Factor 1 Studios was established as the freelance identity of Matt Adams in 2000. After college and a few great job experiences, Matt came to the conclusion that Factor 1 had to go big time.

Your company:

Factor 1 Studios

Blog URL:

factor1ideas.com

justaddHardwork.com

and I “micro-blog” random stuff over at mattada.tumblr.com

Where do you live?

Maricopa AZ

How long have you been blogging?

About 3 years.

What blogging platform do you use?

WordPress! I find WordPress downright amazing. As a writer it works well, but I hear good things about the other platforms as well. I think I like WordPress from the customization standpoint. I can build my own themes with ease, and the plugin availability is amazing. In my opinion, WordPress plugin directory is the original app store.

Do you blog for business? for pleasure?

Well I technically blog for business, I do really enjoy blogging.

How does your blog help the local blogging community?

We try and network where we can, and we usually offer good advise to business owners / organization managers, bloggers, leaders, website owners, and i’m sure others. Our goal is to be a helpful resource for anyone operating their organization online. I tend to write with a issue in mind, usually sparked by an experience or interaction. Rather than complaining, I try and use it as a teaching opportunity, to explore how something should or could be done better.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Can the internet be a hobby? Yeah, the whole internet, I’m a big fan. In general I’m a geek. I love gadgets, websites, web development, mobile phones, and blogging in my various locations.

What do you do when you are not writing online?

I’m a very avid cyclist—I love riding my mountain bike or road bike. I also enjoy running, chasing my twin toddler boys, taking photos, and relaxing at home with friends and family.

Matt Adams – factor1 is a post from: Phoenix Spark!

Name: Michael Schwartz

Your company: ValleyoftheSuns.com

Blog URL: http://valleyofthesuns.com/

Where you live: Scottsdale, Arizona

How long have you been blogging?

I started ValleyoftheSuns in October 2008, but I’ve been blogging since starting the Arizona Daily Wildcat’s sports blog in 2007 when I covered UA men’s basketball.

What blogging platform do you use?

WordPress

Do you blog for business? for pleasure?

A little bit of both. I hope to one day make ValleyoftheSuns my business, but right now it’s more for pleasure. However, covering an NBA team is also what I would like to do for a living, so I see this as my path toward making that dream a reality. I also blog for the Internet marketing company I work for: Vertical Measures.

How does your blog help the local blogging community?

I provide a local source of in-depth Phoenix Suns news and analysis.

I’m a local blog in a niche that a lot of people care about, especially this time of year. I also try to build relationships with fellow local bloggers as well as make my blog a community for Phoenix Suns fans.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I’m obviously a sports junkie, basketball in particular. I’m also interested in journalism, Internet marketing and watching Survivor.

What do you do when you are not writing online?

Wait, there’s supposed to be time when I’m not writing online???

Honestly, I spend a lot of my time that I’m not blogging at my day job, and I also play for a rec league basketball team. We went from

0-12 our first season to 3-7 last season, so at that rate we should be close to .500 this season!

Michael Schwartz – Valley of the Suns is a post from: Phoenix Spark!

Tell us a little about yourself and what you do…

I mainly try to stay out of trouble. But most people know me as a serial entrepreneur, new media producer and technology coach.

On paper I’m the owner of haveAwonderful… which is developing a couple of brands under its umbrella. I also teach individuals practical ways to manage a business using the latest technology and applications.

Name: Courtney Crosslin

Your company: haveAwonderful…

Blog URL: www.haveAwonderful.com

Where you live: I split my time between New England and Arizona

How long have you been blogging?

I have been blogging since 2005 and quickly transitioned into pod/vodcasting.

What blogging platform do you use?

Since the meat of what I do is client work, I use various platforms depending on their needs and budget.

I have some clients using Joomla because they either have the resources and technical skill set to maintain and are looking to scale (by adding calendars, news feeds, users and other bells and whistles) in the future. I find WordPress (WP) to be a bit limiting for these type of clients. However, WP works well for those who have little time for training, and need to update content on a regular basis (such as blog updates/posts).

For myself, I use Joomla, WP and Tumblr.

Do you blog for business? for pleasure?

Actually, I hate to blog. Only because I hate to write. Rereading, spell checks and grammar edits drive me stir crazy – So I would have to say, I do it more for business. If there is something that is sitting on my chest that I have to get out, I’m more likely to create a video post.

How does your blog help the local blogging community?

I wouldn’t say that my main business haveAwonderful… does, but our spin off www.BlazinAZtv.com (a local blog) does.

The site launched April 1, 2010 and it’s basically a site that holds short original on-demand videos of local “Trailblazers”. The site was created for several reasons, but mainly to inspire others, give recognition to those doing exciting things in the community and most importantly, show some diversity.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I’m a total workaholic. I fell into what I now do for a living because it was something that stimulated my mind and challenged me. Because it’s how I now make my living, I sometimes get burned out. But when I do, I just find a personal side project that allows me to be creative without client limitations. Unfortunately, those little creative bursts usually turn into something bigger adding more to-do’s to my ever growing to-do list.

