Tuned Into Business:

The business of finding that special someone has become ridiculously profitable for dating companies. And it doesn’t matter if you are a big fish or a one-man band.

Consider the proliferation of dating sites like PerfectMatch.com and MingleCity.com. TV commercials have been cropping up for Chemistry.com and, for a hot minute, I noticed that Dr. Phil had hung his shingle up at Match.com. Meanwhile, Marcus Frind, founder and CEO of Plentyoffish.com, has managed to take the free dating site he’s been running out of his apartment since 2003 to the top (Number one in Canada, number one in the UK and number three in the U.S.) using artificial intelligence. He probably figured, why buy the cow when you can develop an AI to run your site for pennies on the dollar? Frind, a 29-year-old computer programmer who appeared on The Today Show last summer, works a measly 10 hours a week and rakes in net profits of about $10 million a year. Clearly he’s struck a nerve worldwide. So, from what I can see, dating and the search for love represent a culture on the rise that doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon.

Another observation is the growing trove of TV shows such as The Bachelor and Flavor of Love, not to mention the copycat spinoff shows now airing. I suppose people need something to talk about at the water cooler, eh?

Have you noticed that matchmakers are now the “new kid” on the TV chopping block? I suppose it’s time for them to bask in their 15 minutes of fame. I’m wondering whether some TV exec is going to get the ax when the first matchmaker show fails. Here’s a snapshot of the shows already airing:

Millionaire Matchmaker recently premiered on Bravo, starring third-generation matchmaker Patti Stanger. Boy is she a pistol! One minute she’s complaining because the chicks she’s selected aren’t what she considers hot (a seven on a scale of 10). Then she’s exasperated when her Gulf Stream-clad bachelors only want to date bombshell beauties (duh).

The other matchmaker newcomer is the tempestuous Patti Novak, star of A&E’s Confessions of a Matchmaker. Novak runs her business from her Buffalo (New Yawk) office and was recently seen on Oprah as “America’s Toughest Matchmaker.”

Based on most of what’s out there in the world of dating, my first reaction was, “Is that all there is?â€� I was feeling unfulfilled about the whole thing—I would compare my research to eating Chinese food; I was hungry an hour later. But I kept thinking, “There’s got to be a better way!” And there is. In fact, in my next blog post, I’ll share my findings about MatchMatrix.com, an exciting new relationship website that’s like a magic bullet for identifying your perfect match. You may want to take advantage of getting a free communication report at MatchMatrix.com.

If I were you I’d get a second free report for the person you are interested in to see if both of you share the same style of communication. I can’t wait to tell you how I personally tested MatchMatrix on myself as well as several friends, associates and a couple of journalists.

Your feedback is always a plus. In fact, some of my best ideas come from people like you. So keep those comments coming. Your feedback lets me know which topics are important to you.

Cheers!
Michelle

Troy Dunn was very entertaining on The Big Idea and had lots of great ideas that anyone can use to raise a self-sufficient kid. He should know. He’s a self-made millionaire and the father of seven children. His daughter, who is 10, has cancer.

Dunn’s Tips from his book, Young Bucks: How to Raise a Future Millionaire:

• Believe your children are capable of greatness.

• You don’t have to be a millionaire to raise one

• Identify your child’s business talents

• Light the learn-to-earn fire

• Start the startup

If you are wonderig who this guy is, here’s a snapshot:

1. Troy Dunn married his high-school sweetheart, Jennifer, and together they are raising seven beautiful children.
2. In 1992, Troy and his partner self-published their first book, The Locator, which drove revenue in excess of $10 million over the next eight years.
3. Troy enjoyed 14 years of national television appearances as “the reunion guy” on virtually every talk show on TV. From Good Morning America and Live With Regis & Kelly to 48 Hours and 60 Minutes.
4. He consults four corporate clients a year.
5. He’s the author of Young Bucks, a straightforward, practical and entertaining manual that debunks a number of parenting myths that work against financial independence, such as allowances.
6. Besides being a successful businessman, he is a public speaker, radio host and writer on the subject of financial success and personal happiness.

Tonight on the Big Idea, Dani Johnson shared her secrets of success. What’s interesting is that Johnson was homeless at the tender age of 21 and, while living out of her car, she turned her life around. By the time she was 23 she was a millionaire.

Johnson’s Millionaire Secrets:
1. Prepare for a marathon, not a sprint.
2. Weigh your ego with your bank account.
3. Prosper where you’re planted.
4. The marketplace pays for value.
5. Create results.

