At The Rise To The Top, we strive to bring you the most interesting stories we can drum up (or make up…just kidding) and one of my favorite moments this year was attending the Kairos Society Summit aboard the USS Intrepid in the New York City. These entrepreneurs are hustling, bustling, fundraising, making prototypes, marketing and…maybe a little studying as well.

The ideas were vast and we featured many of these students last season in this segment on The Rise To The Top, but we had such an abundance of fantastic footage that I wanted to make sure and give each of these hard-working entrepreneurs their due.
You will find a little bit of everything in the videos of these unique companies. From the funded to the looking-for-dollars. From the well-marketed to the idea-stage. From the dynamic to the analytic.

The themes throughout all of these companies? Social improvement through entrepreneurship, utilizing technology, and a general eagerness to be on camera (*wink*).

Enjoy the videos and I hope you will become inspired like I was meeting all of these youngsters.

Which company do you like the most? Which one is going to be the biggest success?

Look for much more coming from The Rise To The Top as we look to revolutionize entrepreneurial journalism and entertain, empower and energize entrepreneurs like you.

Wellness Space:

Build Our Village:

Cirtex:

Crelligence:

Emergent Energy:

Exist Local:

Ivy-Gate:

Night Burst:

Skinny Mints:

Trail Obama:

Peace Oil:

If you haven’t picked up your tickets for July 11th, we don’t want you to miss out on THE event of the summer in St. Louis.

And as important as it is to immerse yourself in work over the summer, make sure to take some time for yourself and come on out to Summer Business Break on July 11th. For $100 you will be treated upscale food and drinks, a gift bag, wine tasting, meet and greet with professional tennis star Anna Kournikova and special premium seat to a high-energy not-your-grandfather’s tennis match.

Oh and YES the future of TV will be in the house:

Widget Realm, a revolutionary technology company, will be in the house at Summer Business Break and they are bringing a little something with them, the future of television!

Brian Powell, Founder and CEO of Widget Realm will be demo-ing the new Yahoo! TV Platform exclusively at Summer Business Break, before the international launch. Brian will also have some new mobile and desktop technology on display that even the most non-techy amongst us will enjoy.

https://secure.eventticketingsystems.com/venues/dwight_davis_tennis_centers_and_sports_park/

The Middle East often brings to mind war and confusion, but young entrepreneur Omri Cohen is doing his part to end the misconceptions through…Olive Oil. His company, Peace Oil.

I caught up with Omri this spring in New York City as he attended the first annual Kairos Society Summit for the top young entrepreneurs in the world. Omri resonates with passion and like many young entrepreneurs, he is not just seeking to create a profitable company, but instead aspires to better the world.

“There is a different way to live in the Middle East. We have a joint venture between Israel and Jordan,” exclaims the passionate young entrepreneur who is seeking 1.5 million in funding for his unique olive oil which he plans to distribute internationally.
Peace Oil features five unlikely partners: 3 Israelis and 2 Jordanians. Together they hope to capture the olive oil shortage in the United States (who knew? certainly not me).

In tough times like these, it is refreshing to see someone like Omri ceasing the day and creating a unique company.
Find out more about Peace Oil right here.

Stay tuned for many more stories from Kairos Society Summit on therisetothetop.com.

Save The Date, Nab Your Tickets, and Check Out The Future of TV!

Widget Realm, a revolutionary technology company, will be in the house at Summer Business Break and they are bringing a little something with them, the future of television!

Brian Powell, Founder and CEO of Widget Realm will be demo-ing the new Yahoo! TV Platform exclusively at Summer Business Break, before the international launch. Brian will also have some new mobile and desktop technology on display that even the most non-techy amongst us will enjoy.

Make sure to nab up your tickets for Summer Business Break on July 11th TODAY! Much more than networking, you will get to enjoy high-end cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, special box seats to take in the pro tennis action (this isn’t your grandfather’s tennis action…you can actually cheer), gift bag, meet and greet with Anna Kournikova and more. There will be all kinds of giveaways, surprises and a great raffle for Lift For Life. Let’s beat this economy together and come out for a night of fun, business, sports, friends and innovation.

