Justin Dawkins http://www.justindawkins.com Life snippets and ideas from a God fearing, startup CTO, marketer, seriel entrepreneur and wine enthusiast! Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:01:01 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Up Next http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/12/up-next/ http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/12/up-next/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:43:44 +0000 Justin http://www.justindawkins.com/?p=390 So it’s been awhile and I decided not to promise myself a certain amount of post in a certain amount of time. Instead I plan to work hard and when I’m compelled to write I will. The other difference is I won’t draft ANY messages. I’ll write till I’m done and then publish. With that said expect some imperfections in my writing and expect more scattered thoughts.

With that said let’s get right into it. Here’s what I’m working on and my one word sentiment!

  • Wrapping up the next iteration of DIGITALGUESTLIST (launch in January) – Stoked!
  • Producing A new web series… with a twist. Essentially I’m just cutting checks! LOL!! – Innovative
  • Writing and producing a short film called “Roaming” – Overdue
  • Continue to expand the jdawkinsatl Brand – Justified

You may have noticed that the list consists mostly of film/TV production. Well the truth is I’ve always loved film but because my passion is centered more around marketing them than making them, I rarely have time to actually create. Well that’s about to change. I have a great team on my side and we’ve decided to create a production company to produce an innovative web series  as well as a short film I’ve been working on for awhile now.

That’s it’ for now. I’m tired and I still  have a few things to knock out before hitting the bed (Written @ 11:45pm).

Good night and God Bless!

]]> http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/12/up-next/feed/ 0 Somebody had to say it… http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/12/somebody-had-to-say-it/ http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/12/somebody-had-to-say-it/#comments Thu, 08 Dec 2011 04:19:28 +0000 admin http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/12/somebody-had-to-say-it/

]]> http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/12/somebody-had-to-say-it/feed/ 0 Pandora got this one right! The Ryan Leslie radio station on Pandora may be one of the best stations for smooth listening. http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/06/pandora-got-this-one-right-the-ryan-leslie-radio-station-on-pandora-may-be-one-of-the-best-stations-for-smooth-listening/ http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/06/pandora-got-this-one-right-the-ryan-leslie-radio-station-on-pandora-may-be-one-of-the-best-stations-for-smooth-listening/#comments Sat, 25 Jun 2011 21:54:21 +0000 admin http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/06/pandora-got-this-one-right-the-ryan-leslie-radio-station-on-pandora-may-be-one-of-the-best-stations-for-smooth-listening/ http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/06/pandora-got-this-one-right-the-ryan-leslie-radio-station-on-pandora-may-be-one-of-the-best-stations-for-smooth-listening/feed/ 0 Meet Ms. A! She’s watching Yo Gaba Gabba http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/06/meet-ms-a-shes-watching-yo-gaba-gabba/ http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/06/meet-ms-a-shes-watching-yo-gaba-gabba/#comments Sat, 25 Jun 2011 21:30:33 +0000 admin http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/06/meet-ms-a-shes-watching-yo-gaba-gabba/

Wow! I think I’m going to blog about this a bit more later, but I had to say something while it was fresh on my mind. I’m at a wedding in Akuba’s hometown of Asheville, NC and I got to meet her baby cousin Ms. A. I took a few pictures and I was able to capture this image of Ms. A watching Yo Gabba Gabba on her father’s Android powered phone. Once I realized what she was doing I decided to ask her parents what else does Ms. A do on the phone. Apparently she: watches movies, plays drums and other activities on, get this, an ipad! “What!?!” That’s awesome! – Well get back into this a little later but what do you think about this form of digital learning and parenting?

]]> http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/06/meet-ms-a-shes-watching-yo-gaba-gabba/feed/ 0 Being a part of a lean start up http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/06/being-a-part-of-a-lean-start-up/ http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/06/being-a-part-of-a-lean-start-up/#comments Wed, 15 Jun 2011 05:30:01 +0000 admin http://www.justindawkins.com/?p=377 So Joe Womack, my CEO, decided that we should pivot and really focus on bringing additional value to our users. Of course I agree with this, but the how is more of a concern to me. Some time ago we decided to change things up a bit but could never figure out the what or the how. After some great discussion I realized that Joe  had fallen in love with the lean startup. At first I wasn’t sure if it was worth the energy or effort to pivot into something so unfamiliar, but after learning the basic benefits of the lean startup I decided to look into into it myself.

The fit was perfect. I had already read Rework so that material, so the materials found in the Lean Startup fit perfectly and quickly I hopped on board.  As CTO, I decided that it was a perfect fit for what we are trying to do. DIGITALGUESTLIST has always been a source for events, but to be honest we were having a hard time finding value in our 20K users. The lean startup methodology forces us to ask the right questions and allows us to discover the value for our users instead of guessing. That’s important to me considering we’ve tried several different things for the past few years with only nominal adoption. Joe and I had a few more conversations and with the Essence Festival coming up, we both concluded that this was a great opportunity to test our product for a live audience with real value.

