From the desk of Victor Pride
Subj: How to get from A to B in a straight line
———————
So you want to be an entrepreneur?
You feel it in your bones but you don't know how to get from A to B.
You always seem to end up going from A to A in a circle.
I know, I've been there.
First things first…
Treat yourself like a company
You must always present the best version of yourself if you want the best in life.
You're a salesman whether you like it or not and you have to treat yourself as such if you want your piece of the pie.
You are a salesman for your own company.
You, Inc. is the umbrella company for everything you do in your life.
It's your personal brand, your personal life mission, your reputation and your skills all rolled into one package…
You.
And you can do one of three things with your company:
- Quit your business and let You, Inc. go bankrupt
- Bounce around from one idea to the other, living hand to mouth like all the other broke internet marketers
- Build a brand and make your mark
You already know the way to succeed. I don't need to tell you. But I will…
Build a brand. That's how you succeed. Turn yourself into your advertisement. Don't fake it 'til you make it – be it.
You're a walking billboard so drill that into your head. Be the real deal. If it's real it ain't faking, is it.
“Am I someone people can believe in?”
If you aren't, then fix it. Be the man you need to be and people will be begging you to take their money, not the other way around.
You have to believe you are special
To be a billboard, to be the CEO of a profitable You, Inc you have to know you have something special to offer.
I know you were taught that you aren't special. That's true for most people, the give-up artists and the bankrupt owners of worthless You, Incs – they aren't special.
But some of you possess traits, talents or characteristics that are special. I do, I always did, and I always knew it but I was afraid of – what, being immodest? – who knows. Afraid of success like most people.
When you believe with all your heart you are special other people will see it and believe it as well. Because it's real. Talent is palpable, everyone can see it.
Being modest or immodest about it is irrelevant as long as you believe it.
Paul Stanley from KISS was a one-eared freak with no friends, no confidence, no support from anybody. But he knew one thing: “I am going to be a rock star.”
You think anybody believed him?
Who cares what they believed. KISS became one of the biggest bands in the world and one of the biggest brands in the world.
You can gauge how important something is to you by how hard you are willing to work to get it. – Paul Stanley
Stop asking permission
I get a lot of emails from guys who act like they're in a life or death situation and need advice in a hurry.
“Victor! Please help!! I need advice for X situation and I need it now!!!”
I ignore these emails for a minimum of one week and then I give the same answer each time.
“You already know what you want to do.”
What these guys are looking for from me is not advice, they're looking for permission to do what they know they want to do. But permission is for children and dogs.
If you need permission you aren't going to succeed and your mission is destined for failure.
You'll succeed when you're a professional decision maker, not a professional beg artist.
If you aren't driven enough to go ahead without permission guess what you are…
A passenger. Passengers aren't in control, are they.
When you realize you are the decider, you make the choice, it's your life and you'll live it how you please, that's when you'll find success – that's when you'll get your treasure.
Victor Pride giving you permission will not get you what you desire.
I'm not the boss of your company because I'm not in the business of buying bankrupt You, Incs.
I only buy stock in up and coming You, Incs. And when I do I demand excellence.
I didn't always know how to make money
I never had a mentor, a teacher, an older brother, a coach or a parent that taught me anything of value.
I didn't know anything for a long time. That's the reality.
Everything valuable I ever learned was by using my own eyes, experiencing life's little lessons and putting the math together; 1+1=2.
Some people like to pretend 1+1=3.
Those people are the “play by the rules” types, even when it doesn't benefit them and actively hurts them.
It became clear to me, while I was pursuing that 9-5 life, that playing by the rules and going by the book was fruitless.
I didn't know anything valuable but I knew I wanted out. I didn't know how I would get out or what I would do.
…but I wanted out.
I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur, but I didn't know how. It seemed like an insurmountable problem.
“How do you make something from nothing?” I'd quiz myself.
“Where does money come from if you don't have a job”? I didn't know. I never even met an entrepreneur until my mid-twenties.
He was driving a black Cadillac Escalade.
I was driving a beat up Dodge Dakota. I said “What do you do?” He said “I flip houses.”
I had known people who had flipped houses for a nice payday, but as a career? I didn't even know that was possible.
Before that, I used to dream about disappearing and living in Antarctica or Alaska for a year and coming back a changed man.
That was the silly way I thought I could change my life.
I was working a job for mediocre pay and wondering what I could do to get out of that rat race.
I hated it and I told everyone I hated it. I complained but I didn't do anything to change my situation.
I never actually worked on something to get out, I just sulked.
I was waiting for a miracle to come and save me from my destiny as a 9-5 worker bee.
The miracle came when I started working hard. Funny that.
Looking back, the solution was so simple.
Instead of working fruitlessly at a job, I started working for myself.
I worked hard but smart on a complicated to explain but easy to execute method of flipping houses with no money and no credit.
The thing about hard work is that it's temporary, like pain. You do the hard work first and then you can live off of it later. I know this for a fact. I've done it with two businesses.
It took me a long time to even realize what was possible, though, and if I could get in a time machine and tell the young n' dumb Vic something I'd tell him…
Stop complaining and start doing
Complaining gets you nowhere but it adds to your unhappiness, exposes you as a whiner and drains the energy of the people you complain to.
Do what you're scared to do
You can't make a big change in your life if you don't do something big. Something big, something drastic, requires change and it's always scary to change. It's easy to stay the same.
I don't care if you're a grizzled war veteran, changing your life is frightening because you don't know what will happen until you try.
Make a commitment
I don't mean to sexy little Suzy, I mean make a commitment to better your life – to become the man you were born to be.
When I say I'm going to do something, especially something big, I do it. No matter how many doubts and second thoughts I have – I just do it.
Jump in the icy cold water, no matter how much you don't want to.
You'll never, ever, get anywhere quitting and re-starting.
Reject your paycheck
If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times…
You don't need a job to make money.
You can make money on the internet.
You don't need a job and that's not a big problem because:
- If you're American your jobs have been outsourced to foreign countries or to equal opportunity and job growth is a lie
- Jobs steal your time, your health and your soul – look at the dead eyes and fat bellies of employees for proof
- Life is better without a job
I didn't make my first money on the internet, I made my first money in offline business.
That gave me the tools, time and knowledge to understand entrepreneurship well enough to write about it.
Don't stop learning
College was a waste of time for me but the endless books, endless experiences and endless amount of self-study has proven invaluable.
For Bold and Determined I put in the time to learn how to treat a blog like a business, not just a hobby. The thing that started as a little idea in my head has now turned into an empire.
What's the difference between a guy with a guitar in his bedroom and a guy with a guitar on stage? His attitude about his business.
The guy onstage treats it like a business and the guy in his bedroom treats it like a hobby.
You think rockstars are born to rock? No. They might sing about it, but they worked like hell to get what they've got. Just like me.
Some fellow sent me an email the other day that said “I don't consider blogging a business.” I laughed so hard I spit coffee onto my keyboard.
Tell my inner winner circle blogging is not a business. They might question you: then where does his money come from and why does he make us work so hard?
Pictured: Chateau Pride and the Inner Winner Circle
Here's the cold, hard reality: I make 6 figures a year as a professional badass (100% online income) while most men of any age make jack shit working a job.
You don't have to blog to make money online. The options are limitless.
Working a job is limiting. I've been there, I've done it, I wouldn't wish that life on you.
Life is much better with financial freedom.
You know how I got it?
I put in the time and I worked for it. It's so simple to read but so hard to do. I was there before. Always reading and never doing.
You'll often hear me say how easy it is. And it is easy because I already did all the heavy lifting. I can cruise forever now.
But it wasn't easy 6 years ago when I started with nothing.
Don't bankrupt You, Inc.
You're the CEO of your own company, so make your own decisions and make a commitment to those decisions.
Give up too much or beg too much and You, Inc. will go bankrupt.
When You, Inc. goes bankrupt what do you do?
You get a day job.
Well, you call it your day job but what you've done is sold your soul, your brand, yourself.
Your day job is now the owner of You, Inc. You went bankrupt and sold out to the lowest bidder.
Now they own you and you're left with no bargaining power.
Employees are easily replaceable in any company except for one (You, Inc. – the one you sold to the lowest bidder).
When you sell your bankrupt company (You, Inc.) you become like the Dalits of India. Gone, forgotten, invisible and worthless.
Is there a way out?
Yeah, there are 3…
- No.
- More.
- Compromise.
Until next time.
Your man,
-Victor Pride
To start a blog you need to use Badnet. It’s free & easy + you get a ton of benefits. You will meet like-minded friends and fans. It’s a no-brainer. Here’s how to take advantage: How to Start a Blog Overnight – Use Badnet and Follow These Easy Directions
PS – I don't trade my time for money so this is free for you. Post your business ideas in the comments.
For the first 48 hours this post is live I will scrutinize your idea(s) and give you additional tips and ideas.
Free of charge and free for all.
After 48 hours I'm going to move on to the next adventure, so do it now.
Gungiobus says
lolled at the toiled paper on the desk of your employee
great article vic
i started my business thanks to you, 4 months ago, making € 1k a month now
Thomas says
Nice catch! :D
Yo Vic & others let me know what you think of http://highwaysmiley.com/
Victor Pride says
Not bad, takes some aggression out of driving and may just put a smile on another drivers face. People would buy it.
DT says
You aren’t charging enough.
Nick says
Agree, charge more.
Kyle Calhoun says
I third this. I would personally pay at least $40 for this.
Jakub says
Hey, I do love that idea. I can sell these in Europe for sure, people would love that! Write on my email and we will see what comes next ;) [email protected]
MarcNYC says
That got a smile out of me.
Raden says
Love the idea man! But like the other guys said I agree, you should charge more for it. $40 like Kyle said would be good.
TheGreyWolf says
$50.
Two buttons.
One a smiley.
The other, the finger.
I’d buy that.
Raden says
Hey man, btw I love your Idea and I could help you sell those in Sweden. Contact me at [email protected] so we can discuss more. / Raden
Steve says
One showing the finger would sell even better.
Adam Rainbow says
Always coming up with a new perspective is what I admire about your writing Vic. Got me fired up. Reading this before I go to the gym. Building MY brand. Couldn’t of timed looking at BaD any better.
P.S Any eta on the next PrideCast?
Victor Pride says
I have a bunch of podcasts recorded, as far as releasing them no date in mind. My problem with podcasts they are are just me talking. I prefer motivational speeches, so I’m developing a way of doing motivational speeches (possibly as an alarm clock). So no, no ETA on the next cast. Anything specific you want to hear about?
JaRod says
Vic I would definitely be a fan of the motivational shorts via alarm clock. Good stuff.
Cesar says
+1
Cesar says
sh!t, I too would enjoy a motivational alarm playing on my BOLD 9930 daily.
MarcNYC says
Agreed. I dig the podcasts too. Sometimes I’m fried and just like to listen. The written content is great through and through, however, a podcast on diet would be awesome. I’m currently “skinny fat” but have started to train Krav Maga and made red meat my friend. Focusing on the 30 Days book and Spartan Body books next. Already seeing progress in body/mind.
TheLoveFromRussia says
Vic, i would like to hear from you the motivational speeches. I mean it would be great if you make different speeches and different podcasts like:
1) Money Motivation
2) Sport Motivation
3) Educational motivation
and so on…
For example i don’t visit gym, i’m a swimmer, so i’m not interested in BB podcasts, but i would like to listen or mabe watch (i hope) some podcasts about money and educational stuff. Hope you got the idea. Guys support me.
ADR UK says
I’d like to hear more the rise of BaD. Issues you had along they way in both business and life. Have motivation nuggets/speeches through out your story. Just an idea.
d says
i second this
Cesar says
Update.
My alarm is “Success Rebel” something about the tone of your voice grasps my attention really well upon opening my eyes no matter how little I’ve slept. Should I happen to lie in bed without getting up the second alarm goes off which is the stop resisting rock n’ roll version of an article.
Brandon says
This is my first post here, but I have been an avid reader for over a year now.
I have been working for an adult retailer for the better part of four years and until two years ago, saw nothing more than an empty paycheck. The customers that I would have to deal with on a daily basis made me sick, and the people I worked with seemed mindless and almost thankful for the low paying job that they had.
There are only a few reasons I have been sticking around this long. Save money, learn the products, learn the business trends. I love the products, and I think it is an interesting business that will always produce. Sex sells. Pure and simple. So, I pick the brain of every single person that comes to our store to showcase a product. Many of them are the owners of the business themselves. They have a product they want us to learn about so we can sell it. These are people pitching something of their own design and going place to place to make a sale. I admire this and try my best to gain what knowledge I can in what little time I get with them.
I gain product knowledge and watch trends to gain an understand about what products are hot, and what customers want. I want to build a business that gives them what they want. However, until then I will take my knowledge and experience and make a blog dedicated to educating people about the ins and outs of the business of sex (The legal business of sex that is). Of course this begs the question of “How do I make money off of this?” The answer, use my knowledge of products, as well as personal experiences to give recommendations and get into affiliate marketing. Soon enough I may be able to sell a product or two on my own to supplement my income.
I have secured a domain name and will soon enough get hosting the BAD way and go from there. The goal is to get my business going to the point where I can give my job the bird and leave them in the dust, maybe even to return one day for them to push my own products.
Thanks for the continuing inspiration, Victor. Without the real no shit kick in ass by reading your blog, I would have never began on the road to freedom and living better.
Victor Pride says
Very good comment.
Sacha says
I’m looking to make money from music online. Which seems vague, and it is a large, vague, over-saturated world. It’s also difficult to find ways to make people pay for things when they can get them easily for free. I have some ideas such as tutorial videos, consulting, lessons etc. Most of these services trade time for money. Any thoughts on that sector?
I definitely like and get the idea of building yourself as a brand, I need to work on that. Rather than waiting for some big, unifying giant idea or epiphany just put the steps in to do SOMETHING towards that goal each day. Thanks for the article!
Riz says
Hey man, I’d be happy to give you some feedback on your music. I’ll give it a listen this week. Fellow guitar player/metalhead here.
Sacha says
Cool, cheers!
Victor Pride says
Sacha, a lot of this stuff is on youtube for free. If you’re a nobody people won’t pay you, but if you’re a somebody with a brand people will pay to learn from you. Build your brand. I like the idea of selling your videos, tutorials etc. You could do consulting as well but that’s more of a freelance style of working.
bayo says
and if your content is good enough and you get enough of an audience. you will be paid by youtube. so thats some good side money which isnt determined by hours. look at someone like justin sandercoe for example
Sacha says
Thanks gents
Davian says
Hey Sacha,
I was learning drums and there’s a system called Drumeo – check it out. The creators released HUNDREDS of free videos on YouTube to get awareness, and then their actually program, Drumeo, costs about $100 for each of the over 20 different comprehensive programs. No such system exists for guitar.
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel, just make it…better. At least for whatever instrument you play.
Good luck!
Richard says
Nice post!!!!!!!!!
You’re right about brands / nobody cares etc.
To give you some ideas on this – “branding” is as much about what people DON’T see as what they DO. Not a lot of people consider this — a “brand” is 90% of what’s NOT there:
– the capital they raised
– the people who told them “no”
– the “risks” they took
– the money they spent
– the prototypes they made
– the “sacrifices” they endured
In essence, the depth of a brand is cultivated out of how much of a SHIT they give about what they’re doing.
Here’s the key: people DON’T CARE about your latest “x” “y” or “z”. They care about growing themselves, and seek out tools to make that happen. They want to live a certain way; do certain things & spend time with certain people. A brand (who you ARE) is what allows them to live that way, and the tools you craft are the “enabling layers” which empower them to be true to themselves. That’s why some of the most potent brands do nothing more elaborate / special than others (Coca Cola, McDonalds, Apple, Nike, Victoria’s Secret)
The inescapable FACT is that you gotta do the work. The difference for enterprising people / brands is they MAKE THEIR OWN work (VS fashion show is a prime example of this), whilst others wait for work to be provided. The hallmark of an attractive brand (one who ATTRACTS crowds of people — Apple) is they are PROactive. Much like successful individuals, they are constantly pushing forward because they ACTUALLY. WANT. TO. DO. IT
So when you’re thinking about cool ideas etc – always remember this: Even if you “strike it lucky” with a “hit” product – that success will be short lived. Just look up Visicalc – “When Lotus 1-2-3 was launched in 1983, taking full advantage of the expanded memory and screen of the PC, VisiCalc sales practically ended overnight”
What attracts enduring success is to care about PEOPLE. Give a shit about people – spend time with them. do your best work for them. For free. Focus on cultivating relationships over a long period, and out of that will spring a brand. In short – if you focus on the 90% that people DON’T see, you’ll attract a lot better people over the long term than otherwise
—
By the way the “tutorials” space is HUGE
University / College courses are often being shirked for a more “organic” education, and, especially in the coding world, lots of sites have sprung up offering to “teach” people to do x,y,z
One of the most potent sites you’ll benefit from will be Lynda.com – http://www.subscriptioncontent.net/after-17-years-2-million-subscribers-100m-in-revenue-lynda-com-asks-for-funding/
Hope this helps!
Sacha says
Nice post thanks for your thoughts!
Chris says
The most successful musicians I know make beats and post them for sale/license online for production purposes. Such as http://www.gettyimages.com/music
Another exampIe is, I needed some music for a project I’m working on, I could have spent 6 months tinkering with GarageBand, but I just paid some one to write it and compose it. They made money and I have a much better product.
Seth says
Hey Victor,
Inspirational and practice, as always. Thank you for starting this blog. You’ve helped me a lot as I pursue greatness, and certainly you’ve helped many others too.
I’ve got two ideas and a pipe dream, so bear with me.
1) ardent drinking company;
A cocktail blog/online store for home bar tending. Simple cocktails, easy instructional videos, helpful tools, branded glasses, and maybe a big coffee table barkeep book.
2) MAN SOAP
Bar soap that doesn’t smell like a bouquet of flowers or whatever junk AXE smells like. Masculine scents like cedar and sage with exfoliant. No weird additives, special formula for a man’s skin, and a fun youtube as campaign. If it were to succeed, MAN inc could expand to shampoo, shaving cream, cologne, etc.
3) pipe dream
Simple really; I love acting more than anything, and I want to make movies. At the same time nothing scares more than failing at this pursuit.
Any advice, however critical is welcome. Thanks Victor,
Seth
Jacob says
Seth, I remember the Art of Manliness website talked about making manly soap a while back. Had some other manly scents that might be worth looking into.
Bacon soap would be a big seller. ;-)
Victor Pride says
For starters that’s 3. Pick one and run with it. You CAN accomplish all 3 but over a span of time, never doing them all at the same time.
#1 Idea – plenty exist already but that’s because money exists here.
#2 idea – very good. Nothing exists that I’m aware of that caters to male cleanliness. I would definitely look at a website like that and make an order for soap if it sounded appealing.
#3 idea – if this is your fire move to NY or LA and do one thing every single day that gets you closer to being onscreen.
Seth says
Jacob- Thanks bud! I’ll send you the first bar of MANs Bacon Bar
Victor- Thanks for your advice. All three will happen, I have no doubt.
Jacob says
Haha thanks.
Anon1 says
3 websites [not going to give the names out because they’re currently not snapped up and would be high level domains]
first one my ‘student’ phase of my own ‘B&D’.
This is aimed at the 20s market.
Basically people like me, still looking to learn how it is to learn and lead. Primary focus would be lifestyle, entertainment, things and ventures i tried that worked. I would bleed on every article [think how james altucher writes]. Maybe products and opportunities come out of it as a result of honesty and sincerity from learning from my betters. I would try a few e-shop/ali-baba type deals and report my efforts and how it all worked out.
This would be my initial base site.
Second site [with a pretty catchy name] would be for when i hit my 30s and for people who hit their 30s. The younger site is for people at the beginner and amateur stages, and the second site is for people moving to intermediate and advanced.
Finally a sattelite site which would be purely entreprenurial based and works as a ebook/shop for the loyal user base i get on the other two sites.
So a 5-8 year plan.
Victor Pride says
The 5-8 year plan I like very much, you’re thinking ahead. I’ve got my eyes on 2015, I’m gearing up for a real big year. What you’ve laid out sounds solid.
Anon1 says
Thanks for the feedback Vic,
“I get a lot of emails from guys who act like they’re in a life or death situation and need advice in a hurry.
“Victor! Please help!! I need advice for X situation and I need it now!!!”
I ignore these emails for minimum of one week and then I give the same answer each time.
