Step two of our b5 show is Mark Evans joining the b5 team. Like the other why blog post, I thought I've give you some thinking behind our asking Mark to join b5.
First, Mark failed. Mark was a co-founder of start up called Blanketware. It was ahead of its time and it failed. While I was building a start up with a butt load of bubble money, Mark was working with nothing. No VC, no hyper investors, no wacky stock market, nothing but he and his founder. Over the years, I spent hours with Mark as Blanketware worked through endless issues, never ending problems, constantly meeting with Angels to squeeze another nickel.
You had to have been there. You had to have looked into the eye of an individual determined to try and make it work, keep on pressing, trying, learning, all the while trying to feed a wife and baby. In the end, Blanketware did not make money, didn't rocket to the moon, and a number of circumstances caused Mark to begin to feed the family.
That type of experience is invaluable. Jeremy having somebody at the table where he can get from the heart, battle scared advice is 1000x more valuable then fifty pontificating Venture Capitalists any day of the work. Mark has a badge of experience that he should be proud of. b5 will be an even more amazing company because of his lessons learned.
Second. Mark is super smart. He understands the art (and it is an art) of putting information in front of people and doing it in such a way as to be an authority as well as an approachable/personable individual. Traits, I believe are essential for this project to succeed.
Third. Mark is technical and non-technical. Mark doesn't code, doesn't know dot net from java beans but is highly technical in the areas where it matters; usability and what makes sense to the masses. There are hundreds of 'technical' things which are opportunities for b5 to set themselves apart. My battled scared, super smart, non-technical, tech guy, won't let geek stuff take priority over normal people stuff. Mark gets it.
Fourth. Mark can be trusted. Jeremy and the other co-founders of b5 remember rule one above all else. Hire people smarter than you and get out of the way. I wanted Mark to be involved with b5 and would have been all over Jeremy on this but, see rule one. Jeremy got to Mark and, along the way, Jeremy learned that Mark can be trusted. Titles and egos were left at the door. These two will be excellent together.
Mark Evans is a rare commodity; a combination of raw talent, experience, trust, and a great dad, hubby and person.
Welcome Aboard. Buckle up, it might get a little bumpy but it will be fun.
Yeah I was certainly floored and excited to get the news. Known Mark for a while now and I agree 100% with you.
Mark is class guy.
Posted by: Tris Hussey | October 06, 2006 at 19:32