Revelations from My Cross-Country Speaking Tour
My Top 3 Takeaways to Help You Crush Your Goals
I've been living out of a suitcase these past few months, jumping from stage to stage across the country. Just to give you a taste, some of the events where I've spoken and keynoted include Belmont University and Nation's Restaurant News CREATE conference in Nashville, Visa's She's Next Summit in San Francisco, Boss Vision Con in Dallas, and Reese Witherspoon's Shine Away conference in Los Angeles. My veritable roadshow culminated just before Thanksgiving at SMU's Tate Lecture series where I channeled my inner Madonna with a headset mic to speak about the power of "What if Thinking" to 2500 people (no pressure, right?).
It's been a busy fall, but what's stayed with me aren't the fancy stages or imposing audiences - it's the meaningful moments in between. I can't stop thinking about those candid conversations with dreamers, founders, and career-pivoters navigating their next move and chasing the lives they envision. It's in the Q&A sessions, the coffee breaks, and the surprising moments of authentic connection with strangers where the real magic happens.
And what’s struck me most? No matter who I'm talking to – whether it's a billion dollar founder, a small business owner, or a college student with stars in their eyes – everyone's wrestling with the same questions:
"How do I know if this idea is actually 'the one'?"
"When do I throw in the towel, and when do I keep pushing?"
"How do I take this thing to the next level without losing my mind?"
I wish I could pack you all in my suitcase for these events, but since I can't, I've been taking mental notes on everything that's hit home. Here are my top three takeaways from the summits, conferences and events I’ve spoken at over the past few months...
1) Connect with Intention
Picture this: I’m in Round Top, Texas, where the Instagram backdrops are endless and everyone is in their Texas best – boots and hats as far as the eye can see, and yes, the margaritas are flowing….
This was Southern C's Coterie event, and while it looked like an influencer party, it was actually a gathering of small business dynamos and a goldmine of networking opportunities disguised as a good time.
Gone are the stuffy networking events of the past. Today's business mixers have a decidedly more aesthetic vibe. At events like this, it's easy to get caught up in the fun and feel like you’re on vacation. But the most successful attendees don't show up and wing it - they've got a clear plan for who they want to meet, what questions they need answered, and what opportunities they want to explore.
You may be removed from the usual responsibilities of home and work, but that doesn't mean you can check your business brain at the door. In fact, this is the perfect chance to lean into leveling up. With the right mindset and strategy, you can maximize every conversation, panel, and coffee break to push your goals forward.
The most outgoing attendees aren't necessarily the most successful. It's the ones who show up with purpose - who know exactly what they want to achieve - who tend to get the most out of these events. So before you even pack your cowboy boots, get laser focused on your personal objectives. That's the key to turning a good time into a potential goldmine.
Here's how to network intentionally:
Nail Your Story (But Keep It Real): Craft a casual way to communicate to people who you are, what you do and what’s unique about it. No elevator pitch vibes – just you, being you, but with a point. Short and sweet is always best.
Give Before You Get: Instead of working the room thinking "what can I get out of this?" try "what can I offer?" Trust me, it completely changes the energy of every conversation.
Push Past the Comfort Zone: Sure, bring a friend if you need to, but challenge yourself to leave with five new connections. And get creative – some of my best business relationships started waiting in line for the powder room. The point is, opportunities are everywhere if you're open to them.
2) Get Crystal Clear on What You Want
Reese Witherspoon's 2nd annual Shine Away conference was chock-full of inspiring panels, activations, and takeaways - but my biggest takeaway might just surprise you: manifesting! This theme that kept popping up, from the conversation Reese Witherspoon had with Spanx founder Sara Blakely to the panel I shared with Kitsch founder Cassandra Thurswell.
Get this: back when Sara was selling fax machines and at a true life low point, she wrote about creating a product that would help millions of women – hello, Spanx! Cassandra had a similar experience when she documented her dream for landing a Target deal years before it actually happened. Although manifesting may seem a little woo-woo when it comes to making life plans, I couldn't help but be struck by the fact that two such powerful and successful women credit it with transforming their lives.
I've witnessed this same manifestation magic firsthand with Kristen Dunning, founder of Gently Soap. As one of my Shark Tank investments, I had a front-row seat to watching her vision board dreams come to life. Last year, Kristen landed a deal with me on Shark Tank, and just last month her gorgeous Gently Soap gift box was named an Oprah's Favorite Thing for 2024!
These stories have me thinking I need a vision board STAT!
But here's what I really think is going on: it's not just about slapping some pictures on a board or writing down random dreams. It's about getting brutally honest with yourself about what you truly want. When you can name it – I mean really name it – your brain starts figuring out how to make it happen.
The power of this kind of specific dreaming is that it isn't just wishful thinking. It's about creating such a clear picture of what you want that your actions naturally align with your vision. It's about making decisions today that serve tomorrow's dreams. Whether it's taking that upskilling course you never seem to find time for, reaching out to that mentor who seems untouchable, or finally writing that business plan you've been putting off – everything shifts when you get crystal clear about your destination.
If you’re interested in a deeper dive on manifesting, my friend Cathy Heller just published a new book, "Abundant Ever After: Tools for Creating a Life of Prosperity and Ease." As a top podcast host who's helped countless entrepreneurs find their path, Cathy knows exactly how to turn dreams into reality. Her book provides a roadmap for getting clear on what you want and making it happen. Grab it here!
3) Take the Leap!
After my SMU talk a couple of weeks ago, a student approached me with tears in her eyes. She had a business idea she couldn't shake, but she was stuck in that paralyzing place we all know too well – feeling like she needed more experience, more credentials, more... everything
Just the week before, at the Visa event in San Francisco, I had a similar conversation with an entrepreneur. This woman was hustling hard, successfully selling her homemade personal care products at farmers markets, but was at a breaking point - burned out, wanting to scale, yet unsure how to do it. She wanted the rewards of growing her business, but was immobilized by the risks involved.
As we talked through her options, I recognized this as a common trap that plagues many aspiring entrepreneurs. There's no reward without risk in business - you can't have the upside without also being willing to accept the inherent challenges and uncertainties. Here's the truth bomb I had to drop: that magical risk-free path to growth? It doesn't exist. Whether you're building a business, switching careers, or chasing any big dream, there's always going to be that moment where you have to jump without knowing exactly where you'll land.
But here's the good news (and I really need you to hear this): you already have the courage you need. It's in every small risk you've already taken, every challenge you've faced down, every time you've picked yourself up and kept going. That voice in your head whispering "what if?" – that's not just wishful thinking. That's your gut telling you something's possible.
Trust that voice. Trust your preparation. Trust yourself. Because at the end of the day, the biggest risk isn't taking that leap – it's never taking it at all.
XO,
candace
P.S. Have you been to any recent conferences or summits? What was your experience? Which of these tips really hits home for you? Comment below and let's keep this conversation going!
Another thing about getting clear on what you want is that you know when it's happening to you and see the opportunity to grab it. I put speaking at SXSW on my vision board for 2028. So when someone who runs a SXSW event reached out to me earlier this year, I thought, why not ask about speaking? I don't feel READY, but it doesn't hurt to ask so I can start to prepare, and maybe 2028 was too long to wait!