I Want (no need!) You

By Maren Kate On February 15, 2010 · 36 Comments · In My Life

Yes, you heard me right, I want you.

I guess I should elaborate… In my quest to make this blog a community, the community I wish I had had when I started out in online business, this post is all about you, my blog buddies and how we can all bring each other up and push each other to be truly extraordinary entrepreneurs together.

So please, each of you who are reading this and even SLIGHTLY care about the message escaping the 9 to 5 is trying to push respond to a few of these very basic questions in the comment section below & later I want to have a Ustream live conference ‘mastermind’ group for all the participants. So I want you to share with me…

What are you doing right now to escape the 9 to 5 (regardless how big, small or even if you haven’t made the plunge to try anything yet)?
What is your biggest road block facing you as an entrepreneur or would be?
What monetary goals have you set for yourself or your business in the coming year (if you haven’t set any think of the most ridiculous outrageous number that you’d love to make and we’ll all brainstorm exactly HOW you can do it)
What are a few of your greatest accomplishments since you’ve decided to seek a more extraordinary life and have began to live that life on your own terms?
Do you think a mastermind group via Skype, Ustream or maybe even the comment section of this blog would help you grow as an extraordinary entrepreneur?

If you don’t want to share where others can see please feel free to email me at marenkate(at)gmail.com and answer the questions in that form, then I promise I’ll get back to you with my thoughts and hopefully helpful suggestions.

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http://twitter.com/MarkPowers Mark Powers

Great discussion to get going here!

1. I am redirecting my focus towards creating products and services that will either: a) provide passive income, or B) be able to be done in other parts of the country/world.

2. Number one roadblock . . . myself. I'm full of ideas, but it can often take a great amount of effort to stay motivated, focused and productive.

3. My 2010 monetary goals include becoming debt-free while still having the means to visit Thailand, Puerto Rico, Tanzania and Hawai'i.

4. Since making 'the decision,' I have created [and am selling] a couple of simple products, am working on some amazing collaborations, and have taken several incredible trips out-of-country. I am working for myself, doing more of what I love, setting and reaching goals . . . life is good!

5. I think a mastermind group such as that would be an absolutely empowering resource!

Way to go, Maren!

- Mark
http://www.PowersPercussion.com
James Ward

Here are my answers:
1) I am presently changing and letting go of several items so I will be more “free” from the day-to-day.
2) My biggest roadblock was ME. And to be honest, I still am.
3) The main goal is to see a 25% increase in profits.
4) I found and enjoy a profession that I look forward to everyday.
5) Yeah, I would like to be apart of that type of group.

Thanks!
malcolmwot

1. Working at my Businesses.
2. Meeting enough people who are looking.
3. £100k TO.
4. Freedom to use Time for work, family and holidays!
5. Not sure, there are quite a few about but you never know until you try!
rachelpuckett

Hi Maren–First time commenter here. Just wanted to say that I like the change in content direction you've taken. The articles the past couple of weeks have been very helpful, very honest, and specific.

1. What are you doing right now to escape the 9 to 5 (regardless how big, small or even if you haven’t made the plunge to try anything yet)?

I'm just beginning–doing research on viable business ideas through reading online and in print and having brainstorm sessions after reading every day; brainstorming content for my to-be-released blog; writing back content for my to-be-released blog; learning about website design and hosting options (I'm thinking about doing myself to minimize start-up costs); and connecting to starting & young entrepreneurs on-line and in person. I've bought some domain names, but I haven't quite made the plunge…Instead, I've got a date to make the plunge: August 1, 2010.

2. What is your biggest road block facing you as an entrepreneur or would be?

Sorting among my business ideas for the most viable…and then, research and take all the very, very beginning steps to convert the idea into an a business. I still don't know or haven't done so much: different types of companies, tax structure, business plans, five-year goals, setting up a website.
3. What monetary goals have you set for yourself or your business in the coming year (if you haven’t set any think of the most ridiculous outrageous number that you’d love to make and we’ll all brainstorm exactly HOW you can do it).

