There’s a conference I want to attend. It’s called Powertable Live, put on by Taylor Smith — who also runs the mastermind I joined in January. It has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my business this year. The networking, the conversations, the energy in that room — I can feel it even from the outside.
I haven’t been able to get into that room yet.
In 2026, the timing conflicted with my mom’s birthday weekend and Josh’s concert. You know what I chose.
When Taylor announced the 2027 dates, I felt that little flutter of hope. Maybe this is the year. And then I looked at the calendar.
April 2027. Josh’s senior band trip. Disney World. And I’m co-president of the band patrons. I held out hope until we got board approval. Nope the dates make it nearly impossible.
So once again, I will not be at Powertable Live.
I want to be honest with you — I’m heartbroken about it. I understand the value of being in the room. I understand what happens when you’re in person with people who are building things, thinking boldly, and willing to tell you the truth. Missing it is a real business cost, and I’m not going to pretend it isn’t.
But here’s the other truth.
I have watched some of these kids since the first time they picked up an instrument. Awkward, small, figuring out where their fingers go. And now I’m going to watch them march down the streets of Walt Disney World. I will be right there alongside them, and I will absolutely have tears running down my face.
Josh is a senior. This is the last year of all the lasts — last band camp, last homecoming parade, last everything. I have exactly one more year where my full focus can be on watching him move through all of it. And I refuse to blink.
I’ll also say this: my “little one” is almost six foot seven. My big one — Ashley — is also taller than me. Mom is officially the shortest person in this family, which is not where I saw myself ending up. But I have had a front row seat to every inch of that growth. And that? I would not trade.
I will be at as many conferences and events as I possibly can this year. Visibility matters. Being in the room matters. I am building something real and I know what it takes.
But when the conflicts come — and they will — Ashley and Josh come first. Every time. Without question.
That has always been true. It will always be true.
The business gets built around the life, not the other way around. That’s not a consolation. That’s the whole point.
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