How to Bribe People to Start Companies (Plus: Kimono Event Scholarship) 183 Comments
Once upon a time, two entrepreneurs had an idea: what if we used traditional bookbinding to make iPad cases?
It was a fun idea.
Then it suddenly became very, very profitable. The two entrepreneurs, Patrick Buckley and Craig Dalton, named the idea DODOCase and soon had sold more than 10,000 iPad cases at $60 a pop.
Soon thereafter, they were featured in The New York Times and had a multi-million dollar business on their hands, to the tune to $4-5 million a year.
That could be you.
See, DODOcase was far from alone. They were part of a simple experiment, a business-building competition I launched jointly with an incredible start-up called Shopify.
The results were amazing:
Revenue PER HOUR for the duration of the contest: $696.38
Total number of orders placed: 66,503
Most important — Total businesses created: nearly 1,400
1,400 &^%$ing businesses, created by people just like you.
People who’d become comfortable in a routine. People who’d dreamt of starting their own company… someday. People who just needed a quick slap to get off the tranquilizers of their 9-to-5. But did I say “people just like you”? Scratch that — 1,400 businesses, many of them created by people far less capable than you.
The Shopify Build-a-Business competition is back, bigger and better than ever. There are more than $500,000 in prizes, including:
$100,000 Grand Prize
VIP trip for two to New York City, where Seth Godin will cook you dinner
One-hour power session with Gary Vaynerchuk
VIP trip to San Francisco, where you’ll visit the Googleplex and have dinner (and wine, of course) with yours truly at one of my favorite restaurants in the world…
This time, it’s also international!
The contest is open to residents of the U.S.A. (excluding residents of Arizona, Maryland, Vermont, and Puerto Rico), The U.K. (excluding N. Ireland), Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Regardless of location, EVERYONE can participate to take advantage of the educational portion. You don’t need any experience starting or running an online store. Forget the “prizes.” Those are just window dressing. The real prize is creating a profitable business that could be the next DODOcase, the next 4-Hour Workweek, or far beyond both.
GigaOM noted today:
“The competition isn’t simply about the money. Shopify is teaming with marketing guru Seth Godin, wine video blogger and author Gary Vaynerchuk and angel investor Tim Ferriss, along with sponsors Google, MailChimp and PayPal to offer advice and counseling to start-ups. That along with AdWords credits help bring the total payout to $500,000.”
To reiterate the dilemma and solution, as I wrote last time:
“This competition is intended as a benevolent and encouraging kick in the ass. This stuff isn’t rocket science, but it does require stepping outside your comfort zone for a bit to realize: this isn’t that hard. It’s just unfamiliar. If you do it now, a lot of people will be in the same boat and you’ll take the trip together.”
Ready to join the ranks, shed a little blood with your brethren (mere papercuts, guys), and fundamentally change your life forever? If not now, when?
Go here. Get excited. Pull the trigger.
###
Related:
Looking for ideas? Browse some of the case studies in the “Engineering the Muse” posts, or successful examples on Shopify.
Learn lessons from past winners and runners-up
Odds and Ends: ONE Scholarship for $10,000 Event
As promised, I’ve thought a lot about financial aid requests for the $10,000 “Opening the Kimono™” event in August.
I take your feedback seriously, but I also take the attendee selection seriously. I’ll therefore be offering one “scholarship” (covering attendance fee) to a qualified doer. To separate the talkers from the doers, and to reward loyal readers, here’s how a single winner will be chosen:
1) Upload a video to YouTube, no longer than 3 minutes, titled “4HB success story” or “4HWW success story,” followed by your full name.
2) In the video, describe the results you’ve created from implementing something from 4HB and/or 4HWW.
3) Then, leave a comment on this blog post with “SUBMISSION” at the top of your comment and a link to your video.
4) My elves and I will choose 5-10 finalists.
5) Those top 5-10 will be voted on by the blog community to determine the winner.
Your video must be submitted no later than this Sunday, May 1, at midnight PST. Earlier submissions get priority in the case of any ties.
I will ask the winner for their last year’s tax return and bank statements. If you can clearly afford it, the scholarship will go to the #2-ranked finalist. If #2 can clearly afford it, it goes to #3, and so on.
We look forward to seeing your videos, and to seeing one of you in Napa wine country in August!
Posted on April 26th, 2011
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183 Comments
Thomas Frank — April 26th, 2011, 9:48 pm
Now THIS is a scholarship worth pursuing!
MsJ777 — April 26th, 2011, 9:50 pm
No AZ again? That’s it–I’m moving! Actually I am, in July to a state that DOES allow the contest, so since I see the deadline is in December, I’m in the running…
Kelly — April 26th, 2011, 9:52 pm
I was still in school and in Canada last year when this competition was held… I’ve been hoping it would come back in 2011 when I graduated! This is so awesome!! Thanks Tim, for pooling your resources together and making this awesome contest
Tgrrr — April 26th, 2011, 9:57 pm
Brilliant competition, once again inspirational. I’ll be in the Shopify competition for sure with my muse/charity.
I love that the real inspiration for this competition is the financial independence and kickstart, not the prize pool.
Great that I can participate this year as an Aussie
Thanks heaps for that.
Is the Canadian prize pool separate because of lottery laws again?
James R Taylor — April 26th, 2011, 10:51 pm
Tim, this is huge!!!
I’m IN on both counts. Looking forward to tomorrow morning… flip cam in hand!
muriel — April 26th, 2011, 11:08 pm
Tim!
This is great, I am in for the scholarship and I am making a video asap! Wonderful news!
kris — April 26th, 2011, 11:12 pm
Sounds like a fun competition.
What is your “favorite restaurant in the world” that you speak of? I would be royally peeved if it consisted of a 5 minute fast food diner.
Pat — April 26th, 2011, 11:14 pm
As a resident of Maryland, I have to ask… why not? What’s the deal?
Not to sound like an accusation, but what is the prohibition concerning my home state?
I understand the gist of what you’re saying, so far as the “transfer” that comes from building one’s own business, but in a legal sense, wassup?
Adam — April 27th, 2011, 12:00 am
The Canadian prize is $5000….. Grand prize is $100,000 I’m assuming Canadian’s are not eligible for the grand prize?
Mike Freeman — April 27th, 2011, 10:15 am
Hi Adam,
Canadians are not eligible for the Grand Prize and the Industry Prizes as that would be against the law. Canadians are competing amongst themselves for the Canadian prize.
The approximate value of the Canadian prize is $25,000. The $5,000 is just the Apple gift card part of the prize.
William — April 27th, 2011, 12:04 am
$696.38/hour and 66503 sales divided over 1400 companies is a mean hourly wage of a bit more than $0.497 with 47.5 total sales per company over the course of the contest. That the winner grossed $600,000 over 10,000 sales means the median will be far lower than the mean.
The real value here is in finding out what everyone else failed to do.
Wes — April 27th, 2011, 12:10 am
I think I will enter this time…last time I found out about it to late….I have already been toying with some ideas….Tim you btw are possibly the coolest guy I think I have come across in a long time…funny I’ve never met you
Cheriess — April 27th, 2011, 12:28 am
Hurray! I am so excited to bust out the camera tomorrow! I really want to go to the seminar and soak up info, and sip some wine! Maybe this chance at a scholarship will be it! Thank you Tim for being so generous and inspirational!
Jason — April 27th, 2011, 12:39 am
Hi Tim,
This is completely unrelated to this topic but I figured this would be the best way to get in touch with you. First off, I just started reading your blog, and I’m amazing at what you have accomplished. I just ordered my copy of the 4-hour workweek and can’t wait to read it and then after the 4-hour body. Had 2 questions: Have you ever tried picking up a musical instrument? Have you ever tried to make yourself taller? I’ll be interested to see what your answers are.
