Interviews By Segment: "The Businessmakers"

DealMaker Review of FUZZYLUKE

Interviewer: Blair Garrou, Russ Capper | Guest: Michael Gile | Episode: 244 | Date: February 06, 2010

The BusinessMakers present another real world snapshot deal review in our DealMaker Series. Blair Garrou, managing director of venture capital firm DFJ Mercury, introduces Michael Gile, founder of FUZZYLUKE, a car diagnostic app that links your iPhone to the diagnostic computer in your car. Gile talks past, present and future of his company: his early days of entrepreneurial passion and pitfalls, his present days seeking funding and future applications for his software.  

Starting Up Start-ups

Interviewer: Katie Laird, Esther Steinfeld | Guest: Laura Capper | Episode: 243 | Date: January 30, 2010

Katie and Esther interview the founder and CEO of Cap Resources, a business development services company. Cap Resources helps technology start-ups leverage their strengths, build their team and establish their credibility while developing a business plan, working to obtain financing or even to increase their market valuation. Capper says you need discipline, perseverance and passion and, in this segment, offers valuable guidance and real world expertise for start-up entrepreneurs.  

Game-changing Oil and Gas Exploration Technology

Interviewer: Russ Capper | Guest: Bob Schwartz | Episode: 242 | Date: January 23, 2010

Russ visits with Bob Schwartz of the Norwegian-based venture capital company. The company has, to date, invested three funds in oil and gas exploration production technology. The company is staffed by engineers and geophysicists. Schwartz explains investment criteria, upstream oil exploration and what he considers to be “game-changing technology.” It’s an intriguing look at the finances of oil and gas and how we define energy independence.

Energy Ventures Website

From Bus Boy to IPO

Interviewer: Russ Capper | Guest: Larry Forehand, Curt Glowacki | Episode: 240 | Date: January 16, 2010

Russ visits with Larry Forehand, former busboy and founder of Casa Ole; and Curt Glowacki, CEO of Mexican Restaurants Inc. MRI operates and franchises Mexican restaurants, with brands including Casa Ole, Mission Burrito, Tortuga’s Mexican Kitchen and Crazy Jose’s. It’s a long way from busboy to founder and Larry is quick to offer credit to his mentors and others who helped him along the way.  

A Next Generation Entrepreneur

Interviewer: Russ Capper | Guest: Anthony Broussard | Episode: 240 | Date: January 09, 2010

Russ visits with Anthony Broussard, a young genius who developed his first computer game at the tender age of 9. This was about the same time that Anthony told his parents he was going to quit school and make games for a living. At 17, he was offered an internship in S. Korea. He accepted a technology position in Australia when he was 19—after being interviewed via Skype—and today, at 22, Anthony is developing games for the iPhone and has founded Quantum Potato Software. It’s a new world out there and here’s an amazing example of how things get done today.

Check out his latest iPhone game Enlightenment Vision

Wear an Undershirt that Does Not Bunch Up.

Interviewer: Esther Steinfeld | Guest: Tom Patterson | Episode: 239 | Date: January 02, 2010

Tom Patterson hated the way his undershirts fit and changing the brand he used didn’t help, so he took matters into his own hands. He bought fabric, had some shirts made and sent them to his friends… who all asked for more shirts. Soon after, when Tom became unemployed, he made the jump into establishing his own line of underwear apparel. Esther Steinfeld is in Dallas interviewing the founder of Tommy John, maker of the Second Skin Collection. Tom believes anyone can start their own business if they’re willing to ask questions—just do it! 

Find an Answer for Anything at Anytime with ChaCha

Interviewer: Russ Capper | Guest: Scott Jones | Episode: 238 | Date: December 26, 2009

Twenty years ago, serial entrepreneur Scott Jones described publicly, in a speech in London, a vision of people having access to all kinds of knowledge, at anytime. In 2005, he created ChaCha, an information resource that answers questions submitted via cell phone text in minutes. Jones says, “It’s like having a really smart friend.” Operationally, a business that answers questions is an amazing thing—it’s like 10,000 trivia experts providing contract work for Jeopardy. It all sounds pretty incredible, but Scott Jones is a pretty incredible guy. 

Don't Over Complicate Web Marketing and Design

Interviewer: Russ Capper | Guest: Ben Lamm, Dr. James Moshinskie | Episode: 237 | Date: December 19, 2009

Russ is on the road for an interview with the co-founders of Simply Interactive, an interactive design, marketing, e-learning and creative agency. The company became successful very quickly; when opportunity knocked, Lamm & Mo jumped for the door. Theirs is a story of coincidence and circumstance… and maybe a touch of luck. 

How to be Indispensable at your Workplace

Interviewer: Russ Capper | Guest: Don Minnick | Episode: 236 | Date: December 12, 2009

For 30 years, Dr. Don Minnick has researched “survivor” behavior during various economic cycles, studying who survives the layoffs, reorganization and downsizing, and why. Minnick has compiled and analyzed the personality traits of these “go-to” people and published a book, “Survive Downsizing,” which he discusses here. Russ conducts a repeat interview with the wonderful Dr. Minnick, who offers critical information for employees and job-seekers alike. 

See Paris, and other famous cities, on a Segway

Interviewer: Russ Capper | Guest: David Mebane | Episode: 235 | Date: December 05, 2009

When he was 22 years old, David Mebane founded what is today the largest city bicycle tour company in Europe. Fat Tire Bike Tours offers English-speaking bicycle tours in Paris, London, Barcelona and Berlin. After a client request in 2003, Mebane launched a service to offer tours on Segways and today operates in several U.S. cities and throughout Europe. In 2005, he branched out into walking tours. Russ visits with this smart and highly successful entrepreneur.