CommerceCubes

Interview with David Askaripour of MindPetals.com

I had a chance to talk with David Askaripour about his visions for running MindPetals, an online Entrepreneurship network, a few weeks ago. Since I made his acquaintance last fall he continues his goal of promoting MindPetals and growing it in a positive direction. The layout and navigation of his site is clean and straightforward to use and I think the words “Fresh”, “Clean”, and “Simple” are a few words that describe it well from a visual point-of-view. The site itself is packed with content for anyone interested in reading articles from entrepreneurs that highlight their successes, failures and how they are overcoming them. I had the following questions to ask David when it comes to running MindPetals…

Lucas: When you started MindPetals, what was your goal and how did you plan on reaching it?

Dave: My goal was to unite young entrepreneurs around the world in an online community where they can share ideas, experiences, insights, and lessons.

The plan was to start reaching out — sending emails — to all the young entrepreneurs that I knew and told them about my ideas and if they would be interested. I received all positive feedback.

Lucas: Where do you see the MindPetals business heading?

Dave: Books, magazines, events, parties, and tours. We want to revolutionize young entrepreneur movements and offer more mediums for young entrepreneurs to connect and learn from one another. Mind Petals will be spearheading that movement.

Lucas: Do you cringe when you here the term “web 2.0″ being used in conjunction with your best and if so then why?

Dave: No. That phrase really has no impact on me whatsoever. Sure, people throw it around so loosely, but in time — as the bubble loses air — the market will correct itself and more and more people will start to understand what they are or aren’t actually talking about when using the phrase “web 2.0″

Lucas: What software do you use to run the day to day operation of MindPetals?

Dave: WordPress. Vbulletin forums. A bunch of customized script tailored for the communities needs. And a bit of AJAX here and there.

Lucas: What sets MindPetals apart from your competition?

Dave: What competition? I really don’t think about competition in regards to Mind Petals. At heart, MP is a social venture and I welcome other entrepreneurs to create other communities to help entrepreneurs as well.

Lucas: How much do you currently rely on Outsourcing and what are your future plans as far as outsourcing goes? Naturally you want to attract the best people to help you grow MindPetals so I am curious as to how you envision this and plan to accomplish this?

Dave: To be honest, people usually come to me. I find that there is always one thing in common when an entrepreneur is creating a venture that truly helps people — that thing is: Support.

Since starting Mind Petals, people have always contacted me to see how they contribute. People, believe it or not, really want to be a part of something good. It’s my job to install the right people for the right things. That’s what’s going to catapult Mind Petals — continuing to find these people who want to be a part of the community and unleashing them to express themselves to the world.

… I wish David continued success with his MindPetals venture in helping entrepreneurs all around the world. Thanks again David!

Luc