Is This "Book of Summer" Canned, or Plum for the Picking?
I got my hot little hands on a copy of The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz, before its release date. In a day's amount of time I devoured every page. There was no overuse of needless jargon or a holier then thou pompous tone. It's written by an author who is entertaining to read, and has no lack of self-deprecation or humility to make his point known, a refreshing change given this book category don't you agree? 
Since I am an avid reader a lot of points made, resonated with me and reminded me of various authors and thought leaders in the industry.Throughout the book I kept thinking about Ken Blanchard and his book Raving Fans, and Mike Klinger's stance on what he calls the Empathy Driven Economy. I especially appreciated a section in the book where Mike talked about using the power of crowd-sourcing. I see this trend being a driving force in our future and how people do business and I'm thankful for his inclusion of the subject in his book. Some other gems to be had in the pages are:
-How to discover the leeches that are sucking your company dry of it's resources, money and talent.
-How to escape the “do it all” model of doing business, and just do what matters.
-And the reason why you can't make everyone happy and why that's ok.
Interview with Inventor Jared Joyce- ABC's Shark Tank Investors Won't Wine or Dine Him, But His Phone is Still Ringing Off the Hook!
I was able to catch up with inventor and colleague of mine Jared Joyce who I collaborate with on Quirky, and thought with his recent spotlight appearance on Shark Tank it was about time I did an interview with him. As always Jared never fails with under-promising, over-delivering and providing real value. Check out our e-mail Q & A interview below:
As of late you have been getting a lot of attention because of being on Shark Tank. Your episode is slated to re-air in a few days, is that right?
Yes, the original air date was 2/24/12 and a lot has happened over the last 14 weeks.
Why don't you tell my readers a little about how you came to start inventing things in the first place.
While completing my freshman year of college I found that I loved Architecture even more than I thought I would. The only problem was that the lifestyle was ridiculous. Putting in week after week with 100 hours a week going to the Architecture curriculum I started to wonder in my non-delirious hours how I could beat the system. Could I beat Architecture? Frank Lloyd Wright had three wives and so did my professor, was this the only standard available for successful Architects? I began to kid with myself (this would have been while talking to myself during the delirious hours of building my Architecture models) that if only I could invent something, I could patent it, become financially free, and then do as much or as little Architecture as I wanted.
What is the invention you are most proud of?
I of course love all of my inventions for different reasons, but I feel that my 5 Minute Furniture has the greatest chance of being relevant long after the patents expire.
How has the retail industry reacted to the products you have created in the past, like your 5 Minute Furniture?
I get a lot of, “We love it! We want it! Do you own it?” Then when I inform them the product is only patent-pending they say,“Oh, get back to us when you own it.”That’s a better reply than if they had said,“That’s a terrible idea never call us again!”But it’s still not the answer you want to hear.
Now that you've been on Shark Tank what opportunities have presented themselves to you?
After the first airing of my episode I got contacted by about 100 different people with interest in 5 Minute Furniture and other products in my portfolio. That created a significant shift from me typically having to generate interest in my work to where I now am simply figuring out how to best manage the interest in my work. Being on Shark Tank has also generated more speaking engagements and other TV opportunities. In March I gave a TEDx talk and most recently I was in the top running for being the new co-host of ‘Invention USA’ on the History Channel.
Has being on the show made it any easier to get past "gatekeepers",has it given you a type of credibility as an inventor?
I wouldn't say that being on Shark Tank is what gets you past the “gatekeepers”. Shark Tank simply helps to bring you refined traffic and interest in your product or service. Having success in the market and building a reputation for making other people money – that is what I think makes it (little by little) easier to get past “gatekeepers” in this industry.
What is the longest amount of time you have spent on developing one of your ideas? What is that idea?
I have spent over 5 years on several ideas, but it is my 5 Minute Furniture that I have been working on the longest. This is an invention that I have been working on since I was in college. Below is the outline of milestones over the last 10 years:
2001 – I came up with the idea
2003 – I perfected the technology
2004 – I raised the first round of investor funding
2006 – I raised the second round of investor funding
2010 – The first patent issued
2011 – The second patent issued
2011 – I present the technology on Shark Tank
2012 – I partner with Edison Nation to commercialize the technology
I think it is clear from Jared's experiences and like many inventors like him, if you are passionate about this field of work and love what you do, you just have to stick with it. Believe in what you are doing and the service you provide for others by doing it. Jared leaves us with a few parting words for those wanting to delve into inventing...
