The Questions Entrepreneurs Must Ask Before They Sell Online

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Entrepreneurship is one of the most rewarding journeys you can take – but it’s also one of the most difficult. People don’t typically start businesses because it’s easy. They do it because they want to be their own boss, they like the thought of being able to control their own time, or maybe they have an idea that’s just that good.
However, with great responsibility comes great risk. Embarking on an entrepreneurial venture can be scary. Do you have enough capital? How great is your idea? Can you support yourself? Are you prepared to put your whole life into this? Before you set out to create your new business, take some time to ask yourself these difficult questions.

1. Am I prepared to fail?
Before you decide to start selling online, really think through the pros and cons of the entrepreneurial lifestyle and what it truly takes to run your own business. Sure, you don’thave to report to a boss and you can keep whatever hours you like, but you will very likely find yourself working extremely long hours, making tough business decisions, and struggling financially at the beginning. It takes a very strong backbone to be a business owner. If you don’t have the perseverance to pick yourself back up when you fall, entrepreneurship might not be best for you.

2. Is my idea any good?
It’s a tough question, but it’s one you should face sooner rather than later. There’s a saying in entrepreneurial circles: Fail fast. If your idea isn’t going to bear fruit, you’ll want to know that as soon as possible so you can pivot before you’re out of runway space. Make every effort to clearly identify the target market for your product or idea, and then ask them if they actually want what you have to sell. Pick up the phone. Set up surveys online. Whatever you need to do to ensure there’s a market for your idea – do it. Find out if what you’re offering is truly valuable to your audience.

3. Can I outdo my competitors?
If you haven’t done a thorough competitive analysis, do so. The most basic steps of a competitive analysis include: defining and understanding your industry, knowing your potential customers, and becoming familiar with your competitors. From there, do your best to determine the key success factors in your industry, then rate your competitors accordingly. Following this, be honest with yourself – what are your competitors potentially going to do to outshine you? The more realistic you are, the harder you can work at differentiating your business in a way that will make it stand out.

4. Have I fully considered all the details of owning an online business?
There’s a lot of detail work involved before you can sell online, including state and local business licenses to obtain, IRS regulations to follow, and sales and payroll taxes to pay. You can’t just put up a website and wait for the money to roll in. If you haven’t fully considered what goes into the actual startup process, find a mentor, pick up a few books or visit your local Small Business Development Center to make sure you’re prepared for all the nitty-gritty details that will demand your attention.

5. Am I ready for this now?
If you’re thinking of starting a new business, consider whether you have the time to really invest yourself wholeheartedly into the endeavor. If you’re pulled in too many directions between your current day job, family life, hobbies or other obligations, you may be putting your new business at risk.
If you’re leaving your job to start your own business, you’ll probably have the time – but make sure you also have an adequate financial safety net. A simple entrepreneurial trick to determine how much to save for your new business is this: Calculate two years’ worth of business expenses plus two and half years of living expenses. If you have investors, make sure they’re rock-solid. Be prepared for any scenario – including the one where you eat ramen for several months while you get things up and running.
At the end of the day, there’s really nothing quite as satisfying as successfully starting and running your own business. Go into the situation with boy eyes open, ask yourself the hard questions, and you’ll be prepared for anything that comes your way.

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9 Tricks to Confidently Pick Up Any Woman

Self-confidence is extremely sexy to a woman. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that, more than a man's good looks and more than his gentlemanly manner, confidence is the trigger trait that makes a woman want to get naked.

You remember that scene in Goodfellas when Ray Liotta takes Lorraine Bracco to the Copa? He slips her through the back door, tipping heavies the whole way, chatting up other wiseguys, and finally ending up at a table in front of the stage. Liotta had something much more important than a roll of Franklins: He had confidence. And its effect on Bracco was clear. You knew he was getting laid that night.

Walk This Way

        "Women look first at your attire and second at how you walk," says Steele. Keep your wardrobe stylish and impeccable. Ashley Rothschild, a Los Angeles-based image consultant, suggests you emulate the look of a successful public man in your business arena. She also thinks you'd look hot in a leather jacket. It's classic. It's Steve McQueen.

Look into Her Eyes

        Tell her you love her dimples while gazing at her feet and you'll reek of emotional insecurity. If locking eyes with a stranger feels uncomfortable, focus on her mouth and she'll never know the difference, says Renee Piane, a motivational speaker and author of Love Mechanics: Power Tools to Build Successful Relationships. Staring elsewhere makes you appear uninterested, inattentive, or insincere—especially during sweet talk.

Take a Compliment

        When she says she likes your dimples, simply "smile and say thank you," says Susan RoAne, author of How to Work a Room. Insecure people deflect compliments by asking, "Really? You think so?" or by listing reasons they don't deserve the compliment. Secure people accept praise gracefully and without ado.

