We Have Liftoff: Zaarly Launches in Kansas City

Fasten your seatbelts.  Zaarly has launched in Kansas City. 

Ink reporter Sarah Gish made the first Zaarly transaction
when she delivered coffee to the Zaarly team. 
Read the full story.

I can't say I was too surprised when I opened my Ink magazine to find a full article about Zaarly.com.  After all, the online business is truly booming and word is getting out about the new business.  And how could it not?  Zaarly's easy-to-use digital platform gets you what you want, when you want it at the click of a mouse (or touch of a button!).  Have an extra wireless mouse lying around?  Someone near the Downtown Airport will pay you $20 for it.  Got some time on your hands?  An office in Kansas City needs someone to hang 6 photos on their walls...and they'll give you $50 for it.  What you want, when you want it: that's Zaarly.

Tomorrow night, Zaarly is having its Kansas City launch party at bizperc (1800 Baltimore Kansas City, MO) from 5:30-8:00pm. With knockout supporters like Ashton Kutcher, an incredible team like Adam Coomes and Bo Fishback backing it up, and the Zaarly buzz circulating throughout Kansas City (and even across the nation!), it's plain to see that Zaarly has a lot to celebrate.  Become a part of the Zaarly community and come down to bizperc tomorrow to connect with the Zaarly team, learn more about the company, and find out how its changing the local marketplace.  Or just come by for some awesome appetizers, beer, and wine.  The Zaarly launch is being presented by KC IT Professionals. 

Register now!

Written by Allison Way.
@AllisonThinkBig

Top 10 Things I Learned at Think Big Kansas City

To say that Think Big Kansas City was a jam-packed day is a bit of an understatement.  Choosing only 10 things that I learned from the all-day conference is actually quite a challenge!  But here are some of the key take-aways that I gained from attending the 2nd annual Think Big Kansas City:

1.  When pitching to investors, pitch the company, not the idea.  - Rachael Qualls, Pitch Big VC Judge

2.  Always prepare yourself for the unexpected (like chocolate with Pop Rocks in it!) - Tamara Christensen, TBKC Speaker

3.  Not all companies follow through with their core values and we need to be aware of this.  -  Marty Stanely, TBKC Speaker

4.  Mobile apps are not going to go away...and neither are the complications of developing them for both iOS and Android.  -  Royce Haynes, TBKC Panelist

5.  "Technology companies are born global."  - Michael Gale, TBKC Panelist & Speaker

6.  That a successful business leader guides his employees to make decisions and supports them whether they're right or wrong.  "When decisions are not being made, that's when I'll fire you."   - Bill Rancic, Keynote Speaker referring to Donald Trump

7.  During a pitch, make sure to leave room to talk about your competitors and why you're better than them.  -  Chris Geisert, Pitch Big VC Judge

8.  If you don't make a mistake every once and awhile, then you're not pushing the limits.  - Herb Sih, TBKC Speaker & Founder

9.  Everybody can Think Big...but we all do it in different ways. 

10.  When you bring hundreds of entrepreneurs together under one roof, anything is possible, but especially Big Thinking! 

Written by Allison Way.
@AllisonThinkBig

Green Company Walks Away with $5,000 in Startup Prizes at Think Big Kansas City!

Congrats to the TBKC Pitch Big Winner PlanetReuse!

After numerous panel sessions, a fascinating keynote speech by Bill Rancic, and an informative talk from Michael Gale of Gramercy Private Equity, Think Big Kansas City seemed to be wrapping up.  But TBKC could not come to a close without the production of one of the most talked about activities of the day: Pitch Big.

In the competition, the three Pitch Big finalists were asked to present a 5-minute pitch to a VC panel of judges (Chris Geisert of Tradebot, Rachael Qualls of Angel Capital Group and Michael Gale of Gramercy Private Equity).  After their pitch, the judges would grill the contestant with a series of startup questions (and give great pitching advice!). 

Pitch Big started off with Kevin Curtin of Kinergi Systems.  During his pitch, Kevin touched on the importance of LED lighting in the commerical industry.  The judges (of course) drilled him with questions and then the audience voted and gave Kevin a number (1-10, 10 was the highest) for how he did during the pitch.

This process repeated for the other two candidates: Willow Lundgren and Nathan Benjamin of PlanetReuse and Scott Halvorson of SmartPharm. 

When the audience was asked to vote, things ended up getting a little heated.  People debated for their favorite contestant, fought for their favorite company, and took a stance as to what they thought was a fair ranking. 

In the end, Willow and Nathan of PlanetReuse walked away as the winners.  The business was awarded an "Entrepreneur in a Box" prize consisting of 6 months of free office space at bizperc, startup services and guidance, logo design, and much more (worth over $5,000!). 

