Ann Hazel talks crowdfunding and building a business

It’s what I did and there are very sensible reasons to look carefully at what type of crowdfunding you do. The sector has a scary side.

First it’s time consuming, second it’s not an easy ticket, third it's risky, fouth its very hard work. You have to be ready to go into a new phase of your life, build up your profile, your contacts, get everyone on side and launch a campaign, its up to you to make it successful as it is the business you will be running post the campaign. This is why I went The ESE route. First they only cater to HNW investors and I was used to dealing with this extraordinary breed in my day-to-day business, as they were my clients. There were many more reasons and too many to cover here, the point being it gets individual to you at a certain point in the thinking.

I think crowdfunding is great and like everything I do I did a lot of research, why I agreed to write the first voice/ column here at Research Crowdfunding, I believe we will never stop researching it.

This market came about fast, also, it will and has changed fast and it will continue to do that.


If it doesn’t implode first!


I don't want to be the ice bucket challenge for crowdfunding but it is getting very large indeed, 580 campaigns an hour, globally, it’s a lot. Ok, most of these are personal, "help me with my vet bills" 
And so can't be considered in this column for 'business based crowdfunding' but I started this first column with the sub title 'hybrid crowdfunding' 
So I should answer it and include as many aspects of that market that make sense.
The market is moving fast, (yes I said that already) yet its important to note, markets that do that, always create different versions, lots of competition emerges in an attempt to find the winning formula, that is normal, 100's and 100's of crowdfunding sites have popped up, all manoeuvring for the same space.
So back to basics, why did it emerge, before we think about the hybrids and the differentials?
It emerged out of need, and demonstrates a big shift if we stand in the future 5 or 10 years and look back on now, the death of the institution? No, not that far but the forming of the stone that will sit at its grave head at some point. If we have a mechanism to trade direct, the internet, if we have a desire to help other people with vet bills or grow a business to sell to Facebook for billions, and ideas as well as the people to build those ideas then what do we need the institution for again? ohhh yeah, 'we don't"

So yes it has this potential and in my opinion will reach that place but maybe not be this time around, that will depend on some factors. Regulation being one and the quality and the success of the deals being number two. GFB we get a glut of failures and investor confidence is damaged, this will damage crowdfunding, then it will depend how deep that issue goes to the extent it will tip crowdfunding in one direction or another. Lets not go there now.

The hybrid example I am going to plug is a bit unfair to plug here in this blog because it looks contrived but I totally buy into this thinking; Companies need a place between crowdfunding and an exit or a ‘stock exchange listing’ this just makes sense, The European Stock Exchange sponsors this Research and therefore this site and in turn me, so I caveat these comments with the fact that we/I are labelled bias by definition, having said that it is alone in the marketplace, a market place full of versions of the exact same thing. ESE is a bridge between crowdfunding and regulated stock exchange. A place to act like a public company before becoming a public company. I was given some stats in that sector which I checked myself on www.passfail.com.

Out of 11,000 companies listed on OTC BB or Pink Sheets exchange over 2200 of them are trading at less than a penny and over 1000 of those are trading at zero. 


That is fundamental to everything I said here. Why?

These companies failed, the exchanges they are listed on failed them, it cost them a lot of money to get there and so what can we learn? Early stage companies have no place listing on a 'big boy' exchange. Maybe or definitely? You make your mind up; it’s stacked in favour of a fair comment to me.

Building an exchange therefore that allows crowdfunding but with sophisticated investors only, so they can offer more than just money, a place where you can learn what it takes to be public, a place where you can get access to seated members and large private equity funds, then you can build a business, in a safe place, collaborate and eventually exit. Win win, so here is the advert www.europeanstockexchange.com 

Ensuring the success of my business, my column here and my true feeling and why I took this role in the first place. I want to shout it from the rooftops, maybe I will.

