Start-upWeekend Chandler: Speed Team Networking

In preparation for StartupWeekend Chandler at the end of the month, I went to a Speed Team Networking event last night.

Speed Team Networking provides an opportunity for registered participants to get to know each other before the weekend, encouraging positive matches that will provide more work time over Startup Weekend.

We had to bring a 60-second pitch, what you're looking for, interview questions and an idea (or something to that effect). My greatest fear is that I wouldn't find anyone to join my team.

And I didn't.

The majority of the technical people really were technical people: web developers, mobile service providers. Just doing all sorts of techy things that went over my head. We had 7 minutes to pitch our idea to the techy people and by the time I was done, I was feeling that I didn't get anything out of it. I didn't get any bites. No one said, "Wow, that sounds like a great idea, I'd like to join you."

The host, Katie, asked for a show of hands if you think you benefited. I didn't raise my hand. She asked for feedback, good or bad, and I didn't have the nerve to say out loud that I was having doubts about participating in the weekend part of it because I didn't think anyone would be interested.

I was seriously thinking about asking to get my $25 (student discounts are awesome!) refunded.

And then I talked to Katie one on one during the mix'n'mingle session. I'm glad I did. She basically told me that I don't need a team. I mean, I will need a team. Eventually. But for the purpose of the weekend, I won't. I already have an idea, I just need the time to really focus on it.

That's what these 54 hrs are going to be for. I'll have access to mentors, maybe other writers, and just time in general to buckle down and really focus on my organization. She said, "By the end of the weekend, you should be able to tell me what makes your organization different from others, what your mission statement and values are, who my target audience is, how and where I'll recruit volunteers, what my goals are 6 months, 1 yr, 5 yrs down the road."

I'm nodding my head because I've already done some of those things. I'm in school to learn all this stuff and I've done some of those things as homework assignments.

Maybe I'll connect with a web developer and they can give me an idea of what my website will look like.

Maybe I'll connect with a writer who wants to volunteer their time to facilitate a workshop.

Maybe I'll connect with a graphic designer who can create a mock up of a company logo (other than The Write Zone, I have two other ideas for the name of my business).

Maybe I'll connect with someone who runs a church youth group and who will allow me to conduct a focus study with his/her kids.

Maybe I'll spend the time creating questions for a focus group.

Who knows? I just know now that the upcoming weekend won't be a waste of time. It will be worthwhile. I'll make connections. I'll get some work done.

I may even take the leap and say "I'm going to take part in Roadmap to Launch".