A College Degree: Is it Worth it?

What do you think? Is going to college and getting a degree worth it anymore?

There’s a lot of talk lately about millennials living at home with their parents after graduating college. They are saying they aren’t making enough money to live on their own because the employers are not paying them enough. So, after college, they move back in with their parents. One report said 1/3 of all people ages 18-34 are living with their parents. See the story HERE.

That comes out to 24 MILLION people living in their mother’s basement.

Many of these millennials are college grads, but say they simply can’t afford to pay back student loans and pay rent on the entry level salaries they are getting paid.

Many people (especially older adults) say millennials are spoiled brats and need to just suck it up. They claim millennials think they are entitled to a high paying job just because they feel they deserve one.

That may be true in some cases, but there are other issues that needs to be addressed:

• What’s the use of a college degree if it leaves you with so much debt that you can’t afford to live on your own?
• Would people be better off learning a trade instead?

So far this year 60,000 retail jobs have been lost, with more layoffs coming. Automation is probably going to eliminate even more jobs. This means more people out of work, looking for jobs.

Once upon a time, going to college meant having a good job waiting for you when you graduated. Today, the only guarantee some people receive is a huge student loan. Having a graduate degree is no guarantee of finding a good job either?

So, if you’re not going to medical school is it worth it? What do you think?

It’s because of conversations like this that I’m a proponent of learning a skill and starting your own business. Starting a business doesn’t require a college degree. And on the flipside, starting a business is that much harder if you have $100,000 in student loans.

However, if a person wants to go to college, by all means. But at the same time, it’s critical they learn skills they can use and can be applied to the real world.

In order to survive in this new age, we must have a skill. Job security is a thing of the past. Having a skill that can generate income may be the best option for all of us going forward, whether we have a degree or not.

Is owning your own business the wave of the future?

 

Readi Set Go! A Simple Guide to Establishing A Successful Small Business

 

 

 

 

Is Getting Fired The End of The World?

One of the worst feelings in the world is to get fired. Not laid off, FIRED. Many times, it’s totally unexpected, or we know it’s coming because we just aren’t doing the job as well as we should.

Getting fired is a personal insult. To be told our services are no longer needed can be demoralizing and crushing. Not to mention embarrassing. What will people say?

In the aftermath, we have to pick ourselves up and say “now what?”

Getting fired may seem like the end, but it really could be the beginning. Here is an impressive list of people who were fired from jobs:

• Madonna (singer)
• Oprah (media mogul)
• Steve Jobs (Apple computer)
• J.K. Rowling (author)
• Walt Disney (theme parks/animation)
• Thomas Edison (inventor)
• Burt Reynolds (actor)
• Lee Iacocca (Chrysler)
• Bill Belichick (NFL coach)
• Michael Bloomberg (media mogul/mayor)
• Jerry Seinfeld (actor)
• Truman Capote (author)
• Bernie Marcus & Arthur Blank  (Home Depot)
• Mark Cuban (computer software)

Each of these individuals were all fired from jobs. Oprah was told she was unfit for television news. Walt Disney was fired because he was told he lacked imagination. The reasons for their being fired may vary, but they all have one thing in common:

They didn’t let that job define them or stop them from achieving greatness.

No one wants to be fired, but is it the end of the world? Not if we let it. In each of these cases, if they did not get fired, they may not have achieved the success they eventually attained.  By getting fired, they were forced to take chances they may not have done normally. 

They were kicked out of their comfort zones and had no choice but to work hard to survive.

When JK Rowling got fired, she focused all her energy on creating Harry Potter. When Jerry Seinfeld was fired, he turned to his first love, which was stand-up comedy.

Too many of us let our jobs define us. We enjoy the title that job brings (as well as the paycheck.) But what if we lose that job? What are we then?

You aren’t defined by your job. You are defined by what’s inside you. By getting fired, these individuals (and countless others) found out who they really were. They worked extremely hard and the rest is history.

Hopefully no one reading this gets fired, but if you do, it’s not the end of the world. If they can succeed after getting fired, why can’t you?

Determine what is that YOU like. What do you enjoy doing that can turn into a viable career? Can you get fired from a home improvement store and create your own like Bernie Marcus & Arthur Blank?

With hard work, anything is possible. Don’t let your worth or identity be tied to a job that can be taken from you in an instant. There’s much more to you than that. There could be an entrepreneur deep inside you that is ready to come out.

Being your own boss is difficult, but it’s not impossible. Passion is good, but there’s a lot that goes into running a successful business.  Learn the tools of becoming your own boss in my new book Readi Set Go! A Simple Guide to Establishing a Successful Small Business. Order your copy HERE.

