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- Aug 7, 2014
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Figured I'd talk for a little about something I've done and share my humble opinions and workflow. Maybe it'll help.
I run an Aquaponics System. For those of you who aren't familiar it involves a large fish tank (mine is 300 gallons), a water pump, and a grow bed. I pump the fish water from the tank into the grow-bed which I have plants growing in. Fish make Ammonia which turns into Nitrites which then turns into Nitrates. Plants love Nitrates and use them all up as fertilizers. As a result the water is filtered and a simple bell-siphon drops the fresh water right back into the fish tank. This makes for happy fish (Tilapia in my case) and big happy plants (large variety of veggies and fruits).
So whats my point? It has problems...And they make myself and the many thousands and thousands of other Aquaponics owners very upset... Gardens have pests... And this garden is no different... Lots and lots of mean bugs that damage your crops. Not good. Guess what else isn't good. Using pesticides. It will kill the fish. None of the products available can be used in an Aquaponics environment without risking all of your fish. So the best solution? Rip out all of your plants. Wait for the pests to die. Re-plant everything. Hope they don't come back. This method sucks. I would know because I've had to do it twice. That angers me.
So there's a big problem that needs fixing:
I researched MSDS, Aquatic life groups, I asked Biology friends, Chemist friends, searched forums, articles, etc, and came up with an idea to fix the problem.
HERE'S THE MOST IMPORTANT PART!!!!
Once I had the idea figured out did I start a website? NO!!
Did I get a business License??? NO!!!
Did I make business cards and plaster it with CEO,PRESIDENT,FOUNDER?? NO!!!
Did I look for an Angel Investor, VC, Business Partner? NOPE.
I didn't even pick out a name!!!!!!
I made and tested my product
I didn't spend $50 bucks here on a Wordpress template. I didn't throw $40 at this or that. I didn't give $100 to Kinkos to make business cards. I didn't spend $80 on a business license. Didn't get my EIN set up...
I went to the store and bought ingredients and supplies necessary to make and test my product, and all I did was make and test my product until it worked.
This whole rant is simply to explain that I have thrown so much money at crap for the sake of looking successful. I've wasted THOUSANDS of dollars on stupid, dumb, idiotic, POINTLESS processes.
Find a need. Create a product that fixes the problem. See if people want it. See if it sells. Then focus more on the other stuff.
Now that my product is made, I picked a name. I've made a landing page and started collecting interest. I've started setting up talks with business owners to start carrying the product. I've had a friend do my graphics and labels. All of this has been free. I'm still not spending money. I want to make money. Not spend it. Do the same please.
I run an Aquaponics System. For those of you who aren't familiar it involves a large fish tank (mine is 300 gallons), a water pump, and a grow bed. I pump the fish water from the tank into the grow-bed which I have plants growing in. Fish make Ammonia which turns into Nitrites which then turns into Nitrates. Plants love Nitrates and use them all up as fertilizers. As a result the water is filtered and a simple bell-siphon drops the fresh water right back into the fish tank. This makes for happy fish (Tilapia in my case) and big happy plants (large variety of veggies and fruits).
So whats my point? It has problems...And they make myself and the many thousands and thousands of other Aquaponics owners very upset... Gardens have pests... And this garden is no different... Lots and lots of mean bugs that damage your crops. Not good. Guess what else isn't good. Using pesticides. It will kill the fish. None of the products available can be used in an Aquaponics environment without risking all of your fish. So the best solution? Rip out all of your plants. Wait for the pests to die. Re-plant everything. Hope they don't come back. This method sucks. I would know because I've had to do it twice. That angers me.
So there's a big problem that needs fixing:
I researched MSDS, Aquatic life groups, I asked Biology friends, Chemist friends, searched forums, articles, etc, and came up with an idea to fix the problem.
HERE'S THE MOST IMPORTANT PART!!!!
Once I had the idea figured out did I start a website? NO!!
Did I get a business License??? NO!!!
Did I make business cards and plaster it with CEO,PRESIDENT,FOUNDER?? NO!!!
Did I look for an Angel Investor, VC, Business Partner? NOPE.
I didn't even pick out a name!!!!!!
I made and tested my product
I didn't spend $50 bucks here on a Wordpress template. I didn't throw $40 at this or that. I didn't give $100 to Kinkos to make business cards. I didn't spend $80 on a business license. Didn't get my EIN set up...
I went to the store and bought ingredients and supplies necessary to make and test my product, and all I did was make and test my product until it worked.
This whole rant is simply to explain that I have thrown so much money at crap for the sake of looking successful. I've wasted THOUSANDS of dollars on stupid, dumb, idiotic, POINTLESS processes.
Find a need. Create a product that fixes the problem. See if people want it. See if it sells. Then focus more on the other stuff.
Now that my product is made, I picked a name. I've made a landing page and started collecting interest. I've started setting up talks with business owners to start carrying the product. I've had a friend do my graphics and labels. All of this has been free. I'm still not spending money. I want to make money. Not spend it. Do the same please.
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Last edited:
The point is stop acting and start doing. I was speaking generally of things that are important.. Not the order in which you should complete said actions.
