Indiana Fellowships

This week, the Orr Fellowship launched a new promotional video. The 60-second video provides information for a variety of constituent groups in Central Indiana. Bo Dietrick, current fellow, directed and produced the new video. Here, he's shared not only key insights into his exciting video project but also a few personal thoughts on the Orr Fellowship:

I am a first year Orr Fellow who works in video production for ExactTarget. Upon beginning the Fellowship in the summer of 2013, it was clear to me that there was one key element that was missing from our marketing plan -- a clean, scripted video to describe the Orr Fellowship to viewers with little or low exposure to the organization. With the advice and support of several leaders within the Fellowship, I then took the lead in producing a short, succinct commercial to promote this truly unique asset to the Indianapolis business community.

The Orr Fellowship has been in existence for a decade and boasts a strong marketing campaign, including a website, wide use of social media, and a grass roots, word of mouth effort. Several videos have been produced in which board members discuss the inspiration for the Fellowship: Keep local talent in the state of Indiana after college to develop the next generation of startup companies.

Having spent a few months as an active member of the Fellowship, it became quite clear that the young professionals who make up the Orr Fellowship have a strong voice in selling the benefits of this organization. Some of these benefits include post-college learning and networking opportunities. The process then became a simple matter of allowing the voices of these individuals to be heard.

The actual script used for the video emerged from the organization’s marketing and press materials. Using the current marketing information, in conjunction with new facts and figures, made for a compelling story. Our objective: We want college students to see and hear from the people that they could potentially be working alongside with in the program.

To many, the Orr Fellowship is something that they are enormously passionate about, so acting was never a concern. As director, I was able to take the completed script and schedule shooting times with different individuals in locations that would present the Indianapolis landscape in a dynamic manner.

Presenting the unique interests and diversity of the Orr Fellowship was a key goal of mine throughout shooting. The Fellows truly compose a group with diverse interests and backgrounds, which often translates into constant learning opportunities from our peers. The framing of these individuals needed to be quite personal to get this idea across. At the same time, we are all equals in the Fellowship, hence the eye level of each individual remaining consistent from shot to shot.

And finally, the music needed to convey a sense of power and emotion. We were able to purchase the license to the sound track quite affordably. As you’ll notice, the music has a great flow throughout the opening graphics all the way to the closing time lapse of sunrise in Indianapolis. I believe that music is definitely the glue that holds the various pieces of the production together. 

This promotional tool will not only allow us to promote the Orr Fellowship to countless individuals, but also to promote our brand, our message and our passion as recent graduates, Orr Fellows and the future leaders of Indiana. 

From Shark Tank to China, from acquisitions to mobile apps, the Orr Fellowship has had a prosperous 2012 and is preparing for a remarkable 2013. Welcoming the largest fellowship class yet, we will also be saying goodbye to many bright individuals. The new energy, ideas and faces will continue the legacy of current and past fellows. 

With another new year upon us, new beginnings, traditions and experiences are ahead. But it's important to remember notable experiences that lay not too far behind us. 2012 was a year for the books as the Orr Fellowship continues to make an impact here in Indy and on the national stage. Lets take a look at this year’s success from the Orr Fellowship’s own young professionals. 

TechPoint, Indiana’s technology growth initiative, welcomed new leader – Mike Langellier. The Depauw University graduate and former Orr Fellow co-founded MyJibe, a personal finance and banking software company. Mike successfully sold the company in November 2011 and has served as vice president of strategic partnerships with MoneyDesktop since.

The Orr Fellowship sent their first fellows overseas to China to embark on a two week business and personal development trip. The trip consisted of business meetings and sightseeing, from the Great Wall to the site of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Ashton Chaffee, current Orr Fellow appeared on the premiere of season four of ABC’s reality series Shark Tank, and stirs up quite the excitement as CoatChex, a ticketless coat check system, turns down Mark Cuban and his $200,000 offier.

Charlie Kelly, current Orr Fellow starts his entrepreneurship career, debuting Square Jive, a free mobile app that features local Indianapolis events and restaurants. Available for the iPhone in Apple's App Store. Stop searching - just jive.

Two Orr Fellowship companies were acquired and grow to new opportunities. California based company, Ingram Micro, acquired BrightPoint, and iGoDigital is now an ExactTarget company.

With a new year upon us, there comes new opportunities and excitement amongst the Orr Fellowship and Indianapolis. The Orr Fellowship and the entire Indianapolis startup community would like to welcome and congratulate this year's 2013 Orr Fellowship Class who will be starting with some of Indiana's best and fastest growing companies. This year's class includes 34 top college graduates from 16 different universities. Please join me in welcoming:
 

Name	Host Company	Alma Mater
Patrick Adams	Angie's List	Notre Dame
Taylor Amon	OneClick Ventures	Butler University
Megan Baird	BlueFish Wireless	Indiana University
Blake Baron	Fifth Gear	Indiana University
Drew Beecher	ExactTarget	Anderson University
Cody Benefiel	Angie's List	Butler University
Connor Billing	Bostech	Miami University (Ohio)
Doug Booth	ExactTarget	Purdue University
Stewart Burns	KSM Consulting	DePauw University
Peter Chen	Courseload	Purdue University
Nichole Clayton	Courseload	St. Mary's College
Kolby Coy	Aprimo	University of Indianapolis
Dani DeTrude	ExactTarget	University of Dayton
Erika Dirk	RICS Software	Indiana University
Kate Dowrey	BidPal Network	University of Dayton
Jordan Easley	TinderBox	Indiana Wesleyan
Caleb Eiler	KSM Consulting	Rose-Hulman
Brandon Ford	OneClick Ventures	University of Evansville
Derek Friederich	LDI	Butler  University
Ellen Funke	TechPoint	DePauw University
Lauren George	Orbis Education	Notre Dame
Steven Harton	Indigo Biosystems	Indiana University
Chris Johnson	LDI	Indiana University
Amanda Jones	RightOn Interactive	Ball State University
Josh Klaben-Finegold	Cannon IV	Miami University (Ohio)
MaryBeth Kowalinski	Apparatus	Ball State University
Shelby Long	TinderBox	Butler University
Chloe Morrical	Allos	Purdue University
Eric Murphy	Slingshot SEO	Indiana University
Patrick Slattery	Orbis Education	Valparaiso University
Kaleigh Solley	Angie's List	DePauw University
Alex Tallentire	Briljent	Butler University
Jackson Troxel	Slane Capital	Purdue University
Andrew Walters	Interactive Intelligence	Purdue University

 

 

 

 

Like many fifteen-year-olds, in my early high school years, I was quiet and awkward.

