As many of you know, I’m carrying on with the Still Dating My Spouse brand. This means, I have to get out of my comfort zone and tell others what I am doing and have planned for SDMS. So I made a pledge with myself to show up & be present in my business.
The first thing I did for my business this year was, fly to California in January to attend the third annual Courage to Earn Retreat.
This retreat is more like a mastermind, as attendees had a chance to get 1:24 support for expanding an idea or growing their business. Plus, Brandi Riley, the event producer, partnered with Comcast to sponsor the retreat first ever pitch competition!
Listen, I had made that pledge to show up and speak out about SDMS and this was the perfect chance to kickoff 2020 in a positive way.
But…..wait? Pitch? That meant, I would have to talk in front of a room full of people about a project me and Stephon have been working on since 2016.
Several questions and a strong sense of doubt and fear took over my mind when I submitted my name to present during the pitch competition.
I participated in the competition. I didn’t win but what I gained from attending is invaluable.
Me before the pitch competition
Lessons I learned from the Comcast/Courage to Earn Pitch competition:
1. It’s ok to introduce your brand to a new set of people. You never know who in attendance is your target audience.
2. In person networking is a [good] thing. As women & business owners we need each other. Attending live events gives you an opportunity to meet others that you could potentially collaborate with and most importantly, support.
3. By me showing up & opening my mouth about my business I received an anonymous investor for my event WE Weekend. I didn’t win the competition but just by me showing up and sharing, someone who didn’t know about me or Still Dating My Spouse got a glimpse into what I do.
4. Stop over thinking and talking yourself out of opportunities. Seize every opportunity to get new eyes and ears on your business.
Not having my husband beside me to continue this work, I know it’s imperative that I surround myself with people who are about making change & supporting each other.
I’m telling y’all this because I want to encourage you to step out your comfort zone and be present for YOUR BUSINESS. I know from experience we can’t grow our businesses alone. We need a good strong community. Let’s make a pledge to get in the room where we can build our strong business communities.
I must thank Comcast California for believing in the small women businesses that attended Courage to Earn Retreat. Many of us don’t get a chance to pitch our businesses and services to a major corporation such as theirs. I’m forever grateful for the opportunity and experience.
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