Project Jump Start ‘09 – DD’s Mini-Stimulus Plan
The Goal:
I want to help 12 of you in 2009, by giving you a mini-stimulus package to jump start your idea. Read on to find out more and make sure to read to the very end, because there’s lots of wonderful “new” news at the end.
The Reason I Thought Of This:
I’ve participated as a lender at kiva.org a few times in the past. I like being able to do a little something to help someone in the world create or grow their own little business. The great thing about Kiva is that a lender can lend just $25 and still be able to make a big difference in someone’s life. Although I make my living online, I’m not rich – far from it. So although I’d love to be able to give lots and lots of money to help others start their own businesses, I’m not able to do that. But the more I thought about the $25 that I’ve lent to Kiva entrepreneurs, the more I realized that I could do additional things with just $25 – things that could help some of you, maybe. Indulge me as I tell you a little story, and forgive me if it’s kind of long, but it’s important that you get the full story, so here it is.
The BackStory:
A few years ago, I was laid off from my job. The company I worked for wasn’t doing well, and although I’d made it through the first 3 rounds of layoffs, I was finally cut in the 4th round. I tried hard to get a new job, but the days turned into weeks, and the weeks turned into months. It was tough times in the area I lived in and jobs were scarce. I did have a skill. I could write web programs. So late at night, and early every morning, I sat at my old home computer and worked on creating a little online calendar program. It was pretty hard because I’d never attempted to calculate recurring events that could happen on a daily, weekly, monthly, bi-weekly, bi-monthly, yearly basis – and so on. And then I had to throw in leap years for more fun. I pulled my hair out and said a few choice words now and then, but eventually, through trial and error, I had a working program. My big idea was to sell it online!
Of course, there were problems to be solved. First of all, by that time, I was flat broke. I had managed to do enough odd jobs now and then to be able to pay the mortgage each month, but all the rest of the bills were being juggled – a lot! I was behind on most of them, so there was absolutely no way I could afford to spend $8 for a domain name and $20/month on hosting. (Hosting cost more back then – especially for the type of hosting I had to have). There was no way I could justify spending that money when I didn’t know if I would just be throwing it away or not.
But I knew deep down that I really didn’t have a choice. I had to spend it, even if it meant juggling yet another bill for yet another month. So I did. I’d like to say that a miracle occurred and that first $28 changed my financial life – but I’d be lying. It didn’t. I did manage to sell my program – occasionally. I was selling it for $50. Obviously, I’d need to sell quite a few to pay my bills each month. That didn’t happen. I did sell 2 or 3 a month usually. So, yes, my little investment paid off…or at least earned a profit each month.
But of course, it wasn’t enough. As the months went on, I managed to find more odd jobs and did some online freelancing work – enough to get me through each month, but I was basically dirt poor. It was always a struggle. But the more money I managed to squeeze out of my work from home jobs, the more determined I was to make it work well. That meant coming up with ideas and trying them out. That ALSO meant more money for more domains, and more hosting. (Back then you had to get a whole new hosting plan for every domain – you couldn’t use one plan for multiple domains). Now I’m an idea kinda gal, so I was coming up with ideas all the time – but I certainly didn’t have the money to act on each of those ideas. I’d sweat over whether or not I should pay for a domain name and hosting plan with each idea I had. Most of the time, there was just no way I could gamble on an idea. Most of the time, I just had to say no to myself, and I remember thinking so many times, “If I had just enough money to get a domain name and hosting plan, I could…”. Every now and then, though, I’d hold my breath, take a chance, and use what little money I had. Luckily, none of the ideas were horrible. They all managed to pay for themselves, and earn me a little extra. And each of those little extras added up. One day, I realized that I was paying all my bills – on time! Granted, I still considered myself to be poor. There wasn’t anything extra at the end of month. But I was making a living!
The Project:
Now let’s jump back to the present time. I’m not rich, but I make a living that allows me to buy domains any time I want to try out a new idea. It’s no longer an insane internal struggle to decide if I should pay a bill or try out an idea. I can do both and I’m grateful for that. But I know that there are people who are not so lucky. There are people who just really don’t have the few bucks it takes to try out their big idea, especially in these tough economic times. I know what it feels like to not even have a few bucks to start a site. So I want to help.
