PebbleStorm“Learn How To Create & Launch Your Business In A Weekend”
Intentions For Today
• You learn how to create (or recreate) & launch (or relaunch) your business in a weekend
• Shift your perspective on how you can and want to work and make money
• Meet great people to keep as friends and partners
• Have fun!
What I Need From You
• An open mind & positive attitude• Your active listening and full participation• Your willingness to put aside what you already
“know”• Your willingness to try on something new• Privacy during breaks so I can re-energize
In A Short Time From Now, You Could Be The One Saying…
• "I am more focused on what I need to do”
• "I act more calmly”• “I am more confident”• “I am honest about
what I want”
Casey Berman Testimonial
My Story (B.P.)• Stanford Undergrad + Stanford
Business School dropout• CEO of LeaseExchange: -$5 Million• Ironman Triathlon (+ a 3-day coma)• 28-day Boulder Outdoor Survival School field course
– Aka “The bug eating trip”• Four years at Salesforce.com in sales & acquisitions
– Created a sales team that added $100 Million• Married & divorced• Sales book deal with Wiley (#1 business publisher)• ‘Entrepreneur-in-Residence’ at Alloy Ventures ($1B)• On 10 advisory boards + investor in six companies
I Saw Business Transforming
How Can I Combine The Best Of…
Capitalism…• Financial abundance• Creative evolution• Satisfying needs
Buddhism…• Happiness• Integrity• Acceptance
My ‘Big Wave’: Project 20571. Help 100 million people make money through enjoyment 2. Help them create $1 trillion in new wealth3. Find ways to measure & increase their happiness with work
What Is PebbleStorm?
PebbleStorm is a communityof people that has fun helping each other succeed with: 1) Teaching (blog, book, products, etc.)2) Coaching3) Community events
PebbleStorm’s 5 Steps
1. REFLECT on your Unique Genius & Dream Business2. PLAY and experiment with your message and methods3. ATTRACT an audience4. PACKAGE products or services to share with your audience5. RECEIVE money and expansion
My Story (A.P.)• Founded PebbleStorm, for people who want to love
their work and its rewards• Three types of coaching/consulting:
1. PebbleStorm/Unique Genius: Individual entrepreneurs who want fulfillment, money and freedom from their work
2. CEOFlow: CEOs who want to turn employees into mini-CEOs3. Build A Sales Machine: B2B sales consulting
Recent Accomplishments
• Spent <$100 and four hours (each) to create two businesses that generated >$25,000 in passive income
• Created and developed PebbleStorm into a $10,000-per-month speaking, coaching, events business…while spending less than 4 hours per week on it
• Spent <$100 to create and grow PebbleStorm into a profitable business
• Without me asking, a top internet marketing guru helped me launch PebbleStorm with a webinar of 1300 registrants & a sold-out mastermind program
• I wrote a book in a single weekend: CEOFlow: Turn Your Employees Into Mini-CEOs (on Amazon in February)
And I Did This While Adventuring!
• Month in Nepal/Bhutan/Tibet
• Month in Bali • Month in Buenos Aires• Month in China/Japan• PebbleStorm Retreat in
Kauai
…And Taking ‘Internal’ Adventures
• 10-day Silent Vipassana Meditation Retreat• Burning Man• Landmark• Hoffman Institute
Unique Genius Powers Your Dream Business
What Is “Unique Genius”?
Your life purpose translated into fulfilling work that generates money
The Value Of Clarity
• More clarity on your Unique Genius = the easier it is to attract your dream business
• Would you listen to a radio station saying ”we play Jazz, HipHop, Rock n Roll, Country, & Classics at 106.5, 89.1, 99.3 and 104.5...we can play anything anywhere!”
