5 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Do Their Part on 9/11 This Year

It's hard to believe that twelve years ago our nation suffered the tragedy of 9/11--a series of coordinated suicide attacks by al-Qaeda upon the United States on September 11, 2001. And once again, this year on 9/11, our nation will remember those who have fallen by raising the American flag at half mast and participating in volunteer activities and acts of service throughout the community.

Entrepreneurs, we know that you’re busy every single day of the year. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day and 911 Day are no exception. But if you have an extra 10 minutes in your day on September 11, we encourage you to honor those impacted by the terrorist attacks with any of these 5 easy activities:

1.  Educate: We are fortunate enough to live in a country that promotes freedom--and that includes the freedom to choose exactly what we with our lives. Entrepreneurs take the concept of “freedom” to a whole new level by choosing the startup road less traveled. The career path of entrepreneurship is a scary one, and a lot of people do not know how to begin. As an entrepreneur, offer some advice on entrepreneurship on 911 Day to encourage other budding entrepreneurs to embrace freedom. Participate in an educational event, host a lecture, mentor a younger entrepreneur or teach people your area of expertise for just a few minutes on this special day.

2.  Create the Right Jobs: If entrepreneurs create the right jobs with a focus on important technical skills, a large abundance of jobs will spring up across the nation and promote the newfound American Dream and an increase in opportunities. In addition, the notion of self-reliance can improve economic sustainability. We, as Americans, enjoy many freedoms including the availability of extremely low prices (from companies such as Wal-Mart). The economic reality of this is that it is not sustainable. By providing more jobs and paying more for everyday goods, we can create a much more sustainable economy.

3.  Promote Health: In order to promote a healthy America, entrepreneurs and small business owners must keep their physical health in check on a day-to-day basis and also make it an important matter in the workplace. Eating right, exercising, and getting an adequate amount of sleep benefits the body as well as the mind, allowing entrepreneurs and small business owners more creativity and energy while at work. It's a win-win situation all around. We challenge you, entrepreneurs, on 911 Day, to get out of the office and go for a walk with colleagues, hit up the gym for a jog on the treadmill or attend a yoga class. Free your body and your mind for a just a few minutes.

4.  Volunteer: Whether you're a large business or a small startup, all companies should be interested in becoming good corporate citizens. When entrepreneurs and their companies volunteer, they can achieve an enhanced public image with a cohesive and motivated workforce. Volunteer programs also help employees strengthen their leadership and interpersonal skills and increases interaction among different departments.

5.  Think Big Beyond Borders: The essence of being a patriotic entrepreneur is to look past the artificial borders of nationality, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and politics in order to address the most critical problems that we face as a global society. When entrepreneurs think beyond these artificial borders, we can promote a positive change in the workforce and in the world. Thinking beyond borders allows more people to achieve their own American Dream.

Entrepreneurs, what will you do on 911 Day? Will you do more than put your flag at half-mast? We encourage all entrepreneurs to Think Big on 9/11/2013 by educating, creating more jobs, promoting health, volunteering, and thinking beyond artificial borders.

Entrepreneurs Celebrate the American Dream on the 4th of July

Fireworks, barbecues, pool parties, family reunions and live music will mark the much anticipated 4th of July on Thursday. We are just as excited as the next entrepreneur to join our families and friends for a day of celebration (not to mention, perhaps a few hours away from emails and meetings!).  

While the 4th of July seems all fun and games (which it should be), as Americans we need to recognize why we have such a day to celebrate. This date marks when our country broke free from Great Britain’s rule and gained independence in signing the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. We celebrate with fireworks to remember our freedom and traditions that the United States holds. This day is a symbol of our incredible nation’s beliefs and independence. 

To entrepreneurs, this day should be regarded as especially important. We are allowed to have our own thoughts, ideas and dreams. Entrepreneurs are given a second chance when they mess up. Americans encourage growth and innovation in communities and that is exactly what this holiday allows us to celebrate.  We as entrepreneurs are especially thankful for our freedom.  Without it, we would not be able to ideate and build upon the incredible ideas that we have.  

