Being an entrepreneur is hard. Often times you need to do things you don’t want to do in order to do things you do want to do. Every day I meet more makers and artists that tell me they are working “another job” while trying to build up their handmade business to be full-time.
Starting a software company is no different. I started working on goimagine in December of 2019 and we launched the company in August 2020. I’ve been building goimagine (with a team of incredible volunteers and employees) for over two years with the goal of someday making it my paid job. Like many I started this company on my credit card and as of now I’ve never taken a penny from it.
This leads me to today where I’m currently working at a trade show for my other company that I started in 2011. Would I rather be working on goimagine? Yep, but my kids need to eat and I need to continue bringing in an income while growing the future we all dream about.
I look forward to the day I can get paid to be a full-time employee of goimagine. Of course, the term “full-time” even feels strange. If you work 70 hours a week across two jobs do you have 2 part-time jobs or 2 full-time jobs? I suppose I’m already full-time at goimagine since I’m working 40-50+ hours a week at it. I’m just just not getting paid yet. ?
I’m posting this not for sympathy, but encouragement to everyone out there in the same position. Being an entrepreneur means working long days without getting paid to reach the dream you envision for yourself. It can be a long and lonely road, but is easier when you are part of such a wonderful community cheering you on.
This isn’t my first rodeo. I’ve grown multiple businesses and it takes years of hard work launching a company before you reap any rewards from it. In this unique case, I’ve had many people over the past two years ask me why I would start a company that donates 100% profits to charity. They seem confused and think I’m crazy for working so hard at a business that when successful will only amount to me getting an employee’s salary. It’s true, this business model will never provide me a big monetary payoff in the future….but it will provide me something SO much better.
You can’t put a price on fulfillment. You can’t put a dollar amount on happiness. Given the choice I would much rather build a company that’s helping the world while paying me a responsible salary instead of becoming a millionaire growing a company that leaves my heart empty. It’s cliché, but I believe there’s more to life than money.
With that said, I have a promise to our community. I have a promise to YOU.
When I eventually get paid from goimagine I will let you know and I will tell you how much I’m making. The only way our community will grow is if our members have trust and faith in me. At this point every dollar we are bringing in from our makers is going towards building the platform further and marketing to attract more buyers & sellers. My plan is to collect a paycheck only when the time is right and when it isn’t at the sacrifice of our company growth and stability.
This mission is bigger than any of us and we ALL have the opportunity to do something great by working together. We are proving to the world that a marketplace can thrive by focusing on social good. We are showing Wall Street they aren’t the only ones that can build a successful marketplace because we know it’s the buyers and sellers that dictate which platform succeeds…not shareholders.
I can’t thank you all enough for believing in our vision and believing in me to get it done. We are all in this together.
I won’t disappoint you.
~ Jon
p.s. If you work at a school district my other company is OfficeScope and we can help you go paperless. Check us out: https://officescope.com/ ?
Jon Lincoln is the founder of goimagine, the handmade marketplace focused on helping children in need. Since launching in 2020 goimagine has attracted thousands of makers & artists throughout the United States supporting their mission to create a more caring economy through handmade.
I love the idea, I’m excited by the opportunity, and the transparency gives me a lot of confidence. ?
Thank you for the transparency Jon. I don’t know if you are the only person out there work so many hours and not getting paid but you probably are. What great inspiration you are. I’m a Newbie and I really needed to read this.
Thanks Jon for getting Go Imagine up and online. Your efforts are Much Appreciated.
Jimmie Bartlett
I’ve never meet a man who’s as hard working as you with a big heart. I love what goimagine stands for. And as you probably know a lot of the makers on it stand with you.
When I first heard about your project I knew instantly I wanted to be part of it. All of us who never worked on one like you are/have built are in awe. So much work on the Administration side had different tasks to deal with. The makers jumped in and we began our task. It’s difficult to believe it has been two years. I’ve learned so much and have asked very much more for myself. You made me believe in myself. Thank you Jon for having a dream, vision, a heart you wanted to share with others. Your dreams and the OTHERS will remember you forever. Job well done Sir!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your vision, persistence and creativity is sorely needed in this world and I’m so glad to have found goimagine and to be a part of something that speaks to my heart.
Keep it up Jon – the world needs more people who serve selflessly! Speaking of – are you all registered as a B Corp? I’m not an attorney but curious to know if they offer such for non profits. Sometimes you gotta break the mold to set the example.
Its so great to be a part of this movement and we appreciate all that you and your team do for us!
John, can’t thank you enough for your willingness to share your vision with us. In a world where the focus is on me and mine, goimagine is a unique gift.
You ROCK! ?
I appreciate all your hard work and transparency! I hope to continue my faith and trust in you and your mission. And hope you are successful in reaching your dreams and goals as well.
Love this SO MUCH. Thank you for everything you do!
We appreciate your transparency and Love your passion for goimagine. I’m so happy that I get to be a part of a fantastic platform with such an amazing mission to help children.
Your words speak to my heart. I continue to be impressed with your vision, transparency, and honesty. And I feel so fortunate to be a small part of it. ♥♥
Love love love reading this!! It shows that you are a true, real person that has a passion but also compassion for others and giving back. That is what is missing in the world today is more people that are not just out for themselves and greedy. Money will NOT bring you happiness…it will NOT solve all of your problems…it may help with the bills and such..but sometimes we just need to learn to live within our means. Thank you, Jon, for being who you are and for believing in goimagine! We will get there…with patience! Isn’t it said that patience is a virtue? Let’s all remember that!
Thank you ?!
Thank you for the transparency Jon. As soon as I read GoImagine’s mission I knew it was something to align myself and my business with. All good things take time and I’m happy to be a teeny tiny part of it as it grows!