Well, not quite. Seeing as how there isn't really a corporation yet, I guess using the word "board" is a little presumptuous. However, it gets the gist across. Tonight my two prospective partners, my wife, and I are having a sit-down discussion to go over plans, details, questions, concerns, all and sundry about this business proposal.
I'm truly amazed at the level of buy-in I've encountered so far from my partners and from my wife. This idea just popped into my head one day, and I fully expected it, like so many of my other projects, to wither and die from lack of encouragement. How wrong I've been!
I'm not saying this venture is by any means a sure thing; we have a lot of research and planning still ahead of us. But somewhere along the line each of us has made a decision to give it a try, and see where this process leads us. This project may never get beyond the planning stages, I don't know. But we are determined to find out for ourselves, and not be left to wonder "what-if".
So, tonight we meet for the first time for the expressed purpose of planning and organizing our business venture. We're going to have to define the whole thing a little better, and more officially. We'll have to determine how much commitment each of us is willing to make (in terms of time, money, energy, etc). We'll have to identify weak points in our current "Spreadsheet of Doom", and come up with ways to address them. Then we'll have to map out the next few steps on the road to success.
Wish us luck!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
The Best Wife in the World
I have the best wife in the world. Sorry fellas, but I found her and she's mine.
Let me back up a little. I am 25 years old, nearly 2 years out of college, and working at a good job in my field. I started college in 2000 and earned a degree in mechanical engineering in 2006. While going to school, I took a couple years to do a co-op (a fancy word for working in my field, getting paid, and getting school credit at the same time) halfway through, and learned quite a bit about the corporate world, office politics, and engineering in general.
After graduating in 2006, I was quickly hired by the company I currently work for. They pay me a decent salary, I don't have to work absurd hours like many other new engineers, and the environment is pretty relaxed. I should be happy with all this, right?
Maybe so, but for some reason I never have been. I'm still not really sure what it is, but working for someone else, being a wage-slave, has always made me feel claustrophobic. In school I rebelled against learning what other people said was important when it was clearly less important than they let on. I had such a hard time feeling motivated by external forces like grades, approval of my professors, etc.
I thought that the problem was school. Maybe I just wasn't made for the academic world. I need to be more hands-on. I need what I do to matter and to be real. I need to graduate and get a real job in the real world. Then I'll be happy.
It kinda felt that way for a little while. I liked not having to study, I liked having my evenings and weekends truly free. I liked getting paid.
In the beginning I was enthusiastic, motivated, and high-energy. I was hired by a company that values independence, self-initiative, and bottom-up innovation. That sounded great! I soon realized, however, that as much as they were trying to be different than all the other companies out there, they were still fundamentally the same. There is still a huge gap between ownership and labor, both from a creative and rewards perspective.
Anyway, back to the whole point of this little peek into my psyche: my wife has listened to be struggle about these things for years. She's heard me dream of a better life, my own business, freedom from the traditional "job". I'm sure at times it's gotten to the "ad nauseum" point. But she's always been there with an encouraging word.
She said two things to me yesterday that really stopped me in my tracks, and totally humbled me. First, she said she has been praying that I would find my direction as far as my job, and what my goals are for my future career. I never asked her to do this. She has been interceding for me without me even knowing it. Wow.
Second, she said that she has been really impressed by how much I've thrown myself into this project, and how much sweat I've been putting into it. I didn't even know she was paying attention! She's got her own stresses, what with preparing to graduate from medical school, and I just assumed my latest project (this business idea) wasn't even on her radar.
Despite all thing things going on in her own professional life right now, she has been the perfect helpmeet without me even realizing it.
Thank you, love!
Let me back up a little. I am 25 years old, nearly 2 years out of college, and working at a good job in my field. I started college in 2000 and earned a degree in mechanical engineering in 2006. While going to school, I took a couple years to do a co-op (a fancy word for working in my field, getting paid, and getting school credit at the same time) halfway through, and learned quite a bit about the corporate world, office politics, and engineering in general.
After graduating in 2006, I was quickly hired by the company I currently work for. They pay me a decent salary, I don't have to work absurd hours like many other new engineers, and the environment is pretty relaxed. I should be happy with all this, right?
Maybe so, but for some reason I never have been. I'm still not really sure what it is, but working for someone else, being a wage-slave, has always made me feel claustrophobic. In school I rebelled against learning what other people said was important when it was clearly less important than they let on. I had such a hard time feeling motivated by external forces like grades, approval of my professors, etc.
I thought that the problem was school. Maybe I just wasn't made for the academic world. I need to be more hands-on. I need what I do to matter and to be real. I need to graduate and get a real job in the real world. Then I'll be happy.
It kinda felt that way for a little while. I liked not having to study, I liked having my evenings and weekends truly free. I liked getting paid.
In the beginning I was enthusiastic, motivated, and high-energy. I was hired by a company that values independence, self-initiative, and bottom-up innovation. That sounded great! I soon realized, however, that as much as they were trying to be different than all the other companies out there, they were still fundamentally the same. There is still a huge gap between ownership and labor, both from a creative and rewards perspective.
