THE EMAIL GROWTH SHOW EPISODE 164
Hey hey! Welcome back to The Email Growth Show! I’m Kylie Kelly, your host, and as you would know if you’ve been listening for a while, I’m all about helping you grow your email list without relying on the grind of social media – why? Because I know I’m not the only one that doesn’t have time for that!
But one thing you might not know about me – is that I haven’t been to an in person event in YEARS – well unless see Ed Sheeran last year counts. Seriously though, thanks to the shift since 2020 and building an online business – but also because I’m pretty darn comfy in my office, behind my computer, I haven’t been to a conference, networking event or business social gathering in person – in years.
Until a few weeks ago that is.
At the start of the month I attended The Australian Women in Business Conference, hosted by Angela Henderson Consulting, and it was an event packed with over 15 speakers, strategic sessions, and networking opportunities. I went in with the intention of soaking up all the strategy insights to bring back to you, but what I got out of it was so much more than just business strategy.
You see, I went for strategy – to learn and come away with new frameworks, tools, and tips to drive growth & take my business to the next level. But, in a surprising twist, it wasn’t actually the business presentations or strategy sessions that impacted me the most. The real magic happened in the spaces in between.
Today, I want to share with you three powerful takeaways from The Australian Women In Business Conference – lessons that go beyond strategies and touch on something deeper. If you’re like me and you feel like you’re carrying the weight of your business alone, or if you’ve been focusing on strategy but are still feeling stuck, this episode might just help!
Let’s dive in.
Takeaway #1: The Power of Being in the Room with Like-Minded Women
This was one of those things that hit me unexpectedly. I went in thinking I’d be learning and networking, but what I actually experienced was this profound sense of community. Just being in a room full of ambitious, driven women at The Australian Women In Business Conference – all building businesses and balancing life, family, and self – was so incredibly powerful.
It’s easy to forget, working from home or running a business from behind a laptop, how isolating this journey can feel. You’re putting in the work, day in and day out, maybe getting some traction here and there, but feeling like no one truly gets what you’re doing or why you’re pushing so hard. I honestly didn’t realise how lonely I’d been feeling until I found myself surrounded by other women that were working towards a similar goal. Even if I didn’t talk to each of them, just being there with them reminded me, ‘Hey, I’m not alone in this.’
And that sense of solidarity was deeply comforting and motivating. It’s a reminder that, even though we may be on our individual journeys – with different kinds of businesses and personal situations, we’re all connected. Sometimes, we just need to be in the presence of others who understand the ups and downs of this lifestyle.
This takeaway alone made the entire experience at The Australian Women In Business Conference worth it – realising that there is strength in community and that we don’t have to do it all alone. Now, because I believe in full transparency, something I wasn’t expecting that I don’t mind sharing with you, was that I found out that my uncle had passed away at the start of Day 2.
I was on a public tram, heading to the start of the first session when my mum texted me the news. Right then and there, I had a choice to make. I could either stop, go home and process the news, the grief – OR – I could keep going and see what the next two days held for me. Neither choice was right or wrong but one thing that I’ve learnt lately – thanks to my friend Jacqui and her EFT work & support – is to trust myself and the decision that I felt was right for me. So I stayed. I didn’t tell anyone what I had found out – remember, I didn’t really know anyone at The Australian Women In Business Conference that well, nor was I ready to talk about it. But by the end of that day, I felt so held by these women – by the host Ange – without even speaking about it or about anything to some of them. I felt supported. I felt cared for… and that was because I chose to stay in the room.
Takeaway #2: Sometimes It’s Not Strategy That Shifts Us Or That We Need Most
Now here’s the thing – I’m a strategist at heart, and I went into The Australian Women In Business Conference with a laser focus on learning the next ‘big thing’ for my business. But what made the biggest impact on me were the unexpected moments that had nothing to do with traditional strategy.
