Fri: 26 Jun 2009

6 entrepreneur tips for surviving and succeeding

This week I was a Curbside Consultant at the Launch of FastTrac to the Future, an entrepreneur development collaboration between TechTown, The Kauffman Foundation and the New Economy Initiative. Bizdom has received grants from the New Economy Initiative and Kauffman, so we’re tangentially part of this.

The final event of the day was a panel on ‘Entrepreneurial War Stories’. It featured the inimitable Patrick McInnis (CEO of FatHead), Jane Sydlowski (AMI Strategies)and Randal Charlton (former CEO of Asterand). The stories were great, as were the lessons. At the end, the moderator asked each of the three for a couple of tips for entrepreneurs to survive and succeed as entrepreneurs.

Pat McInnis

Control your control freak
- relinquish control
- don’t relinquish accountability
Culture matters
- you create a motivated workforce when you focus on people and help them achieve their dreams

Randal Charlton

Money will be tight
- but get going on the least amount of money you can
Leverage existing resources
- there’s much more in place around you than you realize

Jane Sydlowski

Consider ‘No’ a ‘Yes’
- you’ll experience more ‘no’s’ than you know
- don’t accept ‘no’
Show up for yourself
- network
- share your story with pride

Great tips one and all.

TechNow09 Reviews via Twitter

I emceed the TechNow09 conference last night. The panel presentation was outstanding and I was glad to be able to host that. It was also pretty impressive that they landed both Congressman Gary Peters and Oakland Country Treasurer-Elect, and the man behind the Michigan Movie incentives, Andy Meisner.

Apparently my duties were well received, I was even a notable quotable at a few points.

Here are some Tweets (boy I hate that word):

@rsmudge: @DanIzzo good job tonight. You had good stage presence.

@RyanMeray: Had a great time at #technow09! Got to meet @damnredhead, got coffee at Bean & Leah afterwards with @hcwlau, and dug @danizzo’s emceeing.

@RyanMeray: Dan Izzo – “Did they check you for the secret Apple tattoo?” #technow09

@RyanMeray: Dan izzo is awesome. #technow09

@RyanMeray: Dan Izzo drops the #tweetoprahcalypse awesome. #technow09

@RyanMeray: Dan Izzo – “What we have here is a glimmer of light.” #technow09

And my personal favorite:

@Rebeccakim11: I’m the guy with the microphone, stop me bitches! #technow09

Thanks to everyone for coming out. Remember your assignment: in the next week promote living in Michigan on Facebook, Twitter, your blog, email, wherever you can.