Friday, July 10, 2009

I made this media release yesterday about the Franklin Circles that are being formed now in Denver. The goal is to have 10+ groups going by the end of fall here in the metro-Denver area. If you'd like a copy of the attachment "What is a Franklin Circle" email me at John@JohnWren.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2009

Contact: John Wren (303)861-1447

NEW FRANKLIN CIRCLES FORMING IN DENVER, FIRST STARTED IN 1727.
Adult self-directed learning groups may have been Ben Franklin’s best idea, says John Wren.

DENVER—Young, struggling Ben Franklin formed a group in Philadelphia for “the purpose of mutual improvement” as he put it in his famous Autobiography. In 1996, inspired by Franklin, entrepreneur and long-time community activist John Wren formed the first of what he now calls Franklin Circles here in Denver, and he’s now actively working to spread the concept.

“I’ve conducted startup workshops and done consulting with small businesses for years,” said Wren. “This experience has convinced me there is a real need for this. The intention is to help people start and grow their own business, and to help them become better citizens through active participation in local government and politics.”

Each group is autonomous, and Wren is encouraging others to start similar groups. Those who are interested are invited to attend one of Wren’s free meetings. Help is then available to start or join a free or tuition-based group.

Franklin Circle Denver Open Groups, Thursdays at noon, Perkins, 1995 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver and Fridays, 3:45 p.m. at Panera Bread, 1330 Grant, Denver. Free. More information and RSVP at http://meetup.com/Franklin-Circle-Denver-Open for more information, contact John Wren at (303)861-1447 or John@JohnWren.com.

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Attachment: What is a Franklin Circle?

John S. Wren, MBA http://www.JohnWren.com is the founder of the Denver IDEA Café and Franklin Circles. He is a business consultant and adult educator. He is the father of 4 grown children, and the grandfather of 4.

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

I just made this release to the media, please forward this along to any of your friends or family in the Denver area who might find the meeting helpful, OK?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 8, 2009

Contact: John Wren (303)861-1447

FREE MEETING HELPS BUILD BUSINESS COMMUNITY FOR STARTUPS.
Since 1994, help for people with their career-bump or bright idea.

DENVER—Free help is available each Friday afternoon for people who are starting a new career, a new project or campaign, or a new business.

Denver IDEA Cafe startup workshop meets from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Panera Bread, 13th and Grant in Denver, near the State Capitol. More information and RSVP at http://ideacafe.meetup.com/1 or (303)861-1447.

Upcoming speakers:

This Friday, July 10: Steve Meyers www.pedicab.com; John-Paul Maxfield www.wastefarmers.com; and Donna Feldman www.TheNetworkingGurus.com.

July 17: Julie Yack JulieYack.blogs.com; Gloria Shanstrom www.ColoradoTheatreGuild.org; and Doug Laub www.RMI.org.

Since 1994, the Denver IDEA Cafe has been helping people who are starting in a new direction with their career by inviting successful people to share their startup experience and then brainstorming to address specific questions or problems.

“We help people find their own path,” says entrepreneur and long time community-activist John Wren, the founder of the group.

Wren says the name IDEA Cafe comes from a four-step business creativity model he developed when he was Mountain Bell in the 70's. "I had the great privilege of spending 6 months researching business creativity and we did a seminar called, 'Creative Marketing in a Recession' that was featured in AT&T's Long Lines Magazine," said Wren.

IDEA is an acronym for: I= Inspiration or Identify the Problem; D= Develop Alternatives; E= Evaluate the Alternatives; and A= take Action. The meeting is free and open to anyone who is starting a new career, a new campaign or project, or a new business.

Why does Wren do it? “Speakers are people who I want to hear myself, and I let others listen in. I tell people it’s a learning group and to not attend to just network, but of course it is a networking tool for me,” Wren explained.

“Dan Brogan, publisher of 5280 Magazine, says that the group has infused Denver with a spirit of entrepreneurship over the past decade. I hope that is true, for the sake of my grand kids.”

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John S. Wren, MBA http://www.JohnWren.com is the founder of the Denver IDEA Café and Franklin Circles. He is a business consultant and adult educator. He is the father of 4 grown children, and the grandfather of 4.

Sunday, July 05, 2009

What's on your mind? Join us Sunday afternoons, 4 p.m., Denver Civic Center for Denver Speakers Corner. More info and optional RSVP at:

Minnesota is deeply married to the precinct caucus approach, which means the grass roots flourish and frequently overwhelm would-be kingmakers. From today's New York Times.

We love our neighborhood caucus-assembly system for nominating to the primary ballot here in Colorado, too. That's why Amendment 29, which would have killed the system, was defeated 60% to 40%, despite the would-be kingmakers outspending the opponents $1.4 million to $12 thousand.