Comments on: How to be an entrepreneur (without leaving your 9-5)

By: Desiree Richardson

Desiree Richardson — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:40:39 +0000

I like the idea of teaming up with other entrepreneurs. That's what I have done and that has been the most successful venture. I am a 39 year old married military nurse and mother of three wonderful children. I have been a nurse for 10 years and I am really loving my online business and traffic generation. My goal is to retire in 3 1/2 years from the military. I want to do PTA and other great stuff with my son who is currently 5. I want my online business to be in the six figure income range. I will never put all my eggs in one basket and I encourage multiple streams of income. Rich and Rich Entrepreneurs

By: Dave Curtis

Dave Curtis — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:14:11 +0000

Hi Gwen, Congrats on the loft in Boulder. I love Colorado so much!

I come from a long line of entrepreneurs going as far back as the family history. I have known since childhood working in my parents shops in NYC (they each owned a business) what it took to grow their businesses and what they needed to pay the mortgage, the insurance, and to put away for retirement. Working alongside their employees on my days off and after school I knew the kind of commitment I had to apply to help see their businesses do better.

Today I own my own web design and SEO business and work for dozens of people just like my folks, and know that providing each and every one of them with the best I can do, full well knowing that they are not technically proficient enough to check up on me and know whether I have been slacking off or not, and giving them more than they have paid for is my one ace in the hole that pays me back every time. Quality work and finding innovative budget solutions for people I like is how I find meaning in life. I always wish I could be better (no matter how good I am) – but I know in my heart that caring and effort makes all the difference. While those extra efforts may not be as visible as free chocolates – they’re there. And the little micro-actions of things like collecting and sorting email addresses and building clients newsletter mailing list databases do add up.

I will tell you this, I haven’t spent the day in a coffee shop in far, far too long, Gwen. I’m blaming it on too much stacking up, the economy… but I think tomorrow I’ll take your advice and get out with my laptop for a change, say hello to my friends, and remind them of what it is I do. Thanks for the wonderful advice. :)

By: Hiro Boga

Hiro Boga — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:28:40 +0000

Thanks for the excellent ideas and advice, Gwen. (Love those square business cards–they’re spectacular!)

Congratulations on launching your Unconventional Guide . . . I look forward to reading it!

Hiro

By: gwenbell

gwenbell — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:10:13 +0000

Sarah thank you for getting out there & rocking out. I can't wait to spend time with you in September! Phil hasn't chocolate been called the miracle food?? Basically, free anything tasty has a habit of sticking around in my wallet. Tiffany thank you for jumping in here & look forward to seeing what you create next! Reese thank you for all that you do to support this lil army! Your designs positively rock. I think that's an interesting question you pose. I think everyone is the master of their own domain - maybe they just haven't woken up to that fact. So, in a perfect world we'd all fully embody our space in the world/our domain. I'm doing the best to embody mine - and encouraging others to do the same.

By: reese

reese — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 07:03:56 +0000

I really appreciated the ‘bite-sized/you-can-do-this-right-now’ nuggets you brought to this piece. Great take aways.

Do you think you always knew you’d be the master of your own domain (literally and figuratively)

By: Tiffany Starnes

Tiffany Starnes — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:41:20 +0000

I am not an entrepreneur. But I work for one and live with one and am pretty much surrounded by them in New Orleans these days. They are the reason that on the eve of Katrina’s anniversary, we are getting positive media attention in WSJ and Entrepreneur magazine. And they are definitely the heros that are reshaping a city that has always embraced creative and snubbed conformity.

As an anti-establishment kind of gal, it’s exciting to see the little guys winning. I don’t think you can underestimate the power of community and collaboration. I am a proud member of a few precious armies. And when we rally, watch out, Goliath!

Thanks for the advice. Keep up the great work!

By: Phil Buckley

Phil Buckley — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:11:54 +0000

Great advice Gwen, can’t believe I hadn’t thought of giving away some really cool chocolate – which is dangerous for someone with a sweet tooth.

By: Sarah Bray

Sarah Bray — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:01:40 +0000

Yay, yay, YAYYYY! Good for you for getting your unconventional guide out there. It needs to be said and said again.

And you know…before I became a full-time entrepreneur, I had three jobs. I quit them one by one. And then my husband quit his. So it was definitely a long journey (wish I had your wonderful tips when I started!)