Yesterday I spoke at Spark and Hustle, on “No Money, No Excuse.” I love when I can share with people tips and resources that are in “How to Start Your Business with $100” and even my personal story. For example, I was on a Skype call yesterday while one of my coaching clients. He knows that I advise companies on open innovation and sustainability, but he wanted to know the million dollar question: How can a person start a million dollar business? At least he got right to the point! But this is a good question that I encourage people to ask bluntly. While creating a million dollar business is not easy, I believe starting a million dollar business is easier than most people think. If you just have a great idea and a willingness to start, then you’re further along than most potential millionaires will ever get. So, here are some of my best tips for anyone who is ready and willing to start a million dollar business: Actually Make an Attempt. Groupon.com was started by a guy in his basement a couple years ago. Recently, Google offered to buy the company for billions of dollars. Many reactions to [...]
I have a friend who has acquired many different skills, from automobile repair to computer programming. One time when I asked him where he learned so many skills, his answer was simple – he taught himself through “trial and error.” He allowed himself to fail until he learned the skill. This has made me think a lot about failure and how important it is to allow yourself to fail. All of my successes have come from failure. Projects never end up the way I originally intend, people who seemed like they could be accountable could not, and businesses took longer to make a profit than I had anticipated. But the English language has made us equate failing with being a failure, when in fact failing is necessary in order to succeed. If we never allow ourselves to fail, then, unless we are born perfect, we’ll never attempt to learn or do anything that risks failure. When I started my first business, I made many mistakes and “failures” before I got it right. I didn’t give up or get discouraged because I understood that failing was just a step towards success. And I was right. In order to succeed, you must [...]
My good friend Chuck is a big ideas guy. You know, one of those guys who has about 15 fantastic ideas a day. But when he starts to implement them, he often stops suddenly, usually right before the work finally pays off. Why? Maybe it’s a loss of interest, or new projects come up, or it’s just a lack of follow-through required to be successful. So, when we sit down and talk, he wonders why he isn’t as successful as he thinks he should be and cannot understand why. Sound familiar? Maybe like someone you know or are. Allow me to let you in on a big secret that I have learned through my own countless trial and error. Successful people do not necessarily have some incredible talent, skill, or ability that makes them a success. They simply have learned to deal with the biggest obstacle in the way of success, themselves. Why does Chuck, and a lot of people you and I both probably know, so often abandon big ideas when they are so close to completion? The reason might be because of how we feel about our goals and dreams. Dreaming of success makes us feel better about [...]
January 10, 2011 – 12:07 pm
I love the intrepid entrepreneur! Paul Horn, here, is just one of them. So excited about starting his own venture, that he has not been able to put my book, “How to Start a Business with $100″, down for even a moment. Here he is enjoying it as he tours the English countryside: Where do you take your copy of “How to Start a Business with $100″? Take a picture and send it to me. You could win a free copy of my next book! Don’t have a copy yet? Find it here! Connect with Ja-Naé on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook ______________ Looking to start a business or own a small business? Please consider buying my book, How to Start Your Business with $100 because it will save you thousands of dollars and you should find what you’re looking for.
December 27, 2010 – 9:26 am
Freelancers are constantly struggling with self-discipline, maintenance, and motivation to keep their nose to the grindstone. So I thought of some tips that all freelancers should consider before 2011.
November 15, 2010 – 9:25 am
Starting a business can be very scary. Believe me, I know. One of the truths of starting a business, is at the beginning (and often many years after that) you don’t have the luxury of choosing who you work for. You will work for whoever will pay you. Unfortunately, that means you will often end up having to manage difficult clients. It can be a tricky subject, and one that is often difficult to navigate. I wrote this article for one of my Biz100 Tour sponsor, Legal Zoom. Read below to find out my tips for managing difficult clients. I hope they help you as much as they have helped me. 7 Steps to Managing Difficult Clients Whether you have just become an entrepreneur or have been for years, it is guaranteed you will run into the same problem again and again: managing difficult clients. That’s why it’s so important to have a game plan in place for when you are dealing with someone who makes your job harder than it has to be. 1.) Plan Ahead Being able to anticipate ahead of time what a client is going to ask for is a great way to avoid a lot [...]
November 10, 2010 – 9:12 am
I bet we’ve all had our fair share of dates who give off mixed signals. They hold your hand, look deeply into your eyes, kiss you goodnight—and then you never hear from them again. Or that friend who always seems excited to see you, but consistently declines your lunch invitations. It can leave your head spinning. Unfortunately, this is a problem in business, too, with clients who tell you one thing but expect something totally different. In today’s podcast, “Are You Sending Mixed Signals?”, I ask you to take a look inward to see if you are guilty of giving off a confusing message. I’d like to hear from you! What do you do when you receive mixed signals from someone? Connect with Ja-Naé on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook ______________ Looking to start a business or own a small business? Please consider reading my book, How to Start Your Business with $100. You should find what you’re looking for.
By Ja-Naé Duane
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Posted in Entrepreneurship, Podcasts
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Also tagged business, entrepreneurs, freelance, freelancers, freelancing, home-based business, small business, wahm, women and entrepreneurs, working from home
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November 1, 2010 – 9:01 am
I cannot stress enough how essential it is to build company culture. In fact, whether you’re a new small business entrepreneur or an old hat at running a business, this is one of the most important things to focus on. Your company culture is directly tied to your brand, and it affects people’s perceptions about your brand. In today’s podcast, “Simple Ways to Build Company Culture”, I talk about how this can make or break your business. When you think about company culture, what are some of the first things that come to mind? Join the conversation by leaving me a comment today. Connect with Ja-Naé on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook ______________ Looking to start a business or own a small business? Please consider buying my book, How to Start Your Business with $100 because it will save you thousands of dollars and you should find what you’re looking for.
By Ja-Naé Duane
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Posted in Business Tools, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Podcasts
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Also tagged brand, Brand identity, brand image, business, business podcast, company culture, leaders, leadership, Marketing, small business
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October 25, 2010 – 10:36 am
It’s crazy how many small business owners I meet who are paralyzed by their fears. Do I know enough to start a business? Will I be able to feed my family while I’m launching my freelance career? Am I making a good impression at networking events? Believe me, I have been in your shoes, and in today’s podcast, I talk about the small steps that helped me to move forward past my fears. What fears have been holding you back? What are some of your tips for pushing past that paralysis we all have felt at one time or another? Join the conversation by leaving a comment below! Connect with Ja-Naé on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook ______________ Looking to start a business or own a small business? Please consider reading my book, How to Start Your Business with $100. You should find what you’re looking for.
October 12, 2010 – 1:01 pm
For business owners, the need for excellent Powerpoint presentations while soliciting partners is crucial for success. As entrepreneurs, we need to know our audiences before creating presentations to address them, and then we must create a show that will actively engage them. While many of us may display the creative drive to make an interesting Powerpoint, finding the right images, organizing them, and tailoring them to each specific you are trying to reach can be time consuming. As I mention in my book, “How to Start Your Business with $100”, this may be one of those areas it’s best to outsource. Listen to “Who’s Designing Your Podcasts?” for suggestions on creating the best professional Powerpoints you can. So, who will you have design your Powerpoints? Leave your recommendations below! Connect with Ja-Naé on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook ______________ Looking to start a business or own a small business? Please consider buying my book, How to Start Your Business with $100 because it will save you thousands of dollars and you should find what you’re looking for.
By Ja-Naé Duane
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Posted in Business Tools, Creativity, Entrepreneurship
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Also tagged artist, business, Creativity, entrepreneurs, freelance, freelancer, freelancers, how to start a business, how to start a business with $100, how to start your business with $100, imagination, outsource, outsourcing, small business, women and entrepreneurs
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