Interview with ideablob.com's founder Ami Kassar

I had the privilege to do an email interview with Ami Kassar over at ideablob.com.  We were connected via a twitter conversation when I was requesting interesting people to do an interview with.  Ideablob is an online community where entrepreneurs are encouraged to discuss ideas in an open and helpful environment.  If you have an idea check out  ideablob.com and they have a ton of people ready and waiting to give advise!  There goal is to help you make a refine your idea into something tangible! They even offer a monthly $10,000 for an idea that is voted the best.  Check out the recent winners here.  Make sure to check out ideablob.com!

When did you start ideablob.com, and why?
For the past few years I’ve attended the Kinnernet Conference in Northern Israel. It’s where about 200 internet geeks (like me) come together, live in hostels and talk about the future of the internet. One night in 2007, I had the opportunity to watch a computer animation created by a young Israeli artist. It was beautiful. I thought to myself, this young artist could take off with a little bit of capital and a network of supporters. That was the beginning of ideablob. About six months later we launched ideablob at DEMO in the Fall of 2007. We thought we had something pretty interesting and were ecstatic when it won DEMO’s People’s Choice Award. Fifteen months later there are over 125,000 entrepreneurs sharing and supporting ideas on ideablob. Of course, we also provide a $10,000 grant to help one idea get off the ground each month.

What’s the main goal of ideablob.com?
We have one goal at ideablob – to help entrepreneurs realize their aspirations and we work really hard around the clock to achieve it.

What is your vision for ideablob.com?
A lot of websites strive to the best at this or that. Our job is not to create the #1 website for entrepreneurs. We wouldn’t run away from that title, but we measure success in how many people are able to grow their ideas through the ideablob experience. It’s happening every minute on ideablob right now and we want it to continue to happen more and more each day.

Is there some commonality between the monthly winners of your “best small business idea”? If so what?
Absolutely. They are all smart, web-savvy, passionate about their ideas and work their butts off as entrepreneurs. You have to have passion and an ability to work hard or you won’t make it as an entrepreneur. We think the ideablob contest is a pretty good testing ground not only of an idea, but of a person’s entrepreneurial abilities.

How do you feel about NDA’s?
NDA’s might work and be appropriate for some entrepreneurs.  I’ve personally never signed one in years to protect and entrepreneur pitchign an idea, and I don’t know anybody who has.  Many entrepreneurs choose to pitch their ideas on ideablob, in exchange for the feedback, advise, and networking.  I believe that the trade off is well worth it, but ultiamtely it’s their choice.

What are your plans for bloblive.com?
We’ve held eight bloblives throughout the country in the last three months and we’re planning at least a couple dozen more in the next three.  Initially, we are excited to focus in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. The bloblives average about 75 people and are filled with entrepreneurial energy. We also livestream each event over the internet for people to watch and participate live via twitter. Entrepreneurs are making connections, working together and improving their ideas. Again, it was just an idea, but it’s been an awesome resource for entrepreneurs and we’re looking forward to seeing where it goes.

What was your biggest mistake, and how can it be avoided?
Every time I think and act in more then a baby step, I regret it later.  If I keep the scrappy entrepreneur in me for all the steps that we take, 9 out of 10 times it works.

If you could go back in a time to when you were just starting ideablob.com, what business related advice would you give yourself?
Keep it simple.  Dont strive for perfection out the door.  And constantly be open to change and evolution.

How do you see the global credit crunch affecting your business?
Some of the world’s strongest companies today were built during history’s most difficult economic times.  You have to keep your head up and stick to your convictions.

What are your plans for the future?
We wake up every morning, and go to sleep dreaming about how to help entrepreneurs.  If we stick to our passion, I am confident that we will do well.

I want to extend a special thank you to Ami for taking the time out of his busy schedule to do this interview! Thank Ami. Make sure to check out ideablob.com for more info!

Note: I did not receive any form/type of compensation for writing this blog post.