Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear
This road we have chosen is fraught with hardship and trials that if you don’t overcome them it will lead to failure. Things never work out as you plan; people never operate on your time schedule. These little tests will try your patience.
Persist, never give up, when someone doesn’t call you back or get that piece you need when they said they would, don’t get discouraged, call them, call them every day, they will quit talking to you or they will realize you are not giving up and you are serious about your project. With some luck they will become your best supporter.
If they blow you off repeatedly, then just move on if they supply what you need then there are others that will supply the same thing. All you need to do is more research, find the new suppliers. I promise there are people out there that will come to your cause and be more than happy to help you achieve the greatness that is in you.
One thing to keep in the back of your mind is, the people you are talking to are busy, they do have lots of other customers, you are but a small cog in their big wheels, so if they seem genuine, then give them more time. They may want to help you but, your order is small, and they can’t blow off a bigger deal to help you on the hope that you will be a big customer, some day.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Friday, February 1, 2008
February 1 2008
One thing I have learned is no matter how good your idea is, someone be it a friend or a family member, is going to tell you how bad it is. One of your biggest threats, are the people you know. Perhaps it is because they feel they know you better than you know yourself, maybe they have seen your track record, it might even be jealousy.
We are taught to always love our family and friends, but realize sometimes they will not be the person you need to talk to about your idea. If you must tell them something, tell them as little as possible, and then you don’t have to be worried about being shot down.
Now the other side of the issue, one of your easiest ways to raise money is your friends and family that said, you might want to get all your ducks in a row before you ever approach them. Now I am assuming you have at least started a business plan, a simple and concise plan that lays out your idea and where it is going. Before you ever worry about incorporation or building a prototype or anything else, set your goals down on paper. You will always be taken more seriously if you have a plan, and it will help you set your mind in the direction you are heading.
Believe me it is embarrassing to be ask a question you don’t have the answer to. As the old saying goes “been there done that and got the t-shirt to show for it”
We are taught to always love our family and friends, but realize sometimes they will not be the person you need to talk to about your idea. If you must tell them something, tell them as little as possible, and then you don’t have to be worried about being shot down.
Now the other side of the issue, one of your easiest ways to raise money is your friends and family that said, you might want to get all your ducks in a row before you ever approach them. Now I am assuming you have at least started a business plan, a simple and concise plan that lays out your idea and where it is going. Before you ever worry about incorporation or building a prototype or anything else, set your goals down on paper. You will always be taken more seriously if you have a plan, and it will help you set your mind in the direction you are heading.
Believe me it is embarrassing to be ask a question you don’t have the answer to. As the old saying goes “been there done that and got the t-shirt to show for it”
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
January 31, 2008
If you learn no other aconym let it be this one SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research). This is a government program administered by the universities around the country, and it can be very helpful to the person needing to get their project off the ground.
This is an early stage R&D funding program the amounts vary from agency to agency, and one thing that is very important about them, as the inventor you retain all intellectual property rights to your invention. This isn’t for everyone, first and foremost it isn’t fast, figure two years at the minimum, and you will be expected to jump through lots of hoops and have lots of paperwork, there is only one way to do it and that is their way. If you served in the military then you will understand what I am talking about, the right way, the wrong way, and their way. And they always win, so be prepared for a lot of aggravation. But it can be very rewarding; you’re talking with like minded people that understand what you are doing better than most of the people you deal with in real life.
This program is well worth your time to research do it on the internet or by visiting or calling your local university. Google returns 903,000 returns on the letters SBIR, so information is plentiful.
Good Luck and Good Hunting GLGH
This is an early stage R&D funding program the amounts vary from agency to agency, and one thing that is very important about them, as the inventor you retain all intellectual property rights to your invention. This isn’t for everyone, first and foremost it isn’t fast, figure two years at the minimum, and you will be expected to jump through lots of hoops and have lots of paperwork, there is only one way to do it and that is their way. If you served in the military then you will understand what I am talking about, the right way, the wrong way, and their way. And they always win, so be prepared for a lot of aggravation. But it can be very rewarding; you’re talking with like minded people that understand what you are doing better than most of the people you deal with in real life.
This program is well worth your time to research do it on the internet or by visiting or calling your local university. Google returns 903,000 returns on the letters SBIR, so information is plentiful.
Good Luck and Good Hunting GLGH
January 30,2008
Government programs, they are wonderful things, but they do have drawbacks, one they are not the quick way to achieve your goals, they will throw money at your project, but only if you jump threw the hoops they put before you.
