The Hustleman Chronicles

Hustling in the concrete jungle of Atlanta, Georgia USA isn't easy. My goal? Simple... to go from net worth zero to the making of my first million. Will I flop, or rise to the top? Truth be told, failure is NOT an option. E-Mail your Hustleman at : thehustleman@hustleandprofit.com for some personal dialogue, comments or questions.

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Caught Red Handed (Or Just Hated On)...? PART 2

So here I am cuffed and sitting on the ground while this off duty brother playing Robocop calls in favors on HIS cell phone. His mission? To try to have someone come and lock me up. This dude was serious. He wanted to make an example out of me without a doubt.

The Reverend I was supposed to meet and the reason I was up at this spot in the first place finally showed up. As he came around my car I saw the expression of disbelief on his face. By this time Robocop was walking back to us from getting his haircut.

The Rev introduced himself and talked (very carefully) to the Fulton County officer and subtly pleaded for my release. Also carefully pointing out that the officer was off duty.

“You’re police 24/7.” Was Robocop’s response. The Rev figured out what I already knew. Best to leave this situation alone.

The Rev looked down directed his conversation towards me, “James, if you need anything just call me. I’ll come bail you out.” The Reverend pulled out a couple of credit cards. “Me and my wife will be in town for a few more hours if you need me just call.”

I thanked the Rev and he left. Robocop looked confused.

“The Reverend wants to help you out?” Robocop asked with a grin over his face.

‘I’m a good dude,” I responded “I take care of my people.”

“You take car of them with what?”

“I do a lot of things.” Was all the words I cared to say.

Another 15 minutes past… still no squad car. It appeared that Fulton County was very busy with “Priority Calls” and my situation was far from priority. Robocop got back on HIS cell phone and made phone calls DIRECTLY to dispatch. The Marta officer and I were looking at each other like “This is some bullshit.” He knew it as well as I did.

So there I sat, I saw my customers drive by in their cars. Some of them waved. My boys in the nearby barber shop came by and asked if I needed them to make a call for me. I told them everything was good. I wasn’t sure what kind of help I would need but I’m glad I had options.

Mz Nici Nicole (my homegirl and book editor) drove by and saw the situation. She called my ex-girlfriend Mz Mental and let her know what was going down (appreciate that girl!).

New York pulled into the parking lot. I didn’t see him but he sent his Lady over and had her tell me that if I needed her help to call her. I nodded because I knew what she meant.

Robocop’s face was twisted. “In all my 6 years on the force I never seen anyone offer help to someone I had in handcuffs. Never! They usually stay away from me.” He laughed. “I guess you can’t be all that bad.”

My reply, “I’m a good dude.”

Robocop began to rant about how he locked up many dope boys (drug dealers) and how everyone was scared of him. Blah, blah, blah…

So there I sat on the ground, cuffed and leaning against my bumper listening to the rhetoric of Robocop when Mz Mo, a fellow Hustler and friend, pulled up with her son and daughter. She sized up the situation when she saw me.

“Is there anything I can do for you?” she asked.

“No I’m good sweetheart.” I said.

“If you need me just call me.”

I thanked her and Robocop looked around in shock.

“That’s another person! And she has kids!”

What difference the kids made I didn’t know but I smirked. He continued, “If another person comes up here and asks if you need help I’m going to pass out. I don’t know what you do but it must be good.”

“I told you, I take care of my people.” I said and began to try to get comfortable. The ground was getting cold as the temperature began to drop.

Another half hour past and my shoulder began to throb from sitting in the cuffed position for so long. And all this time I’m still listening to stories from Robocop. I could tell even the Marta officer was getting tired oh hearing that shit.

More people came by asking if I needed them to make a phone call for me. By this time Robocop was blown away.

Are you familiar with the saying, “The Lord works in mysterious ways?” well I’m proof that it does. Check this out.

The straw that broke the camel’s back was when one of the shop owners who Robocop knows and respects came by. She’s an older lady from the islands who’s a sweetheart that I just adore. If I was a few years older I’d holla at her… anyway… I saw her shaking her head as she walked up to us. I felt her anguish, it practically radiated off of her. She looked down at me and I gave her a slow nod. She tuned to Robocop and asked to speak with him alone.

