SlideShare a Scribd company logo
Lessons in
 Entrepreneurship



            Jim Fowler

Small Biz Big Things – San Francisco

         February 7, 2012
Brief Fowler History
Sunday School
“Ski U” (1983-87)
US Navy Diver (1987-91)
Lookout Pass (1992-96)
Sales Guy (1996-2003)
Jigsaw (2003 - 2011)
InfoArmy (2011 - Present)
Lessons Learned
Michaelangelo’s David
Why Success?




          Vision
          Focus
          Team
Crowdsourcing
Data-as-a-Service (DaaS)
Set Your Company DNA Early
InfoArmy Product DNA




         Quality
         Personality
         Simplicity
         Speed
Have A Company Personality
Declaration of Data Independence




    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NmW51nF6kE
Superheros
Focus Is Hard




 Lack of focus is the #1 reason why
 start-ups fail.
Cash Is King
Early Fowler Nickname
Groupon
Prioritize Relentlessly
Team Is Everything


     “A” Players

     “B” Players

     “C” Players
Fowler Rule of Fives
MBWA
Friday Afternoon Poker
The Bullet And The Buddha
Thank You!




      www.jimfowler.com
      fowler@infoarmy.com
      @fowlinator

More Related Content

More from Ramon Ray

Attract, Sell, Wow - sales and marketing best practices for growing businesses
Attract, Sell, Wow - sales and marketing best practices for growing businessesAttract, Sell, Wow - sales and marketing best practices for growing businesses
Attract, Sell, Wow - sales and marketing best practices for growing businesses
Ramon Ray
 
The Local Celebrity Entreprenuer
The Local Celebrity EntreprenuerThe Local Celebrity Entreprenuer
The Local Celebrity Entreprenuer
Ramon Ray
 
Building Your Business - AT&T National Tour - Social Media and Technology
Building Your Business - AT&T National Tour - Social Media and TechnologyBuilding Your Business - AT&T National Tour - Social Media and Technology
Building Your Business - AT&T National Tour - Social Media and Technology
Ramon Ray
 
Social Content Marketing for Small Businesses
Social Content Marketing for Small BusinessesSocial Content Marketing for Small Businesses
Social Content Marketing for Small Businesses
Ramon Ray
 
No New Customers. Capture Leads Instead!
No New Customers. Capture Leads Instead!No New Customers. Capture Leads Instead!
No New Customers. Capture Leads Instead!
Ramon Ray
 
Lifecycle Marketing: Date Leads. Marry Customers - NEW 2014
Lifecycle Marketing: Date Leads. Marry Customers - NEW 2014Lifecycle Marketing: Date Leads. Marry Customers - NEW 2014
Lifecycle Marketing: Date Leads. Marry Customers - NEW 2014
Ramon Ray
 
Lifecycle Marketing: Challenges and Success
Lifecycle Marketing: Challenges and SuccessLifecycle Marketing: Challenges and Success
Lifecycle Marketing: Challenges and Success
Ramon Ray
 
Facebook for business 052113
Facebook for business   052113Facebook for business   052113
Facebook for business 052113Ramon Ray
 
Infusionsoft Lifecycle Marketing
Infusionsoft Lifecycle MarketingInfusionsoft Lifecycle Marketing
Infusionsoft Lifecycle Marketing
Ramon Ray
 
Personal Brand Building
Personal Brand BuildingPersonal Brand Building
Personal Brand Building
Ramon Ray
 
The responsive web jennifer shaheen
The responsive web   jennifer shaheenThe responsive web   jennifer shaheen
The responsive web jennifer shaheen
Ramon Ray
 
The changing computer for small biz
The changing computer for small bizThe changing computer for small biz
The changing computer for small biz
Ramon Ray
 
11 rules for technology success
11 rules for technology success11 rules for technology success
11 rules for technology success
Ramon Ray
 
Technology 101 for small businesses
Technology 101 for small businessesTechnology 101 for small businesses
Technology 101 for small businesses
Ramon Ray
 
Tech 101
Tech 101Tech 101
Tech 101
Ramon Ray
 
How To Succeed As An Engineer and Computing Major
How To Succeed As An Engineer and Computing MajorHow To Succeed As An Engineer and Computing Major
How To Succeed As An Engineer and Computing Major
Ramon Ray
 
