Ask Us Anything: MicroConf Edition with Xander Castro

and we are live welcome to today's and we are live welcome to today's episode episode episode of microconf on air as always i'm your of microconf on air as always i'm your of microconf on air as always i'm your host rob welling host rob welling host rob welling every other wednesday at 1 pm eastern 10 every other wednesday at 1 pm eastern 10 every other wednesday at 1 pm eastern 10 a.m pacific a.m pacific a.m pacific we live stream for 30 minutes and we we live stream for 30 minutes and we we live stream for 30 minutes and we cover topics related to building and cover topics related to building and cover topics related to building and growing ambitious sas startups that growing ambitious sas startups that growing ambitious sas startups that bring us freedom and purpose bring us freedom and purpose bring us freedom and purpose and allow us to maintain healthy and allow us to maintain healthy and allow us to maintain healthy relationships relationships relationships we believe that showing up every day day we believe that showing up every day day we believe that showing up every day day after day year after year and shipping after day year after year and shipping after day year after year and shipping that next feature that next feature that next feature that piece of marketing copy or closing that piece of marketing copy or closing that piece of marketing copy or closing your next sale is the way to build your next sale is the way to build your next sale is the way to build a sustainable company and today we're a sustainable company and today we're a sustainable company and today we're talking about talking about talking about ways to build a how we've built a ways to build a how we've built a ways to build a how we've built a sustainable community sustainable community sustainable community and an in-person event in a minute i'm and an in-person event in a minute i'm and an in-person event in a minute i'm going to welcome the going to welcome the going to welcome the our uh you know i almost used your old our uh you know i almost used your old our uh you know i almost used your old title title title z producer xander got a little title z producer xander got a little title z producer xander got a little title bump he's not bump he's not bump he's not are you director xander now he's our are you director xander now he's our are you director xander now he's our event director at microcom xander castro event director at microcom xander castro event director at microcom xander castro he has 14 years in events he has 14 years in events he has 14 years in events ranging from concerts to music festivals ranging from concerts to music festivals ranging from concerts to music festivals weddings conferences social events and weddings conferences social events and weddings conferences social events and parades i don't know he produced a parades i don't know he produced a parades i don't know he produced a parade that's awesome parade that's awesome parade that's awesome he is the winner of the ilea best he is the winner of the ilea best he is the winner of the ilea best entertainment event entertainment event entertainment event the mn minnesota meetings and events up the mn minnesota meetings and events up the mn minnesota meetings and events up and coming event producer and coming event producer and coming event producer winner of connect meetings and events 40 winner of connect meetings and events 40 winner of connect meetings and events 40 under 40 or one of the one of the folks under 40 or one of the one of the folks under 40 or one of the one of the folks in there in there in there formerly ran his own event production formerly ran his own event production formerly ran his own event production company company company i stumbled upon producer xander on i stumbled upon producer xander on i stumbled upon producer xander on elance elance elance and upwork no joke in 2014 it was seven and upwork no joke in 2014 it was seven and upwork no joke in 2014 it was seven years ago it may have been 2013 years ago it may have been 2013 years ago it may have been 2013 and mike and i had been toiling away and mike and i had been toiling away and mike and i had been toiling away spending spending spending way too much time not what we were not

way too much time not what we were not way too much time not what we were not really knowing what we were doing as we really knowing what we were doing as we really knowing what we were doing as we were producing events were producing events were producing events and so we went to look for some help we and so we went to look for some help we and so we went to look for some help we found sandra castro found sandra castro found sandra castro and we hired him from there and since and we hired him from there and since and we hired him from there and since then he then he then he came along to uh work full-time with us came along to uh work full-time with us came along to uh work full-time with us just just just uh i guess it was a couple yeah he's uh i guess it was a couple yeah he's uh i guess it was a couple yeah he's almost to his two-year anniversary of almost to his two-year anniversary of almost to his two-year anniversary of full-time full-time microcomp so full-time full-time microcomp so full-time full-time microcomp so producer xander can i welcome you to the producer xander can i welcome you to the producer xander can i welcome you to the show show show hello hello it's nice to see you got to hello hello it's nice to see you got to hello hello it's nice to see you got to switch that screen switch that screen switch that screen yes folks know you are both a guest on yes folks know you are both a guest on yes folks know you are both a guest on the show and also producing the show at the show and also producing the show at the show and also producing the show at the same time the same time the same time so there's going to be there's going to so there's going to be there's going to so there's going to be there's going to be quite a bit of fun there so i noticed be quite a bit of fun there so i noticed be quite a bit of fun there so i noticed that that that i'm wearing my micro conf shirt but you i'm wearing my micro conf shirt but you i'm wearing my micro conf shirt but you were wearing a were wearing a were wearing a hawaiian shirt i am donning my hawaiian hawaiian shirt i am donning my hawaiian hawaiian shirt i am donning my hawaiian print as i do every single day print as i do every single day print as i do every single day i also wanted i'm going to see if this i also wanted i'm going to see if this i also wanted i'm going to see if this is a throwback for you do you remember is a throwback for you do you remember is a throwback for you do you remember this guy this guy this guy oh yes the glassware microconf 2019 oh yes the glassware microconf 2019 oh yes the glassware microconf 2019 the last uh you know u.s growth event we the last uh you know u.s growth event we the last uh you know u.s growth event we had had had this thing the number of people that this thing the number of people that this thing the number of people that would tell me that they could not take would tell me that they could not take would tell me that they could not take their glassware home with them because their glassware home with them because their glassware home with them because they would break in their suitcases my they would break in their suitcases my they would break in their suitcases my number one response just shove a sock in number one response just shove a sock in number one response just shove a sock in you'll be able to get it there it's not you'll be able to get it there it's not you'll be able to get it there it's not going to be a big deal going to be a big deal going to be a big deal i took four of these home in my bag and i took four of these home in my bag and i took four of these home in my bag and i checked the flag you know it was all i checked the flag you know it was all i checked the flag you know it was all good good good so i love it we started doing glassware so i love it we started doing glassware so i love it we started doing glassware i don't know what four years ago five i don't know what four years ago five i don't know what four years ago five years ago and so we've done different years ago and so we've done different years ago and so we've done different different models of it it's been really different models of it it's been really different models of it it's been really cool um cool um cool um so if you're in the audience you're so if you're in the audience you're so if you're in the audience you're watching uh would love to hear watching uh would love to hear watching uh would love to hear your questions it's an ama about

your questions it's an ama about your questions it's an ama about microconf and you can ask specifics of microconf and you can ask specifics of microconf and you can ask specifics of you know the microconf online community you know the microconf online community you know the microconf online community uh about our videos about the uh about our videos about the uh about our videos about the back backside production uh process you back backside production uh process you back backside production uh process you can ask about can ask about can ask about pretty much uh you know anything um pretty much uh you know anything um pretty much uh you know anything um and we'd love to hear from you should we and we'd love to hear from you should we and we'd love to hear from you should we start with producer sanders start with producer sanders start with producer sanders getting a question in there now i think getting a question in there now i think getting a question in there now i think yeah i think i'm gonna i'm gonna go yeah i think i'm gonna i'm gonna go yeah i think i'm gonna i'm gonna go ahead and take the first question okay ahead and take the first question okay ahead and take the first question okay so i'm gonna turn the tables around on so i'm gonna turn the tables around on so i'm gonna turn the tables around on you you you uh so i've been working with you for uh so i've been working with you for uh so i've been working with you for the last seven ish years and and i've the last seven ish years and and i've the last seven ish years and and i've kind of seen where microconf has been kind of seen where microconf has been kind of seen where microconf has been close to the start of it but i'm close to the start of it but i'm close to the start of it but i'm interested in hearing more about interested in hearing more about interested in hearing more about where you see things going in the next where you see things going in the next where you see things going in the next 10 years like we just celebrated our 10 years like we just celebrated our 10 years like we just celebrated our 10-year anniversary back in 10-year anniversary back in 10-year anniversary back in june um and now we have kind of this june um and now we have kind of this june um and now we have kind of this vision for the future and i just want to vision for the future and i just want to vision for the future and i just want to hear more about hear more about hear more about where you see things going we've had where you see things going we've had where you see things going we've had some of these conversations but some of these conversations but some of these conversations but where where is where is microcomp headed where where is where is microcomp headed where where is where is microcomp headed over the next 10 years over the next 10 years over the next 10 years yeah i mean i think that's a really good yeah i mean i think that's a really good yeah i mean i think that's a really good question and you know there's a the eos question and you know there's a the eos question and you know there's a the eos uh the book traction by um gino wickman uh the book traction by um gino wickman uh the book traction by um gino wickman has the entrepreneur operating system has the entrepreneur operating system has the entrepreneur operating system and and and in there i think you do one three and in there i think you do one three and in there i think you do one three and ten year ten year ten year kind of visions you know one three and kind of visions you know one three and kind of visions you know one three and ten year plans so to speak ten year plans so to speak ten year plans so to speak and i've always had tough time i mean 10 and i've always had tough time i mean 10 and i've always had tough time i mean 10 years is a long time like the only years is a long time like the only years is a long time like the only things that i've done for 10 years are things that i've done for 10 years are things that i've done for 10 years are be married you know have children be married you know have children be married you know have children um and uh you know run microconf and do um and uh you know run microconf and do um and uh you know run microconf and do the the the podcast i mean that's kind of it like podcast i mean that's kind of it like podcast i mean that's kind of it like i've never had a job longer you know

