I totally forgot to post about this event after attending in November. Maybe that’s because I feel like I sat with it so long, which is a good thing. One of the facets that I really liked about this event was that the notebook also served as a workbook. So, I’ve had it sitting out since coming back from Nashville just waiting to finish my homework. I’d intentionally set it aside for this year’s personal retreat (more on that soon!), so really, I think my conference experience just ended.

Christy Wright’s Business Boutique is a conference aimed for Christian women entrepreneurs. She started as a Dave Ramsey coach and speaker, and has now moved into this niche, which I believe will thrive. Business Boutique is extremely practical, which I appreciated most of all. And one of the most interesting pieces of the event to me was that it’s aimed at dreamers, starters and builders. The “dreamers” were the people I found most fascinating. I’d never seen a conference aimed at people who had no idea what they want to do! I talked to several of these ladies, and they confirmed that they either had a super vague idea (“I want to sell something online.”) to no idea (“I am open to anything. I just want a change.”) There were also a wide variety of women there from young moms looking for a career or something to contribute to their family, to new or established business owners, to retirees looking to begin again. It was kinda fun to hear the range of stories, backgrounds and ideas.

Outside of this two-day annual event in Nashville, she also has a really good podcast and a series of one-day events around the U.S. during 2017. Her events are extremely affordable, and a lot of fun. I’d definitely recommend this conference to other Christian women entrepreneurs!

But for now, here are just a few of my take-aways:

Christy Wright:

• Your dream should be so big that if God’s not in it, you’ll fail.
• If you set your goals before the why, dreams, vision, and mission statement, your goals have no soul.
• You’ll be the most successful when you stay in your strengths.
• Stay true to yourself by building your business around your personal values.
• When talking about your business, focus on the benefit to the customer, not the features of the business. Start with why.
• If you don’t believe in the goodness of business and making money, you’ll never have a good business or make money.
• Turning your hobby into a business requires a mind-set shift. Its no longer a part of you. The business is its own thing.
• You teach others how to value you. If you don’t value your work, no one else will.
• Faith and fear require you to believe in something that hasn’t happened yet.
• Fear doesn’t mean you’re doing something bad. It means your doing something bold.
• Anything that tears you down is not from God.
• Creating balance in your life comes down to what you spend your time on.
• Stress and anxiety are caused when there is a disconnect between our values and our behavior.
• Life balance is simply living from your values.
• Jesus wasn’t focused on the need. He was focused on the assignment.

Dave Ramsey:

• Goals must be specific.
• Goals must be measurable.
• Goals must have a time limit.
• Goals must be yours.
• Goals must be in writing.

Rachel Cruz:

• Quite the comparisons.
• Steer clear of debt.
• Make a plan for your money.
• Think before you spend
• Save like you mean it.
• Give a little…until you can give a lot.
• Talk about money, even when its hard.

Christine Caine:

• Impossible is where God starts.
• You can’t change your past, but you can change your future.
• Just be willing.
• God has a plan, purpose and destiny for your life.
• God always uses unlikely people.
• It’s the job of the people of God to carry the message of God to their generation.
• You’ve got to make a decision that what God did for you is bigger than what someone else did to you.
• A word you’ll never find in the Bible is retirement.
• Leave a gap in your business that only God can fill.
• You’re going to have to take a step of faith to step into your God-given gifts.
• Do not say no when God says go!

Hillary Scott:

• One door closing is not all of them closing. Resilience and perseverance are required.
• Have wise counsel and mentors.
• Be humble enough to ask questions.
• Remember you’re defined not by others, but by Who created you.
• “Comparison is the thief of joy.” – CS Lewis

Amy Porterfield:

• Social media works when you know your ideal customer identity.
• Social media works when you create original content that serves your ideal customer.
• Your content should be aligned with, but separate from, your product.
• Social media works when you ignite action.
• What does your ideal audience need to experience, be aware of, or believe in in order to want or need your product/service?

Nicole Walters:

• Sales is not about pushing; it’s about influencing.
• Sales comes from confidence and confidence is like a muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it becomes.
• Be kind, but firm. Be specific.
• It’s your God-given duty to share your gifts with the world.

Donald Miller:

• Demonstrate empathy and authority.
• Solve internal and external problems.
• Give customers a plan.
• Make your call to action clear.
• Define how you will improve people’s lives.