Many years ago, when my business partner and I started our company, we did like many other new entrepreneurs and took a big leap. We jumped off the cliff and into the great unknown. We learned as we went, and made as many mistakes as we did things right. We were in it before the days of social media, when the web was still for the most part, a burgeoning industry. It was easy to feel alone.

One thing I wished had existed back then was a way to learn from other entrepreneurs who’d “been there, done that”. Sure, there were some workshops around but they were really focused on the nuts and bolts – writing a business plan, accounting, and sales training – all important stuff, but what I really wanted was to be able to sit in a room and talk with people about the day-to-day things – like refining and developing the million or so ideas we had, using technology to more effectively market ourselves, or simple productivity tips. I wanted a place where I could feel safe, around people who were going through the same things I was going through as a new entrepreneur.

Well, I’m hoping that this new group is going to help us all do just that.

On May 25th, 2011 from 6:30pm to 8pm, we are launching Nighttime @ TheCodeFactory. For those of you who aren’t familiar, The Code Factory is an amazing co-working space in downtown Ottawa that’s become a real hub of activity, not only for Ottawa’s startup and entrepreneurial community, but for many great events as well.

Nighttime @ TheCodeFactory is a place where anyone with a business idea they’d like to develop, refresh, or bring to the next level can come to learn some new techniques and share their experiences, and have a chance to network with fellow entrepreneurs.

I’m so thrilled to have been asked to participate in this great new group. The format is simple – three sessions will be offered each evening on a variety of topics of interest to those of us who want to build and grow businesses. Then the last half hour will be a chance for all of us to convene and connect, and discuss what we’ve learned.

On the inaugural night, the inimitable Shawn MacDonell from Creativision will be leading us through a session on idea generation and how to recapture your childhood ways when it comes to thinking creatively. The super smart Patti Church from WhyHire.me will be talking to us about some office productivity “gems” that she’s discovered since striking out on her own. I am excited to be showing everyone what the big deal is about social media, especially for entrepreneurs.

I really hope you can join us, and as a special introductory offer, Nighttime @ The Code Factory is offering 2 for 1 admission – so, you get to bring a friend and get three informative sessions plus the group discussion for just $50. All the details and sign up info is right here…. http://nighttimetcf-eorg.eventbrite.com – seating is limited, and it’s filling up fast, so book your spots!

Let’s do what we can to help each other build incredible things. Hope to see you there!