We All Grow Sumit: Long Beach 2016

I was very honored when I applied and was selected for a Blogger Workshop that Kathy Cano Murillo from Crafty Chica, Eric Diaz from Collectivo, and Ana Flores from Latina Bloggers Connect sponsored the workshop to train bloggers that would represent Phoenix, Arizona.  We met every Saturday for a month, and Kathy from Crafty Chica mentored and shared her knowledge with us.  She taught us everything we needed to know to run and manage a successful blog. 

At the end of the four week workshop, we were able to attend the We All Grow Summit in Long Beach, California.  Five Pheonix Latino Bloggers who attended the workshops ended up being able to go together as a group to the summit.  It was great, the five of us shared two cars both sponsored by Scion and Toyota Latino.  I had no idea what to expect, but I can tell you this summit truly exceeded my expectations.

We met up at the Maya Hotel in Long Beach early Thursday morning where everyone would break up into groups and head out to different venues for the Field Trips.  We got to attend a Long Beach tour.  We started out on a skyline cruise, we took a tour of to the Museum of Latin American Art, then to the Aquarium of the Pacific for a gorgeous lunch, and lastly took a tour of The Queen Mary. 

The evening finished off with a great party right off the beach with cocktails and music.  Thank you Hampton by Hilton for throwing such a great party to kick off our first night at the Summit. 

Throughout the next couple days we were non stop with amazing Keynote speakers.  A couple of my favorite Keynote speakers were Rosie Rivera author of Mis Pedazos Rotos,  Elayna Fernandez from the Positive Mom, and Christine Guiterrez a Life Coach who spoke on self confidence was very inspirational.  Confidence just so happen to be my word that I chose to work on for this year, and as a reminder I got a stamped bracelet compliments of My Intent to remind me to always wear my crown of confidence. 

Throughout the day we would take breaks to snack and connect with We All Grow sponsors,  for snacks and fun swag from sponsors such as Mazda, Colgate, Narciso Rodriguez Perfume, Dove, Neutrogena, OPI, H&R Block, Aveeno to name a few.  Everyone was very friendly and welcoming.

 If I had to pick my favorite snack and connect sponsors I would have to say first Dove, because I got my hair styled by beauty expert for Dove Mario Anton.  He did an amazing job, and he was also very sweet.  He talked to me about what type of style was best for my hair and showed me how to achieve the look while he styled me. 

My second favorite was Neutrogena, they had a Dermatologist look at our skin, she then wrote down what would be best for our skin type, and then we went to the makeup chair where we got our full face makeup done by a makeup artist.  Finished off by going to the makeup counter and being able to take everything they put on our face from the skin care to the makeup home with us! 

I would love to share all the pictures from the trip, but this post would be so long!  Overall it was a life changing experience for me.  I learned that "Con ganas si se puede", meaning that you can do anything with hard work.  If you want something bad enough you need to work hard for it.  I also learned that it is so important not to loose touch of my Latina culture, so that I can pass that on to my kids.

 As women we need to remember that we are better off helping each other, because there is room for everyone to grow.  We all have something unique to bring to the table.  So there is no need to be jealous or envious of one another.  Let's find our voice, and let it be heard!  

Thank you to everyone who made this Summit such an amazing experience.  I look forward to attending next year!

Besos,

Marieesbella