Product Management

📅 **Week 4 Focus: Calling LLM via API** Each 7-week cycle focuses on a small, well-defined part of a larger system—and over time, these cycles build toward a complete, real-world project Feel free to join at any week and we will catch you up. There is no need to be at the beginning of the cohort to build. Complete beginners welcomed! 📌 By the End of a Full Cycle, You should Have 🎯 A working project in your own GitHub repo 🎯 A small but real portfolio piece you can demo or write about 🧠 **Current Project** This cycle’s shared project is an **image-based knowledge extraction system**. In Week 3, we trained a deep learning object detection model (YOLO) and learned how modern computer vision models are built. **In Week 4** we will try **LLM-based image understanding via APIs** to extract structured information from images and comparing this approach with traditional computer vision and building your own deep learning methods. * \*\*\* **👋 Who Is This For?** 🔹 Beginners who learn best by doing — no prior experience needed 🔹 Career switchers from product, engineering, design, marketing, or other fields who want to break into data 🔹 Analysts, engineers, and PMs looking to sharpen their skills or build real-world projects 🔹 Data professionals who want a creative playground outside of work 🔹 Anyone with big questions and a love for learning through experimentation \*\*\* **BUILD. LEARN. EXPERIMENT. OVER COFFEE.** Come hang out, meet like-minded people, and work on something fun. 📍 Based in Berlin – in-person meetups only (for now!) 💻 Laptops + ☕ highly encouraged Join our Discord → [https://discord.gg/dPnmzcCP8w](https://discord.gg/dPnmzcCP8w) Check out our program resources: [Google Drive](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15DmZqD4bLBk2vU4zpvh1HiB3_5n09v-q?usp=sharing) \*\*\* ✨ Who’s Hosting? I’m Lindsey, a senior data scientist working on AI, causal inference, and data products. I’ve built models for fraud detection, uplift modeling, and LLM-based systems. I am always open to suggestion for different format for this meetup.

An improvised theatre show designed to be understood across languages. On stage, five languages coexist — English, German, Italian, Spanish & French — within a shared narrative. Clarity doesn’t come by chance: the performance is carefully conceived with a system of clarifications, contextual translations and narrative tools that allow the audience to follow the story, regardless of the languages they speak. There are no subtitles and no simplifications. Understanding emerges through structure, relationships and emotional dynamics. Created in Berlin in collaboration with improvisation schools working in their own languages, Berlino Babel reflects a city where many languages meet — and still manage to listen to each other. An important collaborative project that required many years of work, come and see the result. Tickets at the box office 10/15 euro.

