LA Community

Karrie Kohlhaas

Member since: Nov 02, 2006
Last activity: 13 hours ago

33 posts |12
  • Friend needs a car - Wanna be a hero?

    Musician friend in town (also a friend of John Hays) and she is on tour but is currently without a car. I thought there is always a chance there is a biznik who has a car they don't need or don't use or could let go of for a song (literally).

    She doesn't care what it looks like. Needs to be able to get her back to DC this summer--in one piece!

    If so, contact Mary at 202-294-2906.

    She really will sing for you!

    Posted Aug 04, 2009, in Coffee Break
  • Would you like to perform for 200 happy people?

    Hey there, I am helping to coordinate a big event and we are looking for performers that are suitable for kids and families...musicians, magicians, story tellers, fire dancers...you name it!

    This is for the celebration following the build of a playground in Delridge this July 2009 (dates we need performers are July 17 @230pm and July 23 @630pm). This is a historically under-invested neighborhood and many we have come together to build this playground for the kids. See the event here and find out how to get involved!.

    This is unpaid--we are all volunteering to help this neighbhorhood--but it could be some good exposure and definitely some great karma for you!

    Posted Jul 04, 2009, in Seattle Musicians and Performers - Discussion
  • Criteria for posting to this group

    If you want to post an event or article on the Walk and Talk Group page, your event or article should involve one or more of the following:

  • Walking
  • Fitness / Exercise
  • Outdoors
  • Movement

  • Sure, there may be some compelling exceptions, but let's try to keep this group true to it's intention so it stays meaningful and relevant to members.

    If you've got something to post that does not fit this group, check out the Groups page to find--or start--a group that would be appropriate for your posting. Thanks!

Posted Jun 24, 2009, in Walk and Talk - Discussion
  • One of the coolest things you'll do this summer

    Hey guys, this community needs our help.

    On July 17th, I am joining a team of residents and volunteers to build a new playground in the Delridge neighborhood in West Seattle. 200+ volunteers will come together to help one of the city's most historically under-invested neighborhoods provide a better playground for the kids in Delridge--and it all happens in one day! You can be part of it.

    This is a Kaboom! project (yes, like the one that Michelle Obama and Maria Shriver participated in recently in San Francisco). All the equipment has been donated and all we need are hands to help. Watch this inspirational video about Kaboom!

    You do NOT have to be skilled, trained or have any special tools; you just have to be enthusiastic, energetic, a team player, willing to work, and willing to have fun along the way.

    Getting volunteers for this has been more challenging than other Kaboom! projects because the event happens on a Friday. I promised I would get the word out because I know all these amazing entrepreneurs with big hearts who have control over their schedules and can take a Friday "off" to help kids have a better childhood.

    Come give a few hours or a full day and you'll get... breakfast, lunch, drinks, music and some serious fun!

    TOGETHER we’ll build a new playground for the neighborhood!

    We’ll build the playscape and spruce up the park in just 6 hours, starting at 8 a.m. Rain or shine, nothing is going to stop this momentum.

    To register or for more information, email: helpdelridgeplay@gmail.com or call Chris at 206.499.3733

    Please register as soon as possible so we can make sure we have all the volunteers we need. Kids are welcome to participate!

    Please spread the word about this! We need about 100 more volunteers.

    Posted Jun 23, 2009, in Community-wide general discussion | 9 replies
  • Spam Posts on Group Discussion Pages

    Been getting a few spammers posting comments on my groups that are unrelated to the group.

    How I am handling this: 1. Deleting their comment. 2. Sending them an email letting them know their comment was not relevant to the group and that I would be removing it.

    People have responded nicely and often say "I didn't know how this works." but I see the same people are posting to every group they can, so I think they do know how it works!

    Wondering if there are other ways to discourage spammers on the groups airwaves.

    Posted May 05, 2009, in Groups Group - Discussion | 1 reply
  • Inviting all Austin bizniks to SHINE in Seattle

    SHINE is the perfect biznik immersion experience for Austin bizniks. 500+ bizniks at the largest video production house in the NW Fremont Studios making a movie about being entrepreneurs.

    Watch the trailer.

    If you can get your biznik butt up here, you can be in it! I'd love to meet more of you in person and help you see how big and beautiful biznik could be in Austin.

    After 3 years and 10,000 members later, Seattle biznik is a juicy, fun, active, authentic community and I really want ya'll to experience that so you can build your own biznik culture in Austin. So, let's make it happen. How can you get up to Seattle on May 6th? I am pretty confident we can get people to pick you up from the airport and maybe even find you places to stay.

    Anyone game? Post here or email me directly. This is one event you don't want to miss out on. It is a chance for you to see what biznik is all about and to share your story with the world. And while you are here, you will be making connections, friends, who knows where it might lead!

    Posted Apr 26, 2009, in Austin Business Owners Unite! - Discussion | 4 replies
  • What are your favorite news / editorial sources?

    Where do you get your news, who do you listen to, who are your fave political commentators, talk show hosts, and, what is your strategy for dealing with the news and politics (so it doesn't suck the life out of you)?

