Tag: Nicole Schlinger

Surviving The Worst

I’m doing another throwback post in honor of the original CampaignHQ headquarters being sold, this one takes place in 2002.

If you worked in Iowa Republican Politics in 2002, and didn’t quit, congratulations. You survived the worst cycle ever. Our candidates for Senate and Governor went down in flames. The infighting was fierce. And there was more than enough blame to go around.

The 2002 cycle was the first time I saw a real Kate Spade New York bag in person. I thought a bag like that might cheer me up that miserable year. Then I saw the pricetag. It would be more than a decade until I’d own one.

The high point of 2002 was meeting Mark Havlicek. He had just sold his business, and I saw in him everything I wanted to be one day. He renegotiated a contract for me where the client had been taking advantage and I was too inexperienced to call him out. If Mark gives you advice … take it.

Nicole Schlinger business card

In December 2002, I answered a newspaper help wanted ad looking for “event organizers.” I figured my big-time political experience would impress them. Turns out they wanted people to do supermarket demonstrations for Listerine Pocket Packs. But it paid $100 a day … and the lights at 700 E. Pleasant don’t just keep themselves on. So I did it.

And then, when it seemed like it couldn’t get worse, it did. A new fundraising firm started picking off my current and prospective clients one by one.

So needless to say, 2002 was not a very good year. But it’s a good thing 2002 happened.

Stay tuned…

Nicole Schlinger

A Walk Down Memory Lane

If you’re not my friend on Facebook, you might not know that we recently sold the original HQ for Campaign Headquarters.  This was our one and only office from December 1999 – July 2011. 

As we got ready to say goodbye, I thought it would be fun to share some of the highs and lows of how we got here.

The first visitor to 700 E Pleasant was none other than Jeffrey Robert Boeyink. It was early December 1999. We hadn’t officially moved in yet, but he heard I’d moved out of the extra bedroom and wanted to check out the new place.

Nicole Schlinger BrooklynWhen he arrived, the phones weren’t working. We had four (yes FOUR) landline phones and instead of ringing through the central phone system, they would randomly ring in different offices. So I had to run from room to room picking up the phone, taking RSVPs for upcoming house parties.

The #CHQ bank account was opened on 2/1/1999 with a small check from our first paying client, Iowans for Tax Relief, because folks like Jeff, Steve Grubbs, and Ed Failor Jr were willing to take a chance on 24-year old me.

On the day of Jeff’s visit, I was still more than three years away from taking my first paycheck.

I’ll be posting these flashbacks the next several posts – I hope you’ll tune back in. Drop a comment if you have a fun memory of our old place.

Thanks for reading,

Nicole Schlinger GOP Fundraiser

Nicole Schlinger

AI GETS TOP BILLING IN NEW GOP INCUBATOR INVESTMENTS

Nicole Schlinger AI Investments BrooklynHave you checked out my latest for Campaigns & Elections yet?

It’s about a new accelerator for startups on the right is putting $25,000 into six companies ranging from an artificial intelligence-based analytics venture to the social media platform Pundit.

“Over the next twelve weeks, these companies will go through our accelerator program consisting of workshops, market research, and mentorship while rapidly improving their products in preparation for next year’s elections,” Startup Caucus said in its announcement.

You can read my full post here 

I just love this concept. While most Republican consultants aren’t complaining about a lack of business for firms on the right, entrepreneurs haven’t had access to the same programs that progressives do. This is a step in the right direction.

Thanks for reading,

Nicole Schlinger, President of Campaign Headquarters

Nicole Schlinger

Democrats’ Latest Efforts to Undo the Results of the Last Election

Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past few weeks, you have seen the coverage of the Left’s latest attempts to undermine the results of the last presidential election.

There has been a lot said about the attacks on Pres. Trump, but I thought this recent statement by Sen. Ted Cruz said it best:

Nicole Schlinger impeachment Ted Cruz statement

Since the day President Trump was elected, congressional Democrats have been working to find any reason under the sun to impeach the president and undo the results of the last election. First, it was Mueller, then the Mueller report found no collusion. Now it’s Ukraine. Next month, it will be something else.

Truth.

Nevertheless, the facts don’t matter to congressional Democrats. The 2020 Democratic presidential candidates will continue to call for the president’s impeachment, and Nancy Pelosi will continue to be hounded by the far left of her caucus to halt all other legislative work to focus on attacking the president.

You can read more here or check out Sen. Cruz’s constant updates on Twitter and Facebook.

Thanks for reading,

Nicole Schlinger

Black Friday Fun Day

Well now that we’ve all stuffed our faces and spent time with our loved ones, it’s the time-honored tradition of Black Friday! Do you participate in Black Friday?

If you’re out hitting the stores today, I hope you find the best bargains and the shortest check out lines.

In the meantime, I thought I’d share a few things I’ve been into lately.

Nicole Schlinger Post It NotesObviously I need these. 

 

Nicole Schlinger Greg Abbott RGA

 

The leaders at the RGA are getting a dedicated public servant, tremendous conservative and hard worker in Gov. Abbott. I was thrilled to hear the news that he’s been named the 2020 RGA Chairman. The RGA will be in good hands.

 

Nicole Schlinger graphic tee

Added this to my Christmas list headed for Santa at the North Pole. Isn’t this just me? Add a great blazer and cute Kate Spade handbag – can’t you just see it? You know you want to invite me to your Christmas party now.

Have a fun and safe weekend!

Nicole Schlinger

Fun Friday – Chief Barketing Officer

Let’s have some fun this Friday!

Congrats to Stella for climbing the corporate ladder to finally reach “Chief Barketing Officer”

Nicole Schlinger Boxer Dogs

I am quite certain that Stella and Waffles would be connected on BarkedIn and they would create a lifelong friendship and networking circle. Bones. Bows. Barking. What’s not to love?

Nicole Schlinger GOP

Here’s to a fun Friday and a friendly reminder not to take ourselves too seriously.

 

Thanks,

Nicole Schlinger GOP Fundraiser

Nicole Schlinger