Most of us would love to capitalize on the sweat equity in our business. Most often it is part of the intangible assets and doesn't even show up on the balance sheet. And, we all know that our simple Book Value (NAV) is way too low!

All the intangibles within Big Business get valued within price/earning multiples -- usually beginning around 6x -- they're hot over 100x earnings. So, what Steve Watkins is doing is shaping a P/E for privately-held businesses!

With the advance of the Internet, not only is this possible, but it really has to be done. If we can take even 20% of the people in group #1 and move them into this group or any of the others above, a major small business revolution will have begun. We will begin reversing the failure at the end to transfer the most important assets of a business, its knowledge base.

Topic for Discussion: What is preventing us from being a little more creative?

Answer: 1. We're doing our business. Too many of us are working in our business and not working on the business. We can all get so involved with the details of day-to-day that we just don't pull away to look at the strategic and long-term pictures.

2. It is too much work. The learning curves are too steep. And it all costs too much! In the public market and IPO/DPO markets, it seems like every time you turn around, the market makers want another $30,000, so we ask, "If I were to take that $30,000 and $18,000 for maintenance and put it into a mutual fund, would I be ahead in ten years?" It is a legitimate question.

3. Our idea is not big enough. Especially among the sole proprietors, millions of our businesses are lifestyle business. We have a body of work we do as an independent agent for a select group of clients and much of it is based on who we know and how well they know us. It is not a transferrable asset as it stands. We are not going to let this answer or the first two answers stand. This web site and the television show are focused on the learning curves and the infrastructure so you can more readily exercise one of the last three key ideas.

Topic for discussion: Why haven't we seen a dozen Entrex examples?

Answer: We have. They've come and they've gone. Many people have tried doing what Steve has done and they failed. Steve has had the history and depth (money) to carry his vision forward so Entrex is real and they are doing deals. This is what they say on their web site: "Entrex works through an SEC sanctioned market to create a "public shareholder marketplace". Collectively we serve as a: "PUBLIC MARKET for PRIVATE COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS" By creating a central information platform for this market we help to provide liquidity options for stockholders beyond the traditional route of IPOs, mergers and/or aquisitions. Through an SEC sanctioned exchange, your company stock can be listed, traded and even distributed on financial tickers out to the financial brokerage and investment banking community. Some of the advantages to participants in this market can be:

• Trade existing shareholders publicly -- without a public offering.
• Raise private capital with planned liquidity for investors.
• Give existing shareholders and founders a new exit opportunity. Founders can potentially cash out as part of the program.
• Increase the earnings multiple for your company when being valued for potential merger/acquisition opportunities. Use your company stock as a currency for acquisitions."

You think about it: What can you do with this information?