The Venture Edge

A couple weeks ago I ran a guest post -- 8 Tips for Finding Angel Investors -- written by Arnie Koss who, with his twin brother Ron, started the country's first organic baby food manufacturer: Earth's Best Baby Food. The post was a big hit on the Internet, being tweeted and re-tweeted to more than 30,000 people in less than a week's time. This time I've got a guest post written by Ron Koss on the topic of How to Overcome Start-Up Fears. This is something that every entrepreneur has gone through at one time or another in their careers, and it can be a serious roadblock to your success. You'll find a lot more great advice to entrepreneurs -- including obtaining start-up and growth funding, and dealing with angel investors -- in his new book: The Earth's Best Story: A Bittersweet Tale of Twin Brothers Who Sparked an Organic Revolution (Chelsea Green Publishing, March 2010).

We all know the news in the United States is nonstop doom and gloom, 24-7. But, despite rumors to the contrary, a significant portion of the rest of the world is not suffering from the same severe economic downdraft as we are. In fact, some parts of the world are prospering.

The U.S. economic stimulus program promises to inject up to $2 trillion of new government spending into the economy during the period 2008-2010. While a portion of this cash has already been spent or earmarked for specific purposes -- such as propping up woozy banks and buying bad mortgages -- the majority is yet to be committed. With the new presidential administration's desire to make major investments in rebuilding the nation's infrastructure, there are numerous potential opportunities for American businesses -- your business -- to profit.

I agree with Peter that everyone seems to be making New Year's resolutions--all with great intentions that they will be accomplished.  But, really, how many of you have actually achieved those goals?  I want to suggest a contrarian point of view, which will be strange coming from me, since I have spent my life setting goals and achieving them.  But give me a chance to explain.