Crowdfunding Announcement

May 12, 2012
Just a quick note to say THANK YOU to everyone who shared the link and contributed! We have reached the goal with 12 days to go! I am completely overwhelmed with the support...!

May 1, 2012

Just thought I'd do a quick update! There are 22 days left, and I am so excited to announce a few brilliant things! 

First: 51% funded!! Super exciting, but also a long way to go. I am really hoping to meet my goal for several reasons:

1. It means I can use the money I make to move forward and grow the business, rather than paying back debts before growing into more guides and other regions.
2. Completing the RocketHub further means more opportunities. It looks like projects that are close to being fueled in the last few days lead a better chance of being featured on the front page of the site. 
3. RocketHub "discourages" you from being unsuccessful in your project by doubling their cut if you don't make it all the way - which still isn't a big cut, but it's enough to make you want to work for it...
4. RocketHub "encourages" you to complete by offering the chance for successful projects to submit their idea a panel of VCs to gain further feedback, attention and possibly investment! Not sure I would go that route, but it could be a great opportunity to try to build the idea beyond just Victoria.

Second:
I pitched my idea last night at the Awesome Shit Club. You have five minutes to pitch your awesome idea to a panel of Awesomites. The successful idea gets the pot (last night it was $500!). So kind of like Dragons Den, but for boosting community through micro-grants!

I didn't win the pot, unfortunately, but Kris Constable who created the group and is involved in everything and anything that is awesome in this town, hooked up several of the pitches with connections to further their ideas...

So guess what?! The Launch Party will be held at Temple! I am so excited! I am also working to get some local wine sorted out, and of course, delicious local food!

Stay tuned for a finalized date, but make sure you fund the $15 option to get your invitation (as well as a copy of the guide!).

Third:
I think my craft beer poster is FINISHED! Just a few more confirmations, but this is what it looks like right now!

I printed it out to show at the ASC event last night, and got little wiggles in my stomach looking at it! It's going to be so beautiful when it's printed on big, speckled paper. So you'd better kick in at the $50 option to get your copy... plus an invite to that launch party & (of course) the guide!



THANK YOU for your support!


April 10, 2012
As I teased in the new year, I have been working on a side project called Tastebud Guides. The first eBook is pretty close to launching! I put the draft on my iPad last night and it was a pretty magical moment. Just a few more finishing touches (like um, editing), some logistics and bureaucracy and things should be in an online bookstore near you!

I feel like we are at this really exciting time in history where technology is revolutionizing content creation. I suspect this will mean that instead of a few "big guys" making a lot from media, we will see a lot of "little guys" making their own little piece of the pie. This is my attempt at becoming one of those "little guys..."!

I am also excited about this because it offers an opportunity to platform for food bloggers like myself to have a way of easily monetizing their content. If this is successful, I can partner with people all around the world to create their own guides for the cities they blog in. This is also extremely exciting because it would mean that when I visit San Francisco, New York, Vancouver, London... there would be something like this for me to buy and read before arriving (hello foodie holidays, I am drooling about you already!).

After much deliberation I have decided to reach out to the community to take things to the next level. 

I have set myself a goal of $650. This money will cover the cost of getting the guide into the Tourist Info Centre down in the harbour so tourists can be connected to the fantastic food this city has to offer. I have 45 days to achieve this goal. 

So! If you have enjoyed a meal at the recommendation of one of my blog posts, if you love this idea or if you're just plain feeling generous please, take a few minutes and kick in some funding! 

Details about the contribution structure after the jump!

Any contribution of $1 receives: 

• eternal gratitude

Any contribution of $5 receives: 

• eternal gratitude
• a PDF copy of the guide

Any contribution of $15 receives:

• eternal gratitude
• a PDF copy of the guide
• an invitation to the launch party

Any contribution of $50 receives: 

• eternal gratitude
• a PDF copy of the guide
• an invitation to the launch party
• a limited edition infographic poster featuring the craft beers of Victoria

Any contribution of $100 receives: 

• eternal gratitude
• a PDF copy of the guide
• an invitation to the launch party
• a limited edition infographic poster featuring the craft beers of Victoria
• credit as a contributor to the guide

Any contribution of $250 receives: 

• eternal gratitude
• a PDF copy of the guide
• an invitation to the launch party
• a limited edition infographic poster featuring the craft beers of Victoria
• credit as a contributor to the guide
• I will buy you a drink at any restaurant in the guide

THANK YOU for your support!