Likes & Launch
Month
“I’m sure everybody has their own definition of the attributes of an entrepreneur. Some of the ones I would identify are:
* Not very status-oriented
* Doesn’t follow rules very well and questions authority
* Can handle high degrees of ambiguity or uncertainty * Can handle rejection, being told “no” often and yet still have the confidence in your idea
* Very decisive. A bias toward making decisions – even when only right 70% of the time – moving forward & correcting what doesn’t work
* A high level of confidence in your own ideas and ability to execute
* Not highly susceptible to stress
* Have a high risk tolerance
* Not scared or ashamed of failure
* Can handle long hours, travel, lack of sleep and the trade-offs of having less time for hobbies & other stuff”
From Tech Crunch: Should you really be a startup entrepreneur?
Check out Jessica Livingston’s post: What Stops Female Founders? it reveals the advice she would give to her 25-year-old-self.
I think it’s a wonderful post. I left my job in the corporate world to take the full plunge into our NYC based startup when I was 24. The post is a completely accurate look at the sacrifices you need to make and the skepticism and criticism you have to endure. It also highlights the incredibly rewarding feeling, being passionate about what you do every day, can provide.
Great look into a real- life account of building a business in the valley. Erica Douglass is definitely a woman to watch!
“Exciting news! The Domino Project is creating a worldwide street team. We’re on a mission to create a domino effect around the world, spreading ideas to people who care. We’re reinventing publishing, and that means we need a bunch of smart, vocal, passionate and connected people to help us do so.
How do you know if you’re a good fit? You are: a digital native who blogs, tweets and instagrams like nobody’s business. You take risks, challenge conventions, and care about reinventing outdated systems. You’re inspired by great thinkers like Seth Godin and organizations like TED, and you love spreading ideas that matter. When you read a great book, you immediately want to share it with others. It changed your life and you want it to change other people’s lives too. If that sounds like you, this is your opportunity.”
Application + more information. Program run by the talented Amber Rae.
I’m spending some time in Chicago working on gtrot so I’m checking out the tech scene here. I’ve spent the last year in NYC and did a 3 month stint in Los Angeles so I’m looking forward to seeing how Chicago compares.
To start, tech and start-up enthuisiasts on Twitter have been very helpful in pointing me in the right direction. In fact, Billy Joe Mills (@BillyJoeMills) was nice enough to highlight the best events to check out when you’re new to Chicago Tech like me.
Here’s his insight:
As for Chicago’s startup community, it is bustling and exciting. There’s definitely a “scene.” Here’s a quick tour.
Ignite Chicago is a great event for meeting inspiring and bold folks. It is organized by @startupstella (who works for the Chi startup FeeFighters) and by @timjahn. Tim runs
Beyond the Pedway, where he interviews creative entrepreneurs.
The Lean Startup Chicago group is active. They hold their meetings at the Illinois Technology Association offices, which are meant to be a shared space for startups.
Midventures had a big conference a few months ago and they plan to hold it annually, I believe. They also have more regular and smaller events.
Flyover Geeks and Technori write about Chicago startups. Flyover Geeks held a Rocked the Recession conference in December.
Pumping Station: One is a hackerspace.
The Creative Chicago Expo is coming up March 12. It looks like they don’t yet have a 2011 schedule up yet but here’s the link to the 2010 info.
I’ll be attending the Lean Startup Chicago tonight and the Women in the Boardroom event early next week (via invitation- mention me at registration).
Anything I’m missing?
Great perspective on entrepreneurship, no quick roads to success and the importance of strong ties.
Brian K Balfour How I Found a Co-Founder, Built a Prototype, and Raised $5M in Less Than 4 Weeks
Today’s internet startup Gtrot makes Social Travel very easy. You can share past trips and upcoming plans in seconds. See where your friends are going, what they recommend doing, who will be nearby, and more! Gtrot is fully integrated with Foursquare, so you can share check-ins on your travel…
Great overview of gtrot. Happy it helps make your travel planning easier!
How I Use Visualization To Drive Creativity
My thoughts: Great look inside Suster’s thought process. I’m a fan of pen + paper (I like the graph paper moleskin because I too prefer arrows and shapes more than just words). Living in a city with no option to drive, I find a lot of idea clarity when I’m running- I try to mix up my routine so there is always something new.
How do you suggest leaders and organizations further facilitate the creative process to their teams? You’ve made some great recommendations on personal creative exploration but how do you pass that on?
Awesome - inclusion of ages make you realize it’s a young industry. (6 are 50 and under)
Great list of companies. Thanks for the @gtrot shout out.
Here are some of my (mostly LA based) favorite startups for 2011.
External imageGtrot is trying to be a “Tripit for college students” helping spring breaker’s everywhere coordinate, among other things. It’s led by one of my favorite young entrepreneurs, Brittany Laughlin. Follow her here: @br_ttany.