One of the primary reasons I work hard to support entrepreneurship around the world is because I believe the ability to do the work you like and reap unlimited reward is one of our basic rights as humans. As such, I’m supporting the movement in Iran along with millions of others. My contribution is with an artwork I did in my spare time. It was featured today on www.globalvoicesonline.org in their blog. Please take a look and support their cause of spreading freedom of speech around the world. http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/06/30/iran-protest-movement-inspires-art/  Show your support by sharing the image as you see fit or they are available on shirts or stickers as well at www.cafepress.com/timothyraines, with no markup taken by the artist.

Along with my wife who owns inc MARKETING LLC, we covered the very basics of “innovation” for readers in South Florida. The ideas are basic but often overlooked when organizations talk of innovation.  We are finding that many of our clients talk about innovating but in reality are not open to change, the basic ingredient for innovation.  Take a moment to visit the article at SRQ Magazine.

The below link to a Google Map I created is a near comprehensive map of new technology venture competitions across the United States.  If you consider Moot Corp activity as a small tell-tale of innovation activity, It doesn’t take long to realize where innovation, entrepreneurship and technology commercialization are taking place and where they are incredibly deficient.  In particular, the Southern States are lagging, especially considering the trends in population growth have more Americans living and working in the South.  Why are we lagging?  There are more people, more resources and more opportunties in the South than many other parts of the country, yet no energy for wealth creation.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=116024986776459925146.000001131c3a26de85ee2 

Last week, I was published in the Austin Business Journal on an article about innovation and the impact of high cost residential development on the creative class.  I wrote the article in partnership with my wife who is a strategic marketing consultant focused on urban development, particularly downtown residential development.  Please enjoy!

http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2007/09/10/focus9.html?t=printable&b=1189396800%5e1517244

Reference: Austin Business Journal – September 7, 2007 by Michelle Raines and Tim Raines Contributing writers

This coming month of September, I will be building a primary presence in Sarasota, Florida but will continue to maintain my Austin, Texas address as well as continue my work around the world.  With this decision, I have received a fair amount of grief from friends and colleagues who cannot believe I would leave the innovative and creative technology driven city of Austin.  It should come as no surprise to me due to the success Austin has enjoyed in my particular field, however, one cannot discount the power that the sea can have over ones ability to create and innovate. 

Meredith F. Small, a columnist with LiveScience, wrote a great column today about her recent trip to the beach and it raises the question, why do we see trips to the sea as merely vacation spots and not locations to do our best thinking and innovating?  http://www.livescience.com/history/070824_hn_fish.html 

Well, I for one, will be near the beach and I expect to uncover incredible innovations, driven entrepreneurs and emerging technologies.  There is a ton of entrepreneurial energy in Florida and along the gulf coasts and it is time we leveraged these resources to continue to grow the region.  I am excited to be there and participate in the regional efforts for innovation and wealth creation.