Jadele

Choose Your Rooms Wisely (and make sure you work them)

Let me set the scene...

Before KNOW, I researched the attendees, speakers, and previous events. I checked out past testimonials and connected with women who'd attended before. I wanted to make sure this room was filled with the kind of connections that could actually move my business forward. Spoiler alert: it absolutely was.

But here's the truth... getting into the right room is only half the battle. Working that room? That's entirely on YOU.

I could have easily hidden in corners, scrolled through emails during breaks, or only talked to the two people I already knew. (Trust me, the introvert in me wanted to!) Instead, I made a conscious decision to maximize every minute.

You can get invited to the most elite gatherings, but if you're not intentional about how you show up and who you connect with, you might as well have stayed home and watched the highlights on Instagram. The ROI of any event isn't in the ticket price... it's in what you do once you're through the door.

now back to the story...

The Hypermind Advantage: Connection Before Convention

First things first, if you ever get the chance to do the Hypermind Insider Track, DO IT. No questions asked. Just book it.

Here's why: imagine showing up to the first day of school, but instead of knowing nobody, you've already got your squad. That's what happened with our group of women. We bonded, laughed, cried a little (okay, I cried... i was in my luteal phase), and formed genuine friendships BEFORE the main event even kicked off.

When the full summit started with 160+ badass women entrepreneurs, I already had my people scattered throughout the room. Trust me, walking into a room of strangers hits different when some of those "strangers" were doing tiktok dances with you the night before.

Worth. Every. Penny.

Key Takeaways for Six-Figure Business Owners

Look, if you're already crushing it with a six-figure business and wondering if fancy conferences are worth your precious time, I'm gonna be real with you—immediately YES. Here's the insider scoop on why:

Vibes Over Resumes: There was zero "I'm the CEO of blah blah blah" energy. Instead, we connected based on actual human vibes first. So refreshing when networking usually feels like a walking LinkedIn profile competition.
Story Is Everything: Andrea broke it down for us, There’s a story behind all of it. And that story—raw, imperfect, earned—is what people really remember! Your story is what makes you unforgettable in a crowded market.
Make Joe Schmoe Care: Jasmine (who's literally a pro journalist, HELLO ABC7) taught us that if your average Joe doesn't care about your story, you need a better story. Period. She had us rethinking how we talk about our businesses in a major way.
Ownership Is Non-Negotiable: The Lethal Legal session was a serious wake-up call. I mean, why are we killing ourselves building these businesses if we don't legally own and protect them? I left with a whole legal to-do list because seriously, what's the point if someone can just swoop in and take it all?
Build to Step Away: Kate talked all about EBITA and the value of your business so you can one day sell it and walk away... really make me re-think the whole personal brand thing for long term.
Connections > Contacts: I've been to plenty of events where I collected business cards that literally disappeared when I got home. This was different. I left with people I genuinely want to keep in my circle... and they're already sending opportunities my way!

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Beyond Business Cards...

Taking Risks and Standing Out

Let me tell you what I did... haha I lugged a tripod around a luxury resort in Fountain Hills. Yes, while everyone else was looking polished with their designer clutches, I'm over here with a DORKY ASS TRIPOD at dinner. Not exactly the accessory to match the fit!

But here's the thing, that ridiculous tripod became my superpower. Instead of the awkward "So... let's stay connected?" after conversations ended, I just asked women to make quick, fun videos with me. We laughed, we posed, we created content they could actually USE.

Between us? I was cringing inside every time I pulled that thing out. But the results? Chef's kiss I connected with so many incredible women, built my email list with new subscribers, and—wait for it—caught the attention of @Sara herself (yes, THE CEO who founded KNOW). And drumroll please...... She invited me to join her on another trip to San Antonio next week to do it all again at WPO Conference!

Sometimes you gotta be willing to be the weirdo, you know?

The Power of Being Different

Let's get to the real lesson here:

being different isn't just okay, it's your secret weapon.

My tripod was embarrassing. It didn't match my cute outfits. I felt like a total dork every time I pulled it out. BUT—it also made me memorable. It started conversations. It gave me a reason to approach literally anyone. And now? It's taking me to Texas, baby!

Would I do it all again? In a heartbeat. Would I still feel awkward? Absolutely. Would it still be worth it? One hundred percent.

For those of you thinking about attending KNOW SUMMIT 2026 next year—DO IT. But do it strategically:

Research the event thoroughly - Make sure the audience aligns with your business goals and the content will actually move your business forward
Have a connection strategy - Don't just wing it! Create a reason to approach people (like my tripod tactic)
Push past the comfort zone - The magic happens when you're slightly uncomfortable
Follow through fast - I created that landing page the SAME day we all got home.. not a month later.

Remember Connection is Currency... and that the most valuable business investments are the rooms you intentionally choose to show up in, and how effectively you work those rooms while you're there.

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