Whirlwind
Written on September 27th, 2008 by Graham
The 48 hours that transpired since listing my site on Sitepoint have been incredible. In fact, no less than 20 people have reached out to me and gave me a phone call. Over the past two days, I’ve talked to business leaders, CEOs, advertising execs, Tony the CEO of BlogCatalog, VCs, biz dev people, a gaming company in Israel, companies in the UK, and more. I’ve been on the phone so long I’m probably developing a tumor.
One by one offers rolled in. I’m not going to say how much they were for. No one put in a bid on sitepoint, but I wasn’t expecting anyone too. The real bidding took place verbally behind the scenes. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me start with the feedback that I received, as it was overwhelming. People called me from all different companies, all over the workd, to tell me how amazing and unique Entrecard is, how other businesses would kill for the kind of traction and brand recognition we have in the blogosphere, how passionate our members are about the service, how in a year or two every advertiser on the planet is going to be trying to get into the blogosphere, how this is the pivotol moment where I get my shit under control and see through it. How I’m going to regret it if I let anything happen to it. How I’m lucky I didn’t get a VC and that I don’t even want one. People saw an entrepreneur who was losing faith, and they were rushing in to help me back up, and lend me a hand.
The whole experience has been amazing, humbling, and a reality check. Entrecard is a monster. It’s a runaway train. Everyone wants a piece of it. People are lined up right now for a piece of it, including a handful of people backed by big investors who made offers to buy it outright -and that’s precisely why I’m giving a piece of it to no one.
This is my company, I created it, it is my fate to see it through. The more offers I got, the more I realized I could not let it go. I guess you could say I’ve had a religious experience, and in the past 48 hours as my international network of people willing to help me has ballooned many times over. One thing is for sure, listing the site was the best move I ever made from a business development and networking standpoint. But it’s given me a second wind, a slap in the face. I started this thing and damnit, I’m going to make it work.
So no, I’m sorry, but I am not selling. No freaking way. We’re going to fix this and fix it right. The company finances are my mess, I made it, now I will clean it up and get it on track. Anyone can be an Entrepreneur when things are going great, but when life and business become more challenging than anything you’ve faced before, that’s when it’s time to pull up your pants, roll up your sleeves, and defy every thing and every one trying to hold you down.
All the tools necessary to make our business model successful and sustainable are right here before us. I don’t need VCs. I don’t need investors. I just steer this ship sharply onto course. So stay tuned.
Thank you
To all the people that reached out to me, to all the successful entrepreneurs who came out of the woodwork, and everyone who, I had never met before, who saw I had fallen down, who picked me up, and shoved me over onto the right path. Thank you for making me realize the value of blazing onward, and maintaining autonomy at all costs.
Onward and upward!
September 27th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Graham: to paraphrase a line from “Evita” –
“It’s very difficult to keep momentum when it’s you that you are following.”
I think each of us who are entrepreneurs go through this phase. I also think that your decision to keep this as YOUR creation is the best for you, and selfishly, for us Entrecarders.
Keep up the great work, and give yourself a helluva slap on the back (and maybe a vacation day!).
September 27th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
I’m glad to hear it!!
September 27th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
I’ll be so pissed if this doesn’t go through:
I’m really glad to hear that you aren’t going through with it. I know you didn’t see my post in one of the threads but I did say that if everyone always gave up when things got tough – then nothing will get accomplished. So I’m very happy to hear you’re sticking to it.
God speed Graham.
September 27th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Hi Graham,
Keep your chin up man, what you have created here is an honestly awesome community. My blog would not be where it is today if it was not for Entrecard and I am sure that is the same for a lot of people too.
Keep up the awesome work and I hope the future holds great things for both you and Entrecard too.
Stuart
September 27th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
I’m glad you’re not selling, the problems you percieve with Entrecard aren’t nearly as big as you think they are. It really benefits smaller bloggers who just need to kickstart their readership with some interested people.
Don’t forget the network of people you already have here who would be willing to help you.
September 27th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
That’s great news – finally, I can stop rolling my spare change!
/ $26.50 wouldn’t have changed your mind I assume? Nah, forget it asked … your on a roll!
September 27th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Baby steps, baby steps. You can make a go of this one step at a time. Glad you rethought the selling of the site.
September 27th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
I’m glad this has made the path clearer for you. Sounds to me like right now, as much as anything, you need some help. There are plenty of people with faith in Entrecard who I’m sure would be glad to work for the promise of future rewards. Hey, for that matter, I’ll help for EC credits… send me an email and put me to work!