i've never had a job longer you know i've never had a job longer you know even drip like even drip like even drip like start to finish like the day we started start to finish like the day we started start to finish like the day we started working on it to the day that derek and working on it to the day that derek and working on it to the day that derek and i you know left within a few months of i you know left within a few months of i you know left within a few months of each other was like five and a half each other was like five and a half each other was like five and a half years so years so years so thinking 10 years out is crazy and thinking 10 years out is crazy and thinking 10 years out is crazy and thinking back to when thinking back to when thinking back to when when we started it in 2011 i just you when we started it in 2011 i just you when we started it in 2011 i just you know know know it's that it's such a tired phrase but it's that it's such a tired phrase but it's that it's such a tired phrase but like we like we like we had never imagined it would become what had never imagined it would become what had never imagined it would become what it is right we were trying to get it is right we were trying to get it is right we were trying to get 100 people together in a dingy smoky 100 people together in a dingy smoky 100 people together in a dingy smoky ballroom of a hotel um and now you know ballroom of a hotel um and now you know ballroom of a hotel um and now you know here we are here we are here we are years later having impacted you know years later having impacted you know years later having impacted you know tens of thousands of people tens of thousands of people tens of thousands of people um thousands and thousands of attendees um thousands and thousands of attendees um thousands and thousands of attendees and and and and and and it you know not a month goes by that we it you know not a month goes by that we it you know not a month goes by that we don't get an email or a tweet or don't get an email or a tweet or don't get an email or a tweet or something that's like something that's like something that's like here's how microconf in some way like here's how microconf in some way like here's how microconf in some way like changed my trajectory maybe changed my changed my trajectory maybe changed my changed my trajectory maybe changed my life maybe life maybe life maybe you know it but it's it's changed how i you know it but it's it's changed how i you know it but it's it's changed how i thought about things and made me feel thought about things and made me feel thought about things and made me feel like i could do this because i saw these like i could do this because i saw these like i could do this because i saw these other examples other examples other examples so all that to say um i think so all that to say um i think so all that to say um i think you know the the direction we've been you know the the direction we've been you know the the direction we've been heading is to try to bring heading is to try to bring heading is to try to bring we used to have one microconf a year in we used to have one microconf a year in we used to have one microconf a year in las vegas and then we had las vegas and then we had las vegas and then we had two a year in las vegas and europe and two a year in las vegas and europe and two a year in las vegas and europe and then we had three a year and then we had three a year and then we had three a year and that you know 2020 you know if coveted that you know 2020 you know if coveted that you know 2020 you know if coveted had not happened we would have had had not happened we would have had had not happened we would have had eight micro comps i believe and and we eight micro comps i believe and and we eight micro comps i believe and and we didn't we had zero uh except for our didn't we had zero uh except for our didn't we had zero uh except for our remote we had our remote events but no remote we had our remote events but no remote we had our remote events but no one personally right one personally right one personally right and so i think a big push that you you and so i think a big push that you you and so i think a big push that you you and i have explored is how do we bring and i have explored is how do we bring and i have explored is how do we bring micro cops to more micro cops to more micro cops to more people and that's what the microconf people and that's what the microconf people and that's what the microconf local push is and so i local push is and so i local push is and so i assuming that it is still an experiment assuming that it is still an experiment assuming that it is still an experiment like we don't know for sure

like we don't know for sure like we don't know for sure it's going to work but you know having it's going to work but you know having it's going to work but you know having these local events that are one day these local events that are one day these local events that are one day they're low purchase price they're they're low purchase price they're they're low purchase price they're around we want to keep them around 100 around we want to keep them around 100 around we want to keep them around 100 you know in local currency right 100 you know in local currency right 100 you know in local currency right 100 pounds us 100 euros pounds us 100 euros pounds us 100 euros um and they're just low commitment and um and they're just low commitment and um and they're just low commitment and we want to reach folks we want to reach folks we want to reach folks who haven't either don't have the means who haven't either don't have the means who haven't either don't have the means to get to a growth to get to a growth to get to a growth event or they're just on the fence about event or they're just on the fence about event or they're just on the fence about should i pay you know whatever should i pay you know whatever should i pay you know whatever 800 or a thousand dollars for a ticket 800 or a thousand dollars for a ticket 800 or a thousand dollars for a ticket should i fly should i get a hotel it's should i fly should i get a hotel it's should i fly should i get a hotel it's hard to get away from home but like hard to get away from home but like hard to get away from home but like once you touch a microcompany around once you touch a microcompany around once you touch a microcompany around that community um that community um that community um i think there's a big difference so i i think there's a big difference so i i think there's a big difference so i see a continued expansion into our local see a continued expansion into our local see a continued expansion into our local events to try to get events to try to get events to try to get more events around the world and get you more events around the world and get you more events around the world and get you know an event close to every know an event close to every know an event close to every you know every listener and every person you know every listener and every person you know every listener and every person on our list i see us doubling continuing on our list i see us doubling continuing on our list i see us doubling continuing to double down on education to double down on education to double down on education i mean i think some people forget you i mean i think some people forget you i mean i think some people forget you know they think of microcup as an know they think of microcup as an know they think of microcup as an in-person event in-person event in-person event really it started as let's get together really it started as let's get together really it started as let's get together and be have a community and be have a community and be have a community and also let's educate that community and also let's educate that community and also let's educate that community like those were the cornerstones that we like those were the cornerstones that we like those were the cornerstones that we started from and that's what we built on started from and that's what we built on started from and that's what we built on now right now we have an online now right now we have an online now right now we have an online community community community and in person um and i think that and in person um and i think that and in person um and i think that education i could see us education i could see us education i could see us in 10 years having a developed in 10 years having a developed in 10 years having a developed i don't even want to you know i don't i don't even want to you know i don't i don't even want to you know i don't like saying this but like a curriculum like saying this but like a curriculum like saying this but like a curriculum you know is there is there more you know is there is there more you know is there is there more knowledge and information that we can knowledge and information that we can knowledge and information that we can pull out to help people get started pull out to help people get started pull out to help people get started i mean in my mind the mission of i mean in my mind the mission of i mean in my mind the mission of microconf is microconf is microconf is to it's to expand to grow the number to it's to expand to grow the number to it's to expand to grow the number of you know independent startups

