Let’s get this out of the way: PickleCon isn’t a pickle convention. It is a conference for creative entrepreneurs looking to take themselves and their businesses to the next level.
Vinegary garnishes aside, PickleCon, which takes place from May 22 to May 24 at Hotel Valley Ho is a seminar focused on more than marketing and sales techniques. There are sessions on managing stress, creating daily habits and forming peer groups for accountability.
Russ Perry, Founder and CEO of the Scottsdale graphic design service Design Pickle, isn’t shy about why he is including classes on self-care. He has battled alcoholism and almost lost his family because he was burning himself out getting his business off the ground. By being honest about his journey, he’s hoping to motivate and inspire others to take time for themselves and feel confident that success will follow.
“We want to talk about real stuff because that’s how reality is,” says Perry.
Perry started the event last year for his employees. This year, he wanted to share his training with the public while showcasing other successful movers and shakers who are chasing their dreams rather than simply bragging about their wealth. For the inaugural lineup, PickleCon will feature Sam Parr, Founder and CEO of The Hustle, and former Chief Marketing Officer of Wake Up Warrior Jeremy Tyler, amongst others.
“It’s like getting the gas tank filled up in all areas of your life,” Perry says.
But if this convention intrigued you in part out of the hope that you might score some samples of the savory sandwich topping, Perry assures us you won’t be disappointed.
“The very first marketing event I ever did, I handed out pickles,” he says. “It was such a hit that we actually do have pickles at every event, even though we are not a pickle company.”
