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MARCH 2017

Defining the Q

Estimated reading time: 2 mins, 30 seconds
Where we left off
We left off in October of last year. I had some big developments with my company at the time. Those efforts required more attention and took my time away from working on The Q.

Why you haven’t heard from me
Because it was easier to ignore you than to write something up saying, “hey, I’m still way behind.” Ugh! 

Hate saying it, but it's the truth. Then I kept thinking
"I’ll find time to work on it this week THEN I’ll send an update.” 


When that didn’t happen it turned into, “Alright, I need to do it next weekend.”
Then, "After the holidays."

And so on, and so on.
Until — well, shit. Now it’s March. 


Truth was, I needed help. It's too big of a project for me to take on alone. So, I pulled in an old high school friend to help. He also currently serves as the COO of my full time business.

He has begun to take a more proactive role in helping me create the app. This has required meetings during the week, usually at night; or, heading in to the office on weekends to work through things. BUT, we're getting things on track.


Where we’re at now
Stage 1 (of 5): Define
The most important thing to come out of this stage is a clear definition of the app. To come up with every way we think the app can be used, abused, desired, or completely unwanted. So right now, we're dreaming of all the awesome things this app could do.

With this, we also need to outline the Minimum Viable Product (MVP). The MVP is the first version of the app — the bare bones, minimum amount of effort possible. Essentially, the least amount of risk to see if it's even a good idea.

For example: It'd be really cool if you could leave your own private note on an event you attended. If something funny, or personal happened, that you could jot down a note on the event and have it saved to your history. 

That will be really cool to have, it's just not needed right now.

Once we're done defining, we move into creating a black & white prototype of the app to see if all our ideas make sense. Estimation for prototyping is April 2017; which, is when I'll check in next.

Over the last couple months

  • My team's first product, TourAndEventWebsites.com (a pre-packaged website for Tour Operators) has come to an agreement with a Toronto-based ticketing company for exclusive use of our system. It has since been renamed to EzSites (EzTix.com/EzSites).
  • I’ve grown my website consulting business tremendously. I’ve been helping companies understand how to market their business using their website. Had the chance to work with some awesome teams in Chicago including a toy store, real estate brokerage firm, a home automation installation service, and more.
  • Had the chance to work onsite with one of our tour partners on Catalina Island. To answer your question, “no,” there was no wine mixer. I was disappointed too.
  • Increased my public speaking efforts in both quantity, and diversity. Spoke at my college and “Expert Day” presentations at my high school.
  • Was asked by my college, Art Institute—Schaumburg, to be the commencement speaker at their graduation ceremony this Spring. 
  • Built out a personal website at HiJoeMartin.com
  • Moved in to a new apartment in Wicker Park.
  • Became addicted to the Hamilton soundtrack.

Next Steps

Set a structured schedule for completing each phase of building out the app. I want this thing out this summer. So I’m going to start “there”, and work my way backwards to figure out what needs to be done — and when.

Thank you guys for sticking around! And here we go, friends. Let the year of The Q begin!

Thank you again for being a part of this list. Really do appreciate it!

- Joe -
NEXT EMAIL: Sunday, April 2, 2017
LAST EMAIL: Sunday, October 16th —> http://eepurl.com/ckmOA5
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