Recently I had the chance to catch up with clarity therapist Steve Woodruff to find out why he keeps coming back to SOBCon. Steve offers some great insights into why you should come to SOBCon Chicago, now just a few short weeks away, and he reminded me I need to mix it up a little more at this SOBCon.
Phil Gerbyshak: Who are you – and what is your business focus?
Steve Woodruff: My mission is to help individuals and businesses discover their “fit” in the marketplace. I do this through a process I call Clarity Therapy, whereby we dig deep to uncover the client’s professional DNA and purpose, and then craft a go-to-market strategy and message around that. I also seek to make beneficial connections to help clients find optimal customers and resources. I believe in the Collaborative far more than the Corporation.
PG: When did you attend your first SOBCon – why did you sign up – and what did you expect to get out of it?
SW: I attended my first SOBCon in 2010, after Liz Strauss and Terry Starbucker double-teamed me and insisted that I come. They must have sensed that there would be a lot of common ground, and they were right. While I expected to make new friends, I was pleasantly surprised at the deep network relationships that arose out of SOBCon, which continue to this day.
PG: Did you get what you expected (or more or less or just different) from your first SOBCon?
SW: I’ve been to many conferences over the years, and what I appreciated immediately about my first hours at SOBCon was the obvious sense of trust and friendliness in the room. The in-depth conversations with people in small groups, and one-on-one, were unmatched by any prior conference experience. The small size of the group helped facilitate richer interactions.
PG: How many additional SOBCon events have you been to?
SW: I’ve been to every Chicago event since, so 2013 will be my fourth. It’s like a homecoming in some ways, but always with some great new people to meet.
PG: What keeps you coming back for more SOBCon?
SW: I love the people that come to SOBCon. As a solopreneur, the people I meet through SOBCon have become some of the most valuable people in my network. Many are now great friends. SOBCon is an annual energy boost and idea-generator.
PG: What has been the biggest impact on your business because of SOBCon?
SW: As I began to launch my Clarity Therapy business, a core of people I met through SOBCon have been a huge encouragement and a great sounding board. They’re a great source of perspective, creative energy, and referrals. My SOBCon colleagues are my built-in QA department for new ideas!
PG: What advice would you give someone thinking of attending SOBCon for the first time?
SW: Open your heart as well as your mind. Egos are checked the door, and you never know what new directions you may take after interacting with a smart bunch of pay-it-forward peers.
PG: What advice would you give someone thinking of attending SOBCon for a second (or more) time?
SW: Move to a different table each day. Be sure you “mastermind” with a variety of folks, especially new attendees who are there for the first time.
PG: Anything else you’d like to share about the event or anything else to share?
SW: SOBCon is a great mix of introverts and extroverts. Some conferences can feel very intimidating for those of a “quieter” nature. SOBCon is a wonderful environment for those who value substance over noise.
To learn more about Steve, visit his website at http://stevewoodruff.com or to learn more about his clarity therapy, he came up with this awesome 60 second Clarity Therapy piece that will clear it all up for you.
And what are you waiting for? Sign up for the 10th SOBCon today!
