[quote style=”boxed”]I just do it, like Nike. I think the biggest problem is that people think too much, get scared of failing and never do anything. I would rather fail than not try.[/quote]
Brankica Underwood is a cop turned online entrepreneur helping others build successful online businesses and win at social media. She is wife to a blue-eyed prince, and she is best friend to a champion, 19-month-old American Staffordshire Terrier, Roma, and pup of the same breed, Zeus. She is a trainer and overall fitness addict who loves to read. Underwood is very competitive and is used to winning all the time.
What are you working on right now?
At the moment, most of my time is spent writing guest posts for blogs I am contributing to and content for a newer blog of mine, which is related to fitness.
Where did the idea for Online Income Star come from?
I had a few successful authority niche sites and decided to share my knowledge on building online businesses; it grew from there. I didn’t really expect it to be as successful as it is.
What does your typical day look like?
I work from home so I get to wake up when I want–or when my puppies decide it is time to get up. I spend time training them during the day, working out, and of course, working on my business, although that is taking less time as I get faster at doing some things.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I just do it, like Nike. I think the biggest problem is that people think too much, get scared of failing and never do anything. I would rather fail than not try.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
I think it would be the growth of Pinterest at the moment, because I am a very visual person and love the whole idea behind it, along with the possibilities not only for online entrepreneurs but also for everyone else.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
I’ve never had a bad job. I actually had only one job before I quit to work online, and that involved being a member of some very special teams in my country’s police force. I loved it, so I can’t say anything bad about it. I can say, however, that when you set your mind to something and work hard to get it, even if it looks impossible, it will happen. If it doesn’t, you didn’t want it enough!
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I would probably focus on fewer sites, maybe picking only two and growing them, rather than building more of them and getting tired after a while.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Connect with people. That is my number one thing. I am very social in private and like to be the same way online. Nothing can replace connecting with people online!
What is one problem you encountered as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Information overload is by far the biggest problem. Add ADHD to that, and you have perfect recipe for a big mess. I overcome it by subscribing to newsletters of people I think may interest me, and unsubscribing after a month if the information isn’t what I am looking for. I limit my time on social media if possible, and try not to read every blog under the sun each day.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Make something. No, I am not kidding. If you can make something and sell it, no matter what it is, you will be unique in terms of that product. There are so many of us reselling the same things and recommending the same stuff, so it is only a question of being a great seller or having luck. If you are making something, you are the one that is going to profit from it.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and how would you go about it?
OMG, I don’t know because I am so passionate about a lot of things. I guess I would legalize guns everywhere in the world. How would I do it? Make different laws. I will bet you the crime rate would go drastically down. (I guess the cop in me is talking.)
Tell us a secret.
I don’t think I ever said this online, but I am a complete history fanatic. I loved it since I was a kid, and cannot read enough about history.
What are your three favorite online tools or resources and what do you love about them?
- Evernote because I use it for everything from my blog ideas to planning trips to keeping up with my meal and workout regimen.
- Facebook because I am addicted to it, and it lets me keep my family and friends back home updated on my life.
- Youtube because… do I need to explain this? It is the best thing since sliced bread.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
This book has nothing to do with blogging, but I will still recommend it because it is a masterpiece: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. It is just my favorite book, and I think everyone should read it.
Three people we should follow on Twitter and why?
- @kikolani. She always shares the best info for bloggers.
- @marieforleo. She is just wonderful.
- @AskKim provides the best tech info for bloggers and all sorts of social media tech updates. It’s pretty much like getting everything important digested for you so you don’t have to read it all.
When was the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?
I do it every day. Today, my dogs caused it.
Who is your hero?
My husband. He is the most supportive person I’ve ever known, and when I grow up, I want to be like him!
Why don’t you use a VA?
I do most of my stuff by myself, even if it means some things won’t get done, because I am such a micro-manager and I think I can do everything the best.
Why are your dogs named Roma and Zeus?
Roma is named after Rome, Italy (Roma is the Italian way of saying Rome) and AS Roma, the soccer team. Zeus is named after the god of thunder in ancient Greek mythology.
Connect:
Brankica Underwood on Twitter: @BrankicaU
Brankica Underwood on Facebook:
Brankica Underwood on YouTube:
Brankica Underwood’s website:
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.