Is Create & Cultivate Worth It?
A First-Timer’s Honest Review of the 2026 Festival
Have you ever stayed off Instagram for a few days because the FOMO was so real? That was me during Create & Cultivate in July 2025. It looked like everyone but me was having the BEST time, and I put attending on my vision board.
I made it to the 2026 festival in Los Angeles. So, was Create & Cultivate worth it?
For me, yes. This is my personal review of the 2026 event: what I valued, what frustrated me, and what I’d weigh before going again. It isn’t a current ticket guide. Prices, dates, venues, benefits, and future availability need to be checked with the organiser.
What Is Create & Cultivate?
The festival I attended brought together founders, creators, investors, students, and women developing their careers. The 2026 event was at The Beehive in Los Angeles, with talks, panels, networking, activations, and a closing concert.
If you want more background on the people behind the event, you can explore Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton. My review focuses on what I experienced as an attendee rather than the company’s ownership or funding history.
Was Create & Cultivate Worth It for Me?
YES. I left with useful conversations, clearer next steps, and a lot of energy. I’d consider returning and exploring a smaller dinner experience if it fits my goals and budget.
Disclosure: I won a pair of complimentary tickets through a pre-event giveaway. I wasn’t asked to write this review, and the event team had no influence on the post. Not paying for admission is relevant when you’re weighing my experience against the cost of your own trip.
As co-founder of Pearl Spark Pages, I wanted to meet other product founders, learn from women further along, and leave with practical ideas. And OBVIOUSLY party to Cardi B.
The part that mattered most was going in with an intention, doing some preparation, and leaving room for unexpected conversations. That worked well for me, but it doesn’t mean every attendee had the same experience.
Before the Event: Set Yourself Up for Connection
Use the Attendee Tools
Before the 2026 event, I used the Connect app to build a profile, share an introduction, explore suggested connections, and arrange meetings. I found it useful to explain who I wanted to meet instead of hoping the right conversations would happen by chance.
I booked meetings with CEOs, advisors, product founders, marketers, investors, and other journal girls. During the weekend, I had nine intentional meetings that helped me think through Q4 and early 2027, explore collaborations, and connect with creators interested in the Female Founders Journal.
Those meetings alone gave me four tangible ideas to put into practice. I also appreciated a small operational improvement: the Connect Garden table numbers felt scattered on day one, then were easier to navigate on day two.
The original post included a giveaway invitation for September 25, 2026. That deadline has passed, so it is no longer presented here as open for entry.
What Went Really Well
Keynotes
Emma Grede was the speaker I was most excited to hear. I enjoy her business content, and like a kid at a Taylor Swift concert, I nearly cried when she came out. Hearing her in person was a highlight, even with the microphone interruptions.
Halle Berry, Lori Harvey, and Alix Earle were also on the event lineup, though I was elsewhere on the grounds during their talks. I can’t review sessions I didn’t attend.
Panels
The 2026 programme had different tracks, including founder, creator, corporate, investor, and student interests. I attended founder, investor, and creator sessions and came away thinking about negotiation, working with creators, and building audience relationships.
In each session, I introduced myself to someone nearby. The conversations around the panels were part of the value for me, too.
Speaker panel at the 2026 festival
There were more sessions than I could attend. Before relying on recordings for a future event, I’d check whether they’re offered, what’s included, and how long access lasts.
The Closing Concert
The Friday I flew from Toronto to LA was my fifth wedding anniversary. Five years earlier, I’d been rapping WAP on the dance floor while my new brother-in-law escorted his eleven-year-old daughter out. Great first impression as a new family member!
So hearing it live at Cardi B’s set felt like a very on-brand anniversary moment. I loved the music, the energy, and the chance to end the weekend having fun.
Cardi B
One detail I appreciated: clear beach balls filled with confetti were bouncing through the crowd before the concert. I was not a fan. It brought back my worst grade-school volleyball memories! I was glad when the team removed them.
Unscheduled Conversations
My friends had different ticket access, so I spent time on my own in the General Admission line. Within minutes, I was chatting with the women around me, trading stories, filming content, fanning each other, and checking everyone had water.
With Desiree Dupuis from Voes & Co. and Bridgitte Mallinson from GutPersonal
That friendliness continued through my weekend. A simple “Hi, I’m Lisa. What’s your name?” opened conversations I couldn’t have scheduled. Some became surprisingly personal, surprisingly quickly!
What I’d Like to See Improved
My positive experience doesn’t cancel out other people’s frustrations. These are my observations and the questions I’d want answered before booking again.
A Quiet Place to Recharge
With talks, activations, meetings, and heat all competing for attention, I would have appreciated a dedicated low-stimulation space to pause. A shaded, quieter area could make a long day more comfortable.
Food Availability
I got lunch both days without difficulty and enjoyed what I ate. Other attendees described food running out, which wasn’t my personal experience but is a legitimate concern.
It’s reasonable to expect the food an event says it will provide. Bringing snacks can help with a long day, but it doesn’t make an attendee responsible for a catering shortfall. For another visit, I’d check the meal arrangements and plan around my own dietary needs.
More Business-Focused Interview Questions
I was excited to hear Emma discuss money, marketing, leadership, and building a business. When the conversation moved to skincare, I wanted more of the business discussion instead.
Marina Middleton and Emma Grede
That’s my preference as an audience member. I can’t know how Emma felt about the questions or why the interview ended when it did, so I’m not drawing conclusions about her reaction.
