Courtney Pulitzer: Volunteering is important to me, whether it's organized or unorganized. It's like the saying, "Think globally, act locally." Now, here in New York City, I don't pick up all the trash off the ground. But other places, I do. With the Junior League, it was a great way to structure how I donated my time. They train every woman who goes out how to work in schools, in shelters. In the Junior League, they're pretty strict. You have to attend 75 percent of the meetings -- that's nice. It's so easy for life to get in the way. It's a blessing for me to give back. My parents instilled that in me. I have been volunteering lately, doing artwork with children and working at a legal clinic for domestic violence. Bankrate: When you were covering parties across the world, who paid? Courtney Pulitzer: I was covering parties in London and Cannes. The sponsor would pay sometimes, or I would build it into my consulting fee. Bankrate: When you started out, what resources did you have? Did you have savings, or did you keep your day job? Courtney Pulitzer: I had nothing. I don't think I had three months' savings. It was a little terrifying. There was so much more of everything, then. Also, I was 10 years younger and had lots of credit cards. Bankrate: How much harder is it for women in the dot-com world? A recent Web article about you was snide, to say the least. But, you worked for yourself, answered to yourself. You weren't like tech boss Michael Saylor, from MicroStrategy, who lost $6 billion in a day and had to lay off hundreds of employees. So, why were you vilified? Courtney Pulitzer: I saw that article. The guy who wrote it actually had sponsored my event. I guess he figured that he could get more hits on his Web site by using my name than with his. Some people will do anything for hits. My name will come up more than his. Absolutely, it's harder for women. I'm also seeing it on the steering committees and government associations -- the number of women on the boards -- it's pretty shoddy. Bankrate: You have served as a corporate matchmaker, introducing start-ups to venture capitalists. What tips do you have for professionals when they have to have their hand out? Courtney Pulitzer: Know what the venture capitalist's focus is. If they aren't in your field, move on right away. Stay at your own level, whether that's the mezzanine level or angel money. On the flip side, talk to everyone. They may be able to introduce you to somebody in your field. While this advice may seem contradictory, both are true. Be sensitive to people's time, ask, "May I call you?" Ask if you are calling at a good time to talk. Basic manners are rare these days. Bankrate: What was a splurge for you 10 years ago and what is a splurge now? Courtney Pulitzer: Oh, wow! Ten years ago, a splurge would be buying a designer gown. Now, everything's a splurge. Well, I might get a massage. A spa treatment is a splurge now. Bankrate: Do you manage your own money? Courtney Pulitzer: Yes. Bankrate: Do you have investments? Courtney Pulitzer: Just
some IRA's and a 401(k) plan. I'm beginning to look at CDs and a
little larger venue for investments, like owning property. |
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