From Kate Spade to the Garment District: An Inside Look at Kansas City Fashion Entrepreneurship

We all remember (and envy) when KC native Kate Spade blew up as a fashion designer in the mid-1990s and made us proud entrepreneurial devotees and Kansas Citians. Why, you ask? Because as a budding fashion entrepreneur, Kate Spade had a dream and she made it happen in one of the most challenging industries in the world (not to mention in Kansas City!).

Fashion entrepreneurship holds a unique market for those involved...and a competitive one at that. This market is just as important as other entrepreneurial ventures. It focuses on developmental clarity, requires experimental vision and is also backed up by a strong network.

And guess what? Fashion entrepreneurship is booming right here in Kansas City.
The term “fashion entrepreneurship” may seem somewhat new, but creative design, innovative business plans and attention-grabbing marketing strategies have been a part of entrepreneurship since the early days of Chanel. (And even before that, especially in Kansas City!)

Our very own Kansas City Fashion Week Executive Director, Teisha Barber, thinks of fashion entrepreneurship as anything from starting a unique clothing line to owning a boutique to being a stylist (with even more subgenres too!). We see all of these genres becoming more and more prevalent here in Kansas City and in our surrounding areas.

Barber shares that there are several local and regional designers making a name for themselves in the industry by traveling around the country and participating in Fashion Weeks. It’s important though, to not overlook Kansas City’s styling history. Barber explains that within Kansas City history, fashion-related businesses are revered:

“According to the Garment District Museum, in the 1940’s, Kansas City's own Garment District was a major fashion hub known for well-made clothing and accessories using quality fabrics, second only to New York. But as the styles changed over the years, the factories began going out of business. People started dressing more casual for work and jeans became very popular in the fashion world. By 1988, all the factories were gone.”

Today, a fashion revival is sweeping Kansas City. Designers and boutiques again populate the city, bringing a new age of fashion to the heart of the Midwest.

With events like Barber’s Kansas City Fashion Week on October 2-6, 2013 at Union Station, how could we not be proud of all of the new blossoming couturiers and designers?

KC Fashion Week's director, Teisha Barber, had a few things to say about the event. According to Barber, the new Kansas City Fashion Week was established in 2010 and has been thriving ever since. Each season, the crowd has grown and Kansas City residents have jumped completely on board. In fact, both show dates for 2013 were declared by the city of Kansas City, enhancing the flourishing expression of designers, stylists, models and photographers to show the public their collections, talent and entrepreneurial drive.

But Kansas City Fashion Week (with presenting designers such as Baldwin Denim, Birdies Panties and many, many others) is just the tip of the iceberg for fashion entrepreneurship in Kansas City. We cannot overlook Fashion on the Fringe, a sub-genre of Kansas City Fringe Festival or the 13th Annual West Eighteenth Street Fashion Show that took place in June.

As each KCFW comes and goes, Kansas City reaches closer and closer to the heart of the fashion industry’s map. Here at Think Big Partners, we are proud to be supporters of Kansas City Fashion Week and will even be hosting an event at KCFW in our parking lot during October’s First Friday (October 4, 2013). After all, we support entrepreneurs in every industry--from technology to fashion. Stay tuned on our calendar for more information!

Join Us for a Google Glass Meetup at Entrepreneur Corner

On August 2, during First Fridays in Kansas City, Think Big is proud to host an Entrepreneur Corner event unlike any other.  This time...it’s going to be glassy. 

The parking lot of our coworking space at 18^th & Baltimore will be the location of Entrepreneur Corner.  The space will be filled with entrepreneurs networking and celebrating Kansas City’s entrepreneurial spirit during First Fridays. The theme of this Entrepreneur Corner is Google Glass, Google’s breakthrough wearable technology.

Members from Google Glass Kansas City will be in attendance demoing their Google Glasses and showing how they have used it in their everyday lives since acquiring the revolutionary technology. Of the Glass holders will be Think Big Partners’ very own Chris Shaw, who will be fresh off of filming his Google Glass-inspired documentary, The Tech Trek. 

Join us for First Fridays in the Crossroads on August 2 from 5:30-8:30pm for drinks and demonstrations of Google’s revolutionary wearable technology Glass. See you on the corner!

To learn more about Entrepreneur Corner, visit us on Facebook!

