The Business of Being in Business

As small business owners it can be easy to overlook the importance of consistently educating ourselves and our team. Seminars, classes and conferences are extremely important to our success. Business owners should look to industry specific education opportunities as well as key business tool classes and coaching sessions often offered by local SCORE chapters.

In October I blogged about attending a dynamic symposium offered by Industry greats Rebecca Grinnals and Kathryn Arce from Engaging Concepts. Rebecca also writes a wedding business blog/journal for industry professionals that you can find here.

Engage! 08 the encore which is the second in what I hope is a very long series of interactive seminars was probably the most beneficial thing I have done for my company since opening our new studio. I found it fascinating , motivating ,thought provoking and very rewarding. I loved hearing about how the Knot started , struggles they overcame and about the success they now enjoy.

I appreciated every speakers honesty about their business and was especially grateful to Preston Bailey who exercised no restriction on Sean Low's ability to share his obstacles and financial challenges in his business .

The symposium was attended by more than 80 people from across the globe who were there to recommit to their business vision if not refine that vision even more. I got to meet so many people who I have either read about , blogged about or only heard about.

I left with much clarity about my own personal and professional future which was redefined even more yesterday with a coaching session from Simon T. Bailey. Simon not only spoke at Engage! 08 but also gave everyone a copy of his book " Release your Brilliance" which is a MUST read.

Thank you to Rebecca and Katherine for creating a learning , " no-judgment here" environment that allowed participants to charge past their fears and reach for excellence!