230 years ago yesterday, two balloonists—frenchman Jean-Pierre Blanchard and American John Jefferies—took off in a hot-air balloon from Dover England in an attempt to be the first to fly across the English Channel.
Blanchard wasn’t exactly what most people would consider an expert. His first flight in a balloon was just nine months earlier. And the first successful manned balloon flight by anyone was only three months before that. Blanchard had successfully flown in a balloon just four times before the attempt to cross the English Channel.
The two balloonists had planned for a long flight and had stocked the balloon with plenty of unnecessary supplies, adding significant weight to the balloon. Stuff like anchors, a hand-operated propeller that didn’t work, several casks of brandy, and silk covered oars that the duo planned to use to row themselves through the air toward France.
As the journey progressed, the balloon never rose to a safe cruising altitude. Blanchard and Jefferies were forced to throw everything possible overboard in a desperate attempt to lighten the balloon. The pair was so desperate that they even threw most of their clothing overboard.
Before the trip began, there were doubts that the balloon would carry both of the men and their supplies across the channel, so Jefferies, who financed the trip, had to promise that he would jump overboard in necessary.
Fortunately for him, it didn’t come to that. The balloon landed safely in France, just outside of Calais (which made the pair honorary citizens, despite the fact they landed dressed only in their underwear).
What does all of that have to do with starting your new business?
You don’t need to be an expert at something to give it a go. Blanchard had ascended in a ballon just four times before attempting to cross the channel. Chances are you already know more about the business you want to start than Blanchard knew about flying a balloon.
The important thing isn’t experience, it’s willingness to try something new. Just start.
Also note, that when things didn’t go as planned, Blanchard and Jefferies had to make quick adjustments, throwing everything that wasn’t critical to surviving overboard.
You’ll do the same thing as you start your new business—improvising to get enough altitude to get to your destination—even if it means throwing your pants into the sea. You just do whatever it takes.
Whatever it is that you want to do—from opening a food truck to building an online software product, it’s time to get in and take off.
Start your new business. There’s no better time than now.
(And if you need a logo to help brand your new venture, you know where to go.)
Photo Credit: Heartlover1717.
