Jul 18, 2018
Piloting Your Life: In-Flight Entertainment (Finding Space) (July 17, 2018)
Welcome Back My Mid-Summer Passengers:
I was so happy to see these two happy and tired faces when we picked them up from the airport last week. Both had a great time. Adam wants to be a counselor in training (CIT) again next year and Rachel wants to go back to Catalina Island Camp for a month.
Between Adam’s post-graduation trip to Europe and two weeks as a CIT, I will most likely book a three week trip to Europe to continue with my global connecting and check out more startups to potentially invest in. France will definitely be on the list (which means I will continue with my daily Duolingo lessons) and I will spend the next nine months working on other countries to visit. I am open to suggestions for places to meet startups (office hours) and like-minded investors, and speak at events around early stage investing, investing in female founders, or investing in digital health. I may have to go back to Tallin, Estonia since my Estonian e-residency was just approved!
Jacqueline and I conducted a few interviews on Friday and caught up after not having seen each other in three weeks. Of course we talked while I was gone and she stayed at my house but it is more fun when you can catch up in person. I was reminded during one of the interviews just how lucky I am that I get to work with one of my best friends and of how much I enjoy supporting her and her grand endeavors.
As I was trying to catch up on things this week, this furry nutterbutter decided to make sure he got caught up on attention although I am pretty sure that between Jacqueline, Adam’s girlfriend Alyssa, and Rachel’s friend Julia, he and Violet got plenty of attention. He did serve as a reminder to make sure I take time for my friends and family (furry and non-furry). This reminder was echoed by Jameela Jamil in her interview on GirlBoss Radio where she talked about the importance of making time for love, friendship and affection. This was one of the takeaways from my trip. I need to leave space…not just for friends and family but for serendipity as well. During my trip, I didn’t over-pack my schedule (or my suitcases until the return trip home) which allowed for zero stress related to flight delays and changes in plans, and allowed room for unexpected opportunities.
This reminded me of some art I have in my office that I love and haven’t referred to in a while. The other quote I love is: “If you hold onto the handle, she said, it’s easier to maintain the illusion of control. But it’s more fun if you just let the wind carry you.” Another trip takeaway: by letting go and not pushing for a result, things can come to me. And they already are which is so delightful in re-enforcing changed behavior.
But now I am wrapping things up to head up to Napa for Jason Calacanis’ Angel Summit. I went last year and played poker with the boys and had a great time doing so. Alas, my new friend Neil won’t be there but he promises to be there next year. A few of the others have already committed to joining me at the poker table and hopefully there will be a few gals this year to make it even more fun (and balanced). I’ll be presenting on my year as a solo-angel investor (I have 12 minutes…I’ll be talking fast) and looking to continue to connect with amazing investors and bring them over to the dark side of investing in female founders and digital health. It’s only dark because it’s not fully discovered which to me, means opportunity.
More goodness and news next week…the post is already too long!
In-Flight Entertainment: Darryl Grant
It’s always such a pleasure to meet and benefit from male allies (as Annie Rogaski calls them) in the pursuit of equality for women. This week’s guest, Darryl Grant, was inspired by his mother who not only encouraged community but also fueled his desire to help women build a community to support each other in their professional pursuits. This led to creating Inspiring Connectivity, an event I attended a few months ago and enjoyed a great deal. Not only was I able to see and more deeply connect with women I already knew, but I had the opportunity to meet new women that I hope to help in their endeavors and gain the support of in my own pursuits. We were able to interview Darryl in person which was such a delight. Enjoy!
