WIP the Runway at NBA All-Star Weekend

WIP the Runway crossed the paths of a few more prominent entertainment influencers this weekend during NBA All-Star Weekend in Houston, Texas.  One of WIP the Runway’s core designers, Active Faith Clothing, solicited the services of WIP the Runway to plan, cast, choreography, and execute a fashion showcase (featuring the Active Faith brand) at the NBA All-Star Inspirational Celebrity Basketball Game hosted by Windsor Village United Methodist Church.  The celebrity roster was incredible and filled with the likes of Allan Houston, Ray Bady, and James Fortune.

WIP the Runway touched down in Houston at 9AM the day of the celebrity basketball game fashion showcase.  The team had less than 10 hours to cast, choreography, and execute the showcase.  The open casting call began at 12 noon.  Seven models were selected, and choreography with these models began at 3PM.  A garment fitting followed, and the process for rock-star hair and make-up began at 4PM.  Already, the day was jam-packed.  The celebrity basketball game began a few hours later, and the models executed the showcase with their A-game.  The presentation was done with poise and WIP-like attitude.

WIP the Runway’s path eventually led to the world renowned Lakewood Church pastored by Joel Osteen.  The WIP team was invited as Allan Houston’s guests where he talked about family and fatherhood.  Miami Heat’s Dwayne Wade helped lead the panel discussion hosted by CNN’s Soledad O’Brien.  Allan Houston’s foundation, the Allan Houston Legacy Foundation, advocates about the importance of fatherhood.

To top off the weekend, WIP the Runway was given special access to Active Faith’s Faith and Family Event at Second Baptist Church pastored by Dr. Ed Young.  This event presented a panel discussion with NBA and NFL players where they candidly talked about Christ and their lives in sports entertainment.  Grammy winner, Lecrae, gave a 45 minute concert following the panel discussion.

Certainly, it was an honor to be in the company of a top-notch roster of influence, but the most pleasurable thing was the confidence that WIP’s name had been bounced around that entire weekend.  WIP the Runway’s mission is clear: share the Gospel of Jess Christ with every living creature on the face of this Earth.  Connecting with these influencers this weekend just increased the opportunity of completing the mission.

What Happens After Reading An Expert's View on Business Plans

New business; it all starts with an idea.  Theoretically, the idea is tested—on paper.  This paper experiment is better known as a business plan.  A business plan should be inclusive of the warm and fuzzy industry, marketing, and money-making opportunity details.

We’ve been taught that new business ideas cannot grow without a formally written business plan.  Steve Blank, a business plan connoisseur, has drawn some much needed attention to the functionality of a business plan.  After I read Blank’s article titled, No One Wins in Business Plan Competitions, the business plan game changed for me.  Instead of creating a glorified new-idea-for-the-industry how-to pamphlet, I will approach a business script like Steve Blank does.  Steve writes business models.  Not new business initiative story books.

Blank taught me that business models speak to the needs of the customer—not the market.  So, with my new approach to a business plan, I will first consider the real audience: the customer.  Although investors may be the reviewing audience of the formal plan, they are not who the product was created for.  There is a chance that investors will better appreciate a business plan written and illustrated for the consuming audience.  

The most important part of a business model is the bottom line; the way the product will make money.  USA Today supports this perspective in an article that explains the simplicity of the money-making concept.  An investor’s final decision to advance money is based on the believability of the product and the reality that the product will make money and sustain profit and growth.  Investors do not approach new business plans (or models) with a charitable attitude.  Eventually, the investor is going to want their money back.  It is essential that the business plan clearly details how the investment will be repaid.  

So, here are some immediate changes that I’ve considered: (1) illustrate the business model with the consumer in mind.  Don’t submit a storybook; submit a plan that answers the big money question.  (2) Make the needs of the customer crystal clear.   

Understanding the perspectives of business plan gurus and incorporating some of their approaches will identify my business plan as something new and different.  Differentiating my product form the rest will give me a competitive advantage.  Investors like competitive advantages.