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I’m finally getting around to doing a blog post on my amazing trip to Martha Stewart HQ in New York City last week for the Dreamers Into Doers two day event. Dreamers Into Doers is an online community created by Martha Stewart for women who are turning their dreams into careers they love. I was one of the 80 lucky women from across the country who had the opportunity to attend this fantastic meeting.
As you know, I love designing dessert tables. It was great meeting the amazing ladies behind some of my favorite party inspiration blogs. Tanya with Save The Date for Cupcakes (left) and Courtney with Pizzazzerie (middle) post creative party ideas daily, so be sure to check them out.
Day one started with a beautiful breakfast at Martha’s HQ overlooking Chelsea Pier. Her offices encompass two floors of an entire New York block. I’ve never seen so many Macs! I was in heaven. The designers all work in open spaces creating designs for the various magazine, textiles and products. Design ideas are posted on every vertical space available (of course very nicely). It’s such a creative environment…just amazing.
After breakfast we had the opportunity to hear from several top executives including Gael Towey, chief creative and editorial director of MSLO (top left) and Terri Trespicio, senior editor, Whole Living Magazine (top middle). Very inspiring!
During our first fantastic lunch, Terri Shapiro, executive director, brand media relations for Deluxe Corporation (top right) talked about entrepreneurship, marketing and building a brand.
After lunch, Brenda Dargan and Marc Ganem from Martha Stewart Living (middle left and middle) talked to us about technology, social media and blogging and Danielle Leveal from Etsy shared about the growth of their company. The last speakers for day one included Martha Stewart and Susan Soloman, co-founder and CEO of the NY Stem Cell Foundation. Susan is such an inspiring woman. She started the foundation with the dream of someday finding cures to diseases such as diabetes. As you can imagine, everyone was so excited to see Martha.
On day two, the luncheon speaker was Maria Otero with the Women’s Venture fund and later we got to see and sample a cooking demo by Sarah Casey, food editor for Martha Stewart Living.
We were treated to beautiful gourmet lunches each day. As you would expect everything during the two days was perfect.
There were so many amazing women I met who had either started their own businesses or were running charitable organizations. I had so much fun hanging out with Melissa and Kellie with Icing Designs who create stunning handmade party invitations. Rachel Gaffney who actually originated the first get together last year was so helpful to me too. It was great to meet Jennifer Bunce with the Hudson Cakery to talk a little cake talk too! And I’m looking forward to working with Annette with Biscuits by Lambchops who makes gourmet doggie treats. And so many more ladies!
I’m a huge fan of TomKat Studio and was thrilled to meet Kim. I’m sure you will be seeing her on her own design show soon. She creates the most adorable party printables and stunning table designs. Be sure to to visit her blog at TomKat Studio. On Monday night a group of us went to dinner and Kim gave each of us a bag of adorable goodies including a Whippy Cake headband..love it!, a Lisa Leonard necklace, a cupcake cookie made by The Cookie Jar and a pocket mirror.
On Wednesday, we went to a taping of the Martha Stewart Show which was a blast.
One of the segments was on these amazing Japanese floral arrangements.
Martha and Joey make an amazing team.
It was an experience I’ll cherish. It’s nice to know that so many other women are doing their dream job while trying to juggle family, home and work…just like me! Martha Stewart is certainly an inspiration of what you can do if you dream it. Thank you Caitlin Losey at Martha Stewart for organizing this amazing event!
Be sure to check out the Dreamers Into Doers website!
