A guest post by Francine Hardaway, PhD, OTEF executive director, co-founder of AZEC, OTEF and Stealthmode Partners 

Legendary photographer (and all around nice guy) Kris Krug has much to say about both photography and entrepreneurship, because he is both a photographer and an entrepreneur.  Based in Vancouver, Kris travels all over the world to take pictures for  National Geographic, Rolling Stone,Business Week, the Financial Times, USA Today, the LA Times, PBS, Ion Magazine, Wikipedia,Heads Magazine, The Victoria Times-Colonist, the Seattle Stranger,Westender, The Terminal City News and various other online and print publications. He has also co-authored the book “Killer Photos With the iPhone.”

But the photographs are almost the back story.  There’s a man behind the art, a man  who cares deeply about technology, the web and the world. His LinkedIn bio says he’s a “technarist,” and a cyber-punk antihero, and that’s his “professional” profile. When you meet him, you don’t know whether to be drawn first to the photography or to the human being. He’s one of the most evolved, well-rounded humans on the planet.

After publishing a ground-breaking online magazine for several years, Kris was president of Bryght – a “web 2.0” start-up that offered a unique hosting service. Through enthusiastic outreach, Kris helped create a marketplace for community-centric websites and his evangelism spawned an eco-system of related companies in Vancouver. He moonlighted as a fashion photographer, shooting subjects from executives to rock bands for fun and profit. He also organized PhotoCamps and PhotoWalks for aspiring and established photographers to exchange tips on both artistic and business lens of photography. 

And then he became an entrepreneur on his own. He makes money through his passion, photography, even though he licenses his work through Creative Commons. How does he do it? You will have to hear him to find out.

Well known in the blogging community, he  speaks at conferences and media programs around the world about Internet tools, new media, and evolving copyright standards. He is an organizer of the Vancouver tech conference Northern Voice as well as a catalyst for workshops and “un”conferences – most recently in Beijing and Shanghai where Kris participated in international economic leadership events in advance of the 2008 and 2010 Olympics. I met him first at Gnomedex in Seattle, and then had the extreme pleasure of traveling with him this spring to China, Korea and Singapore with the GeeksonaPlane, group, organized by Dave McClure, another headliner at AZEC10.

Kris’ skills bridge the technology, business and art communities. Through his unique approach to aesthetics and open business, he encourages collaboration to produce personal and professional expression online. As a bit of an “Internet rockstar,” he actively touts Vancouver as the most exciting and productive place to start a web business and openly assists new tech enterprises with entrepreneurial challenges.

You must see the work.  But you can do that on Flickr.  It’s much more important to meet the man in person, and hear his life philosophy, his enthusiasm, and his wonderful spirit emerge.

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About Francine Hardaway:

Francine Hardaway, PhD, OTEF executive director, co-founder of AZEC, OTEF and Stealthmode Partners has been an entrepreneurial and social venture catalyst for over 30 years.  She spends her time between Phoenix, the Silicon Valley and London and where ever she goes, you can be sure that she is on the look out for the next great innovation.  To connect with Francine, follow her on Twitter @Hardaway or via Google Voice at 816-WRITTEN (9748836)

Thanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned… there will be more entrepreneurial profiles and AZEC10 behind the scenes glimpses between now and AZEC10.

Joan Koerber-Walker

Note:  Joan Koerber Walker serves as Chairman of the Board of The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship foundation,which is the host organization and sole beneficiary of AZEC10.  To learn more about OTEF, visit www.otef.org.

All over the country there are lots of great conferences.  There are blogger conferences, women’s  conferences, entrepreneurship conferences, technology conferences, and leadership conferences to name a few.  If you had the time and the money, you could go to a conference almost every week.  Some of them are money makers for individuals. Others are the focus of membership organizations looking to recruit and retain members.   OTEF, the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation was not established to run conferences.  Instead, AZEC was born out of a need to raise money to fund programs that help at-risk populations (you know, the people who really need a hand up) attain economic self sufficiency through entrepreneurship.  The OTEF founders knew that the best way to raise money for a worthy cause is to to deliver value.  Instead of going to every deep pocket in town with their hands out, they got to work on programs that would do just that.  Since 2006, OTEF and the AZEC series of conference each November have been some of the most benefit rich programs for the cost that you can find anywhere.

