I Met 100 People in a 100 Days!!! (or less)

photo credit elkprincess

What?

Find and network with 100 interesting people in 100 Days in an effort to connect to the community and find a job. (I did it in 90 days!)

Who?

People that I either don't know or don't see very often in order to enrich my life and hopefully theirs.

Requirements?

They must know that I am looking for a job and know how to contact me if they can help.

How?

I reached out to friends, friends of friends, parents, family members, parties, industry events, pop in visits, Twitter, Linkedin, and Facebook.

And the 100 people are: 

1 Architectural Product Sales Rep from Linkedin
2 Architectural Product Sales Rep from IIDA
3 Interior Designer from college
4 Website Managing Director/ Newbie to NOLA from twitter
5 Retired Social Worker from parent
6 Retired French Translator from parent
7 Neuroscientist from friend of friend
8 Director of Interior Design at LSU from college
9 Professor of Interior Design at LSU from college
10 Landscape Architect from college
11 Zoo Associate/Vet Student from high school
12 Medical Doctor from friend of friend
13 Architectural Sales Rep from IIDA
14 Stage Dancer/Massage Therapist from high school
15 Stage Actress/Retail Associate from friend of friend
16 Banker from friend of friend
17 Personal Chef and Assistant from Twitter
18 Florist from friend of friend
19 Fabric Restorer from friend of friend
20 Artist from friend of friend
21 Construction Manager from friend of friend
22 Construction Manager from friend of friend
23 Interior Designer and Firm Owner from IIDA
24 Dental Office Manager from neighbor
25 Interior Designer from IIDA/college
26 Interior Designer from IIDA/college
27 Photographer/Designer from college
28 Architect from DFW networking group
29 Home Product Shop Owner from previous employment
30 Interior Designer from neighbor
31 New Orleans Socialite from neighbor
32 Commercial Realtor from neighbor
33 Theater Administrator/Construction Estimator from friend of friend
34 Museum Curator from friend of friend
35 Facilities Interior Designer and great networker
36 VP of Design Community Collaboration at Design Function
37 Architectural Product Rep at Design Function
38 Interior Design Firm Owner at Design Function
39 Museum Volunteer from Friend of Parent
40 Retired Store Owner from Friend of Parent
41 Designer from Design Function
42 Non-profit administrator from twitter
43 Marketing Manager for Development Company
44 Interior Designer from IIDA event
45 Interior Designer at University from networking group friend
46 University Architect from Friend of Parent
47 Retired Bank Administrator From Friend of Parent
48 Doctor From Friend
49 Doctor From Friend
50 Construction Attorney From Friend of Parent
51 Architect from volunteer event
52 Engineer from Friend in College
53 Scenic Design for Movie Production at bar
54 Decorator
55 Casting Assistant for Movie Production
56 Speech Pathologist
57 Speech Pathology Student and Antique Rep
58 Education Administrator Friend from High School
59 Interior Designer from Friend
60 Designer from volunteer event
61 President and CEO of Contract Furniture Company from dropping off resume
62 Interior Designer from #2 on list
63 Interior Designer from college
64 Owner of Stone Fabrication Shop from family member
65 International Civil Engineer from family member
66 Jeweler and Bird Collector from family member
67 Interior Design Department Director from firm research
68 Interior Designer at Contract Furniture Dealership from IIDA event
69 Contract Furniture Manufacturer Rep from IIDA event
70 Senior Living Marketing Coordinator from IIDA event
71 Contract Carpet Manufacturers Rep from IIDA event
72 Representative at Contract Furniture Dealership from IIDA event
73 Interior Design Firm Owner from IIDA event
74 CPA at a housewarming party from IIDA event
75 Housing Specialist at a housewarming party
76 Customer Service Manager at a housewarming party
77 Advertising Intern at a housewarming party
78 CPA at dinner party
79 Landscape Architect Friend from College
80 Medical Intern
81 Medical Student
82 Waitress
83 Elementary School Teacher
84 Art Gallery Owner
85 School Board Employee and Dry Cleaner Expert
86 Jewelry Crafter
87 Stain glass and Jeweler Artist 
88 Stain glass/jewelry business owner
89 Theatrical Producer/Director

