Russo's start-up venture: Real or spam?

scotts

Is this for real? It went to my junk mail folder. Is Russo looking for donations for an "start up internet Technologies company"?
Here's the email body:

Hello scotts, Im reaching out to the members of 650Rider.com searching forsupport. I have been running this site for five years and almostnever trouble the users with my concerns. However, today I need yourhelp and I'm not too proud to ask for it. I need donations andinvertors in my startup Internet technologies company. Please visit this page:/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=52 RUSSO-

wangdoodle · New Member Joined: Jul 01, 2009 Posts: 1

Clicking the "Buy Now" button tries to send money to:

"Logo Trax Inc., 828 423-0023, PO BOX 1660, CANDLER, NC 28715 US "

Does this address mean anything to anyone?

pumps

I got it too. As I recall the Logo Trax thing is where the PayPal donations have gone to support the site. Need more info I think.

JoshX

I think its legit - a look-up on ownership of 650rider.com shows:

Scott, Gerald logotrax @ gmail.com
Logo Trax Inc.
PO Box 1660
Candler, North Carolina 28715
United States
+1.8284844222

Edit to phone number by admin: 828-423-0023 / thanks I have to change that.

I completely understand if we need donations for hosting and stuff but I would like more info on this "startup Internet technologies company"?

pamcopete

scotts,

Look on the upper left panel.

scotts

I'm aware of the "normal" donation box in the upper left panel, but what's up with the email? Internet technology start-up venture? You can see why a person would be suspect, especially since it was in my junk folder and most other 650rider stuff goes to my inbox.
Just wondering....

(P.S., You enjoying yourself, Pete? )

pamcopete

scotts,

I might move over here.....great place.....100,000 scooters and motorbikes. Some of these scooters are suped up and will do a wheely!!

Retiredgentleman

I agree with JoshX. Support for this site is one thing, but support for an unknown start-up company is another. I suspect everyone would want to know the specifics of what the donations are for.

What is the financial situation of this website? Do the ads on this site pay for the running of this site? Are the books balanced here?

I have donated to this website before using Paypal. However, I don't want to sign up with another company "Google" and have my credit card number sitting in another location on the web.

jimmythetrucker · Full Member Joined: Mar 12, 2008 Posts: 1283

I'm sure the startup is legit. I just wonder what the purpose of it is: is RUSSO gonna publish how-to books on the XS650? Is he gonna produce scooter-crash porn videos? What? I don't wanna end up contributing to somebody's crackpot political initiatives. . . .

1ironhead

I sent a donation to this site(doesn't show up because I didn't want to fill out the REQUIRED info).That was fine.I use this site,but if I am going to fund a business venture,I will start with my own.Aside from that,Kudos to Russo and all who support this site,financially and with their knowledge.

650rider · WebMaster Joined: Feb 09, 2005 Posts: 431

Hello Riders,
I’m happy to see that my email started a bit of conversation. I’ll try and provide a bit more detail but understand that I can’t post full content about the project at this time.
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Below is our firms’ purpose statement:

Logo Trax Inc. is a technology that greatly simplifies the distribution of logos over the Internet. We provide intellectual property owners greater control at reduced costs and enhance public safety online. Our solutions are user friendly, flexible, and affordable. We employ independent thinkers that value social networks and invite dialog.
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As some of you may know I have worked in the Internet technology market for many years and in doing so I have amassed a list of common problems; problems, a high percentage of my clients deal with every day. Some of these problems cost firms valuable resources and sometimes damage to their product brand names. Not to mention the countless consumers that get robbed every day by fake websites.

After I was laid off last year I returned to school. At the community collage I’m attending they have a student business incubator program. It’s a competition for students. We present a business plan and over the course of three months we interview and lobby for our project. There are four winners selected each year, this year Logo Trax (my firm) was one of the winners.

Link to school page page:

Winner notice: abtech.edu/sbc/sbi_businesses.asp / that’s me and my wife in the photo.

