With a little begging, pleading, whining and moaning, I was able to fanagle a few coordinated minutes with January 2011 #NWITweetup #2′s speaker Erik Deckers to discuss his career, his presentation, his new soon-to-be-best-selling book…and whatever else I could come up with!

Below is the transactions. I hope you enjoy reading it half as much as I enjoyed conducting.

1 – What made you decide to become a blogger instead of getting a real job?

I got laid off from my real job, started a company, and then got hired to Professional Blog Service after 1 month. I then became an owner 4 months later.

2 – What was your first blog post about?

First one ever was a post on my humor blog. I was going to write ABOUT humor writing. After a few months of barely doing anything with it, and struggling through the “secrets” of humor writing, I said “screw it!” and just started posting my humor columns on the blog.

3 – When did you realize that you needed to pay more attention to your own branding?

When I first left the Indiana State Department of Health, I realized I didn’t know anyone. One of the first people I met was Lorraine Ball, who taught me about the importance of networking and creating that personal brand. I joined Rainmakers and Smaller Indiana, which gave me the opportunity to create that brand, and helped me connect with people like Kyle Lacy.

4 – What was the turning point in your career? That point where you realized you had “made it,” and didn’t have to think too often about getting a bartending gig at night?

I think when people started recognizing me without having met me. I’m still contemplating the bartending thing, but at least now, my clients will know me by name.

5 – Brand Yourself. The New Book you co-wrote with Kyle Lacy. What inspired it? And did you tag Lacy along because he needed the help? JK

I had helped Kyle write Twitter Marketing for Dummies in 2009, and we decided we wanted to work on another project together. When we were discussing possible topics, I told him about how I grew my network after not knowing anyone, and Kyle said, “we need to write the book for you from 3 years ago. We need to tell that guy how to grow his network.” From there, we just recreated the road map we have both used.

BTW – I’ll be down there soon. Maybe for the book launch. If I go, do I get a free copy?

I’ll be in town next Tuesday. Want me to bring you one?

ABSOLUTELY!!

January 2011 #NWITweetup #2 with Erik Deckers

Time: 6:30-9 pm Chicago time
Date: Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Venue: Pass Times of Valparaiso, IN
Speaker: Erik Deckers
Map to Pass Times:

View Larger Map

(photo credit:  Noah Coffey via Flickr)
(and, yeah, Finn’s affiliate link)

Of all the special guests that we have planned for the #NWiTweetup, I think I am the most excited about Harrison. I met Harrison a few years back at ReVerb Chicago event, think TED with a real estate/marketing focus.  We talked, exchanged ideas and then we collaborated and brought the first RebarCamp to Indiana. He has helped me with his guidance, introductions and the Power of the RT.

Here is the video of the 5 Questions, thanks to the power of DropBox * and Harrison’s fine video editing.

I think it goes without saying that…

1. I am not all the good at interviewing people, but I am trying
2. I need to be better prepared.

But, prepared we are for the #NWiTweetup this Thursday Night at Crown Brewing in Crown Point, IN sponsored by Around Crown Point, for more information and a map to the venue checkout our video announcement of the October #NWiTweetup

We look forward to seeing you all there.

Dave @davewoodson

Coffee house owners who open during these economic times need bravado, intense research to find the best coffee beans, and a Grateful Dead-like understanding of community. Somewhere, Seth Godin is smiling, thinkin’ he converted another one.

For Cornucopia Coffee Company co-owner Rich Halstead, there ain’t no other way to live

If you haven’t been to Cornucopia Coffee Company in Valparaiso, IN, you’re missing one of the hidden gems of The Region.