of you know independent startups of you know independent startups self-sustaining independent startups in self-sustaining independent startups in self-sustaining independent startups in the world like we want that number to the world like we want that number to the world like we want that number to increase and we have increase and we have increase and we have in you know played a we've played a part in you know played a we've played a part in you know played a we've played a part in doing that so far in doing that so far in doing that so far right and so how so when you we started right and so how so when you we started right and so how so when you we started that you know kind of mission that you know kind of mission that you know kind of mission like what do people need well some like what do people need well some like what do people need well some people need funding or want funding to people need funding or want funding to people need funding or want funding to get bigger and that's why we get bigger and that's why we get bigger and that's why we started tiny seed out of microconf and started tiny seed out of microconf and started tiny seed out of microconf and some people want community and that's some people want community and that's some people want community and that's why we have microcon connect and that's why we have microcon connect and that's why we have microcon connect and that's why we have in-person events and some why we have in-person events and some why we have in-person events and some people want education and that's how we people want education and that's how we people want education and that's how we have have have we've had the conferences and we've had the conferences and we've had the conferences and you know there there's all types of you know there there's all types of you know there there's all types of stuff so i i see us continuing to stuff so i i see us continuing to stuff so i i see us continuing to push into those avenues and also i mean push into those avenues and also i mean push into those avenues and also i mean the mastermind matching has been so the mastermind matching has been so the mastermind matching has been so well received and so successful and well received and so successful and well received and so successful and that's just an extension of community that's just an extension of community that's just an extension of community right right right that's just building smaller communities that's just building smaller communities that's just building smaller communities where you get three or four people where you get three or four people where you get three or four people together together together and they support each other you know and they support each other you know and they support each other you know almost in a in a one to you know almost in a in a one to you know almost in a in a one to you know one-on-one fashion it's one to three or one-on-one fashion it's one to three or one-on-one fashion it's one to three or one to four but um one to four but um one to four but um i love the idea of continuing to do that i love the idea of continuing to do that i love the idea of continuing to do that as well as as well as as well as okay oh i was gonna say i think that the okay oh i was gonna say i think that the okay oh i was gonna say i think that the the challenges we ran into with covid the challenges we ran into with covid the challenges we ran into with covid wiping out i don't know if anybody wiping out i don't know if anybody wiping out i don't know if anybody remembers the future of microcomp video remembers the future of microcomp video remembers the future of microcomp video we put out there was a we put out there was a we put out there was a kind of this big splash around all of kind of this big splash around all of kind of this big splash around all of these different events we were going to these different events we were going to these different events we were going to be hosting be hosting be hosting uh to have all of that just completely uh to have all of that just completely uh to have all of that just completely pulled away pulled away pulled away uh we needed to kind of make a a shift uh we needed to kind of make a a shift uh we needed to kind of make a a shift in terms of the way that we were in terms of the way that we were in terms of the way that we were communicating with the audience and so communicating with the audience and so communicating with the audience and so developing all of the different digital developing all of the different digital developing all of the different digital products that we have all the products that we have all the products that we have all the the video resources the podcasts all of the video resources the podcasts all of the video resources the podcasts all of these different these different these different opportunities to connect founders with opportunities to connect founders with opportunities to connect founders with founders founders with

founders founders with founders founders with thought leaders and people that are thought leaders and people that are thought leaders and people that are doing the work uh in this space like i doing the work uh in this space like i doing the work uh in this space like i think that think that think that we we accelerated the pace that we were we we accelerated the pace that we were we we accelerated the pace that we were planning planning planning to put out kind of these new to put out kind of these new to put out kind of these new resources that are going to help resources that are going to help resources that are going to help increase the volume increase the volume increase the volume of digital entrepreneurs and software of digital entrepreneurs and software of digital entrepreneurs and software entrepreneurs that are self-sustaining entrepreneurs that are self-sustaining entrepreneurs that are self-sustaining that that that are customer funded like that we we kind are customer funded like that we we kind are customer funded like that we we kind of of of moved our timeline up by a year while moved our timeline up by a year while moved our timeline up by a year while having to remove all of our in-person having to remove all of our in-person having to remove all of our in-person events which events which events which is what i really enjoy doing and so it's is what i really enjoy doing and so it's is what i really enjoy doing and so it's been it's been a fun been it's been a fun been it's been a fun balance of trying to figure out how to balance of trying to figure out how to balance of trying to figure out how to how to create how to create how to create more content higher value in more content higher value in more content higher value in higher value digital pieces of product higher value digital pieces of product higher value digital pieces of product uh to to really find a way to deliver uh to to really find a way to deliver uh to to really find a way to deliver that expectation that that expectation that that expectation that people were looking for during our people were looking for during our people were looking for during our in-person events uh in a completely in-person events uh in a completely in-person events uh in a completely digital fashion digital fashion digital fashion so i think that now that we've set the so i think that now that we've set the so i think that now that we've set the groundwork for that it's super exciting groundwork for that it's super exciting groundwork for that it's super exciting looking ahead at being able to bring looking ahead at being able to bring looking ahead at being able to bring people back together and give them that people back together and give them that people back together and give them that same same same micro conf experience in person while micro conf experience in person while micro conf experience in person while also having all of this background also having all of this background also having all of this background uh in digital digital content i agree uh in digital digital content i agree uh in digital digital content i agree and something i like about how we and something i like about how we and something i like about how we attacked that was just the attacked that was just the attacked that was just the experimentation out of like experimentation out of like experimentation out of like we're gonna try remote and we'll do it we're gonna try remote and we'll do it we're gonna try remote and we'll do it this way and we had segments and it's this way and we had segments and it's this way and we had segments and it's like some of the work some of it didn't like some of the work some of it didn't like some of the work some of it didn't and then we tried it a different way you and then we tried it a different way you and then we tried it a different way you know which was know which was know which was um more focused on the what is it it was um more focused on the what is it it was um more focused on the what is it it was like the four or five early stage like the four or five early stage like the four or five early stage marketing purchase and that seemed to marketing purchase and that seemed to marketing purchase and that seemed to resonate with people as well and so resonate with people as well and so resonate with people as well and so um all of this is an experiment and i um all of this is an experiment and i um all of this is an experiment and i think that's something i've i've think that's something i've i've think that's something i've i've appreciated about it i think appreciated about it i think appreciated about it i think that's the hard part of looking out 10

that's the hard part of looking out 10 that's the hard part of looking out 10 years is i don't know what experiments years is i don't know what experiments years is i don't know what experiments are going to work yet are going to work yet are going to work yet i can tell you we're going to try a lot i can tell you we're going to try a lot i can tell you we're going to try a lot of experiments and the ones that work of experiments and the ones that work of experiments and the ones that work and resonate and resonate and resonate we're going to continue to double down we're going to continue to double down we're going to continue to double down on the ones that don't we will on the ones that don't we will on the ones that don't we will you know shelve for now until the time you know shelve for now until the time you know shelve for now until the time is right is right is right right and and i mean with remote right and and i mean with remote right and and i mean with remote remember remember remember out of what whatever however many out of what whatever however many out of what whatever however many hundreds it's 65700 tickets we sold hundreds it's 65700 tickets we sold hundreds it's 65700 tickets we sold there were like 500 people that had there were like 500 people that had there were like 500 people that had never attended a microconf or something never attended a microconf or something never attended a microconf or something i mean it was a tremendous amount and i mean it was a tremendous amount and i mean it was a tremendous amount and that was a realization for us too was that was a realization for us too was that was a realization for us too was like oh this isn't like oh this isn't like oh this isn't these aren't just the people who've been these aren't just the people who've been these aren't just the people who've been to the in-person events we are able to to the in-person events we are able to to the in-person events we are able to impact more people and that's the goal impact more people and that's the goal impact more people and that's the goal here right here right here right how many people can we positively impact how many people can we positively impact how many people can we positively impact and encourage to and encourage to and encourage to to do more to get to self-sustaining to do more to get to self-sustaining to do more to get to self-sustaining quicker quicker quicker yeah as i look at the numbers of just yeah as i look at the numbers of just yeah as i look at the numbers of just access points that people we've created access points that people we've created access points that people we've created over the course the last year and a half over the course the last year and a half over the course the last year and a half like 8 000 plus new subscribers on like 8 000 plus new subscribers on like 8 000 plus new subscribers on youtube we had just launched youtube we had just launched youtube we had just launched launched this youtube channel that we're launched this youtube channel that we're launched this youtube channel that we're sitting on right now like sitting on right now like sitting on right now like the new opportunities that we created to the new opportunities that we created to the new opportunities that we created to have access to the content that we were have access to the content that we were have access to the content that we were developing and the conference talks developing and the conference talks developing and the conference talks like we our our lists have really like we our our lists have really like we our our lists have really expanded and we have the ability to expanded and we have the ability to expanded and we have the ability to reach way more people and i think part reach way more people and i think part reach way more people and i think part of that was the of that was the of that was the dedicated focus on not just live event dedicated focus on not just live event dedicated focus on not just live event work it was work it was work it was as pushing those digital marketing as pushing those digital marketing as pushing those digital marketing strategies that we see across strategies that we see across strategies that we see across tons of different products that people tons of different products that people tons of different products that people are building within the community itself are building within the community itself are building within the community itself just taking some of those elements and just taking some of those elements and just taking some of those elements and incorporating them into a digital incorporating them into a digital incorporating them into a digital community or an online community plus community or an online community plus community or an online community plus our brand our brand our brand like there was just a couple of routes like there was just a couple of routes like there was just a couple of routes that we could play around with there

