The short version: I created a company, bringing in business partners around a mediating object (creating a space for social entrepreneurs in Seattle, an incubator, like the Hub). We realized pretty quickly that you don't need six partners who want to make a living doing interesting work to manage a building, so we refocused on consulting - what most of us had been doing before. However, we also realized there were a number of interesting products and services we'd like to see built, so we tried to do those, too. 

You know how focus is key in building something big? Steve Jobs is famous for killing products so as to remain focused on those most likely to succeed. We, sadly, weren't focused, and despite building a decent brand with amazing clients and an excellent team, we had too many interests. So, we decided to split into a few different companies, freeing us to work on things about which we most cared. 

I continued consulting, partnering regularly with many of my former colleagues. It was disappointing to let the old brand go, but at the same time, freeing to be without much of the responsibility of building a company in the traditional sense. My new team was excellent, and we got to work with even more great clients. 

The happy ending to this post is that, early this month, I relaunched the old brand, Re-Vision Labs, with the blessing of my former business partners. The new company is much more focused, and is proving to be a lot of fun! My former partners are doing really cool stuff, and the Hub is opening in Seattle. Things seem to come out in the end.