If you could ask Mark Cuban anything what would you ask?

So as the title says if you could ask Mark Cuban anything what would it be?

Have you ever had a question that you wanted to ask someone famous or super smart? I have! I will have a question and I will think if I could only ask Mark Cuban that or Richard Branson, Just to name a couple really smart business billionaires.

So I am throwing this out there to see if I can get any responses from you. It can be any question for Mark Cuban or anyone who you think could answer your question. Just post the question in the comments and put who the question is directed at.

Thank you

My question to Mark Cuban and Richard Branson would be if you were 25 again what would you do differently?

Consistency

One thing I have learned over the last couple months is the consistency of continuing on with your goal. I have been working on a business for the last 6 months at first I was always working on the business. But then I started a new job with a new company and it was very time consuming, I found myself working on the business less and less.

I constantly think about the business but I don't find time to work on it. That's when I realized starting a business is a marathon not a 100 meter dash. If you want to get rich quick.......Sorry there is really no such thing, you hear about these multi-million dollar acquisitions, and you think oh if I could just come up with an idea like that I would be rich. Well you might get rich but it is going to you a lot of time like it did those people. Again its a marathon not a 100 meter sprint.

I have found the best way to marathon is to be consistent. To work consistently on your business the same amount of time every day or every week. The consistency is what will get help you win the race in the end and become really successful.

Consistency doesn't just have to be when starting a business it is best to be consistent with everything you do in life, working out, eating healthy, losing weight, your career you name it; Consistency is the best policy for success.

Lets all be more consistent and be more successful!!!

StartSLC is going to be EPIC!

StartSLC is a 3 day tech festival that will be happening in the silicon slopes or as some may know it as Utah from January 29th-31st. Silicon slopes has been turning into the new silicon valley, with great opportunities for entrepreneurs to start companies in Utah and the tech community that already surrounds the state it is the perfect place of an amazing tech festival.

If you are an entrepreneur, techie, or business person you will not want to miss this awesome fun events that will happen during the tech festival StartSLC. Here are some of the awesome events you will want to put on your schedule.

January 29th, 2015

1. Kickoff Party 7pm-11:30pm. Location: Church and State building

January 30th, 2015

1. SLC Angels Pitch Session 1pm-4pm. Location: The Gateway
2. Ping Pong Tournament 9am-1pm. Location: The Gateway
3. Startup Grind (Google for Entrepreneurs) 3pm-5pm Location: The Gateway
4. Launchup (Barn Raising for Entrepreneurs) 7pm-9pm Location: The Gateway

January 31st, 2015

1. Kickstarter Alley 8am-5pm Location: The Gateway
2. Family Tech Day 9am-5pm Location: The Gateway
3. Sustainable Startups series 12pm-1pm Location: The Gateway
4. Pocket Film Fest 3pm-5pm Location: The Gateway
5. $250,000 Pitch Competition 6pm-8pm Location: The Gateway
6. Final Utah Startup Awards 8pm-9:30pm Location: The Gateway

These are just some of the events that will happen over this three day period, it really is going to be should I say EPIC!!! So mark your calendars now for these dates and attend some of these awesome one of a kind events. For more info check out StartSLC.com.

Sincerely,

SalesFinch
 

10 steps to starting a business

Businesses are not an easy task, but it makes it a lot easier if you have a great idea. This short blog will give you a couple of simple steps to help you get your business off the ground and headed toward success. Once you have the idea for a business follow these steps to turn the idea into reality.

1. Come up with a name for the business.
2. Next you need a logo.

• Sites like www.logomaker.com can be a great source to give you some ideas and they have lots of pre-designed logos. 
• If you have a little extra cash and can pay a freelance graphic designer between $100-$200 bucks for a logo that is an even better option because then it becomes more personal.

     3.Then start writing your business plan there are lots of great tools to help write and structure your business plan. Check out www.sba.gov/tools/business-plan/1

     4. Once you have a plan in place begin validating your idea by asking friends, families, and strangers if they would buy, or use your product or service.

     5. Get a prototype of product, website, or equipment needed for the product or service

     6. Register the business

      7. Set up bank account

      8. Get final products and or services ready for market

      9. Begin marketing the product or service (Social media, trade shows, online ads, etc.)

      10. Most important START SELLING!

Remember to keep revising the business plan and business model as you continue to grow. Once you start selling and are growing really fast there are always options to seek out an investment or financing. There are tons of entrepreneurs and it is a perfect time to start a business. If you have questions or comments please leave them below.

