by Robert Jonelis
Ever face a crisis situation? Raw panic? Of course you have. We’ve all been burned by miscalculation, greed, and shoddy research. People have been making the same mistakes for quite a long time and a young woman from the 10th Century can teach us a pointed lesson about the importance of accurately sizing up the competition. Continue reading
Filed under Biography, Characters, Education, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, High Tech, Influence, Low Tech, Politics, Relationships, Startup Companies, Startups, Story
John Jonelis
This is outrageous. I’m concentrating on my computer screen when a huge mitt grabs me by the back of the belt and plucks me from my chair. Next thing I’m dangled high over the desk, arms and legs flailing till I steady my balance and end up nose-to-nose with Big Bill Blair, our urban Paul Bunyan.
“‘Scuse me, Mr. Jonelis,” he says in a slow polite rumble that carries with it a stale smell of corned beef and cigar.
Big Bill slowly chews gum. Looks disinterested. Acts like nothing’s unusual. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Conflict, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Faith, Giving, Poverty, Relationships, Startups, Story
Why entrepreneurs have to make time to think about who they really want to beby Howard Tullman
Very few things in our lives are absolute. Everything is measured by degree, from our attention to our patience to the range and intensity of our emotions.
At the same time, some things are absolute: You can’t be all things to all people; you can’t dance every dance; and, throughout your life, you’ve got to make hard choices, sacrifices, and compromises, and then you’ve got to live with them through thick and thin for a very long time. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Conflict, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Faith, Influence, Relationships, Startup Companies, Startups
by John Jonelis
Kids are dropping dead on the athletic field. Dead! These are our kids—those highly cherished and precocious little brats, grades K-12. Just a few years back we suffered a miserable year—120 deaths according to the Youth Sports Safety Alliance. Here’s a huge problem waiting to get fixed. Continue reading
Filed under Conflict, Death, Education, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, High Tech, Low Tech, Startup Companies, Startups
by John Jonelis
This is a winner. You wanna wow the judges? Win the crowd? Get your game face on, kiddo! Hit ’em with real passion, overflowing personality and a canon shot of enthusiasm.
Filed under Characters, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, High Tech, Low Tech, Startup Companies, Startups
as told by Mark T Wayne
I recognize a sharp character flaw among outdoorsmen of all sorts—an uncontrollable urge to exaggerate—particularly after an excursion to a wilderness such as northern Manitoba. Permit me to treat you to a few horror stories of the Great North Woods. I promise to debunk them all. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Low Tech, Relationships, Startup Companies, Startups, Story
as told by Mark T Wayne
Fishermen are liars!
After a superb day of fishing in the Canadian Wilderness, I prepare to utter my first exaggeration when Jonelis comes in with this monstrous THING. Look at it sir! This stretches all limits of credulity!
Naturally I object and make accusations of foul play. Just look at that fish! Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Conflict, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Games, Relationships, Startup Companies, Startups, Story
as told by Mark T Wayne
Danger and deprivation make up the joys of any wilderness expedition. Have you ever heard an adventurer speak of anything else? I have not, sir! Our bold band is bound for a rare excursion! Today, we hope to try our mettle against the Canadian Wild! Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Conflict, Death, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, High Tech, Low Tech, Startup Companies, Startups, Suspense, Writing style
as told by Mark T Wayne
“Don’t you want to feel safe?” asks Rosalind Russell. In response, Clark Gable knits his brows. “I never have. What’s it like?” * Vigorous travel is a grueling sport! One anticipates deprivation and hardship on any trip of significance. One seeks adventure! Exhilaration! One does not select air transportation to wrap oneself in a safe cocoon. No sir! Air travel exists for one and only one purpose. SPEED! Continue reading
Filed under Biography, Characters, Conflict, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, High Tech, Influence, Low Tech, Relationships, Startup Companies, Startups
by Howard Tullman
“Winners have a sense about other winners and you can’t miss the shift in their interest and attention when they encounter another of their own species. Wanting to win is fine – wanting to do the work that it takes to win and to keep at it until you do win is what makes the difference in the end.” Continue reading
Filed under Biography, Characters, Education, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, High Tech, Low Tech, Startup Companies, Startups
From the Journal of the Heartland Angels
by Paul LeRoux
General George Patton, leading U.S. Army general in World War II said, “No one is thinking if everyone is thinking alike.” WARNING – This article will contradict what most believe about speaking to a group. Continue reading
Filed under Education, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, High Tech, Influence, Low Tech, Relationships, Startup Companies, Startups
by John Jonelis
You don’t want to compete with this kid. Believe me. Just watch his intensity as he pitches his business to some of the private equity luminaries in the city. I’m a judge at this event and try not to show my feelings of awe as he answers all the tough questions in a pressure-cooker environment without so much as a flinch. There’s an intimidating team behind him too. They’re all in middle school. Middle school! Continue reading
Filed under Education, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, High Tech, Low Tech, Startup Companies, Startups
Controlled Design Management – Part 1
Controlled Design Management – Part 2
Controlled Design Management – Part 3
Controlled Design Management – Part 4
How Hyperlocal Social Economies Evolve
Investors Losing Patience with Pivots
Millennials are Becoming Obsolete–Already!
Chicago–the Best Incubator in America?
Driving Value When Funding Runs Low
The 10 Commandments of Startups
Your Business and Your Children
The Hidden Danger in Your Data
Underestimating the Competition
The Girl in the Black Leather Pants
The Apprentice Meets Digital Boot Camp
Fear of Failure Is Not an Option
The Secret World of 3D Printing
Fascination of a Thought Leader
If We Build it, They Will Come
Shark Tank Meets The Apprentice
The Gamemaker's Father 