the future of Blog Sugar

I have written this post over and over and tried my best to make it sound so pretty and eloquent and lovely.

I considered writing it in letter form and then scrapped that.

I tried something short and sweet and then I let my emotions get the best of me and it turned into the longest post of all time in all of the internet.

I've seriously re-written it about 18 times.

What I really want to share is that I have loved planning the three Blog Sugar events.

I loved making sure the details were examined and hand selected. I loved finding amazing speakers and I found joy in reading each of your recap posts, sharing how the Lord used that event, in your life.

Yes, Blog Sugar was a wonderful vehicle to network and meet each other. Learn about how God has gifted you. Become inspired.

I love Blog Sugar.

But, I feel the Lord is leading me down other paths and specifically calling me away from the planning of another Blog Sugar. I fought against it for awhile and tried to talk myself into planning for 2012. I tried, I did.

I contacted speakers and nailed down a day and venue.

Oy.

The Lord was clear, however and I need to obey.

It's hard to write that I won't be planning another Blog Sugar event. Isn't it always hard to walk away from something that you think could be wonderful? Yes, but when the Lord leads, we each need to follow. Even when it is hard. Even when we think we know better.

Thank you for being part of Blog Sugar and thank you for seeing the vision of the evening. The Lord used it and you were a part.

I loved getting to know each of you.

Thank you for sharing your gifts, talents and unique passions with me.

It was, simply put, so very sweet.

To God be the Glory (always),

Rachel

Help us out!

Let us know what you thought about Blog Sugar 11 in this survey!

Blogging about Blog Sugar 11 (Share with us!)

Can you believe that it's over? We can't!

But what an amazing event!

We had such a wonderful time with each of you and thank you for your attendance and involvement. We hope you left inspired, excited and sweetened by all you learned.

If you have a blog post about your experience at Blog Sugar 2011, please link up below, so we can visit you and read all about it!

Networking 101

Hey, it's JJ. I'm reposting this (from my personal blog) today in hopes it might help out some of our shy friends on Sunday! : )

I often get asked how I know “so and so” or if I’ve ever met a stranger. Most of my friends and families know my job title and who I work for, but really can only describe it as I go to a lot of meetings. I’m rarely in my office and it really does look like I live in my car. Yep, as a director of public affairs, one of my main responsibilities is relationship building…also known as networking.

I like to think of myself as a friendly person. Sure, I’ve got a super sassy side and sometimes my sense of humor is best left to those who know me really well, but all in all, I do care about people and like to find ways of relating. I think that’s the key to networking…

This online world can be really weird. Some of us have our social networks open all day long and check in when we’re between meetings, while having lunch, during nap time, or when something really funny happens. It can be an outlet, a resource, and a place where friendships can begin and blossom. The sad part is when this online world never makes the step into real life.

I was fortunate to attend a blogging conference a couple of years ago, and am SUPER EXCITED for Blog Sugar!!! As a lover of people, I have found the opportunity to meet online contacts to be really fun and interesting. Some outgoing bloggers are really shy and demure in real life, and some quietly confident bloggers are super outgoing and a hoot in real life; that was my biggest take away from attending my first blogging conference a couple of years ago.

Here’s a little secret: sometimes, I don’t feel like talking or have the energy to connect with people I don’t already know…and I know I’m not alone in that. However, if you’re a person who has a hard time meeting new people or networking, I thought I’d share a couple of tips that have really worked for me.

1. If you want to meet an online contact in person, find a couple of things you have in common and chat with them about your similarities. People love to relate on common planes. The same goes for colleagues. When I meet someone professionally, I love to see if they’ve ever worked in politics and we lament about the long hours and often times, crazy bosses.
2. Tell a person if you really liked a series or post they wrote and why it resonated with you. Likewise, professionally-speaking, if I have heard a speaker at a conference that has really connected with me, I’ll go up to them and let them know!
3. Listen – sometimes I’ve met people in a group when a conversation is happening around me. I once met someone who was telling a couple of people about how he’d been making his own prosciutto. I found that incredibly interesting and asked questions…this led to a really fun give and take!
4. Don’t be afraid of a reputation…the “big bloggers” likely started blogging for the same reason you did and they didn’t start out as big bloggers. They are normal people with normal lives, so please don’t put them on a pedestal. Having begun my career in DC, I have often found myself in circles with powerful people with GIANT egos…and you know what, those egos are only there because people have allowed them to be like that. If you treat a person with respect, but just as you’d treat anyone else, it’s refreshing and authentic and conversations can become much more real and valuable!
5. Never turn down the opportunity to have a conversation. Sometimes you might be the person who is approached. If you don’t know them already, be open to meeting someone new and understand that they might be the one who has waited all day to meet YOU!