OTEF’s work does not stop with the AZEC conference – It starts there.

OTEF’s first program (in 2007) was at the SEEDS House in Phoenix and helped lay the foundation for a new entrepreneurial venture.   Cup O’ Karma offers great beverages and snacks in a comfortable setting with free Wi-Fi, and artwork plus live entertainment Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings. All proceeds from Cup O’ Karma support the programs and services offered by NATN, which includes the agency’s Support, Education, Empowerment and DirectionS (SEEDs) program.

SEEDs residents participated in a 12-week entrepreneurship program offered by OTEF and taught by OTEF Executive Director Francine Hardaway, Ed Nusbaum, and Phillip Blackerby.  Together they developed a business plan, which included owning and operating a coffee shop.  The SEEDs residents would operate the café while learning employable skills such as customer service, community relations, marketing and outreach, purchasing and management.  From its grand opening in June of 2008 until today, Cup O’Karma has been the place to go for  great beverages in a comfortable atmosphere with free Wi-Fi, local artwork, and live entertainment weekly. Located at 1710 W. Southern Ave Between Dobson & Longmore in Mesa, Arizona  (across from Mesa Community College), Cup O’Karma has become not only a place of new beginnings for the SEEDS women but also a vibrant part of the community they serve.

Since AZEC10 marks OTEF’s fifth annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference, I thought it would be a great time to reach out to Monalou Callery, founder and chairman of the National Advocacy & Training Network and the SEEDs Program and the Founder of NATN and the Assistant Director of the Diane Halle Center for Family Justice at Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law to touch base.

JKW:  Tell me a little about SEEDS and your work with OTEF.

MC: SEEDs ( support, education, empowerment & directions) is a transitional housing program for battered/sexually abused women that cultivates and nurtures each individual to become independent and self sufficient through all avenues of life skills and entrepreneurship.

OTEF opened a door for small non profits (like SEEDS)  to think beyond just offering social services to people in need and think on a much larger scale in terms of revenue generating opportunities that individuals, agencies and businesses together can unite to solve many of our social issues today.

Obstacles lead to resilience and undiscovered opportunity. Opportunity paves the way to untapped sources of tools and alternative skills for business management I would otherwise never have considered. A phrase I believe to be so fitting for us,

“Too often we are so preoccupied with the destination, we forget the journey.”

JKW:   OTEF was honored to have the opportunity to work with the SEEDS women to develop the concept and plan for Cup O’Karma in 2007 as part of that journey.  What has happened since then?

MC: Cup O’Karma has been in operation since June, 2008. Since opening our Café, sales and customer base has doubled; we have tapped into community groups such as musicians, artists, crafters, that our agency would have never crossed paths and worked so closely together to pursue our mission. The women not only gain job and people skills but it has given them the complete confidence to know they are more than capable of operating a business, developed leadership skills, or just in knowing that they can accomplish  anything  they set their minds on.

JKW:  Who and what helped you and the team  along the growth path?

MC: By keeping an open mind, listening and hearing all the feedback the women themselves have to offer as we grow..we have grown together.   Whether it is a woman who has no job skills or business background or one with years of business experience, we learn so much from the life lessons of each woman. After all, they are survivors and have learned things that none of us will ever read in a book. Aside from our SEEDs women being key to our growth, members of the community, volunteers and customer relationships and their feedback are the backbone of our sustainability.

JKW:  SEEDS is all about growth.  What’s next for Cup O’Karma?

MC: Cup O’Karma: Community Café for a Cause plans to expand out coffee shop into a place where community becomes instrumental to social change. Our future journey: A community galleria that will move to a larger site, expand our food menu and sell crafts and goods for other agencies, increase opportunities for more musicians and artists and finally to become a resource to any member of the community needing assistance.

___________________________________________________________________________________

“Be the change that you want to see in the world.”
Mohandas Gandhi

Monalou and the SEEDs women are living Gandhi’s words.  They are changing their lives and touching the lives of others.

The attendees, sponsors, speakers and volunteers who came together in 2006 to connect,engage, and collaborate at the First Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference in 2006 did too.  Not only did the receive the benefit of listen to thought leaders including Michael Gerber and panels of local CEOs but they also helped provide the resources to allow OTEF to support the SEEDs women on their journey. That’s why to me, OTEF’s  Arizona Entrepreneurship Conferences are special and different from so many others.

