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New Online Tool Resurrects America's Entrepreneurial Spirit
Two African American Business School Graduates Launch Virtual Business Planning Community
By Kimberly L. White
Ronald E. Tyler, Jr. (sitting) and Michael P. Valentine (standing) |
Michael P. Valentine (front) and Ronald E. Tyler (rear) |
Best friends and business partners Michael P. Valentine and Ronald E. Tyler, Jr. saw a trend to pursue self-employment amongst an aging demographic. They wanted to use their resources and abilities to help these individuals. After days of trial and error to devise their version of a solution to the country's economic crisis, they finally had an idea. Their countless hours of brainstorming yielded what very well may be the next it web community. Through their current business, Plan Lab, Inc., they created the "MyPlan Lab online business-planning tool" (available at www.planlab.net). Its purpose is to aid aspiring entrepreneurs in the development of their business ideas.
Michael and Ronald are examples of a new breed of young, bold Americans who have dreams that they will not allow to be deferred. Both are natives of northeast Ohio who share similar Midwestern-style upbringings and had a blue-collar work ethic instilled in them at an early age. Both of their fathers have worked and maintained similar jobs for the last two decades. Over the years, Valentine and Tyler have sensed the insecurities their fathers face of not having adequate ways to support their families and how it has kept them confined over the years. As members of the "working poor", they believe they cannot afford to have any aspirations or dreams beyond their current reality. "We are hoping that people like our fathers who've had dreams join our community," states Tyler.
"Most of our clients remind me of my father and his generation. They were once so filled with hope, but like my dad, these men and women feel as though life has given them a bad deal. It's like seeing your favorite superhero say mercy to a mightier force. I believe that many of them have lost their determination and have become economically enslaved. It's important that people are conscious of the fact that working for themselves and creating jobs for others is a viable career option" Valentine adds.
Each week for the past five years, Valentine, Plan Lab, Inc. founder, has traveled via Amtrak from city-to-city meeting people of different races, ethnicities, and diverse employment backgrounds requesting his assistance. "I love riding the train. I get a lot of work done all while getting the opportunity to glance into America's backyard. It's amazing how many heartfelt conversations I've had with people over countless cups of coffee. They share with me their former dreams and aspirations of branching out on their own, but due to some unexpected hardships, they missed the opportunity to do so. I've consulted with hundreds of entrepreneurs in Ohio alone, and I hear the same story time and again. It's like people are losing hope in working for others, and I've recently come across people who are really hurting for change and are determined to become more self-reliant and less dependent on others for their economic well-being. Our original idea for the MyPlan Lab tool was to give as many people as possible the opportunity to dream again," said Valentine.
The MyPlan Lab online business-planning tool gives users access to an online community of experts committed to facilitating the process of turning good ideas into great ones. Access to the tool is available for an annual subscription fee of $19.95 per user. The company is currently developing a second package that will be available later this month that promises to increase support for Americans hoping to keep their dream alive. People who desire to start businesses will now have a launching pad to nurture their big ideas amid other like minded people. New features include unlimited chat access to business plan writing coaches, the ability to create up to five business plans, complementary cover design, examples of funded business plans, market research tools, and plan critique services. Upon completion, members of the MyPlan Lab community will have the ability to download their business plans from the website. Their business plans can then be used as roadmaps for their new endeavors and as tools to help them gain access to capital.
Tyler pondered their new business venture and the message of presidential candidate Barack Obama, "It's really tough out here. Mike and I are hoping that we can play our part in this year's election by spreading Obama's message to our audience of small business owners. With so many people out of work and scrambling to find ways to make ends meet, it makes sense that we as Americans unite to help one another discover new ways to produce supplementary income."
Valentine adds, "I know that one man isn't going to change everything, but, something about Barack Obama fills me with so much hope for a future that would otherwise seem bleak under our country's current leadership. I really am amazed at the power of the web. We just gained another member yesterday from Dublin, Ireland. I wonder if it they are having the same issues over there that we are having here."
For more information about Plan Lab's MyPlan Lab business-planning tool or other services visit them online at www.planlab.net or email info@planlab.net or call them toll free at 1-866-550-PLAN.
Kimberly L. White is a free lance writer from Lake Charles, Louisiana.
CONTACT:
Michael P. Valentine
866-550-PLAN
info@planlab.net
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