Authors: Chris Guillebeau
The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future (38 page)
Fact-Based Description: Personal training and exercise plans
Emotion-Based Promise:
Want to get in shape but keep falling off the wagon? I’ll help … and it will actually be fun
.
Note: Some of these businesses are operated by co-owners or another form of partnership. To simplify, I’ve listed the primary contact I talked with during my research.
T
here’s an old saying about the combined knowledge of the pope and a peasant being greater than the knowledge of only the pope. In this case, I felt like the peasant learning from one hundred popes. After a decade of fumbling along, I know how to operate my own business, but crafting a narrative around the lessons of so many other people required me to learn much more than I could contribute by myself.
The hundred-plus case studies I focused on for the final draft (as well as the 1,400 other people who submitted stories and info) deserve my greatest thanks. They were patient with my numerous surveys, requests for additional info, and continual follow-ups. Being willing to share financial information about their business was especially generous. I had planned to gently push for access to finances if needed, but in most cases I didn’t have to push—almost everyone was willing and open to share whatever information would help others.
I do most of my other writing without access to an outside editor, a situation which has numerous advantages, but also a key disadvantage: Sometimes I get tired and take the easy way out. Fortunately, that strategy wasn’t an option here, all thanks to Rick Horgan, leader of the Crown team that published the book. Rick worked diligently and held my feet to the fire time after time, making for a much better finished product. I’m also grateful to Tina Constable and everyone else at Crown, and to my tireless literary agent, David Fugate.
Dave Navarro first gave me the analogy of a product launch being like a Hollywood movie. Jason Fried was the first person I heard say “Failure is overrated.” I’ve undoubtedly borrowed other concepts and ideas, so if I’ve stolen your idea, consider it an act of unintentional flattery.
I continue to learn every day from Seth Godin, Chris Brogan, friends and colleagues in the
LifeRemix
network, Scott Harrison, Gary Parker, and Susan Parker.
Jolie Guillebeau, my wife and chief proofreader, patiently endured repeated discussions about hustling and bad franchises. Many sections of the book were greatly improved thanks to her insight. Critical readings of the text were further accompanied by my four-pawed assistant Libby (aka “The Liberator”). Libby is also responsible for moderating comments on my blog—a tough job for someone who sleeps approximately twenty-two hours a day.
Wherever I go, I work closely with Reese Spykerman, superstar designer, and Nicky Hajal, genius developer. On this project, I’m also grateful for the collaboration with Mike Rohde, who made the fun illustrations you can see throughout this book. Special thanks to Stephanie D. Zito for last-minute cover-art consultation.
Every summer, the World Domination Summit action team puts on a weekend adventure like no other, and I’m thrilled to be along for the ride. All of my work is for and sustained by the AONC community, which greatly inspires me with their stories of change and adventure.
Finally, I offer my appreciation and gratitude to you, the reader. I hope you found these pages worthwhile. Feel free to let me know about your own search for freedom and value by writing in from
chrisguillebeau.com
or saying hi on Twitter (
@chrisguillebeau
).
Chris Guillebeau
Portland, Oregon
THE $100 STARTUP
Name: MICHAEL HANNA
Business:
Mattress Lot
Location: Portland, OR
Industry: Furniture
Name: SARAH YOUNG
Business:
Happy Knits
Location: Portland, OR
Industry: Bricks and mortar
Name: SUSANNAH CONWAY
Business:
Photographer + Instructor
Location: Bath, UK
Industry: Education and photography
Name: BENNY LEWIS
Business:
Fluent in 3 Months
Location: No fixed address
Industry: Independent publisher
Name: MEGAN HUNT
Business:
Custom dresses
Location: Omaha, NE
Industry: Bridal design and shared work/Co-working space
Name: JESSICA REAGAN SALZMAN
Business:
Heart Based Bookkeeping
Location: Attleboro, MA
Industry: Bookkeeping
Name: TARA GENTILE
Business:
Scoutie Girl
Location: Wyomissing, PA
Industry: Independent publisher
Name: DAVID HENZELL
Business:
Lightbulb Design
Location: West Yorkshire, UK
Industry: Branding and design
Name: ERICA COSMINSKY
Business:
Small business transcriptionist
Location: Nashville, TN
Industry: Service provider
Name: TOM BIHN
Business:
Tom Bihn
Location: Seattle, WA
Industry: Bag manufacturer
Name: OMAR NOORY
Business:
These Are Things
Location: Columbus, OH
Industry: Gifts and novelty items
Name: JEN ADRION
Business:
These Are Things
Location: Columbus, OH
Industry: Gifts and novelty items
Name: PATRICK MCCRANN
Business:
Endurance Nation
Location: Boston, MA
Industry: Fitness
Name: CHARLIE PABST
Business:
Charfish Design
Location: Seattle, WA
Industry: Design services
Name: JEREMY BROWN
Business:
No Limit Publishing
Location: Tempe, AZ
Industry: Service provider
Name: KAT ALDER
Business:
WildKat PR
Location: London, UK
Industry: Public relations
Name: JADEN HAIR
Business:
Steamy Kitchen
