Earlier this week eBay headed to Austin for the city’s annual SXSW Interactive Festival. In addition to being part of the formal conference agenda, we launched season two of our podcast at the first-ever OPEN for Business Entrepreneurship Bootcamp.
On Sunday, eBay was featured on two different SXSW panels. Llibert Argerich, Global Director of Social Media and Content, led a panel titled Shopping & Sacred Social Space, alongside senior executives from Facebook, Imgur, and Flipboard.
Additionally, Tekedra Mawakana, VP of Global Government Relations and Public Policy, participated on a panel on How the Gig Economy Impacts the Future of Work to discuss eBay’s pioneering model for independent workers. Tekedra was joined onstage by the CEO of Upwork, President & CEO of TechNet, and a Massachusetts state senator.
On Monday, in partnership with Gimlet Creative and Austin Capital Factory, we convened more than 150 members of the local small business community, SXSW attendees, and eBay sellers from the area to escape the SXSW craziness and exercise their entrepreneurial IQ during an interactive experience centered on providing practical business insights and advice on key business issues.
The event kicked off with an expert panel and live podcast recording that focused on strategies for hiring and creating a strong workplace culture. Moderated by podcast host, entrepreneur and event emcee John Henry, the panel featured eBay millionaire Corri McFadden, former chief talent officer of Netflix, Patty McCord and executive coach and founder of Reboot, Jerry Colonna.
The panel discussion was followed by intimate breakout discussions led by eBay leaders and other small business experts. The breakout sessions focused on providing actionable tips on topics including customer service, branding, social marketing and financing.
To close out the event, bootcampers joined a networking reception and chatted further with fellow entrepreneurs, while retoxing with beer, margaritas and Stubb’s famous BBQ. You can read more about the bootcamp in AdWeek’s roundup of the “8 Topics That Had Attendees Buzzing at South by Southwest.” And to listen to the eBay and Gimlet Creative’s Open for Business podcast, visit ebay.com/podcast for the latest episodes as well as tools and tips to help start or grow your business on eBay.