At the end of day 2, the afternoon after finding out about my uncle, there was a surprise session planned. None of us had any idea what it would be. It was a silent fucking disco. We put on headphones and danced and danced and danced in the streets of the Gold Coast, without a care in the world. You guys, I would have NEVER dreamt of doing this.
I hate being centre of attention.
I hate being watched.
I’m much happier being behind the scenes than on the stage (which might be something that is currently shifting in me – but more on that in another episode!) This silent disco was everything. I danced and celebrated my life. I celebrated my uncle’s life. I did not care who was watched. We danced on the beach. We danced through a shopping centre. We danced across the street… and when we got back, Ange said to us all – if you can do that, what’s stopping you taking your business to the next level? and you know what, nothing is stopping us. Nothing at all. If we could do that, we could do anything.
Then on the final afternoon, we did a group breath work session – something I hadn’t realised I needed – that helped me tune into myself on a whole new level. I’m honestly still processing this one myself but it was so powerful and such an incredible experience… and then we ended The Australian Women In Business Conference with a hug meditation. I’d never heard of this before either – but we literally went around to every single person that was in that room – 100 of us – looked each other in the eye, gave each other a slight bow and then hugged each other for three full breathes. Remember, how I mentioned I was feeling lonely before this event, this mediation filled my cup in ways that I didn’t even know it needed (and yes, I am a hugger through and through!)
Now, none of these things directly impacted my business plan, but each of them shifted something within me. They helped me connect with myself in a way I hadn’t for a long time. Or indeed I’m not sure I ever have.
What this taught me is that sometimes, personal growth is what we need to propel our business forward – and it might just happen in ways we haven’t tried yet. It’s easy to get tunnel vision, always thinking about the next strategy, the next goal. But when we allow ourselves to explore and be open to experiences that might push us out of our comfort zones, experiences that might shift us or stretch us, we’ll get insights and inspiration that overflow into our business. We’ll get exactly what we need.
So, the next time you feel stuck, maybe take a break from the planning and strategy, and just give yourself the chance to reconnect with you.
You might be surprised at the clarity it brings.
Takeaway #3: Embrace the Unexpected
Which brings me to my third takeaway: the importance of embracing the unexpected.
We all go into situations with specific outcomes in mind – especially in business, where it’s all about goals, plans, and results. But sometimes, the best outcomes come from the moments that we don’t plan for.
For me, The Australian Women In Business Conference reminded me to stay open. Yes, I went in hoping for actionable takeaways and strategies, and I got them, but it was the things I hadn’t planned for that left the biggest impact. I learned that it’s okay to let go of the expectations and just be open to whatever comes. In fact, some of the most profound shifts can happen when we’re not trying to control every outcome. Which honestly, is really hard for me to do.
So, if you’re someone who feels like you need to plan every detail like I am, I encourage you to try leaving a little room for spontaneity. For the unexpected. Whether it’s a conference, a networking event, or even just a new project, sometimes letting go of expectations can make room for something even better.
The universe has a funny way of surprising us when we allow it and giving us exactly what we need, when we need it most.
To wrap up today’s episode, I want you to take away this: sometimes, the best moments in business and life are the ones we didn’t see coming. We think we need strategies, frameworks, and to-do lists to move forward – and, of course, those things matter. But never underestimate the power of connection, personal growth, and a little bit of surprise.
If you’ve been feeling isolated or like you’re in a rut, maybe it’s time to shake things up. Whether that means attending an event, joining a new community, or even just reaching out to fellow business owners, don’t be afraid to open yourself up to new experiences. Remember, you’re not alone on this journey, and even though we might be a world away, my inbox & DM’s are always open.
Thank you for tuning in to The Email Growth Show. I hope these takeaways have sparked something in you, just as they did for me. I’ll be back with more actionable email growth strategies soon, but until then, take a moment to connect with yourself and your community. And as always, keep moving forward with intention, and I’ll talk to you soon.
