DON'T PUT YOUR MONEY IN A BUSINESS THAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND

Many people are in search of a "lucrative business." They assume that if other people are making money from it, they'll do too.

Before putting up a business, consider what Warren Buffet (the 2nd richest man on the planet) has to say:

Don't be too quick to let go of your money simply because an investment "sounds good." And don't just turn your back either without studying it, or you'll end up to be close-minded – you won't be able to find anything to start. 

If you don't know how a business works, then research and learn about it. Better yet, try to test the market or get a pulse by talking to prospective customers, suppliers, or to the people who've been in the industry long enough.

Pessimism will hold you back. Optimism is good, but don't forget to do your homework. 

• • •

YENG REMULLA is the author of the best-selling books Productive Pinoy & Start Something. An entrepreneur for 15 years, a real estate investor and the founder partner of START LEARNING.

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS FUN BUT NOT EASY

Many people go into entrepreneurship because they think they'll earn more money and have more free time. 

Yes, that is true in the long-run, but don't expect to start that way.

While you're starting, it will be time-consuming. There will be days that you will feel demotivated. And it will require a lot of trial-and-error. 

Don't go into entrepreneurship simply because you're expecting it to be easier than what you are doing right now. Entrepreneurship is fun, but it's not easy. 

You need to be focused, consistent and faithfully stubborn to build a sustainable business.

But if you are willing to do the inconvenient, to let go of the excuses, and to work on it, you will enjoy the ride and might just succeed beyond your expectations. 

Learn the art of the start! Grab a copy of Yeng's new book, "START SOMETHING" in Powerbooks or National Bookstore Branches for only P380. Better yet, sign-up and join his Startup Group HERE.

*If you find this blog post helpful, please Like, Tweet or Share it too! 

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ATTEND THE BOOK LAUNCH

I'd like to invite you to join me this Friday, May 31 for the official launch of my newest book, START SOMETHING. 

Whether you're planning to start a business, to shift into a new career or to showcase your art, this book will help you get started. 

I'll be giving a 15 minute talk during the event too.

This is a free event! To join us, simply register below. 

Where and When: May 31, 2013 • 5pm–8pm • POWERBOOKS Greenbelt 4.

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GET THE RIGHT DETAILS RIGHT

The last few days has been crazy productive. On top of running my real estate company and organizing training events, I've spent most of my time working on my second book. (Title to be announced soon!)

 NEW BOOK COMING SOON!

Here are two lessons I've learned this week:

1. You have to get the right details right.

You'll have to be able to distinguish a detail that matter from one that just slows you down. 

If you want to build a product that resonates with people, you will have to get the details that matter right. 

When publishing a book, this could mean picking the right colors for the book cover design so your book stands out when displayed on the bookstore shelf. Or it could mean using the right font size and spacing to ensure easy reading. 

The point is that you need to find out what matters to the people you are serving. 

2. To get the details right, you need to be with the right people.

I'm blessed to be surrounded by partners and friends who are talented, reliable and easy to work with.

For many nights now, I've been exchanging emails with my editor, Ms. May Palacpac. We'd bounce off emails back and forth just to get a single word right. Thanks to my editor. The book is now ready for printing.

I was in the printing/publishing office yesterday to finalize the book cover. Somehow, the printer didn't get the exact color right. Thanks to my graphic designer, Ms. Nix Gamboa, (with Janjan Arcenal) who immediately figured out how to get that detail right. 

On separate occasions, two of my friends, BG Hernandez (renowned creative director) and Maan Villanueva (graphic designer) also checked the layout of the book. They pointed out areas for improvement that I wouldn't notice otherwise.

While all of these were happening, my business partners, Bob Barcebal (Pinoy Sales Champ) and Kat Baylon (corp. trainer) took care of the details of the two learning events that we organized for May 2013 – Heart at Work EQ Workshop (May 17) and the book launch. (May 31)

I'm glad to be working with all of them. 

You don't have to do your work alone. Whatever you're working on today, surround yourself with the right people.

• • •

By the way, if you don't have a copy of my first book yet, you can read the reviews HERE. PRODUCTIVE PINOY is available at any National Bookstore or FullyBooked Branch. Thanks!

If you find this post helpful, please like or share it too. Thanks!

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NEW BOOK COMING OUT SOON!

Proof copies of my new book just arrived on my doorstep early this afternoon. Now it's time to scrutinize, get feedback, proofread (again for the nth time), tweak, edit, omit, polish ... 

I need to make sure that the new book is easy to read just like the first one. By the way, you can check out the reviews of my first book HERE. I will keep you posted. 

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BUSINESS WITH A MISSION

The purpose of a business isn't just to maximize profits or to make money. Doctors make money, but their purpose is to heal people.

Behind every successful entrepreneur or a business, you'll find a deeper mission or purpose that fuel its growth.

By focusing on letting "Every Juan to Fly", Cebu Pacific holds the biggest market share (46%) on domestic flights.

Jollibee was able to beat McDonalds in the Philippines by making it their mission to satisfy the Pinoy taste buds.

While Hapee (Lamoiyan Corp), not only makes toothpaste, but also employs deaf-mute workers as a way to serve the community.

Other than to make money or to make ends meet, why are you starting or running a business?

What makes it worthwhile?

• • •

I'll be giving a talk on how to Start a Business this August 3, Saturday, at the Malayan Plaza Hotel Ortigas. If you've been wanting to put up a business, this will be an interesting learning session for you. 

By the way, the first 30 to register will get a free START SOMETHING Book!

For details and to register, visit this link: www.startlearningph.com

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Dreaming and Working

"Dreaming" and "Working." 

Many confuse one for the other. Some are just dreaming when they should be working. While others are just working when they should be dreaming!

Nothing great has been done with just a mere pep talk. If you have a big dream, go and work for it. It takes more work (rather than talk) to make things happen.

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PLAN THE WORK. WORK THE PLAN.

Your plan is only as good as your execution. 

The danger is for you to get stuck in planning when you should be really getting things done or keeping things moving. 

Planning the work is easy, but WORKING on the plan is really the challenging part. 

When you're stuck, don't just go back to more planning. Find a way to solve the real problem. Or at least get over the bottleneck. That's the only way you'll be able to move forward. 

Plan the work. Then WORK the plan. 

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TREAT IT AS SERIOUS BUSINESS

Having fun in what you do doesn't mean you're not doing "serious business."

This is true for writers, artists, musicians, athletes or anyone who 'seems' to have a much easier job. 

As a writer, one of the things that I've learned is that you can't just wait for inspiration. It takes a lot of discipline, planning and hard work to produce quality content and to be heard in this noisy world. 

You may have a job that doesn't sound as glamorous, but in whatever you do, have fun, give your best, and treat it as serious business.

YENG REMULLA is the author of the bestselling books, PRODUCTIVE PINOY & START SOMETHING. Hear him speak at the upcoming "JUMPSTART YOUR SUCCESS" Seminar this November 30 @ The FORT BGC! See details here: www.startlearningph.com

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YOU NEED A VALUABLE CRITIC

BG HERNANDEZ @ START SOMETHING EVENT

While at the START SOMETHING event last Saturday, my good friend BG Hernandez (renowned creative director and graphic designer) shared an interesting point.

He said "You need a critic." 

After hearing him say that, I realized that I perceive criticism as purely negative. (I tend to be overly positive)

But BG is right. We need someone trustworthy who will not only say what we want to hear, but also what we NEED to hear. We need someone who will challenge us to improve not only our work, but also ourselves.

Now I'm not saying that you should be hanging out with negatrons. (negative people) But we need people who will speak the truth with care.

I know that my wife is my biggest encourager, but I realized that she can also be my "valuable critic." 

When she points out something that I need to improve, I better listen. (note to self) 

Do you have a critic whom you can trust?

*If you find this post helpful, please like or share it too. Thanks!

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MY 14-YEAR OLD SON IS NOW AN ENTREPRENEUR

When Trey was a lot younger, people would ask him "what do you wanna do when you grow up?" With his cute lisp he'd reply, "I yike my dad's work. I yike to be a businessman." That brought joy to me.

Even when Trey was growing up, it was natural for us to talk about business concepts whenever we're together.

Whether it's the food in a restaurant, the feature of a gadget, or the design/flow of a website – Trey and I would always discuss ways on how we can improve a certain product or service. We'd even come up with better ways it can be presented or sold. 

This was an exercise we'd always do for fun. But I didn't realize he was really taking it seriously. (Even I didn't expect that he'd become an entrepreneur this early.)

FUNDING HIS FIRST VENTURE

Every time that Trey would get his allowance or receive gifts from us or from his grand parents, he'd put away some money in the bank. The amount can be as little as P200 and to as much as P1,000. 

He didn't have a plan where to spend his money. At times, I would even suggest, "why don't you buy a PS3 or an XBox with the money that you've saved?" 

Trey would always say "No, it's ok. I'll just wait." 

A few months ago, he came up with a business idea – to print his own statement shirts. Coming from the Twitter generation, he would name his brand #HASHTAG. 

Trey would regularly bounce off his ideas to his very supportive mom and me. It became a trending topic during dinner. 

Until one day, he finally decided to do it.

He told me that he'll use his own money (his savings of P21,000) to fund his business. And at that moment, I knew he was serious.

So he went on to source the raw materials and visited a manufacturer that can bring his designs to life. 

His first factory visit

"Design meeting" with supplier/manufacturer

After a week, Trey received the samples and wore the first Hashtag Shirt. That got him really excited about his new business. 

HASHTAG Clothing Co. Founder Trey Remulla with his First Shirt

As of this writing or update, he has about 7 shirt designs and has sold over 500 shirts in 4 months time. He has more than tripled his capital. He makes more than what a minimum wage worker earns. 

100% Cotton. Eco-Friendly. Lead free. Phthalate free. Eco-friendly paints. Machine washable. EXPORT QUALITY.

Logo at the Back

*Latest Design*  100% Cotton. Lead free. Phthalate free. Eco-friendly paints. Machine washable. EXPORT QUALITY.

#HASHTAG Clothing Co. is now officially online. You can check it out HERE. 

#HASHTAG Clothing Co. website 

Website: www.hashtagclothingco.com

Facebook Page: #Hashtag Clothing Co.

Ever since Trey started his business, he's been asking me a lot of questions. I can see him learning and enjoying it. I'm really proud of him.

Please visit his Online Store, like his Facebook Page or buy a shirt! 

I hope this will also encourage you that you're never too young (or never too old) to "Start Something."

~

Join me this Friday, May 31, 2013, for the START SOMETHING Book Launch in Powerbooks Greenbelt 4, Makati. 5:30pm–8:00pm. I'll be sharing a few tips on how you can start the work that you've been thinking about. 

If you're free to come, simply fill out this FORM. Many thanks!

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4 REASONS WHY YOU HATE MONDAYS

1. You are in the wrong job. 

2. You are in the right job (or type of work) with the wrong people.

3. You are in the right job with the right people, but somehow, possess a negative attitude towards work. (Ouch!)

4. You don't have any work to do and it's making you miserable!

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BE MISSION DRIVEN

Ask highly successful entrepreneurs why they do what they do, and you will find out that it's rarely about the money.

Most of them are not money driven, but mission-driven. 

No wonder Apple's Steve Jobs said "I want to put a ding in the Universe" when he was younger. (this was even before the iPod, iPad, iPhone or even the laptop was invented)

In some ways, Steve has equipped us with tools that has changed the way we live.

But you won't hear Steve talk about money. You'll hear him talk about innovation, cool products or about the next big thing. 

It was always about "the mission."  

What's keeping you awake at night? How can it affect others in a positive way? What's the mission?

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