Struggling Entrepreneur

 

 Entrepreneur conferences and events- take advantage for your success [26:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of The Struggling Entrepreneur, we examine some of the conferences, networking events and even “unconferences” where the focus may be on Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners. These are, indeed, resources that many entrepreneurs do NOT seem to exploit to their advantage and use as tools to make their businesses more successful.

In particular, this episode deals with two cases in point:

(1) - ProductCamp events (which are “unconferences” or “user-generated conferences”) that welcome Entrepreneurs as product developers, product marketers, product managers, etc.

and

(2) - The annual Entrepreneur Expo in Phoenix known as the Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference at http://www.azentrepreneurship.com (and similar events geared for entrepreneurs);

                   ——————————————

Free unconference events may benefit Entrepreneurs:

1. ProductCamp events (such as the one in Austin) are growing with Entrepreneur participants and now have the majority of participants as Small Business Owners.

2. ProductCamp Austin actually included a separate track for Entrepreneurship, as well as Branding, Marketing and Promotion.

3. ProductCamp Austin’s co-founder and organizer, Paul Young (who is now with Pragmatic Marketing), gave us a few minutes in an interview right after the main tent opening session to describe:

- what a ProductCamp is and how we can participate;

- what value a ProductCamp can deliver to the Entrepreneur; and

- what the Entrepreneur will miss by not taking advantage of participating in this free event.

———————

Conferences targeted specifically for Entrepreneurs:

Very much like the Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference, there may be either national or local events that cater directly to the Small Business Owner or the Entrepreneur.

For example, at the Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference in 2007, the keynote speaker and luncheon guest was Michael Gerber, the author of the well-known book, The E-Myth Revisted: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to do About it.

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Referral Meetups for Entrepreneurs

In addition, there are other events that are not mentioned in the podcast audio episode. These could be, for example, Networking events for Small Business owners and Entrepreneurs (such as “Referral Entrepreneur Meetups”). These could be found in the www.Meetup.com facility. Although many of them are labeled incorrectly and may appear to be deceptive to the entrepreneur (e.g., another “Amway” MLM scheme), there are some good referral networks that are free to join–and they do provide some value in the form of referral marketing, word-of-mouth and social media contacts.

Copyright (c) 2010, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

 131- Entrepreneur-author-writer-columnist Bob LeVitus - author of iPAD FOR DUMMIES [38:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of The Struggling Entrepreneur, we deliver to you an interview with famous author Bob LeVitus, who has made his “claim-to-fame” by being a writer, author, consultant and specialist for Apple(R)  products and technologies –  including the iPad(R)  and iPhone(R)  products.  He has a blog persona which is called “Dr. Mac.”

Bob is also an established author and has a library of books to his name. He is the author of 55 books (at the time of this writing), including Mac OS X Snow Leopard for Dummies, iPhone for Dummies, Incredible iPhone Apps for Dummies, iPad for Dummies–and dozens more.

In this audio episode, we tried to highlight the latest Apple product, the iPad, as we ask him how he was involved in this latest innovation as an Entrepreneur and author–and how that is helping his consulting business and speaking engagements. However, Bob has several other books which he is writing, and so he even surpassed the speed of technology improvements within less than a month.

In addition, Bob takes advantage of his being a subject matter expert on the technologies and products from Apple, Inc. In addition to having his own tech support entrepreneurial business venture as “Dr. Mac,” he still finds time to be in person with his community.

 In the Meetups for both the Apple Macintosh line, as well as the Apple iPhone, Bob has delivered many a seminar, workshop, presentation and discussion. And now he did meet with excited audiences about the recent phenomenon of the Apple iPad.

Case in point: in a recent meeting of the iPad Users Meetup for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs, Bob was the guest speaker and answered questions for those entrepreneurs who were considering the iPad as a business purchase– or who had already bought this device previously.

With Bob’s subject-matter expertise, energy and enthusiasm for the technologies and products that are so popular in today’s environment, it is easy to see why he enjoys his freelancing and e-lancing, his authorship, and even his being a computer columnist for the Houston Chronicle.

What we found insightful were his words given for having success as an author:  Keep your seat in that chair.

As you will hear in the audio episode, Bob wants to complete another 20 or so books before he turns his passion to writing novels–as well as other endeavors and pursuits.

