Write a business plan

With unexpected Other Things devouring a month of my life, I had mere weeks left to get my business plan in. I busted busted busted my ass trying to get this finished. I had lists and lists of things that needed to be done: research, financials, competition charts, cover page, executive summary, appendices, contracts, resumes, samples, graphs, supplier info, excel sheets, testimonials/feedback, action plan, editing, weeding, printing, etc.

On top of this I had to rush around trying to register the business name, the business itself, and the business bank account. Horrors!

Then right when I was finally ready to send in my first draft, I found out I only had time enough to send the final draft. Heart attack. I stayed up all night polishing everything and putting together a webpage with a mini portfolio, downloadable appendices, market and equipment & software research, testimonials of people I’ve done work for, contracts, etc.

I can look at all those lists… there are checkmarks next to every item on them. I did it. I got the plan in on the last day. I’m not sure how, but I managed. I also had it approved (with glowing reviews, I might add) on the last day possible, and got my Learn$ave cash out forms in and the check sent out on the final day. Woot woot!!

I got the call that the cheque came in from Toronto yesterday, so today I’m off to the NWCDS to pick it up. Yay!!

• Oh… and if anyone else with this goal would find it helpful, there’s an interactive business planner here. I did most of it myself, but this was a good one…

Last night Daniel came over for a much needed visit.

First we ordered a delicious pizza (plain cheese for him and chicken, feta, & spinach for Markus & I) so our brains would work. Isak decided he could pull himself up and stand if we gave him a few bites. Showing off for Uncle Daniel – I love watching them interact; I think they’re wonderful for each other. Oh, and he’s making Isak a mix CD, so I’m excited about that! We used to trade music a lot, but haven’t in years – so I’m looking forward to hearing what new things he’s discovered.

After obliterating dinner, we made leaps and bounds of progress on the business plan. He’s Mr. Nimblefingers and typed up all the notes while I deciphered them, adding more as we talked about plans and ideas. He had excellent input and always inspires me. Oh it throws such a stress sponge in the further I get with this. He’s also checking on getting copies of the contracts they use for their company, which will be insanely helpful.

I can’t state enough how much I appreciate everyone who is helping me with this goal.

After food & work we still had plenty of time for brother-sister time talking, catching up, life pondering and such before he had to go. I really want to spend more time with my brother. I’m so lucky.

Paulie came by earlier and we worked on the plan for several hours. I feel like we got pretty damn far with fleshing things out more. Now I need to type up about a hundred of the notes we scribbled across the pages, send Paul a list of things he’s offered to research for me, and ponder names further.

Good work. I need to be stepping quicker though.

This is very hard to work on with little people around. Little people who shriek and like to chew paper and grab pens and poke their toes at the keyboard. Little people who are too cute and demand tickling.

I’ve been scribbling things onto the printed out sheet when I can. I’ll try to start sorting them when I have a baby juggler over. Paulie was supposed to come by for another push on this yesterday, but he ended up busy with his own stuff.

I’m starting to get my blood pressure up about this… there isn’t much time left, and I can’t get concentration space.

I spent yesterday morning editing the business plan template, then printed it out so I can flip through & make notes, cross out sections that don’t apply to me, get more comfortable with it. Put in some time pondering names & checking to see if they’re available. Rather bummed the great name idea Markus had (Mass Productions) was taken.

In the afternoon I went by a couple of stores to look at various gear. I’m wondering if it makes more sense to upgrade my desktop PC or get a kickass laptop. There are pros & cons to both. Since I already have a decent PC, maybe it makes sense… something I can take with me to meetings, do work onsite with, use on… a roadtrip for example…

In the evening I did some surfing, researching various sites doing the same things I want to umbrella. There were really crappy sites that made me think “damn, I can do so much better” and then there were the ones that made me gasp at my own technical inferiority, although they were inspiring. I know I’m too hard on myself though (plus I’m more interested in the creative end anyway).

I’m planning a meeting with my brother soon – a brainstorming & tech session (+ social get-together too, of course). We talked a bit about this on the phone & he’s stoked to help however he can.

Today Paulie (one of my best friends – who also runs TWH Productions) came over to sit down with me and slog through the business plan info. Half a social visit, half brass tacks, this was very, very helpful. I think we got through about 10 pages (reading and pondering, not actually writing, that’ll come later), and my brain didn’t shut down this time. Then we sat in the back yard & had some bevvies.

It’s all a little less overwhelming now. It’s still going to be a lot of work, but if I keep doing a little something each day toward getting this done…

{*Visit T.Paul’s website or his 43Things }

I’m making this a sister goal to the “work from home” one regarding the Learn$ave program. This is my most important step. And it needs to be accomplished fairly quickly.