Thank You SOBCon08
A gathering of like minded individuals is a beautiful thing, a gathering of like minded bloggers gathered to learn about the business of blogging is even more of a beautiful thing.
That was a mouthful.
The good thing about attending a weekend conference is that you get to go somewhere and be away and immerse. The bad thing about attending a conference is you have to get back to the reality of your world. Reality on Monday hits hard and fast. I always try and plan a re-entry day or at least a period of time to take what it is that I have absorbed and process it. Otherwise what's the point?
Bear with me as I think out loud
Friday - The 3 Hour Cruise:
Friday night we all met in front of a hotel near the Chicago river. There was a parade - hundreds of us, which visually was pretty darn cool as we headed to a river cruise across the bridge
Despite the rain, and boy did it ever rain, we went about meeting each other for the first time. I had a particular yearning to meet Robert Hruzek who is the creator of the What I Learned From writing projects I participate in. I so wanted to meet Wendy Piersall, who I admit I am a groupie of. Wendy and her work in building networks of blog authors and her income producing blogs just blows me away - gosh - she has the most genuine smile.
I really REALLY wanted to meet and hear the performer and blogger Christine Kane. She and I have the collaging gene in common. Her comparison of the blogging world vs the music world just cracked me up. She performed stunningly despite the poor acoustics - we were in the bowels of a boat for gosh sakes, her stage was constantly rocking! I am very drawn to her thoughty quirky prose and her voice just made me cry, she sings with heart.
Liz Strauss brought to life her famous open mic night complete with Klondike Bars which tasted really great, especially when it's been forever since you've had one! When asked who were you your first blog post vs who you are now, my first post being about a year ago - 6 days before my divorce, I thought to myself - man oh man I was completely hanging by a thread a year ago.
I wanted to meet Terry Starbucker (oh my gosh the man speaks in lyrics from songs!) and the ever dynamic and sassy Lorelle VonFossen, BOTH of which were a huge part of pulling this conference together - boy were they warm and welcoming to me! I ran into Brad Shorr, I had attended his workshop last June and turns out we had a lot more in common than either of us knew. I see us doing some work together which I am very excited about. Of course it wasn't hard to find Phil Gerbyshak, who looks exactly like his logo, gives a mean bear hug, he graciously posted about my B Happy Attitude Vitamin right before the conference. Liz Strauss posted the same post in her SOB Cafe this past Saturday - wow was that ever cool.
Timothy Johnson ( gave me a signed copy of his book; Gust: the Tale Wind of Office Politics, and graciously made sure I got to my car) and Joanna Young (from Scotland, provided me this weekend with a wonderful listening, loads of laughter, a few tears and great hugs ) They both were two others whom I had befriended and could hardly wait to meet.
I spent the better part post the cruise chatting with Derrek Semmler, who somehow seemed painfully shy. He is one of Wendy's blog authors and speaks to being a dad and a husband. I found myself leaving comments in his section. He has the most intoxicating wonderful laugh. A sweet, inquisitive man and a true gentleman in that he too made sure I safely got to my car.
All these amazing SOBCon 08 bloggers are people with remarkably diverse expressions. They use blogging as their medium to move their messages or businesses forward. It's positively astounding.
Saturday - Models and Masterminds:
On Saturday we culminated in this very downtown Chicago-esque facility known as The Summit Executive Center, I have to compliment Liz Strauss for sticking with her idea of creating a city - our city - experience, I thought the Summit Center was way cool. I have never been in a room with so many lap tops and the 10th floor views were breathtaking! I happen to know that Louise and staff from the Summit Executive Center were especially attentive to the needs of our group, as I bet as they are for all of their patrons. The breakfast and lunch buffets were awesome and healthy ( oh my gosh it's so refreshing to see healthy food at these things )
Each table was a Mastermind Group for the agenda on Saturday. Thank you to Amy L ( who as small as this world is had the same choral teacher in her HS as my daughter does at camp!!) Andrew Dubber ( who came all the way from the UK and could meet my son when he comes back to Chicago to teach for a week at Columbia), Mark Carter (who attended a blogging conference without having a blog) and David. We tackled together the task of saying what it is we do in 10 words or less. I actually didn't find my 10 words right away. Creating Healthier Lives is what I came up with later. What do you think guys? Damn - if that isn't just 3 words!! Not to mention it encompasses all that I believe in. Do you like it?
The line up on Saturday was impressive - some pretty gosh darn big names in the blogoshere. Some of which I had never heard of. Each brought a very unique perspective to biz school for bloggers or the theme for the weekend - I again applaud Liz Strauss, Terry Starbucker and Lorrelle Von Fossen - the programming was wonderfully intentional
In conferences I have attended in the past we give handwritten notes to the speaker - having been a speaker - there is nothing quite like having something to say and then having a flurry of scraps of paper with comments affirming HOW what you said made a difference for them.
I know that in bloggy fashion, we send link love instead, and I will do that , but each of you had an impact on me that surpasses just linking to you.
Here is my virtual scrap of paper acknowledgment flurry:
Anita Bruzzese- I value sourced materials, as a matter of fact that is what my reputation is built on, so I truly appreciate you speaking to that. I also appreciated hearing the grace in which someone should correct something they may have missourced or misspoken. Having something like that to deal with on the table right now, I now have an approach that I can utilize. Perhaps it was me, but I sensed that you were new to blogging. If that's so welcome - we all have been new.
Brian Clark - I loved the triple "A" Model! I give particular attention to the design of my nutritional consulting practice. I could definitely be more practiced with my blog posts and the way I affiliate to my nutrition site. I have to be more clear that I am in business. You drove that message home for me. I appreciated the comment you made about paying attention to what it is that people say - people will tell you what it is they need. I know I can listen more intentionally. Especially if it makes me a stronger blogger.
Lorelle VanFossen - You, my dear are a bundle of colorful energy, your enthusiasm for teaching and sharing touched me in many ways - your simple lesson in helping us say what we mean in 10 words or less, and the struggle that I had in initially doing that was very insightful. You will be getting a little package in the mail from me (and you know what I am talking about!) Thank you for your warmth, your fabulous hugs and for being such a dynamic presence this weekend.
Chris Garrett - Anyone with a British accent is someone I want to bottle up and have whisper in my ear forever. You shared tangible real action tools that yes parallel a business process, yet also something applicable to blogging. I have not put my blog into a "get more bang from your blog" model. I appreciated the gentle prodding. You shared sensible tools that speak to the way I already choose to organize my business, like your calendar, your moleskin and telling stories. Why do we make these things so hard? I am so awed by your breadth of knowledge. Thank you so much for the few hrs we spoke on Saturday night about everything and anything BUT blogging. Ha! I hope you add to your planning the most perfect day and why.
David Bullock - I think it's the coolest thing that you came to our weekend with such little understanding of blogging and that you GOT, its value, its hum and its heart. Having you say that outloud just completely blew me away. Seeing the engineer in you sharing your flow charts really appealed to the visual need I have to understand flow, especially in how it applies to our work and to the way we parallel our work with our blogs. Several times you spoke to sharing the future a client might want to have. If they see the impact on themselves they will want it, will it and will afford it. That's a pitch I can definitely apply to my writing. P.S. Not sure if you're really into selling fish goo, but gosh if a quality sourced fish goo is of interest to you or those you know perhaps we should talk!
Chris Brogan - You spoke to belief, being human, about people and about love. You spoke about it in a way that was enrolling, captivating and captures the way I love to write and do business - based solely on what one believes in. I work in an industry that often people don't trust, yet I want them to trust me. I want to strike the pose that not only is different, but that leads with example. I was inspired. Most of all, I can get rid of those doubts or maybe I should do things differently. I am completely on track. Thank you for using stunning colorful and personal pictures, expressive languaging with warning ( ha!) and lastly for the gesture of your suit coat to keep me warm Saturday night. That was positively the coolest thing ever.
