Top 10 New Years Resolutions for Entrepreneurs

Happy New Year from Think Big Kansas City!

Entrepreneurs, are you committing yourself to a New Years Resolution in 2011? If you haven't thought of a way to improve your business life, social life, family life, or startup life, then maybe this Top 10 New Years Resolution list for entrepreneurs will help you to see the light!  So let's make a toast- to all entrepreneurs and their dreams.  May you find happiness and prosperity in 2011 and beyond!

10. Survey your employees

Sometimes, the biggest employee dissatisfaction are the easiest things to fix! Know what changes your employees would like to make in their work lives and do your best to increase their quality of work life. In the long run, this can increase your employees' productivity and therefore, help your business.

9. Get to know other 'preneurs!

Meeting new successful entrepreneurs can give you access to mentoring and networking. By joining business networking groups, you will have the capacity to meet dozens of entrepreneurs-from aspiring to seasoned. Conversing with other entrepreneurs will help you feel a sense of community and support to build your business.

8. Set the goals (and stick to 'em!)

If you haven't written your business plan, starting one for 2011 would be a great resolution. If you do have a business plan, be sure to stick to your goals displayed in it for 2011.

7. Attend entrepreneurship classes

When you take the time to learn something new, you are adding value to your business instantaneously. Be sure to check out all of the free online courses that many websites offer. Additionally, check out any classes that entrepreneurial resources offer (for example, business incubators or organizations).

6. Make business planning a top priority

It is important to focus on your businesses' future success throughout 2011. To actively make business planning a priority, try to plan every morning for thirty minutes or so.

5. Open your mind

There are more ways to continue your business learning than just attending entrepreneurial classes. Stay updated on your industry and beyond by reading blogs, books, newspapers and magazine. Other great ways to expand your mind: listen to interviews, turn on an audiobook, and tune into a podcast.

4. Get a business coach

One (almost) sure-fire way to improve your business is by hiring a business coach. Business coaches can help turn your dreams into a reality. Make sure you enlist someone that you can trust to give you objective feedback and create deadlines for your planned successes.

3. Make a toast (Celebrate!)

New Year is all about drinking champagne and counting down with friends.  So why not make a New Years resolution that allows you and your co-workers to celebrate more often?  If you and your team have accomplished something great, celebrate! Carve out time for celebratory lunches, cocktails, dinners and parties with your partners and employees.

2. Give back

Giving back to a community is one of the fundamental New Years Resolutions. There are many different ways to give back to those who helped you succeed and there are thousands of organizations that would love your help. Find a cause that matters to you and devote a couple hours a month. This will help you get your business's name out there and will help you feel good about yourself.

1. Get a life!

Managing your work-life balance is critical to a happy life. It is crucial that you take breaks from your business to enjoy life. Make a resolution to enjoy physical as well as mental vacations from your business every once in awhile. This is not only good for your health, sanity and relationships, but it is also good for business! You'll gain relief from the stresses of growing your business, and once you return, you'll be reinvigorated with a new perspective on your challenges and opportunities.

What are you doing to make 2011 the best year yet?

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners.  Check out more of Allison's work on the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner, Helium, BrooWaha and eZine.

Only one day left!!  What do you want to see from the entrepreneurial community in 2011?  Let us know by taking our poll! 

Bring On the Ideas! Startup Weekend 2011 in Kansas City

We know you’ve got a great idea.  Now it’s time to take that leap of faith and see if your big idea can become a big business.  And there’s no better time to start than now.  It’s a new year, a fresh start and time to launch your business idea.  So start this month by attending Startup Weekend 2011, the perfect opportunity to see if your business idea is feasible, achievable, and of course, profitable. 

In April 2011, entrepreneurs and big thinkers are invited to attend Startup Weekend—an intense 54-hour event which focuses on building a web or mobile application which could form the basis of a credible business over the course of a weekend. The weekend brings together people with different skill sets—primarily software developers, graphics designers and business people—to build applications and develop a commercial case around them.  Even more importantly, Startup Weekend has become a networking opportunity unlike any other in Kansas City.  This January, Startup Weekend sets sail with a workshop and networking event to kickstart the intense weekend in April.

