Here’s my “classic” year in review for 2013. 

2013 has been the best year of my life.  I got to spend the entire year with my amazing wife, travel Europe for a month, move from MN to FL and start developing my first software company.  It’s been a massive year of change yet it’s all felt very natural.

Looking back it honestly didn’t feel like it was all that much.
But when I look from month to month, so much was accomplished.  It was fantastic.

 

We started January in Rochester, MN
Starting July 1 we spent a month in Manhattan, NY.
2 months in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
And finally 1 month in Europe.
Then settling in Jacksonville, FL during the fall.

 

It was fantastic to experience so many different environments, but I learned that working and traveling is a lot harder than many think.  Seriously it’s hard to sit inside and get work done when you’re in some great places and just want to get outside.

I’ve been doing marketing consulting for a number of companies and organizations over the past 3 years but really added some great new clients and have enjoyed the work I’ve been doing in 2013.  It’s been a definite blessing to be able to work location independent.  Over the fall I’ve really become dedicated to creating content and growing the potential of this business. cordieinc.com/blog

What happened that caused me to start a software company?

 
I’d been wanting to start a product based business for awhile.  And last year I went through a course that gave me the knowledge and mindset to prepare to feel confident going after this endeavor.  (The Foundation)  I met a great group of people and mentors who I’ve continued to stay in touch with.  It’s been a great support group.

That being said it’s been more work than I could have ever imagined but we’re a month away from public launch and I’m really excited.  I’ve met some great people and the way that the product is going to help them in their businesses is awesome. It’s incredibly exciting to create a tool that is going to provide value to an industry (golf instructors) Scheduling Ace
 

6 Biggest Wins —————–

 
#1 – Continue consulting and web development.  This has been the core revenue generator to fund everything else.  Without this backbone I wouldn’t have been able to do half of what I did in 2013 – Cordie INC

#2 – Starting a podcast to connect and add immense value to my industry.  It’s been a lot of fun and I have really enjoyed creating and sharing the content.  Plus I’ve gotten a ton of great feedback! – GOLF IN THE LIFE OF

#3 – Switching developers when I wasn’t happy with the one I was working with.  I guess some might also see this as a mistake of hiring someone that didn’t turn out.  But the success was accepting that and making a switch for the better.

#4 – Starting a mastermind.  It really has been great to connect with some likeminded entrepreneurs on a regular basis.  I’ve gotten some great ideas that have really accelerated what I’ve been doing

#5 – Seeing the value in LinkedIn and using it as a great tool to connect with some great people.  From software to marketing all types of great connections have been made with LinkedIn. I’d love to connect with you – HERE

#6 – Start writing.  In the fall I realized I had stopped getting my ideas out into the open simply because I wasn’t giving myself the room to write.  Since then I’ve written many many posts for my business site – cordieinc.com/blog personal site – cordiewalker.com golf instructor blog – golfinthelifeof.com
 

3 Biggest Mistakes —————–

 
#1 – Attacking too big of a project with my first software venture.  For my first project I should have gone after something smaller.  That I could have had a “win” at quicker.  However I’m in it for the long haul with Scheduling Ace.  This isn’t a 1 year win.  It’s a long term play.

#2 – Not implementing a CRM earlier.  I have some contacts in Excel, some in Trello, some in Evernote.  It’s really all over the place.  One of the my goals for 2014 is to make sure I have everything as seamless as possible.  Even if it’s an extra $30 a month. IT’S WORTH IT.

#3 – Forgetting the value of connections and simply internalizing everything that’s going on.  For me, when that starts to happen I start to go backwards and feel like the tasks are getting to be impossible.  Talking it through and getting outside perspective can really helps me to move forward.
 

Books That I’ve Enjoyed —————–

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
80/20 Sales and Marketing: The Definitive Guide to Working Less and Making More
Spontaneous Happiness: A New Path to Emotional Well-Being
SPIN Selling
The 4-Hour Chef: The Simple Path to Cooking Like a Pro, Learning Anything, and Living the Good Life

 

Book’s I’m always referencing —————–

The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich (Expanded and Updated)

 

Podcasts —————–

Mixergy
Startups for the Rest of us
Starting from Nothing
Foundation
Bootstrapped Web for Entrepreneurs
Bethel Church Sermon of the Week