Developing a Successful Business Model

Welcome back to Codeaholics! We will kickstart our 2026 collaborating with ExpressVPN! **Talk#1: The Pain of Processing PDFs** by **Angus Cheng** Reading PDFs is very difficult, here's what I've learnt over the last five years running a SaaS that processes PDFs **Talk#2: Why does ExpressVPN switch from C to Rust for Lightway’s code?** by **Thomas Leong** We built Lightway from scratch in a quest to offer a VPN protocol that serves the needs of VPN users in a modern, mobile world—one that’s fast, secure, and reliable. Since launching Lightway five years ago, we’ve had it open-sourced and audited, as well as implementing key upgrades. We have just rolled out a new version of Lightway to users—one that sees our pioneering VPN protocol rewritten in Rust programming language. For this technical talk, we wanted to take a moment to discuss some of the more technical reasons behind the changes we’ve made and dive into the benefits of Rust over C, the language we originally used for Lightway code.

Dear Toastmasters & guests, *Theme of the meeting: “Creativity” Please note that our **venue** is at: **20/F, Cubus, 1 Hoi Ping Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong** (Causeway stn exit F1 Jardine's Crescent 渣甸坊, 5-10 minutes walk to Cubus which is opposite to Lee Garden 3) Do you want to **improve your communication skills (both speaking and listening) in English** in your daily life? We have *prepared and impromptu speeches* in English during the meeting. **Evaluation** of the speeches will be given so that the speakers can *improve* their speeches continuously. Do come and enjoy the warm atmosphere and have a wonderful learning experience together with us! **All are welcome. *No guest fee is required.*** **See you then!**

Meetup New Friends at Central HK (Free Entry) Time: Friday night usually \~7:30pm to 10pm (Weekly) Location: Central Market G/F (Center area), Central Hong Kong. 香港中環與新朋友見面 (Free Entry) 時間：週五晚上(通常) \~7:30pm 至 10pm（每週） 地點：香港中環中環街市地下（中心區）

🧧新春開年飯活動🧧 《第二組 豐衣築食吃喝會》 [2702 金牌九大簋開年飯@六安居]🧧🍽️ 日期：2月27日(五) 時間：1930-2200 飯店：上環六安居(蓮香居舊址) 消費：每位$318(宴席$3680） Event fee :$10/位(已包括） 人數：12位/席 訂位：齊人訂枱付訂 Host: CC ⭐️金牌九大簋Menu(12道菜)⭐️ ⭐️金錢雞錦繡大拼盤 ⭐️川貝杏汁燉白肺 ⭐️蓮香霸王鴨 ⭐️黃金煱大虎蝦 ⭐️生煎蓮藕餅 ⭐️泮水芹香 ⭐️翡翠彩鳳蚌片 ⭐️生炆龍躉翅 ⭐️馳名貴妃雞 ⭐️飄香荷葉飯 ⭐️蟠桃壽包 ⭐️蓮蓉焗西米布甸 (奉送啤酒大樽裝2支，細啤4支加$68可買紅酒1支) 💰價錢💰 1席：$3680/12位(已包茶芥/加一)+event fee 每位$10 平均每位$318/位 ❇️付款方法❇️ (每位參加者入組前,需全付$318位) ⭐️入群前，host會通知你付款方法 ⭐️付款後, 請通知& whatsapp CC入數留收據, 才能入臨時群⭐️ ⭐️歡迎當日早到/遲到/早退，不歡迎突然飛機友，付款後如未能參加，必須要搵到群組成員代替出席，不設退款。 ⚠️溫馨提示：～ 1.歡迎成員邀請朋友參加 2.不歡迎臨時消失飛機友，當成員付款後，如未能出席，自找成員頂位，不設退款，故此考慮清楚報名參加活動！如真正未能出席，請自動自覺退組，在meetup轉“not-going。 3.若發現成員經常性臨時飛機友，會列入黑名單，望成員尊重自己，尊重本組活動。 4.Host有最終活動決定權。 (六安居資料）:~ 網址: https://s.openrice.com/QrbS04ti000~uAyTUAw 地址: 上環德輔道西46-50號2-3樓 電話: 21569328

