Cole Worley*
*a.k.a. Stafford (it's my first name)
ohio native
displaced bangkok resident
buspreneur, techie, driving enthusiast, marketer, travel nut, cappuccino freak, startup proponent, volunteer
entrepreneurial product marketer with a passion for making ideas grow.
a note from me...
Posts
Now in San Antonio at rackspace hq. This is world class. About to hear some pitches before going into the semi finals.
People are loving my sponsor Dojo. Http://do.jo
Team Neighboard getting the iFrame Treatment at the Entrepreneur Center in Nashville, TN. Awesome place and just might be the best bus stop ever.
Just arrived at the hotel and we are off to the welcome party at the hard rock cafe. It'll be a great night.
StartupBus is just such an awesome community building event that I had to give back and snag a rare retread seat on this year's Cincy StartupBus.
This years crew is an impressive pack with accomplished serial entrepreneurs, real former hackers turned good and some true hipster designers. We're also joined by our embedded journalist Thomas Mulready whos from CoolCleveland.com and is broadcasting us live on PBS tv daily at 6:57pm. The plain dealer newspaper will be joining us later this morning.
This year I've also acquired sponsorship from Dojo: The kick butt Facebook apps for business company. Check out the site - with the best URL ever - http://do.jo
Tech columbus was our departure point and we are off to Youngstown to visit their incubator.
Stay posted.
Look what pulled into my driveway today!
It's a 1984 300d. Jordan, honestly for an instant i thought you'd driven up. Ha.
Pictured from left to right: Greg Svitak, Joe Cannatti , Jonathan Knapp (second row), John Burgess, Dan Young (second row), and Steven Farrell.
After some great Tex Mex at Trudy's, the CLE Startupbus crew chilled at the Spider House for some stogies and brew before heading back downtown.
On the plane home. Yes, I stayed the for the whole grand show of SXSW. Austin, you were great and I'll definitely be visiting again. Better stay weird till I get back.
There is a lot to update. The past two weeks on the road riding the adrenaline and caffeine fueled StartupBus and at SXSW were full of activity and great people. I'll be posting some more pictures and blurbs about this accelerated experience.
I'm most impressed with the whole lot of Buspreneurs and the overworked few who made it all happen. Thanks guys!
I can't finish this post without thanking all those who made my trip possible. Thanks personal sponsors and thanks big sponsors of the StartupBus!
Indiana countyside in the rain... beautiful drive and no cell service, but a great start for the Likeness team. Vote via investing in our stock game at startupbus.com.
Thanks Alpha Labs for the pitch critiques and hospitality. Off to Sproutbox in Indy. Teams are formed! We're gonna rock this competition!
We're off! Check out the pics of the bus at the Rock'n Roll Hall of Fame.
Yes, that's correct - 124%. From a mere 11 very generous and supportive sponsors, $722 was chipped-in for my ride on the Cleveland StartupBus. Wow Cleveland. You rock! (However, one contributor hails from NYC! See below.)
Without further ado, the big super duper thank you's go to all of the following generous supporters:
- Barbara Millican - The ultimate sponsor with the single highest contribution!She is a Cleveland native, former Austin, TX resident, and private benefactor who supports innovation in Cleveland. A sincere Thank You for the big help in making this trip possible. She has allowed me to wear whatever "human billboard" I choose - self promo, baby.
- Gerarld Stephens, AgraTronix - The first to $100 who earns 20hrs. of marketing consulting time with me!Agratronix is America's leading manufacturer of electronic moisture sensing instrumentation and electric fencing systems.
www.agratronix.com
- Dorothy Cole - private benefactor.
- Mike Heater, STERIS, and
Laurel Heater, The Sold Sisters of Howard Hanna STERIS is the world’s pre-eminent infection prevention, decontamination, and surgical and critical care company, with a long list of first-to-market products and industry-leading service innovations and thousands of customers in more than 60 countries.
www.steris.com/
The Sold Sisters of Howard Hanna - #1 in Chagrin Falls, the Top Producing Team, Laurel Heater and Kristen Thalman have specialized in Chagrin Valley residential sales for over 15 years.
The Sold Sisters @Howard Hanna
- Brian Landsman, Landsco Manufacturing Services Inc.Landsco - Single Source Manufacturing Services specializing in: Prototypes • Short Run • Production
www.lanscomfg.com/
- Terry Medlar, Berman Moving & StorageBerman Moving & Storage - Serving Cleveland and Northeast Ohio since 1912.
bermanmovers.com
- Frederick Jones, private benefactor.
- The Echo Nest - (My New York backer! Thanks!)
