Archive for the ‘Finance’ Category

To Start a Business or To Not Start a Business, That is the Question

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

Is a recession a good time to start a business?  That seems to be the big question of late.  Isn’t the rule to win in the stock market buy low, sell high?  It would seem that the best time to buy is when prices are low. Therefore, the best time to start a business is when you can start it for less.  Besides, most of the time when a business is created it takes a couple of years to get in the black, so you may as well start when you will spend less in the red.

Here are ten reasons to start a business during a "recession".

1.  Better deals are available.  The same product that was available last year is on sale now.  You may as well buy the same thing for less.

2. You can hire people for less.  Many people who are "over qualified" are willing to take a job for less because they have been laid off and need the work no matter what it pays.

3. Service.  More than ever companies are offering better or longer service plans for their products.  No better time than the present to negotiate.  You are more likely to get better service or more "perceived" value now than in a strong economy.

4. Tax benefits.  You are able to get many more tax breaks when you own your own business.  No better time than the present to maximize your tax deductions.

5. Investors. There are lots of angel investors, venture capitalists and private investment companies and individuals looking for the next big deal. 

6. Zero interest.  Low interest or no interest loans and credit cards are easier to get and more vastly available then ever.

7. Great PR opportunity. When most places are cutting back and closing down, you are starting up and moving up. The media loves things that go against the grain.

8. On sale.  With so many companies going out of business their furniture and equipment are for sale at far less than usual.  You can get more for your money if you shop around and look at auctions and going out of business sales.

9. Lease or rent to own.  Many companies are just looking to get out with no cost so taking over leases is more available than ever.

10. Sometimes life chooses for you.  If you have been laid off and can’t find another job and have been thinking of starting something on your own, maybe this is just the shot you were looking for.  You aren’t working anyway so why not step out and do what you have been wanting to do and haven’t had the guts to?  Sometimes life has a way of making the tough choices for you.

There are a fair amount of reasons and resources to start your own business the question is will you… that choice is up to you…

 For more info: contact shar@sharspeaks.com or visit our website www.sharspeaks.com

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Ten Small Business Sites to Help You Start or Grow Your Business

Thursday, April 2nd, 2009

If you are looking for some resources for your business these websites could help you find just what you are looking for.

BusinessFinance.com- provides over 4000 sources of financing for your small business.

Entrepreneurship.org- helps entrepreneurs organize and operate a business venture, create wealth, and employ others.

Ladieswholaunch.com- new media company to provide resources and connections for women entrepreneurs.

Business.gov-provides access to Federal, state, and local information that helps business owners successfully start and operate while staying compliant with laws and regulations.

SBA.gov- formed in 1953 and is an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns. Tools are available to help you manage expand, increase, and support your small business.

Score.org- is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide.  There are 389 offices of Score in New York alone.

Gobignetwork.com- on-line marketplace that connects the startup and small business community with funding sources, advisors, job seekers and service providers.

American Express- Open by American Express Business Credit card is offered for businesses with less than100 employees where you can get discounts on shipping, travel and other business services like FedEx, Yahoo, Hertz and more

Visit these websites to help you start or grow your business, starting today!

For more info: visit www.sharspeaks.com or email us at shar@sharspeaks.com
 

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To Believe or Not to Believe

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

There’s so much information and so many perspectives about what is going on in today’s economy that it’s hard to know what to believe and what not to believe.

Fact, the stock market has been dropping.  Fact, unemployment has been increasing. Fact, real estate values have been decreasing. Final fact, the US banking system is on the verge of implosion (according to US News James Pethokoukis, Sunday, March 1, 2009 article titled. How to Handle Your Job and Finances If There’s a (Yikes!) Depression) With all those facts, it’s a little difficult to stay positive and believe financial abundance is possible.

However, there are companies, organizations and individuals that are soaring in this sad economy.  I say you have two choices.  Believe what you hear in the masses and the media or believe that you and your company can be one of the ones to excel.
There are several companies or types of companies that are expected to do well this year despite the economy. As a matter of fact, sometimes small business can be the big idea! If you are looking to start your own business, or just do something on the side, here are some ideas that are doing well and are expected to continue.

1. Athletic Trainer
2. Career Counselor
3. Computer Services
4. Energy Auditing
5. Export Manager
6. Financial Adviser
7. Freelance Web Writer
8. Going Global Firm
9. Higher Education Services
10. Home Healthcare
11. Online Art Dealer
12. Online Consignment
13. Online Farmers’ Market
14. Outsourcing Manager
15. Tutor

Take your economy into your own hands. Believe it’s possible to shine in the darkness and your future will be very bright.
 

