For Organizaions: Make an Event Site… Free!
Occasionally we get asked at EVC to help organizations out with their websites. I'm sure other video companies get the same requests - most people would assume that if you know video, you know graphics, you know web, you know audio, etc. And while that might be the case, us video companies should try to keep a tighter focus on what it is we do best: video.
So, to all the event organizers out there... Here is a cool company that I came across that lets you build a customized website for free. http://www.yola.com Whether you're redesigning your club's page, updating an annual event site, or just looking to spice things up, check them out!
In New Zealand and Blogging…
It's been a while since I've updated this blog, but I thought what better time to start it up again then from my trip to the other side of the world. So here are some brief updates:
Firewire Films is flourishing. We've sold videos to customers in all 50 states and 14 countries. In July, we moved into a new office North of Boston in Beverly, MA, with space to grow. And earlier this year, we announced our expansion to the west coast, with the opening of a new office in Scottsdale, AZ scheduled for this fall.
As for New Zealand, Jonathan is out here studying on the South Island in Dunedin. I'm visiting this week, and it's been quite the adventure. This weekend we kayaked through the Milford Sound, where we paddeled alongside wild seals. Yesterday we went skydiving, which was the experience of a lifetime. Jonathan and I are exploring opportunities in the wine tourism industry, which I'll post more about eventually (see cargovino.com).
Also, I'm dabbling with Google's new Google Voice service, which is pretty cool. Give it a try -
Firewire Films Takes 3rd Place in New England GSEA Awards
This morning, I competed in the New England Regional Competition for the 2007 Global Student Entrepreneurs Awards, and I took home 3rd place for Firewire Films. This year, the global competition received over 500 nominations, and New England was the largest of all the regions.
The competition took place at Suffolk University in Boston, and was judged by 5 local entrepreneurs who are each part of the EO Network [Entrepreneurs under 50 with Businesses over $1M in revenue].
In my 30 minute presentation, I discussed my drive as an entrepreneur, the growth and future of my company, and the lessons I've learned along the way.
For more information, visit: http://www.gsea.org
About the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards:
The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards recognize those outstanding undergraduate student entrepreneurs who are simultaneously juggling course work and business plans. The GSEA Awards program understands the importance of encouraging entrepreneurship in students. This new generation of risk takers will help create the economic foundation of tomorrow. Student winners from the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand compete. They come from different backgrounds and with different business ideas, but they share the determination and creativity common to successful entrepreneurs.
An “Exclusive” Lunch
Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to have lunch with Scott Smigler, owner of Exclusive Concepts, Inc.
Scott was one of the founders of the Bentley Entrepreneurship Society, and was instrumental in building the group during its early stages. Since graduating Bentley in 2004, Scott has worked tirelessly to grow his Internet Marketing company from their Waltham office.
Among other advice, one of the best things that Scott left with me was the assurance that all good things take time. One of my main concerns (and one that resonates with my fellow student entrepreneurs) is whether or not my business will grow to the point that it could financially support me, and eventually, my family. Everyone wants to work a job that they love doing, but security is a legitimate aspect of choosing a career. Scott explained that with the right mix of ambition and perseverance, often times one great lifelong customer can finance an entire start-up venture.
Another important suggestion that Scott offered was to find out what your company does best, and stick to it. One downfall to being a true entrepreneur is the tendency to always create new ideas and never fully realize them. By understanding what you're good at and completely investing yourself in that effort, the result is a purer and more recognizable solution for your clients.
Take advantage of any opportunity that you have to learn from people like Scott who have already crossed some of the obstacles that challenge you. You can never have too many mentors!
To learn more about Scott's company, and his advice to young entrepreneurs, check out his article in Entrepreneur Magazine.
Trading Up
Another genius idea. Last year, we saw 21 year old Alex Tew create the million dollar homepage.
To save up for college, Alex sold one million pixels of a web page ($1 ea.) in 100 pixel blocks to advertisers who wanted a piece of the inevitable publicity that would occur if Alex's page took off. And it did.
This week, Kyle MacDonald finished a year of trading old junk on his blog - http://oneredpaperclip.blogspot.com/
What started with one red paperclip eventually earned Kyle a house in Kipling Saskatchewan Canada.
It's unbelieveable how far an original idea can take you.
Books to Read!
Alright... so I was never much of a fan of reading, but I found out recently that there are good books out there. Any of these books will positively impact your thinking on how to start/run a business:
Blueprint to a Billion, By David G. Thompson 
The Innovator's Soultion (follow up to The Innovator's Dillema), By Clayton Christensen 
Seeing What's Next, By Clayton Christensen, S.D Anthony 
Blue Ocean Stategy, By Kim and Mauborgne 
How to Win Friends and Influence People, By Dale Carnegie 
Winning, By Jack Welch 
First, Break All the Rules, By Marcus Buckingham 
The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid, By C. K. Prahalad 
Good to Great, By Jim Collins 
Treasure Hunt, By Michael J. Silverstein 
Biznets: The Webopoly of Future Business, By Frank Feather