How to Start a Tech Community From Scratch With Jersey City Tech Meetup Founder Dan Sullivan

Hey Community Builder Podcast Community, Excited about this episode I did with Dan Sullivan. We had a great conversation and some real life podcast hurdles to work through in order to get this episode done. I welcome you to embrace the process with a love/love relationship. Understand that it will make you a stronger person by dealing with challenges head on. The Obstacle is the way. Hope you enjoy this gem. Travis Travis's Show Notes 1. How and why did you start this community? Works full-time @ NJ Tech Council -> a statewide organization that helps support the ecosystem of innovators and entrepreneurs who propel the future that's been around for 20+ years Dan asked himself the question "how can we help inspire and energize the new jersey communities?, how can that be done?" Identify markets with potential and then pick a city -> Jersey City (dead zone) 2. Dan got an idea -> Let's create a Meetup. Let's find a way to do this and create a community. -> A community completely from scratch. Being new to the Meetup platform -> A very daunting task in and of itself Required before starting: a vigilant mind, someone that believes in themselves, and is ready to learn things along the way 1 year later -> Dan's completely transformed One of the rewards + benefits/positives of being in the role of being a community organizer. Organizer = THE Community CORE What's the ROI of being a community organizer? Image of the Community 3. Dan's Community Organizer superpowers: relationship building networking lack of fear to reach out to people -> that's what gets the ball rolling, a really slow roll. Connected to some key people -> the Mayor's Office + the person who ran their innovation department Taking a community from being unknown to known Plans to take the community in a thoughtful new direction + support from the Mayor's Office (happy to help you connect with other people) -> that's how it starts 1st event -> 30 people and standards have since grown Created an environment for people to connect, network, and build community. -> seeing and feeling this experience in real life feels like planting the seeds of a tree 4. Progress update: 1 year later -> 1 member to 1,500 members As of 8/9/18 -> already hosting over 1,000 people at community programs and events Free event on Thursday nights in your city about stuff you like 5. Whats happening now and what can you do to transform? (enter football analogy) -> leads to Dan creating innovative programs -> exploring the bizarre, differences in culture, cutting edge ideas, controversial ideas like sex tech, cannabis, entrepreneurship, and women in tech. Hosted 2 sex tech programs attendance over 100 people both times -> people found it very interesting The exploration of sex in society -> Mission in the industry is to break down the barrier that the media has created A community of people who were trying to get their startups of the ground funding and were laughed out of the room -> fast forward 1 year later, millions of dollars are coming in. Outlets blocking content for brands: KickStarter, Facebook advertising Trojan could get their ads out but not a company like unbound box or dame products. 6. Stepping aside and and letting a new leader come in Community video thanking Dan on his efforts This moment - a complete surprise Hosted a blockchain and going away event / handing over the keys Went out and took initiative to ask people to give feedback on their experience Realize when you're saying you're leaving, people get shocked and scared Strategic Partners -> how much impact the community partners made in the community -> Gives leaders and community organizers the confidence and inspiration to inspire other people to get started 7. How Partners impact a community Having the ability to quickly find where a business will find value and prove it Venue, speaking,