BGG party game No.1! 同狼人殺唔同, 死左都可以繼續玩, 而且可以同人私聊, 社交性極強, 想玩好遊戲又識下朋友既話, 快D報名啦! 內容 "Blood on the Clocktower" 給予你的不僅是一場遊戲，而是一場充滿陰謀、推理和背叛的奇幻冒險！在這個神秘的小鎮裡，每位玩家都扮演著一個角色，有的是善良的村民，有的則是隱藏著魔法與詭計的邪惡角色。 在 "Blood on the Clocktower" 中，你需要運用你的智慧和推理能力，與其他玩家互動，揭示謎團，幫助自己陣營勝利。這款遊戲的魅力在於其戲劇性的情節、角色間的心理戰和玩家間的互動，讓每場遊戲都充滿了驚喜和挑戰。準備好挑戰自己的推理能力，並在這個充滿陰謀的小鎮中揭開真相的面紗嗎？ 收費: $120位 / 女生$80 包一款指定飲料或水 假期包場優惠: $2000全日, 最多可承載30人 歡迎前往我們的IG看更多內容和活動詳情♥️ 101boardgame / 101boardgame.party

Join us for dinner and discussion about queer books! For our next book, we will be reading **‘Sisters of the Vast Black’** by **Lina Rather**. **Blurb** **The sisters of the Order of Saint Rita captain their living ship into the reaches of space in Lina Rather's debut novella, *Sisters of the Vast Black*.** **Blurb** Years ago, Old Earth sent forth sisters and brothers into the vast dark of the prodigal colonies armed only with crucifixes and iron faith. Now, the sisters of the Order of Saint Rita are on an interstellar mission of mercy aboard Our Lady of Impossible Constellations, a living, breathing ship which seems determined to develop a will of its own. When the order receives a distress call from a newly-formed colony, the sisters discover that the bodies and souls in their care—and that of the galactic diaspora—are in danger. And not from void beyond, but from the nascent Central Governance and the Church itself. **The Plan** 19:30 Meeting @ the restaurant 19:45 Dinner & discussion 21:15 Choosing a book for April 21:30 End **Dinner** The name of the restaurant will be announced in the WhatsApp group chat. **What to do** 1\. RSVP on this event page\. 2\. Read the book :\) and think about your suggestion for the discussion in April\! 3\. Come to the event and share your thoughts about the book with us\. 4\. Please enable DMs from other members and turn on notifications so that our team can communicate with you\. Hope to see you there! Amy (she/they) & Izabella (she/her) **Please note…** 1\. Tandem is a community of volunteers; everything you see is created by our members giving up their time and labour\. None of our organisers profit from events; any charges listed are those from other parties and we never add a mark\-up\. In this context\, we need attendees to do their best to reduce the workload of our volunteer team by reading the event description and these notes carefully; and follow the instructions in order to register a place on the event\. Please be considerate and helpful with our team – we are all volunteers\. 2\. We run all our event communication through WhatsApp\. Please keep track of event related messages in the Whatsapp event group and respond to requests and instructions from organisers within 24hrs\. Please don’t put the chat on mute\. If our team don’t receive your response within 24hrs\, we will move you to “Not Going”\. 3\. If you require special accessibility accommodations for the event \(i\.e\.\, accessible venue\, accessible restrooms\, noise levels\, lighting conditions\, etc\) and are unsure whether they can be met\, please reach out to the organiser/host\. 4\. We encourage language inclusivity at all our events\. If you aren't confident in English\, please let our team know\. We will try to provide bilingual support where possible and/or will try and introduce you to other language speakers you're more comfortable with\. Please be mindful that we might not be able to accommodate all languages at all events\, but we will do our best to make everyone feel welcome and heard\. 5\. If you sign up\, but can no longer make it\, please update your RSVP as soon as possible and tell the organiser\. Updating your RSVP well ahead of the event allows us to manage the waitlist; allow other people to attend; know who to look out for at the start of the event; and manage any relevant bookings\, such as table reservations\. 6\. If you don’t have a clear face pic on your profile and/or your username doesn’t match the name you normally use\, we can’t identify your payments nor match your RSVP with who you are in real life\. If this is you\, please ensure the organiser knows who you are\. If we can’t work out who you are within 24hrs of your RSVP\, we will move you to “Not Going”\. Only group members and their guests with an RSVP may attend events; people who aren’t signed up will be refused entry to events. 7\. If you don’t follow the conditions above\, we will move you to “Not Going” for future events until you message us to confirm you will follow these conditions\.

