Penelope Chai and Jane Dickenson are Melbourne-based writers of fiction, nonfiction and for the screen.  They are the co-creators of Clothing for Correspondence, a project where they barter for clothing by writing other people’s correspondences. They ghost write love letters, complaint letters, letters from dogs, letters to cars, lists, speeches, Christmas card greetings and basically whatever people can come up with.

Outside of this project, Penny’s writing has been published in an assortment of magazines and anthologies including harvest, Visible Ink, INSCRIBE, Toffee Magazine and the 2011 Sleepers Almanac. In 2009 and 2011 she was shortlisted for the Lord Mayor’s Creative Writing Awards. She studies creative writing and screenwriting at RMIT and freelances as a researcher, copywriter and editor.

Jane’s writing has been published in a number of journals and magazines including Slushpile, IsNot, Toffee Magazine and the 2011 Sleepers Almanac. In 2010, her manuscript, The Story of Being Here, was runner-up for the Varuna/Penguin Manuscript Development Prize. She works in Indigenous health and teaches yoga.

What are you working on right now?

We’ve got a few Clothing for Correspondence requests we’re working on: a list of first-date ice breakers requested by someone who found himself severely tongue-tied on a recent date and some copy for a website about learning to love a seemingly unlovable country town. The majority of requests we get are letters, but we’ll write pretty much anything. We’ve written dating profiles, restaurant menus, goodbye speeches…all kinds of things.

We have a short radio segment once a month where we talk about the letters we’ve been writing and we’re in the very early stages of planning a Clothing for Correspondence book. Outside of Clothing for Correspondence, Penny is working on a novella and a film script and Jane is working on a novel and a biography. They both write short fiction, as well.

Where did the idea for Clothing for Correspondence come from?

As creative writers, we’re never going to earn the big bucks, so we love secondhand clothes. They also fit with our quests to lighten our carbon footprints and avoid disposable fashion. One day Jane was lamenting the fact that Penny seemed to have many more people giving her hand-me-downs so we concocted a plan to use our writing skills to barter for clothing. At first we thought it was an hilariously funny idea but we doubted anyone else would a) understand it or b) play along. We’ve been pleasantly surprised. We get requests from all around the world and most of them are charming and fun.

What does your typical day look like?

There’s no real typical day. We’re both writers with day jobs so it’s that never-ending fine-tuning of balancing between paid work and passion. Jane starts her day with a coffee and Penny, more healthfully, usually starts with a swim or a jog. We both work from home a lot, spending hours on laptops and we try to cancel out the damage to our postures (and souls) with yoga. We rarely seem to live in the same city at the same time so we’re constantly emailing drafts of letters back and forth. Good days involve some outdoors time, some catch-ups with friends, films and art. The very best days involve writing like maniacs and being totally absorbed in a project.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Brainstorming is important. We have a ‘writing group’ that consists of just the 2 of us. We used to talk about getting other people to join but never really found anyone on the same page as us. We used to hang out in cool cafes, pretend they were our living room, drink chai and plan, plan, plan. Last year we only caught up in the flesh 3 times, so most of our ‘writing group’ meetings are via Skype or email. Talking things over really helps to grow ideas and having someone around that believes in you is essential.

What’s one trend that really excites you?

We’re drawn to anything that involves reusing and recycling in innovative ways. There’s a lot out there, be it product design, art or fashion. One great example in Melbourne is The Social Studio (socialstudio.org), a project in which young people from a refugee background learn skills in designing clothing from recycled products.

What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?

Jane’s worst job was waiting tables at a golf club in Florida. She learned that she has neither the patience nor coordination to be a waitress. Penny’s worst job was transcribing recordings of doctors’ reports in Scotland. She learned that she couldn’t in any way, shape or form decipher the Glaswegian accent.

If you were to start again, what would you do differently?

Nothing really. There have been a lot of things we’ve learned along the way about the awkwardness of mixing business and friendships and about how incredibly time consuming a ‘small’ side project can turn out to be. In all honestly, we’d do it all the same again.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Well, we need to point out that we’re not the type of entrepreneurs who make money so our advice may be a little off the mark. With that disclaimer, we believe you should stick really close to what you love to do. It’s so easy to get sidetracked and follow paths for the wrong reason so be sure to check in regularly to make sure you’re still following your passion.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

By business do you mean something that makes money? Because if you do, the question should really be: what is one business idea your readers are willing to give away to Clothing for Correspondence? Seriously. We’d love to know. Please email all viable ideas to goodtimes@clothingforcorrespondence.com.

If we have to come up with one ourselves, we suggest becoming a movie star and moving to Hollywood. That seems to work pretty well.