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Full Transcript:
Kylie Kelly [00:00:00]:
This hugging meditation, this activity, this experience, I’m not sure what to call it, but it filled my cup in ways that I did not even know I needed. Are you a female business owner frustrated with battling the algorithm and looking for growth strategies that don’t involve awkwardly pointing or dancing online or throwing cash at paid ads? Welcome to The Email Growth Show. I’m your host, Kylie Kelly, visibility and email marketing strategist. I grew my email list from 0 to almost 10,000 subscribers in less than 2 years, and the same is possible for you too. Are you ready to build your email list and start making more money in your online business? Let’s head into today’s episode. Hey hey! Welcome back to The Email Growth Show. I’m Kylie Kelly, your host. And as you would know if you’ve been listening for a while, I’m all about helping you grow your email list without without relying on the grind of social media.
Kylie Kelly [00:00:59]:
Why? Because I know I’m not the only one that doesn’t have time for that. But one thing you might not know about me is that I haven’t been to an in person event in years. Well, unless seeing Ed Sheeran last year counts. Seriously, I could not even get Taylor Swift tickets no matter how hard I tried this year. But since a shift in 2020 and building an online business, also I must admit it’s because I’m pretty darn comfy in my office behind my computer. I actually haven’t been to a conference, a networking event, or a business social gathering in person in years. I have been virtually, but nothing that got me out of my comfort zone. Until a few weeks ago.
Kylie Kelly [00:01:43]:
At the start of the month, I attended the Australian Women in Business Conference hosted by Angela Henderson Consulting. And it was an event packed with over 15 speakers, strategic sessions and networking opportunities. I went in with the intention of soaking up all the strategy insights to bring back to you. But what I got out of it was so much more than a business strategy. You see, I went in for strategy to learn and come away with new frameworks, tools, and tips to drive growth and take my business to the next level. But in a surprising twist, it wasn’t actually the business presentations or strategy sessions that impacted me the most. The real magic happened in the spaces in between. Now today, I want to share with you 3 powerful takeaways from that experience.
Kylie Kelly [00:02:26]:
Lessons that go beyond strategies and touch on something deeper. So if you’re like me and you feel like you’re carrying the weight of your business alone, or if you’ve been focusing on strategy but you’re still feeling stuck, this episode might just help. Let’s dive on in. So takeaway number 1. The power of being in the room with like minded women. This is one of those things that hit me unexpectedly. I went in thinking I’d be learning and networking, but what I actually experienced was this profound sense of community. Just being in a room full of ambitious driven women, all building businesses and balancing life, family, and themselves, were so incredibly powerful.
Kylie Kelly [00:03:04]:
It’s really easy to forget working from home or running a business from behind a laptop, just how fucking isolating this journey can feel. You’re putting in the work day in and day out, and maybe you’re getting some traction here and there, but you kind of feel like no one truly gets what you’re doing or why you’re pushing so hard. Right? I honestly didn’t realize how lonely I’d been feeling until I found myself surrounded by other women that were working towards a similar goal. Even if I didn’t talk to each of them, just being there with them reminded me, hey, I’m not alone in this. And that sense of solidarity was deeply comforting and motivating. It’s a reminder that even though we may be on our individual journeys with different kind of businesses and personal situations, we’re all connected. Just realizing that there is strength in community and that we don’t have to do it all alone. It.
Kylie Kelly [00:03:57]:
Just realizing that there is strength in community and that we don’t have to do it all alone. Now, because I believe in full transparency, something I wasn’t expecting that I don’t mind sharing with you, was that I found out that my uncle actually passed away at the start of day 2. I was on a public tram headed to the start of the first session when my mum texted me the news. Right then and there, I had a choice to make. Right? I could either stop, go home and process the news, the grief, Or I could keep going and just see what the next 2 days held for me. Now neither choice was right or wrong, but one thing that I’ve learned lately, thanks to my friend Jackie and the EFT work and support that she gives me, is that I can trust myself. Right? To make the decision that felt right to me. So I stayed.