Call Before Day 3

        She gave you her number. Use it within 48 hours or you'll look either scared or stupid for resorting to high-school mind games. Nervous? Manage the cold call as you would a business call.

Perform at the Beep

        If you get her voice mail, leave a message. To convey confidence, your voice should be deep and moderately loud. Stand up and hum a little before you call—it will bring your voice to the ideal pitch.

Don't Expose Your Negatives

        When talking about yourself, keep it positive. Stick to your best attributes and the interests you're most passionate about. "Give the press-release version of you," says Kate Wachs, Ph.D., a psychologist and author of Relationships for Dummies. "Tell her everything good about your life that you wouldn't mind seeing in 4-inch-high letters on the front page of the newspaper the next morning."

Have a Seat

        Knowledge breeds confidence. Do you know where to sit during a dinner date? Always position yourself at a 90-degree angle to her instead of straight on, says Steele. If she sits at the end of the table, sit in the first seat to her left.
Turn toward her from the waist, which will give her the opportunity to turn toward you. "Women don't like a full-frontal assault. It's intimidating," says Steele. "A confident man realizes he should give the woman the choice to turn to him, and he is sure that she will."

Be Direct

        If you'd like to go into her apartment, tell her at the door—and skip the excuse about needing to use her bathroom. Want to kiss her goodnight? Go for it. "Kissing someone is an emotional thing, and asking [permission] diverts it into a cognitive realm instead," says Wachs. "Women hate that."

Celebrate Her Success

        A confident man doesn't feel emasculated if the woman he's with makes more money than he does; he takes it as a compliment. "More than ever, successful single women earning more than $60K a year are looking for warm, loving men," says Coche. "They're more selective in their partner choice because they can afford to reprioritize."

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32 Arousing Facts About SEX!!!

32 Arousing Facts About . . .

 

32 Arousing Facts About  SEX!!! During 30 minutes of active sex, the average person burns approximately 200 calories.e On average, adult men think about sex every seven seconds.e Having sex at least once per week can lower a man’s risk of heart disease by 30%, stroke by 50%, and diabetes by 40%. It has also been shown that men with an active sex life are more likely to live past 80 years.f The average size of an erect penis measures between 5 and 6 inches, while the average size of a flaccid penis is about 3.5 inches.e The sperm count of the average American male in 2008 was down nearly 30% from the sperm count of an average American male 30 years ago.h Viagra was released in 1998 with over $411 million in profits within its first three months Viagra, the well-known blue pill designed to help with erectile dysfunction, made $411 million in profits within the first three months of its release in 1998 before going on to make $1.8 billion in 2003.g Use of the condom was first noted in published literature in the early 1500s. The device was originally made of linen, and historians believe the legendary lover Casanova used linen condoms.a Historical records show that even in 1850 B.C., women attempted to practice birth control. The most common method was a mixture of crocodile dung and honey placed in the vagina in the hopes of preventing pregnancy.a Although nearly any body part or item of clothing may be an object of sexual fetishism, the shoe and the foot are the two most common fetishes in Western society.e Just a decade ago, only 25% of women reported experiencing orgasm as a result of intercourse. In recent years, this number has risen to about 45%. In contrast, over 80% of women report experiencing orgasm though oral sex.e The vibrator, a common sex toy for women, was originally designed in the nineteenth century as a medication to combat the anxiety-related symptoms of “hysteria” (now known as menstruation).a Homosexuality was listed as a mental illness with the American Psychiatric Association (APA) until 1973. It has since been removed and is now considered an orientation by the APA instead of an illness.h Throughout the United States, approximately 4% of the population self-identifies as gay, lesbian, or bisexual.h Approximately 1% of people worldwide identify as asexual (having no strong sexual attraction to either sex).b One in five Americans has been sexually involved with a coworker Statistics suggest that approximately one in every five Americans has indulged in sex with a colleague at work.e Approximately 70% of people in the U.S. admit to fantasizing about group sex at some point in their life, and more than 50% of those people actually follow through.e Nearly one in four Americans (65 millions people) are currently living with an incurable sexually transmitted disease (STD).i During 2007, more than 2.5 million people worldwide became infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. With these new cases, there are now 33 million people living with AIDS throughout the world.i Since AIDS was first diagnosed in 1981, more than 25 million people have died as a result of the virus. Two million people died from AIDS in the year 2007 alone.i The average male produces several million new sperm daily. Conversely, a female is born with a finite amount of eggs and will produce no more than that throughout her lifetime.f Statistics show that approximately 90% of men and 65% of women masturbate from time to time.e Worldwide, 27.5% of women report that they felt pressured into having sex for the first time compared to 15% of men reporting the same feelings.c According to a 2007 worldwide sex survey, the average age when people first have sex is 19.25. The survey also found that people in Asian countries tended to lose their virginity at a much later age (an average of 22) than those in Western cultures (an average of 18).c The car is second only to the bedroom as a favorite place to have sex Outside of the bedroom, the most common place for adults in the U.S. to have sex is the car.c The average couple spends about 20 minutes engaged in sexual foreplay prior to intercourse.e Worldwide, sexually active adults report having sex an average of 103 times per year. This number is down from an average of 127 times per year in 2003.d One report states that 48% of women have faked an orgasm at least once in their life. Interestingly, an identical 48% of men also report faking an orgasm at least once.d Throughout the world, approximately 25% of people report having had only one sexual partner. Conversely, 21% of people report having more than 10 sexual partners in their lifetime.d One survey reports that 53% of sexually active Americans claim to have sex at least once weekly. However, only 48% of Americans report being satisfied with their sex life.c Many of the ingredients in chocolate are proven to cause arousal similar in effect to sexual foreplay. In fact, some experts believe chocolate may be even more effective than foreplay for sexual arousal.a Both men and women can be turned on by the aromas of wine. The scents of many wines are believed to replicate human pheromones, the chemical substances that cause behavioral responses in humans.a Endorphins released during sexual activity create a euphoria similar to that produced by opioid drug use. These same endorphins also act as extremely effective pain killers. EM-

