A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to my StartUp

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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to my StartUp

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StartupStella

posts: 152

Dec 05, 2006 11:49 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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As you know, I`m always interested in stories, anecdotes, tidbits, lessons, and sayings from my favorite people--entreprenuers.
So, I thought I`d create a forum to talk about the weird, surreal, messed-up, and nutty things that happen to Starter Uppers. I mean, come on, stuff happens every day to me that would stun Dilbert.
So, what`s your funny story? Or, as we say in the comic biz, draw from your own experience!

CraigL

posts: 9051

Dec 06, 2006 2:19 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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So I`m out with a friend of mine at a shop, and I guess I had a lot on my mind about getting this business off the ground. I was thinking about successful companies, what it took, and so forth.

This was just a knick-knack shop, and we found some trinkets, then headed to the cash register. The lady rang up the purchase for me, then started ringing up my friend. I was hangin` around, just looking at stuff, the way you do when you`re waiting or bored.

I saw this sign with a plastic box, that said "Donate your change for MS."

I turned to my friend, really surprised, and asked, "I wonder why Microsoft needs to ask for change?"

Looking at the strange stares I was getting, I stopped, took a breath, revisted my thinking, and then...it hit me! Ah Hah!! "Multiple sclerosis!" By gosh, I`d even heard of that charity!!

See what happens when you have too much business on the brain?

OHDenise

posts: 438

Dec 06, 2006 8:54 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Here are a couple of images for you:

I don`t really have a home-based business, but I always have multiple projects going on at home. Any empty flat space seems to attract a new topic, complete with folders, lists, books, tablets of ideas, and various post-it notes. It`s a visual representation of a house with ADD.

At work, I frequently get new project requests, floor plan sketches, cost estimates, faxes, etc., that get stacked up on top of the previous day`s pile of accumulated documents. Occasionally someone will come in to ask me if I received the carpet sample book they dropped off a couple days ago. I have to asked them how many days ago so I know how far down in the stack to look. It`s like an archaeological dig.

CraigL

posts: 9051

Dec 07, 2006 3:29 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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So rather than a business plan, you grid out the floor space in three dimensions, and assign an X,Y,Z cooridinate. That makes sense. I wonder, then, does carbon dating work on Post-It notes? :-D

StartupStella

posts: 152

Dec 07, 2006 5:22 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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These are great!
CraigL--I LOVE that story. Of course, with Google nipping at their heals, maybe MS will be looking for spare change!

CraigL

posts: 9051

Dec 08, 2006 9:13 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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When I started working from home, the phone got to be a problem. I turned it off, using an answering device to screen calls. I then realized I had to turn off the ringer as well, because that got to be a pain in the ear.

The result was I started hearing voices! I`d be sitting there, doing my normal thing, living my life, and voices would suddenly appear out of nowhere! I went to the doctor, panicked because I was sure I`d come down with a bad case of schizophrenia.

"Doctah, I`m hearing voices in my head telling me what to do!"

Being a kindly, patient sort of doctor, he indulged me and asked if I`d ever purchased an answering machine in my life. I said yes, and then it hit me....Doh!....I wasn`t Joan of Arc! :-D I was Oh Kay!

StartupStella

posts: 152

Dec 10, 2006 6:14 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I had a voice in my head saying, "Start your business. Follow your dream."
So I did. And, now, after hearing your story.
Maybe I had Startup Nation radio playing in the background and didn`t know it?

CraigL

posts: 9051

Dec 10, 2006 4:15 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I`ve found, after extensive research, talking with folks, therapy, and personal experimentation, that if there`s music going along with the voice in my head, it`s probably a radio station I have playing in the background and forgot about. Don`t know if this will help, but I pass along the advice as a helpful aid. I don`t know how to tell the difference between the other types of voices, so I mostly just wear a tinfoil sailor hat around the house. That way, at least I prevent the government from sending me thoughts. :-)

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