Just do it!

I just got home from a 3 weeks business trip to LA and Miami mixed with a little vacation so I’m sorry for not have posted anything during these weeks.

It was definitely scary to take the next step entering the American market. It was scary because I know how hard people in the US work to succeed. Americans are famous for being the best in the world in so many fields.

Successful people don’t try over there, they do it and the work moral is so high that most people who come from countries like me where you don’t really have to work (I am from Norway) cant stand a chance. We are simply too spoiled and lazy, so be aware of this before you get all crazy like me.  On the other side, I think you have to be slightly crazy (I mean VERY CRAZY) to think you can outcompete Americans and actually do it; because it’s a totally irrational thought to believe that you can become better than the best in the world when the best in the world in my industry have 20-40 years of experience. But the good news is if you really are hungry enough and you are willing to get out of your comfort zones to reach your goals Americans are more than willing to help you, even if you sound a little bit like a mental patient.

I had 9 meetings all in all during my trip and all with the CEOs of the companies. I was amazed how warm and helping they all were. Not even ONE underestimated me as an entrepreneur or competitor. In fact they all wanted to help me and I even sealed some pretty good deals over there with highly respected and experienced people from the industry.

Ok, so I was a little too generous making my offer almost stupid to turn down, but I think it is better in the long term for both my company and my clients to have experienced people with skills working for me, giving away a significant cut to my partners and employees than to get all obsessed about the money. I’m not really doing it for the money anyway. I’m doing it because its fun and because I know I can do well.

I’m more worried about doing it the right way with the right people than getting rich within the first year. I’m sure some of you would disagree to my generous business model, because you believe in capitalism (so do I), greed is good, but in this specific industry, the private investigation industry, skills and experience is so extremely important. I think making it easier for potential partners, being generous has made it easier for me, because I am more or less useless without them. Well…not really, cause I do have great ideas, I have worked as a PI myself, I’m really good at sales…(I used to be one of those annoying telesellers who would never take no for an answer) and I think different than most people. Plus I’m innovative and I spot opportunities where even my biggest competitors fail to see it, BUT they have more money than me which must never be ignored and they have invaluable experience, but most of all they have a history and clients; clients that I need.  I could do it without them, but at a slower pace. MUCH slower pace.  

Conclusion: Just do it!