Greetings Biz Tipper readers. Take a second to check out this website and watch the video of how this man created a great product that everyday people can use….
With a 9-to-5 job and a crowd-funding campaign launched on August 18th, a San Diego inventor is seeing instant success with a product created in his garage on evenings and weekends. MantelMount (www.MantelMount.com), the easy-to-install TV mount that allows anyone to pull a large flat screen down off-the-wall to eye-level and swivel it left or right, announced today that within 16 days of its 30-day Kickstarter campaign, it surpassed initial funding goals by 400%, generating more than $100,000 in sales from over 400 supporters.
MantelMount’s patent-pending construction combines high-quality automotive pistons with lightweight alloys and state-of-the-art counterbalance technology. Its up-and-down, tilt-and-swivel adjustability allows MantelMount users to enjoy the preferred view of any flat screen plasma, LED or LCD TV. Sore necks and glare caused by TV’s mounted too high on the wall have become a thing of the past.
Through Kickstarter.com, “backers” have the option to “pledge” or pre-order a single MantelMount unit, at prices between $199 and $249, whereas a regularly priced MantelMount will be $389. Currently, a limited number of units remain available at the lower price points. With close to 500 units recently manufactured, MantelMount plans to send out its first shipment immediately after its 30-day Kickstarter campaign comes to an end.
“It’s very exciting for us reach the $100,000 mark in just over two weeks of launching. My team and I are extremely pleased with the high volume of pre-orders, positive emails and referrals we’ve received. We can’t wait to ship these units for our new customers to enjoy,” said MantelMount Inventor Brian N. “We’ve also been approached by several domestic and international distributors. I guess they recognize MantelMount offers a real solution to the frustrations caused by TV’s mounted too high on the wall.”
Having already exceeded its initial funding goal, and with only 9 days remaining, the start-up will continue to offer discounted units to backers through Kickstarter, so it can further increase production and lower manufacturing costs. If funding continues to grow at this rate through the end of the Kickstarter campaign, Brian may just be able to quit his day job and work on MantelMount full-time.
There are many things that set winners and losers apart in the small business game. I’m sure you have heard the old saying… find your passion and the money will come. That’s incredibly true and passion is FIRST. If you are in business ONLY to make money chances are you will fail miserably. You will not be dedicated to the creative end or quality service and it will be garbage in and garbage out. For the true black entrepreneur who wants to win… here are some tips. (click “NEXT” to see each segment)
1. Create Win/Win Strategies
If you are going in and trying to create ways to benefit yourself only you will NEVER and I mean NEVER grow. The client will not see the advantage of working with your brand (unless it is SUPER successful) and you will appear as a greedy, selfish opportunist
2. Give Credit to others
There are some black entrepreneurs who will tell you to always take credit for what your business does and make it APPEAR you are doing everything but I don’t agree with that. Once again, it appears selfish and behind every successful black entrepreneur, there is HELP. Give credit where it is due and your employees will appreciate you more.
3. Surround Yourself with the right people at all costs
NEGATIVE PEOPLE WILL KILL YOUR SPIRIT, YOUR DRIVE and EVEN YOU. GET RID OF THEM! There are people who are just draining. Every time you pick up the phone they have their list of complaints and woe-isms and you feel like you need a nap after that. Find other people who are on FIRE and who LOVE life and who LOVE being black entrepreneurs. The world is your oyster and we all only have a few good years on this earth. Do not waste yours on people who refuse to get up and see the light. It’s not up to you to save the world but you can damn sure make a great impression on it.
4. Work Hard, Work out Hard and Play Hard
The balance for black entrepreneurs is hard. We always do more than one the most but you MUST and I mean you MUST find balance. Enjoy the fruits of your labor but not FOOLISHLY. I say that to say don’t go out blowing all of your savings on a new car and not have something stashed for emergencies.
5. Set a schedule and Stick to it
2 to 3 hours a day making calls 1 hour for accounting, Lunch with a client twice a week etc. The beach all day Thursday.
6. Don’t Make Excuses
Especially for other people. You never know what you can have until you ask and most times twice. Usually, you will get it.
7. Don’t wait for Permission
This is a HUGE mistake many of us make… HELLO, WE WORK FOR OURSELVES? Why are we waiting for someone to tell us it’s OK to live our lives or call on potential clients or treat ourselves to a reasonable benefit of our hard work and labor? You don’t need permission that’s WHY you work for yourself.
