It's mid-March, and my first time participating in South by Southwest (SXSW), a behemoth annual conference in Austin. As I sat in the plane, I'm overwhelmed by pressure to pack so much into just a few days.
My goals for coming to SXSW are to meet entrepreneurs, people who work in multimedia production or who write about food and beverage, as I'm launching a business about New York City's ethnic neighborhoods and how they eat and cook. I knew I was off to a good start right before our flight boarded. I sent out a post on Twitter that I was looking for someone to split a cab with once we landed in Austin and, within minutes, a man named Chad walked over to me in the airport. Wouldn't you know it, Chad works in social media strategy for Scripps Networks, owner of HGTV and … The Food Network. I don't believe in coincidences. Other incredible moments: My first trip to a Sonic drive-in. My reaction? "Tater tots, jalapeno burger, strawberry slushy, roller-skates, what IS this place?" I was grumpy after we landed, but that quick trip reminded me that I'm also here to have fun. Another moment: Having a box waiting for me at check-in for me from a new business that lets you ship toiletries ahead of time and avoid the last-minute trip to the store. It reminded me of all the entrepreneurs I know- like my friends who just debuted a way to send people gifts through Twitter. It also reminded me how social technologies have played such a large role in my life over the past few years. I wouldn't know any of the people involved in my day today if it weren't for Twitter, as that's how I first met all of them. Social media has given me access to incredible people and experiences. Even though I don't believe in coincidences, I still feel really lucky. Especially today.__________________________________________
About the author: Emily Cavalier is a Brooklynite, 31 years old and dangerously enthusiastic about life. She's a connoisseur of pleasures. Writer. Moneymaker. Connector. You can find her on Twitter at @EmilysPearl.