Make It Happen!

Growing up I had to fend for myself. I became independent at a young age, before my teens. I had to make things happen for me or else I would have nothing. My folks were immigrants. They worked hard and saved everything they earned so they could buy a home and provide for their children. They were frugal to say the least. Back to school shopping, which included supplies and clothing for two, would not amount to nothing greater than twenty dollars. It was embarrassing going to school on the first day in September after Labor Day. Everyone dressed in cool designer stuff like Roots, Beaver Canoe and tennis shoes. That was the style back then in the mid 80’s, but not for me it wasn’t. I’d wear cotton pants that didn’t fit, “floods” we’d call them because they’d end at the ankles and awful shirts. Mom bought everything on sale $.99 from a discount store.

All I wanted more than anything was to fit in and feel like the rest of the kids. And it didn’t take long finding a way to do it. I knew money bought you things, and that really nice things cost more. So I figured my folks weren’t earning a lot of money because we didn’t have really nice things. Heck, we didn’t even own a Christmas tree because they couldn’t afford one. I knew there was no way they could afford to buy me what I wanted so I sold things to earn money instead. I became a little entrepreneur. I sold anything I got my hands on like video games, antiques and clothing. I had garage sales and sold things to neighbors. Total sales for a Saturday were approximately $15. It was just enough to buy a shirt a cool, preppy one. But it wasn’t enough I wanted more.

My first job was at McDonalds at age 12. We didn’t have the technology we have today so I did something that I don’t recommend anyone do. I forged my birth certificate. I made it appear as if I were 15 years old, the legal age to work in Canada. Within 3 weeks of starting at McDonalds I received my first paycheck. I earned just over a hundred dollars. It was just enough to buy a pair of pants, a shirt and tennis shoes. I was so thrilled because I could finally look and feel just like everyone else.

By age 14 I working at theme park earning over three hundred dollars weekly. Not bad for a young kid. And from then on earning money and surviving hasn't been an issue. Whether I needed to find a new job or whether I needed to survive while establishing myself as a Master Life Coach, entrepreneurship is in my blood forever. It’s a skill I learned thanks to my frugal parents. And for that I am forever grateful.

Make It Happen!

"Where do I start?" "What if I suck and fail?" "Can I really make a go at it"

People spend more time asking questions than actually doing anything at all. They enjoy sitting around in the same spot, day after day, asking the same questions, producing the same results each time. "Where do I start?" "What if I suck and fail?" "Can I really make a go at it" Day after day they imagine the same conclusion for each question, never taking a stab at anything.

I feel bad for those people. If I only had a magic wand I would use it to take the lazy and the procrastination bug out of them. Just in case you don’t know, perfectionists typically are procrastinators. They only do what they do well, and will put off everything they believe they don’t do well. They experience major anxiety, stressing about the outcome. However, more often than not they do finish the task. Lazy people like to complain and bitch about everything including how nothing ever goes there way and how much bad luck they have. They bitch about doing NOTHING.

Bad luck! For what - poor choices? It cracks me up.

A few years ago I started a pet company. It opened and then closed on the same day. I had no clue how to even start a pet company when I first embarked on that project. The only thing I knew was that I wanted to develop a 2-in-1 dog harness/jacket. So that’s where I started.

I required a prototype of my idea and the only person I knew who could develop it was a designer. So I contacted the International Academy Of Design and asked HR how to go about posting a job at the school for a new graduate. HR was a wealth of information, they told me everything from the hiring process, to wages, everything I needed to know about hiring a designer. That piece of the puzzle was easy to solve.

Next, I had to find a manufacture to produce the final product. I Googled "manufactures" and found thousands all over the world. I also came across government resale regulations. Labeling, hang tags, etc.

Next it was time to find wholesale buyers - They were easy to find too. I found a good chunk of the pet industry at a local trade show. Manufactures, buyers, sellers, distributors, everyone I would eventually need to meet were there. I learned so much about the pet industry that day. All the information I needed to know about starting a pet company, appeared as I needed it.

A storefront wasn't feasible, but a website was. Web designers are a dime a dozen so finding one wasn’t difficult. After a few discussions with the designer to brainstorm ideas, an image – a brand was agreed upon and development on the website was underway. I guess this is what Malcom Gladwell author of The Tipping Point meant. I’d hit the point of no return with the pet company – I was in the Pet Industry and could learn all the ins and outs of the 42 Billion Dollar industry and claim my piece of the pie.

