MegAnne
The musings of a Midwestern New YorkerArchive for Biz
TwittaBling, Fo Realz
While perusing through TechCrunch this morning in my usual geeky fashion, I came across a post about a site I absolutely had to visit. Behold, TwittaBling.com. No seriously, it’s a real company. I suppose I shouldn’t really be too terribly surprised that someone had the idea to capitalize on Twitter users’ vanity, but I certainly did not have the foresight to see a viable market in @username apparel.
With an assortment of accessories from which to choose including necklaces, 
bracelets, rings, earrings and yes, even wedding bands, any Twitto-phile can bling to their heart’s content. I’m interested to know who has actually makes these purchases that keep TwittaBling afloat, because you can rest assured you won’t see me rollin’ up in da club with an @MegAnne hanging from my neck. Word.
Mark Suster’s take on tenacity and the stuff entrepreneurs are made of
I typically prefer to put my own spin on ideas and events of the world, but today I will simply pass along the work of a great blogger worth following. Mark Suster writes the blog Both Sides of the Table, an Entrepreneur turned VC, and yesterday’s post marks the beginning of his new series, ‘What Makes an Entrepreneur?’ The first of his list of ten attributes required to make an entrepreneur successful is dedicated to Tenacity.
“Tenacity is probably the most important attribute in an entrepreneur. It’s the person who never gives up – who never accepts ‘no’ for an answer. The world is filled with doubters who say that things can’t be done and then pronounce after the fact that they ‘knew it all along.’”
I look forward to becoming enlightened by Mr. Suster’s take on the DNA of a thriving entrepreneur as the days roll on. Today’s post: Street Smarts. Enjoy!
Post-Startup Weekend Syndrome
Is there a medical case study done on Weekenders after completion of Startup Weekend? If not, there certainly should be. I can’t possibly be the only one needing a steady IV drip of caffeine-ridden tea just to make it through the day. (Lord help me, it’s only 10:15am.) I awoke this morning in a haze, certain that it had to be Saturday morning, in utter disbelief that I actually had to crawl out of bed, hop in the shower and make the 30 minute train ride to the Financial District. I don’t believe you, it can’t be true. I really don’t get to sleep in until Thanksgiving Day? Oh yes, thank you Jesus Startup Weekend was scheduled directly before a short work week. That helps.
In all honesty, I’m really not complaining. I just spent the most unbelievably surreal weekend I’ve had in my short professional experience. I pitched a company Friday night and by Saturday morning, I was running a team of 11 professionals who all saw a great future in working on building my idea into a reality. Founder and CEO at 24? Anything’s possible in this magical world. It’s like playing dress up for super nerdy kids.
Now that I’m back in the real world, it’s quite hard to pull myself entirely back and focus on my actual job in recruiting. I keep thinking I need to run to check on my developer (Gib rocks!), head to the conference room to meet with the biz dev team, or give approval to the home page copy our marketing team just created. Not helping in the matter are the emails I keep seeing come in on my iPhone from fellow Weekenders following me on Twitter, adding me to LinkedIn, and other points of contact from members of my team.
I always knew I wanted to participate in a Startup Weekend. Many of my friends have done West Lafayette and Indianapolis and enjoyed it, and New York was certainly a great jumping off point for my involvement with the group. With my first Weekend wrapped up, I’m continuing on with planning next steps with the rest of the SUMU kiddos. For now though, it’s off to the kitchen to make another cup of Earl Grey to keep from passing out on my keyboard at my regular 9-5. (Ha, I mean 7:45-7:30.)
Check out our splash page for our Startup Matchup website. We’re working on the backend, but I’m in love with the design. (Elizabeth is professionally awesome!) http://www.thestartupmatchup.com/ Shaka pow.
Startup Weekend NYC
This is it. This is what I’ve needed, what I’ve been absolutely dying for since leaving my entrepreneurial world back in Indy. Startup Weekend is coming to New York, and I’m so ready for 20 November.
I know Startup Weekend in Indianapolis is a pretty big deal. Apart from it being the starting place for Brennan’s company, PocketTales, I’ve heard from other participants that it was considered a successful weekend, and I’m hoping New York proves to be the on par. (Better really.)
I’m ready to find a better place for my talents, a closer fit with my personality, and a goal towards which I can work each day knowing I’ll be making an improvement upon the world.
It’s been a dream of mine, since joining the Governor Bob Orr Indiana Entrepreneurial Fellowship, to have my own (successful) venture. Unfortunately, though business partner Gab Steele and I have had many brainstorming sessions, we have yet to find that one truly inspiring idea that resonates. I’m quite hopeful that Startup Weekend will provide me with one of many possibilities: The chance to start my own company through an epiphany that hits me just as the weekend is beginning (magic), the chance to jump on board and work with other brilliant weekenders on a new venture, or the chance to join an already existing startup and help it grow to the next level.
So, wish me luck and send happy thoughts to New York on 20-22 November. I’ll be sure to report back with the weekend’s activities. Shaka pow.
Time to step up my game
Well, I blew my attempts at keep this thing under wraps until I brushed off the rust and had actual decent content. Last night, I signed up for Startup Weekend NYC (SO excited!) and listed this as my blog. I awoke this morning in a bit of a panic when I remembered, assuming that some of the administrators might be interested in checking out participants’ blogs and knowing I have nothing of great worth on here yet. I think I did it on purpose, as a catalyst of sorts, to get myself out of my writing funk and turn this thing into something people might actually care to read.
Get ready.