We tend to forget that not everyone has the freedom and liberties that we have. People from all over the world come to our country in hopes of living a better life. We are blessed and lucky that we can aspire to seek the American Dream.

So, this 4th of July holiday, we encourage you to be thankful for your freedom as you celebrate with firewords, hotdogs, boat rides and sparklers with your friends and family. From all of us at Think Big Partners, have a fun and safe 4th of July weekend and we will see you back at work on Monday!

5 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Celebrate 911 Day in 2012

It's hard to believe that eleven years ago our nation suffered the tragedy of 9/11--a series of coordinated suicide attacks by al-Qaeda upon the United States on September 11, 2001.  This year, on September 11th, Americans will celebrate 911 Day and honor the 2,993 killed in the attacks.  Rather than spending the day in tears and grief, Americans have produced a positive spin on 911 Day by displaying the American flag at half-mast outside of their homes as well as participate in good deeds throughout their community (from donating blood to thanking a fireman). 

On 911 Day, Think Big Partners would like to encourage entrepreneurs and small businesses to do more than put their flags at half-mast and do one good deed.  Below are 5 ways that entrepreneurs can not only celebrate 911 Day and promote the American Dream, but can also allow their small business to grow as a patriotic and sustainable company.  

1.  Educate:  Education does not only mean teaching others the importance of entrepreneurship and small business, but also educating yourself on the many aspects of being an entrepreneur. It is important that entrepreneurs never stop teaching and never stop learning. In order to participate in both on 911 Day, attend or book a local entrepreneurial seminar or lecture for your startup or read up on entrepreneurial blogs online.  Entrepreneurial resources such as bizperc and the Kauffman Foundation provide educational events to promote learning in today's small business world.  Keep in mind, it's never too late to continue your learning process and help others learn as well.  

2.  Create the Right Jobs:  The fundamental trend that the United States has undergone was the switch from an industrial-based to a service-based country.  The reality is that if entrepreneurs create the right jobs (i.e., jobs in the manufacturing industry), with a focus on important technical skills, a large abundance of jobs will spring up across the nation and promote the newfound American Dream and an increase in opportunities.  In addition, the notion of self-reliance can improve economic sustainability.  We, as Americans, enjoy many freedoms including the availability of extremely low prices (from companies such as Wal-Mart).  The economic reality of this is that it is not sustainable.  By providing more jobs and paying more for everyday goods, we can create a much more sustainable economy.

3.  Promote Health:  In order to promote a healthy America, entrepreneurs and small business owners must keep their physical health in mind on a day-to-day basis and also make it an important matter in the workplace.  Eating right, exercising, and getting an adequate amount of sleep benefit the body as well as the mind, allowing entrepreneurs and small business owners more creativity and energy while at work.  It's a win-win situation all around.  

4.  Volunteer:  Whether you're a large business or a small startup, all companies should be interested in becoming good corporate citizens.  When entrepreneurs and their companiesvolunteer, they can achieve an enhanced public image, with a cohesive and motivated workforce.  Volunteer programs also help employees strengthen their leadership and interpersonal skills and increases interaction among different departments.  Not only will you be benfitting the community through volunteer work, but you will also be benefitting your new small business.    

5.  Think Beyond Borders:  The essence of being a patriotic entrepreneur is to look past the artificial borders of nationality, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and politics in order to address the most critical problems that we face as a global society.  When entrepreneurs think beyond these artificial borders, we can promote a positive change in the workforce and in the world.  Thinking beyond borders allows more people to achieve their own American Dream.  

So what will you do on 911 Day?  Will you do more than put your flag at half-mast?  We encourage all entrepreneurs to Think Big on 9/11/2012 by educating, creating more jobs, promoting health, volunteering, and thinking beyond artificial borders.

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

Land of the Free...Home of the Entrepreneur

Fireworks, barbeques, pool parties, family reunions and live music will mark the much anticipated 4^th of July this coming Monday. A coveted summer holiday for Americans, friends and family will gather to enjoy good food and games while sitting under the dark sky lit by bright, fiery lights.

