This week I’ve been reading blogs and stories of survivors, family of lost ones and beautiful tributes to the heroes and the 2,000 that died on September 11, 2001.

We remember so vividly as if it happened last week. So many are still hurting while others are finally opening up and allowing healing to begin, 10 years later. My friend Murray is one of them. A 9/11 survivor. He shared his heartfelt 9/11 experience on his blog, please check it out. It’s a very touching story: Murray Izenwasser

There were two other letters I read that I found very profound and powerful.

My friend and colleague, Jonathan Schwartz, shared with me an email he received from his CEO at AutoNation.

Letter from Mike Jackson, CEO at AutoNation

Dear Associate:

As we approach the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, we pause to remember and reflect. We remember the workers who were lost by simply showing up for work on a Tuesday morning. We remember the first responders who rushed to the scene and continued to go up as the towers came down. We remember the volunteers who lined up to donate blood to the wounded. We remember the troops who paid the ultimate sacrifice by traveling thousands of miles from home to protect our nation.

Most importantly, we must remember how we, the citizens of this great country, came together in unity; bound together by pride and purpose. The United States may have stirred on that day, but our enduring spirit and values were not shaken. Nor will they ever be. Because when it comes to matters of enterprise and endeavor, generosity and human achievement, democracy and freedom, our country will always be the leader and the land of opportunity.

Today, we are more than three hundred million strong, a people forged in the enduring principles of human dignity and common decency. Together, as individuals and united as a nation, we will persevere, prosper and always remember 9/11.

Mike Jackson

Also, I received an email from the CEO of Meetup about “Meetup a 9/11 baby”. As an avid Meetup member and organizer, this story was a shocking surprise. I had no idea.

Letter from Scott Heiferman, CEO of Meetup

Fellow Meetuppers,

I don’t write to our whole community often, but this week is special because it’s the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and many people don’t know that Meetup is a 9/11 baby.

Let me tell you the Meetup story. I was living a couple miles from the Twin Towers, and I was the kind of person who thought local community doesn’t matter much if we’ve got the internet and tv. The only time I thought about my neighbors was when I hoped they wouldn’t bother me.

When the towers fell, I found myself talking to more neighbors in the days after 9/11 than ever before. People said hello to neighbors (next-door and across the city) who they’d normally ignore. People were looking after each other, helping each other, and meeting up with each other. You know, being neighborly.

A lot of people were thinking that maybe 9/11 could bring people together in a lasting way. So the idea for Meetup was born: Could we use the internet to get off the internet — and grow local communities?

We didn’t know if it would work. Most people thought it was a crazy idea — especially because terrorism is designed to make people distrust one another.

A small team came together, and we launched Meetup 9 months after 9/11.

Today, almost 10 years and 10 million Meetuppers later, it’s working. Every day, thousands of Meetups happen. Moms Meetups, Small Business Meetups, Fitness Meetups… a wild variety of 100,000 Meetup Groups with not much in common — except one thing.

Every Meetup starts with people simply saying hello to neighbors. And what often happens next is still amazing to me. They grow businesses and bands together, they teach and motivate each other, they babysit each other’s kids and find other ways to work together. They have fun and find solace together. They make friends and form powerful community. It’s powerful stuff.

It’s a wonderful revolution in local community, and it’s thanks to everyone who shows up.

Meetups aren’t about 9/11, but they may not be happening if it weren’t for 9/11.

9/11 didn’t make us too scared to go outside or talk to strangers. 9/11 didn’t rip us apart. No, we’re building new community together!!!!

The towers fell, but we rise up. And we’re just getting started with these Meetups.

Scott Heiferman (on behalf of 80 people at Meetup HQ)

I decided to partner up with a person who’s been a great influence for me, a hard-worker and a dream-fighter…my brother George also known as Chef Sazon. Our family own company, Chef George Catering, has been operating for the past 2 years. I’m jumping on board to run and take the business to a greater level. He has no idea what my plans are for him! Let’s just say, the next Iron Chef America

Veeah Media, is my design and interactive company to launch pretty soon. Stay tuned. I’m very excited about this as well as other business opportunities and dancing sugar plums in the works.

This is the part of the story where I’m hesitant, whether to rant about how my frustrations led me to this decision or share about the beautiful journey of my career. <sigh>

Simply I was fed up. Burnt out. Unhappy.

