Kate Toon’s Six Figure Sleepover – August 2024

Kate Toon is not your average business owner. So it’s probably no surprise that she doesn’t run average business events. If the thought of business networking makes you cringe, read on and find out why the Six Figure Sleepover was so different.

Sure, Kate’s run large-scale copywriting and digital marketing conferences in the past. I loved the 3 conferences I attended, including my first as a newbie copywriter in 2019). The conferences helped me gain skills to improve my business and connect with other business owners.

So when Kate announced she was doing things differently this year, I didn’t hesitate to jump in. I mean, who wouldn’t? A weekend at the swanky QT Hotel on the Gold Coast (amazing staff, beautiful facilities and delicious food), brilliant speakers, socialising and a pyjama party. But to be honest, Kate is a good friend and business mentor, so I’d probably sign up for her business networking event even if she held it at the local tip.

Recapping the entire weekend in a single blog might be a challenge. But I wanted to share some of my biggest takeaways, introduce you to the speakers, and encourage you to take time out for your business. I also want you to think differently about business networking.

Business networking can be fun

I loved that Kate called it a sleepover. Not only does it fit with her latest book (Six Figures While You Sleep), but it had the fun vibes of a childhood sleepover.

Many of us arrived on Thursday, making the most of the time to catch up, enjoy a walk on the beach and some shopping. The event itself kicked off Friday afternoon with drinks in the hotel lobby, followed by a delicious (and fun) dinner at a Mexican restaurant. With only 25 people, it was super relaxed – no banners, lanyards or awkward intros. There was, however, an amazing goodie bag, which included gifts from DMC members Be.Bangles, Janelle’s Soaps and Succulents, True Green and French Affair. On Saturday, we started at 9.30am, with five 30 minute presentations before lunch. After lunch, there were 4 sessions where we could sit with the speakers to discuss their presentations further.

We wrapped up around 4pm, giving people time to chill before heading to a corner of the lobby, in our PJs (and matching slippers) for our PJ party.

On Sunday, we all met for breakfast and last goodbyes. Knowing I was heading back into winter, I made sure I had a quick swim in the pool before heading to the airport.

Engaging speakers

The speakers were all fantastic, and as usual, Kate organised the presentations to they fitted together perfectly. While they might have been only 30 minute presentations, each speaker delivered so much practical information.

Louise Williams

Louise is a Leadership Coach and Photographic Storyteller, who uses her psychology and photographic skills to creatively communicate a leader’s brand and create marketing strategies to stand out.

Her presentation was all about standing out online without the ick, and it was fantastic. Louise got us to focus on our ‘Weird Brilliance”. In her presentation, and in the small group session, we talked about using the things we’re obsessed with in our business marketing to show who we really are and stand out. By being ourselves online and showing our true personality (not just being authentic), we can connect with the right clients.

What does this look like for me? Well, I’ll be sharing more about my romance writing, and love of books and the links with sales page copywriting (as I did in this blog earlier in the year).

Cat Matson

Cat is the CEO and Lead Facilitator of Impactful Presenters, empowering business owners and community leaders to speak with confidence, authority, authenticity and impact. She describes herself as a ‘Mistress-of-all-Trades’ having worked in both the private and public sectors, in small and large business and in virtually every industry.

I’d heard Cat speak earlier this year, so I was excited about the session. I’m a confident speaker, but not always confident about how I deliver my message. If you’re keen to become a better speaker, Cat is definitely someone to follow.

Cat outlined common mistakes people make when presenting.

Mistake 1 is focusing on content over audience and connection. You to provide information, piece-by-piece, to take the audience from where they are to where they are going.

Mistake 2 is misinterpreting your nerves as fear and fear as you not being good/ smart/ qualified/ experienced enough.

Cat also shared her earn the right framework, which is a great tip for in initial introductions, even when you are nervous:

Your name (know this even if scared) +

What you do (how you ended up here and why you care) +

Brag bag story (build rapport and credibility) – proof or personal history or wins, education

Cat Matson – Earn the Right Framework

Key takeaway: Cat shared this storytelling canvas. It’s a way to set the scene, outline your key point and make a conclusion. I’ll definitely be using it in my speaking (and other pitches) from now on.

Justine McLean

Justine is Business Money Mentor, financial educator and author helping women in business increase their financial literacy, build financial foundations and create profitable and sustainable businesses. She’s got over 30 years’ experience in a range of businesses and has just published her book Become a Business Money Magnet.

Justine’s comprehensive presentation covered a range of topics, with a focus on knowing your worth (and charging it), setting financial goals and understanding how your business finances work. She also spoke about the importance of mindset and understanding what financial success looks like at the point you’re at in your business.

Key takeaway: Justine’s presentation was a good reminder of the importance of mindset. I can have all the financial knowledge, goals, systems and accounts, but if my money mindset isn’t right (and let’s face it, it’s taken a beaten in the current economic climate), all those things are for nothing.

Kate Toon

Kate is not only my mentor and friend but the owner of several successful businesses, author, podcaster, community builder and all round amazing human. And if you’re not following her now, GO DO IT.

