Create & Cultivate: The Ultimate Career Women's Festival 2026
A highly anticipated festival known as the "Coachella for career women" is set to take place in mid-September at a secret location in Los Angeles. The event, organized by Create & Cultivate, will feature prominent figures like Cardi B, Alix Earle, and 4,000 ticketed guests, making it the largest gathering since the festival's inception in 2012. Create & Cultivate has become a popular platform for blending business expertise with celebrity influence, attracting renowned personalities like Kim and Kourtney Kardashian and Jessica Simpson.
This year's festival marks a significant milestone for Create & Cultivate, with a record-breaking attendance of 4,000 guests, doubling the number from the previous year. Despite the increasing opportunities for women in business, challenges such as limited access to financing and family responsibilities continue to hinder their professional growth. Marina Middleton, the CEO of Create & Cultivate, aims to create impactful events that resonate with attendees on a personal level, moving beyond traditional business conferences.
Women entrepreneurs in the U.S. now own over 40% of businesses, outpacing the growth rate of male-owned businesses, according to a Wells Fargo report. However, the journey to success is often fraught with obstacles, including financial constraints and caregiving responsibilities. In 2021, Jaclyn Johnson, the founder of Create & Cultivate, made the decision to sell the brand to private equity firm Corridor Capital to explore new growth opportunities. After regaining ownership of the company in December 2023, Johnson and Middleton are now gearing up for the biggest festival lineup yet in 2026, featuring industry leaders like Emma Grede, Whitney Wolfe Herd, and Olandria Carthen.
The upcoming Create & Cultivate festival promises an impressive lineup of speakers and performers, including Cardi B, who will take the stage alongside influential figures from various industries. Johnson and Middleton emphasize that the event is not just a conference but a personalized experience tailored to each attendee. With a focus on empowering and inspiring career-driven women, Create & Cultivate continues to redefine the landscape of professional development and networking opportunities for women in business.