Critique our website venture, and a legal question...

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F

fooshkee

Senior member
Aug 10, 2001
571
0
71
Hey folks,
I'm probably going to regret opening myself up to the ATOT angry mob however I'm looking for some honest (and not too mean spirited) feedback regarding a website me and my friend just launched. www.WeReallyMeanBusiness.com

The gist of the website is we have a great business idea, however we're just two crazy college kids with no money to start it. We want to raise $100,000 by 2008 to jumpstart our business. If we don't meet our goal, we're giving 100% of the money to blood:water mission (builds wells and fights aids in africa). If we do meet our goal we're giving 10% to them anyways. When people donate money they get a picture of themselves on our "Wall of Fame." Anyways, more details at the website.

The site has only been up for a few days, and we haven't really started advertising it yet. However the biggest feedback we're getting is "it's super lame that you don't have the actual business plan on the website. why should i give you money when you don't tell me what it's for?" And believe me, I completely agree.

Our logic at the time was we didn't want to post the plan online because we didn't want to have it stolen. However, we've realized we're just gonna have to get over that. So my legal question is this... are there any ways legally to protect or copyright a business idea? Our idea is not an invention so a patent is out of the question. I'm assuming there's nothing we can really do, and we just need to suck it up. However, if anyone has any advice throw it my way.

Yeah, so check it out and please share any suggestions you may have. This is a fun experiment for us and we really want to make it as good as possible. If you think it's cool, spread the word.

www.WeReallyMeanBusiness.com

Cliffs:
-We launched a website asking for money to start a business.
-We want to raise $100,000 by 2008. If we don't meet the goal we'll give it to blood:water mission.
-We didn't post the business plan online because we didn't want the idea to get stolen.
-People hate that they don't know what the business plan is.
-We want to post the plan, but wanted to see if legally we can protect the idea.
-We'd love some feedback in general or ideas to improve the site.
 
yllus

yllus

Elite Member & Lifer
Aug 20, 2000
20,577
432
126
I'd put a somewhat more serious twist on it; people who send money will want to know you're serious about putting your business plan into place and aren't just going to blow one hundred grand. So to that effect:

- Get rid of what you've written under "The Plan" ASAP. Talk in general terms about what you'll be doing: At least what market sector it'll be (this helps even more if it's a nice friendly sector like clean energy).

- Write short bios for both of you in a formal manner. Name, age, birthplace, a short description about you, and your credentials (what degrees you hold). The more professional you sound, the greater the "investor confidence" in you will be.
 
aphex

aphex

Moderator<br>All Things Apple
Moderator
Jul 19, 2001
38,572
2
91
We didn't post the business plan online because we didn't want the idea to get stolen.
Click to expand...

So you want people to give you money for something you don't want to talk about?
 
M

mundane

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2002
5,603
8
81
I thought that you generally approach people to request their investment, and they sign NDAs before hearing your business plan.
 
mugs

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
You asked for critiques. Aside from the obvious ones (begging for money, donors get nothing in return for giving money to a for-profit venture, etc) - the two people in the top graphic look like they're 16. Cut your hair and put some shoes on, you hippie.
 
S

SuepaFly

Senior member
Jun 3, 2001
972
0
0
Maybe you could do something a bit vague? Like if your business plan is for a service, don't put specifics, just put something like "We take your X and turn it into Y by using our 'Special Plan'" Some sort of idea of what you guys are going to do, so then interested parties can contact you.

And I agree with Yllus, you need something more professional. Not something like "Then we all met at a concert, then we decided to do something to make money, then we came up with this idea". Display some passion and credentials.
 
Specop 007

Specop 007

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2005
9,454
0
0
So you want people to give you free money to start your business, and get nothing in return.
And then IF you end up not getting what you want anyways you're going to just give the money to some charity IN AFRICA?

You cant be serious right? Is this a joke? :confused:

I'll give you my honest feedback.
This African charity is already waiting for their donation.
 
J

jjones

Lifer
Oct 9, 2001
15,424
2
0
If you really mean business, you'd approach the task of raising capital in a more business-like manner. Schtick just doesn't do it for most people.

BTW, good luck, and you never know on the internet, maybe you'll get the needed funds.
 
I

imported_bum

Golden Member
Jan 15, 2005
1,402
1
0
Good luck. I can think of a couple ways to spread this website like wildfire, but they involve nudity, sex tapes, and nerds getting laid... So you probably wouldn't be interested.
 
C

csiro

Golden Member
May 31, 2001
1,261
0
0
Originally posted by: tw1164
How do I get my invested capital back?


too many myspace links
Click to expand...

You don't. Even if you put in $95K, you get a picture on the website. If the business fails, the remaining money goes to charity.
 
mugs

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
48,920
46
91
Originally posted by: Specop 007
So you want people to give you free money to start your business, and get nothing in return.
And then IF you end up not getting what you want anyways you're going to just give the money to some charity IN AFRICA?

You cant be serious right? Is this a joke? :confused:

I'll give you my honest feedback.
This African charity is already waiting for their donation.
Click to expand...

Why did you emphasize IN AFRICA? Is there something wrong with donating to a charity in Africa?

In the OP's defense, if they get the money to start the business they will be donating 10% of the proceeds to charity, so either way the money you donate will end up in the hands of a charity.
 
T

tw1164

Diamond Member
Dec 8, 1999
3,995
0
76
Originally posted by: csiro
Originally posted by: tw1164
How do I get my invested capital back?


too many myspace links
Click to expand...

You don't. Even if you put in $95K, you get a picture on the website. If the business fails, the remaining money goes to charity.
Click to expand...

That sounds like a great plan.
 
D

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
Not that I don't trust you completely, but I think I'll just contiune to donate directly to Northwest Havest and Child's Play.
 
R

rsd

Platinum Member
Dec 30, 2003
2,293
0
76
No one is going to give you $100k w/o some sort of return or equity.

Be more professional and seek out funds via more traditional investment capital sources otherwise you're just begging for money currently.
 
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