Chris Searcy: How an Indie Artist Turned His Passion into Profit

Once a week, we profile an entrepreneur that has taken the courage to go way past their comfort zone to achieve the dream that God has placed solely in their heart.  This week’s featured entrepreneur is, Chris Searcy, an indie (independent) artist who produced his own hit song, Addicted.  By continuing to follow his passion, in the midst of a recession and amongst naysayers or “haters”, his song Addicted has climbed up the charts to #14 on the Gospel Music Channel’s top 20 songs.  His story and example is truly one that exemplifies an individual that has found their passion and found a way to turn it into profit.

What does an indie artist have to do with being an entrepreneur? Everything!  Without a major music label backing him, Chris not only has created his own hit song, but his own music label My Radio Records and is responsible for the management and marketing of his work.  Enjoy this video highlight of Chris Searcy and be sure to download the full interview below.

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Matthew Sapaula appears on Chicago’s WLS 890 AM Real Estate on Radio Show

After a couple “Tweets”, mentions by common clients and a power lunch with Ron Vergara and Sebastian Walas, co-hosts of Chicago’s WLS 890 AM Real Estate on Radio Show, it became apparent that the worlds of Chicago financial planning and real estate investing needed to combine.  While reviewing the show strategy and business alignment over oxtail potstickers, chicken adobo and a Thai omelet at Sunda downtown, Ron Vergara states in his own words, “Matthew Sapaula completes me!”

Okay, stop with the snarkled laughter…

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PODCAST: Why Getting a Large Tax Refund Puts the Joke on You

This is the time of the year where most people will head to their local H&R Block, Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax offices to get their income tax return.  Some who anticipate a large tax refund and will even pay extra, or a premium, in order to get their money now via an income tax loan. Others will consider a large income tax refund as their forced savings plan, their vacation money or get-me-a-new-flat-screen-TV-now, fund.

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How to Cut Your Credit Card Debt in Half with Debt Settlement – is this all hype?

One of the biggest questions I get via email or comments on our Facebook page is how to get out of credit card debt the fastest.  In addition to all the Debt Snowball strategies we’ve mentioned on past shows (Waging a War On Debt!), many have been very intrigued in the area of debt settlement.  I mean, who wouldn’t like to take $50,000 of debt, get someone to negotiate for you and bring down the final bill to $25,000 or lower?  Sounds to good to be true?  Perhaps.  Just like anything, do your research.

I’m glad we can bring another friend of Money Smart Radio and fellow Facebook friend, Jesse D. Niesen aka. The Debt-Go-to-Guy, to write a guest post on this particular topic…which happens to be his area of expertise.  By the way…he is also a former jarhead, as in…a United States Marine! OOOORAAAAH!

If you like his article as I do, you outta give this guy some props and enter a comment below saying, “SEMPER FI!”  This means, “Always Faithful”, the Marine Corps motto.  I’m sure it would mean a lot to him!

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City Church Notes: Four Ways to Reach Your Dreams with Pat Mesiti and Chris Searcy Performs Addicted

Before we get into the Word, we had a blast with a performance by Chris Searcy who sang , Addicted.  That brotha was off the chain ! (Choreography by Pastor Kent Munsey…lol!)  If you missed church last night, the best I can do is share his video…by the way, his song hit the Top 20 Songs on the Gospel Charts…that’s amazing for an independent artist!  Tweet or share this post to help him continue getting the word out!  Here is Chris Searcy’s song, Addicted…raisin’ the roof in the House of the Lord!
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Skin in the Game: The Advent of a New Kind of Risk?

Here is another friend of Money Smart Radio, Paul Petillo, who had left quite an impression by commenting on our blog.  I had a chance to visit his site and was impressed, utterly speaking (no pun intended – look at his book titles) and how we is able to create a process to help people understand such complex financial strategies.

I hope you enjoy his guest post here.

Enter Paul Petillo…

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How Homeowner’s Can Rebuild their Financial Situation in 3 Steps

Over the past several years, we have been educating consumers on how to effectively manage one of the greatest assets they own…their home equity. During the real estate boom, it was hard to get anyone’s attention. Nevertheless, the deceitfulness of wealth kept many people from hearing words of caution to protect this highly appreciated asset. It caused many to sit on the sidelines, admiring their home equity.

The financial and retirement plan that was at least in the mind of many Americans several years ago, is not working out the way they thought it would. Traditional financial education, or lack there of, has failed, forcing people to start all over again.

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Act Now to Keep Wealth in the Family

GUEST POST:

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Ray Buckner at our financial and wealth-building workshops in the Chicago area.  He had some great ideas he wanted to share and I thought they were very relevant to being able to not only take care of yourselves, but looking towards the legacy of your future generation(s).

Enter Ray Buckner…

Interest rates, low asset values, and the legislative outlook in Congress make this the opportune time for estate planning.

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PODCAST: Stupid Money Mistakes Learned by a Nuclear Scientist and How to Avoid Them

I love when I meet guys who go against the grain and think outside the box.  Apparently for most, following the wisdom of traditional financial planning HAS NOT gotten people closer to financial freedom and independence.  In fact, the front page of the Money and Business section of the Chicago Tribune reported the “Lost Decade” of stocks, on New Year’s Day 2010.

I had a chance to interview Joe Templin on our Chicago-based financial talk radio show, who is a financial planner, with a background in nuclear engineering.  Yes, he is one of the smartest people you will ever come across and not only understands things from a 35,000 foot view, but can get into the details of subject matters long after it loses most people’s attention.

During this podcast, you’ll hear his personal story of how he went from nuclear engineer to financial planner, how he feels new college graduates future financial success and how to get ahead in a changing economy.

Joe Templin is the author of Top Tax Plays for the Individual and Financial Mistakes of New College Grads.

By the way, he made my Top Ten Money Smart Books of 2009.

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Men’s Clothing: Looking Sharp Without Going Broke

We got a lot of laughs from my post on Chicago Now’s blog – Baller to Businessman in 15 Easy Steps.  It got a ton of Tweets, blog comments and 130+ Diggs.  In this day and age, even in a bad economy, men still have to look sharp in their clothing.  First impressions are everything from a job interview to negotiating a business deal and prospecting for customers or clients during a networking event.

Unfortunately, many people will still judge a book buy it’s cover.  Not to say that it is fair, but it is our own human nature that does so.  Therefore, if they are going to judge a book by it’s cover, make it a GREAT cover!

Here was a video from CNN’s site on Men’s Clothing – great fundamental to looking sharp without going broke.

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