Shopping for the perfect black dress at 440 Brannan Studio…

I’m always on the look out to make Diiver a bit sexier because pictures speak a thousand words. I can always use a little help, and Picnik, a photo editing tool makes my photos incredibly unique. The editing tools are super easy to use and in no time, I was tweaking my ordinary photos and feeling artsy and creative.

Who are the brains behind Picnik?

The original brains behind Picnik are Mike (COO) and Darrin (CTO) who originally had the idea of using Flash, mostly then just used to create online greeting cards and funny internet cartoons, to make a whole application, one that could live online, in your browser. And since all of us here at Picnik World HQ love photographing Seattle and it’s environs and our travels and each other, why not an online photo editor!

They came up with this in late 2005, and during summer of 2006 brought their old comrade from Microsoft, Jonathan, to be our CEO. In the meantime they’d hired Peter, the designer, to give all this awesome technology a user interface and a brand and all the pretty shiny bits (it’s a lot to do with gradients), and soon after Jonathan they hired Brian, to add to the engineering muscle.Two years later, we’ve added a small feedback team, an office manager, two more designers, a copywriter, a marketing officer, and someone to handle ads sales and we’re still under 20 people!

What are the most popular photo editing Picnik  ‘tricks’ among customers?

One of our users’ favorite tricks is what we call Effect Painting. For instance you can use the Black & White Effect and paint the color of the original photograph back in (http://blog.picnik.com/2008/05/how-to-2-effect-painting/). Also, there’s a lot that can be done with the Clone Tool (http://blog.picnik.com/2008/12/clone-tool-out-of-the-sheep-paddock-and-into-your-browser/). Some of the tricks that people aren’t as aware of is the ability to draw a line across your photo in Rotate and have it snap to level with or vertical to that line.

What was the biggest challenge/s in being an entrepreneur?

Picnik is rather rare in the startup world in that we’re bootstrapped. This means that our founding partners, namely Mike, Darrin and Jonathan, funded themselves rather than turning to VC funds or other investments to support the company through the early years before profitability. We think this gives us the advantage of being more interested in staying small and scrappy (and cheap!).  We also get to maintain control over the day-to-day operations and long-term goals for the business. And we’ve been fortunate to find a great group of people who are likewise interested in driving profitability and staying scrappy (and cheap!).

What are some future packages for debut in 2009/2010?

I’m delighted to say, there are plenty of incredible new things we’re working on. The success of our amazing Halloween tools, effects and stickers (http://blog.picnik.com/2009/10/a-craving-for-halloween/) have inspired us to give seasonal content extra attention. We’re already hard at work making fun, classy, and goofy material for the upcoming winter holidays.

Specifically, we’re having a lot of fun improving our collection of Christmas and holiday features. You’ve already seen what we just put out for Halloween and now we’re getting the next batch ready for release. We had an awesome time creating the platform for our new slideshow builder and have more additions to that in the works, and of course all sorts of other things I couldn’t possibly mention yet.

First of all, why call it UGLee?

Well, I happen to think that the UGLee Pen is the most beautiful pen out there, though some beg to differ.  It’s name came about because of my last name.  I had always joked with my wife that with the last name “Lee” that we should name our first child Ug.  She wouldn’t go for it.  But, as my pen had the Ultimate Grip that was invented by Dr. Lee, “UGLee” became a natural way to get it out of my system.  It was my wife’s idea and I jumped at the idea that I could name something “ UGLee.”

How did UGlee Pen come about?

The UGLee Pen was the result of many years of frustrated tinkering.  All throughout my academic career, but especially since medical school, I had to do an enormous amount of writing.  Then my internship year hit.  This is the hardest training year for doctors and we had to take care of up to twenty patients at a time, 120 hours a week.  We had to write hand written histories, physicals, daily notes, orders, prescriptions, transfer notes, discharge notes, etc.  I wrote a ton!! I had always been on a search for a comfortable pen, but that year, I spent over $1000 dollars and didn’t find one.  I tried every pen out there.  You name it, I bought it.  The biggest disappointment was that I hated every one.  It was then that I decided that I would try to create a comfortable pen.  It was a lot harder than I thought – it took years of trial and error.  The biggest breakthrough was when I took an X-ray of my hand holding a pen.  That was the inspiration for the unique shape of the UGLee Pen.

Would you share with us a bit of your background?

I went to Yale University in New Haven, CT for my undergraduate degree in Molecular Biophysics and Molecular Biology. I went on to get my Medical Degree at Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, CA.  Afterwards, I trained and specialized in Anesthesiology (the field that specializes in pain control).  Ok, many people think I should be finding the cure for cancer.  But instead, God put me on this Earth to create the perfect pen.  Go figure.

