Our Spotlight Recommendation
“I recently had the privilege of meeting with Tom one-on-one, and I must say, he is a truly insightful individual that you simply must get to know. Throughout our conversation, we covered a range of...”
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“I recently had the privilege of meeting with Tom one-on-one, and I must say, he is a truly insightful individual that you simply must get to know. Throughout our conversation, we covered a range of topics, and Tom was incredibly patient in listening to my questions and concerns, offering valuable advice and insights that I know will be beneficial for years to come. I wholeheartedly recommend investing your time in getting to know Tom - I promise, you won't regret it.”
–
Adam J. Murphy
HiPrecision Virtual Assistants
About Us
My work is guiding clients through the process of replacing Reactive Thinking with Creative Thinking, then developing the plans and systems needed to improve their business operations and personal experiences.
Solopreneurs who don't thrive usually have a poorly designed POS (Personal Operating System) that is based on reactive thinking, wishful thinking, conditioned habits, unexamined assumptions, outdated beliefs and an ego that mistakes movement for progress.
I don’t fix surface-level problems.
I don't teach "success".
I teach CII (Continuous Incremental Improvement), the systematic redesign of the way you think, decide and operate.
I work beneath the surface where identity, mindset, and behavior are generated. If you're looking for fluffy motivation or quick emotional highs, please look elsewhere. But if you're willing to acknowledge your current reality and do whatever work is necessary to change it for the better, we are aligned. The kind of evolution that I guide clients through takes effort and time but is worth the expenditure.
My message is clear: You don’t need someone to fix your life. You need someone to remind you that you hold the power to shape your life. Your life is a great adventure if you choose to view it that way.
If you'd like to discuss the possibility of working with me, please contact me at tom@tomharris.us or 877-901-9977. Note: I do not do sales pitches.
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Visit my YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@TomHarrisCEA
You can get my book, "THE WAY OF THE CONTRARIAN ENTREPRENEUR - 2nd Edition" on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Way-Contrarian-Entrepren...
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About the Non-Business Me:
I am a student of many things, a believer in lifelong learning, author, speaker, confirmed book addict, Karaoke singer, aspiring songwriter, spoken word artist, humorist, and dog and cat lover. I love studying history, science, psychology, philosophy and metaphysics. I love cheese and ice cream, but not at the same time.
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I am a Group Leader for the following Alignable Groups:
- The Solopreneur Coalition (Founder and Leader)
https://www.alignable.com/groups/solopreneur-co...
- Professional Development (Co-Leader)
https://www.alignable.com/groups/professional-d...
- Content Marketing (Leader)
https://www.alignable.com/groups/content-marketing
- Business Coach (Co-Leader)
https://www.alignable.com/groups/business-coach
- Business Coaches Corner (Founder and Leader)
https://www.alignable.com/groups/business-coach...
- Deep Thinkers (Founder and Leader)
https://www.alignable.com/groups/the-deep-think...
I host online educational and networking events in each group. You are invited to join any or all of these groups and attend the events. If you'd like to know more, please contact me at tom@tomharris.us or 877-901-9977.
The products and services we offer
Recommendations Received (239)
"Tom is a trove of interesting ideas and provocative questions who will inspire you to think deeply."
"I had the fortuitous introduction to Tom. What a standup person! I have thoroughly enjoyed..."
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"I had the fortuitous introduction to Tom. What a standup person! I have thoroughly enjoyed watching all of his YouTube content. There are so many clever tidbits to absorb. His process of honing skills of critical and creative thinking are a priceless intangible asset. His content has successfully caught my attention, served as mental stimulation as well as given me much to contemplate. I really appreciate Tom's unique approach to expanding your mind. I am very eager to read his book on the Contrarian Entrepreneur and see what else I can learn. "
Networking Events
Tuesday Nov 24th 4pm-5pm EST
Come meet new people, make new friends, and start some long-lasting relationships. You'll have 6 or 7 breakout sessions (7 minutes each, 2 people p...
