Plug In

On 02 May, I had the opportunity to return to my alma mater - Rose-Hulman - and speak to a class on Software QA.  It was a great opportunity and discussion spurred by (hopefully funny) war stories and major screwups that I was more than happy to share.

During the discussion, I had the opportunity to speak about our development process here for WhyGoSolo.  The most interesting thing that struck me was a comment I received from the student feedback after:

I thought that Keith had a lot of interesting, informative things to say about his company’s development process.  Of all of the presenters, I think that he is one of the few that has even a semblance of formal development process in a small company setting.  I was intrigued to hear how formal and mature his startup’s development process is – it seems to be a trend that most companies don’t develop a mature process until they have been around for quite a while and wish to receive various industry certifications.

Unfortunately, he's correct.  Most companies don't try to clean up their processes until someone needs to audit them... until there's something else on the line.

What they forget is that there's almost always something on the line. 

Having a formal development process seems like a lot of overhead.  It seems like a lot of extra work...

Until the first time the production database gets dropped.

Or the first time users are locked out of the system.

Or the first time you lose that big opportunity.

Then you and your team are going to stop and consider how you can make it better next time.  It could be as simple as requiring every change to production to be reviewed by a second set of eyes.  it could be as simple as requiring one person to write the database update and someone else to execute it.  It could be as simple as making sure your staging environment gets the review required prior to deployment to production.  The consistency that comes along with a process could be the single most valuable part.

I don't care what your process is: Just get one and get it rolling.

It will never require forms signed in triplicate, filed, lost, buried in peat moss, and filed again... well, almost never.

Wow! What an amazing time we had yesterday.  I want to thank all of the folks who came out to be with us on a rainy Saturday for what turned out to be a true meeting of the minds. The sessions were invigorating and it’s always exciting to bring the community closer together.

We had an ideal setup/location thanks to the University of Baltimore at the Thumel Business Center Building and the after party at Brewer’s Art was only 2 ½ blocks away – an easy walk up the street where many people continued to network, share ideas and have fun.

Catching up on What Happened

SocialDevCamp Twitter Stream – Keep an eye out for who is blogging about it.

SocialDevCamp on Flick

SocialDevCamp on Viddler

Thank You!

I also want to thank our sponsors again and the MANY people who made personal contributions to SocialDevCamp.

Sponsors:

• AetherQuest Solutions
• AwayFind.com
• Blue Sky Factory
• BudgetPulse
• ClearPoint Technology Group
• David Beaudouin & Co.
• Jimmy Gardner  My Drop Bin
• JOBMATCHBOX.com - Jobs, Tips and Resources
• Mind Over Machines
• nClud.com - providing graphics and design support
• Network Solutions
• PostModern Dating
• Roundhouse Technologies
• Rosenberg, Martin, Greenberg, LLP
• SEMQO, Inc.
• SmartLogic Solutions
• SpotCrime.com
• University of Baltimore
• University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
• Web Connection
• Sleep.fm

We will have another SocialDevCamp in September and we look forward to seeing many of our attendees again and seeing lots of new faces.

As many of you already know since I’ve made this announcement rather public – I am returning to the Marine Corps to fill a position for the next year. The immediate reaction everyone has had to the announcement goes something like this: “What will happen to WhyGoSolo?”

Although I am extremely flattered everyone thinks WhyGoSolo is all my doing, it most certainly is NOT. I am the founder and it is my vision, but that vision has been well imparted to some amazing key people who have made big things happen for WhyGoSolo, and who are all very much involved in making sure we keep growing.

I wouldn’t be much of a CEO if I hadn’t surrounded myself with a strong team of dedicated and highly capable people. Business is a team sport. It might take a long time to find the right partners and key people you need, but you better invest the time in doing so because you are going to need those people.

Now that I have a reliable core team, my job is to ensure they can perform their jobs at peak performance – we’re still unfunded and we are still dealing with extremely limited resources so I have to do what needs to be done to be able to contribute additional resources to what we’re working to accomplish. It’s that simple.

We are working on our next release which will be a rather large and “sweet” release…so we are not skipping a beat – we are actually turning up the heat.

I’m a die hard entrepreneur so if anyone thinks anything can stop me – they are seriously mistaken. Putting the uniform back is just adding some new ‘crack’ to my already driven, assertive, and kick ass attitude.

So I hope that answers the question “What will happen to WhyGoSolo”!!

Just want to make a quick announcement that I have started a new blog at AnnBernard.net called Don’t Spray and Pray!

The new blog is where I will continue to capture and tell my entrepreneurial journey and imparting the things I have learned/am learning. 

The Official Plugged-in Blog will remain focused on the growth, development and progress of WhyGoSolo. 