“You already know what you want to do.” ”
i think this resonated a lot with many of us, we’ve trained so much in the lapdog mindset (school/work/boring lives encourage this industrial worker drone attitude when there are no jobs that exist like that anymore) that we’ve forgotten that:
“Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you’re a man, you take it.”
Stephan says
Hey victor, you said you flipped houses before. Are you planning to go into financial investing (real estate, stocks, etc) in the future?
Victor Pride says
Real Estate yes DEPENDING on the country. Stocks, I doubt it. Not until I find someone who shows me how to manipulate it instead of relying on gambling.
A says
“Not until I find someone who shows me how to manipulate it instead of relying on gambling.”
There are a few dozen people worldwide who could show you that. No guarantee you would be able to understand the nuances and replicate. There are a few big hitters who exist in the shadows of the financial arena – typically living in Singapore, Andorra, Monaco, or the Algarve. They’ll typically do 40-50 billion dollar trades in the currency markets and less but still substantial in other liquid markets.
You might actually be a contender. Ever tried to figure out how it might be manipulated?
Dan Phelps says
Vic I own a financial firm, when my website is finished Ill drop you a line.
marian says
Hello Victor basically it takes huge amount of money to manipulate stock, and most of the time market makers can see the amount floating in and out, so they just adjust. There is a method of reading the stock market and its called volume spread analysis. It enables you to analyse flow of the smart money and identify accumullation and distribution of capital. Basically in top of the market smart money are withdrawing profits, so they need to sell they shares to stupid masses (of course they see weakness in the background). So crowd will hurry to enter uptrend just on top, so smart people can enjoy money. For this purpose news are fabricated (This stock is hot, and in uptrend – buy buy buy). This is actually fascinating, and it is proof that masses are manipulated on large scale.
Michael says
Keynes said: The best time to buy is when blood is running in the streets. In my opinion that is the best advise regarding value investing. The US housing market collapsed in 2008 and big companies face bankruptcy: buy a US stock market index and sell a few years later. Same with Greece in 2012: Europe will not let the Euro fall apart, so a bet on Greek fixed income or share was a good bet in 2012.
However, it is always a bit of a gamble like any business…
Eli says
I’m a composer, and I’ve had an idea for a blog on music theory. Namely, I’d take small but important aspects of theory and expound on them in a practical manner (where you can see/hear it, what it sounds like, how to use it in context etc). Eventually I’d probably make reference sheets or ebooks, which I’d sell. Any ideas/suggestions? Thank you.
Victor Pride says
I’d read a blog on music theory. One tip: make it easily readable, don’t make it academic sounding, make it sound like how real people talk. I love this idea.
Riz says
As a musician and blogger, there are a TON of sites like this out there. You’ll need to really set yourself apart somehow or you’ll just blend in with everyone else.
Michael Burgess says
I’m currently building two brands under one company title, VIBRANT GREEN FARMS and VIBRANT GREEN GARDENS.
Idea one is to build organic farms that produce food of an excellent quality for local consumers. By using the right design techniques, good infrastructure, and the right team, in time I can grow food in a passive way. With more time, the system becomes more fertile and more profitable. Products include fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms.
My second idea is to build a landscaping company that focuses on edible gardens… helping people to plant and grow their own food, right at home. In addition to edible gardens though, we help people to clean up their yards by planting, pruning, taking care of hedges, etc.
The company shares resources such as vehicles, trailers, tools, marketing, etc. This is my second year working on the idea and I’m now supporting myself full-time, and employing a couple individuals in part-time capacities. Excited to expand operations and work on other ideas, but happy to build this as a solid foundation. Thanks for your motivation and advice Victor, excellent work! We appreciate it.
Jacob says
The edible gardens sounds like a great idea! I’ve been experimenting with the idea of sowing in some veggies in the front yard that look decorative.
Victor Pride says
“My second idea is to build a landscaping company that focuses on edible gardens… ”
I LOVE this idea. I would use this service personally if I lived in America. People are waking up, they’re tired of feeling like poo poo from processed food. They want real food, they want to be certain where it came from, they want to grow it themselves, but a lot of us are way too ever actually do the legwork ourselves – that’s where your company comes in. GREAT idea.
Re: Building farms – there absolutely has to be big money in that. You’re a man who’s thinking big, these ideas are terrific and they are compatible with each other, they aren’t in one area then out of left field comes another area. These are terrific businesses.
Wojciech Majda says
@Michael Burgess
We’re in the similar business. I know that growing high quality food is a growing business.
Myself, I will take a part of nitrogen fixation business. That’s where the really money is.
Whole System Design do an interesting service:
http://www.wholesystemsdesign.com/wealth-preservation-security/
Michael Burgess says
Cheers, thanks for the thoughts. Glad to see you think they’re worthwhile ideas. As I’ve been reading your blog for a while now, you inspired me this past winter to write an e-book teaching people how to grow their own food.. it’s at http://www.SimpleGardenGuide.com.
God only knows I might still be a wage slave if not for B&D!
ADR UK says
Edible gardens are great idea for the new wave of health conscious Americans, plus whats more manly than growing your own food to fuel the winner wolf! You could expand into teaching men how to grow food and basic agriculture method’s. e.g Crop rotation etc…
Richi says
There is a mistake on the paragraph above your picture. you wrote “inner-circle-winer” instead of wiNner
Victor Pride says
Very good catch, friend. I went through 85 revisions and missed that and so did my intern who went over this thoroughly for all typos.
Alexander says
Also “You, Inc. is the umbrella company for everything do you in your life.”
Victor Pride says
Alexander – Mistake fixed, intern fired.
Anon1 says
>Mistake fixed, intern fired.
Holy crap you really mean it when you say you’re committed to excellence don’t you.
Lots of respect for that. Sucks for the intern though
Victor Pride says
It was a joke. I fixed the mistake but I didn’t fire him. I only made him do 1,000 pushups. In the rain. Wearing a dress.
Alexander says
Damn it, I came here to say that I was sure it’s a joke, but if it wasn’t, I would gladly take over proofreading duties.
anon1 says
well thats just even better
victor ramos says
Also “do you” should be you do.. under you inc but it still makes sense.
anon1 says
85 revisions? Damn do you write, then go do something else, then rewrite over and over?
Lucas Paiva says
Great article, I am a senior in High School and I am deciding what to do. I am going to be an entrepeneur, and as such I dont know if going to college would be the best option.
Victor Pride says
Is there an entrepreneur school? Can a salaried teacher teach you how to be in business? No, they don’t know how. Time and again I’ve said college is a waste for would-be entrepreneurs. You’re most valuable creative time is when you’re young. Give it up if you want. All you’re doing is waiting 4 years to do what you want to do now.
JaRod says
I went to college because like you, I never had any mentors or anyone to show me how to create my own revenue streams instead of earning a paycheck, so I did the next logical thing after graduating high school. However, all I ever wanted to be was an entrepreneur. I studied it, I tried different things, but I finally found something that I’m passionate about. I’ve stuck with it for the past 6 years and I’m finally starting to breakthrough, only after the realization that I have to put it ALL on the line. You can envision it all day, which is extremely critical, but if you don’t do anything it doesn’t mean jack. Most people know that you can’t be 50% committed to get what you really want, but you can’t even be just 99% committed. You have to be 100% committed and then a whole lot more. Every single thing that is in you has to be committed to it. They don’t teach you that in college, and you really can’t buy that kind of drive. You have to BECOME that guy and there are NO shortcuts. This is coming from a guy with a wife and kid, so I’ve got even more motivation. I’m not working a 9-5 forever. Great content by the way, I just started reading your blog about a week ago, and it definitely keeps me focused on the goal at hand.
Victor Pride says
Very good comment Jarod.
BEN says
http://ecorner.stanford.edu/
videos
https://novoed.com/venture
course
They are all free but demand time
Frank Taylor says
I was considering writing a book on what to do in order to get what you want in life and quit being a pussy.
Simply a list of things with a paragraph or two per entry.
Actions as simple as taking cold showers and standing up straight, but have a huge impact on how people look at you, and how you look at yourself.
Victor Pride says
There’s a book like that already, it’s called 30 Days of Discipline.
victor ramos says
I’m interested in having an hvac business, starting with the basics for now but doing everything I can in that field. I was thinking about working for a company to get the experience/confidence but after reading this article I’m thinking about just doing little things around the neighborhood(cleaning condensers etc..)
Victor Pride says
If you want to work in HVAC you need to knows the ins and outs before you hire people to do it for you. You need to be a pro before you can hire others, your idea to start at the ground up is good.
Markos says
Vic,
Great post, as usual. I already have a steady plan for my business that’s been in the works for the past 3 months. Things are coming together now and the final pieces are being placed. When things take off, I’ll be sure to let you know since you gave me a good portion of the necessary tools needed to get things started in terms of site building.
Your fellow lion,
Markos
P.S. I know how to turn nothing into success thanks to people who’ve done it already, yourself included. My personal take on my approach to success will shake things up quite a bit, so I hope you’ll check out my business after launch and enjoy the ride.
Victor Pride says
Deal.
Jacob says
Vic,
I’ve been working on my blog for a few months now and I am looking into some avenues for creating income (currently no income from the website):
-One potential opportunity is being an affiliate for a friend who has written a book on learning games for kids in martial arts (helps them learn techniques they might be having problems with).
-I’ve also thought of creating some product kits to sell on my website. For example, one kit would be for helping athletes recover quicker and experience less soreness. it would contain specialized Epsom salt soaks, high quality topical products (think icy-hot but better) and so on. I wouldn’t be making any of these products, just putting them together in kits and selling them. This is essentially what I do now in my 9-5 job so I’m pretty familiar with the process.
-Finally, I have been thinking of converting part of my man-cave to a full-fledged gym and doing some personal training/online consultation or just renting it out for hourly blocks to people who don’t want to mess with a large gym.
Those are my main 3. I’m also thinking about writing an eBook and advertising for other sites, but you’ve already discussed these topics in other posts so I won’t bother you on them.
Victor Pride says
I’d do all 3 of these but one at a time. These are all verifiable ways that make money. Start one, finish it, move to the next.
Michael says
Victor Pride that young you sounds like me now. I know so bad what I want to do I’m working toward my real estate license but also I have a website that needs work done bcuz the lazy person I hired to do it never did what they were supposed to do . I have someone investing in my classes an I’m very appreciative . I want to make money from my website but I’m flat broke . When I mean flat broke I mean flat broke I don’t eat for days and my sister helps pay for my metro card . Victor I hate working for any one , and I don’t want a job but it looks like I’m gonna need one at least part time till I make a good sale. My question is how the hell can I make money without a job being exactly flat broke ?? I’ve been trying to figure this out for months . I’d appreciate your thoughts .
My website is Awesome and Powerful .com it needs massive work done.
Michael says
Perhaps read the other B&D articles he lays out exactly what he did to go from flat broke to a base to build on, he also lays out what he thinks of B&D clones, take note.
Michael says
Would my preceding reply be able to removed please? I published by email address in the name field unintentionally.
Michael says
What articles specifically ?
Dave says
Sorry friend, but your query to Victor doesn’t sound Awesome and Powerful, but more like Wimpy and Weak.
Victor Pride says
“I want to make money from my website but I’m flat broke .”
Do the work yourself. Fire the developer and don’t pay another one. All you need to know is wordpress. Take the time, as much as required, and learn it inside and out. Learning is free, wordpress is free and you already have a site.
“My question is how the hell can I make money without a job being exactly flat broke ?? I’ve been trying to figure this out for months . ”
Without an idea you won’t.
Frank says
What does uncle Vic think about a distillery?! I’m currently liscensing myself through my state to make spirits like whiskeys and brandys. I’ve always had a drive and passion for the category, but any constructive critiquing and advice is appreciated! Thanks!
Victor Pride says
Create a brand and it will work. Create something valuable in other people’s eyes and have a great name for your products.
bigdatatara says
Check out this drink: “Four Loko” now it is banned but teens love stuff like that
Leo says
I suggest you read up on Jean Paul DeJoria (the CEO of Patron Tequila).
Here is a good place to start: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKAMHak041c&list=PL15eiAxJj03tLJXyvSaIYAOA8MMGaKRRN&index=4
That’s a video of Jean Paul DeJoria explaining a lot about his success and how he did it.
Gustav says
Hey Vic,
I’m so fired up that I’m going to start my business right away. I have been thinking about it for a long time but the doubt of achieving success has kept me from getting started. Enough with the excuses. Let me present you the idea. My expectations is to make a passive income from this niche site while I finish the last year of my education until I can focus on entreprenourship full time. The idea is inspired by the “hair loss from steroids” site by GLL. I want to make an informative site about getting rid of excessive sweat. I believe I can provide the best and most personal take on this issue that the market has seen. In addition to the free information I am providing I will add amazon affiliate links to the products I believe to be the best. I think this idea has potentials but I have some concerns. The cons are that the commission is low due to the products being relatively cheap which makes creating an income hard. Another issue is SEO due to rough competition on the market. I can provide quality information but it will be hard to get noticed as there are a lot of information on the subject already. I did some keyword research and found decent search results with less competition . I will do my best to beat it. What do you think about my niche idea?
Thanks for the article
Gustav, 18, Denmark
Michael says
Gustav,
From what I recall having listened to the Victor Pride & GLL chats, GLL had mentioned that he succeeded by targeting hair loss from steroids as opposed to hair loss in general. Could you target “excess sweat from ‘xyz'” where ‘xyz’ is a certain niche within the hoards of sweaty folk out there?
Gustav says
Hey Michael!
Thank you for your response. I haven’t been specific enough. I did keyword research and found that a “how to stop armpit sweat”-niche had decent search results and less competition than the “excessive sweat” in general so that’s what I am going to target. Still not a very specific niche like hair loss from steroids, but I dont think it’s possible to dig deeper in this certain category. At least I haven’t been capable of it.
I appereciate your input.
– Gustav
Victor Pride says
“want to make an informative site about getting rid of excessive sweat. ”
This idea is a perfect way to get started online. Follow the GLL hairloss method and you should do fine. Amazon commissions sucks so I’d find some better paying affiliates.
James says
Building a video game. Then selling it. I’ve noticed the same old pattern. Don’t tell most people your plans. They always point to where it’s already been done. I could care less listening to most people, those are the same losers that will work for someone else. They have no clue what it’s like building the whole picture. Do it better. When you finished your plan, then show people. Because that’s when you make the sale.
Victor Pride says
Good man.
Riz says
Age 23 – couldn’t play guitar.
By Age 27 – gigging every few weeks. Now 30, crowds show up.
Why? My band is a business, not entertainment. WORK.
Huge gig tomorrow, expecting a crowd of nearly 80 for my band alone.
You want to party hard, you need to work for it. http://bit.ly/1tuHr41
Victor Pride says
“You want to party hard, you need to work for it.”
I like that.
Anon1 says
You’re super positive today, is this the kratom tea?
Victor Pride says
Nah, this was posted at 6 or 7 am. The tea takes hours to cook and my little misses doesn’t wake up until 9 or after. My morning is ice cold water and hot black coffee only.
Todd says
Great Article Vic. I personally started a company in 2012 with $13 in my checking account and it is now a multi-million dollar operation. Hard work and sacrifice (mainly with time) were the biggest factors in my success. I quit a well-paying job with NOTHING lined up and crawled my way through the trenches with limited experience aside from my intelligence, charm, dashing good looks, and relentlessness ;-).
On a side note, where did you purchase the laptop holder from? I don’t have an Apple, but my elbows are getting beaten to death from leaning on them all day..Have you experienced this?
Victor Pride says
Good man.
The laptop stand came from ebay, just search ‘laptop stand’. My elbows don’t hurt, what happens is that the shoulders, specifically the front delts, take the punishment and hurt like hell pretty much always. Took me years to figure out the problem.
StartYourOwnRebellion says
I made sure to read this 3 times in a row, in fact I make it a point to read a few of your posts every day, this site is the bible
Victor Pride says
Good man. Reading and internalizing is better than commenting in my opinion.
Rydell says
I’m starting to build small homes on lots purchased in my city.. I have two. I’m going to rent them out. I have one older house rented now and it’s been going okay. This has been my obsession for a while.
I don’t know how to flip houses like you were talking about in your article. I am interested in any advise you have in real estate…
I currently work 6:00-4:30 Mon- Thur laying utilities and hate it.. Pays decent, company vehicle and every Friday off and insurance for my family.Kinda hard to leave the steady check and benefits…
Victor Pride says
Build more homes, that’s how you leave your job. Make enough in rent so that you don’t have to work.
Davian says
Another recommendation, hire a management company to take care of your tenants and all their mishaps – they take something like a 10% monthly cut on your rent, BUT, this frees you up to focus on the bigger picture – finding more houses to buy. Nothing is more important than your time – not even 10% of your profit. Like Vic said, buy more houses – you can always use the equity from past home purchases on your new home’s down payments.
That being said, I AM only 15 so I’m not too educated on the real estate scene, but this is what I’ve read/is logical to me.
Victor Pride says
Correct, managing tenants would be a terrible waste of time and would be highly stressful. It’s a necessary cost to pay someone else to do it.
Leo says
I had to stop, sip coffee and really let a lot of these words sink in many times before i continued to read. Big impact on my mind state.
In 2012 I started promoting around my town in an attempt to start an eclectic music community. I was trying to bring together many local artists from different genres and give them a platform since we had no such thing in our area. I hosted a couple free events where I booked some very well known artists to attract people who would also be introduced to the local musicians. I started making decent money the second year and I started putting together plans to book bigger artists & bigger venues which required real big boy money with the intention that it would be returned doubled so I could continue to expand.
8 months ago I ran into some personal financial trouble that made me realize that I hadnt built a strong enough foundation for myself to carry this out. I had to hit the pause button, modify the blue prints and start again from scratch. The way I want to go about it now is I want to gain a modest following online that can gradually grow. I want to lead a (now small) group of artists that I can present to everyone in an authentic way using the media. whether it be via a blog, website, social media etc. I want to invest in professional music equipment and equipment to document ourselves. When the time feels right and I feel theres enough of a following to do so, I’ll start hosting consistent events again as professionally as possible and preferably in an urban area. Within time, I’d like to tour to every big city in the U.S. and then eventually other countries. Of course I want to be successful but my goal isnt to become wow rich. I honestly just want to live comfortably by my own rules and doing what i’m passionate about. Which is to be involved in the music and art word. The money is a given I can this out effectively.
I feel like I was built for this. Everyone can’t do this type of thing, it’s meant for me and I know it. Even if I have to keep modifying the original idea – I cant see myself going down any other route. Cop,doctor,lawyer, whatever. I dont want to be any of that shit.
Excuse the long post.
Victor Pride says
Plan sounds extremely solid. You know what you’re doing and where you’re going, don’t need anything from me.
Ben says
Three things currently in the works:
1. A website evolving around lifestyle design such as being effective, productive, etc. however the underlying theme of the website would lean to a person’s personal finances. I have found that people generally take a hands off approach to their finances such as spending and saving. I find this astounding. E books, spreadsheets, and strategies may be marketed eventually after building a readership. Already started this, designing the site layout now.
2. Being an antenna engineer I have found that most beginning engineers are clueless and confused (I was). A reference book is a must have, but is usually six inches thick and full of useless theory that an engineer who must actually build something doesn’t need to know. Condense the information into 10 or 12 different types of antennas cutting through the unimportant and providing an E book. Also provide real world examples. The kicker is that for a price I will design a template simulation model that can be downloaded and used in typical antenna simulation software so that the customer can have an actual working model. This would also be a separate website.
3. I already have an antenna company from separate from the one I work for. I started it it a few years ago when I landed a consulting gig. The customers have since left the state or the business. Develop this site and start picking off jobs little by little.
All done via the web.
Victor Pride says
1) I would 100% read a good blog dealing with lifestyle design and personal finance. Make it great and it will be a hit.
2) This is a great idea. This is exactly how Pat Flynn (google him) got started making mega bucks online.
3) Do it.
Quinn says
“I worked hard but smart on a complicated to explain but easy to execute method of flipping houses with no money and no credit.”
Wholesaling houses using option deals?
Victor Pride says
You got it, Quinn.
Clinton Rushing says
What exactly does that mean? I live in the most active housing market in the US at the moment, Austin TX, and I have access to a VA home loan, 100k I believe. Can you point me in the right direction to learn about this, or shoot me any advice? I recently got out of the service and the nine to five civilian slavery is NOT going to work for me. Love your blog brother, you’re doing a great service to a generation of otherwise lost men. Thank you.
