Photo courtesy of StartUp Soiree’s Facebook Page
Local companies Pixilated Photo Booth and Intrinsic Events have started a monthly event called StartUp Soiree that is being held at Pixilated’s Headquarters in Morrell Park. SouthBMore.com caught up with Patrick Rife of StartUp Soiree and Pixilated Photo Booth to hear more about this South Baltimore-based event.
What is StartUp Soiree?
Startup Soiree is a networking group For Founders, By Founders. The idea is to create an evening that trades on the collective knowledge and experience of the group while creating a safe haven from enterprise services networkers.
How can people get involved?
The best way to get involved is to Sign-Up! We have forms on our website that allow you to put in your credentials as a business owner or company founder. From there we vet the candidates and if they match the criteria, i.e. have started something, we send them a link to get tickets.
Why do you feel it’s important for the entrepreneurs of Baltimore to get to know each other?
It’s always important to create communities within whatever we do. The bonds that exist between people will always trump. However much we fine-tune our companies, apparatuses and web infrastructure there will always be fundamental advice to be shared. The robust entrepreneur understands this as the absolute value; not a threat.
More so, as Baltimore begins to leverage itself onto the international stage as a competitor and rising area for tech innovation and business development it will become increasingly important for us, us being Baltimore, to unite and participate in the conversation. To collectively contribute to the future we are helping to shape.
Can talking about work be fun?
I’m not sure if talking about work can be fun. I think for the most part that’s an “Eye of the Beholder” question. What I do know is that people who are driven to create things don’t think about what they do as “Work.” I myself have a hard time not talking about “Work,” because I am zealously pursuing my Chief Most Interest at the moment. In that light, I am literally having the time of my life. Every. F**king. Minute. I’m. Stoked.
How do you rate Baltimore as a city for innovation and entrepreneurship? How can we continue to improve?
I rate Baltimore City as the #1 place for innovation and entrepreneurship! It’s mega-affordable! Has a TON of crazy talented and interesting people! Is totally ripe and deserving of what’s going to happen in the next decade! Baltimore just flat out rules; I won’t sugar coat it.
One of the things that I find most exciting right now is that Baltimore is in for a really major renaissance and I’m going to be alive to see it happen. And maybe more importantly, participating in that renaissance. As a born and raised Baltimore native, I can’t really describe what that means to me.
With the growing age of the internet and social media, is now a better time than ever to start a business?
Starting a business is a great idea. There’s no doubt the internet and social media have opened up the path to going into business in immeasurable ways. I can say for sure that Pixilated benefitted in an enormous way by harnessing the power of social media to grow our brand. You can now effect an audience of whatever size you choose from the comfort of your couch.
That said, it’s also important to recognize that by whatever means you choose to start/invent/run a business the internet and social media won’t make up for a lack of effort. It’s hard work, but the rewards are Oh So Sweet.
StartUp Soiree and your company Pixilated Photo Booth are rooted in South Baltimore. What do you like about the area and running a business here?
PixilatedHQ is located in Morrell Park on the corner of Washington Blvd. and Caton Ave. That’s the location we serve all of our events from so access to all of the major highways is definitely our Ace in the Hole there. The Fed Hill spot is just a dream really. What’s not to like about having a store front right in the heart of one of Baltimore’s most historic neighborhoods? I mean geez, pinch me already.