Recently, I attended a book signing for Robert Kiyosaki’s new, best-selling book, “Unfair Advantage – What Schools will NEVER Teach You About Money.” The author of the number one personal finance book of all time, “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” investor, entrepreneur, educator, and co-host of the new radio show, “What Does It Mean to You?”, agreed to share some of his tips with the StartupNation audience.

Here’s what Robert had to say:

In “Unfair Advantage,” you mention that schools don’t teach us about money. Why not?

I believe the reason for this goes back to 1904 when John D. Rockefeller took over the education system in the United States with the General Education Board. And ever since then, the rich have controlled what is taught in our schools. Rockefeller’s purpose, it seems, was to find the brightest and the smartest people who had no financial education. Then, they would need a job and work for him. That’s my opinion.

Why is it important for people to read “Unfair Advantage”?

If you read Rich Dad Poor Dad, it was my story when I was nine years old. It’s very simply written about my poor dad, who was the head of education for the State of Hawaii with a Ph.D., and my rich dad, who was my best friend’s father. Unfair Advantage is me in my sixties now. I’m doing exactly the same thing I was doing when I was nine, but today, I’m doing it in the millions.

Decades have passed, but my financial strategies have never changed. In Rich Dad Poor Dad, which came out in 1997, I said that your house is not an asset. And rule #1 from my rich dad was that the rich don’t work for money. 

Most people go to school to get a job and spend their lives working for money. As long as you’re physically working for money, you’ll pay more taxes than guys like me. Unfair Advantage is basically Rich Dad graduate school using 2010 examples.

With the high unemployment rates, many people want to start their own businesses. Other than read your book, “Before You Quit Your Job,” what advice do you have for these people?

“Before You Quit Your Job” covered what you should know before you quit your job because there are basically eight integrities to a business. And the reason nine out of ten businesses fail is because they may be good at seven of the eight, but it is number eight that gets you. A successful business needs all eight of the integrities of a business strong and working together.

Most people leave school too highly specialized. They don’t know anything about business, accounting, legal, or cash flow. And that’s where they get crushed. 

My message to people is this… if you’re following the old advice of the middle class which is go to school, get a high-paying job, work hard, save money, get out of debt, and invest in a portfolio of stocks, bonds and mutual funds, you’re being crushed.

The reason you want to be an entrepreneur is to get out of the middle class. The middle class is being wiped out right now. 

Is it a good time to start a business?

It’s not timing that’s the issue, it’s how you prepare. The fact is that it’s not that hard to be an entrepreneur. My next door neighbor’s little girl comes over, and she polishes shoes. She’s an entrepreneur. 

The trouble is that most people go to school and look for a high-paying job. The problem with getting a high-paying job is taxes. If you work hard and make more money, you move into a higher tax bracket.

That’s not financially intelligent, and they’ll never teach you that in school. To me, that’s stupid. For the middle class, they are going to pay more taxes and struggle with rising inflation. How do you get ahead doing that?

How do business owners put the Unfair Advantage to work for them?

Unfair Advantage is about capitalism. And believe it or not, the tax laws are written for capitalists. The tax laws are telling you what to do. This is what the government wants you to do – provide housing and be an entrepreneur to create jobs. And for that, the government will give you huge tax breaks.

Looking back at your success as an entrepreneur, what would you have done differently to achieve a higher level of success faster?

I can’t say I would’ve done anything differently because every mistake I’ve made was someone showing me how stupid I was. The more mistakes I made, the more stupid I found out I was, and the smarter I became.

That’s why most people who do well in school are not good entrepreneurs. They’ve been programmed to not make mistakes… so I can only encourage people to be stupid and learn from their mistakes. 

It’s called “Unfair Advantage #5”, the law of compensation. The reason I make so much money today is because I’ve made so many mistakes…. so start making mistakes. Mistakes are very good for entrepreneurs and very bad for accountants, lawyers and brain surgeons. You don’t want a brain surgeon making a mistake! It’s a different world for entrepreneurs.

