Launchpad Summit Experience

Here's to the shaky breaths, the halfway-raised hands, and the courage to try again — and again — and again! 🥂

Let me back up…

Not everyone knows this, but I got laid off and it shook me more than I like to admit. I was forced to know who I was without that job. But slowly, I started finding my way back into tech through enrolling in a data science program, saying yes to things that scared me, and showing up — even when I didn’t feel ready. Especially when I didn’t feel ready.

Last Friday, that meant showing up to the LaunchPad Summit in Stamford, CT.

Honestly, I thought of a thousand excuses not to go. But I told myself: just show up. The least that could happen is you get a LinkedIn headshot or get cast on a reality show. Win-win situation if you ask me.

Before the event, I came across one piece of networking advice that reframed everything: don’t go in expecting something tangible. Go to connect. That’s it. And somehow, that made everything feel lighter.

With a printed resume, a practiced intro, and absolutely zero chill, I walked in… and I loved it. Here's what stayed with me:

→ 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬: they lead you where you're meant to go.

→ 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐬: You don’t have to be a robot reciting your script. Real connection matters more than a perfect elevator pitch.

→ 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫: every single panelist circled back to this. Attitude and going a little further than asked is what actually sets you apart.

→ 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲: No algorithm can replace a genuine human connection.

I almost didn’t go, but I’m so glad I didn’t listen to myself this time 😅

Thank you Wanda Palma for putting this opportunity on my radar.

So grateful to Jon Winkel and the entire team — the word I kept coming back to all day was “support”. You built a room where people genuinely rooted for each other. That doesn't happen by accident.

To my cohorts from The Knowledge House, thank you for being my breather and cheerleaders throughout the event.

And to you, if you’re in the middle of starting over and it feels like everyone else has already figured it out — 𝑾𝒆’𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅. 𝑾𝒆’𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈. 🌱