Authority 2015 Conference – Denver

July 8, 2015 by Raul Colon

One of many lessons I’ve learned attending conferences is that each attendee has their unique reason for going to the event.

I personally have two objectives when I decide to attend.

The first one is being able to reconnect with people I love and admire.
The second one is to meet new people that have common interests with me.

I Won’t miss This Awesome Conference Either

There are two conferences I don’t miss every year, one being SXSW and the other one being Misfit Inc.

Copyblogger Rainmaker Authority conference will definitely be added to the list of annual pilgrimages.

My First Visit to Denver

This was my first visit to Denver and it started off a bit rocky. Thankfully, after emails and exchanges with AirBNB, and a rock star attendee, I was able to quickly make it an awesome experience.

In 2010 my good friend and business partner Chris Brogan recommended that I try Genesis Framework for my blogs. I bought the full package and since then I have preferred building websites in WordPress on Genesis.

I also became an affiliate and started recommending the platform.

In 2012 when Copyblogger had a hiccup with their affiliate system, I exchanged emails with Jessica Frick, one of their team members, about something that did not go as Copyblogger planned.

Since my first purchase with them, Copyblogger has taken good care of me. They have saved me many hours of sleep, helped me building better websites, and I could go on and on with a long list.

Jessica did everything possible to make it up to me by inviting me to their SXSW 2012 Copyblogger event. I had a blast and became a fan of Jessica, her co-workers, and the Copyblogger brand.

The Rainmaker Authority Conference

The day before the conference, Copyblogger had a reception mixed with registration.

My new friend Patrick Garmoe decided to invite folks to lunch. A few of us made our way to the Corner Office right in front of the Ellie Opera House.

There I had a chance to meet a diverse and talented group of individuals.

Meeting The Franchise King

The real highlight was the privilege of finally meeting Joel Libava better known as the Franchise King.

I have chatted with Joel over the internet since 2011 where we were part of the Kitchen Table Companies community. Joel listened to my concerns regarding my AirBnB issue.

It was Hard to Pay for a Meal or Drink

This is the first conference I went to where it was hard to pay for your own meal. We had our meals paid for by some of the members of the Copyblogger community.

On my way back home, I had a nice couple even invite me to breakfast at the airport and they were not at the conference. After the first hiccup upon my arrival in Denver, I was showered with lots of luck.

The Copyblogger Reception

I arrived at the reception and I quickly identified some familiar faces. I met some pretty awesome new folks and had a blast that first day. The energy in the ballroom was great and out of the three evening events this was the one I had the most fun at.

I also got the surprise that my good friend Rob Hatch was attending and I had not seeing him since January 2014.

Meeting Patrick for the first time, getting to shake Joel’s hand, and seeing my close friend Rob Hatch, kept me smiling throughout the following days. I had made a great decision to visit Denver and the people that were there made it all worth it.

A mix of excellent speaker curation and extremely talented attendees.

The first day of the conference started with Daniel Pink presenting. I listened in for the most part but I keep myself moving between taking pictures of Daniel Pink and other speakers. I would breakout to the hall to chat and meet those folks who were at Authority with me.

I pretty much did the same for the two days going in and out of the venue. Not only because I like to talk but because I learn a lot from the great group of folks that were visiting.

During the whole time I was there I found that this has to be the conference with the most caring and kind individuals. I did not meet one attendee I felt did not fit there.

Congrats and Thank You Jessica and Copyblogger Team

I have to give my compliments to Jessica Frick and her team.

They did an awesome job creating an awesome production but more importantly attracting the right people.

More Photos of the Conference

This One time at MisfitCon

July 4, 2015 by Raul Colon

For the past two years, when I come back from the Misfit Conference, the universe starts aligning to bring about large and small changes. For the rest of the year I find myself recounting my experiences at Misfit to other non Misfits. Some are interested but I am sure there are a few that make me feel like Michelle (The Band Geek) in the american movie classic American Pie chatting about that one time at band camp.

It gives me the opportunity to absorb the greatness of the folks that are around me during the conference. I enjoy the fact that I get to spend time with them in Fargo, the coolest town I have visited up North.

Why Fargo?

Each year that I mention my trip to Fargo people ask me, “Why Fargo?” I could spend days mentioning all the great experiences I have had in Fargo during the three misfit conferences. This year AJ and Melissa Leon decided not to create a website for the event.

One of the many reasons for not having a website is that Misfit Con is so planned that they even curate attendees. For the second Misfit Con AJ and Melissa opened up the conference to others.

The result was the whole Misfit Team going through 4,000 applications. They decided to keep the event at no more than 150 people. Misfit Con is a gathering of those who might be distant geographically, but with similarities in the way we act and think.

Over the past three years Misfit Conference has been a gathering of the most interesting people. From an Irish Blacksmith, to a Moccasin Shoe maker, one of the lost boys of South Sudan now turned international musician, Potters, Photographers, World Record Holders, and a list of many people changing their communities and the world.

This year, I flew into Chicago then I drove with my family to Fargo, North Dakota and then drove back.

This gives me the opportunity to get ready for the conference. I also experience a bit of the Midwest where we’ve made it a tradition to stop in our favorite Vegan friendly burger place A.J. Bombers. This year the highlight of our road trip was meeting long time, online friend, Jim Raffel.

The Positive Vibes of Fargo

Arriving in Fargo is always something exciting. Details of the conference are usually kept secret until you are ready to experience it. I can spend days detailing everything we experienced.

My friend Cebo Campbell described it best in his post “The Wonder of MisfitCon 2015”. If you weren’t there you would not be able to understand what we all experienced.

