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For years I identified myself with the nightlife. I was a South Beach club promoter from 1999 – 2009. That’s the 10 most impressionable years of my life. When I graduated Cornell University in 2003, I continued promoting and surrounding myself in the nightlife. In 2005 I started a business with my buddies called The Creative Complex. Our major focus was serving the nightclub owners with graphics and websites. In 2008 I started going back to church, and by 2009 I had quit promoting because I knew it wasn’t something God wanted me to continue doing. But my business continued serving the nightlife. Although I had a slight conviction of doing business with the nightlife, yet making the website for my church, I couldn’t let go of the nightlife because 1) it was the major source of income to keep all the staff, and 2) I had convinced myself that as long as I wasn’t going to the clubs, then I’m fine. In 2014 I made a major decision that would forever alter my personal and business life: I let go of the nightlife. I let go because, ultimately, God had revealed to me plans far greater than serving the nightlife, but I had to let everything go in order to make it happen. It was one of the riskiest things I’ve ever done. Letting go of 75% of your revenue, along with your top employees is something I hope to never have to go through again. Today, I’m confident that my business is on the right path. Normally we hear Psalms 23 at funerals. But today, in light of the radical changes my business has made, it hit me from a whole new perspective. “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” I know my God is smiling that my business made the decision to UNFOLLOW the nightlife. Many of us entrepreneurs have your own version of a “nightlife” in your business. Its something you know God wants you out of. What is it? Maybe you made a similar decision and now you can also tell a great story. Share your story with me. #FindMyCalling

I have a problem. I have a client that needs a significant amount graphic design work done in his company. I recently changed my business model so that I can focus on launching the service I’m really passionate about (one-on-one strategy sessions with entrepreneurs). I know how to get this clients’ work done with my eyes closed. I’ve done it for years. It’s going to take time, though. It's not easy, but I can make it happen. Here’s my problem: Do I sacrifice spending time on the business I’m passionate about, in exchange for instant gratification of money? I asked my right-hand person and she said that we’re on a mission to focus on ONE THING, and everything else can wait. There’s a danger, as business owners, of grabbing instant business today at the expense of what we’re trying to build for tomorrow. Yes, I can do graphic design. But that will come at the expense of helping another entrepreneur start their business, realize their God potential, and change the world with their gifts and talents. Let’s not sacrifice our GOD’S VISION for instant gratification. #MakingMoreSales #EnhanceFocus

The other day I sat with an entrepreneur that told me “I don’t go to church, but I know I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing because I feel it in my heart.” What a great feeling…when you know you’re in the business that your heart tells you to be in. Maybe you haven’t been so lucky…and you’re stuck in a job or business that your heart isn’t that into. Jesus came so that we might have “Life to the Full” (John 10:10). In my experience, starting my relationship with God, and truly following Jesus Christ has led me to the center of my heart…His heart. I’m discovering the joys of doing what you love to do! The vision has been revealed to me, and I’m living it to the fullest I can today! #FindMyCalling #WorkLifeBalance

The most frustrating times for me is when I can’t see the vision…when I can’t see the big picture. There’s a haze…something blocking. For years, I was running a business with a veil over my head. I didn’t know it at the time, I just figured that’s how business looks because I hadn’t seen it any other way. When Jesus came, the veil was lifted. (2 Corinthians 13:16). When the entrepreneur begins his relationship with God, and follows Christ, the veil that’s been over his business eyes is lifted, and he begins to see the world clearly. The entrepreneur is now ready to see the vision God has set for his life. #ShareYourTestimony #SharpenLeadership

