Toñita's Way
Workplace 2.0 Vol. 1, Ed. 5: Optimize for Calorcito
When I moved to Williamsburg in 2002 with an ex-boyfriend, it didn’t take long for us to separate. Juicy details abound, but suddenly, I found myself living alone in South Williamsburg. My landlord, Clifford, was Puerto Rican, and he told the story of buying our building for $1 at auction in the late 90s and rebuilding it himself. He was so generous with me that when my ex moved out, he lowered the rent for years so that I could live there on my own—I made 40K per year. Clifford was, in many ways, my guardian angel for my early years in NYC. I felt safe under his roof.
Most of our block, and that section of Williamsburg, was populated by Puerto Ricans or Dominicans. Tina, who lived at 227, would hang out of her first-floor window most days, watch the neighborhood, and gossip! While right outside my door, I was usually greeted by Miguel (seated right) and his crew. They were a constant presence, and through the years, we grew to be buddies on the block. I felt I had people looking out for me when I was pretty lost.
So when Bad Bunny brought South Williamsburg, Toñita, and that community to the Super Bowl, it was joyful to see.
Among the city’s many clubs and restaurants that cater to a global citizenry, patrons describe being drawn to the calorcito — or warmth — that the place offers, and they fiercely defend it and its owner.
I have thought a lot about that word, calorcito, and what it means more than ever right now, and what we might learn from Ms. Cay.
Recently, I’ve seen a lot of panic about AI search and how it’s the next strategy to game. Sure, you can baseline try to fix your AI search, but it isn’t a winning strategy. It’s mostly a distraction from the real metrics that matter: human connection. The robots will always be one step ahead of keeping you twisted in knots trying to win the game. In Workplace 1.0, we were very confident in the data big tech reported to us as winning metrics. We lost our inner knowing that eyeballs do not make relationships. Data is cold. Relationships are built on warmth.
Calorcito - warmth - is about the daily practice of knowing someone. You do not know someone through metrics and demographics. You know them by being curious about who they are, how they live, and what they need. You nurture them, you genuinely care who is on the other side of the transaction you’ve engaged in. How you make someone feel will matter more than how many ads they see or how often ChatGPT randomly predicts your business in its responses.
Toñita didn’t optimize for discovery; she optimized for memory in a way that only she can. She is ahead of Workplace 2.0.
Where is your time focused? On your digital strategy or your relationship building? Do you believe more in the wisdom of Sam Altman or Ms. Cay?
The robots can help people find you. But only calorcito makes them stay.
TWO FREE EVENTS IN FEBRUARY!
Substack Live with Frederick Woodruff
Wednesday, February 18th at 1 pm-2 pm ET
I’m bringing in one of my favorite astrologers to help you understand what Saturn-Neptune in Aries actually means for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone building something that matters.
Frederick Woodruff will give you the context: What’s this cycle we’re entering? What does it mean when dreams hit reality? Why does this moment favor independent builders over institutional followers? You can listen to the conversation I had with Frederick last year here.
Tune in on the 18th where Frederick will lay out the weather report for us and be ready for the 19th!
The Delta Workshop: Making Decisions at the Crossroads
The day after we understand the cosmic context, we’ll learn how to use it.
Saturn-Neptune in Aries is going to ask you hard questions. When your dream hits financial reality, how do you decide? When your vision meets operational constraints, what do you do? When there’s no right answer, only your answer, how do you choose? I’ll help you bring yesterday’s newsletter to life for you. You too can think like a Nobel Prize-winning economist.
We’ll work with real decisions. We’ll see you at the crossroads: real moments where dreams meet discipline, and you need to know what YOU would do, not what someone else thinks you should do.
This workshop will give you:
The Purpose-Values-Vision framework for decision-making under uncertainty
How to use your values when you’re questioning “best practices.”
Why your practices, not “best practices,” are what will carry you through the next era.
Location: Zoom
Date: Thursday, February 19th, 12 pm-1 pm ET**
What to bring: A real decision you’re facing right now, something where your dream is meeting reality, and you’re not sure how to choose. It could be about pricing, partnerships, pivoting your offer, saying no to an opportunity, or anything else where there’s no clear “right answer.” We’ll work with live examples. Please bring your purpose, values, and vision as well.
RSVP: This is a free event; please email me holly@pyramid.work (or just respond to this email) to register. I will send out the Zoom link the week of the event.
**If you attended January’s workshop and set your metrics for the year, you can also stay after to share progress or check in on accountability. We will set aside 30minutes for this. If you missed January’s workshop but still want to complete the worksheet, you can do so here.
The cosmic weather shift is upon us! I hope you’ll join us for some fun sessions and serious skill-building.
BOOK CLUB RETURNS IN MARCH!
In March, we will meet via Zoom to discuss our first book: Against the Machine by Paul Kingsnorth. I’ve started this! It’s dense but super thought-provoking. If you like Wendell Berry, this is your jam. The Atlantic referred to it as “cranky,” so naturally I’m intrigued.
Location: Zoom
Date: Thursday, March 19th, 12 pm-1 pm ET - on the cusp of the Spring Equinox
RSVP: This is a free event; please email me to register. I will send out the Zoom link the week of the event.