Give up 200,000 annual salary my difficult Internet entrepreneurship experience <续三>

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From the emotional hard to sad a few want to give up, from suffering to struggle to stand, from the constant hesitation, dawn, frustration and again to the dawn, I have no way back, I met a lot of friends also see a lot of truth, and these may be my biggest harvest. Entrepreneurship is not only cavity blood + adhere to, more is suffering + opportunities, and never give up the heart, today I put these feelings and experience in the ADMIN5 webmaster online write out, hope and mutual encouragement!

One, did not think too much, decided to start a business

They say the impulse is the devil. But the reason for entrepreneurship, there must be impulsive factors. Thoughtful and deliberate thinking about the former after the people, can only be angels, of course, the Angels fly in the sky, so will not go to purgatory to do a pioneering person.

At the end of 2005, I began to be excited about a "wonderful concept", and kept a low profile for nearly six months in my mind, and then began to discuss it with my family, half shy and half secret, to share with my close friends and colleagues, and we all found the concept attractive. So he gave up the income of 20W of work, into the internet industry. When I was 24 years old, I went to work while driving a restaurant, rolled up the sleeves of Givenchy shirts, went to serve dishes, and later participated in a company's entrepreneurship, is a bold, ideological people.

Explain why you do shy secrecy. Because at that time always feel that their concept is the world's unique, for fear that someone else stole the trade secrets. Later know that the world has no virgin land, basically can think of things, others have taken into account. So now when a friend came to ask me, the plan to the VC to see, will be creative leaks, I had to smile, and then said: 1, do not overestimate their own; 2, do not underestimate the vc;3, more important than the concept or proposal is the implementation.

My idea is to make an electronic coupon for the leading, including the network books, barter, community and other functions of the site, the purpose is to create "elegant and preferential, save money more money" material life site. No one doesn't like to help themselves save money, is this not the Golden Road? Even the name I have already thought well, call ViewSonic Life net. ViewSonic, also namely yuppie, ya skin meaning, is the life of Jacob, domain name is called Uplife. When I decided to start a business, I hesitated a little, so I made a small bet with God. I think that if Uplife can register as a domain name, it means that God is supported. As a result, I registered the success of the subsequent web site-www.uplife.com.cn, the result of my desperate jump into the internet entrepreneurial ocean.

Jump into the sea, I found that I can not swim-I do not understand the technology, will not be programmed, and the understanding of the network is to see the news, I have just filled with blood and a head of creativity. It's like the boxer, no muskets, only spells. Today, I will look at the mercy of the same year I plunge into the sea.

No gun, no guns, enemies made for us. There is no technical talent, then find Bai. This is a half a year has been constantly being fooled by the process of paying tuition fees (in fact, I still pay this tuition), the middle of the pain is not in this detail, there are interested friends, you can search the Internet. By the end of 06 years, our ViewSonic Life network began to come online, the introduction of the network book function, very popular with users, every day more than 1000 people registered. There was also a more encouraging news that an American angel investment was about to come and soon we were lucky enough to get the 1 million dollar investment. How to get the investment, I still use the investor's words: 1, the project itself has advertising prospects, and electronic coupons in the United States has matured; 2, the team is very hard, every day like a fire on the butt to fight.

I didn't expect the fire on my butt to burn too hard.

Second, the difficulty is far faster than your imagination, also come more fierce

March 23, 2007, for me and my company is a memorable day, this day from the United States Angel Investment officially signed to invest 1 million of dollars. I am very energetic, short stubble of hair because of the water and the spirit of times hair. In the central chamber of a four-star hotel, I spoke to more than 20 reporters in the middle of the station, half tense and passionate. For the future, I do not see very clear, but I believe that efforts, creativity and financial support, we will be able to go out of their own way, in the speech, I particularly thank the team with me.

At the press conference, a reporter asked me, what is the biggest difficulty in starting a business? I answered without thinking: The biggest difficulty is in the future, with the company's development and scale of growth, there will be a lot of unexpected difficulties in the front ambush.

I didn't think it would come so fast and fast that I almost wanted to give up.

Ii. the shock caused by the option

1. Angel investor, let's call him Mr. C. C from Missouri State, more than 70 years old, from the outside is a simple and honest gentleman even some stupid fat old man, but what happened later let me know that he is actually very smart and quite commercial, in other words, business is the interests. Here is not the table. C was originally a medical device company's CEO, then the company was acquired, so have a lot of cash, to our company investment is his first time in China. For him, I from the heart when he is an elder, so respect and care. After signing and signing a cheque, C was very happy and went out to wash his feet at night, and he felt comfortable and cheap to wash his feet:

C. When leaving China, we are particularly required to set up employee options according to the governance structure of Silicon Valley. I totally support that, but I don't know about it. Like most of the domestic entrepreneurs, I heard that the expiration of the right, but how the specific operation is not familiar. I went to a friend in Shenzhen, Professor Ch, who worked as a financial advisor and management consultant in this industry and is a professional in this field. C told me that the option is generally divided into 3 years to 5 years, the employee and the company signed a contract, work full of a certain period of time and meet the assessment, you can buy some shares at the agreed price, you can also choose to give up the subscription. The agreed price is generally 1 yuan, but you can negotiate and give discounts to employees. And so on, that's basically what it means (the professionals here can give a more specific statement). I asked Professor Ch to come to the company to explain how options are exercised.

