Get inspired! CNN hero Alfa Demmelash helps people achieve the American Dream

Alfa Demmelash grew up on less than a dollar a day against the backdrop of torture and murder in Ethiopia. Today, she is living the American dream and helping others do the same.

Alfa started a nonprofit, Rising Tide Capital, where small business owners, including women, minorities and other underserved populations, learn the skills they need to be successful.

Watch this amazing video of small business owners describing how Alfa has helped them grow their businesses.

In the next video, Alfa tells her own story of escaping Ethiopia to pursue the American Dream.

Alfa is a shining example of passion in action. I hope you enjoyed her story as much as I did. Special thanks to my sister-in-law, Lynn Morin,for sharing this amazing story with me.

Marketing Strategies and Models for Entrepreneurs

When you think of marketing, what comes to mind?  Chances are the first thing that popped into your head was advertising:  print ads in magazines or newspapers…tv commercials…pop-up ads on the Google search engine.

They may be entertaining, they may be informative, or they may be just plain annoying…but there is no denying, advertising plays an important part in getting products or services in front of their target audiences.

However, a good marketing campaign goes way beyond advertising. 

Branding Your Products or Services

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the phrase “brand names”?  I immediately see the golden arches of McDonald’s, the red and silver Coca Cola can, and the Olympic torch.

What do all of these great brands have in common?  They create an impression that you are getting something special or unique, something you can trust when you purchase their brand.

Major corporations know the power of branding, and they invest tons of money to create and maintain their brands.  So how can the little guy compete?

Creating The Brand of You

As a small business owner, what is the most important thing you can do to attract loyal customers?

It goes without saying that you have to offer an excellent product or service, one that stands out from the rest.

In the old days, that might have been enough to create a lasting customer list.  But the days of brand loyalty are gone.  With so many consumer choices, and so much new information available every day, you have to give people a reason to stay with you and not try out the latest fad.

Marketing Competition: Dare to Be Different

This week we are going to focus on marketing. For starters, let’s define exactly what marketing is.

In the simplest of terms, marketing is everything you do to promote your business. Why does that matter? Because marketing and sales are the keys to turning your passions into profits.

Video Marketing with Maria Andros

Have you heard?  Video marketing is the latest hot trend, and Maria Andros is its greatest star.  Be inspired by this 10-minute interview on BraveHeart TV where Maria shares her tips for getting started.  Don’t worry, it’s not that intimidating.

Business Plans Made Easy

Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Business Plan?

For some reason, those two words seem to put terror into the hearts of even the biggest, meanest hard-core business people…not to mention poor little red riding hood.

So today, I want to reassure you that you are already 3/4 of the way there to putting together a killer business plan for your new venture.

But first, let’s talk.  Why do you need a business plan, anyway?

How to Choose a Business Structure

When clients come to my law clinic to start a business, the first question they usually ask is: “Should I be a partnership or a corporation?” Making your business “legal” is such an exciting step…most people just can’t wait to do it!

But there are a few questions you need to ask yourself before you decide on a legal form or structure. You should think about these questions even if right now your business consists of only you working in a closet out of your home. If you’re thinking about building a business, eventually there will have to be other people involved, and potentially other people’s money as well.

Stop Trading Time for Dollars

Remember how we talked on Day 7 about Robert Kiyosaki’s “cash flow quadrant” model? Basically, the idea is that there are four  ways to generate income: as an employee, by being self-employed, as a business owner, or as an investor.

Each of these categories has its advantages and disadvantages, but Kiyosaki teaches that only business owners and investors are on the path to long-term financial freedom.

Employees, even those who employ themselves, are caught in the trap of trading time for dollars.  If they don’t work, they don’t get paid.  They have no leverage to earn income from the efforts of others, and no sources of residual income.

Would you be surprised to learn that many people who are thinking about making the shift from employee to entrepreneur are actually thinking about becoming self-employed?

How to Barn-Raise Your Start-Up

Barn-raising is a centuries-old tradition in rural America.  Early pioneers quickly recognized that it is practically impossible for one person to build a barn.    So they started a system in which all members of a community would gather together to build a barn for one family at a time.

Here is how it works.  The family that needs the barn acquires all of the materials, often by barter or trading.  Then everyone descends on the property and works as a team to build the barn from the ground up.  No money changes hands…because everyone knows the community will be there for them when it is their turn to build a barn.

You can see how it works in this clip from an old Harrison Ford movie.

Sometimes, when you’re thinking about starting a new business, the biggest challenge is how to get started.  Today, we’re going to think of your business as a barn…and figure out how to have a barn-raising to get it built from the bottom up.