Alicia Tomlinson has become a friend and mentor over the years since I first interviewed her for the Off-Farm Income Podcast.  On tomorrow’s ag business episode she is coming back on the show to update us on her business and what has gone on, over the past 8 years.  So, for today’s re-cap episode I wanted to replay her first interview so you can have the complete before and after picture when you hear her tomorrow.

The original show notes are below:

OFI 069: Monetize Your Expertise | Alicia Tomlinson | Ag Curriculum

SHOW NOTES

KEY IDEAS:

ADVICE FROM ALICIA TOMLINSON:

DO GOOD WORK: Alicia was very clear on this.  It does not matter how well you market or how much people like you.  If you do not make a good product, people are not going to buy it.  Alicia was careful to say that she does not strive for perfection, because that is unreachable.  But, she does strive for “excellence!”

DEVOTE THE TIME: Alicia talked about her late nights at Kinko’s, printing out materials at 1 or 2am.  You have to put the time in up front, to reach the point where it all pays off in the long term.

BEST BUSINESS ADVICE THAT ALICIA TOMLINSON HAS RECEIVED:

FAIL: I thought a lot about what Alicia said here.  Originally she told me that you should not be afraid to fail.  I changed it to just “Fail.”  Everyone is going to fail in some way or another along an entrepreneurial venture.  So, go fail!  You are not going to figure things out until you see what does not work.  You can can call this a failure.  But you can also call it a learning experience.  Go get it over with.

PERSONAL HABIT THAT ADS TO ALICIA TOMLINSON’S SUCCESS:

DISCIPLINE: Alicia is very disciplined.  She works when she is supposed to work.  She adheres to her deadlines.  This has been one of my learning curves as I have entered entrepreneurship.  Being disciplined with my time is one of the skills that I had to acquire.  If you are not already disciplined, you will too.

LINKS RECOMMENDATIONS FROM ALICIA TOMLINSON:

Link to apply for Federal EIN: LINK

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BOOK RECOMMENDATION:

Alicia had three book recommendations.  All of them deal with concepts that will encourage you to keep moving forward as an entrepreneur.  Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion is a great book that I read early on in my journey.  I need to go back and read it again.  Alicia points out that Gary V. makes it clear that no matter what your interest is, when you become the go to resource on this niche, you can “crush it!”

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich (Expanded and Updated) is another great book that Alicia recommended.  I have read this one as well.  This book is all about doing the work up front, so you can reap the rewards later. Neither Alicia nor I are anywhere close to working only 4 hours in a week.  But, if a week comes along that we only want to put in 4 hours, we can!

Three Feet from Gold: Turn Your Obstacles in Opportunities (Think and Grow Rich) is a book that I have not read yet, but I have heard the story.  Alicia liked to use this book to inspire her students, but it is definitely the right message for any entrepreneur.  Don’t stop!  You might only be “three feet from gold!”

ALICIA TOMLINSON’S CONTACT INFORMATION AND SUGGESTED LINKS:

Website: www.onelessthing.net

Email: info@onelessthing.net

Twitter: @OneLessThing

Facebook: LINK

Pinterest: LINK