Jordy Blog

Today’s my little brother Aaron’s birthday, a point that had eluded me until Geni notified me via email:

Dear Jordan Gunderson,

Aaron Gunderson, your brother, has a birthday today.

Click the link below to enter a birthday greeting for Aaron and we’ll deliver it today.

- The Geni Team

Short, simple, useful, and driven by info that I didn’t enter myself.  It was effective: I went to the site (which I’ve been dragging my butt on for months), updated some data, check out some of the features, etc.  Through one simple 4-line email that was pertinent to me, I got involved in their product and will continue to play with it.  Contrast that to the page after page of useless drivel you receive from most marketers (read “spammers”) and you’ll see why permission marketing really is the way of the future.

BTW, I saw Seth Godin speak in SLC yesterday, and I was impressed.  Since it’s already been covered extensively in the Utah blogosphere I’ll refrain from to much comment, but I just wanted to thank Phil, Ash, and everyone else for making it happen.  You guys rule!

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I don’t really consider myself an inventor per se, but I was impressed by the Utah Inventors‘ inaugural meeting I mentioned earlier and have been wanting to report on it ever since.

The presenters (including Dr. Dinesh Patel) were stellar, and the meeting was well attended (especially for a first go); but I was surprised at the lack of Utah business presence. There were numerous inventors, IP lawyers, and representatives from local not-for-profits; but I didn’t really see anyone from the entrepreneurial, marketing, or finance communities –the very people these inventors need to take good ideas (or good products) and make them into good companies.

Anyway, it was obvious that Vaughn North and crew have put a lot of work into getting Utah Inventors off the ground, and I think they’re going to make it work. They have a solid (although small) management team, a reputable Board of Advisors, and they fill a niche that I’m convinced is important for Utah industry. They won’t be able to do alone though; UtahInventor also needs (and has specifically requested) active participation from motivated volunteers if they’re to become a long-term force for good in Utah economy. I hope that some of you will step up to the challenge. Working with inventors is a little like herding cats (everyone’s got a better way to do everything) but I think they’re a good bunch, and I’m certain that there will be legitimate business opportunities for anyone who cares to get involved.

It’s now been over 3 weeks since I left my job at Overstock. These days I’m working in the souvenir industry as an interim general manager for my brother Jason. It’s sort of like a project manager position since my main focus is to setup systems to run the business more efficiently, but there’s a lot to do besides.

My brother’s company (Western Star) designs, manufactures, imports, and distributes souvenirs in the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

It’s odd to take a step away from the internet technology industry, but I’ll still be meddling in tech. Plus, the pay is right, and the lack of commute is splendid. Entrepreneurship and tech are where the business portion of my heart is, but to start something successful you need (besides talent, etc) either money or time. Hopefully this project will give me a little more of both so I can find success in yet another business I’m scheming in the evenings.