They took a couple of steps away from me and the Marta cop, so I could barely make out what she said. I could tell she was pleading with him on my behalf though. I looked at her face and she the verge of tears. That not only shocked me, it threw Robocop for a loop!

As she walked off he turned to the Marta officer and said, “I respect her so much. She knows me! She’s usually like, ‘Lock them up!’ but not for him.” He looked down at me and back at the Marta officer, “Did you see her? She was damn near in tears!”

The Marta officer gave me a hidden thumbs up and a nod. I nodded back on the low.

Robocop continued, “I mean I respect that woman. I trust what she says. I believe her! And if she says he’s a good person then…” Robocop threw up his hands. He could no longer deny my reputation.

The people that I show so much love to came by to show love to me. It was in his face. I made a silent prayer of gratitude to the Most High. It was like divine intervention; Robocop’s cold heart was turned warm and sympathetic. He went from looking down on me to helping me back to my feet and having the Marta officer take my cuffs off.

I sat on the bumper of my car and stretched my shoulder which was sore at this point. And oddly enough, it was then a Fulton County Supervisor FINALLY pulled up. This whole situation had been going on for almost two hours now.

The funny part is that now Robocop was fighting for MY freedom. He didn’t want them to take me to jail, instead I ended up with a citation and a court date.

I followed Robocop into the store where the shop manger was to thank her. I shook Robocop’s hand, got in my car and put on some Aaliyah to change my mood. I was going to get gone before he changed his mind, feel me? The time was just about 7pm.

On my way out the parking lot I saw Mz Bee’s car out the corner of my eye. My eyes popped open wide as she pulled up beside me.

“You’re still here? I thought you were getting you’re hair done?” I asked with surprise in my voice.

“Yeah I didn’t know what to do or what was going to happen to you. But I was watching.” I saw stress in her eyes but what she did was some real woman shit. She was holding me down all that time and I didn’t even know.

“Well come on,” I said, “We need to get out of this parking lot.”

“I know. I’m following you.” We pulled off and drove to a nearby park so I could tell her what went down.

I called everyone who showed me love to thank them for looking out for a Hustler. I was truly appreciative.

I went to get some food since I was hungry and damn near dehydrated. I Called up New York and filled him in on the situation and took my ass home. It was an interesting day, no doubt.

My court date is in early May so it will interesting to see what happens then.

All of this reminds me of a story about one of my teachers. He was once approached with an investment opportunity. It involved real estate and it was one that could have made him a good piece of pocket change. He looked carefully at the man who presented this investment plan to him and said, “When I invest, I invest in people.”

It seems that now, more then ever, that statement sticks with me.

I counted my blessings and gave thanks. I know this story probably sounds like a bunch of bullshit but it’s a true story. Thanks for reading. Much love Fam!

MUCH APPRECIATION TO:

Mz Nici Nicole (Quick thinking on your part. Whatever you need, you know I got you! And hey, what’s up with that banana pudding cake?)

Mz Mental (I know that situation stressed you out but I know you were ready to do what needed to be done. I couldn’t ask for a better friend.)

Mz Bee (You were like the hidden witness, watching everything just in case anything funny went down. That was some real shit.)

Mz Mo (Where you came from that day I don’t know, but just knowing you were there to hold me down if I needed you says enough. I got you for whatever you need.)

Reverend M. (Big thanks to you and your wife. Same is same, may the Most High bless you and yours. And don’t feel bad, it was my choice to meet you up there that day, I take responsibility for that.)

New York (What’s good! I know you don’t read my blog, but if you ever see this just know you’re a man of your word at all times. Much respect to you and your Lady.)

And finally Ms J. (It was your sincere words that finally got those cuffs off. I don’t know what you said, but just know that you have a hidden team of people who are now looking out for you. Thanks again sister.)

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Caught Red Handed (Or Just Hated On)...? PART 1

So I woke up on a Monday morning. I wasn’t my usual self, in fact I felt a little under the weather. I don’t know what’s going on exactly but a few weeks ago Georgia weather had flipped from spring hot to winter cold. Hell, we even had snow flurries; just goes to show the weather is really out of sync.

Since I Hustle outside I think all that temperature changing had finally begun to catch up with me. But the day had to go on plus my cell phone was ringing off the hook. I dragged myself out the bed, I looked at the clock and it was about 2:18pm.

I got dressed and called my homegirl Mz Bee. I was supposed to meet with her and help her get a new cell phone by letting have one of my old ones for a trade in.