Victor Pride says
“What exactly does that mean?”
It means yes, what you said is was what I did. For you? 100k will buy a dilapidated house you can fix and flip. It will buy a house you can rent and hold long term. If you want to play around with options I’d suggest reading biggerpockets.com which WAS a great site 7-8 years ago but I haven’t read it in many years. I got most of my info there.
Jake says
Vic I started a biz consulting in luxury sales. When I get contacts and follow up, they flake. I would like some ideas how to acquire more leads and how to display my skills as someone who has sold well for companies and has a system for sales success. I’ve always worked for someone else and I think I’m blind to opportunities.
Victor Pride says
They flake? No, they didn’t flake. You’re doing luxury sales, they’re busy. What happened is you have up too soon. Pick up the phone and keep calling until you’ve got them to sign on the dotted line.
Nick says
Business Idea: Write a guide to living in/visiting Poland/Eastern Europe to capitalize on the desire of many single men to expatriate from the west, or as a vacation destination. It would be as simple as an e-book, or could also include supplemental videos/audio on specific aspects as well as Skype calls for the first X buyers. The guide would draw on my experience of living in Warsaw to include information like:
-best time of year to visit/places to visit
-visa/immigration issues
-where to find a place to rent/choosing the best location
-transportation logistics
-where/how to meet women
-entertainment/tourism/nightlife info
-getting phone/internet squared away
-cost of living breakdown, including places to buy groceries/other items
-where to go/call in case of medical issues
-cultural differences/traditions
-building a social circle
-traveling to other points in Europe
Things I’m considering are whether to focus on Poland, or write a general “Live in Eastern Europe” guide and use my experience as a case study. I could also appeal to a broader audience of more casual vacationers who’d like a step-by-step guide of the logistics of visiting Eastern Europe. They might consider a longer stay/moving after they’ve gotten their feet wet with an initial trip(s).
Thanks for any feedback Vic.
Victor Pride says
The expatriation niche is huge. Money to be made for all. I read about all this stuff daily so I know there is a market.
pawel says
Nick – cool idea. I think it might be really good, especially if, in future, You would add some other cities of Poland. I lived in Krakow for 7-8 years, now I moved to Warsaw.
If You’ll need some help, let me know;)
Michael says
My idea is to create an English grammar website (written in Spanish language and targeted to Spanish speakers) built around practically explaining concepts of English grammar and relating them to equivalent or similar grammatical features of the Spanish language.
There is plenty of books out there for this audience but only two websites of note, both of which are not ideal in terms of SEO, nor website design and furthermore both are overly academic and dry, lacking in examples and too heavily based in academic explanations.
The upsell will be a subscription to the site which will permit access to quizzes and podcast lessons, maybe a paywall will be used after a number of free page views.
I’ve already found the right WordPress theme that will permit me to deliver this free material and the subscription service and am currently writing an articles and quizzes for the 80+ topics.
When I hit the half way mark in a couple weeks I’ll have Badnet set up a blog for me and start adding more general articles on learning English including the various shortcuts that exist between English and Spanish. Through this I’ll be able to start collecting email addresses and testing ideas.
It’s not a ground breaking idea by any means but it will help people and if I can offer enough it should bring me paying customers.
Victor Pride says
The idea sounds perfectly solid and ready to go.
Michael says
Thanks Victor.
bigdatatara says
Very interesting. To bring in the $$ offer access to premium (just more examples and exercices of the same lessons) content with a subscription
A few years ago I had an opportunity to work for a dictionary, actually it was an open job for students who had bought that dictionary, but my English wasn’t even good back then, although the job was to record yourself saying sentences in all 3 tenses. They will provide you with a list of words to use
Ben says
Hi Victor,
What do you think about independent self-publishing as a road to financial freedom? People on the Fastlane Forum seem to love it and some have gained great mileage.
Cheers, loving what you’re doing.
Ben
Victor Pride says
I did it. MJ DeMarco did it. The guys on the fastlane forum have done it. That’s what I think about it. It’s proven, what more needs to be said?
EA says
wow man, thank you for telling me about the forum.
I found many good threads aimed at writers that made it big enough to live well on writing alone!
Vic – I would say that one of the biggest values of your blog is the comment section.
Victor Pride says
“Vic – I would say that one of the biggest values of your blog is the comment section.”
I agree.
Alex Chaidaroglou says
Once again great post Vic.
I have started a digital marketing start up, which helps businesses get more eyeballs to their site. I am entering now into the promotion phase.
I am going to promote it now, write 1 blog post per week, promote it and do some free work for prolific businesses, in order to get traction, referrals and test some new tactics.
Any feedback is more than welcome.
Keep kicking asses, looking forward to your next post.
Victor Pride says
Idea sound perfect. 1 post, then promote that post. That’s the perfect method to post.
Alex says
Thanks Vic.
Brandon says
Hey Vic! fire lighting post as usual. I wanted to throw this out for you and fellow ass kickers. There is a site called http://www.coursera.com . This allows you to take college courses from some of the most prestigious Universities. Expensive college is a waste but I’m currently learning to code for free.
Alexander says
Don’t forget about Code Academy and Khan Academy.
Victor Pride says
Good idea. So what the other websites exist, there is room for more.
Malcolm says
I’ve been trying to work out the logistics for starting my own editing firm or copy writing agency.
I find that often in the media there are a lot of obvious typos and other glaring errors, I wanted start something like a review agency that checks and fixes these for companies, and also creates copy when needed. One of the main issues that I’m having is that I’m not sure how to get my name out there to start. I ran a pretty successful grassroots business similar to this in college, but there was always a paper due I could make money editing.
Any advice for advancing a new brand of business like this?
Victor Pride says
“Any advice for advancing a new brand of business like this?”
Yeah, just start.
I’d start emailing the people and do it for free a couple of time, then point out you have this service.
Evan says
Victor, how goes it..
I’m moving to Chiang Mai, to continue bootstrapping my dropshipping e-commerce store and to build many others. I’m selling EVERYthing and living off savings til income rolls in. I’ll have about 6 months. Business thoughts?
Victor Pride says
Thousands of others have done what you’re doing. Thoughts? Actually concentrate on business and not beer and girls.
AmbitiousLad says
Hi Vic! For the few last days I was eagerly waiting for the next article to show up, and here it is, you made my day.
I finished my studies a little while ago, currently unemployed but somewhat happy about the scarcity of opportunities, it gives me time to decide my future. I witness everyday the 9-5 hell in my circle and I definitely don’t want to enter it. I have a few ideas of online business, they’re not as sophisticated as the ideas mentioned in the comments above, but I’d like some feedback on it:
1) A blog on self-improvement. It seems to me that this niche is overcrowded, but I do have a bunch of ideas for articles I don’t think I’ve seen on most self-improvement blogs. During this month I’ve written four articles and it’s only the beginng. The business would be selling ebooks, if there is one thing I’m good at it’s writing and I want to write a book since forever. Other methods of making money (coaching, etc) are definitely not for me.
2) A blog for learning english AND reaching an advanced level in it, it could be either in english or french. I’m thinking of going beyond ordinary lessons and advices; I’ll touch on matters that aren’t obvious for those for whom english is not the native language (I’m not from America nor England). Once again, I’d offer ebooks to buy.
3) A blog about learning economics for those who never intended business schools and want to enrich their knowledge on the subject. You guessed it, the product will be ebooks about mastering various subfields of economics with exercises and whatnot. My guess is that for young people, it won’t be as expensive and time-consuming as attending business schools.
Thank you for your proposal, really appreciate it, I’m looking forward for comments and opinions. I hope my comment isn’t too long.
Victor Pride says
Options #2 and #3 are both very good with plenty of opportunity.
Fred Mason says
what legal issues (DBA, pen name, LLC, Hong Kong office, etc) and financial requirements (paypal, bank accounts, papers for DBA’s, etc) do I need to have to make my website into a serious company?
Victor Pride says
You don’t need anything to do with Hong Kong. That happens to be where I office. Pick your country, then open a biz structure there. That’s it.
Steve says
Any advice for a personal trainer trying to start an online business?
Victor Pride says
Get started and quit “trying”.
Nikhil P says
Hey Victor,
You’re blog has been an invaluable resource to me and has helped me on my path of transforming my life into one where I can be proud of where I am going. I’m nineteen and have built a team of seven that are committed to excellence and I will be getting them all to purchase and do the thirty days of discipline as I have.
What do you think of getting everyone to focus on one goal for the thirty days and absolutely KILL IT. We are having a hard time getting ideas of the ground but have made a little cash getting contracts for roofing (inspired by your blue collar business idea), flipping cars (I got a job doing car sales where I essentially just have access to cars to sell at no cost to me) and started importing coffee and stevia from India at a low cost with hopes to start a brand once I have enough capital. I was going to get my team started on getting amazing at creating websites that are worth roughly $20,000 worth of value and free content for the reader, so that we would have actually added VALUE to the world and have BUILT trust. From that point we could monetize in multiple different ways but always have that in mind from the start of building the website/blog.
My questions to you are:
1) What do you recommend for incorporation so that my team has a legal documented share of what we are building.
2) What do you think of getting really good at pumping out websites of moderate worth with a team of motivated young men.
3) What do you recommend I personally read or learn about leadership for a group like this.
4) Finally and small ideas for websites that you thought have a little potential but did not have time to do because of your larger projects.
Thanks and I hope to work with you someday in the future,
Nick
P.S. I did try returning 30 days of discipline a few months ago after my first failed attempt at it, but it was after your guarantee date, and I ended up doing it again… I have progressed well from being the loser who tried to get my money back after my failures.
Victor Pride says
1) File the appropriate business paperwork detailing the share % of each partner.
2) A junk idea until you’ve built at least one website that is successful. A path to failure if you’ve never made at least one profitable site.
3) Read everything and take what you need from everything you read.
4) I have ideas everyday, I could hire 10 people and have them working on my ideas and they’d be busy all day and night.
Lootpost says
Victor great job. My website http://WWW.lootpost.com just went live. I would like for you to check it out and give me your honest review. This is my third upgrade. Im in the early phase. Can you also give me ideas on how to monetize on it? All boldanddetermined.com winners are more than welcome to check it out and give me feedback. Thanks…keep up the great work.
Victor Pride says
When I go there I don’t have any idea what it is or what I’m supposed to do. And I’ve seen this site many times in the last year and a half you’ve been commenting – I still don’t know what it is.
Marty7777777 says
HAHAHA this site asked me what I was looking for, so I typed in “food” cus I was hungry and here’s what came up.
http://www.lootpost.com/home/search?search_for=post&search_query=food&x=0&y=0
Brad says
That bright green font kind of gives a virus vibe to the page. There is too much going on on the home page. Your landing page is your first impression.
I clicked on the about me and battled through a paragraph or two. If it is something to do with discounts or vouchers, most people go with light blue or a lighter green colour without the black contrast. You’re not creating an xbox. B and D, for example = Black Red. Simple, aggressive, Bold. To the point. If B and D was filled with advertising about toothpaste or a collection of affiliate, unrelated crap I would leave in two seconds.
Thats the key thing with the internet. You pop in what your searching for and leave in two seconds if it doesn’t hit you in the face because there is a 1000 more sites to search through.
I am an architecture graduate so I’m used to presenting a massive project on one page. Our teachers would always say “if your grandmother can’t understand it, it’s no good.”
Try to imagine and elderly person is going to open your page. How are you going to explain sell your product in two or three sentences? Maybe one or two images max. Not a matrix.
Looks like you have put a lot of thought into it so I took time to comment as I like graphic presentation. You understand your product very well, so bring in someone who has never heard of it and try to explain it to them in one sentence.
Good luck.
Peace
Victor Pride says
This is very good advice from Brad.
Preston says
I’m thinking about saving up and then investing in a physical therapy clinic for victims of car accidents. Hire 1-2 therapists, and in a metropolitan area (USA) it would be no problem to find numerous clients. Then just bill the insurance companies thousands of dollars for the therapy. Sure, the overhead would be high with Therapists on salary, but in most states there are no limits on what you can bill these car insurance companies.
Alternate idea would be an MRI facility for these same people. No insurance company can dispute the necessity of an MRI after an accident. You gotta find out if something is wrong with someone after an accident!
Victor Pride says
Sounds like you have the plan all mapped out.
TimothyTorrents says
I already decided to make a new website because I feel that I need to target a more specific audiences… and I also want to start a new website….
The problem is that there are so many ideas floating in my head, I don’t know which one to hold onto. Here are a few of my ideas: website dedicated to quitting pathetic habits, website to motivate you to work towards your goals, website to overcome social anxiety, website to overcome depression, website about living a life of freedom, online business development, eliminate debt, and the list goes on.
I’m going to give myself a deadline, add some more ideas, and then pick the one that speaks to me the most, I think I’l give it a month or two.
AmbitiousLad says
The ideas you mentioned seem interconnected, why not regroup into one whole website?
Victor Pride says
Yeah. You could call it boldanddetermined.com ;)
TimothyTorrents says
I can call it http://www.moreboldandmoredetermined.com, haha.
Nah, I think I want to keep it small, target a SPECIFIC audience, I want it to attract a certain type of people. But I might combine a couple different audiences, or niches, and see how it goes from there.
bigdatatara says
Good luck
EA says
If you don’t mind I will go with two unrelated stores. I would like to know your opinion, especially on the second one.
1) Last week my 12yo kid’s soccer season ended, and the coaches organized the typical end of season party. Instead of the usual “get a pizza and medals” party they wanted to do something bigger, so they organized a big party at a place called It’z, one of those party places for kids. So, after lunch, we (myself, wife, 12yo, 8yo) go at that place. To our surprise, there is a mandatory “buffet” fee, plus a mandatory “videogame” fee. After some quick math – noticing that the employee was trying to push us to buy a package – we calculated that we would have spent at least $80.00 (going $100.00) for a crappy/unhealthy buffet, and about 20 minutes of videogame. My wife and I told our kids that in our opinion the price was too high for a couple of hours of fun… playing videogames. After a few minutes, our kids decided that it was not worth it to spend that amount of money. Both my 12yo and my 8yo agreed that if we had to spend that amount, it would’ve been wiser to spend it on a full day and night at a Korean SPA we enjoy (it even has a cool indoor waterpark and good food), which would cost less than the 2 hours at that place. Of course my 12yo son was a bit sad that he didn’t play with some of his friends, but guess what? He already forgot about it, and now he’s looking forward to a beautiful, fun and healthy day+night at the SPA. I was amazed by my kid’s goal-oriented thought process and evaluation.
2) Prolific author Kevin J. Anderson (Dune novels, X-Files, Saga of the Seven Suns, Star Wars etc.) recently published a booklet underlining what you said, although his text is for writers. In his opinion, everything has to be treated as a full-time job, including writing. He says that he does not believe that writers should “wait for a muse”, exactly as garbage men don’t wait for a muse before picking up the trash, or surgeons don’t wait to be in “the right mood” before operating on someone. In his opinion, a writer/artist/everyone has to be an entrepreneur, and be ready to commit the same amount of time and effort that a restaurant owner would commit on a restaurant. He said that each person (especially authors) should stop believing in a muse and start believing in a drill sergeant that yells to “get your butt to work.” He said it’s simple math. Amount of effort + Time = Productivity. By working on his math, he’s able to publish five or six books, often bestsellers, each year. Try to take a look at this video, it might give you some ideas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lcXzvM__Uo
Victor Pride says
#1 – What’s the question/idea?
#2 – He’s right. Treat it as a business. You won’t go into dairy queen and not get an ice cream because they didn’t have a muse that day.
EA says
#1 was more a general comment on how everyone pushes to spend $$$ on crap…
Actually it just gave me an idea. I noticed that one of the biggest pitfalls in the school system is that no business management is thought. Kids go to school for 12 years and they reach college without any understanding of business practice, how wall street works, the banking system, why interests on credit cards will kill any family or what a bond is etc. They are filled with crap like “how to open a frog”, but no ability to read a bank statement or a balance sheet.
I wonder if a tool/school/online training for grades 7-12 on the topic could have some degree of success.
BEN says
Kids go to K12 to learn how to use credit card and apply for loan. So they can apply student loan for worthless degree from expensive colleges and have crazy spring break paid by more student loan. Upgrade their life style with credit card and more loans after they graduate. :)
EA says
don’t forget loans for lavish weddings (had a friend who loaned $50k for her wedding; she’s divorced now) and overpriced cars.
Victor Pride says
That’s probably because the teachers themselves have no idea how business works.
Alexander says
Just in time, thanks for this, Victor. I still have beginner’s nausea after launching myself.
Got anything good for an aspiring designer/copywriter/writer? (I’m working on the whole package)
Also, did you write the copy for your books’ landing pages or did you hire a writer?
Thanks a lot for everything, have an awesome weekend.
Victor Pride says
“Got anything good for an aspiring designer/copywriter/writer? (I’m working on the whole package)”
Show me what you can do. Show me what you can offer that benefits me, your client. Don’t beg me for work. We just changed the copy on BOAS, my intern wrote one version and I wrote another version and we’re testing the results.
Michel says
Hi Vic,
Your thoughts on business idea validation?
Would you validate all of your business ideas through Google Ads and such tools before investing in them? Or would you go with “people don’t know what they want until you show them” mentality?
Thanks for the feedback and have an awesome day!
Victor Pride says
“Would you validate all of your business ideas through Google Ads and such tools before investing in them?”
No, never. You can’t innovate that way. You’re already behind the curve.
“Or would you go with “people don’t know what they want until you show them” mentality?”
Yes.
Michel says
Thank you for the reply.
Jean says
I’ve been struggling with an addiction for years and have gathered a whole lot of knowledge. I plan to write the best e-book on how to get rid of it and to make some money of it. SInce there is not a lot of ressources about this topic out there, I think it could be a potential success.
In the long term, I want to build my own martial arts school. I am practicing two differents kind of martial arts and as I practice more and more those, I see more ways in which they are related. My hope is that I will be able to elaborate a teaching which will include those two complementary martial arts in order to form an art which will be even better than the sum of it’s component. Fuck man. Nothing would make me happier than to train/teach martial arts every day of the week. Earning my living from that would be a dream.
In the meantime, heading for a job that I really want to do. Selling e-books, saving money in order to build my future dojo. Training in order to achieve my goal.
EA says
Living off MA is hard. As a fellow MA student, I encourage you to follow your dream. Even if you fail, even if you end up eating ramen noodles for one year, you would be a better and wiser Martial Artist. That alone has more value than one could ask for in life.
My only suggestion is to NEVER forget your roots: the (possibly) shy white belt that stepped on the mat and bowed for the first time.
Jean says
Thanks, I tend to forget that.
Jacob says
Jean,
As a fellow MA instructor I have a few suggestions you might look into.
If possible, find a church/school/community rec center/etc that will let you teach classes there. Sell it as an outreach program for families/kids/etc. Chances are you will have a nice large area to teach and little to no overhead. This is a good platform to build a clientele before renting/buying your own school.
Once you have your own school do self-defense workshops regularly, even if they’re free or super cheap. This is a great way to get your name out and new potential students. Women especially love the self-defense workshops. You just gotta know your stuff and leave them wanting to learn more.
I personally teach at a church and my wife teaches her own class on Saturdays at the local rec center. Both of us pay next to nothing and if I ran the class as the church, I’d be making some pretty nice bank on the side for 3 hours/week.
Victor Pride says
Sounds like you have it all in order, Jean.
Mark says
Hi Victor, thanks for offering to take the time to critique other peoples’ business ideas.
I’ve currently set up a website to offer Wine Consultations for people newly getting into wine. This isn’t some MVP testing stage; the website is technically up and ready to go. I’ve been talking about it with friends and limited internet circles and they seem to respond positively to the idea.
I’m currently working on a free ebook packed with wine information, and then plan to use google adwords to attract people to download it, using it as a way to segue into offering the wine consultations. I’m probably a few weeks away from completing it, when will likely hire someone on Fiverr to design a nice book cover.
In the meantime, this is what I currently have online – http://www.rationalwine.com/wine-consultation/
Thanks in advance for your criticism and feedback.
Victor Pride says
The idea is sound. Wine is big business and people want to know “how” to drink it properly. Good idea.
Rick Arrius says
Hi Vic, first time after 2 years reading your blog. Straight to the point: My idea is this, make an audience on wordpress (for free first) by making entertaining, very funny and over all engaging posts. Been working for 2 weeks on 10+ post ideas so that I can have 1 post weekly (high quality) so I can work on what will bring in the money. I have pretty cool strange and engaging ideas that I want to make into story books. I don’t like to read much because of very little pictures, confusing who says what and fancy words, so I’ll make my own shit in my own style.
Feel free to offer any suggestions and ideas.
P.S. in the few guests post you mentioned how you helped make those post from MEH to WOW, so I request of you an article concerning tips for badass writing on posts! Thanks!
Victor Pride says
Your blog idea is sound, no critique needed by me.
“P.S. in the few guests post you mentioned how you helped make those post from MEH to WOW, so I request of you an article concerning tips for badass writing on posts! Thanks!”
That’s an idea I’ll look into.
Marquise says
Wow! This is crazy! This article really hit home. The same person you were before you jumped off the cliff & became an entrepreneur is what I am now. A 27 year old man with a lot of untapped potential. Everyday I get up in the morning to go to work, it kills a piece of my soul. Everyday I zone out in my own mind & say, “I know there has to be more to life than this shit right here.” Im currently reading “The Millionaire Fastlane” & Im like, why didn’t I come across this book or information when I was 18 & before I went to college. Im not fucking around anymore! Im about to start a health & fitness blog, but I want my niche to be mostly motivation. Health & fitness is what drives me in life & a lot of people are inspired by my change in lifestyle, that by seeing me they also want toget in shape & live a healthier lifestyle. But I’ve noticed that a lot of people lack motivation & give up too quickly. Im gonna be the guy to kick them in the ass & help them realize their true potential & let them know that they aren’t getting any younger.
Thanks for the inspiration Vic!
Victor Pride says
Start today, right now.
chris says
haha. so glad I’ve read millionaire fastlane (thanks for the book recommendation vic) and I’m 18. :P
SH88 says
In the major city I live in, there is a (greatly growing in popularity) area for people to party and bar hop. I was thinking of setting up a site to catalog all of the bars in this area since there is nothing like it online yet. I figured Affiliate Amazon linking would be a way to monetize it but I’m not sure how well that would convert for a niche site about bars in this particular area. What would be some creative ways to make money off of this particular idea/site? I’m open to ideas from you visitors as well as Victor. Thank You.
P.S. I call this Catalog Blogging. Pairing this with the right monetization effort could be a new money making idea for up and coming bloggers. Useful content but no need for having expertise in the niche since you’re just cataloging info into one place.
Victor Pride says
To monetize it I’d make it an app. How can you make money from amazon on a site like this? I don’t see it. Sell an app, people would buy that so they’d have up the minute info on the best bars.
Phil Janecic says
Powerful post, love the notion of You,Inc. Once people start treating themselves as a company or a brand they represent, suddenly the stakes are up. No time to be lazy and a sloth, time to hit the books, hit the gym or whatever else you need to do.
Time is money people, and You,Inc is going bankrupt.
Jacob says
Agreed. You, Inc hits home the fact that you need to look your best and be your best whenever you’re out and about. Never know who’s a potential client.
Tristan M. says
Hey there Mr. Pride, there is a shit ton of comments on this post and for good reason, one of the best articles yet. So here’s my bitchy little story: I am currently in High School, I’m a senior, 18 years of age, I lift everyday. I know I am going to be successful in my entrepreneurship. I have given myself no other option, every single day I hear teachers rave about college and how it’s so important. I tell them why I think college is a joke, they get either really sad and disappointed or pissed. Makes me laugh. I’m currently a bus boy at a restaurant and I really do feel that I am selling YOU,inc. to the lowest bidder, and it’s a fucking joke. I know I could be a good blogger, but is the market too saturated with all the other wanna be bloggers? I have been considering blogging for some time, but since I still am in high school and haven’t had that much real experience would anyone take me seriously? I do have some other business ideas but I’m going to have to read more Millionaire Fastlane Forum threads, I’m gaining as much knowledge as I can right now, I don’t want to wait till school is over to start a business, I’m going to start one before this shit ends. I have a presence when I walk into a room, I am one of the most muscularly developed kids in this place, I am decent looking as well so I know people take my brand, my company seriously. I just need to start this shit, and you’ve been the kick in the ass that I have needed.
Thanks Man
-Tristan
TS says
Tristan,
Good luck with your blogging journey. I am currently learning more about blogging and the ins and outs.
You are very young and you have great years ahead of you. You can learn about blogging from many other bloggers out there especially from Victor here at B&D.
I know you will exist because you believe in yourself already and you seem to have the right mindset.
Whatever you do though, don’t give up and endure.
TS
TS says
omit “exist”
Correction: I know you will SUCCEED …..
Victor Pride says
“I know I could be a good blogger, but is the market too saturated with all the other wanna be bloggers?”
A good blog requires knowledge and life experience. 18 year olds don’t have that. I’d get started online but in another venture, like selling something online. Blog about it on the side, over time you can build the blog up to be your main earner.
TimothyTorrents says
I’m just a few years older than you and I started a couple of blogs when I was 18 as well. Like Victor said, nobody really wants to here advice from someone that’s younger than them, I’m 21, I don’t think anyone really wants my advice.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t make a successful website. It could be something as simple as your journey to success. You have a story, everyone has a story, it’s just a matter of figuring out how to use it as leverage. Something that I learned recently and I can’t stress enough, is to create a laser targeted website. Write about one specific topic.
If you looking to brainstorm ideas, feel free to contact me.
JD says
Hi Vic,
I currently have a plant nursery job, do landscape work on the side, and I attend college full-time. I’d like to begin flipping houses soon as well, which my landscaping expertise would complement. Could you give any tips and advice on breaking into it with no knowledge whatsoever? Particularly on how to do so on a low or non-existent income?
Victor Pride says
I never flipped houses, but you need money to do it. No way around that. You can go to a “hard money lender” and get the funds to do it and they’ll take a cut of the profit. Don’t go into it with no knowledge, start reading and networking with local investors first.
Buffguy says
As a food technology student,i wish to make money via the internet once i graduate. Thing is,i do not know where to start,and what excactly i should do to make it happen. I constantly think what way should i find to actually make money online,and what exactly do people really need that i could give them.
I also wish to inspire other people with all the obstacles i passed with the help of weightlifting,and wish to actually teach people to believe in their own strength,and become their stronger versions of themselves.
Victor Pride says
I can’t critique a non-idea and how will you inspire other people until you’re an accomplished man yourself? Think about that.
alphawolf says
Hi again Mr Pride!
I have an idea for an invention, It’s an accessory for an existing thing. (Imagine it’s the thing you have in the picture to keep your computer in front of your eyes)
If you was me, how would you sell it? what would be your marketing strategy? I mean, should I open a website and wait for the money? or should I advertise it?
P.S. English is not my first language so I hope I’ve expressed myself well.
Victor Pride says
Buy a bunch of them wholesale from China (alibaba) and sell them on ebay and amazon. Easy as 1,2,3.
alphawolf says
Haha, ok the thing is that doesn’t exist, it’s something I’ve been thinking of for a while and I need to fabricate it first (that’s the first “problem) it’s something new.
Should I sell it on Ebay and Amazon anyway?
Victor Pride says
Don’t make me repeat myself.
alphawolf says
Will not
Jazz says
I’m a first year student in college. I want to set up a blog that that will advertise products and services and also to write articles and blog about the journey in my school. My school is one of the biggest in my country!
Victor Pride says
Perfect. People will read that.
Lucas says
Wow, what a post!
And just like all others, it was great reading til the very end. Thanks for the opportunity, I’ll make the best of it.
My business idea:
– Now: I am a Brazilian beatboxer, I make music with my mouth. Like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQAxf8icDZU . I’ve been doing it for 10 years. Done countless shows, some with more than 8 thousand people in the crowd. I also teach it in portuguese in YouTube, and my channel has 10257 subscribers.
My plan is multiple: as an artist, to increase my skills in this artform through training/working hard. 3+ hours per day dedicated to the technique, presentation and performance. Increase my network and shows making more videos of my performance and getting a producer to book gigs. I will do this through recordings, training sessions, different dynamics and performing at gigs.
And as a teacher/expert, to expand into the english language too, doing videos better than all the “how to beatbox” videos in english, exposing with utmost quality backed by hours of dedication how to become an excellent beatboxer. I will do this via blog, YouTube channel, facebook page, paid videos in a website.
I am unique in that I communicate clearly with my followers (got more than 1,5 million youtube views) and deliver great performances. I see I still am the man with the guitar in his bedroom, but I’m turning this hobby into stardom by taking practice seriously. At the moment I rate myself as a 7/10 beatboxer, and 10/10 is my goal.
Surely having to kill some inner lazy-demons here, 30 Days of Discipline game me great insight and your blog posts shone a lot of light into doing hard work.
Looking forward to your review.
Cheers,
Victor Pride says
Your idea is already there, just follow through – and it sounds like you will.
Jason says
Heres an idea that’s been sitting in my mind for about 5 years and I began researching right after college but took a “real job” before I got any real momentum under way.
Efficiency Routing Parking Meters using RFID technology to relay signals.
To break it down a bit further, every machine has a unique ID or Number. When the time is up and the vehicle is still there (sensed using a laser or some type of detection), it routes signals to the meter maids systems and can even reroute based on location or other analytics. The maids will be on Segway type machines to reduce capital expenditures.
I have absolutely no hands on technical ability in hardware, networking, or software so I never pursued it.
BTW-Is this an experiment to gauge readership intelligence or find an investment opp?
Blog is awesome. Keep it up.
Victor Pride says
Sounds like a solid idea.
“BTW-Is this an experiment to gauge readership intelligence or find an investment opp?”
I already know readership intelligence is high.
Winfinite8 says
Vic,
Firstly, thanks for the work you have produced and made public. It provided additional inspiration to leave my job this past June so I can devote 100% of my energies to becoming self-made and self-sufficient. Keep up the great work, I continue to share it.
My first business, http://www.selfiestick.ca, is now in place and full-steam ahead. However, the sales are just trickling in. Any ideas on how to crank up the sales?
Best Regards,
Andrew
Victor Pride says
It takes time, no way around that. Keep at it and don’t give up and keep building the brand.
Also, see about getting it on ebay and amazon. I buy almost everything on ebay. If I lived in America I’d buy almost everything from amazon.
Winfinite8 says
Appreciated, thank you Vic.
Alex says
HI Victor,
Another great post to get me fired up!
I’ve been putting together a book idea on the most effective, yet time-efficient way to tackle any project. The project could be writing a book, doing a uni assignment, or achieving any kind of personal goal such as getting your own business up and running, etc. Big or small, it doesn’t matter.
The point of this system is to reduce down all the thoughts and ideas about how to reach the goal down to a few very concise steps, and then working through each step one by one. Each week, the person would review whether they achieved what they wanted for that week towards completing their project. If not, why not? Is the strategy or steps outlined flawed in some way, or was it a personal flaw (such as getting distracted, etc)? Either way, address that issue, then plan out the next week.
It’s based on the notion that most plans fail because they’re too rigid, not allowing for change due to new ideas, other input, personal issues to overcome. With this system, the plan could change in one sitting if it needed to. The system would both allow fresh input to shape a better strategy, as well as help a person identify personal flaws and overcome them.
There’s a lot more to it, but I don’t want to take up too much of your time.
Once again, thank you for all the input you’ve had in my life, both knowledge and passion wise!
Victor Pride says
The book sounds good, let me know when it’s finished and I’ll take a look.
Brandon says
Hey Vic,
Looking at starting a swimming website since it’s a love of mine, particularly geared towards beginners. It’ll touch on things beginners need to know to get started, tips and tricks to improve times, common stumbling blocks beginners face, different routines, etc. My plan for now is to start small, if I can make a few hundred $$ a month off this (though affiliate links), it’ll be a success in my eyes. My question is, is swimming for beginners too broad a topic, or is my still realistic? Cheers
PS, what are you eating in the pic?
Victor Pride says
A swimming for beginners website. That’s very good. I’d send my girlfriend there to learn.
Barry S says
I’d pay five bucks to learn how to do the butterfly. Putin looks like a sea monster coming out of the water but I always flail around like a retarded chihuahua.
Max says
Random thought I had today. If you had a private jet you could call it the Pride-plane.
Jose says
Hey Vic,
Great post. Definitely a kick in the ass that many of us needed. My idea is on opening an e-commerce store where blogging would play a big part in the marketing plan. Any books, articles, or tips?
Thanks a lot, man.
Victor Pride says
B&D, fastlane forum, autobiographies of successful men and you’re set.
TheGreyWolf says
Wow Vic. 155 posts is less than 24 hours. I think you have opened Pandora’s box, for sure.
Since I took the red pill in January, I have wondered how many fat, divorced, remarried, baby-boomer wage-slave men are out there and would appreciate a voice on divorce, children, step-children, and regaining your health physically, emotionally, and financially in your 50’s and beyond.
I spend 30 minutes a day looking for this niche market and cant find someone addressing it. It’s not possible I am the only one that needs/wants this information.
Timing is everything.
Exactly YESTERDAY, my boss drove out to my work area ( I work off site ), bought me lunch, and spent an hour telling my why I should move up in the company, take the $18k raise and 6 weeks vacation a year, stop punching the time clock, and use my 24 years of experience to lead my own team.
I am considering the promotion.
In the meantime my blog for fat, divorced, remarried, wage-slave baby-boomer men wanting to improve their lot in life would find a market and grow during the next 5 years until I free myself from being an indentured servant ( including $1271 a month in child support ) on October 2, 2019.
I have already written 9 posts.
One starts this way:
The “Honey-Do” list is a damning indictment of your inability and/or unwillingness to do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, because it needs to be done. When you do not do what you are supposed to, you give power to those around you to tell you what to do.”
And so it goes…
A professional coworker of mine in years past told me I am the only person she knows who speaks and writes as well as I do and does NOT make any money doing it.
My questions to you are:
1) Is there an audience?
2) Do I have a voice?
Thank you for your service to this community.
I speak for many when I say,
WE APPRECIATE IT!!!
Victor Pride says
“My questions to you are:
1) Is there an audience?
2) Do I have a voice?”
1) Yes. There are many fat, divorced, remarried, wage-slave baby-boomer men wanting to improve their lot in life
2) Yes. I personally enjoy reading your comments.
Kevin Lorenson says
Victor,
Why do YOU think that most digital nomads (it seems) following the path you have laid down move to SE Asia, and not South America?
I am moving July 28th, 2015 with $5000.
Victor Pride says
Dunno, I’ve never been so South America and I’m not a digital nomad. All I can say is Asia’s where it’s at right now.
Sam Fisher says
A good idea I have is selling “how to make money online” online from your professional blogger series. People would read about this because they are sick of their jobs and want to sustain their own lifestyle. I know I did.
I’m not sure what the best way to share/sell this content is. Possibly e-books, articles, affiliate resources, etc. What do you suggest? I know you have done this sort of thing. If I did it would my advertising be me making money from selling this or would I have to make money online another way before selling it?
Also, what mask is that in the picture? Looks cool.
Victor Pride says
“A good idea I have is selling “how to make money online” online from your professional blogger series…
If I did it would my advertising be me making money from selling this or would I have to make money online another way before selling it?”
I’m not sure what your meaning is here.
Sam Fisher says
If I didn’t want to be a fraud would I have to make money online a different way before I sell the idea of “how to make money online?”
Victor Pride says
Yes, of course.
Sam Fisher says
Another idea I had was selling camping gear on an e-commerce site. I see this as a broad niche, so what are some narrower possibilities / ideas for this? I would use WordPress and find and manage my own suppliers because I learned using Doba is limiting ($59.95 lesson). I’d also make a blog connected to the site that gave instructions on how to use the gear effectively and tips on camping in general to support the store. Any other bootstrapping tips? I have low start up capital.
Victor Pride says
Have your camping gear dropshipped so you don’t have to buy it all upfront before you sell it.
“I see this as a broad niche, so what are some narrower possibilities / ideas for this?”
That’s a question for you, not me. I haven’t been camping in years.
bigdatatara says
I want to sell steroids but I’ll have to start out selling protein and supplements
Maybe he pays a price with his health, maybe he doesn’t. Maybe he gets in trouble with Johnny Law, maybe he doesn’t. One thing is for sure – he is a jacked mother. ha! ha!
Victor Pride says
You know how people in illegal business get busted? They talk too much. Loose lips sink ships.
TheGreyWolf says
Sam,
I am a camper with lots of kids.
One niche would be beginning camping for young families.
Another might be from hiking to backpacking.
Finally, camping with canoeing or kayaking. Might be lots of opportunity there.
Don’t forget to offer books.
Ben says
Hi Vic,
great Post as always! Thanks for that!
I also want to start a blog. Already bought an host&domain, Layout of my site is done, too.
I want to make money from the betting exchange, trading these markets and see the whole thing as an investment. I know I can do this and I want to proof it and eventually sell products so that anyone else is also able to do it like I did it.
Also coaching people so that they will be able to learn how to make a living from the betting exchange themselfes.
Somehow this is a niche, because at that time there are only 2-3 really good traders who are doing the same. However they seem to be amateurs when it comes to a professional blogging. And that is what I want to do…. be a sincere trader on the exchange, be professional, write about all aspects of being a pro trader, bulding up a professional site and eventually teach people for a reward how they can make money themselfes. (Sell E-books, having a monthly advice service, be a mentor, do coachings…etc.)
The only thing beside being a profitable trader is somehow to reach these people and to create traffic over the next 12 month, so that I am able to offer my services to a big audience!
How could that be achieved? just writing great blog posts isnt enough…maybe focus on all social medias? get traffic from other sites concerning the same topics? Promote my site on forums? What advice could you give me?
Thnaks,
Ben.
Victor Pride says
“How could that be achieved? just writing great blog posts isnt enough…maybe focus on all social medias? get traffic from other sites concerning the same topics? Promote my site on forums? What advice could you give me?”
Get involved in niche forums and become known as an expert, as the go-to guy. All social media? Worthless for your niche. Blog + niche forums + some social media is your ticket.
Adrian says
Hey Victor. I was reading your article the other day about writing an Ebook online for money. I ended up sitting down and writing a 10 page Ebook on how to build muscle. I tried to keep it real simple because it seems so many people still can’t grasp the basics due to all these different training/diet styles. Do you think I could make at least a $100 bucks off of this if I followed your guide and made a sales page and bought Ejunkie and all of that??? Would you mind reading it and giving me an opinion on it?
Victor Pride says
Anybody can make $100 online. $100 is nothing, so yes you can make it. You won’t make a dime just by putting up a sales page with a book, people need a reason to land on your sales page and to trust you enough to buy your book. Putting an ebook online and doing no other work is worthless. It has to get in front of eyeballs who believe you. No, I’m not going to read and critique it.
Adrian says
Do you have any other preferred methods besides word of mouth for getting it infront of these “eyeballs”.
Victor Pride says
You want to write an ebook. How are people going to see the ebook? Do you have a web presence? If you don’t have one you need one, that’s how you get eyeballs on your book.
Adrian says
Thanks a lot!
Barry S says
Hey Victor, good to see your enterprise is growing with a couple of Victors In Training.
Especially inspiring is to see you in great shape, with still plenty of time to build a business. Many times I catch myself thinking I have to choose either/or.
Thanks for the idea eval offers, we know your time ain’t cheap. Here’s mine…
‘Fantasy sports’ site aimed at busy people (read: easiily distracted) and casual fans. Normal sites have people select a handful of real pro sports players and use their stats in real games to generate points. During the season, they do trades and get really into it, time wise. Winners gets money or physical prizes or bragging rights. $2+ billion industry (!).
My idea strips it and simplifies it. Select only the teams. For example, pick six football teams and you keep them for the whole season. Money will be involved since fantasy sports is legally exempt from any gambling laws.
I will aim to brand it something like ‘fantasy sports for people who have lives’, heck even the phrase ‘fantasy sports’ has a dorky connotation, perhaps a new name needs to take hold.
Know HTML, learning CSS, will learn Java and mobile app creation.
What kind of work do you recommend outsourcing/seeking paid assistance for a tech based biz, if any? Or learn it ALL then outsource it once you get the hang of it? Copywriting, social media mgmt, financials, customer database, real world promotions, any/all/none? Thank you sir.
Here is a recent article on how some guy is bringing in 60K from a trivia site: http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-coolest-weirdest-internet-community-youll-never-be-able-to-join/2014/08/20/3c3f565e-26eb-11e4-958c-268a320a60ce_story.html
Victor Pride says
I think that’s a great idea.
