Stubbs Alderton Preccelerator Mentor Spotlight - January 2018

Stubbs Alderton Preccelerator Mentor Spotlight - January 2018

I'm very honored to have been added to the Mentor Spotlight for the Stubbs Alderton Preccelerator Mentors program.  Here's the text if the link isn't valid:

Paul has worked with startups and technology companies throughout his entire career.

Paul has been interim CFO & controller for early stage venture backed companies as well as projects for established companies with short-term needs. Paul has worked with over 50 companies since 1994 on short and long-term engagements. His focus is on start-ups and companies in transition, particularly in the tech and internet space.

He is comfortable dropping in and out of companies seamlessly, and has the ability and preparation to make each company better. Paul values relationships and appreciates referrals from clients and other service providers. After spending the last three years working full-time for Verizon after their purchase of his long-time client EdgeCast Networks, Paul has resumed his consulting practice and looks forward to helping early growth companies once again.

Outside of the office, Paul is on the board of JDRF – Los Angeles, and has personally raised over $500,000 in the last 14 years for Type 1 Diabetes research. Additionally, he is an active member of the Advisory Committee to the Santa Monica College Business Department. He also spent almost 20 years as a volunteer with KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic show.

What are you passionate about?

I’m passionate about several things, and it seems as I get older, my passions have evolved. I’m passionate about baseball and have been a Dodger fan since I was a young boy admiring Sandy Koufax from afar in New Jersey. I’m passionate about JDRF – their mission is to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), and improve the lives of those with T1D. My daughter was diagnosed in 2002 and I do all that I can to support this great cause in her honor – she is now 25 and healthy. I’m passionate about the work I do…I’ve had the pleasure of working with start-up companies in Los Angeles for most of my career. The work I do is not core to their business, so earning the respect of the entrepreneurs and my peers makes the work very rewarding. Oh yeah, I also love music and had the privilege of volunteering at KCRW on Morning Becomes Eclectic for almost 20 years.

What one piece of advice would you give to an early stage startup regarding your area of expertise?

Well as the finance guy on the team, it’s of course “watch your cash flow”. Getting a handle on your burn rate is key as you build your business and raise money from outsiders. Until you have a stable, profitable business, managing expenses and keeping an eye on your forecast is key. Meeting financial goals is so uncertain, I would also suggest that early stage companies under-promise and over-perform to build credibility.

What do you like best about mentoring at the Preccelerator?

The Preccelerator is its own startup eco-system. I found out about the Preccelerator at a networking event and after looking over the list of mentors, I thought it would be an honor to be included among them. Not only am I able to work with an ever-changing group of bright, energetic entrepreneurs, but I also have a chance to meet and get to know 50 other mentors in a variety of fields and professions.  I’ve also seen the value of an affiliation with Stubbs Alderton, and how that will benefit the entrepreneurs throughout their lifecycle.   And as I’ve relaxed my consulting commitments, the Preccelerator provides me a great opportunity to give back to the startup community with no quid pro quo.  I’m interested to see how the Classes that I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with grow as they leave the nest.

First JDRF LA OneArt Event - Saturday February 4, 2017

Tired of looking at the same old art on your walls?  Come to the Santa Monica airport next Saturday February 4, 2017, for a fun event and help raise some money for JDRF.  We've put in a lot of effort to secure a wide variety of donated art with a wide range of prices.  

See below for more info; here's the link if its not clear in the image:  https://jdrf-losangeles.ejoinme.org/oneart

The LA chapter of JDRF is hosting our 1st ever OneArt - Artists for a Cure - art sale event in Santa Monica on February 4.  We invite all art lovers (especially art "buyers") to join us and support the cause that raises money to find a cure for diabetes.  There will be over 100 pieces of art for sale, at a variety of price ranges, including works of Shepard Fairey.  See the invitation below, and check out the image by Appleton made from insulin bottles.

Buy your tickets now to save money on the door price.

I look forward to seeing you there.  Thank you.

Paul

Do Something Meaningful AOL Employee Spotlight: Paul Shapiro

Do Something Meaningful Employee Spotlight: Paul Shapiro

Post created Monday, October 3, 2016 - 2:40pm by Jamie Mittelman

YOU AND 2 OTHERS LIKE THIS.

Paul is pictured above in the blue shirt

As a company that champions talent as its differentiator, it's important to celebrate the many ways our employees go above and beyond in all aspects of their lives. We often recognize excellence in the workplace, but less frequently celebrate excellence in the community.

