First and foremost, we would like to thank the staff—Daniel James Scott, Nathan Schwagler, John Morrow, Wayne Brass, Mary Jo Jackson, Mario Iezzoni and Felicia Johanson. Our alliance would not be possible without your hard work and dedication.

Continuing that line of thought, we would also like to thank our extended family at USF St. Petersburg. Without the vision of our administration, Drs. Margaret Sullivan, Norine Noonan, Helen Levine, and Maling Ebrahimpour, this program would have remained only a fleeting aspiration. And, without the behind-the-scene support of Joneen Maczis, Gert Anderson, Rosemarky Trukenbrod and Melanie Marquez we would have missed those details that are always so important for success.

An integral component of our alliance is the spectacular advisory board that gives of their immeasurable time and talent. Preston Faykus, Neil Glazer, Kevin Harrington, Wesley Hiller, Gerry Hogan, Tammy Levent, Judy Mitchell, John Morrow, Marvin Scaff, Richard Stohler, Katee Tully, Frank Wells, Brent Britton, Andy Hines and Gus Stavros.

Our community partners have done miraculous things for us this year as well. Eileen Rodriguez, Jim Parrish, Cynthia Johnson and Kurt Forster – just to name a few.

Our almost unreal panel of experts that have guest lectured for us is a continued source of amazement.

Our guest authors, that have contributed to the knowledge-base of entrepreneurship throughout the year.

The City of St. Petersburg for what has been the thrill of a lifetime honoring entrepreneurs by dedicating the month of November to their cause. The Kauffman Foundation for an outstanding Global Entrepreneurship Week. President Obama for showing the administration’s support by declaring November 19th as National Entrepreneurship Day.

And, of course, last but certainly not least, here is to the students – the reason we are all working so diligently! Nassim Shamsideen and all of the officers of the student entrepreneurship club, our hats are off to you. For the future graduates who have shown an unrelenting interest in the major and minor—your support has paid off.

A big thanks to all of you for a great year, and here’s to an even better 2011!

On Friday night, participants pitch their ideas in just 60 seconds, giving a rapid overview about the idea, why it ticks, as well as the needed resources. A simple vote determines the 4 to 10 ideas for all of the other participants to support. These teams continue to work on their projects through Saturday July 9th. By Sunday the 10th, teams will have prepared a working prototype/product (and perhaps a presentation) to show to a panel of experienced judges in short demo. These judges include Chris Abbot of Abbeton, Chris Coyier of Wufoo, and Sustainable Entrepreneurship & Innovation Alliance Board Member Kevin Harrington of TV Goods, Inc.

During the course of the program, the participants will also be exposed to such speakers as Joseph Warren of Brainstorm Weekly, Curt Creely of Foley & Lardner LLP, and Paulo Da Silva of Grooveshark. In addition, mentors will be available to assist throughout the weekend, including Toni Gemayel of Two Giraffes, Steven Bristol of Less Everything, and Jay Paroline, Joe Kelly, Katy Richard, Skyler Slade and Michael Cugini of Grooveshark.

Startup Weekend will be held July 8th through the 10th at Microsoft Corporation, 5426 Bay Center Drive, #700, Tampa, FL 33609-3477. To learn more or register, visit http://tampa.startupweekend.org, like http://www.facebook.com/StartupWeekendTampa, follow twitter handle @startuptampa, or use hashtag #startuptampa.

Bill Jackson has been appointed Vice President – Member Services for the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE).

Mary Jo Jackson has been appointed Vice President – Placement/Career Center for the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE).

Daniel James Scott and Nathan Schwagler have been appointed to the Board of Directors for Creative Tampa Bay. Daniel continues as board member for Plan To Start, Inc. and the USF Entrepreneurship Alumni Society. Nathan continues as co-producer of TEDxTampaBay.

First and foremost, we would like to thank the staff—Daniel James Scott, Mary Jo Jackson, Wayne Brass, Cherie Collins, Mario Iezzoni, Felicia Johanson, Maria and Victoria. Our alliance would not be possible without your hard work and dedication.

