Whew! I was only at Startup Weekend for two hours on Saturday to do pre-interviews, then returned Sunday for about three hours to shoot a segment for Career Changers TV and hear the final presentations, and I was blown away. It is astounding to see what can be accomplished in 54 hours when you have creative minds combined with motivated, skilled individuals in the same room working towards a common goal.

In fact, some of the presenters said they are moving forward with their ideas for new businesses... and I think a couple of them have a chance to succeed not just locally, but nationally or even internationally. If you missed my last post, Startup Weekend is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas, vote on the concepts they like the most, then form teams to create a five minute presentation. The panel of judges included successful entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, who have been responsible for investing millions of dollars in startups here and on the mainland. They've also made lots of money themselves. That alone made the $100 admission price worth the cost because the judges were on hand throughout the weekend to act as mentors, who offered advice to the different groups.

Over 40 people attended the first Honolulu Startup Weekend, which was good enough for the organizers (Danielle Scherman of Social Wahines and programmer Dave Pascua) to announce they will be doing the next one in March, and plan on continuing to do them every six months. Both Danielle and Dave had attended SW events on the mainland, and were brought together by the national SW organization, which also sent a facilitator from Seattle to help run things.

They started with 27 ideas pitched on Friday night, which were narrowed down to 15 before the attendees voted on which they liked best. Out of that, they wound up with eight who worked all Saturday and most of Sunday on figuring out logistics, budgets, marketing angles and tag lines, before getting up in front of the judges to sell their concept and answer questions.

The one that took first place also caught my interest when I heard the pitch: GreatHealthOptions.com, which offers consumers a way to find medical treatment by price -- whether you have insurance or not. Brant Wojack, the idea guy, is a programmer by trade like a lot of the participants. But he saw a need created by the gap in health care coverage and thinks his concept could be an effective bridge between consumers, insurers and medical care providers. I was surprised Brant's team won because the panel asked some tough questions, which I surmised meant they were skeptical of the viability of the business model. Apparently, the judges liked their answers.

Second place went to Burt Lum for HeartMyCity.Me, which had early buzz from the mentors. You know how when you see a big pothole or broken streetlight, and wonder why doesn't someone fix it? Burt figures folks can take a photo with their smart phones or text a message to his site, which would then alert the appropriate government agency or civic group about the problem... other users could also add input or "vote" to prioritize fix-it projects. I love this idea because it also puts pressure on taxpayer-funded agencies and departments to do their jobs in a timely manner. One of the judges, a venture capitalist, told me she can see this rolling out across the country and could even go worldwide. (BTW, you may recognize Burt's name from the HPR radio show he does, Bytemarks Cafe... he's got a great story about what brought him to this event, which I'll write more about in a future post.)

Third place went to Sinful Edibles, which started out as a pretty straightforward, attention-getting pitch: Porn Cakes. The presentation emphasized their adult-oriented food creations would be "tasteful" and they even handed out samples to the judges (um, "things" on a stick if you get my drift).

Another idea that impressed me was Kudos, which began as Best Dishes. It's sort of a more specific Yelp type rating service without the negative feedback. Users choose their favorite dishes and the site will match it up with discount deals from the restaurant or food place. I also liked Fruit Box -- a way for people to share their excess mangoes or farmers markets to sell leftover produce instead of throwing it out.

There's a bunch more I have to say about the event and some of the other startup ideas. But I'll save that for when we run the segment on Career Changers TV. Sorry I had to leave out some of the other groups and didn't have room here to talk about the mentors themselves. You can find out more though by going to the StartupWeekend Honolulu site.

If I skimped on details or got anything wrong in my descriptions above, please feel free to post corrections and additional information in the comments section below. I have to approve first-time posters, however, so there may be a lag time before your comments appear.

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For daily viewing times and more, visit www.CareerChangers.TV. You can also watch video segments from past and present episodes on the CCTV YouTube Channel.

Got an idea for a web-based business or smart phone application? If so, you might want to check out Startup Weekend Honolulu, which begins Friday, Sept. 16 at 6 pm and continues Saturday and Sunday, 9 am until 10 pm each day. Yep, that's 54 hours to pitch your idea, form groups for the top vote-getters, then do a presentation for judges who have the clout and know-how to actually launch a new company.

During that process, groups will get to work with mentors and do lots of networking with like-minded entrepreneurs. The cost is $100 and it will be limited to the first hundred who register. I'll be there with videographer Stanford Chang filming the Sunday final presentations for a future Career Changers TV show. Click here for more details.

If you can't make it to Startup Weekend, post your mobile app suggestion in the comments section below. Doesn't have to be practical or serious. Make me laugh, and I might just send you a small prize or dinner gift certificate!

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On a related note, Newsweek recently ran a cover story on Steve Jobs and how Apple revolutionized the computer industry by tapping into the social aspects of the internet. When I bought my first iMac, I told my wife we should invest in Apple stock. It was about $6 per share at the time. I wasn't even thinking about iTunes or the iPod though, which were the real game changers -- I just thought that transparent Bondi Blue egg-shaped iMac looked so damn cool. Instead, we spent the money on a trip to Vegas. Now Apple is trading at close to $400 per share! Sigh...

