An Entrepreneur’s Journey

From last Friday, it was training all the way till yesterday. It was an well fulfilled week that builds my confidence, being more sure of myself and my path.

It started with Holiday Inn (Service Recovery) Workshop for 3 days, and as I thought I could rest for 2 days, I got a referral from David to do a Presentation Workshop for JobsDB. Then it’s back to Holiday Inn (Service Recovery) Mandarin Workshop.

It was a week filled with blessings. I was at the right place in the right time when David referred that Presentation Workshop to me. Initially I was doubtful if I can pull it off. But half way through the workshop, I knew the participants got a lot out of the workshop. I was glad I am able to add values to them.

Thanks David, an ever generous gentleman for referring and thanks Sandra, whom I thought she’s a beautiful soul; believed in me.

Blessed again when Actionpreneur received a testimonial from one of our clients. I will post it up soon.

Blessed again as Michael, a good friend since 2002; whom is at Shanghai, helped us in formulating some letters for our clients. With his help, I am sure the letters will have no errors.

Blessed again when I received a book (One Up On Walls Street by Peter Lynch) from Clive, became very good friend since we got involved with the Ice Cream distribution business. Half way into the book and I’m one foot into buying the shares one company.

Blessed again when a school wants me to conduct another workshop for him. We had discussed about it 2 months ago, and finally the deal was concluded.

Blessed again that a network marketing company called me to conduct a training for his members. I pulled Vasu along for the meeting, currently, I am not too sure if I want to associate myself with them. They are willing to pay, but my heart don’t feel good at all.

Blessed again with David asking Vasu and me to support him in Kuching in July. This will really be interesting as it will be the first time visiting Sarawak.

There are so many beautiful souls around me. What else can I ask for?

After 8 years that I left the stock market, I reckon it’s time that I return to grow my money nest.

8 years ago, I got burned in the stock market. No one else to blame but myself. I lost money because I didn’t know what I was doing. I was simply putting money into the market hoping that the price will rise. I was no different than those housewives who are throwing money away.

I knew from that day I stepped out of the market, successful investing requires energy.

All along I knew I will step into the market again. But the time is indefinitely. Only till last week, I made a decision - to make my return. I thought it’s time to grow my portfolio, to understand wealth from another perspective.

I start reading on investment books, studying how the world best investors like Warren Buffet and George Soros make their money.

Now I know the type of investment that is suitable for my character. I am preparing myself to invest again. I am not ready yet, but it will be very very soon.

It has been a fun week for me. Starting with Tuesday, hiking with Wendy, Clive, Jean, Jessica and Phyllis. The total distance is about 11km, not long for Clive and me because we ever walked longer that this. It was challenging for Jessica, probably she was cursing at us along the way..haha.

Yesterday I saw her, she was limping…sorry Jess, won’t organize such a tough activity next time.

Wednesday, brought CHIJ girls to Orchard Road to do an amazing race. It is part of their leadership program. Though I did not attached myself with any team, it was still a great experience to set up the game, to organize everything. It was fun to meet new facilitators as well.

As usual, some girls truly enjoyed it, some was cursing at it. The same old story, it had to do with mindset.

Thursday, another session with CHIJ, a different group of girls. Again, some are interested in the activity, some simply not participating at all. I start to wonder what are these small group of girls interested in. It seems like they won’t be interested in any kind of activities beside shopping and gossiping. I really hope that one day they can realize that they have to change something in them to be successful.

Then went down for EAP preview. I made an commitment to support Clive by giving him one feedback every round that I’m there. He’s good already, but as an outsider, I can observe things that he may not notice. Vice versa, he did the same to me when I’m presenting as well.

I love everyday of my life. Exciting and fun, that’s the way life should be.

I was having lunch with a friend who is a Director of a small insurance company. While we were catching up with each other on our life, business, family etc. He gave me a small opening.

R: “Maybe I will get you train my agents during my year end meeting with them.”
Me: “Sure, I can do that.”
R: “What can you train them about?”
Me: “Motivation, Sales, Financial Intelligence….(knowing what he wants)
R: “Ya that will be good.”