Stay tuned for upcoming Handshake Contests!!

We're happy to announce SocialDevCamp, a BarCamp-style event coming to Baltimore (place TBD) on May 10, 2008.  This is a collaborative effort between WhyGoSolo and Roundhouse Technology which is lead by Dave Troy of Twittervision.

The goal of SocialDevCamp East is not to discuss the State of the Web or what's happening now...What we want to do is bring together forward thinkers – developers, social media gurus, bizdev types – to discuss and Chart the Next Course.  Your guesses, assumptions, and theories are welcome!  Just be prepared to have them challenged. 

We won’t be talking about Facebook applications – those are good for right now but they’re not necessarily the future. We’re going to explore this question “What is the future?”

Some Initial Brain Teasers:

Mobile – The iPhone  vs. The Google Android

What are the implications of Geo-based web/mobile applications?

Where will information aggregation take us?

Social Media, it is here to stay so where will it go next?

How will Google keep affecting development, the web and our lives?

What are the next things web users will want from the web?

What opportunities and gaps are in the marketplace?  How will those change in the next few years?

What are the future monetizations options on the web and mobile? 

Be There 

If you are a forward thinker and looking to share where you think the “web” is going than this is the event for you – this is your opportunity to share your thoughts and bring them out in the open.

This event will stimulate new ideas and pave the way in establishing the East Coast has forward thinkers looking to innovate and be first movers. This is our opportunity to come together and shake things up.

The sessions will be 90 minutes since we foresee most sessions going into open discussions.

The proposed agenda is:

8:30-9:30am    Registration and Sign-ups for sessions

9:30-11:00am  First Sessions

11:00-12:30pm Lunch

12:30-2:00pm Second Sessions

2:00-3:30pm Third Sessions

3:30-5:00pm Final Sessions

6pm – 9pm    After Party (Place TBD) 

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Again, topics are along the lines of where are the web and social media heading – we’re Charting the Next Course – where will we take it? 

Please signup via the Barcamp PBWiki Event Page and the Facebook group. Also, feel free to leave a sample of the ideas you would like to discuss on the Wiki. 

We are looking for volunteers and sponsors.  Contact me if interested. 

We realize this is a bit of a last minute event however, it’s a much needed event for this community that we don’t want to put off having it. 

It’s going to take more time and money than you think and you will likely fail.

When I got out of the Marine Corps I had a nice amount of money saved up, had decent equity in my townhouse and all my credit cards were paid off. This is was three years ago.

In those three years, I’ve invested all that money into two different businesses – one of which failed and the other is still unfunded and not quite off the ground. In that timeframe, I held a few part time jobs, but nothing I ever really took seriously because I always felt my business(es) needed me full time, plus overtime. 

It’s going to take more time and money than you think and you will likely fail.

I’m facing foreclosure on my townhouse, I have a mountain of credit card debt and this could ultimately lead me to bankruptcy. It’s a crappy place to be, but it’s a place that many, many, many entrepreneurs find themselves.  

“A study commissioned by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, Mo., which supports entrepreneurial education, found that almost one in five Americans who filed for personal bankruptcy protection in recent years had operated businesses - small companies, home enterprises or start-ups - within two years of filing for bankruptcy.”  From a NY Times article – July 2005 

It’s going to take more time and money than you think and you will likely fail.

“Entrepreneurship is often a process of trial and error. No one would accuse Henry Ford of being an unsuccessful entrepreneur. But Ford started two car companies that failed before he struck gold with Ford Motor Company.” 

“If entrepreneurs of failed businesses are denied debt discharge, they may take up safer wage and salary jobs rather than risk starting up a new venture. An unintended consequence of the legislation, therefore, may be the loss of another Henry Ford, Michael Dell, or Bill Gates. And lowering the level of asset protection provided to homes and personal property means even higher stakes for start-ups, deterring would-be entrepreneurs from risking creative destruction.”

The American Magazine “Forgive Us Our Debts” Jan/Feb 2007

“…they may take up safer wage and salary jobs rather than risk starting up a new venture.” Not quitting that job right away in the first place is some food for thought to really consider.

Risking Creative Destruction

Being an entrepreneur most definitely implies that you are risking creative destruction – you will put it all on the line for what you believe in and are passionate about.  You will want to dedicate all your time to it – just be sure you realize that: 

1. It will take more time than you think
2. It will cost more money than you think
3. It will be much harder than you think
4. You will make mistakes (that you will learn a great deal from)
5. You will likely fail the first time
   

Because of the list above – keeping a day job – be it full time or part time will help you negate some of that creative destruction. Because going into debt will:

1. Cause a great deal of STRESS (stress has many ugly effects on people)
2. Hinder your ability to perform
3. Hurt morale
4. Take the focus off of your goals and startup

Final Thought

I’m stubborn – don’t be. Be smarter. Once you start down the path of creating and growing your startup it will consume you – you will give it more of your time, more of your energy and more of yourself. You will not like to or want to think about taking a job – it’s easier to keep the job you already have!!