Other than working, I love to travel and meet new people. Adventure travel, city travel, weekend travel…is what keeps me alive. Being in one place to long drives me insane. So I try to structure my business in such away that allows me to travel full-time!

What do you do when you are not writing online?

Laughing with my family, shooting video, reading my fave geek mag or doing lunch with friends

Courtney Crosslin – haveAwonderful is a post from: Phoenix Spark!

Derek Neighbors is a serial entrepreneur who helps people bring ideas to reality. Derek started the Gangplank collaborative incubator in 2008 to help other local entrepreneurs connect and overcome the difficulty in starting a new venture.

Name: Derek Neighbors

Your company: Gangplank and Integrum Technologies

Blog URL: http://derekneighbors.com

Where you live: Queen Creek and Chandler, AZ

How long have you been blogging? 3+ Years

What blogging platform do you use? Word Press

Do you blog for business or pleasure? Pleasure

How does your blog help the local blogging community?

Deals with economic issues and creative class.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Soccer, Music, Art, Reading and Family

What do you do when you are not writing online?

Spend time on family.  Read.

Derek Neighbors is a post from: Phoenix Spark!

Evo Terra is an American podcaster, writer and businessman.
Evo founded Podiobooks.com in 2004, an audiobook service that uses podcasting technology to distribute serialized versions of novels, non-fiction books, anthologies and short story collections.
in 2005, Terra was a co-founder of FarPoint Media, a podcast production and advertising network based in Phoenix, Arizona that focuses on science fiction, and contributed through 2007.

Name: Evo Terra

Your company: Too many to list!

Blog URL: Hrm. Similar problem. Primary ones are http://asimplerway.com and http://funanymore.com

Where you live: Chandler, AZ

How long have you been blogging?

Since 2000

What blogging platform do you use?

Currently WordPress. Have used many more.

Do you blog for business? for pleasure?

Both!

How does your blog help the local blogging community?

Probably in a few different ways. First, I hope it shows some “best practices” examples. Like it’s OK to be you. The *right* way to include contact information. And that when you don’t have anything to say… don’t!

What are your hobbies and interests?

I play disc golf, I’m a huge science nerd and love traveling.

What do you do when you are not writing online?

Probably updating Podiobooks.com titles, a site I founded some five years ago. And if not that, then hunting down the best craftbrew places in whatever town I happen to be in.

Evo Terra is a post from: Phoenix Spark!

Your company: justSignal

Blog URL: http://briantroy.com

Where you live: Chandler, AZ

How long have you been blogging?

The first post in my blog is from March 8th 2007 – however I had been blogging internally at Intuit (dark blog) for about 6 months before I started my personal blog.

What blogging platform do you use?

WordPress – self hosted.

Do you blog for business? for pleasure?

I blog because I blog. When I was in college pursuing an English major I distinctly remember an professor telling me “writers write”. The point being, the single most important thing you can do to write better is to write. I would also add that writing is simply an extension of thinking – and I find that writing helps me think better. Organize my thoughts, clarify my thesis, and stay on my key messages. This help me present better, communicate better and yes, write better.

How does your blog help the local blogging community?

I’m not terribly sure it does. I will and do link through to other blogs I find interesting – but now I find I do that much more on Twitter, Facebook or Google Buzz and less and less on my blog.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I’m interested in a wide variety of topics. Education, innovation, entrepreneurship, and product/market fit are some of my key interests. I also love music, spending time with my kids and wife.

What do you do when you are not writing online?

I’m pretty religious about keeping my evenings free to spend with my family. Aside from that I spend most of my time working on/thinking about justSignal and helping MeetingsIn as their CTO.

Brian Roy – justSignal is a post from: Phoenix Spark!

At Digital Royalty (dR) we develop digital integration and social media strategies for corporate and entertainment brands, professional athletes, sports teams and leagues. We also provide customized education programs which include strategic and tactical social media training. Our firm has global reach and pioneers measurable concepts for big personalities.

Big personalities, organizations and events in our experience base include Superbowl XLII, the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix Suns. And although several of our clients are professional athletes, Digital Royalty’s expertise expands beyond a traditional sports vertical. With more than 28 combined years of marketing experience, our focus remains helping national and international clients grow their brands.

Interview

Name: Amy Martin
Company: Digital Royalty
Blog URL: http://thedigitalroyalty.com

Where you live:

Our office is in the historic district of downtown Phoenix, located at 905 West McDowell Road.

Do you blog for business, or pleasure:

I’d like to think of it as a happy medium of both. The blog is where my team and I share the results of social media campaigns and client case studies. But it’s also where we post timely news related to our field, job opportunities, and even talk-through our hiring process. The site is at its core a true public resource. Particularly for those interested in social and digital media. Since the launch of our blog, we’ve received feedback, via the social media outlets we engage on a day-to-day basis, that individuals are using our website as just that, a resource. And that’s rewarding to know.

How long have you been blogging:

I’m a weekly contributor to a variety of blogs, but TheDigitalRoyalty.com was launched October 2009.

What blogging platform do you use:

WordPress

What are your hobbies and interests:

Snowboarding and enjoying the great outdoors with family, friends and my dog, Diego.

