Behind the Scenes: Planning Elevate & Empower LIVE

Summary

Podcast Summary: Social Media Decoded

Episode: Behind the Scenes: Planning Elevate & Empower LIVE
Host: Michelle Thames
Date: September 29, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this candid solo episode, host Michelle Thames takes listeners “behind the scenes” of planning her annual event, Elevate & Empower LIVE (happening November 1st in Chicago). She pulls back the curtain on the realities that entrepreneurs face when organizing in-person experiences—from vendor headaches and contract hassles to the deeper rewards of building community. Michelle’s trademark warmth and authenticity shine as she shares unfiltered lessons, memorable stories, and her “why” for continuing the hard work of event planning.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Messy Reality of Event Planning

• Chasing Vendors and Contracts: Michelle describes the unglamorous side rarely seen on social media.
  • Vendors sometimes don’t respond for days.
  • Contracts can lag for weeks, and unexpected fees pop up.
  • Juggling continuous communications can feel like a full-time job itself.
• Balancing Multiple Roles: Planning events happens alongside coaching clients, supporting her family, and creating content.
• Memorable Quote:

  “Let me keep it all the way real with you, friend. Planning an event is not glamorous... You think you got something locked in and then boom, a new fee pops up that you were not expecting.” — Michelle (01:37)

2. The Transformative Power of Live Events

• Why In-Person Matters:
  • Online communities are powerful, but “the magic happens” face-to-face.
  • These events create real opportunities for collaboration, networking, and meaningful support.
• Personal Story:
  • Michelle recalls being fired at age 30 and, a decade later, now hosting rooms for women to find the support she once needed.
• Memorable Quote:

  “That’s where women meet their next collaborator, their next client, their next accountability partner—or even just get the confidence boost they needed to keep going.” — Michelle (03:41)

3. Lessons Learned from the ‘Messy Middle’

• Growth Out of Challenge:
  • Each challenge is a lesson in persistence, patience, and flexibility.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Follow-up is everything: Don't assume people will deliver just because they said they would.
  • Relationships matter: “How you treat people now will determine who shows up for you later.”
  • Be flexible: Things won’t go as planned; adaptability is a must.
• Memorable Quote:

  “Every single challenge has taught me something. Follow up is everything in events and in business.” — Michelle (04:24)

4. Why Keep Going?

• Gratitude: Michelle expresses deep gratitude for the privilege of creating transformative spaces for women entrepreneurs.
• Community Changes Lives:
  • She’s motivated by the impact these gatherings have, not just in business skills, but in lasting confidence and connections.
• Encouragement to Attend:
  • Final tickets for Elevate & Empower LIVE are still available, and Michelle paints a vibrant picture of what attendees gain.
• Memorable Quote:

  “It’s not just about learning strategies. It’s about stepping into a room where strategy and sisterhood collide.” — Michelle (05:00)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:37] Michelle on the “unglamorous” reality:

  “Planning an event is not glamorous... You think you got something locked in and then boom, a new fee pops up that you were not expecting.”

• [03:41] On why in-person community is different:

  “That’s where women meet their next collaborator, their next client, their next accountability partner—or even just get the confidence boost they needed to keep going.”

• [04:24] Hard-earned advice:

  “Every single challenge has taught me something. Follow up is everything in events and in business.”

• [05:00] The real promise of the Elevate & Empower event:

  “It’s not just about learning strategies. It’s about stepping into a room where strategy and sisterhood collide.”

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Important Timestamps

• 01:00–02:30 – Behind the scenes event headaches: vendors, contracts, fees
• 02:30–03:45 – The reason for pushing through: community, collaboration, and personal story
• 03:45–04:40 – Core lessons learned from event planning challenges
• 04:40–05:00 – Why gratitude and community keep Michelle coming back
• 05:00–05:19 – Encouragement to join Elevate & Empower LIVE; invitation details

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Tone & Language

Michelle’s approach is open, real, and encouraging—a blend of tough truths and heartfelt motivation, with a conversational “let’s be real, friend” tone.

