Archive for December, 2008

Published by cdhufsey on 30 Dec 2008

Where Do I Begin?

One question that often gets posed by entrepreneurs is “where do I begin?” This makes perfect sense as there are literally hundreds of things to do when starting a business – market research, buy inventory, rent office / store space, contact potential customers, draft legal documents, raise capital, craft a marketing plan, and on and on and on. With so much to do, which activity should an entrepreneur focus on first to build their business?

I think this is a very subjective question and will vary depending on the type of business; however, I would love to hear general thoughts from the group on this topic.

Published by TravisC on 24 Dec 2008

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Not to keep with my Warren Buffett theme, but rather in the spirit of the holiday season, I whipped up a little poem expressing my views on the capital markets, which is pertinent to any entrepreneur…enjoy and Merry Christmas!

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‘Twas the Night Before Christmas- An Investors Rendition

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the land

Not a banker was lending, not even “Gold-Man”

Foreclosures were hung by the courthouse with care

In hopes that Hank Paulson soon would be there.

 

The Bankers were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of bonuses danced in their heads.

And Chad [Hufsey] in his office and me in my room,

Had just settled an argument about the depth of the gloom…

 

When out on Wall Street there arose such a clatter

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter

Away to the computer I flew like a flash!

Started up the ticker, and threw up some cash…

 

The i-banks on the brink of another bad blow

Sell all your stocks and look out below!

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear?

Green on the screen as the Fed interfered

 

With the same old chairman, so ready to lend

I knew in moment it must Big Ben

More dovish than Greenspan, his governors they came

And he printed and lended and called them by name!

 

“Now Lockhardt! now, Lacker! now, Evans and Plosser!

On, Geithner! On, Fisher! On Yellen and Krosner!

To the Treasury! To the Mile High Mint!

Now print away! Print away! C’mon now print!”

 

As credit spreads that before defaults do fly

When they meet with an obstacle, they drop green from the sky

So up to the Capitol the governors they flew,

With a chopper full of money, and Rick Wagoner, too.

 

And then, in an e-mail I read from a friend

Capitalism was dead, and this was the end

As I sold my last stock and started to cry

On the TV came Buffett and he said “Time to buy.”

 

He was bullish on stocks, from Nike to CVX

And his portfolio was tarnished with options and CDS

A bundle of buyouts he had flung on his back

And he looked like a genius, just following his knack

 

His stocks how they fell! His returns how scary…

Yet his cash- how it swelled! And His letters so merry…

He was chubby and cheerful, a right jolly investor

And I smiled when I saw him, despite my dreadful semester

 

A twinkle in his eye and the use of his cash

Soon gave me the know that stocks wouldn’t crash

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work

Shoring up balance sheets, and buying preferreds

 

And laying his finger aside of his nose

And giving a nod, UP & UP Berkshire rose!

 

He sprang to his NetJet, to his pilot gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, as he drove into the sky,

“Happy Trading to all, and to all a good buy!”