Just when you think you've taken flight...

Starting a start-up is not easy. You're first inspired by an idea that will fill a need. You talk about it with someone you trust. Together, you generate more ideas and begin to put shape around the concept. You bring in a few others that add to the mix, question the concept, offer alternative thoughts, and help you get even more focused. You start writing a plan, and then it happens...

What can a home remodel expert teach you?

My wife loves to watch TLC and HGTV shows on television. Most of what she watches are "home" shows. People shopping for their first home, or a vacation home, or getting help to sell their home, or getting help to fix a bad remodel job. What can you learn from a remodel expert about business planning? Just tune into Holmes On Homes some day! His mantra is Make It Right! Basically, he's hired by folks who started a remodel with a contractor that has failed them miserably, and then Mike Holmes comes in to Make It Right. He's a man with integrity, experience, and character; and he's the most respected contractor in Canada, where the show is based.

So, what can you learn from a remodel expert? Here's what I learned

Men stumble over pebbles, never over mountains.

Smart woman, Emily Cady.... "Men stumble over pebbles, never over mountains." In 1871 she became one of the first woman physicians in America. Do you think she had a few mountains to climb?

I live in Montana among some of the most beautiful mountains in the nation. I grew up in Southern California on a surf board, but I love the mountains almost as much as the beach. One reason is the solitude the mountains offer.

Starting a start-up is no day the the beach. But as it turns out, it is a day at the mountains!

Frustrated with

One Piece of the Puzzle...

There are so many desperate issues pulling this world down. One cannot pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV or check email without hearing of a new tragedy, or a reminder of one that has gotten worse. Celebrities are begging you to get involved... and sometimes it seems like the cool thing to do more than the right thing to do. I mean, who can resist Bono or Angelina?

So many pieces to this puzzle. How does a person make up their mind as to which pieces to work with?

Let's Birth This Baby!

We've been nurturing and caring for the new venture in its embryonic stage for awhile now, and we're almost ready to birth this baby!
We sent out a philanthropic investment proposal to one prospective investor and are waiting for their response. This will be the seed funding we need produce a fully developed Business & Strategic Plan and Plan of Action.
Are we nervous? You bet! Like a first-time expectant dad! Not nervous about the future of the venture, but more about the actual birth day. Like bringing your brand new baby home from the hospital the first day, we've been planning for this for months. But when the actual day arrives,

Starting Up the Start-Up

Do you know who Kim Linehan is? Well, back in 1981 she held the world record in the Women's 1500-meter freestyle. According to her coach, Paul Bergen, the then-18-year-old was the leading amateur woman distance swimmer in the world. "Kim does endless exercises and swims 7 to 12 miles a day. The hardest part of her regimen? 'Getting in the water,' she says."

Starting up a new venture is a lot like that. Whether it's a brand new venture being pulled out of the ground for the first time by its creators; or (like us) a new venture of an already-established organization. I'm not sure which is more difficult,