Category Archives: Entrepreneurship
Not Only is Failure an Option, It’s Mandatory
Sometimes it’s hard to remember that successful innovation most often derives from a series of failures. I found this interview with chef David Chang, of Momofuku restaurants in NYC, to be a welcomed reminder.
His notoriety has spurred from his collection of highly successful Momofuku restaurants (Ko, Ssam, Noodle Bar, & Milk Bar) in NYC, [...]
Also posted in Unconventional Ideas 3 Comments
When seeking partnerships, lose your pitch and perfect your question
What’s more important than perfecting your pitch? Perfecting your question.
Forming strategic partnerships, especially early on, can be the catalyst necessary to take a new business from year 1 to year 2. However, pitching a potential business partner can be tricky, especially if they are an industry incumbent and you’re the new guy on [...]
Also posted in Business Development Leave a comment
Changing the World is Cheap
I harp on the power of the internet as a tool for philanthropy a lot. It’s hard not too. The increases in communication and financial payment platforms on the web have crushed the barriers that used to block access to third world countries. Now, anyone can set up an online fundraiser to [...]
Also posted in Social Enterprise, Travel, Unconventional Ideas 1 Comment
Library For Laos: Updates and Photos
Last week I received an email with photos from the crew at Big Brother Mouse in Luang Prabang, Laos updating me on the reading programs we funded through the Library For Laos campaign.
For those that don’t know, Library For Laos was a blitz fund raiser run by Ryan Graves and myself last spring [...]
Also posted in Social Enterprise, Travel Leave a comment
Kiva.org Needs Better Twitter Integration (A Micro Case Study)
It can sometimes be difficult to explain to friends and family the power of Twitter, so I’ve resorted to telling them the following story. Furthermore, this story serves as a micro case study as to why Kiva.org needs better social media integration.
How We Raised $550 for a Lady in Cambodia in 7 Hours Using [...]
Also posted in Social Enterprise 1 Comment
What Will Ecommerce Look Like in 10 Years?
Last week Fred Wilsion (@fredwilson) posted on his blog, AVC.com, about the movement of Social Commerce – the shift to an evermore social and interactive form of commerce on the web. He declared Etsy.com as the web’s closest equivalent to a real life open air market place, like that of the San Telmo market [...]
Also posted in Revenue Models 3 Comments
A Revival of the Mom & Pop
Walmart may have run your local family owned grocery out of town, but they did not spell the end to Mom & Pop businesses. Another type of small family business is making a notable comeback, and they’re doing it on the web.
Artisan food and craft producers managed to survive the corporate invasion of small [...]
Posted in Entrepreneurship 1 Comment
Hacking Consumer Psychology: The Power of the Group (and Groupon.com)
The power of the consumer collective is raging full steam ahead and Groupon.com is cleaning up in its wake!
The Chicago based startup, that offers extreme discounts on local products if enough people opt-in to the deal, just announced a series B round of financing of $30 million. Their success over the last year can [...]
Also posted in Revenue Models 7 Comments
What’s Print Media’s Golden Ticket? A Reverse Engineered New Product.
Publication networks like Conde Naste are the pinnacle of experiential media and advertising. But, they are selling the wrong product.
The severing of Conde Nast’s Gourmet magazine title (among others) was a brash reality check to the entrenched media industry leaders, oblivious to all prior warnings, that NOW is time to adapt or become extinct! [...]
Also posted in Revenue Models 1 Comment
Twitter
Take the Money and Run: Vibram Five Fingers Shoes Case Study