Successful Blog

6 Non-Obvious Entrepreneur and Founder Resources

by

This blog was recently listed by the folks at GetVOIP as one of the “35 best entrepreneur blogs.” We appreciate the recognition, and it got me thinking about other lists of resources that might be out there for us “doers.”

It’s always good to refresh your toolkit, so I came up with six somewhat non-obvious resources for information, inspiration, and support related to entrepreneurship.

entrepreneur with laptop dog
  1. Startup Stash directory/
  2. 7 Great educational resources for entrepreneurs, from Upstart
  3. Kauffman Founders’ School video series/
  4. Quora, Startup Founders & Entrepreneurs category
  5. Pinterest “Entrepreneurship” category
  6. Top 25 Business Podcasts for Entrepreneurs

Have you found any useful new resources to help you in your entrepreneurial journey? Please share!

Author’s Bio: Rosemary O’Neill is an insightful spirit who works for Social Strata — makers of the Hoop.la community platform. Check out the Social Strata blog. You can find Rosemary on Google+ and on Twitter as @rhogroupee

Why we should stop saying, “I’m terrible with names”

by

By Lindsey Tolino

 

The first time I heard it was when I was in middle school. On the first day of school, our teacher said it with little emotional engagement. He coupled it with a remark that at some point, maybe a few weeks in, he would eventually have everyone’s down. I remember it rubbing me the wrong way even then.

“I’m terrible with names.”

I’ve always felt like someone devalues me when they say it. They don’t mean to. They are citing an insufficiency in themselves. I know that.

But when someone tells you that they’re terrible with names, they are essentially saying that you aren’t important enough to remember your name.

Name tag

 

I know this because you know whose names I don’t forget? My husband’s. My dog’s. My family’s. My friends’. People I want to get to know. People whose work I extol.

And just so you know, I’m terrible with names.

I’m usually selfishly worrying about what’s in my teeth and I don’t catch what you said. “Did she say Sheryl or Carol?” I hate when I do that.

However, I shouldn’t tell you that I’m terrible with names simply because I’m bad at listening to you. If I do tell you that, it’s like I think that it’s an acceptable character trait. And I don’t think it is. I want to get better at it. I want to listen well and show people I value them.

Though forgetting names shouldn’t be acceptable, it does show that you’re a normal human if you struggle with it. But you don’t want to be seen as normal, right? You want to be remarkable, so don’t identify yourself with the cliché of being terrible with names.

If you can’t remember someone’s name, simply tell them how you remember them, but that you can’t recall their name. It will at least make them feel valued that you remembered them in some capacity and most people understand that names can be evasive at times.

If you just met them a few moments ago, you can simply apologize and ask for their name again. Just don’t qualify the lapse in memory by saying you’re terrible with names. No one wants to hear that.

We all want to know that we are valued. So let’s not minimize each other by saying “I’m terrible with names.”

Author’s Bio: Lindsey Tolino is an intentional creative who helps make businesses better. She serves business owners with her words at ToBusinessOwners.com. Follow her on Twitter @LindseyTolino or connect with her on Google+.

Image info: Original royalty-free image from http://www.freeimages.com/photo/1428915

Credit Reports Matter for Businesses and Consumers

by

credit-history-represents-debit-card-and-bankcard-100297005Whether you run a business or are just your everyday consumer, you more than likely know how important your credit history is, especially when it comes to meeting your financial needs.

For the small business owner, one’s credit score is very important in order to solidify yourself as being financially sound, most notably in the event you need to acquire a small business loan.

For the typical consumer, a solid credit score rings important when trying to get a new or used car loan, a loan to buy a home and much more.

With that in mind, do you truly know whether your credit report is thumbs up or thumbs down?

Obtaining a Loan or Credit Card

Typically the top reason you want a positive credit score is when it comes time to try and obtain a loan. The same holds true in looking for your first or an additional credit card.

Whether you get your information from CreditSesame.com or another such provider, your score will go a long ways in determining whether you get the funds you seek.

For starters, do you know where you stand when it comes to your credit score?

While the number range can fluctuate to a degree, the following scores mean:

  • 630 or below (Bad credit) – This range means you likely have missed some credit card payments, you have no credit card history, or you at some point filed for bankruptcy (personal reasons such as high medical bills and/or a small business that has gone under). One of the down sides to numbers in this range is that you will have to deal with larger interest rates and fees moving forward;
  • 630 to 689 (Average credit) – This range puts you in with millions of other Americans. While not the worst, your credit could be better if you did away with a sizable portion of bad debt hanging around. Numbers in this range can make it difficult to get a loan;
  • 690 to 719 (Good credit) – This range allows you to be eligible for a variety of different credit cards, with lenders also viewing you as a good risk in most cases;
  • 720 to 850 (Excellent credit) – This range is as good as it gets for consumers. Many will have the opportunity to receive cards that offer great rewards.

Check Your Report in Detail

When you get a copy of your credit report, make sure you go over it with a fine tooth comb.

Look for any inaccuracies, especially given today’s world of identity theft.

If you find something amiss, reach out immediately to the fraud departments of those you do business with and have your account placed under review, making sure no money can be withdrawn until the matter is cleared up. You should also have a security hold placed on your credit report.

Whether for personal or professional use (running a business etc.), your credit report and your history of handling credit will go a long way in determining your financial future.

Photo credit: Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

About the Author: Dave Thomas writes for a variety of websites on topics such as marketing and small business.

What it takes to be successful in today’s business world

by

By Teddy Hunt

Are you starting out on a new business endeavor and wondering what it takes to be successful? It’s a journey you must take with the understanding that it’s about more than just yourself or acquiring money. To be successful in today’s business world, read the following five tips and implement them today.

