Even Dane Maxwell Would Be Amazed - Creating A SaaS Business with NO Money Like In The Foundation

[Harti]

Sorry for the lack of updates the last days. Yesterday was my birthday and I didn't work, at Friday I was preparing stuff for that and also celebrated. Let's see how the next days are going.

 

[Harti]

Day 27: Further market research

Since my friend is in Berlin again I have to work on my own. Today I researched more about existing products that solve this problem. The conclusion is that there is one company who solved it in the US and has several explanations about the technical side of the product online and in videos.
This motivates me really much because now I know that the implementation is possible and that there must be a market for it (even though the website looks pretty bad it is online for several years now).

Even though we only talked to the golf instructor about it it seems extremely logical to me that this is something the people would want. It feels similar to the idea of putting wheels on a bag.

The next thing to do is to find out how much the problem is costing the golf clubs at the moment. I will calculate it roughly and try to talk to some people about it.

Harti

 

[Harti]

Okay guys I'm really sorry for not posting. This thread is also for accountability and I haven't been following the process the last few days.
The reason for that is simple and explains my earlier problem why I don't work efficient when my mate isn't around: Balancing.

My gf is on vacation for the next 3 weeks and I spent much time with her the last week. My motivation to work is extremely diminished when she is around and I couldn't get myself up to do something. I realized I need to set priorities but didn't know how.

Then I picked up the book The ONE Thing by Gary Keller which deals with my problem and it will be better.

Today I was about to go to the golf club when literally it started to rain as soon as I was outside. It feels like an excuse but I am going to find another thing to do now (pretty hard if you are in the idea extraction phase and the only really efficient thing would be talking to the staff..).

Harti

 

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[Harti]

Day 33: Visiting the local golf club

Today I have been at the local golf club and talked to some people. Mainly I wanted to get an overview and myself out of the house. Unfortunately the staff member(s) I was looking for aren't there today but I got a business card with phone and E-Mail to contact them. I will call tomorrow and try to get to them during work.

Additionally my friend finally told me that he doesn't want to continue our project. Thus an accountability source is gone, I am totally on my own now and it feels a little bit scary.

It doesn't make it easier that the only really productive thing would be to talk to the people because there is no abundance of them here - there are only two golf clubs nearby that I could visit. I would have to rely on phone and after the reference in the logistics industry I am not really confident in that and afraid of rejection and stagnation. This might turn into a self fulfilling prophecy..

I will also shoot the photo for Xing today. Maybe networking through that will turn things around.

Any comments are highly appreciated.

Harti

 

[Harti]

Day 35 + 36: Leads + JOB

So guys. Yesterday was again all about lead generation and thinking of how I could provide value to the golf course owner and presidents. I talked to @JasonR about it and his advice was to turn myself away from this project and expand my view on things - apparently something of my approach must be too "zoomed in". His tip was getting into affiliate marketing and learning something there first to build a nice base for creating an own business.
To be honest I had similar thoughts - I turned 19 a week ago and don't have many practical experiences (except 6 months working at a local supermarket). My life was full of school until now.

Coincidentally I got a commission based sales job offered today. I will get enough leads to call 50 people a day (or get called by them) and I have to sell SEO services. And all of this in english (only my second language).
It seems like a challenge and an excellent opportunity to gather some life experiences and I will definitely go for it. Not for the money (I think I would even do it for free) but to learn - I think this will unstifle me on the phone. And learning to sell will also ultimately help me in this business.

I won't give up on building a business but my focus will shift to the job and learning to SELL.

Harti

 

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[Joe Cassandra]

I read in Forbes I believe that people are spending less on golf nowadays (due to how expensive it can get).

Yet, at the same time, there's never been more 65+ year olds in the history of the world. Could there be a specific niche [older golfers] you might be able to target?

It might take more research as most retired probably lost a bunch of their "safety net" aka 401ks in the recession, but perhaps in the next decade.

