Blessed by great relationships, wonderful new relationships, and fantastic recent experiences (including Southeast Venture Conference, time in The Valley, and StartupBus), my intentions dream in the mid and long term future...
Currently engaged to run TelecomGurus and collaborating with Blue Earth Network, decisions for immediate next steps are important.
As I strive to decide well, my thanks forever are with the people who make life beautiful. I am yours.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
The Adventure #March 5-16: Part 4
Settled into the comfy Motel 6 with the glamorous @pamelafox and straight talking @nsantorello, I prepared for a massive project push and the newness of exploring SxSW.
The following day I ventured a bus ride into the city. Sun glaring, people swarming, I wondered how to navigate. And, about the probability of connecting with new people where the possibility of mutual benefit existed.
A few hours later, I returned to the Motel and stayed glued to my laptop and the desk, aside a few hours sleep each night and a small jog each day.
My choice felt good - especially after later experiencing the reward of delivering work I felt proud of and having begun preparing to move to next life steps.
To the present...
The following day I ventured a bus ride into the city. Sun glaring, people swarming, I wondered how to navigate. And, about the probability of connecting with new people where the possibility of mutual benefit existed.
A few hours later, I returned to the Motel and stayed glued to my laptop and the desk, aside a few hours sleep each night and a small jog each day.
My choice felt good - especially after later experiencing the reward of delivering work I felt proud of and having begun preparing to move to next life steps.
To the present...
The Adventure #March 5-16: Part 3
Boarding StartupBus was... interesting.
T-shirts and jeans prevailed, and an abundance of tech gadgets created a semi summer camp semi adult road trip atmosphere. It wasn't until the final day that I became cognizant of the demographics: of 31 "buspreneurs" 5 were female. Fun times.
Jonas kicked the ride off, we introduced ourselves and began pitching ideas. With only one person interested in mine, I searched for another team. Looking for good mix of team and idea was challenging. From a great conversation with David Temple, I decided upon what was to later be named Public Text.
Bringing skills in core business analysis, disruptive innovation, iconic branding, community building and integrated marketing, I helped shape the direction and specifics of the product while the technical peeps began building.
Internal frustration ran high as I wished to help build, and I resolved to carve out time to learn to code as soon as feasible.
With intense focus on creating, the hours passed quickly.
As night fell, I was seduced by screens glowing in the dark... fingers tapping, stars twinkling just outside the windows...
And then, I was immensely disappointed to learn we would stop in motels each night of the journey. The longest I've ever worked without stopping is 40 hours, and I came in eager to exceed that.
We were able to work some in the motel, and I was touched by my teammates insistence that I take a bed.
Awakening early and continuing the process, the next two days blurred to simple hours, one after the other. My entire focus engaged on the Public Text product and managing my ongoing professional responsibilities.
By the time we arrived in Austin for SxSW, we had a website, an app, and a basic business plan. MVP defined. I obsessively wanted to work full out to refine and improve, add functionality and practice pitching.
But alas, two teammates had company responsibilities to fulfill upon arrival (until their departure) and the remainder seemed quite interested in drinking and partying. None aside myself expressed any strong interest in moving the product forward.
As I rarely drink and am burning with drive to create a few things in life, I let go of my disappointment and switched my focus to my current work. And, to building out the idea I gratefully received somewhere along the mostly sleepless journey.
T-shirts and jeans prevailed, and an abundance of tech gadgets created a semi summer camp semi adult road trip atmosphere. It wasn't until the final day that I became cognizant of the demographics: of 31 "buspreneurs" 5 were female. Fun times.
Jonas kicked the ride off, we introduced ourselves and began pitching ideas. With only one person interested in mine, I searched for another team. Looking for good mix of team and idea was challenging. From a great conversation with David Temple, I decided upon what was to later be named Public Text.
Bringing skills in core business analysis, disruptive innovation, iconic branding, community building and integrated marketing, I helped shape the direction and specifics of the product while the technical peeps began building.
Internal frustration ran high as I wished to help build, and I resolved to carve out time to learn to code as soon as feasible.
With intense focus on creating, the hours passed quickly.
As night fell, I was seduced by screens glowing in the dark... fingers tapping, stars twinkling just outside the windows...
And then, I was immensely disappointed to learn we would stop in motels each night of the journey. The longest I've ever worked without stopping is 40 hours, and I came in eager to exceed that.
We were able to work some in the motel, and I was touched by my teammates insistence that I take a bed.
Awakening early and continuing the process, the next two days blurred to simple hours, one after the other. My entire focus engaged on the Public Text product and managing my ongoing professional responsibilities.
By the time we arrived in Austin for SxSW, we had a website, an app, and a basic business plan. MVP defined. I obsessively wanted to work full out to refine and improve, add functionality and practice pitching.
But alas, two teammates had company responsibilities to fulfill upon arrival (until their departure) and the remainder seemed quite interested in drinking and partying. None aside myself expressed any strong interest in moving the product forward.
As I rarely drink and am burning with drive to create a few things in life, I let go of my disappointment and switched my focus to my current work. And, to building out the idea I gratefully received somewhere along the mostly sleepless journey.
The Adventure #March 5-16: Part 2
Slightly ecstatic and still grinning ear to ear from my earlier meeting and travels through the Valley, the gentleman entrepreneur drove me safely to the TiE Global and TiE Silicon Valley offices. Not a thought to simply leave me at the curb, he checked inside the office first to ensure my contact was ready, then carried my bags in. We exchanged info, plans for next steps, and I remain hopeful to build a professional relationship...
Thanks to an earlier warm and very kind introduction, P.K. Agarwal, CEO of TiE Global, was expecting me. It was fun to meet the man, and I sincerely hope that with his leadership TiE will become more mission effective.
Kiran Malhotra, Mohini Suchanti, Patricia Acosta and Amanda Day were generous with their time - sharing insights as I probed with question after question. How can we collaborate more effectively to create a better TiE? To serve our members, our communities, better, more deeply - and truly effect a significant positive global impact?
Many hours later, experiences shared and plans laid, I prepared to catch a train to San Francisco. Intending to work on a client project throughout the night at some 24 hour place prior to departure on StartupBus, Amanda interrupted my thoughts, asking where I was going and why.
Mid way through explaining, she laughed at my plan, and promptly took me home with her. Amanda is a firecracker. Sweet and kind combines with keen intellect, a great sense of humor, and a subtly strong sense of self and of direction.
Her couch was delightful, and throughout the trip I remained grateful for the delicious nights sleep.
Thanks to an earlier warm and very kind introduction, P.K. Agarwal, CEO of TiE Global, was expecting me. It was fun to meet the man, and I sincerely hope that with his leadership TiE will become more mission effective.
Kiran Malhotra, Mohini Suchanti, Patricia Acosta and Amanda Day were generous with their time - sharing insights as I probed with question after question. How can we collaborate more effectively to create a better TiE? To serve our members, our communities, better, more deeply - and truly effect a significant positive global impact?
Many hours later, experiences shared and plans laid, I prepared to catch a train to San Francisco. Intending to work on a client project throughout the night at some 24 hour place prior to departure on StartupBus, Amanda interrupted my thoughts, asking where I was going and why.
Mid way through explaining, she laughed at my plan, and promptly took me home with her. Amanda is a firecracker. Sweet and kind combines with keen intellect, a great sense of humor, and a subtly strong sense of self and of direction.
Her couch was delightful, and throughout the trip I remained grateful for the delicious nights sleep.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The Adventure #March 5-16: Part 1
To sleep or not to sleep?
Easy answer - keep going. To Atlanta airport 5:00 am Sunday, March 6. After a quick connection in L.A., arrived in San Francisco 2:00 pm. Noticed desks lining the walkway - exactly my type of place.
Captured a perfectly positioned desk, pulled out the laptop.
Accepted to participate in StartupBus quite close to departure date, I had been working nearly around the clock - frontloading work to create time for meetings in the Valley, #TheBus - the adventure to culminate with SxSW.
Started working, the next I looked up it was approaching 2:00 am. With a 6:00 am call (and no hotel booked anyway) it was an easy decision to knock out on a couple comfy chairs.
Fantastic early morning call (with John Bradberry - an entrepreneur's entrepreneur and the person to get to know for his power combo of caring kindness and serious competency) - off to a perfect start and exciting work to do.
The planned flight path - hit a gym, shower, change, and travel quickly to my first official Valley meeting with a newest hero ....
Time ticking fingers flying - no time to work out. A shower? 5 more emails, just 5 more emails. Ok. I will change in the airport.
Arriving just 10 minutes early to what I later learn is the hottest Starbucks in the Valley, I convince kind ladies in a boutique travel shop to let me stash my bags in their office while I walk into my meeting ... calm, composed, hoping my flurry of the past 24 is not obvious on my face.
One of the best meetings of my life, I am delightfully surprised by the gentleman's genuine human warmth, his empathy, his willingness to spark, one human to another, his invitation to enter his world. He is genius, cultured, clear and focused - he is nice. So much so I feel a sense of awe and excitement throughout.
