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Your Idea, Inc.: 12 Steps to Building a Million Dollar Business - Starting Today!
Burt's Bees . . . Crocs . . . MySpace . . .
Every time a new story about how some nobody from nowhere got rich producing some clever new product in his garage, you may think, “Why can’t I do that?” Well, anyone can—the trick is to take those good ideas and build them into great products that can succeed in the marketplace. In this book, you will get the 12-step plan you need to make your new product or service a profitable reality. You will learn important skills for success, including how
Every time a new story about how some nobody from nowhere got rich producing some clever new product in his garage, you may think, “Why can’t I do that?” Well, anyone can—the trick is to take those good ideas and build them into great products that can succeed in the marketplace. In this book, you will get the 12-step plan you need to make your new product or service a profitable reality. You will learn important skills for success, including how
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Sandy Abrams
3 books6 followersAbout the Author
Sandy Abrams is founder and CEO of Moisture Jamzz, Inc. Founded in 1993 around her signature moisturizing glove product, Moisture Jamzz has counted among its clients Bath & Body Works; the Este Lauder Company (Origins and Aveda);H2O PLUS; Crabtree & Evelyn; Bare Escentuals;
Bed, Bath, & Beyond; Linens n Things; Strouds; Williams-Sonomas Chambers Catalog; Bloomingdales; and QVC.
Moisture Jamzz products can be found in some of the finest spas, resorts, skin-care salons, and beauty supply stores throughout the world. Her products have been featured by editors in many of the top lifestyle publications such as In Style, The New York Times, Glamour, Shape, Cosmo, Redbook, Modern Bride, and Beauty Launchpad.
Started in a corner of her one-bedroom Los Angeles apartment, Sandy built Moisture Jamzz, Inc. from scratch into a company grossing millions without a business degree. Today, it is still a privately held corporation that Sandy runs with her husband.
"
Sandy Abrams is founder and CEO of Moisture Jamzz, Inc. Founded in 1993 around her signature moisturizing glove product, Moisture Jamzz has counted among its clients Bath & Body Works; the Este Lauder Company (Origins and Aveda);H2O PLUS; Crabtree & Evelyn; Bare Escentuals;
Bed, Bath, & Beyond; Linens n Things; Strouds; Williams-Sonomas Chambers Catalog; Bloomingdales; and QVC.
Moisture Jamzz products can be found in some of the finest spas, resorts, skin-care salons, and beauty supply stores throughout the world. Her products have been featured by editors in many of the top lifestyle publications such as In Style, The New York Times, Glamour, Shape, Cosmo, Redbook, Modern Bride, and Beauty Launchpad.
Started in a corner of her one-bedroom Los Angeles apartment, Sandy built Moisture Jamzz, Inc. from scratch into a company grossing millions without a business degree. Today, it is still a privately held corporation that Sandy runs with her husband.
"
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 16, 2012
Helpful insights about Sandy Abrams experience starting a business. I think it was very specific to her type of product and industry, but I found it a fun and informative read, nonetheless.
My favorite parts were the snippets called "If they can do it, So can you!" telling the back stories behind many well-known businesses. I'm going to include a few of my favorites here, alongside the quotations.