excellent so we have a question from excellent so we have a question from william gordon and he says i just booked william gordon and he says i just booked william gordon and he says i just booked tickets to portland tickets to portland tickets to portland and that's portland oregon for those and that's portland oregon for those and that's portland oregon for those watching not portland maine what should watching not portland maine what should watching not portland maine what should i expect looking forward to it i expect looking forward to it i expect looking forward to it this is a micro conf local event this is a micro conf local event this is a micro conf local event happening happening happening in just what about us five six weeks in just what about us five six weeks in just what about us five six weeks from now yep from now yep from now yep september 15th so that's happening in september 15th so that's happening in september 15th so that's happening in portland portland portland um yeah so one day event it's going to um yeah so one day event it's going to um yeah so one day event it's going to run from 10 o'clock run from 10 o'clock run from 10 o'clock until 6 pm approximately in portland until 6 pm approximately in portland until 6 pm approximately in portland that's actually the schedule for that's actually the schedule for that's actually the schedule for all of the local events that are going all of the local events that are going all of the local events that are going to be taking place over the course of to be taking place over the course of to be taking place over the course of the the the four cities that we're hosting in um we four cities that we're hosting in um we four cities that we're hosting in um we are going to be are going to be are going to be hosting four different kind of keynote hosting four different kind of keynote hosting four different kind of keynote style conversations style conversations style conversations with a little bit of mastermind element with a little bit of mastermind element with a little bit of mastermind element tied into it so we're going to be tied into it so we're going to be tied into it so we're going to be matching all the people that have matching all the people that have matching all the people that have purchased tickets to the event purchased tickets to the event purchased tickets to the event uh pre-event so that they have a group uh pre-event so that they have a group uh pre-event so that they have a group of people to start connecting with of people to start connecting with of people to start connecting with before they get to before they get to before they get to the events on site we are the events on site we are the events on site we are looking at some interesting elements in looking at some interesting elements in looking at some interesting elements in terms of the way that covid has terms of the way that covid has terms of the way that covid has progressed over the course of the last progressed over the course of the last progressed over the course of the last couple of weeks couple of weeks couple of weeks in terms of restricting capacity even in terms of restricting capacity even in terms of restricting capacity even further than we had anticipated further than we had anticipated further than we had anticipated uh implementing some particular uh implementing some particular uh implementing some particular strategies around strategies around strategies around the way that we are going to be seating the way that we are going to be seating the way that we are going to be seating people the way that we're going to be people the way that we're going to be people the way that we're going to be checking people in checking people in checking people in we're going to be publishing a pretty we're going to be publishing a pretty we're going to be publishing a pretty thorough guide on how we are going to be thorough guide on how we are going to be thorough guide on how we are going to be kind of doing the things that we can do kind of doing the things that we can do kind of doing the things that we can do to control to control to control uh the space so that we're providing uh the space so that we're providing uh the space so that we're providing kind of the safest kind of the safest kind of the safest experience possible we're also going to experience possible we're also going to experience possible we're also going to be serving be serving be serving lunch we're going to be doing a happy lunch we're going to be doing a happy lunch we're going to be doing a happy hour style thing towards the end of the hour style thing towards the end of the hour style thing towards the end of the day day day uh we have uh asia rangio who's going to

uh we have uh asia rangio who's going to uh we have uh asia rangio who's going to be coming out be coming out be coming out from to each of the four locations that from to each of the four locations that from to each of the four locations that we're hosting these events and she's we're hosting these events and she's we're hosting these events and she's going to be spending time talking about going to be spending time talking about going to be spending time talking about finding your best opportunities for finding your best opportunities for finding your best opportunities for finding growth customers so i think that finding growth customers so i think that finding growth customers so i think that that part that part that part is going to be able to tie a through is going to be able to tie a through is going to be able to tie a through line throughout each of the individual line throughout each of the individual line throughout each of the individual locals we wanted to have it be a similar locals we wanted to have it be a similar locals we wanted to have it be a similar experience across experience across experience across each individual city so i think that each individual city so i think that each individual city so i think that that is going to be that is going to be that is going to be a unique element of this particular a unique element of this particular a unique element of this particular series of events series of events series of events um yeah it's it's going to be a good um yeah it's it's going to be a good um yeah it's it's going to be a good time it's it's going to be time it's it's going to be time it's it's going to be relatively condensed microconf into a relatively condensed microconf into a relatively condensed microconf into a one-day experience while we also one-day experience while we also one-day experience while we also add that hallway track experience that add that hallway track experience that add that hallway track experience that people are used to when they come up to people are used to when they come up to people are used to when they come up to the actual events the actual events the actual events yep it's a pretty good summary so one yep it's a pretty good summary so one yep it's a pretty good summary so one day it's about what six or seven hours day it's about what six or seven hours day it's about what six or seven hours including happy hour including happy hour including happy hour and it's as you said asia arrangio from and it's as you said asia arrangio from and it's as you said asia arrangio from demand made will be speaking jordan gaul demand made will be speaking jordan gaul demand made will be speaking jordan gaul from kart hook and rally tracy osborne from kart hook and rally tracy osborne from kart hook and rally tracy osborne and myself so four speakers and then and myself so four speakers and then and myself so four speakers and then lots of time to connect lots of time to connect lots of time to connect that's what we found you know we've run that's what we found you know we've run that's what we found you know we've run a couple um a couple um a couple um almost impromptu local events in the almost impromptu local events in the almost impromptu local events in the past where i tweeted out and then past where i tweeted out and then past where i tweeted out and then mentioned on a podcast and mentioned on a podcast and mentioned on a podcast and get 50 60 people in a room in the same get 50 60 people in a room in the same get 50 60 people in a room in the same city city city and they realized oh i did we didn't and they realized oh i did we didn't and they realized oh i did we didn't know each other you know they had never know each other you know they had never know each other you know they had never met each other but they're they're met each other but they're they're met each other but they're they're bootstrappers and they're people bootstrappers and they're people bootstrappers and they're people trying to do this this thing you know trying to do this this thing you know trying to do this this thing you know trying to get to self-sustaining and trying to get to self-sustaining and trying to get to self-sustaining and um it's it's cool to be able to bring um it's it's cool to be able to bring um it's it's cool to be able to bring the the the speakers in town but the speakers as speakers in town but the speakers as speakers in town but the speakers as always are an excuse always are an excuse always are an excuse for all of us to get together so if we for all of us to get together so if we for all of us to get together so if we can get you know 50 to 100 people into a can get you know 50 to 100 people into a can get you know 50 to 100 people into a room room room and you find out wait you live down the