BUY YOUR TICKET HERE!

SBB Ticket Special THIS WEEK ONLY!
Ends Saturday, June 27 at 11:59 pm

Anyone who purchases a ticket THIS WEEK ONLY will receive
an absolutely, 100% FREE training session at SWEAT with
Matt Brown.

The Rise To The Top: Entertaining, Energizing and Empowering Entrepreneurs

I would argue that YES there are major differences between a small business owner and entrepreneur. One of the major ones is thinking in terms of systems. Can you eliminate yourself from your business system and it still runs profitably?

And by elimination, I don’t mean wiping yourself off the face of the earth especially since you are probably the “face” of your business. I’m referring to day-to-day operations. If you take a trip to outer-Mongolia or take the day off to watch your daughter’s soccer game, does your business crumble without you?

For many small business owners (the flower shop, the candy store, the pizza parlor) the answer may be NO WAY, NO HOW!
How about these entrepreneurs?

If Tim Ferriss takes one of his many vacations, is The Four Hour Workweek still sold in bookstores throughout the world? YES!

If Tony Hsieh from Zappos decides to take a month off, does Zappos continue to run like a well-oiled machine? YES!

Unfortunately Steve Jobs from Apple was recently sick. Did Apple continue to run without their charismatic leader? Absolutely.
Can the pizza parlor owner transform from a small business owner to an entrepreneur? Absolutely. Time to create a system!

Are you scalable or stuck in your business?

What are some more differences between an entrepreneur and a small business owner?

Let us know below.

Live Passionately! – David Siteman Garland – The Creative Opportunities Specialist – www.therisetothetop.com

While summer often brings to mind hot dogs, water slides and popsicles, for the entrepreneur (especially an entrepreneur during our current recession) the summer is filled with hard work, marketing, brainstorming and executing…no matter how nice the weather is outside.

Over the summer on therisetothetop.com, you will find a BBQ Of Business: Exclusive interviews to jump start your business, how-to articles and resources to get your entrepreneurial dream out of your head and into action. Make sure to stay tuned daily to the Rise Underground Blog, Rise at Nite and our new main page on therisetothetop.com for the latest updates.

And as important as it is to immerse yourself in work over the summer, make sure to take some time for yourself and come on out to Summer Business Break on July 11th. For $100 you will be treated upscale food and drinks, a gift bag, wine tasting, meet and greet with professional tennis star Anna Kournikova and special box seats to a high-energy not-your-grandfather’s tennis match. Spots are VERY limited so don’t delay to grab your ticket as once they are gone, no others will become available: https://secure.eventticketingsystems.com/venues/dwight_davis_tennis_centers_and_sports_park/

Don’t miss THE event for entrepreneurs this summer!

The Rise To The Top: Entertaining, Energizing and Empowering Entrepreneurs

Kirstin Carey is a sales rock star to say the least. She is an incredible entrepreneur and also teaches those who could use some sales help how to…make more sales (shocking).

Kirstin and I caught up at the Ritz Carlton in Phoenix to talk a little bit about ways to improve sales. For those that are more of the reading type… here are some highlights and lessons from the interview to help your business:

1. Skills and marketing and selling are important. The more you harness your skills in those areas, the more you can spend time doing other things.

2. If you have the passion, you can improve your sales. ANYONE can improve their sales.

3. Ask the right questions BEFORE jumping into the sales pitch.

4. Speak less and listen more no matter WHAT you are selling.

5. Whoever speaks the most in a sales meeting wins. You want your CLIENT to win!

6. The more your client speaks, the more they will love you.

7. People will tell you how to sell them if you let them.

8. Key question to ask: “What is the most important thing to you for this project/process..etc.?”

9. Description words used by you and the client are key indicators of what they find important.

10. SHUT UP and listen (just like your mother told you).

11. Avoid selling to people that aren’t the right fit. Sell to the RIGHT people. Finding the right person and what they want.

