Thursday March 17, 2016 aka St. Patrick’s Day, was, as these publicly celebrated holiday are, a meeting attendance wildcard. It’s uncertain how many people show up each week for the Entrepreneur Social Club, aka the ESC, as we don’t require any registration. Just show up to downtown St. Pete venue NOVA 535, and enjoy! With these ‘minor’ holidays (we’re closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, for example) you never can tell who’s gonna show up. I had just literally got off the plane from Las Vegas Catersource 2016, and it was a bit of a late start, then my fellow Entrepreneurs joined in for our weekly fix. And what an excellent night it was. I’m calling this story. A Lucky Night at NOVA 535 then Dinner and Drinks at The Queens Head. Yes I know the English and Irish aren’t historically pals, but Tracy the owner of the always fun and delicious The Queens Head was in attendance, so our restaurant choice tonight was easy peasy!
networking
Pitching at the deep end of the Artpool
Thursday, March 10, 2016 was another exciting gathering of our weekly social club for business owners and Entrepreneurs. The last few meetings had people squeezing in here and there, while this week was a bit smaller. Size matters, and when we have smaller groups (under 25 guests) we can spend a bit more time drilling down, vs with larger groups, we only have about 90 minutes for everyone. They both are great and I enjoy each for what it offers. Tonight we dug deep: Pitching at the deep end of the Artpool. But before tonight’s ESC, I spent some time in DTSP, short for Downtown St. Pete, getting my hair cut at world-famous VLVT Salon on Central Ave, then “lunching” (always sounds so cool vs “having lunch”) at the always delicious Gratzzi Italian Restaurant. Earlier, while I was showering, I used the great smelling, all-natural soaps from local, fellow Entrepreneur Kim, founder of Bodhi’s Basics. A day full of Entrepreneurs creating wonderful things for us all. When’s the last time YOU THANKED an ENTREPRENEUR for all they do? =D
A Delightfully Unexpected ESC Reunion then Oyster Bar and Ruby’s Elixir
It’s Thursday night again, which means the Entrepreneur Social Club, which meets most always here at historic venue NOVA 535 in beautiful downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. Occasionally we’re offsite when NOVA is booked for a private event. we had a packed house. I LOVE seeing the entire table full, tonight was a delightfully unexpected ESC reunion, so many faces returning from their busy lives. Tonight was unusual as several, independent clumps of friends and Entrepreneurs randomly show up for this Thursday’s Entrepreneur Social Club. Plus there was around ten newbies. I asked all the newcomers how they heard of ESC, and EVERYONE said from a friend or business associate. I then asked who spent time today on social media and EVERYONE raised their hands. I wanted to drive home the point that Word of Mouth is still the most powerful way to gain new business.
Entrepreneurs bring the Social to the Entrepreneur Social Club
Every Thursday night we meet here in beautiful downtown St. Petersburg, Florida for the Entrepreneur Social Club affectionately known as “The ESC”. Most always it’s at my gorgeous modernized historic venue NOVA 535, and when NOVA is rented for a private wedding or event, we find another DTSP location. Yes having the ESC’s home at NOVA is amazing, yet the gathering of my fellow Entrepreneurs is the real secret sauce to this Social Club. People always complement me on how beautiful NOVA is, and after thanking them, I reply that, without them, it’s just a empty building. It’s the life and energy and excitement and new ideas and crazy thoughts and laughter that we Entrepreneurs, business owners, students, start-ups, mentors and even “regular” people with a positive attitude bring to the ESC every Thursday night.
Birthday Boy Bill a Brainstorm and Coastalyfe
Thursday June 18, 2015 brought another fun and productive evening networking and sharing and laughing with my fellow Entrepreneurs here at historic venue NOVA 535 Unique Event Space in downtown St. Pete, affectionately referred to as the ESC, aka the Entrepreneur Social Club. We were celebrating birthdays, of my personal long time amigo Ted Plaskon of Quantum Payroll Services (June 18), over in Tampa (Teddy and I were roommates at UF – TEDDY!!) and our long time ESC member Bill Cason. Bill is one of the nicest and funniest people you’ll ever meet, he was born on June 17th.
So if I had to sum up the Thursday June 18 2015 meeting of the Entrepreneur Social Club, it’d be Birthday Boy Bill a Brainstorm and Coastalyfe. Read on!