episode 0034- who needs college? with enough experience, entrepreneurship is a snap! with ohsnap founder dale backus

Ideas are a dime a dozen. Execution is another story. When most people get an idea, the first thoughts are typically: "I have no idea where to start." "I don't know how to do that." "I don't have the right background for that." We become paralyzed by our own thoughts. When Dale Backus gets an idea, his thinking is more along the lines of: "I can probably figure that out." That's exactly how Ohsnap came to be.

In this episode of the Witness Business Podcast, we dive into Dale’s inspiring journey with Ohsnap. With no college degree and no tech background, he successfully designed projectors and monitors, ultimately exiting that venture. Recognizing a gap in the market for innovative phone grips, he pivoted and created a sleek, game-changing product.

Join us as we explore Dale's mindset, the obstacles he faced along the way, and whether he thinks college is necessary for aspiring entrepreneurs. Tune in for a conversation that will inspire you to take action and embrace your own ideas!

Show Highlights:
1- We discuss Dale’s background, and how it led to Ohsnap, including his first entrepreneurial venture that was acquired in 2014. (8:50)
2- Dale gives insights on selling a company. (12:00)
3- We discuss what transpired after the sale, including other business ventures, and how Dale got the idea for Ohsnap. (17:40)
4- How did you build your prototypes for such complex products? (22:25)
5- Once you have a prototype, what’s next? (27:00)
6- Dale recalls a costly mistake they had to overcome early in the life of Ohsnap. (33:05)
7- We discuss all things marketing and advertising to get eyeballs on your product. (36:25)
8- What are the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome in the early stages of a business? (45:25)
9- Dale emphasizes the importance of brand identity and product quality. (53:50)
10- Where can we learn more about you and Ohsnap? (56:15)
11- Listener question: Having not gone to college yourself, would you recommend college to others? (57:35)

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