Small Business Center: abtech.edu/sbc/sbi_stu...ubator.asp

The way the student program works is, it provides me with an office cubical, internet connection, and basic office needs all at no cost. I also get a $500 per month grant check. The total grant is $5000 over the course of one school year.

Now here is my dilemma and part of the reasons I sent out the email. I have great credit but no job. In today’s credit market you can’t even get a second mortgage on your home without almost two years at the same job. The grant money I’m getting is just enough to cover basic monthly expenses i.e. insurance, server rental, data backups, and a few other things that go into an internet technologies business. So I’m stuck with a great Idea and no way to launch it. Below is a reference letters from Steve Poland he knows my history and project well and has been working with me on it over the last few months.

----------------------------
To Whom it May Concern,
Gerald and Lydia Scott have been participating in our business incubation and technology commercialization program for several months.

The LogoTrax logo management, tracking, and validation service offering meets all of the key criteria we look for in a successful start-up. Specifically, a concrete definition of the customer need/problem, a market size estimation that supports their financial projections, management experience needed to execute their vision, and lastly, the technological background and experience needed to bring the LogoTrax service to market.

Additionally, Gerald and Lydia have demonstrated their personal commitment to making LogoTrax a success. They are engaged in our program offerings and they seek assistance when needed. They bring strong backgrounds in Web technology development as well as business startup management.

From the business model standpoint and the management expertise perspective, we are confident in recommending LogoTrax, and Gerald and Lydia Scott for the SBA GAAP program. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Steve Poland
Director, Technology Commercialization Center
A-B Tech Community College
1465 Sand Hill Rd., Suite 1013
Candler, NC 28715
828-254-1921
-----------------------------

I sent out the email in hopes that it would strike a cord with someone; maybe there is another entrepreneurial sprit out there on our site that can afford to, and wants to, step up to the plate. I have a great idea with a well researched market and the business development skills to create a product that will serve many internet users. My firm will provide jobs that pay a good living wedge, profit sharing, and health insurance.

For now those are the details I can provide. If the email troubled anyone I’m sorry for that. I’m in a spot and I have to search for what help I can; where I can. In fact I even sold my XS650 last week to help fund this venture.

Regards,

Gerald D. Scott Jr.
Asheville, NC
828-423-0023

PS: I'll put the PayPal option for donating back up soon and yes the Google ads and other donation do pay to keep the admin and hosting going.

IAmGrowler

Thank you for clearing up some of the mystery behind this mornings e-mail, Russo.

Your venture sounds like a worthwhile endeavor -- You and your business partner can count on a donation from me.

rickwitdamerc

Good luck and success to you Russo. Here is the problem. I am just a little fish in a big ocean much like you. I have a lot of interests and I am self employed. I can only contribute knowledge to this site as well as the sportster guys, Cadillac guys, modified Cad guys not to mention the sites that I need for my work of building cars. Three Mustang sites, two Oldsmobile sites. Get the picture. You went about this the wrong way. Posting here is one thing. Sending me a personal message asking for money is another. You should have posted here only. Now you have stuck your head out. Good luck. It's only impossible to do untill it's finished.

kingwj

Why Russo? And sorry to hear about you selling your bike.

1ironhead

Russo,Why didn't you just say so?LOL.I'm not working at the moment either,but I'm in for a little anyway.Good luck.

650rider · WebMaster Joined: Feb 09, 2005 Posts: 431

Thank you for the help, all of you! I'm working my butt off to get this firm up and running. The week we are working on a conversion from S Corp to a LLC so we can take on partners will little issues as it relates to day to day operations of the firm.

yamaman

Hey Russo, why not offer something in return for a donation...............Plenty of great XS pics here, pick 12 & make up a calender........Every donation above $X gets a calender, every donation over $XX gets a custom calender with their bike in it??????? Anyone printing at your Uni? Just a thought.........Cheers

What Happened to 650rider.com?

Yamaha xs650