Meet Paul Shapiro, Director of Finance, Verizon Digital Media Services, this week’s employee volunteer spotlight.

Paul and his family walk team have helped raise almost $500,000 over the past 13+ years for the JDRF. JDRF is the leading global organization changing breakthroughs to cure the disease and create a world without Type 1 diabetes. Join the cause with Paul and his new DMS team the Digital Diabeaters. How? Go to http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/VDMS to​ register or make a donation. Once registered, you’ll receive more information. Join the conversation via the Slack channel #digital-diabeaters.

Paul will be hosting a quick info session (with snacks!) on Wednesday, 10/5 to learn more about JDRF, the AOL matching funds process, and the philanthropic walk taking place on Sunday, 10/30. Join your colleagues in the fight to cure Type 1 diabetes!

A note from Paul –

When I was younger, I didn’t really understand the importance and “benefit” of working with a non-profit. I was a member of KCRW and KCET, wrote checks to Heal the Bay and Tree​ people and thought of myself as a relatively philanthropic person. It wasn’t until a disease diagnosis for my daughter hit me in the face that I decided I needed to do more.

I originally got involved with JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) in 2002 when my daughter Jessica was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) at the age of 10. She’s now 24 and doing great in her new career in College Student Personnel. In her honor, we started a JDRF family Walk team called Jessica’s J-Walkers that has raised almost $500,000 for diabetes research in the last 13+ years. If you don’t know me, I’ve been in a finance role at the company for some time. Actually, I was the first CFO (part-time) of Edgecast back in 2007 when I was consulting for startups. Over the years many co-workers have generously helped out with prior JDRF Walks.

T1D is a manageable disease but it’s an unforgiving one, and incurable. It differs from Type 2 in many ways, mainly that it’s an auto-immune disease and can only be treated by insulin. Careful monitoring of highs and lows, finger pricks, insulin dosing and nutrition care are constants. It may be a cliché, but you can’t take a day off from Type 1 diabetes. The management and outlook have improved greatly during the 13 years we’ve been involved, and there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future.

JDRF has been at the forefront of diabetes research for a long time. Their ultimate goal is to cure T1D. One pathway to get there is to pursue research to improve treatment of T1D in the short term and mature over time into curative therapies. They are also trying to prevent new diagnoses of T1D and treat people with T1D through cutting edge technology and smart insulin.

I’ve made a commitment to my daughter that I’ll keep fighting against this disease until she no longer has to worry about long-term complications or short-term tragedies. But this cause is not just about me and my family. I’d guess that many people reading this also know someone with diabetes and I ask for your empathy and generosity when thinking about getting involved with the upcoming JDRF Walk.

I’d like to invite all of my co-workers to join our team, Digital Diabeaters at the Rose Bowl on Sunday October 30, 2016. This is a fun family event that usually draws around 10,000 people. It’s free, but we ask everyone to raise at least $100 to get a T-Shirt. If you can’t make it, please support your friends and colleagues.

Stay tuned for more information and fun ideas that we have in the works to make this year’s walk a success. I’m so excited to get the company’s involvement this year, and hope that you’ll be able to share the experience.

Thank you for your inspiration, Paul and best of luck with your walk!

We thanked our JDRF donors today for a job well done and their support of Jessica's J-Walkers (JDRF).  We raised over $38,000 in the 2015 Walk. 

Here's the post: Jessica's J-Walkers Blog/

2014 JDRF Walk November 15 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena

Look for more information soon about our JDRF fundraising activities this year.  Here's a link to donate: http://www2.jdrf.org/goto/j-walkers

J-Walkers pass fundraising goal for 2011 JDRF Walk

With the help of our generous supporters, Jessica's J-Walkers passed our $20,000 goal for the 2011 JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes.  We are also just shy of reaching $380,000 for our 9 years.

Jess continues to have a fantastic sophomore year at Boston College and amazes us with all of her activities and enthusiasm.  She and we are also excited about the research developments coming along for Type 1 diabetes.

Thanks so much and feel free to donate if you are able.  This is not a once a year commitment for us or the organization.

Paul Shapiro and family
Donate to JDRF and Jessica's J-Walkers

Paul Shapiro: KCRW’s January 2012 Volunteer of the Month!

It wasn't something I was necessarily trying to achieve, but after 17 years of helping out at KCRW, it's sure nice to be recognized.  Paul Shapiro: KCRW’s January 2012 Volunteer of the Month!  It's such a great place to be involved, and combines my interests in music, community and non-profit support.  Check it out, if you get a chance.