UPDATE: Right after publishing this I got an update from the Irvine Spectrum. Apparently someone has already called to see if they can camp early. In addition to the giveaway there will be a DJ, face painter, balloon artist, games and refreshments as well as a 50 percent off sale on outerwear and anyone who opens or uses an Old Navy credit card gets 30 percent off any purchase. Figure that into your calculations below.

Old Navy at the Irvine Spectrum is celebrating its grand re-opening tomorrow, Saturday, at 9 a.m. with giveaways and prizes.

The first 200 customers in line get the chance to win one of three $500 shopping spree giveaways or two $200 giveaways. I did some math on my calculator that I realize afterward I could have done on my fingers to figure out that’s a 1 in 40 chance. Now, I know what your thinking, bring three friends and you’ve got  a 1 in 10 chance of winning a shopping spree. Now I failed algebra II not once but twice but I think that means there’s a 6 percent likelihood you’ll get a $500 shopping spree and a 4 percent likelihood you’ll win a $200. Well, split four ways that’s $125 per person or $50 per person. Then you have to calculate how many pairs of clothes that is to see if it’s worth it along with the cost of gas to get there.

But…there’s also the chance to win a pair of jeans or a t-shirt too, but the Irvine Spectrum didn’t say in the press release how many t-shirts they’d give away, so there’s no way to calculate your chances there. You also have to wonder, is it a cool t-shirt/pair of jeans?

Also, how early do you have to get there on a Saturday to be one of the first 200 in line? The store opens at 9 a.m.

I’m probably going to sleep in, but I’m sure to some early bird shoppers that 1 in 40 chance sounds pretty appealing.

Old Navy is located near Carousel Court and Dave & Buster’s at the Spectrum. For more information, call 949-727-1968.

Post from: Irvine Business

Walking around Roland DGA’s new Creative Center I couldn’t help but be surprised by how many products are created, or at least made more visually appealing, using printers and engravers.

Roland is a worldwide printing company with its North and South American marketing and sales headquarters in Irvine. The company doesn’t quite have the household presence of a Hewlett-Packard or an Epson because their products aren’t for your average household or daily user. Their machines are priced in the thousands to tens of thousands of dollars and geared more toward the creative professional. Roland printers, engravers and scanners might be found in the design studios of companies around the world.

The company recently announced their Irvine Creative Center where they display a variety of products made by Roland customers.

“I don’t know that [the Creative Center] would mean a lot to the general public, but to creative people who are looking for tools to explore their dreams, I’d say this is a neat place to give them a lot of ideas,” said Rick Scrimger, vice president and general manager at Roland DGA.

From etched rings to a giant replica flying machine hanging overhead, the variety of products made using printed and etched graphics is surprising. Roland officials said the company’s machines were used to help create the illusion of certain locations in Hollywood movies like Charlie Wilson’s War, Miami Vice and Public Enemies. Even the floors of the creative center are covered in different types of printed graphics that give the illusion of different surfaces, from wood to asphalt. There’s an Xbox 360 wrapped in a colorful dragon and tiger design and a Sierra Nevada beer tap station with labels made by Roland printers. There are drums, shirts, jerseys, walls, bottles, cereal boxes, rings, plates, purses, blinds, refrigerators, sinks, windows, paintings, puzzles, toys and more all made visually stunning using Roland machines. Even braille door signage can be made using engravers. Check out this slideshow of various things made with the help of Roland machines.

One of the more impressive pieces Roland had on display was this toy in the video below, made with the help of a Roland engraver. If you can’t hear the audio, it was created by an Italian toymaker who designed this on a computer and then he used a Roland machine to help cut the pieces:

Visitors to the creative center are welcome. Check out www.rolanddga.com for details.

Related Links:

Post from: Irvine Business

Now I’m not a Bath & Body Works kind of guy. I reach for the nearest towel, shampoo or soap and could care less about the brand, scent or color of whatever I’m using.

Still, spending $20 for $30 worth of stuff seems like a pretty good deal.

Coupon is available through CheapIrvine.com and it works online too. Coupon expires Nov. 22.

Post from: Irvine Business

A create-your-own jewelry workshop will be held next weekend at the create-your-own candle store in the Irvine Spectrum.

The workshop, called “Jewelry For The Soul,” runs from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 14. Local jewelry designer Shari Cheves will be running the workshop. Participants will be able to make a unique bracelet from various stones similar to the one pictured above for $65. Organizers say space is limited and you can reserve one by calling at 949-753-7873.

I’m pretty curious about the create-your-own candle store myself. The store, called Pure Light, is located in the Irvine Spectrum Center next to the Nordstroms and the Giant Wheel. Apparently it has been open since June and inside you can make a candle from various fragrances, colors and shapes and then decorate it with different items. My favorite idea is that you can put a hidden note as a message in a bottle that I assume is revealed when the candle burns down.

I’ll follow up and see if I can’t get some photos of the shop. There’s another Pure Light shop in Laguna Canyon which was covered before.

If anyone has visited either of these stores, let us know in the comments what it’s like or what making your own candle is all about.

Post from: Irvine Business

For me, it’s a spot on the I-5 where it meets the 22 and the 57 freeways. If I’m on a call there I’ll almost always lose the call. It has been like that for at least two years.

I’m sure you have a place like that too.

As handset manufacturers pack more features into their phones the signal problem is still a big one and there are a lot of people looking for solutions. One of these is WiSpry, an Irvine-based company backed by nearly $50 million in investments ($21.5 million of which was raised between May to July of this year).

