Prosperity is a State of Mind

What's all the fuss about the "soft" economy?

2009-03-03T12:45:00.000-08:00

Over the last few months, and especially throughout the US Presidential campaign, I kept hearing about the "soft economy". Some people even went so far as to use the dreaded "R" word; recession. The fact that I heard this time and time again is remarkable, considering that for the last few years I've been on a media fast. (TV News, CNN "Constant Negative News", Internet News, or the Newspaper.)

With all of this talk about the soft economy, I thought it might do well to illustrate a few examples to the contrary.

According to Media by Numbers, a box-office tracking company, the movie industry is actually thriving in this economy. 2008 box office gross receipts were about $9.63 billion. The first two months of 2009 (Jan 1st thru Mar 1st) were up over the same time period last year by 17.30% This equates to an annualized projection of over $10.75 billion this year.

Along those same lines, the Personal Development industry posted over $19 billion in sales. I was speaking with a few of my colleagues and mentors this morning, and in our company, our sales for the same time period last year (Jan 1st thru March 1st) are up over 60%.

So the ticket sales of people wanting to relax, and get away from the stress of life and be entertained by Hollywood has increased 17% in a nearly $10B industry. At the same time, the sales of products to people who want real and lasting change in their lives, and are studying how to get better results in less time has increased over 60% in an industry with gross sales more than twice that of the movie industry.

What this tells me is that more people are sick and tired of just being sick and tired. The masses just want to mask their fear and pain and laugh for a few minutes, while an even smaller group of people are willing to spend their hard earned cash to actually make a difference, and in turn, we've seen phenomenal record growth.

My point is this. in today's "soft economy", who are you choosing to be? Are you looking for a quick brain numb to forget about your problems, or are you finally ready to actually do something to change your situation. Most people are in fact going to choose the former. It takes much less effort, and the results are predictable. More doom and gloom.

As a good friend of mine recently remarked, "The choice is to get in front of the money, not to chase it." There is no less money being earned, spent, etc. The same money that was being earned and spent two years ago is being earned and spent today. The challenge is to shift where you are in relation to the money. Are you going to position yourself to be on the receiving end of the money and be at cause in your life, or are you going to stay where you are, and continue to be ruled by circumstance and public perception?

If you're an entrepreneur (man or woman), or if you have the dream of becoming an entrepreneur to take control of your own finances and future, you will want to contact me to learn more NOW.... no excuses, no drama, no hesitation.

Will you join the community of successful entrepreneurs that know how to navigate this economy, or are you going to insist on sitting on the sidelines to figure it out for yourself, and lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process?

It's the most simple business decision you'll make all year, and yet it will transform your understanding of what success will look like in 2009.

What if... In this Uncertain Economy, you could Change your Annual Income into your Monthly Income, Working Part time from Anywhere, with a Phone and an Internet Connection? Contact me to learn more NOW.

From NBC: "People turn to "network marketing" in soft economy"

2009-02-17T15:21:00.000-08:00

As people look for other alternatives to earning an income, Network Marketers (both Direct Sellers and MLM folks) are welcoming extra media coverage helping to promote their industries.

NBC reporter Chris Pollone includes in his article, as quoted by Dr. Betsy Holloway of Samford University's Brock School of Business:

"I think in today's economy with the layoffs that we have and people desperate to find work, there's going to be increased demand in these sorts of opportunities."

Despite any negative connotations in regards to today's economy, Network Marketers couldn't ask for a better opportunity to expand their business to those truly in need.

The article basically states that in today's economy, many people are turning to Network Marketing and Direct Sales as a secondary or even primary source of income. The text of the story is below:

By Chris Pollone, Reporter
Published: February 17, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala—While her husband was searching for full time work, Jennifer Grissom of Birmingham decided to make a little money on the side on top of her full-time job.

“I had to find some way to get an extra line of income that worked in the hours I had available to me,” she said.

Since November, Jennifer’s been selling skin care products for Arbonne International.

The company relies on a network of sales consultants who recruit other people to sell the product as well.

The more people a sales consultant recruits, the bigger her potential earnings are.

It might sound like a pyramid scheme to some, but marketing experts say it’s not.

“These are legitimate businesses, though you want to make sure you’re working for a good business, always,” Dr. Betsy Holloway of Samford University’s Brock School of Business said.

It’s called “network marketing” or “multi-level marketing” (MLM) and it’s been around for decades.

Companies like Amway, The Pampered Chef, and Tupperware work under similar arrangements.

Doctor Holloway said direct retail like this has been growing for a decade, and there’s potential for it to get even bigger.