Follow Ann on Twitter @annglobalhazel

​What would you do with an extra $5, $10, $50, $100 even $1000 a month? Would you have a little extra spending money or pay off your student loans? Maybe get a new car or put a down payment on a house? Start a savings account or put it away for retirement? Whatever your goal, Save10 may be the answer for you.
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Are you looking for extra income? Do you need to pay down some debt? Well, Beni-Beni LLC is definitely your work from home solution. With Beni-Beni LLC you work for Fortune 500 Companies from the comfort of your home!
I, like so many other people have been SCAMMED! I’ve spent my last dime on systems that did not work or that were fake, I’ve had my bank account cleaned out after purchasing the “system” I needed to do data entry from home,  just so that I could stay at home with my son. I eventually had to go back to work, and when I say I went back to work, I had three jobs. Fast forward seven years and I’m on my third child, still working in a place that is literally making me sick. While on bed-rest, I started to look more into working from home. I came across a company that offered EXACTLY what I needed. So I decided to partner with them to be able to give someone else an opportunity to work from home without having to be scammed first!
Before I offered the opportunity to others I wanted to try everything out for myself, because working for a Fortune 500 Company from home sounded way too good to be true. So I started the process to start working and low and behold I FOUND IT! I was actually being paid an hourly wage for the hours that I sat at my computer and took calls from clients calling in to the company’s 1-800 number. Not only that but I was able to work when my children were asleep.
There are a few different ways that you are able to work for these companies; they are phone, chat, or email. But most companies have phone opportunities available.
Fast forward 3 ½ years, as an Independent Business Owner contracting with Arise, we can offer people all over the United States the ability to work from home. Each person is trained to do the job that is needed for the company that they are servicing for and the hours are flexible.
If you are looking to work from home for whatever reason, I have your work from home solution. Working for my company will allow you to stay at home with children or bring in extra money without having to go outside of your home. For me, there’s nothing more I like to do than to help someone else whenever I can.
Soon we will be offering more Full Time positions as well as healthcare to our employees. At Beni-Beni LLC we are a family! We would love to help someone work from home who otherwise wouldn’t know where or how to do so.
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Working at home is one of the fastest growing trends in careers today. However, many people jump on the Wahm bandwagon without considering all of the drawbacks to working at home. While some people are naturally inclined to work at home, others find the transition more difficult to make. There are many benefits to working at home, but the drawbacks need to be considered before you make the choice.

The first drawback to looking for a work at home career is that your current career may not easily transfer to a work at home situation. If you work in the medical field or are a police officer, being a Wahm might not be an easy transition unless you are willing to change careers entirely. Sales and administrative positions transfer well, as do creative jobs like design and writing. For those in jobs that can’t make the work at home switch, you’ll have to think carefully about what you want to do when start working at home and start investigating that field.

Cost is another important factor in deciding if working at home is right for you. Although many mothers start working at home to save on childcare, there are added costs to being a Wahm. If you need health insurance, it will have to come out of your pocket instead of being paid by your employers. There are also many taxes that you will have to pay. Your record keeping must be excellent in order to keep track of your income and expenses, and to fill out your income tax return at the end of the year.

Working at home with children is not always as easy as it seems. If you have young children that aren’t in school yet, it may be difficult to work when they are awake. This can mean lots of busy naptimes and late nights to get your projects done when they are sleeping. Family members can help take care of your children from time to time, but the responsibility of both your children and your job will be firmly in your hands. With older children, it is sometimes easier to work from home. But you will still have to start and maintain a fairly balanced schedule in order to get everything done.

Wahms have to be very self-motivated and disciplined in order to get their work done on time and correctly. If you are the type of person that is motivated by outside factors (such as a supervisor), then working at home may not be your cup of tea. When you work at home, there is no one there to look over your shoulder and make sure that you are still working. Distractions like the television, Internet and housework can be hindrances to your work at home success.

Isolation is another problem for Wahms. Working at home alone can get frustrating and lonely. Make sure you are comfortable with spending time alone, and that you take steps to combat isolation. If you are especially prone to being depressed, then the isolation that comes with working at home may make you feel withdrawn and sad. Taking steps to combat loneliness is an important part of any Wahm’s success.

After considering these factors, you may decide that working at home is not right for you. However, thousands of people deal with these drawbacks and still have successful work at home careers. These reasons should not stop you from becoming a Wahm if that is really what you want to do. Just make sure you understand the realities of the work at home lifestyle before you commit to it.

E-Bay businesses are booming!!  Likewise those who set up websites specifically for selling items have taken off as well and have been a blessing to many moms who choose to create a business from home!
If you are interested in becoming an auction Wahm, you might be curious about where to get items to sell on eBay or one of the other popular online auction sites. Actually, there are a wide variety of choices for your auction inventory. Each has different benefits and disadvantages. However, with so many options it is easy to find a method that works well for you and that can help you start a successful Wahm business.

The first, and most simple, method of finding things to sell in online auctions is searching the garage sales in your local area. Many people are not comfortable with selling online, or they don’t want to take the time to do it. You may find a lot of interesting and valuable treasures that can be sold for a nice profit. The benefit of this method is that your inventory can usually be purchased very cheaply. Try going to yard sales as they are ending and see if you can get a bulk deal to buy whatever the person has left for a flat fee. Sometimes there will be items that will double or even triple your initial investment. You also have the benefit of being able to shop locally. You won’t have to travel far to get the items that you need. Another similar option is to look for estate sales and auctions in your area.

