New stuff every day? We’re listening.
I love a website that has something new on it each day that I visit. If I know that a site will have something fresh for me every day, that’s one that I’ll revisit constantly.
This is going to happen at StartupNation.com. We already do crank out a ton of great entrepreneurial content: articles, radio shows, 10 Steps to Open For Business, On Demand Seminars. But you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
We’re going to be "Less Creative and More Attentive" to our community. This doesn’t mean that we won’t still have the terrific cutting edge creativity that our team is known for, it just means that if you tell us you want it, we’re going to deliver.
An example? Community Boards. So many of you have told us that you want a way to get the word out about your product or service to the StartupNation community, or you would like insight from other entrepreneurs who have travelled the road before you. Or you would like to be a mentor to others who are starting a business. We hear from our community every day, and coming soon you all will get to join in on that conversation.
We’re still in the planning stages, so if you have more requests, let us know. We expect to launch the community boards at the very end of February. I’m the chief community officer and I’ll be driving this launch, but our entire StartupNation team is involved in this project.
We want to make StartupNation a part of your daily life and StartupNation.com a place you can’t live without.
December 5th, 2005 at 9:53 pm
Dear StartUp Nation,
I am interested in sharing an idea of mine with you and if you have any ideas from your knowledge and experience where to start. I have read your book. If I share my idea, is it confidential on this web site? Do I need to present to you my confidentiality agreement?
Sincerely,
Mary Glenn Malone
Nashville, Tennessee
December 7th, 2005 at 9:44 am
Mary,
The Sloan brothers will be available to you and the entire StartupNation community this evening for a free phone seminar. Just call in at 8pm eastern (5pm pacific) to ask your question. The toll free number is 1-800-430-0424 (PIN 0424).
See (hear) you tonight!
Joel Welsh
December 7th, 2005 at 12:20 pm
Dear Start Up Nation,
Will the future community board provide insight into what local or regional community’s can offer entreprenuers? The reason I ask is because my profession is as a Realtor who specializes in residential real estate but I volunteer in my local community on the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals. As such I am actively involved in my community’s master plan process. Thus I am interested in knowing what the needs of entreprenuers are.
December 7th, 2005 at 3:22 pm
Nicole,
The community board will be a place where you can ask just that question and other members of the community will be able to offer their wisdom directly to you. We won’t put limits on what the community wants to do with this - it’s yours to direct!
Joel
December 7th, 2005 at 5:06 pm
I have been in the credit card processing industry for 5 years and presently own CardChoice International a registered ISO for Harris Bank. I would like to donate my time to educate your business owners on the value of accepting Visa and MasterCard. I can be reached at 866-350-3200. Keep in mind by accepting major credit cards your business will grow between 20 and 40%.
Thank you,
Ray McGrogan
President
CardChoice International
866-350-3200
http://www.cardchoice.com
December 8th, 2005 at 12:10 pm
I need some info on how to search for suppliers. We have an idea for some novelty stickers but the domestic suppliers are too expensive. We have been in touch with a supplier in Tiawan but are novices on overseas suppliers, tariffs, customs, etc. We have no clue how to find out what types of additional expenses and paperwork are involved with overseas suppliers. Thanks.
December 8th, 2005 at 2:22 pm
Sarah,
You might check with your local or regional Chamber of Commerce. Often, they have information on these types of resources and sometimes even have a program for international business that you can tap into.
Let us know how it turns out!
Joel
December 12th, 2005 at 10:43 am
Hi,
I am in a desperate situation, to say the least. I have been looking for funding for a start-up restaurant in a suburb of Houston, TX for the last 8 months. I have gone to practically every bank in Houston and paid out more than $4000 to financial service providers and have gotten nowhere. My credit is poor but I have 2 strong guarantors while I clean it up. I secured my lease several months ago and will have to start paying rent in January yet my building is still not constructed.
I’m seeking any advice and sources of financing start-up independent restaurants leasing the space.
February 3rd, 2006 at 12:39 pm
Hi–
I think the community forum should have a "Find a Partner" section.
With new technology, virtual partnerships are easier to arrange and manage.
What do you guys think?