If you have not yet checked out John Lee Dumas of Entrepreneur on Fire take a look at what he has created in a short amount of time an be inspired. If I was interviewed by John today my answers would be something like this.
The First Question!!!! Are you ready to ignite??!!
Yes I am ready give me a match!!!!!!
Success Quote
- “When the going gets tough thats just the way we like it.” Jack Bills (Grandad)
- “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” Helen Keller
How Have I Applied this Quote to My Life? – My wife and I tend to bight off more than we can chew. We bought a huge home restoration project that we were no match for. We have made it a point to start over every couple of years by scaling down to what we can fit into a 6X8 trailer. When I was in college I majored in geography so I would be forced to start a business.
Business Failure – Real estate investing, niche sites, real estate inspection. The truth is that I have never really gone all in with a business. I have had lots of false starts but for one reason or another I would lose focus, get side tracked and abandon the business. It wasn’t until recently that I brought my wife on as my confidant and partner. I used to be afraid to talk to people that I was close to about the desire to start a business because I was afraid of rejection. I got past this by scaling down, focusing and pushing forward by making my wife my confidant.
Current Business – Teaching Your Child is under construction. It is a business that my wife and I co-own. We help homeschoolers from the kitchen table to their life by focusing on helping their parents learn how to teach to each unique learning style.
Aha Moment – I realized awhile back that it doesn’t really matter what you do. If you get it out there in front of enough people you will be a success. Advertising worked in the past, continues to work now and will work in the future. It helps to be unique only if you are so wildly unique and flamboyantly brilliant that you can pull it off.
I’ve Made it Moment – I haven’t made it yet. But when I do I plan to burn my coveralls, that will be a line in the sand.
The Journey – I am in the middle of the journey at the moment and am working my butt off. I think back to the after school specials or movies where someone would be presented with a problem. Through introspection and guidance the star comes up with the answer to their problem. The show then goes into kind of a fast forward trance during which the star is seen going through the motions and putting in the hard work required to solve their problem. The director usually tries to capture the pain and the joy associated with getting the job done and doing it right. That is how I feel when I am aligned with what I am supposed to be doing and making progress.
What is Working Right Now? – Getting busy and getting it done. Building momentum and sharing that momentum with my wife. Being on fire together and actively planning an exit strategy that involves some big risk.
What Was Holding Me Back From Becoming an Entrepreneur? – Fear and responsibility. My family fell into the trap of the American dream and overspent and overcommitted. It got to the point where I couldn’t afford to take risks. The realization that I will wake up tomorrow no matter what and if I don’t it doesn’t matter anyway forced me to re-evaluate an move towards putting myself into a situation where we could take some risks.
Best Business Advice – If you want to increase productivity, exercise. Richard Branson
Small Business Resource – Google Docs
Best Business Book – The War of Art – Steven Pressfield, not that I really have any time to read lately.
If I woke up in a brand new world with a laptop, $500 and had my food and shelter taken care of I would first take a long run. Then I would then get busy building a website about my next business adventure, survival skills. I would build out a Facebook page and start advertising to drive traffic to my site and monetize through affiliates. When I had enough cash I would start a smoothie food truck, specializing in healthy healing smoothies.
Parting Piece of Advice – It is never too late to start. midlifeentrepreneur.com