Regarding my background with electronic cigarettes, I heard about them in mid 2007, and was rather obsessed with the idea. I would have liked to started my website right then and there, but being a student money is in short supply (I'm still in college, USF, by the way, go Bulls...)
Thought it was the greatest thing and soon started writing a business plan. I pitched it to a couple business people in Jacksonville and they thought it sounded like a stupid gimmick, to quote them- so they told me, I think one of them actually ordered a bunch of super minis and tried to start selling them, not too sure what happened with that.
Still, I was confident this was a great product that would help a lot of people. I refined the business plan and tried again. I then cut the start-up numbers way down and asked family if they could help with a small investment. Nope, I should forget about this crazy idea and just get my degree... Well, I was still relentless in thinking out ways to make it a good business. I just wouldn't throw it aside.
Come early 2008 I don't know what I was thinking but I started ordering samples from a number of manufacturers even though I didn't really have the money to make a full order. I recognized the crappy companies and tested the hell out of these things, but ended up having to wait until July to make my first order, due to money being tight.
I'm happy to have worked my way to the point where I'm at, as I think I'm at the stage where I'll be able to provide my customers with good prices and selection. Worked over a month on the website and I'm relatively happy with it at the moment despite some corrections that need to be made.
All things considered, it's been rewarding so far. I look at the large majority of my fellow classmates and am proud that while we're talking about a lot of these things in my business and marketing classes, I'm already out there taking my best shot at them.
But it is true, I've only been using the bottles for less than a week.