The Cornucopia Coffee Company Restoration - Before & After

Original brick walls, restored 13-foot ceilings, electrical outlets every 6 feet along the walls and dividers, and a picturesque view of life in downtown Valparaiso, only 3 things match Cornucopia’s ambiance:

• Rare coffee blends
• Food
• And Gumballhead

With, such a blend of atmosphere and pallet-quenching delicacies, it’s amazing our interview only went this long…

I hope you enjoy my interview with Cornucopia’s Rich Halstead. A thoroughly enjoyable interview. For one who likes to put others on the stage and avoid the starring role, he did an outstanding job under the #NWITweetup lights.

And the music was charming

1. Could you please describe what it took to make Cornucopia Coffee Company a reality?

We began studying the business on a concert trip to Seattle in 2001. It was something we were interested in and what better place to start?

Shortly afterwards we met Tony Dreyfuss from Metropolis Coffee in Chicago and became friends. He was micro-roaster of the year in 2007, and was also honored with best latte in Chicago the same year. Tony’s small batch artisan roasting is 2nd to none, and the coffee, quality and dedication to product is incredible. For instance, fair trade and sustainability are important to all of us, and he and his team were in east Africa several months ago, visiting farms and co-ops, and buying product to export to the roastery.

We began construction on our building in 2008, and 14 months later were ready to open. We restored the building by removing upwards of 2500 pounds of plaster to expose the original brick, and 4200 pounds of flooring to expose the original 1903 maple floor, which we refinished. Any damaged areas of the floor were laced with vintage Notre Dame basketball court flooring that we acquired from one of our acquaintances. The circa 1910 espresso bar is from a bar in Kouts that went out of business after a small fire. Our tin ceiling is also completely original from 1903, and we integrated parts of it into the design of the bar, and stage platform.

2. Original brick, hardwood floors and electrical outlets in several locations on the walls and dividers. Was this part of the design or just a little bit of luck?

When the original plaster, baseboards and flooring were removed, we constructed our own baseboard to cover the gap that was left. We ran power thru the baseboard and installed outlets approximately every 6 feet. The dividers were built to included outlets on all sides. We upgraded the buildings service to 400 amps to allow for all the improvements, including outlets for computer use. It was part of the design plan.

3. Many coffee houses have music as an implied theme, but Cornucopia has taken it a step farther with a PA system, corner stage and a series of scheduled events. Where does the passion for live music stem from?

Music has been an integral and important part of our lives forever. I began playing guitar and taking lessons at 8 years old, and the passion never left. I was music director at several radio stations during my broadcasting career, and made playlist decisions, met promoters, and created my own music library through out the years. Because of that background, we wanted to attempt to make music a part of the business, so it just came naturally.

4. You can name all the coffee houses in the area that serves beer and wine. There’s Cornucopia….and…well, just Cornucopia. How have you been able to benefit from having this distinction?

The addition of beer and wine has benefited us mid day, evenings, on music nights and during special events. There are no neon lights promoting it. We wanted to have these beverages available in a quiet, relaxed, safe, non smokey environment, so that people had further choices. Many folks come to read, use their computers, study, and relax, and people can order a latte while their date or friend has a glass of wine or micro brewed beer. It is just an expanded service to our customers. They seem to enjoy it.

5. I’d like to thank you for carry Gumball Head. That’s how I was going to end this but since I need to ask a question, please give the readers your 30-second pitch on why they should come to the September 2010 #NWITweetup and keep coming after that.

You’re welcome for the Gumballhead!

Now that the kids are back in school and vacations are over, it’s a good opportunity to come meet and enjoy some friends and peers, listen to Robby Slaughter’s presentation, and partake in caffeinated or adult beverages and food. With all the excellent coffee shop choices in Valpo, perhaps this will be some of the attendees first opportunity to visit us and judge the difference and distinction for themselves. From artisan, small batch micro roasted and date stamped coffee, to quality tea from TeaGschwendner and Rishi, organic salads, pastries baked in house, gourmet sandwiches, and a quality selection of beer and wine, we hope there will be many reasons to return to Cornucopia.

I’m pickin’ up what you’re putting down, my friend.

