This evening, I went to New York for Chris Guillebeau’s $100 Startup book tour. The meetup was free and only a Chinatown bus ride away, so I jumped at the opportunity to meet Chris and the others that would come out to see him.
I’m certainly glad I did as I came away with some new ideas and was inspired to kick things with my business up a notch. Not only that, I got to meet some people doing amazing things with businesses of their own.
Here are three of those people:
Emily Cavalier kicked the evening off and shared her story with the group of 300-plus people. She got fed up with her unfulfilling corporate job and started a business connecting food lovers and cool businesses to new audiences using food and cocktails.
She splits her time between that business and another one she started, Midnight Brunch. Here, she’s the chef and hostess for a supper club, or pop-up dining experience. Yes, it really happens at midnight!
David Streisand started his own business preparing and hand delivering delicious organic vegan meals. It was great to talk to him about this as well as his traveling.
He has traveled on the cheap using Chris Guillebeau’s travel hacking tips and booked flights to Ethiopia and Turkey for less than $30 each.
Tumi Johnson was raised in Nigeria and is a physician as well as a professional dancer. She started a business practicing integrated, holistic medicine and visits her patients in their home.
She explained how this gives her a more complete picture of a patient’s situation and lowers her overhead at the same time.
Question: Have you attended any events or conferences recently? What were they?
My most recent conference was Catalyst East in Atlanta, GA. It was a great time of gaining knowledge to improve my leadership abilities. Speakers like Dave Ramsey, Jim Collins, and Andy Stanley. We’ve already got our tickets for this year and can’t wait!
Joe, I’ve heard a lot about the Catalyst events and would like to make it to one someday. A friend of mine, Will Laohoo, mentioned he was going to a Catalyst conference this week. I think there are more than one; is that correct?
When is the one you are going to?
Yes, they currently have three MAJOR conferences and a couple of smaller, one day events. Sounds like Will is going to Catalyst Dallas. The lineup for that one looks stellar. Andy Stanley, John Maxwell, Perry Nobles, etc…
The one I’ll be attending is October 3-5th. Tickets aren’t cheap but you more than makeup for it in the knowledge you’ll gain, the connections you’ll make, and the free goodies they give away.
It’s definitely the conference for leaders to attend. Maybe we’ll see you there one of these days?
That’d be great! I’m looking forward to hearing how it goes and what you took away from it!
Must be good if you’re going back for a second one.
Michael thanks for sharing your experience at the $100 Startup book tour! I am looking forward to meeting Chris in a few weeks when he stops by Columbus.
As for upcoming conferences, I just purchased my ticket for Jon Acuff’s Quitter conference in Nashville, Tennessee coming up in September. It will be the first conference I have been to in a while and I am really looking forward to it.
Jon, you’re going to really enjoy it! Chris spoke for about 20 minutes about writing the book and then there was an open Q and A before he signed some books.
I’ve heard good things about Quitter conferences. Have you read the book?
Michael I read the book last year when it came out and loved
it! Definitely my favorite book of 2011 and I think it is a must read for
anybody looking to work in their passion.
Thanks for the review. I’ll put that one next on my reading list!
Sound like a great time. How many people were there? I’m considering going to the one in Chapel Hill, NC.
Chris, is was a good time and you should totally go! You’ll be inspired and get to meet lots of cool people.
I think he said this was the first stop of the tour; there were a couple hundred people there. I got there early enough that I had a seat up front but most of the people were standing filling up the whole book store, balcony included!
My latest and greatest investment was the $49 spend to attend the Chick Fil A Leadercast held on May 4th. It was a day of personal growth for me, an opportunity to network, and listen to some amazing speakers. Some were well known while others were new to me but delivered a powerful message.
Cindy,
Sounds like the $49 was well worth it! Who hosted the event? It’s my understanding that each satellite location had a speaker in person as well.
We did not actually have another speaker at the satellite event. It was hosted by our church and one of the pastors on staff led the charge, but nothing beyond that. They offered some free books if you could answer some questions from a particular speaker.
