Name: Blake Miller
Bio: Partner at Think Big Partners working directly with portfolio and client companies on innovation and company creation
Title: Partner, Think Big Partners
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Age: 27
City: Kansas City, Mo.
Website: about.me/blakemiller
Twitter: @blakemiller32
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/blakermiller
Intro music: “This City” by Patrick Stump feat. Lupe Fiasco
Silicon Prairie News: Your started a web design company at 14. What lessons about entrepreneurship did you learn then that still come in handy today?
Blake Miller: That you have to be OK with making it up as you go. In my experience, the best entrepreneurs know what they don’t know. They are good at figuring things out and many times — that’s why they are entrepreneurs in the first place.
SPN: What does a typical day (if there is such a thing) look like for you as a partner at Think Big Partners?
BM: Ha! I don’t think I have ever had the same day… With that said, typically there are a few meetings with client or portfolio companies. I also project manage our development teams, so there usually are status and strategy meetings with those teams. I also think that it is extremely important as an entrepreneur to be healthy, so I find time to get a CrossFit workout in there somewhere.
SPN: With the finale for Think Big’s Gigabit Challenge coming up Wednesday, what stands out you most about the finalists that have been assembled??
BM: That people are incredibly passionate about their idea. We currently have a team from Spain that has been trying to obtain a visa just to make it for their presentation. They are traveling a half a world a way just for the possibility of making their dream a reality. It’s truly inspiring.
SPN: You’ve worked managing DJs. Imagine you’re putting on a show anywhere with any four DJs in the world. Who’s playing, what’s the venue, and what else do we need to know about the show?
BM: Right now the big thing is “dubstep or electronica.” The concerts are full of energy and frankly, having been to several, are a blast. Four DJs: David Guetta, DeadMau5, Calvin Harris, BassNectar. The Venue: Red Rocks
Image credit: Photo courtesy of Blake Miller.
Prairie Portraits: To learn more about this series, see our introduction post, or visit our archives for past Prairie Portraits. To suggest an individual for a future Prairie Portrait, contact editor@siliconprairienews.com.
