Introducing Handshakin.com, a Community for Entrepreneurs

If you're a new entrepreneur, where do you start? How do you find out the useful big and small pieces of information that can help your business grow and succeed? Well, if you're based in Colorado, you're in luck because you can turn to Handshakin.com, an entrepreneurial community that helps new business owners connect with experts and mentors.

The Handshakin site is run by Matt (Handshakin) Holmes. He earned an MBA in 2012 and is the founder of Holmes Real Estate Group, a real estate investment company that, in the words of the bio on his website, "funds his passion for helping startups and entrepreneurs."

By the way, you don't have to be in Colorado to learn from the resources of the Handshakin community. There is a great (and free!) library of videos on their website. These videos feature interviews with successful business owners in Colorado. So far, the videos include people from a variety of industries, from a physician/investor to an artist/entrepreneur.

If you're local to the Denver area, you can join the Startup Denver Meetup to connect in person with other businesspeople. Other local events include mentorship, apprenticeship, and internship programs to help you meet people who have found success as independent business owners.

For business tips every day and to find out about the latest local Handshakin events, you can like the Handshakin Holmes Facebook page.

More Photos by Tom Potter

After my recent post about Tom Potter, a photographer based in Colorado, I found myself thinking about his work and wishing I'd shared more samples of his photos. I suppose it's partly because his work makes me nostalgic for the two road trips I've taken to Colorado so far! It's also because I like his work, and I like to spread the word about indie artists on the blog.

So here are a few more photos of Tom's. Be sure to check out his website, http://tompotterphotography.com, to see even more.

Introducing Tom Potter, Photographer

I've been to Colorado on vacation more than once, and the natural environment there is just plain beautiful--there's really no better way to describe it! From the mountains to the rivers to the plants and wildlife, there are plenty of subjects worthy of contemplation. And that doesn't even mention the incredible rock formations.

Tom Potter is a photographer who lives in Colorado and loves to photograph landscapes, wildlife, and basically everything having to do with nature. He grew up in New York but lived amidst the scenery of Colorado for almost 20 years now. He has studied at the New York Institute of Photography and Brooklyn College, and continues to expand his work through self-study. His work explores the year-round beauty of Colorado and offers a way to bring a bit of that beauty into your home.

Tom began by shooting on film but became interested in digital photography. On his website, he sells prints of his work on canvas as well as fine paper. If you're looking for photos of Colorado taken by someone who truly loves the local surroundings, you'll want to check out Tom's work. His photos of animals are wonderful, too!

He also accepts customer requests to shoot specific locales within 100 miles of his home; you can contact him for specific details if you want to discuss a custom piece.

Introducing Silverthorne Lodging, a Colorado Ski Destination

A friend of mine posted on Facebook the other day about the pleasure of thinking of wintery things in the summer, and I have to agree. And it's always a pleasure to contemplate vacation plans. So here's an introduction to the website for Silverthorne Lodging, where you can start planning a Colorado ski vacation right now.

Silverthorne Lodge started out as a single townhome that the owners bought to make available as a vacation rental, and then in 2010, they expanded to a second townhome. These are spacious and well-furnished rentals, each with 2000 square feet, four bedrooms, four and a half baths, and a private hot tub. If you want to go on a couples' weekend with friends, four couples can share the townhome and each will have a full private bathroom. And if you want to have a family reunion or other large party, you can rent both homes at once and comfortably accommodate 25 people.

The homes have stylish features like wood flooring and lodge pole beds. There are large windows which give you a view of the Silverthorne and Dillon valley, which is a beautiful area. In addition to skiing, you'll find a lot of other activities to do such as hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and of course shopping and dining out. The Silverthorne Lodging website includes reviews of a number of local points of interest.

For more information, you can check out the YouTube video below for a detailed introduction to the lodge.

Meet Devin Goodsell, Actor

Devin Goodsell was born in Boulder, Colorado and was raised in southern and central California. In the 4th grade he had an assignment to look into three different careers he wanted to do when he grew up. Taking this assignment very seriously he chose: computer programming, acting, and piloting. Giving in to his introverted personality, he pursued the technology route. After high school he attended college where he graduated with a bachelors degree in Computer Science. Devin went off to have a successful career in the technology industry.

For so many people this would have been where their career life continued, but there was something severely lacking for Devin. No matter what he accomplished, he couldn't achieve a sense of fulfillment. In 2009 the catalyst came, and unfortunately he experienced the passing of his mother. Knowing she always wanted him to live his life not on the premise of financial accomplishments but to gain happiness from passion and relationships, he set out to try and discover what this would mean.

Driving down Laurel Canyon Blvd one afternoon in June of 2009 he saw a sign for an acting class. The same fantasies that danced in his head as a kid back in the 4th grade re­emerged, and he realized it was time to push his timid behavior aside and give it a whirl. He called up and booked himself a class. Scared out of his mind he went to class. Not knowing a single thing about acting other than what he saw in movies, he attempted to do his best, which admittedly, he says, was horrible. However a spark ignited in him that he did not understand, nor could he make sense of, and he knew he was on to something.

As years progressed he came to realize that spark ignited a burning blaze of passion that could not be put out and he would do everything he could to continue feeding it. After three years of challenging himself through classes, improv, auditions, performances, and over 30 film projects he now has the confidence to call himself an actor, but knows this is just the first step in the long and exciting journey he has begun.

Devin appears in the forthcoming short film, Locked.

1. How did you get your start as an actor?

It was a bit on the whim and started from an acting class, but I must admit acting was always a desire that terrified me. Being shy and a perfectionist I have no idea honestly how it began other than for a childhood dream, thirst for something that challenges me to the core of my existence, and an undeniable feeling that once I started it was exactly what I was supposed to do. But my start to being an actual actor I'd have to attribute to a play I was in late last year that provided the opportunity to truly dive in and embrace a character much different than myself.

2. Would you tell us little bit about your character in Locked?

The first time I read the script I couldn't help but think, "man, this guys' an a--hole" and laugh at his predicament. But after really starting to see the world from John's perspective, I realized how real he is. John got married young and started to wonder what life would be like if he hadn't. He played off the fantasy and overtime allowed it to be his addiction while still enjoying the comforts of being married. In a sense he was having the best of both worlds. But the arc of the character in the film allowed me to see he was still human, and the guilt he had from his actions has been wearing on him for longer than he realized. Underneath it all John really does have a heart, and I think that's what's surprising to realize.

3. What did you do to prepare for your role?

Like I do with all characters, I sat down and created a list of similarities and differences with John and me. The two big differences were that he's married, and he has cheated on his wife. I've never cheated on anyone--yes, that's the truth to all you single ladies out there, nor have I been married. So I had to pull a girlfriend from my past who I had a long relationship with and imagine what if I married her. That's when I began to make a lot of discoveries. After getting into his mental background I then worked on the actual aspect of the lock. And well I'm not going to get into details but let's just say I now know what its liked to be locked.

4. What are some of the pleasures and challenges you encountered in your role for this film?

Preparing for a character has to always be at the top of the list. It's such a eye-opening experience to learn life from another perspective than your own. Now the most challenging would have to be the nudity, but what was cool about this particular nude situation is the character and my nervousness were in line so there was no need to add in extra depth.

5. Could you tell us a little bit about some of your goals as an actor, and what projects you hope to be working on over the next few years?

At this point, just trying to get those 10,000 hours in! No, but in all honesty my goals have always been in line with digging to further depths with my craft, but lately I've started to become more keen on the business aspect and realize talent can only get you so far, sadly. So I've began taking on producing roles to understand that aspect of movie making, and let me tell you the experiences and lessons are invaluable. But straight to your question, I've been working on a play titled Brilliant Traces that will be going up soon where I play the lead, Henry. Also I'm working with a director I've previously worked with to do a short film on Google glass that will be filming in November. As for the unknown future and my hopes: TV, of course, and features in hopes I can get a few lines in with the greats.