90 Technology Product Developer from Twitter Meetup

91 Social Media/ Marketing Coordinator from Twitter Meetup

92 Industrial Designer from Twitter Meetup

93 Technology Associate from Twitter Meetup

94 Real Estate Investor from Twitter Meetup

95 Technology Product Developer from Twitter Meetup

96 Digital Diva/Social Media/PR Director from Twitter Meetup

97 Product and Lifestyle Photographer from Twitter Meetup

98 Process Engineer from high school

99 Construction Company Administrator from parent's party

100 Housewife and Socialite from parent's party



This has been my focus for the past three months. It's been a great distraction and motivation. I got out of the house when I didn't feel like it. I didn't fixate on what I lost by leaving Texas, but rather, I focused on the present and what was ahead. 


Now that this goal has been met and I no longer have the distraction, I have more downtime and reflection. I am only human and sometimes feel disheartened by thoughts of the past and of love lost. Therefore, I want to keep trucking and stay positive. So what are my new distractions? 


Taking a look back at my original goals of this blog, they are:


My Objectives:

Network - I plan to sit down with 100 people within the first three months. I’ll start with 50 people and ask those 50 people to refer 50 more.
Progress: 

DONE! - I will continue to network and find ways to help the people that I met.

Socialize – I want to keep busy with festivals, restaurants, pubs and galleries on the cheap. 
Progress: 

DONE! - I've been caroling, fine dining, book fests, poyboy fests, music fests, art gallery openings, happy hours, you name it! Will try to keep this up!

Plant My Roots – I want to buy a house, love a dog and feel at home.
Progress: 

FOCUSED! I am going to continue to sock money away and find a permanent job to make this happen.

Stay Creative – I want to stay productive in art with at least one piece per week and continue to cook. 
Progress:

OFF TO A GREAT START! Well, I don't know about one piece per week, but I have found two new mediums - jewelry and costume making! My cooking has slowed down, but I have been making dishes for various parties and potlucks so I'd say I am doing well with this one.

Bond – I want to act or volunteer for a theatrical production and ride in ELKs parade again.


Progress:

ON MY WAY! Met a few folks that are involved in theatrical productions and look forward to working with them on this goal.


Earn a Rewarding Living – I want to put my passion and creativity to work for a great company or on my own. 
Progress:

OFF TO A GREAT START! I didn't settle for any old job. This contract position is going to be an exciting venture in reaching this goal.

New Objectives:

Show My Body Respect - I want to get back into working out and practicing yoga a few times per week.

Volunteer in the Community - I want to volunteer regularly for a nonprofit art museum or habitat for humanity.


Collect Costumes - I want to become a true New Orleanian have enough costumes to fill a closet or trunk.

Lessons From 2009

photo credit 1HappySnapper

What a Year! You live you learn. Here's what I learned.

1 Don't depend on your partner for emotional support. Find your strength within yourself before you find love.

2 Don't quit your job without having the next one lined up.

3 Family is where the heart is.

4 Networking is an important part of success. Reach out to everyone you meet. You never know when you'll need one another.

5 Don't use olive oil in your hair as conditioner.

6 Architectural lighting makes a huge impression.

7 Unemployment benefits come in handy.

8 Just because you always respond to people when they contact you doesn't mean others will do the same for you. There are lots of flaky people. Cherish your friends that aren't.

9 If you ever you speed, you will eventually get a ticket.

10 This too shall pass.

That being said. I have no regrets.

I wouldn't be the person I am today without the trials and tribulations of 2009.

What did you learn?

