What to Expect at Create & Cultivate Seattle
It's a full day. We got you.
We are so excited to get the Seattle party started! There are so many great things coming your way, but before we get any closer we wanted to give you a sneak peek of what to expect on the big day so you can start building out your plan right now!
ALL DAY FUN
First things first, you should be receiving your badge and box of goodies in the mail over the next week or so! Your box will have your mentor power hour selections & your badge with lanyard. If you don't receive your items, you'll be able to pick them up at registration the morning of the conference!
POP-UP MARKET
At every C&C Conference, we have a roster of incredible brands that set up shop to give our attendees amazing and unique experiences. From professional headshots to clothing shops to PUPPIES (yes, puppies… OK one puppy), there's a little something for everyone. Here are the incredible things you can expect to see at the market in Seattle.
WeddingWire
If you’re looking for an IG moment, look no further. What's one of the biggest trends in weddings right now? Custom confetti! Visit WeddingWire's confetti bar to create and customize your own personal bag of confetti to bring home with you and learn more about how WeddingWire has spent the last ten years paving the way for couples to more easily plan their weddings online.
The Mine
Want to pet a puppy? Stop by The Mine booth to meet their mascot, Finn the Pekingese, snap the perfect polaroid next to their floral wall and enter to win a $500 basket of home décor goodies! Did we mention the puppy??
SOREL
The SOREL woman is bold and confident stop by our booth to see Fall and Springs that are just like you, ready for anything and willing to defy whatever comes your way.
Richer Poorer
Ever been curious about how to style your basics? Look no further than basic brand Richer Poorer booth who will have a styling station on hand. Tees, tanks, and totally awesome. Plus, they will be live chain-stitching from their booth, which means you can get anything you want on a tee.
Blue Sky
Planning ahead should be part of your business model. So take your #CreateCultivateSEA notebook, provided by Blue Sky, over to their booth and see what else they have in store to help you on your way.
Stella and Dot
If you’re ever in doubt, put an accessory on it. And stop by the Stella and Dot booth where they’ll be gifting $100 in product credit to attendees that sign-up for their affiliate network. PLUS, they’ll be waiving the $199 sign-up fee and gifting $350 in product credit if you sign up as a Stylist! Oh wait, there’s more. They will also have a first look opportunity at their product (cutest tops ever) and the opportunity to see their new style sharing app. Too much good stuff. Don’t miss out.
Noosa
Bloody good yoghurt is their tagline and they aren’t kidding. With product offerings for every taste bud you’ll be sure to satisfy any craving at their booth.
Brahmin
For stop in your tracks handbags head to Brahmin’s booth to peep their latest fall styles. They release hundreds of styles every season, so there’s something for everyone to love.
La Croix
Always one to make their booth sparkle, be sure to pop by La Croix for a highly ‘grammable moment. They also go above and beyond so you don’t want to miss out!
Inked
Head to the Inked booth to Craft the Story with Ali Edwards + Inked Brands. Edwards says that over a decade ago, she began a tradition of choosing one word for myself each January – a word to focus on, meditate on, and reflect upon as she goes about her daily life. During the break Ali invites you to come choose yours.
Shopstyle
Need a little R&R? It’s a long day and Shopstyle has your back. They are hosting a Recharge & Relax area where all C&C attendees can swing by to revive themselves throughout the day. With a luxe instagrammable lounge to hang out in and charge your phone, the option to get pampered while getting a foot or hand massage, drink a juice shot or wellness beverage, or connect with their team, there are plenty of fun activities planned at the ShopStyle lounge!
Simon G
Want a piercing? Simon G. Jewelry is offering lucky attendees the chance to receive a free ear piercing with one of their beautiful 14k Yellow Gold Pyramid Earrings, designed exclusively for Create & Cultivate and valued at $220. To get your ear pierced and receive a free Simon G. stud, all you have to do is stop by their booth, post a picture of the booth or trying on jewelry prior to your appointment and tag @simongjewelry #simongsparkles. To reserve your spot, please email (Elizabeth@simongjewelry.com ) to schedule your appointment at Create & Cultivate Seattle.
