milliondare.com

Currently working for a start-up in the retail/consumer goods environment. It’s an exciting time in my life and I’m learning a lot. And, quite honestly, it’s not a bad place to be for a 26 year old!

In addition, I’m working on a new site which will use a simple technology (wiki) to solve for a common question I get in the industry. My last two experiments failed before take off, but I learned a lot. Here are some things I learned:

1. Simplicity is key. Keep your start-up project as simple as possible, especially if you are a one-man show who has a daytime job in addition to your secondary project.

2. Don’t let anybody let you down. Ask for advice, and listen carefully. Most people will be right, some will be wrong. Sometimes, however, you just have to go with your gut. If you don’t have much to loose, why not give it a try? Be realistic, be enthusiastic, moderate your energy, and follow through the execution of your project.

3. Execution is key. Ideas are great. Here is one: Let’s build a car that uses solar energy as fuel. Great idea, but how will you execute it? The simpler you keep it, the easier it will be to execute.

4. Wrap it up. You have the idea; great. Can you execute it? Great! Now, wrap it up. Package it, sell it, do whatever it takes to evaluate whether or not it will be a success.

Every point above feeds of each other - great ideas need execution, execution is easier when the idea is simple and you have the energy and passion to do it.