For TEN years of my professional life, I grew into the marketer I am at AOL.
I consider those years, at least to this point, my “Glory Days”.  In many ways, AOL was my college campus, where I learned to be an Extreme Marketer!  I have so many stories to tell, but suffice it to say, when I was laid off in 2007, along with 2000 wonderful coworkers and friends, I was not mad, but a bit sad and very grateful for the opportunities the company gave to me, and the ones I was able to make for myself.

Last week when I was told that AOL Alums were being invited to The AOL 25th Birthday, I was hesitant to RSVP at first.  Especially since after I left, I had worked at a few places and consulted on projects that never quite measured up to the adrenaline high I got off of working at AOL.  Much of my AOL promotions work was with my favorite boss of all time, and dealing with network TV producers and later at AOL Mobile doing an  in-film product placement campaign.  AOL was my “hot boyfriend” that didn’t want to commit and broke up with me but very nicely.  So like an ex who left me, AOL got over me and went on, yet I still had lingering feelings of wanting to go back and try again.

AOL continues to be that “hot boyfriend” to my potential employers – I find that in many  interviews, when I discuss all the fun cross-media campaigns I managed, I get the same “well, our work here might not be as sexy as what you are used to” – as if they are the new boy I really want to date, but is too insecure and feels not hot enough to take me out.

So a few hours before the event yesterday, I decided to go and check it out.   I was probably not going to know a whole lot of the current employees, but was hoping to see some of my old friends/Alums. (most who are now friends with me on Facebook) 

I want to say it made me feel good to be back:

• I enjoyed catching up with my first boss when I was a temp in 1998 – he is going to be a grandpa, so hard to imagine!
• I saw some of the ladies I remember from my earlier days in HR, and later when I moved into Network Promotions.  I was pleased to sit and have some time with a few of them.
• Said “hello” to Ted, Steve, and a few of my favorite execs from the past.
• Got to hug a few of my favorite teammates, including my beautiful ex-boss who has really come into her own!
• During the presentation, I actually felt good about being part of AOL’s history, was appreciated, even though AOL “broke up with me”. (and that decision was with another set of execs that I was grateful were NOT part of the celebration)
• And yes, it was VERY interesting that the last set of top execs wasn’t present, no comment.
• Loved, loved LOVED the Kara Swisher tape  – see it here! (scroll down under the cat pic)
• Saw the official unveiling of May 24th as “AOL Day” in the State of Virginia.

Here are a few things I found out about the “ex”:

• AOL no longer has guard gates! I mean, that was odd to see, I recall fumbling for my badge on many mornings, even crossing the street to go to a meeting, and asking  ”help, can I borrow your badge?!” to get to my meeting in time.
• There is no “across the street” – the campus is now cut in half!  I guess after all the layoffs, eventually they would have to consolidate.
• AOL seems to like the young ones – I could be wrong, but wherever I looked, anyone that didn’t have a name badge (Alums) I estimated that almost 90% were in their 30′s or under.  Again, not sure if that is a fact, just an observation of my ”ex” who seems to like them young.  

And, lastly, from what I understand from some current employees, not sure if it’s fact:

• AOL doesn’t want me, or any other ex-AOLers, back!  This is what I heard at a few tables, but who knows.  If so,  talk about moving forward.  There is such a pool of talent that made that company great, it’s a shame they wouldn’t tap into it.

So I guess if you’re an ex,  you really can’t go home.   However, you can go there to remember the time that was, celebrate your time in AOL history, have some good laughs, see good friends, and pray that the next gig is a better rush.

Happy 25th AOL!

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I have a couple of things to say about networking as a small business owner:

• Do NOT act like the guy in the video above!  When I first started networking, I thought it was “all about me”, and would ramble on about what I could offer, and didn’t take much time to listen to others.  After a while, I realized there is much more value in listening to others and sharing experiences.  You really have to be there in the moment, pay attention and find real connections at networking functions.  It’s smart, it’s respectful, and it’s good for business!
• Read my post regarding Creative Networking.  In today’s post  on Network Solutions’ Grow Smart Business site, I give a  few ideas and resources for the small business owner who has time constraints. (and who doesn’t!?)   If you have more ideas, I would love to hear them, as I am always looking for more creative networking options.

Additional resources on networking:

• PartnerUp:  Network and partner on projects with other small business owners.
• Ryze:  Similar to LinkedIn, this site is great for networking online.
• Entrepreneur Connect:  A community within Entrepreneur’s site where you can join, get advice and connect for partnerships and possible clients.

Do you have other ways of networking with little or no time to get out?  Please share.

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On Tuesday, Haiti had an earthquake measuring 7.0!      
Now that we can start to see the devastation today in Haiti, help can’t get there soon enough!  There are predictions that fatalities are in the thousands, many more injuries, health concerns and so much more devastation we can’t even imagine. 

To start, you can donate $10 immediately by texting “HAITI” to 90999 that will go to the American Red Cross relief for Haiti. 

