Inside Create & Cultivate's $3M Festival With CEO Marina Middleton

How do you sell 3,800 tickets to an industry-leading business event with zero ad spend and a team of only seven people?

In this episode, Create & Cultivate CEO and Partner Marina Middleton explains the fully organic growth strategy that has scaled Create & Cultivate into the biggest festival for women entrepreneurs and business leaders, from user-generated content to placing a strong focus on value in every asset. She reveals why she doesn't pay Martha Stewart, the Kardashians, or other A-list celebrities to speak at the event and her outreach framework for speakers, guests, and brands. Finally, she and Natalie break down the unique challenges women entrepreneurs face in friendships, marriage, and public perception. 

In this episode, Natalie and Marina discuss:

(01:24) How We're Building a Tentpole Event for Women Entrepreneurs

(05:04) Are Paid Ads The Best Way to Grow From Scratch?

(09:08) Year-Round Organic Promotion for Create & Cultivate

(12:04) Putting On a $3 Million Event With a Seven-Person Team

(16:54) How to Provide Clear Value to Event Sponsors and Investors

(20:50) The Balancing Act in High-Achieving Marriages

(27:14) Identifying Fake Friendships as a Woman Entrepreneur

(31:47) How to Rebuild Your Relationship with Work and Success

(35:38) Is Social Media Killing Your Ambition and Burning You Out?