Location: Tampa, FL
Industry: Food advice
Name: BRANDON PEARCE
Business:
Music Teacher’s Helper
Location: Costa Rica
Industry: Independent publisher
Name: SCOTT AND JOHN MEYER
Business:
9 Clouds
Location: Brookings, SD
Industry: Media and business consulting
Name: JAMES KIRK
Business:
Jamestown Coffee Company
Location: Columbia, SC
Industry: Coffee shop
Name: BARBARA VARIAN
Business:
V6 Ranch
Location: Parkfield, CA
Industry: Cowboy ranch
Name: KELLY NEWSOME
Business:
Higher Ground Yoga
Location: Washington, DC
Industry: Yoga practice
Name: KYLE HEPP
Business:
Kyle Hepp Photography
Location: Santiago, Chile
Industry: Photography
Name: PURNA DUGGIRALA
Business:
Chandoo.org
Location: India
Industry: Consultant
Name: BROOKE SNOW
Business:
Brooke Snow Fine Arts
Location: Smithfield, UT
Industry: Educator
Name: GARY LEFF
Business:
Book Your Award
Location: Washington, DC
Industry: Travel consulting
Name: MIGNON FOGARTY
Business:
QDT network
Location: Reno, NV
Industry: Broadcasting
Name: GABRIELLA REDDING
Business:
Hoopnotica
Location: Venice, CA
Industry: Hula hoop manufacturer
Name: ZACH NEGIN
Business:
SoNo Trading Company
Location: San Diego, CA
Industry: Gourmet food
Name: BERNARD VUKAS
Business:
Mr. Spreadsheet
Location: No fixed address
Industry: Web development
Name: JACK COVERT
Business:
800-CEO-READ
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Industry: Book distributor
Name: JEN LEMEN
Business:
Mondo Beyondo
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Industry: Independent publisher
Name: DARREN ROWSE
Business:
ProBlogger
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Industry: Digital photography
Name: BRIAN CLARK
Business:
Copyblogger
Location: Dallas, TX
Industry: Online services
Name: BRETT KELLY
Business:
Evernote Essentials
Location: Fullerton, CA
Industry: Independent publisher
Name: MARK RITZ
Business:
Kinetic Koffee Company
Location: Arcata, CA
Industry: Coffee roaster
Name: KRIS MURRAY
Business:
Day-care marketing
Location: Hudson, OH
Industry: Service provider
Name: RIDLON “SHARKMAN”KIPHART
Business:
Live Adventurously
Location: No fixed address
Industry: Adventure travel
Name: JASON GLASPEY
Business:
Paleo Plan
Location: Portland, OR
Industry: Independent publisher
Name: AMY TURN SHARP
Business:
Little Alouette
Location: Columbus, OH
Industry: Toy manufacturer
Name: NICHOLAS LUFF
Business:
Independent consultant
Location: Vancouver, BC
Industry: Business consulting
Name: MICHAEL TRAINER
Business:
Global Poverty Project
Location: New York City
Industry: Media
Name: NICK GATENS
Business:
Photographer
Location: Louisville, KY
Industry: Photography
Name: SELENA CUFFE
Business:
Heritage Link Brands
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Industry: Food and wine
Name: DANIEL NISSIMYAN
Business:
Matix Ltd
.
Location: Kiryat Shmona, Israel
Industry: Service provider
Name: SCOTT MCMURREN
Business:
Alaska TravelGram
Location: Anchorage, AL
Industry: Travel discount provider
Name: JONATHAN FIELDS
Business:
Sonic Yoga
Location: New York City
Industry: Yoga studio
Name: BRANDY AGERBECK
Business:
Loosetooth
Location: Chicago, IL
Industry: Graphic facilitator
Name: NEV LAPWOOD
Business:
Snowboard Addiction
Location: Whistler, BC
Industry: Online education
Name: KAROL GAJDA
Business:
Only 72
Location: Austin, TX
Industry: Independent publisher
Name: ADAM BAKER
Business:
Only 72
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Industry: Independent publisher
Name: DAVID WACHTENDONK
Business:
Murder Mystery Maniacs
Location: Chicago, IL
Industry: Event planning
Name: ANDREAS KAMBANIS
Business:
London Cyclist
Location: London, UK
Industry: Independent publisher
Name: ELIZABETH MACCRELLISH
Business:
Squam Art Workshops
Location: New Hampshire
Industry: Event planning
Name: HEATHER ALLARD
Business:
The Mogul Mom
Location: Providence, RI
Industry: Consultant and coach
Name: KAREN STARR
Business:
Hazel Tree Interiors
Location: Akron, OH
Industry: Interior design
Name: ALYSON STANFIELD
Business:
Stanfield Art Associates
Location: Golden, CO
Industry: Art consulting
Name: JOHN MOREFIELD
Business:
The 5-Cent Architect
Location: Seattle, WA
Industry: Architecture
Name: DEREK SIVERS
Business:
MuckWork
Location: Singapore
Industry: Services for musicians
Name: NAOMI DUNFORD
Business:
IttyBiz
Location: London, ON
Industry: Marketing consultant
Name: SHANNON OKEY
Business:
Cooperative Press
Location: Cleveland, OH
Industry: Hobbyist and publisher
Name: CHELLY VITRY
Business:
Denver Gourmet Tours
Location: Denver, CO
Industry: Tours
Name: CHERIE VE ARD
Business:
Two Steps Beyond
Location: No fixed address
Industry: Web development
Name: EMMA REYNOLDS
Business:
e3 Reloaded
Location: Hong Kong
Industry: Global consultancy
Name: KRISTIN MCNAMARA
Business:
SLO Op Climbing
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Industry: Fitness
Name: PERRY MARSHALL
Business:
Consulting
Location: Chicago, IL
Industry: Advertising consulting
Name: REESE SPYKERMAN
Business:
Design by Reese
Location: No fixed address
Industry: Design services
Name: ANDY DUNN
Business:
Luibh and Infinite Touch
Location: Ireland
Industry: Design and development
Name: NATHALIE LUSSIER
Business:
Raw Foods Witch
Location: Toronto, ON
Industry: Consultant
Name: BROOKE THOMAS
Business:
The Well Practice
Location: New Haven, CT
Industry: Health practitioner
Name: NYANI QUARMYNE