Sept 9th: AMA- Dane Maxwell

[MJ DeMarco]

Just want to give the forum a HEADS-UP that next Monday we will have Dane Maxwell here for an AMA, and possibly the week after, one of his students in the growth/validation stage.

Dane Maxwell is the founder of The Foundation in which he instructs students on how to create Fastlane businesses under that SAAS model.

Start thinking about questions!

 

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[Eskil]

Very cool. Sounds like right down the Fastlane alley.

Do You Know The Most Important Word In Business? | The Foundation

 

[LibertyForMe]

This is pretty cool, Dane is who really woke me up to business and the fact that I could do it and didn't need a revolutionary idea. Thanks for setting this up MJ.

 

[Gymjunkie]

His stuff makes me sad I don't know how to code! Might have to start learning it. Love how they focus on normal unsexy businesses instead of sexy stuff.

 

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[FreeMan]

Just want to give the forum a HEADS-UP that next Monday we will have Dane Maxwell here for an AMA, and possibly the week after, one of his students in the growth/validation stage.

Dane Maxwell is the founder of The Foundation in which he instructs students on how to create Fastlane businesses under that SAAS model.

Start thinking about questions!

Hey MJ,

I discovered this forum via this thread - https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/ge...-companies-6-months-w-o-money-experience.html, and you were originally a bit skeptical about the program.

Any reasons for the change of heart?

I remember you mentioning in another post that you've heard only good things about The Foundation. So it'd be interesting to hear your thoughts on it.

 

[DennisD]

Anybody who teaches entrepreneurship is bound to get some skepticism.

I personally think that Dane is a really smart guy with some great tactics under his belt. He's an excellent copywriter and can flip a niche site like nobody's business. He's a true entrepreneur in the sense that he sees problems and then creatively finds solutions. I welcome the chance to ask him some questions.

However, "The Foundation" leaves a bad taste in my mouth for some reason. I really, really dislike it. Friends of friends of mine have enrolled and aren't super pleased at the lack of personal attention they get at that pricepoint. I prefer the school of hard-knocks myself personally, or to trade work for personal mentorship, or something else that's NOT the foundation. But I guess we're all different.

 

[1step]

I personally think that Dane is a really smart guy with some great tactics under his belt. He's an excellent copywriter and can flip a niche site like nobody's business. He's a true entrepreneur in the sense that he sees problems and then creatively finds solutions. I welcome the chance to ask him some questions.

The copywriter appears to be his business partner Andy Drish.

However, "The Foundation" leaves a bad taste in my mouth for some reason. I really, really dislike it. Friends of friends of mine have enrolled and aren't super pleased at the lack of personal attention they get at that pricepoint. I prefer the school of hard-knocks myself personally, or to trade work for personal mentorship, or something else that's NOT the foundation. But I guess we're all different.

I personally believe last time they scaled up to have too many students with no systems to accomodate for the time they would all need. This is definitely something I think he would address in the AMA. I have also heard similar things to what you mentioned which leads me to believe they will do something to fix this issue this time around. I know they will be raising the price for the program so I would imagine that would come with more support.

His stuff makes me sad I don't know how to code!

He mentions alot in his copy that you dont need to know how to code and that they teach you how to hire developers to build the projects.

 

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[DennisD]

The copywriter appears to be his business partner Andy Drish.

Maybe for the foundation, but I'm def. talking about Dane.
When I first heard about him it was as a copywriter who flipped niche sites.
How Dane Maxwell used copywriting to reach $400,000 in revenue | Business Tips
I'm def. remembering a story where he'd hand-transcribe Gary Halbert copy to teach himself.

 

[TedM]

interesting. i've never heard of the guy until now.

 

[1step]

I'm def. remembering a story where he'd hand-transcribe Gary Halbert copy to teach himself.

Yeah I remember a story like that as well, I was merely pointing out the fact that for the foundation Andy seems to be the copywriter so if you were to study someone you might want to look at his work as it's clearly one of his strengths if hes doing it over Dane (although I'm sure they work on it together)

 

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[Gymjunkie]

He mentions alot in his copy that you dont need to know how to code and that they teach you how to hire developers to build the projects.

Yes, because he's selling it. You can't manage what you don't know at all. I've went into businesses where I had no chops at all. Didn't workout well. You need to have at least basic understanding of how coding works, you can speak to your hired developer better in this case. Less risk of getting screwed too..

So yeah, it's possible, but it might not be the smartest move.

 

[DennisD]

Yes, because he's selling it. You can't manage what you don't know at all. I've went into businesses where I had no chops at all. Didn't workout well. You need to have at least basic understanding of how coding works, you can speak to your hired developer better in this case. Less risk of getting screwed too..

So yeah, it's possible, but it might not be the smartest move.

I've gotten screwed over by a programmer. I didn't have any base for how long he should be taken, how much money needed to go into it. dude played me like a fiddle, took as much money from me as possible, and left me with nothing.

It's a lot better to get involved with something you know the best.

 

[1step]

Yes, because he's selling it.

True, if this is something you are really interested in I think theres a few ways to approach it.

1. Take a few months time, hundreds of hours to learn to code
2. Look at the foundation program and hope there is guidance on how much to spend on programming and how many hours it takes. You would think in a system like that there would be systems to keep the budget down and get the best price but I am unsure.
3. I also lost money on a software project not knowing to code probably cost me an extra 2k or so (well worth not investing the time to learn) when I had my project on oDesk for bid I got an application to "manage" the project. He was charging something like $50 an hour to look over the proposals and make sure the programmer you hire knew what he was doing... I believe estimated costs were around $500 for the management of the project... Finding someone like this could also save you money and time from learning to code, so maybe something like this would be an option for you.

 

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[DeletedUser2]

I talked with him a couple years ago. very bright guy!

Like his style

Z

 

[MJ DeMarco]

and you were originally a bit skeptical about the program.

I'm naturally skeptical of everything.

Any reasons for the change of heart?

Having Dane here is neither an endorsement or a dismissal of his program. I've heard many good things about it from others, not including those who participate here. Ultimately, after hearing from him I'm sure many others will be able to make their own judgments. From what I read of his process, it resonates as Fastlane to me (including the teaching of it.)

 

[Gymjunkie]

True, if this is something you are really interested in I think theres a few ways to approach it.

1. Take a few months time, hundreds of hours to learn to code
2. Look at the foundation program and hope there is guidance on how much to spend on programming and how many hours it takes. You would think in a system like that there would be systems to keep the budget down and get the best price but I am unsure.
3. I also lost money on a software project not knowing to code probably cost me an extra 2k or so (well worth not investing the time to learn) when I had my project on oDesk for bid I got an application to "manage" the project. He was charging something like $50 an hour to look over the proposals and make sure the programmer you hire knew what he was doing... I believe estimated costs were around $500 for the management of the project... Finding someone like this could also save you money and time from learning to code, so maybe something like this would be an option for you.

1. I kind of like it, because it's a valuable skill that can be leveraged for multiple projects and businesses in the future. You don't need to be the best at it either.

2. Sure is, but the program is expensive too. But not saying it's bad or anything, it seems like a good program. Dude knows what he says.

3. Have to trust the manager too then, if it was a friend I'd do it maybe. Not perfect but an option.

 

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[D. Maxwell]

Looking forward to playing here

I hope you guys can ask me the hard questions.