• Awards • Client testimonials • Testimonials from entrepreneurship training courses • Home

• Awards.

“The Fast 50 are the idea elite of business, individuals with the vision and personal commitment to propel their companies and industries into the future.

The Fast 50 is not just about the bigwigs or bottom line. It's a group of uncompromising leaders, tireless innovators, turnaround artists, truth-tellers, trendsetters -- readers who are fueled by courage, integrity, passion and a commitment to results.”
- The Fast 50 Award presented to Rick by Fast Company Magazine, 2004

“This prestigious award honors American companies and their contributions to society. Winning products were chosen for their exceptional engineering research, design, and overall impact on our national economy.”

New and improved products stimulate the life and growth of our country. This competition recognizes the results of those efforts and the foresight of the companies whose aggressive policies bring new products to the marketplace.

The purpose of the New Product Award program is to recognize the full spectrum of benefits that come from the research and engineering of new products. These include added employment, economic development, strengthening of the nation’s competitive position internationally, and contribution to the public’s standard of living.”
- United States Small Business New Product Of The Year Award, 2005. Presented to Rick by the National Society of Professional Engineers.

"The Micro Entrepreneurship training was the most stunningly simple process I could have imagined. Rick's ABCD outline was so direct and easy to understand that I jumped in with both feet. Who can't remember 'What to think about first, do first, and what to launch first?' It's brilliant!

I had been fearful enough of starting my own business that for my entire adult life I avoided it. With Rick's direction and support I had a rough draft web site the second day. Getting the web site and literature up pre launch let me organize my enterprise on my terms. Just can't recommend the training highly enough!" -
-Joan from Villa Park, IL. Visit Joan's site, Heirlooms Again, created by Business Diligence.

“Getting Rick's advice was the best money I've ever spent. Rick helped my small firm launch into new, profitable directions that make sense for me and for my business. Rick took the time to understand my goals and helped create a new business model that fit my aspirations like a glove.

Rick's approach to testing and presenting new sales programs on the web before going public was very helpful. This technique was a great advance over what I had been doing, and helped me to focus my own directions in a clear, businesslike way. I highly recommend working with Rick and Business Diligence.”
-Mark, Wind Lake, WI. Visit Mark's site, Wisconsin No Slip Floors, created by Business Diligence.

“Working with Rick was one of the best things that happened to me and my business idea.

I had an idea but was lacking business experience.  I didn't know how to get from point A to point B. I wasn't even sure where point A was located.

Rick gave me direction and helped me to focus. Rick is not only knowledgeable about all the aspects of business and business startups, but Rick is also a great listener and enthusiastic coach.

My business is developing at a pace I didn't believe possible.”
-Pat, Monticello, WI. Visit Pat's site, Second Childhood Creations, created by Business Diligence.

“When we retired in 2006, we knew we would have to do something to keep busy and give us traveling money so we started our own small business. The work was rewarding but we faced a number of business problems as we grew.

I met Rick through a series of online courses he taught to help startups and small businesses. The information I received from Rick helped us refocus and define oursales efforts in a valuable new way.

Rick also helped us open our very first web site, and steered us to other useful professionals.

I would recommend Rick and Business Diligence for anyone starting an 'encore career'.

His guidance can help steer you away from trouble and toward success.”

Roy, Pewaukee, WI. Visit Roy's site, Terrific Travel Ideas

“The training really showed me the value of an entrepreneur mentor. I knew there were certain things I needed to do “someday”, but to a rank beginner it's a question of what to do and when - what order to spend my time, where to spend the money (as carefully as possible!), and basically, what to do next.

I “knew” most of the things were in the process, intellectually anyway, but it hadn't all clicked together until we started the training. I will promptly start following your pointers. I look forward to getting underway. Thanks!”
-Larry, Madison, WI. Visit Larry's site, Walker Energy Systems

“Rick's system of rough drafting my new website, and his help tracking comments and content via eMail made it super simple (even fun!) to create and modify my website before I ever had to go public with it.

His Micro Entrepreneur web program, and its focus on 'What to launch first' helped me to identify what products I wanted to feature, and to be very comfortable with the look of the site; both of these items were things that kept me awake at 2 AM before Rick's help. Any new entrepreneur that's a web site neophyte needs to connect with Rick!”
-Jim, Chicago, IL

“I am in the real estate industry and our business faces significant challenges in this environment. Rick's advice helped us focus on a new plan to take advantage of our strengths and build our business in creative new ways. Rick's advice focused on what to do first, what to do after that, and then a series of valuable action steps that I am going to act on.

I would highly recommend Rick and Business Diligence to Real Estate professionals looking to diversify their businesses.”
Josh, Dane County, WI.

“I loved the format of these courses. They worked out great for me. I can't thank you enough! They went way beyond what I anticipated. I really appreciate it. I loved the format from the first course through the sixth. I appreciate your being there for all of us. You do a super job. From the first course, it kept getting a little heavier and heavier and heavier. I thought the whole process was just perfect and exactly on point. You should be very proud of yourself. I'm very thankful that you're out there for people like me. I can't say that enough.

Your voice, and how you present everything consists of an impeccable integrity. It comes through with such energy and keeps prodding us that 'yes', we all, individually can succeed, in all of this.

The effusion you display, puts us all at ease and creates a mind-set for us, that we can to succeed at what we all have on the table, and much more.

Again, with much gratitude. Looking forward to your next offering."

“I have taken many courses online, using many distance learning techniques. The problem with virtually all of them is that the content was static. There was very little interactive learning, which greatly limited their value.

Rick's business startup courses are just the opposite. Rick's courses deliver a great deal of value because they are so dynamic and interactive. We were able to learn with Rick in real time. We were on the phone and on the internet, using all the resources of the web to highlight and demonstrate the excellent content Rick provided. It was a great learning experience!

