I Have Two Sites: One on Orchids and One on Wine

by Melissa
(Napa, California)

I have attended two SBI conferences in this last year (2009) in San Diego and in Cincinnati. And I plan on attending another soon, the conference coming up in April in Dallas. In a few words, I think they are Fantastic.. But I guess that is obvious or I would not keep going to them. The information that was presented at both conferences was great even if you have some experience. And the networking is even better. Invaluable really.

I have made some great "online SBI friends". It is great support in addition to all that Sitesell has to formally offer. These are the folks that are really doing it, that have enough BAM to come to a conference and have lots to share about what works for them and what does not. These are real people, walking the SBI path and some are succeeding very well. That excitement of doing something that you love, and doing it well and seeing positive results is palpable at these conferences. Marvelous to be a part of that, to immersed in that atmosphere of success and possibilities.

My SBI story is different than many folks. I found SBI in 2005. But a slow computer and not much support other than the forums (which are great, but still can be hard for a newbie) caused me to give up after completing only up to day 5. I never registered a domain.

In 2008 someone GAVE me a somewhat functioning site on Orchids, one of my niches. I knew I had a tiger by the tail at the time. And what a long strange trip it has been! Two years later and my orchid site is finally getting into "SBI" shape. In the beginning I was helped by a lovely woman in the forums (who turns out later became a coach). To say that my learning curve has been huge is an understatement! I refer to my orchid site as one that I have been reverse engineering. I was blessed to have the same lovely woman who originally found my site and offered her advice become my coach. I don't use coaching alot but also have found it invaluable to help me over some steep humps.

Then I went to the conference in San Diego. What a great venue and great people. And the presentations were excellent. I am still implementing ideas that I got from the presenters and the attendees at that conference.

I am a winemaker and so since October can be the wine grape harvest in California I was not sure I could make it to Cincinnati in October. But the fates were kind and I did. I can not say that Cincinnati was "better" than San Diego but it equally as good. Excellent presenters, GREAT GREAT networking and people.

I continue to work hard on my orchid site, have registered a new domain and am building a wine site (another niche I know really well.) All of it is really exciting. I get to work in areas that I am passionate about and really an expert in (orchids and wine.) I get to share my knowledge and enthusiasm with others in these areas and they benefit from my experience. I get to play on the internet, learn how to do new things and meet new people. And continue to figure out how to make these passions parlay into financial security and sustainability.

SBI just keeps moving. I have the contrast of SBI in 2005 to SBI 2010. We now have 1) coaching of all kinds 2) e learning of various kinds 3) conferences 4) a new Brainstorm It, 5) C2 and lots more.

And these conferences. Wow! There is such support now for us to succeed. Someone ask me if I was SBI conference groupie? I have never been a groupie for anything really.
But I am really practical and I know a good thing when I see one. So groupie or no I am going again!

During my first conference in San Diego, my husband ask me (by phone) How is the conference? (He does not quite "get" SBI). I had to honestly answer "Honey, it is a 12 on a scale of 1 to 10". I think that sums it up.

If you are interested in expanding your horizons with your SBI business and can attend a conference I really encourage you to do so.

Many blessings!

Melissa