OTS 217: Gently Hugging – Emily Merrell

On the Schmooze Podcast: Leadership | Strategic Networking | Relationship Building

Today’s guest is a super connector. Nothing makes her happier than connecting people who could mutually make each other's lives more enjoyable. She is the founder and chief networking officer of Six Degrees Society, a female-focused networking organization that handpicks who you meet while networking. It has been called one of “The Best NYC Networking Events If You Want To Find A New Job” by Refinery 29 and “Where To Meet Women Who Are As Obsessed With Their Career As You” by Girl Boss. In 2020, Six Degrees Society held over 80 events virtually and has an IRL presence in NYC, SF, LA and Chicago. They have partnered with brands such as Ann Taylor, Rebecca Taylor, Rebecca Minkoff, Kendra Scott, Vince, Theory, Velvet, and many more. As a business coach for solopreneurs, she has helped her clients launch their businesses, create communities, raise their prices, streamline their messaging, and cross the six figure mark. She has also built an event career in Special Events and Marketing at Ralph Lauren, Club Monaco, Tory Burch, and INTERMIX. If you like what you hear today, tune into her podcast The Sixth Degree. Please join me in welcoming Emily Merrell. Would you leave an honest rating and review on Apple Podcast? Or Stitcher? They are extremely helpful and I read each and every one of them. Thanks for the inspiration! In this episode we discuss: her thoughts on leadership: “Leaders are people who can go past their own doubts and are able to stand up for others.” her desire to learn and hear the stories of adults when she was a child. her experience and thoughts with having au pairs growing up. her experience moving to Argentina after college and networking while living there for 9 months. her desire to be uncomfortable and building a connection from scratch. the very first networking event that launched the entrepreneurial bug in her heart. her strategy for matching people at events. her conflict of charging for her virtual events. her strategy of nurturing her networks. Links Emily Merrell on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter. www.sixdegreessociety.com on Instagram Attend your first event for free with code: virtualsds Books mentioned in this episode: The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell Quarterlife Crisis: The Unique Challenges of Life in Your Twenties by Alexandra Robbins and Abby Wilner About Robbie: Robbie Samuels is a keynote speaker, TEDx speaker, and relationship-based business strategy coach who has been recognized as a “networking expert” by Harvard Business Review Ascend, Forbes, Lifehacker, and Inc and as an "industry expert in the field of digital event design" by JDC Events. He created The 5% Advantage Program, a four-week experiential program that helps presenters grow in their confidence with Zoom, online facilitation, and virtual event design so they can reduce their tech angst and host more engaging online experiences that meet the purpose of the convening and participants' need for content and connection. He is the host of #NoMoreBadZoom Virtual Happy Hour, a popular weekly virtual event that explores new ways to design engaging virtual experiences. He assists organizations with bringing their in-person events strategically online as a Virtual Event Design Consultant, Virtual Emcee, and Zoom Producer. He is the author of the best-selling business book Croissants vs. Bagels: Strategic, Effective, and Inclusive Networking at Conferences and has been profiled in the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Fast Company. He writes for Harvard Business Review Ascend. His clients include associations, women's leadership summits, and corporations including Marriott, AmeriCorps, Hostelling International, and General Assembly. He has been featured in several books including Stand Out: How to Find Your Breakthrough Idea and Build a Following Around It by Dorie Clark and The Connector’s...