I met up with her near the Discount Mall off of Old National Highway (Old Nat). No luck there so we agreed just to get something to eat because she had a hair appointment at 5pm. It was about 4:15pm already and I had agreed earlier to meet with one of my customers at my Hustling spot. This particular customer is a Reverend of a church in Columbus, Georgia. He’s also in the car dealership Game so it’s always good to meet with him and build (share knowledge) about that.

I pull up to the Hustling spot with Mz Bee following me. I parked, and like a bee to honey people began to surround my car. You have to overstand I’ve been Hustling in this particular area for about 5 years so I’m well known. I always get the usual, “What’s going on?” and “Hey Shah (or James)!”

Now, I’m not giving excuses but since I was already feeling a little on the sickly side I was also unfocused. I didn’t do my regular parking lot check to see who was who and what was what. All good though because I wasn’t really doing anything but having conversation.

I mention being unfocused because if I was focused I would have seen the infamous black Mustang which belongs to one of Fulton Counties police officers.

One of my long time customers had walked up to me in the midst of a crowd of around 5 or 6 people now. She had a complaint about one of the products I sold her, so I popped the trunk to put the defective merchandise inside. I told her not to worry about it I’m a business man and she knew I would replace it.

It was at that point a young lady asked me to borrow a cigarette, as I had my back turned the officer from the infamous black Mustang walked up on me. He forcefully made himself known. I turned around and immediately recognized his face.

The words “Shit it’s HIM!” flashed through my mind. This particular officer is what we call a Robocop on the streets. He plays his Game hard and loves to dick with people who he feels are a “menace” to Fulton County (his word not mine). I’m no menace but hey, he saw an opportunity to get me so he took it. I can’t knock that… although I want to.

“What are doing?” Robocop asked.

“Damn!” I thought to myself, what could I say? My mind began to race to get my mouth piece to come up with something slick. Not smart mouthed, but slick. What came out though was the simple truth.

“Waiting on somebody.” I said looking at him in his eyes.

“And what’s this you have in your trunk?”

I bypassed his question and replied, “I’m not soliciting I just came up here to meet someone.”

He smirked and responded, “I was minding my own business getting my hair cut and I look out the window at what do I see? A whole bunch of people around your car… and I just saw a lady walk off with something.”

I looked up and all those people he was referring to had slowly disappeared. I stood there alone, face to face with this Blackman in uniform. I looked down at him and said, “She didn’t walk off with anything. She just brought me something. I’m not doing anything I just came up here to meet someone.”

He smirked harder, “Well, when we go to court, it’s my word against yours.”

I calculated that at this point it’s best just to shut up. Robocop had a hard-on for your Hustleman and was ready to fuck me regardless of the situation. I wasn’t nervous, scared or any of that. I knew if things went to the worst possible scenario (getting locked down) all I had to do was make a phone call to my Hustling partner New York.

If anything, there wasn’t much Robocop could do. He was off-duty but still in uniform. I knew he was going to make it a point to get me while he had me just because that’s the kind of cop he is. Sure enough he began to radio in to have a unit come get me. It was going down ya’ll but your Hustleman remained calm.

He had me sit down on the ground. I leaned up against my bumper and waited to see what was next.

Another officer walked up out of nowhere. I looked at his uniform and this wasn’t a Fulton County officer at all, but instead a Marta officer. Marta, by the way, is the name of the public transportation here in the ATL. Some are ex-police officers but most are trained specifically to guard and police the bus and railway system.

This Marta cop was off-duty too. Listen Fam, there were so many ways out of this situation I laughed to myself but I kept quite.

“I’m going to cuff you, stand up.” said Robocop in his authoritative tone. Then he thought a moment and had the Marta officer cuff me instead. Good move on his part, he was playing his Game tight. He was one step ahead of me. He was doing things by the book which is good for him because I was making a mental file of every slip up he made that violated my rights.

I was cuffed and asked to sit back on the ground and I complied.

So there I sat on the cold asphalt and my mind began to race to all the worst possible things you can think about in a situation like this. Robocop was talking mad shit to the Marta cop. Everything about how he does his job so well, the officers in his precinct that are “real” cops and how he wants to be on their level some day. Blah, blah, blah…

Robocop turned to the Marta officer and said, “Hey, can you watch him a minute? I was in the process of getting a haircut and that’s when I saw this guy (pointing to me). I couldn’t even finish my haircut. I’m going to get it finished, I’ll be back.”