**Agentic AI Engineering Lab (Tech Event, Sprint #1)** **\- Build a Production\-Ready MCP Server** **Move from prompting to architecting** The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an emerging open standard for connecting AI apps/agents to real tools and data sources. This session is not a talk — it’s a hands-on lab where we build MCP servers that can be tested immediately with an MCP-capable client (e.g., Claude Desktop / your preferred agent setup). **The Format** We are planning a series of agentic ai tech meetings for deep building. This event may be attended alone or be seen as part / sprint of the event series with upcoming events building on top of what we build here. This is a high-density micro-meetup limited to 6 seats. We prioritize builders: bring your laptop, ship code, and be ready to 'build and break' alongside other devs and engineers. **Future Sessions building on top may focus on ...** RAG systems, advanced MCP features, A2A, multi-agent workflows, production deployment Patterns or whatever we feel nice to build next. (We run our sessions like an anthology series: **Every meetup is a standalone sprint.** While we often build on previous results, each session provides a complete experience and remains fully accessible to first-time attendees.) **What you'll build** After a quick alignment on the technical scope, the floor is yours: build your solution using the stack and tools that fit your workflow. We provide the framework; you provide the execution. By the end, you’ll have a working MCP server (Python or TypeScript) with at least one real tool/resource, tested end-to-end. **Ideas: Choose one track (or bring own idea if it fits the scope)** **For Beginners (Foundational)** * Personal knowledge server (local files/notes) * Weather / external API integration * GitHub issues helper **Intermediate** * SQLite query interface * Slack/Discord notification tool * CSV/Excel analyzer **Advanced** * Multi-API aggregator (e.g., calendar + weather + tasks) * Document processor (PDF/DOCX parsing) * Lightweight system monitoring/control **Schedule (Saturaday, 10:00 - 15:00 CET)** * **10:00–10:30 — Foundations + Live Demo** Quick run through general MCP architecture (hosts/clients/servers), core primitives (tools/resources/prompts), basic patterns in order to get everybody on the same page. * **10:30–11:00 — Environment Sync** We wanna make sure everyone can run a “Hello World” MCP server (Python or TypeScript). * **11:00–12:45 — Build Sprint (Lab Time)** Implement your server + first tool/resource. Pair-debugging encouraged. * **12:45–13:00 — Break (Pizza/Snacks)** * **13:00–13:30 — Test & Iterate** Use MCP Inspector / your client to test, fix edge cases, tighten tool contracts. * **13:30–15:00 — Demos + Technical Teardown** Quick demos, what broke, what worked, and what we’ll harden in the next sprint. **Prerequisites (Please Read)** * You’re comfortable shipping small things in your preferred dev language and tools (e.g. Python, TypeScript/Node.js). * **Bring your laptop** + basic dev setup (Git, package manager). * Have access to an LLM client / API (Claude/OpenAI/etc.). * This is a lab for engineers, not a tutorial. We solve architectural problems together, but you are the master of your own dev environment. * **Mindset:** Build, Break & Iterate — broken code is welcome, passivity isn’t. **Logistics** * **Location:** Our private boardroom in the Grunewald area (near Martin-Luther Hospital). The exact address will be shared after RSVP. * **Capacity:** 6 seats (first come, first served; deposit required) **Commitment Deposit and No-Show / Late-Show** This meetup is strictly non-profit. To respect everyone’s time and ensure all 6 seats are utilized by committed builders, a €15 deposit is required. * **The Deal:** The deposit covers high-quality pizza, snacks, and drinks. Any surplus will be refunded to you via your original payment method after the event. * **Punctuality is Key:** We start at **10:00 sharp** with the technical foundations (door open from 09:45). To protect the group’s focus, late arrivals or no-shows will not be eligible for a refund. Their deposit will be fully contributed to the community's pizza & snack fund. * **Cancellations:** No refunds for cancellations within 24 hours of the start time.

**Step Out of Your Comfort Zone—Try Improv!** Want to boost your confidence and communication skills? Join our no-pressure taster sessions! Play, laugh, and discover the power of spontaneity in a supportive group. No experience needed—just show up and give it a go! Why join? * Get out of your comfort zone—improv pushes you to embrace the unknown in a fun, supportive environment. * Get out of your head—learn to trust your instincts and act in the moment. * Be social—connect with a diverse, welcoming community. * Gain confidence—practice handling unpredictable situations with ease. * Have fun ! **Book a ticket here:** https://rausgegangen.de/events/a-taste-of-improv-0/ **About the Teachers** This workshop is led by Lorenz von Römer and Stéphane Piette, two passionate engineers who discovered improv together six years ago—and never looked back. Fascinated by how improv transforms communication, creativity, and confidence in both personal and professional life, they’ve been teaching and performing ever since. With years of experience on stage and in the classroom, they’ve brought improv to audiences across Berlin and internationally, performing in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. In 2023, they founded *Check la Lage*, a monthly show that unites improvisers from different companies, and were key players, teachers, and coordinators for *Liber*, a long-standing French-German improv company in Berlin.Their approach blends technical precision with playful spontaneity, making improv accessible and impactful for everyone—whether you’re looking to boost your public speaking, connect more authentically, or simply have fun. Join them for a session where curiosity meets courage!

**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 35+ cities 📅 Running + Networking events + Community **Join the community** [http://foundersrc.com/chats](http://foundersrc.com/chats) **Stay updated**: Instagram [http://instagram.com/foundersrc/](http://instagram.com/foundersrc/) Podcast [http://podcast.foundersrc.com/](http://podcast.foundersrc.com/) 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/)

Are you ready for an experiment? Let’s mix some cutting-edge science with hilarious improv. Come watch a team of Berlin’s funniest improv nerds and science affiliates deconstruct a real scientific talk from a real scientific person and turn it into... well, Laughing Matter. Come join in the fun and leave the venue knowing more about one or two particular scientific fields of research than you did before. Unless you are a scientist, then we can’t guarantee you won’t somehow know less. Doors: 19:30 Show: 20:00 Tix: [https://www.improvworksberlin.com/shows](https://www.improvworksberlin.com/shows)

