02/02/2026
Let's Grow! felt like more than just a conference this year... It felt like a fresh start.
This was my first conference of 2026, and the perfect place to kick off what feels like a new chapter. Starting it surrounded by clients, collaborators, and friends, in an environment built around growth, momentum, and community, was exactly the morale boost I didn’t know how badly I needed. Sometimes getting back into your groove doesn’t happen quietly. Sometimes it happens in rooms like this, with familiar faces and a reminder of WHY you love what you do.
Huge shoutout to Dawn, my go-to franchise photographer and apparently the sole reason I have photos of myself from this week 😂. The irony of doing photo and video for clients while forgetting to document myself is very real. Dawn is the queen of “wait, we need a picture,” and I’m endlessly grateful.
I also had the honor of working with the FranchiseNow team as they officially launched (👏) at the conference, along with filming marketing content for Art Coley while we were all in Texas together. Conferences like this are a reminder of how powerful it is when everyone is in one place at one time. From private session coverage to sit-down interviews for long-term video marketing assets, we made the most of every minute!
None of this happens without incredible leadership. Liane somehow pulled off another amazing Let’s Grow! despite winter storms, travel chaos, and last-minute curveballs no one on the outside would have ever known about. She’s also a dear friend who checks in daily, even while running a conference, and yes… I will continue to claim my title as her favorite (the t-shirt doesn’t lie). Huge shoutout to Emily for the brilliant shirt idea, and to the universe for the perfectly timed extra shirt 👏😂
One of my favorite moments from the week is captured in the collage photo. After being lovingly roasted all week for how short I am, my new client Rob stepped in to help make me a little closer to “normal height” for the photo. Equal parts hilarious and a perfect example of the fun, human moments that make conferences like this so special.
And finally, Karen. My conference buddy, my constant, and my rock. She makes sure I’m fed, sleeping, and as anxiety-free as humanly possible while I’m juggling work and life behind the scenes. I don’t know how I’d do these weeks without her, and I’m so lucky to have her by my side.
This is my first post back in a while, and it feels really good to say that I’m excited to be here again. Let’s Grow! reminded me that growth isn’t always loud or linear, but it’s powerful when it happens in the right environment.
Here’s to fresh starts, familiar faces, fully restocked Buc-ee's snacks, and getting back into the groove. 💚✨
