Weekend Entrepreneur:

Have you been praying for a miracle or wanted to crawl under a rock at the thought of your holiday credit card bills piling up? I just found a website that wants to change that. This is your chance to purge your shopping demons by confessing your holiday excesses to the world. Make it funny, make it sad, make it pathetic–you can even make it bad. Tell the world. Mint will pay the winning contestants’ credit card bills as of December 31.

While checking out mint.com today, I found a pre-announcement for its blog readers. So I wanted to share it with you ASAP. Mint wants you to submit your own story, in video or text, about your 2007 holiday shopping experiences. The best video and text submissions will each win up to $5,000 (and some free credit counseling). You can thank Aaron Patzer, founder and CEO of Mint, for this brilliant contest, which begins Thursday, January 31, at midnight, Eastern Standard Time. March 15th is the deadline for submitting your story.

Even if you aren’t interested in the contest, I urge you to check out the Mint website. It won’t cost you a cent, and it likely will save you money. It doesn’t matter whether you love or hate dealing with money matters. This site is for anyone wanting or needing to manage funds more effectively.

How Mint.com Works

• Mint.com is designed to make managing personal finances effortless.

• It’s free.

• It takes less than five minutes to get started/

• Users register anonymously using only a valid e-mail address, and then securely connect to their online bank, credit union and credit card accounts.

• Mint.com does the rest; users never need to import or sync any data. Mint.com securely downloads transaction data from more than 3,500 financial institutions on a daily basis.

• It applies patent-pending technology and proprietary algorithms to compile and categorize transactions, providing users with a unified view of all account activity with high degree of accuracy and detail in a single, easy-to-understand interface

• An advanced alerting system proactively lets users know about unusual or potentially suspicious activity, low balances, bank fees and charges, and upcoming bills.

• Beyond showing where your money goes, Mint.com also provides specific, individualized suggestions that can save you money.

Safety and Security
Mint provides the same level of online data security as top U.S. banks through a partnership with Yodlee, which has provided online banking services to major financial institutions for nearly 10 years. Mint’s privacy and security policies and systems have been certified by Hackersafe, RSA, TRUSTe and VeriSign. Mint never asks for a personal identity, requiring only a valid e-mail address.

Your comments and replies, as well as compliments and criticisms, are always appreciated. Let us know what you think of weekend.entrepreneur.com. Our goal is to help you.

When I read my e-mail and found this resource, I started to do the happy dance. Why? Because it’s an option to one of the biggest dilemmas many people are facing: “How can I make money working from home?” It’s a question many stay-at-home moms ask me, and it’s a situation fledgling entrepreneurs often face, too.

Carol Clark

Finally, we can recommend an idea whose time has come. Needlestackjobs.com is the brainchild of two savvy women, Kathleen Wiant and her former employer, Carol Clark. If someone asked me to compare it to another company, Careerbuilders.com and Monster.com are two companies that immediately come to mind. However, Needlestack Jobs has carved out a niche by offering listings of professional, flextime jobs that allow you to perform purposeful work as well as tend to other aspects of your life, such as kids, aging parents or starting a business.

By the way, if this doesn’t apply to you, please forward it to a friend. This isn’t a trend, it’s an epidemic, statistics indicate.

This is what the experts are saying:

1. “92 precent of American workers feel that they don’t have
enough flexibility at work to meet the needs of their children and
families.” Source: Workplace Flexibility 2010

2. “77 percent of workers expect to work for pay after they
retire.” Source: Pew Research Center

3. “74 percent of men rate having a work schedule that allows them
to spend time with their families as very important.” Source:
Workplace Flexibility 2010

4. “66 percent of woman who left their jobs for family reasons want
to return to work.” Source: Center for Work-Life Policy

5. “25 percent of all working moms are dissatisfied with their work/life balance and are actively seeking jobs that will provide them with more flexibility.” Source: Careerbuilders.com

Kathleen Wiant

6. “63 percent of workers between the ages of 50 and 70 say they
will work part-time before full retirement.” Source: Watson Wyatt
Worldwide

7. “55 percent of mothers said they did not have enough time to
spend with their children.” Source: Workplace Flexibility 2010

The good news is that Needlestack Jobs doesn’t charge a fee and has quality jobs in a variety of areas of interest. My curiosity got the best of me today, so I called and spoke with Kathleen Wiant, co-founder of Needlestack Jobs. She was an absolute delight and answered every question I had.

Check out her website and let us know what you think of needlestackjobs.com. It’s a user-friendly website I liked.

Applause to Kathleen Wiant for following her heart and, in doing so, finding a better way for all us to proper in these uncertain times.

Like many restless college roommates, Jamee Kunichika and Sherilyn Luke wanted a business to call their own. Instead of just dreaming about it, they took action.

Having endured extreme highs and lows, they are now enjoying the sweet smell of success. Together they have attained their dreams with POOF, a liquid toilet odor eliminator.

After spending a year researching their idea, the pair launched POOF in 2005. As weekend entrepreneurs, Kunichika and Luke lead interesting lives managing full-time jobs and Poofdrops.com in their spare time. Here’s a snapshot of how POOF got its start and the key resource that automated their business.

Why did you decide to start this particular business?
POOF: A Japanese liquid toilet odor deodorizer intrigued us. It was a new concept, and the only product on the market was packaged and written in Japanese. It was not cute, and the smell was not nice. We knew we could do it better! And the cost of living in Hawaii was too high so we knew that we had to supplement our income.

What is your average yearly income for POOF?
POOF: We are making $40,000 to $50,000 from our business. Which is good, since it’s only a part-time gig.

What resources were most helpful to you when you were starting your business?
POOF: Being able to utilize Shipwire, a one-stop warehouse and fulfillment shop, has freed up a lot of time and energy for us. With just a couple of clicks on the Shipwire website, fulfillment to our vendors is processed, and we never have to worry! Shipwire has been such a key resource for us from the moment we started our business to this day.

What ways have you found to be most effective in marketing your product or service to get sales?
POOF: Trade shows, blogs, sales reps, press releases and word of mouth.

How do you juggle your full-time jobs and your business?
POOF: We both see ourselves as part-time entrepreneurs and spend 20 hours each week on our business.

Luke: In addition to my full-time job, I am a mom/wife/entrepreneur/photographer. Finding a work/life balance is key!

Kunichika: I work full-time and I am an entrepreneur/program manager for pro bono program/caretaker of my mother – assisting father. Take it one task at a time! Believe anything is possible!

What is unique about your business that gives it an edge over your competitors?
POOF: Appealing packaging, and it has a unique, fresh scent. Unlike other bathroom deodorizers, Poof gives anonymity to its user because it’s small size fits in a purse or the palm of your hand. We are a small business so we are able to concentrate all of our efforts on our one product.

How long did it take before your business became profitable?
POOF: We both invested $25,000 each and then took a loan of $50,000 from the SBA. We received guidance from the Small Business Development Center and were able to receive our SBA loan after submitting a sound business plan. As of July 2007, we no longer had to pay our SBA loan monthly payments out of pocket.

Has the media picked up on your story?
POOF: We have seen that word of mouth and press releases are a good way to get attention. We had local media feature our business story and one national media picked our product for review, which was great!

Did you need to have a certain mindset to achieve success?
POOF: Definitely! Never giving up! Believing in our product and our partnership! Generally, we are positive people but there were times during our venture when we experienced extra low points. However, we always had one another to lift each other’s spirits to keep moving forward.

Surely you have a dream that you are contemplating. We would love it if you would take a moment to share your idea or business that you have launched with us. There are no small ideas, only small minds.

It’s never too late to get started. In fact, Jamee and Sherilyn were in college about a decade ago when they began brainstorming about businesses they could start. Their dream may have been on the back burner but they never abandoned it. Finally, 3 years ago they figured out what they wanted to do and started the research and development for Poof. So what are you waiting for?

It’s not too late to go from flab to fab for the holidays. If you’re an entrepreneur or dream of being one, then you probably know how important image is. Why not throw out the crash diets, toss that Cabbage Soup recipe and consider getting your swagger back with kettkebells?

Kettlebell expert, and entrepreneur Sarah Lurie has the 411 on why this is a superior workout. She was the first to bring kettlebells and workout DVD’s to retail stores such as Target. And she practices what she preaches. You’ll find her teaching classes daily at her studio, Iron Core in San Diego, California.

It doesn’t matter if you’re the chief couch potato at home, need to ditch the monotony of your current workout, or want to break a plateau. Sarah sums it all up by answering 6 simple questions.

Why Kettlebells?
Sarah Lurie: I started using kettlebells after sustaining an injury on a piece of equipment at the gym. Like most people, I thought machines were a great way to get in shape. But, machines don’t engage or tax a major portion of the bodies musculature and don’t train your body to move and feel better in everyday life. When I found kettlebells as a rehabilitation tool, I knew the regime made sense. Our bodies live in a 3 dimensional world and training the body in isolation with machines just doesn’t make sense. Kettlebells train your body as a unit- how it moves in everyday life.

So what’s the secret to getting in shape?
Sarah Lurie: One secret to getting and staying fit is discipline. There aren’t any short cuts or magic pills. The great thing about kettlebells is that the program is effective and efficient. In other words, you can work out three times a week for 30 minutes each time and get twice the results from spending 8 hours a week in the gym. And the results come quickly, so you will stick with it.

How would you compare Kettlebells to other fitness practices?
Sarah Lurie: Walking, running and Pilates are great, but lack the power movements and strength-training component that our bodies need to be healthy and fit. Women love the workout because their muscles get lean and tone- not bulky (a lot of men like it for this reason too). Each kettlebell exercise engages the bodies major muscle groups and the movements are very dynamic and powerful.

How can we avoid packing on those extra pounds– especially during the holidays?
Sarah Lurie:  Weight gain during the holiday season can be avoided by sticking to a plan. If you know you are going to a party, eat moderately the days before. In other words, save your calories for when you want to splurge.

I actually eat like this on a regular basis. I have one or two “cheat� meals during the week when I eat what ever I want. The rest of the week I eat well and for energy only. Each meal doesn’t have to be some pleasurable experience- I just want to feel energized and good after I eat it. My cheat meals are when I let loose and enjoy myself.

What are some of the health risks for people who are overweight?
Sarah Lurie: USA Today just reported results from one of the largest studies linking cancer and obesity- it concluded that excess body fat increases the risk of cancer of the colon, kidney, pancreas, esophagus and uterus as well as post-menopausal breast cancer www.dietandcancerreport.org/

Any tips for ending the viscious cycle of yoyo dieting?
Sarah Lurie: To end yoyo-dieting find a food plan that you can easily adhere to and keep a food journal. My clients are required to either work with a nutritionist or follow the Jay Robb Fat Burning Diet and keep a food journal for at least 8 weeks. You can’t expect to get any results if you continually deprive your body of the nutrients it needs. Eating healthy is actually pretty simple- eat fresh protein, fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of water. Stay away from fast food and processed foods and you will feel good and look good. Take the time to cook for yourself and exercise.

 I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Sarah offers a free class if you take the introductory kettlebell class. Her studio offers kettlebell training for overweight and de-conditioned people, for moms wanting to get their pre-baby bodies back and for active seniors.

“Employee to Entrepreneur” Discussion Groups are being set up at locations worldwide and will launch in January 2008. The groups are based on Suzanne Mulvehill’s book, Employee to Entrepreneur: A Mind, Body and Spirit Transition and are designed to help people deal with the emotional challenges of starting and growing a business.

Topics of discussion may include: overcoming fear, building confidence, dealing with insecurity, frustration, and understanding what success means when money is not coming in. Essentially overcoming one’s own internal obstacles to starting and growing a business.

The discussion groups will be facilitated by Emotional Endurance trainers. Emotional Endurance is the ability to withstand the emotional challenges of starting and growing a business. Suzanne Mulvehill will be providing the facilitator training free of charge (value $500) for individuals who would like to facilitate a group in their area. Training will be held via a teleseminar/webinar, from 7:00-8:15PM EST, November 7, 14, 21, 28.

If you would like to be a facilitator, or attend a “Employee to Entrepreneur” Discussion Group, email suzanne@emotionalendurance.com or visit the Employee to Entrepreneur online network for more information.

Suzanne Mulvehill’s Bio:

Suzanne Mulvehill, MBA, is the executive director of the Emotional Endurance® Institute and the creator of the Emotional Endurance® Training Programs. Suzanne has presented at conferences throughout the U.S. and Europe and has trained thousands of entrepreneurs worldwide. Suzanne believes that every person who has the desire to become an entrepreneur also has the ability to do so.

Suzanne’s emotional endurance training program was designed based on her own struggle leaving her job and becoming an entrepreneur and her experience counseling more than 500 entrepreneurs at the largest Small Business Development Center in the U.S. Suzanne firmly believes that Emotional Endurance® is just as important as business planning when starting and growing a business.

Suzanne won the 2004 Points of Light Award from Florida Governor Jeb Bush and is the recipient of the 2004 U.S. SBA Champion Award, being one of 10 people recognized in the southeastern United States. She is also the recipient of the 2004 U.S. SBA Women in Business Advocate of the Year Award.

Suzanne holds an MBA degree and a bachelor in social work degree from Florida Atlantic University.

Her second book, Empowerment for Entrepreneurs; A 90-Day Guide will be published in early 2008. She two fabulous grown children and enjoys scuba diving, camping and walking her dog Sandy..

No, this isn’t a new reality show. But it most certainly could be. Makeover guru Pete Nelson gave a spectacular workshop at Ikea in Irvine, California recently.

Although I haven’t ever considered getting a regular makeover, the thought of a Business Makeover sounds delicious. After seeing the marketing materials and websites Pete Nelson’s company created for his clients I’m putting this on my list for Santa.

In case you didn’t attend this one-of-a kind event, Pete Nelson of Everywhere Marketing: Business Makeovers for Women shared his marketing know-how about this emerging trend with Weekend Entrepreneur.

Can you explain how a business makeover works?
Pete: First and foremost, a business makeover is an inside out process. A makeover isn’t just about designing a captivating website or writing persuasive and eye-catching copy. It starts with how a woman perceives her business, her clients and how confident she is in her intentions for building and growing a business. To be honest, this is where women entrepreneurs either fail or succeed. Those who fail usually opt for the quick fix with a new exterior image, forgetting the vital essence of a company’s identity and how their identity is perceived and their overall message received by their core audience.

This is why some of the most important questions to answer for many women business owners starting out are; How do you create a brand for yourself if you don’t feel comfortable promoting yourself and your service? How do you connect with your ideal customer when you are so focused on your own pain that you’re unable to see the pain of your customers? Answering these questions are vital to a successful makeover, especially for someone just starting out.

How about the weekend entrepreneur who has a part-time business. Do makeovers apply to their business too?
Pete: Absolutely. Business makeovers apply to every type of business there is. And they aren’t always a top to bottom makeover. Some women simply want new messaging. Others want help crafting a networking campaign or an online email campaign. At the end of the day, any aspect of your business can be enhanced; whether it’s improving how you balance your personal life with running your business to the way you generate referrals to how customer perceives your value.

How did you end up running a marketing agency for women entrepreneurs?
Pete: It happened organically. It wasn’t something that I thought we’d be doing when I left EarthLink in 2001, as my original business model was a sales training and marketing seminar business.

My first official day away from EarthLink was 9/11 so all the planning I had done for nearly 8 months to prepare a successful launch went out the window that morning. I decided to forge ahead but shifted my business model to focus more on consulting. The consulting I was doing was rooted in productizing*, which is what I had developed as our key strategy for EarthLink’s business division.

Over the next several years I developed a very specific way of helping entrepreneurs that focused as much on their mindset and approach to life and business, as it did with developing marketing campaigns, writing copy and designing their brand. As it turned out women not only gravitated toward our process more than men, but by 2005, due to the incredible number of women starting their own business, our company had dramatically shifted to where women represented 97% of our client base.

In mid-2006 I began creating the business model and brand for what is now Everywhere Marketing, in addition to seeking top-flight professionals to fill out our agency. Along the way we secured several partnerships with organizations that genuinely want to see women entrepreneurs succeed, such as IKEA, who is our biggest corporate partner.
*Productizing is the ability to pre-educate and pre-sell your audience. This process is defined by your target market being able to experience your company’s value (your expertise and knowledge) prior to them hiring you and it’s most helpful for those who sell something intangible, such as a service.

What are some of the consistent challenges women face when it comes to the marketing and sales side of their company? And, are these different for male entrepreneurs?
Pete: There are certainly a lot of similarities to the challenges both women and male entrepreneur face. Everybody hates chasing customers and would rather have customers chasing them. And of course, every entrepreneur, at one point in time, struggles to maintain a consistent and profitable revenue stream.

Where we see the big difference between men and women entrepreneurs, however, is in the primary reasons they start a business and how they acknowledge the challenges they face along the way. Men are known for usually starting businesses for purely competitive reasons rather than a vision of a healthy life-balance, as women are. Most women start their businesses to expand their freedom, be it financially, emotionally, mentally, or even spiritually. Sometimes it’s all of them. For women, owning a business represents a lifestyle choice. It’s about achieving a harmonic balance between being a mom, a wife, an entrepreneur, while still finding time for yourself and not losing your self-identity in the process.

How does a woman, with a home based business, generate interest in her service or product if she is working with limited resources or can’t get out and network because she has children to care for?
Pete: That’s a great question. The key for someone who can’t get out and network in the traditional sense is to first determine where her customers usually go to either buy or learn about the type of service or product she offers. Once you’ve identified those spots the next thing to do is identify and prioritize the type of online strategies that can be developed to drive in pre-educated and pre-sold customers. From connecting with online referral partners to customers there are online campaigns and strategies such as Pay Per Click Marketing, blogs, affiliate programs, social gathering sites, email marketing, Search Engine Optimization, articles and even downloadable Special Reports off your site. All of these are available to women who cannot get out and market or network traditionally. But again, the key is giving your customers a way to trust you when they are first exposed to you and your company. In other words, get them to “test drive” a portion of your product or service by signing up for something free. Give them what they need, when they need it and how they need as it relates to making an easy decision to work with you.

How can a woman conduct a business makeover on their own?
Pete: The first thing to do is get totally clear on the answers to five questions: What is it that you offer? Who is it for? How is it relevant to your audience? How do you deliver it? What are the results?

Beyond answering these questions the most important element of making over your business is to identify your customer’s buying preferences, desires, pains and challenges and then anchor them to your solutions. Whether you’re selling car insurance to mass consumers, consulting services to small businesses or downloadable products off the Web, if you want to capture your customer’s attention address their PAIN as much if not more than you address their desires.

This is not negative based marketing – it’s intentional marketing. You’re intentionally linking your customer’s worst nightmares and of course, their biggest dreams and desires, to your solutions. But you’ve got to do this in a way that speaks to them in the language they understand. The reality is that people don’t pay attention until pain is involved. But don’t just point out one’s pain; educate your customers on their pain. Help them understand and better identify the pain, desires and challenges they have and then anchor this to specific solutions you provide. And truthfully, there are way too many choices out there for people to sift through so your marketing and branding efforts must do a better job of standing out from the crowd and it starts with how your audience experiences and connects with your story and message. It has to be relevant and real or it’s not important to them.

If you had to give one piece of advice on what to do to ensure that a business makeover is successful, what would it be?
Pete: There are two things. One is to not be afraid of seeking help. The bigger your vision is the more help you’ll need to realize it. Second, be sure your vision and intention for the business is aligned with your vision and intention for living a fulfilling life. Too many times we get caught up in this euphoric dream of being everywhere and being there for everyone. From taking care of our family, our business, our customers and even ourselves it’s very easy to find yourself stressed, overwhelmed and burnt out. Living that ultimate dream and having balance in one’s life is very possible and it’s right there in front of you. But to get it and keep it, you must have a plan so that you’re not supporting your business, but instead, your business is supporting you.

It must be great to hit a home-run with a new business venture. For Wendy Pease, being in the right place at the right time provided the backdrop for a business that is in demand globally and allows her to stay closely connected to her family.

Wendy morphed into an entrepreneur after finding herself jobless. Rapport International was one of the first businesses she saw on businessbrokers.com and she bought it. Wendy was quick to share her sales and marketing tips:

1. Non-stop networking with the giver’s gain philosophy

2. Asking clients for referrals

3. Speaking engagements

She has a fresh take on how she does business and her can do attitude energized me.

Recent breakthrough?
WENDY: Hiring a project manager

Role model?
WENDY: My Mom – professor and successful marriage.

Career mantra?
WENDY: Keep doing it until it’s not fun anymore.

Business mantra?
WENDY: Just keep selling.

What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
WENDY: While on maternity leave from a large publicly held company that decided to eliminate its corporate marketing department, I was laid off. While looking for my next position, I dreamt of owning my own business. I like business and I love my family time so I wanted to live a life where the two could co-exist. Luckily, I found Rapport International on businessbrokers.net and it all worked out.I own Rapport International – we offer foreign language translation and interpretation services in over 100 languages.

When did you start your business?
WENDY: Rapport International was founded in 1987. I bought it in 2004.

What tips can you give others who want to embrace their dream but, don’t feel they have the confidence to move forward?
WENDY: Think about whether it is a dream you really want to pursue or one that you like to think about. Think about your personality – can you operate without a lot of structure? Do you like to develop business/sell (mostly what a business owner does). Can you live with a fluctuating income?

What gives you the edge over your competitors?
WENDY: Purchasers of translation services often believe that they are not able to check the quality of a translation. At Rapport International, we spend lots of time educating our clients on how to check quality and the best way to handle a foreign language project. We spend the time to educate for the long-term benefit of our clients.

Have you always been a positive person and felt that you could do anything to put your mind to?
WENDY: One of my favorite slogans is “just do it�. I’m very goal oriented and a big picture person. Plus, I believe that if you are not sure what to do, just try something and learn from it. I think it helps to have the personality that just keeps moving forward. Yes, I have always been positive and felt that I could do anything that I wanted.

Have you noticed certain advantages to being an entrepreneur versus having a day job?
WENDY: I love the flexibility! I may work more but it doesn’t feel like it since I can juggle my schedule for the biggest priority at the time.

What if any personal challenges inspired you to launch your business?
WENDY: The biggest personal challenge in the corporate world was balancing work and family. All my two boys knew was that I went away to an office first thing in the morning, traveled occasionally on a business trip and they had no understanding of what I did. I felt uncomfortable bringing the kids to work so they couldn’t see what I did.Now, I have an office in my home that I can work from when they are around. I teach them words from different languages and educate them about what languages are spoken in each country. They are able to sit next to me and color while I work on the computer and they get to give their opinions on different projects such as my new branding campaign. It’s a blast having them more involved in my work life when I am working from home and they are not in school.