“I think in today’s economy with the layoffs that we have and people desperate to find work, there’s going to be increased demand in these sorts of opportunities.”

Jennifer Grissom said she had to overcome a preconceived stigma of network marketing and the fear of rejection we all have.

“It’s not easy, but it is simple,” Grissom said. “You just have to be able to understand it, and be enthusiastic, without being annoying.”

She’s exceeding her expectations just three months after starting.

Experts advise if someone wants you to join a network marketing opportunity, take time to research the company.

They say that can help ensure you’re joining a legitimate business, and not signing up for a risky scheme.

You know, I've been working with the same direct sales/network marketing company for almost six years, and I can echo EVERYTHING said above.

It's just a choice!

Action is a four letter word.....

2009-01-28T07:47:00.000-08:00

So as far as blogging goes, I've been hiding out in the corner. Actually, I've been hiding out in a whole other part of the house. It seems that no matter how successful I've been, how much money I've made, how many exotic vacations I've taken with my family, I've been AFRAID of blogging. And I know F.E.A.R. is a four letter word. I know that F.E.A.R. is really False Evidence Appearing Real. Prosperity is a state of mind, and F.E.A.R. doesn't have a green card in my state anymore. I've revoked it's work VISA and started deportation proceedings.

You see it all comes down to a choice. I can choose to say that my wife Amy's three blogs are good enough for both of us. In fact, I've made very good money because she loves to blog. I'm talking more money than most American families make in a year just because my wife is an expert and blogs regularly about prosperity and success. And that story served me for the longest time. But it doesn't serve me, it dishonors who I am. It dishonors my leadership and my stand for transforming the way the people on this planet think. It dishonors the efforts of all of the people who have followed in my footsteps and all who will do so in the future.

Recently, I had the opportunity to spend a weekend masterminding with some great minds. These are men and women I respect, and honor their counsel. One of the key things that I was reminded of during this opportunity to mastermind was that the universe loves speed. When struck by divine inspiration, take action. Get off the sidelines, get in the game, and take all out massive action. So here I am, declaring myself to be in action around blogging. The era of F.E.A.R is over.

I am a leader, I am a stand for prosperity, abundance and possibility. I have a mastery of the skills and discipline that cause success. I have learned from my mentors and my teachers the time honored principles of success and prosperity. It's been alot of work, but not the kind of hard work you might think. I was one of the masses that takes no personal responsibility for my life. Three and a half years ago, I was blessed to be exposed to a business, and a product that changed all of that and started me on my path to possibility and prosperity. The work has ALL been done in the six inches of real estate between my two ears.

It's called Personal Development. Some people call it Self Development, but regardless it's an exploration of beliefs and limitation, and an opportunity to choose a new path, a new way of thinking, rather a new way of being. (I'll talk ALOT more about this later).

In any case, expect to hear alot more from me going forward. Those of you who know me will acknowledge that I've never held back verbally, and will be pleased to see how my participation in this new medium manifests itself. Those of you who have yet to learn from me, well I leave it for you to decide for yourselves. To quote one of my mentors, "Take what you want and leave the rest."

I'll be back in a few days to share more of my insight, and some of the counsel I received from some of the greatest minds of our time. I'll tell you all about them, and share some of what they said. I still have goosebumps.

Your life begins now. Choose wisely.

Get Your Work Space Organized for a Successful Home Business

2008-09-12T06:35:00.000-07:00

Organization is essential to any successful business. Good organizational skills can save you time, money, and space – and a lot of headaches.

When you’re starting your home-based business, it’s a good idea to have an organization strategy in place right from the start. This will help you to build good habits into your daily operations, and maximize the hours you devote to your business. After all, sifting through piles of scrap paper to locate a missing invoice is not a productive use of your time! Also, a neat and organized environment is easier on the senses, and can make work a lot less stressful.

Here are five tips to help you get your home office organized.

1. Find a home for every item. When you assign every item a “home,” you know exactly where to look when you need that item. When you finish using something, return it to its place. Also, a neat and clean home office helps you feel like you’re starting fresh every day. Always try to keep your desktop clear of clutter.

2. Choose functional furniture: Desks with numerous drawers, nooks, and crannies provide lots of potential “homes” for small items. Desks or credenzas with file drawers are a natural choice – but if your desk has minimal drawer space, look for shelving units you can set up within easy reach of your workspace. Chair(s) should be comfortable but mobile. Natural light or soft white bulbs are easier on the eyes than fluorescents – although the new energy-saver bulbs are a great choice if you’re “going green.”

