The Showroom Startup

[SDRonEbay]

So, at the beginning of the year I'm on AOL and I have my page set to the small business topics because, I'm looking to start my own business, and I see at the bottom of the screen something that says, "The Startup: Online Series." I'm like, what the hell is that? So as I click on it I realize it's an online series about different people either starting a small business or restructuring their already existing business.

I'm checking it out and I'm like, this is a great idea to put something like this on The Showroom. There are a lot of young guys out there who might be trying to start their own business. Just look at our sponsors and addy's. Some of them are guys who started with a shop in their home. So I'm tossing around the idea I say, "I'm gonna do it." The problem is...I had no idea where to start. I mean, unlike the business, I didn't know the first thing about documenting my daily life. I was never good at keeping journals. So I figure, instead of dating it I would just sit down on a scheduled day per week and write out that weeks misadventures.

Well, that didn't work either because my multi-tasking program is always superceded by my priorities reasoning. I seemingly always had something to do. Whether it was baby related or work related, seems I never had enough time on my hands. So, here we are several months later and so much has gone on and I haven't shared one iota of it with you guys. Well, it starts here.

As you guys know, I left Trophy Nissan in December. I moved back to Louisiana in an attempt to keep my family closer since I had the newborn and all. When I got here, I stayed true to Nissan and took up shop at one of the two local dealers. Back on the salesfloor. It took about a week before I realized that this market could not handle two Nissan dealers and I thought about where I was gonna be in the next five years. The fact is I'm always thinking something boring like that. Figures, deadlines running through my head. I'm like a freaking dayplanner...the kind with the calculator inside. One thing is certain about my future, I knew I did not want to work for another human being. I am an economist with a firm belief that small businesses are key to the next economic growth in America. I've wanted to start my own business since I was 18. Back then it was a restaurant though. I love to cook and I thought I loved the Hospitality business.

Older and wiser, I saw great potential in that website I worked for. Unfortunately, I was not backed up. So I thought, why not do it myself. I'm capable, I have the drive to succeed and I know what is key to making a business work. You see, my step dad started his own business nearly 30 years ago, when a man of color was not equal. Yet he worked hard, sacrificed and made it work. Today at the age of 66, he still runs that business. He gets up everyday before the sunrises and doesn't come home till the sun is setting. Work ethic. Although there were times we didn't get along, I couldn't help but respect a man that came so far with so little. I wanted to be that man. So I make out a plan...the first of many...and I say this is what my business is gonna be, these are the people I'm gonna serve, this is how much money I'm gonna make and this is how much I'm gonna grow yearly. You know, what you put on paper and keep in your head is devastatingly easier than reality.

Job one - Choose your name, your product or service, your buying market including demographics, your business location and your form of business.

Complete - Shadow Dragon Racing - SDR will provide high performance parts and accessories to import car owners and enthusiasts. Our market will find it's base in Shreveport-Bossier, LA where we'll deal predominantly with males, ages 18-34 in the lower-middle class. To start off, the business will be based from my home and over the next three years, as stated in my plan, we will expand to a shop and hold promotional outings. (I can't place the website in this post because I want to abide by NICO guidelines) But I can say that the website will be a key instrument in facilitating the growth of the business.

Stay tuned to find out more about Job Two - Becoming a legal entity.

I'll have great references, links and info.

[w1ngzer0]

cool. Good luck and also if your an artist or know someone that is please fix that logo its wack.

I have to many ideas in my brain along with my car and work. Its really annoying at times :P

[SDRonEbay]

My heart dropped to my feet...oh wait, I don't have a heart.

That's not a logo, it's an ad. There's a difference. The logo is a little different, meant to look rustic and worn, but it can't be changed. My feng shui master advised me that I'm strong enough to carry a red/black color scheme but if I didn't include my zodiac spirit it would be very, very inauspicious.

[w1ngzer0]

Well i guess if IBM can pull of cheap 80's logos for today and be the top computer company in the world then sure why not have your dragon

And don't take it to heart honestly man. You need to take these things to improve. If you take everything to heart you will get no where.

Here is an example of why an artist or someone needs to do your logo. These are just minor mods to your current logo.


Modified by w1ngzer0 at 7:56 AM 9/19/2004

[SDRonEbay]

I don't know. I think it wouldn't be the same on the stickers. I can't link the site on here but email me and I'll send it to you. You might understand the look.

[email protected]

[PalmerWMD]

I think that logo is awesome!

Fred..

[SDRonEbay]

Thanks, Fred. I knew somebody out there would warm up to it. Glad it was you, bud.