100 Words of Wisdom for Entrepreneurs
Ann Arbor, Business Thoughts March 30th. 2009, 1:47pm
The Ann Arbor News ran an excellent section called “Outlook – Survival Mode: A time to transform” in its March 22, 2009 edition. The Outlook section featured stories about companies and people who are adapting and transforming during Michigan’s trying economic times. (Unfortunately, the next day the Ann Arbor News announced its own transformation – to annarbor.com, an online publication that will distribute printed papers only twice weekly.)
Stephanie Murray, Ann Arbor News reporter, asked me to provide 100 words of insight for people who are thinking about starting their own companies. Here are my words of wisdom that were included in the paper:
“In 2001 I left a cushy corporate job. Without an inkling of business experience, I started a small company that now has seven employees. How can you do the same?”
- Go after your dreams right now. Ignore the ‘what ifs.’ At 80, you will marvel at your braveness.
- Share your business with everyone. Ask others about their best/worst business decisions. Listen carefully.
- Be persistent and adaptable like a dandelion.
- Give your best to people. Put your integrity where your mouth is.
- Don’t be so gol’ darn serious. Have fun, and let your wild ideas rip!
And here’s a link to the article online at mlive.com.
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:05 pm
I don’t think I’ve heard it put better. Doing things differently, especially in design, always adds a little spice that really sets you apart from the herd. It’s great to see the success of a company that innovates and has a great time doing it. Your company really is a stand-out, and you reap the benefits because of it. You’re on the top of your game while so many other web development companies, at least it seems, are developing poorly designed websites with outdated technologies, poor standards compliance (if any), and an overall look and feel that makes them seem like they’re still isolated in the days of tag soup/table-based HTML layouts. You’ve done your homework, there’s no arguing that. But what’s really inspiring is to be able to see the work you’ve done and see the creativity, diligence, passion, and personality you have shine so clearly in all of it. It’s clear that whoever did this enjoyed it.