About 15 minutes had passed and no squad car had showed up yet. The tension in the air was ridiculously thick. My mind raced, I had no idea what to expect and what would happen from moment to moment.

It was few days later when I learned that New York had a verbal confrontation with this officer earlier that day. It seems he was looking for someone to fuck with and that someone appeared to be me. Wrong place, wrong time? Didn’t matter, the events were unfolding fast.

So… was your Hustleman locked down? Does the Millionaire run of one of the slickest Hustlers on the Southwest side of Atlanta come to a horrific end? Tune in next week Fam, until then Peace and Blessings!

Sunday, April 15, 2007

All Good Just A Week Ago...

What’s up Blog Fam? Whoa! This week has been CRAZY for your Hustleman for real! I’m talking up, downs, surprises around every corner and I even had a run in with the law, that’s right, the Police. Had to happen sooner or later, right? LOL

Over all I’ve been feeling great. Despite the out of the ordinary temperature changes going on in the “A” (Atlanta), I’ve been feeling damn good, my energy is up and my focus is as sharp as ever. I’m enjoying every moment. What else is a Hustler to do? We live our life by moments.

So here I sit at nearly 6am inking this post for you all. Eh… couldn’t sleep so why not get some things off my mind.

Your Hustleman is currently at a phase in his life where he’s striving to maintain a balance. You know, between work, interpersonal relationships, setting things up for the future and what-not. But He has to admit that at times He feels like the only love in His life is the Hustle; the Game that never stops and is always around you. The Game that always gives back what you put into it and the end result is a satisfying sense of freedom and personal growth. The money’s pretty damn good too.

But as much as I strive for balance it seems that I just can’t get that relationship aspect of my life running smoothly. I’m beginning to think maybe it’s just me… nah! LOL On the real though, here’s what went down recently.

Things on the dating scene have did a total 180 on me. Mz Lonnie and I have fallen out it appears and sadly it started over some bullshit. It’s something that could have very easily been worked out but when emotions get involved it does have a subtle way of changing things.

Now, anyone that knows me knows I Grind hard. Not only do I Hustle on these streets but I also write books, researching things for future projects, write this blog, do meetings for things dealing with future projects, help out when needed (I am a man of the people – If you only knew), I’m a part time counselor to my close associates and friends, I also date, go out and generally just enjoy life. So as a result a brother does get burnt out. It just goes with the territory.

In between these things I always made time for Mz Lonnie to the best of my ability. Problem was I would get on her comfortable king size bed and find myself asleep. She called me on this and I had to humble out because that’s just not fair… we’re supposed to be spending quality time and your Hustleman is putting Z’s in the air like a kindergarten teacher, feel me?

I decided that maybe I needed to slow down a bit and just take it easy for a couple of weeks. Do very little writing; Hustle just enough to meet my daily quote and catch up on my rest and let my small circle of friends and associates deal with their own problems for awhile. That part was easy.

Without going into too much detail let’s just say your Hustleman wasn’t giving 100%... with only so much energy how could I? But hey, I did give what I could. The results of course were not that spectacular. With all this going, the signals got flipped between Mz Lonnie and me.

I’m a communicator plain and simple, so we talked about it and agreed we would work on things. But from a woman’s perspective I can see how some of this could be taken as a lack of attraction and interest.

Truth is, that wasn’t the case at all but it did put a wedge in between us. The end result was predictable. Just like a garden, if you don’t take care of it and put time into it, it’s going to die. So we had to admit to each other that the connection between us just wasn’t there.

A heated debate killed what was left. I thought we were on the same page, I was wrong. Funny thing is, it was all good just a week ago.

With due respects to Mz Lonnie I enjoyed our time together and there’s no hard feelings.

Coming off of the god’s comment on my last post I’ve come to realize a sad reality. Well actually I’ve realized it awhile ago but it’s so much clearer now.

The older you get, the harder it is to date. We are just less willing to compromise on certain things and everyone is afraid to let their guard down totally. At my age (31) you’re just tired of being disappointed and hurt. Let’s not mention wasting time.