So far developing for the pivot has been less steep than previous development so I’m already excited to see if Joe’s research pays off. The problem is I want to rebrand DGL right in the middle of the pivot and there simply isn’t enough time, period. Either way I look forward to the new methodology and to see what results we can produce. The big question is, have you tried the lean startup methodology? Do you think there are other industries that can benefit from the “Lean” concept? If so let me know in the comments.

]]> http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/06/being-a-part-of-a-lean-start-up/feed/ 0 Wow! Not Even A Happy New Year Tweet http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/03/wow-not-even-a-happy-new-year-tweet/ http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/03/wow-not-even-a-happy-new-year-tweet/#comments Tue, 01 Mar 2011 08:39:22 +0000 admin http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/03/wow-not-even-a-happy-new-year-tweet/ So… I can’t believe it’s been over 3 months since my last post. It’s weird but I think the way around this is to create shorter post. I have a major issue with trying to have complete thoughts so maybe I’ll just say what’s on my mind and keep it moving. Well here’s the quick update and then I’ll just get ready for the next post.

So here we go, THE update:

  • Akuba and I bought a home together
  • I’m headed to SxSW for the first time
  • I’m the busiest I’ve ever been
  • DIGITALGUESTLIST is on point to pivot
  • Social Saints is in the triple threat position and is set to pivot — We will be in the business of caring for widows and orphans.
  • I’m about to shoot my first short-film in a LONG time and I’m so stoked
  • … and the most trivial update: I lost about 10 pounds just by eliminating bread, pasta, white corn and potatoes from my diet (I miss french fries)

Wow that felt good. Look for updates on all of the above as well as some I intentionally left out.

God Bless and Cheers,
Justin

]]> http://www.justindawkins.com/2011/03/wow-not-even-a-happy-new-year-tweet/feed/ 0 Do You Remember? I do! http://www.justindawkins.com/2010/11/do-you-remember-i-do/ http://www.justindawkins.com/2010/11/do-you-remember-i-do/#comments Tue, 02 Nov 2010 21:36:56 +0000 Justin http://www.justindawkins.com/?p=371 One of the most frustrating things I’ve personally been faced with over the past few months is the idea that our President is doing a poor job. Apparently President Obama was supposed to turn this entire country around in less than 2 years. Since it hasn’t happened as fast as many thought it should, we’ve decided to start passing judgment on his performance, when we gave our last administration 8 years. Furthermore our last administration didn’t seem to get anything right, yet no one was yelling “impeachment,” When Bush left office, he left behind all the things we’re looking for the current administration to fix. Why is it so hard for people to give our system time to recoup. There is no magic wand or fairy dust so can we please give America, a very complicated system, the chance to reboot before we start pointing fingers. It took us 8 years to get in this mess, it’s going to take at least that long to get us out. We simply can’t go forward by moving backwards. Simply put let’s remember what got us in the mess and not make the same mistakes again.

Need more evidence? Check out this video montage. Yea it’s scripted but it doesn’t make it any less true.

]]> http://www.justindawkins.com/2010/11/do-you-remember-i-do/feed/ 0 The couple of the hour! http://www.justindawkins.com/2010/10/the-couple-of-the-hour/ http://www.justindawkins.com/2010/10/the-couple-of-the-hour/#comments Sun, 17 Oct 2010 02:31:36 +0000 Justin http://www.justindawkins.com/?p=369 So one of my best friends just got engaged and invited us out for a little sprinkle celebration!

]]> http://www.justindawkins.com/2010/10/the-couple-of-the-hour/feed/ 1 Quick Thought For The Day http://www.justindawkins.com/2010/07/quick-thought-for-the-day/ http://www.justindawkins.com/2010/07/quick-thought-for-the-day/#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:38:52 +0000 Justin http://www.justindawkins.com/2010/07/quick-thought-for-the-day/ You can either Throw STONES, Complain about them, Stumble on them, Climb over them or Build with them.

Which one will you pick?

]]> http://www.justindawkins.com/2010/07/quick-thought-for-the-day/feed/ 0 Oil Dependency Relief Via American Innovation and Entrepeurship http://www.justindawkins.com/2010/06/oil-dependency-relief-via-american-innovation-and-entrepeurship/ http://www.justindawkins.com/2010/06/oil-dependency-relief-via-american-innovation-and-entrepeurship/#comments Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:24:08 +0000 Justin http://www.justindawkins.com/?p=353 Can we achieve energy independence through American innovation and entrepreneurship? Yes, I know the answer to my questions but given the fact that our dependency has only increased over the past 50 years, I have to wonder if we’re truly capable. The fact that 8 USA Presidents have promised a solution, but NONE of them have successfully executed on a plan, is extremely disheartening and to be honest… disgraceful. Disgraceful as Americans and as a citizen of Humanity. Why can’t our leadership get this right?? Our children will suffer for our greed and inaction. Over the past 50 years promises have been made on both sides of the political isle and yet we’ve made no adequate progress. This is pathetic.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
An Energy-Independent Future
http://www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Don’t get it twisted. I love my country and I believe that we can accomplish anything we set our hearts and minds (not our wallets) out to do. Just consider this a rant. I’d rather discuss solutions than problems any day so; what do you think? Where does the power really live? Our government or through the innovation of American Entrepreneurs? How do we put REAL pressure on our government?

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