Blog
Welcome to the FrankenSTART Blog! We want to share all about the good that’s come out of the experiment, and have done so by breaking things up into several categories for easy searching:
StartStories Guest Posts Wordless Wednesday Thoughtful Thursday
Obedience // David Bouchard
David Bouchard Adventure. Risk. What did I get myself into? I didn’t know what to expect when I signed up for the Start Experiment. The pendulum of my life was already starting to swing from ordinary to awesome when I spotted the fateful blog post. I had been focusing my life on listening to God and seeking His guidance. It had become clear that He wanted me to write. He had given me an idea for a book. He had even delivered it in an incredible package. Gift wrapped, with a huge bow on top. Yet I had been refusing to act. I had actually just made the decision to finally start when I found out about the Start Experiment. Is writing an adventure? Is obedience awesome? Although the goal that I shared with others was a specific writing goal, in my head my goal was really an act of obedience. It doesn’t matter if what I write gets published. It doesn’t even matter if anyone else ever reads it. The important thing is to write. Not because of some clever idea I have, but simply because God asked me to. Once the experiment started, I connected with some incredible people. I rediscovered how passionate I can be about the dreams of others. I truly delighted in reading about what the others were up to…whether it was trying to meet the president or attending a yoga class. I rejoiced with every success and encouraged others through every challenge. See, I rediscovered that I’m addicted to life change in whatever form it takes. I discovered that the relationships are much more meaningful than the risks. In addition to all that, though, my simple act of nearly insignificant obedience has resulted in substantial change in my own life. An outsider would notice the change in my sleep schedule. This night owl has been getting up at 5AM for about seven weeks in order to write. If you could look much deeper than that, there is also a rekindled connection with God. I see Him working again. Not just in my life, but in the world around me. I have definitely missed these glimpses. God has done some pretty crazy things in my life. Awesome things. It’s been quiet for too long, though. Now I feel like I’m hitting a spiritual peak at exactly the right time. My wife and I just returned from our third mission trip to Brazil. And at the end of the month, I’ll be a chaplain at our county fair. These times are always full of ministry and God’s presence. More significantly than that, though, my family and I have taken in a 17 year old girl that needs a home. She’ll be living with us as she finishes up her senior year. Like writing, this isn’t a “short term” event. This is a commitment made through love. This is daily obedience, even when it’s hard. God used the Start Experiment to teach me that it’s not only possible, but it’s also important, to disrupt life for the sake of obedience to Him. He often uses the little things that we do every day in order to prepare us for the big things He has planned. God-sized “awesome” is way better than anything I could ever...
read moreBigger Dream // Ashley Revely
Ashley Revely In Round 1 of the START Experiment, I was a wallflower. I didn’t buy into the thought of successful community maintenance with strangers via Facebook. I wasn’t even sold on the dream that I was dreaming. Then, in the second round, I decided that it was a “get what you give” scenario. I let myself dream and ended up finding my real dream. I have lost 55lbs in 5 months, and have chosen this START round to ditch the scales and numeric means of tracking progress to be as body-positive as I can. My ultimate goal is to lose 60 more pounds, get my fitness certification, and become a body positive fitness coach. I was encouraged by others to dream bigger. I shared my heart and now it swells with the sense of belonging I now have. I jump around in subgroups and am really active on #STARTsingles, but I love the main group too. While I love the thrill of likeminded individuals, I also glean from dreamers dreaming different dreams. I even found someone doing what I am longing to do, and would have never found her otherwise because her goal isn’t in the same subgroup as mine. I am thankful for the START Experiment. ...
read moreInternet Entrepreneur // Sean Nisil
Sean Nisil My risk during the first round of the START Experiment was to move from a hobby blogger to an Internet Entrepreneur. For me, the biggest shift was in how I approach what I’m doing with my blog. In the first 24 days of the START Experiment: I was featured on a large financial blog providing some tips on kids and money. I started a professional network of business men and women on LinkedIn dedicated to pushing their Start risks forward into their careers. We’re now almost 200 members strong. I made a number of great relationships which continue to grow. I interviewed one of my blogging role models, Jeff Goins, and am working with him to set up a book tour in San...
read moreDream Career // Brittany Gross
Brittany Gross Technically, my start started three months ago, when I decided to quit my job and move to Nashville to pursue a dream career. When Jon Acuff asked for risk takers, I knew I really didn’t have much to lose, and I was proven right. In the process of accountability, wise words, new friends, mentors and peers, I was able to apply and land a full-time job which uses my degree in radio. As a bonus, I was able to land a part-time job in concerts, which is my dream area of work. Beyond the fact that I achieved my risk, I was able to connect with others in my new hometown and re-ignite old...
read moreDating // Stu Tully
Stu Tully It had been a long time since I’d been on a date, let alone been in a relationship (over five years, to be exact). After a bad breakup, I felt I didn’t have anything to offer to a lady in a relationship, `additionally, I had pretty low self-esteem about myself in general and I just stopped trying. Thankfully, the Start Experiment helped me to rid myself of this mindset. One of the goals I set for the initial 24 days was to go on a proper date with someone I met in real life. To be honest, I felt this was the most difficult of my challenges because it depended on someone else. My other goals could be accomplished through self-discipline, but this one needed an outsider to agree to go out with me. Without anyone on my dating radar, I took the risk of opening myself up more. I began attending all sorts of activities and gatherings with the intent of simply meeting people. I dropped my usual quiet façade and began introducing myself to people, taking the initiative instead of waiting for them to ask me. The turning point came at a wedding reception I attended on day 20 of the experiment. Instead of just sitting off to the side, I actively asked girls to dance. It was a risk, considering I didn’t know any of the persons I asked, but one agreed. We ended up dancing together for the rest of the night. Afterwards, I asked her to go to dinner the next week. She agreed. And the rest is history, so they say. I write this the day after our dinner date. It went quite well. I’m not sure if it will develop into a proper relationship, and frankly, I don’t care. I put myself more out there than I had in years, and although taking the risk was frightening, it was ultimately worth it. I could have never imagined this particular goal succeeding when I started the experiment, yet here I sit, knowing that making the risk was indeed the best course of...
read moreFacing Fear // Amy Campbell
Amy Campbell I read the START book on a family vacation in May of 2013. I’ve been divorced for 12 years, I’m the mother of an 11 year old and I’m a statistic-breaker. It’s statistically improbable that I would be an entrepreneur. I created MyResumeLady.com in September of 2008 because Dave Ramsey said in Total Money Makeover that I needed to get another job to pay off my bills. Had it not been for being “released from serving” my corporate employer in March of 2010, I doubt very much I would have had the guts to be a “Quitter” and launch TheRedChecker.com in June of 2010. Both are debt free growing companies. The Red Checker (TRC), is heading into year four with some incredible case studies and advocate global-footprint companies as clients. Our processes are proven. We have a lot to be proud of. But, we never tell anyone about it and we don’t do the things for TRC that we do for our clients world-wide. Why? Fear. It is my fear that has kept me from taking TRC to the possible heights. Fear that says: Who am I to say that? It’s already been said, better, by someone else! What are they going to say about me whenever I say “THAT”? I spent the first 24 days committed to my START. I would do content building for my own thought-leadership positioning and utilize the tools I have for lead generation, lead capture, marketing/lead qualification and revenue generation, just like I do for my clients. Until START, I have hidden behind my consulting and haven’t really found the courage to tell others about it. I found that the START Experiment provided a safe, positive, non-judgmental place to turn for encouragement about my struggles. The wonderful thing was, we were all taking a really big risk. We told complete strangers our deep fears and nobody laughed. Instead, people commented that they had felt or thought or done/not done, many of the same things. It was such a wonderful bonding thing to happen. I began to really care for other STARTers and cheer for their successes, and prayed for their struggles as well. STARTers were raw, open, honest, collaborative, witty and funny, loving in many cases, and overall, some of the most amazingly REAL people I have found anywhere on the web. Plans have been made to meet several who have been instrumental in enhancing the START Experience for me. This level of inclusiveness is rare. Very rare. In 24 days of START, with the daily posts from Jon and the encouragement of other STARTers, I soft launched my new website, published a whitepaper on becoming a thought leader in your industry, began scheduling posts for social media, and have held audience with 5 new prospects. That is more progress than I’ve made in a year, or possibly two. I am committed to my audacious goal of doing more of those things mentioned previously, and also taking the message online to YouTube and GIVING AWAY THE INFORMATION companies need to make Marketing a Revenue Generating Machine. I want to be a blessing to others. I want to grow and employ passionate and inspired people who are looking for meaningful, worthwhile...
read moreMusic // Tim Fisher
Tim Fisher Start Experiment was more than just an experiment for me. I had a dream in my heart late in 2011. When I got the chance to sing onstage with a well-known band, I jumped on it immediately. Someone encouraged me later to use my gift; soon after, a family member discouraged me, as I was already getting a degree. This past February, I finally made the decision to pursue singing, as I met with several friends who support each other’s goals and keep each other accountable by meeting every two weeks. I took small steps. When Start Experiment came along, I knew I had to join. I didn’t know what it was, but I thought, hey, if it’s something motivational, it will be great for me. The daily advice, as well as the network of support, has been incredible. It really came down to one piece that Jon wrote where he asked, “Are you working every day to achieve your risk?” That hit me and stuck, and since then I’ve put in the effort to work everyday, whether it’s practicing or just gathering songs. The daily communication with Jon and others has been key. I’m so thankful for Start Experiment (Round 1 and Round 2), and I really feel it’s a going to be a key component in helping me connect with others who will help me achieve my...
read moreWomen’s Ministry // Andrea Lowe
Andrea Lowe In starting this experiment, my goal was clear. My desired outcome was clearly marked and ready to be achieved: Women’s ministry. I had the women selected that I would contact to learn from. I knew these were the very women who would help guide and direct me in fulfilling one of my heart’s desire. However, as I began taking steps, risking, and sharing my heart, I began to discover that my vision for ministry is not mine at all. I admire women in leadership positions for various reasons, but in truth, I just expected to start where they are today, and some have been in ministry for as long as I have been alive. How am I going to help encourage, equip and empower others to fulfill their dreams if I cannot even clearly envision my own? As round 1 of the start experiment continued, amazing things started happening. I was asked to take on new leadership roles at my church. These roles would allow me to be creative in developing the gifts and talents in others. Amazingly, my leaders know me well, even when I don’t, and continuously challenge me to step out of my comfort zone and refine the gifts and talents in me. So, has my passion changed? No. My vision has been enlarged and I am overwhelmed with excitement and joy as I continue to take steps, strides and leaps of faith. The unknown can be scary, but I am finding great comfort in knowing that a risk taken is much more fruitful than a fear...
read moreMoving abroad // Kaylei Ward
Kaylei Ward Ginger. It’s the smell that can bring up a thousand emotions. It’s the smell that can take me back faster than any other smell. It races me back to a faded pink building and black hair snuggled against my neck. It races me back to alligator tears, finger paint, and fits of giggles. Ginger races me back to China. I have read “God calls you where the world’s deep hunger and your deep gladness meet” I just always questioned what that would look like for me. When I joined the Start Experiment, I knew that my gladness was not meeting the world’s hunger. I was stuck in a job that focuses on first world problems, was a dead end, and I knew that it wasn’t where I wanted to be. I told my group that I just wanted to find the next step. With that God opened the door, the large door to change my life. The day after the experiment I received an email asking me to come and move back to China and help out. Excuses were futile, and fear was pointless. Any time I wanted to talk myself out of it, Jon’s email would show up first thing that morning. I was invited to go back to the place that stole my heart five years ago. To walk back into the faded pink building and snuggle with the unloved and the unwanted. To share a love so much deeper than one I could ever show on my own. In one month I will fly to China and be the hands and feet of Christ in the best way I know how. I pray to be broken and drained of anything that is me and only reflect Him. My gladness is loving the orphans of the world. My audacious goal is to put orphanages out of business and to find a home for each child. I’m beyond excited to START and take that next step, loving and holding one child at a time....
read moreMusic Ministry // Jonathan Fortenberry
Jonathan Fortenberry The Start Experiment was a lot of things for me. It was a giant can opener on bottled up dreams. It was huge fly swatter against fear. It was the first time at a family reunion where I felt like I’d known everyone my entire life. While slightly disappointed that I needed neither my machete nor my passport, I’m confident that the seeds planted during this time will ultimately lead there. Twenty-four days is really the perfect length of time for this sort of thing. It’s just long enough to accomplish small tasks that lead to a big goal, but not quite long enough to feel like you had enough time. I long for Round1 to still be going so that I can still be brand new at this. However, one of the greatest joys is being in a 2nd round and helping other STARTers find their place. A month ago, I had a small vision of writing worship tunes one day and helping musicians develop themselves. Today I stand confident in my craft, I’ve launched a blog, published a tutorial video, and applied for a position in full time ministry. I owe all to God for inspiring Jon to pull this great community together where I developed true friends that are committed to seeing each other change the...
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