Musician Turned Entrepreneur
The Road to Entrepreneurship for Amos Winbush III
Amos Winbush III was pursuing his musical interests in New York and then decided to switch gears and start a business. He offers some great advice for other would-be entrepreneurs who are thinking about starting a company.
This talented entrepreneur is also a talented musician.
But he decided to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams after he realized that he could solve a big problem that is experienced by many people who own cell phones.
Amos, tell us about what you were doing before you decided to start a business?
I was working in the music business and decided to place the singing and writing on hold and pursue entrepreneurship.
I had been live in NYC for five years, going strong with recording and writing and I gave that up to start a company in June 2008
The reason for me deciding to step away from the music for a period of time was that I wasn't being challenged. It became really boring. I wasn't excited about it anymore.
So what does your new company do?
I have a mobile technology firm called CyberSynchs.com. We are a universal mobile synching company. We allow the users the ability to synch their mobile content to the web without using a USB chord.
The user signs up for an account and downloads an application to the mobile device and the phone's content (address book, email, text, voicemail, etc) is sent over the air to your secure account. This allows the user to manage their mobile device from the web.
Sounds like a great offering. So, why did you decide to become an entrepreneur instead of simply looking for another job?
I didn't want to work for anyone else. I knew that I had a solution to a major issue because there are millions of people who lose their mobile devices and I knew if I didn't start a company that was focused on fixing the issue, someone else would.
Did you buy CyberSynchs.com or start it from scratch?
I started it scratch. I am a person that values innovation and have always had a business mind and it was time to make it happen. My motto is: Just do it.
Which do you think is the best approach for new entrepreneurs, starting a company from scratch or buying a business?
I would say start your own company. But what is best for me may not be best for others. So, I would say follow your dreams and don't take no for an answer.
How did you come up with the business idea for CyberSynchs.com?
My mobile device crashed and the wireless carrier could not help me, so I decided to start a company that could help people in my situation.
Owning a business is very different from more traditional ways of making a living. What are some of the biggest differences you've noticed?
I seem to work harder and longer hours because it's my baby. I am more involved in the day to day and I always have time to make business deals, whereas before I really was not totally engaged.
What advice would you give to somebody who is leaving a job and has decided to go out on their own?
GREAT MOVE. The best advice I could give them would be: "There are things you cannot change, but how you operate your company is not one of them." Make your own choices and listen to that small voice inside. Remember, it does not have to be perfect -- just do it and get it on the market. Don't waste time.
Smart advice. Anything else you'd care to share with us regarding the transition to starting a business?
I love my company and the challenges life has given me since starting my own firm.
One final piece of advice would be to hire people who can handle the job and whom you can see yourself working with for years to come.
That's a great tip. Listen, Amos, thanks for sharing your story with us. Sounds like you should do very well with that business concept. It solves a big problem for a lot of folks.
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