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Career, Entrepreneurship, Generation Y, Knowing yourself, Networking, Women

I met Penelope Trunk today

posted by Rebecca Thorman  ////  July 20

Note: This post was originally published on my first blog, Modite, and is now archived here.

I got to meet Penelope Trunk, of Brazen Careerist fame, in person today. That’s because Penelope lives where I live, in the great city of Madison, WI, and I thought the least stalkerish way to meet would be to invite her to come to one of my networking events. She graciously did just that, and spoke to a small group of us over ravioli and stale breadsticks. And when I say spoke, I mean she almost made somebody cry.

Penelope is tough.

Authentically tough, blatantly honest, and wearing some of the dirtiest shoes I’ve seen at a networking event in a long time. I loved every second of it. We all did. Trying to figure out what you want to do in life? Try stuff out. Shop around. Think you’re content? Content is boring; there’s probably something wrong with you. Found your passion already? Set crazy ambitious goals. People like to be pushed to their limits and that’s what Penelope did. She pushed each and every one of us to go farther, reach deeper and come out triumphant. Except for the woman who almost cried.

If you missed it and are lucky enough to live in Madison, WI, come to the next event I invited Penelope to speak at, the Madison MAGNET Networking Breakfast. You can skip the coffee that morning.

Don’t forget to read my related post: “Personal branding, accountability, and how to just be yourself already.”

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  • http://quasar9.blogspot.com/ Quasar9

    Sounds like it could be a good way to start the day
    Networking Breakfast with Bazen Careerist and Modite – as long as I don’t get eaten alive – lol!

  • http://modite.com/blog Rebecca Thorman

    I’m sure you would survive ;)

  • http://thrillingheroics.com Cody McKibben

    Hey Rebecca, that’s awesome you had her speak at your event! I connected (remotely only) with Penelope a few months ago when I did an advance review of her book –which is awesome if you haven’t read it yet by the way.

    Anyhow, great progress on the site! How’s everything coming along? I really admire your interests and goals here with Modite — seems very much like me!

  • http://modite.com/blog Rebecca Thorman

    @ Cody: Thanks for your encouragement. I am glad you are finding value from Modite. I think our generation is eager to change things so I agree that blogs like ours are a great resource!

  • http://modite.com/blog/2007/08/30/prioritize-your-authenticity/ Modite – Engagement for the next generation

    [...] Environmental products often cost more in the beginning, but pay off in the long run. That’s how life is. It’s going to be hard in the beginning to take the first big step after years of baby steps. Your legs won’t seem long enough. But you have to stretch yourself beyond your limits. It’s worth it. Anything less isn’t authentic. [...]

  • http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/06/twentysomething-the-rising-rift-between-gen-x-and-gen-y/ Twentysomething: The rising rift between gen X and gen Y » Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk

    [...] Rebecca Thorman is 24 years old. I met her when I moved to Madison, Wisconsin, and spoke at an event she put together. I’ve been reading her blog, Modite, ever since. [...]

  • http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/11/19/confidence-boosters-that-work-for-me/ Confidence boosters that work for me » Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk

    [...] For the most part, when I had to show up to meet someone somewhere, I would pull things to gether a bit. Although when Ben Casnocha stopped by Madison for breakfast his first comment was, “You don’t look like your photo.” And when I met Rebecca Thorman, she blogged about my ratty shoes. [...]

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