Continuing that line of thought, we would also like to thank our extended family at USF St. Petersburg. Without the vision of our administration, Drs. Margaret Sullivan, Norine Noonan, Helen Levine, and Maling Ebrahimpour, this program would have remained only a fleeting aspiration. And, without the behind-the-scene support of Joneen Maczis, Gert Anderson, Rosemarky Trukenbrod, Jessica Hooper, John Husfield, and Melanie Marquez we would have missed those details that are always so important for success.

An integral component of our alliance is the spectacular advisory board that gives of their immeasurable time and talent. Preston Faykus, Neil Glazer, Kevin Harrington, Wesley Hiller, Gerry Hogan, Tammy Levent, Richard Stohler, Katee Tully and Peter VonSon.

Our community partners have done miraculous things for us this year as well. Eileen Rodriguez, Jim Parrish, Cynthia Johnson, Kurt Forster and Neal Desch – just to name a few.

Our almost unreal panel of experts that have guest lectured for us is a continued source of amazement. Nathan Schwagler, Chris Kluis, Joseph Warren, Art Mahoney, Michelle Royal, Michael Novilla, Brent Britton, Matt Barough and all of our board members.

Our incredible lineup of breakfast speakers this year. Goliath Davis, Julia Gorzka, Scott Buchanan, Joyce Nelson, John Schnackel, Nancy Howe, Charles Armstrong, Wayne Brass, Art Mahoney and Daniel James Scott.

Our guest authors, that have contributed to the knowledge-base of entrepreneurship throughout the year. Kelly Rexroad and Peter VonSon specifically.

The City of St. Petersburg for what has been the thrill of a lifetime honoring entrepreneurs by dedicating the month of November to their cause. The Kauffman Foundation for an outstanding Global Entrepreneurship Week. President Obama for showing the administration’s support by declaring November 19th as National Entrepreneurship Week.

And, of course, last but certainly not least, here is to the students – the reason we are all working so diligently! Nassim Shamsideen and all of the officers of the student entrepreneurship club, our hats are off to you. For the future graduates who have shown an unrelenting interest in the major and minor—your support has paid off.

A big thanks to all of you for a great year, and here’s to an even better 2011!

• Emerging Technology Company of the Year: Alakai Defense Systems, Inc.
• Technology Company of the Year: Catalina Marketing
• Excellence in Service: Jagged Peak
• Rising Star Award: Balaji Ramadoss, Administrator and Chief Technology Officer, Tampa General Hospital
• Community Supporter of the Year: Career Technical Education Foundation
• Outstanding Leadership Award: Debra Curtiss, Vice President and General Manager, Peak 10 Tampa

Thanks for all you do for our technology community here in the Tampa Bay area!

Now reality has set in. You can not do it all. And you certainly can’t do it in 3 hours. You need help. You aren’t sure where to start. And you aren’t even sure if you want to continue.

The IRS defines the difference between a hobby and a business by their tax questions. Let’s look at it as a mindset.

A hobby is something you start and do because you enjoy it. You do it when you have time and you spend money on it even if it you don’t need it. It can be the latest remote control airplane, the prize piece of Elvis memorabilia the newest quilting tool, or the latest book. All of these are hobbies of creating or collecting. You don’t care if other people think you are nuts for spending all day Saturday and Sunday working on that old car you have. Hobbies are personal. A hobby you had as a teen might not be a hobby now. It might be something you plan to pick up later.

That kind of inconsistency that can kill a business.

You may have learned your knitting hobby from your aunt. She taught you the “right way” to do something. This is counter intuitive to a business. Many times the right way is the exact opposite what everyone is doing. Think of Zappos who provides free shipping for purchases and returns. No one was doing that and the criticism was loud.

Business requires that you do care what others think–but it is the customers this time. Now this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t love the business. Cigar smokers make great business owners‘ but he/she needs to be a business owner first and a cigar smoker second.

You need the market to recognize you as the expert or the best in what you do. That word of mouth advertising is what is one key to consistency. Knowing cigars and the cigar market is what will make you that expert. (Of course, coupled with some well placed publicity.)

This has probably been put in my mind a bit deeper and for a longer period of time than most people. I was about 8 when I asked my dad if I could have a milkshake at our family business. He responded with a question: How many do you need to sell to be able to have the “free” one? Of course, this turned into a one of those long Dad lectures on costs and materials and labor and then the pricing phase of the (by this time) one way conversation. At this point I didn’t want the milkshake; but I never forgot the lesson. Nothing is free in your business. It is not a place to grab what you want. It isn’t a hobby.

