UPDATES  - TASKS COMPLETED
This is a blog of my real life as it is occurring.  Sometimes it won't be pretty as I hit life circumstances.  Most of the time it will be an account of my progress.  Most importantly, it is my created structure for maintaining accountability for my stated outcomes.

WEEK - 0

~ Saturday 3/22/08: Branded the social venture and purchased the following domains:
JobStrap.com
JobStrap.org
JobsForBootstrappers.com
JobsForBootstrappers.org
BootstrapperJobs.com
BootstrapperJobs.org
BootstrapPurgatory.com
 

WEEK - 1

~ Monday 3/24/08: I started marketing JobStrap by setting-up meetings both with potential employers of bootstrappers and with targeted stakeholders for this social venture.
~ Tuesday 3/25/08: I did more presentation revisions. It was a weird day that didn't seem to go anywhere yet I am sure that progress was made.
~ Wednesday 3/26/08: I designed my logo, and business cards, and had them printed in time for my morning appointment the next day.
~ Thursday 3/27/08: I had a productive meeting with the staff of City Of Austin Emerging Technologies Program. I am excited about the new appointments I will setting in the following weeks. Tonight, I had non-stop encouragement from people I talked to at a Linked-In high tech happy hour. I collected a stack of cards from individual participants who expressed a desire to receive my PowerPoint presentation. I also two people express interest in volunteering some time to help me launch JobStrap.
~ Friday 3/28/08: New email Neville@JobStrap.com activated on bluehost.
~ Friday 3/28/08: Reducing the backlog of requests to be emailed the JobStrap PowerPoint presentation
~ Friday 3/28/08: Activated a Twitter account. Next, is to find an SME on how to fully leverage the service :-))

WEEK - 2

~ Monday 3/31/08: Completed daily and weekly goals. Defined this weeks tasks, intentions, and outcomes.
~ Monday 3/31/08: made daily and weekly marketing goals.
~ Monday 3/31/08: Finished backlog of emails. Still have some Fup phone calls.
~ Monday 3/31/08: Set two appointments with business owners
~ Tuesday 4/01/08: Published website. It is ugly; it's functional on IE browser, not functional on Mozilla.
~ Tuesday 4/01/08: Updated Linked-In profile with JobStrap venture information.
~ Tuesday 4/01/08: Set appointment with Austin Of City council member
~ Tuesday 4/01/08: Wrote first draft of Craigslist Ad for Bootstrappers
~ Wednesday 4/02/08: Wrote second and final draft of Craigslist Ad for Bootstrappers
~ Wednesday 4/02/08: Wrote third and final draft of Craigslist Ad for Bootstrappers... LOL
~ Wednesday 4/02/08:  published Craigslist Ad for Bootstrappers in sections: resumes and services-computer. I will do more sections later in day after I have made my goal of phone calls, appointments, and emails.
~ Wednesday 4/02/08:  attended the Dice Career Fair at the Omni Southpark.  There was 7-10 firms.  I had a few conversations.... not much activity at event.
~ Wednesday 4/02/08:  RSVP'd for event this Sunday called "Austin Startup Drinks" details are at http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=13495764609
~ Wednesday 4/02/08: More editing to Linked-in Profile
~ Thursday 4/03/08: Two morning appointments with two owners/entrepreneurs of businesses.  Both appointments were very productive.  I am inspired by the positive and supportive communication I am receiving regarding JobStrap.  The validation has been amazing and has shifted my own view of what I am doing.  There is a real pull from the world to have this service called JobStrap manifested.
~ Thursday 4/03/08: As a result of my morning meetings I have made a decision to structure JobStrap as a non-profit.  I will reflecting this change in my next printing of business cards, in my URL address for the website and for contact email.
~ Thursday 4/03/08:  Joomla.org [open source] appears to be the solution to debugging Mozilla and upgrading the functionality and aesthetics of the JobStrap website.  "Joomla! - Content Management System and Web Application Framework"
~ Thursday 4/03/08: Realized that I need to continue to balance taking care of well-being regarding my need for immediate income with my enthusiasm for manifesting JobStrap.org
~ Friday  4/03/08: changed email for JobStrap.com URL address to .org in signature block, for contact email, and setup to forwarding for JobStrap.com to .org
~ Friday  4/03/08: on Monday 3/31/08 I made daily and weekly marketing goals.  This week I started practicing the doing of these goals and logging results.   Today, I formally added the tracking of my daily and weekly performance to goals to a new blog section [both links will take you to that section].  In order to manage myself more effectively, I am looking at ways to build more structures for accountability where none exist.  I am committed to walking the talk regarding the benefits of enforcing structures for accountability in the bootstrap purgatory stages of self-funding.
~ Friday  4/03/08: I didn't adequately track my performance for this week so next week there will be a format to enter in data right into blog webpage.
~ Friday  4/03/08: contacted www.texascbar.org regarding legal matters of creating a 501-(c)(3).
~ Friday  4/03/08: started filling-out application form for legal assistance from www.texascbar.org
~ Friday  4/03/08: I went through the BoD and Advisory lists to see who I might know and came across someone who recently referred a bootstrapper to me.  I will be contacting this person for assistance with gaining acceptance asap.  This list is at http://www.texascbar.org/about/boards.php
~ Friday  4/03/08: added more content sections to website and additional pages.
~ Friday  4/03/08: Great news from Texas C-BAR; they called me back and I asked about how I might be able to do fundraising prior to being granted non-profit legal status.  Rebecca told me that I could accomplish this by engaging in a "Fiscal Sponsorship" relationship with another non-profit.  I would need to find a willing NP org that that serves small businesses, economic development, and with which JobStrap fits into their overall mission.  May be restricted to searching within Texas but I have not verified this as a limitation?
~ Friday  4/03/08: set appointment with a bootstrapper who may volunteer some time to help me with launching.
~ Friday  4/03/08: started working on TxC-Bar legal services application
~ Friday  4/03/08: first attempt at establishing time estimate for process of setting-up legal entity is 3-12 months with 6 months being doable if I hustle and don't get delayed too much.  It is possible to get time cut to 3 months if I get superb assistance and key influencers in process are in full support?
 

