How to Profit From Your Passion (Guest)

Write a blog... Cultivate Facebook friends... Tweet... You know you have to do all this... But why? 

The new tools of social media are mystifying to many—and enriching to a few. One of the new social-media impresarios is Gary Vaynerchuk, founder of WineLibraryTV. Vaynerchuk used the Web to turn a sleepy New Jersey liquor store into a $60 million business, and his consulting firm, Vayner Media, advises companies on how to harness the power of social media without the hard selling that turns off customers.

Vaynerchuk's new book, Crush It: Why Now Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion, explains how individuals can build a personal "brand" and build a following while doing what they love. I've spoken with Vaynerchuk a few times recently, including this interview on Hulu. Some excerpts from those conversations:  ... MORE
How to Profit From Your Passion - Rick Newman (usnews.com)
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Success Strategies on Risk Taking: Women Ties (Guest)

If you need alittle inspiration to help you take some risks today or in the near future, take a few minutes to read today’s three success strategies. They might be exactly what you need to finally make the decision you’ve been wanting to make for awhile.

How Long Has it Been?
Sometimes the action that finally gets us to take risks and get off the mountain is stopping to realize how long we’ve been stuck at the top. Have you been thinking about a business decision for a week, a month, a year? The longer you’re frozen in indecision, the harder it gets to take action. If you’ve been contemplating a big change for more than three months, you may need extra support to take the plunge. Seek counsel from a business advisor, financial consultant, therapist, business coach or trusted colleague with whom you can discuss your apprehension and plans so you can either move forward or put the decision to rest.

How Well Are Others Things Going In Your Life?
Entrepreneurship takes a lot of mental energy, willpower and determination. As much as we want to separate our personal lives from our business lives, we can’t. They are intertwined. Personal situations, illnesses, loss, and change can take a toll on our mental outlook. Sometimes taking risks confidently means our personal lives are stable enough for us to be unsettled with new business developments. If you are going through a difficult or transient time in your personal life, taking a large business plunge right now might not be the time. Consider all factors – personal and business – before making any big decisions.

Do You Have Support Systems in Place?
If you feel you have been at the precipice of a decision for awhile and you feel your personal and business lives are stable enough then make sure you have support with your upcoming plans with a strong support system in place. Support systems could mean gaining extra financing, adding extra staff, renting more office space, moving to a better location, and seeking extra legal or accounting counsel. Get everything lined up so you are ready. As we glide down the mountain towards the finish line, we need to have all the resources and tools we need to sustain us.

By Tracy Higginbotham, Women TIES
http://womenties.wordpress.com/2010/02/12/success-strategies-on-risk-taking
2010 February 12- tags: business inspiration, business success strategies, inspiration for women entrepreneurs, risk taking by womenties.

The Trouble Tree Story (Guest)

I hired a carpenter to help me restore an old farmhouse.  He had just finished a rough first day on the job; a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, the electric saw quit and now his ancient pick-up refused to start.  While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.  On arriving, he invited me to meet his family.  As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.  When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

Afterwards he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me.  I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.  "Oh, that's my trouble tree" he replied.  "I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing is for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children.  So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home.  Then in the morning I pick them up again" 

"Funny Thing is" He smiled, " when I come out in the morning to pick 'em up, there ain't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before". 

Author Unknown

The Begining...

Launching my own business; scared and excited at the same instant. This has just fallen into my lap; like I have been searching for something and it found me. I have a desire, passion, need almost to do something meaningful, not be buried away in a fabric box. This has taken on a life of it's own; like ready or not here we go; white knuckling all the way. Deep breath, hold on tight; This outta be GOOD!!!