2 Start Your Business TODAY Without One Thin Dime How to Win the War for Economic Autonomy by Michelle Roberts Building Bridges to Our Future™ A NUMN™ Publication © 2009, Michelle Roberts All rights reserved. Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to verify the information provided, Michelle Roberts accepts no responsibility and assumes no liability for any loss or damage, real or perceived, that may result from any inaccuracies or omissions in this publication. Downloading, saving and/or continuing to read this publication constitutes your agreement to hold Michelle Roberts harmless and without liability for any loss or damage that may result from any inaccuracies or omissions, real or perceived, in this publication, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. No part of this publication may be reproduced or redistributed without the written permission of the author. Cover Design ©2009 by Michelle Roberts 3 Introduction For many of you, this is your first time meeting me, so I guess I better tell you a little about who I am, what I do and why I want to share it all with you. My claim to fame on the internet is I publish Not Ur Momma’s News and mother the cyber family Bridge Builders. I am an entrepreneur, journalist and grassroots community organizer for more than 30 years; I achieved a degree in Christian Studies and was granted a Minister’s license in 2005. I suppose to someone all that is important, but crucial is what’s happening now. These pages are born of a desire to tell you can begin today, right where you are to take control of your income and therefore your life. I’m a devout revolutionary and I believe it is well past time for the Constitution to be marching orders and not merely a historical document. I believe the top heavy world economic system is in the process of crumbling. The powers that be may be able to delay it, but the implosion is inevitable. And I believe all that is cause for shouting and joy. For the first time in my lifetime, I see an opportunity for you and me, Mr. or Ms. Ordinary from Anywhere to quietly and systematically possess the land. America’s economy is being forced to return to its entrepreneurial roots; mega corporations are a critically endangered species. Governments, local and national, are singularly focused on how to administer life support without too drastically shaking the status quo. Even with planting gardens and wise Latina women, the powers that be could hardly be more out of touch with what’s happening now. While they flounder, one idea, one talent, one service, one innovation at a time we must work together to finally and ultimately possess that which was built and is still carried on the shoulders of our blood, sweat, horror, sacrifice and tears, the freedom, the dominion that heretofore has only been a paper promise. Economic autonomy equals sociopolitical autonomy equals personal freedom; it really is that simple. Now before I tell you how to take the first step and start your business today, I’d like you to do some things for me. First, Please suspend your belief in limitations, all limitations, those imagined to apply to you, your circumstance or rooted in race, gender etc. Second, revel in 4 gratitude that like a snowflake, you are intricately and uniquely designed to do you. Alright, let’s get busy. What’s in Your Heart? That’s a real question and the cornerstone of the business you’re about to build. Your love, passion, the fuel of heart’s desire will propel you through the days and launch you towards your star. Take a few minutes; get quiet and listen. This is not the time to consider; it is a time to intuit or perhaps remember your dream and how to dream it. Close your eyes. See yourself living that dream. Experience the sights and smells. Who will you talk too? Where will you eat? Savor it; allow it to permeate you; visualize it until you can taste it. When it get’s real good to you, open your eyes grab pen and paper and write the vision down. Do it now and do it in detail. 5 Now close your eyes again and focus on you. Get ready to toot your own horn; this is time to celebrate. Take a quiet and through inventory of the qualities, talents, temperaments and experiences that make you the only person on the planet who can possibly make your vision manifest. Open your eyes and write down all the ways only you are uniquely qualified to make your dream come true. Did any imps jump on your shoulder and whisper nay says in your ear? If you said yes, here’s the plan. Know those whispers are lies and commit to consciously assassinate them. The weapon of their death is your tongue. Silence the imps with the truth; use the inventory you just wrote down. Meet stumbling blocks and doubts with why only you can do it. Speak those words out loud as often as possible, both to yourself and to anybody who will listen. This will conquer the imps and begin to establish you as an expert in your mind and in the minds of those you meet. What’s in Your Hand? You’re clear on your dream and excited and grateful for your unique ability to make it come true, but where do you start? Take another inventory. Do you have what you need to do what you do once? If you are a writer, do you have pen, paper and something to say? If you’re a baker, can you make an awesome batch of cookies or a slap your grand momma cake with what you have on hand? If you’re a web designer and somebody asked, can you build a custom site right now? Yes? Then name your business and do it for someone now. Knowing what you want your business name to communicate is crucial. A broad name gives your business room to grow; a more specific scope can enhance your ease of getting name recognition. Name your business carefully. 