WeVue Blog

Shared Memories Brought to LIfe

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WeVue Launches App Focused On Company Culture For Businesses

Roughly 8 months ago we discovered an incredible opportunity to turn our consumer crowdsourcing technology into a robust business solution. We’d used our consumer app with various businesses to help them gather content at their outward facing events, and the response was always incredible - marketing loved having a pool of content to use to promote the event after it ended, and attendees loved the chance to share and connect in a more private setting than on facebook or twitter.

So we decided to go all in on building a tool for these types of customers...

Our Next Move...

We went into stealth mode. Cut all the fat. We dropped over 15 interns and employees culled for the consumer market and focused purely on businesses. We needed to know what makes the CEO tick, what makes the marketing department tick, what makes HR go “WOW”? We knew picture and video sharing was shiny and fun, but we needed to know if there was a need for picture and video communication in the enterprise world. These were question we asked while developing the new WeVue...

What We’ve Created…

The new WeVue is a corporate culture tool that captures, enhances, and promotes company culture through picture and video sharing around cultural experiences within and outside of the office. We want to capture those moments within your company that make your workplace special. We want to enhance your company's culture by connecting employees digitally and giving them a place to communicate around culture. Finally, we want to promote your company's culture by showing off rich employee centric content to the rest of the world.

"I think WeVue is the best way I have ever seen to introduce a new hire to a company. I have never seen anything better. I care so much about creating great places to work, you want to get to know your coworkers and build trust, that’s very important and a passion of mine. WeVue is helping me do that. " -Director of Operations TargetSolutions

Is WeVue For You?

This new WeVue is not for every company, it’s for companies that care about their people and want to keep those people around for a while. The average millennial will have 7 jobs before they turn 30, and we’ve come to believe that is in large part because they do not understand the culture of the companies they are joining and there are not enough tools to get them integrated into that culture after that start working. Sometimes change is what a company needs to foster success. Change is progressive and so are we...are you? If the answer to this question is yes, then KABOOM let’s talk!

Company culture is something that can make or break a company. Whether you work with 10,000 or 10 people, culture is the way you do what you do, and we want be a part of that.

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Working Women Spotlight: Meet Sylvia Martinez

We’ve had the pleasure of featuring amazing business women for the past two weeks in celebration of International Working Women’s Day, March 8th. Today we are excited to introduce you to our final Working Women Spotlight, Sylvia Martinez, Founder and CEO of Collaborative Technologies of Tampa Bay. 

We asked Sylvia to share a story about a professional obstacle and how she overcame it, this is her response:  

Becoming a business owner. What a ride! Need I say more? :) I did so many things to help prepare myself for my journey and I still do, but I don't think anything can fully prepare you for what to expect day to day. I feel like I face a new challenge every single day. Not all of them are bad. When you're a small company, you want to multiply yourself. I play the part of the CEO, the accountant, the admin, the marketer, the business developer, and the list goes on... You just make it work with no excuses. I never imagined I would wear so many hats. However, I look at what I've been blessed with and success has never felt so great. It's all incredible worth it!

Sylvia’s Favorite Motivational Quote

"Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it." -Maya Angelou

Find Sylvia Online

www.google.com/+Ctoftb @CTofTB https://www.facebook.com/CTofTB

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Working Women Spotlight: Meet Jenni Stone

We’re continuing our celebration of International Women’s Day today by spotlighting Jenni Stone, HR Director & Partner at HR Shield. 

We asked Jenni to share a story about a professional obstacle and how she overcame it, this is her response: 

We are faced with challenges throughout our professional life, as we struggle to decide what we really want to be when we grow up.  For me, that choice was becoming a business owner, entrepreneur, and thought leader.   When you make that epic decision to do an about face, a career pivot, there comes with it many challenges.  Stepping out of that comfortable cozy corporate nest, and jumping out of the tree into the unknown world screaming "I can do this!" while wildly flapping your arms, well it's scary as hell. Being your own boss sounds fun, and while it eventually will be, there comes with it a great deal of sacrifice.  You will give up time, money, and maybe a little of your sanity, the rewards far outweigh the sacrifices. It's all about building what's next, and I am ready for the challenge.

Jenni’s Favorite Motivational Quote 

“Be careful when you blindly follow the masses.  Sometimes the "M" is silent.”