In light of all of this there is wisdom. Knowing when things aren’t going to work out and knowing when you’re putting more into the relationship than your partner. I think the majority of us just want to be treated how we treat others. Am I wrong here Fam?

So here your Hustleman sits in introspection; time to make some adjustments inside myself, take a deep breath and go back after what I want. I’m NOT stopping until I get it. But I’m not going to settle for just anything either.

Some people give the advice (adding vice?), “Stop looking and it will come to you.” But I have to quote the scripture on this one:

“Ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened.” Or something similar to that. I’m a go getter, I refuse to just sit back totally, feel me?

Tune in next week for a heads up on what went down in my confrontation with the Police. It was interesting to say the least. Much love Fam! Enjoy your week ahead… I’m out.

*** Unparalleled Business Game ~ Home Based and Small Business strategies, techniques and tricks of the trade straight from your Hustleman:

The Game made plain and simple. CLICK HERE.

Sunday, April 08, 2007

A Hustler's Perspective: Street Wisdom And Hustler Axioms

Peace Fam. It’s your Blogmaster once again with a slight departure from my normal subject matter for this week. Before we get into it let me give some brief updates of what’s going on in the cipher (circle) of yours truly.

Business is well and to be honest I may hit a new monetary plateau this year if things continue going the way they are. I’m Grinding hard so I’m living proof that the saying, “Effort always pays off” is right and exact.

My Hustle partner New York is well… New York. He’s still spending money on the lotto which, for those who don’t know, is at least a hundred dollars a day; I’m glad he’s got it like that though, if I ever need a loan I know where to go, feel me?

He’s been dealing with some wife issues; married for 15 years and separated for a nice chunk of that. He’s been a little down but hey, he’s a Hustler and nothing really stops on the business end of things.

Me, never being married, can’t relate but I do sympathize. You never really stop caring for people you love.

My current millionaire projects are still in the planning stages except for the M1 and M2 which are being worked on as fast as possible. The website, Hustleandprofit.com (the M1 project), will be undergoing some changes within the next 2 or 3 months as I expand the subject matter I write about.

On the dating and relationship aspect of things, well… not so good. Mz Lonnie… hmm I guess I’ll have to tell you all what went down with that next week. It’s too much to fit into this post. Dating… for those of you going through it, I don’t have to say much, you know how it can be LOL.

All in all your Hustleman is focused, feeling fantastic and still doing his thing. I hope all of you are doing the same. Now on with the post…

By now you should know (and if you don’t I’m telling you now) that the streets have their own rules; their own codes of law and conduct. From this comes wisdom, usually passed along by the “Old Heads”, the shot callers or O.G.’s as they’re called if you’re over on the left coast.

One of the reasons a lot of younger brothers and sisters are so buck wild now is because over time all the “Old Heads” have either died, been killed or locked up so the younger generation never got that wisdom handed down to them (and add in that fathers aren’t in the home like they used to be, but that’s another subject). Sure, if they survive long enough they’ll eventually learn these lessons on their own, but for the most part they were never grounded in it.

Some of this street wisdom is straight bullshit but a lot of it offers an interesting perspective for dealing with problems and situation that occur in street life and even in an everyday working person’s life.

So without anymore delay I present you with some interesting axioms that I’ve picked up over the years from various sources. These are just SOME of the unwritten rules your Hustleman lives by from day to day. I don’t present them to change your thinking but rather to let you see things from a different perspective; a Hustler’s perspective.

> If you don’t know or even if you do, don’t tell (the only way to keep a secret is to not say anything).

> A sharp tongue cuts your own throat.

> If you make $10.00, put up $6.00 and live off the rest (this isn’t meant to be literal. It’s just a reminder that it’s not about how much you make, it’s about how much you keep).

> When there’s smoke there’s fire. You can conceal fire but you can’t hide smoke.

> Pressure busts pipes (this is how you defeat an enemy, you apply alot of pressure).

> To break a chain, always pull on the weakest link.

> If you’re not the dealer, don’t show your hand first.

> If you serve two masters, you have to lie to one.

> Under promise and over deliver.

> Listen closely and talk less because if someone’s talking alot they are probably lying alot.

> The Heavenly Father gave you 2 eyes, 2 ears and 1 mouth which means you should watch and listen twice as much as you speak.

> Think before you speak and before you spend your money.

> For every Jesus there must be a Judas (a powerful or well liked person always has someone that may betray them).

