10 Tips From The Create + Cultivate Community to Make the Most out of Chicago!

With only 3 days left to Create + Cultivate Chicago, the buzz surrounding the female entrepreneur conference, or Badass GirlBoss conference as it’s been tagged, is only growing stronger. It’s sold out and fortunately, I’m one of the lucky ones making a whirlwind trip to the one and only Windy City. And I have to admit, watching the social media posts grow in anticipation of the event has been both widely exciting and a teensy weensy bit nerve racking.

Customarily, when you put this many girls in a room it’s a cut or be cut mentality, a kind of every girl for herself, make it out alive and you’ve “made it” kind of party. But not this event, because what I’ve learned in the 3 short months I’ve been at this, is that the digital community or the online community is vastly different from the “mean girls” I grew up with and have met again and again in my professional career. Perhaps it’s because the kind of women who venture into business for themselves, or share their stories and passions via their blogs, are just different from the onset, or perhaps it’s the community itself that has changed them. Either way, I’m grateful to say it’s an absolute relief to have your talent come before your tight ass.

With this in mind I’d like to share the best of what I’m talking about, the best messages left on social media by attendees past and present and those who wanted to be in Chicago but simply couldn’t. And I wanted to do so for 2 reasons, first it’s a testament to bringing out the best in everyone so that focus is where it belongs, on the creativity flowing through all of us. And second, because everyone should breathe easy and be reminded that we are all in this together and we are all attending to “enlighten, entertain and inspire.”

First up is grateful, seriously, it’s amazing something like exists and to be able to attend is a true blessing. If you understand the significance of such an event like like and it’s growing popularity you also understand you are not alone, so make real connections, ones that will outlast your trip to Chicago. Contacts are not hard to come by, and neither are friends, but friends will share more than their web address and cell phone number, they’ll share their story and often your experience.

Girls compete, women empower. Enough said.

Oh Gloria, you are as wise as you are beautiful and your flawless grace sums up C + C flawlessly. And once this makes sense, it’s easy to understand that another woman’s success need not be your downfall. Comparison has no place in passion so be inspired by those around you and know the world is full of abundance and what you want you need not fight her for. Understand this and you are the change, so live it and pass it on.

A woman’s intuition is literally the stuff of legends, don’t doubt yours as silly nonsense, no matter what anyone says. Foster it and hone in on it, because the only thing silly would be to ignore it. And while you’re at it, tell yourself life is amazing too. If you think positive, positive prevails. And from your great expectations, the impossible is suddenly your reality.

Oh, and one more thing worth mentioning for anyone attending the happy hour on Friday courtesy of General Assembly, Saturday is a BIG day. A BIG, LONG day. A BIG LONG EARLY DAY. See where I’m going with this? So go to bed! You don’t want to miss this, you made it so far!