8 Lessons You MUST Learn from Ephren Taylor Ponzi Scheme Accusations

May 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

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I first learned about Ephren Taylor when he was featured on the cover of the March 2008 issue of Millionaire Blueprints Magazine as a self-made millionaire by age 16 and the "Youngest African-American CEO of A Publicly Traded Company by Age 25". 

Quite impressive as there are so few celebrated young black male entrepreneurs!

So, imagine my shock this morning to hear the accusations via news reports on how he pulled a Bernie Madoff on Christian Churches nationwide, particularly in the Black Community!

Of course, these are just accusations, so who knows if they are true or not?  Only time will tell.

Right now I'm most interested in sharing my observations about the news reports from ABC's Nightline from several angles and the lessons you must learn from it, depending on who you are – Investor (Lender of Money) or Investor/Entrepreneur (Borrower of Money).

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Black Issues, Business Nuggets, Lessons Learned Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

My Angry Goodbye to 98.7 Kiss FM WRKS New York

May 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

98.7 kiss fmImagine the shock and alarm when something that's an integral part of your life and weekly routine is snatched from you without warning! 

Well that's how I felt when I used my TuneIn IPhone app to listen to the Openline Show on Kiss FM in New York City on Sunday April 29th, 2012 only to hear that it's the last show!

I grew up in New York City listening to Kiss FM over the years and all my radios were set to Kiss FM.  It was there as my companion everyday of my life at home, in my car and at the office.  The voices of Bob Slade, James Mtume, Bob Pickett and Charles "The Cutman" Etheridge were part of the soundtrack to my Sundays.

98.7 Kiss FM was where I learned about the issues going on in the black diaspora and heard viewpoints that I don't get anywhere else, in addition to listening to great R&B music. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Life Lessons Tagged With: , ,

Why I’m Thrilled to Have Met These Really Smart Young Ladies!

March 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Jeniece_Brenae

I vividly remember what it was like graduating from college and going out into the "real world" with enthusiasm and excitement as I got my 1st corporate job, bought a car and got my own apartment. 

This was over 20 years ago and today I often think about all the things a 22 year old Marlene did not know back then and what I would tell my 22 year old self. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cool People, Life Lessons Tagged With: , , , , ,

My Startup Weekend Orlando #SWORL Experience

March 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

Had ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE what to expect at Startup Weekend Orlando.  However, I did expect exciting things to happen when over 100 entrepreneurial types got together for a weekend!  Well, I wasn't disappointed.

The energy was high and it was awesome to see the diversity in the room and the twinkle in everyone's eyes as we embarked on the weekend and quickly got to know each other.

The Friday night pitches were instructive!  I learned that you need to be prepared, be concise, articulate the problem you are solving, and grab attention…all in less than 60 seconds.

The networking was awesome!  I got to meet a great bunch of talented and smart people who were a joy to spend 2 days with as we worked towards a common goal.  I was fascinated by the personalities and conversations and it reinforced my conviction that ENTREPRENEURS ROCK!  [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business Nuggets, Cool People Tagged With: , , , ,

Is Your Spouse Giving You Grief About Your Real Estate Investing Activities???

March 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Do you see real estate investing as the way to financial freedom but your spouse is just not on board with you?  Does your spouse get on your case when you buy another real estate education program or go to another event?  If so, take comfort in knowing that you are not alone!  You are in the silent majority.

In full disclosure, I'm single but have been in an 18 year relationship with the same man so I'm more than qualified to write about this issue.  Most of my real estate investor friends are male and have much support from their spouses.  It's a joy to see them support each other through thick and thin on a daily basis.  (That said it just dawned on me that the few women I know well who are full-time investors are single…but that's for another article!) 

In recent years, the upset in the real estate market has tested the strength of many marriages and relationships as financial stress takes its toll.

I felt the urge to shed light on this issue because I know many real estate investors, both male and female, across the country, who have the added guilt and stress of not getting any support from their spouse and having to hide educational purchases and constantly defend or justify choices made in pursuit of real estate education and investing.

Here are 7 things that will help you get through feeling unsupported at home…

1.    GET CLARITY:  Be very clear, with timeframes, measurable goals and specific numbers, about how your real estate investing activities will help you meet your personal and financial goals.  Articulate those details to your spouse so that he or she knows your plans and intentions.

2.    TAKE ACTION NOW:  Whatever your area of focus is in real estate investing, act swiftly.  Your daily activities make the difference.  The key to investing is how many offers you are making and how many profitable transactions you are putting in your pipeline and nailing down.  The faster you get results, the happier you and your spouse will be.

3.    TAP INTO FACE TO FACE PEER GROUPS:  Take advantage of the in-person support you have in your local real estate investor peer groups and associations.  The monthly face to face meetings should give you comfort in knowing that you are not alone and that you are supported.  You simply have to connect and talk to other folks at your monthly meetings.  You will realize how much you have in common with others and develop quality relationships that will help you reach your goals.  You should also tap into the wealth of resources, talent and experience in your real estate investor associations to make smart investing decisions.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Life Lessons

Never Let Lack of Cash Stifle Your Education & Progress!

March 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Just got an interesting inquiry on Facebook from a young man who saw that I was previously affiliated with GKIC (Glazer-Kennedy Insider's Circle founded by Dan Kennedy and Bill Glazer and now under new management)….

