August 2010
3 posts
5 tags
Don't Try It Life, I'm Not Letting You By
I have to admit, I feel lost. More lost than I’ve ever felt before. But while I sit here, drinking a glass of scotch and enjoying the ambiance of rolling stones, my thoughts have become lucid enough to write and share.
I have lived my life out of the box, as I encourage everyone around me to do. And I’m proud of that. But at the end of the day, I don’t feel I should be proud. The truth is,...
4 tags
To Lead is To Be Confident
I’ve often heard the term “born leader” or “natural leader” and those terms make most think of leadership as a god given talent. I, on the other hand, think it is a mind set. To be a good leader, or perceived as a good leader, confidence is crucial.
To be a good leader, one does not have to be out spoken or aggressive. I’ve met many people I consider leaders...
3 tags
As I Write This...I Cry Yet Smile
I may have gone to USC business school, but my real schooling came from what you see above. This was the first major business I began. This is where a boy became a man, where the young Michael Mulhall was replaced with the harder, wiser and stronger Mike Mulhall. I may not have fought in any wars, but I waged a great many battles while running this establishment.
I exited the business about 5...
July 2010
1 post
6 tags
Book Review: Rework
Rework by Jason Fried and David Hansson
In the words of Seth Godin, this book will make you very uncomfortable and that is a good thing.
I love this book!
It’s an out of the box view of how to start and run a modern business. With chapter titles such as Meetings are Toxic, Your Estimates Suck, Drug Dealers get it Right and Resumes are Ridiculous, Jason and David have turned the...
June 2010
3 posts
6 tags
Lemonade Stand Simplicity
I saw a lemonade stand today, something I haven’t seen in a long time. Warm childhood memories came rushing back as I watched the two kids playfully wait for their next sale. Naturally I had to buy a glass, and it was delicious.
It dawned on me that these two kids were probably netting a larger profit than most of the local businesses in the area, and that made me laugh! Because of their...
5 tags
Tension Headaches - An Entrepreneur's Worst...
[caption id=”attachment_1259” align=”aligncenter” width=”357” caption=”(I used to feel like this dude ever day!)”][/caption]
For a long time, I was plagued with constant headaches. They weren’t as painful as migraines, but they occurred every day, all day. I tried everything to cure them. That included banging my head against the wall and...
6 tags
Fight, Flee or Just Plain Panic!
Rome was not built in a day. Yea I knowâ¦so cliché, but so true. No matter what kind of business you plan on starting, the beginning is not going to go smooth. It never does and it never will.
Whether it is a restaurant or a dotcom, things just pop up and cause headaches. The only thing one needs to remember when this occurs is to stay calm and find solutions.
We unveiled our new menu...
May 2010
1 post
5 tags
Social Media Marketing - No One Way Streets
There are no one way streets in a successful social marketing campaign. Remember that.
Lately, I’ve noticed a lot of businesses trying to harness the power of social media. They register their Twitter accounts, start fan pages on Facebook and maybe even create their very own blog. That’s definitely a step in the right direction. However, that’s only the beginning.
Many...
April 2010
1 post
2 tags
My Boy Patton
One of my idols is General George S. Patton. Not just because he was a great general, but because he was a very capable man faced with a vexing dilemma. He felt strongly that if he did not seize his destiny by force, it would pass him by. And that kept him up at night. I can relate to his worries.
He was a brilliant, strong, hard headed, cursing, bible reading son of a bitch (those are his...
March 2010
8 posts
2 tags
Visualize and Achieve
It seems like the new buzz word these days is visualization. In the books, magazines and blogs I read, everyone is talking about the power of visualizing your success.
One book in particular said that visualizing your goals in your mind is one thing, but creating a tangible visual aid is even more powerful.
I always tell colleagues that one of my ultimate goals is to be on the cover of Wired...
2 tags
Send Me An Angel
Do you have a great business idea but can’t find the funds to start it? An angel may be looking for you. Angel investors are individuals looking to invest their own funds into new businesses. Generally, they look for high risk, high reward startups that are in need of $50,000 to $750,000 of seed capital. Don’t confuse them with venture capitalists. VC’s usually manage pools of other...