Find Jenni Online

Twitter: @HRocksTampa

http://hr-shield.com

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Working Women Spotlight: Meet Dr. Nancy H. Wall

In celebration of International Women’s Day we began spotlighting amazing professional women last week leading up to International Working Women’s Day which was celebrated on March 8th. We’ve had such an overwhelming response to this spotlight series that we decided to keep it going this week. Today we want to introduce you to Dr. Nancy H. Wall, President and Founder at Tampa Bay MatchMakers. 

We asked Nancy to tell us about a professional obstacle and how she overcame it. Here is here story: 

Starting a traditional matchmaking company during the hype of the "dot com online dating" era was a difficult challenge for me personally and for Tampa Bay MatchMakers as a corporation.  Singles were turning to online dating with the strong expectations that they could list their criteria for an ideal match and the computer program would return their perfect soulmate!  With little or no investment in online dating sites, and plenty of them, singles were flocking to register and be part of the trend.  Over time, however, online dating sites began to attract scammers, married people, and those who preyed on vulnerable, sometimes desperate singles. Singles began to get frustrated and look at other alternatives to find a healthy, happy, committed relationship. Tampa Bay MatchMakers was the answer for professional singles!

Nancy's Favorite Motivational Quote

Live, Love and Laugh (We only have one life so make the most of it!  Keep it simple!)

Connect with Dr. Wall Online

LinkedIn

Facebook

Twitter

Google+

Check out other women in our Working Women Spotlight

Jessica Rivelli

Heidi Hamlin

Arikia Millikan

Megan Bubalo

Deborah Alaverez Neff 

Sandi McKenna

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Working Women Spotlight: Meet Deborah Alvarez Neff

In celebration of International Women's Day we began spotlighting amazing professional women last week leading up to International Working Women's Day which was celebrated yesterday. We've had such an overwhelming response to this spotlight series that we decided to keep it going this week. Today we want to introduce you to Deborah Alvarez Neff, Director of Operations at Tampa Bay WaVe. 

We asked Deb to tell us about a professional obstacle and how she overcame it. Here is here story: 

The transition from corporate America to the non-profit startup world has been the greatest adventure and challenge thus far. When your passion  becomes your day job, it is easy to become consumed. I have entered into the advanced course of balancing quality time at home with the non-stop grind of our entrepreneurial ecosystem. I thought I knew busy before...I had no idea and would not change it for anything. I am being provided a chance to put a small positive mark in our world. That is a professional life I find both challenging and a continued source of pride.

Deb's Favorite Motivational Quote

"Be the change you wish to see in the world"

- Mahatma Gandhi

Connect With Deborah Online

Twitter: @DeborahCAN

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Working Women Spotlight: Meet Jessica Rivelli

Happy International Working Women’s Day! We have been featuring women this past week that are doing amazing things within not only the workplace, but their respective industries as well in celebration of International Working Women’s Day. Today we would like for you all to meet Jessica Rivelli, founder of Working Women of Florida.

We asked Jessica to tell us a story about a career challenge she faced and how she overcame it. Here is her response: 

One of my biggest challenges was taking the leap of faith to leave my 10 year career as a television news producer to start Working Women of Tampa Bay. I learned sometimes you just have to have faith in yourself and in your strengths and then LEAP. I had to get out of my own head and just do it. Once I committed to following my dream, everything fell into place. It's all about combining passion and purpose to live the life you've always wanted. Don't let your fears hold you back!

Jessica's Favorite Motivational Quote

“There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women." ― Madeleine Albright

Connect With Jessica

Twitter: @workingwomentb

Facebook: www.facebook.com/WWOTB

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Working Women Spotlight: Meet Megan Bubalo

Happy International Working Women's Day! We have been featuring women this past week that are doing amazing things within not only the workplace, but their respective industries as well in celebration of International Working Women’s Day. Today we would like for you all to meet Megan Bubalo, owner of Malindy Elene - Couture For The Bride. 

We asked Megan to tell us a story about a career challenge she faced and how she overcame it. Here is her response: 

Balance.  Going into owning your own company, you know that it will take countless hours to get the company where you want it to be, to file your taxes, to make clients happy and more. But there is absolutely no way you can fathom what that actually means until you're in it.  Finding the balance between working all day every day and still being a part of your family and friend's lives in harder than you could ever think.  It's a game you play every day to turn off the phone, stop answering the e-mails and engage in your life outside of work!

Megan's Favorite Motivational Quote

"She believed she could, so she did."

