Au Revoir Blogger and Merci

I started the Why Go Solo blog on Blogger in May, 2007 because I wanted a blog where I could track and tell the story of our journey. Nothing was going right with the technical development of Why Go Solo, so I turned to Blogger—it was easy, it was simple, it was free and it provided me with what I needed.

After five months, we are finally moving to a blog on our own domain, that was fully developed by our team and is still a work in progress. I can be a sentimental fool at times, and this is one of those times. In the last five months, I have poured my heart out on these pages and built great relationships with a few of my readers. I have grown, learned and found some amazing support.

The story will continue to unfold on the new blog…but it’s turning into a new chapter. I’m happy to be turning the chapter; however, I don’t want to lose or forget anything that has gotten me to where we are now. And by lose, I don’t mean lose the posts/data…I mean, the knowledge, the lessons, the beginning…the where I came from.

It’s been a great deal of pain thus far, and I say that with fondness, a smile on my face and a tear in my eyes. The new chapter starts with opening our doors for people to sign-up for their invites to the private beta and introducing more about Why Go Solo and the team behind it.

For all of you following the story, thank you. Continue to follow the story and participate in the story at the Official Why Go Solo Plugged In blog.

See you all in the new chapter.

…to be continued at our new home

I've Been Living Under a Rock...

I don't know how I didn't know about Paul Potts...thank you to Brant Collins for sharing it on Pownce. It brought tears to my eyes...

Entering a New Stage with Multiple Fronts

The development of a start-up has many stages and although they might vary slightly from one start-up to another…I think, to some extent, they are basically the same. Of course this is my first start-up of this magnitude, and I’m not an expert, so I’m writing this post (like all my other posts) in laymen’s term.

Here is a little recap of what’s been going on to better lay the foundation to explain the new stage we’re entering into:

First Stage: Have an idea. I was blessed with an idea for a web start-up through having/seeing a huge need that is currently unmet.

Second Stage: Create a team. I shared the idea with a few people who had key abilities, experiences and assets in the hope to create a team that could develop and bring the concept to market. The concept became known as: Why Go Solo

Third Stage: Nail down who is in and who is out. The team solidified itself (two of us were left standing) and we proceed to get the business plan together

Fourth Stage: Write the business plan. Through writing the business plan, doing a lot of research, and talking to many people about Why Go Solo; the idea/concept grew and was furthered developed.

Fifth Stage: Raise money. Once we had a completed business plan it was time to raise funds. Through lots of researching, networking and hitting dead ends…we realized we needed more than just a business plan to raise funding.

Sixth Stage: Develop the “product”. This stage required finding and bringing together a development team. Without funding, this stage also required growing the overall team, which is truly a joy and pleasure.

Seventh Stage: Get the growing team up-to-date and working together. Establish procedures, terms, and development platforms.

Eight Stage: Begin development.

It’s odd to look at those stages simplified like that, because it does little to identify the many challenges, obstacles, victories, joys, pains and difficulties you encounter in each of the stages...

Anyway, this brings us to the Ninth Stage…and let me tell, Stage Nine is one complex stage.

Ninth Stage: Multi-task, Supervise and Grow

For Why Go Solo, Stage Nine has three main fronts and multiple sidebars.

Front #1 Development: The development process requires constant supervision and clarification. Each developer/programmer is working diligently on his or her own piece of the puzzle and each piece is being brought together to create a whole. The whole is a moving target that needs to be identified, clarified, solidified, and perfectionized constantly, so it is the extreme best it can be. This requires the efforts, coordination and participation of many people.

Front #2 Fund Raising: Since the product is being developed…the fund raising efforts are being re-initiated. This includes updating potential investors, reconnecting with past investment options and creating new investment routes and opportunities. This involves a lot of researching and networking.

Front # 3 Finding our Clients and Customers: It’s too late to start thinking about establishing contact with potential customers once your product is already to market. This needs to begin happening before your product hits the market. Since we have three types of clients and customers:

• Individuals (This group is further broken down into three main markets)
• Corporations
• Partners/Advertisers

It’s even more crucial that we begin reaching out and building interest in who we are and what we are offering, ASAP. This involves creating a lot of materials and presentations. It also involves networking with an entirely different set of people…

Anyone overwhelmed yet!?!? Hope not…because we haven’t even addressed the side bars:

Sidebar #1 Production: We have a production side to our web start-up, therefore, we also need to buy equipment, test the product and begin production and create an inventory. This involves doing some additional research and finalizing some items and partnerships.

