Keynote Speakers
Mallory Nikolaus and Savannah Kokaliares are best friends and the brains behind the popular DIY blog Classy Clutter. Mallory & Savannah are Arizona girls who love design and bold color. Classy Clutter is a one-stop shop for all things creative—DIY projects, home decorating and renovation, crafts, organizing and more. They’ve been featured on Better Homes & Gardens, HGTV, Good Housekeeping Magazine, Family Fun Magazine, and Oprah.com all while caring for their 8 children collectively…all under age 8!
Courtney Brown is the CEO and Founder of Cents of Style, a multi-million dollar fashion accessories company based in Bluffdale, UT. With a vision of empowering women to live bold and full lives, Courtney believes in her company’s mission to teach millions of women that when they look good, they feel good, and then they have the power to do good. As a mother, wife and CEO, Courtney is living proof women can reject the idea they have to choose between any of those titles to lead an empowered and full life.
Maria Lichty is the co-founder of Two Peas and Their Pod, a blog with simple, fresh, family-friendly recipes. Maria is a cookie connoisseur with over 200 cookie recipes on her blog and a cookie e-book, Cookie Cravings. She has appeared on the TODAY show, and her blog has been featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Cooking Light, Taste of Home, Saveur, BuzzFeed, Fine Cooking, Bon Apetit, LA Times, PBS Food, The Huffington Post, and The Kitchn.
You can find Kimber Matherne doing anything and everything you might see on Pinterest on her blog, The Pinning Mama. She shares posts with recipes, DIY projects, crafts, printables, and activities for kids, some of which have been pinned over a million times! She is passionate that it doesn’t have to be hard to be great and loves finding new ways to share simple yet wonderful projects with her community.
Lifestyle expert Matthew Mead is a stylist, photographer, author and all-around style guru. He creates and photographs stories for national magazines including This Old House, Better Homes & Gardens, Where Women Cook and Country Sampler magazines. Mead has a line of newsstand magazines on everything from upcycling decor to outdoor living and entertaining. He produces a free online look book, FINISH, which promotes DIY transformations with paint for Wagner SprayTech, and is currently producing a quarterly magazine titled Upstyled Home. Mead has written over a dozen books and worked with national retail brands including Pottery Barn, Dove Chocolate, Stonewall Kitchen and Longaberger Basket.
Amber Price from Crazy Little Projects is the mom of four little boys, wife of one great guy and a busy body. There’s a reason why her blog is called “crazy” little projects. She doesn’t like to sit still and is always doing something. She loves sewing, baking, reading, doing crafts with her kids and being around other people.
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Heidi Swapp is known in the craft industry for her innovative style, trendsetting product ideas and recognizable, fanciful handwriting. Whether she’s spray painting on her scrapbook pages or creating embellishments that are completely “see-through” her boundary-pushing concepts have always made her “the one to watch.” Heidi describes scrapbooking as a lifestyle—it’s something in the forefront of her mind as she lives each day looking for stories or snippets of history she wants to capture.
Keri Lyn Renner from SheSaved.com is a self-proclaimed “brand loyalist” known for her strong, enthusiastic voice. Her 18+ years’ experience in brand marketing and passion for connecting brands and consumers has helped her become a successful consultant to several affiliate companies. Always excited about online strategy, her love of building monetizing audiences started years ago when The Official eBay Bible named her one of the first to market an online gallery to eBay Power Seller status.
Speakers
Kate Ahl is the owner of Simple Pin Media, a Pinterest management company. In addition to managing client accounts, Kate aims to teach simple, actionable Pinterest marketing tips without making you feel overwhelmed.
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Miranda Anderson is a maker, a mom of three and the creative lifestyle blogger behind Live Free Creative Company where she shares inspiration for simple living and weekly DIYs. The Live Free Creative Co. shop is filled with hand-dyed, handmade products meant to inspire creativity and adventure. Miranda also connects with people offline by hosting regular craft and sewing workshops in Austin, Texas, because she believes in cultivating community and confidence through making.
