Brian Raney
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Brian Raney

CEO, APAX Software
www.brianraney.com
Lexington, Kentucky, United States United states
Business owner
Member since November 12, 2008
VEQ: TM-FM-NW
Quote
Always do something awesome over something not awesome Quote_down
About Brian
Work/education
Activities
Company profile(s)
Following
I am a(n):

Entrepreneur

Companies I've founded or co-founded:

BookExchange.com, APAX Software, Awesome Inc, AwesomeTouch

If you are an entrepreneur, why?

I want to change the world.

My favorite startups:

AwesomeTouch

What's most frustrating and rewarding about entrepreneurship/innovation?

Just like anything else, the most frustrating thing to me about entrepreneurship is losing / failing. It can be a major blow to your confidence when someone passes you or beats you in a sale, contest, or other competition.
The most rewarding thing about being an entrepreneur is seeing someone use your product and knowing that if it wasn't for you, the product wouldn't have been created. I remember starting my first business (BookExchange.com) to help students buy/sell textbooks directly to each other. The first semester I launched it I was blown away and became addicted to the feeling of having customers use my service.

What's the No. 1 mistake entrepreneurs make?

Lack of focus

What are the top three lessons you've learned as an entrepreneur?

1. Fire fast
2. The team with the most best players wins (it's less about the idea, more about the team)
3. Don't hesitate. Develop a quick short term plan and then start acting. Take some time to think long term occasionally, but spend most of your time executing / acting on your short term plan.

Full bio

OBJECTIVE:

            To grow my businesses and gain experience and knowledge related to entrepreneurship in order to leverage my wealth and credibility to someday own a fortune 500 company. 

EDUCATION:

  • MS Degree in Economics, December 2006, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. 
  • BS Degree in Computer Science, May 2005, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.  Graduated Cum Laude.  Minor in Business.
  • Transferred 37 hours from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL.
  • Graduated with honors from Campbell County High School in Alexandria, KY.

STARTUP EXPERIENCE:

  • CEO, APAX Software, Lexington, KY. (January 2007 – present).  Own and operate business of approximately 20 employees which develops custom software solutions with a focus on mobile and web applications.  Responsible for managing company health and establishing and maintaining client relationships.
  • Founder, Awesome Inc, Lexington, KY (January 2008 – present).  Own and operate business incubator/accelerator in Lexington, KY.  The purpose of Awesome Inc is to foster an environment that accelerates activity related to startups, high tech, and creativity.
  • Founder, BookExchange, Lexington, KY. (December 2003 – present).  Own small business, originally responsible for web design/development, server management, administrative business tasks and marketing.  Currently responsible for company health and business operation decisions.

ACTIVITIES:

  • Founder, Young Entrepreneurs of Lexington (2008).
  • Organizer, Startup Weekend Lexington (2008).
  • Founder, Forge Lexington (2009).
  • Blog: www.takeitupalevel.com (2008).
  • Head coach, ’95 & ’99 Boys LFC Classic soccer team (2008 – current).
  • Junior Varsity Coach, Campbell County High School (2007).
  • Assistant coach, ’93 Boys NK United Premier soccer team (2006-2007).
  • Assistant coach, ’87 Boys NKU United Premier soccer team (2001-2003).
  • Played varsity soccer for Olivet Nazarene University on scholarship.

COMPUTER & TECHNICAL SKILLS:

  • Computer Programming Languages: 
· Perl                              · C/C++ 
· Java/AJAX                   · HTML/ASP/PHP
· Visual Basic               · Prolog
· SQL                             · Palm OS
· Microsoft Visual Studio.Net   
  • Computer Software:
    • · MS Windows/Office vX     · mySQL
    • · Unix                                     · Microsoft Server 2003
    • · Adobe PhotoShop            · Adobe Premiere video
    • · AutoCAD                             · Microsoft IIS 6.0
    • Microsoft SQL Server
    • · Macromedia Dreamweaver MX / Fireworks MX
  • Designed and maintain web site for UK BookExchange (http://www.ukbookexchange.com).
  • Manage database management system for KREC Project, interdisciplinary engineering, University of Kentucky.

 

HONORS & AWARDS:

  • Lexington Young Entrepreneur of the year award (2010).
  • Graduated Cum Lade (UK – ’05).
  • Dean’s List (ONU – ’01, UK – ’02 & ’04).
  • Selected to National Honor Roll (college).
  • Received Academic letter sophomore, junior, and senior years of high school.
  • Selected to Who’s Who in Sports (1999 & 2000) and United States National Soccer Awards.
  • All-State Soccer team senior year.