As 2014 begins, my professional focus will be on business networking. As a social media enthusiast, I have become more active on LinkedIn and finally reached the coveted 500+ connections. During the past few years I’ve concentrated on developing a social media network and now in 2014 I hope to create and maintain a strong business network.
I have been a member of Meetup.com for quite sometime and will be much more involved socially this year as well. I look forward to promoting my marketing/communication work with new contacts and learning more about how to work and connect with my present and long-time contacts in the New York City metropolitan area.
Wishing everyone I’ve ever come in contact with via my social, educational, and professional life a very happy and professionally prosperous 2014!.
The economy of Puerto Rico may be struggling like many others, but there is a community of dedicated technologically-savvy entrepreneurs working hard to make La Isla de Borinquen a startup technology hub.
As a native New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent, I did not know there was a tech startup community on the Caribbean island.
According to one of the Puerto Rican pioneers of the startup community, Marcos Polanco, the startup community in Puerto Rico has officially existed since 2010 but has been around since 1996.
In 2010, Ramphis Castro and Marcos joined forces to create an association called Startups of Puerto Rico. They envisioned Puerto Rico and its people establishing start up technology companies and representing a growing number of successful businesses.
I registered for the event to write this blog post. It was an honor just to be in the space, let alone in one with over 60 people with the collective idea of doing what we can to promote the startup community of Puerto Rico.
The event allowed four Puerto Rican startups the opportunity to pitch their companies to successful technology startup investors. The companies received priceless feedback from the tech investors who could have been anywhere they wanted to be at the time.
Blimp, represented by Giovanni Collazo, a startup providing “beautiful and easy project management for doers.”
Leavebox, represented by Roberto Santos, describes itself as the place “where Human Resources meets Business Intelligence by providing tools to manage employee absences.”
Kytelabs, represented by Jonathan Gonzalez, offers OneCard, “The last card you’ll ever carry. Pay from any account, anywhere, on any system. Say goodbye to your wallet.”
iGenApps, represented by Norman Ortiz, allows users to “create function-rich mobile apps from the palm of your hand with no programming.”
The startups showcased their companies and products and were open to suggestions on how to move their company/product to the next level. The investors also provided critical advice by expressing their occasional wish to either hear more specific information or see more dynamic presentations.
All the startups were amazing but I was most impressed with iGenApps. Smartphones are becoming more popular than laptops and it makes sense to be able create your own mobile app on your phone without the use of a desktop computer.
The night’s theme highlighted Puerto Rico as a place to do business and, as Startups of Puerto Rico notes on it’s website, “a real technology startup scene right smack in the middle of the Caribbean.”
Some of the event’s sponsors included the law firm Perkins Coie, Puerto Rican crowd-funding company Antrocket, and Puerto Rico’s first co-working space, Piloto 151.
I enjoyed the informative night and look forward to hearing more about Startups of Puerto Rico on the island and in New York.
It’s incredible to see a vibrant and visionary community of Boricuas creating their own, contributing to the local economy, and demonstrating leadership.
Thanks to LinkedIn, I recently became the social media / marketing manager for Off The Wall Frozen Yogurt. In the last month, I have learned a great deal about the frozen yogurt industry. If you live or work in New York City, you may have noticed all the frozen yogurt shops popping up. At first glance, you would think they are all the same. However, as you take a closer look, you will see and taste that the actual product and service runs the gamut.
Some frozen yogurt has more of a tart taste, others are more on the sweeter side. Some are self serve, others serve the customer. Some spaces are tiny, and others spectacularly spacious. The two main factors for any business are the product and the service. At Off The Wall, you get both at a very high caliber.
To be honest, I’ve never really been a huge fan of yogurt. I recently started eating it for its health benefits. I would pass by frozen yogurt places all the time, not really noticing them. Of course now, I notice them everywhere.
While interviewing for Off The Wall, I tried the product and instantly became a fan. Even if I did not get the job, I would have returned as a customer. The product was incredibly delicious and the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. Off the Wall is much more then incredible frozen yogurt. It’s an awesome experience.
Off The Wall Frozen Yogurt is a self-serve, New York-based frozen yogurt chain founded in 2010. The company presently owns and operates a store in Cedarhurst, NY and three (soon to be four) stores in the borough of Manhattan. Off the Wall’s mission is to curate a playful customer experience from start to finish.
If you’re a frozen yogurt fan, and even if you’re not, you have to give Off The Wall a try. You’ll truly enjoy the frozen yogurt and the experience.
If you have already given it a try, let me know what you think. I’d love to hear from you.
According to About.com, at least 60 percent – some report even higher statistics – of all jobs are found by networking. In a slow job market, finding employment via the traditional manner could be quite ineffective. I know firsthand. I have been looking for a mid-career communication position for quite a long time. Since January of this year I have been searching for an entry-level paralegal position. However both searches thus far have come up empty.
So, I have decided to finally use my social network to get the word out. If you know of any possible employment positions in my chosen fields or know people in the communication or legal industries, please pass along any leads. I can be found on LinkedIn or you can just forward the link to my professional blog, which also serves as my résumé online, to any potential employers.
I will continue to do my part and am confident the right job will come up eventually, but if you can help spread the word I would really appreciate the valued assistance. Thanks in advance for your effort.
I’m jump-starting my job search for 2010. Through a friend I met a human resources consultant who helped revamp my cover letter and résumé. I’m very satisfied with the final product. I’ve also updated my LinkedIn profile and continue to make good contacts. Employment experts suggest job seekers should work their social networks for possible leads, so if I’m one of your LinkedIn connections a recommendation would be greatly appreciated. I also began using Talent Zoo, an online site for advertising and marketing jobs, and JournalismJobs.com. Writing/reporting and communication/public relations positions are of most interest, however I’m also considering customer service-related opportunities. If you come across a position that may be a good fit for me, thanks in advance for passing along the good word.
As 2014 begins, my professional focus will be on business networking. As a social media enthusiast, I have become more active on LinkedIn and finally reached the coveted 500+ connections. During the past few years I’ve concentrated on developing a social media network and now in 2014 I hope to create and maintain a strong business network.
Velez Communication 