Are you a Trekie? It could save you.

If you were ever a Trekie, you will really appreciate the following episode anecdote, but if you have never been one, it still gives a great message about not giving up. 

Certain crew members, including Spock, McCoy, and Scott, were part of a shuttle crew lost in space and trapped on a planet without communications.  Facing immediate annihilation from the inhabitants of that world, 6 survivors just worked desperately to get the shuttle airborne and back into space.  The assumption was that the mother ship, the Enterprise was long gone, and that their life expectancy would be about 2 days based upon fuel and life support before orbit decayed and they burned up in the atmosphere.  But they were as good as dead if they stayed another hour on the surface.

Shortly after they were in orbit in the upper atmosphere, Spock suddenly, apparently insanely, ejects the two remaining fuel tanks and detonates them -- leaving them all about 10 minutes to live.  McCoy who couldn't stop him just shouts, "Why Spock, why?!"  A moment later, Scott's face shines in a big smile, "Why Mr. Spock, you sent up a flare.  -- Aye, it was a good gamble."  Spock just stares forward blankly and replies, "It was illogical.  There's no one out there to see it."

The mother ship the Enterprise was running out of time to leave on an urgent mission to a colony, and the assumption that it was gone was very solid.  However, Kirk used every conceivable stall in the book until an accompanying commodore threatened to take command of the ship and probably court martial Kirk if he didn't abandon the crew members and get moving.  Still delaying till the last possible moment, he slowed their exit to a crawl as well and ordering scanning to continue even as they were pulling away from the planetary system.  Sure enough, they pick up the detonations, and beam the 6 aboard a moment before the shuttle burns up. 

When McCoy accuses Spock of a purely emotional act of desperation, Spock points out and Kirk agrees, that under the circumstances (what are two days going to do for you compared to a shot at a full future life), his action was actually the most rational course to pursue.

I know this is a stupid little story, but it has a message.  Who knows where you might be in this story.  Are you running out of air? Are there rumors of a lay off?  Are you living on unemployment?  Doing something or make a stand before you get to a serious point in your life, would be the smart move. Plan ahead, brain storm, build a business plan, just do something before you are desperate! 

Could becoming a business owner be like Captain Kirk beaming you up at the last second?  The problem is not starting a business, for it can happen quickly, but being successful usually takes time and hard work.  Becoming an entrepreneur might or might not be your answer, but until you have the facts, do your home work and do your test runs, you’ll never know.  Get started on your idea sooner than later, for later might be too late.  If you wait too long you will not get beamed up to the Enterprise, for it only can stick around so long. 

Believe!

Many people do not believe they have what it takes to be successful. Some don’t, but most do. One of the most important things you can do to be successful is believe in yourself.  If you don’t believe you can do it, you can’t.

Here on this link is a short story of someone who believes.  If this doesn’t inspire you, nothing will.

Check it out: http://www.wimp.com/watchingthis/ 

Let me know what you think.

Do not let FEAR control your life

Most of us have developed some wonderful skills throughout our lifetime that would really help us in becoming successful in running our own business. Believing in ourselves and overcoming the fear most of us experience, many times is easier said than done.  One way to overcome the fear is to NOT make a decision until you have done your home work. The statement, “Knowledge dispels fear” is true. 

Most of us are too afraid to become an entrepreneur, but if we do it the right way, it is not so intimidating. Come up with an idea, learn everything you can about the product or service and if it still makes sense, test the waters with baby steps.  Do not quit your job or put all your net worth into something without doing your homework.  Test market your idea a number of times in a number of ways, starting small and working your way up before jumping in head first.

There is a great book that teaching how to overcome fear.  It is called, "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway."  This is one of a few books every entrepreneur should read.

Fear should NOT control our lives.  Knowledge will dispel the fear.  Gain your knowledge then make a well educated decision.  If you decide to start a business after doing your homework, don’t look back.  Move forward and just make it work!   

Do you need Passion?

