Startup Weekend Cedar Rapids (February 28-March 2 2014)

2014 will be a game-changing year for Iowa's Creative Corridor.  I'm inspired by the people ready, wiling, and able to get stuff done.   A lot of amazing things will happen this year that will make a positive impact on our region for many years to come.

The idea of getting a Startup Weekend organized for Cedar Rapids Iowa is no accident.  It's the logical next step of a continuous work in progress.  An effort by many to foster innovation and creativity in Iowa's Creative Corridor.  There are so many moving parts that it's important to not get caught up in the moment.  Pause to pat yourself of the back, and you could end up a few steps behind.  Keep your head down- run hard.  This isn't a sprint and it isn't a marathon either.  It's a multi-day team ultra.

As we work on communicating what Startup Weekend is and why anyone should go.  I am driven to encourage people to research past events from around the world.  Google it, search it on Twitter, or check out some videos on YouTube.  

Personally, a simply explanation of 'Who Should Attend?', 'Why Should I Attend?' and 'What Can I Expect?' found on Startup Weekend Georgetown's page does a fine job in laying out the compelling reason to commit a weekend.    

In Cedar Rapids, our goal is to get non-technical folks, developers, and designers into a room and help facilitate to development of crazy ideas into viable companies inside of a weekend.  The thought that any one person can build a successful business alone is simply not the ideal way to work.  The goal should be to introduce great people that excel in the hacker (developer), hipster (designer), or hustler (non-technical) side of a business and get them around the same table to build something better together.

Startup Weekend Cedar Rapids will be a life changing event for some people.  It will launch new friendships, ideas, and maybe even a few viable companies.  It will pump you full of enthusiasm and encourage you to soar to a new level.  

Register here for Startup Weekend Cedar Rapids.  You'll emerge inspired.  

This is the dream.....

It usually starts with a euphoric feeling. I'm flying through the air, my arms are like wings and I have total control of where I go. The air and the view; everything is awesome. 

At some point I decide I want it to stop. I want to land. I realize I can't. I panic. I try to remember how awesome the feeling was just moments earlier. Panic has set in. I look for something to hold on to. To somehow hold me down. I want nothing more than my feet to feel the ground. It's damned near impossible.  

At some point, the dream either fades or I give up trying to get my feet planted on the ground. I worry about what people think of someone that floats. 

Everyone has dreams. 

The Secret Life of [Insert Your Name Here]

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is timed right for the New Year's Resolution crowd of daydreamers that fashion a new life with the new calendar year.  If a calendar can kick you in the ass, awesome.  

Kicking ass is a 365-days-a-year adventure. I don't think waiting for a date on a calendar makes great things happen.  2014 should prove to be a breakout year for many people I know.  Sharing the stories, spreading stories, and finding conspirators willing to help make dreams realities helps make it happen. It comes from having an open-mind that adjusts and pivots when necessary, pressing on at every turn.  It comes from doing.  

 
I think we all have a Walter Mitty hanging on- daydreaming of some fantastic adventure.  A life without a dream is hardly a life.  But get off your ass and make some awesome things happen. 

About Walter Mitty: The book, though short, speaks volumes. You should read it, The movie was amazing, you should see it. And the sound track wss beyond awesome. José González is easily my top listens on Spotify.

Triple Constraint: A Project Manager's Guide to the Meaning of Life

The triple constraint of life is happiness, health, and productivity.  In project management, it would be cost, time, and scope.  Optimizing these three things in either case defines quality.  The quality of your life or the quality of your project.  Tackle life with a triple constraint mentality and I believe you will optimize the quality of your life.

Lacking focus on any specific method in project management can allow for scope creep to happen, throwing money at a problem or not taking the time to clearly define the plan.  You can go months or years over schedule or just scrap the project altogether.  That's a sucky way to spend your time and money, but it happens.  More often than you might think.  

I like to think that when a strong project manager gets put in place that they will set and adhere to a firm budget.  The due diligence to estimate the time needed to complete a project accurately and address the risks will happen at the onset. They will clearly document, plan and communicate the scope effectively.  On launch day, everyone walks away happy having succeeded at what they set out to achieve. 

In life, many people will pick one thing and excel at it.  If you ask some people what the meaning of life is they may simply answer: happiness.  My problem with that answer is that you could achieve that through drug abuse.  If the meaning of life is simply obtaining your own happiness, the quality of that life could be suspect.  Focusing on health helps you put some control over the amount of time you have for this life but overfocus and it could be to the detriment of your family.  And an overworked person could be the pinnacle of a productive life but if you leave your health and happiness behind, it likely will not end well.

The triple constraint of life is happiness, health and productivity.  Find a balance between these three and you'll find a quality of life that is optimized.  Let the happiness be your own but also that of others around you.  See the opportunities to give and share kindness.  Try hard to make healthy decisions, enjoy the natural world around you and share these experiences with people you love.  Be productive, seek to make a positive impact on the world.  Don't kill it at work and let the rest of your life suffer.  