3. Gather your organizational tools: File folders, labels, envelopes, pens, notepads, an inbox and outbox, baskets, storage bins, file boxes, blank CDs, and USB drives are all tools to help you get organized and stay organized. Make your tools decorative as well as utilitarian, so that you actually enjoy using them.

4. File away! Maybe you like to use accordion folders instead of a traditional filing cabinet system. Perhaps you prefer to organize by date instead of alphabetically. It doesn’t really matter what your personal filing system is, as long as you stick to it – and ask anyone who’s helping you to stick to it too. Try to do your filing at least once a week, so you don’t end up buried under a mountain of paperwork. If you’re trying to go paperless, back up to a portable hard drive at least once a week – and if you store files on CDs, be sure to label them clearly and store them properly to prevent damage.

5. Develop a system to deal with your mail. The number one paperwork problem for many people is mail. Read and sort your mail every day. Separate unpaid bills from the rest; a basket or bin for “accounts payable” is a great way to make sure you don’t misplace your statements. Once bills are paid, they can be filed away. As for other mail, file according to your system, and always shred credit card offers and other junk mail that might have your personal information on it.

Running a home business should be a pleasure, not a pain. The biggest benefit of an organized home office is that you’ll always be able to find what you need when you need it, and you’ll have more time to spend doing what you love!

Get Out of Debt

2008-08-07T19:48:00.000-07:00

Are you drowning in debt? Are your finances out of control? Has paying bills become extremely difficult? Do not worry – you are not alone – and there IS a way out.

In today’s world, the cost of living is at an all-time high. Families are struggling to make ends meet. As wages stay the same, all of the other costs seem to be increasing. Look how much it takes to fill your car’s gas tank these days. Compare your electric bill from last year to this year’s. And the cost of health care for your family? We won’t even go there.

It all seems very overwhelming, but with the right people, knowledge, and resources by your side, there are many steps you can take to dramatically improve your financial situation.

How Can I Make More Money?

When your debts are high and your monthly income is barely, or not at all enough to cover the payments, you must take immediate action to solve your problem. Develop a personalized debt repayment plan, and find a way, a legitimate way, to make more money.

Thanks to the plethora of today’s justifiable work from home business opportunities, people are able to earn more money without sacrificing their families, or their precious time and energy.

If you are determined to get out of debt and live the life you have always dreamed about, a work from home business is a most practical solution for generating a viable second income. In today’s world, there is no need to take on a second job at a fast food joint or movie theater. The ability to work from home is genuine, and it is the path more and more people are taking every day – putting them on the path to financial freedom. All you need is a computer, a telephone, and the passion to do your absolute best.

The path to financial recovery takes total commitment and hard work. You have to decide that you want to get out of debt and stay out of debt. You have to continually discipline yourself to take the necessary action to work hard and pay back your debts.

If you ready for this commitment and want to start your own work from home business, contact me, and I will provide you with everything you need to get started.

Tax Planning Tips

2008-07-11T19:48:00.000-07:00

As a self-employed individual, the thought of paying taxes may be a tad scary. But have no fear – there are many tax benefits for the self-employed, which include the home office deduction.

Having knowledge in the area of home office deductions can come in quite useful for all those who are either self-employed or an employee of a company working out of his or her home office. According to Uncle Sam, if you use any portion of your home for business, you will be able to deduct the associated costs. These associated costs refer to the business portion of real estate taxes, mortgage interest, rent, utilities, insurance, depreciation, painting and repairs. Make note that the total amount you can deduct depends on the percentage of your home used for business. This means your deduction will be limited if your income from your business is less than all your business expenses.

This is as cool as it sounds. But, of course, the IRS has several requirements that those who work from home must meet. Some of the general requirements are:

• The home office must be used regularly and exclusively for business needs. For example, you cannot set up a computer in your bedroom, type up a few emails on it, and then consider that room to be your “home office” as well. The home office must be used strictly as the home office, and nothing else.

• The business portion of your home must be either your principal place of business OR where you meet or deal with clients, customers, and/or patients in the normal course of your business. Separate, detached structures such as a guest house or garage that is used for business may certainly also qualify as a home office. In recent years, the IRS broadened the types of business activities that can be considered in determining whether a home office is a taxpayer’s principal place of business. Nowadays, a home office is qualified for deductions if it is used exclusively and regularly for the administrative or management activities of your business. However, be on alert that your home office location must be the only place where you can fulfill such responsibilities.

Let 2008 be the year you start your own work from home business. Contact me directly, and I will provide you with additional information about what you need to get started.

Work from Home

2008-06-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

Nearly 10 percent of today’s workforce works from home, and this percentage is increasing on a daily basis. While many of these people work from home running their own businesses, there are also several who work from home for an actual employer. Approximately two million American businesses support some kind of telecommuting program for their employees.

Telecommuters continually report that their lives are happier and less stressful due to the increased satisfaction with their job, more freedom, and increased time with their families. Also, who wouldn’t enjoy saving all that money on gas that would otherwise be spent working outside of the home?

Based on a survey by the Information Technology Association of America, 36% of respondents would choose telecommuting over a pay raise. Would you?

Not only do the employees themselves benefit from telecommuting, but so do their employers and the environment as well. Employers benefit from reduced real estate costs, increased productivity, morale, and employer turnover costs, just to name a few. The environment benefits from reduced fossil fuel consumption and traffic congestion, resulting in significantly cleaner air and safer neighborhoods. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if even just an additional 10 percent of the nation’s workforce would telecommute even for just one day of the week, it could save Americans from driving up to 24.4 million miles; help them breathe cleaner air with 13,000 tons less of air pollution; and save them considerable cash by conserving more than 1.2 million gallons of fuel each week.

What About Working for Yourself?

Even better news – a sacrifice in the amount of money you make at your current job does not have to be made when you find the right work at home job opportunity. Legitimate work from home businesses are sprouting up by the day, everywhere you look. More and more, people are searching online and finding a plethora of available work from home business opportunities. Thanks to these abundant opportunities, people no longer have to choose between their families and money, or professional fulfillment. Because, frankly, they can have it all with the right kind of work from home job opportunity.

Can You Do It?

Before you embark on this amazing prospect, ask yourself the golden question. Are you an ideal candidate for working from home? Do you have the drive and the self-discipline it takes to work from home under no or minimal supervision? Are you a self-starter who can perform independently? Do you manage your time well, and are you organized? Be sure to do a thorough self-evaluation to determine if working from home is a right choice for you.

Success is Right Within Your Reach

In order to make your work from home business a rewarding and successful one, there are many guidelines that you should adhere to.

The first is marketing research. A ton of work from home businesses fail due to the fact that there is not an adequate market for the product or services that the businesses are trying to sell. Performing a comprehensive analysis of the work from home business is therefore an absolute must.

As earlier stated, independence and self-reliance is crucial. In order to work for yourself, you can most definitely not be the passive type. You have to be self-disciplined and have a “go get ‘em” type of attitude. Most home-based businesses start out as a one-man or woman operation. Because of this, you are most often expected to do everything at the onset of your business – writing your business plan, marketing, selling, accounting, and much more. As your business succeeds and more revenue is streaming in, then would be a more opportune time to hire an employee or employees.

Managing your time well is another important facet to the successful work at home business type. Remember, working from home puts you in a situation where you are easily prone to distraction. Sometimes the kids may be calling, the dog may be barking, the house phone may be ringing – whatever your distractions, find the methods that best work for you to optimize your time working from home.

And this next thing cannot be said more than enough – promote, promote, promote! Your business will only ever be as good as the size of the market that you are able to reach. Be aggressive, and get the word out about your product or service. Promoting your business is truly an essential investment for ALL businesses, no matter what the size or type.

And lastly, get help when you need it. Read business, publications, attend networking events, and/or join your local Chamber of Commerce.

If you are ready and willing to start your own work from home business, contact me. I will provide you with additional information about what you need to get started with your own work from home business.

Work for Stay-at-Home Moms

2008-05-13T19:46:00.000-07:00

There are not many things that break a mother’s heart more than having to leave her children, day after day, for an unrewarding, lackluster job outside of the home. With the costs of living at skyrocketed levels, more and more American families of today are strongly dependent on dual incomes. However, with both parents working outside the home, there is considerably less time for family and personal matters.

And this, most often, is a problem. Parents who put their children first are forced with the unfair decision to either go to work, or give up the second income, and stay home. Almost always a financial burden, some families simply decide that as long as the family is happy, they can manage with the one income.

But does it have to be this way? No, thanks to the ever-increasing work at home opportunities for the stay at home mom! Working from home allows the stay at home mom the chance to be home with their children and taking care of the house, while earning a great income on the side. Not to mention, the stay at home mom that left her day job is now saving money by eliminating the expensive childcare costs that incurred while she was working.

How Does a Mom Work With the Little Ones in Tow?

Ah, the age old question from moms who work from home. Fortunately, there are a number of great tips on how to excel at your work from home job while being attentive, caring, and available to the children at home for whom you left your prior job.

