January 2008 Hall of Fame
Bizooki® by Andy Tabar
Bizooki is a network that enables you to find talent for projects and employment. In 2006 we started connecting global talent (India, Ireland,etc.) to projects in the U.S. Today, in response to the downfall of the US economy, Bizooki is becoming more domestically focused.
Q1: What *unique* services or features would be valuable to people seeking transitional work or employment after losing a job?
Idea Description
In 2008, 2.6 million people lost their jobs. The largest slump since 1945. Increasing numbers of people are working from home, as a result. This tidal wave has created an overwhelming demand for Bizooki.
Bizooki is a network that enables businesses to find talent for projects and employment. In 2006 we started connecting global talent to projects in the U.S. Today, in response to the downfall of the U.S. economy, Bizooki is becoming more domestically focused.
Talented individuals aren't finding as much value in traditional job networks such as Monster.com. Bizooki is the new age alternative for today's work force.
What will you do if you win $10,000 for this idea?
Since being a finalist for $10,000 in Ideablob's January 2008 monthly showdown, Bizooki has continued to make big strides:
- #1 "Huge Upside Potential" - MSN.com Top 20 College-Based Businesses
- 2006 and 2008 Regions Bank Entrepreneur of the Year - Nashville, TN
- 2nd at the New Venture Creation Competition - Evansville, IN
- Top 10 Finalist at S.E.E.D. - Santa Barbara, CA
- Top 10, The Entrepreneur Academy (DEX) – Atlanta, GA
Andy Tabar will graduate with a BBA in Entrepreneurship from Belmont University in May 2009.
You like it. You’re confused by it. You want to know more. Ask questions and post comments here.
Post a commentHi Andy, Thanks so much for your great feedback! I really appreciate it. Your advice is GREAT! I wish I had the opportunity to vote for this idea back when you were running, but I only just found out about this contest recently. This idea and your website look fantastic! I almost feel like our companies could be complimentary in some way.. We should talk about how we might be able to work together in the future! Thanks again.
Hey Andy, Keep it up. I know you will win this contest. Best of Luck. --Sachin
I looked at Bizooki.com and I checked Alexa.com and I even checked google.com and I can see why you want to expand. Good luck
tibor: Thanks for your vote! Your discussion on a coffee smelling, real world and trying is simply not the case. Are you experiencing this? We are already operating and doing quite well, both financially and with our market analysis/plan, development, and business model. You can't always rock the market overnight...did you? Our tools are unique, but I can't get too specific at this stage. That show you watch is not comprehensive of what really goes into the funding process, maybe for those who are desperate enough to give away majority stake. But let's be clear about the purpose of the Ideablob competition -- it's to provide a grant to contribute to the further growth of our business. Email me with specific questions: andy@bizooki.com
Another social networking? Facebook? An idea that everyone is doing. What changes are you going to make to stand out and truly be unique. I looked at your video on Youtube and I did not hear substance all I saw was the lips moving. This is my first time on IdeaBlob maybe I am supposed to give you encouragement to go on and try your best or maybe I am supposed to tell you to wake up and smell the coffee because in the real world they aren’t so kind. As Kevin O'Leary from the Canadian produced TV show The Dragons Den says to the would be entrepreneurs “Show daddy the plan” or “I don’t smell the money”
very nice video, by the way :)
Andy, great ideas and great product.
Thanks everyone! Check out the new YouTube video, and spread the word! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGHC2XxHspc
Thanks everyone! Checkout the new YouTube video, and spread the word! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGHC2XxHspc
Good stuff Andy, who knows maybe when you're a famous entrepreneur you could speak at one of our Future Entrepreneurs of the World Summits!
well done son. keep up the good work. I know Belmont will be proud. We will take over the world one day, don't you worry.
jp389380: Along those lines, but more specialized to client needs. In addition to providing social networking and collaboration portals, we are focused on user retention...encouraging day-to-day use. It's more than a wiki or a glorified search portal. We've created add-on components that are ideal for sharing best practices, disputes/resolutions, to name only a couple. The platform is also customizable as a full-blown social network site for companies that are looking to promote their brand or product online. Please contact me for further discussion: andy@bizooki.com
Are you like any of the following? www.connectbeam.com www.mindtouch.com www.koral.com Not sure I understand what Bizooki is/does. Thanks!
In related news, Bizooki is one of ten national finalists in the SEED 2008 business plan competition. More on that here: www.bizooki.com/press/seed.pdf
Thanks everyone for making me a finalist! Your feedback has been equally as supportive. Voting opens back up this week to determine the winner. Please vote again and forward this to your friends and partners! Also, the description above has been updated to better reflect the projects we are involved with. More details will unfold in the coming weeks. -Andy Tabar
I am a designer and flash programmist from Russia, Saint Petersburg. I was working with Andrew Tabar and his company Bizooki. It was a great pleasure to work with a professional that high level and I think his idea will unite designers and programmers from all over the world. It will be a new web of emloyers and employees. And that is super good, as I consider! Thank you! See you on Skype, Andy! Best wishes with that!
well im definitely impressed...keep up the great work andy! cheers!
huyuno: Thanks for the feedback. Guru.com is a good resource for finding freelancers. However, Bizooki will be more of A) an intuitive web site that guides clients through the custom web development process, while Bizooki executes the projects, or more realistically B) a specialist in social networking and knowledge sharing applications for large corporations and organizations, or C) combination of A and B. My business started as a typical web site services company, but I'm looking to make it more specialized and effective. We have our own social networking platform that is comparable to Facebook in complexity and features, which has great potential based on feedback from our first user group. I've done several overhauls of my 50 page business plan, consistently assessing the many opp…moreortunities, and fine tuning the business model. This will look much different than the existing Bizooki.com business model. Stay plugged in for more, or contact me: andy@bizooki.com
I voted for you. remember me when your company goes IPO!
what about guru.com??
Terrific idea, well executed and thought out. Passion + hard work = success. Best of luck.
Well played, good sir. Keep the ETP name at belmont going strong for us graduates and don't forget give cornwall as much (fun) grief as possible.
You have been doing a great job pursuing this opportunity. After reading many of the other ideas listed on ideablob, I have complete confidence that this idea will succeed. Your idea is innovative, useful and original. Good luck Andy!
Surround yourself with a team of trusted advisors who will challenge you and share what they know. Good Luck Ron Finklestein http://www.businessmasterynow.com
Andy is an incredibly hard working, forward thinking entrepreneur. He remains flexible and open to change, while keeping a firm grasp on foundational details. I have complete faith that he will succeed at whatever he puts his mind to because he knows how to work hard and is always open to suggestions. Good luck, Andy!
Best of Luck, from a Canadian expat living in downtown Cleveland...link from BFD
Best of luck, Andy! Joel Libava-Cleveland
As a former client of Andy's, I really hope he gets this cash for his venture. He exceeded all of my expectations, and I think his model for Bizooki is good. Good luck Andy.
Just a funding idea - try Cleveland's JumpStart for venture capital - the big wig over there used to be Jamie Ireland. Study up on the contributions the Ireland family has made to Cleveland, including saving the Mather freighter down on the lakefront. Ireland family has been huge in Cleveland. There are 3-4 firms around Cleveland that I know have funded little ventures like this around town. Good luck to you, but be sure to have a solid business plan in writing, spellcheck and dress appropriately when you go see them. You might also contact Ed Morrison for some ideas - Susie Sharp
Sounds like a great idea, Andy! Please check out my idea, and reciprocate the vote. Your comment is also appreciated as a student. Thanks!
Andy, hey it's Andrew Jacobson from Belmont. Just received Dr. C's email about this. Followed the link and bammm!!! Sounds exciting. I might be able to help in some ways. My cousin who i am working on some ideas with actually started LogoWorks. The world works again. Ha. He recently sold his stake so he wouldn't still be your main competition, but nonetheless i am sure i can get him to shed some light where needed. times are busy right now but maybe you would like to get together sometime or i could do an email intro. Let me know your thoughts. Tell everyone hello. I send all my love.
Great Job Andrew. -KAB
GO ANDY!!! woooooo!! Good luck with all of this! AWESOME! :)
Best Wishes on your idea! I think it's great :~) Let me know how it goes!
This looks awesome! Good luck Andy!
jcrump64: I will chew on your idea; thanks for your input!!
Great idea, and even better from someone that's plugging away at a degree in Entrepreneurship...best of luck to you...I know you have many happy customers already!!
I think that Andy's idea for helping customers obtain positive results in the web development process is outstanding - through his efforts to systematically (a) identify best-in-class graphic artists, and (b) create a results-oriented web presence for businesses, in tandem with (a).
Andy: That helps clarify it; thanks. Let me throw out one idea (that's why we're here!) for you to chew on. Once you have established your network I'd create a widget that runs on your customer and prospect's computer that provides real-time updates when a development resource that matches their criteria becomes available or joins the network. I've had the idea for this widget for a while now and figured it would play well in a staffing company model but could work for your project as well. Best of luck.
jcrump64, thanks for the feedback! Yes there are thousands of web services companies, but ours involves streamlining the CUSTOM web development process. Our customers can select the graphic designer to work with (based on our match-making and reputation algorithms and ratings). Our company develops the back-end of the sites and focuses on generating actual results for these businesses. Key competitors are LogoWorks.com, SiteMason.com, DoodleKit.com. We are making the process of CUSTOM web site development more practical for small to medium sized businesses. Please contact me personally if you are interested in specific plans and opportunity assessment.
Don't take it personally but aren't there like thousands upon thousands of companies that do this today?
This plan sounds fantastic! Can't wait to see it in action. Best of luck
Hi Andy, Great insight from Mark Cuban. http://www.blogmaverick.com/2008/01/02/the-best-equity-is-sweat-equity/
Sounds like you have some great ideas and just need a little boost to get 'em rolling! Good luck.
Good idea, I know a lot of people that could benefit from this if the idea works out. Keep at it !
Great Ideas and there's a definite need!
Please vote and post a comment. Thanks for your support!