Example: Al Gore
• Al Gore came alive after politics and in doing “An Inconvenient Truth”
• He reconnected with his “trunk”, the environment
• Net worth: >$100 million*
*Fast Company, July 2007
Three Starting Questions
1. What are you already doing for free to help people? (Or what would you do?)
2. If you could be successful at anything, what would it be?
3. What’d you want to be when you were 8?
The 6 Best Areas To Explore
1. Yourself: what problems of yourself (past, present and future) are you called to solve for others?
2. Fulfillment: what would you do for free?3. Desire: what do you want most from life?4. Attraction: what draws people to you, or you to
them? 5. Compelled: you couldn’t not do it! 6. Superpowers: yours are too natural for you to see
1. X-ray vision: you see ___ as no one else does2. Spidey sense: what are you extra-sensitive too?
Exercise: Ego Indulgement
• Be more selfish than you’ve ever been…• If you had more money than you could ever spend… • And all the friends and love you wanted...• After spending a couple of years ‘on the beach’, now
you’re bored…• You don’t need to work but want to do something
meaningful…• What do you do?
Align What Makes You Happy
Tree Exercise
• Leaves: Results– Projects, results
• Branches: Themes & Passions– “Help entrepreneurs”, “fun”,
“give back”, “adventure”…
• Trunk: Purpose– Purpose: What ties it all
together? “Make money through enjoyment”
• Values
Dream Business Passion Flower• Core Values,
Commitments• Perfect People• Great Places • Time – How Much, When• Enjoyments• Rewards (Money,
Security, Toys…)• Ideal Day (How, What)
How Can You Inspire Yourself?
On a blank sheet of paper, ask yourself “If I was assured of success and could do
ANYTHING for work, I would…”
“My dream business would be…”
How would you make it enjoyable or fun, for yourself & others? What would be your ‘twist’?
My Passions & Enjoyments
Example: Yanik Silver
• Took a blank sheet of paper and designed his dream business of how to “Make more money, have more fun, give more back”: Maverick Business Adventures
• Adventure, CEO networking, helping others• www.MaverickBusinessAdventures.com
Dream Business Exercise
• What core values do you work by? • Who are you working with?• Where are you working? • How are you helping people?• How many hours per week do you work?• What enjoyments do you love to include in your
work?• What rewards do you earn?• What is an ideal day in your life?
The Rules Of Your Game…
• Set valuable boundaries• Make work interesting• Amp your creativity• Increase your productivity
My Rules For PebbleStorm
1. Unenjoyable work is “out of bounds” (one rule that rules them all)
2. Max of $100 personally invested per project3. No raising money to start a business4. Max of 4 hours per week per project5. No formal legal contracts with partners
These rules amp up my creativity like crazy!!!
Mistake: The Passive Income Leap
• For MOST people, attempting to create passive income right away is a big distraction
• First create a foundation for yourself (monthly income, content, an audience)
• Then it is much easier to generate passive income• My Examples
– DataSalad– ColdCalling2.com
Don’t Quit Your Day Job (Yet)A job, consulting, or other income creates mental space for your true work to evolve.
What job would pay bills & be relevant to your dreams?
Your Enjoyment Path
What’s NEEDED To Start A Business?
• Website• Raise money• Big Twitter following• A perfectly clear description
of what you do• Legal registration• Clients• An audience• Office• A business name
• Business cards• Trademark / intellectual
property protection• A product, service or
experience to offer• Supporters/Champions• A means of delivering a
product or service• Branding: creating a name,
logo, tagline, visuals• Professional clothes
Can’t Fit Today Or Don’t Matter Yet
• Designing webinars• How to help clients sign
up / buy• Technical help – how to
use the tools• Building an email list• Creating & packaging
products
• SEO / internet marketing
• Social media / Twitter• Raising money• Building software• Trademarking• Publishing a book• Getting press
What Kind Of Business Allows You To…
• Work when and how you want• Make as much money as you want• Get famous• Be invited to speak in front of people• Get paid to be yourself – in all aspects• Clarify your Unique Genius by working• And…
CHANGE LIVES & MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE!
