The American Dream

Here in the Rust Belt, the train left the station a long time ago.

I’ve witnessed companies being sold, downsized and relocated. I’ve seen people suffering, foreclosed on their home; families being torn apart and incomes obliterated all because they bought into a dream. The American Dream.

 I’ve read about CEO’s slowly bleeding companies dry, retiring and managing to receive a golden parachute deal and a hero’s pat on their back from board members who profited from decades of side deals.

The Government bailouts and buyouts were all designed to make someone else wealthier, a reward for playing the end game. You weren’t considered nor included. No trickle-down theory at work here; more a slow motion tsunami wave.

Photo used courtesy of: Earl-Wilkerson

When the Great train called The American Dream pulled away from the station, the cars weren’t full of people; the rows of seats were filled with common sense, hope and dignity.

The American worker is nothing more than a pawn. We were merely tools. The scheme we bought into is nearing its run. It’s time to take back our pride.

Discover your passion and calling, follow your heart and dreams. Build something new, design something innovative or write something provocative. Research a problem and discover a solution. Find something people need and fill the demand.

Start your own business or revolution. Make the world a better place.

Leave a legacy.

Do something!

Just don’t go near the tracks.

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com
www.bestofvegaswebsite.com
www.paradisefitgranola.com

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and 3^rd party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Thank you.

Fly like an Eagle

Living in the Rust Belt has taught us a valuable lesson. The odds of working at one company throughout our entire career are about as likely as pigs learning to fly.

With the economy suffering, many people are unemployed. What better time to start your own business?

Photo used courtesy of: Ricymar Fine Art Photography. 

Starting a business can be simple. Just figure out a need and deliver the results. Just offer a simple need that people are looking for in their daily lives. I know it sounds easy, but it’s true.

Now here’s the tricky part:

Whatever you decide to do- do it better than anyone else. Take the time to reflect on how you can provide something and add enough value to the service to make yourself stand-out! Impressing your customers goes a long way with referrals and loyalty.

If you want to be successful and compete against existing business you must do something the competition doesn’t do.

Marketing yourself is crucial for your starting your own business. Figure out your niche business and how to reach your clientele. Perhaps business cards or flyer's might be all that you need. Internet sources such as experienced professionals, group forums, Google searches or associated organizations are among those who can provide useful information. Don’t be afraid to steal an idea.

Feel free to email me with any questions you have.

Persistence and time are your friends in this process. Stand by their side and you will eventually prosper.

Perhaps you will need a simple website to get started. Google and WordPress offer free access to building your own website. Another option would be to hire someone to create a site specific for your needs or purchase a premium site through WordPress.org.

There are many excellent books and social media sites available to pickup tips, facts and provide education for entrepreneurship, creating websites and marketing with social media.

Author: Chris Guillebeau

Chris Guillebeau has recently authored a new book entitled: “The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future.”

 The $100 Startup has a wealth of great start-up ideas and solid time-tested methods towards achieving success. Many of the entrepreneurs discussed in the book started with $100.00 or less to create their own income or small business. Chris keeps things simple within a do-able formula to launch your idea.

I can’t think of a better time to experience the freedom of being an entrepreneur. Immerse yourself in learning how to create a future income in something you love to do. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune; require multiple college degrees or an army of employees and an array of real estate.

The educational opportunity alone is priceless.

Besides, why wait for pigs to fly when you can fly like an Eagle today!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com
www.bestofvegaswebsite.com
www.paradisefitgranola.com

Bigger = Better?

Businesses spent huge sums of dollars advertising their product or specialty; yet the closest contact often fails to engage the customers.

Does anyone actually listen to the "Big Box" greeter?

Photo by: dno1967b.

Nothing against the greeter, but why not allow the employee the freedom to express himself in his message? The opportunity exists to create a remarkable first impression, instead of allowing the employee to bore everyone with a script message.

The message you are sending is the workers aren’t creative, can’t be trusted, or have the ability to think for themselves.

We employ computer geeks whose only ambition is to earn a commission. The next time you purchase a computer do your own research on a specific product and ask the sales person a few questions. It is shocking to hear the answers or observe their lack of knowledge. The big box store trains the employees to be “pushy”, aggressive and sell the additional warranty. Nothing else matters!

Sadly, this is part of the dumbing-down of the American worker and customers. The attempt to control the outcome has overtaken personalization.  The employees and customers are just a statistic.

We used to employ people and give them tools to work with to increase the company sales and the customer experience. We wanted to standout and prove we could make a difference from offering something in exchange for valuable insight.

 Instead, the message is “we are all the same.” You, me, the employee, everyone!

The good news is the Internet allows us to research and review any product available. Social media has given us the ability to discuss our questions before buying. No need for scripts or obnoxious sales people, just the facts and opinions.

The opportunity exists for smaller business to “dazzle” customers and build a following by word-of-mouth sales. Entrepreneurs know in order to compete with “big box” companies personalized service is a huge advantage. Many people want to see, touch and experience the product prior to purchasing.

The industrial age took us into mass manufacturing for the masses. The post-industrial age will lead us back to a simpler time. The return of the "mom and pop shops" that understands the need to give people what they really want is the future.

Give customers a unique quality experience and you have purchased their loyalty for life!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com
www.bestofvegaswebsite.com
www.paradisefitgranola.com

Who says- Rust Never Sleeps?

It was very encouraging to read Sunday’s articles appearing in the Mansfield News Journal concerning the entrepreneurs and the fact that North Central State College is offering certification classes for anyone interested.

Equally important is the role Braintree (based in Mansfield, Ohio) has taken by offering workspace, loans and business ideas to those starting a small business.

We are very fortunate in the Rust Belt of Ohio to have two possible sources for those considering launching their own startup business. I plan on seeking more information from both institutions and witnessing the excitement.

Mik Ballard and Carol Davis are living their dream producing “Mixblues Sauces.” A recipe and a kitchen was enough to make their idea become reality. The tasty sauces Mik and Carol create are stocked at local grocery stores and have customers overseas. Summer is a great time to try their sauces on the grill!

Former GM employee- Belinda Morgan has a unique startup idea entitled “Dreams” by offering custom built woodwork and allowing the customer to pick the type of wood and choose their own design. This is the type of business that can’t be performed overseas in mass manufacturing.  This could be a very lucrative business!

Ricardo Upchurch is already a startup entrepreneur with his own business- “Sweet Treats Down Memory Lane” located on West Fourth Street in downtown Mansfield, Ohio.  I need to visit his shop soon (don’t tell my dentist), my sweet tooth is calling!

Some of the entrepreneurs attending NCSC or Braintree will need loans or cash to start their businesses, others will require little financially. With the internet and the opportunity to network throughout different communities and cultures, 7-days a week, 24-hours a day, some will be amazed at the possibilities of earning a nice income.

As society moves to a post-industrial era, I believe the future lies with entrepreneurs and small businesses. Wal-Mart Stores Incorporated is now the largest employer in the USA. What a difference from 1972, when General Motors was the largest employer in the USA.

Today the world is different. The days of obtaining a high-paying manufacturing job is no longer part of the equation. The core of our future prosperity lies within those who dare to start something unique, original or different from the status quo.

Understanding the advantage in offering real life skills and useful resources in entrepreneurship is a huge step at North Central State College and Braintree in Mansfield, Ohio.

The opportunity for future entrepreneurs and small start-up businesses to absorb information, share ideas and prosper is our future.

My hat’s off to all of the entrepreneurs, the business startups, NCSC and Braintree.

 I wish you nothing but success in all of your future endeavors!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com
www.bestofvegaswebsite.com
www.paradisefitgranola.com

Why I Created - THE RUST BELT CHRONICLES BLOG?

The Rust Belt Chronicles is a result of witnessing, watching and learning the habits of the Industrial Age mindset. The years of going from a boom town to perhaps the new (move over Youngstown, Ohio) - "The Rust Belt Capital of the World" in sunny Mansfield, Ohio has taught me not to accept the rerun of "Ground Hog Day" from the rust belt theater.

The mindset isn't limited to the remaining or former factory employees. Over the years, it has extended itself throughout various institutions, corporations, and businesses rewarding those: that don't question authority, are unable to think for themselves and strive to be a "cog in a wheel" and nothing more!

Except these days, there is no gold watch. Instead you are laid-off, downsized, outsourced, or re-structured. Oh, by the way; all those years of being compliant, following the manual, and accepting mediocrity basically qualifies you for a job in food service.

The Rust Belt Chronicles is also for CEO's, Presidents, Vice Presidents, Senior Management, directors, supervisors, business owners, public relations, marketing, and human resources (?) personnel.

It's not 1959- the old rules of marketing, public relations and employee treatment have changed. The top-down management approach is ineffective and the marketing approach of many businesses is outdated. It's time to change how we manage and do business.

What was once a blessing- is now a curse for many people living in the Rust Belt.

But it doesn't really matter where you live- when it comes to the Industrial Age. We are all in the same wagon train. The American dream has changed profusely.

We sense the frustration in dealing with something you don't understand or was never mentioned at school. That total feeling of futility and not knowing what to do next. Perhaps you're laid-off, jobless, hopeless, tired of being a "cog in the wheel", mentally beat-down, emotionally drained and verbally abused or bullied.

The Rust Belt Chronicles is about:

1. Evaluating your life and your goals.
2. Discovering your passion to find the work you love.
3. Thinking "outside-the-box."
4. The courage to conquer fear.
5. Breaking down the barriers in the workplace.
6. The power of social media marketing.
7. Eliminating debt, so you can live like no one else.
8. Starting your own business or becoming an entrepreneur.
9. Doing something meaningful, that matters.
10. Ending procrastination and doing it now!
11. Giving you the personal tools to work with to achieve success.
12. THE FREEDOM TO LIVE YOUR LIFE TO THE FULLEST.

Whether you are an employee, management or unemployed- we can turn this predicament around. The old days are gone. It's time to move on, recover and change your life.

Please join me by following The Rust Belt Chronicles as together- we will make a difference!

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com
www.bestofvegaswebsite.com
www.paradisefitgranola.com