Dave Britton is an avid advocate for technology entrepreneurism in Santa Cruz. Using his experience as a CEO in Silicon Valley, Dave began two organizations–Venture Cafe and MakersFactory–to assist, teach, and mentor entrepreneurs.
1. What is your favorite aspect of coworking?
My favorite aspect of coworking at Cruzioworks is the bounce hour on Thursdays in the Cruzioworks courtyard. It’s a space to discuss what projects you are working on and what others are doing. It is a collaborative space and it really does work if people attend it.
2. When you were 12 years old, what did you want to be “when you grew up”?
When I was 12 years old, I was working as a pinsetter in a bowling alley in Greenville, Pennsylvania. During that time, there were no career counselors to give you guidance and the only career in town was a machinist. However, I loved books and I wanted to implement my interest in non-fiction to life.
3. What has been your greatest challenge (in entrepreneurism)?
My biggest challenge is knowing how to be an entrepreneur and be successful. I built companies in Silicon Valley in the 80’s and I wasn’t prepared for the aspects of business. I used the model “actions over words” because I always pushed ahead despite the challenges, however I learned quickly that those challenges need to be addressed in order to move forward.
4. What is your favorite thing about Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz is always changing. It has changed from a tourist town to a college town to an art town and now a TECH town. My hope is Santa Cruz can be branded as a high tech community.
5. What advice can you offer other following in similar footsteps?
Push the boundaries, in everything you do. Everything I learned, I wanted to implement the next day. The tech world is always changing and reinvention is crucial for survival.
For more information on Dave Britton, Venture Cafe, and MakersFactory, visit:
http://venturecafesantacruz.com/
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