Value Of Coaching/Teaching
To you & how you can help others
• Find your blind spots• Personalized guidance & instruction• Accountability• Acceptance & encouragement• Supportive community
Challenges
• Resistance to terms like ‘coach’, ‘consultant’, ‘teacher’
• You haven’t thought of yourself as a coach– I didn’t realize I am a coach until recently
• You have to break new ground in areas of confidence and self-worth
• Results based on your ‘inner game’ more than outer action
• Patience
Creating Your Business
• This section is focused on helping you specifically create and launch a knowledge business (coaching, consulting, teaching)
• However, you can apply the lessons to any kind of business
Five Steps To Launch
1. Reflect on your own value & what you want2. Clarify your Ideal Client3. Get clear on their core challenges4. Create a program (framed in their language)
that helps them address those challenges5. “Throw a rock” by telling people the date for
your next event– Mash a passion into your event
What Are Your Messes & Successes?
• What have you succeeded at?• Failed at?• What resources do you have?
– Talents (secret or known), passions– Your network– Awards
These are ALL sources of inspiration, value and power
7 Qualities Of Ideal Clients
1. Have money to invest2. Really wants (not needs) help3. Is ready to take advantage of your gifts4. You enjoy working with them5. You can find them (or they can find you)6. They can refer others7. You can genuinely help them
Who Is Your Ideal Client?
• A Company? • Size of company• Culture• Industry• Internal functions• Geography• Growth rate
• An Individual?• Male, female, age range?• Hobbies, interests,
activities• Core beliefs• Executive, unemployed,
employee, consultant• Single, married, divorced,
kids, pets
Need Clarity On Ideal Individual Clients?
• Your Ideal Client is a past YOU • At some point in your life when you struggled• You needed help • You were open to receiving help
Need Clarity On Ideal Business Clients?
• Your Ideal Client is a company you already worked for
• It was at a point you succeeded• You solved their problems• They were open to receiving and paying for
help
Get Uber-Specific
• Pick a niche, get rich• By trying to serve everyone, you serve no one• Think of a firehose on ‘spray’ versus ‘stream’
The Most Powerful Desires
• Make more money• A better lifestyle• Peace of mind / freedom• Self-improvement• Sense of belonging / community• Fame / respect / acknowledgement• Sex / attraction / beauty• Relief from pain / healing
Just Ask Them
• What are your greatest challenges?• What keeps you up at night?• What are your main frustrations?• What are you afraid of?• What’s most important to you?• What do you spend money on?• What do you really, really, REALLY want?
Questions To Practice
• Build confidence and clarity by practicing answers to:
• “What do you do?”• “How does it work?”• “How much is it?”
“What Do You Do?”: Think BENEFITS
• No one cares what you do• They only care what you can do for them• Answer by pretending they asked you “How do
you help people?”• Speak in their terms:
– “I am a sales consultant” -> “I help companies create predictable sales revenue and growth.”
– “I am a CEO coach” -> “I help CEOs turn their employees into mini-CEOs.”
How Does It Work?
• You don’t need to literally explain how• Tell them the method rather than details
– “I have a step-by-step system I offer clients through consulting”
– “Software”– “I have an ebook/book that will tell you”
• Focus on the results you produce more than how you do it
How Much Is It?
• How much do you want to charge per hour?• How much is your package?• Practice saying it confidently, matter-of-factly
– Tell them as if you’re telling them your birthday
What Is Your Step-By-Step System?
• Work backwards from the end result your clients want
• What are the steps to lead them there?• You want to arrive in New York, which takes 5
steps…
Offer Programs, Not Hours
• Would you rather charge $150 or $3,000 per client?
• Is it easier to find 10 clients, or 200?• What about 10 clients that pay you $3,000
each, versus 200 clients that pay you $150 each?