Wes — April 27th, 2011, 12:41 am
I had questions about the contest? I am not sure if this is the place to ask, but here goes anyway do all orders need to be placed through the shopify website in order to count? I thought I read something about the dodo case being marketed directly to customers standing in line to by the ipad? would it be possible to have a designated buyer make purchases via shopify for person to person sales. Example: I find a few clients that want to purchase my product to put in their store but they don’t want to go through the trouble of going to a site to make the purchase when they could just write me a check and have the product delivered. The sale would benefit me but would I get awarded “points” for that?
Scott — April 27th, 2011, 9:17 am
Though the dodo case was marketed directly to customers standing in line, I think they did not take orders there. It was to build buzz, but what I envisioned was the street team did not take orders.
Mike Freeman — April 27th, 2011, 10:18 am
Hi Wes,
Only sales that go through a the Shopify store count towards your sales total. In the case of DODOcase last year, we only took the sales they made through their Shopify site.
This isn’t to discourage you from selling directly or elsewhere, it’s just that there is now way for us to accurately track any of those sales.
Add — April 27th, 2011, 2:03 am
This is fantastic, thanks for doing this again. I needed the slap across the face to get started and this helped — I’m starting an information product business so I won’t be officially taking part in the shopify contest, yet I’ll be along for the ride with everyone else.
This would be a perfect time for you to post another Muse Examples post with emphasis on info products, it would definitely spur those of us in the info product realm.
Aidan — April 27th, 2011, 4:12 am
Does Republic of Ireland count as the UK Tim? Pretty please?
Mike Freeman — April 27th, 2011, 10:21 am
Hi Aidan,
Sorry, Republic of Ireland doesn’t count as the UK
Hopefully next year, we’ll be able to spread the contest to even more countries. It took a lot of legal work to get it expanded to the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada this year.
Aidan — April 27th, 2011, 4:22 pm
That’s disappointing, I don’t think there’s anything I wouldn’t do to have Seth Godin make me dinner ha! I’m still gonna start a company though. Exams end in a few weeks, then let the games begin!
Benny — April 27th, 2011, 6:10 am
Seth Goodin cook for you? There may never be a prize like that…ever. I’d love to know how that idea came about.
Dodie Jacobi — April 27th, 2011, 7:15 am
WOW – my top three author crushes in one tidy prize package!? Love it. Thanks for the fun opportunity; will spread the word to my clients.
David — April 27th, 2011, 7:15 am
“The contest is open to residents of the U.S.A. … excluding residents Maryland” But why?! Guess it’s just not for me….
Mike Freeman — April 27th, 2011, 10:23 am
Hi David,
Maryland has laws about these kinds of contests that make it so that we can’t run the contest there. We tried, but our lawyers advised us that we couldn’t do it.
Ajaero Tony Martins — April 27th, 2011, 8:12 am
Hi Tim, this competition is really challenging but it seems entrepreneurs outside the US and UK are been sidelined. I don’t think its fair. All the same, keep up the good work.
Mike Freeman — April 27th, 2011, 10:29 am
Hi Ajaero,
Running contests like this requires a lot of legal wrangling. Every country has different laws concerning contests (and even some regions within countries).
This year we tried really hard to expand to more countries. We had to work with 4 law firms across the globe to get it expanded to the countries that are included.
The real prize from this program is starting a sustainable business, and that’s available to everyone.
cailen ascher — April 27th, 2011, 8:25 am
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nGMoifMya0
so excited about this opportunity! thank you!!! fingers-crossed….
Dan Morelle — April 27th, 2011, 8:55 am
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_5nz16-c4Y
Thanks for the opportunity Tim.
Scott — April 27th, 2011, 9:14 am
There is conflicting information between the rules and the sign up site.
Rules: “Entries are subject to disqualification at any time if Sponsor reasonably determines in its sole discretion that the business being operated was conducted in the same or a similar form prior to submission of the entry.”
Sign up site: “Already have a store with Shopify
and want to participate in the contest? Please enter your url.”
Would hate to see someone with a prior business let to enter by the sign up form and then win only to be disqualified.
Please clarify if businesses existing prior to contest start are or are not allowed.
Mike Freeman — April 27th, 2011, 12:14 pm
Hi Scott,
Sorry about that confusion. Accounts created by new businesses from March 26th on may enter the contest and win prizes.
We are allowing older stores, and those outside the eligible countries, to sign-up and participate in the other aspects like the educational resources and smaller contests along the way.
Thanks for the feedback, we’ll take another look at the wording.
Kristi ~ ArtSea — May 21st, 2011, 5:46 am
Hey Mike,
When does the contest end? Did I miss it?
Thanks
Tito Bohrt — April 27th, 2011, 9:51 am
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvdTpRiRntY
Tim, I’m super excited about this, I turn 21 on August 18th so what a great way to celebrate if I get selected to attend the Opening the Kimono event.
Jeb — April 27th, 2011, 9:14 pm
Wow.. thats actually pretty cool Tito.. I’m going to tell my wife to go to your website to see if we can get Nursing school books cheaper.
Thanks!
Shiggi — April 27th, 2011, 10:04 am
Woo! Definitely the spur one needed…I’ve been half arsedly plodding along with 2 ideas for the last year but always getting sidelined by “work” (of which there is none)
*fires up the soldering irons*
Leonard Irwin — April 27th, 2011, 10:13 am
Tim
What a kick in the pants way to get us your readers off of our asses and get going. Thank you for allowing us Canadians to participate in this contest.
I want to give a added incentive. I’ll challenge any Canadian who ever wins I’ll send them 3 litres of Maple Syrup made right on my family farm in Kingston Ontario. We’ve been making this great gift of nature for over 150 years.
Any other Canadians want to accept and add to this challenge?
Find me on face book.
Cheer
Leonard Irwin
Kingston Ontario
Joe C — April 27th, 2011, 12:41 pm
@Leonard Irwin
Lucky Canadians! Could you ship some to
Mike Freeman — April 28th, 2011, 8:17 am
Hey Leonard,
That’s awesome. Why don’t you send me an email (contest at shopify.com), we love maple syrup at Shopify.
George Mihaly — April 27th, 2011, 11:17 am
Stoked for round 2 of this contest. Last business did not explode, but taught me invaluable lesson. Plus, I just moved from VT to OR which to me is just yet another star aligning.
I dig the video intro. Thanks again for the friendly kick! Cheers -George-
Todd — April 27th, 2011, 11:21 am
Why are AZ residents excluded?!
Mike Freeman — April 27th, 2011, 2:04 pm
Hi Todd,
Arizona has very strict laws regarding contests and therefore, we weren’t able to open it up to residents of Arizona.
Justin | Mazzastick — April 27th, 2011, 11:44 am
Great idea. We all need a kick in the ass at time to get us moving and outside of our comfort zones.
Ryan Riegner — April 27th, 2011, 11:44 am
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl6Jroj65Rs
I am so thrilled about the opportunity to attend this event! I can barely sit still. Please see my submission at the above link, and thanks again Tim for everything. What a rabbit hole indeed…
muriel — April 28th, 2011, 11:52 am
Really cool Ryan!
By the way I am looking for a designer, may be we can talk!
Good luck!
Simon Smart — April 27th, 2011, 12:34 pm
Tim,
It’s so great to see a competition where winning is based not on luck or by virtue of simply entering, but instead on process, effort and creating value. What a great paradigm shift. This ensures that people get something out of the competition even if they don’t win, in terms of lessons learned and experience, and likely profit. Awesome idea!
Simon
Steve Zussino — April 27th, 2011, 2:31 pm
I can’t wait to enter!
Guy Lockard — April 27th, 2011, 2:41 pm
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ0MvIjw-jc
I was so disappointed when you first announced the “Opening the Kimono” event because I knew I wouldn’t be able to come up with the money. Now, with this opportunity, I know my dreamlines are destined to come true!
