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At a talk in Raleigh a few years ago, a rather distinguished looking gentleman asked me what I thought the single biggest problem was with entrepreneurship, shares Peter Decaprio. My answer? The vast majority of entrepreneurs spend too much time focusing on their successes and not enough on their failures. In my experience, that’s usually because they simply don’t know how to learn from failure. Peter Decaprio says I’ve had a lot of successes in my career, but I’ve also experienced a ton of failures. So many failures that I couldn’t begin to count them all if you held a gun to my head and forced me to give it a shot. In the spirit of full disclosure, here are three failed projects where I learned nothing from the experience: Baseball cards: In 1994, when I was 11 years old, I got on eBay for the first time and bought 1,000 baseball cards from an Anaheim Angels third baseman. He wanted 20 bucks for it and somehow ended up splitting with me before shipping out his card… Read More »Peter Decaprio explains 3 Ways to Make Your Failures into Comebacks

According to Peter Decaprio here are 10 Key Steps to Starting a Startup Business with As Little Money as Possible: 1. Create an LLC (or another type of business entity) to own the intellectual property and liability associated with your product, says Peter Decaprio. If you’re like most entrepreneurs, talking about your idea before it’s fully formed makes you uncomfortable. As such, you may consider forming the company after you’ve worked out all the details.  However, this will put you in a really tough spot when it comes to forming your company/ Because if you haven’t formed the company, then it’s going to be nearly impossible for your team or yourself to sign contracts with customers or vendors. Not to mention that if something happens and the business fails due improper planning. You’re likely personally on the hook to repay your business partners. 2. Think of a name for your business. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out this list of 25 great company names that are easy to remember.  After all, you need not only be… Read More »Peter Decaprio: 10 Key Steps to Starting a Startup Business with As Little Money as Possible

Mentorship is probably the most common method that businesses use to train and develop their employees. Peter Decaprio says it is a well-known fact that guidance and support from influential people in your life can help you gain confidence and succeed. Mentors play a major role in creating leaders, managers and influencers within your business. If you want an effective mentoring program, you need to get your employees on board. Peter Decaprio: Here are some tips to help you become the mentor of your team! 1. Ensure there is a clear purpose When senior management establishes a mentoring program for employees, they want to encourage an environment of collaboration. And cooperation where more junior members of staff can learn from more experienced ones, says Peter Decaprio. Their goal is to build better leaders within their organisation who will bring about greater results in performance and productivity by having effective work practices. For this reason alone, it’s important that the mentors focus on the development of their mentees rather than simply imparting knowledge or skillset without focusing on helping… Read More »Peter Decaprio shares tips for Establishing Leadership in Your Employees 

One of the most important decisions you can make when starting any business is to determine if your idea will prove profitable, says Peter Decaprio. Here are some questions to ask you before making that decision: Would my product or service appeal to enough people at a price they would be willing to pay? Am I solving a problem or filling a need for many people? Is there evidence that my product or service would be accepted in the marketplace? What are the major reasons people don’t purchase this kind of product or service now? Can I eliminate those problems or can I minimize their effect on my business? Can I produce a quality product at an affordable price, given my operating costs and desired profit margin? Will my marketing plan attract enough customers to make my company profitable? Are most competitors taking advantage of economies of scale? Are there ways for me to achieve efficiencies that will allow me to compete with larger companies despite having less capital to invest in production facilities and equipment?… Read More »Peter Decaprio: How to Start a Successful Business with No Experience or Money?

Mark Suster is a 2x entrepreneur and a venture capitalist. He has founded both Koral (sold to Alcatel) and GRP Partners says Peter Decaprio. Both of these companies were funded by leading VC’s such as Sequoia Capital, Redpoint Ventures and InterWest Partners – you can read his blog here . If you have ideas for new businesses but don’t have the money to fund your startup here are some ways to get started without any funding: 1. Bootstrap – Do it yourself! In other words build it with no outside capital. Sure this may take longer but you will learn far more about how to run your business from doing than from reading or taking an MBA class. Paul Graham of Y Combinator (Seed Funding) talks about this here : “If you’re the kind of person who is motivated to start your own company, then probably you can do it on your savings. And if not, why are you worried? You may learn that starting a startup isn’t so hard after all.” 2. Find an… Read More »Peter Decaprio- 5 Ways to Start a Startup with No Money

Google+ Hangouts are Google’s 20% project. For years, the Internet has been arguing about what Google will do with it. Today, we know more about the answer explains Peter Decaprio. While some predicted that it would evaporate into thin air like its cousin Buzz, others had more specific ideas of how it could be used. Not one of their theories was correct- or at least not entirely correct. GOOGLE’S 20% PROJECT: GOOGLE+ HANGOUTS Googles have always enjoyed a bit of flexibility in spending time on something new to explore if they can see how it might benefit Google users or advance an existing product or service. When Vic Gundotra announced Google+, he said that the search giant wanted “+” to be a place where people could share their interests with friends in an open, global discussion group. The plan was to build a tighter social network based on “Circles,” where you could create separate groups of friends for different activities, instead of throwing all your contacts together into one big pool. HANGOUTS When Google+ first… Read More »Peter Decaprio shares Three Ways to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile

Debt consolidation is a topic that is unfortunately prevalent in this day and age. Constant economic stress has caused many Americans to fall into the trap of too much debt explains Peter Decaprio. Well, for those that are currently struggling with an overwhelming amount of debt, the following three steps can help you before you even think about jumping on board with some type of debt consolidation plan. 1) Evaluate Your Financial Situation First and foremost, if you are thinking about getting involved in some kind of debt consolidation program, it is important that you take some time to evaluate your financial situation first. A credit counseling agency like [Online Payday Loans] can provide you with advice and tools for consolidating debts, but only if they know where you stand financially. So take some time and get your expenses in order and figure out how much money is coming in and going out of your household. This will help a debt consolidation company determine what type of plan would be best suited for your situation.… Read More »Peter Decaprio- Three Steps to Take Before Engaging In Serious Debt Consolidation

Nowadays, there are many people who live with too much debt. It has never been easier to take out loans and yet it is harder than ever before to pay them back says Peter Decaprio. That is why we need a solution which will help us get rid of our debts and be free from the burden. A good way that you can achieve this is through debt consolidation: You simply combine all your current debts into one new loan which you then have to repay over time. This way, you repay everything in one go instead of having to face numerous monthly payments for every single debt which you have taken up earlier on in life. But what are the advantages of debt consolidation? In this article, we try to answer this question by taking closer look at the most important advantages of debt consolidation. We will also explain how you can get rid of your debts through this method and what it takes to be successful in that regard. So, keep on reading… Read More »Peter Decaprio- The Advantages of Debt Consolidation

Social media is great for business and marketing, but there is a darker side to the story: A study by CareerBuilder in 2012 discovered that over half of employers check candidate social networking sites explains Peter Decaprio. What they discover there could lead to hiring or not – and it could even come back to haunt you if you’re already on board. So what should you be aware of when using social media outside the office? Careful what you say on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. What you post on your personal social networking sites reflects upon the company you work for even if they are not related to your job. For instance, an unhappy comment about a competitor could cause them to think twice about hiring you. So be careful what pictures and comments you put online! Also keep in mind that tweets can be easily forwarded by others so once it’s out there it can never really disappear. The same goes for status updates – even if the person ‘likes’ it later, that early… Read More »Peter Decaprio: Social Media Etiquette Tips for the Workplace

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, nearly 15% of the population lacks health insurance coverage says Peter Decaprio. This number doesn’t even include people that are underinsured or paying for high-deductible plans that don’t come through an employer. Despite healthcare reform and other efforts at increasing access to affordable healthcare, there still remains a large portion of our nation’s workforce without any form of health insurance coverage whatsoever. So is your business required to provide health insurance? The simple answer: No. However, you may be subject to fees if you do not offer such benefits and hire employees who need it later on in life due to injury or illness. Does my Business Need to Provide Health Insurance Coverage if Only Part-Time Employees Work for Us? The Affordable Care Act or ‘Obamacare’ as it’s more commonly known as affects. The way that businesses with 50 or more employees should handle health insurance. If you have a business with 50 or more full-time employees, then your business is considered a “large employer” by the government and… Read More »Peter Decaprio: Is My Employer Required to Provide Health Insurance?

A portfolio demonstrating your creativity may be the key to getting that new project explains Peter Decaprio. The problem is, writing it can often be difficult if you don’t know what to say or how to say it. Here are some tips for compiling a creative portfolio that will help you get hired by your next client: Start Early! Writing a proper portfolio takes time. Start early and include all the necessary information to give a good impression – about a month in advance is best, but at least a couple of weeks before you need it will work if you don’t start any sooner. Think about what type of design project you are applying for and tailor your portfolio accordingly. If you’re trying to go for a specific type of design project, don’t write an unlimited general portfolio to send to anyone who asks. Keep it Clear! Don’t make your clients guess what you can do for them. This means keeping things simple, but not too simple. If everything is overly simplified, it may… Read More »Peter Decaprio- How to Write a Portfolio for a Freelance Graphic Design Project

There is always a line between what you can and cannot say or do in the office. Most of us have been there, done that and fallen into trouble, if not been fired for saying or doing something utterly stupid says Peter Decaprio. With that being said, people have to be careful about what they say to their superiors as well as their co-workers. Overstepping your boundaries could mean having a morose career ahead because you don’t want to work with them so much so that you turn out to be one yourself! While you should never cross the line when it comes to your job, sometimes it’s also hard not to let off some steam because working with them isn’t easy either. We all know someone who has a knack for getting under your skin and bother you to no end. It’s even worse when the person in question is someone higher up than you because there are some situations where you can’t simply ignore them or retaliate in a way that people might… Read More »Peter Decaprio shares 12 Things You Should Never Tell Your Boss

In the summer of 2010, I was working for a marketing firm in New York City. It wasn’t my ideal job nor was it what I wanted to be doing after four years in college, but it paid well and I knew that networking with others would give me a better chance at finding a job that suited my personality and professional interests says Peter Decaprio. Looking back, that was easily one of the dumbest things I’ve ever done because by taking away all of her hope, she became incredibly cruel towards me without even realizing it. The more kind-hearted guys out there would have given their right arm for someone like her; why did I make it so hard for myself? Anyhow, something good came out of this experience: Although our casual dating ended two years ago, we’re still friends today. She’s one lucky girl! Being confined to working hours a week with no time for friends or family made me realize that I needed to re-organize my life so I didn’t put myself… Read More »Peter Decaprio- How to Plan for Success Three Years after College

What is bankruptcy? Bankruptcy is the legal process of resolving debt problems. Bankruptcy does not mean that you have no assets, but you have more liabilities than assets says Peter Decaprio. The majority of people who file for personal bankruptcy are honest and want to repay their debts, but are unable to pay them back because they earn only a low income or have unexpected expenses. The purpose of bankruptcy laws is to give honest people a “fresh start” by wiping out their debt and allowing them to begin again financially. By law, once you are declared bankrupt you must take steps to repay your debt over time, usually five years. After that time has passed, any remaining debt will be waived or written off.   What types of bankruptcy are there?   There are two main types of personal bankruptcy: bankruptcy (or composition) and proposals (also known as consumer proposals). You can see the definitions for each below or download our Personal Bankruptcy Glossary. The only difference between the two is how debts are repaid;… Read More »Peter Decaprio- A Guide to Understanding Personal Bankruptcy

Money-saving tips are everywhere these days. Many of them sound good at first until you realize that they’re based on misunderstandings or simply aren’t true explains Peter Decaprio. Here’s a look at 10 common credit card myths. Myth #1: The issuer is responsible for fraudulent charges made with your card if it isn’t lost or stolen. FALSE. A credit card company has the right to make you whole when fraud occurs on its network (when you swipe your card), but there is no such requirement in cases where the card itself is taken and used by someone else. And some issuers won’t pay up at all if they believe you’ve been negligent in safeguarding your card. Myth #2: If you don’t pay your credit card bill on time, the issuer can ding your credit score. FALSE. You will owe interest and late fees if you miss a payment, but there won’t be any negative impact on your credit score unless you don’t pay for six months or more in a row. Lenders look at the… Read More »Peter Decaprio- 10 Common Myths about Credit Cards

