How to Start Your Own Business
Burn the boats!
The other day I was reading an email from a very successful business owner.
His name is Oscar Garcia.
In fact, he is also my Facebook friend and teaches live trainings on how to create successful Facebook advertising campaigns.
Apparently, according to Oscar (I didn’t personally research this), the Spanish had a saying as they arrived in America. They would say “burn the boats” meaning that they were here to conquer and that they would not retreat.
Oscar was miserable working at a high paying corporate job. He quit his job, took his 401K money and moved in with a friend. He started his own business and is doing tremendously well.
He left himself with no safety net. No way to give up or retreat.
Like I’ve done a couple of times.
It wasn’t until I burned the boats and jumped in both feet first that I finally registered my LLC and published my first book.
Now, I’m not suggesting that you do this. In fact, I strongly discourage it. I have had to give up and sacrifice a lot of things to do this.
Which is why I would rather teach others. So they can learn from my mistakes. Instead of making the same ones I did.
This all inspired me to record Episode 3 of The Power of Writing Podcast. It’s about starting your own business.
Here it is:
How to start your own business
Why You Should Exercise in the Morning
This morning I practiced what I preach…
I try to most days. But often times things come up that throw a curveball into your day. Unavoidable things that cannot be ignored.
Like when an old girlfriend calls you up at the last minute. She’s free for lunch. Yay!
Of course you were planning to workout during lunch. But friendships are important.
Right?
How could you say no?
Then later, one of your kids needs a ride somewhere. And you forgot about the school concert tonight. And so on and so forth.
So the ball hits you. Bam! And before you know it, it’s bedtime.
That much needed workout – just didn’t happen.
The best way to avoid the curveball is to exercise first thing in the morning. Which is exactly what I did today. I went for a run and did a few sets of pushups. Now all I left to do is my core.
Not my favorite thing in the world. But WOW. I feel great afterward.
Another reason I had to knock out my workout first thing is because today is the live Bald for Bucks event at my daughter’s school. Brave kids are shaving their heads, cutting off 9 or more inches of their hair (enough to make a wig for a cancer patient) and for the less daring, dying their hair a crazy color.
All for the fight against cancer.
Since this is such an amazing cause, I’m donating some of the proceeds from this month’s eBook sales. “Zipping It Up: How to lose 5 pounds fast and look great in that little black dress!”
I also created a special edition eBook just for the cause. The book won’t go away but the discounted price will. At midnight tonight the price goes up.
To give you a little bit of info of what the book’s about here is what one happy reader said:
“Written like a friend is giving advice to a friend, this little book is filled with clear, direct and, most important, DOABLE advice on losing 5 pounds fast. Not only that, it gives advice on keeping it off and on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. There’s no gimmicky stuff and nothing unhealthy. – Mary Beth Cunningham
Go here to get your discount and learn even more ways to avoid getting hit by the ball:
It’s time to zip it up!
Is this a scam?
In most industries and especially in sales (of any kind) you have to keep learning.
To sharpen my copywriting skills, I’ve been reading through some of the “BEST copy ever written!”
As I was reading, I kept thinking that it all sounds so…
Cheezy.
Which my mind translates to, “Is this a scam?”
I have never particularly cared for big flashy ads that are filled with huge promises and giant “BUY NOW” buttons.
However, statistics show (and $ signs) that they do actually work. Therefore, we can’t stop using them.
So what do we do???
This is one of the reasons why testimonials are so important.
And why I would lie to tell you about a testimonial I received about “Zipping It Up: How to lose 5 pounds fast and look great in that little black dress.”
This testimonial was written by Dr. Michael Dusa. He has a degree in nutrition, was a bodybuilder and has owned fitness companies throughout his career. He is the founder of MTFU where he helps men over 50 enjoy life to the fullest. By helping men get healthy & fit, have better love lives, enhance their careers and live happier and healthier lives.
