The anti-startup: doing good in your community
Let’s think creatively about how we do good in our communities. I just ran across my notes from 2011, when I heard Alon Nir (@TheKotel) explain his project, Tweet Your Prayers. He called his talk “The Anti-Startup,” and he proceeded to tell us how he ignored all the “rules” of business to make a difference.
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| Alon Nir explains his “Anti-Startup.” You can borrow his principles to create good in your own community. |
1. Go to market without a product. Figure it out later.
He offered to take prayers to the wailing wall. When he got an overwhelming number, he found that people are eager to help when they see a good cause.
2. Users don’t have to actually use your product. Forget about traction.
People would download his prayer-submission app, but many would never open it. He learned that some users felt better just by having the app, even without submitting a prayer.
3. Outsource to competitors.
Lots of other tweet a prayer services have sprung up, and he sends people there, too.
4. Who needs a business plan? Just don’t monetize.
5. Create meaning and effect change.
(Email subscribers, if you don’t see the video, click to view this post online: The anti-startup.)
What do you think? Is there a place for the Anti-Startup in your community? Are you doing an Anti-Startup right now?
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Becky started Small Biz Survival in 2006 to share rural business and community building stories and ideas with other small town business people. She and her husband have a small cattle ranch and are lifelong entrepreneurs. Becky is an international speaker on small business and rural topics.
