This morning I found myself sitting at the computer around 7:30 am and worked until around 11:00 am.  All of this for drumsticks?  Yes!  Things are growing, but I still have to do a lot of the detailed task myself.  For a moment I thought about what I was doing and found it to look similar to what anyone else might be doing sitting in a cubicle working for “the man”.  The main difference is I get to experience a direct impact in my paycheck based on what I do.  If I don’t do the work, I don’t get paid.

If I stay this way for too long, I will get burned out and won’t want to continue doing this simply due to the amount of detail work I have to process everyday.  My goal is to have the ability to hire someone overseas to handle the details while I spend most of my time generating outside sales and getting new touring band clients.  That is what I am good at.  That is what I love to do.

My challenge for you today is to consider this:  Though you may be self employed, do you still have a JOB.  If so, what is the point?  My goal in being self employed is for freedom.  I want the freedom to do what I want to do when I want to do it with whom I want to do it with.  I feel in those circumstances I am best utilizing the gifts and talents God has given me.

****What steps are you taking today to move you from your JOB to the lifestyle you want.  I highly recommend a book by Tim Ferriss called The Fout Hour Work Week.  It is a game changer.

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For more tips on how to grow your business from the inside out, click on my podcast below.

photo credit here.

I want to write a book called, “Lunch Your Way to Millions”.  I’ve always seen the value in taking others to lunch, but recently I have experienced it on a personal level that is more convincing than ever.  The first thing to keep in mind is the question Why?  Why would I want to take someone to lunch as a way of learning.  The answer seems obvious, but the short answer is this.  Everybody loves a free lunch.  Everybody loves talking about themselves, and everybody loves to have their ego stroked.  By taking someone to lunch that you admire and aspire to, you are doing all of the above. 

I often wonder what college will be like in 12-15 years when my daughters will be of the age to attend.  I can’t imaging them going, unless of course they want to be a doctor, teacher, engineer, etc…all of which requires a degree.  I would much rather take the multiply thousands of dollars and invest it in a mentor program getting them experience doing something they want to do with someone who is already doing it. 

Lunch with someone you admire and aspire to is the easy way to gain real world experience.  Take the time to do the research and be strategic about your approach. 

***Below is an example of how I did it while in college as I was preparing to enter the work force. 

I wanted to be a Licensed Professional Counselor.  I knew of a counselor in town who was reputable and shared my same values.  I made a phone call to his office, referenced several mutual friends and told of my aspirations and asked if he would be interested.  A short while later I got a return call with a time and place.  Simple.

I know it won’t always be that easy, but there are other methods that you can use to be creative.  Remember, you are playing with someones ego and greed.  A captive audience and free lunch.  As the mentor and expert, what more could you ask for.

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To hear more about my journey as an entrepreneur, click here to check out my new book, “Drumming Up Business to the Beat of My Own Drum”  or you can visit  Amazon.

I would love to hear your stories of taking others to lunch and how it has impacted your future.

Jeff

You may not have known it, but today is National Personalized Drumsticks Day!  Yep, it’s the 1st annual event, sponsored by Custom Stix™.  Actually, I made that up if you couldn’t tell, but I am excited that the countdown has begun.  Only 16 more days til Christmas.  Being the dad of small children makes this a very special time.  Being the owner of an internet business also makes this a special time.  I always look forward to this time of year when I get swamped with customer service emails wanting to know about my company Custom Stix™ at www.Customstix.com.

I am very excited to offer the worlds only 2 pair minimum custom graphic personalized drumsticks with Free shipping for only $29.99.  I began this website just over 2 years ago and it has grown beyond my wildest dreams.

If you know of a musician or a drummer who would like a one-of-a-kind gift under the tree this year, I’ve got you covered.  Below are a few pictures of our most popular designs.

We still have plenty of time for them to arrive for the big day.  Check out our Testimonial page to see what others are saying about their sticks. 

You can visit our artist designed graphics here and make someone very happy on Christmas morning.

*We also do custom graphic drumsticks for bands and corporate clients.  Some of our clients include Casting Crowns, Toby Mac, Newsboys, Mercyme and many more.

Question:  Do you have any suggestions for other designs that are not on our personalized page, or any suggestions for bands who might love to have our sticks with their logo on them?  Here is a sample of our current and past client list.

And…if you order some, Don’t poke your eye out!

Have you ever noticed people get really active on Linkedin when they are about to lose their job or have just lost their job?  They start to connect all of their social media outlets as fast as they can, almost as if their life depended on it.  Could it be any simpler?  That is the answer to most of our entrepreneurial woes.  Most of us wait til we “have” to do something and don’t act when we “should” do something.  I am guilty of this in many areas but I am becoming more aware of it, so I am committing to fight against the tendency to be complacent on a daily basis.