For those of you with your own inventions remember that the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Whatever you can do or dream you can begin it! Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it! :)
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Youtube Royalty Stops By for a Visit, Venetian Princess Delivers Dish on How To Reign Supreme
If TV is considered the "small screen" then Jodie Rivera known by her fans as Venetian Princess is America's starlet of the tiny screen. Being aYoutube sensation was happenstance much like that experienced by Justin Bieber, but Jodie has taken that happy accident and turned it into a career that she is very passionate about. No doubt the celebrity looks are there, but Jodie has surpassed the skills of the triple threat and created a league all her own. Her domain has become her Youtube channel populated by videos she directs, writes, produces,edits, acts in an stylizes herself. Most viewers are shocked at the fact she plays all the characters in her web series The Princess Chronicles, yes even the grotesque ones (the characters that is, not the fans!). Still not impressed? Then tune in for this interview in its two part blog entirety, where we discover how the Venetian Princess has built an empire with loyal subscribers, that first started out with credit card debt and later landed her the house of her dreams.
I personally don't believe I would have been as successful and I'll tell you why. When I first started out, the majority of videos on YouTube were webcam videos.They didn't include any costumes or props. At the time, I was one of the only people on there that was going way out production-wise. And this started before I was even generating any income from my videos. I think it really set me apart from everyone else and ultimately it's what gave me that push. However, if I were to have started today- I would have had a much harder time trying to get noticed, because YouTube is now all about the production value.
How did opportunities to work with major brands come to be? What company was the first one you worked with?
I received an email in 2006 for my first brand integration. It was for Universal Studios, to promote a Dax Shepard movie called "Let's Go To Prison."The video quality was awful, I had no studio lighting yet so I literally lit myself with a window. I think my script was pretty funny though. Of course, back then, the compensation wasn't very much. Probably in the low
four figures, but it was a big deal to me because I had no idea major movie studios even knew who I was, let alone want me to promote their film.
Due to shows like Toddlers & Tiaras there are a lot of varied feelings on the pageant industry and whether or not it has positive effects on young girls. From your personal experience do you feel you have gained any skill or mindsets that have helped you both professionally and/or personally from your pageant experiences?
My pageant training definitely helped with my interviews. It was always my strong point and I won a lot of interview categories, even as a child. I loved
speaking with the judges and it carried into my career as a new media
personality, aiding in my interviews with the press. On the negative side, it definitely affected my self esteem growing up. My mother was one of the only moms that didn't dye my hair or put tons of makeup on me for pageants. I never wore false teeth. Seeing that on all the other girls made me feel like I stuck out like a sore thumb. But now as an adult, I can look back and really appreciate my mom having kept me a natural little girl and concentrating on my talents and personality rather than spray tans and hair pieces.
Were you very techie when you first started? Or did you learn how to do things like special effects as you went along?
Since 1998, I was building websites and doing graphic design. I was new to video editing though, so I just taught myself how to use different editing software and after hours and hours doing it, I figured it out on my own.
Who is your support team? Who do you turn to when you don't know the answers to something?
Most of the time, if I don't know the answer to something, I will do the research and find it myself. If it's a matter of opinion, I'll ask my husband, my mother, or my viewers.
What do you think it is about your videos that makes them so popular they have been known to be viewed more than the original music video from which they are based?(An example would be your I Kissed a Girl spoof)
I think probably because they are comedic. The original music videos that I'm spoofing obviously aren't. My videos spoof the music and visuals of the original and are funny, which is a component that most viral videos have.
Youtube Royalty Stops By for a Visit, Venetian Princess Delivers Dish on How To Reign Supreme- Part 2
Do you think VP is all beauty and no brains? Well, you've got it all wrong! Now in part 2 of this blog interview we get down to business and discover what it takes to run a successful Youtube channel. Oh, and I snuck in a few tongue in cheek interview questions that only true fans will understand and appreciate! 
I certainly use analytics to keep an eye on things. But I know my audience pretty well, and I've come so far in this field having done it for so many years now- that I feel comfortable trusting my own instinct. My true supporters will be excited about any project that I am excited about. So above all, these days I only produce content that I want to do and can have fun with.
Is there a system or plan you follow to make things easier? Do your fans expect to see videos on a regular schedule?
