"An Overnight Success is 10 Years in the Making" & Other Mic-Drop Moments You Missed From Our Desert Pop-Up
Palm Springs, you did it again.
There’s nothing like coming together with hundreds of women in the middle of the desert to mingle, share knowledge, and hear from some of the best in the fashion, beauty, and entertainment industries. Saturday’s Desert Pop-Up was all that and more, with jaw-dropping keynotes from Jameela Jamil, Rocky Barnes, and Karena Dawn and Katrina Scott. They shared the priceless advice they’ve gained over the years, and we couldn’t take notes fast enough! Don’t worry if you weren’t there—we’re bringing you all the key takeaways below…and if you’re a C&C Insider, you can watch videos of every speaker & panel here!
The New Standard: Influencers Reshaping the Beauty & Fashion Industry
“I want to be on the field playing, not on the bench.” - Annie Lawless, Lawless Beauty
“Everything you post is an online resume.” - Jill Wallace, Little Black Boots
“I’m not going to do a job I’m not 100% about. I will never compromise my style.” - Brittany Xavier, global style influencer
Don’t do it for the likes or the comments. Post what you’re passionate about. - Carolina Lindo, I’m Not Sorry Darling
On starting a new venture: “There really is no true five year plan. Everything you do should be short-term planning.” — Jessica Franklin, HeyGorJess
““The only person I’m in competition with is myself. Where was I three months or six months ago, and where I am now?” ”
On being an influencer in a rapidly-changing digital landscape: “It’s a bit like the wild wild west. We’re making the rules up as we go.” - Jill Wallace
“There’s never a right time to start a company, so you might as well start now. Just have faith.” - Annie Lawless
“You don’t need to know exactly where you’re going. Just be really focused and passionate about what you do and everything will fall into place.” - Jessica Franklin
“The only person I’m in competition with is myself. Where was I three months or six months ago, and where I am now?” - Jill Wallace
Fireside Chat: Rocky Barnes
“An overnight success is 10 years in the making.”
“I think it’s so important to find the right person or brand to collaborate with. Don’t be afraid to say no and find the right match. It’s like finding a boyfriend.”
“I don’t want anyone to think there’s a quick easy shortcut to success — It may look like there is, but it’s all about hard work.”
“Make time for face-to-face interactions, taking the time to have coffee, say hello—make a personal connection. You have no idea how far that will go in this industry.”
“The best advice I’ve ever received is to never take anything personally.”
“No one is bigger or better than anyone else. Everyone started in the same place.”
“Instead of focusing just on that dream job, focus on the way you want to feel. That’s where you should put your focus.”
Keynote: Katrina Scott & Karena Dawn, Founders of Tone It Up, in conversation with Jaclyn Johnson
“The secret to being business partners is to allow each other to be who you are and find your strengths.”
“There’s never enough time in the day—don’t try to do everything. If you can choose to do one big thing once a day, think of how much you can achieve in a month, or a year, or 10 years.”
“Be in tune with the community you have, even when you think you know what’s best for your business.”
“For us, because we’re so focused on relationships, hiring is really about culture. Hire smarter than you are. Hire people who know what you don’t know.”
“Life isn’t all about work. You have to set boundaries—we’ll go on vacation together and spend the whole week not talking about work. Life is meant to be enjoyed.”
“You have to OK with change. Evolution is great. You’re not the same person you were 10 years ago, and your brand should evolve as well.”
“We’re really guilty of doing every job ourselves. You shouldn’t do that—you should be creating and connecting with your community.”
“Hiring is an investment of time, but think about how it will pay off in the long run.”
“From the very beginning, you’ll never find any Tone It Up workouts about ‘problem areas.’ We’ve always been very body positive. We have before and afters, but we’ve highlighted women who’s gained weight, who’ve gotten stronger, who’ve gone from being not confident to confident.
“Live in the moment and learn. When we’re younger, we’re so concerned about what other people are thinking about you. Just live.”
We Mean Biz: The Content Creators Building Buzz & Businesses
“There’s a reason people sit around the table and talk about their invention ideas and don’t follow through on them—because doing them is no joke. If you have that idea and there is something in you pulling you to do it, figure it out because I have to say, going forward with TOPTOTE, I would have regretted not making it happen.” - Lindsay Albanese, TOPTOTE
“Whoever is paying you is always going to say there’s no money available. There is always money available. Be difficult. Ask for the big money.” - Keltie Knight, TV Host & Founder, Ladygang
Focus on your niche. Focus on what your friends ask your advice on. What are you getting questions about? What are you really good at? Focus on that. - Jaci Marie Smith, Influencer & Founder, What We Said
“If it’s not something I would wear myself, I won’t put it into production.” - Nicole Williams English, Nia Lynn Collection
““Some of the biggest opportunities I’ve gotten are because I’ve asked for it. If I’m not asking, someone else is.””
