Good People Do Amazing Things

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Back in May I began thinking about my upcoming 25th birthday. Usually people don’t look forward to the quarter century mark. I wanted to do something to help bring joy to the unavoidable reminder of geting old, while also doing good in the world.

The idea of raising money for the Wounded Warrior Project became a no-brainer. I thought  it would be cool to raise $1,000 in 25 days. Cool is great but I wanted to reach “amazing.” The goal was set at $2,500. To be honest, I didn’t think we could raise that much so quickly but I knew I’d have an answer within 25 days.

Long story short, 56 people donated a total of $2,760. Are you kidding me?!? Ridiculous response. Good people do amazing things when prompted. I have been overwhelmed and humbled with the outpouring of support for a cause I care so deeply about.

Here is an excerpt from a note I received during the campaign from a fellow vet:

“I want to say thank you. What you’re doing for the Wounded Warrior Project is awesome and means so much to me. I still struggle with some issues from that eventful day. I’ve hidden from some of those issues and it’s wreaked havoc on my marriage and my family. I have seen a therapist for the last year and it has helped immensely. I still hide from the PTSD stigma and have dealt with the headaches and the ringing in my ears to the point that it’s “normal.” If the money you raise helps just one person, whether directly or indirectly it’s more than worth it. I can’t express enough how much respect I have for you and your cause. Wounded Warriors is one of the most beneficial causes out there and I hope dearly that you meet your goal. Thank you and good luck.”

Its amazing to see the effect that the good intentions of a few can have.

As grateful as I am, I want to use this opportunity to challenge anyone who reads this. Find chances to make a difference in someone’s life. They can be young or old, privileged or poor. Seek out selfless opportunities and exploit them. Require the support of those that you associate yourself with. The world will be a better place. You will be a better person. If you’re interested, I’d love to help you make an idea become reality!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CONTRIBUTED IN ANY WAY!

#iMarch NC Can Change Our State

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Immigration is a complex issue and has grown to be an uncontrollable problem. Every year thousands of individuals educated at US universities are forced to return to their home country. Not only do we lose the taxable income of these graduates, but they take their newfound skills with them.

How valuable are the skills? That would be like trying to put a value on innovation. Invaluable is the best answer. The good news is that there is a potential solution being debated in the Senate. Today North Carolinians have been asked by the Partnership for a New American Economy to use social media in an effort to grab the attention of Senators Burr and Hagan.

Check out the #iMarch campaign and help make NC a leader in immigration reform!

East Coast vs West Coast Startup Feud?

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Credit to digboston.com

Every now and then entrepreneurs need a rally cry. It’s time for the East Coast to stand up.  Below is a video and Slideshare from a short talk I gave 2 months ago. I expect these words to become truer as time passes.

(I know that 70′s and 80′s was a slip of the tongue!)

Healthy competition is a better description than feud. Remember we are all in this non-zero sum game together.

Let me know what you think by tweeting @APompliano!

The Modern Day “Mom In Your Pocket”

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Entrepreneurship seems to be the latest fad. Every day I see a new story about the latest and greatest. Sometimes these products and services are cool. Other times, these “innovations” are merely incremental improvements to the status quo. Rarely do I see the elusive product / market fit – a real problem solved. Avelist recently broke that streak.

To understand why this story is a big deal, I want to explain what I chose not to write about for this article. The founder is a female. Rare. She left a nice, cushy job at SAS. Unheard of. After early traction, this rockstar was able to raise a seed round of $200k+. Next to impossible for a pre-revenue company in the Triangle.

Each of those three points could easily be a separate story. They pale in comparison to the real story however. Jody Porowski launched Avelist in Fall 2012. Avelist is a social search engine that allows individuals to share lists. Yes, gone are the days of lists on napkins. We no longer have to recreate the wheel….or lists.

When I talked with Jody, I couldn’t help but ask “Why would a 24 year old dude want to use this?” Her response made me a fan for life. If I was to purchase a house, I’d have no clue how to decorate it. Lost is an understatement. Enter Avelist to save the day. By searching the social platform, I’d find every list ever created involving decorating a home, purchasing a home, etc. Basically a mom in your pocket :)

This type of service is essential for a naive 24 year old dude. Check out Avelist online or download the iOS / Android app. Create a list or search for others. Never be lost again!

What do you think about Avelist? Is it useful or are you a mental rockstar who doesn’t need lists? Let me know in comments or tweet me @APompliano.

