My First Gay Business Mixer!

The Sofitel Hotel -Los Angeles – Beverly Hills

A few days after my initial conversation with the lovely Renée Strauss, she called me again! This time to invite us to the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce mixer that was going to be happening at the Sofitel.  I was honestly surprised that she thought of us and super thrilled at the invite. I mean, I’ve been doing this whole lesbian blogger and lesbian jewelry designer thing for a little bit …. and recently decided that I was ready to step it up a little. But I wasn’t sure where to start networking. Then out of the blue, Renée invites us to this uber cool gay business mixer! I’m telling you, the universe puts the right people and opportunities in front of you all the time, you just have to see them and then be grateful for them. Gratitude sends out this vibration into the universe that pulls similar energy back to you and I am 100% positive of that.

But back to my story 🙂

Of course I said yes and thank you, we’ll be there! But I haven’t been in the “business world” in a few years. I traded my suit in for comfy yoga pants that are more conducive to creativity (at least that’s what I tell myself). But I knew this would be something worth going to and I wanted to meet Renée in person. So I was going to need to dust off my pencil skirt and heels and try to look like a grown up.

October 2nd rolled around and Remi and I found ourselves at the trendy Sofitel hotel, surrounded by tons of fabulously successful members of the LGBT community. We spotted Renée early in the evening but she was constantly surrounded by throngs of handsome gay men and it was hard to break in. But luckily we had struck up a conversation with a talented writer, DoctorBuckles who was kind enough to act as my wingman and help me steal her away. I am happy to report that meeting this cute little lady in person proved to be a better experience then I could have ever imagined. She has that joie de vivre that’s contagious and she’s the type of person that you just can’t help but be happy around. So *whew* …. the energy was even better in person. I knew then the night was going to be great.

I noticed that it was about 90% men there, which Renée and I both commented on. I noticed that when I worked in the “straight” business world as well, so it wasn’t anything shocking but it reminds me that we still have some work to do, to get to the point where we have an equal amount of female entrepreneurs and business owners as male. However, I must say that the gay men that we were introduced to and met there were just wonderful. Besides that, I have to say that when I compare my past “straight business”meetings or events with my very first gay business mixer, there is a difference. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that. The main difference was the cool factor. I mean, forget some stuffy conference room or banquet hall, this place was sort of sexy. Everyone that showed up had just a little extra flair but what really stood out was the friendliness. Everyone had a smile on their face and were so easy to approach and talk to. Ha! Imagine that!!! A business thingy that feels more like a social thingy? Yes please.

For instance, we were lucky enough to meet Constantine del Rosario of The Persephone Papers. Renée introduced us, and we hit it off right away. He handed me his beautiful 3-D business card, that literally has a delicate butterfly about to take flight from the vary card and I immediately realized this man was a creative type. But I didn’t fully realize the scope of his talent until I got home and had a chance to look at his work. You must see it, he does these amazing paper installations! This man is an artist.  And hopefully I’ll be having coffee with him one day because we all know how I feel about artists – I ADORE THEM. Just to wet your whistle look at an example of his amazing work! THAT’S PAPER!!! No wait. THAT’S ART.

By Constantine del Rosario

All and all, I have a good feeling about the future and about these wonderful new souls I’m honored enough to get to know. We made a few other connections with some wonderful people, one of whom had the best mustache ever, the handsome DoctorBuckles (check out his great blog and novel) and more then business, I’m excited for the friendships that I can see coming out of this and really, isn’t that what’s more important? Surrounding yourself with good people.

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