First Word

I started watching the new HBO series Silicon Valley , and I was surprised about the great information about creating a start-up company. Young entrepreneurs will learn a lot from this show. My favorite scene was when the lead character takes his $200,000 check made out to Pied Piper (his product's name) to discover he cannot deposit it because he hasn't established the name yet. My first thought was LLC or S Corp. (not that it was mentioned in those terms). Our clueless hero is dumbstruck and doesn't know what the bank clerk is talking about. Seasoned business people were nodding. The show also covered the need for a business plan as our hapless hero is asked by the incredulous billionaire Burke, "Where's your business plan?" You then see one of the other more business-like nerds helping our guy write one and explore the facets of it. But I loved it when Burke sneers, "What's your go-to-market strategy?" Of course, I know what "go-to-mark...

My future view :). It's Friday again, and I bet you all think I'm going to say something profound -- something to move you into action and do something amazing. Do I sound grandiose? Yep! It's Friday. It's grand and fun Friday. Every day I wake up to the bird's singing their sweet spring songs. I think I am lucky. I don't have to drive into an office. If I'm super tired, I sleep in and work late. I've carved out a life of freedom. Have you? Do you serve the "man" as my fiancé Kirk Donnelly refers to it. Do you want to quit being a servant and own your own business and enjoy the rewards that go with it. Why aren't you getting started? Do you want to get started? Then let me help you by mapping out what to do: Step 1 : Identify the life you would prefer to be living. Step 2 : Identify your passion by asking yourself, "If I had a million dollars, what would I do for a living? Step 3 : Form an "exit strategy," and by an e...