Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Kara Dake. I am an NYU MBA student and the Co-Founder & CEO of new local events discovery startup Signalfy. We’ve recognized there’s a need for a go-to resource to find out what’s on and who’s going in your city, and we’re designing an exciting platform for influencers, promoters and venues to socially promote events.
I’m so proud to be a part of Donna Karan’s amazing Urban Zen Integrative Therapist program, which is a movement focused on integrating therapies such as yoga, aromatherapy and Reiki energy healing into the healthcare system. I am traveling to Haiti in February to practice these therapies with their healthcare workers.
I love living in the Lower East Side in NYC, and for the last two years have supported my entrepreneurial dreams by renting out my apt using Airbnb.com. Check out my place next time you’re in NYC. I’d love to host you lovely travelers with big dreams!
I consider myself a chameleon as my always-curious brain keeps me experimenting in multiple creative projects, such as making electronic music, energy healing, and changing my hair color 🙂 I’m really excited about what’s to come in 2012 and I’d love to connect with you and hear what you’re working on.
Follow me on twitter: @karameleon
Find me!
How do you bring ideas to life?
I think the most effective way that I have made things happen is by getting out there and meeting many different groups and types of people (I.LOVE.NYC). I jump around in a lot of worlds — from the business crowd at B-school, to more creative hangouts such as the Norwood Arts Club. This blending helps me tap in to both sides of my brain, and I have a lot of fun, interesting friends. Which to me is the most important thing!
In my life, I’ve generally followed where my heart takes me, and I think this has served me well. One of my favorite Buddhist monks Koshin Paley Ellison said recently at Urban Zen that “Life has no formula.” Plan less, live more.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
I highly recommend ‘Leading Out Loud’ by Terry Pearce. I recently read this book for the NYU course ‘The Performing Manager’ and it guides you in finding your authentic voice for leadership and public speaking. It’s invaluable to reflect on your personal values, and how you want to present these in the world.
What is one piece of advice that you’d like to give?
Search deeply for your authentic self; Who you are inside and what is important to you to do in this world. From that place, set out to achieve your dreams, and persist, persist, persist. It’s worth it.
What is one idea that you’re going to bring to life in 2012?
My friend Liz Entin (Founder of global fashion startup Runway Passport) & I believe that there is a need in the startup & creative worlds for more of a focus on self-care. We are designing a new blog called ‘LiveWellPreneur’ which will provide starters tips, tools and resources on how to manage busy lives filled with uncertainty, excitement and ongoing ups-and-downs. Let’s burn bright and shiny, not burn out! Look for us in January 2012.
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.