Start-up

My Secret to Starting a Successful Clothing Brand

James Keough — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:53:47 -0400

Imagine you have $10,0000 to start a clothing brand (like me)...
what are your options? Obviously, you can't just spend all $10k on
manufacturing your clothes. You have to get the word out and spend on
marketing. But putting $5k towards marketing won't get you very far.
So, here is what we did...

How to Fail Before You Open

Milton Jackson — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:39:22 -0400

"The successful person makes a habit of doing what the failing person doesn't like to do." - Thomas Edison

Launch: Silicon Valley 2009

Fast Company Calendar — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:38:25 -0400

Starting a tech business in good times takes guts--more than 60% of new ones fail in four recession-free years. These days, you need courage, chutzpah, and an extra measure of je ne sais quoi. A chance to woo investors helps; last year, more than 300 startups vied for the 30 spots at Launch. This year, panelists will come from VC firms including Morgenthaler Ventures and Draper Fisher Jurvetson. The spoils of spunk? Since 2006, the courtships have spawned upward of $80 million in financing. --Genevieve Knapp

SunDrum uses PC Technology to Make Solar Systems More Powerful

Ariel Schwartz — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:38:17 -0400

Massachusetts-based startup SunDrum is working on a liquid-filled heat sink that boosts the power output of photovoltaic panels (PV) and heats water--all with the help of a solar collector that's similar to something you would see in a high-end PC. It's not surprising that the technology comes from a company headed up by Ron Smith, a former Intel executive.

It's Creative (Destruction) Genius

Donovan Wadholm — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:42:51 -0400

As the world and the US slogs through the current economic turmoil, the task of economic development professionals is shifting. What use to be a local struggle to attract businesses and jobs, competing against other states or even other communities in their own state, has become a battle against local job loss and the inevitable business closings. This shift, has brought the small business champion out of formerly dismissive EDC presidents and in my opinion…is long overdue.

Love this magazine!

Chad Bills — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:02:49 -0400

I've been a Fast Company reader/subscriber since their launch in the mid 90's (back when the magazines where 3/4 of an inch thick!). They have been a source of inspiration throught my years in Corporate America in terms of managerial ideas and practices. Now, as a business owner, I'm depending on FC to keep me updated with the latest trends in innovation and business practices.

As Luck Would Have It…Success Is Not A Science.

Donovan Wadholm — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:26:16 -0500

One of my favorite radio programs is a quasi-science show called Radio Lab and is hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich. There are two reasons why I love this program so much: 1) because the production values are so good that no matter what they are talking about it sounds multilayered and dynamic and 2) while the topics are science related they are not overly technical and there is a heavy philosophical element usually presented from various sides by t

A 2008 Christmas Poem

Donovan Wadholm — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:35:58 -0500

As I wake to the sounds of the FM dial my mind starts to focus on life’s great trials.

“Time to get up kids & brush your teeth and please for once don’t fall back to sleep.”

“Hurry now get out of the shower the bus has gone and it’s tardy hour.”

In a rush as we fly in our car but the road is slick and traffic is at war.

Now it’s up to the office where bosses await with sullen faces at my tardy state.

In these times and on this day it’s more work, less pay, and a vanishing 401K.

It Was The Best Of Times, It Was The Worst Of Times

Donovan Wadholm — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 17:15:42 -0500

When entrepreneurs start a new business they often have a nasty habit of paying little attention to whether or not the timing it right for that business idea. Some will start their business either way, no matter what the data (or the bozos) say. And some of those entrepreneurs are going to be successful in spite of the worst of odds.

But today’s economic uncertainties actually puts the question of timing front and center in the entrepreneur’s minds eye.

Even Brilliant People Need The Right Opportunities

David Mullings — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:46:46 -0500

Entrepreneurs love to point to the success of "self-made" people like Bill Gates as proof that hard work, solid ideas and solid execution are the most important factors for success.

But is that really true?

Is There Meaning In The Work You Do?

David Mullings — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:53:18 -0500

I came across a great post by Umair Haque over at Harvard Business Publishing titled How to Build a Next-Gen Business Now.

He lays out five steps to build such a business but it was the fifth step that caught my attention because it spoke to our Realvibez Media business.

Business.com Case Study: Ignore The Laughter Of Other People

David Mullings — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:52:20 -0400

Every entrepreneur has had some person laugh at their idea, but few have had thousands or hundreds of thousands laugh at their idea.

I personally know someone who had the chance to invest in MTV at the inception but laughed at the entrepreneur and asked him why would anyone watch music on television.

Never let the naysayers dent your resolve, just make sure you can answer their question satisfactorily for yourself, your potential staff and your potential investors, even if you are the only one in all the above.

