Weekly Blog No. 1 - Succeeding Today #entrepreneurhangout

I created the blog www.andyatkinsonlive.com attached to my business overview website www.afa-global.com with the purpose of sharing my experiences on what it takes to succeed as a entrepreneur in today’s market place. You may ask, who is Andy Atkinson to give such advice? Answer "simply just a average dude" & that's my point. Anyone who has the desire and belief can do the same. I didn't get straight A's in school. In fact, you will properly notice a lot of grammar mistakes in the blog. I didn't come from a rich or entrepreneurial family. I wasn't a superstar athlete, though I enjoy staying active and competitive. My biggest successes came from going against the norm and weather the storm. Meaning I've never had overwhelming talent, but over time I've was able to surpass far beyond others.

I started my path to independence by receiving a scholarship to wrestle in college. Even though I didn't compete my senior year of high school due to inquires someone noticed my passion and desire to compete and win. I was the first male in my family to receive a college degree. After college I turned down a few well paying corporate jobs to be an entrepreneur. Even though I didn’t know exactly what a entrepreneur was. I decided to move to Southern California not knowing a sole or having an income source. Over time after working at a few fitness centers I opened my own personal training center. Unfortunately with a down economy the center experiences short success, but ultimately failed and closed. Mean while I started learning the martial art Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which become a passion of short for me.

After a failed business and a few failed relationships I debated throwing in the tale and taking a traditional "JOB". In my mind this was giving up and volunteering as someone's slave. No freedom of schedule, little chance of significant income, restricted time for personal enjoyment & worse of all working your butt off for someone else's success. To achieve the type of independence I desired I took a chance and reconnect with a friend who had become highly successful online. Hard part was I blew him off a few years back thinking no real money could be made without a brick and mortal business. To say the least, I couldn't be more wrong. After understanding a few simple advantages like cost vs. return, no territory restrictions, Internet never closes & most importantly I don't have to be there to make money I realized this is today's entrepreneur.

Fast foreword three years I'm living life on my terms. I was a slow learner, but over that three year time period I educated myself on how to develop and implement a result producing action plan, how to position myself in front of the up and coming trends and how to develop outlets to move mass volumes of products. Many of us have been in the right place at the right time, but few are willing run against the norm and do something with that opportunity. I did!! At the age of 31 I was earning full time passive income.

Life was good & I was enjoying it. I took a break from work goals for a few years. Living on the San Diego coast I stayed highly active including training and competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. More recently moved to small ski town of Big Bear, Ca. Started snowboarding, training crossfit and volunteering at Non Profit, which mentors youth through sports and fitness.

Now I have some new goals and am back building assets online. Over the last few months expanded my reach globally. With the social media tools available today it's amazing how small the world has become. The playing ground is currently leveled and anyone who is willing to learn can compete and succeed with the big dogs. Once again this blog is about sharing success stories & pointers. Many of which will start from a pile of failures and over time will turn into gold.

Interesting facts:

Fact 1:

This is a breakdown of the wealth at the age of 65 in the United States

1% are Rich

4% are Financially Independent (earning a six figure residual income)

5% are Still Working

28% are Dead

62% are Financially Dependent (living on less than $1800 per month)

Fact 2:

75% of this Top 5% earners are business owners.

Simply put, one will work for their success or will work for someone else’s success.

Next Blog, Monday, November 3rd 

I'll talk about the first step to succeeding in any endeavor.

Andy

The Shopping Annuity is a critical component to earn secondary money – when you convert spending into earning through SHOP.COM, you are tapping into incredible buying power which can fuel extra income!

This video does a great job of explaining this vital concept – This has created a residual income for me and asset I can pass to down to by family

Visit my website.

or Put it off another year & You will be another year older, etc.....

Cheers, Andy

5 Keys of The Opportunity Minded

Among the obvious characteristics of a successful entrepreneur such as ambition, good work ethic, and strong leadership skills, an important quality that is often overlooked is being opportunity minded.  My definition of being opportunity minded is always being on the lookout for opportunity. Whether things are currently going well or could use improvement, by looking at situations as possible opportunities, you’re constantly learning and arming yourself with the needed information to stay on the cutting edge of what is happening.  Speaking from personal experience, It also may help you identify that the opportunity you are currently working on is really the ultimate opportunity for you as this has done for me over the last 10 years.  Opportunity minded people are also my favorite people to connect with and work together on projects as well.