• Designate your workspace. Having a room in your home that is solely for working will help you stay on task. Keeping this room organized is another plus, as it will help lessen distractions and make the most of the limited time you have available. Don’t spend your time straightening up when you need to be working!

• Manage your work in pieces. You will find that to-do lists come in very handy when working from home with the kids. When with your children, you don’t have time to tackle many of the tasks, but as soon as the opportunity to work hits (child is playing independently or napping), you can tackle all, most, or some of the tasks at hand.

• Make the most of quiet time. Devote this precious quiet time to work, and work only. After all, this is the best opportunity for productivity, apart from your child’s actual bedtime. (And who wants to be working at night, anyway?) By making the most of this downtime, you will then be able to spend uninterrupted, quality time with your children – reading, playing, and simply not thinking about work.

• Keep in mind what your priorities are. If you cannot balance the two (working from home and being with your children), you may find that the child is probably better off in the hands of someone who is less distracted.

• Enlist some help when you need it. It is very hard to balance working from home and being a fully attentive, devoted parent at the same time. Repeated attempts to work while your children is with you are not only unfair to them, but in the long run, will make you feel guilty and sad, and may interrupt your productivity. Either work while your children are asleep, at school, or are busy with an activity. Or you can check out some mother helper programs, such as babysitting co-ops; or talk to your family or friends who have time during the day to help out. Even it is just a couple days a week, this is valuable time in which you can get your work done, and be the mother you want to be to your child.

Make Money and Be Home With Your Children? What Better Solution Is There?

If you are ready and willing to start your own simple business, contact me and I will provide you with additional information about this incredible life-shaping, work-from-home opportunity.

Is a Franchise Right for You?

2008-04-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

You have been approached with what seems like an incredible opportunity – the opportunity to run your own franchise business. After all, opening your own franchise business entitles you the advantage of being able to use the company’s already established name, easily recognizable storefront, and famous trade secrets. Buying a franchise earns you the right to sell the parent company’s goods and/or services in the area you choose.

So is a Franchise for You?

Even with these advantages, are you fully aware of what comes along with starting your own franchise business? For starters, in order to run the business, franchisees are expected to pay not only a franchise fee, but they will also have to pay royalties, and in most cases, additional fees to the franchisor. Franchisees are also expected to abide by strict terms set forth with the franchise agreement. These terms often lay out exactly the way you will do business, preventing you from the freedom of making your own business decisions. You are working in the best interests of the parent company, and not in your own. Simply put, it is their way or the highway. In some cases, the franchise terms are so strict that they will even tell you the right way to fill napkin holders. Not exactly encouraging your freedom, right? The franchisor is the one running the show – not you.

And what about costs? As earlier mentioned, to start your own franchise business requires payment of a franchise fee, royalties, and a percentage of your franchise business’ revenue. The latter must be paid to the franchisor on a monthly basis. In addition to these fees, the franchisor is also allowed to charge additional fees for services provided, such as the cost of advertising the business. In summary, buying into well-known franchises is highly expensive. If this is the choice you ultimately make, you are best advised to have a big bank account or the ability to arrange any and all necessary financing.

If this is not the case, and money is low, you may be interested in purchasing a little-known, less expensive franchise. But know that this can be a real gamble. Just because a company is offering franchises does not guarantee that the franchise you buy will be successful. In a lot of cases, franchising is the business itself – the franchisor is really only interested in selling more franchises. And he is the one making all the money – not you! It does not matter to the franchisor whether or not the business succeeds – that is totally irrelevant to them. Now, this does not mean that every little known, less expensive franchises are not worthwhile – but you should be reminded that any franchise you are considering purchasing needs to be thoroughly investigated.

While some people may view a franchise business as nestling themselves in an already smoothly operating company for which they will receive incredible support, this is not always the case. Not all franchisors offer assistance in starting the franchise business and operating it successfully. Although many franchise companies make promises of ongoing training and support, several of them do not follow up on them. Without support or the freedom to make your own decisions, where does this leave you as a franchise business owner?

So If Not a Franchise, Then What?

Starting your OWN independent business is always in your best interest if you really want to get ahead. After all, an independent business is one that you create and take care of on your own. Starting your own legitimate work from home, independent business allows you the kind of control and freedom that you will not get running a franchise operation.
Learn what real freedom is all about today! If you are ready to start your very own, profitable, simple work from home business, fill out the form below. I will provide you with all of the information and resources you need to move forward with this incredible, life-shaping opportunity.

Tired of the Corporate Scene?

