If you saw any of my posts over this past week, you noticed I could not stop gushing about the Rising Tide Society and their first (ever!) Summit. For three nights, we were treated to nine different speakers who shared advice and encouragement to empower our small businesses. The best part is, we didn’t even have to leave the comfort of our homes, and in my case, my pajamas! Our speakers were the best of the best in their fields, from wedding photographers, to writers, to bloggers. They openly shared their triumphs, their failures, and their journey without holding back!

As soon as I found out about the Summit, I was hooked. Like a crazy fan girl, I was beyond excited to learn and hear from these speakers. I cleared off my calendar months in advance and stayed in every night of the summit to watch all of the speakers live. Yes, I knew there would be replay options available but I could not wait! I needed their information and their stories as soon as possible! And, I must tell you, it was SO WORTH IT!

In honor of this seriously amazing and inspiring event, for today’s Fresh Brewed Friday I’m sharing my thoughts and realizations from the Summit!

1. I did not know I could cry that hard! I mean, really!
Seriously, hearing these incredible business owners, photographers, and people I have looked up to for years describe their struggles and their stories on how they got to where they are today had me sobbing like a baby. By the second night I had to have a Kleenex box next to my computer. I mean, there’s no way you can listen to Amy and Jordan’s crying on the bathroom floor story or Kat’s cubicle breakdown without shedding lots of tears! No way!

2. We all have a story.
Katelyn James said it best, “We are consumed by our little world, but our reality is not reality.” I believe it’s human nature that we all believe we have nothing to say. We think our story is not important or not interesting or boring. We live in this little bubble of watching others succeed and obsessing over their triumphs that we start to think we are not special. But that’s simply not true! We are all special in our own way and we all have a unique story to tell. This summit has inspired me to share my story and help those who went through the same struggles I have dealt with.

3. I am so IN LOVE with this community.
This week, along with the Summit, RTS also held another Instagram Challenge. Each day we were given challenges to complete to help us connect with each other. What I found when I started sharing my posts and reading everyone’s comments, I truly liked these people for who they are. Not just because they had pretty photos or lots of followers but because they were actually awesome people! I made real, genuine connections with people all across the nation! These women I connected with are honest and loving and sweet (not to mention hilarious) and I’m happy the Summit/Instagram Challenge helped me find them because honestly, I would not have known that half of these people existed if it was not for The Rising Tide Society.

4. Wow, The Rising Tide Society is changing the world!
They really are. I am so impressed with what founders, Natalie Franke Hayes and Krista Jones, have been able to accomplish with just the few short months the Rising Tide has been around. They have taken this simple idea of Community Over Competition and have transformed the nation. RTS leaders all across the country are preaching this beautiful idea and together we are growing, learning, and supporting each other. This movement has opened the door for all of us to be better people and to serve our friends, clients, and colleagues the best we can! Not only did RTS help us but with the help of members all the around the country we donated the proceeds (over $20,000!) from the Summit to amazing charities like Thirst Relief, The Birthday Party Project, & The Beyond Workshop by Nina and Wes! I mean, wow!

5. I still have so much to learn.
And I love that! As a business owner and creative, I never want to stop learning! I want to find new ways to help and serve and love the people in my life. The speakers from this Summit have taught me so many important lessons I want to implement in my own business. I even learned things I didn’t think I needed to know, like Lara Casey sharing that what we do with our time matters now. I signed up to learn more about business and I ended up learning about myself! I am so grateful for all the speakers with their honest words and their kind hearts. I hope I can continue to learn from them in the future but for now I will be seriously stalking their blogs.

Thanks to our speakers; Jeff Goins, Katelyn James, Douglas Atkin, Lara Casey, Kunbi O., Jenna Kutcher, Amy and Jordan Demos, Kat Schmoyer, and Kiana Underwood. You have all have made me cry, made me laugh and have seriously changed my life for the better. Because of you all, I’m ready to change the world and continue positively impacting lives!

Thanks to our Summit hosts, Natalie & Hugh Hayes and Krista & Davey Jones! Not only did they put this whole thing together but they joined us online every night to introduce our speakers and lead us in discussion. Their selflessness and kindness is amazing! I love them!!

If you still haven’t joined a TuesdaysTogether group in your area, you should do so now! It will change your life!