8. Have Repeat Clients
Do great business. Make them want to come back. Look, if you are only in business to make money because you have found a way to milk clients, it will not last and/or you will never grow. Your style will become dated and you will become a joke. ALWAYS look for ways to expand and ALWAYS go above and beyond the call of duty for clients.
9. Mentor Others (not related) who are like You
If you want to be truly blessed, bless others. There is something about the unselfish act of giving someone younger an opportunity that will open the floodgates for you. I’m not talking about a relative I’m talking about someone who is young and eager and reminds you of yourself especially when you wanted an opportunity and nobody would help you.
10. Worship with others
I’m not talking about church necessarily. You can worship with other black entrepreneurs or perhaps a better word would be “Fellowship” you will get amazing blessings out of giving and receiving.
11.Provide Advice for Other Entrepreneurs
We all go crazy from time to time, keep your phone line open for other black entrepreneurs who need your advice. If you find the situation is always you helping them then it’s not a good match but if you are helping each other it’s a great marriage. I would not advice doing this with a competitor, no matter how close you think you might be.
When times get tight friendships rarely exist in business and I’ve head competitors do some unscrupulous things to me, thank God my clients look out for me and let me know what’s going on and what they have tried to do. My relationship with my clients affords me that extra benefit.
12. Follow your Gut/Intuition
I’m not sure how old you are but think back on the times your gut or intuition or as some call it “spirit” told you something and you did not listen. I’m sure there was a price to pay. Listen to that voice inside of you that tells you to act and ACT. Don’t think about it trust your instinct.
13. Take the Lead/Take Control
Once again you are a leader, not a follower and you don’t need permission. Go for it
14. Meet with Staff
They may not want to do it but make it fun. Do it at a nice restaurant. Your staff can give you amazing insight on what you might be missing.
Apple is set to acquire headphone maker and music company Beats Electronics for a reported $3.2 billion. This deal could literally nudge rapper/producer Dr Dre into billionaire status and make him one of the most respected black entrepreneurs in the history of the music industry. He didn’t do it alone, he worked with Interscope’s Jimmy Iovine as his business parter to build this incredible 7-year-old empire. Originally the duo worked with Monster electronics on a deal to distribute Beats but the deal went south a few years ago and Iovine and Dre cut ties with Monster. Since then, Monster has put out their own line of headphones along with many other big name celebrities , none anywhere near as successful as Dr Dre’s Beats. Sources state the announcement will take place next week and Apple will shell out a reported 3.2 BILLION dollars. This deal between Beats Electronics and Apple, itself a very progressive company, will be the most money paid by Apple for any business. The headphones sell on average for $300.00.
Beats Electronics was just sold to Apple for a reported 3.2 Billion dollars. This is the most money Apple has paid to buy any company. The purchase has catapulted Dr Dre into iconic status as the first hip hop billionaire. How did he do it? Starting out as a producer for the rebellious gangsta rap group NWA, Dr Dre may have never imagined almost 30 years later the group members would have gone in various directions and he would be where he is today.
He showed his amazing production skills early on not just with NWA but also starting out producing music like Michelle’s smash “Something in my Heart” showing he could do more than produce rap. He went on to produce for MANY major singers and rappers after that and even had his own now-iconic album The Chronic on his own Death Row records in 1992. An album that is ranked by many in the hip hop community to equate the iconic status of Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
7 years ago, Dre introduced his $300 headphone line called Beats with business partner/record exec Jimmy Iovine and his massive respect from fans as a producer immediately shifted in massive sales of the headphones. Many other artists tried to follow suit but failed. He was first, he had established the brand recognition and a demand was created for his headphones. Here are 10 things ALL black entrepreneurs can learn from Dr. Dre. (click “Next” for next segment)
Those who say the least, and do the best, make the most NOISE
You rarely see Dr Dre on late-night TV shows, online or at many events. The entire Beats line was promoted in a very unique, straight to the point no hype way. The lack of public appearances and the “distance” has also worked for Steve Jobs, Michael Jackson, Sade, Stephen Spielberg, Keanu Reeves, Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Russell Simmons, Diddy and only a handful of other celebs who spend most of their time perfecting their craft and skills instead of doing what 99% of other celebs do, promoting their next project.
