Lily Liu of Public Stuff wins by learning to go with the flow

My blog post: The NYWSE Incubator Program has helped my venture take advantage of many unexpected opportunities

I am currently in the process of starting a company called PublicStuff, and we wouldn’t be making the kind of progress we are if it were not for our participation in the NWYSE Incubator Program. Our product is a website that aims to connect people with their local governments, so that everyone can participate in the development of their communities. The Incubator Program’s classes and learning tools have allowed me to learn and grow tremendously and has been alternatively a humbling and enlightening experience. Being part of a multi-generational team has created opportunities for genuine collaboration that have lead to professional development and learning. While not all the newly found opportunities were completely aligned with our working plan, sometimes the unexpected can be the most fulfilling and productive.

One of the most important lessons I've learned throughout this entrepreneurial experience is to be open to any opportunities that come my way. This may seem like an obvious piece of advice, but to truly embrace it, I believe, can be life-changing. I am by no means advocating for you to go out and say yes to every opportunity, but some of the most unlikely opportunities can lead to extremely rewarding and meaningful experiences.

Being open-minded led me to the idea of creating PublicStuff. While working in a management rotational program in the City of Long Beach, CA, I was eventually presented with the opportunity to work for Technology Services and the Public Works Department for the City of Long Beach, which upon first glance, did not appear to be the most appealing  assignment. But it was this unique combination of experience in both technology and public works that allowed me to manage the 311 CRM implementation process And it was after this project that I was able to truly understand the market needs and speak to issues of civic participation and transparency in our communities, both as a civil servant and as a resident in the city. 

As helpful as planning and clear visioning can be, diamonds are in the rough, and we may never find them if we are too narrow-minded. So my lesson learned is to seek new experiences and take a chance. You never know what they may lead to!