Therone Shellman's Blog

As the saying goes, "Life Is the Best Teacher." I've learned this truth, just as many learn every day that whether you're ready, or not for life's lessons, you're going to learn anyway.

The task at hand for any human, is to go through life's trials and to never lose one's humanity, which in itself is one of the greatest tasks one will be faced with. If one can come t the point where their understanding reaches the level of maturity that, no matter what happens to them, they're prepared to handle, accept it, and move on, then they're ready to live Life to the Fullest.

No one has control of the conditions and circumstances which brought them into this world. Nor could one choose their parents, the neighborhood(s) they were raised in, the lack of, or opportunities which were, or weren't readily available to them as a youth. As one grows into adulthood, ones youth serves to provide experience and lessons to navigate this world. The rougher ones life, the more ammunition, and cartridges one possesses in their arsenal. The more combat ready they are, not the more disadvantaged as many may assume. It's the mindset, not what one is made of that serves to imprison many, and stump them. Free yourself from past circumstances.

I've learned many lessons, which this very day serve me well. One of them being that, just because, I'm a person who lives by Honor, Integrity and being Real with those who are real with me. It doesn't mean that everyone blows in this same current. It took me to go through many mishaps, lose a lot of time, hard work, money and end up with bruised feelings to finally learn. It's not about Blood, and How Long you know people. Instead it's always about the people who flow at the same current you do, and who show loyalty. Everyone else is on the other side of the fence. Love is Universal, and there are different levels, your relationship with everyone exists on. For many this is too big of a pill to swallow because, they cannot separate their emotions from their feelings. Attachment, in this regard is a dagger in the back.

Trust, is earned, it's not to be freely given. Know your boundaries with everyone, and everyone has boundaries. No one, and I mean no one should have free access to do what they like in your life, without your approval. Be humble, and be willing to give everyone a fare shake without preconceived ideas about who they are. yet always be wide awake, and stand your ground. You are at the center, of all that does and doesn't happen in your life. So in the end you're going to be left with something, or nothing. Always remember this.

As the saying goes by the late and great writer Zora Neale Hurston, “If you are silent about your pain, they’ll kill you and say you enjoyed it.”

May 29, 2015 For Immediate Release:

Therone Shellman Media Crowdfunding Campaign on Indiegogo, to Fund Publicity Campaign

Long Island, N.Y. Therone Shellman Media is a newly formed venture, of Therone Shellman, award winning author, motivational speaker, visionary and businessman.

Therone Shellman Media, is seeking crowdfunding contributions in the sum total of $13,000, to establish a publicity campaign, which will provide opportunity for, Therone Shellman to be presented, upon the following platforms:

• National Syndicated TV show
• Regional News/ or TV show
• 10 City National Syndicated Radio show
• Print Magazine Write-Up

Therone Shellman writes informative, inspiring, thought provoking and instructional, fiction and non-fiction books, and articles. Reaching a larger fan base, will allow for his works to reach the hands, minds and hearts of more readers. Some of the awards his books have garnished include the following:

• Love Don’t Live Here(revised edition)-2006 Booking Matters Bestseller
• No Love Lost-2007 Indie Excellence Winner in African American Fiction, 2007 Finalist in African American Fiction, USABookNews.com
• Survivor I Changed the Rules-2010 Literary Excellence Winner, Princeton Literary Review

Funding Opportunities begin at $5, and for each contribution there’s a Perk (item) presented. Please email Therone Shellman at theroneshellmanmedia@yahoo.com for media enquiries.

To learn more about the Therone Shellman Media crowdfunding campaign on the Indiegogo platform, you can visit http://igg.me/at/theroneshellmanpublicity PRESS CONTACT THERONE SHELLMAN theroneshellmanmedia@yahoo.com

How Do You Know When a Product or Idea Has Potential?
The first measure of whether a product or idea has potential is it's ability to be useful to people, or whether people will have a burning desire for such product(s) or service(s.) Is what you're offering unique, something not everyone can do, does it go above and beyond similar products/services which are already on the market? If so, then what you have isn't a Me Too (everyone's in the business) idea. But something which has the ability to create it's own share of whatever market segment entered.

Taking a Winning Idea and Turning It Into Reality
Research is at the forefront of any business idea. Without the surety of research your idea will have you in the same situation as a blind person crossing a busy intersection alone. Quite dangerous right!

