Virtual Meetings to Real-Life Adventures with Lori Karpman and Jenn McClaren
Hey, besties. My name's Leisa
Tamara:And my name's Tamara, and we're BFFs.
Leisa:Tamara and I met when we were about 12 years old growing up in good old Fairbanks, Alaska.
Tamara:And we've been best friends forever since.
Leisa:That's right. And that's why we've decided to have some fun, friendly conversations with the bestest of best friends.
Tamara:We'll talk about how we became best friends, our experiences together, and have other best friends on the show to share how they met.
Leisa:Who knows? You never know when you'll meet your next BFF.
Tamara:Now let's get into it, how I met my BFF.
Leisa:Welcome to another episode of how I met my BFF. It's me, Lisa, flying solo today. Tamara's dealing with some big things with work. And so I'm here with our new exciting guests. I can't wait to bring them in.
Leisa:I will share a little update for me. We've had, you know, some up some peaks and valleys, I would say. And one of the valleys was we had our our dog Piper cross the Rainbow Bridge. And yeah. So sad.
Leisa:And she was with us for ten years. We rescued her when she was about three years old. So we had such an amazing life with her. She was all of our favorite. We just love her so much.
Leisa:She she would sleep on any cushion or blanket available. And so that was definitely the valley. But surprisingly, she sent us a new little angel puppy puppy, and I her name is Winnie, which is short for Winona Ride or Die Reed, and she is the cutest little stinker. Oh my gosh. She's the Cutie Patootie Awards over here.
Leisa:She's a Shih Tzu. She's three pounds right now. And, I'm deeply in love even though we've only been together for a week. It's her week anniversary with us. She has every toy out in the house.
Leisa:Every it's it's like baby central over here. So I wasn't expecting to a puppy. I'm like, wait, how does this work again? Because I've always it's been over twenty years since I've had a little baby puppy. But we're we're finding our way, and she wakes me up with little puppy kisses.
Leisa:It's so adorable, and I'll show I'll show our guests her when when we're getting ready to sign off. She's sleeping right now, so like, whoosh. Keep her keep her nice and quiet. But I want to welcome Lori and to our show. Welcome Lori and Jen.
Leisa:How are you?
Lori Karpman:Great, thank you. Yourself?
Leisa:I'm good. Jen, welcome. Thank you.
Lori Karpman:I have a Shih Tzu, Lisa. You should? She's nine pounds
Leisa:She's
Lori Karpman:and she's 18 years old.
Jenn McClaren:Wow.
Leisa:So lucky. Ours is about thirteen pounds. I know people are asking if she's how big this one's gonna get. I'm like, I don't know. She's seems really small, but, of course, she's still a puppy, so I'm not sure.
Lori Karpman:But Just to let you know, they live long lives.
Leisa:I know. I'm so excited. I I honestly thought we were gonna have a lot longer with our ours, but maybe she was older. We rescued her, so we don't really know how old she was. Right.
Leisa:But, anyway, it's the circle of life. She's not my dog that I've that I've lost or animal, but she had such a good life. And I think, you know, we all kinda wanna have a nice good life. We wanna have a life of love and and health. And if if it's time to go, I'd rather go before I'm a burden on everyone and when I and not enjoying myself as much so.
Leisa:So I I think of hers as a very good life. So I have a question for now I know Lori, little BFF listeners here. I've I've met Lori many times. She's amazing. And it's my time meeting Jen.
Leisa:So, Lori, why don't you tell me how you met Jen, and then I want to get Jen's side of the story. Okay.
Lori Karpman:Jen and I met probably about seven or eight years ago. We met, no, not seven or eight years ago. Okay, well then I don't remember. I thought it was since I was living here. I don't remember how long it was, but we met years ago.
Lori Karpman:It's at least five. And we met in a virtual networking group.
Leisa:Oh, cool.
Lori Karpman:So we were both in this group and we started chatting with each other in the chat because she'd say things or someone would say things and I would make a comment. And we just like, we hit it off as if we'd known each other forever and that was just the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Leisa:Oh, wow. Okay. So, Jen, she was fact checking you here. So, Jen, tell me your version of how you and Lori met.
