Are you considering starting a business in the United States, but you don’t know how to reach that particular market? I have learned that, in reality, it does not take long to get up and running and to quickly begin forging partnerships in areas like San Francisco, where companies and entrepreneurs, alike, are ready to help and guide you.

How Did Atollon Begin?

Since Atollon’s foundation, we have focused the development of our solutions to serve customers worldwide. The issues we solve (including the support for providing excellent customer service) work anywhere that a great market environment exists. The U.S. falls at the top of these types of environments. So, it was immediately clear that, sooner rather than later, we had to reach customers in the United States. After recently traveling to San Francisco, I learned many valuable lessons.

Why Silicon Valley?

1. Inspiration and Networking:

If you want to become part of the field of technological companies, there is no better place than Silicon Valley. You have the opportunity to personally meet with a large number of positively motivated entrepreneurs and draw inspiration for the development of your company. The local concentration of technology companies in Silicon Valley is breathtaking. One success story is technology accelerator RocketSpace, where more than 110 companies utilize an office environment designed solely for tech and new media companies — from individuals to highly developed companies, such as Zappos.com and Spotify. In the RocketSpace neighborhood, you can find a large amount of companies that have a presence not only in the technological field, but also worldwide, including Twitter, Salesforce, Google, Adobe, Apple, and many others.

2. Mentoring:

Within the center of the action, there are a number of people who are willing to help you revise your business model and aid you in reaching out to and contacting potential partners, investors, and/or customers. Everyone seems to be selflessly offering a helping hand. I was amazed how people behave with each other — not only about work opportunities. A willingness to help is manifested everywhere throughout the city.

3. Memorable Services:

This is what we are trying to promote in the long term, and here it is to be found to perfection. I am either extremely fortunate, or just about everyone in San Francisco is really helpful — from buying a public transport pass, to finding my way around the city, to finding accommodations and food. Wherever I spent a single dollar, I felt those employees respecting me as a customer and fighting for my repeat business (and ideally sharing my positive experiences with others). But, we still have a lot to learn ...

What You Must Leave at Home

1. Shyness:

Entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley are professional networkers. Immediately, during my first day after landing in San Francisco, I had several meetings, both long and short, with dozens of people. From RocketSpace and US-Mac representatives (US Market Access Centre), to several entrepreneurs at a DrinkEntrepreneurs networking event , to the people at the hostel where I stayed because I hadn’t found a suitable apartment yet, the networking and learning opportunities were everywhere. It wasn’t a time to be shy.

I was a little embarrassed to stay in a hostel, but I wanted to understand students’ unrealized ambitions and goals. And it was worth it. It ended up being the best way to feel the vibrant city atmosphere, which is not fully possible while staying in an apartment or hotel. You just need to choose well. Surprisingly, there were not only students from all over the world at the hostel, but also young entrepreneurs in the technology sector with whom I had time to discuss various aspects of entering the U.S. market.

2. Complaints:

No one really wants to focus on complaints. I realized this after lunch with US-Mac partners. I had complained that in the Czech Republic I did not know many entrepreneurs who are looking to expand abroad. We have to convince most of our Czech clients to expand and then provide proper training on how to do that. (This way of thinking seems to be obsolete in the U.S., where expansion is oftentimes top of mind). I also complained that the Czech Republic “Start-Up scene” does not function well and that very few companies in the area organize events to support new entrepreneurs. TechSquare and CredoVentures are two of these companies. I learned that instead of complaining, looking for opportunities and moving to action better serves us.

I want to thank all of you for helping us to enter the U.S. market, including:

• Atollon clients and partners for their current support. We appreciate your continued loyalty, and as early as this month, we are launching an application that will improve your level of service.
• Atollon co-partners and colleagues (islanders) for dedicated support to our customers and development of excellent products.
• My family support, Skype for allowing me to read fairy tales to my daughter every day, and pohadky.org for electronic versions of fairy tales in Czech.
• Lufthansa for the excellent service that brought me safely to San Francisco and TechSquare Credo Ventures partners for motivation.
• RocketSpace and US-Mac partners for the great welcome and securing facilities.
• Robin Sharma, Bill Gates, and to all the amazing entrepreneurs and enthusiasts for sharing the appropriate model to follow.
• The CzechInvest agency for great care.
• The European Union for financial support of our U.S. launch.

Sincerely,

Jan Safka
Chief Islander