Startup Grind is a wonderful idea and organization. It allow us aspiring entrepreneurs to be up close and listen to someone had has some success. But most importantly, a gathering for people to network with others. Mike, the organizer of the Seattle Chapter, does a fantastic job. And in my next blog, the fabulous event that happened. The positive thing that happened to me. The exact reason you need Startup Grind.
Even though I write about a few encounters of rejections of people willing to help, they are only a drop in the bucket of the rejections I've encountered. And it gives more credence to wonderful people that do treat me with respect.
Last night onThursday December 4th, Julie Park of Julep is speaking in Seattle and will be hosted by Julie of Madrona Venture Capital. I had to attend this event. Julie Park is Asian (Korean). An opportunity to meet someone from Madrona. I am hoping Julie help me find a mentor.
So I drove from Tacoma, WA. Using up precious $15 in gas. Excited.
Alas, Julie of Madrona left right after the panel chat with Jane Park. I was so disappointed.
With Julie of Madrona gone, I'm here, I used gas money. I mind as well talk to Jane Park of Julep.
"Jane, I'm a homeless person. I was hoping to talk to Julie. I know if I message her, she is most likely to erase the message. That is most likely what people do getting a message from a homeless person. Please, can you tell her not to delete and take a look/"...."Yes I have a startup. I have a website that will help people find jobs" "My message to Julie is hope she or anyone at Madrona can be a mentor"
What does a person do when faced to faced with a homeless person?
I know doesn't it sound crazy? Like being face to face bear in the woods. Don't eat me. Please go away. I'm nervous.
So here it is. The moment of truth Mrs. Jane Park. 60-70 people packed into a room to hear you talk. A crowd of aspiring eager entrepreneurs crowded around you after the panel talk to get some one on one talk with you. Most just want to say hello and good bye. You are a star.
A homeless man walks up and tells you he is homeless. For the ten minutes conversation, I can see her brains working.
(Homeless man! OMG really? He must be a crazy person. Ok he doesn't sound crazy. hmmmmmm
He want's me to pass a message on to Julie? no way. make some excuses. yeaa..I will tell him getting a mentor is like me hitting the lottery.
Ok he is homeless. I have to keep talking to him so it doesn't look bad. WTF is a homeless person doing in a startup thing? uuuughhh! Ok let me ask him about his startup. OH geez. I will just tell him any message to Julie of Madrona will be futile. Ok I told him. He is going away. Whew!)
Seriously, that is what went down. My seeking of a mentor as a homeless person is futile.
Last time I talked to a Asian guest speaker, it was the Asian man from Buddy TV. He brushed me off and wanted me away from his. He literally asked me to walk with him. And walked as fast as he could out the building never asking for details. I was hoping you were different.
To be fair, I think Jane Park handled faced to face with a homeless person the best she could. She is under immense stress to keep a company growing in order to please the numerous funding rounds. She does not have time to mentor anyone nor can she risk her relationship with Madrona by telling her to look out for a homeless persons email. Understoond.
All I wanted was a a hint, a smile, a word of concern. Any kind of reaction, that when faced with a homeless person, you react with some kind of compassion. And I got none.
60-70 people just sat through a long session listening to you talking about family, stories of you in Yale, as a Starbucks Executive, about your kids and husband. How wonderful of a wife and executive you tell us you are. And at the end of the day....
Isn't it odd, a homeless man is not impressed?
In my next blog entry, this Startup Grind have some positive results. The exact reason why Startup Grind is organized. I did meet a one or two good human beings last night.
\
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOLipJaEEIA
No comments:
Post a Comment