Jump on the Karma Wagon

Yes, it's true... http://the15minutementor.com is LIVE.
Sign in as a Mentor but you can also make a request of the group if you have a question related to...
Creative
Customer Acquisition/Retention
Distribution Channels
Finance
Management/People
Marketing
Sales
Start-up
...the list of categories goes on.
Sign in and spread the word. It's completely FR*EE.
Just play nice and keep the vibration high!
You don't ever want to get HIT by the Karma wagon, you want to RIDE it.

To your success!
Maria Simone
http://passion2prosperitybook.com
...Your economic stimulus package

Build A Power Team To Attract Customers And Contracts

Starting a business is an exciting adventure but at the time when we need the most support, many entrepreneurs suddenly develop “Lone Ranger” syndrome. Could this be you? This isn’t the time to hide out and think you need to do it all yourself. This is the time to surround yourself with experts who have skills, talents, contacts and access to other resources to help you launch and grow your business. Let others open doors for you as well as become magnets for what you need next.

So the old saying goes "if I only knew then what I know now". I say "why wait to have the experience"?

Avoid the "hard knocks" that people insist on having by building a TEAM of people that have demonstrated success in the areas you're about to venture into. Think about what it would be like to have someone in your life that has been down the same path that you're about to go down, who is freely sharing with you what's in store. You'll be able to plan better, make better informed decisions, as well as save lots of time and money by avoiding the most commonly made mistakes. These are not employees or people working IN your business. These are people who are working ON your business with you and pop in and out as the need arises.


What do I call my TEAM?
Make it something formal and professional to lend credibility. I like ADVISORY TEAM or ADVISORY BOARD as it relates to business. Others call it MASTERMIND GROUP, and MENTOR GROUP.

Who should be on it?
Here are a few examples of the "profiles" of those who would provide a well-rounded experience:

1. Someone with experience developing a business--- starting a business, operations, experience with acquiring funding, dealt with legalities of having a business, launch, growth, exit strategies, etc.

2. Someone that has actually launched or worked with a company that has achieved your desired revenue goals in a similar industry. They have demonstrated success in your market. For example, one of my companies is a fashion accessory company so I sought out the priceless advice of Nick Graham who had founded the very successful "Joe Boxer" brand in 1987.

3. Someone that responsibly represents YOUR desired target market that can give you feedback and credibility along the way. For example, my husband’s friend launched an animation company that produces cartoons promoting environmental issues. The Honorable Al Gore is on their Advisory Team. This relationship has given them tons of exposure right out of the gate, opportunities to acquire large contracts and interest from investors.

4. Someone not related to your business but well-grounded and "wise" in other areas of life. During stressful periods, this person will help give you perspective, make objective decisions and support your desire to have balance in your life.

5. Others who fill in the gaps of your experience such as marketing, media, promotional, and finance. For instance, I’m putting together the platform for a radio program and I don’t necessarily have media business experience. So I surrounded myself with Advisors that do. People that have successfully raised millions from corporate sponsors, and a publicist whose specialty is radio syndication.

What to say?
Approach these people and request a short meeting where you'd have the opportunity to ask them some relevant questions about your business that they would completely relate to. Can they validate what you're doing? Did they have similar experiences they could share with you? Is there anyone else they would recommend you speak to? Any special advice they could give you?

How to follow-up?
Request that they allow you to check in with them once a month to share your progress and to seek their guidance. People generally will be honored to support you at such intervals and probably won't think to ask for anything in return so money shouldn’t be an issue here.

Not only will they get to help the next generation succeed, the relationship itself will start attracting more resources, customers, contracts and funding to your business as you share who’s on your TEAM with others. Learn more strategies for building team at http://www.passion2prosperity.com/

Thinking of you...and let's play 'show me the money'

While some people quiet down during the holiday season, I seem to get a burst of energy those last few days and I always look forward to really jumping into the New Year.
How about you?

On Tuesday I held part 5 of my complimentary teleclass series.
I promised you the playback link:
Limiting Beliefs That May Be Holding You Back In Business http://www.mariasimone.com/playback.htm

2 quick things to remind you about:

1. Our 16-week Protege Program starts 1/7 and we still have some spots left.
If you want dramatically different results in 2009, then join us.
http://www.passion2prosperity.com/program.htm

If you think MONEY is the only thing stopping you, then think again.
Join me for a special conference call on Saturday...
I'm going to review ways to manifest the money you need for the program and beyond.
"Lack of money" should never be an issue in your life and we're really going to look at that.
Ways to make the shift, how to create instant income, attract short term investors, etc.

It's powerful and the strategies work but since I'm giving up my Saturday afternoon, I'm only interested in working with people who will be joining me in my Protege Program.
That way I'll know you're serious about creating real success. I know I am.

If you're ready to committ to that level of support, send an email to simone@passion2prosperity.com ...like today.
I'll send you details privately.

2. Want the "receipe" book so you can do more on your own?
Get 2 months of business coaching and $500 in bonus gifts.
http://www.passion2prosperitybook.com/


To your success!
Maria Simone
http://www.blogger.com/www.passion2prosperity.com

Together we made a difference this year

Happy Holidays!
I wanted to wish you from the bottom of my heart a VERY Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I'm grateful to have you in my life and hope that you're experiening joy, peace, and love this holiday season and throughout 2009.