But how did Jobs make Apple such a success? Here's a link to "The 10 Commandments of Steve" that appeared in Newsweek. The folks who attend Startup Weekend should read them over and think about what they can do to make their apps not just useful, but "cool" too. Among his rules: keep teams small, shun focus groups, simplify and prototype to the extreme. Also, be ruthless. That last part is more about being tough on yourself and killing your "babies" or ideas that aren't working. It's important to remember, even Apple has had flops over the years.

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For daily viewing times and other links, please visit www.CareerChangers.TV. You can also watch videos from past and current shows on the CCTV YouTube Channel.

"Bummer." That's what I wrote in my journal notebook when I found out this morning my Menehune screenplay didn't make the Amazon Studios finalist cut for two $20,000 awards they're giving out this month. It got me to thinking about how people deal with various setbacks -- be it losing a game, not getting a job you applied for, or failing to achieve a personal goal that's important to you. Are you an analyzer? Or someone who needs to vent and talk it out?

Me, I write about it. In my drinking days, every failure or stroke of bad luck sent me off to the bar where I could spill my troubles to whoever would listen. Now, my fingers tap out my tales of woe in blogs and emails to other writers and friends. It's like "sharing" at an AA meeting, except I do it online instead of in a roomful of people. As with 12 Step programs, sometimes the best advice comes in the form of a simple saying: "First things first. Live and let live. Easy does it..."

I was reminded of that when reading a story in Friday's Star-Advertiser about actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. He noted that it's not whether you fall or make a mistake, but what you do after you fall. His answer is you stand up... and keep getting back up each time you fall. Sure, we've all heard that before. Yet we need to hear it again when we feel like we just can't get up one more time after the latest knock-down. After I read the article, I emailed Cary about doing an interview for my Career Changers TV show and we chatted awhile. We first met about four years ago through a mutual friend -- Alice Inoue, who is featured on our current show. Which is cool because Alice talks about how personal setbacks led to her new calling as an astrology/feng shui consultant and life coach.

Although I do read my daily horoscope, I'm skeptical about the notion that stars and planets can influence our lives. However, I also concede that if you believe in anything strongly enough, it very well could alter your future. Call it the power of suggestion or the placebo effect. We become what we think about. The reason I read horoscopes is that the better ones often contain words of wisdom that can apply to everyday situations. And it's uncanny how often the advice seems to be directly related to what's going on in my life. Coincidence or destiny? Perhaps a little of both. The universe works in mysterious ways, and being open to whatever vibes are out there, might lead to life-changing opportunities. It's really a matter of mutual awareness.

Take the Cary Tagawa connection, for example. I had been pitching my INUGAMI script to Hollywood people, but nothing came of it. Then after Wayne Harada dropped my name in his column, my sister was talking to Alice Inoue, and she mentioned that she knew Cary. Alice offered to show my script to him, and I jumped at the chance. A couple of weeks later, he called and said he'd like to meet with me. Turned out he really liked INUGAMI. There was just one problem. He wasn't interested in playing the "bad guy" role I had written for him. Cary wanted to play the good guy for a change! I was stoked that he wanted to do something with my script, and he even talked about showing it to potential movie investors. But it would require major rewriting, and having an Asian-American in the lead role is very rare in Hollywood films. It's a tough sell. So we've stayed in touch and Cary says he still thinks about the INUGAMI script. Who knows, one of these days the stars may line up and the movie will happen.

In the meantime, I'll continue to write new stuff, and each time I get a rejection or fall, I'll stand up again... because lying on your back feeling sorry for yourself ain't gonna do you much good, is it? (Put on Warren Zevon's "Poor, Poor Pitiful Me" if you need a kick in the pants!)

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Speaking of Alice, we filmed another segment for her feng shui office tips that will air next month. My wife, Isabel, allowed us to shoot it at Corporate Office Centers, which offers virtual offices, temporary office space and meeting rooms. COC is good for small businesses that don't want to sign long-term leases, but want a Downtown address when they need to meet clients. Anyhow, Alice demonstrated the practical aspects of feng shui and won over some skeptics... namely, me.

By slightly moving a cabinet that had been flush against the corner of a hallway, she made a tangible difference for at least one COC client. Alice pointed out that nature isn't linear with many right angles -- it tends to curve and bend. After Alice repositioned the cabinet at a diagonal angle, it did look better. Then later, a client in a wheelchair thanked us because she said it was much easier for her to turn that corner. The woman was beaming! It made us feel good too.

Today's relevant links:

Cary Tagawa article from Friday's Star-Advertiser

Alice Inoue segment, Part 1

Corporate Office Centers video

Daily viewing times for Career Changers TV on OC16, and more CCTV YouTube Channel videos.

