Issue 116

May 11, 2005

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Changing Course is dedicated to helping you:

~Live Life on Purpose
~Work at What You Love
~Follow Your Own Road

Inside Today's Issue

Featured Article

Getting Funding to Start Your Own Business

Featured Resource

American Writers & Artists Institute and
The Institute for Children's Literature

Guest Article

If It’s Worth Doing, It’s Worth Writing Down

Upcoming Workshops & Teleclasses

Resources for A Change

If there were no difficulties there would be no success; if there were nothing to struggle for, there would be nothing to be achieved. ~ Samuel Smiles

Getting Funding to Start Your Own Business

By Valerie Young

Short on funds to launch that great idea? Join the club. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), 60% of all new businesses begin as undercapitalized start-ups. The clue here is that information can pave the way to financing. So put in the effort by doing your homework.

The SBA site (SBA.gov/financing) is a good source of information on small business loans. And be sure to contact your local SBA office for information on government-sponsored programs in your state.

Another viable source of funding is to find investors. Don’t think big venture capitalists here. Twenty or so years ago, a local woman named Lin told me she and her partner were trying to start their own bar and restaurant. At the same time that I encouraged her to go for it, I have to admit, I never really thought it would happen. She didn't own a home and had an average paying job teaching at community college. At the time it just didn't seem feasible to me that they'd be able to come up with the kind of money they'd need to do it. Boy was I wrong.

They raised the money by tapping friends, family and acquaintances to be small investors. It was a big success, but as anyone who’s worked in the restaurant business knows, it was also a lot of work. After about eight years they decided to sell and Lin changed course once again. She got her real estate license and is living her dream on the island of Vieques off of Puerto Rico where she opened her own vacation rental real estate company.

I remember reading an article a long time ago in Entrepreneur or a similar type magazine on a creative way of coming up with money to start a small business. Keep in mind my memory on this is a little hazy but as I recall, the general idea was this:

Say you need $10,000 to start your business. Instead of trying to borrow and be liable for the full $10,000, get 10 people to each kick in $1,000.

Half of the money is considered a loan to be paid back under terms negotiated ahead of time (and in writing). The other $500 is considered an investment. That way you and your investors share the risk.

If the business succeeds, then everyone gets the loan portion back with interest but also earn some kind of return on their investment. If the business fails, the most you are out is $5,000. To make the deal more enticing, tell the original investors that if the business really takes off they'll be given the chance to re-invest.

Of course, you will want to talk to an attorney before drafting any agreements.

Finding the money to start your business may not be easy but it almost always
is do-able!

About the Author

Off the beaten path career counselor, Valerie Young, abandoned her corporate cubicle to become the Dreamer in Residence at ChangingCourse.com, offering free resources to help you discover your life mission and live it. An expert on the Imposter Syndrome, she's presented her How to Feel as Bright and Capable as Everyone Seems to Think You Are program to over 30,000 people.

Find more articles written by Valerie at ChangingCourse.com/articles/

Reduce your plan to writing... The moment you complete this, you will have definitely given concrete form to the intangible desire. ~ Napoleon Hill

Featured Resources

5 Career Launching Training Programs for People
Who Want to Live the Freelancer Life

Over the past few years I've had the opportunity to review a number of courses offered by the American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI). I can tell you without reservation that these are top notch courses on everything from being a freelance copywriter, to writing for fundraising, to writing for the romance marketing, to starting your own resume writing business, to becoming a freelance graphic designer specializing in direct mail.

These courses offer very real earnings potential and I endorse them wholeheartedly. On a very practical note, I like the fact that AWAI programs are highly affordable and come with the comfort of a money-back guarantee. But that’s not all.

I've also met the dedicated and talented staff at their offices in Delray Beach, Florida, had the opportunity to attend and speak at several of their outstanding workshops, and even hired a number of their program graduates to do freelance work (in fact, now that I understand what really goes into writing great marketing copy I will only work with writers who’ve completed the AWAI program – and this from someone who herself spent seven years working in corporate marketing).