(Partner's Event) English Corner Time: Every Wed, Fri & Sun 19:00 - 23:00 Location: The Crazy Coconut Bar, ShenZhen Longhua Baishilong, 3rd floor, 3N100, Above Metro Exit B2 (BaiShiLong Metro Station) 瘋狂酒吧， 深圳龍華白石龍地鐵站B2上方，3樓 Refer to the picture for details on the BBQ Sat event. Wechat ID: Pandoraparties

BBQ Party on Sat (Partner's Event) BBQ Party at ShenZhen Time: Every Sat 19:00 - 23:00 (Usually) Location: The Crazy Coconut Bar, ShenZhen Longhua Baishilong, 3rd floor, 3N100, Above Metro Exit B2 (BaiShiLong Metro Station) 瘋狂酒吧， 深圳龍華白石龍地鐵站B2上方，3樓 Refer to the picture for details on the BBQ Sat event. Wechat ID: Pandoraparties

(Partner's Event) BBQ Party at ShenZhen Time: Every Sat 19:00 - 23:00 (Usually) Location: The Crazy Coconut Bar, ShenZhen Longhua Baishilong, 3rd floor, 3N100, Above Metro Exit B2 (BaiShiLong Metro Station) 瘋狂酒吧， 深圳龍華白石龍地鐵站B2上方，3樓 Refer to the picture for details on the BBQ Sat event.

Life Nude Figure Drawing Workshop! It is suitable for all levels! You can use different media to draw or paint! Only one charge - all art materials / model fee / coffee / tea / snacks are included! So you don’t need to bring anything! This is an exclusive private workshop with limited number by invitation only! Therefore, please WhatsApp me +852 9332 0424 for my confirmation after signing up here. https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/3/5/c/600_461994108.jpeg https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/d/0/7/600_461808391.jpeg https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/5/9/f/600_451457823.jpeg https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/d/2/b/600_437084331.jpeg https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/6/5/7/5/600_448945973.jpeg https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/e/c/b/600_436696075.jpeg https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/e/7/4/600_446583700.jpeg https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/9/5/e/600_428958782.jpeg

Meeting and coffee location: Rootdown Shop 16-19 G/F, Two Artlane, 1 Chung Ching St, Sai Ying Pun Communication: Follow us on IG and join our whatsapp group for latest updates.[HK-FRC Instagram Page](http://instagram.com/frchongkong/) [WhatsApp Group Link](https://chat.whatsapp.com/JhRmT0GhHMiDhLdrTD5tx0?mode=ems_copy_t) **Founders Running Club** (FRC) brings founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking. We like to be comfortable when we run and finish with coffee and conversations. Choose your pace or follow a pacer—pets, friends, family, are welcome. 🗓️ Launched in San Francisco, July 16, 2022 🌍 Now in 45+ cities 📅 Running + Networking events + Community **Follow us on Instagram** [http://instagram.com/frchongkong/](http://instagram.com/frchongkong/) **Stay updated**: Global Pages Instagram [http://instagram.com/foundersrc/](http://instagram.com/foundersrc/) LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/](http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/) Strava [http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC](http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC) Website [http://foundersrc.com/](http://foundersrc.com/)

\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* 📣 我地成業街超抵Deal場地‼️ 星期一至四，$600 book 場玩6個鐘，book 晒成個場, 600尺空間自由玩！ 歡迎約埋啲朋友仔一齊上去玩啦！查詢預約：Whatsapp 6️⃣7️⃣9️⃣4️⃣1️⃣1️⃣6️⃣6️⃣ \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **今日活動資訊:** 費用: [$100 / Girls $70] Pay at entrance. 包飲品一盒, extra飲品每盒$5. 🔔 人多, 或員工/主持忙於教玩遊戲時可能沒暇收取場費, 請利用櫃面PayMe code/Ali Pay /FPS號碼自行支付. 如發現有故意走數情況, 會被放進Meeple Tree 黑名單. 🔔 必須在此報名. 🔔 場地沒有食物提供, 但歡迎帶外賣上來食. 🔔 宣傳其他場地/放飛機/遊戲過程中態度惡劣者會被放進黑名單. 🔔 入埸請除鞋. 埸內拖鞋祗供店內用, 請勿著出店外. 🔔 報名參加Meetup活動, 當系統問你"Are you bringing anyone"時, 如果你祗是一個人來, 毋須㩒+1 (+1代表會帶朋友來的意思). 🔔 我哋嘅活動主持人有時會因為工作或者學業關係臨時嚟唔到，Meeple Tree 保留臨時更換主持嘅可能性。🙏 🔔 本會因放飛機(活動開始前24小時內退出者)被移除人數: 98 🔔 Meeple Tree保留參加者名單最後決定權. 🔔 Follow我哋IG: mtboardgame / boardgame_hk