Her presentation was all about taking a small idea and turning it into a big business. Kate encouraged us to start where we are, focus on our 3 firm skills (the sort of things you’d list on a CV) and then look at 3 soft skills. Kate also shared some clever Venn diagrams to help us sense check our ideas.

The first was from our perspective: customer demand, ability, speed and enjoyment.

And then from the customer perspective: budget, time, connection and level (focus on meeting customers where they are).

Kate also shared the steps to take your thing from small idea to reality. I won’t go into these here because Kate’s written a book (which I was lucky to read an early draft of). So if you have a small idea you’d like to work on, you grab your copy of Six Figures While You Sleep.

After all the years of working with and learning from Kate, she still drops news words of wisdom at just the right time.

And at the sleepover, this was the big one:

Develop your idea in silence (at least until you’re about 70% done). Not just to stop people from pooing on your bonfire (such a Toonism).

But because the minute you tell people your idea, you’ll get a dopamine hit and you won’t want to do the work.

Kate Toon

Melinda Hird

Melinda is a brand photographer and videographer and the producer of Elite Speaker Showreel Days. She works with speakers, coaches and entrepreneurs, helping them connect with their audiences through strong personal branding and assets.

Melinda’s presentation focused on the power of video to tell your story and inspire people to take action. She showed a couple of examples of videos using interviews, speaking and testimonial images. They were super powerful, and if you’ve ever thought about using video in your business, I’d encourage you to check them out.

The first was from Jacinta McDonnell, founder of The Hunger Project. And the second was from Clint Pulver, a keynote speaker and drummer who works with organisations to help them keep, engage and inspire their employees.

In the afternoon, Melinda and I spoke about creating a timeline and identifying the a-ha moments I could share in a video for my business.

Small group sessions

If you’ve ever been to a conference where you sit and listen to presentations for a day (or days), you’ll know one of the biggest challenges is implementation. You come back to your desk and start reading through the pages and pages of notes or speaker slides. And then you realise you have no idea how to use any of it to improve your business.

With only 25 people, and 5 speakers, there were loads of opportunities to ask specific questions and get tailored advice. It was also a great way to learn about what everyone does, or is planning to do. And being such a supportive bunch, anytime someone shared a challenge or talked about a new idea, it wasn’t just the speaker providing insights, encouragement, and support. I know we’ll all continue to show up as cheerleaders for each other.

Every interaction filled me with joy and inspiration. This is what business networking should be about. It’s not shoving your business card in a random person’s face or making small talk with someone you just know is itching to sell you something.

Genuine connection and conversation

As brilliant as the presentations were, for me, the absolute highlight, and the most value, came from the conversations I had with attendees and speakers over the weekend. From conversations with old friends who have been there as I’ve grown my business, to people I was meeting for the first time, every interaction filled me with joy and inspiration.

This is what business networking should be about. It’s not shoving your business card in a random person’s face or making small talk with someone you just know is itching to sell you something.

Not once over the weekend did I feel sold to. And yet, I know that in the room were people I will buy from, and who may be my customers in the future.

But for most of us, it wasn’t about new leads or sales. It was about spending time with other people who get it.

People who understand what it is to run a business, especially in the current climate.

People who know how lonely it can be, and how frustrating it is to always feel you’re juggling all the things.

People who are done with the old way of working and tired models of business networking.

Which leads me to my last point.

Laugh a little, live a little, and have some fun

It’s hard not to chill out and relax after a big day of learning and thinking when you’re in your PJs and all wearing matching slippers. There are drinks and food, and did I mention we were in our own private alcove in the swanky hotel foyer?

Our Saturday night party was one of the funniest, most joyous nights I’ve experienced in my business life. Sure, there were loads of conversations that continued on from the presentations and discussions during the day. As with many business owners, thinking about our business and how we can make it better never stops.

But it wasn’t just business. We talked about the things we’d done before we were business owners and the things we enjoyed when we weren’t thinking about work. We talked about our families. We asked deep and meaningful questions (and yes, there might have been some tears), and equally silly ones, and laughed so loud the hotel staff must have wondered what was going on. I cannot tell you just how good it felt to laugh, cry and get to know everyone better.

Through this all, we built genuine connections and friendships. Sure, we may only see each other on a Zoom screen or via a Facebook post most of a time, but just knowing I have these people in my corner provides a huge amount of comfort.

Even before the party on Saturday night, I’d signed up for next year’s sleepover. And even though it’s over 12 months away, just knowing I have it to look forward to makes me smile.

Make the time to take time out

As business owners, it’s so easy to get caught up in our businesses. To tell ourselves we’re too busy or we can’t afford to take time out.

But hopefully reading my post, you’ve realised that going to a conference or retreat or just taking yourself away for a night is not only a good thing to do for you, but for your business.

And that’s my challenge for you.

Grab your calendar, have a look at events coming up near you (or check out Kate’s 2025 retreat) and plan a business getaway. And even if you can’t get away, look at opportunities for business networking with people you can trust for advice, support and a good laugh.

Know someone who might be interested in this post? Send them the link and encourage them to sign up.