You turned to your family and friends. You have tapped them for money and tapped them for their time. You realize that discussions of the business occupies every waking moment.

There is a role that each of us plays in a family, as a friend and in a business. When the two become intertwined it can be a fire starter of resentment and distrust. Take the time to engage a professional to be the independent voice to guide you in seeing the potential of your dreams but helping you execute ruthless on a plan of action. Keeping you disciplined in your role of entrepreneur is more important now that the newness of the business has faded.

Now is the time. Now is the time to brush off that business plan and put reality into it.
First, is the business still viable? Has the competitive market changed? What do your customers say? How does it look? Big? Small? Busy? Trivial? Do you have a cash flow or can you tap into funds, to allow your growth?

If all of these yes, you may pass GO. Now, look at who is helping you. Work with a consultant to help you ask your family members the right questions and to ask the big one: Do you want to work here? Disengaged employees whether blood related or not can suck the energy out of the business.

Now what are the jobs? What is the temperament for each of the roles? Do you need a detail lover for the back office but the gregarious person on the phone? This is the hardest part of a business. Find others to do what you don’t do best. The right person can make or break your business. They are the personification of your business. Have someone call your firm and listen in on the call. Are you proud or ashamed?

Today’s marketplace has four generations of potential employees. It is a rich time to find the right part-timer, full-timer, seasonal employee or even home-based employee.

Family members may see changes and want to come back in and support the growth and dream. Employees and family members just want to contribute and be respected for what each brings to the firm. They don’t want their time wasted.

What about your image? If your web site was done by your nephew who is good with computers, now is the time to engage a professional to tweak what you have to make a site come back to life.

Do you have an advisory board? Then this is a great time to start it. Choose people who can provide guidance to you. Your accountant and lawyer are a great place to start. Add someone with creativity who will give you out of the box thinking that will complement the others. Put structure in place. What are the hours? What are the scripts for the phone? What is the experience customers will have of your business?

Look at your own behavior. Do you drop everything for a customer or say “it’s 5, they can call tomorrow.” You may speak and write but it is your action that will tell the story. If your employees are not exhibiting the behavior you want, than you need to look at the message your actions are showing.

What do you own that you don’t need for the business? Is that car payment on the new sports car necessary for the business? How would a good looking and paid off car feel? What room in cash flow would that give you in your business. Perhaps you are a gadget freak. The latest screen, newest igadget and touch phone may not be the need. You have one digital camera but do you need the new one for your genius to show? Really? Your firm needs tools, but it really needs consistent and constant cash flow first. Those toys feel better when earned not just bought. Remember the days of the automatic paycheck from the corporate office are gone.

This doesn’t mean the fun is gone. Think back to the dream you had. Drive all you do to make that happen. Ask yourself with each activity: “Am I doing, right now, something that will make my business succeed?”

If you can, hire a coach. That person will hold you accountable and help you build those habits of discipline, questioning and action. Many times, another business owner will mentor you and help you.

This renaissance will take many hours in a short spurt and then a consistent amount of time to continue the stability and regenerate the growth curve. But it will happen. It will happen though your consistent communication, your hiring of the right people in the right job and the recognition that you need to walk the talk. It is your business, your pride. No one can promote it like you because no one understand it like you.

As fashion consultant and TV personality Tim Gunn says, “Now make it work.”

You worked hard in other jobs. As a paperboy you got up in all sorts of weather and delivered those papers. You changed oils in cars, you served tables and cooked in hot kitchens. You folded tee shirts and tolerated (barely) bad bosses and rude customers. No matter how long or horrible your corporate life was, you gave it your all.

Why would you give yourself less? You deserve the business you created because you earned the right to start it. You took energy and plans and made something happen. Now you must earn the right to keep it.

Now is the start of your business and the end of the hobby.

Kelley Rexroad
Author, Entrepreneur’s Perspective, Journal of Business & Entrepreneurship

Award winner Kelley Rexroad is known for her insight and front porch common sense in her coaching and HR consulting business. She grew up in a family business but ran off to the corporate world only to find herself starting her own firm 25 years later. Learn more about her as well as her speaking business at www.krexconsulting.com. You can also reach her at 813-920-9030.

Five of the resources that Daniel provided are listed below.

