Special thanks to Josh Hoffman for coming onto our 0-100 Series show. Josh Hoffman is the CEO of an up and coming startup in Philly call Game Plan. Game Plan aims to solve the issue of booking at a restaurant for a large group. Game Plan lets you and your entire group plan out an entire evening or event together and making sure you don’t forget that one poor vegan friend (everyone forgets that one vegan friend…). The App is currently only available in Philadelphia and will be expanding soon. You can download the App for iOS here.
Below is a text transcript of the video interview in case you’re at work watching this and can’t afford your boss finding out.
What made you took the leap into entrepreneurship?
Josh Hoffman: I always say it was the start of sophomore year of college when I think you just kind of become your own person. I kind of identified the quickest way to be successful was being an entrepreneur and starting your own company and not doing the whole step-up-to-that-point. I would say the other thing is also just…learning to completely trust yourself as opposed to trusting others. Whether personal stories or not personal stories. You learn about people losing their jobs or whatever the reason is. Or just not liking your boss or whatever. And there’s one way around that and that’s being your own boss.
What were the biggest initial hurdles when building your business and how did you overcome them?
Josh Hoffman: The first thing I thought of is definitely finding a co-founder or finding a team that is internally motivated. I would say it’s finding the right team. In hindsight I wish I had started coding and I spent so many years looking for a coder and if I actually spent time learning how to code that would’ve moved the product forward. I’d say that was the biggest difficulty. It’s getting people to join on your dream.
What do you look for in a business partner?
Josh Hoffman: The number one thing I definitely look for in a co-founder is just diversity in thought so they don’t think like me. Which causes argument…usually.
What is the biggest mistake you’ve made as an entrepreneur?
Josh Hoffman: The biggest mistake I think we’ve gone through is not pushing the product out fast enough, at any capacity, or at any rate. The second we pushed the product out and we did this launch thing…it took us 2 weeks to realize we didn’t have enough tangible value in the product.
What do you do to recharge when you’re feeling drained?
Josh Hoffman: When I’m drained? (Josh laughs hysterically) Well it’s not illegal anymore in most states. (Continues laughing) Music. Honestly just closing your eyes and appreciating where you are. Inside you can be hurting a lot and I understand that’s like…that’s very hard. My grandparents were in the holocaust and they were at my age living under floorboards. And they didn’t have a Bar Mitzvah because they were literally hiding from Nazis. Putting perspectives in your situation and realizing although it can be very bad…and it probably is. There are a lot of situations that are worse.
What advice would you give fellow entrepreneurs just starting out?
Josh Hoffman: Surround yourself with positive people. Network like no other. When you’re younger almost everyone will say yes to giving you advice, getting coffee, or whatever. So take it every time, every single time. It’s crazy for you to get this really important person right in front of you and you have the ability and correct time to get their number or email. And do something with them and follow up. But maybe that’s just my sales training that got me to do that but not enough people do that.
Special thanks to Josh Hoffman from Game Plan for being featured on 0-100 series. To see what he’s up to visit http://getgameplan.com.