**Systemisch Lachen – mehr Freude und Leichtigkeit im Alltag** Der Mini-Workshop zeigt Dir, wie Du mit einfachen Übungen das Lachen systemisch bewusst in Dein Leben integrieren und als Ressource nutzen kannst, um neue Lösungswege für Probleme zu entdecken. Durch spielerische Methoden wird Lachen als kraftvolles Werkzeug erlebbar – sei es für die Selbstfürsorge, in Beziehungen oder Freundschaften, oder in der Arbeit mit Kolleg\*innen und Klient\*innen. ### **Workshopinhalte:** Im Workshop lernst Du Lachen als **soziale Interaktion** kennen. Du erfährst, wie sehr es unsere Verbindung zu anderen Menschen stärken kann. Du setzt Dich mit dem **Embodiment des Lachens** auseinander und erlebst, wie Körper und Emotionen dabei in Resonanz treten. Ein besonderer Fokus liegt dabei auf der Bedeutung der **inneren Freude** sowie auf der Stärkung Deiner individuellen **Lachkompetenz**. Spielerische Übungen helfen Dir, mehr Leichtigkeit und Gelassenheit in Dein Leben einzuladen. Darüber hinaus wirst Du erfahren, wie **Lachen als Mikropraxis im Alltag** genutzt werden kann – sei es in kurzen Pausen, in Gesprächssituationen oder als bewusste Ressource bei Stress. Der Workshop verbindet Lachmomente, Tiefenentspannung und Achtsamkeit miteinander, sodass Du einen nachhaltigen Nutzen für Dein persönliches Wohlbefinden mitnimmst. ### **Methodik:** Der Workshop bietet einen geschützten Raum, in dem die positiven Wirkungen des Lachens körperlich und praktisch erfahren werden. Du lernst unterschiedliche Übungen des Systemischen Lachens kennen, entdeckst Dein individuelles Lachen und erforschst gemeinsam die Sprache des Lachens. ### **Zielgruppe:** Der Workshop richtet sich an alle, die mehr Freude und Lachen in ihren Alltag bringen möchten, sowie an Fachkräfte in sozialen Berufen, die die Methoden des Systemischen Lachens professionell anwenden wollen. Nähere Informationen findet ihr auch auf der [Website](http://www.juliavonrandow.com/) der Dozentinnen. ### Kursinformation Anmeldung: https://lette-akademie.de/kurse/systemisch-lachen/ Termin: Sa., 14. Feb. 26, 10:00 – 13:45 Gebühr: 70 € / 5 Unterrichtsstunden Veranstaltungsort: Lette-Verein Berlin Viktoria-Luise-Platz 6 10777 Berlin Fragen zum Kurs? [info@lette-akademie.de](mailto:info@lette-akademie.de?subject=Frage%20zum%20Kurs:%20Lachen%20%E2%80%93%20eine%20ernste%20Sache%20*Mini-Workshop%20ALLG%202.24.2)

Hey everyone! I’m organising a co-working + socialising session for all of us who like to work on something (e.g. our own project, freelance or remote work) but don't feel like sitting alone at home. 🙂 To ensure that we have both **socialising** AND **working**, we will be using the so called “Pomodoro” technique: **50min of deep work** (silent), followed by **10min of break** to socialise. Then repeat! If you get into flow, you're also welcome to skip the breaks. It’s an effective way to stay focused - you can read more about it [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomodoro_Technique). Anyone from any background is welcome, whatever project you are working on or whatever is your personal background. I (the host) speak English and German, so either is fine :-) ——————————————————- AGENDA: * **15min Intro** * Get to know everyone, talk about what you will work on today * **Pomodoro Session** (3x) - *Each Pomodoro session consists* *of...* * ...**50min** of uninterrupted “deep work” (no talking, no interruptions, no phones) * ...**10min** of break: share your progress with others, talk about what you are stuck on etc. * Repeat * Conclude and celebrate your progress Share your progress, socialise and get to know others 😊 ———— We'll be at the Social Hub Berlin (they have a food menu in case you get hungry). The structured part will end at 2:30pm, but you're welcome to stay longer, go for lunch together, or leave earlier. See you there 🩵 **\*\*We'll reserve the long table. Please update your RSVP in advance if you can't attend!\*\***

Welcome to Sunday Tech Coffee. This is a **networking** event for those in the tech industry in Berlin. We are usually inside and to the right. Ask the barista/bartender if you can't find us.

