Where do I start?
I get asked this a lot, and the short answer is: don’t try to do everything yourself. I’ve started a few hobby businesses in the past, and I am also a working artist, and those ventures can often be done solo. But I thought MiniCty was such a compelling idea that it deserved to reach a much wider audience - you and people like you.
In order to make a dynamic impact, I needed more help. There is strength in numbers.
What skills do you need to build a successful company?
Growing up, I didn’t know anyone who owned a business. The daily tasks and challenges of running a business were not part of my lived experience. As I got older and met more people, I began meeting folks who had that knowledge. I would tell them what I was planning to do, and ask them if they had any advice. If you don’t know any people like this, look for a nearby entrepreneurs’ meetup group, or ask your circle of friends and relatives to make an introduction, and get on LinkedIn.
Try to build a small group of people who have been where you’ve been and have succeeded in ways that you wish to emulate. You can turn to this group for advice. Be open and honest, listen, and take notes. These are the building blocks to get to your next level.
But how do you find talented people to help you bring your idea into reality?
You’re probably still working your day job and spending evenings and weekends developing your idea, right? Well, so are a lot of other people. Let’s go find them.
From peppering my informal “board of advisors” with questions, I learned that I needed help with photography, graphic design, some 3D modeling and 3D printing, and most importantly marketing. If you find talented people who can get things done, are easy to work with, and whose goals match yours, you’ve got a team. That’s probably why you’re still reading this. There are several ways to find them.
The process
Ask your group of friends, family, and acquaintances! Use whatever medium they are most comfortable using (chat, Instagram, email, in person). Say something like “I’m thinking of starting a real business, and need someone who can do a few hours of X per week - do you know anyone?”
Don’t be afraid to branch out. Actively seek talent from outside of your circle. Some sites to go to are: Craigstlist, Fiverr.com, Upwork.com. These sites are overflowing with users ready to do work, but you have the task of wading through the hordes to find the right one for you. Don’t eliminate applicants based on cost immediately - get work samples and ask questions. Quality speaks volumes when the work is done right.
The ole’ Networking strategy is still alive and active. You need to put yourself in situations where you are likely to find people with the experience that you want. Sure, you can stumble into talented people at a party, but you’re more likely to find a new teammate if you go to a topical meetup group, or a local entrepreneurs’ meeting. You can’t succeed by staying in your comfort zone.
Networking is key.
I approach networking as an opportunity to use my own skills and experience to help people - first by learning who they are and what makes them tick. Famous radio interviewer Terry Gross says that “Tell me about yourself” is the only icebreaker you’ll ever need. Then think about how you can help them - do you have experience with something that they are struggling with? Do you know local freelancers that they need, or someone looking for the kind of work that they do? Help them out, and hopefully they’ll also learn a little about you and what you need. No matter how that goes, thank them for their time, and share contact information - connect on LinkedIn immediately if you can.
This is how the MiniCty team was formed
The MiniCty team was built using all of these methods. My advisors are friends, artists, relatives, and mentors, collected over decades of meeting people and learning what they’re good at. Samantha Barracca replied to my Craigslist ad for a photographer, I met Tina Lerouge at a party that I wasn’t even planning on attending, Joe Strinka sat next to me at a weekly gathering of new friends, I met a UX designer at a startup meetup, a 3D modeler at a previous workplace, etc. None of these talented people would be helping me if I had not put myself in situations where I’d meet new people and started up conversations with no expectations.
Businesses, after all, are people, not paper.
Thank you for reading! I hope this has illuminated the process of building a small company from scratch, or at the very least inspired you to take your idea one step closer to reality. Keep up the hard work, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Mark Stock
Founder
mark@minicty.com
