…is an amazing line in the film “Lemonade“.

It is so true that we can take what life throws our way and just see negative side affects. If we look deep enough into our individual situations we WILL find good.
In fact, the good will very much out way the bad, after we get over the initial shock!

If you can, please take 35 minutes, and watch this inspirational film about turning Lemons into ‘Lemonade’!
It’s worth missing one of your favorite TV episodes for.

Live with Passion & don’t forget what you love!
Have a great Day!
~Chais Meyer

Resources from the Film:

• The Lemonade Website: (for additional details about the movie) http://www.lemonademovie.com/
• The Male Copywriter Website: http://www.malecopywriter.com/
• Please Feed the Animals Blog: http://www.pleasefeedtheanimals.com/
• Red Eye Roasters Website: http://www.redeyeroasters.com/

After a recent technological disaster, I realized that there really is a HUGE difference between skill and luck (and I’ve been lucky A LOT).

I took on a project for a local Doctor and I came up severally short! I was asked by this doctor to JailBreak his iPhone (allowing it to work on a competitor to AT&T’s phone network)…
This is normally no big deal and I’ve ALWAYS come out ahead on technology projects like this, without a flinch! To help somebody Jailbreak their iPhone, I charge $150 for the knowledge, actually  JailBreaking it, and filling in the voids that Jailbroken software has for the iPhone; I make them work like they should.

For people that understand technology, especially when it comes to iPhone Jailbreaks, this is NOT a very complicated task. The really smart people out there are the ones that come up with the Jailbreaking software in the first place, guys like me just use their knowledge to benefit from (of course I am actually providing a good service to people that don’t feel comfortable doing it to their phones in the first place).

So why did I find out that there’s such a big difference between skill and luck? Well, I’ve always taken for granted the skills that goes into creating this Jailbreaking software (A new jailbreak is created every time a new version of the iPhone software comes out…that’s how it works, they stay in sync). I’ve always assumed that whenever a new version of the iPhone software comes out, there will always be people smarter than Apple and they will go ahead and create a iPhone fix for us everyday folk.
On this day, my mindset was no different and I decided to upgrade this customer’s iPhone to the latest Apple Software. I figured that a Jailbreak had already been created and it would be pud for me to go to the next step. I upgraded the iPhone to 3.1.3 and then proceeded to look for the matching Jailbreak software…I started having trouble finding the appropriate software I needed, so I dug a little deeper. Before I knew it, I’d been researching on the internet for 2 hours for a fix and I realized a fix DOESN’T EXIST!

No problem right? I can just undo what I’ve done and go to an older version of this fix…right? WRONG! This particular iPhone software upgrade changes things inside the phone that CAN NOT be undone! THERE IS NO FIX OUT THERE! Even the biggest brains in the iPhone tech world are saying that they’re not sure if this version of the iPhone software will ever be able to be Jailbroken.

What does this mean to me? What does this mean for this Doctor who put the fate of his iPhone in my hands?
It means that I fucked up…big time! I made a completely Rookie mistake by upgrading the iPhone before knowing if there was a fix out there! This Doctor CAN NO LONGER use this $600 phone for an unknown amount of time…it is essentially an iPod now. All because I thought I was skilled in iPhone Jailbreaks, because I’ve never messed before, I thought I was invincible!

At that moment I realized there’s a BIG difference between Skill & Luck!
I had been extremely lucky at every point until that moment. Luck, that relied on other peoples skill to make the impossible possible!

I still am not able to fix this guy’s iPhone, and I don’t know if I will ever be able to. I may have to buy this $600 piece of equipment from him (because I jumped the gun on a very simple thing)!
I learned a very important lesson that day, Never jump into something just because you haven’t failed at it before…Make sure to do your research, which allows you to under promise and over deliver!

Please learn from my mistake(s): Know what you’re talking about and know what process goes into accomplishing ‘your goals’…before you find yourself in a sticky situation!

Thanks for reading and hopefully learning!
Have an Awesome Day!
~Chais Meyer

This past year I’ve been doing contract labor (creating/building an educational system and identity) for a local electronics business that I used to work at, called Computer Hardware (while we’ve been building our own businesses). I’ve done what I was brought on board to do and now I’m going on my way again.

‘Going on my way again’ seems to be a little more scary this time than it was the first time. I’m not exactly sure why…maybe it’s because I’ve become accustom to the monthly paychecks that I’ve been getting for my services. Or maybe because I’m thinking like every other employee again (ARGH…) & I’m scared to leave a “secure” job to rely 100% on myself.

