HELP! Repo Man Blues. Need Money TODAY! Best Ideas?

by gmack

Posted: 13 years ago 11 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

Wow! Never thought it'd happen to me!

Like a good chunk of the workforce - and some on this forum - been unemployed for 2 years now. Been making enough through a lot of little jobs in web design, hosting, and selling stuff on craigslist to stay just ahead of the repo man. Until this morning.

Thought my car was stolen this morning, but was repo'd for being 40 days late. Can't even contact them until Monday.

It's not like I don't have anything WORTH something. Just can't liquidate 'em.... fast enough. Craigslist is FULL of similar studio equipment I'm trying to sell. Liquidating my own 'stuff' is going slow.

Any other suggestions?

In the IM world, I've had 2 domains for 15 years that I'd put up on SEDO two years ago. While the 'appraised value' is over $33k for ozoneman.com and $25k for moneymania.com, I know how it works and that's just 'appraised' value. I'd hoped to get about about 1/4th of that. Small offers then, so I took 'em off SEDO a year ago.

While this seems to be my quickest way to get cash - and what I have of the MOST value, I'm lost as in FINDING any buyers that quick. I know there are domain resellers here who know this part better than I do. Any suggestions on 'what to do' and 'how to do it' quickly?

Moving forward, the IM world has changed a ton since 1999 - 2003 when I did REAL well, then left (STUPID thing to do) in '03 for 'career' that ended in '09. Trying to restart. Have some web clients; do 'some' SEO mostly for my own sites (could be better); still host sites on my server since 1998; created a few Facebook fan pages, and more. I believe in being diversified and have always multi-tasked doing 5 - 10 things at one time. The biggest problem I've had is focus and am over loaded with GREAT info on this forum. With A.D.D. and constantly looking over my shoulder for repo men, I'm spinning 'around' rather than moving forward.

I've seen people offering to mentor and coach 'newbies'. Well, I'm FAR from 'newbie'. Any 'old guy' mentoring to get focused and back on track? Not afraid to put in the hours (used to do 18hr days back in the day and LOVED it!). Obviously, don't have much cash to invest at this point and have to take care of my 'immediate' repo problem first.

Really, it's hard for me to even ask for help (pride, guilt, shame, stupidity, total blame on me), but if you have any suggestions to me help start a 'focused' path to self support, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

#blues #domain appraisal #ideas #make money today #man #money #need mentor #need money fast #repo #today

John Taylor 13 years ago

Read this http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...desperate.html

Then we don't need yet another thread on the same topic.

John
- Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature

John's Internet Marketing News, Views & Reviews: John Taylor Online
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4464582].message }}
- gmack 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by John Taylor
  
  Read this http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...desperate.html
  
  Then we don't need yet another thread on the same topic.
  
  John
  
  Checking it out now, John. Thanks!
  
  Thanks
  
  Signature
  
  $99 Web Design DONE Today! YES! I Actually 'Build' EACH One!
  See a LIVE Demo Site Here
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4465021].message }}
Britt Malka 13 years ago

Do you have a list?

They have always come to my rescue when I needed money here and now.

If you have a list, make a fire sale, a package of your products, and offer it for an incredible low price for 24 hours only.

Don't do this more than once or twice per year, though. It works!
- Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature

*** Idea Factory ***
9 Simple & Fun Ways to Come Up With Ideas for Non-Fiction Books

>>> Click here to get immediate access <<<
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4464586].message }}
- gmack 13 years ago
  
  Good advice, Britt. Thanks.
  
  I've always struggled with lists since back in the Earthonline days when I had all that software and 'thought' it was legal to do - kept getting shut down. Left a bad taste, though I KNOW that's a major thing to do to make money. Haven't had 'much' success on squeeze pages.
  
  I have about '50' people I send a few things to from time to time. This week I sent out a 'fire sale' on my hosting services (in my signature) for $2.50/mo (since I still have my own server through a HUGE hosting company), put it all over craigslist, and... nothing. Figured if I could get a few a day, that would be a start. Even though it's probably the best DEAL on the planet, I think when people sense that 'desperation', they shy away.
  
  I also distribute an incredible baseball product I'm tied in directly with the 'creator' (voted top product of 2010, and a bunch of other endorsements) that only a handful of people in the country are allowed to distribute. Have 2 sites that show up in well search engines giving me 'some' sales (no lists built yet). Need to target better (facebook, maybe?).
  
  I'll keep plugging and work on the suggestions given. Through the BS trouble I'm in, I actually enjoy it when I'm working on my IM... just need to see better results.
  
  Thanks again.
  
  Thanks
  
  Signature
  
  $99 Web Design DONE Today! YES! I Actually 'Build' EACH One!
  See a LIVE Demo Site Here
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4465081].message }}

levelupseo

13 years ago

Since the first about getting cash fast is answered extremely well in the thread John posted, I will try to help with the second part. Focusing and building long term sustainable income. I've got ADD as well, so I know firsthand what a challenge it can be to get on track to make things happen.

Quick story first:
A few years ago, before getting into IM, I was at a conference in silicon valley where the panel was a bunch of user experience designers. During the Q and A session, someone asked the panel what they thought the web would be like in five years. The guy from Yahoo jumps in and says "everything will change. everything." and rants for a awhile about this. He seemed pretty confident so. Then the guy from Adobe simply says, "But all the fundamentals will stay the same."

I think this is completely true in IM as well. Since you have had a lot of success in the past, then you probably have an excellent handle on the fundamentals of things like building lists. Once they are in your funnel, you're good to go.

So I would say that picking a good niche and getting a funnel going should be your priority. Then next question is how to get traffic, and that's what keeps changing. Unfortunately these either take time or they take money.

