Chase's Other Businesses

[Leopold]

On the site Chase occasionally mentions how he has multiple start-ups, yet remains rather tight-lipped on what the other ones are. Perhaps it would be bad for business if he did, and if that's the case please don't answer my question, but if it's simply because that information isn't relevant to the topic being covered in the articles I'd be curious to know what those other businesses are.

Thanks,
Leo

 

[Chase]

Leopold-

Other businesses I've had included:

• Two real estate businesses
• A study abroad firm
• A Google AdSense-based business
• A high-end social club

I also briefly worked on a project to launch a leadership school in New York City, and I previously owned a record label (that saw little development).

All but one of these businesses I've either exited, closed down, or bankrupted, and I was very guilty of the amateur entrepreneur's foible of sticking his fingers into too many pies. Very hard to make any one thing successful when you're dividing your energies among many things. Only half of these projects ever made any money, and most were plagued by either much slower growth than I'd anticipated, business partners who delivered far less than promised, or business partners who saw me as some sort of business miracle worker (God only knows why) and figured that now that we were in business together they could relax and do a few little things over here and I'd do most of the building (and I quickly realized I had little interest in doing 90% of the heavy lifting for 33% of the equity), or some combination of the three.

Lessons learned though, and all were valuable experiences. Better to try and fail than never try, in my mind.

Chase

 

[Leopold]

Thanks Chase, that's an encouraging list. I too am guilty of that amateur foible (though it is positive to note that in french amateur means a lover of something --reflecting a purposefully driven foibler, at the very least). It just goes to show that you can be the most driven man in the world (which I'd put you in the running for), but eventually you have to sleep; too many projects and we just turn into hobbling hobby horses. On another note, I'd bet you have some interesting insights on how to improve focus -- perhaps that could be a future article -- though admittedly it may just work as a compendium of other articles like How to Be Decisive and The Purpose of Life From a Practical Point of View. Still, could be interesting

Leo

 

[metomeya]

Chase, any other lessons you would want to share on staring businesses? I an article would be awesome as I think a lot of guys interested in PUA are also interested in entrepreneurship .

I also did a lot of start ups with limited success or failure. A few things I've learned:
1.) More important than finding the right industry or something you are passionate about is enjoying the people you work with (business partners and clients). Put people first, profits second
2.) If you are going to do your passion that is mostly void of people (e.g. a blog) make sure you have a strong circle to stay social. Setup getting lunch together to avoid getting lonely. I guess an exception to this is if you are traveling and willing to have conversations with strangers.
3.) Word of mouth references and local marketing beats mass media/websites for a local business
4.) The right businesses partners will make all the difference
5.) It is a slow, slow road.