Last night, Slingshot, Capital One’s new small business network launched in Raleigh. Over a hundred business owners showed up to hear about how their business could benefit from being part of this new social network. I was the keynote speaker again. What I always love about speaking in this part of the country is their hospitality. People are always warm, kind and welcoming. I got the question often; “When will you be back? Come by and visit me in my business”.I met up with a lot of people that had read my first book and now were interested in reading Bounce! Small business owners are yearning to tap into social media but without all the distractions that other networks have- enter Slingshot!

I talked to many business owners who are involved in the real estate and mortgage business and this part of the does not seem as hard hit as others. It was also refreshing to see so many owners from “main street businesses” like photography, carpet cleaning, commercial window washing, ministers, travel agencies, signage, real estate, mortgages, construction, and financial planning. We forget sometimes with all the fancy businesses that we read about every day that these main street businesses are what really make the economy hum.

I met Jim when my first book, You Need To Be A Little Crazy came out in 2003. He is a huge supporter of small businesses. Here, Jim talks about the new book, Bounce! during today’s interview. He is most interested in the link between the cycle of success and failure. Give it a listen.

Scott Allen interviewd me over IM a few days ago about the new book, Bounce! It was my first time I had done this type of interactive interview which was not by phone. I enjoyed it because while it gave me more time to think, but it still was very spontaneous. Read it here!

Scott asks some interesting questions:

• What’s the “867-5309” of the entrepreneurial world?
• But you also say in the book that you only need one great success to be remembered — that they remember you for your success, not your failures.
• You say a few things in the book that flaunt conventional wisdom, for example, “Having too much will make you stupid.”
• The book is an obvious must-read for someone who’s recently experienced a business failure. Why should someone riding the wave of success read it?

I know there can be alot of pressure around this time of year, but I actually love these last few weeks. In keeping with the spirit of “lists” this time of year, here are my top reasons.

1. We slow down. There is an ending date by which people want to do business every year. Today it is the weekend before Christmas. Next week, we all get a free pass.No one calls. No one emails. It feels like August in Europe. We don’t have to accomplish anything. For at least, one week we are guilt free.

2. We take time off to be with their family. I do not believe that life/work balance really exists. This week belongs to your family and friends. See #1.

3. We stop to reflect on their year. We look back on our celebrations, our accomplishments and our failures. We stop and say thanks to those who have been on the journey with us.

4. We make resolutions. I am not a big fan of making resolutions but the intention is in the right place. If we strive for minimal acheivement and make just one, we have more of a chance to achieve it. We have a chance for the change to stick.

5. We give each other gifts. We think about our clients, friends, and families and shop for something they might like or something they might need. Having an excuse to give someone a gift is alot of fun.

6. We greet each other with a smile. We say “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year”. This beats “hey, how you doing?” or “bye”.

Why do you love/ hate this time of year?

I was disturbed by a recent Chicago Tribune article stating that most people think sales people are a ‘necessary evil’. The survey sited that:

“41 percent of consumers rate the quality of the sales profession below mediocre, describing salespeople as “leeches” and “rashes…46 percent also said they would be ashamed to call themselves a salesperson.”

While a few pushy sales people may give the profession a bad rap, being a good salesperson to me is what of the greatest professions in the world. While some people tell my children that they should become doctors, I tell them they should become a salesperson. If you can sell, you will never go hungry. If you can sell, you will always be wanted by any company and always have a job. You will always be able to support yourself and your family. You will be well respected for your talents during all types of economic times.

Besides, the salesperson is one of the top reasons people buy. As most things become widely available through the internet these days, people buy because of the person involved in the transaction.

What do you think?

I was quoted in the Chicago Tribune today, taking about Piggybacking about a product for Uggs boots:

“Piggybacking on an existing hit is a great way to break into retail and gain distribution quickly, which otherwise can be expensive and time consuming, experts said.

“They are adding on to a market that is already there,” said Barry Moltz, an entrepreneur and author of the business book “Bounce!” due out in January.

“A lot of retailers will want [the Boot Bop pins] if they sell Uggs,” because they will likely bring higher sales, he said.”

CNN Money writes last week about where the tax and regulatory climate is best for for small business. They quote Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council’s latest ranking which puts, drum roll please: South Dakota at the very top. It does not tax personal income or capital gains, corporate income or  capital gains. Fuel is cheap. A little far away from those of us that like the city life, but hey, you can’t have everything.

Now number 2, Nevada has all the advantages taxwise of South Dakota but sales and gas taxes are among the highest in the nation. Water can be scarce and whatever else comes with gambling. But heck, the entertainment here is alot better than South Dakota.

Where does your state rank? Illinois is not in the top ten!