Ownership = Options

I’m writing this post from a cute little B&B in San Luis Obispo. Carolina and I are on the way to San Francisco.  Who gives a rip?

Well, that’s kind of the point!  It’s Monday and we aren’t “working.”  But my clients, partners, etc, don’t care. In fact they don’t even know.  Well, until they read this.

For the most part my business is built so I can ‘leave’ without causing harm. I remember when I was employed and would go on vacation.  When I came back there was twice as much work.  It wasn’t a vacation from the work, it was simply a delay!  The problem was someone else pulling my strings.

One of the great joys of being an owner is options. Do I work more than the average person? Certainly.  Do I spend my Saturdays in front of a computer? Often.  Am I working right now on vacation?  Yes. Do I have to ask for time off to do things I want or need to do? No!

This morning I’ve responded to a couple dozen emails and have a few calls scheduled from the road.  But we also had a relaxing breakfast and a wonderful walk around town this morning.  If this sounds like bragging, it’s not!

I think everyone should strive to integrate their work with life. To enjoy the work you do, and enjoy life alongside.  Emphasis on either leads to burnout or failure.  If you have a shred of ambition to build your own business, I encourage you to consider your desired lifestyle first.  Then look at your business and engineer it to help you live THAT lifestyle.

Many people are trapped in jobs and businesses that force them to work in ways the hate. That sucks.  Sure, it may be necessary for a time. But don’t get trapped. Constantly evaluate your level of satisfaction and adjust your methods, habits, and attitudes to move you closer to the lifestyle you really desire, whatever it is.

HINT: Even if you don’t want to own a business, taking ownership of what you do, still makes work more satisfying.

UPCOMING: This week should be good. I have a lot of great meetings lined up with tech partners, potential investors, and a few influencers. I’ll give some updates as events unfold!

Stuck in a rut? Pick up the phone

Last post was a bit heavy. I’ll give you something a bit more positive today.

Been head to the grindstone launching and marketing Vision. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught in the daily details and let important things slip!  One of my biggest needs right now is industry relationships.  Some of the technical and financial elements moving forward are beyond me and my team. So, I need to bring in partners to shore up where we are weak.

But how do you get these relationships? Small chance I’ll meet the perfect contact over cocktails on Friday night. Nope. Can’t wait for that to happen. Gotta make it happen!

So, I found a half dozen companies I want to work with. Sent some emails, made some calls, logged everything in Vision of course!  And guess what?  Booked a couple excellent meetings in San Francisco next week! Awesome.

So many people right now are sitting around waiting for something happen. Waiting for that perfect job to magically reappear, or for the economy to turn around. Forget it.

Sometimes picking up the phone and making a connection is all that’s needed. I think I’ll do some more tomorrow.

phone calls, action, partners, vision

My first bleary-eyed observation

Here’s my first missive on the entrepreneurial experience. Note the time of this posting–1:55am. I didn’t write and then schedule. I’m actually up at this ungodly hour working. And I’m not even 22 anymore!  Had to check off the final tasks (and address a couple “urgent” matters)

More ridiculous is that I have to get up and swim first thing in the morning. If I don’t I will be ridiculed, mocked, and scorned by my swim partner. He’s ruthless.

This is what it takes sometimes. Late nights, early mornings, working vacations. But at the same time, I guess I can take a nap in the middle of the day. Probably won’t. But it’s nice to have the option.

I can’t count the number of all-nighters or at least late-nighters I’ve pulled over the last few weeks. At least I’m working while Carolina’s asleep so I can spend time with her when she’s still awake.  She’s incredibly supportive and doesn’t gripe about me working late. She knows the vision and is fully behind me.

I’m grateful for the support but it doesn’t replace a good strong cup of coffee.

I’m Inspired! New Business Building Insight

I just read about an entrepreneur who journaled his experience of building his company. He built a fledgling company from nothing to something.  Kinda like I’m doing. (see Vision Pipeline)  I thought that was brilliant.  So, I’m inspired!

I’m going to use this blog to tell you, my reader, about my experience creating something from nothing. Hopefully something I learn will give you an edge in your business.

I won’t promise to write every day because that’s a lot. Besides, I’ve already learned in building a company that not everyday is very exciting. In fact, many days are dreary, monotonous, and boring.  I just spent the last week creating a business plan and projections–yeah, head buried deep in a spreadsheet crunching numbers.  Not thrilling, until it was done!

I do promise to be honest about my experiences.  I may shroud specifics in secrecy for a time and be vague in details, but I’ll be sure to reveal the emotions and lessons learned.

Here are some upcoming experiences:

• Getting investment money from complete strangers
• Building relationships with key influencers in the industry
• Having to bring on employees (eek)
• Outsourcing work to contractors (domestic and abroad)
• Taking a good product to industry-leading

If any of these things intrigue you, subscribe to my feed and read!

Also, if you have any specific aspects of building a product and business that you’d like perspective on, just comment on this post and I’ll make sure to include it in my missives.

Enjoy the journey!

“The more I know, the more I realize I don’t know”

You’ve heard the phrase. It’s the pain of pursuing knowledge and wisdom.  I’ve learned this week that the same principle applies somewhere else. Here it is…

The more I do, the more I realize there is to do!

As you may know by now, I launched a new tool that helps people organize, schedule, and track their contacts so they can build better relationships. (www.visionpipeline.com)  Monday I opened the doors to the public. Last week I worked my brains out. To the tune of 140 plus hours!

The whole week I thought about relaxing in the glow of accomplishment after launching. I imagined sitting on my balcony, looking out over the fields and hills, puffing a nice cigar and listening to nature. I pictured lounging a Starbucks with a good book and my overdue stack of reading material. I fantasized about sleeping in late and walking around in my underwear.

I woke up Tuesday morning after the launch with an even bigger to do list. Ouch. No relaxing for me!  In fact, this launch was just the beginning!  There’s a huge responsibility now of spreading the word, getting feedback, improving the tool, building a team, creating relationships, etc, etc, etc.

Ah, the life of an entrepreneur.  Many people dream of the freedom and wealth that comes with ownership.  I don’t know if most people would want to live this way.  It’s never done. Work doesn’t stop. The day never ends.  There’s no safety net. I’m on my own. It all stops with me. There’s always more to do. Always. Forever.

I wouldn’t want it any other way…