While the 4^th of July seems all fun and games (which it should be), as Americans we need to recognize why we have such a day to celebrate. This date marks when our country broke free from Great Britain’s rule and gained independence in signing the Declaration of Independence on July 4^th, 1776. We celebrate with fireworks to remember our freedom and traditions that the United States holds. This day is a symbol of our incredible nation’s beliefs and independence. 

To entrepreneurs, this day should be regarded as especially important. We are allowed to have our own thoughts, ideas and dreams. Entrepreneurs are given a second chance when they mess up. American’s encourage growth and innovation in communities.

We tend to forget that not everyone has the freedom and liberties that we have. People from all over the world come to our country in hopes of living a better life. We are blessed and lucky that we can aspire to seek The American Dream.

So, this Independence Day, just remember to be thankful for your freedom while you are eating that hot dog. From all of us at Think Big Partners, have a fun and safe 4^th of July!

Written by Genevieve Alander. 

@GennaThinkBig.

Ready to Swim in the Shark Tank?

Take the plunge with Kansas City sharks during Think Big Kansas City's own version of Shark Tank.

It's nibbling season, entrepreneurs.  And no, I'm not talking about Discovery Channel's Shark Week. 

I'm talking about the premiere of Shark Tank -- ABC's third season of the make-it-or-break-it reality TV show that follows the business ventures of America's own aspiring entrepreneurs and their determination to obtain funding from high-power investors (also known as The Sharks).

This season's Sharks include Mark Cuban, Jeff Foxworthy, real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran, infomercial industry pioneer Kevin Harrington, technology innovator Robert Herjavec, fashion icon Daymond John and financial expert Kevin O'Leary.  Throughout the season, these Sharks will use their expertise, contacts and, of course, their money, to make investment commitments to a group of hard-working, go-getting entrepreneurs.  But this season is different.  One Shark is willing to part with $4 million of his own money to help one entrepreneur reach the American Dream.  So get ready, entrepreneurs, because the season premiere of Shark Tank airs Friday, March 25th at 7:00 CT on ABC.

But what happens two months after Shark Tank's premiere may excite you even more: it's your chance to get involved in Kansas City's own version of Shark Tank.  Think Big Kansas City, the Premier Conference for Entrepreneurs, Investors and Startups is featuring its own panel of VC's for a Shark Tank-style business plan pitch.  Three entrepreneur finalists at TBKC will pitch their business plans and then be critiqued by KC's own venture capitalists and angel investors.  The intense, emotionally-charged atmosphere of the Shark Tank reality show is coming to Kansas City and it's something that you do not want to miss!

Tune into Shark Tank on Friday and partake in Kansas City's own Shark Tank competition at Think Big Kansas City, coming to the Kansas City Convention Center on May 24th!  You're sure to get hooked one way or another.

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer for Think Big Partners, Kansas City's early-stage startup accelerator and business incubator.  To read more of Allison's work, check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner as well as her articles on Helium, eZine and BrooWaha.  Follow Allison! @AllisonThinkBig

5 ½ Characteristics of Martin Luther King, Jr. and How They Can Help You as an Entrepreneur

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which is to be celebrated on Monday, January 17^th, 2011, I wanted to pay tribute to the great man who fought for equality even when all odds were against him.  Much like many of you entrepreneurs out there, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “had a dream.”  Nothing could stop him from achieving exactly what he wanted to achieve—even if it meant going to jail, being hated or going against people’s wishes.  MLK’s famous speech, “I Have a Dream” has touched the hearts of millions of Americans throughout the years and goes to show that with hard work, bravery, persistence, and many other qualities, anything can happen. 

What’s your dream?

There are many ways to achieve it.  But what’s more important is who is achieving it.  If you uphold important entrepreneurial qualities, many of which Martin Luther King, Jr. possessed, you will have a greater chance of success.  Below are five of MLK’s traits that made him the great man that he was—do they match up with yours? 

