Biting off more than you can chew...

I got a response to my survey question and this is what was asked:

"You don't want to be over zealous and bite off more than you can chew so how do you know where to begin when you decide to start your business?"

Well, it will depend on the question you ask yourself. Many people will figure out what they may be thinking about doing and then try to figure out how. While their in the process of thinking this over they think about their why. And if the work is too difficult that's the moment the dream tends to die. People have this imaginary wall that seems like a constant obstacle of where to go next or how to even get started. The minimal question in this process is why do you want to do it. 

Your process should be Why, How, then What. To know where you should begin, find out your Why first. Why is it important to open up this business? How do you plan on solving this issue? What can you provide or do to solve this problem? You see, businesses are about solving problems. The more you help people solve a problem and  the better you are at doing it... the more money you can make and gain notoriety. 

So here's a few ideas to think about before starting a business. Are you ready?

• Think about something that gets your emotions involved where there is a problem to be solved. For example: "I needed something shipped overnight when I absolutely needed it sent and delivered without fail": FedEx. Or "I'm so tired of buying CD's and spending hours downloading and burning CD's of my favorite songs while carrying around this bulky CD player to listen to those songs": Apple IPod. Or "I like to travel but hotels are so expensive, why can't I just stay on someone's couch for a few days and pay a fraction of what I'd pay a hotel": AirBnB. This is you why. Why is it important to you?

• Think of how people would benefit from your product or service. How will it make their lives easier? How will it make their lives more convenient? If people do not have a problem to be solved then your product or service isn't of use to them. People buy out of what they feel they need to have to solve a problem. So give them something they could actually use. You don't have to create something that will work for everybody as trying to solve everyone's problem is almost impossible. Solve a problem for a group and be the best at it. Selling air conditioners in Antarctica might not be the best business model, so it has to make sense?

• Ask yourself is it moral and ethical? You want to make sure that the need your solving for won't violate code of ethics policies or get you locked up and thrown in jail.

• Does it excite you to learn more about building on this idea for a product or service? Does it get you inspired to go out and find the resources to make it a reality? What is it? Think about when you wake up in the morning to go to work. Most people don't get too excited about going to work, as my wife would say, "I don't feel like being an adult today." If you love your job, then you're in a good place and this isn't necessarily for you. But think about your idea and identify what the product or service is. When you think about it, does it make you want to drop everything and go out there and take on the world? It should. Whatever you choose be passionate about it.

There are many things to think about when starting a business but you don't need to take a big bite to know if it tastes good. Nibble a bit at a time and follow the ways I've described to see if it will be a business you'd be happy to bring to the world. 

About the Author:

Shaheim Kellum is a mentor and consultant looking to answer the questions of at least one person a day to better their life and/or their business. Could that person be you? Answer his survey question and become one of the many people he has helped with his powerful advice. Answer survey question here.


Power Seminar to Success Video Below

My BIGGEST EVENT of 2015 is coming...

"You've all been asking and waiting patiently and I thank you for that." - Shaheim

I have decided to move the date of my seminar back due to an injury i suffered. It wouldn't be fair to you or me if i wasn't able to give 130% at the Power Seminar to Success. A date will be announced soon. Make sure you're following me on social media for updates and announcements.I'm looking forward to delivering the most powerful seminar/workshop you've ever been to. You will leave this event with confidence as an aspiring business owner, direction as a creative entrepreneur and a stronger passion to go out and get your success. Make sure you send me your email address for updates on the location, time, and access to ticket purchases for exclusive entry. 

Tickets will be limited and when they're gone, they're gone! Don't miss out! 

Be one of the very few that will be not miss this event. Sign up for updates at www.ShaheimSays.com

WARNING!!! The seminar coordinators reserves the right to approve camera use at any time during and/or before the event and to prohibit the use of any camera that is deemed unacceptable. Cameras with a detachable lens, iPads and the use of flash photography are prohibited at the Power Seminar to Suceess event. Contact ShaheimSays@Gmail.com for updates and/or permission of camera/video capture usage. Camera policy is subject to change at any time at the seminar's discretion.

9 Quotes from Shaheim to Inspire your Business

Shaheim Says: 

"A goal is but a wish unless it has a deadline and a measurable result."

"Getting specific in what you want to accomplish is super important in the planning. We work in Vision, Value and Objective to get goals completed and keep productivity high. To do this we look at what determines if the vertical or venture is a success to your calculated amount."

"The hardest part is to find someone legit that doesn't want you for all your money just to do something I love... The person that you need to put in power is YOU. You are the number 1 asset you need and will set the stage for the culture of business you want around you. Got it?"

"...over the years and in my own opinion, I've learned the top 3 things that keep people from succeeding are; an unclear vision, unclear objectives and procrastination."

"Every time you open your mouth to speak, you're letting the world know who you are. Make sure you have something to say. Make sure you use your words for construction of others not destruction."

"There is evidence that no matter what you do, you only have two hours of peak performance every day. Two hours. It proves your productivity is a scarce resource and you have even less time than you thought to get things done. Get the most done in your peak time."

"SUCCESS IS A WAY OF LIFE! Take the time to invest in your success!"

"Having Top of Mind Awareness is all about being in the topic of conversation. That's the fight you have in being in business... being in the conversation as so many are not."

"... products and visuals help in marketing but the real question is, who does it represent? That's called Branding. That's what sells. That's what makes your leverage. That's what builds your audience and grows your fanbase. Make sense?"

 "It's about doing what you love and sharing that with the world."