Wendy Piersall- I experience you through your blog as one passionate lady. To have you attach heart to the weekend could not have been more perfect. Thank you. You will have to explain to me sometime why you switched from a single blogger to the multi-author model, and now it's newest format. I am not sure why you're doing that and am insanely curious. I totally meant to ask you that.
Sunday Challenge and Commercials:
On Sunday morning there were a series of 5 minute speakers from the group who prepared 20 slides to either share their ideas about blogging or their work. I was very impressed with how much can be shared in 5 minutes and in how many different ways - it was an excellent way to get to know someone in depth AND an excellent example - It made me wonder what I'd do in 20 slide show way to share my message.
We also got to vote on those who entered the "Get My Message" Contest. What an eclectic collection of entries. The woman who won Jen Knoedl, had left a sour taste in my mouth with something she said earlier in the conference - I know I can be like any other woman and pre-judge. I judged her and based on that comment I decided I didn't like her. I'm embarrassed to say that I was caddy, but it's true - She changed my mind when she did her 5 minute slide presentation without slides - that took guts. She compared blogging to dancing, hmmmmm something she and I have in common and I thought it was wonderfully clever and creative. In her commercial she completely changed my mind and I was enchanted. Within her character which I originally categorized in my mind as bitchy, she shared sweetly, enthusiastically and with great humor, her journey to happily ever after. Wow - her commercial was priceless and original - just like she is! Something can always be learned by first impressions. Like don't go there. I'm sorry I did that.
Sims from Utterz was a doll helping me get my collage live for the contest, how cool to meet him. ( Thank you!)
Rick Mahn who was recommended by the dear Jon Swanson ( it was so great to meet you! When Liz shared you originally she said you were dear and I have to agree ) Rick is going to teach/help me back up my blog - after losing 7 years of outlook files recently I need to protect this blog. He was so eager to help me. A stranger.
Sunday afternoon after lunch - I hung out for sometime with Stephen Smith aka @stephen ( thats a twitter thing right?), who is eagerly building a business on the getting things done aspect of multi-media - I love this quote. "The future is here, it's just not widely distributed yet" which can be found on his business card. He helped me with some back end strategies on my blog. We too digressed into multiple layers of conversations about all kinds of things and laughed like crazy.
As Liz Strauss would say, People are cool. That's all I can say. People are just cool.
I met Liz Strauss through my bloggy mentors Derrick Sorles and Michael Snell. She took me under her bloggy wing as she does with so many others and makes us not only feel welcome, she makes us feel special. That is what she does.
I don't know why I felt I had to say all of this, but I did. I expected many things from SOBCon08, yet I didn't expect it to feel this way - so meaningful. I didn't expect that from blogging either
P.S. Randomly I met many MANY other impressive bloggers; all of which I want to get to know better; Kristen King,Tammy Lenski, Karen Putz, Stephen Hopson, Ruth Marie Sylte, Michelle Vandepas, Dawud Miracle, Vicky H., Sandy Renshaw, Barbara Rozgonyi, Clay - Gosh I sure hope I don't insult someone by not mentioning or linking to all of them.
P.S.S. From a business perspective this weekend, many were interested in my services. Imagine that! Silly me didn't expect that either
very nice capture of this view which is what I looked at throughout the conference by wendy piersall
Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean
Karen - you are exactly like you are on your blog too: warm, inviting, and real. Glad to share a few hugs and smiles with you dear!
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awwwww Phil what a nice thing for you to say - thank you!
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Karen, I loved meeting you and talking with you! I hope we'll stay in touch, as I found myself at ease and happy in your company.
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I felt the same vibe, don't you love that? I think it's going to be great fun to get to know all the folks we met this last weekend.
( PS thanks for the linked in - invite - I so can't get my account to respond, and currently don't have the time to focus on that. Just so you know it's not intentional.)
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Karen, what can I say? Your round up gave a fabulous insight into what the event was like, and I am impressed you managed to compress it into one blog post!
