PP 162: Mike Jones on Building a Thriving Community & Conference Experience

162_web.jpg

Are you tired of hearing me say that relationships are everything? Even if you are, I'm going to continue to beat this drum, especially in terms of getting o...

Are you tired of hearing me say that relationships are everything?

Even if you are, I’m going to continue to beat this drum, especially in terms of getting out of your bubble and doing everything in your ability to attend a conference.

My first conference was in 2015, and I heard about it through people I followed on Instagram at the time like Ian Barnard, Winston Scully, and Bob Ewing.

I started doing some research on this thing called Creative South. I was a year into Perspective-Collective, and my audience was growing quickly...but I still felt stuck, and this conference felt like something that could give me a new spark (not to mention it’d get me out of Iowa).

I wrote a proposal for my day job (I’m good at selling) and convinced them to sponsor my trip and cover costs for workshops (one being a logo workshop with Von Glitchka).

It’s safe to say this conference blew me away, changed my life, and connected me incredible people you’ve heard on this show: Diane Gibbs, Lenny Terenzi, Jason Craig, and so many more.

I went home on fire and started my blog. It helped me find my voice and build some tiny amount of authority in the form of encouraging creatives. Little did I know, this spark would lead me to speaking on the Creative South big stage the next year.

My creative career blasted off because of the incredible people I met at Creative South.

One of them more specifically was Mike Jones, who just so happens to be today’s guest.

Mike Jones...this man gave me the opportunity of a lifetime out of nowhere.  I don’t know where I would be had he not given me the call to speak well before I was ready.

That’s Mike. He sees potential in people and uses his platform to shine the light on others in our creative community.

Mike is the definition of a side hustler. He not only runs Creative South (a highly renowned creative conference in the States) but also runs his own design studio called Serve Studio. If that isn't enough, he still has a day job, four kiddos, and an incredible wife named Karen.

Take some notes as Mike and I are about to dive deep into:

  • Event planning and focusing on the experience

  • Serving the bigger picture and expecting nothing in return

  • Cultivating community vs networking to leverage connections

  • Throwing yourself into the fire and learning as you go

  • What to expect from Creative South Conference 10 year reunion and more

This one is going to give you all the feels, and leave you super hungry...since we may get sidetracked and talk about BBQ.

connect with mike jones:

FREE TOOLKIT TO SIDE HUSTLE FREEDOM

6 FREE resources to help you grow an audience and build a profitable creative side hustle outside your day job. Download here.

PURCHASE THE SIDE HUSTLER'S HANDBOOK PDF COURSE

The proven blueprint that’ll help you gain clarity, confidence, and a mental edge to unlock your biggest side hustling breakthrough. Purchase here.

GET A PERMANENT PODCAST SHOUTOUT

Become a future Listener of the Week by Subscribing and leaving a Rating & Review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes here.

BEST DEALS ON THE BEST DESIGN RESOURCES

Retro Supply (affiliate) - Use SCOTTY20 to get 20% OFF high-quality AI, PS, Procreate & Affinity resources. Shop here.

Design Cuts (affiliate) - Get your FREE Ever-Expanding design resources bundle pack here.

JOIN THE PRIVATE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY FOR CREATORS

Join a like-minded FREE global community of kickass creators and take your side hustle to the next level. Your tribe is waiting.

CONNECT WITH ME

CREDITS

SUBSCRIBE & LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP

Previous
Previous

PP 163: Pt. 1 Getting Creatively Unstuck - Side Hustler’s Coaching Student Special

Next
Next

PP 161: The Key to Standing Out - 3 Ingredients that Make Up Your Secret Sauce