Many people are in a really bad situation now. They are unemployed with huge credit card debt and are on the brink of losing their home and claiming bankruptcy. Plus, many of them are over 40. Is there hope for these people, and what do you suggest they do first to change their financial situation for the better?

They probably need to ask themselves why they got themselves into such a precarious position. And second, I’ve been there. I’ve lost. The most depressing day of my life was when they repossessed my Harley Davidson. I’ve had the IRS after me because I couldn’t pay my taxes. But all of those were fantastic learning experiences that made me smarter and wiser.

I think the best thing that happened to me was to lose my business at age 29. I’m glad I didn’t lose it at 49. It took me six years to dig myself out of nearly a million dollars of debt. I didn’t declare bankruptcy. I just paid everybody back. I rebuilt my business, and that’s when I got smarter, and I’m still getting smarter every day.

Today, I can make that money back faster. And that’s the attitude an entrepreneur has to have. Mistakes are a learning experience. 

There are many financial scams out there. How do people find credible information and advisors to help you and avoid being ripped off?

It’s the same as finding the perfect husband or wife. You don’t know until after you get married! Cut your losses early, and figure out if you are the cause of the problem.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received and how did you use that advice to succeed?

I have a B.S. degree, and I’ve never used anything I’ve learned at school. When I found out I was not really good at school, I got through by cooperating. I always sat next to the smartest people in school. In the real world, that’s called cheating. Today, it’s called collaboration.

I’m extremely lucky to have very bright partners. That’s one of the most important things you can have.

You’ve got to be careful who you hang around with. I used to have a lot of friends, but they didn’t continue on as partners. They did not keep expanding their education. They were complacent. And today, I can’t even talk to them as we’ve become such different people. I kept moving on. I kept getting educated and growing. 

And in 2009, one of the best things happened. One of the most influential financial groups in our hometown invited Kim (my wife) and me to be business partners. And that’s how I knew I was doing o.k. You know you are making progress because your friends change.

I’m sure you’ve heard people say, “Do what you love.” But I think you must do what you must do. A lot of people cannot do this. As an entrepreneur, I guide my business and my activities to get paid the most money and pay the least taxes.

What are your favorite media venues to get financial information you can use to enhance your financial education?

I read “The Economist” and other financial magazines so I’m abreast of what’s going on. I’m always taking seminars and classes.

What you’re going through now as an entrepreneur is incredible. That struggle you’re going through is one of the best things you can go through to learn. But don’t stop getting educated.

Get mentors and advisors and attend classes. Choose your teachers carefully, and make sure they have real-world experience. If you’re not changing, then you’re not growing.

Are there any additional tips you would like to provide specifically to the entrepreneurs out there trying to start and grow their businesses?

First, congratulations for the struggle. If you’re already struggling, you’ve taken the first step. You’ve got to be careful of your teachers, your partners and your friends. And you’ve got to do your part. If you’re stupid, people who are smart are not going to want to hang out with you.

You can’t stay still because the world is going too fast today. If you’ve already started, congratulations, but don’t stop now!

Thanks so much for your great words of wisdom Robert! For more tips to succeed, please check out “Unfair Advantage” and all of the information at www.richdad.com.

And if you need help with your SEO copywriting and PR efforts, please let me know here or at www.rembrandtwrites.com!

Yep. We’ve all been there. It’s not fun, but frustration is a part of business.

Instead of taking it personally, you need to move on to the next opportunity. And this can be easier said than done so here are three, quick tips to help you feel better about your business and get back on the road to success.

1. Follow a Plan.

Do you have a plan to obtain new business, or are you just pitching whatever comes across your desk? If you don’t have a plan, it’s time to stop what you are doing and focus.

• What do you want to accomplish and how are you going to get there?
• What do you need to do, and when, to reach your goals?

This will help you organize your sales process and know exactly what steps to take after a potential customer turns you down.

2. Let it Go.

Instead of focusing on lost sales, move on. Give yourself a few minutes to review why your products or services were rejected, and learn from your mistakes. Then, use this new knowledge in your future pitches.

You will feel a lot better if you concentrate on positive thoughts rather than dwelling on the negative. And sometimes this can be difficult so don’t be afraid to turn to a friend for support, read a good, self-help book or blast some upbeat music to get back on track.

