Comments for The Neighborhood Entrepreneur

Comment on What Do You Do? by Bill Yanger

Bill Yanger — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 23:53:00 +0000

Tolis:

Great minds think alike. Our post from 2011:

http://wp.me/p1Ivda-r

All the best.

Bill Yanger
Yanger Law Group, P.A.
Tampa, Florida
http://www.yangerlaw.com
http://www.yangerlawblog.com

Comment on Fast Pitch Inspiration: A Recap of the 2011 SIFP Competition by Dave Owen

Dave Owen — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:37:00 +0000

Many thanks to everyone involved in SIFP! It was monumental in moving our company forward. After participating we were able to secure additional funding and we made some contacts that were crucial for our success.

Comment on The Basics of Non-Disclosure Agreements by Tolis Dimopoulos

Tolis Dimopoulos — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:48:00 +0000

Don, excellent, excellent point. If anyone knows the large primes, I know you do. I’ll be doing another post on strategic discussions and how pitches and demos fit into that. Thanks for sharing this with everyone.

Comment on The Basics of Non-Disclosure Agreements by Don Rucker

Don Rucker — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 21:53:00 +0000

Great information. Large primes prefer to use mutual NDAs, arguing that if it’s good enough for us, it’s good enough for them. Don’t fall for the trap — the small company is most at risk as they don’t have the resources to fight and are usually providing the most information. Small companies innovate, large companies integrate. So don’t let an integrator steal a good idea.

Comment on 3 Key Elements of a Healthy Startup Ecosystem by SeattleBrand

SeattleBrand — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 05:19:00 +0000

Exactly. Can you imagine if Howard Shultz, Bill Gates, or Jeff Bezos coached a good number of folks who could leverage not only their connections, but also some of their wisdom? It would be truly amazing. And it’s not even the bigger names that could help…there are many “under the radar” who have been very successful who could help, but maybe they’re too busy buying their multi-million dollar homes or trading their stocks to retain their riches?

It was a great post. My pleasure reading your blog. I like it quite a bit. Cheers.

Comment on 3 Key Elements of a Healthy Startup Ecosystem by Tolis Dimopoulos

Tolis Dimopoulos — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 05:16:00 +0000

For some reason, business leaders here in Seattle don’t seem to understand how much impact they could have by just giving of their time. An hour or two a month would do the trick. Sure, money is important. But in many respects, coaching and mentoring is much more important. Great advisors help you prepare to get money. Without them, you could wind up shooting yourself in the foot and not even know it. Thanks for reading, Brandon!

Comment on 3 Key Elements of a Healthy Startup Ecosystem by SeattleBrand

SeattleBrand — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:31:00 +0000

Like Kirill said, well written. The “great advisors” part is what I truly believe is one of the bigger keys. A great and supportive group of advisors would be very helpful in making Seattle a vibrant community. Leaders do have more impact than sometimes they know.

Comment on 3 Key Elements of a Healthy Startup Ecosystem by Kirill Zubovsky

Kirill Zubovsky — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:43:00 +0000

Tolis, very well written summary of the things we need to be great. Thank you.

Comment on Now Trending: Social Ventures by Tolis Dimopoulos

Tolis Dimopoulos — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 00:59:00 +0000

Thanks for sharing, Geoff. L3Cs are up and coming but may be a ways away in WA. I agree with you that the double and trip bottom line is definitely a very good way to insure that the base of the pyramid is being served. Thanks for reading!

Comment on Now Trending: Social Ventures by Geoff McNeely

Geoff McNeely — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:30:00 +0000

Hi Tolis,

Great topic! Maybe your readers would benefit from a discussion here on B-Corps and L3Cs? I know WA doesn’t yet have legislation to created Benefit Corporations or Low-income Limited Liability Companies, but there are 20 businesses in the state that have been certified by bcorporation.net. It’s a start.

I think that the best way to look at it is they are ventures with a mission to change the world, and profits are the “exhaust” created in pursuit of that mission. Inc. recently discussed this regarding the founder of Etsy.

Personally, I feel that profit motive is the key. If you are in business to make money for your shareholders, you are not a social venture. Whatever greenwashing the media has been regurgitating is irrelevant to the conversation. L3Cs and B-Corps amend their bylaws and put shareholders on notice that they are not the top of the totem pole. This is putting your money where your heart is. These businesses have made a commitment to planet and people in writing.

I hope to find more interesting topics here as I just found your blog. Thanks!
Geoff