WEEK - 3

~ Mon  4/07/08: came across a web hosted collaboration tool call actionitem.com.  I registered as a user and exploring how I can use it coordinate volunteer and stakeholder participation in mission critical projects.  Action Items created today:

* Formation of Board of Directors
* Fundraising Program
* IRS 501(c)(3) legal entity [IRS] Application & Documents
* Non-Profit "Fiscal Sponsorship" of JobStrap
* Part-time Contract Work for Founder
* Texas Non-Profit Status [SOS] and [TCO]
* Texas C-BAR (legal services) Application
* Web site stabilization
* Call Routing & Management (e.g. Virtual PBX)

~ Mon  4/07/08:  had early afternoon appointment with a bootstrapper who is seeking executive level placement.
~ Mon  4/07/08:  big day this afternoon.  Could have had a major breakthrough in putting in place the MIS for managing matching service between bootstrappers and employers.  I was referred to a hosted application service that provides workflow and databasing for recruiters and employers.  I had a 1.5 hour phone conversation on the capabilities of this application to meet the needs of JobStrap.  It is a low cost monthly service that very well might be able to meet the unique needs of JobStrap.  If this service is workable I could be up and running in a week so that I can actively start building my inventory of bootstrappers and potential employers.  Being able to demonstrate a growing inventory of bootstrappers builds JobStrap's credibility when I request a non-profit  to engage JobStrap under a "Fiscal Sponsorship" AND builds credibility with when recruiting potential employers, and when conducting fundraising.
~ Tue  4/08/08:  made minor revisions to tracking spreadsheets
~ Tue  4/08/08:  registered for next event on 4/10 with AFP Association for Fundraising Professionals
~ Tue  4/08/08:  worked on defining more projects, sub-projects, and tasks.
~ Tue  4/07/08:  today's my birthday and haven't planned a thing... except working on jobstrap.... sad sad sad ;-))
~ Tue  4/08/08:  started research on "fiscal sponsorship" organizations.  Initiated communication with TIDES Center via phone and email.  Next step is to be contacted by one of their "intake" staff members.  Contacted another organization "SEE - Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs" via phone and left voice message. 
~ Tue  4/08/08:  Called "Colorado Nonprofit Development Center" they only handle in-state assistance.  They  referred me another resource to make my inquiry to www.coloradocommongrantforms.org.  They referred me to "community resource center at 303-623-1540. --  Dead-end said to focus on Texas based org.s....  Just haven't found any yet in Texas.  Just had a new idea for a contact: Barry Silverberg, ACC Center for Community-Based & Nonprofit Organizations.
~ Tue  4/08/08:  might have found a potential fiscal sponsorship match with "CIF of The San Francisco Foundation".  LVmessage for Ani Rivera.
~ Tue  4/08/08: called Barry Silverberg at ACC and got VM. Emailed ppt file and intro.  Made another all to an organization that confirmed BS was who I need to talk to regarding setting-up a fiscal sponsorship relationship in Texas.
~ Tue  4/08/08: more updates to projects, sub-projects, and tasks.
~ Tue  4/08/08: called twice and LVMs with recruiter I know who may be able to place a bootstrapper I met yesterday. 
