Entrepreneurial Goldmine

As I prepare for the holiday season, I again find myself committed to my annual planning routine.  Each October I start the evaluation process of assessing how I have executed on my goals and objectives for the year and predicting where I’ll land by the end of the year.  By Thanksgiving, I have usually also assessed how the external environment around me has changed and what my goals and objectives should be for the coming year.  This is a great process for me and if you’re not a planner – something like it can definitely help drive results.  But here’s the rub….with each passing year, I find myself with too many opportunities.  While some might say that’s a great problem to have, it’s extremely painful to let a really great business opportunity go by the wayside.

So now that I am tryingto use this blog as my contribution to the entrepreneurial community, this Christmas I am going to offer 10 compelling business ideas that could make you some ‘Mad Money’! (a la Cramer for the CNBC fans).  Hopefully you’re not looking for the 12 step program to make a million and retire tomorrow….that’s in my back yard on my money tree!  I’ll tell you the general opportunity, provide perspective about why it’s a good concept, and suggest how to approach  it and where to locate more resources.    The entrepreneur in you must carve out the exact business – that’s the fun part, this merely puts you on an opportunistic path.  Unfortunately, you can’t have them all at once…; but I do want you to follow me, you never know when something might resonate. 

In no particular order (although I am saving the best for last), Opportunity#10: The Entertainment Industry.  DID YOU KNOW LOUISIANA IS THE #3 FILM-MAKING DESTINATION IN THE COUNTRY?  BELIEVE IT!

(continue reading…)

Entrepreneurs are you ready?  Or as Cramer would say, “Are you ready skee-daddy?”.  I was recently sent the following question by a friend in my linked-in network (first level – I do know him!):

“Do you know any entrepreneurs who could use $20k in cash, $20k in free stuff and 20 mentors for their startup?”

As it turns out, he and his partners are looking to help 10 entrepreneurs launch their startup in bootcamp mode. (continue reading…)