On the downside, when you purchase inventory from yard sales, you really have to know what you are looking for. Sometimes this method works better if you are focusing on selling a specific category of items, like pottery or children’s toys. If you have a category of items that you are familiar with, you’ll know how much you can afford to spend. You will also be able to spot deals when you see them. The other downside is that when you purchase items, you need somewhere in your home to store them before you sell them. If you buy a lot of items and have to sort through them, your garage and spare room will fill up in no time.

Some people prefer to keep the inventory out of their homes and work with a drop shipper. Drop shipping companies have items that you can sell on auctions. You list the items on the auction site, and then once the auction is complete, you arrange shipment with the drop ship company. You never have to have the product in your home, and don’t have to worry about going to the post office a few times a week. As a Wahm, the convenience of working with a drop shipping company can be a huge benefit. However, the profit margins of having the company do the shipping can be very small when compared to some of your other options.

When you obtain a business license you can order wholesale products from a company. Light bulk wholesale is the best option for most Wahms. These wholesale packages include from several hundred to a thousand dollars worth of product. Light bulk wholesale can be delivered to your home and won’t require excessive amounts of storage space. Selling from a wholesale lot means that you are in charge of setting your prices and can have more profit than you would by drop shipping. You are also not at the mercy of a drop shipping company, who may deliver your items late and put your customer service at risk.

On the other hand, stocking your own inventory can be a bit overwhelming unless you are organized. You can easily get bogged down in getting the right items to the right buyers. You will also be responsible for going to the post office several times a week, and packaging the items yourself.

However, with a bit of preparation, the most successful auction site Wahms find that buying items in wholesale lots gives them the most control over their business and the best profit margins. If you are just getting started, try one of the other methods first and then work up to buying wholesale lots.

There are hundreds of direct sales companies that offer Wahms the ability to make money and stay home with their children at the same time. When you work in direct sales you are an independent contractor for a company. You are in charge of selling their products or services, which you then get at a discount. Your income comes from the difference between the price you charge your customers and the price you pay for the items. You can also normally earn money from commissions off of the sales of your recruits.

Going with a direct sales company is a great way to start a work at home business. Direct sales companies offer stay at home moms an affordable way to start up their own business. There are very little costs involved. Normally a starter kit can be purchased for $100 to $200. Compare that with opening a regular store that will cost thousands. Some companies even offer the opportunity to earn a starter kit for free.

Working a direct sales business also means that you have flexibility in your work schedule and your income. You make all of the decisions on when you hold parties or demonstrations. Your income is directly proportionate to the efforts that you put into your business. The more demonstrations you book and the more new clients you meet, the more you will make. You’ll also receive support and encouragement from fellow consultants. Weekly sales meetings help keep you motivated and give you fresh ideas for your business. You will network with other consultants for support and praise. Your up line or recruiter will also provide you with lots of help as you get your business started.

To be successful in direct sales, you’ll need to have great people skills. The products are really second to your personality. Your presence and your customer service will be what sell your items. You’ll also need to be very organized. As an independent sales rep, you’ll be in charge of tracking your sales and paying the appropriate taxes. You’ll need to schedule your parties, shows or demonstrations and follow up with your customers in a timely manner.

Once you’ve decided that direct sales is right for you, its time to choose while direct sales company you want to work with. It’s recommended that you choose a company that offers product that you already like or have experience with. The best salespeople are those who are enthusiastic about their products. Trying to sell something that you don’t use yourself or that you aren’t that interested in will make you appear insincere to your customers.

Think about your direct sales company choice in the long term. This will be your business that you put your name on, and you will invest your time and money in. Research your options thoroughly and make sure that you sign up with a trusted company. Don’t feel pressured by a sponsor to sign right away. This is your decision and it is up to you whether or not you want to join.

Also, make sure to ask a lot of questions. Know everything that you can about the company before you sign up. Understand the commission structure, how products are sold and if there are any monthly minimums. Make sure you understand how much your starter pack will cost and what the kit includes. Will there be anything else you need to buy immediately? Will you need to buy inventory? Understand how ordering works and how the products get to the customers.

If you are really serious about an opportunity, jump online and see what other consultants have to say about the company. Find out what customers are saying about the company. If there is more bad than good being said about a company and its consultants, then that’s a huge red flag. Also, visit the Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau websites. They can give you information about the trustworthiness of a company.