Blue Water Startups

New organization named 'Blue Water Startups' is set up to connect new business owners to resources and to create a support system for those just getting started.

Matt Brooks, owner of co-working space Loft 912 and founder of Blue Water Startups, said if a similar organization existed when he began his start-up journey his businesses would be much further along.

“The quickest way to get shot down when you’re working on a start-up is to talk to family and friends,” Brooks said.

“It’s their job to do that, but what start-ups need is other start-up people who are working on their own risk-taking idea, those are the ones who will energize you.”

Those are also the ones that can say, “I’ve been there, do this, or don’t do that.”

“I believe that sense of community and regular connection with like-minded people is important,” he said.

The group is free to join. The only requirement is to own or work for a start-up company in the Blue Water Area.

And Brook’s is loosely defining the term “start-up” as anyone starting a new business from scratch. This would not include expanding corporations or franchises opening.

The businesses can range from technology-based to arts-based to service-based.

At Loft 912, the 15 entrepreneurs working out of the space make a collective of $1.2 million annually in salary. Brooks said this shows there is significance in encouraging the growth and support of entrepreneurs.

Keith DeHenau, Blue Water Startups member, said one of his biggest challenges in starting his media and publishing business was finding funding. DeHenau said he ran out of people to ask for advice, and would benefit from having a network of new and seasoned entrepreneurs to compare notes with.

Blue Water Startups will have an interactive website that lets users chat remotely via a social networking platform built in – similar to Facebook, but private to the start-up community.

The group will also host various educational and networking events as well.

Brooks hopes to eventually host a quarterly start-up weekend that brings in experts to talk about their successes and failures as an entrepreneur.

“I always want to know how did people go from an idea to a successful business,” Brooks said. “That’s what I’m hoping to be able to share.”

Source: The Times Herald

For more information visit: www.bluewaterstartups.com (The site will launch on Sept. 1.)