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  #1  
Old November 18, 2014, 07:36 PM
Don Alm
 
Posts: n/a
Default How "I" get money-making ideas

Here's how I've gotten so many "money-making" ideas (By being AWARE of what's going on around me)

When I sold my Burglar Alarm biz and went to the mountains of Colorado (Aspen) (from the suburbs of Chicago).....as I was driving into "SKI-Town USA" (as it was called in those days) in an evening when all the Town Lights were on......one thing that hit my brain was; "Holy Camoly! Look at ALL those biznesses that need help getting MORE bizness!

WOWEE! ZOWEE! I can't wait to get out there and begin "picking up money"!

So....indeed, entering the town of Aspen, CO....I decided to stop into a "Locals" bar. Why? Because....I knew (from personal experience) the "mover's & shakers" (also known as, the owners of local biznesses) usually stopped in for a "Toddy" around 3pm.

So...after asking a pedestrian where the "Locals" bar was.....I went in and got a seat at the bar and......as I was sitting there, sipping suds, I happened to overhear a conversation at the table behind me, where 4 guys were discussing how they were going to "Promote" the Radio Station they had invested in and just got approved to go "On-Air"...... next week.

THIS conversation caused me to reach back into my "Memory Bank" and pull up a "Radio Promo" I remember from a Radio Station in Arlington, Hts, IL. that they used every year to promote THEIR station.

Well.....as these guys were talking.....I was writing down stuff on
"NAPKINS"! .....WHO they were.....Names & Positions &.....WHERE's their office.

So.....I got a motel room....got settled in and......next morn.....I went to the local Office Supply place and bought a 3-ring binder, some "Sheet Protectors", a pack of blank paper, 2 Red Magic Markers.....and made up a "Sales Presentation" for .....what I called, "BUMPER BUCKS"

With the Red Magic Marker, I penned in my "Bumper Bucks" Radio Promo Program (A name I came up with)......went over to the new radio station, found the GM (owner was there too)......opened my Binder and proceeded to tell them how.....little ol' ME......could build instant interest in their Station and, after a few minutes "conference".....they GAVE ME PERMISSION to go out and Sell my program to local biznesses.

This was before digital stuff.....so they signed my "Hand-Written" Agreement (I didn't even have a typewriter) allowing ME to go ahead with my "Bumper-Bucks" program for the next 13 weeks.

Wowee! Yippee! Cowabunga Dude! I NOW had a way to earn money.

So......I put together a "Pitch" for the 13 week Radio Promo Program I called "Bumper Bucks"......which involved local residents going into participating biznesses and getting Bumper Stickers, with the Radio Station's Call Letters on them and......putting them on their bumpers.

I won't go into the details of this except to say.......I got 20 biznesses to pay me $495 each ($495 x 20 = $9,900) My costs were $900 so......I wound up with "Cash In Hand" of 9 GRAND!

Not bad for a guy who didn't know a soul and with an "investment" of about $10 initially.....go on to make $9,000.

THIS....gained me "respect, notice and TRUST" in my new community....so I could "Hit" the local biz with other marketing promos.

So....thanks for letting me toss this in here. Maybe this will inspire someone to......get a "Hot Flash" and ......Go Out and TRY IT!

Don Alm.......Idea-Guy and DOER
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  #2  
Old November 19, 2014, 05:58 PM
Dien Rice Dien Rice is offline
Onwards and upwards!
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,357
Default Many opportunities come from other "movers and shakers"...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Alm View Post
Here's how I've gotten so many "money-making" ideas (By being AWARE of what's going on around me)

When I sold my Burglar Alarm biz and went to the mountains of Colorado (Aspen) (from the suburbs of Chicago).....as I was driving into "SKI-Town USA" (as it was called in those days) in an evening when all the Town Lights were on......one thing that hit my brain was; "Holy Camoly! Look at ALL those biznesses that need help getting MORE bizness!

WOWEE! ZOWEE! I can't wait to get out there and begin "picking up money"!

So....indeed, entering the town of Aspen, CO....I decided to stop into a "Locals" bar. Why? Because....I knew (from personal experience) the "mover's & shakers" (also known as, the owners of local biznesses) usually stopped in for a "Toddy" around 3pm.

So...after asking a pedestrian where the "Locals" bar was.....
Hi Don,

Thanks for sharing those insights!

It's a great story of entrepreneurial initiative...

