The Eastside Life Blog

I was lucky enough to attend the Early Stage Investment Forum (ESIF) show-and-tell on Friday May 9, at the Convention center in Seattle.

Every year, the deeply experienced board of ESIF selects 30 or 40 promising early stage companies (from hundreds that apply) to present their companies’ offerings to would-be Angel Investors in a controlled, focused setting. The fact that so few companies make it this far means that the few that do are usually pretty interesting, and that is what I believe attracts the investors.

I spent the entire morning on my feet, searching for those few companies from the list that got my attention the most.

1. PeoplePawn - I went to the show as an investor of PeoplePawn, so I am a bit biased towards them, but I did like the convincing profit model presented by Patrick Kane (CEO and owner of PeoplePawn). PeoplePawn is an upmarket hybrid of a financial services company and the humble beginnings in Pawnbroking. I liked the profit model per store and the scalability around going from the first store to hundreds. And Kane has already built a similar chain of stores (for other investors) in the past, so he’s got the experience to take it to exit.
Here, Patrick is discussing valuations with Nathan Kaiser, board member of ESIF and CEO of his own C-level recruitment company, nPost.

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2. DERMagic - Bellevue-based DERMagic’s flagship product eliminates skin itchiness and redness in dogs. Now, before you think this is another shaggy dog story (a story where the beginning is indiscernible from the end), I actually tried some of the lotion on the wrinkles around my eyes, which I found at least soothing. Adelia Ritchie, the president of DERMagic said it made me look 10 years younger.
Seriously, though, I took the time to examine the ingredients before I tried it on my own skin of course. All natural, organic. Prices start at about $30.
I watched their video of a particular dog that was recommended, by the veterinarian, to be euthanised because of the severity of his skin condition and loss of hair. That same dog was treated with DERMagic’s lotion and made quite the comeback - so much so that a year later, he was able to compete and win in a showdog competition. Worth watching.
Check DERMagic’s (what I call) Itchy Dog Skin Cure products here.

Here is the stuff I tried:

My guess is that for DERMagic, their only challenge will be execution. They have a very compelling product with several more variations, including some for use by humans, in the pipes. Watch this space!

3. Martin Environmental Technologies - Woodinville-based MET sells a remarkable coating product, called SlickCoat, for the submerged section of boats. The coating prevents what I learned was “fouling” (barnacles and other organisms stick to your hull, create drag and reduce fuel efficiency). SlickCoat reduces fuel consumption by 20%+.
This seems like an ideal product the way fuel prices are going. I spoke with their CEO, Glen Manheim - their website is a placeholder for the moment - but will be available here shortly.

4. IntelliJet - David Brazeau of ItelliJet showed me how their remarkable alternative to traditional underwater propellers (”screws”, as they call them in the trade) reduces fuel consumption by about 50% and increases maneuverability significantly.
It seemed to me to be a potentially great fit between MET (above) and IntelliJet.

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5. MindBloom - Brent Poole of MindBloom showed me a new approach to self-improvement that intrigued me. Keep an eye on this company, as well as a competing, Bellevue-based, online self-improvement solutions company, Limeade.com that seems to be getting serious traction in this space.

6. Kunle Oguneye of Blue Brush Media described his fascinating approach to using technology to connect African culture and folklore with modern western culture. Watch this spot - this time next year, I’ll be surprised if Kunle isn’t a central success story of the ESIF. Check out African Culture and Folklore to see what he is up to.

7. Energy Aware Technology Inc. - Something I have always thought would be useful around the house is a device to measure the consumption of specific activities around the home. Co-founders Lauren Kulokas and Janice Cheam showed me what I first thought was a type of iPhone - but it was in fact a wireless home energy consumption device (you can see Janice holding their PowerTab product in the picture below). What fascinated me about Energy Aware’s story is that it all began as a college business+technology project. They got first place for their entry, pursued the idea and are having incredible success. There are some great images of their green products on their website.

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8. HomeSavvi - An innovative, Web 2.0 way of helping homeowners maneuver their way through the stressful path of home remodeling using contractors. Home Savvi doesn’t help with from-scratch home building but for kitchen remodels to patios and window replacements, they seem to have a unique selling proposition.

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Last, but not least, I got to talk to the charming Misty Burrows of Sashuto Consulting who specialize in event management, seen below beside the invention from Tilting Motor Works, also present at the show. Misty kept the whole show on track from start to finish. Thank you, Misty for a flawless execution! We will see you again next year.

Thanks everyone.
See you all next year!

Liam Scanlan, Owner SiteLeads.net when he’s at work.
SEO services for small companies
Partner to Strategies International

Pssst!  Have you heard?  Printer ink cartridge refilling!  Just drop your empty ink cartridges off at the Costco Photo department, do your shopping, score a sample or two, and pick them up in an hour!

Prices range from $7.99 to $13.00, depending on the type.  Half the price of buying new and beats that Fort Knox-derived landfill-bound plastic encasing!

Eastside Girl Going Green! Join me as I save the planet, one small simple sustainable step at a time. And exercise my alliteration.

I have a reminder on my bulleting board -KISS, you know it, “Keep it Simple, Sister”, but I just printed out my new mantra, which I invented so don’t steal it - Keep it Sustainable, Sister…with the lipstick kiss in GREEN! Brilliant!