From August 1st to Dec 31st, I have a target of….$5000?

4. What are a few of your greatest accomplishments since you’ve decided to seek a more extraordinary life and have began to live that life on your own terms?

I've moved to Montevideo, Uruguay and re-started my life here. This past year has been a trial–I'm not running a business; I'm just learning Spanish–for confirming that I want to live my life traveling outside of the U.S.

5. Do you think a mastermind group via Skype, Ustream or maybe even the comment section of this blog would help you grow as an extraordinary entrepreneur?

Yes! I like the idea of a structured conversation so to increase this community's interaction.
http://twitter.com/rondavis007 Ron Davis

1. What are you doing right now to escape the 9 to 5 (regardless how big, small or even if you haven’t made the plunge to try anything yet)?

I'm coasting mostly right now with P&M and letting my VAs keep it going.

I also started a affiliate promotion in another market to see how viable it is.

2. What is your biggest road block facing you as an entrepreneur or would be?

Lack of hope and motivation. I've just lost my mojo.

3. What monetary goals have you set for yourself or your business in the coming year

My goal this year is $20K, though if I were being outrageous I'd say $150K.

4. What are a few of your greatest accomplishments since you’ve decided to seek a more extraordinary life and have began to live that life on your own terms?

Getting P&M podcast to almost run itself without me.

5. Do you think a mastermind group via Skype, Ustream or maybe even the comment section of this blog would help you grow as an extraordinary entrepreneur?

I think one via Skype or Ustream would be good. You need personal interaction that you don't get from text.
http://www.financial-inspiration.com/ Leon

What are you doing right now to escape the 9 to 5?

*Building content for my websites. Online networking. Studying marketing. Trying to come up with a Purple Cow that I can execute.

What is your biggest road block facing you as an entrepreneur or would be?

*The catch-22 of not wanting to be accountable to anyone, yet knowing that it would help me and my business if someone would just ask: 'Hey, last week you said you would do x. Have you done that yet?'

* Would also like to be able to distinguish between those who are 'only' marketers and those who are also entrepreneurs (adding value) – and to be able to count myself the latter.

What monetary goals have you set for yourself or your business in the coming year

*£1500/m from online activities (by 30 June).

What are a few of your greatest accomplishments since you’ve decided to seek a more extraordinary life and have began to live that life on your own terms?

* I leaped (now I need to learn to fly).

Do you think a mastermind group via Skype, Ustream or maybe even the comment section of this blog would help you grow as an extraordinary entrepreneur?

* If tightly defined and access controlled, yes. Would need a few people who've 'been there, done that' and not just marketers.
ralph99

1.I escaped (retired) but lost income and need to make it up.
2.My mental focus
3.$5k/month
4.Readers actually come to my blog and comment
5.Absolutely
strugglinginvestor

1) I've been using my free time to get into Real Estate Investing
2) Overcoming Fear
3) Be able to pay all my bills through from my investing (roughly 80k)
4) I'm still not living my life on my own terms, but so far the biggest accomplishment is all the great people I've met in REI and that I can sniff my first deal.
5) Anytime you can talk with like minded people it is a help. So Yes
Devthom1

Hi Maren

First time contributor here.
1. Researching and acquiring content for website, hoping to go live on 1st March.
2. Lack of online marketing experience.
3. Monthly turnover of £1,000 by 30th June
4. Taking the first step
5. Definitely, if “chaired” properly
http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

Thanks for the comment! I like that you have a solid monetary goal, that is soo important I've found. Also I started with literally ZERO internet marketing experience (or any other kind for that matter). Know how I fixed it? I read like 2 books on marketing a week and scanned every blog I could find… within a few months I felt like I had the equivalent of an internet master's degree in viral marketing
http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

You are on your way it sounds! That is awesome, also the step right before true entrepreneurial freedom is meeting great people and learning from them… that is how I've done it Thanks for commenting!
http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