Thanks for reading
Sincerely,



SalesFinch

StartSLC.com Tech Startup Pitch Competition

I need to take a moment to write some exciting news on my blog about an event that will be happening in Utah January 2015.  This is an amazing opportunity, and the event is called StartSLC.

The event will take place from January 29th-31st the 3 day event will showcase some of Utah's greatest tech companies and entrepreneurs. There will be tons of activities to attend during the 3 day events that will bring together the community of hackers, designers, entrepreneurs, bloggers, and many others from within the Salt Lake City community. This event will help everyone build relationships with other entrepreneurs, business people, techies, and it will just be an amazing event for everyone in the community.

We all know that Utah is a big place for Tech start ups and this is just another event that will make tech start ups even more prevalent in Utah.

But here is the biggest news! At the event there will be a Pitching competition where tech start ups will have the opportunity to pitch their start up to a panel of judges that consist of Venture capitalists. The winner of the pitching event will win $150,000 dollars, the runner up will win $50,000, and the audience favorite will receive $50,000 dollars that's a total of $250,000 dollars given away at this event.

You do not want to miss this amazing event, whether you will be a spectator or a contestant. If you would like to apply for the pitch competition go to startslc.com and register by Dec. 15th 2014 for a chance at winning part of the $250,000 dollars prize money.

GOOD LUCK

Linkedin Networking

If you are reading this blog you may or may not have a LinkedIn account. If you don't I recommend getting one. You may be thinking I don't need to network or I am not looking for a new job or I am a stay at home mom/dad. Well no matter what your excuse you need a LinkedIn account and here is why......

LinkedIn is the largest professional social networking site, which allows users to connect with people they never thought they could connect with. If you know Bob well Bob may know 500 more people and so on, you can build quiet the group of connections on LinkedIn. With those connections lead to other life opportunities like new job opportunities, volunteer events, social events, you name it and LinkedIn can help you reach new opportunities that would have never been possible without LinkedIn. Here are some simple easy steps to help grow you network with LinkedIn starting form the beginning:

1. Create a LinkedIn account for Free at www.LinkedIn.com
2. Use a good picture that shows your face well (No family pictures, kissy faces, etc.) Keep it simple
3. Update all of your information to the best of your knowledge. The more of your profile filled out the easier it will become to connect with people with similar interests.
4. Log on to LinkedIn a couple times a week if not every day take 2-3 minutes to go over the LinkedIn feed. Lots of great simple article on the feed.
5. Try to connect with 3-5 new people each day, in time you will grow your network to thousands of people.
6. Don't be afraid to post something like a motivational quote that you like
7. Don't be afraid to message people in your network if you have a question for them like if they know of any positions in their company or if they ever need your service to message you.

These are 7 simple things you can do to grow your LinkedIn network that will begin to benefit you year after year. It is so easy and simple and anyone can do it you don't have to be outgoing and a extreme people person to be good at LinkedIn.

So log on and get networking!

Thank you for Reading



SalesFinch

Networking Tips

Have you ever been apart of a networking group or attended a networking event? If you have you may love it or you may get nervous about it. Networking groups or events can be a little nerve racking for a lot of people because it takes them out of their comfort zone and forces them to meet new people and talk about themselves. For some people it is just second nature to network, for those people you are lucky and keep up the great work. For those who struggle with networking her are some key points to help you succeed at networking so you can succeed at business.

Here are some key points to remember when networking:

• You are building relationships that will last
• You need to make yourself visible, Let people know who you are
• Practice Networking, the more you try networking the better you get at it (Practice Makes Perfect)
• Diversify your network, network with all types of people be as diverse as possible
• Maintain your network, Make sure you follow up with your network by phone, or email.
• Give to others, the more referrals you give the more you will get back

These are a couple of main points to help focus on when networking and building the networking relationships. I am part of a BNI networking group and it really is neat to meet other people and gain relationships and then give referrals as well as receive them. We are all in business to make money and we can all help each other in one way or another. If we work together we can all be successful.

Tip: If you are super shy and have no idea how you could ever network or strike up a conversation come up with 3 to 5 interesting points that you can bring up to talk about when meeting someone new. It can be something as simple as this is crazy weather we've been having and then talk about the weather. If you are prepared before hand it will help you become a good networker.

Networking all begins by opening your mouth and saying who you are.

Please check back next week for more from SalesFinch