and you find out wait you live down the and you find out wait you live down the street for me you live in that next street for me you live in that next street for me you live in that next neighborhood wait we work in the same neighborhood wait we work in the same neighborhood wait we work in the same building like building like building like that is i think a big that's the that is i think a big that's the that is i think a big that's the permanent takeaway permanent takeaway permanent takeaway you know because there's going to be you know because there's going to be you know because there's going to be tactics and strategies it's that's an tactics and strategies it's that's an tactics and strategies it's that's an inspiration that's always microconf but inspiration that's always microconf but inspiration that's always microconf but building those relationships within the building those relationships within the building those relationships within the cities is going to be a big cities is going to be a big cities is going to be a big big key to it definitely all right big key to it definitely all right big key to it definitely all right another question why the departure from another question why the departure from another question why the departure from las vegas so for folks who don't know las vegas so for folks who don't know las vegas so for folks who don't know our us growth event was in vegas our us growth event was in vegas our us growth event was in vegas through from 2011 through 2019 and then through from 2011 through 2019 and then through from 2011 through 2019 and then in 2020 we were going to do minneapolis in 2020 we were going to do minneapolis in 2020 we were going to do minneapolis and now that's uh and now that's uh and now that's uh 2022 which will be our next one but 2022 which will be our next one but 2022 which will be our next one but producer xander producer xander producer xander why did that executive decision yeah so why did that executive decision yeah so why did that executive decision yeah so we have we have we have a interesting vegas is an interesting a interesting vegas is an interesting a interesting vegas is an interesting city city city uh it's it's glitz it's glamour it's uh it's it's glitz it's glamour it's uh it's it's glitz it's glamour it's also a little bit grungy also a little bit grungy also a little bit grungy it's kind of got this vibe or this it's kind of got this vibe or this it's kind of got this vibe or this reputation reputation reputation for uh just being a place of for uh just being a place of for uh just being a place of extravagance of lushness of uh extravagance of lushness of uh extravagance of lushness of uh yeah exactly and so that's yeah exactly and so that's yeah exactly and so that's well it's not necessarily counter well it's not necessarily counter well it's not necessarily counter to the microconf brand it's not to the microconf brand it's not to the microconf brand it's not something that our audience is something that our audience is something that our audience is constantly seeking that's not constantly seeking that's not constantly seeking that's not a high level desire or wish from our a high level desire or wish from our a high level desire or wish from our audience audience audience um and so we've got some feedback year um and so we've got some feedback year um and so we've got some feedback year after year that if the event was hosted after year that if the event was hosted after year that if the event was hosted anywhere but las vegas it would be anywhere but las vegas it would be anywhere but las vegas it would be better so we saw the other side of that better so we saw the other side of that better so we saw the other side of that conversation where people were actively conversation where people were actively conversation where people were actively telling us that they weren't telling us that they weren't telling us that they weren't interested in coming because of the city

interested in coming because of the city interested in coming because of the city itself itself itself uh there was a degree of safety uh that uh there was a degree of safety uh that uh there was a degree of safety uh that people were concerned about people were concerned about people were concerned about uh smokey hotels things to that effect uh smokey hotels things to that effect uh smokey hotels things to that effect like they're like they're like they're if there are i'll admit i have never if there are i'll admit i have never if there are i'll admit i have never been to vegas been to vegas been to vegas outside of a work context and for the outside of a work context and for the outside of a work context and for the most part if i most part if i most part if i ever were to go just for fun it would be ever were to go just for fun it would be ever were to go just for fun it would be no more than 36 hours and i would no more than 36 hours and i would no more than 36 hours and i would find a way to get out as quickly as find a way to get out as quickly as find a way to get out as quickly as possible and so from my personal possible and so from my personal possible and so from my personal perspective it's not the destination perspective it's not the destination perspective it's not the destination that i'm trying to go to that i'm trying to go to that i'm trying to go to all the time um but we had wanted to all the time um but we had wanted to all the time um but we had wanted to start pursuing different cities start pursuing different cities start pursuing different cities other than las vegas probably back in other than las vegas probably back in other than las vegas probably back in 2016 was the first time that we had put 2016 was the first time that we had put 2016 was the first time that we had put out a request to see if there were any out a request to see if there were any out a request to see if there were any other locations that other locations that other locations that would be able to hold the event i think would be able to hold the event i think would be able to hold the event i think one of the things that you consider one of the things that you consider one of the things that you consider is that las vegas is a really cost is that las vegas is a really cost is that las vegas is a really cost effective location to be able to host effective location to be able to host effective location to be able to host these events and these events and these events and we've always kind of wanted to have a we've always kind of wanted to have a we've always kind of wanted to have a relatively relatively relatively low ticket price uh really cheap low ticket price uh really cheap low ticket price uh really cheap accommodation accommodation accommodation central flight location um it just central flight location um it just central flight location um it just we wanted to be able to manage the cost we wanted to be able to manage the cost we wanted to be able to manage the cost that the attendees themselves were going that the attendees themselves were going that the attendees themselves were going to experience to experience to experience so that they weren't we weren't putting so that they weren't we weren't putting so that they weren't we weren't putting a lot of pressure on them in order to a lot of pressure on them in order to a lot of pressure on them in order to attend attend attend and i think that given the expansion of and i think that given the expansion of and i think that given the expansion of microconf locals that we were looking to microconf locals that we were looking to microconf locals that we were looking to pursue pursue pursue it it created an opportunity for us to it it created an opportunity for us to it it created an opportunity for us to to to to to broaden the number of cities we were to broaden the number of cities we were to broaden the number of cities we were going to be in to reduce the costs for going to be in to reduce the costs for going to be in to reduce the costs for the folks that were coming out to what the folks that were coming out to what the folks that were coming out to what was microcom starter was microcom starter was microcom starter uh by putting it in locations that were uh by putting it in locations that were uh by putting it in locations that were closer to closer to closer to the audience that were coming out to the

the audience that were coming out to the the audience that were coming out to the events anyway events anyway events anyway turn it into a one day so you don't have turn it into a one day so you don't have turn it into a one day so you don't have as much of a time investment as much of a time investment as much of a time investment uh that you are required to give in uh that you are required to give in uh that you are required to give in order to order to order to attend the event but also to to as you said increase the number of as you said increase the number of digital entrepreneurs and software digital entrepreneurs and software digital entrepreneurs and software entrepreneurs that are out there like entrepreneurs that are out there like entrepreneurs that are out there like that is kind of that mission that we've that is kind of that mission that we've that is kind of that mission that we've been talking about is to really been talking about is to really been talking about is to really to increase the number of people that to increase the number of people that to increase the number of people that are able to do this and are able to do this and are able to do this and the resources that they need to do it to the resources that they need to do it to the resources that they need to do it to kind of open that up kind of open that up kind of open that up a little bit more so it isn't uh it a little bit more so it isn't uh it a little bit more so it isn't uh it doesn't cost them doesn't cost them doesn't cost them a capital investment just to be able to a capital investment just to be able to a capital investment just to be able to in attendance in attendance in attendance attend an event that we think is going attend an event that we think is going attend an event that we think is going to provide a lot of value to provide a lot of value to provide a lot of value for their education in this space yeah for their education in this space yeah for their education in this space yeah and that was a i mean you named several and that was a i mean you named several and that was a i mean you named several factors that we consider factors that we consider factors that we consider when we're picking locations and one when we're picking locations and one when we're picking locations and one some things we liked about vegas are some things we liked about vegas are some things we liked about vegas are it's easy to get to usually cheap it's easy to get to usually cheap it's easy to get to usually cheap flights big airport flights big airport flights big airport it's made to get a lot of people move it's made to get a lot of people move it's made to get a lot of people move around it's around it's around it's warm and you know even in the early warm and you know even in the early warm and you know even in the early spring warmish spring warmish spring warmish um we've had some cold windy days but um we've had some cold windy days but um we've had some cold windy days but you know in general it's warmer than you know in general it's warmer than you know in general it's warmer than having it in a cold location and the having it in a cold location and the having it in a cold location and the price price price as you said the room right you know for as you said the room right you know for as you said the room right you know for for the hotel rooms as well as the for the hotel rooms as well as the for the hotel rooms as well as the actual ticket prices we could actual ticket prices we could actual ticket prices we could provide and those were the three provide and those were the three provide and those were the three benefits because a lot of the other benefits because a lot of the other benefits because a lot of the other stuff as you said were negatives and we stuff as you said were negatives and we stuff as you said were negatives and we had had had folks mentioned to us or tweeting it out folks mentioned to us or tweeting it out folks mentioned to us or tweeting it out and and to be honest a lot of them were and and to be honest a lot of them were and and to be honest a lot of them were women women women who said i don't feel comfortable coming who said i don't feel comfortable coming who said i don't feel comfortable coming to las vegas and that was a big issue to las vegas and that was a big issue to las vegas and that was a big issue because we know that because we know that because we know that diversity across all of tech

