Onward Nation

Melinda Emerson is known as the Small Biz Lady — and is Americas #1 Small Business Expert and the author of “Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months: A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Work.” She is an internationally known keynote speaker and expert on small business start-up, business development, and social media marketing. Melinda’s advice is widely read reaching more than 3 million entrepreneurs each week online. And Forbes magazine named her the #1 woman for entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter.

Melinda always creates a list of five vital priorities the day before she sets out to complete each individual task. ONWARD!

Melinda wakes up early -- gets her vital priorities done by 11:00 am -- and even finds a way to budget time for herself.

Melinda built a business that could not run without her -- and Melinda tells the whole story here.

“A business owner has to learn to plan for long-term success -- and focus on identifying the characteristics of their perfect customer.”

“You have to maintain your reputation -- your brand is an extension of your personal self.”

I would have gone back and put a system in place to help define our niche -- you have to niche to get rich.

Develop a niche target customer -- you have to pick a marketing target that you can actually reach.

An individual who seeks to add value to our company and looks at their occupation as a career, not a job.

1. You win or you learn in business
2. Don’t make a hire that you can’t fire

• http://succeedasyourownboss.com/

You can also find us here: ------ OnwardNation.com ------

Anthony Lee Witt is the founder and creator of The Champion Entrepreneur — a top-rated podcast in iTunes and resource for entrepreneurs. He believes in challenging limitations and has spent his life looking for how he can create and provide value to others and their businesses by changing the status quo. The Champion Entrepreneur provides valuable information and resources to help others become the Champion they know that deep down inside they already are. Anthony believes that no matter who you are — there will always be struggles that attempt to hold us back from becoming the champions we were meant to be. He takes great pride in helping others overcome these struggles.

Anthony creates time blocks -- which help him remain efficient throughout the workday. ONWARD!

Anthony wakes up early -- getting up before the kids can be a great way to remain focused.

Anthony was paying attention to a few false indicators -- and Anthony tells the whole story here.

“A business owner has to learn to reduce non-productive activities and start to implement their own plan -- know your personal traits.”

“If you're not adding value -- nobody benefits -- make sure your actions are adding value.”

I would have gone back and put a system in place to develop a series of task-oriented processes -- virtual assistance.

Develop a mastermind group -- cohesiveness always compounds over an extended period of time.

An individual who knows exactly what the customer wants -- with the ability to intuitively provide them what they need.

1. Search for inspiration
2. Listen -- Read -- Study

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleewitt

You can also find us here: ------ OnwardNation.com ------

Mark Babbitt is the co-author of A World Gone Social: How Companies Must Adapt to Survive, an Amazon best-seller that takes an inspiring look at the impact of social media on today's business world. Mark is the CEO and Founder of YouTern, an award-winning social community for young professionals and was recently named to Inc.’s 100 Great Leaderships Speakers and to Business News Daily’s Top Entrepreneurs to Follow on Twitter. Mark is a contributor to Harvard Business Review, Inc., and Huffington Post; his work has been featured in Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, Bloomberg News and many other publications and media outlets.

Mark is a morning person -- kickstart your day early -- take advantage of the extra hours. ONWARD!

Mark takes the time to build mutually beneficial relationships with his client base -- know them on a personal level.

Mark had to rethink his B2B model during the recession -- and Mark tells the whole story here.

“A business owner can benefit greatly by becoming a mentor -- teaching is invaluable.”

“You have to learn the art of pace -- shut it down once in awhile -- without a reasonable pace we become overbearing.”

I would have gone back and put a system in place versed in continually upgrading our team.

Cohesiveness -- we have to create a team that is comprised of passionate individuals who take ownership.

An individual who is passionate about the mission -- has grit -- as well as some good old-fashioned ingenuity.

1. Develop a personal board of advisors
2. Surround yourself with people that are smarter than you

• http://www.youtern.com/

You can also find us here: ------ OnwardNation.com ------

Ari Weinzweig is CEO and co-founding partner of Zingerman's Community of Businesses, which includes Zingerman's Delicatessen, Bakehouse, Creamery, Catering, Mail Order, ZingTrain, Coffee Company, Roadhouse, Candy Manufactory and the newest business, Cornman Farms. Zingerman's produces and sells all sorts of full flavored, traditional foods in its home of Ann Arbor, Michigan to the tune of $55,000,000 a year in annual sales.

