Part 1: Exploring some Start-Up Business options…

You are ready to start your Plan B, what might be good directions to begin searching for the right start-up for you? Today we will explore the top 10, top buys…Hot Products…Must Have Products that consumers are buying even during a recession. The hottest products according to a recent article from The Dolan’s (Money Experts) are:

1) Chocolate
2) Lipstick
3) Wine
4) Romance
5) Comfort Foods
6) Pepto Bismal
7) Eating In (instead of eating out)
8) Home Grown Produce (instead of store bought)
9) Running Shoes (instead of gym membership)
10) Home Safe (instead of the local bank deposits)

Interesting list! There are some great opportunities for the creation of your own business in some of these listed above. Consider how many of the listed items are consumables, they need to be replaced which will generate repeat clients. Some of the listed items would be great to create informational products like CD’s, DVD’s, E-Books and even Tele-Gatherings all of which cost you very little to generate and in turn will yield a generous cash flow (if marketed to the target audience).

Let’s explore a the top 10 a little further to see why they may be in the top 10 and what opportunities you could create successfully:

1. Chocolate
a. comforting
b. relieves cravings
c. has some health benefits
d. a quick fix for a tough day
e. the number one grab to satisfy a sweet tooth by women
f. it is a consumable item, repeat clients

2. Lipstick
a. A must have for any wardrobe
b. Created great wealth during the Great Depression for companies like Max Factor,
because a woman may give up getting her nails done however, she will not give up her
lipstick
c. It is a consumable item, repeat clients

3. Wine
a. Makes an ordinary meal extraordinary, so if someone is crunching their budget this
may be a treat
b. People will always want to entertain, many serve wine
c. It is a consumable item, repeat clients

4. Romance
a. With the increased number of staycations people want to know how to make it
memorable
b. Perhaps a newly wed couple can not afford a honeymoon
c. Couples looking for solutions to strengthening their marriage during challenging times

5. Comfort Foods
a. Many times people just want something that makes them feel good during stressful
times
b. Makes people feel like they are at home, safe & comfortable

6. Pepto Bismal
a. Stress levels are high what are some alternatives to Pepto Bismal

7. Eating In
a. Cutting expenses may mean cooking more at home
b. Many do not know how to cook or what to cook so they eat frozen foods

8. Homegrown Produce
a. Again cutting expenses may also mean trying to grow your own produce, if a pound of
tomatoes are $3.99 and tomato seeds are $1.75, plus you can yield more produce this
way, healthier

9. Running Shoes
a. another area for cutting expenses is gym memberships, especially if they are not used
on a regular basis

10. Home Safe
a. With the failures of so many banks and many more forecasted to be closing people are
keeping their hard earned money with them to eliminate risk
b. They are also keeping it in safes for fear of a creditor cleaning out their account behind

their backs


Part 2 of Exploring some Start-Up Business options, we will discover some ways to

turn the top 10 into your own empire.

Beware of the Opportunist!

What an interesting time we are all living in today, with so much happening around us we find the “opportunist” also popping their head into our lives. As you consider the amazing journey to becoming an entrepreneur you also must be aware of the opportunists that will emerge with the next best thing.

I received a phone call today from one of those “opportunists” selling me on her next greatest opportunity in a new MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) company. The amazing part of these individuals is they will say anything to get you to sign up under them, why is that? The key to a MLM is building a huge team underneath you, which you make money on as they sign up, then you also make money off everything they sell or everyone they sign up on their team. Don’t misunderstand me here there are some people that do well with a MLM or Direct Sales opportunity, however it is not for everyone.

As she began to try to “sell” me on her new found opportunity that she invested $495.00 to begin, she became very demanding and pushy. Each time I said no thank you, not interested in another MLM she became more instant that I hear her out for this totally “amazing, life-changing opportunity that will create financial freedom for women around the world, this is nothing like you have ever seen before.” What is more amazing is she wanted me to consider handing her $495.00 without knowing who the MLM company is, not something I am in the habit of doing.

There are two ways to make money in an MLM if this is the direction you are considering for your start-up business:
1) Recruit, recruit & recruit some more!
2) Be selling in the MLM/Direct Sales group for a long period of time

One of the sales pitches all Direct Sales/MLM groups will make is you can make your annual salary in months verses a year, there is no truth to that especially here in Southern California with so many saturations of these types of businesses in each community. If you look at their magazine published monthly the top sales are located in either rural/small towns in the mid-west or from those in the business for 10+ years.

The key to success as you consider launching your own business is doing your homework before investing in anything. Here are a couple of questions you can ask yourself before writing them a check or giving them your credit card number:
1) How much is it to start this MLM/Direct Sales?
2) Check the company’s integrity through the BBB or Google search the company
3) Determine if there is a demand for the product or is it a luxury

It is time for us all to start our Plan B, you just have to determine what direction you want to go in, how much time you are willing to invest and do you love what you are planning to launch. Tip for today: Don’t say yes right away to an “opportunist” if it is a valid opportunity it will still be there tomorrow, do your homework!

Do you have a Plan B?

What is a Plan B? A Plan B is the answer when your life is not heading in the direction you wanted to head, Plan B is when you have been searching for a job for over a year and nothing has happened. So have you considered your Plan B?

So many have been struggling to find a job since they were laid-off or the company they worked for shut their doors. The numbers have been staggering each month with numbers hitting over 600,000. The numbers of available jobs are limited and many employers are playing games with potential new hires. What do I mean by games? The stories we have been hearing from job seekers is really disheartening, one person went on an interview for a job that paid $22.00 per hour however, upon completing the interview the potential employer dropped the pay to $12.00 per hour because of supply and demand. Supply and demand means more job seekers than jobs so I do not have to pay you what you are worth and you still have to perform at your best.

Time to stop the madness and get your Plan B into action. They have stated that today is the age of the “Accidental Entrepreneur”, a day where people are forced into being an entrepreneur due to lack of choice. However, they also said it is the best time ever to be in this position! So let’s look at creating your Plan B, below are a few things to begin thinking about as you consider your Plan B:

*What am I passionate about?
*What am I skilled at doing?
*How much can I invest into a business?
*Do I want to do a MLM/Direct Sales Business or start my own?
*How much time am I willing to commit to make it happen?
*Who is my target market?
*Will I provide a skill, product or service?
*Who do I need in my spear of influence?

These are just a few questions to ask yourself as you journey into your Plan B. Also keep in mind it takes time to bring in the cash flow when starting a business and if you choose to do a MLM/Direct Sales Business it may take longer. You do not make thousands of dollars in these types of businesses overnight it takes time. Many making good money in these types of businesses have been in the business for 10-20 years, don’t be sold a bag of goods so quick, do your homework!

Social Media Marketing & the Start-up Business

The start-up business needs to get the word out on what they do as quickly as possible so in today’s market we have to explore tools that will expedite our efforts and reduce our cost. We are finding today that the traditional style of marketing in print media is rapidly fading into the sunset. With its high cost for printing and postage services the start-up business has had to consider new and creative ways to get their name out to their potential target market.

Technology has presented a new and powerful medium for the start-up business owner, the internet. With the invention of the internet Social Media has become the new effective & efficient tool in marketing efforts. The key to the success of this tool is understanding how to utilize it in a professional manner. Most people today have used Social Media as a personal tool to connect with people, however today sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are launching into a new area as a business generating tool. Social Media Marketing still requires developing a relationship with people not just selling, selling, and selling. If we understand the concept that people buy from people we will be able to embrace the how to utilize this media.

“Look at Social Media like a BBQ; with LinkedIN is a business casual BBQ geared for Business to Business, FaceBook is your local BBQ hanging out and connecting to the public and Twitter is a big beach party.” This is from an interview today with one of the Founders of Self-Growth.com David Riklan. You have to know who you are connecting with in order to communicate effectively. Start out with determining who your target audience is to be then start connecting on that site.

Another forum for Social Media is sites like SelfGrowth.com where you can connect as an expert or connect as someone looking for advice, information or growth. The key to success with Social Media Marketing is to create a profile, upload your photo (keep it professional, not stuffy) and start connecting with the general chit chat, offering tips or advice then start talking about your business. DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS FIRST BEFORE ASKING FOR THE SALE! Yes it is all in caps for the reason this is really important, the fastest way to loose connections is being all about the sale.

Once you have begun your game plan for social media, you need to begin looking at video marketing, which we will cover next time. The key is getting started today, it is all free to participate in and great business deals have began on Social Media sites.

Declare Your Independence

Have you ever considered starting your own business as a way to declare your independence from the bondage of relying on another person to create your income? I love the fact as a new business owner you are declaring your independence! So in the spirit of celebrating Independence Day, the 4th of July this article will explore the top 10 reasons to declare your independence today!

Reason #1
You have the FREEDOM to create your own income!
You determine how much you want to make and go after the ways/means to make the money, no one tells you that you will make only $12.00 an hour and yet give me $25.00 an hour worth of work.

Reason #2
You have the FREEDOM to determine how many days, hours you will work each week. You do not have to ask to go to lunch, take the day off or call in sick.

Reason #3
You have the Liberty to make changes as needed.
If things are not working out and there is a better way to go, change it without the red tape.

Reason #4
You get to do something you love or are passionate about.
Imagine waking up and wanting to work, not feeling forced to.

Reason #5
Eliminate the long commutes.
Many have to look for jobs outside their community and face long drives on congested freeways. Eliminate the commute by starting a business from home.

Reason #6
You have the FREEDOM to choose who you work with.
You pick your clients, your staff, etc. If it is not a good fit you choose to replace the staff or not work with the client.

Reason #7
FREEDOM from stress.
Eliminate the stress of finding a job or the possibility getting a pink slip by being proactive and plan now for your independence.


Reason #8
FREEDOM to choose when you get up & when you get out of your PJ’s
In some cases you can work from home in your PJ’s and bunny slippers.

Reason #9
The cost to start a business today is minimal.
What used to cost thousands and require a brick & mortar, now costs in many cases under $1,000.00 to get up and running.

Reason #10
The Tax Benefits
As an entrepreneur there are many advantages for you in the tax return arena. If you keep accurate records the benefits may surprise you. Check with a CTEC or CPA for full benefits.

These are just 10 of the numerous reasons to Declare Your Independence this July and start your own business. So what is holding you back today? There are so many options in launching a business whether it is as an entrepreneur or as part of a MLM or direct sales group, explore your options!

What a perfect time to launch this journey in your life as our country celebrates its 233rd year of Independence this weekend.

Why should I build a business?

A question asked so many times is, why should I build a business? Isn't it safer to work for someone else at least I always get a paycheck? What about benefits? All of these are good questions, however if you stay in the question mode constantly analyzing the decision you will never move forward.

I will tell you today is the best time to explore & launch a business of your own. Let's tackle the questions above first. Why should you build a business? Building a business gives you something that is yours, you can create your income and you do not have to bust your butt for a chance it will be appreciated. The value of busting your butt for something that is yours is beyond value. Let's address the "at least I get a paycheck". Do you now, is that a guarantee? Not today, if companies that have been around forever are closing their doors where is the promise there? The benefits...buy your own!

You can begin the launch/creation of your business while employed and gradually move into being an entrepreneur. Start dreaming today about what you love to do and how you can make money doing it, then contact me to begin the launch! Today you can start a business with almost no money; you do not need a building or a staff!

The next question that comes up is what types of people start their own business? To this question I simply reply, YOU! The key requirement to starting your own business is the desire to do it. The amazing part is you do not need to know how to start one, just want to start one. There are so many resources to find out the how once you have the desire to step out and make it happen.

So what is stopping you from launching your dream business?

During the next few issues we will explore the process of creating your dream business from conception to an amazing launch!

Re-Invention 2009

The new buzz word in town lately has been Re-Invention. I've been teaching that concept to entrepreneurs for the past two years. So the question from many is what is Re-Invention? Re-Invention is taking what was and redefining it into a new appearance, vision, direction, etc. let's just say it is a chance to revive what you are doing to thrive in today's market.

How does one re-Invent? The first question you have to ask yourself are you willing to make changes. The answer to this must be yes in order to move forward. Step number two is to take inventory of what you are currently doing and write it down. Step number three is to evaluate if you are still meeting the needs or your clients, if not time to re-invent what you are doing. Look at creative ways to change what you are doing.

This is a simple rundown on how to begin the process, obviously it is much more detailed than this and you may need assistance to move through the process. If you are looking to make changes to increase profitability and growth, you may want to check out our Business Builder Pick 8 Program, you can email me for details at robin@robinhardy.net.

The key to your success today is the willingness to do what it takes to move forward with integrity and clarity. Are you willing to re-invent?

If you have re-invented recently or considering re-invention please share your ideas with us...