Bloomington, Indiana, Tuesday May 8, Gonzeaux #2

Indiana is the state of Nick Tippmann. Who’s Nick Tippmann? The future of Indiana Innovation that’s who (and not Bobby Knight). More on Nick and Bobby below, but first,

Observations:

• Indiana is very flat. Driving south on I-65 — farms in all directions as far as the eye can see.
• Farms are small business, in a way, the first small businesses, that tradition lives here.
• Driving through small towns with the Dairy Queen’s, feed stores, beauty shops and all the other specialties you can imagine…more small business.
• People work hard here, long and hard. At the hotel I’m staying at I’ve been served by two people who were clearly over 70, doing the job, well, and with a smile.
• How many state cops does Indiana employ? Mercy! Those boys are everywhere.

Yes, Indiana is the home of Gary and Hammond, former industrial centers, but Indiana, just by observation, is a small business state. Loads of exceptions of course. Magnavox in Fort Wayne for example (now owned by Philips), and here in Bloomington, Cook Medical (quietly brilliant).  But the flavour of Indiana, beyond corn, soy, and sorghum — has to be small business.

Just last weekend, here in Bloomington, there was a “Start-Up Weekend”. Local entrepreneur and scanner par excellence, Nick Tippmann was instrumental in putting it on. Guys like Nick are the future of Indiana innovation. He’s already doing it, as an undergrad at IU. He’s developed “Impulse Coupons” to deliver time sensitive vouchers for nearby businesses. Not only is he doing innovation, he’s inspiring it as well, by helping to put on the Start-Up Weekend. The idea behind the weekend is to kick-start new ventures in an immersive weekend. Brilliant. Also, Nick, nice touch with the Van Gogh background.

Nick should be at FEI 2012 in Orlando! I wonder what kind of conversation Nick would have with futurist Michio Kaku? If Indiana wants Innovation, they need to grow about 10,000 more Nick’s — and maybe a bit less corn. Would love to have Nick on board at KILN!

A Bit of Gonzeaux Humour

Bloomington is in the lower half of the state and is famous for Indiana University, and its wacky ex-basketball coach Bobby Knight (if you want to hear something quite profane and yet amazingly funny, check out this audio clip, warning: not for the faint of heart). Apologies, but Bobby is Gonzeaux eh? Say what you will about the madman, he was a winner, and an innovator in basketball.

Next on the Gonzeaux Tour: Cincinnati, and a revisit to Skyline Chili, Graeter’s Ice Cream — and The Brandery.