You've heard us complain about it.

You've seen us struggle with it.

Now we're going to take a step to change things... and you can help.  In fact, we need you to help.

On 26 April 2008, we have the Mid Atlantic Business Plan Competition.  The panel of judges includes a number of VC's, fund manager types, entrepreneurs, and even a more familiar face from the DC Tech scene. ;)

So here's the plan.  We're going to flood the place.  We're going to get the best and brightest people in DC to show up and participate.  When the judges and the press and the professors and the students look around the room, we need to show them that there definitely is a startup community in DC.  That there are entrepreneurs in DC.  That we do have the passion to make our dreams happen and change our environment.  That entrepreneurs don't have to leave DC to make a go at it.

So Keith, what do we do?

First, talk about it.

Pass this post - or any of the other ones - around to other entrepreneurs and smart people you know.  Ask them to spread the word and talk/blog/tweet about it.

Second, show up.

Give up one Saturday afternoon to help us swarm the place!  Jimmy Gardner - a friend and champion of the local DC Tech scene - has created a Facebook Group (DC Technology Business Plan Competition Crashers) and set up an event to coordinate our efforts.

Place: ICC Auditorium, Georgetown University (Building 26 on this map)

Time: 1 - 5pm

My goal is 200+ sharp people from the community. Are you going to be one of them?

As of 11:30pm EST on 07 April, we have 18 people.  About 10%!

I had quite an interesting day yesterday that ran a gamut of interesting events, listening to some great speeches and reminiscing about the past.

My day started early because I had to be in Tyson’s corner at 7:15am – because you see, yesterday, I attended the 5th Annual Bootcamp for Growing Companies and Entrepreneurs put on by the George Mason University Business Alliance.

Phil McKinney

The opening keynote speaker was Phil Mckinney, the Vice President and CTO, Personal Systems Group, Hewlett-Packard Company. Phil spoke about innovation – a topic he is famously known for and that he discusses in depth in his blog and podcast.

My biggest take away from Phil’s keynote was from a belief I’ve had that he put into words by saying that today’s economy is a Creative Economy. It is innovation and creativity that we require and need – and it is being innovative and creative that will make people and companies successful. (That reminded me how glad I am that I’m an ideas person!!) 

As I listened to Phil, I did wonder about how many people in the room believed in what Phil was saying and how many were in denial about what he was saying and unwilling to face the changes that are not upon us anymore, but in full effect around us?!?!

Ted Leonsis

The other great motivational speaker of the day was the lunch keynote speaker – serial entrepreneur Ted Leonsis. I had heard of Ted (who hasn’t in this area) but I had never heard his full story, so obviously hearing first hand from Ted was pretty interesting.

Now, I have to admit that what seemed to be missing from his story were  the struggles (if any) that he had to overcome to get to where he is today. He did make it sound rather easy…definitely seems like everything he’s touched has turned to gold. The absolute humility he exudes is extremely inspirational.

I got to shake Ted’s hand and talk to him very briefly about WhyGoSolo – he told me to send him our one pager and I did that today. He already replied back to say he would take a look at it. I can’t possibly ask for anything more than that!

Other Entrepreneurs

I sat at a table with the President and CEO of Angel.com, Michael X. Zirngibl – had a short but good chat with him about what he does and WhyGoSolo. I later heard more about Angel.com on a panel he was on. I also met Daniel J. Neal, the CEO and Founder of Kajeet. Both companies have raised significant VC funding, especially Kajeet (and all out of the area) so it was good to make contacts with them. I hope to speak with them both again down the road.

Sean Shadmand

Sean is the CEO of FamilyOven.com. I first met Sean at lunch 2.0 quite a few months ago…well Sean has been pretty busy doing some big things with FamilyOven.com – the only problem is that he doesn’t realize that!!  After repeatedly offering to slap some sense into him – I offered to help him and I hope he takes me up on it. He’s done some amazing things with a niche site and frankly, I’m jealous of how well he’s doing – he’s a good story for DC.

Here Comes the Marines

As if the day wasn’t packed enough…when I was about to leave I ran into an old friend of mine – a fellow Marine I met when I was stationed on Okinawa who I hadn’t seen in a couple of years. Talk about a small world, but the icing on the cake of running into him might be much bigger than anything I could have thought of being involved in – I don’t want to jinx it so I can’t talk about it yet. I can share that we had some drink and spent some time reminiscing…something I hadn't done and enjoyed in a long time.