What are the most popular UGlee Pen colors among customers?

Guys like Gray and Blue.  Women like Red, Pink and Blue.  But repeat buyers get all the colors eventually, just to change things up. The beauty is that there are a bunch of fun colors, so take your pick!

What was the biggest challenge/s in being an entrepreneur?

The biggest challenge for me as an entrepreneur is getting the idea out about a great product.  It doesn’t matter if you have the best tool in the world if no one uses it!  But, how do you let everybody know about your “amazing breakthrough product” without sounding gimmicky, like all the others out there?  That is the hard part.  Word of mouth is the best way to that end.  It is slow, but most effective.  It is also the most rewarding for me as an inventor.  I feel good that I have had at least one email contact with most of my customers out there.  There are days that I feel all I do is email.  But hearing from happy UGLee Pen converts makes those days go quickly.

What are some future products slated for 2009/2010?

We are working on getting an UGLee Pencil out to the world.  I have had many parents write me asking for a comfort pencil version of the UGLee Pen.  Young children are taught to write with pencil and don’t use pens until elementary school.  An UGLee Pencil is on its way!

The Usuals…

Why do you do what you do?

As a doctor, I feel very honored that everyday I get to get up and help people in a very real way.  Health and well being is the most important thing that we have.

If people knew how comfortable the UGLee Pen was, they would use it and save themselves a lot of discomfort and injury.  I have something here that can help those that write in any capacity.  If I can be of help to somebody, I feel that my day has been well spent.

What makes you want to wake up in the morning?

That is easy, Responsibility.  If it weren’t for my job and family, I would sleep in until noon everyday.  Who would wake up?

Who is your inspiration?

I don’t find inspiration in just on person, or one philosophy, or even one religion.  I find inspiration in actions performed by anybody and everybody.  No one person is inspiring in everything they do.  Everybody has moments that are great… and those moments in which you hope no one was watching.  I am guilty many times in this category.  I’m inspired when I see small acts of random kindness, when I see people do the right thing, not the popular thing, and when I see people choose better as opposed to just bigger.

If you were given the chance to relive your life all over again, who would you be?

When I was younger, I would play that game all the time.  “I wish I were…”  “Wouldn’t it be awesome if I could be….”  “I wish I could have what …has.”  Invariably I would fill the blank in with the name of a cool actor, or rich celebrity.  Maturity has given me the wisdom that everybody has ups and downs.  I feel blessed to have what I have.  I have a great job, a fantastic wife, and two kids that make me smile everyday.  I wouldn’t want to come back as anybody else.

What is your favorite indulgence?

I love to steal time away, 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there and just do nothing but contemplate.   During that time I disconnect with everything around me and take it all in.  You can’t really understand what is going on until you step back from the scene of life.  I like to think of it as gaining the perspective that a director of a movie has.  It helps me see where I am, see where I want to be and general line I have to take.

Your three rules to live by?

#1 Relax and enjoy.  If you aren’t having fun, what good is life?

#2 Treat all with equal dignity.  We should all appreciate what each has to offer the world.  Everybody enhances the world in his or her own way.

#3 Take care of what is yours.  If you take care of what is yours, all that is yours will take care of you.  That is true whether you are talking about things or people.

Your favorite gadget?

I love simple things that I use everyday.  I relish functionality.  I love things that can help me make other things, or fix other things.  My favorite gadget is my pocket knife.  The one I like you can find in Home Depot for under $10.  They have a replaceable cutting blade. Whether I’m cutting open a package, cutting down some boxes, or carving out the perfect piece to complete my latest project, I find that a good knife makes my day.

Your city/country of origin?

My parents are from Korea.  I was born in Parma, Ohio.  Because of my relaxed, happy attitude toward life, everyone (even those from California) thought I was from California.  Currently, I live in San Diego.  I agree with them.  I love it here.  I feel this is where I am from.

Your proudest accomplishment?

Every time I get an UGLee Pen fan email.  I feel that no matter what eventually becames of the UGLee Pen, there were those moments of recognition that it was a good idea, that it was a positive addition to the world, that someone out there got it!  Everything that I had put into my pen (the hours of designing, prototyping, and tweaking, not to mention the financial dedication it took) was all worth those moments.

I love entrepreneurs. I really do. We walk on the path not taken and we tumble and fall over and over again only to stand up again on our own feet. The creators of Help Remedies are two entrepreneurs who’ve used their sense of humor to create products without reinventing the wheel. Darn, I wish I thought of this idea before…

How did Help Remedies come about?

