INCUBATE THIS!

So as fast as start-up companies have been popping up, incubators and accelerator programs are appearing out of thin air.

All though we have not launch yet, a lot of people are approaching Beau Exchange and we need a fairy tech mother to make sure we don't screw up. This week we are speaking with the incubator New Me, which is a cool program for minorities (ethnicity mostly direct African descent or Latin and women).

Really the two years in business school was enough but we really want to help of an expert and don't mine being in the lions den of all the lovely investors even if just to get our feet wet. We specifically has interest in New Me because it would be a great way to encourage others to start tech companies, create diversity in Silicon Valley and really provide opportunity for those with less access. If we blow up to be what so many expect us to, it would be great exposure for New Me as well.


With the different programs there to "help" you, the logically thought is well I choose a program that best fit my company culture, vision and overall good vibes. NO NO and ehhh NO. List below is what you should consider when approached or looking for an accelerator or incubator.

1. Do you research because incubators may have specific industries or technologies that they accept
2. Be prepared to leave home for a while (MAYBE) many of the programs are in California, London, Chile, Germany, Sweden and the average program is about four mouths. 
3. DO KNOW YOU COULD NEGOTIATE THE AGREEMENT! You do not have to accept the terms. If a program offer $40,000 for 10% of the company do know you don't have to accept that offer. I recommend a lawyer like ours SCJ Legal here in NYC.
4. Make sure you get your time with the mentors, advisers and even your peers.
5. Make sure you have all of the material they need for the application, for example two minute video, legal docs, or business plan. 
6. You have to understand that just because you are in a program does not guarantee that you are going to get investment and you're going to blowup into the next Youtube
7. If you are not going to use a program to help grow your company just have a group of advisers and cold call every person with money and a danger side.

NO DRINKING AND CODING, VERY DANGEROUS! AND OTHER LESSONS TO LEARN ON YOUR OWN

So I've have been blessed to have gotten a few years of experience before conducting my start-up and continue to find ways to learn in order to stay well rounded as a CEO.


Here are a few things I did to grow as a tech entrepreneur.

1. Ask an entrepreneur how to be an entrepreneur and also if they hate it, going mad, or living the dream
2. Join meetup groups to talk with others at the same stage as you in your start-up 
3. Cold email editors, venture capitalist, professors and anyone else for a meeting to ask a few questions you may need answered. The worst they could say is no and F*ck off.
4. If you don't know how to code, learn the basics. If you know how to code, learn business skills and marketing methods. Despite having partners that conduct specific role like our makeup of the fantastic three-o, you should still try to understand what your partner is somewhat talking about when she mention the functionality of Drupal 
5. Want to make money and learn different aspects of the industry? Do temp jobs at places like banks, law firms, insurance companies or even my route the New York Stock Exchange.
6. If you don't want to do temp work just get an internship. Cold email and call all the companies on your wish list and ask for an internship for a couple months. I've done it plenty of time. The worse they could say is "No we do not want free labor in return for teaching you something".
7. Turn off the Kardashians and watch documentaries that will help you better understand what you're getting yourself into, like "The Startup Kids" (which I watched again last night, I know I'm a dork). See the list HERE.

Everyone have their own journey to succeeding with their company, but one thing I know we all have in common is guts, hunger for glory and very little fear in the unknown. Stay focused, stay positive, and try to stay sane.

WOMANLY BOND: TECH IN COLOR EDITION

Black Female Tech Startup Entrepreneurs in NYC 

Had an amazing time with the bomb ladies of the meetup group. Beau Exchange hosted the first workshop with a great group of women from all over NYC at the Launch Pad in Brooklyn.

Things discussed

1. The challenges women of color face in working in a male dominated industry (we heard from the older women who have worked in tech since the early 90s and their experience over the years).
2. We heard of the need of more mentors to young girls of color who want to code and work in technology from Black Girls Code
3. We heard from Elizabeth Mwaga of Winning Diabetics on her journey as a serial entrepreneur 
4. We heard from Sung Jin Joo of SCJ Legal on basic things to know before starting your company 
5. Beau Exchange was honestly critics by the awesome duo Atim and Bonnie at Calabar Imports in Brooklyn

And the women really just engaged as a think tank, where we were able to refine our ideas and business models with great breakfast from Lazy Ibis. 

Major heavy hitters in all industries meet frequently in think tanks to make up the work we live in. There should be more think tanks among women and minorities so we too could shape our community's futures. I personally feel bless to have that moment in time with those women and to embrace each other as creative minds willing to grow.

Thank you to the women I got to experience for my whole Saturday. It was well worth it. I guess I get my hair washed Tuesday then. 

Social Media Over Kill? I think NOT... Okay Maybe.