Despite my lack of strong communication skills, I applied to join an outgoing group of peer leaders in a high school program called TEENPOWER. Most of my peer applicants interviewing for the group were more polished than me. However, the women running the organization, one in particular, saw something in me that I didn’t yet see in myself: potential.  Krista recognized leadership potential in me and began an unspoken mission to develop me into the enthusiastic, outspoken leader she knew I could become.

Krista was right about me; I learned that I not only could lead small group discussion and silly songs on stage, but through volunteering with the TEENPOWER program for the past ten years, I found my passion in youth development. Through conversations with Krista and her colleagues, I learned what it meant to have a career in youth work and what I needed to do to achieve one.

After gaining Orr Fellowship experience with the best peer network a person can find here in Indianapolis (#bofolove, anyone?), I started a youth development career myself. I now work for College Mentors for Kids, a career path I chose thanks to Krista and people who were willing to take a chance on me to develop my potential.

I know I’m not the only one. Think back; who believed in your career capabilities even before you had articulated your dreams? Who coached you through defining and recognizing professional success? Who constantly inspires you to achieve more and be more in your career?

Inspiration. That’s what it’s all about. For this reason, my organization, College Mentors for Kids, hosts the Inspire Awards, to recognize mentors who make a difference in the workplace. The Inspire Awards honor individuals who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to mentoring in workplace and therefore inspire excellence at work and in the community. We honor professionals in eight categories and professional sectors.

What better way to thank your mentor than by nominating him or her in recognition of the impact he or she made on your life?  It’s an easy way to say thank you to the support network that helped you become an Orr Fellow and the person you are today.

Nominations for the Inspire Awards must be received by Friday, January 25. You can nominate a mentor or learn more about the Inspire Awards on the College Mentors for Kids website. Take a moment to thank your mentor by nominating him or her today!

The Orr Fellowship has had the great privilege to hear from several successful entrepreneurs this Fall through the Mark Hill Informatics. This has given fellows the opportunity to hear stories, ask questions and relate to the journeys that some of Indiana’s most successful business leaders. It was no coincidence, then, that a visit from Scott Dorsey, co-founder and CEO of local tech company ExactTarget, would highlight the final class meeting.

ExactTarget was founded in January of 2001 as an email marketing software company. It has since evolved into a 1,500-person company spanning the globe to lead the technology industry in cross-channel marketing communications with its Interactive Marketing Hub platform. Gone are the days where marketers were able to communicate with their audience through a single medium. Email, social, mobile and websites campaigns are now essential to building strong brand recognition in the marketplace. And that is how ExactTarget has maintained its relevance for the last 11 years.

Dorsey shared several thoughtful points about gaining experience, taking a company from an idea to a publically traded stock, and creating a vibrant culture that drives a company forward. Here are just some of the highlights from the various topics of discussion:

• Choosing to pursue his MBA at Northwestern University after 5 years of work experience provided Scott with context for each project and assignment.
• Having co-founders ensures a system of checks and balances throughout the process of starting a business. The fact that ExactTarget had 3 co-founders made it easy to vote with no ties.
• The business landscape of Indiana allowed for a large university talent pool to pick from, economic support and inexpensive operations.
• Acquiring a technical skill to back expertise in sales and marketing is almost essential today.
• Creating an internal culture, such as ExactTarget’s “Orange culture,” allows employees to be passionate, motivated and dedicated to the company they are helping shape.
• Establishing relationships with resellers in different geographic areas was a key to ExactTarget’s success in global expansion.
• Do not let becoming a public company change what it is and what it stands for.
• Find a strong support group of mentors, whether it be at work or through a program like the Orr Fellowship.

Scott was a gracious speaker, and shared his appreciation for the relationship that ExactTarget and the Orr Fellowship have shared throughout the years. He even touched on the number of successful ExactTarget employees that found their origins in the Orr Fellowship. The gathering concluded on an optimistic note of how both ExactTarget and the Orr Fellowship can continue to influence the growth and development of the Indianapolis area in the years to come. 

 

Mike Simmons co-founded my host company, T2 Systems, in the back of a tool shed in 1994. Under Mike’s leadership, T2 grew at a fast clip (25-30% CAGR) over the next five years—earning the 245^th spot on the Inc. Magazine list of the 500 fastest growing companies in the country during its first year of eligibility. T2 Systems continues to shine today as one of Indiana’s leading vertical niche software companies. Of course, a company’s standing on the Inc. list isn’t the only barometer of its success, but such status does indicate that a company is doing a lot of things right. And T2 has had a recurring presence on it for seven of the last eleven years.

Mike has a full trophy case himself, but he would never give you that impression. He is on one hand an earnest, self-described “Farm kid from Stilesville,” and an astute entrepreneur and managed growth ninja on the other. He spoke to my Orr Fellowship Informatics class the other week and shared some of the lessons he has learned over his career.

Five of Mike’s Entrepreneurial Lessons Learned:

Boot strap as long as you can…Mike (enterprise sales background) and his technical co-founder went back and forth on whether or not they should raise capital to help T2 scale in the early days. They ended up waiting for 13 years, until 2007. The payoffs were many, but one in particular—more equity and control—helped Mike maintain his direct strategic connection to T2 as it grew (and rewarded him more for success as the company matured).

…But have a “Break Glass” option if needed. Mike and T2 have never missed payroll, but there were a few times in the early days that they cut it close. After one such close call, Mike took out a line of credit as a backup. “I never had to use it,” he said, “But better safe than sorry.”

Hire the best people you can afford, even when you can’t afford them. This advice is equally applicable in two ways: first, always seek to hire the most high-caliber team you can. Second, when you can’t afford to pay them, try to connect with them as a resource anyway—consulting, advice, etc.

Nothing happens until you sell something. An old mantra that Mike—like most successful entrepreneurs—believes strongly in: all the white-boarding, planning, development and marketing in the world isn’t worth anything if the product is not in customers’ hands. And investors these days are almost entirely unwilling to throw money at an idea; entrepreneurial hypotheses must have market validation to attract any kind of substantial investment.

No one cares as much as you do. Mike told an “early days” story about one last-minute proposal response that he and his team worked on through the evening but couldn’t get to FedEx on time for a morning delivery. “That customer is about eight hours away from here, right?” He asked his team, knowing that he could make the 9:00 AM delivery deadline if he left immediately and drove through the night. So that’s what he did. 

Like many Orr Fellows do with their host company executives, I have enjoyed establishing a mentee relationship with Mike. Over coffee, lunch or the occasional margarita, I get to ask him questions about his career, T2, entrepreneurship, the Indianapolis business community and my own professional decisions and aspirations. It follows that I heard Mike’s story over the course of working for him for the past year and a half, long before the Informatics class. But when I heard it packaged and presented so succinctly, tailored particularly for the group of Orr Fellows I’m lucky to a part of, I was reminded of the other fascinating entrepreneurs I’ve been able to meet lately. I thought of all the truly great companies that have committed to developing us Fellows as business leaders and young entrepreneurs. And then I thought of all the incoming Orr Fellows that will be attending Finalist Day at the end of this month.

