Chris Messina

brunchwork at home - Modern business education, because higher ed is broken.

by
Top Hunter

We’re reinventing business education. Our first digital product is brunchwork at home - interactive business workshops:
📝 Actionable lessons from top biz leaders
💡 Pitch ideas, get feedback
🌐 Real connections w/ smart peers and experts

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Paulina Karpis
Hi everyone! 👋 Thanks for the hunt, @chrismessina When I was priced out of the MBA 5 years ago, I set out to reimagine business education. Behaviorist Jon Levy and I deconstructed the MBA and reverse engineered the benefits. Our co-learning model is cost-effective and fits neatly into a busy professional’s routine. The value prop 🤝 A network of smart peers and business leaders 🎤 Dynamic knowledge of business trends and skills, without the debilitating debt 📈 Access to career opportunities Something unexpected happened: As many MBA alumni joined brunchwork as would-be students. We realized that the MBA’s biggest flaw is that it’s an intermittent solution for a rapidly-changing world. We need continuous learning to thrive. When the pandemic hit, 100% of our revenue was in jeopardy. brunchwork 1.0 was centered on in-person learning. We built brunchwork 2.0 to be digital first. While we no longer serve a meal, we recreated everything else online. “brunchwork at home” members: 📝 Learn actionable strategies from top business leaders 💡 Pitch ideas & get feedback 🌐 Make meaningful professional connections in breakout groups We’re rapidly innovating in online education. Look out for a BIG launch this Fall.
Gregory Ugwi
I recall speaking at a Brunchwork event last year https://www.facebook.com/events/... . The community was exceptional and the event was very well executed. I can't wait to try the Brunchwork at home version and see how I can keep learning here.
Paulina Karpis
@ugwigr Thank you Gregory! That was a great event. Howard Morgan, cofounder of First Round, spoke that day & he was actually our very first "brunchwork at home" speaker. See you soon :)
William Wang
I've attended both in-person and virtual Brunchwork events over the last few years, and I've enjoyed and learned from every event I've attended! Not only do you get to hear from and speak to accomplished speakers, but the events emphasize allow you to interact with the broader community in both workshops and casual settings. Can't wait for the next event!
Abby Wolfe
@wyw003 So glad to hear you enjoyed both the in-person and virtual events, William! What event will we see you at next? :)
Colin Wexler
Where do I begin ... brunchwork understands what business professionals need! As someone that lives in New York City, I instantly have fallen in love with the organization. I attended in-person events before COVID-19 and grew my business acumen by hearing from a plethora of engaging speakers. I was nervous going into the pandemic because I didn't want to lose this newly found community. The entire brunchwork team has done an incredible job transitioning to an online format and has far blown my expectations. I actually prefer the at-home experience because I'm able to meet incredible professionals throughout the entire United States; that I wouldn't have the opportunity to if we were still in person. I credit this to their unique value proposition of having breakout rooms at the end of the session. During this time, attendees network and talk about industry-related trends. I am definitely excited to continue to be a part of the brunchwork at home experience.
Abby Wolfe
@colin_wexler Thank you for these kind words, Colin! We're so glad that you've benefitted from the in-person to virtual transition. I also love that it allows people from all over the country to participate. I live in Portland, ME, so being able to attend more events has been thrilling for me, too! :)
Tino Go
I love Brunchwork! 1. I get to meet so many awesome people (ambitious movers and shakers)! 2. It takes me outside of my daily "mental zone" as I interact with other attendees and grapple with the ideas they introduce. 3. The headline speakers are stellar and I always learn from what they share with us.
Abby Wolfe
@tino_go Thank you, Tino!! You are such a valued member of the community, and we love seeing you at brunchwork each week (sometimes multiple times!). :)
Chris Dundon
Brunchwork is a tremendous platform. Paulina and her colleagues curate an educational experience that transformed my perspective. I have grown and made friends. The kind of friends that care about me and take an active interest in my success. Time at Brunchwork is time well spent.
Abby Wolfe
@chris_dundon Love this so much, Chris! We absolutely do care about you and your success. :)
Nylus
I have joined its virtual event with a speaker from Doordash. Brunchwork offers attendees unparalleled opportunities to interact with professionals and leaders across different industries as well as the chance to build close relationships with other attendees after event. Also, it always provides attendees with a case discussion after speech to inspire all to come up with strategic solutions for trending business problems. I truly felt its value prop and highly recommend it.
Paulina Karpis
@wei_lin2020 Thank you for the kind words!! See you soon :)
Ghost Kitty
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Abby Wolfe
@alyssa_denning Thank you so much for this kind comment, Alyssa! We do work very hard to thoughtfully curate our speaker selection, so I'm so grateful you brought that up. And, it's important to note to everyone reading that we are also always open to your speaker suggestions!
Sydney Anne
