Thread: Tired of being "here" and no where else to go!

Originally Posted by clealcovey

My vision for this thread is that people can share ideas on how to motivate each other, new ways of setting up businesses, ideas of new business, business plans, marketing, available grants, etc., but mainly as a peaceful place where we can find all that we cannot find in the traditional world.

Stop thinking about tomorrow, and do it now!

As I said before, this is the turning point!

Day 1 -

1. Define goal = motivational speaker
2. research for biz plan = done
3. read biz plan
4. set reachable goals e.g. write biz plan, desing marketin tools, etc. WHAT am going to do each day to move my dream forward?

A friend shared a biz plan template, which I can share with you if you PM me. I do not see any attachments feature in this community, it might not be allowed or I might not have such tool ON yet.

PLEASE!!! Share ideas with us EVEN if you are not planning to open your own business!

We need your input and perspective! Thanks in advance!

*toast* I wondered if I would really have enough information to warrant a 'post'. Thinking for about 30 seconds, I realized I do.

First off, congrats on your momentum! That's a lot of the effort right there. And yes, you have been heard, although maybe not quite by the right folks. Anyway, I'm a writer and so when you get published you are sort of your own 'brand'. If you decide to write you are automatically self employed and marketing yourself .. etc etc. Your speaker goal has a 'brand' feeling to it as well.

There are some similarities between writing and your goal of being a motivational speaker. I don't know if you've heard of toastmasters or have the $$ for the membership dues. That may be something to add to your list - it should be on your list. They are wonderful people and their materials are geared for the type of work you want to do. I'm working on saving up for them. A couple of setbacks has me a bit discouraged, but hey! I know I'll get there.

There is a really great book that I loved and ultimately passed onto a fellow passenger one very long cross continental flgiht. The book's title had something to do with being a "Lifestyle Entrepreneur" I think the fellow's blog is here: The Lifestyle Entrepreneur | The Single Founder, but anyway what I retained from my reading is that when you are building a life that is also a business, standard MBA thinking must be adapted to fit the primary goal which is the lifestyle. For example, my primary goal is parenting.. writing MUST not supercede/ get in the way of my children's requirements.

One tip that I will pass onto you is that most experts will tolerate two free questions - done quickly and respectfully. Since there are many experts in the world, you can get a lot of excellent information this way. I will also let you know that you must be disciplined in the manner of retaining funds for taxes. You will be taxed for both the "Employer" portion and the "Employee" portion. The CPA I talked to said that this total tax burden usually becomes 35%- 40% of the gross revenue. Stuff like that.

As far as the direction of the motivational speaking, it sounds like you have a lot of insight. One business leader I spoke to reassured me that if you find an underserved community, there's a business opportunity hidden in there somewhere. I would think that you being professionally aligned with the service industry would have some key information about underserved communities.

Please let me know if this information fits along the goals of your request.
Thanks!
Thysst

Great thread - Clealcovey and Thysst-

Count me in.

My wife is into writing as well.

BNI is always a good networking place as well as Toastmasters.

I am a CPA with a greeting card distributorship on the side. The cards are my passsion. My goal is to encourage and motivate people. Then teach them to motivate and encourages others. That way I am contributing to the greater good and doing what I love.

My goal is to earn enough from the cards to cut back on my CPA career. Be financial independent and free. Have tons of energy to enjoy life and help others.

Actions - Daily 8, a list of 8 action steps to do everyday to build business and help people.

See you both at the top!

Leo

Hi Leo!

Glad to have you here on the thread! Please say 'hi" for me to your lovely wife!

Greeting cards sound really interesting from a construction point of view. I mean, handmade papers have a very intriguing texture. You can add enough fiber to the paper that it will actually stand up to water color pencils. Then there's all the great quotes in the world! Albert Einstein said "When you are going through hell, keep going!" I can totally understand the thrill in making greeting cards. What fun to wordsmith wisdom and see it light up the life of someone else!

What challenges are you facing in the greeting card business?

Thysst

Thank you!

Originally Posted by Thysst

I don't know if you've heard of toastmasters or have the $$ for the membership dues. That may be something to add to your list - it should be on your list. They are wonderful people and their materials are geared for the type of work you want to do. I'm working on saving up for them. A couple of setbacks has me a bit discouraged, but hey! I know I'll get there. Thysst

Thank you! Yes. I have heard about toastmasters and I met with a group last week. I was short in funds and I did not have $$ for the initial membership fee, but I belief I can do it next week. I am in their list and I really liked the meeting and practice. Great advice, thank you!

Originally Posted by Thysst

One tip that I will pass onto you is that most experts will tolerate two free questions - done quickly and respectfully. Since there are many experts in the world, you can get a lot of excellent information this way. I will also let you know that you must be disciplined in the manner of retaining funds for taxes. You will be taxed for both the "Employer" portion and the "Employee" portion. The CPA I talked to said that this total tax burden usually becomes 35%- 40% of the gross revenue. Stuff like that.Thysst

That is why I am designing a biz plan, which will help me to follow all details such as taxes, expenses, etc. Many years ago I started my own biz selling insurance, but since I did not have a plan, I failed. The failing was so bad, that it took me to bankruptcy!!! That was bad!!!

Originally Posted by Thysst

As far as the direction of the motivational speaking, it sounds like you have a lot of insight. One business leader I spoke to reassured me that if you find an underserved community, there's a business opportunity hidden in there somewhere. I would think that you being professionally aligned with the service industry would have some key information about underserved communities. Thysst

This statement is very encouraging and gave me the inspiration to say, YES! I have many backgrounds that could help me to find and help the underserved community. I am a 1) Latino 2) woman with a 3) disability who 4) immigrated to the US from 5) Mexico. These are just some of the minorities I represent.

