Arequipa Pottery was an early 20th century Arts and Crafts pottery manufacturer whose pottery is currently valued at anything from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. It was based on a sanatorium for women suffering from the early stages of tuberculosis. The sanatorium used pottery as a therapeutic craft that could also generate income and combat idleness as women struggled to recover from their illness.

Arequipa’s pottery production was overseen by a number of well-known potters, including Frederick Hurten Rhead, Albert Solon, and Fred Wilde. Each of these men introduced their own elements of style to the craftswomen. The most enduring of these styles were the Rhead decorations, which generally took the form of ivy leaves and stylized vines.

Most pieces were marked when finished, usually with a variation of a graphic involving a tree and/or a vase, and the words “Arequipa California.” Here are some of the variations you can find of that style of markup:

Pennsylvania

The simplest mark of Ceramica de Arequipa are the initials A and P. They are usually crossed, with the curve of the P attached to the crossbar of the A.

circle mark

A more complicated mark is the circle mark. This features two circles, one inside the other, creating a ring shape. The words “Arequipa” and “California” appear on the outer ring. The inner circle features a graphic of a tree and a ceramic vase in the grass.

This mark has a variation that can be found without the circles being drawn. This style of markup opts for periods to separate words, which are still written in a ring shape.

paper label

Paper labels from Ceramica de Arequipa still exist on some pieces. These tags feature a detailed tree atop a decorated ceramic vase and are bisected with a diagonal banner announcing “Arequipa California.” These tags are rare to find due to their fragile nature, but they do not add any value to the piece.

three vases

This mark shows three vases with handles in a single row. Above the vases is the word “Arequipa” and below is “California”.

unmarked

Some known parts exist without any notable markings present. These pieces are more difficult to authenticate.

If you think you may have a piece of pottery from Arequipa, it could be worth more than $1,000. Look for a professional appraiser from an appraiser who specializes in ceramics and pottery.

What is a bully?

A Bully is someone who teases, hits, pushes, or threatens another. If, for example, you are with your friends and you start making fun of someone in the group, you are being a stalker. You might be thinking, “Peking duck, it’s all fun!” True, but are you having fun at the expense of someone else’s feelings? Any teasing or hateful words can lead to lasting painful memories.

When I was a cute duckling, there was a big brown duckling that was bigger than me but not quite grown. He would swim in our pond showing off and being mean to all the other ducklings. Even though he was mean to them most of the time, the little ducklings still followed him like he was a great leader. For some reason, they thought it was sweet to hang out with an older duckling.

One day the other ducklings and I were playing tag and the big brown duck was swimming near us laughing and calling to me. He made fun of my glasses, my hat and my Chinese accent. Soon the other ducks stopped playing with me and started teasing me too. Even my best friend Orlando Jim started chatting with everyone else.

The big brown duck swam towards me with all the other ducklings following. He looked me straight in the eye and said, “I don’t like the way you squawk!” then he turned to the other ducks and yelled, “The Peking duck squeals like a little pig when it quacks!” Then he opened his mouth wide and let out a great shriek. He told all the other ducks to screech and they did. Soon they were all swimming in a circle around me, screeching and laughing. He was embarrassed and hurt. Tears ran down my beak. I submerged my whole body under the water to escape. I swam home as fast as I could. Most of the way home they followed me squealing and laughing. When I got home, I wiped the tears from my eyes. My mother asked me what was wrong, but I never told her. I kept it to myself.

The next day my best friend Orlando Jim came over to play. He couldn’t understand why he was so upset. I asked him why he had to make fun of me. Why didn’t he tell the other ducks how bad it was to pick on another? He tilted his head and whispered, “We were joking around.” I asked him how he would feel if I made fun of him. He replied, “he would make me mad at you.” “And that’s how I feel right now,” I explained “MAD!”

The point is that if you joke around and make fun of another person, you will hurt their feelings and make them angry. If you’re out with your friends and one person is harassing another, don’t support the harasser; Support the person who is being bullied. Be a wise squawk and say, “Hey, cut it out!” Or better yet, find an adult to help you end a very bad situation.