Here are 5 ways to create the mindset of an opportunity minded individual or identify those people who are opportunity minded

• Leverage: Work smarter not harder. If you find yourself putting in endless hours but you feel at times you are spinning your wheels, it’s a good idea to re-evaluate how you’re spending your time and also with whom you are spending it with. Some great ways to maximize your efficiency is to eliminate distractions, prioritizing result producing activities, stay organized, and be proactive.  If you are working with others, I recommend matching their efforts.  This prevents you from wasting time on activities that will not create leverage for you.  I call it “using the law of increasing returns”
• Consider “no” as “not yet.” No matter how you slice it, you are going to hear that dreaded word, “no,” over and over again in any business. The key is to not let it discourage you or change your success mindset in the slightest. Instead of interpreting it as “no,” think of it as, “not yet.” This will keep you from closing the door on a potential opportunity prematurely. Although at times “no” really does mean “no,” keeping your mind open to the possibility that a “yes” may happen eventually will ensure you don’t miss out on a follow up opportunity.
• Avoid the “short term” mindset of success. Where do you see your business in the future?   Creating a long term plan for your business gives you direction and allows you to continue moving forward and build a solid brand. As competition increases, technology evolves, and customer require change, It is critical to stay on top of current business and industry trends so that you aren’t left eating the dust of your competition.  If the opportunity you are working on has a short sighted plan, it may be time to reconsider a longer term opportunity that holds a great track record.
• Network, Network, Network. Networking should be a constant in your business that never ends. I always look to expand my network not only at formal events like industry conventions, but also within the communities I currently do business and people you already know. I highly recommend stepping out of your comfort zone and exploring new social groups. Join a book club or volunteer with a local Non-Profit organization. You may just find that you are having fun and meeting some great people at the same time
• Establish and maintain a great reputation and personal brand. Strive for excellence in all areas of your life.  This is certain to personally brand you as a person to be connected with. Once you have done so, make it clear to everyone you do business with that maintaining your reputation is your number 1 priority. Unfortunately, all it takes is one incident to cast doubt on your abilities and tarnish your good name. Practice integrity and consideration for others in all you do and DO NOT COMPROMISE. Do not overpromise anything as this practice is a sure fire way of tarnishing your personal brand and reputation.  Operating with integrity and honesty will speak for itself and open doors to new and exciting opportunities and you will also attract the right people into your business and life.

Now Go Do It,

Andy Atkinson

Internet Franchise Shop.com Leaps to #57 on the Internet Retailer Top 500

The Internet Retailer Top 500 is often considered the “Bible of e-commerce data” – and provides an extensive analysis of the e-commerce landscape. Internet Retailer gathers metrics on web retailers throughout the US and compares them to see just how they stack up against each other. The brand new 2013 Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide is hot off the press, and we’ve got some major news to tell you about!

We’re proud to announce that Shop.com jumped up a whopping 13 spots to land at number 57 on the Internet Retailer’s Top 500 list! When you look at an even more-detailed breakdown of businesses by category, you’ll see that Market America power by Shop.com places 14th out of all the Mass Merchants. This list includes companies such as Amazon, Walmart, Sears, Macy’s, Costco, Target, and other huge businesses!

To think that just 21 years ago we started out in a small home in Greensboro, NC – it’s amazing to see just how far we’ve come. We are built on Product, and Powered by People – and it’s our incredible people power that sets us apart and has contributed to our meteoric rise on the Internet Retailer Top 500.

This is an honor that we all share together as a team – so congratulations to all the Shop.com Unfranchise Owners! We are a company on the move and on the rise, and we are the premiere global entrepreneurial opportunity! Now is the perfect opportunity to join us and start building your success today!

Cheers, 

Andy 

Failure is the Key to Success

No matter what business you’re in – you’re always going to experience setbacks and unforeseen challengers that can serve as roadblocks along the path to success. It can be easy to get discouraged, but you have to remember that nothing great was ever accomplished without effort and sacrifice. 

