How Multi-Millionaires THINK and Influence Others
May 4, 2012
I’ve been watching more Brendon Burchard videos this week. I crave more energy. CRAVE it. So I’m devouring everything he’s putting out there this week. This is a must-see video from Brendon. Incredibly smart and inspiring stuff.
It’s about how multi-millionaires and high performers THINK, focus and get so much done, and how they INFLUENCE others so easily and effectively. (Don’ you wish you could have more energy and make more money?) Everyone is struggling to have more energy, success and influence these days, so this hits the mark.
I love the whole “6 Secrets of High Performers” framework. And video 2 that comes tomorrow goes even deeper.
These are the same achievement strategies Brendon used to go from broke and frustrated to making $4.6 million in under two years. He got very focused and committed, and you’ll see why. The secret, Brendon says, is learning the very same psychology, physiology, productivity, and persuasion secrets of the world’s most accomplished people. I think people who don’t know about these principles are always wiped out, stressed out, and frustrated that they can’t achieve more. But people who understand and master them create extraordinary lives.
From now on, be sure to ask yourself Brendon’s six questions for high-performance everyday – it’s a sure path to higher acheivement in all you do.
Enjoy! And take notes! This is GOOD!
The difference between peak performance and high performance is a good thing to know. Brendon nails it.
Where My Marketing Journey Began & Why I Need Your Help
April 25, 2012
A note from Michelle:
My marketing and business start was from my friend Karen making me sign up for her marketing class in High School. I was on an arts path (debate, drama, etc.) with my electives, but I decided I could branch out. It was one of the best things I ever did, and ultimately I credit DECA with starting me on the marketing path that led me here: to be a marketing consultant for entrepreneurs and organizations across the country. I competed in the DECA career development conference as a Senior and qualified to the National competition. My year it was held in Anaheim, CA. This year, it’s being held “in my backyard” Salt Lake City. If you are in the area, and could spare a day to mold tomorrow’s business leaders, I would consider it a personal favor to me and I know that day will be electric in the lives of those High School students. That day for me in Anaheim was life changing.
DECA Seeks Volunteers to Judge and Evaluate Business and Marketing Students
In April 2012 DECA will host two International Career Development Conferences in Salt Lake City, Utah – bringing approximately 15,000 high school and college students to the state. These high-achieving, business-minded students will be participating in DECA’s Competitive Events Program in which they will present projects to business professionals or engage in business simulations. DECA offers over 40 different competitive event categories for students to participate in. In order for the conferences to operate properly, over 1,000 business professionals from Utah are needed to judge and evaluate student presentations. Visithttp://www.deca.org/events/
All volunteers will receive breakfast, lunch, free parking at the conference site, and a certificate of appreciation to help document community service hours. If you would like additional information, please contact Shane Thomas, Director of Competitive Events, at shane_thomas@deca.org.
High School DECA International Career Development Conference
Date: Monday, April 30, 2012
Location: Salt Palace Convention Center
Time Commitment: (varies by event) 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM; 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM; 12:30 PM – 6:30 PM
# of Student Attendees: 14,000
# of Volunteer Judges Needed Still: 100
Register as a Judge at: http://www.deca.org/events/
PDF for Judge Responsibility Pamphlet
Incorporating a Business 101 by Guest Author Nellie Akalp
April 23, 2012
In the startup world, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all of the tasks at hand. One item that is especially mind-boggling for many entrepreneurs is the legal aspects of starting a business.
Many people assume they have to spend tons of money by hiring a lawyer to process the paperwork – but that’s not the case. There is a plethora of free small business resources and cost effective alternatives readily available to any start-up who’s wants to start a business by incorporating or forming an LLC and I’m here to share those options with you along with some important ‘incorporating 101’ facts you should know.
Why Incorporate:
One of the main questions I get asked from clients is “Why do I need to incorporate my business?” Here are a few of the top reasons:
- Liability protection. Once you incorporate your business, it exists as a separate legal entity. The corporation is responsible for all of its debts and liabilities and not you, the person. There are a lot of ‘What-Ifs’ when starting a business, and being protected from all of those situations will give you some sign of relief if you are ever in trouble.
- Tax benefits. Taxes can be an entrepreneur’s worst enemy. But for some, incorporating can help lower that tax burden and may enable additional deductions not available to individuals.
- Credibility. Marketing studies have shown that adding an LLC or Inc to the end of your company name can increase your credibility with prospective clients. Increased credibility can bring in more business and that should make any entrepreneur make the plunge to incorporating!
Which Business Structure to Choose:
The next question I am asked is “What are the main business structures to choose from?” Here are the business structures that are most often chosen by a small business owner who wants to legalize their small business:
- Limited Liability Company (LLC). The LLC is ideal for a business that wants the liability protection, but seeks minimal formality.
- S Corporation. The S Corporation is a pass-through entity for federal taxes. The IRS places limits on the number of owners and who can be an owner in an S Corporation, so there are some qualification restrictions.
- C Corporation. The C Corporation is not recommended for small business owners; its mainly recommended for a business that intends to raise capital by issuing stick or attracting investors through VC funding.