TBP’s June Entrepreneur Corner Brings in Hundreds of First Friday Shoppers

It’s not every day that a bunch of Kansas City’s local storefront owners can gather together to sell their homemade, one-of-a-kind items.  But thanks to the newly-formed Zaarly Bazaars (and a dynamite collaboration with Think Big Partners), we were able to bring together many of Kansas City’s coolest storefront owners during First Fridays.  The result?  Hundreds of people in and out of our parking lot buying some of the city’s most unique entrepreneurial products.   

There’s no denying it: June 7 was one of Kansas City’s most successful First Fridays.  The Crossroads was buzzing with local vendors, live entertainment (who got to see the Quixotic show?), live bands and hundreds upon thousands of excited attendees.  Snow & Co. was at one-in, one-out capacity, PizzaBella was completely full until 11:00 at night and our parking lot at 18^th & Baltimore was crammed with local shoppers from 7:30-9:30pm.

As a matter of fact, according to Zaarly, over 100 downloads of the Zaarly app occurred during this Entrepreneur Corner--in just a matter of a few hours!

If you had the chance to stop by Entrepreneur Corner and check out our Zaarly Bazaar, we hope you enjoyed your experience (and we hope you walked away with something awesome!  Maybe a Nelson-Atkins inspired Kansas City t-shirt?  Or a throw pillow in the shape of Missouri?). 

We snapped a few photos ourselves as we enjoyed chatting with new and old faces at Entrepreneur Corner.  Take a look:

Our own Think Big booth attracted budding entrepreneurs from the Kansas City area.

Zaarly storefront owners conversed and sold to First Friday attendees.

The Think Big Partners team celebrates Entrepreneur Corner, First Fridays and the Zaarly Bazaar by crowding around Think Big Accelerator's newest product--a Fully charging station/cocktail table. 

Thanks to all who made it out to Entrepreneur Corner and our first ever Zaarly Bazaar during First Fridays!  We hope you had as much fun as we did.

To learn more about Entrepreneur Corner, visit us on Facebook!

What is a Zaarly Bazaar?

As many of you already know, Think Big Partners is hosting a Zaarly Bazaar during Entrepreneur Corner (First Fridays) on June 7, 2013.  Sure, it sounds interesting, but what is a Zaarly Bazaar exactly? 

First of all, let’s talk about Zaarly—one of the most well-known and successful startups from the Kansas City region.  Zaarly is an online marketplace that helps you buy and sell things with the people around you.  Zaarly pushes the notion of “buying local”.  The platform allows you to browse local listings, place orders, hold on to your favorites, and ultimately, discover what local products you love.

The explanation above makes it seem as if Zaarly is an online-only business.  Not so fast!  Thanks to Zaarly Bazaars, much like the one we are hosting on June 7, buyers can meet local Zaarly storefront owners live and in person.  Once a month, Zaarly throws a good old fashioned bazaar in its various cities, bringing locals the best of the best of food, services and handmade goods.  Zaarly also makes multiple appearances at flea markets and other local events nationwide (so keep your eye out!).

If you’re an avid Zaarly user (or are just interested in learning more about this successful KC startup) be sure to swing by Think Big Partners’ parking lot at 1800 Baltimore during First Fridays (June 7, 2013 from 5:30-8:30pm) to learn more, get involved and buy local.  See you there!

Is your startup interested in showcasing at a future Entrepreneur Corner? Contact us! 

June 2013 Entrepreneur Corner: Zaarly Bazaar

Now that summer is upon us, it’s time to celebrate and recognize all the hard work Kansas City’s entrepreneurs have done while suffering through the snowy winter.  And we’re doing it this First Friday! 

It’s time to kick off another summer of Entrepreneur Corner. If you’re not familiar with Entrepreneur Corner, it’s an event hosted by Think Big Partners during First Fridays at our headquarters in the heart of the Crossroads Arts District (1800 Baltimore). Each Entrepreneur Corner event serves as a showcase of local Kansas City entrepreneurs and startups.

The first Entrepreneur Corner of the year will take place on June 7th from 5:30-8:30pm in the Think Big Partners parking lot (our May EC was unfortunately canceled due to weather). For the month of June we are partnering with Zaarly to host a Zaarly Bazaar.  The Bazaar will showcase Zaarly’s local small business storefronts.