Amy Baesler loves her tools! She grew up on a farm and fixing everything was part of daily life. She learned early that with the right tools, you can build and fix anything that you put your mind to. Amy went on to be a mechanical engineer and test rockets in northern Utah. Woodworking has always been her favorite hobby. Now in between three pint sized ‘helpers,’ she shares DIY furniture plans, handyman tutorials and wood craft patterns on her blog Hertoolbelt.
Autumn Baldwin blogs at It’s Always Autumn, where she shares Adobe Photoshop Elements tutorials, free sewing patterns, recipes, kids crafts, holiday fun and more. She loves dark chocolate ice cream, books, Masterpiece Theater and hanging with her husband and five children. She started her blog in 2012 and it’s grown consistently since then, now averaging over a million views per month.
Gemma Bonham-Carter is passionate about helping others create a home, life and business they love. She has turned her blog, THE SWEETEST DIGS, into a hub for DIY projects, home renovations and inspiration for decorating on a budget. Gemma shares online biz tips for fellow bloggers on her second site, GemmaBonhamCarter.com. When Gemma isn’t in biz-mode, you can find her running after her two kids with an Americano in hand, hanging with her hubby and enjoying Saturday morning roadtrips to the flea market.
Renae Bradley is the felt maven and creative mind behind Benzie Design, a shop housing wool blend felt, felt poms and roving. She recently expanded her online presence with benziedesign.com. In June 2016, with her youth pastor husband and three energetic kids, she opened her bright brick and mortar shop in Illinois. Benzie has been featured in HGTV Magazine and the Dreamworks Animation film Trolls. Renae holds a BFA in graphic design and is obsessed with desert plants, bunnies and all things crafty.
Janssen Bradshaw is the author of Everyday Reading, a modern family lifestyle blog for book-loving parents looking to create a happy family culture without huge amounts of effort. She shares recommendations for picture books and books for grown-ups on her blog and Instagram so no one ever has to be stuck with sub-par reading material, plus ideas for family life including home decor, meal ideas, travel tips and personal style inspiration. Janssen and her husband live with their 4 daughters in Phoenix, Arizona.
After 4 years running an eco-friendly clothing line and 14 years in restaurant accounting and management, Dallas native Melissa Capps found her calling and realized her strength was in numbers, literally. Through Able Endeavors, the bookkeeping and profit consulting practice, Melissa helps other creatives account for their thriving businesses with custom bookkeeping services and budget planning. Melissa has honed her craft to help entrepreneurs understand that financial reports can be downright empowering.
Simone Collins has worked in the craft industry for the past 12 years in almost every way. She started a blog in 2015 and worked in a variety of roles including Chief Content Officer for a major digital publisher. Currently she is running her own digital marketing business. Quinmax Media. serving brands, bloggers and businesses with their online strategies. When she isn’t online, you can find her baking treats for her boys, playing with her pups or strumming out some 80s pop hits on her ukulele.
Andrea Corson is an Emmy-nominated television producer, digital strategist and consultant. She has created video for a wide range of clients including Google, CoverGirl, DSW and Nordstrom Rack. In 2014 she began the fashion & travel blog La Label Junkie and fell in love with the community of bloggers and female business owners. She become passionate about helping fellow creatives grow their businesses and launched , to help modern entrepreneurs create more effective video for their social channels.
Whitney Curtis is currently a Manager, Social Media at The Home Depot where she drives the strategy and execution of social media campaigns. Whitney runs influencer relations, aligning company priorities with campaigns to deliver mutually beneficial content. Originally joining The Home Depot in 2013 as a Senior Editor for The Home Depot Blog, she was responsible for content creation, coordination and editorial planning. In her spare time, Whitney enjoys gardening and spending time with her family.
Bethany Dearden is the creator behind Whistle and Ivy, a crochet and fiber arts blog. She loves designing all kinds of crochet items, from hats to baby booties to home decor. Bethany loves to teach both with written patterns and video tutorials. She hopes to share her love of crochet with the rising generation and keep the timeless art alive.
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Trevor Debth is the co-founder of the food blog Show Me the Yummy and the membership site The Blog Village, helping bloggers create, grow and monetize their blogs. Trevor is responsible for all of the video creation for SMTY as well as the business and technical operations. He worked as a professional film editor and cinematographer in Los Angeles and has been editing film/video for the last 20 years. Trevor has a passion for teaching and sharing his knowledge with others…he wants you to succeed!
Ashley Emmett is the driving force behind My Craftily Ever After, where she shares everything from easy recipes to crafts to technical how-to’s. As a blogger, middle level English teacher and mom to three she knows how to juggle multiple balls and automate as much as possible. Having spent hours teaching herself how to make WordPress work for her, she is ready to help demystify all that scary back end stuff.
Hilary Erickson is the curly brains behind the lifestyle blog Pulling Curls. As a full-time mom and a part-time nurse, she’s had to find shortcuts and MomHacks that have made her blog so popular. Most recently, she took her childbirth class to cyberspace with the launch of her course, The Online Prenatal Class for Couples, which was quickly followed by her second course, The Organized Home. In her work with pregnant moms, overwhelmed moms, kids, and bloggers, her motto always is “We’ve got this.”
Elizabeth and Elizabeth are two girls who married brothers and ended up with the exact same name: Elizabeth Evans. Aside from sharing a name they are also the same age, have the same number of children, and are both former school teachers. They blog together over at Simple Simon and Company where they write daily about sewing, quilting, crafting, and the art of homemaking. In the 5 years they have been blogging together, they have considered themselves very blessed to have been able to share their work on television, in magazines, through instructional videos, and their first fabric line.
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Marissa Fischer is constantly trying to figure out if she should catch up on sleep or reading. She blogs about all things crafty, bookish and delicious at Rae Gun Ramblings. While she does plenty of sewing tutorials and easy recipes, her favorite projects are laced with a touch of geekiness. From her annual Harry Potter series to the princess costumes she sews live on Facebook, she loves it all. She’s always up for eating fried food and chatting books or costumes or all three at the same time.
Bob Gager, Group Product Manager for Photoshop Elements, brings over 30 years of experience in photography, digital imaging and photo editing. Harboring a passion for photography since his high school days, Bob started using Photoshop Version 1 in the early 90s, sparking his interest in digital imaging. Bob’s intuitive tutorials featuring his travels, family and pet cat have helped users of all levels master Photoshop Elements.
Sarah Kimmel is a mom who can fix your blog, your computer, or your server. She has been in the IT industry supporting small businesses for over 10 years and now offers free computer help and tips on her blog. As a die-hard PC user, I can usually be found sparring with Apple fanboys or blogging at FamilyTechZone.com where I help families navigate the awesome—and sometimes scary—world of technology.
Danielle Liss is a lawyer and partner in Hashtag Legal, a law firm focused on the needs of online business owners and influencer marketing professionals. Danielle is also a partner in Businessese, which offers DIY legal forms for influencers. She regularly speaks at conferences around the country on legal issues and the power of negotiation. Danielle lives in Las Vegas with her family and two hairless cats.
Brittany Luiz is the Social Media & Content Manager for Tombow USA. Since joining the Tombow team in 2015, the company’s social media presence has skyrocketed. She is responsible for developing and executing the strategic direction of the brand on social media as well as managing the company’s Design Team. She also focuses heavily on educating consumers on Tombow products through her work as a handlettering instructor. In her spare time, she manages her own social media presence and blog.
Natalie Malan is an Illustrator with a BFA in illustration from BYU. Traditional media is her first love, but somehow Illustrator and Photoshop stole her heart. Her work includes art prints, scrapbook paper, children’s books, cards, die cuts, electronic cutting cartridges, magazine illustrations, and greeting cards. Clients include Shutterfly, Cricut, Target, Petite Lemon, Minted, Making Memories, and My Minds Eye.