Favorite Quotations:
"You want to go back to basics and simplicity. You are choosing “passion over paycheck” by changing professions completely. Starting a business may not be financially rewarding quickly, but in the long run, to feel passionate about your work for possibly the first time in your life is priceless. It’s inspiring to see people choose an entirely new career, like going from being a stressed-out stock broker to a flour-covered pastry chef." pg 2
"Let’s face it: We all want to earn a living doing something that we enjoy. I think most people would rather be their own boss—selling a product they created and love—than make millions doing someone else’s bidding. For many people, that personal freedom is the “American Dream.”" pg 6
"Business analysts have said that it doesn’t always matter how much money you start with. On Inc. magazine’s 2002 Top 500 list, amount of start-up capital was not the leading predictor of success. Companies launched with less than $1,000 were as likely to be profitable as those started with more than $100,000. It’s more important that a person have the ability to manage, run, and grow a business." pg 34
"The dictionary definition of “marketing” is “the total of activities involved in the transfer of goods from the producer or seller to the consumer or buyer, including advertising, shipping, storing, and selling.” In other words, marketing is getting the consumer to know your product and your brand name. It is a task that never ends." pg 128
"People are willing to pay more for quality, convenience, and healthy things to name a few, so make your “benefits package” part of your marketing strategy. Making someone’s life easier or better is a great selling point. People often like the feeling of buying something “special” for themselves." pg 133
"Million- dollar TIP: If your product is available through brick-and-mortar retailers, but you also want to sell it on your website, too, never undersell your retail partners. If your product sells in stores for $50, keep your price at $50 or higher." pg 145
"Mom and pop accounts also provide security, especially when you have built up hundreds of these smaller accounts. If one (or a few) closes, you still have many others buying from you. When you have a big chain buyer, yes, the account is huge and the checks are big, but the chain can change direction or find a competing source and can end the relationship at any minute, devastatingly affecting your bottom line. So treasure the small accounts too!" pg 172
"Farmers’ markets are trade shows, too! If you have a food-related product, they can be a great place to start. Farmers’ markets generate great buzz and can even garner some valuable local press. They are an inexpensive, casual way to get consumers’ reactions right on the spot and then tweak or improve your product before you exhibit “big time” at, say, a gourmet foods show. Give away lots of small samples." pg 196
"Now that you’re well on your way to bringing your idea to life, keep in mind that life is all about balance. While launching your product requires many sacrifices, it’s the most organized and responsible among us who can work and still maintain relationships and a measure of good health. Balancing all of your commitments gracefully and responsibly while starting a new business takes a lot of effort. Life is a juggling act at “regular” times, let alone when you’re trying to start a business. Time management and stress relief are two important ways to keep balanced." pg 225
"You don’t necessarily need to work harder to get more done, you need to work smarter. Planning will help you accomplish that goal. Map out your schedule for the day, week, and even the month. Write a list of tasks and goals to accomplish and stick to the priorities. Think about short- and long-term goals. Sometimes you can get into such a crazy pace trying to juggle everything that you lose focus on the big picture and are just caught up with the minutiae. Try to look at the big picture of your business and your life at the end of every day or at least at the end of every week. Take a few minutes to reassess and make a new list of tasks." pg 226
"Celebrate your successes! And then begin a new list." pg 227
"The system you use isn’t what’s important; it’s that you are focused and prioritize. If you wander into your office every day without a plan, you’ll end up working reactively. While you certainly need to deal with whatever fires come up that day, you also need to make progress on planned tasks. That balance isn’t easy to achieve, but if you’re actively aware of it, you’re more likely to accomplish it." pg 228
"Listen to your body; if you are dragging and exhausted, take a rest. Don’t feel guilty about taking the time you need to get back into balance." pg 228
"Volunteer for things that are meaningful to you, but don’t feel you have to say “yes” to everyone who comes to you asking for favors. Your time is valuable and you need to be protective of it." pg 230
"You’ve heard it a million times from your doctor, on TV, and in magazines. Exercise is good for you. Try to exercise at least three to four times a week. I know—when will you have time for that? Think of exercise like eating and sleeping; you need it in your schedule, it’s non-negotiable." pg 231
"Try to let go of the unnecessary worries of the day. They say that a day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work (I agree!). If you get consumed with worry, refocus on your goals. I give you this advice as a former worrier, so I know what it’s like. The message of some motivational speakers helped me—I like Tony Robbins and Deepak Chopra. If motivational speakers don’t work for you, listen to music or meditate. Find a way to let go of thoughts that aren’t serving you well. Again, the system isn’t what’s important—what matters is that you let it go." pg 231
"Keep positive. Surround yourself with supportive people. When you run into a problem, know you will find a solution. It’s not about what you can’t do. It’s about what you will do to make things happen. Say goodbye to guilt. There are just twenty-four hours in the day. Do the best you can. If you didn’t accomplish everything you had hoped for, move remaining tasks to your list for the next day." pg 232
"Million dollar TIP: Don’t underestimate the value of silence. Get in the car and don’t turn on the radio. Eat without watching TV. The silence can be very relaxing. The rejuvenating benefits of a few minutes of silence during the day can last hours." pg 232
If they can do it, So Can You!
