Wednesday, 19 October 2011

Bliss or Miss?

I've read some very eloquent blog posts from attendees of Blissdom Canada. I'm not a writer, but I'll briefly share what I took away. By the way, I won my ticket through Cocktail Deeva's Live Loud contest. Just getting away from my kids and my business was a way for me to live loud!


The good. 

• I put myself out there. I came to meet fabulous women and make connections. So I approached groups of "populars" and introduced myself. I found small groups of ladies and sat down with them to talk about what they do. I joined tables for breakfast and lunch where I didn't know a soul. 

• It's amazing the conversations that can be started over a great pair of shoes.

• I approached Tracy Moore and had a short, but lovely conversation.
@LisLannin  @tracycityline

• I met Kathy Buckworth, who was gracious and just as funny IRL.

• I thoroughly enjoyed 2 sessions: a sprinkle of viral dust, and branding.

• I enjoyed not cooking, cleaning and yelling at kids for 3 whole days!

• I made some new and great friends.

• I made a fool of myself dressed as an old lady.
@LisLannin  @TeacherMomOfTwo


The bad.

• I found the conference to be a bit cliquey. Obviously many of these women know each other and are comfortable in their groups. At times I felt transported back to high school and feeling like a bit of a loser, often fighting the urge to find a corner and hide, watching from the sidelines. But I fought it.

• I didn't really get anything out of the entrepreneur tribe round table, except a stack of business cards. I think the tribes were a great idea, but would have liked to regroup on the last day and discuss what we learned and how to apply it.

• I liked the movie MissRepresentation, presented by Urban Moms, however I didn't enjoy the ranting afterwards, so I left.

• I made a fool of myself dressed as an old lady.


The ugly.

• Some people who seem fabulous online are not so fabulous in real life.

• During the keynote when asked to write down 5 things people don't know about me, I wrote that I thought I might be suffering from depression.

• I made a fool of myself dressed as an old lady.


Overall, I had a wonderful conference experience. I met many lovely ladies. I shared the new product I'm launching with some positive feedback. I made friends.
@Gemini_Momma  @ShopWithRobin  @LisLannin  @TheDaisyDiaries

So, here's what I'm going to do: I'm going to bust my ass to launch my new venture, despite the setbacks I've experienced. I'm going to build my brand and my company. And I'm going to be back at Blissdom in a few years, on a panel, sharing my experiences and inspiring others to do it. There. Now I have to go, I have a lot of work to do! :-)

6 comments:

  1. I wish I could have talked more... I could only do some fly-by hellos... working while at said conference is a whole other ball game!

    p.s. I think you ROCKED the old lady look!! :) I kept wanting to adjust your b**bs! lol

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  2. I appreciate your honest reflection of your experience at BlissDom Canada. I have similar thoughts but haven't put them to paper yet (my first time too, and I didn't know anyone).

    And don't sell yourself short, you have a wonderful way with words! All the best on your new venture.

    @robynroste

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  3. I have to say I LOVED your costume! Wish we had chatted more!

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  4. Thanks for sharing. You are a wonderful person! So glad that you won that contest and that we had a chance to meet.

    I was in a similar situation last year when I attended Blissdom Canada. I did make a few new friends but was too shy to approach a lot of people. What I found was that after the conference I suddenly discovered a whole new online community that totally changed the dynamics of this years conference for me.

    ... and like @robynroste commented above, don't sell yourself short. I really enjoyed reading your post!!

    Cheers!
    @kristahouse

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  5. hey girly, I really enjoyed getting to know you a little bit better at bliss, I loved that it wasn't as rushed as sccto. you totally rocked that old lady getup! in fact one of my favourite moments was seeing slash dance with the old lady and then finding out it was you!

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  6. First off...YOU ARE FABULOUS!
    And anyone who didn't take the time to get to know you at Blissdom Canada is missing out because you have one of the kindest of hearts.
    If it wasn't for you reaching out to me I probably would have left the conference after the CBC party on Thursday night as I too found it to be very cliquey. I tried to go outside of my confort zone and be friendly and say Hi, only to be snubbed and sent on my way.
    Fortunately, I had the pleasure of meeting yourself, Robin and Jen and I was able to salvage my Blissdom Canada experience.
    Thank you for writing the post it had to have taken alot of courage to say the words that some of us are thinking.
    Looking forward to a lunch date sometime soon!
    Love you and all your fabulousness!
    Shelly xoxo

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