Know-How Exchange : Strategy

(Aside: I'm unclear how your program is better than Apple's: https://www.apple.com/recycling/)

To start with: you need to clearly specify why you need $8000 (the answer isn't I am "looking for some funding to advertise my new company to make it prosper in a positive way to benefit others and the world"). What are your projected expenses? Revenue model? Why can't $1000 cover your expenses?

Next: you need to identify people who are likely to benefit in your community from your offering. Perhaps you have a local Green Chamber of Commerce (like: https://greenchamberofcommerce.net/) or independent Apple dealer (who could sponsor you)?

I applaud your enthusiasm, but I agree that this effort has very little chance of success based on what I've seen so far.

If you need $8,000 in capital to start your business, chances are this will need to come from people you already know...people who you've told your story to...people who believe in you (or at least willing to gamble to help you pursue a dream).

Have you made a list of everyone you know? Have you contacted them?

Second, you'll need something to put in front of those people...a document that states the following:

1. The problem that you're trying to solve
2. How you will solve the problem
3. Why you're the one who should be trusted to solve the problem (experience)
4. How you'll make money by solving the problem
5. How much money you need (and for what), and what the investor can expect in return.

The better you know your potential backers, the less detailed this document *may* need to be. But even if these are people who love you and will gamble on you, you'll need to write a few pages, at least (IMHO).

Now you need to determine your commitment to this...you've been given a cold dose of reality. Some people will throw their hands up and quit. Others -- a select few -- will say, "I can do this," and press on, using what they've learned.

Which are you?

should we try to be gentle and to tell you what we think you want to hear? Or should we try to give you the benefit of our experiences?

I agree with the sentiments above. Starting a new venture is hard, and requires determination and hardheadedness and perseverance. It also requires teamwork, and planning, and time.

I was in business for 12 years, and never made very much money at it. I originally started the business out of desperation, back in the recession of 1981 or so.

I began the business without a formal business plan, without sufficient funding and without a well conceived business model. Later on, as I learned more about business from the school of hard knocks and from this forum, I learned that is a good idea to have one year of funding in hand before you begin a business.

You are asking for 8000 dollars. Certainly this will not fund you for an entire year. If I were a potential investor, I would be very interested to know how much of my 8000 dollars was going to salary as opposed to business expenses. I would be very interested to know how quickly you expect this business to ramp up and become profitable. I would also like to know if you are setting up a board of advisors or some other team of experienced people who can help you and guide you in your new endeavor.

Good luck to you. I hope you succeed. Don't listen to the naysayers... but please be realistic about the amount of time and the amount of money required to establish a viable and profitable business.

I'm with the others. I don't see the benefit for the investors. What's in it for ME? I think this is an example of begging for money, with no benefit or payoff for the donor.

My recommendation: Go back to square one. Find another business concept, develop a plan, then come back and let us help you make it stronger/better.

Your entire concept is fundamentally flawed.

Business does not want old devices - the installation, maintenance and help desk costs far outweigh any savings in initial capital expenditure. Ditto schools and third-world charities.

How green is it really to contemplate the manufacture of a line of eco friendly Apple accessories such as iPhone and iPod cases, laptop sleeves, and other green accessories for Apple devices to give to customers? How much do you figure you can make by giving stuff away?

The smartest use for eWaste is deconstruction to recover the noble metals and other rare constituents. When the devices themselves have no use to you, they invariably have very little use to anyone else. And recycling through the component recovery stream is capital intensive, best confined to major players who make large investments.

If you feel really strongly about this initiative, and it isn't just a personal job-creation scheme, I suggest you approach your local, state and Federal legislatures to provide collection points to streamline the collection process to divert product from landfill to the major recyclers.