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!

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!

If you want to participate in the community discussion during the event, and especially during the 2 company Barn Raisings, you must be online. Even if you’re at the event in person. There will not be any Q&A/feedback mechanism except the online chat that coincides with the live video stream. So bring your laptops! I hope we have a room full of them.

We’re then going to record that chat discussion and we’re hoping that provides a great resource to the entrepreneurs. Ultimately, this event will be the starting point for helping to raise the barn, with hopefully lots of follow-up interaction.

Specifics:

Date: Wednesday March 25th

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Doba – 1530 N Technology Way, Orem, UT 84097 – Canyon Park Technology Center Building D (or online)

RSVP: If attending in person, PLEASE RSVP. If on Twitter, tweet: I’m going to #LaunchUp, are you? If not on Twitter, email jeremy @ jeremyhanks . com and let me know you’re coming.

Event URL: http://doba.acrobat.com/launchup1/

Agenda:

Amp Session: 15 minutes: Ben Peterson  Ben is one of the smartest and successful entrepreneurs I know. He also knows a thing or two about online marketing. He started MingleMatch in 2000 which he sold to Spark Networks in 2005. He’s been active with the Utah Angels since then, and is currently working on his new startup, Human Services HQ.

Barn 1: 15 minutes: Tweetbooty  http://tweetbooty.com/ Tweetbooty is a new way to access amazing discounts and giveaways from qualified local retailers. Our users want to know the answer to one simple question: What are you offering us right now?

Barn 2: 15 minutes: Entice Labs  http://www.enticelabs.com/ TalentSeekr™, a patent pending technology from EnticeLabs, connects employers with these “passive candidates” by placing relevant and enticing career opportunities directly in front of them. Both employers and job candidates are given opportunities neither would have had otherwise.

Open Ideas 10 Minutes: we’re going to try an Open Idea period where the floor is anyone’s for 15 seconds

Break for Food: around 7:30, pizza/drinks

Networking: till whenever

If you don’t come or logon, well then you’re just not at all cool. Seriously, we’ll put you on an anti-cool list on the site. Please spread the word. (If you’re using Twitter, please use hashtag #LaunchUp)

Finally, the April LaunchUp will be the evening of Wednesday, April 22nd, somewhere in Salt Lake County, so mark your calendars. If your company, or one you know, would like to be a ‘barn’, email me: jeremy @ jeremyhanks . com

Subscribe to our RSS feed — Follow us on Twitter: @launchup — Become a fan on Facebook: LaunchUp.org — Email Jeremy Hanks if you’d like to help/get move involved: jeremy @ jeremyhanks . com

We’re going to have a great event. We’ll have an kick-off presentation by a well known and successful entrepreneur for 10-15 minutes, then we’re going to dive into our first ‘barn’ and spend some good time understanding a technology startup to the point that the attendees at the event and simultaneously online participants can provide relevant questions/concerns/feedback/help to those entrepreneurs, and we’ll end with an open-mic segment where anyone gets 60 seconds to throw out anything to the group: ideas, questions, thoughts. Then we’ll break for food and networking and Rock Band. (probably just kidding about the Rock Band, but you never know, we might set it up–what entrepreneur worth their salt hasn’t at some point dreamed of being a Rock Star.)

We’re looking for companies to help, so if you have a demo-able product, have some traction, have a cool opportunity, email me: jeremy @ jeremyhanks . com

Please spread the word, here are the new specifics:

- Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 25th, the first ever LaunchUp, held @ Doba in Orem. 1530 N Technology Way, Orem UT 84097 . Building D in Canyon Park Technology Center.

- You can still learn more about the genesis for the idea of LaunchUp.org: What is LaunchUp?

- Subscribe to our RSS feed

- Follow us on Twitter: @launchup

- Become a fan on Facebook: LaunchUp.org

- Email Jeremy Hanks if you’d like to help/get move involved:
jeremy @ jeremyhanks . com

See you Wednesday March 25th at 6:00 p.m. More details to come on who will be attending and what technology startup ‘barn’ we’re going to be helping.