Rocket… Kaboom!
One of the nicest things about being involved in the technology industry is that, unlike the teeming unwashed masses, we’re far too mature to be caught up in childish soap opera-style dramas. Or not.
I was chatting with a friend of mine yesterday about what it takes to build a successful business (though I suppose my opinion will carry more weight after I’ve actually done so). I told him that the single most important step is to choose the right partner. This is even more important than having the right product and business ideas; those will change anyway as your project matures. In the case of Rocketboom, it’s clear that something about the partnership was working. But egos come into play when things are going well. Nothing fails like success, or something like that. I’m guessing both parties may grow to regret that they didn’t do more to make a fruitful partnership work.
What struck me most of all was that Amanda Congdon, a rare example of a genuine new media star, was so anxious to go to Hollywood and become a “proper” actress after Rocketboom, ehm, took off. I don’t have any direct experience with Hollywood, but by all accounts there’s tremendous competition to break into the entertainment biz, with a huge failure rate and a tiny percentage of stars. I dare say most aspiring actresses would give up waiting tables in a heartbeat for a chance to create and control their own successful brand on the web. Giving up that opportunity to go swim with the sharks just doesn’t feel right.
That said, I simply can’t understand how Rocketboom failed to capitalize financially on its popularity, at least to the extent that its budding celebrity could afford to pay her rent. If the business types had held their end up, perhaps the appeal of new media stardom would have been easier to appreciate.
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>>>I dare say most aspiring actresses would give up waiting tables in a heartbeat for a chance to create and control their own successful brand on the web.
Comment by FFD — 7/13/2006 @ 5:36 pm
Sorry for the misformatted commented.
Matthew, you will never understand women.
Comment by FFD — 7/13/2006 @ 5:37 pm
That’s a given, Frank!
I suppose you are implying that women like waiting tables because they like cooking and anything to do with food?
Comment by Matt — 7/13/2006 @ 5:57 pm
I dont believe in choosing a right partner or what else, i have a simple formula for success in any business…………….”Profit is the reward for risk bearing”, higher the risk involved, higher would be the returns.
Comment by Scott — 7/14/2006 @ 9:45 am
If it would ve been possible to know the intentions of any person, i think every business and partnership would ve been successful today. The question is how to choose a right partner?????????
Comment by Hannah — 7/15/2006 @ 12:21 pm
Hey guys I just lllllllllllllooooovvvveddddd this article keep in touch
Comment by Pam ANderson — 7/17/2006 @ 5:19 pm
Thanx for telling the business strategies and ideas. I would try implying in my business too. Thanx once again.
Comment by Annet — 7/20/2006 @ 2:05 pm