It's short-form improv by the sweetest people on earth, including... YOU! Hosted by members of ImprovWorks, it's Berlin's only short-form improv jam! We'll pick some improv games in a range of difficulties, and if you want to play, just sign up. We aim to create an atmosphere where both first-timers can feel comfortable and supported getting on stage, and more experienced performers can get some fun practice. Doors: 19:30, Jam: 20:00 Tickets are free, but limited in number, get yours in advance to avoid disappointment: [https://www.improvworksberlin.com/shows](https://www.improvworksberlin.com/shows)

Scented Sensations Candle Workshop: Crafting Beauty, One Candle at a Time 🕯️✨ Step into the enchanting world of artisanal candle-making by Garden State, where creativity meets sustainability in an immersive experience designed for women. At the Scented Sensations Candle Workshop, you'll craft breathtaking, handmade candles using eco-friendly soy wax and exquisite botanical fragrance oils from France. This is your chance to design a signature aroma that perfectly reflects your personality and mood. Garden State's workshop is more than just creating—it’s about exploring the transformative power of scent as a form of self-expression. Personalize your candle's label to make it truly one-of-a-kind while connecting with a like-minded community in a warm, inspiring environment. **Les Amis** is a women-only community of friendly souls. We provide access to hundreds of experiences that explore your passions and connect you with other event participants. **Check our website to learn more, and apply to join our community and events**: [lesamis.cc/apply](https://www.lesamis.cc/apply)

The next **Pitch and Planning Session** will be on **Feb 15th at 19:00.** We are super looking forward to hearing your pitches and watching you meet people ready to help you make your films a reality in the really real world! 📍The event is located at **House of Music** in RAW Gelande, Revalerstr 99, 10245 Berlin . A very large and amazing space that we are now calling home. For those who are new, our Pitch and Planning Session is a monthly English language event held here in Berlin for people who have an idea for a film and would like to pitch it, as well as those people who are eager to work on films. It's all about getting films made. If you have a film idea that is burning a hole in your brain, tell the people in the audience your story idea and hopefully you will meet people who can help you make your idea into a reality! This event is also for people who want to help out in all aspects of filmmaking to help make these pitches happen. So if your passion is camera, sound, hair and makeup, writing, lighting, fighting, or anything that could help, you are always welcome. Whether you're new to filmmaking or experienced and want to work on something cool and creative, no matter what your area of expertise/interest is, this is for you! Be sure to show up to either pitch your idea or be ready to listen to some interesting pitches from excited people and potentially help someone make their film. Let's make some cool shit! If you still want more information you can head on over to our website: *https://berlinfilmcommunity.com/pitch_and_planning/* I have been a part of making some of these pitched projects into real world movies and I have always had a blast.

Curious what we do? Check our [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/filmmakersandmovienerds/) ♥️ Would you like to meet some like-minded filmmakers? Start a project? Or do you need help with a movie you are currently working on? Are you new in the city and you'd like to meet people tinkering with movies? **Then you should join us!** We meet every Sunday. It’s important to us that we get to know each other in person. To create a community of connected people, work, learn and grow together. For film making you need a crew of reliable people with a positive can-do-attitude. This is the place to find them. Together, we will talk about these topics: * What you are currently working on * What you need help with * What would you like to help with * What you you would like to learn This is event is great for: * filmmakers * movie nerds * writers * camera operators * editors * actors * sound recorders * composers * gaffers * producers We are limiting the amount of people, so we can have a structured introduction and discussion. After that we get together loosely with some drinks and chats. And then we mostly go for dinner with a couple of us. **Important information**: *To sustain and grow this amazing community, we started a member contribution that is due every month. The money we collect is used solely for the purpose of the community. Of course you can come once or twice without contributing to check us out!*