How long did it take before your business became profitable?
WENDY: I bought a profitable business so it was profitable immediately. I was able to grow the business fast enough in the first year to pay off the loan that I took to buy the business.

Were there any challenges that you experienced along the way that you had to overcome?
WENDY: Through the Make Mine a Million contest, I learned that the biggest belief that women business owners have is that they have more control over their life and time if they keep the business small. I certainly thought so. After some coaching from the award coach and a mentor, I realized that wasn’t so. When I hired my first employee and got to delegate to her, I gained time to grow the business. And that’s what I want to do and like to do.

Has it been difficult to get financing for your company?
WENDY: No – I have equity lines open that I’ve only had to draw upon once when a client was very late in paying on a big project.

What role have mentors played in your success?
WENDY: I have not had one particular mentor. There are many people that I depend on for different mentoring depending on what the issue is. It’s amazing how talking it over with an experienced person can help.

Approximately how much money did you invest before your business became profitable?
WENDY: We borrowed from our home equity loan to buy the business.

What sort of transition did you have when your job ended and you decided to buy a business?
WENDY: I left my last job in April 2004 and closed on the purchase in August of 2004. I understand that most of the time, when you are interested in buying a business, you have to look at about 100 until you find the right one. I was lucky and bought the only one that I looked at.Now I spend about 40-45 hours per week working.

What resources were most helpful to you when you were starting your business?
WENDY: Most helpful to me at the start was the prior business owner, books and internet research. Most helpful to me now is the extensive network of mentors that I have access to.If it’s really a dream that you want to pursue and your personality can handle it and you’ve thought out your business plan. Go for it. The worse thing that can happen is that it doesn’t work out and at least you know you tried.

What would you tell someone who wants to be an entrepreneur but doesn’t know what they want to do, or where to begin to get their idea up and making money?
WENDY:Look on businessbrokers.com or other business brokerage sites. There are a bunch of baby boomers that will be looking to sell their businesses. Established businesses have a much higher likelihood of succeeding than new businesses.

What’s next?
WENDY: Aiming to hit the million dollar mark with the support of the Make Mine a Million award.

I enjoy sharing stories about people who have their own business. Let us know what you are up to and next time we may be readinding about YOU!

QUOTE: Action is the enemy of thought. 

Recently I found myself mystified because I have seen quite a few people with limited experience and credentials becoming superstars on the internet. My curiosity got the best of me. I did a little snooping around and found one of the internet’s best kept secrets.

Before I get started, I would be remiss if I didn’t confess that I have thought, talked and day dreamed about having my own membership website. My friend Michelle Price, who I rely on for ideas and incredible resources said, �Let me introduce you to one of the leading membership site experts named Sheri McConnell. I said,�Cool!�

Right away I started researching and Sheri McConnell Companies is a membership-based company that helps writers and entrepreneurs profit from their intellectual knowledge.

Next step, the interview. Sheri is a dedicated mother and entrepreneur who is easy to talk to and her passion for seeing people succeed is contagious. On the other hand she is cool, calm and organized. Which made me feel relaxed and receptive to a new way of generating income. This is a woman who has been there and done that. She has overcome many personal challenges including divorce, a custody battle and bankruptcy.

It occurred to me that if she can do it we can too! Also, this could very well be the perfect vehicle to take your business or service to the next level.

What are the benefits of having a membership site?
SHERI: First, it positions the person who owns it as an expert almost immediately in their chosen niche and even industry.

Second, it automatically builds a list of loyal recurring customers by the nature of the model. They actually expect you to develop solutions to their problems—and they will tell you their problems often. That is why they join.

Third, members and other websites will naturally link to you and promote for free because people love to share when an association is helping them in some way. Companies will feature you just so you will turn around and promote them to your members. And even when members just say, I am a member of NAWW and link to it on their website—that really boosts the membership company in the search engines too. With most service-based businesses, these things just don’t happen without a lot more work.

Fourth, another unexpected benefit of the membership-based model is that when your members are successful, you leverage that too. When they do really well and we share their successes on our blog/website homepage—we get more traffic too. The Internet is fascinating in this way.

How does a person know if they should consider a membership website?
SHERI: I have some questions I ask people who are considering the model on the Create Your Group website. You must be passionate about the target market AND most of the time you really need to be one of them too—that is key. Here are the questions from my home page…
~ Do you like connecting with people who share your passions?
~ Do you enjoy helping others by sharing valuable information?
~ Would you like to be considered the go-to person in your niche or even industry?
~ Would you like to build a company that is structured in such a way that you serve your ideal customer over and over again?
~ Would you like to know how you can run your own organization/association/group from your home?
~ Would you like to build a business that positions you as the gatekeeper of a large database(s) making it easier for you to contact and partner with the top professionals in your industry?
~ Would you like to generate over six figures and even seven figure income from your home office while outsourcing crucial parts of the business to qualified companies and solo professionals?

You have several great testimonials on the Create Your Group website. Can you share a couple of success stories with us?
SHERI: Yes, I helped Dotsie Bregel start the National Assn of Baby Boomer Women at www.nabbw.com and I am coaching another entrepreneur with her website www.campuscalm.com.

They are both having lots of success in a short time. I have about 10 other clients right now that I have been coaching since Feb. that are at various stages of building and launching their groups too. Many of them are on the verge of launching. We have one that will be for weight loss coaches, one for hobby farmers, one for a group of Daring women and several other interesting clients.

On average what is the time-line and cost to launch a membership site?
SHERI: It is a business like anything else—so the amount of money and time it takes is proportional to the amount of time and money the owner spends on it. So every case is different. When I conducted interviews for the Create Your Group Blueprint and Tool Kit though I made sure that I selected a variety of membership-based businesses and also chose very successful ones because I wanted people to understand the potential of what they could create if they were willing to grow and step into this type of leadership. All but 1 out of the 7 had either reached 7 figures or was about to in less than 5 years, which is amazing. Their websites and pictures are on the home page at www.createyourgroup.com too. The power in this model is the leverage you create for yourself as the owner. It is just a fantastic job that gives you lots of rewards and allows you to help others and do something you love. I forgot to tell you that my Bachelors is in Social Work—so what is great about NAWW is that I felt like I could combine those skills with those of the Masters in Org. Management. I love the different people I get to meet each day. AND I do this all from home. It is really cool.

What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
SHERI: I was inspired to start my first association, National Assn of Women Writers (www.naww.org) because I really wanted to connect with other women writers like myself. I later started a second Association for Web Entrepreneurs (www.aweconnect.com) and my third membership-based company will be launched in a couple months—this company will teach and provide millionaire mindsets so people can grow their companies to the next level. Last year, I launched www.createyourgroup.com because all my coaching clients wanted me to document all of the information I was teaching them as they were building and growing their own profitable membership-based businesses.

When did you start your business?
SHERI: I started NAWW in 2001 and have been connecting with women writers, creators, and entrepreneurs on and off the Internet.

What is unique or special about your business that gives it an edge over your competitors?
SHERI: I think my membership-based companies are unique in that I always make sure the members receive new tangible products each and every year when they renew. I think no matter who you are—most people still love to get “real stuff� in the mail that is of interest to them.

What if any personal challenges inspired you to launch your business?
SHERI: When I started NAWW (National Assn of Women Writers), I had just quit working in the corporate world to have my third child and I had also just finished getting my Masters in Organizational Management. I was at a crossroad and for the first time in my adult life I was faced with the decision to figure out what it was that I wanted to do. After about six months, I came up with the idea to start the NAWW.

