Business Lyceum
e-Letter
Practical
Instruction in the Arts and Sciences of Making Money
Editor/Publisher: J.F. (Jim) Straw
MAY 2002
Greetings & Salutations:
This month, let's investigate ...
Starting Your Own IMPORT Business!
Importing as a small business has long been shrouded in the
mysteries of International intrigue. While, in actuality,
importing is just about as mysterious as buying from the "Sears"
catalog.
The fantasies surrounding the import business have been passed
down generation after generation. -- As a matter of fact, I would
venture to say that some of these misconceptions go back to the
days of Black Beard and tall-masted sailing ships.
Because of these mysteries, fantasies, and misconceptions,
most small business people (and beginners) shy away from the
fabulous profits to be made in importing. But, these same
elements of intrigue keep the competition low and the profits
high.
If you approach IMPORTING in the right way, you could end-up
with a sizable fortune -- and then some.
- HOW TO -
As in beginning any business, the first step is the selection
of your product line. -- What you will be selling.
Unfortunately (or, maybe, fortunately for you), when most
people think of imports, their minds turn in one of two directions.
They either think of Imported Novelty Items and Toys, or (those
who have delusions of grandeur) consider such items as Arabian
Crude Oil, African Diamonds, South American Coffee, and other
international commodities.
Having been directly, and personally, involved in both of
these fields of importing, I can tell you for a fact that the
number of fortunes made are few. And, the amount of money
lost by beginners is overwhelming.
To select your product line, look around your own little corner
of the world.
If you work in a factory, investigate the peripheral items
used on the production line (not the raw materials). For
example: work gloves, aprons, bundling materials, packing materials,
inks, dyes, wire staples, etc.
If you work in an office, consider the many items that are
used-up each day -- staples, pens, pencils, erasers, typewriter
ribbons, etc.
No matter what your profession or occupation, there ARE items
that you use every day (usually without even noticing them) that
could lend themselves to your money making endeavors. -- MAKE
A LIST of those items.
Once you have a list of necessary items, your next step is
to find out their costs. -- Take nothing for granted. Investigate.
Find out the lowest possible price you would have to pay for
each item. -- Look in catalogs. Contact manufacturers.
Ask someone you know who buys those items regularly.
This investigation will not only aid you in pricing your product
later, but by doing it, you will gain knowledge about the product
itself, allowing you to better judge the quality and adaptability
of the products you will be offered from overseas.
Having prepared your list of items, you are ready to start
your search for a foreign manufacturer, or exporter, who can
supply them to you.
Contrary to popular belief, searching for overseas sources
is not that difficult. As a matter of fact, you may be
able to start your search right in your own home town. -- Look
in the telephone directory "white pages" under the
heading "United States Government." Find the
listings, under that heading, for the Department of Commerce,
the Small Business Administration, and the Customs Port Director.
If your community is not large enough to have these government
offices, try a larger city, or your state capital.
Contact each of these offices and simply ask them if they
can advise you of an overseas company that offers the products
that you want. You will be amazed at the amount of "Free"
(tax dollars) information you will get from these sources by
simply asking.
For additional sources, contact the "Embassies"
of the various countries -- addressing your request to the "Trade
Consulate." The addresses of the various foreign embassies
can be found in most public libraries.
When writing to the embassies, simply ask them if they have
a source of supply for the product you want to find in their
country. They will be more than happy to respond with the
information you need -- as it means more export sales for their
country, thereby, evening-up their balance of trade.
By using the "free" (tax-paid) services of the various
government offices, you can actually locate more sources than
you will ever need and it will only cost you some small amounts
of postage, and a few telephone calls.
Once you have the names and addresses of some possible sources,
write each one of them a letter asking if they can supply the
particular product that you need. Be very sure to include
the most complete description of the product as possible, using
the catalog descriptions you have gleaned in your research of
the product.
