Rise at Nite #1 : Sam Silverstein in the house!

Rise at Nite #1: Uncensored fun with Sam Silverstein

Entrepreneur Resources. Entrepreneur Education. Everything Entrepreneurship.

And…you requested it and you got it! Rise at Nite makes its debut online. One of our most requested features from all of you is some more interview “face” time with our guests. Rise at Nite features an extended interview with Sam in a live, anything goes, environment. Mix a drink, live audience….who knows what will happen. Leave a comment!

Sam Silverstein is in the house this week to help combat your fears on The Rise To The Top and Rise at Nite. A world renowned speaker and President of The National Speakers Association, we are happy to have Sam come and speak to you…for free. Sam’s program “No More Excuses” has been featured on numerous national media sources and his advice is direct, to the point, and powerful.

Live Passionately! – David Siteman Garland – The Creative Opportunities Specialist and Entrepreneurial Chameleon – http://www.therisetothetop.com

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Entrepreneur Tip #2 Take A Break: In-town mini vacations

David’s Blog: The Rise To The Top Entrepreneur Blog
Entrepreneur Resources. Entrepreneur Education. Everything Entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneur Tip #2 Take A Break: In-town mini vacations
A double dose of video served up for you piping hot:

Get away from the stupid office. You know what, I can see you have been working hard today and you need a little rest and relaxation. But maybe you just don’t have the time and energy to pack everything up and head out of town.

So, today’s key: Creating your own vacation without venturing too far from home.

Yes, vacation normally brings to mind sandy beaches, big mountains, or maybe hibernating like a bear, but as an entrepreneur it can be tricky to get out of town on a whim.

No matter how cool your business is, there are always points where you want to jump out a window. A little exaggeration, but any entrepreneur can certainly attest to that.

Wherever you live there are some options in your town to RELAX and REFRESH and come back to work ready to take on the world. We have some great ideas that keep you in town but make you feel like you are out of town. Hey and if you want to take me on your little urban vacation, I’m in, but trust me I won’t shut up the whole time.

Time to take a mini-vacation without leaving your city. Here are five ways to become relaxed and get energized and feel as though you have been a million miles away:

#1: Visit a Bed and Breakfast. Party like it is 1890. Put the tech away for a weekend. I know it is like taking a bottle from a baby but just relax. Bring a notepad. For the budget-minded entrepreneur, this is a great option as well because Bed and Breakfasts are usually family-owned and very reasonable.

#2: 5th Friday Rule. Every fifth Friday, you don’t work. Seriously. Make it a habit and put it on your calendar. Take a “me” day, it’s cool.

#3: Get Rubbed. Get those dirty thoughts out of your head, I’m talking about a professional massage. Just one massage a month can have great health benefits and relieve that stress in your…well everywhere. The good news is the massage industry has become much more affordable over the past few years. That whole competition thing. Go for the deep tissue.

#4: Hotel it up. Ya it is a little cheesy, but going to a hotel for a weekend in your own hometown can really feel like you are on vacation. Perhaps there is a play, sporting event, or art show you can pair with it? Bring a loved one or just go by yourself. Changing your surroundings often leads to a breath of fresh air.
Ahhhhhhh….I feel relaxed already!

Live Passionately! – David Siteman Garland – The Creative Opportunities Specialist and Entrepreneurial Chameleon –

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Dinner and Discussions: Entrepreneur Speed Dating Redefines Networking

David’s Blog: The Rise To The Top Entrepreneur Blog
Entrepreneur Resources. Entrepreneur Education. Everything Entrepreneurship.

Dinner and Discussions: Entrepreneur Speed Dating Redefines Networking

This past week we tried a new concept with Bank On This! The Rise To The Top Event Series presented by BancorpSouth Bank. When I started the event series I wanted to do something very different than anyone else. An event series that adds value, lacks stuffiness, and is tons

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Entrepreneur Tip #1: Start An Internship Program

David’s Blog: The Rise To The Top Entrepreneur Blog
Entrepreneur resources. Entrepreneur education. Everything Entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneur Tip #1: Start An Internship Program

So you want to start your very own internship program?

Here are a few reasons an internship could be rocking for your company:
1. You can attract the best college students who WANT to learn and gain experience FOR FREE. They earn college credit which is great for them.
2. The youngsters can bring high energy and a blank slate mindset to your company. You can help mold them.
3. How do you know you are good at what you do? Well, if you can TEACH it to college students, THAT is a very good sign! Experts not only know, they teach.
4. Even if you don’t have “real” employees, managing interns is great practice and a test of your managerial skills. Perhaps you will even hire one of your interns down the line!
5. Four words: More work gets done.

…and you can make them get you coffee, just kidding…but seriously coffee. Veronica, where is my coffee?

