Project Jump Start 09 – Giving Back while Building Relationships

Earlier today, my good friend Dave Harry (aka: theGypsy) pointed out a post on his blog that set me back on my heels. A post that exhibits genuine generosity without expectation of return. That post being Project Jump Start 09. This concept was originally started by one DazzlinDonna. See her original post at Project Jump Start ‘09 – DD’s Mini-Stimulus Plan.

Call it “Paying it Forward”, call it smart marketing, call it whatever you want. This concept is cool! For the lazy among us (pst… I’m one too), the basic jist is that Donna, Dave and a few other notable names in the industry have decided to pony up $25 as well as several hundred $$$ in bonuses to 12 people in 2009. That’s one lucky person per month who will be given a bevy of bounty to start their dream business online!

The 2 aforementioned people already delved into the details of the program well enough that I think you should read what they wrote. Details of how it works is not the point of my post. I wanted to write here for two main reasons.

1. To spread the knowledge of this great program to those who might not have learned about it otherwise.
2. To offer to throw in some more goodies into the pot.

That’s right. I’m going to sweeten the pot even more by offering some free training and support. The goal of $150 cash per person has been reached, and I don’t think another $25 will make that much difference. However, 5 hours of professional training and/or support can make a huge difference. Here’s what I posted on Dave’s blog.

I’d like to take up this challenge and offer 5 hours technical training and/or support in any or all of the 5 following topics:

* Systems Administration
* Systems Integration
* Usability/Accessibility
* Standards Compliant Design
* Building Filet Mignon Sites on a Cheeseburger Budget

Training and support will be provided through Internet-based whiteboards, chat, help desk and Skype.

That’s a good bit more than $25 cash can buy. When I got started out, it took quite a few years and thousands of hard earned dollars to master these topics. For 12 people, I’m willing to impart a very dense chunk of what I’ve learned and I’m willing to help you get started.

If you’ve been sitting on the fence about starting your own dream business online, this is the perfect opportunity to get started risk free. I sincerely wish someone would have been offering something like this back when I got started out.

Side benefit: In connecting with the professionals who will be mentoring you, you’re going to be exposing yourself to people “in the know”. These are people who know people, if you catch what I’m saying. If you want to get a serious leg up on the competition, you need to know the right people in the right places. More importantly, you need to have solid business relationships with people who you can trust and who want to help you succeed. Beyond cash and bonuses, you have the opportunity here to build such relationships. This is, by far, the most valuable part of this project. Spend this capital wisely!

I look forward to working with the 12 individuals who will benefit from this project! Please do show love to all those who are offering their time, money and resources to help these individuals.

My motto for this year is very appropriate here: 2009 is Our Year to Shine!

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