Dre has been superior at everything that he has touched in the industry starting with producing. When your product is superb it will speak for itself. There is little need for hype and the best promotion is word of mouth. (click “Next” for next segment)
Surround yourself with the right business people
You can surround yourself with the right people all day and they can encourage you to be your best but the right business people will encourage you to take risks and be the best business person that you can be. Jimmy Iovine is a lot like Dr Dre. He does not make a lot of appearances but his record label success earns him the ultimate respect from the industry. He is brilliant when it comes to marketing.
Without question, he borrowed a few pages from Steve Jobs’ book as well as Christian Louboutin in marketing Beats as well. He created a demand for a high priced must-have gadget that sold itself. the red cord separated the headphones from all others and the unique Beats logo seemed to be everywhere. Dre and Iovine needed to work for hand in hand and Iovine saw the opportunity. Dre didn’t have to do much more than to sit back and watch Jimmy work his marketing magic and that’s what happened. (click “Next” for next segment)
It’s all in the presentation
The presentation and packaging of Beats headphones is nothing less than stellar. When the headphones were introduced they were like the iPhone without the history YET, within 2 years they exploded. The separated from Monster products to have more control of marketing and producing the headphones and I actually stood 3 feet away from Monster CEO Noel Lee when he was asked about Beats leaving the Monster brand.
Without repeating what he said the move HAD to hurt the company now, with the sale to Apple, even more. Iovine and Dre probably needed Monster to help distribute the headphones initially but then realized they needed more control a couple of years later which was smart. Monster has many other products they constantly promote that reviewers are often on the fence when asked if the more expensive Monster products are better than less expensive competitors. (click “Next” for next segment)
Understand Branding and Leverage
There is an old saying.. “Use what you got to get what you want….” In this case, it is exactly what happened. Dr Dre’s name will forever be synonymous with NWA, Gangsta Rap, Producing and Hip Hop. He used that leverage to add Headphones, Electronics, Philanthropist, College Course Curriculum and now he is Hip Hop’s first Billionaire. (click “Next” for next segment)
Step outside the box
Many black colleges were upset that Dr Dre gave $35 Million to USC instead of a historically black college. While he may have his own reasons for giving to USC had he given the money to a historically black college it would have appeared to be confusing to Beats biggest customers. Without question, MOST Beats Headphone buyers do not go to historically black colleges and the donation would have never gotten the worldwide press that it did had he given to a black college. Now he has put himself in a better position to give (by his choice) a lot more to MANY colleges.
The move may have pissed many black colleges off but it was brilliant on Dre’s behalf to give to USC. The wing has his name and it gives him more leverage to introduce a curriculum at other major universities. (click “Next” for next segment)
Know Your Value
This is incredibly important, you MUST know what you are worth and NEVER let anyone tell you that you are worthless. Set your price and RARELY waiver. If someone comes to you for your support THEY know your value… do you? Dr Dre understands his value which is what makes him an amazing businessman. His no-nonsense approach means that if you get 3 seconds of his time, you better make it important.
Even TMZ reporters were intimidated by him during a recent interview where they followed him. He was very short with his answers, he gave credit to others who might be considered competition and he didn’t let people into his world. This only helps to build his iconic status. (click “Next” for next segment)
Think Big(ger)
Dr Dre said in an interview he wants t be like Apple. A few years ago he may have been laughed at for saying that but today, it’s extremely possible. (click “Next” for next segment)
Give Back
The donation to USC shows he is not greedy or self-imposed. In addition, the added benefit it’s a huge tax break. (click “Next” for next segment)
Become an Icon
Why not dream to become an icon instead of just an black entrepreneur. Life is short and being an black entrepreneur is how most (if not all) business Icons start off. (click “Next” for next segment)
Frederick Hutson is the CEO of Pigeonly, a platform that identifies and organizes data on the incarcerated. A born black entrepreneur, he launched and sold his first business at the age of 19 while on active duty in the Air Force. He left the military (with an honorable discharge) to build his second business which he also sold for a profit. The serial black entrepreneur’s love for business continued when, at 21, he saw his friends’ St. Petersburg FL-based businesses struggling and thought of a solution — a more efficient way to traffic marijuana.
During a four-year federal prison sentence a new idea surface, one that would give him an opportunity to affect the lives of people no one else was paying attention to – inmates, Pigeonly was born. The platform uses algorithms to collect and organize data on the nation’s incarcerated, transforming it into usable information that benefits inmates and society. Its sub-brands, Fotopigeon and Telepigeon, products that help inmates stay connected to the outside world by fulfilling printed photos from the mobile phones of their loved ones and providing cost-effective VoIP phone calls.
Hutson leads a team of 10 from their Las Vegas headquarters and recently secured a $2 million dollar seed round of funding from investors including Erik Moore (Base VC), Mitch Kapor (Lotus), Kesha Cash (Jalia Ventures).
Entrepreneurs have surely experienced those days when you notice things are not going well immediately. There is some truth to the adage “I got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning” and it appears that it’s all downhill from there. So what can you do to turn that around and make the day more productive? Here are some of the things I have done in the past that have worked…(Click “Next” after each segment)
Go Back to Bed!
If you can afford to, go back to bed for a couple of hours. You would be amazed how this actually works and your day is off to a better start. Don’t for get to set your alarm.
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Change your Routine
Is there something that you usually do at the end of the day that you can do at the beginning of the day? Can you do something that you have been holding off on for a while this morning? Have you ever gone to the grocery store between 9 and 4 PM? It’s practically empty. How about getting some shopping done for the week? It’s bright and you can take your time and still take calls if need to.
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Have a talk with yourself
Ask yourself what is REALLY bothering you. Most of the time you will see that THAT is what needs to be resolved. Did someone piss you off or has something been on your mind that you have not dealt with that needs attention etc. If you can, tackle the issue and handle it within the 2 hours so that you can be free to go on with the rest of your day.
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Take a Walk
The psychology behind walking is often underrated. You get your organs working and put yourself in a meditative state and finally you are giving your body a much-needed mental and physical cleansing
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Treat Yourself
Treat yourself to breakfast or lunch at a restuarant or stop by a newsstand and read through a few magazines for an hour. Have what you want within reasonable portions. Quite often we feel underappreciated as black entrepreneurs and there is nothing wrong with treating yoruself every now and then.
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Work out
Instead of going into the office, go to the gym and get a great workout in. Go to yoga class or even get a massage
As always, here are some quick tips to build your business. These are things that we often overlook but could generate more revenue, of course, this is on top of providing great service. Not a lot of budget? Use services like Fiverr and Upwork.
1. Hire a young Social Media Whiz
Kids are becoming marketing machines and they are better at it than expensive ad agencies because they don’t rely on flawed research…..THEY LIVE THE LIFE. Advertisers are now going directly to kids with huge youtube followers to push their brands and this may signal a problem for marketing agencies who have controlled how we think for far too long. Social media marketing is less biased and more factual and you should jump on this trend NOW. Grab a high school or college kid that’s always online to help promote your business. Truth be told you may also not want to skimp on what you pay them either (after they have proven themselves) because they can be extremely valuable. (click NEXT above or below)
2. Stop Chasing Dead Clients
There are some clients who will never support you, no matter what you say or do. Move on and pursue clients who are not familiar with your brand (click NEXT above or below)
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3. Create an App for your business
I suggest Wiziapp if you have a website. This can be somewhat cumbersome but the push notifications are the benefit. So if you have a new product out and you want clients around the world to know about it and they opt to have a push notification, this could generate great revenue. (click NEXT above or below)
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4. Ask Satisfied Clients to Promote you on Yelp
MANY people use Yelp as a way to determine if they will support your business. Make it easy for your clients by emailing them a direct link and asking them to recommend you. (click NEXT above or below)
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5. Take Potential AND Established Clients out to Lunch
This is one of the oldest methods in the books that still works today. Clients like to see who they are dealing with. Make the effort and meet them for lunch. Don’t talk about competitors, even if they do and eat before you come so that you can hear everything they are saying to you.
The Silicon Valley approach for building companies has become the main strategy taught at many business schools. It goes like this: You create a prototype you can quickly test, preferably in the tech industry. You find a group of users and gain proof of concept. You raise capital and scale the business as rapidly as possible. You plan an exit strategy that may include going public or selling to an industry buyer. You shoot for a 10X return to investors. You make a lot of money.
This summer, our team at My New Enterprise (a company I co-founded that helps aspiring black entrepreneurs) rode our bicycles 4,000 miles, from the west coast of Oregon to the east coast of Virginia, and interviewed 100 successful black entrepreneurs on Main StreetUSA. (Watch videos of them here.) Not one of them followed the Silicon Valley approach.
In fact, very few had any business training and none had any training in black entrepreneurship. Nearly half of these business builders are over 50 years old; some are in their late 60s and 70s.
(MORE: 10 Tips for ‘Senior’ Entrepreneurs)
Here are five lessons we learned from this unique and experienced group of successful black entrepreneurs:
1. Start With a Clear Purpose
All the black entrepreneurs articulated a clear and powerful purpose for starting their business — and none mentioned money as a major driver. Rather, they started their companies to do what they love, solve a problem, provide awesome service, live in a more desirable location, create jobs and give back to their community.
A driving purpose for Gail and Will Williams, founders of Idaho Sewing for Sports in Grangeville, Idaho (which makes padding and tubing products for ski areas and resorts) is to create jobs and a place of healing for people who have a difficult time finding work.
(MORE: Starting a business After 50)
2. Stick With What You Know
Most of the black entrepreneurs we met launched their companies in industries they knew well from prior experiences.
Sam Spayd, founder of Aero Legends in Florence, Ore. is a retired Air Force and commercial airlines pilot. He purchased a beautifully restored World War II biplane and offers the magical experience of “Open Cockpit” flying over the cliffs, beaches and lighthouses of the spectacular Oregon coast. Sam’s goal is to share this experience with as many people as possible (read the rest of this great story here)
Defy Impossible, Inc., a leading global hygiene and forest products company, has selected Be Next Entertainment to deliver a range of digital services to help maximize the outcomes of Defy Impossible, Inc.’s upcoming Women Millionaires Live! Event (BWM). As Principal Defy Impossible, Inc. Marketing and Event Director, Be Next Entertainment will provide analytics and interactive marketing expertise to support the BWM Live! Event and raise its profile with global audiences through multiple digital channels. BWM is a 3-day event being held October 10-12, 2014 at the Four Seasons Resorts and Spa, Dallas, Las Colinas.
Be Next Entertainment will deliver a range of solutions and services to Defy Impossible through its event direction and marketing arms. This includes the development and provision of an online portal that will be at the heart of Defy Impossible’s online presence at BWM. The center will deliver social media monitoring and analysis of BWM’s performance across all relevant marketing channels. Be Next Entertainment will also provide service design and realization of mobile marketing activities such as apps, as well as guidance on shaping, localizing and delivering its communications campaigns to audiences in multiple markets covered in the campaign.
“As the Principal Defy Impossible, Inc. Marketing and Event Director, we’re committed to bringing the best of analytics and interactive marketing capabilities to Defy Impossible. This will bring the excitement of the event to the company’s supporters, reach new audiences for Defy Impossible and expand their followers,” said Theresa Campbell, chief executive officer, Be Next Entertainment.
Dr. Venus Opal Reese, chief executive officer, Defy Impossible, said: “Our signature event, Women Millionaires Live!, is a great marketing opportunity for us to spread knowledge about Defy Impossible and our brands, such as Get Money VIP and Big Money Message. With support from Be Next Entertainment, we will be able to precisely target our audiences, providing them with announcements on our company’s events and products. Engaging people through interactive digital channels plays an important role in Defy Impossible’s global success.”
About Generation Office
As we move further into the digital world, the need for essential office supplies remains as strong as ever. Generation Office understands this shift in focus and has grown to cover a wide range of office products from paper and pens, to ink toners, computer accessories and EOS (electronic office supplies). With a catalog of over 80,000 office products from a wide range of leading suppliers, buying office product from Generation Office guarantees our customers high quality products, competitive prices and a reliable service every time. Additional clients include California’s Office of the Governor, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport and Rubicon Group Holding (RGH Entertainment). For more information, visit http://www.generationoffice.com, http://www.facebook.com/generationoffice or follow us at http://www.twitter.com/aeongeneration.
About Defy Impossible, Inc.
As a staggeringly effective business Mentor for Women, Dr. Venus Opal Reese is in the business of teaching purpose-driven high achieving sisters who’ve walked through life’s fire how to create or grow a 6- or 7-figure business that is rooted in your worth. When we transform your mindset, messaging, and marketing, you get freedom, clarity, confidence and the ability to make as much cash as you want–for a lifetime. Then you are unleashed to kick the door off the hinges to make your mark, and make the difference you were uniquely crafted by life to make. http://www.defyimpossible.com
Want to be a Successful Entrepreneur? Here are my BEST Lessons Learned After 25 Years in Business
Being a black entrepreneur is extremely rewarding. Unfortunately, there are other aspects to it that are very challenging. When you’re the boss, it is often difficult to have leverage or to have camaraderie with people that work for you.
You have to maintain a level of authority. Most of the time, black entrepreneurs, surround themselves with other black entrepreneurs because they understand each other best.
Working for yourself is and is not what people think. You do not sit around idly twiddling your thumbs waiting for money to pour in all day long with no effort… it’s work and nonstop work. While other people punch the clock at 5 o’clock, black entrepreneurs continue to work throughout the day and night.
At times, some of the best ideas come to black entrepreneurs in the middle of the night. We don’t always feel like motivating ourselves but is it is essential to our success. After 23 years, here are some tips I can share with you on lessons that I have learned the hard way. You’re welcome…
Create Win/Win/WIN Situations…
First and foremost, you have to be absolutely sure that you have a winning product. It’s hard to believe in or convince others to believe in crap. They can plainly see the value of what you do. Your customers are interested in your product. Always think three “WINS;”
How is this going to benefit my business,
How is this going to benefit the client and
How is it going to benefit the target?
The “target” can be anything from a specific target to potential new clients who see what you produce. Therefore, WHAT you produce must be stellar so that others are attracted to it. If you’re just taking money, living off tenure or you’re not delivering service you probably won’t see the client again and no matter what kind of business you are in.
Repeat business, without suggestion or solicitation, is the key. There has to be a balance in order to create and sustain a valuable and longstanding relationship. Don’t be greedy and think you can get the money this time, deliver crappy service then expect the client to return. Not only will they not return he will tell others how they were treated.
Stop Hiring People Who Only Want a Check!
What do I mean by that? I’m basically saying that sometimes, as black entrepreneurs, we ask our contacts if they know someone who can do so and so and we really need the job done but don’t have the time to look for potential candidates. Don’t make this mistake.
I have found, that at least 80% of the time in situations like these, the people don’t work out. Mostly, because they don’t “WANT” a job, they NEED a check only. Therefore they are only going to give you enough effort to make the money then they are gone. Unfortunately, when they don’t work out and you have wasted your time training them, YOU become the bad guy if you complain and it could affect your relationship with the original person you asked for help from.
Chances are, they are trying to help a friend or relative that needs a job. There is a HUGE difference between needing a job and wanting an opportunity. You do not have time to train people who are not interested in the work. It will show in the results. This does not work for you or your business you’re not a temp service looking for day laborers. You have to look at your business and what it needs, that’s the primary first. You need someone thatWANTS a job, not someone who is going to do just enough to get by and then hit the road.
Anything less just won’t do. Wasting time is not a good idea for your business. You want to make sure that you bring someone and who’s hungry and wants the job. Some people say that there are no hungry people anymore but there are you just have to dig deeper and find them and even if they’re not hungry at least make sure they’re strategic and they know what they’re doing and they’re effective because you can still get the same benefit don’t always be obligated to hire people because they need a job to hire them for WHY you NEED them. Use services like Fiverr.com to test people out for tasks that are temporary or that can be done from anywhere. Make sure you look at their ratings. I’ve had much better luck using Fiverr than Upwork.
Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want…
When it comes to your business, you have to take care of it and protect it. Do not be afraid to approach people for what you want when it comes to your business. If you need help, this is the most important thing, don’t be afraid to ask. If you don’t know something, don’t be afraid to admit it, but make sure you learn at least a little bit of it so that you can keep an eye on all aspects of your business. When hiring someone to do an independent job, check their credentials and have them send you some of that work and take the time to dig a little deeper. Look at their social networks to get an idea of their character.
I would not recommend hiring a third-party with someone in the middle who is speaking for the other person. This indicates that the person you’re talking to is taking the largest chunk of the money and only giving a small portion to the third-party. That’s a waste of your resources. Hire direct. If you never have contact with the third-party that you don’t know how effective they are. I’ve made this mistake a few times to many but not anymore.