How long did it take before your business became profitable?
SHERI: NAWW was profitable the first year—however, I did not pay myself for the first two years and put all the money back into the company in the form of advertising and product/service development and design. By year three, I was able to pay my salary and hire contractors. Today I have four virtual assistants that help me run all the companies.

Were there any challenges that you experienced along the way that you had to overcome?
SHERI: My challenges have always been around life balance. I am 37 and grew up in the generation of women that believe we can have it all and often do. I love running the types of companies I do because I get lots of freedom in how and when I work. My problem is because I love my work so much that I have to make myself turn it off to do other important things in life. Over the years, I have learned to delegate everything I can as much as I can to free up my time for those things I love (like hanging out with my family) or doing the business functions with a high return on investment that only I can do.

Did you need to have a certain mindset to achieve success?
SHERI: For me it wasn’t so much a positive mindset as it was a stubborn mindset. Quitting was not an option and I got better at communicating that to friends and family. I was really good about not letting negative energy into my world at all because I knew what that would do to my dreams.

Have you noticed certain advantages to being an entrepreneur versus a day job?
SHERI: Family—I know for a fact I would have never been able to have four children if I were still working in the corporate world. I remember that life and I would have never been able to see them. I wouldn’t have been able to take off and go to the movies and the theme parks and the beach and the bookstore (all things I was able to do with them repeatedly this summer).

Financially—There are no limits on my income as an entrepreneur. I am only limited by my own mindsets as an entrepreneur. If you surround yourself with millionaires and their mindsets—eventually you will have the knowledge you need to become a millionaire. That doesn’t happen at a JOB.

Has it been difficult to get financing for your company?
SHERI: Yes, it was in the beginning because of personal circumstances having to do with a previous divorce/custody battle, which led to a bankruptcy. What I learned from the difficulty in getting financing was that if you want something bad enough, you will find a way to make your dream come true.

Has the media picked up on your story? If so what have you done to attract the media?
SHERI: Since I run national membership organizations, my company receives lots of ongoing regional media attention that my Regional Representatives generate. We also get a lot of publicity on the Internet.

Did you have mentors to help you get started?
SHERI: Yes, I have had mentors from the beginning. I have always been an entrepreneur and drawn to other entrepreneurs. I seek them out. The Internet has been an amazing tool in this area. A couple of my favorite organizations that helped me grow as a business owner were the Women’s Leadership Exchange and the eWomen’s Network. I have also built an extensive and exclusive group of entrepreneurial millionaire friends over the years that I can call and get help from. The only reason I was able to build such a network was because I was a gatekeeper to these membership-based businesses. It is a powerful business model for many reasons.

Are you still working at your full-time job?
SHERI: I left the corporate world in 2000. Now, I work about 20 hours a week in the summers and about 30 during the school year. BUT, I am always “working� on the companies—I am constantly networking on the phone, listening to CDs from my mentors, reading books, and much more—I just don’t consider that real work. I delegate everything I can because as the visionary I must be able to spend time learning and networking to grow my companies.

What resources were most helpful to you when you were starting your business?
SHERI: Books were extremely valuable when I had really small children and then as they got older and I was able to travel more—networking with mentors is really what helped me to grow and change my mindsets. I had to be exposed to these millionaire women to learn from them.

What ways have you found to be most effective in marketing your product or service to get sales?
SHERI: The Internet has been an amazing marketing tool for my businesses. Ninety percent of my income is generated via the Internet through my web/blog sites, the e-mail newsletters, and the teleseminars.

What tips can you give others who don’t have a lot of confidence or feel they don’t have what it takes to succeed?
SHERI: Seek out mentors who have done it before you and be willing to invest in their expertise. You really do get what you pay for. Joining a mastermind program is a great way to jump-start and move forward quickly. Networking in associations is of course a great way to find the support you need also.

You must start with your passion. Anyone who is successful will tell you the same thing. Passion is the fuel that keeps the entrepreneurial spirit alive. Also, people don’t spend enough time comparing the profitable business models. Some businesses just aren’t that profitable and never will be—their model won’t allow it.

I am inspired by Sheri and hope you are too. Let me know how we can support your emerging goals and dreams. Just knowing you enjoy my blog is helpful feedback. I’m here for you.

Michelle

Renee Wood, a devoted wife and mother took a chance and turned a hunch into a wildly successful business. Finding the right niche helped her accomplish three major milestones:

~ September 12, 2004 - Chicago Tribune Business Feature
~ April 19, 2005 - Appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show
~ October 24, 2006 - Awardee in the Make Mine a $Million Business, founded by Count Me In and American Express
Ok, so now that I’ve gotten your attention, who else besides Renee has felt at least once that they lack business experience? I can relate to that feeling but the difference is– Renee didn’t let it stop her. Without hesitation she confessed, “Like many entrepreneurs, I have a tendency to be controlling when it comes to running my business. Rather than hiring out or delegating job responsibilities (search engine optimization, press release writing, etc.). I read the book on each topic and figured out how to fulfill the role myself. Lack of confidence proved to be a lofty challenge. My tendency to be risk and debt averse continues to be a challenge as the business grows. In the beginning, I decided to try the ‘fake it till you make it’ approach. That didn’t last. Ultimately, I have gained authentic confidence in the accumulation of small successes.â€?

Did you encounter any personal challenges that inspired you to launch your business?
RENEE: There were several events that inspired me to launch The Comfort Company. The first is that I longed to find a way to continue my social work career in a capacity that would allow me to prioritize my role as a mother. The second is that my spouses’ industry was directly affected by the events of 9/11, and his job security was threatened. When we began to weigh our options, I realized there was a very real possibility I would have to find gainful employment. I was willing to move mountains to find a way to continue to stay at home with my children, yet still contribute to our household income.

What kind of business do you have?
RENEE: The Comfort Company is an online store specializing in the development and sale of meaningful sympathy gifts. Our mission is to help simplify the difficult task of selecting an appropriate sympathy gift. I was inspired to start this business after a family member lost her father and I struggled to find a special gift for her to remember him by. Frustrated by a lack of options, I ended up designing a pendant and writing a comforting verse to accompany the piece. Creating and giving this gift of remembrance was so fulfilling that I decided to pursue it and started my business in 2001.

As a medical social worker who was, at one time, a member of the medical team present when a patient was removed from life support, this seemed like a natural choice for me. Because I had young children at home, creating a website was the perfect option.

What is unique or special about your products that gives it an edge over your competitors?
RENEE: Every product we carry is designed to acknowledge loss rather than to minimize it. Comfort Company is unique in that we offer the largest selection of non-traditional sympathy gifts in the country.

Our largest indirect competitor is the floral industry, but we do find people who order from us are looking for a lasting alternative to flowers. We have a definite edge over our competitors because we have intentionally created custom products based on the needs of the bereaved. These products are available only on our website.

How long did it take before your business became profitable?
RENEE: I had very few start-up expenses. Initially I took out a small home equity loan to cover some basic manufacturing, printing and web hosting costs. After about four months, my website began to show up in the SERPS (search engine results pages) under popular keywords such as “sympathy gifts�. This led traffic to the site, which resulted in steady sales. I have maintained a high organic ranking in the SERPS and have been profitable ever since.

Did you need to have a certain mindset to achieve success?
RENEE: I think you can have many mind sets and still achieve success. I have always had a positive mental attitude and felt, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.� I wanted so badly to see my business succeed that I was willing to do whatever it took to make it happen. Were there doubts along the way? Absolutely. But I have a secret weapon to use against doubt. I simply close my eyes and for a few moments visualize myself reaching certain professional milestones. Keeping the goal in sight—if only in my mind— was a powerful motivator to keep moving towards it.

