Please provide a brief description of your company.  How long has your product/service/company been in the market?
Giftango removes plastic from consumer wallets.  Merchants are given turn-key capabilities to allow their customers to use gift cards and loyalty cards from their mobile phones.  We can setup any merchant of any size, in any industry, inexpensively and quickly and with minimal impact to their business operations.

 

What business opportunity or challenge led you to develop your product or service?  How does your product or service meet that need?
Merchants want more programs to help sell and communicate with their customer.  Creating a virtual card useable from a mobile phone takes plastic out of the consumer wallet and allows for a quicker fulfillment of stored value.   From there, numerous programs can be offered to further enrich the experience of the cardholder and benefit the merchant with a closer relationship with their customer.

 

 

What are your impressions of the entrepreneurial community in the Northwest?  How would you like to see it grow/change?
We have experienced strong support in the Oregon Entrepreneurial community.  There are several great programs out there to help emerging businesses get off the ground.  Organizations such as OEN, PAN, OTBC, Emergent, the PSU Business Accelerator and Keiretsu help make this a stronger community for new business.  This is an important element to the Northwest being more recognizable as we move forward because there is a strong entrepreneurial spirit in the Portland area.  I still meet about three entrepreneurs to every investor, but I see this changing as we look to the future with the support of these programs. 

 

How are you involved in the entrepreneurial community and how has it helped shape your business?
I have been a member of OEN for nearly four years and have enjoyed seeing the organization and associated events outdo themselves with each new year.  Getting the opportunity to watch other businesses step through the hurdles and hoops has been the single most helpful aspect to OEN for us. 

 

How does OEN assist you/how are you specifically benefiting from the organization?
I have participated in their Executive Series events, webinars and other programs to strengthen my understanding in key areas.  I highly recommend the Executive Series to any new entrepreneur.  I have also found key organizations to help with patents and other legal as a result of OEN events.  Finally, I have met a couple people that have become good friends with similar interests as a result of OEN.

 

What are your favorite websites/magazines/events/ organizations that you read/attend to keep yourself informed about the business community/your specific market?
I like to track the top tradeshows in my related industry to keep a careful eye on competition as well as to inspire innovation and ideas.  Portland Business Journal and OEN are both great ways to keep up to date with what is going on in the local community.  Outside of that, Giftango, Giftango, Giftango is my focus!

 

Do you have any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Set expectations correctly from the start.  Learn from others to perfect your story prior to opening your mouth.  First impressions always matter.