Saturday, October 27, 2007

Newton's Laws

When I first started writing this blog, what I wanted to do was to chart my progress from idea to start-up because I had such a hard time finding any resource that gave me insight. I read so many books but they made so many presumptions. You either had bags of money, or a brilliant mentor, or a VC behind you, or loads of experience, or established supplier relationships, or someone to take that journey with.

I haven't spent much time on this blog lately because it's been so incredibly busy, but I haven't forgotten my desire to share and encourage, so here's a little note on a Saturday afternoon.

I: Every object in a state of uniform motion tends to remain in that state of motion unless an external force is applied to it

Have u heard of the saying "a rolling stone gathers no moss"? I never understood it. I mean, I get it but I don't get why that's a pearl of a wisdom. If you sit still you don't get anywhere. So give yourself a kick in the ass and just start because one thing always leads to another. Doors may close behind you, or even in your face, but they will also open. And when you walk through, you find another one.


II: Force = Mass x Acceleration

Don't be kiasu and afraid to share your ideas. You don't have to give away ALL your secrets, but initiate genuine dialogues. You call everyone, bore people to death with your idea. Watch eyes glaze over but you will meet someone who will say "HEY! That's freaking fantastic, I know this guy and that guy who would love to help".

Always follow up.

I used to think that when I rang suppliers they would be falling at their feet for my business, hey I'm the customer here! Forget that. Not everyone has the time (or inclination) to hold your hand. Suppliers will open their doors to you when they see an authentic prospect. Some random chick on the phone with a vague idea is not a real prospect. Someone with concrete answers, a PLAN is worth considering.

You keep that force constant to gain momentum. You will only go as far as you're willing to work. So yeah, you have to be pretty passionate.

III: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction

Don't lie awake at night worrying about problems. If you're going to sacrifice your precious sleep, then use it to figure out solutions. Every problem has a solution.

Look at the problem from every angle. Look at your assumptions. Look at the situation. Look at yourself.

There is always an answer waiting in the wings. Even if the answer is to cut your losses and move on.

It's physics. Isaac Newton said so :)

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Gratitude & Appreciation

Yesterday was a lucky day in my Chinese astrology and with the newbiz website being almost done, I took advantage of my lucky stars to invite close friends & associates to register.

It was a rollercoaster of a day. Adrenaline in the morning, springing out of bed trying to get a million things done. Frantic energy as the hour drew closer. Uncertainty before pressing the SEND button because my friends' opinions mean so much to me. Euphoria when I received postitive feedback. So much gratitude for the support of friends. Anxiety about whether I can really pull this off. Exhaustion as the day drew to a close. Regret that my special someone wasn't here to share it with.

I read countless books about making a business happen, succeeding, autobiogs of famous entrepreneurs. How you need money, or a team, or a mentor, or a great idea. Yes, you do need all of those things, passion, commitment, a certain character....

But at the beginning, what you need most of all is someone who believes in you. Who knows with a fervor that you could do it.

There are many, many times during the process you think "I just can't do it, it's too hard, I'm not good enough, smart enough, strong enough..." Having someone to look you in the eye and tell you "YOU CAN DO IT" and know they really mean it is immense.

So here are my heartfelt thankyous.

My parents for doubting enough to make me dig my heels in.
The Dolphin for never wavering and his unshakeable faith in me.
The MooMoo for dreaming with me.
Jee, Juliet & Shermie for convincing me it was a great idea worth doing.
The Fruitcake for being the most unlikely of mentors and whom I've grown to love dearly.
James & Mark for always being there even when I'm not.
Choko for helping the duckling learn to swim.

Ok, this is not a freaking Oscar acceptance speech.