YLNIs "CEO Experience"

YLNI held a "CEO Experience" event at Joseph Decuis last night. They invited two CEOs to talk about their experience and answer questions about running a business. This was the second event and Patricia Miller, co-founder of Vera Bradley, and Dane Miller, co-founder of Biomet, were the guests. (There is no relation between the two speakers, despite having the same last name.)

One of the questions put to both speakers had to do with running large companies in the Midwest. Patricia Miller said it is difficult to find designers in this area, and it is sometimes difficult to convince good designers to come from New York to northeast Indiana.

Paula leaned over to me and whispered, "They probably ask which ocean it's next to," because when she was in NY many people didn't know where Indiana is.

I whispered back, jokingly, "They probably ask if there is a baseball stadium downtown, too."

After both speakers finished, the emcee thanked them and Joseph Decuis, and everyone else involved. She also pointed out that a rep from Hardball Capitol was in attendance. Turns out he was sitting *right* in front of me.

I don't think he heard my little comment though. That would have been an interesting faux pas.


The restaurant was very nice and both speakers were very interesting. [perhaps more on that later]