“Most networking opportunities are quick exchanges of business cards,” says Steven Chau, local organizer of Startup Weekend in Kansas City.  “Startup Weekend actually allows entrepreneurs to work together throughout the weekend.  It feels like a summer camp and helps to create entrepreneurial camaraderie.  It’s an energizing experience that actually allows entrepreneurs to make friendships.”

This January, entrepreneurs are invited to attend Startup Weekend’s workshops where they can learn about lean startup methodology through interactive challenges and learning experiences.  The Startup Weekend competition will then commence in April with a panel of judges and a plethora of business pitches. 

“My main goal is to provide an event for budding entrepreneurs,” says Chau.  “Events like this allow entrepreneurs to work on problems that they are passionate about.  That’s extremely empowering.” 

So if you’re looking to pitch your business idea, look no further than Startup Weekend—taking place in our very own backyard!  This is Kansas City’s third Startup Weekend, and is looking to be its most successful. 

Startup Weekend allows for like-minded people to come together and achieve a common goal.  If Startup Weekend sounds like the event for you and your big thinking, be sure to check out the Startup Weekend website for more information.

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners.  Check out more of Allison's articles on the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner, Helium, BrooWaha and eZine.

There's only a few days left to let us know what can improve the Kansas City entrepreneurial community!  Let us know by taking our poll (above).

When Others Said "It Can't Be Done", These 11 People Said "Just Watch Me."

Last night, as I was skimming through Joseph Sugarman’s book The Adweek Copywriting Handbook (sounds like a thriller, doesn’t it?), I came upon a section on page 56 called Assumed Constraints.

And believe it or not, this section of the book truly captivated me.  This section proved that no matter how crazy, stupid, whacky, ridiculous, unheard of, or out-of-this-world your idea may be—it can be great.

Sugarman writes:

“Have you ever looked at a circus elephant anchored to the ground?  If you have, you might notice that the elephant has a metal collar around its leg to which it is attached a small chain.  And the chain is attached to a wooden peg driven into the ground.  Pretty good protection?

Pretty lousy, if you ask me.  That 12,000-pound elephant could very easily pick up its foot and with one fell swoop yank the peg out of the ground and walk away.  But the elephant doesn’t.  Why?  I’ll explain.

When that elephant was still a baby, that same collar and chain and peg were used to hold the elephant in place.  The restraint was sufficient to hold the baby elephant in place even if it wanted to break way.  And break away is indeed what the baby elephant tried to do.

So every day while the baby was chained up, it would pull at the chain and pull and pull and pull until finally a cut appeared on its leg exposing the sore sensitive layers of deep skin tissue.  It hurt to pull like that and soon the baby elephant, realizing the effort was both futile and painful, stopping trying to escape.

As the baby elephant grew older, it never forgot that bad experience with the chain and the peg.  And so whenever it was anchored down in a sport, it would think, ‘Hey, it’s impossible to break away and besides, it hurts.’

The adult elephant had what I call an ‘assumed constraint.’  And all of us have the same problem to one degree or another.”

In my option, this is especially the case for entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs: Today, I challenge you to break free of your chain and peg and collar and cause a circus of your own.  When people tell you “it can’t be done”, then it’s time to show them that it can.  Here are a few examples of individuals who broke free of their own assumed constraints to take on the world:

• “Consumers will rip you off if you let them buy using their credit cards over a toll-free line without having them sign anything.” – What people said to Sugarman himself.  He then launched toll-free order taking in the US.
• “There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.” – Ken Olsen, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corporation, 1977.
• “Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons.” – Popular Mechanics magazine, 1949.
•  “The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order to earn better than a ‘C’, the idea must be feasible.  – Yale University management professor in response to Fred Smith’s paper proposing reliable overnight delivery service.  Smith later founded FedEx.
• “Drill for oil?  You mean drill into the ground to try to find oil?  You’re crazy.” – Drillers whom wildcatter Edwin L. Drake tried to enlist in his project to drill for oil in 1859.
• “Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value.” – Ferdinand Foch, professor of military strategy, Ecole Superieure de Guerre, later commander of Allied Armies in World War I. 
• “Stocks have reached what looks like a permanently high plateau.” – Irving Fisher, professor of economics, Yale University, 1929.
• “I think there is a world market for maybe 5 computers,” –Thomas Watson Sr., president of IBM, 1943.
• “So we went to Atari and said, ‘Hey, we’ve got this amazing thing, even built with some of your parts, and what do you think about funding us?  Or we’ll give it back to you.  We just want to do it.  Pay our salary; we’ll come work for you.’ And they said ‘No.’  So then we went to Hewlett-Packard, and they said, ‘Hey, we don’t need you.  You haven’t got through college yet.’” – This was related to Steve Jobs, Apple Computer co-founder, on his attempts in the mid 70s to get Atari and Hewlett-Packard interested in his and Steve Wozniaks personal computer.
• “A cookie store is a bad idea.  Besides, the market research reports say America likes crispy cookies, not soft and chewy cookies like you make.” — Response in the mid-70s to Debbi Fields’ idea of starting Mrs. Fields Cookies.
• “640K ought to be enough for anybody.” Bill Gates, Microsoft founder, 1981.