If you hire yourself, you don’t have to worry about getting fired!

Reality Shows For Ambitious Entrepreneurs

Who likes reality shows? I was never been a big fan of reality shows. I just don’t have the time (or patience) to watch (supposedly) mature adults argue and bicker over who wore what, who said what, or who lied to whom.

I understand these shows are EXTREMELY popular, but I refuse to get sucked into the madness. I said long ago that I’d NEVER watch reality shows because I thought they were all the same. Boy was I wrong.

I didn’t realize there were so many types of reality shows out there these days:

• House flippers
• Restaurant owners
• Outdoor adventures
• Dating/romance
• Health (emergency rooms, interventions)
• Show business (modeling, singing, etc.)

You name it, there’s a reality show for it, but as a business owner, I must admit that I have a new guilty pleasure: reality shows featuring millionaires and billionaires.

A Whole New World

To my pleasant surprise, there are quite a few shows that feature ultra rich individuals doing some pretty amazing things.

For example, there’s one show that features individuals buying private jets. One couple bought a jet for $4 MILLION dollars.

There’s a show that features private islands that are purchased for millions of dollars, and the exotic and  exclusive vacation destinations of the super rich.

Another show features people buying mega yachts.

Then there’s the show that focuses on the buying habits of billionaires in general. It showcases homes selling for $30 million dollars, $200,000 cars, and everything that these people purchase, ranging from jewelry to rare sports memorabilia.

Now most people will scoff at these purchases and say they are just wasting their money. They could do things with their money like donate to various charities and try make the world a better place.

That is a valid observation and I’m sure many do give to various charities and causes, but there’s another point that we all should think about:

If these people like something, they will buy it. Not only that, they will spend extremely large sums of money to get it.

The question we business owners must ask ourselves is who are they buying from, and why can’t we sell OUR products to them?

One thing I noticed about each of these wealthy individuals is they put a premium on quality. They expect nothing but the best. They also want excellent service. If you can provide those two things, they will gladly pay over-the-top dollar.

No matter what we are selling or providing to our customers, it’s critical that we give our customers top quality and service. By doing this, we can charge a premium. And people will pay for it. No business owner wants a reputation as having cheap, products that are poor quality. You won’t sell many products, and you’ll be out of business sooner or later.

By charging higher prices, a person’s expectations will change, so it’s important we match those perceptions with reality. If I go to a fast food burger joint, I expect a certain type of quality and service. However, if I’m going to a high class restaurant, my expectations are drastically different.

When spending $4.00 for a value meal, I’m not expecting much more than warm fries and 2 ketchup packets. But if I’m spending $200? The service, food and decorum better be EXCELLENT.

How our customers perceive us and how we present ourselves is critical to our success. Change your mindset when it comes to your business. Your business is top of the line. You’re not like everyone else, you’re the cream of the crop! You’re not just selling a product, you’re selling an experience!

Don’t be afraid to charge top dollar for your goods and services because people will pay for them. Watch the shows listed above and you’ll see what I mean.

Change your mindset and think like a billionaire. What would you expect in quality and service? That’s exactly how you should approach your business. . Discover how to create the best products and establish a successful business today. Pick up a copy of my new book Readi Set Go! A Simple Guide to Establishing a Successful Small Business today on Amazon. Who knows: maybe one day your product will be featured on one of these reality shows!

 

 

 

 

 

Want to Start a Successful Business? Don’t Do This

Starting a successful business take a lot of work. There are many things that must be done, but there are things a person should not do as well. Here are the top things a person should avoid when starting a business:

1. Don’t underestimate startup costs. Not only can it cost more than you anticipated, it can take longer to turn a profit as well. Be mentally prepared to spend more money than you originally thought and wait longer to see a return on investment.
2. Don’t underestimate your competition. If they have been in business longer than you, they may know things you are unaware of. Observe your competition with a healthy dose of respect and learn everything you can about them before taking them head on.
3. Don’t skimp on marketing. “If you build it, they will come” only applies if people know who you are. Get your business in front of everyone you can by any means necessary.
4. Don’t rely on friends and family for support. Sometimes, the people who claim to be your biggest supporters disappear the quickest when you need them most. Step out of your circle and create business contacts at every opportunity for they will be your biggest asset.
5. Don’t do it all by yourself. There will be plenty for you to do and not enough time to do it all. Consider hiring freelance support.
6. Don’t assume you know it all. No one knows everything. Surround yourself with people who know more than you and learn from them.
7. Don’t underestimate the power of a good business plan. The business plan is your roadmap to success. It will keep you on course when the skies are cloudy and  the seas are choppy.
8. Don’t ignore Uncle Sam. The IRS will seize your assets and shut you down if you’re not careful. Keep meticulous records and file as required.
9. Don’t think success will happen overnight. The average business takes 5 years to become successful. Be mentally prepared to work hard for a long time with little results or reward.
10. Don’t sell to just anybody. While any sale is good, the most successful businesses identify a specific target market and tailor their products to meet their specific needs.

Sometimes, the keys to success involve avoiding things that can impede your progress. By avoiding common pitfalls, you will be one step closer to achieving your goals.

Want more great tips? Do you yearn for business success? Pick up a copy of my book Readi Set Go! A Simple Guide to Establishing a Successful Small Business. Available on Amazon HERE.

Unemployed and Desperately Looking For Work. Is This You?

I saw this post on another site today:

As of today, I have been unemployed for 2 months. Day in and day out, I am searching for jobs through various job boards, hitting the pavement with resumes in hand, cold calling companies and trying to arrange interviews. I have been working with 8 different recruiters to assist me in my job search and not one has sent me on an interview. Instead, I’ve had numerous agencies rip me to shreds in regards to my last job, compensation and reasoning for termination, not return my phone calls nor my emails and just make disparaging remarks. For some, this may put a damper on their spirit but not for me. I am more determined, driven and motivated now than I ever have been. 35,628 Likes

How many people can relate to this post? This is very unfortunate and I wish this on NO ONE. People WANT TO WORK. People want to contribute their skills and talents to make society a better place. Too many of us are looking extremely hard for jobs, but the jobs are few and far between. Or, the jobs underpay severely.

And guess what? It will only get worse. Retail stores are closing at the highest rate in years. Automation is affecting more and more industries.

It is time we seriously consider creating our own jobs and not waiting months for someone to finally hire us. Pick up a copy of my book and learn how to turn your passion into a paycheck. Don’t wait until you are looking for jobs that may or may not be there.

This is not a game. Times are changing and we MUST seek ways to make our own money. There’s no guarantee that you will find a job, but if you work hard, you might be able to create a solid business for yourself.

Click HERE to pick up a copy of my book Readi Set Go! A Simple Guide to Establish a Successful Small Business.  

Don’t wait until you’re looking for a job, start preparing NOW to discover how to make your own money with a business of your own.

 

 

 

 

Trouble on the Horizon? More Stores Closing

Have you heard? 3500 Stores are closing all over the country in 2017. Here are a few notables:

• Payless 400 stores
• The Limited 250 stores
• Radio Shack 552 stores
• JC Penny 138 stores
• Ralph Lauren 51 stores
• HH Gregg 88 stores
• Game Stop 150 stores
• Staples 70 stores
• CVS 70 stores
• Sears 150 stores
• Family Christian 240 stores

BeBe, Crocs, Kmart and other retailers are shutting down as well, with thousands of people losing their jobs.

As  we watch these stores close, many people think it won’t affect them because they don’t work in retail.

However, there will be a ripple effect that could impact countless other industries:

• Security
• Restaurants in area
• Custodians
• Public transportation
• Smaller, neighboring stores
• Bag manufacturers
• Interior designers
• Plumbers
• Electricians

If these businesses are impacted, they may have to trim their staff as well, resulting in more people being laid off.

Some will look at these establishments and think they were not doing well, so it’s not a surprise they’re closing. This may be true, but the question still remains:

Where will these displaced workers find jobs?

Thanks to automation, many other types of jobs are disappearing as well or moving  to other locations across the globe. The world is changing, and it’s time to pay close attention to what’s going on and how it could affect YOU in the next 2-10 years.

The bottom line is this: Far too many of us are reliant on someone else for our ability to make a living. Companies can close their doors with little notice, leaving thousands of people with no way to pay their bills.

Then what?

It’s becoming more and more apparent that people need to look into starting their own businesses. It’s time to learn how to create multiple streams of income for ourselves. Who among us can confidently say they are immune from layoffs? How would you survive if you lost your job tomorrow? Next week?

NOW is the time to be proactive and do your homework:

• What do you like to do?
• What are you passionate about?
• Can you earn a paycheck from that passion?

The most successful businesses are those where the owner truly loves what they do. It’s not a job to them, so they are willing to work hard to make it successful. This is key.

Thanks to the world wide web, we all have access to billions of people around the world. Out of a billion people, surely a couple hundred million can be interested in a service you can provide? It’s possible, but you’ll never know unless you try.

It’s time to seriously look into making your passion your profession, be it full time or part time. Running a business is difficult, but it’s not impossible. Increase your odds of business success and earning your own income by picking up a copy of my book Readi- Set Go! A Simple Guide to Establishing a Successful Small Business.

