Hey everyone. My name is Nick and I’m not broke, jobless or unhappy with my life.
The reason I’m here is because I have been struggling with the next step in my life. I’ve never lacked drive or focus even as a kid. Both of my parents are in the medical profession so I always thought I’d follow in their footsteps. In college I realized I don’t care for medicine so I switched to chemical engineering. I failed my chemical engineering courses so I switched to mechanical engineering.
I graduated with a decent GPA but not good enough in a down economy. I decided I needed some connections and had my fiancé walk out on me so I decided to do something I always wanted to do…I joined the Army. I signed up to join the Mississippi Army National Guard and left for Basic Training. After Basic Training I hopped on a plane to Fort Benning, Georgia to become a commissioned officer (2nd Lieutenant). I branched as an engineering officer.
During my first assignment as a combat engineer platoon leader I met my XO (executive officer) who hired me at a local engineering company. He became my boss. Together, the two of us built up the office into one of the most profitable in the division. However, because he was the boss and I wasn’t, he obtained the accolades and promotions while I fed off the scraps. I’m not complaining though. Atleast I have a job to support my family and it helps to funds my dreams.
Business Endeavor 1 (Concept): Start a company that sells pre-cut, pre-drilled and unfinished wood for easy DIY furniture.
Business Endeavor 1 (Result): FAILURE. Why did it fail? Because the product was too time consuming to manufacture on my own and the profit potential was slim because it took too much time to produce. Also, the product shipping cost too much because of the weight.
Business Endeavor 1 (Lessons Learned): Find something faster to manufacture and lightweight.
Business Endeavor 2 (Concept): Start a company that teaches motorcycle riders how to survive when riding on the streets.
Business Endeavor 2 (Result): FAILURE. Why did it fail? Because the product reach was limited (relatively few motorcycle riders in America compared to other countries) and not scalable without large amounts of capital.
Business Endeavor 2 (Lessons Learned): Find something with more reach. Something that appeals to a wider audience.
Business Endeavor 3 (Concept): Start a company that sells a hot selling niche product (fidget spinners).
Business Endeavor 3 (Result): FAILURE. Why did it fail? I actually found out about this trend BEFORE it become so popular. I identified that it would become hugely popular. I made two mistakes. First, I spent too much time getting the website just right, ordering samples, ect. Second, I didn’t order my products quick enough. By the time I got them, the market was saturated. I keep the unsold spinners in my garage near my door so I have to look at them everyday. They are a reminder to act fast and without hesitation.
Business Endeavor 3 (Lessons Learned): Move with a purpose!!!
Business Endeavor 4 (Concept): Build a BRAND. I have a vision of where I want the company to be, who my target audience is and how to scale it. I am using print on demand services as a starting point but the end result will move past that.
Business Endeavor 4 (Result): Still in the works. I work 8-5, have two kids, come home, workout at 8:30 pm, and work from 9:00 to 1:00 am every night. On the weekends I work a couple hours during the day. It’s an uphill battle and my mind is my own worst enemy.
Business Endeavor 4 (Lessons Learned): Arm yourself with skills first. I am not good as social media, drawing (art), design or marketing. Every night I teach myself a few of these skills and put them to work the rest of the night.
I know that print on demand services is overused but I have identified the weak points in my competitions armor and am currently exploiting it. My sales are slow but I know why that is. I need to convey what my brand is all about but I’m having a hard time showing that via text, images and video. I know I will eventually figure it out but I have a bad habit of comparing myself to the juggernauts in the industry.
I’m looking forward to absorbing as much knowledge as possible from this forum. I don’t lack motivation, drive or need a business plan. I need more knowledge!
All the best,
Nick
The reason I’m here is because I have been struggling with the next step in my life. I’ve never lacked drive or focus even as a kid. Both of my parents are in the medical profession so I always thought I’d follow in their footsteps. In college I realized I don’t care for medicine so I switched to chemical engineering. I failed my chemical engineering courses so I switched to mechanical engineering.
I graduated with a decent GPA but not good enough in a down economy. I decided I needed some connections and had my fiancé walk out on me so I decided to do something I always wanted to do…I joined the Army. I signed up to join the Mississippi Army National Guard and left for Basic Training. After Basic Training I hopped on a plane to Fort Benning, Georgia to become a commissioned officer (2nd Lieutenant). I branched as an engineering officer.
During my first assignment as a combat engineer platoon leader I met my XO (executive officer) who hired me at a local engineering company. He became my boss. Together, the two of us built up the office into one of the most profitable in the division. However, because he was the boss and I wasn’t, he obtained the accolades and promotions while I fed off the scraps. I’m not complaining though. Atleast I have a job to support my family and it helps to funds my dreams.
Business Endeavor 1 (Concept): Start a company that sells pre-cut, pre-drilled and unfinished wood for easy DIY furniture.
Business Endeavor 1 (Result): FAILURE. Why did it fail? Because the product was too time consuming to manufacture on my own and the profit potential was slim because it took too much time to produce. Also, the product shipping cost too much because of the weight.
Business Endeavor 1 (Lessons Learned): Find something faster to manufacture and lightweight.
Business Endeavor 2 (Concept): Start a company that teaches motorcycle riders how to survive when riding on the streets.
Business Endeavor 2 (Result): FAILURE. Why did it fail? Because the product reach was limited (relatively few motorcycle riders in America compared to other countries) and not scalable without large amounts of capital.
Business Endeavor 2 (Lessons Learned): Find something with more reach. Something that appeals to a wider audience.
Business Endeavor 3 (Concept): Start a company that sells a hot selling niche product (fidget spinners).
Business Endeavor 3 (Result): FAILURE. Why did it fail? I actually found out about this trend BEFORE it become so popular. I identified that it would become hugely popular. I made two mistakes. First, I spent too much time getting the website just right, ordering samples, ect. Second, I didn’t order my products quick enough. By the time I got them, the market was saturated. I keep the unsold spinners in my garage near my door so I have to look at them everyday. They are a reminder to act fast and without hesitation.
Business Endeavor 3 (Lessons Learned): Move with a purpose!!!
Business Endeavor 4 (Concept): Build a BRAND. I have a vision of where I want the company to be, who my target audience is and how to scale it. I am using print on demand services as a starting point but the end result will move past that.
Business Endeavor 4 (Result): Still in the works. I work 8-5, have two kids, come home, workout at 8:30 pm, and work from 9:00 to 1:00 am every night. On the weekends I work a couple hours during the day. It’s an uphill battle and my mind is my own worst enemy.
Business Endeavor 4 (Lessons Learned): Arm yourself with skills first. I am not good as social media, drawing (art), design or marketing. Every night I teach myself a few of these skills and put them to work the rest of the night.
I know that print on demand services is overused but I have identified the weak points in my competitions armor and am currently exploiting it. My sales are slow but I know why that is. I need to convey what my brand is all about but I’m having a hard time showing that via text, images and video. I know I will eventually figure it out but I have a bad habit of comparing myself to the juggernauts in the industry.
I’m looking forward to absorbing as much knowledge as possible from this forum. I don’t lack motivation, drive or need a business plan. I need more knowledge!
All the best,
Nick
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