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Entries in New Business (5)

Wednesday
18Nov2009

playing with fire.

DateWednesday, November 18, 2009 at 3:52PM

Someone who doesn't know me told me today "you are really cool."  When I asked him 'why' - he replied, "because you are talking to someone you don't even know."

.....hmmm.

While i'm not sure I follow his rationalization for what makes me, or anyone else for that matter, 'cool' - it did get me thinking.  I realized that as outgoing as I consider myself to be, as open as I am to genuine conversation with strangers, and as much as I love to hear myself talk.... I am completely shy and anti-brave when it comes to social marketing (for my personal business).  There are many ironies in this that don't require elaboration, but the biggest irony in my shyness is that I am an account manager at a web design and development agency... and we build social marketing campaigns for businesses.  But when it comes to my personal ventures... I'm totally reluctant and shy.  It's like playing with fire.

Half of me argues that my shyness comes from the whole 'ignorance is bliss' belief.  Because I am in the web business, and I have created social marketing campaigns for a good number of companies, I know it's power.  I have seen its successes, and I have seen its failures.  It is my lack of ignorance to the topic that has me nervous, and cautious. 

The other half of me (yes, I have arguments with myself) argues that my shyness comes from fear of failure.  I know that getting up my website will lend credibilty, and printing out my business cards will decrease those awkward moments at networking functions when the question right before the conversation ends is 'do you have a card?' I know that a FaceBook page for my business will keep my friends, current clients, and potential clients in the loop.  I also know that people don't forget, and if I start out wrong, it may be a difficult mistake to rectify.

That said, today I entered a brave new world, played with fire, and finally created a FaceBook page for my personal business, Unscriptd.  In filling out my profile for Unscriptd, I was asked what year we were founded.  I debated this for a whole 5 minutes.  This business has been a part of me for years.  But it just began to take flight this year... so 2009 it is.  Why it took me so long to do... the argument continues... but it's done.  One step closer to being socialized.

Author{kris} | Comment1 Comment |
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Wednesday
11Nov2009

keeping me up at night.

DateWednesday, November 11, 2009 at 12:33PM

I have been on this so-called mission to launch my new business, for... hmmm... a WHOLE YEAR.  I started this year with a re-kindled spirit to stop procrastinating on my long sought after vision - and make it work for me.  I started conversations with people, but never finished.  I started writing my business plan, but never finished.  I started and restarted my logo about 22 times... and after 6 months of my own under-whleming design, I finally finished that chapter after a 20 minute intervention with a fellow designer friend.

What I have managed to finish on my own was my chai tea latte (every day), the perfect self-motivational speech that I recite daily, and my quasi-website.  So nearly a year later, what do I have to show?

Well, by the grace of God, I have a handful of happy clients who allowed me to craft their vision (though mine was still in progress), a growing portfolio, and... my quasi-website. Lately, I have been working on two weddings that are a week apart next June... so you can imagine the late night conversations I have been having. 

That said... i'm done with the frill of a "renewed spirit" or an "invigorated sense of purpose" - it's time to gett'r done... or someone else will.

Author{kris} | Comment2 Comments |
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Thursday
13Aug2009

designing by ear

DateThursday, August 13, 2009 at 7:33PM

I have written it down, crossed it out, made modifications, re-written the revision,  doodled on top of it, lost it, found it, lost it again, spilled my chai tea on it, ripped it from my dogs mouth, read it, re-read it... and still... I'm not happy with it.

I'm talking about my business plan.  The more and more thought I put into it, the more I hate the whole idea of it.  Whatever happened to playing it by ear?  I don't know what I estimate my profits to be! I don't know how I plan to market! I don't have a ten year plan! Does this make me a bad aspiring entrepreneur?  Why can't I just try something... and see how it works.  If it doesn't, change, modify, alter... accordingly.

With modern societies' peaks and valleys (dot com, economy, housing market) it seems that a business plan is more presumptious than just going with the flow.  Who can really know?  Established entrepreneurs that I regard highly tell me that a business plan is simply to let investors, supporters and/or business partners know that I have at least considered things such as profit, and marketing strategy...

Great. I have considered it, its in a notebook somewhere... now let's make some money shall we?

All that to say - I guess you can say I went out on a limb, business plan-less, and decided to pull together 6 greeting cards, to sell as a set.  I have them on Etsy right now, and depending on how they do, I may approach some small cafes in the area and see if they are interested in selling them.  At the end of the day - the best way to forecast is to just put yourself out there and see how it goes... win or lose, you learn something valuable.  Something a document full of God knows what can't tell you...

 

Author{kris} | CommentPost a Comment |
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Monday
17Nov2008

On Finding a "Cold Dark Shell"

DateMonday, November 17, 2008 at 11:45PM
In my quest to launch my legacy - I came to the horrifying conclusion that one of the first things I am suppose to do is figure out where, physically, my baby is going to live. In other words... I need a building. According to some of my entrepreneurial comrades, I need to take the following into account when developing my business plan: rent, cost per square footage, taxes, maintenance.. among other things of course.  WHAT? It just seems so early in the process - no? I mean, the logic makes sense, I suppose - but what if I find a building, but can't afford to put money into it yet because, clearly, I haven't gotten to the money finding part yet?!  Then the building gets leased to some snooty moneybags type, and I am at a loss?!  Umph. Mom and Daddy say 'Kris, it's all about location, location, location.'  Lucky for me, that's just about all I have figured out - I am absolutely in love with East Atlanta... not just because I live here, but because it's a melting pot of creativity, diversity, and empowerment... (sound like a beer ad - I know). After my temptress friend made me go to a jeans sale, I did manage to drag my boyfriend all over East Atlanta this weekend to search around for the resting place of my new child.  And wouldn't ya know it? I think I found a place... (While I am an impulsive shopper, I do tent to find what I want quickly - and not regret it the morning after) but it's expensive, and as the tenant I would receive the building in a condition referred to as a "Cold Dark Shell." Ha! I lie to you not - t'is what it reads on the spec sheet.  So basically, I give them $56,000/year, and they can't even give me a toilet.   Can you say foolishness?  I guess this means I have to build it out, from the potties up... Should I start taking donations now.... or after the holidays?
Author{kris} | Comment3 Comments |
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Monday
10Nov2008

Rara Avisa

DateMonday, November 10, 2008 at 3:43PM
You are probably like - "Ra Who?!"  Well well, allow me to elaborate my little learner.   "Rara Avisa" means rare bird in latin.  To be perfectly factual - rara avis (without the 'a' at the end) is the true term.  But in a moment of being me... I added an 'A' to add character. Rara Avisa will likey be the name of my new business going forward (oooh, I like it even better when I type it).  You can ask my BFF's KD and Squeazie - I have been to East Ballyhack and back trying to figure out what I want to call my "operation."  Everytime I come up with what I think is the name... I immediately purchase the domain.  Within a week, I'm back to the drawing board.  About 23 domains later... (literally) - I think I have found it.  Afterall, I have never felt inclined to blog about it... so it's gotta be different right?  (By the way - if anyone wants to buy one of my 23 domains, i'm willing to negotiate). At any rate - I thought I would document my journey to building what I am hoping to be my legacy. Once I work it out in my head - you will be the first... well -- like the 10th to know. Got the name... I suppose that's important.
Author{kris} | Comment4 Comments |
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