DEVELOPING A BETTER ME – JUST FOR YOU #BLOGPAWS

By Wednesday, June 29, 2016 42 , Permalink

I made it! I was actually at the 2016 Blog Paws Conference. As I strolled the conference center hallway, I thought about my top three priorities for this weekend. I wanted to –

  • learn
  • network
  • and focus on developing a better me – just for you…

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WHAT IS BLOG PAWS? –

A 3 day pet blogging conference jam packed with educational sessions led by leading professionals networking with influencers, a busy exhibit hall, exciting brand events, and lots of pets! My first time visiting Phoenix and my living arrangements weren’t shabby AT ALL

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This was their eighth year and my second year as an attendee. I first attended three years ago. Naturally my experiences are as vastly different as the time in between.

WHAT DID I DISCOVER? –

More than I expected.

But if I had to summarize it in only one sentence: “I love this path that I’ve chosen!#nojoke

Sharing space with hundreds of supportive, passion driven, like minded people for three consecutive days reinforced to me – my dream is actually my reality.

The camaraderie is real and the evidence speaks volumes for our mutual respect.

While we each have our individual niche and campaigns, it’s the four legged common denominator who inspires us. For them – we write, for them we want to know more.

FROM –

  • keynote speakers – who’ve forged ahead, and have valuable life lessons to tell. Their stories are the ones I cling to the most. They motivate me to remain driven. They remind me you deserve the very best of me.
  • brands – spending hours to answer questions about every aspect of their product(s). The more I ask, the more I know, the better I am able to “honestly and sincerely” educate and inform you! 
  • bloggers – between meals and down time, during table top discussions and workshops, even “yappy hour”, “happy meow-urs” and “after paw-ties” you’ll find pockets of people laughing/sharing, teaching/learning, all wanting to help in whatever area of expertise is needed…

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This is my community. And I love it!

SO, WHAT DID I LEARN? –

Surprising to me, in addition to learning how to –

  • create valuable content
  • increase monthly page views
  • produce quality photographs for visual aids

I learned to be proud of how far I’ve come, yet this is only the beginning of where I want to go. The fears of success, of the unknown, I’ve left back on the floor of the main ballroom in Phoenix AZ. #whereitbelongs

I’m ready to take this thing to the next level and nothing would make me happier than to know you’re on this journey with me and my Boys!

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THE BEST PART OF ALL? –

Besides my new found energy, excitement and inspiration?

My daughter joined me…

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And although it was wonderful to see her, it was incredible for her to recognize me not only as her mother but also as the founder and creator of Groovy Goldendoodles™.

I overheard her telling her husband –

This is like a real conference Hon, they attend workshops and have award dinners and everything!

Watching her assimilate her surroundings, completely blown away with the size of my world, reinforced how vitality important it is for ALL of US to follow our dreams.

If at all possible – be like Nike and “just do it!#youtoo

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? –

I hope to apply much of what I’ve learned from –

  • time management – could use some tweaking #accordingtomyman
  • monetization – gotta keep the lights on #showmethemoney
  • publishing an ebook – definitely ready to share more stories
  • keeping you informed, engaged and always a part of our world. #mypriority!

Blog Paws travels to a different state every year. 2017 I’ll be closer – less than 100 miles from home. #myrtlebeachsc

This will be another first for me because I plan to bring the Boys. #actionJaxson

This was my view as I exited the airport. This made everyone smile, laugh and whip out their cameras. This is why I write…

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ONE MORE THING –

It warms my heart when I hear from you. Comments and caffeine are the best parts of my day. When you share, it gives me insight into what you want more of when it comes to Groovy Goldendoodles™ So let’s talk – often!

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I’m looking forward to developing a better me – just for you…

This is our contribution to the BlogPaws Wordless Wordy #oops!Wednesday Blog Hop.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY
This is our contribution in the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

42 Comments
  • Jan Todd
    June 29, 2016

    Great post Cathy. I was so happy to finally meet you in person! I’m so looking forward to Blog Paws 2017 in our great state, South Carolina.