2008-03-15T19:44:00.000-07:00

We live in the day and age of “corporate burnout.” On-the-job stress is just one problem of many that face the average American worker of today. While there are many steps being taken by companies to help their employees with this kind of exhaustion, it is unfortunately still not enough. More and more employees are heading home from work every night feeling overworked and underappreciated. Not to mention, they are resentful for the often low wages and the considerable time spent away from their loved ones.

And 40-hour weeks? Who are they kidding? Most salaried workers of today are plugging in 50, 60, and even 70 hours a week to meet the ever-increasing demands of their managers. And the sad part is, the majority of companies today have stopped being loyal to the hardworking employee, treating them as disposable as the Lazy Larry next to him.

What about those who work hourly? At least they get overtime pay. Nope! Not true – more and more companies are eliminating overtime pay. Hourly workers are cut off at 40 hours, leaving them with less money and the plausible need for taking on a second job.

On-the-job stress is known to lead to several health problems that include conditions such as hypertension, heart attacks, backaches, anxiety, headaches, depression, and even substance dependency. As if the high-pressure job was not enough, to add to the stress is the alarming number of layoffs made by major corporations practically every month around the nation. Companies of today are constantly “outsourcing,” and a great number of them are on the path to bankruptcy.

With the plight of the American worker, action is slowly but surely being taken. Americans are tired of working for the “fat cats“ – tired of slaving away to make somebody else rich. And most of all, tired of wasting their life in an office outside their home, away from their families.

Out of the Office and Into the Home

The moment you first decide to leave your office job and work for yourself, out of the comfort and privacy of your own home is the moment at which you will experience what freedom is all about. Once you start working for yourself, you will never want to turn back. And, if you play your cards right, you will never have to.

There are endless reasons why working from home is, simply put, the best decision you will ever make for yourself and your family. Some of these reasons include:

• Wearing whatever your heart desires for work. You have to admit – having the chance to work in your cozy new sweats as opposed to that itchy wool suit is a major plus. However, if you feel that getting dressed into “office professional” clothing makes you feel more productive, then by all means, do it! After all, working from home requires major discipline – whether you work for yourself, or as a telecommuting employee.

• Saving tremendously on gas and auto maintenance costs. With the outrageous cost of gas these days, more and more people are recognizing how much money they can potentially save by eradicating their commute to work. Another bonus? No sitting in traffic! Simply roll out of bed, head on over to your computer, and voila! You’re at work!

• No need to deal with unappreciative supervisors or annoying co-workers.

• You will have more time to spend with family. Life is too short to make it all about your job. Yes, making money is important, but so is being home with your family for dinner more than a couple times a week. Working from home gives you back the time you would normally spend commuting to and from work. Not to mention, if you are a pet owner, you will no longer have to see that pleading look in your dog’s (or cat’s?) face, begging you not to leave them for your long day at the office. In fact, working alongside Fido or Whiskers is known to reduce stress in the workplace.

• You will have more “me” time. Need to catch up on a load of laundry? Take a nap during lunch break? Run a book to school that your child forgot? Whatever it is you long to do, working from home makes it that much easier. Just make sure that you are not losing focus of your work as you get these tasks done. If you get too caught up in personal things, your work life can suffer.

Stop working for “the man,” and take control of your life today, contact me and I will provide you with additional information about this incredible life-shaping, work-from-home opportunity.

Women in Business

2008-02-07T19:43:00.000-08:00

Step aside gentlemen, and make room for the ladies! Everywhere you look, you will find that more and more women are starting and succeeding with their own businesses. In fact, more than 10.4 million women in America presently run their own business. These businesses range in size from sole proprietorships to corporations with hundreds of employees.

Women in business today are working harder than ever to achieve economic self-sufficiency, create wealth, and participate in the economic development of the nation. Women-owned businesses additionally employ nearly 13 million people and contribute over $1.9 trillion to the U.S. economy. In the past two decades alone, majority women owned-firms have continued to grow approximately two times the rate of all U.S. firms. And of these businesses, 3% of them enjoy revenues of $1 million or more, compared with 6% of men-owned firms.

Opportunities for Women Continue to Increase

As a woman, do you think it’s hard to start your own business? Well, think again! With the thousands and thousands of opportunities and resources for women entrepreneurs available today, starting a business is easier than ever. This plethora of information is conveniently obtainable by conducting searches on the Internet, or by simply giving a call to your State office. You are bound to find a wealth of organizations dedicated specifically to women-owned businesses, such as the Alliance of Business Women International, American Women’s Business Association, Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC), Athena Foundation, Center for Women’s Business Research, Committee of 200, Count Me In, Digital Women, eWomenNetwork.com, the United States Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Women-21.gov, Women Entrepreneur, Women President’s Organization, Women’s Business Center, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), Working Mother, and many, many more!

What is even more fantastic for women of today is that owning their own business, especially one that allows them to work from home, allows them more time with family. The plight of working mothers today involves spending more and more time away from the home, putting a damper on what should be a happy home life.

It is because of this that millions of moms are looking to make a difference in their lives, for the sake of their families and overall well beings. Taking the plunge into entrepreneurship (or “mompreneurship”) today is no longer as daunting as it once seemed – the success of women in business will continue to grow.

The Secrets to Million-Dollar-Plus Companies

Think making a million dollars is out of your reach? Think again. With hard work, passion, and dedication to success, you can make your business its first million.

How? First, know your customers. Know that all businesses do not operate the same way, nor do they value the same things. In order for your business to reach the top, you need to know through and through what your customers want. For instance, what do they buy? What don’t they buy? What are they looking for, and why? Step into the shoes of your average customer in order to best determine how they spend their day, which will ultimately tell you ways on how to lock them into a sale.

Use your money wisely. Once your business has a stream of revenues coming in, it is very important that you continue to maximize use of your cash. Keep all money for as long as you can, and collect money from those who owe it to you as soon as possible. In other words – do not pay a bill before it is due, and get on good, quick payment terms from your customers.

Hire only the best – even if you have to initially pay them more than what you take home. After all, research time and again shows that the success of a company is largely based upon its execution. The people that you put on board are considerably important, as their work performance and ethic is what will ultimately help your business expand to its utmost potential.

Always, always, always exceed your customer’s expectations. Outstanding customer support starts with setting and communicating expectations. Once these expectations are set, exceed the customers’ expectations and you will have them coming back over and over again.

Continue to build on this success. The least expensive customer to sell your products and/or services to is simply the one that you have already sold to. Building repeatable success within your customer base will surely guarantee serious money to be made now and in the future.

Focus on “focused flexibility.” This is essentially about keeping your vision for the business intact. Focus on your goals, but do not ignore what is happening on the sidelines. Know where you are headed, but do not disregard the changes in your markets, economy, or competition.

And lastly, always consult with other professionals and business advisors. These people are your friends – people who are willing to help you grow your business, often without payment.

Whether you are a mother, grandmother, or just someone seeking to fulfill their life with a rewarding, yet very simple business, contact me and I will provide you with additional information about this incredible life-shaping opportunity.

Ready for Retirement?

2008-01-14T19:41:00.000-08:00

No matter what your age, it is never too early (or too late) to take proper control of your own future when it comes to retirement. We all dream of having a secure, enjoyable and comfortable retirement – one that allows us the opportunity to travel, take up hobbies, visit with family, volunteer, and simply take pleasure in a slower, calmer pace of life. In today’s day and age, we are living longer and healthier lives, allowing us to enjoy more years of retirement than our elders did.

While the concept of retirement is greeted by many with open arms, there are also many who are apprehensive about this time period in their lives. To these people, retirement can cause feelings of loss and uncertainty as they grieve over the separation from their work and face financial stressors, which include reduced income and higher health care costs.

With retirement being such a mixed blessing, it is easy to understand why it can be a highly complex issue for millions of Americans. Everyone is told, “Plan your finances well, and you can retire well.” Unfortunately, that is not as easy as it sounds. Planning finances is easy when you have a lot of money, but more challenging when you are struggling to make ends meet even as you work 40-plus hours a week.

Today, more than half of American workers aged 55 and older have less than $50,000 in savings – a largely insignificant amount that, even with a high return, will barely generate $3,000 a year.

Not to mention, only about 60 percent of workers over the age of 40 who are eligible to participate in their 401(k) plans do; and the number of those covered by a defined-benefit pension has gradually declined. In fact, since 1980, the percentage of private sector workers covered by defined-benefit pensions has fallen from 35% to under 20% percent.

Additionally, those under the age of 65 have the lowest 401(k) participation rates of all.

And Social Security? Don’t count on that by itself! It will only replace a mere 40% of the income needed for retirement.

So How Did We Come to This?

Exactly how did Americans get to the point of not being able to save enough for retirement? There are numerous reasons. First, real wages have been sluggish ever since the 1970s. Americans are working harder than ever, yet many of them are struggling just to pay their household bills. Second, we have a nation full of spenders – people willing to spend entire paychecks on material items, cars, vacations, and other things they have to have now. This gives the spender instant gratification, but that is soon followed by a mounding pile of bills. Lastly, our 401(k)s and IRA accounts are too easily accessible. More and more, people are borrowing from these accounts long before retirement age. As a result, they have to pay taxes and a penalty. And as for putting the money back into the retirement account? Highly unlikely.

