Reader Feedback: "This adventure was unplanned, but right in front of me all the time."

"After years of wondering and experimenting with all kinds of investment and small-business strategies, I'd given up hope of ever finding my 'business niche' in the world. After all, I'm 50 years old with 2 kids in college and enough financial commitments that risking my family's future on a business of any kind seemed unwise.
Read more »

"What would be the best way to raise money for my non-profit?"

"I am in the process of establishing a base for my soon-to-be non-profit geared toward helping inner-city females (ages 8 to 18). Our purpose is to build decision-making skills, self-esteem, self-respect, self-worth, and, eventually, self-reliance. Currently, we use space in a township facility. What would be the best way(s) to let people know what I am striving to do, as well as raise funds to help support us in our endeavors? My ultimate goal is to own my own facility and perhaps do some transitional housing, training, and preparation for work."

-S.Y.
Irvington, NJ

Read more »

Keeping the U in USP

By David Cross
My eldest son, Daniel, is caring, intuitive, and sensitive to others’ thoughts and feelings. Daniel seems to know how to make people feel good just by being there, being himself. It’s part of what makes him unique.

In marketing, we call the unique aspect of a product’s (or service’s) personality its Unique Selling Proposition or USP. It’s what makes it stand out from the competition and give consumers a reason to buy it. And the more unique (better differentiated) it is, the more others may want to emulate it.
Read more »

The Secret to One Superstore’s Success

By Michael Masterson
There’s an old axiom about business that every successful entrepreneur comes to appreciate: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Why, then, is Brad Anderson, CEO of Best Buy [from 2002-2009], fiddling [in 2006] with his $30 billion a year machine?

Anderson believes that if your company ain’t broke, you should fix it anyway. Despite the fact that Best Buy is the most successful consumer electronics retailer in history, he believes that unless it is constantly getting better, it is going to get worse.
Read more »

From Madonna: Two Ways to Stay on Top

By Michael Masterson
I admire Madonna.

I really do.

The woman is more than 50 years old and is still at the top of an industry that usually puts its leading ladies to pasture by the time they are old enough to vote.
Read more »

It's Fun to Know: Braille Tattoos

Read more »

The Secret to Entrepreneurial Success

By Clayton Makepeace

To be a successful entrepreneur, you need five things:
Read more »

Kiss Banks Goodbye and Supercharge Your Investing Career With Private Money

By Alan Cowgill
“Money is plentiful for those who understand the simple laws which govern its acquisition.” 
– George Clason

When I started my real estate career, I heard about the necessity of finding private lenders. I even found two of them. But then I stopped because I didn’t get it. For four years, I continued to go to banks and jump through their hoops.
Read more »

Word to the Wise: Vitriol

Read more »

The #1 Blunder New Copywriters Make When Building a Freelance Business

By Clayton Makepeace
I recently [in 2007] saw an ad a copywriter placed in DM News to promote himself. Now when I see writers do that kind of thing, I immediately figure they must really stink.
Read more »

Are You a Leader or a Team Player?

By Michael Masterson
“There’s a time for us to let go / There’s a time for holding on / A time to speak, a time to listen / There’s a time for us to grow.” 
– Paul van Dyk “Time of Our Lives”

As TH began explaining the rules, I felt the clutch of anxiety. His brainstorming technique, said to have originated in the offices of Walt Disney, required a level playing field. There would be no criticism of anyone else’s suggestions. No challenges, questions, or refutations. Everyone’s contribution was to be given equal weight – and, in the end, we’d all vote equally on those we wished to keep.
Read more »