Tell us a secret.

Now and again we get a piece of clothing that really sucks.

What are your three favorite online tools and what do you love about them?

They’re really basic but we love Campaign Manager for easy mail-outs and Twitter and Facebook for keeping in touch.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Okay so this is a little cheeky because it’s not a business-related book, but we think everyone should read a fabulous book of short fiction called The Sleepers Almanac no. 7 by Zoe Dattner and Louise Swinn.  Two reasons why: first is we each have a short story in there so if you like our website, you can read more of our writing;  second, because creative stimulation should come from all different kinds of art forms. You never know where a brilliant idea is going to stem from.

What’s on your playlist?

Jane: I Need a Dollar by Aloe Blacc, Jungle by Emma Louise, the Morning of the Sun soundtrack and a little Dolly Parton.

Penny: You’ve got the kind of nerve I like – Tiny Ruins, Billie Holiday, Beirut, Bon Iver and Peter Joseph Head.

If you weren’t working on Clothing for Correspondence, what would you be doing?

We’d still be writing and working on all of our other projects. We’d probably just be a little less stylishly attired.

When was the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?

The tumblr Suri’s Burn Book makes us laugh out loud almost daily.

Who is your hero?

We both have a writerly crush on the Australian writer Helen Garner. We’d love her to join our writing group but we’d probably be too scared to ever show her anything.

What’s the biggest challenge in running an online business?

If your work is online, it’s really easy to get distracted. A quick, “I’ll just look this up…” can lead to hours on Wikipedia or YouTube. There are so many amazing articles, podcasts, photos, etc. out there that it can take a lot of discipline to stay focused.

What’s next for Clothing for Correspondence?

As mentioned earlier, we’re in the planning stages of a Clothing for Correspondence book. Some of the requests we get are so great that we need to share them. We feel really lucky to have these small insights into other people’s lives and we’d love to get some of the stories down on paper. And maybe we’ll package the book in an item of secondhand clothing.

Connect:

Clothing for Correspondence Website: www.clothingforcorrespondence.com
Clothing for Correspondence Email: goodtimes@clothingforcorrespondence.com
Clothing for Correspondence on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clothingforcorrespondence
Clothing for Correspondence on Twitter: @WeWriteYouDress

A seasoned social and digital media practitioner and public relations expert, Cody Barbierri works to create, execute and deliver social media plans for name brands as a social media manager at Piehead. He recently founded BetaBait, a discovery platform that allows users to give feedback on web, social and mobile applications.

His experience includes public relations and social media roles at Weber Shandwick, Racepoint Group and Version 2.0 Communications. He is a frequent blogger for VentureBeat, a top business and innovation blog that spotlights social media, technology and new media startups.

Cody Barbierri holds a BA in communications and MA in public relations from Suffolk University.

What are you working on right now?

I recently co-founded BetaBait, a discovery platform for early adopters to find and give feedback to the freshest startup web, social and mobile applications.

Where did the idea for BetaBait come from?

We got sick of only finding out about new startups from tech blogs and friends. We wanted to create a platform in which any startup could get in front of a community of early adopters who can test and share the apps they find interesting. Every startup deserves a chance to utilize these early adopters to get off the ground and become successful.

What does your typical day look like?

We have full time jobs, so our day is a mix of social media activities and development. In our spare time, usually on nights and weekends, we brainstorm and work on developing the next phase of BetaBait.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Ideas are a dime a dozen. What counts is being able to do the proper research, brainstorming with people who are in a similar space and validating that an idea has legs. From there, I’m a firm believer that testing in phases is key. Get a working prototype up and out the door, gauge the response, gain feedback and work to get the next phase out the door.

What’s one trend that really excites you?

I’m excited that access to technology has made it easier for ideas to become reality. It means that more ideas, which might not have been able to happen because of overhead costs or resource restrictions, can have a chance.

What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?

I’ve had a few jobs in which I was micromanaged, especially in the public relations world. Often times, you get managers who have been doing something one way for so long that it’s hard for them to see that other ways can be different but just as successful.

If you were to start again, what would you do differently?

I would have found someone like my co-founder Rory Thompson 10 years ago and began pumping out new services a lot earlier. This game is fun and it’s only a matter of time until we get something that sticks.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Fail. Each time you fail, you learn. It’s way better than trying to find an idea that you know will work. I’ve failed a few times in the past 2 years and it has helped make BetaBait better.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Gamification of mobile devices. In 2012, we are going to see everything from websites to mobile apps become gamified. If you can figure out a simple way to add a layer of points, badges and social recognition to mobile apps, you’ll have a booming business.

