Mike Patterson
I like to consider myself a Renaissance man and my business, WIP, is an expression of who I am in the business world - my other interests include music, surfing, martial arts, yoga, meditation and the art of life.
| Headline: | Entrepreneur |
| Work status: | Living The Dream |
| Website: | http://www.wip.com |
| Industries: | Internet |
| Skills: | Business, Copy Writing, Editing, Entrepreneurship, Event planning, Guerrilla marketing, Leadership, Management, Marketing, Public Relations, Viral marketing, Writing |
| Location: | Los Angeles |
| Interested in: | Brainstorming, Finding business partners, Finding engineers, Finding experts, Finding mentors, Finding team mates, Getting press, Growing my group, Helping friends, Meeting new people, Offering Expertise, Partnering with other groups, Professional opportunities, Promoting my startups, Raising money, Receiving feedback, Recruiting for my startup, Sharing my projects, Starting a company |
| Tags: | design, developers, im, los angeles, messaging, programmers, social networking, startup, widgets, wip, wip.com |
| Schools: | Harvard University |
FEATURED STARTUP
WIP
WIP
WIP is your personal messaging platform, just WIP it and you're plugged in!
- Startup type: Company
- Status: Active
- Stage: Beta
FULL BIO
I've always wanted to create something universally useful. At first I thought it was a particular kind of ketchup dispenser but then they came up with squeezable bottles and that idea went the way of the Dodo. So I am busy creating WIP...
I graduated from Harvard in 1991 not really sure what I wanted to do, so after dropping my pre-med studies (my father is a physician) I went straight into the world of entertainment ...and quickly straight out...not for me.
I discovered marketing and advertising at a trading card company called Upper Deck and fell full force into event, product and packaged goods marketing for about 6 years. I loved the world of marketing and felt like it resonated with me and my skills.
But I still wanted more, so I took to the streets and began to help people with their killer-app ideas as an independent consultant. I advised on and came up with product marketing plans, positioned people in their markets and really did the grass roots things that people have to do when starting companies.
I even delved into Multi-Level Marketing for a bit...and quickly got out...again, not for me.
Soon enough however, I had to pursue my own vision of creating that universally useful product. Turns out my brother always wanted to do the same thing. So we got together and started WIP...and that's where we are today.
Working together on a life-long dream to create something from scratch that will benefit the world. So when I say I am living the dream, I mean it...I am really working toward living that dream.
If you want to join me in the fun, let me know and we'll see how we can work together.
WORK EXPERIENCE
| Employer: | WIP, Inc., Santa Monica, CA |
| Position: | Co-Founder |
| Time period: | January 2004 - Present |
| Description: | Developed, designed and launched unique internet start-up concept
One link says it all - check out www.wip.com Created and implemented all aspects of business start-up including: - business and marketing plans - financial and legal structures - prototypes, functional websites and software - graphic design, software design, packaging design - all organizational systems necessary for running a start-up business |
| Employer: | Food on Foot |
| Position: | Volunteer |
| Description: | Non-Profit, privately funded organization feeding the poor and homeless of Los Angeles.
|
| Employer: | Creative Consulting, LA, CA |
| Position: | Independent Consultant |
| Time period: | January 1999 - January 2004 |
| Description: | Small business marketing consultant
Devised business and marketing strategies for small businesses including brand development, product positioning, advertising campaigns Clients include Candace Silvers Studios, Interiors-in-a-Day, Breath(e) Studios |
| Employer: | The Upper Deck Company, Carlsbad, CA |
| Position: | Associate Brand Manager |
| Time period: | January 1994 - January 1999 |
| Description: | Assisted in all aspects of strategic brand development
Oversaw all budgets, served as primary point of contact for graphic design and sales departments, developed all marketing materials Implemented new sales solicitation strategy Assisted in the development of a direct marketing department |
| Employer: | United Talent Agency, Beverly Hills, CA |
| Position: | Agent Trainee |
| Time period: | January 1992 - December 1993 |
| Description: | Responsible for fetching coffee and bagels as well as script coverage, schedule coordination and handling of various clients |
EDUCATION
| University: | Harvard University |
| Time period: | 1991 |
| Degree: | Modern European History, BA |
INFORMATION
| Hobbies: | Enjoy surfing, yoga, writing, cooking and martial arts. |
