Just about a year ago, I wrote my last blog post. Funny enough, it was about the very first, in-person, Females on Fire Conference. It was the event that changed everything for me. Shortly after attending, I would quit my job, bet on myself, and start running my business full time. I was scared and living with impostor syndrome, but I knew it was the right decision. This year’s conference reinforced that decision and gave me the confirmation I needed.
I started my time in Nashville, Tennessee, with my friend, Katelyn, and a group of amazing women who I felt were way out of my league. The VIPs.
These are women who are speakers, host their own conferences, and basically are living the life I’m dreaming of. We met photographers, content creators, and agency owners. I even had a chance to catch up with the host and her family.
Hayley Luckadoo is why I went to the conference last year. I related to her vibe and love of pink. She immediately makes you feel comfortable and like you belong. If you think I’m “fan-girling”, I’m not. Trust me. I just appreciate her vision and desire to help fellow women live out their wildest dreams.
So this year, I walked into the VIP dinner. I hugged Mama Fire and let my introvert-self be over-the-moon excited to finally meet Hayley in person. She was genuinely excited for me to be in that room, and the invisibility cloak I was wearing immediately fell off my shoulders. I was meant to be in that room.
Females on Fire 2025 Day One
That feeling continued on Day One. Katelyn and I walked in, took our seats as VIPs, and felt the teeny tiny flame ignite. Over the next few days, we were going to learn so many things we could take home to help us enhance our lives. From storytelling to finances, how to be our own PR agency, and how to build an incredible community of lifers. I was excited.
But before the day began, I needed to use one of the perks that came with being a VIP—a b-roll session with Abarr by Ashley. If you don’t know the term, b-roll is basically video you can use when creating content. I’m not a girly-girl, but Ashley made me feel so comfortable in my own skin. I cannot wait to see what she creates from the videos she took. Stay tuned!
One of my biggest takeaways from Day One is that acronyms are an amazing way to remember crucial information.
- F.E.E.L. – It’s how you tell stories. By talking about friction or the problem you want to solve, the emotion people have about that problem, the journey that you went on to solve that problem, and the lessons you learned along the way. [Hayley Luckadoo]
- H.E.L.P. – It’s ok to ask for help. You need to honor your limits, figure out what your needs are, look around you for support, and put an ask on the table. [Tiffany Napper]
Jen Piala taught us how to take control of our finances by using her “One and Done Method”. And she reminded us that we are meant to live in abundance.
Katrina Owens told us to play by our own rules and embrace them fully. And she reminded all of us that if we have a business, we need to get ready for fame, even if we don’t aspire to be famous.
Taylor Smith encouraged us to show up and show out. Because when we do, people get to know who we are, what we do, and they’ll be more likely to trust us and buy anything we’re trying to sell.
I left Day One with a full heart, knowing what was to come on Day Two. I was better prepared this year, but still knew the tears would flow. It was going to be a day full of personal growth, deep dives, and high points. But none of us would get out unscathed.
Females on Fire Day Two
On Day Two, we took time to rewrite our story. We used the statements we heard when we were younger and turned them into superpowers. I changed statements like
“I’m too loud with too much energy” to “I’ve got something to say, and my energy is why people flock to me”
“I’m not feminine enough” to “I use my tomboy nature to connect with like-minded girls”
“I’m just a corporate dropout” to “I learned so many things in corporate that I still use today”
We asked ourselves what the worst-case scenario was. And guess what, it didn’t look so bad.
We also stood up for our sisters (IYKYK!), and there wasn’t a dry eye in the conference room.
Amber Zaricor came at us with another acronym (P.O.U.R.) that reminded us how burnout was a bad place to be in and we need to pour into our own cups, every single day.
Melissa Hughes gave us the keys to use on every door to help us get past impostor syndrome and start going after our dreams, not just what we see in front of us.
And we ended Day Two with a bit of dreaming. Not just of our future, but also of next year’s conference. While I still have so many notes to look through, I am feeling inspired. That flame that started as just a spark is yet again a full-on inferno. And I’m going to let that fire burn, fuel me, and help me reach the big dreams I have.
If you went to this year’s conference, share your thoughts! I’d love to hear what your biggest takeaway was.
