AMBER HOUSLEY: Inspired

When people ask me what the secret to my early success was, there are always a few different things that pop into my head. I’ve never stopped to make a list, but lately, I’ve felt like I should make a list of what worked, and what didn’t. That’s been rolling around in my head as an idea, and it’s probably time to take some action on it. I think it would be an interesting reflective exercise, maybe even a blog series.

One thing that I will resoundingly claim as a factor that aided in early success was this: I SHOWED UP. Hell or high water, rain or snow, I made an appearance. Tradeshows, industry alliance meetings, local entrepreneurial forums, conferences, workshops, shindigs, and parties: I was there. Literally, I have showed up by every form of transportation except boat: bus, train, car, and air. In fact one of my most awesome feelings in the history of ever was me, walking through the Denver airport in a pair of great looking jeans and a stellar pair of Prada heels. It was a quiet moment, in the middle of a long travel day, and I was booking it: on a mission from one place to the next, in an exhilarating moment. I felt like I was smack dab in the middle of INCREDIBLE.

I guess you could call me a conference junkie.

So it’s no surprise that I now consider Amber Housley to be a kindred spirit. We attended Alt Summit together this past January, and I can’t imagine a better roommate or conference buddy. We loved the exchange of ideas, the interaction with all sorts of new friends and other creatives. She’s the one who pushed me and supported me to have the Authenticate workshop in Nashville, and there is no doubt about the fact that I will forever be tracing the mark of Amber’s influence in my life. She cares. (She even let me have an ugly cry!) When people care, they change you. Isn’t that amazing?

Amber was so supportive in helping me with Authenticate in Nashville, and now I’m nothing but elated to return the favor as she hosts AMBER HOUSLEY: Inspired in Nashville this coming August. She was precious to ask me to speak and share my insights suggestions for living authentically, and I was delighted to oblige! I’m so stinking excited that I’ll get to attend one of her AH Inspired workshops!

But here is the thing I most excited about: when I saw the speaker lineup, I FLIPPED. I’m not kidding, ya’ll. If I wasn’t speaking, I wouldn’t wait TWO MINUTES before registering. If you don’t follow (or stalk) other creative entrepreneurs, let me be the one to tell you: this batch of women is PHENOMENAL. Amber has rounded up the best of the best, and is putting them all in one intimate setting on August 1st and 2nd. Ten incredible women will be on hand and willing to share with you the insights into how they built their businesses, what they did right, what they did wrong, and what they’d do again. Forget the fact that I’m tickled to be speaking beside them; I’m tickled just to be able to get to sit in the same room with them and learn from them!

Let’s do a quick run down, just so you can hear how I read this off in my head. Literally, get ready. This is a stream of consciousness. Michelle Loretta? I think she loves worksheets as much as I do! Maybe she’ll have worksheet handouts! Amy Flurry, what a cute headshot! Boxwood hedge background? How could I not love her? Yes, we must meet. Cathy Olson, OMG, I think she might share my nerdy fascination with code. We ALSO must meet. Jessica Bishop, love that girl. Love her heart. Can’t wait to hug her neck. RACHEL SHINGLETON, girl who GETS me? Yes, we both live in OKC, but it’s this creative conference thing that binds us. We don’t hang out in OKC enough. Mental note to call her. Jess Lively. OMG. I totally embarrassed myself in front of her at Alt Summit. Walked up to introduce myself and was so exhausted I don’t even think I finished my sentence. Hopefully she’s forgiving. And how stylish! I love stylish people. And Jessica Turner, met her at Alt Summit, too, and she spoke on a panel about monetizing your blog. Savvy chick, I should get to know her better. And darling legal mind, Heather Crabtree, whom I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know better the past couple of months, I can’t wait to see what her insights into a successful creative business are. Oh my gosh, I must text Amber NOW. This is amazing. She is amazing! What an amazing opportunity for other creatives!

I’m done gushing. 🙂

I’d like to personally invite you to join me at AMBER HOUSLEY: Inspired 2013, a business and lifestyle summit for creative women entrepreneurs. For more information, check out http://www.amberhousleyinspired.com

If you’re on the fence about going, don’t be. The AH Inspired workshop is an INCREDIBLE value (and I’m all about value these days–pinching pennies over here!) There are only 40 seats available, and there is going to be tons of face to face time to interact with each speaker. To make the opportunity even sweeter, Amber is even offering an early bird rate! You can register today at the early bird rate of $729 (ends June 15, 2013): http://www.amberhousleyinspired.com/register

And if you want to check out some of the thoughts that previous women have left inspired with, check out the film announcing this year’s inspired! I’ll confess I got a little bit choked up watching this, but then again, nothing makes me happier than seeing other creative entrepreneurs step out and reach for their dreams. https://vimeo.com/63428817

I’m not kidding when I say that if you’re a creative entrepreneur, I’d love to meet you at AMBER HOUSLEY: Inspired this August! Please join us!