Burrow
Look, we know you love a good sofa. Grab a friend. Have a sit. And gram their Burrow’s booth to win one of their adorable and comfy sofas.
GoDaddy
If you don’t have a professional headshot, do you even exist? JK. It’s not something most of us think about, but there are many times a professional headshot will come in handy. For instance, if you ever plan on speaking on a panel… you’ll need a headshot that does you justice. Stop by the GoDaddy booth and snap a perfect pic. (C&C #protip: stop by the Beauty lounge first for a little pre-pic touchup.)
Express
Have a full closet and nothing to wear… to work? Stop by the onsite Express airstream and check out the latest from their “wear to work” collection.
BEAUTY BUZZ at the BEAUTY LOUNGE
We also always have a beauty lounge on site where our attendees are able to get glammed up, from makeup to hair to skincare we got your covered.
Nordstrom Beauty
When you look your best, you feel your best! Nordstrom Beauty will have stylists onsite all day to do touchups and discuss products. Want to know what products work best for you? Don’t be shy! Ask a professional!
Secret
Secret was the first antiperspirant brand designed specifically for women, and for the past 60 years, Secret has been on the forefront of women’s lives, leading with innovation designed to provide superior odor and wetness protection. Secret’s activation will introduce guests to the new Invisible Spray. The product’s lively scent experience and the on-the-go application experience allows hustling entrepreneurs to freshen up with ease, no matter the circumstance.
The Glam App
Get glam!! No booking necessary. The Cara Santana founded app will be offering all day HAIR & MAKEUP touchups.
#NOM
START THE DAY OFF RIGHT WITH BREAKFAST & YOGA
Get Fed
Chow down and prep for the full day with goodies from Noosa Yogurt and Purely Elizabeth Granola. We’ll have granola and yogurt bowls, muffins, and YES of course: coffee. Grab a cup from the Satellite cold brew coffee bar.
Get Set
LIVESTRONG wants to start your day off on the right foot and the right mindset. So they are bringing yoga influencer @EliseJoanFitness to C&C Seattle to help guide you with intention setting, meditation and gentle stretches for your day. This will take place on the lawn between the main stage and pop-up market between 8:45-9:15am
Go get 'em.
BREAKING DOWN THE **VIP PERKS**
You will be going all day long so the break is a great time to catch up and dive into all the amazing programming our partners have going on. Some are RSVP only so be sure to grab your spot!
WorkWorkWorkWorkTwerk with Sonja Rasula *RSVP REQUIRED*
Calling all VIPS to join Sonja Rasula for a unique 30-minute break-out session that will have you cheering and dancing as you learn new tools for success, get to know your neighbors, and rediscover your superpowers. Sonja's popular, and definitely unconventional, talks are enlightening, fun and super satisfying. Taking place at the Main Stage YOU MUST RSVP below!
You will receive a confirmation email if you have secured a spot!
Molly Moon’s Scoops
If you’re inclined to indulge a bit, Seattle’s famous Molly Moon Ice Cream will be scooped from the Molly Moon Trike during break from 4:20 - 5:20p. Location: VIP lounge only.
Trophy Cupcakes Nibbles
Grab a sweet treat in the VIP lounge. Create, cultivate, and cupcake. We wouldn’t want it any other way.
The Glam App
Want to get a mini mani? The Glam App is offering all our VIP attendees the option to get a mani at their nail station in the VIP lounge only. Happening all day!
LIVESTRONG, Live Better *RSVP REQUIRED*
LIVESTRONG is offering is a free 30-minute consultation with nutritionists ($100-$200 value each) for 30 VIP participants who sign up in advance. The company is bringing 2 nutritionists with them and will give personalized consultations to VIP attendees who sign up in advance and track 3 days of their eating. Location: the LIVESTRONG booth!
Attendees can choose their primary goal from the following list:
- Overall health
- Healthy skin, hair and nails
- Weight Loss
- Weight maintenance
- Increase energy
- Build muscle
- Athletic training & endurance
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS RSVP ONLY FOR THE FIRST 30 SIGNUPS -- RSVP BELOW!
You will receive a confirmation email if you have secured a spot!
**We will need to send an email in advance to the first 30 VIP sign ups. You will need to download and log up to 3 days of food in the MyPlate app.
