Last Updated: February 6, 2023 Boom! There goes another spy balloon! Howdy Ladies and Gents and everyone else out there! Welcome to another Monday on the Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC blog! And I will admit, that really was a TERRIBLE and insensitive joke to kick things off with today - I admit it. But hey, we need to interject some humor even into the darkest and tensest things going on around us in life, otherwise we will all really crack up and go insane. Of course, what you see in the picture is nothing other than a firework! Yesterday marked the 15th day of Chinese New Year - the final day. Similar to the old Christian tradition of "12 days of Christmas," Chinese New Year (called "Spring Festival" in China) is, in its entirety, a 15-day-long celebration. Day 15, the final day, is called the Lantern Festival. Traditionally, people would send paper lanterns - lit with a candle to generate hot air - up into the sky to symbolize letting go of their past selves and rising to meet their "new" selves who would then go on to achieve their wishes, hopes, and dreams in the new year that lies ahead. You rarely see many lanterns go up into the sky anymore on Lantern Festival around the heavily populated urban centers of Eastern China because of fire safety laws; similarly, you see less and less fireworks in many urban centers in Eastern China these days, too. There are strict laws against both of these things in place now in many local jurisdictions for the sake of fire safety and pollution. Where I live - Huaqiao Town, City of Kunshan, Jiangsu Province - is one of the last hold out urban areas where you can still do fireworks, although sending up paper lanterns is prohibited (for fire safety reasons - there's less certainty where a paper lantern will come down!). I've included some more pictures of our celebrations at the bottom of this post. With the idea in mind of achieving our wishes, hopes, and dreams in 2023, let's jump into the main feature of today's post. This February's theme on the blog is "Making Money", and today we have a guest post from Cheryl Conklin of Wellness Central (www.wellnesscentral.info) with 5 tips for us to think about when considering the possibilities of turning our homestead into a lucrative money-making endeavor. Wellness, balance, and sustainability go a long way in making and growing physical, spiritual, AND FINIANICIAL wealth and happiness. Let your Wish Lantern rise and may all your wishes come true! With that, I give you..... 5 Essential Tips for Turning Your Homestead Into a Lucrative Side Hustle By Cheryl Conklin Image via Pexels While the general idea behind having a homestead is attaining self-sufficiency, starting and maintaining a home-based operation is time-consuming and expensive. Ultimately, it would be an ideal outcome if you could turn your hobby farming endeavors into a profitable business. Thankfully, contemporary lifestyle trends combined with modern communication technology allow you the opportunity to potentially make your dreams come true. Just like planting a garden, there are some important steps to take before you’ll begin to reap the rewards of monetizing your homestead. Here, Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises shows you how. 1. Establish a Business Structure As the sole proprietor of your hobby homestead, you make all the decisions, but you also assume all the risks. Especially if you offer goods or services, you may be personally liable for financial or legal issues pertaining to your business. By forming an S corp, you can earn tax breaks and protect your personal assets. The National Park Service explains that each state has its own process for establishing a homestead and/or a legal business, so be sure to do your own research before moving forward. Filing your paperwork as a S corp using a formation service is simple and saves you money on attorney fees. 2. Build a Recognizable Brand You may have a beautiful property, and your homesteading operation may be a well-oiled machine that turns out incredible products, however, you won’t be able to garner much public interest without an effective promotion plan. Today’s marketing strategy is all about brand building. You’ll need an eye-catching, memorable logo that tells potential lifelong customers about your company values. You may also choose to sell items directly from your property, which makes your home, land, and everything on it, potentially part of your brand. Use it to your advantage by sharing videos and updates through social media. You can also order appealing metal letters for signs to add to your fence or gate so that it is clear that this is your homestead. This way, if people come to visit or do business with you, such as pick up eggs, produce, or other items, they will see consistent branding and have no question regarding where to find you. These signs can be made from various metals to reflect your brand and to give your business a professional feel. 3. Organize Documents When it comes to keeping your homestead business running smoothly, organization is key. Whether you're tracking orders, handling distribution, or managing inventory, you need to have a system that makes it easy to stay on top of everything. One effective way to organize your documents is by using PDFs. These portable document files are ideal for storing and sharing all kinds of information, from invoices and receipts to product catalogs and instructions manuals. If you want to combine PDF pages to limit how many files you have, you can use a PDF tool to add an additional page. 4. Teach Courses As a homesteader in your region, you have unique knowledge and experience that others who aspire to live more independently would love to learn. While sharing tips and tricks on your YouTube channel can be a great way to grow your audience, you may find yourself weeding through hundreds of emails from viewers with deeper questions. Why not take these inquiries and use them to build valuable courses for your followers in the following subjects:
