Articles for category: Initiative

March 20, 2017

Greg Thomas

The Monster Hustle

That’s the word these days – the hustle – it was shipping for a while, creating, leaping, leaning – but today the word is hustle. What is the hustle? It’s about not waiting for something to happen, it’s about going out to make it happen. Take for example Social Media, you have 10 followers now, you want to get 10,000, how are you going to do that? No matter how good your content is if no one can find it (or you for that matter) it won’t matter, so you hustle.  You got out there and you introduce yourself, you

March 15, 2017

Greg Thomas

What about that Startup Life?

It’s lonely… at times… It’s empowering… pretty much always… It’s constant excitement… well except when you have to do the invoicing… You get to make your own hours… all through the night… You get to pick and choose customers… and they get to pick and choose me… You can work from anywhere… my phone is my lifeline… You get to do it all… sometimes in a fraction of the time… My days are constantly evolving, constantly changing, the unknown isn’t a feeling from day to day, it’s a constant never-ending tide.  Of all the words in the dictionary, “Startup” is

March 7, 2017

Greg Thomas

Focus where it Matters

We all want it, we all need it, we all crave it. Focus in what we are doing, focus in the direction that we are moving in. And as such, it is imperative that once that focus is attained, we don’t waiver. Want to build a product?  Great, start building. “But I need a new fancy laptop…” – really, do you really need it or is it nice to have that would pump you up? Not sure how to close that last sale?  Talk to them. “It would be so much easier if I had an assistant…” – but you

March 3, 2017

Greg Thomas

There are No Big Whales

If you are hoping to start something and only keep doing it by finding that one perfect customer that will pay all your bills, make all your dreams come true and never ask for customer support. Then keep waiting. This is the whale and so many people and companies are chasing it with the hope that once they get it, all problems will be solved. You don’t, can’t build a company on a whale – you build it on the consistent action, customer service and trust that comes with working with each and every one of your customers. If right

March 1, 2017

Greg Thomas

The New Career Market

When I was a kid many years ago… I had a paper route that someone gave me. I had a part-time job that someone gave me. Neighbours asked me to mow their lawns and shovel their driveways. Today… Paper routes are declining, the roles being taken on by adults with cars. The job market is crowded, many people are fighting for part-time jobs in the hope they become full-time. Companies specializing in lawn and snow maintenance. Everything is being done better thanI could ever do it. For my kids… They will need to learn to create their own jobs, find niches and