Kylie Kelly [00:04:44]:
I didn’t tell anyone what I had found out. Remember, I didn’t really know anyone at the conference that well nor was I ready to talk about it. But by the end of that day, I felt so held by these women, by the host Ange, without even speaking about it or about anything to any of them. I still felt supported. I felt cared for. And that was all because I made that choice to stay in the room. And I feel like that that in itself was so powerful. Right? It was so powerful to learn that even as an introvert, I’m not that outgoing.
Kylie Kelly [00:05:25]:
I’m not that outspoken. I find it hard to go up to strangers and make conversation. But I didn’t have to. I just had to put myself in the room surrounded by women that I felt I could trust. Right? That were similar to me. That were doing similar things. That the space that Ange had curated for this event was very safe space. And so I didn’t have to say anything, but I still felt held.
Kylie Kelly [00:05:53]:
Which is just just incredible and really showed me that I was where I was meant to be that day. Now takeaway number 2 is that sometimes it’s not strategy that shifts us. Now here’s the thing. So I am a strategist at heart. You guys know that. I went into this conference with a laser focus on learning the next big thing for my business, my membership. I wanted answers. Right? But what made the biggest impact on me were the unexpected moments that had nothing to do with a traditional strategy.
Kylie Kelly [00:06:26]:
At the end of day 2, so the afternoon after finding out about my uncle, there was actually a surprise session planned. None of us had any idea what it would be. You guys, it was a silent fucking disco. We put on headphones and danced and danced and danced in the streets of the Gold Coast without a care in the world. I would have never dreamt of doing this. I hate being center of attention. I hate being watched. I’m much happier being behind the scenes than on a stage.
Kylie Kelly [00:06:55]:
Which might be something that’s currently shifting in me, but more on that in another episode. This silent disco was everything. I danced and I celebrated my life. I celebrated my uncle’s life. I did not care who was watching. We danced on the beach. We danced through a shopping centre. We danced across across the street.
Kylie Kelly [00:07:14]:
And when we got back, Ang said to us all, if you could do that, what is stopping you? Right? Like, what’s stopping you taking your business to the next level? What’s stopping you pressing send on an email? What’s stopping you level? What’s stopping you pressing send on an email? What’s stopping you from stepping outside of your comfort zone? And you know what? Nothing. Nothing at all. If we could dance without caring who is watching, without anyone else hearing the music. Right? Like if we could do that, fucking hell. We could do anything. Right? So powerful. Then on the final afternoon, we did a group breath work session, which is something I hadn’t realized I needed, but helped me tune into myself on a whole new level. I’m honestly still processing this one myself, but it was so powerful and such an incredible experience.
Kylie Kelly [00:08:04]:
And then we ended the conference with a hug meditation. You guys, I need to put out there that this conference was not, promoted with this alternative stuff in mind. Right? Like the strategy was promoted. The networking was promoted. This was such a surprise to me. Now I’d never heard of this before either, but we literally went around to every single person that was in that room. There were a 100 of us. We looked each other in the eye, gave each other a slight bow, and then we hugged each other for 3 full breaths.
Kylie Kelly [00:08:37]:
Just so you can feel how long that is, let’s do 3 full breaths together. Okay. Ready? 1. 2. 3. Now imagine you are hugging someone for that entire time. I have never hugged a stranger for that long. Let alone, actually, a lot of people that I probably love.
Kylie Kelly [00:09:15]:
Right? Like it’s a long time. And remember at the start of this episode how I mentioned how lonely I was feeling before this event? This hugging meditation, this activity, this experience, I’m not sure what to call it, but it filled my cup in ways that I did not even know I needed. And yes, full disclosure, I am a hugger through and through. You could definitely tell some people that were there may not have been huggers as much as I am, but just holding each other and, again, feeling held for that amount of time times a 100 was so powerful. Now none of these things, right? The silent disco, the group breath work session, the hug meditation. None of them directly impacted my business plan or my strategy. But each of them shifted something within me. Each of these things helped me connect with myself in a way that I haven’t for a long time.
