If you’ve been a regular reader of my blog, I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about VenturePOP, the creative entrepreneur conference that I co-founded in 2015.

It feels like just yesterday it was a glimmer of an idea. That got me thinking of how it all got started and how something small can eventually grow and grow and become so much more.

I’m sharing this whole story with y’all because I know that big goals and dreams can sometimes feel impossible. But if you just take one step at a time, before you know it, your goal is complete!

This is a long one, so if you don’t care about the backstory, then just scroll on down to “The Details” section to hear about the 2017 creative entrepreneur conference.

THE BACKSTORY

It all started in 2012 when I first thought about gathering creative entrepreneurs locally in New Orleans. As a graphic designer who works with creative businesses and entrepreneurs, I thrive on collaboration, community, and the creativity of others. I started to think about how great it would be to get out from behind my screen and meet up with other creatives right in my own city.

In early 2013 I attended my first real conference (Alt Summit) and that pushed my idea into action. I was completely inspired and I wanted the excitement I felt to live on and come to life locally. I envisioned an event series that occurred on a regular basis and was affordable for attendees as a chance to connect in an accessible way.

My vision went beyond simply networking. Forget awkward small talk and exchanging business cards. This would be about sharing passions, making connections, building relationships and creating opportunities for collaboration.

In mid-2013, after lots of planning with my sister Jasmine, my ideas became a reality and The Made In Mind Social was launched. I ran small local events like letterpress and floral demos, photo walks and gallery nights from 2013-2016. In 2014, Kristy (who I went to an arts intensive high school with for one year) joined me as the Made in Mind co-host.

THE CREATIVE ENTREPRENEUR CONFERENCE

In 2015, Kristy and I joined forces with Justin Shiels and decided to take these small meetups to the next level with a creative entrepreneur conference that we named VenturePOP.

Together, we committed to designing an event and year-round community based on what we believe to be the three key components of amplifying your business: Inspiration, Community, and Education.

In 2016, Justin decided to part ways but Kristy and I forged on. We are now in the depths of planning our third annual creative entrepreneur conference!

All of our planning is based on our three core principles. We think these values are truly needed to keep your business on track. Investing money in these three concepts is where it really counts in your business and can make the biggest difference all year long.

INSPIRATION

It’s time to shake things up, get fired up and reconnected to WHY you did the work, started your business, and took this unconventional road in the first place.

COMMUNITY

Welcome to a room full of future friends. VenturePOP offers friends with the same interests, ambition, and out-of-box thinking. Business buds who understand the agony of customer issues and the uncertainty of a varying income.

EDUCATION

Nothing compares to in-person training. Experts from across the US take the VenturePOP stage to teach accelerator courses in consistent marketing, busting fear, and the power of Pinterest… just to name a few.

Our attendees leave inspired, reinvigorated, and they continue to stay connected to the creative game-changers they meet.

 

THE DETAILS

Here are some of our exciting updates and ways for you to get involved in the 2017 conference:

TICKETS

Have you been meaning to make a trip to New Orleans? Well, this would be the perfect time! The Fall is the best time to visit and we still have some discounted early-bird tickets available!

Purchasing a ticket for the VenturePOP creative entrepreneur conference is an investment in you + your business. Have you ever stepped into a room filled with others that share your same mission and facing the same highs and lows? It’s powerful.

Insights from our experienced speakers and panelists will leave you with a fresh perspective and reinvigorated you to take action. By connecting with our community of ambitious creative types, you’ll always have a crew to hold you accountable and will spark the motivation to take your business to the next level.

GRAB A VENTUREPOP TICKET

SPONSOR

Want to get your business in front of awesome creative entrepreneurs? We strive to offer meaningful experiences for both our attendees and partners by offering sponsor packages that are more than just “your logo here.” We’ve created these opportunities to be very customizable to benefit your brand to the fullest. Just email me if you are interested in browsing our pdf full of sponsorship opportunities.

SPREAD THE WORD

I’d love if you could help spread the word a little bit! Share on social media: let your tribe know why you think attending VenturePop is so important for the growth of your business. Click here for a whole page of social media images for you to use.

SWAG

We are taking submissions for items to include in our swag bags! If you connect with our mission and think you have a product or service our attendees could use, enjoy or help improve their biz, we’d love to hear from you! Just email me if you think your item would be a good fit!

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN EVEN MORE ABOUT VENTUREPOP

head to our website or listen to Kristy and I go behind the scenes on the Badassery Podcast.