BackOutsideGirlz

"I just wanna say that...I'm back"

Hey girl,

Yesterday I went to my first event of the year. 

I almost didn’t go because I was laid up in bed - COZY!

I just finished reading Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success, by Adam Grant and was ready to start another book but the BackOutsideGirlz group chat was buzzing, and I couldn’t let the girls go to the event without me.

So yes, I went out on a Sunday evening (despite my man’s pleas to stay home) and I’m so glad that I did because as much as I love my bed, my books & my bae there’s something about mixing and mingling in LA that lights a fire in me.

LA Nights

This night, I didn’t know what to expect, who I’d see or if I’d know anyone besides my mentee sisters. Anytime I go out, I use it as an opportunity to connect with new people. But last night, I was a little rusty…not too long ago I was on break, lounging on a beach in the Dominican Republic and spending Christmas with my family back in Michigan. 

So it was to my surprise that upon arrival, I saw Tiffany James - CEO of ModernBlkGirl. I recently signed up for her stock investing class and was so excited to see her so I had to say hey. The thing is, I was nervous. I wanted to stay glued to my seat, but I recently finished reading Never Eat Alone, by Keith Ferazzi which discussed how to unabashedly open yourself up to others. 

In the 9th chapter I highlighted “You have to view getting to know new people as a challenge and an opportunity…silencing the wallflower in all of us that shies away from socially adventuresome behavior” 

So, with that in mind - I got up and spoke to Tiffany. 

“Hey Tiffany, I’m Ashley…”

I introduced myself, told her that I saw her interview with 19 Keys and that motivated me to get myself and my family her course. I told her I was really excited to get started and learn more about investing once the course began. 

The interaction was brief, but she smiled, shook my hand, and thanked me before she went along to enjoy the event. 

Not gonna lie girl, I was STILL nervous because I didn’t know if she wanted to be approached or left alone - but I did it anyways. I broke away from the shackles of shyness and kept finding people to chat with. 

And if there’s one thing about me, once I’m comfortable, I’m gonna talk…

AND DID!

I sat back down and introduced myself to the ladies beside me while I waited for my friends to arrive. I met a professional braider (check out B.Luxe Braids if you need your hair braided in LA!), a marketing maven, and a label girlie like me. 

My mentee sisters soon arrived, so we caught up and made our rounds. We said hey to Heather Lowery - CEO of Femme it Forward and wished Amber Grimes - EVP/GM of LVRN Records a happy birthday. Check out the recap here!

It’s safe to say that ya girl is Back Outsideeeeee🤪, and in true Industry Girl fashion we’ll continue to pop out throughout the year. 

Overall, I’m grateful that I was able to start the first month of the year in good company.

A piece of advice:

To all my industry girlies, we up next!!! No doubt! But here’s a few takeaways from my experience if you’re living in a major city and want to start connecting with more people in your industry.

1. Get out the house: You won’t meet anyone if you don’t go where the people are. Find virtual and in person networking events, group activities you enjoy, and keep your ear to the ground for industry events to attend (you are an industry girl, aren’t you?) 

2. Go alone (when you’re ready): You have to make the effort to do things by yourself. I assure you, you’ll make new friends along the way. Once you do, invite them to hang with you the next time you go out. Get outside & find your tribe sis!

3. Start the conversation: Here’s the thing - in the industry, you’re gonna have to say the first word almost EVERY TIME. When you’re fresh on the scene, no one knows you, and quite frankly some people just don’t care that you’re in attendance. You have to make your presence known and take up space. The best way to get started is by simply walking up to someone and saying “Hey, my name is…”

I hope this inspires you to (literally) step outside [your comfort zone], say a few more hello’s, and give a few more hugs the next time you hit the scene. 

xoxo, That Industry Girl 

Ashley Tioni

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