Networking in the "ATL"

          Atlanta is a great city for entrepreneurs and other non-traditional careers. Coming from DC, a very "government employee" environment, it was refreshing to be a part of a city environment that embraces and encourages stepping out there and developing your dream career. There has been a "writer in me" for as long as I can remember. But I was always too scared to take a chance on a non-traditional job that depended on so many uncertain variables. After all, going to college and majoring in English, didn't guarantee that you'd write a novel or get an article published in Vogue. And isn't getting something published AND making money from it, what makes you a "real" writer?  So, I opted for the safer, more stable careers like teacher or lawyer and actually became both: a teacher and a lawyer. Those careers served me well for many years, but after moving to Atlanta last summer, something in the air awakened the creative, adventurous young girl in me who I thought had left years ago. This great city however, with all it's energy, life and optimism has brought me back to my true self so I decided not to run to the safety of teaching or practicing law. My first love is writing and my biggest dream has been to write; first for magazines and then eventually books and novels.

        So I shared all that to finally get around to the whole point of this post: Atlanta is a fantastic city for following your dreams and I've found some fantastic spots to NETWORK and meet those movers and shakers who can help you accomplish them. Whether you're a freelance photographer or graphic designer looking for clients or an aspiring musician looking for a producer or label, Atlanta has people and places that can bring you a few steps closer to developing your career and making you the tremendous success you were destined to become.

        Every other week (from now through the end of July) I will feature a new place that I have personally visited and found to be a great place to network. What makes a place great for networking? The most important factor in finding a good spot to network is exposure to people in an environment that invites conversation.....period. The places I feature will definitely be places where you can meet and talk to people (and probably the kind you need) so trust me. I'm not highlighting networking events either (unless I hear of an exceptional one between now and my last post.) I am highlighting rather, places that are fun to hang out in but have a diverse clientele where you might meet anyone from a company CEO, to a department store VP, to Denzel Washington and his attorney! Yes, I did actually meet Denzel Washington and his attorney at one of the places that I will feature. So be yourself and have fun. Enjoy the great food, drinks and ambiance but keep your eyes open for interesting people who just might be in position to help take you to the next level professionally.

The beautiful and talented actress Tasha Smith was gracious enough to take a picture with me at Ocean Prime, this weeks networking feature pick!