May 2018 Chamber Luncheon

Sno Valley Innovation Dream Factory: A Business That Creates Businesses
Presenter: Luke Marusiak
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Businesses and individuals are invited to bring innovative business concepts forward in May and June. It could be a product, service or a different way to deliver either. In short, it needs to be innovative, ground-breaking and involve some risk-taking. Business owners certainly know about these challenges.
He’s assembling an advisory board. People who have been successful in new product launches or as subject experts in business law, contract negotiations, taxation, accounting, patent work, and marketing will comprise this group. Luke will explain how the process works in greater detail.
Here’s where it gets exciting: The best innovative ideas will advance in September to our partner, Pacific Lutheran University’s School of Business. MBA candidates will vie to adopt these as their capstone group project. They’ll work with the entrepreneurs in developing business and marketing plans. We have more to share on the unique connection back to our community.
The Innovation Center is an unprecedented partnership with PLU, the cities of North Bend and Snoqualmie, and your Chamber of Commerce. Other partners will be announced at the Chamber meeting.
We want a stronger, more vibrant and connected community. We want to help people and businesses succeed. Together, we will do some amazing things no other community has done before!
Luncheon Sponsor: Umpqua Bank – North Bend, WA

Bio:
Luke Marusiak is the author of the Good Fight Series historical fiction that follows five passionate characters who strive to make a difference from the turbulent 1960s to the turbulent 2010s.  He also brought his passion for business to the Excellence in Business Leadership Series. 
 
In his recent book, The Patent, Luke displayed his enthusiasm for technology in telling the tale of the struggle to control a patent with world changing potential. 
 
In this book, Lifeboat Moon, Luke spins a tale that asks the question, if humanity lost everything (earth, families, animals, trees . . .) would life still be worth living?  Some on Moon Base Armstrong say yes and others disagree.  What do you think?
 
Luke was raised in Western Pennsylvania.  He served in the U.S. Army culminating with the 1^st Infantry Division in Desert Storm.  He worked in the Silicon Valley from the early 1990s working in semiconductors, hard drive media, and vacuum chamber systems in positions from process engineer to Chief Operating Officer and CEO.  He draws on his family, friendships, and experiences for his writing.  He currently resides in Washington with his wife.
 
For more information visit: www.lukemarusiak.com