On launch day I was very excited. My very first pet company. I was very proud of my accomplishment. Considering, I had no prior knowledge of the pet industry when I first decided to develop the 2-in-1 Harness/Jacket - there was also a gorgeous, leather collar with a silver locket with the company logo: hero+destiny. It was a beautiful piece – a jewelry store wanted to resell it.

hero+destiny was a big flop. Tens of thousand of dollars and a professional career – ALL GONE! Just like that. In less time than it took to develop it. No school other than the school of hard knock could teach me what I learned during this phase of my life. Although the company was a big flop, for me it was a huge success. I did what I set out to do - to start a pet company. You’re right, no the pet company wasn't successful, but I was. I started and finished what I set out to do and success is exactly that.

I learned about a new industry. I learned how to write a business plan and to start a company. I traveled to India and learned about a new culture, and a long the way I started to mentor summer students on how to start a summer company, and another door swung wide open.

That’s where you start. Get inquisitive, learn something new, get out of your head and stop asking yourself questions that you can't answer. Nobody really knows if you will be successful or not until you do it. Be smart, use your brain. Keep moving forward and don’t get stuck on something that didn't happen your way - Who cares? Look for the benefit of the experience instead, because if you do another door will open.

Bruno LoGreco Life Coach, Mentor, Motivational Speaker and TV Personality.

"Where do I start?" "What if I suck and fail?" "Can I really make a go at it"

Another Idea

I was in the shower, rinsing the shampoo out of my hair when I came up with another idea. Not again! The last time I had a brilliant idea it consumed my entire time and took me back to my goals to rethink and reprioritize them; lessons well worth learning. I did end up learning so much I created a second business from my new knowledge. Fortunately, my new idea is not a business it’s more like… I’m not sure what it’s like yet.

For now I will let the idea sit in my head. I own the domain: www.comingsoon.com and the twitter account www.twitter.com/comingsoon

Enjoy the beautiful, sunny, warm weather today.

Bruno LoGreco

Another Idea

Entrepreneur Coach

I had another “A-Ha” moment this morning. If you could only here me laughing as I type this post. Your not going to do that again, are you? I don’t know, but I sure do think it’s a good idea! I believe it’s in my best interest not to pursue my new ambitions – This is how I get myself into trouble and over worked.

The new website for the new company is being developed, we are working on writing the content for each webpage. It is a slow process but we are also working on a few accounts, which have priority over our website. So our intention is to launch the website in the very near future, but we are also of the whenever mindset, not to be mistaken for procrastination.

Next week on Thursday March 12, 2009 I am hosting a free seminar sponsored by the Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise Center on Search Engine Optimization (SEO). You might be wondering how does a Life Coach go from helping people with awareness and living dreams to hosting seminars about an unrelated subject like Search Engine Optimization? That’s because I’m also an Entrepreneur Coach.

My style of coaching supports and encourages entrepreneurs by motivating and inspiring them to take their vision to the next level, from a place of thought to a place called reality. Through a process of mapping, I guide entrepreneurs translate their vision into small achievable tasks while they rebuild what they envisioned, block-by-block, with real-life experience. Most of the time with many entrepreneurs, marketing is a big category that nobody can do away with especially in this economy when everybody is looking to save a buck and can use the Internet as a powerful marketing tool at a fraction of traditional advertising costs.

Adding a Blog page to an existing website is an excellent method of advertising. Blog pages automatically target your market audience. I have known this fact for a very long time and I still do not have a Blog page at www.brunologreco.com, but that’s just about to change in the next few days.

So I hope those whom live within Toronto and the G.T.A will join me next week at the Search Engine Optimization Seminar, and if not I hope to see you at www.brunologreco.com the new home for A Time In Life Of A Life Coach. And don't forget to bookmark the page!

Thank you,

Bruno LoGreco
Master Life Coach & Mentor

Entrepreneur Coach

Professional AND Lasagna

Professionalism will go a long way in business. Your appearance and how you conduct yourself will determine how successful you will be in your business venture.

We are in a global recession and it is expected that unemployment will be as high as 10% by 2010 in the United States. This means that there will be a lot of companies helping those they know first, starting with the ones that leave a lasting professional impression.

Okay, onto my next thought. But really, that's how I typically think. I have an overall thought that I blurt out and I'm onto the next topic. So for tonight's dinner party, for six. I decided to go with: Antipasto to start, Meaty Lasagna, and for dessert: French Pastry Puff, filled with French Creme. YUM...

Over the holidays I learned a new way of preparing Lasagna. Not traditional for the region of Italy I'm from. I really don't know what region prepares their lasagna the way I learned that is so YUMMMY and RICH. Five layers of juicy meat and cheese, which include: Genova salami, ground pork, ground meat, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, mozzarella and romano cheese. I had this version once before but I was not a fan and it could be because it was prepared in an unfamiliar kitchen.

