🤠The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck + 2019
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​Taub December Break. Josh and Lolita Taub. Location: Costa Rica.
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​Happy 2019! “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” was one of the suggested reads I received in response to my last newsletter quandary (on being shamelessly authentic). I listened to the book on Audible and, although the author is uncouth, he does make good points. Two of my favorites were:
​The let’s-all-feel-good emotional mindset all the time is unrealistic and unhealthy.
​Solving problems leads to happy moments.
​Net-net: It’s okay and normal to feel shitty because there are bad days and bad moments. At the same time, it’s great to rejoice in those moments by solving problems. Don’t you love that feeling you get when you figure something out? I do!!!
​Updates:
​Two mentors, Arlan and John, helped me realize that doing diversity and inclusion talks are not my favorite. So, I’m going to stick to topics that make me excited: business (enterprise!), money, and tech. ​
​Philly Startup Leaders Founder Factory. Venture Capitalist Panel. Brett Topche (Red&Blue Ventures), Lolita Taub (Backstage Capital), Holly Flanagan (Gabriel Investments), Chad Stender (SeventySix Capital). Location: Philly.
​Last quarter, I reviewed 500 startups for Backstage Accelerator investment, launched an M&A initiative to support our 100 portfolio companies, attended the Energy Tech Conference in San Diego, and spoke at: Wefunder’s X Fund’s San Francisco fireside chat, the United State of Women and Philly Startup Leaders’ Founder Factory conferences in Philly, AI World in Boston, and judged a startup pitch competition at AI MED in Dana Point. My favorite part: meeting tons of smart investors and passionate founders!
​​Josh and I unplugged and wrapped up 2018 with a Mexico and Costa Rica road trip!​
​CES. HERE Technologies Booth. Conversation with HERE's CEO, Edzard Overbeek. Location: Las Vegas.
​I finally made it to CES, as a guest of Here Technologies, and to Ecuador (for an EO and Startup Grind event) in January!
​Startup Grind Quito. Google. Fireside Chat. Lolita Taub and Sebastian Yerovi. Location: Quito, Ecuador.
​All Raise invited me to join their VC Champions Program! As part of it, I’ll be mentored by the best in VC. In Q1, Mark Suster will be my mentor!
​Reads
My favorite 2018 reads and recommendations are The Art of Saying No, Never Split the Difference and AI Superpowers.
​Life Hacks
​Cold much? I suffer from cold hands. So, naturally, I bought a $300 embr bracelet, a wearable that’s suppose to make you feel warm. Except it didn’t work. I returned it and replaced it with REIs $43 dollar hand warmer 2-pack. Get those if you get cold hands.
​Bad back posture and back-neck pain is real thanks to our phones and laptops. I spotted another wearable: UpRight. I haven’t received it but I’m excited to wear it and have it vibrate me back into amazing posture.
​Allergies. Recently we ordered a 5Strands allergy and environment lab test for Choco and it worked really well. So, Josh and I did one too. Excited to keep my allergies in check. No more grapes for me.​​
​Asks
​Do you have any tips on launching a successful podcast? Thinking of starting one on enterprise tech.
​Do you prefer monthly or quarterly newsletters?
​That’s all for now. I wish you warmth, straight posture, and lots of opportunities to problem solve.
​Lolita