Meet Reece Kenney, Creator of Present Finder

Reece Kenney is a software engineer from England and the creator of an iPhone app called Present Finder. The app helps you find the perfect gift for anyone by asking you a series of questions about your intended gift recipient. Reece operates a technology company called Cyber Shark Technology which specializes in websites, software, and logo design.

1. What gave you the idea for Present Finder?

Well, the inspiration for this app came from the fact that I'm awful at picking out gifts for people. No really, I am absolutely hopeless! Unless the recipient shares similar interests to me, you probably wouldn't be overly impressed with the gift I pick out! I would spend ages scrolling for the "gifts for him/her" pages of various websites, and 90% of the gifts I saw were either not relevant or not interesting... I wanted a list of gifts that were specific to the person I was buying for e.g. a 19 year old male student who likes sci-fi, doesn't drive, and doesn't care for sports. And so, Present Finder was born! 



2. How did you come up with the questions to help find the perfect gift?

It mostly came down to how the items were categorized. I wanted to cover as many areas as I could in as little questions as possible so that the user could get through them quickly. In order to keep the number of questions to a minimum, but still provide accurate suggestions, the algorithm has to make some assumptions based on answers given. For example, would a person who said that they dislike sports be interested in a desktop football game? It's not a sport, but it is a game based on a sport. Or would someone who said they dislike cars be interested in a remote control car toy? So I just thought of all the questions that would allow me to cover a large amount of categories. I am planning on introducing an "advanced" mode where the user will see more questions. This means the app will be able to provide even more accurate suggestions!



3. What are some examples of the gifts that the app suggests?

Oh there are tons of gifts in our database! We have everything from Bluetooth speakers, to emoji pillows, to funny novelty items. Our most popular item based on the number of clicks and favorites is actually an item called "Nothing." It is literally an empty box for people that when asked what they want for their birthday, responded with "oh, nothing."



4. What was your process like in building the app?

It was pretty tough, honestly. It actually ended up taking the best part of a year because I took a break halfway through. I started working on it during my final year of university as I had finished my class work early and had some free time. I was finding it difficult to create the algorithm and eventually put the project on hold once my next classes started. A couple of months later I revisited the project and figured out a way to get it all to work. Many months of programming later, the app was ready for release! 



5. In your own experience giving and receiving gifts, what do you think separates a great gift from a mediocre one?

If you had asked me this question when I was a child, I probably would have told you the larger the gift size the better! But now I find that it's not so much the size or price of the gift that makes a gift great, but if you can see that the person genuinely purchased it with you in mind (as opposed to just buying a generic gift for a 22 year old male, for example), that's what makes it great. Oh, unusual gifts are cool, too!

Thanks, Reece!

Introducing CreativInn, a Site to Share Creativity

I was glad to happen upon the CreativInn website. The idea behind the site is to help creative people share their work and be noticed. Creatives can sign up for the site and showcase their projects, link to their websites, share videos, promote events, and more. Also, if you are someone who represents artists, you can use the site to set up pages for the people you represent.

The best way to get an idea of CreativInn is to check out their directory. There are some interesting profiles to explore, with more added all the time.

In browsing the site myself, I found some cool photography work from several different artists. One listing that really stood out to me was the page for Le Village des arts de Dakar in Senegal. The village has exhibitions year round and supports Senegalese artists who work in many different media. The photo below is from the profile for Village des arts de Dakar, and I have to say that it makes me want to see more!

The site also has a blog which offers creative tips and tools. And you can follow CreativInn on Facebook and Twitter to learn about updates to the site.

In short, CreativInn is a new platform for artists, and I think it is going to grow quite a lot this year as more and more artists--and art enthusiasts--discover the site and what it has to offer. One of my favorite things about the site is that it has an international scope, so you can learn about artists and projects from all over the world. And isn't this one of the best things about the internet, that it allows us to share in the creativity of other people without geographic distance being a barrier?