L.L. Bean
"Leon Leonwood (L. L.) Bean was an outdoorsman looking for a better-quality hunting boot in 1911. He made a pair for himself and he knew others would appreciate the boot, so he advertised it in a mailer for outdoor hikers. He sold 100 pairs of his new boots, guaranteeing their quality. Unfortunately, the shoe’s bottom separated from the shoe and ninety of those 100 pairs were returned. Bean knew he had a great idea with these special shoes, but he needed to perfect the manufacturing. He made the necessary improvements and continued to sell the shoes as well as other outdoor products. Instead of fizzling out at the first sign of a problem, Bean forged ahead and built a reputation for quality products and excellent customer service." pg 74
Pinkberry
"In 2005, Shelley Hwang and Young Lee opened a frozen yogurt shop in Los Angeles called Pinkberry. Word spread so quickly about the new, delicious frozen yogurt that people drove from all over Los Angeles to the small, West Hollywood store to get their yogurt fix. The Los Angeles Times article entitled, “The Taste that Launched 1,000 Parking Tickets” says it all. People didn’t care that parking was tough in this tiny neighborhood. They were willing to risk the cost of a parking ticket to taste the tart, unique flavor of Pinkberry. In 2007, Howard Schultz’s (of Starbucks fame) venture capital firm invested $27 million in Pinkberry." pg 154
Geek Squad
"Geek Squad founder Robert Stephens started his business in 1994 with $200 and a bicycle. He was a self-proclaimed computer geek and made house calls to solve computer problems. Robert began to add other “geeks” to his “squad” and built his brand by having the geeks arrive looking like “special agents.” They all wear black pants, white shirts, and black ties. In 2004, Best Buy acquired Geek Squad and they work out of many Best Buy stores. Today, there are more than 15,000 “special agents” who can fix not only your computer but your iPod, television, and GPS systems, too." pg 158
Estee Lauder
"When Estée Lauder was launching her perfume, she met with the buyer for a department store. The buyer rejected the perfume. As she left the cosmetics area, she intentionally spilled drops of her perfume so the entire area smelled of her perfume. People liked the scent so much they began asking for it. The buyer had to call and order. “No” doesn’t have to mean “no.” Try creative responses." pg 177
Jim Carrey
"Actor/comedian Jim Carrey tells a story of acting “as if” he was successful when he was a struggling comic without much money. In 1987, he wrote himself a $10 million check from his own checking account (which was nearly empty). He postdated it for 1995, and eagerly anticipated the day he could cash it. Sure enough, by the time 1995 came around, he was earning $20 million per film. Try his tactic: Postdate a check to yourself with an amount that would thrill you in five years. Keep the check in plain sight as you work hard." pg 230
My favorite parts were the snippets called "If they can do it, So can you!" telling the back stories behind many well-known businesses. I'm going to include a few of my favorites here, alongside the quotations.