At that time, the company has three core employees, one is called Leo, responsible for brand planning, smart and creative, is my former subordinates; a responsible technology, called Kevin, a down-to-earth and progressive, technical comprehensive; also known as HW, responsible for the market, to the company 3 months, also very smart. I used to say that our team is like a diamond, and every tip is invincible.

2, Professor Ch finished the options after the relevant methods of operation. Three of the backbone do not utter a conversation, became an awkward silence. So I asked you to think first, what questions can consult CH, about the price and the proportion of shares to talk about their respective views.

In the afternoon, Leo came to me and said, "Boss, I don't want options, can you give me cash directly?" I asked him what was going on. Leo says he needs 1 million to build a new house in his home, so he has to make some contributions. I told him that the money will be the first time to pay him a salary, originally 2300/month, next month mentioned 3500/month, as for the options for cash, I did not expect, also did not contact, let me consider.

Back to the seat, I think to go, feel very angry, the option is the company to staff incentives and incentives, you now tell me, do not this incentive to cash what do you mean? At the end of the day, HW came to say to talk to me, he first insinuated a bit about the proportion of shares and so on, I said, this you first talk about their own requirements. He thought about it and said, "No options, just cash." I must have been very ugly, say you call Leo and Kevin come over, we have a meeting.

3, 3 people come over, I will direct my point of view out: 1, raise no problem; 2, options for cash can not, even if I agree, investors will not agree; 3, free to 5% of red shares. They did not utter a word and said they would discuss it. I suddenly feel very strange, this feeling is very depressed, originally thought to be a brother, the result is very far from oneself. I said, as you all know, the salary is all my personal money. The company's most difficult time, I around to raise money, everyone's wages do not have a point in arrears, and now have a little investment, you said to be divided, you know that VC only cast a little upfront, ah, I am still borrowing money to pay you. Said here, I suddenly felt a grievance, but the opposite of the three people are just callous look, said they want to discuss. They are one, and I am just a me, alas.

In the evening, I asked Kevin to talk in the neighborhood. Of the 3, I think Kevin is the most down-to-earth and sincere, and maybe talking to him will change. After about 2 hours, Kevin said he was going to the company, and the other 2 were waiting for him at the company. I understand that the evening conversation has no effect, and he still has to go back to their camp, whether I plead or how, on the issue of interests, we can only talk about interests.

The 2nd day morning, 4 of us continue to meet on this topic. Let me ask them how they think about it and how they decide. HW wants Leo to say first. I interrupted him and asked him to speak first. HW said in his usual calm tone, after their unanimous consideration that they had been following the company for the past six months, they needed financial compensation. I smiled (in the rage, I will generally smile first, hehe, very abnormal reaction) said, OK, you say number. Leo said he was one months 2300, according to his strength, he worked in other companies, should be able to get 3500, times 8 months, plus year-end double and other benefits, he needs to compensate 20,006 to 30,000. I asked HW,HW that he needed compensation for 20,008. If someone opens the sky at this time, you can see the flames on my head. I'm not a violent person, but when I meet something, I get angry, and now I feel like something is going to burn. I grunted and asked Kevin, what about you? Kevin Murmured, in fact, sometimes compensation is just the company's meaning, and so on. I interrupted him and asked him to speak plainly. (People see here, or will feel my temper character also let this matter worsen.) Yes, later I realized that, but I was really difficult to control, perhaps the boss should be beyond it, but I did not do it. Kevin put his heart to a cross, said he wanted to compensate 20,000.

4, to now I still regret the attitude. Perhaps at the outset, everything will be different. Especially to Kevin and Leo, I think you will also see this article, brother really sorry. I am not a perfect man, but also a selfish and irritable human nature. But I sincerely treat you as brothers, so there is anger, the anger of betrayal. Remember when we were sweeping the street together to face the tension and success of the shop assistant? Kevin, when you feel sad about your feelings, do you still have brothers with you?

But I was very excited. I asked HW, you come to the company how long, only 3 months, 2300 per month, there are free housing (my former house, rent out about 1K), now make up your 20,008, then you one months should be over million? I ask Kevin again, when you come here, I always think the company's lucky, give you the treatment is also the best. You are in the original unit is 3K5, we contract is 4k/month, I have less you a penny of wages, have not according to the Agreement to act?

My firmness and toughness surprised them, and I was really angry. Ma Yun said that the leader's mind is to the grievances of the big. I can see that I am not a qualified leader or a qualified leader. HW got up and went to his desk to pick up the computer and said he was going to think about it. Leo and Kevin also walked out of the office.

5, about this experience, I describe may be very meticulous.

Things are changing so fast that I can't react. In the afternoon, HW came to the company to clean up, said to leave. Kevin and Leo also said no. In my character, a kind of Hunan people's bloody, rather guns, I hate is to be coerced. And three of them were "united" together, thinking I would give in. I'm just a spectator. Maybe this is stupid bookish, I admit this, perhaps in the future I will grow into a good businessman, like a big client's boss on the phone to teach me: "You think your integrity is useful, the contract signed can be torn up, not to mention only the words do not count."

They were chatting and singing with everyone in the office area (the company has 14 employees), I endured. HW is around to put everyone to resign, I also endure. Am I stupid, and in the face of this situation, I remain lofty?

Then the company walked 5 people, they three, a because and Leo angry girl, there is a clerk. That night, I sleep all night, I think I did something wrong, usually so good to them. HW was robbed after the man told me, 12 o'clock in the evening, I ADO to visit him. His glasses were broken and I gave him 1000 yuan directly. HW usually good to me too, I came home from work, he must send me across the road,

I thought this farce was over. Something unexpected happened. HW wrote a rigorous letter to the investor, Mr. C, with his excellent English skills, and the name of 3 people. The letter said: 1, all employees left the company, leaving me a light pole; 2, the company all the data is false, including registered users and IP traffic.

6, I can think of some people are worse, but did not think that someone so bad. The investors were angry and I was surprised. If the original dispute is different from each other's angle, it is more childish to incite other employees to leave, and the behavior of such harm can only be used to describe the despicable, I know there is a kind of people in the world is "bad man." I have always believed that people are good, so it is not fortified with people, this time gave me a deep impression.

The investor's anger was quite normal, and he even said he would go to the bank to recover the money. I did not argue with the investor, but calmly told him that he welcomed his June visit to the company. If the company does what HW said, I'll return the original silver.

Investors finally calmed down, in the June expedition, he did not too much criticism of me, after all I said is the truth, but his impression of the Chinese has been different, in his mind, the Chinese people are so mercenary. And I am also a Chinese.

The end result is, I spent one months to restructure the team, spent 2 months to restore vitality, but the early users, investors, such as trust, and so on, how to save it?

As for the middle of the truth and inspiration, enough for me to deeply understand. Starting a business, your partner may be the first to leave you, and the person you trust may be the one who gives you a fatal blow.

Third, the experience of survival, and on the road to share with friends

From the storm past to now, another year. This year should be called the Battle of survival. After the investors go back, become reserved and cautious, the follow-up of the big head of the funds suspended, he asked to see our profits, which for an initial stage of the site, it is indeed more difficult.

I won't complain about him. In other words, if I invest my money in a guy in Mexico, I will do the same. But to survive, companies must find a way out. I started around, looking for opportunities to make money. I used to do brand planning, creativity and expression is their strengths. Fortunately, I was in the circle of Word-of-mouth good, can help me win a lot of business. So I went to talk about projects, sign projects, do projects, hard but also interesting, I found myself talking about the customer's ability is also good. Just earned money, used in the company's operations, as if the water drops on the sponge, quickly disappeared without trace. I run the uplife, while doing projects, but also basically solve the company's survival. The dawn of success is flickering, and what I can do is to move forward with tenacity.

Experience promotes progress. This is a constant charge, hit the wall, and then rally charge of the process, met the big business executives tore up the contract, because did not give him management, met the "friend" enthusiastic introduction of the project, but to accompany the Prince to study, with people bidding ... Stumble all the way, all setbacks will be transformed into the wealth of life. The company's success may vary widely, but the dilemma will probably be the same. Here are my thoughts and experiences on network entrepreneurship, looking forward to share with friends:

1, if not professional, it is not easy to join the network entrepreneurship. Technical, operational promotion, no rich experience or contacts, will take a lot of detours, pay a lot of costs. A lot of people who do traditional industry, because a concept of the investment to do the network, and the confidence to make a plan for 3 months online, six months after the profit, the results found that the face of almost a black hole, investment in the after even a voice did not. Network, experience is important, an elite more than 10 ordinary people of value.

