Plixser Addressing The Pains Between Music Students & Music Teachers

Plixser, Memphis startup, everywhereelse.co the startup conference, ee2013

Plixser founder Marcus Wiggins pitching in video contest finals at everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference. (photo: Allie Fox for NMI)

By: Calvin Carter, University Of Memphis Entrepreneurial Journalism Student

Plixser, a music teaching startup, is hoping to expand nationwide from its base in Memphis.

Plixser is a software program that attempts to fix many of the headaches faced by music teachers and students. The program features a live-streaming function for teachers to give lessons to students online, an automated billing system, and the ability to track lesson completion.

Marcus Wiggins, a doctoral student at the University Of Memphis who has been involved in music since the 8th grade, is the founder.

“I know the pains of both the teacher and the student, and Plixser can eliminate those pains,” he said.

By the time you read this, Plixser will have already officially launched. It spent two to three weeks in beta, gaining a positive reaction from ten teachers and students so far, Wiggins said. But Wiggins will continue to spread the word about the music program outside of Memphis, starting with an upcoming event with the Texas Music Educator’s Association. He hopes to garner some interest from the crowd of 25,00 expected to attend.

In it for the long haul, it appears that Wiggins is already enduring the trying moments of being an entrepreneur.

“The sexiness of being an entrepreneur wears off real quick, especially when you get no sleep and are working all the time,” he said.

But Wiggins said he shares one goal of many entrepreneurs trying to solve a problem: going beyond just having a job. “I want it to be that this is who I am and not what I do,” Wiggins said. “…. I want to fund the life that I live.”

Did you miss EE 2013? Don’t miss EE 2014 tickets available here

Black Girls Code Shows Off At EE 2013 A Week Before Launch

By Calvin Carter, University of Memphis Entrepreneurial Journalism Student

Kimberley Bryant grew up in Memphis, but her startup, Black Girls Code, originated in San Francisco, where the biotechnology/engineering professional is currently based. The organization, which aims to teach young women of color ages 7 to 17 skills in computer programming and digital technology, has branched out to other cities before Memphis, including Chicago. It wouldn’t be until a local architect, Meka Egwuekwe, reached out that the startup would find itself in Memphis.

“I messaged her [Bryant] about it on Twitter,” Egwuekwe recalled.

Egwuekwe’s interest and involvement in the program—he has two daughters—has launched it from one-man operation in to a team of 20 to 30 volunteers.

Black Girls Gode has seen a lot of interest, and will hold a workshop February 16 at Rhodes University to help young women learn how to build their own websites. It immediately filled up with 60 participants, and a follow-up workshop is being planned.

Black Girls Code is another sign that Memphis isn’t as behind in embracing the 21^st century as some outsiders or even some insiders may think.

“People seem to have this stereotype about Memphis,” Egwuekwe noted. “They find it hard to believe that we have stuff going on here with technology. They still think that this is the Memphis of 45 years ago, or what they’ve seen in documentaries.”

Did you miss everywhereelse.co 2013, well don’t miss next year’s conference, tickets available here.

Women Rock The Startup World At Huge Startup Conference

By Tyler Stafford & Rachel Wilhite, University Of Memphis Entrepreneurial Journalism Students

The “The Kick Ass Female Founders from Everywhere Else” was a success at the Everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference in Memphis, TN. The topics discussed expanded on those typically covered in the male-dominated world of all things entrepreneurial, and this gave the conference a girl power kick in the khakis.

The panelists included Sarah Ware of Markerly; Wendy MacKinnon Keith of Digital Retail Apps; Kelsey Meyer of Digital Talent Agents; and Andrea Livingston of Grit Design, Inc.

Elizabeth Lemmonds, the Chief Brand Officer of Launch Memphis, moderated the event. Danielle Inez of Pink Robin Avenue provided the questions for the Q & A that followed.

One of the most provocative questions asked at the event was, “Can the woman entrepreneur have it all?” Panelists noted that one of the concerns shared by many women entering the startup field, as well as men, is whether or not they can have a family life with a partner and kids and juggle the numerous demands of entrepreneurial ventures.

