This weekend might be one of my favorite three days of my life. It is in competition with my wedding and that time B and I went to Disney World as 26 year old adults. It was that good. B and I headed to Austin for the Texas Style Council, for what I believe is it’s 4th year. I’ve been there for three and this year was my favorite. The format and programming was perfect — low key classes and workshops, meet-ups, happy hours. It all just felt like meeting up with friends all weekend and talking. But I don’t think it was just the classes and workshops, but the people I met that were the most inspiring, all of them. I talked to B all the way home about all of my new ideas, about conversations I had with people and all of my new girl crushes. I met woman after woman who had their own things going — writing a book, opening a shop, running a growing handmade jewelry line, graphic designers, stylists, brand managers, I mean you name it and these girls were making shit happen on their own. I feel like I just got back from a summer camp, I’m that giddy about life right now. If you are an entrepreneur or blogger or just a cool kid, you need to go to the next TXSC. You just do. It’s so fun to meet people who couldn’t be more different than you but you have so much in common with. Plus we all make friendship bracelets, secret handshakes and become internet pen pals. Worth it.

I wanted to say thank you to everyone who shared their stories on stage or in conversation. It’s so nice to hear people who are making it happen and who are brave enough to forge ahead on their own. This might sound cheesy but it is so empowering to hear women make things happen on their own. To hear so many different ways of entrepreneurship — some big, some small but all growing and innovating our world even if we don’t know it yet. I am so proud to be a part of this group of women. 

On Sunday, I spoke on what I think are a few secrets to a start up. The thing is they aren’t really secrets — they are pieces of wisdom that you will learn along the way. I think that’s the secret of entrepreneurship and probably life — experience is everything. Since it’s impossible to tell you everything I said in my rambling hour long talk, I think i’ll just sum it up with what I learned this weekend from everyone else: do what you are called to do no matter how big or small that calling may be and just know that it’s important. I truly believe that women are designed to be great business owners and entrepreneurs (as well as everything else we are and do) and this weekend confirmed that to me in every way.

So I guess it should be noted that didn’t take any outfit photos ever this weekend because I’m the worst style blogger in the world. But I do have photos on my insta so I mean it’s whatever. Next year I’ll take photos. Next year. Maybe.

Photos are from the Bonlook photo booth which I manned Saturday night. Which really meant that after every photo someone else took in the booth, I went in and got another photo of myself. Bonlook is probably regretting inviting me to host their booth looking back on their photos now, but I’m pretty happy with the turn out. B and I needed some new family photos and this worked out perfectly. 

Oh and a huge thank you to Bonlook for helping me get there and letting me crash your booth. Your support this weekend was so kind. 

So moral of the story: go next year and let’s all be best friends, yes? Well, glad that is settled. 

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98 Responses

  1. Looks so fun! And what a gift to leave so inspired. I’m inspired just reading this! Happy you had such a great time 🙂

  2. Kendi! I couldn’t agree more with this post and everything you said at the conference… on stage, but also one on one when we met after the panel! Your authenticity and encouragement when you said “I think small is better”… has been resounding in my ear. It matters, keep going, no matter how big or small we are, we’re doing what we’re meant to do. 🙂 -Molly, Specs & Wings

  3. So great to hear you speak this weekend. Maybe if you come next year I’ll get over my shyness and even say hello! 🙂

  4. Your session was fantastic, mostly for how real you were about the journey and its hiccups and triumphs. Most days I definitely feel like a mad scientist in the start-up lab pouring a bunch of ideas together and hoping for the best… and ready to learn from each experiment. This weekend was totally summer camp for awesome women and I am going to ride this wave of positive energy until round 2 in March!

  5. This sounds like it was such an uplifting experience for you! One of my girlfriends went and I think she had a great time. From everything I’ve heard, it was awesome! So glad you enjoyed yourself!

