- 753
- 461
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2013
NT probably has some of the best urban entrepreneurs around. I think all of us brethren in the trenches of entrepreneurship and even those who have made it out the trenches, should have a place to discuss the ups and downs of the business cycle.
So to start it off lets see what we all do answer whichever questions your comfortable with from this list.
1. What is your business.
-Adult based conglomerate which includes a full production company and affiliated model agency which does business mainly out of south florida with connections in NYC and Los Angles.
2. Where did you get your capital?
-Me and my partners worked mall jobs up until about a year ago and invested almost every penny into our company. Unfortunately with the nature of our organization it is pretty much impossible to get a legitimate loan. We pretty much survived the first 2 years on a friends AMEX (who now sports a 750+ credit score). Capital was the hardest and still is the hardest part of our business, having cash on hand to film content and invest in traffic. At this point we use the model agency affiliation to solve some cash problems but it is an everyday struggle being a growing small-business without having the borrowing power of other organizations.
2. How are you doing with growth?
-We are growing approximately 156% a year revenue wise and will be at the 6 figure mark by mid 2014 which brings chills to my body since we literally started from my basement. We recently have relocated to Miami which has turned our company into a recognized upcoming company in the eyes of local Blue Chip brands. Right now our problem is finding reliable employees/interns who are serious about growing with our business having non-influenced intentions.
3. How many man hours do you and your partners put in a week? How do you balance your time?
-In the beginning I put in around 60hours behind the computer for about 2 years. We probably spend more time (20-30 hours) recruiting and networking nowadays as well as about 5 hours a week filming content which will need to increase to around 10-15hours by next year. However the problem I have ran into is wearing pretty much every single hat from managing models to filming and recruiting which has decreased my computer time to around 15-20 hours a week. This is horrible for any business where most of our income comes from the internet. I will be isolating myself from my current living situation (a model house) in order to focus on growth. Call me crazy but distraction is a entrepreneurs #1 enemy I am looking to work 50+ hours in Q1-Q2 of 2014 to be able to have the capital to film 24/7 in Q3-Q4.
4. What are your overall goals with your business? Will you ever sell? What are you other ventures?
-I am looking to create the 4th major Blue Chip adult brand in the south florida region. We are in year 4 of a 7-10 year plan. To our entire company is still in beta and we are testing and learning our industry so that when we finally get a big investment we will be able to allocate funds correctly so that we can solidify ourselves in the region. I honestly would only sell to Manwin (Mindgeek) at this point lol but seriously if I was offered a big 6 figure # I would sell but on a working deal since I love what I do. I am currently investing in my good friends music conglomerate which I have been using my skills to develop his career. I hope to soon open a portfolio and day trade from time as well as one day become a venture capitalist.
5. Do you have any regrets or things in your business that trouble you?
-My only regret is not being able to use my business skills and entrepreneurial gift to do something that I could discuss that the dinner table and that truly make my parents proud. I regret choosing a profession and a career where I have to check my conscience at the door. My business is trouble period I wouldn't suggest it to anyone its not for mere mortals at all. However I can say that it has good aspects that people never will see, it actually takes people off the streets and has them conducting business in a safe controlled environment which is rigorously regulated.
Give me and other entrepreneurs advice and lets turn this into an educational thread!
***PLEASE DO NOT DERAIL THIS THREAD SPEAKING ABOUT MY PROFESSION MY ANSWERS WILL BE LIMITED AND I WILL FOLLOW ALL NT GUIDELINES IF IT GOES SOUTH I WILL REQUEST TO LOCK***
So to start it off lets see what we all do answer whichever questions your comfortable with from this list.
1. What is your business.
-Adult based conglomerate which includes a full production company and affiliated model agency which does business mainly out of south florida with connections in NYC and Los Angles.
2. Where did you get your capital?
-Me and my partners worked mall jobs up until about a year ago and invested almost every penny into our company. Unfortunately with the nature of our organization it is pretty much impossible to get a legitimate loan. We pretty much survived the first 2 years on a friends AMEX (who now sports a 750+ credit score). Capital was the hardest and still is the hardest part of our business, having cash on hand to film content and invest in traffic. At this point we use the model agency affiliation to solve some cash problems but it is an everyday struggle being a growing small-business without having the borrowing power of other organizations.
2. How are you doing with growth?
-We are growing approximately 156% a year revenue wise and will be at the 6 figure mark by mid 2014 which brings chills to my body since we literally started from my basement. We recently have relocated to Miami which has turned our company into a recognized upcoming company in the eyes of local Blue Chip brands. Right now our problem is finding reliable employees/interns who are serious about growing with our business having non-influenced intentions.
3. How many man hours do you and your partners put in a week? How do you balance your time?
-In the beginning I put in around 60hours behind the computer for about 2 years. We probably spend more time (20-30 hours) recruiting and networking nowadays as well as about 5 hours a week filming content which will need to increase to around 10-15hours by next year. However the problem I have ran into is wearing pretty much every single hat from managing models to filming and recruiting which has decreased my computer time to around 15-20 hours a week. This is horrible for any business where most of our income comes from the internet. I will be isolating myself from my current living situation (a model house) in order to focus on growth. Call me crazy but distraction is a entrepreneurs #1 enemy I am looking to work 50+ hours in Q1-Q2 of 2014 to be able to have the capital to film 24/7 in Q3-Q4.
4. What are your overall goals with your business? Will you ever sell? What are you other ventures?
-I am looking to create the 4th major Blue Chip adult brand in the south florida region. We are in year 4 of a 7-10 year plan. To our entire company is still in beta and we are testing and learning our industry so that when we finally get a big investment we will be able to allocate funds correctly so that we can solidify ourselves in the region. I honestly would only sell to Manwin (Mindgeek) at this point lol but seriously if I was offered a big 6 figure # I would sell but on a working deal since I love what I do. I am currently investing in my good friends music conglomerate which I have been using my skills to develop his career. I hope to soon open a portfolio and day trade from time as well as one day become a venture capitalist.
5. Do you have any regrets or things in your business that trouble you?
-My only regret is not being able to use my business skills and entrepreneurial gift to do something that I could discuss that the dinner table and that truly make my parents proud. I regret choosing a profession and a career where I have to check my conscience at the door. My business is trouble period I wouldn't suggest it to anyone its not for mere mortals at all. However I can say that it has good aspects that people never will see, it actually takes people off the streets and has them conducting business in a safe controlled environment which is rigorously regulated.
Give me and other entrepreneurs advice and lets turn this into an educational thread!
***PLEASE DO NOT DERAIL THIS THREAD SPEAKING ABOUT MY PROFESSION MY ANSWERS WILL BE LIMITED AND I WILL FOLLOW ALL NT GUIDELINES IF IT GOES SOUTH I WILL REQUEST TO LOCK***
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