I was on a webinar earlier today listening to a young lady who is an expert and business consultant for the cannabis industry.  To be honest I didn't know there was such a thing, but there is and she knows her stuff.  Anyway when I got of the webinar I was just blown away by some of the stuff she was sharing about the industry, so I decided to dig a little deeper and see what else was going on there and what other opportunities were popping up.  Well I came across a business opportunity for a Cannabis Event Planner.  I thought to myself what the heck is a cannabis event planner?  

A cannabis event planner is someone who plans excursions where cannabis is involved.  It may be a networking event, a music event or a trade show.  I was so surprised to learn that this opportunity also existed.  I also found out that there is a whole cannabis resort out in Colorado that event planners can take people to so that they can really really relax.  As I sit here typing this I'm laughing to myself, because I can just imagine what that trip would be like for the event planner.  He or she would probably earn a great profit and make some really happy new friends.

Apparently there are more of these business opportunities that push the business limits in this industry and I will be talking to those who have launched out into the green on my new podcast show Green Rush Radio.  I love talking to entrepreneurs, but this show will be especially interesting, because I will be talking to entrepreneurs who are creating  businesses in an industry that is exploding as we speak.  So make sure you check out my new starting in October by clicking on the podcast tab above then clicking on Green Rush Radio.

Stay Tuned
Until Next Time
Make It A Great Day!
Audrey

In 2015 I attended LaunchPad 2x and it was a life changing experience for me.  The program was started by Mrs. Bernie Dixon.  When I went into the program I was just an entrepreneur, but when I graduated I had the mindset of a CEO.  I met so many Wonder Women in the program who were doing some amazing things.  From tech to food to laundry to lighting just so many talented women.  Some of these women have become my friends and I want to thank Bernie for the opportunity to take part in such a great program

LaunchPad 2x 2018 Is Ready To Start A New Class.  
Atlanta-based Launchpad2X (LP2X) announces its final call for applicants to its 2018 highly successful entrepreneurship program designed to support women business owners. Women founders and CEOs will learn how to accelerate growth through intensive entrepreneurial workshops, mentor matching, and experiential exercises. The program also addresses a confidence gap that often exists with women entrepreneurs by presenting the facts about how women perceive their competence and how they actually outperform those perceptions.

“Having a network of other highly motivated and supportive women CEOs is a gamechanger,” says Futurus founder and CEO and LP2X 2016 graduate Annie Eaton. “Looking at my company’s history, I can directly track the ‘before LaunchPad2X’ and the ‘after LaunchPad2X’ point. While I was pushing along with my business, it lacked the structure it needed, and LP2X was the jump start to kick it into high gear and grow. Since the program, I have grown from two employees (founders) to a full-time staff of 10. I have increased my revenue by 400 percent year-over-year and I’m on track to do that again in 2018. I could not be more grateful for the resources and education, as well as the extremely valuable network that LaunchPad2X has given to me.”

“We call it ‘rocket fuel for women-owned businesses’ because so many of our graduates ‘take off’ following their Launchpad2X experience,” says LP2X Chairman and Founder Bernie Dixon. “We have over 120 graduates and 90 percent are still in business. The average growth rate is 200 percent a year and we’ve had six successful investment exits. This program works, starting with the intense three-day boot camp that challenges women to rise up to their potential, and then monthly master classes and networking among the alumni and advisors.”
Workshops at the boot camp are designed and delivered by subject matter experts who are passionate about helping women-led organizations gain critical business knowledge, boost revenue, and manage risk. Participants interact with local business leaders, venture capitalists, angel investors, and successful entrepreneurs who’ve built some of Atlanta’s most recognized brands. The application deadline is August 30, 2018. Twenty-five companies will be selected for the 2018 session, which takes place October 1 - 4.
Although women outpace men in launching companies, studies show that women-led and women-owned businesses grow slower and remain smaller than those of their male counterparts.

