How I Schmoozed My Way to Alex Cooper’s Desk and Landed an Interview

The SXSW Encounter

• 💡 The hosts recounted their memorable meeting at South by Southwest (SXSW) during an Unwell Network event featuring Alex Cooper, Maline Argie, and Alex Earl.
• ⏳ After waiting in a 3.5-hour line, Alex Cooper came out to greet attendees due to the event reaching capacity.
• 💬 During their interaction, Sam made a spontaneous Jewish joke to Alex Cooper, who then called over her husband, Matt Kaplan.
• ✨ Matt Kaplan was notably impressed by Sam's personality and her "Jewish" comment, leading to a significant connection.

Unconventional Job Pursuit

• 🚀 Driven by her ambition to work at Unwell, Sam decided to hand-deliver her resume two days later at another event.
• 📄 She printed hard copies of her resume and navigated lines, with others allowing her to cut due to her clear mission.
• 🤝 Matt Kaplan remembered Sam and, after learning her 5-year plan, arranged a Zoom interview with his team, expressing interest in finding her a role.

Post-Interview & Podcast Origin

• ❌ Despite the interview, Sam ultimately did not secure a role at Unwell, as there were no open positions matching her skills at the time.
• 🎙️ This experience, however, became the origin story for her podcast, "Schmoozing with Span," which was initially a concept suggested by friends.
• 🎯 Sam's long-standing passion for the podcast industry and her dedication to understanding its business side were highlighted throughout her pursuit.

Career & Networking Insights

• 🔑 The speakers emphasized the importance of grit and resilience in career pursuits, especially when facing rejections.
• 🧠 They discussed the challenge of defining specific roles after college and the need for patience and opportunities for passionate individuals.
• 🤝 Advice was shared on the value of making genuine friends post-graduation and the unique community found in cities like Austin.

Leora Health & Future Plans

• 🌱 Amanda introduced Leora Health, a femtech startup she co-founded, which connects women with chronic health conditions to patient advocates.
• 🩺 The startup aims to provide comprehensive women's healthcare support, acting as a "doula" for navigating the healthcare system.
• 📈 Currently in its pilot phase, Leora Health is seeking funding and plans to expand its services and community engagement.