jenniferbonnett.com
The Power of Punctuation
I tend to use punctuation in text messages and on Twitter. I’ve EVEN had people make fun of me on twitter because of it. But, today I learned the true value of using punctation in these new short messages that we seem to be addicted to:
I lost my cleaning person today. She quit via text message due to a response I sent her via text. The problem was… she didn’t use punctuation in her original text… so I interpreted her message differently than it was intended. And then, she did the same to my response.
One little period and my house would be clean tomorrow afternoon.
Start with the Why
Last night we had a special StartupChicks event part of our new StartupChick Cameo Series. Sarah Endline founder and CEO of sweetriot chocolates came and told us her story from idea to Whole Foods. It was very inspirational. And there was dark chocolate involved. ;-)
Start with the Why.
During our StartupChick Accelerator Program, we tend to start with the End in Mind: the Outrageous, Crazy Vision. But, Sarah talked about starting at the vision but figuring out the why for the vision. The vision will change. Your vision for this company, will be different than the next company. But, your WHY will remain constant.
What is your Why?
Community Catalyst
Today I start my new job as a Community Catalyst at ATDC (http://www.atdc.org).
So, what is a Community Catalyst? Guess we’ll figure that out as we go…. but, similar to an Entrepreneur In Residence(EIR), I will be coaching ATDC Companies. In addition, I’ll play a bit of a community activist role: promoting ATDC, its companies and our community. I’ll be working with the ATDC mentors and helping with the programming of education/events. AND due to my own affinity for the Coastal Empire, I’ll be spending some of my time in Savannah doing all of the above.
It seems fitting that I will be moving into an office formerly occupied by Lance Weatherby, as my journey to this position/place started 3 years ago with a conversation with him.
It was shortly after my mentor, Jeff Haynie announced on his blog that he was moving Appcelerator from Atlanta to Silicon Valley. The usual Atlanta-as-a-Startup-Community bashing occurred. There is no need to re-hash it. We talk about it too much, as it is. But, this time it was the impetus for me to get re-involved in the Startup Community. I was sick of all the talk about the community (or lack thereof), I wanted to do something.
I reached out to Lance and asked him one simple question: How do I get re-involved in the Startup community? He got me connected. That conversation eventually led to the formation of StartupChicks and now, to my new role at ATDC.
So, Thanks Lance!
P.S. ATDC Entrepreneurs – you now know where to find me. Drop by!
A new normal
As some of you know, I have been having some health issues. After much poking and prodding, it seems I may be allergic to most of the foods and drinks that I love. I, now, have to be super picky about the fuel I put into my body. I have to create a new normal.
Everyday we make thousands of little tiny decisions that affect the way we feel physically and emotionally. These decisions can drag us down into a (food) coma or pump us up. These decisions (and sometimes the decisions we don’t make) will determine our success or failure in both life and business.
Do you need a new normal?
Unplugged
In about 10 minutes, I am unplugging. Tomorrow morning I will get on a plane and I will take a hiatus from all things technology for the next 6 days. No computer, no email, no twitter, no cell phone (at least not turned on due to extreme roaming charges).
I’m going off the grid.
When was the last time you were REALLY off the grid?
How Long Is a 30 Minute Pitch?
I had the unusual experience of getting to sit in while a StartupChick pitched a funder today, think “fly-on-the-wall”. This woman is a serial entrepreneur and has a very successful business, starting another initiative for which she is hoping to raise funds.
She did a GREAT job:
- She got their early and got set-up.
- She tested the technology she needed for her pitch, before hand to ensure that it worked.
- She made an instant connection with the funder by speaking in this person’s native language.
- She finished with an ASK.
So, what did she do wrong, you ask??
She had a time-slot of 30 minutes. Her pitch was timed perfectly for 30 minutes, including a 7 minute video.
So, in my opinion, her pitch was 15 minutes TOO long. There was no time for interaction with the funder. The minute the funder asked 1 question, she was over the time limit for the meeting. Interaction is the BEST thing that could possibly happen in a 1st round investor meeting. Plan for it. Pray for it.
The second thing I believe she did wrong is… the video was too long. 2 minutes TOPS. 7 minutes is long enough that you could lose their interest before you get a chance to gain it. Investors invest in people. You should do the talking… not some video.
Just my 2 cents.
My childhood dream came true today, I am finally a “Rockstar”
Yup. Official. This morning I was the guest speaker at the TAG Entrepreneur’s Society Rockstar Series. They had a great turnout (especially for July). Always surprised to see a lot of suits and jackets at an entrepreneurial event… but, I guess people dress up for TAG (and TiE).
I had fun. Prepping for an event gave me an opportunity to take a drive down memory lane. I’ve lived in a lot of interesting places, worked on a number of challenging opportunities and had the opportunity to work with some REAL rockstars.
I focused a lot on my days at my first startup, eTour. I did so, because….
- it was interesting
- it was fun
- it was big
But, even more than that… it was a GREAT learning experience.
If you missed my presentation today, sorry. Not sure, if/when I will ever be given to talk about my background for an hour ever again. 
But, here are some of my lessons learned:
- If you are doing something you love, the concept of time disappears.
- Do things differently. It may get you in trouble some of the time, but, it will ALWAYS get you noticed.
- Fake it till you make it.
- If you want something ASK for it. But, realize you may need to walk away to receive it.
- It takes a team & communicate, communicate, communicate. There is NO such thing as overcommunication.
- The rise is a marathon, the fall is a sprint.
- Make fast decisions and act on them quickly.
- If you make a bad hire, admit it and correct it quickly.
- It’s all about connections.
Each of these deserves a blog post… I’m sure I’ll get around to it one of these days. :-)
The Path Less Travelled
Over the weekend I heard that Tessa Horeheld had left Engauge and was about to embark on an exciting journey. This morning I finally caught her post on it.
And it made me think about my own journeys, where I am at now, and well, about all of the StartupChicks who are forging their own path.
Being an entrepreneur is NOT easy. The odds are against us from the outset. You’ve read the stats. 70% of small businesses started this year will NOT be in business in 2013. 50% in 2016. (SBA.gov) The funding stats are even worse… Each year just over 1/2 a million businesses launch, about 3000 companies will get funded (http://www.dawnbreaker.com/about/phase3_win09/investment.php) by VC and/or organized angel groups.
Anyone in their right mind, would NOT choose this life. But, that’s just it…isn’t it? We didn’t choose this life, we didn’t choose this path? This path is who we are. We are entrepreneurs. We are StartupChicks. We are ALL blazing new trails and living an authentic life.
Tessa – Farewell. Safe travels. I look forward to reading about your journey as it unfolds!
If you are a Startup CEO, You MUST Read this!
The Most Difficult CEO Skill <—– LINK
Free Advice
Just had a quick chat with a StartupChick and, as usual, I was giving advice. My advice was diametrically opposed from advice that she is getting from another Advisor.
So, here’s what I want to say about that…
If you talk to 10 people about your startup, you will probably get 10 different answers. That’s life. It is YOUR Startup. ONLY you and your co-founders can figure out the path that you are going to choose to travel.
Advice is just that, advice. Take it or leave it.
I will say this…. a practice that I try to follow with my own advisors.
If I choose NOT to take their advice, I sit down with them and explain why I have chosen NOT to. This is important, because I respect and admire them. And I want to be able to continue to seek guidance from them. But, I may have a very valid reason for following a different path (and I may also be wrong), it’s important that they know that I am listening and I do value them.
And if you’re wrong and you need to go back down that path that they recommended…. Be sure to tell them that too. People LOVE to hear that they are right!
Just my 2 cents.
Jen
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