This is important because if you feel depressed and frustrated, potential clients will feel your sad vibe. However, if you radiate a positive energy, you’ll be more likely to get others excited about the benefits your products or services can provide.

3. Review Successes.

Things can get pretty ugly out there in the business world. There are many people who do not want to see you succeed, and it can often seem like you are fighting a constant, uphill battle.

But please don’t let it get to you!

When you start to get frustrated, look back at your successes. Think of all the things you have done right for your business, and be proud of how far you have come.

Also, think of ten things you are thankful for and write them down. After all, many people wish they had what you do right now, and it helps to take a minute and appreciate all of the good things in your life.

You Can Do It!

All of us go through trying times in our business lives. It’s how you react to these challenges that matters.

Hang in there, and get through them the best that you can. Vision success in your mind every day.

If you continue to focus on your plan for success and learn from your mistakes, things will probably get better when you least expect it. And when your sales numbers skyrocket, just think of the great “rags to riches” story you’ll have to tell the media!

Do you have some tips to share with others on how you get through the tough times as an entrepreneur? Please share them here or write to me at www.rembrandtwrites.com. Thanks!

Blah. Blah. Blah. Things are tough for many people
right now, but that’s no reason to just sit back and
wait for things to get better.

It’s time to take action!

No one said being an entrepreneur is easy.

Your business is going to be filled with ups and downs…
so instead of whining about sales and the economy, here
are three, simple steps to help you get back on the road to
recovery fast:

• Make a List.

If you haven’t already done so, make a list of all the
people you know. This includes old classmates, past
employers, peers, associates, etc.

Discover what they are doing now and how to reach them.

• Be Creative.

Look at your list and figure out how you can help each
individual with your products or services.

How can you provide value to them?

How can you help them succeed?

Perhaps you can develop a trade for services, conduct joint
advertising to save money or share customer lists?

Be creative and come up with some interesting ideas.

• Make Contact.

Call or e-mail the people on your list and share your ideas.
Try to work together to help each other improve business results.

And if that person is not interested, ask for a referral.

One call can lead to new customers… just remember to thank the person
for the referral business if it goes through!

Help Others.

Right now, you can help yourself by thinking of others. Not only
will you increase your support network and ignite some energy
back into your business, but you just may increase sales in the process!

Do you need help boosting buzz and sales with search engine optimization

copywriting, and small business public relations? Please

let me know here or at www.rembrandtwrites.com.

“you don’t know what you don’t know.”

Those past experiences are fresh on my mind as I find myself preaching about my golden rule on nearly a daily basis. As I consult with fellow entrepreneurs teaching them how to replicate my successes with branding, social media integration, and celebrity placements, I am heartsick. I hear countless stories of companies who have learned this costly lesson too late in the game. The “killer product launch” at a tradeshow that cost $30k that no one showed up for because the owner didn’t know how to contact the media or set appointments with key buyers. The “grand opening” in small town America that didn’t even make the neighborhood newsletter. Or the Mom that licensed her invention only to find that the company shelved the product and she had unwittingly relinquished her intellectual and distribution rights. I could go on. Knowing all of this, I can’t stress my golden rule enough. Please don’t make these same mistakes.

I know it might seem like an extra check to write when your bank account is already maxed out, but it will end up saving you money and heartache in the end. The money is there, you just need to re-allocate it. Instead of focusing your efforts on making a “big splash”, maybe focus on ensuring a return on investment? A solid marketing plan to leverage your event/news/product launch?  Or making sure all the legal and accounting issues are resolved so you actually get to keep your money?  Seek the help of professionals who have been there, done that.  After all, “you don’t know what you don’t know.”

Need help with your business? Contact me here: http://su.pr/2GXnYX

Well, today you’re in luck. I caught up with George Cloutier, owner of the highly successful business, American Management Services, http://www.amserv.com/, to discuss his new book, “Profits Aren’t Everything; They’re the Only Thing.”

Here’s what he had to say.

Tell us about yourself and why you wrote this book.

After graduating from Harvard Business School, I founded American Management Services in 1986 with just $42,000 in seed capital. Today, we have more than 150 employees, and tens of millions in annual revenue. 

AMS specializes in financial turnarounds and profit development for small and mid-sized companies across the nation. We’ve worked with 6000 clients across 400 industries, and we’ve implemented over a billion dollars in profits and savings. We’ve brought hundreds of businesses back from the brink of bankruptcy to profitability.

My book, Profits Aren’t Everything, They’re the Only Thing, is based on my years of experience working with troubled companies. It is a wake-up call for the 23 million small and mid-sized business owners across America. I serve up the unadulterated truth to aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs, with no apologies.

Why is Profits Aren’t Everything, They’re the Only Thing an important book for small business owners to read now?

Everyone knows that times are tough, but one of the biggest dangers of an economic downturn is the excuse it gives small business leaders to lie down and do nothing. Too many business owners are using the recession as an excuse for failure. My book shows them how to dispel that kind of self-defeating attitude and gives them specific things they should be doing right now to revitalize their businesses, even in this difficult economic environment.

How do you offer a “wake-up” call to entrepreneurs trying to get back on track due to the recession?

By forcing them to see that the success or failure of their business depends entirely on them. Recession or no, if their business is failing, it’s their fault. I don’t compromise, I don’t humor them, and I never let them off the hook. I also force them to ask themselves, “Why am I in business?  What is my goal?”  The answer should be “to make profits.” Any other answer and they shouldn’t be in business.

George, you mention some rules for small business success in your book. Can you share them with us?

Profits Aren’t Everything, They’re the Only Thing – It’s not about sales. It’s not about how many employees you have. It’s not even about your balance sheet. It’s ALL about the cash.

End Denial – Understand where the leaks are in your business and how, as the boss, it’s your fault. Look for red flags. Deal with the uncomfortable tasks you’ve been putting off.

Forget Sweat Equity – Too many business owners think that when they’re building a business, they shouldn’t pay themselves a salary. The inability to pay yourself a full salary is a red flag that there is something wrong with your business. You’re the one who takes on all the risk, so take better care of yourself.

The Best Family Business Has One Member – More than 60% of the small businesses I work with are family-owned, and that’s where most of their problems start.

Don’t view sales as an unwanted guest. Focusing on sales is the easiest way to grow your business in good times and sustain profits in bad times.

Teamwork is Vastly Overrated – Teamwork simply doesn’t work. There is no “$” in team. It only encourages mediocrity, because your team is only as strong as its weakest link. Focus on individual performances.

What should entrepreneurs avoid doing when starting a business and why?

They need to live and die by a real plan, right from the beginning, so that inefficient systems and bad practices don’t become ingrained in the company’s culture. They need to think about where they stand on their financial and operating plan every day of the week. And they should let employees know the plan and hold them accountable.

In your experience, what has been the most successful marketing or PR activity you’ve seen that has helped your clients succeed quickly and why?

It’s about perseverance and building relationships with media contacts. Being out there all the time is key so you have to keep refreshing your story angles and pitches. A multi-platform approach is the best. You want to be in every media outlet in your space: TV, radio, print, internet, blogs. Speaking engagements are also very helpful because they get you in front of people who may be potential clients.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

If small business owners wait until the tide turns to fix their businesses, they’ll drown. They need to stop putting off the inevitable and act immediately. By doing the necessary hard work right not, they’ll be ready when the tide finally does turn. They’ll be making real money again and they’ll never have to worry about surviving another recession again.

Thanks so much for your great tips and advice!

Do you need help boosting sales, awareness and credibility for your business? Please feel free to contact me here or at www.rembrandtwrites.com for free information and assistance with SEO copywriting, public relations and social media. Thanks!  

Lisa believes that the Night Helper Watch is the answer that millions of sufferers need now more than ever, since it is the only device like it in the world.  Worn like a watch, the wearer can set the alarm for multiple times during the day and night, not just once or twice, but as many times as needed. This design patented ability is important as it draws the wearer’s attention. When the alarm goes off, a special customized tune can be programmed to play. It also vibrates, while the multi-colored display lights up the watch face. The Night Helper Watch isn’t just for children and adults who suffer from Nocturnal Enuresis.