Awesome Ralph! So funny because me and my mother were talking about this today, she is thinking of starting a site dedicated to helping baby boomers (her generation) create passive streams of income and start their own businesses to supplement and add to their wealth. Sounds like you may be a perfect case study for her to check out!
http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

I totally agree with your want a purple cow they are necessary and Seth Godin is a genius! Sounds like a mastermind would help you keep up the accountability like you were saying. I agree that I want to create one that is tightly defined and the access controlled to those who are serious, motivated and really on fire for entrepreneurship and escaping the humdrum life. I have a few friends who are bonafide 'escapees' and I think I may call on them to be the 'experts' then from there build a tightly knit master mind group around their moderations. What do you think?
http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

I like the idea of doing it on Ustream or Skype for sure… maybe Ustream definitely. Don't give up or lose your Mojo!
http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

Thanks for the first time comments Rachel! Glad to see you like the way the content has been going, I am trying to stick to my roots while providing helpful and interesting content to the other escapees! I love that you are living abroad, that is so fantastic and I can't wait to join you in the ultimate “mobile” lifestyle of living outside of your comfort zone! I think it is amazing how detailed and specific you are with each response, it shows to me that you will not only reach your goals but exceed them because you have a very defined idea of what you want from life. You go girl & keep me posted on your success. I'll inform everyone soon of what kind of mastermind group me and some of my other entrepreneur friends come up with that will best serve the community and those who truly want to escape the 9 to 5 for good.
http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

Short, sweet, to the point Keep us all posted on your success and I like that you have a big monetary goal, you are like me and shoot for the stars!
http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

How is your biggest roadblock you? Is it a confidence issue? A fear issue or a lack on drive issue? That has always been very interesting to me, the ways people get in their own way because I know I've done it way too much in my short life too.
http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

Hi Mark,

I LOVE that you are focused on traveling as am I! I also like that you have a very defined sense of what kind of income you want to pull in not just “money” but you want either passive income or income that you can travel and still make. Glad you like the master mind idea and I'll definitely keep you posted… one suggestion I have for having troubles with being motivated & getting stuff done (i have this issue ALL the time) is reading “The E Myth”… it is fun, short and literally LIFE CHANGING when it comes to productivity.
http://www.thesaleslion.com/ Marcus Sheridan,The Sales Lion

1. Study like crazy to learn this crazy thing called blogging….blogging at least twice a week….staying up way too late….and drinking absurd amounts of caffeine…Oh, and reading Maren's blog
2. Website design…I've never studied before this past year and really went into all this very blind, so creating a site that's eye-catching is tough, and difficult to learn without a mentor standing over my shoulder…Also, garnering traffic to my site without having the time to promote all over the blogosphere (I own a business, so I spend about 55 hours a week with that on the road)
3. I'd like to make at least 75k online in 2011 beyond my normal work paycheck.
4. Personally, I just love getting comments and emails from people expressing their gratitude for the information I've posted…and that it is making a difference in their life and in their business.
5. Sounds very appealing…nothing like synergy IMO.
http://twitter.com/InventionAddict Stephen Bozzone

1. My escape plan revolves around inventing new products to license to companies. I got the idea from Tim Ferriss.

a) I have 5 inventions under consideration by companies for license.

b) I started writing my first eBook titled “From Ideas to Profits: The essential guide for new inventors” (working title)

c) I’m participating on the Quirky Social Product Development site http://www.quirky.com/?r=46892bff632fc61d670dd7… . You make money by submitting ideas or contributing to the other people’s ideas. You also earn a percentage of sales you bring in.

d) I’m promoting my consulting company Inspiration2Innovation http://www.inspiration2innovation.com/ through Twitter and Facebook. I also use my blog: http://inventionaddict.com/blog/ to promote my business. My goal is to help people reach their dreams to be successful inventors.

e) I started to make plans to offer a $99 on-line inventing class.

2. My biggest road block is start-up capital. I need a new PC so bad. The CAD software I need is $3K! I also want to get into some sort of advertising. PPC or affiliate marketing.