For those who aren’t aware, here are the September 2010 #NWITweetup Quickfacts

Time: pre-Tweetup – 6:30pm. Tweetup – 7pm.
Date: September 28th, 2010
Place: Cornucopia Coffee Company. 210 E. Lincolnway. Valparaiso, IN.
Speaker: Robby Slaughter. Founder, Slaughter Development
Topic: “How Social Media Can Improve Your Productivity.” Specials: Sampler specials. Food Specials. Drink Specials.
Map to Cornucopia Coffee Company:

View Larger Map

Over the last few years, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know quite a few marketing and media professionals throughout the state. Leaders, followers, characters, crackups and those that are able to bring up that one little thought that will make you change your perspective, I’ve been able to run into most all of them.

But there’s only been a few that I’ve come across that have made me stop in my tracks and made me rethink my approach to everything.

Robby Slaughter is one of those people, to me.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Robby for Blog Indiana’s BIN2010 and now that he was polite enough to make the trek to Valparaiso, IN to speak at the September 2010 #NWITweetup, I get to conclude our conversation.

I hope you enjoy…

In 20 words or less, what is Slaughter Development?

We are a consulting firm devoted to helping small businesses, non-profits and individuals become more productive, more efficient and more effective.

How did Slaughter Development start in Austin, TX?

We started as an IT consultancy, mostly doing web development and systems implementation.

“Failure: The Secret to Success,” what inspired the need to write it?

Fear of failure is the number one reason people don’t analyze their workflow and don’t explore changes that might make them more productive and more satisfied.

How many more failures did you discover as you were writing the book?

Hundreds of examples. I’m practically a walking dictionary of the great screwups in history. Many of these are appearing at www.failurethebook.com.

Ever heard of Gumball Head?

Yes! It’s a great beer from Three Floyds. Looking forward to enjoying one when I’m in Valpo.

Good to hear, because it’s one of the many craft beers available at Cornucopia Coffee Company on Tuesday night, September 28th.

September 2010 #NWITweetup

Time: pre-Tweetup – 6:30pm. Tweetup – 7pm.
Date: September 28th, 2010
Place: Cornucopia Coffee Company. 210 E. Lincolnway. Valparaiso, IN.
Speaker: Robby Slaughter. Founder, Slaughter Development
Topic: “How Social Media Can Improve Your Productivity.”
Specials: Sampler specials. Food Specials. Drink Specials.
Map to Cornucopia Coffee Company:

View Larger Map

July 2010 #NWITweetup was a moderate success. Our sponsors and hosts were brilliant.

• Eric Carter of Cartronix - you were absolutely brilliant. Your Sonos 5 system and additional gifts were otherworldly. And that fact you got the good stuff assembled based off a whim I had:  unreal.
• Jack of Billy Jack’s Cafe & Bar - wonderful. I hope Gumballhead gets cheaper for y’all.
• Rick Gosser of Gosser Sales – Your coupons were blessings. The sponsorship of the name badges:   perfect.
• Sarah Highlen and the Grossbauer Group – Way to step up for the name badges (and additional resources). It’s fitting someone from your clan wins something at every drawing.
• Christopher Hedges – even thought you couldn’t get out til late, thank you SO much for the sponsorship of the name badges.
• Christopher Mahlmann – Thank you for the T-Shirts. Always stepping up in the clutch!
• Rahsaan Taylor – those new name badges look great! Just wonderful!
• Atom Groom – thank you for covering us in a pinch and designing the Poker Run forms.
• Evelyn Bay Coffee Company, Phillip’s Ace Hardware and Majestic Jewelers – thank you for keeping the doors open as long as possible to accommodate our run.
• Karl Tatgehnorst – thanks for hanging out at Majestic Jewelers. Hope the Mrs. didn’t pressure you to purchase too much.
• Jason Adams – keep them banners comin’.
• Jon Costas – melodic set, Mr. Mayor. Had me jonesin’ for my Martin.
• and Daver – way to follow through on the forms and hosting when crunch time hit.

