So you want to be an entrepreneur? You think you have what it takes? Sure you may be a hard worker with great ideas, but are you willing to hang it all out on the line to take it too the next level? Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. Each step you take in the beginning must be carefully calculated and yet taken on faith. It is your best guess and the guess of those you surround yourself with that will help you either succeed mightily or fail horribly. Don't worry about the failures, they will help you the next time you start out again. Failure isn't a bad thing, unless it breaks you, failure is a part of life and helps to build us into better, smarter entrepreneurs. Some of the best entrepreneurs started out as huge failures and went on to great things. Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Phil Knight, these men had set backs before their successes. Remember that the path to success and success itself may be just over the next hill. You might not see it while you are walking in the valley, but if you persevere and push through those tough times, you may achieve you goal.
Being an entrepreneur will provide you with the freedom you have longed for. That's one of the reasons you wanted to be an entrepreneur, right? You were stuck in job that you felt was going nowhere and stifling your growth in life. So you had this epiphany, this stroke of genius, this wonderful idea that burned within your heart and needed an outlet. You did your research and gathered some cash and a few good mentors around you and took the leap. Now comes the hard part, seeing that idea through to the end. What is that end you ask? Make sure you write this out or you will never be able to exit. The end may be selling your business and starting another, the end may be franchising your business, whatever that end is, put it on paper, visualize this make every end, make every goal you set and decision that's made follow the path to this end. That will help you run an effective business. Have a plan in place for contingencies. Make sure you are flexible and above all else, make sure that you bring your family along with you. If you don't have a family, work it into your plans or one day you will look up and it will all be over. So you want to be an entrepreneur? Get ready for the greatest roller-coaster ride yet to be developed and this one is entirely catered towards you. Good Luck and enjoy!
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Week 13
Yeah! Only one more week of school. Then a short break and back at it. Have you ever ruptured your eardrum with a Q-Tip? Don't try it, it will hurt really bad... Then your hearing will be janky for about 2 weeks. I can't recommend that at all.
This week is Conference week. I think the work load is a bit lighter so that we can attend our meetings guilt free (i.e.; not stressing about too much work due on Saturday night...)
The $100 Challenge this week consisted of compiling our totals into a power point and presenting to our class. My $100 Challenge went OK. I wish I could have done more, but I need sleep and don't have it in me to stay up all night working anymore. I will still keep making vanilla on the side for friends and family, but not much.
We wrote our report on "So you want to be an Entrepreneur" by Jon Gillespie-Brown. A good book about the path to becoming an entrepreneur. The book follows the path of Jane as she search within and without to discover if she has what it takes to become an entrepreneur.
I am thankful for these classes I have been taking. They have really been beneficial for me and increased my learning. I am anxious to begin the new term.
This week is Conference week. I think the work load is a bit lighter so that we can attend our meetings guilt free (i.e.; not stressing about too much work due on Saturday night...)
The $100 Challenge this week consisted of compiling our totals into a power point and presenting to our class. My $100 Challenge went OK. I wish I could have done more, but I need sleep and don't have it in me to stay up all night working anymore. I will still keep making vanilla on the side for friends and family, but not much.
We wrote our report on "So you want to be an Entrepreneur" by Jon Gillespie-Brown. A good book about the path to becoming an entrepreneur. The book follows the path of Jane as she search within and without to discover if she has what it takes to become an entrepreneur.
I am thankful for these classes I have been taking. They have really been beneficial for me and increased my learning. I am anxious to begin the new term.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Week 12
Ahh, the joys of spring break, where everyone has fun but the mom... Actually she loves spring break except when it rains (which usually happens here in Oregon) the kids get cooped up inside and drive her crazy.
I loved spring break as a kid, now I see why my mother was always sending us outside to play.
This week, for my $100 Challenge, I have been waiting for the graphics for my bottle. I hope it comes soon. One of my friends is a graphic designer and I am waiting on his good graces to finish the design and printing. Hopefully it will be done tonight... fingers crossed. The product is ready to go into the bottles. Just need a label so folks remember what it is their getting...