Read About Real People Living Their Dream Lives

Over the years I’ve written several articles and course reviews about AWAI – all of which are available for your perusal. If nothing else, I think you’ll enjoy learning about some of the amazing career changers I've met whose lives have been transformed as a result of these programs.

Hear Audio Interviews on What it Takes to Succeed as a Freelance Copywriter or Travel Writer

You can also listen in to a couple of audio interviews I’ve done with AWAI grads and staff. One features environmental scientist-turned-freelance copywriter Krista Jones. You can hear Krista explain how in little over a year, the Accelerated Course in Six Figure Copywriting enabled her to match her $80,000 a year salary – and take control over her life and time. The interview also features some candid remarks from AWAI president Katie Yeakle about what it really takes to make it as a six figure copywriter.

Love to travel? Then listen in as former International Living magazine editor and travel writing course designer Jennifer Stevens and AWAI travel writing program manager Lori Appling as then Jen and Lori share the myths and realities of getting paid to be a travel writer.

To learn more about these life-changing training programs click here ChangingCourse.com/awai.htm

How to Make a Living Writing for Children and Teenagers

Over the years I've heard from many aspiring children's book writers masquerading as administrative assistants, construction workers, programmers, and customer service reps. So when I received a call from Bryan Judge of the Institute of Children’s Literature in West Redding, Connecticut I was curious to learn more.

Bryan asked if I'd be willing to review the Institute’s course "Writing for Children and Teenagers." I said I'd be happy to take a look, but, I explained, before I'll officially endorse any product or service it must meet certain criteria.

Well, this program won me over and I’ve been recommending it ever since. If this is something that piques your interest, read my full review of this wonderful program at ChangingCourse.com/children.htm

You can't base your life on other people's expectations. ~ Unknown

The Changing Course Newsletter
Copyright 2004
Lisa Tarrant, Editor
Valerie Young, Publisher
info@changingcourse.com
www.ChangingCourse.com
7 Ripley Road
Montague, MA 01351

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Previous Issues: ChangingCourse.com/archives/

Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.
~ William Feather

Guest Article

If It's Worth Dreaming,
It's Worth Writing Down

By Josh Hinds

You have the idea so therefore you have within you the ability to make it a reality. Such is one of life's great truths. This may not always appear to be the case, but rest assured deep down you've got all the ability it takes.

The problem is that far to often we don't lay a foundation so that we have in place what it will take to make our idea a reality. First of all, we have to understand that things often don't just happen. They are the result of following out carefully planned steps and taking daily action until we have reached our intended destination.

Say for example you wanted to take a trip. Most likely you'd chart your course wouldn't you? You'd at least take the time to know where you were headed and write out the directions. This is the same idea behind achieving our goals, yet you'd be amazed by how many people choose to go day in and day out without having a basic plan of where they're headed.

The main thing to keep in mind is that your goals should be committed to paper. This is the same as having a map. Each time you begin to feel as though you're drifting away from what you want, you can refer back to your written goals. Sounds pretty simple doesn't it? Well that my friend is because it is!

Yet as easy as this is to implement the fact still remains that most people simply lack the determination to make this an ongoing process.

I won't lie to you here it's going to take an ongoing commitment. It takes the understanding that all things are changing. Life is about change. The better we become at adapting to life's changes the better prepared we will be. Amidst all the changes, keeping a written plan will do wonders for keeping you heading in the direction of your dreams.

Here's to your success, Josh Hinds

About the Author

Josh Hinds of GetMotivation.com specializes in helping people to achieve maximum success and live the life of their dreams. He is also the co-founder of AudioMotivation.com

Visualize this thing you want. See it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blueprint and begin. ~ Robert Collier 

Upcoming Workshops & Teleclasses

Make Money Doing What You Love:
Come to My Opportunity Bootcamp and
Learn How to Turn Interests into Income

If you really want to make a living without a job, you need to stop scanning the employment postings and start scanning the world around you. Why? Because that's where the real opportunities are! 