AZEC10 on November 17, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona is more than just another conference with great speakers.  It is an opportunity for us to build not just our businesses but our community.  I will be there.  Will you?

Thanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned…there will be more AZEC10 behind the scenes glimpses between now and the conference.

Joan Koerber-Walker

Note:  Joan Koerber Walker serves as Chairman of the Board of The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship foundation,which is the host organization and sole beneficiary of AZEC10.  To learn more about OTEF, visit www.otef.org.

Which company from Startup Weekend Phoenix will be on the main stage at AZEC a few years from now?

It’s a simple fact of life.  Every journey starts somewhere.  And the entrepreneurial journey is no exception to the rule.  Here in Arizona, many of our investors, technology
companies, entrepreneurs, and community organizations understand that journey, that is why they support Startup Weekend. 

What it is Startup Weekend?

An international non-profit that’s hosted in over 100 cities worldwide. The 3 day event brings together Developers, UX designers, SEO marketers, Entrepreneurs, Graphic Designers, Lawyers and anyone necessary to build a company. The participants pitch their ideas and form teams around the best concepts. These teams have 54 hours to build a prototype and present it on the final day. The best team winning prizes and potential funding.

Why Phoenix?

This year’s Startup Weekend Phoenix is the first in Downtown Phoenix and is designed to tap into the incredible creativity that is developing. Hosted in the CO-HOOTS co-working space at 825 North 7th Street (in the newly renovated Bayless Grocery Building), attendees will be working in the heart of Phoenix’s art district, which will add a unique dimension to this event.  (The valley’s highly successful 2008 Startup Weekend was hosted at Gangplank in Chandler, Arizona.)

When it is: October 22nd – 24th 2010… 

• Fri. 6pm-10pm
• Sat. 9am-12am
• Sun. 9am-10pm

How much: $75 for the weekend, $20 to attend the Sunday Pitch Night.  Tickets are going fast – get them while you can.  If they are still available by the time you read this, click here to take advantage of a 20% discount.

What to expect if you come to Startup Weekend Phoenix: (swphx)

• Food and beverages for 3 days (including beer for participants 21+) 
• The ability to test your ideas and potentially bring them to life
• Guidance and support from experienced mentors from various backgrounds
• Networking and team building with like minded participants
• Exposure for teams with exceptional market potential 
• Access to Angels and VCs
• An opportunity to become an entrepreneur

What’s unique about swphx compared to other SW events:

The focus of swphx is on building viable business models. The judging criteria requires that the products or services being pitched have a primary focus on generating revenue, specifically with the goal of being profitable. Many startups focus on building “neat” ideas that generate a large number of users or impressions because people will use their service for free. Instead of focusing on “monetizing” at a later date, swphx is focused on entrepreneurship today.

“Profitability, is in essence, sustainability.”

The organizers and volunteers at swphx want to foster the creation of sustainable companies and believe that “If customers are willing to pay you for something it means you’ve created something of true value.” It’s not to say that services like Twitter are not useful. They are great tools, but that’s very different from being a great business. At swphx expect to be reminded that profitability, is in essence, sustainability. 

Growth comes through collaboration

Walking the halls of Co-Hoots this coming weekend will be entrepreneurs, developers, graphic designers, SEO experts, UX Designers, marketing experts, inventors, lawyers, investors and anyone who has a desire to help build a profitable business.  (They are even letting me pop in.)

AT OTEF and AZEC10, we recognize that this year’s Startup Weekend Phoenix companies may well be the next big success to share there experiences with our entrepreneurial community in the years to come. That is why we have donated an AZEC10 ticket to be awarded to one of the lucky attendees.  After all – every entrepreneur can use a little luck.

Programs like Startup Weekend Phoenix and AZEC are components of what makes our Arizona entrepreneurial community strong and vibrant.  Don’t miss your opportunity to attend swphx (October 22-24) OR AZEC10 on November 17th. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned…  There will be more entrepreneurial profiles and AZEC10 behind the scenes glimpses between now and AZEC10.

Joan Koerber-Walker

 

Note:  Joan Koerber Walker serves as Chairman of the Board of The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship foundation,which is the host organization and sole beneficiary of AZEC10.  To learn more about OTEF, visit www.otef.org.

