Happy Saturday! While you are reading this blog, I am headed to an AMAZING conference being held right here in NJ – Freehold, actually. This is the OFFICIAL 1 year Anniversary for the Entrepreneurial Think Tank for Moms (ETTM as we like to call it). What better way is there to celebrate then with a conference packed full of powerful speakers.
It hardly seems possible that I was introduced to ETTM only 6 months ago by Nicole of Jersey Cookie Girl fame. When I first agreed to go – I was nervous and definitely out of my comfort zone. What did I have in common with all of these professional women? I was “just a bag lady”. WOW! From the first meeting, I started to learn and grow. When we got to the “think tank” part of the meeting, I was really ready to find an excuse to leave. See, one of the best parts of the meetings is that in small groups, we talk about our business including setting 2 week goals that are recorded so that we are accountable at the next meeting. Can you say BOLT out the door? I remember Fran from Beauty Control telling me that “everyone uses purses and bags, so why shouldn’t they use yours?”. That is when I started learning what the power of connection was all about. It wasn’t about how many sales I would make at each meeting, it wasn’t about how many parties were booked – it was about connecting. Connecting to other like-minded women who really weren’t much different then myself. Our businesses may be different, our struggles may be different but in the end our goal was the same – being able to network while we inspire other women by sharing our strength, hope and experiences. I was building relationships and as a result, my business would prosper.
When people ask me – How much business have you gotten from the meetings?. My response is always the same – It is beyond measure! Yes, I have had some sales but the greatest value is in how much I have grown as a person and as a result grown in my business. I step out of my comfort zone and actually walk into a room without knowing anyone without feeling “less than”. I am blogging! What you read every day is a direct result of a challenge by Vanessa. I am always amazed when someone likes my blog posting or even wants to follow me and they haven’t even met me. I was humbled this past weekend when some amazing up and coming business women complimented me in front of a group about how much I had helped them to grow in their business. THE POWER OF CONNECTIONS. I love it!
So, enjoy your day because I know that I will as I get a chance to meet and learn more about the “Power of Connections” from ETTM founders Vanessa Coppes & Lynette Barbieri along with Jennifer Tuma-Young, Mike Michalowicz, Patty Lennon, Susan Vernicek and a special performance by Michelle Cleary. If you missed today’s conference, check out one of our meetings (two a month), you won’t be sorry.
Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 
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