Which is exactly why I wrote Zipping It Up. Only it’s specifically to help women.
When you wake up in the morning, slip into loosely fitting clothes, look in the mirror and think, “Damn, I look good!” – It changes your day. Your motivation increases, your mood changes and your career flourishes.
Not to mention your sex life.
Here’s just a snippet of what Dr. Dusa’s review of the book Zipping It Up:
“By my marketing colleague, Irene Gabelnick. LADIES I recommend this book. I like Irene’s style very straightforward, no secrets, no bullshit. Everything you need is packaged as a system in this book to shuck those last few pounds and slip easily into your favorite outfit or bikini.”
That is only ONE of the many 5 star reviews written about “Zipping It Up: How to lose 5 pounds fast and look great in that little black dress!”
This week I am offering a special eBook edition. You don’t need a fancy Kindle device, or have to download the Kindle app OR even have to wait for it to be shipped to your door!
You can start Zipping It Up today!
Plus… I reduced the price! You can save 30% off the print cover price if you buy it today! I am only offering this special discounted price until Sunday, June 3rd.
The best part…
In memory of my loving sister Natalie, who died of breast cancer, I am donating 20% of the proceeds for each eBook sold during this special promotion, to the fight against cancer. My daughter Hannah (that’s her in the picture) is raising money for Bald for Bucks and is donating 10 inches of her beautiful blonde hair. Which will be used to make a wig for a cancer survivor.
To help make this a world without cancer.
*This promotion has ended. You can still Purchase the book in Kindle and in print here:
I want to wake up feeling great!
10 Influential Entrepreneurs to Help You Grow Your Business
A big part of growing your business is learning from top successful entrepreneurs. There are many amazing people to learn from. The best thing I can suggest is to follow people you resonate with. Observe their business models. Watch how they create their business structure, build their brand and their tribe.
I’ve created a list of highly respected, top influential entrepreneurs who’ve helped me get one step closer to growing my business. They can help you create the business of your dreams and a life of freedom. Follow them on social media and reach out to connect. You might be surprised who you might meet. You can connect with top experts in your industry to build relationships with like minded people. Position yourself as an expert and open doors to unlimited opportunities.
Tim Ferriss is an author of best-selling books, including his newest release,“Tribe of Mentors.” The first time I heard Tim was on a live interview with Jack Canfield. He shared how he set goals to write his first best-selling book. And the day his literary agent called him to inform him he had hit the charts. His exact words were bleeped out and his enthusiasm was contagious. I liked him instantly. I finally started reading “The 4-Hour Workweek” after buying it sometime last year. I’m only a few chapters in and I can already feel my dream life beginning to come alive.
Cassey Ho is an award-winning fitness instructor, entrepreneur and personality based in Los Angeles, CA. She is the creator of Blogilates, the #1 female fitness channel on YouTube with over 300 million video views and 3 million subscribers. I started following Cassey a few years ago when I started working her extreme ab series, into my workout routine. I watched her grow her business from a mat and a camera to an amazing studio. Her business model and success has been one of the strongest influences to starting my own business.
Ann Handley is a writer, speaker and marketing expert. I read an article about her a few weeks ago and started following her. I received my first newsletter from Ann a few days ago. It was filled with valuable information, kept me locked in to the end and most importantly made me laugh. Learning the fundamentals of successful marketing is key to creating a successful online business.
Nick Usborne is freelance writer, copywriter, author, and speaker. He is also known as the Coffee Detective and the creator of a course I recently completed. The course called Money-Making Websites through AWAI, teaches you how to create passive income. By using an interest, hobby or passion, building a website and learning how to monetize it.
Ryan Lee is a business coach and founder of Freedym. He helps entrepreneurs create a life of freedom by building an online continuity business. He is a master at connecting people. I recently joined one of his Mastermind groups which has introduced me to many successful online entrepreneurs. The Freedym membership site has everything you need to create, grow and market a thriving online business.
Chris Winfield is an entrepreneur and success coach in New York City. With the use of simple systems, techniques and the power of true focus, Chris teaches people how to get 40 hours of work done in 16.7 and much more. Are you seeing a pattern here? Get more done in less time. Chris also teaches about gratitude and being thankful for what you have.
Selena Soo is a publicity and marketing strategist who helps entrepreneurs impact millions. She specializes in connecting entrepreneurs with media outlets to become the expert in their field and reach the masses. Selena is someone I resonate with on many levels. Like me, she has to step out of her comfort zone to get in front the camera for photos and videos. Her techniques for getting into mainstream media can help you grow and promote your business.
Ruth Soukup is a writer, speaker, blogger, entrepreneur and founder of the Living Well Spending Less blog. She creates courses that help entrepreneurs create successful blogs. If you want to create a life of freedom through blogging I highly recommend you check her out.
Suzi Whitford is a writer, blogger and founder of Start a Mom Blog. She is an up and coming star blogger. Her courses and content are filled with great information to create, grow and build a business for mommy bloggers.
Last but not least, is someone I oddly placed after the lovely, sweet Suzi.
Dan Meredith is an author, coach and founder of a massive Facebook group called Coffee with Dan. His book “How to be F*ucking Awesome” is a must read if you want to learn what is important about building a business and how to get sh*t done. There is a waiting list to get into his popular Facebook group. A word of warning, It’s not for those easily offended.
Those are my top 10 picks for influential entrepreneurs to help you grow a thriving business. Learn from the best and live the life you deserve. While having the freedom to do the things you enjoy. Without selling your soul.
Should You Weigh Yourself?
This morning I read an article about weighing yourself. Correction, it was about why you shouldn’t weigh yourself.
Apparently, there are people who obsess over the scale. I get it. And if you’re obsessing over a scale, you probably have bigger problems than being overweight. Other issues that may be causing you to overeat.
Don’t blame it on the scale.
I weigh myself every morning.
Just once a day. About the same time before I eat or drink anything. Just to keep myself in check. “They” say, it doesn’t matter. It’s just water weight. It takes days to lose actually fat. Blah, blah blah.
It works for me.
The reason it works for me is that I look at it positively either way. Whether it’s tipping high. Or weighing in low.
If it’s low, I feel good. But it doesn’t mean I head for the bacon, eat a burger and fries for lunch, then eat candy bars and chips all day. I look at what I did right and try to do it again.
Wash. Rinse. Repeat?
Eat healthy. Exercise. Everything in moderation.
Rules I live by.
We all have times when we gain weight. Most of us average folks, anyway. My weight has fluctuated many times throughout my life. People look at me and assume that I am naturally thin. I don’t believe in “naturally thin.”
I believe in being healthy.
There is a reason that I don’t have health issues. Even at my age.
To prove it, that even I have struggled with weight over the years, I pulled out a book that a friend lent me back in my twenties. No, I never returned it.
My bad?
I’m pretty sure she told me to keep it.
I must have put on a few pounds at the time and wanted to lose it. Since I am of the proactive
nature and keep myself in check, before things get out of control, I read the book.
It’s called “Diets Still Don’t Work.” by Bob Schwartz.
There are two main reasons I like the book:
- I agree that diets don’t work
- Because a key element to success is “mindset”
The mind is a powerful thing. We cannot change the things that happen to us. Of course, we can make choices about what we do and where we go. That might increase our risk for danger. I certainly wouldn’t walk alone at night in a high crime part of town.
But we cannot control everything. Death is inevitable. Challenges arise.
The only thing we can control is how we react.
It’s not easy. We were born with emotions and we can’t change that.
What we can change is how we take care of ourselves. It isn’t rocket science that when you are healthy and feel good, that everything in life is better. It helps us deal with whatever sh*t storm gets thrown our way. Maybe I should stop following the loud mouthed cursing gurus for a while. Alas, another thing I can control.
If you want to be proactive, take better control of your life and deal with challenges a little bit better…
Read a good book.
One that might actually help you.
Like “Zipping it Up: How to lose 5 pounds fast and look great in that little black dress.”
It is not a diet. And the absolute first thing I teach is “mindset”
You gotta want it.
If you don’t, don’t waste your $2.99. The low cost for the Kindle version. It won’t do you any good.
Here’s what Jocelyn Jones, a happy verified purchaser, has to say about Zipping it Up:
“Thank You Irene, This is a very helpful tool for all the ladies out there that need to lose weight fast for a special occasion or just because. The tips are simple to follow and implement. I HIGHLY Recommend this book! 🙂
If you are ready to be proactive zip on over here:
How to Be F*cking Awesome – A 5 Star Review
He’s a little rough…
I want to tell you about a fellow I’ve been following. His name is Dan Meredith. He is a successful businessman, coach, entrepreneur and the author of How to be F*cking Awesome. On Amazon, every review of his book, is a 5 star review. As of today there are 97 of them. 98 including mine.
As you can clearly see, he’s a little rough around the edges.
I’m reading his book for the third time. I love it. It’s down to earth, honest and motivational. Most of all it is entertaining!
Dan has a massive following.
His Facebook group “Coffee with Dan” has thousands of members. I don’t know how many exactly, but there is a waitlist to get in. It took me 3 requests to get into the group before finally being accepted. It makes you want it more.
There are two lessons here that I’m sharing with you.
I’ll spell them out for you. In case they aren’t obvious.
One. Be entertaining. It will help you grow your following and your business. To help you make more money.
Two. Creating scarcity makes people want it! When offering your products or services, create deadlines. Deadlines for discounts. Deadlines for product launches and/or limited quantities.
Then stick to them.
I cannot stand seeing the ads “FOR ONE DAY ONLY!” Which are only followed by the same deal, day after day.
Seriously?!
You know there’s a Michael’s coupon available every single day, right?
Anyway, there’s a reason why the retailers use this tactic.
Because it works!
And it works in the online business world too. For your products, services, courses, books and coaching services.
That’s all for today. I need to get back to my book. So I can be F*cking awesome too.
Yet another lesson, read good books.
I lied. I wasn’t done preaching my knowledge to my faithful tribe.
You are already awesome. But there is always room for improvement. You can never stop learning.
If you want your body and health to be a little more awesome too, check out my book, that only has 5 star reviews: “Zipping it Up – How to lose 5 pounds fast and look great in that little black dress!” You can get in Kindle or paperback right here:
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To Detox or Not To Detox
Do you ever feel bloated?
I know I do. And it’s not fun. So I’ve found a way to prevent bloating and even cure it fast when needed.
One of the latest *health* trends is the Detox Cleanse. They claim to detoxify your body by flushing out toxins, while giving you more energy, making you feel less bloated and help regulate bowel movement.
So why the controversy?
Some of these detox cleanses suggest fasting during the cleanse. Which is basically just another way to starve yourself to lose weight.
Hmmm. Well. I eat my vegetables and I get pretty grumpy when I don’t eat, sooo I’m not really all about it. Plus there are way better ways to lose weight (even quickly) without starving yourself.
But on the other hand, quite a few of these *Detox* drinks that are not a cleansing fast, do act as a natural diuretic to prevent bloating. Well. now we’re talking.
And I have a *secret* for you…
Some of these detox drinks are just water. With fruit.
Various fruits and vegetables when added to water act as a natural cleanse. Plus, it makes the water taste good. This promotes drinking more water and staving of the craving for sugary sweet drinks like juice or soda.
A win win in my book.
I’ve tested quite a few of these detox water recipes.and found quite a few yummy ones. But since my creativity in the kitchen prevents me from sticking to any recipe, I just had to create my own.
If you’re feeling a little bloated or simply want something healthy and refreshing to enjoy download the recipe now.