Favorite Quotations:
"You want to go back to basics and simplicity. You are choosing “passion over paycheck” by changing professions completely. Starting a business may not be financially rewarding quickly, but in the long run, to feel passionate about your work for possibly the first time in your life is priceless. It’s inspiring to see people choose an entirely new career, like going from being a stressed-out stock broker to a flour-covered pastry chef." pg 2
"Let’s face it: We all want to earn a living doing something that we enjoy. I think most people would rather be their own boss—selling a product they created and love—than make millions doing someone else’s bidding. For many people, that personal freedom is the “American Dream.”" pg 6
"Business analysts have said that it doesn’t always matter how much money you start with. On Inc. magazine’s 2002 Top 500 list, amount of start-up capital was not the leading predictor of success. Companies launched with less than $1,000 were as likely to be profitable as those started with more than $100,000. It’s more important that a person have the ability to manage, run, and grow a business." pg 34
"The dictionary definition of “marketing” is “the total of activities involved in the transfer of goods from the producer or seller to the consumer or buyer, including advertising, shipping, storing, and selling.” In other words, marketing is getting the consumer to know your product and your brand name. It is a task that never ends." pg 128
"People are willing to pay more for quality, convenience, and healthy things to name a few, so make your “benefits package” part of your marketing strategy. Making someone’s life easier or better is a great selling point. People often like the feeling of buying something “special” for themselves." pg 133
"Million- dollar TIP: If your product is available through brick-and-mortar retailers, but you also want to sell it on your website, too, never undersell your retail partners. If your product sells in stores for $50, keep your price at $50 or higher." pg 145
"Mom and pop accounts also provide security, especially when you have built up hundreds of these smaller accounts. If one (or a few) closes, you still have many others buying from you. When you have a big chain buyer, yes, the account is huge and the checks are big, but the chain can change direction or find a competing source and can end the relationship at any minute, devastatingly affecting your bottom line. So treasure the small accounts too!" pg 172
"Farmers’ markets are trade shows, too! If you have a food-related product, they can be a great place to start. Farmers’ markets generate great buzz and can even garner some valuable local press. They are an inexpensive, casual way to get consumers’ reactions right on the spot and then tweak or improve your product before you exhibit “big time” at, say, a gourmet foods show. Give away lots of small samples." pg 196
"Now that you’re well on your way to bringing your idea to life, keep in mind that life is all about balance. While launching your product requires many sacrifices, it’s the most organized and responsible among us who can work and still maintain relationships and a measure of good health. Balancing all of your commitments gracefully and responsibly while starting a new business takes a lot of effort. Life is a juggling act at “regular” times, let alone when you’re trying to start a business. Time management and stress relief are two important ways to keep balanced." pg 225
"You don’t necessarily need to work harder to get more done, you need to work smarter. Planning will help you accomplish that goal. Map out your schedule for the day, week, and even the month. Write a list of tasks and goals to accomplish and stick to the priorities. Think about short- and long-term goals. Sometimes you can get into such a crazy pace trying to juggle everything that you lose focus on the big picture and are just caught up with the minutiae. Try to look at the big picture of your business and your life at the end of every day or at least at the end of every week. Take a few minutes to reassess and make a new list of tasks." pg 226
"Celebrate your successes! And then begin a new list." pg 227
"The system you use isn’t what’s important; it’s that you are focused and prioritize. If you wander into your office every day without a plan, you’ll end up working reactively. While you certainly need to deal with whatever fires come up that day, you also need to make progress on planned tasks. That balance isn’t easy to achieve, but if you’re actively aware of it, you’re more likely to accomplish it." pg 228
"Listen to your body; if you are dragging and exhausted, take a rest. Don’t feel guilty about taking the time you need to get back into balance." pg 228
"Volunteer for things that are meaningful to you, but don’t feel you have to say “yes” to everyone who comes to you asking for favors. Your time is valuable and you need to be protective of it." pg 230
"You’ve heard it a million times from your doctor, on TV, and in magazines. Exercise is good for you. Try to exercise at least three to four times a week. I know—when will you have time for that? Think of exercise like eating and sleeping; you need it in your schedule, it’s non-negotiable." pg 231
"Try to let go of the unnecessary worries of the day. They say that a day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work (I agree!). If you get consumed with worry, refocus on your goals. I give you this advice as a former worrier, so I know what it’s like. The message of some motivational speakers helped me—I like Tony Robbins and Deepak Chopra. If motivational speakers don’t work for you, listen to music or meditate. Find a way to let go of thoughts that aren’t serving you well. Again, the system isn’t what’s important—what matters is that you let it go." pg 231
"Keep positive. Surround yourself with supportive people. When you run into a problem, know you will find a solution. It’s not about what you can’t do. It’s about what you will do to make things happen. Say goodbye to guilt. There are just twenty-four hours in the day. Do the best you can. If you didn’t accomplish everything you had hoped for, move remaining tasks to your list for the next day." pg 232
"Million dollar TIP: Don’t underestimate the value of silence. Get in the car and don’t turn on the radio. Eat without watching TV. The silence can be very relaxing. The rejuvenating benefits of a few minutes of silence during the day can last hours." pg 232
If they can do it, So Can You!