My motivation was slowly shutting down. I wasn’t growing or being challenged. I felt stuck in bureaucracy. I’m sure many have felt this way before and it’s a scary thought, to step out of your comfort zone and start all over again. The idea of walking away from a steady paycheck and health benefits to go on my own was terrifying but I knew it was time to move on.

Last week during my last days at the office as I packed my things and peel memories of the wall. I started to think of my early beginnings when I was just a recent grad out of college full of energy and I interviewed at this company.

Here’s how my interview and proposal sounded: “You will be replacing someone and that someone doesn’t know it…yet. During the transition he will make your life impossible, maybe cry, he will try to boss you around and most likely will not train you. You will have to learn our systems on your own …Do you still want the job?”

This was like some crazy-reverse-psychology-pansy way of forcing me to withdraw from applying to the position.

Clearly there were many challenges but I felt that this company needed help and I could do something about it. I was intrigued by the intimidation so I took the job and the rest is history

AND YES, the guy I replaced was exactly as described and more.

The “history” part are the great friendships I made along the way. The many-many times I pushed myself over the edge to learn…grow…excel. The challenges I ambitiously pursued to take the company and my career to the next level. The late nights, over-time and weekends to tackle projects and meet deadlines. The opportunities to speak at conferences and presentations that helped me overcome my stage fright problem. The fancy titles, ha!

I’m grateful for those six years. I matured, grew and accomplished many things. I’m going to miss my colleagues and the fun times that nearly got me written up. I always tried to bring unity and smiles to this company. I think I did a good job leaving my mark, see pics below

What I’ve learned in this journey is that “No person has the right to rain on your dreams”. Martin Luther King Jr. said that once. Make a change for yourself. If you are sitting there miserably, complaining about life, bitter about your job, wishing of a lifestyle you wish you had…Do something about it! Noone is going to make it happen for you. Do what’s necessary to reach the happiness level you want. Work your ass-off for the things, people and goals you believe in. Don’t let that fire in you and passion die, ever. That’s your motivation. And don’t ever let anyone hold you back. Stop using the economy as a reason to give up. You are never too young or too old to go after your dreams.

To a new beginning. To happiness. Here’s to keeping dreams alive. Yours and mine.

Nessy

The "Human Candy Cane" game I made them play at holiday parties

"Hats & Shades Day" - I entered our pic to an Office Contest and we won

BFFs at first sight. My awesome friends from Reno, NV. Trained by the best!

Running a dept was tough but at times rewarding. The characters made it fun, The SMART Team

Threw a Bachelorette party for a coworker at the office at 9AM. (I kinda didn't share the details when I asked permission, lol)

Putting together Tradeshows & Tech Conferences. Not sure if I will miss this, Ha! But certainly I will miss friends

Threw a "Black Little Dress" 50th Bday...again at the office lol (I'm surprised how I got away with these celebrations)

Was lucky to have a good boss

The plaque I was awarded on my last day. Mission Accomplished

Heads up ladies! We are about to Rule the World -well at least Fort Lauderdale city for now…

I recently joined Femfessionals, a new networking group in Broward, as part of their Board of Advisors. I’m thrilled and excited for this chapter to take off because I believe great connections, relationships and business opportunities are going to happen.

This upcoming Friday, October 29, 2010, Femfessionals will have its first luncheon event.

Sorry guys but you are not invited. Femfessionals is targeted to savvy business woman characterized as driven, professional, ambitious and positive. Women that are open to forming strong strategic connections with similar minded professionals to benefit each other’s businesses.

What to expect at the event…
- Networking Time with other professionals
- 3 Course Meal accompanied with a glass of wine or beverage
- Guest Speaker, Violette Sproul, Founder and CEO of Femfessionals
- Roundtable Intro and Elevator Pitch
- Goodies, Raffles, Giveaways

Begins promptly at 12PM until 2:30PM
Cost: $40 per person
Location: Timpano
450 East Las Olas Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Click here to RSVP and More Info

See you Friday!

I can’t reveal the entire event menu, well at least not YET…

But I’ll throw you a teaser of what burgers to expect and the creators behind the grill.

LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!

COW-A-BUNGA

Amstel Light Burger by Chef George Montes

Bolio Popper Burger by Christina Ramsey

Blue Fueyo Burger by Kristi Fueyo

Roly Brioche Burger by Roly Masferrer

Southwestern Burger by Carlos Miller

Steak & Blu Burger by Ayman Mohamad

Can’t hardly wait to taste these babies   Don’t miss out. RSVP here

Congratulations and Best Luck to all!

p.s Anyone interested in helping me out at the event, message me to join the #MoreCowbell Team

Nessy

Said he knew me, and that I had seen him before. He began to tell me things. Truthful things about me.

