You must deal with reality.

I am constantly reminded of this quote whenever the topic of politics comes up with friends, or I'm talking about money with my ex-wife.

Great book about controlling memes in your head

I read this book years ago by Randy Gage and it had a profound effect on me.

Why you're dumb, sick and broke and how to get Smart, Healthy and Rich!

I decided to re-read it again over the weekend and was reminded of what a great read it is.

Gage teaches how we are all products of programming called memes.  These are ideas that shape who we are.  The problem is, our heads are filled with memes that work against our own prosperity.

He also talks about how you need to lead a life congruent with your principles or you will be unhappy.

I strongly recommend it.

[VIDEO] Negotiating for Outrageously Overpriced Businesses

I discuss the dilemma of a prospective business buyer trying to deal with a seller who wants twice what his business is worth.  How do you help overcome incorrectly set expectations?

Also a discussion about the value of a small business.

Please share, comment, follow and buy my book.

YouTube videos now organized into playlists

I took the time to organize my YouTube videos into playlists so it's easier for new followers to catch up.

Education videos can be seen here: 
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqomziNDpylURi3EScUm94fwDe4a3oSD6

Stories can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqomziNDpylU3cT21lgRghzAG67kmjO4z

[VIDEO] Van Lease Deal Calculation Demo

In this video I use the BAII Plus calculator to demonstrate how to figure out rates of return and payments on a sample van lease.

This example is from pages 70-72 of Invest Local.

To learn more about how to figure this stuff out and how to boost returns via deal structure and leverage, don't forget to buy my book.

[VIDEO STORY] Bye Bye Birdie

In this video I tell the story of the difficulty in finding a buyer for a highly specialized niche retail store; one that sells bird-watching items.

I relate how small business buyers are looking for both an investment and a job and help shed some light on how you should imagine an exit plan before you start a business.

Enjoy.

[VIDEO] Entrepreneurs Vs. Investors

In this video I discuss the difference in mindset between entrepreneurs and investors.  These two mentalities often clashed during my business brokerage career.

I talk about the differences between a business owner working towards a dream and a potential business buyer who wants to analyze this business and determine its worth based on cash flow.

Enjoy the video and I welcome your feedback.

[VIDEO] The path to success is not sexy.

I like Glendon's Videos.

This one is particularly good as it relates to coming back again and again from failure.

Change and success are not massive and sudden, its about incremental change and making mistakes along the way.  Very motivational, enjoy.

[VIDEO STORY] The long drive to small claims court

I tell the story of the time I had to sue someone in Edmundston, NB.  A city which is a 5 hour drive from where I live.

I talk about contracts, agreements, my experience with a collection agency, the value of learning by doing and making sure you don't get a poor reputation in business.

Enjoy.

Sweet 493% return on investment in 45 minutes!

I went to Sobeys yesterday and noticed that quarts of strawberries were on sale for $3.99.  I decided to buy two and make some jam since my neighbour had invited me to 'help myself' to her rhubarb.  I love strawberry rhubarb jam.

It took about 45 minutes to chop the fruit, heat it up, add sugar, bottle it and do the canning and  in the end I got seven 250ml jars, one 125ml jar and about 200ml in a tupperware container which went right into the fridge.

In total about 2,075 ml of jam and this is what it cost me:

1. One package of no name pectin $0.99
2. Almost a full bag of sugar which I got on sale a few months ago $1.50
3. One and a half quarts of strawberries $5.99
4. 8 snap lids $0.80
5. 2 cups of chopped rhubarb- FREE

Total cost of production $9.28.  This jam will be enough for me and the kids for a year.

So what did I earn in my 45 minutes of toil?  Well I found an all-natural strawberry rhubarb jam at Sobeys for $4.19.  This is a 190ml jar so it works out to $2.21/100ml.

So if we use this retail value as the value for my jam, I've made $45.76 worth of jam for only $9.28.

That's a 493% yield.  Sweet.

Of course, one jar will go to the neighbour who donated the rhubarb but with these types of profits I can afford to be generous.

Enjoy the weekend.

-dave

[VIDEO] Financing $2500 home renovations

I was invited to talk to a home improvement contractor about arranging financing for his customers so that he could sell more jobs.

I showed him how he could benefit from the deal in more ways than one while creating a nice investment for me.

Enjoy.

If you want to learn more about these types of private lending deals, read my book Invest Local.

[VIDEO] What if your customers knew your cost?

This video truly made me think and that's why I've decided to share it with you.

This shopkeeper openly posts his cost for every item he sells and tells people he will accept the cost price if that's all they can afford.

How would you react to this pricing strategy?  Would you pay the lowest price, asking price or offer some middle ground?

Interesting video and the owner of the shop has an important message to share.

16 Week Business Buyer Success Program This Fall [VIDEO]

Well, I've put the finishing touches on my Business Buyer Success! program for the fall.

This program uses my Business Buyer Secrets seminar information and breaks it down into small digestible parts, gives you homework and tasks to accomplish and then a one-on-one follow up with me to review.

We then meet back and share among the group to maximize our learning of the material.

During the course, you will conduct a business search, meet professionals that you will use in a purchase and make an offer on a business.

This is your opportunity to arm yourself with the information you need to buy a profitable, mature business and pay the right price while mitigating risk through a proper deal structure.

The whole thing kicks off on September 2 and will finish just before Christmas.

See the complete details and register here: https://16weekbusinessbuyersuccess.eventbrite.ca

I walk you through the program and give additional information in this video

Special pricing offer ends August 2, 2014.  If you want to change your life through business ownership, this is the program for you. Program open to US and Canadian residents, pricing in $CAD.

[VIDEO] Merchant Cash Advance- an option for small businesses that aren't 'bankable'

In this video, I discuss the 'merchant cash advance' lending product that is available from several providers in both the USA and Canada.

The program works based on 'selling' a future stake in your credit and debit card transactions.

To learn more about private lending, personal finance, and earning money from local deal-making, buy my book; Invest Local.

If you have borrowed in this way, send me the details.  I would love to do a follow-up video about the actual cost of the capital.

[VIDEO STORY] The Bus Buyer

I tell the story of a guy who spent years trying to get a loan to buy a bus.  What went wrong and why wasn't he achieving success?  Watch and see...

Do you invest in the stock market? Great Video

Don Harrold is a guy who I follow on YouTube.  I like his videos because he can really make you think sometimes.

Check out this video about stock market investing, especially if you have money invested in Wall or Bay Sts.

Enjoy

[VIDEO STORY] The money-losing pizzeria

I tell the story of a money-losing pizzeria that wanted to find a buyer.

I talk about how hard it is to sell a money-losing business and the type of buyer who is looking for one.

I discuss 'conversion' value and share how deeply discounted a price can get, even with seller-financing.

enjoy