The Other Way to Legalize Marijuana

This may soon be legal in D.C.

Photo by David McNew/Getty Images

If the polling is right, residents of Washington, D.C., are likely to vote to legalize marijuana Tuesday. But it won’t be the kind of legalization we’ve seen up to now.

As written, D.C.’s Initiative 71 embodies a different—and perhaps better—approach to cannabis legalization than the laws already in effect in Colorado and Washington state, or the similar laws that Oregon and Alaska voters might adopt Tuesday. Those systems involve more or less the same policies that now apply to alcohol: private, for-profit production and sale, regulated and taxed by the state. By contrast, the proposed D.C. law won’t allow any commercial activity. District residents will be able to grow a limited number of plants, possess a limited amount of the resulting cannabis, and give away—but not sell—whatever they don’t want to smoke themselves. The system is called “grow and give.”

If that were the end of the story, Initiative 71 would be great news for people interested in a way forward for cannabis policy, making D.C. the laboratory for an interesting experiment. But passing Initiative 71 will only be the beginning of a complicated political process with an unpredictable outcome.

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The path already laid out by Colorado and Washington state is the obvious one. Since alcohol is the only intoxicating and sometimes habit-forming drug now legally available without a prescription, the alcohol system—regulated for-profit commerce—seems like the natural model to adopt when legalizing another intoxicating and sometimes habit-forming drug.

But are we really satisfied with the results of the current alcohol system? Yes, the repeal of alcohol prohibition largely eliminated illicit alcohol production and sale, along with the organized crime, violence, enforcement activity, and corruption that bootlegging generated. What we got instead was the relentless promotion of drinking to excess—from the Super Bowl to spring break—with the result that alcohol now accounts for more substance use disorder, more violence (especially sexual assault and domestic violence), more health damage, more injury, more death, and even more arrests than all illicit drugs combined. About 100,000 Americans each year die of the consequences of their own drinking or someone else’s: from stroke, cancer, liver disease, heart disease, accidents, homicides, and suicides.

If the goal is to allow adults to toke up in peace and to stop arresting so many users and low-level dealers, it can be done without involving the “potrepreneurs.”

Cannabis, which doesn’t generally unleash violence and has less dramatic health risks, is unlikely to generate similar levels of misery, even if we treat it legally the same way we treat alcohol. But the commercial imperative to move the product in volume will give the cannabis industry the same incentive the alcohol industry now has to encourage excessive use. And we can also expect the legal cannabis industry to lobby as fiercely against adequate levels of taxation and regulation as the alcohol lobby does, very successfully, today. In Washington state, where my firm advised the Liquor Control Board on establishing regulations for the new commercial cannabis industry, the unlicensed and unregulated medical marijuana sector has, so far, fought off all legislative attempts to rein it in. The same thing happened this year in California, where a bill to regulate the $1 billion medical marijuana industry died in committee despite the sponsorship of the president of the state Senate and the support of advocates of commercial cannabis legalization.

If the goal is to allow adults to toke up in peace—without the hassle of finding a “420-friendly” physician and pretending to have some ailment—and to stop arresting so many users and low-level cannabis dealers, disproportionately poor and minorities, it can be done without involving the “potrepreneurs” now hoping to cash in on the Green Rush. 

