With your team in place, it's time to go digging for dough. If you need investment or a loan to get going, there are some important concepts to grasp. Or, as Jake puts it, "Money talks. So learn the lingo." There's a list of 11 one-time start-up costs, and a 14-item list of monthly (continuing) expenses, to help you decide if you do need money to start up.
In "Name It and Claim It," Jake dives into the deep waters of brand recognition. From "your brand is your reputation" to "live up to your brand image," this is all common-sense stuff—but he backs it up with specific examples from big business brands. It isn't dry or legalistic at all; he starts with a story about appearing on-stage with the Village People that you shouldn't miss.
Once you are started, and have your brand image in place, you want to grow stronger. Jake provides some specific strategies for doing that, including selling online, even on eBay. Yes, even for a brick-and-mortar store, if you have a product to sell, having it available online strengthens your business—but only if you do it with street-smarts! Growth-time is also when you want to reconsider partnering up. Strategic alliances can help your business past the growth pangs, if you choose your partners carefully.
One of the most powerful lessons Jake learned from his "famous naked people" was that failure is not a reason to quit. "Every great entrepreneur has experienced failure," he reminds us. "None of them have been failures." In "Go to Failure and Beyond," Jake covers not only surmounting failure, but also how to recognise it's coming, before it becomes a disaster.
With the closing chapters, Jake even covers what to do when the money is rolling in. And like the professional personal trainer he is, he keeps your spirits from flagging as you get moving. "What are you waiting for? Get off your buttissimo!" I can almost hear him.
Whether you want your own business, or you're just curious about the secrets of famous naked Hollywood types, I've Seen a Lot of Famous People Naked is a delight to read.
And you don't need a sweatband.
Article comments
1 - Bennett
Dude, tried to do this through your blog... Lazy bastard that I am, I couldn't figure it out. I understand. Spam has been an issue with my blog lately.
Hey, wanted to tell you that the "Ungh!" on the B5 thing brought tears to my eyes.
Damn, you are so cool, to initiate that...
Salut!
Bennett
2 - Isaac Marowitz
I hope everyone has enjoyed the blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it.
Isaac Marowitz