live
life on purpose
work at what you love
follow your own road
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Trust only movement. Life happens at the level of events, not of words.
Trust movement.
~ Alfred Adler
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Opportunity Knocks
Creative Ways to Make a Living Without A Job
How One
Income-Generating Idea Leads to Another
By Valerie Young
I
take what you might call a more organic approach to organizing. The good
thing about being "filing flexible" is that putting together this week's
list of unique ways to make a living without a job meant looking no farther
than the foot high pile of newspaper and magazine clippings on my office
floor.
But
here's the fascinating part. Despite grabbing a dozen clips, I only got as
far as the first one. That's because when you are an "Opportunity Analyst"
like I am, one opportunity invariably leads to another. This is especially
true when you start tuning into trends because they are ripe with profitable
ideas. Let me show you what I mean.
At
the very top of the pile was a section of The Old Farmer's 2007 Almanac
called Tastes & Trends 2007. One such trend to watch for is what are called
"ethical wills." According to an unnamed survey, to some benefactors, gifts
such as morality, faith, and religion are more important than money. "Think
of it as a love letter to family and friends," says author of Healthy Aging
Andrew Weil. "This makes you take stock of your life experiences and distill
from it the values and wisdom that you have gained."
The
editors at the Old Farmer's Almanac instruct us to watch for Web sites,
books, and consultants to teach us how to create ethical wills. They were
right. A quick Internet search led me to
EthicalWill.com.
It was there that I found a listing by state of professionals and
organizations using ethical wills.
A few
more clicks and I discovered that in nearby Longmeadow, Massachusetts,
attorney and personal historian Marian C. Broder of Memories Recorded has
created multiple income streams around ethical wills. In addition to leading
"workshops on writing ethical wills, transmitting values and telling family
stories for community centers, synagogues, book clubs, libraries, support
groups and individuals," Marian also "works with individuals to craft
statements that can be presented at life events and works with parents to
draft documents of values and beliefs for children's guardians to accompany
estate documents."
Then there is documentary film maker Carlyn
Saltman of
YourStoryMatters.com. Carlyn lives and works
in the even more nearby village of Turner's Falls. This fascinating woman
combined her training as a holistic counselor, hospice volunteer, and
award-winning documentary filmmaker to help clients create ethical wills on
Video, DVD, paper, or all three. As interesting as I found the idea of
videotaping an individual's ethical will, I was even more intrigued to
discover that Carlyn has also tapped another huge trend – pets.
For Carlyn, producing pet videos was a natural
outgrowth of videotaping people. She explains that, "pets usually get into
the act in the course of filming a memoir or portrait documentary of their
humans. They are family members, too, and they usually know it. Sometimes
their unconditional love enriches our lives as much as our human
relationships do. So it's no wonder that beloved pets are popular subjects
in their own right." This is yet another great example of one income stream
very naturally leading to another.
Then
literally on the same Old Farmer's Almanac page as the ethical will piece
was a
finding about cat lovers. If you happen to be a cat lover seeking to change
course though, this finding equals opportunity. According to the American
Pet Products Manufacturers Association, not only do five percent of cat
owners hold birthday parties for their cats, cat owners also splurge more on
gifts than dog or other pet owners spending on average $30 per year. Imagine
offering cat or dog birthday packages in your area complete with sirloin
cake, hats, pet photo sessions, and party favors!
And
talk about trends! A quick hop over to the Association's site (APPMA.org) led me to a much longer list of pet related trends and statistics. The
information aspiring entrepreneurs will perhaps find most interesting is the
2007 Pet Products Trend Report. Now I already knew that Entrepreneur
magazine had designated pet owners as one of the top 10 markets. But I had no
idea that big name companies like Paul Mitchell, Omaha Steaks, Origins,
Harley Davidson and Old Navy are now offering lines of pet products ranging
from dog shampoo, pet attire, and name-brand toys to gourmet treats and
food.
Another more well-known trend is for big chain
hotels to promote themselves as pet-friendly. In addition to pet pillows,
plush doggie robes, check-in gift packages that include a pet toy, dog
treat, ID tag, bone and turn down treat, some higher end hotels even have a
licensed dog masseuse on staff.