I’m sorry I didn’t hold up my end.

In my attempts to not step on others toes when helping others organize events, I wasn’t a sufficient resource. The event should have run much smoother.

• Posts should have been written quicker.
• Press releases should have been distributed sooner.
• Event details should have been continually explained.
• Prize winners’ names should have been written down (holding onto cards weren’t enough)

It’s a mistake I won’t make twice.

Since the event we’ve met, had several conversations, developed redundancies, and structured the way in which the events will be organized behind the scenes. In fact, once I’ve finished proofreading the list, I’ll publish it for the community to read. We are all in this together.

And, hopefully, if you’ll stick with Dave and I a little longer, we’ll make the events even more worth your while.

August 2010 NWITweetup information will be released shortly. Thank you for sticking with us a little longer

- Finn

Did you win something in the July 2010 #NWItweetup drawings?

One more thing:  if you were a winner in the 2010 #NWITweetup drawings, please let me know so I can fill in the gaps below.

Gosser Sales $50 coupons

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Valpolife T-Shirts

- Rick Gosser
- Nichole Baiel
- David Lindgren
- Joseph Grossbauer

Cartronix Bluethooth Headsets

- Jason Adams
- Sarah Highlen
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Cartronix Sonos System

Social Media Day NWIndiana

We are really doing this last minute – I know

Here is the line up so far:

• June 30, 2010
• 11:30 to 1pm Pepe’s in Valparaiso, IN
• several local Social Media Leaders will speak
• We will discuss the #nwitweetup to help it grow to foster more community and business involvement

We want anyone and everyone there that can come.  It will be a great time of community, networking and business.

In the coming days and weeks, we will be looking for more involvement and direction on which way you want to take the monthly Tweetups.  Please do not be bashful, this is Social Media, where we take the online offline.

We, also, hope to be able livestream the even on ustream, we will post the link as we get closer.

Dave

I will let the video do the talking for me…

This is just a teaser, I hope to make a better one soon

Dave

We all had a great night at the March 11th #NWItweetup at Uptown Cafe out hosts of Tia, Rich, Heather and Kyle gave us a great sample of the many menu items of food, tea and coffee.

There were plenty of give-a-ways from a $25 gift certificate to bluetooth headsets from Cartronix.  We would like to thank Cartronix for the give-a-ways and if you are in the market for AT&T phones, Direct-TV or just need a wireless expert call the guys from Cartronix.

Also, we picked a winner from the #nwitweeup logo contest and it was Jason from @JMAdesignstudio and if you are looking for design work from websites to Facebook fan pages to Twitter backgrounds then Jason is your guy to call.  He even got a trophy donated from Cartronix as well.  It looked eerily similar to my first car phone from 1994.

There were plenty of pictures taken and even some of someones pink shorts, damn he had some fine legs.  It takes a special man to wear pink shorts and whoever he was he looked good with them on.

Make sure when you come out to future #nwitweetup events to bring plenty of business cards for networking, the give-a-ways and always make sure you sign the “sign-in sheet”

Again, thank you to Uptown Cafe for hosting the early March #NWItweetup.  We look forward to coming back for breakfast, lunch,

Dave

For Figure Ei8ht Brewing, it started with 4 drafts: First Ascent (A Belgian Honey Lager), Ro Shampo (Imperial Red Ale), Camp 4 Brown Ale (a hazy Northern England Nut Brown Ale style), & Rye Knot

March 6th, 2010 will go down in Valparaiso as the day a Brewery came back to town.

Figure Ei8ht Brewery, the first Valparaiso Brewery since the brewers at AberDeen Brewery folded up shop and moved a county over to start Shoreline Brewery in Michigan City (that’s if I’m getting my story right)

And NWITweeps were there to witness the opening. – And leave it to the Daver to make sure our presence got mentioned in the paper (good work, Daver)

I got there at 1pm to see the Daver, in shorts, waiting for me to show up. And between the two of us, finding a parking spot was the first trick.

