Deb and Amy talk about Thinking Bigger, how to Start Your Own Business without an MBA, how a Business Coach can speed up success, and much more in this final 3-pound mafia podcast.

If you missed it: Part 1 interview on Business Ownership
Part 2 interview on Business Ownership
Part 3 interview on Business Ownership

Deb and Amy talk about Women in Business, Work at Home Parents, following your destiny, and much more in Part 3 of our Business Ownership Interview with Amy from Hello World.

If you missed it: Part 1 interview on Business Ownership
Part 2 interview on Business Ownership

Stay tuned until Monday for part 4 of our Las Vegas Show Girl turns Business Owner series…

What do your days rate? Are you content with a 5 or a 6 day after day? Or are you willing to have a 1 day in order to shoot for those 10 days?

Some interesting Business Owner Mindset gets revealed in this Part 2 Interview:

If you missed it: Part 1 interview on Business Ownership

Stay tuned until Friday for part 3 of our Las Vegas Show Girl turns Business Owner series…

Amy was a Las Vegas Show Girl working in one of the most famous shows on the strip, until… “You never know when the tiger’s gonna bite ya!”

Deb and Amy talk about starting your own business, getting paid for your passion, and the freedom of business ownership.

This 3 lb Mafia Podcast was filmed on: March 21, 2007
at the TV set of: LOST Beach - on the famous North Shore of Hawaii

Stay tuned until Wednesday when our Las Vegas Show Girl turns Business Owner series continues…

In our business coaching with hundreds of business owners around the world, we’ve rarely seen “common consensus” to be accurate — especially when it comes to women business owners. Conventional wisdom used to be that women business owners are more “attached” to their businesses than men. As a result, some “experts” felt that women business owners were less open to a clear exit strategy than their male counterparts.

Now there’s tangible proof that once again, the experts are wrong…

In a survey of successful business owners (firms more than five years old with more than $1 million in annual revenue), researchers found few differences between men and women in terms of their development of a long-term exit strategy. In the study by the Center for Women’s Business Research and MassMutua, both men and women business owners had developed a viable exit strategy, and both groups deemed price to be the key factor in determining whether to sell a business.

One difference that I found interesting is that women business owners did express a greater concern about the sale’s impact on their employees. And although first time women business owners were more reluctant to sell their companies, serial women entrepreneurs showed no differences compared to men when it comes to the willingness to sell their business.

Learn more about the October 2006 Center for Women’s Business Research Report here at Exit Strategies of Men and Women Business Owners.

As small business owners, you and I know very well that all “subsidies” from the government have a cost. As a Krazy Capitalist I know there’s no free lunch! Tax breaks are a welcome incentive. But subsidies are an entirely different story. Subsidies come out of your and my pocket, and the money funneled to recipients is rarely well managed or even necessary.

In an unfolding story that surprised me, large national retailers are grabbing up state subsidies to build their stores. But one major retailer of outdoor sporting goods in America, Gander Mountain, opposes tax breaks for retailers and is critical of those who accept them. They compete head on with those who feed at the government trough, and have moved their way up into #3 position in the US.

Allegheny Institute for Public Policy has put together a great overview. Here’s the PDF version of their Policy Brief on Gander Mountain and subsidies for retailers.

If you’re a business person who appreciates keeping responsible ownership, less government intrusion, and true capitalist ideals, this is a good read for you.

Enjoy!

When you think of Thanksgiving, business ownership and entrepreneurship don’t usually jump to the forefront of your mind. But once you learn the hidden history of Thanksgiving we share with you in this 15-minute Thanksgiving message, you’ll:

• Get a big boost to your confidence and motivation
• You’ll be prouder and more thankful for being a business owner
• And you’ll be privy to the hidden history of Thanksgiving that less than 10% of Americans know

Add new meaning, a heightened level of excitement, and an incredible new level of gratitude to your Thanksgiving by listening in on this one-of-a-kind business coaching podcast.

Here’s the MP3 link if you’d like to take this on the road with you as a true business coaching podcast:

The Business Coach shares the hidden history of Thanksgiving

And here’s the quick play buttons if you’d like to listen online right now:

What’s your reaction?

Let us know what you think after listening by leaving a comment below. Were you surprised? Motivated? Encouraged in the role entrepreneurism played in the first Thanksgiving? Use the comment feature by clicking on the link titled “Add your comment here” at the bottom of this post.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

God Bless you and yours!

John-Paul Micek is known as the “Click-and-Mortar Business Coach” by business owners around the world thanks to members of the Business Owners Coaching Club™. He’s a published author and weekly columnist for the business section of the Honolulu Star Bulletin, and a managing partner with the international small business coaching company RPM Success Group Inc.®

The © Copyright to all audio, video, images, and text are held by RPM Success Group Inc.® and licensed under a Creative Commons License.

In part one of this business coaching article we looked at why confidence, courage, and certainty must go hand-in-hand if you are to succeed in your role as a business owner. You know that courage is the inner power and ability to face difficulties. And you now know that courage is rooted in confidence, and confidence is rooted in the mindset of certainty.

