Business Plan Experts

     I have been working on my business plan for about 9 months now. I have devised a plan that allows for me to open up a live music venue that caters to unsigned, local acts. The focus of this place is to not only serve as a platform for artists to present their music to their fans, but it also serves as a place where these artists can come and hone their skills by utilizing the venue as a rehearsal space. These past few months I have really been buckling down on the core values of my business. For this blog we were asked to research business plan experts and what were there views on the world of business.
     The first person I chose to highlight was Mark Cuban. He is from Pittsburg, PA, which is hometown to alot of my family. Mark Cuban is the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Landmark Theatres, and handful of other businesses including the world of technology (IMDb.com). According to Mark, when it comes to reviewing business plans for potential investments there are a few things that he looks for. "The track record of the person opening the business will tell you alot, along with the financials of the business, if there are any". I agree with this statement because if the person is shady, then so will there business be. Also, if that business isnt making any money, then why would one invest in it? For more info on Mark Cuban click here.
     The second person I chose to highlight was Chuck Blakeman, head of Crankset Group. I chose to highlight him because of his unconventional style. He believes that one shouldnt waste time preparing and preparing for a business, but that they should tackle it head on, as soon as the idea is presented. He firmly believes that if there are any changes that need to be made, then tweak them on the way. According to him, "the key to success is the speed of execution" (Blakeman, 2011). I would have to agree with this, seeing as though so many businesses get buried in the process of planning. Sometimes you just have to go for it. For more info on Blakeman, click here

   

Fall Season: Whats Happening in Television

As the summer is slowly making its exit, fall is right around the corner. That means the trees and starting to fade and whittle. The air is getting a little cooler. Luckily for us, we live in Florida so fall doesn't necessarily mean cold weather, but one thing that I am personally looking forward to this upcoming fall season in the return of my favorite television shows. Anyone who knows me knows that my passion is any-and-everything music, but I am also an avid fan of television. So let's get to it! I'll categorize the fall shows by their network.

First is FX, the reason I am doing them first is because their best show, Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia, premieres TONIGHT! I am curious to see just what mishaps these idiots will get into this season. They've gone from extortion, to getting addicted to crack, to running for office, to stealing boats, to being hobos. I cant wait to see what these misdemeanors will get into tonight. Click here for more info.

Next is Fox. I'll admit, I'm not a huge Fox fan, but they will be reeling me in every Tuesday because starting September 20, the third season of Glee premieres. I admit, I am curious to see how this season pans out with all the controversy surrounding some of its leading actors and the show's characters that will be graduating this year. So yeah, some of our favorites wont be returning for the 4th season. (But as long as Santana is still around, I'm happy). To find out more info about this show, click here


ABC has never really been a network that I strive to watch often, that is until they brought Modern Family and Cougar Town to their Wednesday line-up. It will be interesting to see the Dunphy's once, considering over the summer I became a HUGE Modern Family fan. Also, I am anxious to see Courtney Cox & Friends wisk up some hilarious drama once again. Both shows will be premiering their 3rd season this Tuesday, September 21. For more info on these and other ABC shows click here or here






 

And finally, the funniest night of all. THURSDAY!! Special Thanks to NBC for making Thursday night the staple of comedy ever since the hay day of Friends. They have followed this trend years later with what is called "Thursday Night Comedy Night, Done Right". With this, NBC airs ALL of its best shows on Thursday night. I will discuss them in the order that they air. First is Community, the little show that could. I admit, at first I was not a fan, but it has slowly become one of my favorite shows ever. Everyone's favorite study group will be diving into their third season this Thursday, September 22. After that, the next show that comes on is Parks & Recreation which I am super excited about. So many hilarious situations happened in its 3rd season finale, that I am super stoked to see what comically unfolds during the 4th season. And finally, the seasoned veteran of the night, and the most experienced show, The Office will be premiering its 8th season on September 22. Everyone is anxious to see what the show will hold considering the departure of Steve Carell's character, Michael Scott. There have been talks that Jim Carey will be filling in for him, and I've even heard Jay Leno. Who knows, but I will be tuning in Thursday night to see for myself. For more info on these shows or NBC, click here (Community), here (Parks & Rec), or here (The Office).

Long Live The Industry!!!!

A couple of weeks ago during class, I remember feeling as though I was an ancient dinosaur when I was the only one who actually admitted to buying physical albums, not digitally. The class tried to sway me to go digital and I still refuse. My personal thought is that by buying an album from iTunes is cool, but I'd much rather buy the physical album and upload it manually to my iTunes, than just paying $9.99 for basically, a file. Another reason is that I like to add to my MASSIVE collection. I have a huge briefcase that holds 264 albums, and I've just about filled it up, especially after yesterday.

So lets get to the Music!!

First of all, one album that I had been waiting for was the highly anticipated follow-up to Lil Wayne's 2008 masterpiece The Carter III. The album, The Carter IV is a nice album, but I think artists mess up when they try to continue something they've already perfected. This album lacks the passion, tenacity, and creativity of the now classic Carter III. I personally feel as though Wayne should have named this album something else other than another Carter. That trilogy was perfect, 4 is a crowd.

Another album that I was personally waiting for was the new album from The Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I'm With You is their first album in 6 years. Like Lil Wayne, this album is another follow-up to a classic. Stadium Arcadium is widely considered their greatest album ever. How do you top that? Alot of artist fall under the "follow-up spell" and usually make an album exactly like the last one or they go in a completely different direction, leaving their fans like, "Huh"? The result is usually bleak, like the one we see above, yet the Chilli Peppers have seem to overcome this stigma. With the release of I'm With You, the Peppers have returned to form, giving us their unique blend of punk-funk that we all have grown to know and love.

Lastly, one of my favorite artists Lenny Kravitz is BACK!! Lenny is one of my favorite rock artists, and he, like the Peppers have released an album that you can tell he put alot of heart and soul into. The album is Black And White America, and it is rockin! Lenny has been a rock icon and an inspiration to me and many other for years, and this album proves why. Rich with soulful groovy ballads, and riff-heavy rockers, this album is definitely gonna be in heavy rotation on my handy-dandy iPod!

As you can see above, I bought way more than three albums, but these three are all the most current. Actually, they were all releases this past Monday. By the way, when did release dates change from Tuesday to Monday? For more reviews or to purchase music for yourself, click here.