I read an amazing article entitled, "Micro-lending:Toward a Poverty-Free World" by Muhammad Yunus and watched a profound talk by Robert C. Gay entitiled, "Entrepreneurship and Concecration"
The article by Muhammad Yunus really opened my eyes towards the plight of poor people in third world countries. Mr. Yunus operates a micro-lending business that provides capital in poverty stricken areas of India (mostly to women). He states that, “People.. were poor not because they were stupid or lazy. They worked all day long, doing complex physical tasks. They were poor because the financial institution in the country did not help them widen their economic base.” This really caused me to think that even in prosperous America, we could stand to do a lot better for those who are less fortunate. We could run our businesses with a more socially conscious slant, making sure not to just benefit ourselves, but to really benefit the community around us.
Elder Gay's talk was one that needs to be listened to at least 2 or 3 times. I wish there was a transcript of it so that I could print it out and give it to people. His talk centered around finding what God's will is for us on this earth. Being an entrepreneur is great, but if your focus is on things of this world, in the end you will not be successful.
Overall this week was a good week. I am tired and need to prepared for tomorrow.
I loved spring break as a kid, now I see why my mother was always sending us outside to play.
This week, for my $100 Challenge, I have been waiting for the graphics for my bottle. I hope it comes soon. One of my friends is a graphic designer and I am waiting on his good graces to finish the design and printing. Hopefully it will be done tonight... fingers crossed. The product is ready to go into the bottles. Just need a label so folks remember what it is their getting...
I read an amazing article entitled, "Micro-lending:Toward a Poverty-Free World" by Muhammad Yunus and watched a profound talk by Robert C. Gay entitiled, "Entrepreneurship and Concecration"
The article by Muhammad Yunus really opened my eyes towards the plight of poor people in third world countries. Mr. Yunus operates a micro-lending business that provides capital in poverty stricken areas of India (mostly to women). He states that, “People.. were poor not because they were stupid or lazy. They worked all day long, doing complex physical tasks. They were poor because the financial institution in the country did not help them widen their economic base.” This really caused me to think that even in prosperous America, we could stand to do a lot better for those who are less fortunate. We could run our businesses with a more socially conscious slant, making sure not to just benefit ourselves, but to really benefit the community around us.
Elder Gay's talk was one that needs to be listened to at least 2 or 3 times. I wish there was a transcript of it so that I could print it out and give it to people. His talk centered around finding what God's will is for us on this earth. Being an entrepreneur is great, but if your focus is on things of this world, in the end you will not be successful.
Overall this week was a good week. I am tired and need to prepared for tomorrow.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Week 11
This week seemed a little less hectic, but busy none the less. My middle son, the 12 year old, is healing nicely from his appendix operation and has gone outside to play several times since coming home. He seems to be back to his old, cantankerous ways. Now he has a lot of school work to catch up on over spring break...
Speaking of spring break, that is next week for my children. It's my wife's favorite week (sarcasm). She will re-live summer all over again and have a strong desire to run away to somewhere quiet.
This week in class we studied franchising, money and work/ life balance. Franchising doesn't excite me that much. While I might purchase one under the right circumstances, those circumstance would have to be perfect. Most franchises seem like you are buying a job.
Money is an important tool in life. When we use it wisely, it can benefit us, when used poorly the whole family is affected by it.
Early on in life I had trouble balancing my work life and my real life. As I have aged, I have found it easier to break those old habits and form new, more balanced habits. I really value my family time. Life is too fleeting to spend it all at work. While work does provide for the family, it shouldn't be your family and shouldn't define who you are.
This week for the $100 Challenge, I submitted my logo to a friend who is a graphic designer. He will make it pretty for me and then I can past it on my bottles and sell away. I am excited to get this project finished... Hopefully all costs will be covered and all bottles sold.
Watched Steve Jobs graduation commencement speech at Stanford in 2005. What a great speech. Here is the link. What a great speech. I had never viewed this before and in my opinion, it shows humility and remembrance of where he came from. Please watch it if you get a chance.
Well, have a great weekend and enjoy the coming week ahead. May spring bring you something new and exciting.
Speaking of spring break, that is next week for my children. It's my wife's favorite week (sarcasm). She will re-live summer all over again and have a strong desire to run away to somewhere quiet.
This week in class we studied franchising, money and work/ life balance. Franchising doesn't excite me that much. While I might purchase one under the right circumstances, those circumstance would have to be perfect. Most franchises seem like you are buying a job.
Money is an important tool in life. When we use it wisely, it can benefit us, when used poorly the whole family is affected by it.
