Building Something From Scratch

By David Schnurman

My friend recently helped me build a computer from scratch. It was an eye opening experience to say the least. I have always accepted the fact that if I needed a computer, I would go to Dell's website, click a few buttons, and within a week, a fully functional machine arrives at my doorstep. The thought never crossed my mind that I would ever be able to build my own computer. I didn't know how to do it, and I figured it would be too difficult to learn. However, I did always assume if I knew how to do it, I could get a much better computer for the money.

After comparing a variety of computers online, I decided to take the plunge to build my own. I recruited a friend who had done this a few times before and could guide me through the process. We bought all the parts separately, and over the period of several hours we slowly slid them into the empty tower. Finally, we installed the software and the computer came to life. While there was some difficulty, it ended up being easier then I thought. It was actually an amazing feeling. Here is something I took for granted, and accepted that if I wanted a computer I had to buy one.

I think most people are like this when it comes to starting their own company. They accept that 1OO,OOO's of companies exist, but when it comes to starting their own company, it is too difficult. This is for the same reason I thought I couldn't build a computer...I never did it before.

However, once I got started I realized it was not as difficult as I assumed it would be. That is not to say we did not encounter many problems along the way, each of which could have ended the entire project. However, just like when you run a business, we had to choose to figure out work-arounds or choose to give up, obviously we kept going.

In fact, I think starting a business is just like building your own computer from scratch. All we did was put together several pre-assembled parts into the right slots. The trick was knowing which parts to buy and how to put it together. Similarly when you start a business, most likely you are not re-inventing the wheel, but instead knowing the right blocks to put together and how to put them together in order to be successful. Of course you are going to make mistakes, everyone does.  If I build another computer there are certain parts I would order differently. But getting through these mistakes was what made it fun and challenging. When the computer eventually turned on and hummed on its own, we felt that much more accomplished. Now imagine the accomplishment we would have felt if it was a company that we successfully built from scratch.

I am on my way to building a company, are you?

Comments

[Rachel]

who is this "friend" you speak of? he sounds really talented.

[Alex]

Great parallel! Doing is usually the best way to learn.

[Rob Lawrence]

Hi David,

Thank you for sharing all of the information on this site. I've watched almost all of the videos on here and I must say that they are excellent and get right to the point. You ask the tough questions and really pull out the meat and the answers we as entrepreneurs are looking for. Again thank you and keep up the good work.

Warm Regards,
Rob

http://www.battlecall.com