Good old SEO (pick a keyword, make a page, build links until you're #1) is still around and I don't see it going anywhere soon despite panda type updates, but you will need to build links differently than in 2003. (Sounds like you already know this

)

You can also try content marketing for traffic; creating for your niche really top notch articles, videos, pdfs, etc with intention of bringing traffic to a squeeze page. Because everything has gone social if you put out some good content in your niche and make it easy to share, you will see a steady stream of subscribers to your list.

PPC is still around too but you can do it on Facebook now too. Facebook has potential because rather than target keywords, you target very specific demographics, like "men over 30 who like to eat hot dogs in Cleveland while watching Entourage" Given your situation, I'd say wait on paid traffic until you get some revenue elsewhere.

Bottom-line: I totally get that you like having a diversity of strategies in the pan. I'm the same way, and I like it because experimenting is always good and keeps things fun. But in your situation, you can't afford that until you pick the most promising strategy, put in those crazy hours for the next month and get some results.

tl;dr
Do some lay ups before you try for slam dunks and three pointers.

I wish you all the best!

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4464752].message }}

gmack

13 years ago

[QUOTE=levelupseo;4464752]Since the first about getting cash fast is answered extremely well in the thread John posted, I will try to help with the second part. Focusing and building long term sustainable income. I've got ADD as well, so I know firsthand what a challenge it can be to get on track to make things happen.

-------------

You're the first person that understands my FOCUS problem. A little here. A little there. Feels insane sometimes! Will take the suggestions and fight through it.

Thanks for the good thoughts and encouragement. Hope to write one hell of a success story when this is all said and done!

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

$99 Web Design DONE Today! YES! I Actually 'Build' EACH One!
See a LIVE Demo Site Here

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4465095].message }}

advancedyn

13 years ago

You're the first person that understands my FOCUS problem.

Perhaps that is a great niche for you! I think this is something that is much more common than you may realize. I am constantly fighting "chasing the shiny keys". My best friend has the same problem. Our conversations get entirely side-tracked. It sucks.

Thanks for having the balls to post your problems. Hang in there. As they say, that which does not kill us will only make us stronger. I read the following story on another forum back in '04 and found it inspiring enough to keep it. It's lengthy but good.

PART I
=========

I graduated from a major University with 2 business degrees. College was a trip -- I made me sick because all the teachers and professionals "groomed"you for corporate America. The common saying, "when you work for corporate America, they will want this, that, etc."

I was so tired of hearing it. I knew I never wanted to work for anyone. Upon graduating, all my peers where bragging about the great "safe secure jobs"they were hired for. "I work for Motorola", "I work for Northwestern Insurance"blah blah ... everyone interviewed like crazy. I didn't. I left college jobless with the goal of starting a business. This was in 1992. I was 22.

The next 5 years was a mess. I lived at home in Chicago with mommy for most of it. I struggled from venture to venture with no real success. I tried all sorts of things, and while trying all of these things, I worked "odd jobs"to pay bills and to pay student loans.

Amway, Vitamin MLM's, various other MLM's, Car Audio. Direct Marketing, Jewelry, etc. All business attempts and all failures.

The jobs I held to pay bills while pursuing my business dream: Pizza-delivery boy, Flower-delivery boy, Dispatcher, Day Laboror in the ghetto of Chicago, Bus-Boy at Chinese Restaurant. . . all while I was a multi-degreed, educated person who graduated in the top 10% of his class.

At 26 years old I was at the end of my rope. View this post:

This sounded EXACTLY like me. Desperation. Frustration. When I read it, it made me nostalgic because I WAS where this gentleman was. I knew and experienced how HE felt not too long ago.

To make matters worse, my girlfriend of 5 years gave up on me. She said I "had no resolve". She worked for Enterprise Rent-A-Car and had a "safe secure job"-- we'd argue because she worked 55 hour weeks for peanuts ... $28K/yr maybe. She'd fight back and say "you don't have a job, you make no money, and none of your businesses are working".

I told her that an Entrepreneur's income generation is different than someone that worked at a job. Income generation for a person working was LINEAR .. Entrepreneur income generation is EXPONENTIAL. Basically, very very slow to begin, then as time progresses, explosive.

Ever see a straight ascending line juxtaposed with an exponetial line? The exponential line eventually catches up and ultimatly, blows by the linear line.

I tried explaining this but to no avail to anyone.

My own mother: "Why don't you get a job?" To this day, when we speak I tease her by yelling "GET A JOB BABY!"

My mom would periodically say "The grocery store is hiring a deli manager, why don't you go down there and check it out"

NEVER. I'd rather die the manage a bunch of meat cutters. Is that my life purpose? To top it off, I wouldn't even get the job probably because I lacked "retail experience". Gee thanks for nothing.

This 'frustration'continued when I did reach the end of my rope and was often suicidal ... the worst is seeing all your old college friends all buying their new Acura Integra's and new Mustang GT's (they had "safe secure jobs) and all I had to show was a rusty Buick ghetto car with a bad transsmission. I also lived at home. Pretty sad for a 26 year old college grad. To make matters worse I couldn't stand living in Chicago. I truly felt that my environment was holding me back ... my friends, my family, and the climate that existed in Chicago (I was seasonal depressed; not seeing the sun made me LAZY)

In 1996 while working in the hell-rotted Chicago summer in the ghetto, my eye's were opened and a light went on.

I then would make a decision that would change my life forever....
PART II

As a moved thru my mid 20's, from odd-job to odd-job, from business failure to business failure, one thing stayed consistent: I was always learning. I was always reading books. Even though I was failing, the failures increased my skill level and competency in many areas. A book which really helped me: My "bible"which would get me through the hard times was Tony Robbins "AWAKEN THE GIANT WITHIN". The book always seem to help me as I would return to many highlighted portions which i made prior.

Many distinctions which helped me endure: "Your focus is your reality" and "if you want to keep on getting what your getting, keep on doing what your doing."

Tony's book inspired me to keep a journal to air out my frustrations.

