Spring used to be my favorite season

Feels like a fresh start and new beginnings as plants and everything around you starts to wake up and grow, along with the warmer temperatures and sunnier days.

But now? I hate it.

I never suffered from seasonal allergies the way I do at this stage in my life, and as a Southern California native who’s only experienced very scarce vegetation, a desert climate and more wildfires compared to snow days on the East Coast…

The way these allergies have me scratching my nose, ears, face, coughing sneezing, crying (you get the picture), you would think I would be dying to move back and sit inside a hyperbaric chamber to cleanse my sinuses for a few days while my circadian rhythm catches back up with my laid back lifestyle.

Because while I’m over here struggling and suffering through all the symptoms you read on a Zyrtec label, I’m actually super pumped for this season as it brings new exciting opportunities and challenges that I’ve been waiting all year for.

I’ll carry my homeopathic nose sprays, OTC allergy meds, eye drops and tissues while roaming the streets of Midtown looking for my next big deal.

It’s a good time to walk around and see what’s happening in the world of events, promotions, launches, exhibitions and more- all opportunities where I can help businesses achieve their goals through smart office technology.

Speaking of deals- have you heard about all the sample sales going on this season? Midtown and Garment District are buzzing right now, with designer and luxury brands clearing out past seasons inventory at 40-60% off retail. Time to freshen up your Spring commute friendly wardrobe!

I love shopping for new accessories like a good purse or backpack, a few tailored button down shirts, and maybe fun skirts or dresses. Here are a few events worth checking out this season:

VIP Quiet Luxury Multi-Brand Sample Sale – Up to 80% off menswear and 75% off women’s ready-to-wear, bags, and accessories. Midtown Manhattan.

260 Sample Sale – Ongoing Events – One of NYC’s most reliable sample sale hosts, with rotating designer events in Nomad, SoHo, and beyond.

Chicmi NYC Sample Sale Calendar – The go-to community calendar for tracking what’s happening week by week across the city.

But anyways enough about my sinuses and shopping habits, let’s talk about your inbox:

Remember “that’s so fetch” ? Ok- admittedly I have been reading that everywhere lately and it just got me thinking about how it could relate to follow up emails.

I need you to stop sending “just checking in” emails- just don’t do it. Stop trying to make fetch happen with the standard “hey just checking in” template every other businessperson uses.

But why Jamie? You might ask…

Because your reader sees right through them.

Here’s the thing — when someone receives a “just checking in” email, their brain doesn’t register curiosity or genuine interest. It registers pressure. And pressure makes people go quiet, not responsive. You’ve essentially reminded them that they owe you something, which is the fastest way to make someone avoid your name in their inbox.

Instead, lead with a reason to re-enter the conversation. A relevant article. A stat that shifted. A product launch from their competitor. An event happening in their industry. Even a genuine question about something they mentioned last time you spoke.

Something like: “I was recently thinking about this situation and I wanted to ask what your thoughts were” — this matters because it means you’re showing up. You’re bringing something to the table instead of asking.

Think about it from the other side. Who do you actually respond to? Probably not the person who emailed you for the fourth time asking if you had a chance to review their proposal. Probably the person who sent you something that made you think — and accidentally reminded you they exist. That’s the whole strategy. Be the person who makes people think.

Even if you’re not looking to gain anything but just need answers to move forward with a project, offering a simple conversation starter that is also interesting to the reader brings humanity to the conversation. And we could all use some of that, right? 😅

Try this framework the next time you’re tempted to “just check in”:

Observe → Connect → Ask

“I saw [something relevant to their world]. Made me think of [the problem or conversation you’ve had]. Worth reconnecting this week?”

Three sentences. No fluff. A clear reason to reply.

The people who respond aren’t always the most interested… they’re the ones who felt like the message was actually written for them. That’s the goal every single time you hit send.

Palanca (pah-LAHN-kah) Literal translation: lever

What it really means: A connection. A person with influence who can open a door for you- not because of your résumé, but because of the relationship. In Latin American professional culture, palanca is quietly one of the most powerful words in any room. It’s the colleague who puts your name in front of the right person. The mentor who makes a call on your behalf. The contact who gets you the meeting that no cold email ever could. In a sentence:

Why it matters at work: In many Latin American business cultures, relationships precede transactions. Having a palanca isn’t seen as cutting corners- it’s seen as being well-connected, trustworthy, and invested in your community. If someone offers to be your palanca, that’s not a small thing. Treat it accordingly.

Pistolão (pees-toh-LOWN) Literal translation: big pistol — yes, really

What it really means: Brazil’s version of palanca- and it carries the same cultural weight. A pistolão is someone with pull, someone whose name alone opens doors. In Brazilian professional life, having a pistolão in your corner can mean the difference between getting the meeting and never getting a callback. The term is used affectionately and openly- Brazilians tend to acknowledge the role of relationships in business without apology. In a sentence:

Why it matters at work: Brazil has one of the most relationship-driven business cultures in the world. Decisions rarely happen between strangers. If you work with or sell to Brazilian professionals, understanding that pistolão energy — the warm introduction, the vouched-for referral — will take you further than any pitch deck.

Whether you call it palanca or pistolão, the principle is the same in every language, every industry, every city. Relationships move things. Be the person who shows up with something, not just a “just checking in” in someone’s inbox.

Spring in Midtown has a way of shaking things loose- new energy, new conversations, new opportunities. I’ll be out here roaming the streets, tissues in hand, looking for all of them. I hope you are too.

Until next week. 🌿

— Jamie