Johnson has written a wonderful book, Spirit Driven Success: Learn Time Tested Biblical Secrets To Create Wealth While Serving Others. While in her early 20s, she made her first millions in MLM. Today, she is founder of Call to Freedom International, a coaching and seminar training company that she and her husband Hans operate. I had the pleasure of meeting Dani, Hans and her family shortly after I profiled her for my book, Weekend Entrepreneur: 101 Great Ways to Earn Extra Cash.

If you want to be more and do more, or you are stuck and need a reality check and a roadmap to succeed beyond your wildest dreams, Dani Johnson is one of the finest trainers on the planet.

“Crank That (Soulja Boy)” was the breakout hit of 2007, and it doesn’t seem to be losing momentum with time. Yesterday, two worlds collided when Regis and Kelly tried to snap their fingers and move their feet to this tune on Live With Regis and Kelly.

For seven weeks, “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” was a number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 list. That may explain Kelly Ripa’s rationale for letting her kids–Lola, 6, and Joaquin, 4–skip school to be on the show. But wait… Kelly was quick to inform viewers that oldest son, Michael, who is 10, was at school.

The Regis and Kelly finale included a dance lesson from teen rapper Soulja Boy. And the kids,  along with several others, joined in for the festivities.

If you’re wondering, “What’s the big deal?” I’ll tell you. This little rapper Soulja Boy (real name DeAndre Way) is a 17-year-old who started out featuring his music as a download from his MySpace page a year ago. Like many boys his age, he was simply having fun dancing and making music from his bedroom. Unlike his peers, he is cashing in on his talent. He’s gone from irritating teachers at South Panola High School in Batesville, Mississippi, to inking a major record deal.

Here’s a snapshot of his success:

• “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” recently received a 2007 Grammy nomination for best rap song.

• The single’s music video has enjoyed 25 million-plus views on YouTube.

• Animated characters from SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Barney and the Simpsons to Winnie the Pooh, Bambi and the Lion King have their own unique version of “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” on YouTube.

• You’ll find people from all walks of life, ages and races uploading their homemade version of “Crank It” on YouTube.

• Realizing that people were trying to learn the dance but that nobody really knew how to do it right, Soulja Boy made his own instructional video. He breaks down each move, and it is almost as popular as the song. It has had about 21 million views since being added to YouTube.

• After opening a YouTube account in January 2006, Soulja Boy has posted more than 100 videos.

• His debut album, “Souljaboytellem.com,” pays homage to his internet roots

• Leaving no stone unturned, he has an online store, Souljaboystore.com. Regis and Kelly were each given a pair of his super-sized, white sunglasses to wear when he was on their show.

• After making beats and songs, he started uploading tracks to SoundClick.com. Positive feedback from other artists led Soulja Boy to borrow a cousin’s camcorder to uploaded videos of himself and friends doing their favorite dances.

• No instruments were involved in the making of “Crank It.â€?

• Atlanta producer Michael Grooms, a.k.a. Mr. Collipark (Ying Yang Twins, Young Jeezy), signed him to a record deal with Interscope, whose roster of superstars includes Sheryl Crow, 50 Cent and Gwen Stefani. Grooms heard about Soulja Boy at the park where his sons play.

• The busy high school senior has been touring with a tutor and will be performing in several cities this year.
• It’s been number one on iTunes and a number-one ringtone.

If you need some new steps or a little extra cardio, you can learn the dance. If you want your 15 minutes of fame on YouTube, upload your homemade video of “Crank It.” Or upgrade your ringtone.

Let me know what you think of this viral internet sensation.

On Your Business, hosted by JJ Ramberg, they featured “Top Five Inexpensive Startups.” This segment, according to the host, is from Forbes.com. The premise is that not every startup requires a huge investment. So if you’re looking to start a businesss for under $5,000, you may want to consider matching your skills and passion with one of the following ideas:

1. Child-Care Services — Licensing is required in most states, and you should look into liability insurance.
2. Computer Repair — An IT business can be started with almost nothing down.
3. Landscaping — Your main investment will be from purchasing equipment. Certifications are required for specialized types of work.
4. Tutoring — This business can be both profitable and personally rewarding. Certification isn’t necessary, but it is recommended.
5. Direct Sales — an estimated 14 million independent sellers have adopted this business model.

For more info, visit the show’s website, yourbusiness.msnbc.com

Let me know about your business. I enjoy sharing success stories.

Cheers,

Michelle