• BizStats & Financial Ratios
• DinkyTown.net Financial Calculators
• Inc’s Valuation Business Guides
• Plan To Start Resource Network
• Public Legal Forms

While you are here, you can help all of us by commenting what you would like to see happen in this area to support the entrepreneurial community. Thanks in advance!

Creative Tampa Bay's Staying Relevant in the Future

…

The event was billed as an event to help its attendees succeed as they seek to remain relevant in the global conversation.  This herculean task was met head-on by moderator Michelle Malott, the founder of HDYI and Vice Chair of the Board for Creative Tampa Bay.

The first presentation of the afternoon was from Dr. Sean Snaith, with a surprisingly rousing and hysterical discussion of the future economic trends for Florida and the Tampa/Orlando mega-region.  Dr. Snaith, who is the Director of the Institute for Economic Competitiveness within the College of Business Administration at the University of Central Florida, claims that “we are getting resources back to where they belong in our economy” and asserted that “Florida will still grow, just not at the four and five percent we’ve seen in decades past.”

Peter Kageyama next offered an ambitious premiere presentation about the emerging trends in communities and how the economy and technology are shaping the future of our cities.  Kageyama, a creative communities expert and Creative Tampa Bay board member, pointed out that “our cities did suffer as we moved to the suburbs” leaving city designers to “care more about where our cars go, then where the people go.”  Attendees were carried into intermission with a challenge from Kageyama that “maybe it is up to us to make our cities meaningful.”

The keynote presentation was provided by Dave Gray, Author of Gamestorming and Founder of XPLANE, who challenged the audience to “invent the future” using games.  “A lot of the things we do to increase productivity kill creativity” contributed Gray, “a game has goals and rules, but the result is always different.”

A final bit of advice came from Gray during the final panel conducted with Malott and Brent Britton, Partner with Gray Robinson.  When asked how a single-person firm could best incorporate games into their process, Gray responded “you are always a startup of two, because you at least need one customer.”

Britton capped off the event with a final ironic quip, “in a broad sense, the best way to stay relevant in the future it to just not die.”

For additional information regarding the event, visit creativetampabay.com.

If you have not considered looking into these options available to your firm, let’s take a look at how these options could impact your bottom line (assuming you meet the qualifying criteria for each):

• State of Florida Qualified Targeted Industry tax refund – minimum $30,000 tax refund
• State of Florida Quick Response Training grant – up to $1,250 per new hire
• State of Florida Incumbent Worker Training grant – 50% reimbursement of training costs up to a maximum of $50,000
• Local Workforce Board Employed Worker Training (Competitive Edge Award) – maximum $15,000 over approximately 12-15 weeks for existing employees
• Local Workforce Board On-the-Job Training – 50% wages for usually 10-12 weeks (time frame negotiable) for new hires

If you would like to learn more about these programs, please contact Harak Associates for specific program details and insight from years of managing the application process for these incentive programs.

#77 Archimedes Global, Tampa, FL
CEO: Duane Anderson
Industry: Government Services
Founded: 2005
Employees: 35
2009 Revenue: $11.5 million
Three-Year Growth: 3,165.7%
About: Provides energy, IT, and strategic and operational consulting services.

#165 eMason, Clearwater, FL
CEO: Jane Mason
Industry: Software
Founded: 2003
Employees: 67
2009 Revenue: $10.2 million
Three-Year Growth: 1,702.1%
About: Makes the workflow-automation application Clarifire.

#213 Telovations, Tampa, FL
CEO: Mark Swanson
Industry: Telecommunications
Founded: 2006
Employees: 28
2009 Revenue: $4.4 million
Three-Year Growth: 1,391.5%
About: Builds and manages closed-network communication systems for businesses.

#225 Freedom Health, Tampa, FL
CEO: Sidd Pagidipati
Industry: Insurances
Founded: 2004
Employees: 400
2009 Revenue: $374.8 million
Three-Year Growth: 1,330.2%
About: Administers Medicare and Medicaid benefits in Florida.

#369 The Media Crew, Largo, FL
CEO: Nick Foley
Industry: Advertising and Marketing
Founded: 1999
Employees: 15
2009 Revenue: $4.5 million
Three-Year Growth: 809.9%
About: Provides e-mail and online marketing services.