Not only did people flock to Valpo’s newest brewery – Figure Ei8ht Brewery – but their initial location shares traffic with Rios Country club right across the tracks from Creekside Golf Course. Lucky, a golfing family pulled out in their Sedan Deville just as I was pulling in. Jeff Eriks of Cambridge Construction made short work of a nearby grass patch with his truck .

Now theres’ more parking

Other tweeps who made an appearance included Jeff Buckley, and an assortment of #pretweet and #aftertweetup friends still learning the arts.

The Post Tribune’s James Wolf & Mike Ward were on site to check out the brewery in action (which made me wonder why they didn’t do it before the doors opened. It sorta slowed up the staff as they tried to keep up with demand, but whatcha gonna do). And, “no,” Mr. Editor of the Post – swearing upon a stack of my one-time-Post-Tribune-editor Grandfather’s stack of published articles, I did not see your staff sipping the elements, as tempting as it was for them.

Me and The Daver did it for them. Then the Daver pointed the Post Tribune gang over to the owner of Brickworks Brewery of Hobart and one of his brewers sampling the Figure Ei8ht’s initial offerings.

The Brews

Figure Ei8ht has four initial offerings:

• First Ascent – a Belgian Honey Lager
• Ro Shampo – Imperial Red Ale
• Camp 4 Brown Ale – a hazy Northern England Nut Brown Ale
• Rye Knot – a complex rye brew. Part Baltic porter, part stout with flavorings to entice

The Downside

1. Two square tables and walkway – At the time of this writing, Figure Ei8ht has limited seating. Just a couple tables in front of a Chicago-loft wall that has a big window which gives those privledged enough to snatch the chairs a place to check out how the brewing process begins. It left us and the tweeps with standing room only. But so it goes. That is Figure Ei8ht, today. Hopefully, before long, they’ll be able to expand.
2. It is not a restaurant, today – At this time, the only way you’re getting your protein with a glass of Figure Ei8ht brew is from the brew itself. And that’s okay. 3 Floyd’s didn’t have a brew pub till the sold stock to get their own place, and it was some time after that. And I still very much drink Gumballhead.

The upside

1) Let your stomach growl for beer – Figure Ei8ht sells their brew by the growler, 1/6th keg, 1/2 keg, and I think even a full keg. And, if the new state law is passed, this will be the swinging place come Sunday’s because they’ll be able to sell it then. Glasses and T-Shirts are also on the merchandising list.

2) Sampler Sets – if you want to stop in, check out the brewery, and sample their selections, you can buy the Sampler set. A double-shot or more of each of their four selections are available.

The unknown

Tours – The owners seemed liked good folk. My guess is that if you ask real nice, they’ll give you a tour. But please don’t stand in the doorway and barter while the line is out the door. Only idiots (like me) do that.

Overall NWITweetup Review of Figure Ei8ht Brewery

I’m very much a fan. You put the fledgling effort of Figure Ei8ht Brewery with those of Brickworks, 3 Floyds, Shoreline, Backroad, and Crown Brewery, and you’ve got the making of a community that starts to give The Region an additional layer of culture and experience to go with The Dunes, the Casinos, and The Tweeps

How to get to Figure Ei8ht Brewery

Golfers who frequent Creekside and Rios can probably find the place while blindfolded. As for the rest of us, Figure Ei8ht is on the Southwest side of Valparaiso on IN-130 / Lincolnway – just west of Joliet Rd. And nearly catty-corner to the Knights of Columbus building. You’ll find it at the West end of the strip mall on the south side of the road, just a bad chip shot from the tracks.

Map to Figure Ei8ht Brewery

View Larger Map

Have a place you want NWITweetup to review?

Let us know:

1. twitter.com/nwitweetup
2. nwitweetup@gmail.com
3. or leave us a comment on this post

(Original Source of Picture: Figure Ei8ht Brewing)