Win a Free Copy of the Empire Building Kit

416 Responses to “Win a Free Copy of the Empire Building Kit”

• March 25, 2010

  Regina

  

  The Empire Building Kit sounds like a truly awesome thing. Should I be one of the people who gets a free copy? Only you and your panel of extremely biased judges can know that… But I’d like to give it a go.

  Ever since I was in high school, I’ve been saying that I wanted to have my own business. And instead, I always did what everyone else thought was a better idea for me.
  Well, now that I’m (arguably) an “established adult” and have become a casualty of the corporate world yet again, I’ve firmly decided that I am going to do what I’ve always known was the right thing for me to do. I’m starting my own business. Beginning of story.

  (And would it help to say that, since time immemorial, I’ve had a folder named Keys To The Empire in my favorites list with all the important websites regarding my life-long dream of a self-employed profession?)

  Thanks for the consideration and for the continuing inspiration!

• March 25, 2010

  Rachel

  

  I don’t have a profitable business…yet. I am starting out as a freelance translator, having worked for the last year and a half toward a certificate. I now have that certificate, as well as a functioning home office and some clients. For the next three months I will be ramping up my efforts to gain new clients. As of July 1, I will be freelancing full time. Translation is a passion of mine, and now I have more incentive to make my business work! I could use any help I can get to make this endeavor successful.

• March 25, 2010

  Jude Boudreaux

  

  I’ve been dreaming of creating the location-independent financial planning practice that I can see in my mind, but the steps to making it a reality have seemed like a steep uphill climb. The recent news that my wife is pregnant, due 9/15, have only added to my trepidation about setting out on my own. But, I don’t see any way to provide the lifestyle that I want to provide for my family without taking the plunge. I’m hopeful that if selected your Empire Building kit will give me the daily nudge to take small bites that will lead us to the future I hope to create for them. I’m willing to share the journey and to help others go even further down the road.

• March 25, 2010

  robyn

  

  Hey Chris, Robyn here! I fit into the “doesn’t own a profitable business yet but is starting one up in the next 12 months” category.

  Launching in June, Knit Omaha will bring together knitters from around the Omaha, Nebraska region to knit for good. We’ll be hosting four to six hand-knits drives a year (collecting items that will then be given away to everyone from babes in the NICU to those living on Native American Reservations), offering up knitting classes and patterns, hosting knit-ins and massive events throughout the year, and that’s just the tip of the iceburg.

  I’ve got big plans to grow a business that will support the local refugee community through expanding to selling yarn and finished items as well as patterns, and so much more that I’ve filled notebooks full with ideas!

  To be able to turn this burgeoning idea into a profitable company would definitely take me a long way towards my goal fo changing the world, one hand-knit at a time!

• March 25, 2010

  BenQ

  

  I got laid off in late 2008 and started working for myself at that time as I felt the “time was right.” And it was! I love working for myself in SEO and Internet Marketing. (But don’t confuse me as a blogger, I am not a blogger!)

  And I adore this idea of “do one thing a day for a year” to build a sustainable business – I think many business models can be stripped down to something akin to this concept, including my own. Once this is identified, everything should be focused on that one task.

  If the Empire Building Kit has something to offer applicable to my business, then I will certainly use it. It’s hard for me to say why I deserve it though when I know very little about the product. So what I’m saying is, if you think it will help out someone who is 1 year into an internet marketing business, then I am your man, as I will leverage the hell out of it. If not, then I’m happy to see it go to someone else who can leverage it to the fullest for their own business.

  Cheers!

• March 25, 2010

  FredInChina

  

  I’ve never been so happy since I closed my factory in China – I was manufacturing furniture and the housing crisis in 2007 made me rethink the business model…

  I am embarking on a 3 or 4 years around the world karate journey, where I will be training with masters at different dojos on all continents. Unlike you Chris, I have no interest in rushing to tick all the UN countries as “visited” — On the contrary, I will spend 2 to 3 months in each place.
  I still have several businesses in China that do not need me to operate; however, instead of having this journey draining the cash flows, the question I must address is:

  WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR IT?

  …my answer is very simple: my karate journey is the ideal opportunity to set up a global business; I will have the opportunity to get media exposure, the time to develop relationships & the drive to establish partnerships in each location.

  I set up one constraint though: I want this business to benefit all of mankind.

  Cheers
  Fred

• March 25, 2010

  Ethan

  

  Chris- I need this book!

  -I read your blog.

  -I’m an avid cyclist and have always dreamed of traveling the world by bike. The catch is that I want to be running a business WHILE I do it.

  -I am your target audience, and I will give you my honest feedback from the project, free of charge If I like it, I will no doubt become an “evangelist” for the book.

  -I’m signed up for the May $100 business forum session.

• March 25, 2010

  Steve Kinney

  

  I do not currently own and operate a business. For the last three years, I’ve been a special education teacher in high-need, middle schools in New York City. This year, I work on a district level training teachers to use technology to empower their students to do creative and amazing projects. Working on the level I do is extremely rewarding—don’t get me wrong—but I desperately want to scale things up a notch. In my humble opinion, the current state of our educational system is abysmal and is way too important to stay that way.

• March 25, 2010

  Michael T. Maeder

  

  At the moment, lots of plans in the making but yet no real business.

  Fork it over or I’ll kill a cat! (whew, that sounds threatening, fortunately I like cats, so forget that one)

  I already bought three products from you! (should make you feel guilty, ay, cancel that one)

  How about the classic “pleeeeeease!” (nope, makes me look like a needy whatever)

  Now I’ve got it:

  I need it. I want it. I’ll use it. I promise I’ll have a sustainable business.

  Greetz

• March 25, 2010

  Katy

  

  I think it’s funny that you’re releasing this guide now, actually it’s a bit of serendipity. I just recently decided that I would give myself a year to establish myself as a freelance writer and get myself to a place where, at the end of March next year, I could quit my job and go full-time. I would love to win one of the copies of your Empire Building Kit, but even if I don’t, I’ll probably buy it.

  Over the past few years I have figured out that working in an office environment is not good for me. I find the structurestifling and I really want to get out on my own. A guide like this would be perfect for helping me put one foot in front of the other and get going on my business. Most importantly, though, I want my kids to be able to see their mother have a career that she loves. I would hate for them to grow up watching me dread going to work everyday. I want them to know that it’s important to be passionate about the work you do everyday.

• March 25, 2010

  Eric Bakkum

  

  My wife has all the elements of a business in place, just not in a cohesive, ready-for-market package. She’s a geriatric care manager and caregiver. To say she “takes care of old people” doesn’t do her justice. The care she provides is guided by years of experience and informed with an empathy that verges on precognition.

  She’s really, really good at what she does. She gets so many referrals that she has to find others to help provide care. Which is where our business opportunity presents itself.

  We want to start an agency that will provide exceptional managed care for elderly people in need, ranging from well visits to those at home, to supplemental skilled services to those in hospitals and nursing facilities.

  We want to work with facilities to ensure that ALL the needs of our clients are being met. But most importantly, we want to do that without the interference of group think or the short-sightedness of a bottom line. We want to stay small, so we can stay focused.

• March 25, 2010

  Melissa Dutmers

  

  I recently completed your $100 biz forum in Feb. I just released my first ebook and used many of the tools and tips you and Pam provided. I’ve already shown interest + action. I’m in.

  Cheers!
  Melissa
  Twitter: @RiverFork

• March 25, 2010

  Jason Fonceca

  

  [great-big-super-massive-tremendous-smile]
  
  [filled-with-love-abundance-success-creativity-growth]

  ·

• March 25, 2010

  Rebecca Wilson

  

  My empire is one of using my gifts to help other people find their voices and spread their amazing words and ideas. In January 2009, I was approached by an author to edit a memoir he had written. I had never edited a book before, but was keen to try. 15 months later, I have started work on a FIFTH book by a talented young fiction writer. I have found my niche as a coach and editor for authors of all types. I have not sought out a single client–they have all found me and they have all had projects that I truly believe in, including an academic book for a think tank at Columbia University, a book of short stories and two pop psychology books. Thanks to their enthusiasm and my own self determination, I will be leaving my day job on June 11 to pursue author coaching/book editing full time, as well as working on communication strategies for small nonprofits–all projects I believe in. Building my empire full time will take some doing; I wish there was a kit of some kind to help me out….

• March 25, 2010

  Darren

  

  This is EXACTLY what I have been looking for! I am 37 years old with a five year old and two old. I first traveled through Mexico with a college anthropology class in 1995. Six weeks and almost 9000 miles later I was a changed man and have been traveling to Central America since then.

  Many people find that being parents makes them settle into and live with the frantic pace of the US, but for my wife and I the exact opposite happened. Being parents has solidified our resolve to reinvent our lifestyle in another country and spend quality time with our family and expose our children to as many different cultures, places and ultimately ideas as possible.

  I currently work for an creative agency as a multimedia producer and manager. While I enjoy what I do, it has taken over who I am as a person and parent. I have spent the last 3 months researching a plan to create the lifestyle I want and the Empire Building Kit is made for me.

• March 25, 2010

  Rich Cook

  

  The Lunatic Ltd is not a profitable site yet, but it will be. I am building what will become an online magazine-styled explorer’s blog. More than just another travel blog, TLL is about my explorations – through travel – of the world. The ultimate goal is to, like you, visit every country on earth and give to my readers a deeper understanding of the world outside their bedrooms or offices or wherever they may read my blog. It is also designed to inspire others to walk out their front door and discover the world that is waiting for them. I am building an empire around TLL and winning a free copy of the new kit would help give me the edge I’m looking for to launch this project and achieve the goals I’ve set. Thanks for taking the time to write it! Whether I win it or not, I will be reading it.

• March 25, 2010

  Nate Desmond

  

  Thanks for the opportunity!

  I should win this giveaway because I am a young entrepreneur (17 years old) who has already operated a number of different business including…

  - Nate’s Natural Lawn Care
  - PracticalManliness.com
  - DebtFreeScholar.com

  In addition, I am just about to launch a new business (Bristlecone Belts), so I need more information about successful business building.

  I use my local library extensively, but your new book will probably not be in the library until after my business launches.

  As a college student paying his own way, I do not have the money to pay for your book knew, so, unless I win this giveaway, I will have to wait until after my library buys your book before I can read it.

  Whether I win or not, I will be looking forward to reading your book… either from the library or from you!

• March 25, 2010

  Sherri

  

  To answer your question: “should it be you?”. no it shouldn’t be me, it should be my husband. We’ve been married 13 years and in that time he has supported and encouraged me to follow my dreams largely to the neglect of his own. Since we were in high school together, he’s dreamed of owning his own company but just hasn’t taken the plunge yet. This empire building kit would likely be the nudge he needs to put his thoughts and ideas into action. I am grateful everyday for the sacrifices he makes for our family and being able to give him this kit would be a pretty awesome way to show him that I’m ready to support him and allow him to follow his dreams.

• March 25, 2010

  Joseph Ratliff

  

  To me, there are 2 main types of businesses…

  1) The traditional style, which I’ve built, that is grown/scaled/leveraged into a stable income for the business owner.

  2) The lifestyle type, which isn’t necessarily focused on growing past the lifestyle that is desired by the business owner.

  I’ve built the first type, and wish to shift my focus to the 2nd…and your course will help me do just that (looking for insights from someone who has successfully built a lifestyle business).

• March 25, 2010

  jess gonacha swift

  

  Hi Chris! How generous of you to donate 2 copies of your newest wonder! I’d love to nominate myself, as this is my ‘year of thinking big,’ and I want to scale my business up tremendously. I’ve also finally made my name switch (from Jessica Gonacha to Jessica Swift,) and now that I’m clear on who I want to be in the world, I want the Jessica Swift brand/name to make it big in the art/design world. My business is somewhat profitable now, but I want to be able to support both my husband and I (he’s in medical school) on my income, and I’m definitely not there yet. My mission is to inspire positivity and happiness through my art, and I’d love to spread that goodness on a larger scale, work with companies that are doing good in the world, etc. I’ve been self-employed since I was 23 (I’m almost 30 now) and have never had a “real job,” and I’m ready to take my business to the next level!!

• March 25, 2010

  Fiona

  

  As a poor college student, I’ve been wanting to create a business for a long time. Though I have my own blog that I’m trying to monetize, I don’t have the tools to truly succeed in my goals and to do my part to truly change the world in some way.

  I feel, nay, I know, that this kit will help me achieve my goals and let me help other people.

• March 25, 2010

  Jeff - Sciencesays

  

  Hi Chris-

  It should be me because I a) have started a moderately successful business as a marketing consultant b) am striving to scale up and automate a lot of that over the next 6 months so that I can begin my OWN journey to travel around the world, without having to shut my business down completely and c)…because I *JUST* put in my 2 weeks notice this morning!

  There couldn’t be a better time for me to hit the ground running with the Empire Building Kit, using my new-found freedom and free time, and there couldn’t be a better case-study for your readers, since I’ll be starting from ground-zero, Day 1 of my newfound self-employment, using your kit to see how it can help my business grow

  - Jeff, the artist formerly known as ScienceSays

• March 25, 2010

  Carl Nelson

  

  As a movement geek, dancer, etc. I have always had the dream of starting a venture that brings together movement professionals and amateurs into a shared space to learn from each other, create together and elevate the role of movement and wellness in peoples lives.

  I have just recently started reaching out to other movement professionals (pilates instructors, yoga, parkour, martial artists, etc.) to get their feedback on the project and also to begin developing the framework for this venture. The interdisciplinary movement space will involve outreach into communities, a focus on developing the performance and physical arts as a sustainable business, and a repository of movement knowledge.

  I believe a kickstart with the Empire Building Kit would be a great way to help get this life long dream off of the ground. I’m going to do it one way or another but having a year long process that has proven success will be just another boost to the system.

• March 25, 2010

  M. Fort

  

  Hi Chris,

  I’ve got a couple of ventures of neither of them are profitable…yet. I just started a band with my ex-girlfriend. It’s called Norushi Minx. We have finally got a line-up that we dig, and we’re hoping to scale-up from releasing our first EP to a full-length and another EP. Things are looking promising though.

  I also really want to take my ability to build websites and to do music marketing and to turn that into a music consulting firm. I want to take my passion for music (I’ve been a musician all my life) and show corporations and companies how they can use music and viral, indie marketing campaigns to endear themselves to a marketplace. The company Scion is a great example; they’ve used a series of underground concerts and events to establish a cache of hipness over the last few years among a certain segment of youth culture that pays attention to underground DJs, concerts, etc.

  Best always,
  Marc

• March 25, 2010

  Larry

  

  Hey Chris,

  You stated that one of the candidates should be someone who doesn’t have a profitable business but is very serious about building one over the next year.

  How is this for serious?

  After spending the past year or so putting in 20+ hours a week improving my skill set and testing some different ideas, I have decided to spend the next year building my own business. To make this a reality, I have or am in the process of:

  1. Quit my job effective April 1st.

  2. Selling my house and moving in with my parents (can’t pay the bills without a job or your own business)

  3. Meeting/reconnecting with like minded individuals (local meet-ups, university acquaintances, $100 Business Forum)

  My goal for the next 12-16 months is completely dedicate myself to building a sustainable online business that will allow me to live my life as I see fit. Your Empire Building Kit would definitely be a valuable resource along the way.

• March 25, 2010

  Andrew Baber

  

  Chris, I’ve followed your work since seeing you speak at Ramit’s financial bootcamp. Now that I’ve also been through his earn1k class, I’m ready to begin the journey that is empire building.

  When I was in school I was determined that I would change the way the world eats. I designed a comprehensive and absurdly grandiose plan for a food education supercenter that would have cost nearly 50 million to build.

  Since then I’ve learned how to truly build and operate a “real” business and it has totally changed the way I think about my future prospects.

  I can think of no better way to continue moving forward on my lofty goal than utilizing this wonderful kit. In addition to taking the lessons to heart, I assure you I will provide feedback and share your infectious enthusiasm with all who will listen.

  Thank you for putting this together — I can’t wait to look through the windows it opens.

  -Andrew

• March 25, 2010

  Gary Fountaine

  

  Your travel, programs, 100 business seminars all are positive and help those of us who are not quite sure about our next step to see the light. Having your Empire Building Kit will be the next step I make toward self independence. One step at a time. Thanks.

• March 25, 2010

  Sinclair

  

  Hi Chris! (and all the other non-conformers)
  I have an existing, fairly successful business, which I’d like to transfer online and refocus to more service work.
  I have been a coach for 8 years, and love what I do. I’ve been working for 6 months to start an online resource site, and this is what I’d want the kit for.
  I want to grow my positive impact on the world, to transition what I do in a one on one setting to online. My dream online business is to coach entrepreneurs and artists (through free content as well as classes and kits), because they’re the uplifters and the change-makers. I’m drawn to your Empire building kit because I’d like to make enough money through this online business that I can travel and share leadership and communication tools with underserved communities.
  Thanks for asking, good luck with your launch!

• March 25, 2010

  judy Sharpton

  

  Barbara Kingsolver says “The least you can do in this life is figure out what to hope for and the most you can do is live in that hope”. I hope that at some time on this planet, every person will have the opportunity to get up in the morning to a cup of coffee, or a cup of tea or a cup of yak milk and admire a garden that person has had some part in creating. I live in that hope by helping small market garden centers and farm stands stay in business and thrive in a changing consumer environment. I have been developing this business for 15 years. I write for a major industry publication and speak at trade events. I am the only person in the horticulture industry focusing exclusively on small market stores, many of whom are multigenerational family-owned businesses.

  I am a one-person show and I’d like to leverage the brand I have created to provide my unique knowledge to a wider audience.

  So, what can your Empire Building Kit do for me?

• March 25, 2010

  Chelsea Bell

  

  I have found so much inspiration in Guide to World Domination, Art & Money, and 279 Days to Overnight Success. I have recently just started a seminar business teaching non-technical folks how to understand computer and internet technologies; my first seminar is just 5 days from now, and has enough attendees to break even. I am also starting a craft business selling knitted and eco-friendly accessories that I have designed and made by hand. I would sincerely love to be chosen.

  Here’s the catch – I need to be making enough money to support myself and my daughter by August 1 in order to make these businesses my primary living – otherwise I will need to return to working in an office in order to meet our needs, and having done that before, I REALLY don’t want to do that! Pick me! Pick me!

• March 25, 2010

  Joshua

  

  The Kit looks amazing and I cannot wait to get my hands on it either way! I am definately in the doesn’t have a profitable business yet. I am in the process of taking my life to the next level, and part of that involves investigating new opportunities for development and business opportunities.

  My focus is on the personal and economic development of Maori in New Zealand. I want to provide a service to Maori, independent of the State, which empowers Maori in business and life. The core of this approach is the principles behind the Grameen bank in Bangledesh – using microfinance and personal development to improve whanau and hapu development and empower Maori to become business owners as well.

• March 25, 2010

  Finola Prescott

  

  I’m nearly 46, spent most of my life ‘doing arts and crafts’ making beaded t-shirts at 15, studying formally at College and Uni, working as the Craft Development Officer in St. Lucia, running several shops selling local arts & crafts (a challenge to say the least), making paper, teaching Visual Arts at secondary school and finally now, determined to become the jewelry artist I want to be – and to make a sustainable living from it.

  Living and working in the Caribbean is no paradise life – costs are high, availability of everything is sketchy, export, selling online is difficult (we can’t yet receive payments via paypal), local markets are small, tourist customers buy made in China stamped Caribbean.

  Nonetheless, I am sure it can be done and I don’t just want to do it for myself, I want to prove it can be done and share that with others that I still work with from time to time, developing their dreams to live from their creativity too.

  I could do with all the help I can get.

• March 25, 2010

  Tiera Foy

  

  Hi Chris,

  I have a feeling that I may be the most unexperienced, immature, least established person to respond so far, and for that reason I feel that I would benefit the most from your empire building kit.

  I am a fourth year English student who has an interest in law, immigration and teaching. My ultimate goal is to become a teacher, but I have had many dreams of doing something more unconventional as a way of life. Unfortunately, I really lack any knowledge, inspiration or confidence in my personal ability to be successful starting something on my own.

  I live at home, I lack direction and I desire some inspiration. I read your entries with a brooding disappointment that I might never be able to say I did something on my own. I long to be able to say, “I did that, and I did it in a way I am proud of”.

  Help out a young Vancouver girl seeking some life direction, and maybe just a bit more confidence. Thank you

• March 25, 2010

  James Clear

  

  I want to start my own lifestyle business. I have developed short, no-fluff business plans for 4 ideas. The goal of each business is the same: make the world a better place at sunset than it was at sunrise. To do so, I made a list of 21 business actions that can inspire others over the next year.

  I want to build businesses that I believe in – brands that I stand for not only from a business standpoint, but also as an individual. To me, time is a more significant currency than money. Running a business that you believe in is a great way to become rich in time.

  The only difference between dreamers and doers is execution. I am ready to execute on my lifestyle business. I purchased your Travel Ninja guide in December. Since then, I have traveled to 10 countries. (I visited 3 in the 20 years before that.) I also purchased Working for Yourself and signed up for the May $100 Biz forum.

  I really want my business to change things – or at least things in my slice of the world.

• March 25, 2010

  Michelle

  

  I don’t have a business yet. I think this would be of serious use to me, though, because aside from my other projects, my husband and I are getting ready to launch a print on demand comic business within the next couple of weeks. One of the things we’ve talked about and are slightly worried about is if the business grows much faster than we planned, we’ll be pretty unprepared for it and won’t know how to manage it!

  Look forward to seeing who gets it, and thank you for the giveaway, Chris!

• March 25, 2010

  Jeff

  

  Sorry, no pitch gimmicks here. I’ll just say that your writings and musings have been instrumental in re-igniting my creativity and internal drive that were pretty buried through my various soul-sucking corporate jobs since college. I would really like to figure out what business would fit me best based on my skills, abilities, values. etc. as I’m turning 30 next month (goodbye 20s…).

  Starting my own business is exciting to me for lots of reason, but especially because I don’t want to work for “the man” if I don’t have to. After a few bad bosses and being looked down upon for being “young” and “inexperienced,” I want to prove that I’m capable of so much more. While I do want to have enough income to continue working towards my financial goals (such as giving even more than I do and helping others in new ways), it’s also to achieve more freedom to have some adventures in life. Also, I am a paying customer if that matters at all.

• March 25, 2010

  Linda Johnson

  

  I don’t have a profitable business “YET”. However I’m so tired of the nine to five existance. Instead of spending my whole day doing what makes no sense at all making my employer rich I’d rather be doing what I love to do. I would love to open a counseling center for substance abusers as well as offer life coaching. Counseling is something that I love to do and do everyday for free so why not make money doing what makes me and other people happy?

  Living the life that you want to live versus the life that society says you should be living makes life a lot more enjoyable.

• March 25, 2010

  Devin

  

  I should get this book because I have a little of both. A new non-commercial site that has yet to even try to make money, but that’s the goal. And another site that I have been trying to learn how to make more money but have not yet made it over the hump. Success would mean being able to move from Los Angeles, finally. Either way, I work all day long at both because travel and the acceptance of our respective cultures is in my opinion the most important thing — and my personal passion. Just imagine if we had more friends in Iraq? Understood Islam a little better (a specific project I am working on). Okay enough soapboxing. So I would start using the EBK immediately.

  Having said this, it looks like you have a lot of good people here attempting to do some good work. So even if I don’t win, I know someone worthy will. Best of luck to all.

• March 25, 2010

  Sherrie

  

  This morning I found a brochure my husband brought home on the Empire Builder Amtrak line and thought of this program. I wondered, do I want to build an empire? I realized I did. Not a huge corporation but a movement helping people realize their calling in life. Several years ago I was the CEO of a family-owned business that crashed and burned after years of my husband trying to save it. I realized that I had the tenacity and the smarts to run a company but the cards were stacked against us in our first business. Now I want to launch a company on my terms (Flexible hours, travel, work at home) with my own products and services. It’s time I stepped into my own power and learned to run something that will benefit many people and give them their own power to control their futures. The timing on this is perfect. I have the website, I’m ready to launch with a great program to back me up!

• March 25, 2010

  Jozef

  

  Hi there! The answer is… YES! I am exotic Slovak, who wants to be succesfull. I am strong-minded, focused, ravenous “predator” from Europe and I am right person to be chosen. I want be and I will be… Honestly, I won’t thank you for the consideration. I will thanks for selection. You don’t know me, I don’t know you, but I definitely know myself and I know that The Empire Building Kit is awesome thing suitable exactly for me. However, I’m gonna hustle anyway…

• March 25, 2010

  Pratt

  

  I was going to give you the “I want to escape from the corporate cubicles, my wife was recently laid off from her cube job and is launching a web business this year” but after reading the previous post I vote you give a copy to Steve Kinney, from his description he is working with special needs kids in New York City middle schools…enough said.

• March 25, 2010

  Janet

  

  Something is missing….My husband and I have started a handful of businesses over the years and for reasons I haven’t quite grasped, none of them have ever took off or been sustainable to support our family. It’s been very frustrating and we’ve spent thousands of dollars trying to be entrepreneurs. The disappointment and failure is becoming more daunting but we seem to always pick ourselves up and try again. This time, an online based business with low capital costs feels like the right business model as we try to recover financially.
  A resource like the Empire Building Kit would tremendously help me to see how others are “making” it and regain some confidence and spark some inspiration.

• March 25, 2010

  Ratana

  

  Please help me build my Empire! I’m a freelance VO artist and marketing consultant, working on my passion in the wee hours of the morning and late at night. (During the day, I have one of those lovely 9-5 jobs as a marketer.) My ultimate goal is to turn my freelance work into a location-and time-independent business. (I have booked and recorded work from locations as mundane as my home studio to creative – a makeshift setup in a Paris hotel room closet.) While I am generating revenue, I’m not profitable (yet) and would love your insight and ideas to turn my little fiefdom into a true Empire!

• March 25, 2010

  Jared

  

  Thank you for building this incredible product full of business wisdom. I am building an advanced photography and technology company that will empower homeowners with the online marketing of their property when they want to sell. In most markets, there is so little consumer knowledge and transparency from the real estate professionals that I would like to use a few ground-breaking ideas from other industries to build a local company that will solve these problems. I am excited to help people who find themselves in situations that the one-size-fits-all real estate system does not serve well. For so many years, I have had strong beliefs about how businesses ought to treat their customers and communities, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to put those convictions to the test.

• March 25, 2010

  Steve Manuel

  

  Do something extraordinary! Quite a challenge, to be and live in that possibility. In all my time in business, mine and others, one issue seems to arise most frequently – the inability of people to collaborate, powerful collaboration between companies (people) and produce quality breakthroughs for the benefit of all concerned. The extraordinary goal is to find a way each day to break through that wall consistently. I know how it feels when it happens and it lights up the whole day. We want to serve clients globally, and if your Empire Kit helps to enhance that then I am most certainly interested. Thank you.

• March 25, 2010

  Emily Clarke

  

  Almost a year-and-a-half ago I left my job in advertising to take the plunge into the world of being a full time oil painter. It has been both the most liberating and exciting, as well as the most frightening thing I have ever done. I specialize in vintage style images, inspired by old family photographs, ads, and movies from the 1940′s and 50′s, and chronicle my daily journey on my blog. I have created a good name for myself, and am fortunate to live in a city that supports the arts, but my business could use the kick in the pants the Empire Building Kit could give it. So send it my way!

• March 25, 2010

  Liw

  

  About 18 months ago, I transitioned from being an academic and administrator to being a body worker and Craniosacral Therapy Practitioner, for animals and humans (yes, in that order). Since I started my business, I have a very strong desire to have it be authentic, relational and organic in nature — hard-sell and pushy don’t work for me, so I have been soaking up business start-up advice to “draw” the right clients to me. The challenge of this approach (I find) is the patience and “waiting time” to build critical mass (and revenue generation.)

  It sounds like your Empire Building Kit could provide the structure and activities for me to continue building my lifestyle business, and to plug some of the “holes” that I have in my model.

  Please pick me.

• March 25, 2010

  Terry Chong

  

  Urban Paintmob aims to inspire people through do-it-yourself painting activities and products. People join our events, taken place in different locations with a nice ambience, and create anything they like without the burdens of rights and wrongs. We facilitate this experience by arranging the venue, providing all the paints and tools or coordinate foods & beverages service.

  This business isn’t anything “wow”. We just earn by charging according to the size of canvasses.

  But we love this business especially when you see the smiling faces of the “artists” when they finish their masterpieces!

  We have run it as a business for one year and is going to break even soon. We hope to pass through the USD50,000 threshold in 12-18 months. There were, are and will be many hurdles on our way. We hope to stay focused by doing things right and doing things better. So your book will definitely help us.

  And it will give you an opportunity to test whether it can work in China.

  Thank you!

• March 25, 2010

  Terry

  

  Currently have a company with about 18 people. l didn’t publish the website as I didn’t want my competitors to learn about us. You can see the website from my email. This was a company started by my father, a very service oriented company which seemed very hands on.

  I have read your blog and many others which propose the plan to work from anywhere. It has given me a vision of how to move my company forward. I’ve shared this with my “mastermind” group of other business owners who also happen to work for their fathers. The overall consuming idea is that we need to start something else that we can do on the side. We have resources and somewhat flexible schedules to make this work. All we know is “normal” business. We would love to hear about “alternative” businesses.

  We hope you consider us for the book.

• March 25, 2010

  Jennifer

  

  Well, I’m in category 1! I’ve got my little business and it’s doing nicely, but it’s not doing everything. I’m at the point where I need more time to grow to become profitable, but at the same time I’m not confident enough to relinquish the stability of my full time job.

  I would use the Empire Building Kit to
  a) identify where I can stream-line my current business to give it more room for growth
  b) identify strategies for value that do not require massive amounts of time
  c) foster income generating side projects so not all my eggs are in once basket
  d) convert my husband into King of my Empire and get him in the act as well!
  e) quit my job sans trepidation

• March 25, 2010

  Laura

  

  Well I’ll give it a shot. Give myself all the chances to be succesful!

  I’m a graphic designer from Quebec. It’s not even been 1 year since I got my diploma. I’m working for a non-profit that encourages entrepreneurship. I had never thought of starting my own business before working there because they never said much to us about it in college. Now I started my own company (Terminus Création) with a fellow graphic designer and we’re due to lunch our website monday.

  Starting in April I’ll slowly make the switch from my full time job to my full time business. I’m excited and scared at the same time.

  This fall I’ll be going off to europe on a trip for inspiration and discovery. I want to make the most out of it and not be forced to take a full time job other than my business when I come back in january because I believe in what we’ve created. I want to make sure it survives and grows to make me proud

• March 25, 2010

  Nora

  

  Hmm, how to make you think I rock . . . .

  Not all that good at hawking myself, but I do have a business that I feel the world needs. I help women facing infertility find a young egg donor to help them conceive. I’m a registered nurse, and although I love what I do, I’ve come to realize there is a major gap in guidance for these people before they start their journey. I’m not totally sure what shape it will take but I know my clients all need an Egg Donor Shaman. I’m their girl.

  I’d like take to take what I’ve learned from you in 279 days and twist it into more concrete steps for world domination. Between you and Leo Babauta I think I’ve assembled my crew.

  Ready to be the change,
  Nora

• March 25, 2010

  Victoria

  

  Almost 2 years ago (I can’t believe it’s been that long), I decided that I had had enough of working in the corporate world and I quit my job. At the time, things were looking good, who knew the credit crisis and the subsequent recession were looming. If I did, I wouldn’t need any help with anything!

  I have persevered through this difficult time, as I love working for myself. This has definitely been a learning curve for me and I have yet to develop a profitable business, but I am not ready to give up.

  My goal is to build a truly location independent lifestyle within the next year. Although I have done a lot over this past year and a half, I just feel I am missing some key knowledge that will take me from floundering to a success story. I think that the Empire Building Kit will provide what I need make my dream a reality, which is why I would love to be one of the 2 people to win it.

  Thank you,
  Victoria

• March 25, 2010

  Jerome Eberharter

  

  Great idea on the 2 kits!

  Why me? I’ve already built three businesses and am now on my fourth. It’s time to do it differently, with a lifestyle that is more conducive to travel and delight while bring great value to others.

  Many Thanks, Jerome
  Boise – Idaho

• March 25, 2010

  April

  

  I grew up on a ranch which was started by my grandparents in the mid-1930′s and has been in operation by my family since then. However, I have worked in other areas for most of my adult life. Recently, though, I realized that the best job I ever had was working in a greenhouse – I learned more about how to start plants, grow them, keep them healthy and harvest them there than I ever did working on our place, and I loved it! Unfortunately, the job did not pay well and I had to leave after only one year. Since then, I have wanted to start my own greenhouse/farm/landscaping company to produce my favorite heirloom varieties of vegetables, herbs and flowers and to educate people about the importance of heirloom species for health and biodiversity. I have a huge garden of my own, have done landscaping projects for friends and neighbors – and now, suddenly, with my grandmother’s recent passing, I have the land to expand. So, I want to take the final step and “go pro.” Please help!