“What kind of work do you recommend outsourcing/seeking paid assistance for a tech based biz, if any? Or learn it ALL then outsource it once you get the hang of it? Copywriting, social media mgmt, financials, customer database, real world promotions, any/all/none? Thank you sir.”
No, don’t learn it all. Do what you excel at and hire the rest. If you can’t do it, someone else can. Remember that. You don’t need to do every little thing yourself.
SJ says
Vic,
After your thoughts on further building my blog – I’m trying to stand out from the internet marketer/non legitimate fitness & transformation websites out there that just push generic advice and hide behind their computer screen.
I’ve put in the hard work myself and have transformed my physique which I think puts me ahead of the pack, however I need to convey that further to my readers/potential readers.
I was planning on doing a 6 week cut into single digit bf % with weekly updates and a time lapsed progress video so I can show just how effortless weight loss can be (and explain how I did it).
Do you have any other ideas or thoughts on this to further build credibility and gain exposure?
Victor Pride says
“Do you have any other ideas or thoughts on this to further build credibility and gain exposure?”
No, a time lapse video is a fantastic idea and will give you credibility, exposure and authority on the subject.
TJ says
Victor,
What are your thoughts on the best e-business for teenagers? I have nothing people would read or pay to buy. So, should I start ecommerce business? What would you recommend? Domain investing? Anything other type of online business I haven’t thought of?
Thank you Victor
Victor Pride says
Sell something on ebay.
TJ says
Thank you for your reply Victor. What should I do if I have very little money to start off with. Should I instead start an e commerce business or should that actually require more money?(even if I did it by dropshipping?). Or, would domain investing be a better idea:buying very cheap domains?
Would you still recommend buying and selling on eBay, even with very little cash?
Thank you.
Victor Pride says
You can’t invest in domains with no money. All good domains cost money. So do the e-commerce and find a dropshipper who will accept payment after you have received orders.
VALTER MOREIRA says
nice post!
I was thinking about stock exchange. any idea?
regards
VALTER MOREIRA says
nice post!
I was thinking about stock exchange. any idea about where to learn from or where to look for something wich will instruct me ?
regards
Victor Pride says
No ideas from me but I’m sure some of the readers here do have some.
snoh says
Hello Victor,
I have been a reader and follower for a while now (and yes I am a female).
2 things:
1. Relationship counseling and giving advice on self. Such as figuring themselves out more or giving advice in general. I noticed that I am always the one people come to for advice or with problems etc.
But that also means giving my time. But I do enjoy this.
2. Born and raised in a family of musicians. I teach piano, violin, voice, and music theory but only during the few months that I am home.
Something to do with music in general. One of my dreams is to own a music company.
Ultimate dream that I have known I will create: chain of hotels
Best,
Snoh
Victor Pride says
1 – Is your love life perfect? If not and you get paid for relationship advice you’re a fraud. Make sure your own house is in order first.
2 – This is a fine way to make money.
Chain of hotels ultimate goal – this is a very good goal.
Snoh says
Thanks for the response!
1. Guess not – good point.
2. I guess I’m not exactly sure how to go about this so it’s all about just going for it. I’ve already started with teaching in person at least…
MikeNaus says
If you’re teaching in person ask your pupil if you can record your lesson, post it on youtube – maybe discount the lesson for incentive? VP or someone commented already… keep posting free stuff and drive traffic to your own site with downloadable programs…. “master piano AND violin in a weekend” (you get the idea)
Build an audience with your musical skills… personally, I’m always wowed by people who master several instruments.
StartYourOwnRebellion says
Here is my business idea, a virtual band (StartYourOwnRebellion) living in the year 3020. We tell our story through comics, music, animation and recently blogging since coming across this site. Under the StartYourOwnRebellion brand will come books on how to survive as an Outlaw, and though we are based in the year 3020, pretty much anyone living in any time period can gain value from it.
Also we plan on releasing info products on marketing and making things go viral. If you know how to drive traffic to anything you’ve created who needs to beg for opportunity. Sounds like a lot but I’m tying it all together.
StartYourOwnRebellion
P.s Tried the wide-grip bench press chest exercise today…killer burn
Victor Pride says
That’s very creative.
steve says
I’m 17, senior in high school, and I’m a programmer. My idea is bootstrapping my business by creating websites and building a track record by creating simple fighting apps. (muay thai)
To market my business, my personal blog about my life as a developer and martial artist will connect with my niche of martial arts video game fanatics.
I plan on moving to Thailand and training in kickboxing all day; eventually creating an indie video game that gives a realistic third person experience of training in Thailand.
My dream though is to create a hologram that’s interactive and teaches you how to fight Thai.
Thanks so much for your blog as it has made me more confident and determined. ;)
Victor Pride says
Sounds like you have it figured out.
Tony says
Hey Victor,
You’ve been my inspiration to get up off my ass and move on in life. I’m a young one, and I’ve spent most of my life fucking around. I had no drive after my sister committed suicide last year, but I finally got the balls to pursue my dream after I started reading your blog. I went ahead and bought a domain name, started writing, voraciously read and watched videos on self-improvement and becoming a stronger version of myself, and began to build a business plan. My domain has only been up for 9ish days, and the blog posts are in the range of above-average to an exciting read.
I noticed that you said you went through 85 revisions! Just yesterday I realized I should probably not try to post something everyday. Too many ideas to sort through, too little time to edit. I think that’s the primary reason my blog posts are not what you strive for: excellence. I’m striving for excellence too.
I think in all seriousness, this first website won’t take off. The writing’s just not good enough. Maybe I’m being too harsh on myself. I don’t know. I’m going to stick with it and commit as you were saying.
On the bright side, I think the design’s pretty good. I went and bought the Genesis Framework and I’m thinking to get a child theme too. I’m worried about the amount of money I’m investing into this. I have very little savings as a young person, although I’m totally willing to work a day job to provide for my dream.
I realize I have to be marketing myself, so that’s what I’m doing. I’ve developed myriad good habits in the past couple weeks. It’s like I’m on cloud 9. Everyday I’m breaking and busting goals.
I have a lot to learn. I’ll just spill the beans and say I’m only 19. Yeah, I’m an adult, but I’m humble enough to admit that I could use a hand.
I’m fine with learning the ropes by myself, but I would greatly appreciate it if you would take some time to look at my site: warriorstronghold.com
Keep kicking ass, Victor.
Peace out,
Tony
Victor Pride says
Get a child theme. The money is nothing compared to what it provides: professionalism.
Edit: I just clicked over, it looks pretty good right now.
Dealing with PTSD on a blog would be HUGE with all our boys coming home shells of themselves. This isn’t just good, it’s NEEDED.
Tony says
Thanks man. Any tips on becoming a better writer?
bigdatatara says
Write an essay every day, every fucking day man!
“Employ your time in improving yourself by other men’s writings, so that you shall gain easily what others have labored hard for.” – Socrates
Victor Pride says
Write more.
Tony says
Just wanted to add some relevant details.
My website is a website that focuses on giving motivational and life advice to people.
I think I have garnered quite a bit of experience and wisdom from living through my sister’s suicide, winning my fight with PTSD, and coming out a much much stronger version of myself. I realized kids my age and my friends don’t know jackshit about life. I go to college and all I see is a bunch of idiots getting enslaved by the system. Nobody uses their brain to think for themselves. My friends have laughed at me all my life for being so “driven and different” but now I can laugh at them. I have ideas and I ain’t afraid to share them.
The target audience is my young adults and people in their 20s. Honestly it could be anyone who wants some practical life advice.
ZZB says
Hey Tony, love design / structure of your website. Where did you get it?
Omar says
I want to be the most badass recycling truck driver for Green Waste Palo Alto. And by all means I will!
Shadowhunter says
Hello Vic
First of all i am german and my english isn´t the best.
Thanks for your offer to give free advices, iam kinda feeling stupid to write this but i want to hear your opinion.
I am an entrepreneur (Fitness Coach online) since 2 years but still not as successfull as i wish.to be.
I have got a good product with good results for a fair prize. My whole life is financed by it, let´s say i can survive with it. However i want more, i want to the top , i want to reach the whole world with my program!
Do you have any advice for me?
Thanks in advance.
my hp: http://www.fitnesstransformers.de
my clients results: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7mY6-nWh70
Victor Pride says
Can’t read the site, friend. Problems with translation on google chrome. Is your picture there? Are you at your physical peak? Are you an authority? Make sure the answer is yes to all. Then build your brand and make your mark. I don’t see anything that appears to be specific about you on the home page.
Rene L. says
Victor;
I was one of those soulless fat bellied guys in line for more “shit sandwiches”. I’m still at my 9-5 for the next couple of months just waiting to hit a certain date for my “severance” pay percentage to jump up enough,then let the next schmuck have my job. I’ll be debt free, house paid off. Part of my plan will be to start up a blog. How long was it before you started to pull income from blogging? Thanks for being the war drum to our battles sir.
Victor Pride says
“How long was it before you started to pull income from blogging?”
For me, one year.
Niro says
Hey Vic,
This came at a time I wanted it most.
I’m looking at starting a web hosting company where I get to provide enterprise level hosting for businesses.
What do you think?
Victor Pride says
Tons of money in web hosting and still tons of opportunity. BUILD A BRAND. Don’t just offer “hosting” Be the cool brand.
mo says
I want to be a professional soccer player, i know i have the talent but Im mentally and emotionally weak. I see other athletes and they all seem so mentally strong and confident. I don’t know why Im not like that
TheGreyWolf says
Every day for five days I’ve reread this blog post and comments and blown past your comment.
Your comment is pathetic, and as Victor discussed You, Inc., your comment makes you look pathetic. Then it occurred to me, you’re begging for help.
Not help as in, “Hey, can you help me move a 400lb gun safe into my basement?”
No, you want help like, “I know what the symptoms are to my illness, but I’m not going to go to the doctor and get a diagnosis and find out the protocol for my wellness.”
If you are truly talented at something and still feel mentally and emotionally weak about it, then there is something wrong with you.
Go to your doctor. Get a full blood work up. Find out your testosterone levels, vitD levels, all of it
The same day you get your blood test, while waiting days/weeks for the results, pay $10 for Body of a Spartan found on this website.
Do every single thing in BOAS. No exceptions, no fucking around, just DO IT!!
Meet with your doctor. If your Testosterone levels are below 700 you need to raise them; with or without his help. Google it. Figure it out.
Address any other deficiencies with diet first, supplements if necessary. Google it. Figure it out.
If you do BOAS for 30 days and address your blood deficiencies one of two things will happen.
1) you’ll find out you are so fucked up that no one; not the doctor, not Victor Pride, not even yourself can help you.
OR… and I’d put money on this one…
2) you will feel so much better about yourself that you will send Vic a private email asking him to delete your comment from embarrassment, and his suggestion will be to log in next time under a different name.
“I see other athletes and they all seem so mentally strong and confident. I don’t know why I’m not like that”
Find the fuck out, FIX IT, and stop whining.
TheGreyWolf says
NOT Body of a Spartan.
30 Days of Discipline!!
And one more thing.
There are several hundred blog posts on this site.
Start with the very first one found in the archives and read a new post with all the comments every single day.
Do that AND 30 DAYS of DISCIPLINE and you will be a new man by Halloween.
mo says
Thanks for the advice
TheGreyWolf says
Please let me know how it comes out.
Ash says
Hey Vic, I’m currently a beginner Binary Options Trader. I blew the first $1,000 I ever traded with being stupid and impatient. However this time will be different. I’ve since learned from a multimillionaire whose made his millions just within these last 6 months or so. Even have his personal number. I’ll be taking my account live again with $200 and will be implementing the strategies that have worked for me on my demo accounts. Looking forward to financial independence within the next couple of months.
Been a follower of your blog for quite some time now and every time I see a new blog post of yours I know I’m getting great value. Thanks, man!
Victor Pride says
Excellent.
Ash says
Oh Vic, been meaning to ask you, When get my finances in order I’m gonna do your Body of A Spartan workout and diet. I’ve heard that it’s both possible and impossible to burn fat and gain muscle at the same time, so I’m confused there, or should I focus on just my diet and resistance training to burn my fat and then bulk up with BOAS?
Victor Pride says
What do you look like?
Ash says
I’m fat unfortunately I’m at about 250 pounds right now rounding up.
Victor Pride says
Start by rounding down. You’re too fat to worry about gaining muscle, you need to lose weight so focus on that 100%. Hit the weights too, when the fat comes off you’ll see some muscle.
TheGreyWolf says
Kettlebells.
Ash says
Thanks for the advice man – This blog is awesome!
Roli says
If I could offer my humble opinion here Ash, I would highly recommend Victor’s 30 days of discipline it cost just $10 and if you follow it to the letter you’ll lose weight, then move on to Body Of A Spartan
Ash says
For sure man – that’s the plan
sex symbol says
Ash, someone told me to sell binary options for money however he never told me how. Can you lead me to who taught you so that I can do the same? I also heard that you can make money quick from it if you know what you are doing.
Ash says
You got an email address you don’t mind posting publicly?
Winner says
I’m also interested. Can you post yours if you don’t mind or a website where I can contact you?
Tom says
Victor, great post on the general outline on how to start being an entrepreneur. Perhaps, it might lack on the details, but it is a blog post, it’s OK. That’s what books are for.
The business idea
Already started on the path. Just three months ago. Chosen industry: mobile gaming.
Before entering the path I’ve read some books written by self-made milionaires and what you say here is broadly what they advise. Of course books are much more detailed. So why mobile gaming? It is a growing industry, people like to entertain themselves. A lot actually.
I found a friend with an initial idea for a game, and I basically promoted myself as his business partner. Since he got the initial idea and I wanted to come up being 50-50 (and perhaps even more) in the company, I started to make plans on how to make myself valuable to him. In this way he could see that his success is bounded to mine, meaning that I want him to think and of course actually to be it true that with my help his chances to succed are greater. Machiavelli said it centuries ago: better to be feared than loved. In this case I want him to think that he fears more to not have me than the love to work together. Of course, you cannot say these things with words, you have to show the things.
Studying the indirect way, as the ancient military chinese exponents woud like to say, I showed my value delivering key concepts and tuning ideas to his initial idea. We are computer science people (both in their 20s), but never landed on the game industry planet before. I don’t even like games. There are a lot of people out there who’d like to make games but they are too attached to the industry and this is their weakness that lead them to not see the facts with clarity and objectivity. Most of them just want to make a game that THEY like, and not a game that PEOPLE would like. They just so attached to their emotions.
Since we started to work on the initial idea I’ve read 5 books on game design (and I have still more to read) and some other books on story-telling beside other personal books about chinese war stratagems.
Apart from books we are studying how other company make games. When I read some new concept about game design on the books I immediately try to analyze how other games have implemented the concept. We are analyzing every aspect of other games. What is their theme, the underlying story (if it is present), their antropologization, their IAP model, their tutorial phases and much more. We also analyzed bad games trying to see what they have done wrong.
I have another friend who is our best programmer in university which I managed to persuade to work for us for free untill the game is on the market making revenues.
Since the initial idea we’ve added come complementary concepts to the gameplay itself (these were my greater valuable deliveries; my partner had just the raw idea for the gameplay, I am making myself valuable on creating an outstanding dressing) and to other aspects of the game. Now we will need an art designer.
From my researchs I found out that the producers who have more than 3-4 games on the mobile markets generate more revenues per game. Thus, I told this discovery to my partner. Not telling him directly that we HAVE to create more than one product but instead telling him what kind of benefits we could have if we manage to create more than one product you won’t be surprised to know that just after some days he came to me telling me he had some new ideas for other games. The strategy in mind was also that having more plates from which you eat give you more confidence. The old story of putting the eggs in different buckets. The fact is that we could need some foundings thus showing we have confidence and a safe backup plan we will raise our chances to get them. But you know better that, yes, confidence could be faked but it is far more powerful to just have it for real. You said it too in the article. I tried to fake it, and it works, yes, but having it for real is just another kind of game.
Now we are working on defining our design of the game, thus having a concise plan to show the people I intend ask fundings. This is the moment of calm, calculating every aspect of the attack for the purpose of maximizing the chance of its success.
It would be a great honor for me having you scrutinize my idea and perhaps give some additional tips and ideas or just some advices on what you think I need to improve.
Victor Pride says
“It would be a great honor for me having you scrutinize my idea and perhaps give some additional tips and ideas or just some advices on what you think I need to improve.”
I just read the entire thing and you have a very clear understanding of what you want and how to get it. Much more than most people. You need nothing from me. You have the exact right idea about making games people will like and not getting too attached. You have the right idea about making yourself valuable. You are also doing the right thing by analyzing other games and companies. That’s called reverse engineering, you figure out what they did and how they did it and you can replicate it. You clearly have an understanding of this but I’m telling you the name because I think English is not your first language. I wouldn’t be surprised if you became wildly successful, you are Machiavellian enough to do it.
Tom says
Thank you, Vic. Yes, you’re right, English is not my first language. Re-reading what I wrote I feel a little bit ashamed of how many grammatical errors I did, but perhaps the message is more important.
Yes, reverse engineering. It is similar to science when you try to figure out mother Nature by studying and doing experiments. You can do it in every field, perhaps the funnier one is when you apply it on other persons.
We will see what will happen. First times are the most critical, we know our first game could go wrong, thus I’m trying to analyze/study as mush aspects as I can think of, leaving no room for chance to sneak in. But we also know that the sooner we have a product on the market the sooner we can tune every other aspects we didnt’ think about thoroughly.
I am not always sure of what to do, meaning I don’t alwasy know if my move is the better one, but your words put more confidence in me. I thank you for that.
I hope the best for your business, wish you to get in the 12 or 13 figures, or whatever other ultimate objectives you might have.
EA says
wow. I bet that in a few years I will read your book on success.
Anon1 says
This is brilliant. Post back in the future when you’ve made it big time. (i’m sure you will)
Jack L says
Awesome post.
I followed all the rules, got good grades through college, and then to avoid working at Starbucks as a political science major I went straight to graduate school and got my Masters. Growing up with poor parents, I thought that the trick to life would be making 50k+ at a white collar government job that is stable with benefits. I’m there now at age 24, but it’s not as satisfying as I thought and despite making a salary of what my hard working parents made combined, I still am living paycheck to paycheck.
Last week I was looking online for places hiring part-time work, and ironically almost started filling out a Starbucks application to work weekends. One of your emails came through like a miracle, and I decided I needed to work for myself. Through B+D.net, I purchased a Web Hosting Hub domain on the spot. I had no experience with web development, but WebHostingHub.com made made it so easy.
The site isn’t ready to share, but hopefully I will have enough content on it to get it going ASAP. Also writing an ebook to get revenue going from the get-go.
A few questions for you Victor (or anyone willing to provide advice):
1. How do you find pictures for your blog? My website is based on helping people pick the right Master’s program (it’s amazing how many people are satisfied just getting a safe government job and are willing to pay to learn how….) but I don’t think I can just steal pictures from the school’s website. Is there a way I can legally get stock photo’s?
2. What’s your opinion of publishing an ebook on Amazon Kindle? The 30% commission is clearly steep, but I’d imagine that you can reach people that you would otherwise never attract. 70% of a $9.99 book is still better than zero.
3. I haven’t yet received the promotional package from boldandetermined.net– is there any followup I need to do to get it?
Thank you,
Jack
Victor Pride says
1) Google stock photos, that’s how you get pics. Now I’m moving on to using 100% original pics.
2) Yeah, it’s a fine way to make money. Plenty of people are doing it. I buy books on amazon twice a week it seems like.
3) Email admin at boldanddetermind dot com about it.
Gino Garcia says
My business idea is simple. For awhile now I’ve made a decent side wage teaching others how to tap into their real powers of memory. I’m sure someone as well read as you has heard of the Art of Memory. It’s key authors in the modern day are Dominic O’Brien, Tony Buzan and Harry Lorayne. I won’t bore you with unnecessary details Mr. Pride, but it basically runs down to using your spacial memory to visualize and retain information, rather than repeating it over and over and praying to God that it sticks.
For the entrepreneurial side, I would start with some basic e-books, each focusing on a particular area of study and recreation, while building a website. Once I have my brand up and running, I would sell all of my products from my website, as well as give in-person/telecommunication tutorials and coaching sessions. I feel that once everything is implemented, I’ll be able to make a good living traveling abroad and working from my laptop. Regardless, thank you for looking over my idea. Please be as honest as possible, which I know won’t be an issue, as I consider your word solid gold in a world full of pyrite.
