On the Entrepreneurial Journey -- Choose Your Advisors Carefully

Billy Mays, one of the most popular
TV Pitchmen ever.

I was at the Business, Franchise and Investment Expo in Toronto this weekend, at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds.

It's a two-day affair, where franchises hunt for franchisees, and business people can network and possibly gain some valuable tips and tricks towards success.

What I was interested in were some of the over 40 workshops on entrepreneurship, running and managing a business, even on investments and investment opportunities.

I wasn't there to become a slave to a franchised company. Not everyone is capable of grabbing the bull by the proverbial horns and being completely 110 percent their own boss, I get that. However, being a franchisee isn't for me.

When we first walked into the expo, a sign right at the entrance boldly warned people that selling anything was prohibited at the show. Violation would get you kicked out.

I didn't think anything of it at the time -- I was there for information, not a sales pitch.

What I got, although inspiring and even entertaining, were pure sales pitches.

The first workshop I sat in on was titled: "Learn What Every Small Business Owner Should Know About Marketing on a Zero Budget."

Marketing on a zero budget? Marketing is one of the key expendables of any business period. If no one knows you exist, you don't. So I was curious and went to the workshop, hosted by one of the keynote speakers of the show, Paul Tobey.

Tobey told a very inspiring story about hitting rock bottom, when he was so broke he couldn't even give a handful of change to a boy scout selling apples.

He then went on to describe how that experience changed his life, and he's since made it his mission to help others achieve the great fiscal success he says he has.

Then he offered to speak with 10 people -- and 10 people only -- for a brief amount of time at the show, for free!

Imagine, being able to talk with someone about their success and how they may be able to help you for free.

Reminds me of when comedian turned actor, Robin Williams was in Toronto a while back, and you could purchase a five minute one-on-one session with him after the stand-up show for $500. That's $100 per minute for you mathematically challenged-types, just to say hello, maybe introduce yourself and hear him do some of his uncanny impersonations, and hilarious jokes.

Although Tobey says he wasn't selling anything, he was the consummate pitchman. Show how green the grass is on the other side, and tell people how it could be theirs -- for a price.

In Tobey's case, he was selling tickets to another event where motivational speakers such as himself, were going to be. Naturally they were offering these "limited quantity" tickets at a special show price -- buy one get one free.

Would you buy a car from this man?

I still don't know how to market my business without any dollars -- that too me just sounds like poor budgeting.

Later, another workshop caught my eye -- "10 Keys to Taking Your Business Over $1 Million," hosted by Doug Vermeeren.

Vermeeren is another amazingly inspirational speaker, talking about his rags to riches story, and he handed out lots of free books and CDs which continued his inspirational message.

But at the end of his talk, he handed out carbon-forms to subscribe to his inspirational service -- but don't worry, your first month was free -- even though you have to give your credit card number on the form to sign-up, and sign a waiver authorising his company to charge your credit card forever thereafter the free month.

I guess that sign prohibiting people from selling anything at the front of the expo was pretty meaningless, because everywhere I went there was pitch after pitch.

One young woman came up to me while I was sitting at  table resting my weary feet after a long day, and tried to convince me that her business of purchasing a condo with the purpose to grow medical Marijuana in was a good idea.

What was she smoking?

Ironically, the best information I took away from this conference was given by yet another one of these supposed self-made millionaires selling advice: "be very careful who you take advice from."

That's actually really good advice -- just because someone appears successful, talks like someone who is successful, even inspires you with their slick spiel -- doesn't mean they know anything about you and your entrepreneurial journey.

Paying someone just because they think they've made it to advise you, is like buying the first car you test drive without looking under the hood. You'll probably end up at the side of the road in a pissing rain storm, waiting for roadside assistance.

Lesson learned, the best advice in the world is usually free, has no strings attached, and comes from people that know you.

Tobey, Vermeeren and the rest were inspiring, energizing and I'm glad I had the opportunity to sit in and hear them.

However, inspiration is only part of the journey towards success. The rest depends largely on acting on that inspiration.

And just as the old song says, the best advice is free.