“Startup Weekend” is a trademark of Cooley Godward Kronish, LLP

Startup Weekend Phoenix logo and photos courtesy of Startup Weekend Phoenix

All rights reserved.

All the HOT companies are in the Silicon Valley – Right?  Of course not.  Great ideas and great entrepreneurs come from everywhere.  Luckily so do strong investor partners and advisors and a great example is Rick Gibson, Managing Director of HOTventures, a “mentor capital fund” for the Southwest U.S., which invests in and advises fast-growth companies, specializing in Information Technology, BioSciences, GreenTech and Media. As an investor and entrepreneurial activist, he’s totally immersed in early-stage growth companies…finding them, making them great, and helping them reach that magical moment, a liquidity events.  Rick has been an investor, advisor or board member in:  Avisere, The Book Patch, Bourque Industries, CopperKey, Flypaper, Funding Universe, GridCoNet, High Throughput Genomics, IVIS, Medipacs, MedSphere, MDS VetInfo, MojoVideo, MSDx, Octopi, Real Time Companies, Regenesis, StrongWatch, USU2India, Virtual Learning Technologies, World Wide Wheat and Zero Waste Wine. He was a limited partner in Solstice Capital II (one of the largest venture capital funds in Arizona) and is a shareholder in Bill Gross’ Idealab.

Rick is also part of the panel of investors who will joining us at AZEC10, the fifth annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference on November 17, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona.  The annual investor’s panel is a perennial conference favorite along with keynotes from national thought leaders and local CEOs who will share their lessons from along the growth path.  (To see more about all the AZEC10 speakers click here.)  

As part of our continuing series on who you will meet at AZEC10, I asked Rick a few questions and this is what he had to share…

JKW:  How do you see your role in AZ’s entrepreneurial eco-system?

RG:  My firm HOTventures builds fast-growth companies.   Throughout AZ, I serve as investor, fundraiser, board member, mentor, coach, speaker and deal guy.  I am constantly am looking for awesome companies, and then acting as a catalyst to help them succeed.

JKW:  How long has  your business been in AZ and how has it  grown?

RG:  HOTventures is now 10 years old.  It began as an opportunity which looked easy then.  We began with zero assets and created potentially millions of dollars of value.  Time will tell.   Call me back in about two years.

JKW:  That’s pretty impressive growth. Who helped you along the growth path?

RG:  Several people.  Often it was about finding the right deals at the right time.  I have been lucky to work with some really amazing people.  As you know, I have a long history with Bill Gross, founder of Idealab, then Harry George, managing director of Solstice Capital.  I was able to be part of the Desert Angels from the very first meeting, and served on its board and screening committee.  I was lucky to get involved with Invest Southwest and meet lots of AZ’s best entrepreneur’s over the years.

JKW:  You lead your own team and support the leaders of your portfolio companies.  Have you ever gotten stuck?  What was your “reset” ?

RG:  I am forever finding major revelations.  Since my role is to make difficult things happen, getting stuck happens regularly.  Often we find a way, sometimes we don’t.  Once in a while, I get deep into something and it fails.  I had one a couple of years ago, and I am still fixing it.

JKW:   What do you plan to achieve between AZEC10 and AZEC11?

RG:  Meet ten awesome entrepreneurs and try to help some of them.

JKW: WHY did you choose to support OTEF and AZEC10?  Why will you be there?

RG:  There are rare occasions like this to meet entrepreneurs, at this stage in the game, who are looking to build themselves.  I can’t wait.

JKW: And I can’t wait either.  Every time  I am around Rick and the other great leaders who join us at AZEC I learn something new.   They share lots on event day and all through the year.  For example, here is a quote from the HOTventures website – some  great rules to live by for companies of every size…

Rules To Live By

It is good to trust, but much better to know (not just to trust)

Focus on what should be done, not just what you can do. Then put all effort into how you can do it. While this is much harder, it not only provides the best solution for your customers, but the biggest deterrence to your competition

It is not as simple as knowing what to do. For example, most people know what foods are necessary for an ideal diet and how much they should exercise. However, most lack the discipline to actually perform to this knowledge. Knowledge is good, but the ability to execute is much better.

(Rick Gibson – HOT Ventures)

Don’t miss your opportunity to hear more from Rick and our other great panelists, CEOs and thought leaders at AZEC10 on November 17th. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned.  There will be more AZEC10 behind the scenes glimpses between now and the conference.

