Climbing the Corporate Ladder

Today I attended a seminar giving advice on how to climb the corporate ladder. The speaker's measure of success, in my opinion, was how much money he made and what his title was. Once again, in my opinion, climbing the corporate ladder is a lot like selling your soul. One of the points I did take away from this presentation was the following comment:

"Success is available to any one, but it comes at a price."

In other words, what are you willing to sacrifice for the extra dollars in your paycheck? Is it your marriage, kids, religion, hobby...et cetera? It seems that so many folks are interested in the seemingly unimportant things in life. I mean, who really cares if you're as rich as Bill Gates but don't have meaning in your life.

For all the business folks out there, I'll urge you to stay focused on the things that matter. Love your wife or your husband well. Treat your kids like you would have wanted to be treated. As the Mastercard commercial goes, those things are priceless.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence, and climbing the corporate ladder shouldn't be the goal of most people in America. We'd be a better country if we could simply be satisfied with what we have. Live each day as if it's your last.

Venture Capitalists - Who Needs Them?

I was reading an article today on www.cnn.com about venture capitalists and internet start up companies. Hmmm... I thought, this sounds like it may affect Menu Connect, my internet company.

In a nutshell, the article said that companies today just don't need as much start up money. In one example, it talked about how an entrepreneur started his company, flickr, with just around $200,000 and then sold it to Yahoo! for around $25,000,000.

From my standpoint, yes, I agree companies don't need the start-up capital that they once did. However, the input and expertise gained from a venture capitalist is being severely undervalued in my opinion. If a venture capitalist wants to invest a couple hundred thousand in my company, by all means, give me a call! I'd be glad to talk! Just make sure you've done something similar before, and make sure you understand it's my company.

In the end, Menu Connect (www.menuconnect.com) will be a success. It will simply take time, determination, and any money I can find! Go Menu Connect!

Getting Rich Quick

Can it be done? Yes, but with hard work and a solid business plan.

For individuals that tell us we can become rich by selling a multi-level marketing product such as Amway, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, or through some real estate investment program such as one promoted by Robert Kiyosaki in his book, Rich Dad Poor Dad, please leave us alone. I'd venture to say, especially in the case of the real estate programs, that the reason the authors are rich is because they found the true wealth strategy…selling materials to unsuspecting individuals who actually think their products will show them a step-by-step process for making it big!

If people like Robert Kiyosaki can live with himself for stealing from the poor, by all means, make your money. For the rest of us, I think a simple, yet effective approach can tackle many people's problems to having their own company, making a lot of money, or becoming financially free -

"Just do it." - Nike

It seems so simple, but with a little planning, coordination, and thinking, a business can be made and be successful. We're not talking rocket science. In fact, my business, Menu Connect, would be bigger and better if I only put more time into it - I am 100% confident of that statement. But, even if no one else will admit it, I spend too much time in front of the television watching "Survivor", "The Apprentice", "Prison Break", and "Cosby Show." I truly believe that a person can accomplish anything they desire if they only commit their lives to it…just make sure what you commit to is really what you want.

In my case, I refuse to commit my entire life to Menu Connect. If I were to do that, I would not only sacrifice my television time! :), but also time with my wife, my son, my family, and my church and friends. Life is not only about money…I realize more every day that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. I often wish we had more of a tendency to be satisfied with the material things we have, and focus more on relationships and character development.

Starting a Business

You'll most likely hear a lot about my business on this blog. Menu Connect is its name and you can find it at www.menuconnect.com. My company provides full menus, pictures, maps, contact information, and coupons of restaurants from one website. It is a portal of sorts. The idea is to go nationwide, but for right now we have listings for Bloomington, Illinois.

I've been operating for almost a year and half, and I feel like I'm just getting started. Seems like there is a big difference between creating a business plan on paper and actually executing a successful company. I've learned it's just not that easy without a huge start-up fund such as a Donald Trump fund, or having some miraculous relationship with some other venture capitalist firm.

My first year and a half has been a struggle I think mostly because my whole business idea and success measurement centered around making a lot of money. I was promoting sales to make money, and I don't think that was the right line of thought. Over the past couple months, my focus has changed to providing a valuable service for both restaurants and Menu Connect users. If I focus on that, I believe revenue will be a secondary part to the equation. With some help of new technologies like Google AdSense, I may just have a successful company one day.

Advice for me, don't start a company just to make money. Make sure it aligns with your values, and make sure it is something you enjoy doing. Without those two things, it's just not worth it.

Started a Blog Today!

Who knew I would start a blog? I'm excited to start...