My Thoughts: The Role of a Big Sister

UPDATE SEPT 2014: Unfortunately Big Sister Summit has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. I hope to catch you at a different conference one day soon.

When I was a child - the eldest of three children and the only girl - I wanted a sister. Because that's what little girls want.

No, not a sister. Little girls want  what they don't have...

And this is a powerful thing; some women want this for the rest of their lives, which is both wonderful and perilous.

It's what drives me to get up everyday and create work towards something bigger. But it's also something that should be handled with care and nurtured through learning and letting go of the things that don't work out. A holiday every now and again doesn't hurt either!

As for the sister thing, well, I got over it pretty quickly - because my younger brothers aren't so bad - and I realised some time later that I actually did have many Big Sisters. Because the best thing a Big Sister can be is a strong female role model. And someone you can talk to. Thanks to my Mum, my sister-in-law, many of my friends and a handful of blogging buddies I've picked up along the way, I have many Big Sisters. Furthermore, and more dauntingly, I am a Big Sister. Yes, literally, but now also figuratively as I will be speaking at the very first Big Sister Summit a "Weekend Blast for Female Entrepreneurs". It's taking place in Munich from 17th - 19th October 2014 and the line-up features an impressive list of inspiring women who pursue business with passion and purpose. I'm humbled - and a little shocked - that the organisers thought I would fit in among them. I'm going to be speaking about life as an "Author-Entrepreneur" because I have learned in the last two years of my publishing journey that these days writing a book is not just a creative endeavour, it is one that has great potential for progressing your career, your business or your professional goals. I can't wait to share what the last 24 months of writing, publishing and marketing See the Amalfi Coast ,  Shy Feet , Night Bus and my soon-to-be-released new book A to Z have taught me.

If you'd like to come along for what looks likely to be a weekend packed full of energy and ideas, be sure to sign up so you can take advantage of  early bird registration before 30th June.

Let me know if you're going to be there. I'm really looking forward to meeting you!

P.S. I really wanted to find a serious looking photo of me to open this post with, but I couldn't find one. I suppose I'm just not that kind of big sister...