TechTrouts.com

Here’s a little stress free guide on how to create the company you’ve always dreamed of.
This is basically how we’ve created 9tree

Step 1: Get the idea

Well, this is actually not a step, but an event.
It can happen anywhere, with anyone, anyhow. The idea should be independent, not forced. You do not “sit and get an idea”, it rarely works this way.
Best ideas come from getting together and speaking with friend’s/colleagues, idling in the couch, walking around the streets in the afternoon or when your trying to sleep at night.
You probably already have lot’s of these ideas.

Step 2: Ask around/Talk about it

Many people don’t share this opinion, but i always talk about my ideas with most of my friend’s and/or colleagues, even in single projects. I try not to live by the “what if they use my idea” policy that strangles most of us these days.
Maybe i just have good friends or trust a lot, but it works fine most times, and the few times it goes bad serve as a lesson in who not to trust.
Anyhow the feedback is great, my ideas get clearer, i find most of the downsides initially covered by the illusion of greatness, and work them around right from the beginning.
People around me are an essential part of my ideas.

Step 3: Mind up

Ok, now think about it.
How much do you like it? Is it too risky? Is it worth it? Can you do it?
Answer these within you must.
Then let it flow: “i can do it, i want to do it, i’ll do it!”.

Step 4: Get name(s)

One of the hardest steps imho.
Our process involved many days of wandering around trying to get nice ideas, stickers on the forehead with a bunch of words we liked and a few rounds of Jan-ken-pon (rock-paper-scissor).
In the end we came up with a list of six names and a first choice – 9tree.

Step 5: Get into it!

Prospect you market, start preparing your projects, get the tools, work for some test run clients. Freelance into it.
This is a critical control point in the process. It will show you if you can really do it, how good is your work, how well you and your partner(s) get along, company potencial, etc.

Step 6:Final decision

This is where you sit down and talk/think about all of it. Upsides, downsides, realities, illusions.
Think straight, look around, set, go! After this there is hardly any turning back.

Step 7: Plan ahead

Make a roadmap from here until your working at the company, timing is now the key to get everything working together.

Step 7: Get some money

You need the funds to start the company and maintain it at least for a couple of months.
Use your spared money, lone, ask your mom and dad, whatever.

Step 8: Get an office

Preferably close to home, calm, spacy and with outer windows.

Step 9: Quit your job

That’s it, quit the job.

Step 10: Scary legal stuff

Name registration, company creation, accountant, bla, bla, bla…

Step 11: Buy stuff :D

This is the coolest part. Buy the desks, pens, macs, some nice paintings, comfortable chairs, maybe a service car… whatever you stated you needed in the “Plan ahead” part.

Step 12: Get to work ;)

Well, this is it, get up early, make some exercise, go to work.
Don’t work too much, don’t piss people off, get some air once in while, get social every couple of days, take care of your family.

You’ll be fine :)