Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Most of us are completely involved in our current business venture, but I am sure we can find time to become involved. I have often thought of all the brilliant people out there. I have always wished I could team up with some. Just as many here at SuN, I do not see myself as brilliant, but I know I can contribute. It’s virtually impossible to live life for so many years without being knowledgeable about something! How would management and task regulation work? Will it cost to become a partner or part of the team? It takes money to start a business, and I am willing to placed my money into a good idea and well-planned strategy. Anyway, you can count me in! 

-------------------------

Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

Intriguing -

It`s an idea that definately needs to be explored and I`d love to be a part of it...

R-


-------------------------


Quaerite Primum Regnum

"There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line."
~ Oscar Levant ~

Twitter: @rossb

Steve....

I`m excited about this idea as well....

Let`s see if we can make something happen....

Jeff

-------------------------

I see lots of you have responded to this query....

As I said in my response to Steve...maybe we can make something happen!

I`ll try to propose a way to get this started and post it here....

Jeff

-------------------------

R@ - that`s interesting, my first thought was how this is a "flat world" idea. It is virtual business development - really a virtual "incubator" to use that hyper popular concept from not too long ago. Certainly cuts down on the overhead!

-------------------------

Michael Zucker - Strategic Planning, Marketing & Communications info@zuckerconsulting.com · www.zuckerconsulting.com “Helping You Over The Hurdles – Keeping You Focused On The Finish Line”

Jeff - I agree that`s it`s a great idea to explore. Certainly no shortage of quality and varied talent here. Plus it`s a chance to break new ground (I think) by essentially creating a virtual incubator.

I think the real trick will be finding a structure that allows for a free flow of ideas and participation by whoever wants - but also incorporates a decision-making process that will keep things moving and will produce results that will stand up to the marketplace and, if necessary, potential funders.

Just taking a wild stab here - do you or Rich know where we might be able to find some venture capital at the appropriate time?

Let`s do it!

Michael

 

-------------------------

Michael Zucker - Strategic Planning, Marketing & Communications info@zuckerconsulting.com · www.zuckerconsulting.com “Helping You Over The Hurdles – Keeping You Focused On The Finish Line”

Hey Everybody....Great comments....and even better enthusiasm! I think this idea has merit, but as has been pointed out, there are logistical challenges. I think we should try to work through them. Let`s test the idea by actually trying to make something happen.

The first step is to explore business ideas. I think an online business makes the most sense since we will be a virtual company - all operating from each of our own homebase. Maybe an e-commerce company???

Just to throw something out there....does anybody think there might be merit in creating a branded e-commerce store which specializes in products - software, hardware, etc. - focused on preventing identity theft and ensuring privacy?? I know this is a hot area. For example, take a look at the simple example of what`s happened in the personal paper shredder market. Silly as it sounds...you see lots of new brands, sales are brisk, and the reason is because people don`t want to throw out documents without destroying them first because they are concerned about identity theft and privacy issues. This is an example of a hardware product line which could be offered. And the examples go on and on....

Just a thought....I`m open to ideas from others, but I have the feeling this could make for a hot business idea.

I for one am willing to work on the business plan, provide strategic guidance, and be responsible for raising money.

We need people who can do web development, merchandising, product sourcing, branding, PR and marketing, and of course we need people who could operate the company.

Thoughts??

Jeff

-------------------------

Jeff – at first blush, I think it’s a really strong idea worth investigating. Off-the-cuff, it also feels like a key part of the brand promise might involve providing credible information to consumers about the evolving threats we all face and the various types of solutions. It feels like there’s a lot of confusing and sometimes conflicting information out there; as well as new products and services popping up every day – some of (shall we say) questionable merit.

 

I’d be interested in helping you with the business plan and strategy. I’d also be willing to work as part of a branding/PR/marketing team.

-------------------------

Michael Zucker - Strategic Planning, Marketing & Communications info@zuckerconsulting.com · www.zuckerconsulting.com “Helping You Over The Hurdles – Keeping You Focused On The Finish Line”

My question, particular to the suggestion, is how would varied or multiple talents apply to resolving an identity theft problem? Yes it`s a major issue and people are running scared about lots of the publicized disasters, but does that make it a good commercial venture? What exactly is "the product?"

Expanding slightly; there seem to be two overall views or perceptions of this idea. For my part, I saw (or see) the proposition as a way to consolidate SuN member expertise into some sort of product. But another view is to offer whatever members have an interest, a separate business designed to sell or produce a product. I guess I`m not clear on the question again. :-)

For example, one interpretation of the original post would be, "Is anyone interested in joining forces to form a rocket ship company?"

Another interpretation would be, "Can we form a company based on the multitude of talents popping up on the site?"

When I was a musician, we had two different types of people who`s jobs often were confused: the agent, and the manager. Confusion probalby came because so often bands would have a manager-agent.

But the agent considered the band a completed product, and went out to sell that product. The manager considered the band to be an evolving product under development. The manager was more like a consultant, bringing market and business acumen into a mix where the musicians often had no such knowledge.

What I see happening on this site is something maybe like the manager`s position, but not a corporate "manager." It`s a nurturing or producing sort of thing, where people want a human database of resources that not only can answer a direct question, but also reach out and help startup business people form questions when they don`t quite know what to ask. Then again, I may be misinterpreting the original post.

I think Craig poses some interesting and appropriate questions. This is really "blue sky" thinking. I`m not sure there is clear definition or formula to this yet. I just threw up a very general idea in the hope that maybe we can hone it collectively through this forum. And my idea for a branded ecommerce site that would focus on hardware and software products focused on privacy and identity theft protection is nothing more than a seedling of an idea. I`m not sure it`s a good idea at all at this point. But just going on a hunch that this area coupled with the emerging successes we`re now seeing in ecommerce made me think that there might be merit. To be clear, I am open to hearing lots of other ideas before we focus on this one or any other one. Let`s keep exploring. Glad to know there is interest out there and to know that people are really putting some thought into the possibilities as well as the logistical challenges. Thanks Craig and to all commenting....

Jeff

-------------------------