We will also be featuring the First Friday by the Pitch app (powered by intev).  The app is a one-stop-shop for info of every event happening on First Friday.

No amazing social event would be complete without drinks—and Think Big has that covered! If you’re wondering about music too, look no further. Think Big Accelerator company WeeJay will be demoing its technology that allows you to be the DJ!

So clear your calendars on June 7^th from 5:30-8:30pm and join us at Entrepreneur Corner to celebrate the beautiful weather and support local entrepreneurs and startups!  See you then. 

Is your startup interested in showcasing at a future Entrepreneur Corner? Contact us!

Entrepreneur Corner is Back During First Fridays!

** Editors Note: Entrepreneur Corner on May 3, 2013 has officially been CANCELLED due to weather.  Please stay posted on our blog and Twitter page for more information regarding the next Entrepreneur Corner event.  Thank you for your cooperation! 

Entrepreneur Corner is Back!

First Friday – May 3, 2013

5:30-8:30 pm

Think Big Partners: 1800 Baltimore Ave. Kansas City, MO (Parking lot)

Support artists, entrepreneurs and local restaurants! Start your First Fridays walk at Entrepreneur Corner.

Come see what the companies from the Think Big Accelerator program have been up to and learn how you can support local Kansas City startups!  Have a drink on us and network with KC entrepreneurs and the Think Big team during First Fridays.  

FEATURING:

• Keyzio
• Bodeefit
• WeeJay
• Phone2Action

Stay up to date with more Entrepreneur Corner events as well as any changes or cancellations due to weather on our Facebook group.

*Download the First Friday by the Pitch app (powered by Intev) to stay up to date with activities going on during First Fridays! 

Interested in showcasing at a future Entrepreneur Corner? Contact us! 

Think Big Hosts Last Entrepreneur Corner with Startups k12itc and RED

It’s tough to let a beautiful month like September slip away. The weather was gorgeous, football season was just starting out, and the back to school jitters were keeping us on our toes. But have no fear—Entrepreneur Corner during First Fridays is here to lift your spirits and help you celebrate the beginning of fall!

The October edition of Entrepreneur Corner will not only feature great refreshments, awesome networking and stunning views of Kansas City from the rooftop of 1800 Baltimore, but we’ll also be spotlighting local Kansas City companies k12itc, RED and providing information about our upcoming event, Microsoft Azure Cloud & Windows 8 App Kickstarts!

k12itc specializes in working with both public and private schools to deliver tailored solutions for each organization’s unique technological challenges. k12itc provides access to a comprehensive range of flagship solutions including CloudRack, CloudWatch and managed Blackboard hosting.  Join us on the rooftop of bizperc to learn more about k12itc and speak with the founders yourself!

RED (by Revdel) is a new product that allows users to easily schedule organization events.  With RED, individual activity sponsors can actually schedule events for their own activities without having full Administrator access.  RED unifies event scheduling by utilizing the iCal standard format and through the creation of schedule tailor-made to an existing website's template.

In addition, the team of Think Big Partners will be available to provide information about our services as well as give information about our big upcoming event, Microsoft Azure Cloud & Windows 8 App Kickstarts (a free event for developers, founders and tech gurus!).

Entrepreneur Corner festivities will kick off 5:00pm and conclude at 9:00pm...but that’s only our event! As with every First Friday, there are a slew of great events that will be happening all over downtown Kansas City and in the Crossroads Arts District.

But how can you find out about every Entrepreneur Corner activity?  Now, it’s simple!  Download the intevli app on your smartphone for all of the latest information on art events, restaurants, entrepreneurial meet-ups, shopping and even parking during First Fridays!

See you on the rooftop tomorrow night!

Kick Off the Fall Season with k12itc & Think Big Partners at Entrepreneur Corner

* Bummer!  Tonight the forecast shows a 70-90% chance of rain!  Because of the weather, we have cancelled Entrepreneur Corner for tonight, September 7, 2012.  Join us next month on October 5 with k12itc and we promise to make it up to you! 

August is almost over. 

Sigh. 

We witnessed a lot of great things this month.  We saw the United States come out on top in the Olympics and the fantastic closing ceremony that followed.  NASA actually got a one-ton robot to land on Mars.  And sports fans everywhere began pulling out their favorite college team jerseys in preparation for football season. 

