About Me
Hi, I’m Michael Koetsier. After 25+ years of working in IT for a large organization, I decided to turn my side-hustle into a full-time business, which I have been doing successfully for over 5 years now. It’s nothing glamorous like reviewing sports cars - it’s a simple drop-ship business - but it does keep the lights on.
While building my business, I met many other small business owners and it struck me that there really isn’t a manual for how to do this. Even attending classes, reading books, and following online courses doesn’t address the many questions that come up for people just starting out, taking it from concept to a profit-generating business. That first year is typically the hardest, mostly because there is so little useful help available.
So I started guest-blogging about how other small businesses were solving problems. This proved to be incredibly useful, not just for me, but also for so many others just starting out. That is when I decided to strike out on my own and create this website. It is designed to be a resource of information and a way to connect with other small business owners just like you.
About Our Community
Who are we? We drive for Uber & Doordash, we are artists & photographers, we are programmers & graphic designers, we counsel & advise, we are authors & bloggers, we are public speakers & musicians, we are adjuncts & instructors, and we run eBay & Etsy stores. Most importantly, though, we are small business owners just like you.
We decided to become part of Michael’s project to help others build up their own business. Too many new owners run out of steam and fail, and this is mostly because there isn’t a support network out there to help people like us. Even the term small business is broad and typically refers to larger businesses with capital, employees and resources that aren’t always available to the new startup. Even the word startup assumes a level of financial independence that most of us have not reached yet. Just try to go out and get a bank loan when you first start out, if you don’t believe us…
We hear you. We’ve been there. We have struggled and continue to work through many of the same issues that you are experiencing. This is why we are sharing how we do that. When you first start out, the path forward is paved with the help of others. Sometimes this is just learning from them, sometimes it is working with them, and sometimes it is by becoming a customer or a client.
Yes, we know that when you are just starting out, you don’t always have the funds to pay for these services. Many of us didn’t either. That is where Michael’s website comes in. Use it as a resource to find the answers you need. While you’re here, share your story as well. Who knows, it may just be the answer someone else is looking for. Who knows you may make a connection that will reward you many times over later on.
As we said, finding success as a startup is about making those connections. Become part of our community and help others find success as well.
