This is just an outline and will be rewritten to add more details such as dates, names, and descriptions.
Well, in December of 1987 we at BWIP got a early Christmas present, we were told by congress, that the project had been cancelled, and the last date of employment for the 1200 BWIP employees would be February 28. It was time to find another job.
Three of my co-workers expressed interest in the then SoftVoice II project. Bob Hennig in particular, who had a son who was a recent quad, due to an unfortunate construction accident. Stan Colson and Bruce Jorgensen of Boeing Computer Services were the other two. After several meetings we decide to open the doors to Safko International, Inc. as I had incorporated the company a year earlier on March 6, 1986, and the fact that we four were soon to become unemployed.
Safko Internal Opens Its Doors
I agreed that if each of the partners were to put $3,000 start up cash into a pool, and dedicate at least 20 hours per week, I would after three months; transfer 25% of the corporate stock to each of them.
The Start Up Team
The First News Article
After the 1st month Colson had invested about 3 hours and no money, and Jorgenson no time and no money. Hennig did however invest full time, and about $6,000.
About the third month, the situation with Colson and Jorgensen did not improve. I was working 60 to 70 hours per week and going deeper in debt, with no contribution by either. Hennig on the other hand was investing time but with no purpose. He was unable to even turn on the computer or even run the software after three months, and would only assist in tasks he felt comfortable, which were very few. SenSei even a guest shot on the Today Show in the northwest.
SenSei Computer On NBC Nightly News
Lon Safko Receiving The Westinghouse Entrepreneur Of The Year Award
On January 2, I approached Ralph DiSibio of Westinghouse Investment Management Company, set up by Westinghouse Hanford, to assist Tri-Cities in diversifying their economy, to ask for some assistance. After careful scrutinizing, he agreed to supply us with 1800 s.f. of light industrial office space, rent free, and office furniture, desks, chairs, filing cabinets, form the Westinghouse surplus warehouse.
On March 1, 1987 we opened the doors to Safko International, Inc. in the Tri-Cities Enterprise Center, in Richland, Washington.
Westinghouse Entrepreneur of the year award and television conference.
Lon Safko
www.LonSafko.com
Bestselling Author & International Keynote Speaker
Tags: Lon Safko, Bestselling Author, International Keynote Speaker, Innovative thinking, Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs, Apple Computer, creative, innovation, creative thinking, SoftVoice, SenSei, First Voice Recognition, First Environmental Control, physically disabled, The Social Media Bible, The Fusion Marketing Bible
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