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What to Expect at Our Austin Pop Up

Get ready for Austin!

Austin, we’re back! You showed up for us last year—more than 6,000 of you RSVP’d to see our keynote speaker Gina Rodriguez drop some knowledge—and we can’t wait to come back and do it even bigger and better at this year’s Austin Pop Up, presented by Mastercard.

On March 10, we’ll be hosting another FREE one-day pop-up event with amazing panels, delicious food and drinks, shoppable pop ups, and everything else you’ve come to know and love about Create & Cultivate events. Here’s what you can expect this year…

Location

The Allan House

1104 San Antonio Street

Austin, Texas 78701

Parking

We highly suggest you plan to use a ride-share service! There are street parking options and a few paid lots nearby, but availability is not guaranteed.

What to Bring

Your ID! We’ll have drinks onsite for those 21 and up.

Arrivals

Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Space is not guaranteed, so arrive early (seriously—this event will fill up fast!). The first 150 guests will receive a gift bag full of goodies!

Want to skip the line?

We’re offering our #createcultivateATX attendees early access to our new Create & Cultivate Insiders program before it launches on April 2nd. Sign up today and use your membership to get front of line access to all of our events for the year. Did we mention it also unlocks some pretty amazing perks? Get excited to gain access to our entire archive of panel videos, monthly digital mentor sessions where you can join live to ask your questions to some of the best in the biz, plus an entire library of career worksheets & downloads that we’ve created to help you THRIVE.

Learn more here!

SHOPPING, FOOD, &
FUN IN THE SUN

We’ve partnered with some of our favorite brands to bring you amazing shopping experiences, to-die-for photo ops, and delicious food and drinks! Peruse each booth to find your new go-to brands for home, beauty, and fashion!

LIFESTYLE

Mastercard

Our presenting sponsor is here to talk all things small business. Stop by to snap some ‘gram-worthy moments that’ll make all your friends at home jealous!

Glade

Have you experienced the new Glade® Essentials Room Mists that are lightly layered and infused with essential oils? Try a spritz before adding some flair to your manicure at a statement nail bar—then show it off in a fun photo op!

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Chameleon Cold-Brew

Need an afternoon pick-me-up for a day full of panels? Chameleon will be serving organic black nitro cold-brew coffee alongside local jeweler Nina Berenato, who will be creating custom embossed keychains for guests!

Not Your Father’s

Cool off with a Lemonade Freeze from Not Your Father’s, our favorite boozy root beer brand! Find both flavors locally and across Texas at HEB.

CORE

Stop by CORE’s upside-down pop up to hang out and hydrate!

Crown Royal

Stop by the Crown Royal booth to build a care package for the Purple Bag Project, a partnership with non-profit organization Packages From Home. You’ll pack uplifting notes, food, and personal care items into repurposed Crown Royal bags to send to American military heroes overseas.

Lifeway

We’ve got everyone with dietary restrictions in mind! Come sample Lifeway Plantiful, the first plant-based probiotic beverage made from organic and non-GMO pea protein with 10 vegan kefir cultures. It’s dairy-, gluten- and soy-free.

LaCroix

Snap some IG-worthy pics in La Croix’s interactive booth and (duh) pick up your favorite flavor, too.

AUTO

Volvo

Stop by the Volvo pop up to check out their brand new S60! It’s kind of our dream car.

FASHION & BEAUTY

Batiste Dry Shampoo

Does your hair need a refresh? Stop by the Batiste booth to get styled by a pro, then show off your new look in a fun photo op.

PAIGE

Get your ‘gram on, then grab some goods! Social media is your currency at the Paige Social Shop, so snap that IG and get free swag like scrunchies, shirts, and pins!

Roxy

Stop by Roxy’s mini shop to see the latest swimwear, dresses, and easy tops. Grab a reusable straw and custom pouch, then stop by the “Make Waves, Move Mountains” wall for the perfect photo op.

OGX

We’ll have stylists on site to give your hair a quick makeover so you’re ready for photo ops all day long!

SCHEDULE

Power Breakfast | 10:30 - 11:00

Start the morning off with coffee & conversation with the best in the biz before a big day of programming. We’ll be serving up cold-brew coffee and a light breakfast from Chameleon Cold-Brew, Lifeway, and Purely Elizabeth.


Panel: Marketing Masterclass | 11:00 - 12:00

Hear from marketing masters on growing a cult following and building brands people love.

Panelists:

Erin Silver | Head of Social Media at Volvo

Adrienne Bosh | Founder of Sparkle & Shine Darling

Carrie Colbert | CEO of CarrieColbert.com

Claire Fountain | Mental health advocate & creator of Trillyoga

Sarah Kunst | Founder of Cleo Capital

Moderator:

Shira Lazar | Media Entrepreneur

Fireside Chat | 12:00 - 12:30

This intimate one-on-one panel gives you the opportunity to hear the ins and outs of the career of a super-successful woman in business. We can’t wait to share our guest for this chat—you won’t want to miss it!

