Lara Feltin
Cofounder, Biznik

Biznik - Going it alone, Together

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I spent the first half of my career life as a freelance designer and photographer. As Studio LEAF, I specialized in photographic portraiture on film. In 2005, frustrated with the networking options available for "indie" business people, my husband, Dan McComb and I, cofounded Biznik with the simple premise: business networking shouldn't suck.

Today Biznik is an award-winning community that connects more than 30,000 forward-thinking business people in over 140 countries. Members connect using Biznik's social network and strengthen relationships in person at more than 100 member-hosted events every month. In October 2008, Dan and I were named one...[more]

I spent the first half of my career life as a freelance designer and photographer. As Studio LEAF, I specialized in photographic portraiture on film. In 2005, frustrated with the networking options available for "indie" business people, my husband, Dan McComb and I, cofounded Biznik with the simple premise: business networking shouldn't suck.

Today Biznik is an award-winning community that connects more than 30,000 forward-thinking business people in over 140 countries. Members connect using Biznik's social network and strengthen relationships in person at more than 100 member-hosted events every month. In October 2008, Dan and I were named one of Seattle's Top 25 Most Innovative Entrepreneurs by Seattle Business Monthly, and included in Seattle Magazine's 2008 Power Players list of most influential people. In 2009 I was listed among TechCrunch's Top 100 Women in Seattle Tech.

Biznik is not just a tool, and it is not a place to sell. It's a community of people who share one thing in common: they're passionate about what they do and their businesses are an extension of their self expression. [less]

• 
  From Karrie Kohlhaas

  Given on Fri Aug 14, 2009.

  Lara is one of the most thorough and clear thinkers I've ever met. Match that with her passion for building...[more]

  Lara is one of the most thorough and clear thinkers I've ever met. Match that with her passion for building community and her commitment to small businesses and she rapidly becomes one of the coolest people I know.

  What Lara has accomplished by envisioning and building biznik with co-founder Dan McComb is no small feat.

  I've worked with Lara as a client. I've also known her by being a biznik member, colleague and friend. In all of those interactions over the years, she continually impresses me with her thoughtfulness, her intellect, her ability to listen closely and see all sides of a story, her fairness, candor, compassion, wit, inner strength and her focus on what matters: people and integrity.

  I believe that Biznik is just one of the many amazing things Lara will create in her lifetime. I am excited to know her and it inspires me to witness how she moves through the world. She awes me with her ability to go into those unknown areas that so many entrepreneurs avoid because it's uncomfortable. Her willingness to learn, grow, adapt, shift gears quickly, ask for help and move on when things aren't working are traits that should be held up as a model for business owners everywhere.

  I am thankful to know this powerful, powerful woman and for the opportunity to both contribute to her and learn from her. What a tremendous gift.    [less]
• 
  From Sandy Glaze

  Given on Sat May 9, 2009.

  Congratulations on making the Top 100 Women in Tech List!

  http://www.techflash.com/microsoft/Top_100_Women_in_Seattle_Tech_44225472.html
• 
  From Randi Buckley

  Given on Sat Apr 11, 2009.

  Thank you for this forum Lara. I'm still completing my profile yet have already found biznik to be a wealth...[more]

  Thank you for this forum Lara. I'm still completing my profile yet have already found biznik to be a wealth of knowledge and brimming with potential. With gratitude, Randi   [less]
• 
  From Dana Neuts

  Given on Fri Feb 27, 2009.

  I met Lara tonight at an advisory board meeting for WWISH. She offered a very realistic perspective of how the...[more]

  I met Lara tonight at an advisory board meeting for WWISH. She offered a very realistic perspective of how the web world is changing and how we can address those changes to better meet people's needs. I've always been a fan of Biznik, but after meeting Lara in person, I'm 110% sold. She's articulate, smart and witty.   [less]

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