Michael Ferreira  

Mary Cravets, founder of BrilliantVA works tirelessly to make other peoples lives easier. She performs all the tasks that busy people have little time for. Listen to how Mary provides her clients with the gift of time.You can contact Mary via her webiste: www.brilliantva.com

Hambone Designs co-founder Lisa Marie Grillos is my guest today. Her company was featured in the New York Times article, "On to Plan B: Starting a Business" written by Mickey Meece and published in the August 23rd edition. Lisa Marie will share her challenges as a "reluctant" entrepreneur, the issues she faced and the opportunities she sees. Check out her website: www.hambonedesigns.com to order you bicycle bag to hold important items like keys, wallets and cellphone.

The Dark Side of the Moon is proud to announce its very special guest this week, Lisa Marie Grillos, c0-founder of Hambone Designs, Inc.
After a downsizing eliminated her corporate job, Lisa Marie joined the ranks of the self-employed.
On Thursday, Oct 1 at 3PM ET, listen to her story of starting a business, generating ideas for a product and the challenges, opportunities and issues she faced to get her business going.

Jackie McAllister, founder of Cup and Saucer Cookie Company was featured in a recent New York Times article written by Mickey Meece, titled: "On to Plan B: Starting a Business". The article was published in the August 23rd edition. Jackie will share her experiences starting a business-the challenges, opportunities and issues-and her plans to make her business grow. Go to Jackie's website: www.cupandsaucercookieco.com to see all the delicious treats you can order!!!

As of July 2009, 14.5 million Americans were unemployed.  As of July 2009, there were 2.4 million open jobs in the U.S.
Too many people looking for far too few jobs.
Thus, enter the era of the Reluctant Entrepreneur.  More and more Americans are becoming self-employed, not because they want to, but they HAVE to.
Jackie McAlister, my guest on my show, The Dark Side of the Moon, is a entrepreneur by reason of necessity.  Jackie, co-founder of the Cup and Saucer Cookie Company, started this company with her mother, a retired school teacher. Jackie's mom's retirement fund was hit hard as a result of the Great Recession, causing her to consider re-entering the workforce.  Unfortunately, the only jobs available were retail outlets requiring her to spend countless hours on her feet.
I invite you to listen to Jackie's story, of her planning and research and evolution of her company.  It is inspiring and shocking simultaneously.
 The show airs Thursday September 24, 2009, 3PM ET.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nine out ten new business ventures fail. The root cause is typically the reckless pursuit of revenue and profits while ignoring the risks. This show is dedicated to entreprenuers, solopreneurs, new business start-ups and small businesses plus the vendors and professionals who service them. As your advocate, we will take a 360 degree look at starting your business. Each show will include a guest who "knows your pain" or is a professional providing service or product to entrepreneurs. We will also explore the topic of risk and ask the tough question: "what-if?" We will talk about business risks that are obvious plus uncover little known or discussed risks. We will also discuss strategies to protect your assets and wealth as you gain success. Our goal is to provide you with the means to achieve the results you expect and desire.