Philip's 12-week start-up challenge: Week 12 - Final words...
Posted: Fri 17th May 2013
StartUp Saturday alumni Philip Crilly is sharing his progress with Enterprise Nation readers as he seeks to get his gluten-free granola business Eatibbles launched in just 12 weeks. It's week 12, the end of the challenge - the business is launched, the new branding is ready, the website's nearly there Philip is ready to go.Â
It's finally here - week 12! And literally, at the final curtain call, all of the last pieces of the jigsaw are fitting into place, writes Philip (left). Just this morning the professionally printed product labels arrived. It was so exciting opening up the label box and applying the first product labels. It makes everything seem so real and feels like a reward for the hard work so far!
Way back in February when I first went to StartUp Saturday event, I knew I had to do something about starting my business, otherwise it would never happen. The Enterprise Nation team was so encouraging and supportive about my writing a blog about my progress and this has had a huge part to play in what we have managed to achieve over the last 12 weeks. To be honest, there are a couple of small but important things to finish, and sometimes challenges creep up on you when you're not expecting them, but I am delighted with the progress we have made during the challenge! The website is almost finished and I'll let you know when it is complete. In the meantime, keep checking out our Facebook page for the latest news on Eatibbles.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
A massive thank you to everyone who has read the blog throughout the 12-week challenge. Knowing that people might actually read this has really motivated me to push forward with my business plans. A big thank you also to anyone who has offered support and encouragement - this has been so helpful and I really appreciate it!
"There are a couple of small but important things to finish, and sometimes challenges creep up on you when you're not expecting them, but I'm delighted with the progress we've made."
There are a number of people who I particularly want to thank: Ciaran Crudden and my brother Michael who designed the first Eatibbles logo and helped bring the whole brand to life. Ciaran Monaghan who has helped to re-imagine the brand image and has also designed my product labels and soon-to-be-launched website. Also, a huge thank you to my cousin Neil who is programming my website to offer all the features that my customers will require. Thanks also to Jo and Claire from Relish Marketing who have a great online marketing resource and who guided me on preparing products for market and developing retailer presentations. A huge thank you to Enterprise Nation founder Emma Jones for being so inspiring and encouraging at the Start-up Saturday event I attended back in February. Emma's passion for new businesses ignited the spark to help kickstart the Eatibbles launch, so I am hugely grateful for her support. And also a very special thank you to Simon Wicks, editor of the Enterprise Nation website. Not only has Simon been an incredible editor, he has also been hugely giving of his time and support and has helped me to think logically about decisions I may have otherwise jumped into!!! :)
"The only way to learn anything is to actually get started, work out what skills you have and then ask for help when you need it."
I want to leave you with a quote from Donald Rumsfeld...Â
_"There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't know we don't know."__Â _ When I first started the business, there was a lot that I didn't know! As the 12 weeks have passed I feel like I have learned so much and while doing so I have also identified so many things that I still don't know. There are even things that I don't know I don't know! The only way to learn anything is to actually get started, work out what skills you have and then ask for help when you need it. Don't wait until you know everything about your new business before you get started. Sign up today for the next Start-Up Saturday event and commit to getting started on your new business journey! Good luck! And I hope to be reading about the next new start-up on Enterprise Nation very soon!
A word from the editor: Philip, thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your journey with us - we've enjoyed reading about your progress! What you've achieved in a short space of time is pretty amazing - but it's also what anyone can achieve if they put their mind to it and show the dedication and passion that you have. We talk a lot about skills and knowledge, but those two qualities are just as important if you want to get your own venture off the ground. Of course, your journey isn't ending here - it's only just begun, and we wish you the very best of luck. I hope to be ordering a bowl of Eatibbles granola in my local café soon!
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