Gangplank » azentrepreneurship

GP Brownbag: Chad Smith & Open Forum

Katie Charland — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 03:28:43 +0000

When you think of animation, most likely the first image that pops into your head is either a Disney or Pixar character. Ever since that black and white mouse came onto the screen as Steamboat Willy, animation has taken a place in our minds as an entertainment medium.

Yet, there is so much more to the animation field than we are aware.

Chad Smith of Being Studios, will be our featured speaker for Wednesday, June 30th’s brown bag presentation. Smith has recently taken up residence at Gangplank and has already created a series of hilarious cartoons based on the regular activities taking place inside our walls.

More than that, Smith will be talking about the many opportunities available in the animation field, and how businesses can use the medium to tell their stories. Anything and everything you ever wanted to know about animation will be answered, and perhaps you’ll even end up as part of Smith’s Gangplank cartoon collection.

Something a little different

Some of you may recall that a few months back, Derek held an informal discussion about the future of Gangplank after a brown bag. We are planning on making this a regular occurrence, to hear your thoughts and share updates about Gangplank. These open forums will take place the last Wednesday of the month, before the brown bag presentation.

This open forum is for the curious, new members and Gangplank veterans alike. Want to know what Gangplank is? We’ll cover it. Want updates on the move? Come and ask. The open forum will begin at 11am. Stick around to catch the brown bag.

Original Source: GP Brownbag: Chad Smith & Open Forum

Jay Roger’s Brown Bag

Katie Charland — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:25:36 +0000

Local Motors CEO and Co-Founder, Jay Rogers, was kind enough to come share his vision of the future of the car industry with us last month. Rogers explained the traditional model of car building and how that model is no longer sustainable. He shared the history of Local Motors, as well as how open-source car design localizes a vehicle and involves the purchaser in the process. Below is his presentation for your enjoyment. Local Motors will be hosting an Open House for their new factory in Phoenix at the end of July. Check back for details about the event.

Jay Rogers

Original Source: Jay Roger’s Brown Bag

GP Brown bag: "The Art of Celebrity Impersonation"

Katie Charland — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:00:04 +0000

Dennis Keogh as 007

Gangplank, Arizona’s largest collaborative workspace, will be hosting celebrity impersonator, Dennis Keogh, as a part of their recurring brown bag series. The event will take place on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at noon. Keogh

has been performing as celebrity Sean Connery for a number of years, making appearances all over the Phoenix-area, Las Vegas and Canada.

Keogh will be speaking on what is required to become a respected A-list celebrity impersonator and the professionalism you must maintain to stay on top. He’ll discuss tips on how to get booked regularly and drum up new business – useful advice for a start-up in any field. Keogh will also share a few humorous and true stories of his life as Sean Connery.

“It is all perception – not deception,” explains Keogh. “If guests of my impersonation ask ‘Are you Sean Connery?’, I have several comedic answers.”

Keogh began performing full-time as Connery in 2006, after retiring from Bell Systems at age 53. As a Sean Connery impersonator, Keogh is invited to corporate parties, exotic car auctions, movie sets, Hollywood parties and charity events to add a buzz and work the crowd. He loves to walk the red carpet and mingle with guests, posing for photographs, and signing autographs.

Keogh thoroughly enjoys his work, even if it a bit unconventional. “We are all given great opportunities in life. A wise man,realizes them and acts upon them,” said Keogh.
I chose to jump through that window of opportunity while the window was still open.”

The brown bag is open to the public, free of charge. Bring your lunch, have a few laughs and enjoy rubbing elbows with a star (impersonator).

Original Source: GP Brown bag: "The Art of Celebrity Impersonation"

Linchpin Meetup Recap

Katie Charland — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:25:43 +0000

Last night, 40+ people assembled at Gangplank to discuss the book Linchpin, written by marketing guru Seth Godin. The book discusses the idea of making yourself so good at what you do that you are indispensable, and that causing disruption by rapidly eschewing traditional models for new ones is a worthy endeavor.

The Linchpin meetup, put on by Tyler Hurst and Stealthmode, broke attendees into groups to discuss key concepts from the book, including overcoming fear, qualities of leadership, our current education system and the importance of learning to lose. Each group presented on their topics with a discussion portion following each presentation.

Many of the participants had recently left Corporate America and were starting ventures of their own. Their interest in attending the event stemmed from wanting to meet others that were in a similar positions for encouragement, ideas and general networking. Throughout the evening connections were made, relationships were formed and attendees walked away with some insight into their own status as a Linchpin, and where they might improve.

For coverage of the event, as well as an interesting take on startups in this economy, check out ABC 15′s video. Also, listen to Gangplank Studio episodes 35 and 36 to hear attendees discuss what the word Linchpin means to them.

Original Source: Linchpin Meetup Recap

Phoenix Crowd Pitch

Derek Neighbors — Mon, 24 May 2010 22:41:19 +0000

What:
This event will bring entrepreneurs, innovators, mentors, support providers, and investors together in an informal and energetic setting.

Think ´American Idol´ — selected entrepreneurs will have 4 minutes to pitch their company to both a panel of experts & a live audience, followed immediately by a 3-minute Q&A session with the panel.

A free networking dinner will follow the formal pitch.

When:
May 26, 2009
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Where:
The Marriott – The Buttes Resort (in the Amphitheater room)
2000 Westcourt Way
Tempe, AZ 85282

Useful links:
Event Registration
Event Details

Video of previous CrowdPitches:
http://www.youtube.com/fundinguniverse#p/u/3/7WCdwfugRM4
http://www.youtube.com/fundinguniverse#p/u/4/2IJdTmqVDb4
http://www.youtube.com/fundinguniverse#p/a/u/2/1i_gLse4JjM

Original Source: Phoenix Crowd Pitch

Free Entrepreneur Mentoring at Gangplank

Derek Neighbors — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 05:50:38 +0000

Office Hours @ Gangplank

Several VC’s and angel investors have open office hours at Gangplank in Chandler, AZ.

Recently ATIF took office hours and it was an overwhelming success. We are now opening office hours for even more mentors. Pick a 20 minute slot for these open office hours. Simply grab a slot starting on the hour, 20 minutes past, 40 minutes past etc below. You’ll first need to create a pbwiki account if you don’t already have one. Please note that all office hours slots are 20 minutes unless you’ve pre-arranged something longer with the person you’re meeting with. Please don’t claim longer spots.

Scheduling for Open Office Hours

Paul Winandy Hours (ATIF)
Greg Head Hours (ATIF)
Francine Hardaway (Stealthmode Partners)

Have someone you wish had open office hours? Suggest them to us and we will see what we can do. info@gangplankhq.com

Original Source: Free Entrepreneur Mentoring at Gangplank