6 Bake that cake. Cut it in small pieces; wrap them in clear plastic, tie them with thin ribbon or colored string and affix a small label with your name and phone number. Share your samples at work, in the parking lot of the grocery store and wherever you eat lunch. Ask friends and co-workers to write a few sentences raving about your talents and wares and remember to ask their permission to share their testimonials with others. You’re in business. Whatever your vision, step out and start where you are, with what’s in your hand. Apply the cake example to your dream. Write web copy for a friend and launch a blog. Design a sample website or launch your own social network. yes you can do that for free. Use the talent, expertise in your hand to be a blessing; you’ll begin to build valuable relationships and a sound reputation in your field. Nuts and Bolts Plan your strategy. Keep it simple; this isn’t one for the bankers and angels; that’s a ways down the road. This is your road map and you’re already halfway done. Define what makes your business special and why you are uniquely qualified to make it a prosperous enterprise. Determine who your target market is. Be specific. African American women between the ages of 18 and 30 is far to broad. Figure out what other things the people interested in your are buying. Research them. Where do they eat, work, play; how do they dress, live and rear their kids? How much money do they make? What kind of music do they listen to? Find out everything about them; I mean everything. Do they buy their undies at Victoria’s Secret, Fredrick’s or Wal-mart? 7 Most of you have heard it said repeatedly, “the money is in your list.” If you haven’t you will, and even in the cyber world that old adage is still true. This does not mean bombard your friends and family; build your list by getting to know people in your target market and more importantly, by allowing them to get to know you. People but from people they like and trust. If your business is brick and mortar, join professional associations and organizations in your field of expertise; attend the events, luncheons and fairs in your area. Talk to everyone you can. Focus on them; don’t be in a hurry to push your wares. Take a real interest in others and they will tell you how your product or service can meet their need. In cyberspace, seek out niche networks that reflect your interests or attract your prospective customer base. If you are lifestyle coach, look for networks where coaches and self improvement seekers gather. If you intend to sell vitamins join networks and groups focused on health issues. Be patient; building a business is not a get rich quick proposition. Growing your baby into a prosperous enterprise will require hard work, dedication and discipline to match your passion. Set reasonable goals for where your business will be in your first week, month and year; then commit to a work schedule that will allow you to meet them. Be realistic, if you only have 5 hours a week to work your business, don’t expect to make 1,000 dollars your first week. Set yourself up to count your victories; they are the fuel that will take you and your business to the apex. If you’re starting your business online, you’ll need a website and domain name. Remember to cater to the interests of your target market. Own your domain name; most people don’t take businesses that host on free servers seriously. There are web hosting services that allow you to get started a no cost and many of them provide you with easy to use point and click templates that will allow you to quickly build a professional looking site yourself. When you’re ready, there are hundreds of reasonably priced web designers online; be sure you check references and view a portfolio of the designers active sites, before you hire anyone. 8 Epilogue The following tools and services are those I use and believe in. Choosing to use any or all of them can benefit your business building efforts. In the interest of integrity and full disclosure, your choice to use most of them will benefit my business building efforts as well. Most are free or free to try. Web hosting costs money, but it is possible to keep your costs below 10 dollars a month. Beyond that do not buy any program without doing your own thorough research, because it works for me, or anybody else, doesn’t guarantee it will work for you. . Then name your business and do it for someone now. Knowing what you want your business name to communicate is crucial. A broad name gives your business. your business to the apex. If you’re starting your business online, you’ll need a website and domain name. Remember to cater to the interests of your