    • Cathy Bennett
      June 29, 2016

      My girl Jan! It was a treat to meet my homegirl 🙂 Loved celebrating the news about BP 2017 with you that night! Can’t wait to see you again. Let’s keep in touch my friend.

  • Emma
    June 29, 2016

    We are still bummed we had to cancel last minute, but we are up for next year and rearing to go! We love BlogPaws and we love blogging!

    • Cathy Bennett
      June 29, 2016

      You were truly missed Emma. But you’re absence was certainly understood. I bowed out in 2015 for the same reason, totally understood. Can’t wait to see you in 2017. Hugs to your Mom.

  • Elaine
    June 29, 2016

    Once again – what did I tell you all those years ago????!!!! Rock on 🙂

    Luv & miss ya.
    Scotty

    • Cathy Bennett
      June 29, 2016

      Why do I feel as if you’re going to be sending me a bill soon? LOL Miss you Scotty…

  • talent hounds
    June 29, 2016

    Glad to hear you learned so much from your blogpaws experience!

    • Cathy Bennett
      June 29, 2016

      Thanks Talent Hounds. It was a memorable experience, and I hope to put all I’ve learned into action.

  • Karen
    June 29, 2016

    I really miss you!!! And Mila misses the boys! I heard you were in town recently. Next time, give me a shout.

    • Cathy Bennett
      June 29, 2016

      We miss you all too! We came through the neighborhood for a hot second, your cars weren’t in the driveway!

  • All Dogs Welcome
    June 29, 2016

    Well worth the extra words for #WordlessWednesday! We hope to join you next year and be inspired by our fellow pet bloggers – such an awesome comunity!

    • Cathy Bennett
      June 29, 2016

      That’s wonderful! I would love to meet you!

  • nichole
    June 29, 2016

    We really wish we could have gone – hoping for 2017! Great photos!

    • Cathy Bennett
      June 29, 2016

      2017 is going to be your year Nicole – let’s claim it 🙂

  • Valerie
    June 29, 2016

    I’ll definitely attend next year for sure!! Reading your article made me even sadder I wasn’t able to attend 🙁 !!

    Lots of love xx

    • Cathy Bennett
      June 29, 2016

      Oh Valerie – you will have such a fab time AND we’ll be able to meet one another too 🙂

  • Golden Woofs: Sugar
    June 29, 2016

    so glad to meet you and your daughter 🙂 gee due excitement I forgot to take a photo with you + SUGAR. Hopefuly next year. Golden Woofs

    • Cathy Bennett
      June 29, 2016

      There was so much going on all at once – the entire weekend – #whew We can always take a photo next year with Harley & Jaxson. Great to meet you and Sugar!

  • Spencer the Goldendoodle
    June 29, 2016

    My mom and I had so much fun finally meeting you in person! I can’t wait for next year when I can finally meet you two! We will have to have a boys night or something!

    • Cathy Bennett
      June 29, 2016

      Meeting you Spencer and your mom was the highlight to our trip. It will be a blast next year when the three of your “Doods” get together. Take care couz…..

  • Two French Bulldogs
    June 29, 2016

    Enough already! We are so jealous
    Lily & Edward

    • Cathy Bennett
      June 29, 2016

      You both would have loved it my two French Bulldog friends. Can you make it to Myrtle Beach? The Boys will be there!

  • Ann Staub
    June 29, 2016

    SO glad I finally got to meet you! You’re awesome to hang out with. And lucky you having BlogPaws right in your backyard next year. Still waiting for a Texas BlogPaws!

