These days, there is a support group for just about everything. Sad? Depressed? Addicted? There is a circle of guys and gals just like you in a church basement somewhere. But just a few short years ago, Phillys entrepreneurial landscape was a harsh, unfeeling place where would-be business owners struggled to find support. All they needed was a place where they could share their hopes and fears, and maybe exchange business cards by the coffee and doughnuts.
Blake Jennelle was among the disaffected dreamers, hoping for his own circle of trust. So he started Philly Startup Leaders and, for the last three years, their staff has played host to over 30 events per year, including traditions like PSL poker, Starter Stories and PSL Vice Squad. But now, after creating an organization over 650 members strong, Jenelle and his staff are stepping down, calling for top-down overhaul in an effort to keep the group fresh for future members.
The current leadership has been there since the beginning, we have done great things and if we stuck with the status quo, we would continue to, says Jennelle. But its important to keep a fresh perspective. Our staff is now leading 80-hour-a-week startup lives and we want to leave it to people who have the time and energy to put into it that we had when we first started.
Jennelle sees the group as a launch pad where entrepreneurs can share ideas and plan for the future so the fact that his team doesnt have time to donate to the group is a good problem. He and his team hope the group continues the trend, changing leadership every 2-3 years.
We designed this in a way where there is a tremendous amount of continuity so every new member can outdo the one before him, Jennelle says. We hope to have candidates observe their new role for 3-6 months before they take it on so they can really understand the role. Its also a test period to be sure the group likes them and that they wont flake out.
If you think you are the next Philly Startup Leader, Apply here. Flakes need not apply.
Source: Blake Jennelle, PSL President
Writer: John Steele