• March 25, 2010

  Kunal

  

  Hi Chris!

  This won’t be for me – I’m still a student and not in a position to start something this year, but for my parents: they’ve been planning to start a business that will support village industries while simultaneously offering people (in some big cities in India) an environmentally friendly alternative to a whole host of products. I’d like to gift them this set.

  I’ve got plenty of plans of my own too – but a lot further down the line. Saving the world, mostly, while enjoying myself to the limit. But that’s later. For now, I’d like the EBK to give my parents.

• March 25, 2010

  Susan

  

  I have been getting the call to entrepreneurialism for several years now. I’m ready to fit my square peg into a square hole! I need help, support, accountability and resources!!

  My company is called Evolve Consciously – I have a vision of several companies under this umbrella. One main vision I have had for some time is an urban rehab / integrated health and wellness center. Part serving the uber professional communities and part serving the people in need (via grant funding). State of the art / world class wellness, fitness, rehab, nutrition, conscious relationship. Teaching folks what it feels like to be healthy in their body, to be supported in community and how to sustain these things. In addition to providing this incredibly valuable service to the public I would also like to create a corporate model built around principles of conscious capitalism, community and intentional business. I would bring integrated modalities to the people under one roof. There’s more….

• March 25, 2010

  Tiago

  

  Chris, for me this would be a very fine example of Synchronicity – only a couple of hours before receiving the e-mail notification about this post, I had decided on the name for my own upcoming blog on my personal journey towards (as you nicely put it) building an empire.

  I’ll call it “I don’t want to work”, in Portuguese though. I want it to be that shocking, since people around here (Portugal) seem to mistake “to work” with “to toil”, I want to change that definition and help others see what I (we) mean. It’ll track my progress, reflections, ups and downs, and if I make it in the end, for many people it will mean that they can make it as well.

  This is happening with or without a free copy of the EBK, obviously. But I sure wouldn’t mind it

  Keep up the fantastic work. What you are doing here is priceless.

• March 25, 2010

  Hermann Delorme

  

  Of course I would love to get a free copy of the Empire Building Kit. My once profitable import-export business has really taken a hit over the last 2 years due mainly to the economic situation. In fact, I’ve lost close to 80% in terms of sales. My luxury products are not in high demand and I don’t see a change in the foreseeable future.
  Now I’m looking to build up from the ashes and wish to use the knowledge and experience I have gathered over the last 10 years to offer a more service-oriented business, mainly by providing useful information and a small line of domestic-use items that will allow people to learn self-reliance and also eliminate unnecessary waste in our landfills.
  My problem is that I have all the ideas, but am hitting a wall when it comes to their implementation and do not yet see a light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully the Empire Building kit will provide a way to overcome this obstacle and help me find the direction that is eluding me. Cheers to all

• March 25, 2010

  Eric Klein

  

  I’ve had a successful leadership consultancy for the past 20 years. I love the process of this work – the writing, speaking, facilitating workshops. But, there’s a deeper call that I can no longer ignore.

  I’ve been teaching meditation for 30 years on a donation basis in our community. I’d like to expand this practice into a web-based lifestyle business offering products, programs, retreats etc.

  There’s so much BS on the web about creating lifestyle business. Your presentation is different. Real. Hype-free. I like that. (And some of my close buddies – who know you – say you’re cool.)

  I can stumble along and bring this work to the world. But, I believe your structured approach will really, really, help.

• March 25, 2010

  Rod

  

  Can’t wait to read the EBK. Am I worthy of a free copy? Hmmm..

  Well after 19 years working in IT I finally took the plunge on Dec 24 2009 to take control of my own destiny (work/lifestyle) and packed in my job.

  I headed off to Munich and took a few days out to complete my first ever annual review. In doing so, my own little empire has three strands

  - Short term: Setting up affiliate marketing mini-sites to pay the mortgage (3 months in now and starting to see the buds of promise).

  - Mid term: Publish my own music. I’ve been sitting on a bunch of songs (50+) which I intend publishing out for jingles/artists.

  - Long term: A final goal (or one for the bucket list) is to return to carpentry at some stage, ideally building traditional Irish musical instruments. Its not high volume or financially abundant (by any stretch) which is why the short & mid-term strands are coming first.

  Best of luck Chris with the EBK launch

• March 25, 2010

  V Garcia

  

  After reading your post about the $100 Business forum, I’ve had a glimmer growing in my mind about What’s Next for me. I founded and built a product-based business to almost seven figures over five years. Managing five people and selling into big box stores wasn’t nearly as satisfying as one might think, and I wound down the business. I’ve been drifting, emotionally for about a year.

  Then I was invited to speak about my (unrelated) avocation in front of a local group, and they suggested that it would be wonderful if I would offer my services as a consultant. Could it be? Consulting and writing would certainly fit better into my family’s life – I’m Mom of a multi-cultural family, with relatives spread over three continents.

  Being gifted a free copy of the Empire Building Kit would certainly be the final slap on the behind from the universe, to set me stumbling down the road to my new venture.

  Thanks so much for the opportunity.

• March 25, 2010

  Rickey

  

  I believe that my best results will come from giving first. This is why I have launched a business called Many Hands Make Light Work. The theory is when many get involved the works gets done quickly. I believe that when I bring a high perceived value to what I’m doing that all parties involved prosper.

  The idea of doing just one thing daily to build a sustainable business is attractive to me. I’m excited to be able to submit my entry with a chance of winning one of the two spots. I will be equally as excited to purchase the product in the event I don’t win.

• March 25, 2010

  Ally

  

  I NEED your help. I’ve started (business cards and a basic website) a small marketing company part time while I keep my day job but need some direction and encouragement.
  My family were not the entrepreneurial type and did not believe in risk taking.
  So I have worked for other people now for over 38 years. I can’t do it anymore but have financial responsiblities (widowed) and need to get the business on it’s feet before I quit.
  The Empire Building Kit sounds like it could help me move forward and give me the tools not to be afraid to succeed.

• March 25, 2010

  Jason Tyler Burns

  

  I would love a copy of The Empire Building Kit! I’ve been running a very boutique design business a few years now; but, my creativity wants to do more. I been tossing around a few not-for-profit ideas, and a few other possible “growth” projects. But I’m always too tenacious. I jump on the project too hard and too fast, burn out, and set it aside for a month or two. Time for more client work.

  I would LOVE some first-hand knowledge of how to avoid pitfalls and grow at a healthy rate. I really want to grow my business and turn it into more than just day-to-day operations kind of stuff.

  Thanks for all the insight and direction!

• March 25, 2010

  Kate McGinnis

  

  This is such an awesome opportunity!
  I’ve been following your blog for a long time but I’ve never commented before. In this case, I think I owe it to my dad. I recently pointed him to your AONC and he’s become almost as big a fan as I am
  My dad has worked his whole life to support our family. Now that my sister and I are reasonably self sustaining, he’s found that his regular job just doesn’t have the meaning it once did when he was doing it for the family. He’s been trying to find a way to make a living from his photography (www.mmprophoto.com), which has been a passion of his for many years. I think your kit would be an great way for him to take the necessary steps to make his dreams come true.

• March 25, 2010

  Stacey

  

  I would love to win the EBK!

  All my work-for-income life I have been a service provider (from babysitting in my early teens to providing health care to women for the last 15 years), but last year, with absolutely no business or marketing experience, I took a giant leap and launched my Midwife for Your Life life coaching practice.

  It’s been a wild ride and I’ve loved every minute of it: I love helping people – that’s not new – but I’m surprised every day by how much I love learning how to grow my business in an authentic, heart-centered way.

  And I’d love to learn from your experience, talent and expertise, too! Thanks so much for this opportunity! Take wonderful care, Stacey

• March 25, 2010

  Jim

  

  Architecture is dead.

  With the advent of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) there are many wild ideas floating around as to how construction projects can and should be delivered. Unfortunately, despite these new advances, architects have been slow to adopt changes in technology and the building industry in general. They have underestimated the impact of Construction Managers and Project Managers in the process, and the idea of the Howard Roark-like “Starchitect” only causes loss of value to a project. The result – architecture has become a commodity.

  My goal is to live and work remotely from anywhere. I envision helming a company that will help architects, engineers, construction managers, and owners around the world leverage new technology and collaborate so that they can collectively deliver succesful projects. I think the Empire Building Kit would be extremely helpful in realizing my goal. Thanks!

• March 25, 2010

  michelle yee

  

  Hello Chris and wonderfully biased judges!

  My name is Michelle Yee and I’m an emerging photographer. And I, too, want to live a life that entails making a living doing the things that I live and love to do.

  I love photography and am so grateful that I’m able to do that full-time and under my own employ. But the world is changing, rapidly. And the onus is on me to discover what changes I’m willing to make to adapt, to survive and to thrive. But sometimes, I just don’t know what to do.

  I also love to write and travel and explore. I know, in my heart of hearts and in my dreams, that it is ultimately and entirely possible for me to be a photographer, a writer and a traveller — and all at the same time. Some days, I even think it is inevitable.

  I, too, want to build an empire. I just need some help and guidance, to help light my own path towards greatness.

  Thank you for this amazing opportunity.

  * Michelle Yee

• March 25, 2010

  Celia Butcher

  

  I read your blog for the same reason you write it – the “norm” doesn’t fit. But both of us still need to make a living. Unlike you, I’ve tried to make it in a “norm” world for too many years – you don’t even want to know. Last year I made a decision to get out of administrative support forever. I am embracing my mystic “calling.” My goal is to spread hope and understanding in a world gone mad with activity that divides and conquers (mostly the human spirit). I spent nearly every weekend and evening creating product, practicing my services or working booth at fairs and festivals. It wasn’t extremely lucrative, but it was surely an education! This year I want to figure out how to “bring it home” – work more out of my house with less traveling – increase the results, and the income. I need a concrete plan in order to accomplish this, and that’s where I’m hoping your EBK can help. I’m floundering just a bit, but more determined than ever to be self-supporting within 3 years.

• March 25, 2010

  Hailey Rene

  

  On July 1st, I will quit the job I hate. The date is circled in red on my calendar.

  At this point, I don’t know how or where the income will come from, but It will. This I know. But I need all of the help I can get.

  I got my job straight out of college a year ago and its strangling the life out of me.

  I am trying to set myself up as a freelance programmer and third-tribe style blogger, but neither of these projects are off the ground yet, and I struggling with doubt about what is the best direction.

  I’m going to throw my all into whatever I do and hope and pray that on July 1st, I can support myself or am on the way to freedom. Because I will quit.

  I am desperate for the freedom to travel and volunteer and otherwise do things in my life that can truly make a difference. And I need the business backing that will let me do that.

  Thank you for considering me for this opportunity.

  Hailey Rene

• March 25, 2010

  Lee Garverick

  

  Heck yes I could definitely use this kind of guidance!

  My business is called walkathonguide.com and walkathonshop.com. It helps people who are planning smaller scale walkathons, by providing information and supplies.

  My customers are raising funds for a wide variety of really critical causes such as medical research, disaster relief, and education, and they are often desperate for guidance too, which I supply.

  Anyone who buys from me must come out way ahead financially and time wise, because their causes are so important, so a core value is to offer very reasonable prices. I am passionate about growing this business but constantly face choices about what to do next. I would greatly appreciate this help.

• March 25, 2010

  Rebecca Scott Boddie

  

  Thank you for taking the time to read this. My business idea is to empower children by teaching them about nutrition, cooking and growing edible crops. I am passionate about organic foods, self-sustaining farms for schools and healthy school lunches. Children with this knowledge and hands-on experience can then get jobs in many related fields. They would have higher self esteem and better health.

  Proper nutrition is the right of all. Education provides the springboard, and food can be grown on very small amounts of land. Well-fed people are happy people. Schools everywhere can adopt the methods I would be implementing and I would not charge anyone for any information I gather. I have the passion, and need the plan.

• March 25, 2010

  maxine

  

  hey chris, whats up. sounds like you are having a nice quiet trip. hopefully you got something to eat.

  i kind of fit into both categories. i have previously started my wearable art handbag business, which is still alive but really just a side project since i also work full time as a graphic designer. i would always love to further my art business, running production of the handbags once again, and ideally opening a gallery/wearable art boutique.

  in addition to all of these dreams, my fianceé and i (crazily, i know) want to open a restaurant, and then another on the other side of the country so we can eventually be bi-coastal. i know that we can do anything we set our minds to, we just have to prove it to ourselves.

  so, i guess any little bit of extra guidance would always be appreciated. hopefully that kit of yours will give us just the kick in the butt we are looking for to get us in gear and on our way to the rest of our lives.

• March 25, 2010

  Kari

  

  Having access to the empire-building kit would be amazing. I’m building a website to help high school & college students get the most out of their education and actually *use* school to help them get ahead in life. I want to help non-traditional students use school for their own goals, instead of letting schools use them & sell them a bad bill of goods.

  I am doing everything on a budget of $100. I have no income, & all my money is being sucked away to finish my degree. Every day I split my time between studying to finish my degree (in medieval history, my other passion) & teaching myself web design & researching education to see what resources people need. I want to change the way people approach education, put power back in students’ hands. And I’m launching April 12. In the middle of the semester. I intend to have my first product for sale in June! This business is pretty much my best shot at having the life I want as a history & education writer.

  Think you can help me out?

• March 25, 2010

  Karl Staib

  

  I’m in the process of getting my business off the ground. I’ve been blogging for two years, but my focus has been muddy until early this year.

  The bloggers at SXSW showed me my mistakes. I saw the focus and determination that each successful blogger had. They weren’t just throwing stuff up on the wall and seeing what would stick. They had a plan. They understood their market (army/tribe) and what they really needed. I’ve been lacking this clarity. Not that I haven’t been trying, just hard to wade the mucky waters.

  Mistake #1

  My previous plan has been to help businesses improve their culture. I realize they don’t want this as much as I do.

  Mistake #2

  I wrote for individuals, but tried to reach businesses. I now see that I should be going after individuals this whole time.

  Why me? Because I know this kit can help people improve their lives of people who struggle with their career. I can help them develop their strengths and live their passions.

• March 25, 2010

  Jay (UK)

  

  I’m in the going-to-be-setting-up-a-business category. I know what I want to do but I’m in a bit of limbo as to how to go about it…I so deperately want it that I’m paralysed by it and I need something to help me focus and move me forward and the EBK could well be the ideal thing to kick my butt into action!

• March 25, 2010

  G. Perkins

  

  I’ve been in the process of planning a major lifestyle change for our family (45 year old husband and wife, 5 year old boy, 5 dogs) — we’re getting off the processed industrial food grid and moving to local, sustainable meat and produce. This will involve huge changes and learning (growing food, preserving it, convincing our son that he’ll live without Cheezits and chicken nuggets) and I intend to chronical our progress, step by step, on a website. But I wondered: how could we develop this into a business of some sort? That’s when I found your site. I have been reading your blog, getting your emails, and I have downloaded several of your free products. I am CONVINCED that the Empire Building Kit would show me how turn our quest into a business!

• March 25, 2010

  Jerret

  

  I want to be like @johnnybtruant and the ONLY way to do that is using the EBK.

• March 25, 2010

  Dax

  

  My wife and I are currently working on starting up a saffron business that would incorporate her love for cooking, my love of photography and blogging and our family connections in Iran. She wants to attract home gourmets who are looking for high quality Persian saffron by writing recipes and blogging about her experiences pertaining to cooking with this rare, but delicious ingredient.

  Thanks for the opportunity,

  Dax

• March 25, 2010

  Seth Parker

  

  Ooh ooh ooh, pick me! pick me!

  I am a retail real estate professional (propagating new Starbucks and Panera Bread locations for the last 7 years).

  I have built a web resource for my industry (very stodgy industry by the way…currently stuck in the 90′s) that will provide property information and site plans for retail properties and also let users sign up to receive updates in their geographic areas of interest (near their properties or where they are wanting to put a store). Currently, everybody sends email blasts out to everyone for everything under the sun. Literally. Its painfully ineffective.

  I have been transitioning out of my corporate role for the last 5 months while building this and will be done this month. I will be scaling this business quickly and increasing revenues to build a real income.

  The goal is to have a thriving business and to be be living abroad with my family of four by next summer.

  EB is what I’m doing. I want the K!

  I’m serious.

  Seth

• March 25, 2010

  Beth Willson

  

  I have a dream! I would like to make an education and research center, particularly dedicated to youth and all those who have an interest in youth (all of us, btw! ) The main focus is food. Not a restaurant per se, but an eatery establishment, sustained as much as possible by it’s own gardens, then local food producers, regional, etc… and definitely with all fresh, whole, real foods. It can possibly be an urban or rural farm. The purpose is two fold, to help youth find their own unique gifts and talents to develop for their own benefit, to help others and to educate everyone on food, from the seed to the table and more: growing, cooking and eating. They would be able learn all aspects of the operation. I would like to design an establishment that can ultimately be re-created nationwide and globally. I do not currently have a business, but know food, am working on a cookbook and in general toward sustainability for us all. I would value this opportunity!

• March 25, 2010

  Sarah R. Lewis

  

  I fall in the “already has a business and wants to scale up” category.

  I run a small-but-(marginally-)profitable web/blog consultancy. I’ve scaled WAY back in the last year and a half due to the birth of my son, and now that I’m finally finding time again to put into it, I want to do so in a way that keeps me available to my family, not just obsessed with work.

  My focus is on creating products that are genuinely useful and a great value for the money, but that don’t require me to spend a lot of time each time I make a sale. I’m looking for true scalability, and it sounds like your book is going to address that.

• March 25, 2010

  Jim Sikora

  

  Over the past 10 years I have been an artist for someone else’s dreams. Designing product, creating ads, etc… I was given a break from the “creative” corporate environment a few months back via layoffs, and took it as an opportunity to pursue my own passion, and support myself with what comes naturally; fine art and illustration.

  From reading your blog for some time (long before cutbacks) I have gained inspiration and confidence to start the process. Although I am far from being “established” and self supported, I feel confident that the information in your kit will give me the guidance I need to fuel my passion to create my own empire. I have the motivation and vision. Help me find my way.

• March 25, 2010

  Kristin Haffey

  

  I’m in-between. In addition to my full-time job as a purchasing specialist, I’m doing freelance illustrating. I do what I can to generate work, but most of my clients are come-and-go. Right now, I have some steady work, and I like it. I want to keep it going, but I need a plan.

  My ulimate goal, once I have children, is to be able to quit the full-time job, stay at home, and continue to illustrate. If I start now to build my empire, I’ll be ready when the kiddies come.

• March 25, 2010

  Shauntelle

  

  Chris, you didn’t say I couldn’t enter to win for someone else… so I want to throw my hat in on my husband’s behalf.

  My husband is an architectural photographer (www.kennethhamlett.com) who has just recently (over the past year) begun pursuing a dream that he put on the backburner for over 20 years! Prior to that, he put his all into building a career in the supply chain industry… he was extremely capable to do this work but also extremely miserable.

  I would love to see my husband win this package because I think it would give him the boost he needs to keep pushing forward in his business. He works really hard but I think he gets discouraged sometimes because he’s almost 50 and he feels guilty for attempting what seems to be an unconventional path, especially since it means leaving me to be the primary breadwinner for our family of five. I don’t want him to give up on his dreams or waste his talent because he thinks he’d be doing right by his family…

• March 25, 2010

  Emily

  

  Biased Judges,

  My idea motivates and encourages me: provide a community for anyone who is experiencing the uncertainty of transition and change. I’m committed to thinking about this mission and producing a blog post as evidence every week day until March 1, 2011. (This personal challenge started on March 1, 2010.) I’ve started to gain traction on the ability to offer focused communication and to understand what foundations I need to lay to help realize the profitable future I see for this venture. I think your newest resource would help my advancement.

  Thanks,
  Biased Idea Maker
  P.S. I fall under the “presently not making a profit” category.

• March 25, 2010

  Jay

  

  After a few years of doing technical theatre for fun, and mostly for free, I realised it was my passion.

  So I decided to get some training at probably the best institution in the world. I loved every minute. This was it.

  I am now working at one of the top theatrical organisations in the world and feel lost. It has sucked out my passion.

  I want my passion back, but mostly I want to channel that passion, dedication and hard work that got me to where I am, into creating a life (and a business) that makes my heart sing.

• March 25, 2010

  Silvia

  

  Hi Chris, Hello Judges,
  Having just turned our taxes, I realized that I haven’t increased my income (my husband is the main bread-winner) from the year before. I am a freelance voice-over artist, fluent in three languages. What a wake-up call!
  Now I’m in goal-setting and spring-cleaning mode. What do I want to accomplish by this time next year, and I’m making myself be very specific (number of clients, marketing, find opportunities etc.), and what do I need to get rid of, what doesn’t work (website, auditions, classes etc.)
  I love my job, I enjoy when clients give me return-business, my voice is something unique and it’s what I can offer the world. I just need the world to know about it.
  Thanks for the opportunity and as my Dad would say “Happy Landings”

• March 25, 2010

  Mitch

  

  Hey Chris, thanks for the opportunity. To be dead honest, I will take your program and become the best success story you will ever have.

  I had a bad/poor childhood growing up. My father was always sick, and my mom took care of us with 2 jobs and night school. I never fit in in school. My mentality was so poor, I was actually homeless once. I heard Tony Robbins one night, and I vowed to transform myself into a success story. I wanted to inspire people, but my life was anything but..

  Two years later… I am making a living with my own business. share an apt with a girl I love. Moving to Miami in 11 days (remember from your last post), and am sculpting my body. It is actually happening man. It was SO hard to change who I was but it is finally clicking. I am that elusive 1% who is actually transforming. I need this. I think like you, love Tim Ferriss and I will be an example of what is possible with your kit. All I have been through, and I am only 26.

  Thank you.

• March 25, 2010

  dezy walls

  

  I’ve had a lifetime of fun entertaining people. At 61 one of my ambitions for the next forty years is to mentor, coach and encourage others who feel fired up to do the same. The nature of entertainment changes all the time. Now is an exciting time to spread your wings and float on the thermal lift rising from the valley of communal encouragement. What used to be the challenge of getting the room’s attention is now getting the room and the online community’s attention.

  The Beatles were born into an exciting era but nothing like this. I am Irish and most of my career has been in Europe. But now I am touring the USA, coast to coast both ways doing introductory concerts, and sending out weekly reports to fans and friends worldwide. On the way I am looking for the best base to begin hosting a high class open mike show. Behind the scenes we will coach, encourage and teach all aspects of the business.
  I can be checked out at my website. Thank you, Dezy.

• March 25, 2010

  Julia Heatherwick

  

  I just came from my tax consultant and decided to not claim my side-business as a visual artist on my taxes. I have claimed a loss three years in a row and this year would be the fourth. I have seen growth as an artist and have 10 pieces in a gallery until May 1 and finally can call myself an international artist based on a show I was invited to in Germany. Last night, I met with a local artist/gallery owner and was invited into a partnership with a local, swanky and highly popular gallery that has seen growth to just breaking even, but not making money. This venture would be a two year commitment and sounds like a risky jump.

  I have created a base goal for myself as an artist of meeting the $10,000 profit criteria to be able to claim my business on my 2010 taxes. Sounds like a silly reason to set a goal, but it is a goal! If I add the Gallery into the mix then I will need to evaluate my goal and create a bigger stretch goal. I appreciate your consideration.

• March 25, 2010

  William Lacey

  

  I have been either a Project Manager or business owner for the last 22 years.

  Late last year I began to think about a number of things:
  1. Why do so many projects fail?
  2. Why is project management so special?
  3. Why PMBOK, PMI, PRINCE and yet so many projects fail or get into trouble.

  So I decided to start researching and looking at what I could do.

  Some key principles applied to the work:
  1. I want it to be accessible to everyone
  2. Everyone is a project manager of type
  3. Have fun
  4. Conventional doesn’t work, so let’s be Unconventional

  I have now started a Product(Screencasts/Templates..) & Coaching Business – my first products will be available over the coming weeks at a cost which means everyone can access them.

  For now income($) is down on that I could earn as a Project Manager, but there are other currencies I value that the old way of working doesn’t deliver.

  So, an early stager but with a lot to say – you can link through to my website from my profile.

  Thank, W

• March 25, 2010

  gabrielle

  

  My goal for this year is to start a profitable business, and I think your Empire Building Kit would be a tremendous tool! I spent my whole career in the Finance industry before leaving 18 months ago to become a stay-at-home mom and caretaker for an elderly loved one. It changed my life’s focus from dutifully staring at the next rung on the corporate ladder to focusing on what’s really important and right in front of me- my family. I’d love to continue staying at home with my son, while also bringing in income and giving him an example of an alternative to the corporate path.

  I’m at the beginning of my journey, so I have narrowed myself down to two business ideas. Both are potentially profitable and most importantly, enjoyable and interesting to me. My hope is that the Empire Building Kit would help me select the better business idea and give me concrete steps I can take to make it happen.

  Thanks very much for the offer and for all the excellent content you always provide!

• March 25, 2010

  Diana Castillo

  

  Hi, I’m 23 years old, I’m from Colombia and for almost one year, me and two other friends have been working on a project that not only will give us a way of living, but also will help many people around us to live better lives, but we have found that starting a project is not easy. We have made huge advances, we know what we want and where we want to get to, but we don’t know how we can achive it.

  Colombia is a 3rd world country with a lot of poverty and uneducated people and this is why we are working on GUION MOS (project’s name). It has three branches: CREAMOS (we create), DIFUNDIMOS (we spread information) and COMERCIALIZAMOS (we commercialize). The main idea is creating and promoting colombian art and products of native artisans, and spread information of our culture, history and priniciples at the same time. We want to build a centre for educating people and theach them traditional artisanal techniques, so we can keep our culture and build a better country.

  Thank you.

• March 25, 2010

  annie smidt

  

  Hi Chris, Chris’s Cats and Other Biased Judges:

  I have a small, location-independent-ish, totally-not-working-for-the-man business: my design firm Clove Orange {design}. Recently, I’ve re-kickstarted it back into life from dormancy, and so far, I’ve been doing reasonably well getting work, and am on target for my (thusfar modest) financial goals. I’m still working part time for another firm to pay the bills & want to quit by the end of 2010.

  But what’s really amazing is that since I’ve got it going, it has changed my life. After years of work angst I’m actually HAPPY. Enthused. Psyched. This is changing my life.

  Here’s where the Empire-Building comes in. I have Big Ambitions for Clove Orange. Right now the rules are that I only do work for cool, non-evil companies, and I charge fair prices. But I want to really help people and make the world more just, saner, and more humane, social entrepreneur-style. To use design and art to change lives. Just need a bigger empire to get there.

• March 25, 2010

  Margaret

  

  Wow, such great ideas and businesses, people are so inspiring! Thank you for allowing us to see everyone’s great ideas!

  I have a business…finally. Is it profitable yet? Not yet, but it will be, oh it will be!

  After years of struggling in office jobs, being someone’s secretary, I got laid off. I knew somewhere inside that I was oh so thankful, that even though there was even a year of struggle and confusion ahead of me, I knew somehow that being “let go” was going to allow me to let go.

  In January I started my own tour business. I had been a volunteer guide for many years and was always told what fun I was. I enjoyed it so much, the days I volunteered to give tours were always my best days, especially when the bright Chicago sun showed itself!

  Granted, my overhead is small, but my dreams are big. It’s just me, finding my way through the myriad of paperwork and the almost impossible task (but not impossible!) of figuring out the vague term “marketing.”

  I want to build an empire.

• March 25, 2010

  Kylie

  

  Congratulations, Chris, on the impending launch. I think I would be able to use the Empire Building Kit very well. During the past year, I’ve begun a major overhaul of my life and career. I’ve been largely guided by Break Out of 9-5, A Brief Guide to World Domination, and 279 Days to Overnight Success. I’m currently a grant writer at a New York City nonprofit that serves highly at-risk youth. However, I’ve realized that I want to become a life coach, photographer and freelance writer. I don’t currently make money doing these things, but I know without a doubt that it’s possible. I’d like my business to empower women, especially those suffering from depression, eating disorders and low self-esteem. I know that I have the skills I need and that I have valuable personal experience in facing and conquering adversity. Still, I can’t figure out the steps to take to get from here to there, and I think the Empire Building Kit is just what I need right now.

• March 25, 2010

  Stefanie Harvey

  

  I’m a materials scientist working in industry by day and teaching at a local university by night. I have two business ideas and am exploring each:

  - Free lance experimental design and analysis. Most corporate engineering programs don’t have statistician on site and many consulting statisticians don’t understand engineering principles, product design guidelines, and product life cycles.

  - Writing a series of e-books to fill in the holes in an engineering education (something like the lost manual series for various computer programs.) I’ve identified several area: basic math, calculus tricks, presenting data visually, statistics, physics, chemistry, an introduction to quantum mechanics, thermodynamics

  The Empire Building kit would help me understand which may be a more viable business which would allow me to transition to full time teaching (and still be able to pay my rent!)

  Thanks for considering me. Cheers!

• March 25, 2010

  Bud Hennekes

  

  Do I need the Empire Tool Kit to succeed? No. Would it be a valuable resource that will accelerate my progress? Absolutely. Two years ago, at the tender age of 16, I witnessed my best friend die in a jet ski accident. I say this not to garner sympathy, but because it totally turned my life upside down. From that day on that I knew that I needed to do something with my life and make a genuine difference in the world. From that day on I knew that I was to never “settle.” From that day on I knew that my voice needed to be heard.

  Now, two years later (March 29th), at the age of 18, I sit at my computer excited about my goals and the endless possibilites. I sit here knowing that the traditional ‘job’ is not for me. I sit here overflowing with passion and heart, with the absolutely certainty I can achieve my every desire regardless of the number of setbacks. And after devoting my life to personal growth and helping others, I can’t help but smile.

  It’s time.

• March 25, 2010

  Tom Spindle

  

  My dad has been a starving artist (feast or famine) off and on for the better part of the past 30 years. The famine is on now as he lost his job in December 2008. Even so, while he has done what he has to to keep food on the table for him and my mom, he keeps sculpting, getting whatever jobs he can to keep doing what he is best at, what he loves – it’s what he does. Period.

  He and my mom have been dreaming of starting an art school together for well over a year now – somewhere he could showcase his talent, help others develop theirs and make a decent living doing it – but they need some help. I have been following you for a number of months and I think you could be that help they need to make the dream a reality.

  Thanks for considering.

• March 25, 2010

  Matt Ray

  

  Hey Chris, this is a fun idea, but I’d rather just pay for the kit. Business write-off, etc. My business is the kind of business you’ve been talking about but I’d love to figure out a way to make it more residual in nature. I’d like to start generating some more passive income. Right now, my business only makes money when I’m actively engaged in consulting services. I’d like to figure out a way to get some more freedom within my existing business.

  Good luck with the competition. 95 comments! Wow!

• March 25, 2010

  Sabina Lucia

  

  Hi Chris and extremely biased judges!

  Having recently quit my day job (Huzzah!) I have just set up my own website of art work including acrylic on canvas paintings, photography, collage and textile art. I’m good at the creative bit as it is my life and passion but am struggling with ways to promote and market my business. One step a day sounds like the perfect way to brush ahead and I think I could really utilise the EBK to it’s maximum advantage.

  As I’ve already taken the plunge, this HAS to work and I’m very serious and committed to making it succeed. Failure is not an option! This IS my future…

  Thanks and enjoy your trip!

  Sabina

• March 25, 2010

  Isobel Phillips

  

  Well, I made the leap in December 2009, moving from my comfortable, safe, boring life in the UK to my vision of paradise on the Red Sea. I’m 57 (ouch!) and having lost both my parents in the last 3 years my thought was “If not now, when?” I knew if I waited for everything to be perfect, I’d never do it.

  So I jumped, on the basis of a small consultancy income from one source, which could end at any time. Now I’m aiming to build several sources of online income, so I don’t have to rely on that single source and to give me the freedom to travel. It’s not “easy” but I never wanted that; my aims are to love what I do, to be excited and stimulated about the difference I’m making and to have FUN! The measure of success for me is Joy, not money.

  I’m sure that if I don’t win a copy of the Empire Building Kit, I’ll find a way to buy it anyway. Whatever it takes, I made the commitment and now I’m going to make it work.

• March 25, 2010

  Val

  

  Hi Chris, hope the weather is better in Ukraine than here in (currently gray) Portland.

  I’ve started working on turning my art hobby into a business, but have only just barely started. I’ve got my website up that will be my main web presence (still tweaking it, so pardon the dust). I don’t plan on “being a blogger”, rather using blog writing to help support and promote my real love, doing art (glass fusing, glass torchwork, and also other art forms).

