on friday we’ll be hosting the “startups & solopreneurs” meetup group.  this group has functioned as a peer-to-peer business owner support group, and we’ll engage in some casual networking plus set a course for the remainder of the year.

in february we’re partnering with kim reddington and the online marketing & social media networking meetup group to bring you “the power of email marketing (and leveraging social media).”

e-mail is the most cost-effective, targeted, track-able, and efficient way to build and maintain relationships in all types of business and organizations. february’s session will teach business owners how to master email marketing communications with a comprehensive look at best practices and winning strategies that lead to increased profits, revenue and participation (or engagement instead of participation).

erin has over 15 years of marketing and communications experience at organizations both small and large, including emc corp. & staples, inc. where she managed email marketing for the business delivery division. She is the owner of Streamline Marketing, which helps small businesses use email and social media marketing to attract and keep customers. erin holds a BA from syracuse university and an MBA from boston college.

we hope you can join us for either or both of these events!

This second ZENMothra was special to me for a couple of reasons. First, I love the pleasant surprises it creates. Let me explain. I make it a point to invite acquaintances to attend on my dime the first time around. Both times I have done this my guest has reluctantly attended. In fact, my first guest pretty much said she came out of pity (she knew it was a new event and wanted to help make it a success). Well, now each of these folks are hooked… just like the rest of us!

The second reason it’s special is that it reinforced what I have believed all along — storytelling provides a unique opportunity to strengthen our existing connections with others. One of my neighbors and an occasional business associate attended on Friday evening. I have known this man for about 15 years. We’ve been at social gatherings together. We’ve had dinner together. You’d think I had a good handle on his major life experiences. We had the good fortune of having his name picked from our hat. He shared a remarkable story — reflections on an 18 month hitchhiking circumnavigation of North America.

Good friends. Good stories. Good times. We need these. They represent balance in life. And Good balance? Well, that means Good business. Here’s to a healthy, happy and successful new year for all. Especially the storyteller in all of us.

hopkinton high school teacher michael sullivan shares his story about adolescent boy-girl relationships at the first zen mothra.

although it’s just one event old, the “zen moth” has been furiously flapping its wings.  in fact, it flapped so hard that it traveled all the way to new york city and landed at the national headquarters of THE moth (“an acclaimed not-for-profit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling”).

after alighting in new york, a senior producer from the moth wrote to nicely ask us to cease using their “trademarked name”  (kudos to local cable outlet hcam.tv, for it was your news story that triggered this attention).  we’re flattered.  though the lawyer in me can cite many factors as to why labeling our 1st event the “zen moth” was well within the confines of the law, we want to support the moth — not fight it.

so in deference to our lepidopteran friends in new york, we shall be adopting a new moniker for our local gatherings.  the name is irrelevant.  it’s the stories and the coming together that matters.  perhaps we’ll see you at our next event (it’s coming on december 16 — stay tuned).

in fact, there’s so much interest and enthusiasm for more that we’re toying with the idea of hosting our 2nd event in december — at the height of holiday season (what better way to chillax from the hustle and bustle?)

judging from our 1st event, available spaces will fill up quickly.  check it out at :: http://zenmoth.eventbrite.com