His presence feels comforting. He is intuitive. He listens, he talks, he perceives. Then he acts. Makes phone calls, sends emails. Introduces me to the person he is meeting next - connects us. Guides the young entrepreneur to explore collaborating, and, yes, also, to give me a ride. A ride!!!
So off we go. I am in heaven in the passenger seat, soaking in the green hills as we nearly fly through the Valley. He shows me the Stanford area, University Ave., brings me to PlugandPlayTechCenter.com. Throughout I learn the places, the people, the deals, the excitement. The rhythm and flow.
I am in love. Is this what home feels like?
Decidedly, along with a milonga floor in Buenos Aires to dance tango or a ballet studio anywhere to practice Vagonova style...the Valley is amongst my favorite places in the world, I am home.
Easy answer - keep going. To Atlanta airport 5:00 am Sunday, March 6. After a quick connection in L.A., arrived in San Francisco 2:00 pm. Noticed desks lining the walkway - exactly my type of place.
Captured a perfectly positioned desk, pulled out the laptop.
Accepted to participate in StartupBus quite close to departure date, I had been working nearly around the clock - frontloading work to create time for meetings in the Valley, #TheBus - the adventure to culminate with SxSW.
Started working, the next I looked up it was approaching 2:00 am. With a 6:00 am call (and no hotel booked anyway) it was an easy decision to knock out on a couple comfy chairs.
Fantastic early morning call (with John Bradberry - an entrepreneur's entrepreneur and the person to get to know for his power combo of caring kindness and serious competency) - off to a perfect start and exciting work to do.
The planned flight path - hit a gym, shower, change, and travel quickly to my first official Valley meeting with a newest hero ....
Time ticking fingers flying - no time to work out. A shower? 5 more emails, just 5 more emails. Ok. I will change in the airport.
Arriving just 10 minutes early to what I later learn is the hottest Starbucks in the Valley, I convince kind ladies in a boutique travel shop to let me stash my bags in their office while I walk into my meeting ... calm, composed, hoping my flurry of the past 24 is not obvious on my face.
One of the best meetings of my life, I am delightfully surprised by the gentleman's genuine human warmth, his empathy, his willingness to spark, one human to another, his invitation to enter his world. He is genius, cultured, clear and focused - he is nice. So much so I feel a sense of awe and excitement throughout.
His presence feels comforting. He is intuitive. He listens, he talks, he perceives. Then he acts. Makes phone calls, sends emails. Introduces me to the person he is meeting next - connects us. Guides the young entrepreneur to explore collaborating, and, yes, also, to give me a ride. A ride!!!
So off we go. I am in heaven in the passenger seat, soaking in the green hills as we nearly fly through the Valley. He shows me the Stanford area, University Ave., brings me to PlugandPlayTechCenter.com. Throughout I learn the places, the people, the deals, the excitement. The rhythm and flow.
I am in love. Is this what home feels like?
Decidedly, along with a milonga floor in Buenos Aires to dance tango or a ballet studio anywhere to practice Vagonova style...the Valley is amongst my favorite places in the world, I am home.
Thank you...
Sweet people make happiness.
Blessed - every day I awaken happy because of the wonderful people I am lucky to know.
Special thanks and forever love ...
Thanks to TiE Atlanta for encouraging an nurturing me personally and professionally. To Madhu for bringing me in, for serving as President. To Raj for sharing inspiration, guidance. To the "Executive Team" - I love you all.
Gratitude for Amanda Day of TiE Silicon Valley, who chatted with me about better serving the TiE ecosystem, welcomed me to the broader community... then took me to her home to shower and sleep instead of letting me work at the 24 hour Kinko's prior to StartupBus departure.
She is smart and intelligent, super savvy in business and in life. She is a gem. And knows she is always welcome wherever I am.
To Rachel Orston, who is generous with her strong business acumen, kind, warm, and a rain maker. She is a value add to anything she touches.
Blessed - every day I awaken happy because of the wonderful people I am lucky to know.
Special thanks and forever love ...
Thanks to TiE Atlanta for encouraging an nurturing me personally and professionally. To Madhu for bringing me in, for serving as President. To Raj for sharing inspiration, guidance. To the "Executive Team" - I love you all.
Gratitude for Amanda Day of TiE Silicon Valley, who chatted with me about better serving the TiE ecosystem, welcomed me to the broader community... then took me to her home to shower and sleep instead of letting me work at the 24 hour Kinko's prior to StartupBus departure.
She is smart and intelligent, super savvy in business and in life. She is a gem. And knows she is always welcome wherever I am.
To Rachel Orston, who is generous with her strong business acumen, kind, warm, and a rain maker. She is a value add to anything she touches.
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