I can’t wait to read his new book.
I’ve got a couple projects that i’ll be launching very soon 🙂
I started the book on my bus ride home last night. I don’t think it’ll disappoint.
What are the projects you’re launching?
sorry for the late reply,
I’ve been working on a new design initiative where i’m making a daily desktop wallpaper, as well as developing a website for a movement called hustle month- where I’ll be inviting people to join me in a month of getting things done. Be on the lookout! I should have that website up and ready for signups within the next day or so.
Dan,
Awesome! Let me know about when it’s up. Sounds like something that would be good to be part of.
Looking forward to seeing the things you’ll launch, Michael! I just signed up for the Chapel Hill conference on Monday.
You’re going to love it, Kevin! @cpeek:disqus is thinking of going as well. Do you guys know each other?
Sounds like it was a great investment of your time Michael, thanks for sharing their stories!
It was, Deb. One of my goals for this year was to get out and go to more events and meetups like this. It does great for my perspective and gives me great inspiration and ideas.
Next time I’m up there with a car, I’ll swing out your way and buy you lunch!
You guys look strikingly alike…
Hmm, how can I use that…? Suggestions?
Lol, idk if there’s anything I can think of that wouldn’t offend him.
Michael, great post love the connections to story. I would love to connect about the travel details. Our ministry is working on some world projects and that would help tremendously. Blessings as you launch this new phase of your business. Blessings, @missioncoach
Thanks, Rob, and sure thing. Are you referring to David in the post about travel hacking.
Yes. Would love to find out about the travel hacking. We may be ale to use it for our mission teams. Let me know how to get ahold of it if if you can. Thks, @missioncoach
I don’t know a whole lot about it myself, but here’s the resource from Chris Guillebeau: http://travelhacking.org/
My understanding is that frequent flyer miles are accumulated by opening specific credit cards that give you airline miles as a perk for signing up. If you open up a handful of these cards (many only require a $1 purchase to receive the miles), you can fly for free.
Thanks I will check it out.
Rob, I did notice it says that not all miles need to be acquired by signing for credit cards, however it is the fastest.
Very awesome, Michael! Love this… sounds like it was all worth it. To see and hear stories from other people like that as well just amazes me… Thanks for sharing this, I’m looking to all the great stuff you’re coming forth with…
Thanks, Rob. It was well worth it! Thanks for your support!
Sounds like you had a great time. You inspired me to check it out, so I went to his site and was pleasantly surprised to learn that he’s scheduled to be in our area tomorrow and Friday. We’re going to try and go on Friday. I signed up, and I’m waiting for the email with more details. Thanks for the info.
Sweet, Jody! You and Steve are going to enjoy it. I had a blast meeting Chris and talking to some of the people there.
Let us know how it was!
Cool stuff, Michael! Hanging around the right kinds of people will take you to the right kinds of places.
The last conference I went to was Catalyst East – always top notch speakers. This October I will be going to Gary Barkelow’s Calling Retreat in Georgia, assuming their schedule holds, instead of Catalyst.
Nice, Michael! I’ve heard great things out Gary’s calling events. I’m sure it won’t disappoint!
Yeah, it was inspiring to be around everyone there and to hear so many of their stories!
Way to live it forward, Michael. Very cool!!!!
As a side note, i have hair envy Emily and Tumi. Just saying 🙂
You might be able to get implants. I don’t know though, you swing the bald thing pretty well. 🙂
I actually love my bald head, because as I like to say, God only uncovers that which is perfect!
But when I see cool, different, expressive hair, I do have a little bit of envy 🙂
hahahaaaha well said Kent!!
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I haven’t yet, Michael, but this is something that I want to start doing more of. We’re starting with a small trip planned for next month. 😉
Looking forward to it! Weren’t you at an event there in Austin over the weekend?
I was. It was my first WordPress WordCamp. I don’t have time to implement right now, but I learned some stuff and got some ideas.
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