
The First-Annual In Good Company Conference
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Kara Brodgesell
It’s been over three weeks since the inaugural In Good Company conference debuted. And, honestly, we already can’t wait to relive it all over again. On September 29, nearly 400 like-minded women gathered on San Francisco’s waterfront to connect and discuss topics swirling around a very specific (and often overlooked, but rapidly growing) demographic—creative, entrepreneurial mothers. The day-long event was a mix of on-stage content, featuring a roster of impressive talent, and plenty of off-stage fun and connection.
The hunger for deep discussions around juggling a career and children, career highs and lows, the inescapable influence of social media, rampant sexism, building a greater culture of love and acceptance, and a general overturning of the patriarchy was evident, with audience members nodding their head in agreement, shaking their heads in disbelief, laughing, crying, and standing on their feet in a standing ovation to cap the day.
As media sponsor, Mother was there to take it all in, chronicling the incredible street style of the day (check that out here), hosting a photo booth, and providing a recap of the day’s varied activities below. For those of you who weren’t able to snag a ticket to the sold-out conference this year, note that there’s a digital pass available online.
For more inspiration about fellow “Mom Bosses,” check out our profiles on the founders of Bkr and LEKfit, amongst dozens of other Mother profiles.
- Let the games begin! But first (even if it's cliché) coffee...
- The mama-owned Lady Falcon Coffee Club served up a full menu of drinks out of its incredibly photogenic 1948 GMC bread truck, which owner Buffy McGuire custom crafted into a coffee truck.
- A peek inside, plus a glimpse of our java cups, designed by mother-owned modern merriments company, Geese & Ganders.
- Liz Stanley waiting patiently.
- A moment of pause for these pink paper-wrapped beans.
- A catch-up moment between local Ibby Sasso and women's health advocate Allison Oswald.
- Breakfast is served! Thanks to Navitas Organics' chia-seed pudding topped with a variety of super foods. The company also handed out its signature matcha lattes to attendees. Yum.
- Photographer, Facebook staffer, and In Good Company volunteer Kat Chiu.
- Bumping into old and new friends was not uncommon.
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The quiet before the on-stage storm. In a true testament to moms getting sh*t done, Susan Work of Homework designed the event and brought it all to life when only 6 weeks postpartum. Meanwhile, master florist (and mother) Natalie Bowen blanketed the space in lush and wild arrangements just hours before doors opened.
Stage furniture by APT.
Pink couches and tables for attendees by Ikea.
- Beautiful Natalie Bowen flora and foliage also topped the Diamond of California all-day nut and snack bar in the back of the room.
- Expecting mamas fueling up.
- Interior designer Catherine Kwong in the house. Also: that pink jumpsuit in front of her (!).
- Master of ceremonies, Mother co-founder, and In Good Company founder Katie Hintz-Zambrano kicking things off.
- Panel 1: Motherhood x Entrepreneurship taking the stage. Led by moderator Temi Adamolekun, and featuring Amanda Chantal Bacon of Moon Juice, designer Clare Vivier, and Elle Rowley of Solly Baby.
- Topics included big breaks and a-ha moments, raising money vs. self-funding, making your first million, losing your first million, PR and marketing, the patriarchy at home, motherhood and creativity, the sobering statistics around female entrepreneurship, and much more.
- And lots of laughs were had, as well.
- All smiles.
- So many shareable moments.
- During the first break, 25 attendees found laces taped to the bottoms of their chairs and scored new sneakers from The Ones.
- Kelly Lack and art director Dulci Edge chop it up.
- Matchy-matchy.
- Attendees were also able to build a "hoppier" lunchbox, thanks to a mountain of Annie's products.
- Mama and brand-new author Laura Izumikawa of Naptime with Joey fame, Angie Chang of Chairs + Cups, and Irene Lee of Bash + Sass.
- The Plum Organics' Mothers' Lounge was the place to be for lactating mamas and those with babies in tow. Here, Gina Giordano of Doulas Training International and artist Jen Garrido get to know each other while multitasking. Furniture and rugs by Ikea. Textiles by Dana Haim. Toys by Bitte. Florals by Natalie Bowen.
- Speaker Elle Rowley of Solly Baby Wrap, talks to her ARQ co-founder Abigail Quist, while Elle's daughter Hazel plays nearby.
- Panel 2: How Social Media Powers My Business takes the stage. Angela Tafoya of Lonny moderated, and Alex Elle, Joy Cho, and Laura Miller filled out the panel. While everyone on stage was an Instagram powerhouse, their mediums also ranged from podcasts to YouTube to Pinterest (ahem, Joy just happens to be the most followed Pinner on the planet!).
- Topics included social media, kids, and privacy, dealing with "vulnerability hangovers," the challenge of algorithms, and using social media to sell products, showcase positive representations of girls and black motherhood, and to discuss mental health.
- All eyes and ears.
- And for those who couldn't wait until 5 o'clock, a special Fire-Roasted Bloody Mary, by Muir Glen and local food blogger Tracy Benjamin of Shutterbean, kicked off lunchtime.
- Yes, please!
- Meanwhile, outside there was a yummy spread, including noshes from Good Eggs, Health-Ade Kombucha, Hint, and Doughbies.
- A poetic tabletop moment, thanks to Good Eggs fruit, Natalie Bowen flowers, and Parachute linens, all created by master stylist Kendra Smoot.
- Hydration station.
- Local designer Margaret Coblentz of Frances Austen.
- Creative mama Sommer Naffz gets a "5 minute face" touchup in the Beautycounter Lounge, by none other than Beautycounter's head of creative design and celebrity makeup artist Christy Coleman.
