All Things Open Reflection: Doing It Scared, Doing It Together

I didn’t expect to show up at All Things Open and find the keynote that cracked something open in me, but Jason Lengstorf’s “Upside of Being Unreasonable” took me out. If you’ve ever hesitated on pulling the trigger because the idea felt “too much,” “not ready,” or maybe “not for people like me”—same. I’ve flown to countries where I didn’t speak the language, slept in the Amazon jungle, hiked volcanos, did things that felt scary before, but building tech and laying down roots for community? That’s been the scariest. Jason’s unapologetic permission to act on wild ideas—especially if they scare you—felt like what my 30s needed. It’s a gut check: am I holding back because something isn’t possible, or because I’m not letting myself even try?

Notebooks, Collabs, and #75HER

Let’s talk about what got sparked: I left with a notebook exploding with collab ideas, intros, and tech I actually want to build or teach at CreateHER Fest. (Push your comfort zone, get paid in LinkedIn connections, right?)

Our #75HER hackathon series is rolling out, and—thanks to conversations from ATO—I’m seriously mapping out how to treat CreateHER Fest like an open source project: everyone clear on how to jump in, grow, and own a piece of this mission. Volunteer roles = contributors and maintainers. We’re piloting new ways for folks to learn, lead, and be recognized for their efforts. Documentation, mentorship, open roadmaps… stay tuned (👀)!

Why Tickets (and Access) Matter

Here’s the truth: getting to be in these rooms isn’t something I take lightly. Conferences are expensive, and the last time I came, I was in a totally different place—both financially, mentally, everything. So, when Todd Lewis and the ATO team gifted our tickets, they did more than just help us “show up”, they handed us possibility. Access is everything. One of the biggest barriers for women breaking into (and staying in) tech is simply getting into the spaces where opportunity and stories are shared.

Community is the Real Value Add

My favorite advice? “Sometimes, being unreasonable is the way to make the biggest impact.” (Jason) and “Keep bringing as many people to the table as possible” (Todd). All Things Open didn’t feel like a hierarchy of tech celebrities. Imagine a giant Reddit thread, but IRL—nerdy, vibrant, everyone in the mix, even if you’re new.

What I Want To Build Next (and How You Can Join)

If you care about making tech more open, now’s the time: At CreateHER Fest, we’re rolling out programming that’s free. But even FREE things cost. We need speakers, tech mentors, judges, and sponsors—especially those who get why access for women in tech can’t be an afterthought.

Have a project beginners can jump into? Want to support CreateHER Fest? Let’s keep this energy going, together.

Last Word

If you read this far—seriously, thank you. This community thrives on people who share, show up, and say yes to new things (even scared). ATO reminded me that belonging is built by each of us, every time we choose action, connection, and a little bit of healthy “unreasonableness” over the status quo.