In her tongue-in-cheek response to this query, Andrea Livingston said that nobody can have it all, but they can make it work regardless. “Our house is like a comedy of errors every minute of every day,” she said.

“No one can have it all, but you can have moments,” said Keith, adding that “it’s about quality of time; not quantity.”

There is a silver lining, though. Not only do entrepreneurs have the ability to create businesses, they can also create their own schedules and set their own priorities.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a woman or a man,” said Livingston, “you better show up and be ready to work your ass off.”

The Everywhere Else startup community is eager to collaborate together rather than compete against one another. Entrepreneurship is about taking risks, learning to accept failures and respecting others (as well as yourself) throughout the process.

Wendy MacKinnon Keith agreed that women cannot have it all, but that they certainly can have “moments.” She said that it isn’t just the quantity of time that matters, but the quality.

Women in Memphis looking for advice and support in their own business endeavors should check out Upstart Memphis, an organization dedicated to fueling women’s innovation and entrepreneurship at www.upstartmemphis.com.

For more information on the panelists featured, follow them on Twitter:@WareSarah; @gritdesign; @digitalretail; @DTAgents; @SocialDani; @elizlemmonds

Online Ticketing for Everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference 2014 powered by Eventbrite

Thank You For A Great EE2013, And On To 2014 Tickets Available Now, At 2013 Price For 6 Weeks

Thank you all for attending everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference in Memphis Tennessee. The event drew over 1000 startup founders, entrepreneurs, investors and startup folks from across the country and around the world.

Most of the 50 states were represented and attendees came from Chile, Canada, Mexico, London and Buenos Aires.

We attended great keynotes, workshops, round tables and panels with unparalleled access to information and networking.

The reaction so far has been great. The memories will live on, on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus and of Course Bonfyre.

As a startup ourselves things were a little rough around the edges for a bit but the event itself rocked!

With that we are growing. Many people who saw our press coverage or heard about the event on social media have reached out with interest for next year. Sponsors are already knocking on the door and it’s going to be even better. As you can imagine we are going to have to significantly increase the ticket price in the coming months however, Nick and I decided that we will offer the same prices as 2013 for 2014 for the next 6 weeks.

Next year the conference will be held Sunday February 16th through Tuesday Febrary 18th, over President’s Day Weekend. This gives many of our startup founders, who still work a 9-5, the opportunity to come as well.

Attendee ticket $59

Startup Village ticket $425 (incldues 3 attendee tickets)

One thing that we want to point out though is that several attendees said they wanted to be in the village next year, so regardless of whether you were in the village last year or just came in as an attendee, feel free to book under 2013’s Startup Village ticket rate.We look forward to seeing you next February.

We welcome your feedback at info@everywhereelse.co and if you want to volunteer for next year feel free to email kyle@everywhereelse.co

Thanks again!

Online Ticketing for Everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference 2014 powered by Eventbrite

PhotoRankr Shows Off A Better Stock Photo Model At Everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference

By David Morris, University Of Memphis Entrepreneurial Journalism Student

CEO Jacob Sniff is headstrong and passionate about his first entrepreneurial project, PhotoRankr.

PhotoRankr a platform that covers all the needs of today’s photographers and some needs they may not even be aware of yet. The PhotoRankr platform is web-based and lets photographers handle several key tasks, including the sale of their work, social interaction with fellow members , and an internal job market for clients to list jobs for photographer members.

What makes PhotoRankr different from stock photo sites such as istockphoto.com and shutterstock.com is the photographer keeps 70 percent of their photo sales, and “photo ranker battles,” said Sniff. These battles let photos be placed side by side so site members can easily compare them and select which photo is better. The site generates battles automatically while also allowing users to create their own battles. This information gathered from these battles is of great value to photographers in order to gauge the quality of their work against peers.

“Social media is our current marketing channel,” said Sniff. Current integration with large social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+ set the stage for information exchange for PhotoRankr and its photographers. Photographers can seamlessly share their photos to any one of these social media sites.