In other words, if you really want to find creative alternatives to having a job, you have to learn to become what I call an "Opportunity Analyst." As an opportunity analyst you must have an open mind and be willing to look beyond what you have done (your resume) or what you can do (your current skills) and think instead of what you might really LIKE to do… and then look for opportunities to do it.

Join me in this lively two part Teleclass and…

• Discover the 4 Sources of Opportunities that are right in front of you
• Hear how to take every-day information and turn it into income generating opportunities
• Experience the exhilaration and freedom that comes when you begin to see money-making opportunities literally all around you!

May 18^th and May 25^th from 8:00-9:30pm EST ChangingCourse.com/oppanalystteleclass.htm

How to Feel As Bright and Capable As Everyone Seems to Think You Are: What Every Woman (and Man) Needs to Know About Competence, the Impostor Syndrome, and the Art of Winging It

Are You An “Impostor”? Take the Quiz

• Do you secretly worry others will find out you’re not as intelligent and competent as they seem to think you are?

• Do you often dismiss your accomplishments as a “fluke” or “no big deal?”

• Are you convinced that “responsible people” in “responsible jobs” are a lot more “adult” than you?

• Do you sometimes shy away from challenges because of nagging self-doubt?

• Are you crushed by even constructive criticism, taking it as evidence of your ineptness? Is your definition of competence: perfection with ease?

• Does the thought of not knowing 150% strike fear in your heart?

If so, join the club. Over 20,000 people have attended this enlightening workshop. And now you can too.

You CAN feel like the smart, talented, self-assured person everyone else seems to think you are. Join me to learn why so many intelligent, capable people suffer from the so-called Impostor Syndrome and what it takes to overcome it!

Tuesday, June 14^th from 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm EST
ChangingCourse.com/impteleclass.htm

Miracle-Grow your Business in Las Vegas!

You're invited to join Barbara Winter and Nick Williams for four action-packed, life-changing days. You know that you need something more ... an added dimension to your business that will claim its extraordinary potential. You just need some help with where to look. We're making it easy for you. A veritable entrepreneurial greenhouse, an oasis of creativity in the desert — join us in Las Vegas. There's no place like it. Its creative genius reaches far beyond the obvious glitz. And it can teach us a lot about winning ways.

The place fairly sings with vibrant energy. In fact, when your creative vision gets fine-tuned in Las Vegas, it'll be a permanent adjustment. One that will impact how you see the rest of your world, and how quickly you can grow your business.

Monday, June 6 - Thursday, June 9
ChangingCourse.com/courses.htm

What's New in the Changing Course Bookstore

How to Be Inspired by Nick Williams will be released on May 23^rd.
The book is wonderfully structured with 54 short essays, each containing a secret to living from our inspired centre, learning skills and overcoming our resistance.

If Not Now… Then When? Stories and Strategies  of People Over 40 Who Have Successfully Reinvented Themselves

Peter J. Fogel will prove to you no matter what profession you “feel stuck” in today, you can change your situation and get the career you want… even if you’re 40 and beyond! 

Learn more about Peter and this wonderful book at ReinventYourselfNow.com

Resources for a Change

Help for Freelance Web-Designers and Opportunities for Freelance Writers

SitePoint.comfeatures a special area on Selling Your Services for freelancers. In the About Us section you’ll see they’re also looking for writers and book ideas.

I particularly liked Elena Fawkner’s article on multiple income streams. 

Are You the Creative Type?

AllArtSchools.com is a great place to find schools specializing in training for careers in creative fields like animation, game design, interior design, digital media, accessory design, fashion design, graphic design, photography and more.

Best of all the Q&A section features informative
advice from people like Pixar animator Scott Clark,
self-employed video producer and director Meg McHutchinson, self-employed apparel designer Stephanie Schuster, and others already working in
your dream career.