I knew I’d walk away feeling inspired and motivated after attending Blogalicious 2012. I loved that the theme this year was “Make It Personal” My business revolves around relationships. I have genuine relationships with my clients whether I met them online, at a local networking social or they were referred to me by an existing client. I believe that once you build and foster a relationship with a potential client, if you have a product or service of value that they need you don’t even have to solicit for that sale, it will happen seamlessly. So, the relationships I build are VERY important to me and not just because there may be potential business there, I love to help other people when I can and I also enjoy collaborating on projects that will get all parties recognized. The goal that I set for myself at Blogalicious was to meet as many conference attendees that I could at the parties and in between sessions. It was also great to be reunited with some of my blog friends I haven’t seen since Blogalicious 2010 in Miami.

Before I left for Blogalicious, I was in a bit of a funk! I was laid off in August from a company that I had given the last six years of my life to. I was passionate about what I did and there were times that I had to bring work home, work late evenings & weekends at events and be away from my family. Needless to say… I took the layoff personally at first! In 2009 I started blogging and my small business. For the last three years I’d grow my blog and business in the evenings and on weekends, because working FT that was the only time I had to dedicate to it. Sometimes I’d be up until 2:00 and 3:00 am to meet deadlines and the revenue from my blog and design business was extra to supplement my income. Well, after I got laid off I said that I could dedicate more time to blogging and growing my business while searching for another job or become a full time entrepreneur. I was so scared because I didn’t really have monetary goals set before and I didn’t rely on that money to pay bills. I had my salary!

For weeks I’d get up and look for a job online and submit my resume to different companies and all my energy and focus was being put in that direction. I was still blogging and had design projects but, I wasn’t doing anything different than when I was employed. I met several individuals at Blogalicious that have been where I am and they are SUCCESSFUL business owners today! Hearing their testimony gave me hope and motivated me to do better. It also let me know that I’m not alone and I have time to make this negative a positive. I have the knowledge and skills to grow my business the way I was growing someone else’s. While I was at Blogalicious I met with Antoinette Sykes a Success Coach and after our private session it was apparent that fear was holding me back, and keeping me stagnant. Everything we discussed and why I wasn’t being progressive lead back to fear. By the time our session ended I made a promise to focus on me for 90 days and know my value and what I’m worth. I also met with Boni Candelario a Career Strategy and Empowerment Coach and in our session she was able to help me figure out what I am really passionate about and should be doing vs. being indecisive and on the fence about literally everything all the time.

Meeting with those two women was invaluable to me. I am now on a path of fulfilling my dreams with purpose and helping other businesses. I left Blogalicious with a PLAN of ACTION and for that I am grateful! I feel like I can proceed and will be successful. I’m looking forward to Blogalicious 2013 already! Stay tuned for a post about our FUN Las Vegas events, awesome sessions, keynotes and sponsors!