When aspiring entrepreneurs ask me for advice I often notice a common pattern. They come to me excited about a product idea thats clever cute or interesting—but not necessarily solving a genuine problem. This approach misses what I believe is the fundamental key to business success. Throughout my entrepreneurial journey from growing Ellie.com to a million dollars in just four months to founding and selling Swag of the Month before launching Hawke Media Ive learned that passion alone isnt enough. The businesses that truly thrive are those that address actual needs in the marketplace. Focus on Needs Not Wants I regularly hear people say I want to start this business or I have this great product idea. My first question is always: Does it solve a real problem? This distinction between wants and needs is crucial. Think about it this way—if you create something thats merely cute or nice to have like a decorative baby bib will anyone desperately need it? Will customers call you at 3 AM begging you to send one immediately? Of course not. On the other hand when you develop solutions to genuine problems you create something indispensable. These are the products and services people seek […]
When aspiring entrepreneurs ask me for advice I often notice a common pattern.
They come to me excited about a product idea thats clever cute or interesting—but not necessarily solving a genuine problem.
This approach misses what I believe is the fundamental key to business success.
Throughout my entrepreneurial journey from growing Ellie.
com to a million dollars in just four months to founding and selling Swag of the Month before launching Hawke Media Ive learned that passion alone isnt enough.
The businesses that truly thrive are those that address actual needs in the marketplace.
Focus on Needs Not Wants I regularly hear people say I want to start this business or I have this great product idea.
My first question is always: Does it solve a real problem? This distinction between wants and needs is crucial.
Think about it this way—if you create something thats merely cute or nice to have like a decorative baby bib will anyone desperately need it? Will customers call you at 3 AM begging you to send one immediately? Of course not.
On the other hand when you develop solutions to genuine problems you create something indispensable.
These are the products and services people seek […].
Upcoming modifications to Social Security could significantly impact the financial well-being of retirees.
Many individuals have been taught that net worth represents the ultimate measure of wealth. However this perspective fails to account for...
Berkshire Hathaways stock has experienced an 8% decline over the past three months raising investor concerns.
Discover the intriguing backstory behind Bobby Bonilla Day and why the Mets continue to pay him annually.
The stock market experienced mixed results today as tech sector stocks faced significant challenges.
Norwegian pension fund KLP announces divestment from defense firms Oshkosh and ThyssenKrupp citing ethical concerns.
Vanguard announces historic highs in 401(k) savings rates marking unprecedented growth in retirement savings for investors.
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq achieved record high closes reflecting strong market performance and investor optimism.
Retirees are adjusting their financial approaches to cope with the challenges posed by rising inflation.
Investors brace for a turbulent second half of 2025 navigating economic uncertainties and market fluctuations.
It is not just about making others like you. It is about demonstrating that you already appreciate them. Building trust is so important.
How many times have you heard the phrase your network is your net worth? It sounds like a catchy slogan but what does it really mean? As someone who has built multiple successful businesses and experienced several profitable exits I can tell you this concept is far more than a platitude—its the foundation of lasting success. Throughout my career from radio production to educational technology to helping veterans start businesses one constant has remained: the relationships Ive built have been the primary driver of my financial success. My story proves that who you know often matters more than what you know. The Train Ride That Changed Everything My journey began on a train from Chicago to South Bend Indiana. As a 20-year-old college student I struck up a conversation with a woman who later introduced me to her husband—the president of Leo Burnett the largest advertising agency in the country at that time. After talking with me for half an hour he said something that changed my life: Bill I want you to switch your major to marketing and communications. I havent met many 20-year-olds who are as articulate and enjoy talking as much as you do. Thats your gift. […]
How many times have you heard the phrase your network is your net worth? It sounds like a catchy slogan but what does it really mean? As someone who has built multiple successful businesses and experienced several profitable exits I can tell you this concept is far more than a platitude—its the foundation of lasting success.
Throughout my career from radio production to educational technology to helping veterans start businesses one constant has remained: the relationships Ive built have been the primary driver of my financial success.
My story proves that who you know often matters more than what you know.
The Train Ride That Changed Everything My journey began on a train from Chicago to South Bend Indiana.
As a 20-year-old college student I struck up a conversation with a woman who later introduced me to her husband—the president of Leo Burnett the largest advertising agency in the country at that time.
After talking with me for half an hour he said something that changed my life: Bill I want you to switch your major to marketing and communications.
I havent met many 20-year-olds who are as articulate and enjoy talking as much as you do.
Thats your gift.
[…].