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Summary Takeaway

If you’re an entrepreneur who thinks flawless event photos on social media tell the whole story, this episode gives you the unscripted, nitty-gritty of building impactful spaces. Michelle Thames doesn’t sugarcoat the stress, but she makes clear how real growth, lasting connections, and genuine community are built not despite the chaos—but because of it. If you’re looking for insight, honesty, and a push to get in the room, this episode is a must-listen.

Transcript

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[Michelle Thames]

Welcome back to Social Media Decoded. I'm your host, Michelle Thames, and today I want to take you behind the scenes of what it's really like to plan an event like Elevate and Empower Live. Now we see the beautiful photos, the highlight reels, and the big stage moments. But what doesn't always get shared is the messy middle. The vendor ghosting the contracts, the non stop follow ups, and the moments when you're like, why did I even sign up for this? Again, this with the challenges. I am so grateful I get to do this work. Creating spaces for women entrepreneurs to connect, grow, and feel seen is my purpose. So today I want to pull back the curtain. The good, the bad, and the amazing. And. And also remind you that tickets are still available for November 1st. Elevate and Empower and trust me, you want to be in this room. Now let's talk about the reality of planning. Let me keep it all the way real with you, friend. Planning an event is not glamorous. Behind the scenes, you deal with vendors who don't reply for days or ever at all. You chase down contracts that were supposed to be signed weeks ago. You. You think you got something locked in and then boom, a new fee pops up that you were not expecting. It's constant communication, constant follow up. Sometimes it feels like a full time job just managing people's responses. And as an entrepreneur, you're also balancing your clients, your family, your content, all while making sure this event actually happens. But here's the part that I love. It forces you to level up. It forces you to lead with patience, persistence, and faith. And when it all comes together. When those doors open and the first guest walks in, all that stress is worth it. So why do I do it? You're like, Michelle, you're telling us about this, but why do you even do it? Because there is nothing like being in the room. Online community is powerful. You know, I believe in visibility. In person events. That's where the magic happens. That's where women meet their next collaborator, their next client, their next accountability partner, or or even just get the confidence boost they needed to keep going. When I was fired from my job at 30, I didn't know that 10 years later I'd be here creating events where other women could find the support I once needed. And every time I host something, whether it's a coffee connections, a she connects or this big annual live event, I'm reminded that community changes lives. That's why I push through late nights, the vendor headaches, and the details that nobody sees. Because I know the transformation waiting on the other side. I won't lie. Sometimes it's frustrating. Sometimes I feel like throwing up my hands. But every single challenge has taught me something. Follow up is everything in events and in business. Don't assume people will just do what they said. Relationships matter. How you treat people now will determine who shows up for you later. And flexibility is key. Things won't always go as planned, but there's always another way to make it work. And more than anything, I feel grateful. Grateful that I get to lead women in this way. Grateful that I get to create memories and moments that will stick with people long after the event is over. So if you've been thinking about Elevate and empower live November 1st in Chicago, let me say this. Don't wait. This event is not just about learning strategies. It's about stepping into a room with strategy and sisterhood collide. It's about walking away with clarity, confidence, and connections that will change your business and your life. Final tickets are still available and I would love to see you in the room. The link is in the show notes. Go ahead and grab your ticket before they're gone. And thank you for letting me share the behind the scenes truth today. It's not always easy, but it's always worth it. Until next time, keep showing up, keep building your authority, and keep believing in the power of community.

[ExxonMobil Narrator]

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[Geico Customer]

So I was just parking my car and then I saw you. The Gecko. Huge fan.

[Geico Gecko]

I'm always honored to meet fans out in the wild.

[Geico Customer]

The honor is mine. I just love being able to file a claim in under two minutes with the Geico app.

[Geico Gecko]

Well, the Geico app is top notch.

[Geico Customer]

I know you get asked this all the time, but could you sign it?

[Geico Gecko]

Sign what? The app. Yeah, sure.

[Geico Customer]

Oh, that means so much. Oh, it rubbed off the screen when I touched it. Could you sign it again?

[Geico Gecko]

Anything to help, I suppose.

[Geico Customer]

You're the best.

[ExxonMobil Narrator]

Get more than just savings. Get more with Geico.

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