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Starting an early stage entreprenuer support group

 
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conanh

posts: 4

Oct 16, 2007 3:44 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Hi all,

After months and months (and months) of working on my own a couple of hours each day early in the morning before going to my job, it`s gotten rather lonely.  As others here an SuN have suggested, I`ve joined a local entrepreneurial-focused Meetup (meetup.com), but I need something more connected and with people at about the same stage as I am.

So following a lot of thought, research in to what makes a good support group, and searching but finding nothing, I`ve decided to take matters in my own and create my own solution:  I`m starting my own.

My goals for the group are to:
  • Hold each other accountable & push each other to make commitments for action
  • Provide positive support for successes and rough times
  • Serve as a sounding board and feedback loop for ideas
Since I want to keep the group rather small (7 members, at least at first) and focused, here are the requirements for participants:
  • Must be in the early stages or pre-stages of starting a business
  • Need to have at least a business idea
  • Must have a "first milestone" vision for your business as well as at least one short-term goal to move you in that direction
  • Must be able to commit to a one-hour conference call once a week plus a few minutes nearly every day to report and support as the group picks up
This group will be free but require a commitment.  If you`re interested, please respond to this forum topic or message me (click on my username to the left, then on the "Send message" link under my picture) the following information:
  1. What stage of startup you`re in
  2. What area/category your business is in (e.g. e-commerce, retail product, franchise, consultant, services, software, etc.)
Thanks,


Conan.
conanh2007-10-16 21:56:59
Oct 16, 2007 5:49 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Conan-
 
I think that is a great idea.  I was afraid of running into the same problems, so I sort of formed a support group by creating a podcast about my business.  The support group consists of the listeners who write in and let me know what they think I am doing well, ideas that they have for the business, and comments on what they think I am not doing so well.  It also forces me to set both long and short term goals and remain accountable for completing the tasks.  The show is posted every Sunday night so  I have to have the tasks completed before the next weeks show.  
 
I agree that you should keep it small, but would consider having a range of entrepreneurs in different stages of their businesses.  The wide range of experience could prove to be very helpful to everyone.  Just a thought.  Good luck! 


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

Anthony LeGree

President of Basset Communications
Host of the Business with Cents Show
KenGalo

posts: 10

Oct 18, 2007 3:11 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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A couple of years ago I was faced with the same dilemma.  I changed it by starting an on line resource center for the people in my industry, links to everything I could find to assist them.  This gave birth to an forum that has now exceeded 5000 people since 2004.  We have had 2 annual large group meetings here in the US, Chicago in 04 and Louisville in 06 and numerous small groups have met on a regional basis about every 3-4 months.  I have since taken on a couple of partners in these groups and it is really developing fast.  The exchange of ideas, sharing the horror stories and supporting each other has been the key to our success.
 
I had tried a couple of the other meetup type programs but they never really amounted too much.  People would come and go too fast to develop any type of relationship and those outside of a specific industry were exactly that, outside.  By targeting people within my industry I`ve developed a group of about 60 hardcore fanatic`s like myself.
It`s been very rewarding.
Good luck, if you need any help, just ask.
KenGalo10/18/2007 3:13 PM


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

Ken Galo
Empire Building isn`t easy but it`s fun.
www.lk-clean.com
www.cleanpeers.com
www.icasupplycentral.com
www.globalcleaningassociation.com
AsiaOrBust

posts: 19

Oct 23, 2007 2:22 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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Fantastic idea!  I hit a several month-long lull with my project, but it`s finally starting to pick up again, and I`m just trying to keep myself motivated.


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

Darien Brown
dbrown02@gmail.com
Rich

posts: 1738

Oct 23, 2007 7:51 AM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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is there a way that we can have the StartupNation online forums play a role? i think this kind of "banding together" is very valuable....

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

Rich Sloan , Co-Founder, Chief Startupologist, StartupNation
KenGalo

posts: 10

Oct 23, 2007 12:58 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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My key has been to attract like minded people by getting out there on the message boards, I even joined a couple of boards that my possible clients use.  Once you establish a little credibility the contacts start building.
 
Next, I start referring people over to one another to help.  If one person is an expert at `X` and another has a question, I help them get connected.
 
If you would like, I can get StartupNation listed here: http://www.cleanpeers.com/communities.htm
 
This will start to bring you some business owners from the service industry.
 
 


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

Ken Galo
Empire Building isn`t easy but it`s fun.
www.lk-clean.com
www.cleanpeers.com
www.icasupplycentral.com
www.globalcleaningassociation.com
RabbitMountain

posts: 423

Nov 02, 2007 2:26 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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is there a way that we can have the StartupNation online forums play a role? i think this kind of "banding together" is very valuable....


Hey Rich — not sure if this is what you had in mind, but a hidden forum of our own would be very helpful. I think we`re open to suggestions as well... skype doesn`t seem terribly reliable.

—paula
Rich

posts: 1738

Nov 02, 2007 2:32 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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a password access forum area?

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

Rich Sloan , Co-Founder, Chief Startupologist, StartupNation
RabbitMountain

posts: 423

Nov 02, 2007 2:37 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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That would work, or even just one that is not listed on the main forums list.
KenGalo

posts: 10

Nov 02, 2007 4:42 PM ET    Quote  Report Abuse
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My main forum site is www.globalcleaningassociation.com
 
We built in the password protected forum mainly to keep the spammers, porn, casino and viagra people off.  There are 3 of us who take turns monitoring the daily membership applications and approve them manually.  We average 7-10 new members per day and around 40 spammers per day but the board stays clean of garbage which keeps our participating members very happy.
 
Takes each of us about 15 minutes per day to sweep through the members applications.  We started in 2003 with 60 cleaning fanatics and we just passed the 5200 mark this week in members.
 
I`m willing to help if you need it.


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

Ken Galo
Empire Building isn`t easy but it`s fun.
www.lk-clean.com
www.cleanpeers.com
www.icasupplycentral.com
www.globalcleaningassociation.com
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