50k and Beyond: The past, present and future; and the Next Step (In Multiple Parts)
Part I:
"I make no apologies, I do not intend to be rude, or crass, or insensitive, I just say it as I see it. If I am wrong, I will admit it and make a TON of apologies" - Me.
Important Facts about me, my operating principles:
People First. Always. That is my rule. I meet a person, I talk to a person, I decide if I like that person, then I may learn about that person from the person, or from research later, but before I ever “research” a person, I meet them. Sometimes I don’t research at all. Sometimes that upsets people. People first. It is how I operate, always have, always will (unless I am doing an interview which rarely happens, then I research, or meeting a Head of State or something, can’t seem totally clueless).
Genuine. I am me, I make no apologies, I would take a bullet for most anyone I know. I am fiercely loyal and protective of my friends. The amount of inside info I have in my head makes the likelihood that my head will explode a distinct possibility, but it stays there, or I die with it.
Committed. I am committed to the causes I believe in, and just as fiercely as I am committed to my friends. I should probably also be committed and/or medicated at times.
Funny. I need the funny, I want the funny. Humor in everything I do. If you don’t laugh, I failed.
That being said…
I attended an amazing event yesterday. The State of Delaware has an Emerging Technology Center, and in that they coach people through the steps of building a successful business, to encourage entrepreneurship, and expand the economy in doing so. I was asked by the Delaware Economic Development Office to be an instructor in their Boot Camp this Saturday to bring my social media expertise to them in a way that would help the selectees business grow. Ken Anderson is a great guy and it is difficult, no- impossible, to say no to him. Last night was the “Meet and Greet” at Delaware State University in Dover.
I was exhausted when I arrived, but was quickly reenergized by the excitement and buzz in the room. I took some time and sat at various tables talking to the program participants, listening to what they were proposing and seeing if I could help them to accomplish their goals. I heard some remarkable ideas, a new Daycare concept, new neurological drug developments, a cool place to hang out, a college transportation system, alternative energy, and more. What an amazing group of people, with such diverse ideas. We moved into presentations, and each instructor spoke for a few minutes about what we do, and why we do it. Then it was time for the selectees (there is an application and selection process, this is a very big honor for these folks) to stand up and tell them about themselves and their business concept. Wow. I was so moved, so impressed, and I only wanted to think of who I could connect them each with to help them succeed. I looked at my Blackberry, Twitter was the answer, but not the option.
I was beyond frustrated as I sat there, taking photos, and waiting. I would ask people to tweet for me later when I got home. When I did, I had little luck finding people around to help. I wanted to share... these people deserved that, someone out there might be interested. My hands were tied, or my fingers were (past-tense, my fingers still ARE tied). I can not express in words the sadness and emptiness I felt at that moment, and I felt all night, until this morning. I felt as though I was a singer without a voice, a musician without an instrument (yes I have melodramatic tendencies, not too obvious huh?), this was a problem. I had to resolve this. The $50,000 stumbling block stood in the way of the 50,000 tweet.
When I awoke this morning I had a sense of peace and zen. As I had slept I had decided I knew what the resolution was. With the advice from a friend, I was determined to summarize, resolve, and move on. This is what this blog is about.
The History:
(To be continued…)
