Ames Tweetup

Connecting with Hajj Flemings at ISU- August 26, 2009

Wednesday a small group of tweeps were able to sit down and connect over bottles of water and cookies with Hajj Flemings (@HajjFlemings).  The branding expert, speaker, author of The Brand YU Life: Re-thinking personal brand management and founder of Brand Camp University put his best foot forward, and was more interested in listening than talking.

The group that came to listen and connect all shared an entrepreneurial spirit and understood passion.  As we went around the table of five, we all shared our ideas to better the world, our community and our personal lives.  Once the conversation got going, you would have thought we were trying to burn the place down.  The room was filled with fire like passion, excitement and electric currents of connectivity.  Following Hajj’s lead we all put our best foot forward as well, to listen and offer words of wisdom and thoughts to the ides on the table.  We shared a few laughs, personal stories and our plans for the future.

Apart from the connections I made Wednesday there were two pieces of information I took away was from the man we came to see and connect with.  One thing I learned was the term “Grustle” which is a combination of Grind and Hustle.  Your “Grustle” can be broken down into two parts.  The first part, your Grind in what provides your income, pays the rent and puts food on the table.  The second part, your Hustle is what you love and are passionate about, it’s what you aspire to do full time.  It’s also something that could possibly offer more advances and opportunity and the career of your dreams.  You can check Hajj’s video blog for more info about “Grustle.”  The other thing I learned and really got me thinking was about “Operating In Your Genius” which means using talents you have, the things you are good at and fully utilize them.  You can also check out the Brand Camp blog to learn more about how to find and utilize “Your Genius.”

I have to say thank you to Debra Sanborn (@DebraSanborn) for letting me know about Hajj coming to ISU and them both wanting to get a group together.  I also want to say thank you to Hajj for making it a point to connect with people while he was here.  It was great meeting Hajj and seeing Debra again.  I’m glad that we were able to get a few people together for this event,  Kate (@kate919), Krandon Henry (@KrandonHenry) and myself Dallas J. Moore (@mrdallasjmoore), all have big plans and dreams for the near future.  I can’t wait to watch those dreams develop.

After first meeting Hajj, before everyone else arrived I posted on Twitter, saying that Hajj had “a killer handshake.”  Later in the afternoon he responded, “my handshake is part of my brand”.  He was right, it was heartfelt, confident, strong and memorable.

Thanks again for the book.  I haven’t been able to put it down yet and plan on finishing it today.

Make Plans With Us Wednesday Afternoon- August 26th, 2009

This week Hajj Flemings (@hajjflemings) from Canton, MI will be in Ames.  Hajj is the founder of Brand Camp University and author of  The Brand YU Life: Re-thinking who you are through personal brand management.  Hajj is also a personal branding expert and speaker.

Through the grape vine and Debra Sanborn (@DebraSanborn), I got word that Hajj wanted to get a group of people together to talk, listen and learn while he is in town.  We plan to meet at Hixson Lied Student Success Center on the Iowa State University campus from 1:30pm to 3pm this Wednesday, in conference room 1158.  We will hit topics mainly revolving around branding, including brand management, brand value, brand success, authentically packaging, communicating your brand and passion.

If you don’t know the Iowa State University campus well, I have included a map if you need directions.  There is plenty of parking just NE of the building.  You can also jump on CyRide the Orange route takes you right to the building.

This is an exciting opportunity and way to start thinking about yourself as a brand, if you are not already.  Hajj will also be giving out some copies of his book, so plan to join us Wednesday!

#amestweetup at DGs Tap House A Fun Night

Last Wednesday we had another #amestweetup.  This time we had a recommendation to try DGs Tap House (@DGsTapHouse), also downtown Ames.  The bar, which is upstairs and almost hidden (a good thing for a relaxing night), was filled with seating from bar stools and tables to booths and large shaped booths.  Of course we had to take one of the large booths, you just can never know.  The brick walls on both sides of the bar almost felt like a speak easy, hidden away for only a select crowd.  Large windows brought in extra light and an amazing view of downtown.

As the night went on we handed out business cards, talked about how we knew each other from past lives and enjoyed $1.00 pints.  Even thought we had a small group this time, I think we were the loudest group in the bar.  I think everyone could tell we were having a good time.  For a small group, we sure rounded up a bunch of empty glasses on the table.  Before the night was over, as a group, we witnessed one in our group somersault out of the booth three times.  We won’t name names, but it was funny to watch and gave everyone the laugh they may have needed at the halfway mark in the week.

Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy the night with us.  If you are looking for some other great people to follow and connect with in Ames you might check out the following people.  Here is the list of those who attended last night’s #amestweetup.  @ashleymc, @MADINAMES, @soundzdj, @kienan, @trenttsd, @trishasanderson, @marajane01, @mrdallasjmoore, and new to twitter @NurseAlbert.  Hope you will join us for the next #amestweetup!