A BIG congratulations to PlanetReuse for becoming the winner of Pitch Big 2011!  And a special thanks to all of the participants, the audience, and our fierce judges for taking part in the event.

Written by Allison Way.

@AllisonThinkBig

How Do You Think Big?

As a part of our countdown to Think Big Kansas City (which was a BIG success on Tuesday!), we put up on contest on LinkedIn to find out how people Think Big.  The winner of the contest (congrats again to Christina Buffa of Keller Williams Northland Partners!) won a free ticket to Think Big Kansas City, their quote on the TBKC slideshow, and facetime with Bill Rancic. 

But we didn't want to forget about all of the other Big Thinkers out there.  Here are some of our favorite answers from our LinkedIn contest. 

 

How Do You Think Big?

"Forget about what everyone else is doing and focus on what they're not - then capitalize on it.  That is how you gain strategic advantage."  - Duke Getzinger

"Be unique and simple." - Brian Bush

"When you finally find that big idea, treat it like the day your wife told you she was pregnant.  Be there every step of the way: the first scan, the birth, those first teeth and steps, life's little accidents, the first achievements.  Your idea will grow with all your passion and belief in the wonder of life." - Ian McMonagle

"Meditate on the fact that you are a limitless individual and your limits are hinder only by what you are not willing to do." - Suzette DeCruize

"Ingredients to Thinking Big: First you will need the following; imagination, motivation, optimism, determination.  Take one brain full of "good ideas" (preferably new), take one white board of "crazy approaches that no one would try".  Combine the two and mix until success (this may take awhile, but don't give up!" - Corey Weddington

"Thinking Big...never, never, never give up on your dreams!  They may not seem big to anybody else, but they are yours.  Dreams can't get any bigger than that!" - Jeff Miner

"Take your current vision or plan and make it Bigger.  If you're selling in the US, why not sell in Europe or Asia?  If you're in one niche market, why not go for two?  Nobody changed the world by not trying and thinking small!" - Jim West III

"Think big but plan small steps.  All ideas have big and small forms.  Some of the largest small businesses were built one brick at a time." - Daniel Symes

"By constant pursuit of knowledge.  The more you learn, the more things become possible to you.  The more you know, the Bigger you can think.  Anything is possible!"  - Joe Elkjer

"My husband and I have created a franchise system despite the fact that we had no business background or experience prior to owning our moving company 3.5 years ago.  We are Thinking Bigger by rebranding our current operation to an affordable, national franchise system for American business owners, while enhancing and improving the customer's moving experience." - Dana Ward

Thanks for telling us how you Think Big!!

TBKC Live Blog: From Zero to Innovation in 60 Minutes or Less

I wasn't sure what to expect at Tamara Christensen's From Zero to Innovation in 60 Minutes or Less, but I sure wasn't prepared for what I saw...and most importantly...for what I tasted!

In the session, Tamara discussed the 9 tools to creativity.  The nine tools are:

1.  Memorable intros.  Tamara demonstrated this tool by making all of the people in the room introduce themselves by telling one another their favorite smell.  Fresh cut grass, brownies right out of the oven, and even laundry exhaust were discussed.  And I now remember every single person's face and their favorite smell.

2.  Cognitive offroading.  Get off of the normal path.  Take a different route to work.  Think in a different way.

3.  Use visual and kinesthetic storytelling...not just auditory!

4.  Find the problem first, not the solution.

5.  Use problem framing with divergent and convergent thinking.

6.  Forget about yourself.  Ask yourself how others will solve your problem.  What would Oprah do?  What would Bill Rancic do?  What would your mom do?  What would nature do?

7.  Find forced connections.  Find a similarity between two completely dissimilar things.

8.  Praise first.  Acknowledge people for their creativity.

9.  Use shapely reflection upon finding a solution to your problem.  Triangle = three things that stand out to you.  Square = one thing that squares away with you.  Circle = what things are still circulating and questioned in your mind.

My favorite part of the presentation was when Tamara asked us to place a small square of chocolate in our mouths.  We were to have it sit on our tongue until it completely melted away.  About 10 seconds after placing the chocolate in my mouth, my tongue started to explode.  Little did I know that my chocolate had Pop Rocks inside of it!  Other participants had cayenne pepper chocolate and caramelized ginger chocolate.  Everyone in the audience was surprised at the taste.  It allowed our brains to think outside the box.  It helped me realize that sometimes, the unexpected happens.  It let me think creatively.

Thanks, Tamara for an awesome TBKC session!  To learn more from Tamara, stay tuned.  This summer, she will be hosting a Creativity Camp for grown-ups at our own bizperc location!

Think Big!!