Anyway, back to the whole point of this little peek into my psyche: my wife has listened to be struggle about these things for years. She's heard me dream of a better life, my own business, freedom from the traditional "job". I'm sure at times it's gotten to the "ad nauseum" point. But she's always been there with an encouraging word.
She said two things to me yesterday that really stopped me in my tracks, and totally humbled me. First, she said she has been praying that I would find my direction as far as my job, and what my goals are for my future career. I never asked her to do this. She has been interceding for me without me even knowing it. Wow.
Second, she said that she has been really impressed by how much I've thrown myself into this project, and how much sweat I've been putting into it. I didn't even know she was paying attention! She's got her own stresses, what with preparing to graduate from medical school, and I just assumed my latest project (this business idea) wasn't even on her radar.
Despite all thing things going on in her own professional life right now, she has been the perfect helpmeet without me even realizing it.
Thank you, love!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
The Big Idea
So, what is my idea, anyway, you might ask. Well, let me give you a guided tour of my own personal pie in the sky.
What I want to create doesn't really have a name yet. What I envision is a combination cafe, bar, internet/WiFi hotspot, PC and console gaming center, lounge, and college hang-out. Part bar, part coffee house, and part college dorm room. All this wrapped in a high-class, safe, comfortable, clean, friendly, and social environment.
I have a few problems with that description, and it no doubt gave you not quite the right impression. Cafe sounds too snooty, bar sounds too obnoxious, WiFi hotspot sounds too yuppie, gaming center sounds too malodorous geek, lounge sounds too risque, and college dorm-room sounds too grungy.
Bare with me.
What I envision is a nightlife venue which caters to those who don't like dealing with obnoxious barflies, and who are bored of movie theaters, mini-golf, and bowling. I want to cater to people, like myself, who like "going out" but who have little interest in the 3 or 4 options currently available.
I see my clientèle being between the ages of 16 and 30 and being the slightly more affluent geeks of our society. I want to create a place that provides the kind of entertainment these people like. They love gadgets, electronic toys, and games. They like deep conversation about life, the universe and everything. They like talking about Star Trek, computer programming, and Lord of the Rings. They like discovering that there are other people who like these things too.
These kinds of people, despite what the popular media would have you believe, are not the smelly, unshowered, socially retarded malcontents you might expect to see ogling cardboard cutouts of Lara Croft in the local comic shop.
These people are engineers and scientists, well educated, well read, with an unusual breadth of knowledge and an interest in a wide variety of subjects. They admire people like Galileo, Einstein, and Leonardo da Vinci, (not to mention Michelangelo, Raphael and Donatello). They read, they philosophize, they're successful and generally have money to spend.
I want to provide a high-class environment in which the affluent geeks can come and hang out doing things they like to do in an atmosphere designed just for them.
You approach the front door. There's a large glass front to the place, and you can see people sitting at cafe tables, enjoying a book, some good conversation and an excellent brew. The place looks clean, classy, and fun. You enter, and approach the counter. As you do, you notice the space opens up behind the cafe where rows of high-end gaming computers are laid out, complete with glass and steel desks, and high-backed leather chairs. The colors are soft and warm, and the subdued lighting creates the feeling you're entering your rich uncle's living room, rather than a commercial space.
Deeper into the establishment we go. There's a comfy-looking conversation pit, with a toasty fireplace. A couple sits in deep conversation. There are bookshelves filled with geeky classics like The Lord of the Rings, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Starship Troopers, The Acts of Gord, and The Chronicles of Narnia.
There's a quiet-time room with a large oak library table for doing homework, working on that latest D&D module, or anything else that needs a secluded quiet corner. There are private theater rooms showing films like Blade Runner, Kindergarten Cop, The Fifth Element, and The Princess Bride. Groups of friends gathered around large-screen TVs playing DDR or Guitar Hero or even classics like Zelda or Metroid.
A private LAN party is raging in a sound-proofed booth. The occupants are clearly having a riotous frag-fest. A group of Heavy Gear fans are setting up a game on a table nearby. As you turn bak to the front counter, you notice professionally dressed staff serving refreshments to gamers and cafe-goers alike. You order an espresso, and sit at the internet bar at the front windows to surf for a few minutes before leaving this haven and returning to the world outside.
This is the experience I want to sell. This is the atmosphere I want to create. These are the people I want to serve.
If I build it, will they come?
What I want to create doesn't really have a name yet. What I envision is a combination cafe, bar, internet/WiFi hotspot, PC and console gaming center, lounge, and college hang-out. Part bar, part coffee house, and part college dorm room. All this wrapped in a high-class, safe, comfortable, clean, friendly, and social environment.
I have a few problems with that description, and it no doubt gave you not quite the right impression. Cafe sounds too snooty, bar sounds too obnoxious, WiFi hotspot sounds too yuppie, gaming center sounds too malodorous geek, lounge sounds too risque, and college dorm-room sounds too grungy.
Bare with me.
What I envision is a nightlife venue which caters to those who don't like dealing with obnoxious barflies, and who are bored of movie theaters, mini-golf, and bowling. I want to cater to people, like myself, who like "going out" but who have little interest in the 3 or 4 options currently available.
I see my clientèle being between the ages of 16 and 30 and being the slightly more affluent geeks of our society. I want to create a place that provides the kind of entertainment these people like. They love gadgets, electronic toys, and games. They like deep conversation about life, the universe and everything. They like talking about Star Trek, computer programming, and Lord of the Rings. They like discovering that there are other people who like these things too.
These kinds of people, despite what the popular media would have you believe, are not the smelly, unshowered, socially retarded malcontents you might expect to see ogling cardboard cutouts of Lara Croft in the local comic shop.
These people are engineers and scientists, well educated, well read, with an unusual breadth of knowledge and an interest in a wide variety of subjects. They admire people like Galileo, Einstein, and Leonardo da Vinci, (not to mention Michelangelo, Raphael and Donatello). They read, they philosophize, they're successful and generally have money to spend.
I want to provide a high-class environment in which the affluent geeks can come and hang out doing things they like to do in an atmosphere designed just for them.
You approach the front door. There's a large glass front to the place, and you can see people sitting at cafe tables, enjoying a book, some good conversation and an excellent brew. The place looks clean, classy, and fun. You enter, and approach the counter. As you do, you notice the space opens up behind the cafe where rows of high-end gaming computers are laid out, complete with glass and steel desks, and high-backed leather chairs. The colors are soft and warm, and the subdued lighting creates the feeling you're entering your rich uncle's living room, rather than a commercial space.
Deeper into the establishment we go. There's a comfy-looking conversation pit, with a toasty fireplace. A couple sits in deep conversation. There are bookshelves filled with geeky classics like The Lord of the Rings, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Starship Troopers, The Acts of Gord, and The Chronicles of Narnia.
There's a quiet-time room with a large oak library table for doing homework, working on that latest D&D module, or anything else that needs a secluded quiet corner. There are private theater rooms showing films like Blade Runner, Kindergarten Cop, The Fifth Element, and The Princess Bride. Groups of friends gathered around large-screen TVs playing DDR or Guitar Hero or even classics like Zelda or Metroid.
A private LAN party is raging in a sound-proofed booth. The occupants are clearly having a riotous frag-fest. A group of Heavy Gear fans are setting up a game on a table nearby. As you turn bak to the front counter, you notice professionally dressed staff serving refreshments to gamers and cafe-goers alike. You order an espresso, and sit at the internet bar at the front windows to surf for a few minutes before leaving this haven and returning to the world outside.
This is the experience I want to sell. This is the atmosphere I want to create. These are the people I want to serve.
If I build it, will they come?
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
In the Beginning...
It all starts with an idea. An inspiration. You see something, hear something, experience a moment that kicks the whole thing off. Often it's hard to figure out just when that moment was, but once it's happened you know it.
Then there' s the crossroads. Ideas are great, but there's another moment, sometimes immediately after the moment of inspiration when you must decide whether or not you're going to let the idea in. Most of us have these great ideas all the time, but most of the time we never answer the knocking, and most of the time we don't even know we did it.
On the other hand, you can decide to answer the door. Sometimes this is purposeful, but like most of life, sometimes it "just happens". You had the idea, then you came back for a second look. Then a third, and before you know it you're invested.
So, you found the seed, you even planted it, but it will still die if it doesn't get fed. This part can be pretty fun for the first days or weeks, but sooner or later it becomes easier and more fun to watch TV instead. Most of the ideas that survive the first stage don't survive this one.
That's where my idea is at right now. I've reached a point where all that watering is starting to wear me down. My enthusiasm is waning, and I'm not sure all the sweat and risk is really going to be worth it.
This is where you have got to get back to your inspiration. What made it so exciting to begin with? What was it that caused you to take a second look? Who did you talk to who encouraged you and made you feel even your wildest ideas could work? Get back to that place, pick up the watering can, and watch that little seed grow into a mighty oak.
Then there' s the crossroads. Ideas are great, but there's another moment, sometimes immediately after the moment of inspiration when you must decide whether or not you're going to let the idea in. Most of us have these great ideas all the time, but most of the time we never answer the knocking, and most of the time we don't even know we did it.
On the other hand, you can decide to answer the door. Sometimes this is purposeful, but like most of life, sometimes it "just happens". You had the idea, then you came back for a second look. Then a third, and before you know it you're invested.
So, you found the seed, you even planted it, but it will still die if it doesn't get fed. This part can be pretty fun for the first days or weeks, but sooner or later it becomes easier and more fun to watch TV instead. Most of the ideas that survive the first stage don't survive this one.
That's where my idea is at right now. I've reached a point where all that watering is starting to wear me down. My enthusiasm is waning, and I'm not sure all the sweat and risk is really going to be worth it.
This is where you have got to get back to your inspiration. What made it so exciting to begin with? What was it that caused you to take a second look? Who did you talk to who encouraged you and made you feel even your wildest ideas could work? Get back to that place, pick up the watering can, and watch that little seed grow into a mighty oak.
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