https://activerain.com/blogs/dscruggs36 en-us https://activerain.com/blogsview/787873/the-power-to-be-presents--ken-brown-millionaire-franchise-owner-and-real-estate-investor Announcing a new Meetup for Power To Be Free!!What: Ken Brown Internation Speaker - Casino Owner, Hotel Owner, McDonalds OwnerWhen: November 20th, 2008 6:00 PMWhere: Click the link below to find out! Register at www.Thepowertobefree.com  Meetup Description: Ken Brown will be our featured speaker. Born into impoverished conditions, his teen parents raised him and his siblings, to never exist poor in spirit or drive. Though starting his journey in less than ideal circumstances, his focus and hunger for excellence, has led to monumental personal and professional opportunities. As one of the youngest McDonald's owners and operators, he has proven to be a formidable presence in the arena of entrepreneurial accomplishment. Networking starts at 6:00 pm; the main speaker will be on at 6:30. You can see interviews with Herb at our blog www.thepowertobefree.com.Regards,Darrick ScruggsCEO, The Power To Be Free Darrick Scruggs (The Power to Be Free) Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:57:02 -0800 https://activerain.com/blogsview/787873/the-power-to-be-presents--ken-brown-millionaire-franchise-owner-and-real-estate-investor https://activerain.com/blogsview/753495/the-power-to-be-free-presents---commercial-real-estate-made-easy-seminar Free Pass For October's Seminar Herb Strather - Michigan's Billion Dollar Real Estate man Donald Trump - will be speaking, willing to part with his Apartment investing insider trade secrets. Networking starts at 6:00 pm; the main speaker will be on at 6:30. When: Thursday, October 23rd Time: 6:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Where: Hotel St. Regis Detroit, 3071 W Grand Blvd Detroit, MI 48202 Register for your FREE PASS - Save $20! Click Here To Register Darrick Scruggs (The Power to Be Free) Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:47:48 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/753495/the-power-to-be-free-presents---commercial-real-estate-made-easy-seminar https://activerain.com/blogsview/725122/why-most-fail-in-commercial-real-estate--but-i-can-give-you-an-edge--part-2- The man I began introducing you to in part one of this segment is millionaire-motivator, Kenneth Brown. Ken is a young man of humble Chicago beginnings that starkly contrast his ultimate success in business and in life. Ken is the son of teenaged parents who were basically poverty stricken. Ken’s childhood is a seemingly typical story of how a young Black boy is brought into dire circumstances socially, economically and environmentally. Ken is the owner of a successful McDonald's franchise in the Metro-Detroit area. He wrote a book that I’ve read so many times that I can almost recite it better than he can. The book is called “A Leap of Faith.” This book chronicles Ken Brown's journey from Welfare to Faring Well by documenting how he became a multimillionaire by the age of 38. The way was not easy for Ken. In his journey he had hurdles called evictions. In his journey he had roadblocks such as when he was let go from his first job, but Ken states that it is all a part of the process. Listen, success is not about the fact that you will fall down. Success is about how you get up after a fall. It’s about overcoming whatever attempts to get in your way. What roadblocks are you willing to overcome? What hurdles are you willing to leap to make it in this game we call life? As with any business, commercial real estate investment has its set of problems, but successful entrepreneurs are great at turning problems into short-term obstacles that lead to inspiring and motivational stories of success and triumph over obstacles. Most successful entrepreneurs never get to tell their stories. They usually live vicariously through someone else. “Man, if I could only do what he or she did,” they often think. They can. You can if you want it bad enough. My goal was to become a successful real estate investor. Well, I have had my share of roadblocks. My roadblocks came in the form of tenants who for various reasons and colorful excuses could not or would not pay their rent. I experienced hurdles such as buildings catching on fire and losing deals. In the end, however, it has all paid off. I am now a better real estate investor than ever. Today I am a highly successful real estate trainer and a widely sought after consultant. I have taught classes at the Big Three through their ETAP programs. I have also mentored thousands of clients in order to help them purchase their first home. I have helped thousands more to invest in their first investment property. I am currently educating individuals on how to really become free through www.ThePowerToBeFree.com. How have I achieved such phenomenal success? I have done it largely through the wonderful world of commercial real estate investment with a concentration on residential apartment building investment. There was a commercial out that use to say that you can't eat just one Lay’s potato chip, but in the world of commercial real estate all you need is one big deal and your family is set. You are set! Commercial real estate investing is a process that has taken me over 12 years to learn. Fortunately, you have the benefit of all of my mistakes, my obstacles, and hurdles. You can learn from everything that I have had to overcome during my journey to become a successful commercial real estate investor, trainer, and mentor. If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired you need to give me a call immediately. Let's take you and your family to the next level. For more information about what it takes to go to the next level please visit my site: www.ThePowerToBeFree.com. Darrick H. Scruggs, CEO The Power to Be Free www.ThePowertoBeFree.com 800-975-6926 Office 313-790-3680Cell Darrick Scruggs (The Power to Be Free) Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:37:26 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/725122/why-most-fail-in-commercial-real-estate--but-i-can-give-you-an-edge--part-2- https://activerain.com/blogsview/725111/why-most-fail-in-commercial-real-estate--but-i-can-give-you-an-edge--part-1- The reality of it is that most people will not become the next Donald Trump. Most people will not have their own television show and be the start of that show. Don’t let that discourage you though. If you take a calculated risk you can have the financial independence that few ever experience. Let me be frank not just about real estate or commercial real estate, but also about being successful in business.  