Tag: New Orleans

Getting Back Into My Entrepreneurial Endeavors

Posted on by Ann Bernard

I’ve been somewhat “off” and offline recharging my batteries for the last 6-8 weeks…that, and moving to New Orleans. It’s been a good break that frankly after what I went through the past three years was much needed.

WhyGoSolo turned 1 on January 5th, 2009. It’s a hard pill to swallow to know the site has been live for a year and there’s been no real traction on it, yet. Tickets with a Twist was launched in August and nothing much has happened with it either, as of yet.

The move to New Orleans and getting another paying gig is to afford myself the opportunity to rewrite the business plan and shop it around for a seed round. I thought I would be able to do make things happen without a seed round, but I need to put a team together to be successful…and I need to be able to pay that team.

I feel better prepared to raise money, however; it’s a seriously tougher time to do it. Not only is it a tougher time to raise money…but evaluations for startups are down and thankfully I wasn’t thinking about a quick exit, because those are few nowadays and also much less profitable.

This is a good and shitty place to be. It’s a place where either things go to the next level or they come to an end. I rather it was the first and not the latter.

I don’t know how to describe this particular part of my entrepreneurial journey. What I know is that I have to continue to take steps forward…new steps based on things learned and walk in faith.

The next 6 months are going to be quite interesting. I have to walk in faith since I can’t even guess what twists and turns are in store. If I think about it…there’s just too much and I’ll drive myself crazy.

The plan is the rewrite the business plan in the next couple of weeks…keeping it simple, and straightforward. Once the plan is ready, I’ll leverage the contacts I’ve made the last couple of years to get it into the right hands and get prepared for the reactions.

Meanwhile, I’m going to keep things going with Yut Media, keep networking, blogging and exploring the web.

Stay tuned!! I’ll be reporting in what’s happening

My Adventure in the Big Easy

Posted on by Ann Bernard

I’ve been in the Big Easy for a week and so far, I absolutely love it!  It’s actually my first time living in a city and New Orleans is a good city to be starting the city life in.

The highlight thus far is the amazing condo I found in the French Quarter.  I decided when I took the orders to come here that I would most likely live in the French Quarter and wanted a place with a patio.  When I walked into this condo, I knew I was home. It’s a one bedroom, 2 baths, fully furnished condo…like I mentioned, it’s got a patio, washer and dryer, and a huge Jacuzzi bathtub in the master bathroom.  The bedroom is a loft type master bedroom up the stairs.  It’s not like any place I’ve ever lived before, but exactly like a place I always want to live in.  I’ll upload videos and pictures of the place once I get the internet connected.

I’ve never lived in a posh way…never lived in a; I’m single, beautiful, young, successful, sexy and on top of the world way.  I want the rest of my life to be like this (except perhaps for the single part) so it’s high time to start living it.  Being here affords me the opportunity to do that and honestly, if you’re going to spend six months in New Orleans…you got to make it worthwhile.

It hit me a few months ago how conservative my life has been.  My ambitions, dreams and desires are filled with expensive, luxurious, eccentric, fast paced and good time type of feelings and essences, but I haven’t been living along those lines at all.  I’ve been playing the when game…when this happens, when I have this, when, when, when is when I’ll do a, b, c and d.  No more. The Now is When.

I moved in to my new place on Saturday.  It was a warm sunny day.  Once I was moved in, I sat on my patio to bask in the sun…people walked on by and we exchanged greetings.  I’m going to learn how to make homemade lemonade so I can sit out with my laptop, a fresh glass to lemonade or ice tea and write the business plan that will make me millions.

Saturday evening, a few friends came over with wine, food, a king’s cake and house warming gifts.  We ate, they expressed their envy for my wonderful pad and we enjoyed a wonderful evening.

The pitfall of my fabulous condo in the French Quarter is not having a designated parking space.  I already earned myself a parking ticket on Sunday for being less than 4 ft from the intersection.  I’m planning on getting a bike since I live only a couple of miles from where I work, and obviously being in the French Quarter, I’m in walking distance to anything I might need.  The additional exercise will do me good since there is so much delicious food to be had in New Orleans.

Speaking of exercise…I did a workout at the New Orleans Athletic Club this past weekend.  Talk about non-traditional.  I’ve been in many gyms, but none like this one.  I’m rather particular about my workouts and the gyms that I like.  I have to admit I like large and modern gyms which NOAC is not.  Well, alright, NOAC is large but it’s antique.  It seems great for cardio – not so much for weight training.  I have a few more visits on my visitor’s pass; I’ll check it out a few more times before I decide.  Part of the journey of being here is to have new experiences; perhaps I can vary my gym experience as well.