Find Megan online: 

@TampaCouture on Twitter

malindyelene.com

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Working Women Spotlight: Meet Arikia Millikan

For the next few days we will be featuring women that are doing amazing things within not only the workplace, but also their respective industries in celebration of International Working Women's Day on Sunday March 8th. Today we would like for you all to meet Arikia Millikan.

We asked Arikia to tell us a story about a career challenge she faced and how she overcame it. Here is her response:

One of the biggest challenges I've faced in my career was figuring out how to leave a high-paid corporate journalism job to start my own company. I knew in my gut that the work I was doing there wasn't why I got into journalism. I pitched what I really wanted to work on—a vertical that would acknowledge women as a large demographic of tech-savvy readers, and speak to them directly—for six months, and it was turned down. "We don't have a women problem," they told me, "we don't need this." They didn't get it, and I knew that if I stayed, I wouldn't be able to change anything there and I'd just wind up being miserable. I made the decision to leave, start my own company, and travel around the world. A few weeks before I was to leave the US, I got approached by a headhunter. She offered me twice what I was making before to work as a senior copywriter for one of the most evil oil corporations in the world. I felt like Keanu in The Devil's Advocate, and I knew this was the big fork in my life's path that would mark the difference between completely selling my soul for money and being happy and scrappy. I left to travel and have never regretted that decision. My company is doing well and I am happy.

Arikia's Favorite Motivational Quote

  "I must not fear.   Fear is the mind-killer.   Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.   I will face my fear.   I will permit it to pass over me and through me.   And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.   Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." -The Litany of Fear, from Frank Herbert's Dune

Connect with Arikia

You can check out Arikia on her Lady Bits blog

Connect with her on Instagram: @arikia

Connect with Arikia on Tumblr: http://arikia.tumblr.com

Celebrating International Working Women's Day

Check out out spotlights:

Sandi McKenna

Heidi Hamlin

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Working Women Spotlight: Meet Sandi McKenna

For the next few days we will be featuring women that are doing amazing things within not only the workplace, but their respective industries as well. Today we would like for you all to meet Sandi McKenna, co-host and producer at MidLife Road Trip, an unscripted, organic, reality-based food, travel and adventure series focusing on the experiences of polar opposite travel experts bringing two totally different perspectives on what to see, do and eat in each particular destination along the journey. Sandi has 20 years experience in entertainment marketing, public relations and video production. She's pretty much a rockstar! 

We asked Sandi to tell us a story about the most difficult challenge she’s had to overcome in her professional life.  

Here is her response: 

I'm always in search of balance. Juggling a family, a full time career as a food/travel writer and video producer along with a busy travel schedule proves to be a daily challenge. I find that by using technology to lessen my load brings me closer to finding that balance. My Smartphone is like another limb and I'd be lost without it. I use apps like TripIt to manage my travel itinerary and keep track of my flights, rental cars, and miles/points, Expedia to bundle and book my trips (by doing this I save $ too), Social Media apps like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for sharing my articles. I manage the kid’s schedules and monitor their grades through apps on my phone giving me the flexibility to travel and still stay on top of things at home. I even shoot and edit video using only my phone. Using the dropbox app and Google docs my business partner (who lives in Atlanta) and I effortlessly exchange work making it possible to have a successful business partnership from different cities. My phone has become my business (and personal) lifeline making it possible for me to have a career that I love while still maintaining a happy (and smooth running) home life.

Sandi’s favorite motivational quote 

“Step with care and great tact, and remember that life’s a great balancing act.” - Dr. Seuss

You can connect with Sandi on Twitter, @SandiMcKenna and be sure to check out MidLife Roda Trip at http://midliferoadtrip.tv

Check out our other Working Women Spotlights: 

Heidi Hamlin

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Working Women Spotlight: Meet Heidi Hamlin

For the next few days we will be featuring women that are doing amazing things within not only the workplace, but their respective industries as well. Today we would like for you all to meet Heidi Hamlin, Foundation Manager for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Heidi manages the signature Lightning Community Hero program, coordinating key fundraising events such as the Bolt Run and Bolts Family Carnival. She facilitates multiple cause-marketing programs with sponsors and community partners. Interacting with fans, making hockey memories and spreading 'good' in Tampa Bay is what she loves to do.

We asked Heidi to tell us a story about the most difficult challenge she's had to overcome in her professional life. 

Here's her response: 

I generally look and sound very young, so I work hard to overcome that by exuding confidence in myself and my abilities to show that I have much to offer. 

