The life of an entrepreneur can be cold, cruel, and lonely. But have no fear – Big Ooga is here.
My oft-time collaborator and sometimes client Lennie Rose launched the Big Ooga in October, 2008. Big Ooga is a fantastic new online business model that enables entrepreneurs to find help and/or market themselves. Just as important, Big Ooga promises to be a community where we can build deep and enduring business relationships. In Lennie’s words –
The Big Ooga™ is a pre-qualified, referral-based resource designed to connect entrepreneurs with the companies they need to succeed. Filled with treasured referrals and tried and true companies, the Big Ooga™ is the perfect place to find your people and get found by the people who need you.
Check out the Big Ooga blog!
The Big Ooga blog is off and running as well, so please wander over and take a look. Lennie has lots to say about the entrepreneurial life and the challenges of small business.
Think global, buy local
Big Ooga believes in the concept of doing business locally whenever possible. Right now, the focus is on the Chicagoland market. If you live in the area and want to give your business a lift by trying something new and exciting … register your company now. I’ve known Lennie for a few years now and work with her frequently. She’s got the heart of a lion, the wisdom of an owl, the energy of a … what I’m trying to say is, if anybody can help you promote your business, it’s Lennie!
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As I said in Twitter, I really like the idea of this. I love the local focus. Work local and keep it vested in our own community! That’s not the only way, obviously, but doing that has been the key to many of our successes.
I look forward to seeing this grow.
Kim, thanks for the support (as I said in Twitter
) The whole idea of “think global, buy local” is how we are going to turn the corner and get business moving in a positive direction. We are learning, I hope, that bigger is not always better.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Exciting New Resource for Chicago Entrepreneurs
Brad,
What a fascinating concept! Best wishes to Lennie for its long-term success — and to all the entrepreneurs who join!
Jeanne
Hi Jeanne, One day soon the Big Ooga may be setting up shop in southern California, so stay tuned!
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Exciting New Resource for Chicago Entrepreneurs
I will definitely check it out – Great timing for me as I am new to Chicago..fortunately I can live anywhere and still run my business. I appreciate you sharing this information. I retweeted the info from Kim and posted it on Facebook – we must help each other.
Michelle, Thanks so much! I saw your RT and it was nice of you to do it. Your business model is a good one for these times – hope you are doing well! And welcome to Chicago. It’s a great city and the people are the best.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Exciting New Resource for Chicago Entrepreneurs
Hi Brad,
Thank you so much for sending out these positive vibes about Big Ooga. I’m so lucky to have met you. You keep inspiring me.
Dear Michelle, Jeanne & Kim,
Thank you for your enthusiastic reception! I can’t agree more that lifting each other makes all the difference. I’m such a believer in keeping local communities strong so that we keep building those solid foundations. If there is anything I can do to make your journey better – or things on the site you think we can improve – then by all means – let it rip! I welcome your opinions, observations and feedback.
Lennie/Brad,
It sounds like a wonderful initiative, which will no doubt provide valuable assistance to new entrepreneurs within the Chicago area.
Newbie entrepreneurs cannot do it all themselves and no doubt require the services of a range of individual professionals in a variety of areas to provide the necessary services to assist them in getting their venture up and running.
Although I have never had this experience myself, I could imagine that the process of finding reliable suppliers who can be trusted to fulfill this need and deliver service of a consistently high standard would be a considerable challenge, and many new entrepreneurs would not know where to get started or how to find such people.
By virtue of the review process performed by Big Omar prior to allowing businesses to list their services, the concept will no doubt provide valuable assistance to new entrepreneurs within the Chicago area, who can then proceed to utilize the services of those listed with a high degree of confidence with respect to professionalism and quality standards.
Sounds like an extremely valuable resource for entrepreneurs in Chicago, as well as to other part of your country if and when the service is expanded as planned.
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Brad, this sounds like a wonderful resource for entrepreneurs and I love the name! Chicago is a great starting point – so much talent resides in that market. I wish Lennie all the best!
Andrew, Yes, there is power in numbers, and when entrepreneurs and small businesses get together, they can be a formidable force in the market. If Big Ooga is successful, it will accomplish just that.
Karen, Thanks for the encouragement. Maybe Detroit should be next – what do you think?
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Exciting New Resource for Chicago Entrepreneurs
You get it! Put all of the great entrepreneurs in one place, make them easy to be found, keep it real and accountable so others can benefit and boost the chances for small companies to succeed without wasting their precious time & money. Thank you so much for your encouragement. If we can build the Big Ooga in Chicago, we can build it in Detroit and many great cities to come. Please feel free to visit, stay, noodle, contribute and let’s find a way for us to contribute to you! Rock on.
I really like the idea of ‘Think Global, buy Local’. Bringing a sense of community to a local area can only help each other succeed.
Data points, Barbara
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Hi Barbara, Thanks for stopping by. I know Lennie is very committed to the “Think global, buy local” concept, and it seems as though she has a lot of company. No matter how virtually connected we are, there are times when being close, and being face to face, really matter.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Exciting New Resource for Chicago Entrepreneurs
Hi Barbara,
I think of it as reaching across the street to strengthen the ability to reach across the world. We all need a home to come home to and to come from a vital neighborhood so we can make the contributions and achieve the aspirations we were intended to fulfill. Thank you for adding your voice to this conversation.