Have you noticed certain advantages to being an entrepreneur versus having a day job?
RENEE: There are so many advantages to being an entrepreneur vs. being in the traditional workplace, particularly if you are running a household on the side. The schedule is flexible, the work is rewarding and I feel I am in complete control of my destiny. I have found a way to earn an income doing something I believe in. Being an entrepreneur is challenging and at times all consuming, but borrowing from one of my favorite bible quotes, “the yoke is easy and the burden is light�.

Has it been difficult to get financing for your company?
RENEE: No, but I haven’t needed financing in excess of our home equity line.

Has the media picked up on your story?
RENEE: I have been fortunate enough to experience some very influential media exposure. I was a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show, a front-page business feature in the Chicago Tribune, spotlighted on CLTV, interviewed on WGN radio and written about by an AP business writer. I handle my own publicity by default and have very little time to work on it. My secret to attracting the media is to simply send a sincere thank you note or email to a specific reporter letting them know how much I appreciate the story they wrote. This is how the Chicago Tribune picked up my story for a front-page business feature, which later syndicated to over 20 papers across the country. Genuine compliments have the power to open media doors.

Did you have a mentor to help you get started?
RENEE: I did not have a mentor when getting started, although I do have access to mentors now as an award winner of the Make Mine a $Million Business program.

Approximately how much money did you invest before your business became profitable?
RENEE: Less than $6,000.

How long has it been since you left your job?
RENEE: I left my traditional social work position 8 years ago after I gave birth to my third daughter. I currently spend 30-50 hours on my business depending on the season, what’s going on at home and how inspired I am to get to the office on any given day.

What resources were most helpful to you when you were starting your business?
RENEE: I read every business book I could get my hands on and relied heavily on internet research. Because I am also a mom running a business, I frequently turn to the Mompreneurs Online forum for advice. Ultimately, I believe the most influential resource for running a business is the School of Hard Knocks.

What ways have you found to be most effective in marketing your product or service to get sales?
RENEE: Word of mouth marketing has been my most effective tool to increase sales. I do have a small advertising budget, which I spend on exposing our products to a highly targeted audience. Grass roots publicity efforts have also produced great sales results.

What tips can you give others who want to embrace their dream but, don’t have the confidence or feel they don’t have what it takes to succeed?
RENEE: Give yourself the permission and the tools you need to properly get your business off the ground. I stumbled through the start-up phase, recycling paper clips and skimping on the technology that was absolutely necessary to successfully run an online business. I couldn’t justify investing my personal time and our household money to chase a dream that I wasn’t confident would come true. One day I made the decision that I would invest up to $10,000 dollars and one year of my time to make this business happen. Once I made that commitment to myself, confidence and success naturally followed.

What would you tell someone who wants to be an entrepreneur but doesn’t know what they want to do, or where to begin to get their idea up and making money?
RENEE: I would tell them to take a good look at their life…what makes them happy, what do they love, what inspires them, what do they choose to spend their free time doing. Based on those answers, create a broad job description and try to narrow that description down into a product or service that serves a distinct market niche.

In nature, when you narrow the channel you strengthen the stream. The same principle can be applied to business. When you narrow your market niche, you strengthen your chances for business success.

For more inspiring stories and shortcuts to success, visit us soon. And as always tell us what you are up to and what sort of info you might be looking for.

Recently 6,000 people had their 15 minutes of fame when they pitched their novel product to QVC for Oprah’s Next Big Idea Show. If you missed that event read on because this could be the opportunity you’ve been hoping for. You can be seen, heard and get valuable feedback from the QVC Quick Product Review at an upcoming Women’s Leadership Exchange Conference. Imagine, representatives from QVC evaluating your consumer products to see if it has the potential to be sold on the shopping channel!

Women’s Leadership Exchange is the place to be if you’re a successful businesswoman looking to become spectacularly successful or want to access the wisdom of high-powered outside experts.

When I first wrote this, there were five upcoming dates in various major cities, weel Los Angeles was incredible and now there are 4 cities left:

Southern California - August 14, 2007

Dallas, TX - August 21, 2007

Northern California - September 27, 2007

New York, NY - October 30, 2007

Atlanta, GA - November 14, 2007

The Women’s Leadership Exchange is an organization with lots to offer and the conference is extraordinary. I attended last year and it totally exceeded my expectations. Yet this year the lineup looks even better and more exciting.

If you are wondering what to expect, here’s a snapshot. You’ll get two days of knowledge and connections in just one 12-hour day. The seminar offers fast business insights, educational seminars, networking and the opportunity to hear and meet top women leaders like tennis legend and social activist Billie Jean King, Sharon Allen, Chair of Deloitte and Touche; and Cathy Hughes, founder of billion dollar media company Radio One.

Speed Coaching is available to conference attendees several times throughout the day. If you decide you want to be coached you’ll be seated directly across the table from a Women’s Leadership Exchange business expert, called a “Growth Guru.� These experts are from marketing, sales, public relations, leadership, finance, communications, franchising and more. The coach listens to your question, and then provides you with five-minute nuggets of advice on your business issue.

Who Should Attend:
• Women who want to grow their businesses
• Women who have been in business for three or more years
• Women who are leading established businesses of $500,000 - $25 million in revenues
• Women who are starting a second or third company

Why You Should Attend:
• WLE is the premier conference for you to connect with the right people through guided facilitation throughout the day
• Our seminar program addresses the critical issues you need to master in order to run a successful enterprise
• You’ll learn how other business owners faced challenges and thrived
• WLE will give you a renewed sense of energy to tackle your business with a new perspective; WLE will get you “unstuck�
• Every minute of WLE is orchestrated by women business owners for women business owners

One thing to keep in mind, attending this event may provide the new skills and connections to take your business up a notch.

Oh, and don’t forget to take extra business cards, I didn’t take enough last year. LOL.

I’d love to get your feedback about this awesome event. Or, feel free to just share whatever is on your mind.

No, this isn’t a parody on Saturday Night Live. It’s more like The Apprentice meets YouTube. Next Internet Millionaire is the new kid on the competitive reality show block. But, there’s a twist. It won’t be on television. And executive producer, Joel Comm is the “Donald Trump� of the show. His claim to fame is that he was one of the first internet millionaires.

Oh, wait a minute—there’s an even bigger twist…
I was surprised to see the line-up of 6 women and 6 men competing for the gold. I haven’t done the research but the internet seems be dominated by men. My curiosity has risen a notch because I am wondering if these are token women, some of which may have been thrown in as eye candy or if any of these chicks have enough in their back pocket to win. Will this be one small step for man and a quantum leap for women? Time will tell.

Clearly, there isn’t a shortage of TV shows where people compete for a large sum of cash (sigh). So my first question for Joel Comm, even before wanting to know what this internet show is about is … why do you think people will watch the show for the next twelve weeks starting Friday, August 17?

JOEL: I can think of several reasons!

First of all, this really is a historic event. No one has attempted a competitive reality show of this magnitude for an Internet audience. When the public embraces this program, it will take more power away from the big networks and advertisers will shift more of their advertising budget to future new media-based projects. Since I am strong believer in free markets, I have to believe that this can only be good for business and consumers.

Next, unlike other reality programming, viewers actually stand to LEARN something from watching The Next Internet Millionaire! Yes, the show will be entertaining and a certain degree of drama will ensue. However, those who watch will pick up on valuable information from the teachers who appear on the program, bringing educational value as well.

Finally, the show is really about our cast members and their drive to win. Reality TV is big because it provides us with real characters that we can identify with. I believe viewers are going to enjoy watching the contestants learn and compete for the ultimate prize. After all, there is a $25,000 cash prize and a dream joint venture on the line. So who will it be? I hope you will tune in and find out!

