Weekend Entrepreneur:

There are lots of ways to get cash flowing. You can use the skill sets you have or turn the hobby you love into an exciting new business. I’ll be on WCBS Channel 2 tonight at 6 p.m. EDT talking more about this topic.

1. Non-medical home care business. With the number of baby boomers retiring, this is one of the fastest-growing businesses in the U.S. Millions upon millions of dollars are spent on non-medical home care. A person can provide services ranging from respite care on the weekends to assisting with household tasks, such as running errands, picking up prescriptions and grocery shopping.
2. eBAY trading assistant. In a recession, selling unused and unwanted items for people who need extra cash can be lucrative. A trading assistant goes out to client’s homes or businesses to photograph and pick up items, sell them on eBay on consignment, then collect a commission when the items are sold.
3. Catering. Paula Dean started her multimillion-dollar catering business making sandwiches. This is a 5.5 billion-a-year industry. Couples are getting married and corporations host annual parties and conferences.
4. Wedding or event planner. Millions get married each year, and people don’t have time to handle all the details themselves. Event and party planner gigs can range from product launches to corporate seminars and awards dinners. Services people typically need are finding vendors, mailing out engraved invitations, renting a hall, creating a theme, entertainment, menu planning and hiring wait staff. Planners charge a flat fee or a percentage of each vendor’s fee.
5. Handyman. A rent-a-husband business is a new twist on an old idea. At a starting price of 30 bucks an hour, your appointment book will be filled.
6. Cleaning Business. New twist on an old idea to go green with non-toxic, allergy-free cleaning products.Ffind a line of products to sell to your clients for added income.
7. Virtual assistant. In a down economy, companies are outsourcing jobs in order to save money. And with websites like Craig’s List and eLance, people can easily find work doing what they have done successfully in the past. Specialization in social media marketing will give the social media-savvy VA a real edge here.
8. Office and home organizer. Pay ranges from $30 to $75 or more an hour. My neighbor went from being a corporate lawyer to being an organizer. She landed a segment on Oprah, and that led to TLC putting her on a show called Clean Sweep as an organizer.
9. Gift baskets. This multimillion-dollar business has tons of potential. You can create theme baskets for the mother-to-be or baskets for holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Christmas. This is the perfect part-time or seasonal business for creative people.
10. Video production service. Perfect for moonlighting since most videographers start out working on the weekends or after hours. The average wedding video starts at $1,200. For those who have knowledge of video production, digital cameras and editing equipment. Also, a hot specialty would be online video clip production and marketing.

You can also cash in on your hobby in your spare time:

1. Faux painting. You can easily earn three times the income of a conventional interior painting business.
2. Scrapbooking. There are a variety of ways to monetize this hobby: You can create masterpiece scrapbooks for clients, teach workshops or consult with people who want to advance their skills.
3. Picture framing. If you have the ability to offer outstanding craftsmanship combined with customer service, this can spread by word of mouth and advertising.
4. Photographer. Wedding photographers can make $2,600 for a $20,000 wedding. Also, with the popularity of niche markets such as glamour photos, pet photography and expectant mothers, there are lots of opportunities to cash in on.
5. Wedding singer/master of ceremonies/stand-up comic. Offer to sing, tell jokes or share your gift of gab at a few events for free or for a donation as a way to launch your new business. Testimonials and a video to show prospective clients can get anyone up and running in no time.

Carolyn Ziel is effervescent and a joy to be around. I mention this because I can’t say that about most salespeople trying to “sell” me something. It’s probably because she combines all her experience working in the entertainment industry, recruiting, sales and communications to create amazing results. With more than 17 years of sales experience under her belt, she teaches her clients how to increase profitability by 30 percent to 40 percent. And since many of us don’t really like to sell, I figured it would be a good idea to share some of Ziel’s tips on what people unknowingly do to undermine their sales success.

