Category Archives: Entrepreneurs

Mind, Body & Being An Entrepreneur

04 September 2009 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

Note: This was dictated over the phone using CopyTalk.com. So it may sound a bit choppy.

It’s interesting to me the parallels there are between business and success and success in terms of body and mental, physical health. I just started to get in shape and work out with a trainer. Backstory: I have never been a person who has worked out before. I have never been a physical fitness person. I was raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and you ate everything on your plate, and if you wanted more, you got more. I was not raised to eat healthy. I was not raised in a way that you need to exercise and do those things. So, this is a brand new learning experience for me.

What I do know, though, is how to be an entrepreneur. I know how to make my way in the business world and take risks and do those types of things. So it’s interesting now that I am getting in shape and I am being taught how to be healthier and to work out, the parallels that come between being an entrepreneur and being successful and being healthier and being successful at it.

As I start to see results happen, as I get stronger, and my pants size keep dropping, and I am feeling so much better… I feel so many changes. As an entrepreneur, it’s the same type of thing, you put in the hours and the work, and you will be successful and you see the results.

But I also notice mentally how powerful this is to get healthy. I also notice how it teaches me that I can push myself, because I already know how to do that in the business world, but I didn’t know that I could do it physically. I have learned so much about myself, because I am now able to push myself both physically and mentally. And mentally is really the hardest part.

So go out there and try something different. If you’re a couch potato, go out there and try to work out. Get on a training program and push yourself mentally. Push yourself in other ways than just being an entrepreneur, because I’ve got to tell you that it has opened my mind. It has helped me think of new things. It has helped me work better and helped me work longer. It’s changed things for me.

Spending A Day With Gary Vaynerchuk

03 April 2009 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

In the summer of 2008 I had the pleasure of spending a day hanging out in Cleveland, OH with the infamous Gary Vaynerchuk. If you don’t know who Gary is you should go read up on him here. If you do know who Gary is, well, then you’re about to see what it’s like to follow him around for a day or so.

garyv_screenie

Here’s a hint… It’s exhausting.

I wrote ‘A Day In The Life Of Gary Vaynerchuk‘ based upon my experiences of that particular day hanging out with Gary. I hope you enjoy the video extras from the day as well.

Special thanks go to Gary, and to Lisa Picarille for the excellent editing.

Video Book Review: The Big Idea

09 March 2009 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

It’s the moment when you say, “There’s gotta be a better way.” It’s the moment when you ask, “How can I solve this problem?”

Donny Deutsch’s hit CNBC show The Big Idea has put the spotlight on that ordinary moment and the people who have the courage and stamina to make their dreams come true.

Big Idea, The: How to Make Your Entrepreneurial Dreams Come True, From the Aha Moment to Your First Million

What’s More Important? Getting Rich? Or Your Vision For Your Brand?

14 November 2008 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

Note: This post was written for a friend of mine who wishes to remain nameless. It’s my pick me up to that person. You can do it! These thoughts accurately represent how I have felt in the past. I hope you find it helpful and inspirational on your journey to success.

What if you could make a ton of money being somebody who you’re not? Would you still do it?

Tough question, yet a question that we all must answer. If you’re like me, you struggle with these types of issues. An example perhaps.

I know that if I wanted to make a ton of money, I could become someone I am not. I could build products and services that I don’t want to build.

But I don’t, and here’s why. It’s more important to me to sell things I believe in. It’s more important for me to have the brand I want to have… that I’ve envisioned for myself long term.

Do I lose out on TONS of money because I have this attitude. Yes. Do I sometimes consider “selling out” and just doing what I know will make me a ton of bank? Yes.

Your decisions may be different. You may not have the same, perhaps stupid, limitations on your brand/business.

I’ll be honest. Sometimes I wish I didn’t have those feelings. I’d be richer for sure. But would I be happier? I don’t think so.

The point is. Do what you need to do and don’t apologize for it. If you have to “sell out” to pay your bills. Do it. If you can get by by not compromising your vision then do that too. Make a decision, but don’t feel bad about it, and don’t let your friends or peers make you feel bad about it either.

In the end… this is business. But you’re going to have to live with what you’ve done. Decide now. If you don’t, you’ll be stuck in the middle, which isn’t a good place to be if you want to meet your goals.

The Time Is Right To Go For It, Will You?

10 October 2008 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

Can you feel it? I can. It’s looming. It’s that feeling of impending doom that has slithered into the room while we were all busy trying to be successful. You know what I’m talking about. That big financial crisis. It’s like a big snake that I’m afraid of.

It’s in the corner, staring at me right now. I’m sitting here waiting for it to come over and bite me and then it’s all over… my success will be over and it will all be because of this snake bite.

If you’re not feeling like this, then you’re better than I am, because as I sit here and watch our US economy crumble, I’m scared you know what-less. It’s frightening for sure.

But what am I going to do? What are YOU going to do? I’ve decided…

I’m going for it. I don’t care if we’re in the midst of a financial meltdown. I don’t care if people have less money then they used to. I don’t care if everything and everybody tells me now is NOT the time.