4 tags
I Love This Movie
[youtube]e5R4iepdXqo[/youtube]
I watched this movie again last night and I forgot how good of a flick it was. Definitely worth the rent. I’m not sure if this one is on the Netflix instant queue yet.
It’s called Layer Cake.
“The art of good business is being a good middle man.” - This movie really drove that point home. For me, this was an incredibly powerful statement....
6 tags
Crowdkindle.com - Let's Start a Fire
I’m developing a new website that I just decided to name Crowdkindle.com. It’s one of the more basic websites I have in development, but it has me excited! It’s very much me!
I plan on merging the match.com concept with my own ideas. I hope to turn Crowdkindle into a place where those garage tinkering dreamers can share their thoughts and connect with like minded individuals.
The concept is...
4 tags
Pop Ups
Well if I had seen this before I opened a bakery / cafe, I may have thought twice! I came across this while surfing google images looking for funny bakery artwork.
I had a meeting with a friend of mine today who is a business consultant doing some work for me. He brought up a term that I had to laugh at called “Pop Ups.” And while we weren’t discussing the internet, these pop...
2 tags
Ditch the Droid..Nab the Nexus?
I feel a dilemma approaching! I’m a Verizon customer and I love their service. However, until recently, they had a serious lack in cool smart phones. So I jumped on the Blackberry bandwagon, but I always felt inferior to iPhone users. Then the Droid was released. I immediately switched to it, and I’ve seen the benefits in both my personal and business life. I’m all about...
2 tags
Book Review - The Power of Focus
I recently began reading a book called The Power of Focus (Les Hewitt, Mark Hansen, Jack Canfield). The authors wrote the Chicken Soup for the Soul series as well, which has sold more than 50 million copies. This is a great book! I actually put all ten of my other books away and have been FOCUSING on absorbing the material in just this one.
It has definitely affected me in a positive way. It is...
2 tags
How I Miss the Past
Our Kentucky Derby Win with War Emblem
Recently, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the past events and people that helped shape me. Digging through photos and old boxes of memorabilia, I’ve been overwhelmed by powerful memories of unforgettable times. When I tell stories of my past, those who don’t know me think I’m making it up. I can honestly say I’ve lived...
February 2010
3 posts
2 tags
Will You Be My Business Partner?
Going into business with a partner is a lot like marriage. Finding the right business partner is just like dating. The last thing you ever want to do is jump into a financially committed “relationship” with someone you don’t know well. I’ve made that mistake more than once, and it can be devastating financially and emotionally.
Business partners are going to go through a...
2 tags
So You Want to Start a Blog
People start blogs for a variety reasons. Some start a blog to generate an income, some do it out of passion and many businesses create blogs to engage their existing customers. Blogging, which is an integral part of any social media marketing strategy, can do wonders for a business, whether it be brick and mortar or virtual. The first question a potential blogger should ask is what are their...
5 tags
Audiobooks: No More Excuses Not to Read
Reading is important. I tell that to everyone. I read at least one book a week even though I don’t have the time. How you ask??
I recently discovered audiobooks on Itunes. They have a good selection and you can find more on Amazon as well. At first, I didn’t think I would enjoy listening to books rather than reading them. My mind changed quickly.
Listening to a book on your Ipod or...
January 2010
6 posts
2 tags
Busy Body Fitness Tip #1
A healthy mind requires a healthy body. That goes for everyone, whether they’re an entrepreneur or not. These days, most don’t have the time or energy to actually make it to the gym. They use that as an excuse for not working out.
But who says you need to workout in a gym?? You can turn your office, bedroom, living room or just about any other room into a temporary workout area.
...
2 tags
The Pirates of Silicon Valley
I wanted to share one of my favorite movies with you. It’s definitely in my top 5! This is the true story about Bill Gates and Steve Jobs and their respective businesses. If you don’t already know the story, this movie will change the way you view a lot of things!
These guys are geniuses. There’s no arguing that. But I sure as hell would never turn my back on one of them if...
7 tags
Social Media Marketing - Visuals Are Key
It’s like they always said in business school when giving presentations, visuals are key. Today’s ritalin popping culture is growing more and more dependent on visuals and short excerpts rather than essays and articles. And the more businesses try to reach their customers over the internet, the more engaging content they must create.