    • Cathy Bennett
      June 29, 2016

      Hey Ann! I feel the same way about you! It was truly special to spend time with you. Who knows – Myrtle Beach 2017 and then Texas in 2018 #itcouldhappen

  • Lindsay
    June 29, 2016

    Loving this!!! It brings a huge smile to my face reading this. I’m glad you had such a great time.
    When you find something that truly brings you happiness and joy…. Run with it sister.
    Rock ON!! 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      June 29, 2016

      Thanks Lindsay! It was everything I wanted it to be and more! Can’t wait till next year, want to seriously work on my milestones between now and then. You’ve gotta join us in 2017!

  • The Daily Pip
    June 29, 2016

    Gosh, I wish we would have connected. I arrived a bit late and was trying to catch up the whole time. LOL. However, it was a great conference and I will be focusing on some of the same things as you. Hopefully, we can meet in Myrtle Beach!

    • Cathy Bennett
      June 29, 2016

      I know exactly how you feel. I felt like I was running the whole weekend 🙂 Yes, let’s definitely plan to hook up in 2017. I’ll stand on one of the table tops and yell – “DAILY PIP!” LOL

  • Elaine
    June 29, 2016

    Oh my gosh, Harley and Jaxson’s smiles are priceless when you got back home! How nice that your daughter could join you and recognized your passion and talent. I know the rest of us sure do too!

  • Dashlilly
    June 30, 2016

    Great post — energetic, positive, and inspiring. Sounds like it was a great weekend! I love the photo from the airport. The doods were happy to see you that’s for sure! Looking forward to more posts!!

  • Monika & Sam
    June 30, 2016

    Agreed…comments and caffeine. Best parts of the day, oh an pawsome content which is what you always provide. Glad you had a terrific time. Hopefully at some point, I’ll make a BlogPaws conference but knew this year would be way beyond too hot for this chica. They’d have been mopping me up off the floor…that or I’d have flat evaporated in the dessert heat. 😉

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 4, 2016

      Coffee and Caffeine are the best! It’s always such a treat to hear from you! PS: the weather here in SC is 101 today, I’m about to melt 🙂

  • Tiffany Bennett Cuartero
    July 1, 2016

    Thanks for letting me crash the conference Mom. It was a lot of fun! Can’t wait till next year!

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 4, 2016

      Thanks for coming! It was great sharing my world with you!

  • Jan K
    July 1, 2016

    Two years now we’ve missed each other….next year I finally get to meet you!
    I’m so glad you had a great conference and it inspired you so much!

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 4, 2016

      OMDoodle! Meeting you will be just the best Jan! Can’t wait 🙂 Hope your enjoying your 4th of July my friend!

  • Jean Dion
    July 1, 2016

    This is an excellent post. You inspire me! It was excellent to meet you in person, and I let out a little squee when I thought about meeting the boys next year! I’ll be sure to bring the fancy camera, so I can snap ’em good! (Have you forgiven me for winning yet?!?)

    Jean from Welcome to the Menagerie

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 4, 2016

      HA! You got jokes about that fancy camera! Yes, of course I’ve forgiven you. In fact – next year I’m looking for a photo shoot from you of the Boys. No excuses! You should be super star photographer next time I see you 🙂 Hope your enjoying your 4th of July my friend!

  • Sand spring Chesapeakes
    July 2, 2016

    What a great conference you had and how cool your daughter went with!

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 4, 2016

      That was the coolest too JoAnn. It seems so got married, then we moved and I haven’t really spent much time with her. It was great to catch up. Hope your enjoying your 4th of July

  • Callie, Shadow, and Ducky's Mom
    July 2, 2016

    I’m wanting to go to #BlogPaws2017, but financially I just can’t see it happening. There are sooooo many people I want to meet – like you and your boys! I’m not interested in monetizing my blog at all, or even in spending a whole lot of the green stuff on it; but like you, I love our community.

    • Cathy Bennett
      July 4, 2016

      Perhaps one day, the conference will land close by and you can motor over to it for the camaraderie. That’s what I did my very first time. It was in VA, so I drove over for the conferences and then left in the evening and slept in my own bed 🙂 One day we shall meet. I have no doubt! #destiny