So when people tell you that you can’t, my solution is this:  Think Big.  Get out there.  Prove ‘em wrong.

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City's newest entrepreneurial resources.  To read more of Allison's work, check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner.  

BIG Partners: Think Big Partners and the Kansas City Business Journal Team Up to Host Think Big Kansas City 2011

At Think Big Partners, we are all about collaboration and community.  So as one of our surprises in 2011, we made an announcement last week that excited the entire Kansas City entrepreneurial community.  This coming year’s Premier Conference for Entrepreneurs, Investors and Startups, Think Big Kansas City, will be hosted by Think Big Partners and the Kansas City Business Journal—a collaboration made to strengthen TBKC 2011 as well as the Kansas City startup community.

Last year’s Think Big Kansas City was held in March of 2010 and featured more than fifteen educational sessions, a number of inspirational speakers, and a sold-out crowd of over 425 attendees—from aspiring entrepreneurs, to successful CEOs, to investors.  Last year’s premier conference even featured keynote speaker Chris Gardner, whose real life story of perseverance was the basis of the Hollywood blockbuster, “The Pursuit of Happyness.” 

But we are thinking even bigger in 2011. 

And in order to make the premier conference even more collaborative, beneficial, informative, and inspirational for the Kansas City entrepreneurial community, we have partnered with the Kansas City Business Journal to host Think Big Kansas City on May 24, 2011.  The Journal, with its in-depth weekly coverage of top local business news, is a natural partner to work with Think Big Partners due to their commitment, support and coverage of entrepreneurship and business in the Kansas City community.    

So prepare yourselves, entrepreneurs.  In 2011, TBP and the KC Business Journal are bringing in even more inspirational speakers, business presenters, and networking opportunities to people like YOU!

Here’s your first chance to get involved!  Think Big Partners is currently accepting applications and nominations for speakers and presenters for the Think Big Kansas City 2011 through February 18^th 2011.  For more information about the Premier Conference, or to learn more about presenting at the event, please visit http://www.thinkbigkansascity.com/ or call Think Big Partners at (816) 842-5244.

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City's newest entrepreneurial resources.  To read more of Allison's work, check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner.

What can Think Big Partners do for you in 2011?  Take our poll (above) and let us know!

An Early Christmas Gift From Think Big Partners: A Look At Our New Website!

When most companies are locking their office doors for the holidays, taking beach-side vacations, and unwinding from a crazy year of business, Think Big Partners is doing the exact opposite. This Kansas City-based business incubator, startup accelerator and mentorship-based collaborative workspace is working even harder to bring Kansas City entrepreneurs what they want this holiday season.  And TBP is letting you unwrap one present a little early...

Think Big Partners, the driving force behind the Think Big Kansas City Premier Conference, is proud to announce the launch of its new, revamped website.  This site, complete with an explanation of TBP's unique and strategic process, an inside-look at its one-of-a-kind team, an archive of business advice articles, and much more, is now one of the best resources for the Midwestern entrepreneur who is ready to launch a big idea. 

As an early Christmas present to you, entrepreneurs, visit www.thinkbigpartners.com today and see how Think Big Partners can help you achieve your dreams!  Remember to keep thinking big this holiday season! 

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City's newest entrepreneurial resources.  To read more of Allison's work, check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner. 

What can Think Big Partners do for you in 2011?  Take our poll (above) and let us know!