September 27th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
I am so happy you changed your mind! You put a lot into Entrecard and it wouldn’t have been the same without you.
September 27th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Dude I knew you’d wake up.
No doubt I wasn’t surprised when the leeches came swarming in.
I wouldn’t be all to impressed with those people they don’t care
about you.I know that CEO of worthless blogcatalog is desperate
KEEP your stuff and I’m going to make it a point to do things to
help you and your site.
Good move never let a little storm knock you off course
and definitely DON’T let that poison in your door.
They will run you bankrupt it’s all UP now.
And I didn’t jump on the bandwagon of people
talking smack and you and the value of entrecard
cause I know different PEACE keep your chin UP
September 27th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Hi Graham.
I make special posting on EC for SALE and the feedback is really expected…most of them SAD and hope EC will still manage by you…I’m sure your decision will make them HAPPY. GOOD LUCK
September 27th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Hi Graham,
I have been keeping a close eye on this. It’s definitely a very nice news for me. I’m sure you can make Entrecard the best of the best. I’ve faith in Entrecard and so does thousands of other bloggers, and that is what makes Entrecard unique.
This is your work, and even if you’d sold it, no one would’ve taken the work as seriously as you would! Now the path is much clearer, I hope you can make more out of it. Best of luck!
September 28th, 2008 at 12:03 am
Thank you all for your support. I don’t know what I was thinking. Sometimes you just need other people to give you a reality check and say “dude, what the hell are you thinking right now?”
September 28th, 2008 at 12:04 am
well it’s good to know that you are not giving up Entrecard, they may just ruin it..just like what happened to others.
September 28th, 2008 at 12:05 am
It’s great to hear this, Graham.
Good luck and mabuhay!
September 28th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Right on. It would have sucked to see this go to a company who would just screw it all over. Despite the problems, there is so much awesome that is Entrecard.
September 28th, 2008 at 12:32 am
Good for you Graham – I did the same thing when I had 18,000 entrecard credits disappear over night – I just kept on going. Builing it back up 1 EC at a time.
September 28th, 2008 at 1:29 am
You’re Welcome!
- Snork
September 28th, 2008 at 2:34 am
That is the best news today for me! Cheers!
September 28th, 2008 at 2:48 am
Awesome! Keep ur baby to urself Graham, we love EC and would hate to see it fall into different hands! Good luck to you, and like me, I’m sure lotsa members are happy and relieved to hear this latest update! You gave us quite a scare for a moment there!
September 28th, 2008 at 3:38 am
Glad to have you back, just don’t lose this newfound determination by letting things run themselves.
September 28th, 2008 at 3:39 am
glad to hear it! You’re doing a great job, and your heart and soul are in it. That shows – and that’s what makes entrecard so great.
Lisa
September 28th, 2008 at 4:29 am
Good luck to you and indeed it is great to see this EC as yours because it is YOURS!
September 28th, 2008 at 6:56 am
[...] Graham has decided not to sell!!! Filed under: [...]
September 28th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Entrecard is not perfect, but it made a great impact on the blogosphere through your effort, Graham. I cannot imagine anyone who could handle this better.
Entrecard is a legacy, as well as Graham and that is history.
I believe this is only one of the difficulties EC should pass through.
So why give up?
September 28th, 2008 at 7:57 am
So what do you need us to do? Just say the word!
September 28th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Great news Graham. I don’t think anyone wanted you to sell. So if no VCs, how are you planning to reel in some money to expand Entrecard and get some staff?
September 28th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Whew – that’s a relief!
So glad you have made the right decision – we are all behind you!
September 28th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Hi Graham, just a quick note to let you know that the “feeling” you had is part of the process in reaching your dreams. The only difference between those that are super successful and those that never quite reach it is what you are living through right now.
You just need to find a way around those “feelings”…
And once you do… well, you’ll be looking for advice on investing your money… now that’s a nice problem to have!!!
Good Luck and remember the day Entrecard was just a thought… and now look at it today! YOU DID THAT!!!
Regards, Pete
September 28th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Thank you so much Graham for choosing to hang on to EC. I firmly believe that you will far surpass the $1M mark that you wanted to get out of this site by instead keeping it. I also believe that this trial will build a stronger EC community.
September 28th, 2008 at 11:10 am
This is good news. Just don’t forget you have people all around you that will help.