I once read an article which was titled, “Do what you love and starve”.  Too many times people are looking for the perfect business which will give them both “passion” and “profits”.  Usually those businesses don’t exist.  Because of this they will never find the perfect business and never become an entrepreneur.  Sometimes they think they have found one that they can be passionate about, but they end up never making any money.  Their passion can become old rather quickly if they are not making money. 

Generally if it is a business they can love, everyone wants to do it.  If everyone wants to do it, the price for the product or service is driven down and no one makes any money.

Warren Buffet said,

“Dull companies with steady earnings growth may not make for stimulating cocktail party chatter but over the long haul, they make the best investments.”

There is a reason why “dull companies” are the ones making money.  In the book, The Millionaire Next Door, the author describes how owners of the dull companies are generally the ones making the money.

In my opinion people should have a passion for being an entrepreneur, owing their own business and controlling their own destiny and NOT necessarily a passion for the product.  Personally, I would much rather be making a good income, work 40 hours a week (with a dull company) and spend time in the evenings and weekends with my family. Working 80 hours a week running a fun restaurant or bicycle shop and NOT make any money will not work for very long.

If you want to get ahead in life, it might be wise to listen to Warren Buffet.  He seems to know what he is doing.

Employers VS Employees

EMPLOYERS VS EMPLOYEES

Have you ever wondered why some people own businesses and others just work for those businesses?  What separates people?   What makes the difference?

For our purposes today, let us just classify all those who work for someone as EMPLOYEES.  May we, also, take the liberty to classify all those who own a business as EMPLOYERS.

What kind of an individual is an EMPLOYER?  I strongly believe they are the kind of people who see an opportunity, possess the commitment, and have the guts to go for it.  That opportunity may have some obstacles, but the employer sees through them.  He knows there will be challenges and even welcomes them.  Why?  Because, in the end, it reduces his competition as others won’t be so bold and entrepreneurial to tackle those problems.  Thus, an employer is one who sees an opportunity, and through his own hard work and the work of his employees, constructs the foundation of a thriving business.  Over time, as he becomes more comfortable with employees assuming more of the daily operations, the employer is able to slowly step away from the business, thereby creating a valuable asset that is working for him.  He envisioned the end results from the beginning and worked toward establishing that business.  Minor challenges were smoothed over, the business opened, and soon the employees provided him with a nice and comfortable living.

What kind of an individual is the EMPLOYEE?  He is one who would love to be an employer, but sees too many problems in his way.  He just wasn’t lucky enough to have found that perfect business like his employer.  He discusses matters of the company with other employees, and usually they discuss how they could drastically improve the bottom line.  They see all kinds of things wrong with the company and wonder why changes aren’t made.  Meanwhile, they continue to punch their timecard, the employer continues to make money off their efforts, and they wonder why the stars have never been perfectly aligned for them to realize their dream; never imaging that the stars have never been perfectly aligned for anyone, including their employer.

 Employees vs. employers are much like dreamers vs. doers.  Business owners see beyond the barriers of entry into business.  Those same barriers block the employee’s vision keeping him in the labor force.  The employee, however, continues to see himself as an employer.  He just never had the commitment, vision, or the guts to make it happen!

By Brian Melaney

Business owner &

Mayor of West Haven, Utah

How 7 young men became millionnaires before 22 years old.

Many people doubt the power of entrepreneurism.  Here is a link from Forbes talking about 7 different young men who have become millionaires before the age of 22.  All of them did it will little money and all within the last year or two.

http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/112341/how-to-make-1-million-before-you-graduate

If these young people can come up with an idea, so can you.  If you want information on how to make a good web site for less than $300, let me know.  It might be your first step into becoming a millionaire.

Marketing your business

Marketing is the key to the success of any business.  The old saying, "Without advertising, Nothing happens!" is true.  Poor advertising is almost as bad as no advertising.  Wasting money on the wrong marketing program takes away from getting your information out to the right customer.  Free advertising is always best.  Many businesses think that just by throwing money at any advertising and they will be fine.  They then wonder why customers are not responding.
    
This video is the new way to advertise and costs very little. There are many other free ways to get your company in front of the customer.  Feel free to call or email me for suggestions.