    Some of mine:

    NPR

    Democracy Now

    BBC

    Common Dreams

    New York Times

    I like to find sources that show different sides of the story. While I am definitely more on the progressive side of things, I do tune into some of the more conservative opinion makers out there to hear what they are saying. I try my best to listen with an ear of "I don't know it all and maybe they have some good points to make." I leave room for learning. Although, honestly, sometimes I just cannot take it--any of it--and I just take a little media vacation. I find I am usually happier during those times.

    Posted Apr 25, 2009, in Let's Talk Politics! - Discussion | 1 reply
  • Stories are What it's All about!

    Biznik has needed this, Melanie. A way for people to write and contribute that may not look like "x number of ways to market your product" or "how to do this or that better"...

    You are talking about this rich oral and written tradition of sharing our human experiences. As a trained ethnographer, I have spent many years eliciting people's stories. In my anthropology fieldwork, in my former work studying North American subcultures to develop more meaningful products and services, and now in my work with small biz clients.

    There are people on biznik who have not written articles precisely because what they have to tell is their story, but they don't think it will be valuable enough to the rest of us. Stories are where it's at and once we get the word out, biznik will have the gift of hearing from a lot more folks who have been silent on the articles boards because they don't write "how to" articles.

    As an anthropologist, stories and meaning are the core of my. I am thrilled to meet you and know that great things will come of this!

    Hey everybody, what do you think of this idea to encourage more story telling on biznik?

    Posted Apr 25, 2009, in The Storyniks - Discussion | 1 reply
  • Fun idea for a group!

    Hey, let's brainstorm some events that could be going on in Austin and Seattle at which people tell their stories!

    The kickoff would be the upcoming SHINE event.

    By the way, Jenée, you should think about being a volunteer interviewer for SHINE. Great exposure for you and you could really use your expertise! I will be an interviewer at the event too. To be an interviewer, or someone who helps people tell their story, contact Banu Sekundur.

    Melanie, you should get to know Rick L'Amie in Austin who is hosting a MINI SHINE event down there. I bet you could really help people tell their stories!

    Karrie

    Posted Apr 24, 2009, in The Storyniks - Discussion
  • problem adding event to a group

    I wanted to add this event http://biznik.com/events/an-early-morning-walk-and-talk-in-seward-park to the Dog Lovers Unite Group so it would cross post on that group page.

    I cannot add it because the Dog Lovers Unite Group does not show up under my pull down list when I click on Add Groups. I am a member of Dog Lovers and have posted events to that same group in the past.

    By the way shouldn't it say "Add Event to a Group"? That would be more clear to me. Add Groups sounds like you are adding a group to the page instead of adding an event to a group page. Even "Associate with a Group" would be more clear.

    Posted Apr 18, 2009, in Groups Group - Discussion | 2 replies
  • Tips for Getting the Most out of Biznik

    Some tips from my event How to Grow Your Business Using Biznik. All of these things will add to your ranking on biznik but more importantly, these actions will help you get known and build relationships:

  • Post a good photo on your profile. Showing your eyes and your teeth is the best way to go.
  • Fill out your profile completely.
  • Be sure your website URL is posted in the right spot so it will add to your SEO for Google search-ability
  • Choose a category tag for your business that will show up in the Members page. Choose the words someone who did not know you would search for to find you.

  • Add tags to your profile to optimize for search engines.
  • Add each other to your network.
  • Post a promotion for visibility on the homepage!
  • Check out some articles or biztalk threads and post a comment or start a new topic.
  • Invite other entrepreneurs and self employed folks to join biznik!
  • Send each other notes and compliments after meeting or reading each other's profiles.
  • Write and post an article related to being an entrepreneur: marketing, lessons learned, time management, anything that would be valuable to another small business owner.
  • Check out the new feature: biznik Groups and consider joining some. Definitely join the Austin Business Owners Unite group if you haven't done so already!
  • Add the biznik badge to your blog or website.
  • Come to events! The best way to get to know each other and really get biznik thriving in Austin!
  • Host events (you can co-host events too if that sounds less intimidating!) Look at the Seattle Events page for ideas as we have events every day of the week up here.

  • Feel free to add your own tips below...

    Karrie

    Posted Apr 18, 2009, in Austin Business Owners Unite! - Discussion
  • Whether a personal or group event, MLM's are still disallowed from participating in biznik, right?

    I ask because I met a bunch of MLMers down here in Austin and I think a lot of MLM activity will start popping up on the personal and groups pages if you stop monitoring it.

    This is something of a continuation of this thread but I am bringing the MLM question into it. This is pretty important, especially for places outside of Seattle where the community might not really get the biznik vibe yet and MLM's move in to recruit their pyramid members.

    Posted Apr 09, 2009, in Groups Group - Discussion | 2 replies
  • How Walkable is Your Neighborhood?

    Biznik Banu Sekendur sent me this to add to the Walk and Talk threads:

    US Cities and Neighborhoods--Walkability Ratings

    Seattle Neighborhoods--Walkability Ratings

    It shows a map of each Seattle neighborhood and ranks it according to how walkable it is. I wonder what they are using to judge this because I find Cap Hill pretty damn walkable and it came is at #12!