Everything is constantly changing in this field, so it's tough to stick to a
plan. As far as schedules go- I've never been able to stick to one, so I've never tried. With music videos, they take so much time to plan, write, record, shoot, and edit- that it's just not something I could pop out once a week. However, I have decided to start a different channel that will be beauty/style based and will have a weekly show format.
Do you think had you decided to stay enrolled in college your career would have taken the same course it has?
No, I am all about education, but for me- it just would not have worked. That was the time of my life where I was experimenting with making videos. I would never have had the time to do so, if I were enrolled in college. My family is very headstrong on all of us getting college educations in order to be successful. But I guess in my case, I lucked out.
In order to persue this passion you had, can you tell the readers a little about how you budgeted to make your videos?
In the beginning before I even generated any income from my videos, I was literally spending every penny I had after bills were paid. I have expensive taste, and I am not one to settle for less than what I envision. Some of my
wigs were close to $300 (I used a lot of showgirl hair wigs that were made out of human hair. Costume wigs looked too synthetic on camera). They would only be used once in a video and then thrown into the costume closet. I remember I pretty much maxed out all of my credit cards on costumes and set pieces. I was not good with budgeting my money, because I truly felt that it was worth whatever price for the art of it. Once my youtube channel started bringing in revenue, I was finally able to pay off all the credit cards and make a profit.
What is your advice for other creative independent artists (of any genre)?
I can't say it enough- find what YOU enjoy doing most. If you are genuinely having fun, your audience will be able to tell. Try different types of videos. It's all about trial and error. If it doesn't feel right, move on to the next idea.You will find your niche.
If you were to have your own tv show what kind of show would it be?
If I were to have my own tv show it would definitely have to be musical. It would be like a mix of Glee and Smash, but maybe new media style. As long as my character would get to sing, I'd be all for it!
I know you have international fans... Do you know what countries you are the most popular in?
It's funny because I sell VenetianPrincess merchandise, and we get some orders from countries I didn't even know existed. It was brought to my attention that there was an order the other week from Qatar. Apparently that country does not have postal codes. I am most popular in the US, United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany.The Germans seem to be the most devoted fans. I get the most press in Germany as well.
What other interests do you have that aren't presented on either of your youtube channels or your main website?
I love decorating and I am obsessed with historic houses, I have one of my own. I actually started a small decorating blog just for fun, it'sIheartHouses.com. I am also going to be touching decorating on my new style channel. I should also mention that Romantic Homes Magazine is doing a spread on my home in it's upcoming holiday issue. It will be on newsstands October 9th.
Are you planning on selling any other type of merchandise in the future besides your music? Like maybe getting your Venetian Princess doll mass produced?
I don't think I will be getting my doll mass produced, as my audience is growing up. However, we are looking at continuing the VenetianPrincess
trading cards.They have been selling like hotcakes. Maybe a clothing line is in the future, we shall see.
What did the shell look like of the egg you were hatched from?
It was tuquoise with pink polka dots! :-P
What has being a Youtube sensation given you that you would not have experienced doing a 9 to 5 job?
It has given me the ability to do what I love and be my own boss. It has given me financial security and creative freedom. It has opened doors to amazing opportunites with major brands. It has given me exposure to film and tv executives that would not have even given me a second look had I gone to a traditional casting call. It has given me a platform to reach people all around the world and to bring a smile to their day.
Are you wearing pants during this interview? ;)
Pajama pants! ;-)
Do you want to stay up-to-date with the Venetian Princess' latest videos? Then subscribe to her Youtube channel! Get to know her more personally via her other channel as well. All things VP can be found on her main site.
Small Biz Question- Online Business
Question:
Hi Nicole,
I'm looking at starting an online shop selling tobacco pipes and accessories. I recently purchased a questionnaire-driven business plan from MasterPlans.com. Some of the questions are pretty straightforward, others confuse me and I don't know where to start. Seeing as I'm still pre-funding (until I get the business plan done) funds are very limited so hiring a CPA at this point isn't practical. A lot of the business plan questions have to do with 3 and 5 year financial outlooks, projected revenue, customer demographics, etc. My main question is how do I go about doing the research to come up with these numbers? When responding to questions about growth objectives, how do I come up with realistic growth rates, in terms of sales? Also, the questionnaire asks about business loans and my expected short-term interest rate. Do I just look at small business loans for the amount that I'll be requesting and find the average interest rate? Thank you!
Answer:
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