I am one step ahead of you in the process: I'm working on the launch of my first business: Later Dog. Since I'm still in the ideation stage, I can talk to you about all the little details. And, in the beginning it's those little hurdles that stop you from following through with the process of making millions from your awesome business idea.
Fair warning: This isn't the standard and proper start-up blog: I'll probably say things that have my friends at tech ranch in Austin, lean startup, and bootstrap austin throw up their arms in despair. It's just the dogs life.
Do Something!
The 1st question that we all ask is "should I follow through with this business idea?" The answer is YES! No matter how great or junky your business idea, start doing it. Because you can do it for very little money (more on this later), you'll learn heaps, and chances are your business idea will evolve to something worthwhile.
Find Someone!
Yes, the cliche "networking," do it. You need people to help you, to guide you down this path because you don't know what you're doing. There is someone out there (probably someone you already know) that knows something about what you want to do and will invest time and energy into helping.
Two months ago, when I had the idea for a dog-sitting exchange website, I figured the first thing I needed to do was to write down all of my ideas and talk to a web developer. (A web developer makes the website work, a web designer draws up exactly how the website is going to look.) So, I found a web developer on e-lance, downloaded an unilateral non-disclosure agreement from legalzoom and headed off to our meeting. (Should you run over to legal zoom and download a NDA? Probably not right now. For the most part, entrepreneurs are blooming with their own ideas and don't want to steal yours. Really, get over it.)
Luckily, I had already talked to several friends about my idea. One of them (Mark: Who owns a really awesome design and advertising firm in Cali: http://www.mclaughlindesign.com/) showed some interest in my idea and willingness to talk me through it. When I told Mark about this guy I found on e-lance and showed off his website, Mark knew I was headed down the wrong path. He advised me to steer clear, and then he set-up a meeting with his web developer (who I couldn't afford) so he could straighten me out. Now, Mark is my guidance man. He's in the field, he has great gut reactions, and he's available; I can call him to get unadulterated wisdom. He's been instrumental in my journey so far.
So, you need to find your Mark. How should you do it? Dig into the deep recesses of your brain and think about business minded people you can trust. Call them, tell them all about your fabulous idea. See what they think. Some will tell you your idea stinks (probably in nicer terms than that, but maybe not). Ignore them for now. But some will want to jump right on the bandwagon with you. Use them. The more you talk about your idea, the more you'll see the emergence of your Mark.
Later Dog.
