No Snivelling

We continue to explore opportunities in the Test Prep Class and School space, and today launched a new Test Prep Finder blog. It's obviously still in experimental phase, but we're looking forward to launching some other tools specific to the needs of GMAT test takers and GRE practice test searchers.

If you have memories of test taking, please reach out with ideas about how we could improve the experience for students (or their parents!).

Labels: gmat class, gre exam, teachstreet, test prep

I know... my blogging frequency is somewhat (totally) lacking. Well, honestly, I've got a few things going on in my life.

(1) if you haven't noticed in my Facebook feed, we added a new puppy, Stella the French Bulldog -- go check her out in my Facebook photos -- she's awesome



(2) we're in the middle of a mini/major-house renovation, and have been since July/July -- it's nearing completion, but has been for what feels like months

(3) I'm training for a marathon, to be run in Honolulu in mid-December (click if you'd like to donate to fight Leukemia Lymphoma) -- long run of 18 miles last weekend, and will be running 20 miles in ~2 weeks. Then off to the fun in the sun.



(4) finally, TeachStreet's been making amazing progress. We launched our payments/revenue systems in July and September, and have been spending the last several weeks optimizing the site experience -- some major improvements to note:

- We added a focused Test Prep Class and teacher site, featuring premium partners such as Kaplan, PowerScore, Knewton and more. So, if you know students looking for SAT, GMAT, LSAT, GRE test prep classes, have them check it out

- You can now easily find upcoming classes in your area - the selection of teachers, subjects and classes is becoming pretty amazing, all across the country

- We've got another pretty cool 'launch' coming tomorrow, hopefully significantly improving the teacher profile page experience, and a few other little pleasantries

Hope you're lives are going great -- Karen and I are racing around, as usual -- hope to see you all soon!

Labels: gmat class, gre exam, lsat prep, sat study, teachstreet, test prep

It's been a tumultuous several months, with emotions running the gamut. But today's a great day, as we announce our launch of metro #6 (Chicago teachers and classes, here we come!) and also an addition $1.2 million of investor funding.

We've been running non-stop for the last year plus, and the launch of New York teachers and classes several weeks ago, plus the upcoming premium services launch (payments and more), has kept our hands very full -- we've recently been able to take a few days to reflect, paint the office, and refocus as a team, and that's been great.

One thing I'll share, that we found very motivating, is these two videos from Tony Hsieh (CEO of Zappos) -- if you can find 45 minutes, I'd highly recommend that you check them out -- they really highlight the type of company we're TRYING to build, with a mission-driven culture. We've definitely made some missteps along the way, but we're striving to continue to learn.

Labels: chicago, classes, education, learners, teachers, teachstreet

Oh, I'm so proud -- I have so many people to thank. My computer teachers, Mr. Fisher and Ms. Rothermel, who taught me everything I know about BASIC. Radio Shack, for developing and marketing the wonderful TRS-80 that I pined over. Texas Instruments for making the even more incredible TI-99/4A, that was connected to my tape recorder backup drive. My parents, for getting me my own phone line, to power my bedroom-powered bulletin board, the Magical Tavern. All of the engineers at TeachStreet, who I've taught so much to as we've built the site -- they've learned quickly and have taken well to my guidance and technical wisdom.

Thank you all -- I love you all.

Yes, I'm Seattle's Geek of the Week -- take THAT, Daryn -- who's your daddy now?!?

Labels: geek, seattle, teachstreet

I admit that my blogging has trailed off as of late. What with Twitter, TeachStreet blogging and articles, and life in general, it's seemed less important to be posting on No Snivelling. But, a good amount of planning went into tonight's Brad Feld event, so just in case I missed any loyal readers, here goes:

Brad Feld will be coming to Seattle and tonight, he's doing an event called Beers and Boulder with Brad. He'll be talking about entrepreneurial communities, the critical importance of entrepreneurship and innovation today, TechStars, what we�ve done in Boulder to drive entrepreneurship that can apply to other cities such as Seattle, and why they're expanding TechStars to Boston. He'll then stick around until they kick us out answering any and all questions and talking with whoever wants to hang out.

