Profits in Partnership

The Profits In Partnership Luncheon is an annual event held to foster networking among representatives from major corporations, government agencies, and minority owned companies. In addition to featuring guest speakers, there is formal recognition of executive education patrons and scholars. This event is hosted by Virginia Tech and organized by Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council.

The guest speaker this year was Nikki Giovanni, Professor of English and world renowned poet (Check this link out)

Who attends these events?

Executives and Contract Representatives of major corporations and government agencies; owners and marketing executives of minority owned companies, supplier diversity coordinators, and staff of business development organizations.

I’ve attend dozens of these events over the years. Aside from gaining key contacts at major corporations like; Freddie Mac, BAE Systems, Capital One, Exxon Mobil, Lockheed Martin, Philip Morris, Hilton Hotels, to name a few...I’ve learned that these organizations have a strong need to develop innovative products and services that can help them gain competitive advantages. My experiences has been, that they rely on and seek entrepreneurs' input at these events for this very reason. (After all, who is more innovative than an entrepreneur??) Most of my conversations go as follows:

1) They ask me what my company does
2) They test my knowledge of their company
3) They then bounce ideas off of me or ask for my general feedback
4) Ultimately, the more familiar I am with their organization the deeper the conversation

Sometimes, I forget that it’s not just individual people who seek out other people to create experiences and partnerships but also the bigger and well known corporations. Martin

Positive Influences

I made a decision 3 years ago to surround myself with positive people and influences. Prior to 3 years, I was in a bad relationship, a painful job that beat me down everyday, and was living a strictly materialistic lifestyle. One day when my body felt numb, I knew I was ready to receive a heart attack and that it was time for a change. I went through a divorce, quit my job, sold or gave away most of my material possessions and started to live. I know from that point, I was never going back to a job with a boss and I was always going to surround myself with people that are positive and that inspire me to be better. I now have the most beautiful wife, my own business (mind you, I’m on my fifth business with WhyGoSolo), a group of friends I would give the shirt off my back to, and a whole new perspective on life.

I included this video not just to promote Sugarland and Country music but to show that you can get positivity in many different forms. Has anyone had a similar experience?