The Echo Nest is a music intelligence company that powers smarter music applications for a wide range of customers -- including MTV, The BBC, MOG, Thumbplay, Warner Music Group and a community of about 7,000 independent app developers.
the.echonest.com
- Brett Porter, Monroe Plumbing Inc.Since 1987, Monroe Plumbing is Northeast Ohio's premier and professional plumbing services company - Residential, Commercial & Service.
www.monroeplumbing.net
- Jordan Cheline, Cheline InternationalCreative mastermind and innovator of premium leather goods.
Contact: cheline.international [at] gmail.com
- Mr. & Mrs. Worley - private benefactors - who could refuse support from Mom & Dad. Thanks!
Thanks again to all who have helped make this trip a reality. Stay tuned into the startupbus.com site and be sure to participate in our investment game (American Idol style voting) so a Cleveland team can win!
Spread the word, sign up for email updates (Feedburner on the right).
StartupBus departs in one week on March 8th. Now it's crunch time. Time to reach out to raise some cash support for a good cause: fostering the entrepreneurial spark in the Midwest city of Cleveland, Ohio.
What is the StartupBus? Imagine 25 of the best developer and entrepreneurial minds on a bus traveling at 60 miles per hour for 3 days building real startup companies to present and pitch at the South-by-Southwest Interactive Convention in Austin, TX. It worked last year with one bus where 3 of 6 teams earned investment and one went onto earn 1.5 Million in a third round. And, this year it's even bigger! Six cities, including Cleveland, OH, are competing for the title of "The Next Silicon Valley."
We want to bring this title home. When considering your contribution, you won't just support entrepreneurial efforts from Cleveland, you may also be supporting passionate and studious entrepreneurs-in-training.
Here's my plan: Raise $580, $20 or so at a time to cover anticipated trip expenses, ASAP!
The Cost breakdown:
- $200 one way bus ticket on the famed StartupBus.
- $180 one way return air ticket from Austin, TX - Flyin' Delta, Coach, baby.
- $50 Food expenses on the 3 day bus trip.
- $50 Shared hotel room for 2 nights.
- $100 Food & Transportation expenses for 7 days in Austin - Lots of free stuff.
- $0 Lodging in Austin, TX - Got it Covered!
- $580 GOAL
Here's your benefit for being a supporter of the cause:
- All generous gifts, regardless of amount, earn a Public Recognition & Link of Choice on both my micro-blog, and on the "thank you" page of my soon-to-launch StartupBus Startup Company website! Yeah for public gratitude and linking!
- Generous gifts of $50 or more also earn an Extra Super-Duper Public Thank You, Link-of-Choice and a Bio/Blurb Line! Wahoo!
- The first generous gift of $100 or more will also earn 20 hours of FREE marketing consulting time with ME! That's worth at least $900 at my modest rate! This is my day job. Yes, I'll donate half a week to your business, cause or startup idea. We can work on anything from web content/analytics, Asian sourcing insights, promotions/campaigns, marketing/business plan update or formalization. Check my About Me page for some of my past work.
[Saved the best for last!]
- Competitive Edge: BIGGEST RETURN goes to the single largest contributor by Sunday, March 6th at 11pm EST.The biggest benefactor earns a Personal Billboard & Advocate (I'll wear your branded shirts & pass out your contact info) aboard the StartupBus, at our exclusive StartupBus arrival party in Austin, TX and while I mingle with SxSW Interactive elites. Why is this the biggest return? It's the biggest media exposure I can offer during this experience. Each StartupBus will be covered by a dedicated national media correspondent among the likes of the WSJ, NYTimes, Wired, Forbes, MSNBC and filmed in HD for a possible documentary film... get the idea? The StartupBus arrival party includes the biggest names and companies in the Tech community. We will be hosted by several of these mega tech outfits and their executives. I can't even tell you how big this is, nor reveal any more details about this awesome event! [fine print: those media companies listed are yet to be confirmed as to which will be on my bus, or any bus. However, this is growing into an epic spectacle for the tech entrepreneurial community - just watch those tweets. The winning big ticket contributor by the closing time will need to locally supply either 3-4 Men's Small/Medium size shirts, or the modest funds to screen print them the next day to your specs. Contact cards can be printed and mailed to an address in Austin TX in time for my arrival. CMYK artwork files, info, etc. must be supplied by 12 noon EST on Monday the 7th. Cost for 500 cards, full color, double sided is $20 plus shipping to Austin, TX.]
What if I get more support than I need?
You may think I'm overly optimistic, well I'm never short of optimism. Any contributions won't ever be put to waste, because any excess will be donated to the Dan Haubert Memorial Scholarship Fund for Entrepreneurship or Finance Majors at the University of Dayton School of Business Administration.