It appears to me that the ‘employee mentality’ creates a sense of fear & stagnancy that needs to be broken away from in order to enjoy life to the fullest (for me anyway). When I rely on an outside business (not my own) as the source for my main income, I forget to push/challenge myself to be the best I can be. I become ‘comfortable’ with how things are, and it becomes nerve wracking to walk away from the easy money.
Why do I call it ‘easy money’? Because, working for someone else (even as a contract employee) I get paid even during the shitty months when the business may not make a profit; it’s the owners responsibility to come up with the money for his employees!
What happens when I have a shitty month with my own businesses? I go hungry or I don’t pay my bills on time! A little different way of thinking & living.

Since I’m going to be relying solely on myself again, I need to take a new look at my life and prioritize which businesses will provide me with actual monthly Cashflow and which businesses are a good idea for the future (AKA. Time suckers that provide no cheddar right away). Don’t worry, I’ll share this with you!

This new phase of business has happened before and I’m on Round #2, with more experience, knowledge, and determination than ever before. Now is the time that I need to prove to myself that I can apply everything I’ve learned and fought for to become more successful than ever.

Bring it on Round #2, Just Be Gentle!

Believe in yourself and make the best of EVERY situation, even if that means working 12-16 hour days to make it happen (I most likely will be…).

Have an Awesome Day!
~Chais Meyer

I’ve often wondered to myself if it would be possible to start a business that just sells business ideas.

I am in love with the thought process of our current market (whenever the market changes) and what types of businesses could succeed within it. I like to push the envelope with outrageous business ideas just to see if they would work, as well as solving solutions to common everyday problems.

I’ve started an idea list of possible businesses and possible products that could and help and/or entertain people. I don’t have enough minutes (or energy) in one day to accomplish all of these ideas at one time…so, they remain on the list.

Now here comes the questions:

• What if I could sell these ideas?
• What if I could provide a single person (that has time and money) with the ins and the outs of my business idea and the ways that they could attempt to make it successful?
• Could I sell these business ideas?
• How much could someone make on a business idea?
• Could I give the idea away and get royalties on any success that was made because of it?
• How would I build my reputation to the point where people who don’t even know me, know I have a money making idea that they would be willing to buy and run by themselves?
• Would it be more advantageous for me to hire my own team of people that would essentially facilitate and operate all of my ideas for me?
• If I sell an idea to someone with money, would they be capable of making it successful? After all, they couldn’t think of this idea…
• Is there a business model out there like this already that I don’t know about?
• If so, how did they get things started?
• Is it worth selling ideas? I mean if they benefit society they shouldn’t just be sitting on my notepad, should they?
• Could I give the ideas away (open source) and have them benefit others without myself getting any $$ or recognition?
• What should I do?

As you can see, I have a bunch of questions and would love to have answers for them, What are your thoughts?

Just a bit to think about…Let’s make something happen with unused ideas!

Keep pushing your mind to the limit, nothing is unattainable!
Have a Great Day!
~Chais Meyer

Sometimes in business we realize that we are heading in the wrong direction and we either need to (A) jump ship. OR (B) Change the way we’re doing things.

This realization came to David Lano & myself while we were working on our Control Yours business last month. We realized that our current pricing structure was not designed for long term growth or future employee involvement (even though we were providing a hell of a deal to small businesses). Something needed to change.

Changing price is a tricky thing because of what it does to your brand (it can help it by making it look more exclusive, or it can hurt it by making you look like you are a money whore), and because of what it does with your current customers (if something isn’t added to your products/services and your price increases dramatically, it can really hurt your business because of how greedy it makes you look). $$ is a very emotional topic with individuals, and unfortunately for us, individuals run businesses, and businesses are our clients.

David and I took an approach that you may have seen many times over and we believe that it was the best thing for our business. We raised our rates from 75% (on our smallest package) to almost 300% (on our largest package). We have created different subscription packages that people can choose from (4 main packages), as well as offer different services within the different packages (to help differentiate between them). Before we were just including everything to everyone at one really cheap price, on our way to business suicide.

Did we gouge the current customers that were with us from the beginning and hit them with the 300% price increase right away? No, not even close…we “Grandfathered” them into our new pricing structure while keeping their current monthly pricing (and they will pay that same price until they either quit our services or upgrade to a new package). It’s a good deal for them since they were with us since the beginning, and because we didn’t burn them, they can and will remain fans of Control Yours.

If you’d like to take a look at our current site with changes in place, please copy and paste the following link into your browser [ https://www.controlyours.com ], click on the ‘details’ tab and choose ‘price’. If you have any constructive criticism for us (or just bitching & moaning), we are open and willing to receive it!

Thanks again & have an Awesome Day!
~Chais Meyer

I think that it is so important now days for businesses to listen to their customers. If they don’t, they will eventually die.
If one employee is intentionally blocking the customers voice from making its way to the man or woman in charge (Which happens daily) that can be detrimental to a business!

Let’s (as leaders of a department or a business, owners of a company, or managers of what ever we manage) allow our customers to have a direct connection with us. It’s the only way to truly become a better organization! I truly believe this and that is why I am working with all of the different businesses that I own or am involved with to use “User Voice“.

User Voice gives that direct customer connection to someone that is actually paying attention. It is free and it is easily put in place on your company or personal website. How about you try ACTUALLY listening to your customers and ACT on their recommendations. Majority rules in the business world, and that’s how User Voice works, on the majority votes of your customers ideas or suggestions. Check it out and give your business an advantage, even though it’s scary to talk to the customer.

Have an awesome Day!
~Chais Meyer

I started this blog with the mindset that I would tell everyone about the good, the bad, & the dirty of business (starting a business specifically). This blog slowly developed to much more than that. It started containing stories about our life and our connections with businesses and people. The tough part about sharing situations from OUR life is what people in our life think of when they read a story that may have to do with them (or at least a situation that involved them). And let’s face it…There is irony in honesty! Most people can’t handle the truth.

If I choose to be completely honest about any situation or real life example, some part of me chooses not to care about how others (the people that are in the stories) are affected or what they’re feeling. If I’m not completely honest with myself or you, why even have a blog in the first place? I’m not the national media that filters what they do or don’t say (sugarcoating or distorting the truth). In fact, I despise national media just for that reason. I am sharing my true situations with you, no matter what the comfort level.

So…for any or all of you out there that would prefer not to read a story that references you or a situation that involves you, it may be best if you stop reading from here on out. This blog is about my wife and I, and how we go through OUR lives, personally and professionally.

For Everyone Else…
…Have an Awesome Day & we’ll talk soon!
~Chais Meyer

I don’t think this image could be more perfect. I feel like sometimes I should be changing and growing personally and professionally at a natural rate (like that of the human body), but it doesn’t always work that way (Sometimes, I have to force myself to grow).

Unlike our physiological makeup, our professions, hobbies, muscles, and sometimes even relationships will not grow to the best they can be without a little extra push from ourselves. I think this is how it should be! If we didn’t have to push ourselves to be the best we can be in all areas of life, everyone would be absolutely amazing at everything. At that point, their would be no competition in life, no reasons to try harder, and life would be equal for the lazy and non lazy alike. I think the ‘Pushing yourself to grow’ mindset works like a filter between the people that want ‘it’ (whatever the word “it” is) but think ‘it’s unattainable (so the don’t try) and the people that will do anything to get their ‘it’.

I feel like this mindset is an invisible field that doesn’t even need to be talked about, we can just tell when someone is either more motivated or less motivated than we are. It says a lot about a person if you know they have succeeded in areas of their life that may not come to them easily. I strive for this mindset everyday (be the best I can, even in extremely difficult situations)! The following example may help explain this idea:

I HATE public speaking…and I am forcing myself to do it, to improve myself, for myself. There are a lot of ‘myself’s in that last sentence, and that’s because no one else is going to make me better, it’s up to me. I have an opportunity right now to contract out with a business that I used to manage the sales team for, Computer Hardware Inc. I am assisting them with their educational sales across the state of Nebraska. The main role that I have for Computer Hardware, is providing group demonstrations (public speaking) about a product called ‘mimio interactive‘ (an interactive whiteboard of sorts for schools and businesses).

Every time I do a demonstration with an organization, school, or business, Computer Hardware gets exclusive rights to sell the mimio products to this customer for life. This is a big deal! It means that the more places I do demonstrations, the more sales Computer Hardware will have forever without doing a lot of additional foot work.

Now this sounds like an awesome deal for Computer Hardware (It is, and I only bill them an hourly rate of $15 an hour), so why am I involved with a company that I am technically ‘working’ for, at an inexpensive hourly rate, doing something that I hate? The main reason is because I HATE public speaking! [The other reasons, they're like family to me and it puts cash in my pocket]
How do people get better at things in life that they aren’t good at…They practice. That is exactly what I’m doing, forcing myself to practice to become a better public speaker.

I don’t have to do this job. There are plenty of people in the state of Nebraska that would like to be hired as a sales rep for Computer Hardware. And I could very easily avoid public speaking for the rest of my life (just making up excuses about “having something to go to” every time it came up).  But, I know that I am going to be someone, someday, that will need to have great communication skills in personal and public settings, and this a chance for me to get a head start on the practice I need.