You can offer these classes as pre-recorded packaged deals at a reasonable price on your company website for a bit of passive income to support your operations throughout the year, or you could actually teach physical in-person classes - it's up to you. Of course, these are just some examples. Depending on your specific operation and expertise, there are numerous different types of classes you could potentially offer and through a number of different mediums and venues. 5. Maximize Your Social Media Presence While homesteading isn’t for everyone, Allied Market Research reports that the social movement toward sustainability has many people interested in feasible eco-friendly home practices. As an established homesteader with lots of great ideas, you can reach a broader audience by posting photos on Instagram, vlogging your chores on YouTube, sharing recipes on TikTok, or starting a podcast where you discuss opportunities and challenges in modern homesteading. You should also take advantage of SEO with all of your digital marketing. If you’re not sure how to use search engine optimization strategies, you may want to work with a marketer or web designer who does. It will help you to get more organic hits on your content. And as you grow your audience, you may even begin to earn profits through advertising, affiliate marketing, or sponsorships. Start Building Your Homestead Brand There are many ways to monetize your homestead beyond just selling your surplus at the local farmers' market each week. Once you have established your business and chosen a business structure, begin developing your brand and teaching courses that will gather attention across social media platforms. Through some strategic planning, you can turn your hobby farm into a desirable lifestyle brand for others, which in turn can become a lucrative livelihood for you and your family. Plus, you'll likely have tons of fun doing it! ________________________ Guest post by Cheryl Conklin of Wellness Central (www.wellnesscentral.info). Thanks for the tips, Cheryl! From how to organize and brand our farm business, to how to bring in multiple streams of income from it, you've given us a lot of good information to think through today. As an educator and coach, my eyes perked right up when I read the part about offering courses :). Now, before signing off entirely, as promised, here are some more pictures of my family and I doing fireworks here in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province, P.R.C., for the Lantern Festival. Better life, better business, better you, -Andreas Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC Ideas, Inspiration, Opportunity Washington State Certified K-8 Educator, K-12 International Education Consultant, Professional Coach, Proofreader/Editor, Affiliate Marketer, Popsicle Stick Crafter, Print-on-Demand Products Designer, and Webmaster Check out: www.cityofpullmanportal.com, www.949crafts.com Looking for a professional coach? I’m your man! Let’s chat.
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Last Updated: January 30, 2023 Early birthday present from the wife - the chain got an upgrade. Alright, Ladies and Gents and however else you may consider yourselves- there's never any judgement here in that department at Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC! January 2023 saw some life get pumped back into this blog after a Crazy COVID Christmas - basically most of December and the beginning of January. I'd like to stress one more time, for the record, that I now understand from first-hand experience that COVID is no joke! Those of you who just "got off with a touch of fever and a bad cold" - or even no symptoms at all (lucky b@st@rds!!!) had it easy!!! I feel like my COVID fatigue, strange and random body aches and pains, and "COVID brain cloud" (yes, it was REAL - the 'non-believers' can laugh all they want - it was very real, at least for my wife and I - and it was BAD) only really fully lifted around January 20th - a full 4 weeks since symptoms first hit my family and I like a train wreck. What an experience! We are moving into February. I turn 39 in two days on the 1st of February. That officially starts my 365 day countdown to 40 timer, lol. You know, 30 was a birthday I welcomed with open arms. I ran into 30 feeling excited, exhilarated, 'distinguished', like a "real" (ha, ha, ha - little did I know!) adult...and then my 30s were just a bunch of hard work and, let's be honest - although there were a lot of highlights, of course - also significant drudgery! "Doing the chores" as my paternal grandparents use to say; they use to say that in relation to farm work, though, not being in your 30s! After my experiences in my 30s, however, I have a little (ok, quite a bit of) trepidation about turning 40 to say the least. When I was a kid I was always excited to "grow up," always excited about the next birthday that would make me 'older and more distinguished'...I think that probably describes many kids...what terrible thinking! Now the tables are turning....now I'm starting to think: "Ah, com'on! I just want to be a kid forever - and be a kid 'right' this time! PLEEEASE!" Anyway, I've still got a year to get in the groove of things and adjust my attitude and perspective on 40, I suppose. Coming up on the blog, February 2023 will focus on the theme of "Making Money", and the rest of the year's focuses will be as follows: March 2023 = Coaching & Education April 2023 = Success May 2023 = Making Money June 2023 = Coaching & Education July 2023 = Success August 2023 = Making Money September 2023 = Coaching & Education October 2023 = Success November 2023 = Making Money December 2023 = Coaching & Education I'd like to take the time right now to thank YOU, my readers and followers - loyal die-hard fans, and newbs who have just joined the fun alike - who have helped me grow, and continue to help me grow, the dream of Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC over the years. From a humble one-man-show sole proprietorship that started in 2017 as Biz Opp Empire, to the growing Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC organization that it is today, Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC wouldn't be where it is today and on the growth path it is currently on for the future without all of your support. Thank you! With all that said, this wouldn't be the Monthly Round Up without me pitching how you can spend your hard-earned money here on Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC now, wouldn't it?! So....here comes the pitch! Let’s take a look at a few products you can find here on the Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC website! You can go directly to the webstore HERE! Looking for a name plate for your desk? Click here! How about a cool Entrepreneur t-shirt? Click here! Or a nice business card design for your new business venture! Click here! As a member of the Zazzle Affiliate Program, I can offer you all these things AND MORE! Go ahead and check out the Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC store HERE! Better life, better business, better you, -Andreas Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC Ideas, Inspiration, Opportunity Washington State Certified K-8 Educator, K-12 International Education Consultant, Professional Coach, Proofreader/Editor, Affiliate Marketer, Popsicle Stick Crafter, Print-on-Demand Products Designer, and Webmaster Check out: www.cityofpullmanportal.com, www.949crafts.com Looking for a professional coach? I’m your man! Let’s chat. Last Updated: January 23, 2023 Hi Ladies and Gents, It's