Joan Koerber-Walker

Note:  Joan Koerber Walker serves as Chairman of the Board of The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship foundation,which is the host organization and sole beneficiary of AZEC10.  To learn more about OTEF, visit www.otef.org.

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Entrepreneurs come from many fields and many places.  This year at AZEC10 we have a special treat in store for you, the chance to hear from an entrepreneur who came from half-way around the world to create a home and a business in Arizona.  Entrepreneurs are story tellers, risk takers, and creators who take a vision and work together with others to create something magical. The same can be said of film makers and wine makers.  You might enjoy this video as  international film maker and winemaker Sam Pillsbury shares a bit about how he feels about Phoenix and his journey from film to fields to fine wine.

As part of the ongoing series about the people you will meet at AZEC10, I got a chance to ask Sam a few questions about his journey and his experience.  He will be sharing more from the main stage at the conference – but as they say in the world of wine,  sometimes all it takes is a taste to get you coming back for more.

As part of the ongoing series about the people you will meet at AZEC10, I got a chance to ask Sam a few questions about his journey and his experience.  He will be sharing more from the main stage at the conference – but as they say in the world of wine,  sometimes all it takes is a taste to get you coming back for more.

JKW:  How do you see your role in AZ’s entrepreneurial eco-system?

SP: I grew up in a country, New Zealand, which evolved from seeing itself as a colony of Great Britain to being a country proud to produce great things itself, which included eventually, among other things, wine and movies.   When I first moved to Phoenix, I found a state which still thought that if it was made here, it was not good.  Everyone wanted to live in a Tuscan mansion, which has nothing to do with the Arizona desert and climate.  ABSURD!  I wanted to go against that trend and make a premium world class wine that was 100% original and unique, completely grown and made here.  Ten years ago it was an incredible struggle to be taken seriously, but that has changed remarkably in the last three or four years. I planted my first vineyard in 2000 in Cochise Country and started my own wine label in 2006.

JKW:  Neither the art of film making or the art of wine making are quick or simple processes. As the leader you need both patience and resolve.  Did you ever get stuck?  What was your “reset” ?

SP: I have gotten stuck in the movie making process.  It’s partly due to not being in control, like with the movies I made in the USA.  With the wine venture, I started it because I love wine, but I also set it up so that I could always be in control.  This way my work can not be compromised and I am 100% responsible for what I have produced. That does not mean that I don’t need a great team.  A number of people have helped me and the company along the growth path including Rob Dunaway, Bob Vera, Al Buhl (a former wine partner in Dos Cabezas) and now my executive director Lindsey Higginson.

JKW:  The Pillsbury Wine Company is gaining recognition and high marks as a rising star.  What is your goal for 2011?

SP: I want to make the best wine in America and increase production by 50% in the coming year.

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Sam will be sharing more of his story at AZEC10 on November 17th.  Now that the stage is set, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to meet him and hear what comes next in the Pillsbury Wine Company story

Thanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned.  There will be more AZEC10 behind the scenes glimpses between now an November 17th,

Joan Koerber-Walker

Note:  Joan Koerber Walker serves as Chairman of the Board of The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship foundation,which is the host organization and sole beneficiary of AZEC10.  To learn more about OTEF, visit www.otef.org.

Who you might meet at AZEC10

One day, during my tenure as CEO of the Arizona Small Business Association, my friend Ben Smith at Lavidge and I were chatting about how to better connect with business owners across Arizona.  One of Ben’s suggestions was to meet “Gelie”. [ghel-ee] According to Ben she was a networking powerhouse.  So meet her I did. 

Fast forward a few years, and today Gelie runs NetworkingPhoenix.com Arizona’s largest business networking organization.  And they have grown to that position in only TWO YEARS.  As a matter of fact, NetworkingPhoenix.com celebrated its second birthday on October 1st and is now the state’s largest networking organization with over 12,000 members. 

This year OTEF, the host organization for AZEC10 has teamed up with Gelie and the team at NetworkingPhoenix.com to spread the word across the community about all the great speakers and business owners that will be coming to the conference on November 17, 2010. (If you have not registered yet you can do so here.)

AZEC is about sharing ideas, connecting great people, and growing our businesses.  Since this also is exactly how Gelie built her business, I decided to ask her a few questions.

