Updates from January, 2010


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    5 Reasons I Use Skribit

    Justin 3:08 am on January 25, 2010 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: skribit, social

    Ok, I’m just going to put it out there! Writing for a personal blog, consistently, is likely one of the most challenging task of my online life. Between my to-do list, ongoing projects, staying connected with friends and family and answering email, I rarely have the time needed to consistently produce quality content for my blog. Add in the fact that it’s hard to come up with topics and my blog is often a content disaster. Though the first set of excuses are completely on me, there is a solution to the second on. Enter Skribit.  At its core Skribit is a tool that enables you to take suggestions for your blog or website and manage those recommendations in one spot. It also lets you see what the rest of the web is planning to write about, keeping you abreast of trending topics and possibly inspiring your next blog post. Now there are quite a few other features that make Skribit great but I’ll leave that up to the tour. Now the site does a great job of revealing its features but I didn’t want miss the opportunity to tell you why I use Skribit!

    5 Reasons Why I Use Skribit

    1. It’s really helpful- Though I only have a few hundred unique visitors per month, the suggestion box seems to be a place for the “regulars” to voice their opinions about what I should write about next.
    2. Easy to use – I literally installed the Skribit widget in about 30 seconds. Once I did, I immediately shared it with friends and family to see if there was anything I should write about (since I cover such a wide range of topics). Another idea is to add a link to your Skribit blog profile into the signature of your emails and/or email marketing messages.
    3. Flexible – I imagine that the team over at Skribit’s initial idea was for bloggers, but the service can really be used for just about anything. In just a few minutes you can integrate it on websites, Facebook profiles (tricky but doable), corporate blogs or any other site you may create original content for. I suppose it’s up to you.
    4. The team – Paul Stamatiou, Lance and the rest of the Skribit team are great people. Lance has given me quite a few pointers on a couple of my startups and Paul is just a good guy to know in the Atlanta (always in the know).
    5. It’s an Atlanta startup – Skribit is an Atlanta based startup and is one of a handful of startups still in active development from Atlanta’s Startup Weekend. Though I believe you can build a great startup anywhere, I do believe in supporting Atlanta based startups, so if not for the other 4 reasons I would support them because they’re based in Atlanta alone.

    Well have you signed up yet? If not check it out and let me know your thoughts. Oh and feel free to suggest something… my Skribit widget is located on the left.

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    Treat Charity Like Business

    Justin 2:59 pm on December 26, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: philanthropy

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    Bored? Gomodo helps you quickly find something to do!

    Justin 8:32 pm on November 22, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: #asw3, , , gomodo, gomodo.me, GPS, mobile, , venture, web applications

    So it’s around 9pm on a Thursday evening and the movie 2012 just let out. The problem is you left the house with incomplete plans for the evening, so you ask yourself; “What should I do now?” This is a problem that plagues us all, and an even bigger problem for groups. Enter Gomodo!

    Gomodo is a location aware web application that helps you quickly find things to do near you. Essentially Gomodo gives you a list of events near you based on the GPS location of your mobile device. Simple right?

    Gomodo was designed and developed during Startup Weekend in Atlanta! The concept behind Gomodo came from one of our co-founders Jay Cuthrell, when he explained how he sometimes leaves the house without anything to do, but knows he wants to do something. After debating back and forth on how to solve the problem Jay, Clay and I decided to build what is now Gomodo. The team is a really solid group with a long history in the internet and startup space, so I’m confident that we can continue to mold Gomodo into something useful and fun!

    At the time of this post Gomodo is designed to work best on the iPhone (or iPod touch), with a very simple web version available for others. If you’re on a blackberry, don’t worry, we’re working on a solution for you too! The team is currently tossing around some additional ideas while expanding the search nationwide (sorry only available in the U.S…. for now) so give it a try and tell us what you think. If Gomodo helps you find something fun to do, tell them Gomodo sent you!

    -Enjoy

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    The top 7 things I'm looking forward to over the next 365 days!

    Justin 12:48 pm on November 9, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: birthday wish, bizzyness, entreneurship, , ,

    Happy birthday to me… happy birthday to me… happy birthday to Jdot (that’s me)… happy birthday to me! LOL!! Ok I promise no more singing!

    The real reason I’m writing is to talk about what I would like to see over the next 365 days. I don’t want to keep this post too long so I’ll just hop right in. Here are the top 7 things I’m looking forward to over the next year!

