Internet Geek Girl

I’ve been a “startup chick” for a very long time. Having worked at early stage companies as employee number 2 and number 240, I have experienced the wide array of challenges faced by companies growing new markets.  In fact, established markets never interested me much (boring!!!)

I’ve guided my professional development for 15 years by one simply rule: surround yourself with the smartest, most hard-working, super effective entrepreneurs you can find. Despite the fact that these individuals and environments can be crazy and chaotic, it has been a very fun journey. Like the road less traveled, it has also made all the difference in my life.

Over the next few weeks, Brian Solis and I will be celebrating our mutual love for startups by presenting Ignition, an event to commemorate the launch of Microsoft BizSpark – a new program for those who contribute to a dynamic ecosystem to help startups flourish. It seems to me that in this economy, everyone needs something to celebrate. It is also an exceptional time to start a startup and take advantage of all the opportunity out there.

Brian and I cordially invite you to another TechSet Series (with some free appetizers and drinks).  We kick off our four-city tour next week in New York City on November 11th.  You need to RSVP here. As all the locals know, that’s the night of the New York New Tech Meetup, which will feature a presentation by Microsoft BizSpark staff. Be at both or be square!

We head to Austin, Texas on November 20th, LA on December 2nd and Silicon Valley on December 4th.  Stay tuned for links Facebook invites and RSVP pages on Eventbrite.

Be sure to check out the benefits you get from the BizSpark global program – namely – software, support and visibility. Hope to see you there so you can learn more and have a great time doing it!

I’ve been in California for one week now. While my life definitely not as exciting as Hank’s, I am blessed with the opportunity to hang out with Internet rock stars every where I go. They are an exciting bunch. Let’s start with the LA scene. Obviously “tech” is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the City of Angels.  However, I am consistently impressed with the force of nature that is emerging from the intersection of social media, technology, and advertising in Hollywood.  The community that cares about this trend in LA is growing. Last week was “Mini Internet Week” for that town: three packed days of networking with LA’s best and brightest!  The TechSet event at the Luxe Hotel on Sunset Boulevard on Wednesday night was a huge hit.  Mike Macadaan, founder of TwiistUp, did an amazing job on Thursday evening at the Viceroy Hotel with TwiistUp4 (yes that’s a 4). Mashable rounded out the week with the SummerMash LA, part of their US Summer Tour!

The next time you’re in LA, make sure you check out what is going on with TechZulu, Social Media Club LA, Jackie Peters of Heavy Bag Media, Nicole Jordan of bub.blicio.us, Sean Percival of DocStoc, Mike Prasad of GirlGamer, Karen Hartline of Mashable, Erica O’Grady, Marc Levin and the good people over at LA Geek Dinners!  You will definitely be able to find the party through them!

As you know, a picture is worth 1000 words.  For Brian Solis’ photostream, that calculation is more like 2000 words.  Brian also had great coverage of on Bub.blicio.us!

I’m here for another week still, so watch out!

I’m just about to check out of the Hotel Roosevelt and head to the airport for a flight to SFO. It has been an eventful week here in LA. The TechSet Hollywood event and the TechCrunch/PopSugar party were both successful gatherings of the best and brightest in the industry.

I was so impressed with all the fine individuals I met here. There are too many to name, but you can see the story via my pictures on Flickr. LA is a new scene for me. But not for my partner in crime Brian Solis. He wrote an great re-cap of the growth of the tech community here in LA.

Content is King – especially here in LA. I predict that internet content developers will continue to gravitate to this town and explore the synergies that explode when technology meets the entertainment industry. I for one am excited to plan my next trip here. Stay tuned for more about Digital Hollywood (coming up in May)!

Big thanks to everyone who attended. We look forward to our next gathering in Silicon Valley on 4/20. Hope to see you there.

(photo credit, Brian Solis)

I am very excited to announce my participation in the founding of The Conversation Group, a new global communications agency devoted to the art and science of participatory media – blogs, social networks, and other environments where people openly converse. Be sure to also check out Ted Shelton’s post (Managing Partner) and the full press release here.

I am writing this from Santa Barbara, CA where Commission Junction is hosting CJU 2007. At all of the affiliate marketing events I have attended this year, there has been a strong emphasis on understanding how new marketing channels like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter can increase sales and exposure for advertisers. Monetization of niche traffic sources has long been a focus in affiliate marketing. The Conversation Group will provide clients with products and services that help advertisers scale their ability to discover, engage and interact with their constituents, wherever they may be.

In other affiliate marketing news – CJU 2007 is off to a great start. As Shawn Collins reports, Commission Junction is breaking records for 2007! I’ll blog more later on the advertisers and publishers I”m meeting here in Santa Barbara. In a “relationship economy,” events like this are vital for enhancing all of our marketing efforts.

Why is it that CJ is winning business? What is it that makes this organization #1 right now in the space? What should an advertiser think about when evaluating the value of CJ, Performics and LinkShare? How will social media trends impact online sales and relationships with customers?

Stay tuned. Answers to those questions and many more, coming soon!

After getting up on Sunday morning, the first thing I do is make coffee, grab the NYTimes and go right to the Style section. There, I admit it. The Modern Love column happens to be my favorite, in case anyone’s interested. And yes, I do look at the wedding pics (religiously)! Bob Morris deserves a mention as well. I know, I’m so predictable.

This morning I was pleased to see my friend Sarah on the front page! OK – I had a small heads up, but still. How cool is that?

The article highlights the incredible accomplishments of Sarah and other disabled artists, entertainers and athletes. More importantly, the story explores the media trend of representing disability not as a “tragedy” but rather as secondary to the inherent success of those individuals that happen to have disabilities. Back in grad school, I worked for the University of Minnesota Disability Services. I was lucky to know so many people early in my life that taught me these lessons. Big shout out to Gene, Betty, Devora, Barbara & Sue! Wherever you are…

Sarah and I went to camp together when we were kids. On a personal note, my relationship with her as a child helped me wipe away fear of those that seemed physically different. We had so much fun at Camp Koinonia. Hiking the hills, carrying our water, pitching tents, etc. We “roughed it” big time. I should have known Sarah would end up being an Iron Man. Me – well, I’m lucky if I get my 30 minutes on the treadmill. I do know how to build a campfire though.

BTW, Sarah is the first female above the knee-amputee to win the IronMan. She was also on the show Amazing Race last year. Check out her sites: IAmSarah.org and AlwaysTri.net.

Sarah and I had a chance to catch up recently in California at the very awesome Wahoos. A Long Island girl and a Jersey Girl catchin’ up in SoCal, eating fish tacos. Whodyathunkit? We hadn’t seen each other in a really long time. It was so fun to learn all about Sarah’s life these past years and re-connect! Sarah told me all about her 4 different legs. My favorite is the “Barbie Leg.” But again, how predictable of me!