Jenn McClaren:So, we did meet in a virtual networking group. Lori had been there for quite a while before me. I got there in 02/2022, 2021. 2021. And I knew the one of the people that started the group, and he had been asking me to join forever.
Jenn McClaren:And I was finally like, Fine. And I went in, and Laurie cracked up at my comments to some of the things and some of the people that were there, including my friend. And we just kind of hit it off where I would say something in the chat, and she would pick up on my message and send me a private like, oh my god. I can't believe you just said that. And we just we had a one on one, and I think we were on for probably almost three hours at that point.
Jenn McClaren:Oh, yeah. Yeah. It we just hit it off.
Leisa:Wow. So I like what Lori said. She thought it was seven years because female is only four. But when when we really connect with someone, it can feel like a lifetime almost. Like, it can feel it just, like, sinks in perfectly, and you just feel comfortable with that person, and you can't imagine your life without that person.
Leisa:So I get it. I could see why it would feel like more than the time it's been.
Jenn McClaren:Yeah. I could drag people out too.
Leisa:So, Lori, what I mean, you meet so many people all the time through your interactions, your businesses, and and and the networking guru that you are. What made Jen stand out or what made this into a BFF relationship?
Lori Karpman:We have the same sarcastic sense of humor. So our sense of humor is a little bit off, but we understand each other very well. And that's what really attracted me initially was her sense of humor because it's a very sarcastic which is very much like mine. And Jen is also very eloquent. So she says the kinds of things that other people think, which is very cool and I love that about her.
Leisa:Oh wow. Now Jen, what about you? What attracted you to Lori in terms of moving beyond just oh, a networking person that you meet?
Jenn McClaren:Oh, yeah. She picked up on my ridiculous sense of humor, my my tempo. And, yes, I I do have lack of filter. So, many times. And where other people would be like, oh, Laurie's like, tell me more.
Leisa:Feeling such a wreck. Like, just hit me with it. Go for it.
Jenn McClaren:Yeah. Usually I am unfortunate. I mean, it's plus and minus, but I I I just there I don't do stupid, and I don't do BS. So it I hate when it comes at me, and I will call it out.
Leisa:I like it. Direct. Straight to
Jenn McClaren:the point. Years in retail that did that.
Leisa:Oh my gosh. We're all at the same company or a different company? No.
Jenn McClaren:All over.
Leisa:All over. Wow. So when did it flip from meeting each other online to, like, now we're out it's not just business, but it's personal. Like, we're best friends. Laurie, what about when did that change for you?
Lori Karpman:You know, it started pretty quick for us because we really just get each other. We're like, you know, we're like cut from the same cloth. And so, you know, when we had that conversation three or four hours, by the time I got off, it's like I'd known Jen all my life, you know? And at that point, like she was, you know, she was a friend and very quickly became a best friend.
Leisa:Oh, so I was going to say, when did it change for you from networking people to best friendship?
Jenn McClaren:Right right away, like Laura said. Right. I I with me for me, if I having a conversation with somebody, if it clicks and we're just, know, that thirty minute conversation ends up for hours and hours, and then we're like, Oh, wait, we'll talk more tomorrow. And I think almost right away, we decided we were going to meet, like, I think once a week initially.
Lori Karpman:We met.
Jenn McClaren:We still busy on Thursday. To pick up for both of us. Yeah.
Lori Karpman:We met at Thursdays, 10AM for virtual coffee.
Jenn McClaren:Yeah. That's right.
Leisa:I'm assuming you don't live in the same place?
Lori Karpman:No, Jen's in New York and I'm Montreal. I've down to visit Jen twice in New York. And we also, in October, we did a ten day trip to Costa Rica.
Leisa:Yes. Did you like about your trip to Costa Rica?
Lori Karpman:I loved everything about that trip. That was a trip of a lifetime. I mean, you know, you never know what it's going to be like when you travel with someone and stay in the same room. And we really had no problem with that. You know, we were we both sort of wanted to do the same things.
Lori Karpman:And if we didn't, it was like, okay, you go there, I'll go here. It was very easy. It's a beautiful country that we explored. We did a lot of excursions. But yeah, she's just really easy to travel with.
Lori Karpman:So, it made it that much more enjoyable.
Leisa:Very cool. What did you like about Custard?
Jenn McClaren:Nobody ever says that about me.
Lori Karpman:I know. I'm the only one. Yes. But I had no trouble traveling with you, so
Jenn McClaren:And I had no trouble traveling with you. I think, for me, the trip Well, that was the That was my trip as an adult without my either parent, well, guess my mother, my ex husband or my children. That was my adult trip without baggage, as it were.
Leisa:Literally figuratively.
Jenn McClaren:Yeah, figuratively. I had plenty of baggage, believe me. But, so it it added to to how special it made me that it just it was a big plus to go with with my best friend.
Leisa:That's awesome. And when you guys met in person, was what was that like? Because I it's it's kind of weird when you realize, oh my gosh. I've never met this person in person.
Jenn McClaren:You remember? I do. Okay.
Lori Karpman:I do. I went down to New York to meet Jen and I come downstairs, I come down the elevator to the luggage And there she is, she's standing there and it was like something out of a movie. Like we just ran towards each other and hugged,
Jenn McClaren:you know? And it was like, oh
Lori Karpman:my god, we're finally touchy. Like, we're finally real.
Jenn McClaren:Five and I was cracking up because she is so much shorter than me. I'm only five feet. I'm usually the shortest. Right.
Leisa:Oh my gosh. That is so fun. I I can think of with Tamara and I, we haven't lived in the same state since we were 18, and we've had a lot of adventures over the years, but there's been some of the times where I same thing, like, I'm seeing her at the airport, and I'm just, like, overwhelmed with emotions. It's like I just you know, that physical being able to hug somebody is so special. Wow.
Leisa:What a beautiful thing. And then you guys got to go on your fun vacation. How cool is that? Weird fact, my daughter just got her dual citizenship yesterday to Costa Rica because her dad's Costa Oh, Nice. Yeah.
Leisa:I wasn't expecting that to come up today. Yeah. I'm really excited for her, and he's moving to Costa Rica. He yeah. He's he's I don't if he wants that public knowledge, but that's where he's Anyway.
Leisa:Whoops. I don't think he listened to this podcast, and he'll never know I shared that. And, yeah, I've been to Costa Rica many times, and then the time I went, I had not I had I was it was before he and I got married. We're we're since divorced, but so I got back from Costa Rica and then met a man from Costa Rica who lived here in Orange County, California. And then we opened up a day spa called Pura Vida Day Spa and had that for a few years and obviously had a child.
Leisa:So I have a tika now and which they call little girl who's Costa Rican. And so, yeah, that's cool. I'm glad you had fun. Now, what's next in terms of you guys seeing each other? Are you going to have any plans on the calendar?
Lori Karpman:We don't have plans at the moment, I do have a voucher for a three nights hotel a whole whack of cities across The US and in Europe. So that's our next trip is when we're both ready for our next trip, we'll pick one off that list. We'll add a couple of days on each side and we'll do that. So but I don't know.
Leisa:That's fun. That's fun. Is there anything that you would wanna share with each other? Like, Jen, I'll have you start us off. Anything you wanna tell Laurie about how much you appreciate her as a friend and being in your life?
Jenn McClaren:Laurie is I mean, a lot of I I have friends that get me, but they know me. They've You know, I've met in person. Laurie's the person I met online that just picked up my sarcasm, carried it with her, followed it through. I absolutely appreciate every bit of insight and knowledge and support she's given over the last year many years? Many.
Jenn McClaren:It seems like many, but it's less than many, but in the many range. And there are little things here and there that I remember that crack me up. I had a client. I was I took Laurie on a video tour, virtual tour of the Waldorf No, it was the plaza. The plaza hotel.
