Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I believe that every advantage I can seize, legally and with a clear conscience, is one more gust of wind in my sails that will promote me and my business to market leadership.

I met with a man last week, who is very knowledgable about my field. He mentioned the efficiency advantage our equipment can give us over our competitors. I take no credit for that. It was all in place when I got there. I will take credit for recognizing it and seizing it.

I met with another man last week whom all of you know. Rich Sloan and I met at his favorite Starbucks Saturday morning. It was arranged on Friday. A fleeting opportunity that presented itself, waiting to be seized. We talked about my business. We talked about his business. We talked about how he can help my business. I left after that hour totally charged. I realized the more he knows about my business the more he can help me build my business. And he wants to.

If you live within driving distance of metro Detroit, you have an opportunity to get to know some of the great people of StartupNation on Tuesday March 20th. This is an advantage just waiting for those who will seize it. Click over to this thread and let us know if you`ll be there. We`ll have to pick a location pretty soon, so if you have a favorite place, let us know.

I`ve seen Joel at the office, all business like. This is a rare chance to see Joel after hours, when he`s let his hair down, so to speak.

How do you feel about advantage in business; the opportunities that present themselves to those who are able to see them and willing to seize them?

Why is it that some people never even see them?

Tell us about some of the advantages you`ve seized and how they helped your business.



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I was on an email list for the Eureka! Ranch (owned and operated by Doug Hall, he was a judge on American Inventor).  One afternoon, I received an email offering a free afternoon seminar with Doug.  There was one catch, we had to agree to be filmed for American Inventor.  I quickly replied that I`d like to participate, and I was fortunate to reply in such a speedy manner, because the seminar was filled in a matter of hours.

This seminar is what gave me the courage and confidence that my business idea was a good one, and I should go for it.  I can`t help but think that if I had hesitated, my business would have never gotten off the ground.

I met some great entrepreneurs that day, and made some terrific contacts. 

As for my 15 minutes of fame, it was more like 2-3 seconds on camera, and that was in a group setting.

ModJulie

ModJulie, your furniture sounds like just the sort of thing I would love. To give you an idea of my tastes in furniture, my dining room table is all glass. Not just the top, the base too. I love unconventional. I see from your profile that you`re in Ohio. Where are you located and where can I see some examples?

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Steve,

Love the idea of an all glass table - base included. 

My website should be live in a couple of weeks.  I`d be happy to send you a couple pictures.  I use mainly aluminum (industrial strength) for my bases and frames.  It has an anodized finish, so it works terrifically indoors and out.  No maintenance either!

I don`t have a retail showroom, but my office is located in my  home in Cincinnati.  Our shop is in Dayton.  I`m usually in Dayton a couple days a week.  I saw your post about the SUN SE Michigan meeting, and am tempted to make the drive.  I know, call me crazy, but what a great event!

I have read several of your posts, and listened to your podcast interview.  You`ve certainly taken what many consider to be a terrible circumstance (the prospect of losing your job) and turned it into a great opportunity.  My neighbor has two children with Celiac, and I`ve sent her a link to your website.  She seemed really excited about the cookies.  I know her daughters would enjoy them.  I`ll have to check with her to see if she`s ordered any. 

ModJulie

Do you think people never see them, or that they`re so busy worrying about how to fix everything they don`t notice?

It seems to me that people who miss opportunities are mostly those who believe they`re entirely in control of everything. They`re sure that if they relax in any way, the entire universe is going to spin off into chaos.

There`s definitely a difference between seeing and perceiving. Part of it is learning what to look for, but to a certain degree it is just opening up our eyes, and our minds.

There`s also the element of pattern recognition. Some people are able to notice a pattern repeated in different situations. That could indicate the beginning of a trend.


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Interestingly enough, pattern recognition and set differentiation seem to be genetic. They`re part of the underlying foundation of "g" used as "general intelligence" when speaking of developing tests.