    • Continued business growth for Social Saints (my baby) and my other businesses – Business has been good, but I would like to see the business grow, and even bring on some additional partners within the coming months! Interested?
    • The revitalization of Bizzyness – As some of you may know Akuba and I created a website about 15 months ago called Bizzyness. The site is designed to be an online resource and conversation portal for couples who decide to explore the business world together. Though we still love the concept, the truth is we haven’t had much time lately to update it and keep it going so it is my personal desire to recharge the concept and get Bizzyness back on course!
    • Traveling a little more and living in a different city – I believe this is self explanatory. Any suggestions on where I should live or where I should travel to?
    • Helping my friends, and family establish their businesses – If you’ve known me more than a weeks, you know that I love business. It’s one of the things I’m passionate about and something I love to share with others. It is the desire to share that encourages me to encourage others to start businesses, so it is my wish to help them along the way.
    • Making progress on our family tree – My family tree (particularly on my father’s side) is very incomplete, so I plan to make some additional progress on that so that I can continue to learn more about my family and myself.
    • The arrival of baby Strickland – Two wonderful friends of mine were recently married and decided to start growing their family right away! A few weeks ago we all found out that they’re expecting and I’m so excited for them I can hardly contain myself. That’s one of the reasons Baby Strickland is on my list! Congratulations Ashley and Martavis! BTW… what do you think they’ll have? Boy or girl?
    • Love, Peace, and Healing – There is just so much going on in the World that I pray that there will be more love shared, more peace lived and more broken hearts and lives mended! From friends to family, to colleagues and total strangers the world simply needs more love, peace and healing.

    What do you think? What’s missing? You can be honest. What other milestones or goals should I add to this list?

    Thanks for tuning in and let me know your thoughts!

    -Justin

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    I dare you!

    Justin 8:00 am on November 3, 2009 | 1 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Business, dare,

    This isn’t my style, and to be honest I haven’t put much thought into this post but I think it’s time to see who is willing to take steps outside of the comfort zone and do something that is; often times stressful, completely uncomfortable, built on passion and faith, and filled with risk. I dare YOU to start a business.

    Now you may be saying; “Justin that’s easier said than done,” or “I’m not the entrepreneur type.” Well starting a business is easier said that done but everyone has a bit of entrepreneurship in them so to me this dare isn’t a stretch. No, I’m not daring you just because I can. I’m doing this out of love of business and due to the fact that we’re not getting any younger. Now I’m not saying we can’t take similar business risk when we’re older, it just becomes more difficult. So if you’re ever going to do it, why not now? Besides do you think the punch-clock promise is going to set you on the path of true wealth? It is possible but the odds are against you.

    Still not sure how to start one or what to start? Well I would say search your soul and find a way to share your passion with the World. Don’t worry about your limitations and don’t worry about how you’re going to get it off the ground. Focus on the business concept, polish it, think about it some more and just when you are the most apprehensive go after your first sale, put yourself out there and see what happens.

    I can understand your hesitation and believe me, I too was apprehensive but the rewards far outweigh the negative consequences associated with owning a business. After all if it fails you can always go back to doing what you were doing before. For those without a job and looking hard, why not devote a hour or two to your new business. It can’t hurt and you simply never know.

    Again this is a dare made in love and I’ll end it with a quote from girlfriends aunt. It sums up the attitude of many entrepreneurs in one short statement.

    The day I went in business for myself, is the day I stopped getting fired.

    Peace, Love, and Happiness,
    Justin

    P.S. If you come up with something please share it with me. I’d love to hear about it!

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    The first step to rediscovering yourself!

    Justin 3:24 am on October 25, 2009 | 2 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: dreaming, , Passion, self-discovery, startup

    Recently I’ve been approached by a few close friends requesting advice and insight into how to tap into their passions and strike while the irons hot! It is clear to them, and many others, that now is a perfect time to; start a new business, develop a concept, write a book or simply learn new things. Though the search for success in such troubling times seems to be a trending issue, I’ve simplified this pattern down to one things. People are simply searching for themselves and through finding themselves hope to discover true happiness. Now I’m sure we’ve all had moments where we’ve wanted more, prayed hard for it and wished even harder but most are not sure of where to start. Well I want to share with you what I believe to be the very first step to discovering yourself, finding that new job or simply pursuing your passion.

