― Janette Oke

Patience. It’s a basic fact of life, taught to us from the day we are born. We all know them, the famous sayings that we’ve heard all our lives – good things come to those who wait, slow and steady wins the race, Rome wasn’t built in a day, patience is a virtue… Often it will happen, though, that we lose patience and act in haste. This is a common mistake in the business world, and has led to the downfall of countless companies. The mighty oak was once an acorn, but the acorn cannot grow without time and nurturing. As this is true for the tree, so is it true for the business.

Here at National Business Services & Development, when we join forces with a new client, the understanding is made clear that we are partnering for the long haul. Our services are provided by experts who have the patience to persevere long term for the betterment of the client. The most important part of our relationship with our customers is, not surprisingly, patience. It takes time to build good credit, to file paperwork, to build websites, and to grow the roots that a business will need to stand tall and strong. When a business is built on a solid and steady foundation, it will flourish and last. When the process is rushed through, and the business is established in haste, the chances it will succeed are greatly diminished.

Another tremendously important factor to success is investing in the future of the business. Reticence to put time into building a business is just as dangerous as hesitance to invest money in it. The reason people even start a business is to get a return on their investment, but the key word here is “investment.” You get what you pay for, they say, and when you hire us, you get the best expert guidance available. Our track record speaks for itself, over ten years in business without one complaint to the Better Business Bureau is quite an achievement, and one that we are exceedingly proud of.

If your business needs to grow, it is important to realize that these things don’t happen overnight. National Business Services & Development knows this, and has had many years of experience helping business owners recognize this fact. The wise entrepreneur will understand that putting the time and capital into their business is the ONLY path to success!

Lemonade Stand.

People who are outgoing, gregarious and confident with high levels of self-discipline are often drawn to entrepreneurship, driven by the challenges that running your own business presents. Nina points out that most current research indicates that personality doesn’t really change over a lifetime, and is formed by the time someone is around 18-21 years of age. How each individual displays that trait is dependent on culture and environment.

The researcher cited is Dr. Mike Allan, associate director, Livingstones in Australia, who suggests a combination of traits is important to making an entrepreneur:

• Above average levels of resilience (emotional stability)
• Above average of openness (open to new ideas and experiences)
• Above average levels of assertiveness (extraversion)
• High levels of achievement striving (conscientiousness)
• High levels of self-discipline (conscientiousness)
• High levels of deliberation combined with above average action orientation

too often man forgets the flowers at his feet.”

                                                                   - Jeremy Bentham

So easily forgotten are the most important reasons for our ambition.  Motivated and entrepreneurial people, the so-called “Alpha” or ”type-A” personalities, are driven to achieve more than the average person by their nature.  It is seemingly encoded into our DNA to make the absolute most of life, seizing every moment and reaching for the stars even in the cloudiest of skies.  We are so laser focused on what is immediately facing us that sometimes we allow those things that aren’t associated with the current task, target or goal to fall by the wayside.  The problem is, though, that those things that we put on the back burner are all too often the things that matter the most, the very purpose of why we work so hard.

Losing sight of the little things is the easiest way to lose everything for which we’ve worked so hard.  Family, friends and time are irreplaceable, and it can be easy to not notice the absence of these things until after it’s too late.  We need to acknowledge the fact that, while it is vital to set and reach goals, the path is just as important as the finish line.  We have to make time to not just live our life, but to enjoy it!

One way to achieve this is to recognize that we don’t need to do everything by ourselves.  They say if you want something done right, do it yourself, but that isn’t always true.  There are many cases wherein enlisting the aid and support of others is key to success.  We can’t do everything on our own, so we have to outsource vital elements of our ambitions to experts.  National Business Services & Development is your number one resource when it comes to finding experts in the business world.  We know all of the ins and outs of how to get your business incorporated, funded and compliant.  There are numerous and constantly changing laws that many small business owners are unaware of, but here at NBSD, it is our job to know these things, and to make certain that you, our client, doesn’t fall victim to problems that arise of which you aren’t even aware.

