Things change fast around here. It seems like just six months ago we were talking about Karin Power taking over the interim executive director role at Business for a Better Portland. But now, Karin has been pulled back into service at the state level by Oregon’s new governor Tina Kotek. So that’s where Stephen Green comes in. For the next 90 days, at least.
Read MoreTag: malia spencer
Blast from the past: Versionista is still around and landing big deals
It’s always nice to read about companies that make you reminisce. For me, it’s usually along the lines of “Oh. I remember when somebody tried to do that before.” or “It’s nice to see that founder working on something new.” Ah, nostalgia.
Read MoreDearest founders, please take care of your mental health
If you’re a founder, you know. For all of the veneer and hype, it’s incredibly draining to be the founder of a startup — or any company for that matter. It’s lonely. It’s grueling. It’s emotionally and mentally challenging. And it’s nearly impossible to manage everything you have to do.
Read MoreA new publication focused on Portland startups
Ask anybody. Portland can always use more folks talking about what’s being built here. And what founders are starting here. And that’s why it’s always great to see other publications focusing time and energy on telling the story of those startups in town. Especially, when they bring real journalists to bear on that storytelling.
Read MoreElon calls Dogecoin “the people’s crypto” which makes sense since it has Portland roots
You know those times when you’re like “I should probably write about that.” And then you don’t. And then suddenly it becomes obvious that you really should have? Well, I have any number of those stories, sitting in drafts or in notebooks. And one of them is the story about Dogecoin having Portland roots.
Read MoreOprah favorites Portland startup A Kids Book About
Sometimes you call Oprah. Sometimes Oprah calls you. At least that’s how it worked out for Portland startup A Kids Book About who had the mononymous star reach out to them with an opportunity to appear on her annual list of favorite things.
Read MoreDo. Do more. Do better: A grassroots movement to improve the Portland startup community
If you’ve been anywhere near the Portland startup community, you likely know what it’s like to start something from nothing, either through your own experience or via someone you know. You understand finding inspiration and running with it — often without a plan. And you get that even starting with the most simple concept is the key — the first important step — to begin actually changing the world.
Read MoreWorking to make your startup or small business more resilient? OEN and Pregame are partnering to help
This situation has tested even the most resilient companies. And given what folks are saying, this won’t be the last time. There will no doubt be future challenges like this. Economic downturns are as cyclical as upticks. Which has any number of founders asking “How I can build and grow a resilient business from the start?” Oregon Entrepreneurs Network and Pregame have partnered to deliver the answers as part of a new program offering.
Read MoreIf you read one story this week, make it one written by a real reporter about the whitest city in America
(NOTE: You’re soaking in it.) Portland, by any count, is one of the least diverse cities in the United States. This is referenced anecdotally, often in hushed tones. But it’s the truth. From our state’s and city’s racist beginnings to our modern day existence, Portland is uncomfortably and homogeneously white.
Read MoreBeware the Ides of March, Portland startups… and maybe all of 2019
For all the optimism about the beginning of the new year, there’s also a fair amount of realism. And some well informed pessimism. Most notably, for the latter, surrounding the economic correction that we’ve all been anxiously awaiting as we watched the longest running bubble in startup history continue to gently waft along.