> You don’t have to chase a fox. If you put all the chickens in one bunch the fox will come to you.

> You lose the bait when you catch the fish (when you gain something, you lose something else).

> Some defeats are really victories and vice versa.

> It takes way to many blows to hit a nail in the dark (if you don’t know where you’re going you’ll never get there).

> If you know you’re surrounded by snakes, cut the grass so you can see them.

> You are never as strong as you think you are. Neither is anyone else.

> Patience, patience, patience… (everything will come in it’s own time)

> If you must go through hell to get to heaven, make sure you run very fast.

> If you pay well, you are served well.

> Prior proper planning prevents poor performance (I believe this is an old military saying)

> In a storm, pray to God but still swim to shore (God helps those that help themselves).

> The helping hand you’re looking for is at the end of your own arm.

> Everybody wants to eat but nobody wants to cook (people want the reward without putting in the work to get it).

> No one notices when the floors clean, but everyone notices it when it’s dirty.

> If you only Hustle for yourself, in the end, you will only have yourself.

> There are two sides to every coin (every situation has more than one way to look at it).

> If you win, everyone wants to be your friend. If you lose only your true friends will remain.

> People are more likely to take the easiest route and it’s usually the wrong choice.

> Don’t make an enemy if you don’t have to.

> What’s coming in the future is paid for in the present.

> When you reach one goal get on with the next one (always keep it moving).

> Big problems are smaller when you are looking at them from a distance.

> Praise and criticism are temporary just as victories and defeats are temporary.

> Dogs bite and claw so if you fight with one expect just that.

> If you don’t know what to do with your life, there’s someone (or something) out there that does.

> Have your cake and eat it too. Cake is made to be eaten.

> Eventually, no one wants to feed a greedy man (or woman).

> Don’t loan money to a fool you can’t afford to lose. That way if you don’t get it back you won’t be upset.

> If you’re going to sit at the table, then bring something to the table.

> A man isn’t a man if he doesn’t take care of home first.

> If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything (one of my favorite 2 Pac quotes).

Be good Fam! Make this upcoming week all it can be, much love!

*** Unparalleled Business Game ~ Home Based and Small Business strategies, techniques and tricks of the trade straight from your Hustleman:

Learn this thing we call The Game.
CLICK HERE.

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Real Game, Real talk #3: Profit VS. Payout - Creating Something With Nothing

Alright Fam here we go again. This is your Hustleman coming back at you from the streets of Atlanta, Georgia also known as the ATL and also know as the Dirty South. Spring is in full swing and I’m loving it! Without further delay let’s get to it.

Not to long ago I was pushed, so to speak, to stop beating around the bush and really break down Hustling. So I created this new series of posts entitled, “Real Game, Real Talk” to do just that.

If you missed the second post of this series then please CLICK HERE.

I am often posed a question similar to this: “I want to start my own business but I don’t know where to get the money. Should I get a bank loan?”

My answer to this is usually “No.” but it depends on the type of business you are starting. Now some of you are saying, “Wait just a minute Hustleman, how the hell do I start a business with no capital?” My answer is simple, yes you need capital to start a business but if you start smaller you won’t need as much. Let me explain.

Since I started as a street Hustler I’ve seen hundreds of dollars turn into a small fortune. I have done this myself so I know it’s very possible. As a Hustler, we don’t like to owe anyone anything. There’s no feeling quite like making some money only to have to hand it over to someone else. It takes longer to see your profit and the more money you’re paying out, the more difficult it is to grow your business.

It’s like that old adage, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Or in business terms; which comes first, looking good (professional) or making a profit?”

If your business isn’t about profit then all well and good, but if it is then shouldn’t that be top priority? That’s all I’m saying.

Most business loans require a nice amount of limitations and ridiculous interest rates, especially if you’re not sitting on some serious assets (real estate, inheritances, etc) and don’t have a nice stack of money in that particular bank. You want a $250,000 loan? Well do you have assets plus about $30,000 to $50,000 in the bank? I know I don’t. I’m exaggerating a little but follow me on this. The way we (Hustlers) see it, why ask someone else for permission to do what you want to do? Let’s get a little deeper shall we?