    The first step to rediscovering yourself is to move yourself out of the way and just dream. Don’t focus on your limitations, rather focus on envisioning how you want to impact the World. This means you don’t have to know how to build a social network to grow an online community, or how to cook to write a cook book. Yes you should focus on something that you’re passionate about but you don’t necessarily have to be the one to do it all. Some of the best entrepreneurs know how to own and run a business, but not necessarily how to do every function of that business. Donald Trump owns multi-million dollar properties but likely doesn’t know how to design skyscrapers. What Mr. Trump does do well is buy, own and manage real estate. He takes risk confidently and believes that the opportunity for his success is dependent on his vision not his personal ability to draw building schematics. He is not concerned about the how, he dreams first and works to execute on the specifics after his vision is complete.

    Don’t believe such an abstract methodology can work for you? Well try this; Think about where Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey or even Steve Jobs would be if they were forced to execute on every facet of their respective businesses. Oprah likely doesn’t know how to operate the latest motion picture camera, yet she produces movies. Donald Trump likely doesn’t own a personal sewing machine, yet he markets and sells a line of designer ties. The point I’m getting at is remove yourself from the equation and focus on the dream without the proverbial glass ceiling.

    I can go on and on but I think I’ve said enough. What do you think? Can you get out of your own way so that you can discover the path to true happiness? Can you dream without focusing on your personal, often times least insignificant, short-comings? How will you rediscover yourself? What will the World remember you for?

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    e101 and hopefully answers to your questions, Coming Soon

    Justin 11:20 pm on February 10, 2008 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , dre barnes, e101, , local e-marketing seminars,

    Hello all. I just wanted to let everyone know that starting in March Dre Barnes, and I, will begin to give seminars and workshops on e-Marketing. If you own a small to mid-sized business, or just want to know what e-marketing is all about, then this is the event for you. We will start with the basics, and hopefully will be able to answer all of your questions about; e-mail marketing, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), social media, web analytics and much more. I will give everyone details and an update on registration (Yes! You must register to attend). If anyone who is planning to attend has any preliminary question, please email me at events [at] bbigonline.com

    *Updated 2/24/2008
    You can now register for e101 by clicking the link below.
    http://bbigonline.com/ignite/events/e101

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    The Winter Check-In

    Justin 10:00 pm on December 17, 2006 | 0 Permalink | Reply

    Hello everyone I hope that you are all keeping warm, and with temperatures staying as warm as they have been the past few days, I don’t think that will be a problem.
    OK ok ok, so I apologize for not posting more often, and keeping in touch with me and what’s going on. However, the truth is I have kept myself busy, and have been through quite a lot the past couple of months. Anyway, God always prevails and I am proud to say that I am healthy, and blessed to still be here to serve others. Now that I have gotten that out of the way I wanted to let everyone who tries to keep up with my work that there are lots of things coming up and even some new launches and projects. My biggest project that you will here more about soon is the Justin Dawkins Project!! I am really excited about it, and look forward to sharing some of my “best-kept-secrets” and new ideas. Here are some of the things that I am working on;

    • New Pleasant Grove (just launched)
    • JustinDawkins.com Redesign
    • The Justin Dawkins Project
    • Masscomm’s Official Website
    • Furlow’s Fotos Website
    • Auntie Cuuz’s Website
    • Smallbiz 2.0 Website
    • New Product Reviews
    • … and so much more!!

    As you can see from this short list of things, I stay busy, but that isn’t an excuse so I will try my best to keep everything positive and updated. Anyone who decides to check me out, go ahead and check-in. I miss you all, and for those of you, that have not heard from me in a while, expect to hear from me soon.

    -Peace

    Justin

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    Masscomm Central 2.0 and More!

    Justin 3:12 pm on November 29, 2006 | 0 Permalink | Reply

    Well family!! Masscomm Central 2.0 has been released! Check it out and tell me what you think!!! Masscomm Central. Peace!

    -Justin

    P.S. Look for some incredible things including:

    The official launch of Twist-TV
    Masscomm’s official website

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  • Million Pixels of Poker LIVE!!!

    Justin 3:35 pm on October 24, 2005 | 0 Permalink | Reply

    The Million Pixels of Poker Site is live and now you can purchase pixels of the Poker World. Chris worked very hard on the structure and integrity of the site. Hope you enjoy. Tell a friend to tell a friend!

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