From Laid-off Engineer To Successful Startup CEO: Michelle Munson of Aspera (Part 3)

SM: Concepts coming before their time happens a lot here in Silicon Valley. MM: It sure does. However, it was my first real experience in a startup with a peer group I was excited about. Partly because of my inquisitive nature, they used to send me out to customers as well. I gained a lot

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From Laid-off Engineer To Successful Startup CEO: Michelle Munson of Aspera (Part 2)

SM: How large did the ISP become? MM: It was not very impressive. It had 700–800 subscribers and was entirely local. It was nothing like a serious business.

From Laid-off Engineer To Successful Startup CEO: Michelle Munson of Aspera (Part 1)

Michelle Munson is CEO of Aspera, a company she began after being laid off. Aspera was her realization that she could not only control her own career path but also create jobs for other people in a culture she established. This story is great inspiration for the thousands who have been let go by their

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Building The Small Business CRM Solution: CircleDog CEO Charlie Crystle (Part 6)

SM: Operating under a traditional software licensing model, are you seeing any recurring revenues? CC: We do have support, but I also should point out that we are rolling out our online services such as online donations and email marketing. This year the non-profit side is profitable.

Building The Small Business CRM Solution: CircleDog CEO Charlie Crystle (Part 5)

SM: I have done three startups myself, the first of which I started while I was at MIT. I came out here as soon as possible to be a part of this ecosystem. CC: It is an amazing ecosystem. Every time I am out here I am reminded how isolated we are.

Building The Small Business CRM Solution: CircleDog CEO Charlie Crystle (Part 3)

SM: What was the evolution of ChiliSoft? CC: We started with the store and after a year left that business. The retail level was just too tough at the time. Software was way too hard for most people because it required DOS and Windows 3.1 had a terrible interface.

Building The Small Business CRM Solution: CircleDog CEO Charlie Crystle (Part 2)

SM: You say you see opportunities where others do not, but you also have the guts to pursue them. CC: I suppose that is true. Success or failure, you have to try. I think that entrepreneurs are naturally optimistic. We see a better place and love solving problems.

Building The Small Business CRM Solution: CircleDog CEO Charlie Crystle (Part 1)

Charlie Crystle is passionate about music, nonprofit institutions and entrepreneurism. He has founded several companies including his current effort, CircleDog. His past ventures include ChiliSoft, which was purchased by Sun. He focuses on product usability, economics and policy, all of which are themes which can be found in each of his successful ventures. SM: Let’s

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