  I’d be deeply honored if you selected me for your newblet (not yet with a developed business) category. I promised myself on my birthday (last Saturday) that I’d be out of my current soul-sucking cube job by November, doing what I love for a living. Your assistance with that would be greatly appreciated.

  p.s. When I pull this off I owe you & Jolie a 6-pack of homebrew that I’ve made (or homemade soda, if you don’t like beer). Just because you’re both cool people and you’ve helped me so much!

• March 25, 2010

  Regis Chapman

  

  I gave up the traditional “earning money” myth in Silicon Valley to spend 6 years living in spiritual life, most in an ashram. Coming back out of that experience, I am financially destitute (I never intended to leave, so I gave up all my material possessions), but have a willing partner who is financing the construction of a classical yoga studio I will run. My guru, Swami Vishnu-devananda, came to the U.S. with like $0.25, and built 11 ashrams worldwide. Inspired by that, I know being successful means building a compassionate “empire” that runs selflessly. I need to learn tools to fulfill my spiritual mission in the propagation of Yoga and peace. I have inside me the silent expectation of my father, who is in the Harvard Business School Hall of Fame, yet is not contributing. Being my first entrepreneurship, I need all the assistance I can get in learning to be business savvy, and this success also implies the success of everyone around the studio spiritually.

  In Peace,
  DurgaDas

• March 25, 2010

  Raylene

  

  How about a once profitable business that has been forced to reinvent itself as a result of the tanked economy, and in doing so is going from serving speculative “investor” types to having a more charitable and socially-driven mission?

  I have an alpaca and llama ranch in SW Colorado. For much of the early part of this decade I provided boarding and brokering services for people who “invested” in these animals. The bottom has fallen out of the industry and I have become a sanctuary and refuge for neglected and abandoned alpacas and llamas, not to mention have taken on the monumental task of trying to help owners who are unable to make any money from their animals find a way to once again be profitable … and thereby turning the growing tide of abandoned alpacas and llamas that is breaking the back of our rescue groups.

  I have already taken the first steps toward building the empire, now you can help with the rest of the journey, Chris!

• March 25, 2010

  Allison Murphy

  

  I am a small business owner and a mother of a two year old. When I found out I was pregnant, I realized it was the perfect opportunity & kick in my pants to take my hobby and make it a career; I am now doing alterations, custom sewing and original design full time in a small studio in a busy neighborhood in Bend, Oregon. Doing alterations is how I pay the bills. Original design is how I want to be paying my bills. I am at a slight standstill in achieving this goal due to a few factors, business management and financial planning being two of them.

  My first goal is to start doing small scale production of original designs using responsible materials and local seamsters. Secondly, I want to have a community sewing studio available for creative and instructional use. Thanks for your consideration!

• March 25, 2010

  Brandon Smith

  

  Hey Chris and Biased Panel!

  I have a successful small business selling t-shirts and a new blog based off creating a sustainable business while maintaining a full-time job. This is something I’ve been striving to do for two years now, and things are starting to move. But obviously, I want to go bigger. I’m ready to apply a new strategy to my clothing company (it’s more focused on community involvement and improvement in Richmond, VA). If I was selected for the free EBK, I would definitely apply it to my clothing company now (and blog about it of course). Last year my clothing company made approximately $5,000, and using 80/20…I only spend about 3 hours a week on it. I want to help others get started in this as well.

  In order to stay within the comment rules, my URL is my blog. If you want to find my clothing company, google “Doubletake Clothing”. Thanks for the opportunity!

  B

• March 25, 2010

  Jonathan

  

  I’m 22 and I’m on a mission to bring self awareness to the world. To do that, I’m at the beginning stages of creating a movement. Building an empire will be expanding my movement. I’m ready to dominate the world, and i want to learn as much as possible to get closer to that.

  I graduated college last year and have yet to have a “normal” job. I’m pumped to thrive on my own creativity, work with others who are also and change the world in the process. I don’t care to be locked into a desk job, and learning to build an empire will help me keep the desk devils away.

  That is why I would love to receive a copy of the Empire Building Kit.

• March 25, 2010

  Lisa Clements Feeney

  

  My friends and I are just in the process of developing a new company called Stir The Embers. Our vision is to hold workshops and seminars on self-defense and empowerment issues to help attendees “awaken the fire within.” I’ve really been enjoying your blog posts about lifestyle businesses because this is what Stir the Embers is all about for me and my five cohorts. We are all passionate about helping participants discover and pursue their own warrior path and unleashing their own potential.

  Most of us have tried starting our own businesses in the past (and weren’t very successful at it!), so we would love to be considered for your free Empire Building Kit. The ability to do what we love and would gladly do for free (and indeed, most of us have been doing it for free!) coupled with the ability to pay the bills is really “walking the talk” for us and is what Stir the Embers is ultimately about-freedom from fear, confidence, and realizing one’s potential.

• March 25, 2010

  Karen

  

  This Empire Building Kit sounds like a phenomenal tool to help the entrepenuer or an asipring one! I fall into the asipring category. Over the next 12 months I will be launching and growing my life coaching business. I am currently enrolled in classes and am looking forward to helping and inspiring others to let go of their fears, grab onto life and go for a ride.

  I currently work a Monday to Friday 9 to 5′er, but as my life coaching business grows, I hope that I can make the change to self-employment. My greatest desire for as long as I can remember has been to travel. In addition to my coaching plans, I am also planning a 7 month journey around Europe. If this business is sustainable, I may be able to make that journey longer.

  Please consider me in the run for the Kit. You will have a very tough choice ahead of you!

• March 25, 2010

  Drew Travers

  

  There really should be another category… We didn’t really mean to do it!

  Four years ago, Karen and I bought some property in Belize, taking a huge leap with our savings. We set up a couple of modest cabanas and started spending what time we could in our “getaway.” Soon family and friends wanted to use them, and then co-workers and then their friends… and finally we woke up and looked at each other and said “what’s wrong with this picture?” The Maine Stay has grown ever so slightly to two Cabana suites and has been successful enough that we are at the “break-even” point. We had no intention of starting a hospitality business… furthest thing from our minds. It just happened. From the health care arena to the tourism industry… what a trip!

  By using the tips and advice from wonderful entrepreneurs like your self, we have utilized a small portion of the marketing possibilities open to us… and now we need to take it to the next (not too big) level.

  The Empire Building Kit will be the jumpstart we need to make it happen!

• March 25, 2010

  Frances Schagen

  

  I was a serial entrepreneur until I clicked on the one that works for me. I own Crystal Clear Bookkeeping Ltd. in NS Canada. I have 4 people working here and we’re one of the few that benefited from the recession. Our clients love the fact that we understand small business and can speak about financial matters in plain English.

  I’ve invested in my growth over the past year by going to TEDGlobal and meeting Seth Godin for his book launch in NYC this past January. I pass this knowledge along to our clients.

  It’s time to take my business to the next level. I’m investigating opening a second location as the first step to spreading across North America and the World. I’m not sure what form that will take: franchising, licensing, training?

  I have a profitable business in a underutilized niche and I want to build an empire with it.

• March 25, 2010

  Shana

  

  “Is that dinner or is that compost?” Questioned asked by my 10 year-old and possibly the name of my business.

  I compost. I teach preschool and my 4 and 5 year-olds know all about the world of worms and the joy of dirt. I volunteer at my sons school and help kids connect with earth in a fun and sometime gross kind of way! The more they understand the amazing world underneath our feet, the more they’ll want to take care of it.

  My business plan is education based, but I also have product ideas. I already love what I do, I just need to learn how to make money at it. Your book and program sound like just the thing!

• March 25, 2010

  Alexander Li

  

  I’m a young aspiring student at Stanford University. And given that my future lies in entrepreneurship, I have three more years to flourish in an environment where entrepreneurship thrives. I admit, I don’t have years of experience under my belt and I don’t have a definite business plan, but I have the dedicated ambition and enthusiasm to seek my niche. I’ve followed your blogs and I’ve sought for mentors. I’ve taken advantage of many resources at Stanford. However, I believe that your Empire Building Kit is a unique resource in that I may take my ideas into a reality. I’m in the right environment, right time, right place, surrounded by like-minded individuals and many start-ups. The kit will be a springboard for me to put my foot in the door amongst many and as such, I will use the resource to my fullest potential.

• March 25, 2010

  Eric

  

  Hi Chris – I’d like to put my hat in the ring as well… so why should I get the free EBK?

  I do have a business that I’ve been working on for a while now (on the side), and it’s profitable – but with a wife and two kids to support it isn’t enough for me to quit my day job. But getting to that point is difficult because my job is very time consuming and stressful, and by the time I get home and spend some time with the family it gets the scraps from what’s left of my energy. I need help.

  The other day my 8-year-old daughter wrote ‘remember your children’ on my whiteboard. Although she was partially joking, it hit home. Kids have a way of doing that. I want to free up my schedule so that I can devote more time to them and not be another career dad that gets to know his kids when they’re gone.

  I am extremely blessed to have an amazing, supportive and understanding wife, but I want to get beyond the daily 2-job grind and launch my business for good.

• March 25, 2010

  Chris (Amateur Traveler)

  

  I fit in the already have a business camp.

  I left my day job in January 2010 to focus on consulting, podcasting and blogging including my popular Amateur Traveler podcast. I was the Executive Vice President of Engineering and Operations for a company in Silicon Valley (LiveWorld) that runs online communities for companies like eBay, Marriott, American Express, Campbells, Kimberly Clark, A&E, and Mini Cooper.

  Leaving a well paying job for the life of a blogger while you have two kids in college is a pretty big jump so I appreciate anything that helps me scale this business.

• March 25, 2010

  Robert

  

  I’m just figuring out how to start my business. I’m tired of trying to make ends meet by working more and more. Don’t get me wrong, I’m willing to work hard, but it’s time to see progress. I’m a professor in sustainable design, but people outside of class are always asking me what they should do to live better.

  So, inspired by you and your success, I’ve started a website. I’ve been posting for about 3 months, and I’m ready to start to offer some guides for sale. But I could use your help. Your kit would give me the information and techniques to make this a success.

  My goal is to align my inner purpose with my outer purpose. I’m committed to helping people make smarter lifestyle and home decisions. And I’m committed to making my life more autonomous so that I can pursue my dreams with 5 yr old son and 2 yr old daughter. You’ve shown there’s no conflict between these.

• March 25, 2010

  Hillary

  

  WE WANT IT!!!!!

  I’ll tell you why: We are a young family completely dedicated to living off of our own wits. Our situation includes both of your scenarios. My husband is a stone artist who runs his own small business and I have been using all the wisdom I get get here, from D. LaPorte, ProBlogger etc to keep his local business hip and ahead of the curve. Then there’s me with my dream of launching an location independent web business helping to get women informed and inspired about giving birth. Maternal health in the US is devastating and I have a plan to help. It’s in the works and going to launch next fall.

  With one give-away you could boost two business and one fabulous family!

• March 25, 2010

  Julia Watson

  

  Albert Einstein said “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value”.

  I am passionate about bringing value to people’s lives and to the world. I have started an Entrepreneur’s Club that is open to everyone, welcoming, creative and non-profit. This has added great value to the lives of several people, and to my life.

  I do not yet have a business, but my passion is to utilise my skills as an environmental scientist and horticulturist to create a business focussed on sustainability and education. The more we can work together and strive for environmental understanding and sustainability, the more we can create a world brimming with life, inspiration and balance.

  Thank you for this opportunity and I wish you all the best in your endeavours!

  Sincerely, Julia

• March 25, 2010

  Giselle

  

  Chris, I haven’t been reading you for long but since i opted in for your newsletter, I scan my in box eagerly looking for the [AONC] in the subject line.

  I live in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

  I have been on my own since 1994 (as in no job yet freelancing). I have a company called Purple Marketing Limited .I have been the only employee since inception. I have coached, consulted, trained, written, played the guitar and done one photography project for money. I have made between $150,000 TTdollars (rate of exchange is approx 6.3 TTD to $1 US) to $450,000 TT between 2006-2008.

  In 2009 I barely survived. 2010 has not been much better either. And let’s say that I am NOT just sitting around waiting or hoping for things to happen.

  Just today I sat down and said:
  “This is it. You will either find a way or make a way!” and then I saw ‘the way’ when I read this email. Here I am – committed and ready!

• March 25, 2010

  Sharron Lucas

  

  Hello, Chris.

  What a delight to read everyone’s plans, dreams, and goals! Do I merit a free kit? That’s for you to decide.

  Last week I moved halfway across the US to be close to aging parents with health issues. I left a vocation I truly loved (ELCA pastor serving four rural congregations just south of the rails in ND where the Empire Builder rolls). It’s a bold leap of faith for a single parent now relying on freelance writing and editing.

  April 4th (my 49th birthday) I will launch a new adventure designed to help folks maximize LIVING instead of just making a living–to embrace adventure, authenticity, simplicity, and justice. I’ll do this through a blog providing free materials, speaking/teaching, and coaching. My goal is a vocation that will enable me to give back in a tangible, significant way.

  Your work was instrumental in getting me to this point; the kit would come at just the right time to move to the next level. Peace and blessing.

• March 25, 2010

  Leigh

  

  Greetings from Canada! Last year I quit my job. My husband and I moved from Toronto into a little wee town in the north in the middle of the forest. I am now building a business that I can do from the comfort of my own home. I used to work for big business, and admittedly, I was a bit of a snob. I thought that was the only place you would find people with high levels of performance. Boy was I wrong. Now a self-proclaimed solo-preneur, I am so impressed with the talent, courage, and determination of ordinary people just like me who are making a living by doing what they love. Each day, I get to make the decision whether my business will succeed or fail and there is a direct correlation to how much fun I am having. And I am! I have been blessed by having a very good year for my first yet I know I can do more. I am a personal and professional development junkie and would love to engage with your materials to build my empire from my World HeadQuarters in rural Ontario!

• March 25, 2010

  Marsha Stopa

  

  I appreciate the structure of your approach: “…building a sustainable lifestyle business in one year by doing one thing every day.”

  I need some structure in everything I do (left brain), or tasks have an uncanny habit of expanding to fill the time available (right brain).

  My soon-to-open membership site (March 31), The LightBox, is not profitable yet. Few people have heard of a health coach, much less The Winter Blues Coach. But I am taking what burdened me for years and turning it into an educational program and online winter retreat to help people worldwide beat seasonal depression with guidance, support and community.

  Fully 20% of the US suffers from some degree of seasonal depression. Coaching and support can make the difference.

  Thanks for this generous opportunity.

• March 25, 2010

  emma

  

  I read your post and my first thought was “oh, I wish that could be me.” Then I realized that it CAN be.

  I’ve always been a creative person whose soul shrivels a bit when forced to hang out in cubicles and the like. For the past two years, I’ve been under-employed or (currently) unemployed which is incredibly painful and challenging, but which has also provided an amazing catalyst for me to finally pursue what I find most fulfilling. Reading AONC, and a handful of other like-minded blogs, has inspired me to take the leap: I finally opened up a shop (Noted Design) on Etsy March 1 as the first step toward a lucrative jewelry design business. Ultimately, I want to brand an eclectic lifestyle. This is Phase 1.

  I would LOVE to win the Empire Building Kit; I crave more tools to help me reach my goal of a sustainable lifestyle business that nets 50K within 12 months. My goal is lofty, my needs are great and my conviction that this is the right path is complete.

• March 25, 2010

  Malwina

  

  Nov 2009: struggled with a study I hated, confused and depressed because my life seemed to lack its purpose.
  Dec 2009: quit university, huge fight with my family who believes I’m throwing away my life (as well as theirs).
  Feb 2010: moved abroad to finally live together with my boyfriend and start up my own business: madebymalwina.com, an online shop with unique handmade accessories that I craft myself.
  March 2010: currently building my website (fortunately my boyfriend is a web-genius), sewing & crafting, enjoying my new life – and yet also struggling with insecurity, fear of failure, the unknown, the vague path lying ahead… I already started up, but it’s still a long way to my goal of making a living with doing what I love – your EBK could probably bring some light into this path and show me some roadsigns. I’d be more than happy to explore them and to tell you about my journey.
  Speaking about journeys – the poem you posted this week: that’s me. Thank you so much for it.

• March 25, 2010

  Dustin

  

  I have always had the desire to be an entrepreneur but struggled with a way to make money at it. I went to the Vancouver School of Arts and Academics in high school and studied music, composition, film and visual arts. When I graduated I decided that I needed a business degree to be an entrepreneur.

  This decision slowly pulled me away from my love of the arts and a few years later I found myself working as a personal banker in a community bank. I was unfulfilled and unhappy with my career.

  I began reading AONC as well as other great blogs like Seth Godin, Zen Habits and Itty Biz and became inspired. Everyday at work I would read these blogs and make my plans.

  On December 18th I quit my job as a personal banker and began studying graphic design full time. I just started my business Boost Design and am having a great time building it.

  The Empire Building kit would be super useful in providing strategy and inspiration for building my design business!

• March 25, 2010

  william oldacre

  

  Thanks for the Empire Building Kit freebee offer!

  I’m an artist photographer – have been for over 20 years now. But, my print sales are not enough to live off so I must divide my time operating my fine art print business.

  I bought your excellent Art and Money ebook and am working diligently to implement those strategies. Coupled with a tremendous amount of research and reading – combing your site, the links like 1000 true fans and others including Seth Godin’s blog and book Linchpin and Changethis.com – all amazing and informative.

  I finally feel that a sustainable business is a reachable goal. By this time next year I believe I will be at least part way there – hopefully more.

  I would be very happy to be part of the Empire Building Kit. I hope you choose me.

• March 25, 2010

  Brooke

  

  I am a food writer at the jumping off point in her career. I wait tables at night (which is great for my food writing experience), blog about my experiences, and freelance for LA newspapers and online magazines. I’m in the crucial moment in time when the dream is big enough to take really big chances.

  I’ve cut back on my restaurant gig and committed to finding more freelance work as a writer and–eventually as I’ve got mapped out in my World Domination Plan–service consultant. What I could really need now is a structured plan to keep me focused and honest.

  Let me be one of those two people. I’ll do the work and live to tell everyone about it.

  I work hard, put my butt in the chair every day, and get the writing done.

• March 25, 2010

  Del

  

  I have been at the same company, at a job I enjoyed but that was pretty stressful, for the last 4 years, and have just been laid off. I have always worked for small businesses and constantly toyed with the idea of starting my own business, often being told by my employers that I have all the skills to make a great business owner.

  I was recently laid off, and keep reading inspiring stories of people who have taken the recession and their layoff as an opportunity to finally follow their dream and start their own business. I want to turn my lemons into lemonade! And maybe now is the time to do it!

• March 25, 2010

  Monica

  

  First of all, Thanks! It is really nice of you to give others the opportunity to succeed and follow their dreams.

  Should it be me?

  Yes! Why?

  I’ve had this unfocused dream of starting my own business and being my own boss for years, but it was always unclear and imprecise. Frustrating. I love different things but nothing to the point of dedicating my whole life to just that one thing.

  Then, at the beginning of this year, it hit me. Why not do everything I want to do?

  I want to be an illustrator, a translator and an editor. The first step is done, the journey has commenced. Now I need to find a way to reach that goal, I’ve been working hard to find out how these past few months. This book will help keep me on the right track.

  This is my chance at, at last, getting the life I want.

• March 25, 2010

  Beth

  

  I’d really love to win the Empire Building Kit, but I’m here to vote for Karl Staib, instead. I’m impressed with the work he’s done so far and I’m thrilled to learn that he wants to take it up a notch. He’s already been of help to me (and many others, I’m certain) through his writing and videos. I’m eager to see what other great things he’s capable of, given the right help and direction.

  Please know that Karl has not contacted me in any way to request this vote. Other than through a post I wrote about his blog one time, he probably doesn’t even know who I am. I do think he is deserving, though, and hope you and biased judges choose him.

• March 25, 2010

  ale

  

  considering it’s the first time I hear about the Empire Building Kit and since past months one of my focal points is “to build a business” (I’m a musician-sound engineer) this might be another piece of the puzzle.
  with best wishes to ev’one!

• March 25, 2010

  Jim

  

  Category 2, please.

  I’m a mechanical engineer by trade who has spent a great deal of his professional career building, designing, tinkering, de-constructing, cost reducing and improving consumer, commercial and industrial products for “the man.” Although this work has provided a solid career for several years, I would rather focus my efforts on designing products that can have a global impact – products that may actually help people lead better lives. I would like to start a company that compiles the designs and ideas of like minded individuals and works to make them real products. I know I don’t have all the answers, but creating a forum for sharing, design and eventually building these items seems like a reasonable path forward. Empire Building is just what I’m looking for to get things rolling.

• March 25, 2010

  sam crespi

  

  Dear Chris, et al…

  I would make a unique investment for you and the group who are deciding on who will receive the Empire Building Kit. A senior citizen, a single woman, who was successful as a single mother.

  As a senior citizen, my life daily becomes more exciting and more rewarding – although the financial end needs an expert midwife and post partum counselor.
  My blog is for women 50+, women who dare… My intent – spread the word on how exciting life can be at 50+ and the important role older women have in fostering positive change.

  Like you, I traveled (10 years w/o returning to the U.S.). My past includes; Hollywood exec, sales/marketing for a major San Francisco tourist destination, & free lance writer. Finally, I spent close to ten years as a caregiver and then providing in home hospice for my parents and finally my best friend.

  Hope you will take a chance and send the freebie to an active, woman who dares to believe in positive change.

• March 25, 2010

  Shirley Kwan

  

  Love AONC…thanks for the inspiration. I was downsized Sept 2008. The economy tanked shortly thereafter so I pursued full blast my passion of life cheerleading, mentoring to bring out the best in us and helping people find their core authenticity, culminating in a recent self-published book of poems, “Ramrom Raps.” I am learning how to use new Internet tools, wish I am more technologically savvy, hence your Empire Building toolkit can really jumpstart me.

  I am a baby boomer with alot of chuztpah, boom and value to make the world a better place. That’s it in a nutshell.

  Writing this from Paris – floating down the Seine for 2 whole months is the plan…;-)

• March 25, 2010

  Ryan

  

  I have the technical knowledge being a programming for a living, however spend most of my extra/free time helping others move toward and achieve their dreams and goals (technology wise, coaching and other).

  I really enjoy helping others, however there is only so much of me that can go around. A little guidance would really help me along. As things go forward I would like to free up some time (provide more freedom) so I can spend it doing more of what I enjoy (helping others).

  Currently, I’m dabbling in a few things but no ‘real’ business at this time.

• March 25, 2010

  Dawna

  

  Wow Chris what a great opportunity. My journey to your site started with a walk through the halls of a large insurance corporation (that the tax payers bailed out) and hating every minute of it. I was telling my college-age son not to embark on a corporate career but to spend the time finding out what he really wanted in life.

  Now a year later, I am thankfully laid-off from the behemoth insurance giant and realizing this mom/role-model needs to heed her own advice. So I started my web development and marketing business with a computer and lots of questions.

  I know I can achieve my goals of living a comfortable life doing what I enjoy. But more importantly I have to show my 17- and 21-year old sons a better way to live. Thanks for giving so many people an opportunity to change their lives for the better.

• March 25, 2010

  Derrick B

  

  My father essentially was born on a sidewalk. My mother was raised never knowing if she would have food to eat at night. I was raised lucky to have never experienced the anguish of poverty. Unfortunately, there are millions of Americans today that still do.

  I could use this book as a tool to build a personal empire that will fulfill my wildest dreams, or I could use this book to assemble an empire that gives opportunity to those who have never been given a chance.

  As a recent college grad, I do not have the resources to build my own empire. Yet, I have been inspired by the actions of Gandhi to challenge an empire, by the compassion of Mother Teresa to love the poor, and by the dream of Dr. King to dream for a better future. Despite the impossible, these people refused to quit.

  Gandhi once said, “the final consummation of wealth is in producing bright eyed and healthy hearted human beings.” With this book, you will help me make this a reality. Thank you.

• March 25, 2010

  Giulietta the Muse

  

  Giulietta the Muse inspires people to inspire themselves, to see how powerful they already are.

  I will use your Empire Building Kit to awaken the sleeping geniuses among us. An energized human population can work together to break the chains of self-imprisonment that keep us down, dependent and dejected.

  That model of human existence doesn’t work. Time to replace it with one that does.

  I appreciate the opportunity to enter your generous contest.

• March 25, 2010

  David

  

  I’m a banker, which is something I fell into a few years ago. I’m trying to get a company off the ground, David Charles Multimedia, because I love photography, graphic arts and creating music as well.

  I’m 24 and have always worked for someone else, but I am 100% certain that I want to have the kind of control over my life that you and others talk about. I know that I’ll succeed, given enough time and resources, and I know your Empire Building course can help me significantly shorten the time it takes to get there.

  I love your style and have been reading for a while (bonus points for rhyming?), and have used your eBook ‘Guide to Working for Yourself’ to start myself on this journey. I would love to hear the next step that you’ve put together in your Empire Building Kit.

• March 25, 2010

  Gene Krop

  

  My family purchased a twenty year-old business last spring with the intent of taking it up a notch or two. After teaching marketing and entrepreneurship in three colleges and starting six other businesses I thought we were ready to take on this challenge. But so far, we haven’t made a difference – at least, not a significant one. I’d love to have a copy of the Empire Building Kit because of the connection that I feel with you and your efforts. I live in Victoria you live in Portland (just a four hour drive away). My dad went to university in Kyiv and you’rether right now. I can show you around in the most beautiful city in Canada – Victoria, in the most beautiful province in Canada – BC as anyone who saw NBC’s coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics would no doubt agree.

• March 25, 2010

  Kaja Marie

  

  I am a (quite) young (fiction) writer who has just made a serious commitment to my art. I recently got a short story accepted by one of Norway’s largest publishers, and it will appear in an annual anthology showcasing up and coming literary talents. This is great, a dream come through, and a start for me to get where I want to be. Reach for my bigger dreams and goals.

  You see, I want to be able to make a living from my art, but most Norwegian fiction writers don’t. There has got to be a way for me to get there. Your manifestos have been a big inspiration and help for me this far, and knowing your writing I bet the EBK will be too.

• March 25, 2010

  Jennifer Blair

  

  I’ve owned a very small technical training company for the last 14 years. At its peak, I had 16 employees & we taught non-techies how to transition to technical careers & changed a lot of lives for the better.

  That was then. It’s just me now, still pluggin’, but I have enough fight left for one more go ’round. So – with the passage of the health care bill, a lot of doctors are going to need to automate their hand-kept records. I’m thinking a good thing to do would be to use my database skills to help them transfer their records to automated systems. (Do the whole “extract-transform-load-data” routine.)

  And then, since my real love is teaching, I would create a “how-to” course explaining how to do the E-T-L thing & teach that to interested people.
  So -records would get transferred quickly & accurately. New, useful jobs would be created. And I could finally retire. LOL. (Sounds like a win-win to me.)

• March 25, 2010

  Pat

  

  Although I’m crazy about my husband and we work well together in his financial planning practice – I’ve wanted ‘my own thing’ for a long while. I recently wrote my first book on life planning and am in the final stretch of production working with book cover designer and proofreader. The subtitle is Dream Big, Plan Smart, Live Well – which is how we live our lives. I am all about making this precious time we have here on the planet meaningful and useful, all the while having fun. I recently came across your site and dig what you are doing – keep up the good work/life.

• March 25, 2010

  Marianne Elliott

  

  Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy of the kit, Chris!

  I’m in the early stages of building a lifestyle business. Drawing on my experience in humanitarian and human rights field-work I’ve developed a business model to support people in ‘hard-core’ service/passion work to take better care of themselves and address the stuff that comes up in this line of work.

  When we take the time to take care of ourselves and take care of our ‘shit’, we are better able to serve the world without being driven by unacknowledged fears and desires. So my business aims not only to help make service work more sustainable but also more effective.

  Having worked in the not-for-profit sector for my entire career to date, though, I’m starting from scratch on things like business plans, getting clear on who will benefit from this work, who will be willing to pay for it, marketing etc.

  I would use your kit, Chris, and I will build a sustainable lifestyle business within 12 months.

• March 25, 2010

  Rachel D

  

  I just started reading your blog a few weeks ago and it has come at the perfect time in my life. How about a pitch for a two for the price of one entry? My husband and I are both in the process of starting businesses: I’m down to earth farm girl starting an environmentally friendly lawn and yard care service. My husband is a Brit with a flair for dramatics who organizes Steampunk events and cabarets. Together we can mow your lawn with electric mowers while wearing a top hat; serve you a cream tea and then teach you how to compost the tea bag. We have just started we have not yet made what you might call a “profit” but we are having a lot of fun and would love, love, love to get your advice on making this work. Thanks for your consideration.

• March 25, 2010

  Linnea

  

  I vote for Katy the soon-to-be freelancing mom and Andrew Barber the food education guy.

  I would be sad that I don’t have a business idea ready to roll for the EBK launch, but I’m not, since I’m sure you’ll still be doing this in six months or a year when I am ready. So, cheers and good luck to Katy and Andrew!

• March 25, 2010

  Anant Kulkarni

  

  i dont know how to own a business, have been trapped in the desk fro ages together. havent even had a day to smell the fresh air of freedom. want to give a snotty look to my superiors once i am on my own and tell them .. Did you even think i could do this …take that. I am not here to compete with all, but to compete with myself. So the empire i am going to build will speak for itself and not me.

  Empire .. wake up .. its time .. we got to build you !!!!

• March 25, 2010

  Lee Garverick

  

  Hi Chris,

  Pull my entry. I vote for GUION MOS.

  If they want to do a walkathon send them my way.

  -Lee

• March 25, 2010

  Eric H. Doss

  

  Thanks for this great opportunity. My wife is a pastor and her career trajectory means that we will move around quite a bit, making a traditional career for me a challenge. I realized a few years ago that I need to have a better plan.

  I currently run a website that provides unbiased gear reviews for triathletes and other endurance athletes. This site is the first in a series of similar websites targeting niche products. I currently have a full time job that allows some flexibility to train for triathlons and launch/run my business, but I my goal is to become location independent.
  Success is my only option. I will be successful without the EBK, because I have to be, but I’m not too proud to ask for help from the experts.

• March 25, 2010

  Belinda Carroll

  

  I got a fortune cookie yesterday: “Remember three months from this date. Good things are going to happen for you.”

  I normally would throw away that little scrap. That one I kept. Why? Because I feel that I am on the precipice of something extraordinary happening in my life.

  I am a stand-up comic, writer, producer, and promoter. As with many of my fellow artists, I wear different hats and have to grow into roles that I may not have thought myself capable of previously.

  I am constantly reading anything I can get my hands on about comedy writing, business, promotions and mental change. Because, although my business is to make people laugh, it is a business nonetheless. I am very passionate about my business, taking it to the next level and developing a income doing what I love. I believe the Empire Building Kit will help me do just that.

• March 25, 2010

  Glen

  

  Hi Chris and readers, I work as a freelance consultant helping small organisations working in local communities here in the UK with elderly and people with disabilities.

  I seem to have two competing issues racing through my mind most days:

  1. Make sure I keep ‘the work’ coming in (bills, children, etc)
  2. How do I scale up and launch my bigger vision on the world

  My vision is to champion and support entrepreneurs who have a message to share and a passion to be successful, while making a real difference for people – I imagine wonderful socially orientated gatherings of like minded entrepreneurial spirited people – like a campfire atmosphere where ‘all’ kinds of success and achievement is celebrated and non-conventional business and marketing education is combined with personal development…

  With a bit of help with focus I could get past the day to day and build something amazing with and for others…

• March 25, 2010

  thatedeguy

  

  How bout I give you two birds with one package? My wife recently started a small business with two of her friends. It’s growing well, but I think your package might help them out by giving them some direction on steps to take.

  Bird two: Having seen my wife build her business, I am feeling steadily more strangled by my job. I want to break away and do something worth while that I don’t dread at all.

• March 25, 2010

  emma

  

  Okay, I’ve already pitched myself. Now, I’ve gone back through to read the 100+ other comments and plug the following as intriguing potential winners for that second book:
  Carl Nelson
  Judy Sharpton
  Terry Chong
  April
  Rod
  Rickey
  Lee Garverick
  Rebecca Scott Boddie

  Aw, hell, I’ve gotta stop! So many fascinating projects and empire goals! I do not envy you the challenge of picking two winners, Chris. Best of luck to you, and to us all!

• March 25, 2010

  Mike Marn

  

  Chris, I don’t know that it’s the ADHD, or the curse of being “very smart but very unfocused” or what. But I’m a constantly re-balancing combination of ad creative director, college professor, humor columnist, blogger, stand up comedian, and probably several other things. My problem is I like ALL of them, and can’t seem to focus on any ONE of them for real success. Friends all think I’m great at one or more of them; “you should write for Leno” or “you should run your own agency” or “have you thought of writing a textbook?” But I don’t. And those same friends race past me in income, etc., because they aren’t torn in so many directions. I was out of work for a year recently, and am still struggling to catch up. If your Empire Building Kit could help me make sense out of finding the place where my real marketable skills overlap my real life passions, it would be priceless. And, in a totally different way, so would getting it FREE!