Patience: It wasn’t one speech that put an end to segregation in the United States.  It wasn’t one march, one demonstration, one sit-in.  It was multiple attempts on various accounts that finally got the message out there.  Martin Luther King, Jr. had to have patience throughout this time if he truly wanted to succeed.  He knew that things wouldn’t change overnight—and you need to know this, too.  Be patient with your startup—let it grow in increments each and every day.  You will achieve your dream, it just takes time to get there.   

Bravery: Obviously, it took mass amounts of courage to stand up to thousands, even millions, of people and proclaim his dream.  But Martin Luther King, Jr. made it known that what he wanted was equality and that he would fight till the end to see it through.  Have courage and faith in your startup business—let it be known that this is what you want to do and that you are passionate about seeing it succeed. 

Leadership: MLK was the one that took the leadership position during the fight for equality.  He was the one that stepped up to the plate when no one else would and found the answers to everybody’s questions.  As a successful entrepreneur, you have to take on the leadership position of founder or CEO of your company, and with that, you have to know how to manage people, make decisions, and plan for success. 

Persistence: Even from the confines of Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King, Jr. did not stop fighting for what he believed in.  When the world was against him, he didn’t take breaks.  As an entrepreneur, you must be prepared to work persistently under various circumstances. 

Trustworthiness: Those who followed Martin Luther King, Jr. trusted him with every bone in their bodies.  They had full confidence that he would be the one to put a stop to discrimination and segregation.  Business owners and leaders much have a trustworthy quality so that they can develop their own “followers”—coworkers, partners, sponsors, employees, clients, family and friends. 

As an added bonus—Martin Luther King, Jr. knew how to captivate an audience.  Be sure that you can grab people’s attention the moment you walk into a room.  If you haven't already seen it, watch MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech, and you will know exactly what I’m talking about:

Allison Way is a writer and videographer for Think Big Partners, Kansas City’s mentorship-based business incubator and startup accelerator.  To read more of Allison’s work, check out the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner as well as her articles on BrooWaha, eZine, Helium and Newsvine. 

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. 

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.

Entrepreneurs and Thanksgiving: What You Should Be Thankful For

Although to many entrepreneurs, Thanksgiving means a day off of work, a 4,000 calorie meal and relaxing time with family.  But in reality, the holiday couldn’t speak more true to the hard work of an entrepreneur—not their limited time off.  Thanksgiving is—of course—all about saying thanks to the things that we are most grateful for.  For entrepreneurs, that could be a successful small business, the wonderful people we have the opportunity to work with, or our families that support us along the way. 

Thanksgiving is all about the best American qualities – hard work, diversity, strength, and finding effective solutions to problems.  These, in effect, are the same qualities that are the cornerstones of successful entrepreneurship.  When the Pilgrims were invited to the harvest by the Wampanoag Indians in 1621, it was an invitation to survive the first winter in the New World.  The Pilgrims owed their survival to the goodwill of the Indians, who had taught them how to grow corn and how to fish in the very unfamiliar New England soil and seas.  This took guts, tenacity, a sense of adventure and just unbelievable hard work and perseverance among everyone.  And isn’t that, in a nutshell, what entrepreneurship is all about? 

So today, entrepreneurs, give thanks.  Give thanks to what you have become and give thanks to where you are going.  Give thanks that this nation has provided you with the ambition of a great American Dream.  Give thanks for the time that you can spend with your family.  Give thanks that you are given the opportunity to strengthen the American economy.  And finally, give thanks that you have the gift of Thinking Big.  Happy Thanksgiving!

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.

Apple iPads, Nikon Digital Cameras, and Diamond Earrings-- But One Gift Stands Out More Than the Rest on Oprah's Ultimate Favorite Things 2010

Imagine winning an Apple iPad, a Royal Caribbean cruise, five years of Netflix, diamond earrings,  a Nikon digital camera, and a brand new 2012 Volkswagon Beetle all in one sitting.  If it sounds too good to be true, it’s actually not.  These were just a few of the items on Oprah’s Ultimate Favorite Things 2010 which truly became the “Ultimate” holiday giveaway as the audience left the studio with thousands of dollars worth of free merchandise, perks, and incredible gifts. 