I’ve lived on the Eastside for almost 30 years, with a stint in Seattle at the UW and a year in Southern California. Hurried back to Bellevue to raise a family in my (and my husband’s, btw) comfort zone. Safe neighborhoods, award winning schools, easy parking, green acres is the place for me…

Growing up I went to Tyee Junior High, there at the base of Somerset, and Newport High School, where my oldest son is now a 9th grader. I worked almost ten years at Nordstrom, eight of them in Bellevue, with a short stint at Place II in Crossroads, remember when?

I know Bellevue like the back of my hand, I tell the kids. Now I see it through their eyes.

With three boys I’ve been a soccer-football-baseball-basketball-track Mom. I’ve shivered through summer baseball games and sunned on gorgeous fall football days. I have a dog, Australian Shepard, named Katie, and a big gray tom-cat named Jimmy.

I’m confused and concerned (alliteration!) about what I am doing or not doing to earn my place on this planet and reserve a spot for my kids in the future. What to do? Start simple and small, and share. I’m blogging to educate and entertain as I start down my Green path.

Sincerely, hop on board my green train. I promise to keep it simple, sister.

As of today, May 7 2008, it looks like there won’t be a woman in the White House this time round. Hillary Clinton’s long journey to this point in her career was remarkable in so many ways; clearly, things HAVE changed for the better. Still, most people would also agree we all have a long way to go and it remains an uphill climb for women in business. “Traditional values” still presents invisible barriers to women who are every bit as capable as men of building a successful business. In fact, there are some businesses where women might have a distinct advantage.

I met this week with Dolores Gill of Gill and Associates. Dolores lives on the Eastside, and spends most of her life traveling to businesses all over the world. I met her in the capacity of her marketing consulting business, but what fascinated me was two other lines of business she had going.

One was a line of (I think the term is) “Designer Handbags and Accessories” web business called Boen & Gill.

The other business is something about to be launched called “Dirty Dog”. I was walking out the door of Dolores’ office and I saw these striking looking jeans and denim jackets in a large cardboard box under a table. Even through my unsophisticated eye, I could see that they were something extraordinary. I made a mental note that Mothers Day was a few days away, and what a great thing it would be give my wife a pair of designer jeans that no one else in Bellevue was wearing! (Mind you, I still haven’t done anything about that - I’m toast).

Unfortunately, I can’t show you a picture of the Dirty Dog line, simply because I don’t have any yet, but my sense is it will be a big hit. I might be able to get a few images in the next day or two, and I will add them to this blog if I do, but here is the Dirty Dog Designer Jeans website if you want to make a note of the site for later.

Dolores was raised in Singapore, began her career as a fashion model, and has had an extraordinary life ever since - much more than I could cover in this one blog posting. Before I met her, I had assumed she would be a high-powered do-or-die tough cookie. The woman I met was a creative, caring, intelligence and warm-hearted business-savvy woman who believes success is based on relationships.

I’m quite sure the Dirty Dog designer jeans will be a raving success. Pictures coming soon…

Liam

liam.scanlan@gmail.com
425-985-4464
SiteLeads.net, when I’m at work.

A month ago, Organize To Order held a drawing for 36 hours of FREE Professional Organizing Services. Our intention was to help shed a positive light on the fact that companies like ours exist to help people who are not just busy but who may be overwhelmed with the amount of ’stuff’ they have accumulated. (more…)

I’d like to personally wish the people behind the Downtown Bellevue Network website a Happy First Birthday!

They are holding a birthday bash on May 13th at the 520 Bar & Grill on Main Street in Olde Bellevue, but unfortunately for you and I - the guest list has reached capacity and if you aren’t on the list, they don’t have room for you (or I).

Happy Birthday and Congratulations to the Downtown Bellevue Network!  and many more …

This blog community has been renamed to reflect the expanding focus of our news - we’re no longer just about business, but about all news of interest to Eastsiders. 
If you or anyone you know would like to blog about events, entertainment, technology, real estate, transportation, construction, fashion, wine, dining or ??? here on the Eastside Life blog, please send me an email and we can discuss and probably get you set up real quick.

Well last year the King County Journal was shut down after the parent company was purchased by Black Press, a Canadian publisher. They have named the company overseeing the remaining “Reporter” newspapers Sound Publishing (which actually printed a few issues of Eastside Business before I decided I could just not take any more of the quality problems - I thought maybe they were trying to put me out of business). (more…)

I had asked our readers to let me know how they spent Earth Day.  Lori Taylor, the Executive Director of the Bellevue Farmers Market sent in the following:

I spent part of the day at Overlake Hospital where they were celebrating Earth Day with a Green Fair on their campus. The Bellevue Farmers Market had a table promoting buying local and supporting sustainable agriculture. We’re gearing up for our fifth season and will open May 15 and run through October 12. Love to see you there!

Lori Taylor
Executive Director
Bellevue Farmers Market

Thanks Lori - you definitely will see me there again this year!

You think you might be hungry some time this weekend? Come and get it at the NW Food Service Show. All you have to do is to register before you go. I will be helping out at my client’s booth, ClickEats. We are easy to find, right across from Ivar’s.

For restaurant owners, ClickEats is an easy and economical way to get and do business online. With ClickEats, a restaurant could have an easy update site, get orders online, and market via the web, all with one account.

For busy people like we are, ClickEats helps you manage your take-out food order. For instance, you know your favorite eatery is a ClickEats restaurant and they offer online ordering. Your clients or friends are coming tomorrow night, but you won’t have time to order the food because you are getting ready for their visit. You can order today and have it ready for you to pick up right before the meal.

If your beloved restaurant isn’t a ClickEats client and you know going online will make both you and them do better, tell them about ClickEats!

This is my first trade show, wish me luck. Come by and see us!