To
be honest, most of my readers probably don't care what I learned at the MN Blog Conference. I
could go on and on and make a list of all the things I learned, but I’d most likely bore you to death. My follow up findings are about the real Wizards of the conference...the PEOPLE.
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| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RQxD4Ff7dY |
So, follow me down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City called the Minnesota Blog Conference. No, I didn't sing happily with munchkins and meet Glinda the good witch. However, my adventure did take me down a road of many discoveries.
What I found REALLY matters are the interesting creative people I actually met face to face.
The REAL personalities revealed from
behind the Blogging Curtain.
My
first acquaintance was with Amy, who sat at my table. At 8:15 a.m. she was already very bright and
cheery. But, who wouldn’t be with a cinnamon
roll and coffee in hand. After the
introductions, she told me she owned a virtual assistance business www.amyshinkle.com. I learned that Amy is
incredibly organized. She showed me her elaborate and creative
planner book. She told me that planner groups, much like scrap bookers, gather to
share creations and ideas for their planners. I had no idea! Her tag line “I’ll buy
the coffee, you provide the details,” is pretty clever. So, as she commented on her torn jeans and that comfort and simple style was how she rolled, I couldn't help but wonder if I should be changing my personal planning approach.
Joining
us later was a previous blogger connection of mine, Virginia. She’s an art inspired blogger at virginiajbailey.blogspot.com.
She’s an artist, jewelry maker and business owner. Her doodle art is truly one of kind. I only wish my doodling came out so artistically. Virginia recently lost her pet dog after 15
years. Rather than getting a replacement
pet right away they decided to offer their services as dog sitters instead. She said it’s a little bit like being a
grandparent. You get to enjoy the fun
for a couple days, but then send them home.
The responsibility is on someone else. Doing this helped to fill the
loss of their pet. Virginia said she loves
learning and often goes to YouTube and Craig’s List to find new ideas and
classes. I find her a joy to be around and she’s quite talented.
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| http://virginiajbailey.blogspot.com/2015/08/doodling-art-my-favorites.html#.Vkjkc3arTIU |
Also, in the mix was a fantastically creative photographer. Kellie takes photos of her subject in front of urban walls and murals. She does beautiful work and I was very impressed with this idea and it makes her photos very unique. You can see her awesome photos at www.kelliedueweiland.com.
One
of our guest speakers was Erica with www.pukerainbows.com. She’s a video director, producer and
editor along with her many other talents.
She gave a great presentation, but it was what I spoke to her about afterwards,
as we were walking out of the conference center to the parking lot that was
very meaningful. Erica has a pretty bold
presence with streaked blondish blue hair.
She seems very down to earth with a fun and outgoing personality. I like that in a person. Our brief
conversation was based on accepting yourself for the way you are and who you
are. This was pretty random stuff for a 5 minute walk to our parked cars. She expressed that it wasn’t always that way
for her, but learned that even with imperfections, if you don’t have a good
attitude about yourself, it’ll show through to others. Couldn’t agree more! You see, come out from behind the curtain and good things happen.
The
after party was at Urban Growler
and a great wrap up to a busy day. It gave
everyone a chance to relax and talk about the day’s activities.
I
happened to squeeze my way in at an open table spot with husband and wife, Matt and Makenzie. They were probably 20 years younger than me, but the beauty of these events is that you have the same thing in common and it makes for a perfect ice breaker. They manage their own web design agency www.aktioninteractive.com. It was fun getting to know them and finding
out what motivates people to bring their dreams to reality. Not to mention, as it turned out, MaKenzie just
happened to have graduated from the same college that my daughter attends. Small
world! Pretty cool connections can be
made no matter what the age difference.
Thank you to the organizers and volunteers, who did a great job! All
the meetings were informative, the conference was well planned and I was
impressed with what they offered. For me, what really stuck out are the personal
stories. It was great to be able to share insecurities, imperfections and knowing
that others have the same ones.
So,
by the end of a long day I clicked my heels and said “there's no place like home, there’s no
place like home.”
When
I arrived home and realized it wasn't all a dream and that the ones I met
somewhere over the rainbow were genuine people that have Brains, Heart and Courage.
They also have a passion for what they're doing and that was incredibly inspiring.
Minus
the wicked witch and flying monkeys, this is my take away story from the MN Blog
Conference.
Oh,
and I guess I'll share one important thing I did learn. I'm not a blogger. I'm
a writer.
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