Currently, PhotoRankr is free for anyone who signs up. At the beginning of March this year, PhotoRankr will roll out an annual, three-tier subscription model. “The base plan will remain free,” said Sniff.

Everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference 2013 was a huge success, ticket information for 2014 here.

Impulcity Flips The Switch Just Ahead Of Everywhereelse Conference

Impulcity, a Kentucky startup that relocated to Cincinnati for The Brandery last summer, has just launched to the public.

We’ve been tracking Impulcity since last June when co-founders, Hunter Hammonds and Austin Cameron were still working out the details of the concept. Over the course of The Brandery accelerator, and since their graduation last October, Hammonds and Cameron have iterated and iterated again to make sure they offer the best possible hybrid event discovery experience.

Sure their are event discovery startups popping up everywhere but Impulcity has paid close attention to all the details. The app provides a robust back end and access to events across the country, covered up with an eye popping UI that’s extremely easy to navigate.

Impulcity signed up to present at everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference early on and showed up alongside other Brandery graduates Crowd Hall, Brandery GM Mike Bott, and the companies former hustler, now Nibletz CEO and co-founder Nick Tippmann.

Just days before the conference Hammonds reached out to us to tell us that we would get a special treat as the app finally met his strict guidelines and was released in the iTunes App Store.

Over 2,000 people were on Impulcity’s email list and at launch Hammonds to the KyPost.com that they were seeing a new user every minute.

Cameron and Hammonds had to leave the conference early to insure their launch went smoothly back from their headquarters currently located at The Brandery. The startup has raised $400,000 to date and is looking to relocate into their own 1500 square foot space the KyPost reported.

Entrepreneurs From Everywhere Else Offer Sage Pitch Advice

By Bret Bilbrey, University of Memphis Entrepreneurial Journalism Student.

What makes a good pitch? That is what many startup entrepreneurs had to figure out in the “Quick Pitch” contest at Everywhereelse.co 2013.

For Lou Griffith with iLocale, his strategy is to get the person he is pitching to think.

“You want to hit three or four key points in your pitch and then what I like to do is ask questions. That gets them thinking,” said Griffith. “For instance, with iLocale, I might ask them: ‘Do you have a hard time keeping track of your receipts? Wouldn’t it be easier if you could track it on your phone?’”

Many entrepreneurs have their own style of pitching, complete with hooks, key phrases, and taglines. To capture investors’ attention, Ben Wagner of LifeKraze, a social community that lets people post their accomplishments, starts his pitch with “We help people facilitate action.” Richard Billup of Screwpulp, a self-publishing startup, captures investors with the line “Breaking into traditional publishing is like climbing Mount Everest… on roller skates.”

It is important that your pitch be clear, concise, powerful, and visual.

“Be light on the details, that is what a flyer is for,” Griffith said. “The pitch is to connect with the person and form a relationship.”

Thoughts came from startups competing at everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference, tickets on sale here for next year’s epic event.

GreenPal Looking For Green Twice This Month In Tennessee

By Bret Bilbrey, University of Memphis Entrepreneurial Journalism Student.

When it comes to lawn care, Bryan Clayton believes it should be easy. That’s why he founded Green Pal.

“Green Pal is the quickest way for people to find, schedule, and pay for their home services,” said Clayton.

Green Pal lets you set up your lawn profile online and they do the work. They link you with lawn care specialists in your community that will fit your needs. Each specialist posts his or her price on your profile. You can then read reviews of the specialists, see pictures of their work, select the specialist that is right for you, and schedule the appointment right from your computer or mobile phone app. When the job is completed, the specialist will send a picture of your lawn to your phone. You then pay Green Pal by credit card and schedule your next appointment, right from the web or app. Green Pal takes the hassle out of handling your lawn service.

What makes Clayton qualified to know what people want with their lawn care? “I’ve been in the landscaping business my whole life,” he said.

GreenPal Startup Video from Ten Fast Feet on Vimeo.