Introducing the Worldwide Groove Corporation Blog

As readers of this website know, I always love a good concept for a blog, and in my opinion, Worldwide Groove Corporation has a great one at http://www.worldwidegroovecorp.com/blog/. The blog is in the middle of celebrating the "Year of the Groove" where the musicians behind the site are putting out one new music release every month for a year and blogging about the new releases.

Kurt Goebel and Ellen Tift are Worldwide Groove Corporation, an electronic music duo based in Nashville. They create original compositions as well as downtempo remakes of jazz classics. You might recognize their music from a TV commercial for Grey's Anatomy, airplay on the syndicated "Chillin' with Chris Botti" show and other radio shows/networks, or placements in many indie films. Their music reminds me a little of Morcheeba, but give it a listen for yourself and see what you think.

The Year of the Groove project started last July, and their January 2015 post is (as of Jan 15) not up quite yet but will be appearing very soon. Each blog post includes an embedded SoundCloud player so that you can listen to the music while you read about the music. I like learning about how artists create their work, and the blog posts share lots of interesting details about the processes of writing lyrics, composing melodies, and more.

You also get behind the scenes details about how a song sometimes takes off in ways that the creators never imagined. For example, one of WGC's songs ended up becoming part of an campaign against genetically modified foods, a surprising yet welcome event for the musicians.

This is a great blog for hearing new music and learning about the experiences of two creative artists as they make and share their music with the world. In addition to the monthly Year of the Groove posts, there are other posts about a variety of topics relevant to readers with an interest in arts and culture. Check it out!

Meet Ross Barber, Web Designer for Bands and Musicians

Ross Barber is a web designer who specializes in design for bands and musicians. With his company Electric Kiwi, he has worked with many independent and unsigned artists to enhance their online presence.

1. What inspired you to create a web design and marketing firm specifically geared toward the music industry?

I've always loved music, and studied BA (Hons) Popular Music Performance at university. I started my course with the idea of becoming a professional singer/songwriter; however, as I progressed, I found I was becoming more interested in the promotion and marketing side of the industry. I had been designing websites since I was around 12 years old, and it made sense to me to combine the two things that I loved: web design and music. From there, Electric Kiwi was born!

2. What do you see as some specific/unique needs for music artists when it comes to building a website?

I create completely custom websites for each musician, as I think everyone's needs are different. However, I'd say that every musician's website should have the following sections: a way for people to listen to/buy your music, a way for people to contact you (you'd be surprised how many artist websites DON'T have contact information), a news section so people can see that you're still active, show listings (if you play live), and a design that reflects who YOU are as an artist.

3. In addition to having a great website, what else do people need to do to get noticed online in the music world--both by industry professionals and by fans/listeners?

I think with everyone being so easily connected via social media, fans and listeners expect artists to be available and want to connect with them on a personal level. For this reason, I think it's so important for artists to be engaging with their audience on social media. Of course, good music comes first, but you can't underestimate the power of building relationships and connections with your fans and industry professionals--it can make a huge difference.

4. I've often read the advice that with social media and online marketing, it's good for an indie artist to choose one network and commit to posting there rather than trying to "do everything" with social media. What are your thoughts on this?

I agree. There's a lot of overwhelm, especially for artists who are still in the DIY phase of their career. It can be tempting to be everywhere all at once, but ultimately, something is going to slip when you're spreading yourself so thin. It's good to have a presence on all of the major social platforms, but the main thing to bear in mind is where your audience is, and also what platform you enjoy using the most. My suggestion would be to be active on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube (if these are relevant to your music and fanbase), but to also have profiles set up on the other platforms so people can find you there.

5. Would you tell us about your new podcast interview series and what listeners can expect to hear?

Absolutely! I've just launched a new podcast show with my friend Marcio Novelli, called Bridge The Atlantic. We interview musicians and creative professionals about their careers. We're aiming for a balance between entertainment and education, so we try to keep it lighthearted and fun, a little more like a TV talk show than most other music business podcasts. We're on YouTube and iTunes, but the best starting point would be our website: http://bridge-the-atlantic.com.

Thanks, Ross!