I dug out my journal tonite; its been about 2 years since I made an entry. Its also been 2 years since I really re-read it -- it amazes me some of the things I wrote; the frustrations and the angst I felt. I pulled out 2 excerpts which I will share here -- you will see how down I was.

July 30th,1995
What's wrong? What can't I be happy? I have no money. I owe tons. My business is nickeling and diming me. I am so unhappy with myself. I've seem to lost control. I have no motivation anymore. Lazy. Don't want to work. Lazy. I hate myself. My mind seems so negative and destructive. I hate life right now. I hope something changes soon. I must change. What's happening. Why does nothing go right? What can't I be happy? Why can't I even make a piddly thousand dollars a month? Why? Loser. Loser. Loser. Loser. Loser. F**king Loser.

Sept 8th, 1995
I am almost 25 years old, have two business degrees, and what am I doing? Sitting at a f*cking flea market trying to sell ugly f*cking pictures. Another stupid venture of mine that don't make a dime.

This spiral of negativity and business failures continued, while I continued to read a variety of different books. Many times I was reading to stay sane and to combat the negativity my failures were creating.

In 1996 I learned HTML programming and thought it would be a "cool"thing to create a website. I had a business idea. I researched the idea and discovered two companies already on the interent doing something similiar. I was not sure if the venture would be smart to entertain considering it was being done already.

I remember vividly asking my girlfriend (a new one) at the time "what do you think i should do?" -- she said, "f*ck, competitors are everywhere -- do it, and do a better job". (She was a blunt chick that swore alot). So I did. I created a simple HTML website based on my idea.

For the next 6 or 8 months or so I continued to work odd jobs while I continually perfected and improved my website. The website wasn't making much money; maybe 150 a month or so. I was still miserable.

Chicago, and everything about it, was killing me. My girlfriend was starting to be annoyed with me -- I was constantly negative and angry at the world. I was only happy when the sun was shining and in Chicago, it doesn't show to often.

Finally fed up, my girlfriend at the time who I to this day I consider one of the person's who put me on the right track, said, "f*ck, if you're so damn unhappy here, get the hell out. No one's keeping you in Chicago and you're a free person with free choice"

Then it hit me. I was free. I can purse my dreams ANYWHERE.

I thought to myself, if I could live ANYWHERE in the USA, where would I live? The sun makes me happy and motivated, so it would need to be sunny.

Two months later, I picked up what little I had, towed my rusty Buick on a hitch, and took residence in a tiny studio apartment in Central Phoenix AZ. . . a place that is sunny 330 out of 365 days a year.

They say "where you are in life"is a product of your decisions. At this exact moment, as you sit in your chair reading this, in your house or in your apartment, in your city, in your state of mind, in your financial state -- ALL OF IT -- is a product of your decisions.

ONE decision can forever shape and change your destiny. From a simple decision to ordering steak instead of fish, or from wanting to drag race a foolish teen in his Honda -- YOUR LIFE AT THIS VERY MOMENT IS A PRODUCT OF YOUR CHOICES AND DECISIONS.

If you are unhappy, MAKE BETTER DECISIONS.

The awakening I had was that I could pursue my dreams ANYWHERE in the country. For 26 years, I never realized that I could pick up and leave my hometown of Chicago. The decision enabled me to aggressively pursue my goals: I left the baggage of peers, ex-girlfriends, business failures, and family who didn't believe in me and started fresh.

It would be the decision that would forever change my life.

It also would put me further into debt as moving cross-country isn't a cheap endeavor .....

However, I was solar powered -- with 330 days of sun to back me up, nothing was going to stop me from getting what I wanted ....

PART III
----------

(Long, please alot 10 minutes)

I arrived in Phoenix with $900, a rusty Buick 'ghetto car'with no 3rd gear, a website business that was making about $150/mo and a whole new outlook. I transformed my studio apartment into a "nerve center"-- the entire place was an office. I had no bedroom set; just a mattress which was partially laid in the kitchen. There were always crumbs on my mattress which tends to happen when you put a mattress on the kitchen floor.

The next several weeks I sent out dozens of resumes to Phoenix corporations. Yes, I was biting the bullet and thought getting a respectable JOB would be the best way to start. I still had my goals; but I was tired of washing dishes and delivering pizzas.

I also continued to improve and market my website as the weeks went by.

Dozens of resumes and months later, I had NO interviews. I was getting pissed and a bit insulted. I know I am marketable. I know I would be an asset to a company. No calls. No interviews. Rent was coming due. My $900 was dwindling fast and I was tired of eating Ramen Pride noodles (bulk, cardboard noodles you can buy for like 15 cents a meal). I had to do something.

I increased my marketing activities on my website by learning search engine optimization and by sending out small, targeted email campaigns. I frequented the downtown Phoenix library and continued to read about programming languages; mainly at the time HTML and Javascript.

Then one day it happened: I got a call from a company in New York who said they loved our website service and was wondering if "we"could design a website for them. I obliged with a price of $400. They thought the price was a steal and 24 hours later, the company in NY had a website which I designed for them.

I was estatic. In 24 hours, I had 95% of the rent payment (rent was only $475). Then ironically, not 24 hours later, I received another call from a company in Wichita Kansas asking for the same thing... a website. I designed theirs for $600 and it took me 2 days to complete. I had another rent payment! I also was able to save some money!

This was turning point #1. I said to myself, "f*uck these companies; if they don't want to give me a job, ill make my own jobs". I continued to market my website and started to become a "known player"in my marketspace. I continued to pour my efforts into my website service's success, its improvement, and its noteriety.

Subsequently, I would continue to design website for companies who also were in my marketspace as this (Currently) was paying the bills.

My first 3 or 4 months in Phoenix I was able to make it on my own for the first time in my life; no odd-ball jobs. No flower boy. No bus boy. No pizza delivery. I was purely self employed for the first time in my life.

I did realize however, that most of my income was being generated from website design, not my website (my website was a business service) -- I did not want to have my income "tied"to a laboring activity (which was website design.) Little did I know, years later, RK would pen this activity a "S-QUADRANT"activity -- I knew I didn't want to be there, even though it was paying the bills.

In the winter I had a friend visit from Chicago. I showed him my business concept and he was amazed at all the HITS I was receiving. Inquiries to use my service would come EVERY MINUTE. (We'd see the inquiries by email -- my email box would have 450 emails, we'd talk for 10 minutes, click the refresh button, and then I'd have 483 emails.)

He was amazed and gave me the idea that would put me toward TURNING POINT #2. He said, "Dude, you gotta turn those emails into $$ somehow".

He was right, but how? He left me with this question and I was intent on figuring it out. A few days later, I believe I found the solution and I was ready to move with it. The problem was, moving to this type of "revenue model"was dangerous and it would kill my revenue generation, at least in the short term.

I remember the day I switched and the days prior. I told my friend at the time, "Im going to be living on tuna for the next 2 months as this revenue model will take time to work, if it does even work".

The first month I generated $473
(I know this because it is logged in my journal! Luckily I had website design jobs to pay the bills!)
2nd month: $694
3rd month $970
4th month: $1832
5th month: $2314
6th month: $3733

It was working. Revenue generation was increasing. As my site continued to grow, I continued to educate myself on programming. I was constantly improving the website.

95% of the improvements came from customers -- their suggestions. Within days, sometimes hours, we would implement customer suggestions. My business's success was much predicated on LISTENING to what customers are asking for, and implementing it.

I continued for many months on this principle: Listening to customers, improving my skills from programming to search engine optimization. I worked LONG AND HARD ... 40 hours was a vacation week -- typical work weeks were 60 hours long.

The beauty of it was this: I didn't feel like I was working. I enjoyed most of it. There is a gratification of seeing your work being used and benefited from. Hundreds, thousands, were benefiting from my service as I was really, truly filling a need.

That was when I discovered the error of my past business failings, including my ventures in MLM. Are you truly filling an need with this business, and if so, are you doing it the best? Every business I ventured into was predicated on "how can I make money?" theory.

Sadly, I see much of this mentality here at the RD forum -- "how can I make money" "what business will make me money?"-- WRONG WRONG WRONG. It starts with NEEDS. Solve problems. Fill needs. Make things easier for people. Streamline systems better than your competitors. With this foundation, success is only steps away.

In 2000, my business telephone starting ringing with a different type of call. Technology companies started to call to see if i was interested in "selling my business". In 2000, all you heard about was "Dot-Com Millionaires"and how they became instant millionaries by selling their tech companies. Mark Cuban became an instant billionaire by selling "Broadcast.com"

Was I interested in selling my company? HELL YEA!!!!

After it was all said and done; I was offered by 3 different companies, 3 different offers. At the time, my business was generating $17K/mo in revenue -- I was clearing about $6K monthly.

Offer 1: $250,000
Offer 2: $550,000
Offer 3: $1.2 million

I took offer 3 and became a millionaire. The company which bought me out also had a good chance of going IPO as well and the stock options they gave me could be worth millions. I couldn't believe it, but I did it! NO MORE RAMEN PRIDE AND TUNA!

Then came the DOT-COM BUST. I continued to work on the side (from a consultatory standpoint) for the company that purchased my company. I watched them bury the business into the ground. I watched them piss money out the window like it was water. I watched them struggle and make business decisions like they were fixated in semi-dry concrete. I couldn't believe my eyes as I watched "these people"(Silicon Valley folks that had $12 million in venture funding) destroy my creation.

It seemed they only cared about "REVENUE REVENUE REVENUE"-- how can we make more money? I was familiar with this mindset and how it doesn't really improve business systems. I kept telling them, "No! How do we ADD VALUE to our customers so they will be willing to pay more"

A few months later, this company was 2 months from bankruptcy. They had opted to "shut-down"my business (even though it was still generating decent revenues and net income). They could not liquidate the company because buyers dried up -- stocks were in the TANK and no tech companies were BUYING -- they were ALL LIQUIDATING.

I wasn't willing to watch my creation be sent to the toilet. In addition, thousands of customer's would be left standing and upset. I proposed to "repurchase"my company back from the Silicon Valley vultures. I negotiated a "bargain-basement"offer, a "fire-sale"price and it was accepted.

Now I had my company back and a fire to "show them people".

The next 18 months or so I was revitalized to take my service(s) to the next level. In conjunction, I created other services to further multiply my income growth. I also was motivated to show the clowns in Silicon Valley "THIS IS HOW ITS DONE".

I continued to become a book monger. I was always reading. Received a doctorate from Toilet University. Continued to improve my website; integrate new technologies and listen to customers.

Here I am today with several websites and one current project ongoing. The goal (as mentioned) in a prior post is to sell one, or all of the properties once valuations which the $5mm range.

My business growth has been explosive, to say the least. My biggest month $$$ wise (NET, not gross) has been $132,000. $132K in one fn month. I think that is more than most NFL football and/or hockey players make. The last 6 months I've socked-away, on average, over $100K/month. My goal set last year was to make more than 100K in one month. That was done. Now, it is $200K net, in one month. Let me tell you, the tax consquences on making this kind of $$ is sickening; so much, that Las Vegas is calling.

Now, when you generate this kind of income, its very easy to become a millionaire and a multi-millionaire. I become a multi-millionaire in late June of this year. I am 33. I celebrated with my girlfriend by having a cigar and a Corona; heavy on the lime.

I also would have gotten there QUICKER if i DID NOT sell my business back in 2000. However, in hindsight, when you are eating Cardboard Noodles and someone throws a $1.2 million offer in your face, not many people would say "no".

So how did I do it?

1) Fill needs. Solve problems. And if its being done? DO IT BETTER than anyone else.

2) Never stop learning and educating yourself.

3) Throw away "how can I make money?"mindset. It will lead you no where.

4) On the internet, build "systems"that generate cash.

An example: Websitepulse (dot) com.

This is a monitoring service. It is a system that makes money. Do the math: 11,000 accounts served with the average account costing $50/mo -- this is $605,000 PER MONTH. This is an internet business system where the "business"is the system itself. No products. No shipping. No headaches. Just a "system"that fills a need and does it well. I speculate this website is generating nets in the $450,000 range, per month. How quickly would you become a millionaire earning $450K/mo??? Or, would you rather save $200/month from your $45K/year salary? Folks, this is apples to oranges and the playing field is NOT leveled by those who traverse the E-Quadrant. You must get on the playing field where home runs can be hit. It aint happening at Motorola or at Firestone Tires as a sales rep.

5) Systems are easier to administrate, vs product based sites. Systems have no product and/or shipping headaches. No returns and exchanges.

6) B2B is better then C2B -- consumers are fickle with their money -- most companies are not, if they suspect a positive ROI.

7) Your goals can be better acheived in an environment that promotes your success (away from negative influences, people, etc.) In my case, not seeing the sun was killing me as well as some peers who had "safe secure jobs"and couldn't understand why I was delivering pizzas. I got into an environment that fostered my goals and allowed me to focus.

8) Systems can be created by anyone. Partners. Hired-out. In-house. However, it is always best to have control over your systems and this typically involves a creator that is a partner, or yourself. I lost control over the system once the company was sold.

9) Imitation is NOT flattery: My business system has been copied 6 times by 6 different companies; 1 fraudulently. Lawyers are expensive. Protect what you have. (This is why I never disclose my business systems and the industries we operate)

10) Focus. Focus. Focus. Another failing of mine in my early years was failure to focus on one thing. I was moving from one opportunity to the next with no focus. It wasn't until I was confronted with not paying rent and "ramen pride"withdrawal until my focus was sharpened. Do one thing the best and stick with it -- make adjustments as you go.

11) You must do something you enjoy. I failed MLM because I hated the concept it represented and I knew, deep down, that I truly was still working for someone and making someone else rich. I hated the concept and the thought of "recruiting". Sure, some products where great but when it all came down to it, I WORKED FOR SOMEONE. The company that faciliates the MLM system was TOP DOG and was leveraging my efforts. I felt apart of a cattle call of people who lacked innovation and resolve to be creative on their own. "Turn-Key"for me meant "we will think for you".

I think its sad that 95% of the MLMers don't see this. I always say, "you don't want to JOIN an MLM, you want to create the MLM". Again, "The Food Chain Theory"- you want to be at the top of it; not the middle or the bottom. Franchisee or Franchisor? You can become a billioniare franchising a successful business concept; possibly a millionaire by being the franchisee. As for MLM, yes, you can be successful in an MLM but the odds are decisively against you --- when its all said and done, you are still working for someone else, and at the mercy of an organization and their rules. I've tried 4 and failed all 4 because I instinctively knew this. If you create an MLM, provide the MLM system and support, then you truly are an entrepreneur of vision of innovation and most importantly, TOP DOG.

12) Don't listen to those who have less. "you should do this, you should do that"-- oh yea? What's your net worth? These experts can only lead you to their level of success. There are always people who MUST BE RIGHT -- let it be. Let them be right. You be rich. I'd rather be wrong and rich, than poor and right.

13) There is no get rich quick. I worked heavy hours for years -- the difference was, I enjoyed it and felt I was growing and improving myself.

14) DO NOT ask me for the address of any my business websites. You won't get them. You also won't get the specific details (operations, revenue models, etc.) At some point, you have to "create"and think on your own. Please refer to #9.

15) Wear sunscreen in the Phoenix summer while cleaning your pool or you will get burned, no matter how "olive toned"you are.

16) No matter how fast or rare your car is, some punk will always try to race you in his BMW or Honda and think he will win. You're dreaming.

MJ
PART II

As a moved thru my mid 20's, from odd-job to odd-job, from business failure to business failure, one thing stayed consistent: I was always learning. I was always reading books. Even though I was failing, the failures increased my skill level and competency in many areas. A book which really helped me: My "bible"which would get me through the hard times was Tony Robbins "AWAKEN THE GIANT WITHIN". The book always seem to help me as I would return to many highlighted portions which i made prior.

Many distinctions which helped me endure: "Your focus is your reality" and "if you want to keep on getting what your getting, keep on doing what your doing."

Tony's book inspired me to keep a journal to air out my frustrations.

I dug out my journal tonite; its been about 2 years since I made an entry. Its also been 2 years since I really re-read it -- it amazes me some of the things I wrote; the frustrations and the angst I felt. I pulled out 2 excerpts which I will share here -- you will see how down I was.

July 30th,1995
What's wrong? What can't I be happy? I have no money. I owe tons. My business is nickeling and diming me. I am so unhappy with myself. I've seem to lost control. I have no motivation anymore. Lazy. Don't want to work. Lazy. I hate myself. My mind seems so negative and destructive. I hate life right now. I hope something changes soon. I must change. What's happening. Why does nothing go right? What can't I be happy? Why can't I even make a piddly thousand dollars a month? Why? Loser. Loser. Loser. Loser. Loser. F**king Loser.

Sept 8th, 1995
I am almost 25 years old, have two business degrees, and what am I doing? Sitting at a f*cking flea market trying to sell ugly f*cking pictures. Another stupid venture of mine that don't make a dime.

This spiral of negativity and business failures continued, while I continued to read a variety of different books. Many times I was reading to stay sane and to combat the negativity my failures were creating.

In 1996 I learned HTML programming and thought it would be a "cool"thing to create a website. I had a business idea. I researched the idea and discovered two companies already on the interent doing something similiar. I was not sure if the venture would be smart to entertain considering it was being done already.

I remember vividly asking my girlfriend (a new one) at the time "what do you think i should do?" -- she said, "f*ck, competitors are everywhere -- do it, and do a better job". (She was a blunt chick that swore alot). So I did. I created a simple HTML website based on my idea.

For the next 6 or 8 months or so I continued to work odd jobs while I continually perfected and improved my website. The website wasn't making much money; maybe 150 a month or so. I was still miserable.

Chicago, and everything about it, was killing me. My girlfriend was starting to be annoyed with me -- I was constantly negative and angry at the world. I was only happy when the sun was shining and in Chicago, it doesn't show to often.

Finally fed up, my girlfriend at the time who I to this day I consider one of the person's who put me on the right track, said, "f*ck, if you're so damn unhappy here, get the hell out. No one's keeping you in Chicago and you're a free person with free choice"

Then it hit me. I was free. I can purse my dreams ANYWHERE.

I thought to myself, if I could live ANYWHERE in the USA, where would I live? The sun makes me happy and motivated, so it would need to be sunny.

Two months later, I picked up what little I had, towed my rusty Buick on a hitch, and took residence in a tiny studio apartment in Central Phoenix AZ. . . a place that is sunny 330 out of 365 days a year.

They say "where you are in life"is a product of your decisions. At this exact moment, as you sit in your chair reading this, in your house or in your apartment, in your city, in your state of mind, in your financial state -- ALL OF IT -- is a product of your decisions.

ONE decision can forever shape and change your destiny. From a simple decision to ordering steak instead of fish, or from wanting to drag race a foolish teen in his Honda -- YOUR LIFE AT THIS VERY MOMENT IS A PRODUCT OF YOUR CHOICES AND DECISIONS.

If you are unhappy, MAKE BETTER DECISIONS.

The awakening I had was that I could pursue my dreams ANYWHERE in the country. For 26 years, I never realized that I could pick up and leave my hometown of Chicago. The decision enabled me to aggressively pursue my goals: I left the baggage of peers, ex-girlfriends, business failures, and family who didn't believe in me and started fresh.

It would be the decision that would forever change my life.

It also would put me further into debt as moving cross-country isn't a cheap endeavor .....

However, I was solar powered -- with 330 days of sun to back me up, nothing was going to stop me from getting what I wanted ....
PART III
----------

(Long, please alot 10 minutes)

I arrived in Phoenix with $900, a rusty Buick 'ghetto car'with no 3rd gear, a website business that was making about $150/mo and a whole new outlook. I transformed my studio apartment into a "nerve center"-- the entire place was an office. I had no bedroom set; just a mattress which was partially laid in the kitchen. There were always crumbs on my mattress which tends to happen when you put a mattress on the kitchen floor.

The next several weeks I sent out dozens of resumes to Phoenix corporations. Yes, I was biting the bullet and thought getting a respectable JOB would be the best way to start. I still had my goals; but I was tired of washing dishes and delivering pizzas.

I also continued to improve and market my website as the weeks went by.

Dozens of resumes and months later, I had NO interviews. I was getting pissed and a bit insulted. I know I am marketable. I know I would be an asset to a company. No calls. No interviews. Rent was coming due. My $900 was dwindling fast and I was tired of eating Ramen Pride noodles (bulk, cardboard noodles you can buy for like 15 cents a meal). I had to do something.

I increased my marketing activities on my website by learning search engine optimization and by sending out small, targeted email campaigns. I frequented the downtown Phoenix library and continued to read about programming languages; mainly at the time HTML and Javascript.

Then one day it happened: I got a call from a company in New York who said they loved our website service and was wondering if "we"could design a website for them. I obliged with a price of $400. They thought the price was a steal and 24 hours later, the company in NY had a website which I designed for them.

I was estatic. In 24 hours, I had 95% of the rent payment (rent was only $475). Then ironically, not 24 hours later, I received another call from a company in Wichita Kansas asking for the same thing... a website. I designed theirs for $600 and it took me 2 days to complete. I had another rent payment! I also was able to save some money!

This was turning point #1. I said to myself, "f*uck these companies; if they don't want to give me a job, ill make my own jobs". I continued to market my website and started to become a "known player"in my marketspace. I continued to pour my efforts into my website service's success, its improvement, and its noteriety.

Subsequently, I would continue to design website for companies who also were in my marketspace as this (Currently) was paying the bills.

My first 3 or 4 months in Phoenix I was able to make it on my own for the first time in my life; no odd-ball jobs. No flower boy. No bus boy. No pizza delivery. I was purely self employed for the first time in my life.

I did realize however, that most of my income was being generated from website design, not my website (my website was a business service) -- I did not want to have my income "tied"to a laboring activity (which was website design.) Little did I know, years later, RK would pen this activity a "S-QUADRANT"activity -- I knew I didn't want to be there, even though it was paying the bills.

In the winter I had a friend visit from Chicago. I showed him my business concept and he was amazed at all the HITS I was receiving. Inquiries to use my service would come EVERY MINUTE. (We'd see the inquiries by email -- my email box would have 450 emails, we'd talk for 10 minutes, click the refresh button, and then I'd have 483 emails.)

He was amazed and gave me the idea that would put me toward TURNING POINT #2. He said, "Dude, you gotta turn those emails into $$ somehow".

He was right, but how? He left me with this question and I was intent on figuring it out. A few days later, I believe I found the solution and I was ready to move with it. The problem was, moving to this type of "revenue model"was dangerous and it would kill my revenue generation, at least in the short term.

I remember the day I switched and the days prior. I told my friend at the time, "Im going to be living on tuna for the next 2 months as this revenue model will take time to work, if it does even work".

The first month I generated $473
(I know this because it is logged in my journal! Luckily I had website design jobs to pay the bills!)
2nd month: $694
3rd month $970
4th month: $1832
5th month: $2314
6th month: $3733

It was working. Revenue generation was increasing. As my site continued to grow, I continued to educate myself on programming. I was constantly improving the website.

95% of the improvements came from customers -- their suggestions. Within days, sometimes hours, we would implement customer suggestions. My business's success was much predicated on LISTENING to what customers are asking for, and implementing it.

I continued for many months on this principle: Listening to customers, improving my skills from programming to search engine optimization. I worked LONG AND HARD ... 40 hours was a vacation week -- typical work weeks were 60 hours long.

The beauty of it was this: I didn't feel like I was working. I enjoyed most of it. There is a gratification of seeing your work being used and benefited from. Hundreds, thousands, were benefiting from my service as I was really, truly filling a need.

That was when I discovered the error of my past business failings, including my ventures in MLM. Are you truly filling an need with this business, and if so, are you doing it the best? Every business I ventured into was predicated on "how can I make money?" theory.

Sadly, I see much of this mentality here at the RD forum -- "how can I make money" "what business will make me money?"-- WRONG WRONG WRONG. It starts with NEEDS. Solve problems. Fill needs. Make things easier for people. Streamline systems better than your competitors. With this foundation, success is only steps away.

In 2000, my business telephone starting ringing with a different type of call. Technology companies started to call to see if i was interested in "selling my business". In 2000, all you heard about was "Dot-Com Millionaires"and how they became instant millionaries by selling their tech companies. Mark Cuban became an instant billionaire by selling "Broadcast.com"

Was I interested in selling my company? HELL YEA!!!!

After it was all said and done; I was offered by 3 different companies, 3 different offers. At the time, my business was generating $17K/mo in revenue -- I was clearing about $6K monthly.

Offer 1: $250,000
Offer 2: $550,000
Offer 3: $1.2 million

I took offer 3 and became a millionaire. The company which bought me out also had a good chance of going IPO as well and the stock options they gave me could be worth millions. I couldn't believe it, but I did it! NO MORE RAMEN PRIDE AND TUNA!

Then came the DOT-COM BUST. I continued to work on the side (from a consultatory standpoint) for the company that purchased my company. I watched them bury the business into the ground. I watched them piss money out the window like it was water. I watched them struggle and make business decisions like they were fixated in semi-dry concrete. I couldn't believe my eyes as I watched "these people"(Silicon Valley folks that had $12 million in venture funding) destroy my creation.

It seemed they only cared about "REVENUE REVENUE REVENUE"-- how can we make more money? I was familiar with this mindset and how it doesn't really improve business systems. I kept telling them, "No! How do we ADD VALUE to our customers so they will be willing to pay more"

A few months later, this company was 2 months from bankruptcy. They had opted to "shut-down"my business (even though it was still generating decent revenues and net income). They could not liquidate the company because buyers dried up -- stocks were in the TANK and no tech companies were BUYING -- they were ALL LIQUIDATING.

I wasn't willing to watch my creation be sent to the toilet. In addition, thousands of customer's would be left standing and upset. I proposed to "repurchase"my company back from the Silicon Valley vultures. I negotiated a "bargain-basement"offer, a "fire-sale"price and it was accepted.

Now I had my company back and a fire to "show them people".

The next 18 months or so I was revitalized to take my service(s) to the next level. In conjunction, I created other services to further multiply my income growth. I also was motivated to show the clowns in Silicon Valley "THIS IS HOW ITS DONE".

I continued to become a book monger. I was always reading. Received a doctorate from Toilet University. Continued to improve my website; integrate new technologies and listen to customers.

Here I am today with several websites and one current project ongoing. The goal (as mentioned) in a prior post is to sell one, or all of the properties once valuations which the $5mm range.

My business growth has been explosive, to say the least. My biggest month $$$ wise (NET, not gross) has been $132,000. $132K in one fn month. I think that is more than most NFL football and/or hockey players make. The last 6 months I've socked-away, on average, over $100K/month. My goal set last year was to make more than 100K in one month. That was done. Now, it is $200K net, in one month. Let me tell you, the tax consquences on making this kind of $$ is sickening; so much, that Las Vegas is calling.

Now, when you generate this kind of income, its very easy to become a millionaire and a multi-millionaire. I become a multi-millionaire in late June of this year. I am 33. I celebrated with my girlfriend by having a cigar and a Corona; heavy on the lime.

I also would have gotten there QUICKER if i DID NOT sell my business back in 2000. However, in hindsight, when you are eating Cardboard Noodles and someone throws a $1.2 million offer in your face, not many people would say "no".

So how did I do it?

1) Fill needs. Solve problems. And if its being done? DO IT BETTER than anyone else.

2) Never stop learning and educating yourself.

3) Throw away "how can I make money?"mindset. It will lead you no where.

4) On the internet, build "systems"that generate cash.

An example: Websitepulse (dot) com.

This is a monitoring service. It is a system that makes money. Do the math: 11,000 accounts served with the average account costing $50/mo -- this is $605,000 PER MONTH. This is an internet business system where the "business"is the system itself. No products. No shipping. No headaches. Just a "system"that fills a need and does it well. I speculate this website is generating nets in the $450,000 range, per month. How quickly would you become a millionaire earning $450K/mo??? Or, would you rather save $200/month from your $45K/year salary? Folks, this is apples to oranges and the playing field is NOT leveled by those who traverse the E-Quadrant. You must get on the playing field where home runs can be hit. It aint happening at Motorola or at Firestone Tires as a sales rep.

5) Systems are easier to administrate, vs product based sites. Systems have no product and/or shipping headaches. No returns and exchanges.

6) B2B is better then C2B -- consumers are fickle with their money -- most companies are not, if they suspect a positive ROI.

7) Your goals can be better acheived in an environment that promotes your success (away from negative influences, people, etc.) In my case, not seeing the sun was killing me as well as some peers who had "safe secure jobs"and couldn't understand why I was delivering pizzas. I got into an environment that fostered my goals and allowed me to focus.

8) Systems can be created by anyone. Partners. Hired-out. In-house. However, it is always best to have control over your systems and this typically involves a creator that is a partner, or yourself. I lost control over the system once the company was sold.

9) Imitation is NOT flattery: My business system has been copied 6 times by 6 different companies; 1 fraudulently. Lawyers are expensive. Protect what you have. (This is why I never disclose my business systems and the industries we operate)

10) Focus. Focus. Focus. Another failing of mine in my early years was failure to focus on one thing. I was moving from one opportunity to the next with no focus. It wasn't until I was confronted with not paying rent and "ramen pride"withdrawal until my focus was sharpened. Do one thing the best and stick with it -- make adjustments as you go.

11) You must do something you enjoy. I failed MLM because I hated the concept it represented and I knew, deep down, that I truly was still working for someone and making someone else rich. I hated the concept and the thought of "recruiting". Sure, some products where great but when it all came down to it, I WORKED FOR SOMEONE. The company that faciliates the MLM system was TOP DOG and was leveraging my efforts. I felt apart of a cattle call of people who lacked innovation and resolve to be creative on their own. "Turn-Key"for me meant "we will think for you".

I think its sad that 95% of the MLMers don't see this. I always say, "you don't want to JOIN an MLM, you want to create the MLM". Again, "The Food Chain Theory"- you want to be at the top of it; not the middle or the bottom. Franchisee or Franchisor? You can become a billioniare franchising a successful business concept; possibly a millionaire by being the franchisee. As for MLM, yes, you can be successful in an MLM but the odds are decisively against you --- when its all said and done, you are still working for someone else, and at the mercy of an organization and their rules. I've tried 4 and failed all 4 because I instinctively knew this. If you create an MLM, provide the MLM system and support, then you truly are an entrepreneur of vision of innovation and most importantly, TOP DOG.

12) Don't listen to those who have less. "you should do this, you should do that"-- oh yea? What's your net worth? These experts can only lead you to their level of success. There are always people who MUST BE RIGHT -- let it be. Let them be right. You be rich. I'd rather be wrong and rich, than poor and right.

13) There is no get rich quick. I worked heavy hours for years -- the difference was, I enjoyed it and felt I was growing and improving myself.

14) DO NOT ask me for the address of any my business websites. You won't get them. You also won't get the specific details (operations, revenue models, etc.) At some point, you have to "create"and think on your own. Please refer to #9.

15) Wear sunscreen in the Phoenix summer while cleaning your pool or you will get burned, no matter how "olive toned"you are.

16) No matter how fast or rare your car is, some punk will always try to race you in his BMW or Honda and think he will win. You're dreaming.

MJ
It depends on how bad you want it. As stated above, I worked very hard. I honed my skill set with each failure and each success.

In my beginning years, I learned "customer service"was key. I was known to return emails within MINUTES. My customers soon knew that we stood by our services.

Have you ever sent an email to a company and get it returned 2 days later? My employees are trained to return emails within MINUTES, at worse, HOURS.

I learned customer service. Sales. Programming. You have to learn how to become a "jack-of-all-trades"until you can build momentum. The hardest part in my field is TECHNOLOGICAL -- you already have that skill set. The other skill sets are easier to obtain; sales, customer service, design fundamentals, etc.

When I started I lived meekly. I didn't drive around in a BMW and live in a luxury, 2 bedroom apartment. I sacraficed. I struggled. Many times I got angry as I watched others "steal"my ideas and try to claim them their own. Don't get me wrong; it was a wild and trying ride and as I write, that ride continues.

The name of the game is momentum. Find a need and fill it. Build your system. Yes, you may have to play CTO, Graphic Artist, Customer Service Rep, CEO and CFO ALL AT THE SAME TIME. Once you start to build momentum, you can start hiring people to relieve you of these specific tasks.

As for ideas, my god. I can't sleep at night sometimes because there are so many opportunites for these "systems"- many of which are new and/or can be done better.

My current project which I am working on is in a heavily saturated market. However, I believe I can do IT BETTER. My competitors will be fully-funded Silicon Valley companies, some well established.

Can I compete with them? You bet. Why? Because I OWN the business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I can conform to customer needs in hours. The competitor in Silicon Valley company has employees that go home at 5:30 and forget about business. I never forget.

In addition, the pricing methodology some of these companies are employing are definitely applied with the theory to maximize revenue. I will be approaching from the standpoing of maximizing VALUE. The value will allow me earn (steal) their existing customers. In addition, because my overhead is so low, I can further increase the value proposition to client end users.

Can you do it? Sure you can. Question is, how bad are you willing to sacrifice? I lost many weekends of "fun"in exchange for a new user interface, or an enhanced customer feature.

MJ

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4466339].message }}

Michael Franklin

13 years ago

Originally Posted by advancedyn

Advancedyn,

What forum was that from? That was better than any Chicken Soup For The Soul book!

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4466559].message }}

Jesus Perez 13 years ago

Originally Posted by Michael Franklin

Advancedyn,

What forum was that from? That was better than any Chicken Soup For The Soul book!

That story sounds like the story from the Millionaire Fastlane book on Amazon. I believe it was a Limo "lead gen" website that connected consumers with limo companies if I recall correctly. A good book to read.
- Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4466660].message }}
- Black Hat Cat Banned 13 years ago
  
  Have you considered getting a job?
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4468860].message }}

DamenRabat 13 years ago

Have you considered looking into offering a service on fiverr or some such site?
- Thanks
Signature
snow board boots flannel sheets queen king size bed linen lawn vacuum best way to lose weight fast easy way to lose weight purple sheets cordless tools cheap baby stuff
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4466501].message }}

HELP! Repo Man Blues. Need Money TODAY! Best Ideas?

Trending Topics

Any thoughts on golf's latest phenom...Scottie Scheffler??

The Twilight Zone

Should i Index Author pages?

best high quality crypto traffic.

What's the Best IM-Related Skill to Learn Today That Can Help in the Future?