The Tasty Succulent and Sweet St. Pete Indie Market

May 19, 2015May 19, 2015 Michael Scott Novilla Leave a comment

According to their Facebook page, the “St. Pete Indie Market is a monthly makers faire showcasing the best of all things indie, located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg.” And according to The St. Pete Indie Market Website, their mission is “To promote local arts and culture and to engage and empower our community towards positive growth.” Stated a bit wider than I like to see for their formal mission statement, it’s still full of that good “Hippie – Let’s Save the World” feeling. A feeling that I love to see, hear and experience. One I also help spread, along with my pals and fellow members at Keep St. Pete Local, plus always via my weekly fun and productive club for business owners and Entrepreneurs, on Thursday Nights, the Entrepreneur Social Club. It’s about connecting the world’s Entrepreneurs and solving our problems. All while having a great time. Like today, bike riding throughout gorgeous downtown St. Pete and eating delicious, well read on, you’ll see…

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4 Takeaways from my First Entrepreneur Social Club Meeting

May 17, 2015February 13, 2016 Michael Scott Novilla Leave a comment

Since 2009, Michael S. Novilla has been at the helm of the Entrepreneur Social Club, held every Thursday, most always at NOVA 535 Unique Event Space in Saint Petersburg, Florida. And since 2009, Michael has had only a few simple rules for membership into this club: No liars, no bullies, no thieves, no religion and no politics. Anything else is pretty much fair game as long as it’s on-topic. And if it’s not, Michael has a bell and he’s not afraid to ring it.

As a newbie to the Entrepreneur Social Club, aka ESC, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Michael mentioned that although each meeting has a generally similar structure, topics and attendance can range quite a bit. Sometimes meetings are more intimate with 10 people sharing ideas, sometimes 50+ people come to find out what ESC can offer them.

In either case, there’s booze via a fully stocked cash bar, with lots of delicious local brews too. Hooray booze.

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Wear a Condom when navigating the Internet of Things

April 10, 2015May 17, 2015 Michael Scott Novilla Leave a comment

On Thursday April 9, 2015 we gathered once again at my 1920 historic yet modern wedding and event venue NOVA 535 Unique Event Space, here in beautiful downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. Last Thursday April 2nd we took a break from the productive meeting side of the Entrepreneur Social Club, affectionately called the ESC, to enjoy a birthday party in honor of NOVA 535 which turned a lucky 7, myself turning 47 and my longtime pal Mario turned the big 50. We’ve been meeting weekly since 2009, to learn, laugh, listen, help, party, share, grow ourselves and our businesses, all while helping those around us AND avoiding religion and politics, which are both strictly forbidden by club rules. See that’s why even when we argue, we still get along. Genius!

A new member suggested we try SAZON for dinner, which about 10 of us did, and wow was the Spanish food delicious! We’ll definitely be back for more.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sazon-Restaurante/164642900398016 2924 5th Ave N, St Petersburg, FL 33713 (727) 321-7090

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The BIG Pitch

March 19, 2015March 20, 2015 Michael Scott Novilla Leave a comment

The BIG Pitch

VIDEO SUBMISSIONS DUE APRIL 1, 2015 6 pm est.

The BIG Pitch top 10 will compete head-to-head on stage at The Straz on April 30th, 2015

Visit the website for all details: www.TheBigPitch.com

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December brings Art Basel Miami Beach

December 6, 2014February 2, 2015 Michael Scott Novilla Leave a comment

You might not think of artists as Entrepreneurs, but they, we, most certainly are. We create, we design, we build, we have vision(s) and occasionally turn those visions into realities. Almost more importantly we are NOT afraid to fail. To make mistakes. To F-up. To be laughed at, ridiculed, humiliated. Because we KNOW we have something UNIQUE, something special, we just might not be able to translate whatever-the-heck-that-is into reality. More so not into a reality that enough other people are willing to pay for, and that’s the rubb.

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The Four E’s to Establishing Trust and Making Sales

November 6, 2014December 6, 2024 NickMazeika Leave a comment

They say you buy from people you know, like, and trust. I think they must have founded a networking organization. insisting on so much interaction for a single transaction. It certainly dovetails nicely into having to go and meet the same people at the same breakfast spot every week. And after you get to know these people, you are supposed to like them as well? Hmm, seems a little excessive, just to buy a potato. (more…)

How to Offend and Alienate the People Around You

September 11, 2014February 2, 2015 Michael Scott Novilla Leave a comment

Ever wonder how not to respond after meeting someone at an event? I recently attended a class on networking. I repeat, a class on networking.

Exchanged cards with a few people and practiced the things we learned. Afterward I sent follow-up emails. Here is a transcript of one email exchange that went very bad, very quickly. Names, and other details, have been changed to protect the innocent – I changed anything that may identify the person and company with whom I communicated.

Initial E-Mail

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How to Never Get Help With Your Business

July 11, 2014February 2, 2015 Michael Scott Novilla Leave a comment

Ok, I have to say this. After hearing pitch after pitch and question after question one thing frustrates me beyond all belief — the inability to answer the following question:

How can I help?

Your inability to answer this question is stifling your business and your life.

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