These are some of the topics and concepts I will be covering at the ONLY seminar I'll be doing this year. I've been constantly asked if and when I'd do a seminar and I think the time is right. Get to New York City for the POWERFUL orientation at my POWER SEMINAR TO SUCCESS

Learn More

How do I get people to check out my music?

Does talking to people work for your business?

It should! 

If it doesn't then you're missing out. Stop just sounding like a robot and get out and talk with people.

Conversations and drip mail still work. 

Above all build relationships with your audience. Begin with people you know and actually check on what they're doing. I always say, "when networking and building relationships, it should be more about them than it is about you." Find out what their doing and what inspires them. The conversation moves to a dialogue about them to a mental trigger called "reciprocity" (Jeff Walker) that then has them ask about you. Now you have an open platform to promote yourself as they had. Make sure you have a simple and direct call to action to what you wish for them to do. Got it? 

Just click here for more infosmile emoticon

You are Awesome

You Are Frickin' AWESOME!!! And that's not all. You truly won't be satisfied until you believe that. I mean it! You are awesome! Saying it out loud helps a bit but you must believe it. Self-affirmations work but only when your actions support it. You believe it so you become it. If you're awesome at something or people like how you do something, the next thing is to just do it. Do exactly what you're awesome at. Use your skills, your knowledge, your experience and use your creativity like no one else can. Be what you say you are and fight until you are what you have always believed yourself to be... AWESOME!!! For the LAST TIME, especially if no one else has said it to you, YOU ARE AWESOME and who knows that better than YOU!!!

That is all...

#NoDaysOff

The countdown begins to my POWER SEMINAR in NEW YORK CITY. 

September 19, 2015 - For updates, SIGN UP HERE >>> http://shaheimsays.blogspot.com/p/sign-up-page.html?m=1

Success Frightens People

Success frightens people. 

As much as we may say we want it, we don't want it bad enough. If it happened right now, it would be like looking into the sun. Blinding and overwhelming. It takes time to get used to unless you've been preparing for it all your life. When I was a kid, I used to practice looking directly into the sun. I knew it was bad for my eyes to do that but I would add a bit of time everyday to looking at the sun. Testing how much I can take before I had to turn away, shut my eyes or look away. How much could I take was always my question because there's something powerful out there and I want it.  

Success frightens people. As much as we may say we want it, we don't want it bad enough. We don't want it as much as we want those extra minutes of sleep. We don't want it as much as we want to chill. We don't want it as bad or as much as we dream we do. A dream with no actions, no goals, no objectives is but a wish. When will you stop wishing and start acting on those thoughts, those dreams, those ideas. Watching others succeed is pleasing but it's not thoroughly satisfying. What did you do today, from the time you woke up, to get closer to your dream? What was it that woke you up? Do you wake up in a cold sweat because all you can think about is your success? Does your want for success interrupt your life habits? Where is your success list in your priorities?

Success frightens people. As much as we may say we want it, we don't want it bad enough. I think people have it wrong when they think about success. Success is the final result of the hard work. It's OK to dream but when you think about success, think about the hard work. I mean every rotten detail. Every point of the process. The type of focus where you feel like you're underwater and breathing is secondary to getting the job done. It consumes you and all you do... It sounds crazy but that's the balance between living and "LIVING". Living for a life that you don't need an escape from, loving what you do, feeling every speck of satisfaction in every deliberate action you make. Don't be afraid to succeed. If success was easy everyone would do it. Many of us won't succeed because we'll continue to get in our OWN way and until then, dreaming of success is the habit. 

The truth is, Success frightens people. As much as we may say we want it, for some of us.....
We DO! 

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." 

"Success is what it means to you."~  Shaheim Says: Business Consultant/Mentor

Just my thoughts in the moment

Join my POWER LIST for more tips, advice and lessons from my personal experiences to improve your life and careers.

Do You Really Need a Manager?

Do You Really Need a Manager?

You may honestly think you do and that may be so but do you know what a manager is supposed to do for you? What kind of asset is he/her to your current level? Will your manager have to wear more hats than necessary? Remember your manager is not your ATM or your booking agent. They are theoretically a knowledgeable guide or an individual or company who guides the professional career of artists in the entertainment industry. What if you could manage yourself? Some of you already are. But what if you learned and applied the knowledge in how to manage yourself in the real world. You see, a friend of mine told me this, "for an artist to be successful, they must either listen extremely well or have a lot of money." If you're the ladder then you have expendable income to be able to make mistakes and it not really effect your finances. If you're like the many artists that I've met over the years, finances are not as dispensable and every dollar spent is crucial. Now, what if you were taught how to hire people to your team, how to network and how to build a proper fan base (outside of just social media)? What if you were shown how to make a profit in the same system that has been keeping you out of ring. Would you be interested? Then what's stopping you from applying these principles? I do have the answers. I guarantee you would be much more productive than you are right now and all you'll need is a little bit of money to do it. Oh, but you're still going to need to listen extremely well for it to work. I've conducted market research and asked a significant number of talent and professionals, around the U.S., questions about what they would consider a need in order to have a career in today’s music business. Questions such as: • Other than money, what struggles does an Independent Artist go through? • What’s the biggest misconception that independent talents have? • How do I build a real fan base and make money? After compiling the information gathered and deliberating on the most important effects, I have been on a mission to help talent that is willing to devote their time into building a business from their entertainment careers.  So, guess what? I'm going to write a book on artist development. Stay tuned.  Join my POWER LIST for more tips, advice and lessons from my personal experiences to improve your life and careers.