Think Big Baltimore Gets Entrepreneurs Talking

The Think Big Conference is going national–and Baltimore was the second city to bring together entrepreneurs, investors and startups for a jam-packed day of inspiration, collaboration and motivation.  After a nonstop day of breakout sessions, keynote speeches and networking, the entrepreneurial scene in Baltimore started to Think Big—and people haven’t stopped talking about it since.

With over 200 attendees, the first Think Big Baltimore conference, coordinated by Danny Bendebba, Audra Carpenter and Tighe Greenhalgh, was not only an entrepreneurial success, but it was also a financial success for all of those involved in developing the conference.  According to Tighe Greenhalgh, organizing partner of TBB, the conference brought out many entrepreneurs who normally would not be easily found or accessible in the Baltimore area. 

But it wasn’t just the entrepreneurs who made it out to the conference in Baltimore.  When walking the halls of Towson University throughout the day, TBB attendees had the opportunity to network with a large amount of investors, a plethora of students and a multitude of both startup and established companies.  Attendees also had the opportunity to get some face time with many of the TBB speakers and panelists.  They even had the chance to speak with Greg Cangialosi of Blue Sky Factory, who had literally sold his company just a week before the conference. 

Perhaps the highlight of the Think Big Baltimore conference was the keynote speech given by Yanik Silver, CEO of Maverick Business Adventures.  As a serial entrepreneur and self-made millionaire, Yanik spoke of his life-changing experiences such as running with the bulls, bungee jumping, sky diving, and exotic car road rallies and how they related to his breakthroughs in ideas and business. 

A Big congratulations to the founders, leaders and speakers of Think Big Baltimore on the financial, inspirational and overall success of the conference.  The Think Big mentality is growing across the nation—and Baltimore is one of the first cities to be a part of it.  Thanks for all of your hard work!

Written by Allison Way

@AllisonThinkBig

Is Your City Ready to Think Big?

If you’re anything like us, you may have noticed a lack of entrepreneurial spirit in your city.  But with the declining economy and severe unemployment rates, now is the best time to build up the startup communities throughout the nation.

And that’s what we’re doing.  We’re bringing entrepreneurs together.  We are uniting investors.  We are educating students.  We are Thinking Big.

We have developed the Think Big Conference with every city in mind.  The Think Big Conference is a jam-packed day-long event in which aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs can come together under one roof to celebrate entrepreneurship, build a startup scene and find motivation and inspiration to turn ideas into something big.  And now is your chance to get the conference in your city.

What started as a local event in Kansas City is now branching out across the nation.  This year, the Think Big Conference was successful for the second year in a row in Kansas City and was unleashed in Baltimore in mid-July.  Both conferences brought in hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors, startups, panelists and inspirational keynote speakers to help ignite the entrepreneurial flame in their communities.  The results, both financially and socially, were phenomenal. 

The truth of the matter is, entrepreneurship exists in more places than Silicon Valley, Boston and Austin.  It’s our responsibility to bring it out of the dark.  Bring the Think Big Conference to your city this year and build your community, strengthen your startup scene, and improve the economy in just one day.

To bring the conference to your city, contact us!  Call 816.842.5244 or check out www.thinkbigkansascity.com and email us. 

We cannot wait to Think Big with you.

Written by Allison Way

@AllisonThinkBig

It's Time to Think Big...Again

Back in May, Think Big Kansas City brought hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors and startups under one roof for a jam-packed day of education, inspiration and motivation.  And now, it's Baltimore's turn!

The Think Big Conference is expanding nationally...and now it's coming to Baltimore!  Tomorrow (July 13, 2011) marks the first annual Think Big Baltimore conference at Towson University.  From 8:00 in the morning until 8:00 at night, entrepreneurs, investors and startups in the Baltimore area (or from anywhere for that matter!) are given the opportunity to attend informative breakout sessions, network with like-minded individuals, and listen to keynote speaker Yanik Silver. 

Overall, we predict it's going to be another BIG day.

Click here to learn more, buy tickets, or check out the agenda and get ready to Think Big!

Written by Allison Way
@AllisonThinkBig

Countdown to Think Big Baltimore

6 Days

In May, Kansas City was Thinking Big.  And now, it's Baltimore's turn.

The 1st annual Think Big Conference is making its way to Baltimore this month with knockout guest speakers, a dynamite keynote speech, and educational breakout sessions for entrepreneurs, investors, startup companies, small business owners and students.

Think Big Baltimore will feature keynote speaker and CEO of Maverick Business Adventures, Yanik Silver and a lineup of other guest speakers such as Ronald Schmelzer (TechStars), Mike Subelsky (Startup City), Brian Le Gette (Big City Farms) and many more.

Think Big Baltimore will take place on Wednesday, July 13th at Townson University.  The event begins at 8:00 AM.

To purchase your tickets to Think Big Baltimore ($247) and read more about the event: click here or follow the event on Twitter @ThinkBigBMore.

Written by Allison Way
@AllisonThinkBig

Less Than One Month Until Think Big Baltimore!

The last two years, the Think Big Kansas City Conference has brought a diverse group of entrepreneurs, investors, startups, leaders and visionaries together under one roof.  By providing them with a day of inspiration and entrepreneurial education, Think Big Kansas City helped big thinkers achieve their dreams.  And now Think Big is getting BIGGER!  Inspired by Think Big Kansas City, a group of Maryland entrepreneurs have organized Think Big Baltimore coming to Towson University on July 13, 2011.

The entrepreneurial scene in Baltimore is booming. It is the perfect city to host the next Think Big Conference.  A growing number of small business resources such as CreateBaltimore, Innovate Baltimore and Startup Weekend are all drivers of new industry growth in the area.  Think Big Baltimore (also known as TBB) hopes to create opportunities that turn into new jobs and spur economic growth.  The conference will be serving up expert advice from those who have “been there, done that.”