I’m also going to enter the Shopify contest. The timing couldn’t be more perfect since I’ve been developing and testing a few muses recently. Thanks again for all of these great opportunities. God Bless
Benedict Westenra — April 27th, 2011, 3:18 pm
@Ryan Riegner
Awesome blog! I see why Stefan Sagmeister took you on.
John Konrad — April 27th, 2011, 3:46 pm
SUBMISSION
Well this is embarrassing – please excuse the lighting and edits – but I’ll think of it as a Comfort Challenge.
So here it is.. “4HWW success story – John Konrad OR… A Thank You To Tim and (as an extra bonus) how he changed my life and possibly the world”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2Xfum8_u0Q
Enjoy!
Kalyn — April 27th, 2011, 4:46 pm
I am very excited to enter the contest! I think my main motivation is getting to meet you if I win
Tegan Haining — April 27th, 2011, 5:02 pm
Yay! I can enter even though I’m in Australiaaaaa!!!! Now if only my mind hadn’t gone blank and I could think of a product to sell!
Vinay — April 27th, 2011, 6:06 pm
Awesome the contest is running again, it seriously changed my life when I entered last year!
I also created a free course that teaches people how to set up their own Shopify store if anyone is interested.
Good luck everyone!
Anonymous — April 27th, 2011, 9:28 pm
Woo-hoo! This timing is perfect! I read 4HWW a few years back and have been accumulating muses since then with no time to pursue them but I’m wrapping up sale of my current time-sucking venture in just a few days, so I’m rarin’ to go now! Yeeha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
matt — April 27th, 2011, 11:48 pm
Tim,
Greatly appreciate your work and what you’re doing with the 4hr ideas, but I just cannot support the Shopify scam.
Let’s do the math (from the last event):
Shopify had nearly 1400 new clients from this event.
Shopify charges these clients $29-$99 per month.
Yes, there are cheap folks who will only pay the $29, but there are also clients who will gladly pay more.
1400 people X $29/mo = $40,600 of new monthly revenue for Shopify.
1400 people X $99/mo = $138,600 of new monthly revenue for Shopify.
We may also be able to extrapolate that the average new client would want to keep their account around for longer than 1 month so that this new business venture has a chance to succeed.
If each client kept their account for only 3 months, Shopify could have raked in a minimum of $122,400.
Of course they wanted to partner with you to get their name out there, its a no-lose situation for them, and basically money-for-nothing.
David — April 28th, 2011, 8:16 am
Hi, tim.
I don’t think it is necessarily a scam. Shopify is positioned gain to recognition and money from this contest, no doubt. I don’t see it any different than a “Toyotaton”, “sweepstakes”, or any other promotional event. In the end, It’s just a excuse for people to scratch that entrepreneurial itch, whether as a newbie, or an serial entrepreneur. The 1 month investment is not big, but some sunk cost will always be expected with any start up venture. Good practice.
I liked your break down of Shopify’s potential profits from this contest. It shows you are a thinking individual. I wish I could create $122,400 profit by holding a contest too. (don’t we all) But you did forget the cost of prizes involved. Of course, $500,000 in prizes does not mean it cost $500,000 to arrange. It could of cost the organizers only $100,000 or as little $10,000. The prizes could be all donations, costing the organizers nothing at all. Smart move, organizers.
Of course, the chances of winning one of the prizes are really low. It would be especially difficult if you don’t already have a product and have to develop one on the fly. Also, entrepreneurs who already have networks, customers, email lists or other businesses will have a tremendous advantage over the brand new entrepreneur. So if you don’t already have a good product, the network, distribution, client list and the business chops, your chances of winning any of the prizes are very very slim.
But it seems Tim and the other “experts” act on the principle that the more impossible the goal, the more effort people put in, and the better chances of success. It is a interesting concept, and it seems to work for them. For you, matt, I’d say forget about the prizes. Put $30 down and see if you can make it back in a month. Or put $60 down and see if you can make it back in 2 months. Put out the most ridiculous product you can think of and see if people would actually buy it. It could be a lot of fun for $30. Think about it.
Daniel — May 2nd, 2011, 5:01 am
Matt,
this is called a win-win situation.
regards
Daniel
Sean — April 28th, 2011, 6:49 am
Hey Tim,
Love the idea. I actually recommended shopify to a client of mine and I use it to run and manage their store. But have found some limitations with the store and seems some suggestions which other members have made have not been addressed. Granted I know not every suggestion is one a company wants to go with, some suggestions are things that just need to be done (ie. coupon codes that work for specific products instead of right now which is sitewide).
Makes me want to launch my own online store sooner than I planned and rethink using shopify instead of testing out other providers.
Awesome contest and best of luck to everyone doing it.
Dustin Patrick — April 28th, 2011, 7:26 am
SUBMISSION
Thanks Tim! Hope to see you in California.
Benedict Westenra — April 28th, 2011, 8:47 am
@matt
People lose money in a scam.
People make money in the Shopify contest.
In good business everyone benefits:
- the customers get a product they want
- the sellers make money from selling it
- Shopify make money from facilitating the transaction
- Tim benefits from being an investor
It’s a win-win-win-win situation.
This is wealth generation, as opposed to wealth destruction which caused the financial crisis.
David — April 28th, 2011, 1:52 pm
Hi, Benedict.
I also wrote a long reply on Matt’s comment, but it’s stuck in moderation. To an extent, Matt does have point. Is the contest a scam? No. It’s no different than any other promotional event. But in a strictly financial stand point, your argument of a win-win-win-win situation is incorrect. It is an overly optimistic analysis void of reality. It is not ‘wealth creation’(a marketing lingo) and I don’t think the financial crisis is much to do with this contest.
As this is a contest, majority of the participates will not win a prize. In fact, most of the participants will not recuperate their initial investment. Sure, every start up venture has costs with associated with its launch. But it is no longer a win-win-win-win situation, but a lose-lose-win-win. Again in a strictly financial context, most participants will lose but Shopify will always win.(monthly fees plus a cut of the transaction) There is be few winners. And I don’t think a contest where majority of the participates lose by design can be glorified as “wealth creation”.
Does that mean no one should participate? Of course not. As I already stated in my previous comment, the opportunity cost is rather small. Risk is a part of entrepreneurship, and no one entering this contest is doing so to lose or lose their investment. As long as people enter into the contest without illusions, I think it is a great opportunity to give a entrepreneurship a try.
sharon mohan — April 28th, 2011, 10:02 am
Tim, i started this diet three weeks ago. first week I lost 6 lbs. Week 2 1 lbs week three I am showing I gained two more lbs which I am not worried about because it is maybe water weight. Going to the gym 5 days . this week nothing. I am following the diet exactly as you said. how am I not losing anymore weight. I really need to lose 55 lbs. It’s baby weight stuck for a year and half now. This is making me crazy.
Jimmy — April 28th, 2011, 12:12 pm
I want to do this so badly, but every time I try and think of what I would sell I draw a f***cking blank! Would anyone like to be partners half way down the middle? Every time I think of something, I research it and find out it’s over-saturated or profit margins aren’t high enough to make it worth the time to uit my job. Help!!!!!!
Twitter @JimAntonyDotCom
michael — April 28th, 2011, 12:17 pm
Would we know by now if we were or were not chosen to go w/o a scholarship?
James R Taylor — April 28th, 2011, 1:31 pm
UNOFFICIAL SUBMISSION (the real one coming soon…)
Hi Tim and Fellow Readers,
I’m the best candidate for the scholarship, hands down. I’ve set up a page for the purpose of aggregating videos of my experiences with the 4HWW and the 4HB. I want to share these with you. Please click my name on the lest of this comment to check these videos out and learn more about me.
I will be uploading more videos throughout the week.
Official submission video coming soon.
I hope I can earn your vote.