“Hard workers only. If you’ve got it, you’ll make it happen.” - Lindsay Albanese
“Tap into your resources. You know more people than you realize that can help you take that next step in making something happen.” - Lindsay Albanese
“Ask for what you want, because you are worth it. It is so hard to find a passionate, smart woman to work for you—and you are that. Get that money.” - Keltie Knight
“I’m at the point now where I’d rather level up on everything I’m doing than doing something new.” - Jaci Marie Smith
“A lot of people are so nervous to ask for what they want, but some of the biggest opportunities I’ve gotten are because I’ve asked for it. If I’m not asking, someone else is.” - Lindsay Albanese
“Take ‘just’ out of your vocabulary. Not ‘just following up.’ Say, ‘Hey. I’m following up. I’m fucking awesome. Reply to me.’” - Keltie Knight
Keynote: Jameela Jamil in conversation with Jaclyn Johnson
“If you’re going to be an activist or feminist, you have to be willing to take an L and know that we don’t know everything. We have to be willing to shut up, listen, and learn, and not be too proud about it.”
“The next generation is f*cking done being excluded and looking up to a white straight thin version of what we are supposed to be. We’re done with the dinosaurs…and I’m here to kill the last of them.”
“I weigh the sum of all my motherf*cking parts.”
“Stop being so worried about being fucking likable—it’s not your responsibility to make people happy.”
“This is now a time of sisterhood. Seeing how high my activism has risen, seeing how I’ve been embraced for being so outspoken, so rude—-by even the media and men—-is a sign that change is here.”
Shoutout to Kelley Anderson for creating these gorgeous fern walls for our video backdrop! We loved seeing all of your creative OMBooth vids!
Next up: Our New York conference! Didn’t get tickets in time? Hop on the waitlist. We can’t wait to see you there!
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You'll Def Want to Stay Here on Your Next Palm Spring Vacay
Meet the woman striking desert gold.
Image courtesy of Bridget Fleming .
Jaime Kowal is a full time freelance photographer whose work has appeared in publications like The New York Times and Conde Nast Traveler-- snapping everyone from Reese Witherspoon the to Dalai Lama. But she's also a full time entrepreneur.
Almost four years ago, the business-savvy Canadian came to Palm Springs on what was supposed to be a ten day vacation, but every day found a new reason to stay: the weather, an exhibit, the endless supply of inspiring architecture. Six months (and one 0-1 Visa later) those reasons were business ventures.
She first struck desert gold with The Amado. A multifamily property build in the 1950s which she renovated, acting as both general contractor and interior designer, her photographer's eye lending its attention to detail to the project.
Next she and partner Chris Pardo opened Bootlegger Tiki, a "Tikeasy" as she calls it, located in the same space as the original Don the Beachcomber restaurant that opened in 1953, and the adjoining Ernest Coffee, which serves up Stumptown Coffee. Between these two spaces she has staff working almost 24/7. Ernest opens its doors at 6am, Bootegger at 4pm, and by the time the bar staff is heading home, the java crew is rising and shining in the desert light.
But why stop there? The Junipero, a six room boutique hotel which celebrated its opening in Feb 2016 is a Spanish Colonial property with Mediterranean architecture and easy Moroccan vibes (yes, please). It's proof that The Amado wasn't just a one hit wonder and why Jaime even recently expanded her work to include a historical property in the exquisite wine county of Prince Edward County in Canada as well. She and The Desert Collective seem unstoppable. But you should definitely stop by one of their awesome properties and check out what the founder has to say below.
Interior of Ernest Coffee. Image courtesy of Jaime Kowal.
She has a renovator's spirit-- the kind of (perhaps mad) genius with the ability to breath new life into places, and it's attracting not only the OG Palm Springs crowd, but the cool travel-on-the-weekends LA kids. Between her ventures she served almost 100,000 people last year.
We caught up with the photog and proprietor to find out how she makes it all work, and why following that one crazy idea might be the best business decision you ever make.
Word is, you came to Palm Springs for vacation and never left. Can you talk about making bold decisions in both business and life and why they are important to you?
I was at the point in my life where I was ready to make some bold decisions. I had planted the seeds of research and exploration, and was clear about my goals. I believe the saying “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”. It was the right time and place. I felt like I was jumping off a cliff and taking a chance but I completely trusted I would be supported. And it turns out I have been more than supported. The most wonderful things in my life have always come from making bold decisions and not looking back. I feel most alive when I’m taking a chance.