I have done a lot of research on this subject and it is near and dear to my heart. The research that I have done suggests that only 10% of the population will ever earn over 100K a year. In the grand scheme of things 100K is not really a lot of money. Let's put it like this, if you actually earn 100k you will only have spend-able income of $6,000-6,500 per month.  It sounds good, but this is for the 10% that actually earn 100K a year, which by the way is an ever-growing accomplishment. You see, just as 40 is the so-called new 20, in the current American economy 100K per year may be the new 50K per year. My purpose is not to diminish the accomplishment of our 100K per year earners, but to put it in perspective. Let’s face it, if making 100k is not worth as much today as it was years ago, well, making 40K per year is quite pathetic. Yet 40K a year is a blessing compared to the 0% earning of so many Americans who are unemployed, down-sized and bought out. One of the first rules to getting more abundance in your life is to first be thankful what you do have. Do you have a part time job making only minimum wage? Be thankful for it first…then follow me to discover how to build wealth and security for yourself and your family. There are countless millionaires in America today and multitudes more that are making 100K+ annually. Are you making over 100K per year? If you are not, why aren’t you? What is it that the 10% is doing that you are not doing? It has nothing to do with whether of not you’ve earned any college degrees most of time. It has nothing to do with whether or not you come from a privileged background. And it’s not about luck either. In my short time on earth, I have studied a lot of successful people. The accumulation of wealth and financial success has a lot to do with desire, determination, and developing a laser-beamed focus on what you want to accomplish. What are your goals? If you have no goals, that is a direct correlation as to why you have little or no money. What is your vision? Have you taken the time to sit and visualize yourself as a phenomenally successful individual? Your goals and your vision for the future are initial components of building extraordinary financial success. One of the most effective ways to build personal success is to set goals, visualize success and study the real life stories of extraordinarily successful people. I have done this for most of my adult life and I can assure you that simply by studying exemplary human beings I have been able to replicate much of their success. Today I continue to study what the ultra-successful do and I am also someone that those seeking to be successful study. I want to take this opportunity to share the story of an extraordinarily successful gentleman. I have had the privilege of working closely with this man over the past couple of years. I have observed his interactions with others. I’ve watched the way he moves, his actions, his reactions and his level of integrity. His responses are concise and to the point as he does not talk out of both sides of his face like so many people do. If he says he will do something, he does it—and he does everything from the simplistic to the complicated with a level of excellence that few people bother to aspire to. With him, there is not of lollygagging about things that can cost him money or better the ability for him to make money. The man I am about to introduce you to is Mr. Kenneth Brown. He was born in poverty, but has risen to prosperity. He is a philanthropist, a millionaire, a professional speaker, best-selling author and the youngest owner of two highly successful McDonald’s restaurants in Detroit, Michigan.  (END of Part 1) Darrick H. Scruggs, CEO Power to Be Free www.ThePowertoBeFree.com Darrick Scruggs (The Power to Be Free) Sun, 05 Oct 2008 14:28:28 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/725111/why-most-fail-in-commercial-real-estate--but-i-can-give-you-an-edge--part-1- https://activerain.com/blogsview/712879/commercial-real-estate--there-is-a-proven-system-to-commercial-real-estate-success The answer is a resounding yes, without a shadow of a doubt. You must first understand there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it. The masses go out and try to become the next Donald Trump without the proper skill sets. Let's take Donald for a minute and see why he has been so extraordinarily successful in real estate. For starters he had a great mentor from the start, Fred Trump his dad. Fred Trump was a very successful Real estate developer; to go a little further Fred Trump built a portion of empire on low income housing and apartments. Growing up Donald was able to soak up all that information and have a head start on his competition, what types of advantages do you think you would have growing up being able to see the daily actions of your dad wheeling and dealing in the world of Real Estate, that part can't be measured. That was just the beginning the second part which most are not aware of was that Donald Trump went to the Wharton School of Business and not only graduated, but excelled at his studies. He did not just try to get by, he did what was asked