About

Mick

Hi! we’re Mick Balaban and Spencer Forman, the “Mad Scientist” and “Evil Genius” from WidgetLaboratory, a software development and consulting company that produces widgets and solutions for work and play.

Our passion lies with providing incredible software, practical advice, and hands-on solutions for other entrepreneurs who may be struggling with the mechanics of how to turn their online business dreams into reality.

Spence

Although we live on opposite sides of the country, we share a passion for flying an unusual type aircraft known as a “Trike“. It was through this mutual love of flying that we originally crossed-paths and quickly discovered that we possessed the Yin/Yan skill sets necessary for creating a successful partnership.  Mick handles the Tech and Spence handles the Business. We are like “brothers from different mothers”, with an uncanny ability to work 100% remotely via Skype… while keeping each other rolling on the floor laughing the entire time.

In 2007, we joined together on the idea that social networks built on the Ning platform required “widgets and solutions for work and play”. Within six months we had expanded our line to include more than a dozen products.

Our Best Product on Ning

With network creators hungry for ways to monetize their ideas, the LAB soon grew to more than 6500 paying customers with more than a million members. We were enjoying every minute of the experience…. until the one day in August of 2008 when Ning suddenly “shut us down”, along with the thousands of customers who were enjoying our products, service, advice, and leadership.

Things looked pretty grim. But only a few days later a call came in from a little-known start up in London called SocialGO.

After flying out to meet the team in September of 2008, we were formally retained by SocialGO to assist them in developing their widget store and marketing plan. Since then, we have produced over a dozen new products and tutorial videos for SocialGO. We have also helped thousands of clients migrate from Ning in order to enjoy the freedom of owning their own data and members while pursuing their online network ideas. It has been a great  pleasure to explore all of the new and innovative ways that we can help other entrepreneurs achieve their best solution, without politics or restrictions.

Our new venture is called LabSecrets, and we fuel our engines with the power of Social Media, Open Source Software, and our own brand of “Secret Sauce”. Our company goal is to build a repository of powerful software and information that empowers intelligent people with the “nuts and bolts” for making their online dreams a reality. We back this up with the type of PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP that you would normally find from your doctor, lawyer, dentist, or barber. With this unbeatable “turn-key” combination of superior technology and service, we are revolutionizing the way that entrepreneurs and small businesses make their mark online. In keeping with our well-publicized history of promoting MONETIZATION, we aim to make LabSecrets an indispensable tool for anyone that is serious about transforming their niche business idea into a profitable online-reality.

The world of business is changing at the speed of light… are you ready to face your competitors with your OWN personal Evil Genius?