From finding the best lender to suit your needs, to building a business credit profile and keeping your company within the boundaries of the law, nobody knows better what you need than National Business Services & Development.  Contact us today to learn how we can give you the opportunity to not only reach for the stars, but to have the time to stop and smell the flowers along the way!

The unknown is stressful sometimes.

I am discovering that the same is true when you are an angel investor.  As I lay awake in bed at 4AM this morning, it struck me hard.  Over the last month, I invested a significant amount of my money in two separate early stage start-ups.  There is no product yet…just two great ideas that are under development, and that I happen to feel very connected to in purpose and passion.  Like my son, the path forward for these companies includes a lot of unknowns and, I am certain, ups and downs along the way.  There will be pivots based on new knowledge and experimentation.  There will be successes, and there will be failures.  It is all a part of the journey.

As a virgin entrepreneur and impact investor, all of these things seem very scary, yet, somehow invigorating.  After spending 20 years in the same business, doing progressively more responsible, but similar work…it is refreshing to venture a little deeper into the unknown.  By working closely with both companies (and directly for one of them), I have already learned so much in such a short period of time…including the nuances of the different types of  investment stages (Angel, Series A, Series B), Shareholder’s Agreements, building a company on a bootstrap, working with different entrepreneurial leadership styles, and so much more.

It’s not to say that there won’t be a lot more sleepless nights, as I continue down this road, and as my son navigates his way into adulthood. But, the benefits and the potential for success, financially, but more importantly, for the positive impact these companies (and my son) can have on the world, far outweigh the dark circles that appear every now and again under my eyes.

Reblogged from Breaking News for Black America:

WASHINGTON  -- The White House, busy with its annual Easter Egg Roll, also managed to pull off an April Fools' prank.

SEE ALSO: Magic Johnson’s Son Goes Public With Boyfriend, Parents ‘Very Proud’

The White House Twitter account announced earlier Monday to be on the lookout for a "special video message from the president."

Instead, viewers got a surprise visitor to the press briefing room.

Read more… 122 more words

This school is a  great model for how our learning institutions should change to meet the demands of the new world.

He’s not little at all but he did spare me. He did not drink a drop of Lil Esther. Now let’s talk about that shower curtain. That life changing, smile bringing, bright, colorful shower curtain.

BEAUTIFUL! Isn’t it?! Ok ok ok, it’s a shower curtain. What’s the big deal? Well, this particular curtain is replacing my husband’s previous brown, ruffled (yes, my God, ruffled) shower curtain that has mocked me daily for three years now. Yes, three long hideously ruffled years. Each morning as I did my hair I’d shake my head at how ugly it was. So, WHY WHY WHY didn’t I do anything about it?!

Was it cost? Nope, they’re pretty cheap. Was it availability? Nope, they’re pretty much everywhere. Even at the grocery store I visit every week. Was it the old me inside that needed something to bitch about when life’s so good? Maybe. Possibly. Probably.

What is it that makes us put off the simplest of tasks? What is it that keeps us eating too much, sitting still, not speaking up, staying with someone that makes us feel bad, or whatever you may be putting off, your whale, so to speak? What is it inside all people that makes them afraid to face their whale? Why put off what you know will make you happy?

Maybe it’s the poor me inside of you. The person that needs something to feel bad about. Something to tell everyone about, to focus on. Something to make people cheer you on. Come on, we all like a little attention! It’s ok. I’m as guilty as the next person, but I’m changing more every day. I threw away the shower curtain didn’t I? I’m facing that damn whale!

Will you face your whale or will it swallow you whole? Will you spend your days moaning why why why or shouting why the hell not?! When will you throw away the ugly shower curtain in your life? Your worth it, ya know.

Wishing you love, peace, & happiness.

Essie

P.S. Arthur, I will get you for that wet willie! I will get you!!!

