It's funny how we continue to evolve and grow as people and individuals; and sometimes that growth brings us back to paths we may have walked before. Well, I am embarking on a path of my own that looks hauntingly familiar - I am leaving Teamstudio to start my own company again.

I suppose this move was inevitable; once you've been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, it is really hard to shake off. I closed Sapphire Oak Technologies a few years ago in order to travel down new paths and learn new things as a part of IBM/Lotus. And while I may have came back to "Lotus", it definitely wasn't the same company I left in 1995, so I did view it as a new endeavor. I wanted to learn about new technologies, expand my network of friends and associates, and just experience what it was like working for "Big Blue" (and the new Lotus - "Yellow is the New Black" ). It was exciting, and I did learn a great deal. I also got to work closely with one of my closest friends, Bob Balaban, and we did some groundbreaking work while there. But that journey ran its course, and I realized that I needed to be out of a big company and back in the entrepreneurial world.

I decided to join a great company in Teamstudio, and my time there has been exciting and rewarding. Teamstudio has gone through some growing pains over the last year, and so have I. And while I still love the people and offerings at Teamstudio, the more I work there the more I realize that this type of entrepreneurial organization is just not enough for me. I realized that I have been my happiest when I had my own company, and that I need to "run my own show" to be truly happy again.

So, I have spoken to Nigel (Cheshire, CEO of Teamstudio) at great length, and as a result I have decided to step back out on my own, with his support. Nigel and I also agree that my stepping away from Teamstudio definitely helps their bottom line and profitability in these tough economic times.

Teamstudio is helping me transition back into my own company - or else I wouldn't be able to do so on my own. I will continue to work with Teamstudio as a partner on some engagements, as a speaker on their webinars on occasion, and as a "corporate friend" in general.

My new company is called Onyx Creek Technologies (site isn't ready yet - but stay tuned). I could have re-opened Sapphire Oak Technologies, but I decided I wanted to start totally clean and new, and there are some things that I want to do differently from my Sapphire Oak days. While I am getting the rest of Onyx Creek Technologies opened (the aforementioned new web site, etc.), I wanted to put the word out that:

I AM OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

If you need an expert on collaborative technologies, application integration, training or mentoring, or a host of other offerings please give me a call or drop me a line and let's talk. You can contact me in the following ways:

rock@onyxcreek.com
678.562.9225 - work

I would be happy to discuss your needs and help you in any way possible. I can assure you my rates are reasonable and my services are thorough and well-documented. I'm not happy until you're happy.

I am very excited about this new chapter in my life, and I can't wait to get started - and I look forward to working with you!