⛵☀️🌴 14 Tage Karibik mit Luxus-Katamaran - Segelurlaub in 2026 - Privater-Törn Sa, 14. Februar 2026 – Sa, 28. Februar 2026 ⛵ Karibik Paradies pur Stell dir vor: Türkises Wasser, das in der Sonne glitzert, versteckte Buchten zum Eintauchen und die pure Entspannung auf unserem Katamaran. Was dich erwartet: Schnorcheln, Entdeckungstouren & Sterneabende Mit unserem Luxus-Katamaran ankern wir in stillen Buchten, erkunden die Umgebung mit unserem Dingi und genießen das einfache Glück. ⛵ sicher und entspannt – segeln mit dem Katamaran Ein Katamaran gleitet stabil und ruhig durchs Wasser – ohne lästige Schräglagen, kein Schaukeln, auch bei mehr Wind. Perfekt für Neulinge – einfach zurücklehnen und genießen. (Tipp: Wer mag, kann natürlich vorsichtshalber etwas gegen Seekrankheit einpacken – aber meist braucht’s das nicht!) ⛵ Luxus-Katamaran Lagoon 450– pure Komfortoase! 🛥️💙 Stell dir vor: Ein luxuriöser Traum-Katamaran mit Platz für 12 Personen - perfekt für gemeinsame Abenteuer und entspannte Auszeiten. Der Luxus Katamaran hat 4 Kabinen mit jeweils eigenem Bad, eine Großküche, klimatisierten Räumen, drei Decks und einem exklusivem VIP-Oberdeck. ___ 🌴 Unsere Route durch die Karibik mit viel Freiheit und Entdeckung Start: 📅 Sa. 14.02.2026, 17 Uhr 📍 Le Marin (Martinique) Route: Wir segeln mit Wind, Sonne und Entdeckerlust und gestalten die Törns ganz flexibel, mit Ausflügen ganz nach euren Wünschen 😉 Geplant sind diese traumhaften Inseln: • Le Marin, Sainte-Anne, Grande Anse d’Arlet (Martinique) • Rodney Bay, Marigot Bay, Soufrière / Pitons (Saint Lucia) • Wallilabou (St. Vincent) • Bequia, Mustique, Tobago Cays, Mayreau (Grenadinen) Ende: 📅 Sa. 28.02.2026, 12:00 Uhr 📍 Zurück in Le Marin (Martinique) – mit einem Koffer voller Sonnenmomente! Gemeinsam entscheiden wir: Wanderungen durch Naturparks, Schnorcheln in Korallenriffen, Inselmärkte und traumhafte Entspannung an Deck Der Skipper passt die Route nur aus Sicherheitsgründen wie Wind & Wetter an. ___ 💬 Wer wir sind, unser Skipper-Team: Sicherheit ist unser Kompass! ⛵ Wir sind seit vielen Jahren leidenschaftliche Segler und haben uns auf Katamarane spezialisiert. An Bord sind zwei erfahrene Skipper, die ihre Ausbildung beim Deutschen Segler-Verband (DSV) absolviert haben. Damit ist die Sicherheit auf unserem Katamaran nicht nur gewährleistet, sondern liegt in besten Händen! ___ ⚓ Leben an Bord & Mitsegeln An Bord packen alle mit an – ob beim Kochen, beim Anlegen oder beim Dinghi holen. Alles ganz locker, ohne Zwang. Du brauchst keine Segelerfahrung, nur Lust auf Gemeinschaft und ein wenig Abenteuer 😉 Wenn du segeln lernen möchtest, zeigen wir dir gerne mehr. Wenn du lieber mit einem Buch in der Hängematte liegst – auch perfekt! Für diese Abenteuerreise solltest du fit und offen für Neues sein – das Klima ist spannend, aber auch herausfordernd, und vor Ort ist die Gesundheitsversorgung etwas anders als gewohnt. ___ 🍽️ Verpflegung 💰 Bordkasse & Kabinen Wir kaufen gemeinsam ein und kochen an Bord – so können wir auch auf spezielle Ernährungsbedürfnisse (vegan, vegetarisch, Unverträglichkeiten etc.) eingehen. Restaurantbesuche planen wir je nach Lust und Laune, und ist nicht in der Bordkasse enthalten. • Bordkasse Verpflegung: ca. 100 – 150 € p.P. / Woche • Bordkasse Schiff (Motorstunden, Endreinigung, Bettwäsche, ggf. Hafengebühren etc.): ca. 100 – 150 € p.P. / Woche • die Kosten belaufen sich auf. 2.290 € p.P. in geteilten Doppelkabinen • Skipper-Verpflegung (eine Person): Traditionell mitversorgt durch die Crew • Einzelkabine oder Bugkoje: auf Anfrage möglich ___ ✈️ Anreise: Flüge Martinique erreichst du am besten per Flugzeug. Aktuell kosten Hin- und Rückflüge ca. 600€ je nach Abflugort. ___ Bitte beachte: Dies ist ein privat organisierter Törn ohne kommerziellen Hintergrund. ___ 💌 Noch Fragen? Interesse? Komm an Bord – die Karibik ruft! deine Skipper Ümit & Erkan ⛵☀️🌴

