Laredo Entrepreneurs Apprenticeship Directive - LEAD

02/12/2026

This is partly why it is important to start creating an email list.
If you have a website, it is important to start getting people to "SUBSCRIBE" their email to your list.
Email Marketing serves more than one purpose, it now serves as ranking on this search engine called GOOGLE.
Email marketing is the cheapest way to get sales. You can create special offers, newsletters, monthly sales announcements, coupon codes, etc.
People do not visit your site like they do social media sites. Email marketing is what brings them in. If anything, it will bring them in occasionally to see what is new on your site.
The more creative you are with your marketing, the better results you will have.

Google's Big Seo Secret Just Leaked

12/16/2025

This video is 100% accurate. Based on personal experience and from I have seen others go through. The details are very accurate as to why people who start selling online will fail. You will have a short successful run but that run will be short and this is why.

I am not affiliated with the video's creator. I do not attend workshops that people sell to "improve" your business or to help you get started. To me personally, information like this is free if you simply ask the right people. I am sure that there is useful content to gain from workshops he is selling his audience but I am old-school. I learned through trial and error and by doing what I said to do, JUST ASK! Find a mentor or make someone your mentor without letting them know. Learn by watching and listening and apply to your model and see what works.
SO, expect a little bit of a sales pitch in this video but otherwise, most of what the focus of this video is about is 100% accurate.

🔵Sign Up For My FREE 6 Day Ecommerce Course - https://mywifequitherjob.com/free.php?v=worstproducts🔵Sign Up For My Full E-commerce Course - https://profita...

10/08/2025

💀 The Shipping Game: Surviving USPS Rate Hikes 💀

There have been a lot of changes with the U.S. Postal Service this past year. Based on reports I’ve read, between Q3 and Q4, we’re expecting up to four rate changes. Whether that means four overall price increases or four adjustments across different USPS services, one thing is certain—rates go up in Q4 every year due to the influx of package deliveries.

In the past, rates dropped back down in January. But in 2025, we’ve already seen three rate increases, with another one expected this quarter. These constant changes have also impacted online shipping label services, who must adjust their systems—and their prices—to keep up.

Across all carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL), rates are climbing fast. Even lightweight items under 4 ounces are nearing $5 minimum to ship. With rising material costs and demand for higher wages, it’s time for small businesses to consider adding a Handling Fee to balance expenses.

In the past, a $2.50 handling fee was reasonable, but too high can scare customers off—especially for low-cost, lightweight items. I’ve adjusted mine to $1.75, a middle ground that offsets costs without driving buyers away. For larger or high-ticket items, a higher handling fee (like $2.50) is still acceptable since customers expect higher shipping costs.

Here’s a tip for small shippers:
💡 Buy labels directly from USPS.com.
Currently, USPS labels are about 7.5% cheaper than those sold by third-party label providers like Shippo or ShipStation. For example, 7.5% of $50 is $3.75—savings that add up over time.

Those online services are essentially adding their own “handling fee” on top of USPS prices. For international shipping, however, third-party options can still be worthwhile—especially for door-to-door delivery (UPS, FedEx, DHL). Sometimes paying a few dollars more is worth it for reliability and better customer experience.

In my case, I often upgrade my customers’ international shipping to a better carrier without telling them. They get faster, safer delivery, and that cost difference is covered by my handling fee.

That, my friends, is how you work the shipping game in the chaotic world of business.
💬 Drop your tips in the comments—help others navigate these changes too.

08/13/2025

Going into business? Got a great product?
Most people fall into this trap that you need to upscale your presentation when in fact, you need to start with the basics, SALES. If you have a product, focus on the sales. You are not in business unless you have sales. That is the bottom line. It doesn't matter how awesome the packaging looks, if nobody is buying what you have to offer, you are not in business.
Upgrading your product only matters later on when you want to increase value. In most cases, recreating a better version of your original product will add value and should be marketed as such. Making key points on the "new and improved" version of your popular product.
This meme pic is comparing apples and oranges. They are not the same thing. Yeah, the basics are the same, cocoa. Notice that they don't go past that. This is a food product that is meant to either be enjoyed any time for any occasion or you fancy for something more than just chocolate. Godiva produces a more upgraded product than just chocolate. They may have a filling, sea salt sprinkled, designed differently, portioned to bite sizes, and of cours, more than one version INSIDE the box. You get a bouquet of assortments. A far different scale than the simplicity of a candy bar. Which in fact, sometimes, that's all people want. Don't be fooled by thinking that you need to impress your audience with fanciful packaging and alot of upgrades right out the gate. Start with the basics and upgrade later. The SALES of your product will determine. how much more you can invest to improve your product's value and marketability. Don't go bankrupt trying to make an impression that leads to no sales. In such a case, I typically refer to these types of products as "museum" pieces. Amazing to see and adore but far from desired to be purchased. Are you in the product business or are you building a "museum".

