Planning Is Great. But it’s Not Everything
I remember last July when I quit my 9 to 5 job to devote all of my time and energy towards my own business. I was only there for 4 months, but it was first official corporate job. If you’ve been following my articles for the past year you know that I was there for one reason: to raise some capital to put towards my business. But after 4 months of absolute bullshit and bureaucracy, I quit. By that time, Mind Petals was up and running and I was ready to push forward full-steam ahead. Chooo!!! Chooo!!
But there really wasn’t any solid plan in place. To be perfectly honest, I was scared after quitting. Sure, I felt liberated and free to push forward without having to worry about having a boss and crazy employees, but there was definitely fear and perhaps feeling a bit vulnerable.
I wasn’t sure what I was going to do to continue supporting myself living here in NYC — which is extremely expensive, mind you. I had enough cash to last me a few months in the bank and I won’t lie — I always had the worst case scenario if I needed it: reaching out to Moms and Pops.
But to tell you the truth, I’ve always hated being supported from my parents. Why? Because it really goes counter to everything that I’m about and everything that I’m trying to do. I have the sort of parents that would support me — financially — anytime if I needed it. And though that may sound good, it’s really not (to me, at least).
Having to rely on financial support from someone else is poison to an entrepreneur — trust me. It’ll kill your hunger.
So there I was. Just quit my job. No solid plan. Few months of savings in the bank. And absolutely not willing to resort to Mom and Dad’s bank account. So what’s an entrepreneur to do?
Well, I stayed hungry and sought out people who I thought that I could help with their businesses. I spent my days and nights searching on Craisglist for people who needed to consult about their websites; people who needed to learn about “blogging, RSS, and Web 2.0” platforms.
For months I kept at it and was able to secure around 5 or 6 steady clients who I would build sites for, consult with over the phone for $50 per hour, and help with their marketing initiatives.
My hunger to stay afloat and raise capital so I could continue to live in NYC and work on my business without having to worry too much about my bills, kept me going.
And though I no longer seek out new clients to consult with because my time is 95% focused on Mind Petals, I still maintain a few clients on the side so I can make just enough cash to devote all my time into my baby — MP!
So what’s the lesson here? The lesson is that you don’t always need a plan. Don’t let “not” having a plan stop you from moving forward with something. Don’t feel that you shouldn’t quit your job, move forward with a new idea, or anything for matter because you don’t have a solid plan in place. Sometimes you need to push yourself into a corner and fight your way out. Sure, it’ll be uncomfortable and scary, but from those feelings…from those worries and unknowns…. You can push yourself to accomplish great things. Back an animal into a corner and believe me, it’s going to do everything possible to get past you.
Plans are overrated.
7 Comments
Adam Gilbert
May 31st, 2007 at 2:14 pm
David,
Great post! I totally agree with everything you said.
When I left Ernst & Young it wasn’t even an option to ask my parents for money. I’d have to go get a job if I needed money.
For me, having that hunger and knowing that if I didn’t make it happen lit a huge fire under my ass.
That being said, having a job like you did with a goal in mind (saving money for your baby) is a very viable alternative to those who aren’t as ‘risky’ as you and me.
We’ve spoken about ‘risky’ though and are in complete agreement and the riskiest thing in this world is to not go after what you love doing.
After all, we only live once!
And MP is a very worthy baby…keep at it!
-Adam
Brian
May 31st, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Great post Dave. My favorite point: “Having to rely on financial support from someone else is poison to an entrepreneur…”
It’s true — Security is the bane of the entrepreneur’s existence.
Funny you mention consulting. I thought about doing something similar when I graduated college. And I still flirt with the notion that it would be fun/fulfilling to help non-tech savvy folks to establish a web presence/ set up a blog (or whatever). Has’t happened yet but you’re right… it makes sense to have income on the side that allows you to cover your bills.
And it disciplines you when you’re the one who has to cover your own bills in sn entrepreneurial setting. Congrats on doing so much (and in NY, no less).
Thanks for sharing your story.
lawrence
May 31st, 2007 at 7:17 pm
lol, but don’t they say…people don’t plan to fail; they fail to plan? but that’s another story
choo, choo indeed - it’s all about the baby, pamper your “baby” with a silver spoon in it’s mouth and make it to become king kong
stuff your business down people’s throats if they refuse to open their mouth - they don’t know what they need…so it’s up to you to force feed your ‘baby’, lol - open up, open up
David Askaripour
May 31st, 2007 at 8:28 pm
Adam: Right on! Life is way to risky to “not” do what you want and to not push forward with your dreams. We both did the right thing by leaving our jobs and our lives have become that much better!
Brian: Absolutely, it’s important to have a few streams of income coming in. My Dad always told me as a child: “Dave, always make sure that you have some money in your pocket.” Yeah, you should do some consulting. Why not? Believe me, there are TONS of non-techy people out there that can use some help from people like us. Craigslist is a great place to connect to these people.
Lawrence: Ha, nice description. I agree, some people just don’t know what they are looking for. It’s up to us to provide those solutions and feed ‘em!
Thanks for the awesome comments, dudes!
Jon Speer
June 1st, 2007 at 11:22 pm
I’ll play devil’s advocate. Based on your own words, I’d say that you most definitely had a plan. I think most entrepreneurs do. I think what you are trying to say that plan just enough. Of course this is hard to know.
The take home is to get out and do something instead of sitting back preparing a perfect plan.
David Askaripour
June 2nd, 2007 at 10:21 am
Jon: You are right, do a degree… I did have a plan. It was like the equation was written out, but it wasn’t fully solved. Right now I am considering just picking up and leaving the country for 2 or 3 months…(Mexico) and I haven’t really planned for what I will do when I get back… have to find a new apt, move my stuff, pick up new streams of income, etc… but my life is based upon impulses and going on adventures, so will I go? Not sure.. Do I have a full plan? No. Does that really matter? No, not really.
Dechef Richo
June 2nd, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Hi , i think u can be a pastor man . please just try reading the Bible my man. U can make a good pastor. Ive been reading your posts and i always say “true”,”True” coz everything is real . please read the Bible and think about it
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