TBKC Live Blog: Building the Right Company Culture to Deliver Happiness from A to Zappos

In Marty Stanley's presentation Building the Right Company Culture to Deliver Happiness from A to Zappos, she covered the 5 steps to a high-performance company culture.  The five steps are:

1.  Design development
2.  Foundation, core values and strategic plan
3.  Structure
4.  Schematics
5.  Interior/Exterior Finish

Following the overview of the main steps to a company culture, Marty had the audience guess which company fit in with particular core values.  Some were shocking (for example, one of Enron's core value is integrity, one of GM's core values is innovation).  Others were more on-point (fun and weirdness is one of Zappos' core values and Virgin Mobile is all about value for money).

Next, TBKC is hosting lunch followed by keynote speaker Bill Rancic!  We are excited to see what he has to say about seizing opportunity, entrepreneurship, and succeeding in business and in life.  Stay tuned for more live blogs!

Written by Allison Way.
@AllisonWay

TBKC Live Blog: There's an App for That: The Business of Going Mobile

Moderated by Brian Smith (Jimmy Good Technology), There's an App for That at TBKC consisted of four standout panelists from the Kansas City community including Tony Caudill & Joe Terry (Aireal Mobile), Chris Puglisi (Mellow Militia) and Royce Haynes (Jiffy Card).  This panel started off with Brian discussing Color, an extremely successful new mobile app driven by proximity and sharing pictures.  But that's not the only thing I learned from the apps panel (obviously!).

Throughout most of the panel, the three panelist and the moderator discussed the challenges of going mobile.  If you or your business is planning on developing a mobile app, watch out for these challenges that you may face:

• Understanding what it takes to compete in the app world (Chris)
• Finding the resources and the right agency to develop an app (Chris)
• Developing the correct interpretation of your vision (Tony)
• Understanding the expense of developing an app- anywhere from $150-$200 per hour for developers! (Joe)
• Learning the Apple app store policies (Joe)
• Developing software for both Android and Objective C and attempting to launch them at the same time (Royce) 
• Scaling and marketing a product (Royce) 

Stay tuned for more live blogs from TBKC!  Next up...Delivering the Right Company Culture to Deliver Happiness- from A to Zappos!

Think Big!

TBKC Live Blog: Global Business- Going Big Overseas

TBKC Live Blog: Global Business- Going Big Overseas

The first Think Big Kansas City panel that I decided to attend was Global Business- Going Big Overseas. Moderated by Bob Smith of Axcelerate Worldwide, this panel discussed all of the issues that global and international businesses face. From developing global partners to learning different customs, this panel covered it all.

One of the most interesting questions brought up during the panel was "What are the biggest challenges faced by global businesses?" (asked by Think Big Partners' co-founder, Tyler Prochnow). Interestingly enough, all three panelists had different answers.

Antonio Souve of Capistrano Global mentioned that the biggest challenged he faced was that of learning the cultural differences in different countries. He believes that before a business goes global, its founders and/or CEOs need to understand where they are going politically, economically and culturally.

Michael Gale of Gramercy Private Equity believes that the biggest challenge is developing global partnerships. He made note that if you are trying to find a global partner, it is important to go hunt them down in their country, not in yours. One of my favorite quotes from the entire panel was from Michael Gale when he stated, "If you're a technology company, you're born global whether you like it or not!"

Finally, Pat Tourney of SCL Americas noted that one of the most difficult parts of going global is maintaining your business's goals and strategies throughout its expansion. He stated that this is a frustrating part of business, but it is also the most important.

I learned a great deal from Global Business- Going Big Overseas. A huge thanks to moderator Bob Smith and the three panelists who made this session a success!

I'll be back with more live blogs from Think Big Kansas City! Coming up next: There's an App for That- The Business of Going Mobile. STAY TUNED and THINK BIG!!

Yes, Dorothy, We ARE in Kansas and the Whole World is Flat!

Why this is GREAT for entrepreneurs, angels and the U.S. economy.  Our guest blog post from Scott Mize. 

As attendees prepare to gather tomorrow at the Kansas City Convention Center for the 2nd Annual Think Big Kansas City conference, my thoughts have turned to how the “flattening” of the world is impacting the entrepreneurial sector of our economy.  This is the flattening popularized in the book entitled “The World is Flat” by New York Time columnist Thomas Friedman.  The basic thesis of the book is that the internet and other information technology (e.g. new mobile devices) have created a level playing field for businesses worldwide. Increasingly, the historical hierarchies and barriers of geography, resources and markets are disappearing and becoming increasingly irrelevant.  Although the focus of the book was globalization and its cross-border impact, there are many ways in which this transformation can benefit places like Kansas City.  It also might be an important key to solving the problem of job creation in the U.S. and around the world.

