Posts for December, 2008

Perhaps you will find a new idea for yourself in this list, or already have a resolution that tops all of these. Man up (or woman up, as the case may be) and put your own resolution in the comment section below.  Read more »

Entrepreneurship is for the young. After all you need energy, stamina, relentless focus, and the most important thing, time on your side. Bullshit! The key to successful entrepreneurship is simply doing it. Regardless of age or circumstance, when the opportunity presents itself, you must go for it. Here are the stories of five golden year entrepreneurs, who have effectively made the gold for themselves.  Read more »

There is a saying floating around that has been attributed to a mix of brilliant scholars. I believe it actually came from Albert Einstein, but nonetheless it speaks a critical truth: “There are no such things as mistakes; there are simply ways not to do it.” As entrepreneurs we are told to make mistakes. [...]  Read more »

Company Under30CEO.com Service Social networking site for young entrepreneurs. Trying to connect people both on/offline! Startup Cash Next to nothing, bootstrapping our way to the top. Favorite Food I bleed hot sauce. Favorite Music Red Hot Chili Peppers–Can’t Stop. Any music that get’s me wired. Fly, Drive, Bike or Walk If I could find something to jump off on my skis or mountain bike on the [...]  Read more »

Company Planet Pink n Green.com Started August 12, 2007 Service Planet Pink n’ Green is a growing blog that reports on the Cultural Creative Movement from the female perspective. Startup Cash 5K, to customize Word Press, video and graphic work, etc. College University of California San Diego Favorite Food Lebanese Favorite Pet My favorite pets are my three cats, Josephina, Carlito, and Baby and I love them dearly. Favorite [...]  Read more »

How many of you know one of those charming souls who think they are better and smarter than pretty much everyone around them?  The type who struts around the city, desperately trying to feel better about themselves. In other words, how many of you know a dick? Life is just way too short to deal with [...]  Read more »

I am celebrating Christmas this morning, and to be honest with you I’m recovering from a little bit too much eggnog last night.  Who knew Jack Daniels went so well with eggnog? Many of my friends are celebrating Christmas or Chanukah or other  holidays this time of year.  All of us, regardless of religion or locale, [...]  Read more »

Company Bisson Barcelona, LLC and The Mom Entrepreneur Started Bisson Barcelona, LLC – August 2000 The Mom Entrepreneur – April 2008 Service BB – We offer image management, high visibility public relations and social marketing services to authors and entrepreneurs. TME – We offer tips, advice and resources for balancing motherhood and running a company. Startup Cash BB – All I had was $18.49 [...]  Read more »

Thanks to Kevin Pruett for posting this video of Mike on his blog.  Read more »

My phone rang this weekend and on the other end was Ed. Ed and I have known each other since high school days. After college, I started my entrepreneurial pursuits and he started the climb up the corporate ladder. By any measure, Ed has had a very successful career. He enjoys his job and makes [...]  Read more »

Company Tees For Change Started March 2007 Service Design eco-friendly t-shirts that inspire positivity through uplifting messages Startup Cash $700 to print an initial run of tees College Yes, Cornell University and majored in Marketing Favorite Quote Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right. – Henry Ford When is the hardest you ever laughed? What happened? Why? Backpacking through Europe with my sister and a [...]  Read more »

It’s your first day as a self-proclaimed entrepreneur. Maybe you’re fresh out of college, just quit your job, or simply have an exciting new idea that could make you your first million. Whatever the case may be, it’s time to decide – should you start where most entrepreneurs start? - Brainstorming business names - Checking domain name [...]  Read more »

1. Wasting Time With Suspects not Prospects Continue to fill your pipeline, qualify each prospect that flows into your pipeline, and then after you have qualified them close the sale or move on. The last step is usually very difficult for most entrepreneurs, but this will hold true: “If you take only Yes’s and only No’s [...]  Read more »

