From my earliest memories, my mother often recalls a vibrant, outgoing child who couldn’t step out the door without encountering a familiar face. Whether it was a beloved preschool teacher, a friendly church acquaintance, or the parent of a classmate, I’d invariably pause, mid-stride, to strike up a lively conversation. This innate curiosity and readiness to connect with others defined my childhood, occasionally leading to amusing (and slightly concerning, from a child safety perspective) moments, like disappearing from my mom’s side only to resurface in another aisle, deep in conversation with a complete stranger. Such anecdotes paint a clear picture: I was, by all accounts, an extrovert from birth, seemingly fearless when it came to engaging with people, even those I barely knew. It’s a trait that might also explain my teenage insistence on makeup before leaving the house – though, in fairness, that could simply be the quintessential teenage girl experience!
However, this apparent outgoing nature harbored a subtle yet significant paradox. While I genuinely thrive on meeting new people and embracing novel situations, particularly in intimate settings with just a few individuals, my confidence evaporates the moment a sizable audience’s gaze falls upon me. The transformation is almost comical, akin to a raccoon encountering cotton candy – a sudden, complete dissolution. The very thought of standing alone before a crowd, my mouth open, my usual lack of filter poised to unleash whatever thought first springs to mind, has always filled me with an utterly paralyzing dread. Consequently, for the vast majority of my life, I diligently avoided public speaking engagements whenever humanly possible.
This deep-seated fear, however, met its inevitable challenge during my pursuit of an MBA. The academic environment, particularly a mandatory communications class, compelled me to confront this crippling anxiety head-on. Businesses, after all, necessitate individuals capable of presenting compelling ideas, persuading stakeholders, and leading discussions effectively. So, despite the immense discomfort, I found myself in a classroom where we were literally required to record and then painstakingly watch ourselves awkwardly honing our presentation skills. It was a terrifying, cringeworthy, yet ultimately invaluable experience. The adage “face your fears and jump in head first” became my reluctant mantra, pushing me to transform what felt like a monumental weakness into a legitimate, marketable skill.
Concurrently, my blog experienced significant growth, transforming from a personal passion project into a public platform with an expanding readership. This evolution brought with it the undeniable realization that, regardless of my personal comfort level, I would eventually need to step into the public eye and directly engage with my audience. Over the years, I’ve incrementally pushed the boundaries of my comfort zone, gradually testing the waters of public engagement. This journey has included diverse experiences such as participating in an online TV series, producing content for YouTube, and, more recently, hosting live online sessions. My experiences with Facebook Live, where your enthusiastic participation was truly AWESOME, proved to be particularly encouraging, solidifying my resolve to do more of them! These stepping stones, though significant in themselves, have merely been preparation. As you’ll soon discover, the upcoming series of events represents the biggest and most challenging leaps yet in my ongoing journey to conquer the stage.
Tonight: Embracing Courage with #DIYCourage
I must apologize for the short notice regarding this evening’s event; my participation was confirmed somewhat last minute, a detail entirely on me! Nevertheless, I am thrilled to announce my involvement in the #DIYCourage chat tonight. You can find the link to tune in live at 8:30 PM EST, or if your schedule doesn’t permit, you can always catch the recording after the discussion concludes. My wonderful friend, Brittany, from Pretty Handy Girl, extended the invitation for me to join her on this special evening. The #DIYCourage chat is a vibrant online discussion designed to inspire and empower individuals in the realm of creative projects and personal growth, encouraging participants to find bravery in their endeavors, whether it’s tackling a daunting home renovation or stepping out of their comfort zone.
Tonight, we’ll be delving into my ongoing projects, sharing a few candid stories – some of which I guarantee you haven’t heard before! It promises to be an engaging and insightful session. I’ll be joined by two other fantastic personalities: Sara Bendrick, the acclaimed host of DIY Network’s “I Hate My Yard,” who will also be co-hosting, and Lee Dahlberg, a multi-talented individual known as a model, actor, comedian, and artist. Together, we aim to offer a dynamic and entertaining conversation filled with inspiration and practical insights. To learn more about this exciting event and how to participate, I encourage you to check out Brittany’s detailed post. As an added bonus, there will be a fantastic $100 gift card giveaway during the talk, so make sure to join us for a chance to win! This chat is not just about DIY projects; it’s about the courage to embark on them, to share your journey, and to connect with a supportive community.
Next Month: Stepping Up at Haven Conference!
For many dedicated readers of DIY and home decor blogs, the Haven Conference is undoubtedly a well-known and highly anticipated annual event. Held every summer in Atlanta, GA, it stands as the premier professional blogging conference specifically tailored for the DIY and decorating community. I’ve had the privilege of attending Haven several times in the past, and I can unequivocally state that this conference has been instrumental in shaping my blogging journey. Without it, I genuinely believe I wouldn’t have forged some of my closest and most cherished blog friendships, many of which have blossomed into invaluable real-life connections. Haven is more than just a conference; it’s a crucible for professional development, a hub for networking, and a vibrant community where creative minds converge to share ideas, learn from experts, and foster lasting relationships. (You can revisit some of my past experiences and takeaways here: recap 1 / recap 2 / recap 3).
