Update: Check out some articles about me…

• Sept 30: YowTRIP won’t have you travelling alone - Sun Startup Essentials
• Sept 9: Felipe Coimbra: From I-stats to the Montreal NewTech Meetup - Intruders.tv
• Aug 18: An example of real entrepreneurship: Felipe Coimbra - Luca Filigheddu

Hello friends (and random visitors)

I have decided to quit my job here in the States to try to start different website businesses for one year. On September 1st, 2008, I start the “1-year/no job project.” I designed, developed, market, and launched YowTRIP in four months working part-time last year, so how many of those can I make in one year (full time)? We’ll have to see…

Why am I doing this?

It’s hard to explain why, but I’ll try. I have always enjoyed running my own business and working on my own schedule. It’s much more exciting (yes, riskier too) and there are much more perspective of growth than in any other regular job.

There was only one brief moment in my life that I wanted to work for one of the big software companies… (I don’t know what I was thinking.)

I have been delaying this for a while, but I think I’m ready now!

Where am I going?

On September 1st, 2008, I moving to La belle ville de Montréal.

Yes, Montreal IS my favorite city in the world, but if I could choose, I’d probably go to San Francisco. Despite what some people say, I still  think the Bay Area is the best place to be for tech startups, because of the number of early adopters and networking events (that’s not to say that there aren’t plenty of opportunities in other centers in the world - it’s just easier in the Bay Area.)

But I can’t. In order to stay in the United States, I HAVE to have a job at all times or wait 2-3 years for a company to file for permanent residency on my behalf. I’m not willing to wait and I don’t like to depend on other people to do things for me, especially when I have no plans to keep working for them after I get permanent residency… so it’s hard for me to even pursue it.

So, instead, I filed for Canadian immigration last year and now I have Canadian permanent residency. So, that’s where I’m going!

I have lived in Quebec for a few months a couple of years ago, I loved Montreal, I liked the people… and yes, I do like the cold weather. I can’t wait for my first -30 degrees winter!

Update (1/24/09): The cold weather is still not bothering me. I actually like it!

So, I found a cozy studio apartment at Le Montfort Apartments (1975 Boulevard de Maisonneuve Ouest)… So that’s going to be my new home sweet home!

How much money do I have?

Not enough But I’m doing it anyway. I didn’t do a very good job planning for this financially (some things were beyond my control, including Aubie’s $3.5K vet bill - but let’s not get into that).

I have about $25K dollars in cash. I have sold all my furniture, my car and I’m getting rid of the extra things I don’t need. All I’m taking with me are: winter clothes, computers, air mattress… oh, and Aubie!

What am I going to be doing?

A lot of things! Since the money might not last very long, I had to get started as soon as possible.

(1) I have started the Montreal NewTech Meetup group and have been in contact with other Montreal tech event organisers, bloggers, entrepreneurs and investors. I feel like I already know a lot of people without even being there yet. Very exciting!

Update (1/24/09): The Montreal tech community was very welcoming and I’m pleased to be a part of it now!

(2) I’m currently working on 63squares, a communications and marketing company for startups and small businesses. The goal is to be able to start generating revenue to fund other YowTRIP-like projects, so when my initial money is gone I won’t need to look for a job (ever again!)

Update (1/24/09): Change of plans. 63squares is on hold for now. I’ve been working on YowTRIP and twtapps primarily.

(3) I’m going to launch a basic travel site, where I’ll display Google ads. If I can make its Google Page rank as good as YowTRIP’s, it should start generating some extra ad revenue soon. YowTRIP will remain advertisement free (but it does have solid relevant revenue model - secret for now.)

(4) Finally, I’m going to focus on getting YowTRIP to the next level. On September 1st (the day I’m moving to Montreal), YowTRIP will turn one. During this first year, we have accomplished a lot: four demos in some of the major startup events in California and Colorado; several blog reviews/mentions including TechCrunch, Mashable, Somewhat Frank; several newspaper articles including Guardian, El Pais, Sacramento Bee; and a lot more.

So, now on this next phase, I’m going to refocus our services to a more specific travel audience.
(Follow up in a month or so)

(5) Other services will be announced as time goes by. I’ll be sure to announce to all of you (my friends - if you’re a random visitor, introduce yourself to me, subscribe to my RSS feed, or follow me on Twitter)

I’m also going to be studying French part-time. After all, this is Quebec. On parle le Français ici!

Update (1/24/09): That was also put on hold. I’ve decided to focus and maybe next semester I’ll join a French course. 

How about social life…

Yes, I am going to try to have a life too, don’t worry. I’m going to be living downtown in my favorite city in the world!

But, yeah, I am probably going to be working like crazy, I’d say at least 100 hours per week, but I’ll make sure I take a day or two off every month… And then, you can probably find me at Brutopia (the best honey beer in the world).

Thanks for your support. I’ll be blogging on my progress/challenge/milestones/road blocks regularly, so be sure to come to this site often.

You might want to subscribe to my RSS feed or follow me on Twitter.

Oh, don’t forget to give me a call or send me an email if you’re ever visiting Montreal.
My phone number will remain the same: 334-740-0424.

Wish me luck!

Here are some monthly updates:

• 1 month in Montreal!!!
• I was in California on Nov 1st, so I didn’t write a “2 months update post”
• Three months in Canada
• Four months in Montreal!