At CCTV, we're always looking for newsworthy stuff that might get overlooked by the mainstream local media. Sometimes we even come up with scoops like this one: Dr. Rob Yonover, a Hawaii Kai inventor, just learned his Mini Rescue Pocket/Float won  the Aviation Week multimedia company's Innovation Award in the Communications category. Our segment on Rob's life-saving rescue devices starts airing on OC16 next Thurs., Oct. 7.

Basically, Rob works out of his house -- and yet he was competing with giant international corporations. "I was honored and humbled to win an award that included aerospace companies Boeing, Raytheon, and Lockheed, " he said. "I got an extra kick out of being in the small company category for companies with gross sales under $50 million -- if they only knew I was hardcore inventing technologies on my lanai floor!"

His reference to "hardcore inventing" is by design. Rob co-authored a book called Hardcore Inventing, which includes a wealth of information and practical how-to advice for entrepreneurs. (You'll find a link to his site at the end of this post.) His Mini Rescue Pocket/Float idea was inspired by a story he heard about a guy who kept himself afloat in the ocean by blowing up a condom. Rob's version is a bit more sophisticated, but still very compact.

On a related note, Robert Olague, another local entrepreneur (who introduced me to Rob Yonover) was contacted by the Shark Tank television show about his video name tag invention, which we featured on our current episode. That video is posted on our website. When I first spoke to him about doing a segment for CCTV, I mentioned that I really liked Shark Tank but ABC kept yanking it from their prime time schedule. Robert doesn't watch much TV though, so he hadn't seen it until he went to their website and viewed past episodes online.

Long story short, Robert pitched his video name tag to the producers through their site -- and got a call back from them! The producers have asked him to provide a more detailed video "audition" of himself for consideration to be on the program. For those of you who haven't seen it, Shark Tank is a group of wealthy businessmen who listen to pitches for new products or services, and then decide if they want to invest in that person's venture. The "Sharks" can be pretty cold and cruel when giving feedback or negotiating deals with budding entrepreneurs, who are sometimes in dire straits as a result of pursuing their dreams.

We'll keep you posted on Robert's progress, as well as other local success stories like Rob Yonover.  One thing I've noticed about people like them is that you rarely hear them get negative. When they encounter problems, they shrug them off and figure out ways to get around obstacles. If you ask me, the main thing holding back our government and economy -- locally and nationally -- is the constant stream of negativity we keep hearing day in, day out. No wonder people are angry and frustrated. They've forgotten that change starts with themselves and thinking in positive terms when presented with challenges. Griping and complaining seldom accomplishes anything.

Anyhow, check out the links and look for Rob Yonover on next month's Career Changers TV, beginning Oct. 7. Be there, aloha!

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Here's the Aviation Week link to the Innovation Awards page. Scroll down to the communications category and click to see Rob's Mini Rescue Pocket/Float device.

For more invention-related stories and advice, visit www.HardcoreInventing.com. I've read his book and highly recommend it to any aspiring inventor or entrepreneur.

Shark Tank television show (with instructions on how you to can pitch your product to them).

And of course, please visit CareerChangers.TV for show times and video links, including the aforementioned segment about Robert's video name tag invention and Mark Bell's MP3 TP dispenser music player (stay tuned for news on that product "rolling out" soon!).

It may seem counterintuitive to start a new business in a weak economy. But the reality for many -- especially older people -- is that it could very well be your best option if you were laid off and prospects appear dim in your field of expertise.

But where do you begin? Let's say you have an idea, or a burning desire to create your own company from the ground floor up. There are plenty of resources on the internet and for-hire business consultants you could contact. However, there are FREE services available too that you should take advantage of.

Yesterday, my producing partner Ron Darby and I shot a segment for Career Changers TV about SCORE. They just moved offices from the Federal Building to Restaurant Row (so did the local SBA, btw). Originally, SCORE was comprised of retired business people who volunteered to share their experience and hands-on knowledge with budding entrepreneurs. Now that many older execs aren't ready for retirement (or can't afford to retire), you'll find SCORE volunteers who are still working for a living.

SCORE gets funding from the federal government and is affiliated with the SBA, so they can also tell you about loan programs and other federal assistance you may qualify for.

I got tipped off to SCORE by Amanda Stevens, who I met last month at the Business of Networking event at the Trump International Hotel, hosted by Pacific Edge Magazine and the Social Wahines group. (I'll say it again: it pays to network and make new contacts whenever possible!)

You might recognize her name from fashion columns she used to write for the Advertiser, or her prior work for the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans non-profit organization. A couple of years ago, she was faced with a career change, and went to SCORE for advice. Dennis Bunda (cousin of Sen. Bunda) became her mentor and helped her launch her own consulting business called Dream On.

Amanda is joining our show as an on-air contributor who will give tips and suggestions geared to small businesses. If you are thinking of taking the plunge, and would like to get free advice, contact SCORE first... and if you'd like to be on our show for a segment on start-up companies, drop me an email. We're looking for interesting stories about local folks who are risk-takers!

Relevant links:

SCORE Hawaii info

SBA Hawaii (Small Business Administration) loans, etc.

Dream On Consulting (Amanda Stevens)

Career Changers TV show times and other links to resources for small businesses.