• March 25, 2010

  Haider

  

  I’m currently involved in several projects, but would like some help in developing my site into a profitable business that breaks out of the “blog” mold and offer a wider range of products and services.

  I believe I’m a good writer and have an important message to share with the world. My blog is about holistic growth and developing a clear, big-picture understanding of personal growth and how we can navigate our way through it all (without feeling confused or overwhelmed).

  I’m in the process of writing my first book (an exploration of Rudyard Kipling’s “If” poem), but my experience in marketing and product launches is a bit lacking, which I fear may undermine the popularity of the book.

  It’s interesting to note that the blue piece in the picture in this post is placed on Kuwait. Could it be a synchronicity that represents my beginnings of empire building?

• March 25, 2010

  Cathy

  

  I fall into the second category of wanting to grow my own business. In 2006 I moved from Australia to Italy to follow my husband’s dream of starting up his own business, which hasn’t worked out too well. I assisted him, in a field that wasn’t really to my liking. I want to start up something of my own. Currently I am the main breadwinner as I managed to secure a job that keeps us ticking along. I don’t want another year like 2009. I want to thrive and get on, and want to start my own business, excelling at being my own person. And am so glad I stumbled upon your site recently.

• March 25, 2010

  Heidi

  

  I’m not sure I can compete with so many innovative ideas and incredible dreams, but here’s my pitch: I’ve owned my own coaching practice for three years now and after working full-time and coaching and returning for my master’s degree, I’ve gone rogue. As of January 2010 I began working as a coach full-time (I’m also a full-time grad student). My business is profitable technically but not ready to support me yet. I am ready to take it to the next level and after reading your “manifesto”, following your blog, and signing up for the $100 business course, I believe what you have to offer is key.

  My goal is to empower, inspire and strengthen others to find their unique voice, thier personal vision and give back to the world in the process. It’s an amazing career and a blessing to live my life. I’d love to expand my reach and share my passion. All the best!

• March 25, 2010

  JP

  

  I was volunteering in a rural village in the Far North Province of Cameroon when I realized how much of an impact education had in unlocking people’s potential. This lesson inspired me to start my own business helping students reach their academic dreams. Parents have told me that working with an Academic Coach has had ‘a tremendous positive impact’ on their kids, and I am thrilled every time I help a student reach a goal. I want to use the Empire Building Kit to spread my message in North America and to bring my project to developing countries.

• March 25, 2010

  Richard Riley

  

  Wow! You guys have a lot of comments to read! Keep up the great work. I recently started Worthy Cause Apparel. I am a 23 year old who is already tired of the cubicle lifestyle and am looking for a way out. I’ve always been interested in 2 things: entrepreneurship and volunteer work so I combined the two to create my business. I am working with designers from Norway, Michigan, L.A., Singapore, and Malaysia to create designs for t-shirts. Each t-shirt is associated with a certain cause (www.notforsalecampaign.com) and then half the profit of each shirt goes to that charity. I’m hoping that my company will not only free me from the shackles of the corporate world but also help those much less fortunate than me at the same time. I currently have 100,000 British Airways flyer miles thanks to the advice of Chris and I plan on using that to move to Thailand by the end of this year – if I can launch my project off the ground. The Empire Building Kit will help me accomplish that!

• March 25, 2010

  Stephanie Gonzales

  

  Hi Chris,

  I’m in your backyard, Hillsboro, OR. Up until 2009, I worked 8 yrs of 50-60 hr work weeks at an ad agency.

  Last year, I had enough. I was living to work. Not working to live.

  So, I made a change. Now, I am working part time as a contractor in the same industry. But, I am putting together a business plan for my own cupcake shop here in Hillsboro. Goal 1: utilize local ingredients purchased through local farmers as much as possible. Goal 2: donate at least 5% of every sale to one of 5 charities each month / quarter. Customers will be able to choose the charity their money goes to. Three of the 5 will be local to Washington County or State of Oregon. Two of them will be more nationally or globally based. My employees & I will each have 4 hours / qtr paid for volunteering.

  My empire will be one of happiness and community through respect and kindness. I may be naive at 38 yrs, but I think we can change the world through kindness and the “magic” of cupcakes.

• March 25, 2010

  Jennifer Moore

  

  I’m somewhere in between. I have a business, but it is not turning a profit yet. I am very serious about building it up over AT LEAST the next year. If the Empire Building Kit can help me get and stay on track to make that happen, then I’d be very interested in having it.

• March 25, 2010

  Fabrizio

  

  Well, I went to Law school and after working in the law bussiness in several different firms, I decided to make a trip to Canada. There I thought about what I would really like to do for a Living. Now I came back to Mexico and decided to go after my dreams and leave the attorney life. So as I have no experience on running my own bussiness since I´ve never had one. I think this is a good opportunity. I´m gonna persuit my passions, its a big jump to make, but have to do it.

• March 25, 2010

  Katana Barnett

  

  I am going to note that I had my wisdom teeth removed about two hours ago; my lower lip is still totally numb.

  I want to nominate my boyfriend, Garfield. He has been working diligently & constantly as an online entrepreneur over the last two years, and has persisted even when things seem futile. He can command a roomful of people like the highest paid public speakers, is charismatic and loves connecting with people and helping them grow. Every person he has touched- even if they haven’t met him personally- speaks very highly of him. He has changed lives of many people already and offers help to everyone he knows- he has a great network, and I know he will make a fantastic empire to help many people, and I want him to utilize his strengths and abilities, because when he expands his reach he will be able to help so many more people and that is what he finds most fulfilling.

• March 25, 2010

  Beandrea Terese

  

  I’m making myself do this because there’s a voice in my head spinning its usual yarn: “You’ll never win. Chris is out traveling the world and you’re still in your apt in your pajamas at 3 pm. Why would he pick *you*?”

  Here’s what I’m saying back to the hater in my head:
  -Because I have been blogging for three years and writing everyday since I was 10, have quite an archive of rich content on how to create and live a life you love that many people have told me they find helpful.
  -Because I studied hard and did well in school, graduated magna cum laude from an Ivy League college and what did I gain? I’ve spent the last 7 years filling in the gaps of my intellectual training with a training of the heart, body, mind, and spirit. Getting what my meditation teacher calls “some basic sanity.” In the process I’ve raised over $20,000 from individuals to fund my trainings and retreats. I have something to offer people, and I want to take my blog to the next level…enjoy the ukraine!

• March 25, 2010

  Lisa

  

  I’d love to win a copy! I desire to make my coaching and psychic reading biz more profitable. I’d really like to create freedom in my life, support my hubby in his dream of owning a bicycle shop, and rock the world with my writing with time to study electric guitar more in-depth. Owning your own biz is about freedom, but also service to others. I really need to master marketing so that I can help more people and to be of service on the planet. Once I figure out this marketing thing, I’d like to help others rock the world too with their own unique businesses too! Travel calls to me so that I can do service and environmental projects too Thanks and blessings for the opportunity to share here…

• March 25, 2010

  Jeb

  

  I fall into category 2: “one person who doesn’t have a profitable business but is very serious about building one over the next year”.

  I’m on the brink. I lost my job/income 2 full years ago & b/c of the circumstances, vowed never again to pursue a job that didn’t give me something more than money. Something I could get excited abt & be proud of.

  This past 2 yrs have proven difficult, yet rewarding. I’ve spent a lot of time looking inward, trying to find my spot. Find a way that I might provide for my family, but honor the promise I’d made to myself.

  This last part has been a challenge, & I find myself on the verge of giving up on it, of re-entering the system in some form or another…of chasing a paycheck once again.

  It probably doesn’t sound like such a bad thing for most people. That’s what we’re supposed to do, right? But from my vantage point, it seems an unbearable price to pay. My people are worth it of course, but they’re worth much more than that. They deserve an empire.

• March 25, 2010

  Danielle

  

  My business, Deliante Designs, focuses on designing custom area rugs which are hand knotted in Nepal by adult artisans.

  This business allows me to enjoy the fullness of my life with my two year old daughter and another on the way in May. My husband and I cherish a life that involves travel, creativity, a schedule that allows us to enjoy our daughter, gratitude and generosity.

  I want to continue to grow my business in a way that really comes from the reality of what I want my life to be like in the everyday kind of ways and in the big idea directions too. I think the vision of the Empire building kit would be inspiring to me and the years worth of real life ideas would be just what i need to continue to grow a creative and profitable business.

• March 25, 2010

  Jason B.

  

  Having just found out I didn ‘t get accepted into the PhD program I had applied for, I’ve found myself searching for another way to make a living doing what I love (researching history and then telling people about it) than the started “get a doctorate then become a professor” model. If I can find a way to set myself up as a “free-range historian” and make a living at it, I would be truly happy – I could probably share my love of history with more people than I would as a professor, and I’d be my own boss to boot, not tied down to one location or by the academic calendar.

  I think that the “Empire Building Kit” would be a great aid in helping me get started with this.

• March 25, 2010

  Ben - Boy Wonder

  

  Chris,

  Keep up the great work!

  Fresh off the inaugural $100Biz train, I’ve got my mojo on! Thanks to you and Pam for helping me focus in on a subject about which I’m passionate and smart: medical sales.

  I’ve got the manifesto half way done and I’ve selected an editor/designer for the ebook. The blog design is sketchy, but coming along. I hope to have the blog launched in April. The manifesto on ChangeThis within 3 months and launch the ebook within 6 months.

  You, Pam and the $100Biz cohort have been great inspiration and and exhortation. I’ve got 3 more products in development. The ideas are really flowing now!

  My challenge, like many folks, will be the execution. I really need some tactical advice within my strategic plan. It sounds like EBK could deliver this and help me take this budding idea all the way to sustainable lifestyle business.

  If you see potential in my vision, sign me up for EBK. I’m ready to cross the Rubicon!

  Ben out!

• March 25, 2010

  Chris Williams

  

  I am excited for your new kit. I have everything else you have ever produced, and have really benefited from them.

  Currently I am in the process of trying to turn my passion into a living so I can gain more freedom by escaping the rat race of the office job. I am very excited about the foundation of your kit, doing one thing a day to get closer to success. I am already trying to do at least that but guidance along the way from someone who has done this several times would be priceless!

  The most exciting thing for me about this kit is not just quitting my job but being able to focus my efforts where I really want to, on my family!

  Cheers and enjoy your trip!

• March 25, 2010

  jskipburns

  

  This kit sounds amazing and this giveaway is great. I’ve been working for myself for close to two years and could really use this kit to help pump my business up. I was in the February class of $100 Biz and took many of those lessons seriously. In fact my first ebook is getting proofread as we speak and my virtual storefront should be up in a week.

  If I don’t get it, please give it to Sheri who will give it to her husband. I think it’s cool that she is thinking of him and the way she spoke of him was touching and sincere.

  thanks Chris

  skip “303″ burns

• March 25, 2010

  Catie Ronquillo

  

  I’m a wedding photographer and I’ve been pursuing this full throttle for the last eight months. I recently moved from California to Texas and have had to build my business from the ground up without any friends or family locally.
  I want to branch out into a new niche of photography, called “experiential photography” which focuses on the relationship of the couple – married, engaged, or merely dating, to create a space for couples to reconnect and rekindle their relationship. I hope to put all small dent in the divorce rate in this country with these types of experiential portrait sessions.
  This is a brand new segment and I want to take it by storm in my market. This is how I’m going to stand out, and the Empire Building Kit will help me get there.

  Enjoy Ukraine!

• March 25, 2010

  Julie

  

  PICK ME!! PICK ME! I don’t have a business yet, have decided yesterday that I should start blogging, and in fact I’m a PhD student and I’m really tired of people telling me how lucky I am and how I mustn’t squander the opportunity to become a bitter, overworked university professor. And how terribly competitive it is and how I shouldn’t sleep at all until my PhD is completed.
  So I have embarked on an inner, erm, “quest” to find out what it is I really want to do in life, as opposed to what other people would like to see me do. Seems like what I love is write and talk to like-minded people. Some of these people I have found on the Internet: you, Havi Brooks, Leo Babauta, Everett Bogue.
  But here’s the catch: I’m French. You just don’t make a living from an Internet business or, God forbid, a *blog* in France. It’s just plain wrong, right? So I have decided that I will succeed on both counts and bring what people like you are doing to a French-speaking audience.

• March 25, 2010

  Amanda Wang

  

  Hi Chris & Biased Judges,

  It starts with a simple commitment on my part: create and post one new, five-minute video about Borderline Personality Disorder every week for 52 weeks. That will be the foundation from which I build my Empire. Imagine creating a new relationship with the mental health system as we hear every week from the lives it affects and the people who care for them. And that’s only the beginning.

  What if my Empire committed to the idea that we can never be thrown away, no matter who we are, what our past consisted of, or what we are diagnosed with? How would that change the world? As a person diagnosed with BPD, it’s a subtle shift that I had to learn and I believe one that needs to be made the world over.

  Chris, I would love to implement as much as I can from what you’ve put together in the EBK. I sure do need all the help I can get! Thanks!

• March 25, 2010

  Lauren Zuniga

  

  My daughter, Kavi, is seven. Her favorite game is Monopoly and she can negotiate anyone out of their Cheetos. She also knows that she needs to start making $347 per day if she wants to be a millionaire by age 15. I am a single mother of two, work 9-5, make 30K a year and can not find an aftercare program for my two kids that costs less than $100 per week or is not completely overcrowded and understaffed.

  Solution: Team up with members of the community to create an after-school program centered on sustainability and entrepreneurship. I would love to be able to implement our Empire Building program while creating an afterschool program that develops non-conformity, imagination and conscious business practices in incredible kids like Kavi.
  Thanks so much for all the inspiration we have received so far!

• March 25, 2010

  Mara

  

  thanks, chris, for this opportunity. my business is a very small one-woman commercial cookery that is only marginally profitable–i clear about $400 per month supplying local coffee shops with baked goods. my signature product is a vegan cinnamon bun. i am just starting on an ebook and cooking website, and would benefit from your voice of experience. i need to earn enough to support both my disabled husband and myself (we are in our 50′s). we have downsized and live frugally and minimally–and happily so. i have 18 months to grow this business into a sustainable one, and am open to doing things in a new way, good for my body and soul, and good for yours as well. peace.

• March 25, 2010

  Corrinda

  

  Ok I’m going to keep this short b/c I’ve got to get back to work on my existing business. I help small business owners with their websites using WordPress. I think it’s time to change the way websites are developed. If you have a business you need a website and for it to benefit your business you need traffic. WordPress is a terrific solution that doesn’t need to break the bank. My business is finally gaining momentum and I really want to stop trading dollars for time and help more people. Having a system to follow and a process is a big barrier there’s lot’s of information out there but implementing my many ideas while not becoming overwhelmed and overworked has been difficult. So I’m in I have the vision, I have the business, I have some success, now I’m ready to break loose and do more. I’m ready to be disciplined follow a system/process and hit this one out of the park!

• March 25, 2010

  Miguel

  

  Working as a freelance photographer, I spend a lot of time on my own. It’s heart warming to read everyone’s stories, and comforting to be reaffirmed in my own passions. I am not, after all, alone.

  I’ve been struggling, that’s the life of an artist, for roughly twenty years. Truly, I’ve always found it a bit pretentious to label myself as an artist, none-the-less, I identify with many of the dreams expressed by others who feel the same angst to march to the sound of my own drummer. However, feeling angst doesn’t pay the bills and although I have a great deal of experience and produce what I consider, excellent work, I find it difficult to bring together all the elements necessary to make this a truly viable and satisfying way to earn a living. Of late, I’ve investigated how to bring together my love for the art of photography with a yearning to make a difference in other peoples lives.

  With that in mind, go ahead “Build My Empire”.

• March 25, 2010

  Greg Blencoe

  

  I will likely be buying a copy, but I just wanted to let you know that I hope you are rocking the party in Kiev! Thanks for everything you do!

• March 25, 2010

  Trent

  

  To Chris & the judges, I know you are all busy so let’s keep it simple – PICK ME and keep up the awesome work!

• March 25, 2010

  Marikath

  

  I do not have a business yet but I would like to start one. I am always torn between a desire to save the world and a desire to savor the world. But reading/watching you enjoy the world by traveling while helping the world with all the generous information, advises and tips you give are quite amazing! So I realized that both can actually be done! I am an artist and I would like to become my own microbusiness, selling my art (of course) and at the same time, set up a huge business empire that advocates art (promotion, distribution, selling and the importance of art education in children and society). My goal for myself is to get this done in at least a year. Set-up my own microbusiness, website and blogs first, and then get sponsors for the foundation, art galleries and school I would like to establish in the future. Quite a daunting ambition but I am very positive that it could be done and I will need all the help, tips&advise I could get! So if you choose me, that will be excellent!

• March 25, 2010

  Moshie

  

  I came here not to nominate my own business, but to look for several ideas/businesses that amazed me so that I could vote for them… however, there are so many awesome ideas that it became hard to choose just one or two! So… with that, I wish you, Chris and staff, the best of luck in selecting your winners

  Truly, I believe that everyone here is a winner because they’ve chosen to step out in faith and share their vision. Whether you (the reader) win the free Empire Building Kit or not, follow through with your vision! Don’t let this contest be the sole factor in whether or not your vision becomes an empire — keep learning, keep reaching, keep seeking, and keep supporting others in their dreams, as well. Be blessed

• March 25, 2010

  Emmanuelle Clarke

  

  Chris – to keep it short. I am planning on launching a fresh pasta business. I want the business to encompass a philosophy with account of the environment (including minimal waste), supporting local suppliers and working with them on strategies for resilient farming. I want to provide a product that is tasty, healthy and operates responsibly with its surrounding communities.
  Your offer of a product is an amazing platform to encourage discussion. Good one!

• March 25, 2010

  Tiffani

  

  I grew up in a large family where just about everyone owns their own business…at last count about 26 small businesses from Artists to construction companies to PC repair. From a young age (around 2), I would walk around asking family members, waitress style – with a pad and paper, how can I help you? I carried my briefcase (strawberry shortcake lunchbox) everywhere knowing that one day I would have a business of my own…I just didn’t know what exactly I would be doing.

  Fast forward to 2010 – after going to school and working my way up the corporate ladder, I am now finally self-employed. One of the driving factors to leaving the corporate world was the realization that I didn’t have to choose between making money and helping people. As a start, I now use my business knowledge to help other small businesses grow. I am mapping out a way to build my empire piece by piece while serving others and giving back to the community. The Empire Building Kit is the next step.

• March 25, 2010

  julie

  

  I am on the brink of starting my business – launching memorial day weekend and hope your kit arrives in time, if i am the lucky one!

  i am starting the Oneworld art project and i intend to inspire more people to be like you. people with open minds are more peaceful than those following authoritarian dogma, so if i can inspire people to create first-hand art and in so doing see themselves anew, it follows that more people will have open minds, more comfortable with paradox and ambiguity, alert to nuance rather than driven by rigid rules that break us all when a doctor is targeted and shot dead in his own home or a bomb goes off on a crowded street and innocent people are blown away.

  my web site is being built as i write this and i know something about the soulful rewards of first-hand art – i am an artist, photographer, painter, songwriter, musician, etc.

  thank you for all your many gifts, chris. and my vote goes to Steve Kinney & his education goals.

• March 25, 2010

  Susie Shapiro

  

  Hi Chris,

  Thank you for this opportunity to tell you about why I can’t wait to start working with your Empire Building Kit!

  Over the past few months, I have been inspired to acknowledge my creative gifts, to discover what it is that I want out of life. For the first time, I am setting goals that are truly in line with my life’s purpose. It feels amazing to be in control of my own destiny instead of just waiting for things to happen. Everyday I’m making efforts to map out exactly how I am going to reach my goals…so this is where I need help.

  My goal is to work at building my business, so that I will be working only on things that I love by this time next year. In a nutshell, my plan is to continue creating and sharing my music; and to give workshops and private sessions to help others use voice work and songwriting as tools for personal transformation.

  I’m turning 40 on March 30th, so I think the Empire Building Kit would be the perfect birthday gift!

• March 25, 2010

  Peggie

  

  Chris et al (esp the cat

  I started working for me in 2003 – that business was successful out of the gate. I sold it in 2007 to focus on building my hand-reading business. Maybe because it’s much more personal to me it’s been a harder journey.
  I’ve been around the block a time or 10 and at 45 know only that my mission is to help people live big, loud, real, fearless lives using their own wisdom and guidance. I teach them how to tap into that.

  Ultimately I intend to create a foundation focused on keeping people and their pets together – even during tough economic times. Specifically, I never want to see another human have to choose between needed health care for their pet or paying the rent. (Did I mention that the first company was a pet-care company? Yeah, animals make life better).
  So, pick me!

• March 25, 2010

  Karol Gajda

  

  I vote for Mara and her vegan cinnamon bun business. I don’t know her, but Go Mara!

• March 25, 2010

  Kelly Whalen

  

  Pick me, pick me! Ok, now that I’ve got that out of my system.

  I have a mildly successful blog (The Centsible Life), and a social media consulting/marketing company that I’m just starting with a partner (Just Centsible Consulting).

  I have always said I want to build an Empire, and I feel like I’m just at the beginning of starting my empire. I’ve barely scratched the surface at this point.

  A little more than one year into blogging and I’m earning a decent income, but I want to take things to the next level.

  I think I have what it takes to build an empire, and should the totally biased panel choose me I would sing the praises of the program far and wide.

  I really connected with your synchronicity post you wrote last week. Things keep happening like that for me as well-it’s kind of spooky!

• March 25, 2010

  Sarah Marie Lacy

  

  I want to change the world.
  I want my art to change people’s lives.

  I need more reach to help more people. My art IS my life.
  I’ve been chronically ill since I was a child, and everyone told me to go home and give up. I didn’t. I started painting. I kept going and I want to encourage other people not to give up either.

  I want to spread that message and an empire seems like a good way to do it.

• March 25, 2010

  Gareth

  

  I’m not even going to pretend I deserve this. My “business” isn’t going to change to world. I will, once it’s up and running, but Dodgy Movies. Reviewed! doesn’t stand a chance. When it works, I’m going to be able to stop working with idiots. And if it doesn’t, I’ll come up with something else that will fulfill my goal of being able to stop working with idiots. (You caught me on a bad day of dealing with corporate quality in a Dilbertesque setting. I am convinced that corporate Health, safety and quality departments exist to provide jobs to people who would otherwise be completely useless) I need the Empire Building Kit so I can create my own empire and banish all paper pushers. (but, I still don’t think I deserve to win. Time to start saving)

  Good luck choosing the winner from the more reputable contestants!

• March 25, 2010

  Sharon Williams

  

  To a late blooming entrepreneur of 55, unable to retire for many years, retirement means not “having” to work, but having freedom to choose which projects to work on. My goal is to build businesses that support my vision of serving and helping others.

  Many people are afraid to travel alone, or want help planning a trip without the pressure of an agent trying to sell them an unsuitable package. My current start-up is as a Travel Coach and includes coaching, teaching seminars, and writing e-books, articles and a blog about traveling the world.

  Future projects include a non-profit that assists kids in foster care, teaching life skills, and mentoring, and special services for modern nomads.

  My mantra is mobility, flexibility and creativity. My work allows me to travel and gives me the flexibility to do what I want to do and be where I want to be. Creativity comes in living my passion, and manifests itself in the way I approach my business and my life.

  I thank you for this opportunity.

• March 25, 2010

  Jules Faas

  

  Hey Chris, I have already learned a lot from you and would love to be the “doesn’t have a business YET” winner.

  Over the past year and a half I have been moving into the wanting to work for myself tribe. I want to pursue visual art and have done some projects for friends of friends. They have sort of fallen into my lap and I am learning a ton from those opportunities. Eventually I would love to start some sort of art therapy and training space what would give people tools to express themselves, marketable skills, and solid friendships.

  In a few short weeks I will be moving from So Cal to Philadelphia in hopes that pulling myself out of my comfort zone will make me work harder and faster to get myself where I want to be.

  As of now I’ll be unemployed and homeless when I arrive and I’m so excited about the adventure that is on the horizon. I think having a copy of the Empire Building kit would help give me some focus and direction in what lies ahead.

• March 25, 2010

  Kristin Peoples

  

  Hi Chris, I am would love to offer myself as a candidate for the Free Empire Building Kit. I currently help people who want to learn how to save money on things they need for their family. I believe that this emcompasses so much more than couponing. My passion is to help people begin to make better choices for their groceries and their household goods. I want to provide training and tools to help them be successful. Right now the business is limited and I feel that it’s time to make the leap forward. My city has been hit with high unemployment and there are a lot of people who struggle. Couponing can be used for philanthropy to help needy families. I love your site because what I would like to do is not very conforming to the normal ‘coupon’ business. But why should I limit it?
  I also love the discussions here. No matter who you choose, I believe a breakthrough is occurring.

• March 25, 2010

  Marissa Bracke

  

  I’d be thrilled to win the Empire Building Kit. I’ve got a business, but I know I’m still stuck in a “play small” mindset, and I tend to put blinders on when it comes to seeing empire building opportunities and possibilities. I’m ready to remove those blinders. Plus, I’ve always wanted an empire.

  Also, Sunday is my 31st birthday, so winning the Kit would be ideal timing–how better to plunge into a new year than with the guidance & know-how of an empire builder?

• March 25, 2010

  Sheila the Wonderbink

  

  Well, I’ve started with the basic ideas from The Unconventional Guide to Art and Money to get started in this art career I seem to have stumbled into. It’s a bit of a shift, because I’ve spent the past thirty-odd years of my life wanting to be a writer When I Grew Up and never even considered myself a visual artist. Now I’ve become one and I’m still thrashing about a bit when it comes to presenting my art to people who might think it nifty enough to spend money on. The Art and Money Guide has been a great start, but I’d love to have a copy of the Empire Building Kit so I can kick things into a higher gear, since I’ve been a bit scattered in my execution up to this point what with the Trying To Scrape Together Enough Money To Survive sort of thing.

• March 25, 2010

  Jaime

  

  My goal this year written in a moleskin journal: I have my own business where I am an expert, have customers that love what I provide and make $4,000 per month.

  I do not currently have a JOB though I do work a few hours per week as a project manager. I just left business coaching (which I enjoyed but wanted an online presence and my mentor/employer couldn’t afford to have me doing something besides pounding the pavement the traditional way he knew) My blog is called Eventual Millionaire and I am looking for that entrepreneurial venture to help get me there.

  My husband is a professional performing artist (audiobody.com) and could probably use the kit to increase his business too. Right now we make just enough to pay the bills because we are debt free, but I want to be a business owner with every fiber of my being!

  (I have a vision board that I am looking at right now, and I have an image of Entrepreneur Magazine with a hole cut in it, waiting for my face!)

• March 25, 2010

  Emmanuelle Clarke

  

  Whewps. I forgot WHY, distracted by power-outs. The EBK I imagine will be my bible. I have a definite launch before end of this year and if I have the EBK to direct and inspire me in my first and following steps…I imagine the success will be stronger than if I do it alone. Thanks Chris.

• March 25, 2010

  Bill Moore

  

  Chris and Biased Judge types, Ahoy from New Zealand.

  This has become a major year of transition, a time of grace, and fear and loathing…

  I just left a high-stress BEEG Comms job, my amazingly talented Chinese wife enrolled in a fashion degree (at age 56!), and my equally talented jazz muzo son, 21, is trying to make a living in a very small pond Down Under.

  I’ve spent the last 30 years on deadline, either as a newspaper journalist – starting in Waco, Texas in 1980… I know… I know… then Singapore, Texas again and Washington, DC, or PR (Singapore, Texas, NZ). All in all, I used to be way taller and had more hair…

  I am no longer a card-carrying member of the rat race. I want to use my skills to help others, make them laugh, and earn a living that will allow all of us to focus on our passions WITHOUT having to be rats.

  I WILL MAKE A SUCCESS of it if I win the EBK! You can drop it off when you are in NZ. I’ll buy the beer. Cheers, Bill. Okie Down Under.

• March 25, 2010

  Jodi Womack

  

  I’ve been hosting the Women’s Business Socials here in my home town for over a year now. I’ve also put one together in Homer, Alaska and London, UK.

  These Socials are a chance for women in business to come together and connect in person and stay connected through the online social media channels. I put together a “company” name called No More Nylons, with the tag line, Getting out of the work you have to do and into the work you love.

  No More Nylons isn’t a business YET. So far, I’ve been funding it personally. I’d love to develop an innovative business strategy for this, so I can keep the Socials as free events.

  I’d love the Empire Building Kit and know that I’d be helping myself do the groovy work of hanging out with great people and it would also support my community – in town and on line. Thanks a bunch!

• March 25, 2010

  Tiara the Merch Girl

  

  Dude. You have someone in your Empire Building Kit that does MURDER MYSTERIES. I’m all about interesting awesome creative experiences. Learning what s/he does will absolutely help me build The Merch Girl – which is going OK but could definitely be ramped up. So having a copy would be great

• March 25, 2010

  Joel

  

  I’m working for an Internet Marketing company. The company has been around for about 5 years and is doing good business, but they’re based out of Indianapolis which has a limited market. I’m charged with starting from scratch in Chicago to develop a branch out here. It’s hard work cause I have backing but I’m still starting out with nothing (commission pay doesn’t help much either).

  So I technically fit both categories. I’m starting with nothing and want to start building my own branch, but I do have an already successful company behind me that’s looking to scale up.

  I’m hoping to parlay this into bigger roles & expanding my presence in the online world over the next year and create a capacity where I have my own travel show. Doesn’t sound related? I have a plan, don’t worry.

  If I don’t get it, I’ll probably buy it anyways. Good stuff Chris. See you in Chicago.

• March 25, 2010

  Laura Fine

  

  No one, I mean NO one responding to this lives in TWISP (besides me!) A friend was so impressed with the name of my town, while weeding in my strawberry patch, he dubbed the main character in the book he self-published, my town’s name. Nick Twisp was born, “Youth in Revolt ” by C.D. Payne was self-published, then picked up by DoubleDay, and now…is a movie! I believe, I believe, I believe.

  I have traveled, always, even in my dreams. I took my children to Mexico when the youngest was 5 weeks. She began life in a Corona beer box. When others questioned months out of the country, third world-style, I proclaimed, “I am practicing for retirement so I can be an expert when I arrive.” Who knew I was living “creative lifestyle design.”

  Now life has dealt me an unexpected paradign shift (feels more like a muu muu) I need a new EMPIRE to feed body, soul and the occasional chicken. I have skills, ideas and life experience galore, let’s do this together, shall we?

• March 25, 2010

  Lisa Murray

  

  I have a business that I’m scaling up bigtime this year. I’d like a copy of the Empire Building Kit for two big reasons…

  firstly to connect with even more inspiring ideas on how to do this without working night and day…(the sheer volume of work to get through is a little daunting, despite many wonderful people contributing to my vision)

  Secondly, and more importantly, my big vision involves BlissTribe 2010 – a big event in Brisbane Australia (also to be streamed live online) for people who want to find their purpose and follow their bliss. I’m looking for high quality products to promote to my audience – who will no doubt be a great match for what you are describing!

  Love your work… what would it take for me to win this? I could have so much fun with it (work is play right?)

  cheers
  Lisa

• March 25, 2010

  ABCcreativity

  

  i have started a business doing what i am passionate about – creativity workshops which support people in all manner of self-empowerment by accessing their own creative spirits.

  i spent the last year bringing my in-person workshops online via blogging. i intend to spend the next year turning this into a profitable online business and can use all the help/support/resources i can get my hands on!

• March 25, 2010

  Nick Vivion

  

  An empire! I have been dreaming of one ever since I started my 1st business when I was 16, importing alcoholic ice pops called Freaky ice into Switzerland. I have always been a hard-headed boy with a fierce independent streak, the one who feels the pull to go in the opposite direction of others.

  So after graduating from a top-five US uni, I bought a video camera/laptop and traveled around the world for a year, shooting short docs for Al Gore’s Current TV and my YouTube Partner channel. I continued growing my independent film business, specializing in travel content for several years. This past January I realized that I need a more lucrative lifestyle business to fund my dream of continuing to produce completely independent travel films for the Web. So I am launching Unicorn Booty, a site that connects companies and consumers in a fresh, social way. We also give 10% of net proceeds back to the community. I want to scale this up, and show that social capitalism is our future.

• March 25, 2010

  Petra Paignton

  

  Your email has come at the right time. I’m a photographer and after working six days a week all summer, I’ve taken the plunge and cut back my hours to part-time, weekdays only work so that I can build a business creating memorable images for bridal parties, sporting events, cultural events, and family. My part time hours start in April, so that I may properly plan, prepare and network through our NZ winter, to be ready for Spring when the new season of weddings, mountain bike races, equestrian events, and various resident cultures’ cultural events take place. These will be be initial target market, with corporate and product photography to follow.

