7 Takeaways from WomeneurCon 2017

with Sharon Beason

 This past Saturday, I attended #WomeneurCon 2017 at the Sheraton Hotel in Brooklyn, New York. The brainchild of Sharon Beason (founder of #Womeneur), the conference was geared to entrepreneurs to help them grow their business successfully. The conference had keynote speakers, panel discussions, speed networking and mixer and had a marketplace with vendors offering their products and highlighting their services.

I must admit that the agenda was intense, with a starting time of 8:30am and ending at 8:00pm. As I evolve my business, I am learning that if you want to see greater results in the long term, you must make short term sacrifices. The energy in the room was truly amazing - a group of people coming together to learn, grow and interact. Although it was a long day, it was a day well spent, learning and networking with fellow builders.

Highlights from the event:

#1. When you are putting in the work, oftentimes you might not see the results immediately. International keynote speaker Cheryl Wood offered words of encouragement about not quitting on your dreams, but to keep showing up and doing the work and not letting your ego be bigger than your purpose. She also offered the message of mastering your craft and not just dabbling but dominating.

with Cheryl Wood

#2. Are you communicating your message clearly and concisely? Personal branding coach Amanda Miller Littlejohn reminded audience to take time to figure out what they have to offer, focus on the problem that they are solving, speak in specifics vs generalizations and that a strong personal brand is built on your unique strengths.

with Amanda Miller Littlejohn

#3. How’s your money doing? Personal finance coach Dominique Broadway touch on a topic that many of us don’t always give the full attention that it needs. She challenged the audience to create an income action plan - it’s not enough to know you want more money but you must get clear on what you want and write goals with action items and date. She reminded us to not do so much planning that we never truly take action – to not get stuck in planning phase.

#4. Most of us are looking to grow our careers and businesses but there are several things hindering our growth. Holistic business strategist Sharon Beason spoke about the importance of getting our mind right and stop being afraid to tell the world that we are in business and why. She also spoke about goal setting and not trying to wing it but to plan.

#5. Most of us know the importance of digital footprint as we try to build our careers and businesses. Digital influencer Africa Miranda shared tips for stepping up, stepping out and shining. She challenged audience to look at their goals, ways they want to identify themselves in the market place and promote themselves.

#6. So, what exactly is a pitch? Public relations maven Christina Rice provided the audience with an overview of public relations and walked us through essentials of a pitch. She spoke about best ways to present your business and the value of being consistent.

#7. How do you make your business attractive to larger brands? Digital entrepreneur Christen Rochon closed the day, sharing ways to attract dollars to your business. She encouraged audience to think differently about their business, be daring and do things that others aren’t willing to do and to challenge the status quo of monetizing your brand.