Create + Cultivate, a creative conference and online platform for female entrepreneurs in the digital space, recently visited Texas for the first time. The gathering hosted more than 400 women and featured speakers prominent in the fashion blogging sphere, such as Julia Engel of Gal Meets Glam and Emily Schuman of Cupcakes & Cashmere.

Senior communications major and recent blogger Molly O’Connor jumped at the chance to purchase her ticket to the popular event back in November. Although it quickly sold out, O’Connor now spills all the secrets of Create + Cultivate’s first trip to Dallas.

1. Who attended Create + Cultivate?

Shockingly enough, I was in the minority by being one of the youngest attendees there. I would say most women were in their upper 20s or somewhere in their 30s. There were not many other college students, that is for sure. Create + Cultivate was not the place to be shy, however. Everyone threw themselves into conversations, ready to share their passions and hear the insight of those around them.

2. What was your favorite part of the conference?

I absolutely loved all of the panelists and keynote speakers (including Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr, the co-founders of Clique Media Group), but I benefited the most from the more personal mentor sessions. We had two 30-minute mentor sessions and my first was with lifestyle blogger Maxie McCoy, who absolutely blew me away. She is one of the most brilliant, energetic and genuine woman I have ever encountered and really focused on the point that content can only get you so far –- real empathy happens in person.

3. Do you have a most memorable moment?

Meeting my favorite fashion blogger, Julia Engel of Gal Meets Glam, is definitely my most memorable moment from all of Create + Cultivate. I am the Packed Party ambassador for Dallas and Julia and the founder of Packed Party, Jordan, are best friends, so she knew who I was. When Julia said she had heard about me from Jordan and was so happy she got to meet me, I was just over the moon with happiness. She is just as sweet, classy and beautiful in person as she appears to be on her blog.

4. What was the best advice you received?

It is near to impossible to pick just one, but Texas-based artist Matt Crump kept reiterating how there is never going to be a right time for you to start creating, so quit waiting. I loved when he said that if something is your passion then it should be invigorating to you, meaning you will be able to produce a high quantity amount of high quality content. I think too many people use time as a justification, so I loved his no excuses attitude.

5. Last, but certainly not least, what was your favorite outfit of the day?

There was this one fashionista who I passed several times throughout the day and I could not stop staring every time I saw her! She was wearing this fabulous marble top paired with pale pink pants and super retro, shimmery thick soled sneakers that I could never in a million years pull off, no matter how hard I tried. Major fashion envy on my part, and I am sure I was not the only one.