Meet the Team, Follow Progress and Enjoy the Ride

This blog is about the lives of a few entrepreneurs who are aiming to establish the next trend in social networking and the concept that will make it happen. Since our venture is all about connecting people together, we want to be involved and connected to you and we want you to be involved and connected to us. We'll be sharing with you: who we are, how we got started, how we’re doing and where we’re going...we're taking you along for the ride!!

Sunday, July 29, 2007

What does Web 2.0 and Aspirin have in Common?

According to Wikipedia, “Web 2.0, a phrase coined by O'Reilly Media in 2003[1] and popularized by the first Web 2.0 conference in 2004[2] , refers to a perceived second generation of web-based communities and hosted services — such as social-networking sites, wikis and folksonomies — which facilitate collaboration and sharing between users.

Sounds like some jive talk that will occupy my spell check for 30 minutes. Since partnering with Ann back in January ’07, I’ve put on my cowboy hat and handkerchief, and investigated all sort of sites: Myspace, Facebook, Pownce, Friendster, and Twitter, etc. in my own sad attempt to educate myself, and what have I learned?


1) If this is the best Web 2.0 can muster, there is much room for new entrants to provide more value-added experiences and services.

2) We have a duty to launch Why Go Solo and provide connections that do not currently exist.

My two cents is that the Web 2.0 overlooks the fact that Brick and Mortar operations would LOVE to build relationships that will benefit the member, online community, and the business.

For example, Ann, Ruth, and myself met with Steve Gavula, the President of the
MHG Group, a local restaurant chain owner in the DC Metro area Friday night. They have a gorgeous restaurant location called, Circa Dupont, in the heart of Dupont Circle, Washington DC. As you walk up to the location, you see an inviting outdoor eating section and hip storefront appearance.

Once you walk in, you can choose from 3 different experiences:
1) trendy coffee house
2) bar and grill with big screen TV’s
3) fine dining

Steve is constantly looking for ways to be a part of the Web 2.0 world and to have his establishment used as an extension of the online community world. To date, the Web 2.0 world has not extended an invitation to the dance.


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