Great things are happening in Baton Rouge. I'm the poster child for some of the greatness that's afoot, although I share credit with many, many others. I just happen to be pretty good at getting in the paper these days. Here are some news articles that explain more:

Articles about Silicon Bayou News:
A newly launched website, Silicon Bayou News, aims to spread the word about Louisiana's technology sector
Business Report 12/12/2011 [quoted]

Articles about Creative Louisiana:
Idea Factory
Business Report 11/28/2011  [quoted]

Creative Louisiana's first meeting set for Wednesday
Business Report 06/28/2011  [quoted]

Articles about Baton Rouge Entrepreneurship Week:
'Business Report' planner: Pitch Night event Thursday 
Business Report 10/24/2011

Business Report Weekly Planner
Business Report 11/07/2011

Articles about Startup Weekend:
Business Report Weekly Planner
Business Report 11/07/2011

Startup Weekend offers opportunity to compete globally
Business Report 11/08/2011

'Business Report' planner: Weekend event designed to birth businesses
Business Report 04/04/2011

Registration open for first Startup Weekend in B.R. 
Business Report 03/18/2011  [quoted]

A few weeks ago, I did something pretty gutsy. I stood up and identified myself as an entrepreneur. Read about it here. It's boldness lies not in the promise of making cool things happen around here, but in me stepping outside of a self-identity created over a lifetime of being a serial employee. I now assume responsibility for my destiny.


It's not to say that I'm not still a good employee--because I do still get a paycheck at this point in my life. I'm a great employee. I'm just different now. And my responsibilities with my employer are changing because there is benefit to my employer to let me pursue building an innovation ecosystem.


I am an entrepreneur and am actively charting my own course. I want to build an ecosystem in Baton Rouge that supports people like me. To the extent this journey tracks with my employer's goals, I am loyal and diligent. Sure, someday these paths will diverge. Most paths do. But for now we have a strange symbiosis, which is working for now.


I challenge you to take the Entrepreneur's Pledge, too. Doesn't matter if you are still getting a paycheck--it's about you taking responsibility for making things happen, boldly envisioning a future and stepping forth to turn it into reality.