In these letters, ask the contact to furnish prices and catalog
information. DO NOT ask for samples, or any other
form of "freebie." -- If samples are regularly provided,
the company will send them along with their prices and catalog
information. -- When you ask for samples, you appear to be someone
simply looking to receive something for nothing ... and rightly
so.
The foreign sources are familiar with the regulations governing
their exports, so they will respond giving you all of the pertinent
details.
When you receive these responses, sit down and READ
them; word for word, line by line. Note all conditions,
quantities, and prices. Figure your cost per item, at their
end.
Most authors of material about Importing try to boggle your
mind with definitions of terms and abbreviations. I won't
do that, because it isn't necessary. Any library can furnish
the definitions that you need. Or, better yet, ask the
U.S. Department of Commerce for clarification -- it is their
job, and your "tax dollars" paid for it -- ASK THEM!
Having determined the per item cost at the exporters end,
you are ready to start calculating your total costs delivered
to you.
Using the information furnished by the U.S. Department of
Commerce, determine where your "nearest" Port of Entry
is located. Contact the "Customs Port Director,"
giving him a complete catalog description of the items you will
be importing and ask him to give you an idea of the amount of
duty which can be levied on that item. Add the highest
possible collectible duty amount to your overseas cost.
If, by chance, your foreign supplier has quoted a price including
freight, you won't have to figure any further. However,
if your supplier has not included freight costs in his price
quotation, you will have to determine, as nearly as possible,
what those costs will be.
If you are planning to have the items delivered by "Air
Freight," contact your local airline's freight office.
Take the original quotation, from the foreign supplier, with
you, as it will contain the packing and weight information necessary
in computing the air freight costs. Using this information,
your airline's freight office will be able to give you a very,
very close estimate of air freight charges TO YOUR NEAREST PORT
OF ENTRY. Add this amount to your cost calculations.
If you are planning to have the items delivered by "Surface
Freight," your chore becomes a little more complex, but
NOT difficult. Contact the U.S. Department of Commerce
in your area and ask them to furnish the names and addresses
of "Freight Forwarders" in your area who can quote
surface freight rates from overseas. (Remember: your tax dollars
pay for this type of information.)
Contact the "Freight Forwarders" nearest you, give
them all of the information from your overseas quotation (packing,
weight, etc.) and ask them to give you the estimated freight
charges from your foreign source -- by surface -- TO YOUR NEAREST
PORT OF ENTRY. Add this amount to your cost calculations.
Now, add-up your estimated costs, and figure your "per
item" costs. Compare this cost with the "cost"
figures you determined when you chose that item. -- Can you make
a profit and still beat the prices now being offered?
Your total estimated cost per item should be between one-third
and one-half of the local price in order to make a profit.
Less than that can make you money, but it is a lot tougher.
When you have determined that you can make a profit handling
this item, you are ready to place your import order. Using
your previous market research, figure out how many you can afford
to buy on your first order.
If the quantity you want to buy (or can afford to buy) is
less than the minimum quantity offered by your foreign supplier,
write him a letter. In this letter, explain to your supplier
that you are trying to open a market in your area for his product.
Ask him if he would accept smaller orders in the amount that
you require, until you have established a market large enough
to merit ordering in larger quantities. Also, ask him to
quote prices in these small quantities shipped Prepaid air freight.
Some of your suppliers will respond, others won't. -- That
is why I advised you to contact as many sources as possible.
-- Those who respond to your request will be the ones you deal
with; taking the lowest price, of course.
Too many beginning importers get discouraged because the offers
they get from foreign suppliers set minimums far above their
capabilities. But, you can almost always get lesser quantities
-- IF YOU ASK!
Another point that usually frightens the beginning importer
is that almost all offers from overseas contain the terms of
payment as "Irrevocable Letter of Credit." --
Since not one beginner out of a thousand really knows what a
Letter of Credit is, they quit before they start.
The notation "Irrevocable Letter of Credit" is like
saying, "we accept credit cards." A letter of
credit is acceptable, but so is "cash." Well,
not really cash, but a bank money order is just as good.