Short answer: HECK YES. Long answer: What an experience! I can honestly tell you I never in a million years would have thought that I’d get the opportunity to connect so intimately with the CMO of Vayner Media, which is a company I have followed for 10+ years. The fact that she’s a woman in an executive leadership role and a genuinely lovely human being just wrapped it all up with a neat little bow. What a privilege it was to be able to participate, listen, and learn from Andrea Sullivan. The breakout session was engaging, thought-provoking, and fun. I loved getting the chance to genuinely and authentically connect with other people - especially given the current circumstances of most of our work being remote. It felt a little like having a coffee (or wine) with work friends who came ready and willing to share their wisdom and ideas on how to make your challenges easier. I can't wait for the next one.
Abby Wolfe
@sydney_anne Thank you so much, Sydney!! Andrea Sullivan is so amazing. We're also so glad that you felt like it was grabbing a drink with colleagues - a very important part of brunchwork is making sure that our community gets to network and form meaningful, long-lasting connections with each other and the speakers. What event will we see you at next?!
GOKHAN OZKOK
I have been a premium member for a long time and very satisfied with it! Learning, networking, fun online &offline environment with a dedicated and professional young leader Brunchwork is the future of Business and Entrepreneurship education.
Abby Wolfe
@gokhan_ozkok So, so happy to hear you're so satisfied, Gokhan! We love that you said we're the future of business and enterpreneurship education, and we'll continue to listen to member feedback to make sure we're always meeting that goal.
Darrell Collins Fertakos
Brunchwork, is the most amazing business and new product I discovered as a three time award winning entrepreneur in years. Be enlightened with updated education from industry experts, network, get feedback on your ideas, meet new friends, find a co-founder, get inspired, expand your network, be mentored. If you are looking for the best events in USA to advance career or to grow your business, Brunchwork is the supportive place to be every week. Stop thinking what can be, start doing by joining Bruchwork today to make your dreams come true while discovering boundless opportunities. Keep up the good work!
Abby Wolfe
@darrell_collins_fertakos What a fantastic review, Darrel, thank you!! We are so appreciative. There are so many amazing opportunities that can come from the brunchwork community. Also, love that you said the word supportive – it's very important that our members know that we are hear to support them in every step of their career and educational journey.
Amanda Huang
I absolutely love Brunchwork! I've been to two of their events - one in LA and one online. What I love about their online events is that anyone can attend! I'm from Toronto and it made it easy for me to attend the event without going to the U.S in person. I gained a lot of knowledge and met a lot of interesting people. Specifically, I enjoyed the breakout room activities. It was a time to network, brainstorm and grow professionally. Paulina is also awesome! -Amanda
Abby Wolfe
@amanda_huang21 I remember when you joined from Toronto, Amanda! I think you were one of our first international attendees, and it was so exciting!
Craig Ettinger
Attended the virtual Brunchwork featuring Barstool CEO Erika Nardini a few weeks ago. Great interview with a good q&a at the end. Lot's of useful insights shared by Erika. Will definitely be attending future virtual/live Brunchworks.
Abby Wolfe
@craigett Thanks for joining us, Craig! Looking forward to seeing you soon. :)
Caitlin Akers
I was always told “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Brunchwork defines this with their top notch speaker selection and community. The topics are always relevant and thought provoking. I learn more here than I did in any school course.
Abby Wolfe
@caitlin_akers Thanks, Caitlin! So glad that the topics and speakers are resonating so much with you. :)
Amine Tourki
Benefited and Loved brunchwork's model so much, that despite my awfully busy schedule, I volunteered to help with it! And, I did a few times pe-covid I just wanted to stay open and thrive. It was a great in person experience and will be much more fantastic as a remote offering now.
Abby Wolfe
@amine_tourki Thanks so much, Amine! We'd love to host you at one of our virtual events sometime soon!
Nick Walker
Went to quite a few of these as I was starting my first business to network and learn. Super high quality lineup of professionals, business leaders, and mentors. Would recommend for aspiring entrepreneurs, professionals looking for an edge, and people trying to make new & interesting friends.
Abby Wolfe
@nicolaswalker Thanks so much, Nick! How is your first business going?
Kirthika Parmeswaran-Gupta
Brunchwork is a fun, intelligent community platform for those who want to grow their careers esp. in entrepreneurship and innovation
Abby Wolfe
@kirthika_parmeswaran_gupta And part of what makes it so fun and intelligent is having amazing members like you!
Sam Cast
As someone who's entering the workforce at a crazy time, this seems extremely useful with some amazing speakers.
Abby Wolfe
@sam_cast Thank you, Sam!
Mike Le
Paulina has done a great job building Brunchwork! I have been a member of Brunchwork for a long time, and I am always impressed by the amazing speakers Brunchwork invites for each event. The quality of knowledge sharing is top-notch, the experience is friendly and interactive, for both in-person and at-home sessions. I have been running my digital business for 10+ years, but I keep learning new and helpful things each time. Thank you!
Abby Wolfe
@mikele_cbi Thank you for these kind words, Mike! We love having you as a part of the community. Thank YOU!
Danielle Gorman
As both a promotional partner and customer of Brunchwork events in Los Angeles, it has been a luxury gaining intimate educational and networking experiences I couldn't have gotten anywhere else. Fairly priced!
Abby Wolfe
@danielle_gorman Thank you, Danielle! Love having you as a partner and part of the community. :)