NyashaG

Link to VanaTrustBlog.com

As you may have read, back in 2003 I set up the Vana Trust charity to provide funding for children and young people in Africa and the UK.  You can read more about our work on the website and on the blog.  We have big plans to broaden the reach of our projects and for that I need your help... and no, I'm not about to ask you for money (although that would be nice too!!)

Instead, if you can, I'd like to ask you to consider linking to VanaTrustBlog.com by placing the button/image link (above) on your website or blog.

To do so, simply 'copy and paste' the following code into your website or blog code:-

<a target="blank" href="http://nyashag.typepad.com/vanatrustblog/"><img src="http://nyashag.typepad.com/vanatrustblog/Vana_trust_but.gif"></a>

That's it! Christmas is coming and we are going to be launching an alternative Christmas gift along the lines of 'Sponsor a Child', 'Give a Spade' or 'Buy a Goat' so we need as much traffic to the blog as we can get in the next few weeks. Your help would be most appreciated. Thank you.

Top tip from the BlogAngel: Paste the code into a notepad document first to strip out any formatting code - the code should read exactly as you see it above. 

Life can be funny...

Inpsiration can come from the most unlikely places. I came across a couple of great quotes today atrributed to Milton Berle (1908-2002), the US comedian and TV icon.

The first reminded me of what I said in my post about how FindaBusinessMentor.com came into being:-

"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door."

Exactly! But what stops some people from even trying? Well, I guess it's old chestnuts like 'fear' or 'low self-belief'.  If you are hesitating, perhaps this second quote from the funnyman will inspire you:-

"I'd rather be a could-be if I cannot be an are; because a could-be is a maybe who is reaching for a star. I'd rather be a has-been than a might-have-been, by far; for a might- have-been has never been, but a has-been was once an are."

Read and Grow Rich?

Ah... if only it were that easy... you simply read a book or two (or three) and the next thing you know, you're rich and successful.  As anyone who is 'successful' will tell you, reading and learning is great, but that is just the beginning of the journey - you have to take action too! And you have to believe in yourself. And even then, what use is financial wealth if you are 'poor' in other ways. I'm talking about physical health, emotional or spiritual wellbeing, love and great relationships etc. We all have our own definitions of 'success' and rightly so.

Two men who appear to be financially successful and happy and healthy too are Robert Kiyosaki (of Rich Dad/Cashflow empire) and Donald Trump so it is quite fitting that they have joined forces to create a new book Why We Want You To Be Rich. If you are reading/have read it - I'd love to know what you think, so please do leave your comments by clicking on the Comments link below.

Overseas Property Investment Magazine

A property investor in my 'network' who focusses on overseas property (or Jet-to-Let as it's now being called) learnt a lot of what she knows from Dominic Farrell author or "The Jet-to-Let Bible: the secrets of overseas property investment. She now tells me that they are launching a magazine - and what's more - it's free!

You won't find it in the shops though (yet) - you have to order it online - get yours free at the Jet-to-Let Magazine website.

Find a Business Mentor

I've been in business for over 20 years now. In many ways, it has been a lonely journey without mentors to bounce ideas around with and no support from anyone. I searched for business mentoring in my existing networks and was never successful.

Perhaps it's the entrepreneur in me, but I think if you cannot find a service in the market place then the best thing to do is to create it, and so matching mentors with protégés became my mission and FindABusinessMentor.com is the result.

FindABusinessMentor.com matches ‘success with success’ and makes the business journey less lonely for individuals who are brave enough to join the business club. The Internet is a powerful resource which opens up the opportunities available to us through the power of social networks and a global reach, so FindABusinessMentor.com is global too. This way you aren't

Blogtastic

This week, I have had the BusinessBlogAngel (Claire Raikes) create 2 new blogs for me - one for the charity Vana Trust which I set up back in 2003 and this one.

As I understand it, the benefits of blogging are numerous. Blogs make great marketing tools because not only do they positively impact your search engine rankings, but they also help you build networks and relationships, raise your profile and you effectively have your own media platform.

Over the coming weeks, I hope to share stories and thoughts about my varied entrepreneurial activities - whether that's regular business or my fostering and charity work.  Please don't be shy - whether you read something that makes you want to say "Yes, yes, yes!" or "No, no, no!" - I'd love to hear from you. Simply click on the Comments link at the foot of each post to leave your feedback. (Email address is optional. Website link welcome.)

Privacy Policy

A quick word on privacy...

Sp'am is a serious issue for us all, not just as consumers, but for our businesses too. As a result - I will never rent, sell, share or give your email details to any other party. Ever.

And you'll find an 'unsubscribe' link at the foot of every email I ever send you so you can easily remove your name from this list.

Sp'am is a serious issue for us all, not just as consumers, but for our businesses too. As a result - I will never rent, sell, share or give your email details to any other party. Ever.

And you'll find an 'unsubscribe' link at the foot of every email I ever send you so you can easily remove your name from this list.