We all know that the overwhelming proportion of new jobs come from small and medium-size high-growth companies.  They are the primary engine of economic growth and prosperity.  The Great Recession has dealt a serious blow to this job creation engine.  Although we technically came out of the Great Recession in 2009, the so-called recovery has been nearly jobless.  It is also showing every sign of going sideways at best for the foreseeable future.  To battle this inertia, it is essential that we focus on regaining serious job-creation momentum.

I have long felt that we really need to have more than one word for investing.  In much the same way that we could use more words for “love” in the English language (the Ancient Greeks had four!) we need at least two for “investing”.  One would refer to the type done on the stock market.  This is not IPOs or other offerings wherein an issuing company takes in the investment.  I mean the overwhelming majority of the transactions wherein investors buy and sell existing stock from each other in a global speculation casino.  This type of investing may create wealth for some investors, but is creates few jobs directly.  The other would refer to what angel investors and venture capitalists (VCs) do - buying stock from a private company itself and having that money applied to building the business, which creates jobs quickly, many of them very high-value jobs.  Diverting a relatively small percentage of the current investment in the stock, bond, commodity and/or foreign exchange markets into startup investments would have an extremely positive impact on job creation.

VC firms are often perceived as the key to funding early-stage companies.  The reality however is that the overwhelming majority of businesses will never get any VC money because they do not fit their target profile in one way or another.  I don’t have the room in this post to go into the reasons in detail, but Mark Suster of GRP Partners has written a couple of great posts about it here and here.  On top of that, the venture capital sector in the U.S. continues to shrink and has generally delivered lackluster returns.  Many observers believe that about half of the venture firms that have been active over the past few years will soon go out of business.  This makes increasing the level of angel investment more critical than ever.

Angel investors have always been important to fueling start-up companies.  Over the past decade, there has been strong growth in angel investing (despite a pullback during the Great Recession), and broad proliferation of angel investment groups.  According to the Angel Capital Association (ACA), the number of angel groups has tripled since 1999.  According to the Center for Venture Research at the University of New Hampshire, in 2010 in the U.S., 265,400 angels invested $20.1 billion in 61,900 companies creating 370,000 new jobs.  This puts angels at rough parity with VCs, who according the National Venture Capital Association invested $23.3 billion in 2010.  There are now angel groups in virtually every city in the U.S.  The ACA has over 150 angel groups as members from 49 states and 6 Canadian provinces.  Although data is harder to come by outside the U.S., there are many indicators that there is good growth in angel investing around the world.

In order have the greatest success at creating new jobs, ensuring economic prosperity and solving the major challenges facing humanity, we need more angel investing.  The good news is that there are two key factors that poise us for a boom in angel investing.  First, the ACA estimates that the potential number of angel investors (defined as those with over $1 million in net worth) is approximately 4 million.  Second, in much the same way that the global competitive environment is flattening due to advances in information technology, so is the start-up funding environment.

There is a huge opportunity to make angel investors of a good chunk of the 4 million high net worth individuals that are currently sitting on the sidelines.  The ACA and Angel Capital Education Foundation have made a great contribution by creating a professional association for angels, which among other many other things compiles and disseminates best practices for the field.  Both are spinoffs of The Kauffman Foundation and are based in Kansas City.  The proliferation of angel groups makes it easier for high net worth individuals that are new to the game to find a community in which they can get up the learning curve and plug into deal flow.

Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications like AngelSoft make it easier for angel groups to aggregate deal flow and syndicate deals.  This is good for both entrepreneurs and investors – taking down traditional barriers and limits and thus flattening the investment process.  The ability to aggregate deal flow from multiple sources dramatically increases the number of deals to which an angel investor has access.  Workflow management capabilities enable angels to more easily collaborate and use their collective intelligence in sourcing deals, performing due diligence, and overseeing their investments.  The angels thus have unprecedented access to more and better start-up investment opportunities.  This type of application is also good for entrepreneurs because they have access to a much wider range of potential investors than ever before, and therefore unprecedented access to investment capital.

It is the common wisdom in many quarters that globalization and the “flattening” of the world spells doom for the U.S.  To the contrary, by using these same forces creatively we can stay in a leadership position.  Activating the sleeping potential of angel investors and embracing these new technologies can produce exciting entrepreneurial successes, powerful new product and services, robust job creation and a myriad of ways to address the pressing challenges facing humanity.

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Written by Scott Mize.  Scott is a Silicon Valley Venture Development Executive and is the moderator of the Think Big Kansas City panel on “Lessons Learned from Kansas City Entrepreneurs You May Not Have Heard Of”.  He can be reached at ayesem@earthlink.net.

