Comments on: How to Become an Entrepreneur

By: Jason Webb

Jason Webb — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 04:44:53 +0000

Great article. I enjoy hearing about entrepreneurs who triumph potentially devastating situations and rise from it with a leaner, more efficient business and go on to achieve everything they desire. Thanks and Regards/- Jason Webb

By: Judith Ellis

Judith Ellis — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:48:34 +0000

Bob – Reading your last comment reminded me of a scripture my mom quoted to us often growing up: “In the multitude of counsel there is safety.” I have been an entrepreneur for many years and have begun more than a few business. This scripture has stood me in good stead. Oh, thanks for the explanation of your copy cat meaning. But I think I understood your meaning already. Your writing is generally very clear and always appreciated. Thank you.
Judith Ellis´s last blog ..Being Republicans

By: Bob Foster

Bob Foster — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:01:30 +0000

Judith – Thank you for your comment. When I talk about being a copycat, I am referring to building on the concept of OPE (other people’s experience). When I coach or advise new startups I always recommend they create an Advisory Group of business people who they can use not just as a sounding board, but as a resource for introductions to other like businesses as well.

For instance; if I was a plumber and wanted to start my own plumbing business I would ask my advisory group to introduce me to a plumbing business across town that I could ask about the dos and don’ts of starting my own plumbing business. I can’t think of a better way to get a quick start on a new business. This could work with nearly every business there is.

Regarding copyright and patent infringement: there are so many easy ways to work with people who originated the patents—licensing, joint venture, royalties, mergers, etc.—I don’t really know why anyone would steal from others. Maybe arrogance or laziness?

Sadly, it has become so costly to defend ownership in court today, that very few small businesses can afford to do it. They simply copyright or patent their work knowing that honest people will honor those things and a legal defense will never be required. Thieves on the other hand…

By: Judith Ellis

Judith Ellis — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:42:59 +0000

Thanks, Bob, for your list. It’s a good one. I especially like “Be a Copycat.” It made me smile. Often times we think that we have to create something so extraordinary, not realizing what there is probably something out there upon which we can build. But instead we insist on, as you’ve indicated, re-inventing the wheel from marketing to manufacturing that our project never gets off the ground. There is, of course, copyright to consider. But with the advent of the Internet, copyright law has become quite complicated. But in reality, infringements happen all the time. In the auto industry there seems to have long been infringements on manufacturing patents. I have long wondered why reverse engineering was not some sort of infringement. But it does not appear to be.
Judith Ellis´s last blog ..Being Republicans