Leslie's NotWorking® Story
I started NotWorking® because I got tired of rooms where everyone was pretending. Networking started feeling like a competition for business cards instead of real conversation. People were selling instead of listening, pitching instead of connecting. I don’t believe we’re supposed to treat each other like transactions. I believe in trust, honesty, and actually taking the time to understand the person standing in front of you.
Sports taught me that. I’ve played and coached my whole life because sports bring people together. They level the field. They teach you how to show up, work hard, build each other up, and leave better than you came in. And that’s exactly what pickleball gave me again — a place where everybody is equal. Doesn’t matter your age, your background, your title, or your past. If you’re willing to learn and willing to play, you belong. Improvement is earned, not given. And the people you grow with become family.
Travel is the same for me. I grew up in Panama, served in the Air Force, and I learned early that this world is bigger and more beautiful than what we see every day. Culture changes you. It teaches you to respect life from different angles. When we travel together, we learn, we laugh, we open up, and we remember what it means to truly live — not just work and repeat.
At every NotWorking® event, I want people to feel relaxed, energized, and connected — like they can put the walls down and still be respected. We’re all human. We all have stories, struggles, wins, fears, dreams. When you join NotWorking®, you’re not just networking — you’re done with the bullshit of being seen as a paycheck. You’re stepping into a community that sees you, values you, and walks alongside you as you grow.
This isn’t business as usual. This is connection done right. And you’re invited.
Jordan’s NotWorking® Story
I’ve been to enough networking events to know when everyone is just waiting for their turn to talk. The room is full, but everyone feels alone. People pitch, rehearse, and perform — but no one listens. The goal is to close a sale, not create a connection. And that never felt right to me. I believe relationships should happen naturally, not through pressure or scripts.
Pickleball brought that back into my life. It’s fun, engaging, and makes me feel alive again. It gives people a way to meet each other in a neutral, playful environment where we can show up as ourselves. No titles, no comparison, no trying to “prove” anything — just laughing, learning, and finding our rhythm with people who may have been strangers an hour ago.
Travel does the same thing for me. When you explore a new place together, share meals, learn culture, and create memories, you connect on a level no business card can create. Those shared experiences turn acquaintances into friends, and friends into community.
At NotWorking®, I want people to feel excited to be part of something different — something real. A place where fun and growth can happen at the same time. A space where you’re included, not evaluated. Where you walk away with genuine connections, mutual respect, and relationships that mean something beyond business.
This isn’t networking. This is belonging — in motion. Welcome to the community where you can finally exhale.
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