(photos one and two by Brooke Dennis of b.a.d photography)
Imagine being a room filled with hundreds of talented, like-minded, creative people you admire. That was Altitude Design Summit for me. (Read more about it here.) It was everything I’d hoped for and more. Meeting friends that I have met through blogging in person for the first time is surreal yet so reassuring. I spoke with so many beautiful, kind-hearted, successful women and I was just in awe to be standing in the same room as them all at once! Admittedly, I got a little blogger starstruck (“OMG! It’s Grace Bonney from Design*Sponge!! Maxwell from Apartment Therapy! Emily Henderson from Secrets of a Stylist! Jordan from Oh Happy Day! I could go on…) It’s funny how people look close to how you pictured them yet completely different at the same time. The conference itself was informative, sometimes overwhelming, and definitely empowering. It was exhilarating yet exhausting. It made me realize that I’m not alone in my creative journey and that there is such a great community of others like me. I could be on my phone tweeting and it wasn’t weird; everyone around me was doing the same thing. I learned a ton and yet I am excited about how much I know I have yet to learn in this journey. I came away with several action items and l’ve got a big to-do list to break down. I’m getting rid of any fear and going for it. I even have some news I’ll be sharing with you soon. For now, take a look at some photos from my time at Alt 2012 in Salt Lake City, and I’ll share some of my favorite takeaways from the conference below. xo
(Above: my Instagram photos)
A few takeaways…
Your content is a product. Consistency is key.
The first step to accomplish anything is to show up!
Brands sell products. Blogs sell lifestyles.
“I didn’t fit the mold, maybe that was a good thing.” -Pilar Guzman, Martha Stewart Living, on the early stages in her career
Set written goals and dream big.
“You can be anything, but not everything.” -David Allen
Ask for what you want and don’t be afraid to get it.
“Even if you don’t know what to do next, being close to people that inspire you is a really great start.” - Ben Silbermann, founder of Pinterest (his talk was my favorite! Such a cool story.)
“A lot of people succeed because they don’t stop trying until eventually something breaks.” – Ben Silbermann, founder of Pinterest
“You don’t get very far if you play it safe. Nobody is as good at being you as YOU!” - Jasmine Star
“I would rather see you fail at something you love than succeed at something you hate.” – Jasmine Star‘s husband : )
“Fit your life into the things you love. Then, there’s no time for anything else.” – Gretchen Rubin, author of the Happiness Project
And So! Much! More!
Also, I caught the Smilebooth bug and I’m officially obsessed. : )
(Friends below from left: me, Amanda, Anna, Katie, Megan, Amy, Jessica)
Until next year Alt Summit! You know I’m there!
xo
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012, 10:15 am | 
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January 24, 2012 at 10:28 am
Thanks for sharing, those quotes are totally inspiring! Looks like a great time, hopefully I can go next year!
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January 24, 2012 at 10:32 am
Love your recap, Colleen!!! So happy it was what you thought it would be and just so so much more … hope to meet you there in 2013! I also can’t wait to hear your news (I hope it’s a collaboration, because you’ve got great skills to share!)!!!!! :)
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January 24, 2012 at 10:36 am
So great. I really wish I could have heard Ben S. speak. Everyone seemed to be blown away by him. I had no idea he was so fascinating! Also excited to hear about your collaboration : )
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January 24, 2012 at 10:51 am
LOVED these photos! and those photobooth pics i’m seeing everywhere – adorable! you are too cute! i also really loved those quotes you posted – seems like you learned lots! :)
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January 24, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Love this!! You got like all the total opposites that I put on mine! It’s like we planned that!
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January 24, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Love this! I’m so jealous you went- I’m determined to go to the next one!
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January 24, 2012 at 5:13 pm
so fun to see our smilebooth shots on your blog! it was lovely to meet you, my dear. let’s keep in touch!! xx Anna
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January 24, 2012 at 7:15 pm
Looks absolutely amazing! I honestly had no idea what to expect and so I didn’t think of attending, What an experience and how inspiring to be surrounded by so many entrepreneurs! Love your takeaway notes!
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January 24, 2012 at 8:45 pm
Simply and absolutely amazing-I love your takeaways!
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January 24, 2012 at 9:24 pm
You are SO cute. I love hearing all of your take-a-ways from the conference…hope to be there next year, gotta save my pennies first :)
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January 24, 2012 at 11:10 pm
Thanks for sharing your Alt Summit experience. I hope to be able to go next year! :)
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January 25, 2012 at 10:54 am
Love your collage of Alt! You really captured the fun details.
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January 26, 2012 at 6:09 am
Looks like such an inspiring time!! Hope I get to make it next year….
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January 27, 2012 at 8:04 am
What an awesome recap! So cool that you got to experience it. Keeping my hopes up to make it next year:)
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January 28, 2012 at 10:14 am
One of the thoughts I had while reading this: “Oh my God, those mountains are effing gorgeous!”
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February 11, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Sounds amazing!!! I really want to go next year
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January 24, 2012 at 1:03 pm