Why is it that so called ‘successful’ entrepreneurs complain of headaches, ulcers, high blood pressure, alcoholism, drug abuse, obesity, insomnia, and you fill in the blanks with your own complaints? I’ll tell you why: They THINK they are in the business they should be in. They’re making money, they have customers…so this must mean this is where they are supposed to be. They think the business isn’t doing as well as it could BECAUSE of the headaches and insomnia. They think if they get to the doctor to fix this up, the business will get more of their 100% effort and things will improve. This was me. This was my story. And for years, I told myself that I could fix this on my own. This will come to a shock to you: You’re in the wrong business or role. You’re selling the wrong product, providing the wrong service, and in the wrong role within your organization. You’ve reached a level of incompetence, and its causing the health problems….not the other way around. You might be the boss, but you’re horrible at managing people, so they stress you out. Its time that you stop being the boss, hand that over to an operations person, and you go back to making cakes. Your might be the boss of a business your family has done for years, but you hate it and its stressing you out. Its time to move on. Why am I so passionate about entrepreneurs finding what God wants them to do in business? Because when we’re in line with God’s vision for our life, a sense of joy and happiness enters into our heart that is a medicine to our body. Stress is released. Problems will always surround you, but how you react internally changes now that you’re in line with God’s vision. So problems don’t affect you like they used to. Its time to do a sober exam of your business life. Do a health check up. How’s your health? That might be an indication that you’re not living in line with God’s vision for your entrepreneurial ventures. #SharpenLeadership #BecomeDisciplined

Let’s face it, as entrepreneurs it’s our natural instinct to rely on ourselves. We envision, we create, we destroy. It’s what we’re born to do. So when I began to discover that God had an entrepreneurial vision for my life, I didn’t jump out of my chair to follow it. No, I maintained control. After all, I couldn’t just dump everything I was doing to follow. And I don’t think God wanted that either. Instead, through faith and following Christ, God’s power began to work in my business life and circumstances. Today’s bible reading for me was something I needed to share. In 2 Thessalonians 1:11, Paul writes: “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith”. The apostle Paul knew that faith is the key to an entrepreneur’s obedient life. Faith lets us persevere in the onslaught of opposition, in the times of turmoil. Faith is connected to the power that will fuel the pursuit of your vision, His purpose for our entrepreneurial lives. Constantly tap into a power that far exceeds our business abilities and human will. Stay faithful, and God’s entrepreneurial vision for your life will come to fruition. To read more articles about faith, click here. #BusinessBibleStudy #GainConfidence #EnhanceFocus

When there are problems in my business, I’ve learned that playing the blame game is the worst thing you can do. We blame the economy, the employees, the clients, the landlord, etc. Here is what I’ve learned: Trials in business expose our entrepreneurial weaknesses and challenge us to grow… spiritually. Could it be that the purpose of problems in our business is to expose OUR OWN shortcomings? When a problem arises, is the first question out of your mind “what could I have done differently?” If not, then you’re missing out on the lessons that will propel you and your company to heights you couldn’t have imagined….visions that God has for your entrepreneurial life. #GainConfidence #IncreaseEnergy

I went mountain biking the other day with my son and his Boy Scout troop. Let me tell you, mountain biking is dangerous and challenging! What I like about mountain biking is that there is ONE entrance, but the choices you make along this one path are endless. At many points you’re confronted with forks in the road and new decisions on weather to turn left or right. God’s vision for your entrepreneurial life is the same way. At some point you discover that vision and decide to start riding along that one path. But choices will come up. Opportunities to go in new directions will arise. Distractions will also happen. You’ll fall a couple of times, you’ll have to stop because you’re tired. You’ll even have opportunities to just quit and take the road back to the exit….contemplating weather to ever do this again…. You can’t go backwards, there’s a WRONG WAY sign if you even try. You have to keep going forward. So how do you know what the right decisions to take are? Paul’s prayer for the Philippians is my prayer to you entrepreneurs. In Philippians 1:9-10 we read “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ…” Once you have the vision, once you know your purpose as a business owner, God wants you to abound in knowledge and insight and be pure and blameless, making decisions that reflect God’s entrepreneurial vision for your life. That’s how God helps you reach your goals! Like on a mountain biking trail, God gives you choices and opportunities to learn from hands-on experience. Good decision making isn’t learned overnight. You may make some poor choices along the trail before you will know how to make good ones for the next run. And when you’re pursuing your God given entrepreneurial vision, God won’t give you just any choice because He will only give choices He is willing for you to make. But the opportunities to give you significant business choices are endless….like on a day of mountain biking. God will first give you small decisions, then bigger ones as you move along the path. As long as you are guided by God, you’ll be give many opportunities to make lots of appropriate choices gain knowledge, insight, and discernment….and improve your biking skills Enjoy the ride, its a learning process all along the way. Godpreneur Rule #59: A great brand has discovered God’s vision, then stays on that path. #GainConfidence #StrengthenIntegrity #LaunchingMyBusiness

