5 Entrepreneurial lessons learnt from starting up WeOwn.in

Source: Successstories.co.in

Think of this for a minute: We were a good looking team, on paper at least. Our founding team had 3 professionals with 15 years experience, each from different domains – Marketing & Strategy, Operations & Finance and Technology. We knew each other before co-founding WeOwn.in and the roles were established. The concept was agreed upon and the plan made ready. Here begins our story really…and what we’ve learnt so far (given, there is so much more to learn and do).

Lesson #1: Prepare yourself and family for the long haul

There could be a few exceptions to the rule, who could hit it in the first few months. But largely, to get the product/ service right, to be noticed, liked and more importantly used by customers it takes time. In most of the cases it exceeds a year or so. The revenue flow, break even and profitability could take a further while.
This needs serious planning, commitment and unwavering faith in your ability – by you and your family. Prepare and plan.

Lesson #2: Anything takes longer to build than expected (a home, reputation or a website), and sucks in more cash than what is in your wallet.

This maybe a known fact, which we inadvertently missed when we made the plan. Our objective was clear – hit the highway ASAP. The plan didn’t work, things were all rushed up and the ‘free online platform for buying together and sharing’ that we wanted to build was not even 20% ready on the D-day!
Apart from the frustration it brought in, we were also spending over our budget by then. This took us a while to realize that we may have had very ambitious goals to begin with, and didn’t build in enough contingency. It took us a full 6 months more to get the site in a shape that we wanted; we however, started beta testing it in the meanwhile to save time.

Lesson #3: Do enough customer surveys and build in customer voice

This we did – but little. Not enough and not across all segments. We had to do more elaborate interviews and discussion forums to figure how the target segments were receiving it (we continue to do that) later on, but it worked because we had the prototype ready by then. So, people could now SEE what we meant.

Lesson #4: Collaborate more and share costs, where possible

We were doing too many things by ourselves at the beginning and as a result were over-stretched. Things began falling through the cracks. At times, we noticed we just had to ask and there were good Samaritans willing to help.
So, do ask and take help from other entrepreneurs, startup companies, industry associations, evangelists, mentors and friends. Also, join groups of entrepreneurs like the TiE, which are amazing support to an early startup or a young entrepreneur. WeOwn.in has collaborated with TiE & the Startup Festival Bangalore and received its share of visibility apart from making long term relationships with great people. Also, where we collaborated with our affiliates, they were willing to share costs on joint marketing exercises, bringing our cost of promotions down.

Lesson #5: Hiring good guys is a challenge. Be smart about it.

Even for big companies and brands, hiring continues to be a challenge. It only gets bigger when you attract great talent and have very little in terms of money, perks, brand and even infrastructure.

All the people we hired till date have been through referrals and that’s probably the best way to hire for a start-up. We did try campus recruitment, spreading the word around on social media and the like, but didn’t get beyond interviews. The guys we did not favour showed interest in joining us and the ones we liked weren’t interested. While we should keep all options open, try referral hiring initially.

Read more: http://www.successstories.co.in/5-entrepreneurial-lessons-i-learnt-from-starting-up-weown-in/#ixzz2LYB4ke3x

How to put UP, when you're DOWN!

We always put up with life; it's ups and downs. Didn't want this to be a gospel or the "how to series", instead quick 3 simple tips that really help you put UP, when you're down.

HOW TO PUT 'UP', WHEN YOU'RE "DOWN". Here goes...

1. Dress UP - There are so many days, that we dress up for friends, bosses, colleagues, the special ones, spouses, kids, business, media or others, in general. The days you got to dress UP for yourself should the ones when you're down. Try it...wear your favourite shirt or your lucky t-shirt (or your fav perfume), dress a couple of notches up than your normal day. It can instantly change your mood and help you put UP, when you're down.

2. Talk with 2 friends who you haven't kept in touch with lately - and don't raise your concern if you think not. Instead just catch up; 2 or 3 things could happen...He/ she could tell you something that you cheer you up, like what happened with other friends, the latest movie release, the restaurant he/ she's been to and the banter. He/ she could talk about why they're feeling down right now (which you could empathize with or do something about - and lo, you get your mojo back). OR nothing could happen, but a GOOD nothing - you would've caught up with a friend.

