2 Tin Cans and Some String - What You Need to Know to Start an Online Business!
Having been involved with the tech sector since 1980 you would think I was proficient in the ways of starting a business…ummm…nope…so what that I started my first tech business by selling software for the Deck Rainbow…(hmm maybe that was/is my problem). So what that I helped to create and market a software utility that went into 10’s of millions of PC’s, or the fact that I represented dozens of developers in helping to market their software designs to software publishers or even that I was involved with the start up of an online company that was sold for over 600 Million dollars….cause sister, I got nothing on truly understanding business start ups... EXCEPT that... any time you go to set up a business on the internet or you want to use the net… it changes quickly…the technology changes constantly.... the Internet changes constantly and quickly...and this in turn causes the entire world to change. The only thing that does not change as quickly though is the people. While we do change to adapt to the technical changes in our lives, for the most part we stay the same. Why is that important in starting an online business?
Well, I feel the reason is that if you know yourself, you will then come closer to knowing what business you want to start (because after all you do not change as fast as technology). This in turn means that if you also know yourself then you can know the people you want to approach with your business. A question you might be asking is “What the hell does 2 Tin Cans and some String have to do with figuring out what kind of business I should start”… hmm… maybe nothing... just a catchy title to draw you in….
Or it could mean something that only you can understand. If you have never done this give it a try, as a kid I never had anything that would be considered hi-tech except for a transistor radio
So we would make use of what we had…in building our Tree Fort we wanted to be able to communicate with outsiders, so we would take 2 tin cans and some string and make a whole in the bottom of each tin can(with a nail). We would then thread the string though the hole and have one end in the back door of our home and the other end in the Fort (pulled tight). We could then communicate with whoever wanted to come up. Of course I am sure we could just as easily have yelled or looked out our little window but that wasn’t the point. It was that we were creating something, a system of communication…a way to allow those who wanted to talk to us to do so in a cool way. We were Hi-Tech… we were cool and we had fun…
The same thing goes with creating a business…the FIRST thing I always tell those that want to start a business and they’re not sure what to do, is to first find out about themselves…. What do you like? What is your passion? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? I also tell them, whatever you do... do NOT just go and start a business because someone says you can make a lot of money. I do NOT care what anyone says... starting a business for the sake of getting rich will lead to one thing for almost 99.99% of all people and that is failure.
Why is that? Well answer it yourself… do you like the IDEA of the business someone just told you about (not of making the money), are you passionate about the business that will make you rich? Do your strengths lend them selves to that business? Will your weaknesses cause the business to grow or fail?
If you answer yes to 3 of the 4 questions then go for it… however if your answers is “I am in doubt” then throw it out! On the flip side…more often than not an idea that you are passionate about, that lends to your strengths and you know that people will like can be exciting to do. So when the long hours come around, you won’t mind that the pay is low to non existent…and finally one day when you become successful. It will be because you were passionate and people saw that in you, then the money will come. But only after you take 2 tin cans and connect them together with a piece of string.
Bonus: So I like to cook a lot and I like to pass along some minuscule experience on my cooking..here is one little bit of fun:
Cooking Da Peeg Island style -
So you want to have a taste of Hawaii but live in Medicine Hat, Montana and you find it a little hard to grab the kids and drive to the islanders local favorite restaurant in the North Shore? Well you can try this Pork BBQ to either feed a few family members or the whole Ranch.
Kalua Pig
- this is similar but different from your North Carolinian BBQ(mine is moister). You do start with the Butt of a Pig... NOT THE SHOULDER.... about 10 -15 lbs, take the Butt and cut it into pieces about 2 by 4 inches and lay it in a pan that is about 3-4 inches deep(like a turkey roaster pan)
Take kosher salt and shake it generously all over the meat(pork is very forgiving). You can take garlic powder(I prefer fresh chopped garlic) and spread about 1/3 cup over the meat. Get liquid smoke and place about 1/4 cup over the meat.
Poor into the pan about 2 1/2 inches of water. cover the pan TIGHTLY with foil. Place in the oven at 325 degrees for approx 4-5 hours. You can test it by opening the foil and with a fork see if the meat falls apart. (also if you have a party that is later in the day...you simply turn the temp down to 200 degrees and let it continue to cook...this will easily stay moist for 5 more hours at that temp(just make sure there is at least a little liquid in the pan)
When ready to serve take two forks and shred all the meat mixing it in with the liquids. You can serve this with a spicy BBQ sauce of your making or off the shelf on top of a bun with slaw on the side or on top of the sandwich, or serve it with baked beans, corn on the cob...or if you want it island style..you make sticky rice, mac salad and island slaw(let me know if you want the recipes for these)
Aloha Ya'all
