Hey! 👋 I hope you and yours are doing well. Each week feels like a month these days. 😩 My life is nothing like I could have imagined a few months ago. So here’s the shortlist…
Meetup was acquired 🤯
Started my own business 🎉
Supporting family in need
Creating a new course for LinkedIn Learning 👩🏽💻
Yes, things have changed drastically, but mostly for the better. I’ve wanted to work part-time for myself for several years now. Fear was holding me back. The Meetup “restructuring” was the forcing function I needed to make a move.
It’s been one month and I’ve already secured my first client. 🎉 I’m nervous and excited at the same time. I’ve been an employee for as long as I can remember. Working for myself will be a welcome change. I hope. 🙏
To that end, I’ve added a new section, “Entrepreneurial Things.” I’ll share various tidbits about starting my new business and what I’ve learned along the way.
On to the speaking engagements, books, and things. 👇
Speaking Engagements
3 Keys to Fast-Track Your Career - March 28th
Ready to take your career to the next level? Then join me as I cover how to craft your ultimate career roadmap and share actionable strategies for anyone looking to advance, pivot, or simply thrive in today's dynamic job market.
KotlinConf 2024 - May 22nd
At this year’s KotlinConf I’m giving a talk on using Kotlin Multiplatform in production. Besides the technical challenges of adopting a nascent technology, I also plan on discussing the cultural hurdles that must be overcome. I'd love to catch up if you happen to be there in Denmark.
RenderATL 2024 - June 12th
This will be my new talk, “Two Decades in Tech: A Survival Guide.” I’m excited to present this to the ATL audience. After twenty years I’ve learned a thing or two that keeps me sticking with the tech industry despite the challenges. I’ve chosen a camping theme. 🏕️ Still trying to decide how that will play out on my slides. More to come.
Books I’m Reading
Get Good with Money - Tiffany Aliche
I can’t say enough good things about this book. Tiffany Aliche, aka The Budgetnista, is like having a super smart friend who's really good with finances give you a crash course in getting your life together.
I’m one of those people who are debt-adverse. Thankful to my parents for that. However, I didn’t realize that I needed more to be “financially whole.” Tiffany explains how you want to get to the sweet spot where your money's not just sitting around but working for you.
Being an eager beaver, I’ve done most of what she’s recommended over the past few months. It’s given me peace. I wish I had known these things about money sooner.
Ok, so what have I done you may ask? I don’t want you all in my business 😜, but so you know how serious I am about this advice. Here goes:
Stopped paying as much towards my mortgage. The interest is low and it’s already a 15-year. No need to speed that up when I had other debt.
Created a separate checking account with no card access just for bills. This was the biggest change that was an eye-opener for me.
Paid off my high-interest credit card debt.
Opened a high-yield savings account at another bank and put my emergency funds there. Out of sight, out of mind.
I’ve been telling everyone about this book. Simply life-changing!
Entrepreneurial Things
Before looking for a client I met with five other entrepreneurs. I asked them, “If you could do one thing differently, what would it be?”
Not surprisingly, most people talked about finances. The Profit First book was recommended so that I could start things off right. I bought it. I put things into practice. I now use the recommended bank from the book, RelayFi, for my business checking accounts.
The tl;dr is to have various checking accounts where your money is allocated based on percentage. The benefit is you end up putting profit first, not overspending on expenses, and you have tax money set aside.
I’ve even borrowed the concept for my personal finances to keep me on track. Along with my new Certified Financial Planner, I’m confident in where the business is headed.
Until next time, thanks for reading! 👋
"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
- Maya Angelou
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