I have to say that in the last month and particularly in the last week I’ve been getting back in touch with my roots (the Marine Corps) to help me with where I am today. The story is still unfolding and we shall see where it leads.

Last night Keith and I attended Social MatchBox DC which was organized by Robert and Juliana of JobMatchbox.com and sponsored Network Solutions (Shashi)

It was a great event – lots of new faces in the crowd and of course quite a few familiar ones.

Social MatchBox DC was an event aimed at bringing members from around the DC startup and technology community together for what some like to call an open mic night for hiring teams and entrepreneurs.  The open format is a fusion of resume clinic, startup job fair and networking event.  Attendees included hiring teams representing top startup companies from around the DC area, job seekers, founders with entrepreneurial ideas looking for others to join them, and people interested in getting into the mix. 

The list of presenting companies was pretty impressive and honestly eye opening since a good part of the startup community was well represented at the event. Curious who the startups were…I guess you should have been there last night!!  Okay, okay I can’t list them all but here are…

The New Arrivals on My Radar

TinselVision

MobilePosse

Odeo

Loladex

Puli.us

FOLIOfn

From yesterday’s Potomac TechWire another company that hit my radar was: Publish2.com

A representative from ComScore, Inc was also there last night – not a startup but definitely a success staple from this area. It was also great to hear from Ian at ClearSpring because that is another extremely fast growing (startup) company in the area. 

I was personally having a really bad hair day last night and I’ve had a lot on my mind lately but it was nice to be in a room filled with entrepreneurs and tech guys and gals.

It’s events like Social MatchBox DC that will keep our community growing quickly and bring the right people together.

A few months ago I met Doug at Capital Cabal (a networking event)  – we didn’t get to talk much at the event, but we did exchange business cards.  From there we began playing the email game and finally ran into each other again at an Open Coffee Club meeting where we had the chance talk a little more…some additional email game ensued afterwards until we arranged to meet for coffee again at Starbucks.

Since the coffee meeting at Starbucks, Doug has been doing his homework on WhyGoSolo: he’s been asking me a lot of questions and making calls to his network and other people to gather information on whether or not WhyGoSolo is a solid concept and to answer the question “Is WhyGoSolo saleable?” 

Doug has been doing sales for many years – that is to say, he is an extremely experienced sales guy – the type that doesn’t sale you a darn thing, but rather helps you solve your problems whether or not he is the holder of the answer.

Every time I spend time with Doug I am amazed and fascinated by him and last Friday he completely blew me away.

Doug sat me down and he sold me on WhyGoSolo – I mean he SOLD me on WhyGoSolo – the way we need to pitch and sale WhyGoSolo to investors. I was stun by how powerful, simple and concise the pitch was…it was pitched in a way that anyone can understand it, with the value proposition clearly stated – income models easily quantified and it took him less than 15 minutes.

Doug wasn’t telling me anything I didn’t know – I built and created what he was selling me with everything he told me in mind – the key is, he was selling me. 

I’m not a salesperson.  What Doug did in simplifying the pitch and the sale is priceless to us moving forward. The process he undertook in gathering information and narrowing it down to the strong key factors that matter is something that would have taken me a long time to do – his years of experienced in sales allowed him to get to the core of the message so that once you’re done listening to him you want to proceed or you don’t.

I didn’t find Doug – Thank God, Doug found me.  You can read about what you need and you can be advised on what you need at the early stages of a startup and still not have a clue what to do with that information.  I was blessed by having Doug show up, offer to help me and open up my eyes to what was missing. Note: Doug didn't sale himself to me - he proved himself to me by showing me what was needed and missing.

Luck. Every entrepreneur needs luck and your luck will come in different shapes and sizes.

I’m starting to understand more and more why investors invest in proven teams as I’m learning what a real startup team needs. I wouldn’t do another startup without Doug or a “Doug type of person” – because you have to know upfront – Is your idea saleable, and if so, how and to who? I knew WhyGoSolo was saleable, I had a slight idea to who but the exact how…and proving it; I had no real clue on how to go about it.

An Additional Thought

I'm sitting here today appreciating just how pretty cool of a journey the whole startup game is, not an easy one at all, but a cool one – meeting the right key people and learning from them is a lot of fun and rewarding. I’ve learned a lot about the development process and now I’m learning a lot about sales and additional business development “stuff”.

I’m the CEO – my job isn’t to know it all…my job is to build the strongest team possible and than empower the people on the team to work at the top of their games, learn from them, make the best decisions possible for all those involved and keep the train moving forward through finding additional resources and people.  Thankfully I’m lucky – I attract amazing people with very strong skills sets and it’s wonderful to watch and be part of the pieces coming together.