As Richard Reed, co-founder of innocent Drinks, says ‘you need to get it started’.
It can sometimes be tempting to stick with what you know. Embarking on a new path may seem daunting but ultimately, there’s only so much thinking and planning you can do before you need to take action.
The Challenge? Share how you’re going to ‘get it started’.
After reading Branson’s latest book “Screw business as usual” – I did. I made a commitment to myself that what ever happens, this will be the year I launch my first company. No more stalling!
Furthermore, I decided to incorporate every positive social, environmental and entrepreneurial aspect directly in the company core. Only then can I be truly proud of and stand tall while being the head (and face) of the company.
We were luckily enough to meet Richard Reed as part of the “Be your own boss” TV series! He gave us this exact advice and if it wasn’t for just going out there and getting it started we wouldn’t be where we are now!
We have now secured a start-up loan and are on our way to growing our business and making our dreams a reality.
Even though it’s scary, take his advice and GET IT STARTED :-)
That’s awesome news! It’s so great to hear that Richard Reed’s advice made such a big difference.
Was your start-up loan through this? http://www.virginmediapioneers.com/2013/01/start-up-loans-scheme-extended
Good luck with growing your business. We’re looking forward to reading your updates.
My problem is too many ideas! I have all these ideas (luckily a husband who is a web designer!!) and I just try everything. I am close to launching something big in the next month, watch this space!!
I have the exact same problem! Which is why I became a web designer, I figured if I could build a decent website it would make things easier when starting up.
Richard is right – sometimes you just have to get up & go! otherwise procrastination might get the better of you.
I’m about to launch a start-up which caters to the pre-wedding market. Showerella creates activity box sets for a fresh & sophisticated twist on the traditional Bridal Party.
It started with one bridal shower and I slowly tested the concept by hosting more and more bridal showers & hen parties – each time I refined my product offering based on customer’s feedback.
Now our first retail-ready product “Scentelier” – a luxe perfume making party box set for bridal showers & hen parties – will launch this month. This would have never happened without me taking that first step with that first bridal shower.
Lao Tzu put it perfectly “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
Hope my short “Founder’s Video” inspires someone else to bite the bullet and just get up & go…best of luck to us all!
Really hope it goes well for you, well done!x :)
In 2002 I agreed to use my url “SOUNDTUNER.COM “. in a music venture with the
chairman of “oxiana “.
As we shook hands he said : “Presentation is everything ” It seemed a strange thing for him to say at the time . But he is right as essentially any business is an extension of ourselves ..
Thus my startup is based on the idea “presenting your unique you ” My research shows that very few students understand finding and working to their strengths ..the ability they have and nobody else has is the basis for success.
I was years trying out many different ideas before i realised my only skill i had was thinking up ideas ! So i started putting them all together on one platform and researching how to get high placing on Google .
The two words ” TEST IDEA ” has brought my URL up on page 1 for the past 4 years .out of nearly a billion ..at nearly nil cost
My next step is to help others use all the internet strategies i have found the best and the cheapest …..
A good way to start is using a blog which is free at wordpress other than the domain name …..
I have a dream where values such as hope become more important than greed, want and power….
Someone said once “dream big”. I always have and always will.
:) Lara
Success is a long road, but focus and perseverance are the key ingredients of success!
and passion is also very important!
Am from India & I am running the6.in.Me & my partner were working when we started our business in Nov 2009. We both were doing it in part time. We don’t know anything about business, we just started up, then we started to learn things. We got our first business plan after starting our business. An e.g of our knowledge that time was in the section Persona – I have mentioned as sentimental Indians, that means I can sell my concept to all Indians. For almost 2 yrs it was in pilot run.We were surprising our friends & friend’s frined. Last year we started our own office @ Coimbatore, India & we got enquiries in & around Coimbatore. WE had few startegies that we used in giftshop to have our personalized gifts displayed there. Now we will be opening our showroom by next month. All the above progress were done only in Bootstrap mode & we haven’t got any investment as we need colateral in India to get business loan. So I too go with Mr.Richard’s advice, start it up
I’m currently working with a company called Koncept Media Ltd, and we’re launching a website called OnlyUncle.com. Our idea is to offer local businesses an online platform to more effectively advertise and market themselves.
