startup – Christa Avampato

Exactly two months ago, I decided to try to make ACanofCoke.com, my online college- and career-readiness service, a reality. This week I scheduled meetings with 3 NYC public high school principals to talk about doing a pilot with their students this summer and fall. It took emailing 398 principals to get this response. Hey if it’s a numbers game, then I’m ready to play.

The mission of this idea matters so much to me that I’m not bothered by the rejection. I could look at this as ~1% of the schools I emailed are interested or I could see it as ~99% aren’t. I’m going with the former.

Rejection is a part of business, art, and life. We will be rejected far more often than we are accepted – at least that’s been my experience and the experience of just about everyone I know. It’s not the amount of failure we endure, but the persistence and passion that matter most. As Babe Ruth once said, “It’s tough to beat someone who never gives up.” Keep going.

creativity

Wonder: Find which of your ideas are worth it with the Business Model Canvas

October 25, 2016October 24, 2016 Christa Avampato

Once you start a business, I think it’s very likely that no matter how well (or poorly) it goes, you’re likely to try to build a second a business and maybe a third and fourth. I have notebooks full of ideas. Most of them are terrible, but there are a few that could be diamonds in the rough. They need loads of shaping and polishing. The trick is to quickly and efficiently figure out which ones merit the time, effort, and attention. And I have a little tool that I love that helps me see which ideas have a shot at success and which ones have more holes than Swiss cheese – Alex Osterwalder’s Business Model Canvas.

In one simple page, Alex’s canvas shows the 9 main elements of what it takes to build just about anything that is economically viable and there are many ways it can be used including building a business or a product of any variety.

If you’re wondering how best to test any idea you have, I highly recommend taking a look at the following links:

http://strategyzr.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/resources/business-model-report-2015.pdf
https://strategyzer.com/canvas

creativity

This just in: Planet3 launched with $10 million investment

September 10, 2015September 9, 2015 Christa Avampato

I’m so thrilled to announce that my ed tech startup has launched a new name, branding, and website: exploreplanet3.com.

Planet3 is an exploration-based learning company. We present the entire Earth as a living laboratory through an immersive game-based environment. We’re crafting a digital platform with a compelling game-based narrative that utilizes real-world data and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to deliver better learning outcomes. Our curriculum, woven through immersive 3D experiences, will inspire teachers and students to understand the intricate connections between Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) subjects and our changing planet.

Click here to check out our press release and all the details. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Here’s to adventure!