February 23, 2011

Entrepreneurs, unite! Can't-miss Biznik event this Thursday

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For many new and veteran entrepreneurs, one of the biggest drawbacks of working solo is, well, working solo. Sure, it's great to finally be in control of where and when and for whom you work, but often that means working by your lonesome from your sofa, kitchen table, or spare bedroom with no one to talk to but your goldfish.

Yes, you might shoot the breeze with your fellow solo workers on Twitter or Facebook throughout the week. But trading a few tips and quips about the self-employed life while hunched over a laptop in your underwear doesn't compare to combing your hair, leaving the house, and having an actual face-to-face conversation with a real, live human being.

Seattle area solo workers longing to scratch that itch are in luck. This Thursday, February 24, Biznik, a Seattle startup that's blossomed into an award-winning web community of small business owners worldwide, will host a unique networking event for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and other self-employed types. 

Called SHINE On, the event features a screening of the 24-minute film SHINE: The Entrepreneur's Journey, produced by Biznik, directed by Biznik co-founder Dan McComb, and featuring the stories of both everyday and household-name entrepreneurs, including iStockphoto founder Bruce Livingstone. Also promised for the evening: a group discussion about the film, light-hearted schmoozing, and general good cheer among self-employed peers.

Here's a trailer for the film:

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at Seattle's Spitfire Grill, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Registration required, but hurry, spaces are filling up. Details here.

If you can't make this week's SHINE On event, fear not. Several other options follow:

• Capitol Hill coworking facility Office Nomads will host a SHINE On event on Wednesday, March 16, at 6:30 p.m. Admission free; registration required. Details here.
• Bellevue meeting space The Loft will host a SHINE On event on Thursday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. Admission free; registration required. Details here.
• A number of other SHINE On events have been scheduled around the country (including events in Bellingham and Portland). Details here.
• If you have the space to do it, you can host a SHINE On event of your own, right in your own neighborhood. Doing so is free and easy. Email Biznik community manager Matt Lawrence for details.
• Finally, if you can't wait for an event to see the movie, you can watch SHINE online any time.

Michelle Goodman is the author of "My So-Called Freelance Life" and "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide." E-mail Michelle at mgoodman@nwjobs.com

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events, networking, self-employment, social media

2 Comments

Matt Lawrence on February 23, 2011 12:09 PM | Reply

Thanks Michelle, for encapsulating so well why this film was made - and why we want people to see it.

Frank comments about the journey of entrepreneurship are cropping up all over the place online - my hope is that we can get it going at F2F events as well.

If anyone has the slightest inkling of interest to host a screening - definitely drop me a line, and I will help get you hooked up with a cool venue.

Casz Brewster on February 24, 2011 7:00 AM | Reply

Would love to be there, but already booked with classes. Looks awesome. Catch you all next time.

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