Design A Program Around Your System
• Rather than getting paid per hour/session, create a program that produces a result
• What is the result you can help them with?• How many weeks or months should it take for
you to help them get there?• How many hours of your time?
– Price = your hours * hourly rate
• What are your boundaries? (Establish upfront)
Design Your Work Into Your Life
• How many hours per week?• How much money per week/month?• Where?• When? • With who?
“Throw A Rock” By Picking A Date
• Pick a date• Pick a topic (focus on benefits/outcomes!)• What kind of event will stretch you, but not be
too overwhelming?– 60-90 minute webinar or conference call– Get invited to speak (by phone or in person)– 3-hour in-person event
• Mash your passion(s) into it
Mash Your PassionsHow could you combine your favorite things all
into one business? Yoga + poetry + travel + X = ?
Example: Adventure Yoga Retreats
• Ted McDonald combines yoga, world travel and excursions
• The beaches of Fiji, horseback riding in Patagonia, safari in Africa…
• www.AdventureYogaRetreats.com
Slow Down! Your First Goal
• Find two free or trade clients• You will
– Learn– Refine– Build confidence– Gain testimonials
Review: Five Steps To Launch
1. Reflect on your own value & what you want2. Clarify your Ideal Client3. Get clear on their core challenges4. Create a program (framed in their language)
that helps them address those challenges5. “Throw a rock” by telling people the date for
your next event– Mash a passion into your event
Lunch – Yum Yum!“Genius Seat” Begins @ 1pm
Work on your:Messes & Successes
Ideal Client & ChallengesFive-Step Program/Process
Pick A Date For An Event
Who’s The Lucky Devil In The Genius Seat?
Ways PebbleStorm Can Help You Now
• 21-Day Unique Genius Program• 6-Month Content Subscription• 6-Month Mastermind Group• 6-Month Private Coaching With Aaron Ross
Amy Applebaum Testimonial
Bookings Since I Hired A Coach
Break
Online Tools: The Basics
• Events: Eventbrite• Reserve URLs: GoDaddy• Business email addresses: Google Apps• Blog/website: Wordpress• Mass email: Mailchimp or 1ShoppingCart• Host videos: YouTube• Host any file: Wordpress or MediaFire• Groups: Facebook, Meetup
Time Tools: Bursts & Time-boxing
• Bursts (time-boxing) can be fun, hyper-productive and perfectionism killers
• Set short, specific deadlines to accomplish something – and DO IT (no cheating!)– Write a blog post in an hour– Build a product and website in 4 hours– Write a book in a weekend– Create and launch a business in a weekend
Is Your Work A Wasteland?
How Do You Hold Yourself Back?
“I don’t have a great idea”“I don’t have any time”“I don’t have any money”“My friends & family
discourage me”“I’m not an entrepreneur”“I can’t focus”
“What if I fail?”“I’ve never done this”“I didn’t graduate”“I don’t know where to
start”“I’m not special enough”“I don’t have connections”
“I could never make money doing what I love”
“Like Attracts Like”
Your Top 7 Enemies
1. Negative people2. Self-doubt3. Perfectionism4. Ego5. Assumptions6. Impatience7. Illusion of control
They are all forms of fear
Enemy #1: Negative People
• Energy vampires• Dream killers• Eeyores• Crazy-makers• Party poopers• Bozos• But-ers (“But…”)
Enemy #2: Self-Doubt
• I know you can do this• Your friends believe in you• Your doubt isn’t yours – it was taught to you• Doubt can be unlearned with practice
It’s ok to have doubt if don’t let it stop you
Enemy #3: Perfectionism
• It made you successful in your career, and now it’s killing your enjoyment and success
• Don’t worry, be crappy• Meticulous is ridiculous!• Antidotes:
– Throw a rock!– Time-boxing– Practice being imperfect
The Value Of Support
• Everyone needs an Onna Young!• You underestimate the support you have• Make a list: who would help you if you asked?• Who are the top 2-3?
