New Jersey Young Professionals
Get out. Make friends. Meet people in NJ.
NJYP's Anniversary is Today - Thanks from Laura
Today, 2.22.10, is the official 6 Year Anniversary of NJYP! It was 6 years ago tonight that I was sitting in my condo, alone, yet again. I was asking myself “How does one go and meet people for friendships?” I searched online for about an hour; looking for something to join. When I came up empty handed I went to Yahoo Groups and formed what is now known as “New Jersey Young Professionals”. I posted an ad on Craigslist.org and within a week there were about 100 members on my Yahoo Group. The first event was at The Office in Bridgewater. I was terrified to go! I remember driving there thinking, “What the hell am I doing?”. But around 10 people came out and all were friendly (and none wanted to murder me)! The group evolved from there and it grew and grew until it is what you see today.
Thank you to everyone who has been there for the last 6 years and to those who just joined. Thanks to those who I met along the way and encouraged me to “keep up the good work”. At times I certainly wanted to run away from NJYP (for a variety of reasons) but I am so glad I never gave it up. Thank you to those who have come and gone. And by gone I mean you moved away, got married, had a baby, aged out, or life just has gotten too busy for you. Thank you to the a-m-a-z-i-n-g group of friends I have made (you know who you are and I love you all). And thank you to my boyfriend who has been to nearly every major NJYP event the last two years and who has proved to be my biggest supporter across all categories.
Much love,
Laura Occhipinti
PS, Around 150 people were at the Anniversary Party on Friday. If I had not drank 3 beers I may have said a lot more when Kevin gave me the microphone but instead I just said “Thanks” and above you see what I really meant by that.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sharif Muhammad, MBA, CPA, PFS on -
Congrats. I consider myself fortunate to be apart of the group. Who knew that an exchange on LinkedIn would lead to an exciting opportunity to network with so many talented, smart and friendly people, along with the opportunity to develop solid professional and personal relationships. Greatness starts with vision. You have the vision and I think you're great ;)
Here's to future success (imaginary drink in hand)!
SAM
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Permalink Reply by TJ on -
lol.. congrats Laura & thank you for all the wonderful brainstorms, that has enabled us all to "meet".
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Permalink Reply by Deborah on -
Thanks to you Laura, for doing all you do to make this work and expanding it to meet people's needs. I also found myself thinking" how do I go about making friends?" after moving here a few years ago, and I've certainly met more cool people through NJYP than any of the other ways I've attempted. Keep up the great work -- we all appreciate it!
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Permalink Reply by Godfrey Morales on -
Laura, Happy 6th Anniv. to the group and what a great job you've done over the years! I remember my 1st event with NJYP at the Van Gogh Ear Cafe in Union (March 2004) like it was yesterday ... I was in traffic, a few hours late, and figured that everyone probably had left already. When I walked in, I saw a group hanging out on the couches and I said "NJYP?". I was given the warmest welcome by you and everyone else, and remember it as a great time.
After going to a few events, and meeting lots of great people, I actually copied the NJYP Yahoo Grp forrmat and started my own golf grp lol :D (now morphed into the NJ Golfers Meetup). I was inactive with NJYP for 5 years, doing my own things, but being a tech entrepreneur and knowing the value of contacts, I recently re-joined last fall. Signed up for Links and Drinks this past November, and you know what? ... I ended up getting stuck in traffic again, 2 hours late to the Famished Frog, but I knew that there would still be a good crowd in there.
P.S. Great party the other night @ Room 84, was another fun time as usual!
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Permalink Reply by Bibi B the Nutritionist on -
Congrats Laura!
You've been doing a wonderful job connecting people and creating friendships.
You are a true NJ Linking Diva ;) Cheers to you
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Permalink Reply by Will on -
Congratulations, Laura! I remember the Yahoo Group! I've also had many great nights out and met many wonderful people through NJYP. Thanks for your vision and persistence in building NJYP to what it is today.
Here's to a few more years of NJYP before I graduate to NJP!
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Permalink Reply by Laura Occhipinti on -
Thanks again everyone!
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Permalink Reply by Jessica on -
Even though i don't attend events like i used to, NJYP will always hold a special place in my heart! I've met some wonderful people here who have become some of my closest friends, met my now-husband at a NJYP unofficial softball event (but we "started" at a Single Mingle... i still have my sticker from him!), and got my current job through a girl i met in NJYP! I've kinda milked NJYP for all it's worth ;-)
Congrats Laura on 6 years! I hope you know how thankful we all are for all your hard work starting this amazing group!!!
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Permalink Reply by Laura Occhipinti on
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Thanks Jessica.
Jessica said:Even though i don't attend events like i used to, NJYP will always hold a special place in my heart! I've met some wonderful people here who have become some of my closest friends, met my now-husband at a NJYP unofficial softball event (but we "started" at a Single Mingle... i still have my sticker from him!), and got my current job through a girl i met in NJYP! I've kinda milked NJYP for all it's worth ;-)
Congrats Laura on 6 years! I hope you know how thankful we all are for all your hard work starting this amazing group!!!
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© 2010 Created by Laura Occhipinti.