Jenn McClaren:I was showing a couple of properties in there with a client. And the client was late, of course. So, I was We just walked through, which is a no no in the plaza. You're not allowed to video in the lobbies. But I did not really care.
Jenn McClaren:So, Laurie got to go through the plaza, which she hadn't been to since she was a child. And that was exciting. That was really fun.
Lori Karpman:Yeah. That was a lot of fun. That really was.
Leisa:Beautiful gift. Laurie, how about you? Anything you wanna share to Jen about how much you appreciate her and her friendship?
Lori Karpman:I appreciate the fact that Jen is always there when I need her. And she's very nonjudgmental. And she's very much like me because I'm brutally honest. If you ask me for my opinion, you're going to get it. So if you don't want it, don't ask.
Lori Karpman:And she's the same way. So when I know when I ask for her opinion or what she thinks about something, I know that she's telling me the truth, you know, and that she, you know, the advice that she gives is always meant for me to be better. So, I really appreciate that. And I mean, have, you know, I love her sense of humor. I mean, laugh all the time whenever we're together.
Lori Karpman:Laugh all the time. Even on our calls and our texts. And you know, we're in communication a lot during the day and during the week. And yeah, and I just always get a kick out of talking to her. It's like coming home.
Lori Karpman:It's like, you know, I've had a crappy day. I can tell Jen all about my crappy day. She tells me about her crappy day. And we commiserate. And then we say I love you.
Lori Karpman:And that's it. So
Leisa:Oh, it sounds like you've really helped to support each other and it sounds like you have different layers too because you met through business so you can support each other on that front and then also just everything else, which is nice because not we don't always have our friends aren't necessarily always in business or out networking or something like that. So that's just kind of another layer
Jenn McClaren:to that.
Lori Karpman:And that was important to me because I have other friends who are not in business. And although they're lovely women and I think you have all your friends for different reasons, they don't get the business aspect of it, which is such a large part of my personality and of my life. And Jen gets that. So we can talk business together, you know, brutally honestly, which is also nice having her as a resource.
Jenn McClaren:Oh, for me, another piece of it is Lori knows some of my other friends that I know in person also through networking. And she thinks it's funny. Like, one of my friends, she thinks it's absolutely hilarious that we're friends. And I kind of crack up at it too. But it's nice that we have friends in common that I know in person and friends that she knows in person that are in Canada or even in The States that I just have never met one to one.
Jenn McClaren:So we have a vast group of, you know, a big friend group that we share virtually and in person, which is really very cool. Yeah. It's kind of weird, but it's cool. Yeah. Weird to my age, but cool in general.
Leisa:Yeah. It it's it's because of virtual connections, we're able to expand our reach a lot more than before when it would just be like, I only know people who are live in my neighborhood or who are at the office or who I work with or something like that. And now we can have friends all over the world even if we're not physically together. I love that. If you were together, like, let's say you were gonna be together this evening, what would you do together?
Leisa:Lori, what would you guys do?
Lori Karpman:We'd go out to eat. We both like restaurants, so we'd go out to eat. My vote would be to go back to Little Italy.
Jenn McClaren:Little Italy, I knew that. Yes.
Lori Karpman:We had a fabulous meal. Last time I was in New York, we had a fabulous meal in Little Italy. So yeah, I would definitely want to go back there. And the other thing that we do that I enjoy is that we go to museums. So I've been to MoMA twice and next time we'll go visit another one.
Leisa:Yeah. Beautiful. I I don't think you can go wrong with Little Italy. No.
Jenn McClaren:You probably
Leisa:have really good there.
Jenn McClaren:No.
Leisa:How about you, Jen? Anything you wanna add to the list of your activities when you guys are together?
Jenn McClaren:We actually Well, last time Laurie was here, we met in person with one of our other friends that we that she's very much closer with. Also, Paul, when she's here, I do try to get a bunch of people together and just kind of have a like, a happy hour with Oh, that's a good idea. Yeah. That's fun because then I get to see You know, I get to interact with hang out with people, but I get to see Laurie getting to hang out with the people that she only sees in these little boxes. Right.