Sidebar #2 Board of Advisors: Time to focus on operating more like an established start-up and begin having regular meetings with our Board of Advisors…in preparation to working with our Board of Directors.

Sidebar #3 Legal Matters: “Protect our Six” We have been very good at seeking and following legal guidance and advice. Now, in Stage Nine we have a lot of new agreements, contracts, terms of services, etc. that we need to ensure we are creating and using. We also need to start submitting our patents.

Sidebar #4 Coaching Corner: I haven’t talked much about this—if at all, and I’m going to keep it that way for now. I’ll just say that it’s big item on the sidebar that includes creating and establishing another blog and podcast.

We entered the Ninth Stage within the last couple of days and this stage will go for about the next 8 weeks. Truth is…the pace is only going to continue to pick up in the next stages. These are the real fun times of the start-up process...these are the times things are happening and coming together.

Inching Towards the Avalanche

Last night we had our first development team meeting…I feel it went really well, and I’m even more excited about the team, the talent, the passion and the enthusiasm embedded within the team. We will unveil the members of the team once we release the new blog and we are more deeply into the development phase(s).

Not to contradict my other post Who is Your Front Man…but the backbone of every Web 2.0 company is a strong, knowledgeable and experienced development team. No development team…no concept, and no job for the front man.

Initially, the development work for Why Go Solo was going to be outsourced, but we ran into all sorts of problems, road blocks, issues, and frankly, a lack of money. Due to the level of work required, the immense potential of Why Go Solo and a need to ensure top level quality control, very timely response time, and performance assurance, having our own team makes a lot more sense and makes us much stronger as a whole.

We might have to plug a few holes here and there with additional programmers, developers and leaders in certain respective areas, but as it turns out, the team has the connections to those people and the abilities to do whatever is needed. Have I mentioned how nice and good that feels!?!?

Development is set to begin on September 7, 2007 (my birthday present) with a private beta release scheduled at the beginning of November. A more solid timeline and updates will be released as we make progress and move ahead.

This is that moment where the scale is about to turn…I smell it in the air and I feel it in my bones. Not saying the fight is over…but when you have a team behind you, when people are brought together, when passion is ignited in highly motivated, ambitious and intelligent people…that creates some serious synergy and momentum.

I’m smiling, I’m happy and I feel good…and that is priceless after 8 months of working at making this happen. No stopping a massive avalanche of progress and good things from happening!!

13 Entrepreneur's Secret to Success




Thirteen Entrepreneurs Secret to Success I selected my favorite top 13 Success Secret from the Entrepreneur Magazine's Hot 100 List in the August issue (the online link has all 500 companies) 1. DivX Inc.: The ability to embrace an unforeseen opportunity and have the patience to ride the waves to see the vision realized 2. Lifted Research Group: Passion, hard work and surrounding myself with great people. Also listening to my heart rather than my pocket. 3. Reflectx Services: Having an experienced, talented and dedicated team with common core values and the willingness to flex to meet market needs in spite of the business plan. 4. Goodman Networks: Having passion and desire for what we do along with an entrepreneurial spirit and an optimistic outlook on life. 5. Road King Trailes Inc.: Stay focused on your goals and products; don't just focus on what your competition is doing. 6. Hazen Construction LLC: Delivering projects as promised with a high level of quality in order to have the best reputation. 7. TC Consulting Inc.: It is the pursuit of excellence, never settling. It is the ability to live without regret. Being able to succeed is to never be content and always keep the ambition machine full of fuel. 8. Vineyard Vines: Success is having fun and loving what you do. 9. ExactTarget Inc.: Succcess means creating something that adds value--every minute of every day. 10. Journeyman Construction Inc.: See not hurdles--see opportunities 11. Albar Precious Metals: Listening to the advice of other successful people. It's very easy to get an ego--I've found the best way to achieve success is to surround myself with successful people. 12. Tavant Technologies Inc.: Keep customers satisfied, keep employees happy and constantly strive to get better at what you do. 13. North American Building Inc.: Plan your work and work your plan. Never say it can't be done. Resourcefulness produces results.




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Next Five Reasons I Must Become a Multi-Millionaire

6) Become an Angel Investor: Once I’ve made my millions, it will be my pleasure and I think loads of fun to help the next generation of entrepreneurs make their dreams come true…while funding projects, that will make our world, society and environment better places.

7) Socialize the Right Way: Yep, I plan on having an entourage. I love my friends and family—I want to treat them to the good life. All expense paid trips to exotic locations, fun and exciting parties, and cultural experiences that will change their lives.