Scott hintz trip it - humble leadership - - small biz big things 2012
Scott hintz   trip it - humble leadership -  - small biz big things 2012Scott hintz   trip it - humble leadership -  - small biz big things 2012
Scott hintz trip it - humble leadership - - small biz big things 2012
Ramon Ray
 
Denise terry social media for growing businesses - small biz big things 2012
Denise terry   social media for growing businesses - small biz big things 2012Denise terry   social media for growing businesses - small biz big things 2012
Denise terry social media for growing businesses - small biz big things 2012
Ramon Ray
 
John colderice lawson sales and customer influence - small biz summit 2012
John colderice lawson   sales and customer influence - small biz summit 2012John colderice lawson   sales and customer influence - small biz summit 2012
John colderice lawson sales and customer influence - small biz summit 2012Ramon Ray
 
Wendi caplan carroll of constant contact - engagement marketing - small biz s...
Wendi caplan carroll of constant contact - engagement marketing - small biz s...Wendi caplan carroll of constant contact - engagement marketing - small biz s...
Wendi caplan carroll of constant contact - engagement marketing - small biz s...Ramon Ray
 

More from Ramon Ray (20)

Attract, Sell, Wow - sales and marketing best practices for growing businesses
Attract, Sell, Wow - sales and marketing best practices for growing businessesAttract, Sell, Wow - sales and marketing best practices for growing businesses
Attract, Sell, Wow - sales and marketing best practices for growing businesses
 
The Local Celebrity Entreprenuer
The Local Celebrity EntreprenuerThe Local Celebrity Entreprenuer
The Local Celebrity Entreprenuer
 
Building Your Business - AT&T National Tour - Social Media and Technology
Building Your Business - AT&T National Tour - Social Media and TechnologyBuilding Your Business - AT&T National Tour - Social Media and Technology
Building Your Business - AT&T National Tour - Social Media and Technology
 
Social Content Marketing for Small Businesses
Social Content Marketing for Small BusinessesSocial Content Marketing for Small Businesses
Social Content Marketing for Small Businesses
 
No New Customers. Capture Leads Instead!
No New Customers. Capture Leads Instead!No New Customers. Capture Leads Instead!
No New Customers. Capture Leads Instead!
 
Lifecycle Marketing: Date Leads. Marry Customers - NEW 2014
Lifecycle Marketing: Date Leads. Marry Customers - NEW 2014Lifecycle Marketing: Date Leads. Marry Customers - NEW 2014
Lifecycle Marketing: Date Leads. Marry Customers - NEW 2014
 
Lifecycle Marketing: Challenges and Success
Lifecycle Marketing: Challenges and SuccessLifecycle Marketing: Challenges and Success
Lifecycle Marketing: Challenges and Success
 
Facebook for business 052113
Facebook for business   052113Facebook for business   052113
Facebook for business 052113
 
Infusionsoft Lifecycle Marketing
Infusionsoft Lifecycle MarketingInfusionsoft Lifecycle Marketing
Infusionsoft Lifecycle Marketing
 
Personal Brand Building
Personal Brand BuildingPersonal Brand Building
Personal Brand Building
 
The responsive web jennifer shaheen
The responsive web   jennifer shaheenThe responsive web   jennifer shaheen
The responsive web jennifer shaheen
 
The changing computer for small biz
The changing computer for small bizThe changing computer for small biz
The changing computer for small biz
 
11 rules for technology success
11 rules for technology success11 rules for technology success
11 rules for technology success
 
Technology 101 for small businesses
Technology 101 for small businessesTechnology 101 for small businesses
Technology 101 for small businesses
 
Tech 101
Tech 101Tech 101
Tech 101
 
How To Succeed As An Engineer and Computing Major
How To Succeed As An Engineer and Computing MajorHow To Succeed As An Engineer and Computing Major
How To Succeed As An Engineer and Computing Major
 