It was wonderful meeting you. You do a pretty amazing job of looking out for other people, thank you. A bit lost for words to sum up my feelings and reactions but I think this will do for now. Yes, truly people are cool.
Joanna
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Thank you Joanna - coming from you my dear that means the world to me.
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What a great write-up, and I'm glad you got a lot out of the experience. You're clearly a super community person, and I'm glad that my bit in your weekend helped the experience further along.
Very best to you.
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Thank you!!
My people to people networks ( you know the face to face stuff ?) tell me have the networking gene - that always makes me laugh but it also has me appreciate that it's something I am especially skilled ant
to me if i meet someone cool I want to keep them in my back pocket foever so I can share them - I collect little boxes too !!
the very best to you too chris
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It was so great to meet you, Karen. In person you're exactly like your picture - the picture I had from your articles (and you photos). That's such a great and rare thing!
Cheers, and onward to 2009!
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Your like I expected actually too, a gentle giant, the hat, and a great storyteller - it's uncanny that we can impress that through our blogs - don't you think?
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Karen-
What a recap! And yes, "Creating Healthier Lives" works perfectly!
Patricia
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OOOH thank you for saying that!! I am going to add Creating Healthier Lives to my header for sure
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Great post, Karen! I love your honesty, and I particularly like your observations about how first impressions can be misleading. So good to meet you. :)
Kristen
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I enjoyed meeting you too Kristen, my honesty or that vulnerabilty seemingly is my best writing - you brought so much energy and enthusiasm to the room -
hey did the email I send you land re: meal shakes?
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Karen,
Thank you so much for contributing to my SOBCon08 experience. I will never be the same again. I can see now the missing links in my business and how to use the connectivity of blogging to handle the gaps. Again thank you.
David Bullock
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You are so welcome David - promise to visit Best of Mother Earth occasionally, I'd love to be part of your connectivity - the never being the same again continues - I pinch myself every single day!
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Hi Karen,
@Stephen here (which means "the Stephen Context"), thanks for the mention. My Twitter is @hdbb_stephen, and I am really looking forward to working with you this year as we prepare for the next SOBCon.
Have a great day!
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is that sortof like the stephen vortex or the stephen matrix??
i need a tutorial in twitter, and in linked in, and in trying to not mix the h's, the d's and the b's ( typed that thrice times - arghh )
You are the second person who has spoken to what's next for SOBCon - I like that!!
once upon a time a single mom needed a job, she got hired to file in a very busy pediatrics office, it took her 3 weeks to completely destroy the filing system - all the b's were ever so carefully and inconsistently filed in the p's, all the d's found their way into the b's --- I was fired.
I found filing rather boring.
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Thank you so much for your kind and supportive words. It was an amazing experience, and I consider myself very fortunate to have met such wonderful, talented and giving people.
Anita Bruzzese
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You are so very welcome Anita. It's true how giving the community is - I felt that too!!
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Karen,
What a great post, connecting so many great people so easily. I've got your email and will check into what we can do on the archiving of that site! :-)
Thank you for the time we had to talk, I really appreciate your words. I too found many of the same things at SOBCon08 in the people who simply wanted to share. It was a great experience.
Talk to you soon!
Rick
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Thank you Rick, everyone is saying how giving this community is - it's soooo true!
I look forward to hearing from you.
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Thanks Karen! What a sweet review you gave of my rockin' (literally) performance! And I love your insights on the rest of the conference. It was great to meet you!
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You're Welcome! The whole conference was rockin!! Meeting you was definitely part of that
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Karen, it was an absolute pleasure meeting you and being able to make a connection with someone that has commented on my blog.
While I am painfully shy but truly cherished our conversation. If there is anything that I can do for you, whether it be blogging related to feedback on my alma mater, please don't hesitate to ask!
Looking forward to the next time we meet.
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Meeting a fan, I never thought of that way. I will definitely take you up on your offer re: blogging questions or otherwise - I couldn't believe how small world - ish that was. It's so great to know you Derek
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It was incredible fun, wasn't it. Thanks so much for being such a special part of the conference for me!
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you are so very welcome
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Karen, it was wonderful to connect with you over the weekend. I look forward to getting to know you more. Let's do lunch!
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I couldn't agree more - it was wonderful to connect, you have a very dynamic presence - I can see why your blog has such a following! If you come to this area I'd adore doing lunch - I try and schedule those for fridays typically. I don't drive much so that's why I said if you find yourself here that's what works best for me.
P.S. before I totally forget - dr thomas mcdavitt - hickory hills animal clinic 708.599.0400
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Karen:
What a great spirit you are. I love "Mother Earth." I distinctly remember you at SOBCon08 because of your warm, inviting personality, especially your smile.
I wish we had more time to connect but the seed has been planted - next year we will have to get to know one another more.
Thanks for a great write-up. You did a fabulous job that most writers would probably be a little envious of your writing skills. :)
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well you just made me smile, and blush - I think smile for smile yours isn't so bad either and I truly appreciate the compliment regarding my writing - blogging has really brought that to life. I agree once the seed is planted, it will grow, I think we will have lots to talk about
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Karen:
Well, there you go! Blogging has done wonders for me too, including meeting people like you and the others. I'm still wading through the list of attendee blogs and checking them out now that I've met a good handful of them at SOBCon.
P.S. We already have a lot to talk about - it's about to get larger b/c of the seed that was planted. :)
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I met so many new folks at SobCon and then there are so many I didn't meet, like you I feel who did I miss ? AND we will indeed have many things to share and talk about - love and appreciate that you are hanging out here
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Yes, I like "Creating healthier lives"! Very well done! :) Another option would be "Encouraging healthier lives" or, "Encouraging healthier lives through nutrition" since we talked about the Shaklee side of things. For the blog though, I think your original encompasses everything very well. It was fantastic meeting you and I so valued your input on everything we discussed. Can't wait to see you next year!
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I appreciate this feedback because I feel nutrition while it's my bread and butter and how I earn my living, it isn't all that I write about - and so healthier lives, just like you said encompasses more. I enjoyed being part of the solutions we were all looking at in our discussions at our table. I am looking forward to next year also - promise not to be a stranger until then !!
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Karen, I'm so happy to have met you. Next year, perhaps, we can share a tea and a longer chat.
And no worries, I'm not offended you didn't link to me. Just thanks for the mention.
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oh my gosh this is a virtual bear hug, just like the real one you gave me at the conference - truly. I had some questions for you actually and somehow missed the opportunity to speak with you. I truly hope we can be in touch before another conference occurs. If not I am scheduling that tea now - a year in advance.
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wow... so it DEFINETELY had a good ending but i totally cringed reading that you thought i was "bitchy". :(
what did i say?
women are funny aren't we? though i am delighted that you ended up liking me... i can't help but focus on the first part. i guess that's what happens when you put yourself out there, huh? whether through blogging, or presenting... or dancing. (dancing rocks, doesn't it?)
they say 'perception is reality' so (though it hurts) i will take it with a grain of salt and try to be more aware. SOBcon just keeps growing me ( a full week later)
i appreciate your honesty.
Enjoy the weekend... and... for the love... get out there and DANCE!
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I am so glad you commented jen - sooooo glad.
I actually wondered -- dare I use the word, the word I was thinking - a word that describes a genre of bloggers that forget that they are ladies sometimes or, that maybe later they might regret what they say ( uh - like we all do ? )
it was the 5 minute post you wrote...and was it that bad? Not at all - it's just, I let it make a first impression
do I dare say how delightful you became for my very eyes? I didn't have the courage to go up to you then on Sunday and just say ...
( was it better that you read it ? ) Do you believe it's been a week?
find me a dance place in chicago please where 47 something yr olds can dance to modern music - please don't make me relive my dance music past and not look or feel like a complete idiot - I'll go. I'm there!!
In the meantime it's ballet stretches with my friend ( I am rebuilding from a car accident) and when noone is looking
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