Why is it so hard to find good people…
That’s a very good question? And there is some truth to it. But we must first realize that nobody is going to have the passion and the drive that we have for our business to succeed.
I would strongly suggest that you have a layout for whatever project you have for the person indicating exactly what you expect for them to do and I have them sign it. It could be the 10 steps you want them to take or it could be just a general synopsis of what you expect. Otherwise, they don’t have a guide and you may be disappointed at the final results.
On occasion, you will come across someone who does a great job and who is dedicated to doing exactly what you want them to do. Make sure that you keep these people in your database to call when you need certain things, there is a good chance that they can do even more tasks than you asked them for the first time. You must establish a solid team and sometimes it takes a lot of trial and error to get there.
Enjoy the fruits of your labor
As black entrepreneurs, especially black black entrepreneurs, we have a tendency to work ourselves to death early on or until we die. Radio One owner Cathy Hughes pointed out to me during a recent interview when we leave our businesses to our children, by the time we leave it, they usually don’t want it.
We have literally worked ourselves to death and not traveled the world or taken the time off that we should have taken just to have the business die with us. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen black owners work themselves to death by not taking care of themselves in the process. I must admit, running a business is addictive and at times it’s very difficult to walk away but you MUST find a way to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Don’t be in a position where you are not taking vacations, not have to sustain relationships, but just work, work, work. You’re an black entrepreneur because you want the freedom to do what you want to do. It would seem, that would include taking a vacation and having a free time to do the things that you love to do but others can’t do because they’re obligated to go to work each day.
I know someone, who works on a blog who puts in 16 hour days, he’s older, he never leaves home except to go to an event here and there that is related to his blog and he is very unhappy. He has not had a vacation in years, he’s not making a lot of money because he doesn’t focus on sales and his target is oversaturated so he has to work harder to keep up.
I understand that fear that you think that if you leave, something will happen and you won’t be on top of it, but that’s the beauty of technology, especially with a blog, you can actually post from anywhere in the world with your iPhone. Life is too short not to enjoy being a black entrepreneur and reaping the benefits.
Take care of yourself, have a “ME” day.
The beauty of management or is that you have the free time to do things that other people can’t do at the same time. Going to the grocery store during the day is wonderful because there are no lines. Driving around with no traffic is great. Going to a restaurant when it’s empty with a friend or a client.
Take at least one day out of the week to enjoy the fruits of your labor again, go catch the latest movie or matinée it’s cheaper and it’s empty, go to the restaurant you want to go to, take a trip to the museum to see the exhibits you want to see, go and lay out on the beach but you have to leave your phone and enjoy yourself after a while this will become a habit. I
know someone who is desperately looking for love but he’s always working. The irony of it is that everything that he wants in a relationship comes his way but while he’s working, but he’s so motivated to make money that he pushes it away and then wonders why it’s not around when he slows down. The universe is attracted to what’s moving not what is standing still. If life was a race, people cheer on the person running for the finish line, they don’t cheer on the people on the sidelines, Decide what your position is and “run” with it.
Grow your business…
Things will not be as they are right now. People change jobs and clients change their minds and companies downsize or eliminate budgets. Why should you settle for having two or three clients when you have 30 for more sustainability. That doesn’t mean That you have to continue to do what you’re doing, especially when there’s limited growth potential. You must create the additional ancillary product to grow your business and brand.
Can you do an event? A conference, a magazine, a blog for your clients or customers?
You have to decide but don’t stand still while the getting is good because it won’t always be that way, trust me, and you want to have as many repeat client as possible. Do your best, to create multiple streams of income, Even if it’s from your original idea that you can grow or multiple ideas that can work themselves. The ideal income is the one that comes in while you sleep.
There is no greater feeling than getting up in the morning and seeing that people around the world have paid for your services and you were not even there.
Eliminate People who Drain your Mental Resources
You can’t be friends with everyone, you don’t owe anyone anything and when people make you feel like shit, flush them down the toilet. it’s that simple and it’s a great mental concept. You know who they are because you feel drained when you finish talking to them and they demand too much of your dedication, attention, and energy.
Keep your life as simple as possible and surround yourself with like-minded easy going people. Find other activities to cope with boredom instead of picking up the phone and calling people who drain you. This is not only “friends” it could also be family. Everyone is not going to be happy for you when you are successful.
