150+ Photos From Inside Our 2018 Mamas Making It Summit
Photos: Howl & Rose
Mamas came, mamas conquered. Last Sunday, our second sold-out Mamas Making It Summit took over The Line Hotel in Los Angeles for a full day of inspiring conversations, networking, pampering, and more. Just like last year's inaugural conference, nearly 20 entrepreneurial mothers across fashion, entertainment, wellness, and beauty industries participated in inspiring panels led by Fashion Mamas founder and CEO Natalie Alcala, who is due with her second child — a baby girl! — in less than two months.
Upon arriving, all 150 attendees received welcome kits that included a handy notebook (designed Marissa Allie Designs), a custom sticker pack and pin, and our exclusive postcard collaboration with Our Sacred Women and MBOJ Studio.
Before jumping into the panels, guests enjoyed a peek at our many experiences, which included a baby-friendly Ladies' Lounge by LOOM and furnished by Ajna Living, a mama pampering station by Saje Natural Wellness, where they were gifted konjac sponges, herbal bath bars, and more, jewelry with a mission presented by The Giving Keys, a Safer Skincare station by Beautycounter (which featured the debut of the brand's game-changing Countersun SPF line!), dry hairstyling courtesy of Drybar, a Flipbooth photo booth, complimentary headshots by Katee Grace, and a social media critiques station led by digital marketing pros Annette Vartanian and Mai Nguyen-Miyoshi.
The morning kicked off with an exclusive chat with our keynote speaker — actress and co-host of Daytime Emmy award-winning talk show The Real, Tamera Mowry-Housley — who shared tons of nuggets of wisdom. "When you have gratitude, it changes the experience," the mother of two explained about her upbringing. Speaking about her and her twin sister Tia's starring roles on iconic '90s sitcom Sister Sister, Mowry said that she and her sibling remained down to earth because, "It's a job; it doesn't define you."
Mowry-Housley also encouraged mothers to accept help: "I wasn't operating at my full potential, so I had to learn to let it go." Another sage piece of advice for entrepreneurial mothers unsure about taking the leap into starting a new business? "Just do it, and be authentic. Be yourself — because everybody else is taken."
Next, Drybar founder Alli Webb, designer Anine Bing, and blogging pioneer Geri Hirsch led the Branding Brilliance panel to discuss how they built their unique empires. "It's about knowing what you're not good at," Webb said while noting that Drybar's core values and design "hasn't changed too much." Bing revealed that she wears everything she makes first to ensure that the details and fit are just right, and that when it comes to sharing images on social media, "people can relate more to the real than the perfect." Hirsch, who created the popular blog Because I'm Addicted way back in 2005 before co-founding — and later selling — her media company LEAF.tv, noted that although the market is saturated with blogs and influencers, "there's always room for more, but it's tough." The new mama also shared the following piece of advice that clearly struck a chord with the crowd: "Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good."
On the Creative Content panel, AKID co-founder Ashleigh Dempster, The Chriselle Factor founder and CINC Studios creative director Chriselle Lim, and TV star-turned-designer-turned-lifestyle influencer Whitney Port shared what makes their content click. Dempster explained that AKID will always be "about kids being kids," and that her brand sees most of its engagement on Instagram. Lim stressed the importance of showing your truth on Instagram: "People want real content," she said, while also revealing that her and her team have big plans for creating new content on Facebook. Port added that creating engaging, candid social media content is a process because "readers and viewers want to soak in what you have to say; it's a muscle that you have to work out."
During the Feel-Good Philanthropy panel, The Giving Keys founder and CEO Caitlyn Crosby and Kind Campaign co-founders Lauren Paul and Molly Thompson explained the importance of being resourceful and staying true to your mindful mission. "Start with what you're passionate about; consumers can smell authenticity," said Crosby, and "do with what you have." When it comes to creating a positive environment, Paul said that "apologizing is not only healing for the person you’re apologizing to, but also for you." Thompson also encouraged women to engage and communicate with other mothers whenever they feel that they're being bullied.
On the Essential Self-Care panel, Optimism Doctor and Visual Imagery Expert Deepika Chopra, actress and MAED founder Denise Vasi, and multi-time New York Times bestselling author and nutritionist Kimberly Snyder shared all things TLC, from their morning rituals to how to live a more optimistic life. "Don’t limit negativity, but be mindful of positivity," said Chopra, while Vasi added that "self-care is making sure you laugh." Snyder defined wellness as "being connected to yourself; it's not about how much you weigh," and shared that she starts her day with hot water with lemon in the morning, followed by a probiotic, meditation, and her signature Glowing Green Smoothie.
To cap an amazing day filled with powerful conversations, designer and Echo Park Craft Fair founder Beatrice Valenzuela, and DJ and activist Daisy O'Dell led the Community Matters panel. O'Dell, who co-founded female-powered nightlife and entertainment group Woman. Collective, explained that "we believe art is a catalyst for change [and] we have to walk the walk, not just talk the talk." Valenzuela focused on the importance of creating from the heart and supporting other women: "Why not support each other? Why not lift each other up?"
After a champagne toast, taking tons of selfies next to the greenery throughout the event provided by Rolling Greens, and capturing group shots in front of the Instagram-friendly "WORK" light up letters by Love This Way, it was time to head home. Everyone was treated to gift bags filled with Ritual vitamins, healthy supplements by Wellness-Simplified, sweet treats by Rojos Bakery and Smash Mallow, 12-free nail lacquer by KL Polish, kids sunnies by Babiators, colorful office supplies by Yoobi, and generous discounts from REEF and co-working and childcare space Wiggle & Work, and for our speakers, a special something from our friends at Monica + Andy.
We can't wait to do it all again next year — thank you to everyone who joined us! Missed out or feel like reliving the inspiring day? Buy digital tickets to score access to our panel videos here!
The Line Hotel
3515 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90010