Hello from the East Coast

[becca3]

Hello,

Nice to meet you all. I decided to join the forum to read experiences from SMEs and learn more about successful processes. I actually came across TMF after reading another book about "miracle mornings" which was really helpful and helped kick my a$$ in gear. As a creative I've always struggled with... what does MJ call it... Intellectual Flatulence? I have a million ideas and creative ways to see the world but was totally overwhelmed and confused when thinking about how to execute. I understand now what I have to do for myself and my goals.

By background is in art and design, I now work as a User Experience designer looking to cut back on hours and focus more on why I've actually been put on this earth. Feel free to reach out about anything design-related. I have short-term goals of registering my LLC and creating my brand, with a website launch to come shortly after. I'll post about my achievements in the coming months!

 

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[becca3]

Monthly update:

Today is day 32 of waking up at 4am to get in an hour of meditation and planning/execution before my day starts.

It's been hard for me to get all amped up on motivation and then have to stop and commute to my day job. Someone must have heard me complaining, because I was approached for a 100% remote, part-time job last week. I think it's a sign...

I've been hesitant to share my business idea on here because it's in an extremely saturated market - I want to sell my art as stationery products. With a focus around a single product design that I haven't seen in the industry before. But trust me when I say.... this isn't what I love. I just know that I'm really really good at it, and I would regret not ever trying to utilize my strengths and go for this.

I'll be executing every aspect of this project, this past month I have:

• Created the artwork needed (10 different pieces)
• Created a brand/logo direction
• Focused in on 10 products to be ready ready at launch
• Researched what works and what doesn't in my market
• Researched automation possibilities
• Researched marketing and email campaign ideas

This upcoming month I will:

• Prepare the digital files and order print samples
• Finalize brand
• Get website up and running - this will take the most time, it has to be perfect.

The following month I will:

• Manufacture products (at least 10 items - but this number is infinite) and take high quality photos for website. Not sure what to expect for production and shipping times yet.
• Continue researching/learning how I'll execute marketing
• Launch on July 1st

After then will be the hard part...

 

[Choate]

Hey fellow east coaster, welcome.

It's great to see a plan and a launch date, although that launch date is still over two months away.

I would pause and ask yourself, what does a "launch" entail that you can't do right now? This weekend? Next weekend?

Your current to-do list can be done in a weekend; anything that truly can't shouldn't stop you from getting a sale or presale.

@Andy Black comes to mind, specifically two threads: "stop building stuff" - HOT! - MINDSET - Stop Building Stuff and NOTABLE! - CHAT - For those who haven't made a sale yet...

What steps would you take if you were told you need to make a sale by Monday at 1pm EST or else give up on this?

I think these sort of artificial constraints help us refocus and cut out a lot of the action faking; eg buying business cards; GOLD! - HOT! - CHAT - How many action fakes can the fastlane come up with??