So where's the opportunity for the pet-loving
entrepreneur? My guess is that a lot of the smaller chains,
independently-owned hotel and motels, and Bed & Breakfasts would like to be
pet-friendly but don't want to go to the fuss of pulling it all together.
So, why not create a pet-welcome package where you provide the hotel owners
with all the necessary products? Throw in a dog walking service or
doggie-care package so guests can go out on the town without worrying about
a barking Fido back in the room, and you'll really distinguish yourself from
the competition!
But I'm not done yet. The Opportunity Analyst
in me definitely perked up when I saw that film maker Carlyn Saltman has
wisely seized another opportunity – teaching what you know. Much to the
displeasure of financial planners and realtors, baby boomers are avid
do-it-yourselfers. So for people who have video skills and equipment and
want to complete a personal history project of their own, Carlyn will set up
a schedule of telephone and/or in person consultations to guide them through
what she says can be a daunting undertaking. Even if you are just starting
out in your business, make the addition of teaching others what you know a
part of your longer range income stream plan.
Finding interesting and
profitable ways to make a living doing what you love is easier than you
think. All that is required is an inquisitive mind, the willingness to be
open to the ways that one opportunity may lead to another, and faith to act
on a good opportunity when you see one.
About the
Author
"Turning Interests Into Income" expert, Valerie Young,
abandoned her corporate cubicle to become the Dreamer in Residence at
ChangingCourse.com
offering resources to help you discover your life mission and live it. Her
career change tips have been cited in Kiplinger's, The Wall Street Journal,
USA Today Weekend, Woman's Day, and elsewhere and on-line at MSN,
CareerBuilder, and iVillage.com. An expert on the Impostor Syndrome, Valerie
has spoken on the topic of
How to Feel as Bright and Capable as Everyone Seems to Think You Are
to
such diverse organizations as Daimler Chrysler, Bristol-Meyers Squibb,
Harvard, and American Women in Radio and Television.
To read more
articles about how to work at what you love without a job go to
ChangingCourse.com/articles.htm
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Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it.
~ Ella Williams |
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Featured
Resource
You Can Get Paid to Do
What You Love
This Time
Next Year, You Could be Living Your Dream of a More Flexible, Satisfying Life…
You really can
escape the 9-to-5 world. You can find ways to do what you love and
get paid for it. Lots of people are well on their way to fast tracking their
dream of working at what they love.
But don't take my word for
it…
"I can't even begin to
tell you what the Fast Track community means to me...
I can't thank Valerie enough for starting this. Sometimes, people
need a life raft to hold on to and the Changing Course and Fast Track
communities are exactly what people need… I look forward to getting to know my
fellow team mates, being inspired and learning all that I can so I can take the
leap of faith and just do it! I've even given my husband a few ideas about
starting a business of his own as well."
~Della P. from Saint John, NB Canada
"This community was a
fantastic idea. Since coming to the Fast Track community, I've met
some wonderful people...and I think made some new friendships. I've come to know
this group as a whole other family. Kindred spirits, so to speak… By doing, we
overcome fear. By doing, we learn. By doing, we master one step at a time so we
feel more confidence lifting us and see a smaller mountain ahead."
~ Steve Coxsey from Dallas-Forth Worth area, Texas
"Not only can you use all of this wonderful information to change your career,
but also to change the rest of your life as well. The posts I've read
here encouraged me last Wednesday to make an offer on a house I've been debating
about for the last four months. Thursday my offer was accepted as is and we
close on 2/15. Talk about fast tracking! Then on Friday my fourth young adult
novel, Mary of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, was accepted for publication by the first
publisher who looked at it! Thanks to all for your inspiration and
encouragement! Dreamers make the World go Round!" ~ Susan Eileen Walker
from New Bern, North Carolina
"I still can't believe
all that I've accomplished in little over a week. AMAZING! The entire
dream team is awesome. All the posts and suggestions on the Member Discussion
Forum have opened my mind up to so many more possibilities... I've learned more
practical information than I could have imagined.
When I joined the Fast Track Community I wasn't
sure where to start and felt so frenzied. Well, I've still got a lot of
different paths but they somehow feel great. I feel calm and yet so energized.
