The 6 Key Pieces of Advice from Meghan Markle's Create & Cultivate Keynote

It's been said that a woman who knows exactly what she wants is one of the most powerful creatures in the world. When Suits actress and The Tig founder Meghan Markle took to the Create & Cultivate stage on at our #createcultivateATL conference she gave attendees a glimpse at what that looks like. 

Charming, intelligent, and unafraid to let her guard down, Meghan is the definition of the modern woman. In celebration of her big day, we're reliving our favorite moments and best pieces of advice the actress, editor, and activist shared with #CreateCultivateATL attendees. 

1. "DON'T GIVE IT FIVE MINUTES IF YOU'RE NOT GONNA GIVE IT FIVE YEARS."

Passion was a hot topic at the conference all day. Meghan echoed this sentiment by telling the crowd that if they couldn't see themselves dedicating five years of their life to their endeavors, what was the point in even giving it five minutes? 

"Five years sounds like a long time," she said, "but it's really not." 

Time is precious. Focus your efforts on your passions and success is sure to come. "That's when you see your long-term goals payoff," she added.  

photo credit: David Rosario.

2. "BLIND OUTREACH IS JUST LIKE AUDITIONING, IT'S A NUMBERS GAME."

Meghan started developing The Tig after receiving advice from The Coveteur co-founder Jake Rosenberg, to do a site herself. A company had approached her to essentially create MeganMarkle.com, but after giving herself a gut check she knew it didn't feel right. She wanted her site to be less about fashion and include more "think pieces and op-eds about empowerment." 

But just because she's on a show, the actress said she still had to blind email people. "No one knew what The Tig was at the beginning," she said, "but I kept putting out outreach. At the time some people loved Suits and some people hadn't a clue what it was. It seems like I had more of an in, but it wasn't the case." 

She told the audience about cold emailing Heidi Klum's assistant for an interview request. "I don't know Heidi Klum," Megan said, "but she said yes."  

"We all do cold outreach."

photo credit: David Rosario

3. "STOCK EMAILS WITH TYPOS? FORGET IT." 

Meghan is all about a personal touch, explaining that she still sends out handwritten thank you notes.  "I can't tell you how few of them I get," she said, "but one hundred percent of the time, I end up remembering that person." 

And even though she acknowledges typos happen, she says it's vital to make sure you're proofreading. It shows the recipient that you're paying attention and that you value their time. 

4. "YOU DON'T HAVE TO PLAY DRESS UP TO BE A FEMINIST. YOU ARE A FEMINIST EXACTLY THE WAY YOU ARE."

After an audience member asked Meghan how she balances being a feminist with being feminine, Meghan answered that there is no difference. "They are not mutually exclusive," she shared. "You can be a woman who wants to look good and still stand up for the equality of women."

"You can be a woman who wants to look good and still stand up for the equality of women."

Tweet this. 

You're allowed to be a feminist in whatever way that looks like to you. 

5. "DON'T TRY TO WIN THE PART, JUST WIN THE ROOM." 

Meghan shared that as a biracial actress she has heard 'no,' an endless number of times. "Because," she said, "I was going in for the ambiguous girl, the black girl, the white girl, even the sassy Latina girl-- even though I'm not Latina and I'm not even that sassy."

"It's very hard to not question something about yourself in those moments," she said of the endless parade of nos. "But at the end of the day it does not matter if you get that part or you get that dream job. It may see like it at the time, but if you make fans of the people who saw you in that room, that carries on so much longer than what that job might have become."

6.  "IT'S ALL STILL EXCITING. BE GRATEFUL FOR THE LITTLE THINGS. THAT'S HOW YOU ENJOY IT."

Meghan told the audience that for five months she climbed into the back of her trunk after auditions because she couldn't afford to get the broken locks on her car fixed. "This epic day happened where the locks stopped opening with the key," she shared. "And the clicker wouldn't open the front doors. I couldn't afford to fix the doors and this was my girl, this is how I got from one audition to the other." So she would drive to auditions, park in the back of the lot, and once they were over, she'd wait until no one was paying attention and climb back into her car through the trunk. 

Never in her dreams did Meghan think she'd be on a show that has run for six seasons, but in sharing real and humbling moments she's able to enjoy and stay grateful for the journey. 

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New Royalty, Meghan Markle, Shares 6 Pieces of Advice

photo credit: David Rosario. 

Take some advice from a real (almost) duchess ladies.

It's been said that a woman who knows exactly what she wants is one of the most powerful creatures in the world. And when the newly engaged (to ahem Prince Harry) Suits actress Meghan Markle took to the Create & Cultivate stage she gave attendees a glimpse at what that looks like. 

Charming, intelligent, and not afraid to let her guard down, Meghan is the definition of the modern woman and soon to be princess! Here are our favorite moments and six best pieces of advice the princess, actress, editor, and activist shared with #CreateCultivateATL attendees. Watch the full video here.

1. "DON'T GIVE IT FIVE MINUTES IF YOU'RE NOT GONNA GIVE IT FIVE YEARS."

Tweet this.

Passion was a hot topic at the conference all day. Meghan echoed this sentiment by telling the crowd that if they couldn't see themselves dedicating five years of their life to their endeavors, what was the point in even giving it five minutes? 

"Five years sounds like a long time," she said, "but it's really not." 

Time is precious. Focus your efforts on your passions and success is sure to come. "That's when you see your long-term goals payoff," she added.  

2. "BLIND OUTREACH IS JUST LIKE AUDITIONING, IT'S A NUMBERS GAME."

Meghan started developing The Tig after receiving advice from The Coveteur co-founder Jake Rosenberg, to do a site herself. A company had approached her to essentially create MeganMarkle.com, but after giving herself a gut check she knew it didn't feel right. She wanted her site to be less about fashion and include more "think pieces and op-eds about empowerment." 

But just because she's on a show, the actress said she still had to blind email people. "No one knew what The Tig was at the beginning," she said, "but I kept putting out outreach. At the time some people loved Suits and some people hadn't a clue what it was. It seems like I had more of an in, but it wasn't the case." 

She told the audience about cold emailing Heidi Klum's assistant for an interview request. "I don't know Heidi Klum," Megan said, "but she said yes."  

"We all do cold outreach."

photo credit: David Rosario 

3. "STOCK EMAILS WITH TYPOS? FORGET IT." 

Meghan is all about a personal touch, explaining that she still sends out handwritten thank you notes.  "I can't tell you how few of them I get," she said, "but one hundred percent of the time, I end up remembering that person." 

And even though she acknowledges typos happen, she says it's vital to make sure you're proofreading. It shows the recipient that you're paying attention and that you value their time. 

4. "YOU DON'T HAVE TO PLAY DRESS UP TO BE A FEMINIST. YOU ARE A FEMINIST EXACTLY THE WAY YOU ARE."

After an audience member asked Meghan how she balances being a feminist with being feminine, Meghan answered that there is no difference. "They are not mutually exclusive," she shared. "You can be a woman who wants to look good and still stand up for the equality of women."

"You can be a woman who wants to look good and still stand up for the equality of women."

Tweet this. 

You're allowed to be a feminist in whatever way that looks like to you. 

5. "DON'T TRY TO WIN THE PART, JUST WIN THE ROOM." 

Meghan shared that as a biracial actress she has heard 'no,' an endless number of times. "Because," she said, "I was going in for the ambiguous girl, the black girl, the white girl, even the sassy Latina girl-- even though I'm not Latina and I'm not even that sassy."

"It's very hard to not question something about yourself in those moments," she said of the endless parade of nos. "But at the end of the day it does not matter if you get that part or you get that dream job. It may see like it at the time, but if you make fans of the people who saw you in that room, that carries on so much longer than what that job might have become."

6.  "IT'S ALL STILL EXCITING. BE GRATEFUL FOR THE LITTLE THINGS. THAT'S HOW YOU ENJOY IT."

Meghan told the audience that for five months she climbed into the back of her trunk after auditions because she couldn't afford to get the broken locks on her car fixed. "This epic day happened where the locks stopped opening with the key," she shared. "And the clicker wouldn't open the front doors. I couldn't afford to fix the doors and this was my girl, this is how I got from one audition to the other." So she would drive to auditions, park in the back of the lot, and once they were over, she'd wait until no one was paying attention and climb back into her car through the trunk. 

Never in her dreams did Meghan think she'd be on a show that has run for six seasons, but in sharing real and humbling moments she's able to enjoy and stay grateful for the journey. 

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You'll Never Guess What This Top Blogger Says Is More Valuable Than Being #1

Photo credit: Keiko Lynn 

Before Live Journal, there was Open Diary. A platform that OG, now Brooklyn-based blogger Keiko Lynn, used as a personal outlet. Today her blog KeikoLynn.com is a space where the self-proclaimed "restless adventurer" shares her take on fashion, beauty, and her daily life.  

We caught up with Keiko to chat all things  influencer and why you have to be willing to put in the time, without any immediate return. 

After more than decade in the blogosphere (shout out to your 1999 Open Diary) how have you been able to stay true to yourself?

Since the primary focus of my blog started out as a personal diary, it's actually pretty difficult to not stay true to myself. I named my blog "Keiko Lynn" before I ever intended for it to be more than just a personal outlet, but it still maintains that personal feeling. If I ever strayed from my true self, I'd have a lot of friends and family and loyal readers to answer to. 

You didn’t set out to build a brand, but that’s what you’ve done. How do you feel about person as brand? Did you ever have any hesitation?

It happened so gradually that I didn't really contemplate it, before or as it was happening. I am the opposite of an overnight success. It was little things here and there, starting with blogging for Cingular when I was on LiveJournal, or having a magazine featuring me in a photo shoot, etc. I would just think of them as solitary opportunities that I couldn't pass up, not as stepping stones in my career path. It was years before it became a career, and by that time, "Keiko Lynn" had been my online (and real life, of course) identity for long enough that I didn't think I should change it. I still don't think of myself as a brand. I never think, "Is this on brand for me?" I just know what I do and do not like; I know myself. 

"I never think, 'Is this on brand for me?' I just know what I do and do not like; I know myself."

Tweet this.  

Do you consider yourself an early adaptor? What are some other important traits to have as a blogger and influencer? 

When I started my current blog, I was a young and perpetually broke independent clothing designer, so everything I wore was handmade or from a thrift store, and most of my photos were taken with a self timer. That was what blogging was like, back then. We were remixing what we had in our closets. Now, we have bloggers who are starting out with a whole creative team behind them; they're coming in with photographers, beautiful web design, and a closet full of current, contemporary and designer clothing. I think that's amazing, and if you have the wherewithal or creative contacts to start a blog as a legitimate business platform, why not?! That's what's so cool about modern blogging -- you don't always have to go through the awkward growing stages that many of us went through. But I probably wouldn't have had a fighting chance, with my wide-angled, self-timer photos and second-hand clothing, if I weren't one of the early adopters. Even now that I have an actual closet (I didn't, back then), at least half of what I wear is vintage or thrifted...and I still take many of my own photos.  I'm in a very particular niche, and I'm well aware that I was lucky to have early exposure. 

The most important trait to have as a blogger is tenacity. I've known many people who started blogging and gave up after awhile, when they didn't see immediate growth. Overnight success stories usually only look like overnight successes. You have to be willing to put in the time without any immediate return, and keep going until you build yourself a base. It will come, but you have to keep going.

"You have to be willing to put in the time without any immediate return."

Tweet this. 

What are some shifts you’ve been hesitant to adopt, but eventually jumped on board?

I am famous for being late to just about every social media platform. My very first tweet was something along the lines of, "Let's see how long this lasts..." 

Do you ever feel like, enough! No more apps, no more sharing, I can’t possibly add one more “must” to my social lineup?

I feel like that almost every day of my life. I drew the line at Periscope. I won't do another one...I can't!! Although Instagram just added their very Snapchat-like feature, and I might end up giving that a try. I'm trying not to be the last one for that.

We’ve talked to a few bloggers about unexpected difficulties and the BTS realities, but what are some BTS unexpected joys? 