My break is over and I need to get back into the kitchen or there will be no lasagna.

Happy Friday!

Bruno LoGreco Master Life Coach & Mentor

Professional AND Lasagna

How To Start A Copywriting Services Business And Earn A Six-Figure Income

by Angela Booth

The easiest way to make great money as a writer is to discover copywriting. Copywriting is essentially just writing for businesses, helping them to win new customers and make sales. If you can write a persuasive letter, you can write copy - and as you build your business, you can make a six-figure income.
Most writers take to copywriting immediately, like the proverbial ducks to water, because you're surrounded by copy every day. Advertising is everywhere you are: on TV, on the radio, in magazines, and of course, all over the Web.

So how do you start a copywriting services business?

Get Your First Copywriting Client

You start your copywriting services business by getting your first client. This is not difficult. Just visit any of the out-sourcing sites, or look on sites like Craigslist. Of course, you can post your own advertisements on Craigslist or on any of the many classified advertising sites online.

Create Some Copywriting Samples To Show People What You Can Do

Before you post your first ad, create some copywriting samples. Many new copywriters stumble when it comes to attracting clients because they feel that they need a large portfolio of past work. However, every copywriter starts somewhere, with ONE client, and builds his career from there. To get your first client, just write some sample copy.

The Rewrite Trick - Turn Trash Into Cash

I recommend what I call "The Rewrite Trick" to my copywriting students.

Here's what you do. Look through a magazine and find an ad. The ad can be minimalist, as many display ads are today, consisting of just a graphic and a few words. Now, you simply rewrite the ad. Assess what the ad's selling, and who the target market is, and write your own version of the ad. Use around 100 to 200 words. Hey presto - you have your first sample for your portfolio.

The Rewrite Trick is a useful exercise to build your copywriting creativity skills, as well as to add to your samples' portfolio. One point: when you're sending your "rewrite" samples to clients, ensure that they're clearly marked as SAMPLES, and note they're created only to show your skills. Your aim is not to misrepresent yourself or your work, merely to display creativity and skill.

So there you have it: you can start your copywriting services business today. Create a couple of samples, post an ad, and you'll have your first client - the first of many for your new business - and the first step toward a six-figure income.


Discover how you can turn your writing skills into a fabulous copywriting career. Angela Booth's ebook "Seven Days To Easy Money: Copywriting Success" at http://abmagic.com/Copywriting/copywriting.html takes you from novice to pro copywriter in just seven days. This popular ebook has been turning writers into successful copywriters for five years. Packed with information, the ebook also includes exercises which become your copywriter's marketing processes and portfolio. You could be signing up your first clients within two days. Visit the book's blog at http://www.sevendayscopywriting.com/

Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

How To Start A Copywriting Services Business And Earn A Six-Figure Income

Start A Business With No Money

~I’m shaking. I hope he can’t see it. Why am I in my head again? I thought I dealt with this.

“Get a grip 'B' – just be yourself”

Did anybody here it? Yes, I had the jitters this morning when I sat with Jim Richards from CFRB 1010. For the first few moments, just as I sat on the chair I saw my hands shake. If my hands are shaking, so is my voice, I thought to myself. It only lasted for a few seconds, or at least that’s what it seemed like. That's how long it took for me to get comfortable with my surroundings before the jitters went away.

In between segments, Jim and I discussed the various resources available to people today that allow them to start a business with zero down. People have to start thinking outside of the box if cash is a concern in this economy. Websites like www.craigslist.com allow people to exchange services. For example, I could trade Life Coaching & Mentoring in exchange for Graphic Services. Craigslist is only one of many websites that offer barter.

Another career opportunity that will cost you zero to start is a writing business. More than ever entrepreneurs and companies in the thousands are looking for writers online to write business plans, marketing briefs, press releases – any kind of writing you could think of, technical writing included. If words are your thing, then it’s waiting for you on the Internet. Now imagine if you could learn how to optimize an article, you just became that much more marketable and companies and entrepreneurs are looking for you Right Now at www.elance.com

They down sized your company? They said all the executives had to do their own administration stuff and gave you a pink slip… You were barely scraping by when you were working... I understand - You can’t afford to take a job that pays less than what you were making. It sounds like you need to update your resume and think real hard about all the skills you possess, and make sure you market your skills. Keep your resume to one or two pages. Now make a list of everybody you know and contact them letting them know you are looking for a job and this is what you can offer. www.linkedin.com is a genius tool to network with past work buddies and classmates. And if the pressure is on for you to put food on the table, go get a job at the local restaurant waiting tables while you launch your Virtual Assistant business from the comfort of your home office. www.virtualassistant.org. 