The Creative Corridor Thesis

I had the distinct pleasure of listening to Dan Reed speak with a small group of Creative Corridor citizens about the role the University of Iowa can play in spawning entrepreneurship and innovation for our community.  The reality is that the University of Iowa is a significant competitive advantage for the Corridor but the truer reality is that I'm not convinced that we know how to fully leverage that advantage.  I hope Dr. Reed and the University continue to blaze that trail forward with the entrepreneurial community and that we create a startup culture that is the envy of the planet.  It is clearly in the realm of possibility and, with the right mindset, it could be easier to achieve than many might think.

Dr. Reed proposed what I'll refer to here as the Academia Thesis.  These are my words and not his but they address the brand, social network, and knowledge transfer he referred to as essential parts of the academic experience.

The Academia Thesis:

1. Academic institutions have a brand and aligning with that brand provides benefits.
2. Within an academic institution exists a social network. Inclusion in that social network is of paramount importance for a successful future.
3. The knowledge transfer that occurs within the framework of an academic institution is not easily replicated outside of the institution.

Brad Feld proposed the Boulder Thesis in his book, Startup Communities.  It's required reading if you want to develop a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Boulder Thesis:

1. Entrepreneurs must lead the startup community.
2. The leaders must have a long-term commitment.
3. The startup community must be inclusive of anyone who wants to participate in it.
4. The startup community must have continual activities that engage the entire entrepreneurial stack.

So, how do we maximize the value of having such an amazing research institute within our community? How do we create and publicize activities that include both the academic and the entrepreneurial stacks?  What if we look at the social network of the University and the Creative Corridor as one community?  If we look at the similarities between a startup community, an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and an academic institution we can find common ground to develop a thesis that is true to what we aim to achieve.  

The Creative Corridor Thesis may look like this:

1. Foster creativity and entrepreneurship at an early age.
2. The brand is a sense of pride.
3. The community is inclusive and everyone that wants to be make a positive impact has the tools to do so.
4. Consistently hold events and activities that include the entire community to showcase our citizens. 
5. It is led by citizens. 

What is the Creative Corridor? 

I believe we are defining it now with the actions we take.  We should choose to make it exceptional with a vision for the success of the next generation.  A place where people are overwhelmed by a sense of pride in what we have built together. 

Feedback is worth more than money

This might sound crazy, but there are companies out there that say: "We're not looking at revenue models right now, we're just trying to build an awesome product."  One might be tempted to respond: "Money makes business fun and you should try to make some money now."  If you are looking to build a small business, the quickest way to a dollar is often the best path to choose.  When building a startup with high growth potential focusing on dollar signs early could become your killer.  Thinking that you can disrupt an entire industry takes time and is a crazy idea that often requires a counterintuitive strategy.

When putting together a business plan you may focus on the price of the good or service, doing enough research to think (rather confidently) that if you make it and sell it for a profit, you win.  Successful business launched. Who knows when you'll hit capacity.  

Know that there are different mindsets working in the business community.  Validated learning and customer feedback can be much greater long term than the fastest path to a buck.  The quickest path to your customer is the smart decision if you want to build something that will be useful to the largest audience.  The more customer interactions the better and paying customers can be harder to find than early adopters.  Give it away for free, so that price is not a barrier, and gain the feedback that makes the product more awesome over time.  

It's hard to get people to understand the mindset of a startup entrepreneur.  Someone that doesn't just want to be self-employed and have enough money to live.  These are the people that have a crazy level of passion for building something that could change the world and positively impact the most people possible.  I find the most joy in thinking I can change the world and if I fail, I fail.  Trying the hardest I can possibly try to be the most awesome I can be is far more enjoyable than just being self-employed or collecting a paycheck.  There is more to life than a dollar.  

Next Generation Schools

This week, as part of The Billy Madison Project for TransformEd, I got to sit in on a few high school classes.  I wasn't a guest or a visitor, I was a student.  I got the same assignments and was expected to do the same work.  


In English class I was on the edge of my seat as the teacher introduced the kids to Pixton, a Click-n-Drag Comics™ technology that allows anyone to create comics.  When he announced the assignment as: "I want you to get into Pixton, mess around and make something"  I must have been visibly giddy.  An English teacher introducing a technology and encouraging kids to create something had awesome written all over it.  Later in the class, he handed out copies of Maus by Art Spiegelman and I thought I might embarrass myself with my enthusiasm.  Inside of 30 minutes, I got that adrenaline rush you get when you are so overwhelmed with excitement that you have a hard time articulating a cohesive thought.  

Next generation schools must help kids explore creativity and give them opportunities to experience new things by encouraging the maker mentality and having them take action.  The kids in this class wanted guidance on how they were going to be graded but this teacher could hardly wait to see what these kids would create when given access to a technology as powerful as Pixton. How do you put a grade on creativity?


Pixton is one of many things available with the ability to transform education.  A spark of creativity and the encouragement to use your imagination are all you need to create something way beyond awesome.  Now go get after it!