“You are always on the go, keeping yourself occupied with events, one job, two jobs, blow jobs (hair dry – that is!) and spend series of hours on your MAC. You love the girly-girl things, yet awkwardly toss it to the bottom of your To Do List. You watch minimal TV, you’re a terrible movie critic, but can easily be addicted to TiVO. You think I’m a bit arrogant and nonetheless you call me Milk Boy for my pale complexion. I must say that, for a 5’2 brunette, my are you stubborn and can eat like a teenage boy. Don’t worry about how I retained all this info, be alarmed that I Know What You Did Last Summer. My name is Bobby Flay and I’m coming to your city for a Throwdown!”

Me: (Gulp) FTW!!!

HOMEMADE CHEFS

As much as I would of like Bobby Flay to be my intro and partake on our Burger Throwdown event, I have to say you just got punk’d! LOL…I had to stop because I was beginning to believe myself too. I’m not always this mean, I kid

On a happy note, you just found out many facts about me and that’s the truth and I’m sticking with it.

A friend of mine encouraged me to write about the making of Burger Throwdown. An event I’m hosting along with my brother Chef Jorge Montes on Memorial Day at Tree Tops Park in Davie.

To find out all the gushy details and RSVP, click here.

In the next few weeks I’ll be putting my blog to good use, if you haven’t noticed I’m a “blocrastinator” and seriously need to get better at posting more often.

Let’s begin!

A long, long time ago there lived a brother and sister who went to Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. He pursued culinary arts, while she studied Interactive Media. After attaining their degrees and many years working in their field, they opened up a catering business in Broward – Chef George Catering. Having lived in Miami for over 15 yrs, they had to build a new network of friends and clientele in the northern hemisphere of South Florida. They took a chance and opened up a Meetup group called Homemade Chefs. The intentions of this group was to teach people how to cook for themselves, for their special someone and with others in a social fun environment. As well as to build relationships for business, friendship and pleasure (lol, J/k but we have seen dates come out of of this group ).

That was the short version of part of our lives…I’ll cut to the chase.

Homemade Chef members have challenged Chef Jorge on a Burger Throwndown! The dare has already been “brought’n” by Chef Jorge at Food Network Food & Wine “Amstel Light Burger Bash” back in March as he won second place.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP-uIlwk6Rk&feature=related]

Homemade Chefs, prepare yourselves! I’m cheering for you Bring It!

P.S Competitors will be announce later today!

- Nessy

What’s Coming in WordPress 3.0 Speaker: Jane Wells

• NEW Default 2000 Theme
• Custom Post Types
• Better Menu Management (custom nav, mix pages, cat., exclude items, etc…)
• WordPress MU = Multiple sites in One (( WP + MU = WP ))
• Stay tuned May 1st

For more update news: wpdevel.wordpress.com | #wordpress-dev

Finding Your Blogging Voice Speaker: Jess Jurick | @JessJurick

• Find your voice, point of interest, what appeals to you most.
• Yes appearance is important! But should not wait until you have the perfect blog site to start blogging.
• Put a spin to it! Not just Copy Paste. No gimmicks.

A few successful blogs to follow…get ideas and observe their niche:

• Silicon Beach
• Holy Crap My Hair Is On Fire
• Wine Library TV
• Blog SouthWest
• Tom’s Shoes

Top Tips for becoming a good blogger:

• Read a lot, Brainstorm often
• Write from different perspectives
• Go out and meet people, See the world
• Don’t be afraid to share your story

Jane Wells, Mark Jaquith, and John James Jacoby

Make Your Blog Social Speaker: Brian Breslin | Infinimedia, Inc. | @brianbreslin

To be Social = Integrative

Social Networks: Build Up or Build On

Put Social in your Media:

• Bookmarking Sites: Delicious, Digg, Reddit
• Social Browsing Sites: Stumble Upon

Turning Your Blog Viral:

• Make reading your blog infectious
• Turn your readers into promoters

Best Practices:

• Understand the culture of social networks
• Treat the community with respect
• Engage your community whenever they want to

Things to Avoid:

• Spamming seriously
• Diving IN without testing things OUT first

Simplifying Social = Plugins

Future of Social Blog:

• (OPEN ID) Identity Providers
• (DISO) Distributed Social Networks
• Activity HUBS (Activity Streams)

Attendees Sara & Brad from pixelscut.com

E-commerce & WordPress

Speakers: Shayne Sanderson | 9seeds | shaynesanderson.com | @shaynesanderson

Things to consider in your planning before building your e-commerce site and deciding which source to use:

• How many products you have, What type of product…
• Does your product have attributes (sizes, colors, etc…)
• What will be your Gateway (Need SSL_encrypt data HTTPS Secured Site)

E-commerce Plugins…

How do you decide what’s best for you or your client? Research! Take a look at these plugins, do some investigation on the features you #1 need, #2 want and #3 it be real-cool to have. Just remember that Need comes before Cool to Have.  Make your decision based of what will be effecient for the user and manageable for you.

• Quick Shop
• eShop
• PayPal Shortcodes
• Simple PayPal Shopping Cart
• Fat Free Cart (Shipping & Sales Tax)
• Ecwid Shopping Cart (iFrame & Real-time Ship Quotes)
• StorePress
• ShopperPress (Analytics)
• PHPurchase (Tax by State & Zipcode) – $49
• Shopp (Solid Plugin, 200 Template Tags “Short Codes”) – $55
• WP Ecommerce ( Theme engine) – FREE

I hope these notes and links help you on your WordPress endeavors. Be sure to check out this local user group South Florida WordPress Meetup, for monthly updates and info on WP.

Photography by Yours Truly -Vanessa Montes

Anyhow, i like to cut to the chase. I made up my mind to make an effort and deposit my dancing sugar plums into this humbly abode some call a blog. It’s 5Am in the morning and I have yet to go to bed.  In a few hours my ass will be in the shower lamenting why I didn’t shut my eyes at a civil time with the rest of the Eastern timers. West side are you with me? I was commenting to a friend about a post I had seen and was interested to know if I would qualify for it. Just wondering, nothing series just a thought in head. His immediate response was you’re grammar and writing stinks! I’m no poet or eloquent speaker, I know my weakness. Out of all 10 skills required, I was out by one, a communications degree. I’m a total cheeseball, I could of told you that! Then he said that most employers would usually hire natives of the language to avoid people with poor grammar and composition. People like ME, latin? The conversation got worse than better. I’m a big baby and still thinking about it and now writing about it.  Bothered by the comment of someone who has good insight of me, my goals and dreams. I will rephrase that line, someone I thought knew me.  I don’t mind criticism, I mind the lack of etiquette to make it constructive not crushing. So I came to this country 20 years ago not knowing the language, took ESOL classes like forever, read encyclopedias to learn to write and speak cause that was our google back then….does that automatically make me an incompetent candidate?

If you are expecting great grammar, please exit this blog ASAP. I write about my occurrences, ideals and hot cakes. I stay away from HYPOcrites, the ones who love you enough to dig you in a hole for an instant moment of self gratification. I’m no better than you, news flash, you’re not better than me either. The world is filled with colors and animals. If I were to pick one of each, I’d be a blue rhino. Skin so tough, hard to penetrate. Passive-aggressive like the blue oceanic seas.

Peter Leshaw, an Internet Marketing consultant was among the speakers on “Using Social Media in your Job Search” on August 25 @ PinkSlip Networking. He discussed many things you, (me), we should be doing using social media in your job search. I thought to myself…”Well I have a full time job, a small business, and do freelance -I’m not sure this topic is really for me”. I found his enthusiasm and message interesting, so I sticked around for more and I’m so glad I did. He said something that opened up my eyes..sort of like a neck breaker moment. Say that again!?! Intrigued yet?

Alright here are my notes from my epiphany…
Keep Your Resume CURRENT and online. Simple as that. Employers and agencies that are looking for candidates search online, why isn’t your resume online when you have free tools at your disposition? Now it gets better…Business owners, consultants, full time freelancers, self-employed people…DO YOU HAVE A RESUME POSTED ONLINE? What’s the point of that if you are the boss of you? Well my friend, if someone runs into your name or your skills, specialty, experience and offers you a position, obviously your not looking for a job but you are looking for business. Some companies may prefer the idea of doing business with you as; B2B, independent contractor or as a consultant. This is just another way to expand your opportunities, market your name and be the “word of mouth” on search engines.

Here are the steps to find your next job or business lead:

1) Write a well written Sales Letter/Cover Letter about you.
- Be sure you proofread and optimize it, in other words “don’t make it a recipe”. It’s an introduction like a movie trailer of you.

2) Keep your resume current and up to date.
- This is a must for online profiles and also WORD or PDF attached files.

3) Setup a profile on the following accounts…
- Google.com/profile or gmail account also allows you to do this
- LinkedIn: Gather professional titles/descriptions for your ideal job title as well as all past job titles. You can use Google’s free keyword tool to do some research. Basically, be specific in your title on what you specialize…e.g “Software Specialist”, this can be too broad specially if you don’t master all. Try using something like “Adobe Photoshop Specialist, Web Designer & Flash Expert”. It’s short, to the point and the reader can automatically identify what you’re all about.
- Facebook: If using for business, keep the dialog for business ONLY. No personal conversations, drunken pictures/videos, or political/religious opinion that can jeopardize you as a trusted individual for your business.
- Twitter: Tweet brilliant thoughts, quotes, educational or worth sharing news with the world!
- Delicious: Create this account and bookmark your Emurse profile here)
- Digg: (link your Google profile here)

4) Create an account on Emurse.com (This site allows you to create, store, and share your resume online. You can have more than 1 resume. Also a great way to track your resume and how are people finding you)

5) Blog: Start a blog about you, your services, products. Free blogs; WordPress, Blogger, plenty of free ones out there

6) Buy your domain name: www.YourNameYourLastName.com

Do all this and you will find yourself on the top searches @ zero cost. If you think I’m kidding, type the speaker’s name in google right now…Peter Leshaw…go on do it!  This guy is listed on the first 2 search pages of search engines. No problem finding him

Try it out! Let me know what results you got from these collaborative social media tools.

Yours truly,

Vanessa Montes

Stay tune my fans, lol

Vanessa

I know I have a hard time updating it on a daily basis but if I add my time on a weekly basis, it’s a whole lot! Cheez, I should of spend that time freelancing, eh! Anyhow, I have my battles if it’s a good thing or a bad thing that we spend so much time following people online, looking at pictures, joining more networks, posting comments rather than doing something more productive with our times. Then, again look at me sitting here posting my thoughts and links @ midnight to take some of your productive time. LOL, I’m a wreck! 

Well that was just my intro…a little confusing but I’m sure there is at least someone here who have thought about it too!

I attended a discussion by Sheryl Cattell about Making Money with Social Media. She gave out a list of helpful sites and tips to stay on top of social networks and using them to promote your business and your name. If we are spending so much online, why not spend it making money while you are at it. Best practices, use your social accounts to post brilliant things about you, your services, products and company. Get your name/company out to the world! Word of mouth is powerful..So is social networking. Ask your friends and family to add your web site links to their sites, facebook, myspace pages. Little things like that can get you an opportunity, job, clients, Etc…Just flinging some ideas @ you. Check out these sites and links! Information, courtesy of Sheryl Cattell, twitter: @allmaya

Follow the Conversation
- Google Alerts – your name, your hashtag
- www.tweetdeck.com
- www.seesmic.com
- http://search.twitter…
- http://twemes.com…
- http://hashtags.org…
- www.tweetscan.com

Start a Conversation
- Twhirl (used for virtual intranets, desktop client)
- Twitpic (post pics from your phone)
- Ping.fm (post once distributes many – blog, twitter facebook)
- Tweetlater – schedules posts while you are away, autoresponds to followers
- Twitterlocal – get local info from locals (great for traveling)
- Tweetseeker – search and rank tweet keywords

Mobile Twitter
- Twitterberry
- Twitter Mobile
- PocketTwit – Windows Mobile
- iTweet
- Tweetie for iPhone
- Hahlo – iPhone/iPod

Getting the Word Out
- Twellow
- We Follow

Other Twists of Interest
- Tweetmyjobs – subscribe by city and discipline
- Microtweet
- #socialmedia
- #sfima
- Twitter Karma (who is following who)
- Twitter Sheep (analyze bio words and presents a tag cloud)
- TinyURL (bit.ly or is.gd)

Check Out these sites to get ideas how others are using social media to create fan base:
- Facebook Fan Pages: cocacola, nutella, pizza, mrbean, pringles
- Facebook Groups: Contiki Holidays, Socialmobile
- LinkedIn Companies: Dell, Home Depot
- LinkedIn Groups: eMarketing Association Network (100K), SFIMA (1K)
- Twitter: @ Delloutlet