好多時會有客人問我哋我哋嘅Meetup Party Games活動會玩啲乜嘢？其實就係例如9 Upper, 狼人真言，Flip 7，歌迷序會等等好玩流行嘅輕鬆桌遊，由當日嘅活動主持決定最終玩邊幾隻！ 其實玩邊隻game唔係重點。重點係個活動好唔好玩！我哋好多活動都有好多人參加. 所以不必多說，你應該知道究竟發生了什麼事！ \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* 📣 我地成業街超抵Deal場地‼️ 星期一至四，$600 book 場玩6個鐘，book 晒成個場, 600尺空間自由玩！ 歡迎約埋啲朋友仔一齊上去玩啦！查詢預約：Whatsapp 6️⃣7️⃣9️⃣4️⃣1️⃣1️⃣6️⃣6️⃣ \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **今日活動資訊:** 費用: [$100 / Girls $70] Pay at entrance. 包飲品一盒, extra飲品每盒$5. 🔔 人多, 或員工/主持忙於教玩遊戲時可能沒暇收取場費, 請利用櫃面PayMe code/Ali Pay /FPS號碼自行支付. 如發現有故意走數情況, 會被放進Meeple Tree 黑名單. 🔔 必須在此報名. 🔔 場地沒有食物提供, 但歡迎帶外賣上來食. 🔔 宣傳其他場地/放飛機/遊戲過程中態度惡劣者會被放進黑名單. 🔔 入埸請除鞋. 埸內拖鞋祗供店內用, 請勿著出店外. 🔔 報名參加Meetup活動, 當系統問你"Are you bringing anyone"時, 如果你祗是一個人來, 毋須㩒+1 (+1代表會帶朋友來的意思). 🔔 我哋嘅活動主持人有時會因為工作或者學業關係臨時嚟唔到，Meeple Tree 保留臨時更換主持嘅可能性。🙏 🔔 本會因放飛機(活動開始前24小時內退出者)被移除人數: 98 🔔 Meeple Tree保留參加者名單最後決定權. 🔔 Follow我哋IG: mtboardgame / boardgame_hk

## Overview Networking event for aspiring school leaders interested in building their own high-quality K-12 public school in their community. **About the Event:** Aspiring school founders in the Columbus, OH, area are invited to join us for this special in-person networking event where you will be able to ask questions, learn more about the BES Fellowship and make sure you are prepared for the application process and beyond. In addition to meeting like-minded leaders who are also committed to transforming education and bringing a high-quality K-12 option to their community, you’ll have the opportunity to meet our team and gain special insights from Dr. Chaundria Smith, BES Senior Director of Fellowship Coaching, who works closely to support BES Fellows. During this event, you can also learn more about the various regions across Ohio we are prioritizing for the BES Fellowship to ensure that new schools will respond to the needs of their community. **About the BES Fellowship:** Leaders in the BES Fellowship embark on a multi-year process to design, found, and lead an excellent K-12 public school that reflects and responds to community needs. We are currently accepting applications to the 2026 BES Fellowship. The extended deadline is March 30, and the 2026 Cohort will begin August 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled. Learn more at [bes.org/fellowship](http://bes.org/fellowship "http://bes.org/fellowship").

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!