JKW:  Why did you create NetworkingPhoenix.com?

Gelie:  When I first started networking, about 3 years ago, I quickly realized that there was a big gap in the market. There is a big networking community in Phoenix, but it was extremely segregated and there wasn’t a central place where networkers could come together to get information on events. I would try to plan out my networking strategy for the month and it was nearly impossible because I would find out about events the day before or after they had already happened.  As a hobby, I created a calendar to share with all my ‘networking friends’ and the rest is history.

JKW:  The theme of AZEC10 is The Great Reset.   Did you ever get stuck?  What was your “reset” ?

I feel like I get ‘stuck’ all the time because there is so much going on at once, it gets difficult to prioritize and figure out which projects to focus on at the moment. And even when I do prioritize, I get pulled off the projects that need my time for various uncontrollable reasons. My ‘reset’ is to take a step back, ‘clear off my desk’ so to speak and start over. I will literally take 3 giant post-it posters and markers and will color code my projects, action items, etc. I try to do this at least every 30 days so I can keep myself on track with the bigger projects that we’re working on.  Each post-it has different information on it to keep me organized.

JKW:  How has NetworkingPhoenix.com grown since birth?

Gelie:  NetworkingPhoenix.com has evolved in a number of ways. For one…we are already on our third version of the site. I’m sure as the years go by, the look and feel will keep getting updated. We also offer many more tools to our members, such as the Networking Passport membership. Once our members sign up for this program, they can attend many of the other group’s events for free. This program is very popular and we are constantly evolving it to keep adding value for our members. For me this is a total labor of love and 100% feels like I’m raising a child.  I always tell people that I feel like I have a 2 year old at home. I can definitely leave it for a while with a babysitter…but it still needs its mommy.

JKW:  Your company has has some amazing growth in 2 years.  Who helped you along the growth path?

Gelie:  I was extremely lucky to have worked with the Lucky Napkin team when I first quit my day job. By working with successful entrepreneurs, I got to learn invaluable lessons about taking an idea and turning it into reality and then a successful business. I learned more during that time than I knew what to do with and many of the lessons are still surfacing daily. I’ve also been very fortunate to have the support of the entire Phoenix business community. There would be way too many groups and individuals to list here, but the support has been overwhelming and I’m thankful for it because my core purpose has always been to unite people.

JKW:  What do you plan to achieve by NetworkingPhoenix.com’s NEXT birthday?

Gelie:  Oh-oh…I’m afraid to answer this one!  I think next year is going to be about growth, but also about putting padding on the ‘skeleton’ that we have already built out. I’d really like to add more value to our quarterly Signature Events as well as fully build out the Networking Passport program. Both of these tasks will require a tremendous amount of time and energy, so if I can accomplish those two goals, I will be very pleased!

JKW:  WHY did you choose to support OTEF and AZEC10?  Why will you be there?

Gelie:  We are really excited about participating with AZEC10 because it’s a great event that supports a great foundation. From an educational stand point, the speakers that come out to this conference are fantastic and from a promotional stand point, we are always trying to get in front of different circles in the business community. This will give us a great opportunity to support OTEF, get some more tips on how to ‘reset’ and get in front of people.

JKW:  And knowing Gelie, that’s exactly what she will be doing. Sharing ideas, making new contacts, and finding new ways to build her business to even greater heights before its third birthday.

I hope you enjoyed “meeting” Gelie.  She is a great example of the people YOU can meet at AZEC10. Between now and November 17th will be sharing more looks behind the scenes at the conference – and don’t forget to register before October 16th to get the $25 early bird discount.

Thanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned…

Joan Koerber-Walker

Chairman of the Board of OTEF, the host organization for AZEC10.com

Part 2 in the Count Down to AZEC10 blog series.

I have a passion for people and organizations that make a difference.  So when Francine Hardaway recruited me over 5 years ago to serve as Chairman of the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation and work with the team to help at-risk individuals find a path to economic self sufficiency through entrepreneurship, I had a hard time saying no.  Recently, I had the chance to chat with another executive and entrepreneur who also has stepped forward and contributed his time and talents to the OTEF cause.  He is known around the valley as “The Sales Cooke.”  I know how Francine convinced me to get involved but I was curious about what motivated  Dave Cooke to donate his time and talents to  OTEF and the Arizona Entrepreneurship Conferences.  So I asked him, “Why did YOU get involved?”  Here is what he said…

I enjoy and appreciate OTEF’s commitment to our community.  Everyone needs help.  But not  everyone can simply purchase support resources.  I enjoy being part of organizations and businesses that recognize this and provide a solution by serving as a committed resource without always being “paid” to do so.  Education and experience are gifts that can and must be shared.