  I have mind mapped, scribbled notes, done costings and feasibility studies, marketing plans. I’ve been confident and nervous, sure and insecure. (And you know what? I like it like that – it pushes me on.) Your Empire Building Kit, Chris, would be my master plan and my greatest asset, one day at a time.

  I WILL use it!

• March 25, 2010

  Prashant

  

  In 1999, I built a mashup of Linkedin + Facebook/Orkut, of course it was limited in features, but the principle was the same, ‘Social networking’, was not ‘in’ then. This time around, I am 10 years wiser and am still eager to learn new things & explore more, for example; EBT.

• March 25, 2010

  Michelle

  

  As a full-time creative career coach for an entire 4 days (yup, I left my job of working for The Man just last Friday), I would use the hell out of the EBK. I’ve been coaching for about two years, but the fact that I have an extra 55 hours/week (no commute! no doing someone else’s expenses! no being figuratively handcuffed to a cubicle!) to build my passionate business (that ain’t no understatement – I friggin’ love being a life coach) is both awesomely motivating & super overwhelming. I know that your EBK will rock my socks, & the fact that there’ll be daily prompts for me is right up my alley. Because let’s face it – I’m flying blind here, even though I have a trillion projects I want (& need!) to do, & soon.

  Pick me, please (with sugar on top)!

• March 25, 2010

  Tracy Willans

  

  I too am in the small business not yet profitable category. I have a small amount of government funding which runs out in October and my partner is currently a university sudent. I have started a small Arts and Crafts business where all the products are will be sustainable. Currently I produce a range of naturally dyed products which include handstitching and a range of smoke fired ceramic jewellery. I also work in mixed media producing paintings where I make my own paints and work only with naturally occurring products.

• March 25, 2010

  claire

  

  I’ve started working on my business, but it isn’t profitable yet. The Empire Building Kit sounds like it would be tremendously helpful.

  I want to share my photography with people and build a sustainable life from it. So far, my business is simply a page on zazzle, a print-on-demand site. I’m still figuring out how best to integrate it with my blog.

  Each Friday, I tally what I’ve done in the past week to pursue the life of art that I want to keep me motivated and accountable. I’m ready for more steps, for better steps. EBK’s 365 step checklist is just what I need.

  Thank you for your consideration.

• March 25, 2010

  Becky

  

  I’ve talked to older family and friends about the possibility of leaving my 9-5 and have heard this, “Your whole generation just doesn’t want to work, do they?” I do want to work-my standards are just different. I’ve never wanted to put in 50 years at a company I don’t care about, waiting to earn vacation time so I can travel. I don’t want to sit at a computer desk all day under florescent lights. I want to be outside. I want to be healthy. I want to feel like the work I do matters-that it makes people’s lives better. A couple of months ago, during my review, my boss said to me, “You don’t really start making money until you’re in your thirties, so even though you do great work, I don’t think you need any more money.” (I’m 29) After that day , I started an Etsy shop, and I have been developing business ideas that I believe in. I need a small army to support my ideas and ambitions! I will not be told that I have to be a certain age to be comfortable. I am going to live life NOW!

• March 25, 2010

  Chris Maddera

  

  I HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE. I don’t have a business. I’m almost 40, I work in a cubicle doing monkey work for an embarrassingly low salary, I’m in debt up to my eyeballs, I do not own a house, I have horrible credit, and live in a state I can barely stand. I have avoided living the life I imagined for myself. I mean, I have screwed my life up royally. And now, here I am, late to the game, trying to escape from the cubicle, have my own business that makes me more money than I make now, pay off my debts, rebuild my credit, move to the city I fell in love with, and own a small house with a backyard big enough for a dog, three chickens, and a vegetable garden. My comfort zone is getting less comfortable every day. I’ll go for any opportunity I can to turn my life around, and your Empire Building Kit looks like a great opportunity. Thanks for your consideration.

• March 25, 2010

  Bruce Levick

  

  My passion is creative content. I film, producing and edit webisodes/podcasts on wildlife rescues in Australia. I also develop the websites and initiatives that go with it, making #2 on the “whats hot” list on iTunes podcasts and #3 in the top ten for it’s category.

  My goal is to make World Documentaries purely delivered for the web to raise issues into the public spotlight. I need to raise my passive income to allow me to travel the world and documenting these issues and deliver them online.

  My hope is to inspire people to act on these issues, to try and make a change in attitudes to help provide a better balance between people and the planet as a whole.

• March 25, 2010

  Jeff White

  

  Chris, thanks for doing amazing things like this! You’ve been a true inspiration to me for the last year or so.

  I had a chance to listen in on a phone call with the author Dan Pink on January 1 of this year. He said a lot of cool things, but the one thing that struck me most was a comment about how teaching English around the world will be one of the biggest business opportunities in the next couple decades.

  My wife and I (she’s an English teacher, I work for an educational publisher) have been losing sleep talking and dreaming about what a perfect fit this would be for our passions and interests. For the last couple months we’ve been doing a lot of research into effective and affordable methods to help people around the world learn English. We’ve got some great ideas, but no formal business training. Having read a lot of your materials, I think your EBK would be the best way for us to get this off the ground and make it a reality.

  Thanks!

• March 25, 2010

  Martin Kriewald

  

  Thanks a lot for the chance for winning a copy of the Empire Building Kit! I hope it doesn’t matter that I am not from the United States but from Germany. However, I would like to take the chance and participate in your contest.

  After quitting my job as an investment banker because of a burn out in 2008, I went to Kenya, Africa to get my feet back on the ground. After coming back from there I decided to start the business of lifestyle coaching and personal training. One of the services I am going to offer is making my clients fit – mentally and physically – for the challenge of climbing the Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Aconcagua in Argentina, Grossglockner in Austria and so on. I would like to give them the same chance I had: Getting a new perspective in their lives. Right now I am in the process of getting started. Of course, there is still a lot to do. So, the Empire Building Kit would probably be a fantastic help.

  All the best to you, Chris, all participants and their businesses.

• March 25, 2010

  Gail Cassidy

  

  I have eight books on amazon.com and yet do not have a successful business. I love helping people find their passion and living their lives on their own terms, as you do. More specifically, I love working with “at risk” kids/young adults who need acceptance and validation to be successful in life. How can I start even a minimally successful business making a difference in the lives of people who do not possess the positive self concept and initiative you obviously possess?

• March 25, 2010

  Janica Smith

  

  I want to apply in the “already successful but scaling it up” category.

  I am a Virtual Assistant specializing in support for authors, speakers and other “information entrepreneurs”. I have built a successful practice over the last 2 1/2 years and am now expanding to include a team of other VAs. My goal is to move into a project management role that will allow me to serve more clients with greater flexibility. My husband is retiring after working in a government job for 34 years, our kids are successful adults in their own right and our plan is to enjoy a traveling lifestyle while maintaining and growing my business.

  I would especially welcome the EBK as a way to integrate my husband into the growth of my business. Old dogs can learn new tricks!

• March 25, 2010

  penny

  

  I have started 2 websites but have yet to geerate any revenue for me yet.
  I guess it’s because there is a lack of consistency due to a lack of planning.

  I would really love to get a copy of the Empire Building Kit as it gives tasks to do on a one-task -a day approach which is good for someone like me who tends to work on many things at the same time.

• March 25, 2010

  YoPedro

  

  I’m not a writer, I’m not a blogger, heck, I can’t even dance! What I am, is a professional photographer who lost it all a few years ago to a catastrophic illness that prevented me from working just long enough to be forgotten. I’m healthy now, but the world passed me by, so I’m starting over at 47. I won’t go back to where I was, and truth be told, I don’t want to. Where I am going is in a whole new direction, with my camera in hand, and a lot of support from friends, family, and internet buddies. I am inspired by your passion and story, and I am building my new business one day and literally, one dollar at a time. No, I’m not profitable yet, but I am driven, and focused. I don’t doubt that I am going to get where I am headed, and any help along the way is greatly appreciated, and sorely needed. I’m rather fond of the idea of having a positive cash flow. More importantly though, is knowing that I could do it again. It’s a dream worth striving for.

  Best of luck to all.

  Cheers.

• March 25, 2010

  Erin Wilson

  

  1) Ukrainian food: you can’t go wrong with pierogies. Spelled ‘pyrohy’ in Ukrainian, ‘pelmeni’ if they’re meat-filled.

  2) I’m putting plans into place now for my own lifestyle business(es). I’m leaving my job in 6 months, so it’s the perfect timing for your Empire Building Kit. I’m single, without another income to rely on, so it feels like a big step. I’ll be buying your kit if I don’t win, so I’m looking forward to it either way.

  Peace.

• March 25, 2010

  Kerri

  

  This is wonderful Chris! I love the idea of you supporting one of these awesome people with their awesome idea. The sheer fabulosity of these comments is giving me a huge surge of hope

  Additionally, you and your esteemed judges might also consider sending me the EBK to assist me with nailing down my own business idea and shifting it into high gear. I’ve been blogging for over 2 years and developing my skills as a counselor & mediator. I am ready to spring this year!

• March 25, 2010

  chris

  

  My girlfriend lives in Vancouver. I live in South Africa. My mother lives in Saudi Arabia. By the end of this year we’re all going to be living in La Jolla, California. The business (and maybe with your help Chris – cool name btw;) I want to start is going to make that a reality!

  At 21 I came second in the World Champs of public speaking in Washington DC and was soon consulting to companies in Manhattan but at 23 I was left broke after the 2008 market crash. It’s taken me 18months to regain my confidence and some financial stability. I can never be an employee. I want my business to be an example for what is possible and I think your guide is essential.

  I’ll be influencing the lives of thousands of people, empowering them to communicate better and assisting them in the fulfillment of their values and dreams. Help me help them. I’ll be traveling, surfing and experiencing life every step of the way. That’s a lifestyle business!

• March 25, 2010

  Daniel

  

  Hi Chris,

  Exactly two years ago, I left my corporate job to pursue a life dream of being an artist. Although I do paint and show periodically, the dream has been eluding me. I am pushing forward, slowly, but feel that I am going about this the hard way. Not to mention, my past continues to haunt me, i.e., how to bring in money.

  When I first started following you, I got your guide for artists. I found it very helpful. It got me to focus and think about how to start to move again. I believe that your kit would be just as, if not more helpful.

  Today, I signed a lease for a studio. I have no idea how I am going to pay for it or what I will paint next. I just want to make sure I continue to push forward and grow.

  Thanks,
  Daniel

• March 25, 2010

  Hansen

  

  Hola Chris!

  I will make this short and sweet. Your original manifesto changed my life completely. I knew I needed to turn my life around while I am still young and do exactly what I want to do. I left the dreary 9 to 5 cubicle and moved to Mexico two weeks ago, with a plan that I would force myself to figure it out rather than wait and see what happens back at home. I am committed because I have to be, and I know by reading and acting on your other products that the Empire Building Kit will help steer me in the right direction.

  Thank you for everything you have done for your community so far, we all look forward to reading more of your work.

• March 25, 2010

  Esme Vos

  

  I started a blog called MuniWireless.com that I turned into a small media company but the market for wireless products tanked and MuniWireless is just getting out of the doldrums. However, I started a new blog called Mapplr.com, a travel site for boutique hotel and restaurant reviews around the world. I need to take it to the next stage and am trying to figure out what that is and how to do it. There are too many sites that feature hotel chains; mine relies on my own travels to special hotels and restaurants, and reviews from friends whose taste I trust.

  I would like to receive your Empire Building Kit to take Mapplr.com to the next stage. And since you are traveling a lot too, please visit my site for good hotel and restaurant recommendations.

• March 25, 2010

  randall

  

  Steve Kinney, and everybody else who puts others first.

  If you have layover time at FRA this weekend, you’re welcome to a shower and a nap about 6 stations away.

• March 25, 2010

  Waverly Fitzgerald

  

  The timing is perfect. I’ve taken this year off from my many multiple streams of income (teaching, writing, coaching, editing, free-lance bookkeeping) and said no to most of my volunteer commitments so I can focus on making Living in Season, the business I’ve been running since 1990, sustainable. (Right now, I’m sustained by my 30 hour a week day bookkeeping job). My mission is to create community around the values of slow time, sacred time and seasonal time. I want to write, teach, create beautiful books and sell them. I have a great platfrom: over 6000 names on my mailing list, a loyal following, a self-published book (Slow Time). I’ve taken plenty of classes (online and off) but when we get to sales pyramids because those models don’t fit my business or me. Chris, I sense your approach, because it’s based on unconventional wisdom and authenticity, would provide the structure I need to build my empire.

• March 25, 2010

  Norma Hill

  

  lol… your offer said “1000 words” … I wrote my little heart out… You know you want to read the whole thing! Meanwhile, the synopsis:

  My 5 kids are grown, I got laid off my safe job (company closed) last week – and I have determined to take the plunge, and use all the adventures of my varied life. I want to write, and share my love of reading and writing with others, offering them the opportunity to see life as the adventure it can be, and to then be able to pass it on to others – the joy of writing and communicating as part of the whole adventure of life. To share one’s passions and struggles. To lift one’s head high, and share one’s identity proudly. To lift people out of their preconceptions and prejudices. I have a plan. I have a 3 month severance package from that job – and I was seriously going to try and do it in 3 months! But maybe your EBK year would really help me make it! I don’t ever want to retire! I need that kit!

  Yes, It should be me!

• March 25, 2010

  Rich Schmidt

  

  I don’t feel like I can compete with most of these comments… but I’ll toss my hat in the ring.

  I’m the pastor of a church. It’s a new church that my wife and I and a handful of dedicated volunteers started 10 years ago. I’d love to build an empire on the side so that I don’t have to take any salary or other compensation from the church. I’d love for all of the contributions people give to be freed up to meet needs in our community and around the world, instead of having to support me and my family.

  That’s it. Have fun reading all these comments!

• March 25, 2010

  Betsy Schoettlin

  

  I love where I live, who I’m married to, and who I am. I love my life.

  In the past, I worked for others. In the more recent past, I owned my own businesses, each based on a passion of mine, but none terribly successful and some disastrous. Now I am on the cusp of a new incarnation, as a Professional Mediator. I have a clear vision of where I want to go and an even clearer one of where I do NOT want to go. The clarity I lack is in how to get where I want to go.

  Mediation is challenging and rewarding. I am able to use my gifts and training to create peace and harmony from chaos and discord and that feels great to me.

  While I’m confident that I will eventually find my own way, the EBK would provide a roadmap & structure to guide me forward on a successful path. The 365 step checklist and the idea of seeing all those goals met and building up behind me, the daily successes so necessary to maintaining momentum, is exciting and appealing.

  Choose me, it sounds fabulous.

• March 25, 2010

  Rick Kitagawa

  

  Hey Chris,

  Why do we deserve a free copy of the Empire Building Kit? Because my partner and I are going to build an empire, and I know that we need as much help as we can get.

  We’re working to start our careers as fine artist/illustrators that work to promote positive social change, uplift others, remain environmentally sustainable, and give back to the communities in which we belong. Along the way to our personal success, we want to help other emerging/struggling artists “make it” and to break down the myth of the starving artist.

  Despite hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loans, having grown up in artist-unfriendly environments, and both of us working full-time retail jobs, we’ve already started going to craft fairs and like shows as sellers, and we recently held a group gallery opening/art show that brought in over 200 people – and this was nearly everyone’s first show. We’re on our way, but we could use some help!

  Thanks again for the opportunity and good luck all

• March 25, 2010

  April

  

  I’m a social entrepreneur who co-leads an all-volunteer community organization that aspires to become a full-time for-profit community center. We’ve been in operation two years and make just enough income to keep producing events and educational workshops. I started reading your blog a few weeks ago because we are moving towards developing a business plan and leadership structure.

  What we do is unique–we produce inclusive sex-positive events and educational workshops in a rural community. Our events are so unique that people drive 5+ hours from the San Francisco Bay Area, the hub of sex positive community on the west coast, to attend our parties. While it may appear on the outside that we merely produce “sex parties,” most of our time is actually spent in community organizing and nurturing a safe and healthy emotional environment for free self expression, healing and transformation.

  EBK could help us touch a lot more lives.

• March 25, 2010

  Gretchen

  

  Hi Chris, I would love the oportunity to win your new Empire Building Kit! I have been working in the corporate world for 5 years on continuous improvement in manufacturing and discovered I really enjoy teaching others, public speaking, and developing training programs. I am ready to step out on my own, but I would greatly appreciate some guidance on where to start and your new product sounds like the perfect tool to help me. Consulting for businesses in continuous improvement or “Lean” is traditionally targeted at large corporations in manufacturing and is very expensive. I hope to take the skills I have learned and apply them to small local businesses, town governments, and non-profits to help improve the world one small town and enteprenuer at a time and teach the same powerful tools to streamline business processes to those who currently dont have access to this type of training and support.

• March 25, 2010

  Jes

  

  I don’t currently have a business, but want to start one. I quit my job 7 months ago and have been traveling in Australia to try and figure out my passion in life. After taking over 12,000 pictures here, I think I’ve found something I am very passionate about.

  We’d say at an old job as a joke, “I love this so much I’d do it for free,” but taking photos right now is something I do for free and I love it. Unfortunately, free doesn’t help me sustain the non-conformist lifestyle I would like to maintain, which includes traveling around the world and capturing it with my camera. My return ticket home is for the end of May, and I plan on getting something started so I don’t have to fall back into the trap of working for someone else again. I think the Empire Building Kit would be a great ass-kicker to get me started on building my own business.

  I wish you the best of luck with your launch, Chris! You truly are an inspiration!

• March 25, 2010

  John K. Lunde

  

  I have a profitable business that generates net income (including my comp) in the range you’re talking about, but we’re at a critical point for scaling up and I’m very interested in reading EBK. I expect there will be great material there to apply in my business, but I’m also interested in seeing how close the fit is with my experience as I might be interested in participating in a round 2 if you ever do one.

  The crux of our current position is that we’re approaching the limits of our two man team, but want to be very selective about choosing to hire employees vs. outsourcing/automating some of our operations to gain efficiency. That is a great problem to have, but also presents a common challenge for small businesses in growth mode.

  In short, I expect there’s a lot we can learn from you and the community about how to approach our challenge. I also expect there’s a lot to learn for observers as we navigate this stage of our growth, whether we succeed or fail in optimizing our biz.

• March 25, 2010

  Debra

  

  Hey, there! I have a guided wine tour business that I started a few years ago that is now ready and perched at the edge of greater success – ready to take that next step of growth. We recently got a new contract to provide tours on behalf of our local Visitors and Convention Bureau, and this sudden new level of operation is presenting a whole new set of challenges!

  I think this may be a common challenge for businesses begun out of your own mind/living room – first you ramp up and get real, get some business going, have the excitement of coming up on a Google search, maybe even get your biz written about here and there, get some happy return customers – and then what? How to expand, into what markets, at what cost, and finding creative ways to obtain instant-access help – these are real challenges, and different than the start-up ones. It can give you that deer-in-the-headlights feeling and I’d love the Empire Building guidance!

• March 25, 2010

  Giesla Hoelscher

  

  I have a small digital art business that has been limping along for 8 years. I’m very proud of it and it’s done okay but it’s time to make it what I’ve always known it could be. I think I’ve made every excuse in the book as to why I’m not succeeding and the fact of the matter is I lack the skills and structure necessary to build my business and find the right customers. I’ve made good & bad (and just plain awful) decisions and have had failures along with successes. No more excuses. I’m ready to work harder and turn it around.

  Should I pass the “are you awesome AND serious?” test and impress the extremely biased judges enough to receive the EBK, I’ll finally be able to cut the crap and get down to business. Plus, to show you my gratitude for passing along the knowledge & awesomeness you’ve gathered, I imagine I could find a way to give you credit somewhere on the really cool flag I’ll be making to perch atop my empire. I mean, you can’t have an empire without a flag, right?

• March 25, 2010

  Steve

  

  Wowsers. There was me thinking I’d get in on the comment list nice and early….

  I am very serious about building a business this year. I have set myself a target of earning £1000 a month in passive income by the end of 2010. Currently I’m on about £300 a month so some progress is being made.

  I have a blog running adsense that I am trying to expand into sellable products/services. I have two free webapps (and one in the pipeline) that have quite a lot of users but no income.

  I have a real problem that I need to overcome: I do a lot of stuff (web dev, design, etc) for people for free and I have a real fear of charging for it.

• March 25, 2010

  Bren

  

  Lotta good entries here, but I’ll throw my hat in the ring anyway.

  I’ve been picking away at Yamhill.TV off and on for a few years. The site is basically a celebration of the people, places, and events of Yamhill County, OR. The site has been gaining a little steam lately, though I haven’t really tried to generate any income with it. I’ve got some ideas about how to develop that facet of the site, but I’d love to learn from folks who’ve already done it.

  I don’t really expect to make a living off the site, but it’d be great to learn some ways that the site could at least sustain itself and continue to add value to our local community.

• March 25, 2010

  Jennifer

  

  I read your post and find it very interesting. I think Emma from PN should win your kit. I love jewelry and think anyone who’s serious about starting their own jewelry business should be given a platform to show and sell their stuff. Sounds like your kit will help her do just that.

• March 25, 2010

  rickey

  

  I am a high school teacher in South Los Angeles. I work with some of the most amazing teenagers on the planet. I tell them how much I respect them for showing up to school because I know that they have overcome many obstacles just to be there. I have recently been chosen as 1 of 6 people in the country to compete in the “CNN Fit Nation Triathlon Challenge” with Dr. Sanjay Gupta. I started training in January and will compete in the New York City Triathlon on July 18, 2010. I want teens from underserved areas to envision a future of amazing accomplishment, world travel and complete enjoyment in life as a very real possiblity. My lifestyle business is called “Will To Move”. The mission is clear, “Discover, Dream, Do”. Thank you for this opportunity to possibly win this empowering gift. EBK could essentially become a “Do Plan” for my dream to build an empire of young people who have discovered their uniqueness, crafted their dreams and found their will to move!

• March 25, 2010

  Tangelia

  

  Hello Chris and Judges,

  I want to throw my hat into the ring for the free Empire Building kit. I am in the just starting a business phase. I want to start a business but I just don’t know in which direction to go in. I have a lot of “talents” but I am not aware of how to capitalize on those “talents”. I feel with a little bit of direction and guidance I could fulfill a dream to be a business owner.

  This year has been a difficult one and seeing past my difficult times has been hard in order to focus in on my true passions. I am in the midst of a divorce, I am having to pick up and move out of my home with my daughter and start over.

  If I could take this time to do an activity daily to see my daughter and myself in a more stable situation would be wonderful. I know that there are a lot of very deserving people here on this site vying for the same goal. If you select me, I will promise to pay it forward and give the gift that has been given me.

  Thanks so much.

• March 25, 2010

  Tara Kay

  

  Not wanting to go the route of my fellow peers after college graduation, I bought a one-way ticket to Spain with only the objectives of improving my Spanish, traveling as much as possible, taking risks, and never being ¨comfortable.¨
  Three years later, I´ve been able to hack out enough translation jobs and find enough stable students to be profitable and not lose track of my goals. In the middle of this, I met an incredible Spaniard that I will marry in two months. I am at the juncture in which I want to build my own business in order to be able to build our lives together as a couple, with the flexibility of not having to choose Spain or the United States because of the fear of having to uproot from one place or the other.
  The only option I see for the long-term liberation from the odious ¨settling¨ is to be in control of my success and stability, and having the tools to create this future would be priceless.

• March 25, 2010

  Nicki

  

  Well, I’d like to be considered for the contest. I don’t yet have my own business, but I’ve been thinking seriously about it since the start of the year.

  I’ve always wanted to work for myself, but I’ve always been a little afraid of the process. I have tons of ideas, I have the skills, but I need a little bit of direction to get moving.

  Currently I have a 9-5 job that I enjoy, but that isn’t making ends meet, nor does it look like there’s the possibility that it will in the near future. Before things becomes worse, I need to get myself into a position to take charge and take care of us.

  I think, by your description of the Empire Building Kit, that it would be the perfect tool for me to get in that position. Single steps that I can manage around my current situation to get me in a space where I’m free from doing work so someone else can succeed? Who wouldn’t love that?

• March 25, 2010

  Evan Brammer

  

  I hope your cat knows all the keyboard shortcuts to cull through all the awesome entrants to win the Empire Building Kit.

  About five years ago I read a book that was written in the 16th century that read as though it was written for today’s generation.

  My goal is to put this massive work in front of every person imaginable, reworked in easily digestible chunks – updated and revised to further its contemporary relevance.

  My wife and I are putting the many pieces into place that we can maximize our impact when we launch in less than a month.

  To get the worldwide impact that we believe we can – we’ve got to build our empire. That’s where the Kit comes in. Help us build it.

• March 25, 2010

  Katje Hempel

  

  Hi Chris!!

  Top 5 reasons why I should be the lucky business owner to receive the Empire Building Kit:

  5) I am an expert in following and completing checklists — therefore I can assure you that the 365 checklist will not be taken lightly.

  4) You highlighted a photographer. AS a photographer, I will be able to provide detailed feedback and insight from this lense.

  3) I am a connector by nature, and I can assure you that the products I believe in are sung from the rooftops. Your blog, as well as Art and Money Guide, are two of these.

  2) I would like to build out my business into another direction, and struggling in doing that alone.

  1) I believe I can make it happen with the right tools.

  Thank you for all of the support and community that you provide!

• March 25, 2010

  Amy Champ

  

  I’ve had this dream for about 15 years. I want to buy some land, and make a farm-retreat-arts-spiritual center where people from all over the world can come and learn about issues of peacemaking, activism, and community. Every summer we will have a big festival.

  As an academic within a year-and-a-half of finishing my PhD, I have been thinking of changing my life course. Instead of “teaching for a few years to raise the money” I am considering just DOING IT NOW.

  As an activist and yoga/meditation teacher in the university setting, I feel that my ability to reach people is limited. I’m currently writing my dissertation about women yoga teachers in America, and how their experience of yoga practice has healed their own lives and in turn, empowered them to become social activists. I’ve been asking myself some hard questions these past few days. What do I REALLY want to be doing when I finish? I’m thinking maybe I should share this new knowledge with people across our country and planet.

• March 25, 2010

  Christina N Dickson

  

  Hello Chris
  I am currently devoting myself to building and growing an empire that will not only provide for myself and other inspirational artists, but one that will build a revolution in the hearts and lives of those who should be reaching out, and those who need a helping hand.
  My entire focus over the last year has been building to this end. After one year of work, I am just as committed as ever but I need new found courage. A vision this large – a vision to change the world with art and creating a new lifestyle for artists who want to change the world – will take more than what I have to give. I am confident that contributions from others who believe in the Art of Non Conformity will help keep this vision growing.
  Your Building an Empire Kit will have great reciprocal value – even from the initially. As I grow my business to be reproducible by other artistic business owners, more businesses will then be equipped and enabled to reach out to others

• March 25, 2010

  Will

  

  Thanks for the offer Chris.

  Anyway currently I’m a musician/DJ/writer/artist looking to make a full time living with my art. One of my attempts at combining my love for all these is by working on starting my own small web/graphic design business, and consulting firm. My main aim is to provide business related consulting, and online services to artist to help establish themselves as their very own brand. I’m not planning on charging any ridiculous fees being that I’m an artist myself. But I expect things to go well more by the volume of clients being that there are many “creatives” out there who while they do have great artistic skills in whatever medium they choose, they do not have a good business sense. I also think this will be a good way for me to make connections with some truly talented people.

  In any event thanks for reading!

• March 25, 2010

  Mike

  

  I quit my job in January of this year because I became disillusioned with the corporate world and wanted more out of life. I decided that I would take a break to find myself and decide what I truly want to do with my life. I have a website that I built last summer, CarInsuranceQuoter.com. At the beginning of this year it was stagnating because I didn’t give it enough attention to allow it to flourish and reach its potential. I decided to take another stab at becoming an Internet Entrepreneur and focus on rebooting my web business by hiring a web designer to better connect with my audience, learning SEO and marketing, and coming up with other methods of income. The thought off going back into the corporate world has me scared enough into dedicating most of my energy into building this business and others that I hope to eventually be able to make a living from. I admire Chris’s philosophy of creating a sustainable business to realize ones dreams of freedom and world travel.

• March 25, 2010

  Kelley

  

  I’m a undergrad in general business at Boise state university. I’ve been following this blog since 279 days eBook came out. I found it from one of Seth Godin posts. From my view a lifestyle business in the only way to go. Half the stuff I get taught in class I’m having to unlearn just as fast. It simply doesn’t apply to a network economy. It couldn’t be a better time for me to get EBK because I graduate in June. I have small start but haven’t made any money yet. Weather I get the kit or not I’ll still build a life style business. I could not be more serious about it. Please and thank you. Giving away 2 kits sounds like a classic linchpin move to me.

• March 25, 2010

  Jason Pelker

  

  I love my year-old web marketing business. My goal for year two, though, is to do a lot more teaching and a lot less development. I plan on using DimDim to hold conferences and workshops, as well as write more. I also plan on doing this from more exotic places than just my living room…

  As far as individual clients, I’d like to trim drop to 3-4 great small businesses (preferably nonprofits) to work with, so I can focus more energy helping them get past the tipping point of their web presences.

  I appreciate any help I can get to make these goals a reality. The cool thing is that the EBK will be a very meta tool for me; I’d like to use the lessons I acquire through the literature and other media to encourage other business owners and managers to pursue their dreams.

• March 25, 2010

  Cyn

  

  I want nothing more than to succeed with my passion: Food. I love writing about it and teaching other people how to cook. My goal is to develop a freelance career in food writing or other media that pays just enough so that I can quit my full-time job and support myself through it.

  I work 40 hours a week to support my mortgage and pay my bills. Virtually all of my time outside of that unfulfilling job is dedicated to food. I have two blogs, I edit for some well-known food publications, I went to culinary school, and I query magazines and newspapers with a tiny bit of success. It gets a little hectic, and most of the time, I’ll use my lunch break at my day job to work toward these little side projects. Sometimes I’ll take vacation days to work on these projects. I feel like I have my fingers in a lot of little things, but nothing that can help me reach my goal. I don’t want to burn out. I want to be more successful in my passion. I just don’t know how to do it.

• March 25, 2010

  Tania Rihar

  

  Hi there! Teacher Tania talking …aka, artist@large; “TR Designs”…
  The attached website clearly defines only a small drop of information in the rainbow spectrum of my artistic endeavours…my fb fan page displays almost the full colorful range. …please take a peak!:o)

  It has been 12-15 years of learning;…art shows: group-solo shows, painting conservation, mural&faux finishing, commissioned artwork: public&private, home decor, film art direction&set decor, jewelry etc…It is time to make the business work…ideas are swimming, plans are in progress…the artist in me wants to be CREATIVE and FREE…a focused program, great people and fantastic connections, fabulous business angels, ALL welcome here! Lots to talk about…

  I am very interested in making dreams come true!…and if one day, I can return the favor to others, I’ve accomplished a small return in the least.

  Thank you for promoting possible opportunities to myself&others…I am inspired by your blog.

• March 25, 2010

  Ruth

  

  I’m from Singapore and against nay-sayers, I quit my paid-job 2 years ago and started what I call a flexible-job-arrangement to better fit my expectations of life. I’ve got a small gifting business amidst of 3 other jobs and this seems to be working out — I am not making a loss. According to what I read and listen to, I’m doing the right things and seem to be in the right direction, but I just don’t know what more I need to do to scale up. I hope it can one day (soon) make decent enough to pay for groceries, a cheap car, and annual trips with my kids to places we love. I’m avid reader of AONC and read with much interest how you do your thing. I look forward to winning the Empire Builder Kit and getting into action!

• March 25, 2010

  Ben

  

  I’m just wrapping up a 20,000 mile motorcycle ride from the USA to Argentina. All along the way I’ve been organizing my thoughts on entrepreneurial business ideas. I’m excited to get home and get to work building my empire. I’d be grateful to have your EBK and would be certain to put it to good use straight away.

  Keep on keepin on!

• March 25, 2010

  Christine Barbacki

  

  I graduated from Mechanical Engineering, which was boring as hell, at a prestigious university last year. The only amazing part of it was my exchange in Australia, which changed my life. In the last year of study, it was the constant question: “So, have you gotten a job yet?” that drove me to get away from the city and move to Whistler, BC. I was NOT ready to submit to the 9-5 lifestyle yet.

  So I moved to Whistler to ski and work as a waitress. A temporary thing, I assumed. I told everyone I would get a “real” job soon. I dreaded going out there and looking for the 9-5 job that everyone expected you to get. “You can’t travel forever, do it while you’re young because you won’t be able to do it later.” I hate hearing that I CAN’T do something. Discovering your blog and others like me has inspired me to live a DIFFERENT life.

