This time last year, Yummii Ong-Ly was earning over $100, 000 in a job she hated.

After much personal and professional reflection, she freed herself from the chains of the corporate world and now heads two small businesses – one an online boutique for bridal couture headpieces, and the other, a social network for up-and-coming designers like herself, with a difference.

Yummii was inspired by her own experiences to create MeetingPOT to empower other emerging designers to pursue their true passions, and to foster new talent in the fashion industry and across all small businesses.

MeetingPOT is Australia’s first social network integrated with professional networking events. New designers with very little start-up capital can use the site to create their first lookbooks by joining forces with new photographers and models who want to build their fledgling portfolios.  They can then meet in person in a ‘speed dating’ format at events organised by MeetingPOT.

“We want all attendees to profile and meet each other online so it won’t be so awkward meeting in person for the first time. Not only will this make for a productive first meeting, attendees will also know that they made use of their networking time.  The website is also a great way to enable users to stay in contact after the event. We don’t want just another networking schmooze-fest,” says Yummii.

THE EVENT OF THE SEASON

MeetingPOT’s first event will be for the fashion, apparel and accessories industry at Sydney’s elegant Doltone House on March the 31st.

There are already over 100 people registered to attend the event, including designers Katie Perry and Valerie Tolosa.

The all-day event, sponsored by popular online fashion portals including The White Book, Styled by Jade and FrockFashion.com.au, as well as Onya Magazine, will feature keynote speakers, mentors’ tables and timed meet-and-greet sessions.

For more information visit the MeetingPOT website http://meetingpot.com.au. Any readers interested in attending the event can secure a 10% discount just for being lovely Onya readers. All they need to do is enter the following promotional code at the checkout: onya.

Follow Yummii’s journey as she draws closer to her first MeetingPOT event on Twitter: @_meetingpot