If you get the chance to surround yourself with beautiful, intelligent, ambitious women who are willing to share their stories of success and failures... do it. Don't pass go, don't collect $200. RUN TO IT.

This past weekend I had that opportunity. I joined 21Ninety's (by Blavity) women's empowerment conference: #SUMMIT21. I almost didn't go, what the heck was I thinking? So a special shout to my girl Yasmine for being that plug and encouragement.

I almost missed this amazing opportunity and it wasn't because I was not interested. But you know, in this space of entering entrepreneurship, you have to be conscious of where you're spending your money. However, when you have the opportunity to invest in yourself you must do it - and this weekend was a reminder of that. It was so worth it.

I left Summit21 feeling so full. Thru the shared stories, I learned so much -- about the journeys of others and about my own. I would be greedy not to share, so of course I'm hooking you up with my top 10 takeaways.

1) Connect Across. While everyone is trying to BFF the Beyonces, Oprahs and moguls that have reached that ideal success you should be focusing on connecting across. Find your peers on their upward climb and climb with them. Grow and blow up together. Stop trying to friend Beyonce and Oprah, cause the next mogul is sitting right beside you. Develop those true relationships so that you're developing the power circle together. As you rise with your peers and build your own network of power, these will be those relationships that really last and nourish you. They will be the ones that motivate you, keep you in check, help you set boundaries and build with you. When you are ready to meet "Oprah", you will (So get ready).

2) Don't be uncomfortable in order to make others comfortable. Don't hide your blackness or your quirkiness, or what anything that makes you unique. "You don't have to do anything that is outside of alignment of how you want to show up in the world. You can be who you want to be IN who you are. So be authentic to yourself" Political advisor, professor and Dr. Wendy Osefo blessed us with those.

3) Act with Intention. From dating, to business, its all the same. Making moves based on the outcome you want is important.

4) Twinning is OK! Being in the same space doing something similar is ok. Because no one is bringing the exact same thing to the table. We are all made-up of our lived experiences, our heritage, personal style and values and more - so just because on the surface you're in the same space it doesn't mean there isn't room for both perspectives.

5) Find time for yourself. You cannot lead anyone until you can lead yourself. Think of how every flight attendant instructs you to put your mask on first and then help the person in need next to you. Self care is important. As you push yourself in your boss goals, make sure you take care of yourself as well. You can't save the world if you need saving too.

6) Give without expectation. The Budgetnista, Tiffany reminded us that giving activates abundance. When you help other people it comes back. "You reap what you sow, NOT when you sow". So don't act or help just to request a favor, because it may not come then but IT WILL show up later, often times when you're least expecting it or needing the help most.

7) Take every opportunity. Don't refuse an opportunity because you don't see immediate success. Similar to lesson #6, you never know when an old opportunity will connect you with old friend, old partner in a new place that may help you. So show up to each opportunity and do it right.

8) There is nothing wrong with BETA. Sometimes we find ourselves in paralysis by analysis. Overthinking to get everything right and just perfect from the start. But that's so unnecessary. Don't allow yourself to stall, be decisive. Not making a choice IS actually making a choice. Act/ fail/ evaluate/ iterate / act again. Like BETA, web 2.0, 3.0. It is OK to put it out there and see how people will respond in real time. The ones that will buy it, will still buy into you. Just look at how Apple/iPhones and other tech products have us all hooked.

9) Find your audience and be relevant to them. I connected with one of the event sponsorship teams, Willams Sonoma/West Elm Local and learned they are doing great things in this space. West Elm offers pop-up shops in their stores for local makers to sell their products in their own neighborhood West Elm's. Working to localize their offerings to be relevant in the communities they are in.

It was such a pleasure to see Williams Sonoma at this conference and showing up in OUR space. Being homemakers and taking care of families has been the centerpiece in black women's lives since the beginning of time. However, often times the world isn't shown this image of us, even though historically black women have been the caretaker, the maid, the wet nurse, the seamstress, the home chef forever - so thank you for the recognition and working towards hearing our voices again. I look forward to building with brands that align with my vision and are a reflection of women like me.

10) Dream BIGGER. Lastly, this conference brought to my attention, that as women, we can tend to be a more risk adverse. Scared to dream bigger and not think big enough. WHY? We can do anything. So the challenge...write down three audacious goals and use that mountain peak and work backwards to set your plan as to how to get there. You'd be surprised as to what you can make happen. You just have to dream it first. We can take wise risks, it doesn't mean betting it all, just step out of that comfort zone

That's my step this week. I'll follow-up with a post soon of my goals. I may need your help to keep my ass accountable. lol.

FIND YOUR TRIBE // BE AUTHENTICALLY YOU // ACT NOW & ITERATE LATER // DREAM BIG(GER)

Find your tribe and change the world. What I learned the weekend I decided to invest in myself!