Green Pal was one of many startups in Memphis earlier this week for everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference. Next up they’re headed to Nashville for SouthernAlpha’s Spark Nashville event on February 21st. GreenPal competed with 87 other startups from around the counry, in the quick pitch contest Sunday at everywhereelse.co. Next week they’ll compete against 9 other regional startups for $1,000 or an iPad at SouthernAlpha’s inaugural Spark Nashville meetup.

For more information on this startup, visit www.yourgreenpal.com.

Tickets are still available for the Spark Nashville meetup here.

EE 2013: The only way to network is to get out there

By Laura Fenton

Brittany Fitzpatrick had to take a deep breath and make the first move.

“I’m an introvert,” said Fitzpatrick, founder and CEO of Mentor.Me. “I do have to
make a concerted effort to go out of my comfort zone.”

But by taking the initiative, Fitzpatrick has created and formed a team for her
startup, which will help match mentees with the right mentor.

Attending the Everywhere Else conference was not the first
event for Fitzpatrick and her Memphis-based team. She is a member of the the Memphis Seed
Hatchery Program, attends other LaunchMemphis events like LaunchLounge, and
started “working networking events” following the LaunchMemphis Upstart Memphis 48
Hour Launch weekend..

At networking events for startups, “you get access to people with complementary
assets,” such as web developers to balance Fitzpatrick’s communication and public
relation skills. Plus, “you get to see the innovations that are out there,” and get greater visibility,
which is essential for getting the ball rolling, she said.

What advice would Fitzpatrick give up and coming entrepreneurs? “Go for it. Put
yourself out there. You never know who you’ll meet.”

Learn more about Mentor.Me at http://mentordot.me or email
Mentordotme@gmail.com.

EE 2013: The only way to network is to get out there

By Laura Fenton

Brittany Fitzpatrick had to take a deep breath and make the first move.

“I’m an introvert,” said Fitzpatrick, founder and CEO of Mentor.Me. “I do have to
make a concerted effort to go out of my comfort zone.”

But by taking the initiative, Fitzpatrick has created and formed a team for her
startup, which will help match mentees with the right mentor.

What advice would Fitzpatrick give up and coming entrepreneurs? “Go for it. Put
yourself out there. You never know who you’ll meet.”

Learn more about Mentor.Me at http://mentordot.me or email
Mentordotme@gmail.com.

EE 2013: Get “in” with the InCrowd Capital

By Laura Fenton

There’s a funding gap, and Phillip Shmerling has the solution.

“Entrepreneurs all have one thing in common — they all need capital,” said
Shmerling, CEO of InCrowd Capital.

The gap between those who need money for startups and those who want to give to
startups is closing, thanks to the connections forged from the online crowdfunding
startup.

InCrowd makes it easier for startups to raise money from friends and family, as well as
angels. It simplifies the process and makes it easier
for founders to communicate with their investors with less anxiety.

So why choose InCrowd Capital for your startup funding needs? “Because great
businesses start here,” Shmerling said.

For more information about InCrowd Capital, visit http://www.incrowdcapital.com.

Connect With Everywherelse.co Featured Speakers Using CrowdHall

CrowdHall, the virtual townhall startup, is geared up for everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference.

We’ve jam packed the content for the conference and unfortunately can’t do microphones in the aisles for the audience to answer questions. If you’ve ever been to a conference that used Twitter for questions, it can be effective but good questions can get lost in the shuffle.

That’s why we’re taking advantage of the next generation townhall platform. Using everywhereelse.co’s virtual town hall found here you can ask questions to our key speakers and panels using CrowdHall.

Get your questions together and head over to CrowdHall now. Don’t forget to select the feature to simultaneously tweet as well.

Here’s the link to everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference on Crowd Hall

Glimpulse To Debut Breakthrough In Human Expression And People Search At everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference

Glimpulse will debut the latest breakthrough in human expression, on the main stage at everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference. Glimpulse has been selected as one of only two companies out of nearly 100 startups in the Startup Village to present to the entire audience during the morning general session. Glimpulse will make its eagerly-awaited public announcement and demonstrate how this progressive product will literally change how people see each other.