Is it the right time to invest in your company? Many VCs don’t back early ideas and you can’t blame them. There’s so much out there that VCs tend to stay focused on numbers and only invest in companies with actual traction. The problem with this is that if you have traction, then you have many funding sources, eliminating the need for VC funding. So as an early entrepreneur, you’re not getting the funds you need fast enough.

How about your business model? The other thing with VCs is that they like to lump large amounts of capital into a company and then precipitate its spending. This isn’t healthy because business models need time to mature and find themselves. It could take years of focused studies and R&D.

Those are just a few elements to consider when thinking of VC funding. What about you? What’s your experience with VC funding?

- Unknown

Winner or loser, which would you rather be?

Obviously, everyone likes to think they’re a winner, but that cannot be the case.  Without losers, how would people know who were the winners?  The simple fact of the world is that there are some who are more motivated than others, a select few who are driven to achieve more than their competitors.  These people know that ‘good enough’ is never good enough.  There’s always another mountain to climb, another race to run, another chance to reach deeper within yourself and surpass all expectations, especially your own.

You can never know what your abilities are unless you push yourself until you’ve won.  Possibilities are literally without limits when you keep working toward the goals you’ve set for yourself.  The key is to keep working, keep moving, and keep pushing!  Use your motivation and knowledge to succeed at everything you do, but keep in mind that you can’t build on success without the proper tools.  One thing that is crucial to winning is having the proper coach.  Sprinters, boxers, baseball players – we all know they have coaches to help them win.  National Business Services & Development is your coach in the business world.  We have the knowledge and experience to coach you to the finish line, and in first place.

If you have the need to succeed, call us today!  775.465.8500 or email us for more information at info@nationalbsd.com.

Whatever the case, you’ve got money and you’re rolling. Now, it’s time to the tell the world that you’re here, you’ll grow, and you’re raring to go. One way to spread your message is a press release.

A press release is a news story written in the third person (that’s “he” and “they” instead of “I” and “we”) that is meant to pique the interest of journalists and editors by demonstrating the newsworthiness of your information. Here’s some things that a press release is NOT:

• Talking about yourself and how great you are
• Full of quality judgements (you need to appear impartial)
• An advertisement

You want to show that you are an expert in what you do. You want to help a journalist write a story, not a human interest piece.

Here are some tips.

How to Write a Press Release

1. Make it newsworthy

Remember how I said above that you are demonstrating the newsworthiness of your information? If you don’t have something newsworthy, you don’t have a press release. If you have to, find an angle. Why is your business important? What have you brought to the table (not qualitative; quantitative). This is not a place to talk about your customer service. For the app developer, talk about the app you’ve developed. For the mom and pop store, tell them about your roots in the community and how you’re helping bring jobs to the area.

Look at the word: Newsworthy. Is your press release discussing something that’s new?

2. Keep it short

Press releases aren’t longer than a page. They’re usually half a page. Trim the fat.

3. Give it a headline

When you put up a press release, you put it in a place for reporters to find. Give it a snappy, catchy headline that will make them choose you. Try to keep that snappy catchy stuff up in the front, too, but focusing on a strong first paragraph. I would usually front load the first paragraph with the most important information. The second or last paragraphs would get a quote from within the company or a brief company history (like “started in 2005…). Even that company history was kept less than three sentences.

Remember these key tips when you write your press release. You are informing the audience of your business’s news. Once you have your press release written and PROOFREAD, you’re ready to send it out.

Here’s a list of sources that will distribute your press release. Most of them require that you subscribe to a service, so you may want to take that into consideration before you pay for your release.

What are your press release tips? Share them here.

responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity.”

– Peter F. Drucker

Change is often difficult, especially in today’s fast-paced world.  The economy is in constant flux, customers are fickle, and a strategy that is successful today may be a failure tomorrow.  The savvy entrepreneur knows this to be true, and chooses to embrace change rather than resist it.  The key is to understand how to make change work FOR your business, rather than against it.

