You work with some major companies, such as Nasty Gal, Urban Decay, Marimekko, and Levi’s. How did your blog (Some Notes on Napkins) assist in making contacts in lifestyle and fashion industries?
It was absolutely helpful. As I launched my blog in 2007 and began my career, they ran parallel, creating this advantageous relationship — I would work with brands on a campaign for my blog and then they would ask about (No Subject) and vice versa as clients would ask for blog posts. Actually, I think my major differentiator (in running an influencer agency) is that I am a blogger (an OG one in fact). I understand the community thoroughly, how it’s evolved, what works and what doesn’t, and I have the relationships that can make things happen for brands.
In addition to (NO SUBJECT), you also run Create + Cultivate, an inspirational conference for female entrepreneurs and business leaders. What led you to start Create + Cultivate?
I had attended multiple conferences and while I enjoyed them, I always felt that the ambience was lackluster and the content was stagnant, and the audience was kept at a distance. I wanted to create a conference for women that was beautiful and had tons of characters. One where women could get their hands a little dirty making stuff, drink cocktails, and most importantly leave entertained, informed, and inspired. Create + Cultivate spans from the CEOs of Wildfang discussing how they quit their creative director jobs and raised $2 million dollars, to Mr. Kate teaching a DIY on how to make an inspiration board for your dream job. It’s fun and engaging and doesn’t take itself too seriously. The conference has grown exponentially and organically and has taken on a life of its own — it’s incredible!
Last year, I took a step back and decided I wanted to focus on building the conference by bringing it to different cities across the US. Our kick-off is in March in LA and we have Emily Weiss, founder of Into the Gloss and Glossier, as the keynote and I could not be more excited for her to tell her story about launching Glossier, shaking up the beauty industry, and raising $10 million!