Join ProductTank Wilmington for an engaging discussion on Product Management across different domains including, but not limited to AI, FinTech, and Healthcare. Whether you're a seasoned product manager or just starting out in the field, this gathering is a fantastic space to learn from the best in the industry and network with like-minded professionals. **NOTE: This is an open invitation to join ProductTank Wilmington and not an event.**

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – February 25 Business Presentation** **Featuring Seeman Saeed, Founder of LeakzAlert** **Wednesday\, February 25 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** We’re excited to welcome **Seeman Saeed**, founder of **LeakzAlert**, to the 1 Million Cups Loudoun stage to share an innovative solution focused on prevention, protection, and smarter property management. **About the Business** LeakzAlert provides **water leak detection and monitoring services** designed to identify issues early and help prevent costly damage. By delivering proactive alerts and monitoring, LeakzAlert supports property owners and managers in protecting their assets, reducing risk, and avoiding unexpected disruptions. **Who Seeman Is Looking to Hear From** Seeman is eager to connect with professionals across: * Property management * Property maintenance companies * Home insurance providers * Hotels and hospitals * Homeowners * Anyone responsible for facility or property oversight **Current Focus** As LeakzAlert gains traction, Seeman is seeking feedback on: * Sales scalability * Sustainable growth strategies * Expanding market reach * Building strong industry partnerships **Why Attend?** * Learn about a service that directly impacts workplace success * Provide valuable feedback to a growing business * Connect with fellow entrepreneurs and community leaders * Be part of a collaborative, solutions-focused conversation **What is 1 Million Cups?** 1 Million Cups is a national program that brings entrepreneurs and communities together to learn, connect, and grow through presentations and discussion. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month. Join us on **February 25 at 9:00 AM** for coffee, connection, and a meaningful conversation about communication, workforce development, and business growth. We look forward to seeing you there!

**IMPORTANT:** This event is free, but please register here with your email so we can get a clear view of the attendance: https://uxdx.com/community/community-dc-2026-02-28/ TALKS **Lina Reynolds- Lead UX Strategist, Ford** **➡️The Strategic UX Advocate: Driving Influence through Clarity and Metrics** Are you tired of fighting for a "seat at the table" only to be asked to "just make it pretty"? Join Lina Reynolds, Lead UX Strategist, for a tactical deep dive into how UX professionals can transform from order-takers into strategic partners. Drawing from her 10+ years of experience and her recent panel at UXCON '25, Lina will share how she used Clarity and Metrics to lead high-impact projects at Ford Credit, including a dealer application that achieved a record-breaking 82 NPS. **➡️Faz Besharatian- Product Strategy & Design Leader, North X Normal** **From Stuck to Constraints Based Strategy** "We can’t do that here." Sound familiar? If you’ve worked in healthcare, finance, or any risk-sensitive environment, you’ve heard all the ways innovation gets stalled. Regulation, legal, compliance, lack of time, too many cooks... But what if constraints weren’t the enemy? Using constraints as a starting point for smarter strategy. It’s practical, fast, and made for product and design leaders. **Event Details:** **Agenda** 3:00 - 3:20: Registration and networking 3:20 - 3:30: Introduction 3:30- 4:00: The Strategic UX Advocate: Driving Influence through Clarity and Metrics- Lina Reynolds 4:00-4:30: From Stuck to Constraints Based Strategy- Faz Besharatian 4:30 - 5:00: Networking and close 📍**Location- Cleveland Park Library, DC** \*\*\* 🙌 We hope you can join us for an inspiring evening of learning and connection! 👉 Subscribe to our YouTube channel: [https://www.youtube.com/uxdxconf](https://www.youtube.com/uxdxconf) ✉ Get alerts on the latest events: [https://uxdx.com/subscribe](https://uxdx.com/subscribe) ℹ Find out more about us: [https://uxdx.com](https://uxdx.com)