So as we got things moving with Beau Exchange we have developed so many social media profiles. Stephanie as marketing diva have maintained our social networks as the CEO (muah) have found new ways to tinker with things to the point of annoyance (Sorry Steph!) If you are not on the cutting edge of social media then you are not HOT (Paris Hilton voice). But when does being on too many platforms occur? 

It seems like our society have become virtual life obsess to the point where people are living as avatars 24/7 and don't remember what sunlight looks like anymore. I think it is important to be a second wave mover in these types of situations. Wait for the social media platform to become a tool proven to benefit business for more major corporations like +Vogue or +Sephora, then take time to create your masterpiece of a profile.    

As a small company, time is money and money is scarce until you reach your start-up mecca. You have to use your man power, time and reputation wisely. There are main platforms that really are working for us. See the list of Social Media connections Beau Exchange has below. 

Beau Exchange Social Media Platforms 

• Linked In 
• Twitter
• FaceBook 
• Instagram 
• Google Plus (SOON) 
• Youtube (SOON) 
• Pinterest 
• And for Investors Angel List 

DO AS THE ROMANS DO, BUT WITH GLITTER!!

In order to become what you desire, you must surround yourself with those people you look up to, but you have to be yourself in order to (1) be comfortable with your own existence and (2) stand out as a genuine human being with character. In better words... Do as the Romans do, but with glitter. Don't be afraid to be yourself and definitely don't be concerned about judgement.

Networking is about learning what you can, sharing what you know and working on a common goal.

Since Beau Exchange is based in NYC we have access to many other start ups and not so start up anymore companies like HUGE, Gilt Groupe and Etsy. Lucky for us we are also in the middle of the fashion industry, so we could embrace and mingle with the Mark Zuckerbergs of the world, just in Tom Ford suits.

Here is a like of conferences to consider in NYC.

1. Tech Week
2. Internet Week
3. Decoded Fashion
4. Social Media Week
5. NY Tech Summit 
6. Interop New York 
   
     

We also took it upon ourselves to have a meetup group of like minded women of color in the tech industry so we could embrace the different experiences, stories and ideas.

We organize Black Female Tech Startup Entrepreneurs in NYC (I know long, but it is as clear as day). We have over thirty member and growing strong. This is a great way for networking, sharing skills and building friendships in the industry. If you can't find them, let them find you.

YOUR INNER TECH SOCIALITE, CODING AND CHANEL! Not an it Girl, an IT Girl.

Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, Olivia Palermo... Blah!

Before the hot event was New York Fashion Week now its New York Tech Week. Imagine it's now the nerds with high IQs that everyone want to be around.

Although there have been an increase in women within the tech industry their actual roles have been the same. Very few in the media are displayed as engineers, tech entrepreneurs or CEO of venture capitalist firms. I have met plenty of women who code, collect data, invent technology and started companies, but you really don't hear of them.

This is why we have to find our inner diva and make a grand entrance where ever you go. At every event Beau Exchange use to stick out like a striped giraffe so we gave them something to look at.



What you need to be a Tech Socialites

1. Send a press release to everyone (tech, fashion, women and social publications)
2. Ask for sit downs with anyone worth giving you advice (you just might make a new friend)
3. Blog and tweet for your LIFE!
4. Go to events Tech, Fashion, Art doesn't matter. Meet different people from all over and get inspiration
5. You don't have to be masculine to fit in the tech world, bringing some feminine touches to the industry is exactly what it needs. There is nothing wrong with being the new wave of pin girls (smart, sexy and could hang with the guys)
6. Make nice with the media (major hitters, smaller hitters and bloggers a like) They can teach you a thing or two and they are your frenemy 
7. Stand your ground ladies and let some underestimate you, that could be a dangerous thing for your doubter when you smack them with success
8. Donate your skills to charities, its a great way to showcase what you could do, display how you love the kids and get you to meet potential investors who happen to be heavy charity donors as well

Ladies you are strong, you are invisible and you are all woman! Go code that bi-atch!

When Web Building Goes Wrong

Lessons for finding and working with a developer

If you cannot code yourself this is for you

1. Make sure you see more than three samples of work
2. Test the developer on various aspects of coding that will prove they are capable of doing the job
3. Make sure the developer is not an arrogant person unless they could get the job done with flying colors 
4. Have a partner that understand everything the developer is talking about or a consultant or friend that could help you out.
5. Give the developer a deadline and expect some cushion but not months
6. Make sure you have a work to hire and IP agreement for the developers so they can't take all of the work done if they decide to leave.

We have learned many lessons and not on the right track with a great development team that was less money (go figure), but I recommend taking a coding class so you know the basics. 

Try these sites to fine a good developer for your site.

http://www.designquote.net

www.i-tul.com

www.angel.co