"There are women who come together at this event who are willing to help you along, to answer your questions, to mentor you, or for you to mentor depending where you're at in your business. You are NOT alone in your journey and you will certainly discover this when you attend
The Creative Connection Event"
-Tara Rex
Hello everyone! I'm Tara from taradara, a WAHM of 2 little handsome boys with a handmade sewing business.
I would like to share my experience at last year's The Creative Connection Event with you. There are so many WONDERFULLY AMAZING things I could say about The Creative Connection that it might get a bit much, but here we go … I decided to attend the event about 2 weeks prior to it happening. I had visited the Where Women Create blog for months and secretly wanted to go so bad. However, I was on the fence about if I could afford it as I have a young family and my business was just starting out so I wasn't sure if I could 'afford' to go. One night, we were both in the office and I was looking at The Creative Connection Event details. I got the nerve to propose the idea of me going to my husband and his response was, "How can you NOT afford to go?" I totally agreed with him, but needed to hear it from him so I didn't feel completely selfish for going {how many of you can relate?} We looked the line up of speakers and teachers and thought it would be a great fit for my business. When I got there, I had NO idea of how many phenomenal women were there!
Never in a million years had I thought of ever being in the same room with Amy Butler, but there she was! Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, one of the sweetest humble women I know was there.
Just the caliber of these female entreprenuers was through the roof! I met and talked with Gussy, who I've followed for a long time and am even more in love with her now since we've met. The connections and relationships that were made at this conference was off the chart! I met a gal from Montana who is now one of my closest friends.
The networking was overwhelming {for me} because I wanted to talk and connect with EVERY women there. However, the women I did connect with were very genuine connections and we are still in pretty close contact today. I went there not knowing exactly what to expect and came home with a considerably long list of 'to dos'. The classes offered last year were just what I needed starting out. I went there with a business card that had my name and my etsy store address. After listening to everyone, I knew how important it was for me to start blogging and getting on twitter. I, like so many others, had no idea how much these two social media outlets were going to extend my reach for my business. I exchanged business cards with almost everyone I spoke with. I visited their blogs after returning home to see what they were blogging about as I had no idea how or what to say when I first started. With my own ideas, I mustered the courage to begin my adventure in to the blogosphere. In fact, my very FIRST blog post was about my experience at The Creative Connection! And my very FIRST photo post is of myself and Amy Butler at The Creative Connection. With that said, I now have a business card with my name, my store, my blog, facebook page, and my twitter handle … LOL! The Creative Connection really covered a lot of bases when it came to having an online handmade business. They had experts in social media offering their knowledge to those starting out {like myself} and to the seasoned veterans. They had Etsy representation who helped by having sessions on selling on Etsy. They offered critiques of your store which was worth so much to me. They had well established handmade business women who shared their personal stories of when they started out which was so nice to hear as it was exactly where I was a year ago. There were book and magazine editors giving talks on being published! Wow! Now, that was something I really wasn't expecting, but it got my imagination and dreams heightened. Having ALL of these knowledgeable resources in ONE conference was truly beneficial for a new handmade business owner like myself. Being at this conference completely opened my mind to the OPPORTUNITIES that could be in my future and how I could go about attaining them. I took notes as fast as my hand could write. I wanted to attend every session as I wanted to absorb ALL that was there to take in. Taking notes is not something I usually do because I 'think' I will remember it all or the important parts. Well, if there's one piece of advice I have to someone attending The Creative Connection for the first time, it's to take an empty notebook and be prepared to fill it up. My conference notes are invaluable to me as I revisit them frequently and I recall different parts that I didn't necessarily recognize a time before. It's funny because while I was taking notes, I was thinking "I probably don't need to know this right now", but I'm glad I had them to refer to as my business has grown in the last year and I'm using those notes at different stages of my business growth. Every person starts somewhere with their business. We all have been there where we're trying to get 'out there'. I was so novice last year but I feel that I have grown as a handmade business women and as a blogger. I have started a series called "What I Wished I Knew When I Started Blogging" that features various established bloggers sharing their insight, tips, and advice to blogging newbies. There are handmade business women, DIY bloggers, TV personalities, and lifestyle bloggers who have contributed. I am so grateful to The Creative Connection Event as it connected me with so many women {of whom are contributors to this series} and it provided me with the confidence to reach out to others. There are women who come together at this event who are willing to help you along, to answer your questions, to mentor you, or for you to mentor depending where you're at in your business. You are NOT alone in your journey and you will certainly discover this when you attend The Creative Connection Event {they didn't pay me to say that!}. What I learned and the connections made at The Creative Connection was just what I needed to kickstart my business.
Words cannot express how grateful I am and how much I love my husband for giving me the extra little push to attend this event.
So, with ALL of that said, I'd LOVE to offer 'Where Women Create' readers a chance to win a $50 giveaway to anything in my store, 'taradara'.
Simply comment to this post with the number one class, panel, Keynote event or PitchSlam you would like to take or attend at
THE CREATIVE CONNECTION EVENT.
How can you pick a number one?
I know it will be tough … I have a full list already and it's still growing!
We'll leave the comments open until Tuesday, July 12th at Midnight (MST), so you have until then to pick a favorite!
Thank You Tara!
Please visit her at:
Well, If I had to choose one, it would be a class with Melody Ross. I took SR1 and thought it was A-MA-ZING! I would love to take a live class with her. :-)
I think it would be the Content and Community session … the social media solar system. I get so overwhelmed by it all.
Thanks for the opportunity to win a gift certificate to your lovely store. I’m an artist and I just love bright colors but I’m not a seamstress!