I always say, "Cecilia, you are so awesome!" Now I say, "Cecilia you are not only awesome, cool, and smart, but also you rock!!! lol lol lol

Thanks a lot! Yes. Your input is important to me!

Thanks so much! That is awesome!

Originally Posted by cyberdude

Count me in.

That is a wonderful way of supporting this thread! You rock!!!

I always like cards. I sent cards for everthing, thank you cards, how are you cards, note cards, upset cards, etc. People who know me know that they will receive a card from me, good or bad, but always a card! Maybe I can start acquiring my cards from you. Do you have a web I can visit? Awesome!!!

Originally Posted by cyberdude

My goal is to earn enough from the cards to cut back on my CPA career. Be financial independent and free. Have tons of energy to enjoy life and help others.

Do you have a catalogue? or a web? Have you thought about selling them online (eBay, Auctiva, Amazon, etc.)?

Originally Posted by cyberdude

Actions - Daily 8, a list of 8 action steps to do everyday to build business and help people.

Cool! Listing 8 things done per day to build the biz is a great start.

Thank you so much again!

We gotta help ourselves prosper and each other. I too have spent many years with helping others, even looked down on for doingm so. I have decided to save some of my energy for myself not squander it all for some corporate "care" facility. I deserve great things & so do you. PG

Originally Posted by Thysst

What challenges are you facing in the greeting card business?

Thysst

Hi Thysst - Pretty much the only challenge is staying consistent. Historically, I am a better consumer that a retailer - but have been thinking - that is silly - I need to be helping people encourange one another with cards and so forth. So I was thinking, it is not really retailing but helping people which makes me happy so it is win-win.

Originally Posted by clealcovey

Do you have a web I can visit? Awesome!!!
!

Thank you, clealcovey - there is a link on my Facebook page at Leo Kim | Facebook. It is an automated greeting card company that I am a distributor for. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. I am working on getting as much practice as I can - out of my comfort zone for sure - but it is good for my growth. You can email me directly as well at leo@kimbocards.com.

Leo

Originally Posted by cyberdude

Thank you, clealcovey - there is a link on my Facebook page at Leo Kim | Facebook. It is an automated greeting card company that I am a distributor for. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. I am working on getting as much practice as I can - out of my comfort zone for sure - but it is good for my growth. You can email me directly as well at leo@kimbocards.com.

Leo

Leo,
Thank you. I saw that you accepted my invitation to be part of my friends in FB. Awesome!!! I will check the cards tonight! I see that many people use them and they are happy with them and congratulations for the amazing weekend you are going to have in Feb.

Cool !

Today,

1. I read and reviewed the biz plan
2. I wrote a draft of my mission
3. I contacted a friend to take some pictures of me to use in marketing material and website
4. Reviewed the information about me to be uploaded in my website
5. Talked with my enrrollment counselor and put my PhD starting class in hold to put all my attention to my biz
6. Searched for motivational speakers to get ideas
7. I confirmed my attendance to Toastmasters next meeting
8. I pictured myself as a GREAT motivational speaker with a HUGE audience!!!

Originally Posted by cyberdude

Hi Thysst - Pretty much the only challenge is staying consistent. Historically, I am a better consumer that a retailer - but have been thinking - that is silly - I need to be helping people encourange one another with cards and so forth. So I was thinking, it is not really retailing but helping people which makes me happy so it is win-win.

I think a lot of people have a negative association with Marketing. I liked the definition given to me at a Writer's Career Seminar on Self Publishing & Small Press... "Marketing is the right message to the right people at the right time using the right media." With our form of economy everyone who possibly can needs to make a contribution to the society. Your contribution requires some kind of "Pubilc" Announcement. That's where the word "Publish" comes from.

I'm glad to see the momentum continue. For me, I spoke to one school mom who assured me that she would buy my book on low cost birthday party ideas (STill working on a catchy title)... FINISH IT ALREADY! She's tired of spending a lot of money on parties. She also pointed out that birthday parties work differently in the community that I just moved into. The bar has been raised very high. WIth my daughter's party 3 months away, the timing is very good. The planning of her party is dual duty. It's also research for the book. Helps to keep me on target. Each day.. tick. tick.. hmm...

I meant to add that your participation in this thread put a big smile on my face! YOU ROCK!
Thysst

Originally Posted by clealcovey

This statement is very encouraging and gave me the inspiration to say, YES! I have many backgrounds that could help me to find and help the underserved community. I am a 1) Latino 2) woman with a 3) disability who 4) immigrated to the US from 5) Mexico. These are just some of the minorities I represent.

I always say, "Cecilia, you are so awesome!" Now I say, "Cecilia you are not only awesome, cool, and smart, but also you rock!!! lol lol lol

I never assume that people have heard of this because I thought I was a clever person and I hadn't learned about this until 2009. OpenOffice 3.1 is a open source Office program suite very similar to Microsoft Office. (Open source means free). There are a couple of minor changes from MS Office, but I learned them quickly and prefer Open Office at this point.

MySQL is an open source database program. The server is challenging to use because there is only a single line to enter commands on (text only-no point & click pictures). It is possible to connect the Open Office Database part to run/use the MySQL database with a widget program from the MySQL folks that restores much of the point and click features we are used to.

Your local library, if it is in an urban setting, often has informational seminars. That's where I saw the 5 1/2 hour publishing seminar. They often have spaces for groups to meet that are reasonable or sometimes even free for residents to book. There might be seminars that help you understand your goals / plans. They may be a source of venues for your speeches.

There are non profits groups dedicated to helping women's businesses succeed. I would imagine there are Latino non profits dedicated to helping businesses succeed. They may be a source of free contacts advice or marketing information.

Great to see your progress! Keep it cominig. I agree, YOU ROCK!
Thysst