BigBlueHat

This morning FastTracSC sent out their periodic Connections newsletter that included a nice right up of BigBlueHat:

Benjamin Young admittedly hates computers, but in 2002 he launched BigBlueHat, a web design and information management company.  Why?  Because he wants to provide people with solutions for the same problems that annoy him about computers.  This idea and BigBlueHat’s customer-centered mission to “make the web a better place” helped the firm to enjoy enough growth over the years that in 2006 Young decided to expand is own “freelance gig” by bringing on web developer Brad Garrett.  Together, they provide web design and development services, as well as content management and project management systems, all of which can be customized to fit their different customers’ needs.

Hoping to grow his company even more, Young enrolled in a FastTrac GrowthVenture class in Greenville facilitated by Kim Williams in the fall of 2007, an experience he would gladly repeat.  Looking back, Young said that his only regret is that he did not know about the program when he started the company.  He explained, “I gained insight into business management essentials I’d overlooked, shared experiences with other small business owners, and learned from leading local entrepreneurs. In many ways, it changed the course my business took.”  Find out more about the course BigBlueHat has taken and where it is going at www.bigbluehat.com.

I really did enjoy FastTrac, and would do it again. If you’re in South Carolina and are looking to start or grow your business, I recommend you check out the FastTrac programs. They’re worth every penny.

Innovation is what goes on under the BigBlueHat. Coming up with new, better ways to look at problems is the essence of our business. Keeping the innovation wheels turning can take more than coffee some days. That’s when you go outside your self to gather inspiration.

Generally, it’s best to look at what other successful innovators are doing. Sometimes, though, it’s good to look at less successful ventures like The 50 Worst Cars of All Time.

Personal Top 5 favorites include:

• 1913 Scripps-Booth Bi-Autogo
• 1933 Fuller Dymaxion
• 1957 Waterman Aerobile
• 1958 Zunndapp Janus
• 1966 Peel Trident

Inspired yet? No, check out the Microcar Museum. Innovation is just around the bend…no doubt.

The new 2.0 version of our BlueInk Content Management System has hit the streets!

BlueInk version 2.0 is significantly different than anything we’ve done in the past. You can edit your web site while you view it, drag-and-drop content into place, and upload several photos or documents in one go. We think it will change the way people think about editing web sites.

BlueInk v2 is available for purchase online. Each of the four available packages comes with a free template (if you want), free hosting, and e-mail addresses. BlueInk is a great way to get your small business site online quickly and inexpensively.

All subscription plans we offer include free upgrades for the life of your subscription, so BlueInk will just get better and better the longer you use it.

If you’re a fellow web designer, larger business, or you’ve got some really unique content, just let us know.

I had a great time at Tech After 5 last night. It was good to see so many friends and make some new ones.

Northstar Creative and Ever Green Recycling were in the Startup Zone–which, speaking from personal experience, is a great place to be.

Here at BigBlueHat we love Firefox 3. Brad and I switched within hours of its release. We helped Mozilla win the Guinness World Book of Record for the largest number of software downloads in 24 short hours.

What we didn’t know is that Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE) Team sent some congratulatory sugar, flour, and water to help the Mozilla folks celebrate their accomplishment. You can check out the pictures of the IE Team’s “Congratulations on Shipping!” Firefox cake.

As it turns out this rivalry goes deeper than most web developers and savy web users realize. It’s been going on since Microsoft dumped a giant metal IE logo on Netscape’s front lawn.

Not sure how I’d take that, personally. I’m sure the Mozilla folks were happy for the cake.