To help you to get to know the companies presenting at LaunchUp #5 we asked each to respond to a few questions…

The following Q&A segment is from SaraJoy Pond of TippingBucket.

Q: What does your company do?
A: We’re a mashup of one-deal-at-a-time retailing, micro-payments, and money-back guarantees. Think “woot.com dollar menu for changing the world.”

Q: Why does that matter and how do you make the world a better place?
A: It matters because after years of being told “you’re too young. you’re too small. anything you could do would just be a drop in the bucket” finally no-one is too small to make a difference. Their $1 can actually tip the bucket and change the world.

Q: Why is your company cool?
A: hmmm…we exist at this fantastically fuzzy intersection of markets, sectors and models so we make (and break) our own rules…we get to go home everyday knowing that the world’s incrementally better because we went to work today…and we make our own yogurt at the office.

Q: What 3 lessons/observations would you tell other entrepreneurs?
A:
- Articulate your tensions: Autonomy vs. Engagement, Stability vs. Agility, Reputation vs. Performance, etc. Understanding and staying aware of the various tight-ropes you walk as a start-up will make you more deliberate and balanced as you make critical decisions.
– Put more in. Actively seek ways to engage and contribute. If you’re adding value, value comes back to you. Try to use one of the 4 C’s every day: Compliment, Critique, Connect, Collaborate.
– ASK! Always, always ask. You’ll be amazed at the flexibility of rules and regulations, the impact of connection and coincidence, and the generosity of friends, mentors and strangers.

Q: Pick 5 people for your entrepreneur dream team (assuming you and your team were riding the bench)
A:
– The person who did Elvis Presley’s branding.
– The person who managed Thomas Edison’s innovation lab.
– The person who took care of Mother Theresa
– The person who inspired Rosa Parks
– The person who taught Winston Churchill public speaking.

Q: Which one pursuit? Golf, Basketball, Skiing/Snowboarding, Knitting, Mountaineering/Climbing, Bowling, Watching Grass Grow
A: Mountaineering/Climbing (though the inverse version–canyoneering–is actually my favorite

Q: Why are you an entrepreneur in Utah?
A: It’s a great place to “grow up” as an organization–super supportive network of fellow innovators, engaged mentors, active university, etc. Plus, where else can you find $200/month office space with snowboarding half an hour away?

We look forward to LaunchUp #5 and hearing more from TippingBucket!

To help you to get to know the companies presenting at LaunchUp #5 we asked each to respond to a few questions…

The following Q&A segment is from Bryan Ferre of Zipadi.

Q: What does your company do?
A: Zipadi is a digital publishing + e-commerce platform-as-a-service

Q: Why does that matter and how do you make the world a better place?
A: We help companies leverage existing assets to save money, make money and make life easier.

Q: Why is your company cool?
A: Zipadi lets you publish and monetize print documents to the web, mobile devices and digital readers.

Q: What 3 lessons/observations would you tell other entrepreneurs?
A: Fake it till you make it. Operate Lean.

Q: Pick 5 people for your entrepreneur dream team (assuming you and your team were riding the bench)
A: Justin Kitch CEO (Founder of Homestead), Guy Kawasaki, Elliot Jacobsen, Deepak Chopra, Jerry Sloan

Q: Which one pursuit? Golf, Basketball, Skiing/Snowboarding, Knitting, Mountaineering/Climbing, Bowling, Watching Grass Grow
A: Golf

Q: Why are you an entrepreneur in Utah?
A: I have worked all over the world and with the exception of Washington DC, Utah is home.

We look forward to LaunchUp #5 and hearing more from Zipadi!

To help you to get to know the companies presenting at LaunchUp we asked each to respond to a few questions…

The following Q&A segment is from Darrell Swain of LucidChart.

Q: What does your company do?
A: LucidChart is a web-based diagramming tool that allows teams to collaborate in real-time.

Q: Why does that matter and how do you make the world a better place?
A: The software and web development world is more complex than ever. Projects have increased in size and urgency. Teams are spread across the globe. These teams need an easy way to visually express complex processes, communicate it to their team and ultimately make better decisions together.
At LucidChart, we offer an easy way to visually share complex ideas in a collaborative fashion.

Q: Why is your company cool?
A: Our tool is not flash-based, it’s easy to use, and affordable.

