What I learned from the Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference 2011 (BCERC)

I had the amazing opportunity to present my research on the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamic (PSED) at Syracuse University this past week. The BCERC is one of the most prestigious entrepreneurship conferences in the world. I was very humbled to have had such thoughtful and provoking feedback from my paper on cultural capital and start-up financing. And you can imagine, I definitely has something controversial to say, so testing the waters out for feedback was great. Also participating in the 2011 doctoral consortium was one of the most amazing experiences ever. I had great conversations with so many editors regarding the “keys” to getting you paper published. I guess the litmus test for any academic is the “Dam” or “Duh” test. If you go to write a paper or research a topic, if its not “interesting” its not gonna get published. So maybe it is a good thing I like being controversial. Lets see how long it takes to get my Babson 2011 paper published. Also interesting was the though of entrepreneurship research as a method by Saras. In her article with Venkat, the make an argument that entrepreneurship is analogous to the scientific method spelled out by Francis Bacon. Which has serious implications for how we do our future research and inquiry into our field. On a lighter note, I also learned that academics like dive bars and free food at receptions. Go figure. And the Syracuse mascot loves to socialize. Until next year at TUC Babson friends!

Indiana Windfarms Home to Almost 1000 Turbines

Anyone driving on Interstate 65 (I-65) north towards Chicago through Indiana can’t help but notice the plethora windmills lining the terrain north of Lafayette, IN. If you are driving at speed limit, you are easily surrounded by a sea of windmills for about 30 minutes, at least.

On my last trip to Chicago this week, I could not help but to try to estimate the total number of protruding windmills across the plains of north central Indiana. Yet my best guess was no where close to the actual number of turbines in current operation. According to wikipideia.com (and my calculations) there are about 864 wind turbines between the Benton County Wind Farm and Fowler Ridge Wind Farm lining I-65. Consequently, Indiana is home to the largest wind farm complex in the Midwest.

There is much contention on whether the turbines are a benefit or cost to the rural communities of north central Indiana. The Indiana Law Blog provides a good summary of both positions: pro and con for the wind turbines. However, it appears that the plans for turbines are not ceasing. The Indiana Law Blog reports that and plans for more commercial turbines are in the works. So, as long as environmentally conscious opportunist entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs continue to see value in north central Indiana, it will likely remain home to the largest complex of Wind Farms in the Midwest.

The Biltmore Hotel and it’s Haunts

The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, FL has a notable history. A luxury hotel Designed by Schultze and Weaver and built in 1926 by John McEntee Bowman and George Merrick, the Biltmore hotel embodied the height of the Florida land boom. When completed, it was the tallest building in Florida, surpassing the Freedom Tower in Downtown Miami. It was surpassed in 1928 by the Dade County Courthouse, also in Downtown Miami.

The Biltmore quickly positioned itself as the premier luxury destination. However, during World War II, the government converted it to serve as a hospital and subsequently as a VA Hospital and campus of the University of Miami’s first medical school until 1968. In 1973, through the Historic Monuments Act and Legacy of Parks program, the City of Coral Gables gained ownership of The Biltmore. Yet, The Biltmore remained unoccupied for almost 10 years because the city was unsure how to move forward with the use and restoration of the building. Then in 1983, the City oversaw its full restoration to be opened to it’s original grandeur. And fifty five million dollars later, The Biltmore opened on December 31, 1987 as a first class hotel and resort.

There are some reports that claim this hotel to be “haunted”. As a local Miamian, you hear the stories of The Biltmore 13th floor being plagued by ghosts. I mean, if you go to The Biltmore, and press the 13th floor, the elevator doesn’t stop and does not move to the floor. I remember trying to get into the 13th floor when I was in high school after a day at beach. We tried pressing the button but it did not function, and we knew the floor was there. Then we tried climbing up the stairs to the 13th floor, and only being able to pull the stair way door agar enough to peek in because it was secured by some for of latch on the inside. You just feel this weird energy standing by the stairway trying to enter the 13th floor. The door was uncommonly cold (mind you it was a hot Florida day).

Yet, not a lot of people know the history of the 13th floor. The most famous ghost of The Biltmore who is often blamed for the tall tales coming from the 13th floor. Thomas “Fatty” Walsh, a gangland type individual who ran an illicit casino for mobsters and the social elite in the 1920s on the 13th floor. Another gangster shot him to death one evening with the casino full of guests. So as you can see, since many hotels are superstitious to begin, The Biltmore history definitely has reason to be. Patrons often report “Fatty” stopping the elevator and employees report “Fatty” roaming the halls of the 13th floor.