Tomorrow my internet is getting turned on and I go back to work.  Next blog post: “Getting Back Into My Entrepreneurial Endeavors”

The New Job in the Big Easy

Posted on by Ann Bernard

Until I can close a seed round I have to maintain a day job.  I thought when I left my last billet (job) that it would finally be it, but I came to realize a few things which required me to look into a steady paycheck option again.

When I started looking for another opportunity in the Marine Corps – the Marine Corps provides me ideal work, pay and benefits.  For 6 months at a time, I get to juggle being a Marine Officer and entrepreneur.  Anyway, when I was looking for a new opportunity, a very good friend sent me information about an opening at Marine Forces Reserve in New Orleans.

I applied for the position and got it!  I checked-in to MarForRes 4 days ago and so far so good!!  I am truly already enjoying and loving New Orleans.  On the Marine Corps side of things…MarForRes is a weird animal, but from my point of view; it’s much better than Quantico.  I’ve been running into Marines I know and meeting new ones.

I have my own office (no cubicle) and my job is that of a Task Order Manager.  I’m here to provide oversight into a contract that involves all the contractors that Marine Forces Reserve hire.  I’m here to bring order, standardization, ensure compliance and verify the government is getting what it should be getting.

It’s not in the social media alley, but I’ve already told the Public Affairs Office that I would offer them help with Blogger X.  They were really happy to know my background so I look forward to working my magic there.

Currently I’m staying in the Navy barracks on the West Bank and working on the East Bank.  This morning I took the Navy ran ferry across the Mississippi river.  The sun was raising, the weather was gorgeous and I really appreciated the uniqueness of my commute.

I found an amazing condo in the French Quarter…unfortunately, I’m facing some issues right now with closing the lease, so I’ll wait till I know it’s mine to really talk about it.

I’m going to do some exploring this weekend and start looking into the New Orleans tech/startup scene.  I’m also going to get back into blogging over at the Yut Media blog.  I’m sure I’ll be able to find some fabulous entertainers to interview and talk social media with.

Moving Into a New Reality

Posted on by Ann Bernard

I’ve been in the Northern Virgina/DC area now for what will be five years this upcoming February and that’s entirely too long for me to be in one place…particularly a place I never wanted to come to in the first place.

I’m extremely excited about my forth coming move to New Orleans – me, in the Big Easy!! I’ve been to New Orleans on TAD trips twice. Once before Katrina and the second time was this last summer. I don’t know much at all about New Orleans, but thinking about her conjures plenty of colorful thoughts. I find her to be a charming city with character, personality and magic.

New Orleans isn’t my destination though…I feel it in my bones and in my gut – she’s the doorway to where I’m going.  She is one of my next teachers. She will teach me about life balance, fun, success and allow for love to prosper.

Being in DC has tested my perseverance, my will and my patience. DC has been a harsh and tough teacher. DC hardened me, she made me resentful, angry, and frustrated.

My faith and my beliefs have taken beatings after beatings however, I leave with my faith in all that I believe in at an all time high. I survived the hell I elected to live in.

We create our realities and we live in the reality we choose for ourselves. A long time ago I associated living in the DC area to misery, pain and struggling. Hence why it’s all I got. I never felt like I belonged here either. Our souls know; they know where they belong and can prosper and where they feel out of place.

Feel as I may about DC, I don’t harbor any regrets. Regrets serve no purpose and add zero value.

The part of the journey that was my five years here were for the good of the whole, for the good of what is unfolding as the story of my life.

I’m not entirely certain of all the things that await me in New Orleans, but I have a solid idea of what they are since I am the creator of my reality. I have been spending a good deal of time (through meditation, reflection, writing, and praying) into establishing what my new reality will be.

My New Reality

I am fully acknowledging who I am, which will not be lost in the sharing of who I am with someone; for in my new reality I’m no longer alone. My new reality starts out with a gorgeous, amazing and wonderful man in it. A man who loves and cherishes me – feelings and emotions I return in kind. I have finally learned to embrace love and to share my life with someone – I have realized having someone in my life isn’t a deterrent towards making my dreams happen, but rather an agent for making them happen.

I also embrace fun, joy, happiness and success. My success is built upon enjoying everyday and making sure I’m having fun. The work load that awaits me will be inspiring, motivating and energizing. I will be putting all the pieces of the puzzle together. Many doors of opportunity will open up; unveiling the things I’ve been asking for. I will not hesitate to step through them…I am worthy and deserving.

There are no coincidences…I am moving to the BIG EASY because I am ready for life and my success to be EASY. I’m phasing from paying my dues through hardship to collecting my prizes with ease!!