~ Wed  4/09/08:  got off phone with TIDES Center intake staff member.  Potential challenges with using TIDES Center are: (1) Processing Time for approval process is 8-10 weeks after receiving completed LOI document.  LOI document contains similar information as Texas C-BAR application and will take me 1-2 weeks; (2) $30,000 in committed funds in advance of being accepted by TIDES; (3) One Year Commitment minimum to being under TIDES operational controls and fees; (4) First Year Fees are 9% of all incoming funds, 28% fee on employee compensation to cover benefits and healthcare, $1,000 minimum charge for insurance coverage.
~ Wed  4/09/08:  Updated projects, sub-projects, and tasks.
~ Wed  4/09/08:  Today, and to a lesser extent, yesterday have been handling challenging circumstances regarding former spouse, family, children, and friendships.  Tomorrow is a fresh new beginning.
~ Wed  4/09/08:  have asked a few people if they know of any Joomla experts or technical users.  Haven't found anyone yet.
~ Thu  4/10/08:  Just completed a short promotional piece to use in email, print, and for internal communications with services like Linked-In.  I am now off to an AFP luncheon [Association of Fundraising Professionals] to do some PR for JobStrap.
~ Thu  4/10/08:  I may have resolved my website issues with a short-term fix.  I can create a temporary website by re-creating  my website on Wordpress' free blog service. 
~ Thu  4/10/08:  picked-up a good lead for fiscal sponsorship at the AFP luncheon and reconnected with an important COI - Center Of Infuence within the non-profit community.  I will be contacting her on Friday.
~ Thu  4/10/08:  last night I went to a Landmark Education event and had more conversations about JobStrap with event participants.
~ Thu  4/09/08:  Tail-end of handling personal life distractions.  Week has been a bit frustrating; I have not created the results I am committed to creating each week.
~ Fri  4/11/08:  Revised marketing letter for finding contract work.  I will be sending it to all my Linked-In contacts.
~ Fri  4/11/08:  Revised my Linked-In profile 
~ Fri  4/11/08:  My late afternoon appointment lead to a referral and a second appointment.
~ Fri  4/11/08:  Called United Way contact.  It appears that they do NOT have a fiscal sponsorship program.  They DO HAVE grants and funding that may be accessible to JobStrap under the category of "financial stability" served by their new "community impact model".
~ Fri  4/11/08:   My second appointment was with NASE.org - National Association for the Self-Employed.  Might be some opportunities.
~ Fri  4/11/08:  Started re-creating my website on Wordpress.com the url is www.jobstart.wordpress.com
~ Fri  4/11/08:  Started the contract process with supplier of web hosted application for managing the process of recruiting, placement, inventory of bootstrappers and employers and opportunities.  Web application will be available Monday or Tuesday for me to start customizing.
~ Fri 4/11/08:  This week my momentum was slowed down and it had an impact on my "Next Actions".  I will working on catching-up this weekend which will be a challenge.  I am taking my son to his first mountain bike race on Saturday and Sunday.  Race location is out of town at Reimers Ranch.  I also have to take a Defensive Driving course for failing to signal on a lane change on Mopac at 6:25 am with no cars nearby while driving at the speed limit.  Prior to motorcycle cop delivering this ticket, I had a perfect driving record for over a decade.  BTW, if you don't have an attorney don't bother trying to challenge your ticket.  If you do have an attorney your ticket will be automatically dismissed [of course it will cost you a minimum of $400 for the legal lackey]. I witnessed this outcome 100% of the time in the court room while I was waiting to receive punishment for my crime.
~ Fri  4/11/08: 

 

WEEK - 4

~ Mon  4/14/08: 
~ Mon  4/14/08: 
~ Mon  4/14/08: 
~ Mon  4/14/08: 
~ Mon  4/14/08: 
~ Mon  4/14/08: 
~ Mon  4/14/08: 



 

NEXT ACTIONS:


~ Wed 4/09/08:  start asking employers and my stakeholders to hire me for contract work.   Minimum of $50 hour and 20 hours a week for a two months commitment [$4,000 gross per month = $8,000 value to employer(s) of project or the value of sum of tasks over two month period].  This should give me just enough breathing room to do needed  fundraising to get initial seed capital to fund startup of operations under a "Fiscal Sponsorship" prior to being granted legal status as a 501(c)(3).
~ Wed 4/09/08:  learn Joomla or get help with setting-up to solve debug issue for Mozilla Firefox browser
~ Wed 4/09/08:  Make change to my next printing of business cards.
~ Wed 4/09/08:  Read pdf on setting-up "Fiscal Sponsorship" http://www.texascbar.org/content/legal_library/pubs/downloads/LegalMinuteAug06.pdf
~ Wed 4/09/08:  Continue to work on documents for TxC-Bar legal services application: 3 years of Pro Forma P&L
~ Wed 4/09/08:  documents for TxC-Bar: 3 years of Pro Forma P&L and sources of income
~ Wed 4/09/08:  documents for TxC-Bar: Select Board Members and provide short bio on each
~ Wed 4/09/08:  documents for TxC-Bar: Articles of incorporation and bylaws for BOD
~ Wed 4/09/08:  documents for TxC-Bar: Business plan with focus on serving Texas [can expand later by modifying legal structure NOTE... determine downside of this approach
~ Wed 4/09/08:  look for developer contacts from the Joomla users conference in Austin http://joomlarium.com/joomla-users-conference-in-austin-texas/2007/07/04/    and http://www.joomladayusa.org/
~ On-Hold:  publish Craigslist Ad for Boostrappers in more sections
~ On-Hold:  first draft of Craigslist Ad for Employers
~ On-Hold:  publish Craigslist Ad for Employers
~ On-Hold:  publish Craigslist Ad for Employers



DUE DATES:

~ Sun 4/13/08:  PROJECT(5) - Website is standardized on a web application framework, all browser bugs are resolved, and it has a professional organization look and feel to it.
~ Sun 4/13/08:  PROJECT(7a) - Application is completed and submitted to TxC-Bar.  Completing the TxC-Bar application requires me to produce much of the same informational content that will be required by the IRS and Texas Attorney General.
~ Mon 4/21/08:  PROJECT(4) - have a formal agreement with a non-profit to be my sponsor in a "Fiscal Sponsorship" so I can start fundraising for operations and overhead.
~ Mon 4/21/08:  PROJECT(7b) - accepted by TxC-Bar for legal services
~ Mon 4/28/08:  PROJECT(8) - submit documents to Texas SOS and Texas CO for non-profit legal status








 

REPEATING ACTIONS:

 

~ April 2008:  finding contract work as first described on Mon 4/7/08 "NEXT ACTIONS" post.  4/8/08: have to figure-out how efficaciously bring in income so I can bills next month.
~ April 2008:  Continue to build a list of enrolled and recruited bootstrappers, volunteers, and employers.
~ April 2008:  First thing in morning ...setup call activity for the day
~ April 2008:  fup phone calls and emails
~ April 2008:  Update blog each day