Country Clubs to County Fairs

This week I attended two very different events - one at Cherry Hills Country Club and the other at the Arapahoe County Fair for the annual "Boots Not Suits" gathering. Let’s just say the dress code (and flooring) varied a bit. Truthfully, with my rural Colorado roots, I’m probably more comfortable in boots than heels, but I walked away from both experiences feeling enriched and encouraged.

At the country club, the setting was stunning: a beautiful patio with sweeping views, perfect weather, and a crowd of mostly unfamiliar faces. This used to intimidate me as I’m naturally more introvert than extrovert, and as a process-minded person, I can definitely overthink the moment. However, over time I have learned to go in with a simple goal: talk to 2-3 people I don’t know and truly listen. This simple intention turned an overwhelming room into an enjoyable evening full of new connections and a couple surprising facts from people I already knew.

Then there was Boots Not Suits—where I traded the patio for the fairgrounds. I networked with civic and business leaders, dusted off my boots, gave line dancing a whirl (I have at least three left feet), and yes, even took a tumble in the funhouse at the carnival in front of a crowd. Graceful? Not even close. Memorable? Absolutely. The best part? I laughed, got up, and kept going.

Here is what I was reminded of this week: life and business is full of moments that stretch us and that growth often happens outside our comfort zones. Whether you are walking into a room full of strangers or through a spinning carnival tunnel, don’t be afraid to look a little silly. Be yourself. Challenge yourself. Start a conversation. Learn something new. And when you fall (figuratively or literally), just smile, dust off your boots (or heels), and keep moving forward.

As always, thank you for your support! Have a wonderful weekend!

Best,
Paula