So today with that in mind, let’s look at some practical steps you can take to begin increasing your certainty and confidence?

Four proven ways to boost your certainty and confidence as a small business owner.

• Know your strengths — and continuously listen, monitor, and adapt

Each of us has a unique communication style and behavioral strengths when it comes to business ownership. No two business owners are the same. You must first assess your strengths (and by default, also your weaknesses) so that you can quickly identify areas you can and should be more certain in naturally. This is the foundation for accelerated success — no matter what your industry or profession.

Only then can you listen critically in all areas and be ready, willing, and able to adapt your approach. When you do that and then monitor results — this further increases certainty. It’s a self-fulfilling cycle. Each and every time it happens, certainty and confidence increase.

This may seem a little difficult at first glance, but I assure you that there is a proven scientific system for making this process a snap. In the Business Owners Coaching Club we coach business owners to identify and master their unique personal style in all four dimensions of performance. (Action, Motivation, Focus, and Psychology.)

Armed with this knowledge they are not only able to exponentially multiply the results they get in marketing, sales, and systemization – but these men and women are infinitely more certain and confident in every business move they make.

• Complete your due diligence, study and research

In order to be certain and to be right more than you’re wrong you’ll need to have a solid knowledge and understanding in your area of expertise. You can be as confident possible and you can run as fast as you can to the east - but if you are looking for a sunset you’ll never see it.

Even General Patton, who had been accused of making snap judgments said in his defense, “Honestly this is not the case because I am a profound military student and the thoughts I express, perhaps to flippantly, are the result of years of thought and study.”

• Eliminate hesitation at every turn

Whenever I become concerned with taking action on something no one else seems to see, instead of allowing myself to feel like I’m wrong, I’m always reminded of an interview I saw years ago with championship hockey player Wayne Gretzky.

The host asked him how he had become such a great player. Gretzky simply replied, “Most other players tend to skate to where the puck is. I skate to where the puck is going.” That certainty and confidence to make a decision in an instant allows him to act without hesitation. This puts him in position where he is often the only player where the puck is.

I see myself making the same moves in business and real estate. Sure, sometimes I may be wrong even though I’m certain. But ahhh… those times when I am the only one there and the opportunity is right in front of me. Those are the distinctions that allow me to leapfrog ahead in life and save years of hand wringing.

You can do the same for yourself… if you eliminate hesitation.

• Certainty is not “Cockiness”

Being certain and confident of the direction that you want to go does not mean that you have to be cocky or arrogant. As a matter of fact, if you don’t take time to listen to the viewpoints of others and analyze where your plans may be flawed, you will fail more often than you prefer. As King Solomon wrote, “With the abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Prov 11:14b)

As your business coach I need to remind you that certainty and confidence are not ignorance of your own weakness. Rather it is the recognition of those weaknesses along with the dedication to overcome them or turn them to your advantage that will help you succeed.

In closing, I feel compelled to issue one warning note for you as you begin to move forward toward your goals with certainty and confidence. Sometimes people are uncomfortable with themselves when they are exposed to a man or woman who is unabashedly confident or certain. In reaction they may try to make themselves feel better and take away that discomfort by placing you in a safe little “box” with negative words.

When some people (especially if they’re not business owners) try to label you with terms like arrogant or cocky, it doesn’t always mean that you are. It may just mean that you’re making them feel uncomfortable with their lack of action in fulfilling their dreams. If you hear those words, use it as an opportunity to double-check your attitude, see if there is any truth that you can use to improve, and then move on.

Above all, remember that confidence and certainty do not magically appear on their own. They are the result of hours, days, weeks and years of constant thought, practice and dedication built on a through understanding and mastery of your individual strengths.

Do as we coach business owners all around the world to do. Put this power team at the base of your entrepreneurial pursuits, and you too will be able to leapfrog barriers, obstacles and competitors with greater ease.

John-Paul Micek is known as the “Click-and-Mortar Business Coach” by business owners around the world thanks to members of the Business Owners Coaching Club™. He’s a published author and weekly columnist for the business section of the Honolulu Star Bulletin, and a managing partner with the international small business coaching company RPM Success Group Inc.®

The © Copyright to all audio, video, images, and text are held by RPM Success Group Inc.® and licensed under a Creative Commons License.

“There can be no great courage where there is no confidence or assurance, and half the battle is in the conviction that we can do what we undertake.” –Orison Swett Marden

Confidence, courage, and certainty… succeeding in business and in life requires that they go hand-in-hand. Courage is the inner power to face difficulties. Yet courage is rooted in confidence, and confidence is rooted in the mindset of certainty.

Real life examples of confidence and certainty in action

General George S. Patton was the poster child for confidence and certainty. He was a remarkable leader who trained and motivated his men to achieve astounding results. With an unwavering certainty and emphasis on mission, he transformed an utterly demoralized American force in North Africa into an army capable of defeating the Nazis’ much-feared General Rommel. Later storming across France into Germany at a breakneck pace, his unit conquered more enemy troops and liberated more civilians than any other in World War II.