So, when you place your order with your foreign supplier,
simply enclose a Bank Money Order (available at most banks).
It is the same as cash-money, and will be accepted in lieu of
a Letter of Credit.
Other questions raised by beginners are due to their location.
What if a shipment comes into Los Angeles (or some other coast
city), and I am not there to get it? How do I get my shipments
delivered to me, since I live in Tennessee (or some other inland
area)?
The answer to these questions, and the multitude of others
like them, is in the placing of your order with your foreign
supplier. Simply instruct your supplier to make all shipments
"In Bond" TO YOUR NEAREST PORT OF ENTRY.
As an example: Nashville, Tennessee, was my nearest
Port of Entry. Therefore, my instructions to my suppliers
were something like this: "Please mark all shipments,
FOR ENTRY, IN BOND, U.S. PORT OF ENTRY, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE,
U.S.A."
This notice on your shipment from overseas will insure that
they are not delayed at any other "Port" through which
they may pass.
Another way to insure that you get your shipments is to make
sure that you have a "listed" telephone number under
the company name you are using. If your shipment is mis-routed,
someone in a customs office will telephone you. Remember:
They cannot collect the duty until you get the shipment.
Should you ever receive such a call, simply advise them to forward
the shipment, "In Bond," TO YOUR NEAREST PORT
OF ENTRY.
In our age of sophisticated freight systems, the chances of
your not getting your shipments is almost nil.
When your order is received by your foreign supplier, he will
send you an acknowledgment and advise you of "how"
and "when" your shipment will be made.
When you receive this acknowledgment, contact the Port Director
at your nearest Port of Entry and advise him that you will have
a shipment coming-in, soon. Give him the information just
as you received it from your foreign supplier.
As soon as your shipment is scheduled for transport, you will
receive copies of the Invoice and Bill of Lading. Again,
contact the Port Director and advise him "when" and
"how" the shipment is coming; exactly as stated on
the documents received from your foreign supplier.
At this time, ask the Port Director to telephone you (collect,
if long distance) as soon as your shipment arrives. -- As public
servants go, I have found these men to be very, very congenial,
cooperative, and helpful about assisting the novice.
If your shipment has a cost value (excluding freight)
of less than $250, you will be able to clear it through
customs yourself. -- To do this, simply go to the Port Director's
office with the paper work you received from your supplier.
The Port Director will collect the levied duty from you, have
you sign the necessary papers, and release the shipment to you.
If your shipment has a cost value of over $250,
you will have to have a licensed Customs Broker clear your shipment
through customs for you. -- Since you will know when placing
the order that it's value is over $250, you should make arrangements
in advance.
To find a good, reliable Customs Broker, simply ask the Port
Director to refer you to one that can handle your customs clearances,
etc.
In many cases, licensed Customs Brokers are retired customs
officials -- so -- they can work easily within the system, because
they know its internal workings.
By locating and contracting a licensed Customs Broker during
your initial research, you can find out how much they will charge
for their services. And, thereby, include these costs in
your initial cost determinations.
I, personally, recommend the services of a good licensed Customs
Broker, even on shipments of less than $250. The reason
being that they can simply take charge of your shipment as soon
as it arrives at the Port and get it cleared immediately through
customs. Then, if required, they can have your shipment
delivered to you "freight collect" including their
charges. -- Saving you a trip to the Port, if you live some distance
from it.
Once your shipment is in your hands, you can follow through
with your marketing/sales as your initial product research indicated.
If you note, throughout this business plan, I have refrained
from advising you to learn everything you can about importing.
The reason is simple; you don't need to clutter your mind with
all the trivia of importing. Just know "who"
the professionals are and use their services. -- This is one
field where knowing "who" is a great deal more important
than knowing "how."
Now -- I'm going to share with you one of the biggest success
secrets you'll ever find anywhere. The really startling
fact of the matter is that it isn't even a secret.
Back when I started in business (at the tender age of 9 years),
I had a hard time finding out How, Where, etc., of making money.
As a dirt-poor farm kid, money just was not available to buy
information. -- So, I learned the best unkept secret in the world.
GO TO YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY!! -- Sounds childish, doesn't it?
-- But you can find more direct contact, "who" information,
in your own Public Library than through any other single source.
-- As a matter of fact, more and more Public Libraries now carry
my stuff on their shelves for enterprising money-makers.
Even now, with my own extensive library of business materials,
I still use the Public Library for in-depth research. -- Use
it. -- it's free. -- And, you probably won't have much competition
for the books and materials you want to read, because, although
the Public Library is common knowledge, it is usually overlooked
as a primary source of information by small business people.
- HINTS -
1) Before attempting to import ANY item, be sure to check
with the Department of Commerce to determine if there is a quota
on the number of items that can be imported each year, if the
item is banned or restricted in any way; or if special licenses
or permits are required to import that particular item.
2) When corresponding with foreign suppliers, always use a
top-quality letterhead and typewrite all correspondence. -- Your
letterhead should be set in very simple printed letters; no script
or fancy scroll lettering. Remember: Your supplier will
be reading a foreign language.
3) When placing your "first" import order for an
item, DO NOT over estimate your market. -- Figure out about
"how many" of the items you think you can sell; then
order about 1/2 that many. -- Even the most experienced merchandisers
sometimes make the mistake of ordering too many. DO NOT
make that mistake. A large, well financed company can afford
to eat their mistakes; you cannot.
4) In all of your initial correspondence with the foreign
supplier, use the best "Catalog Description" you can
find to illustrate your needs. -- Ask for exactly what you want;
leaving as little as possible to chance or imagination.
5) STAY AWAY FROM gadgets, novelties, tricks and other
such dime-store doodads that you see in every other import catalog.
Granted, there is a market for these items, but, getting your
share of the market, on limited capital, will be nearly impossible.
Stick with the items that are USED every day -- preferably
those that get used-up.
Now, let's do some ...
Questions & Answers, Comments
& Other Good Stuff!
Anony Mouse wanted to know:
"I am extremely interested in becoming a professional,
independent finder. I have purchased your info pack on
this subject and found it pretty well packed with info. -- I
am wondering if you could suggest certain industries that are
good for beginners where the fees are small but where one can
gain valuable experience. I am not looking to make a lot
of money, I just want to learn through hands on experience for
now. I am currently retailing on the Internet and hope
to break away from this within a couple of years."
Mouse:
There is no industry, business or trade that predominates
as an "easy" target for finders - but ...
Here's what I recommend to anyone looking to gain quick experience
as a finder.
Look within yourself. -- In what industry, business or trade
are you currently involved? In what other industries, businesses
or trades have you been involved?
If you will take a close look at the things your are doing;
and have done, you will discover that you "know" people
in those endeavors. -- What do you "know" they need
to buy? What do you "know" they might have for
sale? -- It is always easiest to earn a Finder's Fee when you
know the industry, business or trade and some of the people in
that industry, business or trade.
The man I told you about in my course who made the big fee
in the oil business had worked in the oil business all his life.
He didn't even know he could earn Finder's Fees until he took
my course. Then, he found an opportunity in the industry
he had spent his life doing.
Along the same line, Cory Saner asked:
"In your years of doing finder assignments was there
ever a particular industry or product line that you found easier
to match buyers and sellers? There is so much out there
it is a little overwhelming to know where to begin. -- It seems
like there is a huge opportunity to be an exporter as well.
Did you find that some of your finder assignments overlapped
with exporting? Also do you ever recommend matching two
foreign countries together for a fee or do you normally try to
deal with at least one U.S. company in a deal? -- Lastly, I've
also investigated unclaimed property finder assignments with
the state treasurer. Have you had any experience or heard
of anyone making any money doing this type of assignment?
If so would a person use services like 1-800 people search and
pay an agency to investigate the person? -- Thanks so much for
the service you provide. -- I can hardly wait for your next newsletter.