Tell us a secret.

I’m getting married soon and I’m really excited.

What are your three favorite online tools and what do you love about them?

• Skype: It is a super easy way to stay in touch with people anywhere in the world.
• TweetDeck: It allows me to easily manage the brand profiles I’m responsible for updating.
• Chrome: It was late to the party, but is a great browser with tons of cool plug-ins.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. It’s an amazing look at a genius–whether you loved him or hated him.

What’s on your playlist?

A little of this and a little of that.

If you weren’t working on BetaBait, what would you be doing?

Another idea. I get a couple ideas a month and have a few waiting in the wings once Google gives me a check for BetaBait.

Three people we should follow on Twitter and why?

• @GuyKawasaki is the co-founder of AllTop and a partner in a VC firm. He is a really smart guy and always pushing technology boundaries.
• @JeffCutler has some really interesting perspectives on social media.
• @petershankman has created the digital marketing standard and influenced BetaBait.

When was the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?

My co-founder Rory Thompson sent me a text last night that he almost got in a bar fight…with Russians.

Who is your hero?

My mom beat breast cancer and is an amazingly independent business woman.

How do you balance your professional and personal lives?

I don’t. My professional life is my personal life and vice versa. The best you can do is find some time for the people you love.

Connect:

BetaBait Website: www.betabait.com
BetaBait on Facebook: www.facebook.com/betabait
BetaBait on Twitter: @betabait
Cody Barbierri BetaBait Email: info@betabait.com

King del Rosario is a 29-year old marketing professional from the Philippines. Although his professional background is focused on consumer products and retail, people often have the impression that he is a full-time blogger or a social media practitioner because he tends to be very vocal and visible online whenever he offers himself as a volunteer for a particular cause or project. Professionally, he has worked on businesses in the Philippines, ranging from small consumer brands to a multi-million dollar medical and aesthetics product.

He hails from Tagum, which is in the southern island in the Philippines called Mindanao. He earned a marketing management degree from De La Salle College of Saint Benilde. He runs during his free time and has participated in 6 marathons, although he is quick to admit that he isn’t very fast compared to most runners. But he believes, “we are judged by what we finish, not by what we start.”

What are you working on right now?

I have a day job, so currently I am heading the marketing, sales, and business development for the Thermos brand in the Philippines. Although we had a great 2011, we are pushing for bigger improvements this year.

I spend my free time expanding my network and addressing inquiries about Finisher.me. Finisher.me is a social network in the Philippines that helps brands connect with runners for exclusive freebies and promotions. Thanks to our international exposure on Springwise.com, I am hoping to convince certain brands and individuals to formalize their support for the project and the running community in the Philippines.

Where did the idea for Finisher.me come from?

The concept of creating a social network that connects runners and brands for exclusive promos and freebies sprung from my desire to do something crazy, innovative, inexpensive and feasible for the local running community. I have been participating in running events since 2006 and I noticed how things have changed for both participants and sponsors. Although you can say Finisher.me is a “silent endeavour,” I consider it to be highly successful because of the international database of runners it has captured in just 2 months. I believe connecting a runner’s online presence with his offline participation in events is what makes this project feasible and beneficial for everyone. Members of our community receive guaranteed loot bags in exchange for wearing the logos of our “partner brands,” which I would like to believe all runners would enjoy.

What does your typical day look like?

During weekdays, I am expected at the office before 10 AM, but sometimes I am at my desk as early as 8 AM. If I’m not in meetings outside the office or in the field, I usually stay past 7 PM. Depending on my mood, I usually end up watching a movie at Eastwood City or the Ayala Cinemas here in the Philippines. On weekends, I try to catch up on my running and blogging.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Early in life I found out that if you want something done, you have to do it yourself. That is why if I don’t get support for an idea that I feel strongly about, I usually do it by myself, even if it hurts financially. Some things are worth the calculated risk. If it doesn’t work out, you can always chalk it up to experience.

What’s one trend that really excites you?

I love the fact that the Internet is now experiencing market segmentation. I am quite confident that give or take 2 years, the top websites will have a major overhaul in ranking–especially with respect to traffic coming from the Philippines.

What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?

I think to say it was the “worst” would be a tad bit too unprofessional and imprecise, but I think my job at PSBank, the second largest savings bank in the Philippines, left me somewhat unfulfilled. This is because for the short time that I was with the bank, I feel my impact was quite insignificant. I could have done so much more given the opportunity. If I had been more aggressive with my ideas and a more discerning employee, perhaps something wonderful could have been created.

If you were to start again, what would you do differently?

