A quick update on how things are going:

The mystery project I alluded to in this post is in full swing, which means I am working with Jonathon Kirkpatrick from the AUT Business Innovation Center on an idea for a business, researching the possible markets, barriers, applications, specific need and general feasibility of the idea. It is a great learning experience, and I am meeting and talking to some very smart, inspiring individuals in the process. At the moment I am working on nailing down the exact problem that this business is going to be able to fix.

Onto other things, I am also working on a small start-up business with Dave Trotter of Studio Q. This project is unleashing my creative side, and is such a fun thing to be involved with. I can’t wait until we can share it all with you. Currently Dave is working on getting the back end of the site set up, while I’m working on the business plan and branding. Think Carebears…

Lastly, regarding disco underworld. I have put this project on the back burner, mostly because of the two above distractions and because I am studying my MBA full-time. The other reason is that, as fun as it was, disco was more of a passion project or a hobby, something that takes time and money and doesn’t give anything back. I didn’t sell all the issues of the Gold Edition (if anyone still wants one email me stacey{@}online-insight.co.nz) and ran at a loss. But I learned so much in the process, gained new skills and new friends, that I don’t really mind. Thanks to all of you who supported me!

So that’s it a bit of an update on what I’ve been doing. I have also been writing a fair bit for businesses around Auckland, from blog posts to business plans, all in all have been busy enough to keep out of trouble!

Background: I had one of those lightening bolt ideas while visiting a website about three weeks ago. The site is very popular and has a great web presence, but I wondered why we didn’t do the same thing in a New Zealand context. Which led me to mentioning the idea that wouldn’t go away, to a trusted supplier who then put me in touch with a guy who she thought could help.

Long story short: yes he thought it was a great idea, and with our combined powers it would be easy enough to get off the ground. Which we have began to do. Already we have a name and branding concept, and he is working on the website while I am creating the marketing mix, business strategy and exploring the branding further. I should be able to share the site with you within six months.

Then he mentioned this other HUGE and brilliant idea he had, which he could never get off the ground because he lacked visibility and networks with investors (which are needed because this is a very big idea, think around 1/2 million site development). Which is where I come in. I have access to the AUT Innovation Centre through my MBA programme.

We pitched yesterday, have been accepted and are entering pre-incubation at the start of January. Which means that as part of my study I will do 360 degree research on all aspects of the idea, checking feasibility and the revenue model. If we come through this process with positive results, we have the credibility of having made it through pre-incubation, and have AUT as an associate brand with which to approach potential investors to begin the next stage of developing the actual business.

So 2010 is going to be awesome. This is the kind of stuff I live for and love getting my teeth sunk into.

2010 will still see Online INsight operating, helping businesses with online/offline communications projects and publishing disco underworld and the Gold Edition. My new business partner also has his own business which will continue to operate separately too, but we will create a new partnership company which will specialise in creating really great web businesses. Two of which I have outlined above.

This is all pretty exciting stuff! I will keep you all updated as I progress. For sure there will be one new venture launched by mid-2010, and fingers crossed we might get the go ahead for a 2nd, but that will probably not exist for another year if it actually makes it out of pre-incubation.

* AUT MBA Programme

** AUT = The Auckland University of Technology

*** The AUT Business Innovation Centre

“It’s Tight” Elliot Alexander

“I was reading my copy in the lounge last night, had to leave it to go out. This morning, my dad’s adopted it!” Anthea Whittle

“Received the most beautiful and interesting arts magazine! Is gorgeous and such quality gloss print paper!” Amie McCarron

“Love the Gold Edition, very nice!” Amanda Gray

“Loving the mook. Tres chic, tres impressive, tres sophisticated. Niiiiiiicce.” Michael Riordan

You can still buy issues by clicking here.

Check out the reviews on amazon.com.

Well yesterday the canvas showed up with a magnificent painting on it. I am showing you now, because once I changed the file in photoshop to CYMK, it looked crap, so I am not going to be able to use it as the cover, but I still want people to see the hard work Emma put in and how talented she is:

She isn’t on the web yet, but I am fixing her up a blog once she sends me some photos, you’ll be able to see more of her work. She is a chalk board artist and also does fantastic paintings. She wants to get in to babies portraits too, (she has two daughters, my fairy god-daughters.)

She also did this painting, which hangs above my computer:

And I have chucked this one in too (sorry it is on the wrong angle) but it is of my work space, and that drawing in the middle is one of my most prized, it was done by one of my four year olds I taught in Korea, and is a picture of Harry Potter. I heart this drawing!

disco underworld #12 height=”500″ width=”100%” > value=”http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=20577967&access_key=key-28jy4dsslbticp38u70b&page=1&version=1&viewMode=”>