Where to Incorporate:
Another question that I’m often asked is “Where should I set up my corporation or LLC?” Many people assume that they should incorporate in Delaware or Nevada, however, as a general rule of thumb, if your corporation or LLC will have fewer than five shareholders or members, it’s best to incorporate in the state where your business has a physical presence. Extra “Out of State” costs come with incorporating in another state such as filing fees, annual reports and appointing a Registered Agent in that state may outweigh other benefits of filing out of state.
How to Incorporate:
Once you choose what structure is best for your business, you have a few options to make it official. Do-it-Yourself (DIY), a legal document filing service, or an attorney. Here’s a bit on each option:
- Do-it-yourself. You can incorporate your new business by downloading or requesting the forms from your state’s secretary of state’s office. You will have to complete the paperwork and submit the forms on your own and pay the state filing fee which varies from state to state. It is a great option for those looking to save on money instead of time as you have to be sure to fill out all of the proper information on the paperwork to avoid any back and forth with the state.
- Online legal filing service. An online document filing service will complete the paperwork and file the documents for you. This option is slightly more expensive than a DIY option, but you will have the peace of mind that the submitted paperwork is done the correct way. It is important to note that most filing services cannot provide you with advice on which legal structures to choose, so you need to know exactly what you want to file when going to a service.
- Attorney. For more complex business needs, an attorney may be the best option to get expert counsel when starting out. An attorney can assess your situation and provide specific legal advice, but of course, this brings a higher price tag than the two other options.
Just remember to take baby steps when starting up your new business. If you try to get everything done at once, you will just overwhelm yourself. Take it slow and know it will all get done in time!
Nellie Akalp is a passionate entrepreneur, small business advocate and mother of four. As CEO of CorpNet.com, an online legal document filing service, Nellie helps small business owners form an LLC or incorporate a business to start their ventures off the right way. Visit Nellie’s free resource center, follow her on Twitter @CorpNetNellie “Like” CorpNet.com on Facebook and add CorpNet to your Google+ circles!
What To Do AFTER You Launch Your Website – Video Post From Lara Galloway the MomBizCoach
April 23, 2012
When you first launch your business, getting your website up and running is a HUGE milestone. But have you considered the actual purpose of your website and the role it plays in making your small business successful?
Your website has an important job: it’s your virtual sales team and marketing department. But more than just telling the public about your great products and services, your website is the cornerstone of your engagement marketing strategy. It needs to bring you qualified leads that are your ideal clients. Does your website do this for you?
In the five-minute video below, I share five steps to help make your website work for you.
Join me (Michelle McCullough) on a teleconference with Lara Galloway and Shelagh Cummins this Wednesday. We’ll be talking about how to avoid the mistakes entrepreneurs make in their first 3 years of business. Register here.
I’ve Launched My Business – Now What?! Free Teleconference
April 21, 2012
A Credo For Making It Happen – Video by Danielle LaPorte
April 17, 2012
Today is the big day. Danielle LaPorte’s book “The Fire Starter Sessions” is available at bookstores near you and online at every major online bookstore.
And this video is pretty smokin’. Light your fire:
Congrats, Danielle!
What Does Easter Candy Have To Do With Your Entrepreneurial Venture?
April 12, 2012
If you’re anything like me and most Americans, you are probably on an Easter candy low. The highs of the previous weekend, and finding cheap gems the day after for 50% off have worn off and you are now experiencing the downside of the Peep rush.
It got me thinking. Here are some things that I’ve learned where Easter candy and entrepreneurship intersect:
1. Americans especially, love to get caught up in holidays and seasons. How can you make your product or service relevant through peak seasons? Now I don’t recommend making cheesy comparisons, just for the sake of trying to attach to the most current holiday (let’s stay away from overly peppy “Hoppy Coaching” Packages, for example or that you’ll throw in a box of marshmallow chicks if they buy your book 
but think about YOUR product or service and see where it fits in the natural flow of the seasons. Do you have a gift product that works well around the holidays and Mother’s Day for example? Are you a coach that could benefit from attaching yourself to the New Years Resolution revolution? If so, start thinking about your “campaign” about 4-6 months in advance, and prep everything to hit your email list, facebook posts and anywhere else you are advertising during YOUR peak season.
2. Can you repurpose your product offerings to make them fit in different seasons? This works really well in the craft industry. Perhaps your products could be produced in pastel colors in the spring or bright colors for the summer. Just as M & M’s has mastered the colors of the holidays with their seasonal bags of chocolate goodness, you too, could take the same product and repurpose it to fit within the colors of the current season. Again, plan ahead so that you are selling these things 6 weeks in advance.
3. Test your seasonal products or services with focus groups or through other research before launching. It can be easy to get caught up in the seasonalness and forget strategy. Whether you are adjusting your marketing to fit the seasons or your products, make sure that you’ve done your research. It would be sad to see your product in the clearance bin for 75% off because it no longer fits. You’ll start to feel like a no name, hollow, chocolate bunny that can’t get anyone to buy it for 35 cents. Now, some of this will take trial and error, but remember the laws of supply and demand. It’s better to run out and be a hot product during the season, than to be stuck with inventory you have to store for a year or trash.