  6. It was great meeting you at the Bonlook booth and also listening to you speak. I learned a lot and feel a tiny bit more prepared to actually start my business plan. Also, I’m getting those clear-rimmed eyeglasses. You said NY art gallery director… that’s all I needed to hear. Thanks for convincing me 🙂 And thanks for your knowledge!

  7. Kendi, it was such a pleasure meeting you this weekend. Your session was inspiring and pithy. You are a deadly combo of beautiful & funny. Dare I say, you are my new girl crush. -Jess

  8. Looks like so much fun, Kendi! I really wanted to go this year, but found out about it too late. Will definitely keep an eye out for the next go around!

  9. Gosh, I’d love to go! It always looks like everyone has such a great time! I’ve never been to a blogging conference, but one of these days I’m going to do it. You’re lucky you live so close to one/have companies that will help you get there. If that happened to me I’d die and go to blogging heaven!

  10. Looks like a total blast with so many fun people.
    What frames are you wearing in Photo #3 &4( black frames). Love them from Bon Look about to get a pair. Thanks!!!
    I

  11. Kendi, It was so great to meet you this weekend! I had an amazing time with all the girls, you are such an inspiration! xxS

  12. Very inspirational post, I am going to come back to it when I’m feeling like I don’t have ‘it’ in me. Glad you had an awesome time Kendi! I’ve been following your insta pics from this trip, looked like it was such a blast!

  13. Looks so fun! And what a gift to leave so inspired. I'm inspired just reading this! Happy you had such a great time 🙂

  14. Kendi! I couldn't agree more with this post and everything you said at the conference… on stage, but also one on one when we met after the panel! Your authenticity and encouragement when you said "I think small is better"… has been resounding in my ear. It matters, keep going, no matter how big or small we are, we're doing what we're meant to do. 🙂 -Molly, Specs & Wings

  15. So great to hear you speak this weekend. Maybe if you come next year I'll get over my shyness and even say hello! 🙂

  16. Your session was fantastic, mostly for how real you were about the journey and its hiccups and triumphs. Most days I definitely feel like a mad scientist in the start-up lab pouring a bunch of ideas together and hoping for the best… and ready to learn from each experiment. This weekend was totally summer camp for awesome women and I am going to ride this wave of positive energy until round 2 in March!

  17. This sounds like it was such an uplifting experience for you! One of my girlfriends went and I think she had a great time. From everything I've heard, it was awesome! So glad you enjoyed yourself!

  18. It was great meeting you at the Bonlook booth and also listening to you speak. I learned a lot and feel a tiny bit more prepared to actually start my business plan. Also, I'm getting those clear-rimmed eyeglasses. You said NY art gallery director… that's all I needed to hear. Thanks for convincing me 🙂 And thanks for your knowledge!

  19. Hi Kendie! It was a great weekend. I truly was nervous this year since I was a speaker but everyone was so lovely and sweet. You are a fab woman and love everything you had to say. Enjoyed sitting on the last panel together =) look forward to chatting some more

  20. Kendi, sounds like you had so much fun! I wanna go too (gotta move closer to Texas first)! Thanks for sharing, I adore me some girl power! There’s nothing as empowering as women bolstering and supporting other women.

  21. Kendi, it was such a pleasure meeting you this weekend. Your session was inspiring and pithy. You are a deadly combo of beautiful & funny. Dare I say, you are my new girl crush. -Jess

  22. Kendi! It was great meeting you in person, taking pictures, and attending your workshop. You are inspirational! Grateful for the tips you’ve shared and your honesty about the business and your life.

  23. Looks like so much fun, Kendi! I really wanted to go this year, but found out about it too late. Will definitely keep an eye out for the next go around!

  24. Gosh, I'd love to go! It always looks like everyone has such a great time! I've never been to a blogging conference, but one of these days I'm going to do it. You're lucky you live so close to one/have companies that will help you get there. If that happened to me I'd die and go to blogging heaven!

  25. Looks like a total blast with so many fun people.
    What frames are you wearing in Photo #3 &4( black frames). Love them from Bon Look about to get a pair. Thanks!!!
    I

  26. Kendi, It was so great to meet you this weekend! I had an amazing time with all the girls, you are such an inspiration! xxS

  27. Very inspirational post, I am going to come back to it when I'm feeling like I don't have 'it' in me. Glad you had an awesome time Kendi! I've been following your insta pics from this trip, looked like it was such a blast!

  28. Its so fun to read the recaps of this event, but for some reason your emphasis on all these women making things happen is really especially inspiring!

  29. Seems like the most amazing time! It was fun to see you all let loose! (and probably learn some stuff too 🙂 ) I went to a conference this last weekend in Kansas City called Go Blog Social and my brain is still recovering…S.E.O. what?

  30. I really enjoyed your presentation! I was the one that spoke up about WhizBang Training during your presentation. I find their free email newsletter & free tips on their website & Facebook to be really helpful for retailers: http://www.whizbangtraining.com/ They also have a really intense training course, as well as conferences specific to independent retailers. They’ve got some great info on open-to-buy planning too. Feel free to get in touch with me if you want more info on it – I have their full course. I’m a retail nerd too, if you want other book / blog / website resource information!!

  31. Hi Kendie! It was a great weekend. I truly was nervous this year since I was a speaker but everyone was so lovely and sweet. You are a fab woman and love everything you had to say. Enjoyed sitting on the last panel together =) look forward to chatting some more

  32. Kendi, sounds like you had so much fun! I wanna go too (gotta move closer to Texas first)! Thanks for sharing, I adore me some girl power! There's nothing as empowering as women bolstering and supporting other women.

  33. Loved meeting you and learning from you this weekend, Kendie! You are so beautiful and such an inspiration! xo

  34. Kendi! It was great meeting you in person, taking pictures, and attending your workshop. You are inspirational! Grateful for the tips you've shared and your honesty about the business and your life.

  35. Its so fun to read the recaps of this event, but for some reason your emphasis on all these women making things happen is really especially inspiring!

  36. Seems like the most amazing time! It was fun to see you all let loose! (and probably learn some stuff too 🙂 ) I went to a conference this last weekend in Kansas City called Go Blog Social and my brain is still recovering…S.E.O. what?

  37. I really enjoyed your presentation! I was the one that spoke up about WhizBang Training during your presentation. I find their free email newsletter & free tips on their website & Facebook to be really helpful for retailers: http://www.whizbangtraining.com/ They also have a really intense training course, as well as conferences specific to independent retailers. They've got some great info on open-to-buy planning too. Feel free to get in touch with me if you want more info on it – I have their full course. I'm a retail nerd too, if you want other book / blog / website resource information!!

  38. Loved meeting you and learning from you this weekend, Kendie! You are so beautiful and such an inspiration! xo

  39. So glad that you attended again this year because it meant that I finally was able to meet you after following the blog for so long. Also so glad that I was brave enough to go up and talk to you and that yo were just as nice in person as you are on this blog, but that’s a whole other conversation. Next year, I’ll take you up on that whole best friend offer. 🙂

  40. I’m so glad you were able to make it. Thanks for always being so generous with your wisdom and time. We hope you can make it down for our last hurrah in March!

  41. So glad that you attended again this year because it meant that I finally was able to meet you after following the blog for so long. Also so glad that I was brave enough to go up and talk to you and that yo were just as nice in person as you are on this blog, but that's a whole other conversation. Next year, I'll take you up on that whole best friend offer. 🙂

  42. I'm so glad you were able to make it. Thanks for always being so generous with your wisdom and time. We hope you can make it down for our last hurrah in March!

  43. Love this! I’ve been secretly wanting to start a blog for awhile and secretly stalking this blog as well. Thanks for the newfound inspiration on women being empowered to do things for themselves!
    Jessica
    http://www.jisforjessica.com

  44. Love this! I've been secretly wanting to start a blog for awhile and secretly stalking this blog as well. Thanks for the newfound inspiration on women being empowered to do things for themselves!
    Jessica
    http://www.jisforjessica.com

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