It’s tough to let a great month like August 2012 slip away. But have no fear—Entrepreneur Corner during First Fridays is here to lift your spirits and help you celebrate the beginning of fall!

The September edition of Entrepreneur Corner will not only feature great refreshments, awesome networking and stunning views of Kansas City from the rooftop of 1800 Baltimore, but we’ll also be spotlighting local Kansas City company, k12itc.

k12itc specializes in working with both public and private schools to deliver tailored solutions for each organization’s unique technological challenges. k12itc provides access to a comprehensive range of flagship solutions including CloudRack, CloudWatch and managed Blackboard hosting.  Join us on the rooftop of bizperc to learn more about k12itc and speak with the founders yourself! 

Entrepreneur Corner festivities will kick off 5:00pm and conclude at 9:00pm...but that’s only our event! As with every First Friday, there are a slew of great events that will be happening all over downtown Kansas City and in the Crossroads Arts District.

But how can you find out about every Entrepreneur Corner activity?  Now, it’s simple!  Download the intevli app on your smartphone for all of the latest information on art events, restaurants, entrepreneurial meet-ups, shopping and even parking during First Fridays!

See you on the rooftop on September 7^th! 

Divvy HQ Hosts Startup Launch Party at First Friday’s Entrepreneur Corner

For this month’s Entrepreneur Corner, Think Big Partners hosted the launch party for spreadsheet innovation group Divvy HQ on the swanky bizperc rooftop garden.

Best view of KC – bizperc’s green rooftop garden, hands down!

Complimentary cold beverages are not unfamiliar to the Think Big Partners’ Entrepreneur Corner events, but this First Friday, the crew was serving up Divvy-tini’s (made by Divvy HQ with blackberries, wine and other secret ingredients!) and classic KC barbeque. Plus, if you dropped by, you scored some sweet Divvy swag – a “plan, Divvy, conquer” t-shirt made of oh-so-soft material.

Divvy-tinis for all! Or at least until the sweet nectar lasted…

 Divvy HQ team members ready to kick off the party!

Minglin’ – it’s getting packed!

The Think Big team admiring their new Divvy swag

First-timers soaking in the incredible bizperc view 

A big congrats to Divvy HQ and its first official launch party!  We are excited to see even bigger things from this startup in the next coming months. 

We hope to see you at bizperc for our next Entrepreneur Corner on September 7. Who knows what kind of crazy stuff we’ll have going on…you’ll just have to stop by and see!

Celebrate First Fridays with Divvy HQ at Entrepreneur Corner

You guessed it! It’s that time again—Entrepreneur Corner is right around the corner! This Friday, August 3, is First Fridays in the Crossroads Arts District of Kansas City. And, yes, we’re having another party (just in case you missed last month’s blow out!). Not only are we providing beverages and a great view of the Kansas City skyline, we’re also spotlighting a local KC startup that’s making major waves in the publishing and content industry.  Welcome DivvyHQ!

Spotlighted Company: DivvyHQ

So who is this interesting startup that will be featured at Entrepreneur Corner?  It’s DivvyHQ—a new content marketing planning tool (without the messy spreadsheets!). It’s easy-to-use, intuitive and flexible so you can get back to your real work and not stress about scheduling and calendars. DivvyHQ has a slew of high profile clients such as 3M, AT&T, Phillips and even McDonald’s. 


Entrepreneur Corner will act as DivvyHQ's own personal "launch party" where the new KC startup will give away free t-shirts, barbecue sandwiches and delicious beverages (including the Divvy-tini!).  So come check ‘em out and see what the fuss is all about. 

Other Events

Although we would love if you stayed at Entrepreneur Corner until the sun sets (or 9:00pm when we close down), we understand that there are a lot of other cool events going on during First Fridays...and we don’t want you to miss out!  Be sure to check out Before I Die Kansas City and In Bloom: From Runway to Gallery at the Blue Gallery which will both take place during First Fridays.  These two events are completely unique to the August First Friday event.

Want to know what else to expect?  Download the new app intevli on your smartphone for all of the latest information on art events, restaurants, entrepreneurial meet-ups, shopping and even parking during First Fridays!

If you’re looking for a great night, come join us on the rooftop of 1800 Baltimore for schmoozing, sipping and startups! You don’t want to miss this Entrepreneur Corner!

Congratulations to Winners of "Pitch There" at Entrepreneur Corner!

