Yesterday, we kicked off the Disney “On The Road” series of social media conferences in Houston, Texas. The first of three events this week and next, the Houston gathering was…you guessed it…magical! If the next two events are as fabulous as Houston’s, it will be the equivalent of baseball’s grand slam or football’s “pick six”.
As a natural spinoff from the larger Social Media Moms Conference held each Spring in Disney World, the Disney On The Road series brings the experience of mompreneurs and social media influencers, with a Disney touch, to three cities over the next week. In Houston yesterday, the Roadsters (my new term for the attendees) were motivated and inspired by a half-day lineup of informative guest speakers – business owners, trailblazers and social media influencers – who offered strategies, tips and motivation for the audience, most of them business owners and influencers in their own right.
Kicking off the program was Shannon Miller, the Olympic Gold Medalist who wowed the crowd not only in the ’96 Atlanta Olympic Games, but also in Houston when her winning gymnastics performance was highlighted on a sizzle reel and the entire room held their breath even though we know how it ends! (Shannon admits she still holds her breath each time she watches those clips, which she estimates to be approximately 50,000 times.) “Charming”, “down to earth” and “an inspiration” are a few of the comments I heard from attendees after Shannon’s keynote. Shannon’s battle (and win) over cancer are awe-inspiring, and as a radio show host, CEO of Shannon Miller Lifestyle and mother of a little one, Shannon spoke to the need for busy moms to take time for themselves, stay healthy and set priorities that work for you.
A guest panel got down to business with tips and strategies for almost every aspect of starting and growing a product or service. From knowing how to “get out of your own way” to delegating tasks, the panel offered excellent advice and takeaways. Panel members were Shantera Chatman, Founder of Annual Women’s Empowerment Conference; Monica Jones, Creator of the award-winning BUNCHEES Baby Bottle Bibs, Heather Schuck, CEO of glamaLIFE Brands and Ivette Mayo, Chief Creative Officer for Yo Soy I Am.
Rounding out the morning was Dayna Steele. Repeating Dayna’s bio information of “enterpreneur, author and speaker” doesn’t do her justice. Dayna worked for more than 20 years in the entertainment industry, which sounded interesting. However, when Dayna included a slideshow of the biggest names in rock and roll, introduced her latest book, 101 Ways to Rock Your World, Everyday Activities for Success Every Day, and told us of a few of her personal and business success stories, the last session quickly went from interesting to fantastic. What was more fabulous than her photos of Mick Jagger, Sammy Hagar and Eddie Van Halen, to name a few? Her success as a serial entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker. Dayna’s “Rock Star Success with Rock Star Principles” was the perfect ending for a terrific half-day event.
Be ready, Charlotte and Long Island Roadsters. You are in for a treat.
