Our guest blogger, Sue Varty, shares her experiences from last week's 2010 NewPath Summer Social.
You're not supposed to show up to events late - especially networking events. But not to worry.
When I arrived at the Rhino Bar & Grille on Queen St West, I quickly found Alex Sirota and the crowd was all settled in and listening to Katherine Hague. Sitting down beside Brent Ashley, I didn't realize how interested I would be in Kat's topic: a transaction-based website for every school, called SchoolShare (PDF link). A way for parents to pay online for all of the little things their kids do at school, eliminating the cash handling through multiple levels of administration.Being a parent of such children myself, I could really relate to the hassles of paying for every school activity out of my own pocket, in cash. My kids have their own "inbox" in the kitchen as a result! Kat is looking for investors and she's off to a great start with the Lunch Lady as her first online vendor. This is one lady who knows how to bring a vision into reality.
Katherine has great enthusiasm for her idea and no doubt - with the right investor and strategy - is sure to be profitable from day 1. To find out more information or become an investor, feel free to email her !
After a few questions and great comments, (and the all important munchies and drinks - did I mention this was included in my ticket?) I got to know some of the other folks there: Pete Forde from Unspace Interactive (I couldn't resist his iPad!) and Shona Fulcher, as well as more conversation with Kat! Finally, I got some time to talk with Alex - the whole reason I was there in the first place. Strange how networking can make opportunities thrive even in the summer months when many people are taking more time off now and then.
All in all, more than 20 people came - be sure to check out the list on the invite! And the winner of Drive by Daniel Pink was Rick Shea. (I shouldn't have told Alex that I bought it).
Enjoy the rest of your summer socials since business is sure to ramp up in the fall thanks to all the networking I've done at the NewPath Network! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again and I promise to be on time for the next one.
Sue Varty has been working under the Wordtree since 2006. Feel free to connect with her on the "social media tool" of your choice. Wordtree helps people finish their writing projects - whatever that may be: