Beacon Hill in Boston
Amériques, Destinations, United States

Boston – The truth About Love and Entrepreneurship

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Last weekend, I went to my first Women in Travel Summit in Boston. To be honest, the conference really appealed to me, but I was apprehensive that I might hate being there.

I’m an introvert, I’m not good at networking, and I generally lose the “How many countries have you visited?” contest. I didn’t want to have to justify my existence to other more experienced bloggers.

I wanted to meet new people, share about our passion for travel and just generally enjoy to be in Boston.

Well, this is exactly what happened.

Was that some kind of “law of attraction”? …I don’t think so. I now believe that women entrepreneurship is inherent with love.

Annie Anywhere Travel Blog Badge

Three speakers catch my attention and gave us tips we can apply not only in our business, but also in our lives.

(And I couldn’t resist putting pictures of my highlights in Boston here and there…)

1. Catrice M. Jackson – Cashing in On You

Catrice started her conference with a simple-not-so-simple question: “What would you do differently if you knew for sure that the only REAL currency in life is YOU?”

If you were in a situation where there’s no money except your personality, your soul, the way you interact with people, to get what you need and what you want, what would you do?

Catrice asked that question to help us find our brand, our unique way of blogging and doing business. For her, “A brand is an experiential relationship with your clients that’s deeply anchored in your core values, that directly and inherently tells people what they can expect to experience every time they engage with you as a result of who you are, what you believe in, what you stand for and why you do what you do.”

Those words resonated in me.

I think a majority of women entrepreneur and bloggers decided to do what they do because they need to have a job where they don’t have to dissociate their corporate self with their self. Catrice pointed it out.

Her secret formula for success can be applied whether you’re an entrepreneur or not. I add a question in italic to show my interpretation of how it can be applied in life and not just in business.

– WHY you do what you do and why you are the best at what you do – How do you live your life and how does it make you feel complete

– Know exactly WHO you are and who your products and services are for – Know who you are and what you want to bring in your life and in your relationships

– Master HOW you do it and make that the highlight of what you promote – Be the person you want to meet. Act like your best self.

– Showcase that your brand experience is like no other – Be yourself, be unique, in any situation

Whether you are a blogger, an entrepreneur or a traveler, be sure that what you project in life, the way you act, is always aligned with your deep self.

Connect with Catrice: Web | Twitter

Wonderland Subway Station in Boston

There’s a subway station called Wonderland in Boston! I couldn’t believe it!

2. Brooke Roberts – How to Make Google like You

We all want to rank higher in Google and Brooke Roberts showed us how to do it, with a lot of love.

“Making Google like you is all about creating great content that people love, love to share, and do it again, and again, and again…” Do you want to be friend with someone who is pleasant on your birthday, but harsh the rest of the time?

No. You want to be friend with people who are positive and smily the majority of the time. It’s the same thing with Google.

Focus on communication and speak the language of your audience. Once you have done your research to see what keywords you need to target, never forget that you are writing for human. Please don’t overload your text with keywords so it becomes unreadable.

“Create content for an audience that like what you like. We want long-lasting relationship!” If you truly want to help your readers, and you’re full of empathy, people will feel that. If you blog about your passion, people will feel that too. Start with a good and positive intention.

Finally, you want to rank better in Google? Make friends! The more back links you have, the better you rank. Guest posts on other blogs. Spread your looooveeee…

But again, make friend with people who like the same thing that you like. …Just like real life, you know.

Connect with Brooke: Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Colorful doors in Boston

Watch for colorful doors in Boston. They’re everywhere!

3. Kate McCulley – Gender inequality in Travel Blogging

Known as Adventurous Kate, one of the most popular travel blog over the internet (Oui, oui!), Kate McCulley beautifully closed the summit with a talk on gender inequality.

Is there such thing as gender inequality when you are your own boss?

Many people don’t think so. BUT, what about the safety concern we have to carry with us anywhere as women? What about the criticism we get on our appearance instead of our writing?

Travelling, for women, will always be different than for men, and so is blogging about it.

“When you are a women entrepreneur, you are going against everything you’ve been told to be your entire life.”

