January 18th, 2009 posted by admin in Entrepreneurship
Well our first trip of 2009 tour was successfully completed. Week one took us to Birmingham, Alabama (close to home!). It was a great area and we had a huge turn out. I want to personally thank everyone for being so supportive. I actually met a few people that knew Justin K. (from our tv show) so that was really interesting. We are now headed back out for another two straight weeks of conferences. One of the main questions I am being asked is how the state of the economy has affected our business model. I am starting a new section to this blog called “Affiliate Marketing” just to stay up to date on the industry itself and inform you of changes and growth in the industry. I know that many businesses are really hurting right now because of our economic issues in this country, however, our business model is very sound and remains steady and profitable. We look forward to seeing everyone next week at our events!
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January 3rd, 2009 posted by admin in Entrepreneurship
So you’ve seen from my last post my highlights for 2008. I have to say it was a great year, and I certainly think a successful year for me both as a person and as a businessman. 2009 comes with many questions and many obstacles I must overcome. I have so many goals and so many aspirations it’s sometimes hard to just settle down and focus on one or two things. My mind races so much fast than it really should, but I have spent some time thinking about what I want to accomplish in 2009 and my best advice for you for the new year.
My goals for 2009:
1. I really want to create another successful online business providing a service to Internet users. This will tie in with my “best advice” to you for 2009. With the recent changes in the economy a true entrepreneur learns to adjust and survive. My current businesses all provide services to Internet users, and therefore have been pretty much unaffected by the current conditions. I always talk about “diversification” and how important I really believe it is to ongoing success in any business. This year I want to diversify even more and reach out to more people with different products and services.
2. I want to get my book “The Hidden Millionaire” published by a major publisher. I self published the book because from a business standpoint it just makes sense. You actually make more money that way than if a publisher picks up the book. However, my main goal for the book was to get my story, my lessons, and my advice in the hands of millions of people around the world. Obviously a publisher is going to make that a little easier for me to accomplish. Some things are simply not about money, but rather personal goals and desires.
3. I would really like to get on the speaking tour this year. I have always wanted to deliver keynote speaches or teach people around the country how to really make their businesses grow. I have spoken to quite a few companies to represent me as a public speaker this month and plan on choosing one very soon. Delivering my message to people is really important to me and I think this would be a great way to accomplish that goal.
4. I want to meet Donny Deutsch from “The Big Idea”. I have TRIED SO HARD to get on that show! It’s absolutely rediculous. Yes I know I was on CNN, Fox, and many other news related shows but being on “The Big Idea” is just one of my lifelong goals. So if anyone out there wants to write them an email for me please go ahead 
5. I would love to see my ChristmasForKids.us charity catch on in other states. We have been really successful here in my home town, but it’s really time for this to catch on around the country. I have some ideas on how to make that happen and I hope to be able to accomplish that this year.
The Top 3 Things You Should Focus On In 2009
1. Invest in yourself. Listen I know people all over the TV are telling you “the economy is bad” and “get ready for a bloodbath in 2009″ but hey have you seen the businesses that ARE doing well? These don’t seem to be talked about quite as much as the ones going bankrupt. I read today that the average salary for a MLB outfielder dropped from 16 million a year to 10 million a year. I am sorry but that doesn’t scream “financial crisis” to me! They are playing a GAME and making 10 million a year in a “bad economy”. The fact of the matter is yes we are going through some tough times in this country, but the great thing about the United States is it’s a country of opportunity. If you are a true entrepreneur you will have the vision and ability to adapt and be successful no matter the situation. There are plenty of industries still thriving and the Internet just happens to be one of them. Open your eyes to the WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES that surround you and forget about the hype you hear on TV.
2. Make 2009 a year of learning. Read books, blogs, and other informational products. Learn as much as you can about business and how to be successful. Worry less about going out, partying, shopping, and other activities that aren’t really going to broaden you as an entrepreneur. It’s amazing what you can really do when you put your mind to it. Stay focused and make it your personal goal to be a successful entrepreneur in 2009.
3. Help someone every time the opportunity presents itself. Our country is built on opportunity, however, some people are not given the opportunity to learn and grow as entrepreneurs. Some of the most successful people in this country were given some kind of help to get where they are today. I am not saying go buy people a bunch of gifts and things. Dedicate your “giving” to helping others learn so they can become successful.