I’ll end this post with a few words to those finalist candidates (and to anyone interested in joining the Orr Fellowship in the future):

I, like my friends, have been lucky to learn enough from enough great people that patterns for success have started to become apparent. For instance: “Take action, face failure head-on and learn quickly to improve” is something every guest speaker has said during our Informatics class. Mike did—“Nothing happens until you sell something.” A tendency to action is something most successful entrepreneurs and business leaders share.

Another pattern I’ve noticed: a lot of the entrepreneurs and business leaders I’ve met in Indy at least know of each other. Many often know each other quite well and have become friends. The same goes for other cities and at a macro level across industries. I don’t think this is a coincidence; I think leaders know other leaders because they’re bright people who attract other bright people to them. And when they come together, inspiring things tend to happen.

So, finalists: if you’re looking to take action to control your future after school and it’s important to you to be surrounded by brightest people you can find, I know a great group of people doing exciting things that can’t wait to see you on November 30^th. 

On Monday Fellows met with Scott Weber for another awesome session of our Informatics course.  Scott’s story is amazing enough in itself.  He headed Indiana’s first public software company as it went through its IPO back in 1994; he started an incubator five months before the dotcom bubble; and he started his first, although unsuccessful, company right out of college.  Today Scott has reduced his work week from 100 plus hours to just 60.  And, instead of leading companies he now advises them.  I would like to focus on several topics Scott passed to us that I found valuable. 

On Evaluating a New Business

Scott was asked to provide details on how he evaluates companies in his current roles.  Below are the top five takeaways.  I was really impressed with researching similar S-1 filings and finding their business model and copying aspects of it. 

1. Looking for a team that has already been there before
2. Evaluate and mimic similar S-1 filings
3. Market capacity to grow to 9 figure revenues
4. Stated company culture on first page of employee handbook
   • Expect drastic change every six months or less
   • Politics will not play a part in hiring or firing
   • Employees are expected to know their jobs better than their bosses
5. Revenue per employee of $200K to $300K

On Creating GOSPA’s

Scott also spoke to us on creating Annual Operating Plans in our work, personal, and professional paths.  The goal is to get all three of these to align and continue down a directed track towards success.  GOSPA stands for Goals, Objectives, Strategy, Priorities and Actions. 

On Hiring New Employees

• Searching for top 10 percenters that will ensure the organization always has more brain power than required at the current time
• Looking for individuals that are upwardly mobile , fast learners and agile
• Discovering people who know where they are going and this position is part of their trek
• The most important questions (no matter  age): “What do you want to be when you grow up!”

On HALO Angel Funding

HALO Capital Group has provided approximately $15 million to Central Indiana entrepreneurs.  Scott is a member of the 20 plus panel group of Angel investors.  Business plans are submitted on the HALO site.  All the business plan submissions are funneled down to the top two.  The top two are selected and chosen to present at the bi-monthly meeting in front of the 20 person panel.  The presentations are 20 minutes long with Q&A for another 10 minutes.  HALO Capital Group does not provide funding as an entity.  The funding is purely Angel and ranges from $100K to $1M.  Besides getting the capital required for continued growth, the entrepreneurs are also getting the intellectual power that has successfully run Central Indiana's top companies for several decades. 

The course is half way over and the quantity of learning/takeaways has been phenomenal.  This has been one of the most beneficial experiences the Fellowship has provided.

In an article posted on LinkedIn titled, “Did Skipping That Cup of Coffee Just Cost You a Million Dollars?” Bobbi Klein, a professor from my alma mater, wrote about the importance of networking.  Reading her post was just another reminder that joining the Orr Fellowship, with its invaluable network, is one of the best decisions a graduate can make.

The article begins with a thought many of us have had at some point in our lives: “Networking is a hassle, never works out and takes valuable time away from the ten million other things I have to do.”  But in this day and age, think how often we hear about the importance of networking, connecting through all social media facets, the “six degrees of separation,” etc.  We hear this over and over again from people who truly understand that it’s not what you know but who you know that makes the difference.

When Klein acknowledges this value in the “cup of coffee”, she’s actually talking about the individuals holding the cup. “When we meet with others, we need to be in the mindset that this is a million dollar client, and he should therefore get our full attention.” While this article was primarily about connecting for business purposes, its overall message regarding networking can apply to all of us.  It’s important to have the mindset that the people we meet and interact with could be the keys that unlock the door to that ‘million-dollar’ job, goal, or dream. 

In college, I wasn’t one who jumped into my business attire to attend career fairs or networking events, but one of my favorite professors used to say, “Do what you don’t want to do now, so you can do what you want to do later.” We live in a society of instant gratification--you want an answer, Google it; you want to share a picture, upload it; you want a hot meal, push start on the microwave; you want to do [fill in the blank] on your phone, find an app that does just that! Living in a state of immediacy has caused many people to forget that achieving success--whether it’s landing a job after graduation, becoming the vice president of a company, or starting your own business--takes time, hard work, patience, and often a long list of contacts.  Personally, if I hadn’t attended one career fair in particular, I wouldn’t have had one of my internships,  and if I hadn’t stayed in contact with the professor who recommended me to the Orr Fellowship, I probably wouldn’t have the job that I do today.

Even after landing a job and graduating from college, I know the importance of networking will always remain.  Being part of the Orr Fellowship truly provides me with an invaluable network through executive-level mentorship, monthly Business Leader Meetings, and camaraderie with remarkably talented peers.  Right now, I have 48 colleagues in the Fellowship alone that I could reach out to with an idea, a request for an introduction on LinkedIn, a meeting for coffee, etc.—and that’s not even including the Board of Directors.  We are here to help each other succeed and I am so excited to see what the future unfolds. 

So that ‘cup of coffee’—that networking event, that interview you’re so nervous about, that meeting you’re required to attend—could be your chance to meet that “golden” connection. Any moment or connection can change your life; you just have to be there.

Below are the summaries of Klein’s steps for finding your “golden connection”:

 1. Reach Out to Those Closest to You

These are the people who will fall over themselves trying to send business, encouragement and ideas your way.

2. Screw Your Courage to the Sticking Place and Call

Once someone has given you the name and contact information of a person in their network, the ball is now in your court to make things happen, so do it!

3. Get your Coffee On!

…Or whatever beverage or snack of your choice and be flexible about where and when.  Networking can happen anywhere and everywhere.

4. Don’t Rush This

You should be truly connecting and learning about another person and let the conversation happen as naturally as possible.

 5. Mind Your P’s and Q’s

After the meeting, you want to follow up and thank both your trusted connection and the person they hooked you up with whether it’s through e-mail, a phone call, or a hand written note.

 

 

Alec Synnestvedt ‏@synndicated:

“Don Brown started his first software company while in his third year of med school, in case you want to feel unproductive.”

 

Alec, my fellow Fellow tweeted this during the October 8th Informatics class, articulating my exact thoughts. I was sitting in a room with Don Brown, CEO of Interactive Intelligence, whose market cap is $554 million and has been ranked number 8 on Forbes’ “America’s Best Small Companies” list. Dr. Brown completed his undergraduate degree in physics, and went on to get not one but TWO additional degrees in both computer science and medicine.

 

Sometimes I sit in the fellowship's Informatics class, mouth hanging open, wondering how I’m supposed to even try to compare my rookie-status in the startup world to the entrepreneurial giants who walk through the door. This week’s class was no different. Let’s track some stats:

 

Molly: Music Business degree from DePauw University

Don Brown: Physics and computer science degrees, Graduate of IU Medical school

 

Molly: Lifelong dream of starting a breakfast restaurant called “Potato Pota(h)to”, specializing in delicious potato dishes. As of yet, no business plan, funding or even semblance of concrete ideas. 

Don Brown: Started three software companies; one before he turned 25. This list includes Software Artistry, which was sold to IBM for $200 million.

 

Molly: Try to figure out intricacies of the startup world at Courseload, Inc.

Don Brown: A veteran entrepreneur, who has thrice navigated the startup world successfully

 

By every account, Dr. Brown and I are not comparable. In fact, Don Brown and I will likely never again be placed in the same sentence outside of this blog post. It doesn’t seem logical that we would have anything to talk about. And yet, with the help of the Orr Fellowship, we do.

 

The Fellowship is great at bringing people with diverse backgrounds into startups in the Indianapolis community. Dr. Brown’s physics and medical degrees and my own music background pay tribute to that fact. The startup world gives us common ground, and we have the ability to discuss everything from Indianapolis’ standing as a leader for software startups in the nation, to stock options, to the best practices for both new and seasoned entrepreneurs. If anything, our diverse backgrounds only add to a more invigorating discussion, encompassing a wide array of viewpoints. 

 

The fellows have been doing a lot of recruiting for next year’s class of Orr Fellows. One question constantly asked of me is, “What was your major?” When I reply with 'music business', I usually get funny looks and the follow up question, “Then how did you get in the Orr Fellowship?” There is a common misconception that you need to be an economics major or have an entrepreneurship background to be successful or happy in the Fellowship. While some of us do have that background, I’ve found that it’s not so much what you did in college that will determine your success in the Fellowship; it is what you’re going to bring to the Fellowship and the Indianapolis community from this point forward. That might be rechanneling the creativity aspects of a music background into a digital textbook industry, like myself, or applying a medical background to streamline software processes, like Don Brown. Whatever the background may be, the Orr Fellowship provides the structural framework for discovery of new industry and new ways of thinking. 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the most important questions Fellows are asked during recruitment is "what do you actually do as an Orr Fellow?"  We often respond with a simple, 30-second "elevator pitch" relating to the themes of the Fellowship.  This is great for career fairs, but it doesn't answer what we actually do with our lives.  This blog post will look at the last few months of my life, add some pictures for evidence, and shed light on what it takes to be an Orr Fellow.

Working In the Real World

I am fortunate to have Interactive Intelligence (ININ) as my host company for the next two years.  ININ is a leading developer of contact center software (think 1-800 customer service, but cooler) and employs more than 1,000 people.  During my first year, I am in a rotation program where I can become familiar with ININ while learning how I can help the company succeed.  I have spent the last four months working with the Product Management team, in their CaaS (Communication as a Service) department.  I won't go into details, but one of my projects involved internal and marketing research for a new product being developed.  I also help manage pricing lists and quoting tools that span six currencies.  I will soon be rotating to the IT department to take on a new role.

It is hard to generalize my day-to-day activities. Some days, I might meet with my executive sponsor, CFO Steve Head.  Steve has been an excellent mentor and has shared plenty of business knowledge with me.  We also share interests in car racing.  He has even volunteered to take me out on the track in his Porsche (don't let me drive, Steve!)  Other days, might be spent developing new features for our quoting tool.  Since joining ININ, I have met employees from Great Britain, Japan and Australia.  One thing is certain: the greatest aspect of my job is the culture in which I work.  The people of ININ are amazing and the company's "Work Hard, Play Hard" mentality is a perfect fit for the Fellowship.  Whether it's collaborating with my manager or de-stressing on our rock-climbing wall, I love what I am doing and I believe I am making a difference.

 

Working In the Fellowship World

I am going to be honest here: Fellowship obligations do not feel like work.  We have monthly Fellowship meetings where we reconnect and discuss our progress and goals of the Fellowship.  Each fellow also belongs to a committee.  Purdue grad Branden Burke and I manage our Twitter page.  I have learned an amazing amount about social media from working with Branden and had a blast in the process.  We also have monthly Business Leader Meetings (BLMs) where we meet with leaders in the Indy business world.  Some leaders thus far include Angie Hicks (of Angie's List - read Eric Franklin's article), Scott Jones (of ChaCha), and Governor Mitch Daniels.

Fellows do participate in many other activities outside of monthly meetings.  We partake in several philanthropies to help improve Indianapolis.  Additionally, Orr Fellowship provides an annual retreat for its new members.  The retreat is a fun weekend spent at the Edward Lowe Foundation in Cassopolis, Mich.  Recently, we had the opportunity to support Fellow and CMO of CoatChex, Ashton Chaffee, with the company's debut on ABC's Shark Tank.  Although Andy Simmons and I looked goofy with our CoatChex bow-ties, it was for a great, entrepreneurial cause.

 

Enjoying a Post-Grad World

Indianapolis has a lot to offer its residents, especially recent college graduates.  Broad Ripple is an obvious choice to go have a beverage with friends.  Downtown Indy and the Keystone Fashion Mall area have nice restaurants and great shopping.  There are plenty of exercise classes and community events to keep us engaged as well.  Many in the Fellowship enjoy concerts regularly at the Klipsch Music Center.  Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan were a few of the recent performers.  Although you won't exactly be living like Jason Aldean with a Fellow's salary, you will have plenty to live comfortably and have a good time in the process.  I've had no problems surviving.

There is plenty to do outside of Indianapolis as well.  Although raised a Boilermaker, I recently ventured to Bloomington to tailgate with Fellows.  The IU Fellows were great hosts and did not harass me too much because of my alma mater.  A group of us also visited Melissa Jackson's lake cottage in Pennsylvania.  We spent the weekend outside grilling, tubing and enjoying the weekend.  Even though I left with many bruises from tubing, the trip was definitely a success (below).