D.C. should try “grow and give” and see how it works. It wouldn’t generate any tax revenue, or offer consumers the same convenience or product variety as a commercial system, and of course policing the boundary between “giving” and “selling” would be virtually impossible. But it might be a big improvement on the current prohibition. Eliminating organized marketing would likely lead to a much smaller increase—if any—in cannabis abuse than we would expect if we sell pot the way we now sell beer.

Still, “grow and give” isn’t the only option between full-on prohibition and commercial legalization. We could restrict production and sale to consumer-owned cooperatives, or to not-for-profit enterprises, or to stockholder-owned public-benefit corporations whose chartered purposes include the promotion of moderate consumption and whose boards would include experts in public health, pediatrics, and drug abuse prevention. Unfortunately, we couldn’t imitate another post-Prohibition alcohol strategy adopted by some states and restrict retail sales to government-owned stores, because neither the District nor a state government can tell its employees to violate federal law, as cannabis growing and cannabis sales still do.

Even a commercial market could have more safeguards than the Colorado or Washington state systems feature. States could require that the retail sales force be trained in pharmacology and drug abuse prevention, or create systems of user-set but vendor-enforced personal quotas on weekly or monthly purchase amounts as an aid to people who want help controlling their cannabis use. (One in six people who have used cannabis in the past month reports finding it difficult to avoid going overboard, which is not surprising, given that one in three people who have used pot in the past month reports having lit up on 21 or more of the past 30 days, according to analysis of data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health by Jonathan Caulkins and Maria Cuellar of Carnegie Mellon University. There are about seven times as many of those heavy users today as there were in 1992.)

States that legalize could at least use production caps or high taxes to prevent the collapse in marijuana prices that will surely result from substituting cheap legal production for expensive illegal production.

D.C. already has a small cannabis industry, including cultivators, thanks to its restricted medical marijuana regime, and advocates for full legalization aren’t satisfied with “grow and give.” Once Initiative 71 has passed, they intend to ask the elected officials of Washington to create a full commercial system; the D.C. Council is already planning to work on it over the next few months, and the two leading candidates for mayor have said they would support such a move.

The wild card in the deck is the possibility that Congress will interfere before D.C. has a chance to implement any cannabis system: If passed, Initiative 71, like all D.C. laws, is subject to a congressional review period. (Republicans failed earlier this year to gut D.C.’s recently passed marijuana-decriminalization legislation.)

Whatever happens on Capitol Hill, here’s hoping the debate on Initiative 71 takes into account the potential losses from full commercialization as well as the potential gains, and that D.C. decides to experiment with something other than the tired commercial formula that serves us so badly when it comes to alcohol.  Making mistakes is inevitable; repeating the same mistake seems unnecessary.

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Kobe shoots down idea of eventual trade: 'I'm extremely loyal to the Lakers'

Kobe Bryant will go down in history as one of the greatest Los Angeles Lakers of all time, and he has no intention of sullying that legacy by playing elsewhere.

While there have been times when it appeared as if Bryant may ditch the forum blue and gold - he flirted with the Clippers in free agency in 2004 and briefly requested a trade in 2007 - the idea of him ending his career anywhere else seems asinine. It's impossible to picture Bryant with another team.

It's also the furthest thing from Bryant's mind at this point. Apparently, there are those who have suggested the Lakers should deal Bryant, both allowing him to play out his twilight years on a contender and allowing the Lakers to retool. Bryant steadfastly shot down the idea in an interview with Yahoo! Sports published Sunday:

      

I hear the chatter of Kobe should ask out and he should go and play for a contender in this latter stage of his career. But that's not what I do. I'm extremely loyal to the Lakers.
I believe in fighting through the tough times as well as enjoying the good times. It's my responsibility to get us to be the best that we can be. It's important that we approach that on a day-to-day basis.

It could be a trying year or two for Bryant as the Lakers try to build their way back to contention. Given the success he's enjoyed, Bryant doesn't see leaving during lean times as a realistic or honorable approach.

"I've enjoyed a great amount of success here," Bryant said. "You can't just enjoy the successful times and then run away from the bad ones. No, I don't even think about [departing]. I'm a Laker."

The idea of Bryant playing elsewhere, while something he and the franchise clearly considered in the past, no longer seems reasonable to even think about.

The reality is that his contract is onerous and nearly untradeable, anyway, and the return the Lakers would receive wouldn't be worth the public relations hit of trading away one of the franchise's greatest champions. From Bryant's perspective, chasing a sixth ring would cheapen his history with the Lakers. For both sides, there's just too much money in Bryant playing out his final years with the Lakers.

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