1. Don’t pick up the phone: If you don’t pick up the phone, you’re missing a whole segment of the market and aren’t reaching out to as many people as you could. Cold Calling is selling and you can build strong relationships over the phone. It also allows you to laser focus your time and reach out to your exact target market. You can build very strong relationships on the phone. When you build strong relationships in business you will make more sales; and that, in turn,  means you’ll make more money. If you want more sales, you need to pick up the phone.
2. Don’t ask the right questions: Many people sell and sell hard. But selling is really learning about your prospect, and in order to do this you must to do your homework and know what questions to ask. You need to understand your prospects and clients, and you need to know how you can help them. You won’t find out how you can help unless you ask the right questions,  which will lead to the real answers–answers that reveal how you can help them. Once you know the need, you can fill the need. But you need to ask the right questions to do this.
3. Closing too hard: Many people don’t like to be “sold” to,  so they grimace when I tell them I’m in sales. Too many people “sell” by pushing or even dumping their information on the prospect without listening or understanding what the prospect needs. Then they try to manipulate the prospect with a fancy close or some language that will almost trap their prospect into a yes. This might work sometimes, but do you want a long-term client relationship or a one-time deal? There shouldn’t be a “close”; there should be a casual and easy dialogue that naturally leads to a simple question of timing and soft inquiry as to whether the prospect is ready to buy your product or service.
4. Failure to follow up: They say “fortune is in the follow-up” for a reason–it really is. However, only one out of two people follow up. So if you are the one following up, the odds are in your favor. I’m not sure why; I have a theory, but I think that people don’t follow up because they are afraid or disorganized and have no system in place. I assist my clients with this and really believe it’s so important to follow up. It really is a differentiator in this market and will likely get you the business vs. your competitor who doesn’t follow up. So I highly recommend that you follow up for your fortune.
5. Poor communication skills: Some people may be stronger in this area than others, but like any skill, good communications skills can be learned and improved upon. It is up to you to educate yourself. So read books, take classes and do what you need to do to reach your goal. In order to be successful in business you have to work on yourself maybe even more than you work on your business. I really believe that this encompasses so much than just words, but body language, confidence and style. Without this piece, climbing up the ladder to your dreams can be a bit more challenging.

Time is precious, so don’t waste it doing the wrong thing. For more information about Ziel, her training programs and Essential Selling check out her website http://www.essentialselling.com/.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Business is not financial science, it’s about trading . . . buying and selling. It’s about creating a product or service so good that people will pay for it.
~Anita Roddick

I love hearing your thoughts and suggestions, so feel free to share.

Warmest regards,

Michelle

I am going to an event called One Day on Friday, June 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is the brainchild of Desiree Doubrox and she says, “No matter what situation you are in, it is important for woman to know how in ONE DAY, they can change their minds, attitudes and improve their lives!”

One reason I am going is because this is proof that I no longer need to complain about the glass ceiling and the good old boys club. LOL. Imagine going to an event where women are celebrated, not tolerated! Bottom line, I can joyfully participate with people who are in a league of their own, yet love sharing what and who they know with others. You may even find something that is missing in your personal or business life that you didn’t even know you needed.

Once you decide to attend and buy your ticket, you’ll be coming to the beautiful Luxe Hotel in Bel Air, Calif. As you dine and network with an assortment of powerful female leaders from all walks of life and a variety of businesses, the speakers will grace the stage with the intention of sharing their stories, challenges, victories and secrets to success.

I’ve been to Desiree Doubrox’s “An Empowered Woman” events, and they have been a rich source of networking, new clients and empowerment. In fact, I have had just as much fun taking a friend along as when I have gone alone. For information and tickets to this event, visit http://www.anempoweredwoman.com/oneday2009 or call Desiree’s office at 818.865.8563.

If you decide to come by yourself, you’re welcome you to sit at my table or let me know if there is a speaker at ONE DAY whom you would like to meet, and I will help you connect with her.

When I intially met Dorothy Fest she shared her dream with me, and right away I wanted to support her. She is the star in her video and she cleverly illustrates her journey from teacher to entrepreneur in a tongue-in-cheek rendition of The Wizard of Oz. Turns out she is one of the top 50 finalists for the Intuit Small Business Community Grant. Don’t take my word about the video; check it out and see for yourself.

http://community.intuit.com/contests/c0×9KIlpWr3QVhacfA8pyY#bottom

If you ask me, this single mom of two teens deserves more than a medal or a watch for being an award-winning educator for 25 years. So now that she is in Phase 2 of the Intuit contest she really, really needs lots of votes if she is to win. And the reason YOUR vote is so important is because community votes/ratings account for 40 percent of the judging criteria.

Show Dorothy Fest we care. Check out her video, and vote for her if you feel she has a worthy cause.

The deadline to cast your vote is May 31. The grand prize winner wins $25,000 and four final runners-up win $10,000 each. They will be announced on June 4.

