Earlier this week I had the pleasure of catching up with Brian Schoenbaum, Founder of Vuka, a unique co-working and event venue in Austin, Texas. Vuka was a featured small business as part of the Canon MAXIFY campaign in 2014 and you can find out more about how your small business could be featured in this year’s #MAXIFYContest at the end of this article.
A lot has changed for Brian and Vuka over the last year and his perspective and experience could prove to be valuable to you as well. So let’s get started with the interview.
Q: Let’s start with what brought us together and talk briefly about Canon and more specifically, their MAXIFY printer. You have the MAXIFY printer and have worked with Canon for a year now. How has everything worked for you?
A: Actually, it’s been a pleasant surprise. I always overlooked the importance of printers until a previous brand I had purchased broke down less than 6 months after I bought it. On the other hand, the Canon MAXIFY printer has been reliable and helped enhance our productivity over the last year. It’s great having the piece of mind that quality products provide.
Q: What has changed for Vuka in the last year?
A: We are in the process of opening 2 new locations in Austin as well as talking with advocates in multiple locations for us to bring our concept to their cities… We also have connected with Impact Hub which has 11,000 members in 77 locations in over 60 cities around the globe. Check it out at impacthubaustin.com
Q: Have you experimented with any new marketing channels? If so, how have they worked for you?
A: LinkedIn, Yelp, SEO, and we’re in the process of planning for a new website. The jury is still out on the results of what we have started and we are excited to add a robust mobile site.
Q: Have you identified any audience segments that tend to prefer your business model?
A: Fundraisers. $2.5 million+ was raised last year under the Vuka roof for non-profit causes. We also host a lot of weddings, video shoots, workshops, video production, and community-minded affairs of all types. It’s more about the way people do what they do than the business they are in.
Q: How has the Wake Up programming been received by your audience?
A: They are very excited, our list of facilitators has been over-joyously received by the Austin audience. Our inaugural workshop, The Inherent Wisdom of Connection with Raven Wells from Boulder, Colorado as well as Paige Davis of Austin, Texas was a tremendous success and we have more extraordinary leaders lined up for upcoming workshops, including Lily Hills from Carmel, California and Robbe Richman, former Zappos Culture Strategist our of Los Angeles!
Q: What is one thing you know now but wish you knew when you started?
A: The importance of teaming with complimentary, hospitality infused, can-do team members.
Q: What is your best piece of advice for small businesses and entrepreneurs?
A: Stick with your Unique Genius and hire around it. Be a servant to your mission and not the other way around, if this is not the relationship, what’s the point? Do, be, and stand for something greater than yourself. The place where life and work blends together is a happy place.
Q: What has been your biggest surprise as a business owner?
A: There is always something to do, that needs attention, I have not found the auto-pilot button 
Q: Do you have any Vuka client success stories?
A: Clearhead grew from 4 people 16 months ago and now are 32 and had to move out because they got too big. They help innovative companies employ a/b testing, personalization & analytics in pursuit of continuous, data-driven improvement. The team is expert in cutting-edge tools & methods.
Other awesome companies currently working at Vuka include:
PenPal Schools – PenPal Schools connects over 70,000 students from 70+ countries to explore global issues and practice foreign languages through 1-1 online exchanges. PenPal Schools is currently a member of the social entrepreneur incubator called UnLtd USA, which is also an Impact Hub Austin partner.
Well Aware – Well Aware is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides innovative and sustainable solutions to water scarcity and contamination in Africa. They fund and implement life-saving water systems to drive economic development and build self-sufficient communities.
USSBC – The US Business Council for Sustainable Development is an action oriented and member-led nonprofit business association that harnesses the power of collaborative projects, platforms and partnerships to develop, deploy and scale solutions to ecosystems, energy, materials and water challenges.
Alex Wright – Alex is a Creative Director and Marketing Communicator working for companies in the sustainability, social impact, and creative sectors. Alex makes websites, develops brands, writes copy, and tailor communications that make a big social impact.
Q: What has been your key to success?
A: Serve, listen, evolve, grow, care, nurture… Listening first and serving from there.
Q: How has your relationship with Canon impacted Vuka?
A: The support, encouragement, and tools they have provided have been extraordinary for our business. From the exposure they’ve helped us achieve to having reliable tools like their MAXIFY printer, we are extremely thankful for all of their support.
Q: What does the future hold for Vuka?
A: To serve more people. I understand the challenges that come along with being an entrepreneur and I want to be a solution. It’s all about finding passion in my own life and supporting others in doing the same. Nourishing people on all levels.
Well, I’ve got to say. It’s become very clear that this is a company you’re very passionate about and as a servant leader you are impacting many lives and helping others do the same. A lot could be learned from your approach to life and business and I hope many others will follow suit. Congratulations on your continued success at Vuka!
As a reminder, the #MAXIFYContest runs from July 15 through August 31, 2015. Click here for full details on how to enter and you could be one of seven runners-up who will be chosen to receive MAXIFY Prize Packs or One Grand Prize winner who will spend a one-on-one business consultation session with Barbara Corcoran in her offices in New York City!
The post Brian Schoenbaum is Chasing His Passion…and Yours appeared first on Launch & Hustle.