 

Make Your World a Better Place

In short, there are plenty of great opportunities in the Fellowship.  Within your host companies, you will gain executive mentorship while making a positive impact.  Working in the Fellowship, you will learn from the best Indy has to offer while helping to make the city a better place.  Socially, you will have plenty of chances to let loose while making new friends in the process.  What are you waiting for!? Sign up today.

Still not convinced?  Send any questions to Tyler.Geesaman@orrfellowship.org or find me on Facebook.

 

In late June, I started working at Angie’s List. Orr Fellows at Angie’s List are given the great opportunity to have Angie Hicks, the founder and CMO, as their executive-level mentor. I asked Angie if she would speak for our August Business Leader Meeting (BLM).

About once a month, Orr Fellows will gather to hear Indiana’s entrepreneurial and business leaders speak at BLM, which gives them the opportunity to learn from and network with top professionals in Indiana.

We were honored to have Angie Hicks take time to speak with us for over an hour during our August BLM.  All of the Orr Fellows came to Angie’s List and met outside in the courtyard area. Angie was able to speak with us in a very casual atmosphere.

Angie spoke to us about how Angie’s List was founded and how the Orr Fellowship began. I discovered that Angie Hicks was involved with initially helping start the Orr Fellowship. She also spoke about the purpose of the Orr Fellowship, and how it gives recent graduates job and networking opportunities in Indiana.

She gave us advice for our first major roles out of college with two of key points:  

·         No matter what job or task you are given, it is important to give it your top effort and to perform it the best way possible

·         Find a job you enjoy doing. You may not like every aspect of your job, but it is important appreciate and enjoy your overall work

We also learned how tough it can be to start a business. When starting the business, Angie went door to door selling memberships and gathering information. Afterwards, she would additionally take member phone calls and put together and mail regular publications to members.

Towards the end of the event, Orr Fellows were able to ask questions and interact with Angie. Afterwards, Angie took time to speak with Orr Fellows individually. This opportunity gave Orr Fellows the chance to network with one of Indiana’s well respected executives and gain first-hand knowledge of business experience and success.

Business Leader Meetings are one of the key benefits of the Orr Fellowship. We were able to gain key insights from meeting with Angie Hicks. I look forward meeting more leaders in Indiana with future BLM events.  

 

As I walked to my desk at Angie’s List this morning, I asked about everyone’s weekend. Several of my young coworkers replied “boring”.  As I downed my 3^rd cup of coffee and burned through my emails, I reflected on how my friends in the fellowship had spent their weekends. Many had gathered at the Broad Ripple Kilroys on Friday night to support fellow Ashton Chaffee and watch Coat Chex make its debut on "Shark Tank!" On Saturday, fellows filed through our apartment in preparation for the final concert of our MegaTicket summer. Some spent Sunday at work, some continued triathalon or marathon training, some went to church, likely everyone caught at least a snipit of NFL Sunday.  Everyone did something. There is simply no time for boredom during the fellowship.

I left Angie’s List this evening and headed straight to the Speakeasy to participate in the Informatics course with board member Mark Hill. When I arrived, our Fellow Development committee was well into an enthusiastic meeting, planning out career/personal development activities for the year. 

David Becker, serial entrepreneur, philanthropist and DePauw University alumni  joined us for the evening.  Mr. Becker is most currently running First Internet Bank, RICs  Software and  DyKnow, as well as investing in several entreprenuerail companies in Indianapolis. He joked that every time he gets “bored”, he buys a new company. David’s advice to us is to dive into the industry and learn the business before starting your own. If you think you want to start a restaurant, wait tables for a few months. As I looked around the room, I took note of each individual’s responsibilities within the fellowship. While I work in operations for Angie’s List, I get experience in finance through the fellowship. Many involved in recruitment work in technical position from 8-5, yet get Human Resources experiences through the fellowship, and all Fellows are exposed to the nonprofit sector through networking and service opportunities.

David later emphasized babysitting as the true test of an entrepreneur.  He explained that running a high-growth start-up is just like babysitting: you think you are walking into a house of low-maintenance, well behaved, children, and in a matter of minutes the baby is crying, the older brothers are wrestling on the carpet, and the neighbor’s dog has made it inside and is shredding the couch cushions. David’s solution to this dilemma is to hire the right people.  He has never written a line of code in his life, yet he is dominating the tech sector in Indianapolis. He recognized his skill for marketing and sales early on in life and hired the best coders, customer service and organizational employees he could find. As I scanned the room, I quickly recognized the variety in my surroundings. Some fellows are very analytical, some very creative, some technical, some humanitarian. It is astounding how well the skillsets in this group complement one another.  David prides himself on the number of his former employees that have since started their own businesses.

I recognized that I was amidst a golden opportunity at this very moment. The fellowship offers the opportunity to explore a distinguished post-grad job 40 hours a week, helps develop professional skills through Fellowship responsibilities, and grants unlimited access to an extremely high energy peer network.

Tomorrow, I will attend our monthly meeting; Wednesday I may grab a bike ride and a beer with Katie Hayes and Molly Sender; Thursday I will finalize the details of an event I am planning for work; and the weekend will arrive before I have had time to take a breath, let alone time for boredom.

I recently graduated from DePauw University and started my journey with the Orr Fellowship a few short months ago. I heard about this program from one of the second-year fellows, and I was instantly drawn to the entrepreneurial spirit, the unique work experiences and the constant social and professional growth the Fellowship provides. This post kicks off the Informatics class blog series – one of the many unique experiences we’re able to take part in during our two-year tenure.

It’s not that I thought I would stop learning once I walked off DePauw’s campus, but I could not fathom the people I would encounter, the information I would acquire and lessons I would learn only a few months into this “real world.”  September showed up unexpectedly, and the Orr Fellowship has been jam packed with Career Fairs, Business Leader Meetings (BLM) and a director-led Informatics class (not to mention our day jobs!).

Lessons from Local Leaders

Just this week, the first-year Orr Fellows were invited into the Indiana Statehouse to meet with Gov. Mitch Daniels for our monthly BLM. Surrounded by paintings of governors before him, including Orr founder, Gov. Robert Orr, we spoke about Indiana’s past, present and future. We learned from the Governor that over the past few years, more college graduates have stayed in Indiana rather than left the state. Keeping talented graduates in the state is incredibly important to the state’s growth, and this is a huge part of the Fellowship’s mission. Indianapolis has grown immensely over the past couple of decades, and it has become a hub for start-ups and young professionals. It even made Forbes' list as one of the happiest cities for young professionals.