If we look at suffering or failure in our businesses as something to be avoided, we may miss some of God’s greatest work. Some suffering is God’s effort to correct business practices, remove people from around you to bring others in, take away service and replace it with another, or shut it down to start the one He wants for you. Proverbs 3:5-12 says, “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God ’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God ! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent God ’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this.” When you feel you were not cut out to be an entrepreneur, remember that when you are weak, God can fill you with His strength. When you rely on your power, there is no room for God. #EnhanceFocus #GainConfidence

Trouble comes in many colors in business. Outside factors come along and rock the very foundation of everything we’ve built. Divorce, key employee leaving or losing a big contract are only a few of the common bed rockers. I found this bible verse very comforting in times of trouble in my business. Psalms 71:20-21 says, “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.” If you’re in troubled times right now you have two choices in mindset. First, you can be depressed and anxious and stressed out. I’m not sure if this is possible to avoid outright. But how long you stay in this state if mind is critical. The second choice needs to come as fast as possible, which is to worship God, seek Him more than ever before, and trust that’s he’s changing things around for your good. He will comfort you once more. P.S. I think its also fun to note that in the verse above, God MAKES us see trouble. When God gives you a vision, we always think its for something amazing, right? We associate vision with something positive. But in this case, God has us see times of trouble. Sometimes we can see it coming, sometimes we don’t see it until it snacks us in the face. But that’s a different blog post. #DifferentiatingMyself #StrengthenIntegrity

Who is holding you accountable to your vision? Wait…you’re the entrepreneur…you’re the leader…you don’t need someone watching over you. Wrong. I’ve owned a web & graphic design company since 2005.  Nine times out of ten, I’m the first person that gets a call when an entrepreneur has a business idea.  Of course they would call me first, they need a logo and a website, even before the business plan’s executive summary is made! (that’s a topic for another blog post). Entrepreneurs love telling me their vision of a better future with their new widget or service.  I help them bring the vision to life with my services.  Everyone is happy. But then something all-to-familiar happens:  the vision changes. What was once a great idea now has evolved into something else, and the direction has changed. I’m not kidding when I tell you I’ve collected $5000 from someone and then two months later he’s asking for a refund because the vision has changed…even though we’ve done work. The point that I’m getting to is that being in this business for 9 years has led me to a new path in my life.  I’m a visioneer not because I have great visions for myself (even though I do), but I became a visioneer because other entrepreneurs like me need someone in their life to not only speak vision of where they should be, but also keep them aligned with that vision. Here is my case for every entrepreneur to have a vision accountability partner: Deter Hyper-Vision Syndrome – This is a term I just coined.  Us “dreamers” or, as I like to call us, visioneers, have too hyper of minds for our own good.  If you know you have a vision coach, you’re less likely to veer off in another direction to not let the coach down and not waste your money. Stick to the Script – An accountability partner will know the game plan, and be able to get a summary at each meeting to make sure the plan is being followed through with. Strict Script = Better Profits – Now that the script is being followed, you’re moving in one direction, and you’re keeping your eye on the prize (profits), you are more likely to achieve your goals faster. Personal Freedom – Better profits means that you now have more time to spend on vacation, playing golf, or beating the new Super Mario Brothers.  Better yet…moving on to the next vision that God has set for you! “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 ESV #EnhanceFocus