Why is this great for an intern?:
1. Gain valuable experience. Entrepreneurial companies are usually small which means you will get more quality work to do.
2. You won’t be bored. Start-ups and new companies have PLENTY for you to do. Trust me (although it may not always be pretty!).
3. Great for your resume and potential future employment. Valuable internships are great talking points in interviews, especially if you helped get something off the ground. Plus, you could end up working for the company you intern for. Cool!
4. Entrepreneurial companies put the “real” in “real world” experience. You won’t be filing papers all day. You will be doing and seeing everything firsthand. From extreme highs to brutal lows. You will learn the art of hustle you can’t learn in the classroom.
5. It beats the living crap out of sitting in a classroom all day and you are getting credit!
(To find out more about our internship program at The Rise To The Top click here)

So, what do you need to do to start an internship program? Here are the simple steps:

1. Create an internship program description by answering your own questions:

-What you want to get done? What will the intern be doing all day? Write it down.
-Picture your perfect intern. What skills will they have? Any particular major? Hint: This is a good opportunity to think outside the box. Even if someone doesn’t have the “perfect” major, that could be a GOOD thing meaning they are much more of a blank slate and can learn to do things your way. What you want is someone that wants to learn quickly.
- What is the time commitment? Is it full or part time? How many interns are you looking for? Can they work from “Home” or will they be in your hous…err..office? Do they need to have a car and laptop? Are these interns by semester? Year? Summer?
For examples of how we handled 1,2,3 click here to check it out.

2. Contact Universities:

Each University/College has a Career Center. I would recommend calling up or sending an email. Just go to the school’s website and send them your packet along with a short description of your company and a link to your website. Each college has a slightly different system but the important thing is to make sure the internship is posted online. Inquire about how to post it yourself or request that it be posted for you. Colleges are always looking for great opportunities for their students!

Also, make sure to check with the Entrepreneurial programs (if applicable). Here is a great entrepreneurial internship program at Washington University in St. Louis. Or you can email Chris Miller at clmiller@wustl.edu.

Of course make sure to post your internships on your website as well!

3. Conduct Interviews:

Each University will have options on how you want to be contacted. I just choose the simplest way which is just having your email posted at the bottom of the internship description online so applicants can directly email me their cover letter and resume. For you weird people who don’t want to give out your email, just make a new one such as resumes@mycompany.com or interns@whatever.com.

For the resumes and emails you like, setup an interview. If you don’t have a big office, try a coffee shop. Bring questions and get a feel for who you are hiring. Make sure to ask about all the requirements you have (i.e. laptop) so you don’t get burned later.

4. Chose your interns and you are off to the races:

Yippy, hooray! Let the fun begin. At the end of internships, if you loved your interns, ask for referrals to their college friends.

And just like that…you will have a caffeinated workforce!

Live Passionately! – David Siteman Garland – The Creative Opportunities Specialist and Entrepreneurial Chameleon-

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Become A Media Blender: What Every Entrepreneur Can Learn From Barack Obama's Inauguration

David’s Blog: The Rise To The Top Entrepreneur Blog
Entrepreneur Resources. Entrepreneur Education. Everything Entrepreneurship.

Become A Media Blender: What Every Entrepreneur Can Learn From Barack Obama’s Inauguration

In a historic day in American history, regardless of party affiliation, millions of Americans tuned in this morning to Barack Obama being sworn in as the 44th president of the United States.

I sat glued to the the television, with my laptop next to me on my right, and my cell phone buzzing on my left. I thought, “Wow I am media blender!” Welcome my friends to the future of media. Even just ten years ago, you could only get your news from a few different sources:

-Television
-Local Radio
-Newspapers
-Word-Of-Mouth: Calling friends on the phone, telling people in person, etc.

And now welcome to the new media game. You can now get your information from (deep breath):

-Blogs
-Social Networking Word-Of-Mouth (Facebook for example)
-Microblogging (Twitter)
-Live video streams on the Internet (CNN, Ustream, and many others)
-Internet video recaps and bonus footage
-Internet radio, satellite radio, XM radio, whatever radio
-Text messages via your phone

plus of course our deal old friends:
-Television
-Local Radio
-Word-Of-Mouth
….and newspapers…tomorrow (yikes!)

This is the era of instant and fragmented news. Remember when there was just one news station? (I don’t because I’m too young, haha) With more sources comes more information, more things to follow, and a new brand of instant news. If this seems a bit overwhelming, don’t fret.

We are in the middle of a media revolution. When Barack Obama proudly stood on the podium today, the same information that was once limited to just three media sources and word of mouth was broadcast everywhere by thousands of sources.

So, what the heck does this have to do with entrepreneurs? Here are a few media blending tidbits to take away:

1. Tools are changing. Are you updating your toolbox? You better be where your customers are. If your customers are watching streaming video, you better be streaming video. If your customers are tweetaholics on Twitter, you better get on there. Tools will change over time. Let your customers dictate where to go.

2. New ways to consume equals new rules. Are you blending media? Can your customers find your simply and easily online? Have you found out ways to incorporate interesting media into your site (audio, video, etc.)? If your customers are consuming, you better be there to feed their appetite or you could get left in the dust!

3. The barrier of entry is lowering. It used to be you had to have tons of money, power, and connections to get your message out to the world. Now with blogging, lower costs of video, and new technology you can be up in minutes. Create an online presence combining at least TWO of the media options listed above. Your customers and clients will thank you!

Media is becoming fragmented. Are you carving our your niche? Like Obama, you can be everywhere.

Live Passionately! – David Siteman Garland – The Creative Opportunities Specialist and Entrepreneurial Chameleon

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