For some reason, people get nervous when they see the salary question coming in a job interview explains Peter Decaprio. They feel that sharing their current or previous salary will hurt their chances of getting hired. Most companies understand that they need to pay a competitive rate if they want top talent and this is why they ask about your current or previous salary. It is best to answer the question upfront, by sharing your current or previous salary. That way you will save yourself from getting low-balled or wasting time negotiating for a rate that’s not realistic. If you decide not to disclose your salary at this time, then the company may use job requirements and market data to calculate what salary they can offer you. They do this by considering whether you meet all their criteria and measure against the market rates in order to determine if they can afford working with you or if they need to hire someone who has more experience at a different price tag. You also need to… Read More »Peter Decaprio- 6 Tips for Acing the Salary Question during Your Next Interview

What is an Informational Interview? It’s a job seeker interviewing for information. It’s not about getting a job, rather learning more about a career, company, industry or person explains Peter Decaprio. Informational Interviewing is Top of Mind People are always surprised when I tell them that talking to people is one of the most important things they can do if they won’t work in my field. I actually get annoyed when people ask me what classes they should take or how they should write their resumes. The answer is always the same: talk to people! Don’t just talk to your friends and family either… talks to professionals who have the type of jobs you would like. You will be amazed by how many opportunities come your way once you start asking questions of potential employers. Informational interviews aren’t just for students looking for internships these days – more and more employees are using informational interviewing as a way to stay relevant in their current industries. The Benefits of Informational Interviewing for Employers Informational interviews can… Read More »Peter Decaprio- 5 Ways to Make the Most of an Informational Interview

(Maximize your chances of catching the eye of journalists, publishers, literary agents and readers by crafting the perfect pitch. Here are some pointers.) says Peter Decaprio Every writer wants to get his or her book in front of the most people possible. And when it comes to promoting your book, nothing works better than a pitch. Let’s face it: No matter how great your work is, if you don’t pitch your idea properly, you’ll miss out on readers and sales. This isn’t just about selling books; pitching can also bring new opportunities for marketing and self-promotion. Forgotten Realms author R.A. Salvatore says: “I know that publishers and editors often say they want writers to pitch them their ideas,” but he adds that the bottom line is “you won’t get anyone’s attention until you show them what you’ve got.” What editors and agents want is a “two-minute sell.” Less than two minutes? How is that possible, you ask? It is, and here’s how: The most effective pitch for your novel or memoir is no more than… Read More »Peter Decaprio: Writing the Perfect Elevator Pitch

If you’re like most people, you’ve had at least one informational interview explains Peter Decaprio. You may even have enjoyed the experience so much that you’ve asked for a contact to take your new friend out for coffee or lunch later. This kind of networking is important to almost everyone in the job market today because it’s often easier to get a job through personal connections than through formal applications. The question becomes, how do you convince your newfound contact that she needs to hire YOU when she has no open positions? Filling Job Openings – Staffing Professionals Say It’s Easier Than Ever One way is to show her what you’re willing to offer an employer who does have a position available. Here are just five ways that alumni can demonstrate their value to an employer. 1. Let your contact know why you’re a perfect match for the job and company Make sure your contact knows about any special skills, backgrounds or hobbies that make you uniquely qualified for the position. If she can say,… Read More »Peter Decaprio- 5 Ways to Show Your Present Employer what you’re worth when on an Informational Interview

If you’ve just graduated, or are looking to join the work force, chances are you’re starting to look at job boards for open positions says Peter Decaprio. And one of the ways to snag an interview is with your resume. It’s very important that your resume is in tip-top shape before it gets sent out – not only will it increase your chances of getting called in for an interview, but if there’s something blatantly wrong with it (or worse yet, missing), you’ll never get noticed! So here are 5 things you should never include on your resume and why: 1. Personal Data Many people feel that including their social security numbers on their resumes is a good thing – after all, without this number they won’t be able to do a background check, right? Wrong. If you don’t want your social security number public knowledge, then there’s no reason to include it on a resume that anyone could read! It’s not necessary and can pose a threat if someone gets their hands on it.… Read More »Peter Decaprio shares 5 Things You Should Never Put In Your Resume and Why