Saturday, April 12, 2014

Cracking the Code

An interesting phenomenon that's been occurring lately is the growing number of women's tech events. I recently spoke to the organizers of the VCs & Angels: Women Tech Startup Investors Panel and Wonder Women Hacks, both of which are excellent ways for women in the LA tech community to meet and interact, so I am eager to promote them within my network. On that note, one of my favorite quotes that I've seen recently is from a very young female programming student who stated, "Girls should code because they are just as good as boys!"

As I peruse tech job postings, one of the things that I tend to notice is job title. A particular favorite of mine is "Evangelist," which you can find on Buzzfeed's "The Worst Startup Job Titles Ever."

This past week, I've had an opportunity to go to Hearst Castle, attend my friend's first photography exhibit, go to my third happy hour at the YouTube Space LA, and volunteer with Yogurtland for the Richstone Easter Bunny Breakfast (photos below). I am so fortunate to have spent time with the families involved with the Richstone Family Center, even to just bring some fun and cheer to the adorable children who are in challenging situations.

At Hearst Castle's Roman Pool
Outside Hearst Castle
From left to right: My friend Chris, my friend JC exhibiting his photography, and me
Volunteering with Yogurtland for the Richstone Easter Bunny Breakfast
Yogurtland team at Richstone

Sunday, March 30, 2014

The Art of Business

I am so honored to receive such an overwhelming amount of support on my new business endeavor. Thank you to all of those who have sent lovely messages and congratulatory remarks!

It's also great to see that the SoCal tech scene has had some exciting news recently, with Oculus VR Inc. and Maker Studios cashing in on acquisitions by Facebook and Disney, respectively. Check out "Tech Merger Frenzy in L.A. Highlights New Set of Startups" for more information on our newest sources of tech pride.

This week, I was able to take some time away from the computer to see Fanfarlo at The Troubadour and walk through Venice to see one of my favorite buildings in LA:  El Bordello Alexandra. I am so inspired by the arts here!

Fanfarlo at The Troubadour
El Bordello Alexandra - I can't believe my friend lives here!

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Life Cleanse

It seems fitting that I am writing an update exactly four months to the day after my previous post. My life has gone through extreme changes over these past months and this update serves as my most honest and personal yet.

On November 26, 2013, just two days before Thanksgiving, I was laid off for the second time in the span of a year. I found myself heading into the notoriously difficult time of the holidays wondering what my course of action would be. Knowing that the time span from Thanksgiving through New Year's would be a difficult period to find a job, I used the time to prepare my resume and go on some local interviews.

What I discovered was that I needed to completely rethink my life course. So I embarked on a "life cleanse." I stuck to an extreme paleo diet, exercised intensively, created lists of requirements for my next opportunity, got LASIK surgery, swore off dating, and importantly focused on myself for the first time in a long time.

Over the past four months, I have had the opportunity to explore LA and travel to various places, including Arizona, Ft. Lauderdale, Catalina Island, the Bay Area, Vancouver, and other locations around California (photos below). I have also had the pleasure of spending time with visiting friends from all over the world, from Israel to New York City. Through my adventures and interactions, I learned one very important thing:  my extreme need to be social and constantly engaged. I am a textbook extrovert, as I gain energy from social interactions.

Thus, I have committed to a full-fledged job search, seeking local positions that enable me to use my excellent social skills in order to positively contribute to a company of my dreams. Interestingly, in my quest for the perfect job, I realized that the search itself stimulated me - it allowed me constant interactions with new people and new ways to uncover strategic connections. As I started teaching my tips and providing advice to my friends, I yearned to continue in this vein. It is for that reason that I have begun a freelance outreach business, providing clients (business owners, job seekers, people moving to a new city, etc.) with strategic ways to make connections and build relationships.

I have taken the big step of updating my LinkedIn profile, announcing the following to the world:

I am a dynamic, extroverted freelance Outreach Expert, providing my clients with advanced tips and skills in the following areas:
1. Event networking
2. Leveraging social media (LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter) to achieve business/professional and/or personal goals
3. Client acquisition
4. Raising awareness for your brand, business, or profile
5. Targeting and messaging
6. Building your professional career
7. Relationship-building and maintaining
8. Maximizing profit

My clients are typically individuals who are starting a new business, changing their careers, or moving to a new city, though I can certainly help anyone (such as investors looking for local startups, etc.). I am also available to speak on any of the aforementioned topics.

I have also created a Facebook page, and my website is in development. I am excited as I begin to blog about this endeavor!

30's party in downtown LA

Wine tasting with a friend in Healdsburg, Sonoma, and Napa

At a Lyft party with Lyft Co-Founder and President John Zimmer

Catalina Island

With my family in Florida

My friend from NYC visiting

Capturing floral beauty at Butchart Gardens on Victoria Island

Eating a nanaimo in Nanaimo

A Montreal roommate reunion in Vancouver