Name-changing entrepreneur Jason SadlerLaura Evans Photography
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Just call me Mr. Headsetsdotcom
Some startups turn to family and friends, others to banks, angel investors, even crowdfunding. Florida entrepreneur Jason Sadler has taken a different route to raise money for his startup, IWearYourShirt: He's auctioned off his last name.
Call him Mr. Headsetsdotcom. That's the name he'll be going by all of next year, after the enterprising entrepreneur sold his surname at auction to winning bidder, Headsets.com, a San Francisco-based online headsets retailer, for $45,500, recounts this piece on Huffington Post.
The entrepreneur decided to put his last name up for grabs to raise money for his business, IWearYourShirt, which is in the business of wearing sponsored T-shirts; he auctioned it off to companies online, promising to change his name to the winning bidder for all of 2013. He'll legally change his name for the year, starting on Jan. 1.
Twenty-five companies put in bids, according to this CNNMoney piece. The final choice came down to a battle between Headsets and PawnUp.com, according to CNNMoney.
"I'm not nervous, because Jason HeadsetsDotCom will be my new name in 2013, but not for the rest of my life," Mr. Sadler aka Mr. HeadsetsDotCom was quoted in the CNNMoney piece.
Wacky marketing fits right in with Headsets.com's style, said its chief executive officer Mike Faith in the CNNMoney piece.
For more background, check out this other CNNMoney piece and this UPI story. Here's more from Mr. Headsetsdotcom himself.
Cuba offers more support to small business
The Cuban government is planning more measures to help increase and foster small businesses, according to this AP report.
What will 2013 look like: Forecasts from top venture capitalists
Where will venture capitalists put their money next year? Inc. asked several; here are the trends they forecast, and where they'll be interested in investing. Some lessons to prep for 2013 to be had, no doubt.
EVENTS AND KEY DATES
Business planning and financing for young entrepreneurs
Business planning and financing information for young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39 will be on the agenda of a seminar being held Jan. 9 in Vancouver. It's a joint effort of Small Business BC, the Canadian Youth Business Foundation and Vancity. For more information, click here.
Franchise show: Montreal
The Franchise Show, a franchise-only exhibition, will be held in Montreal on Jan. 19 and Jan. 20. For more information, click here.
EDITOR'S PICKS FROM REPORT ON SMALL BUSINESS
Canadian road show puts Dubai business on the map
Rider Enterprises was approached by tea company Alokozay to launch its product in Canada in an innovative way. Rider was selected as the top presenter during a media pitch session held at The Globe and Mail's recent Small Business Summit in Toronto.
FROM THE ROSB ARCHIVES
West Bank draws Canadian entrepreneurs
Starting a business in a conflict zone comes with its own set of hurdles, but some startups see help in strengthening Palestinian private sector, and market opportunity, recounted this piece, published in September, 2011.
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