erica.biz - Latest Comments

Re: The Indescribable Anger

Anders Michael — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:42:42 -0000

Thank you for sharing, Erica. I am so impressed with your great outlook, especially after having this pain for so long. What a trooper. You are very inspiring :)

Re: Why You Should Talk To Investors (Even If You’re Not Raising Money)

Robert Connor — Tue, 15 May 2012 22:02:11 -0000

Appealing to a Wider Audience-Now you got me thinking....Have a great day on purpose!

Re: The Indescribable Anger

SarahKolb — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:14:10 -0000

I experience this too, to a lesser degree, and I have to say congratulations to you on reaching a point where you can look back and accept your pain, your body, and your limitations without giving up on your dream. It sounds like you're doing everything you can to alleviate the situation, which is all anyone can do -- best of luck to you, and here's to a happier, healthier future!

Re: The Indescribable Anger

maco — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:46:15 -0000

I also have chronic back pain. I got about halfway through this post, checked my elbow position, raised my chair to get my arms up to my keyboard, then checked my screen position after the chair raise. The next step was a visit to the guy who unboxes all the new hardware at work to get enough boxes to raise each screen 2 inches. Good posture feels much more reasonable now.

Re: The Indescribable Anger

Marcelo Garbarino — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:13:45 -0000

I like the way you shoulder this (pun intended) and tell the world openly about your supposed 'weakness'.

Who knows why? Every physical problem in my life somehow made me in the end a better person.

Cheers!

Re: The Indescribable Anger

Nasrul Hanis — Tue, 15 May 2012 08:55:16 -0000

Acceptance is the best - and it makes you stronger than ever! =p

Re: The Indescribable Anger

MaxBlacks — Tue, 15 May 2012 02:50:38 -0000

Excellent news. Acceptance is a fundamental of a life that can only ever be lived in the moment. Accept that and it is really amazing how much crap that 'society' tells us we have to carry around simply melts away.
Onward and upward.

Re: Why You Should Talk To Investors (Even If You’re Not Raising Money)

Sense Money — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:31:20 -0000

It takes a lot of money to make an idea come to life... of course, unless you can handle all the work required by yourself, you will probably need to outsource certain parts of your project to others. This was actually a very good read as I am planning to launch my very own company soon and wouldn't mind getting some sponsors/investors to get some of the software work I need done -- thanks for your insight.

Re: Why You Should Talk To Investors (Even If You’re Not Raising Money)

deblamb — Wed, 09 May 2012 06:45:12 -0000

Wow, Erica! I love reading your blog posts. You always have such incredible and informative information. Your post just really pointed out to me how having good content isn't the only means of obtaining traffic. With that being said, I'm wondering exactly what else can we do as business owners to increase traffic. Does your Whoosh Traffic do that?

I’ve also never thought about investors. Since I own a service business, it sounds as though that might not be the avenue to take. I’m still a bit confused on that. While my Ghostwriting business does pay the bills, I would love to take it to another level but feel like I’m spending all my time servicing my clients.

I know one thing I need to do is develop a product. I’ve started many, but have not finished them. It seems as though I get to the middle of it and then I change my mind or I start something else. Ugh.

Thank you for always giving me something ‘deep’ to think about. I always learn so much from you!

Deb 

Re: Why You Should Talk To Investors (Even If You’re Not Raising Money)

Bob Reisner — Tue, 08 May 2012 23:55:53 -0000

There are more options than a binary yes or no on starting a service business. If the service business has reasonable prospects of success, there might be a partner available to start and run the service business.

I've worked decades at the center of mega corps, started and sold an enterprise software company, and now watch a portfolio and participate in a local family business that employees hundreds and makes serious amounts of money. The business isn't really scalable and certainly can't be sold for more than a few times cash flow...but who needs to. It's a 'lifestyle' business. And lifestyle businesses have some value to some people.

