Bo Bennett's Journey

Bo Bennett's Journey http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001 This is a daily "diary" of my journey to creating a billion dollar company. Success is not easy, as you will see. There are many stumbling blocks that must be overcome. en Copyright 2008, Year To Success Sun, 15 Jun 2008 11:58:26 GMT Sun, 15 Jun 2008 11:58:26 GMT Happy Father's Day To Me (and Other Fathers Out There) http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000321#00000321 I just had one of those "moments".  You know, those moments when in a mere instant you take a look at your life and reflect.  And honestly, I could not be happier.  You know you are living well when your wife asks you, "what do you want to do on your special day?" and the answer, after some good thought, is pretty much what you do every other day of your life. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000321#00000321">Read More »</a>  Sun, 15 Jun 2008 12:58:26 GMT iGrOOps: Lessons in Year One http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000299#00000299 February 16th, 2007.  This was the date that iGrOOps was open to the public.  It has been over one year and there have been ups, downs, surprises, crashes, bugs, failures and many successes. What an amazing year it has been. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000299#00000299">Read More »</a>  Sat, 23 Feb 2008 19:37:30 GMT New Year's Tradition http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000034#00000034 Every New Years, for the last 10 years, my wife and I create a "list" over dinner.  This list is divided in three parts: 1) predictions 2) goals 3) resolutions.  We look forward to "list day" all year. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000034#00000034">Read More »</a>  Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:52:24 GMT Our New Office - Change is Good! http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000031#00000031 About a year ago, I went on a quest to find office space for my new company, iGrOOps.  At the time, it was only my partner Ryan and myself.  I looked at a few spaces and we settled on a 2300sqft office in a large industrial park -- the same building as Monster.com headquarters.  Our one year lease is up April 1, 2008, but I can't wait to leave. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000031#00000031">Read More »</a>  Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:49:21 GMT What do you have to be thankful for? http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000030#00000030 It's is too bad that most people (at least Americans) ask this question to themselves only once a year.  We ALL have so much to be thankful for, but we tend to take these things for granted more often then we appreciate them.  This actually just a pattern of thinking -- a habit, that can be changed. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000030#00000030">Read More »</a>  gratitudethanksgivingfocus Thu, 22 Nov 2007 13:06:17 GMT The Thrill of the Game! http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000029#00000029 It is amazing how many people asked me the same question after I sold my first company of significant value: "Why aren't you on a [beach, golf course, etc] somewhere enjoying the rest of your life?" (or some version of the question...).  Besides the fact that I do not enjoy the beach or golf, the answer is, I love the thrill of the game.  Without this "thrill", life is more like a conveyor belt than a roller coaster; transporting you from birth to death. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000029#00000029">Read More »</a>  achievementpassion Tue, 06 Nov 2007 11:24:43 GMT "The Payout" http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000028#00000028 When you take a job, as an employee, you get paid a salary.  This amount is usually set by a number of factors.    Your salary is an average of the overall value to the organization for which you work.  Meaning you get a paycheck when times are good and when times are bad.  Working for yourself is different, and unless you are psychologically prepared for the "feast and famine" cycles, your chances of making it as an entrepreneur are not that good.  But with a little mental preparation, you can be ready. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000028#00000028">Read More »</a>  Fri, 12 Oct 2007 10:50:00 GMT My Next Book http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000027#00000027 It has been about 4 years since I have written Year To Success.  During the last 4 years people have asked me when I was writing my next book (when, not if).  I knew a book was coming, but I did not want to write one just for the sake of writing one. Year To Success was a book inside of me that could not wait to come out.  I was waiting for that kind of inspiration for my next book.  I finally found it. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000027#00000027">Read More »</a>  Sun, 23 Sep 2007 03:19:30 GMT Some Marketing Updates... http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000026#00000026 This was a message to our staff I sent this AM.  For those of you interested in online marketing, you can get a good sense of the effectiveness of keyword campaigns.  For those of you interested in success, you can see that success is never easy :) <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000026#00000026">Read More »</a>  Wed, 29 Aug 2007 11:49:53 GMT High School Bo http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000022#00000022 I am putting together an online group for my graduating high school class of 1990.  