Your Network is Your Net Worth with Amy Ogden
Your Network is Your Net Worth with Amy Ogden
On this episode of Financially Naked: Stories from The Financial Gym, our host is Bridget Todd, Head of Trainer Development, and she is joined by Amy Ogden, long-time friend, client, and owner of The Collective.
Podcast Notes
The tag line for Amy’s business, The Collective, is How to Catch a Human in the Wild. Meeting people in real life is a fun adventure.
Amy is a long-time Financial Gym member. She worked in NYC in travel, and that came to a halt in March. She adopted a puppy on a Wednesday, was furloughed on Thursday, and she started two companies and a social movement on Friday.
Amy started the brand Fuel the Frontline, because her brother is an essential worker with a lung disorder. He lives in Florida, drives a fire truck, and he was on her mind a lot.
There were so many people sitting at home wanting to do something. A lot of brands were bringing food to workplaces, but Amy wanted to make sure he had food at home.
Amy partnered with her friend, Erica, to create Fuel the Frontline. People could donate online and the money would be given to their partners, which were fresh meal delivery companies.
Frontline workers could apply on the website and the partners would fulfill orders. They gave thousands of meals directly to the homes of frontline employees.
At the same time, Amy partnered with her friend, Wade, who runs We Create Media Group in the Chicago area, and they created the We Travel Forward website. This was a platform where hotels could list special offers and people could go online and purchase them now.
Within a few weeks, they were all over USA Today, Departures, Forbes, Chicago Tribune and other publications. They had over 40,000 visitors to the site and 200 hotels signed up.
Find smart people to collaborate with and create something together.
Amy contacted the CEO of Jitjatjo, a staffing platform in NYC, on LinkedIn, and she had a conversation with them about creating a social movement using #hirehospitality. They were in the New York Times recently.
Amy went back to her company after furlough, but she realized she liked creating. Last week she launched her consultancy company, amyogden.com, where she matches travel, real estate, and lifestyle brands with best in class agency partners. Even in a time like this, there are people who want to give, people who want to receive, and a lot of solutions to be found.
Having the right network positions you to succeed and a lot of us have become very solitary. Your network is your net worth financially and for your happiness.
Amy is a professional extrovert and even she gets nervous when talking to strangers. It is normal. She has so many friendships and connections from talking to strangers.
Anyone that works in face-to-face customer service, has a strong conversational muscle.
Start by talking to people who are paid to be nice to you, including baristas, retail store employees, servers, and anyone whose job is to interact with you. Use compliments and questions.
Put your phone away and look your fellow humans in the eye. If you have eight minutes to wait in line, you don’t need to spend it on your phone. Over time, one out of 50 becomes a real conversation and it adds up.
To move to the next level, ask to be Instagram friends and then DM them later to see if they want to get together. Hand out your business card and invite them to email you. Be a connector.
You never know if you don’t try. People are starved for human connection and they are as afraid as you are. Start by making the day better for three people, by using a compliment, and make it fun.
If you are uncomfortable talking to strangers, just make direct eye contact and they will probably start talking to you. Wear a sports team logo, read a book in public, or walk a dog.
Professionally, at networking events, get there early or don’t go at all. Get a club soda with lime, network, and get out early. Block time the next day to do the follow up. Walk up to one person standing or alone or a group of three or more.
Resources Mentioned
Amy’s Website: www.amyogden.com
Fuel the Frontline: www.fuelthefrontline.com
We Travel Forward Website: www.wetravelforward.com