Comments on: From $0 to $1 million in only a year

By: PA

PA — Wed, 24 May 2006 22:34:29 +0000

Here is a question for you. Bob worked for employer X. During his time with employer X, Bob developed a product. Bob later accepted a job with employer B. Employer X was not happy but wished him well and offered him the chance to work on the product moving forward.

Bob starts his new job with employer B. He tells employer B about the project he was working on and Employer X’s wish that he continue on if possible. Bob arranges a meeting with Employer X and Employer B to discuss the possibilities. During the meeting, Employer B acts like an ass and totally turns off Employer X. After the meeting, Employer X asks Bob to quit his new job at Employer B and work as as outside contractor on the project he developed while working for him.

Question: Do you think this was unethical? This is a true story and Employer B in this case wants to sue Bob for the revenue to be earned on the project.

By: jkramer

jkramer — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 14:12:37 +0000

I stopepd reading after #1.
Clients/Contacts is EVERYTHING.
If he got client even before starting a business, it’s paved way.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 23:10:53 +0000

Is America drowning in lawyers. How many people does a lawyer feed. How many children to they educate. How many ways of staying warm or traveling faster have they found.

By: joe

joe — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 14:21:32 +0000

If he is a consultant then no NDA is required. The fiduciary law applies. His employer hired him to help him with his client not compete against him. Morality or lack thereof is irrelevant.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiduciary_duty

By: Anonymously

Anonymously — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 18:25:27 +0000

Andrew’s story shows that it can be done. My New Years’ resolution is to find a niche, write a great business plan, hook up with a few good partners, and then find a big client to provide me with work and financial support while I try to get other clients.

Great – Good luck!

By: Kyle

Kyle — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 18:03:46 +0000

Quite honestly although its probably not ethicaly correct to steal clients (assuming thats what he did) think about what your reason is for starting up your own business. Take out the money factor. You start a business beacuse you think/know you can do better then your competitors. One competitor being the company whom you are currently employed with.

Now think about it from a helping the customer standpoint. If you can steal….I don’t like that word, if you can direct the client to your newly formed company that will offer them more/better/quality services all while saving them jack, then you have done something ethicaly right for them, but probably violated your ethical commitmnet to the company you work for.

So is it a wash? Hmmm….

By: wildscribe

wildscribe — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 16:03:44 +0000

I think that the gist of Andrew’s excellent article is here is someone who worked for a company and while he was there built up a list of contacts and partners.

Andrew’s friend then managed to land a large client – a company that would provide him with enough work and income so he could safely leave his job. (Note that no where does Andrew state this is large client was taken from his former employer.)

Then once he was on his own, he focused on a niche, developing enterprise applications, which Andrew correctly points out that most companies do not have the staff to do themselves and usually hire outside contractors. He then hustled to get more work.

I find this very inspiring. I currently work in the IT department at a small company. I am paid very well and just got a nice holiday bonus. But my boss is an egotistical idiot. I would love to move on and start my own business, but I am now in my mid 40s and I am afraid of the drop in income.

Andrew’s story shows that it can be done. My New Years’ resolution is to find a niche, write a great business plan, hook up with a few good partners, and then find a big client to provide me with work and financial support while I try to get other clients.

Thanks for the inspiration Andrew!

- – - Wild

By: MarkB

MarkB — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 12:38:25 +0000

You are assuming that this gentleman worked for a company which offered the same services as he is offering in his new venture. NOWHERE DOES IT STATE THIS! Simply, he was IT employee who then started his own IT company.

How do you know his old employer didn’t make furniture? YOU DON’T.

I see too many people trying to find fault with Andrew’s posts; it’s rather pathetic.

By: craig_

craig_ — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 11:04:44 +0000

Well, I would just like to say, well done! Making $1 million this year is great. No matter what any of these people say, you should enjoy your new found wealth!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 08:57:12 +0000

Anonymously Says:
December 15th, 2005 at 9:21 pm

i would like to see his website…

me too = you lose

Don’t understand exactly why, but ok I loose.
So where is the website?