Customers are always on the lookout for the next new thing.  They research before they buy and have begun to examine every aspect of their purchases, from something as seemingly insignificant as breakfast cereal to the family vehicle.  The internet has become the penultimate consumer advocate, informing people which products are top-notch, and which are bottom of the barrel.  Smartphone apps allow people to scan the bar code of any item right there in the aisle, and return a plethora of information on the spot, and making the decision whether or not to buy whichever item they happen to be perusing.

This has created an atmosphere of unprecedented competition to not only sell quality products and services, but to stay on top of how your goods are perceived online.  There are a number of ways to maintain control over the information about what you have on offer, but the first step is to hire a professional who knows the ins and outs of online marketing.  Successful entrepreneurs realize that they don’t have time to research every little detail of their online presence, and so they hire a professional to manage this for them.  National Business Services & Development, Inc. is that professional.  Your business needs to stay ahead of the curve, and the number one way to do that is by hiring us today.  Call for a free consultation at 775-465-8500 to find out exactly how your company can take advantage of the ever shifting changes in today’s business world!

As you may know, I’m part of an amazing team of entrepreneurs. Our team was founded by my friend and business partner, Tara Wilson, who is now a Vi Millionaire. She caught the eye of Shannon Nelson who started a group of entrepreneurs that have become friends & family, Crown Dynasty. That’s where I come in.

These women, along with Michelle Witt and Crystal Honeycutt, have taught me about leadership, goals, public speaking, branding, & have shown me the road to success. Because they have given so much to me, I’m giving back. I am offering you an opportunity to start on my team & earn a rebate of $50 to $100 just for hitting Rising Star within your first 30 days.

On top of that, as you hit Rising Star, you will earn commissions, bonuses, etc…and we will help you reach that goal! If you join as an Executive, you can receive the $50 rebate within 30 days. As soon as you hit Rising Star, it’s yours! If you join as a Star Promoter, your rebate is $100 for doing the same.

You can also join as a Basic Promoter without the rebate, but you earn more as a Rising Star creating more Rising Stars, so why not go for it?!?!

This offer is only good through April 15th. How often are you going to be given a rebate for starting a business with MILLIONAIRE earnings potential. If interested, please submit your information, qualifications, skills, and goals to EstherStJames@Gmail.com. Please also visit http://overview.Visalus.com for all of the details, compensation plan, etc…

I look forward to working with you!

A gift can be defined as a special ability or capacity.   To be able to turn a simple pair of sneakers into a fashion statement,  I would define as a gift.  This is exactly what artist Nicolette Williams does.  Let’s hear her story.

I know Nicolette has a bright future in front of her and I pray her well as she continues to pursue her dreams. Now I ask you.   Is your dream deferred or are you in the pursuit of happiness?

I would like to wish everyone a Happy Resurrection Sunday.  Remember Jesus is the reason for every season.

Season 4 Sharky Awards

 Platinum Sharky Award……. Lani from Simple Sugars

This young lady (11 years old when she started the business now 18) created an all natural product that keeps skin smooth. Lani’s personal experience at the dermatologist as a child helped her figure out how to develop this product to cure eczema.

The fact that Mark Cuban’s son has this condition and she was from Pittsburgh (Mark’s hometown) helped her secure a $100K investment from Mark. But the main reason she secured an investment is she is a very impressive entrepreneur and knew her business inside and out!

The quote of the night was from Daymond as he reflected on Lani’s  presentation….. “If this is our future, we’re in good hands”. Amen.

Gold Sharky Award…..Jeff and Mark from Drop Stop

These two guys developed a foam rubber product that fits between the front seat of a car and  the console  to prevent stuff from falling in between them (think french fries!) .  This was the perfect “QVC Product” and Lori jumped on the opportunity to invest.

When she said, “I can make you a millionaire”, Jeff and Mark immediately rejected an offer from Mr. Wonderful and accepted Lori’s offer of $300K for a 20% equity stake. I think she will help them make a ton of money.