Thanks, Devin!

Meet Robert Goldsberry, Artist

Robert Goldsberry is a Colorado-based visual artist. He has been painting and drawing for over 30 years in different mediums and styles. His current work involves painting in a realist style, doing still lifes with various objects and designs. Find samples of his work at robertgoldsberry.com.

Below is a painting called Always.

And here is another recent painting called Treaty.

1. What do you most enjoy about working in a realist style, and what are the challenges of working on realist paintings?

Throughout my career, I've typically done a little of everything. What I enjoy most is the challenge of it. The attempt to make it realistic is an ongoing pursuit and quite challenging. I enjoy watching the work evolve and change over time. What is important to me is the feeling it creates. If I'm working toward a realistic work, I want it to be the best I can make it look. Same goes for any other style. I work hard to achieve what I'm trying to do with these paintings.

2. What inspired you to focus on still lifes for the series of paintings you're currently working on?

My inspiration for working on still lifes comes from the simplicity I find in assembling the objects I wish to interpret. Stills are a time-honored tradition and one I've not worked at until ten years ago (my first still life was a drawing I did in college). Painters think in terms of weight, value, variations on color and composition. The process of doing the painting is always intriguing and captivating. Painting is magic in that sense. What is inspiring is the finished piece looking like the painting you imagined it would be. It does not always work out that way. Many good ideas are never fulfilled because of hesitation to push on.

3. How do you choose the arrangement of objects for a particular painting?

I'm not sure that I choose the objects to paint, but that they choose me instead. I make up every painting I do. I'm always looking for another piece of the puzzle, an object or thing that will enhance the work and make it a balanced effort. At times I will reference an object to make sure I'm doing it as close to what it is supposed to be, but most all time spent is envisioning the image I'm trying to produce and just doing it from memory. Arrangement is nothing more than, "What will I think of next, and what looks good with that?". I never really know what is next. I've just finished two paintings that I painted at the same time. Now I'm feeling lost as to what to do next. But that lost feeling does not last very long because when something strikes a chord, and I think to myself, that will look good on canvas, it usually does.

4. What are some other styles and media you've worked in as an artist, in addition to realist painting?

I've worked in many styles and media, from crayons to trowels and sticks, abstracts, surreal, real, to impressionism. I would like to try sculpting someday. I think the clay would be interesting and fun. But painting on canvas and with a brush has stuck with me for all these years. I've been known to produce vivid abstracts, which at times blend and morph into abstract/surrealism, or straight up surrealism, or to realism, and at one point, some super realism. Painting is an evolving process for me. At one point I painted strictly abstract imagery for 17 years. And then while working a horse ranch in Evergreen Co., I dropped the abstracts and started working on paintings of horses and equine portraiture. The best part was my influence and subject matter were all around me.

Again, painting is an evolving process. In the beginning stages, components of a painting come from the objects and their inherent beauty, and during the process, things can quickly change to more abstract and conceptual ideas. I love doing the abstracts as a way of releasing tension, energy, and emotion, all depicted by color and technique. Also, if I have a period of time in which I have not sat at the easel much, I find that working in an abstract style loosens me up to more vigorous detailed work. Kind of like getting paint on myself, it gets me involved and motivated and messy.

5. How do your surroundings living in Colorado influence your work?

I'm from Colorado and have lived all over including the deserts of southern Arizona. I've found no direct connection between my work and my surroundings. I don't paint in plein aire much because I'm usually a studio turtle and love to hibernate there. On location requires another painter to say let's go there and paint. What I do paint in plein aire usually ends up in the studio to be completed. My all-time favorite artist is Vincent Van Gogh, and I paint nothing like him, yet find inspiration in his work, style of painting, and his life story. He never liked painting indoors and that's okay. One day maybe I'll get that urge to paint in the wind, rain, and blasting sun like he did, but not just yet.

Thanks, Robert!