Session 1: Identifying and Evaluating Disruptive Opportunities
Monday, September 24th, 2012
7:00pm
Co-Merge Workplace, San Diego
Guest Speakers: Kevin and Martin of Shake Smart, and Olin Hyde, Serial Entrepreneur
Objective: Think about how to screen entrepreneurial ideas and begin to create your own opportunity screen. What’s the difference between an idea and an opportunity? How do you recognize opportunities and create new solutions?
About Shake Smart:
Shake Smart is the next generation of blended drink providers specializing in protein shakes, meal replacements, and healthy food options. All of the items in our main “protein shake” menu line contain 30+ grams of protein, only real fruits ,and no artificial or processed sugars. The nutritional profile of our products is our main differentiator against juice/smoothie stores, whose products are much higher in sugar andcalories. Our business model is focused on making this quality nutrition convenient and affordable for consumers. We currently operate two stores, at San Diego State University and in downtown San Diego in the Horton Plaza mall, both within close proximity to large fitness centers. Shake Smart is currently in the process of expanding to open stores in other high-potential locations at California Universities, malls with fitness centers, and military bases. Shake Smart’s vision is to become the industry’s leading provider of healthy blended drinks.
About Kevin and Martin:
Kevin, originally from Santa Clarita, came to San Diego to attend college at San Diego State University. He co-founded Shake Smart, Inc. during his senior year at SDSU and currently serves as the President and CEO. Having graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Business Management, Kevin is focused on growing the Shake Smart brand into a nationally recognized brand. He has a passion for sports and fitness, driving the Shake Smart vision as a “healthy lifestyle” focused company.
Martin, born and raised in New Jersey, also came to San Diego to attend SDSU. After working with Kevin in student organizations, he helped co-found Shake Smart while still working towards an undergraduate degree. Now serving as Shake Smart, Inc’s Vice President and having graduated with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications he is working toexpand the company to new stores throughout California and the Southwest.
About Olin Hyde:
Olin Hyde is a serial entrepreneur who has founded or co-founded eight startups. Last year he sold Auto-Semantics.com to ai-one inc. where he is now responsible for worldwide revenue generation for an artificial intelligence technology. Outside of ai-one he is in the process of forming two new ventures — a Facebook dating application (in stealth mode) and a biomedical device company, Englue Inc.
In 1989, Olin co-founded National Facilities Group which disrupted the real estate software industry by selling enterprise solutions to 50 of the Fortune 100 within the first two years of product launch. His other previous startups have been in: offshore software development, media & entertainment, outdoor equipment, internet marketing and business intelligence and project management consulting services. His professional experience includes strategy consulting positions with Accenture (then Andersen Consulting) and managing the IT services business unit for Koll Real Estate Group (now part of CBRE) and serving as VP of Sales & Marketing for Integrant Inc.
Olin is involved in numerous civic and charitable organizations including serving on the board of directors for Outdoor Outreach. Olin has Bachelors of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in mathematics and marketing from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He lives in San Diego with his fiancee Lydia and takes their dog Fuzz to his office in La Jolla almost everyday.