~ Leo Avila

Which one makes more you think? Best comment wins!

06/20/2025

LEADERS — master this: Life Force 8 💥
These 8 primal drivers fuel ALL buying decisions:
1️⃣ Survival & life enjoyment
2️⃣ Pleasure
3️⃣ Freedom from fear
4️⃣ Love & s*x
5️⃣ Comfort
6️⃣ Status & winning
7️⃣ Protect loved ones
8️⃣ Social approval

Build offers, ads & content around these — and watch results change FAST.

Speak to the heart, not just the wallet. 🖤

06/16/2025

💼🔥 LEAD – Laredo Entrepreneurial Apprenticeship Directive 🔥💼

We’re not just a group… we’re a movement.
Whether you're building a brand, running a hustle, or dreaming of financial freedom — LEAD is here to connect, inspire, and guide.

This is your space to learn, network, and LEVEL UP.
📍Based in Laredo, open to ALL.
Join us. Grow with us.

05/19/2025

Any company that lays off 100 people or more must give 60 days notice to its employees (by law). However, you can find out if YOUR company is having lay-offs even if its less than 100.
This site shows companies having lay-offs of any amount and you can search your company by name and state. Only when it is 100+ workers getting laid off, is required to give its workers a WARNing of at least 60 days or more.

Track layoffs live from WARN reports. Learn how these government-reported layoffs are affecting levels, roles & salaries.

04/04/2025

https://youtube.com/shorts/-qi19qVCq9U?si=JR1WMo7sFhThWYil

Does Made In The USA Really Matter?

03/15/2025

In the current economic situation we are in, buyers are going to want deals and incentives to stay loyal to any brand. If you have a website, one thing to consider to KEEP customers coming back is LOYALTY PROGRAM. Today, I answer what is a good incentive to consider offering on a loyalty program.

When it comes to loyalty programs, finding the right balance is key! A good structure is:

💰 5% Back → 5 points per $1 spent (100 points = $5 discount) – Most common!
💰 2-3% Back → More conservative, great for lower-margin businesses.
💰 10% Back → Best for high-margin businesses looking to boost retention.

🔗 How does your business reward loyal customers? Let’s talk strategies in the comments!

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12/02/2024

The term "Black Friday" has an interesting history, rooted in two major narratives. Here's the truth behind its origin and how it became associated with shopping:

# # # **The Myth/Popular Belief**
The common explanation is that "Black Friday" refers to retailers finally turning a profit for the year, moving from being "in the red" (losses) to "in the black" (profits) after the Thanksgiving shopping rush. While this is a nice story that paints the day in a positive light, it’s more of a retroactive marketing spin rather than the true origin of the term.

# # # **The Truth Behind the Name**
The original use of "Black Friday" had nothing to do with shopping or profits. It stems from the 1950s in Philadelphia, where police officers used the term to describe the chaos that occurred on the day after Thanksgiving. Huge crowds of suburban shoppers and tourists would flood into the city for holiday shopping and to attend the Army-Navy football game, creating traffic jams, overcrowding, and disorder. The police, who had to work long hours managing the chaos, began to refer to it as "Black Friday."

This usage wasn’t flattering, and in fact, retailers initially resisted it because of the negative connotation. However, by the late 1980s, marketers saw an opportunity to rebrand the term. They emphasized the "red to black" profit narrative, giving the day a more positive spin that encouraged shopping sprees.

# # # **The Modern Evolution**
The term "Black Friday" is now synonymous with shopping discounts and consumerism. It's become a global phenomenon, extending beyond a single day to "Black Week" or even "Cyber Week," thanks to online retail. But at its core, the term originated as a descriptor of chaos rather than commerce.