San Francisco Life: Year21

[kmalof]

Stop trying to be impressive, focus on coming off as competent.

This was an amazing takeaway from my meeting with Assim Gupta at LinkedIn. He told me that American youth job-seekers are always so fixated as coming off as "impressive" rather than competent. He said that decision makers hear thousands of potential job candidates each day and all of them blend together because, "I did this thing that did this that did this..." you get my point. Assim's advice wasn't saying to get rid of the impressive stories but rather focus on the "because I did this... I learned this... that taught me these business skills..." do you get it?

[kmalof]

Celebrating Thanksgiving in style! During our week long road trip to Vegas and LA we had the opportunity to explore LA in a 1960's red Cadillac with a seasoned tour guide. The tour was 5 hours long and we explored EVERY neighborhood of LA, learning about the history, gawking at celebrity hidden homes, and making every car around us jealous. This was a great way to kick off our LA stay!

[kmalof]

Waking up at 3:30AM isn't as fun as you would think. This is a photo of Kyle and I who attended the Annual Keiretsu Forum Expo down at the Microsoft Head Quarters. We arrived to over 500 investors listening to deal screenings, enjoying wine I couldn't pronounce, and... you get the point. To be in a room filled with such seasoned investors gave me not only a sense of importance, but also the opportunity to learn something new and build new connections. During our stay Kyle and I networked with two MIAMI ALUM and now I have plans to connect them with Runway and Miami University's Entrepreneurship Institute. Definitely a good closing to my last angel forum meeting!

[kmalof]

The first Halloween celebration of the night was at Wishi's Murder Mystery party at Runway. This 1920's themed gathering included 1920 prohibition drinks, jazz music, and the costumes to go along with it! On top of all the celebration the initiative also supported the homeless of San Francisco. After we departed, Kyle, Cam, and I continued the night and passed out granola bars, socks, and first-aid kits to the homeless out on Market Street.

What I found interesting about this experience is that many of the people we passed out goods to inquired for MORE! At first I was shocked at their selfishness towards other homeless around them (also wanting our free giveaways) but then I came to realize maybe it wasn't just for them... maybe it was their husband down the street, kids in the BART sleeping... humbling... eye-opening... I want to do it again.

[kmalof]

This week was a calm before the storm, and storm I mean Halloween. To start things off we ventured out to Fort Mason to experience the roaming mobile food extravaganza, Off the Grid! From Senior Sisig's nacho fries, to cupcakes on wheels, Off the Grid proved to be as delicious as we had expected. Definitely a place to revisit in the future!

[kmalof]

"There is no pause in life, the moment we pause, we stop living."

This is me checking another item off of my bucket list. Yes it hurt, yes I still think about it, and YES- it was worth it!

[kmalof]

TAHOE 2014 marked a memorable weekend for the four of us. We spent the day hiking the Tahoe trails with only two run-ins with snakes, a few stumbles, and our stereotypical packed lunches overlooking a gorgeous view. The serenity of South Tahoe allowed me to detox from my hectic work environment and the detachment I felt from society, my phone, and email couldn't have come at a better time.

Dinner was also quite remarkable. We ate the one of the top BBQ places around and I personally had a run-in with a fellow Cincinnatian who not only grew up in my neighborhood, but also was a patient of my dad's. The world is so small and the connections I have found not only in the middle of Tahoe, but elsewhere amaze me- they make me remember where I came from and give me hope to where I am going...

[kmalof]

How could I forget about Napa. On October 3rd, I spent my time relaxing on our class getaway trip to Napa. We visited Peju and the Laird Family Estate, and I maybe purchased a bottle of wine of two ;) I was amazed at how much information and detail there was behind a singe sip of wine and the different factors that makeup each bottle. I definitely plan on visiting again in the future.

[kmalof]

Following San Francisco ElevatorPitch was a meeting with a pitching entrepreneur on Tuesday, PitchForce on Wednesday, Blue Bottle Coffee with Joe Stojkov on Thursday, and finally a beautiful get away to Sausalito where we visited Steve Gertz over delicious food and wine. 

[kmalof]

October 6th marked the first San Francisco ElevatorPitch at Runway, with over 100 guests in attendance, I really learned what they mean when they say "THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA." The event was a huge success to say the least. 

Later this week I was asked to be in Nathan Gold's (thedemocoach.com) video to send out to participants and other clients regarding what the perfect 2-minute pitch looks and sounds like. No pressure!

[kmalof]

Not only did I attend Rosh Shashannah services with my boss, best friend, and Israeli co-workers, but I was reunited with Danny Nicols, my youth camp's song leader and visiting celebrity! I found myself crying maybe 4 times throughout the service and haven't felt such a sense of belonging in a long time. This day was filled with community, spirit, and song and I plan to go back within the upcoming week to attend Yom Kippur services as well! SHANAH TOVAH!

[kmalof]

Investor Life: listening to pitches, drinking wine, and traveling... at least that's what it feels like being immersed in this culture for about 5 weeks now. The picture above was taken at the Drever Estate in Tiburon, a short trip yet world apart from San Francisco.

I love being an observer, a listener... a fly on the wall. I've taken in so many lessons that I know will come in handy when and if I ever decide to pursue an entrepreneurial venture. It's this experience and my notebooks filled with investor insight that will be an invaluable source to me one day- I wonder if other aspiring entrepreneurs would want to have a look? Possible book idea? hmmmm...

[kmalof]

Santa Cruzin'

[kmalof]

Were not a different technology, we just package and sell in a disruptive way.

Michael Hughes, Barracuda SVP of WorldWide Sales

[kmalof]

Barracuda

On Friday we had our deep dive visit at Barracuda! A long day, but I learned a few major lessons:

1. Be disruptive

2. Shift in industry creates new opportunity, jump on it

3. Find out what bugs you, then fix the problem

4. There is no "right" choice, just the the "next" one

5. When seeking a job at a startup, look at a VC portfolio

6. Sushi is raw dead fish, product marketing makes it a luxury

7. Embrace ambiguity

[kmalof]

Introducing SF/SV ElevatorPitch Series

I never question how much I can take on...

Is this statement true because there is no limit or because time management and execution are critical factors in my day-to-day life? Max just introduced two new elevator pitch events- think PitchForce, just a smaller version. My work week seems quiet now, but I am cautious about what's to come as the 3 event dates draw closer...

[kmalof]

Sales is a transfer of enthusiasm!