Category: Entrepreneurship

Your Way is the Best Way

I’ve seen it time and time again—an idea is born and then a short while later it dies. It’s unfortunate because some of the ideas I hear are nothing short of jaw dropping and life changing.

You probably know what I’m talking about. It’s hard to find someone who’s short of ideas. Most everybody has them. Very few people follow through with them.

Instead of listing all the reasons why ideas never see fruition, I want to focus on one specific reason.

There is no “right way.”

Even though other people have paved the way before and done what you’re hoping to do, it doesn’t mean their way is the right way. It doesn’t even mean that their way is the best way. What it means is that the path they chose worked for them and they found success because they didn’t give up.
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You Want Me to Change?! Holy Smokes!

If you’re interested in business you know you have to attract customers, some of which will be using your competitor’s product. If you’re interested in leading, you know you have to have followers. If you’re interested in getting someone to change a behavior, you have to be convincing. If you’re wanting to change a person’s thoughts or opinions about something, you have to compel them to change by seeing that what you’re offering is the best for them.

There’s only one problem. People are naturally resistant to change. They don’t like it. Even if it’s better for them, they’ll kick and scream and shake their fists in the air. Why is that?

I think the answer is relatively simple.
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Entrepreneur Interview: Chris McClain of Chris McClain Productions

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Chris McClain about his videography business, Chris McClain Productions. One part of life that I absolutely enjoy is the arts, and so I had a great time learning about his work and also seeing some of the great videos… including his latest award-winning film… he’s created for other people. I’ve posted a couple of those videos in this interview.

Enjoy!

Reading time (Full transcript): 12 minutes.
Reading time (main ideas in bold): 3 minutes.
Listening time (Full interview): 23 minutes.

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Chris MowerCan you tell me a little bit about yourself?

Chris McClainMy name is Chris McClain. I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. I am currently 31 years old, married almost 8 years. I have a son on the way coming in the next few weeks. It’s very exciting. And that’s pretty much been occupying most of my time for the last 9 months almost. We’re getting the house ready, child-proof type stuff, buying a crib, baby sheets, clothes, things like that. What else do you want to know about me? Read More…

 

Entrepreneur Interview: Abe Niederhauser, Founder of Ads4Africa.org

Abe Niederhauser, Founder of Ads4Africa.org

I was introduced to Abe Niederhauser through my friend and colleague, Travis Washburn, as we toured through Body Worlds 3 in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2008. I was immediately impressed with his down-to-earth yet energetic and creative drive.

A while after we met I learned that he’d launched Ads4Africa.org, a website focused on aiding entrepreneurs in poverty-stricken countries via microfinance loans. This immediately caught my attention as I’ve been following the microfinance work of Muhammad Yunus for years. I was impressed that Abe, probably in his mid-twenties, had such a large vision and was actively engaged in humanitarian work across the world, and that he had found a way to do so from his home with limited finances.

When the opportunity arrived to interview Abe, I quickly jumped at the chance to pick his brain and learn a little about his vision, his values, and his work with Ads4Africa.

I’ve posted our interview below. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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J.K. Rowling: Harvard Commencement Speech

J.K. Rowling, author of the best-selling Harry Potter book series, delivers her Commencement Address, “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination,” at the Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association.

J.K. Rowling’s commencement speech is one of the best I’ve heard in a long time. It’s very touching, humble, and deep — she has no desire to prove her brilliance as I’ve seen with other speakers. Because of this she can connect with everybody, not just the scientific or philosophical thinkers, and yet her eloquence and insights let you know that she’s a very intelligent and caring woman; she’s a leader in the greatest respects.
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When Life Gives You the Slip…

I look for opportunity in all areas, which is why when I saw this video, I had to post it here. More on this later, but for now I’ll let the video speak for itself, enjoy. (If the videos do not display instantly, please reload the page.)

If there’s enough interest in this topic, I will set up a public screening and Q&A session with the makers of this film in Salt Lake City. Please let me know in the comments below.

Lemonade Movie: It’s not a pink slip, it’s a blank page.

Watch the full movie: 35 minutes 57 seconds w/ limited commercial interruptions.


As a disclaimer, there are a couple strong explicative words scattered through the film.
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