Tea Sampler |
We will be reviewing various Tea's from companies and styles. If you have suggestions for tea's we should review, leave a comment or Email me! |
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Why New Hampshire Needs More Startup Evangelists
Why New Hampshire Needs More Startup Evangelists
Most entrepreneurs or venture capitalists are evangelist’s for their own company, or even to a larger degree their industry. However, there is a middle ground that is filled by the likes of media companies or individuals that the New Hampshire startup scene is lacking.
We need more startup evangelists. People like Scott Kirsner who writes Innovation Economy for the Boston Globe and covers many startups around the greater Boston area.
I’m sure the question coming from the readers of this blog will ask, “umm… isn’t that what your doing? Or at least trying to do?” Well… kinda. Let me explain.
I’m passionate about startups, and entrepreneurship. Especially those in the New England and New Hampshire area. To add to that I believe I’m trying to partially fulfill that as an evangelist for the area, but it needs to be a mentality among companies, venture capital, angel investors, and the entire community around startups here in New Hampshire.
So — who is going to step up?
Note: I wanted to add this to the end of this post, I certainly don’t want to make this blog about me. But I do want to try and add some personality - otherwise it would simply be a factorial website. But I want your feedback, let me know what you think in the comments.
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Recap: Stonyfield Entrepreneurship Institute
Recap: Stonyfield Entrepreneurship Institute
Entrepreneurship Institute. I knew going in that it wouldbe different, at least different from what I’m accustomed to. I largely come from a technology/software background, and food or CPG entrepreneurs are a whole new ball game.This past Thursday, and Friday I attended the Stonyfield
The conference started on Thursday afternoon with an introduction to Finance 101 by CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farm, Gary Hirshberg. Gary kept this session pretty high level going over a mock cash flow statement and how in a CPG company, this really is the pulse of your business. The finance session as it went on (4 hours total) really built upon the ground level concepts into more of an advanced understanding at what metrics would be important for these entrepreneurs.
While I think it’s crucial for any business to truly watch, it really brought to light for me some of the differences between my background and what food entrepreneurs face in terms of challenges. Web based startups largely do not have significant overhead due to rarely needing to purchase anything (except maybe a computer/server?), but food startups are almost the exact opposite. They have to make packaging, the actualproduct and find a producer, and if they have enough cash, a distributor as well. To take that even a step further, if they are an organic, like many of them that attended were — they must be certified which has a cost associated with it.
Later that afternoon Brad Sterl, President of Rustic Crust spoke about how his company was founded, and grew to be a leader in the organic pizza crust market that it is today. While Brads background is varied, suffice to say he worked in the restaurant industry before founding Rustic Crust. Soon afterwards he sought funding, and partnered with Clear Venture Partners. It’s always interesting to me to hear about how founders started a company from just an idea and built it up. In fact, that’s primarily why I do the “Profile of” pieces on this blog - not because it’s interesting to me… but because I think there’s something to be learned from all of us on how successful entrepreneurs built their companies.
After that session, we got a treat, we listened to what it was like for Trish Karter, founder of Dancing Deer Baking Company and Gary and Meg Hirshberg speak about how their business were built, and in Meg’s case how it affected the family. There was literally so much information in this session that I could likely write a whole different post about it. In fact, I think I will do that sometime. Much of the material Gary covered in this session can likely be found in his book. While Meg writes a monthly column, Balancing Acts, in Inc. Magazine on family issues, if you don’t know of it or have not read it… go check it out!
The second day was mainly case study focused. There was a finance, marketing, and management & organization session where we got a peek at real companies such as [me] & goji a company that provides custom ordered cereals based on your configuration online. This second day was truly revealing as the panelists and audience really dug into some of these companies and asked all sorts of questions. Needless to say I’m sure it will make each one of the companies better for it.
So, would I go again? Absolutely. It was great to learn about a different segment of entrepreneurs and startups, especially with so many in New Hampshire. I really look forward to getting some of them on this blog going forward.
If you have any questions about my experience, or any of the companies present, let me know and I’ll do my best to answer them.
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Mike “Scam” Segal - Pay to Pitch event
Applications & Nominations now being accepted to present at our 10th Anniversary Event, June 17th - Yale Club New York. Reach more than 150 Private Investors, VCs & Angels from throughout the U.S.
If you are currently raising capital and need to do any of the following:
1) Go outside of your existing network of contacts to find investors
2) Schedule an expensive national road trip to meet capital sources
3) Engage an investment banker or placement agent
4) Find a cost-effective proven venue to locate new investors
5) Accelerate the funding process to execute your business plan Then you should consider appying to present at our upcoming event. You’re welcome to send me a copy of your Executive Summary to mike.segal@verizon.net. I’ll get back to you promptly as to whether or not we feel that your company would be good fit for the event. Also feel free to call my office at 347 346 6650. I would be happy to discuss the visibility options, qualifications, costs, and answer any questions you may have about the format, audience composition, references, etc. We have been hosting these exclusive “deal-oriented” venues for the last nine years. They are the best investor-attended events in the U.S. and are NOT compromised with a high population of vendors or service providers. This will be our 29th consecutive venue. The value of our private events as well-documented. Testimonials from entrepreneurs can be found at http://www.privateequityforums.com/entre-test.html . Comments like “Outstanding” and “Impressive” characterize the feedback that that we have had from Presenters at our most recent event on March 4th, which was fully-booked with nearly 250 guests.