8) Write my Book Series: Once I’ve made my millions and created an ongoing stream of income that brings in more millions; I plan on taking the necessary time off to write the book series I’ve been creating in my imagination and carrying in my head for the last few years.

9) Stay 30 Forever: Thankfully, I look young. Most people think I’m in my early-20s, but since I’ve been experiencing significantly more stress this past year… I don’t know how long that will last!! No seriously, once I turn 30, I plan on paying whatever it cost to keep looking young. It’s funny for me to be putting this out to the world because anyone who knows me or meets me would never guess how vain I really am, shhh....

10) Buy Anything I want: That's a bit of an obvious one...which is why, it's last. I want to be able to buy whatever fancies me. I'm far from being a big spender or extravagant person, and I doubt that will change, since I'm motivated by the work I do and my work makes me happy—none the less, when I want something, I want to be able to just get it without any worries.

The way I see it...the first step to becoming a multi-millionaire is knowing WHY you want it. Once you are clear about why you want something, it's much easier to fully engage yourself in making it happen.

Ten Reasons Why I Must Become a Multi-Millionaire

Starting with the top 5

1. Really Make a Difference: Let’s face it…wealthy people have more influence and a stronger “voice”. Fame also helps in that department. I want to have the type of wealth that allows me to make significant charitable contributions and be part of the decision process in the areas that matter to me.

2. Re-engage with the Coaching Agency: I strongly believe in the power of coaching and how it can change and impact people’s lives and therefore, our society as a whole…and although, the Coaching Agency concept didn’t work the first time around, I do want to re-engage and turn it into a non-profit organization. It would mean a lot to me to provide coaching to people who would benefit the most from having a coach, but can’t afford it. This would also help out the coaches who are passionate about what they do, but can’t currently support themselves working solely as a coach.

3. Create my Own Playground: I work and live to see the day I own my 300 acres of land on Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and my own personalized playground!! You name it, I’ll have it. Obstacle courses, kayaking, boating, canoeing, hiking, biking, walking and running trails, full day spa, gym, yoga…full service lodge and cabins, an amphitheater and my dream house on top of the hill. People will come for training, seminars, retreats—to relax, write, learn and grow. It will be my little piece of heaven that I will share with people.

4. Travel the World my Way: When I travel I like to get submerged in the culture…not go somewhere for a week and leave. Taking Why Go Solo to the international level will be a joy for me. Having condos here and there will be critical to my traveling experience. I want to be able to stay and get to know the people and culture of the places I visit.

5. Have my Perfect Life: There are only FIVE things I want to do:

• Lead
• Make Decisions
• Create/Build
• Think/Innovate
• Inspire/Motivate

And that’s it. Everything else I want to delegate. I’m going to need (to list a few) a personnel chef, personal trainer, personal assistant, full housekeeping staff, landscaping team, office assistants, on staff beautician, nanny (if I ever have kids) and a personal shopper.

This is not to say I don’t want to get my hands dirty or that I’m lazy. This is about only doing the things I love and enjoy to do. I will pay a very nice sum for all the extra help. Most people who choose the professions whose assistance I seek, do so, because those are things they love to do…I’m a huge fan of helping people make a living doing what they also love. I’m a pro at delegation and supervision. And I’m not a bitch about it either!!

Next 5 to come tomorrow!!

This is the Highlands National Park on Cape Breton

Positive Influences

I made a decision 3 years ago to surround myself with positive people and influences. Prior to 3 years, I was in a bad relationship, a painful job that beat me down everyday, and was living a strictly materialistic lifestyle. One day when my body felt numb, I knew I was ready to receive a heart attack and that it was time for a change. I went through a divorce, quit my job, sold or gave away most of my material possessions and started to live. I know from that point, I was never going back to a job with a boss and I was always going to surround myself with people that are positive and that inspire me to be better. I now have the most beautiful wife, my own business (mind you, I’m on my fifth business with WhyGoSolo), a group of friends I would give the shirt off my back to, and a whole new perspective on life.

I included this video not just to promote Sugarland and Country music but to show that you can get positivity in many different forms. Has anyone had a similar experience?

The Call of the Entrepreneur

I came across this video in another entrepreneur's newsletter (Frank Felker) a few months ago. It really motivated me back then...and it motivates me now more then ever. I wanted to share it, especially with the other entrepreneurs who are reading this blog and the many people who are thinking about taking the leap of faith and starting their own business.