The 3 Big H's of Kansas City: Helzberg, H&R Block, Hallmark

Is it a coincidence that three of Kansas City’s big original companies start with the letter “H”?  Although it may be just a coincidence, there’s no doubt that Helzberg, H&R Block and Hallmark (all Kansas City-based companies), have become Huge and Honorable companies by implementing Hard work, Holistic strategies, and, of course, a touch of Happiness.  Entrepreneurs, these 3 H’s may have something to teach you.

Helzberg Diamonds

Drive success under any condition. When the Depression began in the 1920s, Helzberg Diamonds didn’t sink—it flourished.  This company is living proof that even under difficult economic times, a company can still succeed as long as it has the right people pushing it.  Even during World War II, Helzberg churned out advertisements with patriotic themes and marketed its “Certified Perfect” diamonds to get ahead of the competition. 

Be sure to analyze (and reanalyze) your target market. Helzberg Diamonds was a company that focused on growing—and in order to grow, Helzberg had to branch out.  The company retrenched to the suburbs in the 1960s and 70s in order to target a new market.  This changed Helzberg’s image as well—they were finally portrayed as a “youthful” business.  Additionally, Helzberg began offering mail-order business in the early 1950s for rural customers.

Revamp the company.  Helzberg reinvented itself over and over again.  One of its biggest makeovers was during the 1980s when most stores were introduced in “superstore” format.  Helzberg stores became some of the biggest jewelry stores in the nation.  It’s something that made Helzberg different than its competitors. 

H&R Block

Take that leap of faith.  Henry Bloch stumbled upon a pamphlet in the Harvard Library that illustrated the challenges facing America’s small business in the early 1940s.  After reading this message, Henry wanted to help small companies succeed.  In his mind, he imagined a company that provided comprehensive services for small businesses.  And directly after he thought of the idea—he took the leap of faith.

You don’t have to start with a lot.  Henry Bloch started with $5,000 which he borrowed from his aunt.  In 1946, Henry and his brother, Leon, opened the United Business Company which provided bookkeeping services and rented offices right on Main Street in Kansas City.  After nine years of hard work, Henry saw success when he began doing income tax preparation as part of the business and the company became H&R Block.

Hallmark

Focus on quality.  In JC Hall’s autobiography, he wrote, “If a man goes into business with only the idea of making a lot of money, chances are, he won’t.  But if he puts service and quality first, the money will take care of itself.  Producing a first-class product that is a real need is a stronger motivation for success than getting rich.”  JC never let a greeting card reach the market without his stamp of approval—he wanted to be hands-on so that Hallmark would create the best, most quality greeting cards. 

Reinvent and renew yourself.  JC Hall made things happen.  He once said, “I don’t like to sit around and wait for something to happen, it’s more fun making it happen!”  This attitude is what led Hallmark to invent modern wrapping paper, and later branch into a television network and develop e-Cards. 

As three of Kansas City’s most successful "H" companies, Helzberg Diamonds, H&R Block and Hallmark have many lessons to teach.  Take these lessons into consideration when starting up your own business.  You never know what will Happen!

Keep tHinking big! 

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City's newest entrepreneurial resources.  To read more of Allison's work, check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner. 

What can Think Big Partners do for you in 2011?  Take our poll (above) and let us know!

How to Take Your Kansas City Business Mentoring to the Next Level

It has been proven that an entrepreneur can experience greater success when they have a business mentor by their side. A business mentor can provide guidance, advice, and even much-needed vent sessions. But where can you find a business mentor in Kansas City? And more importantly, how can you take your business mentoring to the next level?

Well, nobody ever said that a mentor has to be just one person, right?  And what better way to enhance your business than by utilizing the "two heads are better than one" strategy?  Or in this case, "three heads are better than two!" 

Utilizing more than one business mentor may be another key to business success. That is why The Kansas Small Business Development Center at Johnson County Community College has formulated the ever-popular CEO Roundtables. At these roundtables, CEOs and business leaders with companies over 5-years old (past the startup stage) are invited to sit in on a roundtable in which participators address issues, seize opportunities and overcome business obstacles. In essence, these roundtables are giant pods of mentors who are able to provide knowledge and expert advice. Led by a facilitator and entrepreneur, the collective knowledge and experience of the group provides for lively and effective discussions.