  Whether you give it to me free or not, I will get the Empire Building Kit and show everyone that it is possible to work and still live a life of freedom..

• March 25, 2010

  Chantelle Malone

  

  Hi Chris,
  This is such a wonderfully generous offer! I’m also not from the US, I’m from Australia, little old Perth in fact…
  I’m a graphic designer/illustrator and I guess I fall kind of in the middle of the two catagories, I’ve had my own freelance business for a couple of years now, but when I graduated from my design course I was offered a full time position in a studio which I took. Earlier this year, due to financial struggles, my boss has put me down to 3 days a week at work. Which is wonderful as I was beginning to dislike the really corporate work I was doing. So now I want to fire up my business again so I can eventually stop working for others and only work on projects that I love and can put my heart and soul into. I feel like there’s so much to do, yet I’m pretty clueless as to how to start! the EBK sounds like the perfect resource to shed some light and get some action happening! Thanks, you’re an inspiration, Chantelle

• March 25, 2010

  Allyndreth Stead

  

  Wow, what an offer! I am a 53 y/o recent graduate from Acupuncture school and am ready to open a clinic. I am determined to offer my medicine at rates that anyone can afford – and yet be able to support myself in the meantime. How to do this? I’m hoping that your course will help.

  I want to see everyone has access to quality health care regardless of income!

  Thanks for the opportunity

• March 25, 2010

  bron

  

  Why should I get the Empire Building Kit…well, I already own the other programs Chris has made… and I am looking to escape the soul destroying world of banking..
  I make ballroom dancing & cocktail dresses, sell paintings on ebay, write articles, trade, computer program, sell vegetables, tutor English & maths..but I need to refine this down into a sensible business model in order to make a job from it…

• March 25, 2010

  Krista

  

  I teach high school world history where I frequently talk about people who were and are non-conformists, often citing your website. I encourage my students to constantly question everything and think for themselves. I have tried to be an example of someone who is willing to take chances.

  2010 was my catalyst year where I took action. I officially launched my photography business in February and I am slowly trying to pull together the appropriate infrastructure to create a smart business which I can build while I continue teaching. I started a business five years ago that ended up being a total failure–and I want to learn as much as possible to avoid making the same mistakes. As a highly motivated and ambitious person, I am committed to applying the strategies in your Empire Building Kit and using them to improve my business, but also to help teach my students and those in my life that can benefit from your expertise.

  Thank you for this opportunity and enjoy your travels.

• March 25, 2010

  Lisa Sellman

  

  I just wanted to thank you for making me ponder my business and its current circumstance. It is nice to think about having an Empire but it sure feels great in its current state of affairs. My contentness factor is through the roof on a gorgeous day like today so I can’t think of changing a thing. Maybe an Empire is around the corner for me and maybe things will just stay the same. But either way, Life is Pretty Dang Sweet!

• March 25, 2010

  David

  

  I’m a senior in college and it is my dream to create an online business. I don’t know if I am the most capable, but I enjoy learning and once I sink my teeth into something, I don’t let go. Fortunately, (or unfortunately) I bit into the entrepreneurial apple. I’m starting from complete scratch and have a completely blank slate, so I will have no bias or predispositions. This could be one of the few opportunities for a product to build my mentality from the bottom up! I feel that it’s an exciting notion. Please consider. Thanks so much

• March 25, 2010

  Justin

  

  I’m looking for a way out of 9-5 (for me it’s 7-3). I’m the “one person who doesn’t have a profitable business but is very serious about building one over the next year.” If I could just use my talents, strengths, and things I love to do what I love. For me, it’s about family, encouragement, consulting, contributing, providing aid to others, serving, some travel, community focused, some writing. I know it’s possible. My income in my IT job is very close to ceiling of which I detest. The more I earn, the more Ihttp://chrisguillebeau.com/3×5/wp-content/themes/scribbly/img/graphic-submitcomment.png can contribute around me, but I want to love what I do and give it away to others. There’s no satisfaction in keeping it for myself. The more I gain and learn at whatever it is, then I can share with others. We both win in this situation. I use that philosophy at work and earn the credibility/respect for it. I believe that’s where the success can come from because people naturally gravitate to it because it encourages and also makes them successful.

• March 25, 2010

  Zach Fedor

  

  Someone once told me, “You’re gonna do big things”, and I believed him. Unfortunately, I don’t know how to go about it. All my life I have felt the urge to change the world for the better. This isn’t an ego trip to have my name in the annals of human history. Its a yearning to leave the world in a better condition than when I found it. Someday, I’ll figure out how to accomplish all this. For now, I’ll learn from those who have gone before me. I will take their lessons to heart, and I will learn the ways of the mover and the shaker. When I find my direction, I will be able to run the trail effortlessly, because I have had help. And I will take whatever help I can get…

  Thank you for the unconventional gems of wisdom that I’ve gained from your blog, and thanks for the chance to learn even more…

• March 25, 2010

  tobias tinker

  

  Hey there Chris, thanks for the sweet offer. I’ll have a go.

  I’m a musician primarily and have been making a living at that for a long time, though not a terribly good one for the last couple of years. I do have a steady trickle of income from online sales, so I guess I’ll say I am in the ‘scaling up’ camp. In the past I’ve done fairly well with online soundtrack composition and what I am doing now arguably is a continuation of that, though it’s substantially new.

  Since I also write and blog, I am expanding the focus of my work from music to creativity. I have some big plans and they involve helping people overcome the fears and blocks and negative psychology that clog the creative process. And much, more. The brand for this new Empire will be ‘Fearless Creativity’… fearlesscreativity.com will launch in a month or so, with a manifesto: the Cliffjump! Manifesto.

  My goal is to become the Chris Guillebeau of the Creativity scene. There, I’ve said it. Want to help make it happen?

• March 25, 2010

  Nadine

  

  I deserve a copy of the Empire Building Kit because last Monday, I stumbled across your blog and was so relieved to see that you’re promoting an alternative to being an office drone that I quit my job, bookmarked your website and signed up for your newsletter to help reinforce my belief that it was the right thing to do. I’ve been brainstorming, researching and organizing a team for the past two weeks because I want to put up a cultural & arts magazine. There’s no intelligent magazine here in the Philippines that can entertain and educate. Magazines that are good are all imported. I would like this endeavor to be successful and I think the kit will help make this idea into a reality. Help Filipinos expand their minds to a different type of thinking instead of going with the majority!

• March 25, 2010

  Bryan Haines

  

  Hi Chris,

  Just 8 months ago, my family sold everything we owned (less a few bags of luggage) and moved to Ecuador as volunteers. Our nine year old daughter loves it here and just told me that she never wants to move back to Canada.

  Life’s amazing when it isn’t centered on generating income. That being said, we still need some cash to stay here (volunteering never did pay very much) and we have created a tourism/relocation service for gringos coming to Ecuador to visit and retire. We are living on savings and the proceeds of our house and business – and this won’t last forever.

  Some help in creating this fledgling business into one that funds our lifestyle would be amazing. I think you might even get a hand drawn thank-you note from my princess. You know that’s priceless, right?

  Thanks for the great blog – I love it.

  Chao!

• March 25, 2010

  Tara

  

  The time is now.

  During college I wrote for my college newspapers with intentions of working, one day, for the NYT. Post graduation took me down a different path, and I swapped my journalistic aspirations for an 18-month mission for my church in Argentina and then professional posts with Catholic Charities of Idaho and the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs.

  Never relinquishing my pen and Moleskein, however, my writing skills were in high demand throughout my professional experiences. Last year I turned 26-years-old and decided to follow my omens. What happened? I relocated to Honolulu, began my Master’s in Sustainable Development, and have decided to kick-start my freelance writing business. My goals are to 1) write, 2) establish a dynamic web presence, and 3) give back.

  The Empire Building Kit would be the most awesome/perfect/exceptional/lovely/undoubtedly inspiring addition to my toolkit and foundational knowledge in creating this business/lifestyle/career. Grazie!

• March 25, 2010

  Kristina

  

  I’m new to this. As I stated to Chris a few days ago, I’m new to him.

  I’ve never been one of those people who believe in fate. I’ve always felt you make your own way, and some people just want it more than others. With that mindset, I’ve done alright. I never really cared that I hadn’t accomplished my dreams.

  One day, it clicked. I’d spent so much time trying to make clients and bosses smile that I’ll never get back. Goals that aren’t mine, and aren’t real. Temporary and artificial success for the hope of another paycheck. I had nothing to show for it. Nothing to say, “yeah, I did that. I made that.”

  That hit me pretty hard.

  Now I feel like I found this contest exactly at the right time. I just launched my own website, and I’ve wrestled with leaving this job I loathe. I’m finally asking “why?” to anyone who ever said “no.” I’m ready to say “yes” and mean it.

• March 25, 2010

  rebie

  

  recently i joined the Create Abundance Online Community and it’s like a business school wherein they teach you how to become wealthy in 3 years and it’s learning by doing. i am very serious in putting up big bussinesses. I’ve no idea how it will come true but so long as i have a very clear dream and a vision of what i want to happen in this lifetime, life will make a way to help me achieve it i am sure of that. so your free book is a great help i believe so. let me have it. thank you so much.

• March 25, 2010

  Christy

  

  I start a million projects and just when they’re ready to take off, I get bored, scared or come up with a shiny new project I’d rather work on. This has been happening since I was 12. I was bored that summer so my mom taught me to make sachets. (little cloth bags with lace and ribbon filled with potpourri to make your dresser drawers smell nice) I lived in a super tiny town of about 200 people BUT for a very short time we had a beauty salon. The owner asked my mom if she could sell them in her store. We gave her the few we had, she sold them all and asked for more. I never made another one.

  It’s been one idea after another since then. I’m almost embarrassed to tell friends and family about them now.

  If your goal is to have two great examples of how the Empire Building Kit can help ANYONE improve or build a business, you might be taking a chance giving me a copy. BUT it might also be brilliant because if it can help me succeed it really will help anyone.

• March 25, 2010

  Steven

  

  Hi Chris,
  I have a brick and mortar business (selling sandwiches – national chain). It’s fine, but it severely dampens my travel opportunities. I would like to be free to travel the world, work from anywhere and not have to be tied down to a single location. I want to have the ability to go when and where I want and still support myself.

  Some time ago, I decide that I needed to develop a business that would let me work anywhere in the world. I did a lot of research and finally decided to build a travel website. I started the planning and construction in 2006 and after a long, steep learning curve, I finally launched the site in January. I’m proud of the site, but the problem is that I’m suffering from the “OK, WHAT NOW” syndrome. I don’t know how I should proceed from here to get more traffic, start to develop an income stream and make the site a place where people want to congregate. I need a jumpstart! I’d appreciate your consideration. Thanks!

• March 25, 2010

  Christy

  

  I start a million projects and just when they’re ready to take off, I get bored, scared or come up with a shiny new project I’d rather work on. This has been happening since I was 12. I was bored that summer so my mom taught me to make sachets. (little cloth bags with lace and ribbon filled with potpourri to make your dresser drawers smell nice) I lived in a super tiny town of about 200 people BUT for a very short time we had a beauty salon. The owner asked my mom if she could sell them in her store. We gave her the few we had, she sold them all and asked for more. I never made another one.

  It’s been one idea after another since then to the point that I’m almost embarrassed to tell friends and family about them now.

  If your goal is to have two great examples of how the Empire Building Kit can help ANYONE improve or build a business, you might be taking a chance giving me a copy. BUT it might also be brilliant because if it can help me succeed it really will help anyone.

• March 25, 2010

  Kerrie Blazek

  

  I fall into the second category, been incubating for over a year now and feel like I’m ready to launch. My ideas revolve around transforming public education by showing teachers how to make deep impactful relationships with their students, I call it Reflecting Goodness. The impact, of course, could be much larger than public education. However, after teaching middle school science for 11 years, and working in curriculum and professional development for the past 3 years, I see a huge need in this area. My business would begin with a blog, and online classroom — in addition to consulting privately with teachers, schools, and districts nationwide. I have a BS in Geology, and a MEd in Secondary Education, just need to create my tribe around getting into the business world, because I have a lot to share! Thanks, I look forward to continuing my own unconvential path. Namaste…

• March 25, 2010

  David at Butterfly Lady

  

  My wife and I started Butterfly Lady LLC last year. We would love to grow it into a full-time lifestyle business for both of us. The world can always use more butterflies.

  Thanks for considering us for your Empire Building Kit.

• March 25, 2010

  Dallon Christensen

  

  My empire’s focus will be to help others build their empires. I started FirstStep Concepts in January to help business owners turn their data into smart business decisions. Many owners are passionate about growing their businesses, but they need someone to help them plan their future success. I am committed to serving these owners with excellent planning and analysis tools and educational opportunities.

  I will use the Empire Building Kit to build my coaching practice so I can empower my clients to build their own empires as well. As I serve my clients, I will build the business that will allow me to work in my passion. I am so excited to escape the corporate cube farm and provide the decision support that small businesses need to drive the economic engine of the United States.

• March 25, 2010

  Giovanna

  

  Well Chris, I´m really serious about getting a business going this year. I´m thinking about some options for an year now and during that time I had a steady job at IBM. But I quit that job, I quit a five year job at IBM because I could´t do it any more, just could´t. I´m from Brazil and here things are sometimes more complicated but I have faith. I really could use the help. My husband just lost his job so I have to hurry things up and do it with less money. Right now I´m trying to do some freelance just to have something to pay the bills with, but I really would love to do something that makes me happier.
  I could use any help I can get.
  Well, there are tones of things I could say about the reasons I quit IBM and all… but I don´t want to play “poor me”, so…
  Hope the people winning this is the one who will enjoy it the most. Me or not me.

• March 25, 2010

  Lori Davis

  

  My husband and I recently started a (not yet profitable) business dedicated to inspiring couples to cook together. It’s called GastronomicDuo and was born through our own love affair created over many dinners and a few cooking disasters. We believe that cooking is a great way to get closer to one another and we help others to share the experience of loving, cooking and eating together by giving them tools, knowledge and inspiration – right now in the form of a blog, and hopefully in the future through books, classes, videos, and even a product line.

  Why should we receive a free Empire Building Kit? Consider this: Dr. John Gray (yes of Mars/Venus fame) polled 1500 couples – 82% of the couples who cooked together described their relationship as “excellent” while only 25% of those who did not cook together could say the same. By inviting couples to get in the kitchen together, we can help build successful and exciting relationships.

  Love is a worthy cause, don’t you think?

• March 25, 2010

  Joana

  

  I’m honored and encouraged to see that I’m in the company of so many interesting and brave people. Like many of your “applicants”, I’m in the process of making a big lifestyle change and taking a leap of faith. I’m leaving a stable well-paying job to pursue growing my jewelry fabrication and jewelry design business in one of the most expensive cities in the US – NY.

  I am passionate about sharing beauty with others. In my quest to grow my business, I have continued to pick myself up time and time again when disappointments come my way. Even though I’ve seen steady growth in my business income, I have yet to do the business full-time and see profits that can sustain me.

  I’d welcome a day-by-day guide to help me through the next year.

  Thanks for all that you do!

• March 25, 2010

  Tony

  

  It’s March 28, 2012. Your setting in an airport in Portugal and I walk over and thank you in person. Today just happens to be two years after I recieved the EBK. The self supported online lifestyle t-shirt business that it help start is providing me the freedom to live the life I choose.

  Thanks Chris!

• March 25, 2010

  Jean Cooper

  

  I could use your help! I have been playing with an idea that I would like to develop into a full fledged lifestyle business over the next 12 months. My goal is to create a business where bring all of my passions together, have the opportunity to be really creative, earn a living and most importantly provide a venue to assist people in accessing fresh, healthy and local food.

  The idea I have been playing with involves an on line community of people who are passionate about local and sustainably produced food and/or have an interest in food security. I envision a three-fold approach to engaging the community in learning about the virtues of local food, how to cook seasonally, promote businesses that are dedicated to local, sustainable farming, and advocacy for food security in local communities. The idea includes a blog, membership program, products, reviews and education. Food is my sweet spot, getting my vision into the world via the internet is not. Chris, I can use your help!

• March 25, 2010

  Yael Grauer

  

  1. I went from writing articles for $15 a pop to writing articles for $150-300 a pop in less than a month after just one phone consultation, advice from one successful expert and a whole lot of elbow grease. If I do one task a day under your expertise (and that of your emperors/co-conspirators), I could take over the world.

  2. I promise to use my powers for good and not for evil.

  3. Today is my birthday. This could be destiny.

• March 25, 2010

  Alex

  

  Chris,

  I’m still stuck in the 9-5 trap. I should get a copy of this guide because your material is like a B12 shot to me and my pursuit of independence and liberty. I know many people here share this.

  I’ve dabbled with websites, domains. I’ve screwed around with business cards trying to find an identity that wasn’t there. So far I haven’t been successful. And I’ll continue to fail until I make something that’s meaningful.

  It takes time to know yourself and those you affect. I’d appreciate the gift, but give it to someone that deserves it.

  Regards,

  Alex

• March 25, 2010

  Arjan Singh

  

  I fall into the “one person who doesn’t have a profitable business but is very serious about building one over the next year” category.

  I want to create an intellectual society housed in a cafe/library. The idea is to re-create the clubs and salons of years ago, where strangers would get together to discuss philosophy, science, politics, and so on. The society would hold a private library that contains only Great Books (of Western and non-Western origin), and a meeting space where coffee/tea/drinks are served and members can get together for debates and discussions.

  Libraries are great, but don’t do enough (and aren’t really social). Education is supposed to happen in schools, but they’re too specialized and test-oriented to actually teach anything. So this club is meant to change that. It will give back to the community through lectures and tutoring. It will be a non-profit run on donations, and earnings from the cafe on the first floor. This will revolutionize learning.

• March 25, 2010

  Cheryl Richards

  

  For more years than I want to admit I’ve worked as a wage slave. Finally a few years ago frustration and restlessness caught up with me. I left a well-paying job, took a cut in pay for a job at a university with tuition benefits and went back to school. I took courses in writing, fine arts, digital design, web design, all the things I love. It is now time to build my own empire. I want to build a web presence and offer a boutique of affordable services that will help small organizations and businesses find their voice on the Internet. I have a couple of web clients maintaining their existing web sites. I feel like my journey has just begun. It’s a crooked road with nooks and crannies, deep forests and long stretches of desert. I will build my empire along the way gathering inspiration and connections from faraway places. Joy and passion will be my constant companions…Oh God! I DO get carried away. (I’ll definitely be adding a royal commode very soon.) So anyway,as any decent empire builder knows they will need a lot of help. It wouldn’t hurt to have a great Empire Building Kit to guide me along the way.

• March 25, 2010

  anwar

  

  I believed in ” steady job steady income” for 32 years until I was retrenched due to a take over of the textile business I was employed at.I had to reskill myself, by traveling from South Africa to New Zealand, in the renewable energy industry.Since my return in 2007 I slowly built a small business which is showing positive signs of growth.
  Your Empire building kit will provide the vehicle to take my business to the next level.I am 62 years young and still have great dreams.

• March 25, 2010

  chontz

  

  i don’t have a business yet, but i’ve recently been a voracious reader of lifestyle media and brainstorm ideas on my lunch hour. my wife and 2 year old are inspiring me to reduce my office hours and elevate my happiness. it is a matter of time before i leave the safety of my “good” job and embark on a new life. funny thing about having a kid and perspective…this i’ll do for my son.

• March 25, 2010

  Deb Mallett

  

  I’ve been working on starting up an online business for over a year now. It’s been very slow because I’m learning from scratch – and the more I learn, the more opportunities I discover and the more I change the direction of my business. But I’m now at the point where I know what I want this business to look like and I’m anxious to make something of it. Nothing earned yet, but it’s time has come. How synchronistic the EBK would be.

• March 25, 2010

  Brian

  

  This is cool, thanks for the opportunity. Basically I have been running a small internet advertising biz for the past few years – different publishers contract with me to sell and manage their advertising in a particular niche. Last October I had to take a full time/9-5 job doing internet marketing for a good size internet retailer because business was slow due to the economy. Now it is picking up again and a few other large publishers want me to run their advertising now that will more than double the income potential that I have…

  This is what I want to do – work for my self so that I have more time for my family and to enjoy life to the fullest. So what I need is a road map on how to build my own little empire, pull all the pieces together and grow to a sustainable level so that I can live with a purpose of my life more than “working.” I would be honored to receive a guide on how to do that from an expert like you.

• March 25, 2010

  Ed

  

  I think it’s wonderful you’re being so generous with this offer. I wanted to tell you a bit about why your judges should pick me.

  I’m 32 and due to recently worsening health problems, I am now completely unemployable in a full time 40+ hours/week career. I don’t have the energy to keep that schedule anymore. My days are built around what little “good” time I have. Good time for me is time when I am not incapacitated by headaches or completely out of energy due to my heart condition. This is why a “lifestyle business” appeals so much.

  I have spent the past year researching options for me to build a business that is profitable, but fits my needs. I bought your Unconventional Guide to Working for Yourself and that gave me hope that even a business that was just what I need was not only possible, but if I had a blueprint to follow, I could take the right actions, be successful, and could soon be self-supporting.

  Thank you, Chris, for this chance and for this blog.

• March 25, 2010

  Lucky

  

  I mostly want to vote for CHRIS MADDERA, because I want to see him pull himself out of his hole and become a success story.

  That said, I’d also like to throw my name into the hat. I am a writer, and want to pursue writing fiction independent of the big publishing houses – and still actually make a living.

  This is so I can get my pilot’s license and live as The Homeless Pilot flying a small plane to small airports and camping under/in my plane. Like a vandweller, but with a plane. Yes, I’m serious. Naturally, I want to write about the experiences and people I meet, and hopefully make the world a better place in my own small way.

• March 25, 2010

  Nathalie

  

  I admire you for your work and for having so many followers that care for your products. I would like to give my vote away to Sherri in this comment section, I like the idea of her providing the kit to her husband, and for believing and supporting his dreams. I think it shows how to be grateful as well as how giving back to someone can be very beautiful. Good luck with your trip in Europe and with the launch of the kit!

• March 25, 2010

  Susan Stein

  

  I not only work as an art teacher, it is what I am in my core. In the process of teaching my 150 children art, I also teach them problem solving, creative thinking, fine motor skills, cooperation and so much more. This is my way of helping repair our world.

  So why would I want a copy of EBK? Because 2010 is the year I will be utilizing the skills I have to expand my possibilities and income while enriching children’s lives. I am developing integrated art programs for summer classes, for children in daycares and after school enrichment programs. I have created open-ended, guided projects that expand children’s minds and entire way of thinking. These are the inventors and innovators of the future, and I want to do all I can to help them believe that anything is possible.

  Thank you for being one of my inspirations.

• March 25, 2010

  Natasha Crozier

  

  My husband and I represent both options so we would make great use of the Empire Building Kit!

  My husband has a great wedding photography business that he has been slowly building over the last three years, while maintaining a day job. He is looking to scale up and be able to go full-time.

  I do not have a profitable business yet but am currently working on research, business planning and preparation to launch a website about identifying and pursuing your calling in life. My product offerings would include seminars, workshops and mentoring.

  Thanks for considering us. Your article in Writer’s Digest about making your passion make money for you was one of the key pieces for me to start pursuing how to make a living using my passion for helping people purposefully follow their callings.

• March 25, 2010

  AdventureRob

  

  I’d love to be in the spot for new business start up, this would be perfect timing for me.

  I’ve just completed 1 year of travel but money has run out and I am heading home, I wrote about this on my blog and the businesses I plan to get going.

  The adventure tour company which will raise money for good causes is what I would focus the empire building kit on as it is the most important and I’ve love to help people out as well as successfully be able to keep myself ticking over!

  Keep up the good work Chris, I enjoy your ebooks and read your blog posts on Google reader.

• March 25, 2010

  Akemi Rico

  

  Hi Chris,
  I’d like to take part in this contest to win the Empire Building Kit!
  I’m someone who doesn’t yet have a profitable business, but will.
  I was given this opportunity after breaking my ankle last month.
  Lying around recovering from surgery for the past few weeks made me realize that now is the time to start something I can do from home now, and later will be able to take on the road.
  My business plan has to do with health and fitness consulting- empowering people to take care of their health now in order to stave off chronic diseases caused by poor eating and lack of exercise.
  I am just now doing the ground research to start this thing, and I think your Empire Building Kit would be just the thing to get it going.
  Thanks for everything,
  Akemi

• March 25, 2010

  Jaclyn Vesci

  

  365 days until the best Tastefully Simple parties on the planet. I own a Tastefully Simple business and sell food online and at parties. FOOD – who doesn’t eat?? The products are wonderful, but I want to have parties that are LIFE CHANGING. I want people to leave the parties and think they just had the time of their lives and ate the most delicious food – all in their own backyard with all their closest friends and family.

• March 25, 2010

  Imraan

  

  Hi Chris,

  I enjoy reading your blog. Great stuff. I enjoy your travel to every country and it has light a fire in me to do the same. I now will have to plan it and see how I am going to do it especaillay financially.

  Last year July I got retrenched after 13 years working for the same company. I am an foreigner in a Singapore and going back to Holland (where I am from) is not an option for me at the moment. I have started a business on Nutritional supplements with my wife who is in Fitness and I enjoy helping her but it is not my true passion. I like to do something on my own where I resolve problems and help others. Maybe some kind of trainig buisness or eventmanagement.

  My plan is to make $1 Mil from zero in the next 12 months or shorter. I need a good mentor and tools to guide me and reading about your plans to give away the Empire Building Kit I thought of writing you. We can even turn this into a TV program and make more money. I hope you will consider me for your EBK.

• March 25, 2010

  Yael Grauer

  

  P.S. Also wanted to say that Marissa Bracke is brilliant and would be a great fit for the program–just look at her amazing blog!! (And she didn’t even pay me to write this!)

• March 26, 2010

  Marisa

  

  Dessert anyone? I would like to be considered for the EBK so I can help my sister. She is an amazing single mom raising two young boys. She is a fantastic pastry chef of artisan desserts who had to settle for a difficult job with a retirement community at a fraction of her previous pay (because it is close to home and no nights as restaurants require, which she used to do). I’ve tried to help her this past year by learning how to build a website to market her large-scale dessert recipes. It isn’t profitable but I still feel there is potential. I work two jobs myself for an after-school program for low-income kids and as a tutor at nights, so the internet business thing is not my background. EBK could be the right approach for me to do one thing a day to help my sister build an empire and brighter future for herself and my terrifc nephews using her amazing cooking, managerial, and problem-solving skills.
  If not selected, please also consider my vote for the Mara entry. Thanks!

• March 26, 2010

  Nadine

  

  PS Our tag line is “You don’t have to live your life the way other people expect you to” c/o your Guide to World Domination. I forgot to mention that not only will it be about culture & arts, it will be primarily about alternative choices to the usual ideals.

• March 26, 2010

  Jeremy

  

  Living in Malaysia I feel that the employment situation here is extremely unbalanced, leaning towards the business and screwing the individual employees. I’ve tried to be different in my offline software consulting and so far it’s been working well for the company and the employees. I want to expand online creating online courses and community sites around the specific software niche that I’m in. As part of this expansion my plant is to convert the structure to a pure democracy, where all employee’s are shareholders, everyone’s pay is voted on and all operations of the company are completely transparent. While this sort of thing has been done in a few companies in the US, it is unheard of hear in Malaysia and I want to bring this idea to Malaysia improving the lives of my direct employee’s, exposing people here to the idea, and hopefully sparking an employment revolution to combat the current oppressive state of employment in Malaysia.

• March 26, 2010

  Supporting Rachel

  

  I’d like to support Rachel (entry #2). I’m a freelance translator and it’s my dream job! Of course, there’s a lot of stress involved with strange working times and finding and keeping clients, but it is so worth it. Languages are so much fun, you learn something new every day. But the finding and keeping clients is where your book will come in, Chris. So please send her a copy to make her start a little easier. Go, Rachel!

• March 26, 2010

  Peter

  

  I don’t yet have a business but my main goal for this year is to start one. I’m not sure, but I believe there’s a little more paperwork to get started here in Belgium. I have however just finished a short course on all this kind of stuff, so I’m ready.

  The goal of my business will be to create websites that help people. I have many ideas for products that I’d like to develop, but I’m taking it one at a time. Currently I’ve started a project to make all administrative tasks for small business owners a lot easier. It’s focused on Belgians and will have stuff like invoicing and automatic tax information (stuff you’d usually have to pay an account for, but too expensive for people wanting to start on $100)

  As this is a hobby/moonlighting project, it’s taking time. My most important problem is the lack of focus, I tend to be all over the place (just check my blog ). I think your EBK will help tremendously in this regard.

• March 26, 2010

  Roderick

  

  Funny how many more responses you get when you give something away. (And credit where it’s due for giving two copies away.)
  Anyway, I’m not competing, since I doubt I’ll have the time the coming year to do this (also lacking ideas still). Just wanted to say I enjoy reading your blog, although I’m now thinking it might have been better to say that on a different post.

• March 26, 2010

  Suzi

  

  Hi Chris,
  The timing of this is perfect for me.
  I have just started a website called packabook.com which is all about encouraging people to read books set in the places they are travelling to. Whenever I travel I seek novels set in those places, but it often takes hours of searching on the net to find the titles. Packabook changes all that.
  It all comes from my belief that travel to a place is enhanced by understanding the stories and people behind that place. Novels and memoires etc help us do that. And in the end, the more we understand other people and cultures, the better the world we live in.
  The site is in its very early stages, and I have big plans. I want it to become the place where travel and a love of reading converge, and a place for a like-minded community to meet. One day there will be a ‘Packabook’ community travelling around the world, who use the site as a resource to find English-language bookshops, great cafes to sit and read, literary places to visit etc.
  Suzi

• March 26, 2010

  Rhii

  

  Hi,

  Strangely timed this opportunity – I just had my not-even-quarter-life crisis (I’m a few months off 21), lost my job and then decided that I can make this work for me. I’ve decided to take some time to actually follow my dreams (and there are lots, I don’t have a one and only business idea) and to try and make a life for myself that’s better than joining the robots in cubicle nation.

  I know I’m not the only person who deserves this, but it would let me learn a WHOLE lot of things the easy way and I figure the timing – literally the day I decided within myself that it’s empire building time- is too fortuitous to pass up.

  Fingers crossed & thank you.

• March 26, 2010

  Rachel Anderson

  

  This is quite some army that’s building, it’s inspiring. I’m slowly building myself a truly integrated life, where work doesn’t feel like work, it’s just what I do and happens to bring in income. I can share the ups and downs of it with my three gorgeous daughters (11,8 and 4) and my fabulously supportive husband. I left the steady job that kept me small but well paid for 18 years not quite 2 years ago and I set up my business, Tea & Empathy. We found ways to maintain the most important aspects of our lifestyle with the drop in income. There have been times (some quite recently) when I’ve been tempted to sell out, but I’m slowly learning how to keep the integrity of what helps me flourish and be happy (and if I’m happy, my kids grow and flourish too). I know I can grow the business and keep that integrity – and the fun, I’m just learning how. I’ll get there with or without the kit, but I hope it would save me a lot of precious time; time I’d rather spend enjoying life to the full!

• March 26, 2010

  Samudra

  

  25 year old from Pune, India. Quit my job last august. Since then, been trying to set up an e-commerce venture to sell unique traditional items, globally. But man, has it been tough! (I know I know… i still have 73 days more to go to achieve world domination… but sometimes it just couldnt arrive soon enough! Its damn difficult to explain how beneficial bringing the world to their doorstep could be! And plus, I may not be the best salesman in the world.)
  The way I had planned it was that once the biz was stable, I would have to work maybe 10 hours a week, and at the same time provide a market for small businesses which I feel could do well globally, but did not have the expertise to build an online presence (this is a pet project of mine. Also, the answer to the 2nd question u ask. For now.).

  What would I do with the rest of my time? Travel, study, set up more ventures helping bring the global market to the villages and small towns of India. I could sure use the kit!

• March 26, 2010

  Robbie Mackay

  

  Wow… really cool reading through all the comments on this post.
  We’re all up to some awesome stuff.
  Keep on rockin’ everyone!

• March 26, 2010

  Jenny Hammerton

  

  Hi Chris

  Silver Screen Suppers is a nascent business based on my love of the golden era of Hollywood, the stars and their favourite recipes. I am writing a cookbook but am keen to expand this idea to offer personal appearances, tailor made dinner parties with a Hollywood theme and other products relating to stars and their culinary delights. I would LOVE to be the winner of this awesome prize – but I love the idea of Packabook too!

  Jenny x

• March 26, 2010

  Tony Ruiz

  

  Should it be you?

