Out in California

ImagesFred and I have been hanging on the west coast this week, Southern California.  It has been great.  We took a few days and drove to Laguna to chill there.  It is so beautiful here.  Insanely pristine and everything certainly moves at a slower pace than what we are used to.  

The importance of getting out of NYC is essential for several reasons.  I believe as an investor that you have to get out of your own space and get a different perspective of life out of your own bubble.  It is easy to not to see a big picture when you are living in your own world with your head down every day.  It helps investors and it also helps entrepreneurs to get out of their space.  

Years ago when I headed up a company in the shmata world we got a glimpse of the new line for the next season.  We were in moderate womens clothing so nothing glamorous.  The line did not represent the rest of the country we were selling to.  My advice to the designer was get on a plane and go to O'Hare.  She did not even need to leave the airport.  She could then fly to Minneapolis and then perhaps Arizona.  Those were our customers.  We all laughed but the point was made.  You have to get our of your own environment to really understand the big picture of your customers unless of course you have a small company only selling to the local person.

I am totally enjoying getting out of my zone.  It feels great. 

Comments (Archived):

  1. Lisa Abeyta

    Interestingly enough, I had the same thoughts when visiting NYC. It’s wonderful experience to live for a few moments in someone else’s familiar space.

  2. pointsnfigures

    totally agree with the thought on getting out of your comfort zone. but LA is a lot more comfortable than NYC (or Chicago) right now : )

    1. Gotham Gal

      For sure

  3. andrewghayes

    As a self-professed workaholic, I often have resistance in getting out of town for while, but I find I have so many great ideas and end up solving lots of problems after a day or 2 away – it definitely is a worthy reward. 🙂

    1. Gotham Gal

      very very worthy

  4. Juliet Oberding

    Laguna is beautiful. San Diego has a beautiful drive along the coast. And I’m particularly partial to my home, Coronado. Lots of great women founded startups here in San Diego. Come check us out! And enjoy some relaxation, too.

    1. AMT Editorial Staff

      We are also San Diego based! Athletic-Minded Traveler. We came here from Chicago 12 years ago. Love.

      1. Gotham Gal

        Weather wise the choice is simple.

  5. irisheyes

    Yes, come back, Gotham Gal! I just moved from the Far West Village to North County (San Diego). The change of scenery and pace was dramatic but much needed. I’m excited to check out the start-up scene here as well but equally happy spending time away from computers and gadgets. It gives me a more balanced perspective on work and life.

    1. Gotham Gal

      I know there’s a great scene in sd

  6. AG

    Love this insight. Any chance you can bring warm weather back to the east coast with you?

    1. Gotham Gal

      I have made several calls. Not so sure I have that much pull.

  7. daryn

    Come north! 🙂

  8. awaldstein

    I love LA.Used to be a two horse town, music and movies. No more and that’s the intriguing change.BTW–while you are there make certain in the restaurants that you look to some of the really outstanding small, most northern Cal, winemakers. They are producing astounding natural and delicious wine. Ask the somms.

    1. Gotham Gal

      We buy from 750 Wines who you would love. Check them out. They represent all the small vineyards, small batch wineries.http://750wines.com/

      1. awaldstein

        Good share.Know many of these producers but not the site.Don’t know if it’s your thing but the newest trend is many small wine dinners in NY.Small producers like Dirty & Rowdy from Napa teaming up with a Brooklyn restaurant, small group, verticals of impossible to find wine, great food and a good time.Been doing a lot of these.Little is more fun that drinking, not tasting, and eating with the winemaker and the chef both at the table.

        1. Gotham Gal

          fun

          1. Eileen A. Zyko, itmarksthespot

            Arnold – could we add an art component in to these? Dining in a gallery setting with artist and artisan? Full on meet your makers?

  9. Lisa Mogull

    ” shmata world” 🙂

  10. LE

    The importance of getting out of NYC is essential for several reasons.I don’t know if the normal place is suppressive to creativity. or the “away place” just makes you more manic (which helps with creativity), or both.I’m pretty creative but I’ve always found that I am definitely even more creative whenever I am not in the place of my normal routine.