Congrats again!

Noted business attorney John Schnackel

John’s considerations for entrepreneurs, as they analyze legal risk, fall into the following five categories:

1. Business Entity
2. Founding Partners
3. Raising Capital
4. Human Resources
5. Intellectual Property

John was even generous enough to supply attendees with a handout containing a legal check-up for our businesses.

An interesting conversation arose surrounding two important items: independent attorneys and human resources.

John facilitated an interesting discussion on the key differences between independent attorneys, and those working with a larger firm. A few of the many specific issues to be questioning as an entrepreneur included:

• What percentage of the practice is in business law?
• Is the specialty primarily transactional or litigation?
• Has the attorney ever worked in a “real” business?
• Is the attorney familiar with your industry?

For more information on the possible advantages to an entrepreneur of independent council over lawyers attached to larger firms, you can refer to why entrepreneurs should love their independent attorneys.

On the topic of human resources, some interesting points were covered, with the promise that even more would be covered at our next breakfast, with Scott Buchannon, CEO of Human Resources, Inc.

Think about it, your subordinates or others below you on the organization chart see you as their boss and might very well blame you for their own situation. You can never really count on them to give you a completely honest answer since their agenda includes gaining favor with you. Your peers might very well view you as a threat or, at least, someone who might edge them out in the future. Only the people above you on the chart are typically not threatened by you, but rather see your progress and production as a reflection of their own management success. So, who do you want as a mentor; someone above you, of course. How do you get them to become a mentor to you? You show them that you are worthy, respect them and ask them for their advice. Help them in their job and they will appreciate it.

Most upper management people are used to dealing with people who are intimidated by them and are trying to gain favor in their eyes (much as the people below you). So, the trick is to treat them as a peer rather than a superior. Show an interest in their personal lives; ask about their kids, hobbies, etc. It may seem foreign at first, but after a while, they will recognize you as different from the pack. Most importantly, ask for their opinion or advice on real problems that you face in the workplace. Don’t patronize them by telling them what you think they want to hear. They probably got to where they are because they are smart and will see right through a kiss-up.

Remember we said that mentors want to pull you up. The view is a lot clearer up there and not as cluttered with the noise of lower management. The mentor wants to help you for a couple of reasons. First and foremost the mentor wants to bring smart, hard working people up because they need them to help them do their own job. They also, as humans, feel good about helping someone they like succeed. You may get a couple of mentors in your career, but you probably will be able to name the one that had the most influence on you as someone you respected and genuinely wanted to pattern yourself after.

Now, put yourself in the role of being a mentor to someone else. The same discussion about the mentor helping you will be valid for someone below you on the organization chart. Reach down and pull someone up to the view at your level. You too need smart, hard working people to help you do your job.

Peter VanSon
Advisory Board, Sustainable Entrepreneurship & Innovation Alliance

Peter VanSon is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and businessman. He has been in the human resources outsourcing business since 1996. His current venture, FirstSourceHR, provides a higher level of employee services for an affordable price – giving your small-medium size business the same quality HR, payroll processing, and benefits of a Fortune 500 company.

We have two new courses for you starting Fall 2010.

Entrepreneurial Leadership
CRN 89802 MAN 4930 SEC 691
Tuesdays, 6-8:50pm, STG 110
Professor: William Jackson
If you are tired of just reading about successful entrepreneurs, this course will allow you to interact with a variety of entrepreneur leaders from the Tampa area. Each week you will meet a different speaker highlighting their experiences in conceiving, starting, building, and in some cases exiting an entrepreneurial venture. Limited space exists for this excellent opportunity to learn firsthand from these successful entrepreneurs.
Prerequisite: MAN 4802 Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management or the consent of the instructor.

New Venture Creation
CRN 90316 MAN 4930 SEC 692
Thursdays, 6-8:50pm, DAV 105
Professor: Daniel James Scott
Are you an entrepreneurial spirit? Are you constantly thinking about how to create value and build new businesses, or how to improve or transform your organization? Are you trying to find innovative ways of doing business to replace old, outdated ones? This course will allow you to master and apply the critical building blocks to craft a bleeding-edge business model from your idea, strategically plan with justified conviction, and position your innovative concept within an intensely competitive landscape.
Prerequisite: MAN 4802 Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management or the consent of the instructor.