Hi all,
I'd like to start by introducing myself. My name is Mark and I've not long since finished MJ's first book The Millionaire Fastlane . I'm part-way through Unscripted , and I finished the audio book Wealth: Exposed, and have started to re-listen to it for moments of inspiration.
My girlfriend introduced me to the Fastlane and "encouraged" me to read it, albeit I was skeptical of it being "another one of those financial help books". The thing is, my partner is significantly older than I am, as she's in her mid to late 30s and I'm approaching the end of my mid-20s; there's just over a decade between us. And we're long distance, like really long. I'm based in the UK and she's in China. Cultural differences aside, I need to find something financially stable, or if I'm ambitious, find financial freedom in order to remain with her. Then lies the problem of immigration; I can't work in China on a spousal visa and I can't even work remotely for an overseas company, as I would avoid paying taxes that way. My aim is to start a fastlane venture of some description, and then manage it, outsource or remove myself from it as much as I can, and that way I can safely earn, or have earnt enough to not have to worry about a work visa. In China, at least for the moment, it almost an essential prerequisite that you have Bachelor's Degree at least before being granted a work permit. I don't have a degree, and as my partner is in her late 30s nearly, she doesn't have time to wait if she wants kids, so I don't have time to go to univeristy and then work at McDonalds forever before getting my foot up a rung or three on the corporate ladder. It's Fastlane or nothing.
I had already started a small venture where I would be doing translations of Chinese to English, including proofreading for overseas Mandarin speakers, Chinese, Singaporean or otherwise. However, while I hired a freelancer to design the website for me, during the course of that process, I was going through The Fastlane materials, and felt more-and-more like this would be a slowlane venture. Sure, I may save myself costs in travelling to and from work, in the early stages, and I could do it (almost) anywhere, but I would still have to sacrifice time for money. This is on hold for the moment, and I've not had one customer yet. Also, with the development of AI, such a venture likely won't last that long.
Since finishing the book, or at least the first half of it, I decided to hire a freelancer (and his team) in Pakistan to build me an app. This app is built based on pre-existing apps like HelloTalk/Tandem, combined with Duolingo language learning, and a Match.com based dating function. However, I've also decided to include travel blogs, travel posts and the like. I will also add livestreaming. Thinking that my scope would be large, being software, I ran it through CENTS.
C:
Control is mine, but at this stage, I've "hired" a team, and they're doing the work, but I'm waiting and inputting when the product is in the review stage, so ultimately, they have control until it's done. I've checked their background, and previous products, and I'm content enough to let them proceed. I would like to ensure I remove any backdoors they may install though.
E:
Entry concerns me at this stage, as it doesn't have barriers per sé, but does have risks, legal research, market research etc. Plus investment risk, obviously.
N:
I can foresee that despite AI, people will still want to date, and you can't (really) date AI. Or at least yet. To be able to bridge dating and languages, one needs to be able to speak to each other, or at least have a medium where they can communicate, so, there's that.
T:
I can divorce from time eventually, but it does rely heavily on liquidation. If not, then membership fees and streaming fees might be able to unchain time.
S:
Scope. Of course, it's software, it's reach is worldwide, almost. Plus certain nations like China, I would require an Internet Content Providers Licence, which goes back to entry and risk.
Also, I'm a little unsure about licensing, terms & conditions, business licences, tax information. At this stage, both my products are literally just the product. I've no idea where to go from there.
Sorry if my first post is a little long. This is just me marking my start point.
Good luck on all of your ventures, everyone.
Thanks to MJ for all the advice, and all who read and reply below.
I'd like to start by introducing myself. My name is Mark and I've not long since finished MJ's first book The Millionaire Fastlane . I'm part-way through Unscripted , and I finished the audio book Wealth: Exposed, and have started to re-listen to it for moments of inspiration.
My girlfriend introduced me to the Fastlane and "encouraged" me to read it, albeit I was skeptical of it being "another one of those financial help books". The thing is, my partner is significantly older than I am, as she's in her mid to late 30s and I'm approaching the end of my mid-20s; there's just over a decade between us. And we're long distance, like really long. I'm based in the UK and she's in China. Cultural differences aside, I need to find something financially stable, or if I'm ambitious, find financial freedom in order to remain with her. Then lies the problem of immigration; I can't work in China on a spousal visa and I can't even work remotely for an overseas company, as I would avoid paying taxes that way. My aim is to start a fastlane venture of some description, and then manage it, outsource or remove myself from it as much as I can, and that way I can safely earn, or have earnt enough to not have to worry about a work visa. In China, at least for the moment, it almost an essential prerequisite that you have Bachelor's Degree at least before being granted a work permit. I don't have a degree, and as my partner is in her late 30s nearly, she doesn't have time to wait if she wants kids, so I don't have time to go to univeristy and then work at McDonalds forever before getting my foot up a rung or three on the corporate ladder. It's Fastlane or nothing.
I had already started a small venture where I would be doing translations of Chinese to English, including proofreading for overseas Mandarin speakers, Chinese, Singaporean or otherwise. However, while I hired a freelancer to design the website for me, during the course of that process, I was going through The Fastlane materials, and felt more-and-more like this would be a slowlane venture. Sure, I may save myself costs in travelling to and from work, in the early stages, and I could do it (almost) anywhere, but I would still have to sacrifice time for money. This is on hold for the moment, and I've not had one customer yet. Also, with the development of AI, such a venture likely won't last that long.
Since finishing the book, or at least the first half of it, I decided to hire a freelancer (and his team) in Pakistan to build me an app. This app is built based on pre-existing apps like HelloTalk/Tandem, combined with Duolingo language learning, and a Match.com based dating function. However, I've also decided to include travel blogs, travel posts and the like. I will also add livestreaming. Thinking that my scope would be large, being software, I ran it through CENTS.
C:
Control is mine, but at this stage, I've "hired" a team, and they're doing the work, but I'm waiting and inputting when the product is in the review stage, so ultimately, they have control until it's done. I've checked their background, and previous products, and I'm content enough to let them proceed. I would like to ensure I remove any backdoors they may install though.
E:
Entry concerns me at this stage, as it doesn't have barriers per sé, but does have risks, legal research, market research etc. Plus investment risk, obviously.
N:
I can foresee that despite AI, people will still want to date, and you can't (really) date AI. Or at least yet. To be able to bridge dating and languages, one needs to be able to speak to each other, or at least have a medium where they can communicate, so, there's that.
T:
I can divorce from time eventually, but it does rely heavily on liquidation. If not, then membership fees and streaming fees might be able to unchain time.
S:
Scope. Of course, it's software, it's reach is worldwide, almost. Plus certain nations like China, I would require an Internet Content Providers Licence, which goes back to entry and risk.
Also, I'm a little unsure about licensing, terms & conditions, business licences, tax information. At this stage, both my products are literally just the product. I've no idea where to go from there.
Sorry if my first post is a little long. This is just me marking my start point.
Good luck on all of your ventures, everyone.
Thanks to MJ for all the advice, and all who read and reply below.
Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member:
Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)
Membership Required: Upgrade to Expose Nearly 1,000,000 Posts
Ready to Unleash the Millionaire Entrepreneur in You?
Become a member of the Fastlane Forum, the private community founded by best-selling author and multi-millionaire entrepreneur MJ DeMarco. Since 2007, MJ DeMarco has poured his heart and soul into the Fastlane Forum, helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time, win their financial freedom, and live their best life.
With more than 39,000 posts packed with insights, strategies, and advice, you’re not just a member—you’re stepping into MJ’s inner-circle, a place where you’ll never be left alone.
Become a member and gain immediate access to...
- Active Community: Ever join a community only to find it DEAD? Not at Fastlane! As you can see from our home page, life-changing content is posted dozens of times daily.
- Exclusive Insights: Direct access to MJ DeMarco’s daily contributions and wisdom.
- Powerful Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of successful entrepreneurs who can offer mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities.
- Proven Strategies: Learn from the best in the business, with actionable advice and strategies that can accelerate your success.
"You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with the most..."
Who are you surrounding yourself with? Surround yourself with millionaire success. Join Fastlane today!
Join Today