the birth of a business idea... transcript of actual online conversation... Esther: wow, just from detroit to here? Cheryl: yah. through random cities like... chicago! denver! phoenix! tennessee! Cheryl: doh! Cheryl: tennessee's not a city. Esther: HAHA Esther: what the... Esther: take a trip around the U.S. yay! Esther: haha, on one plane ticket Cheryl: now? Cheryl: hahahaha Cheryl: you mean,you never get off? Cheryl: you just go around? Esther: yeah Cheryl: and eat lots of peanuts? Esther: hehe Esther: yes Esther: what a vacation! Cheryl: dude, that's a weird deal. Esther: can u imagine it? Esther: u could advertise it as Cheryl: you get to visit AIRPORTS AROUND THE WORLD!!! Esther: yes, AND Esther: you get an aerial view of all these major cities Esther: AERIAL Cheryl: HAHAHAA Cheryl: oooooh, aaaaaah. Cheryl: can you give me the link? Esther: haha sorry it's just a figment of my imagination right now Cheryl: booooo Esther: what an idea though!

Esther: let's start a company cheryl! Cheryl: you should be on those internet pop-up ad agencies! Cheryl: haha, yes, let's! Cheryl: we'll call it something cool, like... Cheryl: errrr..... Cheryl: When Pigs Fly (dot com) Cheryl: ! Esther: wow Cheryl: or Around the world in 80 hours! (dot com) Esther: r u calling our customers pigs? Cheryl: hahaha okay, how about this: Esther: ah yes, the second one has a ring to it Cheryl: When the Fat Lady Sings! (dot com)... okay it has nothing to do with the company... Cheryl: but i like the sound of it Esther: niiice Cheryl: oooh! Cheryl: we could even save on fuel, by taking the plane up to the north pole! Cheryl: and circling the world up there! Esther: wow, that's actually NOT a bad idea! Esther: ah, who's gonna give us the $$ though to start this?

Cheryl: hm. we'll need someone...
Cheryl: someone in consulting...
Esther: hmmm....
Esther: like?
Esther: how about someone in lsat prep teaching?
Esther: ;-)
Cheryl: i can't imagine who that'd be!
Cheryl: we'll just have to write up a proposal:
Esther: haha
Cheryl: dear liza (for example =),
Cheryl: we would like to inform you that we will soon be using your lsat salary to start an exciting but highly unprofitable company!
Cheryl: Yours, esther and cheryl
Esther: mebbe we should start a little bit more suspensefully
Esther: like "do we have a business plan for you!"
Esther: yes we do!
Cheryl: hahaha
Esther: will you please give us money?
Cheryl: it rhymes!
Cheryl: to fund our componey?
Cheryl: (to rhyme with money)
Esther: hahahaha
Esther: omg, could u imagine her face if she read this?
Cheryl: "esther and cheryl are being weird. Again."
Cheryl: "what kind of skit is THIS??"
Esther: hahaha
Cheryl: i tell you, we're hot. this idea's hot. gotta use it before someone else does.
Esther: yes. better keep this on the down low.

 

my reply... Date: Thu, 8 Aug 2002 12:52:55 -0400 (EDT) From: Liza Ching (ms_president@liza.inc.com) To: Esther Yoo (esther@wombat.com), Cheryl Kim (cheryl@emu.net) Subject: We regret to inform you... Dear Ms. Yoo and Ms. Kim, We regret to inform you that after careful consideration of your extensive proposal for your exciting but highly unprofitable business venture (When Pigs Fly (dot.com)), the board of directors of Liza, Inc. has come to the decision that it cannot fund your ambitious (albeit ridiculous) project. The board feels altogether that though there are marketable ideas within the business plan, the project taken in its entirety has too many uncertainties (e.g. Would customers appreciate being called pigs? Who would run the financial side of the business? The pre-med or the aspiring fiction writer/social studies concentrator?) to warrant funding at this time. The board thanks you for bringing this creative business idea to our attention and wishes you luck in all your future endeavors. Cordially, The Board of Directors, Liza, Inc.

me demonstrating the infeasibility of calling the company "When Pigs Fly (dot.com)"...

esther's reply...

Date: Thu, 8 Aug 2002 13:15:56 -0400
From: Esther Yoo (esther@wombat.com)
To: Liza Ching (ms_president@liza.inc.com)
Cc: Cheryl Kim (cheryl@emu.net)
Subject: Re: We regret to inform you...

Dear Board of Directors of Liza, Inc.,

Thank you for accepting our proposal per the letter we received (below). We look forward to a fruitful and lasting business relationship with your venture capital company.

xoxo,

Esther Yoo and Cheryl Kim

Quoting Liza K Ching: Dear Ms. Yoo and Ms. Kim, We are besides ourselves with joy  to inform you that after careful consideration of your extensive proposal for your exciting and highly profitable  business venture (When Pigs Fly (dot.com)), the board of directors of Liza, Inc. has come to the given  decision that it can and will  fund your ambitious (and brilliant)  project. The board feels altogether that though this company is entirely unworthy to support  this business plan, the project taken in its entirety has too many good points  (e.g. Who wouldn't  appreciate being called a pig? Who would be the brains  of the business? The Harvard graduate  or the Harvard undergrad? ) to not take up all  our funding at this time. The board thanks you (on its knees)  for bringing this creative business idea to our attention and wishes you will let us in  on all your future endeavors. Cordially, The Board of Directors, Liza, Inc.

cheryl and esther doctoring my rejection letter...