3. My goal is to replace the income from my day job and pay off my mortgage so my monthly expenses are lower. I’m on a five year plan. I just turned 45 so I want to be free by my 50th birthday.

4. A big step for me, after getting laid off twice in 18 months, was to start blogging and form my own LLC. Last week I was interviewed by ABC news.com about Quirky, that was cool.

5. These are all new to me but anything to help network and learn from other is a good thing.
http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

I like that you shoot high in your monetary goals, that is a good sign and if you keep interacting on other blogs you'll see more and more comments on your own. Cheers!
http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

Sounds like you have a solid plan and have set up some goals to reach, you are on the right path! But it is a bummer when capital gets in the way… sometimes people go into debt but I usually don't suggest it.
http://www.financial-inspiration.com/ Leon

The 'experts' might work – what value would a mastermind group add to them though? (unless they have the personality of a Gary Vaynerchuk who CARES )
Pingback: My Ultimate Sales Method: Painting a Picture | Escaping the 9 to 5
http://misterfnygy.com misterfnygy

1- Studying, researching and exploring the overwhelming info online about creating a business from nothing. Working on narrowing down my “product” that can be monetized.

2- I have too many passions. Can't seem to stay focused on one for long before the next “big idea” comes along.

3- Would like to see an income around $5000 per month by the end of the year. The sky is the limit after that!

4- I have learned to be far more open to new opportunities that present themselves. I have realized how important my personal time as part of my daily life.

5- Collaboration is always great- that's the beauty of the world we live in!

I just need to get down to the core idea of how I can make a new life and I'm ready to run! Thanks for making me think about these things, very helpful!
James Ward

My problem with me getting in the way is, not willing to let go. I have a problem of letting others take over projects that need special attention.
nick84

1. Developing a new online resource targeted at the medical community and trying to simultaneously learn as much as possible about starting and marketing an online business.

2. Figuring out a way to accelerate my knowledge of internet marketing. One important aspect of my product will be teaching staff at a medical practice the skills needed to promote their services online. I need to figure out how to become an expert in this area before I launch the product. Where can I find ways to gain experience? Where can I find a mentor?

3. Net 50K per month within two years. This would mean about 200 subscribing practices.

4. I have learned WordPress and Xsitepro, created a blog (kind of similar to this one, except more about documenting my way out of the 9-5 as I do it), learned how to use Awebber, learned about affiliate marketing, learned basic html and css. More importantly, I have come up with a plan to escape corporate America and put goals in place to help me do it.

5. Absolutely! Anyone on this site knows that no matter what we are trying to acheive, we are all going to need help along the way. Getting a group of like minded people together with different skill sets would great.
http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

Great response, it is good that you have tons of passions… just gotta figure out how to focus on one and run with it. Honestly that was the TOUGHEST part of everything for me, focusing on just one thing.
http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

That is great and I LOVE your high monetary goal! That is how to really go for it Keep us posted on your progress I am interested in what your business model is..
http://creativecourage.org/ Ben Weston

First off, I just found your site and I love all of the valuable content you're providing Maren!

1. Set up a blog to get in touch with and eventually create a personal development and movement (acrobatics, circus, dance, fitness, etc.) community. Creating my first information product and working on affiliate marketing. I also joined the circus and working on creating my own troupe

2. Learning the process of internet marketing. Figuring out the technical aspects of web design without losing time on actually working on my product

3. minimum net 10K per month with the next two years. Be location independent.

4. I moved to Seattle to join the circus! I actually took action and created a blog and another website for my product. Each week I am taking definite action that brings me closer to my 10K/month goal.

