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When I was in my early 20s I came across a charity auction for "Lunch with Woz". As a "top ramen entrepreneur" at the time, I had no chance of winning but I co
by aresant 14y ago
When I was in my early 20s I came across a charity auction for "Lunch with Woz".
As a "top ramen entrepreneur" at the time, I had no chance of winning but I contacted Woz's assistant via the website.
I said if there's any chance, anytime & anywhere of taking Woz out to lunch for a young tech entrepreneur to pick his brain please hit me back.
That's all it took - I found myself treating Woz to lunch at a greasy-spoon by his house. Gracious, awesome guy - huge presence and a transformative moment for me.
I'm glad I had an excuse to tell that story, because honestly there's not much more to add to Siver's excellent article - the plan he lays to engineering your own "who you know" is just that simple.
So now go do it.
- martinced 14y agoMy example is not as amazing as seeing Woz in person but it got me one of the finest job out there. I second you: pick up your phone. Most people love to leave names and responsibilities on products, in credits, etc. Analyze who made what, search the web, find a name of someone which you think could help and then try to find a way to contact him at his work (do not stalk into his private life) and then call him and ask to meet him. Many people will accept. The first I got invited to a dinner and thought I'd be just meeting the man: no, it was better than that, there were many people around and I got to meet several of the people I'd be working with later on. So now go do it.