During First Fridays, we celebrated entrepreneurship and baseball with an All-Star themed Entrepreneur Corner.  During the event, we had a Pitch Here, Pitch There competition.  On one side of the parking lot, we hosted Pitch Here, where attendees could step up and see just how fast their baseball pitches were.  On the other side, we hosted Pitch There, an outdoor studio that recorded attendees pitching their ideas.

Some ideas were small; what are all of the possibilities of how to use a yellow paperclip?

Others were a big larger; if you created an app, what would it be and what would it do?

From the large number of attendees that participated, we narrowed down 2 awesome winners.

Grand Prize: Mary Ericson

(winner of 4 free Royals tickets)

Runner Up: Austin Brown

(winner of T-Bones tickets)

Congratulations winners!  We hope you had a blast at Entrepreneur Corner...and that you carry your enthusiasm to the baseball diamonds this summer!

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

Mobile App intevli Knocks One Out of the Park During First Fridays

This past Friday July 6^th was First Friday, Kansas City’s way to showcase its love affair with art, business, food and entrepreneurship. This First Friday carried a unique feel to it, due in part because KC is hosting Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game. It also was unique because the event-centric app intevli held its official launch party during Entrepreneur Corner at 1800 Baltimore. Created by Van Osdol and Mcgruder Attorney Chris Brown and Adcuda’s Vice President of Technology Tom Jenkins, intevli was built to help attendees of large events filter what they want to and do not want to explore. Available for free on iPhone, or web-based on Android, one of the goals of the app is to stop the aimless wondering that often occurs during First Fridays. intevli helps attendees of large events find exactly what they want to see, when they want to see it. 

The impact of intevli could be felt instantly during its launch on Friday.  Novice First Friday-goers who stopped by the launch party got the chance to take advantage of the app.

“This is perfect” was just one of the phrases heard among the crowd.

First Fridays rookie Shannon Richards of Overland Park was one of the biggest fans of the new app: “My husband and I have never been down to a First Friday before. It’s been overwhelming how much is going on!  We’ve been having a fantastic time exploring like toddlers, but stumbling upon intevli has been awesome.  We’re starving and now we can decide where to go!”

We are well aware that there are thousands of apps out there created to serve a specific purpose.  But the best apps tend to make our lives easier.  intevli does just that. When something comes along that is able to save you time, there’s value there. Tack on the fact that it’s completely free, and you’ve got an All-Star app. 

To learn more about intevli, visit www.intev.li.  intevli is currently looking for businesses, artists and restaurants interested in featuring their First Fridays activities.  To submit your First Friday event, please click here.   

Get Your Pitching Arm Ready! All-Star Entrepreneur Corner is Friday!

Are you ready for a night of pitching, posing and partying?

In honor of the 2012 MLB All-Star Game in Kansas City, we’re throwing the ultimate Entrepreneur Corner party (with a baseball twist)! Think Big Partners’ All-Star inspired Entrepreneur Corner event is this Friday, July 6, from 5-9pm. Part of Kansas City’s First Fridays, this event is the place to be this Friday night! So warm up your throwing arm, practice your pitch and put on your dancing shoes—it’s almost time to come on over to 1800 Baltimore for a night of fun!

Pitch Here, Pitch There Contest

Have you ever wondered just how fast you can throw? Ever thought you could give the Royals a run for their money? Now you can find out! We have a machine that reads how fast your pitch is. Pitch Here and finally find out how much of an all-star you really are! The fastest pitch gets a prize at the end of the night!

Next, walk a few steps to Pitch There. You will be able to pitch any creative, wacky or just plain genius idea that you may have. Some of our favorite ideas will win prizes (even Royals tickets!). Having a hard time thinking of anything? We’ll have ready-made ideas for you to pitch your own way. See how creative you really are!

intevli Launch: First Friday app

Have you ever been wandering KC during First Fridays and wondered which place had the best activities, prizes or food? Well intevli solves that problem. This app tells you everything you need to know about all things First Friday (including parking)! We’re unveiling the intevli app during Entrepreneur Corner, so check it out and give us your feedback during the launch party from 6-9pm this Friday.

Life Equals Photo Booth

Remember our All-Star inspired Entrepreneur Corner forever! Stop by the Life Equals photo booth to take some pictures with baseball themed props!

