When I started my business in 2003 I didn’t have a sales plan. Instead, I created a financial pro forma that I used as my main road map. While my financial projections provided some guidance it didn’t give enough direction as to what action items I should be taking on a daily, weekly, or monthly [...]

For the past six years I’ve taught at the Keller Graduate School of Management. I teach the Financial Accounting class at least 2-3 times per year. Initially I created the curriculum and continued to use that template for each class. The text book was recently updated, so I re-evaluated my entire curriculum. The result, higher [...]

Are you passionate about your trade? For many of us, we grow into our areas of expertise. Often it will start with an interest in a topic. For example, my good friend Marnie is an amazing photographer, Crescendo Photography. I met Marnie at a Chamber of Commerce event. She had a great personality and I [...]

What is the real purpose of a business plan? Many entrepreneurs that I meet don’t think that they need one or they just don’t want to find the time to write one. Does having a plan guarantee your new venture will succeed? No! And not having one doesn’t guarantee failure, either. Every time I teach [...]

Are you using testimonials on ALL your marketing pieces? There is a concept known as social proof, which when used the right way, can add to your credibility and perception of value. That means that if someone else likes you and got a good result from your work, you must be good! There’s an element [...]

About 6 years ago I met two gentlemen at a networking event. It was one of my first events as a new business owner and I was nervous. I didn’t know what to say or even how to approach people. It was intimidating walking up to a group already in the middle of a discussion. [...]

Today it seems more people are following their passions. Many people in my network are pursing their business ventures based on what they love to do, and they are creating success. But there also many people who are reinventing themselves in this new economy. For the first time in six years I have a handful [...]