  I definitely believe it should be me. I’m about the graduate this spring (May 2010, right around the corner) and I have two options, get a “corporate job” or challenge the status quo through my own business ventures. I choose to challenge the status quo and start the most ambitious journey of my life. I’m determined to live life purely on my own terms. I’ll make it happen and your guide will definitely be a great tool to get me there. In return I’m open to be a case study on how a fresh out of college graduate used EBK to break the 9-to-5

  Thanks for the opportunity Chris

• March 26, 2010

  Sue

  

  Hi Chris, I’d like to be considered for the EBK prize (along with all these other fascinating people!). I’m 49, just starting out as a freelance florist, having been addicted to flowers and the art of making them into decoration for years and years. I have another year in which to prove to myself that I really can make this into a business, to give myself the personal and creative freedom I want, as well as bringing colour, joy and floral art forms to the world (starting in North London). The EBK will be an essential part of my toolkit, as I’m still on a learning curve with all the business side of things and need all the help and advice I can get. Still following your blog with interest, I remain a huge AONC fan, so thanks for your writing.
  Sue
  x

• March 26, 2010

  tiny

  

  hey chris, this is a first for me. i read your blog almost from the beginning..
  i work as a surgeon and healer. after residency, which will be in summer this year i’ll work in private practice. besides i started a blog meant for people who prefer another wolrdview on medicine. i think there has to change a lot. what i want: help people to understand why they got sick (often lifestyle related) and help them to find a way through.

  thanks chris have a good trip

• March 26, 2010

  STEVE

  

  I’d love to get your book because it’s just what I need to get my biz off on the right footing.I am an graphite artist and this sounds like it would save me years off my learning curve to reach my goal of supporting my family and being successfull!My goal is to be as good at marketing and biz as I am at my art.To be successfull you have to master the biz side ,marketing as well.You can be great at what you do but if no one know’s about it. you won’t be successfull enough to make a living off your art!
  Your blog and your unique point of ciew on thing’s amazes me with your creativity and resourcefullness,Keep up the outstanding work!I really enjoy your blog!
  SINCERELY,
  STEVE

• March 26, 2010

  Kirsten

  

  I am an artist/waitress. I graduated from university 2 years ago and “took a break” from art to refresh myself after completing my thesis and haven’t really been able to get back into it. I’m working on a website and have been considering a blog but my motivation is down. I need to work as a waitress which means long hours and late nights and I’m always tired. This is part of my motivation problem. I attended several art shows over the summer and my reception was great but my sales low. I took 4 months off in the fall to try and focus but my lack of income meant that I needed to go back to serving (which I am pretty over). I have a huge student loan and would love to just walk away and travel the world but I feel fairly trapped here by my debt and lack of purpose.

  I think your book would be the perfect inspiration and daily motivation I need to not feel so overwhelmed every time I try to be an artist. I just want to be free.

• March 26, 2010

  Kirsten

  

  oh wait!

  I forgot to mention that although I would use EBK to help me launch a successful and sustainable artist venture, I would also be using it to help me with a long time food project that I have been working on but have yet to launch. It is called Tricky Tummies and it is a site devoted to people with food intolerances and food allergies. There are too many sites out there with conflicting information and it would be nice to have everything in one place. But my question is always the same: “Where do I start?” Please tell me where to start, Chris.

• March 26, 2010

  Felix

  

  I started my BIZ exactly one year from now on 26th March 2009, no joke I have evidence It was profitable ever since. Nowadays I am making a comfortable living out of it. It is the Premium WordPress Theme Label RichWP.com – I love my business.

• March 26, 2010

  Tony Sturtevant

  

  ? came across your blog through a friend and the synergy of finding your resources and my readiness to use them prompted me to dust off some old dreams of mine and get serious about living. ? want to be making my living from my art work and have employed most of the strategies you recommend in your Art and Money package. ? believe ? can make use of your Empire Building Kit to help me improve my efforts even more to realize my dream. ? have greatly appreciated learning from your process which you so generously share. This contest is a fine example of a strategy ? can use in my own endeavor. ? wish you all the best.

• March 26, 2010

  Jennifer Moore

  

  Hi! I already threw my hat in for a copy, but now, I want to throw my support behind someone else, too:

  Kirsten.

  I know what it feels like to feel trapped and not to be able to pursue your art and get your feet under you and get into business. I’m just starting out (staretd out in 08, actually) at the age of nearly 40 to bring my sideline up enough to escape MY miserable day job. I have been trapped since my mid-20s (not just by the awful job.)

  Kirsten has a lot of years ahead of her, so I think she deserves extra consideration!

• March 26, 2010

  kanika

  

  I just went through a lot of comments. Why are you going to choose me? Because I’m at the bottom.

  I am photographer/filmmaker. I just got a full time job but who wants that. I recently became involved with a group of three other individuals. We all have different talents. One is a writer/artist, another is a musician, and the last is a business man. The last few months we have been networking and getting directly involved with other men who have built successfull businesses. Right now, we offer our services as a group and try to help each other find freelance work. Basically its a support group but we are working to make it a business.

  The only thing that is stopping us is the money situation. We have none. That’s why I think your philosophy and book could really help us. It would be a great concept to present to the group.

• March 26, 2010

  Adele Hammond

  

  I started a fledgling business about 9 months ago called Latin Threads Trading Company (not profitable yet) in response to the hardships I have witnessed living in a small pueblo in Mexico for 5 years.

  My company sells fairly traded handcrafted women’s clothing and accessories that speak to both the beauty and tradition of the indigenous artisans who create it. I work directly with the women (and some men) of Oaxaca and Chiapas with goal of contributing to improving their lives by offering regular employment at fair wages, working within communities to enhance their lives, not change them.

  To date, I employ approximately 16 people regularly. Business is going extraordinarily well but I am nervous because things are growing quickly and I am inexperienced on the business side. I am learning how to create a solid backbone for a business as fast as I can but the benefit to having your kit would be tremendous! To learn more, please visit my site.

• March 26, 2010

  Angela

  

  I’m a writer/photographer/painter/filmmaker, which I shorten to artist in short conversations. My dayjob is working at a bank in the legal department. It’s about as soul crushing as you think it is. I have a family and care for my grown sister as well as my two small girls.

  I work every day at my art, but for whatever reason haven’t reached the tipping point in being able to support myself off my art. I know I’m missing something. I know that I am blocked.

  I’m done being blocked.

  Years ago, I worked for myself and was so damn happy. The dot com bust put me back into corporate work.

  Either way, I’m buying a copy of EBK as soon as I can afford it. If I win a copy, it’s that much sooner that I’m back on track and escaping from my dayjob. Whoever you do end up choosing (you and the biased judges), I know they’re going to get a huge boost out of your material. I know I do.

• March 26, 2010

  Regina Davan

  

  I have a profitable business that is growing but at this point, it is only me doing the work. I hand make custom kilts for clients – one at a time. Each person and each order get my attention and I strive to make them each happy.

  I am needing to scale this business up to a larger operation (not much larger since I don’t want to lose what makes it special) but some other help for the non-hands on things.

  I have been following you since Seth Godin linked to your work and I appreciate it.

  Thanks!
  -Regina

• March 26, 2010

  Ben King

  

  My partner Jimmy and I are creating a fitness and health space in the Washington D.C. area for the baby boomers generation. Both of us have been in the Fitness industry for 5 years. We have seen how the current industry continues to exploit youth,fear and vanity in its marketing; still the ubiquitous messages are about bathing suit season, New Years Resolutions, and short term bouts to ready for class reunions. Youthful physiques paper the print media and fill the latest greatest equipment infomercials. Overlooked is the critical conceit that exercise is a process that can improve quality of life and help manage aging.

  OnlyIFITseasy is an alternative to the long championed “No Pain No Gain” approve to health and fitness.

  Our space will encourage process, community, and the belief that building a determination and commitment to exercise, activity, and a healthful understanding of diet will improve one’s life no matter their age.

  Chris, Thank you for creating this space.

• March 26, 2010

  Ted Schredd

  

  Chris,

  I love your work. Here is a quick background on some of my adventures – I have been a Frisbee instructor, a skiing videographer, television host and a radio traffic reporter that rode a bicycle while broadcasting in Vancouver. I have authored two books (“Grandma Knows the F Word” and “The Cycling Adventures of Coconut Head”), been a corporate speaker and have acted in TV commercials. I have been a travel and restaurant photographer as well (schredd.com).

  All those jobs were stressful and consumed my travel time. Now I have built Discoverfun.com and I have managed to stop working on anything but the website. My challenge is I need to increase the financial output of the site so that I can pursue my new job. My new career is to be on vacation for 50 weeks of the year and then when I need a break I will work for two.

  In return for awarding me the kit I will be happy to provide photos & written content of how much this Empire Building Kit can help people build their own empire.

• March 26, 2010

  Kari

  

  To all the amazing creative people looking for help in freelance writing careers, please please PLEASE read Jenna Glatzer’s fantastic book “Making A Real Living As A Freelancer”. It helped me so much in getting a good picture of what freelance requires and how to be successful at it.

  Cheers to you all, at this point I feel like even if I don’t get the Empire Building Kit I’ve gained something even more valuable…. I feel a sense of community with all you amazing people and your amazing projects. Health and wealth to us all!

• March 26, 2010

  Pam Paulien

  

  I would like to win a copy of your Empire Builder Kit. I have just started a travel company called Spirit in Motion. It is the first step of a change I am making to create spiritual journeys. I want to do what I love and I have just began to do it. I know I will be able to do this and enjoy life at the same time. Life-style business or Micro Businesses are exactly what I am aiming toward. I am still working at a corporate job but as I create this company I will also be able to do much more of what fuels my heart.

  I love your materials they never fail to inspire and encourage me to keep going!

  Thanks for the opportunity.

• March 26, 2010

  angelina

  

  My dream is to have my own business and escape retail hell. I married at a young age and moved to a third world country for the duration of my 12 year marriage. Although I did not have a happy marriage and lived in poverty for many years I have 3 beautiful kids because of it and gained lots of life experience “roughing it”. I try to see the positive in everything and make the best of whatever life brings. I got 2 degrees (business & design) after returning to the US and am a “successful” retail manager. I’m tired of working for other people and not having the opportunity to use my talents nor express my creativity. I’m passionate about Feng Shui and about preserving natural resources. I would like to incorporate these ideas into a consulting and home design business for clients who desire personal success and who want to make the most of their living space (or sell it) while respecting the earth. All I need now is your book to give me that final push and this time I’ll go for it!

• March 26, 2010

  Jamie

  

  this is very exciting for me! i’m currently trying to start up a virtual interior design business. i’ve committed to danielle laporte that it will be launched by may 1st…so i’m fully entrenched in making this dream come to life.

  i’m an interior designer, mostly very high end residential work. i’m completely burnt out & i don’t feel like i’m making the world a better place. i’ve thought long & hard about how to use interior design in a fulfilling way. my virtual interior design business is intended to reach people that, for whatever reason, don’t have access to an interior designer. i intend on designing their spaces for living, for improving their day to day lives. i believe that a persons environment has an immediate & lasting effect on how they treat & react to the rest of the world. i want to improve their lives:) i’m also currently negative in the income department for this venture…crossing my fingers that changes soon.

  thanks for the opportunity! you’re a daily inspiration

• March 26, 2010

  Ezgi

  

  Hi there!

  First of all, thanks for this.

  I believe I’m the right person to receive the kit because I am stuck in a job I can’t get out of just because I don’t know how to proceed with my dreams. I will follow your kit by heart to do so.

  I am a 24-year old girl from Istanbul, Turkey. I read one of your articles in early 2009 and I’m a fan ever since. I even quit my job back then to start my journey but lack of guidance wore me down and I found myself in yet another endless job.

  I am an optimistic person. I believe in hard work – especially when it’s for something you believe in and that there is a better way than accepting what others impose on you. If you choose to give your kit to me; I will make sure others see this too. I promise to blog as I go along your kit and tell others how it helps. I’m sure with your help I will have a great business next year.

  So I believe “it” should be me. I hope you agree.

• March 26, 2010

  Vanessa B.

  

  I’ve had the idea of starting a photography business percolating in my head for about 9 years. Between moving to a big city and working a job that completely burned me out, I had no energy or time for a new venture. Well I’ve had a different job for the past year, no longer feel stressed out all the time and I’m still thinking about starting a business. My business must be mobile as I’ll be moving in 6 months and moving again 6 to 12 months after that (could be in the US or Europe, really have no idea at this point). I’ve started on other goals (Broad Street Run here I come!) but on this I just can’t seem to get started. It’s a combination of fear of failure, a sense of panic when I think about legal issues and income, and a lack of direction and accountability. I can do one thing every day… if I just knew what that thing was. I just need a little nudge in the right direction and a road map to help me get where I want to be. Will you help me with that road map? I’ll do the rest.

• March 26, 2010

  Greg P.

  

  Hey Chris,
  Cool contest. Wanted to throw my name in the ring. I’m working on developing CitizeNYC, which is a site for local community news in NYC that otherwise might not get surfaced through regular media channels. We focus on stories that affect peoples’ lives and are working hard to get traction in the NYC media scene and discover ways to improve the neighborhoods in our city. We could sure use some tips on building an empire.

  –Greg

• March 26, 2010

  michael

  

  I’ve been an independent translator for about 10 years now. I’ve established myself at the top echelon of the industry and have duly served my 10,000 hours. Thanks to technology, I have also achieved complete mobility. Unfortunately, my income has plateaued. There’s only so many keystrokes I can perform in a day. My current model is not scalable. I am searching for a more effective way to monetize my expertise and experience.

  The EBK would be a great tool in pursuit of this goal. Thanks

• March 26, 2010

  Lisa Newton

  

  A little over a year ago, I launched what started as a blog, but is slowly growing into my Empire. When I moved to Los Angeles, people asked me, “Why?” So, over the last year, I’ve been showing them in every article I write, doing something every day. I love sharing the places I go, the photos I take, and my love of a city I call home.

  Your travels take you all over the world, while my travels are based in Southern CA. It’s a much smaller area, but is packed full of things to see and places to go.

  In the way of helping to build my empire and further share my city, I recently wrote an e-book walking tour. It’s the first of many I have planned.The e-book is slightly different than other e-books in that it’s designed to be a flip-book.Each “page” of the book is divided into 4 sections, which are meant to be cut and stapled together, thus forming a pocket size book.

  My empire is starting small, but as you can see, has big plans, and EBK would definitely be a guide in the future steps.

• March 26, 2010

  Kristin Brown

  

  I’m already working in the healthcare field, and while I enjoy helping people through my company, I feel it can be a bit superficial. I’d like to start my own health coaching business so I can really get into people’s lives and help them make lasting, positive changes. And right now, I just have that feeling that this is my year to do it. I can’t explain it more than that. Your EBK would be a big help for me in making this transition.

  Thanks for the opportunity, Chris!

  Kristin

• March 26, 2010

  Anda

  

  Hi, Chris! What a great giveaway. I left my job at a big law firm to figure out a new plan. I have been working for about 8 months writing and self-publishing brewery and winery legal primers. I do not have any marketing background, and sales have been slow going, but I am finally making a profit. I have been playing with different marketing approaches, and have developed some that seem to work well. Your kit sounds like it could help me take sales and marketing to the next level. My husband and I are also working with a friend to open a small package organic brewery. I think the kit would also help us tremendously with this as well. Learning from what others have done has helped me grow the legal primer business, and I can take those lessons and now apply them to the brewery as well. Even if I am not the winner, thank you for taking the time and doing the work to put such a kit together!

• March 26, 2010

  Daniel Sroka

  

  Nine years ago, I left a solid but lifeless career to craft both a business and a lifestyle that were centered on my own creativity. I had been working in Silicon Valley during the boom. But while it was fun, I grew tired of using my talents to help others achieve their crazy dreams, while my own got pushed aside. So I took the leap to focus on my dream of becoming a professional artist. I combined my passion for fine art photography with my experience in marketing and web design, and was able to create a business that has thrived for over 7 years. But as successful as I’ve been, my business only brings in half of what a “normal” job would. And since my wife lost her job, there’s been more pressure to bring in more income for my family.

  Therefore I have dedicated myself this year to try to make a living as an artist that is financially equal to what I could make in a normal job. So now it’s my turn to ask for help, to see if you can help me achieve this crazy dream of mine.

• March 26, 2010

  Jared S

  

  I’ve got 2 reasons:

  1: I’ve got the idea and the drive to do it.

  2: I’ll send you a weekly analysis of your formula in action.

• March 26, 2010

  Duncan Hurd

  

  Hi Chris. I’m 53, with a wife, a son, two dogs, and a mortgage. Yet we are at an inflection point.

  For the past few years I have been involved in many writing projects. These have been communications pieces for non-profits and small businesses, and for a graduate class I teach. My objective is to use these as a platform to launch a lifestyle business that serves the communication needs of similar clients, and to move the entire operation home – in my case to the Virgin Islands where I grew up.

  I also plan to write about the experience as it unfolds. I hope to show how someone in the later stages of their career lifecycle can reclaim their life, their family, their sense of community, and their sanity. Think of it as the true meaning of “rightsizing.”

  So, I ask you, with all the many worthwhile proposals that have landed in your site, why not mine? Why not take a counter-intuitive approach? Why not help someone who doesn’t fit the mold. Truly, if I can do it anyone can.

• March 26, 2010

  Rochelle Schieck

  

  Pyvit! Which I believe is Hello in Ukranian.

  Kudos on attracting all these alluring responses and creating a product that serves such a vast community that is hungry for direction in how to point their compass to their own true north with artistic integrity and waves of cash flow to dive into to!

  I am writing you from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on an adventure of my own. I started the day with some Acai, jumping waves at Ipanema beach, a refreshing coconut and then a couple of hours in an air conditioned room while the hot steamy sun streams in the window.

  I am on the precipice of something really big. Your guide would be a gift I would cherish with gratitude and would ripple out into the world 100 million fold. Promise.

• March 26, 2010

  Jeff Berkowitz

  

  My wife and I recently started a recipe/food philosophy blog. It’s only been 6 weeks, so we are building content and a community of loyal readers. We plan to expand it to in-person cooking lessons, menu planning, food styling and photography. We have always been home based people; home-birth, homeschooling, etc. We believe in building community and having life revolve around the natural order of things. We have often discussed how the way we make our livelihood does not match our philosophy of life, of living in harmony with nature and our fellow humans. We are working toward that end with this blog and the other avenues we foresee. The Empire Building Kit isn’t to help us build an empire in the materialistic sense of the word but to build our little empire of harmony and ease of life.

• March 26, 2010

  Carly Lejnieks

  

  I’ve been a marketing consultant for over 13 years (with a three stint in a corporate gig; the best thing for me was learning that I left three years later than I should have). My business is thriving; I’m getting more challenging work than ever. You’d think that reaching a milestone like this would have me jazzed and asking for more. No thanks; looks like my fork in the road is more like a parallel track.

  I have four children, one on the autism spectrum. The joy of raising him and navigating life in this unpredictable way has changed me; not just a little but profoundly and at the level of my soul. I have a sketch of a business plan and some writing in the works; not enough to propel my ambition to help and inspire families who are experiencing autism in their lives.

  I have to reinvent myself on fumes of energy; I need inspiration and the contagious impact of Empire Building to take this on—like oxygen being pumped into my lungs. If I can do it, anyone can; but not alone.

• March 26, 2010

  Lydia

  

  Six months ago my husband got this offer to run a restaurant in Italy. His home country. It fell through the last minute. I had resigned from my office job and could have gone back but thought was the right time to leave as realised that the office environment was draining. This month marked the end of Month one as a Self employed. Yay. But it’s ad hoc and all still very hand to mouth.[Ebay-ing my clothes and coverting some gold(not wedding ring haha)to keep us afloat. Sacrifice.]

  I love writing, just completed a creative writing course and would like to publish a children’s book at the end of this year. My husband would really like to run his own restaurant(not this year). He is tired of not being in charge of the menu(@chef’swife) did you know you can only do this successfully if you own the place? Anyhoo, this kit would really help us focus make our dreams come true.

• March 26, 2010

  Ady Rugina

  

  At this moment I am one of the corporate guys (with more than 7 years history…). And I intend to become one ex-corporate guy, to do things on my own and I do not have the courage. Yet.

  So I am looking for inspiration. And the first inspiration that I had: I will build a site / blog (excorporate.net) where I can collect information / strategies about becoming an ex-corporate guy.
  So, your Empire Building Kit kinda responded some of my answer.

  Even if I will not get it for free I am pretty sure I will buy one (I know that by saying this I might reduce my chances to win a free one (o: ). because I consider it a sign for me to get on with my idea.

  Thank you for being and sharing your experiences with me.
  Ady

• March 26, 2010

  Maggie

  

  I am a 45 year old woman who has put her life on hold for 23 years while I have filled the role of mother and homeschool teacher to my husband and 4 kids. I put my heart’s desire on the backburner of my life until now…. I am seriously pursuing a career as a fine artist, art instructor and photographer. The first big step I’ve taken is to sign a contract on my very first studio space outside of my home. It is something I’ve wanted for years. I also have a core group of friends with whom I meet regularly to discuss and implement a pursuit of the creative life. If this opportunity to win a kit had arisen last year at this time, I would’ve said that in no way was I ready, but now I feel like a racehorse chomping at the bit with only the opening of the starting gate holding me back. I’d love to have your kit and I promise to put it to good use.

  Maggie

• March 26, 2010

  Laura

  

  Last July, Russ and I left behind the trappings of our “normal” life and hit the road on our bicycles. Our goal was (and is) not only to travel the US (and beyond), but to meet people along the way, connect with other “non-status-quo” folks, tell stories of living outside the lines, inspire others to travel by bicycle, and find a way to make a living at it so that we can just keep going. It’s called The Path Less Pedaled. 5000 miles and 8 months later, we’re having the time of our lives (literally living our wildest dreams on a day-to-day basis), and we’ve amassed thousands of followers and blog readers. Yet, we’re still struggling to make it pay. We both believe that there’s a business model in this trip (as well as our legacy project), we just haven’t yet hit on the details. The Empire Building Kit sounds like it could help take us to that next level. Thanks for the opportunity!

• March 26, 2010

  Patricia Pentecost

  

  Hmm…well, you already know me…and that I have my own (profitable) business. The key for me lies in making it profitable enough to sustain the bills and finally cut the chains to corporate life. Like Tsilli Pines, I’m on the (currently) four-year plan to freedom. I’m hoping it doesn’t take me eight for the full escape route.

• March 26, 2010

  Jonathan Butterworth

  

  About 6 months ago I finally made a giant leap to fulfilling my dream of working for myself fulltime. I quit my job and started working full time at home. While I am not completely satisfied with my income, it has been working out great. I currently run a hand-full of online businesses. A web hosting company called Four Eyed Monkey, a design firm called The Design Shaman, and a few affiliate websites. I am also starting a social website for Real Estate Agents that allows them to create and send out flyers for there home listings. I hope to launch this by the end of April.

• March 26, 2010

  Daron Richardson

  

  Peace Chris,

  Imagination is the universal energy that is as elusive and powerful as dark matter. No one does anything big without imagination guiding the way. I’m one of those people who his constantly bubbling with ideas—some inventive, some tired, some in-between.

  I don’t currently own a business, but I do own something with more power and potential impact—ideas. Ideas about poetry, about painting, about movements and connections, about instigating, about keep things exciting. I don’t know a lot of business mumbo jumbo, nor do I need to: I have ideas and passion and dedication. I also have something I like to call personal trajectory—this is the knowledge that anyone has of their direction, like an arrow on its course.

  My purpose is to share good ideas, good art (whatever that means), and connect. This is why I’d love to receive the gift of the EBK. What’s an empire if it’s not founded on ideas with the magnitude to support it? Invest in me.

  Thanks for your work.

  Daron.

• March 26, 2010

  Jay Brock

  

  Hi Chris!

  I’ve been reading you blog for about a year and it was one of the few that inspired me to really start traveling. Right now I’m writing to you from Panama City.

  Currently, my wife and I are living in Costa Rica while I create content for an online business that I hope to launch in the fall. I know I can use all the help I can get, and I love your stuff.

  Help a brother out?!

  Jay

• March 26, 2010

  Sam Ahern

  

  I’ve been living in Costa Rica for 6 months. Part of that time has been spent planning the baking business I will start once I move back to Colorado at the end of April. It’ll cater to people who do not eat gluten, refined sugar, or animal products and will include some raw treats. I’m still in the recipe testing stage, but already have people who want me to cater for them. I plan to do it on my own time (out of my home) along side having a job until I can open a shop, teach other people to run it, and then take a purely creative role so that I can live more location independent. I’m working on my website and hope to do at least one e-book or recipes at some point.

  I should be one of the two you choose as I’ve got plenty of passion and dedication to follow through. I’m in need of some practical guidance and if you’re product can really do that within a year, no matter the business, I’m willing to do what’s required to be living proof that your system works.

• March 26, 2010

  Carol Hagen

  

  As a late blooming photographer and empty nester I’ve created a professional photo-booth concept called “Speedshoot” where the client has 3 minutes to pose for me along with any friends/family/pets he can arrange. A cd is mailed to them and the results have been great. I enjoy your blog very much and look to it for inspiration. I think this part of my photo business along with the more routine portraiture will be super charged by your EBK. Thanks to you!

• March 26, 2010

  Lisa

  

  Chris…

  Are you overwhelmed yet by all of the brilliance that has shown up here on your blog in the past 24 hours? I’ve just spent the last hour+ speed-reading all 354 comments and the community of folks you have gathered here are truly outstanding. Thanks to all of you who have taken the time (and have shown courage and confidence) to put yourself, your ideas and your creations out into the world via Chris’ blog. Most excellent!

  I was going to jump into the “pick me” pond, but after reading all of these stories, I realize I would prefer to have two other people receive a complimentary copy. Who would I pick? I have no idea, but I especially enjoyed reading Ted’s Schredd’s post as his book titles nearly made me pee my pants from laughing.

  I continue to admire your writing and the work you do and I am more than happy to support you and purchase my copy of the EBK. I’m looking forward to April 12th.

  Cheers!
  Lisa

• March 26, 2010

  Amy

  

  I’m tickled with glee that it’s called the Empire Building Kit. For several months now, I’ve been giggling to myself at my dream of building a Shiny Empire — and this was loooooong before I’d found you. The phrase just came into my mind last year as I thought of expanding using the “shiny” meme.

  The Shiny Empire (blogs/websites bearing the Shiny moniker) is still a vague dream, but one part of that is a focused goal: making my food and gardening blog, Shiny Cooking, a life-sustaining pursuit.

  At the beginning of the year I sat down and wrote out every crazy goal I had involving Shiny Cooking. Then I chose the ones I loved the most and that were even vaguely attainable, and set up the action steps that would bring those goals to fruition. The goals and methods are now laid out in large print over two pages and posted next to my computer where I see them 24/7 — and I’m shocked that, bit by bit, they’re getting done!

  I’d be thrilled and humbled to receive the Empire Building Kit!

• March 26, 2010

  Kat Brimacombe

  

  Yes, I think it should be me! I don’t have a business yet, but am serious about creating one in the next year that combines my passion for travelling, bridging cultural differences and creating more love, compassion and understanding in the world. I plan to create a fair trade tour company (and I hope the company will be fair trade certified) in Thailand that focuses on local, community-based travel. This company will offer visitors the opportunity to learn about different cultures first-hand and to explore cultural similarities while experiencing the lives of people in local communities. The tours will be developed and operated in partnership with the local communities. My company will alleviate poverty by ensuring economic partners are compensated fairly. It will also protect human rights, and support the conservation of local culture and the environment. I would be honoured to receive the EBK!

• March 26, 2010

  Royd Compton

  

  Hi Chris,

  Its not so much the idea of owning or running my own business that gets my blood pumping, its more the idea that I can help others find more happiness and improved health in their lives.

  At present I instruct Taoist Tai Chi voluntarily and do not earn from this. I do it because I love to see my class members health & flexibility improve and to see and feel the joy they get from attending the classes and learning a really health improving form of exercise.
  Although I cannot earn money from my instructing, (Taoist Tai Chi Society is a not for profit organistion run by volunteers), I have an idea, based around EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) that will allow me to make money while helping others achieve more peace, happiness and improved health. This comes back to my original goal of helping others improve their lives and health while also allowing me to make a comfortable living.
  The Empire Building Kit can help me realise this ideal.

• March 26, 2010

  Matthew

  

  Well, like a few people I would say don’t pick me. I will make the investment when EBK is available. I have just been so inspired by the blogs and the site. It is quite extraordinary what people are planning to do. My partner and I have already made the decision to take a long sabbatical on 10 August for 8 months in Asia. I will be writing a book, that will become a manual, on what the future holds for Australia (my home country) and what needs to be done to ensure that it develops into a sustainable society with extraordinary values! I have decided to focus on one country – Chris can have the rest of the world! Good luck to everyone who has responded.

• March 26, 2010

  Tyler Priest

  

  Hi I am a 20y ear old student at university in NZ, I have wanted to be own businesses for as long as I can remember when I was 10 I made my mum buy me a briefcase because thats what I always thought a business owner needed ( my view of a business men has changed now though because of blogs like this ) I came to uni because I wanted to get a degree to show that I could get a degree a stupid reason now that I think of it because I dont know who i would be showing that degree to impress as I dont want to work for someone else. What I know is that this product would be amazing for me, I know starting your own business needs self motivation and I read countless books on business and motivation but then always loose my momentum a couple weeks afterwards. I believe that this product will be the catalyst that gets me to keep on wokring on the website I just started just a few days ago and turn it into a profitable venture. My amazing dream is to travel while making money

• March 26, 2010

  Micki McNie

  

  And the winner is: Shenaniganz Inc is the love child of myself and my BFF Leeann. The concept was born from a few too many cups of chai, the intense need to be real and the desperation of wanting to do something more. It encompasses these simple values: do what you love and be true to yourself while making a positive difference in the world. SI is a PR hub for those gifted with art and compassion..in other words, our focus includes (but is not limited to) helping artists and not-for-profits. Like the sandman or fairy godmothers, and we mean that in the queerest way possible, we want to help artists realize their dreams. Shenaniganz is limitless. We want to do everything, and we believe we can, and we will stick to our goal of helping as many people as possible. If you gather anything about Shenaniganz Inc, let it be this: it’s about passion. It’s about doing what we were meant to do – helping people follow their hearts. We’re not a company, we’re a carnivale of fun.

• March 26, 2010

  Nicole

  

  Creativity + collaboration + community -> These 3 values are the core of my fledgling business, Innovation Camp, a creativity and innovation workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs. It empowers individuals to take that first step for realizing their dreams, through radical collaboration, being creative and just trying things out (i.e. not being afraid of failure).

  The workshop has a community challenge component so that participants can execute ideas in the real world, learn from experience and build community. And it’s FUN!

  The business is only me and is not profitable at the moment. My husband has promised to support me financially for one more year only so I am highly motivated to become profitable in exactly one year. I’d like to grow it into a corporate innovation training business and use the corporate workshops to raise funds for non-profits.

  I’d also like to vote for Sherri and her husband!

• March 26, 2010

  Meghan

  

  Hi Chris and the Art of Nonconformity Readers,

  After ten months of doing one thing each day (babystep as I call them), I have finally launched my business today (if you’re interested, click on the link). When I dreamed about this day months ago, I pictured myself celebrating with a glass of champagne or maybe celebrating going out for a lavish dinner. But instead, I’m putting in a few hours right now, partially because it is a habit and partially because it is how I have come this far.

  I believe the only way to accomplish great things is to do one a day – that is why I am excited about the Empire Building Kit. I’ve challenged myself to take on a number of goals that once seemed impossible, running a marathon, getting a full scholarship to study abroad, and now starting a business. Sometimes all it takes is a Daily Ass-Kicking, as Chris would say!

• March 26, 2010

  Peter Shallard

  

  Hi Chris,

  360 comments and counting – wow!

  Here’s my entry (as concise as possible):

  I’ve got an offline business (as a Shrink for Entrepreneurs) that’s successful, but not scalable. It eats up time, is exceptionally rewarding and affords me a pretty cool lifestyle most of the time.

  I want to build an empire and I want to do it online. I’ve figured out this is the only way to get my work “out there” and having a significant impact.

  I believe I’ve got what it takes to give you the most kick-ass testimonial you’ve ever received, with some tangible evidence to back it up.

  Award this to me and I’ll perceive it as less of a “you gifting something to me” and more as a “you and I work together to get what we both want”. Let’s win-win on this shall we?

  And, just to shoot myself in the foot, if you DON’T give it to me… I’ll buy it anyway!

  So there!

  - Pete

• March 26, 2010

  Susan

  

  Superheros + Fonts = World Peace

  Think fonts. Typeface quietly aligned, perfectly kerned and waiting to tell a story. What’s their history? Their secrets? Who is Mrs. Eaves? Bradley Hand? Helvetica? Where did they come from? How can they change the world?

