My name is Alex. I'm from Kentucky (USA). I'm a beginner entrepreneur who was referred here by a friend from a startup incubator I participated in this past fall. I haven't read MFL or Unscripted yet but I downloaded the free chapters 5 minutes ago and will read those today.
I grew up not knowing what an "entrepreneur" was (or that the word even existed), despite having a father who successfully started his own company and has worked on his own terms for the past 15+ years. He didn't go to college and worked physical labor his whole life. We didn't know there was a word for what he did or who he was - we just knew dad had his own business and sometimes it went well, sometimes it didn't.
Since I was 5, I was told I would go to college. I ended up in pharmacy school because I liked health and it guaranteed a high income. I wanted a big house in the rich part of town, a pool, a fancy car, etc. I got my Doctorate of Pharmacy and MBA, in exchange for $140K in student loan debt. From Day 1, my plan was to open my own independent pharmacy so I could be like my father and be my own boss.
Then I read Tim Ferriss. Everything about 4HWW spoke to me. I realized owning a pharmacy would give me some freedom. But I'd still be stuck at a physical location, I'd still be a hostage to outside forces (insurance companies), and I would still be looking at a 20-year delayed life plan, at best. I realized I didn't really want a big house (too much to clean and take care of), I didn't care about cars, I didn't even care as much about money as I thought I did.
What I wanted - and still want - is freedom. Freedom to work on my own terms. Freedom to travel when and where I want. Freedom to take a Wednesday off to go to the park with my fiancee for no reason other than we can.
I entered my 3-year "wantrepreneur" stage in 2014. I read lots of books, lots of articles, studied people like Tim and Ramit Sethi and Billy Murphy who all had created the life I wanted. In wantrepreneur fashion, I took next to zero action. I started a health blog and got zero traction because I didn't know how to market (I just expected people to come to me). I had a short-lived healthcare start-up that was a lot of fun but ultimately fizzled out. I hopped from idea to idea, giving up when something didn't instantly make $10,000 the first month.
Where I'm at now: While completing my pharmacy residency, I started my supplement company (Sanctus Nutrition: nutritional supplements with zero artificial sweeteners, no food colorings, and better formulations backed by science) in March 2017. For the first time, I took REAL action on an idea and stuck with it. I made mistakes, and actively learned from them.
I made my first real "sales" push in May 2017, when I started taking pre-orders. I made my first $1, which was the coolest feeling in the world. Then I made my first $100. My first $200.
This past week, I made my first $500. I'm hooked.
What I'm looking for here: a community to learn from. Experienced entrepreneurs who have valuable insights to offer. Like-minded people to talk business with, to tear my ideas to pieces, to help me build a successful business.
What I have to offer: as mentioned, I'm a beginning entrepreneur with little experience. But I've finally moved past the Wantrepreneur stage. I finally got off the sidelines and into The Arena. If you're struggling with this, it's one area relevant to this forum I feel I can help with.
Thanks @MJ DeMarco for building a valuable resource and community. I'm excited to be here, and looking forward to learning and growing with you all.
I grew up not knowing what an "entrepreneur" was (or that the word even existed), despite having a father who successfully started his own company and has worked on his own terms for the past 15+ years. He didn't go to college and worked physical labor his whole life. We didn't know there was a word for what he did or who he was - we just knew dad had his own business and sometimes it went well, sometimes it didn't.
Since I was 5, I was told I would go to college. I ended up in pharmacy school because I liked health and it guaranteed a high income. I wanted a big house in the rich part of town, a pool, a fancy car, etc. I got my Doctorate of Pharmacy and MBA, in exchange for $140K in student loan debt. From Day 1, my plan was to open my own independent pharmacy so I could be like my father and be my own boss.
Then I read Tim Ferriss. Everything about 4HWW spoke to me. I realized owning a pharmacy would give me some freedom. But I'd still be stuck at a physical location, I'd still be a hostage to outside forces (insurance companies), and I would still be looking at a 20-year delayed life plan, at best. I realized I didn't really want a big house (too much to clean and take care of), I didn't care about cars, I didn't even care as much about money as I thought I did.
What I wanted - and still want - is freedom. Freedom to work on my own terms. Freedom to travel when and where I want. Freedom to take a Wednesday off to go to the park with my fiancee for no reason other than we can.
I entered my 3-year "wantrepreneur" stage in 2014. I read lots of books, lots of articles, studied people like Tim and Ramit Sethi and Billy Murphy who all had created the life I wanted. In wantrepreneur fashion, I took next to zero action. I started a health blog and got zero traction because I didn't know how to market (I just expected people to come to me). I had a short-lived healthcare start-up that was a lot of fun but ultimately fizzled out. I hopped from idea to idea, giving up when something didn't instantly make $10,000 the first month.
Where I'm at now: While completing my pharmacy residency, I started my supplement company (Sanctus Nutrition: nutritional supplements with zero artificial sweeteners, no food colorings, and better formulations backed by science) in March 2017. For the first time, I took REAL action on an idea and stuck with it. I made mistakes, and actively learned from them.
I made my first real "sales" push in May 2017, when I started taking pre-orders. I made my first $1, which was the coolest feeling in the world. Then I made my first $100. My first $200.
This past week, I made my first $500. I'm hooked.
What I'm looking for here: a community to learn from. Experienced entrepreneurs who have valuable insights to offer. Like-minded people to talk business with, to tear my ideas to pieces, to help me build a successful business.
What I have to offer: as mentioned, I'm a beginning entrepreneur with little experience. But I've finally moved past the Wantrepreneur stage. I finally got off the sidelines and into The Arena. If you're struggling with this, it's one area relevant to this forum I feel I can help with.
Thanks @MJ DeMarco for building a valuable resource and community. I'm excited to be here, and looking forward to learning and growing with you all.
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