Oprah knows what the season for giving is all about.  And with Thanksgiving around the corner, and Christmas not too far after, it is important to keep in mind the important things in life—and most of these things are not 2011 Volkswagon Beetles and a cruise for the whole family.  Oprah knows that giving back this holiday season does not necessarily mean giving away a bunch of free gifts—but giving away a gift that can change lives.

Among the shrieks of every stay-at-home mom, the tears of joy of every person in the audience, and the jumping up-and-down of every prize winner, there was a gift from Oprah that mattered most of all.  This year, one of Oprah’s Favorite Things 2010 was Kiva, a company that “gives loans to change lives.”

Check out Groupon.com/Kiva to give back to the
entrepreneurial community this season!

Kiva is a company that empowers individuals to lend money to entrepreneurs across the globe.  By combining microfinance with online opportunities, Kiva has created a global community of people connected through online lending.  Kiva’s focus on partnership relationships, accountability through loans rather than donations, and transparency through the free flow of communication make Kiva an aspiring entrepreneur’s dream capital-raising resource.  

Oprah honored Kiva for their outstanding work in supporting those entrepreneurs who aspire to build their own communities by including the company on the list of Oprah’s Ultimate Favorite Things 2010.  In addition, Oprah helped Kiva to launch an exciting new deal.  This weekend, new Kiva users can visit Groupon.com/Kiva to buy $25 of Kiva credit for only $15.  This way, anybody can help lend money to those entrepreneurs who are striving for their dreams this holiday season. 

Check out Groupon.com/Kiva or Kiva.org to learn more about this deal and to lend your money to those aspiring entrepreneurs who continue to Think Big and strive to build a better tomorrow.

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.

Buy Joe Calhoon's "The 1 Hour Plan for Growth" on November 16th to Learn How Kansas City Small Business Can Revitalize the Economy

Joe Calhoon, a noted business strategist, author, and keynote speaker, is a firm believer that in order to restart and revitalize the economy, it is necessary for small businesses to grow, flourish, and succeed.  This is why Calhoon has written his third book, The 1 Hour Plan for Growth – How a Single Sheet of Paper Can Take Your Business to the Next Level; to emphasize the importance of a simplified planning process and to provide a proven system for any business—whether in Kansas City or San Francisco—to create a compelling one-page business plan in one hour.

What is The 1 Hour Plan for Growth about?

The 1 Hour Plan for Growth is a book dedicated to the business growth planning process.  With the book’s three-step approach to growing small businesses, Calhoon proves that entrepreneurs can improve their own companies while striving towards the American Dream.

The 1 Hour Plan for Growth covers the six essential elements of the dynamic business growth plan including vision, mission, values, objectives, strategies and priorities.  In addition, Calhoon incorporates his own experiences such as working with dozens of successful small business owners, innovators, and entrepreneurs to develop effective business plans that will help to jumpstart their businesses and today’s deteriorating economy.

How can The 1 Hour Plan for Growth help revitalize the economy?

The 1 Hour Plan for Growth capitalizes on the notion that small business—not the government—will save American jobs through the individual bootstrapping techniques of hard work and ingenuity.  In other words, it is the Big Thinking of entrepreneurs and small businesses owners that can save today’s deteriorating economy.  When entrepreneurs focus on their business’s plan for growth, not only are they helping to save their companies, but they are also helping to restore the economy.

How can The 1 Hour Plan for Growth help Kansas City entrepreneurs?

With the book’s three-step approach to growing small businesses, Calhoon proves that entrepreneurs can reinvent, revitalize and restart the economy by improving their own companies and striving for the American Dream.  Since Joe Calhoon is a Kansas City business leader himself, he is able to explain the ins-and-outs of Kansas City entrepreneurship in The 1 Hour Plan for Growth as he covers the process to engage employees, develop leadership capacity, improve performance, and accelerate growth.

Who is Joe Calhoon?

Joe Calhoon is a Kansas City entrepreneur—just like many of you!  And because Calhoon has “been there, done that”, he knows the ins-and-outs of Kansas City entrepreneurship. Because of his wide success, Joe Calhoon has become a noted business strategist, author, and keynote speaker.  In the past 25 years, he has worked with more than 500 organizations such as 3M, Best Buy, Northwestern Mutual Life, and Ritz-Carlton Hotels to develop leaders, improve organizational performance, and achieve business growth.