The most famous guest story was that of a couple who go separated by the elevator. The story tells of a lady and her husband who tried to get off on the 4th floor, but the elevator took them to the suite on the 13th floor. The door opened into the foyer of the suite, and continued to stay open for several minutes, not responding to the attempts of the couple to get the elevator to take them back down. Curious, the woman stepped out into the foyer. The doors immediately slammed closed and the elevator descended back to the lobby with the husband. He got help from the hotel staff. When they arrived back at the 13th floor, the woman was very frightened. She had heard someone moving around in the dark room, small objects falling to the floor, and laughing. She smelled cigar smoke (“Fatty” loved his stogies), and it was very cold.

Jet Setting

I always thought that I wanted a job in which I could travel. But when your personal life starts to catch up with your work, and you find yourself flying every weekend, it’s not so exciting. For the last three weeks I have been to Miami twice, and D.C. for work. And then I have another trip to Chicago coming up in about a week. I feel like I have been spending more time sitting window seat and eating peanuts than one would reasonably like. I guess as Far East Movement would say “I’m so fly, like” – the exit row seat? Little known fact, I always request it because you usually have more leg room, despite it being unreasonably loud to to the jet engines. My favorite delayed stories thought were (a) my flight had no flight attendant, and (b) we had no one qualified to drive the plane to the gate on an active taxi way (and what about the pilot, is he not qualified). I wonder what’s the next excuse, we lost the plane? So hopefully this whirlwind traveling will be done soon. I just want to be in my own bed for a whole weekend again. I think I forgot how it feels to have a lazy weekend.

Capitol-izing on Capitalism

I’m not gonna lie I love D.C. But, Washington, D.C. is one of the most contradictory cities in our nation. You walk the streets of Georgetown and can’t help but notice all the cultured, fashionable people roaming around. Saturday mornings, the Dean and Deluca line spills out to M street with cyclists, students, politicians, World Bank economists, IMF bankers, and lobbyists alike. A stroll through the city blocks reveals well manicured row houses and pedestrians wearing go green D.C. shirts every where you turn. It’s and understatement to say that D.C. society is a conscious well informed cultural group of high status people (well around Georgetown at least).

Yet a few neighborhoods away the stark reality of existence penetrates deep. Despite it’s educated and fashionable facade, Washington, D.C. is one of the largest and most violent urban regions in the United States. In the 1990’s, D.C was the murder capital of the U.S. In present day America, the Washington Metropolitan Area is home to some of the largest and most notorious gang population. Violent crime is a daily occurence in D.C. and its immediately surrounding areas of Maryland and Virginia. Despite, the home of our country’s leader being a few blocks up the street, violence remains salient.

I often sit and wonder how my experience of D.C. would differ I had experienced and related more readily to the dark side of D.C. and not the stuffy high society side. In all honesty, I am just another outsider looking into a world I’d never be accepted as a part of. Yet high society, power, poverty and violence seem to coexist quiet harmoniously in the nation’s capitol. I think it represents a stark metaphor of the deficiencies in modern industrial capitalist society.

Viva Las Vegas

Honestly, I never thought myself to possibly be a fan of Vegas. But I must admit I really enjoyed spending Labor Day Weekend for a bachelorette celebration. They best part about the trip was it was Restaurant Week. I had the opportunity to enjoy some of Vegas’ finest dinning at great prices. Yet my favorite place was ‘Wichcraft, Tom Colicchio’s (Top Chef Host/Judge) amazing gourmet sandwich shop. I think I ate almost everything on the menu. So good! However, word to the wise, two nights is about my Vegas fill. See you soon Camp Vegas, I’ll be back.

Bet your bottom dollar you’ll lose the blues in Chicago, Chicago.

Growing up as a child of MTV, I remember in 1991 when Perry Farrell, from James Addiction conceived Lollapalooza. Unfortunately, I think I was in second grade, and despite developing a high degree of cultural appreciation for alternative rock, there was no feasible way I would be able to attend. So I would eagerly follow updates and info on the tour, waiting for my moment to come. And finally, this year, the universal forces aligned and I was finally able to be a part of this two decade old tradition. A lot has changed from it’s conception, but it’s spirit remains true. It remains an outlet for new budding artists to showcase their potential for stardom to the world. Case in fact was Lady Gags’s wild antics at the BMI stage (e.g., crowd surfing  naked during Semiprecious Weapons). It was that very stage were in 2007 were Lady Gaga first debuted her eccentric style (see pics). However, her performance received scathing reviews. So, whats the lesson to be learned, do listen to the critics (what do they really know anyway), and evaluate performers by their passion. Passion for their art is what separates one hit wonders, from stars.