Just like $25 is all it takes to help someone live their dream via kiva.org, I’m going to hand $25 (US) to one of you, and each and every month for the entire year of 2009, someone else will get $25. I want to help one person per month start their dream idea online. With $25 cash paid into a Paypal account, someone can purchase a domain name and 3 months of hosting. That should be enough time to get a new site going. In addition, I’m going to throw in a free copy of my ebook, In Your Pajamas, as well as a free copy of my online press kit template package (to be used only by you, and not to be shared, please). That’s an added value of $80 ($5 for the ebook and $75 for the template) to go along with the $25 cash.
On the 25th day of every month of 2009, I’m going to choose someone as that month’s Project Jump Start ‘09 Recipient. I’ll randomly choose someone who has either subscribed to my newsletter, subscribed to the feed via email, or who has asked to be considered in the comments of a post. If you aren’t chosen one month, you’ll still be in the running each month after that. If you’re already subscribed, you don’t need to do anything new. You’re already in the running.
I know $25 doesn’t sound like much, and it isn’t. But it is enough to begin a dream, and I want to help someone take that first step. In fact, if all you have is $25, you may just put a little more thought into your idea, and spend a little more time making sure you get it just right. And that goes a long way to making an idea work! I hope at least one of you ends up writing a post similar to this one a few years from now, and can look back on the $25 that began it all for you.
If you don’t need the $25 but think you know someone who might, I urge you to let others know about this. Tweet it. Blog about it. Email it to your friends or family. I hope to make a difference in a few people’s lives, but people have to know about it or else I won’t know about them! (And for the cynical amongst you, no, I’m not doing this for linkbait. Nofollow any links to this post if you want to. That’s fine. I just hope you’ll tell people who could use the help, that’s all).
If your name is chosen, and you decide you don’t want it, I would appreciate you either passing it on to someone who does, or asking me to choose someone else. But of course, that’s up to you. 
The Rules:
So, that’s it. To be considered, simply do one of the following (only 1 is needed):
- Join my private list by filling out the form near the top right of this site.
- Sign up for the RSS feed via email.
- Comment here, saying “I want a Jump Start!” or something similar.
Make sure to use an email address where I can reach you if you are chosen. If I can’t reach you, I’ll choose someone else.
You WILL need a Paypal account for me to be able to send you the $25 if you are chosen. It’s the only way I will pay, so it’s a requirement that you have an account there to receive the money. If for some reason you can’t have a Paypal account, then I won’t be able to consider you. Sorry.
Unlike Kiva, this is NOT a loan. This is yours to keep, period.
You can, of course, use the $25 any way you wish. I do sincerely hope, however, that you use it to purchase a domain name and hosting for your idea. It is the purpose of the project after all. And of course, you are free to choose any registrar you wish to purchase your domain name, and any hosting company you wish to purchase your hosting plan. I can make recommendations of course, but you are under no obligation of any sort to use them.
My Recommendations:
I use Godaddy to register all my domains, but if you don’t want to use them for some reason, then I would recommend Moniker as well. I currently divide my hosting up between HostGator and MediaTemple, about half on one and half on the other. However, HostGator is a better choice for this particular project, because you can definitely get 3 months worth of hosting with them for a little less than $15, which leaves enough left over for a domain name. *
P.S.
I’ve got $300 set aside for this. Like the rest of you, I don’t know what the economy will look like a year from now. I may be really poor again by then, who knows? But I’m hoping that by putting that money aside right now, that no matter how bad things get, I’ll still be able to make this happen every month in 2009. That’s my goal, and I’m going to do my best to make it happen. With luck, one of you will be able to accomplish a goal as well.
P.P.S.
It’s my birthday today, so that’s why I chose today to make this announcement. Just seemed appropriate somehow.
P.P.P.S.
I’ll still be lending to Kiva entrepreneurs, btw, and I always encourage others to do so as well. This isn’t a replacement for Kiva lending. This is just one more thing I want to do.
But wait there’s more!
A week after I posted this, a bunch of wonderful people decided to join me and offer even more, so below is a running tally of everything that will be included.
Samir Balwani
$25
Jeff Quipp
$25
Brian Chappell
$25
Eric Lander
$25
Jeremy Knauff
1 ebook – The Secrets to Growing Like
Wildfire in a Slow Economy ($17 value)
1 hour marketing consulting ($175 value)
Hjortur Smarason
1 ebook – The Marketer’s Magic Chest – Tips, tricks and tools to unlock the chains of recession ($25 value)
Glenn Murray
1 ebook SEO Secrets ($79.95 value)
1 SEO copy consultation from an seo copywriter ($200 value)
Hiren Ponkia
1 site audit, including seo technical fixes, onpage optimization, usability/accessbility
Julie Joyce
10 hours of link building (priceless)
James Morris
5 hours of technical training and support (see his post for details)
So far, that’s $175 cash and over $1000 value in extras. Wow. I don’t know about you, but that just blows me away. I can’t thank the people who’ve decided to jump in on this enough. Y’all rock.
*
Disclosure: Affiliate links may be used within this post for products I recommend. They in no way affect my judgement of said products, nor do they affect the price of the product.
Tags: Glenn Murray, Kay Frenzer, little online calendar program, online freelancing work, registrar, site audit, Tweet, United States, web programs
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48 Responses to “Project Jump Start ‘09 – DD’s Mini-Stimulus Plan”
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[...] DazzlinDonna wrote a great blog post about a new venture she is starting this year to help other Internet [...]
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[...] – I’ll be selecting the recipient on the 25th of each month. Make sure I know about you! You can get all the rules, etc. here. Once selected, if you are that month’s recipient, I’ll be sharing your name, email [...]
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An ebusiness coach, web developer, Internet Marketer, SEO, and all around web geek who makes her living from home doing all of the above.
That is nice of you to do this.
I enjoyed the back story and would like to hear more.
Happy birthday!
This is a great and most generous initiative. Giving presents on your birthday is particularly you. I’m sure the recipients will be most appreciative and hopefully motivated. Have a great birthday today.
Donna, this is a sweet idea! I hope that those that take you up on this offer will make the most of it, and that you’ll share their success stories.
My husband and I also started our entrepreneurial journey when we both lost our jobs. Like your story, it was very rough going for awhile – and we struggled with decisions about paying bills or purchasing business essentials. Our friends and family thought we were a little nuts with our determination to create businesses instead of returning to the security of jobs. It was the right choice for us and with three growing businesses, we’re very happy to have persevered through those early days.
Happy Birthday!
Beautiful! What I really love about your idea is that rather than ranting about things that bother you, you chose to take positive action in some way.
People are more likely to follow great examples and your generosity, I’m sure, will inspire others
BRAVO!
and happy birthday
May I salute you for the most creative and inspirational act of giving for the New Year I have seen! I have someone I will notify about your plan.
May all you give return to you tenfold.
Wow! This is really amazing and VALUABLE! Happy Birthday!
The back story is so similar to mine, that I had to stop and comment. I remember when I first started online; not only was there very little help in the way of information, but there was little help from anybody. Nobody helped me, and it made me resolve to help others whenever I could.
Great IDEA!
Happy Birthday!
Great idea Donna! I like it! Reminds me of all the people that helped me when I get started and how generous they were with their time and sometimes money. Good luck to the recipients!
Dear Donna
Happy Birthday!!!
I totally relate with you, I am just around the corner to make a living out of my web business and I know the feeling, the struggle.
Congratulations on your idea to give back is refreshing and inspirational.
Maria
Great idea. You never know, you may fund the next big thing.
Happy belated birthday Donna!
Dear Donna,
I would love a jump start!! What a fabulous and generous idea!! I am new to all of this so I am not sure if I am doing this correctly-lol. What I do know is that I found your site for a reason early this morning and this post was it! For many many years, I have toyed with different ideas for a website-not knowing if it would even generate any revenue-or how to go about it. When I was working, with family, I just never found the time or money. When I did have time, I was always volunteering for this or that, or taking care of a sick family member. Currently, my own health problems, have not allowed me to return to work-which has changed our living lifestyle. This has not come without its perks, as I now have realized simplier is better-for me and my family. We are now happier! We enjoy and celebrate everyday moments that God has given us. Similiar to Kiva I believe is the Heifer project that we are involved with. We save our pennies and at Summer Bible school we join our pennies to buy livestock to help people with food/business. Most nights I don’t sleep as my mind races in thoughts on how to pay this or that bill or how to generate some extra income. Tonight, I stumbled upon you and I hope that you end up stumbling upon me for a jump start! If this is not the way to apply I apoligze-as I said I am new to all this internet stuff-Thank you and may you be blessed with all things good!
Liza, that’s exactly how to apply for Project Jump Start. You said you wanted a jump start. It’s just that easy, folks. Really, the only requirements are that I know you exist, I can get in touch with you to let you know if you are chosen, and I can pay you via Paypal.
Oh and stay tuned, there may be more news on the way.
Great idea! I am signing up now. Found via @theGypsy and looking fwd to this. I got a few projects rolling but eager to start a new one that will put be on top.
I’d love to sign up. I think that this is the sort of thing that really helps everyone, in a pay it forward kind of way! Thanks for giving and giving back!
D
Your idea is just great! I hope by the end of 2009 you’ll have 12 projects to be proud of, all based on the initial $25 coming from you.
Happy Birthday and may all your wishes come true in 2009!
I’d love a jumpstart! Sign me up, and I’ll also be adding you to my Google reader. Thanks also for the advice on where to go for registration and hosting. As a non-technical person with lots of ideas for content, this is really great information!
Hi Donna – wonderful idea! I would like to donate something…maybe title/meta tags for the first page or something like that. What do you think would be helpful coming from an SEO Strategist?
Hey!
Thanks so much for doing this. As an SEO Rookie, established vets that actively, generously give back like this are really…encouraging. I’d be honored to throw my name in the running. Which is a mixed metaphor.
I’ve got several ideas I’ve been meaning to develop, and what I would love access to here is, of course, the $25 kick start, but also all the supplemental reading material and potential info to mine and pick through.
So…give me a jump kick start!
Great idea indeed! I’m happy to be a part of this too!
Great idea Donna. I’d like to contribute a free copy of my SEO ebook (USD $79.95 value) + 1hr SEO copy consultation (USD $200 value).
I’d love a jump start~!
Hi Donna…JUMP START ME! Happy birthday and thanks for the wonderful gift! I definitely need a boost and this is the gift that would help my business succeed. I have many ideas for my business, but without marketing savvy, I sometimes lack the guts to just go for it…not to mention the dollars. Thanks so much for keeping “Christmas” going all year long!
Hi Donna,
I would LOVE a jumpstart! I’ve subscribed to your blog for nearly a year now and I cannot thank you enough for all of the valuable information. I’m working on setting up an online store front and there is no end to the little costs that add up. My goals for this year are to switch my hosting to go daddy and provide my users with a secure shopping cart, increase my monthly sales as well as finding room in my budget for a monthly advertising budget.
Hi Donna,
What a fabulous idea! I was introduced to you through a mutual Twitter friend (Glenn) and I’m so very happy he did.
I too give to Kiva and think it is a wonderful long term solution that helps thousands every month.
I have subscribed to your blog, and if there is anything I can do to help you at anytime, don’t be afraid to ask.
I look forward to tweeting with you in the near future.
Angie Haggstrom
I would really love a jump start!
I have a stellar idea and could use a jumpstart!
Hi Donna,
I don’t remember how I started to follow you on twitter, I used to read your tweets and follow the links you share (mostly web development/design related stuff) .
But now, your story just blew me away.
Three years before I quit my full time job (company was sinking and I had to do that) started a small company with other three friends to develop a call center auto dialer software. But it lasted only for 3-4 months and from then on I am working from home, creating websites and providing consultation. I struggled all these years, still struggling but I’m making a living and I am confident that in the near future I’ll be able to re-open my company. I matured from Geocities and Tripods to Hostgators and Godaddies, learned a lot, still learning and I’m happy about what I’m doing.
I’ll always try to remember what you are doing to help others so that I’ll also be able to do that someday.
Great idea from a great woman! I will help in any way. If you need more funds please let me know. We can throw in a great Ebooks if you need more. I am still waiting to meet you face to face. Are you up for it this October 6th? Let me know it would be great fun. It will be at Le Chat Noir 715 St Charles Ave. Ooo and Happy Birthday!
Sounds like a scam. Like a pyramid. Remember the sage advice: If something is too good to be true, it always is.
It wasn’t a scam or a pyramid, or even too good to be true. It happened as stated. Last year, recipients who asked to be considered were chosen by a random draw. They were then given cash and products as outlined. Given. As in no strings attached. As in, I never even contacted them later for any reason at all. A few contacted me, thanking me. Jump Start is history now, as we enter a new year, but it was nothing more and nothing less than me attempting to give a few people a head start. Feel free to contact any of the recipients (they are listed on the site – just search for “recipient”). They’ll be able to confirm that there was nothing but pure and simple giving. Period.
Nevertheless, I can understand why you might be skeptical. Skepticism is a healthy attitude to have when dealing with strangers.