A lot of you guys have asked about Create & Cultivate!
Last week I told you allllllll about Michael’s jorts incident in Dallas, so today I figured we’d do sort of a part 2 Dallas…& talk about the conference ( especially for anyone who was unable to attend ).
By they way, it’s such a bummer if you wanted to attend & couldn’t make it. I know some of you guys live super far away OR you wanted to come but it was sold out ( Crazy!!! This conference always sells out because it’s THAT good ). Regardless, I hope this gives you a peek into the whole experience.
Alright let’s break it down, shall we?
The night before the conference, all of the speakers had dinner together. The food was awesome & the vibe was spot on. It was really nice to meet other women in the digital space ( I think Michael was the only guy there? HA ).
But let’s get to the event: I spoke on a panel called ‘Brand Vibes: How To Create A Brand That Lives Beyond The Blog Bubble’.
This panel could not have been more perfect for me because when I launched The Skinny Confidential, I launched the blog as a foundation for the brand.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a true blue blogger & always will be, BUT I wanted to start small, THINK BIG. Hence the brand.
The panel was moderated by Vanessa Flaherty of Digital Brand Architects. The other panelists included Camille Styles of Camille Styles, Julia Engel of Gal Meets Glam, Mary Seng of Happily Grey, & Sophia Rivka Rossi of Hello Giggles…& of course, me.
It was super cool to be amongst such a powerful group of women. Each of us is very different but we all had/have one goal in common: BUILDING A BRAND THAT LIVES BEYOND THE BLOG.
( Also, for the record each panelists was LOVELY. Every one of the girls was humble, down to earth, & very sweet ).
SOOOoo, we shared our experiences with the audience.
And obviously this included me talking about coconut oil as lube & butthole enemas…because, HEY- I gotta stay true to my roots.
Let’s put it this way: I definitely didn’t hold back.
We each introduced ourselves ( I think you guys know me well enough now so we’ll skip that whole bit ) & then everyone went on to share their story of blog to brand.
I spoke about supporting myself as a bartender, teaching Pure Barre & Pilates while attaining my degree at SDSU ( more here ) and planning TSC. Honestly I looked out into the amazing crowd of women ( YOU ) & could tell there were many girls who were busting their asses while launching their blogs…so that was COOL to let those women know “Hey I get it, hang in there. KEEP GOING.”
Anyway, I spoke about how while yes, I was busting ass, I was also building TSC…in a Trapper Keeper at night.
Slowly, strategically, & carefully.
After about a year of planning, The Skinny Confidential was born…& the rest was history!
We were also asked “how did we strategically grow our brands?”
This was my favorite question BECAUSE I feel like strategy is SO very important. If you’re interested in that whole explanation, check out this post on my Upside Down Triangle theory.
Then we were asked about balance & how to find private time…this one is interesting because it is certainly a juggling act…but I try VERY hard to maintain private aspects of life.
Although it may seem like more ( or less? ) I share about 60% percent of my life. The other 40% is kept for family, friends, Michael, & myself! BUT on the same note, I LOVE to talk about taboo shit.
Well shit, no surprises there.
Vanessa then went on to ask about growing pains ( UM, YES ), brand collaborations ( ONLY IF THEY FIT WELL WITH MY AESTHETIC AND READERSHIP! ), & next steps in the business ( STAY TUNED ).
Lastly we were asked about our biggest moment as influencers.
…This question was funny for me.
My book release and launch was amazing & definitely a big moment BUT there’s been no like AH-HA! OMG I MADE IT! moment.
I chip away everyday, slow & steady, carefully, with strong focus. So no, there’s never this HUGE jump. No epiphany. None of that.
& that’s how I believe something bigger than yourself happens— it’s like an hourglass. Slow. Steady. One piece of sand at a time.
When the hourglass fills up, you turn it over again & keep chipping away.
Nothing happens overnight.
NOTHING.
After we spoke I taught a ‘Flat Lay Instagram Tutorial’ with Bar III Clothing in another area which was fun & light hearted, and just really the perfect end to the day. Maybe I’ll recap this part too on the blog if you guys want?
SO. That was Create & Cultivate! I definitely wanted to bring you guys along via TSC if you weren’t able to attend, so TA-DA.
Other highlights in Dallas: TSC Bombshell Body Guide…in my hotel room, Hotel Zaza’s bar/restaurant, & the decor at Create + Cultivate ( it was to die )…cactus macaroons scream Pinterest in every which way though, no?