Helen Keller (a model for certainty, confidence and encouragement) once said, “face your deficiencies and acknowledge them. But do not let them ever master you.” Both General Patton and Helen Keller both realized that in order for a person to succeed he or she must routinely overcome personal failings, or turn them to his or her advantage but never to doubt him/ her self.

Certainty, confidence, and successful business ownership

For myself, I have always made the connection between a relative level of confidence or courage and its direct proportional relationship to success in business. (Success having different definitions for each person.)

But until the other day, I never realized what a powerful role the attitude of certainty has had in helping me achieve all that I have so far in life. My wife said to me, (admittedly in frustration) “You’re always so darned certain, but you’re wrong sometimes you know.” Her comment at first got me a little concerned. But then as I took it to heart it made me realize a couple of things I knew were critical for me to share with you for creating a successful business and living the ideal business ownership lifestyle.

First it called my attention to the fact that I need to parse my words at times and listen more openly to feedback when conveying a vision I have or a possible plan of action.

Secondly is that “certainty” is the gasoline that fuels the engine of massive forward momentum. In every area of business, from entrepreneurship, to marketing, to leadership — certainty is the crucial ingredient required to overcome obstacles and achieve outstanding results.

An example of certainty in business ownership

Let’s look at small business marketing as an example. Once you are certain that you have a product/service that people really want, then you will want to exude confidence and unabashedly market yourself. Marketing is not the place for uncertainty or, do I dare say — humility.

As a matter of fact, most business owners equate humility with silence or lack of self-promotion. What they don’t realize is that this attitude actually drives prospects and clients away because what they are looking for is security in knowing that you will deliver what you say you will.

If you’re not certain or confident about yourself or your product/service, why should anyone else be confident to do business with you?

The same is true in entrepreneurship and leadership.

Certainty, built upon dedicated thought and study, allows you to make decisions quickly, confidently and efficiently. Does that mean you’ll always be right? Of course not. But it does mean that you are in a state of constant growth. Whether your decision takes you two steps forward, or one step back — the wise person is always learning and growing no matter which direction they’re moving at the time.

In part two of this article I’ll act as your virtual business coach and share with you four proven ways to boost your certainty and confidence as a small business owner.

John-Paul Micek is known as the “Click-and-Mortar Business Coach” by business owners around the world thanks to members of the Business Owners Coaching Club™. He’s a published author and weekly columnist for the business section of the Honolulu Star Bulletin, and a managing partner with the international small business coaching company RPM Success Group Inc.®

The © Copyright to all audio, video, images, and text are held by RPM Success Group Inc.® and licensed under a Creative Commons License.

There are plenty of small business owners who have incredible intelligence, yet still struggle with achieving lasting success. You may even know people who are talented beyond imagination, yet haven’t yet found “real success.” Ultimately, small business success comes down to having the right attitude.

Although the “right” attitudes may vary depending on how your company is structured and what responsibilities rest on your shoulders, there are some attitudes that are a requirement across all industries and professions. Courage is one of these essential attitudes.

Some people might say that courage is not an attitude, rather it’s a feeling. Yet if you ask the heroes who put their lives on the line they may not tell you they “felt courageous” right before a heroic act.

For example, a fire fighter I spoke with after the 9/11 tragedy reflected how he moves forward “in spite” of any fear that may enter his mind. The very action he takes is what chases the crippling fear away.

If he simply focuses on the fear itself, it will immobilize him or cause him to think a few seconds slower. And that could ultimately cost him his own life or the life of a team member or person he is attempting to rescue.

Being an entrepreneur takes immense courage

Entrepreneurs who take on the unknown risks of starting a new business often report feeling nervous and unsure of their future.

Regardless of not “feeling ready” for everything that lies ahead, they take the first step in faith to pursue things yet to be seen. That very action is what develops momentum and propels them towards their business goals. Just before they take that action, the words “Just Do It” flash through their minds and suddenly, they’re off running toward the finish line!

Courage is an action

It’s taking the first step in starting your own business or pursuing a goal you’ve been talking about for years.

It’s going above and beyond the call of duty on the job.

It takes courage to say, “Enough is enough. This is the year I take control of my destiny, and start looking at the attitudes I must develop to succeed.”

Courage means doing things that you don’t “feel” like doing simply because you know these actions will move you closer to your goals.

Courage means no more excuses! No blaming your situation on the economy, the state you live in or the “luck” everyone else seems to have been born with.

WARNING: Too often people envy things they see others have achieved without pushing through and taking all the courageous actions it took for those people to get there. This is one of the greatest outright killers of success. Be aware of it so you can avoid getting hooked in this trap!

Some Well Known Examples of Courageous People From Popular Culture are…

Arnold Schwarzenegger
Bruce Willis
Clint Eastwood

For some people the huge success of famous actors like these people above cause envy. Some people attribute their success to “good luck” or “good looks”.

Yet people rarely stop to think of all the difficulties and struggles t