Copyright (c) 2010, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All rights reserved.

Apple, iPhone, iPod and iPad are all trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.

 

 130- 5 tips for Entrepreneurs - from experience [25:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of The Struggling Entrepreneur, we deliver the podcast episode from Chris Benjamin, the Rogue CFO, from his Podomatic Series.

The topic here are five tips that Chris Benjamin delivers to Entrepreneurs from his own experience. He gives us the cases in point for growing ventures for the Small Business environment.

This episode was first delivered in the Rogue CFO’s Expert Guide to launching a startup.

Copyright (c) 2010, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Chris Benjamin Consulting, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 129B- Enthusiasm helps Entrepreneur build business - the Ramen Noodle [39:57m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of The Struggling Entrepreneur, we have an interview with Daniel J. Lewis (no relation to the film actor) whose persona is  ‘The Ramen Noodle’ with his own New Media Network called “Noodle-Mix” at http://www.noodle.mx).

Although he has a full-time job, Daniel is a part-time entrepreneur who is a free-lance digital designer with the name of D.JosephDesign at www.djosephdesign.com. He also entered the world of podcasting. As a podcaster, he has seen tremendous growth, which has now also helped his business grow. At this time, he has three podcast series that he has published and for which he continues to produce content. As you will hear in this audio episode, he has had success in being highlighted by the Apple iTunes(R) podcast directory as a new entry that became a featured favorite. This, of course, gave tremendous exposure, awareness and reach for new subscribers.

As you will hear in this audio episode, the single most characteristic that has attracted people to Daniel’s podcasts is his enthusiasm and passion for podcasting. And we are sure that you will agree, once you listen to his episodes.

However, Daniel’s skills as a podcaster show very well with his emphasis and criteria for sound and audio quality in what he publishes on his blog or in the iTunes directory.

An interesting recommendation that this relatively young part-time entrepreneur delivers to us is his perspective of maintaining a life balance. This includes the ability to “close the door and leave work” from the business, even though his podcast studio and small business office is contained within his home. Thus, these mental and physical boundaries would always put his family first — even though it may mean giving up an opportunity for additional business and income.

You can subscribe to Daniel’s podcasts from his major web site with all the podcasts at http://www.noodle.mx (his New Media network). Or you can follow him on twitter with his handle of @TheRamenNoodle.

By the way, if you do engage Daniel as a digital designer to provide some of his services for you or your firm, he is generous enough to offer an incentive to the listeners and subscribers to The Struggling Entrepreneur podcast. You can use a coupon code (which is “noodle”) to get a special discount at D.JosephDesign for his services.

Copyright (c) 2010, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Apple and iTunes are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.

 

 129A- Five legal mistakes startups make while raising capital [10:24m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of The Struggling Entrepreneur, we deliver to you the audio narration of a blogpost (from a column delivered to www.VentureBeat.com) by Scott  Edward Walker, who is the founder and CEO of Walker Corporate law Group, PLLC (a law firm specializing the in the representation of entrepreneurs).

This column was submitted by Mr. Walker to VentureBeat.com.

Click here to link to the original post in the Entrepreneur Corner on VentureBeat.com.

What happens when your startup is running out of money?

Should you post something on your web site or twitter about selling your stock? If you do, you may be violating laws and putting your startup at risk–both legally and financially (in the area of valuation, for example). For entrepreneurs, this may be a financial and legal “land mine” which you need to avoid — especially if you were planning to “go it alone.”

As you will hear in this audio episode, the best thing to do is get advice from your legal counsel before acting on your home-grown plan to raise capital.

We thank Scott Edward Walker for his permission to repurpose and publish this post as an audio narration.

Disclaimer: This “Ask the Attorney” post discusses general legal issues, but it does not constitute legal advice in any respect. No reader –or listener– should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information presented herein without seeking the advice of counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. VentureBeat, the Author and the author’s firm expressly disclaim all liability in respect of any actions taken or not taken based on any contents of this post.

Copyright (c) 2010, Scott Edward Walker, VentureBeat.com and Matrix Solutions Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

 129- Launching a successful Joint Venture - ProductCamp [22:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of The Struggling Entrepreneur, we deliver a summary of the ProductCamp sessions during this “unconference” (or also known as “user-generated conference”). The ProductCamp event was held in Austin and involved:

- product managers;

- product creators and developers;

- product managers; and

- product marketers.