Meet Andrew, Entrepreneur and Author

When Andrew was 15, he started searching for a way to become wealthy. Now, he's 35 and ready to retire--yet he still has the itch to continue pursuing different business opportunities and write about them.

Learn about Andrew's business experiences on his website, http://www.mycashlifestyle.com/, and check out his PDF guide to making money by doing maintenance and cleanup for bank foreclosed properties.

1. What is an REO foreclosure?

REO (Real-Estate Owned) is what the property is called after a bank forecloses and is unable to sell the property at auction--usually because the mortgage on the property is higher than the market value of the property. They still have it on the books as an asset and will try to sell it in the future.

2. How did you first get the idea to start doing cleanup tasks at foreclosed properties?

It was an opportunity I heard about and thought it'd be easier to get started than some of the other ventures I was looking into.

3. What kind of legwork does someone need to do before they can approach a bank and start working in this field?

Much like setting up another business, it involves registering the name (or incorporating), getting liability insurance, and setting up a bank account to separate personal finances from business finances.

4. What are some of the specific job tasks that are needed for foreclosed properties?

Each house is different, but you can really think of it as anything any house might need: locks changed, grass cut, windows boarded, pool closed and boarded, and trash taken out, just to name a few.

5. Why did you decide to write your REO Guide?

When I started REO, I found a few forums and some people who would answer a question or two, but I was pretty lost because I had no idea how the industry worked or what to expect. I wrote my REO Guide so people could get an introduction to the basics and some resources for making that start easier. I also offer one on one consulting to those that need additional help getting started.

Thanks, Andrew!

Meet Laura Dufresne, Artist and Craftsperson

Laura Dufresne is an artist in Montreal, Canada who creates unique handmade items. She currently specializes in fabric bow ties and coin purses / cell phone cases. If you like work with a geeky-cool aesthetic, be sure to check out Laura's creations. Learn more about Laura and her work on her website called Retroactive Legacy and in her Etsy shop.

1. What inspired you to start making handmade bow ties?

That's kind of a strange story. My boyfriend and I both have an affinity for geeky items and are both aficionados of the creative process. As my sewing skills grew, I found that smaller accessories with bold or interesting themes or characters became more important than the overall look. As a result, I tested a bow tie. I made a simple, Spiderman-themed bow tie for an event we attended. I received a number of responses--and to my surprise, excitement, and horror, people wanted to order them from me.

The experience blindsided me; I had no clue what to charge, how to proceed, and whether selling handmade bow ties made any sense at all. It turns out it does make complete sense because current mass-produced bow ties are poorly made, kind of boring, and mostly are pre-ties, which detracts from the allure of self-tied knot.

So in essence, what inspired me the most was the ideal of a great tradition, brought into modern times, made into something more interesting than the novelty ties our dads would wear once a year.

2. I see you are expanding into coin purses and cell phone cases. How do you get ideas for your products?

The coin purses was first inspired by this awesome fabric I found on Spoonflower featuring cameo skulls. I wanted to really showcase the skulls because the entire look was so well done. I thought it appropriate to create something heart-shaped and it just so happened that I had a batch of purse frames in my crafts stash. I tested patterns until I found one that suited the fabric perfectly and voila.

I think fabrics often inspire my work: I don't want to do what might be obvious with them; I want to do the unthinkable, the out-of-the-box, without over-reaching and not being relatable. There should be some sort of connection, but it won't necessarily be immediately obvious.

3. How do you choose the fabrics to use in your creations?

For one, most of the fabrics I choose are not commercially available. I do sometimes use commercially available fabrics, typically when it involves creating something using a copyrighted character. I think copyright is extremely important and believe that as customers become more and more aware of the issues of copyright, this will become of significant importance in the future.

It is also important to me to support independent artists. I love finding independent designers and creating something that really highlights their work. Bow ties are great for this; all bow-ties have a "window" of sorts, and I look for designs that meet the size requirements for this 1" by 2" space.

My fishing tie is a perfect example. The fish on this fabric are quite large and take up a significant portion of the window. I chose it because it fit the personality of bow ties as the modern replacement to the ubiquitous novelty fishing tie of our fathers, and also because the dimensions that would allow me to showcase the fabric in a way that might otherwise have been overlooked.