Why Dan Haubert? He was my classmate, acquaintance, entrepreneurial enthusiast, member of the Y-Combinator Class of 2008 and Co-Founder of a ticket sales website called TicketStumbler.com. All around, everyone liked Dan and I admire his spirit. He was one of us - a tech entreprenuer. I believe in supporting more people like Dan, so help me on this trip and help another deserving, budding entrepreneur with their business education.
Am I the only one asking for help? NO!
We are all encouraged to be entrepreneurial about getting our expenses covered. The purpose of crowd sourcing funds is not just to keep costs low, but to help spread the word. Others are doing it any which way they can. I found one buspreneur selling posters.
So, think about the positive effect on job growth you'll directly have around Cleveland, Ohio. Think about all the good karma you will acquire and think about how good it will feel to support this entreprenurial effort.
And don't forget, you could have your name or brand all over StartupBus Cleveland news and in front of the movers and shakers in Tech! Go now and Chip-in a few bucks, or $20, or more! Your $20 will make a difference!
(For those who can't see the Flash ChipIn button above, try Paypal direct contribution, here).
I accept ChipIn (secure Pay-Pal payments), and on-site Cash or Credit Card (yes, email me if you want me to stop by around Cleveland and swipe your card, or contribute Cash directly).
If you really like this idea, please spread the word! Tweet it, email it and tell your friends & co-workers about the next best thing happening for Cleveland.
Thank you, everyone!
As I'm now officially locked in and going to Austin on the StartupBus, I wanted to check out what it was going to be like. Outside of the sheer multitude of events/panels/presentations/etc that make up South-by Interactive, there is this quirky cool culture of geeky T-Shirts. If you're as curious as I am, then you would really like these accounts of past year's shirt designs. Even last year's inaugural StartupBus crew was spotted.
Geeky-T's: a fun way to get the word out.
From SxSW 2010
http://www.cotygonzales.com/2010/03/17/sxsw-2010-a-haven-for-geeky-and-techie-t-shirts/
http://www.smithmag.net/obsessions/2010/03/19/sxsw-geek-t-shirt-photo-essay/
Some of the inaugural buspreneurs at SxSWi 2010:
Even Fast Company magazine highlighted some giveaway shirts in this QR Code article:
http://www.fastcompany.com/1585822/business-card-just-scan-my-qr-code
From SxSW 2008:
From SxSW 2006:
http://www.mediabistro.com/unbeige/sxsw-wit-t-shirt-contest-day-one_b1295
Tell me if you find any more good ones.
I couldn't have learned about the StartupBus at a better time. On last Monday, Valentine's Day, I experienced my first and hopefully last bait and switch job interview. The whole process went just fine except for the part that they declined to inform me that the real job was for an over qualified call center operator and order input position! Aside from wasting an afternoon, what self-starting, creative and entrepreneurial type with over 5 years of international marketing experience would go for that!? I digress. This put me on the lookout for the exact opposite. Alas, I found StartupBus that same day.
It was my bedtime twitter feed check where I ran across the Hacker News feed link: the "Startup Bus is going to explode." This led me to search for more and by the grace of God I learned that Cleveland was among the chosen few cities to launch a bus! I had to get involved and get in quick. The next day, Tuesday, I made it to a meet up in Ohio City's ABC Tavern to meet the Cleveland bus conductor, Anthony Broad-Crawford, among other fellow interested applicants. Anthony's pitch was smooth and clearly outlined the best happening in Ohio this winter. I was more than hooked, I wanted to support it and show Cleveland's caged creative thinkers and budding entrepreneurs that this area can still thrive.
It's so exciting to be chosen for something this awesome. I'm honored to be one of the 25 do-ers, developers and designers chosen to represent Cleveland, Ohio. No doubt this test of creativity, ingenuity and personal boiling points is going to yield some interesting outcomes. Stay tuned (subscribe) and support the cause (spread the word, contribute).
Check out: startupbus.com
Follow @thestartupbus, @scwbkk
Contribute: kck.st/i9SEzc
[fixed links above]
Updates
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2012 Manny Awards... Thanks MAGNET. (@ Windows on the River) http://t.co/SYzLqixV
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@edhayes3 I know what you mean. This place is also a record store and art galley. So loop refers to music. But coffee is damn good!
