The Future is Here

Entrepreneurs have discovered Delray.

Entrepreneurs have discovered Delray.

I don’t believe in the status quo.

I’m not even sure it’s possible to stay in place even if you are determined to do so.

Change seems to be the rule of the universe and while sometimes it can be hard to embrace, it’s inevitable.

Time passes; things change.

I also don’t believe in the conventional wisdom when it comes to living the good life.

For many that means winning the lottery or cashing in big in business and living on a beach somewhere.

Seems pretty good in the abstract, but it doesn’t explain why:

  • Entrepreneurs begin yet another business even after cashing out big.
  • Humans seek constant mental, spiritual, and creative development.

People aspire, we are restless and we constantly seek knowledge and progress.

A pessimist would  view this as living in a permanent state of dissatisfaction. But an optimist celebrates the journey and sees the hammock on the beach as a rest stop, not a permanent destination.

I think people, organizations, schools and communities thrive when they have a sense of purpose; when they strive, envision, iterate and engage with the world.

Consequently, I think the same entities erode when they cling to the status quo.

Last week, I attended one of the most exciting events I’ve been to in a long, long time. It was called “Smart Uprising” and it was hosted by an immensely gifted young entrepreneur named Jeremy Office and his wonderful team at MacLendon Wealth Management right here in Delray Beach.

Jeremy is a financial professional with a sterling reputation; but he’s also an entrepreneur brimming with ideas, enthusiasm, warmth and vision. He’s an investor, community volunteer, VC, and deeply involved in our community with pursuits ranging from education to mentoring entrepreneurs.

The Uprising was staged at Honey, a smart, sophisticated new bar/lounge at 16 E. Atlantic Avenue. When you walk through the doors of Honey, the first thought you have is the bar has indeed been raised in Delray. (Pun intended).

The Smart Uprising event  is proof that Delray has reached a new level in its development.

The creative class is here and they are embracing Delray in a big, big way.

As I soaked in the event at Honey; listening to a brilliant young Goldman Sachs executive speak about market opportunities and my friend Nabyl Charania, co-founder and CEO of Rokk3r Labs,  discuss disruptive technologies I couldn’t help but feel energized and excited for the future.

I hung out at the event with John Ferber, a super guy and a world class entrepreneur who has  fallen hard for Delray; choosing our village to build more businesses and a life, with his lovely wife Jenna. A few years ago, I had the pleasure of marrying John and Jenna on the beach and was thrilled to see them put roots down in our city because I know that John and Jenna will create great things and provide opportunities and inspiration for others.

On the way out, I chatted with Jeremy’s colleague Kilburn Sherman who heads the Young Professionals Association of Delray. YPAD is a group to watch, they are not only focused on growing their businesses but on a new initiative called #BekindDelray which is encouraging kindness in our community; much needed at this time.

I also ran into the talented Ryan Boylston, who has a creative agency called Woo Creative and is a co-founder of The Pineapple Newspaper. He has an office on Atlantic Avenue that he is transforming into a hub for conversation and events.

I also spoke with some out-of-towners who marveled at Delray’s energy and vibe.

All this is not to say that we don’t have real and enduring problems and challenges to overcome. There’s still too much crime, vagrancy, drugs, poverty and lack of economic opportunity. We have educational challenges and neighborhood concerns to address. We are a diverse community and that is a real strength, but we are also segregated in so many ways.

We suffer from terrible political divisiveness and sometimes the level of our debate is debilitating and dare I say less than intellectual.

But…there is a youth movement in Delray and it’s not just chronological.  It’s a youthful mindset, one that embraces change, community and challenge.

Our host, Jeremy Office summed it up when he said he sensed a “brotherly love” taking hold in the business community; an ethos that embraces building relationships, trust and value.

There is a belief that problems can be solved; opportunities can and should be created and that there is a desperate need for leadership, entrepreneurship and community.

We can keep our charm and evolve. We can respect our heritage and history and still embrace change. We can welcome new people and ideas without fear and we can engage each other to solve some of our city’s pressing problems.

Delray 2.0 is here and it’s a good thing.

Lynn Students Make The Pitch: Budding Entrepreneurs Seek Investment

 

Delray entrepreneur and Lynn alum Jeremy Office is investing in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Delray entrepreneur and Lynn alum Jeremy Office is investing in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

 

Could the next Uber, Coin or Tesla Motors be incubating in South Florida?

Local business leaders will find out when Lynn University students pitch their best new product or business ideas during the finals of the second annual Howard Isaacson Innovation Challenge tomorrow, April 24. The winner of the contest, which was founded by Delray Beach entrepreneur Jeremy S. Office, will receive seed capital to further develop their concept.

“When you’re starting a business, knowing how to effectively present and sell your concept is often just as important a factor in your success as having a detailed business plan and financial projections,” said Office, the founder and Principal of Maclendon Wealth Management and managing partner at SJO Worldwide, a venture capital company that specializes in investing in small to medium-sized businesses like the ones students will be pitching. “Students who participate in the Howard Isaacson Innovation Challenge will learn by doing, as they develop, research and pitch a unique business or product to a group of successful area entrepreneurs.”

During the pitch session, teams of up to five graduate and undergraduate students will have 30 minutes to present their business plan to a panel of judges. The judging panel will consist of entrepreneurially minded members of the local business community who will evaluate each pitch based on its creativity and innovation, financial viability, market research and verification, and other factors.

“The Howard Isaacson Innovation Challenge is an important learning opportunity for our students, helping to prepare them for the next step in their lives and their careers,” said Thomas Kruczek, Dean of the College of Business and Management at Lynn University. “This partnership between the university and one of our successful alumni also allows us to build bridges between the academic world and local business leaders, which further helps position our graduates for success.”

Participants in the April 24 event, which is open to the public, had to clear several hurdles, including submitting a written synopsis of their business idea and making a 20-minute oral presentation of their business plan, before being selected to advance to the final round of the competition. All students participating in the competition will learn to identify new and feasible business ideas, research how those ideas can be brought to the marketplace, evaluate an idea’s financial viability, and develop a workable business model.

“The U.S. was built by innovators who weren’t afraid to take risks. This contest offers students an opportunity to develop challenging ideas and take their own risks,” said Office. “One of our country’s great competitive advantages is our entrepreneurial spirit, and my hope is that this competition will nurture that spirit and help it thrive.”

Office, who earned his Ph.D. in global leadership from Lynn University’s College of Business and Management, established the Howard Isaacson Innovation Challenge in 2013 in honor of his late grandfather and their mutual love of entrepreneurship