12. You must (HONESTLY) convey that whatever you are selling is in THEIR best interest and not yours. Extremely important.

13. You are probably not your own customer (unless you are). You must understand where they are coming from…not you.

14. Cold Calling = Not worth your time. “Cold Calls” defined as NO lead or connection.

15. Simple: Whatever is working..continue doing. If it doesn’t work…don’t do it.

16. Sponsorships are all about engagement, sales and Return on Investment.

17. Only job as a sales person is to gather information from the person and see if what you have fits.

18. Is the person the right customer for you? Difficult customers may not be worth it!

19. Put energy into what you enjoy. Fit your business to your lifestyle and not the other way around.

20. Don’t forget the fun part of your life

You can learn more about Kirstin and pick up more great info in a few different places:

1. Her Website

2. Follow Her On Twitter

Also, Kirstin involved in a BIG COMPETITION on Food Network. Vote for her THIS THURSDAY

Live Passionately! – David Siteman Garland – The Creative Opportunities Specialist – www.therisetothetop.com

PS: Head to our main page on The Rise To The Top to check out our NEW look to make sure you know where you can find the latest and greatest on the website.

The Rise To The Top: Entertaining, Energizing and Empowering Entrepreneurs

Scott Ginsberg is one of those magnetic entrepreneurs who not only has a great story on his “rise to the top” but really understands marketing and how to stick out from the crowd. Scott joined me on an earlier edition of The Rise To The Top (check out that old-school hockey hair on me) and we wanted to bring him back for a little fireside chat to talk even more about marketing, branding and dominating in your niche.

You can find out much more about Scott through his many websites. Including:

1. His Blog

2. His main website

3. Stuff Scott Said

4. NameTag TV

5. His Books: The Power of Approachability, How To Be That Guy, Stick Yourself Out There + more

Live Passionately! – David Siteman Garland – The Creative Opportunities Specialist – www.therisetothetop.com

The Rise To The Top: Entertaining, Energizing and Empowering Entrepreneurs

On Rise at Nite!

Find out more about Island Records and Ludo by checking out their website.

Live Passionately! – David Siteman Garland – The Creative Opportunities Specialist – www.therisetothetop.com

The Rise To The Top: Entertaining, Energizing and Empowering Entrepreneurs

On a recent trip to Phoenix filled with family, relaxing and a some guerrilla-style video shooting, I got to thinking about branding and what it means for your business.

When *most* people think of branding, they oftentimes have a very narrow view of the word and usually consider it identity or a logo. To me, branding and YOUR brand is the core of your entire business. The DNA. The blood.

Whether your company makes $1 in revenue or $1,000,000, you have a brand if you are out there marketing and what does your brand say about you?

Brands are stories. Brands build (and ruin) trust. Brands leave a legacy behind. Businesses may come and go but your brand is something that can transcend between your last start-up and your next one.

The video of course is some sneaky, fun and I dare say, obvious, ways that Ritz Carlton spreads their brand. Oh and yes, I’m wearing a robe, haha.

Here are my questions: What do you think of when you hear the word “branding”? If you were to sum up YOUR brand, how would describe it?

Live Passionately! – David Siteman Garland – The Creative Opportunities Specialist – www.therisetothetop.com

PS: Make sure to stay tuned to the website for all whole slew of fun updates including Rise at Nite with Ludo’s Tim Convy, a marketing/sales chat with Kirstin Carey who is a master of making money and oh so much more.

PPS: In St. Louis July 11th? Make sure to nab up your Summer Business Break tickets including free food/drinks/box seats/meet+greet with Anna Kournikova and much more including some unbelievable giveaways. Come by yourself for a great networking opportunity or bring a friend/significant other. Have a question about the event? Feel free to send me over an email.