Author Archives: WasatchGirl

Volunteer Work (August & September): ARUP Blood Services & University Venture Fund

I haven’t posted up about my weekly volunteer work lately, not because I haven’t been volunteering, but rather because I have been working with the same two organizations for the last couple months.  I continue to donate platelets on a bi-weekly basis (health and iron levels permitting) with Arup Blood Services (also known as Utah [...]

Microfinance Breakdown (DRAFT)

I have a strong interest in the microfinance industry and social investing, hoping to one day make the transition into this realm. Lately I have been reading a bunch of microfinance industry reports and doing research on the different players in the industry, hoping to soon create a layout similar to this cloud computing mindmap. [...]

Woof! SLC: Pet Service Business

Long hours at work? Not enough time for your pet?  Perhaps looking for someone to help you out? My good friend Melissa Lipani has started her own full service pet care business, Woof! SLC, where she offers services ranging from Walks, Pet Sitting, Pet Taxi, Bathing, Yard Cleanup, etc. within the Sugarhouse (and surrounding 5 [...]

Utah Private Equity Environment (Update)

Back in 2007 I created a list of private equity investors in Utah.  Over the past couple years this list has shifted, making an updated list necessary. Angels Angel investors provide the initial capital to a start-up, investing amounts usually up to $1m in exchange for common stock. Olympus Angels Utah Angels Top of Utah [...]

Volunteer Work (June 28th and Month of July): University Venture Fund

I worked with the University Venture Fund for two years during my undergraduate studies, being one of my most invaluable work experiences.  Now that I am wrapping up my part time contract with my firm and I have completed my travel, I thought I would volunteer with this old internship, trying to give back to [...]

Miracle Worker at Tojinbo Cliffs

The June 22, 2009 edition of Time magazine was a fabulous edition with excellent coverage and editorials filling its pages. The best article was the Postcard page highlighting a volunteer at Japan’s Tojinbo Cliffs, a story I later found out was previously covered by the BBC in October 2008. Japan has one of the highest [...]

Volunteer Work (Week of June 8): KCPW

The week of June 8th I spent some time volunteering with KCPW, a local public radio station. (Note, the week prior was spent at The Climber’s Ranch in Grand Tetons National Park.  I wrote up my entry on the CragBaby site since the work was climbing related.)  My volunteer work with KCPW was helping them [...]

Current State of Venture Capital

With the current state of the economy, I am often asked by friends and acquaintances about the state of the venture capital environment.  My response will usually address one of the topics below. Lack of Liquidity –  One of the biggest issues is the current lack of liquidity. The venture capitalists’ job is to create [...]

Reviewing Q1 Numbers

After Q1 2009 ended, Fred Wilson posted a piece on his blog addressing a deeper dive into the VC numbers with the released data of the PriceWaterHouse Money Tree report. The essence of his post was to point out the headlines of sharp decline don’t always tell the whole truth as a deeper look into [...]

Volunteer Work (Week of May 21): Utah Blood

My all time favorite volunteer experience is donating platelets through Utah Blood.  I tried to donate on two occasions during this week and was unfortunately turned away due to a slight sore throat (even though I think it was allergy related). Bummer I couldn’t volunteer, but I understand their need to ad her to strict [...]