Our hope for Sunday is that wonderful relationships are started or nourished in real life! We know that the Lord has some amazing plans for all of us and hope our conference can be a catalyst for that! Rachel, Andrea, and I can't wait to meet each and every one of you and hope that our months of planning turn into one really great day!

Looking forward to meeting you!

Link up!

If you have registered for Blog Sugar 2011....

Visit HERE and link up!

There Is Nothing To Fear But Fear Itself

 Source

On a pretty regular basis, it seems that Rachel, Jen or myself hear the words "I'm nervous to come to_____(insert any particular blog conference)."  In fact just this weekend as Rachel and I were strolling around The Queen Bee Market, we met a few readers that said those exact words.  A couple had already purchased tickets despite their nerves and fear, and others were hesitant to because they weren't sure how to conquer those fears before the event.

While your board of hostesses tend to be a little outgoing, we do get it.  A hundred plus ladies, many of them strangers, all in a room can be an intimidating setting, even for the most boisterous of personalities.  But our hope of all hopes is that Blog Sugar will change all that for you.  Our sole mission is to create an inviting, uplifting space to be inspired, feel connected, and feel encouraged.

While we can make all the promises we want, we do understand that sometimes it's therapeutic just to get it out there.  So tell us, what are some of your fears in coming to Blog Sugar, or any conference for that matter?

Fear of meeting new people?

Fear of driving in California traffic?

Fear of what to wear?

Fear of what to say?

And how could we best help you with that fear and put your mind at ease?

Welcome committees?

Flash Mob Dance?

Rachel performing the running man on stage?

Or if you've been to a few blog conferences and you've learned to conquer your fears, please share how you did it!  I know many would appreciate any advice or tips you could lend.

While we can't promise you the stars, at least we can lend an ear :)

Please share!  We'd love to hear from you.

Title Sponsor Spotlight - Amy Peters' Studio

Hello sweet friends!  Thanks for stopping by the blog today to read about one of our very special Title Sponsors, Amy Peter's Studio.  When Amy reached out to us to be a sponsor of Blog Sugar we were thrilled.  Her jewelry and success story are beyond inspiring and we are honored to have her as one of our Sponsors.

Amy began designing jewelry when she was just eight years old after she took a jewelry enameling course and it sparked a lifetime love of jewelry making.  After graduating from college, where she created her own major and received a BA in Metal Arts and Jewelry Design from San Francisco State in 1989, Amy worked several jobs, but her love of jewelry making was always in the back of her mind.

It took the words of an inspiring fellow artist to light the spark in Amy, and she let that spark ignite her into taking a leap of faith, creating Amy Peters' Studio in 1995.  It is important for Peters' that her inspirational jewelry be affordable and accessible to everyone.

"I want the designs to be inspirational and to be keepsakes and talismans for everyday life" states Peters. "I especially love the time in a girl's life when she is just finding her voice, My hope is that my designs can help them along their voyage"    

Amy lives in the Central Coast of California, where the relaxed beach atmosphere is often a great source of inspiration.  Her inspirational jewelry can be found in over 1200 stores, galleries and catalogs across the country, and her work has been featured in countless catalogs, TV spots and on celebrities. 

Thank you Amy for being such a special part of Blog Sugar.  We are proud to have you on board!

We would love for you to head on over and give Amy some love!  Check out her beautiful jewelry website, visit her blog, "Like" Amy Peters' Studio on Facebook or follow Amy on Twitter.  And you might want to make sure to do all these things this week because Thursday, Amy has a very special giveaway on her blog.  It involves Blog Sugar and a ticket.  Any guesses?!?

Are you a blog or small business that is interested in Sponsorship opportunities for Blog Sugar?  Please contact Jen at jj@theblahblahblahger.com and she can fill you in on all the very special packages and rates we have to offer.

Thanks again Amy!  And thank you sweet ladies for reading and being a part of Blog Sugar!