Struggling to get started on a Monday morning, this might help...

Written By Andrew Ford

Many years ago I use to run courses. These were face-to-face in Melbourne, way before COVID and the prolific use of video meetings. Skype era, eek!

The picture is from my first version of 'Launch in 12 Weeks' where 12 aspiring business owners met once a week for 3 hours duration to actually start their business in 12 weeks. Genius branding I know...

I don't run this course anymore, which is a shame as I really do love teaching this material and getting super practical with their business launches. This became an online course and retreated to the back parts of my website as I focused more on one-to-one coaching.

The goal of the training was to start a business and get your first client at the end of 12 weeks. Some started their businesses, some didn't. Some thought this course was the catalyst that kickstarted it all for them, while others didn't get any value at all. Same course, different people.

This week one of those participants in the picture, Carol Benton, came back to Melbourne for a visit and we caught up which was fabulous! She is still so grateful for this course as it kickstarted her very successful business. Right course, right time, right person. She did the work and got the results.

Warren Davies, The Unbreakable Farmer, was there too. He was the hardest working guy I have ever met. A dairy farmer, he woke up at 4am to take care of the cows then at night drove 3 hours each way to attend this course as he had a dream to be a keynote speaker. The only problem was he had never been a speaker before, didn't know how to use social media, didn't have a website or any resources to pay for these things. Did I mention he has five kids too?

He was so inspiring that we let him come pro bono and we built him a website. Today he is a superstar helping thousands of people learn more about mental health. How cool is that.

The other 10 attendees all had mixed results, some started their businesses, others didn't. We all have different journeys and sometimes the material isn't what we need or we go in a different direction. I'm not the worlds best start up coach, but I put in 100% effort every time. I genuinely care about them and their outcome.

The point of the story is that by doing something that you find inspiring, you can inspire others to live their best lives and being part of that journey is what gets you out of bed on a cold and rainy Melbourne morning.

So if you find yourself not getting the juice from the work squeeze, consider helping others to be their best.

I guarantee you there is no better feeling than helping others be successful.

Andrew Ford
Marketing expert Andrew Ford, the founder of Social Star, has discovered the secret of ‘Powerful Branding’. With a fire for unleashing people’s inner brand and developing business models to generate profit from an individual’s passions, Andrew leverages ground-breaking digital and social media marketing techniques to create digital strategies for clients to attract maximum opportunities. Having established a strong name for himself in the field, Andrew blends traditional business techniques with now-necessary tools for entrepreneurs to achieve scale, quality, and influence in their niche. Andrew’s comprehensive business background and qualifications consist of a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) (RMIT 2003), a Graduate Certificate in Management (MBA Executive Program, University of Sydney 2005), and a Masters of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Swinburne University 2011). Continually on the cutting edge of his own education, Andrew has tested his marketing theories in forums such as the BCG Business Strategy Competition, which he won in 2005 against all Victorian MBA schools, and the Venture Cup Business Plan Competition (Swinburne University 2003), which he won in the Masters category. With experience working at Hewlett-Packard, Sensis (Telstra) and IBM, Andrew also has mentored dozens of junior staffs to help them achieve their professional goals. Meeting and influencing high-profile public figures helped Andrew to realise just how many professionals require more understanding and control of their public brands or appearance, and need help with the skills to use the many amazing free tools at their disposal to generate success. At Social Star, Andrew consults with clients to uncover their personal brand – both where it is today and where it can be tomorrow – and refine and define how that should be displayed in social media in order to attract their perfect target audience. Andrew mentors his clients to rapidly grow their business’ audiences, resulting in larger potential client bases and higher revenue. Applying formulas that integrate over twenty years of Andrew’s business experience and fifteen years of formal business education, Social Star specialises in building clarity and velocity for clients’ brands using the ‘Understand, Build and Leverage’ methodology. ‘Having a Personal Business enables people to have an authentic, congruent connection with their valued clients and partners, using their brand as the bridge,’ says Andrew. ‘I’m highly driven to work with the new breed of entrepreneurs and small business owners – people who have a passion for making the world a better place. Traditional business models are stepping aside as people follow their innermost dreams and my role is to see them operate within their values while creating wealth. Some people think you have to sacrifice what you love to be successful in your business, yet it is actually the opposite. Follow your passion and success will come.’ Lecturing at Swinburne University from 2009 to 2011 on brand dynamics and digital marketing, presenting at numerous conferences, and consulting to hundreds of clients, Andrew has seen his philosophy work that if you follow your unique path, based on your skills, experience, values and goals, you will automatically attract the opportunities you desire and achieve the success you deserve. Living his mantra, Andrew has created a successful business and attracts high-profile clients including musicians, athletes, authors, models, entrepreneurs, professionals and small business owners, helping them find their ‘why’ in their business and fulfilment in their lives. Business for Andrew is more than work, it’s personal. Running a personal business means that he is able to fulfil all of his values rather than separating his life from work. It supports his two boys while providing social opportunities, educational development, fitness opportunities, spiritual fulfilment and many valuable friendships. Social Star has now become the vehicle for Andrew to crystallise his mission in the world, to help people love what they do, supporting his ‘why’, that if more people loved what they did, the world would be a better place.
http://www.andrewford.com.au/
Previous

How implementing Native Advertising can grow your brand following
Next

What is the alternative to plastic and paper straws? Tequila straws of course!