To make a long story short, I didn't end up making the business actually work. The main roadblock I ran up against was simply not being able to get in touch with the owners of the businesses. I never made it past clerks in the storefront. While I didn't end up with a successful business, I did learn a handful of very valuable lessons. I did manage to figure out and execute all the steps necessary to make it a legal operating business, including getting a business license, filing a fictitious business name statement and publishing it with a newspaper, getting a business account at my bank, and registering with the IRS for an employer identification number (although I never got far enough to hire employees). Also, it gave me a reason to learn more web design, and I ended up with the skills to code a descent website from scratch (it's still up if you want to check it out).
Perhaps most importantly, I discovered important aspects of what I enjoy doing and what drains my energy. I found that I was energized by the process of planning out what the business could be and putting together the marketing materials, writing copy, and assembling the concept in preparation for selling it. When it came time to actually walk up to strangers and try to convince them to buy it, however, I found myself stressed and less motivated. I am very fortunate to live in an age where selling a product is requiring less and less face time with customers thanks to the Internet, a factor I now know to take advantage of in future endeavors.
“How would you like to be the high school worship leader for the summer, and play behind a full band, arrange and orchestrate guided intimate worship experiences, and play guitar and sing lead vocals on a worship CD?“
This email was most surprising simply because I had no formal experience as a worship leader and Kai had never heard so much as a note out of me. I figured though that it sounded like an opportunity too good to pass up, and it would certainly qualify as an expansion of my comfort zone.