Certainly keeping your eyes and ears open leads to new opportunities...! Getting to know people can help you to get to know what they need...

With a bit of "gumption" (as you showed), you can provide it to them (for a profit)...

Thanks for sharing a great true story of entrepreneurial initiative and just going out and '"making things happen"...!

I remember once, many years ago, we had a thread here at Sowpub about... What would you do if you were suddenly parachuted into a strange town, where you didn't know anybody, and had virtually no assets... How would you start?

I think your story shows one of the best answers... Go to where the "movers and shakers" hang out... Because it's through the "movers and shakers" that you will often find the opportunities! (Which can help make you good moolah, in the short run, and in the long run, too!)

Out of all my friends and acquaintances, I've found that the ones which tend to bring me opportunities are the ones who are also themselves out there, "doing something"...

And... even if you're not in a "strange town"... it's still good advice!

Thanks!

Best wishes,

Dien
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  #3  
Old November 19, 2014, 07:58 PM
Don Alm
 
Posts: n/a
Default It's OVER.....

Our once great country has been taken over by the "TAKERS"!

Yup...just sit back an Da Gummit will take care of you!

I could post a few hundred more of "ways to make money"......but.....it's Over!

Most people in our Once Great country are either too lazy or.....they've been taught...."Hey, Man! Don't worry bout a ting! Da Gummit will take care o' You!"

Sorry Dien.......your effort at trying to keep up a Forum for people looking to learn about "Ways To Earn Money".....THEMSELVES.....is OVER (imho)

MOST people (Americans, Australians, Swahilis, whatever) have been "Indoctrinated" for so long by the "Lefty-Media" that...when our Pres, tomorrow (Nov 20. 2014) says it's OK for anyone to just "walk across our "so-called border"......and receive ALL the benefits we who were born here and struggled and strived ALL our lives for.....will be GIVEN to them.

Yup.....fergit bout Medicare.....Medicaid....Social Security? What a joke!

It's ALL going to people who.....just "walked" across or...who were rounded up by the OBAMA REGIME in South America countries and given a RIDE to our Borders by Bus or Train (soon to be FLOWN)

Yup..when your 65 yr old wife needs Health Care.....she will have to stand in line....behind someone who just arrived here from another country.

Yup......just 10 yrs ago.....on a Sat Night at midnight......I felt a pain in the middle of my tummy! It was very severe so......my wife drove me to our local Emergency Room and......I had to WAIT behind a LINE of "Hispanics" before I could be "processed"!

When I FINALLY got attention from a medical person......the "Over-Used" Doc determined that I was having a Gall Bladder attack.

Anyways......IT......is OVER! Our once great country.....fought for by ME (in VietNam) and......thousands of others.

The "Lying-Liberals" HAVE WON!

It's only a matter of time before WE (us far-right-wing radicals) are rounded up and brought to a FEMA CAMP to spend the rest of our lives......IN A TENT!

Halleluya......the Marxist-socialists have won!

I thought I could "res-surrect" this Forum on .....Individualism and Dependence on NO One other than oneself BUT.....I was wrong!

MOST of the viewers HERE.....are content to "Let Their Fingers Do The Walking!" and Working!

What...ME.....go out and talk to a Prospect? No Way.....Jose!"

Anyways.....take the above as you want BUT.....I'm sorry to say.....IT'S OVER! The Socialists have WON!

The days of .....getting an idea.....making up a demo and.....going out and selling it......ARE OVER!

Peace be With You!

Have fun with the next Gizmo that Apple comes up with! Maybe yer Food Stamps can pay fer it!

Don Alm.......long-time entroopeneer and dependent on ONE person for income.......ME
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  #4  
Old November 20, 2014, 03:22 AM
Dien Rice Dien Rice is offline
Onwards and upwards!
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,357
Default Once you have a taste of freedom... It's hard to go back to "wage-slavery"...!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Alm View Post
Our once great country has been taken over by the "TAKERS"!

Yup...just sit back an Da Gummit will take care of you!

I could post a few hundred more of "ways to make money"......but.....it's Over!
Hi Don,

I respectfully disagree...

You're always going to get a percentage of people who are entrepreneurial... And you'll always get a percentage of people who ain't!

As for me... I love independence. I hate being "tied down" in a position where someone else can tell me what to do... and I have to meekly obey!

I'm sure there are others who feel the same way...

I'm not a "wage slave" - I make my own income...

Once you get a taste of "freedom" - after "wage slavery" - it's very, very hard to go back...!!

I'm sure there are others who are of this mindset too...

What's the number one reason people DON'T go out and do entrepreneurial things?

The number one reason, according to a very smart friend of mine, is FEAR...

He pointed out to me today, that it may "reveal" itself in many different ways. Maybe the person procrastinates. Maybe they over-research the risks. Maybe the keep working on their business plan, but never implement it... All those things just mask one thing... Which is FEAR...!

How can people conquer that FEAR? I think that's the million dollar question...!

Best wishes,

Dien

Last edited by Dien Rice : November 20, 2014 at 03:55 AM.
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  #5  
Old November 20, 2014, 12:10 PM
sandalwood
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: How "I" get money-making ideas

Hmph, thought I'd pipe in. Fear is:

False
Expectations
Appearing
Real

Accept that and you're on your way to being who you define yourself to be. I read Don's postings about us losing and laugh. I didn't go to Viet Nam but still did 20 with Uncle Sam so I can identify, to a degree, with some of his remarks.

As for the guvmint has won, they always did win. Ask the Indians. Ask the various peaceful movements that tried to make a difference. Ask the real conservatives in this country.

Unfortunately you have to pick a side. You are either for or against the status quo. If you are for it, well, you are on the gravy side of the ledger. If you are against it, you are on the mashed potato side of the ledger.

Now that doesn't mean you lost. You simply have to change your tactics. I won't go into my past activities but I will tell you there is always a way to come out far better than when you went in. I am living proof sans examples.

I personally won't talk about it so you'll have to take my word. As for Don's wailing of tears and gnashing of teeth, guess what, get over it. Pissing and moaning on this forum won't change anything.

What the hell have you done to change the system? Were you ever in the streets raising hell with the bureaurats? Probably not. Too effing busy making your own way.

For one, I like Don's ideas. For another though, get off the pity pot and do something substantial to change the situation you don't like. For example, those down and out friends you helped to get back on their feet. Now that is doing something to change the situation. Keep doing that and you'll die a happy man.

The people NEVER win. Keep that in mind. They have an army of police working to insure they don't. Even if we had an overthrow of the present regime, what would take its place? Another effing regime.

Here's something else that'll piss you off Don. Civil asset forfeiture. Read about it or if you don't care to, I'll send you several articles that'll help you understand how the people dig their own effing graves.

It has been a pleasure reading your posts and I'm sorry to see you go but I bet this forum doesn't dry up and blow away simply because you picked up your toys and went home.

Here's another example. Ferguson MO. The protest groups define justice as the cop being charged with murder. Period. Never mind the evidence. Never mind the circumstances. The only definition of justice for them is him being charged.

See how it works. You define freedom, justice, whatever you want and bingo, if it goes your way, you have it. If it doesn't, you don't. Forget right or wrong or anything else. It has to fit your definition or it is wrong.

This is getting too long so I'll quit. Good luck to you.

Tom

P.S. One last example. Property taxes. They are a permanent lien against that house you say you own. How can you own it if you have a permanent lien against you? Don't pay your taxes and watch what happens to "your" house. Yessir, the government has won and you are financing their victory.

Last edited by sandalwood : November 20, 2014 at 12:16 PM. Reason: add P.S.
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  #6  
Old November 21, 2014, 11:08 PM
Pappy
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: How "I" get money-making ideas

I really have a problem with people who "look up" people's private info. Although it's public IMO it's their own business and should not be reported on a public forum.

Everybody in this economy is just trying to survive.
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  #7  
Old November 23, 2014, 01:34 PM
Don Alm
 
Posts: n/a
Default Hey Tom "Sandalwood"

What the hell have you done to change the system? Were you ever in the streets raising hell with the bureaurats?

I feel I MUST respond;

I grew up in Mayor Daley's regime in Chgo and......I was one of the managers of Chuck Percy's (Republican) campaign for Senator ......which he WON!

I was also on the campaigns for 8 other Republicans running for State Offices in Illinois

I even started a campaign AGAINST the Electrical Unions in Chgo..... from "Bothering" us Alarm Company business owners. Our Alarm Systems were LOW-Voltage and EVERY TIME the Elec Union heard of us installing an Alarm.....they'd show up and Harrass my installers UNLESS I paid them to leave...after they plugged in the Low-Voltage system into a 110 Plug on a wall.