September 28th, 2008 at 11:55 am
[...] what, Entrecard.com is not for sale anymore. Yesterday Graham wrote a post in the Entrecard blog about the decision. Graham starts his psot with the following: The 48 hours [...]
September 28th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
We make our first attempt at making money with a sustainable business model tomorrow.
September 28th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Graham, I’m going to nominate you for “Startup Drama Queen of the Year”
September 28th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
[...] news item, and a lot of people were ready to jump on board. You can read Graham’s post here. My personal belief is that he should indeed sell it. Normally, when people get the inclination to [...]
September 28th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
wouldn’t have Entrecard any other way. kudos to you for keeping at it!
September 28th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Excellent Graham…a religious experience…an epiphany of sorts…you are a young man and this is what one would call a huge learning curve in a very short time…EC is genius…stick w/ it, Graham…ride the wave…all the best!
September 28th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
This is such great news! I’m glad that you decided to keep going. You are the best!
September 28th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
“when life and business become more challenging than anything you’ve faced before, that’s when it’s time to pull up your pants”
Umm… Why were your pants down in the first place? Most people push up their sleeves but this guy pulls up his pants. Be afraid people. Be very afraid.
September 28th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I am really proud of you. It takes a big person to look within, figure out you screwed up and challege yourself to move ahead. I am sure you are going to rock
September 28th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
See..there’s nothing to worry. Everything is possible. Congrats to all of us and we can still keep entrecard. Long live EC. Cheers Graham.
September 28th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Hi Graham,
You inspired this post:
A Lesson In Entrepreneurship From Entrecard’s Graham Langdon
http://home-made-online-income.blogspot.com/2008/09/lesson-in-entrepreneurship-from.html
September 28th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
[...] a big BUZZ around the blogosphere about the possibility of it being sold but now we know that he no longer wants to sell and plans to continue developing it for [...]
September 28th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Hi Graham,
Im really glad you didnt give up, Im pretty new at Entrecard, I just joined in early August and I have already increase my Alexa ranking and I even finally have PR. Basically all thanks to your site.
You really scared me when I saw your site at Sitepoint. It seems all bidders gave you a really good therapy, lol.
Keep up with the excellent work Graham.
Bloggers Needs You.
September 28th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
@Doug Randall
It’s a geek thing. You wouldn’t understand.
Anybody got any cheese? Hehehe Snort, hehehe snort!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncw70Hw1ffs
September 29th, 2008 at 1:54 am
Glad to hear your progress about this EC. And you’ve made up your mind. You’re the one who knows exactly where to bring EC headed for. Go for it!
September 29th, 2008 at 3:56 am
Good luck, its your baby and you need to see it through.
September 29th, 2008 at 4:03 am
Good for you! Wish you all the best!
September 29th, 2008 at 5:13 am
Me Dear Friend Graham,
The Buddah said -
“The Man who walks the slowest path, experiences the most on his journey:..”
truer words were never said till my mom added her .02.
my mom said ” If you don’t have time to do it right, you certainly don’t have time to do it over”..
Take that advice Graham My Friend and don’t let anybody mess with YOUR DREAM.
Entrecard Is YOUR Baby, So make It Walk.
if we can help in anyway – remember We Are a Radio Station and We’d be glad to help – just say the word.
Laissez Le Bontemp Temps Roullier Mes Aime !
~RE
BadGalsRadio loves Entrecard.
September 29th, 2008 at 5:17 am
obtw, only for Entrecard Would We Move Our Whole Radio Station (after 10 years at this url) to a new separate URL so we can continue to get drops.
I Hope That proves YOU are More Important To Us.
Thanks for the Support Graham, we look forward to many, many years more with Entercard, and You.
~RE
September 29th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Good decision, well done.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:37 am
There is nothing like a bot of positivity.
It was so sad to see you ‘down’ the other day and now so good to see you back ‘up’ again. Don’t ever doubt it when people say they care what happens around here.
If you need something, shine the EC signal into the skies, you’ll be amazed how many people will come running…
.. and the funky costumes they’ll be wearing
September 29th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Wow, I’m very glad to hear it!!!
September 30th, 2008 at 3:53 am
“Tough times never last, but tough people do”
Glad to hear that u r not selling it.
September 30th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
[...] official spin on the sale from owner Graham Langdon is that there were plenty of buyers, but he decided at the [...]
October 1st, 2008 at 7:07 am
Thanks for not selling out.
October 3rd, 2008 at 12:33 am
now on to making this company some real money!