Jenn McClaren:Which is fun. That
Leisa:is really cool. And I was gonna ask you what your business was, both of you, because I I know Laurie's, but I wanna give you a chance to share that on the show. Jen, what is it that you do?
Jenn McClaren:So I am in New York City. And in New York, locally, I'm a real estate agent. I'm a Resomercial agent to residential and commercial, but I also do sports and entertainment relocation globally. So, I work with athletes as they get traded, if they're looking for additional properties, investment properties, and I work with a large group of of expats playing basketball overseas.
Leisa:I could imagine that as a unique need when all of a sudden you weren't planning on moving, it wasn't your choice, and then or maybe it's an opportunity, of course, you know, it doesn't always mean it's bad news, but you you don't have time to house hunt and deal with all that and set everything up because you have a job that you need to do.
Jenn McClaren:Yeah. And leaving the full all that whole process to a loved one, one person who may or may not have a ton of peep you know, other facets of their life, It gets crazy.
Leisa:Real estate people realize it's
Jenn McClaren:a full time job when they say, oh, I'm just gonna look for a place on my own. Oh, are you? Cool. No way to get hired.
Leisa:Wow. What a gift. That's such a a really niche market. I never heard anyone who does that before, but that is good to know. And then, Laurie, what about you?
Leisa:What you do lots of amazing things. I have to say when I was when I described you, I'm just like, she's just like good at everything.
Lori Karpman:I have two businesses. So Lori Cartman and Company is a full service management consulting firm. And I specialize in franchising and licensing. So I work with those two business models to help companies scale using the franchising or the licensing model. I have a full service firm.
Lori Karpman:And my business is called The Copy Lab. And I'm a story brand trained professional copywriter. I'm a lawyer by trade. So writing comes to me honestly. It's why I became a lawyer because I love to write.
Lori Karpman:So this new Copy Lab business has really been great for me because I get to use my legal skills, which is writing to persuade, but in marketing and sales content and in things for businesses. So I really enjoy the ability to use the legal skills and the creativity together.
Leisa:Yeah. I mean, you don't see those two things Well, not that the people don't have skills in that, but certainly not taking both of those on. So I always am so impressed by Thank you. Wow. And both of you.
Leisa:That's amazing. I can see why you were attracted to each other in friendship because you're both doing amazing things for everybody. And I always say, you never know when you're gonna meet your next best friend. I mean, it could be in that Zoom call. You never know.
Leisa:They could just be right around the corner. So I wanna thank you for being on our show and sharing your friendship with us. It's all pleasure.
Jenn McClaren:And I I wanna just I didn't get a chance to say, I I'm really sorry to hear about your puppy, and I feel it very deeply. We had to put my daughter's cat down on Wednesday. And
Leisa:Oh, which one?
Lori Karpman:Aw.
Jenn McClaren:It's been brutal. I didn't Yeah. You know, sixteen and a half years, you don't realize you know their family, but you don't realize how much. Right.
Leisa:Oh, no. Yeah. They leave a hole there. Right? And I'm so sorry to hear about Ash.
Leisa:And Ash and Piper are probably hanging out in some some other dimension right now and having a good time, I'm sure. Well, thanks for sharing that, and thanks for sharing your friendship. I feel very blessed to have heard your story. Thank you. Alright.
Lori Karpman:Bye. Bye. Thanks, Lisa.
Leisa:Hey, Bestie. Thanks for listening. If you like this episode, be sure to hit that subscribe button to get notified of new episodes and check out cool Bestie gift ideas at howimetmybff.com.
Tamara:That's right. And also leave us a review. Those reviews help us out a lot and are one of the best ways to support us.
Leisa:Yes. And if you have a fun story about how you met your BFF, send us an email at info@howImetmyBFF.com. We would love to hear about it.
Tamara:Definitely. And, hey, maybe we'll have you on our next episode.
Leisa:That would be awesome. Until next time.
Tamara:Love you, BFFs.