They’re all crucial components of the Mom Biz Retreat.

I was lucky enough to attend the retreat this past September – I know, it’s been a few months, but hey, the retreat went SO WELL that I have been working my tail off since then!!

Held at the Millcroft Inn & Spa, this 3 day retreat was chock full of business building goodness, loads of free time to go on hikes, chill in your room or even go to the spa if you wanted.

I know there are a LOT of conferences to choose from and trust me, last year, this one didn’t make the cut, but now I am kicking myself for not going because if I had’ve known then, what I know now, it would’ve helped my business sooner.

Normal conferences you go to have you seated in a chair and being talked “At”, you collect business cards, make connections, get jazzed up, ready to make a difference in your career and then you leave and fall flat. There is no real plan of action as to how to follow through will all of that networked goodness. Believe me, I’ve been there and yes, I still have the business cards I “collected” and the dust they’ve collected too

The Mom Biz Retreat is different. Totally different. It’s real, it’s caring, it’s action packed and tiring, it’s raw (yes there were tears – of compassion, frustration, hope and happiness) and it’s like nothing you’ll ever do for your business (or yourself).

A workbook was presented to me at the beginning of the retreat and became my action plan for success. I look at it almost daily and it fuels me to move forward. It was the foundation of a huge shift in my thinking and helped me streamline myself, my career and my life.

Hosted by Lara and Shelagh, the retreat forced me to look at some choices I had made and see if they really fit with who I am and who my family is. We talked about my work schedule, income and expenses (BLEGH!), my kid’s and hubby’s schedule and made some new choices that would impact my life immensely – One of them being that I now have distinct office hours.

My main takeaway from the Retreat was a “Time Map” – I knew I had a certain amount of hours in the day (everyone has the same 24 hours) and I knew that regardless of what I did, it always felt as though I was never getting anything accomplished. There was always a battle between promoting myself, securing new projects and then completing those projects.. not to mention the family that stood behind me (literally sometimes) while I did that work.. They were being put second and that was starting to weigh on me and was starting to make them resentful (maybe not Tim, but the kids hated it), however I couldn’t get away from the fact that I needed to work to bring in the money.

My newly created Time Map allowed me to pin point my most productive/creative hours in the day and then work from there. What resulted is a defined schedule that I can plan my week around. Now, with that said, it did take me a while to get it together, my (second take away from the retreat) Accountability Partner Jennifer Gilbert held me to it and pretty much forced me to get it done.

One thing I need to mention is the cost investment – I know that budgets matter – and so they should.. This retreat is a higher price point than the rest (for good reason) but again, the difference is a tangible result – The business I have had since the Retreat (kick-started by my action plan created at the Retreat) have more than paid for the expense of the weekend. There have been times when it has taken me several months to see a return on a conference, and this one paid off almost as soon as I walked out the door.

The Mom Biz Retreat is a MUST DO for your yearly “conference/event” budget – Put it BEFORE all the other ones and make it happen – This retreat will not only give you that “high” of every other conference, but it does something special, something more – it gives you an action plan, a personalised one, that YOU helped to create, to take away and implement and make your life and your business better – to grow.

I have already made plans to go to the retreat next year and I truly hope I see you there!!

I did, and I pushed it out of my brain for the past 30 years.. Until I got a Facebook message from my friend Jim.

I messaged Jim and was inquiring about a local television show that had (unbeknownst to me) been discontinued. I expressed my dismay and it was then that Jim responded to me ” I would love you to pitch an idea for a show that you would produce and host. Small business, social media, something we could spin into 13 shows. Give it some thought.”

*Backstory notation; Jim is the Supervising Producer for Rogers TV Georgina and he was on the hunt for TV Hosts and Community Producers. People who had an idea (or a skill/knowledge) for a TV show.*

I replied with – “Thought has already been given!” (The details hadn’t been thought of, but I knew it wasn’t something I wanted to pass up, so I feigned preparedness!)

A few weeks passed and emails, phone calls and coffee shop meetings were held. A name was debated and decided upon, graphics were thrown about via email and then approved and then last Wednesday, I tried to get some sleep, knowing the next day, my dream – my ultimate dream – would come true!

I walked in to the TV Studio on Thursday morning, more nervous than I have ever been in my entire life and was excited to see what awaited me.

My “desk”, three cameras, a couple TVs and a Crew (I had my own Crew!!!). The next few hours flew by in a nervous blur (I have to say that I was pretty sure I blew the first episode) and then the day was over.. Three episodes wrapped and three to go!