In order to make things right, Kate resume 5 easy things we need to do as entrepreneur or blogger:

  • Brand ourselves like an expert
  • Support female photographers
  • Know our financial value
  • Apply for more awards
  • Cut down the infighting

Don’t you think these are advice we should use as traveler too?

In my point of view, travelling as women is a feminist statement.

Taking control of our location, our move and our presence in the world is empowering us. It is telling the world that we are free.

Connect with Kate: Web | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Old State House in Boston

Did you notice there’s a unicorn on the Old State House?


Thanks to all the people at Go Girl Travel Network (now known as She’s Wanderful) for the organization of the Women in Travel Summit that taught us not only to be better bloggers, but to be better human.

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13 Commentaires

  • Reply Andrea 2 avril 2015 at 8 h 02 min

    All great topics of discussion! I have yet to attend a travel conference, but I did attend a Travel Massive event and like you am an introvert. I think that’s what has been pulling me back. That fear of not being experienced enough or having not been to enough places etc. I guess I should just do it though aha and put myself out there! Each speaker made some excellent points, especially Kate. I also like the Google one which reminds us that we write for humans not spiders or bots on the internet!

    • Reply Annie Anywhere 2 avril 2015 at 10 h 38 min

      You should totally get out there! :) I know how hard it can be for introverts, but at some point we just need to do it. You’ll be surprised by how many other people feel the same way you do.

  • Reply Jolanta aka Casual Traveler 2 avril 2015 at 9 h 43 min

    Your post is a great overview of the conference, Annie! It was my first WITS and my first travel conference in general, and I am blown away at how well organized it was and how much I enjoyed myself. Thanks for including the photos you took. I love the door collage!

    • Reply Annie Anywhere 2 avril 2015 at 10 h 39 min

      I am an event manager in my other life and I was really impressed too at how well organized it was! Congrats again to the team!

  • Reply lorrie reality travel 2 avril 2015 at 10 h 53 min

    Love how you captured Boston the small details not noticed and that you enjoyed the conference I hope you attend next year

    • Reply Annie Anywhere 2 avril 2015 at 11 h 21 min

      I will definitely go back to Boston to explore further. It seems to be a lovely town to walk around.
      I put Irvine to my list of travel next year to attend the Women in Travel Summit again. Let’s hope it fits in the schedule!

  • Reply Catrice Jackson 2 avril 2015 at 11 h 11 min

    Annie, this was a fabulous post highlighting the brilliance of the Women in Travel Summit. Thanks so much for sharing a snapshot of my talk, I’m glad you found great value in it. I love the conference and meeting all the amazing women there. I will definitely be back next year and hope to see you soon. Keep shining superSTAR!

    • Reply Annie Anywhere 2 avril 2015 at 11 h 23 min

      Thanks for your comment Catrice, but thanks even more for your amazing speach at the conference! You really changed my way of seeing my blog. Keep making people shine as much as you do. You’re the superstar! ;)

  • Reply Ahlea 2 avril 2015 at 16 h 50 min

    Annie, this is fantastic! I felt the same way going into the conference – worried about my lack of travel experience, and not knowing anyone but glad it turned out to be an amazing experience for both of us!

  • Reply Brenda Tolentino 10 avril 2015 at 18 h 54 min

    Hi Annie,
    I don’t think we had a chance to meet but I’m happy to meet you virtually! You’re absolutely right about the conference. I also enjoyed Catrice and Brooke’s talks, I learned so much from both of them. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend Kate’s talk but it seemed like a great time!
    Thank you for this,
    Brenda

    • Reply Annie Anywhere 10 avril 2015 at 23 h 01 min

      Hi Brenda!
      There was so many women at the conference… I wish I had time to talk to everyone. Thanks for getting in touch. :)

  • Reply Megan - Forks And Footprints 13 avril 2015 at 23 h 26 min

    Really great article! Interesting perspective. I completely agree! I into the weekend lacking confidence and worried that it was going to be an ego battle. Very quickly I realized that that was not going to be the case! It was a big room of love and support for one another. Bravo! Keep it up! Wish we had a chance to meet at the conference, there’s always next year!

    • Reply Annie Anywhere 14 avril 2015 at 6 h 42 min

      Absolutely! I will do my best to cross the continent and go to Irvine next year. In the meantime, I’ll go take a look at your blog ;)

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