I would take up computer science at De La Salle University so I could code my next big project all by myself.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Some say I have an entrepreneurial mindset, but I am far from being a full-fledged entrepreneur given that I am still employed full-time. Hopefully, I will have the opportunity to be one soon enough. As a marketing professional, I suggest that people take time to study the market. It might sound moot or academic to some, but to say you know the market based on intuition (or in some cases, because you believe you are part of that market) is a fallacy that can harm your  business. Pride will eat you alive.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

If anyone wants to replicate Finisher.me in his/her community, that is something I can live with. I believe anything on the Internet is up for grabs. That said, we’re also open to partnering with groups in other countries since we are likely talking to the same brands (hint, hint) that would benefit most from the Finisher.me project. We’re all in this together.

Tell us a secret.

The Philippines is the last digital frontier for all dotcom behemoths. Our innate love for social media and technology can make or break websites. People in the industry should value what our country has to offer.

What are your three favorite online tools and what do you love about them?

I subscribe to a long list of keywords on Google Alerts. It  keeps me well-informed about topics I need to know about on a regular basis. I also adore Google Analytics because it gives me a clear understanding of users’ online behaviors on my projects, including Finisher.me. Finally, a Blackberry may not really be an online tool, but it’s a big help to me these days.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Positioning by Al Ries and Jack Trout was the first marketing book I read after the iconic Principles of Marketing by Philip Kotler. I believe every marketing professional, businessman and entrepreneur should read this, as well. The latter is expected, the former will give you an edge if you know how to use it.

What’s on your playlist?

Air Supply, Roxette, Example and DJ Earworm.

If you weren’t working on Finisher.me, what would you be doing?

I’d be working on weekdays and running whenever I could. I’d most likely be on the prowl for another idea that is worth exploring.

Three people we should follow on Twitter and why?

• Follow @Lord_Voldemort7 and pray he doesn’t follow back. Tee-hee!
• The feisty Philippine senator @senmiriam, who was recently elected as a judge for the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
• My former boss, Dennis Balajadia, aka @edgeboy. Along with his wife Emily, he is the tandem behind the Dragon Edge Group.

When was the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?

I last laughed out loud when I received an e-mail from Mario saying that he wanted to interview me for IdeaMensch.

Who is your hero?

We might have some differences, but I still consider my mom and dad my heroes. I may not be “that” successful yet, but we’ve come a long, long way thanks to them. From a more professional point of view, I really admire Bill Gates. They said he was evil. He proved them all wrong. That is what all business should be about.

What do you think is the biggest pitfall for most startups in the Philippines?

My sister would say I’m too much of a pessimist, which is the reason my ideas are less crazy these days. Most startups, in my honest opinion, fail to consider that doing business in the Philippines cannot be as informal as in Silicon Valley or other places.

Aside from regulatory aspects, most startups in the Philippines fail because of lack of funding. Let’s not even start on the subject of taking out loans from financial institutions, which is next to impossible if you don’t already have money to begin with. This is why even if one has a great idea, if you are not well-connected or fortunate enough to have ample money of your own, it can take time for your idea to become as big as you want it to become. Of course, that should never be a reason to stop anyone, but it is a factor that should be studied and considered.

Why do you run?

I run because I can. I wasn’t really an athletic person in school. During college, I would run early in the morning so no one would ever see me. In fact, I felt shy and embarrassed to be seen in my running attire. A lot of things have changed since then, and this has paved the way for the local running community to grow. I can no longer count the kilometers I have covered, but while I run I get my creative juices flowing, solve professional and personal dilemmas and to prove to myself that I have what it takes to succeed if I really put my heart into it.

Connect:

Finisher.me Website: http://finisher.me/profile/kingdelrosario
King del Rosario on Facebook: http://facebook.com/kingdelrosario
King del Rosario on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kingdelrosario
King del Rosario on LinkedIn: http://ph.linkedin.com/in/kingdelrosario
King del Rosario on WordPress: http://kingdelrosario.wordpress.com

James Dickerson is the co-founder of Leap, the first mobile app for social challenges. His passions are tech startups and entrepreneurship. Last year, he was 1 of 5 startup founders to speak at the Clinton Global Initiative and recently completed one of the top startup accelerator programs in the country. In 2008, he graduated from Miami University of Ohio and completed the world’s toughest outdoor survival school. Before diving into the world of entrepreneurship, he worked in sales and business development at his family’s company.

What are you working on right now?

I’m working on Leap. It’s like if Instagram got competitive. It allows users to create challenges, invite their Facebook friends and compete by snapping photos. We like to think of it as the first mobile app for social group challenges.

Where did the idea for Leap come from?