James Taylor
Pat Murray — April 28th, 2011, 1:55 pm
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlLIJi69L-E
Thanks Tim, Tim’s Elves, and Blog Community! : )
p.s- sorry for the extra .33
Ryan — April 28th, 2011, 2:12 pm
Thats pretty awesome Pat
Lisa Wilkin — April 28th, 2011, 3:58 pm
SUBMISSION
Tim – thanks for this opportunity. This is fun!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qXC0F_oHto
Cheers
Lisa
PPC4 — April 28th, 2011, 4:58 pm
Oh…It is ON!!!
I’m at the firehouse until Saturday AM, but I’ll have my vid submission up by that deadline.
Love it! So excited!
Can’t wait to see all of the submissions.
Thanks Tim…You are a complete rockstar!
Ok…I’m calm now.
Paul
James R Taylor — April 28th, 2011, 5:37 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOrREAnSHgQ&feature=player_embedded
A thank you to all of those who have published such inspiring YouTube videos.
Justin — April 28th, 2011, 5:46 pm
Hi Tim,
I ran into you at stumptown roasters yesterday morning with my brother. Just wanted to let you know that your book (4HWW) & blog inspired me to
quit my job in 2007 and start my own blog, kinowear.com (now one of
the top men’s style blogs) and corresponding style coaching business
in nyc.
The blog started as a means to fill a gap in the market to serve
average, everyday men who so badly needed fashion and classic style
tips but weren’t necessarily interested in getting bombarded by runway
news and designer trends that filled most of the style websites and
publications for men. Our “how to tie a tie” article got featured on
lifehacker.com, and the rest is history. In just a year, we hit over
100,000 visitors/month, and after getting dozens of requests for style
coaching services, we decided to start a image consulting company
driven solely through the traffic from the blog. It’s really a dream
job or “muse” as you call it since it requires minimal work (writing a
few blog entries, and meeting with several clients for coaching in NYC
every month).
The entire business is bootstrapped and employs a lot of the techniques,
resources, and philosophy mentioned in your book, 4HWW.
Since then, we’ve been approached by MTV producers for a show,
featured in magazines, radio. The craziest thing was when we ran into
a couple of fans halfway across the world in a club in Seoul, Korea.
It turned out there were quite a few, so we ended up organizing a
short seminar and even doing a radio show while we were there.
All this, thanks to you and 4HWW.
THANKS!
Sincerely,
Justin
Tim Ferriss — May 2nd, 2011, 11:06 am
It was great to meet you, Justin, and… congratulations! Great idea and great execution. On behalf of fashion-challenged men worldwide, I thank you
Pura vida,
Tim
Guy Lockard — May 3rd, 2011, 10:54 pm
Amazing story Justin. Congrats! cool blog too
David — May 2nd, 2011, 12:18 pm
Hi, Justin.
You need to do a case study on this blog.
There are loads of people you want to know how you did it. (myself included) It would be great exposure for your business plus web traffic and it would also be great content for Tim’s blog. Win-win. Only thing I would ask is to share the nitty-gritty good stuff.
Congratulation on your many success!
Chuck Rylant — April 28th, 2011, 7:59 pm
Great idea and example of an outstanding marketing mind. This is a win for the recipient who gets a free seminar. A win for all the other contributors who organize their thoughts and make a video–great learning opportunity. And a win for Tim with video testimonials. I love it.
Gonzalo Paternoster — April 28th, 2011, 10:48 pm
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK8pBZ4YL3U
My 3 kids and I made the video!! It was a lot of fun.
Hope you like it.
Gonzalo, Timothy, Lydia, & little Andrew
Joshua — April 28th, 2011, 11:28 pm
Can we do the contest with out using Shopify? From an SEO perspective I would like to have a lot more control over my site.
Thanks!
Michelle — April 29th, 2011, 6:12 am
For anyone planning to source products in China, I have an inexpensive ebook guide on on the topic of finding a manufacturer. I was actually inspired to write it due to everyone’s stories of how they started their business after 4HWW.
My background is in international business and when a few people here mentioned the supplier search as a source of trouble, I decided to put something together.
If anyone is interested in shortening the China learning curve, click my name to see the book.
(Also if anyone wants a free review copy, I’m open to providing one, just email me at netwriterm AT gmail DOT com).
M
Ken Lee — April 29th, 2011, 3:17 pm
Thanks Michelle,
Just bought your ebook, I hope it is helpful, the big thing for me is who, what and realistic minimum orders as I do not want to go overboard on inventory.
At this point I have a few ideas but just do not trust a lot of the manufacturers on Alibaba, i guess a lot of others would have the same feelings. So I will begin reading now and see where my nose points.
Also, really looking forward to getting something off the ground and entering this competition, who knows where it will end up by the end of this year.
Regards,
K
Michelle — April 29th, 2011, 5:57 pm
Hi Ken. The book will definitely help you with who and what which will, in turn, help avoid overstock. It’s short, it’s to the point and it’s inexpensive, things all small businesses need.
Alibaba is a cesspool. I know people do business there, but if you look at their forums, it’s like a dark alley filled with too many pickpockets.
Try Global Sources if you have to go the internet route. None of the online sites are perfect, all are magnets for fraud and scams, but I think the odds are slightly better for the buyer at GS.
Let me know if you have any questions that aren’t answered in the book.
M
W.E.P. — April 29th, 2011, 8:03 am
I am 8 days into the diet, and I am losing weight, but I am also constipated, going every 2 1/2 days instead of every day. I eat plenty of beans at every meal, and I drink 4 times as much water as I used to, and twice as much coffee.
I also take AGG before very meal. I exercise an hour a day with weights and aerobics. I also take a colace and a senacot every night. Prior to going on the diet I used to eat a lot of fiber in high fiber oatmeal, breads, and pastas; plus fruits, and dried fruits, none of which I am eating now. I also drank a lot of milk, though not much water. Perhaps the beans are not doing the trick with regard to my bowels. I don’t lose lose weight much (a few ounces) on the days when I am constipated, but I do lose at least a pound on the days that I move my bowels.
Michelle — April 29th, 2011, 12:28 pm
WEP: I follow a low carb diet which is similar (although not exactly the same) and constipation is common.
Supplement with some magnesium 200-300 mg and see if that helps. If not go up to 400mg. You can use Milk of Magnesia or just get pills (I use pills).
Low glycemic diets can cause low magnesium levels (and can affect potassium as well as salt) so supplementing usually takes care of the constipation.
Also be sure you are drinking a lot of water, something like 3L per day. Beans have fiber and fiber can get stuck in the system if a) you aren’t used to the fiber or b) don’t have enough water in your system.
M
Roxy Rogers — April 29th, 2011, 5:51 pm
I absolutely second what Michelle says about Magnesium! (I take 400mg pills… btw, Dr. Oz has made a point of suggesting that dosage on his show). Also, because of the potassium point raised, suggest you also look into a non-sugar electrolyte product (try a powder) that can be mixed with water… I use Alacer’s “electromix” (note: this is NOT the same as their emergenC product, which contains sodium and can be found at markets). Their electromix has “zero” sodium in it. If you are eating beans, even if rinsing the canned variety as Tim suggests you do, you will be getting plenty of sodium from your food and it isn’t normally a problem. Electromix has potassium as the primary ingredient, with magnesium and other minerals. Do check around and look at other products that are available with no sugar, I simply find that nothing dissolves as well or completely and nothing works as well for me except the electromix. If anyone knows of something they’ve compared and is less expensive than that, please share! Thank you. I have been on electrolytes since moving to the desert, and have been taking magnesium as a regular supplement too.
My own results with the diet are as follows: Lost 9 pounds total after 19 days. Am going on it again when I return from vacation. Also, 3.5″ lost from waist, 1″ off hips, and more than 1″ off arms/legs.
Surprise Note: these results achieved even though I cannot drink my British tea w/cream or without honey! I imagine my two mugs of tea per day using 1% milk and local honey is reducing the effectiveness of the diet at least a little, but I find cream in tea is just *gah!*…simply can’t drink it. Hats off to Tim for all he’s shared with us!! And good luck to you, and to everyone who is on this diet. To those of us creating/hacking a fabulous life, CONGRATS and carpe diem!!