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Burgers and volleyball. Fun. (@ Whitey's Booze 'N' Burgers) http://t.co/YvXNiHgM
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I'm at Lincoln Park Pub (Cleveland, OH) http://t.co/Aubl6WGz
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I'm at Loop Coffee (Cleveland, OH) http://t.co/aoTRwml2
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Single malts trump beer every time... Almost. (@ Flying Fig) http://t.co/xSqs7n25
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I'm at On Tap (Medina, OH) http://t.co/MRekIyiV
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A belated birthday Guinness. (@ The Treehouse) http://t.co/4NHjSDcI
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I'm at Grog Shop for Neon Indian (Cleveland, OH) w/ 14 others http://t.co/ksf3zZ9i
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I'm at Loop Coffee (Cleveland, OH) http://t.co/80GVKIf2
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Just watched: An over simplification of her beauty (@ 36th Cleveland International Film Festival w/ 19 others) [pic]: http://t.co/g5WQEMMf
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Dollar taco night. :) (@ Johnny Mango World Café w/ 4 others) http://t.co/xA3z19m4
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A late dinner... (@ Johnny J's Pub & Grille) http://t.co/SJjk3vPe
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Backstage at the Black Keys concert...ha, sorta. http://t.co/6k6LuhVB
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I'm at Quicken Loans Arena for The Black Keys and Arctic Monkeys (Cleveland, OH) w/ 269 others http://t.co/JeLfLB3V
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@okamisensei oops. Now I get it. Thought you were responding to one of my posts. Hope ur well man. Wish I was back in Tokyo this March.
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@okamisensei almost forgot: somehow I managed to only buy one round of drinks in over a week. Amazing #SXSW #StartupBus
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@okamisensei not required. Pure volume. Ha. Oh, but everclear was served at one afterparty.
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Celebrating a coworkers bday and just realized #SXSW increased my tolerance. #unexpectedreturns :)
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@kellykampen are you going? I've got tentative plans to be in sfo.
Photos
Photos
Profile
Summary
• Consumer packaged goods
• Luxury products & services
• Construction chemicals & trades
• Exclusive clubs & boutique hotels
• Online retail
• Digital & print book publishing
Experience
- Aug 2010 - PresentIndependent Marketing Consultant / SCW MarketingCurrently offer strategic and digital marketing expertise, implementation and training for small companies in a range of industries from consumer products and IT services to construction.
- Mar 2011 - PresentBuspreneur & Merchandising Volunteer / The StartupBusSelected as one of the top 25 doers, designers and developers to represent Cleveland, OH in a nationally publicized startup competition with over 2,000 applicants. Six cities competed by conceiving, creating and building startups non-stop for 3 days on a bus en route to SxSWi in Austin, TX. *Co-founded Likeness; built on premise “What if you could digitally ‘like it’ in the real world?” *Likeness captures consumers’ learning moment, provides relevant info & connects brands
- Sept 2009 - PresentPublishing Project Manager (Freelance) / The Moon Above Pte. Ltd.Realized market need for project management services for self-publishing authors in South East Asia.
- Jun 2007 - PresentLifestyle Marketing Manager / ChindAsia Lifestyle GroupManaged projects for the firm’s ChindAsia Lifestyle Group of high-end brands & products including: premium cigars, gourmet Italian coffee systems, membership clubs, an online retail site, and two pre-launch businesses including a super-yacht shipyard and an Australian vineyard. Acted as project lead for new product development & implementation; web development and conversion optimization; ongoing club, web and customer experience development.
- Aug 2006 - PresentMarketing & Start-Up Consultant / Dry Treat Thailand Co. Ltd.Assisted in the pre-launch and start-up of a Thai distribution and industrial services company for an Australian brand of waterproofing chemicals for stone & concrete.
- May 2005 - PresentMarketing Intern / MeadWestvaco Consumer & Office ProductsActed as Assistant Marketing Manager of the Academie, Academie Jr., Mead Poster Boards and other branded consumer products. Implemented new marketing strategies, performed retail audits, focus groups and analyzed market research data.
- May 2004 - PresentSales & Marketing Intern / Siam Heritage Boutique HotelPut the hotel on the map: Assisted the start-up of marketing activities of a new boutique hotel. Researched the Bangkok premium hotel market and recommended positioning strategies. Proposed innovative services justified with revenue and ROI potential to hotel owners. Managed complete web site re-design and implementation.
- Oct 2003 - PresentPresident / UD TransPicsLaunched a startup company with business school funding. Entered the customized gift market, hired and managed small staff and ran profitable operations. Liquidated company assets at end of project term.
Education
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2008 - 2009Crestcom International Executive TrainingManagement
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2002 - 2006University of DaytonB.S. in Business Administration in Marketing, EntrepreneurshipActivities: University of Dayton Dean’s List, National Society of Collegiate Scholars Inductee, Sophomore Experience Company president, University of Dayton Honors & Scholars Student, Entrepreneurship Club, International Business Club, Christmas-On-Campus Volunteer
- Gilmour Academy