If you have ever experienced any success at all you know what I am talking about.  When things are going good it is easy to take a back seat to innovation and action.  When things take a turn toward the unknown, you get busy doing what you “have” to do.  How much better would our life and business be if we would view everyday by doing what we “should” do and not be forced into positions of doing what we “have” to do?  When this happens, we ofter struggle with the wrong motives.  The only driving force becomes money because we are desperate.  Obviously we have to have money to survive, but we should treat others with respect as a person and a potential relationship, not just a potential sale.

Question:

What could you be doing today that would put you ahead of the game if you were placed in a bad situation next week?

It seems everywhere I travel with the band I meet aspiring musicians who are longing to “make it” in the music business. I hear them tell me about their desire to play music for a living.  My band, Big Daddy Weave usually gets a few Cd’s a week from people who want our opinion of their music.  Some of the music is good and some of it is not so good.  Regardless of the music quality, the dreams are all the same.  Passion is interesting to say the least.  It would be pointless for me to write a detailed list of all of the things one needs to do in order to “make it” in the music business.  There is no formula!  I don’t believe in luck so we can throw that out, but I do believe in divine intervention.  There is a problem that could be debated for years, but for now I will only touch on it.  The problem is this:  Why are there so many “bad” musicians who have made it and why are there so many “good” musicians who haven’t made it?  If I knew the answer to that, all of the “bad” musicians would have a warrant out for my arrest.  So for now I will tell you what you can do in the interim on your way to the top.

Ask yourself the following question: Am I waiting on something to happen or am I making something happen?  I believe God gives all of us gifts and talents.  Jesus talks about what we are to do with what we have been given in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30.  When I talk about how our band got our start I always share how all five of us were active in our worship band at church.  We were faithful in the “smaller” things.  We weren’t doing it for fame or fortune but because we knew God had called us to be a part of the local church body and be good stewards of our gifts and talents.  While we were busy doing that the phone began to ring with other opportunities.  The point I want to make is we were not sitting around waiting on things to happen; we were busy doing what we could to use the talents that had been given to us.  It’s ironic today how many of the conversations I have with traveling musicians tell of how they long for the time when they were active on their worship teams at church.  The “grass is greener” syndrome is alive and well in the music business and will always be. 

Keep in mind we all make up the body of Christ.  If everyone is the same part of the body, then the body will be off balance.  There is a certain appeal and attraction to being a “professional” musician who tours around the country and has music on the radio.  Many people describe this as glamorous or high profile in nature.  There is some truth to that, but most people are not willing to make the sacrifices it takes to live this type of life.  Most people don’t know what is involved in the daily life of a “professional” musician.  Life on a bus can be a challenge.  Sometimes we are gone for extended periods of time from our families.  Having small children and spending long periods of time on the road can be very difficult.  You have to really count the cost involved in being a “professional” musician.  It’s a lifestyle.

Does this fit into the life you want?  What about your spouse?  Do they support you?  Are your children going to remember you for the times you were away and not the times you were there?  I have to be very careful with the time I have at home.  It has to count in every way.  When you are on the road, there is a tendency to feel as though reality is on hold until you get back home.  Your spouse and children are going to work, school, dance class, ball games, etc… while you are playing concerts all across the country.  I might be gone for 10 days at a time.  During that time I might travel through 12 states, sleeping through the night in my bunk on a 45 foot bus.  We usually eat breakfast on the bus, lunch in the green room, a quick shower at the hotel, dinner in the green room, play the concert, and then back to the bus to go to the next location.  Again, I ask the question, Is this the life you want?  If it is, then hold on.  If it is not, then there are many other ways for you to fulfill the calling you have on your life. 

Question:

Do you long for greener grass?  When you get there, are you willing to make the sacrifices in order to stay there?

For years I have heard people talk about the up-sale or the Add-on purchase.  Most people recognize you have two ways to grow a business.

1. Get more customers
2. Get more from your current customers (You should have the attitude of actually giving more to your clients, because they are going to benefit from what you are selling them)

I have a very loyal client base, and for that I am thankful, but I know the limitations of their market and know they won’t be doubling the size of their drumstick order per month anytime soon, unless they suddenly land a song in the top 10 on Mainstream radio.

I am faced with a problem if I want to grow my business.  I can either get more clients, which is something I am constantly working on or I can get more from my clients.  I am doing both, but sometimes that is not always possible depending on your situation in the market place. 

I recently made these ink pens for a few of my clients as a free gift.  They will be getting them in the mail this week much to their suprise.  It cost me very little to produce this gift, but the value of the gift is huge for the client.  It says to them I want them to make more money as a group or organization.  It also adds value to my company because it shows I took time on my own and incurred cost to do something totally out of the norm of what other companies do. 

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Can you think of any ways you can extend your product base to include more options? 

Leave a coment below if you already do or are considering offering more than what you have been in the past to your clients. 

I call it the “Sympathy Buy” because of the amount of people who buy your product with no intention of ever reading it, listening to it, using it or having anything to do with it.  The picture of the stereotypical grandmother is there to represent the “sweet” family member or friend who would buy anything as long as it has your name on it. 