If you’ve been contemplating attending Haven but haven’t yet made the leap, I genuinely believe now is the perfect moment to reconsider. This year’s conference is scheduled for August 5-7. And for those who have recently visited the official Haven website, you might have noticed a new face adorning the Speakers page: mine! This represents an incredibly significant milestone for me, a direct culmination of the journey I’ve shared about confronting and gradually overcoming my public speaking fears. It feels surreal and profoundly exciting to transition from an enthusiastic attendee to a contributing speaker at an event that has given me so much.
For those curious about the specifics of our session, here’s the summary we’ve prepared for the official conference schedule:
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital content, what truly defines a “good pin” on Pinterest today? How can bloggers effectively uncover viral content opportunities on Facebook? What Instagram strategies continue to yield tangible results in 2024 and beyond? In this comprehensive and action-oriented course, I, alongside my esteemed co-panelists Jenna and Amy, will guide you step-by-step through the intricacies of leveraging social media to fuel your blog’s growth. We’re not holding back – we’ll be spilling our hard-earned secrets and sharing our favorite, most effective strategies. Attendees will gain a deep understanding of various social media tactics, including how to master both Google and Pinterest analytics to maximize your Pinterest potential, cultivate meaningful networks with peers and influential figures in the industry, and significantly increase your total online reach through a robust, multi-pronged digital approach. Come prepared for a no-frills, no-BS discussion focused entirely on actual, implementable strategies – covering the critical “when,” “what,” and “how many” of content distribution – and perhaps even a few laughs along the way. Our goal is to equip you with the practical knowledge to not just survive, but thrive in the competitive world of DIY blogging.
I feel incredibly fortunate to be sharing the stage with two truly spectacular bloggers on this panel. We’ve already begun making light-hearted jokes about setting up a “swear jar” at the front of the room to keep our unfiltered selves in check – a testament to the authentic and candid discussion we plan to deliver! The dynamic between us promises to be both informative and entertaining, making for a truly memorable session for all attendees.
Amy, the powerhouse behind Mod Podge Rocks, Washi Tape Crafts, and DIY Candy, has been a dear friend of mine for several years. She is, quite simply, an incredibly savvy entrepreneur, embodying the very essence of what I aspire to be in the business world – with successful books, impressive product lines, and multiple flourishing blogs under her belt. I often joke that I want to “be her when I grow up.” Beyond her remarkable business acumen, perhaps the most astounding quality about “Amazing Amy” (as I affectionately call her) is her unwavering dedication as a true cheerleader and ardent supporter of other bloggers. This selfless spirit was actually pivotal in the genesis of my own web design business. Believe it or not, she was my very first design client even before I had formally conceived of offering web design services. I merely offered a casual hand with a simple task, and she immediately responded by asking if I’d be willing to design her soon-to-launch site, DIY Candy. And just like that, my business was born! I have no doubt that our panel discussion will be profoundly enlightening with her insights alone, though I hope to provide some comic relief amidst her brilliance.
Other than her somewhat questionable preference for cheap beer (ha – apologies, Jenna, I’m a local craft beer enthusiast!), Jenna from Rain on a Tin Roof is, in a word, absolutely awesome. Her distinctive style is truly incredible and unique, immediately recognizable and always inspiring. However, what I admire most about Jenna is her fearlessly real and authentic approach to blogging and life. She doesn’t shy away from being herself, and that genuine honesty resonates deeply with her audience. Crucially for our panel, Jenna is also incredibly passionate about and obsessed with Pinterest analytics – a deep dive into data that truly unlocks the platform’s potential. Her expertise in this area is precisely why she’s an indispensable addition to our speaker panel for Haven, ensuring that our audience receives the most cutting-edge and data-driven strategies for Pinterest success. Her insights will undoubtedly provide immense value to anyone looking to optimize their visual content strategy.
Expanding Reach: Radio and Podcast Appearances
Beyond the live digital chats and in-person conferences, I’m also excited to announce that I’ll be venturing further into the audio world. While I’ve only had one previous experience with this format, I’m slated to make a few podcast and/or radio appearances over the next couple of months. These opportunities offer a unique avenue to connect with a broader audience and delve into topics from a different perspective. As of right now, it appears the next one will be coming up next month, and I promise to keep you all updated with the dates and links as soon as they are finalized. It’s another thrilling step in embracing various forms of media to share insights and connect with the DIY and home improvement community.
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This concludes the current round of exciting announcements, but rest assured, the creativity and content creation won’t be slowing down! With a multitude of ambitious outdoor projects lined up for later this summer, I am enthusiastically planning to produce several more engaging Facebook Live sessions and detailed YouTube videos. These upcoming segments will be heavily focused on hands-on demonstrations, practical tips, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into the process of tackling larger home improvement tasks. My aim is to provide you with even more practical, visual content that empowers you to embark on your own DIY adventures with confidence. Stay tuned, as there’s always something new and exciting happening in the world of home renovation and creative living!
