BEN MCDOUGAL

Happy New Year

I spent 2020 writing my first book!

You Don’t Need This Book: Entrepreneurship in the Connected Era is for caffeinated entrepreneurs who are interested in starting or continuing to build their own business.

This book is brewed to be fun, but will leave a lasting impact as well. The ideation process, the value of community, how to research business ideas, building a team, testing the concept, marketing, sales and how to effectively grow a company are all discussed. I’m also excited about guest contributions from two iconic thought leaders as well. More on that soon! For now, know that the publisher’s release date is SPRING 2021 and pre-orders will start a few weeks before we ship. This book means the world to me and is written just for us, so stay tuned my friends!

To celebrate, I am embarking on a new literary odyssey in 2021 and you’re invited to join me as we continue to learn and build together. My weekly blog will pair with the book and will live right here on this expanded website. Expect caffeinated conversations on entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, entrepreneurial ecosystem building, technology, marketing, personal updates, blasts from the past and guest articles sprinkled into what will become a collection dedicated to the unmatched energy of accelerating others.

This consistent cadence will be challenging and your support helps fuel momentum. If you’d like to collaborate together or if you’d like me to riff on something specific, I’d love to hear those ideas as well. You can send me an email anytime or subscribe here to receive a friendly jolt of innovative energy delivered with your coffee every Wednesday morning. Cheers!

By Ben McDougal, ago

Backstage

You’ve arrived backstage!

If you’re reading this, you’re a VIP and I invite you to stick around for more caffeinated conversations. I’ve written a new book and in 2021, I’m pairing it with a weekly blog called Roasted Reflections. These ruminations will be brewed as innovative energy for entrepreneurs who fuel positive change and the first one drops January 1st!

Feel free to send me an email if you wanna know where this adventure might take us, but you know me…we’re gonna have some fun making a ruckus.

By Ben McDougal, ago

The Holiday Walk

We’ll keep the stories around here focused on entrepreneurship and community-driven economic development, but passionate work is fueled by personal experiences and those we share our lives with. Let’s give these reflections a little heart by sprinkling in some personal experiences and plenty of fun.

I’ll start by sharing an emotional moment I felt today. As our little family got cozy by the fire to finish a magical Christmas day, we enjoyed watching Soul. The ending reminded me that one of the greatest joys in life is the opportunity to infuse the very best of ourselves into those who follow our footsteps. I felt the gravity of such purpose and let my eyes water as I whispered a few loving words to my little startup that pays in love.

As we spend time celebrating the holiday season with family and friends, below is a seasonal cocktail to keep things interesting as well. Eggnog is a seasonal drink that’s too thick to drink by itself, but the trick is adding Diet 7up. Here’s a fun compliment to your next stroll around the neighborhood looking at holiday lights.

The Holiday Walk
  • Full Glass of Ice
  • 1/3 Captain Morgan Private Stock
  • 1/3 Eggnog
  • 1/3 Diet 7up
  • Stir, then add a dash of cinnamon
      By Ben McDougal, ago

      Genre

      I finished reading The Practice by Seth Godin. It reminds us how important it is to identify the tribe we seek to serve. As I prepare to share a weekly blog in 2021, here’s an outline to highlight the genre of content you can expect around here.

      My creative work is dedicated to…

      …passionate people interested in entrepreneurship.

      …small business owners and startup founders alike.

      …people who like to work hard, but have fun doing it.

      …open-minded, inclusive builders of the future.

      …people who believe generosity builds trust.

      …friends caffeinating 1 Million Cups communities.

      …folks who maintain an optimistic, #GiveFirst approach.

      …entrepreneurs who accelerate fellow entrepreneurs.

      …entrepreneurial ecosystem builders.

      …people eager to learn together.

      By Ben McDougal, ago

      Caffeinated Conversations

      Welcome to my expanded website!

      I’ve learned so much through my own entrepreneurial ventures and have been inspired by thousands of fellow founders nationwide. I spent 2020 working to synthesize a comprehensive, yet approachable narrative focused on entrepreneurship in this connected era. You Don’t Need This Book: Entrepreneurship In The Connected Era is my new book that includes everything I know about entrepreneurship, refined as innovative energy for caffeinated entrepreneurs. This book means the world to me and in 2021, I’m pairing it with a weekly blog called Roasted Reflections. This website is a new home for all my energized ruminations.

      Another reason this website has been expanded, is to accelerate my work as an entrepreneurial ecosystem builder. Since 2012, I’ve been professionally collaborating with community builders who are passionate about educating entrepreneurs and evolving their entrepreneurial ecosystems. If your organization is ready to revitalize the entrepreneurial spirit in your community, let’s connect to fuel the future of your community-driven economy.

      What’s next?

      Starting January 1st, I’ll be sharing a weekly reflection right here on this website. If you’d like to have these friendly knowledge grenades lobbed into your inbox, subscribe to receive Roasted Reflections every Wednesday morning. Either way, I’m glad we’re connected. I’m truly blessed to have remarkable people like you in my life and would love to hear from you anytime. Cheers!

      By Ben McDougal, ago