How and when should I buy the book?

Kansas City entrepreneurs—and entrepreneurs around the globe—are encouraged to purchase The 1 Hour Plan for Growth on November 16, 2010 from Amazon.com.  When small business owners, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovators purchase the book on this date, they will help to boost the book’s bestselling status on.  Joe Calhoon and his team need anywhere from 3,000-5,000 books sold by November 16^th in order to snag the top position.  Help Joe Calhoon reach his own American Dream and increase your business’s chances of development and growth as well as the revitalization of the economy—buy The 1 Hour Plan for Growth!

Think Big Partners would personally like to thank Joe Calhoon and his team for providing such an informational and inspiring book.  It is people such as Calhoon who can help teach the world to develop small business, better the economy, and of course, Think Big! 

To learn more about Joe Calhoon and The 1 Hour Plan for Growth, please visit www.The1HourPlanForGrowth.com (official site to launch soon).


Written by Allison Way.  Allison Way 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.  

Joe Calhoon Celebrates "1 Hour Plan For Growth" Book Launch with Kansas City Entrepreneurs and Jack Stack Barbecue Partner, Case Dorman

On Monday, business strategist and author Joe Calhoon brought together numerous successful Kansas City entrepreneurs to celebrate the launch of his new business book, "The 1 Hour Plan for Growth".  The luncheon, catered by a Kansas City barbecue favorite, Jack Stack Barbecue, took place at the recently-launched KC event space, bizperc6 in the Crossroads District.

Joe Calhoon discusses "The 1 Hour Plan for Growth" with
fellow Kansas City entrepreneurs.

During the luncheon, various entrepreneurs from the Kansas City area were invited to lunch, network, and congratulate Joe Calhoon and his team.  During the event, Calhoon recognized and honored a majority of his team as well as an abundance of successful entrepreneurs that came to give their support and congratulations.  The lunch also featured a question-and-answer session with the Managing General Partner of Jack Stack Barbecue, Case Dorman--a leader in some of the best barbecue in Kansas City.  During the question-and-answer session, the crowd was given advice about how to stay in business through products, passion, and people, and were informed about the Jack Stack startup process and its future.

"The 1 Hour Plan for Growth" luncheon took place at bizperc6,
Think Big Partner's new event space in the Crossroads District.

Kansas City entrepreneurs (and entrepreneurs around the globe) are encouraged to purchase The 1 Hour Plan for Growth from Amazon.com.  When small business owners, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovators purchase the book, they will help to boost the book’s bestselling status.  Joe Calhoon and his team need anywhere from 3,000-5,000 books sold in order to snag the top position on Amazon.com.  Help Joe Calhoon reach his own American Dream and increase your business’s chances of development and growth as well as the revitalization of the economy—buy The 1 Hour Plan for Growth!

Joe Calhoon and Drew Hiss, producer of Crossing Rivers,
enjoy the Jack Stack Barbecue buffet at the luncheon.

Think Big Partners would personally like to thank Joe Calhoon and his team for providing such an informational and inspiring book.  It is people such as Calhoon who can help teach the world to develop small business, better the economy, and of course, Think Big! 

Written by Allison Way, 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.  

peerbackers: A New Small Business Helps Entrepreneurs Raise Capital and Achieve the American Dream

Andrew Rachmell's life has been an adventure.  And with an ambitious lifestyle that is all about trying something new, finding inspiration in life experiences, and of course, thinking big, it’s no wonder Rachmell wound up as a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of startup company, peerbackers.




peerbackers is an online funding platform that helps entrepreneurs
achieve that sought-after American Dream.



