WordPress Wordcamp – A Community to Help Build Your Brand or Passion Blog

This blog was created not only to share personal stories, but to motivate others to live life with joy and intention.  This year on my Vision board for 2015 I added photos expressing my desire to travel and be my own boss.  

This desire comes from dealing with the struggles of being a Mom in Chief and still finding a way to be successful in a corporate career. Sometimes carving our own path comes out of necessity.  Have you ever tried to create something from nothing?  

Last week I took a risk and flew to Las Vegas, WordPress Word Camp.  The event nurtured my passion to build a brand and a successful blog which can eventually help support myself and family.  Meeting folks from the WordPress community in person was a reminder this journey is not an isolated one.  It also made me feel great about choosing to build my websites on the platform.  

When heading to WordPress Wordcamp Las Vegas I had no idea what to expect, and didn't know any colleagues or friends who were attending.  It was a risk worth taking…

WordPress Wordcamp encouraged attendees to create unique WordPress awesomeness and contribute to the conversation and community.

As each speaker presented, they shared a portion of their personal story and their specific talk focus.  Topics were diverse but equally interesting.  Though I reside in the Bay Area which is known for innovation and creativity, this event really added the extra "oomph" I needed to keep me on the path of creating success my way.  The group of attendees were collaborative and accessible.  No egos at this event.  

The AM Keynote speaker Ben Fox began the weekend sharing rules to create an effective community.  His first rule was, "Relationships are analog".  This killed any thoughts that only digital communications can bring people together.  While it's true technology helps us connect across timezones and locations, in person connection is not out of style.

Shayda Torabi's talk focused on networking and the importance of connection.  She helped the group remember that being at the event was a golden opportunity to find new resources and colleagues to help move personal and business pursuits forward.

Kimberly Shivler taught the group how to build an online course.  Breaking down concepts, not assuming knowledge, and how to make our course unique gave attendees key take aways to teach good stuff online.  While I am still digesting all that was shared this was a great foundation to build on. 

The final session was an open forum.  How many times have you attended a large event and an open forum was built into the agenda?    Countless events pack the agenda so tight attendees are exhausted running from room to room eager to not miss a thing.

WordPress Wordcamp – Las Vegas was not that way.

Attendees were able to ask ANYTHING in regards to WordPress.  Those new and seasoned in WordPress development bounced ideas, methods, and how-to's, this sealed the deal for the whole weekend.  Dare I say this made the event sort of epic!  LOL…ok well at least it was definately a great way to run an event in my humble opinion.  

Tune into this week's WPwatercooler episode where several speakers and community members share more highlights from WordCamp Las Vegas.  As you listen don't be deterred by the group's familiarity with each other.  

Though this group are familiar and keep the discussion light, you'll notice some key points that should get you curious about attending  a WordPress Wordcamp near you.

My first Wordcamp left me feeling encouraged and motivated by the digital nomads, business gurus, developers, 6 figure bloggers, and tech savvy peeps. I do plan to attend another WordCamp in the future and engage with this community in person again.

Looking for a supportive and creative community then WordPress Wordcamp is for you!  Comment below if you've attended a WordPress Wordcamp, which location, and one thing that helped you on your journey.

On another note…Las Vegas was so HOT.  I wasn't ready!!  

Thanks to the Innevation Center attendees were comfy and able to focus on the event.

For more info on the other amazing speakers, see WordCamp Las Vegas Speaker Profiles 

Go forth and create!  You never know what it will lead to…

Jenelle