That phrase has been bouncing around in my head
since it was the cover story of Entrepreneur’s
May issue earlier this year. I have been quoting and citing resources from the
article and its case studies since, primarily with my adult clients contemplating
giving up the job search to do their own thing.
As the year marched on, I found myself toying
with an idea for a new company I could run in conjunction with the work I
already do to earn some extra cash and equity while having fun. Could I start
and launch this idea with a $100 investment while running and operating another
business? The answer is yes—and I did exactly that this month with an idea I
conceived seventeen days ago.
Here is the time line with expenses:
December
4th: Picked up a book my nephew, Aidan
wrote at 6 am from my local postmaster and woke up the nine year old up too
early to show him his published masterpiece.
December
5th: Aidan brings the book to school and
his teacher has him read it to his class. I get an idea that maybe this self
publishing project I did with my nephews in Austin and Dallas should become a
business.
December
6th: I buy www.kidbookkamp.com
domain on www.godaddy.com
for $9.99.
December
7th: I find a free image on www.googleimages.com
and create a logo in word for free!
December
9th-12th: Two focus groups
are pitched the idea and the feedback is amazing and helpful.
December
13th: I finalize a location and price for
pilots in Austin.
December
14th and 15th: I create spreadsheet P/Ls for
running local Kamps in Texas and then set up a business model to license the
methodology.
December
16th: Finalize dates for pilots in
Dallas.
December
19th: Start 30 day Free Trial on www.intuitwebistes.com
for web design and web hosting. I began teaching myself how to design a
website.
December
20th: Create flyers for advertising programs
and launch beta of site. Recruit two interns and a few others who will work on
commission. Find first licensee in New York City.
December
21st: With the help of very wonderful people
at Intuit, launch live site and set up ability to take credit cards for an
investment of $4.99. Designed and ordered business cards from www.vistaprint.com
priority delivery for $16.99.
December
22nd: Began promoting pilots and get DBA
license for $21.00. Purchased printer cartridges for printing flyers for
$44.00.
The business is now open and I have invested $96.97. Learn more about my new venture at www.kidbookkamp.com
and let me know your start up story or contact me at laurel@threegiantleaps.com
to help you make your bright ideas reality.
Laurel Donnellan
www.threegiantleaps.com