How long will I do the public speaking demonstrations for Computer Hardware? I’ve asked myself that question many times and I decided that it depends on my public speaking comfort level (if I’m super comfortable, I’ll stop), if the demos stop coming to me (and I’m not getting enough practice, I will need to find another avenue to get the time in), or if I’m ready to find other opportunities that are a bigger challenge for me than public speaking, then I will stop.

To sum it up, I will always push myself to grow and if I sense something stagnate or underdeveloped in my life, I will make the much needed change (no matter how painful it may be). I must be the best I can be, for my businesses, my wife, and myself! I’ll let you know how it’s going in a couple months or so…Until then, push the fears my way (except for the shark attacks, you can keep them…Yikes !

Remember if you do not keep yourself moving, you will become stagnate and rotten.
I Challenge you to have an awesome day & to push yourself to be better in an area that you know you struggle in.
~Chais Meyer

Being that I am just coming out of a rut, I felt like writing a blog post again! So…here it is! My process of getting into a rut and my way of getting out of them (until I find a better way…any ideas would be great).

I have been living my life these past few weeks with a mixture of being overwhelmed, nervous, and uncharacteristically dreadful of the next thing (what ever that might be). I am excited about the next stages of my life (the good ones and the ones that will help spice up of the ordinary items), but I’m not so excited about the monotonous shit.

I believe that I am (or was) in some what of a rut, and this happens to me about every 3-6 months. I get bogged down with my businesses (there are too many, and that might be the problem), family situations, friends that just seem to spin their wheels and never go anywhere, and…did I say businesses? I think my doctor would say I have caught ‘doingwaytomuchandtryingtobeamazingatallofthemosis‘! It is really hard for me to pick just one thing and work with that to its fullest. I want to make every idea I think of be the best it can.

What do I do to fix this problem when it pops up about every 3-6 months? Usually…I do nothing. Literally, I avoid all responsibilities possible in life for about a week (besides the mandatory things my wife says I must do - showering, lifting the lid to the toilet, etc.). It usually gives me a nice taste of bordem, self pitty, self loathing, and a surprisingly renewed energy that I didn’t have before. It somehow also allows me to see what things are really important in my life and what things I can put on the back burner or just get rid of.

This system may not be the most healthy, but until I figure out the root reason all of this happens, I will use my week of nothingness meditation.

As far as right now goes…Well, I’m writing this blog post aren’t I?
Maybe (not maybe, for sure) tomorrow I will get 3 things done on my to-do list.
Until next time, Have an Awesome day and try to avoid the rut.
~Chais Meyer

P.S. I find Hockey amazingly boring and at the same time intriguing and exciting (maybe that’s because of the beer?).

…There is no mail service better than Google’s gmail (I just wanted to say something SHOCKING to get you here, hehe…Keep reading)!

What I want to talk about is an add-on to Gmail and how you can add an email client that will allow you to maximize it as well as other email services. The best way to take advantage of your email on an Apple computer (or mac as they call them now), is with the Apple Mail program (in my opinion)!
This is a weird statement for me to say, I normally run away from the Apple consumer products when it comes to using them with my businesses, but Mail is definitely an exception.

Why use mail and how?
The main reason that I recommend using Mail is because of how easy it is to run several email addresses/accounts at one time. I am currently running 7 email accounts with my one Mail program. All of my email messages come into one (1) Inbox together (or separate Inboxes if I wish). When I reply to a message, it replies back to the sender from the account they sent the message to (I can also choose to reply from any of the other accounts I have in mail).

Okay…can’t I do all of that with Google’s mail services (Gmail for individuals and Google Apps for businesses)? Why yes you can!
Then why use a client at all? Well…Because you can sync with your address book that is built into your computer, save events in your calendar directly from your email (when you get a message that has a place, date and time Mail identifies that as an event automatically), and most importantly send HTML emails (Mail already comes with quite a few free templates), you can even modify these templates for your own business and/or own personal use (Here is a link that shows you how -You need to be a little Geeky or hire a geek to get this done).

Using all of the FREE programs that come with the Apple systems (Mail, iCal, Address Book), you can do the basic things you want with business (at least things that have to do with communication) with ease.  And it will even sync with an iPhone using the Apple Mobile Me service.

I am excited that I finally found a mail solution that actually works how I want to use it. Even on the go with my phone. Now all I’m looking for is a great to-do list program that works on my iPhone and with my apple contact list and calendar. If I find something that works, I’ll let you know!

Here is another link that shows you more you can do with Mail.
If you have a windows computer…Sorry, I can’t help you, I don’t own a windows machine! You’ll have to let me know what works for you.

If you have any questions or would like additional info about anything in this post, let me know and I am glad to help.
Until then, Have an Awesome Day!
~Chais Meyer