I grew up with two professor’s of medicine as parents and my background is in product development. Nathan had a fear of doctors and medical implements and his a background in marketing. We combined those two backgrounds over several years of friendly conversation to start help.
The idea was to bring a softer tone to healthcare. We had a name and a tone and an idea for simplifying ingredients. We brought this to various parties. The packs were designed by an industrial design firm called ChappsMalina. The graphics were designed by a firm called little fury. Much of the interior graphics and store displays and kit designs were done by designers that work in-house for us.

What are the most popular remedies among your customers?

We’ve been surprised at how popular sleep and blister products are. They are great products and I just think that people don’ know that there are some real and better solutions for these conditions.

What was the biggest challenge/s in creating Help Remedies?

The FDA regulations around what we can and can’t use to package pills are pretty onerous. They mean we have to use a lot of environmentally unfriendly materials that we dislike. We fought against it for a while but eventually you realize there is only so much you can do.

What are some future products slated for 2009/2010?

There are some but it is a secret at the moment. Sorry.

The Usuals…

Why do you do what you do?

I sold my old company and had the luxury of being able to do almost anything I wanted. This is what I most wanted to do. Because it involved make the world a little more friendly, more healthy and more beautiful, which seemed like happy goals.

What makes you want to wake up in the morning?

I am not a morning person, but its nice to come into an office where people are interesting and trying to do interesting things.

Who is your inspiration?

We all sit around here and are in awe of Geigy pharmaceuticals. It’s a Swiss pharma firm from the 1950s which makes what we are doing look a little junior.

If you were given the chance to relive your life all over again, who would you be?

I’d be someone in the future. I think it will be even better there.

What is your favorite indulgence?

Sleeping in at the weekend. I have a son on the way so I am a little nervous about losing that privilege.

Your three rules to live by?

I always start rules and break them (e.g. I am going to run every day, I am going to write to my grandmother once a month, etc. ). I am not living by so many rules today.

Your favorite book?

That’s like asking your favorite child. I am just finished up Battle Cry of Freedom on the Civil War which I really enjoyed.

Your city/country of origin?

Richard – London, UK
Nathan – Sebastopol, CA

Your proudest accomplishment?

I am an under 12s World Lego Champion

When I first heard about BAGGU (translation of bag in Japanese) I chuckled, because the concept of BAGGU is so simple. Yet Emily, the creator of the line, was able to build and sustain a thriving business out of it. The bags come in a gazillion funky colors…standard colors are so boring, aren’t they? I love entrepreneurs, I truly do. I am one, and the path that we pave for ourselves is not an easy one, but the risk at the end is oh so worth it. Emily’s story mirrors my philosophy of what true entrepreneurism really entails…Read on…

How did BAGGU come about?
BAGGU is a company that makes very simple multi-functional bags. Our first product, also called BAGGU was a basic reusable shopping bag, based on the form of the iconic plastic bag.  My mom and I started working on BAGGU in 2007. We wanted to make a reusable bag that was attractive, functional and affordable. We spent months sewing together, mailing prototypes between New York and California.  When we finally came up with the design for BAGGU we knew we had something goo d.  My childhood friend Ellen, a graphic designer, joined us early on and designed the look and feel of the brand. I’m not sure we had a big vision when we started, we just wanted to make a really good bag that people would actually use.

What does BAGGU mean in Japanese?

Bag!

Pink is my favorite iro desu…

Would you share with us a bit of your background?
I have always been entrepreneurial, as a kid I was always starting businesses for fun. I did my BA in Economics at the University of Michigan, then studied fashion design at Parsons. I worked as a designer for a couple of years before I left to start Baggu.

What are the most popular colors among your customers?
Peacock is always our best seller, anything bright and jewel-toned. People want to buy colors that don’t look like they will get dirty!

What was the biggest challenge/s in creating BAGGU ?
Everyday brings a new challenge – when we get stuck, we turn to Google.

What are some future products slated for 2009/2010?
We have a new Recycled Cotton Tote coming out at the end of the month called the Duck Bag. It’s the perfect everyday tote.

The Usuals…
Why do you do what you do?
I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.

What makes you want to wake up in the morning?
Want to? I hate to wake up.

Who is your inspiration?
Everyone and everything.

If you were given the chance to relive your life all over again, who would you be?
Probably me again. I’m pretty happy with myself.

What is your favorite indulgence?
Butter.

Your three rules to live by?
Find work you enjoy. Love someone. Exercise.

Your favorite city in Japan?
Tokyo

Your city/country of origin?
Del Mar, CA

Your proudest accomplishment?
BAGGU! I feel so proud that my project turned into a profitable business that supports people. I like to think BAGGU is setting an
example that making a green product can be a sustainable business model, and that women can run businesses.

Melissa is the Club Manager of the popular Clubhouse. It was voted “The best comedy club in town” by the San Francisco Chronicle as well as receiving San Francisco Magazine’s and 7×7 Magazine’s Best of the Bay Area 2009. The fact that you can BYOB is probably the selling point of this mega popular club, but I’d like to say my friend Melissa deserves the bulk of the credit!