Getting a text letting you know what is next and where to meet is something unique. Having a guessing game with your fellow Misfits adds to the fun. The Misfit team sent out text messages of what the attendees had to do next.

The first night we were getting on a coach bus to an undisclosed location where the Red River of the North was flowing and encountering the most amazing Tree House after walking on a dirt road.

We had drinks, food, and hugged awesome people. We listened to great music and a bonfire warmed us up. The night ended with me with my daughter on my shoulders, while I walked with brilliant friends under the stars in North Dakota.

The first day of the conference had a similar format to previous years. My friend, Jeff Pulver, was talking about his first Social Network (HAM Radio). Jeff and the other speakers shared intimate details of their life, leaving a bit of themselves with the audience.

The first day ended and we meet in front of the Billboard on the main strip like the first night. School buses grabbed us and took us to an abandoned school. The Misfits had taken over school and it was a night to remember. Once again we had amazing drinks, delicious food, painters, break dancers, Mirko’s Vegan Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, vegan hot dogs and more.

The Opportunities are with the People you Meet

In summary, throughout the entire conference there was one thing standing out; a spirit of creation from the culinary arts, mixology, paintings, street art, and tiny houses.

More importantly it is a place where the opportunities to connect and get to know others, is the main purpose of the conference.

One thing I will promise, if you decide to join us at the next Misfit Conference, you will do some crying.

Hopefully you will also leave with a different and much better perception of the world.

Being a Misfit is Hard

I found finally found a group of people who are a critical part of my life and support me even when many think I am out of my mind.

Like my friend Erik Proulx mentions being a Misfit is Hard.

Thank You MISFITS

The great thing is that being a Misfit keeps you from feeling lonely; you feel supported and courageous and ready to conquer your next challenge.

Thanks AJ and Melissa.

MisfitCon 2015 Photos

My Experience Captured Through Images. Special thanks to Jesse Hoorelbeke from J. Alan Paul Photography for sharing his equipment and pricey lens.

My First ISACA Symposium as a Photographer

December 12, 2014 by Raul Colon

In 2005 as I struggled to pass my two parts of the CPA with my current work load it appeared almost impossible. I remember having a chat with someone who is now principal at KPMG about the CISA Certification.

My Passion was not In Public Accounting

I clearly had no interest or passion in looking at a General Ledger much less auditing boring financial statements. For that reason once I missed the third part by one point I and failed the fourth I quit on taking the exam.

In 2006 I took the CISA exam under a lot of stress. My grandmother who I am attached too fell ill around this time in December. I remember walking in taking the exam and being the first one in the group to finish. I just wanted to be by Grandma’s side.

I knew I could take the CISA exam again and at that time I was not sure if my grandma would recuperate. Weeks later I got the notice that I passed the CISA exam on my first try. 8 years later my grandma is doing great although with less mobility than when she had that medical issue and I no longer hold the CISA.

Thank you Larry Lliran

My friend Larry Lliran invited me to go and capture the ISACA event. Last year I still held two of ISACA’s certifications the CISA and CGEIT. As I restructure my business and realized I have better opportunities in the creative work I am doing I did not renew them.

My First Symposium as a Photographer

For the first time I assisted a symposium not being a member of ISACA and more as a photographer.

Once again Larry proves he knows how to curate speakers and for the most part they presented valuable information to the crowd.

As I move towards covering more events as a blogger and as a hired photographer I get to experience events in a different way.

Getting to Spend Time with Old Friends

It was an awesome day where I got to see some of my ex-colleages from KPMG and Doral Bank.

My strategic partners Greenpoint Consulting and the new people I met who are still working on things I once worked on.

As with when I passed my CISA exam from my first try and validated I should stick with IT more than accounting. This year has confirmed I need to pursue my photography in a more professional matter.

I was able to curate 50 images that I took at the Symposium.

Feel free to offer any feedback, comment below, or contact me directly.

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First Holiday Party of the Season

December 8, 2014 by Raul Colon

Life evolves and I find myself going to less events and holiday parties throughout the years.

My First Holiday Party of the Season

But when I do decide to assist a party or event it has to be a meaningful one. (that sort of sounds like the Dos X man of Mystery).

So yesterday my good friend Andres Vasquez Invites me to his Fit911 studio Christmas Party. It seems the party ran into the early hours of the morning I left shortly after 1am.

It was the first Christmas Party of the Season and knowing me probably my only one.

Andres has been a long time friend and also someone who I have been able to collaborate with over the years. The guidance on my weight loss and maintaining it has come from him. Even when I don’t visit the gym in months just following his advice leaves me in a better place.

Returning to My Fitness Goals

In the next week or so I will be returning to train and do exercise. I stopped shortly before September and have not gone back.

More than Fitness, It was Inspiring

Seeing the energy of those who are part of the Fit911 family makes it inviting for me to return to get on track with my fitness goals. Most of those individuals like Juan and Yashira have made some awesome changes in my life

Andres created an unforgettable experience for his community and clients last night. With the help of sponsors and the awesome Steven Mcqueeny at his Bytes restaurant.

If you are in San Juan you will definitely want to stop by his restaurant and try his drink and food experiments using Nitrogen.

I had a blast I had the chance to capture some cool pictures you can browse through below.

Very proud of My Friend Andres

I am proud of the results of the effort Andres and his wife Arlene have put through with this project. Being a small business owner in Puerto Rico is extremely challenging. Seeing a business like Fit911 thrive against obstacles is inspiring. It gives me and others motivation to continue fighting.

Thank you for the invite it was special since it was the first awesome Christmas party invite I received in a while.

Happy Holidays…