How else can you help?  MSNBC.com has a comprehensive list here:

• Action Against Hunger
• American Red Cross
• American Jewish World Service
• AmeriCares
• Beyond Borders
• CARE
• Catholic Relief Services
• Childcare Worldwide
• Direct Relief International
• Doctors Without Borders
• Feed My Starving Children
• Friends of WFP
• Haitian Health Foundation
• Hope for Haiti
• International Medical Corps
• International Relief Teams
• Medical Teams International
• Meds and Food for Kids
• Mercy Corps
• Operation USA
• Oxfam
• Partners in Health
• Samaritan’s Purse
• Save the Children
• UNICEF
• World Concern
• World VisionYele Haiti
  Wyclef Jean’s grassroots org
  Text Yele to 501 501 to donate $5 via your cellphone

Do you have any other ideas to help with this or another devastation?  I’m interested in hearing them.  Thanks!

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My talented sister, who happens to be THE BEST graphic artist, has come through again!
After many back and forths with me, her usually NOT picky sister, she came up with a great logo that I can use now as well as keep when my business grows.

Big props to Kristin Simanek, my little sister – great graphic artist, graduate of The Corcoran School of Art, and currently working at the National Conservation Training Center.

Love you Kristin!

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Tomorrow I will get a ride with my friend Jami and attend the first open mic nite at Dish.
I’m looking forward to a few hours of conversation, fresh and tasty food, and fun entertainment.  Doug Vaira is the owner of Dish, and on Thursday, 10/22 will be the first of his monthly open mic nights in which he will give back to local charities.  The first charity is Community Alternatives to Violence. 

Dish is located:
213 W. Washington Street
Charlestown, WV 25414
304-728-8464
info@wvdish.com

So, if you are in the Charlestown, WV area, stop by tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m., bring your guitars, singing voice, stand up… express yourself in the name of giving back! 

Hope to see you there.

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The Nighthawks at Green Hill Farm

 I saw a sign and had that “do this!” moment.   
That’s the day my girls and I were on Route 9 in Harpers Ferry when we saw a sign about a two-day music fest, and I read about all the bands, then “The Nighthawks”!  OMG, I feel like I’m back in time rocking in Bethesda!  I pulled over, wrote down http://www.greenhillfarm.org.  I got home, went right on the site, and saw “volunteers needed”.  I was in. 

Nick Frobouck’s Green Hill Farm is in Sharpsburg, MD.  I volunteered for one of the two days of the festival.  (had kid’s soccer on the first day) All proceeds went to support Loggers and Farmers Inc, a 501c3 organization formed to help in the financial support of families of loggers or farmers where there has been injury or loss of life.

I met Nick and his family (so friendly!), Lisa Jacobs who really coordinated the marketing efforts, and a bunch of great food and small business vendors, families, and bands.  Oh, and I got to talk to Mark Wenner of  The Nighthawks! 

Great to see farmers giving back to their own. What a great time!

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Vote for candidates that have your health first in mind.  If you only remember one link, remember to visit this one:

http://yourcongressyourhealth.org

It’s up to all of us to make this building work for our health. Start now.

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Stayed up too late watching the VMA’s on MTV- a bit grumpy this Monday.
Heck, I’m usually a little cranky every Monday AM, but usually such a positive person, so don’t you judge! 

I won’t go into the whole Kanye rudeness thing at the VMA’s, but it did shed a light this morning on my gripes of behavior in people in general.  So here I am, with my Monday Morning Moans:

• If you can’t be happy for someone’s success, keep your mouth shut.  Don’t jump up on the stage in the middle of their speech, get nutty at their wedding reception, or interrupt their presentation at work!  Hey, if you get a new attitude, they just might be happy for you!
• If someone has a great idea and you want to somehow make it your own, give the originator some credit!  Twice in the last 8 hours, my Tweets that go to Facebook, have been “stolen” by a Facebook friend, as if they had that thought on their own.  NOT re-tweeting, especially a friend, is just just RUDE. 
• If you are looking for candidates to fill a position, actually fill the position!  I have had a post for this blog sitting  in draft form for a few weeks, but will wait until after I get hired before I feel I can post it. (hee hee) In a nutshell, nowadays, the Interview is the new FREE consulting session. (as “Pink is the new Black”)
• If you are an expert, then you are NOT an expert!  I think this one is starting to annoy a LOT of real marketers, as I know this thought is not original, but lately, extremely annoying.  The minute you think you know everything, is the minute you are irrelevant! (that goes for marketers, doctors, musical artists, actors, and even Moms!)

I think I’ve moaned enough.  I’m usually such a positive person so please don’t judge me on Mondays.  Getting some more coffee. Thanks!

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“…see you in September…”
Yes, it’s been a while, and I apologize to ME for not being fully engaged in my small business site over the summer and waiting til September until I truly started back.  I have been employed FULL TIME as a Mom, the greatest and busiest job I have ever had!  

Currently I am what the real world calls “unemployed”.   I have been job hunting/interviewing, working P/T for one great client (Black Dog Coffee) and pursuing other projects.  The Summer Mom job hours just got cut -  now that the girls are back in school,  I am asking myself these questions:

a.  Should I put ALL my energies into Aeroka Media Marketing? (the site, sub-businesses, and patents)

b.  Should I go back to work either as a consultant or permanently in the “real world”  full-time?

c.  Should I job-share to open my extra time up for the business or partner on projects with some of the great women I have met in marketing over the summer?

d. Should I pursue ALL of the above!?

As it turns out for now, it is D – all of the above.  It will be a challenge, but I am ready and energized, until all the chips fall into place. 

In the meantime, my daughters keep me very busy, inspired, and EMPLOYED with the greatest job of all.

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