Sincerely,
Gino Garcia
Victor Pride says
I have a terrible memory, always have, this sounds like an excellent idea to me. You have the product, you just need to hook your audience.
Glacier says
Amazon eBooks in the fitness niche; currently have 4 published all at $2.99 I want to make a steady $1k /month.
Progress thread on thefastlaneforum- http://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/project-amazon-my-ebook-journey.53998/
Nestor Mendoza says
Hey vic. I’m 26 and I just opened up an auto repair shop. I want to document my entrepreneurial challenges and triumphs to inspire others while its actually happening. From raising capital to start the business to the end result of making my business into a franchise. I’m 3 months into the business and have some articles written up of a few things I’ve encountered as an entrepreneur. I have ideas on a few ebooks id like to write.
Rick Arrius says
Your website can’t be displayed for some reason.
Nestor Mendoza says
Rick. I’m transferring domain hosting. Please try it again. I love hearing feedback on it. http://Www.TheMechanicOC.com
Victor Pride says
That’s a very good idea. Auto shops will never go out of business, and people would love to hear about the process from someone doing it.
Nestor Mendoza says
Thanks Vic. I have a few articles Im ready to publish. I just have to tweak the layout a bit and I’m ready to rock.
pawel says
Hi Vic!
First of all – thanks for Your blog. seriously. I’ve been reading it for 2 years now and Your posts get me fired up A LOT.
I already have a online shop selling unicycles in Poland: http://www.monocykl.eu – I just changed it, so it’s brand new;) it will also be translated into English in upcoming months.
I still feel that I can achieve something big, really BIG. I don’t know what exaclty and how to get there but my inner feeling of greatness is getting stronger everyday. Despite this fact I sometimes feel like going in circles.. From A to A, as written above.
Maybe it is because I can’t decide what should I do first, if I really should engage into something new or not. On one hand I am not sure about myself and my ideas, on the other I know I can really be BIG in every aspect of my life.
That sucks and I must change it, but don’t know how to start.. Any ideas? Maybe I just have problems with decision making? The answer – just work/just do something etc. seem not to be helpful as I must take the first step somehow and decide for something.
About my new ideas:
My current unicycling business is going in good direction and after 4 years I have time to start something new. I have 2 ideas, one being blog and one being a website for natural therapists.
1. blog – I would like to write about natural methods of healing yourself. not only using herbs, supplements etc. but also chineses medicine, acupressure tips, healthy food (for men especially) etc. The question is: should I write it in English or in Polish? There are websites like that but most of them look awful, is written by women who read some shitty magazine articles and now give ‘advices’ or are just boring. After some time maybe publishing ebook with natural healing/eating/living advices for men.
2. website – in Polish for sure. it would be a place gathering natural therapists from Poland. as a therapist you will have there your own ‘business card’ with your methods, prices, location, photo etc. This way clients will have a better way to find and contact you + there will be comments/ ratings how good (or bad) you are.
I was wondering how to make money of it? Should I charge only therapists for a monthly/yearly ‘business card’ or maybe take money from both sides? I think first option is better. Me, as client, would think three times before paying to have an access to this website.
Maybe You have some ideas which might improve this? Maybe some other way to make money out of it?
Thanks for everything.
greets
pawel
Victor Pride says
#1 and #2 are both good ideas. #1 can easily be monetized by affiliate marketing health products and should be written in English for a bigger audience but you can also do dual language and have both Polish and English. For #2 you can make money by charging the therapists a subscription fee to join or they can extra to be a “featured provider” and show up at the top of the rankings. Don’t charge clients, they won’t pay. Charge the people who want the business and are willing to pay for it.
pawel says
thanks Vic for answer! useful as always.
#1 will do both languages I think. I like writing in Polish, while English gives me bigger audience.
#2 after writing my post I had 2 new ideas how to make more money of this portal, not only by charging therapeutists.
roli says
Me.inc just went bankrupt owing 000s my fault. Started 30 days and I will be back. Going to make the best sports trading website out there. In the meantime thinking about selling Forever health peoducts; what do you think?
Victor Pride says
“thinking about selling Forever health peoducts; what do you think?”
What is that, MLM? Sell it if you want to be a pest to your friends and family for a quick buck today and nothing tomorrow. You don’t make money in MLM unless you own the company. MLM – How to lose friends and alienate people.
Roli says
Yeah, I think I kinda new that, thanks man.
Heathenwinds says
What I’m working towards is making a self-improvement resource pertaining specifically to people in my religion. I know that I have a (relatively) large niche and I know that I have the writing skill and follow-through to build an audience. I know where to find my audience and I know that self-improvement is something that will be well-received. I don’t think that I’m missing anything.
Victor Pride says
Sound solid to me.
Heathenwinds says
Oh, I should mention that I’m only 15, which might be an obstacle to my credibility
anon1 says
Dude starting at 15 is amazing. You’ve got a head up on almost all your peers. I was watching the Tomorrowland 2014 festival and they were talking to one of the DJs I forget his name, but he started when he was something like 13 years old.
Whatever it is you want to go for just start. I try this method James altucher recommends. Write down 10 ideas a day. Don’t worry about how shit they are. If you can’t do 10 do 20.
Keep doing this in every facet of your life. Soon you’ll find your brain is amazing at creating solutions on the fly.
Do this long enough and you’ll start acting on some of your ideas. This allows for rapid acceleration.
Let’s bring an example in. Say I see a hot little senorita in the coffee shop on a seat near me.
My brain is automatically going to think ” oh fuck she’s hot, I don’t know how to pull this off, I can’t talk to her bla bla bla”
What you do is put your idea muscle in gear. Think of 10 ways on how to approach that girl. The first 4-5 ideas will be easy to rattle off, the last 5 will exercise your brain.
You see when you take the ego put and put the brain to the task of finding a solution, the fear goes away. And you know what you just might approach that girl.
Try the ideas thing out, read some b&d, danger and play, good looking loser, and James altucher. And you’ll be all set
Heathenwinds says
Hey, thanks Anon. Have you checked out Startgainingmomentum.com? It’s my go-to site with boldanddetermined.
anon1 says
is that ludvig’s one? yeah its good
30daystox.com is quite useful too
http://badassu.net was great but its now defunct
Georgie says
Ah yeah.SGM is solid alwaysI always learn something new.
chris says
i read once about some australian girl who got into real estate sales at 18 or 19 in a middle aged male dominated market. she started her real estate business when she was 21 and is now in her 30s (i think) and is wildly successful.
she said that the best way to overcome this lack of credibility is to know SO MUCH more than everyone else you are competing against and having massive levels of knowledge. also her energy helped her since she was young. use that lol.
avi says
i have built a yoga school with my partner and I am developing and marketing yoga courses both online and destination based.
I would love to have some feedback from you and your team Victor.
i have another question i am building product brands as against building my own personal brand online, what are your recommendations about that?
Victor Pride says
“i have built a yoga school with my partner and I am developing and marketing yoga courses both online and destination based.
I would love to have some feedback from you and your team Victor.”
Sounds like you have that all under control.
“i have another question i am building product brands as against building my own personal brand online, what are your recommendations about that?”
Of course. When I say build a brand I don’t mean it HAS to be you, it can be a product. Everybody wants a brand, nobody wants generic.
AVI says
Thanks a lot for the reply Victor. Much appreciated.
Josh says
Hey Vic,
Great post, as always brother. I am interested in doing internet marketing/affiliate marketing. I wanted to get your opinion on which are the best programs and coaches to go with. I’d ideally like to join a coaching program.
Thanks,
JT
Victor Pride says
Programs and coaches? You, Inc. is the best. I’m the second best. No third exists.
Chris says
Victor,
I’m starting to make and sell apps on iTunes for kids.
Any suggestions on marketing for this product?
Victor Pride says
Make it addicting and make it cool – not just to play but cool to be seen with.
G-Freedom says
Great article Vic. One thing I really like about B&D is that I can learn a lot from the comments as well as the article. There are some true winner wolves on here, at least having the guts to give it a shot!
You mentioned earlier you wouldn’t buy stocks unless someone shows you how to manipulate them. I wouldn’t do that buddy, it’s illegal and jail terms can be up to ten years (see the wold of wall street). It’s better to watch the market and figure out the cause and effect relationships. Some commodities are almost cyclical, price changes happen at certain times of year (EG pork bellies will almost always skyrocket coming up to Chinese new year and oil will inevitably go up when there’s trouble in Iraq/Iran). Once you figure out the patterns, it puts the odds way in your favour and reduces the “gambling” element.
Anyway. Thanks for the article and I have mad respect for what you’ve built here.
Victor Pride says
“manipulate them. I wouldn’t do that buddy, it’s illegal and jail terms can be up to ten years ”
You’ve misunderstood my meaning.
“Some commodities are almost cyclical, price changes happen at certain times of year (EG pork bellies will almost always skyrocket coming up to Chinese new year and oil will inevitably go up when there’s trouble in Iraq/Iran).”
You’ve just explained it right here.
Scott says
So here’s my entrepreneurial idea: building the ULTIMATE classifieds website, like Craigslist on steroids. So many features that could be improved upon but haven’t yet. Here’s what the website looks like so far: real-list.org I could devote my time to this and monopolize it somehow either through a slight fee for posts or Google Ads, etc..?
Whaddaya think, Vic?
Victor Pride says
The dash in real-list sucks, no one remembers dashes. Site looks good. To monetize you could charge people who are placing ads to hire people or to sell a car.
HoffD says
Hey Victor,
First just let me start by saying that your blog is the shit, seriously, i’ve recommended you to anyone who will listen.
Heres the plan: I already have a pretty extensive coin collection that I know for a fact is worth a considerable amount of money. Ive been thinking of establishing a blog that helps beginner collectors get into the hobby by laying the necessities out for them. I would basically be making the whole entry process easier for those who might be interested. After I’ve established myself and built a presence I would move to establish a closely linked ecommerce site selling a part of the collection. After I sold about half of it I would reach out to other collectors who are already on Ebay or Amazon or possibly going to pawn shops or auction places and seeing if they would be interested in selling with me or in setting up a drop shipping deal with them and thereby automating the business.
Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Victor Pride says
This is a very good idea. I was recently looking at coins very seriously as a way to get some of my funds off of a computer screen and into my hands. This would be a valuable resource. Reaching to other investors and automating is a fantastic idea.
timothycass says
Uncle Vic,
I’m in the midst of starting a website dedicated to filming HQ video recipes for Vitamix blenders. I happen to work for the company and I believe that I can do a very good job of demonstrating recipes on video considering I have camera + video editing skills and a will to make something awesome, better than anything thats currently out there. i was hoping i could make commission off of marketing affiliate vita mix blenders on, and I was just looking for some advice on which frame of mind I should be going in with to make this work. I know that with your website, you just sat down and wrote quality content without even a single comment for two months. Would you suggest I just keep filming awesome content and publishing good material, fuck the SEO fuck everything and just go in 100% or would you suggest a different approach for this type of content?
PS: my website is timothycass.com
Victor Pride says
“Would you suggest I just keep filming awesome content and publishing good material,”
Yes, and make money via affiliate marketing. Always go 100%. SEO is a bit of a joke, just write the damn words about what you’re talking about and it will show up on google.
Rob says
Hey Vic
Not a business idea, but I like the paragraph of “Don’t stop learning”. Any plans on writing a blogpost about this in detail? Like for example when you’re learning a skill and you want to know when you are ready to provide people in that sector (create your brand) or focus on improving until you’re the best and then start building? Afterall, time is valuable and I rather don’t waste it.
I know the feedback system works really well but maybe you’ve got some better indicators?
Kind regards,
Rob
Victor Pride says
People will ask you advice for such and such and say “wow, you know so much about X”. That’s when you’ll know.
Chris says
I want to get into real estate, but don’t know where to begin. I’ve considered buying a property and renting it out, or buying a property, flipping it, and selling it for a profit, but as a recent college graduate my funds are relatively low right now and I don’t know what would be a good way to gain the knowledge I would need to succeed in such an endeavor.
Since you said you made money flipping houses, any tips or leads would be greatly appreciated.
Victor Pride says
biggerpockets.com is where I learned basically everything.
Chris says
Victor, Thank you. That site is awesome
Gezus says
Great article as per. Looking to make the leap from wantrpreneur to being the real thing.
I do my best to think of an idea or three a day. Here are a few of my favorites so far-
1. ‘What Would X do’ – A site that looks at the greats, from Muhammad Ali to Richard Branson, and post regular posts on what that individual would do in a specific situation, Ie. How Ali dealt with haters, How Branson dealt with being told no, how Napoleon dealt with the odds not being in his favour etc
2. Hair Product – Being the Narcissist that I am, I use gel, wax and pomade. Look to design a product that either contains all 3 as one, or has all 3 in one tub.
3. A meal plan website – A site that gets all your details, re. height, weight, fitness goals, activity levels, finances, anything your suffering from ie. Drowsiness, lack of sex drive etc and draws up a weekly meal plan for your situation.
Victor Pride says
These are all good ideas. 1 is easy. 3 is medium easy, 2 is hard. Take your pick.
ITConsults says
I have a consulting business (in addition to my normal job) that’s bringing in anywhere from 9 – 11k per month. The issue is that it’s directly tied to me. If I don’t bill the hours, I don’t get paid.
While it’s a pretty good side business in its current state, I want to grow it. I can only bill so many hours per week so growing it will mean adding more people and getting contracts to put them on. I guess I’m not sure about the best way to go about doing that. I’m thinking I’d need to find quality people first and then find contracts to keep them busy?
Thoughts?
Victor Pride says
If you want your time you need to hire people to do the work for you or find a new business.
Matias Page says
Hello Vic,
I have a product in mind, that I think would have a lot of people needing it.
It’s an app for ipad or similar tablets. It would be very visual and guide you through the process of performing self-maintenance on your body. I already have an experience of 4 years on myself. I was ridden with pain in the joints and low back, etc. Today I’m 36 years old and I train 5-6 days a week (BOAS style) and I find pleasure in movement.
I’ve learned from free online sources like Kelly Starrett, Bret Contreras, etc. I have a journals of the whole process and I took notes and made hundreds of diagrams.
I have the whole thing in my head. But I won’t write all the details here because it wouldn’t be wise and it would take a long time. But if you were interested to know what the whole app would be like, I’d be glad to share more details and maybe get feedback from an accomplished man like you.
Do you have any tips on how would you approach this? Do you think it sounds good? I have no programming skills. I do not have an ipad myself. I do have talents in visual design and I have a clear idea of software and the interaction between the user and the app.
Thank you once more for all your writing. I constantly use your website to keep focused on the important things.
Victor Pride says
I don’t need more details. The idea is solid, the app would be in-demand in the fitness world. You have no programming skills? So. Odesk and elance do.
Matias Page says
Great. Thanks for your time.
Raz says
“You, Inc. is the umbrella company for everything you do in your life.”
That pretty sums up everything.
Davor says
Hello Victor,
I am in the process of creating my own (actually just improving) brand/product that has been on market for some time now but most of those products are made of plastic or tritan ( product is Fruit infuser water bottle http://tinypic.com/r/b48328/8) & there are some sites that are doing quite well with sales but people know that plastic or tritan are not the best option for health ( thats what I found out when I was reading reviews etc.) So I will go with glass bottle instead plastic & I would promote product through FB ads, adwords, SEO & social media. What are your thought about the product & the whole this idea?
Thanks,
Davor
EA says
personal opinion? FB ads don’t work unless you spend a gazillion dollars in the hope of getting some branding back. Most people despise FB ads, a lot of people install ad-blockers and so on.
I am not saying that the ROI is zero, but it might definetly be not worth the price.
Victor Pride says
I love it, but I’d try and get it in supermarkets and gas stations instead of playing around on facebook. You’re going to deliver glass bottles that people order online? It’s easier to go to the local 7-11 and buy one.
Anon1 says
no joke i had been looking up where to find glass good quality bottles to use instead of gym ones for my work out sessions. eventually settled on a camelbak glass bottle but it was ridiculously expensive. just came in the post this week.
If someone made a gym shaker bottle that was made out of glass instead of plastic i would be all over that.
a lot of people are waking up to the whole xenoestrogen compounds that come out of plastic wear: http://www.dangerandplay.com/2012/11/18/mens-health-plastic-water-bottles-lower-testosterone/
something worth thinking about, you have a great little idea there
also glass can afford to go at a higher premium than plastic (just make it cheaper than the camelbak)
Winner says
Hey Vic,
I’m 16, a student. I have irresistible interest and taste for electronics as a result of which I gained a lot of Skill and professionalism in the field. I recently developed a technique to control and operate any electronic device from any distance from your mobile phone and that too, free of cost. I developed a prototype for my project for which i was awarded by the president of country too. I WANT TO BRING IT IN DEVELOPMENT. The people i live with and meet daily just want me to study for a “good job”. I have a scholarship for my studies, but i really don’t want to continue my studies. They teach bullshit in school which has no connection to real life whatsoever.
I wanna make the next big thing. I can’t sleep at nights because of all the inspiration i feed my brain and the dreams i watch awake. I just cant find anyone who can guide me to make it happen. I was very inspired when I was awarded by the president for my idea but it all ended when no tried to see the endless possibilities of my project.
just imagine controlling everything from your phone. Water your fields, switch on your air conditioner and every thing you can think of.
I want that environment and the “right” people with whom I can bring to use my potential for the benefit of the masses.
I need your advice, Sir.
Also, I have begun weight training and plan to get jacked by the time i turn 18. I ain’t not one of those exhausted wankers i see every now and then.
48 hours haven’t passed yet. So, waiting for your reply..
Victor Pride says
You already know what you want to do. Don’t bother listening to naysayers. Keep on your path, when you’re 18 and free you can do as you wish.
Florian Ulrich says
Hi Victor, thanks a bunch for your help. It’s pretty cool that you are looking to check our business ideas free of charge. Wow.
I came across this interesting study where they compared dog and wolf behavior.
http://news.sciencemag.org/brain-behavior/2014/08/wolves-cooperate-dogs-submit-study-suggests
It appears wolfs cooperate, while dogs submit to a hierarchy. Low ranking dogs would not even TRY to challenge the top dogs, whereas wolves “go” for what they want. When people domesticated wolves, they selected them for following orders.
I found this fascinating, because it fits so well – you can chose to work “for the man” and be a little obedient dog OR you can chose to be a winner wolf and run with a pack of alphas.
Ok, so here is my business idea:
I will first start a blog centered around three different topics:
1. Providing executive summaries about books I have read – so people can make up their mind if they want to buy the book or not. If they do, I’ll have an affiliate link (e.g. to Amazon) where I will get commission for each sale.
2. Explaining recent scientific findings in a way that non-scientists can understand.
3. Ideas how you restart your life at 35+ years.
After a year, I will analyze where most of my traffic went and then focus ONLY ON THAT for another blog. That will be the second phase of my model.
From the second phase, I will come up with a product that will then make me the bulk of my money. Most likely an eBook or an app.
If I chose to stick with #1 on the long term, I will build my blog into a review blog for other blogs, software, books etc.
The “end goal” for #2 could be a youtube channel, where I talk about science and explain recent findings once a week.
And for #3, I could come up with a “how to” eBook. How to get a visa, how to quit your job and still use your experience you have acquired at 35+ years of age. etc.
I am a 38 year old biological researcher from Germany, and I will make it in the US. So I can talk about all three points above with at least some experience.
The idea for #1 came from dangerandplay.com; and the idea of doing a tier three blog -> tier two blog -> product came from Mattforney.com.
Unfortunately I can’t quit my job until I have my Green Card, because without my current job, my visa becomes void. That means I have to keep my day job while building my first blog. But that’s also good, because it forces me be creative and improvise and not “wait for the ideal time” to do something. “30 days of discipline” has definitely helped me to develop the discipline I need for this task.
Victor Pride says
1. Providing executive summaries about books I have read – so people can make up their mind if they want to buy the book or not. If they do, “I’ll have an affiliate link (e.g. to Amazon) where I will get commission for each sale.
2. Explaining recent scientific findings in a way that non-scientists can understand.
3. Ideas how you restart your life at 35+ years.”
These are all good topics, but amazon commissions on books are tiny, you won’t make much money doing that.
“After a year, I will analyze where most of my traffic went and then focus ONLY ON THAT for another blog. That will be the second phase of my model.”
