The Truth About Business Conferences (What Nobody Tells You)

Summary

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Social Media Decoded with Michelle Thames

Episode: The Truth About Business Conferences (What Nobody Tells You)
Date: October 3, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this insightful episode, Michelle Thames shares her candid reflections after returning from the Bloom and Grow Live conference in Nashville. She peels back the curtain on the realities of entrepreneurship—including the often-unspoken challenges—and reveals transformative lessons learned from being in the room with other ambitious women. Michelle provides actionable advice for entrepreneurs and previews her own upcoming event, encouraging listeners to seek out communities where growth and connection flourish.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Realities of Entrepreneurship

• Entrepreneurship is messy, not always glamorous.
  • Michelle dispels the myth that building a business is "all roses and berries," instead highlighting the overwhelm and guilt she sometimes feels about working hard.
  • Quote:
    • “Entrepreneurship isn't all roses and berries. I don't know who even came up with that idea, but it's not true. It's messy. It's overwhelming.” — Michelle (02:00)
• Shared struggles:
  • Many entrepreneurs feel isolated, believing they're alone in their hustle.
  • Attending the conference reminded Michelle that others are working just as hard toward big visions.

2. Lessons from Bloom and Grow Live

Michelle distills her top three takeaways from the event:

a. Community Matters (04:10)

• Entrepreneurship can be isolating, but community makes a difference.
• Quote:
  • “When you're in a room full of women chasing dreams, you realize you don't have to do this alone.” — Michelle (04:20)

b. Clarity Comes from Connection (04:32)

• The best ideas often emerge from authentic conversations outside the formal agenda.
• Personal connections—like bonding over meals and activities—lead to mutual support and realization of shared struggles.

c. Investing in Yourself is Non-Negotiable (05:20)

• You cannot expect others to invest in you unless you do so first.
• Showing up for yourself validates your vision and builds business momentum.
• Quote:
  • “You cannot expect others to invest in you if you're not willing to invest in yourself. Oh, that's a bar, Michelle.” — Michelle (05:33)

3. Actionable Takeaways for Listeners

• Commit to One Room Each Quarter (07:00):

  • Whether virtual or in-person, prioritize spaces where you can learn and connect.
  • Michelle encourages joining her upcoming events, including She Connects (virtual, Oct 16) and Elevate and Empower Live (in-person, Nov 1).

• Connect, Don’t Just Attend (07:50):

  • Intentionally meet at least three new people at any event—and follow up promptly.
  • Quote:
    • “I'm spending my time connecting with the women who I met at the event. I'm not waiting to next week. I'm sending all of them messages today.” — Michelle (08:00)

• Take Messy Action (08:30):

  • Don’t try to do everything at once; pick one thing, implement it quickly, and build momentum.
  • Michelle shares her own implementation of Facebook ads, inspired by support from peer Jordan Gill.

4. The Power of Being ‘In The Room’

• Michelle emphasizes her motivation for creating events like Elevate and Empower Live: providing space for ambitious women to connect, gain clarity, and feel supported.
• She invites listeners to join her for an experience designed to boost visibility, confidence, and actionable strategy.
• Quote:
  • “This isn't just another event. It's a room full of ambitious women who get it. A room where clarity, confidence and connections happen.” — Michelle (09:10)

5. Final Encouragement

• Michelle leaves the audience with an inspiring call to action:
  • “Invest in yourself, get in the room and watch how fast things shift.” — Michelle (09:30)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On overcoming guilt and hustle:
  • “For a long time, I have felt so guilty for working hard… sometimes I felt super guilty. I thought that maybe I was doing too much, maybe that I was out of balance. But being at this Conference reminded me I'm not alone.” — Michelle (03:10)
• On implementing what you learn:
  • “Pick one and move on it this week. That's how momentum builds for me. I've already started. I started some Facebook ads, y'all. I will let you know how that works.” — Michelle (08:40)

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Important Timestamps

• [01:01] – Michelle’s introduction and context from Bloom and Grow Live
• [02:00] – The messy reality of entrepreneurship
• [04:10] – Three key lessons from the conference
• [07:00] – Actionable steps for listeners: committing to rooms, connecting, and taking action
• [09:10] – The vision and details for Elevate and Empower Live
• [09:30] – Final encouragement to listeners

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Michelle’s Tone & Style

• Direct, candid, and motivational
• Uses personal anecdotes and real talk
• Supportive and encouraging, speaking especially to women entrepreneurs

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Summary

Michelle Thames invites listeners behind the scenes of entrepreneurial life and dispels any illusions of effortless success. Through honest reflections and concrete advice, she underscores the irreplaceable value of community, authentic connections, and self-investment. The episode is not just about what happens at a business conference—but about how showing up, connecting, and acting intentionally can transform your business journey. Listeners are left empowered, with clear steps to build their own circles of support and a heartfelt invitation to join Michelle at her own upcoming events.