Cory:
There is NO best; or better, product line for a finder ...
anything that can be sold can earn you a Finder's Fee. -- Best
bet is to use your past experiences in some trade, industry or
business to give you a starting point.
I very often worked as a Finder in international trade. --
I earned my fees by introducing buyers in other countries to
sellers in the U.S. -- Working in 2 countries outside the U.S.
isn't advisable unless you are personally acquainted with the
company that will be paying your fee.
Don't waste any time trying the unclaimed property game. --
It is one of the most time consuming deals you can get involved
with - and - the final fees just don't justify the time &
expense.
Leroy needed some advice:
"I want to sell information (How to....) and run my ad
in newspapers. What is the first step I have to take for
successful advertising and getting maximum responses? Any
suggestions on what newspapers I should advertise in?"
Leroy:
Please don't waste your money. -- For over 30 years selling
"how to" information, I have found very, very few information
products that sell in local newspapers. As a matter of
fact, information products don't even sell very well in the newspapers
with nationwide circulation.
About the best you can hope to do is run classifieds in the
newspapers offering FREE information, then send the respondents
a sales letter - BUT - even the very best classified ads offering
FREE information in local newspapers don't pull very many responses.
Sorry to have to give you the bad news - but - I won't lie
to you.
Mike Vannorden wrote:
"First off, let me say 'thank you' for your Business
Lyceum e-newsletter. -- Each issue contains a veritable gold
mine of thought provoking, usable and practical information.
-- I look forward to it landing in my email box each and every
month. I've also invested in several of your products,
including your 'Mailorder' course. -- Every time I reread your
'Mail order' course, I garner yet another gem of wisdom. -- We
just finished completing our new ebook "At Least 101
Tips To Getting Massive Amounts Of Free Advertising, Publicity
and Promotion." -- I know your readers could benefit
from 'real world' tips, techniques, strategies and case studies.
In a world of 'theorist' and 'copy cats', this ebook is a breathe
of fresh air from someone who lives and breathes publicity every
waking hour."
Thank You, Mike ...
I read the review copy cover to cover ... 3 times. Great
Stuff! -- SO ...
Anyone "really" wanting to expand & grow their
business should have this one in the library. -- You can get
your copy at: http://www.nobspublicity.com
Have You Read Your "bible" Today??
In all religions, the faithful are constantly admonished to
"read your Bible every day" ... or whatever Holy Book
the religion adheres to.
Unfortunately, too many people who study doing business read
a book once and, thinking they know everything it says, never
open it again
Those who really succeed, read & study their "bibles"
every day ... re-reading those books that relate to the business
they are doing.
Try it. You will find that you learn (or re-learn) something
every day.
Doug Williams wanted to know:
"I have a line on approx. $150,000 worth of footwear,
handbags & wallets. This inventory is in DISTRESS and can
be purchased at an outstanding price. Do you know of a "Match"
out there for these items? -- Please let me know if you have
any ideas!"
Doug:
I don't have any personal contacts in that field ... haven't
really worked with closeouts for over 20
years. -- BUT ...
The best way to find buyers for any kind of closeouts is to
look for "sellers." -- Look through the various, and
many, closeout directories and find those who are "selling"
footwear, handbags & wallets. Those "sellers"
have to "buy" their wares somewhere ... why not from
you??
If you will send me your telephone numbers & mailing address,
I will be happy to put a listing in the next issue of "WorldWide
Business Exchange" for you. -- You can read a FREE Preview
issue at:
David Garfinkel ... Author of "Advertising
Headlines That Make You Rich" wrote to tell me:
"I have a new position paper out on how incredibly narcissistic
most advertising copy is, and how to fix it. You might
get a kick out of it, and/or enjoy referring your readers to
it."
Okay, Gang ...
The report is entitled, "Why Most Copy Fails Miserably
And What You Can Do About It" -- It's short but jam-packed
with some good info about copywriting. Best of all, it's
FREE!
To get your own, personal copy, just click & send a blank
email.
Justin B. Handley wrote to
tell me:
"My Internet business is for sale for $70,000.
