Recently we came across an old copy of Forbes magazine written in the summer of 2002, which profiled four northern Nevada inventors who regularly met as part of the Nevada Inventors Association. These gentlemen were Don Evans, Larry Udell, Bill Torch, and Dieter Berndt. Forbes wrote about their efforts at starting their companies, licensing their inventions and building their businesses.
At the recent C4CUBE Entrepreneurs Bootcamp Don, Larry, and Bill were together again talking about how far they have come and the many challenges they have faced since 2002. During the two-day Boot Camp that was attended by over 70 people, they participated in one of the panels to share their stories of how they grew their businesses in difficult times. They succeeded by virtue of their belief in themselves, hard work, long hours and dedication to building something of consequence. Like so many people in northern Nevada, they were willing to share their stories in hope of helping entrepreneurs and innovators.
Don Evans and his wife Joan founded Evco Plastics over 50 years ago. They and their sons manage the business with 11 plants world-wide, employing 1,500 people. He reminded people that they can succeed if you are determined and stay focused on your goals.
Dr. William Torch has a busy sleep center and neurological practice and still acts as the visionary for Eye-Com Corporation, one of the fastest-growing and innovative new biotech companies in Reno. He offered inspiration and hope that with hard work you can realize your dream.
Larry Udell, who was characterized in the Forbes magazine as a spry septuagenarian with the attiude and western look reminiscent of Yosemite Sam, has built the Licensing Executive Society of Silicon Valley into one of the largest chapters of LES International, which has over 15,000 professionals in 93 countries. Larry's enthusiasm for inventors and entrepreneurs has been contagious where he provides introduction and encouragement to all that needed it, just for the asking. He stressed that networking has been his key to success over the last 50 years in Silicon Valley.
Their collective success was and is remarkable. But their willingness to help those "wondering where to turn" is awe inspiring. We requested that they allow us to reference the Forbes article so we could see that great things do indeed spring from humble beginnings. Each of these men chose a different approach to their success. Each bootstrapped their own business. Each of them had a vision and passion that not only has kept them going, but now when Nevada needs community support, each willingly offered to step up and help to those eager to learn.
It is important to understand that starting your business is hard work. It is also critical to understand that it is often a lonely effort that may last for years before a breakthrough.
But it was our good fortune at the Boot Camp, to once again be reminded that there are many seasoned and successful people who are willing to help those working toward their visions and goals of a better tomorrow. Thomas Edison wrote, "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." Although your success or failure is ultimately determined by what you do or don't do, when you need help, ask for it! Don't leave it to chance.
Why is this important? According to the Kaufmann Foundation, all net job creation has come from small businesses. This means that every inventor and entrepreneur represents the fabric of our nation and their success is vital for true economic growth.
Not only were Don, Bill and Larry available to visit with entrepreneurs one-on-one, but our community was fortunate enough to have over 25 experts at the two-day Bootcamp to help young companies understand what is required to get their businesses off the ground. We had experts such as Alice Heiman (www.aliceheiman.com) talking about selling, Cheri Hill (www.sageintl.com) talking about strong corporate structures, Kymberlee Simantel (www.ewomen.com) talking about the power of networking, Bob Weiss (www.cfos2gopartners.com) describing the importance of financials, Jim Holmes of Carson Capital stressing the need to learn how an investor may view your business, Bob Block, with 26 active businesses and 200 patents, describing how a to build a business, Marvin Storm expounding the benefits of franchising, Peter Williamson (www.actioncoach.com) on successful coaching, and many other professionals who shared the secrets of their success. These leaders represent a wide variety of industries and each one offered their time at no charge to help others find a path to success and help make northern Nevada an even better place to live.
But it shouldn't take a formal event like the Boot Camp or eWeek to find a way to get involved and encourage others. It takes time and a willingness to understand that it is the spirit of innovation that will help us all prosper.
Job creation starts with you and me.
If you are an entrepreneur seek help, ask for mentoring, talk to people who can give you advice, network as much as you can, read books on how others have done it and don't stop until you find your path to success.
If you are reading this article and have the expertise to help one entrepreneur, step up and make a difference. Many people, like Don, Bill, Dieter, and Larry, have freely given their time, and the benefits are readily visible in companies being funded, products going to market, people being hired, inventions turning into products, and businesses getting off the ground. Those of us that attended the Boot Camp know this to be true we met men and women who have done it before and are still doing it.
We want you to succeed!
Ky Good and Norman Smith are managing directors of C4CUBE, a high-technology business incubator in downtown Reno.