Local DJs Dishing the Tunes

As if there weren’t enough to do, we’ll be blaring the tunes! We have 2 local DJs (which happen to be Think Big employees), Bobby Miller and Max Gall, spinning the tracks all night long! Don’t be shy; dance the night away!

Ballpark Munchies

We didn’t forget about the food! We’ll be serving baseball inspired snacks, for free! And we have beer—3 kegs, compliments of Boulevard Brewing Company.

So come on out (and bring your friends!) to 1800 Baltimore for our first All-Star inspired Entrepreneur Corner from 5-9 pm this Friday! You’ll be sure to have a great time pitching (literally!), dancing and taking tons of pictures! 

intevli App Launches During Kansas City Crossroads’ July First Fridays

intevli, a free interactive event mapping app created for Kansas City’s First Fridays, will hold its official launch party on Friday, July 6, 2012 at Think Big Partners’ parking lot located at 1800 Baltimore in the Crossroads Arts District.

Created by Van Osdol and Magruder attorney Chris Brown and Adcuda’s vice president of technology Tom Jenkins, intevli has been built to help attendees of large events filter what they do and don’t want to explore.  The launch of the app will focus solely on Kansas City’s First Fridays, an event that takes place every first Friday of the month to celebrate the Crossroads Arts Districts’ art scene, businesses, restaurants and entrepreneurs.

“I think people have confusion about First Fridays,” says Brown. “They don’t know where to go or what to do.  We hope that intevli will draw people in not only from downtown, but from the suburbs too.”

The free app will allow users to explore and filter through events to find what they care about most.  With intevli, attendees of First Fridays will now be able to find out about art events, shopping deals, restaurants, entrepreneurial meetups and even parking availability when they install the app on their iPhones or Android smartphones.

“We need more people, especially from the suburbs, to participate in First Fridays,” says Brown.  “That’s our goal.  We also want to get more people involved in the entrepreneurial community.”

In the future, the intevli co-founders hope to expand its reach beyond First Fridays and become an app for large events such as music festivals, art fairs, barbecue competitions, concerts and more.  Crossroads Arts District businesses are invited to sign up for intevli today to for free event promotion during First Fridays.  Events can be posted at http://intev.li/venue/.

The intevli launch party will start at 6:00pm on Friday, July 6, 2012 (during First Fridays) at Think Big Partners’ parking lot on the corner of 18^th and Baltimore.  First Fridays attendees are invited to come learn more about the app, download it to their smartphones and provide feedback to the intevli team.  The intevli launch party will be a part of Think Big Partners’ Entrepreneur Corner event, which takes place each First Fridays at 1800 Baltimore.  This First Fridays, Entrepreneur Corner will be All-Star themed and will not only feature the new intevli app, but will bring in a baseball pitch speed reader, an opportunity to pitch an idea to camera (Pitch Here, Pitch There), a grand slam photo booth from Life Equals and much, much more!  Learn more here.  

To learn more about intevli, please visit http://www.intev.li.  The app will be downloadable on July 6, 2012. 

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

Batter Up! It's an All-Star Inspired Entrepreneur Corner on July 6

Just because most of the people we hang out with tend to geek out on techy, startup stuff doesn't mean that we don't have an athletic side to us!  In fact, we're going to prove to you just how jock-y we are during next First Fridays.  Introducing: Entrepreneur Corner...All-Star style!

We are counting down the days to the 2012 MLB All-Star Game in Kansas City...and we know you are too!  So, to help the countdown go down a bit faster, we decided to throw a baseball-inspired Entrepreneur Corner event during First Fridays.  Everything you see at Entrepreneur Corner on July 6 will be baseball themed...with a startup twist!

Pitch Here, Pitch There
We are excited to throw (literally!) our first ever Pitch Here, Pitch There event at Entrepreneur Corner.  On one side of our parking lot at 1800 Baltimore, we will have a machine that reads just how fast your baseball pitch is.  Go ahead--give us your best throw!  The fastest pitch will win a prize at the end of the night!

But that's only the Pitch Here portion.  We can't forget about Pitch There, too.  On the other side of the parking lot, you will have the opportunity to pitch a wacky, crazy, cool or brilliant idea to our video camera.  A few of our favorite recorded pitches will win awesome prizes (including Royals tickets!).  Can't come up with an idea? We'll have ideas already made for you...go ahead and try to pitch 'em!  Don't be shy...we want you to pitch both ways!

