Presentation delivered at #GenYOTT on February 25, 2010. Presentation was on the art of starting a business.

1. The Art of StartingGrowing a Spark Into a Fiery Flame Erin Blaskie - www.erinblaskie.com @ErinBlaskie (Twitter)

2. “Don’t worry about people stealing an idea. If it’s original, you will have to ram it down their throats.” -- Howard H. Aiken

3. July 30, 2005 June 3, 2006 June 22, 2007 Dec 2, 1998 Dec 26, 1996 Nov 18, 2006

4. A Spark (The Idea) Keep it simple. Create something that solves a problem. Create something that doesn’t suck. Ditch your fear.

5. “Everyone should carefully observe which way his heart draws him, and then choose that way with all his strength.” -- Hasidic SayingTaken from Guy Kawasaki’s “The Art of the Start”

6. Spark Ignites (Idea in Motion) Check out the competition but avoid the comparison trap. Put less focus on the initial aesthetics or on ‘design drama.’ Use the speed of implementation to be first to market – always.

7. A Spark, neglected, makes a mighty fire. -- Robert Herrick

8. Adding Fuel to the Fire Soft launch to your trusted audience – tell your stories. Take in initial feedback and tweak your idea – be transparent. Verify that what you’re creating is needed, wanted and viable.

9. Discovering How to Make Fire Idea -> Action Web Presence Story Telling Transparency Involving Tribe Launch and Edit

10. Business & Ideas Are Evolutionary The process will be continuous – worry not about perfection. Really, really listen to your audience and customer base – they know what they want. Launch and edit, launch and edit... Leverage the speed of implementation.

11. What are you waiting for? Be Brave & DO IT! These people have!

12. We All Have to Start Somewhere @ErinBlaskie www.erinblaskie.com www.bsetc.com erin@erinblaskie.com