Silver Sharky Award……Jeff from Cool Wraps  

Jeff ended up selling his whole company to Mark Cuban for $250K plus a 3% royalty. Jeff and his partners had been in the market 10 years ago but couldn’t continue due to lack of funding. Jeff didn’t do a great sales job but his shrink-wrap product was interesting to the Sharks, proving there is  value to a great product even if there is no track record.

Shark Chum Award……..Dave and Gary from Traditional Fisheries based their entire value proposition on stopping the Lion Fish explosion. No natural predators? How about five Sharks?

-Maurice Switzer

Credit.  We all know it’s a necessary tool both in business and our personal lives.  It has the power to launch a small business, as well as the power to slowly bleed that business if not properly managed and maintained.  There are a great many things that are required to build your business credit, but most entrepreneurs who have a great idea or a passion for what they are selling don’t fully understand or are not aware of all of these nuances.

When you’re establishing your credit as a sole proprietor, your personal credit is tied directly to your business, and most people don’t know this very important fact!  Here at National Business Services & Development, Inc., our dedicated credit professionals are experts who know how to navigate the dangerous and murky waters of building a small business.  Their years of wisdom are at your disposal when you become a client, and all you need to do to learn more is call for a free consultation.

If you are interested in creating a lasting, solid, successful business, don’t reinvent the wheel!  We’ve got the tools and the know-how to set you on a path to prosperity!  Call or email us today to learn how we will help you!  775-465-8500

The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity. An important attribute in successful people is their impatience with negative thinking and negative acting people. As you grow, your associates will change. Some of your friends will not want you to go on. They will want you to stay where they are. Friends that don’t help you climb will want you to crawl. Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream. Those that don’t increase you will eventually decrease you.

Consider this: Never receive counsel from unproductive people. Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution, because those who never succeed themselves are always first to tell you how. Not everyone has a right to speak into your life. You are certain to get the worst of the bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person. Don’t follow anyone who’s not going anywhere. With some people you spend an evening: with others you invest it. Be careful where you stop to inquire for directions along the road of life. Wise is the person who fortifies his life with the right friendships. If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl. But, if you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights.

A mirror reflects a man’s face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.

In Prosperity Our Friends Know Us. In Adversity We Know Our friends.

Never make someone a priority when you are only an option for them.

If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude..

― Colin Powell

Reblogged from permaopportunity:

Heineken Beer House: A Product Applying to Today's Needs

By observing today's commercials we see the incessant display of our desires being marketed to us as needs. In a country of addicted consumers, where do we draw the line in purchasing things that are actually relevant to what we need? Better yet, what the world needs? To address housing and recycling needs, Heineken came up with an ingenious idea to produce a product that could be re-used as building bricks for homes.

Read more… 127 more words

[caption id="attachment_418" align="alignnone" width="470"] From colorcubic.com[/caption] To today's producers...

Sometimes taking money from a venture capitalist or institutional investor does not align with your motives for the simple fact that traditional investors are playing a probability game. As an entrepreneur the risks you take are far greater than that of any investor, especially if it’s your only venture.

Always ask yourself, “Does this investor’s motives align with mine?”

                                                                                         - Unknown

In life, if you want to be a success story, we need to be focused on our goals.  Dreams are fine, and everyone has them, but if all we do is dream, there’s no purpose for them.  To make them a reality, we must focus our efforts on turning the dream into a goal.  In order to do that, we must be wide awake and continually working toward the goals we set for ourselves.

When business owners need a hand, they know to look to National Business Services & Development for guidance.  Here at NBSD, we have assisted many small business owners on their path to success, and we can do the same for you!  Our business credit program is designed to suit your specific situation, and our credit coaches are experts who have all the tools necessary to help you grow.

Our ten plus year record is immaculate, and our clientele are overwhelmingly satisfied with the success they have achieved through our assistance.  Nobody in the industry knows how to navigate the murky waters of owning a small business like we do.  If you’re ready for unbridled success, call us today!  775.465.8500

Gapingvoid’s unique style of visual communication has long been popular among successful and aspiring entrepreneurs.