1. The Journey to Success

To complete the journey, you must be ready to take the long and uneasy road to success. As with any journey, you need to have a destination chosen. This destination can be to own your own company, to reach a particular net worth, or to expand to an international client base. This will be how you define your business success.

On this journey, you’ll need to do much more than just want it. You must work hard, think positive, read collaborative books, and study your mentors who are already where you want to be. It’s a mental and physical journey to take. Are you ready to walk the walk and talk the talk?

While you are on your journey, remember the old phrase, “you are the company you keep.” If you are surrounded by those who are negative, you can be sure there will be negativity along your journey. They will make a rough path seem impossible to cross.

So it’s important to keep positive influencers around you who are looking to take the journey to success as well.

2. Be Persistent and Consistent

Have you ever met a successful person who tried to promote a new product and then quickly decided to let it go? Probably not. The most successful people in today’s business world are extremely persistent and consistent. These are two positive habits that will keep the money rolling in, over long term.

3. Don’t Chase the Money

Sure, in the end, it’s great to have wealth. However, you should not chase the money to define your success. As a business owner, do focus on your sales, cash flow, and net profit. This will help you determine how well your business is doing. Evaluate your business success by how well you are meeting your customers’ needs, and the money will follow naturally.

4. Manage Your Money Wisely

Just because you have money coming in like crazy, does not mean you’ll keep it in your bank account. You need to manage your money wisely.

  • Join an investment club.
  • Set up an investment account.
  • Learn about the various types of securities.

Some of the most successful individuals realize everything is not handed to them on a silver platter. They must work hard for it, and in turn, they learn to appreciate their wealth.

They are frugal individuals– yes, this includes even Warren Buffett. So take baby steps with your money. Keep your old vehicle as long as it runs and keep a smaller home. Leverage your frugality so that you can reinvest in your business or new ventures down the road.

5. Create Value in Your Life and Others

You need to have something to offer people for them to pay attention to you. Others purchasing your products and services, of course, is the way you will become successful.

So, you need to create value in their lives for them to support you. In turn, you’ll provide value in your own life toward your success.

Money is not always the top priority in successful people’s lives; it’s making others happy and providing value.

Business Insider has a list of 23 successful people who failed and kept going. From Thomas Edison to Stephen King, they never gave up. In order for you to be the next successful person, remember the above five tips, and never let greed get in your way.

Author’s Bio: Teddy Hunt is a freelance content writer with a focus on technology, writing for clients such as Ria Money Transfer. When not behind a computer, Teddy spends the majority of his free time outdoors and resides in Tampa, Florida.

Is Healthcare a Healthy Career Choice?

by

ahealtherrAre you looking for a fulfilling career that will help you to grow both personally and professionally?

Then healthcare could be just the career choice for you. The healthcare field is always growing and diversifying, offering ample opportunities for those who want to move into the field, and making it a choice worth considering if you’re looking to change career or start something new.

What are some of the reasons healthcare is a great career choice going into 2015? And what skills do you need to succeed in healthcare?

Healthcare Is a Growing Field

As the article “6 Growing Health Care Careers” points out, healthcare is a growing industry and a great choice if you’re looking for a career where you are almost guaranteed to be in demand.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare practitioner jobs are expected to grow by 21.5 percent, and support occupations by 28.1 percent, by 2022. That’s twice as fast as the average for any other occupation.

Healthcare Offers Many Benefits

As well as being in demand, a career in healthcare offers numerous other benefits:

  • Good pay and benefits – Healthcare careers typically come with an attractive salary, often featuring on lists of well-paying jobs, and usually offer great benefits such as dental, medical, insurance and paid vacation time to boot;
  • Variety – If there’s one thing that can be said for certain about healthcare, it’s that there’s never a dull moment. As well as offering exciting work, you’ll be able to choose from a wide range of working environments;
  • Career choices – Healthcare careers offer plenty of opportunities for moving upwards and growing your career and your salary. The number of distinct careers in the healthcare field is staggering, from doctors and nurses to transcriptionists, pharmacists, radiologists, medical billers and much more;
  • Free education – Many healthcare employers offer continuing professional development and even on the job training for new members of the field, meaning you can continue to learn, grow and expand your skills;
  • Fulfilling – A career in healthcare means meeting with and helping people from all walks of life. If you’re a people person who enjoys contributing something positive to others, healthcare is a good career choice for you.

Skills That Will Help You Succeed In Healthcare

Even before you start filling out your admissions form, you might find you have plenty of transferable skills that will help you build a good healthcare career, be it in family medicine or another area of medical practice.

Here are some skills that are an asset for anyone working in healthcare:

  • Time management – Many healthcare careers are fast paced – good time management will help you excel;
  • Customer service – You’ll be dealing with the public a lot, so the ability to make the people you meet feel valued and looked after is invaluable;
  • Compassion – From colleagues working under pressure to nervous patients or worried relatives, the ability to show compassion and empathy will make you an excellent healthcare practitioner;
  • Good communication – You’ll be working with people from all walks of life and communicating at all levels, so good communication skills will be a great strength;
  • Calmness under pressure – If you can stay calm and help others feel supported when things get busy or stressful, you’ll be appreciated by colleagues and patients alike.

If you’re ready for a career that is exciting, fulfilling and full of interesting opportunities, healthcare could just be a healthy choice for you.

Photo credit: Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

About the Author: Tristan Anwyn writes on a wide variety of topics, including social media, SEO, healthcare careers and distance learning.