After a few minutes….

R: “But there a problems. My team is pretty motivated, if not they won’t be my agency won’t be Top 5 this year. Every year, they go for conferences to hear those motivational talks, hear those handicapped people motivating them, that should be enough.”

He’s hinting maybe what I do couldn’t help his team.

Me: “Then you don’t need me, why should you need me?” (I reverse it)

R: “Next year I am aiming to get to Top 2. And we need that boost.”
Me: “How much does your top agent earn every month?”
R: “$20,000″
Me: “Your second top agent?”
R: “$6,000″

I discover an opening here…..

Me: “Do you know why is there a huge gap between your first and second agent?”
R: “No, why?”
Me: “Different belief system. I work on belief system that can close the gap”

By now he already know what I’m hinting. He doesn’t need to increase his top agent sales, he just need to close the gap of the rest of the agents, and he can be Top 2.

R: “Ok, let’s confirm the date on the training. And how much?”

I am so blessed to score a small win. I am attracting good things into my life everyday.

Becoming wealthy should be the mission for all of us. Everyone got the potential to be wealthy and rich. There are many reasons if you are not wealthy.

It can be -
1. Mindset

2. Belief

3. Lack of action

4. Wrong strategy

5. Unsuitable vehicle

6. and many more

Brian Tracy, a self-made millionaire, speaker, author, entrepreneur, shared with you how you can be wealthy and rich too.

His 3 part series on The Way to Wealth is going for a reasonable price. Get The Way to Wealth System for only $49. Let him show you how you can be wealthy too.

Here are additional helpful tips to gain financial knowledge:

1. When hiring a person to work for you, hire one who is more knowledgeable in the position you intend to hire him/her for. This way, you will have less worry if he/she is able to perform the job. You get to learn from the person, and you’ll have more time to attend to other moneymaking ventures. Don’t think the person might be a threat to your business, as long as you pay him/her well. Otherwise, he/she need not work for you in the first place.

2. Changes, especially those that involve bargains, can spell profit. Take for example in a supermarket where there is a “sale.” People’s most likely reaction is to buy and stock up. It is normal reaction but peculiar when analyzed. In the stock market, when there is a price crash, people tend to shy away. This is contrary to what happens in the supermarket. Why?

Perhaps, we will never know. On the other hand, when prices in a supermarket go up, people shy away. Again, in the stock market, when prices go up, people start buying which shouldn’t be the case.

3. Part (or shall I say a big portion of) financial knowledge is knowing the difference between an asset and a liability.

Actually, an asset or a liability depends on the person looking at the thing. What you think is an asset, could be a liability to another person. As mentioned before, anything you own that earns is an asset; otherwise, it is a liability.

4. Oftentimes, we stick to the conventional way of doing business: “This is the way it is done here.” For all we know, the conventional way might not be the best way. Look at it another way, the unconventional way. It could save money, and money saved is money made.

5. High emotions (fear included) can sometimes suppress financial knowledge. Do not let your financial ability submit to your emotions. Overcoming emotions is, per se, part of the learning process. Similarly, making financial decisions without proper training on finances is disastrous.

Gain more financial ability is simply having more options for opportunities that come your way. In the same manner, a higher level of knowledge can help you spot opportunities other people don’t see. What you can’t see with your eyes, you might see with your mind.

Money comes and goes. But unlike money (although this is what we’re aiming for), financial knowledge stays. The nourishment it needs to stay keen is to keep it accurate and up-to-date.

If you feel like you’re being pushed around, stay smart, exercise self-discipline, and keep updated. Be alert and look out for “double standard” information (information that requires double checking). It is better to reconfirm than be sorry later.

The basics of financial knowledge should have been taught in school; but it hardly did, and it looks like it hardly will. This explains why the poor and middle class comprise the majority of the populace with its gap from the rich ever widening.

If a person winds up with a lot of cash without financial ability, this person is bound to find his/her money gone soon. We’ve heard of athletes who earned millions during their prime and movie stars who amassed untold fortunes only to grow old broke.