Continuous Growth

The excitement of this week doesn’t end there – Monday was the launch of our Orr Fellowship Informatics class, led by one of the Orr Fellowship directors, Mark Hill of Collina Ventures. About two dozen Orr Fellows filed into a room in the Speak Easy for class on Monday night (yes, during MNF) ready to learn as much as possible from established business leaders over the next few months.  We kicked it off with Developer Town founder, Michael Cloran, who titled his lecture, “Random Stories. Lessons Learned.” His title inspired the underlying theme of this post: the lives of individuals like Gov. Daniels and Cloran are not necessarily random stories, but incredible efforts made by young professionals that put them on tracks to success. There are reasons that individuals like this are where they are today, and these are the habits and practices we are striving to learn from and acquire.

After we listened to Michael’s unique and impressive post-graduate experiences that led him to become a restless entrepreneur, we asked what seemed to be the most relevant questions for us: Why Indy? And what should we take back from your early experiences and practice in our own lives? His answers were both reassuring and encouraging:

• The Midwest is much more welcoming than other areas, giving newcomers more comfort and opportunities for growth and success
• Build your reputation and credibility by sticking to your word
• Say “YES” to new challenges, projects and responsibilities – people who have changed the world are not the type of people who sit back and content with not taking action

Future Success

I was naïve in initially thinking the transition to the real world was going to be simple and straightforward. You leave college on top of the world, and then realize that Columbus did in fact discover the world is round…and much larger than believed.

After listening to these accomplished and inspiring leaders in Indiana, we can find comfort knowing there are different paths we may find ourselves on, both in our nearest and more distant future. We don’t need to know what our next job will be, which graduate program we’ll apply to or even what we’re eating for lunch this week. As long as we are determined, willing to work through the night, and yes, occasionally commit to eating PB&J six meals in a row, the possibilities are endless. All entrepreneurs jump and fall; and we’re here to learn what it takes to take that first jump.

                My favorite day of the (work)week is Monday. Everyone I know thinks that is ridiculous, but to me, it makes perfect sense. Monday is the exciting beginning to a who-knows-what’s-gonna-happen kind of week. And in a start-up, that is almost every week. Monday's are for reinvention. Working for my Indigo Biosystems as an Orr fellow, I'm living life in the fast lane. There’s always something coming right at me, and I have to jump in and take the challenge head on.

                That is part of the reason I wanted to be a fellow and work for an entrepreneurial company: I wanted the excitement, the tension and the passion that are always palpable in an environment that encourages moving fast, making decisions and taking risks. The direction we are driving can change at the drop of a dime, and the passengers better adjust accordingly. I am learning how to contribute productively, while being flexible, proactive, open-minded and prepared. These lessons and experiences are invaluable for my journey post-fellowship and my future entrepreneurial ventures.

                However, it’s not just the excitement of the fast-paced career that wakes me up at 5:30 a.m. on Monday with (relative) enthusiasm for the day. I am also waking up to a new week of self-improvement, learning, relationship-building and (honestly) a week of fun with the incredible fellows who are now my best friends. The fellowship has enriched me professionally and socially. Without the promise of the opportunities and friendships that the fellowship affords, Monday could be a lot more taxing. But, instead of dreading the daily grind, I am anxiously anticipating enjoying my job, my fellows, and my life!

               Now, I happily embrace my “case of the Mondays” because my work and the fellowship make Monday a FUN day.

 

When thinking of Entrepreneurial hubs, big cities like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and, of course, Silicon Valley probably come to mind. A place you may not consider on first thought is the great city of Indianapolis. I have learned that Indianapolis is not only host to some top tier companies, but Indy is doing some amazing things to foster the entrepreneurial spirit. 

Orr Fellowship – www.orrfellowship.org

The Orr Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for undergraduate students to experience what it's like to work for a dynamic, high growth company. Within their host companies, Orr Fellows experience C-level executive mentorship, are able to wear multiple hats throughout their two years, and have the opportunity to make an influential contribution. Furthermore, Orr Fellows enter into a peer network that opens the doors to new friendships, business partnerships and much more. The Orr Fellowship is an unrivaled organization that places young professionals into the growing business community of Indianapolis.

The Combine - www.thecombine.org

The Combine brings together creative thinkers from across the country to learn, network and be inspired in a remarkable Midwest setting. This three day event features workshops, open pitch-sessions, cocktail hours, speakers and much more. Hosted in Bloomington, a tech culture hotspot and home to Indiana University, The Combine is the event of the year for inventors, coders, developers and entrepreneurs.

Verge - www.meetup.com/vergestartups

Verge is for all people in the Midwest working on or investing in tech startups. Verge is the best spot to meet and hang out with other Midwest entrepreneurs and software developers. Matt Hunckler, an Orr Fellow Alum, is the chief organizer at Verge, and he has created an entrepreneurial network that meets once a month to pitch ideas, collaborate and create business opportunities.

Developer Town - http://www.developertown.com
 

Developer Town houses talented, creative and motivated people that understand the challenges of early-stage ventures. They know how to turn risks into benefits and have what it takes to get products to market faster – on a stronger technology foundation. These guys are in business to create business, and they have an astonishing track record. Their warehouse is filled with miniature houses where each employee spends their time working on new and innovative ventures. A must see in Indy!

Now you’re in the know. Indianapolis is home to some of the most talented entrepreneurs in the country. I feel so lucky to be involved with such a growing community and to be able to work with some of the brightest minds in the country. So as you think about moving to that big city in search of grand opportunity, I recommend you add Indianapolis to your list of choices and discover all this great city has to offer. 

I've been at Bluelock for just over a year working on the software team in quality assurance testing and business analysis. I wanted to share some advice and tips that I've received over the past year that have helped me tremendously.

Embrace the new job

When you start a new job, there is typically a “honeymoon” period. The time period varies, but usually ranges from a few weeks to three months. This is the time to ask questions, make mistakes, learn from them and ask more questions. Your co-workers and boss don’t expect you to know everything and will be willing to show you the ropes.  

You will likely face a flood of new information and experiences that may seem overwhelming. You may also be asked to do things you’ve never done before such as a lead a sales call, write code or analyze financial statements. Embrace the unfamiliar tasks, and over time, you’ll get better and more comfortable with your new responsibilities. I can’t stress this enough -- take advantage of this transition period to learn as much as you can. In a couple months, your team  will expect you to have a basic understanding of the business, processes and tasks, so take this time to make mistakes and learn from them. 

Project scoping

At many of the smaller Orr Fellowship companies and sometimes even at the larger firms, employees are given projects that no one has ever done before. Some of these projects will be broad with vague or nonexistent guidelines. The days of having a project rubric from your professor are long gone.

When I got one of these projects, I started endlessly researching and got bogged down contemplating which direction to go. After two meetings with my boss on the progress of the project, we realized I wasn’t getting anywhere.  I was still on square one, researching a variety of topics and not choosing a path. In hindsight, I had a “do it now” mentality and didn’t take the time to figure out where I was going with my project. 

In order to focus on what was important to the project, my manager introduced me to a scope document which is basically an outline and roadmap of what you want your project to accomplish before you start working on it.