an much more, back in the late 70's was researching foreclosures of all things. There is an old saying "Success leaves Clues", I hear so many people use Donald trump as a role model, as someone they would like to meet, but most that I talk to are looking for a short cut, they want the success of Donald Trump, but they are unwilling to do the things that made Donald Trump successful. The first tip I give most individuals before they even decide to purchase there first investment property, invest in yourself, that is the one investment if utilized properly will give you a 100% return every time. Everyone needs somebody, it is very difficult in today's society to do things by yourself, A Great book for all investors, residential or commercial to read is E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber, it gives you very practical systems and formulas to reduce your chances of failure. Ok the question you are probably asking, I do not have a very wealthy Dad to follow and immolate like Donald Trump, what can be done. I certainly do not have the ability to attend the prestigious Wharton School of Business, are there any options if I want to fast track myself to success in the world of Commercial Real estate. It is funny that you ask that question, what if you had a chance to be mentored by one of the 50 most powerful people in the state of Michigan, someone who has achieved unprecedented success in the world of Real Estate, residential and commercial. Well that opportunity is only a few key strokes away, if you want to take your Commercial Real Estate business to the next level an understand that success is almost there for you, please contact The Power to Be Free. Darrick H Scruggs CEO The Power to Be Free www.THepowertobefree.com About the Author Successful Small Business Owner and Commercial Real Estate Coach, owner of 5 successful small businesses ranging from Real Estate Acquisition to a Full Service Tax and Financial Services operation. www.Thepowertobefree.com Darrick Scruggs (The Power to Be Free) Sun, 28 Sep 2008 02:36:11 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/712879/commercial-real-estate--there-is-a-proven-system-to-commercial-real-estate-success https://activerain.com/blogsview/712096/why-you-should-start-to-create-your-own-economy So there is a 50 / 50 chance that the economy is going to be good or that it is going to be bad. For most people that is a really big problem. Because as the Nation's economy goes so does their personal economy go. Up goes the economy, up goes their paycheck; down goes the economy, down goes the paycheck. So how do you avoid that situation. The best answer that I can come up with is to just refuse to participate in a bad economy. Just unplug your self! Make the decision to separate your PERSONAL ECONOMY from the rest of the world! How do you do that you might ask? That's easy, make a decision and take action, and a lots of it. With the help of the Team at ThePowerToBeFree.com we can help you create a plan for your OWN PERSONAL ECONOMY. Design your personal economy so that it meets your every need. And why not, it's your life and you should be free to live your life as you wish. Take the next step if you are not already a member and go to www.ThePowerToBeFree.com to register and get your free Report "Pitfalls to Avoid in Commercial Real Estate!" US Economy May Escape Recession in 2008 The odds of a recession in the US economy have risen to even, and even if there is no recession officially, it will feel like a recession to most Americans, according to Standard & Poors. Still, S&P Chief Economist David Wyss predicts a bumpy landing but no recession. Housing problems have taken most of the attention in the media so far, but housing alone is unlikely to cause a recession, Wyss writes in U.S. Economic Forecast: Fasten Your Seatbelts, It's Going To Be A Bumpy Year. But only if the downturn extends beyond housing is a recession likely. The drag from the housing sector has been fully offset by two other sectors: foreign trade and capital spending. Over the past four quarters, the improvement in the real trade deficit has added 0.45 percentage point to real GDP growth, offsetting nearly half of the housing drag, Wyss writes. "We expect this to continue in 2008, as a weaker dollar and still-strong foreign economic growth help exports, while imports continue to slow because of weaker U.S. demand. The danger is that the foreign economies may weaken more than expected. Europe and Japan have both relied on trade surpluses to offset soft domestic demand." Nonresidential construction expenditures are expected to flatten out in 2008, as slowing employment growth reduces the need for office space and weaker consumer spending slows retail construction, S&P says. The 2007 surge in highway construction will also slow in 2008. So far, except for housing-related sectors such as furniture and building materials, consumer spending has held up much better than expected. Wyss believes that consumers will cool off in 2008, however, because of higher oil prices and falling home prices. In addition, a rising unemployment rate will cut into consumer confidence. Whether the economy will be soft enough to count as a recession will depend on how much purchasing power is sucked away by higher energy costs and on how pervasive the damage is to capital markets, Wyss concludes. Our belief is that this will be a bumpy landing, but not a recession. If you are interested in learning how www.Thepowertobefree.com can assist you in creating your own personal economy you need to get a copy of our free DVD. Come learn how the Real Estate Master has helped over 50 people become Millionaires. Darrick H Scruggs CEO The Power to Be Free Darrick Scruggs (The Power to Be Free) Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:14:39 -0700 https://activerain.com/blogsview/712096/why-you-should-start-to-create-your-own-economy