Warmest regards,
Michelle

I found something interesting while adding friends on Facebook the other day. It was a YouTube clip of Seth Godin speaking at the TED Conference. Godin was very entertaining. So much so that I did a little Google search and came up with a link for the free audio version of his recent book, Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us. If you love a bargain like I do, you’ll be glad you stumbled upon today’s blog post. Because getting the entire book is a steal, especially if you are an entrepreneur on a budget.

FREE audio:
http://tiny.cc/8TGJ0

TED video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQGYr9bnktw

Enjoy!

Michelle

A couple of weeks ago I was speaking at the Denver, Colo., chapter of CEOSpace Inc. when I stumbled across Dixie Daly, the owner of Tickled Pink Boutique. Her enthusiasm was contagious and, although I didn’t know her, I instantly liked her. Has that ever happened to you? Daly gave me a bar of pink chocolate candy and, I must admit, I was in heaven after one bite. Next she had me try a roll-on perfume called Dream Pink, and one sniff was all I needed to ask boldly, “May I keep this?” Smiling, she said yes.

Although Daly is a savvy businesswoman with lots of other terrific products such as pet shampoo, scented candles, greeting cards and pink sugar, she is dedicated to helping women launch their own businesses. Her mantra is: “When women business owners support one another, women succeed!”

In addition to being a member of CEOSpace Inc., Daly was the 2006 winner of eWomen Network’s International Business Match Maker of The Year for her unsurpassed leadership, accomplishments and commitment to serving others. Currently she is licensing her products and engaged in talks with a couple of very big companies.

From Google to The Secret, I have observed that success comes in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. The other day I was thinking about a friend who has done well and is always generous when it comes to sharing how she made it to the top. I stumbled upon one of her newest books on my recent trip to the bookstore, “Be a Dog with a Bone: Always Go for Your Dreams.”

According to Peggy McColl, who is a New York Times best-selling author, “Dogs have a lot to teach us about reaching our goals.” Amen, sister.

This book is small enough to slip in a medium-size purse or a backpack, but don’t let the small size fool you because it packs a gynormous punch of helpful tips for newbies as well as seasoned professionals.

McColl has 10 tips in her book, and right now I am only going to reveal a few of my faves:

1. Only ingest things that are good for you. A little poison–or
negativity–can strongly affect you. If looking at all the obstacles
facing you is making you feel sad, angry or scared, stop! You can’t
avoid every roadblock, but you can get around them if you take charge
of your attitude. Taking in negativity will only make it harder to
hold on to that bone. Dogs like to eat things that aren’t good for
them, so we have to be careful that they don’t get into the garbage.

2. Don’t chase your tail. Let go of behaviors that aren’t serving you
anymore. Take a look at habits that are holding you back, and
let go of them. Dogs used to turn around three times before lying
down in order to prepare the sticks on the ground; now that they sleep
on the floor, they’re still performing this ancient ritual that’s no
longer necessary.

3. Wag your tail. The more you feel happiness and appreciation for
what you have, the easier it will be to achieve your goal. Look at all
that’s working in your life already. The positive emotional energy you
generate when you feel grateful and happy helps you achieve your
goal–and then it will be really easy to feel even more grateful and
happy. A dog will wags his tail in excitement and joy when he sees you
come in because he so appreciates what he has–you.

My friend Peggy McColl is brilliant. I met her approximately five years ago when I was doing some research online. She has a knack for turning the ordinary into gold, and I can’t think of anyone who knows how to distill success down to an uncomplicated recipe like she does. For more information, visit McColl’s website.

I don’t recall past Presidents Reagan and Bush having memorabilia with bling, do you? Rhinestone-encrusted Obama T-shirts, hats and jewelry are some of the hottest-selling items. As we know, the economy is awful. Yet sales are healthy for anything Obama, and chances are that will be steady for a while.

According to political memorabilia expert Jim Warlick, sales for Barack Obama inaugural souvenirs have tripled that of recent record holder Bill Clinton. In fact Warlick, who has been a vendor for eight inaugurals, has gone so far as to open five locations to sell only Obama gear.

Take a look at a few of the Obamabilia offerings:

Bobbleheads, calendars, pins, Obama chocolates, Yes We Can jigsaw puzzles, Obama Family Coloring Book, shot glasses, key chains, mugs, hot sauce, energy drinks, wine, mini chocolate Obama heads and inaugural blends of tea and coffee, Obama’s face grilled onto a piece of toast, glow-in-the-dark Obama wine-stoppers, pinatas shaped like Obama’s head, plush dolls, paper dolls and nesting dolls, Obama on a cologne bottle and Chia Obama.

If you are a weekend entrepreneur, this trend may be worth investigating. I wasn’t surprised to see that the United States Postal Service is selling a special limited edition Inauguration Day official commemorative souvenir, including a folio and special collectible stamped envelope for $14.95.

Lately when I refer to a situation as a “who moved my cheese moment,” I’m surprised at the perplexed looks I get. Spencer Johnson’s runaway bestseller, Who Moved My Cheese? came on the scene in 1998. But now that I’ve read it again, it’s as if it came out yesterday. The reality is, things that worked for me in the past just weren’t cutting it anymore. In fact, diets that used to work weren’t working, jokes that once got a laugh didn’t even warrant a smile anymore, and old skills had become just that . . . OLD. I was feeling sorry for myself. And then I discovered Oprah’s diet wasn’t working for her, either. So it confirmed that I’m not alone.

When it comes to success, in 2002 “Who Moved My Cheese” was the number-one business book for the third year in a row and had about 12 million copies in print worldwide. I don’t have current stats on the book, but you get the picture. The 94-page book is a parable you can read in about an hour. If you travel, you’ll be done by the time your plane hits the tarmack. This is an oldie but goody, and it’s worth reading given these uncertain times. I believe anything that can help you navigate your way through choppy, shark-infested waters is a good thing.

In the nursery rhyme “The Farmer In the Dell,” “The rat takes the cheese/The cheese stands alone”–but Johnson’s cheese is anything but alone. Training seminars, golf shirts, coffee mugs and Post-It Notes add streams of income to his bottom line–and entrepreneurs should always be thinking of ways to expand their brand.

I read that e-mails about parables are among the top 10 complaints Dilbert cartoonist Scott Adams gets. But I wouldn’t be too concerned, because lots of authors are making a nice living writing parables. Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson wrote The One Minute Manager and, in my opinion, the key to Blanchard’s success is that he is a master at collaborating. He co-wrote books such as Raving Fans. In fact, Whale Done! was written with SeaWorld animal trainers about how killer whales respond best to positive feedback.

I’m hoping you’ll send me your thoughts after reading today’s post.

Add me to your favorites so you can keep coming back for ideas that will empower your entrepreneurial dreams in 2009 and beyond!

Michelle

This is actually one of those ideas I wish I had thought of. Two companies are going to be giving out shirts and blankets to encourage and enrich lives–just because. WOW! What a concept.

I was delighted when my friend Kristen Schuerlein called today and told me that she and Lindsay Andreotti will be giving hundreds of blankets and shirts with positive affirmations away this weekend at the Women’s Expo 2008 at the Vancouver Convention Center. If you have time, I hope you will visit them. This sort of outpouring of generosity is needed now more than ever, and it has really touched my heart.

WHO: Affirmagy founder Kristen Schuerlein and Ovel founder Lindsay Andreotti
WHAT: Women’s Expo 2008
WHEN: Nov. 1 and 2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday
WHERE: Vancouver Convention Center: www.womensexpo.ca
COST: $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Children under 10 are free.

These two courageous women said, “Let’s just give love now,” and it was like a light bulb went on, according to Schuerlein. “Lindsay and I were talking about how important it is having love in our lives, our families and our communities. And then we realized we both had products that could spread love to hundreds of people–fast. We wanted to replace the fear and doubt that are so pervasive these days.”

Affirmagy makes personal-sized blankets, called Affirmawraps, with affirmations and positive messages. Ovel makes wearable affirmations with a line of natural fiber clothing. Together, both companies are committed to sharing the power of affirmations to shape peoples’ attitudes and thoughts, and build an inspiring lifestyle.

About Affirmagy
Founded on Valentine’s Day 2005, Seattle-based Affirmagy is a company that believes words have the power to encourage, enrich and inspire lives. It designs products that spread joy, love and abundance to people across the nation. For more information visit www.affirmagy.com

About Ovel
In 2008, founder Lindsay Andreotti embarked on her true passion, creating clothing that affirms and inspires women. Ovel products remind wearers of their inner beauty and surround them with love all day long. For more information visit www.getovel.com

I like it when people don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk.

Let me know what ideas you have come up with during these uncertain times.

Sincerely,
Michelle

Up until November 2007 when I saw “YouTube’s Greatest Hits” on the Oprah Winfrey Show I thought video sharing was a trend. Little did I know that more than 200 million videos are watched on YouTube each day. And with that sort of popularity I can totally understand why Oprah, who is an incredible business woman, has her own channel on YouTube.