The Night Helper Watch gives back the user’s dignity, peace of mind, self sufficiency and control over bed-wetting problems. Used as a training medium, Nocturnal Enuresis can be completely eliminated. That is Lisa’s and Carl’s vision, to free sufferers from a life of worry and indignity. As a long time health care worker and a caring individual, Lisa Charleston has a strong desire to aid and support sufferers from a disturbingly frequent malady (that will become more widespread as the LIS population grows). More than seven million children are born every year and with Americans living longer than ever before the need for a real solution is now, and the answer is the Night Helper Watch Time Pieces, for both Medication Reminders and the Potty Watch system.

Two asks Lisa has of the community:
-          Marketing How To’s
-          Funding How To’s; She is currently accepting donations through paypal

EMAIL: charleston@netzero.net
WEB: www.nighthelperwatches.com
BLOG: www.nighthelper.blogspot.com/

Here is a bit from my interview with Lisa from NightHelpWatchers.com….

How do you define success?
Setting up goals and achieving them would be defining success.

How did you fund your business in the beginning?
Seeking funding help now. 

What’s the happiest moment you’ve ever had in your business?
Seeing my business reach certain goals. Websites, CAD drawings ,  product animations etc.

Do you ever think about giving up and getting a job?
Never…giving up would be to easy… You see A Dream Is Only As Big As The Dreamer, I’m A Big Dreamer!

Are you happy?
Yes, Even when days look bad I still carry a positive attitude for having positive energy helps to bring positive results.

Where will your business be in a year? In 10 years?
In many retail stores serving all the millions of users who suffers from incontinence. 

If someone who was about to start a business asked you for advice, what would you say?
Never give up no matter what the challenges may be, always seek professional advice from many sources.

What makes you get up in the morning?
Determination and the Grace of God!

Tell me about a time when what you do made a difference in someone’s life?
When many parents email me seeking advice about bed wetting  and I’m able to help.

What’s important about that to YOU?
Well knowing that I can  give a parent and a child a little comfort about bed wetting is Priceless to me!

When or how did you know that this is what you wanted to do?
I knew this business was what I wanted to do after I became disabled from a serve back injury. As they say God may close one door but he always opens up another!

What have you learned from failure?
To just get back up and start again seeking better ways to improve in my life and business.

Before starting his own business, Spalding worked as the online marketing director at Grooveshark, a music streaming company out of Gainesville, FL. He met co-founders Quang Tran and Nathan Thompson. Nate was his first intern and Quang and Steve had been working on various entrepreneurial projects for about a year before they buckled down and decided to throw themselves into Crossing Gaps. The opportunity to work in a startup helped prepare him for the challenges he could expect to see in his own endeavor.

“Blogging about entrepreneurs before joining Grooveshark gave me some idea of what having my own business might be like, but there is nothing quite like being in trenches. ” – Steven Spalding

Enjoying the coaching aspect of consulting the most, Spalding enjoys seeing his clients move to the next level in their marketing. He works with large and small organizations but the most satisfying work he does is with their smaller clients. “To see people who didn’t know anything about marketing on the web three months before be able to do effective, creative things without any prompting from us is really fantastic.”

Spalding recently authored a book named All The Little Things. Centered on creativity, building great ideas on the web and keeping yourself sane in the process. He is releasing a version for free, (http://atltbook.com) and selling a PDF “Final Edition.” For some inspiration, give it a read.

Here is a little more of my conversation with Steven:

What is the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome to start your business?
We started our little enterprise right in the middle of the economic downturn. We have had to deal with everything that entails. No one has money, everyone is tightening their belts and you have to work better and smarter to survive. When I reflect on it, I know it has made us a stronger firm. We’ve needed to be really realistic and really -good- to push through and when things turn around it will pay dividends.

What would you do over again, if you could?
I would be better organized. The biggest issue you have when you get three entrepreneurs in a room is that everyone is working on 50 projects at once and no one wants to write anything down. This is a fantastic way to create ideas, but when you start dealing with schedules and deadlines it gets to be really stressful. Over time we’ve built up systems to deal with that problem but it has been a lot of trial and error.

