December 2nd, 2007 by admin
Over the past month as we’ve decided to build a business around this “cool” idea, one word has echoed in my mind: execution. Today, I am adding speed to that list. Speed is important because as a startup, you need feedback early and often. The only way to get that is to get to the market.
Its easy to get misguided about the need to develop a quality product. But the evidence is overwhelmingly supportive of a need for speed.
You ever see the terms “version 1.0, version 1.1, etc.” or “alpha, beta, etc.”? Of course you have. That is evidence of a company who understands the need for speed. Releasing versions, or versioning, is the best way to deliver to the market exactly what they want. Anything else is just plain gambling.
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November 28th, 2007 by admin
Entrepreneurs are ironically alot like everyone else. We want more for our families. We all want more money than we can spend. We all have at least one unfulfilled dream that we wonder about and think how much different life would be if we were to get there somehow. So the difference is not our hopes and dreams.
Entrepreneurs, contrary to some people’s belief, are also just as afraid as anyone else. Many would-be entrepreneurs never get started because they are afraid that they will fail. Coincidentally most of the self-starters that I have met question themselves constantly. In fact, one of the hardest parts for me is to have clear and rational thoughts separate from the fear. Its kinda like walking through a minefield; every step you take that doesn’t kill your project is a small victory to be celebrated but is quickly canceled by the fear of the very next step. So the difference is not our bravery.
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November 24th, 2007 by admin
Through my many business blunders I’ve learned an obvious truth about business (and life) that is not always so obvious. That true is this: “No one does it alone.”
It marks a significant point in an entrepreneur’s maturity to “need” some help. That’s hard to hear considering that it also takes a certain amount of ego to start a business in the first place. But it truly does take a team to build something sustaining and significant. A quick glance at many of the digital business titans we all admire, and you’d be amazed at the networks that they have built and leveraged to achieve what they have.
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November 20th, 2007 by admin
swag·ger 
/ˈswægər/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[swag-er]
- to walk or strut with a defiant or insolent air
- to boast or brag
- to bring, drive, force, etc., by blustering
- swaggering manner, conduct, or walk; ostentatious display of arrogance and conceit
Those who have met me would find this to be an unfitting description of how I carry myself. In some ways, that’s a good thing. However, there is an air about myself that I must admit - and embrace.
I have heard it said (usually by entrepreneurs so assume what you may) that it takes a certain kind of arrogance to be an entrepreneur. You need some bullheaded pride to drive you through the negativity. I have come to agree with that; although I am watchful not to dilute reality. Whether you think of Steve Jobs or Jay-Z, a huge part of their success (and appeal) is their defiance. Although it sounds like a simple ingredient to just add and stir . . . its not that simple.
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November 17th, 2007 by admin
Realizing that some of you may recognized the title, that is the coolness of Kanye West mispronouncing good morning on the open track of his recent album.
It’s is 9:15 and I am in Orlando, FL trying to rationalize why the hell am I spending money and relaxing when I have a launch schedule to meet. I came in yesterday from Miami where I was indeed taking steps to advance our business. I was at a social function headed up by my buddies at Publictivity. It was really good. I met some cool tech guys, some other entrepreneurs and an interesting drink called a Palmojito.
In an off-line conversation I had with Frank Astor of Publictivity, he talked a lot about balance. As entrepreneurs, we are mislead by the concept of hard work. Do you have to bust your ass? Absolutely, but particularly in the early phases of a start-up seem to be a thin line between hard work and burnout. Passion has to fuel you because progress is sometimes slow and hard to notice. And if you burn your passion, you’re gonna have a hell of a time getting back on track.
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November 15th, 2007 by admin
When I run into budding entrepreneurs these days I get excited for them. They have a great new idea, a whole lot of energy and general sense of urgency. Why? Because they want to get to the market and get there first. I used to have the same urgency about my business ideas until I ran across the phrase, “the early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.” Now I’m no expert on mice or birds, but that anonymous wisdom was amazingly clear to me that day.
I’ll assume that many of you have heard the first half of that phrase a dozen times. But the real lesson is about the mouse. I don’t need to insult your intelligence by telling you what happens to the first mouse that makes the effort to get the cheese from the trap. In business, that proverbial trap represents an unknown about something or some unchartered market segment. Fortunately for us, the consequences aren’t as harsh as with mousetraps. But they are dangerous and can be very painful.
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