Digital Royalty is a post from: Phoenix Spark!

This week we feature Chris Conrey from Conrey is for Closers.  Chris writes a a blog for sales people.  With his material, it makes it easier to get out of bed in the morning and hit the road.

Tell us a little about yourself and what you do…

I like long walks on the beach….

Name: Chris Conrey

Your company: Integrum Technologies

Blog URL: http://chrisconrey.com

Where you live: Queen Creek AZ

How long have you been blogging?

Intermittently for nearly 3 years, seriously for the last year and a half

What blogging platform do you use?

I’ve used them all but I’m on WordPress right now

Do you blog for business? for pleasure?

I do both, I also have written blog posts for the Integrum and Gangplank blogs

How does your blog help the local blogging community?

I don’t know that it does – at least not intentionally.  I blog on sales and motivation topics.  If there are people locally into that stuff (and the comments say that there are) then they like to hear me ramble.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Sports, the Red Sox, reading (http://goodreads.com/conrey) iPhones and other emergenging technology, debate and obviously sales

What do you do when you are not writing online?

either reading online or hanging with my wife and three-year old daughter.  Or playing/watching sports.

Conrey is for Closers is a post from: Phoenix Spark!

Hi! I’m Stephanie Quilao, and I am SO done with the baby carrots and steamed chicken most of us associate with “eating healthy” aka “How can I eat and get back in or stay in the skinny jeans?” Eating healthier doesn’t have to be boring, bland, or bleh. Life is too short to deprive ourselves of flavor and tasty eats.

Name: Stephanie Quilao

Your company: Thriving Media

Blog URL: http://noshtopia.com and http://phoenix.noshtopia.com (for local PHX food scene)

Where you live: North Phoenix, AZ

How long have you been blogging?

Since November 2005 with my first blog: http://backinskinnyjeans.com which became a popular blog in the healthy living niche. That blog is now retired as I made the switch to healthy eating with my food + life blog, Noshtopia.

What blogging platform do you use? TypePad

Do you blog for business? for pleasure?

I am a professional blogger

How does your blog help the local blogging community?

I’ve been a healthy living blogger for over 4 years helping people chow vibrantly and reach their health goals. I recently moved to Phoenix from the Bay Area in CA, and started a local version of my food blog Noshtopia Phoenix as a way to highlight the places, people, and ways to eat healthier in the Phoenix area. As a newbie in town, the reception I’ve gotten from the social media and food community here has been absolutely fabulous. I keep telling my CA friends how friendly people are here. I love it and am very grateful! With my Twitter influence @skinnyjeans which has 47K Followers, I hope to help shine more light on the wonderful community here in Phoenix. I also have spoken at social media events to help educate others on the benefits of blogging and social media.

What are your hobbies and interests?

Eating is by far my most favorite thing to do! I’m very fortunate to have turned my love of eating into a career path. I also enjoy running, Whole Foods (my 2nd home), anything healthy living related, and photography. Recently, I’ve been obsessed with taking food pictures on the iPhone.

What do you do when you are not writing online?

As a newbie in town, I’ve been having a blast exploring the food scene in Phoenix. Again, eating is fun! I’ve been making some new friends here and have been really enjoying attending local events related to food and social media. Every Sunday, I go on a walk around my neighborhood. During the week, I conduct food experiments to come up with new healthy twists on traditional recipes.

Skinny Jeans is a post from: Phoenix Spark!

Name: Jack Smith

Your company:  The Social Latte

Blog URL:  http://www.thesociallatte.com

Where you live:  Tempe, AZ

How long have you been blogging?

I have been blogging professinally for about 2 years, but personally for more than five years.

What blogging platform do you use?

I am a huge WordPress fan and think that if you are going to utilize blogging within your business, it is the best choice.  In addition to WordPress, Thesis is a great theme/framework for adding great design and functionality to your blog.  When we build blogs for clients, we encourage them to use both.

Do you blog for business? for pleasure?

It is definitely both for me.  I find that when I remember to have fun and be ‘social’ when using social media and not all business, I get the best results.   I think business owners often forget that we’re all human first and then business owners, not vice-versa.

How does your blog help the local blogging community?

I really try to make sure that there is a local focus to the blog.  One of my favorite things to do is to show-case local businesses who are doing a great job using social media within their business and walking through detailed examples.  A few of my favorites right now are @raillife, @LibertyMarket, @Wildflower and @100SMill (Monti’s La Casa Vieja).

When I’m not walking through social media examples on the blog, I try to promote as many community events that are social media related as possible.  I’ll also showcase some of the blogs and social media work we have done.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I went to Gonzaga University, so I am a huge college basketball fan and that makes March the best time of year for me, second only to Christmas!  I also enjoy ultimage frisbee, running & biking and have a boat that makes for some great summer fun.

What do you do when you are not writing online?

I try to read as many other blogs as possible so I can stay up-to-date as possible on the constantly changing and growing social media landscape.  You can also find me haning out in local coffee shops and talking community and technology.

The Social Latte is a post from: Phoenix Spark!