If you created a word cloud based on day two of the Identity Passion Purpose Conference (IPP Greenville) you’d find “Hard Work,” “Focus,” “Resilience” and “Purpose” written in big, bold letters while these words made up the foundation of each keynote talk and panel discussion they were supported by motivating and empowering stories that inspired conference goer’s to do more and dream bigger when it came to their ideas and goals.
All I could think as I sat there and furiously took notes was how great the information was, and there were so many tidbits that I could apply to the current state of my life and my business.
IPP Greenville founder Erica Johnson assured us that this would not be the last we’ve seen of this particular conference and even shared with us two more conferences that will be heading our way soon. If you were unable to attend the meeting this year, don’t worry as I have cliff notes of each of the talks below. If you missed the recap of Day One, you could check it out here.
Speakers and Key Takeaways
Speaker: Justin Brown
Questions to consider:
What is it that I need to take myself or my business to the next level?
What is the one thing I would like to take away from this conference today?
Things you need to live by every single day
- Focus – Seeing the end and being able to work through the middle to get there. Flip your mindset and say, “I’ll see it when I believe it.”
- Commit- Commit to the process and everything that it takes to achieve what you want to achieve. Think about what it’s going to take to get you to the next level.
- Put in the work. Elevate the amount and quality work you put into something. 90% will get you to good, but if you want to be great, you need to put in over 100%.
- Have a “go one more mentality” – Give everything you have until you have no regrets.
Speaker: Rodney Johnson Owner of Chick-fil-A in Decatur Georgia
How can you successfully maintain your progress?
A. Work-Life Counter Balance – to achieve an extraordinary result you must choose what matters most and give it all the time it demands You must get out of balance concerning all other issues.
B. Life Counterbalance Awareness – Awareness of your spirit and body, awareness of your family and friends, awareness of your personal needs. None of these can be sacrificed if you intend to “have a life.” You can never forsake them for work or one another.
Speaker: Jackie Brewton– Founder and CEO of MotivationN3D, Inc.,
Jackie Brewton shared with us her story of leaving her successful career in Corporate America to follow her path of significance and left us with these reminders
1. Stay True to yourself
2. Write a Vision. Think of it as you’re putting the pieces of the puzzle together; you need to continually refer to written vision to see how all the puzzle pieces are fitting together in your life.
3. Do you want to pay now and play later or play now and pay later?
4. You have to be flexible. Achieving your goals won’t happen by following a straight line; you have to be willing to ebb and flow as you make your way through.
Speaker: Gwen Hall Director, Talent and Organizational Development for Prisma Health
Gwen Halls talk centered around StrengthFinders and how strengths give us the identity that is all our own.
Identity Passion Purpose aligns with life’s four questions.
- Who am I?
- Do I matter?
- Why am I here
- How do I make a difference- Impact (when you’re really into your passion)
We’ve been conditioned to focus on the things at which we aren’t good. We should instead focus on the things we do well.
– You have and identity and craft that no one else can take away from you.
– Be transformed by the renewing of your mind because it starts there.
Speaker Kinnik Sky– Dazzle Me Entertainment
Kinnik Sky is a true testimony to hard work and resilience. She challenged conference goer’s to be determined and fail their way to success. She also challenged them to find unconventional ways to achieve their goals. She shared with us a story about how she would seek out people who worked with Tyler Perry and even sent them flowers so that they wouldn’t forget her. While this may sound over the top, it did just wanted she wanted it to do by creating a buzz around her name so much that Tyler Perry personally called her. The result, the opportunity to tour with Tyler Perry with one of his plays for two years.
Take action, find a mentor, and don’t be afraid to invest in yourself.
Panel Discussions Key Takeaways
Career Driven Panel
Nalisha Henry – Partner Relations Manager at United Way.
Lauren Greene– First Citizen Bank (Relationship Banker)
Manie Robinson– Sports Columnist and Reporter – Greenville News
What lessons have you learned throughout your career that have helped you along the way?
Mani– take advantage of opportunities and be open to bloom where you’re planted.
What has been your Career-Defining Epiphany?
Lauren– Believing in myself and accepting who I was. Accepting that I didn’t do things the same way that everyone else did yet, I was still able to achieve goals and make an impact.
How were you able to create a niche in your industry based on your passions?
Nalisha– by being unapologetic about my experiences and having no problems bring them to the workplace. How to bring up poverty and how do we remove systemic barriers bring experiences to work.
Media Panel
Chris Kelly– KB Media and Photography
Charlene Evans– Chiccy Baritone Unlimted LLC
Chontell Lucas– Sparkle Nation LLC
What does it mean to be an influencer in your particular sphere?
Chris– It’s all about the image. An influencer is someone who has a vast audience and is someone who people can look up to, a leader in the community, someone you can learn and grow from
Charlene– You have to know who you are. This changes over time and maturity You become intentional and realize you can’t be a part of everything. God Factor. Obedience.
What steps were taken to build a platform, and what is your spirit of influence?
Chontell- Just start. People are often afraid to step out, so I made it up in my mind to do this for the will of God. All of this was fueled to have something to remember my Mother. I built my platform on the disease fro which my Mom passed. Don’t be afraid to share your story and your passion out there.
Self-Made Panel
Essence Pugh- Owner of A Touch of Essence
Javela Singleton- Gifted Hands Soaps
Jamarcus Gaston – TV Host/Producer- WSPA
When running your business, how do you keep up with mentorship and impacting others?
Essence– it has to be in you to sow seeds into others and help people reach their dreams. You have to ask yourself how you can help bring people forward?
How do you keep yourself motivated and persistent?
Jamarcus– It’s easy to become complacent about what other people want from you. There is nothing selfish about wondering what your next step is or taking that next step. What’s the legacy you’re going to leave behind, and who are you leaving behind that you have helped? There’s no replacement for hard work.
How has hard work helped you bring your business forward?
Javela– I am the first local soap maker to get into Garners Natural Life in Greenville, South Carolina. I was able to do this because I came in prepared with everything to show them. The Holy Spirit and hard work helped me do this.
For more information on IPP Greenville and upcoming conferences, be sure to add your name to their email list.
