Happy Thanksgiving! What We're Thankful For (As Entrepreneurs)

Happy Thanksgiving from Think Big Partners! 

Sometimes, we move so fast that we don't take the time to sit down and realize everything that we have to appreciate in life.  Lucky for us, Thanksgiving is just a few days away, and is the perfect time for us to say "thanks" to those who have helped us grow, succeed and have fun throughout our very own startup journey.

As a way to say "thanks", we will be making daily shoutouts to some of our biggest supports on Facebook for 40 days straight starting on November 22, 2012.  Although it's not much, it's our way of sending appreciation from our crazy world to yours.

What are some of the things we're thankful for this year?  We're so glad you asked...

• We're thankful for our entrepreneurs.  The people who show up to bizperc, call us for advice, meet with us for coffee and partner with us on projects.  If it weren't for these passionate, driven and sometimes crazy people, we would not be in business.
  
• We're thankful for bizperc, our coworking space.  With its incredible view of downtown Kansas City, killer coworking amenities and super fun (and frequent) parties, we are truly spoiled with an amazing workspace. But most importantly, we're thankful for the different people we meet in bizperc every day.
  
• We're thankful for coffee.  If it weren't for coffee, we would not have productive days, checked-off to-do lists and 2:00am conversations that often make or break our next idea.
  
• We're thankful for partners who have always believed in us and supported us throughout our startup journey.  If it weren't for our incredible support system, we would not be where we are today.
  
• We're thankful for our gadgets.  From our iPhones to our laptops, from our Windows Surface tablets to our electronic whiteboard, these gadgets make our chaotic days a bit more organized.
  
• We're thankful for humor--it's what gets us through our not-so 9-5 days.  From office pranks, team bets, wearing prom dresses to work, and caricatures drawings on our windows, we're thankful that we can build something incredible and have fun while doing it.
  
• We're thankful for our team.  Although we've been referred to as "an Island of Misfit Toys" or a "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" company, we are the glue that holds Think Big together--and even though we may be a bit nuts, we believe that we are doing big things that wouldn't be possible without every single team member's involvement.

A BIG thank you to you all.  And happy Thanksgiving.

- The team at Think Big Partners 

(Ahhh..that's more like it.)

Startups, Is It Better To Be Loved Or Needed?

Written by Tyler Prochnow, co-founder of Think Big Partners.

Written by Tyler Prochnow,
co-founder of Think Big Partners.

I’ve just recently finished reading "The Business of Happiness" by Ted Leonsis.  I submit that for all of the acclaim that he has received, Leonsis is still one of the most underrated entrepreneurs in history.  Based on his pioneering views of the role of technology in our business and personal lives alone, he should be a household name like Jobs and Gates.  Never mind that he coined the phrase “new media.”  The fact that he doesn’t roll off the tip of most people’s tongues when naming the most influential innovators of all time is a testament to his lack of ego and his laser-like focus on building successful teams.  But enough of my editorial.

                                                                                                                     

In his book, Leonsis raises the question of whether, as a company, it is better to be loved or needed.  He raises the question in regards to his vision for AOL.  When he ran the company and led it to its highest of highs, he constantly urged his employees to create features and content that would be loved.  Even as the Internet grew and it became something that most people “needed”, his unending focus was on creating a company people loved.  Companies that are loved, he argues, provide an emotional connection with their customers that is invaluable.  Like a family member who lets us down, he states, that love can overcome numerous mistakes the company may make, keeping loyal customers for life.

I am such an admirer of Leonsis that I would never imagine arguing or disagreeing with his core principles.  And while I am not saying he is “wrong” by any stretch of the imagination, it has been a long time since I’ve had a question elicit such a conflicting range of emotions.  He cites as his example, your electrical utility.  You need electricity, but you don’t love the company.  Every time there is an outage, consumers curse the company, not the circumstances that created such an outage.  And while that is all well and good, the last time I looked, my electric company generated a pretty decent amount of cash and a profit margin that would make most companies jealous.  Likewise, companies such as Cisco and AT&T, which I would argue are more needed than loved, have obviously been very successful. 

