Yes, our first Suits, Stilettos and Lipstick “The Balancing Act” Conference fell on Friday the 13th! The Ritz probably sold me that date because no one else wanted it. It didn’t matter to us because we were breaking all of the rules anyway.
At 7:30am: our board and volunteers met outside of the ballroom to say a prayer before we kicked off the day. Everything was in place. It looked like someone that knew what they were doing had put this together. I am sure no one would have ever guessed that Yvonne, my husband John and I hadn’t slept at all the night before because we were printing up table signs and name tags until 5am. I actually wrote my keynote speech sometime between 4am and 5am because there literally was no other time available for me to do it.
I remember as if it was yesterday at 8am when our guests began arriving thinking that things happen for a reason. Everything that we had done leading up to this day was exactly the way it was supposed to be. All of the ups and downs that we had experienced were necessary and an integral part of our journey in order to get to this day that was beyond magical.
I don’t think there was a woman that attended that did not comment about the positive energy and the love that she felt throughout the conference. I can’t tell you how many women whispered in my ear how this conference may have saved and transformed their lives. It is hard to put into words what I was feeling, but I know that I was deeply touched and filled with emotions seeing it all come to together.
After the conference, Yvonne and I asked ourselves, now what? We really were not sure how to keep the momentum going. We certainly never imagined that we would do more than a yearly conference. After all, we had the center and our practice to run.
Then a month or so later, Yvonne was invited to attend a ladies luncheon by one of the ladies that attended the conference. When she went she was surprised to find out that the entire group was made up of ladies that attended the conference. It was apparent that the conference had sparked a desire for women to connect at a deeper level.
I was invited to attend the 3rd month that the group met. That day after the lunch I said to Yvonne, I think we have started a movement! Are you ready to do more? Without hesitation, Yvonne said yes!
Three years of events, 3 conferences and close to 4,000 women later the movement continues and it is spreading. I am excited to share with you that this year we are going national!
Wow, what a ride this has been! When we first started this crazy adventure it was only Yvonne, me, our husbands and a few ladies that believed in our vision. In my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that what started off as an event would turn into a movement.
Yvonne and I pinch ourselves every day because we can’t believe it. We feel so blessed to have this opportunity to really make a difference. We are privileged to stand with women from all walks of life, but what unites us is that we are heart centered, spirited and SASSY (smart, assertive, strategic, selfless and young at heart) women. We want it all and are not afraid to go for it.
Like I said before, everything happens for a reason. Suits, Stilettos and Lipstick happened because it needed to happen.
I can’t wait to see what the next chapter of our story will be, but meanwhile I am just enjoying the journey. We hope you will join us as we continue to make history.