- All the Beautycounter clean-beauty goodies.
- Local mama-owned salon Parlor Mini Spa provided mini-manicures and hand massages, too.
- Parlor owner's Rachel Cheng and Mary Nguyen used their brand-new, 10-free nail polish laquer line, Aza, on attendees.
- Guests getting snapped in the Mother x Ingrid & Isabel Smilebooth.
- The backdrop to the booth was a giant weaving by local artist (and mother) Meghan Shimek.
- Melissa Davis of Ruby Press and a friend get their pose on.
- Next up onstage, four "burst" presentations by Anna Wallack of Misha + Puff, Jacqui Saldana of Baby Boy Bakery, Michelle Kennedy of Peanut, and Ingrid Carney of Ingrid & Isabel.
- Jacqui Saldana on the topic of being present.
- Anna Wallack on when a creative becomes a business person.
- Michelle Kennedy, who also co-hosted In Good Company's VIP dinner and cocktail event, on the importance of making like-minded mom friends.
- Ingrid Carney on battling through postpartum depression and coming out on the other end to start two companies.
- So many heartwarming moments of mamas attending with babes.
- Panel 3: The Juggle—Work, Life, and "Balancing" It All, presented by Willow, hits the stage.
- Speakers Liz Prueitt of Tartine Bakery, Hilary Dessouky of Patagonia, and yoga and wellness superstar Latham Thomas, alongside moderator Amy Henderson of Tendlab, discussed everything from workplace discrimination against mothers and rampant sexism to the importance of family-friendly policies at work and the elusive idea of "balance."
- When the content's so good, fellow panelists (like Jodie Patterson) grab a seat.
- An audience member using the portable Willow breast pump while taking in the action on stage.
- Artist Sharon Matas' daughter Olive makes some new friends.
- Refueling with a Coletta Gelato break, presented by Ingrid & Isabel.
- Flavors served included Gianduia (Chocolate + Hazelnut), Pistachio, and a dairy-free Strawberry sorbetto.
- Health gurus unite! Dr. Tiffany Lester of Parsley Health, Latham Thomas, Shahidah Zareef of Boss Mom Nation, and Phyllis Timoll of Well Woman huddle up.
- Guests take selfies (yes, there's a feature for that) with their Mini 70 Instax cameras.
- Take-home memories with fun rainbow Instax film.
- Elle Rowley, pictured toting her custom Lotfi circle bag (specially made for each speaker), while getting snapped for our Mother Street Style feature.
- Attendees checking out the wearable Willow breast pump. In Good Company was only the second time the innovative product has been showcased in person.
- Getting a feel...and listen.
- Levi's was on hand to customize Trucker jackets for each of In Good Company's VIP ticker holders.
- Each jacket got personalized with chain stitching on the spot.
- Photographer Sarah Hebenstreit and Petit Collage founder Lorena Siminovich.
- Speakers Alex Elle and Erica Chidi Cohen.
- Heather Harris of Meanwhile Back At The Farm and artist Kate Lewis in their new duds.
- Too good.
- A beyond-impressive line-up for the last panel of the day—doula and reproductive health advocate Erica Chidi Cohen, Women's March co-founder and national co-chair Bob Bland, Lindsay Dahl of Beautycounter, and human and trans rights activist Jodie Patterson.
- Motherhood x Activism covered a plethora of topics, including each panelist's personal story about becoming an activist. While she didn't consider herself an activist per se before co-founding the Women's March on Washington, Bob Bland has proven how much one can learn and how quickly women can organize when brought together for a vital, unified mission.
- Jodie Patterson rocked the audience with her revelations about gender and the fact that her family of seven doesn't all view LGBTQI issues in the same light.
- Beautycounter's Lindsay Dahl got a round of applause after revealing that she helped get the first law passed to ban BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups, as well as other powerful advocacy work around public health policy.
- Taking it all in.
- Amongst more harrowing topics, there were some hearty laughs thrown in.
- After a standing ovation and many thank yous, on-stage content was a wrap!
- Which means it's Campari America cocktail time!
- The delicious menu.
- While the official jacket of In Good Company was the Levi's Trucker, the unofficial earring of the event was definitely Annie Costello Brown. And with good reason!
- Whiskey sours aplenty.
- Patrice D'Agostino and new friend Nerissa Holder Hall.
- The Cheese School noshes.
- Miss Jones Baking Co. sweet treats (and the best sweatshirt!).
- A colorful and healthy spread.
- Inspiring mama Joanne Encarnacion of Go Fit Jo.
- At the beginning of the conference, each attendee was encouraged to make at least five new "friends" in order to grab a special prize at the end of the event. The surprise gift? Mini bouquets from Matilda's Magnolias!
- Ria Faust of Sugarcane, Leslie Green of Bink, and journalist Kristen Philipkoski.
- All the gift bags loaded up in the adorable Half Hitch Goods truck.
- Inside were dozens of goodies from partners including eeBoo, UnReal, Chronicle Books, Alter Eco, Olly, Deeda Salon, Farmhouse Fresh, Navitas Organics, Candlewick Press, Noble Carriage, Freda Salvador, Bossladies Magazine, Method, Petit Collage, OMY, Mignonne Gavigan, Beaba, FreshBooks, Ariel Gordon Jewlery, Good Eggs, Dana Haim, Tubby Todd, Moon Juice, Oh Joy for Target, Sweetgreen, Toca Boca, Modern Citizen, Doughbies, and many more.
- Until next time! You can follow In Good Company on Instagram for updates on the next event and be sure to check out Mother's street style recap in the meantime.
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