Years ago when I started my first Internet-based business, I could not even program my microwave oven to not burn popcorn. As far as I was concerned “HTML” was probably just some acronym for instant messaging. But I was determined to start a nonprofit business and knew the best way was to harness the Internet.
My first stop was the bookstore. Armed with “HTML For Dummies,” I set about creating my first website. A few weeks later, I graduated to “Starting an Online Business” (also “For Dummies”). Empowered, that yes, even dummies like me could make Internet money, I affiliated with Amazon book sellers. Every day I tormented myself browsing traffic and sales reports. Daily earnings: “$0.00.”
Since generating no sales was not very rewarding, I added a site counter. I was elated to see that each day a few more people were actually visiting my site. By few, I do mean few, but when I hit 100 visitors my heart skipped a beat and I found new energy to keep on going.
A few weeks later I mustered up all my entrepreneurial courage and checked my Amazon reports. I had made my first sale! Commission: $3.00. I sprang from my chair, literally knocking it over and began a loud, silly end-zone dance (without back flips, because I know those are illegal and considered unsportswoman-like conduct) and chanted over and over “I made three bucks! I made three bucks!”
My children, who are used to my moments of insanity, took it all in stride and began dancing with me. They had no idea why I was dancing, but hey, if Mom was happy, it surely meant dinner out at some otherwise taboo fast-food restaurant to celebrate something!
Three dollars may not sound like a lot, but it was the first three dollars that ushered in what is now a million-dollar+ corporation only a year and half later. It was a goal met, a step taken, and one that to this day still overshadows even the thrill of when I my corporation made its first million (but we did go to a restaurant with tablecloths and real napkins for that celebration).
To this day, when something goes wrong, my children will still tease me, saying “Who cares? You made three bucks!” And they are right.
