Coming from a long history of sports and business.  Chris was a Division I full baseball scholarship recipient.  Playing and being involved around the minor and major  league baseball.   Received national accredited sports strength and conditioning certifications, and opened a training facility in Baltimore for, and upstate NY for athletes.   Later used his business degree to achieve a series 7, and 66 Financial Licenses and opened a Financial Planning Firm.  Modeled for various sports agencies, hosted a radio program in Baltimore MD,Ski patroller, avid mountain biker, back country snowboarder and is now also an athlete for BIC stand up paddle boards and surf boards.  Founded Vermont Peanut Butter in 2009 out of his kitchen.

On Today's show Chris will share:

- What are your top 3 business tips for aspiring entrepreneurs
Write your business plan thoughtfully.  When you think it is complete, write more, and turn over every “what if” scenario in your mind.   Be sure to have flexibility in your plan, as it may change monthly.

- What has been your biggest business mistake
Getting involved with investors too early.   I think everyone wants their business to go from 0-60 overnight, but being very cautious in whom you borrow from or allow to invest is important for the health and longevity of your business.   I could not have grown without some investment help, but like any good team, you must weed out the poor players before you have an all star lineup.

- What do you think is the difference between people who talk about starting businesses and those who actually do it
I have always said there are 97% naysayers and 3% doers.   If you look at all the successful people in the world they all have some common threads.   They think outside the box, they are not afraid of the word “No”, they do not let what others feel or say deter them, and they have a self motivating drive that is non learned..you are born with it.   I was told by my history teacher in 11th grade that I would not be able to attain a scholarship, as there are too many kids vying for the same thing out there.   That changed my life.   I never took no for an answer again, and that moment opened up my ability to simply go after my dreams.

- What has been greatest business decision you made that changed everything for the better
It was early on when I decided to start my own training center and work for myself.   I realized that hard work actually can not only bring you social rewards, but had a great economic impact.   The best decision I ever made, was designing, and implementing my own businesses.

- Best book for the entrepreneurial mindset
There are so many.   The only problem I see in these books are everyones different approach to success.   As I said the common threads are there, but the rest is purely suggestive and opinionated.   What works for a 6’1 handsome individual may not work for the kid who has never played a sport or had a date.  Equally what has worked for the person who was an honor student and excelled in music may not work for the varsity cheerleader.   I think books are fantastic as are their authors, but at the end of the day it is you and your drive that makes things work.

- Plus much more...