Columbus Startup: AboutOurWork Disrupting The Chamber’s Networking Events

Aboutourwork,Ohio startups,Columbus startup,startup interviewI’m going to go out on a limb here. I’ve been to several Chamber of Commerce events at cities across the country and for the most part their networking mixers suck. Not much real networking actually happens at business after hours events, business before hours events and holiday parties. Most Chamber of Commerce network events are a huge circle jerk and ego strokes for people that already know each other. In fact in most cases you’ll find more cliques at a Chamber of Commerce mixer than you will in the cafeteria of your favorite middle school.

With everyone being so deeply entrenched in the internet, we’ve been waiting for a startup to come along and offer what most Chamber’s of Commerce charge hundreds of dollars for, real networking, real introductions. Sure LinkedIn is great, but again most of LinkedIn is built on who you already know. Even when you might kind of know someone or you want to meet someone you heard about but “didn’t do business with”, LinkedIn discourages it.

Well a Columbus startup called AboutOurWork has created a new network connections platform that promises to link small businesses (and startups) with other small businesses (and startups).

Co-founders David Hungenaw and Brooke Paul are serial entrepreneurs, both with successful exits. Now they are setting out to solve a problem no one wants to talk about (but I just did), finding a way for small businesses (and startups) to actually network.

We got a chance to talk to Hungenaw about his startup that’s disrupting the Chamber of Commerce mixer.

What is AboutOurWork?

AboutOurWork is a small business connection network and our product, MatchUp, automates business-to-business (B2B) introductions within the small business community.

Many describe us at the “eHarmony for the small business community.”

In layman’s terms, how does it work? (In other words how would you explain it to your grandmother)

Every business big or small relies on the products and/or services of other businesses in order to grow. For example:

Website designers need to connect and network with web developers. Wedding planners need to connect and network with wedding photographers. Same with accounts and attorneys. AboutOurWork is building the technology to help automate these networking opportunities, saving businesses owners time and helping accelerate their success.

Who are the founders and what are their backgrounds?

Both company founders have a decade of Internet startup experience.

David Hunegnaw is a 3-time Internet entrepreneur starting with GrooveJob, a job board for students seeking part time jobs (sold it to Internet Brands), cofounder of DOmedia, and currently cofounder AboutOurWork. David is also a mentor to startups through the 10X program at The Ohio State University and also Founders Factory.

Brooke Paul is a 3-time Internet entrepreneur most recently building and exiting MobileWait, a wait-management platform for the hospitality industry. In addition to cofounding AboutOurWork, Brooke is currently also managing partner at Founders Factory and CTO of Acclaimd.com

Where are you based?

We are based in Columbus, Ohio

What’s the startup scene/culture like where you’re based?

Evolving. Just 5 years ago it would have been difficult to name 10 Internet-based startups in Columbus. Today, we have dozens of great Internet startups all working hard to solving real problems. We also have a number of incubators/accelerators supporting our startup community including FoundersFactory, 10X Accelerator, NCT Ventures, TechColumbus and FastSwitch Ventures.

How did you come up with the idea for AboutOurWork?

Our original vision was to build a directory for small businesses because even though there are dozens of business communities/directories available to the small business owner, none offered a simple, visually elegant solution. The only option for small businesses were directories that provided a “one size fits all” static company profile and very little else.

Also, none allow a company to use their directory listing as a website.

Once we designed and built our directory, we presented it to a few of the local Chambers of Commerce and through those presentations, discovered that with the addition of MatchUp (our recommendation engine) AboutOurWork could provide even greater value to our members.

Today, AboutOurWork along with MatchUp is a directory and a connection network, providing the small/independent business owner the tools to create a simple and elegant company profile, then take the data used in the company profile to help “match up” with other businesses for potential business opportunities.

How did you come up with the name?

We wanted to communicate the overall product in the company name and over a few days (and several iterations) identified AboutOurWork.

About. Every single website has (or should have!) an “about page”

Our. To communicate connections and collaboration

Work. Unlike other networks, AboutOurWork is all business.

What problem does AboutOurWork solve?

Networking and connecting plays an crucial role in any business but it is hard work. Trade shows, conferences, networking events… there are hundreds of networking events that take place daily but making meaningful connections through them can be difficult for many, time consuming and also expensive. And even with the advent of social, business-to-business connections and conversations on the major networks are a rarity. Conversations are either business-to-consumer or consumer-to-consumer.

The AboutOurWork solution automates the introductions between businesses, making networking and connecting more efficient.

What’s your secret sauce?

Our ‘secret sauce’ is MatchUp, algorithms that are constantly learning in order to make the right B2B connection recommendations at the right times.

Are you bootstrapped or funded?

The cofounders funded the early stage development and recently received angel investment from Founders Factory.

What’s one challenge you’ve overcome in the startup process?

Identifying the right approach to support our members. Our vision from early on was to help the small business owner connect and network more efficiently and it was only after several customer interviews did we identify the opportunity with MatchUp.

Who are some of your mentors and business role models?

Luckily, AboutOurWork is surrounded by a team of Founders Factory and TechColumbus mentors who have all “been there and done it.”

What’s next for AboutOurWork?

Our goal for 2013 is to continue our growth plan with a focus on US, then look to expand internationally.

Linkage:

Check out aboutourwork here

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