Wow.....I've been one of the BIGGEST RABBLE-ROWSERS in the Chgo area until I moved to Colorado in 1980.

Also......take a minute and click on over to my website.... http://midasreports.com/ and listen to the Audio on top (You Changed My Life)......then scroll down and read some of the "thank you's" for my Stuff.

When this site was active and I was selling stuff....I GAVE AWAY dozens of my reports for fREE.....to people who explained of their HardShip.

So.....b4 whacking someone.....check YOUR facts.

Also......when I have some time later.....I'll post up a photo of ME.... LEADING my church's Veterans Day Float.

Don Alm.......ACTIVIST
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  #8  
Old November 23, 2014, 01:51 PM
sandalwood
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Hey Tom "Sandalwood"

Fantastic brother. I'm happy you are still alive after tangling with the unions. That could have earned you cement shoes especially if you didn't pay their "tax".

As for helping the candidates, great. Most need all the help they get. Of course when they go to the state house or congress they forget your name unless your name head's the donor list.

That wasn't the activism I was leaning towards but, hey, what the hell, you at least done something 99% of the "stupids" never do. As for whacking you, sorry that was a mere rebuttal to you whacking yourself. Re-read your post and listen to yourself. You do a good job at it and you should be proud that you still have the ability to take a shot at yourself. That's called self deprecating _________ (you fill in the blank).

Wishing you a ton more success,

Tom


Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Alm View Post
What the hell have you done to change the system? Were you ever in the streets raising hell with the bureaurats?

I feel I MUST respond;

I grew up in Mayor Daley's regime in Chgo and......I was one of the managers of Chuck Percy's (Republican) campaign for Senator ......which he WON!

I was also on the campaigns for 8 other Republicans running for State Offices in Illinois

I even started a campaign AGAINST the Electrical Unions in Chgo..... from "Bothering" us Alarm Company business owners. Our Alarm Systems were LOW-Voltage and EVERY TIME the Elec Union heard of us installing an Alarm.....they'd show up and Harrass my installers UNLESS I paid them to leave...after they plugged in the Low-Voltage system into a 110 Plug on a wall.

Wow.....I've been one of the BIGGEST RABBLE-ROWSERS in the Chgo area until I moved to Colorado in 1980.

Also......take a minute and click on over to my website.... http://midasreports.com/ and listen to the Audio on top (You Changed My Life)......then scroll down and read some of the "thank you's" for my Stuff.

When this site was active and I was selling stuff....I GAVE AWAY dozens of my reports for fREE.....to people who explained of their HardShip.

So.....b4 whacking someone.....check YOUR facts.

Also......when I have some time later.....I'll post up a photo of ME.... LEADING my church's Veterans Day Float.

Don Alm.......ACTIVIST
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  #9  
Old November 23, 2014, 06:58 PM
Don Alm
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Photo of ME with Uncle Sam Hat

Here's me in the middle shot, wearing my BIG Uncle Sam Hat.....just before leading off our Vet's Day Parade.

Don Alm......Far Right Wing Activist

Also.....I was also campaigning for a Guy running for County Commissioner by passing out Flyers for him. (Yup.....He WON He's also a "Radical Right-Winger")
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  #10  
Old November 23, 2014, 08:02 PM
sandalwood
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Photo of ME with Uncle Sam Hat

Quote:
Originally Posted by Don Alm View Post
Here's me in the middle shot, wearing my BIG Uncle Sam Hat.....just before leading off our Vet's Day Parade.

Don Alm......Far Right Wing Activist

Also.....I was also campaigning for a Guy running for County Commissioner by passing out Flyers for him. (Yup.....He WON He's also a "Radical Right-Winger")

Ha, ha, ha, far right wing activist. That's cute. I'd bet you would wilt if you ever came face to face with one. Not being argumentative at all. Just stating fact. If you ever come my way, I'll introduce you to several and we'll see how far you are.

Radical right winger, ha, ha, ha. Love it. At the first sign of the jack boots looking his way, I bet he would melt. Just an observation from afar.

Mind you this politics stuff has absolutely no impact on all the good ideas you present on this forum. I simply believe far right wing activists don't tell people they are far right wing activists. I bet you know why so I'll skip the narrative.

Other than that brother, have a wonderful day. Semper fi and all that stuff...
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