Archive for February, 2009
February 27th, 2009
I was recently featured in an article in the Pittsburgh Business Times entitled “Chilly economy makes some catch entrepreneurial spirit.” It was a great piece written by reported Beth Murtagh that examines the impact today’s tough economic climate is having on early-stage entrepreneurs. The premise of the article is that entrepreneurship may prove to be on the rise as talented people lose their jobs, but the journey will be as challenging as ever.
Of course, we started this thing before September 15th, 2008, when the bottom fell out in a way that all of us could see. In many ways, we started this thing (back in July 2006 and full-time in September 2007) in the first place because we sensed that the bottom was on it’s way to falling out. A nation cannot live beyond its means any more than individuals and families can. At Skill-Life, we’re focused on building financially savvy kids and communities.
We haven’t talked much about the economic crisis here. Perhaps, we will begin to use this blog more to give commentary on the financial issues of the day. Such issues are certainly relevant to the work we’re doing. Even more, the economic crisis has pointed clearly to a dire need and growing market for financial education. We have to find effective, creative, and far-reaching ways to teach our youth, in particular, about money. Enter CentsCity.
During the interview with Ms. Murtagh, I recall asking that she not paint a dire portrait of Skill-Life’s present status and our sense of the journey ahead. In many ways, I don’t think about how hard it is these days. It is certainly getting harder to grow this company than what it seemed to be last year this time. But this constant refrain of how much the sky is falling is not especially helpful and, I believe, a self-fulfilling pessimism.
For Skill-Life, it just means that we have to build a better business and better product. And isn’t that just how it should be? I believe, passionately and purposefully, that our mission puts us in the right place at the right time. We’re building value where it’s needed. We’re pushing ahead and climbing higher.
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February 17th, 2009
We began refining the scope of CentsCity in December. With a prototype in hand, we already had a very good idea about what would work and what was extraneous material. Trimming the game down to its essential components was vital. Since then, we have worked closely with 360KID to hone the art style and functionality of the online world into something we can produce quickly and get in to the hands of actual players this summer.
On Monday, we had our initial phone call to begin the first step in developing our Alpha. We are again working with 360KID to create the art style and detailed description for CentsCity. In just two days, we have already seen amazing sketches and protype art. We are very excited about the new direction, as it allows us to focus more on fun and the material being taught. Actual programming and putting the art work in the world will commence in about two months, and if this initial work is any indication, it is going to look fantastic!
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February 14th, 2009
Todd and I have spent the last few days in San Francisco and Oakland. Our focus has been on seeking additional investment and potential pilot partners. Yesterday, we gave pitches to EDM Capital Partners and Stephen DeBerry of Kapor Enterprises.
Our relationship with EDM goes back a year and a half to my first conversation with William “Bill” Thomason of Thomason Capital and the Wall Street Wizards. Bill is a big proponent of financial education as evidenced by his founding the Wall Street Wizards Urban Financial Literacy Program and the Wall Street West Financial Literacy Fund, which offer a mix of classroom education, hands on “real” money management, and on-site career exposure to a group of students interested in finance. He took an early interest in CentsCity and has remained in contact with me as we have pushed forward with product development. He is now one of the Managing Directors of EDM, along with Paula Groves-Hawthorne and Daniel Vasquez.
Our relationship with Kapor Enterprises goes back to 2006 when I was a teacher for SMASH — the Summer Math and Science Honors Academy of the Level Playing Field Institute (LPFI). SMASH and LPFI are funded and operated by Freada Kapor Klein and Mitch Kapor, the creator of Lotus 1-2-3 and an “elder statesman” of modern computing. Stephen helps manage KEI’s investments and has long been familiar with CentsCity.
Both pitches went well. With EDM Capital Partners, we are particularly hopeful. We got extremely valuable feedback from the investment team and expect to continue our dialogue into the future.
We are likely too early stage to attract investment from Kapor Enterprises at this juncture. Our focus, as we conclude the present investment round and launch our Alpha, will be on building the relationship with Stephen, Freada, and Mitch toward reaching that next level.
I tell you — each time we do a pitch and demo, we learn so much more and become that much better at telling our story. It’s quite a story, after all, and we’re just getting to the thick of it. Stay tuned.
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February 9th, 2009 | Tags: Game Development, Investment
I was checking my Facebook wall this weekend and read a post from my girl Heather Marold Thomason. Heather, through her company Bad Feather, led the design of our skill-life.com site and has been one of the coolest people we’ve yet to work with. So, when she told me that the Skill-Life blog could use an update, I had to listen.
Consider this the start of a new year. I actually can’t believe this is ourfirst post since late December. It hasn’t been for lack of a lot going on. January was a whirlwind month and February is already off to a hot (though Pittsburgh has been cold as yesterday’s steel) start! We have had big decisions to make about a move to Chicago (staying in Pittsburgh) and choosing a developer (continuing to work with 360KID on game art and design). Most importantly, we recently closed an investment with a seasoned entrepreneur/angel investor who has already proven to be a key stakeholder.
More on that and other news over the next few days. Our goal is to get the home page of the Skill-Life site cleared of yesterday’s posts. It’s 2009 or bust, indeed! And Skill-Life is more set than ever to introduce CentsCity to the world and make money make sense!
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