Our quest is picking up speed and we are grateful for everyone who are joining us, on the ride.

My Other HUGE Aspiration

Besides building a business empire...there is one other MAJOR accomplishment I want in life--to do an Eco Challenge Race. I just received this email: ANN, hey you interested in the eco challenge. Call me at 713-XXX-XXX tomorrow, the eco challenge registration starts this weekend and we get a year to prep. I will give you the details when you call. The sender of the email is a former Force Recon Marine I met in Iraq. The whole team would be made up of former special operations guys...and me!!

Well, as if there wasn't enough going on right!?!? You better believe I'll be calling him. Time to make all my dreams come true.

Brass Balls, Got em'?!?! Great, Let's Talk

Asking my father for money required me to really dig deep, grab hold and just go ahead and do it. That was last Tuesday…on Sunday, a call from my older brother that started casual, but was really about a new layer to the whole my getting some money, unveiled a lot of stuff that brought much pain, hurt, anger, relief and answers.

I truly, truly want my life to run smoothly and with ease. However, that’s not what I’ve ever gotten. Instead I keep taking beatings…and I keep getting back up because it’s not going to be over until I say it’s over. Like always, I’m facing the pain I’m feeling head on, I’m choosing to look on the bright side of the situation and I’m also electing to not hold a grudge and to simply forgive. And that is all part of having Brass Balls.

Here are all the traits and characteristics it takes to be a person with REAL Brass Balls (according to Ann):

Admit Weaknesses and Ask for Help: We all have them. We all have weaknesses but only those will real strength and wisdom will admit their weaknesses to themselves and to those who need to know them. You can’t be provided assistance and help…if you don’t admit, show or ask for it. You also can’t work on and improve your weak areas without first facing the fact that they exist.

Admit Wrongs and Mistakes/Say you are Sorry: A person with brass balls will easily say “Hey, I’m sorry. I was wrong about a, b, and c.” Or, “I made a mistake and I have learned. I will not make the same mistake again.”

Forgive Those That Do you Wrong: It takes an even bigger set of brass balls to forgive those who do us wrong. To accept that people are not perfect. We all make mistakes and whether or not the other person is asking for forgiveness, offer forgiveness, because there’s no point in carrying pain, anger and hurt around.

Express Feelings and Emotions: To speak and communicate your true emotions and how you feel is a very difficult thing to do…and a thing most people avoid at all cost, when in reality, having the brass balls to express yourself fixes lots of problems. Saying: I’m hurt, I’m angry, I’m feeling mad, I’m feeling so much pain, I’m proud, I’m happy, I’m disappointed—the list is long and we all know it…a person with brass balls expresses it.

Tell the Truth: You’ve got a pair?!?! Then you don’t lie. You tell the truth, and in sticky, difficult situations, you use lots of tact to do it, but you still tell the truth. People want to hear and be told the truth. No one wants lies, empty promises, and make belief stories. The truth shall set you free.

Address issues: This is similar to telling the truth, but a little more intense. The person with brass balls is the person who calls out the pink elephant that’s in the room. Who doesn’t avoid addressing the real issues head on and calling it (tactfully) the way they see it.

Face Fears: A person with brass balls is not without fears. They are, however, armed with courage and bravery. It might take time to face certain fears ,but they don’t avoid it, run away from it or try to bury it. Here’s a good cliché: There’s nothing to fear but fear itself. Don’t allow fear to stop you from being all that you are meant to be and to reach your full potential. Dig deep and check out what’s down there.

Face Challenges: Much like fear…people with brass balls will take on and face the challenges they encounter. Some people go after them and create them…but that’s not a requirement to earning your brass balls.

Think Positively: A person with brass balls has a positive attitude and outlook on life. They see no point in being any other way. Being positive is what makes you strong mentally. Being mentally strong is what helps you be strong emotionally and physically.

Deal with Uncertainty and the Unknown: This is a key component to having brass balls. A person with true, solid brass balls has NO COMFORT ZONES. They live comfortably in an environment of uncertainty and unknown. They possess supreme confidence and are prepared to face anything that comes their way.

I’m personally always working on increasing the size of my brass balls…of course, I mean that figuratively!! And so should YOU.


If you google the words Brass Balls...you'll get some interesting sites. On one of the sites you can send out a Ballz-O-Gram. Click on the picture if interested.

The Real Power of Our Life's Dreams

My life's dreams are rooted in what I want to contribute to the world, my core values and what I am excited to accomplish. Although my dreams are considered to be rather large and ambitious; they are very simple. However, discovering my dreams took a lot of self-discovery, soul searching, and reflecting over the last seven years (plus my entire lifetime). But since this isn’t a post on how to find your dreams, I’ll leave it as that for now.

