I had just gone for a walk with my golden retriever.  While I walked, a thought that had been resting in my mind started to assert itself:  “Somebody needs to do something about the apathy that has besieged the American Dream!  We have got to reclaim that power, believe in the dream and put feet to it!”   I quickly realized the problem.  In fact it  was crystal clear.  It was that word “Somebody”.   Oh, we do love that word “somebody” - so little responsibility and such righteousness in that pesky word”. 
 
And so …… “Somebody” became “Me”.   I wanted to give strong, powerful, solid, assistance, foundation and feet to the individual who wants to start their own business.  I want to minimize the cost of their mistakes and maximize their potential to succeed.  As one of the elite coaches to leaders in America I considered how to best help.
 
Of course in today’s business rush we think giving something away free is the best of all.  I could not disagree more.  However I also know that it would be out of integrity to charge a start up entrepreneur $500.00 an hour for the assistance they needed.  The truth is I would not want to work with a start up business that would pay me that.  So I studied, learned, listened and yes, discovered a possible answer. 

What if I got a grant that paid for a large portion of the cost for entrepreneurs to get the support, the power, the grounding, and the “simple secrets” that the big guys got? *    I coached them, why not give the same winning secrets to entrepreneurs?  
 
So I made some calls to people who have big money, of which a measurable amount was due to a coach they had early in their career (me). 
 
6 weeks later I had an agreement and a Million Dollars worth of support!
 
Our agreement was:  In exchange for and usage of the grant:
 
·         I would provide an event for entrepreneurs, small business owners, start up business people, and that I would cut my usual fee ($50,000) in half. 

·         There would be no “pitch-fest” (yippee!) like everyone seems to be doing these days. 

·         The ticket price would be very reasonable, $428.00, was agreed upon.

·         The grant would cover my speaking fee.

·         The grant would pay for 65% of the attendees’ fee bringing the ticket price for attendees down to $149.80. 

·         I would make myself available for on going coaching for those ready for that and do so at a very reasonable price.  This has been accomplished to the satisfaction of the Grantor by the founding of the Savvy Entrepreneur Club.
 
*  You might be asking: “If you really wanted to help, why not give it away free?”  If you asked this question– then please, do your dream, yourself, and your future a favor and come to the Savvy Entrepreneur Tour!  And please, when you come – ask me that question again – it will help everyone in the room!