An abbreviated example of a scope document for this blog post:

• Goal/Objective: Share advice on starting at a new job (Why am I doing this)
• Topics/Categories: Embracing new job, Project Scoping, Prioritize (What is this project about)
• Tools/Research: work experience, peers, other websites and blogs (Where do I research and what resources will I use)
• Steps: research, write, review, revise, publish (How am I going to do this)
• Timeline: one week (When do I need to complete this)
• Impediments: time (potential obstacles)

For me, the scope document’s benefits include:

• Giving me a purpose and direction for a project
• A timeline with objectives of what needs to get done
• Thinking of any issues that may come up
• A standard way for other stakeholders, like my manager to track project progress

Even after I created and got the scope document approved by my manager, I was tempted to stray and spend time researching things outside what I defined in my document. Try not to do this, unless you really believe the new path is better. In the end, it is easier to deliver a project when you know what, where and how you’re going to do it.

Prioritize your tasks

As you take on more responsibility in your job, you'll find yourself juggling multiple projects and deadlines. One way to deal with this is through prioritization.

Set up criteria to determine which projects require your attention. Each person's job responsibilities are different, so figure out what aspects are important for your tasks and start from there.

For example, I generally use the following criteria: type, severity, urgency and scope.

I've had a variety of responsibilities at Bluelock outside of the software department such as sales lead distribution and market research, so knowing the type of task is important to me. Since I'm on the software team, server uptime to our customer facing services is extremely important, so severity and urgency are on my list of criteria. Fourth, I use scope as criteria because I have to prioritize daily tasks as well as large projects that require more time to complete and coordination with other areas of the company.

• Type: What kind of task is it? Does it involve downtime to our client-facing servers (high), monthly Google Analytics report(medium), or revising support documentation(low)?
• Severity: A server crash (high) will take precedence over testing whether a 11 font size looks nicer than 12 font size on the website (low).
• Urgency: What is the timeline? Is it due today at noon(high) or in two weeks(low)
• Scope: How large is the project and will it involve other departments of the company?

Prioritization gives me the ability to know exactly what I need to do and keeps me focused. I use one or a combination of the above criteria to prioritize my tasks. If I didn’t prioritize, I would probably end up working on multiple projects in bits and pieces and in the end get nothing done efficiently.

 

 

 

When The Orr Fellowship heard that Lemonade Day is sharing the experience of entrepreneurship with youth, we jumped at the opportunity. This year, The Orr Fellowship partnered with Lemonade Day Indianapolis to spark the dreams of young entrepreneurs. Lemonade Day seeks to share the experience of entrepreneurship with the next generation of kids. A cause that Orr Fellows strongly believe in. The Orr Fellowship lended a helping hand at the Lemonade Day 'Backpack Stuffing' event.

Lemonade Day teaches kids how to start, own and operate their own business: a lemonade stand.  Volunteers help the participating kids over the course of a few months to design their stand, learn how to manage budgets, discover ways to market their stand, and other business skills. But, the event doesn’t only teach about entrepreneurship. Participating kids also learn life lessons, including financial literacy and philanthropy. 

I’m looking forward joining all The Orr Fellowship over the next few months in this remarkable opportunity to mentor and inspire Indianapolis children.

 

Scott Jones, local entrepreneur, founded The Think Forward Foundation to spearhead Indy’s Lemonade Day.  Here are a few of Scott’s reasons for taking on this challenge:

In just two years Lemonade Day Indianapolis volunteers have helped more than 17,400 kids experience entrepreneurship!  Here are some of the 2011 participants’ accomplishments:

• Average gross revenue per stand:  $133
• Total gross revenue:  $1, 330, 890
• Average price charged per glass:  $ 0.97
• Average # of glasses sold per stand:  85
• Total # of glasses sold:  852, 692
• Average donation to charity per stand:  $62
• Total contributions to charity:  $616, 765
• Average “man hours” per stand: 3.75 hours
• Total “man hours” worked on Lemonade Day: 37,500

Someone who would like to participate? Direct them to http://indianapolis.lemonadeday.org/.  If nothing else, buy a glass of lemonade from a child’s stand on Saturday May 19^th and help foster the thriving entrepreneurial spirit of Indianapolis in the next generation. And, in the meantime, keep visiting our blog for updates on how Orr Fellows are helping out and joining in the fun!

What do you think of Lemonade Day?

 

 

It's hard to believe in just more than two weeks it will be 2012. A new year brings new opportunities and fresh perspectives - especially for fast growing startups in Indianapolis.

2011 was a phenomenal year for the Orr Fellowship. Several firsts, records and honors bestowed on the organization, its members and its alumni. Some of these accolades include:

• Welcoming the largest class of Orr Fellows in the history of the organization. (Earlier this year, 27 new Orr Fellows took positions at some of Indiana's best and fastest growing companies.)
• The first acquisition of a company founded by an Orr Fellow. (MyJibe, founded by Fellowship alumnus Mike Langellier, was purchased by Utah-based MoneyDesktop less than a year after its initial launch.)
• A prestigious honor bestowed to an Orr Fellowship alumnus and his Indiana-based startup. (Yaw Aning, founder and CEO of Pocket Tales, took top honors at this year's Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Global Education Challenge.)
• National media coverage for a current Orr Fellow and his bootstrapped social polling tool. (Max Yoder and Quipol have been covered by or used by NBC Chicago, Forbes, and TechCrunch.)

The honors and achievements mentioned above are the results of countless hours of hard work and dedication. These are highlights of daily contributions Orr Fellows make to Indiana, and the high growth start-ups they serve.

I, along with every other Orr Fellow, and alumnus are proud of these, and all accomplishments, and to be associated with such high-caliber individuals. (Sorry I'm taking the liberty to speak for everyone in the group, but I feel confident my thoughts echo the pride we all have in this organization, as well as the people responsible for its success.)

Speaking of a new class of Fellows, another highlight for 2011 is the addition of 25 new Orr Fellows who will join the organization in the Summer of 2012 at their respective host companies.

Chosen from thousands of candidates, the newest Orr Fellows represent the best of the best, and will undoubtedly continue the strong tradition and values the Orr Fellowship fosters.

With that, we (again, speaking collectively on behalf of the entire organization) are proud to announce the 2012 Class of the Orr Fellowship.