I'd strongly suggest that you find the right partner with a reasonable pocketbook and some understanding of the tech field and let the partner independently develop the service business. Especially if it can help, in some indirect fashion, the core business that you are building for ultimate sale.

The worst solution is to 'sort of' do it in house. As a secondary activity, it will never get the attention it deserves. This means a lesser success or a failure. Especially if your team isn't really on board. More importantly, there is no way a non critical part time in house activity can be anything other than a distraction to the core business. If the team working on the more important business has to find time for the side project....what kind of message does this send? How can it not take scarce labor from the core business?

Your best approach would be to find the right candidate, give the business away and simply become a silent partner. Keep some negotiated share of the business and have an agreement that passes you some fixed percentage of the cash flow after a year or two.

The outcome is that a good idea doesn't go to waste and you get the opportunity to have a small 'safety' account. And no one is distracted from their real job...the big opportunity.

Re: Why You Should Talk To Investors (Even If You’re Not Raising Money)

Becky PatchworkPosse — Tue, 08 May 2012 17:26:59 -0000

it's amazing to see the change! i love it when things line up correctly. i am sure there will be small changes made, but having that aha moment is so valuable. plus, you are beaming with excitement at the clearification that just came. that's what will make it all work.

Re: Why You Should Talk To Investors (Even If You’re Not Raising Money)

Ines Gaschot — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:47:03 -0000

I love this blog post. Especially the part about "great content doesn't get you to the top of google". I am a beginner blogger and have done all sorts of research to get to the top of google search. Unfortunately, my topic runs into a completely different field when searching on google - exercise equipment shows up when you search for my topic. However, I have already been fairly successful in getting to the first page. My question is will this new software you are developing be affordable for the average blogger? I am planning on monetizing my blog in a month or so, but I am not currently making any money off of it. I have valuable content, but I need to figure out how to get more traffic and followers.
P.S. I love austin! I grew up there and my parents still live there. Such an amazing city with incredible people!

Re: Why You Should Talk To Investors (Even If You’re Not Raising Money)

Dave Doolin — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:41:19 -0000

"It has to be a form of 'Why do you say that?' or 'Tell me more.' That’s where the most valuable insights come in."

At a different time and place, I learned this as "Lose the ego." Whence I had what I considered massive success for which residual benefits continue to accrue. But that story is not for here.

Re: Austin, TX vs. Silicon Valley: Can You Really Build A Successful Company “Outside the Bubble”?

Seo Nashir — Mon, 07 May 2012 06:37:00 -0000

This is good topic.

Re: Austin, TX vs. Silicon Valley: Can You Really Build A Successful Company “Outside the Bubble”?

Alexander Griffiths — Sat, 05 May 2012 01:22:28 -0000

Hello Erica, sometimes when we serve our purpose we need to let go of some things. And speaking of moving to other places, if we are comfortable and find better things in the place you've moved in, then you are probably loving it and can find your purpose in there. Great post by the way and more success!

Re: Austin, TX vs. Silicon Valley: Can You Really Build A Successful Company “Outside the Bubble”?

brianfryer — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:17:30 -0000

Oh man, Via 313 knocks the socks off of NYC pizza. And that's not said lightly.

Re: Austin, TX vs. Silicon Valley: Can You Really Build A Successful Company “Outside the Bubble”?

Sterling Jackson — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:48:20 -0000

The best Italian food I ever had was in Texas! It was a little hole in the wall place we found after interviewing/hiring someone in Houston. Man, I wish I could find that place again sometime!

I've seen a lot of people leaving California for various reasons. It certainly doesn't have the most encouraging financial climate for small businesses and startups. I feel like Denver is a better place for my business, than California.

The lack of state income tax is definitely appealing!

Re: Austin, TX vs. Silicon Valley: Can You Really Build A Successful Company “Outside the Bubble”?

