I was honored to participate in this year’s MiniTrends Conference. This exciting gathering aims to expose the sweet spot where new and established businesses can find the tools and directional choices to profit and inspire themselves and their employees.
Although the video of my presentation on “Monitoring Your MiniTrends for Success” is no longer available, here’s the starting screen capture:
The message that making money does not require abandoning social responsibility was uplifting and contagious. The conference attendees I met were especially eager to learn more about being successful while making a positive difference.
We heard excellent keynotes by Jani Byrne, Gary Hoover, and Dr. John Vanston, which provided the conference’s structure.
A total of 17 speakers presented with Carrie Vanston, MiniTrends Conference Director, who was her usual self: a powerhouse of preparedness and always smiling.
I was pleased to be invited to moderate Expert Panel Two, “Taking the Plunge: What you can learn from those who have initiated successful, value-driven businesses.”
The enthusiastic panelists were all knowledgeable and spoke from strong entrepreneurial backgrounds.
• Andre Angel, Co-founder/CEO at TangoTab; Co-Founder/Chairman, WorkMeter; Co-founder, Servoyant, LLC; Co-Founder/Chairman, CODEKKO Software
• Jeffrey Fry, Principal, Help Find Care; Chief Executive, Profit Prophet; Director/CMO, MainGain; Board Member, baqpak; Executive Dir, Firefly Funds; Executive Dir, SHINE Night; President, SEDA RICO, LLC
• Christopher Justice, Chief Executive Officer at Sparksight, Inc.
• Stacy Zoern, CEO, Community Cars
They had great advice, but here are their key points:
• Trust your gut.
• Listen and change your course when needed.
• It’s not about YOU. Remove your ego.
• Fail often. Test and try.
• Be flexible.
• Choose your team wisely.
• Manage your stress, your health is important.
I can’t wait to continue the conversation at next year’s conference.
Steve Pearson, Lead Strategist and Founder of The Pearson Strategy Group, LLC.
*My favorite takeaway was Jeffrey Fry’s adjustment to a Steve Jobs quote: “[Being an entrepreneur] is like being a pirate…go for the booty and discover new, uncharted lands.”
Picture, video, and logo credits: Technology Futures
thnx for the props…and a great followup article to an excellent conference <3