I’m looking to put together a mastermind group to meet with on a regular basis.  The purpose will be to encourage and support each other in our business pursuits.  I’ve read about the idea around the net a few places, and have heard Napoleon Hill talk about them in “Think and Grow Rich”.  Hill’s version sounded more like a set of professionals that *only* help you, not you giving help and support in return, but the term seems to have broadened some, and I’m looking for that broader definition in my group.  Here’s what I’m looking for:

• Small business person – either solo or with fewer than 5 employees
• Tech oriented – not looking for other programmer geeks necessarily, but am looking for people who are comfortable with web tech and using it in their businesses
• Successful – looking for people who have had some degree of success.  I’m starting to get there (in my mind) and want to work with some others who perhaps have gone somewhat further than me, but are still going through the process
• Able to be open – you don’t need to be open *here* on the blog, but I expect people to be open and honest about how things are going with their own business, as well as give and receive honest feedback and constructive criticism.  And you should have the ability to keep the group’s business confidential

My initial thought was to look *only* for people local to the Raleigh area.  There’s a lot of great talent here.  However, I got motivated to pursue this idea more recently by speaking with someone (I guess I’ll call him a friend here!) and realizing that the two of us were already doing what I was looking to do, except only between the two of us.  We were each acting as a sounding board for each others’ businesses, offering suggestions and positive encouragement about how to resolve problems, think of new ways of expanding, and doing general brainstorming.  Problem is, there’s only the two of us, and he’s in California.  Adding in a few more people to the mix will, I think, be of great benefit to everyone.

While face to face meetings would be great, I think the right mix of people can work over the phone, and I’m certainly open to that (likely that’ll be the outcome).

I’m picturing these as 60-90 minute phone calls every two weeks.  Perhaps weekly might work better, but I think that should be up to the group to decide.  Might email work better than phone?  I initially thought so, but it’s felt like the voice interaction and the spontaneous nature of live talking  beats email hands down.

So, who’s interested in joining me?  You can post something here, but it would probably be better to email me at mgkimsal@gmail.com.  Thanks!

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