Desert relaxation at The Junipero. Image courtesy of Jaime Kowal.
When you’re spreading yourself between multiple properties and businesses how do you stay organized?
I am disciplined with the systems I use to remember and prioritize action items. I get up at 6am every day to do a few hours of work before the barrage of calls, texts and emails begin. I have built a fantastic team and I am now able to delegate which helps tremendously. It’s not a perfect system. Like everyone else I wish I had more time in the day. My inbox creates the most stress as I can’t keep up with the volume. On occasion there are emails I miss or things that don’t get done and I’m learning to be ok with that.
How do you stay sane?
I practice yoga, eat healthy and go for acupuncture to balance my body physically. My mental respite comes from humor. It’s hopping on FaceTime with my girlfriends to break up my long days to talk about anything but business. We make jokes and laugh and it shifts my mood every time. Personal connection and quality conversation is important to me and I meet with friends or clients for dinner or drinks regularly. I love getting away for the weekend if I can.
Inside the Junipero. Image courtesy of Jaime Kowal.
What are some of the most challenging aspects of being a small-business owner?
It sounds cliché but for me the most challenging aspect is finding the balance between my personal and business life. Setting boundaries and finding time to relax or turn off is tricky. I haven’t taken a real vacation in two years. I’ve come to realize my business is my life. I apply my creativity and expression to the business. My team are my extended family. We spend so much time together it’s inevitable. The only way to handle the long days and constant demands is to be at peace with it and make it fun and meaningful. It’s a marathon. I feel like I’m surfing a really long wave…
What are some highlights?
I love bringing people together and building community. I genuinely love and care for the extended web of people in my life. I now have a staff of twenty and it has been fascinating to see their relationships grow over the past few years. We share similar values and support each other. That care extends to our interactions with guests at The Amado and The Junipero, and to our customers at Ernest Coffee and Bootlegger Tiki. We served almost 100,000 people last year! We literally have a personal connection with each and every one of our customers, and community and relationships have grown from that.
Secondly, we are offering products and services that make people happy. Everyone loves Palm Springs and we’re offering a beautiful place to stay, a caffeine fix, and craft cocktails. It doesn’t get better than that.
Orange doors welcome you in at The Amado. Image courtesy of Melissa Gidney.
Were you always business-minded and savvy, or is it something you grew into?
I have always been entrepreneurial. I remember literally writing business plans for fun when I was a child. I see opportunity for growth, change, design, or efficacy everywhere I go. I have learned over the years that where many people see blocks I see a creative challenge. I’m not scared to try something new.
"I’m not scared to try something new."
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When someone comes to stay at one of your properties, what can they expect?
Our properties are design-driven and detail oriented. The Amado is a classic example of mid-century modern architecture and The Junipero was originally built as a Spanish Colonial home. The decor is inspired by the unique architecture of each property and provides a direct experience of the relaxed lifestyle that Palm Springs is famous for. The outdoor areas are built for poolside lounging and dining. We’ve integrated large-scale works of original photography and art throughout, integrated natural and organic materials and stocked the kitchens with all kinds of cooking utensils. Each suite is fully contained with a dining room, living room, bathroom, kitchen and king bedroom so guests have privacy but can come together in the common areas. We rent the entire property out to groups every weekend who are celebrating bachelorette parties, family reunions or birthdays. They love having their own private compound they can make their own for a few days.
Why do you think Palm Springs continues to be such a destination spot?
It’s the perfect storm. The weather is amazing. It’s within close proximity to LA, San Diego and Las Vegas. It offers great restaurants and bars, quirky day trips to the desert or mountains, incredible architecture, the best mid-century furniture and thrifting, cultural events and parties every night of the week and something new every visit.
What’s next on your Palm Springs takeover?
I do have a few exciting projects I’m exploring right now with different partners but it’s too early to talk about!! :) I can say they would be a natural extension of what we are already offering.
"Once you begin the process the next step appears."
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For someone looking to get into the hospitality business, what words of advice or encouragement do you have for them?
Trust your instinct and stay true to your vision. I had a lot of trusted friends, advisors and contractors challenge me in the beginning. They thought I was crazy and taking too much of a risk. But I had a vision and I stuck to it. And if you don’t know where to start, just start somewhere. Once you begin the process the next step appears.
Cover photo: Sarah Sherman Samuels.
The original version of this article appeared on our site on Feb 5th 2016.
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