Indie Business Blog

What's Your Hustle?

Recession Notwithstanding, Not Everyone Is in a Panic

Years ago, I dated a guy with an unstable job history. When I expressed my concern, he replied, "Don't worry, I'll always have a hustle." I was mortified. To me, "hustle" was a word used to describe pimping and illegal gaming activities. Today, that guy is an officer in the military, but he's not stopping there. He also owns a successful entertainment company. He has a career and a "hustle," and you need one too.

         

Today's New York Times contains an article quoting a Goldman Sachs economist: "The labor market is clearly deteriorating, and it's likely to keep deteriorating." Goldman Sachs forecasts that the unemployment rate will continue to rise, peaking at nearly 7% in 2009. That's 7% of Americans without a traditional job.

Oh, yeah, you need a hustle.

In Honor of a King

This is the second in a series of posts inspired by my post about how blogging on a schedule can help you keep blogging quick and painless. I suggested a "holiday post" on Tuesdays, so here's my holiday post, which actually makes more sense to categorize here under "current events". To call the time frame 40 years ago during which the nation (well, some of the nation) mourned the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. a "holiday" is quite a misnomer.

          

One of the areas of the country that was hit hardest with riots after Dr. King was killed was the intersection of 14th & U Streets, a few miles from the 16th Street home where I grew up and where my mother still lives. Of course, I was far too young at the time to comprehend the national race war, so I don't remember what I was doing or where I was when the news flashes started. But I do remember the day of Dr. King's funeral.

Hillary's Tears: I Liked 'Em

She Cares And Is Not Afraid To Show It

Yesterday, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton choked up at a press conference. In case you didn't see one of the billion replays of the event, you can see it here.

   

Tears Are Real

When I lived in Washington, DC, two men who became known as the "DC Snipers" (even though not a single sniper attack occurred in the city) terrorized the area shooting people at random. When they shot a child in front of a junior high school, Chief Charles Moose, the chief of police in the Maryland county where most of the shootings took place, choked up at a press conference as he expressed his rage that anyone would shoot a child in front of a school.

Some gave him flack for being weak. I gave him kudos for being real.

Real Is Good

As Indie Business owners, we can take a tip from Hillary and the chief. Be real. Be who you are. Everyone won't like it, but you can't be concerned with that. Tell the truth. Live the truth. Be the truth. That's what really matters.

What Do You Think?

Did Hillary blow it? Does an empowered woman become less empowered when her passion moves her to tears? Or do her tears instead reflect her power and demonstrate that she is confident enough in her abilities to wear her heart on her sleeve now and then?

Striking Writers Give Hollywood The Business

Soon-To-Be Indies Poised To Cross The Ultimate Picket Line

Last month, I shared my thoughts on the Hollywood writer's strike. The focus of the post was how we could all stand to turn off the television so we could devote more attention to using our businesses to build wealth instead of just dreaming about all the possibilties.

            

My post ended saying, "Didn't anyone see this coming? I am all for standing in solidarity with union brothers and sisters to fight for what is right. But I hope that some of the striking writers are also using some of their new free time to explore how their God given talent can be used to generate income on their own terms so they never have to strike again."

Writer's Strike Could Change Your Life

... For The Better

It finally happened. Television writers across America did something about the fact that they are not fairly paid for their work. The result? They are on strike, and with them goes the writing that sustains late night television shows like Letterman and Leno, daytime soap operas and prime time sitcoms.

          

What does this mean for tv addicts? More time to invest in your business so you don't ever have to go on strike to force anyone to pay you what you're worth.