How does Natasha Nicholes's approach at conferences like the #IrisAwards enhance professional growth?

Natasha Nicholes

At conferences like the #IrisAwards and Mom 2.0, I lean hard into relationship-building, reflection, and implementation—and that’s where the professional growth happens.

• I prioritize deep, honest conversations with peers and mentors, not just quick networking. That “girl talk” and validation refills my confidence and clarifies my direction.
• I treat conferences as masterminds: hallway chats, late-night strategy talks, and listening more than I speak.
• I’m intentional about sponsors and sessions, asking, “How does this help my work, my community, or my business right now?”
• Afterward, I act on it—long to-do lists, new collaborations, and mindset shifts about my own value and “real beauty.”

What part of conference-going do you most want to grow in—networking, visibility, or strategy?