I’m not kidding you, this question is driving me crazy and making my already gray hair even grayer.  My own personal business experiences suggest that Leonsis is right.  I’ve had businesses that were needed by my customers and some of them have done quite well, but my most successful ventures were those that were loved by our customers.  No one “needed” to buy tickets for an Arena Football game, but our fans “loved” our game, our team, and our organization.  They came out week after week and gave a piece of their hearts to the team.  It was as simple as that.  The two years I owned the Brigade, we finished at or near the top in attendance and overall revenue, because our fans loved us.  

So naturally, I thought I would fall firmly in the love camp.  But as I’ve pondered the question, I can’t get this nagging thought out of my head, that being “needed” is pretty great.  If my customers need me, how are they going to leave me?  If they need me, don’t they have to live with my mistakes, not just tolerate them to a point?  Isn’t the entrepreneur graveyard filled with the tombstones of companies that people loved, that never figured out a profitable business model?

It’s been a couple of months since I read the chapter on love versus need.  After walking all the way around this question and looking at it from every angle, it is quite clear to me that there is no “correct” answer.  Obviously in a perfect world, it would be great to be loved and needed.  But since only a very small handful of companies are in fact loved and needed (see Apple and Facebook [post IPO stockprice notwithstanding]), most entrepreneurs are not that lucky.  No, the bottom line here, I believe, is that it doesn’t have to be a zero sum game.  You should strive to create that emotional connection with your customers, but if your company produces a product or service that is needed, your chances of success are substantially greater.

I apologize for going in circles with this article.  I fully intended to quit being a fence straddler, take a position, and make the case for it.  But as I kept writing, I kept coming back to the virtues of the other side.  So rather than take a stand, I’m going to wimp out and go all Dear Abby on you.  I want you the reader to let me know what you think.  Is it better to be loved or needed?

                                                                        Signed, Confused in KC

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.

Get Social During The Gigabit Challenge Finale!

@GBChallengeKC       #GBFinale

WRITTEN BY ALLISON WAY, SENIOR COPYWRITER & CHIEF EDITOR

We’re counting down the days until Think Big Partners hosts The Gigabit Challenge Finale on January 18 at the Kansas City Public Library (Plaza Branch).  Are you fully prepared to witness some of the coolest and most innovative startups out there?  We want you to have a dynamite experience—and share your thoughts with others online!

During The Gigabit Challenge Finale, we are encouraging attendees, contestants, judges and advisory board members to share their thoughts about the Finale on Twitter, Facebook and blogs.  Get social by using the hashtags, handles and pages below!

TWITTER

@GBChallengeKC

@ThinkBigKC

#GBFinale

#GoogleFiber

FACEBOOK

The Gigabit Challenge

Think Big Partners

BLOGS

Thank you to our bloggers and supporters! Want your blog to be added to the list?  Become a live blogger for The Gigabit Challenge Finale on January 18^th!  Email away@thinkbigpartners.com for more information.

Think Big Partners blog

Entrepreneurship Examiner

Kansas City Business Events Examiner

Kansas City Business News Examiner

Blog Brothers KC

Just in the Middle

Silicon Prairie News

WEBCAST

Can’t make it to the Finale? Tune into our live webcast on January 18^th and see the competition live online!  On the webcast, you will also have the opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice Award.

The Gigabit Challenge Finale webcast

PODCAST

Tune into our live podcast conducted by Beatnik Radio.  From 2:45 until 4:45 on January 18, six Finalists will be interviewed on Beatnik Radio immediately after they conclude their live pitches.  Get the reaction from contestants after the event at http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/beatnik-radio/id469601402.  

 

The Gigabit Challenge Podcast by Beatnik Radio

Register to attend The Gigabit Challenge Finale here: http://gigabitchallenge.eventbrite.com/.  

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

bizperc Rewards Entrepreneurs with the 12 Days of Coworking

Whoa.  Now that's collaboration!

WRITTEN BY SARAH SNYDER, MANAGER OF BIZPERC 

Maybe it's the newly fallen snow or perhaps it's the Christmas songs taking over the radio.  Whatever the reason may be, we're in the mood to give.  

So this year, we decided to host the 12 Days of Coworking just for you entrepreneurs looking for a little extra collaboration during the holiday season.