“The CEO Roundtable provides life-long learning so that people can build high performance businesses that are sustainable,” says Sally Smith, facilitator of the CEO Roundtable and Founder/CEO of Smith & Associates, Inc. “These businesses become each other’s advisors and help one another get outside of the box.”

With expertise with high performance companies, Smith reiterates the importance of business mentors and how they can strengthen any business, no matter how large or small it may be. “Leadership is leadership and business is business,” she says. “The industry that these businesses come from is not as important as helping one another solve the problems at hand.”

Tomorrow, from 8:00AM until 10:00AM, the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Johnson County Community College is hosting one of these CEO Roundtables to help a rich variety of businesses answer the question “How do you work on your business, not in your business?” The participating businesses will discuss the importance of strategic planning through a formalized process that is more than just an open format. During this two-hour roundtable, business leaders will be able to lean on one another for opinions, advice, suggestions, and solutions about the ever-changing business environment around the world.

“In today’s age, a leader must understand that business and technology are always changing,” Smith says. “The CEO Roundtable helps keep things fresh and refreshed. It adds to the knowledge of business leaders.”

If you’re interested in joining a CEO Roundtable, please fill out an application or call 913-469-3878. All attendees of the roundtable must fill out an application and pay the event fee. To learn more about the CEO Roundtable events, visit KCSourceLink.

Written by Allison Way. Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City’s newest entrepreneurial resources.  To read more of Allison's work, please check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner.

As part of our countdown to the New Year, Think Big Partners would like to know what entrepreneurs want to see happen in the Kansas City community in 2011. Take our poll at the top of this blog and let us know!

How one entrepreneur turned a $177 test into a $120,000 company - without breaking a sweat or the law!

On July 1, 1998, Nike debuted the slogan, "Just Do It". This action oriented phrase then sparked a whole revolution of new weekend athletes, which made Nike into one of the most iconic brands known around the world today. Sometimes, there really is no substitute for taking action.

Many entrepreneurs spend a great deal of time researching potential markets, developing extensive business plans and then belaboring relatively inconsequential business decisions until "analysis paralysis" sets in. In the end, their hopes and dreams die inside a smoldering pile of ashes from their never well executed business plan.

In absence of a magical crystal ball, conducting a real life market test is one the best solutions to reducing the uncertainty about the feasibility of your business concept. Whether you develop a working prototype that can then be perfected through spontaneous innovation, or by carefully asking your customer base questions to reveal a problem waiting for a solution, taking action can put you on the right path to startup success.

If you think this process will cost too much money, then think again. Here are three anonymous (but very real) entrepreneurs who tested each of their ideas for around $50, and turned them into much greater successes.

Read Now.

In 2011, What Can Think Big Partners Do For You?

The New Year is quickly approaching—and with a basement full of presents to wrap, a tray full of cookies to devour, and a refrigerator full of champagne to pop, we are asking for one tiny favor from you. We need you to answer one simple question as you ring in the New Year: What do you need to help you succeed in 2011 as an entrepreneur or small business?

Although we may not be able to make the Royals win the World Series or change Sporting Kansas City back to the “Wizards”, we can help change the entrepreneurial and innovative community here in our beloved home of Kansas City. So what do you want from us this coming year? We want to know what your dreams, hopes, wants and expectations are. 

Whether it be access to capital, more business events, or updated news and insights, we want your opinions!  So jump for joy, spin in circles, and start Thinking Big! This is your opportunity to tell us what you want to see from Think Big Partners in 2011.

Take our poll featured above and tell us what you want in 2011.

Or, if you're thinking even bigger...

Leave a comment below and tell us what's on your business wish list.

If commenting isn’t your thing, shoot us an email at away@thinkbigpartners.com.

Thanks for your input—we wouldn’t be able to Think Big without contributors like you!

5 ½ Kansas City Restaurants to Wine and Dine Your Clients

Whether you're looking for a quaint café on the sidewalks of the Plaza, an energetic brewery near the Power and Light District, or the perfect cup of coffee in the Crossroads, Kansas City seems to have it all.

