Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

My name is Mason Galindo. I`m a freelance web designer and small business owner hailing from Michigan. I found Startup Nation by happenstance via StumbleUpon, an excellent browser add-on that greatly facilitates the discovery of new websites based on your interests. It`s definitely worth checking out.

I decided to join SN because I`m at a pivotal point in my life which, unfortunately also appears to be an impasse. I`m a young, college student looking for business ideas and seeking direction in my entrepreneurial pursuit to success. The small business that I run (and I use that term loosely) is a web hosting company. Since I`m new to the forums, I`m not sure if this is a topic that`s already been discussed ad nauseum, but for those of you unaware, it`s a highly saturated industry that`s relatively low risk to enter and easy to operate in. The business is almost entirely self sufficient requiring very little attention from me other than to field the occasional support ticket. I think it may be time to consider selling it.

What I`m looking for now is something new, fresh and stimulating. Something that allows me to utilize some of my existing skills as a tech savvy young person while at the same time allowing me to cultivate my business acumen. I`m tired of starving for ideas so I`m resolving myself to meeting new people, growing my personal and professional network and learning new things along the way, with the help, of course, of the members on this board!

I think starting my own business and being an autodidact are two things that will eventually lead me to where I want to be. I`m a marginal student, as I have little interest in school and don`t advance very well in a structured learning environment. I observe so much more growth in myself when I`m attached to a project I`m passionate about and invested in. I enjoy working with teams and naturally assume leadership roles.

This post certainly grew greater in length than I expected, sorry for that!

It`s getting late so I`d better wrap this up. I look forward to posting more and meeting some new people. Feel free to contact me either in the forum or privately, especially if you have business ideas you`d like to bandy about.

Regards,
Mason

LOL! Hi Mason...don`t worry about it. :-D We don`t often have an introduction from someone new where they actually talk about why they`re looking for some help. And besides, it takes what it takes to say what you want to say.

Yes, we`ve had discussions about technical businesses, and the hosting business being this and that. But much more interesting is the idea of someone who`s started a business, made a living, and then decided they want to do something new or different.

One thing you might do is search the forums (try "message only") for things like "looking for ideas." The standard first step is to contemplate your passions, your hobbies, and the things you`ve done all your life---even when life was really tough.

From that list, people can brainstorm ideas that might strike a chord. Y`know?

Meanwhile, welcome to the forum.

Hi Craig, nice to meet you. I`m glad you responded. I was just reading through some of your other posts and was wondering if you`d make your way over here.

I`ll definitely be doing some poking around in the forums and I`ll try out your suggestion for searching.

Any thoughts about transforming a hobby into a career? As I reflect on my hobbies, they are revolve primarily around a computer. Yikes! I`ll have to do a little more thinking on that. One thing that concerns me about transforming a hobby into a career is that then, you`ve basically just sacrificed a hobby!

This is something I`ll have to think on more. Thanks for the warm welcome.

-Mason  

Hi Mason :-)
Consider this: computers aren`t that old. So when you were 10, what were your hobbies?

How old are you in 2007, by the way?

I know exactly what you mean about a hobby-turned-business ending up in both losing the hobby, and hating it. I hardly every play the piano these days, give that I still am burnt-out on it from being a professional and leaving the business.

However, if you turn the hobby into a business but you also maintain a context---a strong *life plan* I think it can work very well.

The Sloan brothers` article about "10 Steps to Opening a Business" is excellent. It answers a whole lot of questions in easy-to-read content.

I too was a tech person, both support and development, and thought it would make a simple conversion to a career. I did some consulting and realized I hated it completely.

At first I thought my skill was "problem solving." But over the years I`ve come to understand that anyone with a mind is a problem-solver. It`s like saying that because you can move your fingers, therefore you should start a business as a guitar player, y`know? :-D

Problem solving, in and of itself, isn`t a career path. Systems Analyst or System Integrator, Process Analyst, or Database Developer---those are some careers based on problem solving. Another issue is that fixing and repairing computers is a tough business to start these days, for two reasons.

Computers are now commodities, where people tend to think in terms of keeping what they have going forever. Or, they just toss it out and buy a new one. Much like cars, which used to be fixable in your garage, now you need a whole technical division to support car repair. It can be done, but it`s a lot of work.

Here`s a thread where we got into it with someone trying to promote a new company.

Great post Craig. I`ll be checking out those resources.

I`ll be 20 years old this December.

My interest with computers isn`t to repair them, as I`ve already done that for several years and learned it wasn`t my cup of tea, and it would also be considered a conflict of interest seeing as I work at Best Buy where they offer computer repair services. Allow me to digress -- Best Buy is merely a job that affords me a small side income as well as a considerable discount on almost anything I purchase from the store. I don`t think I`ll ever be able to pay retail price for things like USB cables and other accessories again since I know what cost is on them!

My real interest in computers all stems from web and graphic design. Identity development, product and package design, typography, SEO, information architecture, usability etc.

My goal right now is to start honing in some potential business ideas, meeting some people and taking advantage of the valuable resources provided by the community.

Thanks again for your post. It`s going on 4:00am here so I better call it good for tonight.

-Mason

I think  CraigL has done a great job in providing some direction for your search. I just wanted to chime in and say "Welcome to SuN." You will find some wonderful resources here. With any luck, you will be inspired by the conversations and find your next career path. If nothing else, you`ll meet some helpful people and possibly make some long term friends. Hope to read your comments and original posts as time goes on. 

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

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

Hi Vincent. I agree, Craig has been very helpful. I`m really enjoying myself here so far.

Thanks!  

Hey Mason~ Welcome... from one autodidact to another.  We`re at opposite ends of the spectrum though.  Fortunately, my daily dose of "Ideastop" has been keeping the idea flow manageable!

I was thinking.... maybe you could start a meetup.com group in your area for those who have ideas and are looking to partner with those who need ideas.  It`s also a great way to make new acquaintances!

Is "IdeaStop" an over-the-counter thing?

:-)