Gaju — April 29th, 2011, 1:43 pm
Tim,
Here’s a slightly technical question from an ‘active’ skeptic about the 4 Hour Body. In your chapter on Occam’s protocol, you describe consuming a carbohydrate laden half serving of a shake (with a banana and 3 cups of milk) before bed.
Doesn’t it spike insulin and suppress the growth hormone secretion in the middle of the night? If you have concrete reasons for doing so, could you share them? Or you could point me in the right direction and I’ll do the rest.
Thanks,
Gaju
Peter — April 29th, 2011, 2:37 pm
SUBMISSION
Ok, Tim Timmay here it is. I think I could have said “awesome” a few more times.
We love you man!
James R Taylor — April 29th, 2011, 2:47 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU-Hnw0ovow
NO-BRAINER: Here’s why you should take part in Tim’s Opening the Kimono scholarship. Are you getting this???
Tyler Bishton — April 29th, 2011, 3:23 pm
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzwIN7ZTZ44
Tim-
Thanks for helping all these people take steps toward their dreams.
Good luck to everyone else, and congrats to whoever gets to be there when the kimono opens. I look forward to your next product launch
Tyler
Mr. K — April 29th, 2011, 6:45 pm
Tim-
I live in Arizona. Why are we excluded?
Is this some shopify boycott against our immigration policies?
Mike Freeman — May 2nd, 2011, 9:12 am
Hi Mr. K,
We have nothing against Arizona
There are very strict laws in Arizona for all kinds of contests and makes it particularly impossible to run this kind of contest.
Michelle Greene — April 29th, 2011, 9:43 pm
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n40W8oKeL6Q
Thank you so much for doing this! As a “starving postdoc”, I’d love to be able to join the event, learn and share my perspective.
Tim: my fiance approached you after the screening of “Bigger Stronger Faster” about a potential scholarship opportunity. I’m so happy it’s coming to fruition.
Best,
mg
Chris Morgan — April 29th, 2011, 11:42 pm
SUBMISSION
Thanks for the opportunity to earn my spot in this event. Sounds like a life-changing weekend.
Benedict Westenra — April 30th, 2011, 3:19 am
SUBMISSION
Using 4HWW principles to teach music as a language:
http://youtu.be/zeK5for0MuM
(You might have to use the pause button a few times.
)
There’s so much I didn’t have time to include:
- Having started as Lenny’s piano teacher I used Tim’s negotiating advice to talk my way into co-writing the climactic song of the show
- Using the principles of effectiveness and efficiency I designed my own worksheets that teach the fundamentals of music theory in an intuitive and easy-to-understand way
- I discovered /all/ of the people I follow on Twitter through Tim: Seth Godin, Leo Babuta, Steve Pavlina and Khatzumoto
- In Apr 2009 I became one of the few readers of Tim’s blog to be quoted by him in the original post
- My girlfriend and I are on the slow carb diet, not because we need to lose weight but because we want to maximize our energy levels
- I’m in the process of following Tim’s advice on how to get mentored by someone, and have already met the person in question
My blog is currently in embryonic form (this competition came a little early for me!) but I’m hoping it will grow into a strong and healthy baby.
Thank you, Tim, for giving us the opportunity to share our stories.
Best wishes,
Benedict
Robert Foster — April 30th, 2011, 9:30 am
Tim
I recently saw a video of you on YouTube and also read your post about “Tim Ferrissing your love life” i.e. outsourcing your online dating
You should sell THAT as a simple digital product, being as you have access to all the records and split-test data of what your VAs sent out to women, what pictures they used, and so forth.
I had a miserable time trying to meet women online;only 6 responses out of the 215 initial contact emails I sent out to women (that’s responses, NOT dates, lol). I literally ran out of women I was attracted to to contact on both PlentyOfFish and Match
I tried everything – long messages, short ones, asking questions, not asking questions, mentioning things I read in her profile and not mentioning them, teasing her, not teasing, different profile pictures etc etc etc
When I heard you talk about how you had some VA’s contact women online for you, I couldn’t believe that they could bluff their way around being “you” and still educe some sort of connection with these women online in order for them to want to meet you in person.
So my conclusion is that it’s got to be WAY MORE SIMPLE AND EASY than I thought it was.
Long story short, I think you should sell an info product showing how it all went down, and your VA’s would already be up to speed on what you are trying to accomplish so they could pull it together easier.
Robert
Tim — April 30th, 2011, 10:49 am
Submission
My girlfriend will kill me if she ever see’s this video! This was actually really cool and fun to do since I’ve never put a video on youtube before.
Faye — April 30th, 2011, 1:50 pm
Hilarious!
Steven Luibrand — May 1st, 2011, 12:41 am
awesome. thanks for having the gusto to upload this!
David — May 5th, 2011, 8:45 am
You know this video is going viral, right?
Good video!
Suso Guez — April 30th, 2011, 11:21 am
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVTM0ASyIW8
The perfect excuse to go to California! Hope see you there…
Clark Weigand — April 30th, 2011, 11:28 am
Submission
4 Hour “Study Week”- How I doubled my graduate class load and finished the program in half the time as my peers by applying tools and resources presented in the 4-Hour Work Week.
Chris Odell — April 30th, 2011, 1:04 pm
good timing, i think i’ll be moving Datsusara to Shopify in May, look out people, we’ll be rough competition
Anna — May 1st, 2011, 12:23 pm
Only new companies can enter, so nah, don’t think you’ll be much of a threat
Marina K. Villatoro — April 30th, 2011, 1:35 pm
Submission!
Hi Tim,
To begin with here’s my video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um9vPqW6y4s
So a quick note, I have been using your book for 3 years, and it has pushed me to many limits.
This contest, which I’m super grateful for, has pushed me again!
1. I have been wanting to do videos but fear always kept me from it. Hooray, my first video is up thanks to you. It only took me 4 hours for a 2.5 minute video, but it was fun!
2. I’m working on my new project, it’s all in the video, but again fear has kept me from moving forward and it’s now in the full on works. Again, thank you!
3. In this video I mention other fears that your book and blog has helped me over come and that in itself is the best success there is!
I sooooooooo hope to see you in California!!!
Faye — April 30th, 2011, 1:35 pm
Have so loved watching these submissions. Makes you feel part of some international team – the Ferriss family!! Amazing to see how leading by example can give others the confidence to take fundamental, life-defining risks. Hope some more ladies enter too. Good luck everyone!!! You’re inspiring…
SebastianTriebl — April 30th, 2011, 1:58 pm
“SUBMISSION”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEv4OGg8zz0
Sorry for talking bad English too fast…
I had to speed things up a bit to hit Tim’s “three minute video” target. Won’t be a problem for any speed reading freaks on here.
Cheers from Switzerland
Chris Morrison — April 30th, 2011, 2:43 pm
What an interesting and exciting project this was! Especially since it was my first time uploading onto Youtube. Crazy to think that a couple days ago, I just happened to be clicking through the site and saw this…
Good luck Everyone : )
**SUBMISSION**
Brandon Smith — April 30th, 2011, 3:27 pm
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7aZBI_JxH8
A humorous, animated look at the results I’ve achieved by implementing some of the insights of Tim Ferriss’s The 4-Hour Work Week
muriel — May 1st, 2011, 12:15 pm
Brandon, this is really really cool, how can you be reached?
Cheers and well done!
Derek — April 30th, 2011, 3:59 pm
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4MRYLdTsDI
That was difficult to do in under 3 minutes…so much to say about this diet. Thank you Tim for the opportunity to see you in Napa!!
- Derek Shebby
IRENA KIRN — April 30th, 2011, 4:22 pm
“SUBMISSION”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ2oLiL-3ik
Hi,
it was fun to make it.
Cheers to everyone
Irena
Richard Sarvate — April 30th, 2011, 7:31 pm
SUBMISSION
How I recorded my first comedy music album by using 4hww techniques.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-PCJIEXBEQ
Thanks!