    Posted Apr 05, 2009, in Walk and Talk - Discussion | 6 replies
  • What kind of dog do you have or do you love?

    Thought it would be fun if people introduced themselves via their dogs...as happens on a walk sometimes.

    I don't have a dog, but growing up I had a schnoodle--that's a schnauzer-poodle mix. She was really snotty to other dogs and people, but I loved her with all my heart. She and I were babies at the same time so we grew up together. When I got sick she would howl at my bedside.

    My other dog showed up on our backporch, all skin and bones. She'd been abused and was starving. My dad said, before he left town: "Whatever you do, don't FEED that dog, or she'll never leave!" As the car pulled out of the driveway, my mom and I raced for the dog food. She was our dog for the rest of her life and my dad adored her. He and I took her on her last walk together and he cried most of the way.

    Dogs just find their way into your heart. I'd love to meet your dogs on a walk sometime! I am hosting lots of Walk and Talks through the Walk and Talk Group and we'll try to get the dog friendly walks cross posted here. I hope you'll join us or host some dog friendly events of your own.

    Posted Apr 04, 2009, in Dog Lovers Unite - Discussion | 17 replies
  • Travel Secrets

    There are resources, products, special suitcases, websites, etc. that people stumble upon. I have a few of my own. I'll share mine if you'll share yours...

    1. Seat Guru
      This site give DETAILED information about each and every seat on each and every plane! You have to input the plane make and model from your itinerary. Then click on seats and Seat Guru will tell you all the intimate details of that seat...if the armrests move, if it's drafty, if there's extra leg room, whether there is an electrical outlet, what other passengers have complained about, etc. Very cool. Very helpful for picky travelers! http://www.seatguru.com/

    2. I always put some kind of bright tape or a ribbon on my suitcase so I can spot it on the carousel.

    3. I start hydrating 2 days before a trip and load up on Emergen-C packets before, during and after the flight. This has helped immensely with travel bugs, jet lag and dehydration.

    4. I often wear a hoodie on flights so I can cover my head and go to sleep.

    5. Two words: Ear plugs. I don't travel without em.

    You?

    Posted Mar 27, 2009, in Travel Addicts - Discussion | 4 replies
  • Packing Tips

    Would love to hear any packing tips people have. I always over pack and want to break myself of this pattern this year. I want to know what to bring and how to bring less of it. How to let go and trust that I'll find what I need.

    I recently bought a new luggage set and it includes a smaller personal bag on wheels. I am hoping this will help with back pain and make travel easier.

    What are your travel essentials?

    What do you leave behind?

    How do you keep it light?

    Posted Mar 27, 2009, in Travel Addicts - Discussion | 4 replies
  • More Walk and Talks HERE...

    To find more Walk and Talk Events, go to the Main Walk and Talk Group page: http://biznik.com/groups/walk-talk-events

    I just posted one for April 6th and there are now Walk and Talk events posted for West Seattle, Marysville and Queen Anne.

    Think about posting one yourself!

    Posted Mar 27, 2009, in Capitol Hill Business Owners - Discussion
  • Join and Post Walking Events Here!

    Now you can post an event to multiple groups--thanks to the crack team at biznik headquarters (thanks guys!). So feel free to post your Walk and Talk to this and other groups that it relates to--a neighborhood group, the Still Waters Group, Dog Enthusiasts Group, etc. (You must be a member of a group to add any event to that group. Look for the "Associated Groups" link on the right sidebar on your event page.)

    If you'd like to host a Walk and Talk event anywhere in the world, join this group and post your event here so it will be listed on the Events page for this group...(it will also be posted to the main event page if it's appropriate for biznik at-large).

    Or, post your event through another group and cross post here.

    Come here to see what Walk and Talk Events are happening in your area.

    Enjoy your walk...

    Posted Mar 26, 2009, in Walk and Talk - Discussion | 6 replies
  • Reasons to Walk and Talk

    Let's hear some inspiration to walk and talk. I have a lot of my own thoughts on this, and I know there are many more.

    After I posted the first Biznik Walk and Talk event on Capitol Hill, I got an email from Jennifer Manlowe with a link to this article she wrote: http://www.lifedesignunlimited.citymax.com/Momentum.html

    Great stuff. It's so time for this!

    Reasons I like to walk and talk:

    1. Get the blood flowing.

    2. Fresh air.

    3. New stimuli.

    4. See real birds with real TWEETS!

    5. Maria Montessori was all about movement and the importance of movement to brain function and learning. I am such a Montessori Kid!

    6. Remind myself why I love being self employed--because I can go when I want, where I want and for no reason at all!

    What are your reasons for walking and talking?

    Posted Mar 26, 2009, in Walk and Talk - Discussion | 33 replies
  • Add existing articles to group pages

    It would be beneficial for both the Groups and for Articles if Group moderators could post existing biznik articles--not just new articles--to their groups page.

    Is this something we could set up?

    It would allow people to add more texture to the group pages. It would get authors of articles even more exposure. It would also help with the bogged down articles archive. This way, really great, targeted articles that already exist could get featured on groups pages.

    Posted Mar 26, 2009, in Groups Group - Discussion | 5 replies
  • 33 posts |12