The journey of following my dreams has been thus far, both: the biggest struggle of my life, and the most amazing experience of my life. Of course, that is, what one should expect, right?!?! Well, the thing is, I somehow thought it would be much easier. After all, it was such hard work just to figure out my dreams…once I knew them, I just readily assumed following through would be a snap. But, I digress…

Anyway, if asked the question: “Ann, what did you come here to learn” My answer would be “To learn how to trust and to learn patience”. I’ve known this for many years, but never really did anything about it, until I decided to follow my dreams and my calling as an entrepreneur.

I have entrusted my life into the hands of fellow Marines and never thought twice about it because I was entrusting my physical body, not my mind, heart, spirit, and ability to make or shatter my dreams. Okay, I’ll give it to you, it’s a little hard to follow your dreams if you’re not alive and I don’t mean to belittle the value of life…I want to make a distinction between the physical trust we give people like when we get into a vehicle or an airplane and we trust the driver/pilot to get us to our destination safely--compared to the trust we give someone when we fully expose ourselves, our dreams and vulnerabilities.

I had not, in my adult life, until now, placed my trust in anyone person. I never believed it was a safe or wise thing to do. Be it from my childhood or past experiences, I was programmed to always take care of my self, by myself and not rely on anyone for anything. I simply didn’t fully trust anyone and nor was I willing to find out if I could…that is, until the road ahead for my dreams counted on it. I came to a head on collision with the decision to trust the people I needed to make my dreams come true or to prolong the process and potentially end up having to give up. Here was something I had been deadly afraid of all my life staring at me right in the face saying: “It’s either you trust others explicitly and let go, or you forget all about your dreams and ambitions.” Pretty intense huh?!?! I can still feel the shock wave it sent through my body as it sank in.

What did I do?? I took a nap!! I was so absolutely drained by the realization that I just had to lay down and then, when I woke up, I decided to stepped into the world of giving trust and letting go. It’s one scary place, let me tell you, but it’s also a very rewarding place. Here I am, finally doing the one thing I was never, ever, able to do before and knowing that it excites me, because I know it’s bringing me closer to my dreams and being all that I am meant to be.

Patience is a whole other ball game...especially in a start-up business. My impatient ways cause me a great deal of unnecessary stress and disappointment. Being in a start-up is absolutely a waiting game. You do all you can, continuously and aggressively, but it still doesn’t curtail the waiting and having to start over once you are done waiting and things didn’t go your way.

I’m developing patience…while balancing not becoming complacent or too detached. Sometimes you want to throw the F-word around and lose your cool…and that’s when I go to the gym. Being impatient and getting upset or angry never brings about anything worthwhile. This lesson I have to relearn everyday, if not, a few times a day.

I’ve gone through a lot since I’ve engaged myself head first, eyes wide open into the journey of following my dreams. I have felt more frustration, pain, heartbreak then ever before and it’s pushing me out of every comfort zones I’ve ever had and requiring me to be more then I’ve ever been. That is the real power of dreams—they propel us to entirely new levels in every way.

This is also why you are never a failure when following your entrepreneurial dreams…because even if the venture itself were to fail, YOU will have IMPROVED and GROWN!!

Hey, Wanna Arm Wrestle!!

“Hey, Wanna Arm Wrestle!?!” I used to think that was the worst pick-up line ever…and I used to hear it all that time—but then, like I mentioned in my previous post: The Weight of Doing Business, I allowed myself to get out of shape. But guess what?? Tonight, at the gym, someone asked me to arm wrestle him!!

Yeah, I thought he was a little…well, you decide and fill in the blank for asking. However, at the same time, I was really happy.

This definitely must mean I’m getting my ‘sweetguns’ back. That was my nickname a few years ago. Go ahead...think what you will of it.

Anyway, I decided to come home and take some pictures, as well as write this post.…which I’m bravely sharing. I apologize because the pictures were taken with my webcam. The first one was taken about three years ago…the second one was taken this evening. I realize it's not the same pose.


I know I have some more hard work ahead of me—the goal is that by the time I turn, yes, you guessed it, the big THREE-ZERO I will have the real ‘sweetguns’ back (I spared everyone, from writing in…in full effect)

Welcome, the another aspect of who Ann is.

This post might end-up with a short shelf life. Who knows what I’ll think of it, in the morning.