I’ll be blunt. That’s a dumb fucking idea. You’re going to spend a year on a blog building a reader base and then you are going to quit and start another blog and start all over again. Instead, just shift the focus from 3 things into the 1 most popular thing and keep your one main blog alive. You know, the one you already built and have traffic on.
“and the idea of doing a tier three blog -> tier two blog -> product came from Mattforney.com.”
Dumb idea that doesn’t work and you’ll notice Matt Forney has started 15 blogs and deleted 14 of them and now only operates mattforney.com because multitasking doesn’t work.
In a nutshell, one blog – one business. Stay focused on the one thing. Spreading it out is spreading yourself thin and will live you broke.
Florian says
Thank you very much for your response, I will then look for the common denominator amongst my ideas so that I can start ONE strong blog.
Thomas says
Vic,
Been a performer and in front of people for years and years, recently got into performing marriage ceremonies as a minister for friends. Also have had much work as a DJ and Photographer for various shoots/gigs, and was thinking of combining them. My sister does hair and my best friend owns a catering business. I want to combine all of our resources and make a company of something like One Stop Wedding for my local area, charge a cool 5 – 10k per wedding and take care of everything but the venue: Minister, DJ, Photographer/Videographer, Hair (for the ladies), and food for the reception. Obviously with it being friends/family in the business as well I’d have to pay pretty well, I’d estimate taking home 1/2 of the profits and giving the others involved 1/4.
Do you think it would be weird to have the Minister who just married you also be the DJ?
Would you find this an easy/affordable solution to figuring out your wedding instead of having to hunt for all of these individuals/companies by yourself?
Victor Pride says
That’s a good idea for the one stop shop for weddings. A minister/DJ is pretty weird, yeah, but you don’t know until you try. People might tell stories about how cool it was that the minister was also the DJ.
Jay says
I’m 24 and just moved from London to Dallas. Recently single and don’t know anyone in town.
Excited about starting a new life in a new country and am thinking I could blog my journey. Main focus of the blog would be:
– Internet Marketing.(I’ve been a profitable IMer since 2007.)
– Nutrition & Training. (Using myself as a human guinea-pig, cutting and bulking.)
– Picking up girls. (Recently single, so plan on having my share of fun in Dallas.)
Tagline would be along the lines of: ‘Make Money Like A Mogul. Look Like A Spartan. Fuck Like A Rockstar.’
I’d make money as an affiliate by recommending various products, including yours. (Eventually, I might even release an info-product of my own.)
What do you think of the idea?
Victor Pride says
Sounds fine, the money is there, there are a thousand blogs like it to prove that, but I’m personally so sick of the picking up girls thing I wouldn’t even read one article on your site. Though thousands, maybe millions, of other guys would.
Jay says
Thank you, Vic.
Jason says
Hi Jay.
Im in Dallas too with similar interest. Lets link up.
Raymond Bridgeforth says
if i so but i could been a gangster for italy crime family or a bussiness man or in a talent mma fighter you might sit around in your fake war room anyone think of this comment comment below me PS a italy crime family (american or italy) make billion of dollar American crime family (anyone) make 15 billion year
Utopianfreeman says
Offtopic. What are your testosterone levels as a natural? What were they on gear?
Xavi says
Some of your readers are in high school or college. Financially most of them get supported by their parents. Now lets say a boy in high school says that he wants to skip college because he wants to follow his dreams plus Victor Pride gave that advice. What some parents do ( Asian , islamic any other strict parents) is that they wont financially support you anymore and kick you out of the house. I have a SOLUTION for this once you skip college and get kicked out of the house. FIND A PART TIME JOB AND LIVE FRUGAL! An part time job will give you a lot of time to pursue your goals. 2 questiond Vic. What are ther
Victor Pride says
FIND A PART TIME JOB AND LIVE FRUGAL!
John says
Some of your readers are in high school or college. Financially most of them get supported by their parents. Now lets say a boy in high school says that he wants to skip college because he wants to follow his dreams plus Victor Pride said that you should skip college. The boy is excited about his life and cant wait to be 18. As soon as he is 18 he quits school. BUT now his parents kick him out of the house and dont support him financially anymore. Hes kicked out of the house and aint got no money. WHAT SHOULD HE DO?
Jacob says
He should be saving up money and creating the foundation for his job while still in high school. That way if/when he gets booted out, it doesn’t matter.
BEN says
Actually, an engineer degree is worth it. It is specialized knowledge that you can start a Biz or find variety of side income
Victor Pride says
He should make some money. How much money does an 18 yr old need to live? Barely anything. You’re telling me you can’t make “barely anything” while you spend time fulfilling your destiny?
zruth says
Sound article Vic.
Nick says
Good info Vic!
Dan says
Good read Vic!
I have never been one of those who liked working for other people, in fact i could never hold a job down for too long before i got bored and left. I think that’s why i eventually turned an entrepreneur and have now been working for myself for about 6 years. I started off importing products from China, and selling on sites like ebay and before i realised was making over £10,000 per month, wayyy more than I’d ever made in a job. I had ups and downs at the start and not afraid to say failed quite a few times trying to build online businesses. I have had points in my life where my online business was soaring and next losing everything, and having to start from scratch. In fact this happened to me just a year ago, but i pulled myself up again, and within 3 months went back to my roots of ecommerce and built an online business that turns over 6 figures in record breaking time, and it’s still doing well now. If it’s one thing i have learned it’s dont give up too easily when your at at rock bottom or starting from scratch, just figure out a way to get back up, ask the right questions, make a plan and take action. You will probably fail at some point, just fail fast as you’ll only get closer to your WIN.
Victor Pride says
Great comment. No one has wanted to listen to me about ebay, shame for them. I personally buy almost everything from ebay.
Sal Mir says
Hello Victor,
Thanks for taking time to go through some of your followers’ initiatives. Forget all the money , just the simple fact you motivated all these people should be a badge of honor for b&d.
You should do this every few months. Check on your people, and see what stage they are at.
I began a small mining company 2 years ago. I still didn’t make any revenue. I guess it’s the nature of the business. It takes years for a mine to get to production.
In the mean time, I would like to create an online business by writing an e-book about influential people and the steps they go through by looking at historical figures.
Basically,
1) From your experience can this be monetized or is it too broad?
2) Should I tell great stories for people to learn from, or should I focus on the steps to becoming influential? Please provide a few steps for me to follow.
3) Make the first post on my site.
*******
I launched last week and have 10+ posts already.
Keep up the good work.
Jacob says
Sal Mir,
IMHO, as long as the content is good I don’t see why not. What you’re proposing sounds a lot like the book “The 48 Laws of Power.” If you haven’t read it, I suggest doing so. Sounds like it’s in line with what you’re working on.
Victor Pride says
Anything can be monetized. That’s the mistake in thinking entrepreneurship is too hard and for the elite. ANYTHING can be monetized. But I’m not going to give you any steps to follow. That’s called being a copycat. You have an idea, it’s a fine one, make it happen.
Casey says
I want to make my band’s website (theylivewesleep.com) a centralized source for info and updates on us but I’ve been having a lot of trouble trying to create a wordpress theme. I want to more or less keep the way it looks but with an easily updatable news feed. Any advice on creating themes or suggestions of ones that would fit the look?
Also, we worked with a real scumbag booking agent that really scammed us and I am thinking of taking him to small claims court. I was wondering if you have had any bad experiences with someone you worked with and if so what you did to make things right.
Lastly, do you know anything about getting an unused but owned domain through an ICANN dispute (or any other method I might not be aware of?)
Victor Pride says
I’ve only been scammed by online companies, like that scumbag company infusionsoft – but fixing it is as easy as calling your bank and telling them to fix it. Create themes? Hire someone. For all my themes I always use studiopress.com.
Don Dano says
Hi Vic,
What do you think about ecommerce selling herbals online?
I know It cannot be advertised through google/facebook etc and most creditcard/payment providers dont like herbals.
I have no online presence yet, and you say that SEO is kind of a joke.
Would this be a good way to go?
Victor Pride says
Depends on what herbals. For legal stuff shouldn’t have a problem using paypal or a cc processor. I buy these types of things from ebay all the time. Advertising on goog and facebook is fine but you’d better study first before you lose your money on wasted advertising that doesn’t convert.
Davian says
I am 16 years young lion whos looking to get into the online biz game as soon as possible. I have two ideas I know for a fact will work – I’m a great writer and I have an impressive physique; obviously im not huge, I’m not on roids and gains are hard as a teen, but I have bigger muscles than most of my peers and more than that, a very low BF%. I’m only telling you this to show credibility.
1.) teenbodybuilding.com – bear with me, Vic. This website won’t be anything like bb.com, full of hypocrital fatasses and skinny douchebags. I was reading a forum on bb and one jerk literally lost his shit at a guy asking how to train abs, just because the guy wanted a sixpack to impress the girls on Spring Break. This fat piece of shit told him that “If you lift for girls, you dont even lift. You’re a faggot.” Yeah, okay. Anyways, my website wouldn’t bullshit about putting on 30 pounds in 2 months without a cycle (their Thor article, bulking diet my ass), it would cover the best exercises, eating right, staying realistic, and staying motivated – for teens, in a place 50y/o fucking carrots wouldn’t criticize them.
2.) My father is a huge fan of Wolverine – Hugh Jackman. His fitness goal (finally convinced him to get back in the gym) is shed all his fat, and reincarnate his dormant muscle. I’ve decided to take on the task of training him, so that by the end of October, he’s an absolute ringer for Hugh Jackman (below the chin, anyways). I’m developing a program, and if it works for him, he will be my billboard, as well as my own physique, to sell the program which I will call “Mean, Lean Wolverine Machine – Get Ripped in 90 days”. I would host it on its own website, “www.meanleanwolverine.com”.
I know for a FACT that there is a market for both these products. If you tell me to give up on them, it’ll only light a fire under my ass and make me work harder. Constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated, negative feedback as well; nothing would make me feel more accomplished than proving Uncle Vic wrong.
Victor Pride says
The site sounds excellent. bb.com is full of morons and is the #1 site in the world giving out bad advice, you can come in and tell them the real deal.
Sam Fisher says
HA, I notice all the recent comments are linked exclusively to this article. #1 commented on article on B&D.
john doe says
A few great ideas for reality TV shows. The first one is called “The Bully.” It’s sort of like the show Cheaters, only we find someone who was bullied about 20 years ago in high school. Then we tell them where their Bully is…”Now he is over there at the Mcdonalds right now, what the fuck you gonna do about it?” Hopefully they fight. I’d watch that.
Second show is where we take a group of girls and give them money for hair,makeup, tanning, spa, clothes. Then e take another group of girls who are on a very strict budget and can only work out and buy clothes from Goodwill. At the end of the 10-12 wk season, we have a group of guys who would judge who they’d bang. I’d watch that show.
Last but not least, instead of taking a family who had some unfortunate event happen and rebuild their home for them, we take a family of scumbags, send them off on vacation for a few days, and destroy their home. “Dale, now everyone here came together when you were gone……..and we know you’ve been through a lot over the years…..but the truth is nobody can fucking stand you and you’re a complete scumbag….You ready for this? Move the bus!! That’s right, it’s fucking gone!! Now get the fuck out of here!!!”
Victor Pride says
hahaha!
Joe Madanazz says
Vic,
I’m working on an e-book about the ins and outs of investing in real estate tax lien certificates and tax deeds. I’d like to sell through a simple landing/sales page with links to the public laws for quick reference as well as to websites of attorneys who practice in this niche area of law in each of the U.S. states (myself included). That’ll hopefully provide affiliate/referral fees for any business those attorneys generate.
Whaddya think?
Victor Pride says
I think it’s solid. Good market, good idea, now just execute.
Dog says
Do you think using Shopify is a good move?
Victor Pride says
It’s fine.
Gregor says
Victor,
I came up with this idea 2 days after I got terminated from a salaried job in digital marketing. Since, DEC ’13 I’ve been slowly working to develop a physical analytics product/service for small businesses. It will measure customer engagement for businesses such as restaurants, retail stores, and coffee shops, etc. I intend to start by applying Google’s Universal Analytics to capture actual physical movements by visitors of small businesses and service them profitable strategies based on this data. I intend to do so by using technologies such as geo-conquesting, BLE, and WiFi among others to these enable these devices with the vision of empowering small businesses with better customer data.
Your Student
Victor Pride says
This is a good idea and the market is there.
Rob says
Hey Vic, awesome post! I have been running a blog for about two months now, and it is received quite well and seems promising for the future.
I would appreciate if you (as an experienced blogger) could tell me what you think about it and what could be improved.
Keep up the great work!
Victor Pride says
You have no logo, nothing to identify your blog from the millions of others. You haven’t changed the footer text, looks amateur to have that nonsense in the footer and it takes 2 seconds to change.
Jacob says
Hey Vic, taking some of the things you addressed on his website and applying to mine. What are you referring to specifically with the footer text?
Are you referring to this?
Copyright © 2014 Move over Average. Powered by WordPress and Stargazer.
Victor Pride says
Powered by WordPress and Stargazer.
Rob says
Thanks! taken care of the footer. The logo needs some more work, before it gets released.
Mike Chagares says
Uncle Vic,
INFO:
MrVeins.com – an online blog for men centered around weight lifting – is my business.
Business = selling something.
I have a bulking book for sale that explains exactly what I did to gain 10lbs in four weeks.
The reviews I’ve received from the small amount of sales I got were great.
PROBLEM:
I need more exposure without doing BS marketing and spamming other blogs with irrelevant comments, etc..
I’ve relied on my dedication, writing and, well, just drillin’ and killin’ it everyday to build my mark.
My content is solid – I know this from the emails and feedback I get from my readers, who are mainly young men looking to bulk up without using conventional methods.
QUESTION:
How can I get more exposure on MrVeins?
Not something instant like marketing, ads, etc.., but a long term solution to really BRAND my business?
I’m EXTREMELY vascular, hence – ‘MrVeins’.
When I tell dudes in real life that I author a blog titled, ‘MrVeins’, they say the name fits perfectly.
My actual presence around other men and my blog name go great together and leave a lasting mark on dudes in real life.
I cannot figure out how to give off this same presence online.
Your man,
Mike Chagares
Victor Pride says
Mikey you already know the answer. Keep at it, don’t quit, endure.
Mike Chagares says
Uncle Vic,
I knew what your answer was going to be – that didn’t matter.
I just needed to “hear” the ‘endure’ part from you again.
So thank you.
Your man,
Mike Chagares
Cesar says
Victor any known tricks to become a morning bird instead of a night owl?
I am really sharp and alert at night (daily) but I have come to enjoy waking up at 5am but my mind tends to be foggy, I’m semi sensitive to coffee/caffeine in that my stomach can bear it sometimes but other times It causes stomach issues and gives me insomnia.
Victor Pride says
Routine. I was a night owl for many years until I decided to wake up early everyday. Wouldn’t you know it, morning is now my favorite time of the day. No trickery required.
Cesar says
Understood.
Lord Timothius says
Hey Vic,
Reading your blog here has definitely aided me in pushing forward as an aspiring artist. Here is a work-in-progress:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/10604075_10152765710435572_7598554037544348080_o.jpg
There’s just one problem. I need to become a lot less introverted/autistic and a lot more extroverted/normal if I am to make sales. Or maybe I don’t need to? Advice?
cheers
Victor Pride says
Artists are always wacky people. To make sales you have to believe in your art. You have to believe it’s worthy of the price tag. You have to believe it’s better than all other art. Same thing for writers, you have to believe your book is better than the other books and you have to push it as though it’s the best. You don’t have to be PUSHY but you have to push it.
Dave says
Hi Victor, I was just wondering what are thoughts in running a business in Australia
Love your blog by the way.
Victor Pride says
I have no thoughts on running a business in Australia. Never been there.
Ricky says
Creating a video game. By that, I mean everything that is involved in a video game. From the logic to the arts. Hell, I only play them once a week. But I always think of creating them ever since I was young. It’s one way to learn so many things like designing software (since video games are just fancy software), and creating music if it is meant to have it. I observed that a really good game or an excellent product WILL find its way to a lot of people. That’s why there are “Sleeper hits.”
AmbitiousLad says
Hi, can I have more details about your game? Is the process going well? I am very interested in the idea of building a video game from a to z by yourself, because the same idea crossed my mind before and I’m still not willing to let go of it. I’m actually considering it once I achieve financial stability. Good luck and feel free to email me at [email protected]
Victor Pride says
Well boys, my 48 hours is finished. Feel free to continue posting and let other scrutinize your idea and feel free to chime in and help others.
Phil says
Hi vic,
few years ago I was playing online poker pretty decently, in my best time I made more money then everyone else I knew in my age. As Thailand is a Hotspot for online pros you probably have heard of some.
The downside was by sitting in front of the computer the whole day alone, my social skills and my body went down and it was boring and I felt lonely. I decided to quit, get my shape in a good form, traveled the world with the money and still have a bunch of dollars.
But now I know I have to make some money longterm and I would hate to work for someone and the payment sucks compared to playing online (six figures per year would be the goal).
To be realistic to come to that amount of money by blogging I would need a site as big as yours, I don’t think I’m able to do that, even it would be way more fun.
What would you do? Go in nerd mode for a few more years and endure the pain and boredom while on the way making a lot of money for my longterm the freedom, or do something you enjoy? When I do the last one im afraid in a few years when I look in my bank account I will regret it while writing my first application letters..
Matty B says
Just for shits and giggles, I should write a course teaching women how to be more docile and obedient. I bet I’d get assassinated within a month.
Victor Pride says
I’m still alive.
EA says
“I’m still alive.”
Just wait to see what happens when Hillary will become the next President. You’ll be one of her first targets…
Bitcambodia says
Victor, it would be quite easy for you to further monetize the readership of this blog by creating a subscription-based community. It would be a great place for the community to collaborate on business ideas and communicate one-to-one. I’m sure the thought has crossed your mind.
You should accept Bitcoin for those of us who don’t use banks or paypal. I can help you.
Leo says
Or just surf The Fastlane Forum. Basically people with the same goals and a similar mindset. Vic praises the site himself in one of his articles.
Igor Michinog says
I want to start handcrafting fine furniture.
Call me strange, but handcrafted wooden furniture is pretty much all that’s been on my mind for the past few weeks.
I’ve already drawn up a bunch of designs that, if I do say so myself, look great.
I’ve never actually built furniture before; my only experience with wood is making handles for my forged knives (which I do very well). However, that’s not an issue.
I’m skilled with my hands, and have a great imagination; I’d quickly pick up the ins and outs of this trade.
My problem is I’m not sure how to start (once I’ve become adept at crafting furniture).
How do I get ‘out there’, so to speak?
How do I build my brand?
I’m going to handcraft fine furniture.
BEN says
See this one.
http://geekchichq.com/
They start by kickstart some of small wooden item to get their name out.
https://www.kickstarter.com/
Mitko says
I’ve never been taught I’m not special. World is screaming at me, I’m special. That’s also part of marketing. People should know theirselves better than everyone else. Once they take the road toward themselves, it will be far more easier to take risks and decisions. Thinking you are special just from the air may be dangerious basis to step on at the beginning.
Dave says
Hey Victor. Have you considered growing a beard? I think you would rock it!
Your friend in New Zealand,
Dave.
Ross says
Great article, it definitely got me fired up however no matter how much motivation one has there are definitely short-term barriers to just doing whatever you want in life. I would love to be able to flip houses and do interior design or myself or landscape architecture. But when you have little/no credit history and mediocre credit, you’re not going to be getting any house loans from a bank any time soon.
And yeah, my 9-5 job definitely sucks the life and soul out of me but in the short-term I need it in order to be paying all of my bills on time, especially crippling student loan debt.
Josh says
You don’t need a loan from a bank. That’s what private investors/lenders are for. Do you know anything about construction? Do you have connections in the real estate market where you live?
Co says
Hi Vic,
thought this would be of your interest, there is a new modafinil analogue on the market, you can read into it if interested on Reddit:
http://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/2e12z1/hydrafinil_new_modafinil_analogue/
all the best
Co says
Info of company selling it, you can rely on them, it´s a legit company
What they say about this new compound:
It is finally here!
Hydrafinil, also known as 9-Fluorenol, is a eugeroic related to modafinil. It is 140% as efficacious as modafinil at wakefulness promotion, and does not have the same interactions that modafinil can have. It also does not last as long, making it easier to dose more effectively, without having to wait out 12 hours of effects. It has slightly lower DAT affinities, but had higher 5-HT6 affinities. The 5-HT6 antagonism give this substance slight mood boosting effects, along with the wakefulness promotion. It also is more potent than modafinil, with 50-100mg corresponding to 100-200mg for modafinil. This compound was investigated by Cephalon to be the successor to modafinil, and shows no toxicity and no liver interactions that its older brother does. It’s a truely unique addition to the eugeroic family.
Product contains either 2g or 5g of Hydrafinil powder.
Mher says
I am currently working on a new website for our art gallery, for the old one is outdated, but I also want to transform it into an ecommerce store so that people could buy paintings from that site online. Anybody know how to do that? The template of the site that I’m designing is from wix.com.
Any help/tips would be appreciated
TS says
Is it me or does anyone who uses mailchimp have issues with privacy?
why does it force me to show my address when someone subscribes, my address is made public and mailchimp does not allow me to make my address private. And I don’t want to set up P.O. box.
Wonder how Victor Pride deals with this since he is a private man himself.
Victor Pride says
If you send out business emails you have to have an address attached. This has nothing to do with mailchimp, this is the law. Rent a PO box.
Brandon Rayburn says
Quick question…when you buy a domain name is it wise to buy all the .org .net etc? I just found your podcast, shits hilarious good stuff thanks for your response
Victor Pride says
Dot com is numero uno, you need that for sure. If you’re building a brand it’s wise to grab the dot net and dot org as well so no joker can cash in on what you’re doing. ABC – Always Be in Control.
Kalwyn says
Hi Victor
I started following your blog a month ago, came across it on google and all I can say is THANK YOU!! You have inspired me to start a number of websites. Please can you have a look at them and tell me what you think.
http://www.melanotanza.co.za
http://www.legiontactical.co.za
Regards
Victor Pride says
Sites look great. On the melanotan site -> products -> the 1st image is blurry. I would retake that pic and get a clear picture. Looks good otherwise. I like the design of the boxes. Clean, classy, elegant.
Josh says
Kalwyn,
Are these products you developed or are you reselling?
If reselling, how did you decide on the given products? Where did you find the products?
Any info would help. Thanks
Adam Fox says
Good points:
Have an unshakeable belief in yourself and your vision. Secondly you must ACT on your vision. Without taking action, your dream will never materialize. Get off your butt and make it happen, if not, you’ll end up accepting whatever is given to you. Change is always hard, but without change you’ll never grow.
sex symbol says
Victor do you have any liability insurance for your e-businesses? Brick and mortar businesses need professional insurance but what about e-businesses that deal with paypal on a daily basis do they need to buy e and o or any other type of liability insurance? what are some good websites for getting your privacy policy and terms of service written for cheap? Thanks..
Victor Pride says
The best liability insurance I’ve found is to simply use an offshore company as your umbrella company that owns everything. Privacy policy and TOS, just google it and you’ll find 5 free sites that will work fine.
Diederik says
One of your best articles yet.
Vic, what are your thoughts on choosing between two ideas (worked out on paper)? Do you go by guts or by logic? After having sold my 1st site I ever built online I’m eager to get back in the game and this time truly go pro but I’m struggling to choose one.
On the one hand I feel that I might actually be able to do both, but then again, I do like my focus.
Any thoughts?
Keep the fire alive
Diederik from The Netherlands
Victor Pride says
Guts.
PM says
Way to go for that article man, 400+ comments. It made me think about a thing or two, I have a red personnality type, if you are not aware of the personnality colors concept, lets just say that the red one is perfectly in line with yours and bold and determined. But I have difficulties exposing my inner self because I’m always living in my head. How can I stop living in my head, stop thinking too much and be more extroverted?
Victor Pride says
Life is a movie and you’re an actor. Be the part you need to be.
Lootpost says
Victor I have a question. I hired some developers to do a job for my website and they never met the deadline or did a good job.I used the company s credit card to pay for the services. What can I do to get my money back and settle my dispute? I called the bank but they still haven’t given me my money back. Any suggestions? Anyone can feel free to chime in.
Jacob says
If you have a written contract with them, take that, whatever paperwork, receipts, and related evidence to a good lawyer and see if they can do anything. That’s about the only way you’re going to get your money back from a crappy company intent on ripping you off.
Victor Pride says
Call your credit card company and have the charge returned to you.
James Krahmer says
This will be a long post dealing with a number of things revolving around Bold & Determined and Victor Pride himself.
First of all, a big cheers to Vic and his never-ending appetite to keep on excelling.
Now I just want to speak of some misconceptions of Victor’s works.
Some of you see it as a programmed algorithm in which you have to apply quasi-identically. Other take it for granted and the rest of you take too much offense to even bother seeing the heightened sense behind it all.
No man, absolutely no man has excelled with the exact same results repeating or “plagiarizing” the practices and actions of another man. While the chances of great success are unlikely, the chances of success will curse him to live in the shadow of the true great lest he carves his own way.
A lot of you study Vic and do exactly what he does and what he says. That is not the way it is intended. Victor on many occasions had it right: B&D is art. I will go even more: B&D is a philosophy. And yes, Vic is one of our modern-day philosophers. How?
Well for starters, he’s no tyrant/demagogue manipulating his followers. Second he’s not bullshitting you with countless marketing strategies the majority of phonies do nowadays. Third he honestly does not give a fuck. You know who doesn’t give a fuck? A fucking philosopher, that’s who. If you’re in and up for it, join in. If you’re not, get the fuck out. Vic does not demean other philosophies on their own grounds. A lot of feminists/opposers will jump and say whatever they want about Vic. Vic, on his own grounds, within his own territory, within his own philosophy, within the BAD universe has criticized others. He does not go to that Jezebel behemoth arguing, he does not waste effort. He let it be, went his way and stood his ground in triumph. Like a philosopher indeed. Call it BAD method, call it Prideism, call it whatever you want. I heard you might make a business book Vic. In your old age, just for the heck of it, I suggest you write your manifesto in a published book for the masses and give your philosophy school a name.
Back to the point. Victor says his opinions, puts his very subjective thoughts and marks out the core dogmas. He is not stripping you of your identity. He is your goddamn motivator. That general who always gives his men a thirst for blood before the storm. His priorities should not be identical to yours. If he speaks about the advantages of short hair and the liabilities to keep long hair presentable, that does not mean every single one of you should shave his head. It means those who want to keep it simple, cut. Those who want to grow, deal with the liabilities and make it look masculine. Not all of you are made to have Victor’s body. Vic is pushing you to have a minimal quota for physical fitness, the way they do in boot camp. Not all of you should go entrepreneurial and be rich-craving like Vic. Not all of you are made for that anyway. I have an old-time friend who is a photojournalist. That cocksucker has been everywhere. He has been to the Congo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iceland and fuck knows where. He left his girlfriend of 10 years because she made him choose between her and his job. He freaking loves his job. And he wouldn’t want to be an entrepreneur anytime soon. And he is most definitely approved B&D material. Have your own priorities. There is only one Victor Pride. No more, no less.
I’ll tell you what B&D is for me. Not just art. Not just philosophy. It’s a reset button. I have a somewhat chaotic lifestyle with my work and constant traveling. So every now and then when the storm has passed, I need some order for fuck’s sake. I press that reset button by applying the methods of 30 Days of Discipline, or by reading great articles by Vic on B&D. Put some Rammstein, some Verdi, some 2PAC: You choose your music. But keep it consistent. It works and we’re back and running.
A lot of you keep asking Vic what you should do in your personal and detailed lives. I know and you know and Vic knows that Victor isn’t the perfect person to answer those because he is not in your shoes. Victor is your lecturer. He gives theory, not practice. He has his own practice. And you should take his theory and put it into your own practice. Your own priorities. Your own goals. Victor is doing a great job in motivation but he is not accountable for your every little life problems. Victor is not your own personal Jesus. Victor is Victor.
Keep on shining Vic. Keep on fighting readers.
And for those who are not taking me seriously I am not my initials.
Victor Pride says
You know what James? I’ve started to write this article a dozen times and never quite got it right. You just did. This is now the featured comment on the home page.
TheGreyWolf says
James, excellent points.
Hopefully this will discourage and save the precious time of the unimaginative copycats out there.
If you aspire to blog like Victor Pride, then you have already failed.
There is more than one kind of car. There is more than one painted picture. There is more than one style of house. There is more than one song.
Because someone said they could do it different, and/or better.
This was my takeaway;
“Victor is your lecturer. He gives theory, not practice. He has his own practice. And you should take his theory and put it into your own practice. Your own priorities. Your own goals.”
With this paradigm I will choose my practice with more clarity.
Anon1 says
phenomenal comment
Oskar says
This is exactly how i feel without beeing able to put it like you just did! This is how you should read vic. i actualy see a lot of parallels between his words and the the words of niechtze. one should find his own ways and be his own moral judge. let the masses do whatever they want and we will just keep rockin and fucking on our own and leaving them behind!
James Krahmer says
Nietzsche is my favorite philosopher. Good eye.
Mugilan Parimalam says
Epic post.
Vic, I really thank you for the inspiration you provide. Your writings impacted me. Will keep hustlin’
You keep buildin’ & wishing you more Glory!
Mugilan Parimalam from Malaysia.
Sammy the bull says
Victor why did you decide to lose so much muscle? A couple of months ago u were huge ands now you look athletic but slimmer? Do u plan to bulk up again?
Victor Pride says
I lost weight for the video, to look like an athlete rather than bulky. Yes, I’m bulking up again.
Jose says
Victor I just read about Tyson Beckford who used to be a model. He used to lift weights when he did modeling and stopped. Now he’s 43 years old and looks athletic like you. He said that he changed his routine. Everyday he does 1000 push-ups and 600 sit-ups consistently. The dude still looks good without lifting weights. When asked what gym does he go to he said no gym. Just calisthenics everyday just like the jungle. All natural movements. This reminded of your 30 days of discipline book. He’s really promoting the idea that your body is the only tool that you need to get jacked.He mentions that he only eats when he’s hungry but clean. No meats just seafood and vegetables. No dairy,juices or soda just plain clean water and coconut water. The dude is lean and ripped like you. What are you thoughts about this new movement in which involves just calisthenics unlike people who use weights like you promote? I would love to hear your thoughts and opinion on this subject….
PM says
You’ll never be big and strong just doing body weight exercises… you need weights because body weights exercises will only work up to a point.I mean you wanna do thousands and thousands of pushups, body squats, situps and pullups everyday or just go to the gym 30 minutes per day and blast the weights?
Igor Michinog says
What’s important is the range of motion in any given exercise, so that you’re using many different muscle groups (particularly stabilizer muscles) during any given exercise (movement).
Once you get to the point where you can, say, do 100 push-ups, it’s time to start doing explosive push-ups and one handed push-ups.
Then, let’s say you progress so much that you can do 100 explosive one-handed push-ups (unlikely); you’d go out and buy some sort of weighted vest (a backpack with some sandbags in it will do just fine as well) and continue doing explosive one-handed push-ups with the added weight.
Of course, you don’t need to start doing explosive push-ups or even one-handed push-ups, you can just add weight from the very start and keep doing so ad Infinitum, it depends entirely on what you’re training for.
What’s important are the movements, not the whole ‘body-weight’ deal.
However, I personally find that lifting weights is more enjoyable.
pm says
The other day I did 600 pushups and it did jackshit to my body
Miki says
That is because you are not doing it properly.
Read the “Convict Conditioning” by Paul Wade, a guy who spend a couple of decades in prison, and reconsider whether bodyweight exercises can make you into an unstoppable beast the way gym will never be able to.
Leo says
Hi Vic,
A little bit off topic Q, since I didn’t submit it to podcast.
What are your views on gf having male friends? Are you ok with your gf goes out for a dinner with her male friend, or keep online communication like skype, or you are totally against any male friend.
Victor Pride says
“Are you ok with your gf goes out for a dinner with her male friend, or keep online communication like skype,”
Hahahaha! Thanks bud, I needed a good laugh today.
Leo says
Np :)
The thing is I already set her so many boundaries that I don’t want to completely corner her into break up with old “male friends”.
But reality is that there is no reason for her to hang out with people with dick. Guess she ll have to find new female friends or I ll walk away. I never allowed that in relationship anyway. Sometimes it is just ok to see also things from another perspective.
Alexander says
Tell her it’s a matter of choice if she is that stupid. Either you or somebody else. There’s nothing to discuss. Someday she will ‘slip and fall on someone’s dick by accident’ (a quotation from an old movie). This is not a sort of ‘mistake’ a man should ever compromise.
Leo says
Yeah, well, I don’t think it’s a good idea to “force” people with “violence”.
The way I solved the problem was simply I told her I don’t want her to go out on a dinner or any other such occasion for that matter with anyone who has dick and that there is no room for any-close-male friend in our relationship and it is not negotiable.
She was a little surprised, looked at me like I took away her toy or something, but eventually she smiled, huged me and said “ok, sure thing honey”. (And yes I let my gf called me honey, I like it).
Now, should I use IF, as in, if you do that than I break up with you… I would firstly put a matter in her hands, since she would be the one who makes decision and secondly, she would be “forced” and used it against me first time she would get angry.
I prefer dominance and power from the point when she WANTS to follow you instead of she NEEDS to follow you. Second will crush sooner or later.
Leo says
[Error]
Victor Pride says
Fixed. Thank you.
Alex Lee says
Thank you Vic,
My whole life I have been waiting for permission from someone else and not taking charge of my own life. I am finally going to break the chains and just DO IT. I have always never been interested in working the 9-5 lifestyle and never wanted to work for anybody, but myself. I don’t want to give up on myself (Me, Inc.) and want to start a business in sharing to the world the true power of your subconscious mind. It is something that really interests me and I know there are people out there who also share the same interests. I am going to put in extra hours in the morning, and only work on my goals in the morning as I get disciplined through your 30 days of discipline. I am going to take charge of my life and change it from here on out. I am not going to let anyone, including my parents how to live my life. I truly believe that you can live your life, however you choose it to be. I am so blessed to stumble upon your blog. Thank you so much Vic.
From,
Alex Lee
Jose says
Victor you have to fix your blog. All the info is good but the latter info is contradicting to some of the first posts. For example, when you started your blog you always preached about eating 6 meals a day to get big however on your lasts posts on getting jacked and your body of spartan and 30 days of discipline you preach eating 1 to 3 times a day to get jacked and lean. For beginner who finds your blog through google and reads everything might get confused. Just a suggestion…
Victor Pride says
To get big you have to eat more, to get lean you have to eat less. If this confuses you then you don’t belong here.
Miki says
Vic, what currency do you think is the safest for long term investment?
Since I have quite a chunk of change after succeeding in my online business ventures a couple of years ago, I found myself having to think in which currency it’s safest to store my cash.
I currently keep it in Euro, which I find more and more risky, considering the crisis the Europe is facing with the war of Ukraine and energetic cooperation collapse with Russia. Most of EU’s economies are in severe crisis which was displayed clearly a couple of years back with Greece (if it was expelled from EuroZone the whole currency would crumble in the next months of chaos).
The USD is out of question of course, IMO it is on a tipping point to completely breaking and if my predictions are correct you’ll be able to use it solely for wiping ass by the end of 2017.
I was thinking that the safest bets considering financial stability, central bank assets and foreign debt would be Norwegian Krone. I believe it is the one most certain to stay stable when the shit hits the fan (escalation of Ukraine crisis, another war in Middle East…) because the country’s economy is independent and not directly tied to any broader market (like EU).
Singapore dollar and South Korean Won have crossed my mind too. Gold bars too.
Looking forward to getting an opinion from smart entrepreneurs. What’s your choice and why?
Victor Pride says
Your troubles are my troubles, Miki. Other than gold I don’t know. And how do you store gold if you’re a travelin’ man? Store it in a facility that is vulnerable to govt “acquisition”.
I’m thinking about Singapore as well, but I’m diversifying. If one falls, I have others.
Miki says
I’ve got a home base in my native country and a large family house with big enough safe.
I’d trust my brother who lives in it to keep it hidden. I’ve got more confidence in him than in the stability of Swiss banking system and would trust him with my assets anytime, so stashing gold bars in a safe location wouldn’t be an issue.
I just have to research more and figure whether they’re the best option.
Thanks for the input Vic, I appreciate it. Asset allocation through diversification never fails. I just don’t like all the work it requires to manage so many different assets.
PM says
I hope your brother his loaded with guns
CJ says
I’m talking to a bunch of voiceover models about creating an online service where bloggers send me a link to their post and some details and for a small fee can get their article converted into a podcast. That way readers can listen to post but it wouldn’t sound like one of those cheap robot transcriptions. Could be another spot to promote products before and after the podcast too.
Jude Young says
Thanks, brother
CrazyCanuck says
Great article, keep up the great work Victor !
But, I can… not… resist… that is an awesome “Zoolander” pose ;)
http://pmcvariety.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/zoolander.jpg?w=670&h=377&crop=1
Peace brother.
Victor Pride says
I should sue zoolander for looking like me.
Michelangelo's David says
I’m late to the party, but Vic mentioned that others could chime in, please do.
I’m toying with the concept of creating a blog with embedded YouTube video’s. I would post once a week with movie critiques and reviews, plus acting out some of the pivotal scenes with some improv. Also am working on writing some books, right now a sci-fi/fantasy novel and publishing via the Kindle on Amazon. I’m wondering on if creating solid posts with videos how can I monetize either on the blog or YouTube. This blog is helping me slowly getting in control. Thank you.
Remy Sheppard says
This popped back up in my reader today for some reason as unread. But I’m glad I went back and reread it. Powerful, timeless advice, man. Thank you.
S.L says
Hey Victor Pride one question?
I wish to go to college to be a accountant. Do you think it will be a waste of 4 years?
I will be a entrepreneur but dont want to waste good time to learn and prospect.
I am still in high school.
S.L
Derek Wolf says
One of the best articles on the site!
Rob Payne says
Hey Victor Pride.
I discovered Bold and Determined about 2 weeks ago. I was hesitant to ask your opinion of my website because I am still working everyday, editing pictures, making new products, and deciding what I want the final look of the site to be (background, text, display).
I began selling on eBay about 6 months ago and was selling to the full potential of my monthly limit. Customers were loving my product. However recently eBay has restricted my accounts. I made multiple accounts expecting some sort of problems. Anyways things were looking good.
If you check out my site you will see my obstacles.
In this post you say not to ask permission. That is what my philosophy was from the beginning with my product. In order to be as large as I see my business becoming (in stadiums, college campuses, malls, charity events supporting causes, and anywhere else) I will eventually need to work with the enterprises I am basically promoting. Take a look CustomLinx.com
On every bracelet I put an image of my logo and website domain on the underside.
Taj says
Hi I’m 24 and living in st lucia (Caribbean) I work as graphic designer/digital print operator I make my other sources of income as a freelance computer technician and I’m also in the resale business . Where I order products like perfumes , underwear ,apparels , technology most enlightened men can’t do without . I choose this way because it’s sort of “difficult ” to bring in goods from the U.S. and most people aren’t “fortunate”to own a visa card which gives me the edge and like most people they are attracted to “shiny objects”. Im expanding gradually as profits rolls in .However I’m feeling this feeling in my gut that I must be writing, at least to host a blog about my struggles of getting out of debt , overcoming depression after being accused of rape . Minimalist lifestyle , raising/ having a kid at a young age with practically no money – importance of money and saving money and how you’d call it “bum mentality” and look to publish Ebooks via blog …oh one more thing victor your blog has being part of me and man even though I’ve not met you in person I must say man it’s like I’ve known you my entire life . I don’t know if you know where st lucia is but your work has reached all the way here so keep doing what you do till one day I see you in person man
Maqsood says
NICE VERY NICE.
Tabitha says
I will create movie makeup. I am currently creating a makeup portfolio. Thank you for your enlightenment. I look forward to what you have to say and learning all that I can.
Jesus Sotelo says
Hey Vic been a reader for a while thanks alot for the tips, another thing if I may add is Jordan Belford said don’t have goals because they’re too short term and you lose sight of thins instead have a vision and your mind will come up with the steps or “goals” to make your vision come to life I have my own vision and am ready to get to work haven’t been this excited in 2 years
Roni says
I have an idea for an interior/exterior design app which exhibits a user friendly drag and drop interface to design landscapes and interiors.
Alex says
PHENOMENAL read. Thank you for this post. Really kicked me in the ass, but it was much needed. Feeling Inspired and Motivated.
minyak rambut says
May I ask a question in the comments?
how to cope if we’re having a sale are greatly decreased