Remember, if you join teasing and hurtful words, you also become a bully.

How to know if a student is being bullied

If you notice a change in behavior, you may want to talk to the child to see if there are any problems. For example, if a child is normally outgoing and willing to participate one day and then suddenly becomes quiet and is afraid to raise their hand. However, a quiet child becomes loud and obnoxious. If this happens, you may want to talk to the child to see if someone is bullying them. Unfortunately, when you ask a student if there is a problem, they may not give you a truthful answer, so it is very important that you recognize the warning signs.

Here is a list of warning signs:

By keeping a watchful eye, you can help prevent serious emotional and physical damage.

How do you spot a stalker?

Unlike movies and TV shows that dress assailants in leather jackets, oiled hair, and tattoos with a mean look on their faces, many real-life assailants do not resemble any of these characters. The truth is that a bully can be tall, big, short, smart, average, muscular, skinny, not so smart, not so muscular, small, young, old. The one thing all bullies have in common is that they like to be the boss or the leader. You can tell they are bullies when they try to drain the self-esteem of others in order to look and feel better.

Here is a list of things to look for in your classroom, in the hallway, on the playground, or at home:

If a child pushes another child

If a child makes fun of another child’s appearance

If a child is always talking negatively about another student or students

If there are conversations between children that leave one or more out of the group

If you see students on the playground gathering in a circle

If a student reacts violently toward you or another student

If you see that students seem to be intimidated by another student

If you see a repeated and consistent negative action towards another student

There is an imbalance of power between an alleged harasser and the targeted student.

Remember that all students, staff, and parents have the power to end a conflict situation before it becomes a negative physical or emotional situation.

Lung cancer is the most dangerous and life-threatening cancer. This type of cancer is diagnosed between the ages of 45 and 60. People who use tobacco, drink alcohol, smoke, and take other types of drugs are more prone to lung cancer. Usually, this type of cancer is diagnosed at a late stage. The body shows symptoms such as sharp back pain that starts in the mid-back region and migrates to the chest, hoarse voice, constant cough, low-grade fever, and loss of voice. People think that they are suffering from the flu or flu, that they are taking time to recover.

If you come across such symptoms, do not try to associate this health disorder with a normal health disorder, which can be cured by taking the medicine. The first step you need to do is go for the CT-Scan. CT-Scan is a special type of X-ray test that can scan the entire human body and produce a cross-sectional image of the body, which facilitates diagnosis. The test result helps the specialist to go further in the treatment.

Cancer is the growth of abnormal cells within the body; these cells are composed in their multiple, and their multiplication affects various nearby organs. This is how the cancer cell divides from one part of the body to other parts. This disease is curable, but after the CT scan test, if the result is positive, you should visit the health care provider as soon as possible. The oncologist after identifying the stage of lung cancer will start radiotherapy, chemotherapy or at some point both are required. Surgical treatment is very rarely performed in this type of cancer because the specialist can operate on the lungs, but sometimes lung transplantation is suggested, which is not to everyone’s liking.

There are many people fighting hard for their lives. They take a step back to go to treatment due to low financial budget. Life is an important gift from God, one should not take a step back to serve it. There are several affordable medical tourism companies, which have certified and reliable hospital connection. The company that offers medical tourism for people located all over the world takes care of the patients each and every requirement. They will connect you with the best oncologist, who has a decade of experience in curing late-stage cancer. So do not hesitate to contact them to cure this disease, from its roots, within the budget stipulated by your pocket.

Nepal is known for trekking and expeditions in the Himalayan mountains, including trips to Everest Base Camp. It’s a great place for nature lovers who want to have a rough time and get away from the urban jungle. For those interested in seeing snow-capped mountains right in front of their faces and breaking out of the comfort zone of the Western world, there are few places on this planet that offer as much as Nepal.

But a visitor doesn’t need to have a full inventory of mountain gear, a three-week vacation to get into the mountains, or the constitution for alpine sports to enjoy Nepal. It’s easy to visit for a few days, take lots of great photos, experience the culture, and do some great shopping. This short guide will tell you how you can enjoy Kathmandu and the surrounding valley in four to five days.