Scott hintz trip it - humble leadership - - small biz big things 2012
Scott hintz   trip it - humble leadership -  - small biz big things 2012Scott hintz   trip it - humble leadership -  - small biz big things 2012
Scott hintz trip it - humble leadership - - small biz big things 2012
 
Denise terry social media for growing businesses - small biz big things 2012
Denise terry   social media for growing businesses - small biz big things 2012Denise terry   social media for growing businesses - small biz big things 2012
Denise terry social media for growing businesses - small biz big things 2012
 
John colderice lawson sales and customer influence - small biz summit 2012
John colderice lawson   sales and customer influence - small biz summit 2012John colderice lawson   sales and customer influence - small biz summit 2012
John colderice lawson sales and customer influence - small biz summit 2012
 
Wendi caplan carroll of constant contact - engagement marketing - small biz s...
Wendi caplan carroll of constant contact - engagement marketing - small biz s...Wendi caplan carroll of constant contact - engagement marketing - small biz s...
Wendi caplan carroll of constant contact - engagement marketing - small biz s...
 

Recently uploaded

Accelerate your Kubernetes clusters with Varnish Caching
Accelerate your Kubernetes clusters with Varnish CachingAccelerate your Kubernetes clusters with Varnish Caching
Accelerate your Kubernetes clusters with Varnish Caching
Thijs Feryn
 
Software Delivery At the Speed of AI: Inflectra Invests In AI-Powered Quality
Software Delivery At the Speed of AI: Inflectra Invests In AI-Powered QualitySoftware Delivery At the Speed of AI: Inflectra Invests In AI-Powered Quality
Software Delivery At the Speed of AI: Inflectra Invests In AI-Powered Quality
Inflectra
 
Monitoring Java Application Security with JDK Tools and JFR Events
Monitoring Java Application Security with JDK Tools and JFR EventsMonitoring Java Application Security with JDK Tools and JFR Events
Monitoring Java Application Security with JDK Tools and JFR Events
Ana-Maria Mihalceanu
 
FIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: Passkeys and the Road Ahead.pdf
FIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: Passkeys and the Road Ahead.pdfFIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: Passkeys and the Road Ahead.pdf
FIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: Passkeys and the Road Ahead.pdf
FIDO Alliance
 
Connector Corner: Automate dynamic content and events by pushing a button
Connector Corner: Automate dynamic content and events by pushing a buttonConnector Corner: Automate dynamic content and events by pushing a button
Connector Corner: Automate dynamic content and events by pushing a button
DianaGray10
 
De-mystifying Zero to One: Design Informed Techniques for Greenfield Innovati...
De-mystifying Zero to One: Design Informed Techniques for Greenfield Innovati...De-mystifying Zero to One: Design Informed Techniques for Greenfield Innovati...
De-mystifying Zero to One: Design Informed Techniques for Greenfield Innovati...
Product School
 
Designing Great Products: The Power of Design and Leadership by Chief Designe...
Designing Great Products: The Power of Design and Leadership by Chief Designe...Designing Great Products: The Power of Design and Leadership by Chief Designe...
Designing Great Products: The Power of Design and Leadership by Chief Designe...
Product School
 
GDG Cloud Southlake #33: Boule & Rebala: Effective AppSec in SDLC using Deplo...
GDG Cloud Southlake #33: Boule & Rebala: Effective AppSec in SDLC using Deplo...GDG Cloud Southlake #33: Boule & Rebala: Effective AppSec in SDLC using Deplo...
GDG Cloud Southlake #33: Boule & Rebala: Effective AppSec in SDLC using Deplo...
James Anderson
 
Empowering NextGen Mobility via Large Action Model Infrastructure (LAMI): pav...
Empowering NextGen Mobility via Large Action Model Infrastructure (LAMI): pav...Empowering NextGen Mobility via Large Action Model Infrastructure (LAMI): pav...
Empowering NextGen Mobility via Large Action Model Infrastructure (LAMI): pav...
Thierry Lestable
 
UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 3
UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 3UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 3
UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 3
DianaGray10
 
Neuro-symbolic is not enough, we need neuro-*semantic*
Neuro-symbolic is not enough, we need neuro-*semantic*Neuro-symbolic is not enough, we need neuro-*semantic*
Neuro-symbolic is not enough, we need neuro-*semantic*
Frank van Harmelen
 
