Who said you had to be geeky to create an innovative social networking site?
|
Posted By: Shawn Sledge on September 28, 2010 Imagine it's the heart of the recession and your company for several years just laid you off during the holiday season with no severance pay. Sounds familiar right? Well that's exactly what happened to me during the holiday season of 2008. By me being a family man and the only source of income it was no way I can let my family down. Living on campus at an HBCU taught me how to be a fighter and let nothing stand in my way. Job searching was just as bad as ever. Posting hundreds of resumes online and attending numerous temp agency interviews proved to be worthless for me. I was blessed to stay in touch with a former co-worker and was able to get a position at their company. During this whole process I had an idea for a social networking site and instead of pitching it to the facebook, myspace, and the twitters of the world I said why not create it myself. Excellent thought but there was a slight problem. I had no start up money, tech connections, or the slightest idea how to create one, all I had was an idea and dream on paper. Artist by trade, I wanted to create something different from the norm so it had to be done by scratch, which proved to be another challenge. Since I wanted my social site done from scratch web developers either didn't want to touch my project or they wanted to charge over $100/hr. When it's your time to shine God put things in front of you to help you find your way. Not only did I find a web developer through an old college roommate that was willing to work with my dental floss budget, but the company I was working for decided to offer unlimited overtime in the heart of the recession. So let's just say my 40 hrs a week turned into 60 hours a week. Now that I have things in place to get started it was time for me to create the site. The idea I had was to create a company office atmosphere where every member had their own virtual cubicle space to network out of to other members. Plus I knew I needed to create a name for it that was universal and everyone can relate to so I called my site Jobslackersonline.com. Now I know some of you gonna say why Job slacker? Well every place I worked, the top producers (including myself) created hidden perks for ourselves. We either surf the web, texted on our cell phone all day, took longer lunch breaks, or if you was a smoker you took multiple smoke breaks all on company time. The non-producers of the company called us "job slackers" and I'm sure you know a job slacker at your place of work. As time went on during the development process the unemployment rate started to increase dramatically, so I decided to create a job feature on my site like no other. I created a networking job search feature where employed members on the site post jobs to allow the job seeking members network directly with them for an inside connection on that position. Doesn't that sound like the real world, it's not always what you know, but who you know. I launched jobslackersonline.com on my birthday 4/24/10 and even appeared on the ABC Morning Show in Birmingham, AL being interviewed about my site on live tv. This is journey I wouldn't change for the world and it will only get better. So sign up today and experience something new and fresh, membership is free of course. :) I credit my drive and endurance to GOD, Family, and the mighty HBCU'S. Peace! http://jobslackersonline.com If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Shawn Sledge
From Atlanta, GA Alabama A&M University class of 1999 Member Since September 2010 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest Blogs
 |
Volunteer Join us in creating an uplifting and unforgettable event that champions a more inclusive world!Minnesota now that's a place I've yet to venture to.
Better add some Community Service activities to our Family Calendar
Special Olympics is near and dear to our staff at HBCUConnect
Represent fo ...more
How May I Help You NC • 85 Views • April 23rd, 2026 |
 |
21 Questions to ask a new Mate *What does DEPRESSION look like on you*Made in love Made in Lust
What causes an impediment in a fetus in a newborn in a adolescent in adults
Or could it the impediment be another color in the Human Rainbow just another part of he he ...more
How May I Help You NC • 96 Views • April 23rd, 2026 |
 |
EARTH DAY SERVE UNIVERSE NIGHTSprinkled Dipped 🍒 on top in Earth DAY NOON NIGHT festivities
...more
How May I Help You NC • 109 Views • April 23rd, 2026 |
 |
Best kept secret in IndiaODISHA formerly known as Orissa
Get that Juggernaut Origin History
See how sports are weighing yay nay
MAY Soccer Finals https://www.newsx.com/live-updates/kerala-blasters-vs-odisha-fc-isl-highlig ...more
How May I Help You NC • 108 Views • April 23rd, 2026 |
 |
What type of blinged out cup would we gift to our GraduateIs it a Disney Theme with some Bling
Should the cup represent his beloved Mexican Soccer team
Maybe a blinged out cup with a custom reason why they were created
Made In Lova ...more
How May I Help You NC • 104 Views • April 23rd, 2026 |
Popular Blogs
 |
Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Join Brother Marcus and the cast and the crew of the Brother Marcus Show live this Sunday evening on February 1, 2009 @ 8:00 p.m. for another hot topic in our community! “Divorce in America in 2009 ...more
Brother Marcus! • 70,973,080 Views • January 27th, 2009 |
 |
VISINE ALERT!!!Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug.
When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can l ...more
Siebra Muhammad • 119,355 Views • May 23rd, 2009 |
 |
"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that th ...more
Tyhesha Judge-Fogle • 77,463 Views • November 9th, 2006 |
 |
HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing CardsVendor: Charles Jones
Item Price: $20.00
Price Includes Shipping: Yes - Shipping Included
Item Description:
Pantheon Series - Divine 9 - Premium Playing Cards (choose Gold Series or Silve ...more
How May I Help You NC • 62,581 Views • December 2nd, 2018 |