I have made some wonderful friends through blogging, whether bloggers, readers, or people in the fashion and beauty industry. When I moved to NYC, I barely knew anyone. I had one friend and a LiveJournal friend, and my roommate and I had only met a few times before living together. Making friends in a new city is so difficult, and the blogging world really opened me up to a whole community.

How do you come up with creative ideas?

With style, I look to the past. With makeup, I look to both the past and the runways. But mostly, I just garner inspiration from everyday life, whether it's someone I pass in the streets or a page from a current read.

What’s a business aphorism you live by/what’s one you don’t think rings true anymore?  

As trite as it sounds to "stay true to yourself," it's something I live by in both work and in my personal life. But I also think it's important to let yourself evolve naturally; the two are not mutually exclusive. 31 year old me is not exactly the same as 19 year old me. Part of staying true to yourself is allowing yourself room to grow and evolve. What doesn't ring true anymore is that you have to always be number one. Staying power can be just as valuable.

"What doesn't ring true anymore is that you have to always be number one. Staying power can be just as valuable."

Tweet this. 

What do you think you’d be doing without the advent of social media?

I think about this often, because when you're in this sort of career, you have to be on your toes. What if it all went away, tomorrow -- what would I do? I imagine I would go back to my roots and start a new clothing line or invest in starting a makeup line, which is something I've always dreamed of doing. 

How do you feel about the term influencer?

What do you think is the future of influencer? I prefer the term when referring to other people, and don't mind when others use it to describe me -- but referring to myself as an influencer feels strange and boastful. The truth is, we're all influencers in some way. Some just have a larger audience.

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Still Wondering How to Partner With Major Brands?

photo credit: The TomKat Studio 

Are you wondering how to partner with today’s major brands? Want to know how to catch their eye?

Well, if you were at Create & Cultivate ATL you might remember the delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes from lunch served up by Zoës Kitchen. Beyond filling our stomachs, they’re also filling our brains with useful info. We got the chance to pick the brains of the social media and marketing team behind the restaurant lifestyle brand.

They are sharing how they want to work with influencers and how influencers should approach them.

WHAT THEY’RE LOOKING FOR IN AN INFLUENCER

1. If you’re already a Zoës enthusiast, that’s great! They love seeing your passion for their brand. If you eat at the restaurant, let them know. If there is a dish you love, share it! The more often they see you interact with them online, the more confident they become in your authentic interest in the brand.

2. They’ll have ideas of their own, but are always interested in your take on how to deliver their message to your audience. You likely have a following that differs from theirs and you know how to best engage them. Share how you would engage your specific audience with a tailored pitch.

3. Getting your grid right is the first step to growing your audience. Elevated photography and feed aesthetic are key elements in selecting an influencer to represent your brand. Bonus points if you can offer photography that is so good that they would repurpose it in the future (crediting you, of course).

4. Don’t limit yourself to a certain category for collaboration. Brands like Zoës appreciate different types of influencers to break through the clutter. For example, if you’re a fashion blogger, sharing a food-related post will stand out from the rest of your feed and will captivate followers in a new way. Using food bloggers (or same-category influencers) has benefits of its own, but brands are always seeking refreshing and unexpected ways to be seen and share content.

"Don’t limit yourself to a certain category for collaboration."

Tweet this. 

photo credit: The TomKat Studio

NEXT STEP: HOW TO GET THEIR ATTENTION

1. If you’re using a product or visiting a restaurant like Zoës, tag them in a photo or use their brand hashtag. That’s the first step to getting on a brand’s radar. The person monitoring their social media will be paying close attention to who is engaging with the brand.

2. If that doesn’t get a brand’s attention, the onus is on you to reach out via web or social. You can shoot them a DM or send a detailed, but succinct message of why and how you want to work with them.

3. Include examples of relevant brand partnerships. Numbers and analytics are a great way to show the brand the kind of impact you can make.  

Remember, it’s all about the feeling. People don’t only come to Zoës Kitchen because the food tastes great. More often, the team says they hear that customers enjoy ZK because of how it makes them feel. They identify with the Mediterranean way of life – leading a balanced, active lifestyle, connecting with others, and fueling their body with food they can feel great about from the inside out. These are all points that you can work into your outreach to the brand.

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Sarah Michelle Gellar Talks Transitioning From Hollywood to Startup Founder

photo credit: Kelley Raye.

Successful women from different careers who now run a startup. 

That’s the story behind Sarah Michelle Gellar and Galit Laiblow co-founders of Foodstirs who took the Create & Cultivate stage this past Saturday in Atlanta to an audience of over 500 attendees. They talked a lot about taking the concept from idea to reality, overcoming doubt, as well as shifting out of their previous roles. 

‘Part of being an entrepreneur,” admits Laibow, who ran a successful PR firm or 12 years, “is not being afraid.”

They made the jump after shopping for ingredients for a baking play date with their kids. “Ingredients,” says Gellar, “that had more consonants than vowels.” Thus, Foodstirs was born and switch into roles that hadn’t previously imagined for themselves. 

“As an actor I’ve watched my industry change,” Gellar explains. “When I started you were either a movie actress or a television actress or you were serious and you did theater; the three didn’t meet anywhere. Then it changed and people realized you could jump from medium to medium.” She was looking for something else when the opportunity arose. ‘Ways,” she says, “[I] could still innovate and still be creative. Also, I’m a mom now, I have two young kids at young and I don’t want to be working 19 hour days and not see my children.”

“Even when you’re a producer you still have other people to answer to. It’s not necessarily the product you intended to make. What I’ve loved,” she says about her new role as founder, “is that now when we have an idea, what you’re seeing is everything we wanted it to be, because it's up to us and only us. It’s our battle to win. It’s so satisfying in a way I’d never experienced and it’s using my reach and creativity in a new way.” 

"What you’re seeing is everything we wanted it to be, because it's up to us and only us."

Tweet this. 

As for the partnership Laibow says she was hesitant to partner with a “celebrity.” Having come from the PR world she knew that celebrity doesn’t give a brand a fast-track to success; sometimes it's the opposite. “There are so many celebrities putting their names on things and the consumer is much more savvy. I did have a lot of reservations. I knew that if we did have a celebrity it had to be someone who was really passionate. Sarah and I had many late nights talking about it and she really believed it in. She’s a real co-founder. We both invested our own money and time and we don’t get paid right now.” 

“It’s been fascinating,” says Gellar, “you think we would have each just done what we’re good at; it doesn’t work like that. In the beginning there were days when it was just us. Neither of us knew how to HTML code so I went and learned how to HTML code our emails. They were maybe not the best or the most professional, but that’s how you start and that’s how you learning.” 

“Fail is the first attempt in learning. I don’t see failure as a bad thing. I see it as exercise. When you exercise,” adds Gellar, “you want to work out until your muscle fails so that it grows bigger and stronger. To me those are the steps in learning. That thought in your head is invaluable.”

"Fail is the first attempt in learning."

Tweet this. 

“I always wanted the brand to stand on its own,” Gellar says, “I’m not the face of the brand, but I am the co-founder. At the end of the day you want the brand to be bigger than the person. I don’t want to first thing you think of to be me, I want the first thing you think is ‘Wow! That tastes really good.’”

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#CreateCultivateATL: Our Favorite Quotes From Yesterday's Panels & Keynotes

Photo by Sidney Copeland

We can't begin to describe the feeling of how inspired we are after spending an entire day with 500 amazing boss women under the Atlanta sky. Create & Cultivate Atlanta is a wrap and we are so happy that it was by far one of our best yet with so many amazing speakers, sponsors, and all of our amazing attendees who have also inspired us as well!

If you missed out on this weekend's festivities, don't fret! We'll be sharing video soon from our keynote speakers, but for right now, take a look at all of our favorite sound bites from our speakers that will serve as the perfect mantras for your Monday to get you inspired. And if you attended, comment and let us know what were some of your favorite lessons that you took away from our panels and keynotes yesterday! 

Your #CreateCultivateATL Packing List

As we prep for Create & Cultivate ATL, we want to make sure you're locked and loaded for the big day, and that includes all the things that you should bring on-site! While you'll be walking out more than what you came with (both knowledge and swag-wise), there will be a few things that you will need to make sure to bring to make the most out of your day!

Conference Badge & Federal-Issued ID

If you have been sent your conference badge last month, you're going to want to keep it in a safe spot! Make sure to bring your badge along with a federal-issued photo ID when you come to Mason Fine Art for a speedy entrance.

If you haven't received your badge, don't fret. Your badge will be available at registration, but make sure to have your photo ID for pick-up!

Dress To Impress

Not only is Create & Cultivate one of the most visually-stunning conferences around town, but our attendees are the best dressed in town as well! Make sure to grab the amazing #OOTD, because you never know, you might just end up in our OOTD roundup after the conference! (Check out some past OOTD inspo here.)

iPhone + Charger

This is not the time to forget your phone or run out of battery, and while you might think this never happens, it does. Double check your bag before you leave your hotel. You don't want to miss out on Tweeting amazing soundbites from panels, snapping the best shots from the conference, and even miss grabbing a selfie with one of your favorite speakers. (Although if you do forget your camera, there will be charging stations on site for you because we've got your back like that.

Business Cards

Create & Cultivate offers you the perfect chance to network with fellow attendees and speakers, and a lot of collaborations were born out of meeting at Create & Cultivate from our past attendees. Want to make a lasting impression on those that you meet? Make sure to have your business cards on deck and nurture those relationships into what could be the next big collaboration born out of Create & Cultivate!

The 411 On The #CreateCultivateATL Break & Pop Ups

Photo by Arnelle Lozada

The countdown is on for Create & Cultivate Atlanta this month, and while we're planning what places to visit, who to meet and even what to wear, we want to make sure you're ready for the big day too.

We have so much in store for C&C ATL, including all of the pop-ups you'll be able to check out during our break (5PM-6PM)! Check out all of our sponsors that will be hosting amazing pop-ups and treats for you to check out and shop below!\

Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream
A special treat for all of our VIP guests from Jeni's! Head over to the VIP lounge during break for some splendid ice cream!

Dove
#ShakeSprayGo with Dove at their booth and snap a pic at their featured GIF photo booth! 

Squarespace
Learn how to step up your blog game and make the most out of your website and the Squarespace Studio.

Amazon Fashion
Take a break and at the Amazon Fashion booth and treat yourself with a black and white mani with a special design, and enter to win one of their amazing giveaways!

Crown Royal Vanilla Pop Up Bar
Grab a sip of Crown Royal's new vanilla-flavored whisky, and check out Adrianna Adarme's (A Cozy Kitchen) cocktail workshop in a special breakout session during break!

Kendra Scott
Stop by the Kendra Scott airstream and shop their winter and signature collections, create your own custom piece of jewelry at the Kendra Scott Color Bar™, or spin the prize wheel for a chance to win!

Papyrus
Get inspired with Papyrus and stock up on stylish cards to create a lasting impression! Visit during Happy Hour to enjoy coffee, cards, and sweet treats.

Simon G. Jewelry
Visit their booth and check out their try-on station to check out all the diamonds (and even snap a pic of them) and their "king pop" popsicle stand for a cool treat!

bebe
Visit bebe to enter to win a $500 gift card by taking a photo at their floral photo wall, grab a boozy popsicle, get a free key chain pom-pom and mini bebe Bubbly champagne, and meet and greet with Jessi Malay during the break! 

it bed by Sleep Number
Visit Sleep Number to check out their newest brand it bed (and dream in it too), and also take a break by recharging and refreshing yourself at their relaxation lounge! Did we mention that they'll also have a great swag giveaway?

Iconery
Visit Iconery to shop their on-trend pieces from their most popular designers (Stone Fox Bride, Luv Aj, Victoria Six, Anne Sisteron, Mata Brenner, Mara Carrizo Scalise) including pieces few collections. They'll also be holding a giveaway for a chance to win one of their top selling necklaces!

Daniel Wellington
Daniel Wellington is on tour and the mobile pop-up shop is making a VIP stop at Create Cultivate! The Time Traveler will be showcasing all DW collections, including it's newest Classic. The pop-up is fully equipped with a coffee serving station, complimentary leather embossing, and an interactive Photo Booth. You can also enter to win a watch by snapping a pic in the Photo Booth and posting to Instagram using the hashtag #DWonTour!

Simon Malls
Not only will Simon be welcoming you to our attendee happy hour on Friday, but their pop up at Create & Cultivate will allow you to shop from their highlighted brands. Not only that, but they'll also be hosting a giveaway for you to enter! 

Mark & Graham
Head over to Mark & Graham's pop up to get a sneak peek at their new fall product, and get on-site calligraphy from ATL calligrapher Ashley Buzzy with the purchase of a new leather zip pouch! You might want to get your monogram, or favorite short saying on it (Rosé all day, anyone?) Also, make sure to shop and pick up a glass of champagne during break!

Framebridge
Visit Framebridge for a chance to win a gallery wall! Find out how many tape measures there are in their bowl, and you just might be the lucky winner if you guess right! Also, let Framebridge know what you want to frame and for whom this holiday season and the best entry gets a frame for themselves and a frame to gift for the holidays. Not only that, they've created free digital downloads you can get on their site. They will print and frame them, and the link to that will be in your gift bags!

Richer Poorer
Richer Poorer will be debuting its newest addition to its innerwear line- the bralette- exclusively at Create & Cultivate- a month before it launches to the general public! In addition, they will be offering tee and muscle tank bundles available only at their booth! 

H2O+ Beauty

Stop by H2O+ Beauty to check out their reimagined skin and body care lines that combine the power of pure water with the latest advances in skin care technology. Enjoy a consultation with their certified esthetician and sample products recommended just for you. Take home travel sized samples and enjoy discounts on their full collection.

Also featuring pop-up activities from:

Erin Condren

Lou & Grey

Bai Pop-Up Bar

Don't forget to #TreatYoSelf by heading over to the Beauty Lounge and checking out the pop-ups below! 

BeGlammed
Head over to BeGlammed's pop-up beauty bar to get gorgeous makeup touchups and hairstyling. At the booth, beGlammed’s Founder Maile Pacheco will host a series of contouring sessions throughout the day where you can learn how to sculpt the perfect cheekbone. Hairstyling will focus mainly on braiding and dry styling. Also, pink bubbly champagne and delectable cookies will be available to the pop-ups participants!

Zeel
It's going to be a long day, so make sure to take a breather at Zeel's pop-up and get a 5-10 minute mini-massage. You deserve it, girl.

Shea Moisture
Visit Shea Moisture's Pop Up to check out 6 of their star collections, and also treat yourself with quick touch ups and braids done by celebrity hair stylist David Lopez at their beauty stations! Also, guests will receive one full-sized product as well.

Sara Happ
You should treat yourself, but also remember to treat your lips with some love! Head over to Sara Happ's pop-up to visit their lip scrub station, and learn more about all things Sara Happ!

Nubian Heritage
Visit Nubian Heritage's pop up to travel around the world and grab a passport to visit each of their collection stations. Once you've finished your trip and have your passport stamped, you'll receive a small gift bag with a full-sized product and a leather passport holder. Also, they'll be offering hand massages and will also have bite sized desserts inspired by their Coconut & Papaya collection. 

Cetaphil

Learn more about the full day schedule here, and see you all in two weeks! 

Gal on the Go: The Ultimate Boss Guide to Atlanta

CREATE & INNOVATE in collaboration with Marriott Hotels

photo credit: Kathryn McCray Photography

When we chose Atlanta as the next stop for Create & Cultivate, there were more than a few good reasons. As a growing hub for diversity and tech, Atlanta has also been named #5 in the best cities for female founders with 44.3% of female-owned firms in the city. #nobrainer. 

So it felt natural when we headed to Atlanta this past month in partnership with Marriott Hotels to profile female entrepreneurs and business women living in the City of Trees. Like our San Francisco City Guide, each woman is at a different point in her career. Each with a different focus and personal definition of success and balance.

We stayed at the Marriott Marquis in downtown (Hunger Games anyone?! see elevator shot above) and explored the city, hit up Barcelona Wine Bar, chatted work/life balance, what it means to have a job that puts you up in the air, and why ATL is the place to be. 

MATTIE JAMES, FOUNDER, MATTIEOLOGIE 

photo credit: Chris Payne

Mattie James, lifestyle and business blogger at Mattieologie has broads in Atlanta. Fans and women who listen and take the career advice she doles our seriously (as they should). 

When we met up to grab coffee at the brick-lined Octane near Georgia Tech, one woman couldn't help but approach her. "Are you Mattieologie?" she asked with excitement. 

It was not only a reminder of how bloggers and influencers become their brand-- at least via public perception, but also served as a reminder that dishing out career advice is a big responsibility.

Mattie knows this. It's not only something she's "comfortable with" but also says that her "intentions are whole-hearted." She wants her followers and readers to know that "that power will always belong to them. I'm simply just a guide." 

When she first started Mattieologie she was working a full time job and blogging simultaneously. "I think having a full time job and tackling blogging at a full time level is exactly that. Working two jobs. You have to wear the employee hat - where you answer to management or a supervisor - and then the entrepreneur hat where the last decisions are on you." Pulling double duty was something that forced her to be a better blogger. "It made me take myself seriously," she says. 

"The better version of myself is the only person I'm trying to keep up with." 

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Like many working women Mattie says she "danced around the idea" of leaving her 9 to 5 instead of giving herself a hard deadline. She says she really made the decision, "subconsciously when I had a baby." But then she was "Luckily let go in June 2015 and got really focused."

The child of immigrant parents who both worked, Mattie learned plenty of lessons about entrepreneurship growing up. "My mom did Mary Kay for years and was incredibly successful at it. The thing I admired most about her is that she dominated both at work and at home. She created a balance that made me believe you could do it all. My dad has such incredible work ethic which I think he passed on to me and my sister. They made us believe in the American dream." Her sister has also been bit by the entrepreneurial spirit.   

Today Mattie is a working mom who says that balance means "making it work by any means possible. And that balance looks different every single day. There are days when I'm an amazing mom, fantastic blogger but dropped the ball as a wife. Tomorrow is another day. Hopefully the day you get it right."

She calls Atlanta "a city of balance." And is always loving on "the food, the people, and the feeling." 

Favorite spot to get coffee: Octane off of Marietta St.

Grab the perfect shot: Whiskey Blue at the W Buckhead

A spot in the city that has special meaning to you: Fox Theatre. Where me and Hubs had our first date.

Your favorite spot in the city to sit still and be creative: Condesa Coffee

Restaurant you can go to time and again and always leave satisfied: Gio's Chicken, Little Italia 

Go when you want to be alone: Brash Coffee

Go when you want to be with friends: Edgewood - Mother, Sound Table, Noni's and other cool bars

Tourist spot that’s a secret guilty pleasure (that everyone should visit): Centennial Olympic Park

COCO BASSEY, FOUNDER, MILLENNIELLE 

photo credit: Kathryn McCray Photography 

Coco Bassey is at the point in her career where Mattie James once found herself. She's working two full time jobs-- what she calls her "professional job" and her "personal brand."

It's important to Coco that she succeeds at both. 

"I've found that working with people who support my vision on both fronts is what has really helped me. My blog is still a solo project, but I have a really supportive family who knows what I'm trying to do." She says she asks herself every day if it's time to focus full time on one or the other but feels like, "everything I've learned in my professional career has really contributed to Millennielle's success. I'd love to keep my double life going for as long as I humanly can... until one or the other takes absolute precedence."

As a woman and student of the world, having lived in five different countries, Coco has learned a lot about business and building relationships from being mobile and adaptable. The current secret to her hustle is "no days off," but that doesn't mean it's not a challenge. She also knows a lot about challenge. She started Millennielle during a time of particular hardship. 

"When I started my blog back in 2013, I was just a few months out from a thyroid cancer diagnosis and treatment," she says. "I had to leave my job out of school because of visa issues, and I was going through a break-up that affected me a lot more than it probably should have — probably because of the former two." She says it felt like "nothing was working for me," but one of her escapes was "admiring the digital spaces girls just like me had created for themselves by way of blogging and/or starting up small businesses." 

"The most successful women I've known have never played it safe," she says, "which is so inspiring to me, because sometimes I feel like I could do so much more to make my mark! What I've discovered though, is that risks come in so many different forms, so I try not to be too hard on myself and just take things one day at a time.

"The most successful women I've known have never played it safe."

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With Millenielle, Coco's goal has always been "to to be a representative voice of all millennial women" and share her unique perspective. "There's only one me with my own story to tell!" she says. "I'm a firm believer of concentrating on bettering myself and reaping the rewards of the work I put in, instead of focusing on what the next person is doing. I think that's what any business-savvy person does to keep their head above the water — comparison is the thief of joy."

Coco didn't take to Atlanta right away, saying "it took a long time for me to fall in love with this city. Growing up in cities like Prague and Berlin I thought living in the South was not for me." And yet, the City of Trees kept pulling her back in and she finally made the decision to "bloom where I'm planted." 

"You may have to dig a little," she notes, "but there really is so much to love about ATL."

Favorite spot to get coffee: Brash Coffee in West Midtown has the smoothest coffee I've had in a long time, and I love the quirky shipping container situation that they have going on

Go shopping: The Shops, Buckhead Atlanta (featured above) 

Take a business meeting: Bread & Butterfly in Inman Park

Favorite neighborhood and why: This is a tough one, but I would have to give it to West Midtown. It's where most of my favorite restaurants are located and I love that the neighborhood hasn't lost its personality, even though it's right in Midtown!

Meet up with other bloggers: Bartaco! Fun cocktails and delicious tacos... who can resist?

Your favorite spot in the city to be creative: Ponce City Market

Go when you want to be alone: Home :)

Go when you want to be with friends: My closest friends live out of town, so whenever I'm looking to have a good girl's weekend out, you'll probably find me at the airport checking in for a weekend getaway! 

Listen to live music: Although I do love a good music festival, arena concerts aren't my favorite. I love smaller intimate gigs, so The Tabernacle is my favorite!

TISHA THOMPSON, VICE PRESIDENT, PUR COSMETICS 

photo credit: Kathryn McCray Photography 

Tisha Thompson didn't start out in the beauty department at PÜR, but in finance. The now VP tells us, " I was an Accountant at the company in the early stages of PÜR getting started.  At the time I was a freelance makeup artist doing weddings and music videos, etc and one day shared my side gig with management and much to their surprise they said hey lets give her a shot on the marketing team.  I then shifted over right as PÜR was in the middle of 6 test stores and now 4000 stores around the globe later I am so excited to be apart of such an amazing brand and team."

She has a proven track record of driving profitability while implementing innovative beauty solutions in a saturated market place-- innovative being the key word. She understands how important it is for a brand to be able to pivot and shift. "PÜR has really reinvented itself in the last year," she says. She's talked about getting the "branding right," which for Tisha means "staying relevant while staying true to who you really are.  For us at PÜR it's so important to not chase the next 'trend' and try to be the most 'trendy' brand but is it important to be on trend." It's a fine balance, but a challenge she's up for and once she understands has to include social responsibility. 

"I recently read a stat that said 58% of women started wearing makeup before the age of 18," she says. "With so many women starting to wear makeup at such a young age I think its critical that we remain socially responsible as a brand and provide the best high performance products that are the very best for your skin.  Being socially responsible and helping women feel beautiful as we say one compact at a time will naturally lend itself room to be apart of women's day-to-day and therefore a critical part of their lifestyle." 

"With so many women starting to wear makeup at such a young age, it's critical that we remain socially responsible as a brand."

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When it comes to Atlanta as the HQ for PÜR, Tisha has this to say: "Atlanta is such an inspiring city.  What I love the most is that it’s a very diverse city and so much like the PÜR customer we are able to serve so many different kinds of people of all different races and skin tones.  As the complexion authority we have products for all women."

Favorite spot to head after you’ve gotten your makeup done: I love getting dolled up when I go out to any of the many events always happening in Atlanta. PÜR is the official makeup sponsor the Atlanta Hawks Cheerleaders and the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders and so I love to attend the games all dolled up so I can tell people this is what the cheerleaders are wearing. 

Go-to spot in the city when you need to relax: Relax what is that?  I always say I will relax when I am dead. But if I ever need a moment I generally go and get a massage.  There are so many good ones but I particularly like Spa Waverly at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel.

Favorite location to have a glass of wine: It’s a little out in the burbs as we say but it's amazing. It's called The Gifted Ferret located in Woodstock, GA. They do FREE wine tastings every Saturday and I really enjoy going to learn about new wines. 

Guilty pleasure “tourist” spot: The Georgia Aquarium.  I really love to go and take family or friends that come to visit because it's really spectacular. 

The one thing about ATL that lives up to its reputation: Nightlife & Music. The night scene is a very vibrant in Atlanta.  There is always somewhere cool to go and listen to great music and have a great time.

Best spot for coffee: Café Intermezzo. I love the vibe!

Best spot on a Sunday: Sunday is reserved for family time.  I love to go for walks with my family and just enjoy the day. 

LYNNETTE COLE, DIRECTOR EDUCATION GLOBAL RETAIL, PUR COSMETICS

photo credit: Kathryn McCray Photography

For more than 16 years Lynnette Cole has been a beauty expert and TV personality, working to empower women to be their best selves. She never expected to be in the beauty industry, but the former Miss USA 2000 is now focussed on on being a global ambassador and makeup educator. "I didn’t have any 'makeup experience'," she says, "but I have always had a love and passion for beauty."

"Growing up my parents always told me, you can be and achieve anything you put your mind to. I’ve always known that I wanted career that combined my passion & drive to make a difference and I’ve always known that I wanted to work for a company that invests in training and growth. In many ways PÜR “ticks” all the boxes."

"Growing up my parents always told me, you can be and achieve anything you put your mind to. "

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"Since I’m not one to be still," she says, "the beauty industry is a good fit because it’s constantly changing and evolving. Being a part of the PÜR team has been a great training ground in so many was, being able to travel to different countries doing what I enjoy is a bonus!" 

PÜR's home base is in Atlanta, but Lynnette lives in Florida and travels for the company. When we met up she was about to go wheels up to Australia. "For me," she says, "traveling has always re-energized my creativity and inner spirit. Being a global brand, it’s important for us to travel and connect with our PÜR Beauties around the globe! Travel also provides invaluable insight, education and hands-on learning." 

That's not to say jet lag and long flights don't take their toll, but there are ways Lynnette manages to #travelbrilliantly. "The one thing that helps me adjust to a 15-hour time difference is adapting my 'home' routine to my travel routine. I get up at 6am, no matter where I am around the globe, exercise and drinks lots of water! But I must give credit to my amazing team! Without them, I’d be a mess!"

As an entrepreneurial woman on-the-go Lynnette advises young business women to "keep educating yourself and broaden your social and intellectual reach by reading, listening to podcasts, watching documentaries, networking and having a mentor. There is so much to gain from someone else’s knowledge and expertise. AND be generous with your success by mentoring and lifting others.

"Success is happiness," she says. "Becoming successful is a combination of hard work, preparation and opportunity. Maintaining success is like a relationship, it requires attention, care, nurturing and respect."

"Maintaining success is like a relationship, it requires attention, care, nurturing and respect."

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The first spot you go when you fly in from Florida: My first stop is always the office!

Favorite spot to head after you’ve gotten your makeup done: I think anytime you pamper yourself and get your “makeup done,” you instantly feel a little pep in your step! I always tell my clients, “don’t waste this look (makeup), call your friends and go out for at least a cocktail”! Personally, I love treating myself for a blow-out at Dry Bar!

Go-to spot in the city when you need to relax: Wherever my friends gather! Recently it’s been Hearth for some “guilt free” pizza!

Favorite location to have a glass of wine: I love trying new places. I’m really excited to try the new French Bistro Le Bilboquet! The Le Boeuf Bourguignon has my name all over it!

The one thing about ATL that lives up to its reputation: Being raised in Tennessee, I appreciate Atlanta’s southern charm and I love the food!

HEIDI DAVIS, NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR, PUR COSMETICS 

photo credit: Kathryn McCray Photography

As the National Sales Director, Heidi Davis brings PÜR over 25 years of prestige beauty and skin care experience. She's mother of four but also travels for work. Like Lynnette home base for Heidi is not in Atlanta, but she flies in from Ohio. Of the constant movement Heidi says, "I am a gypsy by nature. I have lived in NY, Miami, Orlando and Atlanta before settling in Ohio to raise my family. Traveling keeps me sane."

Her trick for managing travel days and jet lag is "work," but she says she "often won't buy the in-air wifi so people can't reach me, but I can respond to them." 

"I easily bang-out 100+ emails if they aren't coming back in. I take mild amusement knowing when I do connect that my team gets 50 emails in five minutes. Is that a little twisted?" she laughs, "I have to keep them on their toes." 

She says that traveling and "being in the air 50% of my time teaches you a lot. You learn to maximize on your time. Prioritize and put first things first. You know to pack light and to expect the unexpected. I have a mantra - a delayed flight is the universe's way of slowing you down and saving you from something, sometimes yourself.

"I have a mantra - a delayed flight is the universe's way of slowing you down and saving you from something, sometimes yourself."

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She's worked for what she calls "uber-hype brand Urban Decay," but made the decision to leave after the birth of her second baby ten years ago. "I was the National Sales Director," she says,  "and was beginning to feel that Urban just wasn't my lifestyle anymore. Brands are a lifestyle. Your career is a huge part of that lifestyle. I wanted to be part of something that was more me. A brand that was healthy, good for you, with great messaging that empowers women and addressed real life beauty concerns. Representing green eyeshadow called Acid Rain just was no longer "my thing". 

Of the company Heidi says, "We are a true family at PÜR. We leave no man (or woman) behind here. It is a rare and beautiful thing." 

The first spot you go when you fly in from Ohio: Typically for coffee. I get on the earliest flight into town so this is a must. We don't have Caribou Coffee anywhere near me in Ohio and it is a lovely change of pace from Starbucks. 

Where you go to recharge: As a frequent traveler I love to recharge at those crazy little massage kiosk things they have in the airport. I will take a massage everywhere and anywhere I can. Atlanta airport by the way is one of the best in the country. Shopping, food, etc.

Favorite spot to have dinner with a colleague: We all love and frequent South City Kitchen. I am a huge fan of shrimp and grits so this is a must for me.

Favorite spot in the city to meet someone new: Chops Lobster Bar is a great place to socialize and I have always had a great time at The Tavern at Phipps. Their Tavern Chips are fun to share over a few post work cocktails.

Secret guilty “tourist” spot pleasure: Tourist spot...You have to go to the Georgia Aquarium. It's amazing!!

Favorite ATL neighborhood: Buckhead. I can shop, eat, and see my secret celebrity crushes all within a few miles of each other. 

Best place to grab a great bite when you’re in a hurry: I don't care what anyone says... Chick fil A biscuits with cheese are amazing and I could eat them daily. My fast and furious guilty pleasure.

The one spot in ATL you’d recommend to anyone: Breakfast at The St Regis - It's the St Regis, need I say more?

Create & Cultivate is visiting 4 more cities across the United States in partnership with Marriott. For our next city, we're heading to Miami. 

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Sugar & Cloth's Ashley Rose Talks DIY, Dream Collabs, and Dedication

photo credit: Sugar & Cloth

Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth is all about serious DIY. So much so that she got to create a Sugar & Cloth color wall in Houston (see above) that has been the site of some serious 'gramming. 

One look at the website that she launched in September 2011 after leaving Marshall University where she studied Art & Design, moving to Houston and following her dreams, you'll quickly find the injection of color she's put into the blogosphere was much needed. The blogger self-admittedly takes a lot of coffee and macaroon breaks, but she's also the proof in the blog pudding that committing to an idea is sometimes the best idea of all. 

We caught up with Ashley in anticipation of Create & Cultivate ATL where she'll be joining us on panel to chat all things craft, creativity, and DIY-why not. 

Was there a project where you thought, this is impossible but I’m going to try! And it turned out?

Being a DIY blog, I have A LOT of these, haha! It’s a good mix of trying to reinvent the wheel but it either turns as: a literal pile of trash, pretty but much harder than I anticipated, or it turns out amazing and I even surprise myself!

What lessons have you learned from DIY’ing? That apply to life?

That you’ll win some, you’ll lose some, and everyone is going to have an opinion. What really counts is that you’re honest and true to yourself about the outcome, whatever it is. 

 "You’ll win some, you’ll lose some, and everyone is going to have an opinion."

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DIY is more than a craft-- it’s a choice, a frame of mind-- to do it yourself. What other parts of your life are about “doing it yourself?”

I think in general DIY is simply a frame of mind that speaks independence for whatever you’re creating, doing, or achieving. 

What parts of your life do you let go of the reigns a little bit?

Outside of work decisions, I’m actually much more go with the flow, ha! When it comes to where we eat, who drives, what our weekend plans are. I’m pretty much game for whatever as long as deadlines have been met. We definitely make it a point to spend time with friends and family each week.

When you first got started you were working on your blog full time and had a full time job. What have you learned about balance and pursuing your passion? 

It’s funny how working multiple jobs seems super exhausting to some people, but once you’ve done it, you learn really quickly how to process through what absolutely needs to get done first. It really helps you prioritize, because you essentially have no choice not to if you’re going to do two jobs well. In some ways I’d say I was even more productive with my time back then. It’s easy to get lost in little details when time allows.

What would you say to women in the same boat right now? Even as simple as how many hours is reasonable to put in?

My best advice is to say — Don’t sweat the small stuff. Whether that means not letting an unkind comment get to you, moving on from a failed DIY, or letting go of the struggle to get it all done before bedtime. It’s not worth spending your energy on worrying about things unnecessarily. 

What’s your favorite part of working in a creative field?

Always getting to dream up the next new thing!

Do you ever run out of DIY-ideas? What happens when you’re coming up empty?

I definitely struggle in A LOT of small business areas (hello, accounting and all things taxes), but running out of ideas thankfully isn’t one of them. When I do start to feel complacent with some ideas, I try to just move on to one I am excited about to get the good juju flowing again. 

When you live a Pinterest-looking lifestyle, it can be hard to keep up appearances, or have everything look curated all of the time. What are some of the BTS difficulties? 

First world problems, am I right?! Ha! It’s definitely super easy for me to get burnt out on social media for that reason, or even just have the constant feeling of keeping up with the Joneses because it’s my entire job basically. I think every online personality feels that at some point, but at the end of the day I think the most important reminder is to not think more highly of yourself than you ought to. 

Where do you see the blog world evolving? 

It’s basically a new generation of free reality TV! Or at least I keep pretty entertained by it ;)

I don’t think the blog world has hit it’s prime yet, but it’s definitely getting quickly saturated. To keep up at this point, you really have to hustle and be a forward thinker to make it a longstanding career move instead of becoming an overnight, internet one-hit-wonder. 

Dream collab?

A product line with Target or Amazon!

How important is your Instagram game? Is Snapchat part of your social strategy and how are you using it?

Instagram has become a huge part of our business. Within the last year it’s come super close to being our highest earning platform, and we’ve now started focusing a lot more on Snapchat for the sake of feeling more real. It may or may not take off like IG, but it’s a great tool for followers to see a real, everyday you without the Pinterest-esque smoke and mirrors. 

What’s the messiest room in your house/What is your favorite?

Messiest is definitely my closet! My favorite would be my bedroom, I LOVE a good Saturday sleeping in. 

"You know it’s a passion project when you’d be there regardless of your circumstances."

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What does Sugar & Cloth mean to you?

It’s an attainable place for everyday inspiration. And even if I won the lottery tomorrow, I’d still be making pretty things to share there. You know it’s a passion project when you’d be there regardless of your circumstances.

 

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