The Art of the Pitch: WordPress Relationships and Sales
The Art of the Pitch: WordPress Relationships and SalesThe Art of the Pitch: WordPress Relationships and Sales
The Art of the Pitch: WordPress Relationships and Sales
Laura Byrne
 
Transcript: Selling digital books in 2024: Insights from industry leaders - T...
Transcript: Selling digital books in 2024: Insights from industry leaders - T...Transcript: Selling digital books in 2024: Insights from industry leaders - T...
Transcript: Selling digital books in 2024: Insights from industry leaders - T...
BookNet Canada
 
Unsubscribed: Combat Subscription Fatigue With a Membership Mentality by Head...
Unsubscribed: Combat Subscription Fatigue With a Membership Mentality by Head...Unsubscribed: Combat Subscription Fatigue With a Membership Mentality by Head...
Unsubscribed: Combat Subscription Fatigue With a Membership Mentality by Head...
Product School
 
Smart TV Buyer Insights Survey 2024 by 91mobiles.pdf
Smart TV Buyer Insights Survey 2024 by 91mobiles.pdfSmart TV Buyer Insights Survey 2024 by 91mobiles.pdf
Smart TV Buyer Insights Survey 2024 by 91mobiles.pdf
91mobiles
 
FIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: Passkeys at Amazon.pdf
FIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: Passkeys at Amazon.pdfFIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: Passkeys at Amazon.pdf
FIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: Passkeys at Amazon.pdf
FIDO Alliance
 
Key Trends Shaping the Future of Infrastructure.pdf
Key Trends Shaping the Future of Infrastructure.pdfKey Trends Shaping the Future of Infrastructure.pdf
Key Trends Shaping the Future of Infrastructure.pdf
Cheryl Hung
 
From Siloed Products to Connected Ecosystem: Building a Sustainable and Scala...
From Siloed Products to Connected Ecosystem: Building a Sustainable and Scala...From Siloed Products to Connected Ecosystem: Building a Sustainable and Scala...
From Siloed Products to Connected Ecosystem: Building a Sustainable and Scala...
Product School
 
FIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: FIDO Security Aspects.pdf
FIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: FIDO Security Aspects.pdfFIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: FIDO Security Aspects.pdf
FIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: FIDO Security Aspects.pdf
FIDO Alliance
 
Generating a custom Ruby SDK for your web service or Rails API using Smithy
Generating a custom Ruby SDK for your web service or Rails API using SmithyGenerating a custom Ruby SDK for your web service or Rails API using Smithy
Generating a custom Ruby SDK for your web service or Rails API using Smithy
g2nightmarescribd
 

Recently uploaded (20)

Accelerate your Kubernetes clusters with Varnish Caching
Accelerate your Kubernetes clusters with Varnish CachingAccelerate your Kubernetes clusters with Varnish Caching
Accelerate your Kubernetes clusters with Varnish Caching
 
Software Delivery At the Speed of AI: Inflectra Invests In AI-Powered Quality
Software Delivery At the Speed of AI: Inflectra Invests In AI-Powered QualitySoftware Delivery At the Speed of AI: Inflectra Invests In AI-Powered Quality
Software Delivery At the Speed of AI: Inflectra Invests In AI-Powered Quality
 
Monitoring Java Application Security with JDK Tools and JFR Events
Monitoring Java Application Security with JDK Tools and JFR EventsMonitoring Java Application Security with JDK Tools and JFR Events
Monitoring Java Application Security with JDK Tools and JFR Events
 
FIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: Passkeys and the Road Ahead.pdf
FIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: Passkeys and the Road Ahead.pdfFIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: Passkeys and the Road Ahead.pdf
FIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: Passkeys and the Road Ahead.pdf
 
Connector Corner: Automate dynamic content and events by pushing a button
Connector Corner: Automate dynamic content and events by pushing a buttonConnector Corner: Automate dynamic content and events by pushing a button
Connector Corner: Automate dynamic content and events by pushing a button
 
De-mystifying Zero to One: Design Informed Techniques for Greenfield Innovati...
De-mystifying Zero to One: Design Informed Techniques for Greenfield Innovati...De-mystifying Zero to One: Design Informed Techniques for Greenfield Innovati...
De-mystifying Zero to One: Design Informed Techniques for Greenfield Innovati...
 
