Making my own luck, Philly-style!
Has it really been 11 days since I last blogged? Oh, okay, sure, I’m a terrible person, but slow your roll, kids, since actually, I’ve been giving workshops at the speed of light, even going to Philly this last Thursday for the Pennsylvania Conference for Women. So, you know, not to toot my own horn, but I was helping people, not just sitting at home, watching Adult Swim*. #DontMindMe
I have to admit: I’m not normally a big fan of conferences. I find there’s tremendous pressure to experience immediate wisdom on the spot, for every speaker to be “amazing,” and “life-changing,” and “authentic,” which is a sure fire recipe for horseshit…but having said that, the PA Conference was pretty much the bomb.
I was responsible for hosting a series of round-tables on Standing Out in Your Digital Bio, and it was me and three groups of ten women, discussing stratagems for implementing Google+, LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook, among other social media platforms, to take their various businesses/careers to the next level. In reality, it became a series of conversations. In reality, I spent the afternoon brainstorming with women who were at different stages of their careers and their levels, but united in their passion to make. It. Work.
I know, that sounds like we held hands and sang Kumbayah Oh Lord but no. Actually, it was an exceptional opportunity to intimately interact with a diverse set of women who were hungry for something real. Actually, it was one of the most incredible experiences of my professional life.
For example, the 21 year old woman who gave me a free makeover, was in the process of launching her own business, so she told me what kinds of events she’d already done–like that time she organized an entire evening of clothes, makeovers and general glamour for women–as we discussed new ideas for her to reach her targeted audience. Did I mention she’s 21? When I was 21, I knew I couldn’t wait to graduate college, but if you had suggested I start a business, I would have said, “I’m 21, what the hell do I know?” This woman knew her own mind: what a beautiful sight!
I had people ask to shake my hand, thanking me for coming, and the next day, I received a ton of emails from women saying they “got” my ideas, and were already putting them to work. Um, wow. One of the event organizers sought me out, after my final round-table, to make sure that I was happy, and that I felt the Conference had been worth my time. Whoa.
Before you roll your eyes, just realize that all this might smack of arrogance, but I started this business with nothing in 2008. Jesus, I had less than nothing. For years, all I had in abundance was debt, despair and desperation. Those were years of endless pep talks. Years of realizing that I couldn’t give up, because I had nowhere else to go. I couldn’t give up because this fragile dream of a business was the best I had, so I had to make it work.
And now, after all the years of poverty, of slaving, of gritting my teeth and hacking my way in, to have strangers come up and say,”Carlota, you completely inspired me, thank you!,” ….well, wow. Just wow. Who knew that for a native New Yorker, going to Philly could feel like coming home? I’m a lucky girl, and the harder I work, the luckier I get!
*Not that there’s a damn thing wrong with that.
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