Has running your business been what you expected it would be? How?
It has been harder than even I expected it to be, and I had no delusions going into it. What it boils down to is responsibility, responsibility for people other than yourself. What I didn’t expect was that it never really “turns off.” When you run your own business, you live it, 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Are you happy?
I wouldn’t do this if I wasn’t. I am extraordinarily happy because I get to do something few people ever get to, wake up every day and know that I have control over what is happening next. Sure, we deal with clients, deadlines and all the other stuff that comes along with working with people but we make those choices and accept the consequences of them. It’s a great feeling. 

What makes you get up in the morning?
Before I gave up caffeine I would have told you three cups of coffee and a migraine . . . Really, what makes me get up in the morning is knowing that I am one step closer to accomplishing my goals. As important as tangible success is to me, I know the most important

Have you ever failed?
I fail everyday and I think that’s a part of the point. If you aren’t failing you aren’t growing, and you can’t survive entrepreneurship without growth. The trick to failure, if there is one, is to admit it to yourself and try to take the lesson from it. It’s absolutely fine to fail, but it’s not if you are constantly failing and not learning from the scratches and bruises.

Before opening Visible Logic, Emily worked at several successful studios in the Chicago & Boston area. At these full-service studios she completed a broad range of design work, including B-to-B marketing collateral, annual reports and identity projects. Early in her career Emily worked in print production and as a print buyer in the book publishing industry. This foundation in print management allows her to troubleshoot the production side of projects.

“I always knew I’d start my own design firm, but I had to get the right experience before going out on my own. I got laid off in the summer of 2001 and decided it would be better in the long run to start my own business rather than search for another design job.” – Emily Brackett

What interested me most about my interview with Emily is her authenticity in reflecting that she didn’t start out with a plan to land where she did. She had always enjoyed art, color and type—but didn’t know what to do with it. Like many people, she wasn’t really aware of what a graphic designer did. So, I took the long route getting to where I am. I have a liberal arts degree, then I worked in book publishing. That’s where I realized exactly what graphic designers did and finally figured out where I belonged. Then, I went back to school at Massachusetts College of Art to get a degree in graphic design. Best decision!

“As three women in a male-dominated industry, we took a risk by starting a company together. My partner Rae is a single mom of three children (one severely handicapped) and I have a speech disorder that makes it difficult for me to communicate, statistics say we probably should have kept day jobs.” — Lisa Barone

Starting a business during a recession is a risky thing to do, but also the optimal time for new ideas, better services and plucky folks to connect. Top of mind for this crew is empowering others to take smart risks. “We did it and we want others to know they can do that too.”

Behind The Scenes

Rae Hoffman	Rhea Drysdale	Lisa Barone
Rae Hoffman is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Outspoken Media, Inc. In 1997 Rae started a small website about her son and his medical condition that became one of the first international support groups on the topic. It earned national media coverage and helped further medical research in the field… More about Rae Hoffman	Rhea Drysdale is Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outspoken Media, Inc. Since 2004 Rhea has grown her understanding of on-page optimization, online reputation management and social media with both in-house and agency positions. Rhea loves working with clients… More about Rhea Drysdale	Lisa Barone is Co-Founder and Chief Branding Officer of Outspoken Media, Inc. Lisa has been involved in the SEO community since 2006 and is widely known for her honest industry observations, her inability to not say exactly what she’s thinking, and her excessive on-the-clock Twittering… More about Lisa Barone

OutspokenMedia works with clients to develop marketing strategies that encourage them to do great things and to care about their niche communities. The Outspoken blog was developed to prompt action in the community as well as teach. Outspoken presents How Tos to small business owners helping them market their own businesses and get more from online.  The recession has given entrepreneurs an even larger opportunity to go out on their own and succeed. It hasn’t taken it away.