When Rachmell met Sally Outlaw, a partner from their previous production company in the mid 90's,the two found that their experience with producing television shows transformed into an obsession with entrepreneurship.  The two went on to create other businesses only to find themselves back together recently when they each realized a need to support the entrepreneurial community in light of the economic climate.   Only a year ago, Rachmell was involved in discussions with Florida Atlantic University’s Adam Center for Entrepreneurship for the production of a TV and web series profiling successful entrepreneurs.  At the same time, Outlaw had found that the process of raising capital from angel investors or venture capitalists tend to consume precious time that could be better spent on building a businesses.  After discussing the growth of startup companies and new small businesses, Rachmell and Outlaw put their heads together and created a business to help entrepreneurs raise money through a crowdfunding model by utilizing social networking.  peerbackers was born with the goal of saving entrepreneurs significant time and reducing the awkwardness associated in asking for money from family, friends, and even angel investors. 

  
peerbackers is an online funding platform that allows business owners and entrepreneurs to raise capital from their “peers” in small increments in exchange for tangible rewards for those who contribute.   peerbackers can save entrepreneurs significant time in raising growth or startup capital, not to mention the awkwardness that is, at times, associated in asking for money from family, friends and one’s professional circle of contacts.   For many entrepreneurs, the amount of money being sought after does not even meet the minimum level that angel investors or VCs require.  Most entrepreneurs start their business with $25,000 or less, making peerbackers a more viable solution for this type of startup company.

   

Within peerbacker’s first week of business, every entrepreneur featured on the site had obtained at least one “backer”, and most had anywhere from two to four.  With the smart utilization of social media marketing, peerbackers hopes to help thousands of entrepreneurs on a yearly basis reach their own dreams of owning a business by successfully reaching their fund raising goals.  In order to prove peerbacker’s future success, the company actually utilized its crowdfunding initiative utilizing a "mock up" information site in order to raise money for the launch of the peerbackers’ website.  The company raised several thousand dollars to build the current site and became one of twelve finalists in the Miami Herald Business Plan Challenge.

 

As a serial entrepreneur with companies such as NetViews Inc. and peerbackers under his belt, Andrew Rachmell attributes much of his startup success to the passion he has for adventure and exploration.  His many life-changing experiences, such as biking across the country at the age of 20 and hiking up Mt. Whitney through a snow storm, have led him to think “if I can do that, I can do anything.”  This is exactly how the mind of an entrepreneur works.  According to Rachmell, an entrepreneur must maintain a vision for the business, continue to accomplish one small goal after another, and be passionate, persistent and patient.  All of these attributes are instilled into peerbackers as well as Rachmell’s own entrepreneurial life.  Congratulations to Andrew Rachmell and the launch of peerbackers – an entrepreneur and a company that are here to help others Think Big!

Allison Way 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.  

Ron Bloom's Manufacturing Strategy Promotes Innovation and Ingenuity

Written by Allison Way, writer and videographer for Think Big Partners.


In a recent study done by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, it was found that 78% of Americans believe that manufacturing is important to the nation’s economic prosperity. But just saying that manufacturing is important is an understatement. Manufacturing is vital to the development and sustainment of the U.S.’s high standard of living. In today’s economy, manufacturing’s presence has shrunken dramatically—from a gross domestic product of 30% in the 1950s to 11% in 2010. Because of this dramatic drop, manufacturing jobs dropped from 19.2 million to 11.6 million since 1980, when globalization was booming and free trade agreements were prevalent. Clearly, something needs to be done.



Ron Bloom has been appointed by Barack Obama to
solve today's manufacturing problem.

Ron Bloom, a Harvard M.B.A. with vast experience on Wall Street, within the United Steelworkers, and with the bailout of General Motors and Chrysler, has been appointed by Barack Obama to tackle America’s manufacturing problem. By invigorating the private sector initiatives in certain industries, applying a more restrictive approach on trade policy, and rewarding domestic production, manufacturing will, once again, provide research and development, well-paid jobs, and increasing exports for America.

Unwilling to accept manufacturing’s decline, Bloom is reworking various strategies. While workers call for a more expansive government role in manufacturing (like that of China, Germany or Japan), others believe that it is the government’s role to direct banks to lend to particular companies would suffice. Bloom, however, has a strategy of his own, different than that of the “China strategy".