So thats it for 2009. My personal goals and my best advice to you as aspiring entrepreneurs. I hope to write here more often than I was able to write last year. I will share my thoughts and knowledge with you as much as possible. I sure hope you learn something from me, my story, and my life.
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January 1st, 2009 posted by admin in Year Reviews
As promised earlier I am going to post my 2008 year in review today. Honestly I have to say that 2008 was a blessed year for me, my family, and my friends. Each and every year we all grow and learn so much that makes us better and more successful people. Here are the top 10 moments of 2008, well at least in my life:
1. My best friend in the world, Josh got engaged! Oddly enough this happened yesterday on New Year’s Eve. Josh is a great friend and partner in business. He works on my conference tour, contributes greatly to my charity ChristmasForKids.us, and handles just about anything and everything you can imagine for me. I think this was one of the highlights of my year simply because I know he has a great woman in his life and there is no doubt she has a great man in hers.
2. A wonderful woman entered my life when I was least expecting it. For the past 2 years I have been so busy traveling on the tour I have had no time for a “personal” life. My eyes were opened when I was in Miami to do an interview for NBC and I met Stefaney. Shes such a wonderful person and has already helped me grow so much. Shes actually moving to MS now so we can continue our relationship. I think 2009 has great things in store for us both.
3. My first book, The Hidden Millionaire, was published and released on Amazon.com. I never really saw myself as an “author”, however, after meeting thousands of people around the country my eyes were opened to just how my personal story touched others lives. So many people were motivated to succeed after hearing my story I decided to share it with the rest of the world through my book. I must say writing a book was certainly more difficult than I originally expected, but in the end it was well worth the trouble. I am extremely proud to be referred to as an author, mentor, speaker, and business advisor. I never expected any of those titles just a few short years ago when I was headed to medical school.
4. A successful year for our conferences. I have to say in our second year of touring around the country our team did a great job! They were all wonderful to work with and deserve nothing but good comments. They were helpful, informative, and patient as we traveled the country teaching people how to create and run businesses online. A special thanks to everyone who contributed in 2008!
5. My brother graduated from college! A true highlight in my life not only did my brother finish school, but he also created his own online business that is hugely successful. They say sometimes the student surpasses the teacher and this may end up being the case! He is completely dedicate to being a successful entrepreneur and I am happy to just have pushed him in the right direction. So congrats Adrian on your success I am sure there is much more on the way!
6. Meeting new people and creating new partnerships was a big part of my 2008 year. Brent up north is working with me on a few deals, and I met him in a hotel in Washington. Kevin out west is working on a few things with me, and I have never even met him! Graig from MidWest a great guy handling all my book printing and shipping. To everyone that I have met this year thank you for broadening my horizons and teaching me along the way. I hope we all have a very successful 2009 working together to become smarter and more successful in every way.
7. My first nationwide interview on CNN aired. The feeling was incredible. Knowing that people all over the country were listening to what I had to say at one time. It was a bit nerve racking, however, it was worth it in the end. As a result of that interview I received about 300 emails from people around the country.
8. I was on the cover of Home Business Magazine and featured in many other newspaper articles, magazines, and radio shows around the country. I typicall tend to be more of a private person, however, in 2008 I stepped out of the box and began a media tour. I have to say it was successful and I enjoyed every second of it.
9. Meeting Cameron Johnson, author of You Call The Shots. You know I have written about his book and suggested it as a “required reading” if you want to be a successful entrepreneur. For me meeting Cameron was interesting because I have never met anyone my age that was really successful in business. Most of my friends are just now getting out of college. It was interesting to interact with someone who has written a book, given keynote speaches, and created successful businesses online before the age of 23. So to you Cameron I wish you all the success in the world in 2009.
10. ChristmasForKids.us - we had a wonderful 2008 year with our charity ChristmasForKids. I will be posting pictures, videos, and news clips of the entire event soon. Each year this charity seems to just grow bigger and bigger. My goal is to reach as many people as possible and positively influence them to give back in some way to those who need it most, and thats the children of our country.
These are just some of the highlights of my year……… Ill be posting more soon! Stay tuned.. as always comments are welcome.
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