Day 1: Meeting With A New Client
This isn't what I had originally planned for day one, but it's not a bad way to start, don't you think? Let that be a lesson to you kids out there:
"Looking to expand your company? Try meeting with new clients! It's an excellent way to find new business!"
It's really that simple.
Monday, we got a call from a company starting a new service who needed some web design and maintenence done. We met in person today after work to discuss some of the details. Kinko's may be your 24 hour office, but IHOP is your 24 hour meeting room. We talked over Dr. Peppers about what this company needs from us. I can't say much more until we see what is in the NDA, but it looks like an interesting project with lots of potential. The potential is in the possibility of this project landing us more projects. It involves working with new technology, and that always looks good on a portfolio page.
If this goes well, it could spawn many "Day" entries. If I'm so busy with clients that I never get around to our list of ideas... well, that would just be too perfect, wouldn't it?
90 Days To Self-Employment
I don't know if it was evident from yesterday's post, but I'm a little frustrated with work. As far as places to work go, it's probably better than most, but that still doesn't make it good. Angela & I have decided that if we want out, we have to do something. Finding another job doesn't seem very likely, nor is it particularly desireable. I don't want to keep jumping ship -- I want to be the captain... and go down with the sinking ship. Hmm, my analogy took a wrong turn there, huh?
Here's the plan: Each day, for the next 90 days, we will do something to grow our business. I'm not planning to make huge leaps forward each day, just baby steps that will hopefully lead to one or both of us being able to quit our jobs and work for Smart Goat full-time. I have a list of tasks that, in one way or another, will help us promote the company, expand our potential, or improve our current projects. With any luck, more opportunities will present themselves as this thing progresses. I will document each day's work here -- perhaps other people in similar situations will see this and take away some ideas they can use.
At the end of the 90 days we'll assess where we are and whether any of our work was the least bit useful. Then it will be decision time: Do we quit our jobs, do we need more time, or do we give up? I'll tell you right now, you can already eliminate one of those options.
Today is day one -- Stay tuned...