Q: What 3 lessons/observations would you tell other entrepreneurs?
A: First, vision. I think the first step in any entrepreneurial venture is to visualize, in as explicit detail as possible, what exactly you are working towards. Close your eyes and see it. This leads to an understanding of the permutations that will arise and, consequently, how to overcome them.
Second, goal-setting. Start working towards your vision. Set specific, measurable goals and get to work.
Third, pliability. Nothing will work out exactly as you visualize it. Be both as firm and flexible as you can.

Q: Pick 5 people for your entrepreneur dream team (assuming you and your team were riding the bench)
A: Steve Jobs, Yvon Chouinard, Dave Neeleman, Jeff Bezos, Josh James

Q: Which one pursuit? Golf, Basketball, Skiing/Snowboarding, Knitting, Mountaineering/Climbing, Bowling, Watching Grass Grow
A: Surfing when I can and golf when I can’t.

Q: Why are you an entrepreneur in Utah?
A: The most valuable natural resource is people. Utah has great people.

We look forward to LaunchUp #4 and hearing more from LucidChart!

To help you to get to know the companies presenting at LaunchUp we asked each to respond to a few questions…

The following Q&A segment is with the founder of Snirk.

Q: What does your company do?
A: Free websites and hosting with Online scheduling & appointment reminders.

Q: Why does that matter and how do you make the world a better place?
A: It matters because 25-40% of appointments in appointment-centered businesses such as salons and gyms, are no shows. Text or email reminders reduce that by up o 75%. This saves both the client and company time and money.

Q: Why is your company cool?
A: Out company is cool because we try to keep things simple. Too many applications are overbuilt. I think we have a cool name and design too.

Q: What 3 lessons/observations would you tell other entrepreneurs?
A: 1. Keep it simple.
2. Work with the best people possible, who have strengths that are different than yours.
3. Get your product out as quickly as possible so you can get feedback, make adjustments and make sure people really want it. Stealth companies and products waste time and money.

Q: Pick 5 people for your entrepreneur dream team (assuming you and your team were riding the bench)
A:
1. President – George Bailey
2. Sales – Blake (Alex Baldwin) from Glengarry Glen Ross
3. Finance & Accounting – Rain Man
4. Security – John McClane
5. Motivational Speaker – William Wallace
6. Distribution – Al Capone

Q: Which one pursuit? Golf, Basketball, Skiing/Snowboarding, Knitting, Mountaineering/Climbing, Bowling, Watching Grass Grow
A: It would be great if I liked golf. I try too, but can’t. It’s something that can frustrate you your whole life. Besides that, I’d take Triathlons. It’s always a challenge and keeps you in great shape, unlike bowling or grass watching (which would be too time consuming).

Q: Why are you an entrepreneur in Utah?
A: Utah has it all. Great economy, resources, talent pool, networking opportunities. Besides, I don’t want to move to India.

We look forward to LaunchUp #4 and hearing more from Snirk!

To help you to get to know the companies presenting at LaunchUp we asked each to respond to a few questions…

The following Q&A segment is with Chris Bennett of BLVD Status.

Q: What does your company do?
A: Leverages Analytics to create real time reports that solve specific problems.

Q: Why does that matter and how do you make the world a better place?
A: The tools we create give website owners the ability to make smarter decisions and optimize their online marketing in a real-time environment.

Q: Why is your company cool?
A: We are ran by users, not only by specific recommendations from users, but we as owners developed the tool because it was a need we were missing in our daily regimen. We take pride in being nimble and creating better solutions based on user feedback. We use the tool as much as our users, so if we find an area that’s lacking we improve it. In a sense, we constantly make the tool better for our own use.

Q: What 3 lessons/observations would you tell other entrepreneurs?
A: 1.) Get cash flow as soon as possible. 2.) Network and get Mavens to use your product. 3.) Know when to give up and adapt.

Q: Pick 5 people for your entrepreneur dream team (assuming you and your team were riding the bench)
A: Patrick and I had different answers for this:
Patrick
- Seth Godin
- Guy Kawasaki
- Jim Collins
- Jason Fried

Chris
- Tony Hsieh
- Jason Fried
- 50 Cent
- Ken Block
- Pat Tenore

Q: Which one pursuit? Golf, Basketball, Skiing/Snowboarding, Knitting, Mountaineering/Climbing, Bowling, Watching Grass Grow
A: Surfing but since we currently live in Utah, Snowboarding

Q: Why are you an entrepreneur in Utah?
A: We are entrepreneurs everywhere

We look forward to LaunchUp #4 and hearing more from BLVD Status!

To help you to get to know the companies presenting at LaunchUp we asked each to respond to a few questions…

The following Q&A segment is with SocialToo founder Jesse Stay.