I get this thought just because during my call with Jack E. , he mentioned how there aren't that many people catering to the older people and thus if you can find a collection of old people somewhere that are underserved, you'll have a good market.

Good luck with the new job and selling, your English is good for being a 2nd language.

 

[Harti]

Thank you so much @IceCreamKid for your answer. I love reading your posts, they are really resonating with me on a deeper level.

 

[LouieLouie]

When I was at home I created the list of the successful SaaS companies created in The Foundation. I couldn't find any specific trend - it really is all over the place - but the tendency is to go to smaller and more concrete niches than logistics.

Harti

Do you mind sharing that list? I am signed up and working my way into the foundation.(Not totally sure I understand what they are offering but I am very interested in the SaaS route too.)

I am seriously considering joining you on the same journey. (Might be fun to have some friendly competition? )

Anyway good luck, keep going don't give up!

 

[Harti]

Awesome post @Tregan , thank you very much for the information. I am sure you saved us much time.

To be honest I like the idea of SaaS much more than creating a physical product but I don't want to close my eyes if there is a good idea in front of me.

 

[Deleted25186]

Day 33: Visiting the local golf club

Today I have been at the local golf club and talked to some people. Mainly I wanted to get an overview and myself out of the house. Unfortunately the staff member(s) I was looking for aren't there today but I got a business card with phone and E-Mail to contact them. I will call tomorrow and try to get to them during work.

Additionally my friend finally told me that he doesn't want to continue our project. Thus an accountability source is gone, I am totally on my own now and it feels a little bit scary.

It doesn't make it easier that the only really productive thing would be to talk to the people because there is no abundance of them here - there are only two golf clubs nearby that I could visit. I would have to rely on phone and after the reference in the logistics industry I am not really confident in that and afraid of rejection and stagnation. This might turn into a self fulfilling prophecy..

I will also shoot the photo for Xing today. Maybe networking through that will turn things around.

Any comments are highly appreciated.

Harti

Hey Harti.
My name is Alan. I am 18 years old and live in Germany. I am also looking into starting a SaaS business.
Where are you located? I live in NRW. Maybe it would be possible to meet up and try to attack this together.

 

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[Harti]

Finding a need is difficult indeed isnt it?

Yeah. I would never have thought that THIS will be a problem.

Where are you working now? Look for needs in your field of expertise first. Ask your boss about what he would like to see one day if technology allows it.

Finished school a month ago and didn't get a job until now.

So Golf... Online booking will become normal sooner or later like all industries. I would do this, as a startup you can disrupt the market easily.
Think of things that will save them money, your app could handle all membership and credit cards details. People can join online and renew their membership. You can bill monthly or yearly and send an invoice to their email. I bet this shit is costing them one staff for 2-3 days a week just for membership, invoicing, talking on the phone, chasing payments etc.
I bet they got one staff just handling bookings of tee offs, managing times available and taking phone calls and stuff. Your members will have card details already on account in the app so they can book and pay online easily, or get the playing time charged at the end of the month onto their card with invoice generated automatically
Think of your app as having one person doing both jobs so easily its a piece of cake. sell this to the golf courses. They will save 20k+ a year and your app will cost 1-2k a year.

Thank you for writing this. It opened up my mind for more again.

Hey Harti.
My name is Alan. I am 18 years old and live in Germany. I am also looking into starting a SaaS business.
Where are you located? I live in NRW. Maybe it would be possible to meet up and try to attack this together.

I'm in Bavaria. :/

Harti

 

[Harti]

The true test of an entrepreneur is to keep going when others have given up, to do the things others won't, even when it appears fruitless.

Rep+, thank you.

Harti

 

[jon.a]

...and thus if you can find a collection of old people somewhere that are underserved, you'll have a good market.

A herd of old people?

 

[Joe Cassandra]

A herd of old people?

How fast do you move before you can be designated as a herd

 

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[Harry321]

Any updates @Harti ? Great thread so far.

 

[francevalue]

@Harti What's up 6 years later? If you're still here

 

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