The saying a picture is worth a thousand words...
2 tags
5 tags
The All Important P&L
Any savvy entrepreneur knows the importance of the profit / loss statement (the P&L). The P&L is basically a breakdown of all your expenses (fixed and variable) and all of your income, showing you the difference between the two. Hopefully, you’re “in the black,” meaning your profitable with your income being greater than your expenses.
This is a vital business metric...
2 tags
Now Writing for MorethanMary.com
[caption id=”attachment_883” align=”aligncenter” width=”311” caption=”Yep…that’s me…dreaming as usual…”][/caption]
Hey everybody…I’m moving up in the world of blogging and have just landed my first major writing gig at MorethanMary.com! Check it out!
Not only will you find very useful information about business...
December 2009
8 posts
2 tags
This is Our World Now..
http://www.retireat21.com/top-young-entrepreneurs/
Anyone who doesn’t think we’re surrounded by opportunities should take a look at the link above. Looking at what seems like high school yearbook photos of just “normal” looking kids, I can’t help but feel encouraged and even excited.
Some of these guys and girls used creativity and innovation, some used passion and...
1 tag
Cool Apps for the Entrepreneur
Here are some cool apps I’ve used which will help any entrepreneur. Enjoy! This is one of my favorite online apps for small business owners and independent contractors. It allows for invoice creation, tracking and collection. It’s done completely online and its simple to use. Because of its professional look and streamlined operation, this tool will help improve the perception your...
2 tags
2009...Focus on the Good
As the end of 2009 approaches, most are very happy this year is ending. It’s been a rough one, with bad events happening globally. Everyone’s attitudes and habits have changed due to financial hardships caused by an ongoing recession and a constant barrage of bad news from the media.
Almost every business owner I speak to, in every industry, has expressed to me their frustration and...
1 tag
Business Review: Philly Kitchen Share
PhillyKitchenShare.com This new business is based on a model that I’ve always been interested in. Their website is horrible, but the idea itself is very interesting. There are numerous chefs, bakers and caterers in the industry that simply cannot afford their own facilities to operate in. Perhaps they only want to work part time or maybe they just can’t raise enough capital to build a...
1 tag
Break Even Broken Down
The break even analysis is something most small business owners and entrepreneurs have heard of. It is a formula used to determine the amount of sales a business must generate to pay off their total expenses. A thorough break even analysis should always be done before entering into a venture.
There are two types of expenses:
Fixed Expenses - These are expenses that don’t regularly...
1 tag
U.S. in red for 14th straight month
Here’s a good lesson. As a small business owner, if you want to figure out what you should NEVER do, simply look at the U.S. government.
An excerpt from an article on CNN.com today:
The U.S. government rang up a deficit of $120.3 billion in November - the 14th straight month it has spent more than it has taken in. As of Tuesday, the country’s total public debt stood at $12.091...
Bigger is Better
Small banks suck (to put it plainly). I don’t care what you’ve heard or what you think; using a small bank for your business needs is risky and can be detrimental to your success. This is one case where BIGGER is better. I use Bank of America. And I always will. I’ve gone the small bank route and was burnt multiple times. I heard it all before:
“Small banks care more...
This may be a cheesy bumper sticker quote, but in the realms of business, it echos truth.
For example, a good boss or business owner can fire a staff member and actually make the (ex)employee feel good about it. They actually walk out the door with a smile on their face and their head held high. Now that’s a special artform that takes time to learn.
November 2009
18 posts
LLC's...S-Corps...Sole Props....Huh?!?
And now for a technical posting…One of the entrepreneurial questions I’m asked most (some friends were asking me last night which inspired this posting) is in regards to the legalities of forming a business. I’ve formed so many LLC’s and “Incd” (that’s lingo for incorporated) so many companies that it’s no longer a very complicated process for me....
The Perfect Business Card
Making the perfect business card is tough. But here are a few tips that may help:
Don’t skimp on cards! - Business cards are important. They’re great marketing tools and they’re the usually the first visual item that people see representing your business. So forget the perforated business cards from Office Depot everybody. You need to find a real printer.