Tuesday Dec 29th 4pm-5pm EST
Come meet new people, make new friends, and start some long-lasting relationships. You'll have 6 or 7 breakout sessions (7 minutes each, 2 people p...
Products & Services
My book "The Way of the Contrarian Entrepreneur - 2nd Edition" was just published on January 1, 2024. Paperback and Kindle. Click on the image > F...
Gain an understanding of Contrarian Entrepreneur philosophies with these short (under 5 minutes) videos that will inspire you to think and create. ...
The Merger of Business Wisdom and Self-Realization. Designed for solopreneurs in service professions who would like to make the world a better plac...
Recommendations Given (175)
"Among the zillion or so things that you as a small business owner have to do but don't enjoy..."
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"Among the zillion or so things that you as a small business owner have to do but don't enjoy doing is keeping the books. "Knowing your numbers" is critical to running an efficient and thriving business. How is your cashflow doing? Your billing and receivables? Managing your tax information? If you do your own bookkeeping and would like to have some additional free time to work on improving other areas of your business, I suggest you talk with Christine Spears and discuss how she can help you. She is experienced and knowledgeable. Highly recommended. Contact her today."
"If you have a home-based business and need some legal assistance, contact Susan."
Recent Activity
I will be launching several new marketing initiatives over the next couple of months.
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I will be launching several new marketing initiatives over the next couple of months.
I have some very different (and sometimes radical) views about business, personal development and "success". I wrote and published my newest book, "The Way of the Contrarian Entrepreneur" last year. It's available on Amazon if you're wondering what a "contrarian entrepreneur" is. There are not...
(more)
I have some very different (and sometimes radical) views about business, personal development and "success". I wrote and published my newest book, "The Way of the Contrarian Entrepreneur" last year. It's available on Amazon if you're wondering what a "contrarian entrepreneur" is. There are not many of them in the world, but you might want to become one.
Though my business took a nosedive in 2020, the virus gave me time to re-consider and re-design some educational programs that I was originally going to launch in March 2020. I am more confident now about the programs, and am looking forward to a really good 2021.
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Though my business took a nosedive in 2020, the virus gave me time to re-consider and re-design some educational programs that I was originally going to launch in March 2020. I am more confident now about the programs, and am looking forward to a really good 2021.
1 Reply
In January, I started the Greater Lansing (MI) Alignable Networking Group (GLANG). We had 2 in-person meetings (Jan-Feb) and then transitioned to Zoom. It has worked very well so far, though there's a lot to be learned yet. I do believe that videoconferencing will become a significant part of...
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In January, I started the Greater Lansing (MI) Alignable Networking Group (GLANG). We had 2 in-person meetings (Jan-Feb) and then transitioned to Zoom. It has worked very well so far, though there's a lot to be learned yet. I do believe that videoconferencing will become a significant part of the "new normal".
Business cards are not dead, by any means. My opinion is that they will be relevant and useful for a long time to come, no matter how "digital" everything gets. Here are the main points for having an effective card (this is actually an excerpt from my upcoming book "The Contrarian Entrepreneur...
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Business cards are not dead, by any means. My opinion is that they will be relevant and useful for a long time to come, no matter how "digital" everything gets. Here are the main points for having an effective card (this is actually an excerpt from my upcoming book "The Contrarian Entrepreneur Idea Book"): What Do Your Cards Say About You?
Of all the myriad marketing materials that we create to promote our businesses, one that certainly deserves more of our attention and thought is our business cards.
Business cards don’t just provide contact information – they leave emotional impressions. Your card is YOU. And you will be kept or tossed in the wastebasket, depending on what your card looks like, feels like, and the impression that it makes on the person you hand it to. If you don’t want to get tossed in the wastebasket, here are a few things to do:
Photo: Have a professional head shot taken and put it on your business cards. No arguments, no excuses, just do it. It can cover one entire side of the card, or half of one side, but don't let it be a teensy image tucked away in one corner.