4. As an indie artist/craftsperson, what do you feel are the pros and cons when it comes to selling on Etsy?

I'm really not sure about Etsy anymore. I have found that the philosophy that made me jump into the mix has been lost with the refusal to address resellers in the marketplace. It really has torn me apart. I could continue to sell there, and with a little more involvement, I know I would/could be highly successful, but I am still not very sure I want to continue with this medium. This is a discussion for another day and another interview.

In favor of Etsy, there are still numerous independent artists and producers on the website. It is essential we support that as much as possible. In doing so, we solidify the economic sense of maintaining a handmade marketplace. For myself, even if you don't buy my products, I hope you buy things through Etsy that aren't produced in factories.

Cons: often times it is hard to tell what is handmade. :(

5. What do you think that people creating handmade objects can do to make their work stand out online, where buyers are inundated with cheap, pseudo-handmade imports?

I think it is important not to jump on bandwagons. I know it can be hard to resist, but making a bow tie of blue boxes would be stupid-boring, because it's just too common. I don't want to be mean, but if there are a gad-zillion of something, there is just no way to stand out. If you want or need to be on trend, try to get ahead of the curve. Also, you really do need to KNOW your subject.

Research is the key to connecting with your potential customers. One of my most successful bow ties is a Godzilla bow tie, but customers are not directed to my product through the keyword GODZILLA, but through the keyword GOJIRA, the Japanese word for this awesome monster! Know the fans, know the lingo, and that is how you'll reach your key audience.

Thanks, Laura!

Meet Robert James, Marketing Manager of The Voice Realm

The Voice Realm is a website which connects voice actors with those wishing to hire a voice. The site lists high-rated freelance voice actors available for casting in radio or TV commercials, telephone on-hold messages, narration, in-store announcers, corporate recordings, and more.

Our interview is with The Voice Realm's marketing manager, Robert James.

1. How has the voice over industry changed in recent years?

It has changed dramatically. We are seeing a shift in clients moving online to save time and money when casting voice actors. Many voice talent now have their own professional home studios, so this can pass on massive savings to clients, by not needing to book expensive studio time.

2. How do clients find and collaborate with voice talent using your site?

They can easily search through our database of talent, or they can have the system send out their script, and voice talent will record a sample audition for them free. Then once they find the voice they like, they simply hire the voice and download the recording.

3. My thought is that online services like yours make it easier for small business owners and individuals to afford voice over services for a variety of projects. What other benefits do you see to making voice over services available online?

Other than the cost, it is the time that is saved. Prior to online websites such as The Voice Realm, there would be the need for casting directors and studio time and the engineer. It was a long, drawn out process that took days and sometimes weeks.

4. Do the voice actors you work with have home studios or other professional recording equipment/resources that they utilize?

All our talent record in their own professional home studios. It is exactly the same sound you would get from a big studio in NYC or London, but at a tiny fraction of the cost.

5. What are some unique uses for voice over work that you've seen (heard?) in your experience in the industry?

We've cast voice talent for toys and dolls, and someone once paid one of our voices to make a dramatic opening, kind of like a movie trailer, to be played at his wedding. That was quite funny and unique.

Thanks, Robert!

Madrid City Skyline: A Unique Ebook

This is a really cool idea that I've never seen before: the Madrid City Skyline is an ebook that you can download and then print out full-color patterns that you fold into three-dimensional models. There are step by step instructions for folding and assembling each model. It comes with 25 cutouts to download, print, and build. Find images and more on the Facebook page for the book.

The artist behind the creation of the book has taken care to create great graphic resolution, so your mini skyline will look realistic in its sharp details. This project was designed with collectors, designers, students, architects, and travelers in mind. And kids love it, too.

As someone who loves paper crafts, I was pleased to hear about this ebook. It's one of the most creative uses of the ebook form that I've heard of yet. And if you want to try it before you buy it, you can get two free samples on the book's website.