I'M BACK!!!!!

What up world! How you been? It's been a long time, and I definitely shouldn't have left you without a dope beat to step to. So here's what's new. Since my last post I've started a record label called Turncoat Music, run out of investment options for Fitted Man, and found intelligent like minded individuals to help rebuild our community. Lets start with the music! I connected with a child hood friend some months ago, and we started www.turncoatmusic.com.

We had our first show in Waconia, Minnesota "Where?".. Def in the sticks 30min out from the twin cities. After months of promoting the show, we got a lackluster turn out for Turncoat. About 50 excited people showed up and had a great time kicking it with us. The numbers were no where near what we needed, and we could have easily been arrested if the managers were dicks about NOT receiving the remaining balance that night. Fortunately for us I have a wonderful sister and brother law (who happen to live in the area) who chipped in and saved the day. I wish I could credit my masterful negotiating skills, but that would be cattle shit. But hay, who said luck doesn't play a part in business sometimes.

After taking our defeat like "G's", we used the long 7hr car ride home (Love the Ford Flex by the way) to reflect on how we should move forward. One day, off of a shot in the dark, hope struck in the form of frozen yogurt. I sent a song out to a bunch of Yogurt companies one Friday, and got an email back from the owner of Yogen Fruz (largest frozen yogurt franchiser in the world) that Sunday. After a few weeks of negotiating we sold our first jingle (visit www.yogenfruz.com to check it out).

That accomplishment validated our music, and really energized our entire team. Before I leave, let me share what I learned. A. Once you organize a street team, lead them! Keep in contact, give them specific duties, goals, and rewards. I think our poor turn out reflected our poor managerial skills. B. There's a million ways to kill an action figure. So don't think the only lane for your music is mix-tapes and Itunes. I'm about to go and find some trouble to get into, yall be safe!!

Until next time, your business partner
Bobby Burns

Did I say next morning? I meant next next morning.

Here's my schedule for today. Nothing flashy, just a list of things I need to get done. My time is very flexible, but if you have a lot on your plate, you might want to write times next to the entries (Start time/finish time). These reminders will set a pace to your work, so everything gets completed.

My next post is going to be on advertising. Specifically what to write on fliers when you're trying to attract employees or customers.

12/30/2009 Schedule:

1. Take a shower and eat (Yes I have to remind myself, I'm a work-aholic) 1pm-1:30pm

2. Email Clients and send follow up email to Jason (with two twins)

3. Search for jobs

4. Get business plan ready to mail to investors.

5. Post fliers up around Downtown Evanston.

6. Work out. 3:30pm-5:30pm

7. Watch Movie

8. Work on business plan for We Want to Live

9. Night Night

Distractions (BOOOOOOOO)

Sometimes I find myself in a fog, distracted by the diverse technological gadgets that always seem to be in arms reach; Tempting us with illuminated buttons, flat screens, and endless useless knowledge. Tetris, YouTube, brick breaker, movies, reality television; The infinite list of distractions scroll through our minds tempting us to indulge in its pleasures. Even my over poetic tone in this blog is a waste of time. I could be developing my business plan right now, but instead I'd rather try my best Plato impersonation.

But really, distractions to a business owner are just as dangerous as they are to race car drivers, or better yet a performer attempting to swallow a sword. The question I ask, is what is the best way to fend off distractions (please comment this post with suggestions)?

I found that writing down what I need to complete everyday helps. I sit it right beside my computer, and it acts as my personal business trainer cheering me on. " Just one more page Bobby", "You're eating again? just finish the email first". Sometimes I listen, sometimes I watch an episode of "Jersey Shore", but every time I give myself an extra reminder to do the right thing. Obviously all work and no play would be miserable, but the more distractions I can cut down the better.

Tomorrow morning I'll share my day schedule with you guys so you can see how it's done. And if anybody has any old ancient remedies for hangovers, post it immediately. I'm sure all my night life entrepreneurs would agree, that headaches and dry heaving is definitely a distraction.

Until next time, your business partner
Bobby Burns

Become a Hero

Whats up yall! Another great Christmas in the book, and now it's time to keep pushing towards success.

I was watching a special on CNN last night called "CNN Heroes". The program awarded ten humanitarians doing extraordinary work around the world. These heroes had fought past tremendous hurdles to help people in need. The program was very emotional because of the stories; homeless veterans, cancer survivors, raped victims, orphanages in desolate countries, and people determined to educate children under precarious conditions.

After witnessing such sacrifice, I was convinced that the best motivation in life comes from the satisfaction of motivating others. As business owners, we always have to keep that in mind. If money is your only motivation, then what happens to your business during tough times?

Remain humble, and continue to find ways to contribute to the well being of others, and I guarantee your overall clarity on life will sharpen your business decisions.

Until next time, your business partner,
Bobby Burns

Day One 12/25/2009

As random as it sounds, I'm starting this blog at 4:49 am Christmas day. After searching through YouTube videos for hours, I finally mustered up enough initiative to pry myself away from bar fights, and bull dogs riding skate boards. My almost empty MGD bottle is chilling to my left, and my Nokia E71x must be exhausted because it keeps beeping. Here goes!

This blog is going to be my memoir, documenting the extremely difficult road ahead. I hope on my journey others will find strength in my words, and the courage to attempt the unthinkable.
One of the first lessons I've learned as an entrepreneur, is you have to be passionate. If you're not passionate about what you do, the weight of the world will deflate your focus.

Everyone is wired to say no. You tell them about an investment opportunity, they immediately try to tear it down. Or my favorite; "I have no money", before you even complete your pitch. A similar deflecting tactic I remember during my days canvassing for an environment group always bothered me. Someone would answer the door, see me with my t-shirt and brochures, and immediately say, "I'm not interested." I always wanted to yell back, "how the hell do you know you're not interested", do you have a rare gift for reading minds? Sometimes shouting "you've won a million dollars" would make its way to the tip of my tongue, but never get any further. Well I'm tired than tired, so I'm about to call it a night. But I wish all my future readers happy holidays in retrospect.. If that makes any sense at all. Whatever!

Until next time, your business partner
Bobby Burns