Create & Cultivate Company Profile

Background

Create & Cultivate is a premier online platform and conference series dedicated to empowering women in their professional pursuits. Founded in 2012 by Jaclyn Johnson, the company has been instrumental in fostering a community where women can connect, share insights, and cultivate their careers. Through a blend of digital content and live events, Create & Cultivate addresses the multifaceted challenges faced by modern working women, offering resources and inspiration to navigate the evolving professional landscape.

Key Strategic Focus

Create & Cultivate's strategic initiatives are centered on:

• Community Building: Establishing a robust network of ambitious women through both online platforms and offline events.

• Content Creation: Delivering high-quality, relevant content via blogs, podcasts, and newsletters that cater to the interests and needs of professional women.

• Event Hosting: Organizing large-scale conferences, workshops, and networking events that provide educational and inspirational experiences.

• Brand Partnerships: Collaborating with leading brands to offer value-added experiences and resources to the community.

Financials and Funding

In March 2021, Create & Cultivate was acquired by private equity firm Corridor Capital for $22 million. Prior to this acquisition, the company was bootstrapped, demonstrating significant growth and profitability. The acquisition aimed to bolster the company's expansion and enhance its offerings to the community.

Pipeline Development

Create & Cultivate continually evolves its offerings to meet the dynamic needs of its audience. Key developments include:

• Create & Cultivate Festival: A large-scale event featuring over 2,000 attendees, 200+ speakers, and multiple stages, designed to provide networking opportunities, workshops, and live podcasts.

• The Supper Club: A referral-only networking dinner experience that brings together 75 influential women for an evening of meaningful conversations and connections.

• WorkParty Podcast: A podcast series with over 3 million downloads, offering insights into building businesses, navigating the working world, and achieving a fulfilling life.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Create & Cultivate leverages a diverse technological stack to enhance user experience and operational efficiency. Notable technologies include:

• Amazon Advertising: For targeted marketing campaigns.

• MySQL and MongoDB: For robust database management.

• Microsoft Azure: Providing scalable cloud services.

• Squarespace Commerce: Facilitating e-commerce operations.

Leadership Team

• Marina Middleton: Co-Owner, Chief Executive Officer, Partner & Board Member. Marina brings a wealth of experience in community building and strategic growth, steering the company towards new horizons.

• Jaclyn Johnson: Founder, Co-Owner & Chief Creative Officer. Jaclyn's visionary leadership has been pivotal in establishing Create & Cultivate as a leading platform for women professionals.

Leadership Changes

In April 2022, Kate Spies was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Jaclyn Johnson, who transitioned to the role of Vice Chair. This leadership change marked a new chapter in the company's journey, focusing on expanding its reach and impact.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics: The women's professional development and networking industry has seen substantial growth, with increasing demand for platforms that offer both digital content and live events tailored to women's career advancement.

Competitor Analysis:

• Girlboss: Focuses on content and community for millennial women, offering articles, podcasts, and events.

• The Wing: A network of work and community spaces designed for women, providing a blend of workspace and networking opportunities.

• Ellevate Network: A global professional women's network offering events, webinars, and a strong online community.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Create & Cultivate has established significant partnerships to enhance its offerings:

• Chevrolet: Collaborated to honor 100 women redefining the future of the workplace.

• DSW: Partnered on initiatives like "Runway Redone: Boots for All Casting Call."

• Mastercard: Engaged in initiatives supporting women-owned small businesses.

Operational Insights

Create & Cultivate's strategic positioning is bolstered by its:

• Diverse Content Offerings: Catering to various aspects of professional and personal development.

• Strong Community Engagement: Fostering a loyal and active community through consistent interaction and value delivery.

• Adaptability: Successfully pivoting from in-person to virtual events during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating resilience and innovation.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Looking ahead, Create & Cultivate aims to:

• Expand Digital Offerings: Enhancing online content and virtual events to reach a broader audience.

• Diversify Revenue Streams: Exploring new avenues such as e-commerce and subscription-based models.

• Global Expansion: Extending its reach beyond the United States to support women professionals worldwide.

Contact Information

• Website: createcultivate.com

• Social Media:

• Instagram: createcultivate

• Facebook: Create & Cultivate

• Twitter: createcultivate

• LinkedIn: Create & Cultivate

• Pinterest: Create & Cultivate

• YouTube: Create & Cultivate