First Steps in Entrepreneurship
I started writing this blog about 2 months ago as way for me to connect with many of the people I know and respect. I also started writing this blog because I knew that in the not too distant future I would be embarking upon a journey of entrepreneurship and wanted to share my story. Hopefully some of what I write here is fun, informative and maybe even inspiring. More importantly for me, it’s therapeutic. Lately, I’ve been going through a period of transition in which I’ve learned a lot and experienced much. Some of you are aware of this transition, but some of you may not. So to bring everyone onto the same page, let me get you up to speed.
I recently departed my job at Citigroup in Dallas having spent one year as a Technology Management Associate and moved back to Miami as of Monday. I’m starting Invizio, an IT services, solutions and consulting company with my best friend Kyle. Our goal is to serve small business clients in the Miami area and to do it well. What sets us apart from the plethora of IT service providers out there is that we don’t sell clients a solution, hope it breaks and then bill them hourly when it does. Instead we provide proactive monitoring and management of their IT environment that runs the gamut from desktop support to information security for a predictable monthly fee. This approach absolves a small business owner of the headache that accompanies manging the people, processes and systems that characterize IT. Our services offer them cost predictability and allows them focus on their core competencies. They save money, we make money, and the world is a happy place.
Our decision has been to build this company from the ground up. No business loan, no big shot capital injections or anything of the like. Just me, my buddy, enough to stay afloat for 10 months, a growing social network and our 11 years of combined experience in the field. I felt it was very important, albeit vital for me to able to fully commit my time to my venture and it would’ve pained my heart to give it less than my full attention. Presently I’ve decided to go cold turkey with no full or part time job. I face the prospect of a dwindling bank account and a finite mound of personal savings to burn through until it necessitates finding a job to cover my bills (see also ‘When Does An Entrepreneur Take A Regular Job?’). In July when I take my finals for this trimester, I will be putting my dual MBA/MS degree at the University of Dallas on hold.
Though for some the decision to start a company at this time in my life may be viewed as risky, I see it in a different light. One great piece of advice I once received was to not only make it a point to know what could go wrong, but also to quantify it. On one hand I’m giving up professional experience in a corporate environment, a 2%-4% annual bump and a few extra dollars in the 401K. On the other an opportunity to pursue my dreams, meet lots of people and a learning experience that is unparalled even in the event of failure. The advice I’ve received from my managers, mentors and friends all echo the same message, ‘While you’re young, with no obligations, now is the time to give it a try.’
So to keep a long story short. We’ve been planning it for the better part of a year and now we’re working on getting everything up and running in the background. Our plan is to launch officially in July so Ill make sure to do an official post about our company when we’re all set to go. Thanks for the continued support and please keep reading. “A journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step”. I hope you will come along for our journey.
June 19th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Good Luck!
June 20th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Good Look Kev!!! And since you’re back in Miami give me a ring when you get a chance. I’d love to hang out when you get some sort of free time…lol
June 20th, 2008 at 8:22 am
I could not agree with you more. This is the time to give it your best shot and then continue punching. Go break a leg!
June 20th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Congrats on the move and welcome to the world of business ownership.
June 25th, 2008 at 12:07 am
[...] received this message of encouragement following my last post “My First Steps in Entrepreneurship” from a great friend of mine Gisela Garcia. I met Gisela in an IT project management class [...]
July 1st, 2008 at 8:56 pm
I know you will do great Kevin…I can already see the results. Stay focused on your dreams and the sky will not even be good enough as a foot hold
July 11th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Yes sir! Whenever I read this blog I feel proud, keep up the good work and maintain the positive attitude. Nuff people talk and few people actually follow through, glad to see you’re one of the few…