As I go through my yearbook for content, I came across my senior photo.  The quote I chose was from Donald Trump, "It's not whether you win or lose that matters, it's whether you win."  The irony is, 14 years later, he would write a testimonial for me that I would publish on the cover of my book. Funny how things work out. :) <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000022#00000022">Read More »</a>  Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:36:15 GMT Summertime... http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000021#00000021 People always say summertime is slow... people are away on vacation, new projects do not start, etc.  I understand that things could be a bit slower paced, but things have been too quiet at iGrOOps.  Sure, I have been away for 23 days in Italy, but still.. too quiet.  We are working on changes in the iGrOOps business model that can get it the kind of exposure it needs to be a top Internet company. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000021#00000021">Read More »</a>  Sat, 21 Jul 2007 20:03:34 GMT Month 4 http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000020#00000020 We are now into the fourth full month of iGrOOps and I am certainly pleased with the progress.  We have grown about 400% in the last month -- not bad!  I would not say that iGrOOps has caught on yet by any means, but those who are using it and especially those who have set up groups are passionate about it and that is what gives me the confidence in knowing this will be huge. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000020#00000020">Read More »</a>  Sun, 03 Jun 2007 17:37:44 GMT Against the Grain http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000019#00000019 It is not easy doing something completely different than other people, or going against the grain.  When you do, you are met with resistance and sometimes ridicule. This is why there are so few leaders and very many followers. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000019#00000019">Read More »</a>  Thu, 17 May 2007 20:13:20 GMT A New Quote http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000018#00000018 You are on the road to financial success when you realize that you enjoy making money more than you do spending it. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000018#00000018">Read More »</a>  Sun, 13 May 2007 17:40:57 GMT My rambling on the "95 percent" rule http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000017#00000017 <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000017#00000017">Read More »</a>[ <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000017#00000017">Video Availble</a> ]  Tue, 08 May 2007 22:06:13 GMT A Funny Thing... http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000016#00000016 It is a funny thing looking for some success related products to add to my new office, and coming across a poster with a familiar quote :) <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000016#00000016">Read More »</a>  Wed, 25 Apr 2007 02:44:05 GMT Introductions! http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000015#00000015 Please post your introduction here: <a href="https://www.igroops.com/igroops/y2s/comm/CATEGORY+Introductions">https://www.igroops.com/igroops/y2s/comm/CATEGORY+Introductions</a> <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000015#00000015">Read More »</a>[ <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000015#00000015">Video Availble</a> ]  Sun, 15 Apr 2007 22:01:41 GMT More Activity! http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000014#00000014 <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000014#00000014">Read More »</a>[ <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000014#00000014">Video Availble</a> ]  Tue, 10 Apr 2007 17:39:40 GMT Happy Easter! http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000013#00000013 From Bo, Annabelle, and Trebbie and our dog Archie who is panting in the background <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000013#00000013">Read More »</a>[ <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000013#00000013">Video Availble</a> ]  Sun, 08 Apr 2007 22:50:52 GMT No Bad Days, Just Bad Attitudes http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000012#00000012 We hear it all the time, people saying that they are having a "bad day".  Some people go as far to extend this day to week, month and even year.  Understanding the "bad day phenomenon" can make your life much enjoyable.  I know, in my early 20's I was the king of "bad days" and I can honestly say that I have not had a bad day in the last 10 years.  Sure, crappy things happen to me, both within and out of my control, but I don't let that ruin my entire day. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000012#00000012">Read More »</a>  Sat, 31 Mar 2007 12:02:26 GMT Giving Away the Cow http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000011#00000011 There is an old saying that goes something like this... "No one will buy the cow if you are giving away the milk for free."  I say, no one will care about the cow unless you give them a taste of milk. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000011#00000011">Read More »</a>  Tue, 27 Mar 2007 19:13:07 GMT Missed Opportunity http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000010#00000010 Year To Success is all about helping people succeed.  