PRISM: Why You Should Wait To Pass Judgement

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Credit to gizmodo.com

Credit to gizmodo.com

Privacy has traditionally been considered a sacred right of American citizens. Last week this widely-held perception came under scrutiny after media outlets used leaked documents to highlight PRISM, a NSA & FBI surveillance program.

The program isn’t just your normal “we are tracking bad guys” type intelligence gathering. Reports initially surfaced accusing the NSA and FBI of monitoring video or chat activity of US citizens and internet activity in foreign countries. The majority of information and data appears to be collected from the servers of 9 major internet companies. Names like Facebook, Yahoo, and Apple are included.

The whistleblower finally allowed news outlets to begin revealing his identity on Sunday. The 29 year old, Edward Snowden, is a former CIA employee and defense contractor who was assigned to the NSA. By stepping out of the shadows, Snowden thickened the plot.

So why shouldn’t we take initial reports for face value? The whistleblower usually makes a claim. The organization has a rebuttal full of claims. The truth almost always lies somewhere in-between the two stories. This story appears to be no different.

On Saturday James Clapper, the Director of National Intelligence, released a fact sheet on the PRISM program that included recently declassified information. The largest disclosure is that PRISM is not a “data-mining” program, but rather a system that manages foreign intelligence information that is collected under section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. According to the fact sheet, all three branches of government have oversight over the program – briefings and opinions are regularly derived from Congress, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, and multiple judiciary committees.

Without getting into too much detail, some surveillance is necessary. Government and law-enforcement leverage intelligence to pro-actively prevent terrorist attacks, among other threats. The polarizing debate is not whether intelligence should be derived from surveillance  but rather how much surveillance and what forms are appropriate.

media memeI caution everyone to refrain from jumping to conclusions about either side of this issue. The truth is somewhere in-between. Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely that the American public will ever know the full truth. Understanding facts is one thing, but having context and relevance can drastically change perceptions and reports. Continue paying attention. Learn as much as you can. Fight for our Constitutional rights. Weather the storm of information and find comfort in uncertainty.

In the words of a Persian Sufi poet – “This too shall pass”

 

What has been your initial reactions about the leaked documents regarding individual freedom on electronic communications? Has your mind changed after the fact sheet was released? Leave a comment or tweet me @APompliano!

Peter Thiel’s Advice For Startup Success

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Peter Thiel is the former cofounder of PayPal and a current VC. His high-profile endeavors have been extremely polarizing. In this short, 3 minute video, Thiel shares some great advice.

Do something uniquely well. Create value. Solve problems. Success is possible.

What do you do uniquely well? Tweet me @APompliano with your answer!

Entrepreneurship Can Help Solve Veteran Suicide Problem

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Yesterday I spent time with the local veteran community at the Google for Entrepreneurs event. Google sponsored the event alongside Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families.

It was amazing to see so many vets come out and express interest in entrepreneurship. These current or former soldiers wanted to create financial freedom, solve problems, or streamline their transition out of the service. The move from service member to civilian is grossly underrated.

This period of transition can be made more difficult if a soldier is wounded – either physically or mentally. Every day 22 of our countries bravest men and women commit suicide. 7 days a week. 52 weeks a year. We owe them so much more.

Entrepreneurship can be a piece of the solution. Many soldiers are lost and feel un-needed when they are left without a mission. By starting their own company, they regain a purpose. Go find success in a risky environment. Accomplish the mission. Sounds a lot like war. Good thing this battle is not life or death!

In 2012 veterans made up 6% of the total population in the United States, however over 13% of business owners were vets. These veterans are 3 times more likely to successfully start and sustain their businesses.

As the conflicts in the middle east wind down, more and more soldiers will return with the wounds of battle. By providing space, mentorship, training, and capital to our nation’s warriors, we can increase their propensity for success. The veteran community is filled with pride, discipline, and a desire to help one another. In no way are these men and women looking for a hand out. They need support and guidance – their fortitude, skills, and intelligence will do the rest.

Towards the end of the Google event, I sat on a panel and was the only vet. As I sat there I couldn’t help but feel an immense sense of pride for my veteran status. Each man and woman in that room who had served shared a special bond. I’m more convinced than ever that these soldiers who protected us in times of conflict will be the same individuals who create our economic success moving forward.

If you know a veteran, take the time to say “thank you” today. If they are interested in entrepreneurship, ask them how you can help or give them my email address. Together we can welcome these courageous soldiers back home. I’m in, are you?

In an effort to help current wounded warriors, I am raising $2,500 on my 25th birthday for the Wounded Warrior Project. It would mean the world to me if you contributed to the campaign here!