I love a good story

I’m not much on chick flicks. I can watch one, maybe two on a girls’ weekend, but after that I’m tapped out for months. All too often, the typical romance story line is an idealized idea that assumes everyone will skip off into the happily ever after, ignoring the gritty beauty and effort that goes into making a long term relationship work.

I love real life—the hard work of successful relationships, friendships, communities, businesses, life. While I enjoy a glittery start, I love a great story and a satisfying ending so much more.

This week is filled with exciting starts. SeNSE held its 14th pitch night on Tuesday, September 25. Three companies pitched: On The Fly Baby, a high end vending machine stocked with baby goods, to be installed in airports (first machine will ship this month); 24Hour Florist, with almost 100 custom vending machines already deployed, provides local florists an opportunity to sell floral bouquets in hospitals, drugstores, mausoleums and other key locations; and PunchList, a technology application, still in the conceptual stage, aimed at the construction industry to automate the tedious work involved in completing the final tasks of a construction job.

Then, today, Hanley’s Foods, launches with its first product, Hanley’s Sensation Salad Dressing. The company was founded by Richard Hanley when he realized his favorite salad dressing, Sensation Salad dressing, wasn’t easily available in grocery stores.

Hanging out with the three teams that pitched at Pitch Night, and again when I talked with Richard Hanley of Hanley’s Foods this week, I felt the pulsing energy of lives just on the verge of heading pell-mell towards undefined yet irresistible futures.

I love each of these entrepreneurs’ passion and story.

But if this is where their stories were to end, these startups’ stories would be akin to the plot of a mediocre chick flick—all glitz and glitter, no substance.

On the contrary. Their stories are just beginning to get very interesting and will likely have a plot twist or two or seven thrown at them for good measure. They have already been walking through the difficult work of getting to this point, and the hard work continues.

And this is where the magic happens.

Here’s where you come in. These entrepreneurs are all locals. Passionate, talented, smart locals.

Support them. Tweet about them. Post about them on Facebook. Tell a friend, buy their products, give them honest feedback, spread the word, make an introduction to a key contact. Help them get funding. Encourage them.

Celebrate with all of them.

The start of the story is the hook that draws us in. But what matters more is what happens next. Pick your role in the story, and join in.

P.S.: Meet the founder of Hanley’s Foods, Richard Hanley, at their public launch party this Friday night at Blend, from 8 pm – 11 pm. I’ve heard from a very reliable source there will be free drinks, appetizers, and plenty of salad tossed with Hanley’s Sensation Salad Dressing. Mmmmm .