It was a combination of a couple different things. Before Leap, we had a product called Wellthy, which was a corporate wellness app to get employees more engaged in their health. We had various health challenges that employees could participate in. We talked to users and customer a lot and learned that people didn’t necessarily want to compete with their co-workers. They wanted to compete with their friends around the topics and goals that interested them. We also learned that we had to build a mobile product. This was really the foundation for the idea of changing directions and building Leap.

What does your typical day look like?

We are a team of 3. We work together and live together. We have a workstation with our laptops and monitors set up in our house and we’re all usually down there working by about 9 AM. I try to exercise about 4 days a week, so at some point in the afternoon I take a break from emails, phone calls, blogging, brainstorming, testing the product and learning how to code to hit the gym and clear my head.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I think the key to bringing ideas to life is to surround yourself with great people who can help you execute. I want to surround myself with people who take action and will dive in 100% with me to bring something to the world. There are a lot of people who talk a big game, but few who actually ship. It’s also really important to share your idea with the world as soon as you have it and then when you have something to show for it, like a prototype, make sure you aren’t afraid to release it as early as possible. I really like the following quote from Reid Hoffman, Founder of LinkedIn: “if you aren’t ashamed of your product, you’ve shipped too late.”

What’s one trend that really excites you?

The quantified self movement is really exciting. As technology progresses, it is allowing folks to track and take advantage of data in ways that can help them improve their lives. For instance, Fitbit captures people’s steps and provides them with an easy to use social interface to track progress and make improvements. I think there are lots of opportunities for the movement to go mainstream and improve worldwide health and productivity.

What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?

One of my first jobs was working in the warehouse at my family’s business. I had to scour the warehouse for damaged packages, sweep, clean and deliver products. It was definitely the bottom of the totem pole, but it taught me the importance of gaining the respect of your co-workers and being humble.

If you were to start again, what would you do differently?

I would have learned web development skills and started launching ideas when I was younger. I’m just now learning to code and it’s a valuable skill that I wish I had years ago.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I have a great network of mentors that I chat with on a regular basis. They’ve been such a huge help to me that I can’t even begin to describe the impact and importance great mentors can have on entrepreneurs. Also, I practice pitching all the time. It’s important for entrepreneurs to be able to deliver a great elevator pitch so that others can quickly and easily understand their ideas. Go to networking events, talk to your mentors and practice pitching whenever possible.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Birchbox for nutritional supplements.

Tell us a secret.

I go see movies by myself about once a week. It’s a nice and relaxing escape.

What are your three favorite online tools and what do you love about them?

• Twitter: There isn’t a better tool for keeping up with the tech world. It has also allowed me to connect with people that I would have had a hard time connecting with otherwise.
• Google Docs: Our team uses it all the time. It’s a great collaboration tool.
• Console.fm: I’m a huge house music fan. This is the soundtrack that keeps me focused and working.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

The Lean Startup by Eric Ries is an essential for entrepreneurs.

What’s on your playlist?

I stream music from Console.fm or Turntable.fm. It has to be electronic.

If you weren’t working on Leap, what would you be doing?

I’ve got a few other ideas. I’d definitely be launching some kind of startup.

Three people we should follow on Twitter and why?

James Altucher, Julien Smith and Chris Dixon. The first 2 are amazing bloggers and are extremely motivating; they have “just do it” perspectives on life and don’t really care what other people think. They’re also surprisingly accessible. I included Chris Dixon because he has one of the smartest perspectives on tech startups out there and is a great blogger.

When was the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?

Yesterday, at this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHy7DGLTt8g

Who is your hero?

My dad. He’s successful, humble, open minded, curious and generous, among other things. He’s always encouraged me to follow my dreams and would support me no matter what. We view the world in similar ways, which has allowed us to have a great relationship. I am very fortunate to have such a supportive family.

What was one of the biggest moments of your career?

Last year, we were 1 of 5 startups in the country invited to pitch at the Clinton Global Initiative in Chicago. Policy makers, well known investors and famous entrepreneurs were in the room. It was an amazing experience and since then, I have not been afraid to get on stage anywhere.

What’s one of your most defining personal experiences?

I completed the world’s toughest outdoor survival school. I spent 30 days with 7 other people living in the backcountry of Utah with a blanket, a knife and a poncho. Learning to live off the land was an amazing experience. It was definitely the toughest experience of my life and at times I didn’t think I could make it. I learned that the body can go much further than the mind thinks it can and that if we push ourselves, anything is possible.

Connect:

James Dickerson Email: james@leapfor.it
Leap Website: http://leapfor.it
Leap on Twitter: @leap