Santa Monica, CA – I had such an amazing time at FounderMade Consumer Discovery Show held at Barker Hanger.  The conference brought top consumer brands as well as key players in the industry of beauty, wellness and food.  The event consisted of several different panels including the growing demand for weed-based products from consumers. The Future of Cannabis panelists included Emily Dougherty (Editor in Chief, New Beauty), Derek Thomas (Vice President of Business Development, Veritas Farms), Jessie Stanley (Co-Founder, CW Hemp) and Clement Kwan (Co-Founder, BEBOE). The networking opportunities and strategic partnerships formed were undeniable.

I enjoyed walking around learning about what different brands had to offer. Kopari Beauty kept me hydrated with their complimentary coconuts. I also received a sample of their Coconut oil deodorant, can’t wait try this product. I thought I took the best selfie until I ran across Selffee, where they print your selfie on a cookie, yum.  I stopped by Olive + M and tried their Shimmer Glow Body Oil, it smells amazing. I enjoyed a relaxing hand massage while learning about Laki Naturals, Laki means Lucky in Hawaiian. My skin felt so soft using their Hawaiian Sea Salt based products. Rael has the softest feminine care products that I have ever felt. The line has branched out and now includes facial sheet mask. I received the Hydrolock Dewy + Hydrating facial sheet mask, perfect for my up coming flight. As many of you already know, I’m working on losing weight and my total wellness. I was so happy when I ran across SoYoung, the company’s flyer states “Small Changes Have Power” and “Big , sweeping life changes boil down to small, everyday decisions”. I immediately wanted more information on this brand, the founder has an amazing story. The products are the most fashion forward lunch bags I have ever seen. I was equally impressed with Rouse. The founder gives 75% of their profits to support men’s health initiatives. I like a little spice and that is exactly what Legal (pronounced Lay – Gal) hot sauce is. It is so delicious, I look forward to using it next time I make a pot of red beans and rice. There were countless amazing founders at this event.

I had the opportunity to ask Megan Asha (CEO, FounderMade) a few questions:

How did FounderMade start?

It wasn’t supposed to be a business. It started as a dinner series while I was working in finance in venture capital. I knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur again, I hadn’t been that successful in any of my previous businesses. So, I planned on doing a dozen dinners calling it FounderMade. The dinners were like chicken soup for the entrepreneur soul. I knew an entrepreneur who stared with nothing who had a war story to tell, it was like founder therapy. 

There are so many brands, how do you choose which founders to work with? We have an application process with specific criteria, such as are you transparent, mission driven, what are you launching and why.

What is your must have makeup/skincare product? I’m an oil girl, I love oils.

 FEATURED PANELISTS

The Honest Company’s Co-Founder and CPO, Christopher Gavigan

Lifeway’s Chef Executive Officer, Julie Smolyansky

Pressed Juicery’s Founder & CEO, Hayden Slater

Byrdie’s Editorial Director, Faith Xue

Erewhon’s VP New Store Director, Jason Widener 

Love & Wellness Founder, Lo Bosworth

FEATURED PANELS

Meet Your Match: How To Attract Top Retailers

Founder Stories: Entrepreneurs in Food

High Hopes: The Future of Cannabis

Building Blocks: Key Ways to Build Your Brand

D2D Disrupters: Understanding the Modern Consumer

Midday Fireside Chat: Drybar & Who What Wear

More pictures