The people who find the greatest success in life often do so because they have the ability to transform setbacks and failures into opportunities to learn and grow.  One person who has always been noted for this ability is Michael Jordan – who always looked at the positive aspects of failure.

As Jordan says himself: “I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Have a look at this awesome video from Nike, along with these quotes that really displays Michael’s attitudes about overcoming failure and setback. May they inspire you to learn from your failures and come back even stronger!

Lessons / Quotes from Michael Jordan

“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying.”

"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, and others make it happen.”

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.”

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”

"My attitude is that if you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength.”

“You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them.”

“If you quit ONCE it becomes a habit.  Never quit!!!”

“I've never lost a game I just ran out of time.”

“To learn to succeed, you must first learn to fail.”

“Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation.”

“Don't let them drag you down by rumors just go with what you believe in.”

“Everybody has talent, but ability takes hard work.”

“Once I made a decision, I never thought about it again.”

“I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.”

“The minute you get away from fundamentals – whether its proper technique, work ethic or mental preparation – the bottom can fall out of your game, your schoolwork, your job, whatever you’re doing.”

“If you do the work you get rewarded. There are no shortcuts in life.”

“Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.”

“The key to success is failure”

“What is love? Love is playing every game as if it's your last!”

“The basketball court for me, during a game, is the most peaceful place I can imagine. On the basketball court, I worry about nothing. When I'm out there, no one can bother me...”

“You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.”

“I play to win, whether during practice or a real game.”

“Every time I feel tired while I am exercising and training, I close my eyes to see that picture, to see that list with my name. This usually motivates me to work again.”

“I failed so therefore I succeed. ”

"The best come from the worst”

"There is no "I" in team.”

“Not every flying hero has a cape.”

“If I had been playing for money I would have complained a long time ago that I was underpaid.”

Offset Student Loan Debt with a UnFranchise Business!

Higher Education has always played a crucial role in the success of our society, but it seems that paying for college is becoming more difficult for many American families in today’s economy. Student Debt is a huge issue that is often overlooked when we discuss the economy. So huge in fact, that student loan debt has ballooned to over 1 Trillion dollars.

Many recent college graduates, and many of their parents who cosign on their loans, are being saddled with debt that could take them years to pay off – if not a lifetime. According to this eye-opening article from ABC News, for the first time in history, student loan debt has even surpassed credit card debt in this country – did you know that?

Another disturbing fact discussed in this article shows that parent’s debt related to their children’s education has doubled in the past ten years. To me, this is astounding. With regards to higher education and the pursuit of the American dream, it seems you are often taking two steps forward and one step back!

Much of this rising student loan debt is due to the fact that tuition for public four year colleges rose almost 30% in the past decade. The point is, higher education simply costs more, and is placing a hefty burden on American families. While the costs of higher education and student loan debt continue to soar – people need to start looking for new ways to generate the income needed to pay for this.

Building an UnFranchise Business is the perfect way to offset the costs of higher education! We offer a global entrepreneurial opportunity unlike any other, which can provide a substantial ongoing income for those who build the business the right way. And when you become a product of the product and convert spending into earning by building your Shopping Annuity – you’ll be putting your success into overdrive!

The ongoing income that you generate from your UnFranchise Business can be an incredible benefit for you and your family, but the time freedom that comes with being a successful UnFranchise owner is equally important!

Cheers, 

Andy Atkinson

www.afa-global.com  

Overcoming obstacles on the path to success

Does your life often look like this - one speed bump after another? Sure, life isn't always smooth sailing, but as we are all aware, one bump can jar us from our current path and throw us off-course.  While there is no magic formula that will help keep us on the right path, there is one thing key factor, YOU, that can help maintain control as you hit those speed bumps.

You're probably wondering - how can I possibly influence if I stay on-course or not? Simple. It's all about determination. How strong-willed are you, do you hit those bumps (obstacles) head-on and tackle problems as they come at you or do you take more of a passive approach to them and let them derail you from achieving your hopes and dreams?

If you're currently sitting back, letting each bump get your further and further from your goals, it may be time to put on a seatbelt and start to tackle them.

The road never really straightens out - that's why you need to be ready to embrace each bump and take them in stride. By learning to embrace them, you'll become a stronger person in the process, ready to tackle any task that comes at you.

I believe in you.
Andy