diversity across all of tech diversity across all of tech and you know across all of all startups and you know across all of all startups and you know across all of all startups is is a big issue and is is a big issue and is is a big issue and we have we take diversity equity and we have we take diversity equity and we have we take diversity equity and inclusion very seriously here as we have inclusion very seriously here as we have inclusion very seriously here as we have for for years and we for for years and we for for years and we this was that was a a non-trivial part this was that was a a non-trivial part this was that was a a non-trivial part of this decision of this decision of this decision right it was to make it more i guess right it was to make it more i guess right it was to make it more i guess i'll say welcoming or just i'll say welcoming or just i'll say welcoming or just as you said feeling safe for more people as you said feeling safe for more people as you said feeling safe for more people um um um now you know would we never have a now you know would we never have a now you know would we never have a microcomp in vegas again no i i think microcomp in vegas again no i i think microcomp in vegas again no i i think there's a possibility you know we would there's a possibility you know we would there's a possibility you know we would yeah will microcomp have ever come back yeah will microcomp have ever come back yeah will microcomp have ever come back to vegas to vegas to vegas um that's the question there we we have um that's the question there we we have um that's the question there we we have no plans to do that but i would i would no plans to do that but i would i would no plans to do that but i would i would certainly never say never see i don't certainly never say never see i don't certainly never say never see i don't mind mind mind i think you mind vegas more than i do my i think you mind vegas more than i do my i think you mind vegas more than i do my grandma lived there and so i we would go grandma lived there and so i we would go grandma lived there and so i we would go like two or three times a year so i'm like two or three times a year so i'm like two or three times a year so i'm even when i was a kid so i'm kind of even when i was a kid so i'm kind of even when i was a kid so i'm kind of used to it and if you go to used to it and if you go to used to it and if you go to like the non-smokey hotels and if you go like the non-smokey hotels and if you go like the non-smokey hotels and if you go to the shows the shows are amazing like to the shows the shows are amazing like to the shows the shows are amazing like i saw beatles love and we saw a bunch of i saw beatles love and we saw a bunch of i saw beatles love and we saw a bunch of cirque shows and cirque shows and cirque shows and that's what i you know enjoy and a that's what i you know enjoy and a that's what i you know enjoy and a little bit of gear little bit of gear little bit of gear in there i think this goes to the idea in there i think this goes to the idea in there i think this goes to the idea of like where is your dream destination of like where is your dream destination of like where is your dream destination as well like if as well like if as well like if price wasn't a limiting factor if these price wasn't a limiting factor if these price wasn't a limiting factor if these other elements were other elements were other elements were avoidable in the context of what it's avoidable in the context of what it's avoidable in the context of what it's going to cost in order to be able to going to cost in order to be able to going to cost in order to be able to produce this in order to be able to produce this in order to be able to produce this in order to be able to attend it attend it attend it like i as you said like like i as you said like like i as you said like with the feedback that we got from our with the feedback that we got from our with the feedback that we got from our female side of the audience in terms of female side of the audience in terms of female side of the audience in terms of a distaste for las vegas just given the a distaste for las vegas just given the a distaste for las vegas just given the reputation that the city has reputation that the city has reputation that the city has um i think that that is what um i think that that is what um i think that that is what would pretty significantly preclude me would pretty significantly preclude me would pretty significantly preclude me from wanting to pursue from wanting to pursue from wanting to pursue las vegas as a destination again for the

las vegas as a destination again for the las vegas as a destination again for the event event event uh just because that is one of my uh just because that is one of my uh just because that is one of my biggest charges and one of the things biggest charges and one of the things biggest charges and one of the things that i put that i put that i put i feel like i hold the most i feel like i hold the most i feel like i hold the most responsibility for responsibility for responsibility for is creating a space that feels safe that is creating a space that feels safe that is creating a space that feels safe that feels inclusive and that everybody feels feels inclusive and that everybody feels feels inclusive and that everybody feels like they belong like they belong like they belong um and so i think that just taking that um and so i think that just taking that um and so i think that just taking that piece of feedback into consideration is piece of feedback into consideration is piece of feedback into consideration is useful useful useful um is is important but i also think that um is is important but i also think that um is is important but i also think that there are so many other destinations there are so many other destinations there are so many other destinations where you can kind of capture where you can kind of capture where you can kind of capture a similar sentiment to the a similar sentiment to the a similar sentiment to the the excitement and the energy and the the excitement and the energy and the the excitement and the energy and the kind of awesomeness of the shows the kind of awesomeness of the shows the kind of awesomeness of the shows the food scene things like that food scene things like that food scene things like that that you do find in vegas i think there that you do find in vegas i think there that you do find in vegas i think there are so many other places that you are so many other places that you are so many other places that you potentially can find that potentially can find that potentially can find that specifically like new york los angeles specifically like new york los angeles specifically like new york los angeles like there are like there are like there are there's these major metropolitan there's these major metropolitan there's these major metropolitan destinations that destinations that destinations that um that are a little price exclusive um that are a little price exclusive um that are a little price exclusive um so that's one of the reasons that um so that's one of the reasons that um so that's one of the reasons that this is kind of this is kind of this is kind of a little bit of a pipe dream but there a little bit of a pipe dream but there a little bit of a pipe dream but there are destinations that are destinations that are destinations that kind of fill those holes that's kind of fill those holes that's kind of fill those holes that's moving out of las vegas that might be moving out of las vegas that might be moving out of las vegas that might be created created created but i think that if we are able to get but i think that if we are able to get but i think that if we are able to get to a point where to a point where to a point where we can mitigate the costs that are we can mitigate the costs that are we can mitigate the costs that are associated with going to those types of associated with going to those types of associated with going to those types of destinations that would be my default destinations that would be my default destinations that would be my default yep that makes sense speaking you yep that makes sense speaking you yep that makes sense speaking you brought up dream locations you know if brought up dream locations you know if brought up dream locations you know if money were no object i think that's a money were no object i think that's a money were no object i think that's a really good question someone threw that really good question someone threw that really good question someone threw that out out out uh the other day and i i mean i got to uh the other day and i i mean i got to uh the other day and i i mean i got to be honest like i've wanted to have a be honest like i've wanted to have a be honest like i've wanted to have a microconf microconf microconf in minneapolis and in denver for quite