Thanks to this entire community for inspiring me every day! Valerie, thank you
for conceiving and creating this amazing opportunity. I have hope...and that's
huge!" ~ Kamin Bell from
Irvine, California
"I am delighted to have
found a community of like-minded people, not just one or two people, but
hundreds of them!! It helps to know we are not
alone with our dreams and aspiration, and it gives me more strength and
courage… I must say that since I've been doing the exercises in The 10 Steps
[to Escaping the Job World and Creating the Life You Really Want Personal
Planner], I've gotten so clear that I am a teacher/writer/speaker/leader.
Thanks!"
~ Armelle from Ireland
"The potential of what is being offered here is hard to fully comprehend.
When this opportunity showed up in my email on Thursday, just out of the
blue -- I quickly read the long introduction page. Normally I would just hit
DELETE, but something resonated within me and I said YES. Before I knew it I was
enrolled. I too am looking forward to learning, being challenged, being
motivated, being encouraged, and actually getting busy and looking at life
differently. My wife has always told me "We are human BEINGS, not DOING." I
think she means focus more on our beingness not just running around doing
things." [I am] looking forward to the adventure."
~ "Moodling Crafter" from Kauai, Hawaii
"I just wanted to share that I have made some progress this week. I
attended a home staging course and got my ASP designation. Now I'm working on
setting up a business and I even have my first client. One of my coworkers is
putting their house up for sale and they want me to help stage it. This is very
exciting for me! Thank you for your support and encouragement!" ~ Kim from Emo,
Ontario, Canada
"Isn't it exciting to have found a community of likeminded people?!
To find out that you are not alone or weird?! To realize that you don't have to
stuff yourself into the "status quo box" in order to be successful?! To realize
there is nothing wrong with loving what you do and looking forward to doing it
everyday?! To see that there are others out there who have multiple interests
and talents and want to pursue more than one?!" ~ Kathleen Ellis, Mechanicsburg,
Pennsylvania
"The reason I decided to join Fast Track is to help propel
my dreams into reality… Most of my family and friends think I'm crazy for quitting a
good job with no other job lined up but it was a MUST for me, my soul was dying.
I have no intention of finding another paid job… Valerie has created a very
special safe place for us to communicate our thoughts, our feelings, our fears
and ambitions so let the journey begin." ~ Lizette from Scotland
"The classes, information and support from Changing Course have been invaluable
and worth every cent. I feel as though I'm Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz... I've
always had the power to create the life I wanted, I just didn't realize it!
I was miserable for most of the 16 years I spent at my last job, but was
afraid to make a move because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do and didn't want
to face the same issues at another company. Settling for unacceptable working
conditions finally took a toll on my health and forced me to face myself and
what I really want for my life. I still feel scared and excited to make these
changes, but I'm glad I won't have to do it alone." ~ Margaret from Long
Island, New York
"Thinking about this now, I realize that working for myself was probably
something I have always wanted to do, ever since I was a little kid…
I spent a long time and lots of effort building a career, and I'm good at it,
but I've realized that if I died tomorrow, they'd probably write on my
gravestone - she was a nice person and she worked really hard - yuck! I now
understand that I have to do things that I know will make a difference and are
important to me, rather than doing things for the sake of doing them which is
what I seem to be doing now. Its exciting being part of this group of folks who
are all on similar journeys - we are not alone."
~ Maree from Melbourne, Australia
"It's
great to be part of group of like-minded people each working towards their
dream… I am hoping that this forum
will help me take the leap of faith needed and define my priorities and actions
needed to achieve results. It's great to read all
the stories, aspirations and dreams out there and it will be great to help each
other achieve the success of living our dreams and the life we were born to
live."
~ Martin from London, England
"I can't even begin to
imagine how long it would take for me to acquire all of this information on my
own, and here you've put it together right at my finger tips. You're
not kidding about a "brain dump" of 12 years of research. You've really put
together a complete program to launch someone into self-employment. Oh that this
was available 3 years ago when I quit my job!"
~ Diane Kobrynowicz, Ph.D. from Austin, Texas
"One wonders if many of us would have had the courage to step up and take hold
of our Dreams had it not been for the support of the Fast Track Community.
