My Brain On Paper

This blog was started for me to write down all of my thoughts as I launch my website. 

Surround yourself with smart people
Yesterday, I invited Chauncey on board to the team.  Chauncey is a graduate from Carnegie Mellon University and is a top-notch programmer living in California.  I have known Chauncey for over 7 years.  His strength in computer programming and knowledge fills in my weakness of not understanding server specifications.  I think that one of the most important things when executing a project is self-criticism....to understand what you lack and to find someone who can fill in that lack.

After talking to him about my project, he was very excited about it which is a good sign since Chauncey is one of the most critical people that I know. I am thankful in sharing with him my project as he has helped me clear up one of the problems that I was facing: Whether or not to include a a certain component in my product.  After talking with him, I was able to scratch out the portion to make the product more simple and probably will be able to launch the project quicker.

The other person on my team is Khoi. Khoi is a briliant executioner.  He keeps me focus and assists me in laying down a plan in terms of execution for the project.  He is a visionary who has strengths in organization.

Don't take things personal
To fund this project, I maxed out my school loans and living off of ramen noodles.  I tried sharing my vision with my parents but unfortunately they don't understand so everything is kept under hush.  I graduate in May 2007 with offers of a starting salary well over 6 figures (I am a healthcare student), hence they would like me to focus on my studies.  IStarting this startup isn't about the money, it is about creating something unique and fun!!! Carrying out a vision. However, because I expect that I won't be able to afford to pay for server costs while still in student, I of course implemented a business model into the product.

When I spoke to a professor about my project since he is a mentor for me at school, he wanted me to focus my energy towards something that would utilize my knowledge of medicine.  Of course after speaking with him about my idea, he shared with me the problem that my project would fix for him.  I have learned not to take things personally.  Different people will have different opinions on my approach to things.  What is important is I learn from the good criticism and walk away from the bad.

If you can't get over a bump, go around it
There is a problem with my loans. I will be recieving a call this week. Right now, there is about 2k in the bank for this project.  I am waiting on my school's approval of the 10k I supposedly took out for "school."  The project is going to cost me around 9k and this is via outsourcing to Russia. Working on a limited budget has forced to be think in a different way --> make the product SIMPLE.  Simple for users to use and simple enough for programmers to program. I have sliced out some unecessary functions after talking to Chauncey so this will likely bring my cost down.

Working on my own budget as opposed to a huge funding has also forced me to really look at my project over and over again, making changes before the contract is signed and programming is started.  I now have a clear idea of what the prototype should look like and what it should do, with plans of expansion reserved for Phase II.  Hopefully I will get a call this week so that I can go ahead sign the contract, and start the programming this week.  Execution time is set for 2-3 months before the site is up and running.

Talk to your users
I designed a product that I would like to use but because I would also want other people to use it, I have been talking to my target audience and have recieved excellent feedback from them.  I think that this is one of the aspects that some entrepreneurs miss...they don't talk to other people. As a woman, there is nothing more important than the value of talking to other people.  While talking to my users, simplicity and fun seems to be the two things that are important. You can create something great but if people can't use it, then it is useless.  You can create something simple, but if it isn't fun, then people won't use it.