The PebbleStorm Community
My Personal Success Routine
1. Enough sleep2. Meditation3. Writing (Morning
Pages)4. Happiness exercises5. Healthy food6. Activity
Have A Plan, Hold It Lightly
• Be committed - but not attached• Focus on the process rather than the outcome• Right thinking ->
Right activities -> Right results
Patience & Marshmallows
I Want Some Marshmallows!
Patience & Marshmallows
• Ten years later, the children who held out had grown up to be significantly more successful than those who had eaten their marshmallow immediately.
• Key to success: ability to delay gratification.• "Marshmallow eaters” accumulated debt and
dissatisfaction despite their occupations or incomes.
Learn The Power Of Baby Steps
Patient, persistent baby steps will get you there better than crash-and-burn big leaps
What can you get done in an hour or three?
The Buddy System
Find a buddy (or several), in or out of PebbleStorm, and meet regularly
Practice Enjoying Your Current Work
• An awareness training exercise: track “Enjoyment Points”
• Give yourself 10 points whenever you enjoy work!
• Write it down and what you enjoyed
There’s No Wrong Path
Enjoyment Is Your Compass - Follow Your Fun!
IMPORTANT!!If You Only Take Away One Thing…
• Redesign who you spend time with• Minimize time with toxic people
– Set boundaries with family
• Maximize time with inspiring & supportive people (find your Onna Young!)
Your 30-Day Business Plan
• What are your Three Big Rocks?– If you can only do three things this month, what would make the
biggest impact?
• People:– Which energy vampires will you avoid?– Who are your top three champions? – Your buddy(s)?
• What is your immediate next step?• When will you take it?
Example Next Steps
EARLY STAGE• Register a URL• Start a blog & write a
first post• Schedule an event• Publish a group on
Facebook, Meetup.com• Join a coaching program
or group• Meet with a buddy
LATER STAGE• Write an (e)book• Design a 1-day or multi-
day event• Start a MasterMind• Package your or others’
content into products– www.ColdCalling2.com– www.DataSalad.com
Enjoy The UnfoldingIt’ll continue, through your life, to unfold petal by petal
THANK YOU!
Now Get The Heck Outta Here
Bonus: Aaron’s Lessons Learned Six Months After PebbleStorm
Launch
My Advice To My “Past Self”
1. Don’t worry, be crappy2. You aren’t “arriving” – you are arrived3. You are far more valuable and helpful to
others than you realize4. Start with 1-1 coaching before groups5. Spend time really getting clear on your “Ideal
Client” – and be very specific and “niche-y”!
I Learned About Fear (Mine & Others)
• Don’t stop moving forward, even when feeling paralyzed
• When fear or uncertainty stop you,– Take a tiny, tiny babystep– Throw a rock: pick a date 2-3 weeks out for any
kind of event (webinar, coffee, dinner, seminar…)
I Learned The Value Of Permission, Acceptance & Support
I watched people literally blossom, like a seed moving from the desert to fertile soil, with…
• Permission to explore any part of who/what you want to be– Passions you had forgotten about– A purpose you think would never make you money
• Acceptance of it• Support of you in first exploring it, and then how
you can make money from it
I Learned More About My Work Enjoyment
• I have a great time creating things with people! (Partners, client, friends…)
• Work is often burdensome when I do it alone
• Lesson: a pure passive income business would be torture for me! I enjoy daily collaboration.
• Try this at home: track Enjoyment Points. Give yourself 10 points whenever you enjoy work!
PLUS: 14 Ways To Add Fun To Work Today
• Follow your fun!• Find a playmate• Keep it simple• Shrink it to a babystep• Add color & pictures• Break out some toys• Make it a gift
• “Let’s play a game”• Take recess• Build something cool• Mash it up• Make your sandbox fun• Mix in some silly• Do it outside
Keep your hands (issues) to yourself, play nice, and no raining on parades