Thanks for letting us use your "start" image, Kim!https://www.facebook.com/kimklassencafe

Clear view of startup in Economist Magazine.

Great column in the new Economist (click here) about the current state of business startup. I encourage you to read it and comment on it yourself on their site and/or here, then share it with your friends.

This is my comment, posted there on the Economist just now: "Thanks very much for this refreshing, much needed wake-up call. I've been leading startup workshops for nearly 20 years, 5280 Magazine says I have "infused Denver with an entrepreneurial spirit," and for years I've encourage the formation of self-help peer advisory groups patterned after what Ben Franklin created, I think it was his best invention. Most of the information about startup is just flat out wrong. The more "help" given by the government, the fewer real businesses that actually get started. I'm stepping up my effort to attack this problem. For more see http://www.JohnWren.com"

For what I'm doing to attack the problem, starting with changes here you may have already noticed, see my previous post here ("Will Consult for Food.") that I wrote just a few minutes ago:

Will consult for food.

Did you notice the new headline at the very top of this page?

"JohnWren.com Want real help now? Call me!"

And the new description of what I do?

"Starting? Want help? 5280 Magazine says I've "infused Denver with an entrepreneurial spirit." Since 1979 I've helped hundreds, there’s a good chance I can help you.  John@JohnWren.com or (303)861-1447 I pick up 9:30 to 11 a.m. Monday thru Friday. For more about my unique approach Google "John Wren Daring Mighty Things" and "How to Start a Franklin Circle.” I have a policy to give help to anyone, regardless of ability to pay. Your donation helps me to continue this, click below to donate now:"

Combined with this appeal for financial support that I'm writing to you right now, this feels a bit like I'm holding up a sign by the side of the road that says, "Will consult for food."  That's why I've put off asking you for money for as long as possible.

But I can't put this off for any longer. Today I really do need your help. Please hire me to help you, or donate so I can continue to help those who cannot pay. Here's why:

Just Start! Startup Show Monday 5pm

We'll talk about the brainstorming session Friday, share ideas for connecting with neighbors. A link to the show will be posted here, also broadcast live on YouTube Live Broadcasts and Google+ Live Hangouts. Let me know if you'd like to have a seat at the video Roundtable and be a part of the show. For more now see http://Facebook.com/SmallBizStartup 

Big, big problem! Opportunity for you to make a real difference! Check out link

You can make a difference. How? We'll brainstorm this afternoon at the Englewood IDEA Cafe and next Tuesday as part of our Online IDEA Cafe, then I'll post some pf the best ideas here. Check out and share with your friends: COCaucus.org Information about the 2014 Colorado Caucus.: It takes a neighborhood to have a fair election.

IDEA Cafe Online Startup Workshop

7/16/13 IDEA Cafe Live Google+ Hangout

Each Tuesday, 4 to 5 p.m. Mountain (6 to 7 p.m. Eastern), join us here or on YouTube Live Broadcasts or Google+ Live Hangouts to watch, to be on the video roundtable to share startup experience and brainstorm RSVP at http://Meetup.com/Small-Business-Chamber 

Right after the broadcast the link posted here to the live session will convert to a link to a recording, so join us anytime to watch. Helpful for people starting in a new direction with their work, also for local chamber staff and volunteers who are considering a face-to-face session in your community.



Questions? Give me a call, you can usually reach me from 9:30 to 11 a.m. each morning, or call any time and leave a message.

John Wren
(303)861-1447

7/15/13 The Startup Show GOOGLE+ TECHNICAL FAILURE-- NO SHOW TODAY.

Each Monday, 5 to 6 p.m. Mountain (7 to 8 p.m. Eastern, 4 to 5 p.m. Pacific) The Startup Show invites interesting entrepreneurs, business owners, and creative managers to share their startup experience and expertise. You can come here for a link to the show, or see it on YouTube Live Broadcasts or Google+ Live Hangouts.  Immediately upon the conclusion of the live show, the link here converts to a link to a recording of the show.

Today we are talking with Greg Hickman http://mobilemixed.com/  and Rick Raddatz 

Questions? Twitter them #TheStartupShow

Here's today's show:

GOOGLE+ TECHNICAL FAILURE-- NO SHOW TODAY.

How to make a video...that people WANT to watch!

Judy Collins does a guest spot on the Johnny Cash Show and treats the audience to a medley of Jacques Brel songs. These are the lyrics to the first song "Desperate Ones."

They hold each other's hand They walk without a sound Down forgotten streets Their shadows kiss the ground Their footsteps sing a song That's ended before it's begun They walk without a sound The desperate ones Just like the tiptoe moth They dance before the flame They've burned their hearts so much That death is just a game And if love calls again So foolishly they run They run without a sound The desperate ones I know the road they're on I've walked their crooked mile A hundred times or more I drank their cup of bile They watch their dreams go down Behind the setting sun They walk without a sound The desperate ones And underneath the bridge The waters sweet and deep There is the journey's end The land of endless sleep They cry to us for help We think it's all in fun They cry without a sound The desperate ones Let he who threw the stone at them Stand up and take a bow He knows the verb to love But he'll never know how On the bridge of nevermore They disappear one by one Disappear without a sound The desperate ones

Today's The Startup Show:

Join us here to watch, RSVP to be on the video roundtable next time, see link.

7/2/13 IDEA Cafe Startup Hangout
To be on the video roundtable next Tuesday or to attend a face-to-face session
RSVP at http://Meetup.com/Small-Biz-Chamber
Call me, I usually pick up between 9:30 and 11, or leave message.
Happy 4th of July! (303)861-1447 John Wren

No Startup Show today, online IDEA Cafe tomorrow.

CANCELLED TODAY: The Startup Show, sponsored by the Small Business Chamber of Commerce will not be seen today. But I'll be by the telephone ready to take your call if you have a question about startup that needs an answer now! (303)861-1447 

BACK NEXT WEEK: Monday, July 8, 5 to 6 p.m., The Startup Show link will be posted right here at show time, will turn into a link to recording of show as soon as one-hour broadcast ends, or see it on Google+ Live Hangouts or YouTube Live Broadcasts.

TOMORROW, July 2, 4 to 5 p.m. we will have our online IDEA Cafe Startup Workshop, there are still a couple of seats. We share startup experience and ideas, more info and RSVP at http://Meetup.com/Small-Biz-Chamber (click) , where you can also RSVP for some of the upcoming face-to-face sessions. This will be our last free session, starting next week we will be charging a fee.

INVEST A COUPLE OF HOURS TO BOOST YOUR LOCAL ECONOMY! Want a face-to-face IDEA Cafe Startup Workshop and/or Franklin Circle Peer Advisory Group in your local area to help more new businesses get started? Are you open to help lead it or to organize it in cooperation with your local chamber or other group? Let's talk about how I can help you get it going. 

Call right now, while it's on your mind, let's not miss this opportunity to work together, by helping others you'll help grow your own business. Call me right now at (303)861-1447 worst that can happen, you'll get voice mail, and you can let me know to watch for your email to: John@JohnWren.com