***Sign ups for waitlist will be available as well, but hopeful waitlisters will also need to log their food for at least a day in the MyPlate app.
HAPPY HOUR
After a long day of awesomeness, take a break and celebrate the day with Express . And because you've earned it, it's time to raise a cocktail! Kick-off Happy Hour with a delicious Crown Royal cocktail, or if wine or champagne is more your speed, they’ll have that too!
#PROTIPS
Don't leave this at home! Things you should bring to C&C:
Bring a schedule of all the things you want to hit up day-of, it’s a day filled to the brim with activities so coming with a game plan is a clutch move.
In the spirit of good networking, pack extra business cards. You want to be able to hand them out throughout the day. Don't shortchange yourself.
The bulk of the Seattle conference will take place outside so we recommend keeping an eye on the weather forecast while prepping your look. Attendee attire varies but we'd describe it as fashionable business wear with an emphasis on fun! No matter what you plan to wear, it will be a long day so prioritize comfort (especially when it comes to shoes!). We'll be packing a light jacket just in case!
Keep an eye out for your attendee welcome box that should be coming in the mail any day now! We are so excited for you to receive, make sure to share it on social with us using #CreateCultivateSEA!
Gift Bags
We know you want them! Gift bags are only available at the end of the night and will be handed out in exchange for your badge. If you have to jet early you will be forfeiting your right to come back in but we doubt you'll want to do that ;)
Where To Park
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Mandy Moore Is So Over Doing This
We all do it. (And we're over it too.)
In January of this year wearing a blue sweatshirt with the words, "For most of history Anonymous was a woman," across her chest and a pink "pussy" hat, actress Mandy Moore, joined a reported fellow 750,000 women, men, and children at the Women's March in Downtown Los Angeles.
Though the pop "Candy" songstress turned Golden Globe nominated actress has received accolades for her current work on This Is Us on NBC, Moore took the streets as if to say, This, Is ALL of US. "What a way to celebrate the collective energy of so many people unwilling to sit idly by. One for the books," the award nominee wrote on her Instagram. Not what some would expect from a former TRL charter, but crushing career stereotypes is part of her repertoire.
Moore escaped the standard downward spiral of a young-to-fame pop princess. When critics said she was simply “too nice,” she kept working, at times typecast, but steadily building her acting career. Since her debut in role in 2001 as the voice of a Girl Bear Cub in Dr. Doolittle 2, Moore has been cast in over twenty films. She managed to keep her 2015 divorce relatively private. And steers clear of the pomp and circumstance of Hollywood. Maybe it's that angelic smile that keeps her floating above the drama, or the fact that Moore keeps her head as firmly attached to her shoulders as her feet to the ground. “At 32 years old, I feel a comfort in my own skin and a sense of determination in my choices that I thought I had all along but really I had no idea,” the actress admits. "There’s no substitute for time or the wisdom and clarity that comes with it. I’ve been working hard to quit apologizing for things I have no control over or no business apologizing for in the first place.”
Or perhaps it’s the lessons she’s kept tucked in her toolkit from her teen years in a notoriously sexist music industry. “Surround yourself with GOOD people,” she says. “I’m lucky enough to have a stable and supportive foundation when it comes to my family and friends so I’ve always attributed that as being the most critical piece of the puzzle. Beyond that, always, always, always trust your gut. When in doubt, DON’T.”
"Always, always, always trust your gut. When in doubt, DON’T.”
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Those women include a stellar squad of empowered women who, Moore says, have “shown me that there’s so much value in learning how to say no, staying true to your vision and finding the courage to take risks.” And her mom, who sent her daughter a pillow the morning of the Globes embroidered with the phrase, “so believed she could so she did.” That she has.
At present, the low-maintenance performer's risks include making active and bold choices in her life and career, something that wasn’t always the case. “Like a lot of people,” she explains, “I allowed fear to govern my life for a period. I became exceptionally good at making myself and my needs as minuscule as possible as not to disturb other parts of my life. Once I realized that those broken patterns weren’t leading me where I wanted to go, I leaned into the pain, embraced change and started owning my power.” Whether she’s singing, acting, or marching down Broadway, the choices she’s making are her own.