Early on in life I had trouble balancing my work life and my real life. As I have aged, I have found it easier to break those old habits and form new, more balanced habits. I really value my family time. Life is too fleeting to spend it all at work. While work does provide for the family, it shouldn't be your family and shouldn't define who you are.
This week for the $100 Challenge, I submitted my logo to a friend who is a graphic designer. He will make it pretty for me and then I can past it on my bottles and sell away. I am excited to get this project finished... Hopefully all costs will be covered and all bottles sold.
Watched Steve Jobs graduation commencement speech at Stanford in 2005. What a great speech. Here is the link. What a great speech. I had never viewed this before and in my opinion, it shows humility and remembrance of where he came from. Please watch it if you get a chance.
Well, have a great weekend and enjoy the coming week ahead. May spring bring you something new and exciting.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Week 10
Well, last week was a doozy. My middle son who is 12, had appendicitis last week. It started on Wednesday with a slip-n-slid accident that hurt his stomach and somehow ended up with him getting his appendix removed. Strange happenings, but a slip-n-slid accident does not begat an appendix flare up. The young man is a trooper.
The Bishop and Young Men leaders came for a visit which I know cheered him up a lot.
He came home today after being away for almost a full week. At the end he was complaining of missing his family and wanting to go home.
I am thankful for the great hospital we were at and the wonderful help we received from friends in the ward.
Needless to say, getting homework done was difficult. This is my last assignment and some others were turned in late.
Without further ado, here is what happened in school for the week:
1 Portfolio turned in for B-100, it was the culmination of 9 weeks worth of work. Nice to have it finished.
1 Book report turned in - Seth Godin's "the dip" An excellent book about quitting, yes really about quitting. Mr. Godin brings up the value of quitting and the value of knowing when to push through.
$100 Challenge, almost there, have some labels to prints and emails to send. Soon the product rolls out to the market...
I really enjoyed the process improvement study from HMM we did. Improving processes is an excellent way to bring about great change within a business.
I also really enjoyed the case study about Roxanne Quimby and Burt's Bees. What a great rags to riches story and a testament to hard work and perseverance. Ms. Quimby really dove into learning how to run a business and grew Burt's Bees into a multimillion dollar corporation.
That's all for now. until next time.
The Bishop and Young Men leaders came for a visit which I know cheered him up a lot.
He came home today after being away for almost a full week. At the end he was complaining of missing his family and wanting to go home.
I am thankful for the great hospital we were at and the wonderful help we received from friends in the ward.
Needless to say, getting homework done was difficult. This is my last assignment and some others were turned in late.
Without further ado, here is what happened in school for the week:
1 Portfolio turned in for B-100, it was the culmination of 9 weeks worth of work. Nice to have it finished.
1 Book report turned in - Seth Godin's "the dip" An excellent book about quitting, yes really about quitting. Mr. Godin brings up the value of quitting and the value of knowing when to push through.
$100 Challenge, almost there, have some labels to prints and emails to send. Soon the product rolls out to the market...
I really enjoyed the process improvement study from HMM we did. Improving processes is an excellent way to bring about great change within a business.
I also really enjoyed the case study about Roxanne Quimby and Burt's Bees. What a great rags to riches story and a testament to hard work and perseverance. Ms. Quimby really dove into learning how to run a business and grew Burt's Bees into a multimillion dollar corporation.
That's all for now. until next time.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Week 9
I didn't think it was possible to have a busier week than last week, but this week beat me up. I am glad it is almost over... Sleep has never been so welcome and no I loose an hour because somehow man thinks he has power over time and can move the clock back an hour. This practice needs to be stopped. Enough soap boxing, on to school work.
This week for my $100 Challenge, I lined out strategies to sell my product. I will put it on Facebook for my friends and sell it face to face around town. There will only be 36 bottles so it won't be that hard. Maybe I will put the vanilla in the hands of my children... They would be great sales people. They work for candy. Cheap labor.
I finished reading The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber. I really like this book. It has so much to offer the entrepreneur if only we will read and act.
Matt Stewart - Acton
Matt Stewart had some interesting things to say, he said, "Define your core competency and then stick to your core competency." This will help you become successful at what you do. When you seek to please everyone, you get away from your core and what you do best.
He also said that, "Profits come when people focus on anything but the profit." Yes, we should worry about profits, but they shouldn't be our immediate focus.
I had my resume reviewed this week. The person who reviewed my resume was very kind. I am really glad to have had it reviewed, there were some major inconsistencies in it that needed to be addressed. Once I address these, I can start sending it out again.
