Gavin Baker

Today I’m announcing that Abunga.com, LLC is closing. Eight months ago this probably would have been news, but with today’s economy it’s basically the status quo especially for ecommerce technology startups. The reasons we’re closing would fill a couple pages, but primarily it’s because of money and traction. We ran out of the first before we got enough of the second.

I’m fortunate that I’m taking with me the experiences, wisdom and the “next time” lessons. The things that I look back on and say “Next time I’ll…” Over time I’ll start sharing those experiences and lessons with you so that you can learn from my mistakes. Putting them into words will also help me embedded in my mind as well, so stay tuned for those.

As for what I’m up to next, it’s up in the air. I’m looking at a mix of opportunities: I’ve begun to have discussions with a few companies here locally in Knoxville that I admire to see what joining their team looks like, I’ve got a couple exciting side projects I’m working (to be announced soon), and I’m also looking into consulting with companies that could use some help figuring out how to use technology the best in their business (contact me).  And of course exploring new start up ideas – I don’t think I can get the entrepreneurship and startup fever out of my blood so I’m definitely leaning that way.

And with any of those opportunities, I’m excited to bring what I learned while at Abunga and what I’ve learned from some of my earlier ventures and leadership roles.

As to what will happen to Abunga, time will tell. We’re looking to sell or license the technology and most of all want it in the hands of someone that can do some good with it. If you’re interested please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Thanks to the growing tech community in Knoxville and to Knoxville Overground. Special thanks to my crew that provided push back, feedback, and etc. you name it they gave it: Alex Lavidge, Chad Parizman, Scott Adcox, Greg Compton, Casey Peters, Ted Stank, Matt Heisig, Adam Slack, Chad Ridner and Patrick Hunt. You guys listened to ideas and provided more direction, input and connections then I deserve. I’m humbled by how frequently you provided your helping hands along the way.

Thanks to Lee Martin for the vision and for sharing your wisdom and knowledge to steer me back on track when needed. Thanks Steve Slack, Adam Slack and J.R. Slack for entrusting me with your baby and for your continual support, encouragement and ideas along the way.

Thanks most of all to the team that made it happen, this goes without saying but you guys all gave long and hard hours to give Abunga it’s best shot and I appreciate it. We wouldn’t have gotten anywhere without you. Thank you, Mike Walker, Jason Howard, Steve Jackson, Kerri Karel, Colleen Steiner, and our beloved interns.

To our committed customers, you guys were great – and we just couldn’t turn the corner – thanks for your support.

It’s now time to look forward, I’m excited to see where God takes me what is around the next bend.

Tom Cotes, who gave the best explanations I’ve heard to date for why it’s important to think outside of your own little sandbox. Succeeding online means thinking about how to take advantages of the network rather than just simply trying to build the best website.

I love this quote.  In fact I’ve printed it off and put it on my wall.  The Internet has changed and is changing and while it’s always been a network of computers, it’s moving toward a network of interconnected people and websites.

So in building a website or revamping one, the question can’t be “how do we draw everyone here and keep them here” but how do we produce content, or features that fit into the daily lives of Internet users?

Now, there might be some Goliath sites may not have to conform to these new “rules” as immediately because of their sheer magnitude, but take newspapers for example.  Here in Knoxville our local paper is owned by Scripps, and they’ve attempted to bring about a  social-media-esque way of working with the news.  They didn’t do this because this is what they were used to. They do it because they have to do it to compete.

For Abunga this means, where and how can we leverage the power of the network? It involves asking, is this feature networkable?

We’ve got a great site, but how do we plug into that network so it’s easier for you to use us?

What do you think?  Is he off base?  Am I off base?

So like many companies, at Abunga.com we use 37signals Basecamp as our online project management tool  – both internally to manage projects, vendors and interns, but also externally with our design firm.

So we were juggling two accounts – and I was thinking, why can’t we combine these somehow, and then those smart people, they went ahead and did it.

So as of earlier this week if you change all your log-in’s for the different Basecamp accounts (or any 37signals product) to OpenID, you’ll see a change in your Basecamp like below, where my three accounts are listed at the top, and you can move between them seemlessly.  They call it Open Bar and I call it awesome!

My three accounts are:

• Abunga.com
• Fabric Extranet
• Slack Management Co.

I like it.  See here for the full post from 37signals
Anyone else try it?  Thoughts? Concerns?

The company I’m working for, Abunga.com has just received the first “major” press we’ve been working towards.

Check it out!

Abunga.com in the Knoxville News-Sentinel Business/Technology Section

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2007/nov/28/abungacom-delivers-a-good-clean-read/