If you've been following along, then you know we took over House of Vans in Chicago for our C&C conference. The Windy City welcomed us with open arms and Vans provided the perfect space for us to build our beautiful dream conference. We decked out the space with beautiful furnishings courtesy of Deny Designs, and Instagrammable moments thanks to Name Glo, Vince Camuto, Bic Soleil, Volvo, and so many more. The pros at WeWork provided VIP guests with a cozy lounge for networking between panels, Comcast provided an in-depth mentor power hour with some of the fire-hearted women in the game and JC Penney took over our stunning outdoor stage and treated our guests with a music-filled post-conference happy hour to celebrate an unforgettable day.
Throughout the day we heard some killer quotes from our speakers and moderators that deserve some major credit. Ahead, some of the biggest mic-drop moments of the day.
"Full ass EVERYTHING."
- Rachel Tipograff, Founder & CEO MikMak
"I'm not too expensive. You just can't afford me yet."
-Blake Von D, Attorney & Influencer
"The sooner you embrace the messiness in life; the sooner order will show itself."
-Lori Wright, Microsoft
"The only boundaries I have now are the ones I set for myself."
-Marianna Hewitt, Co-founder of Summer Fridays & Founder of Life With Me
"To be an entrepreneur in 2018 you need hustle, passion, and no fear."
-Shay Mitchell, Actress, Producer, & Influencer
"The best advice I've ever received: Feedback is a gift."
-Alli Webb, Co-Founder of Drybar
“If it’s not worth working hard for, it’s not worth it at all.”
-Jennifer Hudson, Singer, Actress, Philanthropist
“People need to learn how to rest, rather than learn how to quit.”
-Ben Silbermann, Co-Founder & CEO of Pinterest
"Know your value, know your worth, and know what you can bring to the table."
-Reesa Lake, Partner & EVP at Digital Brand Architects
“Don’t ever let technology replace the importance of personal relationships.”
-Julia Simon, Chief Legal Officer of Mary Kay
“Figure out what you need to make your life easier. That’s how you run a one-woman show.”
- Maxie McCoy, Author of You're Not Lost & Public Speaker
Thank Yous!
Our guests were able to stay fueled throughout the day thanks to our food and beverage sponsors. Health-Ade kicked off the day with breakfast and of course some kombucha for our guests to sip on as they got settled for the day. Sweetgreen provided a delicious array of salads for lunch, and McDonald's came through with a food truck for a mid-afternoon bite. OUI by Yoplait, RX Bar, and Luna also had snacks prepared for everyone to nibble one. And of course, OLLY had our backs with a variety of vitamins for guests to stay clear-headed and healthy for panels and networking.
It wouldn't be a C&C conference without a fully-stocked bar to enjoy while making your way to through the event. Chandon provided mini-bottles of its summer-themed bubbly, and the Crown Royal team mixed a delicious variety of cocktails. Of course, there were other options such as everyone's favorite La Croix, and Icelandic Glacial water to stay hydrated in the Chi-town heat.
One of our biggest hits was the pop-up market, which featured everything from beauty touch-ups to business pitching opportunities and relaxation. Our guests got to try the buzzy Dyson Super Sonic blow dryer, and both Sexy Hair and Living Proof featured the latest products for both volume and styling. Nordstrom Beauty had so many of its best-selling brands available on-site, and our beauty babes loved it.
The Pinterest team put a twist on their activation with tarot cards for building your future, and Pacifica Beauty emphasized gemstones and healing crystals for boosting girl power. The Microsoft Teams squad also introduced everyone to the collaborative platform that can boost team communication and productivity, while WeddingWire showed all the busy ladies that nuptials don't need to be put on hold if you plan like a boss. Our Chicago ticket-holders also had the opportunity to sit back and relax at Serena & Lily's Lake Michigan-inspired hangout.
Method Home even managed to take over the restrooms with a mix of hand soaps, rainbow bright decor and cell-phone holders in every stall.
Once again, thank you to ALL of our C&C Chicago partners and speakers, we couldn't have made the day so special without all of your hard work and dedication to women in business!
Missed out on Gina Bianchini’s incredible session from our Offsite? No worries! We’re sharing her insights on building a thriving community that feels like a real network, not just an audience.