Like most books on the topic, there is no specifics... it is a more generic formula that anyone can apply.  However, what I have heard most is people cannot seem to take the generic success information and apply it to something specific.  Maybe they are just not used to thinking that way. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000010#00000010">Read More »</a>  Mon, 12 Mar 2007 13:46:22 GMT My Weakness... http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000009#00000009 I am not a bigger "shopper".  In fact, once I started making some money I got lazy, and I usually purchase more on emotion and for convenience than i do price.  However, there is no room for this attitude in business.  I almost cost our new business over $4000. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000009#00000009">Read More »</a>  Mon, 05 Mar 2007 13:43:44 GMT Being Flexible http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000008#00000008 Flexibility, especially in a start up phase, is extremely important.  To many entrepreneurs write business plan is great details and stick to them, despite the damage it may do to their business.  Keep in mind that business plans as well as goals are like "estimates" -- you are making assumptions based on limited knowledge.  As time progresses, you have more accurate information and should adjust your plans and goals accordingly. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000008#00000008">Read More »</a>  Mon, 05 Mar 2007 00:43:59 GMT Appreciation http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000007#00000007 Every now and then you really need to stop and appreciate what you do have and let go of what you don't have, or what you are working towards. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000007#00000007">Read More »</a>  Mon, 26 Feb 2007 10:53:50 GMT Finding Space http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000006#00000006 Last week I was looking at an office space in town, in a small, professional office park nearby.  I liked the space, but it did not "feel" right.  Most of the tenants were doctors, lawyers, and other small companies.  It was about 1800 square feet -- enough to start but limited to about 6-8 months growth for our goals.  The biggest problem: no room for growth.  <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000006#00000006">Read More »</a>  Tue, 20 Feb 2007 09:37:28 GMT The "Ground Floor" http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000005#00000005 I actually have the term "ground floor" flagged as spam in my spam filters.  This is a huge buzzword for MLMers and it is even more abused by spammers.  It is the "American Dream" to get in on the ground floor of a huge opportunity because in general, the amount of work vs the reward is very different from that of a saturated industry.  This concept comes to mind as I launch iGrOOps.  No matter how tempted I am to throw that buzzword around, I just can't. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000005#00000005">Read More »</a>  Fri, 16 Feb 2007 14:33:56 GMT Growing a Business http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000004#00000004 This is without question the part of business I love the most -- when the "product" has been created, business plans are developed, initial testing has been done, and all signs are go!  This is also the time when decisions can change the course of the business the most, so they must be made carefully (now more than ever). <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000004#00000004">Read More »</a>  Mon, 12 Feb 2007 17:08:10 GMT "Hold the Feedback" http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000003#00000003 Don't get me wrong... I am all for feedback.  But like everything else in life, there is a time and a place for feedback.  I wonder how many brilliant ideas never made it past the idea stage because of creators listening to premature "feedback"?  Remember that very few people give valuable feedback.  Most feedback is given out of frustration, jealousy, and lack of understanding.  Feedback can also be given by negative people with the best intentions (this kind of feedback is usually preceded by "let me play devil's advocate for a moment...").  No matter how positive and strong-willed we may be, the feedback of others tend to resonate in our heads and perhaps even at a subconscious level we act on that feedback.  This is why I kept this concept to myself until I completed the majority of the programming and site design -- because at that stage, there was no turning back. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000003#00000003">Read More »</a>  Thu, 08 Feb 2007 16:59:13 GMT The Beginnings... (part 2) http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000002#00000002 I think it was right after I sold Boston Datacenters in October of 2006 that everything started coming together (conceptually).  Sometimes when you are faced with a moment of decision you are forced to act.  This is exactly what happened with me. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000002#00000002">Read More »</a>  Thu, 08 Feb 2007 16:46:42 GMT The Beginnings... http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000001#00000001 Trying to think back of where the idea for iGrOOps originated is not easy.  There was no single defining moment -- it was more like many random thoughts over time that resulted in what now is iGrOOps. <a href="http://www.yeartosuccess.com/members/y2s/blog/VIEW+00000001+00000001#00000001">Read More »</a>  Wed, 07 Feb 2007 21:41:08 GMT