One of the main things I have found they want you or one of your team to have the expertise, for what ever your project is. One way to get that expertise is to have someone with that PhD or Masters, they don’t have to be actively involved but they do have to be on the list, of persons that are involved.
That is where the universities come in to play, I have had some very important people offer to be placed on my company list, and the really nice thing is they will do it for free or nearly free. But one must realize that you get what you pay for, they will not do your project for you the most you will get is some advice.
If you become immersed in the university program you will be able to draw on more help, it all boils down to how much your willing to invest in the process, you get as much as you give.
One of the main things I have found they want you or one of your team to have the expertise, for what ever your project is. One way to get that expertise is to have someone with that PhD or Masters, they don’t have to be actively involved but they do have to be on the list, of persons that are involved.
That is where the universities come in to play, I have had some very important people offer to be placed on my company list, and the really nice thing is they will do it for free or nearly free. But one must realize that you get what you pay for, they will not do your project for you the most you will get is some advice.
If you become immersed in the university program you will be able to draw on more help, it all boils down to how much your willing to invest in the process, you get as much as you give.
January 29, 2008
One of the great resources that is not utilized are the universities of this country. You don’t have to be a student to use the schools. I have found all you have to do is ask for help and they will be more than happy to help you for free or nearly so.
I can’t speak for all the universities in the country but the ones in Wyoming are most helpful, there are programs in place just to help the inventor.
No doubt you have seen the infomercials about getting government money for free, they go just send me money and I will be more than happy to tell you about them. Well the reality is all the grant information is available on line or even easier way is go to your state university and ask they have it all compiled. For example did you know that in the western states the Department of Agriculture funds most grants for inventions? It has to do with low population density in the western states.
So if your lost as to what to do next, talk to the people at your local university.
I can’t speak for all the universities in the country but the ones in Wyoming are most helpful, there are programs in place just to help the inventor.
No doubt you have seen the infomercials about getting government money for free, they go just send me money and I will be more than happy to tell you about them. Well the reality is all the grant information is available on line or even easier way is go to your state university and ask they have it all compiled. For example did you know that in the western states the Department of Agriculture funds most grants for inventions? It has to do with low population density in the western states.
So if your lost as to what to do next, talk to the people at your local university.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
January 28, 2008
Had a great meeting with the engineer this morning, he was a really nice guy. I ask him to sign a non-disclosure form, and he did with no qualms.
Non-disclosure form, if you get nothing else, get a lawyer to make up a non-disclosure form. You can make one up off the information on the internet, but I would advise against it since the different states have subtle nuances in their laws, it is worth the money for one, I don’t have any idea what they cost elsewhere but here it cost me $160.00, money well spent.
They are really simple documents mine is only two pages long. It would be a terrible thing if the love of your life the thing you have spent your soul on, and want to see become a reality, stolen by someone with no scruples and the capital to take it and develop it. Without the non-disclosure your legal battle would be long and expensive, with no guarantee of winning, don’t misunderstand me it would be long and expensive even with the non-disclosure form. But you would have a legal document to stand with you in your fight.
Perhaps it is my lack of belief in the goodness of man, but I want to cover all my bases.
Non-disclosure form, if you get nothing else, get a lawyer to make up a non-disclosure form. You can make one up off the information on the internet, but I would advise against it since the different states have subtle nuances in their laws, it is worth the money for one, I don’t have any idea what they cost elsewhere but here it cost me $160.00, money well spent.
They are really simple documents mine is only two pages long. It would be a terrible thing if the love of your life the thing you have spent your soul on, and want to see become a reality, stolen by someone with no scruples and the capital to take it and develop it. Without the non-disclosure your legal battle would be long and expensive, with no guarantee of winning, don’t misunderstand me it would be long and expensive even with the non-disclosure form. But you would have a legal document to stand with you in your fight.
Perhaps it is my lack of belief in the goodness of man, but I want to cover all my bases.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
January 27,2008
Big meeting tomorrow, I hope. Get to meet with the engineer, now to see if he will tell me what a wonderful idea I have. I have already got letters of interest from several state departments.
I really need to find a LED sign maker that I can work with, been researching the net for a week now, so many choices and so little money, the story of my life.
I always develop the jitters before I meet with someone, you would think after all the meetings I would be use to it, but no, guess I will just have to live with the nervousness.
I really need to find a LED sign maker that I can work with, been researching the net for a week now, so many choices and so little money, the story of my life.
I always develop the jitters before I meet with someone, you would think after all the meetings I would be use to it, but no, guess I will just have to live with the nervousness.
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