On Thurdsay, December 8, we will start The 12 Days of Coworking.  On that day, our coworking space, bizperc, will be rewarding special holiday give-aways for our biggest social media followers.  Follow bizperc on Twitter, "Like" the coworking space on Facebook and read up on our blog to find out what you can win during the next 12 days!  And keep in touch with us from December 8 until December 23 (business days only) so you have a better chance of winning big!

Follow me! @SarahThinkBIG

World Fans Rejoice! Panofan Tags You During Your Favorite Fan Moments

bizperc tenants debut Panofan, a technology that allows fans to share their favorite moments with friends and families.  

One of the most popular uses of Facebook is photo tagging.  People of all ages love to upload their pictures to Facebook, create photo albums, and tag their friends and family members (and quite recently, tag the location where the photo was taken, also known as location tagging.).  Facebook photo albums take the idea of social sharing to a whole new level, and everyone seems to get sucked in.

But not even Facebook pictures can capture the moments that we wish we could go back to; the big football game, our favorite rock concert, that incredible music festival.  No matter how many pictures we take and upload during these events, we will never be able to capture the entire essence of the experience; the amount of fans, the energy in the stadiums, what the venue looked like on that day.  But now, it's possible.

Cue Panofan.

Panofan, created by bizperc tenants Shannon Schlappi, David Snodgrass (Locker Partner) and Clayton Snodgrass as well as Carnegie Mellon University, is a state-of-the-art technology that creates a world fan experience that lives on well after the event of the photo has passed.  Panofan allows fans to share special moments with friends and family and capture those moments forever.  Panofan utilizes developments from the NASA Ames Intelligent Robotics Group and support from Google in order to produce detailed panoramic pictures and take social photo tagging and sharing to the next level.

How does Panofan work?

1.  Panofan takes a panoramic 360 degree picture of the entire stadium or venue.
You can view your 360 degree picture on Panofan.com.  

2.  Zoom in and find the section that you and your friends/family were located.

3.  Zoom in even further and tag yourself and your friends!

4. The final result! Zoom back out and see others that have been tagged.

The Kansas City Chiefs were the first sports team to try out the Panofan technology.  You can view the demo here and see the new development for yourself.

Panofan uses panoramic-gigapixel technology that produces incredible detail.  The detail is so precise that you can see your best friend eating a hot dog, the logo on the man's hat sitting behind you, the child's exact facial expression on your left.  What will you be doing when the Panofan camera flashes?  Just make sure you're in your seat and not in line at the concession stand.  This is an incredible opportunity that you will want to be a part of!  Rejoice, world fans.  Panofan is here.

Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

Don't be a Winklevoss...be a Zuckerberg! The Must-Knows of Intellectual Property

"Does a guy who makes a really good chair owe money to anyone who ever made a chair?"  -- Mark Zuckerberg

The popular movie, The Social Network, isn't just about the founding of Facebook.   It's about entrepreneurship, competition, but perhaps most importantly; it's about intellectual property. 

In the movie (and I suppose in real life), the Winklevoss twins have a plan for an exclusive Harvard student network.  In the process, the twins are upstaged by Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of what is known today as Facebook.  In the film, Zuckerberg defends his online empire from lawsuits alleging that he stole the Winklevoss's idea; an intellectual property claim.  But when it boils down to it; who was right and who was wrong?  As we all know, Mark Zuckerberg won in the end...but should he have?

We're glad he did.  After all, we can't picture a day without checking our many Facebook accounts. 

Intellectual property is confusing.  But just as it's confusing, it's also extremely important to understand. So how can you, as an bright-eyed entrepreneur, guarantee that your incredible idea won't be stolen?  How can you prevent what the Winklevosses experienced?

Dianne Smith-Misemer and Jennifer Bailey of Hovey Williams LLP believe it all starts with awareness.

"We find that most businesses do have intellectual property assets," says Dianne.  "Many times, they just don't know it.  Early detection can save a lot of grief later."

Entrepreneurs need to be aware of their intellectual property rights -- which is the main reason why Dianne and Jennifer are holding the Entrepreneur Bootcamp session "The Top Ten IP Must Knows for Any Business: Identifying and Maximizing Your Patent, Trademarks and Copyright Assets" on Tuesday, November 1st at bizperc. 