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Three C’s to Success

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

Ever wonder why some people seem to get what they want easily and effortlessly?  There are some tried and true techniques to getting what you want.  This process is what I call the 3 C’s to Succcess.

 

#1 Commit.  Are you committed to the outcome?  What is the desired result that you are looking for ?  If you aren’t clear about what you are looking to achieve you certainly aren’t committed to it.

 

Think of a commitment like a legal binding agreement.  If you sign on the dotted line and are legally bound, are you likely to back out or not fulfill your end of the agreement? Probably not.  If you take that approach to any goal you are setting you are 90% there.  If you are committed to losing weight and sign a contract saying you will weigh ten pounds less than you do now at the end of 60 days, or there will be a $10,000 fine, do you think you will find a way to be ten pounds less?  My guess is yes.  Why does there need to be a $10K fine?  Simply view your goal as a contract, even if it’s only with yourself.  Once you get committed the rest is downhill.

 

#2 Communicate.  People who are committed to reaching their goal, share that goal with others.  The tell anyone who will listen. They would shout it from the rooftops and take out a full page ad in the New York Times.  Why is that?  Because the more people you tell, the more real it becomes. If you tell one person about your goal and the person next to you tells 100 people, who has more at stake?  Obviously, the person who told more people has more to lose.  So the more ways you communicate (write, read, talk, listen, etc) and the more you communicate it to, the closer you will be to your goal.

 

#3 Create.  Once you have decided that you are truly committed to your goal, and you have written it down and read it out loud, and shared it with others all you have to do now is take action .  This is the easiest of the three steps.  It’s easy to do when you are committed and have told everyone you know about what you are working towards. The most important thing is to “do”.  Do something that is actively working towards your goal every day. Before you know it, you will have what you want and will have created your dream to make it a reality.

 

Follow the 3 C’s to Success.  It’s a simple tried and true process that will help you reach your desired goal faster and easier than you ever thought possible.

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Tough Times Create Tough People

Friday, December 19th, 2008

By Motivational Speaker and Success Expert Sharmen Lane

Guest:Ethan Ewing and Kim Kiyosaki

Topic:  Tough Times Create Tough People

Episode description:  Many are facing tough times with the stock market and economy being tumultuous and unpredictable. To help you through these times we are speaking with Ethan Ewing, President of Bills.com and Kim Kiyosaki author of Rich Woman and co-founder of The Rich Dad Company. Ethan is going to show you how to get out of debt and stay out of debt while Kim is going to share some financial advice on how to stay cash flow positive.
 

 

 
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Prosper With Purpose

Monday, November 17th, 2008

by Motivational Speaker and Author Sharmen Lane

This week we are going to be talking to Jessica Sabatini, a Results Coaching System Certified Life reDirection Expert.  She has designed The Prosper With Purpose System, a set of strategies based in neuroscience and metaphysics for bringing clarity to your life’s direction and purpose, laser blasting blocks that have been holding you back for years, tapping into your joy and flow of life, and making huge strides towards your beautifully ambitious life goals.  We will be showing you how to create a life of meaning, confidence, joy and success.

 
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Encore Presentation: Sharmen Lane on Lifetime TV!

Sunday, November 16th, 2008

Don’t miss Sharmen Lane on Lifetime Television’s, "The Balancing Act",
Thursday, Dec 4, 2008 at 7:00AM EST. & PST., 6:00AM CST!

 

JOIN US!!!

 

 

 

 

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Sharmen Lane on Lifetime TV!

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

Don’t miss Sharmen Lane on Lifetime Television Thursday November 6, 7am PT/ET 6am Central

 

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Defining Success

Monday, October 13th, 2008

By Personal Growth Expert Sharmen Lane

What do you call success?  Is it money, status, title, or possessions? Or perhaps it’s being a good parent, or spouse, or daughter or son.  Success is different for everyone.  No matter how you define it, it’s important to be clear and achieve it.

 
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The Prosperous Path

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008

Today Sharmen welcomes Stacy Francis to the show. Stacy is the President of her own financial firm and has appeared on The Today Show, NPR, Fine Living and is often quoted in many major publications. She communicates with her clients in an easy to understand fashion that doesn’t require a degree in Finance to comprehend. She shares a wealth of information that introduces anyone to the tools for taking charge of managing their finances in a knowledgeable and empowered way.  

 
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