How can you be sure the business you’re in is the one God wants you to be in? For example, I personally would have a problem owning an Adult Video store. Why? Because my business directly causes another person to sin. (I’m not passing judgment on adult video store owners.) I was a nightclub promoter for many years. My job was to help people have a great time at the nightclubs that contracted me. The problem here wasn’t the nightclub itself. The problem was that I myself was drinking alcohol, getting drunk, and showing others that this was the best way to have a good time, so then others would follow me and do the same. I couldn’t control myself to have a great time without intoxicating myself, and I was setting someone else up to ‘stumble and fall’. So my entrepreneurial career as a party host and promoter came to a screeching stop in 2009 when I began to feel that God had something much bigger planned for me. I stopped promoting that year. The bible says: But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (ROM 14:23) The entrepreneurial vision God has set out for you will be so right that it won’t leave any room for doubt. The vision will not cause anyone to stumble. In fact, it will do the opposite: cause others to rise to new levels. Now my businesses all line up with my current compass that’s pointing north. Godpreneur Rule #162:  Godpreneurs influence others to rise to new levels. #EnhanceFocus

I’ve been through my shares of ups and downs in my business. And when the downs come, it seems like everything around me is crashing down. Bills get backed up, confidence is lost, a feeling of failure sets in, and the will to give up starts to creep into your mind. When we go through these times, it seems like we’re all alone. But we’re not alone. In Deuteronomy 8:6-9, Moses writes “Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.” You might not see it because your mind is clouded with the problems of the business and where the next checks will come in to pay the bills. You might not have the faith built up yet to immediately turn to prayer when troubled times come. But we have a God who has made a promise to us entrepreneurs….for the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land. #SharpenLeadership

I do it all the time. When things are tough in my business, I’m DEEP into the word of God, searching for answers, digging for clues on what the next move should be. I’m intently listening to God. But when times are good, you won’t find me as dedicated and devoted. No, I’m too busy enjoying the good times. We do this. We have a tendency to forget that God was the one that gave us the ability to be entrepreneurs, the calling to produce wealth. Moses wrote Deuteronomy 8 for this exact reason. His warnings are clear, and he lays out the problem perfectly. But he also gives the solution. Deuteronomy 8:10 says “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.” If we don’t continue to praise God for what he has done to bring us out of the business troubles, “then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” Just like in troubled times, continue to seek God in the good times. The best way to do this is develop the habit of reading the bible every morning, first thing in the morning. This way, weather times are good, or bad, or happy, or sad, you’re constantly in relationship with God. #BusinessBibleStudy #BecomeDisciplined

I love consulting entrepreneurs about their businesses. I love getting very focused and clear on their vision and purpose. You could say that VISION is my strength…but it’s also my weakness. See, because I know I’m so strong in the area of vision, I tend to rely on my own strength to get the visions. What ends up happening is I get too many visions, I want to do too many things, I end up unfocused and doing the exact opposite of what I consult entrepreneurs. And that’s where God will test us the most. God doesn’t test me much in my areas of business weakness because he already knows I call on Him for those challenges. Remember the story when Jesus calmed the storm in the Sea of Galilee? Mark 4:39-40 says “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Those disciples on the boat were professional fishermen. This wasn’t their first storm. Sailing was their greatest strength. But God tested their faith in that storm. Any area of our business where we have a tendency to become prideful about our abilities can hinder a strong relationship with God. Through entrepreneurial trials, God may be testing you in the area of your strength as well in order to encourage total dependence on Him. When you are overwhelmed with the challenges of business, He lovingly asks: “Why are you so afraid?” Trust God to calm the storms of your everyday business life. #ArticulatingMyIdeas #WheretoStartFirst