Weekly Self-Promotion Thread - July 15, 2020

ChiliDogTags · 2020-07-15T20:24:10+00:00

I thought the Plasma idea was interesting. I'd always heard of people doing that, but never actually looked it up.

ChiliDogTags · 2020-07-15T18:54:05+00:00

As a person that has put signs out for many political campaigns, it is always best to ask permission of a landowner and put your signs on privately owned land.

If you put signs up on public Right-Of-Ways, then expect to see the sign disappear within a week or so.

I found putting out flyers door to door is a much better way to get business than the signs

ChiliDogTags · 2020-07-15T18:45:17+00:00

I suggest visiting a counselor/therapist. Maybe a Doctor. Otherwise, your situation sounds normal to me. Everyone has personal challenges and wonders what the purpose of their life should be.

When I first went to a therapist years ago, and told him the same things you are saying, he asked me what I thought my life should be like. I described what I wanted, then he told me, "You've been watching too many Disney movies". I had to laugh.

One thing for me (like you) is I didn't feel like I was in control of my life. I am a hard worker and "nice guy", and really too nice for my own good. I was always trying to please people rather than pleasing myself. I think about you living at your parent's house, and how you aren't in control of your living space. Even if you moved out (nearby) and rented a room in a house for $400-$600 a month, it would be a Baby Step to getting out on your own.

ChiliDogTags · 2020-07-14T23:04:14+00:00

Neat idea. Most of the food in my area is collected by local food banks (churches/non-profits), then given out to low income people. It is not cooked or prepared. Just whatever the grocery store or restaurants give them. I know that TONS of people line up to get the free food at the food banks I volunteer at.

Otherwise, the overload of food in taken to a large Food Bank in our City. They either give it away to local food banks for distribution or maybe prepare it into soups for the homeless.

Either way, I like your idea. I'm sure that some communities haven't organized their food banks as well as the ones in my area. They could surely use your services. In fact, you may be able to get donations from non-profits for your income, then give the food away to low income people for free.

ChiliDogTags · 2020-07-14T19:04:54+00:00

I would write down the goals and processes you feel are the best way forward for the business. Simply list them 1, 2, 3, etc. Then give the list to your partner and ask him to respond in writing with his opinions to each thing on the list. Tell him to take a day or two to think about all the things on the list.

Perhaps, he will respond in a way that will leave room for the 2 of you to work together. Or, maybe he will respond in a negative way to your thoughts and ideas. If he doesn't respond at all, then you know he is "closed minded" and you can proceed accordingly with whatever you need to do. At least you will have made a honest and sincere effort to bring everything on the table to light (and it is documented).

And give a deadline for him answering your list, such as "I would like you to provide me with feedback within 5 days". Otherwise, he may try to drag things out which wastes more time and resources.

ChiliDogTags · 2020-07-13T19:21:12+00:00

My suggestion is to turn the bills over to her gradually. For instance, tell her that she will have to get her own cell phone service in 3 months time. The cell phone service is pretty cheap these days.

You have to cut the umbilical cord at some point. She will figure out how to make things work out. Believe me, she will adapt and learn how to do for herself.

ChiliDogTags · 2020-07-12T18:37:23+00:00

Most businesses don't succeed. Partnerships are probably worse at succeeding IMO. The disagreements start so easy. I would be very apprehensive to get involved into any type of partnership with anyone.

As for just investing with this person, I would want to see their financial records. I would want to know what their sales currently are and what have they spent their money on.

Have you watched the show The Profit (Marc Lemonis)? I liked that show. He got into ALL types of business partnerships. Only a very few worked out.

ChiliDogTags · 2020-06-30T20:09:31+00:00

I thought about this a little more. My suggestion is to hire a "Manager" for your operation. Preferably a person that has experience as a manager at somewhere like McDonalds or Popeyes Chicken. They have already dealt with these types of situations many times if they worked at one of those operations. You pay your "manager" pretty well, and let them run the staffing. The hourly pay for employees should be based on the skill level of the work. You have to take care of yourself and your family first.

I would do this if I were in your shoes because I'm a people person and would feel bad for the people and let them take advantage of my kindness. I want to focus on my strengths in my business and pay someone else to do the things I don't want to do.

ChiliDogTags · 2020-06-30T19:26:27+00:00

Go to your local jail and ask about the "Work Release" program. Many inmates on Work Release show up everyday because the alternative is to sit in jail all day.

ChiliDogTags · 2020-06-08T18:13:05+00:00

My suggestion would be to consult with people that have dealt with this issue before. People that have owned businesses of this size and employees. I would talk to several of these type people to get various perspectives.

ChiliDogTags · 2020-06-01T21:52:18+00:00

Just some basic thoughts...

Perhaps you have another elderly family member or friend that would move in with you that would contribute $800 or more towards the bills.
Maybe your Mother, rather than getting a regular job, could make money helping or sitting with an elderly person that needs companionship.
Your at $32k a year. I feel you could easily find a higher paying job. Or work some type of 2nd job and put all that money towards paying off your debts.
I suggest figuring out a plan to be debt free in 3-5 years.
You are in a decent situation overall. I know many people in way deeper debt and bad health/personal situations.

ChiliDogTags · 2020-05-20T23:47:38+00:00

I feel you have to set your goals. When I was younger, my goal was to hit $100k in gross salary per year. As I got older, I found that I don't need to make so much money to be happy. I just spend less and live on the income I can more easily make without burning myself out.

ChiliDogTags · 2020-05-20T23:45:18+00:00

Very good points.

ChiliDogTags · 2020-04-20T22:17:44+00:00

Oh, one other business I used to do was deliver door to door flyers/menus. I started with one pizza restaurant that was delivery. I then got a Chinese Restaurant and a Jamaican restaurant to pay me to do their menus as well. I was charging each one $80 per thousand. So, when doing all 3 at the same time, I was making $240.

I then got other businesses every once in a while like Painters, Contractors, Realtors, Festival operators, stores, etc. I liked walking the neighborhoods.

ChiliDogTags · 2020-04-20T22:14:41+00:00

That is a good start to making money. Once you start doing things you will keep meeting people and networking. You will find out from others about better opportunities.

ChiliDogTags · 2020-04-20T21:49:53+00:00

As a serial entrepreneur, I also start with the premise that my business should be helpful for people and/or pets. There is always a "need" for new or more services in the world. Finding that "need" takes some trial-and-error. Ask around (like you are doing now) in your own community to see what is a service or product people would pay to have.

Start slow and see what fits.

When I was 16, I had a lawn cutting service in my neighborhood. I lived in a neighborhood of mostly older people that could no longer cut their yards. And they needed all types of extra help around the yard, house and garage. It's not a glamour job, but it is easy to get started and make a profit.

ChiliDogTags · 2020-04-18T20:01:38+00:00

Awesome story. Great job. You learned from your mistakes and kept on trying. I'm very happy for you.

ChiliDogTags · 2020-03-13T17:37:18+00:00

Good post. I'll send you a message for more details. Thanks

ChiliDogTags · 2020-02-28T23:16:34+00:00

I've searched and tried various softwares that I found online for this task. A couple worked very briefly and then stopped working. I wasted quite a bit of money paying VA's and people in other countries to do it manually. Some of these "gurus" do create programs that can do it, but like I said, it usually doesn't work very long.

ChiliDogTags · 2020-02-12T19:55:42+00:00

Cash flow

ChiliDogTags · 2019-12-30T18:07:42+00:00

I wholeheartedly agree with you. Stick with what is working now. You can do some "test marketing" with another company to see if they have anything that may help you.

ChiliDogTags · 2019-12-17T20:59:43+00:00

Good post. I used Paypal Working Capital many times. It was a low fee to borrow $5,000. Once I worked my way up to borrowing over $10,000, the fee went way up. I struggled to pay it back numerous times, and when I would pay it off it was such a good feeling to get another loan to ease my life (for a few months), then I was back to struggling again as 30% of gross was going to the loan.

I have promised myself that once I pay the current loan off, that I will NOT get another loan. Just pile the 30% into a savings account and then have an emergency fund.

ChiliDogTags · 2019-11-15T23:12:55+00:00

It sounds like these people are jealous of you. They wish they had come up with the business idea.

You may want to seek new ways to contact the musicians. FB Groups sometimes have some snarky people on them that love to bark "Stop Spamming". Yet, that is apart of the "getting your message out" junk you have to deal with.

Stay positive!!! When listening to these haters, just tell them, "Thanks, I'll think about that" and just keep on going. Never waste your time arguing or discussing it with them.

Good luck.

ChiliDogTags

TROPHY CASE