UKASH — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 08:57:39 -0000

It seems to be one of the most business-unfriendly environments in the entire country.Talented people will always find a way to get together. What's important is finding a home in a location that energises you

Re: Austin, TX vs. Silicon Valley: Can You Really Build A Successful Company “Outside the Bubble”?

Anne Edwards Johnson — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:07:07 -0000

Go get some cowboy boots and hat, fire a gun, attend a church and continue eating Bar-B-Q. You will probably never leave this Weird, Friendly, Little City. Loved the blog.

Re: Austin, TX vs. Silicon Valley: Can You Really Build A Successful Company “Outside the Bubble”?

Shawn Collins — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:08:52 -0000

I've been here 18 months and I don't know who does or doesn't attend a church, mosque, temple, synagogue, etc. I would say it's not more or less prevalent than where I lived previously (outside of NYC).

I've found the area to be extremely welcoming and friendly. Surely, there are plenty who are as dogmatic, close-minded and intolerant, as the folks you describe in Europe who loathe religion, just as there are religious zealots.

Re: Austin, TX vs. Silicon Valley: Can You Really Build A Successful Company “Outside the Bubble”?

EfesdNome — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:15:23 -0000

Yes, in fact my comment could seems bigot as well. But as you noticed, it just a rant, as i was shocked during my last month trip to Texas, on how cultures differs from Europe/North US versus the Bible belt.

In the past 30 years i traveled through all Europe and many states of US, noticing that all poor states/cities was those with high % of religious people (this is valid even for Africa, Mexico, and South America).

At first i thought that poor people tend to be more religious cause poverty. Then i undestood that is religion that slow the progress. For example in south of Italy and Spain, bigot religion cause strong regression in the common welfare, people are poor and hope in an afterlife and pray for anything (even for the dishwasher to autorepair ahahah), and are all scared to make changes, paying to be saved (then going to hospitals when they are sick).

I'm not intolerant against any religion (as the majority of people in France, Germany, Holland UK, etc..) until this go against progress and common sense or it influence the politics.

I just hate to be discriminated if i do not go to church or do not believe in god/christ/ghosts/goblins/santa claus etc.. as i was a demon that will go to hell., judged by "i-know-it-all" people based on their unproven belief.

People seem to have forgotten that the proof of anything is up to the beliver.
I will come to Austin to hard work,do business, to create new jobs,and to grow up my family, i just hope to do not find bibles near the door.

Re: Austin, TX vs. Silicon Valley: Can You Really Build A Successful Company “Outside the Bubble”?

Daniel M. Clark — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:04:39 -0000

We bypassed Austin when we moved from Albuquerque to Houston (where our extended family is). Once the kids are grown and out of the house though, Austin is on a short list of places we'd like to live next - for a lot of the reasons in this article. Hopefully it won't change much in the meantime.

Re: Austin, TX vs. Silicon Valley: Can You Really Build A Successful Company “Outside the Bubble”?

Shawn Collins — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:39:51 -0000

Sort of funny in an ugly, ironic way that your rant against bigotry is so bigoted.

Re: Austin, TX vs. Silicon Valley: Can You Really Build A Successful Company “Outside the Bubble”?

EfesdNome — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:08:17 -0000

I'm relocating to an Austin tech company too from Europe, and i was concerned about church, jesus and all bigotry there mixed up with guns (a great controsense).

In Mid-North Europe religion is declining fast, people started to understand that they are medieval beliefs, today turned out to make money and take advantage of naive people, and i was really surprised knowing how americans are 20 years behind modern mentality about it.

Your post is not comforting at all, but knowing that many people are migrating to Austin does hope that the mixed culture will low bigotry levels and discrimination.

Re: Austin, TX vs. Silicon Valley: Can You Really Build A Successful Company “Outside the Bubble”?

Shawn Collins — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:30:05 -0000

Thanks, I'll investigate them. But "authentic Detroit style pizza"? I've done quit a bit of pizza research, and I'm skeptical that Detroit beats NYC.