Progress Report - 2

Making headway in the list of 100 people to meet:

1. Architectural Product Sales Rep from IIDA

2. Architectural Product Sales Rep from IIDA
3. Interior Design Classmate from college
4. Website Managing Director/ Newbie to NOLA from website
5. Retired Social Worker friend of a parent
6. Retired French Translator friend of a parent
7. Neuroscientist friend of friend
8. Director of Interior Design at LSU
9. Professor of Interior Design at LSU
10. Landscape Architect Friend
11. Zoo Associate/Vet Student from high school
12. Medical Doctor Friend of Friend
13. Architectural Sales Rep from IIDA
14. Stage Dancer/Massage Therapist from high school
15. Stage Actress/Retail Associate from friend
16. Banker friend
17. Personal Chef and Assistant from Twitter
18. Florist from friend
19. Fabric Restorer from friend
20. Artist from friend
21. Construction Manager from friend
22. Construction Manager from friend
23. Interior Designer and Firm Owner from IIDA
24. Dental Office Manager neighbor
25. Interior Designer from IIDA/college
26. Interior Designer from IIDA/college
27. Design Consultant from college
28. Architect from DFW from friend in networking group
29. Home Product Shop Owner from previous employment
30. Magazine Editor from magazine/website/blog
31. Interior Designer from neighbor
32. New Orleans Socialite from neighbor
33. Commercial Realtor neighbor
34. Theater Administrator/Construction Estimator from friend
35. Museum Curator from friend
36. Facilities Interior Designer and great networker friend
37. VP of Design Community Collaboration at design event
38. Architectural Product Rep at design event
39. Interior Design Firm Owner at design event
40. Museum Volunteer from friend of parent
41. Retired Store Owner from friend of parent
42. Designer from design event
43. Non-profit marketer from twitter
44. Marketing Manager for Development Company friend
45. Interior Designer from IIDA event
46. Interior Designer at University from networking group friend
47. Architectural Sales Representative from IIDA
48. Designer/Photographer from college
49. Director of Design and Construction at University from friend of parent
50. Retired Bank Administrator from friend of parent
51. Doctor from friend
52. Doctor friend

These next few weeks are going to be busy. I am going to be going door to door dropping off resumes, which takes FOREVER to set up. I'm up to my ears in cover letters, resumes, and sample work all tailored for each office.

I'm going to be busy creating too. (the fun part) I bought some brass pieces at a flea market in NYC to make earrings for Christmas. I also have three art commissions to crank out for early December. Will post the fruits of my labor. Looking forward to getting cozy with the family for the holiday season. I love those guys.

Progress Report - 1

I moved to New Orleans two weeks ago. So far so good. I've met up with old buddies and made a few new ones. I went to some events in Baton Rouge - Live After 5 and the Louisiana Book Festival. Staying true to my frugal blood, both events were FREE.

I also just found a potluck club through Yelp.com with some foodies that meet on Sundays. They also tweet so I stay on top of things that way. Actually, there are quite a few good tweeters about New Orleans like @NOLABroadSquad, @NOLAforFREE, @StayLocal, @NOLAonthecheap, @BudgetNOLA etc.

So far I've made a dent in the list of 100 people to meet:

1. Architectural Product Sales Rep
2. Architectural Product Sales Rep
3. Interior Design Classmate
4. Website Managing Director/ Newbie to NOLA
5. Retired Social Worker Friend of a Parent
6. Retired French Translator Friend of a Parent
7. Neuroscientist Friend of Friend
8. Director of Interior Design at LSU
9. Professor of Interior Design at LSU
10. Landscape Architect Friend
11. Highschool Classmate hadn't seen since then
12. Medical Doctor Friend of Friend

I have a few more set up and an informational-we're-not-hiring-but-i-hope-they'll-hire-me-anyway interview. Wish me luck!

Never Eat Alone

I just read this book about contacts, friends, and mentors. The author is supposed to be the most "connected" man alive and being the social butterfly that I am I look to follow in his footsteps. I am setting a goal for myself to have lunch, coffee, or other organized convos with 100 people in the first 3 months of my move.

On the list are old friends, new ones, architects, designers, festival goers, friends of friends and generally interesting people. I have a list of about 40 so far and hoping that those 40 can point me to more and so on to my reach my goal. I have 4 coffee/lunch dates set up this week! Keep me busy- I know you guys know some interesting folks in the area so give me a shout and tell me who I should meet. For those that are interested in broadening your network, here are some key points from the book.

Who do you know that I should meet?