Kylie Kelly [00:10:12]:
Or actually, if I’m being honest, in ways that I’m not sure I’ve ever connected with myself before. What this taught me is that sometimes personal growth is what we need to propel our business forward. And it might just happen in ways we haven’t tried yet. It’s so easy to get tunnel vision. Right? When we’re building a business, we can get tunnel vision. We can think about the next strategy, focus on that next goal. But when we allow ourselves to explore and be open to experiences that might push us out of our comfort zones, that might shift us, that might stretch us, we then get insights and inspiration that overflow into our business. We’ll get exactly what we need.
Kylie Kelly [00:10:52]:
That’s gone on since I’ve been back now in my normal regular mum life, work life, normal life. Right? I’ve seen that. I have felt the shifts. I have experienced some incredible wins since I’ve been back. But also things that you wouldn’t notice from the outside. Also things, even simple, simple things that I have witnessed and normally might upset me. Normally might challenge me and I’ve actually been able to handle them so much better. And they are these slight shifts, but I know that they are only going to continue to serve me.
Kylie Kelly [00:11:28]:
So the next time that you feel stuck, maybe take a break from the planning. Maybe take a break from the strategy And just give yourself the chance to reconnect with you. I think you’re going to be surprised at the clarity that just that can bring. Now this brings me to my 3rd takeaway. The importance of embracing the unexpected. We all go into situations with specific outcomes in mind, right? Especially in business where it’s all about goals, plans, and results. But sometimes, the best outcomes come from the moments that we don’t plan for. For me, this conference reminded me to stay open.
Kylie Kelly [00:12:04]:
Yes. I went in hoping for actionable takeaways and strategies and I got them. But it was the things that I hadn’t planned for that left the biggest fucking impact. I learned that it’s okay to let go of the expectations and just be open to whatever comes. In fact, some of the most profound shifts can happen when we’re not trying to control every outcome, which honestly is really, really hard for me to do. So if you’re someone who feels like you need to plan every detail like I am, I encourage you to try leaving a little room for spontaneity for the unexpected. Whether it’s a conference, a networking event, or even just a new project, sometimes letting go of expectations can make room for something even better. The universe seems to have a funny way of surprising us when we allow it and gives us exactly what we need, when we need it most.
Kylie Kelly [00:12:54]:
We just have to trust that it’s coming. Now to wrap up today’s episode, I want you to take away this. Sometimes the best moments in business, and actually in life, are the ones that we don’t see coming. We think we need strategies. We think we need frameworks. We think we need to do lists to move forward. And of course those things matter, but never underestimate the power of connection, of personal growth, and of a little bit of surprise. If you’ve been feeling isolated or like you’re in a bit of a rut, maybe it’s time to shake things up.
Kylie Kelly [00:13:25]:
Whether that means attending an event I know Ange has one planned for next year, ps, joining a new community or even just reaching out to fellow business owners, don’t be afraid to open yourself up to new experiences. Remember, you are not alone on this journey. And even though we might be a world away, my inbox, my DMs are always open. Alright, my loves. Thank you for tuning into the Email Growth Show. I know this week’s episode was a little different than the usual, but I hope these takeaways have sparked something in you, just as they did for me. I’ll be back soon with more actionable email growth strategies. But until then, take a moment to connect with yourself and with your community.
Kylie Kelly [00:14:04]:
And as always, keep moving forward with intention and I’ll talk to you soon. Bye for now. Thank you so much for tuning into this episode of The Email Growth Show. I hope you found valuable insights into the next steps you can take to grow your email list and boost your business without relying on social media or paid ads. If you enjoy this episode please take a moment to rate and review the show and share it with others. Your feedback helps me reach more female entrepreneurs just like you, who are ready to say goodbye to social media and leverage email marketing to grow their business and make a bigger impact. Thank you so much for listening and I’ll see you in the next episode.
