#startup101blogseries Episode 5
Last week was tough for your main man. But, as one of my business coaches told me (Shelby Parchman), you will always have life cards that you will be dealt. It is how you play your next hand in order to continue to press forward. Last week I had to really face some facts about what it is I am trying to accomplish. One is that I have to simplify my message to my target audience. What I am trying to translate has to land as Jeff stated in his notes from last week. I need to learn restraint and focus on simplicity. I have to admit, this is hard as hell for me to do!
Jeff wanted me to come up with one sentence that describes my company. As I told Jeff, I have so much going on that I feel consumed at times because I want to accomplish so much for my family and time is definitely not my friend. Jeff helped me to take a step back and realize the importance of crawling before you walk. Most of the time I am on a full-blown sprint! Usain Bolt up in here! Let me stop, a comedian I am not, but you get the picture.
My elevator pitch for my company in one sentence is now; “Out Of Shape Fitness is a motivational fitness company that inspires its’ customers to work out of the shape their lives are in and into the best shape that elevates them.”
We started this company using apparel as the catalyst to promote our new lifestyle. So we came up with an exclusive bold print of the company’s name and decided to place it on tee shirts. Once people saw this they instantly thought we were referring to physical fitness. BUT BEING OUT OF SHAPE IS SO MUCH MORE!
We came up with 2 more logos that would give a more premium feel. But to Jeff’s point, none of this matters if you can’t get your initial concept to land with the consumer.
On Wednesday we will learn what are some of the next steps for my startup to become a functioning company. Until the next time, keep shaping!