You will not want to miss keynote speaker Yanik Silver, CEO of Maverick Business Adventures.  He will be sharing his fascinating story about life as a serial entrepreneur and how he turned an $1800 investment into a 7-figure online business.  As a self-proclaimed “adventure junkie”, Yanik is bound to share stories that will educate and entertain.  Other featured speakers include Techstars Mentor/Investor Ronald Schmelzer, Co-Founder of Startup City Mike Subelsky, and Urban Policy Development Consultant Otis Rolley.

In addition to the many fascinating speakers, attendees will get the chance to participate in CrowdPitch.  During CrowdPitch, several selected companies will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges who will decide the two winning presentations.  Audience members will get their chance to weigh in by investing their own “FUN” money in their favorite company pitch.

Think Big Baltimore is only a month away.  Buy tickets now to reserve your place! Think Big Baltimore is the ideal opportunity to network and turn your ideas into something big.  We cannot wait to see what the BIG thinking entrepreneurs of Baltimore can produce!       

Written by Laura Goede.

@LauraGThinkBig.

Harbors, Crab Cakes and Now Entrepreneurship- Announcing Think Big Baltimore!

“I recently read a book stating that the average US citizen lives a much more luxurious life than Louis XIV,” began Tighe Greenhalgh, organizing partner of Think Big Baltimore. 

I sat there, phone still pasted to my ear, wondering where this interview was about to go.

“It talks about the fact that Louis could never imagine being protected from the oppressive summer heat by air conditioning,” he continued.  “Louis could never have fathomed climbing into a plane and in three hours, walking into a completely different part of the world.  Today, each of us can go to a movie theater and be personally entertained by the best performers in the world.  We can walk into a restaurant and have a professional chef make exactly what we ask for.  And the fact is, entrepreneurs made all that possible.”

And then, everything clicked.  And Tighe Greenhalgh was absolutely right.

Greenhalgh’s fascination with entrepreneurship led him to read books such as these, but also led him to get involved in six different startup companies from medical supply companies, to green energy companies, to non-profits.  But no matter what Greenhalgh is specializing in at the moment, whether it’s a new non-profit organization or Louis XIV, one this is for sure: it involves entrepreneurship. 

“People love freedom.  And for me, nothing provides freedom like being an entrepreneur,” said Greenhalgh.  “So, when I heard about a conference that was promoting entrepreneurship and helping entrepreneurs, I immediately thought, ‘I have to get that in Baltimore.’”

Greenhalgh is talking about Think Big Kansas City.  After attending the event last March, he found the opportunity to expand its reach to more cities throughout the country—starting, of course, with Baltimore. 

“I think the attitude in Baltimore and Kansas City—and other cities like Boston, Detroit, Denver, and Philadelphia—is that they all want to establish themselves as a hotbed for startups and entrepreneurs,” said Greenhalgh.  “The fact is the entire country has that desire.  As word gets around that there is an event like this, any metropolitan area is going to jump at it.  They’ll all want the opportunity to put their entrepreneurs in one place, celebrate what they do, and let them do more together.” 

Greenhalgh was sure to note the national reputation that Baltimore currently has.  He made note of the city’s problems, but also explained the large population that is constantly looking for solutions to these issues.  “Baltimore possesses a very intelligent and very passionate group of entrepreneurs that are working to make Baltimore a better place,” he said.  “Entrepreneurship is what makes Baltimore what it is.” 

So maybe it’s time to put aside the crab cakes, harbors, John Hopkin’s hospital and the drug trades that Baltimore has always been known for.  Now, we may start to identify Baltimore as a city of entrepreneurship and growth. 

Think Big Baltimore, the Premier Conference for Entrepreneurs, Investors and Startups, is to take place July 13^th at Towson University (hosted by TowsonGlobal, the university’s incubator).  For more information about Think Big Baltimore, call 866-THNK-BIG or visit their website (to be launched within the next few weeks) at http://www.thinkbigbaltimore.com/. Stay tuned for more information about Think Big Baltimore!

Bigger is better.  And now, we’re bringing big to Baltimore. 

Written by Allison Way.  Allison 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, please visit the Kansas City Entrepreneurship Examiner as well as her articles on BrooWaha, eZine, Newsvine and Helium. 

Announcing Think Big Baltimore!

The drum beat of entrepreneurism continues!


We are pleased to announce that a group of entrepreneurs in Baltimore wants to bring the message of entrepreneurism to their home town! It's all about creating new jobs, spurring new opportunities and not waiting for someone else to restore the spirit of the American Dream!

Think Big Baltimore is born!

Here is an interesting fact about Baltimore.

Samuel F.B. Morse, inventor of Morse Code, reportedly received the first telegraph message in Bladensburg, in 1844, before his famous "What Hath God Wrought" message between Baltimore and Washington. His telegraph wire had been strung along the railroad right of way. Ezra Cornell, founder of Cornell University, lived in Bladensburg and is said to have invented the telegraph pole.

With this story in mind, perhaps we can "telegraph" a message to our lawmakers on Capitol Hill from Baltimore that they need to honor those entrepreneurs that are vital to the economic lifeblood of this country. More than ever, Washington DC needs to help entrepreneurs succeed. But if Washington DC is tone deaf on this subject, perhaps this ambitious group in Baltimore can send a clear message to them on behalf of the rest of this country; much like Samuel Morse sent a message to Washington DC in 1844.

Baltimore, get ready for a strong dose of inspiration and education! Be sure to bring your aspirations and get ready for a bit of perspiration, on the way to your own version of the American Dream!

More details coming soon, but this Fall look for Think Big Baltimore!