Last week I immersed myself in the community experience of the You Are The Media's Creator Day - that is so much more than a day. 

It's an experience over a conference. And the people who go there are part of my tribe. I feel at home there, so I make the effort and travel to attend.

It's a community of 'creative marketing misfits' who are forging their way on their terms. Keeping it real. experimenting and sharing.

It started for me on the Wednesday afternoon meeting up with business buddies from a previous mastermind we were in. - and the sun was shining bright!

Then we moved to the official night before event called Failed Nights - where 3 speakers stepped up and shared "failures" of their lives - Alix King, and Beth Carter shared the stage with Mark Franklin (shown in photo) who spoke about a big 'failure' in his life... or as he asked - was it? Get his book here to read the full story. 

Creator Day 2025

Creator Day itself highlights for me were from (links to their LinkedIn profiles if you wish to connect): 

• Matt King sharing a brilliant video on Relevance to kick off the day; heartfelt, vulnerable and poignant.
• Then we were nudged along to share our joy and pain from Phill Agnew (host of the UK’s no.1 marketing podcast NUDGE and it totally deserves that position - listen in!)
• Steve Folland from shared his marathon style journey with “Being Freelance” and how there is a simple rule to follow: 1) Start and 2) Don't Stop!
• Jess Bruno  encouraged us to move into action "just post it" and move beyond worrying about what others think, and 
• Mel Barfield reminded us “You don’t know what your content will inspire for others, but it will so keep creating.”
• Tamara Howard helped us get more strategic with the tech in our business... trying to avoid that magpie effect many of us suffer from. 
• Trevor Young introduced us to “Personal Brand Sovereignty” and reminded us that “Without strategy, mindset and attitude you will drift.”

There were two lovel "village vignettes" by Christophe Stourton and Rachel Extance  on the day as well., sharing what the community means to them. Both were thought provoking and showed their why well... and seemed to follow the same colour palette!

I spoke to many, many others, had some brand photos taken by Anja (the one below was one of the amazing shots she took in just a few minutes), a headshot too by Bournemouth College students (awaiting that one still as they have a lot of images to process as all attendees got that chance, as we all know we need to keep that LinkedIn Profile picture up to date). 

There is also a fun community photo booth set up where everyone basically just has fun together. New friends are made when you join in  and have a giggle together. The joy is seeing how many people can squeeze into the shot. As when you do things together you feel part of something bigger. 

As a sole business owner, you walk your own path, but it's nice at times to gather with others in the clearings to share stories, and broach new ideas. 

I ate a delicious falafel lunch, was also part of an afternoon mastermind group and encouraged a few camera shy attendees to step up and join in.

The evening was at a great Spanish restaurant - La Mia's - on the quayside with food laid on with a DJ pumping the volume a little too loud for me if I'm honest as for me this day was about talking not dancing! 

Others went to the beach the next day for a swim at 7:30am - but my battery was so low that I knew my energy instead had to be reserved for the 2.5 hour drive home.... and then slept quite a lot! The introvert hangover is very real for me.

Which meant I also missed out being part of the live recording of Ben and Mel's Indie Business Club Podcast - but I did listen back on Monday when they managed a super quick turnaround for that episode!

All of this is hosted by the amazing Mark Masters who really makes you feel welcome and part of the group. I am in his YATM club, as I believe with anything we get out what we are willing to put in. For me that is about being part of things as much as I can throughout the year. 

I’ll be back - if you're interested in joining us - Get your EarlyWirly Bird Ticket before end of May here. (no affiliate link - and if reading post May, I know the offer will still be amazing for what is actually a full week of get togethers.)

These events appeal to my natural hummingbird authority style as conversations explore new perspectives, thinking is challenged and our eyes are opened to new possibilities. Sparking new ideas and joining dots for others is a natural part of me.

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