Learning to Fall by Bryce Maddock, Founder of Task US

In yoga, one position I can’t master is the handstand. Every week I am put to shame by the 50 and 60 year old yogis who effortlessly toss themselves in and out of the position. Last class, as my frustration surged, I took it upon myself to ask one of the handstand masters, “How did you learn to do that?”

“I learned how to fall,” she responded.

This lesson applies to business and life: In order to truly succeed one must be willing to fall. We all know people who are too afraid to fall. Unwilling to take risks, they never get off the couch, never pursue the guy/girl they are attracted to, never escape their mind numbing 9 to 5 job. 

If you are an entrepreneur you have already demonstrated a willingness to take a big risk. However, simply being willing to fall is not enough. Ultimately it is a numbers game. The more risks you take, the more you increase your chances of success, but the more falls you have to be willing to take as well.

This is why the most successful entrepreneurs have fallen many times. Russell Simmons launched the now defunct website 360 Degrees of Hip Hop. Richard Branson was forced to sell off his prized possession, Virgin Records. The Donald has lost fortunes on multiple ventures, and even went bankrupt.

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This post comes courtesy of Chris Pund over at Dorm Room Biz. While he is already on our blogroll as a site we love, I am going to go ahead and share the link again for his site while you are here….so you don’t have to search for it: http://www.dorm-room-biz.com

If you aren’t already familiar with it, Chris’ site is geared towards college students who want to start a business while they attend school. Check out his actual post to see his diverse list of 12 bootstrapping friendly websites that I definitely know that teen ceo’s would find beneficial esp for their online marketing needs.

p.s. while you are on Chris’ site be sure to check out the contest he is currently running.

Want to make a million dollars? Then first you have to make one! And according to our calculations, looks like you’ve got a long way to go! Sorry!!!

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Looking for SEO (Search Enging Optimization) Tips and Tricks? In this post you will find a few tips presented in a fun and clever way by the SEO Rapper.

For those of you who don’t know what SEO is, it stands for Search Engine Optimization. It is how your website, blog or page gets found when people type in a keyword in the search box on a site such as Google or Yahoo. Continue on to Check Out the SEO Video Rapper!

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Do you know what the most valuable asset in your business will be in the next five years?

Your email marketing list! Yes, I know it may be difficult to believe right now, but imagine if you were a baker who acquired tons of clients throughout the years and, all of a sudden, something called the Atkins anti-carbohydrate craze comes along? Sure you could come up with an alternative carb-free product, but how could you quickly get in contact with all the people you sold to throughout the years to let them know before they bought into the hype and took their business elsewhere?

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Want to know how emerging teen small business owners can compete in the global marketplace…AND WIN? Then today’s post and article is for you! 

Many people are quick to tell you what you need to do in order to succeed in business. But not so many people are explaining what not to do. And as it happens, knowing what to avoid, the common mistakes made by so many people who’ve failed at fulfilling their vision and living their dreams, is at least as critical for success as knowing what to do. Because of that, I’ve put together this handy and invaluable list of the 7 big 21st Century no-no’s (aka ‘The Small Business Disruptors 2.0′) in making your small business work for you. You’ve heard all the “Do’s”, these are the “Don’ts”, and whatever you do, don’t you forget them! Brouhaha

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This lead on the Freelancers Union is a great resource shared by NFTE employee and Supa’Star Ms. Ama Kwofie.

Before you understand the benefit of joining a union for freelancers first you might want to understand

What is a freelancer? 

A freelancer is a self-employed person such as an artist, an independent consultant, a musician, a graphics or web designer who does project or fee based work. They are not an employee who works set hours in an office. They bill their client based on the length of time and supplies etc needed to do the project. This is how most small businesses esp. teen aged owed ones will start out. The problem that most everyone runs into is when they calculate their price they forget to include…

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Mike Michalowicz, The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, in one of his many short, sweet and frickin’ nutty videos (following) shows us the importance of the company you keep.

Who Got Yo’ Back?

When the going gets tough can you count on your “go to people” to be hard core and not be afraid to get their nose bloodied? Or are they going to clam up, scream and run like a little p#$$^? I can confidently say that my ‘go to network’, including Mr. Michalowicz himself is live, raw and uncensored and will stick it out with me through thick and thin. So how do you build a hard core dedicated network (personally and professionally)?

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…and call it a day because it’s not how you die but how you live that counts the most. Truly ‘living’ is about going with the flow and doing things NOW & TODAY that are not just routine, but also fun and different. You can do what you want, when you want- if you truly understand the value and power of leveraging one’s mind and one’s time. These few statements pretty much embrace the culture of the ultimate (Young) Renegade CEO.
 

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