What’s the story behind The NIM (Next Internet Millionaire)?
JOEL: Earlier this year, I surveyed the Internet marketing landscape and realized that many marketers were selling their products and services to the same people, again and again. Recognizing that the potential market is far greater, I sought to find a way to bring the online business opportunity to the masses. With the popularity of reality television and the rise of online video, I decided that an Internet reality show would provide a timely convergence of the two.

I contacted one of my previous joint venture partners, Eric Holmlund, and we set out to create the world’s first competitive Internet reality show. The goal was to raise the bar for online video by giving viewers a compelling reason to tune in to long-form weekly entertainment on the web. We know that viewers are leaving traditional television in record numbers, so the show would seek to provide an alternative for those who were turning to the Internet for their entertainment. We decided the show would have to maintain network-quality production values and a compelling storyline where viewers would not only be captivated by our cast and the competition, but also by the educational element that would introduce them to the opportunities afforded them to make money on the Internet.

How did you become an Internet Millionaire?
JOEL: I started my first website, worldvillage.com, in 1995, before the Internet was a household staple. I intended to design sites that provided a family-friendly alternative to much of the “garbage� that was available online.

In 1996, I partnered with a graduate student who had developed the foundations for a multi-player Internet game site. Allowing people from all over the world to play board and table games such as hearts, spades, chess, checkers and backgammon against each other in real time, it quickly developed a loyal following and was subsequently purchased by Yahoo! In 1997. The site is now known as Yahoo! Games, one of the world’s most popular multi-player game sites. That was my first million-dollar deal!

My company has since developed a number of popular websites, including one of the web’s first bargain-hunter shopping sites, DealofDay.com.

In 2004, I released my first ebook to immediate success and acclaim. I had discovered strategies and techniques for maximizing revenue streams with Google AdSense, Google’s contextual advertising solution for site owners. After learning how to generate $500-$1000 each day in passive income with the AdSense program, I discovered there were thousands of people who were eager to learn how to do likewise.

In 2006, my traditionally published book, “The AdSense Code,� hit the New York Times Best Seller list and has become the definitive guide on the topic.

I continue to develop new products and services designed to help small businesspeople harness the power of the Internet to build their businesses. As a result, I am often asked to speak at seminars and conferences on the subject of making money online. It is truly a blessing to be able to see the lights go on over people’s heads when they see the potential for what can be done online.

What are the chances of the average person becoming an Internet Millionaire?
JOEL: Well, I consider myself an average person! Honestly, I think it is much easier now than when I got started because people don’t have to make the same mistakes that I made. With all the resources and training materials that are now available, I think the opportunities are stronger than ever before. It really just takes someone with an entrepreneurial spirit, a creative spark and a willingness to do what needs to be done in order to achieve their goals. Most people fail because they give up to soon. Let’s face it. Not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur. You have to be willing to take risks and believe in your dreams.

How many people competed to be one of the final 12?
JOEL: We received nearly 300 audition videos for the first round of our competition. What’s interesting about this is that some larger, well-established sites had attempted online audition submissions and several of them struggled to gather at least one hundreds auditions. So we’re pretty pleased with the number of people who were willing to make a video and throw their hat in the ring.

Is this anything like “The Apprentice�?

JOEL: I was a big fan of Trump’s show, but he really lost me last season when he had the losing team sleep outside in a tent. I really believe it was inappropriate to be treating young professionals as though they had signed up for Survivor. One look at the declining ratings would indicate that I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

The Next Internet Millionaire certainly focuses on business, but it is about the NEW way of doing business. While Trump was looking to hire someone for a job, we are looking for the right joint venture partner. The winner will be someone whom I will work alongside, seeking to build a success story for them, not just for me. The world is changing, and when you compare the traditional ways of corporate America with the entrepreneurial spirit of the Internet, you discover that it’s an entirely different mindset. And it is the way of the future.

Will we be able to watch previous episodes if we miss one?
JOEL: Absolutely! There are several wonderful benefits to having a program developed purely for the Internet. First of all, we don’t have the constraints of television. That is, we don’t have to “fill� a timeslot with storyline that doesn’t advance. Each episode of The Next Internet Millionaire will be as long as it needs to be in order to tell the story.

Next, when we put an episode online each week, viewers will be able to enjoy the episode at their leisure. Just as Tivo has demonstrated that people are eager to watch what they want when they want it, the Internet allows us to cater to the “on-demand� mentality and let people decide when they want to watch the show.

Finally, we expect that new people will be tuning in with each new episode. They will be able to visit our site and start with episode one right away. It’s kind of like the way I watched season one of Lost. I waited for the DVD set and consumed the entire season in a matter of days!

Who are the contestants?

Jaime Luchuck - Toronto, Ontario
Born in Saskatchewan, Jaime grew up heavily involved in dancing, even winning the Western Canadian Championships in her age group. After high school, Jaime’s weight mysteriously plummeted to 92 pounds and doctors were unable to diagnose her. Unwilling to accept defeat, she took matters into her own hands and ended up getting well with the advice of alternative health professionals. Since that time, Jaime has pursued her dream of acting and honing her graphic design skills.

Alisande Chan - Port Coquitlam, British Columbia
From the pain and endurance of being disciplined in a martial art to waltzing in a ballroom, this semi-pro-poker player achieves her goals. Alisande has a carefree attitude that is balanced by an analytical side. Her strength lies in her ability to see the positive in all people and situations. Alisande has been in the corporate environment as well as a homemaker, and she enjoys donating her time to coordinate charitable efforts.

Christine Schaap - Rockford, Michigan
Christine is a successful author, speaker, and life transition coach. Married for over twenty years and a homeschooler for twelve years, Christine is a mother of five who has volunteered with organizations such as MOPS, Habitat for Humanity, World Relief, Special Olympics, and her local crisis pregnancy center. Her company’s goal is to inspire women to lead productive lives with passion and purpose – no matter what
their age.

Carly Taylor - Cambridge, UK
Experienced in offline and online marketing, Carly has worked for a large radio station, handled media buy and built relationships with national magazines and newspapers in a male-dominated industry. A self-described tough negotiator, Carly thrives on the buzz of a fast paced marketing environment. A practioner of yoga, martial arts and dance, Carly has a love for creative writing, poetry and philosophy.

Debbie Ducic - Pueblo, Colorado
Not one to shy away from challenges or new experiences, Debbie is an advocate for women who want to step up and take on their challenges. She is a team builder, leader, mentor, mother, risk taker, networker, teacher and a wife. With years of experience in a range of different industries, Debbie is an adventure-seeker with a compassionate heart for others.

Laura Martin - Austin, Texas
A country girl with a love for the big city, Laura is an accomplished athlete with an independant streak. Having worked with some top Internet marketers, she comes to the competition with a strong desire to learn and apply. Laura enjoys traveling, photography and outdoor activities. She is determined to make the most of this opportunity.

Jason Henderson - Lewisville, TX
Nationally certified personal trainer, actor and model, Jason is a former professional basketball player and fitness expert. An online entreprenuer of several years, Jason’s company is focused on helping people achieve better health and improved lifestyle through better posture.

Charles Trippy - Tampa, FL
As the son of a professional musician, Charles grew up surrounded by people in the rock and roll industry. A musician in his own right, Charles is a college student who has developed a love for computers, and in particular, online video. He currently maintains a popular YouTube channel with over 30,000 subscribers.

Nico Pisani - Costa Rica
A self-defined Renaissance Man, Nico is an American living in Costa Rica who has become an expert in Costa Rica travel and wildlife conservation. His diverse life experiences include interests in real estate, exports, tourism, expatriot relocation, business consulting and conservation. A former PGA of America Golf Professional and Certified Personal trainer, Nico is also an accomplished musician and video producer.

