Make Money and Build Wealth With Ephren Taylor The Social Capitalist

I Survived! Last Weekend I Was Grilled Alive!

I know the title may seem a little out there of this particular post, but over Memorial Day weekend I was literally grilled.  Well, it at least felt like it as I was a guest author for a prominent book club in New Jersey called the Kitabu Reading & Discussion Group. 

To be honest as a first time author, this was my very first book club face to face sitdown. Unfortunately I went in thinking it was going to be like the Oprah book club type deal of same o, same o questions everyone always asks me.  How did you do this, or that, and why so young, BUT this time it was different very very different.

When I first walked into the home of one of the members, I was excited as I smelled BBQ!  The backyard was nicely arranged just like a home and garden magazine shoot.  I was like wow this is going to be great.  Unfortunately it got a little chilly, and we all had to move inside and then thats when the memorial day girllout (Shootout), and fireworks began.

As the ladies poured into the home, conversations begin to pickup and then we were all called to order to start the discussion.  At that moment sitting in the circle with about 9 very opionated looking sistas I knew I was in trouble.  The reason being was that two of them looked at me, with the look only a married brother, or son knows.  The "EYE", or the uh huh look.  Sure enough my insticts were right as the barrage of questions were not the normal ones I have been accustomed to for so long, but ones with deep though needed.

The first questions started out with some of the ladies having a problem with the first chapter of my book dealing with the differences in single family households, versus "FUNCTIONAL" married households and how those children can have an advantage from a stable home life.  Well some people didn't like the way it read and for the next 45 minutes, I was in a defensive mode of defending my book and why I wrote it so bluntly.  After I presented my case (where was Johnny Cochran when you need him!), I finally seemed to win them over and create an understanding of why, and the peoples life circumstances I was drawing from to come to those conclusions.  As an author we draw from many sources of life circumstances that play into our writings.

After I was found innocent in my trial, we had an excellent discussion on politics, and the state of Black America and solutions for our communities.  This discussion lasted a few hours.  I arrived at 7pm and left at midnight.  I would have to say in my short 25 years on this earth, the discussion I had with these ladies was one of the most honest, candid, challenging, engaging discussions I have ever had!  I loved every minute of it from being on the grill to being the griller myself!

The moral of the story is that you may intend one thing when your write something, but these days anything is open to interpretation.  This was one of those discussions I wished we have gotten on tape, but maybe next time.  Yes, for sure next time, especially since my next book is on failure and one of the chapters will be on communication and the power of it. 

For those of you out there, looking to expand your horizons and expose yourself to ideas that normally aren't circulated in mainstream society then I highly suggest joining a book club like Kitabu.  Simply amazing.

To the young seasoned ladies of Kitabu, thank you for such a great experience.  I think I had added on a few years of wisdom by sitting in your presence for only a few hours.   Your group is a light that sheds light on a future that many have lost hope for, but you have stoked my fire even more to change the world one reader at a time!

About Kitabu

The Kitabu Reading & Discussion Group was established in 1996. Meeting in southern New Jersey, we are predominately a group of African-American women (men are definitely welcomed - different perspectives are always appreciated!) who discuss literary works and films created by African Americans, blacks, colored, Negroes, Africans...the black diaspora.

http://kitabureadinggroup.com/

Ephren Taylor Entrepreneurial Academy at Cheyney University now accepting applications for summer 2008

Applications are now being accepted for the Ephren Taylor Entrepreneurial Academy's (ETEA) second annual Entrepreneurship Learning Camp. The leadership and business training program is in collaboration with Cheyney University, the nation's oldest Historically Black College or University (HBCU) located in Pennsylvania, and will be held on Cheyney's campus from July 13-18. Students entering grades 10 thru 12 are eligible to attend. Housing, meals and program materials are free to students selected to attend; enrollment is limited to 25 students. The application deadline to register for the camp is June 6.

The Learning Camp provides an interactive curriculum about entrepreneurship during an intense six-day training period that educates students on the process of starting and operating a business. Students will learn about the impact small businesses have on the global economy, and how entrepreneurship is a viable and rewarding career choice. Facilitators will include Cheyney University faculty, popular media personalities, and successful business owners. Ultimately, students will leave the camp with the tools necessary to launch their journey toward entrepreneurship.

"The Entrepreneurship Learning Camp is a great opportunity for young people to acquire the necessary skills to become successful business owners and community leaders," Taylor said. "I look forward to being a part of developing their visions and dreams, and teaching them not only about entrepreneurship, but also the significance of working to serve their community and uplift others."

Taylor, 25, is a self-made millionaire and the youngest African American CEO of any publicly traded company. Author of the newly released book, Creating Success from the Inside Out (www.CreatetheSuccess.com), Taylor and his company are engaged in leveraging investments, holdings and other assets, building value for investors and shareholders, and creating positive change and self-sufficiency for communities.

For more information about the Entrepreneurship Learning Academy, or to download an application, visit www.cheyney.edu/documents/pdf/entcampapp.pdf

Why Detroit and Cleveland are great markets for Real Estate Investing

Over a year ago I was getting ridiculed for saying Detroit, MI and Cleveland, OH were the next great real estate markets.  Everyone looked at me like I was absolutely crazy, and especially since I was basing some of my City Capital turnaround on two depressed markets.  I even debated on Fox News live with Neil Cavuto of why these markets were ones to watch. 

Funny how things come to pass!  Last month Money magazine came out with a list of the top 10 markets to invest in now, and what two markets were on that list?  Cleveland and Detroit!

As an investor you have to be able to spot trends when others can't see them, as well avoid at all costs the "Herd Mentality" of doing what everyone else is doing.  There is a reason most of the wealth is controlled by a few entities, obviously cause they don't do what everyone else does.  So why do we as investors do what everyone else does, despite racking up loss after loss.  With many of the people I have asked the question to many give reasons with no logic whatsoever.

I believe real estate is an investment and should be treated as such!  Find the opportunities where everyone else isn't looking, or scared to look then capitalize on it.  Right now in Detroit we have a waiting list for our units, as well in Cleveland.  These two markets you will see presenting opportunity after opportunity.  Now am I advocating blind investment by rushing in? Of course not, however there is money in pain!  When people are feeling pain money is being made.  When housing collaspes look at the worst markets for the easiest profits, and best buying opportunities.  It's a formula that has worked for years, and we see it being played out day after day. 

What stops you from moving on them? 

Are you a herder or part of the herd?  I don't know about you but I prefer doing the grilling of the steak, than being the one grilled myself!

See it, plan it, then act on it.  Otherwise its just a plan or dream that won't put any money in your pocket. 

PS:  The same strategy applies to other industries as well.  For instance fuel, oil, food, health care, and financial are all painful places for the American People. What investment opportunity, or business opportunity is within your grasp that you are avoiding  because the herd has moved on?  This may be the next big opportunity for you.  The grass may be greener possibly in other pastures, but if you take the time to water your own grass you can find opportunities way before the rest of the herd arrives!

For More Info

Buy Real Estate With No Money Down :: www.cashfreeinvesting.com
Make Your IRA / 401K Double It's Return :: www.IraCashFlow.com

Danny Glover Was Telling The Truth! I Can't Catch A Cab!

Now that I am a new yorker I have come to face a hard reality as a young (black) man in NYC.  I can't catch a cab to save my life!  Since I have been here, cabbies question me on where I am going before they let me in the cab, which is illegal.  If I don't give the right answer or looked puzzled why I am being asked an illegal question they speed off before I can hop in!

Let's not even get started on trying to catch one at night.  If I am on a corner, I can be there for 10-15 minutes easy as cab after cab drives by.  I was told by a friend they probably think I am going to Harlem.  Granted I live on the upper east side but that is cold of a theory to have.  Then to make matters worst I always see white females taking my cab!  They probably figure a lesser threat.  Look at my photo, do I look threatening!

I even had a cab driver lock the doors in times square on me so I couldn't get into the cab.  What is the world coming to!  I mean most of these drivers would be insulted if I were to assume they were terrorist, or Muslim extremist, but then I guess when they see a black guy in a suit in midtown at 8:00 PM with his wife I am a terrorist as well.  Go figure!  Welcome to America!

I am contemplating seeing I can partner with a network or TV show and do an undercover investigation on cab driver discrimination. My daily life would be enough for a few documentaries.  Soon as I figure out how to get a video camera and these guys on tape it's on!  At the very least it could very good youtube.com material.

Well enough of the angry social activist.... some things just take a while to change..

I'm a New Yorker

The move is now official to New York City.  Life in the city is something that is taking some getting used to, but an experience for sure.  When they say New York is expensive, they mean it! As a social entrepreneur I am curious to see how the "average" person survives in NYC.  This is a place where groceries, fuel, and housing are off the scale in pricing.  I mean a can of Lysol here is $4!  Then again I do live in Manhattan, but even in other burroughs the prices are still crazy, yet cheaper.  I am still in price shock recovery, please pray for for me!

On another note NYC is a place full of hopeful, ambitious individuals all pursuing a dream.  So far I have been in the city for less than a week and have had dinner with an actor from the movie American Gangster, met the father of two big time Hollywood Directors, and my wife has talked with a few Broadway producers in getting into the dance scene in NYC.  However, I am looking forward to tackling the bigger money chips on wall street!

To Be Continued.....