Archives for April 2005

So, I received a phone call from Charlie at JAARS, an organization that works with the Wycliffe Bible translators. They want me to come and see how I could fit into their ministry, and possibly go abroad, setting up technological infrastructure for missionaries in other countries. I think that this is really cool. One of the things that I’ve wanted to do is grow my business to a point where I can support myself, and then go abroad and be a self employed missionary. If this is the route that God wants me to take, then this is definately a door that is being opened.

So I’m going to call them back later this week, and figure out a time early this summer when I don’t have class to go out to North Carolina for a week and get a feel for what they are doing, and how my skills can be put to use serving with them. If that is a route God wants me to take, I have faith that He will provide for me. I would need to sell my house (I’m planning on this anyways), grow my busines to a point where I can support myself at least minimally, and have a good establishment here in Duluth with an employee or two to make sure the day to day operations keep running smoothly. Then I can do everything I need to do remotely.

I’m excited about this. Ever since last fall, I’ve been getting the itch to travel, and this fits in with what I have been thinking about where I want to take my business.

So yesterday afternoon was really nice. It was 60 degrees and sunny! So I decided to go for a run, to get out of the house, and get some excersize. I ran probably 2, maybe 2.5 miles max (out and back from my house). The thing I learned from that was that I am extremely out of shape.

I used to run cross country back in high school (8-12th grade) as well as Track (8th-11th grade). I loved running, especially distance running. There isn’t a better way to get out, clear your mind, and enjoy nature than to go for a run down a lonesome county park trail.

When I first came to college here in Duluth, I set a goal of running Grandma’s Marathon before I graduate. Well, I havent really ran at all since high school, and I’ll be graduating next spring, so it looks like I need to start training if I want to meet my goal. I’m going to try to get out and run 3 times a week (MWF) as I have time. Actually, I’m going to schedule time into my schedule for running, that way I’ll be more likely to do it.

I think its about time that I add a ‘Goals’ Page so I can keep track of my goals, and others can prod me to stick to them

As I’ve been in this recent time of personal financial stress, it really hit me today the importance and meaning of being frugal. As I work to get myself out of debt, as well as get my business ahead, I’ve been learning firsthand how important it is to cut costs.

The realization became more clear to me as I was making lunch today. My lunch consisted of SPAM sandwiches. I opened a can of SPAM, fried up several slices, melted some cheese, and put it on a couple slices of toasted bread. It really wasn’t a bad meal, it actually tasted pretty good. And in all, it really only cost me, maybe $1.50 at the most to make the 2 sandwiches, and have a glass of coke (from a 2 liter). Now most people don’t consider SPAM a delicacy, and the only reason why I bought it when I was shopping last was because it was $0.89 for a small can, and I remembered eating it as a kid.

I’m still working, and trying to get a strict budget laid out for myself personally. I’m really kicking myself because just yesterday, I ate lunch on campus, and paid $5.50 for a meal that didn’t completely fill me. I could have had 3 meals here at home for the same price. Expand that over the course of a month, and that is a couple hundred dollars a month I can save.

So now, I’m setting myself a goal to not eat out until June 1. I’m going to see how well this goes, if I can break my habit of eating out, or eating fast food (which is less healthy as well). There are only certain times that I’ll allow myself to eat out, and that is if it is for business. For example, if I am meeting with a client or potential client over coffee.

It’s time that I start pinching my pennies, and counting my quarters so I don’t end up nickel & dime’ing my way into the poorhouse.

Well, I am really liking this web design business kit. I’m almost done going through it, and I’ve already started to put some of its knowledge to use! I’ve been in contact with a prospect the last few weeks, and finally scheduled a meeting for next week with them. I just sent off a letter confirming the meeting using one of the form letters included in the kit.

One of the key aspects of business that the Kit stresses over and over is contact with the client. In reality, it is just common sense (or at least, common business sense). But its put in such a way that details how and when to make contact, and how to maintain contact. It includes examples and form letters that Brendon uses in his own design business.

All in all, I feel this kit will really help me boost my business, and I recommend it to anyone who is in Web Design/Development. Even those in web hosting will find usefull info in it. You can find some of the sample chapters from the kit: HERE.

—-

On another note, I’m in the process of changing my business name. My business is/has been ‘Utaria Web Services, LLC’. I’m re-filing as a C-Corporation, and changing the name to ‘Utaria Solutions, Inc.’. I feel that this will give me a broader service base for my services, as I’m starting to get into the local market with IT consulting. All around, my business is going to focus on providing technological solutions for businesses in Minnesota and abroad.

Now I just get to figure out how much work it is going to be to get my workmans comp insurance changed, along with my EIN/TID and bank accounts etc. all changed over to the new name.

2005 is going to be a big year of growth for Utaria. And I’m excited for it.