"Intellectual property can be the largest asset of a company," says Jennifer. "But many people do not know how to protect it.  They do not recognize that they have innovation and technology involved in their business.  That's why we're holding this educational session."

"We are looking forward to the session!" adds Dianne.  "What I like about this area is seeing the excitement from entrepreneurs.  What people don't realize is that they are affected by trademark, patent and copyright decisions every day.  To bring everyday business experiences and see how they blend with intellectual property will be great for entrepreneurs at this session." 

This Entrepreneur Bootcamp session, the 4th of 6, has been designed for any entrepreneur.  Join the Hovey Williams team and Think Big Partners and bizperc on November 1st and 3:00 and learn how to become the next Zuckerberg -- not the next Winklevoss!  Register today!

Written by Allison Way
@AllisonThinkBig

Become a Social Media Master. A Wizard. A Guru!

Imagine life without Facebook.  How would we keep in touch with friends?
Or going throughout the day without Twitter.  Would we still be able to find breaking news in mere seconds?

Or looking for a new job without LinkedIn.  How would we connect with professionals to amp up our own careers?

Life without social media is scary.  This disruptive idea has turned our world upside-down...and for the better.  We cannot help but love it.

Since social media literally surrounds us every single day (did you check-in to that restaurant on Foursquare during your lunch hour?  We probably did.), it is obviously an important tool to integrate into business.  But what's the best way of going about that?

Get all of the tips, tricks and advice you need about becoming a social media guru at Social Media Masters: Kansas City.  This week, the Social Media Club of Kansas City and Sensei Marketing are teaming up to bring you insights into taking your social media skills to the next level.  Whether you're a social media professional or an online marketer, this program is your chance to go beyond a typical introductory course and get advanced training from true Social Media Masters. 

Ready to become a social media master?  A wizard?  An all-out guru?  Register for the Social Media Masters event.  The event kicks off on Friday, October 21 bright and early at 8:00 AM.  Learn more here. 

Written by Allison Way
@AllisonThinkBig

Snow & Company: Bringing the Beach to Kansas City

Imagine it: You’re lounging on the beach, eyes closed, skin tingling from the blazing sun.  The crashing of the waves and breeze in your hair lulls you into an afternoon doze.  Then you wake and look to your left to find a strawberry margarita, complete with a little pink umbrella just waiting to be slurped down.  You grab it; the glass’s condensation stinging your fingers.  You take a big gulp.  That’s when you realize: this is paradise.

But then you wake up.  You find yourself sitting at your desk, in front of your computer, surrounded by your coworkers.  Your swim suit is now a business suit.  Your lounge chair is now a rolling one.  The fantasy is over.  And more than anything, you want to be on that beach slurping down that strawberry margarita.

The truth of the matter is, we can’t bring everybody in Kansas City to the beach.  But we can bring a little of the beach to Kansas City.  And it all starts with one of Kansas City’s newest downtown establishments, Snow & Company.

In September of 2011, Andy Talbert and his team of ultra-entrepreneurs are launching Snow & Company, an artful frozen cocktail bar in the Crossroads District of downtown Kansas City.  With a snowy theme, yet a “warm and comfortable” atmosphere, Andy hopes that Snow & Company will become the place for friends to hang out and enjoy specialty frozen cocktails both in the heat of the summer and in the frigid winter.

“Kansas City is growing and evolving into a cocktail town,” says Andy. “The cocktail space is a huge opportunity.  We want to continue the growth of the clever, creative cocktail experience in Kansas City.”

Andy and his business partner, Jerry Nevins, recently graduated from the UMKC Bloch Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.  Once they found the “time” to follow their true passion, they collaborated with two other entrepreneurs and wrote the Snow & Company business plan.  And from then on, the company...well...snowballed.  With interest from many different media outlets such as the Kansas City Star, Snow and Company is truly taking off.

“Kansas City is a great place to take this risk,” says Andy.  “This probably wouldn’t be possible in other cities.  Kansas City provides great resources like the Kauffman Foundation, Think Big Partners and the Bloch School to help entrepreneurs like us.”