Heidi's favorite motivational quote 

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

 -Eleanor Roosevelt 

Come back tomorrow to catch our next spotlight! 

[blogwevue]

WeVue Guide to Success:

Let's Get Started

Go to the Apple App store and download The Culture App by WeVue, it can also be accessed on the browser via culture.wevue.com. Once downloaded go ahead and open it up. At this point, you are going to want to “Sign up” with your company email.

   Upon entering the app, you will see a welcome screen for you company, and you will be brought into the album list. This list of albums encompasses everything that is happening at your company such as company events and happenings around the office.

Joining An Album

After exploring the list of albums, go ahead and click on an album to explore it. Join the album by clicking “Join Album” in the middle and then add some pictures and videos by clicking the plus sign in the top right corner and then selecting “Add Photo or Video”. Each picture you add can be commented on or “liked” by anyone else that is a part of the album.

Creating A Vue 

Once again, hit the plus sign in the top right corner, but this time select “Create a Vue”. You will be brought into the Vue creation page where you can select the pictures and videos you want to include in your Vue. You can drag and drop each picture or video, as well as zoom in and crop each individual picture or video. You can erase whatever you don't want added to your Vue by hitting the trash can. You can add comments to any piece of media by clicking the pencil. Add a soundtrack from your iTunes by hitting the music note. When finished click publish and within a few minutes your Vue will be complete. In some organizations, only administrators can create Vues, so if you don't have this functionality but you're interested in making a Vue, talk to the champion at your organization. 

Your Profile

Go back to the menu and look at the profile. The profile will show you the albums you have contributed to along with the Vues you have made and the people following you as well as the people you are following.

Looking For Something?

To search coworkers, albums, or Vues all you need to do it go to the search function and type in the keywords you are looking for.

Activity Feed

Let's get familiar with the activity feed, accessible from the menu. The activity feed acts as a way to follow what is happening within your company and will keep you up to date with your followers and their activity within the app.

Ideas and Possibilities:

We have seen everything from selfie and dance competitions to introducing new hires with videos and CEO video blogging; we want to foster some fun and exciting competitions so any ideas you have please let us know. This app has been created for you to express what is really happening within your office so go ahead and get creative! If you have any good ideas please tell them to your champions.

Feedback and the future:

At any point if you have feedback please reach out to [email protected] or give us a ring at 610-724-5129. Is there anything right off the bat that you like? That you do not like? Please be very honest with us as we need to know the truth and nothing but the truth (so help you... :D)!

We will be conducting several focus groups throughout the three-month pilot program along with distributing surveys that will help us truly learn what is and is not working. Thank you so much for your participation and show the world what your company is all about!

[blogwevue]

From Us To You, Happy Hanukkah

"May the lights of Hanukkah usher in a better world for all humankind." ~Author Unknown

Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah or Festival of Lights an eight-day Jewish observance that remembers the Jewish people's struggle for religious freedom. Many Americans of Jewish faith celebrate the 8 days with family, friends, songs and a lot of traditional foods. 

A favorite of Mark, our CTO, is Latkes, better known as potato pancakes. Co-founder, Saxon's favorites are Potato Pancakes and Brisket. 

What is one of your favorite Hanukkah foods or traditions? How do you celebrate the eight-day Festival of Lights? 

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The WeVue Team’s Holiday Wish List

Whether it’s a letter to Santa or a Hanukkah wish list everyone at WeVue has at least one thing they’re hoping they receive this holiday season.

Taylor’s Christmas List

A new bicycle for commuting from the Pad to WeVue HQ

Underwear because one can never have too many pairs & it cuts down on laundry time and increases productivity.

Cooking tools for creating delicious feasts.

Mark’s Hanukkah Wish List

Kindle Voyager, so that I can read in bed at night without seeing flashing white light when I close my eyes to sleep.

Alex’s Christmas Wish List

Plastc - Because I’m a fan of hardware startups, and this looks like Coin+

Pebble Steel - Because the first Pebble is awesome, and wouldn’t mind the upgraded version.

A mini vacay to California - Do I need to explain, really?! Relaxation and piece of mind.

Apple Watch - Alex + Apple = OMG

August Smart Lock - I would love this in my apartment!

FSU jersey/gear

Unheard of hardware startups - I love hardware startups, and I’ve made sure my family keeps their eyes peeled (at least the ones in my family that know what a “hardware startup” is).

Saxon’s Hanukkah Wish List

The Penguins New third jersey Crosby obviously!