Use Color: If you dumped a collection of business cards on a table and spread them out, you’d see a lot of white. With black ink. Not very interesting. Color is much more interesting. You do want to appear interesting, don’t you? Use some color.
Not a brochure: Your card needs to tell in very simple terms what you do, but it’s not a brochure. Don’t include detailed descriptions of your services.
Don’t waste good real estate:
There are two sides to a card; use both of them. Maybe contact info on one side, photo on the other. Lots of possibilities.
You are more important than your business:
Especially if you are a one-person show, make your name much more prominent than your business name. No one cares about your business name, but you do want them to care about (and remember) you.
No Title: Don’t include official or legal titles like President, VP of Marketing, CEO, Owner etc. But you should include a tagline that describes what you do, such as Life Coach, Business Consultant, Interior Designer, etc.
Don’t use odd-sized cards:
The standard size for business cards is 3.5” x 2”. Use that size always. Many people keep files of business cards, and larger sizes don’t fit with standard sizes, and are more likely to get thrown away. Smaller sizes can just get lost in the shuffle. I believe in being unique and different, but not with sizes of business cards.
Create an impression:
Your cards need to memorable, different, unique, yet simple and clean (you’ll probably have to hire a professional graphic designer to accomplish this).
Hire a professional graphic designer: Oh, yes, I already mentioned that. No arguments, no excuses, just do it. Your business cards are not a good place for you to "cheap out".
If you'd like to explore a new design for your cards, contact me. I or one of my associates can help you with that.
I'm interested. In fact, I will be launching a learning program for entrepreneurs in the next couple of months or so. What would be the topic(s) of your proposed group? If you want, you can contact me directly at tom@tomharris.us. Put "Zoom Mastermind" in the subject line so I don't miss it. ...
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I'm interested. In fact, I will be launching a learning program for entrepreneurs in the next couple of months or so. What would be the topic(s) of your proposed group? If you want, you can contact me directly at tom@tomharris.us. Put "Zoom Mastermind" in the subject line so I don't miss it. Thanks!
I have a weekly online show - The Contrarian Entrepreneur Show - that is presented in both video and podcast formats. The video form of the show is on my website and on YouTube. The podcast version (which is basically the "soundtrack" of the video) is on 10 different podcast platforms. Most...
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I have a weekly online show - The Contrarian Entrepreneur Show - that is presented in both video and podcast formats. The video form of the show is on my website and on YouTube. The podcast version (which is basically the "soundtrack" of the video) is on 10 different podcast platforms. Most episodes are short; generally around 10 minutes. In addition, I just started a blog on my website. The posts are all text and quite short. I'm a strong advocate of short-form content because people are so busy these days, and I think a "snippet" of content has a better chance of making an impression and being remembered than a lengthy piece does. Also, if someone sees that a video or a podcast episode is an hour or more long, they're likely to not want to spend that much time and may not watch or listen at all. But if it's 5-15 minutes, I believe there's a greater chance that it will get watched or listened to. As of today, I have published 20 episodes of the show.
As to which platform works best, I don't believe there's a single answer that could possibly apply to everyone. I have spent most of my self-employed years (35 of them) developing direct relationships with small numbers of clients and living off referrals. However, I am now expanding into some...
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As to which platform works best, I don't believe there's a single answer that could possibly apply to everyone. I have spent most of my self-employed years (35 of them) developing direct relationships with small numbers of clients and living off referrals. However, I am now expanding into some different areas and I need to expand my sphere of influence to a larger audience. One of the biggest issues with social media is simply that there are so many options available, and if you tried to use all of them, and do a good job with each, you'd have no time left to do anything else. I think you are probably wise to stick with Facebook and Instagram, as you are doing. In the end, it's all about experimenting and seeing what works -- a tedious process.
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