And, the great thing is, sharing is exactly what he has been doing.  Last year, Dave spoke at AZEC09, sharing his decades of experience with hundreds of entrepreneurs who were looking for ways to grow their businesses more effectively in a challenging economy.  This year, for AZEC10, Dave went one step further and volunteered to serve as sponsorship chair for the conference, donating not just words but also putting the actions behind them.

As a consultant and business owner, Dave works with other business owners and business leaders to help them with their revenue related challenges.  Together they re-define selling strategies and then helps educate the sales team and other parts of the organization so that the strategies are successful and effective.  Since he answered my first question, I decided to ask a few more.

The AZEC10 theme this year is The Great Reset.  As a leader – did you ever get stuck?  What was your “reset” ?

Dave:  Who doesn’t get stuck?  I rely on the power of my best connections and resources.  Over the years, I have built a very strong based of trusted and experienced advisors who, as business leaders and successful entrepreneurs, have traveled the road I am on.  When I get stuck, they get me unstuck.

How long has you been working with entrepreneurs in the valley?

Dave:  I have been in the Valley nearly four years.  As a person passionate about helping others realize their objectives, I am confident I have made a difference.  I am active in several associations, make myself available as an advisory resource, and have enjoyed a business relationship with many companies in the in the greater Phoenix area.   Having only known two people when I got here and now sporting a contact base of over 1200, I think I have made an impact.

One of OTEF’s key areas of focus is mentoring.  Who helped you along the growth path?

Dave:  In every position, at every company, I had one mentor who taught me something.  I continue to find great mentors and advisors.  Of course, I have always looked up for those resources and have been willing to be vulnerable to ask for their help.  Too many people are afraid to ask, show fear, or expose failure.  Why not?  There are plenty of people in this world who have experienced those same things and are willing, eager to share their knowledge.  Simply asking for help and be willing to listen, learn, and take action will encourage those people to help you. 

Will you be at AZEC10?  Why? 

Dave:  There is a great energy and information there.  The speakers always provide new insights and information.  And, these are nationally known, prominent, and powerful speakers who offer tremendous credibility their stories.  I wouldn’t miss it for anything.

What do you plan to achieve between AZEC10 and AZEC11?

Dave:  My mission is the same mission I encourage local business owners everywhere – diversify your business portfolio across multiple market segments and multiple geographies.  There are many business segments and geographies that are experiencing growth.  Many of those are not in Phoenix.  My mission is to go back to diversifying my customer base in SE Michigan, Bay Area CA and Phoenix so I am not caught up in the economic churns that sometimes limits opportunity in a particular area.

I hope you enjoyed this look at some of the people behind OTEF and AZEC10.  We’re just getting started as we count down to the Fifth Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference, AZEC10 this November 17th. And don’t forget – early registration discounts end after October 15th.  Register today to save $25 off the general registration fee.

Thanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned…

Joan Koerber-Walker    

We all know how it feels, that endless feeling of frustration as the processing icon spins on our computer screen or smart phone.  To get things going again,  you have to hit the reset button or spend your life in limbo.  Perhaps that feeling of endless limbo has been happening at the office too?  You feel like you are spinning and spinning, but your business is not moving forward .  Looking around, you see others waiting for change in their businesses too.  Unfortunately, businesses and economies do not come with an easy  to find reset button.  But, that does not mean there is no hope.

This November, The Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation, is again hosting Arizona’s Annual Entrepreneurship Conference to support the organization’s mission of  providing training and support to help at-risk youth and adults improve their lives by creating and growing entrepreneurial ventures.

This year’s conference, AZEC10 – The Fifth Annual Arizona Entrepreneurship Conference, will focus on what new entrepreneurs and established business owners alike can do to hit the ‘reset’ button in their businesses and get things growing again.   The full day conference will be held on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix from 8 AM to 7 PM. 