A new TV. My TV is small and I’ve moved into a new place.

Trip to somewhere Tropical in the Caribbean

What’s one thing you’re hoping to get this holiday season?

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3 Ways To Use WeVue This Holiday Season

The holidays are upon us and everyone is sure to be snapping pictures with their phones, hoping to capture the magic of the season to remember for years to come. WeVue wants to help make those magical moments more amazing, so without further adieu here are 3 ways you can use WeVue this holiday season:

Use WeVue to upload your family holiday pictures creating a digital, movie-like holiday card to share with your friends and loved ones.

Create a makeshift photobooth for your holiday party with your iPhone, a tripod, whatever fun accessories, and a sweet backdrop (or a sheet). You can upload all of your images directly to WeVue where all of your attendees can find and download their images.

Capture the magic of the holiday season with your entire family. Whether they are celebrating with you, or miles away, you can create a private album specifically for your family so everyone can share their holiday memories with one another.

We’d love to hear how you plan to use WeVue this holiday season! 

Download WeVue 

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iPhone Camera Accessories To Add To Your Holiday Wishlist

Chances are you take most of your pictures with your phone these days…unless you’re a photographer, and even then we know plenty of pros who rely on their iPhones for day to day shoots. We know how convenient it is because we do it too. We always have our phones with us. Phones are slim and a nice camera is pretty bulky to carry around every day. Heck, the picture quality on our phones is actually really good too, but what if we told you that you could get more professional quality pics with different accessories? Think of all the closeup shots you could get of Aunt Gertie’s fruit cake with a macro lens. If only you had an awesome zoom lens, you could sneak a pic of Santa putting gifts under the tree without him ever knowing. Take that Rudolf!

We wanted to share 3 lens sets we have purchased and experimented with. Trust us, you’d be crazy not to check these out!

NEEWER fish eye, macro and wide lenses - These are amazing. All you have to do is take your existing case off your iPhone (5 or 5s) and slide it over the top. The icing on the cake? It’s extremely inexpensive - $8.01

12X Magnifier Zoom Aluminum Camera Telephoto Lens w/ Tripod - Compatible with the iPhone 5 and 5s, this take great shots without losing resolution like you typically would if you used the regular zoom on your phone. To use you must remove your existing case and use the case provided. Costs just under $20

MobilePioneer 3 in 1 Camera Lens Kit - Includes a fisheye lens, a 0.67 wide angle lens and a macro lens. The best part about this set is that it fits over your case unlike the ones above. This lens is compatible with iPhone 6 & 6 Plus, iPhone 5, 5c and 5s and will only cost you $12.00.

  Hint: these lenses make awesome stocking stuffers & secret Santa gifts. They'll really up your photo sharing game too!

We’d love to see the pictures you create so be sure to upload them to WeVue!

[blogwevue]

Help stomp out hunger this holiday season with WeVue, Kobie Marketing and Ferg's Sports Bar and Grill on Thursday December 4th from 5:30 to 8:30pm. 

Facebook event: http://goo.gl/TiBgRL

We hope to see you all there! 

[blogwevue]

Mark Is Thankful For...

Mark is WeVue's CTO and overall ninja coder. 

What are you thankful for?

For a happy and healthy family. 

What resources are you thankful for when it comes to WeVue and the job that you do? ((Evelyn chimes in here encouraging Mark to answer from the hear - we love our office neighbors!))

For starters an investor that is willing to persevere through a company that requires pivots. 

What is a typical Thanksgiving for you?

Well it has changed recently, having kids and a wife now travel is a little less convinient. Ideally a typical Thanksgiving is one with a lot of extended family, my wife, and mother.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish?

My grandmothers stuffing. There's something about the texture that's much smoother shall we say... than the stuff you get in the store and it's just seasoned the right way. 

What will you be doing this Thanksgiving?

We'll be doing a trip a week later so it's too hard for us to travel with the kids to Miami where all of the extended family is. My mother will be coming up here as well as my wifes father and her aunt and cousin who is here. Thanksgiving will be relatively small.  

Do you watch the parade?

Now that you mention it I think we'll throw it on for the kids. That'll be interested for them to see. I don't know if they're interested. I think as soon as they turn it on they might just ask for Dora.

Moments later we Googled and found out that Dora will infact be in the parade. 

Read what the rest of the WeVue Team is thankful for

Saxon

Taylor

Alex

What are YOU thankful for this year?