Places to visit and things to do

Spend your first two days seeing the city of Kathmandu. Lonely Planet and other guidebooks offer walking tours, and these are helpful in getting to some of the highlights without needing to hire a tour guide or wander aimlessly. You will notice that Nepalis live and work in ancient sites, so you will see children playing and people leaning against monuments from the 6th century. Historical temples and monuments are part of their daily life and are not cordoned off as in many other countries.

Durbar Square is the heart of historic Kathmandu, and this is where ancient kings ruled. Many Nepalis now trade and spend their time lounging on the steps of temples. There are a number of rooftop cafes and restaurants around the edges that will give visitors panoramic views of the square, so having a cup of traditional Nepalese tea at one of these places is recommended. There are a number of Buddhist and Hindu temples and historical sites to the north and northeast of the square, and most of these can be seen within a three to four hour span. As you travel between these sites, you will be able to window shop and see how many urban Nepalis spend their days.

A visit to Kathmandu is not complete without seeing the Buddhist temple of Swayambhunath, commonly known as the Monkey Temple. You can walk to the Monkey Temple in about forty minutes from the Thamel neighborhood, or you can take a taxi. Traveling from the base of the temple grounds to the temple itself is half the journey as there are over a hundred steps to climb and as you climb you will have to fend off hordes of monkeys and touts offering all kinds of of merchandise. on sale. The vendors aren’t very pushy so this isn’t a problem, but it’s harder to stay away from the monkeys. They have become used to tourists and people, but keep your belongings, especially food and cameras, close to your chest, as the monkeys have been known to snatch them from visitors. The colorful temple stands in the center, with devotees performing their ritual circumnavigation in a clockwise direction and offering prayers.

When you’re done at the Monkey Temple, head to Thamel, which is the heart of the shopping scene in Kathmandu. It is very touristy, but most of the best restaurants and shops are in the three or four long streets that make up Thamel. Many of the hotels and hostels are also located in this area. If you’re looking for a traditional Nepalese snack or meal, look for a place that serves momos, which are meatballs stuffed with meat or vegetables and served with curry sauce. The buffalo momos are particularly good.

Areas outside of Kathmandu are definitely worth exploring if time permits. You don’t have to venture far to see some interesting sites. Hire a car and driver for a day for about US$40 (either through your hotel or one of the many travel agencies in Thamel) and see the surrounding towns of Patan, Bhaktapur and Bodhnath, with the first two cities that have their own unique durbar. squares (durbar square essentially means the central square, which is why there are many durbar squares in Nepal). Just like in Kathmandu, be prepared to pay an entrance fee and wander around the monuments in the square. Prices will vary, with Bhaktapur being the most expensive at US$10 per person. Patan has the best Durbar Square in all of Nepal with its variety of temples and architecture. Bhaktapur is the best preserved historical city, so wandering its streets will be time well spent. Finally, Bodhnath is a beautiful temple that is a must see if you want to see pilgrims doing their devotions and want to take some great photos of probably the most striking stupa. These three cities are separated by an hour by car and no more than two hours outside of Kathmandu. You can take a taxi to and between all of these sites, but availability isn’t constant and the few dollars you’ll save by not hiring a car and driver probably won’t be worth it.

You can spend the fourth day doing an easy trek through the Kathmandu valley. A popular trekking route is to Nagarkot which offers stunning views of the Himalayas if the weather, mist and clouds work in your favor and give you a clear day. The View Point Hotel is the closest to the mountain range with a good view from the rooftop. You can visit the restaurant for a meal and climb the stairs to the roof for a view, so you don’t necessarily have to spend the night there. The best times are usually during sunrise or sunset, but there are no guarantees. This is a popular place for an overnight stop or a day trip to see the range, as there is not much else to do in Nagarkot. An organized trek through a travel agency will consist of a short one hour trip to Changu Narayan (a temple and city), and then a three hour trek with a guide to Nagarkot. Then your guide and a driver will take you back to Kathmandu. It can all be done in one day if you start early.

