Last week my mom and I got the chance to escape from our usual to work on the business vs. inside our business for the first time in a while at Ali Brown‘s Shine Event in Las Vegas.
The event was packed with learning and networking opportunities. The first day we were given the chance to determine where it is that we wanted to go in our businesses looking at values, and objectives. The second day was reviewing trends in business models and tools, while the third day focused on implementing. Here are 7 takeaways from the event.
- Escape from your comfort zone to grow! What is around you is what you will work off of. Added to the buzz from the strip was the energy in the room; it was insane. You get 500 entrepreneurial women together and your body will feel it! After working from home and alone for most of the week and suddenly being thrust into an uncomfortable environment really helped in getting your mind working and focused on new and exciting opportunities.
- Be intentional. Determine your values and set intentions and position yourself today for where you want to be tomorrow. If I came away from anything it was that perception is huge in being a woman in a start up! Each of the speakers used this strategy at some point in beginning their businesses. Also, important in being intentional is removing the excuses from your life and focusing on your mission, vision, and values to get from point A to point B in your business.
- Women are the face of small business today. Ali Brown is positioning herself to be a beacon for young women in establishing her brand in a world that was once ruled by men while still maintaining her femininity- even building a brand based on this quality. It is possible to be feminine and successful. I think that is a whole other blog post in of itself- what is femininity in business?
- Know your target market. Consumer values have shifted in this new economy and a different state of being is valued. Along with the way goods and services are exchanged is seen, the way we need to market our brands is also changing. It is extremely important to know who your ideal client is and really target, target, target to get ahead.
- Streamline. Utilize leverage to do what you want by streamlining your models, tools, and support to grow. This has always been hard for Ovaleye- we are constantly fulfilling client requests. We have made a point of dedicating a percentage of our work week to leverage to better serve our clients.
- Incorporate authenticity, fun, and celebration. Get rid of the negativity first and foremost in your attitude and in those around you. Ali quoted Dr. Stuart Brown in saying “The opposite of play is not work… it’s depression” My husband has always had this point of view and we have incorporated this into our company culture at Ovaleye. Work is not fun. However, it is important to us to add something that is fun. Barbara Corcoran explained how she has used this in business by incorporating surprise into everyday office happenings.
- Entrepreneurship is a lifestyle. Take action and adapt was a common theme. James Roche commented at one point that entrepreneurs will always want to conquer, build, create, and express ourselves. For me, this event opened up the idea that entrepreneurialism is addicting- that it is a lifestyle, and just because one business might not be successful, does not mean you stop. You adapt and try again. Not because you are a glutton for punishment, but because it is the lifestyle you have become accustomed to and expect.
We will be going again in 2010, especially with speakers like Candace Bushnell and Liz Lange. A great excuse to get away from the office for a few days: Shine 2010.
I am a SOHO Wife and write this blog for women working out of a small office or home office that are looking for inspiration in developing and sustaining a healthy SOHO lifestyle.
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