A Grand Slam App: intevli
During the All-Star Entrepreneur Corner, we are going to spotlight a brand new First Friday-focused app, intevli. intevli is a free interactive event mapping app created specifically for Kansas City's First Fridays.  The app will help you explore what art events, shopping deals, restaurants and entrepreneurial meetups are going on during First Friday (not to mention, where to park!).  Help us launch intevli right, check out the app and give your feedback during the launch party from 6:00-9:00pm on July 6.

Put Me in, Coach!
Be sure to swing by Entrepreneur Corner not just to pitch, but to capture a First Fridays memory!  Life Equals (as always!) will bring their baseball-inspired photo booth and will be snapping pictures all night long.


Jam Out!
A baseball game wouldn't be complete with pump-up music blaring while the batters approach home plate.  That's why we're featuring two (possibly three!) great DJs from the Kansas City area (and guess what? They're Think Big employees!).  Be sure to request a song from DJs Bobby Miller and Max Gall (especially if it's Hey Now, You're an All Star by Smash Mouth.  That's a given.).  

Ballpark Munchies
And if that's not enough, Think Big will also provide great ballpark munchies absolutely free!  With three kegs to tap courtesy of Boulevard Brewing Company, we promise that your Entrepreneur Corner experience will be a delicious one--you'll feel like you're in the ballpark!

We can't wait to see you during our All-Star Entrepreneur Corner event! The event will take place at 1800 Baltimore in Kansas City from 5:00-9:00pm. To learn more, visit our Entrepreneur Corner Facebook page or give us a call at 816-842-5244.


Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

June Entrepreneur Corner Features iKC (with Giveaways!)

If the free drinks and networking can't convince you to swing by,
maybe the amazing view will! 

So far, we think Entrepreneur Corner has brought in some really cool companies this summer.  From featuring new inbound marketing company Inboun to spotlighting all four of the top contenders at Startup Weekend Kansas City, our rooftop parties during First Fridays have been a summer hit...and we're excited to keep the ball rollin'!

Join us this Friday, June 1, during First Fridays for Entrepreneur Corner where we will feature not a startup company, but a movement.  We will be spotlighting upcoming innovation and entrepreneurship conference iKC (which will take place on June 20 at H&R Block World Headquarters).  Join us on the rooftop of bizperc (1800 Baltimore in Kansas City, Missouri) for cocktails, snacks and a raffle for a free iKC ticket!  We will be giving away one free ticket to iKC and five 20% off discounts to the event.  When you stop by, you'll have the chance to network with some of KC's more innovative entrepreneurs and learn more about the iKC event.

To learn more about Entrepreneur Corner, be sure to check us out on Facebook.  Entrepreneur Corner will take place on Friday, June 1 from 5:00-9:00pm at 1800 Baltimore.

Entrepreneur Corner Spotlights 4 Startup Weekend Kansas City Companies During First Fridays

Do you enjoy good company and rooftop cocktails while watching the sunset reflect off of the Kansas City skyline? Of course you do! Who doesn't?  And these are just three of the many reasons to join us for Entrepreneur Corner at bizperc during First Fridays.


April’s Entrepreneur Corner was an undeniable success and this month's event is shaping up to be just as amazing. Each month we will feature a different startup company from the KC area, but this month we are featuring 4 different companies. What a coincidence...4 companies on May 4^th!


The 4 companies who will be showcased at Entrepreneur Corner all originated from Startup Weekend Kansas City:


Gruple makes group payments simple; it creates grups, invites grupies, notifies grupies, and provides grupies with a simple and quick way to reimburse others for tickets through debit, credit, and e-check.  But Gruple is useful for so much more than ticket reimbursement! Gruple is useful for any group activity, which requires the collection or reimbursement of money. Imagine group gifts, group trips, fantasy sports, recreational sports, group t-shirt purchases, etc.


Keyzio finds your location, allows you to verify your dream home address and then sends a postcard to inform the homeowner of your interest.


LunchUp is “the simplest way to share what you’re doing for lunch.” It’s an app that broadcasts when and where you’re going to lunch and who you’re going with. It’s a time-saving, inclusive, convenient virtual concierge that pushes you to discover.


