As for you test local expand nationwide approach, I think with you successes you have proved this is a viable model. Let’s touch base soon, it looks like we have alot to talk about.

Anyhow, others have addressed some of your questions, so I’ll answer another one.

“Better yet, please let me know what tips you have for BlackTop Hoops…I would love to hear from you and this time my ears are fully open.”

We didn’t really talk in depth about your strategy for developing a userbase for BTH, so I’ll only give my thoughts on how I would do it if I were starting from scratch.

With PhatDeals, we’ve seen how several competitors have attempted to go national all at once. Create the interface, check. Okay.. now to spend all our budget on marketing by blanketing the internets and hoping it sticks..

Thus, our decision to spend a lot of time developing our service with SB as our test market. The reason why we’re in SB is that the constellation of our target market requirements- lots of young, tech-oriented people with smartphones and who need to save money (aka college students and recent alums) + high density of small businesses.

For BTH, you have your own metrics- I imagine they include a high density of streetball players that are tech-savvy (smart phones and internet) + location where recruiters already frequent. There might be more. If I were starting BTH from scratch, I’d identify where these hotspots are, and find the one that balances those factors best with your team’s personal connections. Cleveland, Philly and Oakland come to mind.

Then I’d work my ass off getting plugged into those communities. If the BTH concept gets some wind in its sails you’ll go places.

Aaron

I think the most important lessen here to be learned is communication. This is one reason I’m so adamant on having very good blueprints when working on a new project. I want to make sure I’m on the same page with the client and that I fully understand what they are looking for. I’d say that’s the biggest take away from your story.

Thanks for sharing these experiences! As with David, feel free to let me know if you need help on anything. My strengths are in starting businesses and having a fluent understanding of any technologies involved.

Honestly Brenton, this chapter in your life is a MUST if you truly are going to be a success. Who wants to read about a person who had it easy and succeeded with minimal hardships on their first endeavor? This is where MOST people quit and decide to stop trying….. which is why MOST people don’t ever make it.

- Michal Jordan was cut from the B team

- Thomas Edison failed over 10,000 times before finding the solution to the light bulb

- Colonel Sanders was contemplating suicide months before his restaurant launched

- The Team went through that whole lawsuit

- My first two websites (I started when I was 19) were a complete bust even though I spend WELL over a 1000 hours on them

The list goes on and on. As Orrin Woodward once said, “what you think is a tragedy may very well be your greatest blessing in disguise.”

It is not what happens to us, it is how we RESPOND to what happens to us that makes the difference, and as you stated in your blog, you already unconsciously embraced that habit by flooding your mind with OPPORTUNITY rather then throwing a pity party.

How I love the path of the entrepreneur: hardships, uncertainty, stress, criticism, constant failures, and ALL OF IT by CHOICE. Being so familiar with the bitter taste of failure will just make the victory taste that much sweeter.

“Adversity introduces a man to himself.”

- DMan

My partner worked 30 hours a week, went to school full time and had a full time girlfriend. Being a marketer I have a very strong sense of urgency as speed to market is often important. It always seemed like things wouldn’t get done on time, or there was always a debate on how a feature should work and what should be added in, etc. It can be very frustrating.

Looking back on it…..It may have been better to save up and invest a few thousand into getting the software professionally developed by a reliable team (possibly overseas). This way you would have more control and fire power (more human resources than just 1 dev). Plus if the idea really blows up you’d have more equity for investors or profits for yourself.

I’ve started over 3-4 different companies and tons of ventures in between. The learning experience of launching your own venture or company is better than any class.

I’m sure you’ll figure something out. If you ever want to chat about anything let me know. I started a marketing and web-design company: BrandAdvance.net that is doing quite well so far. If you ever want to bounce anything off me or if there is ever anything I can do to help let me know.