Felicia Slattery. If you have ever dreamed of making money as a speaker, this book will give you everything you need to succeed. Pick up your copy and get started speaking. Now! Today! 

7 Reasons to Start a Business

If you don't have a business yet, there has never been a better time to start one. Thanks to the internet it is now cheaper and easier to get up and running than ever before. And thanks to all of those who have gone before you, there is more help than ever before.

There are plenty of reasons to start your own business.  So if you are still unsure, see if you fit any of these scenarios.

1.  You are currently unemployed.  Let's face it.  Yes, the economy is improving.  But companies are still hesitant to hire new staff.  Add to that the fact that as boomers, many of us face age discrimination.  They don't call it that, since it's illegal, but that's what it is nonetheless.  Instead, we find we are "overqualified" for many jobs.  Or that we just don't fit the "company vibe."  (Seriously.  That was the term they used - company vibe).  Or they just don't call at all.  If you are currently unemployed, you certainly have the time to start a business.  We can help you find the idea.  All you need is a space to work and the motivation.  If this sounds like you, now might just be the time to start a business.

2.  Tax advantages.  There are plenty of tax advantages for entrepreneurs - even home based business owners and network marketers.  I deduct portions of my internet bill, my cell phone, travel, and much more.  I am not a tax expert so I won't tell you what is legal and what isn't.  But the tax breaks for a business may just make it worthwhile for you to start one of your own.  Contact a tax professional for advice.

3.  To boost your finances.  If you currently are employed and have no desire to leave, but could use a bit more money each month, then starting a business may be the answer.  Many businesses can be run part time from your home.  I should know.  That's how I started.  You may even be able to one day make enough to replace your job.  Which brings us to reason number 4...

4.  Freedom.  I missed many of my children's special moments growing up because I was at work.  Birthdays, holidays, vacations, concerts, sporting events, field trips.  I left them with strangers when they were sick because I had to go to work.  I've gone to work when I was sick myself, because I couldn't afford to take the time off.  The freedom of being my own boss is worth more than I can describe.  It's too late for my children, but I have all the time I want for my grandchildren.  If you long for the freedom to set your own schedule and call your own shots, then it may be time to start a business of your own.

5.  Financial independence.  I can't guarantee you will become wealthy by starting a business.  I'll be honest - many businesses fail.  But when you work for someone else you know you will always make a certain amount of money and nothing you do can change that unless you work more hours or manage to get a raise or promotion.  When you own your own business, there is no limit to what you can make if you learn how to build a successful enterprise and are willing to do the work necessary to get there.

6.  You can leave it to your children.  I admit it.  I look at the state of our country and the world today and I sometimes wonder what type of life my children and grandchildren will live when I am gone.  Will they have good jobs?  Will they be able to afford a decent home?  By teaching them how to run my businesses, I can leave them a legacy that may not guarantee their future success, but could provide them with everything they need in the future.

7.  Pad your resume.  In a recent survey, 28% of future employers said they preferred seeing starting a business as a way to fill in any gaps in employment.

Do any of these sound like you?  Then join the "boomerpreneur" revolution.  Let's do this! 

 

Network Marketing Tip - Always Tell The Truth!

Network marketing has a bad reputation in some circles. It's been called a pyramid, illegal, a scam, a ripoff - and these are some of the nicer things said about it. And because if this reputation, it can be difficult to present your opportunity to others. You might be embarrassed or afraid because you think you know what your prospect is going to say. And indeed, they might reject you, laugh at you, and ask you questions you'd rather not deal with. How do you overcome this. I have only one suggestion - Always Tell The Truth!

There are pyramids and scams aplenty out there masquerading as legitimate business opportunities. And there are dishonest people who are so focused on making a fast dollar that they lie about the business they are in just to sponsor one more person. These are the things that have given network marketing it's bad name. The only way we will overcome it is if all true network marketers promote their businesses with integrity.

What can we do? First, always answer questions honestly. "How much are you making?" Don't lie and say you're making a fortune if you aren't. Tell the truth. If you aren't making any money yet and don't want to admit it, then turn the question back with a simple response that I was taught to use. "It doesn't matter what I'm making. What matters is how much you want to make."

"How much does it cost?" Again, tell the truth. I joined a company a few years ago when my sponsor told me it was completely free to join. What he neglected to tell me was that in order to get paid by the company I had to have a certain number of points which I would receive by ordering the product. The cost of the product was $145 and I was supposed to order every month. So in reality, it isn't free to join this business. It's $145 per month. Does that mean it's a bad company? Not at all. But I sure felt cheated for a while. I always tell my prospects that exactly what it costs to join and exactly what they have to do to make any money.

"How long have you been doing this?" Don't lie! If you've been doing it for years say so, even if you aren't making money. You can always explain that. When my husband and I first started network marketing, we signed up, paid our fee - and then did absolutely nothing for almost two months. Therefore we made absolutely no money. Then I quit my job to take care of my father and we decided we had better get serious about this. So I told my prospects, when they asked, the truth. I've been doing it for almost three months. If they didn't say anything, then I didn't say anything more. If they did ask what I was making, I used the response given in the example above. And if they knew I wasn't making much yet and wanted to know why I told them the truth. I hadn't been working my business. Sometimes they believed me and sometimes they didn't.

"Isn't everyone doing this already?" Be honest. When I signed up to sell Amway (yes I admit it!), it seemed like there was an Amway rep on every corner. It was sort of discouraging. Same with Melaleuca and Mary Kay. And it wouldn't have been a problem except that I had been assured by my sponsor that the area was still wide open. So if someone asks me this question, I tell them the company has been around for quite a while. The Arkansas team is huge. You don't have to market and recruit locally. I have teams in Dallas, Florida, Las Vegas, Canada, and Missouri and who knows where else. I have customers all over the country. So now my prospects know that they can do the same.

"How long will it take to make any money?" and "How much time will it take?" These two go hand in hand. If I hear one more person tell me I can be making thousands in a few months with no effort, I think I'll scream. Can you make thousands in a few months? Yes. Will most people do so? No. Will they do it without any effort? Absolutely not. It's a business. Not all businesses are created equal. However all businesses take effort. In my town there is a small bookstore and coffee shop run by a friend of mine. On the other side of town there is a Barnes and Noble with a Starbucks. Two "identical" businesses. Does my friend make as much money as B&N? Of course not! Does that mean all bookstores are scams? Do both stores have to work to make their money? Let's see - someone has to order the books, put them on the shelves, interact with the customers, advertise the business, do the bookkeeping, keep the store clean - and probably many more things I'm not even aware of. Sounds like work to me! The same is true with network marketing. I don't know how long it will take you to make any money. I'm not you. But I can promise you, you will have to work. Because if you don't I can make you one more promise - you won't make a dime no matter how long you wait.

These are just some of the questions that can easily lead to misrepresentations and lies. If you have to lie to bring a prospect onto your team, you probably don't want them anyway because they aren't going to help you grow. They don't get it now or you wouldn't have to lie and they certainly won't get it later on because they bought into something that didn't exist. What they will do is go out and tell everyone they come into contact with that your business is a pyramid, illegal, a scam, and a ripoff.

Your Business Concept

If you were going on vacation, before you pulled out of the driveway or boarded a plane, you would know where you were going.  You would know if you were going to stay in this country or travel abroad.  You would know if you were visiting a city or getting back to nature at the beach or in the mountains.  You may leave a few details open to be decided on the spur of the moment, but you would have a basic idea of what your vacation was going to be.

The same is true when starting a business.  Before you do anything else, you need a basic idea of what your business is going to be.  Why do you want your own business?  To have more money?  More time?  More flexibility?  How much money do you want to make?  Enough to retire from your current job?  Enough to have a financial cushion?  Are you unemployed and looking for a way to make a living?  Do you want to work from home or do you hope to have an office or shop one day?  Do you want to work alone or do you want partners or employees?  Is your business going to be strictly online? 

Before you start your business it's critical that you have a clear concept of your business.  This will help you as you write your business and marketing plans. 

If you follow my step-by-step guide to starting your business, then you will answer these questions as part of the process.  The first step is to examine your goals, your values, your strengths and weaknesses, your passions and interests and put these together to help you determine your business concept. 

You wouldn't get on a plane to go on vacation without knowing where the final destination was, would you?  Neither should you start out on a business venture without a clear idea of where you are heading.  Having a clear concept of your business will get you started in the right direction as you start building your business.  Use our guide to help you find yours.