Tuthopper is Startup Weekend’s big winner! Tuthopper teaches programming and system architecture through games. The app features a Code Dojo and fun game-play environment that will help kids learn coding through games.


We are beyond excited for the upcoming Entrepreneur Corner and we hope that you share our enthusiasm. Come have a drink, a snack, and a laugh. Make some connections and create some memories with us and our featured companies on Friday, May 4^th.

Follow bizperc! @bizperc

Inboun and TBP Hit the First Friday Streets (and Roof) at Entrepreneur Corner Tomorrow

Join us on our rooftop garden tomorrow night for Entrepreneur Corner!

We are excited to bring a new twist to Entrepreneur Corner this month! Join us on the rooftop of bizperc (1800 Baltimore) during Kansas City's First Fridays for beer, snacks and major networking. We're spotlighting Inboun and Think Big Partners and we think you'll like who you meet.

So stop on by the roof (for one of the best views of Kansas City) and to chat with us! Entrepreneur Corner will take place from 5:00-9:00pm on April 6. And don't forget to check out Life Equals' photobooth (it returns to our parking lot around 5:00pm too!).


For more information, visit Entrepreneur Corner on Facebook!

Entrepreneur Corner Opens Back Up During First Fridays April 6th

Last year, Entrepreneur Corner helped to bring entrepreneurs, artists, startups and Kansas City residents together every month during First Fridays.  At Entrepreneur Corner, attendees have had the opportunity to meet local successful entrepreneurs, learn about new business in Kansas City and view unique pieces of artwork that local artists have produced.

But this summer, we're hosting Entrepreneur Corner with a bit of a twist.

Each month, we will be bringing in two of the Midwest's coolest new startup companies and spotlighting them to the public.  That means that every month, two different startups will come together and host their own networking party during First Fridays...courtesy of Think Big Partners and bizperc.  And the best part?  It takes place on our rooftop garden.

This month, we will be spotlighting Think Big Partners (the Kansas City-based startup accelerator that you all know and love) and Inboun (a new inbound marketing startup).  So join us for beer, snacks and great networking on our rooftop garden (1800 Baltimore, Kansas City, MO) on Friday, April 6 from 5:00-9:00pm.

If you want even more from this month's First Fridays (and love startups and entrepreneurship as much as we do), be sure to swing by 1617 Event Space from 4:00-6:30 PM for the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce's Big Idea Exchange Series.  At this event, the Chamber will hold a panel to discuss more about the Big 5 initiative to move UMKC's world-class arts program downtown and on how creativity is helping to build a thriving economy here in KC.

But wait...there's more!  Life Equals, our favorite supplement and multivitamin family, will be back with their fun First Fridays photobooth!  So if you'd like to capture a moment like this...

...be sure to stop by 1800 Baltimore on April 6th too! 

Are you interested in spotlighting your startup at Entrepreneur Corner? Contact Sarah at ssnyder@thinkbigpartners.com for more information.  


Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig
Follow bizperc! @bizperc

Bo Fishback of Zaarly Pulls It Off: You Can Be an Entrepreneur and a Great Parent

Work-life balance.  For entrepreneurs, it seems impossible.  How do you keep your family life, your work life and your personal life on the same level?  Bo Fishback, co-founder and CEO of Zaarly (one of the fastest-growing and successful startups of 2011) seems to have mastered it.

In the picture above, something doesn't seem...normal.  Perhaps its Pierce Fishback, Bo's child hanging on the the powerful CEO's frontside.  This picture was taken during Entrepreneurs Unpluggd in Kansas City, where Bo Fishback was featured as one of three keynote speakers for the night.  He discussed the startup adventures of Zaarly for forty minutes while baby Pierce patiently listened to his father, squirmed his arms and legs and sucked on his pacifier.  Throughout the speech, Pierce maybe made two or three peeps, in which his father would look down at him and start bouncing up and down.  The audience, of course, cooed and laughed.

Bo Fishback has shown that even as a full-time, caffeine-induced, email-answering, stressed out entrepreneur, you can also be Mr. Mom.

But the Entrepreneurs Unpluggd event wasn't the first instance where the startup world met Pierce Fishback.  Bo brought his family to Entrepreneur Corner a few months ago during First Fridays in the Crossroads District. It was the perfect blend of family, business and fun.

So entrepreneurs, did Bo Fishback help you change your mind?  Maybe you can do it all. 

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig