new solar eclipse

Note: this is a guest post by Keven Dones (@kevendones), CEO and Founder of Labortopia.com

I would like to keep a log of every single mistake I make while starting a new venture.
Having a bootstrap business is no easy task damn-it. Starting a new business anywhere is no easy task, that why people don’t start their own business because they know they will lose money while growing their first startup. It’s something that comes with the territory and also a lot of stress but you have to learn from every mistake and don’t do them again in the future. I’m writing this log for all the mistakes that I will be making as I grow my startup. Mistakes can cause you to lose lots of money that could’ve been used to help your business grow. If you keep making the same mistake over and over you will never become successful in  business or life.

Mistake Number 1

Looking for a web developer is not easy, you have to interview them and make them show you proof of previous work they have done with other clients. When I got into the this whole web 2.0 I didn’t know jack shit about web developers so like any entrepreneur you do your home work. So I did. I Googled everything, from how to hire a web developer, what you should look for, and what not to do. Something I noticed even if you read all the books and blogs out there, when it come to using what you have learn from books and people it’s not the same when you implement it in the real world.

Here I am with my newly found knowledge. Now it’s time to look for a web developer. I found my first web developer and emailed him, “hey I got something for you.”  Ok, I do everything right by getting everything on paper except a written description of the work I want the web developer to perform. Everything that was said was verbally. I did not take the time to interview him and ask for any prior work he has done or ask people he has worked for. We agreed on something and kept on moving. A week goes by I start emailing him and he doesn’t respond for days which was something I very strongly disliked. Here I am after a month, the project is still not done, and the next step was I knew he wanted to increase the payment after we agreed the set amount. I agreed which was a big mistake. Now I found a new web developer and gave him the right information right away so he can start working on it. I called the guy and he tells me we agreed on something making me feel like it was my fault. I told him we both made a mistake, so now I can’t tell the new web developer to stop after he started where the other web developer left. I lost money for not doing it the correct way. In business you cannot be nice to people or they will step all over you.

What I have learned so far.

Next time you are trying to hire a web developer, make sure you have the following-

1. Interview the developer correctly take your time ask lots of questions , for example:
   - To have them show me their prior work they have done
   - Example of work or web sites they have worked on
2. Ask for references and call
3. Write a contract with the amount of money the job requires and never do it verbally.
4. Deadline, ask them how long the project will take. My time is important.

Tip:
If you don’t take any of these steps you will lose time, friendships, and money.
Remember money is the life blood of your business.