After you've done the initial research, and see your idea makes sense and is doable, the next stage is a Business Plan. From day one you should be utilizing such resources as the SBA www.sba.gov/ (Small Business Administration), business centers at your local universities which are usually funded by the state, and other city and state agencies who provide resources to entrepreneurs and business start-ups. SCORE www.score.org/ (Service Core of Retired Executives) a division of the SBA is composed of retired executives who provide assistance to entrepreneurs in whatever area of business their expertise is in. I'm currently working with a SCORE mentor right now on a business plan for a new book publishing and healthy skincare venture, even though I'm very knowledgeable and do provide consultant services myself.

While composing the business plan you'll need to come to terms with whether you have the financial and mental capabilities to start the company on your own, or seek financial investors, business partners, etc. Working with these professionals at the centers will provide you options from their point of view and expertise. You'll also have access to their networks and contacts, which is invaluable.

Many people spend their lives in a Wish They Could of, Would of State, and many more spend their lives Just Talking about what they can or will do. The first stage of accomplishing anything is Will and Realization. You have to believe that you can do it!

Challenges I've Faced As An Entrepreneur
The challenge I faced out the door was the reality I didn't know as an author/self-publisher, I also was in fact an entrepreneur. This is the most common problem with artists/entertainers. I utilized a vanity press in 2003 to publish Love Don't Live Here, and when 500 copies arrived at my door I didn't have a clue as to how I was going to get them into readers hands.

"I write the book, and people will just buy it." Ha, I don't know if these were my exact thoughts, but they might as well because, I was clueless as to the next stage.

With good reason and intention I wind up taking a eighteen month hiatus to learn the traditional publishing model, and how to develop my own program. In Nov, 2005 I started Third Eye Publishing, releasing the revised edition of Love Don't Live Here with an in-depth vision as to how I was now going to develop a customer base. Immediately I hit the streets, in the process networking with a team of NYC street book vendors to push the title, along with utilizing myspace and a few book club forums. Within five months we were able to move 3,500 copies. Throughout all of this I realized I needed to expand my readership beyond Long Island and NYC, into other states. I figured the best way to do this would be through the chain retail book store market (Borders/Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble/B.Dalton, etc.) As publisher/owner of Third Eye Publishing I inked a deal with Biblio Distribution to obtain national chain retail distribution. At this time it was virtually impossible as a small publisher to deal directly with Borders. I was forced to deal with the normal distribution agreement of 60% them, and 40% me, and receive payments every six months. This formula is problematic for a small venture which needs cash to keep growing.

In 2008 I was advised by a publishing insider to just stick to the street market, independent book stores, and direct sales to customers program. He advised me to pull away altogether from distribution to the stores via a distributor. His analogy was that in the street market off each title I was earning 100%-300%, and money was being earned daily which could go back into the business. Whereas dealing with the distributor, and slow payments and a return of 20%-25% profit after all fees would in the long run kill business growth if I concentrated too much focus/time here. Especially so in an industry which is constantly changing, distribution companies and book stores are constantly coming and going.

With over twenty thousand in personal book title sales, and five authors signed to the company in 2009 after Biblio closed it's doors I made the decision in 2010 to end the Third Eye Publishing chapter. My days as a writer/publisher weren't over, but I agreed I would return with a whole new approach.

If You're Seeking Investors or Partners There Are Definitely Some Things Which Make a Presentation or Pitch Unforgettable
I spent about three hours watching some of the best episodes on YouTube of Shark Tank SharkTankWeek and I also browsed the internet using the search, presentation and business pitch videos. I was able to decipher a common pattern in regards to what pitches received favorable responses and why. Below I will state some bullet points.

1.Being honest, fun, personable, straight to the point.
2.The idea needs to be 100% entrepreneur, and make a whole lot of sense. In other words add up.
3.Unique product/service, one which isn't a carbon copy of others, or out there in abundance already.
4.A reasonable offer in ownership stake, and investment. Every investor wants to know what's in it for them.
5.An in-depth knowledge of product(s)/service(s), and who's interested in such product. Or a business which is already running, has sales and some customer base.
6.Owners work experience, education, skills and passions. Let's face it no one is going to support an idea that the presenter isn't passionate about.

By no means are the points I stated the only sum of what makes a pitch or presentation unforgettable or attractive to potential investors/partners. Yet it's a start, so do your homework. Get your ideas together, and find the help you need. Most of all believe in yourself, and as they say, preparedness meets opportunity.

If America is to continue to be the number one super power of the world, and lead in industrialization, then the old business thinking of profit at the expense of the companies employees must die.

Looking at every employee as just a number, or someone filling a job description does nothing for the worker, and definiately serves no purpose to advance the organizations long-term growth.