2, if there is no money, it is best not to do the Internet. There is little money, perhaps a relative concept, but the odds of a poor boy becoming a Phoenix are actually very low, especially now that the Giants have sprung up. There are many legends in the industry, but it is only a story, the story is used to hype to attract attention, the real version who knows? At least I will not believe in the bathroom can handle VC, or VC money, entrepreneurs too much; the first angel to invest in Google, has said a word, he thought that the company has a little, You must be rich and have money to allow mistakes. And always worry about wages are not going to go out of the start-up companies, precarious, action deformation, a difficult encounter may be close to the door. The entrepreneurial process itself is constantly encountering difficulties. A friend, said that they do not pay wages, a few people nest in the housing business. Their site is doing well, popularity is also on the fast, but I think, hard is necessary, but no money only hard is dangerous. Results a year after the project dissolved, everyone amnesty to work, since it is passion, it is doomed not to last too long.

3. On financing. As the founder of DoubleClick said, the order of financing should be: their savings, wife's dowry, parents ' money, friends and relatives of the money, and then the VC money. I deeply agree with this view. How can you succeed if you don't devote yourself to a project with all your heart and soul? We started to invest, but not as a result of our initiative, but from opportunities and resources. As a result, many friends come to learn, and more is to rely on a business plan is expected to get funding. My understanding of this is that it is not possible; now that it's past the time of the plan to get the money, if you have such good luck, you might as well buy a lottery ticket.

4. Cost control is very important. My experience is very profound. Peter Drucker said: "Entrepreneurs are doing two things, one is marketing, the other is cutting costs, others can not do." But the first venture to make the most error is also here, to develop the site, at least recruit a few programmers, to recruit planning and promotion bar, the company is big, is not to a clerical, or to have a financial ... High cost, is undoubtedly shorten the life of the enterprise. Entrepreneurship requires only the necessary personnel, and outsourcing, cooperation and other means should be widely used. Carrying a very heavy cost on the road, it was difficult to go to the other side. 12 months a year, of which 3 months is nothing to do, is the end of the year and the beginning. A person with salary, office expenses, social Security and some other extra expenses will be much more than expected. I have a simple calculation, a salary of 50,000 yuan employees, a year needs 80,000 of gross profit to feed. Remember, it's gross profit, and it takes 200,000 to get business income. 200,000 income to feed a person, is it terrible?

5. More important than website development is operation. This is particularly important for people in other industries to enter the network. Many people do the internet, addicted to the development of technology, such as features, interface Ah, all day modified to modify to go, until the site online, the time has been missed, the cost is almost. From the human nature can understand, who do not want to strive for excellence with characteristics? In fact, there are many open source on the network, can use open source, do not own to develop. At the beginning, I asked technical colleagues, whether the development of BBS or open source, they agreed that their development is good, can be tailored. Later I found that, after a few months of development, and Discuz gap is also tens of thousands of, and tens of thousands of is not exaggerated. There are people always want to complete the whole function after the line, I suggest a function or column to do, on the line, and then slowly increase. The network is a project that needs time to accumulate, so there is no need to waste time, there is no need to miss the opportunity. July 06 ago, everyone show off their website is web2.0, when they stand in the forefront of the times, July, then speak web2.0, as if to show off their own dog excrement. But I once in the Chinese program to see a person said he did web3.0, the results of Ma and Shi Yuzhu shook their heads, said to understand. The real trick is to make people understand and believe, not to let people ignorant and worship.

6, about the unique creativity. Many people start their own businesses because they have a unique idea. But I think the concept of uniqueness is almost non-existent. So many smart brains are pondering, how to let oneself think of a particular point, and become a reality? A road no one is walking, may be 2 reasons: 1, their eyes are not deep enough to see the figure of wandering forward, 2, this road is different, or difficult to go, the people who go are dead. As a self-employed person, may encourage themselves, others do not pass is someone else's business, and their own smart enough to succeed. But don't forget, you are just a normal person, even the resource qualifications are inferior to each other. I say so, it is not a great need not to start a business, but really want to prepare some, the risk of going overboard will be very difficult to see. Remember a VC said, entrepreneurial failure, for VC loss is only money, and the loss of the entrepreneur is precious time and energy. What's more, many people have no investment and lost all their savings. The topic is too heavy, say a cold joke: there is a person every night to do the same dream, vaguely remember the dream has a great discovery, will change the human life, but a wake up forget. So he prepared a pen and paper at the bedside, decided to write down the dream, the next day he looked, the paper said: Banana big, banana skin is also big. Is that the story of life?

The road to entrepreneurship is doomed to be lonely and hard, and these years have met a lot of entrepreneurial friends. Many entrepreneurs are thin and tired. A woman said, marry don't marry it male, not to mention is it entrepreneurial man, this kind of hard work only experienced people have experience. I also often feel trapped in the fog, so hard for what? Maybe go out to find a job, can live moist and unrestrained. But I'm on my way. As the lyrics write: That day/I have to go/for the Restless Heart/the survival of self-esteem/the proof of self/The sadness on the road/has melted into my eyes/heart of the dilemma/has become my firm ... With everyone!

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Give up 200,000 salary my difficult Internet business experience < two >