Ari was recognized as one of the Who's Who of Food & Beverage in America by the 2006 James Beard Foundation and has awarded a Bon Appetit Lifetime Achievement Award among many recognitions.

Ari is the author of a number of articles and books, including Zingerman's Guide to Better Bacon (Zingerman's Press), Zingerman's Guide to Giving Great Service, Zingerman's Guide to Good Eating (Houghton Mifflin), Zingerman's Guide to Good Leading, Part 1: A Lapsed Anarchists Approach to Building a Great Business, and Zingerman's Guide to Good Leading, Part 2: A Lapsed Anarchists Approach to Being a Better Leader. Zingerman's Guide to Good Leading, Part 3; A Lapsed Anarchist's Approach to Managing Ourselves, was released in December of 2013. Zingerman's Guide to Good Leading, Part 4; A Lapsed Anarchist's Approach to the Power of Beliefs in Business is scheduled for release in the first part of 2016.

Keep a journal -- writing down your thoughts each morning is a great way to stay organised. ONWARD!

Ari likes to cook during his free-time at home -- being in the food business requires experimentation.

Ari dealt with growing his business over the years -- and Ari tells the whole story here.

“A business owner has to stay grounded -- resist the hierarchical model -- and focus on self-management.”

“Don’t look for one heroic person -- the world is a giant classroom full of information.”

I would have went back and put a system in place to hone the practicable skill of creating a vision.

There’s three steps to great customer service -- the key is to create an ecosystem of collaboration.

An individual who can collaborate -- service the customer -- and reflect on their actions daily.

1. Business is exhausting
2. Try to focus on self-management

• http://www.zingermanscommunity.com/press/bios-of-key-people/

--------- Find us at OnwardNation.com -------

Josh is the founder of Social Change Nation, whose mission and passion is to provide startup social entrepreneurs with the best tools for growing their ventures. He hosts a podcast featuring interviews with the worlds leading change agents and creates online content to help startups make a dollar AND a difference.

When he's not podcasting, Josh can be found cooking up the latest Paleo dish (his fiances fault), cycling all over Gods creation, and/or endeavouring to understand the mysterious ways of the universe.

Get your hardest task done first thing in the morning -- this mindset will help boost productivity. ONWARD!

Joshua likes to exercise -- a fitness routine helps to create positive energy and motivation.

Joshua had to find a way to create valuable content -- and Joshua tells the complete story here.

“A business owner has to be disciplined -- patient -- and focused on the day to day grind.”

“If you want to make a million dollars -- solve a problem that touches a billion people.”

“I would have implemented a system to help with promotion as well as creating high-quality content.”

Use the beginning of each quarter to develop a detailed plan-- then focus on marketing.

An individual who can lift others up -- believes in social entrepreneurship -- and lives each day to the fullest.

1. Passion restores hope
2. Creativity is an essential component

• http://socialchangenation.com/

--------- Find us at OnwardNation.com --------

Justin Topliff is a Product Marketing Manager at Infusionsoft, one of Arizona's top tech startup success stories. He is helping change the future for 30,000 small businesses. Justin leads the product messaging and launches for Infusionsoft’s core and ancillary products and has led the marketing efforts that helped grow annual revenues by 40%.

He is also the founder of ProductMarketingSummit.com, which disseminates free knowledge from over 40 of techs top product marketers and create a community for product marketers to share their tribal knowledge and learn from one another.

Justin learned to say no -- avoid shiny object syndrome -- and not to juggle too many tasks at once. ONWARD!

Justin likes to exercise -- you can’t neglect your body -- exercise is a great way to clear your head.

Justin switched companies during a challenging time -- and Justin tells the complete story here.

“A business owner has to be able to question themselves -- and check their ego at the door.”

“Don’t be obsessed with the pursuit of perfection -- relax -- mistakes will happen.”

“I would have implemented a system to help with our data-driven decisions and the overall customer experience.”

Don’t stop -- follow a formula -- and make sure to entice your audience with a clear value.

An individual who remains disciplined -- takes small steps -- and can chip away at rather large tasks over the period of a year.