I noticed you have been active with the GKIC organization. I am very interested in learning the skills offered for direct selling. However I am one of these people with current difficulty in the finance department.

As you have been around the GKIC organization for a while could you suggest some methods or routes so I could pay-as-I-go sort of arrangement. I am sure the ticket price to join the GKIC is more than fair. However if you just don't have the money to participate currently I would still like to study in the right direction.

ANY suggestions/feedback you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Dave from New York

p.s. I have the No B.S. Direct Marketing book and a book or two from David Ogilvy on advertising plus a book from Claude C. Hopkins on Scientific Advertising. You could say I am now hungry to learn more of this industry specifically Direct mail.

My response…

My Best advice is for you to get ALL of Dan Kennedy's books on Amazon and if you have no cash, get your local library to order all of them for you.  Get your hands on all the classics as you have already.  You don't need to spend a fortune…a wealth of information is hidden in books for $10 or less! If you study and do everything in them you will be on your way. 

If you use the info in them to earn money by helping a local business or make sales doing your own business, you will get results.  I would also suggest joining any local Meetup groups that study Dan Kennedy and follow any podcasts such as Joe Polish's I Love Marketing.com to learn more about marketing. Finally, you can follow the blogs of any of the GKIC Independent Business Advisors around the country to pick up tips.  They are all skilled marketers.  Become a lifelong learner and implementer of marketing and you will ultimately get the results to pay your own way.  Good Luck!

Kudos to this young man for seeking out help and asking questions on how to get things done WITHOUT money!  There is always another way!

Filed Under: Life Lessons Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Living Each Day Like I Only Have 30 Days Left to Live!

March 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I’m a huge fan of Joel Osteen and I watch him religiously every week.  His inspirational message this week was about having a big picture vision for your life.  I am a big thinker and visionary so that message totally resonated with me.

As his show ended, another show immediately came on where the gentleman asked:  “What Would You do If You Only Had 30 Days Left to Live?”

This question stopped me in my tracks!  I sat down at full attention for another half hour and was absolutely jolted awake by Kerry Shook’s poignant question!

It dawned on me that I’ve been living like I have forever left.  Yes, I often hear people talk about time slipping by quickly, the importance of living each day like it’s your last, and the importance of doing things with urgency.

But the 1-2 punch of Joel’s message of being a big thinker and having a big picture vision combined with Kerry’s challenge of how much time I’ve got left to do it made me realize that I need to hustle to work on and accomplish what I want my legacy and what I know my purpose to be while I’m here.

I had to admit to myself that if I were to die tomorrow or today for that matter, I have not accomplished what I want my legacy to be.

The recent deaths of my 2 favorite singers of all time, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson, taught me the importance of legacy and leaving a mark on the world for all time.

Despite the circumstances of their deaths, the mere fact that they both impacted millions of lives with their God given talents and voices and left their mark on the world with their body of work challenges each of us to ask what our legacy is and what body of work are we leaving behind.

So, thanks to Joel Osteen and Kerry Shook I now pledge to live everyday with urgency working on my legacy and with my God-given talents as if I ONLY have 30 days left to live!

Filed Under: Life Lessons Tagged With: , , , ,

What I Learned from A Live Oprah Winfrey Event in New York City

January 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Oprah Winfrey Live Your Best Life NYC
Experience Design Expert Sydney Barrows interviews Marlene Green about her experiences and observations at Oprah Winfrey's Live Your Best Life Event in New York City.

Listen to Audio Player here: :

OR

Click here to listen and pick up on the brilliant sales and marketing nuggets that you too can use for your customers, fans and audience members.

Do share your comments on how you can implement some of my observations in your business to WOW your prospects and customers.

Filed Under: Business, Lessons Learned, Marketing Gems, Raves Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Kevin O’Leary on Sharktank

January 11, 2010 By 3 Comments

I absolutely love watching this show!  It gives you much insight into how BOTH the sharks and the entrepreneurs think about money, partnerships, and business.  It also shows you how much people are NOT thinking when it comes to being creative and resourceful in their business.

Let’s talk about the nastiest shark, Kevin O’leary…

Kevin O’Leary really is an insensitive asshole!  Perhaps he does this for “shark effect” as he seemed more mellow when Joan Rivers visited his home on her show.  I get him when he cuts to the chase and focuses on the only thing that matters – are you making any money and how he will make his money

Last night I was absolutely shocked when he attacked a business owner who had filed personal bankruptcy because he personally guaranteed a business loan years ago!

Filed Under: Rants

"Highest First" by Nathan Otto & Eben Pagan…

December 13, 2008 By 4 Comments

So it was late in the evening here at Eben Pagan's Advanced Learning & Teaching Program and my brain was on shut down.  He surprised us by inviting a friend of his on stage, Nathan Otto.  This young man is the grandson of Bill and Vieve Gore, the founders of W. L. Gore & Associates, a $3 billion family-owned company.   After creating and selling two internet-based companies, Otto founded the business consultancy Plenable Solutions and teaches inheritors about how to align their contributions with their core values. Bright young intellectual, as he was introduced as one of the smartest people Eben knows!  Frankly, Eben is one of the smartest people I know so this guy is REALLY smart… [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business, Cool People, Raves Tagged With: , , , ,
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