Blogging More at Cloud Four

Since we started Cloud Four, I’ve had a lot of trouble trying to figure out what posts make the most sense here versus our company blog.

Recently, my co-founders have asked me to bring more of my mobile posts to Cloud Four’s blog, and I’ve started doing so.

For example, there are new posts about how the iPhone App Store flies in the face of the preceding technology trends and the iPhone App Store gold rush.

So if you haven’t done so already, please check out the Cloud Four blog and subscribe via RSS or email.

I’m still going to blog here, but the focus will be a bit more technical. The high-level mobile analysis posts will likely be posted at Cloud Four.

And I welcome any feedback you may have on how to distinguish between a personal blog and a company blog.

Office Warming Party

Note: Cross-posted at http://www.cloudfour.com/19/office-warming-party/.

Please join us as we celebrate the grand opening of our new office space and the birth of our new company:

When:
Thursday, Dec 13th at 5:00pm
Where:
Cloud Four
107 SE Washington St., Suite 440
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 477-5340
Directions
Map (The main entrance to our side of the building is on SE Stark St)

Festive drinks and light appetizers will be served! RSVP if you get a chance (but feel free to drop by).

Cloud Four’s Web Site Launches

Tonight we launched CloudFour.com. Tomorrow we pick up the keys to our new office. Friday we start painting and assembling furniture. If all goes well, we’ll open doors on Monday and start planning our office warming party.

We’re overwhelmed, excited, and anxious. What a remarkable thing it is to start a company. There is really nothing that compares.

So why another web development company? Here’s why.

First, my co-founders and I have spent the last several years doing very similar work, but for a very specific market. In some ways, we’re just continuing what we’ve always been doing, but with a larger public presence and in a different location.

Second, we’re see new opportunities in spaces outside of the niche market we worked in. We see opportunities to:

We’ve also got some exciting side projects. More on that later. ;-)

Finally, we’re thrilled by the idea of building a business and a culture together, continuing to work closely with our former colleagues, and meeting new people tackling interesting challenges.

It’s been three fast months since Guy Kawasaki’s video kept me awake with the realization that I wanted to start my own company. I’m proud to be working with such an amazing group of co-founders, and I’m pleased that we’re all sharing equaling in the creation of the company. We have an all-star team. If this was a pick-up basketball game, I’d feel guilty for having so much talent on one squad.

Most importantly, I find myself going back to what inspired me about that video and what compelled me to choose a different, more risky direction. I believe we have a chance to make meaning—to make an impact—in the lives of others. That means a lot to me.

So that’s what Cloud Four is about. We’ll have more to discuss in the coming months. If you know of someone who can use our services, we would appreciate you pointing them in our direction.

What’s Next: Cloud Four

As many of you may know, I recently left my job of over seven years. In today’s world, it is an amazing thing to stay find a place to work that you believe in and feel passionate about. The first two years I worked at Kavi, I had two bad days. Who else can say that?

I have been incredibly blessed during my time at Kavi. I’m very proud of what the company has become, of the impact it has in the world (just try to buy a computer that doesn’t include a standard being developed on Kavi’s servers), and of the direction the company is headed. I have such admiration, respect, and affection for the people I worked with.

And like most things that have happened since I found Kavi, even my departure has been a good thing. We’re leaving on amicable terms. Kavi has been very supportive of our new venture, and we’re already working together on projects.

So what’s next? Three of my co-workers and I have formed a new company called Cloud Four. We’re going to continue to do web site development and expand our services into areas of interest like performance, analytics, and mobile devices.

I’ll have much more to talk about regarding Cloud Four soon. :-)