I had a great conversation with my buddy Tom Williams after lunch today. After chatting with Tom, I always feel somehow smarter. (Thanks dude!  I need all I can get ;) )

Tom, and his teammates at InnoGauge, announced the launch of his InnoBlogs product this week. This platform has the potential to change the way both large and small companies approach blogging in business.  Tom’s a great example of a ton of smart Columbus, Ohio entrepreneurs, who are taking new and existing ideas, working to develop them into things you and I can use.

(disclosure: Tom has never paid me a nickle.  I just think he’s on to something that’s going to change how we communicate in business and so I am giving him props.  Cool?  Good.)

I really do love Ohio.  It makes me proud to live in in a city where the culture supports innovators like Tom and people buzz about innovation and new ideas.

Credit Goes Where Credit is Due
Here are some other names of Columbus, Ohio entrepreneurs that are worth paying some attention.

• Brian Link and Jake Saxbe who are working on Toobla and getting some serious national attention.
• Steve Krause is up to some really cool stuff in creating Clearwish, and online gifting service that make it easier to buy holiday presets for your family and friends
• A ton of people in Ohio pay attention to Wil Schroter.  He’s already made millions by innovating.  Enough said.
• My friend Michael Bowers is working on some ideas that could potentially change the world for small business owners.  Mike also runs marathons in his spare time.
• Ruth Milligan is  fostering learning and innovation by bringing TEDx to Columbus for the first time.
• Artie Isaac and Rob Emrich have built an entire social community for speakers.  It’s still growing at a rapid pace and quickly taking ownership of its niche.
• Jon Meyers and some friends from TracerMedia have created one of the most amazing iPhone games in the App Store today.
• Dan Harris is applying new technology to building awareness around restaurants through Tastecasting.
• Bill Balderez, Amy Marshall and their team at Webbed Marketing have launched Spiderfly, a new social monitoring system that lets companies listen to online buzz about their brands.
• Brian Pitzer came up with the idea of producing and selling caffeinated water, as opposed to pop or sports drinks containing lots of sugar and Yellow 5.  Avaite is doing quite well so far.
• Angela Siefer is leading and growing Shiny Door, a social communication consultancy that teaches hesitant people how to communicate with social technology.  Angela is truly a social entrepreneur and has built her business by practicing what she preaches.

Hats off too the list!  You are innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers and most importantly; you are all people with ideas and enough courage to chase your dream.  Thanks for being examples of what is possible with the right commitment and dedication.

A Call To Action
The people on the list are the noise makers.  They are doing great things and the rest of the world should be watching.  It’s up to people like you and I to help amplify their voice, so that more people can hear them, see them and learn from them.  What can you do today to help?  What about telling just 5 of your friends?  What about dropping a link to their blog or website on your Facebook profile?  What about finding them on LinkedIn or Twitter and sharing them with someone you follow?

Go ahead. Play the role of connector.  I dare you to come out of your comfort zone, take a chance, and see what happens. :)

By the way – did I forget about you?  Are you a Columbus innovator that should be somewhere on this list?  No worries.  There’s plenty of room for you too.  Send me a message on Twitter, or just email me at nate [at] socialbusinessstrategies.com, and let me know what you’re working on.

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