When aspiring entrepreneurs ask me for advice I often notice a common pattern. They come to me excited about a product idea thats clever cute or interesting—but not necessarily solving a genuine problem. This approach misses what I believe is the fundamental key to business success. Throughout my entrepreneurial journey from growing Ellie.com to a million dollars in just four months to founding and selling Swag of the Month before launching Hawke Media Ive learned that passion alone isnt enough. The businesses that truly thrive are those that address actual needs in the marketplace. Focus on Needs Not Wants I regularly hear people say I want to start this business or I have this great product idea. My first question is always: Does it solve a real problem? This distinction between wants and needs is crucial. Think about it this way—if you create something thats merely cute or nice to have like a decorative baby bib will anyone desperately need it? Will customers call you at 3 AM begging you to send one immediately? Of course not. On the other hand when you develop solutions to genuine problems you create something indispensable. These are the products and services people seek […]
When aspiring entrepreneurs ask me for advice I often notice a common pattern.
They come to me excited about a product idea thats clever cute or interesting—but not necessarily solving a genuine problem.
This approach misses what I believe is the fundamental key to business success.
Throughout my entrepreneurial journey from growing Ellie.
com to a million dollars in just four months to founding and selling Swag of the Month before launching Hawke Media Ive learned that passion alone isnt enough.
The businesses that truly thrive are those that address actual needs in the marketplace.
Focus on Needs Not Wants I regularly hear people say I want to start this business or I have this great product idea.
My first question is always: Does it solve a real problem? This distinction between wants and needs is crucial.
Think about it this way—if you create something thats merely cute or nice to have like a decorative baby bib will anyone desperately need it? Will customers call you at 3 AM begging you to send one immediately? Of course not.
On the other hand when you develop solutions to genuine problems you create something indispensable.
These are the products and services people seek […].
Upcoming modifications to Social Security could significantly impact the financial well-being of retirees.
Many individuals have been taught that net worth represents the ultimate measure of wealth. However this perspective fails to account for...
Many individuals have been taught that net worth represents the ultimate measure of wealth.
However this perspective fails to account for.
Berkshire Hathaways stock has experienced an 8% decline over the past three months raising investor concerns.
Discover the intriguing backstory behind Bobby Bonilla Day and why the Mets continue to pay him annually.
The stock market experienced mixed results today as tech sector stocks faced significant challenges.
Norwegian pension fund KLP announces divestment from defense firms Oshkosh and ThyssenKrupp citing ethical concerns.
Norwegian pension fund KLP announces divestment from defense firms Oshkosh and ThyssenKrupp citing ethical concerns.
Vanguard announces historic highs in 401(k) savings rates marking unprecedented growth in retirement savings for investors.
Vanguard announces historic highs in 401(k) savings rates marking unprecedented growth in retirement savings for investors.
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq achieved record high closes reflecting strong market performance and investor optimism.
Retirees are adjusting their financial approaches to cope with the challenges posed by rising inflation.
Investors brace for a turbulent second half of 2025 navigating economic uncertainties and market fluctuations.
It is not just about making others like you. It is about demonstrating that you already appreciate them. Building trust is so important.
It is not just about making others like you.
It is about demonstrating that you already appreciate them.
Building trust is so important.
How many times have you heard the phrase your network is your net worth? It sounds like a catchy slogan but what does it really mean? As someone who has built multiple successful businesses and experienced several profitable exits I can tell you this concept is far more than a platitude—its the foundation of lasting success. Throughout my career from radio production to educational technology to helping veterans start businesses one constant has remained: the relationships Ive built have been the primary driver of my financial success. My story proves that who you know often matters more than what you know. The Train Ride That Changed Everything My journey began on a train from Chicago to South Bend Indiana. As a 20-year-old college student I struck up a conversation with a woman who later introduced me to her husband—the president of Leo Burnett the largest advertising agency in the country at that time. After talking with me for half an hour he said something that changed my life: Bill I want you to switch your major to marketing and communications. I havent met many 20-year-olds who are as articulate and enjoy talking as much as you do. Thats your gift. […]
How many times have you heard the phrase your network is your net worth? It sounds like a catchy slogan but what does it really mean? As someone who has built multiple successful businesses and experienced several profitable exits I can tell you this concept is far more than a platitude—its the foundation of lasting success.
Throughout my career from radio production to educational technology to helping veterans start businesses one constant has remained: the relationships Ive built have been the primary driver of my financial success.
My story proves that who you know often matters more than what you know.
The Train Ride That Changed Everything My journey began on a train from Chicago to South Bend Indiana.
As a 20-year-old college student I struck up a conversation with a woman who later introduced me to her husband—the president of Leo Burnett the largest advertising agency in the country at that time.
After talking with me for half an hour he said something that changed my life: Bill I want you to switch your major to marketing and communications.
I havent met many 20-year-olds who are as articulate and enjoy talking as much as you do.
Thats your gift.
[…].
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