How I'm Starting Sweeps

There's an article coming out tomorrow in UNC's Daily Tarheel about students starting businesses, and it got me thinking about what has been most helpful for me in creating Sweeps. If anyone else is curious about starting a business in Chapel Hill or elsewhere, I thought this could be useful.

University & Local Resources: There are tons of programs and resources available to students. Some I have used or plan to include:

• Entreneurship Minor, or Entrepreneurship Concentration in the business school
• Interns: We plan to hire an undergrad entrepreneurial intern in the next few weeks, and hopefully an MBA intern through CEF as well. If you're interested in an internship let me know.
  
• CEF provides funding to allow startups to hire MBA interns.
  
• CEI: keeps track of all the entrepreneurial programs around campus. Sweeps was profiled about a month ago.
• Carolina Challenge business plan competition
• Launching the Venture
  
• MBA SoftLaunch Program
• Consulting to the entrepreneurial firm undergrad class
• Kenan-Flagler Business School STAR Program
• BASE for sustainable entrepreneurs
• SBTDC.org: North Carolina Small Business Technology Development Center, free help for businesses
• Score counselors to small business
  
• Other Students: Even as a startup without any money, we have been lucky enough to recruit help from students with tremendous skills I lack. Students are often interested in experience or for their portfolio, and we offer a cool alternative to other businesses. I had emails sent out over a few listserves (MBA entrepreneurship club, UNC Graphic Design, Entrepreneurship Minor, MAC Program, etc.) that led to adding an MBA, MAC student and graphic designer to our team.
  
• Class Credit: I'm in an internship and an independent study for Sweeps, giving me 6 hours of credit I need to graduate.
• Ted Zoller: Ted supported the idea from the beginning and his contacts provided my internship, office, independent study, press articles, and more.
  

Web Apps: really changing the way business can operate. We use

• Google Everything: Docs, Calendar, Moderator, Analytics, Gmail, Contacts, Moderator, Forms, Surveys, Adsense, etc.
  
• Zoho CRM, free for up to 3 users
  
• mint.com, and quickbooks online
• Skype
• Joomla and a lot of extensions off Joomla for our website
• StumbleUpon & Digg: Stumble entrepreneurship or similar and you'll start getting ideas.
• Business Blogs and Articles
  

Business Advisors: I depend on a board of advisors for recommendations ranging from simple questions (who do you recommend for insurance?) to raising capital. There is a strong network of UNC alumni and local business leaders that actively seek to give back to students and startups, it just takes finding them.

Ask Friends and Family: Don't hide your idea or worry about asking for help. I've bought shots at the bar for some statistics help. Friends and family are probably interested in what you're doing, will appreciate your request for help, and everyone knows something you don't.


Just Do It, and ask: if you've been thinking a lot about, and have passion for an idea go ahead and pursue it. Ask around and you'll find out pretty quick whether you can handle it and if it's an idea worth pursuing.
If you're interested in what we're doing, or have any questions or additions please don't hesitate to call, email, or stop by and visit us on Franklin St.