In the long run, Rom Bloom is all about innovation. “I am deeply afraid that if you lose the ability to make things,” he said, “all the intellectual activity involved in innovation and design will over time erode as well.” With the implementation of a new manufacturing strategy that thoroughly analyzes the nation’s industrial base, small businesses, entrepreneurship, and innovation all have a better chance to increase.

In the New York Times, journalist Keith Bradsher notes that “The Obama administration, modest as it is, is nevertheless ‘huge’ in comparison with previous administrations, which generally accepted the proposition ‘that manufacturing’s decline was inevitable in a mature, service-oriented economy.’”

Innovation is what can turn this economy around. Barack Obama has stated, “We see a future where we invest in American innovation and American ingenuity; where we export more goods so we create more jobs here at home; where we make it easier to start a business or patent an invention; where we build a homegrown, clean energy industry – because I don’t want to see new solar panels or electric cars or advanced batteries manufactured in Europe or Asia. I want to see them made right here in America, by American workers.”

As entrepreneurs, we can only hope that manufacturing in America will grow so that we can launch our new small businesses and help to benefit today’s economy and the high standard of living. We can continue to hope that Ron Bloom’s manufacturing strategy will not only provide more entrepreneurial ventures with more achievement in the American Dream, but also that the 42,400 American factories that have closed down since 2001 will be up and running once again.

Kansas City Chiefs Become Big-Time Entrepreneurs

Written by Allison Way, writer and videographer for Think Big Partners.

Tonight is the night, Kansas City Chiefs fans: Monday Night Football kicks off when the New York Jets take on the Baltimore Ravens at 6:00C and your Kansas City Chiefs go head-to-head with the San Diego Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium at 9:15C. Football season is finally here, but what else have your Kansas City Chiefs been up to off the field? As a matter of fact, some have been participating in their own entrepreneurial ventures and starting up their own small businesses.

First and foremost, we would like to pay tribute to Lamar Hunt, the founder of the American Football League, Major League Soccer, and North American Soccer League and also the founder and owner of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Wizards. Lamar Hunt also coined the phrase “Super Bowl” when he jokingly threw out the name (instead of using the “AFL-NFL Championship Game”) by combining his daughter’s favorite toy, the Super Ball with a bowl game. As many of us know, the Super Bowl is now the most-watched show in history, thanks in great part to Lamar Hunt. Aside from sports, he also established Oceans of Fun and Worlds of Fun theme parks in Kansas City. Lamar Hunt truly is Kansas City’s Big Chief.

Eddie Kennison, the owner of many small businesses including a restaurant, a telecommunications company, a wine club and nonprofit called Quick Start, is a retired Kansas City Chief. He recently jumped on the executive board of the brand new Social Media Club of Johnson County which co-promotes events and ensures that all members and businesses are provided with social media education.

Former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and inductee in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Warren Moon, has not only had success with the Chiefs, Oilers, Vikings, and Seahawks, he has also found success as an entrepreneur. Based in Irvine, California, Moon’s one-stop sports and entertainment marketing firm called Sports1Marketing offers full services to clients in the area of sports, entertainment, charitable events, and media.

Deron Cherry, a Chief from 1981-1991 became a limited ownership partner in one of the NFL’s new expansion teams, the Jacksonville Jaguars. He is also a managing general partner with United Beverage, which is a local Anheuser-Busch distributor. Cherry also dedicates much of his time visiting universities to give lectures about the importance of entrepreneurship.

Tony Gonzalez was a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs and today owns a nutritional supplement company called All Pro Science based in California. His small business sells protein powder, recovery drinks, immune-system boosting supplements, and much more.

Tonight's game is at 9:15 at Arrowhead Stadium.

Will Shields played for the Kansas City Chiefs as an offensive guard. Today, he owns 68 Inside Sports, a gymnasium and sports facility based in Lenexa, Kansas as well as A Will to Succeed Foundation which was organized in 1993.

Fans and entrepreneurs: tonight when you are watching the game, keep in mind that some of the players out on the field may become the next successful small business owners. Not only will many of these players achieve the American Dream through football, but also through entrepreneurship, and of course, by never ceasing to Think Big.