L.L. Bean
"Leon Leonwood (L. L.) Bean was an outdoorsman looking for a better-quality hunting boot in 1911. He made a pair for himself and he knew others would appreciate the boot, so he advertised it in a mailer for outdoor hikers. He sold 100 pairs of his new boots, guaranteeing their quality. Unfortunately, the shoe’s bottom separated from the shoe and ninety of those 100 pairs were returned. Bean knew he had a great idea with these special shoes, but he needed to perfect the manufacturing. He made the necessary improvements and continued to sell the shoes as well as other outdoor products. Instead of fizzling out at the first sign of a problem, Bean forged ahead and built a reputation for quality products and excellent customer service." pg 74
Pinkberry
"In 2005, Shelley Hwang and Young Lee opened a frozen yogurt shop in Los Angeles called Pinkberry. Word spread so quickly about the new, delicious frozen yogurt that people drove from all over Los Angeles to the small, West Hollywood store to get their yogurt fix. The Los Angeles Times article entitled, “The Taste that Launched 1,000 Parking Tickets” says it all. People didn’t care that parking was tough in this tiny neighborhood. They were willing to risk the cost of a parking ticket to taste the tart, unique flavor of Pinkberry. In 2007, Howard Schultz’s (of Starbucks fame) venture capital firm invested $27 million in Pinkberry." pg 154
Geek Squad
"Geek Squad founder Robert Stephens started his business in 1994 with $200 and a bicycle. He was a self-proclaimed computer geek and made house calls to solve computer problems. Robert began to add other “geeks” to his “squad” and built his brand by having the geeks arrive looking like “special agents.” They all wear black pants, white shirts, and black ties. In 2004, Best Buy acquired Geek Squad and they work out of many Best Buy stores. Today, there are more than 15,000 “special agents” who can fix not only your computer but your iPod, television, and GPS systems, too." pg 158
Estee Lauder
"When Estée Lauder was launching her perfume, she met with the buyer for a department store. The buyer rejected the perfume. As she left the cosmetics area, she intentionally spilled drops of her perfume so the entire area smelled of her perfume. People liked the scent so much they began asking for it. The buyer had to call and order. “No” doesn’t have to mean “no.” Try creative responses." pg 177
Jim Carrey
"Actor/comedian Jim Carrey tells a story of acting “as if” he was successful when he was a struggling comic without much money. In 1987, he wrote himself a $10 million check from his own checking account (which was nearly empty). He postdated it for 1995, and eagerly anticipated the day he could cash it. Sure enough, by the time 1995 came around, he was earning $20 million per film. Try his tactic: Postdate a check to yourself with an amount that would thrill you in five years. Keep the check in plain sight as you work hard." pg 230
August 15, 2018
I loved it! Very informative book!
February 17, 2010
Sandy Abrams wrote a really good book that explains how to start a product-based business. Her insight gained from starting her company Moisture Jammz provides a wonderful road map for anyone with a product idea. Her book will no doubt save lots a money that could be spent going down the wrong path. Read this book.
April 14, 2013
This is a brilliant book about starting a business. The talks about enthusiasm, awareness of basic stuffs and life in general with a business starting was written logically and realistically. I loved the book from start to end and felt the thrill. Well, anyways sooner or later Imma be a businessman.
June 16, 2011
starting this book, I thought it might be just cheerleader mumbo jumbo but once I got into it Sandy offered a clear, brief overview of the steps toward getting a product on the market. Good information if you are floundering or have an idea and don't know what to do with it.
May 15, 2010
My son really appreciated this book and spent a lot of time with it.
September 21, 2011
Very informative and motivating
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews