ENTREPRENEUR’S OUTLOOK #2: Brandon Bruce
(EDITOR’S NOTE: For nearly four years, we have been profiling young, aspiring entrepreneurs as well as those who are into their second, third or even seventh undertaking. So, we decided to ask a few of those entrepreneurs to share their thoughts with us as we begin a brand new year.)
We first met Brandon Bruce, Co-Founder of Cirruspath, soon after we launched teknovation.biz on January 23, 2012. He was at Maryville College at the time, but moved to the new start-up later that year, and we profiled the company in September 2012. The company is growing locally as it helps organizations better integrate Salesforce into their enterprise email systems.
- How would you describe the local entrepreneurial ecosystem as we enter 2016? We’ve created this infographic (Brandon Bruce Entrep Landscape) that shows the dynamic and changing nature of it.
- How has the ecosystem changed in the last few years? The big addition has been the KEC as a center of gravity for entrepreneurs in Knoxville.
- If you could wave a magic wand and get your wish as to one or two changes that would make it easier for local entrepreneurs to succeed, what would those be? Big exits by local start-ups. That will result in start-up veterans that go on to start more companies and invest in start-ups. (It’s a) virtuous cycle.
- Most individuals make a special wish as they ring in a New Year. What wishes do you have for your company in 2016? Increase revenue 2-3x over 2015. Add more local Knoxville companies as customers. J