If you have ANY questions on the below or C & C, leave them below!
Hope to meet some of you at the next conference.
Until tomorrow, lauryn x
P.S. if you’re in a Valentine’s mood, SUBSCRIBE to TSC Newsletter!! Tomorrow is going to be fun. Just comment your e-mail on my latest Instagram. xx
SHOP MY C & C OUTFIT: black V-neck bodysuit ( << $20!! ) | black slacks | shoes ( similar ) | sunglasses
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Love it! You’re so inspiring 🙂
Thank you Edith! <3
Wow! This sounds and looks amazing. I’ll have to check it out.
You will love it! xx
Loved this post & would LOVE another one the flat lays! I seriously sometimes have no idea what I’m doing on insta so I really depend on awesome bloggers like yourself! One thing I would also love to know is what ring light do you use or any lighting tips?
It is a huge goal of mine this year to make it out to C + C and this post sealed the deal. I was in the sold out category, which is a shame but my fault, but also awesome that so many awesome people get to go to this conference.
Also, you have no idea how badly I needed to read this right now:
“Honestly I looked out into the amazing crowd of women ( YOU ) & could tell there were many girls who were busting their asses while launching their blogs…so that was COOL to let those women know “Hey I get it, hang in there. KEEP GOING.“ ”
…so from the bottom of my cyber heart, thank you, Lauryn! I say this in a lot of comments but it has been so rad to see you and TSC grow and evolve & the only way by doing that is by being all in, so it is so inspiring & thanks for the reminder to keep thinking big while taking those baby steps! Excited to see what plans you have for the future xx
Yay! I will definitely do a Flat Lay post : ). And I’m glad the words resonated. They’re very true! Keep going lady xx
Looking forward to the next event!
XoXo,
Tamara
That event sounds so amazing!
Connie | Sponsored by Coffee | Etsy
Photography is on point as always, Lauryn! What an amazing event you documented!
Love it! Would love to go to the next event!!
I am so excited to be back on the states so I can start attending these conferences! Great recap xo C
It was great to meet you again, this time in Dallas! Thanks for taking the time to be at part of C&C, I was really impressed with the entire day xx
What a beautiful event. I loved following along on Snap- the advice you gave was so beneficial to someone like me who just started blogging. Thank you for always being an inspiration 🙂
YAY! So glad you liked it babe : ) xo thanks for following along on Snapchat. x
Thank you so much for sharing! I love hearing about this conference. I plan to be there next year!
I hope to meet you there : ) x
Lauryn this blog post shows just how intelligent and hard-working you are. You’re a true inspiration ❤️.
Great post! I was curious about C & C and this shed some light on it and left me wanting to know more. I hope to make it to the next one. Are they always in Dallas or do the move around?
Also, how long have you been blogging? I’ve been at it for a couple years and still working on growing it and making it “perfect”. Reading this has motivated me even more ?
lauryn, i gotta say my favorite thing about you is how REAL you are. although you’ve singlehandedly built this empire, you seem to still be just a girl in the world like me! i, and i’m sure others, appreciate that so much. also helps that you+michael’s snaps kill me
xxoxo
This is so inspiring! I’m sure create & cultivate was awesome. I love hearing the creative thoughts and ideas behind building brands. I just finished up the first part of the TSC guide and loved it. Will be sharing it on my blog next week. I can’t wait to start the second half!!!!
It sounds like such an interesting conference, thank you for sharing with us. I would love to hear more about your Instagram flat lay class
Thanks so much for posting all the details of this conference! I always wonder what goes on at these blogger conventions! The decorations were so cute- love the pics you took!
Meh! I wish I could have gone!!!
Thanks for sharing your badass advice!
Girl crushing hard on all the awesome atendees. I have been a fan of betcheslovethis forever, but had no idea who the brains behind the betch was. So fun.
Thanks for sharing Lauryn.
xx
I would love a post about the ‘Flat Lay Instagram Tutorial’ – your pictures are always on point! 🙂
You were easily one of my top 3 faves at the conference! Im so obsessed with you now <3
Thank you for being so inspiring and just overall a real ass bitch lol! Your little flat layout tutorial was my biggest takeaway from that weekend. I've been implementing and practicing all your tips preeeettttyyyy much everyday since then and it has helped SOOO much.
WOW! Thanks Zoe! So flattered : ) xoxo