Check out our manifesto here: http://www.onlyuncle.com/images/www.onlyuncle.com/pdf/onlyuncle-manifesto-v2.pdf
We serve as a directory for local businesses, but on our website these businesses have access to a relatively customisable profile where they can upload pictures, videos, blogs etc. They can make use of interactive features such as an emailing system that customers can contact them through, a customer feedback facility where reviews of the business’ products and/or services can be seen, and social media sharing buttons where people can like, tweet,+1 or re-blog businesses.
A major feature of the website is the facility for businesses to upload promotions, voucher codes and discounts on their products or services. You may think this isn’t new, sure there are already websites which advertise promotions for local businesses. But they take commission on these offers, that’s how they make their money. We aim to save local businesses money by only asking for a yearly subscription to our website of £29.99 (+VAT), and we take 0% commission on their offers, of which they get full control over terms and conditions.
The reason I am sharing our idea is because the hard bit is spreading the word. I need to find people who have the drive and motivation to do this, and we believe that if we can get a number of people to be Social Media Recruiters (utilising the power of social media to spread our message), we will be able to better expose our idea to the public. If you’re reading this and you know anyone (perhaps yourself) who is proactive and self-motivated, and supports our idea to give power back to small and medium sized enterprises within the economy, please get in contact with me!
Great post – it’s inspiring to hear how little you knew yet how far you progressed!
I’m getting it starting by refining the design of my virtual coaching programme / book / mobile app. so that it has legs to run like your smoothies! …and is just as ethical too :-)
warmest wishes, joe
Very good advice! It is very important to network and really be around. It’s a great way to meet new people who are or can be important to you and/or your business.
Jurgendc, I completely agree with you! Networking is great for promoting your business, but the advise you get from other entrepreneurs and the solidarity you feel is brillaint. Starting/Running a business can be a lonely journey and networking really helps to make you feel part of a family.
Hi
Dont understand why i had a perfectly exciting concept in an Sporty animated character i designed, with loads of opportunities, and didnt make last 500.
Yet somone with a plastic coffee cup and a sick bag at the end was chosen as one of the final 500.
The only conclusion is i wasnt confident on the phone and able too talk off the cuff.
I have the love drive and determination to make my business work. I worry that people do not understand or value what we do particularly other businesses and since the Leveson inquiry. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. For now I will push forward and spread the word about the good we do.
Transpire Digital formed in April 2012, We are a small independent record label based in the UK, We started with a passion for music, we wanted to take aspiring musicians tracks and release them onto global music download stores with the aim of pushing new talent forwards, back in April we didnt know how to run a record label, all the legal paperwork seemed scary, we took the leap of faith and over the past few months we have signed distribution deals, signed new artists, released 9 tracks and networked constantly building our fanbase. Its been a huge learning curve for us and we continue to learn more everyday.
Think BIG, start small, listen to constructive criticism and never be afraid to try new things, prove your strategy works and take it to the next level using the power of networking and positive mental attitude. Its easy to become disheartened and lose sight of your goals and give up but i firmly believe if your willing to embrace new ideas and work hard to achieve your goals you will get to where you want to be.
picture the place you want to be
white lines and tarmac is all you see
keep on walking.
Networking is a great way to get started. Attend networking events where people from your industry will be attending (or your potential customers). The greater your network, the better resources you will have eventually.
yes i agree.
Been there in all kinds of weather.
Does anyone have any comments, how i can source funding as i am pre revenue start up with an exciting cartoon character i have created, with a Sporty Fun theme, and have many major opportunities, but for the lack of available funds i cannot take that progression.
Planet Earth is running out of resources, namely: water, food and energy.
Therefore we need to reduce, reuse and recycle.
I want to start a fast food chain that serves soya based foods, which are nutritious and easy to prepare, thus saving on energy.
The plates and cups will be made of paper/plastic that is easy to recycle and saves on water.
Great inspiration you are Richard, Nappytastic are so proud that we were able to be a part of The BBC Three Series Be Your Own Boss, Wednesday nights 9pm
Let’s Get It Started.
Last night’s episode was just the beginning, stay tuned and watch this space…
Brilliant advice! i was told once also, ”If you cant make it work small you cant make it work big” my advice to people just staring is, even if you have a healthy lump of capital, start on a shoe string just to see how it works out!
Challenges are all about getting involved in the debate
Our weekly challenges provide a platform for Pioneers to share opinions and have their say. We want to find out what you're thinking, gather your pearls of wisdom and get some serious conversations going
by the Virgin Media Pioneers team
by the Virgin Media Pioneers team
by the Virgin Media Pioneers team
by the Virgin Media Pioneers team
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