The industry, and the viewers who turned out in droves to watch This Is Us last fall, are taking notice. With a radical 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a two-season renewal from the network, things are looking sweet for Moore. But she’s not taking any of it for granted. “Having a job that inspires and challenges me as much as this one does is all of the reward I could ask for. Having said that, this is a WHOLE new world to me and it’s equal parts mind-blowing and humbling. I keep reminding myself to be in the moment and that it’s ok to really appreciate it and not write it off too quickly.”
We suggest taking a similar approach to Moore and her career, wherever that particular march may take her.
Arianna Schioldager is Editor-in-Chief at Create & Cultivate. You can follow her @ariannawrotethis.
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How #Girlgaze Founder Amanda de Cadenet Plans to Create $$ Jobs for Young Women
All that hustle has to lead to something.
Amanda de Cadenet pulls very few punches. “If I have zero interest in the question,” she tells us, “I won’t answer it.” It’s a refreshing frankness from the founder and CEO of The Conversation and now, #girlgaze, a multimedia photo project designed (and recent book!) to support girls behind the camera. The project's first exhibition, #girlgaze: a frame of mind, opened at the Annenberg Space of Photography in October 2016 and ran until February 2017. It featured work from up-and-coming female and gender non-conforming photographers. It was received with open arms.
As the tale of implicit career bias goes, only one-third of professional news photographers are women. Which begs the question: whose eye is capturing what's important? The goal for de Cadenet is to get more perspectives seen, and begin championing that potential early. “It’s so important for girls to understand that they have the power,” the photographer slash founder says.
“It’s so important for girls to understand that they have the power.”
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And understanding it they are. According to de Cadenet, the #girlgaze community is seeing exponential growth. “We are growing so fast that our heads are spinning. Our little team is just trying to keep up,” she shares while noting that this is good news. “Girlgaze is obviously a much-needed platform.” One that focuses on empowerment, something, she shares, “is anything that facilitates a person feeling better about themselves, or good about themselves. Building self-esteem is empowering. For me that means hiring more women across the board in various sectors, because careers build self-esteem.”
That means getting dollars. #girlgaze isn't only about giving women the platform, it's about getting them jobs. "Our goal is to close the gender gap one job at a time," she says. "My hope is that we give as many girls as possible the opportunity to work and share their point of view with the world by creating paid opportunities and ways to connect with each other and the people who write checks."
"Empowerment is anything that facilities a person feeling better about themselves."
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Where The Conversation addressed the fears and realities of women-- bringing the conversations taking place in Amanda’s kitchen about postpartum depression, sex, and gender stereotypes to light, #girlgaze has intentionally focused on the younger generation. "My audience was getting younger and younger-- that doesn’t happen," she says. The multitasking mama (of three) had to ask herself, why it was happening. What content was missing? She saw the gap, realizing that young girls’ exposure to the media, subtle racism and sexism and misogyny, was deeply affecting their self-esteem. “Something does well when it’s needed,” de Cadenet explains. And there was a need.
“They were getting impacted,” she says. “They wanted guidance younger, so I consciously made a choice to create something for them. Creativity is the vehicle for change for a lot of young girls that I know.” A generation she thinks highly of, citing young feminists like Rowan Blanchard. ‘It is our job and my commitment, now more than ever," she says, "to not abandon these issues and to support the next generation of girls tenfold... You have to take stock on a situation before you can change it and then you can create realistic tools.” For the lifelong activist and journalist #Girlgaze is one such tool, helping uplift strong female voices and views.
She also recently published, "It's Messy," a book of essays that came at the behest of her followers and focuses on the Brit's own story. "I wrote 'It's Messy' because many women and girls asked me to,” she explains. "The chapter subjects are curated by my social media audience and I pretty much stuck to what they wanted to know about except TMI about my sex life." The TMI part is debatable.
While it may seem that oft outspoken de Cadenet shares exactly what is on her mind, when it comes to young women sharing their POV she wants them to know, "Just speaking up without that consideration is not always smart. It doesn't need to be complicated, but stay truthful to your point of view no matter what and know your audience.”
