It's been almost 4 years to the day that I decided to do a career-180 and take an idea that was rattling around in my head and make it real. As a favorite band of mine says, "A week is a month and an hour a day" - seems like's it been forever, but in a great way. I couldn't imagine doing anything else. So much goes into the experience, but building a business is mostly about having the right blocks. And, in Chicago, those blocks have been solid and many.
Chicago Booth - Brad Keywell told me to "take action". Craig Wortmann taught me that sales is storytelling. Steve Kaplan knows virtually everyone. Waverly Deutsch kept me honest (very honest). The Polsky Center is open 24/7 (well, not really, but kind of). Whether Booth, Depaul, IIT, UofI, Loyola and, yes, even Kellogg, the enthusiasm, guidance and support of our great universities has been a catalyst for many of us. Just look at all of the recent IPOs and exits.
1871 - it sure beat the hell out of working from my bedroom (which I did for six months). The energy, the workshops, the office hours, the events, the connections and the coffee. You don't find that kind of infrastructure and support anywhere else.
The Ecosystem - we launched on Technori's stage. We announced on Built In Chicago. We learned from Andy Crestodina, Mana Ionescu, and others. We hired on 37Signals' job board. These are grassroots efforts and grassroots people who have built the infrastructure for start-ups to thrive.
The Network - countless coffees and meetings and connections. This city is big and small at the same time. But getting a meeting with top investors or potential partners is always a person away and everyone is glad to help.
As my team and I build the Digital Professional Institute, we hope our trainings in Digital Marketing, Social Media and Video & Post-Production add one more block to the foundation of builiding great businesses in Chicago.
What have been your building blocks in Chicago? Tell me in the comments.