Company ACS Started August 2005 Service We help companies market their products or services through the Internet. Startup Cash We used $2000 because that is all we had. We used it to create a website and buy computers. College California State University of Fullerton. Favorite Food I love sandwiches from Subway. Favorite Quote Be careful of the toes you step on today, for they might be connected to [...]  Read more »

I have yet to meet a successful entrepreneur who hasn't been suprised by how their product or service was ultimately received by the market. So many startups go into business with a plan of exactly how things are going to play out, yet ultimately the unexpected happens - a different market comes to light. If you are trying to grow, but are having difficulty, perhaps you are not considering the unexpected markets. Learn from these folks! They went in with a plan, and when the unexpected market spoke out they reacted... and their businesses took off.  Read more »

1. Too Much Office Space I made the mistake of getting more office space than I really needed. It cost me too much money, which of course came from my pocket. I was way too caught up in the ego of having a nice space. These days, I am into virtual businesses and telecommuting–why waste money on [...]  Read more »

Company Ultimate VA Support Started Dec. 2005 Service We are an outsourcing company that provides administrative and marketing support. Startup Cost $250 Favorite Food Shrimp Scampi A Great Night Out My limit is $100 Favorite Music Roberta Flack Favorite Movie Anything Denzel Washington is in Biggest Complaint Not enough time..I think there needs to be another day in the week maybe a Satsunday Biggest Accomplishment When I got my first client who turned out [...]  Read more »

Company MindFrenzy Started May 2008 Service Provides people with a platform to get feedback and responses to their ideas so they can begin to take shape. Startup Cash $1000 Favorite Food A good steak is all I need A Good Night Out Hopefully no more then $30 Biggest Accomplishment The launch of my website. Nothing comes close to being as exciting so far. Living The Passion Yes, I want to [...]  Read more »

Long thought of as stuffy and pretentious, in the past few years the wine industry has become extremely “cool,” due to the help of the millennial generation. We 21-30 year olds have helped increase sales and consumption of wine, both domestically and overseas. There are 100 million of us and we have $172 billion of [...]  Read more »

John D. Rockefeller Greatest Wealth – $318 Billion at age 74 First Job – Book keeper Andrew Carnegie Greatest Wealth – $298 Billion at age 68 First Job – Textile laborer Henry Ford Greatest Wealth – $188 Billion at age 57 First Job – Machinist Warren Buffet Greatest Wealth – $62 Billion at age 77 First Job – Newspaper delivery boy Bill Gates Greatest Wealth – $57 Billion [...]  Read more »

Company Youkipedia is the parent company. The main site I am currently working on is ClickBricks.com Started In March 2008 I decided to take the leap (again) into starting my own company. I quit the PR firm I was working at, relocated to Florida and dove right in. Service ClickBricks is yellow pages on steroids. Startup Cash I’ve sunk (not including my [...]  Read more »

1. Posture Begets Performance – Always sit up straight and smile when you take a call, it shows. -Susan McGarvie A Former Xerox Employee 2.  Say It Again - Acknowledge the customer’s issue by relaying it back to them to make sure you understand they’re asking. It validates the customer and ensures that you understand the [...]  Read more »

I know what you’re thinking. Everything comes down to sex, right? Or maybe you’re freaking out; worried that the truth about your bedroom (or backseat) sex-capades may be what stands between you and your entrepreneurial dream come true.  Read more »

Company MiniMe BabyGear Started January of 2005 Service Outfit moms with the quality gear they need, finding those treasured items they will actually use. Startup Cash $96, that was my web hosting fee for the year. I then made items as orders came, holding virtually zero inventory for about one year. College Grand Valley State University with a degree in political science. One that [...]  Read more »

Company Simply Mumtaz Events, Inc. Founded June 2005 Owner Joella Hopkins, CSEP, CMP Service Event Management & Production – Special Events, Meetings & Conference & Weddings Startup Cash $5000. That’s all I had in the bank. Had to buy the best business cards, logo’d pens, and a trusty lap top Hardest Laugh One of my recent laughs – was in line at the grocery store… the [...]  Read more »