Photography by Amanda de Cadenet
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Gal on the Go: The Ultimate Boss Guide to Seattle
It's BOSS up there. And so happens to be the next stop for Create & Cultivate!
CREATE & INNOVATE in collaboration with Marriott Hotels
photo credit: Turkan Najar
It's home to Nordstrom, Microsoft, and Amazon. But there are also plenty of independent women making names for themselves in Seattle. It's nicknamed the Queen City after all.
And last year (before we even knew we were heading to Seattle for Create & Cultivate hosted on the Microsoft campus) we headed to the Pacific Northwest to stay at the newly renovated and modern Seattle Marriott Bellevue. It was chilly, but uncharacteristically sunny (and even made us consider making a move... and clearly a conference). Especially after hearing the stories of the three women below. Did the city live up to its sleepless status? Perhaps. But only because it's full of women, like the below, who are working so hard.
Read through and check out these ladies' stories and favorite spots in Seattle and then head to our conference page and nab a ticket for our upcoming conference!
ELLIE DINH, CO-FOUNDER, GIRLFRIEND COLLECTIVE.
When Ellie and her husband, Quang Dinh, decided to go into business together she knew it wouldn't be easy. "Usually you get some kind of separation," she shared with us the day we visited the start-up office in downtown Seattle. It's a co-working space with big windows, bright light, and a team of about 10. With her perfect blunt bob and dreamy office, it's not surprising that the co-founder explains, "I’ve always admired brands that have a consistency and “less is more” approach to their overall messaging and design, like Reformation, as well as ones that inspire community and engagement in the way that brands like Glossier do." She knows that design matters when it comes to messaging and creating Girlfriend's visual voice. But she also saw it as her "opportunity to inspire customers to learn more about where their clothes come from and how to shop responsibly." The incredibly comfortable and functional leggings are crafted from polyester made from recycled water bottles. To date, the company has diverted 6,000,000 post-consumer plastic water bottles from the landfill. But it's not only their green approach that got Girlfriend noticed.
Girlfriend Collective received attention when they soft launched with a promise of sending anyone a pair of leggings who signed up on the site. Yes, there was the goal of capturing emails, but they also wanted to capture people's attention. That they did, receiving over 10,000 orders.
Find out how the entrepreneur filled such a massive order and why she says, "Seattle has the advantage of being a few steps ahead in the tech world," below.
When you’re designing for women, what do you keep in mind? What’s the most important?
It’s so important to me that women feel amazing in not only what their wearing, but also in what they’re supporting as consumers. It goes hand-in-hand when we’re sourcing our ethical and eco fabrics and designing each silhouette. The intention of every design is to bring simplicity and femininity to the forefront, focusing on great design in a way that makes it possible for everyone to feel great in their body.
After a very successful “stunt,” how do you go about filling 10,000+ orders?
Lots and lots of long hours and a frightening amount of coffee. We (and by we I mean the 5 of us in the office) spent every day post-launch answering every question and email we received, making sure our fabric production was perfect, and even tweaking the design of our legging until the very first shipment went out.
From idea to first pair, how long did R&D take?
R&D was a full year. My husband and I had wanted to create a clothing brand together for awhile, but we didn’t seriously pursue it until the beginning of 2015. By early spring the actual concept for Girlfriend Collective took form, and we spent the following 9 months researching recycled yarns, fair-trade manufacturing, and every legging silhouette known to man (there are more than you’d guess). The process was more of a zig-zag than a straight line, and all our R&D ended up intersecting at the same time. We were sampling fits and recycled fabrics in parallel until we cracked the code for our “unicorn fabric” - polyester made from recycled water bottles.
And from first pair to launch, how long of a process was that? And what went into it?
We received our very first prototype around September 2016, and began to steamroll through many many variations of fits and fabrics. We wanted to find the perfect balance between a technical legging that was still minimal and classic for everyday use, and a legging that flattered every body type. Let me tell you, it was not easy! We spent roughly 8 months perfecting the design before we launched this past April, and even after that continued to tweak them until the first shipment was sent out in July.
What has been the hardest part of starting your own company?
