It’s OPEN COFFEE TIME again this March 23, 930 am at the 47 East Facility at Loyola Heights.
We’re inviting all startup-minded folk – veterans, startup newbies, and especially those who wish to take the leap – to drop by this awesome venue to both learn and network!
For those new to this monthly gathering, the format of OPEN COFFEE is pretty unique – everyone will have a strict 2 minutes to make a pitch. A pitch could be ANYTHING – a business idea, a call for advice, a call to partner, a recruitment pitch, etc…
(Well, anything EXCEPT doing a hard sell of an existing product or service)
And as those who’ve been to past sessions can attest – these sessions are AWESOME.
Do reserve your slot by clicking on the Eventbrite button below:
As per tradition, we shall be holding the event in a startup-related venue.
This time, it will be in a newly constructed co-working space near the Katipunan University belt – 47 East. (I was there a couple of days ago – it looks fantastic! Pictures below.)
It never fails – get a room full of entrepreneurial people together to talk about startups and the room just erupts with energy.
In the last open coffee, the discussion veered towards mostly finding co-founders and some the more philosophical aspects of doing a startup.
This one was really all about 2 things 1) ideas and 2) helping one another.
“What do you guys think of this idea?”
“I think that will/won’t work because…”
“I know someone who can help you with…”
“Let’s talk later I think I can help you with…”
I thought it was just awesome.
In fact, one of the attendees wanted to do a study on how this burgeoning startup culture is the antithesis of the Filipino crab mentality we are so often accused of.
Thank you so much Bo’s Coffee, for hosting us! The food and coffee were great! (I didn’t know Bo’s had such great breakfast food! As in!)
JGL OPEN COFFEE PRINCIPLES (very much evolving)
1) We are all peers. There is no one higher or lower.
2) We will help each other succeed. There is enough room for everyone. It is never a zero-sum game.
This year we’ll be starting things with a bang with Open Coffee this Saturday! It shall be held at the Bo’s Coffee branch at Bonifacio High Street.
Waitaminute! What is Open Coffee?
We were calling this the monthly “Juan Great Meet” for a while, but we thought of rebranding it for two reasons: a) if you’ve been a longtime blog follower, you know coffee and “coffee talks” hold great significance for us, and b) we were sort of getting tired of the “Juan Great ____” play.
So what happens in Open Coffee?
Each person is given two minutes each to ask a question or share an idea to the whole group. The whole group then responds appropriately. All this over coffee 🙂
The discussion goes where you want it to go. We’ve had two of these babies already, and they can get quite scintillating!
Who goes to Open Coffee?Â
Around 30-40 people usually come, and its typically a very good mix (around 50%-50%) of both current entrepreneurs and those who want to take the leap. Varied ages. Varied backgrounds.
You want to take the leap and need to get support/get advice/find partners?
Go!
Are you a current entrepreneur who wants to get new ideas or support from peers? Or perhaps help other entreps and would-be entreps?
Go!
Is there a fee?
Of course not! This is FREE of course, our semi-requirement is that you just try to buy at least a drink to support our very gracious venue sponsor.
Special thanks to the good people at Bo’s Coffee, especially owner Steve Benitez for agreeing to host us!
I hope you guys can go! Do click the button below so you can register! 50 slots available. Grab ’em now!
Alcoholics Anonymous, or “AA” for short, has been around for almost 100 years now, and has helped millions of people across the globe become sober, its sheer longevity attesting to its effectiveness.
Of course, as we’ve seen in countless movies, they are famous for their meetings.
We can all easily picture that group in that circle.
Hi I’m ________, and I’m an alcoholic.
AA has since inspired hundreds of other similar organizations, with each organization addressing other chronic problems, sufferers, and addictions – from anger management, cancer patients, gambling, and so on.
It’s simple, really. I won’t belabor the point – the support group works.Â
So why not a support group for people for would-be leapers?
You know, I know quite a number of people already who are always “almost there,” but can’t get over the hump for one reason or another. I know there are a lot of you – a lot of you – out there.
Idea.
It would be a HUGE benefit if you guys get together!
In a recent interview with startup legend Brad Feld, he mentions how it was so critical for him, career-wise, to “finally get to meet his peers,” when he first started.
So ask yourself, who do you surround yourself with? Do they share your passion? Do they support you? Are there people you can share your desire with, your struggles?
A wise person once told me, the reason why a zillion detox visits don’t work for people like Lyndsay Lohan is that after treatment, they choose to surround themselves again by the same people.
I never ever thought I’d put THIS picture anywhere in this blog
If you are always surrounded by the same people – people who choose to fly low, negative people, uber “realists” who tell you it can’t be done, those who are happy just trudging along until each Friday – then a change of scenery can do you wonders.Â
You know what could happen if you just surround yourselves with like-minded people?
ANYTHING.
For example, in our JGL community a couple of months ago, a few like-minded people found themselves talking about a similar passion – sports. Soon, they began meeting in coffee shops. (of course) The question was, why not a sports-startup?
There are a number of startup groups and events already forming in the country.
Don’t be shy. Tempt serendipity.Join one.
If you’re interested in what we’re doing here in JGL, then there are two ways you can participate:
a) JGL OPEN COFFEE: we have meetup of leapers and would be leapers which occurs every month. We called it Juan Great Meet before, but I think in line of our coffee theme, a rebranding would be perfect. We’re having the next one on the morning of February 9. No frills, no powerpoint, no agenda. Just entreps and would-be entreps (about 50-50) talking over coffee about startup topics of choice. (last time delved heavily on finding founders and funding)
b) JGL STARTUP SATURDAYS: I meet with 1-2 entrepreneurs/would-be entrepreneurs on the Saturdays we don’t have another event. This is a chance for you to tell me about your story and your idea in detail. (I love these talks)
Of course, both events are free of charge. And no, there’s nothing being sold but the idea of pursuing your own dream.
Don’t think. Just go. It just might be what you need.
Know anyone who would want or need to go to any of the events above? Who would resonate with this post? Be a blessing and share!Â
JUAN GREAT LEAP 