Professional Services
Action Plan Marketing
Robert Middleton and his website is an indispensable educational resource for independent professionals – where I learned to grow my business.
Grab Bag Design
Rahul & Jeff are not only responsible for the design and function of the beautiful website you see before you, they are also a dream to work with. Love them!
Amy Rachlin Studio
Among her many talents, Amy Rachlin is a graphic artist and photographer (The Jon Stewart Show, the Pearl Jam world tour, you know, to name a few of her gigs.) More than just creating images, she helped me design and brand my first book, Feeding Your Focus. She is a delightful and inspiring person to work with.
Action Dave
Dave Kessler is a multi-talented marketing / advertising / promotions / web design genius. And one cool dude. If you are looking for attention-grabbing marketing materials, he will take you expertly (and very affordably) from concept creation through actual production. His work speaks for itself so check out his site.
The Ackert Advisory
David Ackert is tops in his field – offering coaching and guidance to business professionals of all stripes, from CEOs to small service firms.
The Collegiate Edge
Los Angeles’s premiere college preparatory tutoring and educational consulting firm founded by a person I admire tremendously, Stephanie Meade.
Steve Pavlina
One of my favorite blogs – Steve offers “personal development for smart people”.
PodcastDesign.com
If you have ever wanted to explore having a podcast – perhaps just for yourself or maybe for your company – this site offers absolutely everything you’ll need from the BEST in the business: David Lawrence.
Nolo Law For All
The first place I go to start researching the legal ins-and-outs of running my business.
Summit Consulting Group
Alan Weiss is The Man – there’s a reason why they call him the Million Dollar Consultant. Through his books and the free articles on his website (worth their weight in gold!) he helped me significantly advance as a business person.
Simply Audiobooks
This is how I squeeze in my reading! I bought a year-long subscription and flew through their business catalogue.
Outstanding Business Books
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t
by Jim Collins
More than just a business book… this is one of my top 5 books of all time. I think I’ve read it at least five times (listened to it actually – get the audio version so you can hear Jim’s passion for his subject). There is nothing new-age-y or spiritual about this book. It is an examination of life through the prism of business by a man who is one of those rare individuals who uses his bright, highly organized mind to investigate, learn and shed a little more light on the human condition.
The InfoGuru Marketing Manual
by Robert Middleton
If you are starting your business and can only get one other book besides mine, this is the book to get. Robert will get you started off on the right foot in the right direction with a trustworthy map to keep you on track!
The E Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It
by Michael E. Gerber
An enlightening explanation of the difference between working IN your business and working ON your business – a must read for anyone involved in a business venture of any kind. Written in a very accessible, comprehendible, non-jargon-y style. I highly recommend the audio version of this book.
Get Slightly Famous: Become a Celebrity in Your Field and Attract More Business With Less Effort
by Steven Yoder
Steven celebrates branding, niche-ing and developing and marketing your expertise – Amen, brother!
Getting Started in Consulting
by Alan Weiss
A great introduction to the concept of value-based pricing.
Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive
by Harvey B. MacKay
Advice from an old-school master that is still relevant and applicable today.
Positively Outrageous Service
by T. Scott Gross
Why great customer service is your #1 best marketing tool.
Guerrilla Marketing: Secrets for Making Big Profits from Your Small Business
by Jay Conrad Levinson
I’m not sure where I would be without Mr. Levinson and the whole series of Guerilla books. Quality ideas – especially for those working with a bare-bones marketing budget!
Unique Gift Ideas
Kidwick Books
In addition to writing and publishing his award-winning children’s books, Eric Drachman also narrates and produces fully-scored audio recordings of those books (the CDs are included with each book for those nights mom or dad needs a break!)
Robert Sabuda
A master artist who makes the most intricate and delightful pop-up books and cards. I’ve given these (to myself and to others) as gifts many times.
Good Fortunes Cookie Company
Delicious, giant, personalized fortunes cookies mailed anywhere you want – need I say more?
The Onion
Give a year-long subscription to someone you love!
Despair, Inc.
“The Art of Demotivation” (if you can’t stand those Successories posters, this is the site for you)
