Monthly Newsletter – Jan 2019
In this month’s newsletter
1. Workshop Applications are live!
2. Upcoming events to look out for in January
3. Get to know Katie Shorey, Startup Maine’s Chairwoman/ President
MTI Funding Made Easy
Thurs., Jan. 31, noon-2 p.m. — Cloudport in Portland
This free workshop, sponsored by the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs, will walk entrepreneurs through the new, simplified process to receive funding from the Maine Technology Institute. For more information and to RSVP.
Maine Development Foundation: Leadership in Action breakfast 2019
January 31, 2019 — 7:30-9am, Mariners Church Banquet Center, Portland
Creating a New Normal in the Workplace: Solutions and Best Practices in the #MeToo Era
http://www.mdf.org/events/Leadership-in-Action-Breakfast-2019/969/
We asked Startup Maine President Katie Shorey a few questions about Startups, Startup Maine, and life.
Here is a throwback to SUM2015 (formerly known as Maine Startup and Create Week). Many people know this story but I think it’s worth sharing. In the summer of 2015 I was working remotely for a company based out of Washington, DC and was home for the summer visiting my parents in western Maine. I learned about the conference on TV about 2 days before the event, and reached out to the organizers to volunteer and attend. I stayed in Portland for the week and slept on a friend’s couch just so I could attend every single day.
Startup Maine exposed me to Portland’s businesses and movers & shakers, and a tech scene that I didn’t know existed. Most importantly it showed me that Maine has an immense amount of potential for professionals and entrepreneurs. The thing I love most about that week was the people I met. Those people are some of my closest friends and the best business connections I have to this day.
The result of the conference? I moved to Portland immediately. Literally – I signed a lease at the end of the week. It was one of the most impulsive (and best) decisions I have ever made. Maine has a vast, connected, and accessible network, and each day I see new and creative ideas coming to life. I’m so grateful it brought me home.
3 things you’re reading
Break Your Own Rules, by Jill Flynn & Kathryn Heath: How to Change the Patterns of Thinking that Block Women’s Paths to Power. “Women hold just 11 percent of the most senior-level leadership positions in U.S. Corporations—a number that hasn’t changed in over 30 years. How can women break through? Break Your Own Rules distills the six faulty assumptions (or “rules”) most women follow that get in the way—then delivers the correlating new rules that promise to clear that path.”
Waiting for Eden, by Elliot Ackerman (read the NYT review)
A work of fiction, it follows main characters Eden, a veteran of the Iraq War, who waits to die in a San Antonio burn center from severe injuries suffered in the conflict, and his wife Mary.The 48 Laws of Power, by Robert Green: a book about 48 “laws” on how to live your life and gain confidence. It’s a little over the top, but has some solid advice.
3 podcasts you’re loving in the world
Without Fail: Hosted by Alex Blumberg (founder of Gimlet Media): These are candid conversations with people who have done hard things: what worked, what didn’t and why. I particularly loved the interview with Andrew Mason about Groupon (its rise and fall), and Alex’s one-on-one with Ira Glass, the host of This American Life. But listen to all of them!
The Cut on Tuesdays (another Gimlet show!): “The Cut on Tuesdays brings you women’s voices on culture, style, sex, politics and people”. I recently listened to a show featuring Amy Sherald, who was selected to paint First Lady Michelle Obama’s official portrait. Since then, her career has exploded and she talked about how she handles her schedule, her thoughts on motherhood and more. It was a really honest and candid convo – which I love.
Death, Sex & Money with Anna Sale (my favorite podcast): recently re-listened to three episodes featuring Nick Offerman, one about Manhood, and Ellen Burstyn’s lessons on survival.
I am president of Startup Maine (the organization) and chairwoman of the Board. I’ve been a member of the conference’s organizing team since 2016, and chair the Fundraising team. This means I get to raise the money, and manage sponsor relationships. My favorite part of being president is working with the team and building partnerships with other organizations and individuals.
For my full time (paid) job, I am the Business & Community Liaison for People’s United Bank. In this role I get to be community-focused, build and maintain relationships with outside organizations, and oversee the bank’s marketing initiatives in Maine.
I live in Westbrook, enjoy travel and trying out new restaurants (cliche, I know), and have the most adorable golden retriever, Harley.
