I am really excited about this, I have found a project that well… seems a lot like my business in 81 days idea that I am planning on helping out with. Only if this project is successful, it will make 81 days feel like a life time in comparison. The project is called startup weekend and the basic concept is to get a huge group of absolutely crazy individuals together to try and have a business running by Monday morning. 1 weekend to start a business, is it possible? I certainly think we can do it, and I hope to find out in October when one will be held here in the grand ole’ District of Columbia. For more information visit: http://dc.startupweekend.com/

In order to claim victory, I hope to have at least formed an agreement with one customer by the 81 day mark. In order to do that, I have set the following milestones for myself to try and adhere by. I really have no basis for this schedule other than my gutt feeling about how long it will take.

DAY 7: All major sections of the business plan, exclude financials will be bulleted with the major key points that I want to get across. Meet with at least 2 people to discuss my idea
DAY 14: First draft of a full business plan excluding financial sections. Meet with an additional 2 individuals about my business concept.
DAY 18: Have 1 individual provide editorial feedback on the way that the business plan is written. Have research financial sections of the business plan farther, so I will be able to better attack those sections.
DAY 28: Fully edited business plan. Continue networking with at least 2 individuals a week to discuss partnerships, opportunities, and potential customers.
DAY 35: Make a decision about how the venture will be financed (Blood and sweat, Angel Investment, or VC)

The rest of the schedule will be dependent on the decision made on day 35. In interest of not getting too far ahead of myself before some important decisions are made, I will spend the next few days (whatever time I have outside of being a devoted worker and loving husband) in business plan world so that I can convince myself and others that this is a venture worth pursuing.

Please comment on my proposed schedule if you have any suggestions. I am definitely looking for opinions throughout this whole process.

There is one way to find out. In an effort to keep myself focused on a particular business idea (my wife complains because I have to many of them, I think the complaints stem from her having to listen to the nitty-gritty details of each of them), I have promised myself that I would religiously blog about my processes for the next 81 days. Day one will start at midnight tonight, were I will begin to plan out the schedule that I hope to follow within the next 81 days. More on the schedule to come…