Businessman Jim Coonan speaks to a packed venue a the first Klamath IDEA Talk of the 2018 season. (Brian Gailey)

Klamath Falls, Ore. - A packed house filled MC’s on Main to hear guest speaker Jim Coonan at the season’s first Klamath IDEA Talk. Coonan is a businessman, investor and entrepreneur from Tigard, Ore with investments in 30 startup companies.

“The most important part of a business is the team.” says Coonan. “There are tens of thousands of great ideas, but a great team is what is going to make even a mediocre idea successful.”

Throughout the talk Coonan discussed what it takes for a startup to be successful. “I have seen hundreds if not thousands of business plans. One thing I know for certainty, is that their business plan will not work. I know that for an absolute fact from personal experience, and I know that because I have invested and made a lot of dumb investments…I have learned.” stated Coonan.

“Nobody’s plan is going to be what they said it was. So why is it important to develop a business plan? One, I want to see that you have done your homework and you understand the industry. Second…What I am looking for is your ability to react to a change in circumstance.”

More info on Jim Coonan’s background can be found in a press release from Klamath IDEA on January 8th.

The next Klamath IDEA Talk will be on February 21st and will feature Brian Durham, Owner of Carriage Works and Steven Lightman, President of Harry & David.

Klamath IDEA (Inspire, Development, Energize, and Acceleration) is a community initiative dedicated to supporting the development of a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

IDEA Talks are gatherings designed as a networking opportunity for those with an entrepreneurial mindset, and who are interested in learning, networking, and being inspired. Each gathering features one or more guest speaker discussing an inspirational or educational-entrepreneurial-related topic. IDEA Talks bring entrepreneurs of all ages, founders, business owners, innovators, and support organizations together under one roof to hear about and discuss opportunities, needs, and great ideas for starting a business, expanding a business, or getting support in the process.

“We believe embracing and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit has the potential to bring the community together to reshape the economic foundation of our region,” Rutledge said.

Brian Gailey, Klamath Falls News.