People think that quitting their job to launch a dream project is not only risky, but costly.
I’m telling you right now you can do it for less than $100 and make a big impact.
I know this because I’ve been lucky enough to mentor and watch many individuals do exactly that, even when they had no idea exactly what they were going to do, or how they were going to grow their concepts from idea into inception.
They’ve shown me that quitting your job, or starting a new business or project, is less about making money, and more about a desire to live life on your own terms, doing something you love and embracing the challenges on the road to freedom.
Late last year I ran the $100 Change Initiative to prove that you can take action and make your dream idea, project or business a reality with $100 or less. This digitally delivered eGuide acts as a blueprint for inspiring you to just start, and consists of 100 pieces of wisdom or insight over 100 days.
You can pay what you think it’s worth right here.
Over 120 global change-makers offer advice, insight and inspiration so that you can make your dreams a reality, including Danielle LaPorte, Adam Baker, Chris Brogan, Michael Port, Laura Roeder, Chris Guillebeau and Jonathan Mead.
What you can achieve in 3 weeks when you put your mind to it
The ironic thing is, I put this program together in around three weeks after Chris Guillebeau’s $100 Challenge from the World Domination Summit. He gave each attendee the opportunity to take the $100 he gave them to spend it on themselves or start something special.
I chose the latter, and the goal of my initiative was to use all the money from the sales of my eCourse and pool it into scholarships that were then awarded to 10 lucky program members who submitted their application for funding and mentorship.
The program inspired many to think big, dream bigger and see possibilities. As a result, when it came time to hand out scholarships with the proceeds made, it was a tough decision.
Despite the range of ideas, all of them showed a common theme – a desire to create impact in other’s lives.
The entrepreneurs that were chosen for funding were honest about their challenges and vision, and while they are still on their way to consistently turning a profit, being able to see their journey in real time showcases an integral piece of the entrepreneurship puzzle.
Three Individuals Journeys To Making Their Dreams A Reality
If you’re wondering exactly what sorts of ideas and projects are underway as a result of this initiative, then look no further than these three individuals who have all started from scratch, while balancing their own jobs (or leaving them) and busy lives in the process.
By sharing their stories I hope to inspire you to see just what’s possible when you put your mind to it, and commit to bringing your vision to life, just like Tom, Jessica and Sean have.
1. Insurgent Publishing – Tom Morkes
Tom Morkes recognized the challenges unknown authors and artists face online because of lack of connections.
In response to that, he decided to create a boutique, creative publishing platform called Insurgent Publishing, that connects unknown artists/authors with bloggers in an effort to benefit both parties.
While the work is on the platform, it is edited, designed, published, marketed and distributed all with the guidance of the creator.
Challenges: From the start, Tom was aware that he would need connections to elite bloggers, help finding new artists and boutique printers, designers for the logo and website, consultation on copywriting, and assistance in creating a campaign for the first product.
Updates: Tom’s publishing company is coming along and he’s about 40% done with website. He’s working with a couple of authors already, and is getting really clear on the content he wishes to publish in the future (and how to differentiate in a noisy market).
Through our mentoring sessions together he’s defining his place in this exciting industry, where the traditional publisher is losing face and power to the individuals who are looking to self publish and promote their own work on their own platforms.
There is a real opportunity here for Tom to create magic and impact in authors and readers lives.
2. 1,000 Souls Project – Jessica Rea
Jessica knew that there was a community of people whose souls were hungry. She envisioned a world where people were taking care of their souls, and in turn, creating their best versions of themselves that contribute to the world.
Her website The Well Fed Soul is built upon the idea that we must be loved and nourished in order to be the best possible expression of ourselves. Based on this principle Jessica has set her goal at impacting 1,000 people through a completely free, 90-day program.
Still in development, The 1,000 Souls Project is for you to discover what truly feeds your soul, identify what unique greatness lies inside you and lay out specific steps you can take to express the best you have to offer.
Challenges: Since she was starting from scratch, with no real established audience, Jessica knew that she would need help in monetizing her idea, defining her target market, and writing compelling content.
Updates: Since Jessica started working on turning this project into a reality, she has interviewed many people who are living and breathing what she teaches in her program.
They are now part of the program course material, which has 13 weeks of modules that include an eBook, email prompts, interviews, and worksheets.
She is knee-deep in the process of finishing these modules so they can become available to the public in the next month and the eBook that comes with the course has been designed and is currently being edited. She’s now she’s starting on the email content and set-up of the program, plus promotional images and her social media strategy.
3. The Parkour Course – Sean Rogers
For Sean Rogers, a world without playful movement has no place to exist. Through the creation of a blog, community, and European tour, Sean wants to inspire people to fall in love with fitness and find the joy of movement everywhere to create happier and more fulfilled lifestyles.
For his scholarship application Sean wanted to create his first course called The Parkour course, focusing on physical movement education. He’s been moving mountains in creating a ton of video content and materials for this and launched it on Udemy.
Challenges: Initially, Sean struggled with building connections, developing community, marketing, platform development, copywriting, and digital product development. It is his first independent venture, so he has been taking the time to learn about the online product process, and then implementing the knowledge he’s gained.
Updates: Sean has already had several sales of The Parkour course, and the copy for the Udemy site is almost ready. Right now, his biggest focus is a creating a written guide for the course and creating a short eBook for the email list opt-in. He’s also landed a guest video for Daily DormWOD.
There is no better proof than living examples that show that you can start and create your own project or initiative AND make an impact for less than $100.
Let me know in the comments below how you’re going to take your dreams and ideas and make them come to life?!