As you will hear in this audio episode, the description of how a ProductCamp operates gives you a perspective of participating in this “unconference.”

Also, we then focus on the session which was given by Fred Castaneda on some tips and hints on how to execute a successful Joint Venture when launching an information product on the Internet.

For the pdf document of the slides used in the presentation at ProductCamp, click here.

These ProductCamp sessions that are scheduled in the US and other countries worldwide  give entrepreneurs an opportunity to network and form relationships with potential joint venture partners. They also deliver opportunities to present offerings, products, strategies and product-oriented topics. This will also give the Entrepreneur exposure, awareness, promotion (and possibly some forms of “advertising”) –and most of it at no cost.

Copyright (c) 2010, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

 128- Why Entrepreneurs lose traction and possibly fail [13:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of The Struggling Entrepreneur, we deliver an episode by Chris Benjamin, the Rogue CFO, from his Podomatic Series of The Rogue CFO’s Expert Guide to Launching a Startup. The theme is why businesses can lose traction and “head south” — or,  stated in business terminology– possibly fail.

Copyright (c) 2010, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Chris Benjamin Consulting, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 Howzit- App developer entrepreneurs for the Mobile Marketing Space [32:10m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of The Struggling Entrepreneur, we deliver an interview with a pair of entrepreneurs who have created a startup firm that will develop and publish apps for the growing iPhone and iPad market created by these devices from Apple, Inc. However, Ross Barbash and Gavin Todes, the founders of Howzit, are also exploiting the advantage of providing solutions for Advertising Agencies and other firms in the ‘Mobile’ space.

As you will hear in this audio episode, the market they have selected is very much a niche one–the mobile marketing space, especially with SMS.

And what is interesting is that these two have made the decision to relocate–one from the West Coast and the other from the East Coast–and settle in Austin, Texas, to pursue their entrepreneurial dream.

It is entirely possible that these two may be on the vanguard wave of “the next BIG thing in tech”–the mobile marketing space.
You may contact Ross Barbash at:

ross [at @] thinkhowzit.com  (to prevent spam)

or go to the web site of:

http://www.thinkhowzit.com.

Copyright (c) 2010, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All rights reserved.

Apple and iPad and iPhone are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.

 

 Why social media may be a waste of time for Entrepreneurs [07:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of The Struggling Entrepreneur, we present a bonus episode in which we narrate a blog post by Kelly Hodsdon of Intentional Internet Inc.

The controversial topic discussed continues to be an item of concern:

Is Social Media just a waste of time for the Entrepreneur who has a LOCAL BUSINESS?

 In this audio narration of the blogpost, the key points that are discussed are:

- how local businesses with a geographic limited reach may want to evaluate the use of Social Media marketing;

- the question for Entrepreneurs: Is Social Media marketing the best use of your time and resources? or is it just a waste of time with no real ROI?

You may visit the blog post at the Paul Colligan blog at:

http://bit.ly/azrInU

Copyright (c) 2010, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Paul Colligan. All rights reserved.

 

 Paul Colligan's perspectives on iPad for business [32:17m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of The Struggling Entrepreneur, we deliver to you a teleconference discussion by New Media pundit Paul Colligan in which we hear an update of his OPERATION iPAD evaluation, as well as his perspectives of how the iPad(R)  fares as a tool for the entrepreneur.

Delivered initially to the Metropolitan iPad Users Meetup, Paul dialed in on a cell phone to the meeting location (1500 miles away). Thus, the audio was captured from the telephone-quality teleconference call with a Zoom H4N portable recorder. And thus, we apologize for the “telephone-sound” quality of the reception.However, some of the topics discussed during this telecon were:

- perspectives of the future for the iPad for the Small Business;

- the controversial change in data plan charges by AT&T–and how that may or may not affect the future of the iPhone(R) and iPad; and

- how the iPad is a great CONTENT CONSUMPTION device now, but also how it lacks as a CONTENT CREATION platform.

For more information, please visit Paul Colligan’s blog posts about the iPad for business at the OPERATION iPAD  web site at:

http://www.paulsipad.com.

Copyright (c) 2010, Matrix Solutions Corporation and Paul Colligan. All rights reserved.

iPhone and iPad are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.