Sara Blakely, Bobbi Brown, Whitney Wolfe, oh my!

A day of icons and inspiration at the G9 Conference

At this year's G9 Conference, my dear friend Amy Griffin, of G9 Ventures, brought her signature magic, captivating a room filled with top female founders, funders, change-makers, and creatives. The G9 conference, only in its 4th year, has quickly become a waiting list and standing-room-only event. Amy's vibrant energy and infectious positivity electrified the packed room and set the perfect tone for the day ahead. Opening the session with a tribute to the incomparable Taylor Swift, a true icon of our times, she underscored the unstoppable spirit and ambition of the women at G9.

This year’s program covered topics ranging from loneliness and women’s health to entrepreneurship and running a public company. We heard from industry giants like Bobbi Brown, Sara Blakely, and Whitney Wolfe Herd. Here are some of my highlights and takeaways from my day at G9:

1. Embracing a Second Act:

Many women I know are at a crossroads in life, contemplating what comes next, whether after having raised a family or sold a company. Bobbi Brown's inspiring journey of creating her new makeup brand Jones Road after a 25-year non-compete period, exemplifies the power of fearlessly embracing second chapters. It’s hard to believe, but at the time of selling her eponymous makeup line to L'Oreal in 1995, Bobbi signed a 25-year non-compete clause, believing she would be content working under the Estée Lauder umbrella until retirement. "I was like, I am going to be in my sixties when the non-compete is up and I am not going to want to work in my sixties," she says. "Well, I was wrong." She’s back, and more relevant than ever. The 66 year old serial entrepreneur’s new makeup company Jones Road has surpassed all her projections and is also killing it on TikTok. Her story illustrates how we should never shy away from pursuing new (or old!) passions, regardless of age or circumstances.

2. Addressing the Loneliness Epidemic:

In May 2021, a revealing survey shed light on a concerning trend: Americans are feeling more isolated than ever. They report having fewer close friends, communicating less frequently with their pals, and relying less on them for support. At G9, the fantastic Whitney Wolfe Herd, the mastermind behind Bumble, took the stage to address this disturbing shift, passionately sharing her mission to tackle loneliness and foster genuine connections. And then she made a big reveal – the launch of Bumble for Friends (BFF), Bumble's very own app for finding and making friends! Her enthusiasm was contagious, and we couldn't resist – everyone in the audience swiftly downloaded BFF, eager to embark on our own journeys to build more lasting and meaningful friendships! Download it now!

3. Tapping into Your Intuition:

The keynote talk by world-renowned psychic and medium, Laura Lynn Jackson, intrigued even the healthiest skeptic in the room. Upon taking the stage, Laura immediately started with the science - sharing how her brain had been mapped using an EEG by Dr. Tarrant,  founder and Director of the NeuroMeditation Institute. Regardless of what you believe, Laura’s message about the value of tapping into our intuition and being open to the signs around us struck a chord with me. I have always believed that embracing our instincts as women can lead to remarkable insights and decision-making in both business and life. If you haven’t read her book Signs, this might be your sign to do so! :)

Beyond the captivating speakers, the spirit of community at G9 remains one of my favorite parts of this amazing day. G9 serves as a hub where new friendships are forged, existing bonds are reignited and tangible connections are made. The result is a stronger network of support and collaboration for women to keep lifting each other up.

As I reflect on this unforgettable G9 Conference, I am filled with gratitude for the strength, resilience, and brilliance of each woman in this Sweet Success community.

xo,

Candace