These companies who pay their employees fair wages, invest in them in the form of job training, self enhancement courses and utilize management as a support network and liason between the organization and employees have a win, win position.

When you take the time, and care to care about people, they inturn care about you. The properly trained employee is equipped to do the best job they possibly can without the stress of being unprepared and unqualified. With the support network (management) in place problems can be rectified quickly, so that the companies production isn't compromised. All of these factors bring about an inccrease in worker production, which amounts to an increase in profits. Let's face it Happy workers do a Great Job!

I've been employed at several manufacturing companies (over the counter drug, vitamin, neutraceutical) as a Quality Assurance Inspector, and my last employee as a Production Supervisor (Natures Bounty Inc. 'NBTY'.) Working hands on daily with employees allowed me to see the pluses and minuses on the ground floor, and how the worker(s) were affected, and therefore production compromised. Employee relations is everything to a great business, and nothing to a business who doesn't understand the integral part employees play in growing a brand. This crack in the foundation of a business has collapsed many, and in the long-run almost always affects the quality, and production of services and products.

We're in the age of information, and opportunity. Because, of the internet the average person can become well informed, and they need not be slaves to institutions, unlike the past where workers stayed at companies every day hating their jobs. A lot of companies today are nothing but revolving doors, where as quickly as they hire an employee another is walking out the door.

You can visit this post and comment on linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/today/post/a...

Maybe it's the new year, or maybe it's because I've been networking more so my name and my skills have been becoming more known to people. Nevertheless, I would like to cover two services I'm capable of providing which may be of interest to you or someone you know. (Feel free to share this note with your circle and colleagues.

1. Business Plans: For those who are seeking to start a new business, or who have an existing business it's imperative to possess a business plan. A business plan can be used as a yardstick to measure your companies progress, and also a blueprint for what the venture stands for, services it provides, who it serves (customer demographics) and future activities and earnings, etc.

In "All You Need to Know to Become An Entrepreneur" my how to business book I include a sample of a business plan I developed myself.

***The fee for developing a Business Plan ranges from $600-$1,00 depending on the complexities (difficulty) of the business, or business idea.

2. New Business Set Up: There are those who would like to have a business set up, but do not want to do anything but finance it and operate it once it's set up. In this case someone will need to do the research, write the business plan, and then establish the business (me).

As long as it's a small business I can provide this service. Of course I will charge a fee for my service, and then the client will have to pay all the fees associated with establishing the business, such as business license, product inventory, equipment, marketing material, rent for location, etc.

The fee for my services will depend on the work involved, and travel expenses, etc.

I DO NOT WORK FOR FREE. My time and knowledge sin't for anyone to assume they can manage it for me as they see fit. It's my time, and my knowledge. Therefore it's whatever price and worth I deem it to be.

Only after you've read the above, and understand my position contact me. In otherwords only serious enquiries.

Feel free to listen to my latest interviews, where I speak about writing, and experiences in the business, and also guerilla marketing and sales.

My Experience: I've been employed by such companies as LNK International, Twin Laboratories, Topiderm Inc, and Natures Bounty as Quality Assurance Inspector & Production Supervisor. I've learned not just about production and manufacturing, but also more importantly effective business processes, as I witnessed how many deprtaments interact with one another within large organizations.

In 2005 under my own publishing venture I negotiated a contract with a national book distributor to allow my titles to be stocked by Borders and Barnes & Nobel. As a publisher I negotiated author contracts between the years of 2006-2010 securing deals for my venture. I would also go on to facilitate book signing dates for myself and authors within independent bookstores, and Borders and Barnes & Nobel.

I currently am working on my own venture where I will be retailing organic, shea butter and cocoa butter base skincare products via kiosk.

MLK Jr. Day for Me:

Many people will be grateful for the day off tomorrow, and much of what this day is about and commerates will be lost. As an African American male writer who strives to write work which enlightens people I'm always reminded of my first title, Love Don't Live Here - revised edition and how with just one book, a title which is fiction but quite political I was able to sign a distribution deal to allow the title to be stocked within the chain retail bookstore market (Borders/Waldenbook, Barnes&Noble etc). This was in 2006 and I was one of the first independent African American male authors to do so without many of his own titles, or authors signed to my company.

So we are not done, but yet it is those before us who have paved the way allow us to enjoy much of what we do today.

There will be no resting or partying for me. I will be writing, and working on my own legacy.