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Transcript

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[C]

Hey, it's Michelle Thames. And welcome back to another episode of Social Media Decoded. So I just got back from Bloom and Grow live with Amber Housley in Nashville, and let me tell you, it was an experience. Not just the pretty flowers and the Instagramable moments, because there were those. But. But it was a real talk strategy in being in the room with women who are going after it just like me. So today I want to pull back the curtain and share what I really learned from this event. We're going to talk about the messy truth about entrepreneurship, my biggest takeaways from being in the room and some tips that you can use right now to shift your business. And at the end, I'm going to share how you can be in the room with me in just 28 days at my own event. So stick around. Now let's get into it. The realities of entrepreneurship. Let's start here. Entrepreneurship isn't all roses and berries. I don't know who even came up with that idea, but it's not true. It's messy. It's overwhelming. And sometimes it feels like you're going harder than anyone around you understands. For a long time, I have felt so guilty for working hard. I. I know that sounds crazy, but I have. I felt guilty for working hard. I mean, I will be in Starbucks. I got all my stuff out. I am typing away at this computer. I am going hard, planning, strategizing, putting stuff together, doing presentations. Oh my goodness, putting together strat, like all the things, making funnels, creating events. I do it all. I have done it all. And sometimes I felt super guilty. I thought that maybe I was doing too much, maybe that I was out of balance. But being at this Conference reminded me I'm not alone. She's been so instrumental to just my business in these last few months. And I thought I was alone, but there are other women who are going hard too. Just like my friend. Just like the women at this event, because they're building something bigger than themselves. Every day I have to sit and say, michelle, well, you're building something that's bigger than you. That's why it's like all this stress and things come up against me. My event is in 28 days. Things have already start to come up like, well, do you want it bad enough? Here's something else. Here's another bill. Here's something else. And I'm like, oh, my goodness, right? But I know that when I step foot into this room with these women, it's all going to be worth it. So if you've ever felt like you're the only one hustling or like it's supposed to look prettier than it does, let me tell you, you're not alone and you're not doing it wrong. You are not doing it wrong. So let's talk about a few lessons from Bloom and Grow Live. I want to share three of my biggest lessons from being in this room. The first lesson is that community matters. Entrepreneurship can feel isolating. But when you're in a room full of women chasing dreams, you realize you don't have to do this alone. Lesson number two, clarity comes from connection. Some of the best ideas don't come from the stage. They came from the conversations that I had with people. Now I got some really good information on from the speakers as well. But the connections, the late night dinners, the late night events, I got to connect with an amazing new friend. And we went to Ariel Silks. We got to have a taco dinner. It was really fun. And so I got to connect with her. And I'm super excited to build and continue to grow. The moments we shared the stories and we realized we had the same struggles. The third lesson, investing in yourself is a non negotiable period. You cannot expect others to invest in you if you're not willing to invest in yourself. Oh, that's a bar, Michelle. That's a bar. Being here wasn't just about the content. It was about me showing up for myself and saying, I believe in this vision enough to put myself in the room. And I did that. And I'm really proud of myself for doing that. It was the first time I got to focus on my business. I got to really think about what I wanted about my city systems, about the processes, the customer journey, the AI. I wanted to use all the things. The event was great. Shout out to Amber Housley. If you are not following her, you need to do so right now at Amber Housley. She was beautiful in person as much as she's beautiful online. Her vibrant colors, her vibrant positivity and the ability to bring community together was amazing. So thank you, Amber, so much. If you are listening, I hope you are. You are amazing now. Now, here are some takeaways you can apply right now. Even if you did not attend this event, the first thing is commit to one room this quarter. Virtual or in person, it doesn't matter. Just find a space where you can learn and connect. And if you want a virtual place that you can connect, go ahead and put on your calendar or right now and look down in the show notes. October 16th, Thursday at 12:00 clock Central Standard Time. Okay. I am hosting she Connects, which is my networking event. Come and get in the room and connect with other amazing women entrepreneurs and career professionals. Get in the room and you can get in the room with me. November 1, 2025, Saturday in Chicago from 9 to 4. I am having the ultimate experience for, for women entrepreneurs in Chicago and the surrounding areas. I have people coming from Florida. I have people coming from Indiana, Wisconsin to this event. So get in the room if you want to be in the room with amazing women doing things for the connection, for the collaborations, for the information. Okay? Number two, don't just attend. Connect. Meet at least three new people and actually follow up with them today. Today is Friday, October 3rd. I'm spending my time connecting with the women who I met at the event. I'm not waiting to next week. I'm sending all of them messages today. So ladies, if you're listening, expect a message from me because I am following up. Because I'm serious. Right? I really do want to connect with the women that I met and built relationships with. Number three, take me. Number three, take messy action. Don't try to implement everything. Pick one, one thing and move it to this week. Okay? Pick one and move on it this week. That's how momentum builds for me. I've already started. I started some Facebook ads, y'. All. I will let you know how that works. Shout out to my girl, Jordan Gill, who will be joining us at the Elevated Empower Live. And she helped me out. Girl, thank you so much. And that brings me to why I'm so passionate about creating spaces like this for, for women entrepreneurs and career professionals. Because I know firsthand the power of being in the room. That's exactly why I created Elevate and Empower Live and in just 29 days you have the chance to join me in Chicago for a powerful one day event designed to help you get visible, attract clients, and walk away with a clear strategy for your next season. This isn't just another event. It's a room full of ambitious women who get it. A room where clarity, confidence and connections happen. A room where you will feel less alone and more equipped to take action on that big vision that you been carrying. So if you've been waiting for a sign, this is it. Don't just sit on the sidelines. Get in the room. Elevated Empower is happening in 28 days and I want to see you there with me. The link is in the show notes or you can just send me a DM on Instagram and let's talk about it. Michelle L. Thames and I will send you the link to Grab your ticket today. Entrepreneurship isn't always pretty. It's not always easy. But when you surround yourself with the right people, it feels a whole lot lighter. So I'll leave you with this Invest in yourself, get in the room and watch how fast things shift. Thank you so much for tuning into another episode of the Social Media Decoded podcast. Don't forget to grab your ticket to Elevate and Empower Live because I promise I this is a room you don't want to miss. Until next time, keep showing up, keep sharing, and I'll see you in the next episode. Peace.

[D]

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