Pick up a paperback or Kindle copy on Amazon HERE.

Sometimes, we have to do things we don’t want to do, and that includes desperately looking for a job after being  laid off. Protect yourself and discover how to run a business doing something you enjoy before YOUR industry is in the news.

Student Loan Debt: An Entrepreneur’s Worst Enemy?

Have student loans? You’re not alone. It is estimated that the average student loan debt for 2016 college graduates from a 4 year institution  is $30,000. Grad school is even higher, with law degree students owing up to $140,000 and med students owing $160,000.  

That’s a lot of money.

In other words, most college students need to get a good paying job right out of the gate, because those student loan payments are right around the corner. That is no small feat, so the federal government established a program that promised to repay their remaining student loans after they  work 10 years in a public service job.

This is a great idea on two fronts: it helps ease the anxiety of having to pay so much debt, and it ensures the  public service gets plenty of qualified talent to fill positions that are often lower paying.

Unfortunately, there’s one small problem:  The Department of Education recently came out and said student loan forgiveness approval loan letters may be invalid.  

If this is true, thousands of students will suddenly be stuck with student loan debt they thought would be forgiven. Read the story HERE.

We’re told at a young age that if we want to get a good job, we must to go to school and  get a degree.  That sounds good and may have worked for previous generations, but this is a new day. What we’re NOT told about is the student loans many of us accrue and the intense competition for those jobs. (You’re not the only person graduating and looking for work.)

Many of the jobs that our parents and grandparents had coming out of college either moved overseas or have become automated.

On top of that, many of today’s entry level jobs are lower paying  so, a person coming out of college has to balance paying back thousands of dollars of student loans with basic living necessities like cars, food, and rent.

If the Department of Education decides those letters are invalid, it is estimated that more than  half a million people will find themselves forced to pay back tens of  thousands of dollars in student loans they thought were taken care of.

Is It Worth It?

Time will tell how this plays out, but it’s time we start facing some harsh realities:

• Having a degree does not  guarantee you a well paying job.
• Student loan debt can take YEARS to repay.
• Student loans and other debt can deter a person from starting their own business.
• College teaches you how to work for someone else.

Starting a career with $30,000 or more in student loan debt can be daunting. How many people are working just to pay the bills? How many people are forced to take a job just to make ends meet? How many people are working in jobs not related to their degree?

By having large financial responsibilities so early in life, a person who wants to start their own business may feel it is impossible because they need money NOW. They have bills that MUST be paid. TODAY. (Not to mention defaulting on student loans can affect a person’s credit score, which can affect them for years to come.)

Unfortunately, many businesses can take years to grow and become profitable, so the dream of being an entrepreneur is often put on the back burner. In many cases, that dream is all but forgotten once a person has children to take care of.

This is not deter a person from getting a college degree, but to make them think.

Many professions require a degree to be hired to work in that profession, but to start a business you don’t need a degree, you need tenacity, passion, hard work, and a strong desire to succeed.

Not having thousands of dollars in student loans helps too.

The following successful business owners didn’t complete a formal education:

Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs dropped out of Reed College, yet he was the co-founder of Apple with Steve Wozniak, also a college dropout. At the time of his death, Mr. Jobs was worth $11 billion.

Richard Branson. Richard Branson dropped out of high school at 16 but went on to create Virgin Airways, Virgin Records, and Virgin Mobile. He is now worth $4.9 billion.

Dave Thomas. Dave Thomas is the founder of Wendy’s. He dropped out of high school to work at the Hobby House restaurant. At the time of his death, his net worth was $99 million.

Larry Ellison. Larry Ellison is the founder of Oracle. He dropped out of not one, but two colleges. Currently, he is currently worth $48.3 billion.

Rachael Ray. Rachel Ray never attended college, but that did not stop her from becoming an author and TV star. She is reportedly worth $66 million.

We are not saying or suggesting for you to quit college or that college is a waste of time. We are simply saying that it’s time to be realistic about what to expect after graduating from that 4 year institution. We are also saying no matter who you are or what your educational level is, you CAN become a successful business owner. The key is to learn everything you can about your profession and learn everything you can about running a business.

That can be accomplished with or without a degree.

This is why Jeffrey White and I wrote our book Readi – Set Go: A Simple Guide to Establishing a Successful Small Business. Too many of us are living a life that seems to be choreographed by someone else. We are following a path that we may not have wanted to follow.

Isn’t it time we started to think outside the box? Isn’t it time to do what YOU want to do and not what society tells you that you should do?

Don’t just go to school and hope someone gives you a job. Acquire the skills to create one for yourself. Pick up your copy HERE today!