10 things I learned from The Huddle…
Attendees from The Huddle Event, held in Orange, NSW this weekend. Image courtesy of Kirsten Cunningham Photography
Over the weekend I attended a long awaited event (it had been rescheduled, twice!) - THE HUDDLE - a 3 day colour filled fun fest for women in business, held in Orange NSW, hosted by Pip Brett and her team from Jumbled. (If you haven’t heard of this store, check it out, you won’t be disappointed and I dare you to close your browser without adding to cart prior.)
Whilst I don’t want to call it a networking event, it kind of was just that, but by far the best one I’ve had the pleasure of attending. I honestly had a ball hanging out with one of my favourite friends Beth (who is also an Orange local) and met some really great, clever women.
The event was MC’d by Edwina Barthomlomew who introduced a panel of speakers whose wisdom and perspective were a delight to hear from. Sure, the trip from Noosa to Orange wasn’t short, but it was worth every flight delay, tiny propellered plane and oversized baggage fee it took to be there.
So here’s a list of of 10 things I learnt from attending The Huddle……
1. A small team can achieve BIG things
Over the weekend, there were 700+ people, 3 x events at 3 x different venues. There were a heap of different suppliers engaged, speakers assembled and ‘people’ to wrangle and organise. It’s a logistical beast. The majority of this was done solely by Jumbled Queens Pip and Jess, plus their team and volunteer squad on the days leading up to. Proof that a small but mighty and efficient team can well and truly #getsh*tdone.
Pip Brett and Jess Conliffe
The Jumbled Queens and all ‘round fabulous women!
2. The demand is still high to attend events, IN PERSON
Like I said, over 700+ people attended this shindig, many of whom travelled from towns near and far and headed out in cold temperatures and early morning starts to be part of this event with other like minded women. Virtual events are great, they’re convenient and require less outfit coordination, but I have never been to a virtual event in the last 2 years that was as fun and rewarding as this. Hooray for real life!
3. The thirst for KNOWLEDGE is real
When it came to the speaker presentations for the day, for some of them, I had similar areas of expertise and knowledge. It was during these presentations, I really took stock of what was happening around me and what the other guests were writing down, nodding to, the questions they were asking. It was so interesting for me, I was able to almost use it as a big happy ‘focus group’ and went away with some learnings of what I can implement within my own business to be able serve small business owners better.
4. NETWORKING events don’t have to be BORING
Like most of you, I hate the word ‘networking,’ mainly for the stereotypical cringeworthy visions of hotel boardrooms, bad catering and monochrome suits worn by intimidating folks that it conjures. You gotta go to a good ‘networking’ event to know it’s not always the case. Sure, this event was held at the Orange Function Centre BUT! It was styled with colour, filled with welcoming faces, floral arches, not one but two glitter walls, Beyonce and JLO tunes pumped up loud and some damn smart business ideas. The Huddle was an event that was a true representation of what the Jumbled team stood for. So seek out the events that resonate with you for whatever reason. Don’t waste your time going to things you think you ‘should’ do, save your time for the stuff that excites you and same goes if you are thinking of organising an event – be true to you and your brand.
Above: The awesome DJ from the main event on Sunday and the incredible Lisa Gorman (yep, from Gorman!) Images courtesy of Kirsten Cunningham Photography
5. Geographic location, doesn’t limit reach OR IMPACT
Orange is about 2.5 hours west of Sydney. I met people who had travelled from Perth, South Australia, Brisbane and then there’s me who travelled from Noosa Heads. If you build it and demonstrate value, people will invest their time and money to wrangle the trains, planes or automobiles necessary to get there and be part of it.
6. QLD’ers will always be wimps in weather below 20 degrees.
Orange is beautiful but it’s freezing cold (at night/in the morning) and I wore every layer I own. The only people I spotted who spoke about the cold temps, were, you guessed it, Queenslanders! At least I got to bring out some of the winter fashion that has been in a cupboard since my Sydney days!
.
This is me and my friend Beth on the main event of the weekend. We had the best time!
7. There’s real value in CHANGING up your environment
Honestly, this is what I was really craving personally and professionally. Just to step away from my usual environment for a few days and do something that was just for me, my work and my business was just what I needed. I’m feeling re-motivated, re-energised and re-inspired to keep moving forward and the ideas bank is filled to the brim again with sparkle!
So on brand right?!?! I loved all the colour! Images courtesy of Kirsten Cunningham Photography
8. The power of COMMUNITY
The town itself of Orange really got around The Huddle. Pip and Jess wanted to focus on a showcasing the great people of the town and harnessed their favourite local talent. Boy, did they all deliver. The sponsors and suppliers from all different categories were of an impressively high caliber and showcased the power and importance of nurturing the relationships of the small business community you have around you.
9. When things go wrong, there’s always a SOLUTION
I had a chat to Pip before the event kicked off and she told me that there were quite a few things that didn’t turn out as planned. If she hadn’t have told me that, I would never had known as to me everything was flawless. She was quick to tell me though that between together with her team, they found a solution for every problem thanks to some last minute help and hustling and everything turned out so well in the end.
Event MC Edwina Bartholomew and 3 of the guest speakers from the day. Image courtesy of Kirsten Cunningham Photography
10. KINDNESS makes you memorable and will always, be cool.
In many of the speakers’ presentations there was specific mention of how the kindness shown to them from of another has mattered to them and their business. Whether it was an encouraging exchange between business owners, the thrill of excitable feedback from a customer or the long time loyalty and gratitude shown from a manufacturer on the other side of the world, these acts mattered enough to someone to specifically share with others in this forum. Proof that one small gesture can have lasting impact for another person.
In short #thehuddleorange 2022 was SO THE BEST WEEKEND EVER!!!!
Check out The Brand Dance Instagram here and Jumbled Instagram here for more pics.