“Women have access to a scant few percent of the growth capital available, and that has to change,” says Dixon. “It shouldn’t be this hard for women to access what they need and deserve to grow their businesses. In fact, the current situation isn’t just destructive to women. It is destructive to our economy. We need the creativity and drive from women founders to grow impactful solutions and provide jobs. I am inspired by the women I have met through this program and I am passionate about arming them with the resources, confidence, and C-level business skills they need to grow and prosper.”

About the Launchpad2X 2018 Boot Camp 
The three-day LP2X program covers a range of developmental courses addressing business strategy, financial acumen, creating and managing a board of directors, how to deal with potential investors, and adopting a CEO-leadership style. The program concludes with an individual coaching and advisory session designed to provide one-on-one guidance and address company-specific issues. Following graduation, alumni are eligible for LP2X membership where they will have access to monthly workshops and a vast network of supportive professionals.

To apply, fill out the digital application at https://www.launchpad2x.com/3-day-core-program.
For questions, more information, or details about corporate sponsorship please email holly(at)launchpad2X(dot)com.

You may or may not have heard of streaming media by now.  If you've heard of a little company called Netflix, chances are you know what streaming media is.  Streaming media is definitely an industry that is growing rapidly.  I launched my streaming media company HerTube 5 years ago and it is online, on Roku and on Amazon Fire TV.  We have over 90k subscribers to our Roku channel and we're in 52 countries around the world.  Over the past 5 years I've seen so many changes to the industry and so many new players.  Just last month Reese Whitherspoon launched her own streaming media company.  You maybe asking yourself why would she want to launch a streaming media company when she is already a mega movie star?  Well because she controls what content is streamed on her platform and how her company is run.  The market is open and powerful and you can own a company just like Netflix if you can get enough content to power your platform.

Just recently fitness cycling company Peloton decided to launch their own streaming company.  For those of you who don't know what Peloton is, it is company that manufacture a fitness spin bike and you can ride along with instructors who are live from around the world.  Peloton sees the benefit of live streaming, but it also see that just like Netflix they can charge a subscription fee to their members who want to ride along with global instructors.  They already reach millions of viewers around the world via live streaming, with their new platform they will now be able to also reach that on demand market who missed the 6:30 am class, but like the instructor and would like to take the class when they get home.  I must admit that just from the commercials that I see on TV I'm very tempted to join the Peloton community.

Streaming media is moving fast and my question to you is are you doing something that can be lived streamed and later put on demand for later viewing that could possibly add another revenue stream to your bottom line?

Until Next Time
Make It A Great Day!
Audrey

I've had a very interesting year so far.  I started a magazine, then shut it down.  I thought about selling my TV network, but decided to keep it.  I was just going through a moment of confusion about what I wanted to do next.  I really didn't feel like starting another venture only to discover I really did not want to do it.  Then I thought back to what I loved doing even if I didn't get paid and that was radio and podcasting.  I started on radio back in 2003.  I did a Saturday morning show every Saturday at 7:30 am and the crazy thing is I didn't make a dime, but I loved doing it.  Then in 2004 I started podcasting.  Every Tuesday morning at 9am I would go live on Blog Talk Radio and interview entrepreneurs and authors.  While I was doing that I started doing another show on local radio which I did for two years.  When I stopped doing BlogTalk Radio I had done over 200 episodes.  I started back doing podcasting in 2015, but I could not figure out how to make a living doing it, so I stopped to focus on my other businesses, so I could earn some money.  The funny thing is that none of what I was doing brought me joy the way that podcasting did. 

After some careful thought and reflection, I've decided that once and for all I'm going to do what I love and stop chasing money.  I will let God figure out the money part and I will do my part and line up some great guest and have them share their stories of inspiration, trials, tribulation and success.  That being said I will be back on the air in August, so stay tuned.  If you don't want to miss an episode be sure to sign up for my newsletter below to get my weekly updates.

Until Next Time
Make It A Great Day
Audrey