I love my children, they draw pictures all over my notes I take. Even though it can be hard to read the notes when there are pictures, it brings a smile to my face.
Well too tired to write anymore. Time for sleep...
This week for my $100 Challenge, I lined out strategies to sell my product. I will put it on Facebook for my friends and sell it face to face around town. There will only be 36 bottles so it won't be that hard. Maybe I will put the vanilla in the hands of my children... They would be great sales people. They work for candy. Cheap labor.
I finished reading The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber. I really like this book. It has so much to offer the entrepreneur if only we will read and act.
Matt Stewart - Acton
Matt Stewart had some interesting things to say, he said, "Define your core competency and then stick to your core competency." This will help you become successful at what you do. When you seek to please everyone, you get away from your core and what you do best.
He also said that, "Profits come when people focus on anything but the profit." Yes, we should worry about profits, but they shouldn't be our immediate focus.
I had my resume reviewed this week. The person who reviewed my resume was very kind. I am really glad to have had it reviewed, there were some major inconsistencies in it that needed to be addressed. Once I address these, I can start sending it out again.
I love my children, they draw pictures all over my notes I take. Even though it can be hard to read the notes when there are pictures, it brings a smile to my face.
Well too tired to write anymore. Time for sleep...
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Week 8
Another busy week in the life of Cale... I can't wait for a break, whenever that imaginary time will come?
I do know this, listening to Beethoven, while studying, will improve your ability to concentrate on the work and enable you to get the work done. Maybe it's the noise being blocked out, but I prefer to think that the wonderful music helps my head...
This week I had the opportunity to watch a few videos, read some cool words and write in this cool blog.
Here are my musings:
Eric Rics - Stanford video
Eric says that we should ask The Five Whys: the five whys help a business owner, leader or manager get to the real bottom of a problem. The problem is usually human error in one form or another.
Acton Hero: Heath Bradley -
Heath Bradley stated one important thing, "You don't have to know all the answers" Isn't that amazing... I don't have to know all the answers, but I can find someone that does know the answer and that will make all the difference.
My favorite words of the week came from a talk by Hugh W. Nibley titled "Leaders to Managers: The Fatal Shift" It is an excellent talk and my words aren't enough to do it justice, please read it and let me know what you think.
My $100 Challenge is going well. All of the products I ordered for bottling arrived, plus some extra vanilla beans and I have been able to start one more batch of vanilla which should be ready to sell just before the semester is over. The first two batches are looking and smelling great. I can't wait to get the labels printed, the bottles filled and the product sold.
I have a meeting to go over my resume on Monday. I hope it goes well... I know my resume needs some work, I hope good ideas are forth coming.
I took a leadership style survey this week. My leadership style is Participative (democratic). This is true to who I am. I am not one who leads from behind. I am usually out making a mess with everyone else...
Well time to go. Have a great week.
I do know this, listening to Beethoven, while studying, will improve your ability to concentrate on the work and enable you to get the work done. Maybe it's the noise being blocked out, but I prefer to think that the wonderful music helps my head...
This week I had the opportunity to watch a few videos, read some cool words and write in this cool blog.
Here are my musings:
Eric Rics - Stanford video
Eric says that we should ask The Five Whys: the five whys help a business owner, leader or manager get to the real bottom of a problem. The problem is usually human error in one form or another.
Acton Hero: Heath Bradley -
Heath Bradley stated one important thing, "You don't have to know all the answers" Isn't that amazing... I don't have to know all the answers, but I can find someone that does know the answer and that will make all the difference.
My favorite words of the week came from a talk by Hugh W. Nibley titled "Leaders to Managers: The Fatal Shift" It is an excellent talk and my words aren't enough to do it justice, please read it and let me know what you think.
My $100 Challenge is going well. All of the products I ordered for bottling arrived, plus some extra vanilla beans and I have been able to start one more batch of vanilla which should be ready to sell just before the semester is over. The first two batches are looking and smelling great. I can't wait to get the labels printed, the bottles filled and the product sold.
I have a meeting to go over my resume on Monday. I hope it goes well... I know my resume needs some work, I hope good ideas are forth coming.
I took a leadership style survey this week. My leadership style is Participative (democratic). This is true to who I am. I am not one who leads from behind. I am usually out making a mess with everyone else...
Well time to go. Have a great week.
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