I helped organize the event as part of TeachStreet's goal to help people "Learn Something New" -- in this case, how to get off your butt and start a company!

Three great sponsors � Beacon Law Advisors, Square 1 Bank, and Microsoft BizSpark are underwriting the event.

If you aren�t in Seattle tonight, the event will be streamed live. If you are in Seattle, come join us.

Labels: beacon law advisors, bradfeld, daveschappell, ignite seattle, microsoft bizspark, square1bank, startup, teachstreet, techstars

Fun lifelong learning factoid of the day -- using search engines like Google, Yahoo and MSN actually helps to jumpstart your brain and keep it functioning at high levels. Who knew that all of our time online was actually fueling our brain cells?

Learn more about the Internet from Seattle teachers like Home Computing Coach via her web search classes!

Labels: lifelong learning, seattle, teachstreet

Happy days! Several weeks ago, I applied to the Seattle P-I to author a Seattle lifelong learning blog, and I was approved! They do a great job of enabling Seattle reader blogs amongst their community, and we've pledged to keep it very open and inclusive -- so we'll be linking to great local teachers, classes and organizations that help improve local learning and the discovery of great Seattle-area teachers. If you have suggestions, please send them my way!

The kickoff post featured a Settle lindy hop class / Seattle swing dance lesson instructor named Chris Chapman, of Hepcat Seattle Swing Dance. My new swing dancing class starts tonight!

Labels: lifelong learning, seattle, seattle p-i, teachstreet

Wow -- what a journey -- the TeachStreet site launched today, and humbly, I think it looks great. I'm so proud of the team, and what we built.

More on the TeachStreet blog (including some photos from launch celebration!).

Also some great coverage today from John Cook at the Seattle P-I, Mike Arrington at TechCrunch, ParentMap, and more -- really really awesome.

Thanks to friends and family -- I love you!

Dave

Labels: teachstreet

Today was really awesome -- we've got our launch bugs in front of us, and the team went at them with focused intensity -- the list has fallen steadily, with all hands on deck. We even managed to laugh a few times, eat some half decent Thai food, and spot a meth smoker across the street in their Chevy Citation. Really, an eventful day all around.

The last several weeks (months, really) have been a really hard push for myself, and the TeachStreet team. We've seriously been pushed to the extreme. But, the beginning (the launch) is near, and with that we'll move to our next stage as a company, and as a team.

These are the great days -- the hard days -- the days that we remember later on. These are the days that most people aren't willing to rise to. We did. I'm so proud of the team.

Now, we're off to sleep, to prepare for another day of battle :-)

Labels: bugs, launch, startups, teachstreet

Yes, I know -- my blogging has suffered in the last few weeks.

To our TeachStreet investors, trust me when I say that that's a good thing. What it means is that we're pushing extremely hard to meet our self-set goals. And, we've made incredible progress, and are still on pace for our launch aspirations (with regard to quality, coverage and timing).

To friends and family, I'm doing my best! If you haven't heard from me, it's not because I haven't thought of you. Nor is it because I'd prefer to not be with you. Rather, it's because this creation is a lot of work. I probably told you that I expected it to be hard, but I've always been one to learn by doing, as you know.

Which leads me to a post from Seth Godin that I thought was apt -- he talks about how with new/important creations (in his post, he's referring to the iPhone... in our case, we're talking about our much more humble undertaking, TeachStreet) there are always many times where it would be much easier to just say "forget it", and everyone would breathe huge sighs of relief, and move on.

However, we don't do that -- we can't do that. We know the risks, and the odds of failure. But we also know how great it would be to make our dreams a reality. And how much hard work, stress, and yes... fun... it is, to give it a herculean effort.

So, that's why my posting's been more sporadic. See you in a few years ;-)

Labels: forget it, seth godin, teachstreet

No, there's not much "there there" yet, but we finally established a firm home for TeachStreet. We've made a tremendous amount of additional progress in the last few weeks (CTO on board, financing nearly finished, office set up and most of the painful administrative efforts completed, more new hires on the way... now we get to finally start building the site!).

If you're interested in what we're up to, visit the new website and sign up for updates, and subscribe to the TeachStreet blog.

Labels: teachstreet