**Confidence in Bloom: How Creativity Builds Confidence** What happens when creativity becomes an intentional practice? In this month’s Confidence Lab, we’ll gather at **Petals That Inspire: The Flourish Studio** for an evening exploring the connection between creativity and confidence. How making with our hands, engaging our senses, and allowing space for expression can shift how we see ourselves and what we believe is possible. Our featured speaker, **Amanda Lorenzetti**, owner of Petals That Inspire, will share how creativity has shaped her own confidence journey and why creative environments play such a powerful role in well-being, resilience, and personal growth. Drawing from her work leading an experience-driven floral studio and a community-centered workforce development program, Amanda will reflect on creativity as both a personal and collective catalyst. Amanda will also guide us through a **hands-on floral design experience**, creating a fresh arrangement in a wide mouth mason jar. No prior floral experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to engage the process. This evening is an invitation to slow down, create, and reconnect with the part of yourself that grows through care, attention, and imagination. You’ll leave with a floral arrangement to take home, and a deeper understanding of how confidence can be cultivated through creative practices. **Featured Speaker: Amanda Lorenzetti** Amanda Lorenzetti is the owner and founder of [Petals That Inspire](https://www.petalsthatinspire.com/) and The Flourish Studio, a social enterprise florist based in Columbus, Ohio. She brings more than a decade of experience in wedding and event sales, paired with hands-on expertise in floral and event design. Amanda’s connection to the floral industry began early, spending time alongside her godmother, a professional florist on the East Coast. After earning her business degree, she returned to her hometown in Connecticut to work as a floral and event designer, blending creative artistry with strong operational and client-focused skills. In 2020, Amanda returned to the floral industry with a renewed purpose, driven by a desire to build a business rooted in creativity, community impact, and sustainability. During this pivotal time, she founded Petals That Inspire—an innovative floral concept that reimagines the traditional florist model by combining event florals, workshops, and experiential offerings with a mission-centered approach to workforce development. Today, Petals That Inspire is a thriving social enterprise known for its thoughtful design, educational experiences, and commitment to empowering young adults facing barriers to entry in the workforce. Amanda is deeply passionate about building businesses that are both profitable and purpose-driven, and she leverages her strong business acumen to create a scalable & sustainable model that inspires creativity while giving back to the community. **What is Confidence Lab?** Confidence Lab is a monthly community experience for bold, thoughtful leaders building confidence from the inside out. Whether you’re launching a business, leading a team, navigating change, or simply striving to show up more fully—you belong here. Our work demands clarity, courage, and conviction—but the pace of daily life can erode our sense of self. Confidence Lab creates space to reflect, reconnect, and grow with others doing purpose-driven work. It’s designed for entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, creatives, corporate professionals, activists, and anyone ready to lead with authenticity and impact. ***Please note:*** *All are welcome! If cost is a concern, please use promo code PUBLIC to access a free ticket—we want you to join us.*

Join other experienced and aspiring agile coaches and professionals to: * develop and practice your coaching skills in a peer-to-peer environment * share current successes and challenges in your work environment and get support from each other * learn from each other, build better relationships and experiment with new ideas

Communication is everything in life! Attend this free lecture about how to be a better communicator. 📍 1266 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215 You are only as successful as your ability to communicate. \- What if you could confidently talk to anyone? \- What if you had the ability to calmly control every conversation? \- What if you could close that sale\, ask for that date\, make new friends\, repair problematic relationships\, get that raise\, or effortlessly express any idea with confidence? You can! The secret to success relies on your ability or inability to effectively communicate. Attend a free seminar and gain a better ability to communicate. Hosted by the Church of Scientology of Central Ohio For more information, contact Rhiannon, the Event Host at 614-221-5024

Evolve exists to connect women entrepreneurs connect with one another, serve one another, and help one another overcome challenges in marketing, sales, networking, and professional development. [Add to Calendar](evolvecolumbus.eventcalendarapp.com) What to Expect: \~ Welcome team to greet you, introduce you to others, and make sure you feel a part of the group from your very first meeting \~ Welcome & Introductions: 15 second introductions \~ 15 Minute Speaker Spotlight: Member speaker who shares a bit of her story, how she got to doing what she does, and a tangible tip she uses to gain success in her business. No hard selling...no expectations. Simply giving the group an opportunity to get to know her and her journey. \~ 20 Minute Break Out Sessions: Small groups is where we connect best. Extroverted and Introverted alike get the opportunity to share on a deeper level and learn from one another. \~ Take Aways: Hear what the other groups talked about and share resources to grow yourself and your business \~ Grow Time!: Do you need a specific connection to a person, company, or industry? Share it with us! We love to open our networks to one another and grow together! Guests are always welcome. Please contact Mentor Director Donna Schomer at Donna@EvolveWomensNetwork.com for more information. We'd love to meet you!