Nothing happens alone

A Conversation About Producers and Networks

At a recent happy hour during Tech Week, I ended up having one of those conversations that starts in one place and walks all over

I was chatting with a fellow Puerto Rican who works in disaster response with FEMA. We talked about Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, public service, and the strange privilege of seeing every side of society. His work takes him into homes of every kind, rich and poor, urban and rural, people at their best and people facing their hardest days

There was a calmness about him. Maybe stoicism. Maybe gratitude. Maybe just the perspective that comes from meeting thousands of people and seeing how similar we all are

Eventually the conversation drifted to music

I’ll admit it: I’m not much of an expert. I know the basics, I know the cultural impact, but I don’t follow the industry closely. That’s when he mentioned Noah Assad, the entrepreneur and executive behind Rimas Entertainment, the Puerto Rican label and management company that helped build Bad Bunny’s career and became one of the most influential forces in Latin music. (Wikipedia)

Behind every “overnight success” is usually a network, mentors, supportive friends. A manager who sees potential before everyone else does. Community full of culture. A team that believes before the numbers make sense

The story of Bad Bunny is obviously about talent. Extraordinary talent. But talent alone rarely explains massive success. People like Noah Assad recognized opportunities, built systems, connected people, and created an environment where that talent could flourish

The same is true far beyond music.

In technology, nonprofits, public service, entrepreneurship, and community organizing, progress usually comes through relationships

None of it happens alone

We often celebrate the artist on stage, the founder on the cover of a magazine, or the entrepreneur who closes the deal, we don’t see are the hundreds of conversations that came before

As we close another tech week, I’m reminded that I care very little about most tech things. I started working for startups because nepotism, love of computer programming and the capacity to build products that can change millions of lives

As organizers our job should be to focus in community, grow genuine relationships and be aware of the trap of mistaking your attendees for an audience

Let’s celebrate the mentors and communities that have brought us here and be inspired to mentor others with a humble perspective