$1B business on a $100 budget
January 19, 2009
Entrepreneurs can be weird and interesting people. So interesting that filmmakers Jason Boritz and Jonathan Salemi are making a documentary about serial startup entrepreneur Mark Husmann. Husmann started out as a photographer, but along the way tried a variety of businesses: underground water irrigation, workout gloves, websites, candy clothing, fragrance marketing, to name a few. Last year Husmann decided to give it his all to try and create a billion dollar business on a $100 budget. What he lacks in funding, he makes up for in drive and persistance, working 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If that sounds like a lot of ambition, keep in mind that Husmann has not created a profitable business in 17 years. Watch the trailer and ask yourself if he really could be successful with his approach. Too many different ideas and not following some basic startup rules. Here are 5 basic ones: discipline, calm, attention to detail, risk tolerance, balance. I think Husmann breaks 4 out 5 rules.
But that doesn’t mean it won’t be a good documentary. The trailer is snappy, grabs attention and makes you think. I would go see the documentary when its out. Maybe Husmann will overcome the odds, proof me very wrong and make that $1B business come true.
The outcome of Husmann’s startup and the documentary about him is yet unknown. The producers are looking for funding to finish and distribute the film. Similarly, Husmann is going to need some big breaks if he is going to be successful. Stay tuned, this could be fun!