Hello and welcome to my amazon.com author page. You're probably wondering how long I've been writing and what inspires me to write? Well, to be honest with you I would have to say it all started with love letters to the girls in elementary. Sounds funny but it's true. By the time I reached high school I was I captivating young ladies with my letters to them. I was told by one of them that most guys don't write and know how to express themselves. My inspiration to write comes from life itself. I like to take my point of view and spin on things and get to writing. By the time I had become a teen I possessed this crazy idea that I could actually write a book. Amazingly around the age of eighteen I would begin writing the first draft of Love Don't Live Here revised edition. I don't want to bore you anymore with thoughts of myself, so let me introduce you to my books. Take care and happy reading! Therone Shellman His titles have garnished the following awards: Love Don't Live Here (revised edition) 'Booking Matters Bestseller Award' 2005 No Love Lost '2007 Indie Excellenec Award in AA Fiction' and '2007 Finalist in AA Fiction at USABookNews.com Survivor I Changed the Rules 'Princeton Literary Review, Gold Star Award in literary excellence'. Therone is one who believes that through education, patience and courage people can accomplish what they seek with time. http://www.amazon.com/Therone-Shellma...

Do not waste your time with gossip, or conversations that aren’t constructive in relation to you or others. Seek to speak nicely of others, and guard your thoughts whenever negative thoughts abound in relation to others. Admire, but never be a groupie to those caught up in the illusions of fame. Think not of their accomplishment, for all humans have the same capabilities to find an occupation or labor that they can excel at above others. All souls have a definite purpose which is different from all others. When one taps into this purpose, they seem to others to be extraordinary and worthy of idolization. It is your purpose to find your own purpose and you should waste no time in foolish talk about what others are doing. This is especially so when the paths you both trek do not cross one another, as to assist each other in the labor you undertake for the Creator and fellow humans.

“I myself respect the talent and drive of others, but idolization is something I stay away from. Master P and Jay Z are my two of favorite hip-hop icons. Not so much for their music but more so for their business savvy and ability to be leaders and innovators in their field. Kelly Rowland and Alicia Keyes, both beautiful women with extraordinary singing capabilities and beauty, have attracted me. Not so much for their talents but more so for how down to earth and humble they are in the midst of all the fame and hoopla. The glamour and glitter of the outside world has not dimmed the light and beauty within. In my personal career, I stay clear of the shining lights. I view myself as just an ordinary person doing extraordinary things. Whenever I run into someone seeking to throw praise upon me, I make sure to remind them that we’re all meant to do great things. The only difference between others and myself is I’m doing what I can instead of just talking about it.”

Do all you can do and never procrastinate. Make the most of every second of time, for there isn’t one second to waste or spare. Time is but a mere illusion based on what humans have termed it to be reflecting the knowledge and understanding of science they possess. One day can seem to be many. While weeks and months can seem to be only one day. Your talent is for you, and you alone, and it will feed and clothe you if you pursue it. But first you must take time and care to learn and become proficient in your labor so you can get the most out of it and serve the world in a great way.

“Writing a book has always been a goal of mine since I was around sixteen. I used to write girls letters in junior high school and they loved them. So you can say that writing has been and is a passion of mine. And it is something I do well. Therefore, it’s no wonder as to why I chose writing as a profession once I decided to get my life together. It took me two decades later to complete my dream of having a book published. Nevertheless, I did it. And the whole while I never concerned myself with other writers or the industry. My only thought was composing a story that readers would learn from and be entertained by. “Love Don’t Live Here” my first was published years ago and now I’m the author of several books. At one time I even had the pleasure of publishing others. This experience is over but nevertheless I’m an author who continuously releases a new title every year.” Do not waste your time with gossip, or conversations that aren’t constructive in relation to you or others. Seek to speak nicely of others, and guard your thoughts whenever negative thoughts abound in relation to others. Admire, but never be a groupie to those caught up in the illusions of fame. Think not of their accomplishment, for all humans have the same capabilities to find an occupation or labor that they can excel at above others. All souls have a definite purpose which is different from all others. When one taps into this purpose, they seem to others to be extraordinary and worthy of idolization. It is your purpose to find your own purpose and you should waste no time in foolish talk about what others are doing. This is especially so when the paths you both trek do not cross one another, as to assist each other in the labor you undertake for the Creator and fellow humans.

