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Are You An Entrepreneur? I'm Forming a Support Group Just for You!

rscasny

My name is Randall Scasny. Many people know me on the community through RoadTests, webinars or the Essentials programs, which I manage. Through these roles, I am in contact with a lot of members. I've gotten a chance to know many of them, whether they are students, hobbyists, makers, working engineers, or etirees. But I haven't connected that much with members who define themselves as entrepreneurs, whether they are hardware or software focused, or are even entrepreneurs in another area who are element14 members to learn how to use technology in their businesses (i.e., vertical farming, would be an example). But I'd like to connect with and get to know our entrepreneurs better. I have owned two businesses in the past and I know how hard it is to get started, to get your marketing right, and to develop a customer base, so you can make a go of it after your financing runs low. I'd like to form an entrepreneurs group on element14. What form this informal group would take depends on what the group defines as important to them. So, leave a comment here, or message me at if you are interested.

 

Sincerely,

 

Randall Scasny

-element14

  • Hi Randall!

     

    This is really a good, great idea. Seriously. As you probably know I am - maybe - a lot of things, mostly an engineer, by past June working in AI and computer learning projects with a Belgian company. This is only of my activities. The other is related to the projects I build with Element14 as well as the technical articles and books I write with some editors around the world.

    Then - here it is the interesting point for the group - I am also a small entrepreneur, owner of an LTD in Spain (Balearic Dynamics SA). With this company and a couple of other Hungarian guys I am approaching the development of a new product series, mostly open source, related to the camera motion and other stuff connected to photography and video shooting. So the group is welcome, I am sure that this will become a great source of inspiration, knowledge sharing, and self-help. At least it is the philosophy I like and until now I show in the Element14 community managers.

     

    Enrico

  • A group like this would be great, I've been looking at doing my own thing for a few years, and read various things on the internet but have generally "settled" with working is easier.  Advice on accounting, marketing, what to expect and preparing for the quiet times would be invaluable.  Time saving advice would be great as well and advice on software to use.  I was looking at various open source accounting / stock control packages when I was looking into it for myself as I didn't want to spend a lot of time on administration and didn't want the expense of a commercial system.  (We use sage at work for stock, BOM's, and accounting and even that doesn't really do what we want, so still have to keep excel files and access up to date.)

     

    Dan.

  • in reply to rscasny

    To be precise,

    I visited some tech pitching events in Northern Germany to see the real deal. We have CeBIT every year in Hannover. I participated in the CeBIT entrepreneurial workshop last year. to discuss ideas and meet some like minded people. Going to networking events in the city.

     

    To see the business side of it all. One has to be a good talker and presenter which is clearly not my strong suite. Also to know the GDPR (new EU rules on data protection) and the legal obligations with starting a company.

    In Germany the laws are a bit weird regarding startups. I am not sure how it works in other countries but in Germany income taxes are pretty high and enforced to the point.

  • Hi Randall,

     

    This does sound like a good idea. I have ideas for potential products to develop quite often, but usually I don't have the time/resources to see them through. I think a group like this would help encourage people to pursue things and maybe make a success of their ideas rather than hold off and lose the opportunity.

     

    Best Regards,

     

    Rachael

  • Hi Randall,

     

    I think it would be great to set up such a group. In the past, I have participated in a few start ups and dealt with putting together business plans and planning funding rounds. I would be interested in being part of this new group.

     

    Fabio.