Maybe supplementing your income was not why you tuned into CFRB 1010 this morning – maybe you were looking for a way to save a little money for an evening out, or to buy that little something that you have been holding out for. What if I told you there is a way for you to enjoy a movie, have dinner, and not cost you a dime? What If I told you your next oil change is free? Would you ask: What's the catch?  Just a minor catch. ☺ The catch is you have to fill out a report, follow some basic rules and that's it. Free Dinner, Free Movies, Free Oil Change, Free Products, Free a lot of stuff at  @ www.conferoinc.com   

And before I knew it my time was up. Jim and I covered a lot during the commercial breaks, but there wasn't enough time during the show for me to impart what I had in mind for the listeners. And as far as the jitters - the proper elocution helped. 

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers

a peck of picked peppers Peter Piper Picked 

If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers 

Then how many picked peppers did Peter Piper pick? 

A Peck! 

THANK YOU!

Bruno LoGreco Master Life Coach & Mentor

Start A Business With No Money

Rejection Is God's Protection

Last night while sitting on the couch watching TV, I started to wonder what life would be like if I could not do the things I love to do. I started to wonder what I would be doing if I were not a life coach, or if I didn’t own any other business. Would I still be stuck in a corporate job doing the same thing day in and day out, and would I still be roaming the hallways desperately sifting through my thoughts for any idea that would allow me to leave my full time job to fulfill my dreams.

On June 22nd, 2006 I resigned from my full time post at one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world to pursue my dream of Entrepreneurship. At the time I resigned, I was living and working in the United States. I returned to Toronto, Canada with dreams of opening a business, of becoming an entrepreneur, but my dream was slowly fading that summer. I had to take an interim job at an energy company to help with my responsibilities while my business partner and I continued to discuss and launch our first company.

I quickly realized there was a good chance that I would not own my own business as quickly as I thought I would, and as a result, I reacted and contacted my old boss in the United States and begged for my old job. Both my former boss and I were convinced that It was a no brainer for me to get my job back, but as it turned out, my old job had a new criteria attached to it. All candidates applying for my job must have at minimum an MBA – that’s right an MBA. Heck I barely had my high school diploma, let alone my MBA.

Before moving to the United States, I was working towards my business degree part time, but I put my education on hold while working in the United States. It was early August when my old boss called to give me the bad news that I could not return to my old job. Human Resources said that if they allowed me to apply for the position with no MBA, then they must open the position to all candidates that do not have an MBA. I was devastated, hurt, angry, and fell into a depression.

I roamed around Toronto aimlessly for two months that summer. I had nothing to look forward to, my career was gone, or so I thought-- no self-employment, just a boring job at an energy company doing everything I hated doing just to pay the bills.

At the end of September, I had an “Aha” moment – I thought of an idea that involved pets. Although I had no clue about the pet industry, I thought to myself, 'how hard can this be?' So my business partner and I set off on a new mission to open a pet company. The company would be called hero+destiny. (More on the pet company in the coming days/weeks)

The pet idea sparked a renewed interest in the original idea, the idea I left my career for at the beginning of the summer. Both my business partner and I resigned from our jobs early October, with no revenue, two mortgages and a slew of monthly expenses. We launched our first consulting company that October. The consulting company would fund hero+destiny as well as pay for our living expenses.

In early 2007, both my business partner and I took a trip to India to source manufacturing so we could have our pet collection manufactured in India. Along the way I tapped into my special talent/gift, the ability to help others achieve their goals and dreams. It wasn't until all the external noise in my head was quiet, that I realized I had a special talent, a talent I could use as a Life Coach.

Today, I look at how far I have come – I am thankful to human resources for adding the new criteria to my old job – Because if it were not for HR adding the new MBA requirement to my old job description, I would still be working for a fortune 500 company, roaming the hallways desperately sifting through my brain trying to find a better way of life.

A very close friend once said to me: Rejection is God’s protection. Thank you so much for those words Linda, I cherish these words and live by them each and everyday.

Happy Thursday!

Rejection Is God's Protection

A Dreamers Mind - Idea up for grab... Who wants it?

The idea came to me over the weekend. That is when I started to think about all the work I have to do as a Life Coach with my clients.

The idea requires a software developer. I'm thinking it can be sold online and retail. Who wants to chat business?

A Dreamers Mind - Idea up for grab... Who wants it?