Thank you to all of my wonderful subscribers ... I made donations on behalf of EACH of you to various charities throughout the year.
**Your very presence on this planet has truly made a difference in the lives of others.**

Thanks to all of you who purchased an ebook or program this month...
many bags of toys were donated to Toys for Tots as well as donations made to the local food banks.
**The investment you made in YOURSELF is bringing joy to strangers this holiday**

I invite you to continue this cycle of investing and giving with me at http://www.passion2prosperitybook.com

To love and success in 2009!

Maria Simone
~~Join me for a final LIVE Teleclass on 12/30 http://www.passion2prosperity.com
A powerful session to help usher in abundance in the New Year

Creating Mutliple Revenue Streams Doing What You Love

I have 3 words:
Buy the book
http://www.passion2prosperitybook.com

I put all my secrets in here plus lots of surprises you can't imagine.
Do you have a vision? Know how to create multiple revenue streams around your talents? How to let the world know about it without knocking yourself out?

If you want help with this, it's in my new recipe book.
"Passion 2 Prosperity: Instant Ways To Profit From Your Skills and Talents"
And then I said---what else would they need?
So I added a bunch of gifts that would be relevant to what you'll learn in the book.
And then I thought, "they could use a mentor to help them execute the concepts..."

So I added 2 months of free coaching.
All you have ot do is click over to the link.
It's all there

http://www.passion2prosperitybook.com

Survey Says You Can Strike It Rich In This Economy

I'm not into the "doom and gloom" that's being reported in the media...I think so much of it is speculation just to fill airtime and open to interpretation. To me, it just feels like the planet is cleaning house on many fronts and we'll move through it soon and be in a much better place. There were many changes that were just begging to be made this year, don't you think?

I took it upon myself to find out what's up and I've talked with a lot of REAL people to get some answers. I'll share what I know here...it's all good as far as I'm concerned. Use the information as you see fit!

1. Investors are investing in start-ups
Yes, Virginia, there is money out there. If you're trying to raise capital and think the investor pool has dried up, think again. There's plenty of money out there but you need to be more prepared than ever with a great idea, great plan, and a great team. Validate and work through as much as you can to reduce some of their risk however. I'm experiencing this personally with my projects and received this feedback many times over in my survey.

2. Be as real as possible...and passionate
This is the era of authenticity and people are practically demanding it. Be real, cut out the hype, get to the point. This is not to say that your promotions shouldn't be big and bold---you still want to stand out. But when you get someone's attention, let them quickly see what you're all about and be sure to infuse your passion and enthusiasm. Customers, investors and partners will feel safer.

3.Connection and Relationship Marketing is key
Regular follow-up is critical now...I heard "out of sight, out of mind" across the board in my survey. People are looking for value but they're also price conscious so if you haven't instituted an ongoing communication program in your business (such as an ezine, regular announcements, telephone calls, events, etc) they are more inclined to switch to your competitor if they don't feel the love. No, this isn't dating advice but it could be...for your business.

4. Outside resources are more affordable than ever
If you thought you may not be able to afford graphic designers, additional technicians, a marketing manager, sales support, etc. ---think again. There is a plethora of talent out there willing to negotiate, barter or gift you support so now is not the time to pull back on new projects. Get creative on how you'll acquire these resources. Survey says FORGE AHEAD! It lets customers know you're business is growing and they'll feel comfortable buying from you and referring as well.

5. Collaborations rule
Think Strategic Alliances and Joint Ventures...even figure out ways to collaborate with potential competitors. There's strength in numbers and you can really do more with less when others are promoting you or you're pooling resources. Third party endorsements to a warm market go much further than advertising to strangers. I help people MAKE millions so I like to collaborate with businesses that show people how to KEEP their millions. Same target market with different, yet complimentary needs. Survey respondents all talked about the desire to see businesses collaborating as an insurance policy for success.

6. Think big, start small
Always shoot for the moon but figure out ways to keep carving out pieces of your plan to get off the ground sooner as opposed to launching your entity all at once. Perhaps start in a smaller market to get traction (early sales and recognition), and grow from there. A service business intending to be a national franchise with multiple locations should still start in a local market for testing and validation and to build investor confidence. Build out in "threes" thereafter. You may also need to prove you can do more with less in some instances. One of the companies that I'm helping began raising capital and at the same time was able to show it could create revenue on its own. The more business it gets without outside capital, the faster the investor checks come in.

7. Having an online presence should not be an afterthought
Doing business online can be easy, fast and cheap when you know what you're doing. Besides that, customers, collaborators and investors EXPECT that you'll be there so if you've been putting it off...don't do it any longer. You can easily get started for $7 at Snagadomain.com and DocMurdock.com (my husband's companies). Consensus across the board: If you're a company that has customers, it sends up flags to investors, customers and collaborators when you haven't taken advantage of all the opportunities the internet has to offer...or have a solid plan to have an online presence.

10 Business Success Killers-- must see video

Check this out and let me know what you think.


10 Business Success Killers! from Maria Simone on Vimeo.