Transport and the Venue Surroundings
I felt comfortable inside the event grounds, but less comfortable navigating the surrounding area alone after the concert. My rideshare pickup required a walk that I hadn’t planned for, and I contacted family while figuring out what to do.
That was my personal reaction, not an objective assessment of the neighbourhood. Clear pickup instructions and transport information would have helped me feel more prepared. Next time, I’d plan the departure as carefully as the arrival.
Microphone Problems
I heard microphones cut in and out during Emma Grede’s and Olandria’s sessions. It interrupted talks I wanted to hear. The concert sounded good from where I was, but I’d still want the speaking sessions to have reliable audio too.
I don’t have a verified explanation for the technical issues, so I’m keeping this to what I heard rather than attributing them to a particular team or equipment setup.
Growth and Crowd Experience
The festival felt large and busy to me. I enjoy the energy, but I’d want to understand the expected capacity, staffing, food arrangements, and access to sessions before attending an even bigger edition.
I can’t identify investors by how someone was dressed or know the organisers’ internal priorities. My concern is simply the attendee experience as an event grows. I respect the work involved in bringing people together and still think it’s fair to ask how the practical details will be handled.
Five Tips for First-Time Attendees
1. Allow More Time Than You Think You’ll Need
For the 2026 event, I arrived around 9 a.m. for a 9:30 General Admission opening and finished check-in around 10:40. That’s my experience, not a promised wait time for future events. Read the organiser’s current arrival instructions and build in some breathing room.
2. Pack for a Long Day
My useful items included deodorant, hand sanitiser, a phone charger, a portable fan, touch-up makeup, snacks, sunscreen, and a small tripod. Check the event’s current bag and outside-food rules before packing.
I didn’t need my laptop. In 2026, the event communications said there was no on-site parking, so transport planning mattered. Don’t assume those arrangements stay the same each year.
I loved seeing Archies Footwear giving out flip-flops in 2026, but I wouldn’t rely on a sponsor gift being there next time. Bring what you need to be comfortable.
My networking tip: make an easily accessible QR code for the public resource or profile you’d like to share. That saved me some fumbling.
3. Define What Would Make the Event Worthwhile
Ask what you want to learn, who you’d like to meet, and which conversations would be useful. My female founder conference guide explains how I prepare and follow up.
If you’re interested in support with how you show up at events, you can also explore my friend Britney Glass’s The EnSuite. Choose what fits your needs; you don’t need a course to be allowed in the room.
4. Introduce Yourself Before You Arrive
If the event offers an attendee profile or introduction video, consider using it. I recognised people from their videos, which made saying hello feel easier. Share only what you’re comfortable making visible to other attendees.
5. Dress for the Weather and the Whole Day
I do NOT regret my gorgeous day-one blazer dress. I was also melting six minutes into the admission line. On day two, I changed into a breezy two-piece set and felt much happier.
Check the forecast and think about the version of you who’ll still be walking around at 5 p.m. Comfort and personal style can coexist.
Who Might Enjoy Create & Cultivate?
I met founders, creatives, executives, students, and women exploring their next career step. If you enjoy a busy festival setting and have a reason to connect with that audience, it may be worth exploring.
If your priority is a quieter setting, highly specific training, or a smaller networking group, compare other formats too. Consider the full trip cost, your access needs, and what would make the experience useful for you. My enthusiasm isn’t a guarantee of growth or connections.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and Where Is Create & Cultivate 2027?
Check the official festival page for confirmed dates, location, prices, and booking terms. This post reviews 2026 and doesn’t verify current 2027 arrangements.
Can You Go Alone?
I spent parts of the weekend on my own and found people receptive to conversation. That was encouraging, though everyone’s comfort level differs. Starting with one introduction or a pre-arranged meeting can be more manageable than trying to meet everyone.
Brittney Megann and Lauren from Socials & Stilettos
I also appreciated being part of The Entreprenista League. Disclosure: that’s my affiliate link. More than fifty of us joined a WhatsApp thread before the event to discuss hotels, outfits, meetups, and dinners. Having familiar faces helped me.
Would I Pay for VIP?
I attended on a complimentary General Admission ticket, not VIP. From my own experience and conversations with friends, I didn’t feel I missed enough to make VIP an obvious choice for me. That’s a limited comparison, not a review of every benefit.
I am curious about a smaller dinner experience after hearing friends describe theirs. Before paying more, I’d compare the current tier names, included access, scheduling, capacity, and total cost. I wouldn’t assume a future ticket includes the same benefits or guarantees deeper connections.
A Note on Kindness and Honest Feedback
I’m grateful for the work that went into the festival and for my complimentary ticket. I left inspired, with conversations and ideas I wanted to carry forward. Marina, Jaclyn, and the team created moments I genuinely valued.
It’s also possible to appreciate that effort and share criticism. People had different experiences, and I don’t think a disappointing one means someone lacked gratitude or personal responsibility. Honest feedback can be direct without becoming personal.
For me, the 2026 festival was worth attending. Whether another edition is worth the investment for you depends on your goals, budget, and the details of that event.
Give Your Takeaways a Place to Land
After putting yourself out there, it’s easy to move straight to the next thing. I like pausing to ask what I learned, what felt meaningful, and what I want to follow up on. If you’d like a dedicated place for those reflections, explore the Female Founders Journal Deluxe Bundle.
Want a little company as you reflect? Get my 5-Day Confidence Prompts sent to your inbox, my treat! Bring your pen and a little curiosity about what you’re taking away. You can celebrate a brave step without needing to turn it into another goal immediately.
