mom 2.0 summit recap.

{This is me checking in, day 1. Notice my new Shade outfit? Love it.}

I can’t even tell you how much fun I had at Mom 2.0 this past weekend. F-U-N. The amount of energy and brain power packed into those ballrooms at the Four Seasons was crazy; I felt like I needed my spare brain {you all have one of those lying around, right?} after only a few hours in the first day. It was amazing. I learned so much I’m not sure where to start, but a few things really stood out.

-If you’re going to get a migraine, do it when you’re at a conference full of sympathetic women. I had more offers for migraine medicine, diet coke, ice water, and help back to my hotel, than I knew what to do with. These women are not only marketing geniuses, amazing writers, businesswomen, and mamas, but women first. And women are kind, and sympathetic. And nurturing.

-Hand out free stuff and you’ll be queen for the day. Free stuff {the good kind} is a great way to break the ice and meet people you might not have otherwise approached. I met some great ladies because I offered them a candle and a kids shirt from my amazing sponsors. And who doesn’t want a yummy candle for yourself and a darling shirt for your kid? I mean, really.

-Guy Kawasaki? I could listen to him for hours. He’s a really smart guy who doesn’t take himself too seriously, and he doesn’t mind sharing what he knows with everyone around him. I wish I could hang out with him at a b.b.q. and really get to know him. Or a hockey game. You know, his choice.

-If there’s entertainment of the male variety, there might be a bra thrown. Of the nursing variety. Poor guy. He was a good sport though. He only turned seven shades of red, not eight. Also, it might be a little hard for the women to remember that even though the entertainment might be *seeing someone*, there’s no need to sigh. Most of us are taken too. That’s where the babies came from. Remember?

-The Kirtsy Ladies? They kind of rock. Big time. I’ve never met such an approachable, hilarious, group of high powered women. Did I mention they were hi-larious?

-Women are marketing geniuses. GENIUSES. We are able to integrate things into our lives and sell other women on them when we love them. Burger King anyone?

-You can’t get a better endorsement than Gwen Bell flashing her wonder woman Francie Pants during the Mardi Gras Carnivale. I mean, really. How adorable does she make them look?

-This is what networking with women looks like. We’re probably telling each other our children’s ages and interests well before we’re exchanging business cards. Because honestly, I really want to know what’s going on in your life as much as I want to know about your product.

-Women? We’re pretty fun. I mean, look at Marie. She’s having a great time, sponsored by Marie.

{It was so much information to take in. I mean, look at us tap, tap, tapping away on our laptops. Marie looks like she was having a *moment*.}

-I love women. This was a weekend full of women I’d never met before, but by the end of the three days I would have left my children with any of them. In a heartbeat. There’s something to be said for the power of girlfriends. Of networking and connecting and sharing ideas. The pie is big enough for all of us and when we share, everyone wins.

{all photos via Ziv Gillat, Flickr}.

Allison

Hello there! I'm Allison Czarnecki, founder + editor of Petit Elefant, a blog all about style on a budget for every part of your life: style / home / travel / family. I do a lot of how-to beauty + style tutorials, travel posts, easy recipes, home remodel projects, and cool DIY crafts you totally want to try. I'm super happily married (to a hot Polish immigrant) and am the mother of two kids, a daughter and son, all of whom are featured here on the regular. We live in the country but we're a little bit rock + roll. Welcome!