Q: What does your company do?
A: We provide tools to clean up your social stream, reduce spam, and build relationships on sites like Twitter and Facebook.

Q: Why does that matter and how do you make the world a better place?
A: Relationships are important. Spam and viruses get in the way of building those relationships. We clean up the spam and provide the tools so you can find and build good relationships.

Q: Why is your company cool?
A: We are the only anti-spam/anti-virus solution for Twitter and soon Facebook. We are killing the auto-dm on Twitter.

Q: What 3 lessons/observations would you tell other entrepreneurs?
A: Build technology that builds community. Have a business plan before you step out the door. Surround yourself with who you want to be – use social tools to help in that process!

Q: Pick 5 people for your entrepreneur dream team (assuming you and your team were riding the bench)
A: Bill Gates, Mark Cuban, Steve Jobs, Paul Bucheit (invented Gmail, “Do no evil” phrase at Google, founded FriendFeed), and Mark Zuckerberg

Q: Which one pursuit? Golf, Basketball, Skiing/Snowboarding, Knitting, Mountaineering/Climbing, Bowling, Watching Grass Grow
A: Watching Grass Grow (it’s an art)

Q: Why are you an entrepreneur in Utah?
A: I’m an entrepreneur here for the cost-of-living mostly and its proximity to Silicon Valley. Also, I was born here – it’s where my roots are. I see opportunity here.

You can also learn more by visiting the SocialToo CrunchBase profile.

We look forward to LaunchUp #3 and hearing more about SocialToo!

To help you to get to know the companies presenting at LaunchUp we asked each to respond to a few questions…

The following Q&A segment is with PageMass founders Kirk Ouimet and Kyle Prier.

Q: What does your company do?
A: PageMass shows website owners how popular their site is, how strong their competitors are, and how to improve their web presence.

Q: Why does that matter and how do you make the world a better place?
A: Understanding how to promote your cause online, whether it be commercial or not-for-profit, is crucial to any 21st century business model. If your cause is to build a product, offer a service, or send a message that makes life better for people, we can help.

Q: Why is your company cool?
A: We gather and aggregate information about your website from millions of points of data using a distributed data mining system to provide real-time analysis and tell you how popular your website is. You can immediately use this information drive more qualified traffic to your site and make more money.

Q: What 3 lessons/observations would you tell other entrepreneurs?
A: 1. Find entrepreneurs that have already done it to be your mentors.
2. Be open to and embrace serendipity. Serendipity happens when you accidentally discover something fortunate while looking for something else entirely.
3. Involve customers in every stage of the product development process, from conception, design, and through production.

Q: Pick 5 people for your entrepreneur dream team (assuming you and your team were riding the bench)
A: 1. Josh Coates, Founder of Mozy
2. Stan Bassett, President of Top Ten Reviews
3. Dion Almaer, Co-founder of Ajaxian
4. Kevin Rose, Founder of Digg
5. Tim Ferris, Author of The Four Hour Workweek

Q: Which one pursuit? Golf, Basketball, Skiing/Snowboarding, Knitting, Mountaineering/Climbing, Bowling, Watching Grass Grow
A: Coding.

Q: Why are you an entrepreneur in Utah?
A: Utah is an excellent place to work on a high-tech startup – the state is packed with technically proficient people.

We look forward to LaunchUp #3 and hearing more about PageMass!

To help you to get to know the companies presenting at LaunchUp we asked each to respond to a few questions…

The following Q&A segment is with MuseBuzz founder Chase Brammer.

Q: What does your company do?
A: Notify people who own digital music of new releases and missing tracks in their library.

Q: Why does that matter and how do you make the world a better place?
A: Music brings people together, we bring people together with the music

Q: Why is your company cool?
A: Automated and scalable

Q: What 3 lessons/observations would you tell other entrepreneurs?
A: Fear is the mind killer, Beware of bad partners, Do something, don’t just talk about it

Q: Pick 5 people for your entrepreneur dream team (assuming you and your team were riding the bench)
A: Jonathan Ive, Linus Torvalds, Mitt Romney, Eric Schmit, and Lenardo Da Vinci

Q: Which one pursuit? Golf, Basketball, Skiing/Snowboarding, Knitting, Mountaineering/Climbing, Bowling, Watching Grass Grow
A: Definitely skiing

Q: Why are you an entrepreneur in Utah?
A: Because Utah is a tech hot spot

We look forward to Launchup #3 and hearing more about MuseBuzz!