From: retireat21.com
Maglite Flashlight
In 1955 Tony Maglica, a Croatian immigrant saved up $125 after working odd jobs. Tony used that money as a down payment on a lathe machine. He used the lathe machine to make quality precision parts. In 1974 Tony incorporated Mag Instrument and produced its first flashlight in 1979. Today the Maglite flashlight is used by all police forces in the US.
Walt Disney Studios
In 1923 Walt Disney and his brother Roy moved into the uncle's house. Out of their uncle's one car garage Walt and his brother started the first Disney Studios and began filming Alice's Comedy which was later used for Alice's Wonderland. Today Disney is the largest media conglomerate in the world.
Amazon
In 1994 Jeff Bezos started an online bookstore called Amazon, out of his garage. Jeff sold his first book in 1995 and 2 years later Amazon went public. Today Amazon is the worlds largest online retailer.
Yankee Candle Company
In 1969 a sixteen year old Michael Kittredge made his first scented candles out of melted crayons. The candles were a gift for his mom, His neighbor's noticed the candles and like them so much they wanted to buy them. Michael began mass producing his candles and soon moved out of his garage and moved Yankee Candle Company into a refurbished old mill. Today Yankee Candle Company is the largest manufacture of scented candles in the US.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
What Successful People Do Before Breakfast
From entrepreneur.com
Summary of post from Jenna Goudreau at Business Insider Jan. 27,2014
Imitation is the highest form of flattery, and it can lead to positive life changing events.
1.The key to getting started on a positive and productive day is to rise early before the sunlight and attack those important issues that others wait until later in the day to solve. these hours are great for getting tasks done because the world around you is moving at a much slower pace and distractions are kept to a minimum. PepsiCo CEO rises at 4am and is in the office by 7am;
2. The top morning activity for the rich and powerful seems to be exercise whether its weightlifting, yoga or jogging there seems to be a great benefit from get your blood flowing and heart pumping at the beginning of the day. CEO of Starwoods Hotel runs for an hour everyday starting at 5:30am
3.Start working on a top priority project early in the day. This ensures the project is fresh on your mind through out the day and by starting early while everyone else is asleep allows for optimal attention being focused on your project.
4. Projects like novel writing and bead making are easy to put off when you have been in meetings all day or on your feet dealing with the public. University of Chicago, history teacher Charlotte Walker-Said would set aside 6:00am-9:00am to work on her novel, before having to deal with school work.
5. Making quality time with your family, you spend more time away from home at work than you do your own family. Take time out to make breakfast together, chat about current events; whatever you do make sure you show interest in your family.
6. Before they head out the door, many successful people devote themselves to a spiritual practice such as meditation or prayer before they tackle to tough demands of their day. This allows for a calming of the mind and inner peace. Writing down the many reasons why you are blessed and the loved ones that support you is another way to achieve peace and perspective.
7. Planning for the day, week or month is a great way to keep your tasks on track, it also allows for you to prioritize those tasks as well. Doing so is perfect for time management and you are less likely to forget a task or meeting.
8. Checking you email or reading the newspaper are both time consuming activities. Doing this before you leave out for work is a great way to clear your emails and catch up on trending topics without being rushed or frustrated.
Summary of post from Jenna Goudreau at Business Insider Jan. 27,2014
Imitation is the highest form of flattery, and it can lead to positive life changing events.
1.The key to getting started on a positive and productive day is to rise early before the sunlight and attack those important issues that others wait until later in the day to solve. these hours are great for getting tasks done because the world around you is moving at a much slower pace and distractions are kept to a minimum. PepsiCo CEO rises at 4am and is in the office by 7am;
2. The top morning activity for the rich and powerful seems to be exercise whether its weightlifting, yoga or jogging there seems to be a great benefit from get your blood flowing and heart pumping at the beginning of the day. CEO of Starwoods Hotel runs for an hour everyday starting at 5:30am
3.Start working on a top priority project early in the day. This ensures the project is fresh on your mind through out the day and by starting early while everyone else is asleep allows for optimal attention being focused on your project.
4. Projects like novel writing and bead making are easy to put off when you have been in meetings all day or on your feet dealing with the public. University of Chicago, history teacher Charlotte Walker-Said would set aside 6:00am-9:00am to work on her novel, before having to deal with school work.