Learn to manage stress and achieve self-growth through simple relaxation and Meditation. Heartfulness Meditation is a simple, modern, methodical approach to meditation. Rather than homing in on your breath or repeating a mantra, you simply focus inward, on your heart, to cultivate inner strength and serenity. Heartfulness meditation is gaining traction in recent years. It focuses on the heart, allowing individuals to connect with themselves on a deeper level, and ultimately achieve peace, relaxation, and clarity. It is a practice that encourages patience, self-compassion, and acceptance, helping cultivate a deeper appreciation for the present moment. This practice is offered with love and at no cost

The next NoVABeerSec event - "Informal Gathering of Security Minds Over Beer'' will be Wednesday, February 25th, 5:30PM til 7ish at Crooked Run Fermentation (22455 Davis Drive, Sterling, VA ). **BONUS** there is a Senor Ramon Taqueria as part of the brewery; so it will be a “Taco Wednesday” for everyone ;) **Venue for February:** Crooked Run Fermentation (https://crookedrunfermentation.com/sterling-virginia-2/) - Crooked Run Fermentation is a Virginia-based producer of contemporary and traditional beers, coolship sours, natural wines, ciders, and seltzers. Started in 2013 in Leesburg, Virginia, Crooked Run has developed a following for creative and nuanced beverages across a variety of styles, from lagers to IPAs, barrel-aged stouts, sours, and beyond beer. In 2017, we opened our main production facility in Sterling, Virginia, and will open a third location in northeast DC in 2022. Opened in 2017, the Sterling location features a bustling taproom, outdoor biergarten, 10 BBL brewhouse, and best of all, TACOS! Senor Ramon Taqueria offers a full menu of tacos, quesadillas, empanadas, and more. Come relax with 12 beers on tap, weekend live music, and some great food! If you're biking, we're right off the W&OD Trail. **Additional Info:** We are an inclusive group, so if we missed anyone please let us know or if you want to bring your significant other/spouse please do. Have a great week and see you later this month! Cheers, Rinaldi Rampen & Mike McCabe of @NoVABeerSec

## **1 Million Cups Loudoun – February 25 Business Presentation** **Featuring Jennifer Zitelli, Founder of ESL Thrive** **Wednesday\, February 25 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** Join us at 1 Million Cups Loudoun as we welcome **Jennifer Zitelli**, founder of **ESL Thrive**, for a dynamic conversation focused on workforce communication, business growth, and supporting employees for long-term success. **About the Business** ESL Thrive provides **on-the-job English training designed specifically for business success**. Through customized instruction, Jennifer helps employees gain the language skills they need to communicate effectively, perform confidently, and thrive in their roles — ultimately strengthening the businesses they support. Her programs are tailored to meet the real-world needs of small businesses, ensuring employees learn practical workplace language that directly impacts productivity, team collaboration, and customer experience. **Who Jennifer Is Looking to Hear From** Jennifer is seeking feedback from business owners and leaders in industries such as: * Hospitality * Home services * Restaurants * Retail * Any business with employees whose first language is not English **Current Business Focus & Barriers** As ESL Thrive continues to grow, Jennifer is looking for insight around: * Overcoming barriers to business growth * Strengthening marketing strategy * Expanding business development efforts * Effectively reaching her target markets This is an excellent opportunity to share your perspective while supporting a business dedicated to empowering both employers and employees. **Why Attend?** * Learn about a service that directly impacts workplace success * Provide valuable feedback to a growing business * Connect with fellow entrepreneurs and community leaders * Be part of a collaborative, solutions-focused conversation **What is 1 Million Cups?** 1 Million Cups is a national program that brings entrepreneurs and communities together to learn, connect, and grow through presentations and discussion. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month. Join us on **February 25 at 9:00 AM** for coffee, connection, and a meaningful conversation about communication, workforce development, and business growth. We look forward to seeing you there!