How do you create a movement? What the heck is a freaking movement? How do you hit in the words of Malcolm Gladwell "The Tipping Point" ( The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference)? Is there a way of quantifying different milestones?

I was thinking about this question in regards to The Rise To The Top Community (affectionately known as Rise Nation) and your community whatever it may be. In my opinion, the key to creating a successful community involves the following:

1. Strong brand message and killer content: (in the words of Gary Vaynerchuk “you’ve gotta have the chops”). When people view your content, select your services, or however you get your message out, … Read More »

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Ok so there are probably 3938483858486.6 blogs that “give thanks” to everyone just about this time of the year before plunging into a sea of turkey and cranberry sauce (yum…Cranberry Sauce). But bottom line, is I am truly lucky and the reason for that is all the wonderful people in my life. I am truly blessed with so many AMAZING loved ones that it would bore the heck out of you if I listed them all. I’m fortunate to have a fully supportive family, girlfriend, and friends. No matter what I do, they are always behind me 100% (no matter where my crazy mind takes me) and I try to be always behind them!

The Rise To The Top has … Read More »

Ok, so we all get it: The economy sucks!  Wallstreet is up and down like a scary roller-coaster of death, bailouts are adding to the confusion, and people are freaking out. 

There are two ways to look at this (Which category do you fall under?):

Number 1: Oh my g-d! The world is ending! I have no money. Nobody is going to buy my products. I’m going to have to sell my house and live in a small box. I will have to sell my children. My dog is going to have to work a double-shift. I’m just going to sit here and complain, watch the news, and count my money going down the toilet. 

Number 2: Watching the economy … Read More »

I’ve been getting a TON of questions lately about sponsorships. Questions have been flooding in about the very basics of generating sponsorships and making you and your company lucrative to potential sponsors. Based on experience, sponsorships are an extremely effective way to not only generate revenue for your business, but form a strategic partnership with massive corporations and small businesses alike. Most importantly YOU help THEM by connecting with new customers, trying out new products, plus much more.. Trust me, sponsorships are NOT about you. Sponsorships are about CREATING VALUE for your sponsors. 

Here are a few principles to live by as you begin to understand sponsorships:

Advertising is PASSIVE, Sponsorships are ACTIVE

Ad placements are a wait-and-see method. Advertisers … Read More »

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who came out last night for Launch To The Top to kick off The Rise To The Top at Sub Zero Vodka Bar as it was PACKED with BIG BRAINS and AWESOME PEOPLE! A complete recap is coming soon as well as photos by Katherine Bish (as I have a flight in a few minutes). It was a special evening to say the least with movers and shakers, entrepreneurs, and just a really cool crowd with 2/3 owning their own business or in upper level management along with aspiring entrepreneurs, some The Rise To The Top Experts, and more!

I hope everyone had an AMAZING time and enjoy Episode #2 this Saturday … Read More »

It is a big week for entrepreneurship and lifestyle education. Thank you for all of the awesome and emails and suggestions and please keep them coming!

And I know you are getting a little restless (you should really get some more sleep!), BUT the first TWO episodes (pilot debut and second episode) will be up online at theriseothetop.com within about the next week or so. This will be your first chance to check out the episodes and as usual we would love to hear your feedback.

Of course tonight is the “Launch To The Top” at Sub Zero Vodka Bar located in the Central West End in St. Louis, Missouri from 6-9 PM. It is going to be a ton … Read More »

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Looking to get more out of your business, life and social schedule? 
Get ready to “Launch To The Top” on November 19th presented by BancorpSouth Bank! 

Networking-Fun-Education-Collaboration-Come Excited-Leave Energized
  
Make sure to join us for “The Launch To The Top" broadcast television kickoff event to celebrate the debut St. Louis’ innovative and entertaining business and lifestyle talk show on WRBU-my46 and KDNL-ABC30: The Rise To The Top hosted by David Siteman Garland.  

Wednesday, November 19th from 6-9 PM at Sub Zero Vodka Bar in the    Central West End (308 N. Euclid Ave. St. Louis, MO 63108)

Check out cars provided by Autohaus BMW, mix and mingle with movers and shakers, aspiring entrepreneurs, The Rise To The Top

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