Think Big Kansas City is TOMORROW!

Entrepreneurs, startups, business owners, CEOs, investors, big thinkers:  Tomorrow is the (Think) Big day!

The day we've been counting down to is finally here! We're excited to see you at Think Big Kansas City 2011. We're looking forward to seeing many familiar faces as well as meeting new leaders, visionaries, entrepreneurs, and investors from across the nation.

What should you do to prepare? Here's a checklist for everything you need to know about TBKC!

Bring...stuff to jot down notes, business cards, company information and your entrepreneurial spirit!

Park...in the Barney Allis Plaza Parking Garage (cash only) or utilize street parking. Enter the Kansas City Convention Center using the entrance on Central & Wyandotte (between 12th and 13th).

Dress...business casual. You want to impress Bill Rancic, don't you?

Look over...our conference agenda, speaker list, and Pitch Big finalists to know what you're getting yourself into!

Tweet...don't forget to Tweet using #TBKC and @ThinkBigKC!  Also, please use our intefy page to see what's going on with #TBKC on Twitter!  Access the page here. 

See you bright and early at 7:30AM tomorrow for the Networking Breakfast! Get ready to Think Big!

Written by Allison Way.
@AllisonThinkBig

Thinking Big is Easy—The Hard Part is Execution

Shane Jones’ positive outlook on entrepreneurship will give Think Big Kansas City a fresh and interesting twist at the end of the day. 

Shane Jones
Founder of Ace Personnel

Knowing that Think Big Kansas City was successful last year (with over 400 attendees), Shane Jones, founder of Ace Personnel, wanted to jump on the Think Big bandwagon.  This year, Shane will be presenting Instant Advisory Board Experience: Power Networking to Create Powerful Business Results directly after Bill Rancic’s keynote presentation at TBKC. 

During Shane’s breakout session, participants will learn what to expect in advisory meetings, how to build their own advisory boards, and what resources will connect them with accountability groups and peer advisors. 

“I want people to realize that if they ask for help, a majority of the time, people will say yes...and sometimes for free!” says Shane.  “This is an opportunity for hundreds of entrepreneurs to ensure best practices and benefit from one another’s experiences.”

Shane is a firm believer of Big Thinking.  When asked how he thinks big, he responded with an unexpected and thought-provoking answer: “Thinking Big is easy.  The hard part is execution.  This conference is a way to Think Big, strategize, prioritize, and prepare for successful years to come.”

Join Shane Jones among many other speakers and panelists at Think Big Kansas City 2011 on May 24, 2011 at the Kansas City Convention Center.  You won’t want to miss out on this opportunity! 

Written by Allison Way.

@AllisonThinkBig

Angel Capital Group in Full Swing after Kansas City Launch

Since its launch in Kansas City in late January of this year, Angel Capital Group, a network of investors and entrepreneurs, has been expanding its reach and has branched out to a number of investors within the Midwest. Because of its nationwide expansion, Angel Capital Group has partnered with Think Big Partners, a mentorship-based startup accelerator and business incubator and has added a new face to its team.

The Angel Capital Group offers a variety of services both to the angel investor and the entrepreneur. Most importantly, Angel Capital Group has established a network where entrepreneurs can reach out to angel investors to find the seed capital they need in order to grow their businesses. Simultaneously, Angel Capital Group helps investors build diverse portfolios of meaningful private investments. The biggest benefit of utilizing the Angel Capital Group is its initiative to allow accredited investors to join its network for free for one year or until that investor makes his or her first investment.

With the launch of its Kansas City chapter, Angel Capital Group partnered with Think Big Partners, a collaborative network and workspace for entrepreneurs, investors, founders and visionaries. By combining Angel Capital Group’s funding platform with TBP’s national conference for entrepreneurs, investors and startups (Think Big Kansas City on May 24, 2011), this partnership effectively helps entrepreneurs locate capital, assists investors with finding more businesses worth funding, and places more ideas in the right home anywhere in the country.

“We have learned that once you fund a company, that company needs help,” said Rachael Qualls, founder of Angel Capital Group. “They need to be connected with other entrepreneurs; they need resources. That’s why we’re so excited to work with Think Big Partners, because they provide all of the services that we don’t, which makes for a great partnership.”

Since its launch in Kansas City, Angel Capital’s growth has been tremendous. In order to assist those interested in getting involved in the Angel Capital Group network in Kansas City, the organization has added Ryan Weber to its team as a Director for Angel Capital Group. Weber’s extensive consulting and fundraising backgrounds make him a perfect addition for the Angel Capital Group. As an entrepreneur at heart, co-founding KC Hub, a nonprofit organization created to enhance Kansas City’s ecosystem of innovation, Weber hopes to connect entrepreneurs to the funding that they desperately need in Kansas City.

