If you haven’t been to one of the Concord Young Professionals Network’s events, now’s the time to go.
Okay, maybe not this second but instead on Feb. 17. Because from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., CPYN is holding its monthly meeting at Red River Theatres, 11 S. Main St. Not only will you get to eat, drink and be merry with other Concord-area young professionals, but you’ll maybe meet someone as awesome as our Young Professional of the Month, Eric Reingold, 25, of Concord.
Nicknames, please:
When I was young, I couldn’t say my name but liked TV, and all I could say was “eggo” instead of Eric because of the waffle commercials. To this day my family still calls me Eggie – but none of my friends do. And they had better not start calling me that. Around Concord, people have taken to yelling my name really loudly whenever I walk into a room and as one word, like ERICREINGOLD!
How long have you been a Concord resident for?
I was born in Concord but spent about six years down in Virginia going to school, working, learning the ways of life and how to be super sweet and successful. I recently moved back around a year and a half ago and have slowly started becoming the coolest person in Concord. Well, maybe not coolest, but perhaps most awesome. Yes, that’s better.
What do you do for a living?
I am currently working at Endicott Furniture. I say working, but it’s kind of complicated – it’s more like learning how to run the business. My great-grandpappy Reingold started Endicott Furniture 85 years ago, so it’s pretty cool that I am the fourth generation of my family to get into the business. Since I’ve only been back in Concord for just over a year, I am still in the learning process but am enjoying myself and proud to be part of the family business – especially one that has survived this long. So, if you are reading this and are interested in a new sofa or perhaps a dinette set, let me know.
We heard you’re a member of the band jamAntics. How’s that working out for you?
I am so lucky to be a member of jamAntics. Not only am I a young professional in Concord, but I am in an awesome band that is having a ton of success lately. It’s like I lead a mysterious double life – professional businessman by day, hardcore musician who loves to party by night.
I work six days a week at Endicott, and we have gigs anywhere between two to five times a week, so I never have much time to myself, but I am having so much fun. The band is only getting busier and with any luck, we will be voted best original band by your awesome paper and hopefully the Hippo as well (Ed. – if you wish to nominate jamAntics for a Cappie, visit http://www.theconcordinsider.com/survey1) This would be quite a feat, seeing we haven’t been together for a year yet.
We play once a month at the Barley House and we have about 30 other upcoming gigs outside of Concord. Our schedule is available on Facebook, Myspace and jamantics.com.
How has being involved with the Concord Young Professionals helped you?
To tell the truth, I have been so busy in and around Concord that I have only made it to a few meetings. True, I am young, and yes, I am professional (fairly), and I like being in the group of “young professionals” – but in my spare time I have found many other ways of networking with other young professionals. The few times I went to CYPN meetings I met really cool people, and I have been consistently trying to get my band to play for the young professionals, which would essentially kill two birds with one stone (my band would get to play, and I would be networking like crazy at the event) – but no luck yet. I hope to get more involved with the group in upcoming months. It’s a useful tool to meet the people you will eventually do business with.
If CYPN had a theme song, what would it be?
If CYPN had a theme song, it would certainly start and end by yelling ERICREINGOLD really loud. There would definitely be a lot of dancing going on because it would be really catchy, and it would involve meeting other people around your age and that live in the Concord area. It would start off slow and funky, build up to a huge ending and then BAM! ERICREINGOLD. It would catch on like wildfire.
You’re the second Young Professional of the Month. Are you jealous of our first interviewee, Jennifer Mazzei?
I am insanely jealous of Jennifer Mazzei. I shall always be cast in her shadow. However, it won’t be that bad. It’s almost like being second in command – I have all the notoriety and yet none of the responsibility. Plus, if aliens come to invade the planet, they will undoubtedly ask for the No. 1 young professional, because who wants to abduct the No. 2 professional?
What advice do you have for other young professionals in town?
Concord has a ton of potential to be an awesome place, from the number of young people around and the local art scene to unique events like Market Days and shows at the Capitol Center to the local music groups and the cool people that make them up. My advice would be don’t travel away if you’re looking for something to do at night or on the weekend. There are always things going on in Concord – you just have to poke around. If you are really interested, come visit me at the store sometime and I will tell you about all the good stuff coming up.
To register for this free networking opportunity, visit concordypn.org or call 224-2508.
