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In this session, we will go through the basics of what it takes to work for yourself. Whether you want to be a solo entrepreneur or start the next Internet wonder, there are some basic steps most companies must take to get off the ground. This session will focus on bootstrapping the small startup, but will contain content that also applies to businesses that plan to raise millions in investment capital.
Scott will share his experience of being an independent software consultant for the past 3 years and what it was like owning a small residential construction company for 8 years. Scott is also a member of a 6 person startup called QONQR, winner of Startup Weekend Twin Cities and finalist at SXSW Accelerator. QONQR is starting their investment funding search, and Scott will share some things they have learned from this process. He will share his experience of how QONQR built their team, how they are positioning themselves for success, and what the joys/pains of bootstrapping a startup as a team have been.
A small portion of the content in this session may be a review of last year’s “Success in Consulting” session, and this year’s presentation will include more audience participation and product focused startup topics.
Business - Scott is the current president of BizLounge (www.BizLounge.org) a networking group for aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs. He holds an MBA in Entrepreneurial business from the University of St. Thomas and is an adjunct faculty member in the Information Technology Management masters program at St. Mary’s University. Scott has been a founding member of 5 businesses.
Technical – Scott has been a software consultant since 1999, independently employed since 2008. Scott focuses primarily on the Microsoft technology stack, specializing in Silverlight development, but has worked as a Java developer for a number of years. Scott is the leader of the Twin Cities Silverlight User Group and a regional conference speaker. In addition to his Silverlight consulting work, he is currently building an application for the Windows Phone 7 as part of his involvement in a new startup, QONQR.