The Nelam Dictionary · 17+ Years in Print
        
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Ne·lam Pa·tel

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/ kNee-Lum Puh-tEll / noun · adjective · verb

1 of 3

noun

1.
one who finds happiness in life’s simplest things and something good in almost everything.
“She’s a total Nelam, living her life like her blood type: B positive.”
2.
one who protects her peace; naturally introverted, selectively extroverted, but always intentional.
3.
one who is forever a work in progress, always trying to be a little better than she was yesterday.

2 of 3

adjective

1.
made of magic. soft-hearted, strong-minded.
2.
equal parts heart and hustle.
“That’s such a Nelam motto: dream big, hustle harder.”
3.
good for the soul. a little nostalgic, a lot hopeful.
4.
the type of person who makes ordinary moments feel extraordinary.

3 of 3

verb

1.
to connect people, brands, ideas, and dots.
2.
to turn conversations into genuine relationships and relationships into something worth building.
3.
to create opportunities where everyone can win.
“To Nelam is to believe the world is big enough for everyone to make it.”

Etymology

Origin of Nelam

First recorded in 1987; from Hindi nīlam (नीलम), from Sanskrit nīla “blue.”
Person of Indian descent. Born in Connecticut. Raised in Atlanta. Hustlin’ in NYC.

lit. sapphire; blue stone; precious stone. In Hindu mythology, a heavenly damsel.

Professional Usage

current · former

Agencypast

School House → Front Row Group Director of Business Development. Creative agency blending strategy, branding, content + experiential for leading beauty brands.
Fern Director of Business Development. Animation + design studio creating visual storytelling for brands, platforms + media companies.
Industrial Color → CoCreativ Business Development Director. End-to-end creative production spanning content, e-commerce + post-production.
Splashlight Business Development Manager. Creative content studio for campaigns, e-commerce, social + production for retail and fashion.
Fred Agency Account Manager. Lifestyle marketing agency for hospitality + residential brands.
The Color Spot Account Executive. Large-format print + graphics production, design through installation.
Deardorff Communications Account Manager. Integrated marketing + corporate communications for telecom brands.

Agencypresent

TRE3 Co-founder + Head of Growth. Full-service growth + creative agency.

Mediapast

I Am Athlete Vice President of Business Development. Sports + football culture · podcast product integrations.
Train with Joan Head of Brand Partnerships + Sponsorships. Fitness + healthy longevity · social campaigns.
Gym Hooky Business Development Director. Women’s fitness + wellness · event activations.
Inside.com Account Executive. B2B business, tech + VC newsletters · dedicated sponsorships.
BossBabe Brand Partnerships + Sponsorships Director. Female entrepreneurship community · social + digital audio.
The Spectator Ad Sales Representative. College news + campus culture · print + digital advertising.

Wellnesspast

PLANKK Director of Strategic Partnerships. Platform helping creators launch + monetize branded fitness apps.
House of Athlete Director of Business Development. Elite-level training, recovery + mental fitness.
Tone House Business Development Manager. NYC team-based strength + sports conditioning studio.
ATL Hot Yoga Operations Manager. Heated yoga for movement + mind-body balance.

Impactpast

UNITE 2030 Global Partnerships Director. Youth leaders mobilizing around sustainable development.
iThrive Games Business Development Director. Games + game design supporting teen well-being.
RemoteWoman Partnerships Manager. Connecting women with remote job opportunities.
Zoo Atlanta Membership Coordinator. Wildlife conservation + education · membership programs + community engagement.

archaic. early senses, still in the blood: Barry’s ATL · Bari Studio NYC · Planet Beach · Open Hand Atlanta

Example Sentences

testimonials · impressions

“Over the past 15 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with many professionals in my line of work but Nelam is someone who I will always remember. She had an excellent drive and a knack for keeping everyone calm and productive during intense crunch periods. Her ability to overcome challenges with a smile made her stand out as a cut above the rest!”

— Stephen M. (I Am Athlete)

“Nelam was one of the greatest people I have ever worked with! Every day, she taught me something new and held my hand through it all until I mastered the task. Her #1 trait? She never said no and always found a way to get it done.”

— Neegen F. (I Am Athlete)

“She’s proven on multiple occasions that building and nurturing genuine relationships is paramount to progress and success. It is wonderful to work with a person who listens and cares as much as Nelam.”

— Greg P. (Industrial Color)

“Nelam has a unique ability to quickly and effortlessly form strong relationships with clients and prospects, and she brings unmistakable charisma and positivity to the workplace.”

— Kayla P. (Industrial Color)

“When it comes to creating new opportunities and expanding a business, Nelam is a true professional. Any team would be lucky to have her on their side.”

— Jon H. (Splashlight)

HerStory

the full definition

Personality

who Nelam is

Hollywood is her backdrop. Bollywood is her soundtrack.
Obsessed with stories. The films she watches, the novels she reads, the ones people share.
Wears her heart on her sleeve. Keeps a few aces up it, too.
Talks fast. Listens better. Asks the questions that make you feel alive.
Only three things she’s known to chase: success, sunrises, and sunsets.

Mentality

why Nelam is like this

She can’t control the hands she’s dealt, but she can control her outlook.
The deck’s been stacked against her a few times. She knows a winning hand is coming.
Doesn’t gamble, but when it comes to herself, she’ll always double down.
She enjoys the life she has while building the one she wants.
Takes the Ls. Celebrates the Ws. Either way, she’s all in.

Curiosity

what Nelam has left to do

Risks to take. Hands still to play.
Questions to ask. Answers still to find.
Mistakes to make. Lessons still to learn.
Plans to follow. Detours still to embrace.
Reasons to laugh. Tears still to cry.
Strangers to meet. Conversations still to have.
Days to forget. Nights still to remember.

Places to visit. Roads still to wander.
Food to taste. Cultures still to explore.
Music to discover. Lyrics still to memorize.
Moments to chase. Memories still to make.
People to love. Goodbyes still to come.
Impact to create. Legacy still to build.
Stories to tell. Chapters still to write.

…Making her story a book worth reading.

To be continued…

Phrases

sayings · reminders

The 5 × 5 Rule: if it’s not gonna matter in 5 years, don’t spend more than 5 minutes being upset by it.

The bad news is that everything is temporary. The good news is that everything is temporary.

the ultimate goal

I want it all.

The mind, the body, the soul. The career. The love. The life.

Word of the year

con·nec·tion

/ kuh-nek-shuhn / noun

1.a relationship or association.
2.
the start of something worth building.
“One connection turned into an opportunity worth building.”

Don’t be shy, start a connection with Nelam →