Thanks for coming by!
I had not planned on starting another blog. If you’re familiar with “There a Hole in the Bucket” where every act leads to another, then you’ll begin to understand this blog’s story.
In September of 2008, I went to the Speaking of Women’s Health conference in Raleigh, NC. A wonderful event with health education, 20 break-out sessions and 3 keynote speakers. While each keynote speaker was quite amazing, the last keynote speaker of the day moved me in a way that I did not fully understand at the time. That keynote speaker was Rhonda Britten.
Rhonda commanded the stage and drew us all into her story. She shared from her heart and inspired everyone to take action in their lives through the telling of her story and her path to success. Only 10 minutes into her speech, I knew what I was supposed to do. It wasn’t a thought or a consideration. I was overwhelmed with knowledge of what I was supposed to do. But in that moment that I knew, I was also immediately paralyzed with fear. I placed what I knew into a bucket, put a lid on it, turned it upside down and sat on it.
Well, something funny happened along the way of not acting on what I knew…
I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
You see, what I knew is that I was supposed to do what Rhonda was doing. I knew that I had a story that could inspire, motivate and move women to achieve their dreams. I had a story that could help others to not live through as much pain. I knew I could help women to not feel alone and grasp for hope.
[In the meantime, I started my company, The BUZZ Builder - a resource for speakers and authors to learn the ins and outs of social media. But time marched on and I began to be bothered by knowing what I knew...]
Then a friend, a very good friend, asked if she could help. She wanted to help by interviewing me. Ah! Talk about fear…but I was not about to look a gift horse in the mouth.
In December of 2008, I told my story to Marilyn Shannon and in January of 2009, for the first time, my story was publicized on the website Reenchant Plant Earth. I was inspired to begin to write a book that included my story and the lessons that I learned along the way. But evidently, that wasn’t all. I was then overwhelmed with the knowledge that the book would be so much more powerful if it included more women’s stories.
I sent a request out on HARO:
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My book is about women overcoming and succeeding. I’m looking for women who experienced personal trauma growing up (abuse, neglect, rape, etc.) but are now living their dream or beyond what they ever imagined! If this is you, and you’re open to sharing what you have learned along the way, please send me your contact information and I will send you a questionnaire. PLEASE put “Book for Women” in the subject line of your email to deidrehughey@thebuzzbuilder.com
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Within 12 hours, I had heard from 50 women who wanted to receive the questionnaire. By the deadline date (February 28, 2009), I had received 26 completed questionnaires. Amazing, gut-wrenching, inspiring, stunning stories from beautiful, giving women. I now am driven by an overwhelming sense of responsibility to get their stories on paper, get this book published and honor these women and those whose lives their stories will touch.
This is why this blog has been born.
I hope that you will travel this journey with me, comment on the blog posts, send your suggestions and carry the messages back to those that need them the most.
Smash the glass ceilings in your life!!
Warm regards,
Deidre Hughey