“My goal is to collaborate with organizations and individuals in Kansas City that provide resources for startups so that the ecosystem is vibrant,” said Weber. “I want to look back in a few years and be proud of the opportunities we have created for both entrepreneurs and angel investors in Kansas City.”

Weber’s first initiative to jumpstart the Angel Capital Group Kansas City branch is to host its first investor meeting. This meeting, which invites angel investors from in and around the Kansas City metro area to take a look at worthwhile entrepreneurial ventures, is set for June 2, 2011 in the downtown Kansas City area. During this investor meeting, angel investors are invited to come and learn more about the Angel Capital Group’s mission and to see two opportunities that they may be interested in funding.

“We are excited to increase the level of angel investing in Kansas City by bringing the best deals from the region and the country to potential angels,” said Weber.

Angel Capital Group’s first investor meeting in Kansas City will take place on June 2, 2011 from 5:30-7:30 PM at bizperc (1800 Baltimore, Kansas City, MO). To register for the event, please sign up for a membership on the Angel Capital Group site. To learn more about Angel Capital Group and its Kansas City mission, please visit www.theangelcapitalgroup.com or call Ryan Weber at 816-804-3461.

Written by Allison Way.

@AllisonThinkBig

Announcing the Top 3 Finalists for Pitch Big!

Congratulations to the Top 3 Finalists that will compete in Pitch Big: "Shark Tank" Style!

Kevin Curtin of KINERGI Systems

Nathan Benjamin & Willow Lundgren of PlanetReuse

Scott Halvorson of SmartPharm

See you at Think Big Kansas City on May 24th!  Get ready to Pitch Big!

Winner of Think Big LinkedIn Contest Announced!

A BIG congratulations to Christina Buffa of Keller Williams Northland Partners! 

Christina Buffa, buyer specialist and real estate consultant at Keller Northland Partners, answered "How Do You Think Big?" most creatively in our LinkedIn contest!  As the BIG winner, Christina will receive two free tickets to Think Big Kansas City from Think Big Partners and presenting sponsor Alterra Bank! 

Check out Christina's winning answer:

"There will always be plenty of people who tell you 'no, 'not possible', 'impossible', etc, but I truly believe that Thinking Big means following your passion and God-given talents. Having a bigger purpose other than financial gain (such as helping others achieve their goals) are what drives me to continue to try and not quit. Thinking Big means not turning back at the first obstacle and realizing that most successful people are just failures who never quit."

As part of the winning package, Christina not only has the chance to attend Think Big Kansas City for free with a friend, but her quote will also be displayed in our slideshow at Think Big Kansas City.  As a BIG added bonus, Christina also has the opportunity to meet Bill Rancic, original winner of The Apprentice! 

Congratulations, Christina!  Way to Think Big!  Can't wait to see you on May 24th!

Written by Allison Way.
@AllisonThinkBig

Partnership Issues and the Entrepreneur

Going into business with someone else is a lot like a marriage: you will be spending an inordinate amount of time together, making decisions jointly, making individual decisions that affect the whole, and being together in both good times and bad.  Just as one should not make a hasty long-term relationship decision, so too should careful consideration go into finding the right business partner.

A partnership occurs when two or more persons join together for the purpose of doing business.  Absent a written partnership agreement (discussed below), each partner is liable for any debts or judgments taken on by the business.  Because a partnership is unincorporated, there is no limited liability.  This means that all the partners’ personal assets can be taken to satisfy lawsuit judgments or to settle partnership debts.  Further, any partner can be sued for the full amount of business debt.

Take heart, it’s not all bad.  A partner gives you someone with which to work, to share ideas, and to divide the workload.  Additionally, a partner is someone with whom you can share the financial responsibilities of the business. 

The key is to find someone with whom you can work well.  Look for someone with complementary skills.  In other words, their strengths are your weaknesses and vice-versa.  You are the yin and they are the yang.  They should share your vision and be willing to work as hard as you do.

Although not legally required, a written partnership is STRONGLY recommended.  A good partnership agreement should include the following provisions:

·        the time or money each partner will contribute;

·        the methods for making business decisions and resolving disputes;

·        the division of profits and losses;

·        the procedure for adding/changing partners; and

·        the process for winding up the business.

It’s a lot like a pre-nuptial agreement in that you and your business partner(s) are preparing for the divorce on the eve of the wedding.  However, in the absence of a written agreement, the division of assets (including the business name), profits, and liabilities will be assumed to be equal, regardless of who actually made the contribution or incurred the debt.

