If you’re familiar with CityMax.com, you already know we’ve got entrepreneur fever. Our website builder is the heart of thousands of successful businesses (just take a look at our amazing Homepreneur finalists), and we’ve been around for over 10 years. But so what, you might ask?

Well, two weeks ago we decided to put our money where our collective mouth is. We decided to start an online venture.

Why?  To show that anyone can do it, and hopefully learn a few things along the way.

Every CityMax.com team member will help run our new small business. Each week, the entire company (all 34 of us) will meet as a board and vote to determine our next course of action – from our operational name, to the look of our website, to marketing. And you’ll get to follow along right here!

Week 1: We drafted and approved our company bylaws. Boring but essential, and very democratic.

Last week: We began talking about what kind of business we should start. To figure out the “right product”, the team started floating ideas against a boatload of questions that any new business owner should ask:

• Is it easily shipped? (The best products are those that can be packaged or shipped affordably and safely)
• Is it scalable? How are you going to manage increased shipping/sales if you go from 1 sale daily to 400?
• Does it encourage repeat customers?
• Do you have a secure product supply? A long-term relationship with key suppliers?
• Can product delivery/production be outsourced?
• Is it easy to access/local?
• Does it have high margins per item (actual dollars, not percentage)? What is the likelihood of making money on every sale, factoring order size, shipping costs, etc.
• Is the product line brandable?
• Are people searching for what you are selling?
• Do you believe in what you are selling?

Now that we’ve got a few guiding factors to help us decide our business model, it’s time to brainstorm and see what we come up with. Next week – we choose our product and begin competitive market research. Stay tuned!

At this time of year, the nights are colder and most of us get a chance to spend time inside with family and friends, celebrating the joy of the season.

It only takes a quick look at Vancouver’s Downtown East Side to see that there are a lot of people that aren’t quite as lucky – it’s a strong reminder that we have a lot to be thankful for!

For the second year in a row, we partnered up with a local group to assemble and hand out bags of supplies to those in our community. Each bag held simple things, like snacks, a winter hat, socks, and gloves and although it’s not a lot, we hope that we helped make the night a little bit warmer.

Here are a few pics from the event, courtesy of Frank Lee.

Tom Selleck had one, Groucho Marx had one, and Mario & Luigi had a pair. Not sure what we’re talking about? The ever-manly Mustache!

Across the world, this month is making a transition – from November to Movember! People everywhere are growing mustaches and rounding up donations for prostate cancer research and a special fuzzy bunch from the CityMax.com team are joining the revolution.

Want to get in on the action or make a donation? Go to http://www.movember.com and search “CityMax.com”!

At CityMax.com, we love to stay active and healthy. We also love hockey, so when our employees suggested a lunchtime street hockey game, it was a no-brainer…

We split up into two teams and played 4-on-4 over lunchtime - only pausing for cars just like when we were kids. Dozens of passerbys stopped to watch, our friends from the GastownBlog joined in, and there was even a goal judging crew and a siren!

Now we’re issuing an open challenge to any tech company (Vancouver or elsewhere) to stop by and take us on. Are you up for it? Email Patrick@CityMax.com to set up a game - bring your team and take your best (slap)shot!