Use quality stock...
“Too many times we stand aside
And let the waters slip away
‘Til what we put...”
– Garth Brooks (via maryrambin)
Duck on Water
When a mentor told me I was a true “Duck on Water” I had no idea what he meant. He said I was so calm and tranquil on the surface, but truly he knew I was paddling like a mad man to stay above water. I almost fell down laughing. But when I thought about it, he was absolutely right. And now I see the metaphor is true for every entrepreneur at some point in his path to success.
Controlling...
The 3 Pillars
A good friend once shared with me the secret to his company’s success. He called it the 3 tier supportive structure (he was an engineer)…I just call it the 3 Pillars.
There’s 3 pillars in business and each pillar supports the other.
Employees - Treat them well, make them your first priority.
Customers - Happy employees means happy customers.
Investors - Happy customers...
Got Plans? Stick with them...
Today, out of the complete blue, I was contacted by a business associate of mine. He’s about my Dad’s age, incredibly successful, and I actually look up to him and his accomplishments.
So you can imagine my surprise when he called me, embarrassed, asking for help in writing a business plan for an industry I have experience in…the restaurant biz. He told me he wouldn’t...
Spring Your Mind (and the rest will follow)
Fruit for the entrepreneurial mind…check out one of my favorite sites Springwise.com. Springwise is made up of a weekly compilation of good (and bad) ideas that entrepreneurs all over the world are pursuing.
I can’t tell you how many brainstorming sessions and eureka moments I’ve had from reading this site.
Because the Box is to Damn Crowded
I designed this logo a while back and I feel it portrays everything I’m about. I also think it portrays exactly how every entrepreneur should think. I printed this out and taped it on my wall a long time ago. Whenever I’m brainstorming or working on ideas, I like to look at this picture and let my mind drift out of the box.
Most who know me know that I usually think waaayyy out of...
What's next to your bed?
So I woke up this morning and kind of laughed when I jumped out of bed into a pile of books and magazines. At any given time, this is what the floor next to my bed looks like. It seems like the only time I have to read is around 3 am when I hop in bed. But I’ve set a goal to read at least 10 pages from 3 books or magazines per night, and it’s working!
I think it’s incredibly...
Passion..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WtazpjikNY
I wanted to share one of my favorite composers / pianists with you today. When I was a very young child, there was a certain piece of music that I loved listening too called the Scarborough Fair. The composer from above actually improvised his own piece from that original work, and I must say it is very powerful. I cried the first time I heard...
Pop Ups
Well if I had seen this before I opened a bakery / cafe, I may have thought twice! I came across this while surfing google images looking for funny bakery artwork.
I had a meeting with a friend of mine today who happens to be a business consultant, and who also happens to be doing some work for me. He brought up a term that I had to laugh at called “Pop Ups.” And while we...
Beginnings and Baby Steps
Being the first post ever on my new blog (Woo Hoo!), I thought perhaps it would be appropriate to discuss beginnings. Entrepreneurial beginnings that is, and the courage it sometimes takes to even get to the beginning of a business venture. Whether it be launching that initial demo before renovations on an old brick and mortar site, or finally moving your invention from those messy sketches on...
Just a little about me
Hi there. My name is Mike and among other things I’m an entrepreneur, an artist, a teacher…a warrior poet. From the time I can remember, I’ve always been driven by an overwhelming amount of ambition. Combined with my immense thirst to learn and try new things, I’ve managed to accumulate an eclectic collection of life experiences, both the delightful and the absolute horrible.
My simplified...
2 tags
The Perfect Business Card
Making the perfect business card is tough. But here are a few tips that may help:
Don’t skimp on cards! - Business cards are important. They’re great marketing tools and they’re the usually the first visual item that people see representing your business. So forget the perforated business cards from Office Depot everybody. You need to find a real printer.
Use quality stock -...
2 tags
Spring Your Mind (and the rest will follow)
Fruit for the entrepreneurial mind…check out one of my favorite sites Springwise.com. Springwise is made up of a weekly compilation of good (and bad) ideas that entrepreneurs all over the world are pursuing.
I can’t tell you how many brainstorming sessions and eureka moments I’ve had from reading this site.
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