ManyHats Organization

People from various backgrounds wearing different hats and sharing ideas and experience.

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CIB Event set for September 3

Friday, September 3, 7:30 a.m. – Central Iowa Bloggers, aka #CIB

Des Moines – Panera on University (6740 University Ave)

Kick off the morning with the Central Iowa Bloggers (#CIB) meetup at Panera on University in West Des Moines. CIB is an informal gathering of people interested in blogging typically held on the first Friday of the month. There is no set agenda for this meetup but bloggers begin to arrive around 7:30 a.m. and many stay through the morning.

http://smcdsm.ning.com/events/cib-central-iowa-bloggers-2

Info on CIB From Creator Mike Sansone:

Central Iowa Blogger Breakfast -  at Panera U

A few years ago, we began a Johnny Appleseed-like trek through Central Iowa, pitching the benefits of blogging to augment ones business voice.

I'd meet 'students' at Panera on University and soon, a networking web exploded. About two years ago, we began meeting informally on the First Friday of each month. Just a handful of folks at first. Now -- we fill the restaurant with Central Iowa Bloggers.

From my (limited) perspective, it's a great meeting for three reasons:

  1. It's an offline example of the blogosphere/twitterverse. From the outside, the din of multiple conversations sounds like noise. But examine each conversation close-up - and there's value in each and every exchange for those engaged.
  2. A support system and listening crew. At one point, we were all new to this conversation place. Many start wondering if anyone will listen. In Central Iowa, you have a built-in launching pad of a community base 50-75 strong. Nice!
  3. A great networking opportunity. There is no agenda/schedule for our meeting. Very informal. A great place to announce new plans, collaborate on new ideas, and exchange best practices.  I get jazzed every time we meet.

Read more: http://www.converstations.com/2009/02/central-iowa-blogger-breakfast-this-friday-at-panera-u.html#ixzz0y801iMpv

Des Moines Event for Entrepreneurs

Tuesday, August 24, 5-7 p.m. – Startup Drinks (Des Moines)

Tally's (2712 Beaver Avenue)

What Is Startup Drinks?

A simple concept: Startup culture in cities around the world gathers around a bar to have a pint and discuss what they are working on, what they need help with and what they can do for each other.

Who Should Attend?

Existing or aspiring entrepreneurs of all types and ages

Learn more at dsmstartupdrinks.com.

Coworking Example

Here’s a great example of a co-working space in Santa Monica, California. 

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1443726412?bclid=1551132520&bctid=194094996001

TEDxOmaha Info

TEDxOmaha, the local version of the well-known TED events, has released their list of 15 presenters. General tickets for the event, which will take place Saturday, October 16 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., go on sale today,  August 23.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/spnproduction/photos/000/001/103/1103_bf22885abd_half.png?1282352775TEDxOmaha is being put on by the team at REBEL INTERACTIVE, the sponsor of the event's production, and headed by REBEL employees Andy Melichar and Brian Smith. Amy Mather and Cindy Grady are also a part of the planning team as they led the speaker search.

Here are this year's presenters, some are speakers and others are performers (in alphabetical order):

§ Julian Adair of Adair Dance Academy

§ Dr. Jonathan Benjamin Alvarado of University of Nebraska at Omaha

§ Yasmeen Bora, Violinist

§ Robert Byrnes of Nebraska Renewable Energy Systems

§ Nancy Kirk of Tri-Faith Initiative

§ Jeff Koterba of Omaha World-Herald

§ Shane J. Lopez, Ph.D. of Gallup

§ Rebecca Lowry of All Young Girls Are Machine Guns

§ Matt Mason of the Nebraska Writers Collective

§ Annette Nathan of Mark Kamin & Associates

§ Rita Paskowitz, Professional Storyteller

§ Jack Phillips of the New Tree School

§ Tom Trenolone, AIA of HDR Inc

§ Gary Wasdin of Omaha Public Library

§ Lamarr Womble of Passion for Leadership

As more details are released, we'll follow up with additional posts.

To learn more about TEDxOmaha, see our post: TEDxOmaha set for October 16, speaker suggestions welcome.

http://d1.openx.org/avw.php?zoneid=15684&cb=0.846209373972998&n=a2b9eeaf

Entrepreneurial Articles

Silicon Prairie News - Des Moines

Found these links to entrepreneurial articles in a recent newsletter I got and wanted to pass them on.  There are some good ones here.