Monday here again at Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC, and you know what that means...time for the Monday blog post. First up - a very happy new year to you all. We just celebrated New Year's Day on Sunday, January 22, over here in China - out with the Year of the Tiger 2022 and in with the the Year of the Rabbit 2023! May the year ahead be blessed with rich abundance and prosperity for you all! After two years of restrictions (I say two years here, as heavy COVID-19 restrictions only came AFTER the celebration of Chinese New Year in January of 2020), it was nice to finally be able to celebrate a REAL Chinese New Year with a big family meal with my wife's family in her hometown of Shanghai. I got all teared up and nostalgic over the event, to be honest (not hard for me to do being a very nostalgic type, you know!). It was great to resurrect the family time; but, of course, things were also inevitably different, too - even after just a few short years. Times have changed. Family members have grown older; some have even passed on. But it was great to see everyone who was able to make it to the festivities. Whatever culture you may hail from, a new year represents a fresh start in many ways, and either way you look at it, this is still January, and the year is still very young from whichever angle you view it from, whether that be through the lens of the Gregorian Calendar or the Laoli (literally "Old Calendar" in Mandarin) - the Traditional Chinese Lunisolar Calendar. As we plunge head first into the year ahead - into a fresh start, into a landscape of change - we've got a great article today from guest poster Candace Sigmon of At Home Helper (www.athomeheper.com) discussing some useful methods of navigating the crossroads many of us often come to at some point in, well, 'midlife,' as the name itself suggests, of the famed and acclaimed "midlife crisis." Ladies and gentlemen - loyal readers and followers of Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC and newbs alike - in the spirit of life changes, I present you with....... Navigate a Midlife Crisis with Ease Using These Strategies By Candace Sigmon Photo via Pexels A midlife crisis can happen to anyone, but the reasons vary. For some, it may start with feelings of anxiety or dread related to growing older; for others, those negative feelings are rooted in their dissatisfaction with their careers. And while it’s natural for us to go through periods of soul-searching with each phase of our lives, a true crisis can feel overwhelming. Luckily, there are resources available that can help you take steps to gain control over those feelings. If your career isn’t all you hoped it would be, consider hiring a coach who can assist with getting you back on track. Take a look at the services provided by Andreas Philip Gross for more information. You can also create a plan for feeling better on a more personal level. Hire a coach to unlock your potential Whether you’re having trouble figuring out your next career moves or are feeling stuck in a rut, hiring a coach can help significantly. A coach’s job is not to provide answers but to help guide you through ideas and strategies after identifying the things that are causing problems in your life. Because a common issue for those who are going through a midlife crisis is feeling overwhelmed, a coach can help pinpoint exactly what’s holding you back so you can focus on creating a plan of action to make positive change. Read more about the services Andreas offers when you’re ready to get started. Start your own business If you already know that your career is the issue and you have a great idea for a business, there’s no time like the present to become an entrepreneur. With so many resources available for business owners in the U.S. now, building a startup is accessible to everyone. Write out a solid business plan that includes how much funding you’ll need, and choose a business structure that will work well for you. An LLC is potentially perfect for business owners who are just starting out because it provides tax benefits and flexibility; just make sure you read up on the steps for formation since each state is different. Check out the rules for starting an LLC in Wyoming and get started today, keeping in mind that a formation service could potentially eliminate attorney’s fees. As with anything, this is just a suggestion - do your own homework FIRST and pick the business structure that works the best for YOU and your idea(s). Make a move to a new city There’s something about moving to a new city that feels like a fresh start. If there are places you’ve always wanted to live but have been too afraid to take the plunge, think about the benefits it will bring at this stage in your life. If you choose to start your own business, a move can help you discover an entirely new customer base. Looking for a new job? The opportunities that await in a new location can be exciting and limitless. If you’re not keen on buying a house, start your search by looking at rental homes instead, taking note of the neighborhoods and whether they have the amenities you’re looking for. Narrow down your search online by plugging in the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you need, as well as your price range. Pick up a relaxing hobby Whether you choose to move or stay put, it can be helpful to pick up a new hobby during a midlife crisis. Finding a way to relax can ease stress while learning something new can build confidence. For many people, gardening is the ultimate stress reliever. Not only does it promote good health due to the activity, time spent outdoors, and nutritious end results, it’s a great way to meditate, be creative, and put aside technology for a little while. Before getting started, make sure you have the right tools by reading product reviews and expert gardening advice. Learn more about this healthy hobby so you can be prepared. Navigating a midlife crisis can feel isolating and scary at times, but it can help immensely to have a good plan for the coming months. Consider moving for a fresh start, starting a business, and picking up a healthy hobby like gardening when you’re ready to make positive change. Guest post by Candace Sigmon of At Home Helper (https://athomehelper.com/)- Your DIY At-Home Helper _______________________________ Better life, better business, better you, -Andreas Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC Ideas, Inspiration, Opportunity Washington State Certified K-8 Educator, K-12 International Education Consultant, Professional Coach, Proofreader/Editor, Affiliate Marketer, Popsicle Stick Crafter, Print-on-Demand Products Designer, and Webmaster Check out: www.cityofpullmanportal.com, www.949crafts.com Looking for a professional coach? I’m your man! Let’s chat. Last Updated: January 