I had lunch with Rob Lawless, creator of #Robs10KFriends this week. Everything about his project intrigues me – both on a personal level as well as from a business perspective. I predict he’ll have his pick of sponsors within 6 months.

I wrote about him a few weeks ago after I had seen a segment on him on the CBS news. Thanks to Jenny Rickard who happens to be a mutual friend, I got to meet Rob and became friend #2951.

He’s been working on this project since 2015 but the pace has picked up recently. Getting NY press coverage has boosted awareness and now everyone wants to be one of Rob’s friends – even reporters and investment bankers!

Scroll down for 10 things I learned about Rob over lunch.

Based on our 1:1 meet-up over lunch, here’s what I now know about Rob

1. His parents have become much more supportive of his project since #Robs10KFriends has gotten sanctioned by the media and he’s suddenly being celebrated on the evening news.
2. He wants to turn the project into a speaking career. I was surprised to hear this but on reflection, why not? I follow a number of keynote speaker millennials who are all highly successful, e.g., Brian Fanzo.
3. I asked Rob if he ever gets exhausted doing 4 meet-ups a day. He insists no. He claims to be energized by the people he meets and feels something is missing from his day if he takes a break.
4. Rob approaches people (at least me) as a clean slate. He has no preconceived notions about where the conversation will lead. He doesn’t even look at it as an “interview.”
5. Because of his non-judgemental and agenda-free approach, people open up to him and reveal all kinds of personal things that they might not normally share with a stranger. For example, he’s had several interviews with people who shared stories about mental illness and addiction.
6. He doesn’t like writing. I suggested he might want to develop that skill for his speaking gigs.
7. He’s starting to get approached by companies for sponsorships (including by one of my favorite advertising agencies).
8. Straight out of college, he worked for Deloitte Consulting but he doesn’t miss the corporate grind – although he appreciated the salary and perks, e.g., his former employer offered to pay for his MBA.
9. He currently lives in Hoboken with friends.
10. He likes mac and cheese for lunch – and won’t say no to a negroni.

Bottom Line.

Thank you once again, Rob Lawless, for a fun lunch and for including me in your 10K Friends project. And thank you, Jenny Rickard, for making the introduction. Wouldn’t have happened without you!