www.WrensJournal.blogspot.com

I just sent out this release to the media:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2008

Contact: John Wren
(720)495-4949

FREE HELP FOR PEOPLE STARTING NEW PATH. What are you going to do Monday morning?

This Friday (May 23) and every Friday for over 10 years, long time community activist John Wren leads a free 1 1/2 hr. workshop for people starting a new project, a new career, a new business or a new campaign. Speakers this week will be: Joe Blake, Denver Chamber of Commerce, www.DenverChamber.org; Mari Christie www.FriendsofFaithSummit.com; and Lissa Ann Forbes www.TheElementalPress.com

The Denver IDEA Cafe meets each Friday (except holiday weekends) from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the hospitality room at Panera Bread, 1330 Grant (the corner of 13th & Grant) in Denver. Successful people are invited to share how they started their career, project, campaign or new business, and the group brainstorms on topics about startup problems and opportunities. It is free and open to anyone starting something new. More information and optional RSVP at http://ideacafe.meetup.com/1.

The IDEA Cafe takes it's name from a 4-step business creativity model: I= Inspiration or ID the Target; D= Develop Alternatives; E= Evaluate the Alternatives; and A= Act! The model and the rules for brainstorming are explained at each meeting. Wren's little book about startup is available for free at www.JohnWren.com.

"The IDEA Café is for people who aren't sure what they are going to do Monday morning. I do it for two reasons," says Wren. "First, it really helps me. I invite speakers I want to hear, and the brainstorming is like taking batting practice for my brain. Second, the people who attend say it helps them, too. When we are successful, they are too busy to come back the next week."

Wren’s evaluation is confirmed with lots of quotes from past participants on the web site, here’s a sample:

"Other people should join if they have an interest in hearing entrepreneurial stories and in brainstorming - for themselves or other people in the group. I received great brainstorming assistance today!" — Mike Kraft (May 2, 2008)

"Motivation to get your business going, lots of ideas for your key problem area you need to address, meeting like minded people going through the same start up or growing pains you are experiencing." — Davyd Smith (Apr 19, 2008)

• "Great opportunity to share ideas with bright, motivated people." — Grayson Hill (Apr 4, 2008)

• "If you're stuck, If you need to jumpstart the process of moving forward with your entrepreneurial plan than The Denver Idea Cafe meetup is the place to brainstorm!" — Rob Reighter (Mar 31, 2008)

• "If your of an entrepreneurial mindset and you have a question you are stuck on - make time to be here." — Sean Bell (Jan 18, 2008)

• "The IDEA Cafe is a fun and productive group!" • — Michelle Fire Eater (Nov 30, 2007)

• "Good group, as offering of diversity and worthy exchanges" — Randi Levin (Jan 6, 2008)

• "Very helpful and motivating." — Johnny Swift (Sep 7, 2007)

• " Wonderful. I really liked the format. " — Sondra Carr (Sep 7, 2007)

• "Highly recommend this to others need a boost in their business or support for an idea." — Judy Browne (Sep 6, 2007)

• "Got some great ideas!" — David (Jul 23, 2007)
• "Enjoyed!" — Christina James (May 25, 2007)

• "It was a small but intimate group - very good input and I came out of it enriched." — Estelle (Apr 20, 2007)

• "Great time - thanks!" — Chuck (Dec 26, 2006)

• "People in attendance are very talented, well education, life exerienced and everyone participated." — Deborah (Dec 22, 2006)

• "Good people, lots of laughs, and we had a good time. I'd love to go back for my other "ideas"!" — Suzi (Oct 29, 2006)

• "Great group!" — Amy (Jun 25, 2006)

• "I like the group and leader a lot." — Mike O'Neil (Apr 28, 2006)

• "Mediated well to maximize time and facilitate great brainstorming. There was a wide array of people and interests." — Travis (Feb 24, 2006)

• "Efficient and thought provoking. " — Gena Dry (Jan 27, 2006)

• "It's a good place to get brainstorming help with your project and to learn from others who have had successful projects that require marketing, investment capital, and original ideas." — Bobsterz (Nov 26, 2005)

• "The organizers and participants were very welcoming when it came to discusssing new ideas. The location was reachable by bus, so there are no worries on not being able to get there. It would be nice if the meeting was a little longer, so that people could get to know each other beforehand and discuss more of their ideas before it ends." — Nadia (Nov 5, 2005)

• "Wildly varied group. Terrific range in industry, position, needs, expertise, etc. This is still true" — Nik Nikkel (Sep 23, 2005)

• "John Wren makes the City and County of Denver a richer place to live and work through his efforts to invite its citizens to gather in community circles to discuss certain aspects of the human condition." — Louis (Aug 27, 2005)

John S. Wren, MBA+ www.JohnWren.com (303)861-1447 is an adult educator and consultant. Wren is the author of Daring Mighty Things—The Simplest Way to Start Your First (or Next) New Business that was sold for years in local bookstores and is now available on his website for free. He is immediate past president of the Denver South Optimists Club, and a member of the board of directors of the Denver Lions Club. He is the past-president of the Rocky Mountain Direct Marketing Association, the Denver City Club, the Colorado College Republicans, and the University of Denver Graduate Students Association. He formed the first Franklin Circle in Denver in 1996, which is based on the group Ben Franklin formed in 1727 in Philadelphia. He held the first Socrates Cafe in Denver, and he now leads the Denver Socrates Cafe each Thursday evening at Trinity Church in Denver http://socratescafe.meetup.com/82.
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