Michael Pollack of Rocket Fuel Labs
Verbatim – John Jonelis
I always enjoy the scenic water taxi ride to the Chicago Merchandise Mart where the huge high-tech incubator known as 1871 lives and breathes like a sleeping dragon in a cave full of gold. Continue reading
Filed under Biography, Entrepreneur, High Tech, Low Tech
John Jonelis – I knew something outstanding was going on, but when a friend raved about it, I had to stop procrastinating and find out more. Continue reading
Filed under Biography, Education, Entrepreneur, Giving, Influence, Poverty, Relationships
Impact Engine Part 9 – by Jeff Segal, Message Therapist –
“Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor.”— James Baldwin Continue reading
Filed under Entrepreneur, High Tech, Low Tech, Poverty, The Economy
Techweek Part 3 at BNC Venture Capital – John Jonelis –
The audience roars! This roomful of raucous investors demand answers the way hungry wolves tear at meat. Men and women shout as if in the trading pits of the CME. I see wallets wagging in eager hands, but the kids presenting tonight are unprepared for such a high level of scrutiny and the questions keep coming—one louder than the last. Now the speaker shouts to be heard as the meeting spirals out of control. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Entrepreneur, High Tech, Low Tech, Poverty, The Economy
Bill Blaire – special correspondent
as told to John Jonelis
Bill Blaire here. Jim Kren don’t want you should see this story, ‘n’ scratched it outa the last article but Da Boss overruled him so here it is. I might be talkin’ a victory fer da little guy here, but nobody never accused me o’ bein’ a little guy. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Conflict, Entrepreneur, Low Tech
Bill Blaire – special correspondent
as told to John Jonelis
Bill Blaire here. Sometimes ya get surprised by a simple little idea—one that ain’t a mobile app er nothin’. Summa them make real nice businesses. I’m at FFF—da Funding Feeding Frenzy where it ain’t just tech—it’s good investments. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Conflict, Entrepreneur, Low Tech
Impact Engine – Part 8Less than a year ago, I asked a prominent figure in Chicago’s startup community about local investors’ interest in the social enterprise model.
She told me flatly, “No one cares.”
Well, they care now. Continue reading
Bill Blaire – special correspondent –
as told to John Jonelis
Bill Blaire here. Lemme tell ya how things develop before all da trouble starts. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Entrepreneur, High Tech, Low Tech, Suspense
Techweek Part 2Mark T Wayne – Special Correspondent
as told to John Jonelis
Permit me to proclaim that, next year, children—yes I say children, should organize Techweek. The event will gain from it. I have good evidence for such speculation, as you will see. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Education, Entrepreneur, High Tech
Techweek – Part 1By Jeff Segal – Message Therapist
I love startups. But I’m cheap. So I was happy to buy the $30 Expo pass to Techweek Chicago. No way was I shelling out for the $650 VIP pass.
Which meant I got to browse Startup City and meet the founders of 70 startups, but couldn’t crash the LAUNCH Final Five event. And you know what? I’m sure it was lovely, but apparently they chose the finalists based on nothing more than concept, business model, strength of team and presentation. Bor-ing.
I selected mine, on the other hand, based on pure awesomeness. Continue reading
Filed under Conflict, Entrepreneur, High Tech, Low Tech
John Jonelis
I am sitting with the audience at the Funding Feeding Frenzy in Chicago—a big event for startup companies like mine that need investors to make things happen. I wipe sweaty palms against my suit pants—my turn to present—my turn to make a fool of myself is coming up fast. Continue reading
Filed under Entrepreneur, High Tech, Influence, Low Tech, Relationships
Bill Blair – special correspondent –
as told to John Jonelis
Bill Blaire here. Mr. Jonelis wants I should go to this FUNDING FEEDING FRENZY thing. Says I’m gonna give a completely different slant compared to the resta this crowd here. I cut my teeth in the Local #1 Boilermakers, then as a Cement Contractor till I packed up my tools fer good. Continue reading
Filed under Characters, Entrepreneur, Writing style
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 