“I myself respect the talent and drive of others, but idolization is something I stay away from. Master P and Jay Z are my two of favorite hip-hop icons. Not so much for their music but more so for their business savvy and ability to be leaders and innovators in their field. Kelly Rowland and Alicia Keyes, both beautiful women with extraordinary singing capabilities and beauty, have attracted me. Not so much for their talents but more so for how down to earth and humble they are in the midst of all the fame and hoopla. The glamour and glitter of the outside world has not dimmed the light and beauty within. In my personal career, I stay clear of the shining lights. I view myself as just an ordinary person doing extraordinary things. Whenever I run into someone seeking to throw praise upon me, I make sure to remind them that we’re all meant to do great things. The only difference between others and myself is I’m doing what I can instead of just talking about it.

Do all you can do and never procrastinate. Make the most of every second of time, for there isn’t one second to waste or spare. Time is but a mere illusion based on what humans have termed it to be reflecting the knowledge and understanding of science they possess. One day can seem to be many. While weeks and months can seem to be only one day. Your talent is for you, and you alone, and it will feed and clothe you if you pursue it. But first you must take time and care to learn and become proficient in your labor so you can get the most out of it and serve the world in a great way. “Writing a book has always been a goal of mine since I was around sixteen. I used to write girls letters in junior high school and they loved them. So you can say that writing has been and is a passion of mine. And it is something I do well. Therefore, it’s no wonder as to why I chose writing as a profession once I decided to get my life together. It took me two decades later to complete my dream of having a book published. Nevertheless, I did it. And the whole while I never concerned myself with other writers or the industry. My only thought was composing a story that readers would learn from and be entertained by. “Love Don’t Live Here” my first was published years ago and now I’m the author of several books. At one time I even had the pleasure of publishing others. This experience is over but nevertheless I’m an author who continuously releases a new title every year.” You can purchase the title in ebook and paperback at http://www.amazon.com/Third-Eye-Awakening-Therone-Shellman-ebook/dp/B009SWA8HG/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1388847628

Since my arrival back to NY this past year one of the questions I've been asked the most when people learn of the type of literature I write is, "Where are the role models? What happened?" At the laundromat yesterday I had a talk with a german woman who's husband is African American and I'm presented with this question again. After asking me the question, she mentions the only one she can think of is Alicia Keyes. Now this morning I sold a gentlemen a copy of Love Don't Live Here revised edition, and he also had the same question. Then he went on to mention there aren't even any organizations which represent African Americans as a whole. His words were, "If you're not Christian the Christian organizations have no help for you, and if you're not Muslim then the Muslim organizations have no help for you. No one wants to step out into the forefront and speak for all of us because, then they may be black balled and black listed so they stay in their little area and operate like secret societies, and if you don't join them then you're not one of them."

I have many thoughts on the idea of a role model and why many don't fit the positions. As a teen I've always been intellectual and for many years I travelled through the days of being what I call a street professor or philospher. Talking it but not living it. It doesn't matter how much one claims to know, or how well one can speak and dress up their talk if their actions aren't the same as their talk. One cannot talk about unity or growth in development if they live a life which destroys whether it be physically or mentally, or their actions do not match their talk. No righteous man can also be a drug dealer, or be involved in any other occupation which sucks the life out of another human, or takes equality away from another. Life and Death has no partnership. Blah, blah, and yes I've known this for quite some time. Yet my true awakening is very new because, like I mentioned talk and living the talk must be the same.

In regards to my writing:

When I embarked on writing the first draft of Love Don't Live Here, I did realize that I was making a final decision as to what path I was going to travel with my life. A story about the lives of two young women who become single mothers through different circumstance, and who both have sons and realize that they are in a struggle which they are not fully prepared knowledge wise to deal with. Unconsciously I was stating to myself then that you are going to be a Guerilla, your work(s) aren't going to cater or support the ideas of this dysfunctional society. And most of all you're going to let go of what you've been taught, teach yourself and works will show others how to think outside of what they've been taught.

85% of the population are dumb, death and blind and live their daily life based on what they see on the Tv, hear on the radio or what they've been trained to think by an educational system which is designed to train one not to be smarter than to be able to push a broom.

10% of the population are those who know knowledge is the foundation of any humans existence, as it is one's thoughts which set the path for one's actions. But these peoples do not see a world where there is abundance, they see opportunity as being limited and therefore use their knowledge, titles and positions in the civic and business world to mis-educate, mislead and keep others from achieving their own freedom in mind and thought.

5% of the population are those who know the self is at the center of the universe, and within and outside of the individual is a connection to everything else in the world. And it is through knowledge and a respect for life that one can not just find peace for themself, but also for others. They in their occupation and work educate, uplift and further and stay clear of occupations which do the opposite.

There are role models within every community in our world. They may not be on the news or heard on the radio, but their lives touch so many.