I am a lifelong entrepreneur and I love the challenges and opportunities presented by operating a small business enterprise.
Today, I am honored to manage an amazing resource for small businesses in Orlando, Florida, called the Disney Entrepreneur Center. I love my job!
This blog is an outlet to share my thoughts, ideas, and perspectives on small business with you. Please feel free to comment, add your perspectives, or just drop in occasionally for some food for thought.
I have worked for the largest business in the world (AT&T) and the smallest (my own), but I don't have all the answers! I do have lots of opinions, questions and ideas to ponder...so I hope you come back often to enjoy the journey into the mind of a serial entrepreneur!
Pots, Black Kettles, Glass Houses And Stones
(General)
Thursday, September 10. 2009
When I was young, I would hear the saying, “isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?” and I always wondered what that really meant. As I grew older, I began to understand the meaning more thoroughly and then recognize the application in real life. Usually, one person complaining about the behavior of others, when they regularly do the same thing themselves. I think we all have tendency to do that at times, some of us more than others, some of us pots, some black kettles.
It seems easy to identify and enumerate all the shortcomings in other people and other organizations,...
Entrepreneur Fair
(General)
Saturday, August 29. 2009
The Disney Entrepreneur Center’s 4th Annual Entrepreneur Fair was another great success. Over 400 people attended the educational sessions and the networking reception. In a difficult economy, it is critical that business people connect and engage with each other to create those business relationships and uncover potential opportunities that can help get you through a tough time.
On Wednesday, there was a great group of knowledgeable speakers in Joe & Dawn Pici, and Jack Veale who provided some great insights for businesses of any size. The representatives from Regions...
Would You Like Fries With That?
(General)
Wednesday, August 19. 2009
There are only two ways to increase your sales. Sell more stuff to the customers you have, or attract new customers. Anyone in sales will tell you that it is not easy to constantly prospect for new clients, qualify them, make a compelling
presentation, negotiate terms, and bring a new client in the door. It is a process that is filled with the potential for failure all along the way.
It is much easier to connect personally with the clients that you already have, and sell them a little more. On a recent trip to the grocery store, I was roaming the aisles like a middle-schooler on...
Branding
(General)
Tuesday, August 11. 2009
When I say the name Mercedes Benz, what image do you see in your head? Is it the hood ornament symbol? Maybe the image that popped into your head was one of luxury, safety or even status. Why do you think that happened with just the mention of the company name? What if I said Apple…do you think of the Apple with a bite taken out of it? Or the sleek laptop design or maybe even an i-pod, an i-phone, or an i….. well you get the picture!
Branding is a deliberate and managed effort to transfer images, feelings, and value of a company, or a product with just the mention...
Entrepreneur Magazine
(General)
Sunday, August 09. 2009
The August issue of Entrepreneur Magazine names Orlando as one of the “Top 10 best cities for starting a business.” I’ve known for a long time how unique our community is for entrepreneurs because I have launched several new ventures here in the last 20 years. Believe me, there is no better place to start a business! As the article points out, we are unbelievably fortunate to have community leadership that is creative, open to partnerships, and willing to give a new idea, (or a new business) an opportunity. I mean how many cities have an Entrepreneur Center that is funded by local government,...