in minneapolis and in denver for quite in minneapolis and in denver for quite some time because i really like the some time because i really like the some time because i really like the downtowns of those cities and downtowns of those cities and downtowns of those cities and you know it's probably no uh no accident you know it's probably no uh no accident you know it's probably no uh no accident that that that growth 2022 in u.s is minneapolis and growth 2022 in u.s is minneapolis and growth 2022 in u.s is minneapolis and 2023 2023 2023 is um is denver yeah but aside from that is um is denver yeah but aside from that is um is denver yeah but aside from that i i really like boston i live there for i i really like boston i live there for i i really like boston i live there for a year a year a year i would love to do it there the hotels i would love to do it there the hotels i would love to do it there the hotels are 350 a night are 350 a night are 350 a night and it's just been cost prohibitive we and it's just been cost prohibitive we and it's just been cost prohibitive we would need to charge a lot more would need to charge a lot more would need to charge a lot more than typical microcup growth but i love than typical microcup growth but i love than typical microcup growth but i love boston boston boston uh i like new york uh i like new york in uh i like new york uh i like new york in uh i like new york uh i like new york in short small doses short small doses short small doses two to forty eight hour seventy two two to forty eight hour seventy two two to forty eight hour seventy two years like in terms of manhattan and the years like in terms of manhattan and the years like in terms of manhattan and the energy there it's like this is cool energy there it's like this is cool energy there it's like this is cool and then i'm exhausted you know so i and then i'm exhausted you know so i and then i'm exhausted you know so i wouldn't mind doing that wouldn't mind doing that wouldn't mind doing that um and then i i don't know i mean having um and then i i don't know i mean having um and then i i don't know i mean having lived in la lived in la lived in la i don't know if i would do it in la i don't know if i would do it in la i don't know if i would do it in la there it's just such sprawl i guess we there it's just such sprawl i guess we there it's just such sprawl i guess we could pick like you'd have to almost could pick like you'd have to almost could pick like you'd have to almost pick like pasadena pick like pasadena pick like pasadena i want something that has that downtown i want something that has that downtown i want something that has that downtown energy you know right pasadena would be energy you know right pasadena would be energy you know right pasadena would be outrageously expensive but that's why outrageously expensive but that's why outrageously expensive but that's why it's a dream location maybe it's a dream location maybe it's a dream location maybe san diego is another one that i think san diego is another one that i think san diego is another one that i think would be super fun just would be super fun just would be super fun just to have a microcompany or a beach you to have a microcompany or a beach you to have a microcompany or a beach you know like well like we're doing croatia know like well like we're doing croatia know like well like we're doing croatia right right right yeah yeah exactly like microconf in yeah yeah exactly like microconf in yeah yeah exactly like microconf in hawaii sounds fantastic hawaii sounds fantastic hawaii sounds fantastic i don't have to go anywhere at that i don't have to go anywhere at that i don't have to go anywhere at that point and so like there's a lot of point and so like there's a lot of point and so like there's a lot of positives that come with that positives that come with that positives that come with that but as you look at some of your more but as you look at some of your more but as you look at some of your more luxury destinations you've got luxury destinations you've got luxury destinations you've got places like dubai you've got places like places like dubai you've got places like places like dubai you've got places like hawaii you've got hawaii you've got hawaii you've got the caribbean there are some pretty nice the caribbean there are some pretty nice the caribbean there are some pretty nice places out there but the maldives bali

places out there but the maldives bali places out there but the maldives bali like they're just these amazing like they're just these amazing like they're just these amazing locations that you could host and now locations that you could host and now locations that you could host and now like like like my dream destination would be a space my dream destination would be a space my dream destination would be a space station on the moon station on the moon station on the moon like could you imagine flying everybody like could you imagine flying everybody like could you imagine flying everybody up getting them to the moon up getting them to the moon up getting them to the moon setting up conference tables doing like setting up conference tables doing like setting up conference tables doing like space walks like that is space walks like that is space walks like that is that's the dream you're an event that's the dream you're an event that's the dream you're an event producer i don't know if the millions producer i don't know if the millions producer i don't know if the millions and millions per person that that would and millions per person that that would and millions per person that that would cost cost cost is going to be a a viable option for us is going to be a a viable option for us is going to be a a viable option for us that's why it's a dream location though that's why it's a dream location though that's why it's a dream location though right it's so funny i mean you know for folks who don't know i mean you know for folks who don't know producer xander lives in hawaii and so producer xander lives in hawaii and so producer xander lives in hawaii and so this is this is this is this is kind of a natural it's a natural this is kind of a natural it's a natural this is kind of a natural it's a natural something to have there whether we to something to have there whether we to something to have there whether we to try a local there or whether try a local there or whether try a local there or whether we uh you know do a full-on event i we uh you know do a full-on event i we uh you know do a full-on event i guess there wouldn't be that many folks guess there wouldn't be that many folks guess there wouldn't be that many folks living on hawaii living on hawaii living on hawaii you know in the microcomp community so you know in the microcomp community so you know in the microcomp community so we probably have to do a longer one but we probably have to do a longer one but we probably have to do a longer one but well if you're interested in moving out well if you're interested in moving out well if you're interested in moving out to hawaii uh to hawaii uh to hawaii uh i'm currently working at impact hub in i'm currently working at impact hub in i'm currently working at impact hub in or hub hawaii it used to be part of or hub hawaii it used to be part of or hub hawaii it used to be part of impact hub out here and so impact hub out here and so impact hub out here and so they are looking to open a bunch of they are looking to open a bunch of they are looking to open a bunch of locations all across the island locations all across the island locations all across the island so this is not an advertisement i am not so this is not an advertisement i am not so this is not an advertisement i am not getting sponsorship dollars but i am getting sponsorship dollars but i am getting sponsorship dollars but i am stealing a conference room today so stealing a conference room today so stealing a conference room today so nice nice um nice nice um nice nice um well let's see what else there well well let's see what else there well well let's see what else there well there's a question about the plans for there's a question about the plans for there's a question about the plans for the next few years i know we talked a the next few years i know we talked a the next few years i know we talked a little bit you know you asked me little bit you know you asked me little bit you know you asked me uh 10 years out but uh what do you know uh 10 years out but uh what do you know uh 10 years out but uh what do you know what have we been talking about what have we been talking about what have we been talking about um but either get i guess internally um but either get i guess internally um but either get i guess internally that you feel comfortable sharing or you that you feel comfortable sharing or you that you feel comfortable sharing or you know what what have we

know what what have we know what what have we said publicly that maybe people um have said publicly that maybe people um have said publicly that maybe people um have forgotten forgotten forgotten right because like you said they made a right because like you said they made a right because like you said they made a big announcement in december of 2019 and big announcement in december of 2019 and big announcement in december of 2019 and it's like have we revisited that of like it's like have we revisited that of like it's like have we revisited that of like hey we're doing hey we're doing hey we're doing trying to do a microconfession next year trying to do a microconfession next year trying to do a microconfession next year for example you know assuming yeah for example you know assuming yeah for example you know assuming yeah so i think that some of the things that so i think that some of the things that so i think that some of the things that just casual reminders for just casual reminders for just casual reminders for people are that the microcomp video people are that the microcomp video people are that the microcomp video vault here on youtube vault here on youtube vault here on youtube has uh over 300 videos that we has uh over 300 videos that we has uh over 300 videos that we have gathered from different conferences have gathered from different conferences have gathered from different conferences over the course of the last 10 years over the course of the last 10 years over the course of the last 10 years um we have these microcomp on-air um we have these microcomp on-air um we have these microcomp on-air episodes that are live streamed every episodes that are live streamed every episodes that are live streamed every other wednesday and those that archive other wednesday and those that archive other wednesday and those that archive is all available here is all available here is all available here we've got the microconf podcast um so we've got the microconf podcast um so we've got the microconf podcast um so this is less about the future and more this is less about the future and more this is less about the future and more about the things that we said we were about the things that we said we were about the things that we said we were going to do during that future of going to do during that future of going to do during that future of microconf microconf microconf um conversation that we have really um conversation that we have really um conversation that we have really honed in on and we've executed on those honed in on and we've executed on those honed in on and we've executed on those elements elements elements comp connect if you're not in there comp connect if you're not in there comp connect if you're not in there that's uh microcompconnect.com that that's uh microcompconnect.com that that's uh microcompconnect.com that is our slack community so we're putting is our slack community so we're putting is our slack community so we're putting that together we're that together we're that together we're really excited that we're going to be really excited that we're going to be really excited that we're going to be looking at hiring a community manager looking at hiring a community manager looking at hiring a community manager over the course the next couple of weeks over the course the next couple of weeks over the course the next couple of weeks so if you so if you so if you pop over to microconf.com the bottom on pop over to microconf.com the bottom on pop over to microconf.com the bottom on the footnote there's a jobs posting the footnote there's a jobs posting the footnote there's a jobs posting that's down there so you can that's down there so you can that's down there so you can click over there if you have any click over there if you have any click over there if you have any interest in interest in interest in yeah totally i think that's one of the yeah totally i think that's one of the yeah totally i think that's one of the things that i am really excited about is things that i am really excited about is things that i am really excited about is to really just increase the value of the to really just increase the value of the to really just increase the value of the community experience especially within community experience especially within community experience especially within slack slack slack um getting people connected digitally um getting people connected digitally um getting people connected digitally especially right now especially right now especially right now and especially as we have over the and especially as we have over the and especially as we have over the course of the last year and a half like course of the last year and a half like course of the last year and a half like we really want we really want we really want to we this community can

