On March 25, 2021, Create & Cultivate joined forces with DoorDash for an entirely *virtual* dinner event to champion women-owned businesses and experience Made by Women, DoorDash’s new in-app features that make it easier to discover and support local independent women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs.

The intimate digital event was an evening filled with inspiring stories, great food, and important conversations on resiliency, vulnerability, community, and the state of the future, led by influential hosts including Rebecca Minkoff, Shiza Shahid, Ally Maki, and Good Clean Wine co-founders Michelle Feldman and Courtney Dunlop.

Women-owned businesses disproportionately feel the impacts of COVID-19. The road to recovery for small businesses post-COVID is long, and data from The U.S. Chamber of Commerce shows that women-owned small businesses have an even longer road ahead of them. DoorDash considers this commitment to supporting Women-owned businesses an ongoing effort that demands action through its product, voice, and resources, such as Made by Women.

Hundreds of Women-owned, independent restaurants across more than 40 US states have opted into Made by Women and are now searchable on DoorDash by keyword “Women owned”, including local Los Angeles favorites such as Kismet, Guelaguetza, Interstellar, Botanica and Lady & Larder, with more to come in the coming months.

Discover, shop and support more women-owned restaurants in Los Angeles, then join us at the table to tune into the conversations below–we saved you a seat.

WELCOME DRINKS: NEW RITUALS

Event Host / MC
Maxie McCoy, Host & Executive Producer of WOMAN ON

Guests
Michelle Feldman and Courtney Dunlop, Co-Founders of Good Clean Wine

“We never take our wine for granted and we love the ritual of getting together to experience a wine for the first time.” – Courtney Dunlop

“Our wine is wine that you can afford to share or enjoy on a Tuesday night. Especially given what  we've all gone through in the past year, wine can be a ritual to celebrate everyday moments.” – Michelle Feldman

FIRST COURSE: RESILIENCY 

Host / MC
Maxie McCoy, Host & Executive Producer of WOMAN ON

Guest
Rebecca Minkoff, Co-Founder, Creative Director of Rebecca Minkoff | Co-Founder Female Founder Collective 

“When faced with a challenge, try to look back and remember every time you have found success and remember the feeling. The happiness you felt was because you overcame a barrier that was not insurmountable.” – Rebecca Minkoff

“Vulnerability is important–– it doesn't mean we are weak, it means we are honest.” – Rebecca Minkoff

If you were standing in the shoes of your future self, would you be okay looking back and knowing that you gave up, or would you rather know that you did everything possible to endure, regardless of the outcome.” – Maxie McCoy 

“We have to get over the idea that being an entrepreneur or a founder should be easy – it’s never been that way.” – Rebecca Minkoff

SECOND COURSE: COMMUNITY

Host
Sonja Rasula, Founder, Unique Markets

Guest:
Ally Maki, Actor & Founder of Asian American Girl Club 

“There were few, if any, shows featuring Asian American women as the lead, so we decided to create our own-–together. They will be so much more powerful, united, strong and authentic because the stories are coming directly from us.” – Ally Maki

“In this day and age of social media, we're able to use our voices like never before and with that comes an opportunity to find our tribe, wherever they may be in the world.” – Ally Maki

“Create content with authenticity and the community will grow organically.” – Ally Maki

“Community, female friendship and collaboration are absolutely essential––I would not be where I am today; I would not be as full and as happy.” – Ally Maki

THIRD COURSE: THE FUTURE

Host
Katie Daire, Senior Director, B2B Marketing at DoorDash

Guest
Shiza Shahid - Cofounder, Our Place and Malala Fund 

“Food media for a long time had sort of ignored a lot of the cuisines, cultures and traditions that so many of us celebrate.” – Shiza Shahid

“Home cooking is about so much more than food––it's about connection to your culture, your identity, your traditions––and each other.” – Shiza Shahid

“As we re-acclimate to public spaces and gatherings, there is a noticeable hunger for connection, along with an intentional desire to not take these moments for granted anymore.” – Shiza Shahid