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If you believe that your company’s potential is truly compelling and that management’s vision can be effectively communicated, this private event will provide a unique NATIONAL platform to get your message across in “one place and in one day” to active serious investors who want to see fundable deals. YOU CAN THINK OF IT AS A “ROAD SHOW” THAT COMES TO THE COMPANY. Please keep in mind that most of our presenting companies at the point where they are ready to begin commercialization or have begun marketing their products, and are not usually “unfunded start-ups” with no sales. We will consider pre-revenue companies that have already had some meaningful outside funding and have a clear proprietary advantage in their science, technology or business method and can reach a large addressable market. Presenter qualifications are listed athttp://www.privateequityforums.com/qualifications.html . This prestigious venue can help you solve the three biggest problems in the fundraising process: 1) identifying qualified investors, 2) gaining credible entrée to them and 3) meeting them under favorable circumstances. Moreover, the event drives the single most essential factor in getting funded quickly, and that is the ability to create contemporaneous interest among investors - which also can serve to significantly improve deal terms. More information about this established proven venue to meet investors and the possible benefits of presenting or attending are on our website athttp://www.privateequityforums.com/message.html . (Please note that our website will be updated shortly to reflect the June 17th event.) As we are not part of any non-profit group and our events are not primarily funded by vendors and service providers, companies are required to pay a Presenter Fee based upon a number of options. Our forum could be best described as a co-op for the 12 to 15 companies that present, such as a trade show would be. We underwrite the events and the featured companies share in the cost. They do so because our model ensures them an audience of nearly 100% qualified investors who have paid to attend and whom we disclose in advance. To see a list of recent registrants along with other investment groups who regularly attend our events, please go to http://www.privateequityforums.com/guests.html . Look forward to hearing from you if you feel that we can help you to get funded. Mike Segal / 347 346 6650
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Note: To readers
I haven’t posted on this blog recently, and will again begin doing so after the new year. I fully intend to convert this to a video blog and will try to keep up a a review schedule once implementing these.
Stick with me, and enjoy your holiday season.
- Jeff
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12 Rules for perfect tea-drinking
First of all, one should use Indian or Ceylonese tea. China tea has virtues which are not to be despised nowadays - it is economical, and one can drink it without milk - but there is not much stimulation in it. One does not feel wiser, braver or more optimistic after drinking it. Anyone who has used that comforting phrase ‘a nice cup of tea’ invariably means Indian tea.
Secondly, tea should be made in small quantities - that is, in a teapot. Tea out of an urn is always tasteless, while army tea, made in a cauldron, tastes of grease and whitewash. The teapot should be made of china or earthenware. Silver or Britanniaware teapots produce inferior tea and enamel pots are worse; though curiously enough a pewter teapot (a rarity nowadays) is not so bad.
Thirdly, the pot should be warmed beforehand. This is better done by placing it on the hob than by the usual method of swilling it out with hot water.
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Mightly Leaf: Organic Breakfast
This morning we’ll be reviewing Mighty Leaf: Organic Breakfast.
The Organic Breakfast tea is Mighty Leaf’s take on traditional English classic Black Tea. This one is from leaves from ceylon, darjeeling, and assam. What does this mean in plain English?This is a bitter black-tea that can be described as “round” or “robust”. I would recommend letting this tea brew longer than usual as it truly brings out the flavor. This one does have caffeine, so if you are trying to cutback this would not be one I would suggest. However, for a perfect morning tea… this is a great choice.Have you had this tea? If so, what do you think?
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Happy Thanksgiving everyone! What are you thankful for?
Me? Well… I’m thankful for my baby girl born on October 4th. She’s an amazing blessing to my wife and I.
In addition, I’m thankful for all the men & women in our United States (and allied) armed services serving around the world. Freedom is not free.
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Mightly Leaf: Green Tea Tropical
For my first review, we will be taking a look at Mighty Leaf Green Tea Tropical.
Mightly Leaf themselves describe this tea as “smooth green tea leaves that harmoniously blend with sweet tropical fruits to create a sensation as uplifting as a breeze off the isle of Papenoo”
While I’m not so sure about that, this tea does have some distinct qualities that make it a very tasty tea.
First, a quality of the Mightly Leaf (and many other premier tea companies) are the bags they come in. Here is a shot of the Tea:
When brewed this tea has an amber color and the aroma of a traditional green tea. Suggested brew time is 3 minutes, although I always brew it a bit longer to bring out more of the ‘tropical’ taste of the tea.
This tea has a natural sweet flavor to it, brought out by the tropical spices Mighy Leaf uses. At first taste it really seems like a traditional green tea; however after letting it settle slightly it does bring out some of the tropical flavoring. Let’s define ‘tropical’ as the word in and of itself does not mean much, unless your relaxing on a nice warm beach somewhere!
The tropical elements seem to be a mix of spices, but the one that comes out the most is an orange flavoring.
Hope you enjoyed this review… we will be adding video reviews come the new year!