Let’s say you want to open a restaurant. Most people immediately formulate the idea of finding a location to lease or purchase, figuring out the cost of renting or buying the necessary equipment, then you need a marketing budget, employees (even if you use family members they still need to be paid to keep things as legal as possible for the IRS), you need tables, licenses, a business phone line (probably 2 or 3), printing, insurance etc. And it’s always a good idea to keep a lawyer somewhere close.

This all adds up very quickly. Most of your first 5 years in business (if you last that long), will be going to repaying your loan and advertising to get more money to… repay your loan and maintain your business.

All of this and somewhere in there you have to plan for growth. Anything that doesn’t grow eventually dies. That’s how nature works and that’s how business works also. Is it any wonder that most businesses fail within the first year, and the rest somewhere within the next 4 years?

So you may be thinking to yourself, what about getting a government grant? That’s a noble idea and one well worth pursuing IF and I stress IF you qualify; and IF you are eligible. I’m not saying don’t go this route (its well worth the effort), but if you or someone you know has ever attempted to get a government grant then you know what I’m talking about here. Don’t believe all that hype on those late night infomercials, it takes serious research and a solid business plan.

Now, what about investors? Good question, but this is similar to getting a bank loan. Again you need a solid business plan and make no mistake, investors want to see a return on their investment. Depending on your business model this may be the best route to go if you are sure you can deliver on time and are good at managing people. Investors are usually quite active in keeping tabs on what your business is doing. You’re accountable so that’s something you are going to have to deal with.

So let’s look at the Hustler’s way. I’m not saying it’s the best way because it does have its drawbacks, but you maintain one thing… complete control (at least until your business grows to the level you want it).

Are you still with me? If so let me further illustrate my point.

Example: How would I, a Hustler, start a restaurant?

Well to be honest I wouldn’t start a restaurant. I would make food out of the house and make it a point to make up some flyers and business cards to deliver to office buildings, construction sites and other businesses around the area. Think of it as a small food delivery service, not quite catering.

Another way to flip it would be to hitch or buy a unit to put on the back of a truck or van to keep the food hot and pay to stay in someone’s parking lot or at a busy corner downtown.

Of course I would keep it all legal with the proper zoning, licenses and permits… eventually. Meaning, when my business grew to the point enough to be “noticed”. That’s just what I would do, don’t take that and run with it LOL. Moving on…

I would start selling food and/or desserts right where I’m at NOW. Hustlers make moves, fuck the waiting. If I had a job, that’s where I would start selling. It’s also a good place for feedback on the taste, prices etc. All of this is free; you are only paying in time.

Instead of a few thousand or hundred thousand dollars to start, I could probably start for about $500. If I needed a vehicle to make the deliveries I would probably tack on another $5,000- $8,000 for a decent used van, truck or something (maybe just $1,000 if you could find one at a public car auction). I would put the menu together and be ready to change it on the fly to appeal to the customers wants and needs.

That’s just the start. I would then bust my ass to build clientele and slowly expand using profits. And using this method, you’ll see profits much faster than you would if you took out a loan. Are you with me so far?

Now here’s the good thing. As long as my customer service and food is up to par, I could eventually begin to save money. With this saved money I could then get everything I needed; the building, equipment and everything else.

Here’s the good part. I would ALREADY HAVE CUSTOMERS if I open up in the right location! That means I’ll be making money in my “official restaurant” from day one instead of dumping large sums of money in marketing. I would still market of course and probably still make deliveries if possible.

Here’s the bad part, this method would take some time to work but in the end I wouldn’t owe anybody anything. I pay my bills, count the cash and keep control of the direction and course of my business.

If I then decided to open up another location, THEN and only THEN would I go look for investors or go to the bank. What can they say then? I already have a profitable business, it doesn’t look like a liability or a “high risk” loan on their books. They know I have the skills to run a profitable business; I’ve shown and proven it.

If I structured everything correctly, I would already have a built in assets. No need to put up the house and spend the kids college funds.

See the difference?

Many of us have been taught to do business backwards. Meaning we want to look the part before we actually have the money to walk the walk. We Hustlers work the other way. We walk the walk first and worry about looking good later. We start small and get big, not start big and use up our most important asset, money.

This is real business Game here. I’ve seen it done and I’ve done it and am continuing to do it. It works, bottom line. Simple.

Peace and blessings Fam and please remember if you’re not happy right now it’s only because things are not happening (happy-ning) your way. So change that or stop complaining. Keep it moving and keep it simple… always.

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