5. A mastermind mind group would be absolutely wonderful! I know I wouldn't be the only one to benefit from it.
http://clintjolly.com/ misterfnygy

Having many passions can be great. Just need to get the focus part down! Would love to sit and chat over coffee if you have time on your next trip to Reno.
http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

Glad you like the site Ben thank you! Also I set the same goal as you… 10k per month and this month I reached it! So freaking excited, honestly it isn't the money at all just the feeling that I made the goal that I've focused on so much. I'll keep you posted on the mastermind group
http://twitter.com/diazan Andrés Diaz

Hi Maren,

Your post kind of “talked” to me. Good questions.. I don't know if have answered them before for myself, so this is a good opportunity:

1. I started my own blog to share my thoughts, learn through writing and becoming more aware of what I want to do. And, to learn more about my muse.
2. My own belief (working on that )
3. For the remains 2010 , considering I just started, 15k for my own business, without rat-race-goodies
4. I spent 3 months in Australia, where I met the woman I love, travelled together to Japan, Germany and France. Oh, and not to forget, I start not only to become a bit more confident that I can achieve something but also that I am doing my best to find out what my passion is.
5. Yes it will. I am already exchanging information with people alike that is starting to build up their own business, but not yet people who have done it!

Best regards,

Andrés
http://mma.bs/ Fuzzylogic

1.) Becoming involved in the business side of the sport I already love, mixed martial arts, through my own company and marketing ventures both online and offline. I'm in way over my head and it's wonderful.

2.) My biggest roadblock has been the internet. I'm not much of a keyboard warrior. I'm an ex-infantry guy, I mean, c'mon. I box and stuff. Haha, but I'm a geek so I'm loving learning about it all, but seriously putting together something that even REMOTELY resembles a website has been a chore for me. Plug and pray, plug and pray… 20/4 – Work/Sleep schedule.

3.) Haha. I'm so not the type to put my hopes out there. I either deliver or don't! (So when I fail no one knows but me). But okay… I would like to make $500 profit a month from my site. Up to 20k/mo before I'll complain, though.

4.) 4k visitors in a week of the site being up, without even attempting to spam it out anywhere. I'm not even READY over there, I've got dummy content and image resize issues and missing ads and…haha, hiccups 'n stuff. But seriously other than a chunk of visitors that I didn't expect and is still climbing, not too much to get excited about over here. I've just been laid off three months ago and I'm still shooting from the hip, here.

5.) I gotta come back to this one. I've been up since some time yesterday and I got confused when I hit 'mastermind.'

Thomas @ MMA.BS
http://www.mafudabogados.com/ Jorge Mafud @mafudabogados

Hello Maren… I found out about your blog a few weeks ago but hadn't had the chance to read mucho of it…. I like your style.

Ok, the answers:

1) I started my own law practice a year and a half ago, so now I'm looking for more and better clients;

2) Business owners in Mexico do not have, in general, a preventive legal culture, most of them only call a lawyer when they have the problem already, and the other one is that everyone always wants to negotiate cheaper rates;

3) My first monetary goal is to reach a steady USD $5k monthly income and I'd love to reach around USD $8k monthly income level;

4) The first accomplishment was to actually decide to leave my 9 to 5 job… then, all the things I've learned about maketing, administration, copywriting, customer service and blogging; in addition, serving clients and being sure they feel good about the service and results I provide;

5) Definitely… I think it is necessary and motivational to hear other stories and to learn from each other.

Thanks a lot and we'll keep in touch!

JM
http://www.mafudabogados.com/ Jorge Mafud @mafudabogados

Hello Maren… I found out about your blog a few weeks ago but hadn't had the chance to read mucho of it…. I like your style.

Ok, the answers:

1) I started my own law practice a year and a half ago, so now I'm looking for more and better clients;

2) Business owners in Mexico do not have, in general, a preventive legal culture, most of them only call a lawyer when they have the problem already, and the other one is that everyone always wants to negotiate cheaper rates;

3) My first monetary goal is to reach a steady USD $5k monthly income and I'd love to reach around USD $8k monthly income level;

4) The first accomplishment was to actually decide to leave my 9 to 5 job… then, all the things I've learned about maketing, administration, copywriting, customer service and blogging; in addition, serving clients and being sure they feel good about the service and results I provide;

5) Definitely… I think it is necessary and motivational to hear other stories and to learn from each other.

Thanks a lot and we'll keep in touch!

JM