Since it’s April 15, I’ve been thinking about my husband, a C.P.A. who runs his own small company. He’s been working insane hours these past few months. This seemed like an appropriate time for a thanks to him and to all of the life partners out there who are supporting the writers and dreamers among us.
A little more than six months ago, I left my job and started this website. Even though I loved being a magazine editor, I had a dream of starting my own website for writers.
When I proposed the idea to my husband, let’s just say he was a little skeptical.
But he supported me anyway. In fact, he’s my first (and only) investor. He earmarked $1,000 and told me to set up a business checking account with the money.
From the start he had me thinking like an entrepreneur and I mean that in the best possible way. He often reminds me that small business start-ups take three to five years to start turning a profit.
I’m a person who’s driven by ideas, not money. But I can’t tell you how helpful it’s been for me to start thinking this way. It takes three to five years of building, creating and growing something before it begins to pay off.
Next time you’re down about how long it takes to write a book, get an agent, build a platform, just remember that.
-Maria Schneider
flickr photo the-o
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I am so glad you wrote this because I have always been curious about your process/motivations/dreams but have tried to use unusual restraint on my part. Usually I would have just blurted out “Hey Maria…how come?” and then be plagued by Dobby-style regret (the self-punishing house elf from Harry Potter) *Alegra bangs her head in the oven ‘I will not ask intrusive questions! I will not ask intrusive questions!’*
I love what you are doing and I have no doubt that it will all continue to grow – you are just that type of woman.
EU has come a very long way in a short time, Maria. You’re doing great. I saw the post over on the forum today by cslakin, who has been pursing the dream for twenty years and now has a book contract. That was pretty inspirational. It takes time to build something good, and we all need to keep that in mind.
~jon
Thanks for sharing your husband’s insight, Maria, and then applying it to the business of writing. It’s good to know that it’s not unusual to have to invest several years in building a platform, etc. Thanks for your encouraging words.
Great perspective, Maria.
BTW, your ideas are great, but it’s the execution that makes them shine; kudos for all you’ve accomplished in this short time!
I love your ideas, and speaking on my part I think it’s great that you’re doing what you’re doing. I love you very much, and especially your last two pictures are very impressive!
Love,
your daughter,
liv
Yes, supporting partner is a great and important asset for any writer. I’m glad you’ve got one. It will let you do great things, I’m sure of it. You’ve done wonders in some months and this is growing and growing.
A big bow to your husband, and another great big bow to you.
Maria, I’ll parrot (squawk!) the others: you’re doing fine things here, and have built something credible, solid and helpful in a very short time. Persistence really IS the key. I just sold a travel piece to the LA Times yesterday that I’d been shopping for a bit more than two years.
(And thank your husband for me, too.)
Maria:
Thanks for reminding me of these very important facts about small businesses and 3-5 years. I used to repeat them often to small business owners when I worked as a small business lender. Now it’s my turn to hear those same words as I’m now on the other side of the desk. They make me feel much better. :)
Well, I for one am so happy you are here. I’ve learned so much in such a short time and I’ve met some wonderful folks, too.
You’re not just an entrepreneur, you’re a great community builder.
Cheers
George
We Love Maria! We Love EU!
Talent and persistence – the magic combo, and you have both.
I also have a small partnership (nothing to do with writing, I’m afraid; well, no, actually, quite a few clients require our expertise for web content in health, mental health, and substance abuse) and after 3 years we’re still not paying taxes! Like all things, building something great takes times. Malcolm Gladwell’s BLINK says it takes 10,000 hours to become proficient. So keep building, word by word; that’s the fun of life anyway. Peace, Linda
Oh, and kudos to the hubbers! And that Olivia! Support doesn’t always have to be financial. Peace, Linda
Hi Maria.
There’s little doubt you’re on the right track with EU. Your husband has strong insight.
Turning an online community into a profit engine is no small task (just see YouTube & twitter), but you’ve got the advantage of a insightful, dedicated membership. I think I speak for many of us when I say that EU has added value to our lives, both professionally & personally. That may sound a bit gush, but it’s true. Honestly.
If the entrepreneur focused lectures @ Kenan-Flagler b-school taught me anything it’s that start-ups and small businesses survive on passion first. Second? “Long-term sustainable growth through managing working capital” (JoeyB – http://tinyurl.com/cekmkt ).
Basically that means collect your Accounts Receivables early as possible, & pay your Account Payables late as possible. Stir in a small amount of smart borrowing and you’re off to the races!
Finally, growth is a function of value creation – in the most literal sense this means that the more value you create for your membership, the more successful the business will ultimately become, as long as you’re managing working capital.
Have passion, manage working capital, create value. Seems easy right? Nothing could be harder. And as I suspect you know by now, nothing could be more gratifying. You get these three right and you’re well ahead of 90% of new businesses (and plenty of established ones…).
OK, sorry for the brain dump. I love EU. I want more. I want it for a long time.
All IMHO,
Sid.
EU R*O*C*K*S!
It’s plain n’ simple!
Thank you for creating, and nurturing, such a beautiful site, Maria!
**CYBER-HUG!**
(N’ a big HUG to my wife Karen too, for supporting ME all these years! You rule, baby!!)
Peace,
Candy Buddah
Wow, I’m overwhelmed with the support here. *blushing*
Thanks so much everyone–your kind words and positive energy mean so much. Thanks for coming along on the ride with me. :)