1st Annual Body Positive Pool Party
The Body Positive Pool Party hosts from left to right: Amy, Alley, me and Jessica.
Hosting a body positive pool party has been a dream of mine. I found myself lying in bed at night thinking of all the reasons why it’s important to me, why it would make such a beautiful impact on the community, how I would plan it and ways to execute it. I would awake fired up by all my ideas! But I knew I couldn’t do it alone. I felt panicked by the thought of not being able to make it this pool party happen and truly serve other women the way I knew they deserved. That’s why it was an incredible gift when I discovered I was not alone in this dream. My friends and fellow body positive entrepreneurs Amy, Alley and Jessica had the very same desire.
The body positive movement is something I’m incredibly passionate about, as are all of the hosts of the Body Positive Pool Party. Before I recap the event, I wanted to share a little more about why they are such amazing partners beyond being advocates for this movement:
- Amy is a co-founder of Femme Club, a women’s’ social club in Charlotte that sponsored the event. She is also the founder of multi-small business retail location Charlotte Collective and the owner of plus size boutique Worthy Figures.
- Jessica is a co-founder of Femme Club and the owner of the “gliterally awesome” Shimmer Down body glitter experience. She is also the owner of Ink Job, which creates hand-printed t-shirts for curvy women.
- Alley is the owner of The Alley Way Market, which specializes in hand-made jewelry and tees.
I could not have asked for a better group of ladies to host the pool party. Once I realized they were planning one, I jumped at the chance to be a part of it. I’m so grateful that they welcomed me with open arms and let me have a hand in organizing such an amazing event.
Why is a Body Positive Pool Party Important?
I want to create a safe space for every woman to feel confident, comfortable, and beautiful so that they can live their lives to the fullest. I want us to look back on all the wonderful memories made, not what we missed out on because of our insecurities or fears. I want to break through barriers, shatter glass ceilings and see a world where size and weight do not define us.
As women, we are more than our exterior, we are more than society’s outdated beauty standards, and we are more than a label. We are more than enough to thrive in our lives and have fun! We deserve joy and it is our birthright to live abundantly.
A pool party where we can come together and celebrate who we are, no matter what that may look like or what season of life we are in, is one of the many building blocks to making that dream a reality. It is a seemingly small win for a BIG MISSION!
Thank you to our sponsors, to everyone who supported this event and for all the women who chose to show up that day, as they were, and celebrate one another. It literally brought me to tears!
To recap the event, I wanted to share a special video created by my talented friend Kiah. Her blog, A Journey I Deserve, is inspired by her body love story and acts as a platform to help others find their #IDeserve moment. She recently hosted an incredible event called Breaking Walls Through Art where Kiah and her co-host Norma Gely empowered attendees to face their fears and use painting as a means of growth, healing and expression.
Sponsors of The Body Positive Pool Party included:
- Femme Club
- Shimmer Down
- The Alley Way Market
- Kenna Kunijo, Braid Bar
- Golden Road Brewery, donated Mango Cart IPA
- Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer
- Brizo Seltzer
- Bold Missy Brewery
- Gathered Events, balloon garland
- Eventfully Angela, venue and decor
- Girl Tribe
- Lenny Boy Brewing
- Parker Projects
Thank you again to Amy, Jessica and Alley for the opportunity to co-host the Body Positive Pool Party with you and thank you to everyone who supported it. The day was, and will continue to be, one of the most inspiring moments in my life. I am so thrilled with the outcome and can’t wait to see where it takes us in the coming years!