Are you like me… a businessperson who is missing out on this phenomenon? I didn’t think having my own online videos mattered one way or the other. But I have done many a Google search and I always opt for the link that has a video because it helps me learn about the person, their expertise, product, company or service more so than when I read an article. So now I’m thinking that I need to jump on the video sharing bandwagon ASAP!

Being a bit of a techno phoebe I use to think that making videos for the internet was complicated and should be left to the techies. But after talking to Penny Haynes of Commercial Creation Center my mind is completely changed and here’s why.

Haynes has thoroughly tested her downloadable software with newbies who have never recorded audio or video in their life. She says, “Creating multimedia should be simple. That’s why I designed this “one of a kind” Commercial Creation Center specifically for internet novices.”

Haynes is offering a 3 day FREE trial from Commercial Creation Center for a limited time and after trying it out you have the option to subscribe for less than 20 bucks a month. And since there are no contracts you can stop anytime you want.

Penny Haynes is no stranger to technology, she has been in the online audio and video business since April 2004. She explains, “I was Lifetime Television’s Podcasting Consultant in 2006 and I’ve been designing and programming software since 1994.”  She started Online Community Magazines in 2006, and the Commercial Creation Center, was publicly released October 13, 2008.

Here are some of the things you can do with Commercial Creation Center:
- Create unlimited multimedia products such as audio books
- Webinars
- You can record PowerPoint presentations and narrate them
- Commercials
- Video tutorials
- Podcasts
- Viral marketing videos
- And more - without buying lots of software or taking any classes
- Tools include webcam and computer screen recording, video conversion and mixing, slide show videos, audio recording, mixing and CD copying, and a Photo Editor

My suggestion is that you take a little tour of her website, check out the video and see what other people are saying. It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a pro I bet you’ll want to try it out for yourself. Go to www.CommercialCreationCenter.com for a free 3 day trial. Become an affiliate as well.

Mark Burnett is the executive producer of shows such as Survivor and The Apprentice, and he most definitely has the Midas touch. If by chance you’ve watched any reality shows lately and wanted your 15 minutes of fame, Burnett is looking for entrepreneurs for his show called Shark Tank. Keep in mind, the name of the show is Shark Tank so I’m wondering if dolphins and minnows need not apply? LOL.

Burnett says, “Shark Tank is a show that rewards entrepreneurship, ingenuity and guts, and has generated real-life success stories around the world. We look forward to giving the next wave of American business minds a fast track to fulfilling their ambitions.”

The show is specifically looking for entrepreneurs who have an amazing idea or product but need the money to back it. If you answered yes, the deadline for a new show is rapidly approaching, so don’t delay.

This new TV pilot for a major television network is casting inventors and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Please don’t contact me, simply scroll down the page and you’ll see the casting info to apply that was sent to me from Charisse Simonian, the casting director.

REPLY BY OCTOBER 24, 2008
You must be 18 or older to participate.

If you would like the opportunity to pitch your idea to several multimillionaire investors, Mark Burnett Productions wants to hear from you.

E-mail a brief paragraph containing only nonconfidential and nonproprietary information about yourself and your idea, along with contact info and a recent photo to:
Charisse Simonian
Casting Director
Mark Burnett Productions
csimonian@markburnettprod.com

By making a submission, you acknowledge that such submission may be identical with or similar to material which has or may come to Mark Burnett Game Shows Inc., any network or other entity that is licensed to exhibit the pilot and/or their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, related entities, employees, contractors, agents, representatives, officers, directors, assignees, designees, licensees (collectively MBGS) from other sources. You acknowledge that the entities comprising MBGS are engaged in a wide range of business ventures and may be independently developing ideas, projects or concepts identical with or similar to your submission. You acknowledge that the submission is submitted voluntarily and not in confidence or in trust, and that no confidential or fiduciary relationship is intended or created between you and MBGS by reason of such submission or otherwise. You agree that no obligation of any kind is assumed by or may be implied against MBGS (including without limitation any obligation to pay money) by reason of MBGS’s receipt or potential or actual review of your submission or any discussions or negotiations you may have, except pursuant to an express written agreement which may hereafter be executed by you and MBGS. Without limiting the foregoing, you specifically acknowledge and agree that you release MBGS from any and all claims, including without limitation so-called “idea submission” or similar claims you may have now or in the future relating to your submission.

Good luck! Let me know your thoughts on this and if you have ever been on a reality show or dream of being on one.

Cheers,

Michelle