What's included? -- Well...
http://www.freeadvertisingresource.com
This site has a business plan in place to be pulling in $250,000
annually within the next 12-24 months. The sales letter
is a tested winner.
http://www.new-market-place.com
A great source of weekly income selling ads in the ezine as
well as some solo ads. Comes with 20,000 opt-in subscribers,
http://www.bannerkings.com
Great banner exchange with several hundred members
http://www.ad-blast.com
Service that will soon be out of date, but as part of the
package comes with over 100 highly responsive and faithful members,
just needs a good update of the service.
http://www.e-booklibrarian.com
Also a hot seller - comes with all the e-books and resell
rights - over 6,000 e-books in all. Annual fee generates
ongoing income.
This whole network was just launched in the last couple of
months and is already pulling in almost $1,000 per month and
is steadily increasing. With sales of the business would
come:
All of the hardware and software used to run it including:
1. A Power Mac G3 w/DVD and Zip drives and an Epson Scanner/Printer
2500
2. A Compaq Deskpro w/ laser printer
3. Over $30,000 worth of the latest marketing and web design
software available
The computers are set up to completely automate the business,
making it possible for one person working part time to fully
run the whole network. -- Some financing may be available, but
$35,000 would be required up front to cover the purchase of the
hardware, software, and business rights. The rest could
be financed if absolutely necessary (of course, anyone willing
to pay up front will take precedence)
Also - I will consult the buyer full time for one month to
help them get used to running the businesses as well as put a
advertising package in place for two months to give the new owner
ample time to get used to the businesses, how to run them, and
how to advertise them. I would even do this as an
on site training if desired. I would then also offer a
year of phone consultation for free.
I really want to see these businesses passed into good hands
and will do all I can to help the owner maximize the income (with
my current business plan I am hoping to add $100,000 per year
to the income of the network - reaching 1 million per year within
the next ten years of business!)
Okay, Gang ... contact Justin if'n your interested in buying
his business.
Aby Erenboim simply asked:
"How do I attract business in an Retail Tire Shop that
is one year old. -- http://www.tyresales.com.au"
Aby:
Back, many, many years ago, when I was in "retail"
I doubled my revenue with just one little trick ... I painted
the outside of my building in alternating Yellow & Orange
"day-glo" paint (that's the paint that glows in the
sunshine). -- You might want to try it.
Then, if I were doing it, I would try to catch the customers
when they're young by giving away special "discount"
tire (tyre) coupons to the High School students who are just
starting to drive ... 5 years from now they will still remember
your store. -- Some of the students will give the coupon to their
parents, too.
You might also follow up on the "King of the Road"
idea you have on your website. -- Each time someone buys tyres
from you, put a bumper sticker on their car ... King of the Road
- Riding on Tyres from TyreSales.com.au - 219 Thomas Street,
Dandenong - 61 3 9792 4077" -- You might even start a "King
of the Road" club (or gang) ... sponsor some kind of activities
to get some publicity (free exposure).
Just a couple ideas off the top of my head ... for what they're
worth.
John Satterfield needed to
know:
"Thanks for great "real world" advice in your
e-letter! -- Here's my question. -- What's the cheapest most
effective way I can generate new clients? -- I am a certified
hypnotherapist. I am new at it (six months). -- I need
to generate clients. I have been doing the public
speaking routine. It has produced a few clients and now
I have pretty well spoken to all the groups I can find. Rotary,
Kiwanis etc. -- There are way to many people doing hypnosis here
in my town ... 24! -- I have no money to spend on ads ... our
one newspaper charges $57pci open rate! -- PS: I already market
to my current clients but I only have around 50 at this early
time in my new career."
John:
Thank You for your kind remarks ... I appreciate it.
There are 2 ways of marketing your services that come to mind
...
First ... since you are already doing speaking engagements,
you must have a topic and some kind of prepared material you
present. So ... check the local Radio stations in your
area. There are probably more than one of them that have
"talk shows." -- Contact the show producers and pitch
them on having you as a guest taking questions on your topic
- or - even better, see if you can get one of them to do a regular
program on hypnotherapy ... with you fielding questions from
the listeners.
Second ... since Chiropractors & Hypnotists are classified
as "alternative" medical practices, make an alliance
with the Chiropractors in your area. Pay them a "referral
fee" when they send one of their clients to you for hypnotherapy;
just like the MDs do. -- Might be a good idea to give them a
laundry-list of conditions for which hypnotherapy is indicated
... chiropractic can't cure smoking but hypnotherapy can be highly
effective; etc.
Jon Hanson needs assistance:
"How do I find someone for a reasonable fee to help with
the back end set up of a web site? -- Email list and auto password
generation, that type of stuff. I do pretty well with the artsy
stuff -- http://www.homes4sure.com...
http://www.sargasm.com
-- but need some help with cgi, and stuff like that. --
Could you hook me up with someone that needs copy writing or
logos Photoshop, PageMaker or that type of stuff as a barter?
-- I designed a web site for a concrete guy for a big discount
on my new basement. -- This probably isn't the type of question
you are looking for."
Jon:
Any question is okay ... I don't know everything - but - I
give ever question my best shot.
I don't know anyone personally - but - I will put your request
in the next e-Letter to see if any of the gang might be able
to help. -- SO ...
If any of you can give Jon a helping hand, contact him directly.
Matthew Lopilato sent
me a review copy of his all new ...
"The Gateway To Success Internet Marketing
Resource Directory"
With this Internet Resource Directory, you can almost instantly
eliminate the painful hassle of doing your own manual researching
and put your time into growing your business. -- Everything you
need is right at your fingertips!
This new Directory can save you literally hundreds of hours
in researching and investigating on the net.
Reading through it, I found a ho'bunch of Internet stuff I
didn't even know existed. -- Check it out for your own self,
at:
http://www.lopilatopublishing.com/htmls/product5.html
Well ... that's it for this month. -- In order to make every
issue responsive to YOUR needs, please send me your questions;
or tell me what sources or resources you need to build your business;
or give me any thoughts you want to share with your fellow members.
Believe it or don't ... I ain't a mind-reader. -- If'n you
doesn't tell me what you need, I may never touch upon the information,
sources or resources you need.
This is your publication for you to use to your benefit ...
I am just your moderator.
Until next month, keep well ...
J.F. (Jim) STRAW
e-Letter Gang Leader
Thought For The Month!
"If money is your hope for independence you will never
have it. The only real security that a man can have in this world
is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability." - Henry
Ford
Can you stump the old master? --
Betcha can't!
Over the past 40 years (man and boy), I have made bundles
of money in direct selling, service contracting, wholesale merchandising,
entertainment (I was a professional Trumpet player, vocalist
& Radio Announcer), freight forwarding, import/export, retail
merchandising, warehousing, real estate, electronics manufacturing,
finder's fees, closeout merchandising, financial brokerage, business
consulting, steel fabrication, gold and coal mining, offshore
banking, mailorder, writing, and publishing. -- That being the
case ...
No matter what business you're in ... whether you're just
starting, well on your way, or at the top of the heap ... I've
probably been where you are, done what you are doing. -- So ...
Anytime you have a question about 'how' to do something in
your business - or - if you have any comments about anything
I've said in issues of this e-Letter; or if you want to add your
2 cents worth ... just "ask" me or "tell"
me.
Send your Questions, Comments or 2 Cents Worth
to ...
with "Question" - "Comment"
- or, "2 Cents Worth" in the SUBJECT.
If I, personally, don't have an answer to any question you
may ask, I will contact some of the professionals in your field
of endeavor (I will probably know one or more personally) to
get the real 'skinny' for you.
Note: If you want to ask a question anonymously
just tell me so when you send in the question. -- Nobody but
you and I will know who asked the question.
Return to the Archives
Copyright - 2002, J.F. (Jim) Straw. All rights reserved.