Hey all, David here.
Today Pink Robot Studios is announcing the launch of our new business, Wallaby Bloc.
Wallaby Bloc is a professional community homegrown in Boise, Idaho. We’re hosting networking events for charity around town with a two-pronged focus:
- Going above and beyond what standard networking events can offer, and
- Encouraging concrete discussion of how we can make Boise better.
We’re creating a community of people who care about this city and want to use their influence for good, while meeting other cool people.
The common good needs common people. Read on to see how we’re doing it!
Making Connections Happen
A few months ago, my friend Paige told me there’s a big problem in the psychology field: information and opportunity aren’t being passed down to the new generation.
But it’s not just age gaps, right? There’s gaps all over the place. And many networking events accomplish the same goal of letting the same people at the top talk to the same people. Not helpful.
So how are we addressing this?
A Comprehensive Event Website
We’re going back to our roots as a web design studio.
All Wallaby Bloc event attendees get access to the private event website, where they can see everyone who will be there, where they work, what they can provide, and what Star Wars movie they’re partial to (among other things).
People who have joined the Bloc can scroll through this list, pick out a few people they’re interested in talking to, and walk in the door with some good icebreakers to get the conversation rolling (and a cheat sheet in their pocket).
Keeping it Rolling
In addition to the website, each event will have a host of options for people to get connected.
Firstly: thought leaders will be holding court with full-length speeches – not just general stuff, but specific to the goals and target industry of the event. They’ll be available for networking before and after.
Secondly: we’ll be hosting “sidebars,” where any attendee who wants to start one can gather groups of people interested in a topic for a side discussion during the event.
Thirdly: Ashley, Lugo and I will be the matchmakers of the night. We’ve vetted, spoken to, and know personally everybody who’s there, and we can help get you introduced to them.
Making Ideas Happen
The work doesn’t stop when the doors close – the event is just the start of the movement.
We’ll be setting up “idea walls” at the event, each with a prompt where anyone is welcome to tack on their revolutionary ideas.
Anyone else who loves the idea can tack their name onto it, or quip about how they can help out.
It’s all in service of the goal of the event. Not just connecting people, but asking questions about a problem Boise is facing and how we can solve it.
After the event, we’ll be collecting all responses and connecting the people who can get it done.
Our First Event
We’re excited to announce our first event, Defining Good, at Beside Bardenay on August 28th at 6 PM.
The focus of this event is becoming a social enterprise. How can we take those first steps to allowing our businesses to do good for the people around us?
All proceeds from this event will go to City of Good, a local charity focused on equitable access to food in Boise.
Our featured speaker is Cincinnati’s own David Gaines – author of Radical Business, owner of La Terza Coffee, and a good friend of mine.
Details below:
- Date: Wednesday, August 28, 6:00 PM
- Cost: $35 (scholarships and higher-tier tickets available)
- Sponsors: Pink Robot Studios and the Social Enterprise Alliance (interested in sponsoring?)
- Venue: Beside Bardenay
- Charity: City of Good
- Featured Speaker: David Gaines, “How Do We Define Good?” (think you can speak too? Let us know)
- Length: 2 hours
- Provisions: full bar and tons of appetizers!
- Target Audience: young, talented businesspeople/entrepreneurs, and longtime Boise business owners, especially in the food and beverage industries
- Target Attendance: 60-80 people
- Dress Code: business casual
Wallaby Bloc events are invite-only! We’re reaching out personally to people we believe would be excellent members of the Bloc.
We’re looking for members right now. Think you fit the bill? You can request an invite here.
We’re also on the hunt for more sponsors. Interested? Let us know.
I can’t remember the last time I’ve been this excited for something. Together, I really think we can do something incredible! Hope you can make it.
-David