16, 2023 Hi ladies and gents, and however else you may express yourselves - there's never any judgement on that front here at Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC, Well, what can I say? My signature starter line. It's because I'm quite speechless myself these days. What really can I say? Here's what I can say - nothing lasts forever in a fixed, unchanging state....dare I even be so bold as to say God Himself? Granted, some things "make it" longer than others - we talk about finding fossils millions or even billions of years old (if that's even true) "frozen in time" - but even rocks go through deep-time cycles of change, or so they say! All those "gurus" out there who talk about finding the "magic system that works for you!" go through changes all the time, too! Yes, this I know, as I am one of those "gurus" myself! The last time we saw live fire here on the Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC blog was December 8, 2022. After that, the screen kind of did a major "cut to black;" a sudden insurgence of "white noise and static," and all that stuff. There were no more posts until now - 5 and a half weeks later. What happened? Well, The Great Quarantine Wall finally came down here in China, and all of us here on this side of the former "wall" got COVID all at once is what happened. Of course, we had heard everything from "It's gonna kill you." to "It's nothing more than a bad cold with an unlimited PR budget." to "COV-what? I 'got it' but never had any symptoms! Not even a headache!" Well, for my family and I it hit hard, and we are now firmed up in our knowledge of just what a killer this virus potentially can be! We all got "hit with the VID," as the cool cats say, between December 19-21 in our household, and the adults were down for the count for the next 10 days or so. The two boys got the "quickie version" everyone talks about...two days of fever, a day of lethargy, a day of semi-lethargy on the fourth day, and then they were fine. Even now, a full four weeks later, things don't entirely feel quite right for my wife and I, though. Our energy levels just aren't where they use to be. We get winded easily. Our airways seem all "rickety" (mine usually do anyway during a Chinese Winter, though). The Chinese Winter Breathing Problems I always get (which I still refuse to call "allergies" and are always super bad anyway) have been particularly nasty this year. Even my wife, who NEVER has breathing problems because of the air, has been feeling it now after COVID. And, hey, guess what? As fate would have it, yes, we turned out to be in the minority amongst our friends and colleagues, most of whom only experienced a day or two of fever and then were back up on their feet. Some even experienced nothing more than "a touch of fatigue," or even NOTHING AT ALL beyond a mere positive test, or so they claimed. Anyway, it's over and done with now. After three years "behind the wall," the whole country got COVID at once. You know what they say - good commies do everything TOGETHER! There's a lot more I could write - and just may, one day - about the whole COVID timeline and experience, but we'll leave it at this for the immediate moment. I'm back in action for now, on ward and upward with Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC! Stay tuned next week for a guest post from Candace Sigmon of At Home Helper about effective ways to navigate a midlife crisis. That's all for today, folks! Better life, better business, better you, -Andreas Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC Ideas, Inspiration, Opportunity Washington State Certified K-8 Educator, K-12 International Education Consultant, Professional Coach, Proofreader/Editor, Affiliate Marketer, Popsicle Stick Crafter, Print-on-Demand Products Designer, and Webmaster Check out: www.cityofpullmanportal.com, www.949crafts.com Looking for a professional coach? I’m your man! Let’s chat. Last Updated: December 8, 2022 Good day Ladies and Gents, Well, what can I say? November has ended and we are already a week and a day into December! I'm a week late with the Monthly Roundup. November was a quiet month here at Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC, and that was not by my own choosing. This semester at school has been, quite frankly, overwhelming. I am not going to lie. It is a whole different world when you have a 1 year old running around at home. I've said it many times before, and I'll say it again: I love all my children dearly, but it definitely does get harder and harder with each one - there is no denying that! I don't have the same energy myself that I use to have to chase after the little rug rats like I did when I was 24 years old when my first was born. Yes, it's true - what everyone has told me my whole life, it's true: you really do feel a change in your energy as you get older. You realize your energy is not infinite and everlasting like you deluded yourself into thinking it was when you were younger and would only sometimes catch a glimpse of tiredness here and there. There are only so many hours in a day, there is only so much energy available to you to use, and both the hours in the day and your precious energy have to be conserved and used wisely! Unfortunately, the lion's share of all the energy I have has gone straight to school this past semester, especially these past two months (October and November) and still right now. On the flip side, I have gotten a lot of smooth functioning systems in place to help me better and more efficiently function next semester, so that is a win I'm going with! Today is December 8th. That means yesterday was December 7th - Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day as well as Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC's 2-month birthday! You can expect more updates to the site coming over the Christmas-New Year's Break to be showcased in the new year! Speaking of birthdays and anniversaries, November 30th marked my 15 year anniversary as a teacher (of actual paid in-classroom teaching time). With all that said, this wouldn't be the Monthly Round Up without me pitching how you can spend your hard-earned money here on Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC now, wouldn't it?! So....here comes the pitch! Let’s take a look at a few products you can find here on the Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC website! You can go directly to the webstore HERE! Looking for a name plate for your desk? Click here! How about a cool Entrepreneur t-shirt? Click here! Or a nice business card design for your new business venture! Click here! As a member of the Zazzle Affiliate Program, I can offer you all these things AND MORE! Go ahead and check out the Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC store HERE! Better life, better business, better