Backed by research in human expression and social dynamics and using innovative technology, Glimpulse’s highly anticipated products will enhance communication and make human and social interaction richer, faster and more authentic – on and offline. Glimpulse has been developed by a core team of accomplished executives, investors and advisors. These influential leaders include the former COO of AOL, the former President of National Geographic, the current President of Rosetta Stone, the head of Harvard Business School’s Marketing department and Social Enterprise Institute, the former SVP of Ogilvy’s Social Media Practice, the best-selling author of Likeonomics, and many more. Many Glimpulse team members will be in attendance and will be available in the Start-Up Village during the conference.

Paresh Shah, the founder and CEO of Glimpulse, states “My team and I are so excited to debut our company at Everywhereelse.co. As the largest start-up conference in the nation, it is the perfect forum for us to launch our product. We have been working on the business for over a year and now are ready to make a positive impact in the worlds of business, technology and human interaction.” Rohit Bhargava, former founding member of the world’s largest team of social media strategists at Ogilvy states, “Glimpulse is one of the first in a new line of expression technology companies that we will see in the coming years. It imagines a world where your personality is as visible as the shirt you’re wearing … and has the rare potential to reinvent how each of us expresses ourselves to the world.”

One Glimpulse advisor, Kim Partoll, former COO and EVP of Marketing at AOL, follows with “Glimpulse is a new way for people to experience, expand and enrich their social networks in everyday real world interactions. Glimpulse moves self-expression from the realm of the written word and photos into one of rich imagery and real-time display of individuality.” Kyle Sander, Founder of Nibletz.com and the voice of start-ups “everywhere else,” welcomes Glimpulse to the premier line-up of companies attending the conference. He states, “We are thrilled that the Glimpulse team has accepted our invitation to debut their company at Everywhereelse.co. We believe Glimpulse is a prime example of the next generation of companies that are creating transformative experiences for consumers, brands and businesses. We know the attendees at our conference will be thrilled to be the first to hear about this new exciting company.” Paresh Shah will be presenting for Glimpulse at 8:30am on Monday, February 11^th.

For more information about Glimpulse, please contact Ross Dalton at Ross@Glimpulse.com.

Glimpulse provides a new human expression platform that can integrate with existing social networks to enable people to get to that ‘third conversation’ in a way that’s fun, rich, and faster than traditional options – both on and off-line. Combining leading-edge technology with breakthrough cognitive psychology and human behavior research, Glimpulse’s products will increase positive interactions and instantly enhance both personal and business relationships. Stay tuned.

Glimpulse is presenting at the largest startup conference in the U.S. everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference tickets can be purchased below.

Event registration for Everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference powered by Eventbrite

Florida Investors Hosting “Pitch House” Party At Everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference

We’re less than a week away from the opening of everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference. With over 2000 attendees registered and nearly 100 startups in the Startup Village it’s shaping up to be a huge event. It’s also the largest single venue startup conference in the US.

The conference itself is being held at the Memphis Cook Convention Center from February 10-12th. Sunday kicks off with a Startup Village preview, Grizzlies game and an awesome bar hop on Beale Street, sponsored by Grasshopper, the entrepreneurs phone system.

A group of Florida investors is hosting the “Pitch House” party just off Beale street .

Jeff Brown of Honey Tree Holdings said: “We’re hosting Pitch House to learn about and find some awesome companies and founders that we can add real value to by supporting their ventures,” he said. “…not to mention that hanging out and networking with entrepreneurs is the best.”

Franc Nemanic added: “If you aren’t learning everyday, you’re dying. I am there to learn. Sometimes we get stuck in our ways and in our own backyards and don’t realize there is a much bigger world out there. This is the perfect event to capture a broad view of our brave new world. Of course, I expect to have a lot of fun as well, but don’t tell my wife!”

For details about the Pitch House email Steve Repetti steve@radwebtech.com or Jeff Brown at jeff.brown@honeytreeholdings.com

To get into the Pitch House you’ll need an everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference ticket which you can get below.

Event registration for Everywhereelse.co The Startup Conference powered by Eventbrite