Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I thought I was just joining a community of Entrepreneurs. I never expected to be heard on radio. Interacting for me, is KNOWLEDGE and FOOD for the brain. It is a continuous learning. It gives confidence and solutions to every problem.

 

Just by curiosity, I sent my elevator pitch without thinking that it will LEAD to another step. I was surprised when Joel sent me a message stating that if I could consider the possibility, superstar Alison Hofley would be happy to speak with me about my elevator pitch. At first, I was hesitant contacting Alison. It took me 8 days before contacting her (Oct. 16 to Oct. 24).

 

Due to the following reasons:

1. Am I ready to talk to a superstar and producer of StartupNation Radio?
2. Afraid that there will be race discrimination.
3. What will happen after joining the contest and I failed?
4. English is not my official language and it’s on air, hesitant that there will be a communication barrier.

 

At any rate, I comforted myself and pursue it. I told myself, JEAN, have GUTS! I know that YOU will GAIN knowledge by joining the contest. REMOVE that fear! Then, Oct. 24, I sent email to Alison confirming of my participation. I was surprised of Alison’s reaction coz she answered me right away. She asked me of my direct number at which she can calls me. She called me up at midnight here and morning in USA. I was so happy but little bit nervous hearing her voice. But Alison was so warm and laughing talking to me and I was comforted when she answered what’s on my thought, the words “race discrimination”. When she told me that “don’t worry Jean, we are happy to have you, this is our first time to have a participant from the Philippines and we don’t discriminate”, without her knowing…she uplifted me. It’s like there’s an ANGEL whispering to her of what’s bothering me.

 

Oct. 26 – Alison sent mail to all the contestants, asking us to prepare our elevator pitch and advised us to make our phone available for the recording of the show. Schedule would be Friday Oct. 27 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm EST.

 

Oct. 27 – Alison sent me an email, informing me of her call in a couple of hours. WHEW! This time, my heart rushing faster and I feel cold. I know I’m nervous, coz this time, not only Alison but the hosts of the show, the founder and co-founder of StartupNation, Rich and Jeff Sloan.

 

I was able to drink 5 mugs of hot water, just for me to be relaxed. I was really nervous not just a bit like what I’ve told Alison coz I was shy admitting it.

 

Why Am I nervous?

1. It’s a real recording now.
2. I will be talking to Sloan brothers.
3. I’m having a hard time to make my ideas fit in a 1 minute elevator pitch. Should I make it fast to fit in my ideas? I really don’t know.

 

While waiting for my turn, I could hear Kami doing her best pitch. Still continue drinking my hot water “not coffee” coz if it’s coffee, then after my pitch I could not sleep and awake for the following days “imagine 5 mugs already”.

 

Now, it’s my turn! Like Alison, Rich was so warm too talking to me. By that, I got relaxed and ready to deliver my resort pitch. I don’t want to think that it’s only 1 minute pitch but when Rich gives me a signal to start and the timer starts to run, at first I was calm but when I heard the timer stopped, I rushed my pitch thinking that I was really inside the elevator with the angel investor. I was trying to finish my pitch and heard Rich and Jeff laughing, asking me to take a breath, then we all laughed at it. It was really a great experience and learning for me. I enjoyed a lot!

 

Nov. 6 – Alison sent mail to all contestants informing us that Joel welsh, the Chief Community Officer would like to do a podcast each for the community. She’s giving all the available dates to choose from Nov. 13 to 17.

 

Nov. 9 – I sent Alison an email choosing Nov. 17 11:00am – 2:00pm EST. But then, she told me that it’s filled and recording can do another day next week or tomorrow around 11:00pm EST. WOW! Tomorrow? Okay, that’s the time slot left for me. Very advance than expected. Then I sent my confirmation to Alison and she asked me if 8:00am US time and 9:00pm Philippine time would be acceptable. Well, actually, I know that Alison chose that time coz they don’t want to disturb my sleep. Thanks for that Alison. She told me not to worry about preparing anything, coz Joel will just ask some questions and it will be a very relaxed conversation.  Again, I would like to thank Alison for comforting and uplifting me.

 

Nov. 10 – Morning, I decided to listen to Lynne’s (asoundmatch) podcast, just to have an idea. At night, 8:00pm here, I took a hot bath first preparing for the podcast and telling myself if Alison, Rich and Jeff are all friendly and warm, I’m sure Joel too. Now, ready to talk to Joel. I heard the phone ringing, excited answering but it’s my sister’s boyfriend from Canada. Afraid that Joel can’t get through, I told my sister’s BF that she’s not around “gossssh I lied!” Thank God, he hangs up the phone. Now it’s ringing again and it’s Joel. Yes, he is so friendly and warm too. Just having his coffee, coz it’s early there. The podcast recording was so smooth that I was enjoying talking to Joel and we ended it with laughter!

 

WOW! What a great experience talking to the StartupNation team. I could not imagine myself, a filipina all the way from the Philippines, given a chance to be heard on StartupNation radio show and a podcast. It’s a living witness that SUN goes global without race discrimination and communication barrier. Yes, I did not make it to the first but I enjoyed and learned from it. It’s really a wonderful experience and continuous learning to be with the community.

 

More power to you SUN!

 

 Jean

It`s people like you who help us succeed and give others the encouragement they need to pursue their dreams. Thank you for sharing your story with us Jean!

Melanie

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Melanie Rembrandt
CEO, Rembrandt Communications®, LLC
Visit www.rembrandtwrites.com for valuable PR tips and SEO copywriting help!
Twitter: @RembrandtWrites

jean808... I too was fearful of a radio production and I speak English fairly well. (it is my native language)

During my run with the elevator pitch, I was especially grateful for the entire Startup Nation’s production team. They are all so relaxed and it made me feel more comfortable. They really are here to help.

They give only the pressure you can take. It makes you sharper. It builds your confidence and understanding of what it is to be “prepared.”

From another country, or from America, we are happy to have you. Thanks for sharing your story… I especially like the good ending… although I am sorry you have not won the “pitch off.”



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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

Hi Melanie and Vincent,

It`s my pleasure to be here and express the joy for gaining knowledge from the experience that i`ve got.

It`s okay even i did not win in the "pitch off". Actually it answers my fear # 3. I overcome that fear. Being here motivated, learning with the help of the community is like winning already. Thanks a lot to all of you SUNsters, for being so kind to me.

I think every one did is best and I field the same as you Jean808!

But as a hockey game there is only one winner and we have to shake hand after!

It took me long time to start talking to other because the emotion that was involve was high  in the pitch and in the voting pool !

Yeah, you`re right Stephane. We did our best in that pitch off. But when it comes to the VOTE,  the exciting part there was here in our country, i have to guide my friends and family (though they are entrepreneurs and executives too) in joining and filling up the form. I even invited my friends to dinner just for that  coz here mostly not used (just using net for emails) yet in online voting.

It was a tiring week but i enjoyed coz i could even see how my friends (local and international) and family supported me and they were the first reacting everytime my vote was decreasing.

I would like to encourage SUNsters that haven`t tried joining the contest to participate coz it really helps in building the confidence and also the experience will not be forgotten. Also, for those like us that participated already, please share your experience.