Here is a bit from my interview with Lisa from OutspokenMedia.com…

When did the idea for starting your business come to you?
Having my own business was never something I was aspiring to. I was very much content in the stability of being an employee and receiving a steady paycheck. However, in January I was three months into a new job (a job I had moved from CA to NY to take) and came to a point where I knew in my heart it wasn’t going to work out. So the decision was to stay in a job I wasn’t comfortable in to keep a paycheck or venture out on my own in a bad economy.  It may seem crazy to some but, I chose the latter option.

Luckily, it didn’t take more than a few chats with my then-friends, now business partners, Rae Hoffman and Rhea Drysdale to be confident that we could do something together. So really just like that, we formed Outspoken Media, a new kind of Internet marketing company.  Deciding to start the company was probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make. Committing to myself to something that huge was an enormous undertaking for me. But I’m very glad I did it.

What do you do?
My official role at Outspoken is that of Chief Branding Officer, which to me means that I’m responsible for starting conversations. Whether that’s for us or for clients, through the blog or on Twitter, or through any other medium, my job really is to build brands and conversation through communities on the Web.  I help people their evangelists and build bridges.

What’s the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome to start your business?
Learning how to wear so many hats.  Before I’ve always had very specific job descriptions. When the business is your own, you find yourself taking on tasks you never imagined.  There’s a constant learning curve.

What’s the most satisfying thing about running your business?
The freedom to do what I feel is right.  I’m a blogger and a bit mouthy, so working for someone else always meant that I had to temper that. I had to watch what I wrote, watch what I said, pick my battles, etc.  Now I get to blog as me and for me, which I think makes my blogging more genuine and more engaging for readers. It probably doesn’t sound like that big of a change, but to me it’s been night and day and something I’m incredibly grateful for.  I can’t always say what I want to in real life due to my speech difficulties, so having total freedom of my written voice means everything to me.  It’s empowered me.

Has running your business been what you expected it would be? How?
There’s a lot more to it than I ever thought. I knew that it would be long hours and that it’d grueling at times…I just thought at some point that would stop and that I’d have a day to catch my breath. That day hasn’t hit yet. My biggest lesson has been that it just never stops. There’s always something to do, something more than needs tweaking, an email to respond to, a blog post to write, someone to reach out to, etc.  I’ve learned that running your own business really is a 247 job. I love it. It’s been great and incredibly rewarding, but there’s so much more to it than I ever knew.  Every so often a crisis will break out and I’ll turn to one of my partners and say, “someone should really take care of that!”, and then I remember that I’m that person. If I want something done, I’m the person to do it.

How did you fund your business in the beginning?
I think that’s the beauty of the Internet, you can start a business with very low capital.  Because we’re a service-based company, the only initial costs we had were those involved with skinning the Web site. The domain was already bought, we had hosting, etc. From there the “cost” really is time. It’s been working to build the brand, getting our name out, letting people know we exist, and taking on clients.

What is your passion?
Using my voice in a way that helps others.  I love that the blog allows me to share advice, concerns, issues, etc, with people and to have an impact on their day or to touch them in some way. There’s no greater feeling than that.

What makes you get up in the morning?
My business partners and knowing that we’re capable of doing great things for clients, in a style that’s true to us.  It’s nice believing in what you do and the way you do it.

Carrie Fisher has an impressive background as a writer, two of her books having been made into films. After something akin to electric shock therapy, she risks losing much of her memory and past in order to move forward with the rest of her life. To many, this would be a death sentence as our history, that which binds us into routine and dictates much of our decision making, is the thing we find the most comfort in.

Fisher is an example of someone who refuses to be put in a box, who is still out there learning lessons, sharing her findings and being funny — whatever you may think of her or her talent, you just have to appreciate those qualities in a person.

She has a book: $29.00- 13.38

She has a 1-man show: $59.00-49.00

And those lovely cinnamon buns on the cover, priceless.

I was disappointed to see that there wasn’t some Hollywood intern trapped in a hamster wheel blogging for her while she’s on the road, to capture all the love and well wishes, etc. but I suspect she will get to that eventually. All Boomers have to embrace the web at some point.

To Carrie’s new life, she’s summoned her chutzpah and making some coin on skills she still has, memories she might lose and of course, looking to what the future might bring.

Altogether, a rather inspirational message.