Having financial knowledge is truly vital to maintain and grow your wealth.

I was in elation today. Good things do happen when we feel great about ourselves. We sent out positive vibes when we feel good, in return good things got attracted to us.

Firstly, on a more private note, I got myself a new pair of soccer boots. I threw away my old pair yesterday after it gave way half way through the game. Since today is the only day I’m free, I better get it for my coming Sunday game.

I thought it was a good buy, paying only $59 for a pair of addidas soccer boots.

Moving on to business, I got a call from Benny that I am the main facilitator for the coming Positive Attitude Workshop of 80 participants. Yeah!!! Another breakthrough.

Had a meeting with David in the afternoon, he mentioned that Holiday Inn placed 2 more days for the Customer Service Workshop in June…Yeah..another win!!!

Raymond called to confirm the team building workshop for teachers. Though it’s half a day only, but it’s another win again.

Few days ago I sent out a sales letter to my subscribers from Millionaire Idea, and from there I made a few sales. Yeah!! Another win.

Spoken to someone whom is preparing for a new business. She shared her idea which is viable however she overlook one point. She didn’t know who her target is. She thought she could sell to everyone. Well, who doesn’t want to if we could sell to everyone. But like any experience entrepreneurs, I know it is not possible.

Even if you have a super duper product, still not everyone will want it. My point is you can’t sell to everyone. So what should you do?

Since only some people will be interested in your whatever products you are selling, then go look for these people. Tapping into 1% of the population is good enough in creating wealth for yourself.

To be successful in your sales, find out who are those whom are interested in what you are selling. Remember you can’t convert everyone.

Been following up on this school for one of our training program since I met him 2 months ago. This school has been a client with us for 2 years, this is going to be the 3rd. However, every year this school change the person in charge in training.

That means every year I got to re-build the relationship with the new person in charge. It got me worried because I’m not sure if the new person like me or not.

Fortunately, we did a excellent job in our training program, did our best in servicing the school in whatever we could, the previous person in charge always put in some good words for us. It’s a strong testimonial for us.

Finally, after the using the various methods of following up, yesterday we had another meeting with this school. They are going to engage us to conduct an entrepreneurial workshop for 200 students in July.

I go “YES” in my heart, of course not in front of the person in charge. What makes it even better is when he shared some of the challenges he faced, I offered solutions for him to consider. He responded with taking up the offer, I know now I got myself another loyal customer.

I love to serve those loyal customers, sometimes I’ll go the extra mile for them. Law of reciprocity states that whatever you give will come back. I feel good when I go the extra mile and they reciprocate by giving me business.

But I hated it as well where some of them take it for granted. When we do so much for them, they take our stuff, use it and disappear. I mean it’s ok if you don’t engage us, but have the courteousy to replied the mails, smses or return the call. I have blacklisted a few schools for doing that to us.

Anyhow, it’s a win for us. I love winning, everyone loves winning. I am going to keep winning in this game. “YES”

Over the weekend, the Universe takes charge again. Initially I planned to fly back on Monday together with David. Ticket was booked, accommodation was settled.

But David got to fly back on Sunday for a Monday meeting. So now I was straddled in KL alone with no accommodation (was suppose to stay at David’s place). I am contemplating if I should forget the air ticket and buy a night bus ticket. In the end decided to stick with flying back on Monday, because taking a night bus can be tiring, and it will waste that air ticket as well.

On Sunday, the participants were doing the hardcore route on 4WD. Drama happened as usual. A journey that usually took about 2 hours ended up in 5.5 hours. There were fallen trees blocking the road. They are not your small normal trees, the diameter of each tree are about the size of a man. They have to saw the trees in parts, because it’s to heavy. The session ended about 10pm.

If I had bought the night bus, I would have miss it. For past sessions like this, I usually take the night bus back, this is the first time I took a flight back on the next day. Imagine if I didn’t change my usual plan of taking a night bus, I would really be straddled in KL with no transport back and no place to stay.

Nevertheless, somehow everything just makes sense now.