I’m a perfectionist, and the hardest part of starting my own company was realizing no matter how careful you are or how much you prepare, the process is very messy and very much a journey. You have to dive into it and find that delicate balance between doing your best and being forgiving toward yourself. I’ve learned a lot about patience the past two years since we started, and had a few “everything bad that can happen, will happen” moments, but you realize that’s all part of it. Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy, you have to work really hard for it and get comfortable with a bit of chaos along the way.
"Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy; get comfortable with a bit of chaos."
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What is it about the Seattle start-up scene that makes sense for your company?
Seattle has an advantage in that it’s a few steps forward in the tech world, but still somewhat undiscovered in the fashion realm. The Pacific Northwest has a very specific aesthetic and culture, and we don’t exactly fit that mold, so it’s exciting to offer something new to west coast ladies that have east coast sensibilities. There aren’t a lot of brands that crack the Seattle fashion ceiling and we’re aiming to be one of them.
What is your favorite part about working in Seattle?
Seattle is a little big city. I’ve lived here 6 years and it didn’t take long to discover that the community here is incredibly tight knit and nurturing. Everyone knows and supports each other, especially in business. It’s also doesn’t hurt being 20 minutes away from both mountains and the ocean, even though we live and work in the heart of downtown.
Ellie's recommendations below:
Your favorite place to fuel you when you’re burning the midnight oil: My go-to for late night food is always a bowl of Pho Ga at Ba Bar.
Best place to head when you get off and need a stiff drink: Still Liquor or The Nest on the rooftop of the Thompson Hotel.
Or to hear the best live music: The Paramount
If someone could only take a ferry to ONE island, which would you recommend and why:
I went to Lummi Island last year with friends and loved it. I think it’s one of the smallest San Juan islands. It has a 5-minute ferry ride, one convenience store, and a “would be” Michelin star restaurant on it, Willows Inn - so basically everything I’d ever need if I was stranded on an island.
Best date night spot with your husband: Our date nights have turned into more of a ‘Saturday morning brunch’ situation, and we love going to either Oddfellows, Juicebox, or Tallulah's.
Tourist location that’s a guilty pleasure: I love Pike Place Market!
Tourist spot that you’ve never visited: The Space Needle.
Greatest workout you’ve ever done in Girlfriend Collective leggings: My first boxing class with some friends (at Gotham Gym, the last time I was in NYC) and it kicked my ass.
You have one of the best bobs we’ve ever seen in person. Who cuts it?: Thank you! I’ve seen both Evan and Adam at Antonio Salon, and they nail it every time.
ARAN GOYOAGA, FOUNDER, FOOD BLOGGER & AUTHOR OF SMALL PLATES & SWEET TREATS
It's fitting that Aran Goyoaga, twice over James Beard Award finalist, food blogger and fountain of gluten-free recipes, says that "everyone should take Instagram with a grain a salt."
Food has been a part of Aran's story from the beginning. As a child in the Basque region of Spain, "surrounded by pastry chefs," it never occurred to the now Seattle-based culinary mind behind Cannelle et Vanille, that baking would be her path as well. "My family encouraged me to go to university, travel the world, get a higher education and get away from the blue collar job that baking was," she shares. "When I was growing up cooking for a living did not have the same aspirational career perspective that it does today." She ended up going to university, where she studied business and economics. "It was only after I finished my studies, moved to the US and found myself so far away from my family that I realized that pastry was the one bond that kept me connected to my roots." Her first stop was Florida, where the professional pastry chef worked for a large hotelier. A job which taught her reigns and ropes of all aspects of the kitchen. She initially stopped working to stay at home and raise her son. But the kitchen called her back. And food became her gateway to photography. Her photos have been described as romantic, unfussy, and nostalgic. Many writers have described Aran in the same way.
Today, the mother of two, baker, food stylist, author and photographer of the cookbook Small Plates & Sweet Treats, stays grounded and connected to her heritage through cooking and baking. "I have always loved working with my hands," she adds.
We met up in her gorgeous photography studio by Pike Place Market to chat social media, building a brand, and how her works feeds her soul.
How do you decide what to show, what to keep private? And how to be/not be a brand?
I am not sure what connotation "to be a brand" has (it probably means different things to different people) but I don't necessarily identify myself with that term. I suppose that with every piece of work I choose to show the world through social media, I am establishing a style, a personal taste, an affinity to something, but I don't generally want to sell anything or push product on people. I engage in some advertising work that I relate to or products I might naturally use but honestly my goal is to develop personal content that has an emotional narrative so branding doesn't really fit into that so easily. My instagram account is a bit of a cinematic world view that I have. Visual narrative is what drives my work and I would say I focus very much on that aspect. Sure, what I show is part of my life: my friends, my children, the food we eat, the places I see, but it has a very specific filter and I am not trying to say that is everything my life is. Everyone should take instagram with a grain of salt.
After working for a large hotelier, what work lessons did you bring into your own business?
I loved working in a big team, especially in a company that has such high standards for service, but honestly, it made me realize that I love working for myself and making the kind of work that I want to do. I love the flexibility of working for myself despite the perils of instability.
Can you tell us a bit about the new project you’re working on and why making something that feeds your soul is important?
I spent big part of 2016 working on a new video series that explores my relationship with food, from my family roots to an eating disorder, to feeding the creative soul I never thought I had, to being open to the world and let go of a lot of the rigidity that ruled my life for so long. It is the manifestation that there is no beauty without imperfection. The series is called "A Cook's Remedy" and will be releasing the first few episodes early 2017 on the new site I am developing. I have produced the series with an incredible team of women in Seattle called Common Thread Creative. I am so excited to put it out into the world.
"There is no beauty without imperfection."
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You moved from Spain to South Florida and have settled in Seattle. What about the city feels like home?
Seattle reminds me a lot of the Basque Country where I grew up. It's a lot larger and more majestic than the landscape of my youth, but there is a similar quality to a lot of northern countries that make it feel like home. The rain, the green, the introspection... Seattle is a city that looks forward and inward and that is a perfect balance for me. Makes me feel safe.
Aran's recommendations below:
Favorite market to buy your ingredients: Ballard farmer's market on Sundays, especially between May and October.
Have a morning cup of coffee: There is so much great coffee in Seattle that it is hard to choose. I love the morning vibe at Oddfellows. It truly is the place to get inspired in Seattle. And The Fat Hen makes incredible lattes. I also love Porchlight Coffee and Records for the obvious reasons: Coffee and music. My two favorite things in the world.
Eat a delicious gluten-free meal: Again so many places. I am just going to name a few because one wouldn't be enough. The lamb burger with no bun and fries at Tallulah's, the roasted vegetables and Jersey salad at Delancey, anything at Sitka & Spruce and Whale Wins (so many gluten-free options), baked eggs at The Fat Hen, pho at Ba Bar, Juicebox for almost everything on the menu, tacos at Copal, London Plane for their papadum and salads, Stateside for amazing Vietnamese and the list goes on.
"Seattle is a city that looks forward and inward."
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Take your family out to dinner: Pho is the one thing we all agree on so Ba Bar is definitely our spot. Also El Camion which is a little taqueria in Ballard, especially in the summer. We are a family of simple tastes.
If you had to take a ferry to one island, which would it be and why: Vashon Island because that is where my dear friend Carolina lives and I love visiting her there.
Tourist spot in Seattle that you’ve never visited: The Underground Tour... I've heard it's interesting, but just creeps me out a bit.
Favorite spot in the city to sit and be still: That is the one thing that is abundant in Seattle. Just take a hike in Discovery Park, Lincoln Park, a walk around Greenlake.....all around us.
Best free entertainment in Seattle: Going to KEXP radio station and watching one of their live performances. The new space is incredible with La Marzocco coffee shop and Light in the Attic record store. It's close to my home and love spending time there.
PORTIA SMITH, FOUNDER & BLOGGER AT OBSESSED BY PORTIA
She's collaborated with General Motors, Uncommon Goods, and Whole Foods. And she's turned her blogging know-how into a role in PR.
For Portia Smith, the "obsessed" blogger behind her eponymous blog, Obsessed by Portia, having the PR career second allows the mom and content creator to "continually grow on a personal, professional, and creative level."
"It felt like a natural integration, since both involve proficiency in social media, networking, and writing. Brand promotion is a key aspect in blogging, which significantly mirrors a PR perspective - so it made sense to lean in towards the role. And I absolutely love it!" the Seattle-based blogger says.
We met up on Capitol Hill, and despite cold temps, Portia indulged in ice cream at Molly Moon's (as did many other Seattle residents that day) and braved the cold without her coat while shooting in the famous Rainbow Crosswalks. And it wasn't just an "anything for the shot," attitude. Portia was game for anything, yes. But the for the Pacific Northwest native, a sunny day in Seattle was a reason to celebrate.
We wanted to know how she manages kids, career, and what's on her current obsession list.
When you shoot an image for your Instagram/blog, what are three key components you keep in mind?
It’s important that my blog and Instagram have a professional, curated look. Three components I keep in mind are lighting, background, and consistency. In the past I’ve worked with a variety of photographers, but in order to maintain a seamless look - I’ve realized the value in working with just 1 or 2 that fit my style exactly. Photos have so much power in engagement, it’s an aspect that deserves undivided attention.
The old work/life balance question— how do you make it work? As a mom and business woman what tricks have you developed?
I’ll be the honest, the struggle is real…and it’s a daily conscious effort to reign in what’s really important, and what can wait. Creating lists of priority have been helpful, especially since I’m a visual person. I have a running Google spreadsheet with current projects, deadlines, details, etc. It helps to have everything in one place - to ease the mind from overload - and when i get something done, there’s nothing greater than crossing it off! Another helpful aspect of being a working mom is having an incredible village of friends and family. They have been the ultimate resource in my success - knowing I have the flexibility with both my schedule and caregivers has freed up the anxiety which is commonly associated as mom guilt. And lastly, realizing you just can’t do it all. This is a hard one, but the ability to say no to things that don’t bring you joy - that’s the golden ticket. As women, we often say yes to everything and that needs to stop. Your sanity will thank you.
"As women, we often say yes to everything and that needs to stop."
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What are you currently obsessing over?
I created Obsessed by Portia to share all things I’m obsessed with. This varies across fitness, fashion, beauty, motherhood, travel, etc. My top obsessions right now include trying out new workouts, podcasts, audio books, home design, and travel.
What are you looking forward to in 2017?
International travel…with my kids.
Portia's recommendations below:
Favorite spot in the city to grab a coffee: Seattle Coffee Works! A great location near the iconic Pike Place Market, paired with a beautiful, artisan-style espresso - makes for the perfect coffee date.
Best spot to take your kids: Seattle Center! On rainy days, we love to explore the Seattle Children’s Museum, Pacific Science Center or Museum of Pop Culture. When the sun’s out, we head to the Artists at Play playground or wander around the 74-acre Seattle landmark, making a stop at the International Fountain.
Tourist spot that’s a guilty pleasure: Dinner at the Space Needle. A definite must for tourists, but typically saved for special occasions with the locals.
Tourist spot that you’ve never visited: Seattle Japanese Garden - a 3.5-acre stroll.
Your favorite spot in the city to sit and be still: Washington Park Arboretum in the Spring! Nothing beats sitting on a bench amongst the cherry blossoms!
Grab an afternoon bite with a girlfriend: Plum Bistro on Capitol Hill - The best vegan restaurant in Seattle which features only local, sustainable and organic ingredients. Perfect for a healthy PNW lunch!
The best place to take a drive: Head to Alki Beach in West Seattle!
If you had to pick ONE island to head out to and why: We have a beach house on Camano Island, so that will always be my favorite island in the PNW. It’s about an hour North of Seattle and has great beaches, cabins available to rent, and a fantastic State Park!
Best place to grab dessert: Molly Moon’s Handmade Ice Cream! (Pictured above.) The seasonal flavors are my favorite!
Your wine/date spot: Circadia just opened up downtown Seattle and has the most romantic vibe! They brought back old-school hollywood glamour, with gorgeous chandeliers, luxe textiles, and an impeccable dining experience.
Be sure to check out the entire Gal-on-the-Go series in partnership with Marriott Hotels. Over the last year we've chatted with female entrepreneurs in San Francisco, Charlotte, Miami, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Seattle.