Before asking for someone’s hand in a business marriage, carefully consider the pros and cons.  If you find that the good outweighs the bad, go for it!  Don’t let partnership problems sidetrack you from Thinking Big!

 

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Written by: Donald R. Simon, J.D./LL.M., is president and CEO of Simon Business Consulting, Inc., a firm providing consulting services such as business and marketing plan development, incorporations, intellectual property advising, franchising regulatory assistance, and presentations on the basics of starting a small business.  Send questions or comments to don@simonbizconsulting.com.  This blog is provided as a source of information and is not to be construed as legal advice or opinion, or to form an attorney-client relationship.  For legal advice, please consult an attorney.



Google Fiber Expands to the Missouri Side

Google Fiber is coming to our neck of the woods!  To say we're excited is an understatement.

Earlier this week, Google Fiber (the 1Gbps fiber-to-the-home testbed network) announced its expansion beyond Kansas City, Kansas and into Kansas City, Missouri. 

Mayor Sly James commented with this statement: "As a result of this announcement, we have become the most attractive city on the planet to entrepreneurs." 

This is a good thing for us.  And an even better thing for you.

The expansion of Google Fiber means that Kansas City has a high-profile product of one of the hippest companies today: Google.  The decision to launch Google Fiber in Kansas City has created a positive buzz around the KC metro area because it will allow up to 450,000 residents to utilize the uber-fast, uber-powerful Google Fiber network.  This initiative just goes to show the growth that the Kansas City technology industry is undergoing today.

Kansas City Power and Light will facilitate the Missouri side of Google Fiber's build-out.  According to ars technica, the deal provides cash in exchange for Google's access to the electrical infrastructure, including poles and substations, to make deployment of its fiber fast and (relatively) inexpensive.

Kansas City, we can now say that we will have the fastest Internet connection in the entire world.  This is, without a doubt, a giant leap for Kansas City's technology, innovation, and entrepreneurial sectors. 

Now that's Thinking Big!

Written by Allison Way.
@AllisonThinkBig

Q&A: Think Big with Joe Calhoon!

Joe Calhoon, author, business strategist and speaker at Think Big Kansas City is looking forward to cluing in Kansas City business owners on the seven questions that high-growth companies must ask.  Check out our Q&A session with Joe himself! 

Joe Calhoon
Business Strategist and Author

Think Big Partners (TBP): What made you interested in presenting at Think Big Kansas City?

Joe: For the past quarter century I have been working with business owners and business leaders to develop higher-performing organizations.  That is very aligned with what Think Big Kansas City is all about.  I’m all about what you guys are all about!

TBP: What are you looking forward to most at Think Big Kansas City 2011?

Joe: To help people build better businesses, live better lives, create more jobs, and create more wealth.  I want to stimulate people to develop the kinds of businesses they are capable of leading.

TBP: What are you planning to present at Think Big Kansas City 2011? 

Joe: We have developed a new presentation that is getting very positive results.  We focus on the 7 critical issues that have to be answer to build a great business.

TBP: What three things will people leave your presentation with?

Joe: Number one, they will have a clearer sense of the type of business they want to build and why they want to build it.  Of course, the why is very important—it’s their motive.  Number two; they will know specifically what they need to do to build their business.  So many business owners waste too much time on areas that are not important and so we will help them identify the most important strategy.  Three; we will give [entrepreneurs] a process that has been used by hundreds of organizations to better serve customers, employees and owners while developing leaders.

TBP: Why is entrepreneurship so important to bring to Kansas City or to the Midwest?  

Joe: An entrepreneur, according J.B. Say, the French economists who coined ‘entrepreneur’ 115 years ago, is someone who moves resources from an area of lower productivity and yield to an area of higher productivity and yield.  As our world changes, entrepreneurs are developing the new businesses and new products and services that really create a better future for all of us.  According to the Kauffman Foundation, without business startups and small business, there isn’t very much new job growth in our country.  Our country is obviously going through difficult times.  It’s no secret that the small business owners are the most important to our society.  The reason why is because they provide the greatest value for our society—they create jobs!  They provide the products and services that meet people’s needs.  They are the engine of the economic recovery.  It is my absolute pleasure to serve them.

TBP: What did you enjoy most last year out of Think Big Kansas City?

Joe: I enjoyed the networking and the learning from other entrepreneurs.

TBP: How do you Think Big?

Joe: The biggest thinker in the history of the world is God.  He made everything.  When you consider the magnitude of what God created, that’s the original Big Thinker.  So I spend time with God.

To learn more from Joe and hear him speak live, register for Think Big Kansas City!  The conference takes place on May 24th and the Kansas City Convention Center. Tickets on sale now!