But with so many terrific breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, there is one major problem: making a decision!  That's why I have narrowed down the 5 ½ best restaurants in Kansas City to wine and dine your clients.  So, if you're looking to meet a client for lunch, take an important prospect out for coffee, or want to wine and dine a client with a classic Kansas City dinner, these restaurants are guaranteed to help any small business owner impress their future customers.

1.  La Bodega
The environment of La Bodega is as unique as its food.  From the fresco paintings on the walls to the authentic Spanish tiles, La Bodega is a restaurant like no other.  Take your client to La Bodega for exquisite tapas and blow them away with an amazing atmosphere for lunch or dinner. 

2. The Capital Grille Restaurant
To truly put your client in a state of "awe", take them to Capital Grille in Kansas City.  Although this restaurant is pricey, it also serves some of the best food that Kansas City has to offer.  Be sure to wine and dine your client at Capital Grille and try the famous Lobster Macaroni and Cheese.  It's to die for!

3. Grand St. Cafe
Tucked away just east of the Country Club Plaza is the Grand St. Cafe.  This restaurant features an innovative menu of regional, all-American favorites with its own creative and professional twist.  Your client is sure to be impressed by the Grand St. Cafe's sophisticated, stylish, and unique atmosphere with a breath-taking Plaza view. 

4. Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue
This Kansas City restaurant guide would not be complete without a Kansas City barbecue original!  I have chosen Jack Stack barbecue, one of my favorite restaurants in the city.  With many locations and a wide variety of barbecued meats and finger-licking sauces and sides, Jack Stack is sure to "wow" any client who is looking to try out some real (and famous!) Kansas City barbecue.

5. Lidia's Restaurant 
Lidia's Restaurant, located on 22nd Steet, features both a brunch menu as well as a lunch and dinner selection with first, second and third course options.  Lidia's Restaurant has a refreshing and beautiful atmosphere and has become famous for its selection of freshly made breads and bakery items.

5 ½. Classic Cup

The Classic Cup, located on the Country Club Plaza takes our number 5 ½ spot on this list.  Why 5 ½?  Because we recommend The Classic Cup for wining and dining your clients for breakfast (or should we say "coffeeing and brunching"?).  This European style bistro is famous for its outdoor dining, contemporary cuisine, and homemade desserts.  If that's not enough to get your client's mouth watering, I don't know what is! 

Did we leave your favorite KC restaurant off of the list?  If so...

Please comment below and let us know where you like to take your clients for breakfast, lunch or dinner!

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City's newest entrepreneurial resources.  To read more of Allison's work, check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner. 

KC Hub Plans to Place Kansas & Missouri in Top 10 Most Innovative Regions in the World

In a 2009 study, the Kauffman Foundation found that both Kansas and Missouri fall well below the national average in entrepreneurship/business rates per capita. But when Kansas City has quality universities, excellent medical schools, several great school districts, internationally recognized institutions, a number of capital firms and groups, highly successful companies, law firms that specialize in intellectual property, and a handful of mega-successful entrepreneurs, how can this be so?

Ryan Weber and Aaron Sloup set out to answer this question in the fall of 2009. When the two of them put their heads together, Weber (with experience in intellectual property at Kansas State) and Sloup (with a vast perspective on Kansas City and experience with Cerner) found that it wasn’t the amount of Kansas City assets that was the issue—it was the lack of overall collaboration.

That’s why about a year and a half ago, Weber and Sloup established a new non-profit organization called KC Hub. The two visionaries formed a web-based portal that provides exposure to innovation and entrepreneurialism in Kansas City. The site combines the efforts of innovators, entrepreneurs, leaders, investors, and mentors in Kansas City with one cohesive website featuring a calendar of events, startup news, and much more. In December of 2011, the KC Hub team will feature its Innovative Networking Site Version 2.0 which will be even more interactive, more collaborative, and more personalized for innovators and their targeted needs. Meanwhile, KC Hub is also developing within the entrepreneurial community with face-to-face opportunities and collaboration with various companies.

KC Hub wants Kansas City to be recognized as one of the 10 most innovative regions in the world—a region in which entrepreneurs, scholars and visionaries will flock to work collaboratively in coworking environments with like-minded individuals, intuitions and companies.

Aaron Sloup, President of the organization, keeps his five year plan in mind, but is striving for this overarching goal. “Our ten year vision is for Kansas City to be nationally recognized by people as a place for innovation.”

His partner, Ryan Weber, agrees. “Kansas City has a viable ecosystem for innovators to build sustainable companies and give people opportunities to make the startup process easy,” he says. “We want Kansas City to become a highly-rated base for entrepreneurial activity."

Both founders believe that the reason KC Hub started was because of something that we are all too familiar with: thinking big.

“KC Hub is thinking as big as you can get,” says Weber. “It all started with big thinking, and now we are stepping back and starting from step one.”

“Think Big defines our organization,” adds Sloup. “There are organizations out there who take on very focused pieces of the overall puzzle—we are thinking bigger than this. We are thinking bigger than anyone else and we’re excited to see how far we can get.”

Both founders agree that thinking big requires more than just imagination and innovation.  And it's that entrepreneurial initiative that seems to matter most.  "It's important to get to a point where you feel comfortable to take that [startup] leap," says Sloup.  "It's amazing how many people will come out of the woodwork to help you."

And help you they will--just look at KCSourceLink, a resource that helps small businesses grow and prosper by providing business owners easy access to needed services.  This is a well-established entrepreneurial resource that not only strengthens the nonprofit network by collaborating with various Kansas City small business providers, but it also enhances the effectiveness of these businesses which helps the community's economic growth and impact.  Be sure to check out the highly-regarded KCSourceLink for more startup help too! 

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City's newest entrepreneurial resources.  To read more of Allison's work, visit the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner. 

5 Great Startup Pitches from TechStars Demo Day

TechStars, a unique and very successful business accelerator that can now be found in Boulder, Seattle, NYC and Boston, recently had a Demo Day in which several promising startups presented.

For the uninitiated, accelerators take on very early stage startups for a brief period, offering them support, mentoring, and often investing seed capital in them. TechStars is probably the second most prominent such program, after Silicon Valley's Y-Combinator. There are now over 60 accelerator programs in the U.S. alone and growing.

Here is the article, My five favorite startup pitches from TechStars Demo Day , that showcases some of the pitches.

Does Your Startup Have What It Takes? Find Out With Nicholson Kovac's "The Last Plan Standing"




Will your business become The Last Plan Standing?

From now until December 31st, entrepreneurs in Kansas City and beyond have the opportunity to compete for a once-in-a-lifetime integrated marketing communications campaign to launch their very own business. The event is “The Last Plan Standing” which is Nicholson Kovac’s way of helping entrepreneurs and businesses grow and prosper. By submitting a one-minute video, entrepreneurs will have a chance to explain why their new product or service is relevant and ingenious, and why Nicholson Kovac should deem it worthy as “The Last Plan Standing."

Nicholson Kovac, an integrated marketing communications company that is counted among the top independent advertising agencies in the country, is accepting “The Last Plan Standing” entries and videos at http://www.lastplanstanding.com/. At this site, you can find information about the contest including eligibility requirements, contest rules, and a place to upload and submit your business’s video.

On February 8, 2011, the top three contestants of “The Last Plan Standing” will be notified by Nicholson Kovac and a panel of business executives. These three finalists will then be flown to Kansas City to make half hour presentations of their business plans and why they should be “The Last Plan Standing”. Each presentation will be recorded and posted to the site so that the public has the chance to vote on a winner. These results will be combined with Nicholson Kovac’s staff and judges to select the winner of “The Last Plan Standing.” NK will announce the grand prize winner via a live webcast on February 28th and the business’s $100,000 marketing communications plan will be developed from March 1st until August 31st.

“Nicholson Kovac was founded by entrepreneurs who understand the important role that marketing communications plays in helping businesses to grow and prosper,” said Pete Kovac, president and CEO. “History shows that entrepreneurs can thrive in a flagging economy and in fact may be the key to bolstering it, and Nicholson Kovac would like to lend its proven marketing communications expertise to help ‘The Last Plan Standing’ winner succeed.”

To be a part of this unique opportunity, visit www.lastplanstanding.com for information about how your new product or service could be named “The Last Plan Standing.” In addition, follow “The Last Plan Standing” on Twitter for updates about the contest @NKlastplan or visit www.facebook.com/NicholsonKovac.  Think Big Partners would like to encourage innovators, entrepreneurs, and big thinkers everywhere to go for it--sign up to be a part of "The Last Plan Standing" today!

For further information, please contact Renee Robinson, Nicholson Kovac’s Public Relations Management Supervisor at 816-460-3027 or at pr@nicholsonkovac.com.

Written by Allison Way. Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City’s newest entrepreneurial resources. To read more of Allison’s work, please visit the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner.

The No-Kidding # 1 Real Secret To Success As An Entrepreneur

Many people have tried for years to find the real secret to making it big as an entrepreneur - but without  much luck. From best selling books to powerful celebrity stacked seminars, self hypnosis mantras to brilliant (and sometimes overpaid) business coaches, the secret to success has eluded even the most determined seekers.

Well.....hold on to your hats. Through some heavy duty investigative journalism, talking to many successful people from all walks of life and even studying video and film until our starry eyed eyes were sore, we have finally figured out the #1 secret.

Drumroll please..................................watch this video!





It's simply hard work. REALLY HARD WORK. Either being too smart, too dumb or too stubborn to know better than to give up, it is the idea that every day and every effort counts. Today just might be the day that never giving up pays offs. Watch the video one more time  (courtesy of http://myescapevelocity.com/category/thinking ) who helped remind us that through HARD WORK, the play isn't over until "it's over".

Or as Winston Churchill would say, "Never, never, never give up!"

But if it makes you feel any better, this secret will STILL be very safe and kept from most people. You see, most people want the magic bullet, not the grim reality of hard work as the secret to entrepreneurial success.

Now - get back to work!

Slideshare of Guy Kawasaki's latest book Enchantment - The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds and Actions

Great insight and reminders for anyone in business today, especially entrepreneurs. Once again, Guy Kawasaki distills great wisdom into a digestible, palatable and entertaining format that can help entrepreneurs achieve greater success. Thanks for always helping us Think Big, Guy!

Enchantment v2.1

View more presentations from Guy Kawasaki.

InvestMidwest: Start Chasing Your American Dream with the Top Venture Capital Firms in the Midwest!



InvestMidwest is an opportunity for Kansas
City entrepreneurs to receive funding
and achieve their American Dream.


There’s no need to travel to the East or West Coast to connect with top venture capital firms. In fact, you need to look no further than Kansas City, Missouri. InvestMidwest is the venture conference of the Midwest for entrepreneurs and startup companies located within the center corridor of the United States.

The 12th annual InvestMidwest conference provides entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business ideas with ten minute PowerPoint presentations to some of the top venture capital firms in the Midwest including venture capitalists, private investors and corporate investors.  The conference will showcase companies in three different industry tracks including life sciences, technology/general business and cleantech/alternative energy. With business pitches given to over 250 attendees, InvestMidwest is an effective way to receive potential capital funding from respected and experienced firms.

“It’s our goal to find the best companies in the Midwest to showcase for our investor audience,” says Christine Walsh, executive director of InvestMidwest.  “This is a venture-fundable opportunity that is an obvious need in the Missouri-Kansas market.”

With over $400 million in investment in 11 years, InvestMidwest is every entrepreneur’s dream. And it’s not too late to apply for this once-a-year opportunity. Applications are being accepted December 1st through January 7th. All companies will be contacted by February 11th regarding their acceptance. In order to apply for InvestMidwest, companies must meet the following criteria:
• Located within the center corridor of the United States
• Seeking $1M to $20M in funding
• Revenue projections of $20M within five years (with the exception of life sciences companies)

“InvestMidwest allows companies to stay here instead of heading off to the coasts for capital raising opportunities,” says Walsh.  “We very much appreciate the support of the Midwest community—especially in Kansas City.  Their support means the world to us.”

InvestMidwest provides access to capital for emerging, privately held companies and to promote greater entrepreneurship, business growth and expansion in the Midwest. Is your company looking for an exceptional business opportunity? InvestMidwest may be it!

InvestMidwest will take place March 30-31st in Kansas City. To learn more about the event, visit the InvestMidwest website or contact Christine Walsh at cwalsh@stlrcga.org or 314-444-1151.

Written by Allison Way. Allison is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners and bizperc, two of Kansas City’s newest entrepreneurial resources. To read more of Allison’s work, check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner.