Peolpe Call Me CRAZY - But, I LOVE START-UPS

No matter your business vertical, you make a choice and you go with it...for whatever reasons.

The other day,I was talking with a friend and client of mine, who is a principal in the development of a new camping, fishing "destination" along the Texas Gulf Coast.

As we discussed the varying strategies associated with every aspect of marketing, planning and development of this project, he turned to me and said; "You know what Randall, I've talked with a lot of people about the development of this Real Estate Project, and No one has said that we're crazy...yet."

"After all, this is a dynamic multi-faceted, multi-use, family facility involving the development of homes, condo's, townhouses, restaurants, convenience store, boat launch, docks, play area for the kids, a giant RV Park which will accommodate even the most luxurious models.

There are many components, all subject to the economic vitality of the US and Texas. Bottom line is, it's a big real estate project at the exact time when people just don't do big real estate projects...Wouldn't you think people would at least tell us that we should wait until the economy gets better? That hasn't happened. "People actually think this is a good idea."

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?

If you look around Houston, we're still doing ok. Sure, there are many real estate projects either on hold or, dried up. But, with this project no one believes it will fail. And, we're getting a lot of support.

I asked him whether he'd stop or reconsider if everyone told him he was crazy? He looked at me and said, "No way."

At White Mountain Marketing, we've helped a lot of start-ups and turnarounds through the last 35 years. And, you know...I do not recall one entrepreneur telling me that they'd pull back. Even if an entrepreneur does not yet have their financial package together...they're out there talking with people and, building their case. I have seen that happen a lot, here in Texas. Some people tell me "it's the water"...I say, "Not a chance, friend...It's the people...it's always the people."

Some of those people call me CRAZY, BECAUSE I LOVE WORKING WITH START-UPS. We have "big" clients and "small" clients, and the ones we really enjoy working with, that offer the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards (not just monetary), are those with a new idea to change the world.

During the last couple of years, we've had the honor of helping start-ups get their products into STAPLES, and into large grocery store chains. We've helped them develop national "value-added reseller" (VAR) programs, and increase their value as high as 715%, and much more, AND it is always...ALWAYS...the greatest day ever, when they find out we've been accepted, and we're going into production. After months and months of long days and nights, when they get the word that they're on the shelves...it's amazing. I wish I could bottle the energy that is in the room at that time.

Can you remember when you first time you had your new business idea? Can you remember the feeling? I hope you still feel that...every day, as you're out there changing the world. In the beginning, if someone told you that you were crazy...that it would never work...would you have listened? Would you have stopped? NO - You wouldn't have stopped. - and, the world is a bit better for your decision.

When I first got to Houston, I had been successful in the "advertising/marketing business" for about 17 years, on the West Coast.But, I will never forget attending my first Greater Houston Chamber of Commerce meeting. After lunch, we were standing up to say our good-bye's, when A man came up to me and said, "Welcome to Houston. What can we do to help you?" Can you imagine that? No one had ever said anything to me, like that, in my life. So, I stayed, and here I am, 22 years later, with a good business, an incredible network of friends, colleagues and associates that I wouldn't trade for any database.

In a way, we were a start-up, when we arrived. No one told us we were crazy. Since then, we've had some great successes for our clients.

People may say you're crazy. People may try to talk you out of it, because "no one has ever done anything like that before".

You just may be crazy...but, you won't know until you try.

That man who asked me that question was paying it forward. Now, I can ask you: What can we do to help you?

All you need do is...ask. We'll be there for you.

Randall W. Montalbano
Senior Advisor
White Mountain Marketing Associates
Houston, Texas
713.468.2400 (office)
832.498.2423 (mobile)
www.whitemountainmktng.com
www.getfoundinbound.com
www.pearlintheriver.com
White Mountain Marketing Associates
"Helping YOU Reach the Summit."