Is that wrong?  I say no way!  In the beginning of your career as a writer, musician, product developer, etc… you need family support.  You also need a support system around you to get the word out.  You should not apologize for promoting your product on Facebook or via your contact list (within reason).  Why is this not shameful or viewed as too much “Self Promoting?”  The biggest reason is this simple principle:  If you don’t promote yourself no one else will. 

People who love you will gladly support you.  What is the takeaway for today? 

*****Do it!  Ask away. *****

What is the worst they can do?  Say no?  Remember, the sympathy buy is one that will keep on going and often comes with free word of mouth advertising.  Don’t be ashamed to seek the support of those around you.  Everyone has to start somewhere.

Covered in today’s show:

 In this episode I talk about:

• How eating healthier can affect your business
• Helpful tools like Spotify, Iphone 4S, Siri
• Traditional print advertising vs web advertising vs Gorilla Marketing techniques
• Blog post-  “Do You Stand Out” and “Selling Morality”
• What to do in emergency situations

Well, it’s about that time again. Whether you are a fan of Halloween or not, you can’t deny it’s power and influence on the marketplace.   Where do you draw the line on what you will participate in and what you won’t participate in?  I am surrounded by many different views on this subject. A buddy of mine played in a band who’s lead singer used to always say, “business is business” all while preparing his Sunday School lesson at a side table between sets at a local bar.  He saw no problem with singing sexually explicit songs on stage one minute and the next prepping for a Sunday School lesson he would teach less than 12 hours later.  I also have a friend who believes you should not expose yourself or your children to anything at all associated with Halloween, not even Harvest Festivals at church. I have another friend who owns a restaurant that has a bar as part of it’s decor and sell a lot of alcohol to his customers.  All of these people have strong moral convictions, yet they hold very different opinions on where to draw the line.

Recently I was asked to design a drumstick layout for a client having a silhouette of a naked woman on it.  Yes, I did not make that up.  I was shocked when I got the request.  Here is where some people struggle in making moral decisions while running a business.  My client wasn’t asking for my convictions, he was asking for drumsticks. If I agreed to make them, I would make a nice profit. End of story, right?  Not exactly.  I have a strong faith in the fact that God is my ultimate provider, not drumsticks.  Do I have to do things while running a business that compromise my faith and moral convictions?  I have enough stories to back up my answer, not to mention what I believe the Bible teaches on the subject.  I chose not to make the sticks and he found another manufacturer to make them.  Did I mention how I had one of the largest 2 week periods following my decision?  Isn’t that how it usually happens?  When you are faithful in the little things, God will bless you in much.

I recently had a meeting with a prominent businessman who’s company did upward of $50 million last year. He struck me as a very moral man with high standards.  He seemed to be someone I should aspire to as I grow in my own business.  I was floored to learn soon after our meeting that his company often pays for their sales team to take out clients to strip clubs on the company credit card.  Not once, but multiple times.  To this day I am still without words in this matter.  I couldn’t possibly sleep if I knew a portion of my money was knowingly going to support such behavior.  Why do I bring up this issue?  Simply to say there is no simple answer.  I am not called to be anyone’s judge, but to be focused on what I feel God has called me to do. 

I love the phrase my grandmother used to say, “Every tub has to sit on it’s own bottom”.  I try and adhere to this policy when talking with others about moral issues in business, but it is often hard when I have been rewarded so much for making what I feel are the right decisions.  My challange to you is this:  Ask yourself what would my kids think?  Would I be embarrased if my decision was published in the paper?  And finally, what do you feel God would have you do?  If you don’t know the answer, then ask Him to show you.

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So what about the Halloween drumsticks?  I decided to sell them on my website.  I don’t have a hangup about Halloween.  My kids are going as Princesses and I may even pull out an Elvis suit.  However, there will be one big difference.  Elvis will be going as a drummer! 

Do you follow the status quo?  Do you do what has always been done.  If you do, you are in good company, however, that is not where you want to be if you want to be a success in business and in life.  Below is a picture of the normal, traditional drumstick surrounded by several of our drumsticks at Custom Stix™.  To say the middle stick is boring would be an understatement. This is what most other companies are offering. They don’t apologize for their limitations either. They simply assume their clients don’t want them because they don’t get request from them for graphic drumsticks. This is a common excuse used by companies all over. However, it doesn’t bring about change and forward thinking, only more of the same. Try to offer what your clients want. Drummers have been playing the same boring drumsticks for hundreds of years since the first cave man made some from a tree. I want to change that by offering drummers something different, something unique.

I’ve had endorsement deals with both Vater and Promark and was never given the chance at a great price to develop my own image and brand of drumstick. Well, now I can and I am offering that same opportunity to others. Check out our Personalized Drumsticks and our Custom Drumsticks to see the difference.

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What are you doing to set yourself apart?  Don’t be afraid to be different.  Normal is boring!

For more ways to stand out in business, check out my podcast below: