This weekend, three of our staffers made the life-changing decision to travel to New York City to attend Cosmopolitan Magazine’s inaugural Fun Fearless Life conference. Celebrities, fitness gurus, bloggers and CEO’s were just a handful of the powerhouse career moguls in attendance of the two-day event.
Needless to say, it was totally kick-ass.
From the minute attendees stepped into the theatre at Lincoln Center, they were given the royal treatment.
Event sponsors Express and Maybelline handed out freebies to guests, including a full-sized lipstick and an exclusive clutch purse designed specifically for the weekend. Maybelline makeover counters were set up all weekend long so guests could touch up their makeup. An Express pop-up shop showcased stunning fashion items for sale. Cosmo, Express and Maybelline did everything in their power to make sure the fierce men and woman in attendance felt their very best, and that they did.
But it wasn’t just the freebies that made the weekend completely memorable. The killer lineup blew everyone away, and we must admit we were a little starstruck.
From fitness trainer Jillian Michaels, to actress Shay Mitchell, to Nasty Gal CEO Sophia Amoruso, the guests were nothing short of inspiring. Each speaker and panel provided our staffers and the other attendees the tools and motivation to be the fun, fearless women we all are. Need some inspo in your own life? Check out our favorite quotes below:
“I didn’t have the most experience, I didn’t have the most money, but I cared the most,” – Spanx founder Sara Blakely.
“Your life has clues into what you are good at. Put your life under investigation. Turn detective on yourself,” – Cosmo’s editor-in-chief Joanna Coles
“Balance is so important. Finding middle ground is exactly where you need to build your life,” – fitness guru Jillian Michaels.
“All the world wants from you is your authentic truth,” – best-selling author Gabrielle Bernstein.
If that doesn’t get you feeling ready for anything, nothing will.
In addition to the motivating panels and speakers our girls got to experience, Cosmo also encouraged some mad career development.
On day one, everyone was given a different colored sticker to fill out with their name, ideal career path and celeb spirit animal. Then, Joanna Coles herself encouraged the guests to spark a conversation with someone with the same color sticker and exchange contact details. Where else can you find such hands-on networking? Nowhere is the answer.
As a young woman just starting out her life path, it can be easy to feel lost and naive to the big, bad world of career development, let alone what it takes to fully take care of yourself. But Cosmo ensured that no stone went unturned, and Coles, her staff and the sponsors took everyone under their wing to help them hit the ground running.
When all was said and done, our writers and editors walked away with a new sense of motivation and drive totally unique to those who had the opportunity to go to the event.
So on behalf of Valley Magazine, our staffers would like to thank Cosmopolitan, Maybelline and Express for providing our own confident, beautiful women with the tools they need to succeed in all facets of life. Cheers to a fun, fearless life!
