STARTUP + SMALL BUSINESS QUARTERBACK
We’ll Throw You Some Thoughts and Ideas; You Decide To Run With It or Not!
Experience
There is no doubt you have some amazing experience! However, even if you have 30+ years of experience across corporate, startups and small businesses it pays to have someone else look at your ideas, business plans and financials.
The old Chinese saying “Why do people always have enough time and money to fix mistakes? Why didn’t they spend the time and money to avoid the mistakes in the first place?” is something that always comes to mind when talking to entrepreneurs and small businesses.
I get it, we want to do things ourselves, that’s what makes us tick. But every now and then, before venturing on a big and/or money eating project, another set of eyes, experienced ones, would be the smart way to do.
Skills
We all have a ton of skills…..so do you, I have no doubt! However, if or when you are about to embark on a new business venture or a significant investment to grow your business, it would help to have another set of eyes, with complementary skills to look at your plans.
As they say, “We all work hard! But are we working smart?” Having someone else with different skills, ones you may not have, may save you a ton of money, avoiding potential mistakes.
We all make mistakes, that’s how we learn and move forward. The smart way is to avoid easy mistakes especially the very costly ones!
Connecting The Dots
As explained in the other sections, it never hurts to have another set of eyes , with more or different experience and skills look at your strategy, your business and marketing plans and your financial estimates.
That is not doubting yourself, but acknowledging that, although you are experienced, skilled and smart enough to connect the dots, someone with more or different skills may see more and different dots to connect, than you do.
While in the process helping you avoiding certain, possibly expensive mistakes.
Expert Business Consultants
The world class team I work with, when helping startups, small businesses and corporations.
Co-Founder WWLC – Owner 40ParkLane,llc – Digital Marketing| Web Design | Operational Mgt. – Startup and Small Business Quarterback. Hans van Putten owned and ran operations of his food manufacturing company for 17+ years building the Carolyn’s Handmade brand under the umbrella of 40ParkLane,llc. After the successful sale of the food business, he took advantage of the years of digital marketing, web design, operations management, photography and graphic design experience , to help startups and small businesses, and has been involved in a number of start-up ventures since. Prior to founding 40parkLane,llc Hans worked for the Gillette Company for 10 years in various financial roles of increasingly greater responsibility, culminating in his last position as Director of Business Planning for The International Group at Gillette HQ, Boston. Hans has an MBA (Marketing & International Business) from Aston University, and a BA in Business Administration from IHBO de Maere. Co-Founder WWLC – Co-Founder – Keurig Inc. | Financial Planning | Fundraising Mr. Dragone has spent the past fifteen plus years as an acting/consulting CFO for a number of start-ups in a wide range of industries. Peter’s prior experience is that of a serial entrepreneur, managing various start-up and turnaround projects, including DB Thin Films, Sulzer Metaplas and Monsoon Kitchens.  He was a co-founder of Keurig, Inc., now the multi-billion dollar Keurig/Green Mountain Inc. owned by JAB Holding Co. Previously, Mr. Dragone was a senior financial/operational manager for Chiquita Brands International.  He moved to Chiquita after working in international banking at BankBoston. He has an MBA from Harvard Business School, an MA (in Spanish) from Middlebury College and a BA from Colby College. Certified Insurance Councilor (CIC); Entrepreneur; Business Coach Insurance and Networking Specialist/ Startup Catalyst Marc Slafsky has built an extensive book of clients throughout the East Coast by becoming a trusted business advisor and mentor. He has over thirty years of commercial insurance experience. Prior to WWLC, Marc owned his own insurance agency and, later, worked for large regional insurance agencies. Marc now works for bank owned insurance agencies where he helps startups with their funding and insurance challenges. Marc has a passion for networking & teaching, and a particular interest in helping startups thrive.  In his spare time he is a business coach. March is writing a book on business networking. Marc has multiple degrees from Bentley University. Owner RINT bv – Textiles / Design / Go2Market Strategy / Re- and Upcycling / Entrepreneur in the Creative Industry / Scale -and Startups / Local to Local Jaap Zandbergen worked his 25+ career in the Textile and Design Industry and was CEO in weaving mills and printing mills in interior textiles, the clothing industry and technical textiles for the (petro) chemical Industry. He has a huge background in working with different cultures because of his broad sales -and sourcing experiences within Japan, China, Asia, Europe and North America. Recently Jaap works for EASME (European Small and Medium Enterprises) under the EU Program H2020, Phase I and Phase II in pure eco-innovative products. He has mentored several companies all over Europe during their scaling up and worked with plastic recycling companies, improving Go2Market for fashion and design companies preventing waste and minimizing design time and developing international strategies for upcycling companies in cellulosic waste and combining with algorithm for local to local production facilities. During his career in textile Jaap was more than 10 years Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Design Academy Eindhoven. The DAE was named as the most important Design Institute in the world by the New York Times. Jaap has a BA in Business Administration from IHBO de Maere and followed entrepreneurial courses at Rotterdam Erasmus University. Jaap was elected Chairman of the International Mohair Association and CITA (an European Producers Organization to stop