Combining national thought leaders and local CEOs in a forum for best practices, networking, and collaboration has been a hallmark of the conference since its inception in 2006 and this year’s conference is no exception with an all star line up including Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist Dave McClure, Technology Analyst Jeremiah Owyang, marketing and online media expert Brain Solis, Flowtown founder Ethan Bloch combined with local leaders from Callaman Ventures, Arizona Angels, Beanstalk CFO, Infusionsoft, Kolbe Corp, EcoEdge, Shwaag.com, Pay Your Family First, Brain Savers, Gangplank, and Pillsbury Winery.

There are even early registration discounts (though October 15th).  Tickets are available on the conference website at www.AZEC10.com.  Members of the community can also get involved by choosing to sponsor a student or support  OTEF and AZEC10 through donations and sponsorships. 

How it Started

Five years ago, this all started when a small group of entrepreneurs came together to help others who were less fortunate.  Since that day, hundreds of entrepreneurs have come together to connect, share ideas, launch new ventures, and apply innovative ideas to existing ones.  It’s our way of hitting the reset button TOGETHER.

As Chairman of the Board of OTEF, I have had a front row seat each year as well as access behind the scenes at the conference.  I’ve met so many great people, picked up some great ideas, and also seen the difference that the money raised at the conference makes throughout the year. So, from now to November 17th, here at the CorePurpose blog, I will share some stories with you about this year’s speakers and  some of the people you might meet at the conference.  I also have a story to tell about some of the organizations and community leaders who, through their support, have made this all possible.  They each have a story to tell and a tip to share and you will find them right here AND of course at AZEC10.

Thanks for stopping by.  Stay tuned…

P.S. You might want to subscribe to the email or RSS feed so you don’t miss the great ideas they have to share.

When I was a young girl I loved the book Peter Pan by James Barrie.  It was not because Peter would never grow up – I could not wait to grow up.  No the cool thing was that because Peter believed that he could, he could fly!  And, with the help of a bit of pixie dust, he could help others fly too.

Well now, at long last, I am grown up.  Actually I have been grown up for a while and my days are spent in the business world, not an imaginary Neverland.

This September, I have been keeping my promise to share an inside look at some great new business books. We stared things off with The Recipe: A fable for leaders and teams by Amilya Antonetti – a fictional lesson in leadership, followed up by a great book full of real life leadership examples, Good Boss, Bad Boss by Robert I. Sutton, PhD out of Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.   Then we shifted gears and explored the question Are You Ready To Be An Entrepreneur with Marty Zwilling.  All of these books have great tips for leaders, entrepreneurs and organizations, but the stories take place at right here on the ground.

Now for a peek a a new book that is specifically designed to help you and your business rise to new heights, Rebel Brown’s new book – Defy Gravity.

For a bit of fun, my friends at Metro Studios helped me put together a short video review of the book for Rebel – take a look…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEEiTh9GR9w&hd=1]

(Can’t see the video?  Click here to watch on YouTube.)

I’m not the only one who did a little bit of video for our favorite rebel, lots of her friends got into the act.  To see the video montage, click here.

So what’s Rebel’s secret for defying gravity and helping your business take off?  First she starts with a great analogy between aero dynamics and business flight.  According to Rebel, “We either climb higher or we crash and burn.  The status quo does not cut it any more.”  The next section in the book dives deep into the sources of gravity – the things that hold us down followed up with the things we must think about and do to achieve high velocity growth and more importantly, to sustain it.

So if you are like me and have always wanted to fly – you might want to give your business a lift, and check out Defy Gravity.  In a world where good enough isn’t good enough anymore, Rebel Brown has pulled together the right strategies, tips and thought provoking advice to help your company soar. If you and your team are ready to defy gravity – this book will get you started.  Don;t just take my word for it – here are a few gravity defying tips from Rebel Brown…

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5DqPl3PVHA]

(Can’t see the player?  Click here to watch Rebel’s message on YouTube.)

Thanks for stopping by.  Stay Tuned…

Joan Koerber-Walker

PS.  Rebel has a special offer of a free 80 page workbook she is sharing with friends that buy the book on launch day, September 14, 2010.  This is the same workbook she uses with clients, realigned with a more general business perspective in mind.  This Workbook will help you apply the lessons of Defy Gravity in your own businesses – so you can breakout and soar to profitable and sustainable growth.   To learn more, click here .  (NOTE:  this link is live ONLY on September 14, 2010)