Let’s connect! Follow me on twitter. Follow me on Facebook. Check out my free video e-course on Working Smarter Not Harder here.
Michelle McCullough is the Managing Director for Startup Princess. Michelle became a partner in Startup Princess in 2008. She is responsible for event planning, marketing, affiliates, sponsorships and partnerships. Over the past 3 years she has coached women entrepreneurs and helped them grow their businesses from “dream in development” to established thriving businesses. Michelle is a speaker, strategist, success expert and a serial entrepreneur. She started Doodads Promotional Products when she was 19. And has also spent the last 12 years working in marketing and advertising. She’s worked in all aspects of the industry from production to creative and sales to management. On top of her full-time jobs, Michelle has cultivated her love for entrepreneurship by running Doodads as a successful side business. Today it continues to thrive. This year Michelle launched a coaching program called “The Life Balance Myth” to help busy entrepreneurs build thriving businesses AND meaningful personal lives. She believes that life balance is a myth, but she provides practical tools to achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Michelle at SpeakMichelle.com. Michelle has two children ages 4 and 2 and lives in Utah.
Register for a Free Publishing Teleconference with Ishita Gupta!
April 10, 2012
Motivational Monday – What Would Your Life Be Like? #FireSS
April 9, 2012
One of my favorite burning questions from “The Fire Starter Sessions” by Danielle LaPorte, has me thinking today.
If you want to get in on the pre-order for the Fire Starter Sessions, check out the bonuses here. The bonuses are only available until the book hits the stores on April 17th.
Here’s the question for the day: Should business be easy?
Are YOU a Fire Starter?: Book Review The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle LaPorte #FireSS
April 6, 2012
We’re excited to announce that Danielle LaPorte’s book The Fire Starter Sessions is being released this month!
I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak and I LOVED every inch of it. I love how it feels like I’m listening to her talk as I read the words. She has a great way keeping her speaking voice in her written words (I’m jealous of that!). It’s like she’s sitting there talking to me, I like chat with girl friends. It’s honest, it’s authentic and it’s incredibly moving.
The first time I sat down to read it every sentence made me say, “I need to tweet that…and that…and that.” Everything was so juicy. And to make it even better, my favorite part is that her best bits of wisdom are huge. Unmissable. Though every phrase might be tweetable, there are things she wants to make sure that you GET. Here’s one of my favorites:
The typography is phenomenal. It’s not a boring read. Danielle’s personality even comes through the layout and font.
This book can help anyone step up their success game and light the fire to be your own authentic, powerful and amazing self. It’s geared towards entrepreneurs though anyone can glean juicy wisdom from each page.
What I love about this book goes well beyond the words on the pages. We started working with Danielle at Startup Princess almost 4 years ago. Before The Spark Kit came out, before Your Big Beautiful Book Plan, before this book hits bookstores to become a New York Times Bestseller (I can feel it in my bones…). Before all that, she was a blog writer and was a candid fire starter herself – out to squeeze the real passion out of every human being. Igniting corporate professional cube sitters into budding, inspiriting entrepreneurs. Looking back on the last 4 years has been a treat to watch, and a blueprint that any aspiring speaker, author and changemaker can pattern for success. Share your voice for free online, inspire others in one-on-one coaching, get out there and speak, create phenomenal products then in four years, you could have your own best seller ready to hit the book stores.
This book is the perfect mix of helping find out who you really ARE and what you want to BE with the added bonus of helping you take the steps necessary to live your own great life.
As Danielle says, “Mindfulness and contemplation is only half the equation. You’ve got to take some action, Jackson.”
And honestly, the message that I got for me, was “What are you waiting for?” Some juicy stuff is coming down the pipe, all because I read this book and because I love Danielle so much.
If you want to get in on the pre-order for the Fire Starter Sessions, check out the bonuses here. The bonuses are only available until the book hits the stores on April 17th. You won’t regret it, and you’ll be on your way to making a movement of your own.
Happy reading and Happy Friday!
Let’s connect! Follow me on twitter. Follow me on Facebook. Check out my free video e-course on Working Smarter Not Harder here.
Michelle McCullough is the Managing Director for Startup Princess. Michelle became a partner in Startup Princess in 2008. She is responsible for event planning, marketing, affiliates, sponsorships and partnerships. Over the past 3 years she has coached women entrepreneurs and helped them grow their businesses from “dream in development” to established thriving businesses. Michelle is a speaker, strategist, success expert and a serial entrepreneur. She started Doodads Promotional Products when she was 19. And has also spent the last 12 years working in marketing and advertising. She’s worked in all aspects of the industry from production to creative and sales to management. On top of her full-time jobs, Michelle has cultivated her love for entrepreneurship by running Doodads as a successful side business. Today it continues to thrive. This year Michelle launched a coaching program called “The Life Balance Myth” to help busy entrepreneurs build thriving businesses AND meaningful personal lives. She believes that life balance is a myth, but she provides practical tools to achieve personal and professional success. You can learn more about Michelle at SpeakMichelle.com. Michelle has two children ages 4 and 2 and lives in Utah.