Steve Schuitt - Diamond Bar, CA
The youngest cast member, Steve reigns from Massachusetts, has lived in both Alaska and Hawaii, and now resides in California. After four years of college, Steve has recognized that there is more to life than just getting an education to get a job. His desire is to go beyond the traditional work environment and seize opportunities that can be leveraged to have a significant impact on his life and the lives of others.

Thor Schrock - Lincoln, NE
Thor is an entreprenuer with a successful computer repair company in Nebraska. His creativity has led him to create and host a weekly radio program that enjoys the highest ratings in its time slot. A dedicated husband and father, Thor is driven to succeed by helping other people succeed.

Jason Marshall - Ocean City, NJ
Committed to pouring his life into others, Jason considers his strong faith to be his most important attribute. An aspiring illusionist and amateur video producer, Jason enjoys spending time with his wife and is a one-on-one aid to Petey, a young man who suffers from muscular dystrophy.

What skills did they have to learn?
JOEL: Over the course of the 12 episodes we have filmed, the contestants had the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s most respected Internet marketing teachers. People like Mark Joyner, Armand Morin and Marlon Sanders spent several hours each day equipping the contestants with skills they could apply to their online business. They learned about branding, copywriting, ecommerce, online video, guerilla marketing, viral marketing, social networking sites and many more techniques and strategies that are used by those who are already making millions of dollars online.

How will you determine the winner?
JOEL: In true reality show fashion, contestants are eliminated each week based on their performance in a challenge or task. We started with twelve contestants, but with each episode, the pack is narrowed. I think viewers will enjoy seeing who can take on the challenges and come out on top.

I’ll be watching and writing more about NIM (Next Internet Millionaire) over the next few weeks. Let me know who you want to win. I’m expecting your comments.

The runaway hit movie “The Secret� featured Lee Brower and his Gratitude Rock. During this interview he said, “I do tend to advocate some unusual practices, which I know some people may resist initially. I tell people to evict the word “goal,� for example, from their vocabulary. In my office I charge people money every time they utter that word!�

It’s not everyday that I get to interview a multigenerational wealth expert who is this cool and refreshingly transparent. Buckle your seatbelt and come along for the ride.

Hey, what’s wrong with having goals?
LEE: It’s a sham. Goals have done more to harm people than anything else. Think about it: when you set goals, they are nothing more than expectations (and usually other people’s expectations), than your own ideals. Guilt and shame get in there. Guild itself isn’t bad, but shame is when you feel bad about who you are. Shame happens when you don’t achieve the ideal. So I prefer to talk in terms of vision—the vision you have for yourself—and the steps you need to take to get there. When it comes to planning and building a business, vision is going to be your secret key to success.

What challenges have you faced over the years?
LEE: The biggest obstacle was and probably always will be me. I tend to get in my own way of success, and I know this is a pitfall of many others. I have to remind myself to stay open-minded and long-sighted. Sometimes I have to be willing to hear other perspectives and take to heart an idea or concept that may not naturally jibe with my own philosophy at first. And sometimes I have to find a way to be grateful for bad things that happen. Adversity can be a great teacher. In order to grow you have to let go. Once I learned to let go and live in this amazing world of abundance and not with an attitude of scarcity, but with an attitude of gratitude, then things began a‘hoppin. When people ask me for the code word for success, I say its gratitude. Just that one word can cause a psychological shift in your mind that helps trump daily stress and the obstacles you’re going to encounter. Try a carrying your own gratitude rock around and see how it changes you.

What have you done to create loyal followers?
LEE: The story of my Gratitude Rock caused quite a stir. It was featured in the popular “Secret� film and book that’s still going around making headlines. You see I keep a rock in my pocket at all times. It’s meant to be a reminder to appreciate what I have and feel grateful for everything that happens. There have been times in my life where I found myself so focused on the overwhelming tasks of each day that it was hard to see the good in practically anything. I think we all have those moments. During one particularly difficult time I had with one of my daughters, I came across a smooth rock on a beach in the shape of a butterfly. My daughter’s name is Mariposa, which means, “butterfly� in Spanish. I thought it meant something so I picked it up and sent it to her. It became a source of strength for the both of us and since then, I’ve picked up countless rocks, choosing one to carry with me each day. Every time I touch the rock in my pocket, I reflect on specific things I am grateful for, and each night, the rock reminds me to capture the day’s positive events so they are not lost to memory. I’ve shared the “Gratitude Rock� idea with others over the years, and the ripple effect from that first rock continues to spread.

In your opinion, what are the advantages to being an entrepreneur versus having a day job?
LEE: You are unrestricted in the implementation of your unique ability as an entrepreneur and your opportunities are truly unlimited. Day jobs typically come with fixed incomes, which I think translates to fixed creativity, a fixed exchange of ideas, and a fixed level of success, achievement, and happiness.

With entrepreneurship, the sky’s the limit. We all have the capacity to be an entrepreneur. It’s in our genes as humans—as survivors. Women especially, many who remain the primary caregiver and “homemaker� of families, stand to benefit enormously by entrepreneurship. While balancing life as a business owner and CEO of the family is not easy, entrepreneurship offers the kind of flexibility that we just don’t see in mainstream corporate America. What’s more, a working mom who is able to carve out her own business will have more to give back to her family because she’ll find new ways to utilize her skills, talents, and creative juices. This ultimately will allow her to make more deposits into what I call the “family bank,� which again has less to do with physical things like money as it has to do with intellectual, civic, and human value. To take a term from Jim Collins, if you want to go from “good to great� as a person, as a parent, as a business professional, and as a citizen of the world, I think there’s no better place to explore and develop oneself than in the world of entrepreneurship. Hands down, being your own boss entails having a truthful, honest understanding of yourself to succeed. Of course, entrepreneurship is not for everyone. But I would encourage as many people as possible to try.

People claim they want to be a millionaire or to launch a million dollar business. What is your take on this trend and do you feel this is beneficial or unproductive?
LEE: While on the one hand seeking to own a successful business can be an admirable vision for yourself, I’m bothered by today’s generation of young people who seem to want money and fame more than anything else, but aren’t necessarily willing to do what it takes to get there. In other words, they want the millionaires’ life but aren’t willing or don’t know what to do to achieve that. There is so much more to starting a successful business and seeing it through than just declaring, “I want to be a millionaire.� This quest for the quick fix is fueled by the ever-swelling explosion of reality television and Internet sites that promote instant celebrity. I find that many of these types of people lack a true understanding of themselves. They see the grass as greener on the other side and will “get� their sense of worth and a high self-esteem when they land it big in the business world. Not so. Before you seek to be wealthy, I say seek to be worthy! Elevate yourself as a human first, and then I bet you see the results you want in life, both personal and professional. Only then can you usher in the successes that will carry you to where you want to be. And when you do this, the universe will open up to your ideas and vision—you don’t have to go find them aimlessly.

Do we need to have a certain mindset to achieve success? What has gotten you where you are today?
LEE: Letting go and truly understanding that I need the talents of a team and other relationships to grow. No one can be successful working in a vacuum. You can’t do it by yourself. Surround yourself with the best people you can to help enhance your talents and skills, or bring new ones to the table. Also be willing to hire people smarter than you. These will make you most grateful!

What tips can you give us to embrace our dream if we don’t have confidence or feel we don’t possess whatever it takes to succeed?
LEE: Begin with celebration. Celebrate who you are, what you have achieved and your uniqueness. Develop a system of positive thinking. See your vision and visit it frequently. Get in motion. Take small steps, but get into motion. Once in motion, don’t compromise the things that matter most in your life; stay balanced. Learn from your motion and make course corrections. Celebrate your progress often and continue to make course corrections. Ask questions that begin with what, who, or how rather than statements that begin with I wish, I