Meg Robertson Digital Producer DylanRatigan.com

We’ve talked a lot about creating “cradles of innovation” in this country — combination a culture of investment, entrepreneurship and experimentation that accepts and encourages failure in the quest to solve problems and succeed. According to a new report from the Commerce Department, startups in America were responsible for creating close to three million new jobs in recent years. Florida, which we visited this week as part of our 30 Million Jobs tour, was no exception: start ups were responsible for creating 1.475 million jobs in the state between 2005 and 2009.

The numbers are looking good for new companies, and it’s no surprise that those trying to tackle America’s job problems are (finally) starting to take notice. In Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, the President acknowledged startups for innovating and creating millions of new jobs, even singling out the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, whose wife was in attendance at the SOTU. Said President Obama:

An economy built to last is one where we encourage the talent and ingenuity of every person in this country… we should support everyone who’s willing to work; and every risk-taker and entrepreneur who aspires to become the next Steve Jobs.

Obama also focused on the need for reforming certain business regulations that can hold new companies back financially:

Innovation is what America has always been about. Most new jobs are created in start-ups and small businesses. So let’s pass an agenda that helps them succeed. Tear down regulations that prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from getting the financing to grow. Expand tax relief to small businesses that are raising wages and creating good jobs.

Entrepreneurship is on the rise, but new businesses are still encountering hardships in this economy. We had the opportunity to talk to leading business and entrepreneurship experts in Florida — Susan Amat, Executive Director of The Launch Pad at the University of Miami, a coaching center that has launched dozens of student and alumni entrepreneurs and has become a model for other universities. Also joining Dylan was John Duffy, CEO of 3CInteractive, a Florida-based startup that develops mobile solutions and cloud-based mobile platforms for businesses.

Here’s the video, and a few behind the scenes shots of their visit to our “outdoor studio” in Miami. (Not a bad day to sit outside and talk about creating 30 Million Jobs!)

Check out the behind the scenes shots of Susan and John’s visit to The Dylan Ratigan Show!
John Duffy and Susan Amat with Dylan.

A little behind-the-scenes shot of the set, with Susan and Dylan and our stage manager.

Not only are they creating jobs — they come bearing gifts, too! Thanks guys!

- Meg Robertson is a digital producer for DylanRatigan.com.

Vol. 4: “Nothing helps you get your second customer like your first,” says Professor Duff.  In this installment of Entrepreneurship 101, the discussion centers on choosing a market and how niches can help you gain early success. There is a great deal of opportunity in niche markets where competition is usually less and prices for services are typically higher than in cluttered markets with several competitors.

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Vol. 3: In this installment of Entrepreneurship 101, Professor Duff expounds on why he thinks you should always try to eliminate the need for outside capital and why you’ll always be better grinding it out on your own.

John Duffy, 3Ci’s founder and CEO, is a serial entrepreneur having started several businesses in a wide range of industries. He was asked to speak to a group of Florida Atlantic University students as part of their celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week. Entrepreneurship 101 is a break down of that panel discussion into topical segments meant to be informative and hopefully useful to potential entrepreneurs. Duff is not a professor he just plays one on TV so take his advice at your own risk.

Read the rest of this entry »

John Duffy, 3Ci’s founder and CEO, is a serial entrepreneur having started several businesses in a wide range of industries.  He was asked to speak to a group of Florida Atlantic University students as part of their celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week.  Entrepreneurship 101 is a break down of that panel discussion into topical segments meant to be informative and hopefully useful to potential entrepreneurs. Duff is not a professor he just plays one on TV, so take his advice at your own risk.

Course: ENT 101

School: 3Cinteractive

Faculty: Professor Duff

Credit Level: Beginner

Course Description: This course strives to provide students the knowledge and tools necessary to understand what it takes to be an entrepreneur.  Please be advised, it is not for the faint hearted. This course will give future entrepreneurs a small glimpse at what to expect and some of the pitfalls to look out for and hopefully avoid. Although this course focuses on entrepreneurship the lessons learned can be taken into all aspects of business and life.  Topics covered will include: Motivation, Selecting Partners, Outside Capital, Choosing a Market, Creating Value, Scalability, Oscillation Curve, First Steps, Strategy and Ideas.

Vol. 1: Mark Dixon, former NFL offensive lineman used to say, “I don’t care what motivates you, just be motivated“.  In the first installment of Entrepreneurship 101, Duff discusses what motivated him to be an entrepreneur.  Being an entrepreneur is a lifestyle you have to live 24×7.  If you want to be successful, passion and motivation are a must.