Rich
Gonzalo Paternoster — April 30th, 2011, 8:07 pm
Hi Tim & fellow readers!
My family and I had a lot of fun making the Submission video.
After reviewing the videos with my kids, we chose the funniest outtakes and uploaded them.
It put a smile on my face and know your readers will enjoy.
Link to Outtakes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHpDcVfu4eA
Warm Regards,
Paternoster Family
P.S. Here is link to original contest submission:
Melissa — April 30th, 2011, 9:51 pm
SUBMISSION:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcQjVrxDdvc
I’ve seen some great submissions and figured I’d toss my hat in the ring…good luck everyone!!!
James R Taylor — April 30th, 2011, 10:17 pm
SUBMISSION!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9We0AkdUPrw
Tim,
It’s been a pleasure recording these videos.
Tim’s Readers,
I wish you all the best of luck with your submissions. It is inspiring to see the passion in your stories.
James Taylor
Roberto — May 1st, 2011, 5:52 pm
Let’s keep working hard on those muses.
Roberto
Cheriess — April 30th, 2011, 10:26 pm
Submission:
Thank you Tim for this opportunity.
Here is the link to my You Tube Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YToQoz7ggw
How I used your book 4 Hour Work Week to have 2 successful businesses, one small Day Spa, and now an Online Diet Coaching and Supplement Company!
Aloha ~ Cheriess Bugado
April Niemela — April 30th, 2011, 11:50 pm
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfze1GNcH_A
i’ve enjoyed watching everyone’s submissions — the enthusiasm is palpable and it’s obvious that there’s some stiff competition out there! i wish you each the very best of luck
thank you, tim, for this opportunity AND for the kick in the butt.
Nev Lapwood — May 1st, 2011, 12:09 am
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TgNWXPnt4s
Watch this video for some sweet snowboard action!
Enjoy
Nev
David — May 1st, 2011, 12:13 am
Tim
I am not too familiar with shopify although I ‘know’ them from your last competition. Although the competition itself isn’t open to residents in Germany and/or Greece, I am tempted to take part this time, for the educational experience. I do have an idea that has been swirling around in my head lately so I could as well give it a shot within this context.
My question: for the ones thinking of participating with a 100% digital product, does it make sense to participate and to use shopify?? Or is shopify suitable only/mostly for physical products?
Would suppose I am not the only one with that question, so thanks for letting me/us know!
Best regards / Schöne Grüße aus Griechenland,
David
Mike Freeman — May 4th, 2011, 3:17 pm
Hi David,
I can say that Shopify can handle digital goods without problem.
Steven Luibrand — May 1st, 2011, 12:21 am
SUBMISSION
http://youtu.be/lWEm8ZlQRbs
Game on.
Not sure if midnight meant the end of Saturday night (early Sunday morning) or Sunday night. In either case this video was uploaded to youtube before midnight Saturday.
It was a blast to make!
Jacqueline Biggs — May 1st, 2011, 2:11 am
SUBMISSION!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgkfWx8gyc4
Here’s my submission to win the coveted prize!
Thanks for watching bloggers!
Graham Harris — May 1st, 2011, 2:25 am
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs3dXcYG6nE
Thanks for the opportunity, this was fun.
Graham Harris
Dean — May 1st, 2011, 2:46 am
Hi Tim,
Fantastic idea…but why not for us South Africans…my wife and I have an idea that we think could be a boon for at least half of the worlds poorer population but do not have the finances to get it off the ground. Obviously we don’t want to dicuss it with anybody as the potential is so huge that anybody with finances might just run with the idea themselves…what to do???
Perhaps you would like to contact us and discuss???
We are currently reading your four hour work week and think this is the product that will enable us to live the “ideal life”
Thanks for your book…it feels like we have finally been given permission to LIVE our lives!!!!
thanks
Dean&Iza
Chris Chardon — May 1st, 2011, 9:00 am
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob6S5wU29w8
Looking forward to the outcome of the contest. Thanks for the opportunity.
Boris — May 1st, 2011, 9:25 am
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm98UpZNWbk
Hi Tim and everyone. Here is my submission. Thanks for the opportunity of the “scholarship”, the generosity of all the great content on this blog and for the great group of people gathered around the common project of leaving better and fuller lives thanks to you
Cheers,
Boris, Australia.
Matthew Bailey — May 1st, 2011, 10:21 am
SUBMISSION!
My submission video can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB4KXhPlHJo
Thanks so much for all the inspiration Tim. From launching myself into adventure travel to starting my own muse http://www.canadianfreeflyers.com (and an American one on its way) plus my blog…. and now Four Hour Body… Thanks a lot!
Cheriess — May 1st, 2011, 10:49 am
Submission!!!
Yikes! So here is a new link for my Testimonial Video. So Sorry TIM but my last one some how got an audio commercial over it and you could not here what I was saying. My fault, still learning to use my new MAC.
Anyway, I have a great Testimonial for you as your book, The 4 Hour Work Week helped me to achieve 2 successful business, and now, because of your Shopify Contest, I think I am going to have a third!
Hope my second submission wasn’t too late for your deadline.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c57_GqzwKd4
PS. I am now an aspiring writer (not published yet) but really feel like your event “Opening the Kimono” would truly be the lift I need to reach the next level. Thank you again Tim…
~Cheriess
Matthew Bailey — May 1st, 2011, 11:00 am
SUBMISSION:
I hope I didn’t add this twice but I didn’t see it come up the first time.
My link to the video can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB4KXhPlHJo
Thanks for being a role model Tim. Not only did you push me to travel the world solo for 6 months but also to start a great blog and my first muse: canadian free flyers. Thanks!
muriel — May 1st, 2011, 1:10 pm
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQc9-dOpvUw
Tim and all,
It has been the holy grail to download this video from a village without internet connection in the south of France, but I REALLY wanted to submit this so I kept trying for the last few days!
That’s my blog where I record my experiments http://renaissancewoman-mu.blogspot.com/
Good luck to everyone!
Kristin — May 1st, 2011, 3:19 pm
SUBMISSION
http://youtu.be/7gJHPQ3zrPI
Thank you for the opportunity, Tim! xo
Parker Woodward — May 1st, 2011, 3:32 pm
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVNH9RfhyPY
Hey everyone, check oout the video I posted for a free prize giveaway!
I learned about this Kimono event and sent in an application a day (almost sent in 3 a day but there’s a difference between persistent and annoying : ) I got an email from one of Tim’s assistants and I sorta read between the lines that I may not get an invite, and also that they got the message with all the applications…
“no need to continue posting daily applications. I totally understand your intent and admire the hustle
” .
I’m doing anything and everything I can to go to see what’s under the Kimono! Thanks so much Tim for the books, the blog, and saving my life! History will remember you well.
Sheila McCarthy — May 1st, 2011, 3:50 pm
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iQ1ec-XUjM
Flow with the Go
I’m a ‘doer’ who also likes to talk, as a professional speaker and coach I’m living proof that success can be found through setting unreasonable and unrealistic goals.
My book ‘Flow with the Go’ will help others understand that by focusing on what you love, you allow money and all things wanted to flow into your life. Using success stories from people of all walks of life is sure to make for an inspiring read.
Now join me backstage at one of my celebrity client’s concerts while I announce my next unreasonable and unrealistic goal–to win the 1 scholarship to the weekend in Napa with Tim.
Get ready to take it to ’11′…
N. K. — May 1st, 2011, 3:59 pm
Submission: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F–9I8HnEX
I am honored and grateful to be able to apply for this scholarship.
I appologize the video is blurry. This was done on an i-phone as I am traveling and do not have access to better video. we did it 4 times and this is the best we could get the focus to be.
Best of luck to all!
M-S — May 1st, 2011, 6:09 pm
SUBMISSION
Don Friend — May 1st, 2011, 6:33 pm
*****SUBMISSION*****
http://youtu.be/LVt2X89oWB8
Tim,
I GUARANTEE that I will be your biggest SUCCESS from this meeting…. if not, I’ll repay you the 10k –
I hope you enjoy the video – Straight from the heart!
Don
Christian Carroll — May 1st, 2011, 6:53 pm
SUBMISSION!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT8eWY5dHhk
Thank you Tim for the opportunity!
Check out my video and if you feel I earned it and can make an impact on the world VOTE FOR ME!
See you in wine country for a lil resveratrol and SIRTUIN 1 upregulation
Pura vida,
CC
Jimmy Tomczak — May 1st, 2011, 7:02 pm
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5ytOL-Sp_8
Can’t wait to hand you a pair of paperfeet in person, Tim. Thank so much for giving me the opportunity to travel and embrace experiential learning adventures.
Cheers, Jimmy
Andrew Morrison — May 1st, 2011, 8:42 pm
SUBMISSION
Christine — May 1st, 2011, 8:53 pm
SUBMISSION
Thanks for offering a scholarship. I love the 4HB. My life is turning around because of it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjWa0otdSgs
Thanks.
Christine
Todd — May 1st, 2011, 9:40 pm
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/user/thewitt59#p/a/u/0/F6ATiWiyYaA
Tim,
The simple fact that you motivated me to post something on “the youtube” maybe my greatest success story.
Giddy up,
Greg Keith — May 1st, 2011, 9:40 pm
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbuvOJtOePU
At 9pm Sat night, my wife saw the blog post about the “Opening the Kimono” scholarship – got the kids into bed and set about making my first video ever.
After the 4H books, I really want to see under your kimono (kidding!!)
I’d love the chance to attend, because I have everything to learn about successfully marketing and promoting a book, and I need this knowledge for my next two books!
Many thanks,
Greg
PPC4 — May 1st, 2011, 9:44 pm
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dScwGCl829c
Check it out and vote guys!
Try not to laugh too hard at my 4HB trailer style intro. My wife and I had a blast and were cracking up the whole time…Hilarious, fun, and totally worthwhile.
Just lovin’ the whole thing…
Paul C.
Helen — May 1st, 2011, 9:56 pm
***SUBMISSION***
Hey Tim,
I hope entries closer to the deadline will still be considered. I cut mine down from 5+ pages of notes, to the top 20 things that have come about just because of the 4HWW.
I even outsourced part of the video in true 4HWW style!!!
I can see so many good submissions here with amazing stories! However I thought I should still try. I have learned through the 4HWW that I shouldn’t chase the competition but should chase the dream instead!
Here’s my link, best of luck everyone!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpzCk8Uv5U0
Helen
PPC4 — May 1st, 2011, 9:57 pm
****SUBMISSION****
So…I’ve been editing for a day and a half…and i’m a little paranoid about the possibility of the video not uploading the first time I submitted.
Here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dScwGCl829c
I cannot tell you all how excited I am about this!
So much fun!
Paul
Dwight Dillon — May 1st, 2011, 11:11 pm
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WghYYCjw01E
I look forward to meeting you soon over some wine with Seth.
Dwight
Maneesh Sethi — May 1st, 2011, 11:54 pm
SUBMISSION
Thanks for the opportunity, Tim. Last time, my video was a finalist in your RTW contest, and the results were incredible—I raised over $5,000 for an Indian school from your readers. Now, I want to show how my lifestyle changed–my business is so passive and outsourced, that I can work 0 hours / week and support my lifestyle. (My last video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1merER1zVFg)
If anyone has questions about building passive income or the digital nomad lifestyle, feel free to email me. The 90 days project to becoming a DJ in Berlin begins in late may…stay tuned by subscribing at http://maneeshsethi.com/kimono
Rebecca — May 2nd, 2011, 10:44 am
this maneesh guy is awesome! i wish i had his lifestyle
Josh Schlottman — May 1st, 2011, 11:55 pm
SUBMISSION
Thank you for considering me for the Kimono Event Scholarship!
Rachman Blake — May 1st, 2011, 11:56 pm
SUBMISSION
Thank you so much!
Dan Morelle — May 2nd, 2011, 9:11 am
Hey Rachman, your link isn’t working!
Paolo Nagari — May 1st, 2011, 11:56 pm
SUBMISSION
Thanks for the opportunity!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEIqqvYbGbA
Grazie mille!
Paolo
Paolo Nagari — May 2nd, 2011, 10:21 am
Hi Tim! Hello elves!
My apologies. For some reasons my YouTube video file got compromised.
Please watch my submission here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqDCjrQIf-4
Thanks!
Paolo
Aria — May 1st, 2011, 11:56 pm
Submission!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgV_XUhoJt8
It’s the 11th hour, but I just couldn’t let this opportunity go by without trying. Thanks Tim!
Charles Phillips — May 1st, 2011, 11:56 pm
SUBMISSION
Here’s my vid- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IynySGzpWNQ
Tim, you’ve changed my life for the better. If I don’t get the chance to repay you someday, I’ll keep passing it forward.
You’re the man.
Best,
Charles
Christy Dayhoff — May 1st, 2011, 11:59 pm
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2nOTlHD0CM
THANKS!
Dan Morelle — May 2nd, 2011, 9:08 am
Hey Christy, yr link isn’t working!
Christy Dayhoff — May 2nd, 2011, 9:42 pm
Oh wished I had checked this sooner… Thanks
Hopefully this works…
Pat — May 2nd, 2011, 12:21 am
SUBMISSION: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0zoY86JPdU
Thanks for watching – love the inspiration!
Rachman Blake — May 2nd, 2011, 2:58 am
SUBMISSION – I submitted before 12:00am, but the Video did not process correctly. Here it is again!
David — May 2nd, 2011, 11:35 am
I have a GREAT IDEA!
You enter the contest, made the a Shopify store, then what ?
As a participant, you are still responsible for your own marketing. That kind of sucks! Because entering in this “special” contest has No Added Benefit. You just have a Shopify store (which costs money monthly) and that’s it. Sure, it’s a start. But if you are a new entrepreneur without marketing experience, your chances of making a sale is rather slim. No one is getting a ounce of exposure for participating in the contest. This means Shopify wins(they make money) and participants lose. I’d rather it be a win-win. And this is only possible when participants make a sale. (everybody gets a cut)
So here is the idea. Let’s gather all the participants in a central online location. Every participants makes a 30 second video about their product with a link to their Shopify Store. A website, blog or whatever randomly features a 30 seconds video every time someone visits the site. Of course, if the visitor wants to browse, they should be able to do so as well. This means FREE exposure for anyone who is participating in the Shopify Contest. If participants can make ONE SALE due to the added exposure(recuperating the monthly cost), it would be a win-win for everyone involved. Since many experts are organizing this event, the exposure (and sales) could be huge. I think this idea makes the Shopify Contest a THOUSANDS TIMES better than it currently is.
Unfortunately, I’m not versed in computer code. But if someone has a little knowledge this shouldn’t be hard. Most of the videos are being hosted on YouTube anyway. So I think it’s just a matter of embeding videos into posts, then have the homepage feature the posts at random.
What do you think ? Those who think this is a good idea, Say Ay!
Gloria — May 2nd, 2011, 3:13 pm
SUBMISSION
I am not a movie editor, its 14 slides but all occur in ONE second. I have no idea how that happened or how to fix it. I have been tinkering but no results.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Drm9B-gfWm4
and this is Ramon
Gloria — May 2nd, 2011, 4:03 pm
i attempted to fix it and it kept shortening the time to one second. It didn’t have audio so maybe that’s it. I just left the current one up since I am hitting a dead end. I have now scratched movie producer off my freelancing list.
Jason @ JW.biz — May 2nd, 2011, 11:50 pm
That sounds like one wine tasting event I would like to be a part of.
Kateryna Sytnyk — May 3rd, 2011, 12:32 pm
wow, maneesh’s vid is cool!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gn9gH4T2hU
Brad — May 4th, 2011, 1:25 pm
Tim,
You mention in 4HWW that “muse-worthy” products must have a markup of at least 8-10x. Other than ingestibles, which you wouldn’t wish on anyone, and information products, what product categories can sustain your target markup? Thanks!
Terence Watson — May 4th, 2011, 6:27 pm
Ok, looks like I’m a bit late!
Guess I just need to try and win the shopify contest.
Joel — May 5th, 2011, 6:20 am
SUBMISSION
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m71Cix792K4
(posted on May 1st)
Thanks Tim,
Joel
George Ziegler — May 5th, 2011, 8:24 pm
Thank you Tim! You and your thinking have changed my life…as I enjoy the new life I’m also helping others. Gracias!
AJ — May 6th, 2011, 4:09 am
Shopify doesn’t support recurring payments. Is there a way to still be factored into the contest if you have a business model based on recurring payments or a subscription? My subscription model would be very similar to the 37 Signals basecamp model
Will — May 6th, 2011, 11:19 am
Okay, I’m like most of you blokes–young and been reading the 4hww blog forever…
I’ve spent all this time trying to start an internet based business without true breakthrough success. I think it requires a certain business mindset to be successful.
So, ever since Tim wrote about why he didn’t go to b-school, I’ve kept tabs on thought processes. Also I’ve kept b-school on the backburner. I recently started a blog about the MBA mindset.
I think having a corporate background (without the rigidness) can have pros and cons to being a successful entrepreneur.
Cheers.
camila — May 7th, 2011, 5:11 am
Hi All!
This is an email I sent to Tim’s team on the 2nd of May. I only just found out about this scholarship today and I am kicking myself. See why below:
Hi Charlie and Amy,
I’m emailing you both because I am not sure where to send this.
I created a business using principles from Tim’s Four Hour Work Week. I made over £12,000 in revenue in April 2011. My story could be a good case study.
Here’s the business: http://www.sorrybut.co.uk
This is what I learnt from Tim:
- I chose a polarizing, newsworthy theme: the Royal Wedding.
Thinking of the business as an experiment solved my 3 year paralysis problem.
- I focused on being different, not just better. I designed a non-parody “anti-commemorative” product in a limited edition, using high quality materials and local manufacturing. Not a cheap gag, but a heirloom.
- Online selling versus physical shop. I focused on creating a buzz online and directing traffic to my online shop, instead of asking retailers in London to carry my product. I didn’t want to reduce my profit margin and I wanted to be in control of price points.
- The story is topical. Millions of commemorative ceramics are being sold right now. Ironically, the bulk of the official products (commissioned by the Royal Family) are not being made in the UK. It’s a sad irony. The UK ceramic industry is struggling to survive. Imagine how many jobs would have been created if the decision had been made to manufacture locally?
- I made it for me first. I can get inside the head of my target customers, because I’m one of them. And, I believe in the story 100%. No better motivator than that.
- 10% off the selling price goes to a local charity that helps youths do cool things like put on plays or sporting events. Tim gave me some incentive act on my dreams. I would love to do the same for the bored and often drunk teens I see around me.
Here’s some press:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/apr/04/buy-of-the-day
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-26/royal-wedding-apathy-spurs-britons-to-commemorate-indifference-.html
If you could pass this on to Tim, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you both!
Kind regards,
Camila.
Tim Ferriss — May 9th, 2011, 12:46 am
NICE! I love this, Camila. Thank you for being a positive force in the world
Tim
camila — May 9th, 2011, 2:03 am
Oh wow! You just made my day Tim! Thank you.
Joel — May 9th, 2011, 12:54 am
@ Camila,
your royal wedding site is genius.
Joel
camila — May 10th, 2011, 1:32 pm
Hey Joel! Thank you so much! It was scary, and fun, to do.
Did you enter a video for the scholarship? I just watched them all. The guy who got naked has my vote
Natalie Kim — May 7th, 2011, 12:51 pm
I’ve read 4HWW a while ago but honestly had no plans of starting a business.
THEN, this weekend I met Tim at JFK headed to SF. I felt like it was a sign! I’ve entered the Shopify contest and we’ll see how it goes. Good luck to everyone
Helen — May 8th, 2011, 12:52 pm
Hey all,
I’m interested in entering the Shopify contest, I’ve got a few viable ideas and I’ve used Shopify before. I’d ideally like to find others interested in forming a team.
Preferably those who have skills that compliment mine!
As others have pointed out, I could do this on my own. However I think it would be more of an enjoyable experience and be more of a success to work with others and learn new things!
If anyone is considering the contest and would like to form a virtual team, pls reply!
Joel — May 9th, 2011, 12:45 am
Hi Helen,
I’m interested- want to email me? joelapatrick [at] gmail.com
Joel
Parker Woodward — May 13th, 2011, 9:15 am
@Helen,
What a fun idea : ) email me at parkerwoodward ( at ) gmail . com
Sheila McCarthy — May 9th, 2011, 6:49 am
Hi Helen,
I’m interested too! Look forward to hearing from you, you’ll find my email etc under my name/link.
Sheila
Alex — May 10th, 2011, 12:09 pm
Hello Tim,
I’m one of your readers from France.
In France we have a very specific selective system to train the best
engineers in the country.
To go to the best french schools (Grandes Ecoles), you have almost to
study day and night, because of important competition.
Literally. It’s not about how smart you are, but how a hard-worker you are.
Even if I think I could get in the top list, it requires extreme
dedication and very often I ask myself if it’s really worth it to
loose my twenties this way.
Either way, I don’t feel like becoming a geeky engineer, even if I could.
So what do you think about it? Would it be wise to quit and to start
doing what I like to do or should I keep at it and wait until I’m 24
with a shiny, but useless diploma?
I have a plan on building a software engineering company with my team
based in Ukraine for european clients (french and ukrainian are my
native languages).
Thank you Tim!
camila — May 10th, 2011, 5:03 pm
Hi Helen,
I’m interested in connecting with you too. I just read your post on New Idea Syndrome and recognised a kindred spirit. I wizz through notebooks like they’re going outta style, hundreds of ideas unimplemented. When I couldn’t take the frustration anymore I created a mini business experiment that panned out better than I imagined. Oh, the power of picking 1thing and acting on it!
I did an EFS programme at my old uni too. Where are you in the UK? I’m in Brummy. Here’s my email: camilaprada[at]yahoo[dot]com
Would love to hear from you
Roshan — July 12th, 2011, 3:26 am
Hello Tim and Gang,
Great book, really liked it, however I am stuck with a dilemma as I can’t seem to digest most of the foods suggested in the book. High fiber foods, and high fat foods do not seem to agree with me. I used to eat a lot of ceral and a fair bit of bread which i know is not ideal for staying trim and other stuff but these foods did not bother my stomach. Eggs, steak, beans, raw vegtables, and most of the stuff suggested in this book bother my stomach a lot. Any suggestions? Lost a bunch of fat after cutting out ceral and orange juice, and doing the 30 grams of protein 30 min after waking up but my stomach is constantly giving me grief and i always feel bloated and constipated. Little help please? Perhaps easy digestable foods that fit into your guidlines?
Sophie Kovic — October 23rd, 2011, 1:18 am
Hi Tim,
My name is Sophie and I am the owner/founder of FlockStocks, which was recently announced the front-runner in the Shopify Build-A-Business Contest. So apparently you may be having dinner with me. I am amazed at the opportunity and just wanted to introduce myself. You can read a bit of my story here if you’re interested:
http://www.themogulmom.com/2011/10/sophie-kovik-shopify/
I’m currently on a 3 month mini-retirement in Thailand, and the best part about winning the comp would be getting to thank you in person!
Anyway Tim, thank you for being so generous with your time and I hope to be meeting with you soon.
Sophie