Shopping

All the main temples and the durbar square are surrounded by vendors selling all kinds of paraphernalia that attract tourists, such as scarves, bronze figurines, works of art such as Thangka paintings, and handmade clothes, all at low prices for tourists. western standards. However, be prepared to bargain if you want an even better deal, as the prices sellers will initially tell you are highly inflated. A smart buyer willing to haggle can usually get around a third of the asking price. Just be aware of the fact that a couple of dollars will mean a lot more to a Nepali than it will to you.

Thamel offers the most shopping in a neighborhood. In addition to Nepalese artwork and handmade clothing, you can also find all the maps, books, trekking gear, and imitation Western winter clothing you need in Thamel.

Move

Get ready for the combat walk in Kathmandu. There are few sidewalks, so you’ll literally have to push motorcycles, cars, tractors, pedestrians, and carts as you walk down each street. However, walking is really the best way to see and experience Kathmandu, so regardless of the danger, it is still recommended. Another option is to order a taxi. These are small white Suzuki Maruti hatchbacks. They have meters, but drivers don’t like to use them, so set a price before you move. One hundred rupees (a little over US$1) is usually enough for a single trip within Kathmandu, if you haggle. Whether walking or taking a taxi, be patient and take more time than you think you need to get from one point to another.

The city of Fort Lauderdale, located in Broward County, Florida, is considered a famous destination that once catered to college students on spring break.

The city is now a business, real estate, and tourism hub for the county and South Florida as well. This place currently has a total population of 152,397 and is also the county seat. The downtown area of ​​Fort Lauderdale, particularly in and around Las Olas Boulevard, has seen strong growth in the last 10 years and has a large variety of new hotels, high-rise condominium developments, and shopping centers.

Other new improvements to the city include a large selection of new boutiques, galleries and restaurants, as well as improvements to Lockhart Stadium, which hosts some regional sporting events. For those planning to move to this beautiful and thriving metropolis, you may find that now is a great time to buy a home here as home prices are low, mortgage rates are favorable, and tax relief appears to be around the corner. from the corner. the corner, to help those who are struggling due to the current housing shortage.

Home prices have fallen here as a result of the housing crisis

Due to the damaging effects of the foreclosure crisis, home prices and sales of existing homes fell recently as South Florida’s housing slump entered its third year in a row.

For Broward County, the median price fell 14 percent in January 2008 to $314,200 from about $364,500 during the same period last year, according to data from the Florida Association of Realtors. Home sales also fell as a result, by 33 percent, to 307 of 458, and analysts have noted this was the fewest number of registered homes changing hands in any month countywide in recent years. .

There is still good news despite the current crisis

Despite the rather gloomy scenario created by the recent US housing slump, there is still good news for prospective buyers in this area as the market is starting to see a drop in single family home prices. and condominiums, signaling that the city’s real estate market is starting to come full circle and slowly revive. Most say we will see a buyer’s market soon.

There is a wide variety of properties available for sale today, in part due to slow sales, rising foreclosures and many investors in need of a bailout. There are currently three times as many properties on the market for sale, and only a third of the number of homebuyers looking for properties. According to local real estate watchers, many sellers are now offering incentives to buy, such as making contributions to the buyer’s closing costs and allowances for previously unseen and unheard-of upgrades and repairs.

According to recent figures compiled by the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale, the median price of a single-family home in Broward County is pegged at $353,500 and the median price of a 2-bedroom condo unit is $179,000.

Those wishing to purchase luxury condo units prior to construction are cautioned as rising fuel costs, inflation and inventories could make the high-end condo sector vulnerable to many negative factors and could lead to an increase in prices or a reduction in increased resale. long-term values.

http://hometerra.com – Fort Lauderdale Homes

You can build a West Hollywood real estate portfolio just like any other business. This is something that needs to be done to show finance companies that you are a good credit risk. You may need to generate positive cash flow and sometimes the only way to do that is with a loan, remember leverage is the key to wealth. Having a good business portfolio shows that you are serious about your business, it will take discipline and hard work, but you will get the results in the end.