3. Watch a comedy  (needn't be a film if you don't have the time) - A short video downloaded/ streamed from the internet would suffice. Whoever said laughing makes you happy, didn't perhaps know HOW right he/ she was and how this could help you put up, when you're down.

And here's the bonus (coz you read through :) - SMILE WITHOUT A REASON! It not just makes your day, but the day of others around you and you would've shown others how to put UP when you're DOWN.

Convert adversity into OPPORTUNITY!

A certain amount of opposition is of great help to a man. Kites rise against, not with the wind - John Neal.

Adversity or difficult times are often feared, dreaded; the mere mention of it gets people worried. We're most comfortable when things happen as per OUR plan, coz we think we know what's best for us. May not be the truth always.

Adversity needn't be that phobia inducing circumstance, if you change the lens you view it with.

How many times haven't we turned back to look at adversity, our difficult times (yes, and all of us have been through them) and thought that definitely has taught something. I'm better off today since I went through that period of adversity.

We've also heard of inspiring stories: JK Rowling lived on welfare with a dependent child before creating the Harry Potter franchise. Before founding  Walmart, Sam Walton milked cows and sold newspaper subscriptions. Henry Ford was broke 5 times before he started Ford Motor Company. We would never have heard of 'Honda', if Soichiro Honda had got the job he wanted, of an engineer at Toyota. And remember, India wouldn't be a free nation, if Mahatma Gandhi thought it is difficult to convince half a billion Indians then, to fight for independence, but through non-violence in the face of severe oppression.

So, if and when, you're going through rough waters, look at what is going on FROM A DISTANCE. Take yourself out of the picture. See what you can do about it, what you can learn from it. And more importantly, Opportunity often comes disguised as Adversity. Look deep & look hard to find yours.

Adversity is like waves in the sea and need to be taken in the same spirit, like a surfer doesn't worry about them and uses them to keep surfing, to go higher, farther, faster.

Adversity is the gift that's not packed properly, but what's in it is invaluable. OPPORTUNITY!

Why not co-own? Co-Ownership is Shared Ownership!

Co-ownership or shared ownership of assets is not a new idea at all! Infact co-consumption of services is also practised within friend and family networks. Co-ownership or shared ownership clearly has value and its place and here's an invitation to look at what it means to you.

How many times haven't we bought things that we don't use optimally (not counting the ones we sell disappointedly) or just wouldn't need regularly? If you're saying Yes, the answer is too many times and if you're saying 'Maybe', the answer is still, too many times (to remember).

So, why not co-own or co-consume the things which we'd like having, but not that regularly. Fancy having a farm house, but scared of the rocketing prices OR dream of driving around in a SUV, but concerned that it won't help you drive through the traffic on city roads everyday? Well, consider co-ownership or shared ownership for a minute (If you're possessive of the thing you're going to buy OR use it too frequently to be able to share usage, co-ownership or shared ownership may not just work though).

You not only split the price of possessing one, but also the cost of running (maintenance) it. Now that is Cost Divided and Joy Multiplied!

With HOW MANY would you share ownership and WHO exactly, are perhaps the next questions to figure.

Now, let's see: A good set of questions to ask are:
1. Will I be able to share usage? Will I be able to better utilize or have more fun when I share ownership? Does it help me get closer to my aspirations if I co-own/ share ownership? Could I invest together with others?
2. How frequently do I need this and how many people can I share this with?
3. What is the value of co-ownership/ shared ownership in terms of cost?
4. Who amongst my friends or family would be interested to share this with me? Can I check with colleagues or neighbours also?

As long as there are reasons to pursue shared ownership, there is a platform: WeOwn.in (www.weown.in), to help you deal with questions like "how do I check with people if they're interested too"; "who will do the paperwork" OR just "how will we track expenses or issues". They simplify the entire process, hand hold you through the process and even help you negotiate prices. The best part is, it won't cost you anything.

So, whatever it is that you're buying next - a car, home, going on a vacation or just about anything, create a post on www.weown.in and join others who're now comfortable with co-ownership and shared ownership. Co-ownership or shared ownership could just be the smarter path to your goals!