My guests were great! We talked about everything under the sun (for what we talked about on the air, you’ll have to stay tuned ) and had a great time filming the episodes. They helped me ask pertinent questions, and gave me informative answers and generally eased my mind (and fears!)

That night, I went home, had a glass of wine to celebrate my experience and then slept like a baby in anticipation for the next day’s episodes (3 – 6)

We shot the 6 episodes back to back over the two days, so I had a “wardrobe” and was required to change in between the episodes so to make it look like I wasn’t wearing the same thing throughout the 6 weeks (the magic of TV eh?)

Once the end of the 6th episode was taped, we shot 6 weeks worth of commercial promo spots where I announced who “Next Week’s” guest would be.. That was nerve wracking and for some reason, it took me about 5 tries each time I did a spot.. I just couldn’t get the words out – we’re talking like 10 words max and it just couldn’t come..

Finally, I finished the last promo and Jim yelled from the sound booth “That’s a Wrap!” and my awesome crew all started clapping and cheering! What a cool experience!

A HUGE kudos goes out to my first guest, Jennifer Anderson of Talk of the Town Events – As the former Host of The Parenting Show and current Host of That’s My Story, she knew all the ropes and made me feel so at ease.. even though I was (or so I felt) a blubbering fool!

My crew was so fantastic and I’m pretty sure the end result would’ve been a disaster without them;

Ron, Lou and Alan – My Camera Geniuses – Thanks for making me look good (and for only shooting “my good side”)
Alyssa and Kimmie – My Floor Directors – Without you, I’m sure I would’ve stared blankly into the camera stunned or even worse, talked straight through the commercials!
Nicole – My CG Guru – Thanks for putting up with the slew of links and websites URLS – Sorry for making your eyes tired
John – My Graphics and Animation God – Thank you so much for taking my vision and turning it into a wicked intro!!
To everyone else that I KNOW I missed – Thank you so very much for making this experience an super awesome one!!

and last but not least…

Jim – My Supervising Producer – For giving me this opportunity, I cannot thank you enough, my only hope is that you let me back on the air!!

To stay up to date with the show, please visit the Social Scene’s website or become a Social Scene Fan on Facebook!

Lindsey’s style is amazing, captivating and I couldn’t get enough. I jumped over to her website Lindsey Stirling Violin and bought a few songs. The one that I could not get enough of was “Electric Daisy” SUCH an AMAZING song.

I got so much work done listening to this song, I thought I’d share her talent If you don’t share a love for hop hop violin (and you probably think I’m weird) you at least have to agree she’s crazy talented!

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxIOUJ7by6U

As reported earlier today, Sarah Burke has tragically passed away due to injuries sustained while on a routine training run.

I’d like to republish the interview and photos she gave us as a tribute to her. Burke was a four-time winner at the Winter X Games, and was considered a pioneer who became the best-known athlete in the sport. She had lobbied successfully to have the sport brought into the Olympics, where it will debut at the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia. (Excerpt from CTV.ca)

Sarah Burke, Professional Skier

1. What is your summer sport? Surfing
2. Favorite thing to watch on screen (TV or Movie): I love all movies and Gossip Girl.
3. 5 songs on your playlist:?
4. When did you start Skiing? I started at about 5 with the fam.
5. Most frequented riding spot? Whistler/Blackcomb
6. Favorite move/trick: Anything switch
7. Your skiing style: Hmmm
8. What did you have for breakfast? Rice toast with PB and J, a yogurt and half a grapefruit.
9. If you could ride anywhere in the world, where would it be? Tahiti
10. Are you sponsored? Roxy, Monster Energy, Smith Optics, www.ahlivv.com, Whistler Blackcomb, Swix wax
11. What does your Monday to Friday, 9 – 5 look like? Airplanes and mountains
12. Describe your ideal day of riding: Sunny, friends, new tricks and laughing.
13. Do you have a favoured Pro or Amateur? I like most of em….they all bring something to the table
14. What is your all-time favourite dessert? I love dessert. Its too hard to pick one….ewwy goey brownies with ice cream maybe
15. In your opinion, what is the worst trend/fad for your sport? The super gangsta look maybe getting a little old.
16. How do you prepare for a day of riding? Good breaky and a stretch.
17. What is your “must-have” for hill-side eats? Soup and chocolate milk.
18. What item in your gear bag can you NOT live without? Long johns…I get cold.
19. What do you do “après-ski”? Have a nap in all my gear.

Accomplishments: 1st – 2007 Winter X Games Half Pipe, 1st – 2007 Nippon Open Slopestyle, 1st – 2007 WSI pipe, 2nd – 2007 Nippon Open Half Pipe, won the ESPY for Best female action sports athlete.