to we this community can to we this community can being a executor and someone a founder being a executor and someone a founder being a executor and someone a founder within within within the world of independence ask and kind the world of independence ask and kind the world of independence ask and kind of your of your of your side hustle like as your and your side hustle like as your and your side hustle like as your and your earliest stages as your side hustling earliest stages as your side hustling earliest stages as your side hustling you may be working on this product from you may be working on this product from you may be working on this product from your basement or you might be working your basement or you might be working your basement or you might be working from home constantly from home constantly from home constantly the one of the pieces of feedback that the one of the pieces of feedback that the one of the pieces of feedback that we've gotten frequently is that there is we've gotten frequently is that there is we've gotten frequently is that there is a bit of a sense of isolation that you a bit of a sense of isolation that you a bit of a sense of isolation that you can run into can run into can run into um and so that's one of the key reasons um and so that's one of the key reasons um and so that's one of the key reasons that you guys started microconf that you guys started microconf that you guys started microconf is just to be able to bring people is just to be able to bring people is just to be able to bring people together um and together um and together um and i think that that is uh that is one of i think that that is uh that is one of i think that that is uh that is one of the the the goals that we've always created and i goals that we've always created and i goals that we've always created and i think by bringing on a community manager think by bringing on a community manager think by bringing on a community manager whose whose whose sole responsibility or one of their sole sole responsibility or one of their sole sole responsibility or one of their sole responsibilities is to responsibilities is to responsibilities is to kind of foster that sense of community kind of foster that sense of community kind of foster that sense of community to increase engagement to increase engagement to increase engagement to kind of spark conversations and to to kind of spark conversations and to to kind of spark conversations and to encourage people to encourage people to encourage people to to continue chatting and getting to know to continue chatting and getting to know to continue chatting and getting to know one another i think that that's going to one another i think that that's going to one another i think that that's going to be a be a be a really cool opportunity to see the really cool opportunity to see the really cool opportunity to see the community evolve within community evolve within community evolve within within slack specifically and then to within slack specifically and then to within slack specifically and then to see that on the outside and to see that on the outside and to see that on the outside and to see people in person at future events i see people in person at future events i see people in person at future events i think that's going to be pretty exciting think that's going to be pretty exciting think that's going to be pretty exciting as well as well as well yep i've got a question in uh youtube yep i've got a question in uh youtube yep i've got a question in uh youtube here can i join microcom from india and here can i join microcom from india and here can i join microcom from india and of course of course of course um uh as rob mentioned we made some um uh as rob mentioned we made some um uh as rob mentioned we made some announcements last year announcements last year announcements last year uh there we if you can head over to uh there we if you can head over to uh there we if you can head over to microconf connect.com and join the slack microconf connect.com and join the slack microconf connect.com and join the slack community at any point community at any point community at any point uh that is a global community we've got uh that is a global community we've got uh that is a global community we've got about 2 200 people that are in there about 2 200 people that are in there about 2 200 people that are in there um and we also have um and we also have um and we also have plans to host microcomp asia in 2022

plans to host microcomp asia in 2022 plans to host microcomp asia in 2022 um looking at dates and destinations um looking at dates and destinations um looking at dates and destinations right now we've got to kind of narrow right now we've got to kind of narrow right now we've got to kind of narrow down i don't know if we want to talk down i don't know if we want to talk down i don't know if we want to talk about that quite yet mostly because i about that quite yet mostly because i about that quite yet mostly because i like to be cagey about those types of like to be cagey about those types of like to be cagey about those types of things until i have signed contracts but things until i have signed contracts but things until i have signed contracts but um we are planning on heading out to um we are planning on heading out to um we are planning on heading out to asia for asia for asia for our first flagship microcom growth our first flagship microcom growth our first flagship microcom growth conference in conference in conference in asia otherwise we have microcomp europe asia otherwise we have microcomp europe asia otherwise we have microcomp europe happening in dubrovnik or our microconf happening in dubrovnik or our microconf happening in dubrovnik or our microconf local program so it gets a little bit local program so it gets a little bit local program so it gets a little bit closer to you in closer to you in closer to you in india but uh our intention is to try and india but uh our intention is to try and india but uh our intention is to try and find a way to get find a way to get find a way to get across all six primary continents and if across all six primary continents and if across all six primary continents and if i can get onto antarctica i would love i can get onto antarctica i would love i can get onto antarctica i would love to do that as well to do that as well to do that as well microcomp local antarctica love that microcomp local antarctica love that microcomp local antarctica love that idea in addition there's always idea in addition there's always idea in addition there's always youtube.com microconf obviously to watch youtube.com microconf obviously to watch youtube.com microconf obviously to watch the you know watch our the you know watch our the you know watch our content and the um content and the um content and the um microcomp remote we'll be doing another microcomp remote we'll be doing another microcomp remote we'll be doing another microconf remote i don't know that we microconf remote i don't know that we microconf remote i don't know that we have it on the books now but that's have it on the books now but that's have it on the books now but that's that's something that makes it really that's something that makes it really that's something that makes it really easy those are low-cost events easy those are low-cost events easy those are low-cost events it's you know the last time we did it it's you know the last time we did it it's you know the last time we did it it's what about it's what about it's what about about five hours total and we split it about five hours total and we split it about five hours total and we split it over three days so you didn't have to over three days so you didn't have to over three days so you didn't have to sit five hours in front of it and you sit five hours in front of it and you sit five hours in front of it and you kind of work it around your work kind of work it around your work kind of work it around your work these are all ways that you can get these are all ways that you can get these are all ways that you can get value get inspiration value get inspiration value get inspiration and get ideas and start to start to get and get ideas and start to start to get and get ideas and start to start to get you know you know you know invested in the community and allow the invested in the community and allow the invested in the community and allow the community to invest in you as well community to invest in you as well community to invest in you as well well sir we are at time it always goes well sir we are at time it always goes well sir we are at time it always goes so fast um so fast um so fast um i could go for another 30 minutes just i could go for another 30 minutes just i could go for another 30 minutes just chatting about microconf you know that chatting about microconf you know that chatting about microconf you know that right right right yeah yeah we're going to as we start our yeah yeah we're going to as we start our yeah yeah we're going to as we start our one-on-one weekly call yeah that's right one-on-one weekly call yeah that's right one-on-one weekly call yeah that's right right after right after right after this live stream now let's just say

this live stream now let's just say this live stream now let's just say let's just hang out on the live stream let's just hang out on the live stream let's just hang out on the live stream as we as we do our internal conversation as we as we do our internal conversation as we as we do our internal conversation yeah that'll be great great i love it yeah that'll be great great i love it yeah that'll be great great i love it so producer xander if folks want to keep so producer xander if folks want to keep so producer xander if folks want to keep up with you up with you up with you you are producer xander on twitter you are producer xander on twitter you are producer xander on twitter that's with an that's with an that's with an x x-a-n-d-e-r and obviously x x-a-n-d-e-r and obviously x x-a-n-d-e-r and obviously folks want to see what you're working on folks want to see what you're working on folks want to see what you're working on microconf.com microconf.com microconf.com yeah definitely thanks for having me on yeah definitely thanks for having me on yeah definitely thanks for having me on absolutely thanks for joining me sir absolutely thanks for joining me sir absolutely thanks for joining me sir for sure as we roll out and producers for sure as we roll out and producers for sure as we roll out and producers and our steps and our steps and our steps he steps back behind the screen and i he steps back behind the screen and i he steps back behind the screen and i think our think our think our our outro music is going to start i want our outro music is going to start i want our outro music is going to start i want to thank hey to thank hey to thank hey and stripe for being our headline and stripe for being our headline and stripe for being our headline partners once again partners once again partners once again in 2021 and into 2022. in 2021 and into 2022. in 2021 and into 2022. next up august 18th we're going to be next up august 18th we're going to be next up august 18th we're going to be talking i'm going to be talking with talking i'm going to be talking with talking i'm going to be talking with jennifer yep of lunch money talking jennifer yep of lunch money talking jennifer yep of lunch money talking about building a b2c about building a b2c about building a b2c sas app it's great to see you today like sas app it's great to see you today like sas app it's great to see you today like and subscribe on youtube and subscribe on youtube and subscribe on youtube talk to you guys soon