Introduction
The entrepreneur's journey is rewarding.
And the reality is it's extremely challenging as well.
How can you assure that your venture reaches its pinnacle? That key question sparked a forward thinking vision. Imagine an online community where….
- inspiration is abundant
- motivation is contagious
- answers flow freely
- solutions promise exceptional value
- expression of successes and failures are welcome
- networking is fun and effective
- resources are accessible and worth your time
Enter Todd Hanson, a successful intraprenuer, entrepreneur and founder of Catalyst Performance Group, a people performance management company and his team of innovative intrapreneurs. Todd and his team know the thrill as well as the pain endured by entrepreneurs and are driven by a desire to empower people to deliver exceptional business results.
The result of this desire - VenturePORT.org™, a Web-based destination that brings incredible resources to entrepreneurial-minded individuals.
We hope that you will Join the Journey!
VenturePORT.org™
Online Outfitter for the Entrepreneur's Journey
Let us know what drives you – info@ventureport.org
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About This Site
It's tough enough to start a business when you're 40 or 50 with lots of experience; it's even a greater challenge when you're young. Chances are, you don't have the business experience, money, or network of contacts of your older counterparts. Ventureport.org™ can help people of all ages who want to start a business but is particularly geared for young people who rarely have the experience, contacts, or financing potential of entrepreneusrs starting out later in life.
Ventureport.org™ is here to give you a head start by:
- Providing the information and insight you need to make it happen
- Helping you avoid the mistakes of others before you
- Creating a community of like-minded people with whom you can make the journey.
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The Information You Need, When You Need it
Ventureport.org™ is designed for people who have to learn on demand. We're here when you need us with:
- Authoritative, to-the-point how-to and reference information on almost any relevant topic from money to employees;
- The ability to opt-in to receive ongoing information on areas of particular interest through our unique search engine;
- Hand-selected links to books, newsletters, Web sites, blogs, Forums, videos—anything that can help equip you for the journey;
- The ability to put up your own Profile and search Profiles of others to create like-minded people with whom to share information;
- Forums where you can turn to get help on specific issues from designated experts.
VenturePORT.org™ includes a unique search engine that gives all participants not only the ability to find information, resources, and connections on demand, but the ability to opt-in to receive information precisely on the topics and from the senders they choose.
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About the Founders
Todd Hanson, President
Todd offers 20+ years of experience helping organizations achieve people performance goals. Todd began his career as an award-winning sales representative for a global leader in agricultural chemicals. Next, he was a top performing sales executive, a manager of sales professionals and a key management executive and owner of a top ten performance improvement, incentive and meeting planning provider with sales exceeding $100,000,000.
He brings personal experience in product launches, corporate reorganizations, marketing communications strategy and fulfillment, web-site strategy and development, sales and non-sales incentives, channel partner campaigns, medical symposia, training meetings, sales meetings, events, team-building programs, board meetings and technology solutions for events, awards and communications.
Tracy Buzzell, VenturePORT Project Manager
Tracy offers 20 years of business and organizational development experience in for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Tracy began his career working for specialty retailers such as Nike and Barnes & Noble, in both single unit and multi-unit management capacities. Tracy has spent the last three years of his career working in the nonprofit sector, specializing in program development, entrepreneurship, and financial education - all for young adults aged 13 through college-age.
He brings personal experience in sales, management, merchandising, marketing, human resources, business planning, program development, and project management, with proven abilities in building customer and community relationships. Tracy is an active volunteer in regional small business centers, as well as the Junior Achievement Company Program.
Rebecca Ackermann, VenturePORT Resource Manager
Rebecca received her Bachelor's of Science in Business Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She is currently teaching in a local High School as a secondary business & information technology teacher with classes such as Computer Applications, Personal Finance, and Entrepreneurship. Many of her classes have partnerships with business volunteers through Junior Achievement which allows her students to create connections with the classroom and real-life business experiences. Besides her work in the classroom, she is also the co-advisor of the student business group Future Business Leaders of America.
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About the Writers
Bruce Bolger has founded six companies, all of which remain in business today. He tried to start his first business right out of collage at the age of 22—an alternative weekly in his home county in suburban N.Y. He failed to raise the necessary money. He since started a newspaper in the airline industry for an entrepreneurial investor, and later founded a media company, trade show, and technology companies under the names of Selling Communications Inc. and Solata. He is a founder of the Forum for People Performance Management and Measurement, a research foundation affiliated with the department of Integrated Marketing Communications at the Medill School of Northwestern University.
William Keenan Jr. is a freelance business writer and editor. He has worked in publishing since 1979, serving as managing editor of Sales & Marketing Management magazine, editor of Selling magazine, and editorial director for Alexander Communications Group, a business and technical newsletter publisher. He has also written or compiled three books, including Human Resources: A Guide for Management (Research Institute of America), Commissions, Bonuses, and Beyond: A Guide to Sales Compensation (Probus Publishing), and The Sardine Factory (Lehbar-Friedman Books).
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