Thrills and Tills of Starting a New Business

And ACTION! I returned from the Italian holiday to launch into a new direction: partnering with Jason Monigold to buy into Computer Express, a PC and Mac repair/networking/IT consulting business. Based on St. John for 6 years, he's drummed enough business to expand to St. Thomas. That's where I jump in: to partner with him for the expansion, making computers and my web design my full-time gig. Which is very exciting!

Hard to leave the day job with the steady paycheck, though, definitely. Working as a project manager for Stone Masonry Inc. for the past year was a perfect opportunity to understand business management and bookkeeping. It definitely helps me prepare for understanding running Computer Express. But again...leaving that steady paycheck....

Today Jason and I ventured to St. Thomas to look at 2 prospective locations for the business and consider the lease details. One space is smaller but half the rent and a generator; one space larger but more money and space for possibly subleasing. Now we're breaking down our numbers and getting into the nitty gritty to feel what's realistic and what we're aiming for.

Starting new ventures in a "bad economy" can be seen as smart or silly--it all depends on if you have balls or not! One thing I know for sure is that staying stagnant, not growing or challenging myself, would only cause me to wither. So it's not really a choice; it's only a matter of deciding HOW to proceed, not IF.

Entrepreneur Video

Day in the Life of an Internet Business Entrepreneur

This article is awesome, as it presents a perspective from an entrepreneur who's made his living from his blogging and websites for several years. He wrote this article "A Day in My Life" a few years back, and so you can compare it to now, years later, as he's established. You can see how his job has changed, what his focus and day is like now, and how that works for him as he's grown as an entrepreneur. Very useful, practical advice and key points, too:

A Day In The Life Of An Internet Entrepreneur 2009 Edition

Entreprenuers Rock!

Entreprenurial Energy

Currently I'm studying internet marketing, using websites/blogs to enhance your business and launching new companies. I'm of the philosophy that it's better to jump in and figure out how to swim when you're in the water rather than wasting too much time planning your strategy and never getting your feet wet. What do you think? I'd love to hear your experience or opinions. Do you have a business that's enhanced with Twitter, a blog, website and/or forum? Do you give preference to businesses that are integrated in all these ways? Or is it just extra junk without substance?

Networking

Crucial for freelancersn entrepreneurs and the self-employed, networking is a skill that--when developed--can be the best mode of establishing business. Informal, formal, one-on-one or in groups, making those connections is the key to success. What are your favorite networking arenas or preferred strategies?