counterfeit in textiles and fashion) Kelly is an experienced creative with a history of projects completed on various platforms, including print, web design, signage, photography and video. With a variety of expertise, in education, retail and biotechnology, her well rounded knowledge of various industries, and platforms is an asset to any project. She has experience leading teams, recruiting and developing talent. Technical Photoshop, Illustrator, Web Design, Print Design, Photography, Video Editing Education Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh 2001, Webmaster Certification, Moraine Park Technical College, 2002, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Digital Multi-media 2006 With over a decade of industrial experience as Software Engineer in Java and Oracle Technologies, Jerlin is experienced in all phases of development – from requirements to implementation. He has work experience with clients, as well as development teams. A natural leader, he is versed in mobile applications development, as well as web development . He also possesses a strong knowledge of Object Oriented Concepts. Well acquainted with SDLC and Agile methodology, he excels at problem solving and critical thinking. With the ability to learn new technologies quickly, and to use existing technologies at an optimal level, he is an asset to any team. With strong analytic and problem solving skills, no challenge is too great. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills round out his skillset. Technical Java, plsql, javascript, perl, VB SOAP Web Services, Maven, Ant Oracle, DB2 Windows, UNIX. Struts, Struts2 Jdeveloper, Eclipse, Sql developer, CVS, SVN, Toad, Autosys, Sonar, Jenkins, WordPress Education Master of Computer Applications Jun 2003 — Dec 2006 Bachelor of Computer Applications Jun 2000 — May 2003 M.A College of Engineering B.P.C College Piravom Clifford Watkin has a stellar record of success helping companies implement human resources strategies that supplement growth, attract and retain talent, and embrace diversity. Clifford has created comprehensive employee acquisition and retention strategies for private sector employers, professional services firms and non-profit organizations. His work covers the gamut of HR issues including legal compliance, performance management, on-boarding and creating effective corporate cultures. His personal experience drives his passion to help bring about success for minority-owned businesses and corporate organizations. Assisting companies to develop and manage a diverse workforce brings together smart business practices and policies that improve top line revenue, bottom line growth and increased employee satisfaction. In South Africa, where Clifford grew up, he saw first-hand the difference it can make when people have equal access to capital, land, education and resources. Clifford is a regular speaker at the Northeast Human Resources Association and Employee Benefits Council. Writing for the Boston Business Journal and Employee Benefits News, Clifford is a reliable human resources expert. Clifford is also an adjunct faculty member in Human Resources for Salem State University and SHRM certification instructor at North Shore Community College. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Boston University and a Masters of Business Administration degree from Northeastern University. In 2017, Clifford was selected to be the HR strategic adviser for Eastern Bank’s Business Equity Initiative, a program developed to help accelerate the growth of Hispanic and African-American owned local enterprises. As a founding Member of Benefit Strategy Partners, Scott specializes in advising employers on group health, life and disability benefit funding methods, plan design, cost containment, flexible benefits, and state and federal compliance issues. Scott began working for several national insurance carriers before working at a national brokerage firm and then starting BSP. With over 20 years of experience, Scott has a strong knowledge of the total delivery system and funding options that afford clients the most cost effective solutions for their employee benefit needs. Scott has experience in all aspects of health and welfare plans. Scott has designed, underwritten, communicated and implemented managed care, HRA/HSA compatible and indemnity medical plans, dental plans, vision plans, prescription drug plans, short and long term disability plans, life and AD&D plans, flexible spending accounts (section 125), employee assistance programs (EAPs), business travel accident plans, stop loss, enrollment services and voluntary worksite benefit plans. Scott is a Founder of People and Culture Consortium (P&CC), where Human Resources and Benefits professionals connect, share, discuss and network with their peers. Scott is a current member of New England Employee Benefits Council (NEEBC), Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the Massachusetts Association of Health Underwriters (MAHU), Human Resources Leadership Forum (HRLF) and USA500. He is also a Trustee of NanCamp. This is a non-profit organization that our family founded and sends children affected by cancer to summer camp. We’ve been doing this for 20+ years and have served over 400 children.
Hans van Putten – CEO
Peter Dragone – CFO
Marc Slafsky – Sales Associate
Jaap Zandbergen – Go 2 Market Strategist – Europe Specialist
Kelly Martin – Art Director
Jerlin Joseph – Senior Software Engineer
Cliff Watkin – Chief People Officer
Scott Bostley – Chief Benefit Strategy Officer
Hans van Putten – CEO
Peter Dragone – CFO
Startup Advisor Marc Slafsky – Sales Associate
Jaap Zandbergen – Go 2 Market Strategist – Europe Specialist
Kelly Martin – Art Director
Jerlin Joseph – Senior Software Engineer
Cliff Watkin – Chief People Officer
Scott Bostley – Chief Benefit Strategy Officer
An Idea Is Not A Business!
It is difficult for an idea, all by itself, to succeed or get funding, without a business plan and financial plan!
An idea, does not sell itself. It requires a structure, to consistently and profitably grow as a business.
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