I can think of a dozen soundtracks that are so fitting for this article today. Beyonce’s Women Run The World. Chaka Khan’s I’m Every Woman. Christina Aguillera’s Can’t Hold Us Down. Great songs about how strong we really are.

But it’s not often that we all take the time to get together. Especially as business owners… but this past week Angela Jia Kim gathered her girls and we did just that. 500 women from across the U.S. and abroad came together to share our resources and learn from woman who are at the top and willing to tell it like it really is.

Not one was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. These stories were shared by real women who had real obstacles and the stamina to stay the course when everyone around them thought they were crazy. Also… they worked their butts off!

No, success doesn’t come easy and it doesn’t come served to you on a silver platter. It takes work. But by working smart and building your empire the work gets a lot more manageable.

Take for instance Heather Thompson of Yummie Tummie who, as a designer with no clout and no title saw an opportunity and called up the powers that be at Sean Jean (aka, Puff Daddy) and said “I’d like to talk to you about who’s manufacturing your jeans.” That led to her becoming the head designer for the line, and her eventual success with J. Lo and Beyonce, before launching her brand. The guts, right? When all was said in done what did she say her best investment has been in? People!

J.J. Ramberg of MSNBC’s It’s Your Business was also there. Her great insight: Develop a relationship with a journalist and connect them with others that can meet their needs. Every journalist is an employee with job requirements and a boss to report to. Make sure your pitch isn’t all about “me, me, me” but instead about lessons learned that others can grow from.

My favorite segment by far was with Jessica Herrin of Stell and Dot. She was a hoot! She started very clear, saying It’s the DOING that makes the difference. Not the thinking. So do more, think less. Saying that we don’t just Rock the World but that we are the bedrock of the world, her challenge to us was to define success in our business as happiness in our life.

She encouraged us to remember that gratitude is everything and not to be too busy to have time for ourselves. Her sales tips were that if you only market online you’re being too passive and that investment is never the problem, lack of sales is the problem, and sales is a numbers game! Before departing her final words were magical: You are a leader and the world is awaiting your instruction!

And speaking of leadership… Angela Jia Kim is a true leader. What impressed me the most about the conference wasn’t the dozen or so celebrity brands on stage, but Angela’s commitment to her community.

During the entire conference, when Angela wasn’t on stage teaching and moderating she was at the Savor booth like all of the other exhibitors, fielding questions, taking photos and assisting her team. Truly grounded, truly serving and truly being a leader that we can imitate. It was a breath of fresh air.

If you need a brand that will fully support you as the leader you envision to become, we should talk! Schedule a call with me. It’ll be the best time you’ll spend all week.