When we started Bawte, all I dreamt about was landing that first huge whopper of a customer.  I remember landing our first customer with my last business quite vividly. It was Estwing Hammer. They called up and left our sales person a message saying they would like 1 of what we were selling. At that point we were elated and scared.  Elated because that is what you dream of. Scared because, now what do you do?

I came across something the other day which is wicked unique and damn near genius.  Oh and it is good news for startups.  I came across a site called Mobile Futures (www.mobilefutures.com).  Before I go deep into what Mobile Futures is, let me tell you about a pain I have.  On a daily basis, I try to convince very large brands to work with us.  Most every brand that has given me an opportunity to speak is impressed and loves the idea.  That being said, getting to that point is laborious.  Finding the right person and getting them to spend time on a startup...very tough to do.  When I do get to the right person, moving from "Awesome idea!" to "Let's implement." is another struggle.

As many of you know who have used Bawte, it is pretty interesting to see all the different things people buy and tag.  We have had people tag every thing from gum to Google TV's and everything in between.  To say it has been pretty cool would be considered an understatement.  In an effort to further engage and promote the use of Bawte, we are releasing our badges to the public.  Now, we are not going to tell you all the badges and the criteria to get them, but we will let you in on our inaugural badge...the Thirst Quencher by Kum & Go.

This part 1 of a fictional series that goes over life moments and how Bawte plays a part.

For those of us who went to college we remember that time, that feeling of graduating and leaving the protected confines of school for 'the real world'.  Uncertainty, excitement, a nervous energy of things to come.  On one hand you are leaving a very comfortable place that, up to that point, has comprised almost 20% of your life (some of us longer ).  But on the other hand you are making your way in the real world.  Gone are the milk crate couches, old TV's and cheap (often much too dirty) cookware.  What's next is a time of building.