1. Take a deep breath -- Relax
2. Help others -- add kindness when you can

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/justintopliff

You can also find us here: ------ OnwardNation.com ------

Lori Highby is the owner of Keystone Click, an interactive marketing agency in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Since 2008, her agency has seen consistent growth. Lori is the 2013 recipient of the "Bravo! Entrepreneur Award" from BizTimes Media. She has been helping businesses market themselves online for nearly 15 years. Lori speaks and blogs on the topics of social media, e-commerce, online marketing, and entrepreneurship.

Lori stays focused and remains productive due to the allocation of a diverse Post-it note system. ONWARD!

Lori plans her workday every morning -- she gives herself plenty of time to focus on her vital priorities.

Lori decided to leave a full-time job -- and Lori tells the complete story here.

“A business owner has to remain focused -- don’t always chase the shiny object.”

“Honesty is the best policy -- always be forthcoming and honest with your clients.”

“I would have implemented a program to aid the sales funnel -- possibly a CRM system.”

Time -- manage your time effectively -- it’s about getting it done and out the door.

An individual who communicates with others -- and brings value to the workplace.

1. Get outside of your comfort zone
2. Put in the time to create a process

• https://www.keystoneclick.com/

You can also find us here: ------ OnwardNation.com ------

Alan Becker is the CEO and Founder of Retirement Solutions Group, Inc., and co-founder of RSG Investments, Inc., a leader in the world of financial security for pre-retirees and retirees. With over 18 years of helping his clients learn to plan with purpose, Alan utilizes his proprietary financial tools in addition to the best available industry services.

Take a few minutes of quiet time -- make a list -- try to progress through the list during the workday. ONWARD!

You have to show up -- it’s pretty simple -- your presence is the first step to success.

Alan brought people into his business that he shouldn't have -- and Alan tells the whole story here.

“A business owner has to be able to plan -- manage their time effectively -- and study the industry.”

“Last week is over -- what are we going to do this week -- learn to deliver consistently.”

“I would have systematized my practice through the implementation of a diverse database system.”

Consistency -- clear and concise communication -- and the ability to follow a system.

An individual who has the passion and drive to help fulfill the needs of our clients.

1. Think big -- review your plan once a week
2. There will always be an opportunity for growth

• http://rsgusa.net/

Chris Brogan is CEO of Owner Media Group, a highly sought after professional speaker, and the New York Times bestselling author of eight books and counting...including the forthcoming...Insider: Strategies and Secrets for Business Growth in the Age of Distractions.

Chris has spoken for — or consulted with — Disney, Coke, Google, Microsoft, and many more. He’s appeared on the Dr. Phil Show, interviewed Richard Branson for a cover story for SUCCESS Magazine...and once...even presented to a Princess.

Most importantly, Chris provides education and tools to help you make your life and your business thrive, by teaching you which actions will get you what you want. Through books, speeches, courses, and workshops, Chris is dedicated to helping you grow your capabilities and connections and to getting you to that next level of success -- no matter where you are in the process right now.

Chris places emphasis on health and fitness -- it’s important to develop a daily routine. ONWARD!

“A business owner has to learn to communicate in an effective manner -- clear and concise communication is invaluable.”

“You live and die by a database -- treat your list with the utmost respect.”

Lean to follow the “Ask” -- “Do” -- “Share” recipe.

1. The inbox is surrounded by a velvet rope -- use it to your advantage
2. Give and interact with your audience through a newsletter

• http://chrisbrogan.com/

-------Find us here: onwardnation.com------

Leanne started her marketing agency called Stitchcraft Marketing over 5 years ago — and she did that to meet the every changing needs of the yarn and craft industries. Leanne and her team work with manufacturers within the fiber arts industry across the country to increase website traffic, build their brand and platform, and ultimately…to increase sales.

Trello is a website that acts like a sticky note bulletin board -- this website helps to save a ton of time. ONWARD!

You have to have the right work life balance -- finding the right balance will help with focus and motivation.

Leanne had to rebrand her company-- and Leanne tells the whole story here.

“A business owner has to become a leader who truly cares about every person in their circle.”

“Fear can be crippling in a business -- learn to slay the dragon and keep it at bay.”

“I would have joined a round-table group -- to reap the benefits of a collaborative environment.”

Networking within your community -- personal satisfaction can be achieved through service.

An individual who cares for others -- wants to give -- and is passionate about servicing our clients.

1. Look at the big picture
2. Stick it out

• http://stitchcraftmarketing.com/about/

You can also find us here: ------ OnwardNation.com ------