comments

Great vision! Would love to have a 'Power Chick' brainstorming session to get a gameplan in place! Please let me know how I can be of assistance - I LOVE to organize + plan!

Dan -

I had no idea that you were Canadian as well!

This is so very timely, as I was just up in Van yesterday {my grandmother is in the hospital - doing well}.

I had a lengthy discussion with my brother about healthcare cost + access, as he lives in Canada, and honestly - doesn't even think about it. You don't have to worry or stress when you know it's there - always.

It's an issue that I'd never had to deal with, or even think about, as a child and young adult. Nor did my parents.

I've worked in several major hospitals in the Seattle area over the years, and always felt that healthcare was the modern day caste system of the US.

It saddened me greatly to see people not have preventative care over the years, and result in a catastrophic situation that may have been prevented with proper access + medical attention.

Your parents case rang true for me - my dad {Canadian} + stepmother {American} moved back to the Motherland just over 2 years ago. The overwhelming reason was healthcare.

In fact, my dad had a major operation within 2 weeks of returning to BC {though the US media would have you believe he'd still be waiting}

I truly hope that the medical system here is changed greatly in the coming years.

I'm working on a DIY event planning class as we speak! Funny you picked up on that right away.

I'm actually hosting an initial workshop for aspiring planners 'Event Planning Bootcamp' on Aug. 2nd, and also doing a staff training for a large Non Profit.

I really enjoy teaching others the ropes - who knew!

You had me at Swedish Cowboys.

Making the decision to truly focus on a niche can be scary. But what I really took from your article, was the sense of relief and reduction in anxiety once you've figured out where you 'fit'.

I too am in the process of finding that ideal niche, and believe I'm getting closer + closer. I'm putting on two training/workshop events in the coming weeks. Teaching others about event planning is not something I've formally done before, but have thought about for a long time.

Empowering others just feels good.

I look forward to more wisdom from you!

Stacy - yet another great article from you! Love that you touched on the recording aspect of getting genuine conversation, that's what I do! It really helps to just let the ideas flow, and then go back and edit.

Denise,

Maybe a day event next? Would love to come & learn the art of Flaunt!

@bridetiquette

I tweet about all things related to event planning, and small business topics.

I try to stick to witty, useful and wise.

But alas, am guilty of the useless 'tweet' once in a while!

Can't wait to follow you Power Chicks!

Sorry to drop, but have had an unexpected personal emergency - and won't be able to make Friday morning's event.

This sounds fab - but I'm already booked for the Wordpress event. Hope you schedule another WS one soon, would love to connect with locals.

Can't make this morning, will see you on the 23rd!

I'm definitely interested - this is my current 'needs' request on Biznik!

I have 3 blogs. One main one {attached to website}, and 2 others I've just started. I have an 'idea binder', but am finding my creative juices are waining for my main blog. Thinking of taking my business in a different direction, and this blog no longer fits.

I like Maura's statement, 'I have a lot of room for improvement' !

Have to relinquish my spot......RFP due by noon! Shannon - please let me know when you plan to host this topic again. Hope you get your donut!

so late to this party!

@bridetiquette

Great article. So true about images, and newsworthy items. This really draws the reader back time + time again. And short posts! This really does help with keep the blog alive.

Kelly - your transperancy is greatly appreciated. I'm in the process of putting together a rather targeted workshop, and 'lessons from the field' will help with the content development.

I've had the pleasure of attending workshops with Shannon + Kate (both were great), and thought their sharing of information in an outline form worked well. The audience is engaged, not continually reading or introverted.

I personally am a fan of visuals too!

Got a project deadline moved up to tomorrow morning, so I'm out! Plan to attend later in March.

Wil, This is awesome. Thanks for taking the time to put this together. What an incredible reference source. Can't wait to check out ToiletPaperEntrepreneur!

This sounds fabulous! Please keep me in the loop.

Jeff : That is fantastic! Congratulations - can't wait to pick up the magazine next month.

HARO rocks - Peter Shankman is much fun to follow on Twitter too!

Look forward to seeing you in the 'Spotlight'

Judy - You've done it again! Another clear, concise article full of useful + usable ideas.

What spoke to me directly? Tapping into that inner voice when writing letters, blogs, etc. really brings forth the authenticity that readers/clients are craving.

Thank you for sharing more of your wisdom; can't wait for the class on the 21st!

Wow Howard! Great story - I feel like my tank is full, and I'm ready for 2009!