Static web courses are dead. Rick has created a highly valuable platform for dynamic, interactive distance learning.”

“Last night I completed the sixth and final course of the micro enterprise certificate program with Rick Terrien. The program was excellent and Rick is an extremely knowledgeable and talented instructor. It was apparent from day 1 that he is passionate about the subject matter and has a sincere interest in helping our businesses succeed.  I have made so much progress and have taken so many big steps since beginning the classes with Rick. I know I wouldn't have accomplished so much, had it not been for his encouragement, enthusiasm and advice. I highly recommend Rick and the whole WCTC small business program to anyone who has an interest in learning more about entrepreneurship. Keep up the good work!”

“It was well-rounded and your presentation was superb! You gave a great over-view of not only basic web-design, but also the ins and outs of getting going with a startup.

I found it illuminating and deeply appreciate your being there for us. ”

“I filled in a '10' on the class rating last night. I thought it was great and I think all of your classes are the perfect blend of information, advice, real-life stories and suggested action steps. Your classes are just perfect for the types of businesses we are starting.”

“I really appreciate Rick's approach and philosophy, his presentation style and his willingness to work with me individually as I begin my journey.”

“I thought the content and pace were great. It was a very different approach than the couple small business classes I've taken. But the 'micro' focus is so much more applicable to what I think most of us in class are trying to do. I also liked that you gave a brief intro to the others in class and gave real-time examples of how to apply concepts to our actual businesses. I also liked that you were honest and realistic, yet motivational in your approach.”

“Almost too much information in the time allowed. Good stuff Rick! As always, a most enjoyable class! ”

“You did a great job! Very easy to listen to, very interactive and most of all not bored the whole time.... look forward to my next class with you! ”

“Great job! Very easy to understand and very informative. Knowledge is power and you did just that! ”

“This was a great course. Filled my head to overflowing with information! One of the best things I have gotten from these classes is the multitude of links with incredible amounts of information. The time you have spent finding this stuff is greatly appreciated! ”

“This class was the most challenging class for me so far. It was really a lot of information in a short amount of time. It was a great overview of the topic and I have alot of new action steps as a result.

For me personally, I think this section has some of the most crucial information to the immediate and long term success of a new business. I am very grateful that you stressed the importance of getting these underlying systems in place. I feel a little overwhelmed after learning about all of these new topics, but I know it is nothing in comparison to the panic I would feel if I would jump in unprepared and have my new business spiral out of control.

I like all the links and downloads. Its great to come back to those as references. I appreciate the time you saved us by giving us the links instead of us having to wade through some of those government sites!”

“Tonight's class was excellent. I think you balanced your verbal highpoints well with the slides along with a great mixture of the downloads and web links. Can't suggest changing a thing.

Merci beaucoup, for this whole series of classes you put together. I'm indebted to you, for it all.”

“I like the way you have the slides set up. When going back and reviewing the slides after class, just seeing a couple key words is usually enough to remember the other key points you made for that slide. As with the other classes, I learned so much in this class. Your experience & knowledge is so valuable. I enjoyed your 'real-life' examples. Hearing about some of your mistakes makes me realize that I have alot to learn because I probably would have made the same mistake if you hadn't just told me about it! But it also gives me confidence because each mistake you help me avoid gives me that much more time to spend on valuable actions.”

“Excellent referrals - will be reading for weeks!”

“Wow! and Good Lord! So much great information. The course was concise and inspirational. You gave me a lot to think about. A lot of great links. Also - wanted to share with you what I most liked about your class. Your teaching voice is very easy to listen to. Your sincerity comes through. I like that you referred to yourself as a peer with all of the others in the group. When you directed the group to click on, next, it sounded like an invitation and not a direction or command. Truthfully, I wondered how I'd be able to listen to a 90 minute presentation. Not a problem. Thank you!”

“Another great class. I took lots of notes on this one and love that I have lots of links, books, actions to continue my learning way beyond the class tonight. I liked that you didn't get into the specifics of how to put together a marketing piece, but stayed focused on the main higher, level points. My regular day job is in marketing and I still learned alot and now have the ability to go back and learn more about the marketing topics that I'm not quite as familiar with. Thanks again. ”

“Very informative and enjoyable! ”

“I found the Sales and Marketing class to be extremely helpful and informative. The outline format is very easy to follow. I liked the links you included, to websites and blogs, and your suggestion to save them for later study or review. I left the class session with two full pages of notes of things to watch for, think about or do, relative to marketing and sales. I was very happy with your suggestions on language, especially for cold calls - I wrote that one down verbatim. These aren't things that come naturally to me, so these concrete suggestions and ideas are invaluable. Can't wait for the next class.! ”

“Even though I use databases and capture customer information at work, this class helped me connect the dots and realize how I can use my existing knowledge to streamline processes in my new business. Thank you so much for all of your help, guidance and support over the past weeks. You advice has been invaluable. I think I appreciate your guidance even more because I know it comes from years of trial and error and also because it so obvious that you have a genuine interest in the subject matter and helping us succeed. So thanks again and I will be sure to stay in touch. ”

“I think I need a bigger brain to be able to hold all this information! The examples are great. This gives me a wonderful start... ”

“This class was so much more than I expected. You talked about all the things that I shy away from doing. However, you not only made it clear how important they are but you showed ways of doing them. Examples of systems to use are invaluable to me.”

“I was surprised by how helpful it was to hear other people's comments and questions during the class, and how well Rick incorporated his answers in the context of the class content.”

“Rick has some really great idea and is very knowledgaeable. I learned a lot in a short time.”

• Thank you everyone!