No, this isn’t a Spades bid. It’s what happened last week. 2024 is my year to rebuild what I let go of in 2023. My businesses. 

What’s the quote you hear all the time?

For me, it’s the first part of the quote that resonates. I need to rebuild my business’s Customer 1st Marketing, KUUBOB, and yes, this site so that it requires more than me to make it successful and I achieve my ultimate goal of living internationally in 5 years. Call it passive income, side hustle, or a million-dollar business. They all need to be able to sustain me without s steady income.

The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them. If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.” – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, First African woman president.

Welcome to REBUILD 2024!

Eric Twiggs, the CEO of The What Now Movement, asked us for a word of the year that symbolizes our goal. My word is REBUILD. Not only do I have to restart but I have to leave 2024 in a stronger position than ever. I can just read this blog and listen to the Coffee and Conversation podcasts and I know what to do.

Two No’s

I decided to change the business model for KUUBOB. It’s a good thing because there are many Black-owned businesses in the world now that I found it hard to keep up. Second, it will make it easier for my assistants to market the site. My cash flow doesn’t allow me to hire folks who believe in my vision so I’m getting work done through Fiverr, great for efficiency but not the quality I need. Once I get sales of $2000 a month (GOAL), I’ll be able to hire a team (GOAL).

Anyway, I’ve decided to try affiliate marketing with the ultimate GOAL of a cash-back model to generate revenue and fulfill the mission of KUUBOB. I knew I needed to talk with an expert. I met with a great advisor, Phil Norris, SearlCo about getting their help in building my dream and he introduced and explained the AM process. I signed up for three affiliate marketing sites and received two NOs right away. I think it was metrics based and because of where I am right now, my numbers are down.

No’s are a part of business. I had a great track rate for a while but you can’t win them all. My sales process of understanding the needs of the customer and writing a proposal that hits everything the client needs or thinks he needs. So normally, a “no” is an opportunity to continue the conversation.

When you get rejected from a system, you don’t have a choice. It’s a setback. But I’m upgrading into a different business model so I need to anticipate the no and do better for the next one. The possibility is always there.

A Possibility

The possibility is that I submitted a branding proposal for an ex-client. This proposal is different. I created the team before so I knew the rate that I needed for a profitable and fair proposal to everyone. I’m still not sure its high enough because of all the work that needs to be done and the goal but it allows everyone to do their best work at a fair price.

That is a rebuild since I know previously, I lowballed myself because of the hours I dedicated to the projects and trying to do EVERYTHING. This time I built a great team and we discussed what we believe is needed and the hours we’ll put in to be successful. This is rebuilding and I can’t wait for the next proposal!

I hope all of you continue to join me on this new and special journey and let’s connect and rebuild together!

Maisha