If you’re selling the right things… there is still a market of people who will buy it, even in tough economic times. Personally, I couldn’t think of a better time than now to focus on helping people figure out how to be independent of a “job”.

Now is the time when many people are being forced to take such measures as, gasp, working on their own and not being dependent on a boss. I call these people possible accidental entrepreneurs.

My advice at this moment in time… go for it. This may be the best time to do it.

Struggling Entrepreneurs, Do Not Give Up

09 October 2008 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

It’s rough out there right now, I know. You’re losing your cool in this tough economic market. You’re trying to make ends meet, while at the same time, you’re trying to push ahead and be successful as an entrepreneur. You’re working your a#* off and it’s getting you by, but not getting you ahead.

I know how you’re feeling.

I know what it’s like to be spending more than you make. I know what it’s like to have your wife give you that look when you tell her you need to spend another $1,000 or more to start a new project. I know how it feels to be so frustrated that you haven’t “made it” yet that you want to give up and go get that “real job” you said you would never take.

I know how you’re feeling.

I know what it’s like to see millionaire friends not worry about money. I know what it’s like to see your associates who have already “hit their home run” not worry about the economy because they’ve got money coming in consistently every month. I know what it’s like to wake up every day and wonder if today is going to be the big day you get an idea to turn it all around.

Welcome to being a struggling entrepreneur. It’s a rough life.

But there’s good news too.

If your struggling there is hope. There is a reason to carry on. You can make it work, if you carry on.

Remember that every single great success story started with one of the following…

1. I failed 1,000 times before I succeeded…
2. We had no money left in our bank account…
3. I was on the verge of giving up…

Sound familiar? Being an entrepreneur has its ups and downs. Yes, there is going to be struggle through the tough times, and yes, it could possibly drain your bank account and damage your marriage, and yes, it could drive you to want to give up.

But that’s when your passion comes through to save you. That’s when you stop pitying yourself and turn towards the sun and give it another go. That’s when you work even harder to get what you wanted.

Don’t give up. Keep taking your shots. Keep innovating. Keep pushing new ideas and supporting old ones. Keep on keeping on.

It will happen. You can succeed. You can hit that home run. You may look back at these days years from now and remember about how tough it was, but then be proud of yourself for persevering.

The entrepreneur inside you knows you can do it. Now, just do it.

Diggs are appreciated for this article.

Can You Become An Entrepreneur?

17 July 2008 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

Or is it just born in you? What do you think? Is it possible to change who you are? Would you even want to? Today I chat with Suzanne Mulville, author of “From Employee to Entrepreneur“.

entSuzanne and I chat about many questions regarding being and becoming an entrepreneur.

Questions like… Is it possible to “become” an entrepreneur? What does it take? And triggers that people face when they’re considering making the jump. For example, you may ask yourself as you sit in your horrible job you hate, how long do you want to tolerate being unhappy?

It might be time to listen to this podcast and find out if it’s possible to make the switch to a new lifestyle.

 
icon for podpress  Standard Podcast [19:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Finance Tips For Small Businesses & Entrepreneurs

28 April 2008 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

I’m bad with finance. I mean, really bad. It’s the weakest part of my game. So I always look to the experts to help me out. I ask a LOT of questions and I let them do their jobs.

In today’s video, I get get some finance tips for small business owners from Elizabeth from Growupstrategies.com. Enjoy.

Failure – An Entrepreneur’s Journey

10 February 2008 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

Failure can be a good thing. In fact, failure can be a great thing! In life, and in business, failure is a very important part of the learning process. Everyone fails, it’s inevitable.

The question for you as an entrepreneur is are you going to get back up on the horse and try again and do it better, or are you going to give up? Many people try once and fail and get scared into not trying again. Personally, every time something happens that fails in my world, I try again, and again until I get it right. Watch this video to get a few more insights, and hopefully a little inspiration for you about failure and how it can help you. I reference Mark Cuban in this video.


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TheDailyFlip.com is a web show about online marketing and being an entrepreneur. Jim Kukral is an award-winning and long-time blogger, as well as speaker, writer, online marketer and web entrepreneur. You can read more about Jim Kukral here.

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Being an Entrepreneur Isn’t For Everybody

28 January 2008 Written By: Jim KukralComments: Comments

So you’ve always dreamed about being an entrepreneur have you? It’s a lot of blood, sweat and tears. In today’s Daily Flip, I talk about what it takes to be an entrepreneur, and about how some people just aren’t cut out for it.

YouTube link: Being an Entrepreneur Isn’t For Everybody.

Also watch at:
YouTube, Yahoo, Metacafe, Google, Revver, DailyMotion, Blip.tv and Veoh

TheDailyFlip.com is a web show about online marketing and being an entrepreneur. Jim Kukral is an award-winning and long-time blogger, as well as speaker, writer, online marketer and web entrepreneur. You can read more about Jim Kukral here.

Subscribe to the rss feed for a chance to win your very own Flip Ultra video camera.