I think it took me about 2 hours to register for the TCC Event! I took great care to choose classes I think I need to grow my illustration business. The thing I am looking most forward to and preparing for most is the Pitch Slam to the gift company experts. (I hope I am chosen! Even if I am not, it is a valuable thing to prepare for!) Will you be there this year?! It would be such a pleasure to meet YOU! Thanks for the generous giveaway!! I would be thrilled to win and shop your beautiful store! ~Amy
I would love any of the hands on workshops as that is the kind of person I am – hands on.
I would be interested in the class on monetization and business models. Going tot he Creative COnnection Event would be a dream come true!
It was so hard for me to decide on classes, they all looked so fun; but in the end I’m most excited about the panels I plan on attending, in particular “The Nuts and Bolts of Launching a Creative Business.”
(P.S. My husband talked me into going ahead and signing up too!)
I want to learn how to knit!
Ive also had a secret dream of going to TCC!! It’s a constant thought. My husband was looking for jobs recently and mentioned a job in St. Paul. The first thing I said was, “Oh! Then I wouldn’t have travel expenses and could go to TCC!!” He laughed that I wasn’t more concerned about the winters! I’d love to take the class on social media, and SO many others. Thank you sharing your experience, it will just encourage me to pursue it more!
I love your fabric stash! So pretty!
And thanks for the fun giveaway!
How inspiring! I keep talking about an Etsy store …. time for action!
I would love to attend the VIP breakfast panel. I am a huge fan of Susan Branch and would be in awe to meet her. The rest of the panel would be equally amazing to hear. Thanks for you post. I am a new business myself and found encouragement in your blog. I can’t wait to visit the “what I wish I knew” section. Maybe I can attend Creative Connection next year!
Wow. Your article was well timed as I am still trying to figure out if I can justify the cost of the event. I was very impressed by the value you got from going. I would love to attend The keynote by Elisa Camahort. Would you believe this is the first comment I have ever posted to a blog? Stand back! No more lurking and just reading anymore. I am going to PARTICIPATE.
Tara, first can I say THANKYOU for this post.
I am in Australia and thinking very seriously about coming to Saint Paul for this event. As you can imagine, this will be an investment of several thousand dollars for me and I really have been unsure about whether or not this would be a wise choice. Reading your post and your blog, I am almost 100% sure I am going to come over (I still have some things to sort out first!).
If I come over, I am most hoping to get into a pitch slam to a GIFT COMPANY. I am working on my first book currently and that will be out in June 2012, so I think licensing is the next logical step for me and would suit my style of work. With that said, I will be grateful to get into any pitches I have applied for and the workshops/speakers – it will just be an exciting experience I’m sure!
And big congratulations on your store and success – absolutely beautiful work.
Kass
My number choice for what I would like to attend at the Creative Connection is the VIP Breakfast Panel – Women Entrepreneurs!
That’s a tough one because I’m excited about all the classes and events! The one I’m most looking forward to is The Brave Girl’s workshop.
They all look interesting. I think I need the nuts and bolt of starting a creative business.
Taradara:
May I say thank you from the bottom of my heart for such a gracious post. All of the women who attended our event – both as participants and attendees – are indeed an inspiration. I only wish that everyone who wanted to could attend … we need a really big sponsor to make that happen someday!
I wish you nothing but continued good luck with all of your creative endeavors!
My best always
Jo
I want to do it all, but because you said to pick just one…I want to learn how to make chese! I’m really hoping I get to go :)
I REALLY don’t think I can pick just one…I’m having creative decision overload :0) Thanks for the giveaway!
Tara thank you so much for what you shared. I am still just an “observer” trying to figure out where to start! I would like to attend TCC Afternoon Panel # 1, The Nuts & Bolts of Launching a Creative Business- I just called a friend of mine in Georgia & told her to read this post- She makes the most gorgeous bags (I do not sew) & said you HAVE to read this! She needs to get out there- FB, Twitter, etc- Thank you for all of your enthusiasm & willingness to share :-) All of your work is so colorful & FUN!
Tara~
WOW!
Thank you for this INSPIRING story!
For weeks I’ve been going back and forth about attending/registering for TCC.
For weeks my sweet husband has been saying the exact same thing:
“How can you AFFORD not to go?”
Just this past weekend we were hiking a trail here on Bainbridge Island.
Hiking and discussing The Creative Connection Event.
I am DREAMING of creating my own business!
I am learning to sew and design with the intent of creating a business!
WHY do I debate whether to go or not?
I think it’s because deep down inside I am nervous…shy…not so comfortable with moving out from beneath my comfort zone.
Thank you for INSPIRING me!
Tonight I will read your story to my husband…and I know what he’ll say!
SO NOW ARE YOU GOING????? ;o)
Hugs from Bainbridge!
Again…thank you~xo
Your post was fantastic, and will be read and re-read as I try to get over my case of “yeah, but…” thinking.
The handmade track of this event looks like so much fun. Since I have to pick one, I think it would be the crafting memories class with Stacy and Wendy. Craftiness with the loves of my life as the subject matter seems to be the perfect combo!
Tara … I’d be completely into the class called “Crazy about Sweets” … here I thought ‘crafting’ as sewing, scrapbooking etc … never thought about my candy-making & cake decorating. Not that I can attend … but that’s a class I would LOVE to take!! Kitchen … here I come :D Tara, as I always say … you, my longtime friend, are an inspiration!!
Hi Amy,
I’m hoping to attend this year! It would be great to meet you.
Hi Joyce,
Thanks for your comment! Fabric stashes are beautiful collections aren’t they!
xo Tara
Melinda,
You need to open your Etsy store. You won’t regret it! If you need any help, let me know!
xo Tara
Hi Barb,
Congratulations on your new business! Thank you for your kind words. There are about 6 guest posts in What I Wished I Knew series already. All of them have some wonderful tips and advice!
xo Tara
Hi Janah,
Welcome to the commenting world! I know you would not regret spending the money going to the event once you got there!