Not Gonna happen...

Stoked! It's Startup Weekend here in Evansville! Woo-hoo! However, my idea did not get picked, nor could I recruit anyone, nor does anyone want me on their team. I did want to get something out of this weekend even if my idea didn't get picked. Oh, well. Sooooooo, back to square one working on this idea alone (of course I've still got Shaun). I don't know what to do.

**edit: This was on Friday night when I was having a pity-party for myself! Before I decided to take advantage of the weekend anyway and work on Students2U anyway. Also, before I met all the people that encouraged me to continue, gave me advice, and before I got to help and have input (even if a small contribution) with others' ideas. So, yeah, more to come about all that in another post (I'm hoping tonight!).

Your Very Own "Sneak Peek"

Yes, I'm aware it's been a while since I made a post. Again, yes, I'm aware that I promised that I won't fizzle out on this blog. But, would you believe that I've actually been working? Didn't think so. So I'll prove it, I even have non-photo-shopped pictures and everything!

Let me begin by saying, I am not, I repeat, I am not, a programmer, designer, or web-developer by trade. I did take one class in high school and that was plain 'ol html. I've since "learned" cascading style sheets (css) to help me be a better designer. However, I have always been good at art, good with numbers and structure (ie markup and coding), and generally internet savvy. So there are my credentials for starting a web-based company. Ha!

Moving on. I won't go into the gory details of why I am embarking on starting a web company focused on college students, if you want to know the genesis of it all you can find it here. I've done the typical things you can find on the internet about starting a "start-up".  I've found 2 or 3 mentors in different stages of business careers with vastly different businesses and backgrounds. I've talked to people about my idea and gotten feedback. I've, partially, worked on a business plan. It's even true that I have recruited a partner for the endeavor. But, what I have been really lacking is the format of the business itself. If it were a retail store it would be like not having the building, sign, or merchandise! Well, no more, at least on my local machine anyway! I have created the "front end" of my "coming soon" landing page. (Meaning: it looks good but isn't quite functional; I need a programmer! Feel free to email me or contact me through the comments if you'd like to be part of our team!) All in all, I'm proud of the work Shaun (my co-conspirator) and I have done thus far.

So without further ado, here is the screenshot that I have been holding back:

Okay, pretty simple eh? Well I tried to operate under the KISS methodology: just Keep It Simple Stupid! So there it is, for now. I will continue to engage in learning more html/css markup and work on my programming skills to help nudge this project along (seriously if you can help me let me know!). 

Finally, I'm glad I have something accomplished. StartupWeekend, is this weekend! I really feel that having something to give a "face to the name" of my project can go a long way when I get to pitch my idea. I'm hoping to recruit some technical people and really get this idea off the ground, not to mention win the contest!

Whelp, that's all I got for ya! Hope that you aren't rotfl too hard right now.

PS: I'm planning on writing about the upcoming StartupWeekend in the next day or so so look out! Also, I will be tweeting (@LucusP) during the event. And, I'm going to attempt to capture some of the event and my team with some digital video!

Cheers!

The game of business: LaunchNow.co

I missed yesterday, but am making up for it today! I have many thoughts of what to write about and will pump them out as quick as I can (barring burnout!). But I wanted to make a special post about a new company/website that was shared by someone I follow on twitter (@andrewpheil) and it's LaunchNow.co. The reason I wanted to share/talk about them is mainly because the site is awesome. It's a business (website) that makes a game out of your business (or website). I believe that this business was formed out of a weekend event called StartupWeekend in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Which I will be at the StartupWeekend in Evansville, Indiana February 24th-26th! I'd love to see you there: StartupEvv).

Now for the good stuff.

Launch the "LaunchNow" website and click "sign up" at the top of the page, enter a few details about your company and get started! (pictured below is the Students2U page):

You can click "earn achievements" or even just edit your profile with certain information (twitter account, facebook page, youtube, etc.) and earn achievements as well! The purpose is to compete with other businesses and work on your own at the same time. There are many achievements and many more to come. Users even have the opportunity to contribute to the site by offering feedback and suggestions on improving the site. Also, the site states that they are working on many new features upcoming.

So if you haven't done so already check out the site: LaunchNow.co and sign up! Now, here's where the "call to action" really comes into play: they need financial support. Fortunately they have given us all a way to contribute to the game of business through a website indiegogo which is much like kickstarter but more loosely structured to include business and websites, etc. So check out LaunchNow's page on Indiegogo and support a good business community cause! Here's the link: Support LaunchNow.

I do want to disclaim that I have not yet contributed to this project but fully intend to. Also, I am in now way connected to the owner of this website and have no financial interest in Launch Now, LLC. And finally, Launch Now and its contents are copyright of Launch Now, LLC. Is that enough legal stuff for ya?

I'm out.

Random Updates

Okay, so you may have seen before that I said I usually quit after one or two posts...well here's number THREE!! Goody, goody!

Now for-serious: I have some random updates for my start-up project @Students2U.

1. I have been steadily learning php & mysql from a free book excerpt from the sitepoint website. It's quite good and I did promise a "book" review. So far I've learned to install a local server (Apache), do some simple SQL programming, and some simple to moderate php programming. It's been tons of fun, and if I could redo my collegiate career I would have minored in computer science (and *gulp* marketing!).

2. I want Students2U to be different. I want the users to be different. I want the experience to be different. I want the revenue streams to be different. I want share all the 'gory' details here (you didn't think I'd give everything away did you?), but I will say that it's not going to bombard you with random banner ads, and just between you and me Zynga may have exposed my ideal revenue model! That's all for now on that! Ha!

3. StartupWeekend. I can't wait! There is a Startup Weekend coming to my town (@StartupEvv). At startup weekend attendees are challenged to start a viable company in 54 hours! There will be pitches made on opening night, and the ideas will be voted on and the top votes will be worked on throughout the weekend. Needless to say I'm working on my "elevator pitch" for Students2U and hopefully I can find a development team through this networking experience. For more info on StartupEvv go here.

I'm pumped with everything going on. Glad the blog is rolling.

That's all for now.