Inspiring Others Is Important

David Mullings — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:22:04 -0400

I am currently in Jamaica and was invited on Tuesday to be a guest lecturer at the H.E.A.R.T. VTDI in Kingston by Dennis Howard, the UWI lecturer who brought me down in February to speak at the Global Reggae Conference.

It was a last-minute request but I was prepared and was able to speak to a class of students focusing on artist management in the music industry. The topic that evening was music videos and the Internet.

One of the students joined Realvibez.tv yesterday and wrote a blog post that gives a far better account than I could ever give. He wrote:

Do You Visualize Your Desired Outcome Before Pursuing It?

David Mullings — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:46:58 -0400

In the book The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur that I recently endorsed, Mike Michalowicz speaks early on about the importance of visualizing your goal before setting out to achieve it.

He quotes Bob Marley as the best example of doing this and achieving success.

Before Bob was a household name, he famously said:

How the Credit Crisis Affects Small Business

Donovan Wadholm — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:05:44 -0400

The big media is talking about big dollars, big companies, and big bailout packages. Sub-prime mortgage backed securities, money market mutual fund savings, and now commercial paper have all been at the center of the conversation of the current credit crisis in the US and, in recent days, worldwide.

Innovators Are Better Than Inventors?

David Mullings — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:02:17 -0400

I recently picked up Finding An Angel Investor in a Day to see what kind of advice was in there and to get additional info on term sheets.

I found the following breakdown very interesting: Three Types of Entrepreneur

My Letter Published In Inc. Magazine October 2008 Issue

David Mullings — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:04:16 -0400

The 3rd quarter has started nicely - The entrepreneurship book I endorsed is on sale and doing well, The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, we have a meeting with a potential investor on Sunday who approached us and I am in Inc. magazine's October 2008 issue.

The Inc. magazine presence is only a published letter in response to an article from this summer but it still gets my name and company name out there - which helps with thought leadership and recognition.

I have already had 2 companies contact me since yesterday because of it so clearly it is a good thing.

Nancy Pelosi Obviously Did Not Read 'How To Win Friends and Influence People"

David Mullings — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:48:11 -0400

As much as I am supporting Barack Obama this year and believe that the Republicans have screwed America with their de-regulation mantra and "deficits don't matter" approach, I call it as I see it.

Every person who is trying to get a deal to go their way needs to learn from Nancy Pelosi.

Don't make her mistake.

If you want a person to do something, don't scold them BEFORE they do it!

Focus On Needs, Not Wants or Desires

David Mullings — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:01:07 -0400

It seems normal for humans to become slaves to their wants and desires but we have to overcome those, especially in business.

Is Your Brand Awesome? Should it be?

Donovan Wadholm — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:25:14 -0400

Recently at a small business conference in Chicago I attended a few different seminars on marketing, promotion and branding. Being a self proclaimed finance geek, I find it is helpful to step outside of my natural habitat to broaden my knowledge base, and the best place for me to do that is by exploring marketing concepts.

Awareness is Over-rated, Focus on Positive Opinion

David Mullings — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:03:19 -0400

The heading of this blog post was what Deborah Meyer, the Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Chrysler had to say during her presentation at MIXX in New York City on Monday.

The Danger of Debt-driven Growth

David Mullings — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:52:16 -0400

Entrepreneurs are always looking for capital to grow their business or build the foundation of their venture. Most people raise money from family and friends, then borrow against their house or use credit cards.

That is not always bad but the current crisis on Wall Street is a great example of why building your house on sand aka debt can lead to tremendous blowback.

"Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock.

How Can Your Cup Be Filled If It Is Already Full?

David Mullings — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:53:40 -0400

Yesterday evening my wife and I discovered an Asian boutique store in our mall and grabbed a copy of the Chinese Uncut version of 'The Forbidden Kingdom' starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li (I collect Hong Kong movies and have over 45 Jackie Chan movies).

One lesson that Jackie Chan was teaching his student stuck with me and made me reflect on the Tao Te Ching that I read every night.

The student constantly spoke about all the various styles of martial arts - Crane, Snake, etc. - and Jackie Chan asked him to hold out his cup.

What's Going On? From Wall Street to Main Street.

Donovan Wadholm — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:48:29 -0400

Blinders Aren't Just For Horses: Business Lessons From Wall Street and Warren Buffett

David Mullings — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:51:21 -0400

If you have been following the news, you must know about the trials and tribulations of Wall Street firms. Sub-prime losses continue to wreak havoc and all their Ivy League MBAs aren't saving them.

Some people actually believe that people on Wall Street are smarter than the average person. Hopefully the Lehman Bankruptcy, Bear Stearns crash and bailout and the sale of Merill Lynch break down that barrier.