Right now I’m driving back to my little house in CT from the Geezeo ZoomInfo Compete + sponsored Tech Cocktail event in Bostonian MA. Cool event. Probably 500+ folks chatting, drinking, hanging.

This is the type of event that I like. Nothing planned except for a few fun events - particularly, a raffle coordinated with a money machine (fitting for Geezeo) where folks had to enter a booth and grab as much fake money as possible as it blew around their heads. I totally rocked this game (which didn’t matter because you didn’t win anything except for the chance to drop your biz card into the raffle - blah) but my strategy was killer. I’d tell you but then if we ever were to encounter each other at another geek networking event with a money-blowing-around-your-head machine competition, you’d totally trump me. Not cool. A Wii, of course, was also present. First time playing a Wii for me and I totally stink so it will probably be the last. There were probably a few other things that I didn’t pay much attention to. I was too busy chatting folks up.

At the bar I ran into Mark from MarksGuide, a guy my buddy Matt has been trying to connect me with for sometime. He has an awesome concept for a hyperlocal, biz event happening site and I’ve already got some great ideas for how he can build up some excitement and get some Craig’s List type hype. I also had several fabulous conversations with Jill from Fashion Public. Her mission is to get boutique fashion directly into the hands of fashionistas. Another awesome concept. Jill is currently in the fund gathering stage. If there’s anyone out there that would like to invest in a sure-fire hit company, please contact Jill and give her your money. I’d love to work with her and the funds will make this happen. Thanks.

I also ran into BzzAgent reps. BzzAgent and I go way back. Pete from Geezeo will tell you that I told him about BzzAgent like four years ago. It was great to meet the folks face-to-face. Awesome WOM company and I’m excited to learn more about their new Frog Pond adventure. I haven’t participated in one of their campaigns in a while but I will be sure to hook up with one ASAP.

Honestly, if every conference and seminar out there was replaced with a straight out networking event, I think they’d be 30% more successful. Maybe even 38%. It’s the right environment to make things happen - people hanging out, talking, getting to know each other. It just makes sense. Thanks TechCocktail funders - looking forward to the next one.

As previously stated, my fab new website is under construction - this blog is a placeholder while I pay Go Daddy to hold my spot in the “every-URL-on-earth-is-taken” online universe.

One bit of advice for all those starting their own business . . . if you think you understand just how many hats you’ll be wearing, you have no clue. Literally, you are everything from accounts receivable and CEO to messenger and IT support. That means time management either becomes your best friend or your arch enemy. Right now I’m in the middle of planning a charity croquet tournament in Stonington, Conn. that is taking place on 7/29. That’s under 4 weeks! The organizers really want this to happen on that date, despite my pleas to move it to early September. But no worries, we’ll make it happen.

The challenge for me is to simultaneously keep the wheels turning on my business without dropping the ball on an event that could potentially soak up every minute of my day. That means juggling the following today: query clients on payments that are due, persuade local businessess to offer raffle prizes for the tournament gratis, contact potential clients to get work lined up, get local media to cover the croquet tournament before it happens, meet deadlines on work I’ve promised to current clients, calculate and submit a quote for a new client, find more volunteers to spend their Sunday helping to run a croquet tournament and spend time writing content to promote myself to an even wider audience of potential clientele. I haven’t even had time to do real businessy things like draw up balance sheets to determine exactly how much money I need to make to help support the mortgage payment and food for the dog. And I won’t bother you with what’s on my plate for tomorrow.

I wouldn’t trade owning my own business for anything. As far as I can see expensive healthcare is the only downside - I’m grateful for the full plate! And I don’t even care that I have an unsteady flow of cash right now. I know it won’t be for long once I have a few more clients under my belt. Good thing the dog can live off his own fat for a while. He’s at least 16 or 17 pounds away from being even close to svelte. Well, it might be a long summer for him . . . I’d better get back to it!

If you’ve actually stumbled onto this site and are wondering where it is . . . don’t be confused, it’s on the way. This blog is a placeholder until a very excellent web designer (Jen Huls of POP Stalin Design, www.popstalindesign.com) can work her magic.

Starting your own business is a heck of a ride. Each day is crazier than the next and I love it! Right now I’m juggling various projects that include helping a start-up web company formulate their brand, bidding on work for a major toy company, planning a wedding (not my own thank god) and doing pro-bono work on a charity event. The charity event is a croquet tournament in Stonington, Connecticut on July 29. I’ve got basically four weeks to get this thing, from start to finish, promoted, produced and profitable. Should be an insane July. And, actually, I can’t wait. Bring it on time crunch gods!