Designing Great Products: The Power of Design and Leadership by Chief Designe...
Designing Great Products: The Power of Design and Leadership by Chief Designe...Designing Great Products: The Power of Design and Leadership by Chief Designe...
Designing Great Products: The Power of Design and Leadership by Chief Designe...
 
GDG Cloud Southlake #33: Boule & Rebala: Effective AppSec in SDLC using Deplo...
GDG Cloud Southlake #33: Boule & Rebala: Effective AppSec in SDLC using Deplo...GDG Cloud Southlake #33: Boule & Rebala: Effective AppSec in SDLC using Deplo...
GDG Cloud Southlake #33: Boule & Rebala: Effective AppSec in SDLC using Deplo...
 
Empowering NextGen Mobility via Large Action Model Infrastructure (LAMI): pav...
Empowering NextGen Mobility via Large Action Model Infrastructure (LAMI): pav...Empowering NextGen Mobility via Large Action Model Infrastructure (LAMI): pav...
Empowering NextGen Mobility via Large Action Model Infrastructure (LAMI): pav...
 
UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 3
UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 3UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 3
UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 3
 
Neuro-symbolic is not enough, we need neuro-*semantic*
Neuro-symbolic is not enough, we need neuro-*semantic*Neuro-symbolic is not enough, we need neuro-*semantic*
Neuro-symbolic is not enough, we need neuro-*semantic*
 
The Art of the Pitch: WordPress Relationships and Sales
The Art of the Pitch: WordPress Relationships and SalesThe Art of the Pitch: WordPress Relationships and Sales
The Art of the Pitch: WordPress Relationships and Sales
 
Transcript: Selling digital books in 2024: Insights from industry leaders - T...
Transcript: Selling digital books in 2024: Insights from industry leaders - T...Transcript: Selling digital books in 2024: Insights from industry leaders - T...
Transcript: Selling digital books in 2024: Insights from industry leaders - T...
 
Unsubscribed: Combat Subscription Fatigue With a Membership Mentality by Head...
Unsubscribed: Combat Subscription Fatigue With a Membership Mentality by Head...Unsubscribed: Combat Subscription Fatigue With a Membership Mentality by Head...
Unsubscribed: Combat Subscription Fatigue With a Membership Mentality by Head...
 
Smart TV Buyer Insights Survey 2024 by 91mobiles.pdf
Smart TV Buyer Insights Survey 2024 by 91mobiles.pdfSmart TV Buyer Insights Survey 2024 by 91mobiles.pdf
Smart TV Buyer Insights Survey 2024 by 91mobiles.pdf
 
FIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: Passkeys at Amazon.pdf
FIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: Passkeys at Amazon.pdfFIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: Passkeys at Amazon.pdf
FIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: Passkeys at Amazon.pdf
 
Key Trends Shaping the Future of Infrastructure.pdf
Key Trends Shaping the Future of Infrastructure.pdfKey Trends Shaping the Future of Infrastructure.pdf
Key Trends Shaping the Future of Infrastructure.pdf
 
From Siloed Products to Connected Ecosystem: Building a Sustainable and Scala...
From Siloed Products to Connected Ecosystem: Building a Sustainable and Scala...From Siloed Products to Connected Ecosystem: Building a Sustainable and Scala...
From Siloed Products to Connected Ecosystem: Building a Sustainable and Scala...
 
FIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: FIDO Security Aspects.pdf
FIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: FIDO Security Aspects.pdfFIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: FIDO Security Aspects.pdf
FIDO Alliance Osaka Seminar: FIDO Security Aspects.pdf
 
Generating a custom Ruby SDK for your web service or Rails API using Smithy
Generating a custom Ruby SDK for your web service or Rails API using SmithyGenerating a custom Ruby SDK for your web service or Rails API using Smithy
Generating a custom Ruby SDK for your web service or Rails API using Smithy
 

Jim fowler info army - startup lessons - - small biz big things 2012