In this episode of Terri Talks, Terri Paetz sits down with Tanya Henderson, Microsoft MVP and co-founder of TESS Team, to unpack what really happens behind the scenes at conferences and in the Microsoft ecosystem.

From networking and learning to building a personal brand and contributing to the community, this conversation goes beyond the surface of what people typically expect from events.

Tanya shares her perspective on:

• Why conferences are about more than just customers

• How networking leads to long-term opportunities

• What the MVP program actually looks for

• The real work behind sessions and content creation

• How consistency in the community builds recognition

They also discuss the role of initiatives like BC Blondes, the importance of finding your niche, and why showing up consistently matters more than chasing immediate results.

This episode gives a grounded and honest view into how professionals grow within the Microsoft ecosystem, not through shortcuts, but through contribution, visibility, and community engagement.