The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur- Building Business Block by Block
Stock Photo
I read a Facebook note this morning that simply blew me away in its empirical simplicity and reality. It was by David Mullings, entrepreneur and co-founder of Random Media LLC which in turn owns and operates Real Vibez Media. Real Vibez is fast becoming a brand synonymous with quality media marketing and delivery; pioneering ways individuals access and enjoy Caribbean Culture and Entertainment.
David recently endorsed the book “The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur”, which I am eager to read and review (see his testimony on the back of the book). He is in great company with the likes of Donny Deutsch, Host of CNBC’s The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch & Chairman, Deutsch Inc. and Bill Bartmann, self-made billionaire & National Entrepreneur of the Year (twice) by USA Today, Inc., and E&Y & Founder of Billionaire Business Systems.
The note, titled “David’s Most Recent MBA vs. TPE Moment” (TPE=Toilet Paper Entrepreneur), was about David’s recent “Eureka!!” moment about building his business.
He received a mind-blowing tip from an advisor, “B” which simply stated:
“… prioritize the top 5 things and knock them down one by one. Build Rome brick by brick.”
David’s MBA thought process was to seek funding to pay a company to build the whole “house” at once but “my TPE brain says to start laying bricks right now instead of waiting on the loan approval to buy the house.”
How many of us still think that way? We have great ideas, but await the ‘big money’ before we can make progress.
STOP IT! Stop it now!
Hahaha! Sorry for the harsh reprimand. But in this day and age of entrepreneurship in the current economy, it seems the best solution may be the ONLY solutions… build Rome, build YOUR Empire… brick by brick. I am by no means an economist, nor do I consider myself an entrepreneurial expert. But I am a GREAT TPE student and apply things I learn daily to the development of my own businesses.
I have registered a cleaning and concierge company in New Jersey and am taking my time (and little resources) to buy my Vacuum cleaners, solutions etc one by one. And you know what… the company will become operational much faster than awaiting the big loans or the big check. Similarly, my soon to be launched entertainment magazine, YaadNoyz Magazine has enormous potential to be a heavy player in the Entertainment Media industry, but I am building it slowly and carefully, using the resources available now while seeking more and progressing forward at all times.
Apply David’s “Eureka!!” moment to your own life and business development strategy. Instead of being stagnant because of lack of money and resources, use what you already have to build from the bottom up… of course, without compromising quality and your own standards. You will be in great company with EBay, You Tube, Yahoo and PayPal which all used this building-block strategy (The TPE way).
Thanks for this early morning inspiration David (I read it at 5:30AM). Anyway, I am out… have blocks to build!
3. October 2008 at 8:33 pm :
Totally agree with this…focus focus focus, prioritize, prioritize, prioritize…in other words again..don’t sweat the small stuff!
4. October 2008 at 2:08 pm :
Glad to see that the note had such an impact on you. There are many people who know me who would not pay attention to the advice and it is heartening to see fellow Jamaicans give credit to others.
We all know that most successful companies don’t start with big money, they were two people in a garage first. Jim Collins’ ‘Built to Last’ and ‘Good to Great’ has some great examples of that.
But the mindset has changed and we get too easily caught up in that mode of only focusing on VC money or angel investors.
I also highly recommend Bo Burlingham’s ‘Small Giants’ to energize yourself and understand what your priorities need to be and how to leverage help from others to achieve your goals.
Those, combined with The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur and Guy Kawasaki’s ‘The Art of the Start’ are the perfect reading list for motivation and execution.
5. October 2008 at 3:25 am :
Thats were I am Paula. For the past 7 years I have been sitting around contemplating starting my company Stereotype which is really graphic tees…now I had a little push almost 2 years ago when I went ahead and purchased my first batch of tees only to be stuck again in a rut where I keep telling myself that I am waiting until I have the resources to print a bulk supply since then several other graphic designs have come on the scene florishing, one guy who I had met at an art exhibit on south beach last year was at another art exhibit this year and guess what his designer tees were a hit and the talk of the evening and I am still where I was 7 years ago still planning on getting that lump sum of money to print a large quantity …the same thing happened when i designed 6 graphics for tees in the height of Usain’s Bolt glory and historic moment on the track…what do you think happened again?
I designed..harassed carebear (hubby) to make sure he did the graphics staying up into the early a.m (its a wonder that poor man has not left me yet) and what is the result..They hype has gone from the olympics and I am looking at the folder of my designs…wondering ..hmmm where did you go wrong simmy?
6. October 2008 at 12:54 am :
Simone, I can relate! Which is why David’s blog had such an impact. I am a planner planner planner…but I wait on the ‘perfect’ moment to DO.
NO MORE!
Let me know how your business progresses! I am eager to hear about your RESULTS!
6. October 2008 at 8:19 pm :
After reading this I feel like someone has been telling you my business. I started writing two business plans last week. One has a two year time line and the other I want to start as soon as possible. The one with the two year time line is a major project and needs, money, land, human resources etc. The other only needs me, and after a very informative meeting with someone on Friday, I decided to take the “TPE” approach. I subscribe to the “Eureka”!!!!!
6. October 2008 at 8:21 pm :
This is just what I needed to read to give me a boost.