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!

Remember, we stream the event live and make it as inclusive as possible to anyone, even if you cannot attend in person.

We have another great event planned with 3 spectacular companies.

We are also building a list of those that want to support first-time technology entrepreneurs in Utah. You can join our community. It will help us track those that want to help, and then we’ll be also publish everyone’s name on our community page soon.

Specifics:

RSVP: If attending in person, PLEASE RSVP. If on Twitter, tweet:

I’m going to #LaunchUp Jan 13 at SEO.com to see LucidChart, Snirk & BLVD Status, are you? http://bit.ly/launchup4

If not on Twitter, email jeremy @ jeremyhanks . com and let me know you’re coming.

Date: Wednesday Jan 13th

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location: SEO.com – 14870 S. Pony Express Rd. Suite 100 Bluffdale, UT 84065 (or watch stream online at http://www.launchup.org/live/)

Located just South off Draper exit 288 on the west side of the freeway, at Point of the Mountain.
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Event URL: http://www.launchup.org/live/

Agenda:

Welcome and LaunchUp Report: 5 minutes: We’ll update everyone on notable events and milestones from previous LaunchUp alum companies.

Intro to SEO.com 5 minutes: Chris Knudsen will tell us a little about our host, SEO.com.

Amp Session: 10 minutes: Rich Christiansen and Ron E. Porter, Authors, Bootstrap Business.

Company Presentations: 60 Minutes

LucidChart
http://lucidchart.com/
LucidChart is the missing link in online office productivity suites. LucidChart allows users to create, collaborate on, and publish attractive flowcharts and other diagrams from a web browser.

Snirk
http://www.snirk.com/
Snirk is an online scheduling, appointment reminder and marketing software that generates more appointments and money.

BLVD Status
http://www.blvdstatus.com/
BLVD Status is a real time analytics and keyword reporting solution.

Break for Pizza, Corner Dives, and Networking: around 8:00 p.m. till whenever : Each company heads to a corner, and anyone interesting in learning more or helping dives right in with them.

Please help spread the word. (If you’re using Twitter, use hashtag #LaunchUp)

A special thanks to SEO.com for providing the location, and for ZenPrint for providing the Pizza!!

Finally, LaunchUp #5 will be in February on Wednesday February 10, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in Provo at Novell.

Watch the site for more info. If your company, or one you know, would like to present, 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