you, -Andreas Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC Ideas, Inspiration, Opportunity Washington State Certified K-8 Educator, K-12 International Education Consultant, Professional Coach, Proofreader/Editor, Affiliate Marketer, Popsicle Stick Crafter, Print-on-Demand Products Designer, and Webmaster Check out: www.cityofpullmanportal.com, www.949crafts.com Looking for a professional coach? I’m your man! Let’s chat. Last Updated: November 28, 2022 Hi Ladies and Gents and whatever else you may consider yourself - there's never any judgement here on that front at Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC. Wow! It's been two weeks without a post! My day job has been crushing me this November. The English Department at my school has been busily planning English Literacy Week (which kicked off today) all month. I am a member of the English Department and have been a key player in this event's planning. It has been more than four years at this point since the last time I planned a department-wide event in the capacity of "regular" classroom teacher and I have been struggling immensely to keep my head above water this November. It is one thing to be the Coordinator, or Head of Department, where a main facet of your job description is to plan events and that expectation is there, placed upon you, and you have the help and support and human resources (like an administrative assistant) available to support you because you are supposed to be planning the school's events. But being back in the classroom again now, where the expectation is simply to deliver dynamite lessons to my own groups of students everyday, and, maybe more importantly, no longer having a TA or Administrative Assistant to help me with logistical tasks, it has been a challenge to wear both hats simultaneously. The physical work of completing routine tasks and still finding any time left in the day has been the hardest part. For example, four and a half hours of just copying and stapling packets together for grade levels for the event was what I found myself up against two Saturdays ago. That didn't include the planning time that went into planning, gathering, and creating the resources in the first place that needed photocopying! Now, none of these things are complaints, mind you! I love being an educator. In the world of education, sometimes life is less busy, and sometimes it is much busier - whether you are working for yourself or working for an employer, or doing both! Oh, heck, sometimes life is busy for all of us for various reasons - ok, fine, frequently, I suppose, if you're doing it right, ha, ha! Anyway, that's what I've been up to, and that's what's been keeping me away from the blog and the site for the last two weeks...but I'm back today! Our "main course" for today is a guest post by Cherie Mclaughlin from Couch Based Biz. Go ahead and check out her site today! If you couldn't already tell from the name, it's all about working from home. Today Cherie will be sharing with us 5 Steps to Creating a Career Plan...so, without any further adieu, I give you: 5 Steps to Creating a Career Plan By Cherie Mclaughlin Photo via Pexels Do you feel dissatisfied with your career direction? If you want to build a career that you’re truly proud of, you may want to design a personalized professional development plan to guide you along the way. Should you feel unsure of your goals, you can always seek coaching with Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC. Here’s how to lay out your professional development plan - whether you want to go back to school, launch a business, or update your resume. Set Clear Goals Setting your career goals is the key to forming a professional development plan. To set achievable, long-term goals, BuiltIn recommends talking to people who you admire about their own objectives, deciding where you want to be in a few years and working backward, and asking your manager about your strengths and areas for improvement. You can even envision yourself in retirement - what do you hope to have accomplished by that time? Take all of these factors into consideration as you outline your goals. Make sure to keep them specific so that you can measure your progress. Write Out Your Action Plan Next, you’ll need to craft a specific and personalized action plan. This means breaking down each of your big, overarching goals into manageable steps. For example, if you want to go back to school to earn another degree, you might include steps like researching degree programs, assembling your application materials, asking for letters of recommendation, and applying to schools. You can - and should - give yourself deadlines for each of these tasks and dedicate time in your schedule each week to tackling these tasks. When you focus on completing small, manageable tasks, your goals won’t feel so daunting! Launch a Business Maybe starting your own business is your biggest professional goal. Go Banking Rates states that many entrepreneurs succeed as consultants, personal trainers, interior designers, or virtual assistants. If you’d eventually like to run your own company, familiarizing yourself with the benefits of forming an LLC can be a good place to start. With this status, you’ll be able to protect your personal finances with limited liability and also gain tax breaks. Filing with a lawyer’s help can get expensive, so you may want to file on your own or use a formation service. The choice is yours, of course, but do make sure to do your own personal due diligence for your own situation. Read the reviews of a few different services first so that you can figure out which one best suits your particular needs. Go Back to School Perhaps you’re interested in changing career path(s) entirely, or maybe you’d like to brush up on your business knowledge before delving into entrepreneurship. For example, if you plan to launch a business, you could return to school for a business degree. You could study a wide range of subjects - while you might want to earn a business bachelor’s degree, you may also be interested in accounting, management, or communications. Studying online can offer a more flexible avenue, potentially allowing you the option of chasing your other professional goals while you complete your degree. Again, it all depends on your own unique current circumstances and situation in life. Everyone's case will be different to varying degrees. Create a New Resume As you take steps towards your goals, you’ll inevitably gain new skills and accumulate new achievements to show off on your CV. Make sure to update your CV so that it accurately illustrates your academic background, work history, and professional skill set. You can find an organized template from a free online CV builder. Pick your favorite template from the library, and include your job entries, photos, and graphics. There are so many different formats out there nowadays that it can almost seem overwhelming to know the "best" format to use for your CV. As a tip, there is no single "best" format for a CV. Different employers across different industries may prefer certain formats over others (which couldn't hurt to do some of your own research into before choosing a template you like), and you, of course, as the job applicant will have your own personal tastes and preferences regarding how you want to portray yourself as a professional and unique individual, too. It’s not always easy to figure out the next steps in your career. Sitting down to make a concrete plan can help! With today's tips, you’ll hopefully find some inspiration to help better be able to determine whether you should earn another degree, open a business, or polish your resume - or maybe a combination of some or all of these. Are you seeking a coach to help you navigate your next big "jump" in your career or educational life? Turn to Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC! Fill out the contact form on the website today to learn more. _______________________________ Guest article by Cherie Mclaughlin from Couch Based Biz (www.couchbasedbiz.com). Better life, better business, better you, -Andreas Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC Ideas, Inspiration, Opportunity Washington State Certified K-8 Educator, K-12 International Education Consultant, Professional Coach, Proofreader/Editor, Affiliate Marketer, Popsicle Stick Crafter, Print-on-Demand Products Designer, and Webmaster Check out: www.cityofpullmanportal.com, www.949crafts.com Looking for a professional coach? I’m your man! Let’s chat. Last Updated: November 7, 2022 Image: Pexels According to research by IBISWorld, the commercial real estate industry is set to grow as much as 2.8% in a year. This impressive number may explain why so many new professionals are embarking on careers as commercial real estate developers — and if you’re one of them, there are a few characteristics you need to have. Commercial real estate development is about much more than just finding a good piece of land. Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC invites you to find out what other traits you’ll need to succeed in this industry. 1. Industry Knowledge The most basic qualification for a career in commercial real estate development is an understanding of how the industry works. You can read books, listen to podcasts, or watch tutorials, but nothing can replace the value of real-world experience in this area. Before diving into a commercial real estate developer career, then, you may try out other careers in the field in order to familiarize yourself with the industry. 2. An Eye for Potential Once you’ve established a baseline of knowledge about commercial real estate, you can transition into a role as a developer. This position demands another unique trait, though — the ability to identify potential and capitalize on it effectively. In other words, you need to know how to pick out the right property. 3. Leadership Skills The importance of leadership skills should not be overlooked when it comes to commercial real estate development. You’ll need to hire professionals to work under you, including a marketing team, accountants, and sales representatives. In order to ensure that your team works cohesively, you’ll need sharp leadership skills and effective management abilities. 4. Business Savvy FortuneBuilders notes that commercial real estate development is ultimately about turning a profit. You need to find a way to leverage a property’s potential and develop it into a source of income. There’s a certain level of business savvy that this requires, but this trait — like industry knowledge — often only comes from experience. You can boost your business savvy by working with a team of professionals — for example, a dedicated sales team — who will provide the expertise your business needs. 5. Understanding of Safety The only thing more important than business savvy is safety savvy. Commercial real estate development can be a treacherous endeavor — especially once construction starts. You need to be sure that everybody on site is working safely and observing safety protocol. To do so, you can oversee construction yourself and act as a safety supervisor, or you can outsource this role to somebody else. Maintain strict guidelines for personal protective equipment on your development site, too. Think beyond worker safety. For example, one crucial element of safety is lighting if your building has a parking garage. LED lights for canopies, tunnels and garages not only help people see where they’re going, but it can deter criminals as well. 6. A Knack for Marketing Finally, you need to know how to market your developments to your target demographic. If you don’t have a clear idea of who your clientele is, you’ll likely find that your return on investment is minimal. To avoid this, study the area you’re developing, consider your prospective consumers, and consult with a marketing team if necessary. And don’t neglect to optimize content marketing in your marketing plan. The Business Journals explains that, for commercial real estate developers, branded content “is an advertising tool through which businesses can improve their brand authority and reputation.” By creating and sharing content online, whether via your website, blog posts, or updates to your social media accounts, interest in your product or service is stimulated and your brand grows. Find out more about this specialized form of business promotion at Cornerstone Content. Forge Your Career in Commercial Real Estate Commercial real estate development is a great career for anybody who possesses the aforementioned six traits. If you don’t, though, don’t worry — many of them can be developed through experience and dedication. If you work in commercial real estate and take the time to learn about the industry, you can delve into a job as a developer. Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC is dedicated to helping and inspiring people to get the best out of life as we work our ways through it. Contact Andreas today to learn more! admin@apg-enterprises.com Guest Post by Dean Burgess of excitepreneur.net You will never know what you are capable of until you take that first step and GO FOR IT! ___________________________ Better life, better business, better you, -Andreas Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC Ideas, Inspiration, Opportunity Washington State Certified K-8 Educator, K-12 International Education Consultant, Professional Coach, Proofreader/Editor, Affiliate Marketer, Popsicle Stick Crafter, Print-on-Demand Products Designer, and Webmaster Check out: www.cityofpullmanportal.com, www.949crafts.com Looking for a professional coach? I’m your man! Let’s chat. Last Updated: October 31, 2022 ![]() Happy Halloween and Reformation Day 2022! Martin Luther, you just HAD to post those theses on the Wittenberg door on All Hallows' Eve, didn't you, Brother Luther?! Martin Luther actually had very sound reasoning behind choosing October 31st to nail his famous "95 Theses" to the Wittenberg door - he knew full well there would be large crowds and well-educated people (who could read) attending the All Saints' Day church service the next morning. A GREAT way to mass-distribute a message in 1517! Good day Ladies and Gents, Well, what can I say? Here we are again at the end of another month. Happy Halloween, and Happy Reformation Day - Martin Luther's big act of "trick-or-treat" on the door of Wittenberg Castle on October 31, 1517 - ha, ha! Ok, ok, a super lame and corny joke (Hey! I thought that was clever!). There are more family Halloween pictures at the bottom of this post. Anyway.....October was a BIG month here at Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC.....yes, you read that right - LLC! I know I wrote about this in last week's post, too, but in case you missed that: on October 7th, 2022, I finally pulled the trigger and formally registered what started in November of 2017 as Biz Opp Empire by Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises, Sole Proprietorship, as Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC, a Wyoming Close LLC. Speaking of the 7th of the month...November 7th is coming soon, and that marks the official start of winter here in China where I am right now. Another year is coming to a close. Another year coming to a close? But we've still got the entire months of November and December ahead of us before January 1st, you say! True enough, but those two months will go by in the blink of an eye; they always do - so I ask you now: what have you done this year? I mean, what have you really, truly accomplished? What are you proud of? Is there anything you wished you could have done, or tried to do, but couldn't, or couldn't quite finish this year? There are still two months left of the year if you look at it that way! It never hurts to start your year-end reflections early. Time - the Great Equalizer. No matter what language we speak, what our racial and ethnic backgrounds are, how much money we have to our name, how long or short our list of material possessions is, what country we live, or what kind of an education we have, we all have the SAME amount of time. Anywhere you go in the world, there is still only 24 hours in a day - for all of us. As for Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC, September's blog theme was "Attracting Success." October's blog theme was "Coaching & Education," and November's blog theme will be "Money." Remember, the blog is updated every Monday with a fresh post. We'll kick off November's blog posts next Monday with 6 Traits You Need to Succeed in Commercial Real Estate (link will be live once the post goes live), another goodie brought to us by guest writer Dean Burgess of Excitepreneur (https://excitepreneur.net). With all that said, this wouldn't be the Monthly Round Up without me pitching how you can spend your hard-earned money here on Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC now, wouldn't it?! So....here comes the pitch! Let’s take a look at a few products you can find here on the Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC website! You can go directly to the webstore HERE! Looking for a name plate for your desk? Click here! How about a cool Entrepreneur t-shirt? Click here! Or a nice business card design for your new business venture! Click here! As a member of the Zazzle Affiliate Program, I can offer you all these things AND MORE! Go ahead and check out the Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC store HERE! Before signing off, as promised, here are some more Gross Family Halloween 2022 pics! Better life, better business, better you, -Andreas Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC Ideas, Inspiration, Opportunity Washington State Certified K-8 Educator, K-12 International Education Consultant, Professional Coach, Proofreader/Editor, Affiliate Marketer, Popsicle Stick Crafter, Print-on-Demand Products Designer, and Webmaster Check out: www.cityofpullmanportal.com, www.949crafts.com Looking for a professional coach? I’m your man! Let’s chat. Last Updated: October 24, 2022 Yesterday my wife and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary. I say "celebrated," but more like "worked through." I posted on social media that we are now in the midst of the "hard time" in our marriage, but I quickly took heat for that...nothing is wrong with our marriage - how would you describe it? The hard, always-busy time of life itself when you are married, I guess is more of what I was aiming for? Bouncing from the 6 year old kid's ping pong class, to lunch, to a class my wife was hosting with some friends and colleagues, all the while trying to make sure the 6 year old feels loved and included and is well cared for while we each take 15-20 minute turns chasing after the 1 year old. You've forgotten what a restful sleep feels like and you are worn out and tired pretty much all the time. This isn't even taking into account the regular 8-5 job you are working on top of all of this - that's its own story. "Celebrating" our anniversary consisted of us eating separately at the same restaurant (one of us ate while the other chased the baby around the restaurant, then the other one ate....parents will know the drill). At night, we just passed out cold as soon as we could like we do most nights. No, none of this means anything is "bad," nor are these "complaints" of any kind - just a description of reality in our family right now. That's married life with young children for you - other parents will understand! It' been 8 wonderful years and here's to many more to come! Beyond our 8 year wedding anniversary, a number of "silent anniversaries" have quietly slid by this year unrecognized. Last spring - Spring of 2022, sometime in either March or April, but I can't remember any more specifically than that at this point - marked my 20 year anniversary of coming to China for the very first time. No, no, no - I haven't lived in China for 20 years: far from it! In the Spring of 2002, my Senior Year of high school, I came to China for the very first time. I came with my class on our Senior Trip. We were in Beijing for a week. Back in those days you were still required by law to book a government packaged tour if you were coming as a group of tourists. Who would have EVER guessed that 20 years later I'd be back not only in China, but living and working in China and married to a Chinese woman with whom I've had two kids? Not me; I wouldn't have guessed that about my life in over 1 million years, but here I am. Life is a funny thing like that. Not funny like 'Ha, ha,' funny, but funny in its oxymoronic, paradoxical kind of way with its strange twists and peculiar curve balls it throws. August 10th of this year marked my 10th anniversary of coming to China to live and work. No, no - that also doesn't mean that I've lived in China for 10 years...but it has been 7 - now into the beginning of the 8th - non-continuous years since getting my first job in China which started in August of 2012. That job was to be a 5th Grade Science Teacher and Elementary English Track Science Department H.O.D. at The SMIC Private School in Zhangjiang (roughly pronounced as "Jang Jang") Area, Pudong New Area, Shanghai. Just last week, October 18 marked the one year anniversary of the first major relaunch and "modernization" of Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC on its path towards becoming what it is today. After a serious incubation phase of establishing itself as a web presence while slowly growing in size as it sought direction for the future, I finally buckled down with getting the blog on a serious, regimented posting schedule back in October of 2021, relaunching the site on October 18th a year ago. Wait a minute, Andreas.....did you just say "Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC"? Yes, I did! No more sole proprietorship here. Another very major silent event happened just two weeks ago: on October 7th, 2022, I finally pulled the trigger and organized Andreas Philip Gross Enterprise as a Wyoming Close LLC. What major events are worthy of a moment of reflection in your own life right now? Think about it. I'm sure you can come up with a few. Better life, better business, better you, -Andreas Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC Ideas, Inspiration, Opportunity Washington State Certified K-8 Educator, K-12 International Education Consultant, Professional Coach, Proofreader/Editor, Affiliate Marketer, Popsicle Stick Crafter, Print-on-Demand Products Designer, and Webmaster Check out: www.cityofpullmanportal.com, www.949crafts.com Looking for a professional coach? I’m your man! Let’s chat. Last Updated: October 10, 2022 Image via Pexels Running a business is no easy task. There are many things to remember each day, many moving parts, and plenty of opportunities to make mistakes that might slow you down or even derail your entrepreneurial endeavors altogether. Today we’re discussing the top four mistakes that might put your money in harm’s way. This list is by no means a complete collection of all the missteps one can make in the world of running a business! You can find more tips for success concerning running a business and getting the most out of life from educator and success coach Andreas Philip Gross here. Mistake #1) Not understanding business taxes and finances You might be an expert at what you do, but are you an expert when it comes to the financial and taxation side of your business? Maybe you are, but that isn’t the case with everyone. If you don’t fully understand how business taxes work, you find yourself struggling with the financial side of marketing, or you simply need to sharpen your finance skills and business acumen, you can earn an accounting degree online to help you better master these areas. Going to school online means you don’t necessarily have to shut your business down and stop working to pound out that credential! Mistake #2) Having ideas without setting goals Do you know the difference between a dream and a goal? If not, the Developing Good Habits blog does a great job of explaining this. Essentially, a dream is something you want, while a goal is something you actively work toward. Hiring a success coach like Andreas Philip Gross is a great first step along the path of turning your dreams into goals! Then, you can make an actionable plan to get your business where you want your business to be. Mistake #3) Taking on too much too soon All of us dream of growing our businesses into successful enterprises that allow us to retire and enjoy life on our own terms, but too much growth too soon can actually hinder our endeavors. Startup Nation suggests that moving too quickly can actually mask serious problems if you’re not careful! Instead of aiming to become the next big giant on the block overnight, take the time to grow each aspect of your business slowly and sustainably so that you can create processes that allow for sustainable growth at each step. Mistake #4) Not reevaluating prices with vendors As you grow, you will likely order more and more raw materials and products. If you are still paying your initial agreed-upon prices for these, then it’s time to reevaluate. There are plenty of online templates available that can help you check to see if you’re getting the best price on the things you order. While customer service and vendor reliability are definitely very real factors to consider from those you buy from, also remember that the prices you pay directly affect your profit margin in the end. You might think about asking your current vendors to reevaluate the pricing structure they are offering you right now if you’re consistently ordering more than 25% more from them than you were when you first started using them. Bonus Tip You never know where the “bad apples” may be lurking! If your business has employees, background check them before hiring to ensure that you’re not bringing someone on the payroll who’s been convicted of embezzlement, fraud, or another serious crime that might put your business at risk. While this is not a full list of all the mistakes to watch out for as a business owner, these are a few that can quickly take a toll on your bottom line if you’re not careful. From going back to school so that you can better understand accounting practices, to taking it slowly and really spending the time to build a solid foundation, the above tips are a great way to keep yourself in check as you nurture your business and allow it to grow and spread its wings. Guest Post by Dean Burgess of excitepreneur.net You will never know what you are capable of until you take that first step and GO FOR IT! _______________________________ Better life, better business, better you,
-Andreas Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises Ideas, Inspiration, Opportunity Washington State Certified K-8 Educator, K-12 International Education Consultant, Professional Coach, Proofreader/Editor, Affiliate Marketer, Popsicle Stick Crafter, Print-on-Demand Products Designer, and Webmaster Check out: www.cityofpullmanportal.com, www.949crafts.com Looking for a professional coach? I’m your man! Let’s chat. |
AndreasInternational K-12 Educator, CLICK HERE for most recent blog post.
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