When I received my Fast Track Kit, I skimmed through the booklets and
started listening to the CDs. I am excited by the process…. many of the things I
heard before began to take on a different meaning once I committed myself to
actively partaking in my own transitioning process… It has been a pleasure
batting ideas and dreams around with others in the Fast Track forum. Because my
co-workers have that "Work till I retire, or die, whichever comes first"
mentality, being able to connect with like-minded people is like a breath of
fresh air after nights spent in a roomful of stagnating people. So I thank you,
Valerie, for this opportunity to grow and develop into the person I desire to
be, independent of a time-clock, and fulfilling my Soul desires." ~ Stella from
Georgia
"Wow.
I am amazed how things start working out when you are walking down the right
path!" ~ Roslyn Wilkins from Culver
City, California
Join us today to "Fast
Track" your dream of making a living doing what you love.
Click here to learn how you can
take advantage of the special $100 registration discount and get two months' free
membership when you to sign on
ChangingCourse.com/fasttracka.htm
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Action may not always bring happiness, but there
is no happiness without action.
~ Benjamin Disraeli |
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I have one life and one chance to make it count
for something. ~ Jimmy Carter |
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Guest Article
5 Tips
for Getting Your Life Back On Track --
After Taking a Wrong Turn
By
Cari Vollmer
We've all experienced moments in our life when we
hear ourselves say "YES" to a job, person or situation we know deep in our heart
isn't right for us. And still we do it. As soon as "yes" leaves our lips
somewhere in us we hear a voice that screams "NO! Don't do it!" but somehow
another part of us kicks in and our mind overrules the wisdom of our body and we
find ourselves on a path we never intended.
Sometimes these wrong turns can be detrimental to
our wellbeing. They cause stress and put us in danger of losing ourselves
indefinitely. Other times we immediately realize our "yes" has led to an "o-oh"
and we decide right then and there to go back to the beginning and start again.
Either way, when you find yourself in a sticky
situation, only you have the power to declare you took a wrong turn and only you
can decide when it's time to get back on track. These tips may help.
Be honest with yourself.
Admit, as quickly as possible, you made a choice that led you down the wrong
path. Nothing will change until you personally acknowledge the decision you made
isn't working for you. The sooner, the better. Be willing to take 100%
responsibility for the choices you make for your life.
Plan an exit strategy.
Once you've admitted to yourself you're on the wrong path, decide how you're
going to get back on track. In some situations it may be necessary for you to
stop what you're doing immediately. Most of the time, a fast exit may lead to
even more stress and poor decision making. Take the time you need to get very
clear on what it is you do want, and get back on track one step at a time.
Be gentle with yourself.
Beating yourself up will only damage your self esteem. Realize everyone takes
wrong turns – even the most successful individuals take several wrong turns
before getting it right. Remember, life is ten percent how we make it and ninety
percent how we take it.
Look for the lesson.
There are no mistakes and there's
always a lesson to be learned – and even a blessing. What did taking a wrong
turn teach you about yourself? Do you need to listen to your gut more and others
less? Do you need to finally listen to your heart and follow its calling? Do you
need to value yourself more? Do you need to redefine what success means to you?
Do better next time.
Life is full of second chances. Be willing to take them! Let go of the past and
commit to do whatever it takes to get back on the right track. The wisdom you've
gained from taking a wrong turn will help you do better next time.
There's only one way to live life on
your
right track. Listen to your heart. It holds the secret to your happiness and the
key to your success.
About the Author
The "Feel Great
NOW!" Coach and Mentor, Cari Vollmer, will show you step-by-step how to create
and live a life that works well and FEELS GREAT! With a simple,
practical and inspiring style she'll guide you every step toward your dream
life.
To sign up for her FREE how-to articles and no-charge 5-Day Feel Great NOW!
E-Course visit
LifeOnTrack.com
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When you discover your mission, you will feel
its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work
on it. ~ W Clement Stone |
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Fast Track
Your Dreams Community
Monthly Dream
Maker Speaker Series
How to Turn
Those Great Ideas into a Profitable Product:
Advanced Session
I've been
profiting from information products since 1995. Creating a
product is the easy part. But being able to tap into a market of
raving fans eager to line up to buy from you again and again
takes a
whole
different set of skills and strategies.
Product
launch expert Jeff Walker has personally launched more than 20
sites, all of them profitable in their first month. Since 1996,
he has sold millions of dollars worth of "how to" information -
all online.
For years,
Jeff's specialty has been rolling out new products. And after
tales of his "Six Figures in Seven Days" (when he generated
$106,000 in seven days with a new product and a relatively small
email list) started to leak out, he became a sought-after
consultant for rolling out new promotions.
Since then
he has helped some of the most famous marketers online with
their product launches. In fact, over the last two years, he has
been involved in product launches that made more than $12.1
million.
NOTE:
To get the very most out of this Teleclass, I strongly recommend
you do two things:
1) Take a
few minutes to view some "home-made" videos Jeff made of real
people talking about how they successfully created and marketed
their product.
Click here
to hear from a guy who successfully turned his hobby into a
profitable business. To sign up to hear about fascinating case
studies of other people who are successfully selling products in
a wide range of markets
click here.
2) Listen
to my introductory interview with Jeff as part of the Ask the
Expert Series at
ChangingCourse.com/asktheexpert.htm
Monday, May 29th
12:00-1:00 p.m. Eastern
Registration: This advanced session is exclusive to active
members of the Fast Track Your Dreams Community. Fast Track
Members can reserve their seat at
changingcourseclub.com To learn more about how you can
fast track your dream of working at what you love -- and get a
two month membership free -- click here
ChangingCourse.com/fasttracka.htm
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Do not wait to
strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.
~ William
B. Sprague |
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Upcoming Workshops and Teleclasses
"How to Become Joyfully Jobless"
Teleclass Series
hosted by Barbara Winter
If you're
not yet familiar with Barbara Winter, author of
Making a Living Without a Job,
be prepared to be amazed.
Barbara is a vivacious and wildly popular speaker,
and you'll understand why as soon as you tune into the first of
the monthly, hour-long How to Become Joyfully Jobless
Teleclasses she'll be hosting for
Fast Track Your Dream Community
members.
She'll focus
on topics like --
·
How to start
thinking like an entrepreneur
·
Why starting
small is the smartest (and most profitable) way to launch your
new enterprise
·
The power of
multiple income streams…
·
And more…
Like
mini-workshops, these monthly Joyfully Jobless Teleclasses are
interactive, which means
you can ask questions and benefit from firsthand feedback
from the woman I call the "Muse of Self-Bossing."
Wednesday,
May 9th from 8:00-9:00pm
Eastern Time
Fast Track Your Dream Community Members: Free
Non-members: $29*
* To
learn how you can join the Fast Track Your Dream Community, please click here
ChangingCourse.com/cmd.php?ad=305862
** A
portion of all revenue from this Teleclass will go to
support the entrepreneurial aspirations of impoverished
people in the US and internationally via the micro-grant
organization
TrickleUp.org
Register
To learn more or to register
for this or other Teleclasses and courses
click here or go to the Workshops & Teleclasses page at
ChangingCourse.com
Join Us in
Paris, Under the
Shadow of the Eiffel Tower,
and Discover the City of Light in a Way You Never Could as a Tourist*
 Over Four Power-Packed
Days this May, you'll...
-
Discover the secrets of becoming a successful travel writer or
photographer from a group of the best writers, editors, and
photographers in the business...
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Learn little-known techniques travel writers and photographers use
to land concert tickets... meals... vacations... and more... without
paying a dime...
-
Walk away with a short publishable article or photos in hand... and
the contact information for editors we know who are happy to work
with you, even if you've never sold a story or photo before…
May 16-19
Paris, France
Click Here for Details
*Note from Valerie: As
you know, I am very particular about what resources I
will endorse to my readers. That's why I'll be in Paris, too.
The primary purpose of my trip is to audit
The
Ultimate Travel Photographer's Workshop in order to write a first-hand review. While I'm
there Lori Appling asked me if I would speak to her group of
aspiring self-bossers about "The 10 Biggest Dream Busters
and How to Avoid Them." When I'm not in class I'll be
scoping out this delightful city as a possible future
seminar venue. It's a tough job… but somebody's got to do
it! I know some Changing Course readers are already signed
up. I hope to see more of you there!
Mark Victor Hansen's Mega Book New York
Join the world's most successful book marketers and best-selling
authors in New York City, for a private, limited-seating conference
on the first day of BookExpo America 2007. Here's your chance to:
-
Learn how
you can be one of 200 lucky authors, speakers, experts, publishers,
agents, publicists, and writers to sit at their feet
-
Get your
questions answered by top book agents, distributors and publishers
-
Discover
how to make $1 million or more with your books
-
Lock in
your registration and instantly save $100
-
Get
access to 2 free preview teleseminars
May 31st
New York, NY
Click Here for Details
Work at
What You Love:
The Life Changing Workshop for People Who Want to Quit Their
Job and Work at What They Love
-
 Find
out how you can escape the J-O-B box… and uncover a
whole new world of possibilities.
-
Tap
your wildest dreams...and start making a plan to make
them happen right
now...
-
Discover the powerful secret to turning almost
anything
into an alternative to a so you can
transform your passion into your job...
-
Come
away with the tools you need to create work – and a life
– you really love.
-
Highly successful entrepreneurs do it instinctively. Now
you can, too. Learn powerful, proven techniques for
marketing your business without the fear of rejection.
Join
"Outside the Job Box" expert Valerie Young and Barbara
Winter, best-selling author of Making a Living Without a Job
for what promises to be an extraordinary two days – filled
with energy, enthusiasm, wisdom...and practical,
life-changing know-how.
August 24-25, 2007
Northampton, Massachusetts
"After
the workshop I decided that life was too short not to follow
my dreams...and I started planning my future. About a year
later, I resigned from my "big salary" job to pursue my
dreams." ~ Suzanne Willis
If you would like to be
notified when details about the August 24-25th
Work at What
You Love workshop with special guest Barbara Winter become available,
add
your name to our announcement list now:
ChangingCourse.com/wwlannounce.htm
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Good thoughts are no better than good dreams,
unless they be executed.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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The View From
the
Other Side
"Now all of my friends
want to start their own businesses too, because it is so much cooler
than bagging groceries or cleaning tables at a restaurant."
~ Thirteen-year-old
"serial entrepreneur"
Caroline Grey. Her most successful business to date was making her own
stress balls by filling balloons with flour and selling them to fellow
students during exam period for $1 a piece. She sold them 90 in two
days.
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Resources for
a Change
Make Money Writing Children's Books
For 35 years the Institute for Children's Literature has been helping
aspiring writers like you become paid authors. The course materials are
outstanding. As importantly, you'll be matched with a published author who'll
review each assignment and help propel you to success. The course is affordable,
you can take it at your own pace, and many students sell articles before even
finishing the course.
Click here to
listen to my interview with Patti Pfitsch, award-winning children's book author and Institute
graduate and instructor answer questions in our Ask the Expert Teleclass series.
(FYI, Fast Track Member and published children's book author
Susan Eileen Walker took this course and
loved it. See Susan's quote in the Featured Resource section).
Do
You! 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to
Achieve Happiness and Success
by Russell Simmons. I just caught the tail end of a recent
Oprah segment
with author Russell Simmons and several of the unique
 career changers featured
in his book.
Since rising out of the New York City streets over
25 years ago, Russell Simmons has helped create such ground breaking ventures as
Def Jam Records, Phat Farm and Def Comedy Jam, in the process becoming known the
world over as "The CEO of Hip Hop." Russell might have helped introduce hip-hop
to the world, but he credits his success to his belief in a strong set of
principles-or laws--which he shares for the first time in this book. In 12
straight forward steps, Russell reveals a path towards success that can be
followed not only by those looking to duplicate his professional success, but
anyone struggling to realize their dreams.
Need Help Marketing Your Business? I am a
long-time fan of marketing guru Marcia Yudkin's work. Marcia offers web site
critiques, business naming,
tag line creation, press release services and much more. For free marketing tips
go to
ChangingCourse.com/recommends/marciayudkin
Note: Changing Course does not accept
paid advertisements from any of the resources listed here. This list is
provided to expand your thinking about just how many interesting ways there
are to make a living without a job!
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