WiSpry is developing a technology that improves the way cell phones handle the radio frequency signals they receive.  WiSpry CEO Russ Garcia says the technology could improve battery life by up to 30 to 40 percent and  signal strength by up to two times.

“Until you have battery life that’s several days and service that’s as good as what you have on your land line then there’s always room for improvement,” said Garcia. “And our product goes straight to the core of that.”

The technical term for what they’re developing is a Tunable Impedance Matching Device. In plain terms, it helps optimize the way the mobile devices handle the signals they get. According to Garcia, their technology is being evaluated by the major cell phone  manufacturers and he expects to have revenue come 2010.

Post from: Irvine Business

A new Lollicup Coffee and Tea shop will be soft opening on Thursday in the Diamond Jamboree Asian-mega-food-super-center in Irvine.

If you’re not familiar with the center, it’s a 114,000 square foot shopping center at the corner of Alton Parkway and Jamboree Road that’s nearing capacity.

According to John Chan, owner of the shop, they won’t be holding a true grand opening until January but beginning Thursday around noon you should be able to get your boba, tea, coffee, slushies and smoothies there.

As an added bonus, Chan say they asked the Kogi Korean BBQ truck to come and it should be there Thursday night around 10:30 p.m.

Post from: Irvine Business

Unfortunately for the drinkers out there that’s $40 without the cost of alcohol.

The coupon is good till January so just print it out and file it away.

Head on over to CheapIrvine.com to grab the coupon.

Post from: Irvine Business

Items available will include hand-blown glass, ceramics, jewelry, crafts, clothing and more. Admission is $2 and children 12 and under are free.

The center is at 14321 Yale Ave. in Heritage Park. More information at www.irvinehearts.org or call 949-724-6880.

I love going to craft fairs but I hate buying things at craft fairs.  I just don’t have a place for all the neat knick knacks I find. I’d be curious how the independent artist community is surviving the recession with people tightening their spending.

Full press release below:

27th Annual Irvine Holiday Faire
Handmade and one-of-a-kind items hallmark of annual event

IRVINE, CA (November 2, 2009): Handmade and one-of-a-kind items are the hallmark of the Irvine Fine Arts Center’s annual Holiday Faire Friday, November 6 from 5-9 p.m. and Saturday, November 7 from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. More than 150 talented artisans will showcase a variety of unique holiday arts and decorations for purchase including hand-blown glass, ceramics, jewelry, folk crafts, porcelain dolls, clothing and more.

The faire also features live music and a selection of delicious foods and desserts, including the ever-popular handmade ceramic collector bowls filled with piping hot chili or baked potatoes with all the fixings.

Admission is $2; children 12 and under are free. Event proceeds benefit special projects and art programs sponsored by the Irvine Fine Arts Center. Purchases from past fundraisers include new kilns, glaze mixers, and spray booths for the ceramics department.

The Irvine Fine Arts Center, located at 14321 Yale Avenue (in Heritage Park), is a non-profit organization devoted to the development of mutual involvement between artists and the community. The Faire is an opportunity for local and community artisans to display their creations in an atmosphere of sharing and education. Parking is free and the Faire is open to the public. For more information, visit www.irvinefinearts.org or call (949) 724-6880.

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The power of the press, people.

Last week I mentioned that Chipotle was noticeably absent from the Irvine Spectrum’s free Curbside To-Go Program. Well, no more.

I’ve heard from the Irvine Spectrum people and Chipotle has decided to join the program. Now you can get Chipotle without ever having to get out of your car too.

Be sure to check out the original post for all the times this service is offered, where to go to pick up your food and  see what other restaurants are participating.

Post from: Irvine Business

Josh Lake, co-founder of the 532 Development Group.

Editor’s note: This is part of an ongoing series chronicling the triumphs, challenges, failures and questions facing one Orange County startup, the 532 Development Group, written by the founders themselves with as much openness as competition allows.  If you’re new to the series, start here and come back.

As every startup begins, it inevitably faces a somewhat unimportant, yet fun question: What do you name the company? I say somewhat unimportant because although Nick and I both feel that the ultimate success or failure of our company does not hinge on the name, we do want  the name to meet a few criteria.  When you look at some of the most successful companies or brands of our times, there are several prevailing models.  Three of the most prolific are:

1. Simple names that include their industries and/or location (i.e. British Petroleum and Bank of America)
2. Inclusive names (i.e. General Electric and Home Depot)
3. Unique (or even fabricated) names (i.e. Microsoft or Google)

So, we set off with a single criteria: “simple, inclusive, and unique, yet creates accountability.”  At first we pursued the simple laundry list of superlatives and common names including Alta, United, Global, Apollo, and Beacon, but these definitely weren’t unique.  Possessing the last names of “Lake” and “Haschka,” we decided that while it was great to have some “skin in the game” with our names (and dignities) on the line, this was not a simple or aesthetically pleasing moniker.  Names like “renewables, “clean tech,” and “energy” while inclusive, were anything but unique.  Finally, we thought back to our days at MIT, where numbers literally create a way of life (even the majors are referred to by number!). As roommates, we referred to our residence as 532 (our street address). Perfect! Afterall, this was where we frequently discussed our latest business pursuits and built our passion for entrepreneurship.  After a bit more noodling over whether we would be 532 Management Services, -Consulting Services, or -Technology Group, we decided to go with the latter since it seemed the most broad and ambiguous.  Afterall, we weren’t quite sure what we were going to do anyhow.  And with that, 532 Technology Group was born!

How important is a name for the success of startup?

Did we follow the right “criteria?”

What other “criteria” should we have followed?

How much time is too much time to spend in naming the venture?

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