Cox Business Proves Whatever Happens In Vegas Doesn’t Stay In Vegas: #GetStartedLV

Killer group!

Whoever said, “Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” doesn’t know twitter or social media, especially when Cox Business and Inc. Magazine are involved. If you have been following me via social media you know I was in Las Vegas last week courtesy of Cox Business for an event called Get Started Las Vegas at the Palms Hotel and Casino. First, can I tell you how much I love my job?

So true… #GetStartedLV @Inc @coxbusiness pic.twitter.com/qyWK8Tn9Ix

— Vincent Orleck (@Vin_Orleck) September 26, 2014

Vegas Cox VP Derrick Hill chatting up #getstartedlv with @KTNV pic.twitter.com/zk1y6lOjOV

— Todd Smith (@toddpr) September 26, 2014

It is obvious that I have a long history with Las Vegas from writing for Travelvegas.com, playing my pussies (cats) at the MGM, massaging, rocking, UFC’ing, KOMPing, and ICJUK’ing and now tweeting from the Palms for #GetStartedLV. You are all also familiar with my love of the Shark Tank and my post about creating my very own Snark Tank: Bull’s Eye vs. Bullsh*t (which I will get to as soon as I am in the same zip code long enough to set up my tripod and record myself). The Cox Business Get Started events are similar to a shark tank, happen all around the country and will probably be coming to a city near you. If you are a small business, entrepreneur (like myself) and looking for funding or just looking for exposure then you need to be aware of these events. We all want the American Dream and Cox Business is giving you the opportunity to achieve just that with your small business ideas. They give budding entrepreneurs the chance to make their dreams come true by giving small businesses a forum to “Network. Learn. Pitch” plus the chance to earn a huge check (both in size and amount)!

Social Media is truly a heaven sent for me. Not only has it given me many opportunities with my Startup but I have met others who share the same passion for the industry. Honored to have been chosen by Martin Jones as an Influencer for this event. He is what social media is all about and was recently named top 100 Small Business Influencers. Martin assembled 10 Influencers from Phoenix and Southern California with varied backgrounds to attend and tweet about this event. Each of the Influencers share a passion social media and come from varied backgrounds reaching many different types of people. This is the most brilliant part of it all. Social media is important to everyone no matter your passion and with each of us we were able to reach that many more people. Prior to the event, I was included in a group of social media Influencers on Facebook and with that invite we are all now RL friends. That is the power of social media and it is remarkable. When meeting Tim Washer, he said that “if we are friends on Facebook we are now friends in RL” and that is the truth.

Social friends together for a great event for startups in Las Vegas… That’s #PowerOfSocial thanks #GetStartedLV pic.twitter.com/A7fzmcgavb — Brian Fanzo (@iSocialFanz) September 26, 2014

I was excited to meet Tim, as he is a comedy writer, host and public speaker with an impressive background including studying improv under Amy Poehler. He kicked off the Get Started Las Vegas event and set the tone for the evening. Everyone always says humor blogging is tough and I agree but if it was easy everyone would be doing it and I am not everyone. 

Creating a successful Startup is tough and as Tim said “Follow the Fear” plus these nuggets of knowledge….

@timwasher looooved your intro: 1)there is order in chaos; 2)the herald; 3)follow the fear #getstartedLV — Sarah Evans (@prsarahevans) September 26, 2014

“Failure is part of the creative process” – @timwasher #GetStartedLV — Paige (@MissSoucie) September 26, 2014

The night was filled with passionate presentations from 5 finalists selected from over 30 submissions. Each presentation was only 2.5 minutes and I don’t know about you but 2.5 minutes is not enough time to do most things let alone deliver a passionate pitch that is concise and well thought out. But, these presenters did just that. In addition, they each had to answer tough questions from the judges about everything ranging from profitability to business plans.

Nothing quite like the passion of entrepreneur pitching an idea that comes from their heart. #GetStartedLV — Martin Jones (@martinjonesaz) September 26, 2014

Every pitch is not created equal and neither is every judge. But, the panel kept these presenters on their toes. Side note. If you were a judge what kind would you be?

What kind of Judge would you be on a panel like the shark tank aka #GetStartedLV – I would be Marc Cuban- ishy #snarky #startups — MelanysGuydlines ® (@Melanyb12) September 26, 2014

VC’s are asking themselves, “Are we convinced this could be a BILLION dollar company?” Design your pitch to speak to that. #GetStartedLV — Michael R. Hunter (@michaelrhunter) September 26, 2014

I think Josh Linker who is a business leader, tech entrepreneur, top rated key note speaker, and author of not one, but two New York Times best sellers may have said it best…

The act of #entrepreneurship is a full contact sport.” – @joshlinkner #GetStartedLV pic.twitter.com/kigfk6ujA2 — Kimberly Reynolds (@KimReynolds) September 26, 2014

This is the truth. It is not easy. Starting a company is not easy but taking advantage of these types of events and constantly learning each day enables entrepreneurs to have a leg up on the competition. Sometimes, it is best just to listen and learn because you never know what types of knowledge falls from the universe or twitter-verse.

The 5 chosen companies ranged from Design by Numbers offering an affordable approach to Interior Design, EM Shield that develops products to reduce radiation from devices such as cell phones and laptops, Sharetown which offers a convenient way to rent or share goods with others to earn income, Its On Me as the coolest new way to send a gift in real time, and Michaela’s Decadent Desserts cake pushers. It was hard to choose the winner but some of the favorites were …

Its On Me

I like that @ItsOnMe supports brick and mortar biz! Plus- it’s on you and not me! #GetStartedLV @coxbusiness #startup — MelanysGuydlines ® (@Melanyb12) September 26, 2014

and

Sharetown won the crowd favorite at the #GetStartedLV event http://t.co/s8I1XwIZlI great article by @LasVegasSun — sharetown (@sharetowninc) September 26, 2014

But the big check went to EM Shield, which protects us all from exposure from harmful wireless radiation! Congratulations to them and all of the other presenters.

Thanks to @martinjonesaz and the cool Phoenix/Las Vegas bloggers who lit up social media supporting #GetStartedLV!! pic.twitter.com/kQKO2b6P8j — Ken Kraft (@k2atlanta) September 26, 2014

I am witnessing history for these small businesses! The exposure is winning enough. Support startups! #GetStartedLV by @coxbusiness @Inc — MelanysGuydlines ® (@Melanyb12) September 26, 2014

You can follow and see all of the tweets from this event when searching #GetStartedLv. Get Started is off to Rhode Island this week. Do you think you have what it takes?

Stay tuned… and follow Cox Business, as they will likely be coming to a city near you. Remember all of the businesses are winners just by throwing their hat in the ring. Thanks to Cox for recognizing the importance of small businesses and including me in these inspiring and educational events that will undoubtedly change all of these companies and peoples lives for good….including my own!

Successful brands have a responsibility to empower small, growing businesses. I <3 @coxbusiness & @inc teamed up to help. #GetStartedLV — Heather Dopson (@heatherdopson) September 26, 2014

And remember this…

What makes you stand out? Don’t be boring- be dramatic- stand out! #GetStartedLV — MelanysGuydlines ® (@Melanyb12) September 26, 2014

**Stay snarky my friends!**