   

§  How to think like an entrepreneur, wherever you are (eu.techcrunch.com)

§  Getting the First 1,000 Visitors: A Case Study (blog.trackjumper.com)

§  Things To Do Before Launching Your Start-up (www.inc.com)

§  Product to Platform - My Start-up's Summer Journey (www.gaiagps.com)

§  Getting Your Startup Noticed and Covered by Blogs (blog.zferral.com)

§  Building out your sales plan as a startup (venturefizz.com)

§  7 Lies That Will Keep You From Starting Your Own Business (travisrobertson.com)

§  Why getting 10 customers is all that matters (entrepreneur.venturebeat.com)

§  FounderConference; Dave McClure "90% of you will fail" + tips (go.danielodio.com)

§  Optimizing your Customer Acquisition Funnel (venturefizz.com)

§  Hyper-Practical Tips on Starting Your Own Company (blogs.hbr.org)

§  Building a startup team, sustaining it and driving more sales: inside Scoop St. (bitsofgenius.net)

§  Preparing for a 60 second pitch on This Week In Startups (www.customercradle.com)

§  What To Look For In A Business Co-Founder (jasonlbaptiste.com)

 

Co-Working Space Coming Together

After meeting with the ManyHats crew on Friday, it looks like plans to start 

a business co-working space will move forward. The space, tentatively named
Veel Hoeden (Dutch for "Many Hats"), will sport a mix of private offices,
open co-working space, conference room access, wireless multifunction
printer/fax, and an environment to help you work at peak productivity.
Renovation of the space will begin shortly with plans to open in
mid-September.

Offices are still available at $180 per month, and mobile memberships that
provide access to all space amenities will be offered for $50 per month. If
you have interest in getting more information about Veel Hoeden or a tour of
the facility, or know of someone else who may be interested in joining this
exciting business community, please contact Joel Bennett at
jbennett@actsofiowa.org.

August ManyHats Meetup... Better Than a Kick In The Head and Far Less Painful

August's ManyHats Meetup is slated for Friday, August 20, 2010 at Happy Joe's in Pella.  7-9am... come and go as you need to, breakfast items are available for purchase.  

We hope you'll join us for some discussion, thought sharing, and "open mic" Q&A on what challenges you are facing. We'd also like to discuss an opportunity to setup a co-working office space in Pella for local small businesses, entrepreneurs, and mobile office warriors. In fact, warriors of all types are invited...ninjas, samurai, and Mongolian horde get preferred seating.

Grad a friend and a hat and get there!.

 

ManyHats Meetup July Installment

May's ManyHats Meetup is slated for Friday, July16, 2010.  We hope you'll join us at Happy Joe's in Pella for some discussion, thought sharing, and "open mic" Q&A on what challenges you are facing.  Invite you friends to join us as well.

A main topic of discussion is the possibility of shared work space in a downtown commercial space.  Interested?  Make sure you stop by or contact us.

The Secret Talents of Scott Sorheim

In a period of less than 15 minutes, Scott Sorheim solved three Rubik's Cubes.  The last 2, witnessed by Joel Bennett, were completed in less than 7 minutes.  The picture included is of the last 2 conquered at Pella Pets.  

If he can solve 3 Rubik's Cubes in 15 minutes, don't you think this guy could solve your business problems as well?

Who's Going to Big Dream Gathering?

www.bigdreamgathering.com

BIG dream gathering in Des Moines on Sunday, May 16th!


Mark your calendars for the next BIG dream gathering!  

It will be held at Prairie Life Fitness in West Des Moines from 2 to 6 pm on May 16th. 

And... thanks to our amazing sponsors... the event is FREE!

Click here for more information.

It's amazing to see what happens when companies get behind BIG dreams! What if we did the same thing?

I just came across this story of how Adidas took 40 kids from Europe's least successful and poorest footballing nation... and brought in 17 of soccer's superstars to teach them how to play the game. 

Check out one of the videos telling the story...

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It's a simple but powerful concept. 

A company with a lot of resources... helping some kids with little to no resources... with their big dreams... in a BIG way.

What a fun idea.  What a great idea.

That makes me think of two things...

1: How could we do this? 

Okay, I'll admit it.  I don't have the resources or the superstar connections that Adidas has.  You may... but most don't.  BUT, what if we were inspired to do this in some way?  What if we were to find out about someone's dreams... and we helped them out... just to "wow" them. 

How... I don't know.  Maybe it's picking a kid in your neighborhood...

What if you asked them about one of their BIG dreams?  And then... what if you really listened to them?  Taking the time to HEAR them would be a HUGE gift and investment.  But what if you decided to go beyond that.  What if you somehow took $25 and put it towards their dream in some way?  Not a huge investment... but what if you decided to invest it in their dream?  Maybe a new football or soccer ball?  Maybe a set of special pencils for their drawing?  Maybe some material for their big dream of designing clothes? 

What would that say to them about what was possible?  What would that say to them about someone believing in their dream?  What would that say to them about their worth?

Or maybe it's investing 25 minutes... or 25 hours... in something.

I'm betting the same concept could apply to a spouse... a friend... a co-worker... even a parent.

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