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We would like to give a BIG thanks to the Hilton President, FreshID and the Inventors Club of Kansas City for beoming sponsors of Think Big Kansas City on May 24, 2011.  Thanks for your contributions and for making the world of startup better for everybody! 

Written by Allison Way.
@AllisonThinkBig

Lawrence Tech Business Showcase

Tomorrow is a big day for the Kansas City metro area.  With Futurallia 2011 starting tomorrow, there is no doubt that Kansas City will be bustling with entrepreneurs, startups, and business owners from across the globe.

But simultaneously, Lawrence, Kansas is also going to have a big day.  The Lawrence Technology Association Business Showcase starts tomorrow at 5:00pm at the Bioscience & Technology Business Center.  With guest speakers, table space and a slew of technology businesses, the LTA Biz Showcase is the place to be tomorrow night in Lawrence.

So if you would like to spotlight your new technology, startup business, or passion for all that is tech, be sure to check out the LTA Business Showcase tomorrow night! 

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A huge thanks to Arsalon, Stinson Morrison Hecker, and Red Brokerage for helping to sponsor Think Big Kansas City!  It's the people like you who make entrepreneurship even greater.  Thanks for your help.  We can't wait to see you at TBKC on May 24!

Written by Allison Way.
@AllisonThinkBig

Go Global in Kansas City: Futurallia 2011 Starts Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is Futurallia 2011- the global opportunity of a lifetime. 

Are you prepared to connect with 800 businesses from 30 countries in 2 days?  That's what Futurallia 2011 is all about and it's coming tomorrow to Kansas City.

Futurallia is an event for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and startup companies to develop their business internationally through strategic, commercial, financial and technological partnerships.  The event is a fast-paced business match-making event where everything is done to optimize an entrepreneur’s small business development efforts and maximize their time.

Are you attending Futurallia 2011 to help your business go global? 

Read more:
6 Reasons to Attend Futurallia Kansas City 2011
9,000 Meetings in 48 Hours
Futurallia KC Brings Together Thousands of International Entrepreneurs

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A big thanks to Fawn Key & Associates, Avid Communications, Overland Limo, and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring Think Big Kansas City on May 24, 2011!  We couldn't do it without you!

Written by Allison Way.
@AllisonThinkBig

PART 2: TBP's Q&A with Original Winner of The Apprentice, Bill Rancic

A few hours ago, we posted PART 1 of our Q&A session with the one and only Bill Rancic.  Feel like you couldn't get enough?  Here's more from Bill himself. 

TBP: What are the 3 biggest lessons that you learned from Donald Trump?

Bill: There’s so many!  And I don’t want to give away my whole speech...so I’ll leave you with one.  You can never quit.  Donald’s a guy who has had good times and bad times.  He’s never quit and he’s never made excuses.  A lot of people like to blame everyone else except themselves.  They’re never going to reach the level of success they could until they start pointing the finger at themselves.

TBP: What was the greatest experience that you had on The Apprentice?  What did you learn from this experience? 
Bill: I think the greatest experience I had was winning!  That’s why everyone was there.  I was able to win and do it the right way—I didn’t have to backstab, I didn’t have to talk bad about people or cut corners along the way.  I did it in a way where I was happy with the person I saw in the mirror.

Bill with wife and E! News host, Guiliana Rancic.



TBP: Tell us something that people don’t know about you as an entrepreneur. 

Bill: Entrepreneurship has been in my blood since birth.  A lot of people don’t know that when I was young I owned a boat wash and wax business.  It’s never too early or late to start.



TBP: What do you think of Think Big Partners and the Think Big Kansas City conference?  Are we on the right track?

Bill: You’re doing it!  [Think Big Kansas City] promotes the importance of small business ownership.  You’re planting the seed with people and hopefully people will realize that small business is the backbone of America.  It’s what gave our country the recognition that we have today—it’s made us the best country in the world.  A lot of people don’t realize that small business owners employ more people than any other sector in the United States.  At the end of the day, they’re responsible for this economy turning around.

Bill was featured on The Celebrity Apprentice finale with his mentor, Donald Trump.

TBP: What are you looking forward to at Think Big Kansas City?

Bill: This is what I love to do.  I love small business.  I love talking to entrepreneurs, hearing their ideas, seeing where they’re going with their businesses.  Hopefully I inspire them, but they certainly inspire me as well.

TBP: How do you Think Big?
Bill: I Think Big by dreaming Big.  Before you accomplish something, you have to plan it out in your mind.  You must set Big goals and create a mental roadmap before you go for something. 

Get MORE inspired by Bill Rancic.  Watch him speak live at Think Big Kansas City on May 24th at the Kansas City Convention Center.  Tickets on sale now. 

Interview conducted by Allison Way.

@AllisonThinkBig