John Botros & Mark Bissada
Q. Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/cities.
Ans: 10MinuteWill.com is an online self-help tool, which allows users to self-prepare a last will and testament and advance directives (living will), online, in minutes. 10MinuteWill.com was developed to provide ordinary people (like us) with access to important legal documents through an affordable, easy to use, online platform.
Your last will and testament is arguably the most important document you will ever sign. Without one, the courts – not you – decide what happens to your property and minor children.
For most of us, the cost and time associated with hiring an attorney to prepare a last will or living will are prohibitive. It’s no wonder only about a third of Americans have prepared their will. The majority of common legal documents are templates, which are often available online to anyone willing to perform a quick search. Often, lawyers simply plug the data you’ve provided into those templates, charging hundreds – sometimes thousands – of dollars to do so.
10MinuteWill.com is headquartered in Houston, Texas and currently serves all residents of the State of Texas.
Q. Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial
Ans: Business partners and cousins, Mark Bissada and John Botros, started 10MinutwWill.com in 2011. John and Mark grew up in Houston, Texas. Mark earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and his J.D. from the City University of New York School of Law. John Botros earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Finance from Houston Baptist University.
Q. What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Ans: I (John Botros) was inspired to start 10MinuteWill.com after the birth of my first son, Jack. My wife and I agonized over the need to prepare our wills, but kept putting it off. The interesting thing about preparing your will is that unlike most tasks, you don’t know when it’s due. Furthermore, death isn’t the sexiest subject in the world, making it even easier to put off.
After a little research, it became clear that wills (like most common legal documents) were merely templates. If you hire an attorney to make your will, he or she will likely hand you a questionnaire and ask you to complete and return it. If you ever get around to completing/returning the questionnaire, your answers are plugged into the template. That’s it.
That begs the question: If the template is available online (in some cases for free) and I’m the one completing the questionnaire, why can’t I do this without an attorney? News flash – you can!
10MinuteWill.com is a matter of convenience. We don’t (nor do we aim to) replace the valuable advice of an attorney. We simply provide users who do not want to engage an attorney a way in which they can create their own wills. 10MinuteWill.com simplifies the process of self-preparing your last will and living will through an affordable and easy-to-use online platform.
Q. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans: I’m not sure I’m in any position to be giving advice, but great ideas are only one ingredient in successful ideas. Hard work, proper timing and a little bit of luck are equally, if not more, important. We’re still a young company, but we offer a valuable and reliable service at a fair price. I don’t know if that constitutes advice, but maybe someone will find it helpful.
Q. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: 1. Guts: There’s so much risk and uncertainty involved with starting a business.
2. Perseverance and resilience: Instant success is so rare; don’t throw in the towel prematurely.
3. Willingness to make mistakes: Remember that you learn more from failure than you do from success.
Q. How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: It varies and comes in waves. Some months I log 80-hour weeks, others less than 40. My family is more important than anything. I don’t plan on regretting not spending enough time with them when I reflect on my life. Balance is key.
Q. To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans: By the Grace of God
Q. How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans: Talk to anyone who will listen – word of mouth referrals account for the majority of our business.
Q. Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Ans: I borrowed from my 401k, which I failed to mention to my wife (big mistake).
Q. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans: I’ll let you know when I get there 😉
Q. Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Ans: Happy, which is all that matters.
Q. Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Ans:
Personally admire companies that genuinely seek to help others; mostly non-profits, like Doctors Without Borders, whose purpose transcends profits
and earnings.
About 10minutewill.com: http://10minutewill.com/ gives you chance to ensure your final wishes and protect your loved ones. Prepare your last will online in minutes. 90 days free updates, revisions and storage! Get started today!
Company: 10minutewill.com
Address: 1302 Waugh Dr. #178, Houston, Texas (TX)- 77019
Telephone number: (877) 947-9455
Website – http://10minutewill.com/