Snow & Company is opening at 1815 Wyandotte Street in the Crossroads District of Kansas City.  Complete with lounge furniture, a frozen cocktail counter, and merchandise displays, Snow & Company will be accented with wintery colors and bright hues of purple, maroon and orange.  The overall ambiance of the frozen cocktail lounge will be high-end and modern, yet relaxed.

But it isn’t the location that makes Snow & Company what it is.  Obviously, it’s the cocktails.

“We want to introduce people to things that they would never try otherwise,” says Andy.

So what will it be?  The classic margarita?  A refreshing mohito?  A surprising frozen PB&J? Or perhaps the unique Jalapeño Lemonade?  Snow & Company plans on serving it all—it’s all part of bringing a bit of the beach to downtown Kansas City.   

Be sure to check out Snow & Company on Facebook and follow the company on Twitter for more updates about the company and its grand opening! 

Written by Allison Way

@AllisonThinkBig

Are You at Risk for Being "Facebook Fired"?

Although Facebook can act as a small business’s saving grace (thanks social media!), it can also get individuals (and even companies) into a boatload of trouble.  When an employee of a company gets in trouble for what they put on Facebook, they can be fired in an instant.  In fact, so many people have had this happen to them that the term “Facebook Fired” has been coined in the business world. 

Last week, I attended the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Brainfood Breakfast called Does Facebook Have You Twittering about LinkedIn?  The breakfast discussed the importance of social media, especially when it comes to networking and getting your company’s name out there.  But in addition, the seminar also covered an area that I wasn’t as familiar with: that of being “Facebook Fired”.

In the seminar, I was introduced to one of the funniest and most infamous “Facebook Fired” real-life examples:

So the next time you’re tempted to vent about your job, make a funny comment about a partner, or post pictures of yourself after you called in “sick”, just remember, you could get “Facebook Fired!” 

Obviously, this is one of the more extreme examples of "Facebook Fired", but it is only one of the many.  Avoid becoming "Facebook Fired" (or having to "Facebook Fire" someone) but following these general guidelines:

Facebook Tip #1: Use your Facebook account for the social part of your life.  LinkedIn can be used just as effectively for your work life.  This may mean not friending your boss or your coworkers on Facebook.

Facebook Tip #2: Keep in mind that once it's on the Internet, it is public.  No matter how "secure" your privacy settings are set on Facebook, there may be a way for someone to access it.

Facebook Tip #3: A good rule of thumb for deciding whether or not to publish something on Facebook: if you have to debate it, DON'T POST IT. 

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

Silicon Prairie News Launches in Kansas City!

Think Big. 

It's a statement that we use each and every day to inspire entrepreneurs, increase small business growth, and solve the many problems that we face each day.  But this simple term is more than just a marketing strategy, a great slogan, or a clever phrase.  The "Think Big" mentality that we love is being implemented by many different companies throughout the nation; and one of them is moving to our own backyard.

Silicon Prairie News knows how to Think Big.  What started in 2008 as an online community for highlighting the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Midwest has become an Internet sensation for any entrepreneur located in Silicon Prairie.  Also known as SPN, Silicon Priaire News has hosted successful events, has created a high-traffic blog, and has received recognition from CNN.com, The Next Web and Seth Godin.

And now, SPN has launched in Kansas City.

To celebrate the launch, the Silicon Prairie Kansas City team is inviting you to join them on Tuesday, March 1st from 5:30 - 8:30 PM at McFadden's Sports Salon (1330 Grand Boulevard), located in the KC Power and Light District.  With almost 70 guests already RSVP'd on Facebook, the SPN team is looking forward to a great turn-out to celebrate their KC launch.

If you are interested in attending the Silicon Prairie News Kansas City Launch Party, be sure to RSVP on Facebook.  And then, great ready for a wild ride with SPN; a company that has a busy few months ahead of them in Kansas City!

Thanks for your "Think Big" attitude, Silicon Prairie News!  We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday!

Written by Allison Way.  Allison is a writer for Think Big Partners, Kansas City's mentorship-based 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 BrooWaha, Helium and eZine.  Follow Allison!  @AllisonThinkBig