5. Making quality time with your family, you spend more time away from home at work than you do your own family. Take time out to make breakfast together, chat about current events; whatever you do make sure you show interest in your family.
6. Before they head out the door, many successful people devote themselves to a spiritual practice such as meditation or prayer before they tackle to tough demands of their day. This allows for a calming of the mind and inner peace. Writing down the many reasons why you are blessed and the loved ones that support you is another way to achieve peace and perspective.
7. Planning for the day, week or month is a great way to keep your tasks on track, it also allows for you to prioritize those tasks as well. Doing so is perfect for time management and you are less likely to forget a task or meeting.
8. Checking you email or reading the newspaper are both time consuming activities. Doing this before you leave out for work is a great way to clear your emails and catch up on trending topics without being rushed or frustrated.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Promotional Tools
From Vistaprint.com
A website that offers promotional materials and idea/business development resources
Promo stickers, add photos and text. price 24 for $2.99
Promo calculators $3.99 ea
Promo flash drives $11.99 ea
Promo stress balls $3.99 ea
Promo key chain flashlights $3.99 ea
Promo mousepads $6.49 ea
Promo magnet clips $3.99 ea
Professional business cards 250 for $10
Personalized glossy raised letter and metallic finish business cards 250 for $25
Advertisement flyer's 25 for $25
Promotional t-shirts starting at $10 men $16 women
A website that offers promotional materials and idea/business development resources
Promo stickers, add photos and text. price 24 for $2.99
Promo calculators $3.99 ea
Promo flash drives $11.99 ea
Promo stress balls $3.99 ea
Promo key chain flashlights $3.99 ea
Promo mousepads $6.49 ea
Promo magnet clips $3.99 ea
Professional business cards 250 for $10
Personalized glossy raised letter and metallic finish business cards 250 for $25
Advertisement flyer's 25 for $25
Promotional t-shirts starting at $10 men $16 women
Crowd Funding Helps Break Barriers
Crowd funding or public Internet donation campaign is a collective effort of individuals who network and pool their money together to support the initiatives of a person or organization. These initiatives range from politics, arts & entertainment, social causes, civic services, business start ups, software updates, inventions, journalism and much more. Crowd funding works by allowing the user to sell small amounts of equity to many investors. So instead of going to a traditional lending institution the user can solicit many small investors to obtain the necessary capital. Before you commit to crowd funding or promoting your idea to the general public you want to make sure you protect your intellectual property by making sure you file for patent applications, copyright protection and trademark protection. Do not expect these sites to protect from someone duplicating your idea.
From figures obtained through Wikipedia in 2010 crowd funding sites raised $1.47 billion dollars for various projects, from the general public in 2013 it is estimated that figure has grown to $5.1 billion.Unsigned music artist has raised capital to take a world tour without out even being internationally known, they offered investors lifetime tickets to their shows. With their international tour they were able to build their brand and have leverage over the major labels that became eager to sign them after coming off tour. Film makers who were unable to see their projects to completion have turned to crowd funding to turn their vision into a completed project by raising thousands and millions of dollars from one small investor at a time.Crowd funding not only supplies the user with a wide net of potential backers, these backers also act as promoters for your idea, business or artistic endeavor.
Top 10 crowd funding sites from forbes.com (each site caters to a specific type of project and investor so make sure your inquire or what site is best for your purpose
From figures obtained through Wikipedia in 2010 crowd funding sites raised $1.47 billion dollars for various projects, from the general public in 2013 it is estimated that figure has grown to $5.1 billion.Unsigned music artist has raised capital to take a world tour without out even being internationally known, they offered investors lifetime tickets to their shows. With their international tour they were able to build their brand and have leverage over the major labels that became eager to sign them after coming off tour. Film makers who were unable to see their projects to completion have turned to crowd funding to turn their vision into a completed project by raising thousands and millions of dollars from one small investor at a time.Crowd funding not only supplies the user with a wide net of potential backers, these backers also act as promoters for your idea, business or artistic endeavor.
Top 10 crowd funding sites from forbes.com (each site caters to a specific type of project and investor so make sure your inquire or what site is best for your purpose
- Kickstarter
- Indiegogo
- Crowdfunder
- RocketHub
- Crowdrise
- Somolend
- Appbkr
- AngelList
- Invested.in
- Quirky
Simple Steps For Starting A Successful Business
From greaterbaltimore.score.org via sba.gov
SCORE- Service Corp Of Retired Executives
Greater Baltimore Score Chapter
The City Crescent Building 6th floor
10 south Howard St
Baltimore,MD 21201
410-962-2233
SCORE is a business mentoring organization designed to help fuel Americas small businesses. Whether your already a business owner or have an idea for one, SCORE has the resources and training available for you.
Up coming workshop February 5,12,19, & 26 to include simple steps for starting a successful business.
Section 1
Entrepreneurship
Basic Marketing Principles
Basic Operational Principles
Business Structure
Insurance
Sources Of Funds
Section 2
Record Keeping Consideration
Regulatory Requirements
Cash Flow Projections
Financial Statements
Break-Even Analysis
Tax Statements
The Importance of a Business Plan
Monday, January 27, 2014
Interested In Exporting
SBA.GOV
Summary of post that includes 4 resources to assist you in exporting. from K.Murray dated Jan. 27, 2014
There is a very big consumer market outside the United States, 96% of the consumer market are on foreign lands which means two thirds of the worlds purchasing power are in foreign markets. This means that there is literally millions of possible connections for your product or service.
Export Assistance Centers
These centers are staffed by SBA representatives, Department of Commerce, US Export-Import Bank and other public and private organizations that can assist with various subjects from what products and services are able to be exchanged to finding avenues for funding.
Export Business Planner
A downloadable tool, that with test your readiness and provide counseling. download also includes marketing plans and financial materials; transportation and document details and many more resources. The planner also includes templates, forms, practical worksheets and a glossary of industry terms.
Export.gov
An excellent resource that contains a frequently asked question section that can assist users from the very basics to trade agreements and regulations. The questions are categorized.
USTDA- U.S. Trade and Development Association
Maintains a database of companies and individuals that provide a fee based consultation service.
Summary of post that includes 4 resources to assist you in exporting. from K.Murray dated Jan. 27, 2014
There is a very big consumer market outside the United States, 96% of the consumer market are on foreign lands which means two thirds of the worlds purchasing power are in foreign markets. This means that there is literally millions of possible connections for your product or service.
Export Assistance Centers
These centers are staffed by SBA representatives, Department of Commerce, US Export-Import Bank and other public and private organizations that can assist with various subjects from what products and services are able to be exchanged to finding avenues for funding.
Export Business Planner
A downloadable tool, that with test your readiness and provide counseling. download also includes marketing plans and financial materials; transportation and document details and many more resources. The planner also includes templates, forms, practical worksheets and a glossary of industry terms.
Export.gov
An excellent resource that contains a frequently asked question section that can assist users from the very basics to trade agreements and regulations. The questions are categorized.
USTDA- U.S. Trade and Development Association
Maintains a database of companies and individuals that provide a fee based consultation service.
The Rapid Growth Of Art Fairs Is Changing The Way Art Galleries Operate
From The Economist. This is a summary from post dated Jan 18, 2014
The Art Market
In November an auction in New York of contemporary and modern art made 691m, breaking all previous sales records of past at this venue. What makes this so special is these artworks were from the 20th and 21st century. While museums and private collectors hold on to older pieces, the value for all the later periods have increased. Because there are enough later pieces to handle to market, art galleries can no longer control the cost of venues and prices.
In some places across the globe where there use to be only one show per year there are now 20 or more. Fairs are sprouting up everywhere and they are not requiring eloquent show rooms or have to be a formal affair. Since the is a strong market of new buyers with money to spend for the right pieces. What does this mean to you, well if you can make a connection with local modern and contemporary artist, you may have a golden opportunity to make some easy cash. The trick is to pick a location that invites mingling and can accommodate the size of the art.
The Art Market
In November an auction in New York of contemporary and modern art made 691m, breaking all previous sales records of past at this venue. What makes this so special is these artworks were from the 20th and 21st century. While museums and private collectors hold on to older pieces, the value for all the later periods have increased. Because there are enough later pieces to handle to market, art galleries can no longer control the cost of venues and prices.
In some places across the globe where there use to be only one show per year there are now 20 or more. Fairs are sprouting up everywhere and they are not requiring eloquent show rooms or have to be a formal affair. Since the is a strong market of new buyers with money to spend for the right pieces. What does this mean to you, well if you can make a connection with local modern and contemporary artist, you may have a golden opportunity to make some easy cash. The trick is to pick a location that invites mingling and can accommodate the size of the art.
Promote Promote Promote
You have just come up with a great idea, now you think to yourself where do I go from here. First and foremost get it down on paper! Make sure you do your homework, check to make sure someone else has not come up with the idea before you and has'nt already cashed in. Find out if your idea is profitable, is this an idea that's going to require capital or is this an idea that's going to require readership or some other form of currency. You must be willing to sell yourself; believe in yourself enough to step into the role of a promoter for your idea. You must be willing to spend a great deal of time on building a base of individuals who would find your product or service valuable and useful. You cannot rely on family and friends alone to support your vision, it takes hundreds if not thousands of contacts to sustain your new venture. Gone are the days were you can rely solely on business cards and word of mouth to get the word out on your new business venture or bright idea.
Sure hitting the streets and speaking to anyone that will listen is still a tried and true method to begin building your brand but today you have the resources to take your idea global. That's right, you have people right now in other countries that are capable of becoming your biggest customer or biggest investor. Many people use sites like Facebook,Twitter and My Space to keep in touch with families and friends or to give general updates on how their day is going, when you are transitioning from being an employee to becoming your own boss you must see these sites as tools to build your brand. Get as much printed material as you can and flodd the streets with your wonderful idea.
Sure hitting the streets and speaking to anyone that will listen is still a tried and true method to begin building your brand but today you have the resources to take your idea global. That's right, you have people right now in other countries that are capable of becoming your biggest customer or biggest investor. Many people use sites like Facebook,Twitter and My Space to keep in touch with families and friends or to give general updates on how their day is going, when you are transitioning from being an employee to becoming your own boss you must see these sites as tools to build your brand. Get as much printed material as you can and flodd the streets with your wonderful idea.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Think Connect Build Grow
Networking is paramount in being able to establish and grow your idea and business. The cliche is true, "sometimes its not what you know its who you know". Far too often people with big ideas give up on their dreams before they even get started and the number one reason for that is because they dont know whats the next step and who can get them there. Idea Tank75 is a platform to provide readers with information and links that are vital to helping them launch whatever idea they can come up with, it is also a tool to connect readers with each other and build a network of valuable resources.
The blog will highlight business entities and professionals who make it their business to assist people with big and small ideas. Links to websites that offer valuable information for entreprenuers will be provided, the list will grow as new websites and blogs are discovered.
No idea is too big or too small that it does not deserve to become a reality.
A very big problem facing small business owners and people looking for a loan is finding a lending institution that is willing to provide you with a loan without asking for your first born as collateral. This problem can be solved when we look inwards into our own communities, there you have neighbors that are looking to invest and be invested in, it is important that you promote your idea to whomever you can as often as you can. Having the proper network can set up a small business for prosperity and longevity. Idea Tank75 is for "small" people with big ideas and those looking to expand on their ideas, so if you are someone with information that may be useful or someone with a big idea and want to be highlighted or interviewed for the blog email me at www.ideatank75@gmail.com.
The blog will highlight business entities and professionals who make it their business to assist people with big and small ideas. Links to websites that offer valuable information for entreprenuers will be provided, the list will grow as new websites and blogs are discovered.
No idea is too big or too small that it does not deserve to become a reality.
A very big problem facing small business owners and people looking for a loan is finding a lending institution that is willing to provide you with a loan without asking for your first born as collateral. This problem can be solved when we look inwards into our own communities, there you have neighbors that are looking to invest and be invested in, it is important that you promote your idea to whomever you can as often as you can. Having the proper network can set up a small business for prosperity and longevity. Idea Tank75 is for "small" people with big ideas and those looking to expand on their ideas, so if you are someone with information that may be useful or someone with a big idea and want to be highlighted or interviewed for the blog email me at www.ideatank75@gmail.com.
Power In Numbers...
I titled it "Power In Numbers" because that is exactly where the power lies. You may think it would be great to have $100,000 in cash to start your dream business, however it would be even greater to have one hundred thousand people willing to invest $1 in your dream. If you have no connections to provide you with the right resources and to help you spend your money wisely then your $100,000 in cash might as well be a $1 lottery scratch off ticket. I believe we have all the resources in our communities to help bridge the gap of social equality.
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