I just arrived home from the Disney Social Media Moms Conference co-hosted by Walt Disney World, Resourceful Mommy Media, Mom Bloggers Club, 5 Minutes for Mom and Mom Select. It was (stealing a word from Disney) MAGICAL.

As I flew home Saturday night, I quickly jotted down a few things that made the weekend so magical…

I’m sure you’re expecting me to say it was being at Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Or maybe hearing that the food we were eating one night was all made for a Mission Impossible episode by Robert Irvine. That we were given Media Fast Passes (a.k.a NO LINES). Or that we were truly given the 5-star treatment. In usual Disney style, they did not disappoint – everything was perfection and then some. Honestly… all that made it magical. It did… it really, really did.

But what was the most magical to me was hearing a few people speak. You know, I’ve always been one of those people who is inspired by motivating people. I’m “that” girl who posts really great quotations in my office (and kitchen). It’s something about hearing smart advice, wisdom and life experiences from people who-have-been-there, who really spark that fire for me. I will never forget my freshman year at Brown, showing up at my dorm room and meeting my roommate – I totally freaked her out with poster-boards filled with quotes. But I didn’t care… it’s what got me through all-nighters, hard assignments and kept me focused on the light at the end of the tunnel.

I felt like I was in college again this past weekend, listening to amazing speakers and quite literally soaking in everything they said. SOAKING. IN. The 3 magical speakers for me?

Maxine Clark.
Chris Brogan.
Kathy Ireland.

I walked away from each of their speeches filled with possibility.

Maxine Clark, founder of Build-A-Bear, is a woman after my own heart.

Not only is she my height… but she spoke about having a passion for what you do – and I loved that. She said these words that really hit home for me: “Build an empire on character, value and people. Build a legacy like that.” Sometimes it’s important to realize the bigger dream… that’s what Disney is all about, dreams coming true. So hearing Maxine’s words about building on character, values and people… it really resignated with me. That’s how dreams are truly built. (Maxine was kind enough to forgo eating at lunch to talk/listen/inspire us moms throughout our lunchbreak. Thank you, Maxine!)

Chris Brogan is someone I had never seen speak before… sure I’ve known of Chris and all his amazingness, but I had never actually heard him.

I think seeing and hearing a person turns that individual into a completely different character – and it was awe-inspiring to hear him. Chris said these words: “We buy from people we like.” We. Buy. From. People. We. Like. Simple advice, but when I kept saying it over and over and over again.. it really hit home. I’m not selling anything… but I’m a part of this greater mom blogging community… and we gravitate toward the blogs and bloggers we like – the ones we have connections with, the ones we engage with… they are the ones we listen to. I loved hearing those words because it reiterated the importance of community. The necessity for it to grow. And again, that’s how dreams are built. (Not to mention, he’s just an all-around-nice guy. He loves his family. Love his work. It’s just great to see.)

Kathy Ireland is someone I have “seen” my whole life. Ironically enough – on the walls of my brothers’ rooms growing up (and then found out on my husband’s childhood walls, too!).

I have to be honest, I didn’t know much about Kathy Ireland’s empire before… I knew she had a company, but I didn’t know what it entailed. I was very intrigued to hear her speak… after all, Kathy’s line is all about finding solutions for families. What I loved hearing about Kathy was that she has based her business model on something her father said to her a long time ago when she was doing a paper route: “If someone expects the paper in the driveway, put it on their porch.” Under promise. Over deliver. It’s not always easy to do, but it’s a way to build your brand… build your business – and make your dreams come true. (Kathy also was gracious enough to stick around and chat and take photos with anyone whom asked. She was beyond nice to do so.)

Disney for me was an experience I will never forget… it was even better because I was just coming off the amazing Blissdom Conference in Nashville, and I was already pumped – already excited – and already amped up!

Disney did an amazing, amazing job making us all feel like VIPs… I can’t thank you enough! And meeting new bloggers and seeing old friends, it was so much fun!!

Plus…. I got to meet MICKEY MOUSE!