Create and Cultivate Los Angeles 2020 - My Takeaways

In January I began planning what to do for my 35th birthday. A trip out of the country was not in the budget, and as I started brainstorming I realized the Create & Cultivate Conference was in LA the weekend of my birthday. The flight price was right, I had somewhere to stay, and would have time to hang with one of my best friends, it all just seemed meant to be. I attended Create & Cultivate solo, which was a major step out of my comfort zone, but I was ready to grow and glow.

I had my eyes on the Create & Cultivate conference after seeing some of their previous conferences on Instagram. And instantly, I had FOMO from missing it in New York the year before. I looked into ticket prices and decided to speak with my manager at work to see if the conference could be covered under our education/career budget. I’m so glad I did, and I am so grateful to work for a company that supports both my career and personal goals. So mid-January I officially booked my plane ticket, connected with my best friend, and was instantly excited.

The Conference

I woke up that morning ready for a day of inspiration and networking. The conference was one day and was jam-packed with panels and mentoring sessions.

This conference is a place for women looking to create and cultivate the career of their dreams. The day started with breakfast and the chance to walk around and check out the vendors, and the first panel with the keynote speaker, Jessica Simpson.

I was happy to find myself amongst other solo conference attendees. I connected with a couple of ladies who lived in the area, and hung out with them after lunch and for the remainder of the day.

My Takeaways

These two panels were my two favorite from the day. I’ve noted my takeaways below.

Soft Is Strong: How Taking a Softer Approach Can Be Positive and Have a Powerful Impact on Your Career—Powered by Nivea

*Panelists: Noor Tagouri , Jaclyn Lindsey,Adrienne Bosh, Gina Ybarra. Moderated by Jaclyn Johnson*

Leading with softness translates to employee satisfaction, success, and well-being.
The importance of listening with intention and being vulnerable
When dealing with negativity – lean into compassion

I was able to relate to this panel as both my direct manager and department manager lead with softness and I see the positive impacts every day.

Inspired Inclusivity: Creating Cultures and Companies Where Everyone Belongs

*Panelists: Nyma Tang, Adrienne Houghton, Shahd Batal, Arnell Armon, Sunita V. Moderator: Randi Bryant*

Be authentic – people identify with authenticity
Inclusivity beyond products and marketing, but in company representation and throughout the brand as a whole.
Inclusivity is a work in progress – continue to learn, including all with no barriers, and continue to listen.

Mentoring Sessions

The conference featured two mentoring sessions, where about twelve of us ladies were able to talk with other entrepreneurs and experts. We were able to use this time as a sounding board for ideas, ask questions, and receive awesome advice. My mentors were Erica Domesek and Holly Curtis.

I left inspired and ready for the next challenge/step in my career, both personally and professionally. It was so great to be around other creative and like-minded women. There were two repeating themes from the day “always be your true self and remain authentic” and “prioritize your self-care.”

Below are some fun photos from the day.