Andy Marzka is the founder of AdThrive, the leading ad management company for the best bloggers in the universe. AdThrive emerged from a desire to help Andy’s wife make more money for her content and evolved into an opportunity to bless other bloggers by significantly increasing their income. AdThrive has helped bloggers pay off debts, leave their 9-5 jobs, and spend more time with their families by creating high-paying, optimized ad layouts and utilizing the latest ad technology.
Beverly McCullough began Flamingo Toes five years ago as a way to keep track of things she made around the house. She never dreamed it would turn into a full-time business and she feels so blessed it has. Her work has been featured in numerous magazines and the Live with Kelly and Michael Show. She published her first book, 30 Minute Jewelry, last fall. She is married to her high school sweetheart and they live in East Tennessee with their two kids.
Stephanie Michel is an Assistant Culinary Specialist in the Wilton Test Kitchen and a Certified Wilton Method® Instructor. She began her career at Wilton over six years ago in customer service. Since then she has moved into the Wilton Test Kitchen where she handles new product testing, quality control testing of current products and recipe development. She has also appeared in Wilton’s instructional YouTube videos. Stephanie enjoys baking and cake decorating and loves sharing her excitement with others!
Alexis Middleton is a lifelong maker and the owner of Persia Lou, a bright and colorful craft and DIY blog. She loves to play with paint, paper and yarn and has been sharing craft ideas, printables and crochet patterns on her blog since 2011. Alexis loves to combine traditional crafting techniques with a modern aesthetic to create something new and fun.
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Cooper Munroe, CEO of The Motherhood Inc., has led many of the decade’s premier influencer campaigns. Recently named PR News Social Media Team of the Year and recipient of the Renaissance Awards Agency of the Year, The Motherhood Inc. was also named one of Pittsburgh, PA’s fastest-growing companies and its second fastest-growing marketing agency. Cooper coined a New York Times “Buzzword of the Year” and was named a Parent’s Magazine Power Mom and “Person of the Week” by ABC News.
Karen Nolan, Vice President of Flashpoint PR, is an integral strategic leader on the LEGO Systems’ Brand Relations team. For 12 years, Karen has developed and implemented award-winning public relations, influencer, content marketing and partnership programs on behalf of the beloved LEGO brand. Flashpoint PR, a premier public relations firm, partners with innovative lifestyle, family, and technology brands to tell compelling consumer stories.
Donna Parker has been in the apparel industry for over 20 years with international brands and a fabric nut longer than that. She holds a BA degree in Fashion Design and an MBA. As Creative Director at Nancy’s Notions, she’s learning things she never thought she would—like quilting. And she’s still giddy about the term “fat quarter.” An expert in textiles, fashion and art, she’s ready to share whatever she knows with whomever wants to listen.
Colleen Pastoor is the face behind Lemon Thistle—a DIY and hand lettering blog where she shares hands-on tutorials, hand-lettered printables, simplified entertaining and beautiful images with her readers. Each post on Lemon Thistle aims to take the intimidation out of DIY, hand lettering and home decor for readers.
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With a bachelor’s degree in Film Studies from the University of Utah, Angel’s professional background is in film, television, radio and ad production. In 2011 she started FleeceFun.com, a sewing and craft blog. In 2016 she started using her professional background to help bloggers learn video and launched DIY Video for Bloggers. Angel currently divides her time between her online video training blog, online sewing and crafting blog, her family and on very good days, also manages to get the dishes done.
Ashlee Marie started blogging in 2007 and launched her YouTube channel in 2015. She is passionate about video and encouraging bloggers to embrace the medium. As a self-taught videographer, Ashlee’s motto is “NOTHING is too hard with the right tips and tricks.” You can almost always find her in the kitchen creating content for her brand and other bloggers and brands. In 2015 she competed on Food Network’s “Halloween Baking Championship” and in 2016 was named one of 34 up-and-coming YouTube stars.