  Every message we email, note we write, blog we post, books we pen are done through the power of fonts. They’re the architecture of the written word and the substance of connecting. Why not celebrate it and connect to it through an arsenal of font-friendly products? Art, jewelry, soap, all embedded with fontastic images and enveloped in an inspired marketing message. All fonts are superheros.

  I’ve worked as a commercial video editor, travel guide writer, lifestyle writer, editor, multimedia specialist, social media expert and I’m looking to snowball my creative energy into one business to save the world. I’ve had freelance jobs and staff jobs. What I really want is an empire built from communication. And fonts.

• March 26, 2010

  Derek Kruger

  

  When I was 18 I joined the Army to see the world and got to spend a lot of time in New York and Oklahoma. While I’ve seen most of the United States and thoroughly enjoyed it. I now have three girls and the rest of the trappings of the “American Dream.” I’ve been pursuing a portable empire for many years so that I could take my girls on some of the trips I enjoyed as well as new ones that we can all do together. While I’ve done okay, I’ve never been able to truly been able to break free. I’ve followed guys like you and want to follow down the trails you are blazing. I would love to have the chance to strike out in a new exciting direction.

• March 26, 2010

  Katherine Cunningham

  

  Thank you Chris, for all that you are and consistently offer up to the world, the Empire Building Kit being the latest in your generosity!

  In the past I had been maintaining an expensive hobby, now I’m breaking even but I know there is a profitable business, a lifestyle business for me, and in time (my scaling strategy) a lifestyle business for any other woman that feels the call to serve women, thus men, the flow through to the children as well as the planet.

  For myself and many other women that have felt this way there is a deep well of knowledge that is bubbling up to the surface. As we learn to value the feminine experience, value the earth and all the bounty her living brings, as we value community and balanced places of being and working with each other… we can change everything.

  There is a role that was… within every community, village or tribe, there was a wise woman. This business assists her return, as she offers so much that we need, NOW.

  Thanks for the opportunity

• March 26, 2010

  Jackson

  

  Hi Chris,

  Consider me in category two.

  I’m extremely motivated and serious about building a durable business within the next year.

  My wife is currently in medical school in the Caribbean, and I’ve recently put my life on hold to come down and join her for support. I took a leave of absence from my job, with zero intent on going back. We’re moving to an unknown American city in August of 2010, where she’s finishing up her last two years of clinical rotations. The issue arises upon knowledge of the fact that I am a Canadian citizen, and do not have an American working Visa (nor am I able to get one, without a company hiring me first [which gets into complications about taking jobs away from Americans, etc.]). My plan, which would allow me to stay with her, is to build an “empire”, making me perfect for this kit.

  Either way – I trust that you’ll make the right decision. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to compete.

  With great respect,

  Jackson

• March 26, 2010

  Clara Mathews

  

  When I read this post on Thurs. morning, I thought ‘what a great offer’. That was Thurs. morning. I am a Corporate Concierge at a 56-story office building in downtown Dallas. I tried to think of what kind of empire I could make & how would I find the time to do it. I have a full time job, a blog (that doesn’t make money-yet), & make a few hundred a month doing social media marketing for a small biz.

  Well, that was Thurs. morning. Thurs. at 5 PM I was told my position was being eliminated. WOW! Now my outlook has changed. I am in dire need of instruction in empire building. The concierge industry is connected to commercial real estate, so that career has limited prospects.

  My assets are:
  * I am extremely motivated
  * I have time to devote to make it a success
  * I am good writer & would like to make a biz of writing/social media

  This is the perfect time for me to make lemonade. All I lack is your Empire Building Kit & clients.

• March 26, 2010

  Proper

  

  Chris, Pamela Slim led me to you. I have recently become aware the time is upon me to decouple from a 13+ year dysfunctional relationship with corporate life.

  My traveling bug, combined with a love of people, and natural curiosity, has led me to an appreciation for place. It is something I see a passionate need for in many of our towns and cities. Anonymity, sameness or disconnection weighs large in the worlds of many.

  It is why I’m actively developing/working to create/curate a place in my community. Where people can engage. Be it to mix up their “home office” life, solicit/meet with a client, play cards with friends, catch an acoustic set by an act sweeping through town, screen the film they’d like to share, discover new ideas/people, have a coffee/beer/wine and enjoy the comfort of a public living room. To be, make their place, connect and dynamically create the energy that marks authenticity.

  Thank you for entertaining my thoughts and connecting your life to mine.

• March 26, 2010

  Colin Slade

  

  I just recently found your blog have been excited to read about your journeys. I am in the category of running my own business and ready to take it to the next level. I quit my Job about 3 years ago and have created a few different companies including a travel agent training company, technology training company(how2trainer.com) and recently a local online marketing and development company(how2localmarketing.com) along with a completely automated side project called Virtual Resumes.

  I have been able to outsource the majority of both of those businesses and have learned a ton while making enough to survive. I fully believe in the 4HWW mini-retirements and the ability to create online business to allow me to bless others and create freedom of time and money.

  I am ready to take my businesses to the next level and believe the Empire Building Kit would be just what I need. I am excited to put your training to work and be the best case study ever chosen. Thank You.

• March 26, 2010

  Alexandro

  

  I’m about to finish college in one week and I’m not really keen to look for a job when I’m done with it, actually I’ve been thinking about spending a whole year building some system or business that allows me to do the things I love (which include design, writing, music, juggling, travelling, and learning in general) in a way that I can give something to the world.
  Now that I’ll have more time for it, I want to dedicate full time to achieve that goal. I’m not willing to settle and I am willing to learn and do what it takes to get there.
  I’m a bit new to your stuff but what I’ve read so far resonates with me, I think you are a great role model for helping me become the ultimate version of myself and that’s why I’d love to use the information you’ve compiled in the Empire Building Kit as a guideline for creating a business and lifestyle I want for me and others.
  So, should it be me?

• March 27, 2010

  Becky

  

  I currently have a business which only became barely profitable 5 years in after I stopped doing pretty much everything. It used to be a magazine co. and is now an educational (but fun) book series. What little money my husband and I make comes from selling back issue of the magazine.

  I read all the business books and subscribed to the industry mags, but it never really clicked for me. I always thought there must be a better way to grow a business and recently, thanks to reading bloggers like yourself, I realize there is. Problem is, I’m not quite sure what direction to go in and could use some guidance.

  I’ve been lucky enough to pull myself out of the 9-5 grind and currently I live in China, making money by being a teacher. Thanks to an easy schedule I now have the time to devote to a project like this. Honestly, I would consider being one of the first to sign up when you open it to the public, but I’m making a chinese salary (less than $700/mnt) and probably can’t afford it.

• March 27, 2010

  Gav Duncan

  

  Hi Chris, A copy of your Empire Building Kit would be just the thing to help me establish my own business after I emigrate to Canada (Victoria, BC to be precise) later this year with my family. I’ve done the conventional business thang, working for “the Man” as both a manager in the 80′s, and currently as a call-center rep, and I’ve done the alternative business thing, playing the fiddle in some folk and Celtic rock bands, and I’ve had my own market garden growing organic salad leaves. And now I want to make my living from my skills as a graphic designer. My biggest handicap is focus, or lack of it. Too much ADHD perhaps. I’ve followed a “planting by the moon” calendar for the veg business, which really focused me on what to plant/sow on my gardening days, with some success, so something similar with your EBK will help me focus on performing a daily task to get me and the business moving in the right direction, and allowing me to pursue an unconventional working lifestyle. Please?

• March 27, 2010

  ManoRanjan M

  

  I am a serious fan of you. I have started my own blog after being inspired by you at the above url. I am a CS graduating next year, I cannot afford to spend 99$ or so to buy this kit. I do not want to steal it either (you too say that stealing=bad karma).

  I will be an entrepreneur in my life and make a difference in the world. I will help the community in a good virtue and eventually one day I will be the king of my empire. Graduating next year, I am seeing all possibilities to do after college. Job, my own business, higher studies, there are so many options.

  I have read almost all of your posts line by line digesting all information you give. I have made a presentation about your blog and you in my college as part of my course work. I know that your book will be most useful for me and my own small community as well.
  Thanks

• March 27, 2010

  Marc

  

  The Empire building kit seems like an unfair advantage to have on competitors! So I dont know if I would be the most likely candidate to receive such a powerful gift. It would sureley benefit my webdesign business greatly, since the competition is huge and comes in all shapes and sizes. I know that im not going to ‘win’, But since you’re very into travelling and we’re all trying to thinking without borders: Im a Dutch designer, trying to set up a company with a spanish name replying on an American Blog to a guy that is in the Ukraine!

  sincere greetings and safe journeys!

  ~ Marc

• March 27, 2010

  Corinne

  

  I was three, building fake tents in my room, and dreaming about escape. I did my very first backpack back then (a toothbrush, a soap & my blankie), planning to live in caverns & steal vegetables from the gardens in order to survive. A few years later, I understood how it was important to become “someone”, to eagerly learn and grow.

  At the age of 15, I started building & designing websites, and publicating writings on the net (1998, woot!) I had a cheesy website with some really pink poetry – but managed to get 3’600 subscribers to my newsletter. I was truly amazed at how you could help the day of someone feeling lonely or sad in the other corner of the world.

  So I make it my job. I went to an art school, and as soon as I was out, I started freelancing (no way I would enter a cubicle). Difficult years, but quite sorted it out.

  I’m leaving the 9th May for my new life and I still have so many things to improve on my business & and lifestyle. I’m hoping your book can help!

• March 27, 2010

  Future dentist

  

  -graduating dental school in May
  -200,000k + student loans
  -can only see one patient at a time working in a conventional office
  -currently creating content for own website: explain dental concepts into normal people language, answer people’s questions.
  = way more helpful = freedom to travel and set up dental clinics = helping even more people

  But I’m a beginner at building a dental knowledge empire. Please help.

  Bonus: Napoleon had horrific teeth, perhaps why so warmongering? Healthy teeth = world peace

• March 27, 2010

  Mindful Mimi

  

  I have a day job that does not cater to my passion anymore. My passion is creativity and my goal is to connect the corporate with charities. I want to connect companies to mindful causes. Donate money in line with their values, but also to donate time. The idea is to set up team building activities for companies that serve a local charity, a community project, with a purpose.

  So instead of sending sales people to the South of France to build a raft (fun but useless), I want to send them into the local community to help them weed their garden, build a shed, paint rooms for the disabled, take the blind kids on a tour etc. The ultimate goal is to make the world a better, smaller and happier place, one little step, one activity at a time. I have my Mindful Mimi identity, I have the website for this activity, I have 2 Facebook pages (mindful charities and mindful creativity). All I need to do is to leave my day job…

• March 27, 2010

  Jason Logsdon

  

  My Dad and I have been working together for the last year on building a lifestyle business. We currently have a relatively successful gardening planner website with around 500 users but we’re looking at monetizing them sucessfully. We’re also looking to expand into a side business creating wheelchair bags and accessories (my Dad is in a wheelchair).

  We want to make sure we go about our “empire building” in the right way. My parents just moved back to the East Coast and are struggling to find “real” jobs so we don’t want to waste time getting to a state of profitability. I know your kit would help give us direction and hopefully make those “real” jobs not needed.

  Thanks

• March 27, 2010

  Christina

  

  I desperately want to help people and I don’t know how to get started – maybe this would be the way. I used to be obese – through hard work, lots of learning, eating healthy and exercising – I lost 88 lbs and am now in my healthy weight range. (Took me 21 months to hit my goal – slow and steady and I have maintained it for 6 months). I want to help others find their way to a healthy life – I have so much knowledge to share that I learned on my journey and just want to pass it on.

• March 27, 2010

  David

  

  I already have the ‘American Dream’ – a good, well paying job, house, car, etc…. I don’t know how I ended up living this life but it’s not right for me. I’ve always been a true, passionate traveler at heart and I’ve racked up 74 countries so far.

  I’m in the process of figuring out a way to ditch the whole thing, drop out of the rat race and start living a richer, more fulfilling life, unencumbered by inane activities like working to make other people rich and acquiring more useless goods. I have a few ideas that I’d like to turn into a business to work for myself and have the time to continue traveling on my schedule instead of someone else’s.

  Help me take the first step please, Chris.

• March 27, 2010

  Kyle Tress

  

  Hi Chris,

  I’m an athlete on the US National Skeleton team and a 2014 Winter Olympic hopeful. If you aren’t familiar with skeleton, it’s a mix of speed, skill, adrenaline, and controlled insanity that got its start deep in the Swiss Alps in the late 1800s. Skeleton athletes ride headfirst down a mile of ice at speeds approaching 90mph, with our chins just inches from the ice.

  As anyone who watched the Vancouver Olympics knows, getting to the games is an incredible challenge, because of the hard work and dedication that goes into training, but also due to the tremendous financial burden. We don’t receive much funding as skeleton athletes, and we are often left on our own to raise the the income to compete.

  I co-founded a small iphone company last winter to earn the money to travel the world and compete in the sport I love. Hopefully I will reach my goal of building a profitable business and achieving my dream of competing in the Olympics. I believe the EBK can help me achieve both!

• March 27, 2010

  Carolyn Cooper

  

  I believe I offer an ideal test case offering a combination of passion and incentive to succeed, willingness to document the journey and appeal to a growing target demographic. I’m starting over from scratch at 55 without spouse or safety net from a semi-rural area with sporadic income from occasional teaching at Peninsula College’s Entrepreneur Institute and local consulting clients. I’m already registered for your April $100 Business Forum looking for direction and guidance to either revive a current moribund business helping small business owners or launch a new enterprise. I’m looking to make the transition from service-oriented business to marketing a location-independent product in line with my passions for fiber arts, nature or technology as a tool. At the core, I”m looking to renew my youthful dream of building an empire based on the guiding principles of The Body Shop and Google. Thank you for your consideration and your site.

• March 27, 2010

  Christopher Sean Rice

  

  I consider my craft in wellness to be an art form & deep tissue sculpting is one of the ways I ply my trade in bodywork. I came to Seattle to harvest money with a heart full of passion, enthusiasm and a sense of confidence yet a head that was unaware of the rudimentary practices of business, outreach [my term for marketing] and the larger picture. Naivety is a less than resourceful place to be with a strong dream held dear and worked on so hard.
  Pieces are in place with “the space”, the skill and compassion are backed by four generations of family tree involved in wellness medicine but I am falling short of some ‘sense’ of what else it takes. There’s been plenty of good hard looks, advice sought, bought and pondered. Yet, the tail spin has me dizzy with ideas and little in the way of direction that seems sound in its bearing, outcomes and goals.
  You’ve been a little gem with words so simple, direct and straightforward. The 1:1 would mean much to get me going on under my own steam.

• March 27, 2010

  Gayle Pescud

  

  Wow, pretty much every commenter deserves the kit, but I’ll give it a whirl anyway.

  1. Why?
  To change the world–make a difference–around which a lifestyle of sorts must take shape. I love it; it’s worth it.

  2. When? Started 5 years ago leaving home to volunteer for 6 months in Ghana. Became 12 months. Realised this is what I want to do forever. Landed a job in fair trade in Cambodia after this. Then returned to Ghana to manage fair trade volunteer organisation. Then left to pursue own NGO now in its infancy in the far north of Ghana where most expats fear to tread.

  3. How? Working with Ghanaian husband/partner. Using our combination of experience, skills and local knowledge to bring income generation, environmental regeneration and other long-term activities to impoverished communities. About to launch unique, hand-made products never seen before anywhere on the world. Could definitely do with help growing this for-profit, registration-in-process-now, NGO.

  Thank you.

• March 27, 2010

  Mayan

  

  Hi Chris,
  I’ve been following you from France for a year now and I am still looking for my way to live on my own lifestyle.
  I have launched a few websites, but this is the first time I am launching something that could match your teachings (check the website if you speak French). For this website only, I need your Empire Building Kit.

  But most of all, yesterday night I have been dreaming of creating my own job as a Professional Game Master here, in France. And to get today the information that somebody actually did something approaching with the murder parties is touching something in me. Perhaps this is a sign. I want to know more about his experience.

  I want to know if I can reach the dream I had when I was a kid : Living my life counting exciting stories to people.

  Thanks Chris,
  Maryan

• March 27, 2010

  Andrei

  

  Hi, I have a profitable business working as a freelance web development. I started it a few years ago with extremely low start up cost (pretty much nothing, really – I used computer I had anyway). I feel it’s time to take next step in my business – I want to expand it! My goal is to convert income from “I sell my time” model to “I sell products”. I do have some ideas in my mind and looking for all kind of information to start going in the right direction. On my way I am building a team to get this done, I want not just hire a few people, but rather help them to switch from 9 to 5 workforce to the free spirited entrepreneur like myself.

• March 27, 2010

  Chris Bohle

  

  I am currently working full time for a large IT consulting company, but have been fervently working nights and weekends to build out my passion, the Distance Club – a running coaching and personal training business. We want the program to be offered nationally, but decided to start small with a “pilot” program in my current city of Los Angeles – ladistanceclub.com. I am developing distanceclub.com right now and hope to have it ready to rock by late Spring 2010.

  We already have a handful of athletes here in LA, but in order to succeed nationally, we are spending a lot of time honing our online offerings so that we can make connections with our athletes even if they are across the country. We feel that by providing a customized training program and some additional tools and information, we can help people achieve all of their fitness goals.

  I feel like I am on the verge of empire status…just need an extra push and to stay focused…

• March 27, 2010

  Maria

  

  Chris my passion is people.
  After my husband took early retirement at the end of 2008, we embarked on a year long drive through Europe, my life-long ambition & one he grew to share. I was employed with the local government as a grants writer & when they couldn’t see the value in granting me a years unpaid leave, we both gulped as I chose passion over security & said goodbye to an employer who would’nt see what they were losing. (long story around amalgamations of smaller councils)
  We began a blog so family & friends could travel beside us & posted daily, eventually we had more than 6000 people read it – totally unexpected.
  Move ahead 12 months & we are home. Could have got a paid job BUT I had recently found the AONC site which stirred my heart & then my head.
  Took the plunge & began a home business concentrating on grant writing for community based not-for-profit organisations.
  Early days yet, but I am getting enough interest to continue & I can use all the help I can get!

• March 27, 2010

  Kirsten

  

  I’m trying to build an author’s platform, not a business, so I’m not sure how applicable I am to the Empire Building kit, but I figured I’d toss in my story and and let the biased judges decide.

  I write fiction in several different genres, but I always strive to create characters who could be your next door neighbor or your best friend, and whose actions force you, the reader, to think about the world in a new way. For my platform, I hope to gather a community of people interested in challenging themselves to think. I plan to facilitate this community through a regular blog, short story archives, forums and possibly a shop e-books or PoD books in addition to my (hopefully!) traditionally published fiction. There will also be a line of poetry jewelry, which I’ve already begun setting up. I hope the Empire Building kit can provide me with guidance on the order of the steps in this process, and some ideas on promotion.

• March 27, 2010

  khristian a. howell

  

  Hi!

  I am going to keep this really simple.
  I am a surface pattern designer + photographer. I’ve been on my own since aug 2008.
  I feel that I am at a tipping point, and I don’t know how to push it over the edge.
  Honestly, there are a ton of ideas swirling in my head about adding limbs to my design tree.
  I want to run in all directions at once.
  I have the passion and vision.
  I need a plan, a guide, and a system of attack.

  Thank you for all that you do.
  Khristian

• March 27, 2010

  Antwan McLean

  

  You have created something incredible with The Empire Building Kit. I’m excited to work with it and I hope I am one of the lucky two individuals to win a copy.

  This year has been life altering for me. I worked in Finance and made the decision to leave a company I felt was unethical. At the same time, I lost my grandfather. My grandfather retired from a job he disliked after 30 years and lived his remaining years battling health issues he developed on that same job. Not a day passes that I do not make the promise to myself that I will live a life with ethical purpose, and I will enjoy the endeavor I use to support myself.

  I took the “hobby” of writing seriously and self-published my book “Your Greater Self” and began developing a blog. I do at times get fearful with the uncertainty of being an entrepreneur but I WILL NOT return to the cubicle. Your Empire Building Kit seems to be a perfect guide to organize my ideas and energy into an action plan for success. I hope to win.

• March 27, 2010

  Michelle

  

  I used to play for a living.

  For over a decade, I was a self-employed performing & visual arts educator who literally took my show on the road and touched the lives of 1000s of children through the arts. Then the economy went south, and . . . . you know the rest of the story. The music teacher is always the first to get cut. I panicked at my sudden drop in income and my sudden skyrocketing health insurance premiums. I sold my soul to corporate America for decent health coverage and a steady gig. And you can imagine how well this formerly entrepreneurial square peg fits into that corporate Hole.

  I am currently dreaming up ways to dig my way out so that I can live my passions and make a difference once again. I recently finished writing a couple of children’s books that originated in the classroom. They are field-tested and kid-approved. Once they are published, I would like to travel to schools as an author/artist-in-residence. Other ideas in the Empire incubator: a musically unique children’s recording, artsy-fartsy-yet-fun children’s birthday parties, and . . . . to be continued.

  Thank you for the opportunity to present my ideas to you, Chris. You are truly an inspiration! Best wishes for continued success in your endeavors.

• March 27, 2010

  Lonnie Tapia

  

  Chris and AONC readers,

  Hi! My name is Lonnie Tapia; I’m a graphic and web designer and I work for a nice business with good people in Scottsdale, Arizona. But the most fulfilling design work I’ve done comes from freelancing, not my day job.

  Fulfillment comes from clients and organizations who change the world around them. That often times includes eco-friendly artists, helpful social services and non-profits who directly influence people’s lives. I also tutor some clients so they can maintain and build-out their own websites to help their businesses grow.

  I would use the EBK to turn my part-time work into my full-time work. But I need help getting there. I work hard and I want to focus on clients who bring inspiration into my life by doing what they do best – making the world a better place.

  Thank you for listening.

  Best,
  Lonnie Tapia

• March 27, 2010

  SharoninaVolvo

  

  Surprise my friend Joyce Shafer–You are more empowerment coach, with a copy of EBK?! Who is the serious one & would like to see her Rock the World more?! Despite your current 381 comments count, Wow?!

  And I say Lykke Til to you & judges on the tough choices…if nothing else it’s been a good thing you’ve done to let people voice their lifestyle business dreams – I want all your alternatives, not to mention travels?! Who wouldn’t want to do that too?!

  Me I’m having fun changing the ExPat world one Cooking Group Night at a time volunteering with Red Crossing here on the latest assignment – but me & the girls would consider becoming Party Planners for real one day if we could all stay in the same country?! Maybe involve the Asylum Seeker Women who enjoy cooking too, the countries we could get together for dinner?! You could pass it on to us girls & we could just seriously have fun with the idea…

  See you next battling my inbox soon, Sharon in the Kitchen ;o)

• March 27, 2010

  Deanell Sandoval

  

  Dear Chris,
  I am tired of being complacent. I am done waiting for MY life to happen, done sitting on the edge. I am ready to jump, to begin taking risks again.
  I owned a business for eight years. I loved my business. I created it out of nothing. I worked tirelessly to nurture this business and was willing to sacrifice anything for it. I am an addict, an entrepreneurial addict. I love executing my vision, it consumes me. A mere two and half years after closing the doors of my business I am ready to begin again. I miss being an entrepreneur.
  Two years ago I was afraid to start again, to run again I felt like I had failed but I now know my first business was not a failure…it was my education.
  So, that being said, I am determined, I am focused, I am ready and it is time.
  Thank You.

• March 27, 2010

  rachael schirano

  

  I am a photographer. I love photography. I love everything about it, from the behind the scenes technical to the finished print. But what I love most is being able to truly see beauty in people and things and places…and sharing that with the world. It took me a really long time to discover something I was truly passionate about, something I wanted to build a business and life around And now that I have found it, I feel like I am trying to climb up a crumbling mountain as I move forward. I don’t have the luxury of taking enormous risks, with a family of six and a husband who is unemployed. But at the same time, I don’t have the luxury of not following through on this dream either. Since I am just starting my business I am not sure which category I fall into, but I do know that I want to do it right…right for me. I am not scared of the hard work, I just am uncertain about where to start, unsure of what needs to be done.

• March 27, 2010

  Michael Coleman

  

  There are tons of great submissions on here, and I’d like to throw my hat into the ring in the “doesn’t have a successful business yet” category. Some quick background info: I’m 22 years old, graduated from UC San Diego in December, and I’m currently interning for a consultant as a business plan writer while I get my business together.

  Why am I an entrepreneur? Growing up I’ve always been interested in business, and after some priceless life experience studying abroad in Rome, I discovered my life’s purpose: to enable and empower people to achieve their goals. On a wide scale, its my goal to help people get what they want, and get it a little more quickly, and easily; I believe I’ve started building a great business model to accomplish that.

  I’ll benefit greatly from these tools, because I also want to learn how to fit these goals into the rest of my life. In the next few years I plan on living in Munich, Thailand, and Buenos Aires, and I want my business to thrive as well!

  Thanks

• March 27, 2010

  Heather

  

  Please help me prove they naysayers in my life wrong! I am a big believer in lifestyle businesses. I have a couple of well thought-out ideas just just about ready to put in motion. I have the domains registered and I am building my content every day.

  My personal life style business idea is “The Mom Conspiracy – having it all on your own terms.” I will build my “tribe” around other moms like myself. Moms who are successful in the workplace – but need to spend more time with their children than the standard career allows.

  Secondly, my husband is a prolific writer on all things nerdly. I recently set him up with a simple blog (nerdlypleasures.blogspot.com) and it has been very popular, especially his recent tutorial. I made my first Squidoo Lens last night – (www.squidoo.com/nerdlypleasures) and it is in the top 5% of the Tech and Geek section.

  I am ready and able to build my business – and I would love to be one of your success stories!

• March 27, 2010

  Melissa Dinwiddie

  

  I’ve already created a (very small) “Empire” as an artist–but I’m not actually looking to grow that particular Empire. I’m proud that I’ve built a very small business that works… but it’s no longer giving me what I really want. I spend only a small portion of my time actively creating, I’ve long felt it was time for a change, and I’m finally making it!

  Chris, you and the AONC have provided a model for me of *really* living the life I want, where I get to:

  1) spend most of my time doing what I love
  2) inspire and help other people to do the same (which is, in fact, an essential part of #1 above)!

  I’m on a mission to follow my evolving Bliss, to record the journey on my blog, and to help others pursue *their* dreams. I don’t know yet exactly what this will look like, but figuring that out is part of the process, and I’m excited to be on the path.

  I can’t wait to hear more about the EBK! It sounds amazing, and worth saving for. Thanks for the inspiration.

• March 27, 2010

  Don Fowler

  

  Sounds like a wonderful way to get up off my procrastination. I am a geologist, artist and teacher. I have been thinking about what I want to do for the rest of my life, and have found it slow going. I have lots of interests, and find it difficult to choose only one or a few to concentrate on. At least that is my excuse up until now.

  I want to combine my love for geology and teaching to help people become more aware of their world, and more aware of what their options are. A good knowledge of geology is useful to evaluate life and what you can do. So far, my problem has been how to get people interested enough to make the efort to learn about the subject enough to be useful.

  I am currently working on a web site and blog, and plan on having it up in a few weeks. This is only the first step, and your Empire Building project is just what I need to continue the process. So far, I have had a problem with action speaks louder than words, but it does.

• March 28, 2010

  Benoît

  

  I have lost my job a few weeks ago and at 24 I have understood that you can only rely on yourself to do what you really like. I have a hard time figuring out how to start my own business. The hardest part is to start and to know what is the first step. Once you start something it is usually easy to figure out the next step. Hard work doesn’t scare me. Some guidance would help be get started and do really what matters in my life and help others.

• March 28, 2010

  Beth

  

  Having started a small and not passion-driven affiliate business, I realized my priority should have been an investigation of my talents and passion. I’ve spent a long time simmering up a plan to give myself and others an ecstatic life:

  I’m starting a retreat/sabbatical resort to help incubate and launch creatives and lifestyle-business hopefuls (what a great list of those you have here! )
  1 -a focus on how bodywork, yoga, and contemplation can kick-start the growth progress. i’ve experienced it, but it would have been easier with help.
  2 -include resources and personalized planning to help people learn to market themselves and grow their heart-centered art/business.
  3 -keep the cost extremely low. comparable to rent in the states (magic of geoarbitrage!) = amazing people can come!

  Your empire building kit will fit in perfectly to help me a grow a movement online to support the physical dream as it becomes a reality! Many thanks for the opportunity to share

• March 28, 2010

  Jessica Jo Stenquist

  

  Thanks for your initial consideration. Chris–I emailed you my interest in your Empire Building Extravaganza but had no start up cash. Thank you, by the way, for responding to my proposal. Hopefully I have not missed the deadline and will get a positive response to this second attempt.

  It all started when I was in my undergrad…I thought it interesting that everyone tended to do the same things every night or weekend. I loved finding the new fun/odd/interesting thing to do. Working as a recreation therapist I have discovered there is no one to go to find information. My goal: Connecting people to their community one city at a time! Do my part to revive the feeling of community.

  And that’s about as much as one nut shell will cover. Happy judging! Please let me know if you need more information.

• March 28, 2010

  Timm R

  

  Coincidentally enough, I planned to use the next year and a half to get into ‘real life’ and become an author. During summer break 2009 I wrote my first novel (something I’ve wanted to do since I wrote a long “short” story in 7th grade; now I’m a junior), and last month I took an innocent trip to Quebec that left me rejuvenated. I was depressed at how stagnate my life was until that moment even though I have all this energy to put into it. School is the biggest roadblock with its slow-paced, irrelevant classes populated by too many immature peers, taking up 7 hours of my day. But not next year: I am going to homeschool and finally have the liberty to build my life. I will work to become published, write the sequel that I already can’t wait to do, and start one blog about my writing journey and another detailing all the personal development things and other endeavors I’ll take while not sitting around all day (literally). This kit sounds like an opportune jumpstart, no?

• March 28, 2010

  Jill

  

  It has been such an inspiration reading all of the responses to this post. Everyone has such amazing and unique ideas to share with the world and such passion to accomplish their dreams. Thank you everyone for so bravely sharing yourselves here. By opening ourselves up to one another we give each other strength and support in knowing that we are not alone on our missions! I believe that we all will acheive our dreams, as long as we stay true to them. Don’t ever give up, we already have everything that we need! Just take the next step. You will either find a place to put your foot, or you will learn to fly…

  I too am following my dream of creating art and traveling the world, and inspiring others to follow their own dreams in the process. I think that the most important thing is to enjoy the journey and not be so set on the outcome. This way every day will bring happiness.

  Thanks to all and enjoy the ride!

  ~*Jill*~

• March 28, 2010

  Jill

  

  Just another thought…

  After reading through all of the ideas listed here I noticed that alot of them could really work well together. It might help to contact the people who’s ideas you feel drawn to and see if you can help each other to take it further. When passion combines it multiplies…and the possibilities become limitless!

  Thanks again to Chris and to all of you fellow World Dominators!

  ~*Jill*~

• March 28, 2010

  herlizardness

  

  I like the idea of doing one thing every day. It feels very kaizen-great change made through small steps. And I think it will help many of us create the awesome lives we’ve been dreaming of. Thanks for the opportunity Chris.

• March 28, 2010

  Bobby

  

  It should be me! I have two businesses that could use some explosive growth (why not?) and here they are:

  1) Real Estate Investing: I do that infomercial creative real estate investing stuff, but could sure use some help systematizing and outsourcing.

  2) YouTube comedy sketches: I am a ‘YouTube Partner’ and get paid for making comedy sketches on my channel and would like to increase my subscriber count and build that income.

  Please pick me!

• March 28, 2010

  Matt

  

  I’ve been very curious about the Empire Building Kit. I’d like to think that I could benefit from it. The truth is that I don’t have so much of a business as I do a hobby (photography) in the process of becoming a business. I know that the only times when I feel truly happy, and feel that I am doing what I was meant to be doing, is when I am taking photos. I’ve got some ideas and plans on where I want to take things so that I can really live out my passions, provide a service that others can benefit from and have that happy and free feeling every day, but I get caught up on a few sticking points:
  1) fear of moving forward and taking the risk
  2) finding the time between working full time at a job I dislike and raising and supporting a family.
  Could your Empire Building Kit help me to break these chains? I don’t know, but I would love to try it out and put my best foot forward; to take a step and if it feels good to take another step.

• March 28, 2010

  Jenn Brockman

  

  I have a business already but am moving in a new direction. This week I will begin coaching school. Not physical sports like golf or basketball, but life, emotional, personal coaching.

  It’s a path I’ve been on for the last few years and have decided to get serious and follow my bliss. I love to help people help themselves! I hope that by the end of next year (a year from now) I will be well on my way to a great coaching practice. I also plan to incorporate blogging or at least writing, into my practice and would love to utilize your kit to get where I’m going.

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