• Posts

    Goodbye Whrrl, Hello World

    Goodbye Whrrl and Pelago – thank you for all the memories, fun times, incredible product vision, introduction to Linux, mySQL, Mac everything, Jimmy John’s, call centers, and nerf guns as office supplies.  My time at Pelago, captured in pictures…

    Whrrl v2.0 Alpha Launch Party

    Pelago Christmas Party 2008 – Karaoke!

    Re-branding Whrrl – the Pinwheel

    Gnomedex 2008

    Gnomedex 2008 Opening Party – Maryam Scoble and Danielle Morrill (CC) Brian Solis, www.briansolis.com and bub.blicio.us.

    Moving into WAMU tower

    my first NERF gun

    Onward now, to my next adventure

  • Posts

    Wantrepreneur? Just DO something.

    Funny, the little themes that keep coming back. Last night I asked Chris Pirillo how he got started streaming video, and he said “I just did it”. I nodded, and felt a little sheepish for asking a question with such an obvious answer. Tonight, Brad Feld of TechStars sent the same message in his talk about entrepreneurship – a war cry, and call to action, to JUST DO IT. Rebecca Lovell, Executive Director of NWEN, and others echoed that sentiment when asked what was the most memorable part of tonight’s event.


    Brad Feld – cofounder of Tech Stars – “Do Stuff!” from Seattle20 on Vimeo.

    This advice isn’t really that surprising, and some might even say it is a tired old adage. Tired or not, it has found particular resonance with me while I’m between “jobs” and contemplating the possibility of starting something of my own. It’s like that book you pick up at just the right time in life, or the song that comes on the radio that captures your mood perfectly.

    To be continued… defnitely needs to be more discussion around WHAT to do.

  • Posts

    Time for Danielle 2.0

    Today is my first day working for myself and no longer for Pelago/Whrrl. So far, I’ve gotten some interesting website development work (go WordPress!) for a few individuals and one company, some great ideas for media/content generation, and opportunities to plan events. Things aren’t feeling as bleak as they might given the current condition of the economy. When I tell people I quit my job amongst massive uncertainty their responses are very telling and polarized. Either they say “congratulations” or “I’m sorry”. It’s always an interesting conversation to bring them around to my way of thinking.

    Now I get to begin the journey of starting my own company, Social Kind, and figuring out how I want to spend my self-employed time. Before I jump crazily headlong into several exciting projects I’m working on getting my personal life, specifically all finances and little details that I’ve been neglecting in the past few months, in order.

    I guess I could call this period Danielle 2.0, a time for me to re-invent myself not as the face of Whrrl but as my own brand and business. And you, dear reader, will have the pleasure (and sometimes pain) of following along as I chronicle how things go here on my own personal soapbox – this blog.

    Last Weekend – Broadcasting Live at Seattle Startup Weekend 2

    I’ve been intrigued by live streaming video for a few months now, as you can see if you’ve been following the Random Danielle Show. Last weekend I broadcasted live from Startup Weekend with a pre-presentation show co-hosted with Josh Maher (of Lunch 2.0), and a recording  of each of the new startups as they launched. The following and buzz was surprising, and I’ve realized there might be interesting live event coverage from Seattle 2.0 on a regular basis.

    Last Night – Broadcasting Live at Twestival

    On that note, I gave it a try last night with a live stream from Twestival Seattle with my friend Brian Westbrook as a co-host. Although the event was less structured and content loaded than Seattle Startup Weekend 2, we still attracted over 100 unique viewers through the broadcast. I’m looking forward to making video content (blogging, live streaming, etc.) a more regular part of my activity online, and will be looking for ways to make it pay.

    Imagine if I could make a living doing what I love: producing, creating, and editing video content (among other things)! More to come.

  • Posts

    Going Mobile – China

    Although I see out-dated phone booths along the road every 250 feet or so here in Beijing, I’ve yet to see someone use one this week.

    The world here is mobile. Even on the subway and elevators, the cellular signal never dies. Even without 3G, Chinese take advantage of text messaging to power many services – from ordering movies to watch while stuck in traffic in the cab, to having food delivered to their homes. It is amazing.

  • Posts

    Let Me Upgrade You!

    Hello 2009! I’m already loving this year. Why, you ask? Because today the “startup car” was retired and returned to my mother in law and I learned how to drive a manual transmission.  Why?  Oh baby – I’m driving the Audi now!!

    Check out this commercial for my car (i love these doggies so BONUS):

    And maybe this is what I’ll be doing tomorrow unless this snow melts:

    The inspiration for the title of this blog post (Beyonce is great live):