What Are the Experts Saying?

According to many experts, we are told we need to work longer, spend less, and reduce our 401(k) or IRA withdrawal rate. Sounds fun, doesn’t it? Not really.

So what is the other alternative? Working from home – working for yourself. Giving yourself back the time you so infinitely deserve as you prepare for your years of retirement bliss. Establishing a viable, profitable business is in your future, with the right support and knowledge at your hand. All you need is an Internet connection and a telephone, and you will be set to start making the money that, until today, you have only dreamed about.

Telecommuting (a fancy word for working from home) is most definitely the wave of the future. Why work for “the man” when you can work for yourself? All it takes is passion, hard work, skill and dedication. With all of these, you can be well on your way to success, financial freedom, and a glorious retirement.

If you’re ready to operate a very simple business from the comfort of your own home, contact me and I will provide you with additional information about this life-shaping opportunity. And have no fear – I do not hide behind a website or an email address. I conduct business in person and over the phone with people from all over the world. Fill out the form, and expect a call back from me or one of my talented team members.

Be Do Have - A Refresher Course: Back to Basics

2007-04-16T22:21:00.000-07:00

This week I'm all about "Back to Basics". So here's the most basic I 'got!

Let's remind ourselves about a principle called Be-Do-Have.

Understand that most people in the world follow a different principle called Have-Do-Be. These are the people that always say, if I only had more money I could invest, if only I had more time I could start a business. If I only had bla, bla, bla, I could then be wealthy.

Now I'm sure you have heard the national statistic that 97% of the people by age 65 are either dead or dead broke.

The reason is, these people think that making more money and having more time has to do with working harder or getting lucky and has nothing to do with the way they come to making a decision.

Most people when you talk to them and ask them what they want out of life say things like, I want to spend more time enjoying life and be able to travel the world, yet statistically only 21% of the entire population even have a passport, however 54 Billion dollars was spent on lottery tickets in 2005 alone.

Which group of people do you think are more likely to travel the world?

Exactly.

Now let me share some statistics of the people who are waking up literately in the thousands each day to a new way of thinking.

Currently there are over 8 million people who have a net worth of a million dollars.

600,000 people entered the world’s millionaire group last year along

And there are currently 430,000 US households that have a net worth of 10 million and up.

What are these people all of a sudden learning? They are learning about the principle Be-Do-Have.

Let me share it with you.

The Be-Do-Have principle says that in order for you to have something you must first take on that roll of already having it. So if your goal is to be a Millionaire then every choice you are given on a daily basis you simple ask yourself the question: If I already was a millionaire what would I choose….

Be-Do-Have is simply, Be the person first, do what that person would do then you will have what that person has.

To make it stronger, what I do is pick someone who is already making the kind of money I want to be making.

For example Donald Trump.

So if given a decision which I feel will take me closer to my goals but seams to be bigger then I can handle at the time, I simply ask the question “what would Donald Trump do?” and I immediately get the answer.

So what ever decision you are faced with that you feel you don’t have the money or the time to take advantage of a situation simply ask yourself the question if I was already a millionaire what would I do?

It really is as simple as that.

If what I am saying defies logic for you then there is no doubt that you are going to one of the people who are dead or dead broke by age 65.

If that’s the case I would heavily study the Be-Do-Have principle until I did understand it because whether you know it or not or whether you believe it or not. The principle does apply to your life.

Hmmm....... I guess that pesky License plate makes sense now.

Fire, Aim, Ready!

2007-04-15T22:24:00.000-07:00

So don't even ask me where I've been. Old patterns are easy to fall into, kinda like a chair that has been imprinted with your ass. Feels cozy. The sad thing is, when you're sitting in the cozy chair feeling good, life is passing you by, 'cause the only action you're takin' is sitting on your ass.

Let's just say it was something like that.

I'm not going to promise to be in action and be here with you every day. That is my intention. But as one of my mentors reminds me from time to time, "Talk is cheap, show me the results."

I had an epiphany today. I won't share it now, but it hit me like a brick. Good thing too. It's time to manifest. And I'm so excited. You should be too, but I'm not going to tell you why. I'm getting ready to go to bed now, but I don't want this day to end.

You know what. Today has had it's turn. Tomorrow is warming up, and is ready to be at bat.

Let's PLAY BALL.