Name	Host Company	Alma Mater
Sasha Bannister	Indigo BioSystems	Indiana University
Kevin Bell	Apparatus	Notre Dame
Rory Billing	TinderBox	Miami University (Ohio)
Stephanie Bristow	BidPal Network	Ball State University
Branden Burke	Brightpoint	Purdue University
Halie Davila	Slingshot SEO	Butler University
Bo Dietrick	Exact Target	Purdue University
Brittany Dorsett	Aprimo	Butler University
Stephanie Flint	BidPal Network	Butler University
Eric Franklin	Angie's List	Indiana University
Lauren Gatchel	Apparatus	Butler University
Tyler Geesaman	Interactive Intelligence	Purdue University
Tyler Guckien	Angie's List	Indiana University
Katie Hayes	RICS Software	University of Dayton
Van Hoang	Courseload	DePauw University
Melissa Jackson	Aprimo	St. Mary's College
Amanda Lester	TinderBox	St. Mary's College
Elizabeth Massoth	T2 Systems	DePauw University
Katy Perona	Apparatus	Purdue University
Emily Reavis	WebLink International	DePauw University
Molly Sender	Courseload	DePauw University
Andy Simmons	iGoDigital	Valparaiso University
Diana Trautman	BioConvergence	Butler University
Nathan Wiersema	Fifth Gear	Indiana University
Austin Zartman	One Click Ventures	Indiana University

With a solid year behind us, an extremely promising incoming class, and great opportunities awaiting us; 2012 looks to be the best year the Orr Fellowship has seen yet.

This time last year, Sally Reasoner and I ran into each other in the Student Union at DePauw University and began chatting while waiting in line for coffee – like most college seniors, we were living on caffeine for the first two weeks of December. We quickly discovered that we were both going through Finalist Day the upcoming Friday. We decided to ride to Indianapolis together and to stay overnight in Carmel, not wanting to risk morning traffic on I-70.

Thursday night we were frantic; poring over the info we had gathered on each host company and bombarding each other with questions. Which companies are you interviewing with? What do you think they will ask? I don’t even know what some of these companies do! What are they looking for?

I’m sure these very same thoughts are running through the minds of potential candidates this week. Current fellows as well as host company executives can attest that the Fellowship is interested in the “who”, not the “what”. We want to know who you are, rather than what your specific skills are. Finalist Day is an invaluable experience as well as exposure to post-graduate networking in Indianapolis. Ask yourself if you could envision yourself working with the executives interviewing you. Enjoy the energy and ambition surrounding you. The energy of Orr Fellows continuously motivates me.

This year, Sally Reasoner and I will once again be riding to Finalist Day together. I still live on caffeine; Sally has managed to kick the habit. This year, we are roommates and will be enjoying the company of our peers by hosting a pre-Finalist Day dinner at our apartment in Broad Ripple! This time last year, we had no idea what to expect of other potential candidates. In 6 short months we have gotten to know each other on a professional as well as social level. We have all come to respect each other’s interests and passions and formed lasting friendships.

Thursday night, we will once again find ourselves chattering away about Finalist Day. This year we are buzzing with excitement for the potential candidates, and eager for the new class to share in our experience.

 

After attending ROTC (Reception on the Circle) last Thursday, I was reminded of the nerves, excitement, anxiousness, and did I mention, nerves?!? that I was feeling at the same time last year. A year ago, a group of Butler candidates drove together to ROTC and we were all chatting about the fellowship and how excited we were to be moving forward in the application process. We had the chance to meet fellows and interact with the directors during an evening of networking at the Marvis.

It’s amazing now, a year later, to see that same group of Butler students and the role each of us have at our host companies through the Orr Fellowship. Ashton is leading the way at Slane Capitol and making huge impressions, Ann is traveling weekly across the nation to consult Bid Pal events, Conner is making waves at iGoDigital and improving the online customer experience, John is working in sales and account management roles at Compendium, and I’m gaining valuable experience through events marketing, outbound marketing, and talent management and organizational development at ExactTarget.

But beyond the day-to-day contribution that we make at our host companies, we have the unique opportunity to connect with other fellows, young professionals, local business leaders, entrepreneurs, host company executives, and fellowship directors. I like to think of it as the perks beyond the typical 8-5 job – our chance to really learn, connect, and grow. The mission and core values of the fellowship are truly being acted upon throughout all aspects of the fellowship and it’s exciting and motivating to be a part of it.  Each interaction, connection made, and lesson learned inspire me to discover how I can best serve the community with my skills and passions.

A year ago, I could only dream of this opportunity, and I’ve realized being a part of the fellowship was worth every bit of nervousness and uncertainty. For me, it came down to taking a leap and holding on tightly to an invaluable opportunity, and there has never been any looking back. May all of our eyes be opened to the invaluable opportunities in front of us today, and always.

Last night I was at this awesome event to support Melina Kennedy, Indianapolis Mayoral Democratic Candidate.  She is running against incumbent Republican Mayor Greg Ballard.  Go vote November 8^th.  At the campaign, held at The Bunker (houses DyKnow, RICS software, and OneBridge), I had the pleasure to meet Melina and speak with David Becker, an Indianapolis serial entrepreneur and TechPoint Foundation for Youth Board of Director.  I'm actively engaging in the TechPoint Foundation for Youth.  The atmosphere was electric.  It was held in a man cave in the back of this newly renovated steel and concrete shelter built undeniably in the cold war era for fear of atomic missile attack on Chicago. Food was good and the drinks were free, but the people I interacted with were fantastic.  I spoke with Mark Brown, CFO of DyKnow, RICS, and OneBridge.  We talked about staying active and work life balance, playing sports and how we are not in as good of shape as our minds think, and of course we talked about DyKnow. 

After the event, four Fellows ventured out to pick up a bite to eat.  We ended up at the Beer Cellar, because someone in the group thinks Fazoli’s is terrible Italian (think Brad Pitt Inglorious Bastard’s accent), for some good conversation. During dinner I found out that one of my local Fellows, Sally Reasoner, works out at the same LA Fitness I do in Broad Ripple.  She challenged me to get up at 5:45 for spinning.  I had to make a pivotal choice.  Get a few extra hours of sleep or go spinning for my first time with one of my BOFO’s two hours earlier than I’ve been up for in years.  From the title and type of people we are in the Fellowship you can bet I was there, and a little early too, to start my first spinning class.  It did nothing but get me super jacked for my day.  Sally thank you so much for inviting me. 

I’m also super pumped today because the day has finally come for the mega-epic VERGE event at the Kessler Mansion.  I just checked and there are 181 people signed up.  I may have exaggerated with the 1,000 last night I told David Becker. I hope he has forgotten by now. VERGE was started by Orr Fellows and is currently run by an Orr Fellow alumn (Matt Hunckler). VERGE brings together Indianapolis investors, entrepreneurs, and technology experts to create a better platform for startup technology companies. 

Lastly, yesterday we sent out the invites for Rose-Hulman interviews with Mike Langellier.  I am super excited about the candidates that we are interviewing next Tuesday, Oct. 25^th.  We have representation in a wide variety of activities and I’m eager to be back on campus for the last time this year to recruit.  Big shout out to my Fightin’ Engineers.