Chaitra Radhakrishna is the creative geek behind PinkPot, a design + photography studio for creative entrepreneurs. With over 4 years experience in web design & development, she started her own design studio in 2015 and currently runs a stock photography shop for business owners. Living in Seattle, she spends her days either coding, capturing beautiful moments on her lens or laughing with her geeky husband.
Leland Redd is the co-creator, occasional co-host and behind-the-scenes tech guy of the Hungry Squared Podcast, husband to Winter and dad to energetic 2-year-old Lucy, Real Salt Lake and Manchester United soccer fan, world traveler and lover of all music. He went to culinary school and became a local small business owner of Bee’s Knees Waffles, Hong Kong bubble waffles. He will also be a food truck owner this summer, so look for him around town serving up breakfast.
Winter Redd is the co-creator and co-host of the Hungry Squared Podcast, wife to Leland (our tech guy) and mom to spunky 2-year-old Lucy Scout, social runner and biker, food photographer and blogger, party organizer, travel lover and people encourager. Winter studied chemistry and pharmacy for many, many years and loves geeking out when people talk science.
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Nichole Schneider is an avid memory bear and doll maker for her own label, Snuggle Snuggle Me. She’s also a machine embroidery expert. Nichole holds a BA degree in Fashion Design and a Masters in Visual Arts. Her professional expertise is in buying, merchandising and product development for major brands. In her current role at Nancy’s Notions, she is shaking it up as the Social Media Manager. Nichole has adorable 2-year-old twins and a loving husband that are muses for her creative endeavors.
Desiree Smith is the Public Relations Manager and began her career at Wilton over three years ago. She has a degree in broadcast journalism and works regularly with media and bloggers to promote Wilton products. Although Desiree had minimal baking experience and no decorating experience prior to Wilton, she has learned a lot over the years and hosts Facebook Live every Tuesday to teach people different recipes and decorating ideas. Desiree loves empowering people to try something new!
Jen Springer is a professional makeup artist from California and now works her magic in Utah. She believes in finding beauty everywhere and celebrating it. Her work can be seen on the big screen and in various magazines and social media. She knows what it takes to look amazing and feel confident in front of the camera, though she’s most comfortable behind the scenes. Jen has a passion for teaching the importance of making time for yourself and having fun breaking a few makeup rules along the way.
Sharon Titus is the co-creator, co-writer, and co-host of the Hungry Squared Podcast She is a self-taught home cook and is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others. She loves fermented foods, hiking, camping and telling stories by a campfire. She and her family live in Salt Lake City.
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Jessica Turner is the author of the Wall Street Journal best-selling book, The Fringe Hours: Making Time for You, and founder of TheMomCreative.com. Since the site’s launch, Jessica has collaborated with over 100 brands. She is an award-winning marketing professional, brand strategist and speaker. Jessica has been featured on The Today Show and in O Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens and Inc.com. She and her husband live with their three young children in Nashville, Tennessee.
Jennifer Voelkel blogs at The Craft Patch, where she shares craft tutorials, DIY home decor, remodeling, holiday fun, recipes and more. She loves bargain hunting, growing flowers and adventuring in her home state of Idaho with her husband and three kids. She started her blog in 2008 as a way to share her latest projects with her mom and sisters who lived far away and had no idea it would turn into her dream job!
Adam W. Warner first discovered WordPress in 2005 and has since founded several WordPress-focused businesses that provide education, plugins and consulting services for online business owners. In 2016 he brought his passion for WordPress to SiteLock as a Product Evangelist. Adam has since delivered his zeal for WordPress to 20 different WordCamps all over the world. In addition to WordPress, Adam is passionate about his family, robots and of course, life, the universe and everything.
Camille Whiting is a digital strategy consultant and author of Friday We’re in Love, a lifestyle blog focusing on creative dates and building memories and family relationships. She has an MBA with a marketing emphasis and spent years helping top Fortune 500 companies make digital decisions. Camille is a marketing nerd, marathon runner and founder of the popular AZ Blogger Meetup. She’s been featured by The Huffington Post, Women’s Day, as an alumni spotlight in BYU’s The Universe and in The Arizona Republic.