You don’t need much to start building a portfolio of West Hollywood real estate, condos, single-family duplexes, quads, or even land. There are lots of land, vacant lots, in areas where new developments are going up. This may only seem like a small investment. The day will come when someone wants that vacant lot and offers to buy it. The land has a value.

To increase the value, you can rezone your lot. A residential lot for single-family homes can be worth quite a bit. Zoning a large lot for multifamily housing can increase property value, especially if the area is growing. When a property can be zoned for dual purpose, it makes it more attractive to developers, their job is to find and purchase these overlooked properties.

Using the vacant land in your real estate portfolio as collateral for a loan will allow you to boost your real estate investments. You may not think that these little pieces of land can mean a lot. The lender may appraise properties to determine value. You may be surprised to discover that just 2 vacant lots in the right district can generate a portfolio worth $200,000. That is a substantial amount of money when it comes to getting a loan.

As you learn about the real estate market you’re dealing with, condos, single-family homes, you’ll want to check with the area’s regional planning board. You may find plans to implement a development in 5 or even 10 years. This is the area where you will want to buy the available vacant lots. There will come a time when these lots can more than double in value because a developer needs them to start or even finish a project. Building a real estate portfolio is easier than you think just by using vacant land.

Rental properties also have value. There are plenty of distressed homes in West Hollywood that an investor can buy for pennies on the dollar. Repairing and renting them can generate positive cash flow almost immediately. This looks good in any real estate portfolio. You may even consider getting your rental unit approved for housing by HUD. Income is guaranteed. When you have a guaranteed income, lenders tend to favor you more.

Finally, the fruits of your labor grew into reality; You got a promotion and bought the house of your dreams. The only real drawback is that you have to say goodbye to the city you’ve come to love. Moving out of town may break your heart, as you’ve loved the hustle and bustle of the city, your morning strolls through your regional park, and the best food at your favorite restaurant on Main Street.

Even though all the new things that await you in your next city, like a new house along with a raise in salary with new challenges, make relocation worthwhile. Since he is emotionally ready to experience a fresh new phase in his life, it’s time to deal with the daunting tasks of moving and packing. During the time you’ve been in your city, chances are you’ve accumulated some baggage. The benefit of living in a big city is that we now have businesses that can help make the transition easier; there are numerous local movers to choose from.

There are a variety of regional moving companies that are listed in the yellow pages; and web, however, it is important to verify some important information in order to choose the right mover for you. Note if the mover is a member of the Canadian Association of Moving Companies (CAM). If the company is a member, you can definitely be sure that the quality of work you are going to receive is excellent, since the association regulates the efficiency in the services of moving companies. Next, request the account number of your Board of Insurance and Safety at Work, in addition this is to make sure that the employees are insured and that you are not legally responsible in case an accident occurs during the move at your expense .

To ensure that your local movers provide good service, they must have an active policy with your insurance; You can also request a copy of your insurance. The lowest amount of insurance contracted by CAM is $250,000.

Another good way to reduce the price you are going to incur is to pack yourself and have the mover pick up your belongings. Many local moving companies offer a variety of services in addition to local moves, some offering long distance moves, international moves, and office relocation. The fee is determined by the service you request. Since packing may not be your specialty, you can ask the moving company to do everything for you; needless to say it would cost more. Now that you’re ready for the big jump, enjoy your new place and start weaving meaningful memories in your new home.

India is a world famous tourist destination. It attracts a large number of tourists and vacationers from all over the world. The country captivates tourists with its unique cultural and geographical features. The county is very fascinating with rich flora and fauna that can be seen in its various wildlife sanctuaries, protected areas, tiger reserves, bird sanctuaries and national parks. There are several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the country that attract tourists, vacationers, children, families, wildlife enthusiasts, adventure enthusiasts, nature lovers, special interest tourists, environmentalists, etc. of all the world. Sundebans, Ranthambhore, Sariska, Sasan-Gir, Bandhavgarh, Keoladeo Ghana, Dachigram, Kaziranga, Manas, Periyar, Kanha, Pench, Panna, Sultanpur, Dudhwa, etc. are some of the world famous wildlife sanctuaries and parks in India. These destinations are well facilitated with jeep safari, elephant safari and hotels, lodges and wildlife resorts for excellent accommodation facilities.

There are many popular destinations for wildlife tours in India. In this article, I provide brief but useful information on my favorite wildlife destinations in India.

Ranthambhore National Park

It is located in Rajasthan, India. It is widely famous for its tigers along with other wildlife attractions like other animals, reptiles, birds, and various species of plants. Major attractions in the park Jeep Safari, Elephant Safari, Tigers, Jogi Mahal, Ancient Banyan Tree and Ranthambhore Fort. Ranthambhore is a photographer’s delight as well as wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park

It is a world famous bird sanctuary located in Rajasthan, India. It is a magnificent bird haven and a bird watcher’s paradise. It attracts a large number of tourists with its wide variety of birdlife. Thousands of rare and endangered birds (such as the Siberian Cranes) can be seen in this park during the winter season. The park is home to more than 400 species of birds. In addition, the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The activity that you must enjoy in the park is the rickshaw ride, which allows you to see the charm of the avifauna in the most fun way.

Sasan Gir National Park

Also known as Gir Vana or Sasan-Gir Vana, it is a world famous lion sanctuary located in the state of Gujarat. It is the only home of pure Asiatic Lions. Other wildlife attractions in the jungle are Indian leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, Indian mongooses, golden jackals, Indian palm civets, desert rats, spotted deer, blue bulls, four-horned antelope, warthogs, etc.

Jim Corbett National Park

From my point of view, it is one of the best destinations for a wildlife holiday in India. This world famous national park is located in the state of Uttarakhand. The park is rich in flora and fauna and never fails to attract its visitors. Corbett has long been a favorite destination and hangout for tourists and wildlife enthusiasts. Corbett’s attractions are tigers, leopards, warthogs, leopard cats, Himalayan black bears, Indian gray mongoose, sloth bears, barking deer, spotted deer, black bucks, jungle cats, fishing cats, etc. Corbett’s most enjoyable activity is the elephant safari. The park is a very popular destination of many popular wildlife tour packages in India.

Periyar National Park

Periyar is located in the state of Kerala, in southern India. It is one of the preferred destinations for wildlife tours in India. It is home to a large population of Indian elephants. Tourists can see herds of playful elephants on the shores of the picturesque Lake Periyar. Periyar Lake is also a must-see attraction of the park. Tourists can take a boat ride on Periyar Lake to see the wildlife attractions of Periyar National Park. The park is very rich in its flora and fauna.

Gourmet food items can range from anything to fine dining to fine wine.

The term “foodie” is commonly used to describe anyone who is highly interested in and intrigued by gourmet food, but true gourmets are people who spend much of their life and time with food. Foodies enjoy food for consumption, enjoyment, and study, while “hobbyists” are usually professional cooks and chefs who specialize in many different foods.

Gourmet foods themselves are interesting, diverse, and generally consist of exotic vegetables, fruits, breads, wines, and meats.

Desserts are also considered an item that is most desired by foodies and fans. Desserts often include truffles. The truffles are made from a chocolate ganache with a center of cocoa powder.

Truffles are best known for being extremely rich, smooth and creamy desserts and are served in many fine dining restaurants. They can also include organic products and fruits such as strawberries, or even nougats and other gourmet foods.

Gourmet wine is generally considered French wine. French wine is known for its distinctive flavor as well as its close attention to grape growth, harvest and fermentation. Champagne is a type of French wine that is grown in a particular region of France.

In general, exotic gourmet food items can range from the type of food itself to the way it is prepared. Exotic vegetables and fruits often require preparation, as well as the care needed to raise and harvest them.

Organic vegetables, as well as exotic vegetables, are often considered gourmet foods because they are products that are grown and harvested to the pinnacle of perfection. Organic foods are grown under optimal growing conditions and farmers use very few pesticides. Many hobbyists use these fresh vegetables as supplies for serious recipes.