Panel: Content Economy | 12:30 - 1:30

We’ll pass the mic to some of our favorite content creators to hear how they’re making waves online and IRL.

Panelists:

Paola Mathe | Founder, Finding Paola & Fanm Djanm

Dani Austin | Founder, DaniAustin.com

Camille Styles | Founder & CEO, Camille Styles

Jen Pinkston | Founder, The Effortless Chic

Genevieve Padalecki | Founder, Now & Gen

Moderator:

Reesa Lake | Partner, Digital Brand Architects

Panel: Real Time, Real Talk | 1:30 - 2:30

How do brands keep up with the constantly-shifting digital landscape? Listen to these ladies share their secrets for social and more.

Panelists:

Jessi Afshin | Founder, Darling Detail

Agatha Ashiofu | Founder, Irony of Ashi

Eman | Makeup Artist, Entrepreneur, and OGXpert

Bruna Schmitz | Roxy Pro Surfer & Ambassador

Courtney Shields | Founder, Bring Your Own Beauty

Sophie Kelly | Sr. Vice President of North American Whiskeys Portfolio, Diageo

Moderator:

Maxie McCoy | Author and speaker

Lunch | 2:30 - 3:30

Sure, Texas is known for its BBQ, but we’re challenging you to think outside the box. Why would lunch be any different? We’ve got something for everyone, including vegetarians! Grab some lunch from Beyond Meat, bottled water from CORE and delicious malt beverages from Not Your Father’s, then get your WorkParty book signed by author Jaclyn Johnson!

And be sure to stop by our Crown Royal bar for cocktails throughout the day!

Priceless Conversations, Powered by Mastercard | 3:30 - 4:30

We’ll gather our small business advisory to chat about all the trials and tribulations of running your own biz. Stay tuned to see who’s on the advisory—you’ll definitely want to hear from these talented ladies!

WorkParty Podcast Live | 4:30 - 5:00

Watch a live taping of WorkParty the podcast, one of the top-rated weekly business podcasts on iTunes!

Keynote Panel: Create & Innovate | 5:00 - 6:00

Learn how to build a brand in a crowded marketplace with advice from women who’ve done it themselves.

Panelists:

Paige Adams-Geller | Founder & Creative Director, Paige

Camila Alves | Founder, Women of Today

Julie Smolyansky | President & CEO, Lifeway

Sami Fishbein | Co-founder and COO of Betches Media

Keynote Conversations | 6:00 - 6:30

We’ve got an amazing keynote speaker coming soon—you’re gonna want to RSVP ASAP so you don’t end up on the waitlist for this one!

Happy Hour | 6:30 - 7:30

Cheers to an amazing day! Grab one last beauty treatment, shop the pop ups, and #treatyourself with some bubbly courtesy of Chandon in an Instagrammable (duh) Tossware glass—you deserve it!

FAQs

Can I leave and come back?

Yes, but as soon as you leave, we’ll let other people in—which means if you come back, you’ll have to wait in line again!

Can I save a seat?

Unfortunately, no. First come, first served.

I didn’t RSVP. Can I still get in?

You must RSVP to gain entry! Don’t forget!

Am I guaranteed entry?

We cannot guarantee anyone entry. Please line up early to secure your spot!

Will I have fun?

Duh! We’re throwing the best #WorkParty in town.

Who's ready? Comment below to say hello to fellow attendees!

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Meet the Austin Boss Lady Who Launched a Very Instagrammable Business

Brittany Pigorini of Birch & Brass had a big idea for your big day. 

Brittany Pigorini, the founder of Birch & Brass, a speciality event styling and boutique rental company in Austin, TX, interned in the event department at a magazine during college and "never looked back." 

At 20 she went on to manage an events marketing team for Coke. From there, her experience with the soft drink company lead to a career in her hometown of Los Angeles with experiential event production with brands like Nike, Pabst, and Columbia Sportswear. But it was when she relocated to Austin in the midst of planning her own wedding did she notice a hole, and a way to combine her event know-how with her love of vintage. 

We caught up with Brittany to learn more about Birch & Brass, thriving on new experiences, and the responsibility of helping someone with their "big day." 

Can you tell us a little about your background and the idea for Birch & Brass?

When I relocated to Austin, I was in the process of planning my own wedding. When I wasn't finding the unique pieces I was hoping to integrate into my special day, I decided to source everything myself. I've been an avid vintage hoarder since I was practically in diapers. I'm pretty sure I was the only 5-year-old buying crochet doilies at the flea market with my weekly allowance. 

I sourced everything from my brass floral vessels to vintage china and mismatched silverware. I brought in my own lounge furniture, tabletop elements, and everything in-between, but it was more work than I ever imagined, even with an events background. I figured that I couldn't be alone in my desire for eclectic event and wedding rentals, so I decided to open up shop. Birch & Brass truly blends my passion for event production with my vintage obsession.

Were you nervous about starting your own business? 

Oddly enough, I wasn't initially nervous to start my own business. I thought I knew what I was doing - even though I absolutely didn't - and ran with it. That's always been my personality type though, as I thrive off of new experiences and changes. 

As I realized that there were many aspects of a rental company that I hadn't taken into consideration--- like the fact that I essentially started a glorified moving company, I did grow a bit worrisome. There are many logistics involved that I hadn't taken into consideration, and my Mini Cooper wasn't exactly conducive for delivering sofas.

I knew that I could either reach out to people who had been in my same position, or allow my pride to destroy what I had worked so hard to create. So, I reached out to anyone and everyone with a business that I admired, whether or not it correlated to my own industry directly. I've learned that you can't be afraid to ask for help, and I still reach out to a few mentor types in my industry on a regular basis when I'm not sure of how to proceed.

"You can't be afraid to ask for help."

Tweet this. 

You’re in many ways responsible someone’s big day. But taking on the challenge of starting your own business is a big, huge decision. Which do you think is scarier? Planning a wedding or starting your own business? 

Hands down, the responsibility of executing a flawless wedding is more scary to me than starting my own business. I don't take it lightly that brides trust me with the most memorable day of their lives, so I do my absolute best to make sure that the product I'm providing them with is exactly what they're envisioning. I believe it's my personal responsibility to ensure anything Birch & Brass creates is unique for each client, and also aesthetically pleasing. 

The worst feeling in the world is when I have to reach out to a client and let them know that their favorite white sofa had wine spilled on it a few days before their wedding and it's no longer available. I dread those phone calls, because even though it may not be my personal fault, I never want to disappoint a client. While in the grand scheme of things I do realize that a sofa won't make or break someone's wedding day, I'm a detail-oriented person and I completely understand how a piece of furniture can deeply impact their vision.

Starting my business was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, but I wouldn't say it was the scariest. I think the dictionary definition of scary should be "an unhappy bride." 

 

When planning a wedding most people overlook:

The importance of a seating chart. Assigning guests to particular seats will spark good conversation at your tables and enable guests who may not know one another to avoid that awkward feeling of inviting themselves to join a stranger's table - and who doesn't love a beautiful place card?

What has been your proudest moment with the business?

While it may not seem like a large feat to some, the first month that we broke a small monthly profit was a few months after we had opened our doors. For some companies, this can take well into their first few years. All of my long workweeks felt validated, and it was a wonderful feeling to know that we were helping clients bring their wedding and events to life through our rentals.

When you get overwhelmed you: 

Head to my favorite tea house in town. I work from there often, as a change of scenery can do wonders for my imagination... and my anxiety.

What’s the one question a bride always asks? 

I suppose it's not a question per se, but we often encourage our clients to stick to their instincts. Many times they're afraid to stray from the norm, and I always tell them stories about how many aspects of my own wedding weren't traditional, but were certainly the most memorable for me. 

For example, one of our coordination clients is having someone dress up in a bear suit as a "ring bearer" at her wedding.  I didn't even blink an eye when she told me her idea, because knowing her fun-loving personality type, it would almost be more strange if she didn't incorporate such an unexpected element into her wedding day! 

When someone asks us if it would be "weird" to do something, I'm the first person to say absolutely not; I encourage this behavior wholeheartedly.

What’s one question you wish more couples would ask? 

I know it may sound silly, but I wish more couples were interested in the origins of our pieces, because that's truly what sets us apart from an ordinary rental house. 

Some of the best conversations I have are with clients that truly appreciate furniture with a past. I love nothing more than geeking out over a brass Milo Baughman bar cart or Victorian era sofa. I realize that's never going to happen with every client, but a girl can dream, right?

Do you have any advice for new business owners/those looking to go at it on their own this year?

You can take all of the appropriate steps in the world and wait for an ideal time to launch your business, or you can simply take the leap and realize that an "ideal" time is never going to come along. We all lead busy lives and can make excuse after excuse as to why it's impossible to start a business, but you'll always be wondering what would have happened if you'd just taken a chance on yourself.

Is being your own boss challenging? Yes. Is being responsible for another person's income intimidating? Yes. But, when you're truly doing something that you love, everything seems to fall into place even if it may not seem that way initially. You'll have to work harder than you've ever imagined, but you'll take such pride in everything that you do, because you realize it's a personal reflection of yourself. This will be your drive and motivation, even on those seemingly unbearable days.

"Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle."

Tweet this. 

I always provide the same advice, because it's truly what I believe: don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle. Learn to be content with being a beginner, learn from any criticism, and set goals for the future. One day, you'll be the company that other's are comparing themselves to, but you certainly can't expect to be what they are from the beginning or you're only setting yourself up for a letdown.

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