3 Ways Not to Build a Billion Dollar Company (and 5 Tips to Do It the Right Way)

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Should I quit my job? I really do HATE it. More on that later.

In March of 2010, I was sitting in an unoccupied office of CBS Radio in San Francisco talking to my boss on the phone. This had been a very good run for me and I had not financially prepared myself for the end. My hope was to be offered an extension on this project, but it was not going to happen. The call was informing me that day would be my last day.

My “J O B” was as a contact trainer and apparently, my services were no longer needed. In my heart, I believed that there was more to life than working for someone else, not being in control of your own schedule, or basically sending a resume to a black hole.

Now what?

At that time in my life, I was divorced and really had no job or dating prospects.
During my divorce in 2008, I started a blog. It was great getting thoughts down. There was the thought of writing a book and maybe even building a business around this idea. Only a small problem. I had zero business skills and no book either. One of those two stumbling blocks was about to change.

While being a “road warrior” for work, I needed to come up with ideas of staying connected with my son due to the fact that we were now living apart. The idea of my first book (currently writing my third) were just simple ideas I used to let my son know I was thinking of him.

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My first tip was to send postcards back him. My habit was that no matter what airport I landed, the first stop was the gift shop to purchase five postcards. Each night I would write and then the next morning take one to the front desk to have it mailed out.

I created 25 tips for the book that all came from real life experiences. They were tested out by me as the human Guinea pig.

Now what?

These were just written on a yellow legal-size notepad. How do I take these tips and put them into a physical book?

Part of my mental business plan (nothing was actually written down) would be a speaker. That was a non-issue because as a trainer you are consistently speaking. Plus, I was a member of Toastmasters. The business knowledge might be lacking, but speaking was definitely in my wheelhouse.

One Saturday I attended the Colorado chapter of the National Speakers Association. These were some of the best of the best speakers, not in just in Colorado but the world. I sat at a table where one of the members asked me what I did. The book idea was what I told her about. I explained that my vision was to take the tips and put them into a small book. Well, she knew of such company and because of that encounter, it was how my first book was able to get published.

Now what?

Here is my FIRST piece of advice for you when you are thinking about building your business:

Do not spend money on shiny objects. I became a member of both associations (it was a rule that you had to be a member of NSA and CSA) when I really did not have the money. There are two sides here. One side would say to invest in yourself like these types of groups. Then, there are others who say not to “waste” the money on wants.

Unfortunately for me, joining really did not help me. The reason was well, “me”. My truth was that no matter how many people I met and were very kind, I did not have the confidence to be in the same room as these speakers. How could I build a speaking business when I was scared of my own shadow?

Now what?

My SECOND mistake I made really cost me even today.
To start a business I thought not only do you need really cool business cards (get ready to roll your eyes) but a business credit card. That was really putting the cart before the horse.

Making that money mistake impacted me immensely. That credit card was to be only used for “business” things. You know supplies or even coffee. Oh yes, I even used it on non-business things.

How not to make a successful business is where I was very much heading. There was some light at the doomsday tunnel. I did my first paid speaking event in October of 2010 and then published my first book in July of 2011. OK, you might be thinking that things would be getting better?

The THIRD thing is to make sure you are consistent with your work.
Here is what I have learned very much the hard way. Just because I was paid to speak, did not mean that I could just sit back and wait for offers. I did not follow up after my talk with anyone because I was paid, and they would all come running to me. WRONG!

Here are five ways to become a success and this is what I should have done to start:

1. You know your “why” and that is a good start, but who can you connect with that can help mentor you? Personally, I am really bad at asking for help. Do not be scared to reach out. Hearing “no” can be a good thing. Just trust the process and keep asking.

2. Stay away from spending money on “shiny” objects. You do not need to use either Google or Facebook ads. Take advantage of free social media tools. As you get more and more comfortable and see results again, stay consistent. If you are blogging, then blog at least once a week. For me, it is podcasting. I produce 2-3 podcast episodes a week.

3. “Think from the end.” Dr. Wayne Dyer would say that in many of his talks. Visualize your success, but what steps did you use to get to that end goal? I posted a picture on my social showing me standing in front of my whiteboard holding a piece of paper. On that piece of paper is what the cover of my 3rd book looks like. My end goal will be to have that book published this year. What is it that you want to picture on December 31 of this year?

4. Volunteer and be in service to others. You could mentor someone. Help your local food bank. Teach a class. It does not matter.

5. Do not make my biggest mistake of what I call “waiting VS creating.” The more you are creating, the more good things will happen. You will actually create your own luck the more you execute on your business.

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Yes, there are more ways to help you become successful, but what I have learned is there really is no right way or wrong way but not doing is truly the wrong way.

Let me give you more context on this waiting “thang.” After I did my TED X Talk in 2015, my thought was that not only would people flock to me after my talk, but once the video was uploaded, it would definitely go viral. Neither of those two events happened. If only I actually put in the work to help promote myself. That is why waiting is not the answer. Does that make sense?

Back to my original question of quitting my job. I am writing this in a break room of the “dreaded day job” (this is how I have affectionately phrased the job on my podcast) and let me just tell you that yes I resigned.

Do not worry because this time I will take my own advice and stay away from chasing shiny objects. This time no business credit cards or spending money on items that I can not afford, yet. Nope, my focus is to build a successful Billion Dollar business. Maybe not the right way, but a better way.