How did you become the Club Manager of the Clubhouse?
I’ve been involved with the San Francisco Comedy College (SFCC) since its inception in 1999. I was already marketing the shows and classes there when the CEO Kurtis Matthews decided to open a second, larger performance space at 414 Mason Street. We had been selling out our weekend showcases in the 7th floor theater space (which seats 60), so when the larger space on the 5th floor became available, the position of Club Manager was offered to me.

Who are the most popular comedians?
San Francisco has several comedians who have built a following. Two of the most popular comedians in town who trained at the SFCC are Ali Mafi and Reggie Steele. A few more comedians who have built a following in San Francisco are Ali Wong, Will Franken, Marga Gomez and Brent Weinbach.

Your most favorable guest?
My favorite audiences are the really enthusiastic comedy fans who keep coming back and bringing more friends each time. Generally, people who are polite, stay fairly sober and do not heckle are the best.

What are the biggest challenge/s in being a Club Manager?
My biggest challenges are filling the seats every day and dealing with drunk or crazy people once in a while.

Who are some future guests/comedians slated for 2009/2010?
We’re have Hasan Minhaj slated for Thanksgiving weekend and Joe Klocek headlining our annual New Year’s Eve show, which also features Ali Wong. Last year, our Valentine’s Day weekend was our busiest ever, so I hope to break our record!

The Usuals…

Why do you do what you do?
I love comedy and I enjoy working with funny people.

What makes you want to wake up in the morning?
Knowing that I will have some really good coffee soon. Usually, I have several to-do lists that motivate me.

Who is your inspiration?
I get inspired by many women, including my mom. She taught me to work hard and enjoy life.

If you were given the chance to relive your life all over again, who would you be?
Probably someone else.

What is your favorite indulgence?
Vietnamese food.

Your three rules to live by?
Try anything once.
Attitude is everything.
Acceptance is the first step to change.

Your favorite brand or jewelry item?
I like H&M and Target.

Your city/country of origin?
Skokie, Illinois

Your proudest accomplishment?
I’ve made people laugh and brought joy into the world.

My body is loving -seriously loving – Nature Girl’s Organic Sugar Scrub and Organic Aloe Vera Body Wash. I am now a Nature Girl FAN. The smell of the body wash is heavenly…to a point where I realize I am taking a longer shower. The sugar scrub is infused with delicious Brazilian brown sugar. It not only scrubs the dead skin cells away, but leaves my body with a layer of protected botanical oil. I’ve never been a gal who remembers to moisturize my body after a hot shower, but now I can visibly SEE the oil coating my body. I am in LOVE. And the best part? Mr.X tells me I smell like a bouquet of flowers.

What was your inspiration on creating Nature Girl and Rich Hippie?
I wanted to make products that are great for your skin and that make you smell nice while also being safe for your health and safe for the environment.

What was the biggest challenge/s in creating your line?
Natural and organic products are more labor intensive. We source ingredients from all over the world. So there is a lot more coordination and time put into actually procuring the raw materials as compared to traditional synthetic beauty lines where the products are just made with chemicals in a local lab.

What makes your line unique? Nature Girl and Rich Hippie are unique in that they are 100% natural and made with organic and wildcrafted ingredients. There are very few brands like this in the entire world today.

What are some future products slated for debut? Rich Hippie will soon have eau de perfume and Nature Girl will soon have the first perfume ever for the line.

Any celebrity clients? Donna Air, the famous British actress who is very involved with environmental causes, Mary Kate Olsen, Julia Roberts.

The Usuals…
Why do you do what you do? Because I love it.

What makes you want to wake up in the morning? Swimming in the ocean.

Who is your inspiration? It’s a secret!

If you were given the chance to relive your life all over again, who would you be? Myself!

What is your favorite city to visit? Rio de Janeiro.

Your three rules to live by? Do what you love, have a good time and remember that rules were meant to be broken.

Your favorite Nature Girl and Rich Hippie product/s? I love them all.

Your city/country of origin? New York, USA.

Your proudest accomplishment? Being myself.

I like a man in a suit.
I lust watching a man in a suit.
I love a man in an Alfani suit.

There is something oh-so authentic about a man with a suit, tie and old-school shoes. Um…I do get chills just watching a well-dressed man…walk towards me. My gaze goes to his well-toned chest and I get goose-bumps all over my body and my heart goes thumpa thump.

I recently got to experience this thumpa thump at home when Mr. X, adorned in Alfani suit, greeted me at the door and took me out to dinner at my favorite Italian eatery. I could fall in love all over again.