Some vegetables include avocado, eggplant, squash, artichokes and many others, considered gourmet foods due to the varying levels of difficulty in cooking and flavoring them.

Gourmet meats generally include the most virgin parts of an animal. For example, items involving meat typically include filet mignon, a very tender part of a cow, or lamb, meat from young sheep that is very tender. Rack of lamb is commonly found in many gourmet restaurants. Gourmet fish is another form of gourmet meat and often includes items like sushi.

Gourmet foods are prized by foodies and hobbyists alike, these items are used to prepare some of the world’s most exotic and interesting dishes.

If you’ve been out of a job for a while, or just tired of the work you’ve been doing for years, you may be thinking about starting a business. If so, get ready to begin an exciting, rarely boring, and often harrowing journey.

Calling it “dangerous” may be an overstatement, since dangerous is defined as “dangerous.” However, “hazard” means “exposure to risk or harm,” and starting a business can certainly be risky and definitely challenging.

Since writing down challenges seems to make them easier, let’s take a look at the obstacles you’re about to face.

1. Poor time management
This is one of those issues that creates problems for many of us starting new businesses. Either you spend all your time working or you can’t stick to a schedule.

Many businesses fail within the first year because the owner failed to control work time vs. work time. time “the rest of life”. Rule number one: you can’t spend every minute of your life on your business. You still need to have a life. Otherwise, you will get burned.

2. Organizational skills
If you do, you’ve just cleared a big hurdle. Being disorganized not only means wasting time looking for something, but it also makes it difficult to concentrate. Which leads to danger number 3.

3. Focus (or rather “lack of”)
One of my friends decided to close his business and focus on consulting. It seemed like a good idea. He knew his field and had a lot of practical experience. He also had a fully equipped home office and no kids or wives around to distract him.

Unfortunately, the idea was better than the company. Why? He couldn’t concentrate without the structure of an office environment. Working from home seemed like a kind of part-time job. Instead of being at his desk every morning at a certain time, he would find other things to do. Lunch hours often turned into a free afternoon. It was a “sort of” business, not a serious one.

4. Fear of failure
Failure and entrepreneurship go hand in hand. If you’re not fully aware that your business might fail, or if you’re terrified of failing, go work for someone else. Because if you’re not willing to take risks, you shouldn’t be in business for yourself.

Risk means stretching, taking chances, trying new tactics, making mistakes and learning to overcome them.

Read a bit about successful entrepreneurs. You’ll find that most have had failures along the way, whether it’s businesses that didn’t succeed or ideas that failed. It didn’t stop them from starting over. Call it common sense.

5. Lack of marketing
Most new businesses just don’t have big marketing budgets. However, that is no excuse not to do marketing. Because if you’re not putting your name out there, someone else will… only it’s their name, not yours.

There are a plethora of inexpensive marketing tools out there. Networking is my favorite A#1 for new (and old) businesses. The cost is minimal. Your investment is in time. Find something.

Join networking groups, chambers of commerce, or industry organizations. Attend events where you will meet new people. Create a thirty-second “elevator pitch” about your company (with a focus on benefits). Carry your business cards with you, always! Talk to people when you’re out. I’ve picked up business chatting with people at social events. You never know who might be a potential customer…or who might know someone who might be.

Other profitable marketing tools include direct mail (highly targeted), direct email, e-newsletters, a website (replaces a printed brochure), and public relations. It is not necessary to have an advertising campaign. We should do something!

6. Not keeping on top of your game
Technology has radically changed the way we do business. The information is immediately disseminated over the Internet. You have to be able to make decisions quickly. The same technology that makes our lives easier also requires us to work harder.

So stay up to date on what’s happening in your particular industry. Find some industry leaders and read their newsletters and books.

7. Forgetting to have fun
Dangers aside, as an entrepreneur, you control your destiny. You are not at the mercy of a company downsizing and eliminating your work. And if you lose an account here or there (it happens), you can go out and get more. You can be as busy as you want.

So enjoy what you are doing. Get up in the morning knowing that you are (hopefully) doing what makes you happy. And have fun.

Copyright © 2004 Rickey Gold and Associates