Marina Middleton is the CEO and Partner at Create & Cultivate, the largest events and media platform advancing women by providing access to resources, connections, and opportunities. Before acquiring Create & Cultivate in 2023, Marina built digital media campaigns for Fortune 500 companies at Yahoo! and Tumblr and has consulted hundreds of female founders, helping them scale their businesses and navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. Boston-based wife and mother Marina has earned features in Forbes, Inc., Business Insider, and other top publications. As a speaker, she addresses key topics like entrepreneurship, raising venture capital, scaling businesses, fostering inclusive communities, business growth strategies, and more.
In this episode of Self StartHER, Megan Tobler sits down with Marina Middleton—CEO of Create & Cultivate—to talk about her inspiring journey from a corporate career to becoming a powerhouse entrepreneur. Marina opens up about how she acquired the iconic women’s media brand, the mindset shifts she had to make as a female founder, and how she's balancing business leadership with motherhood.
Together, Megan and Marina dive into what it really takes to start and scale a business, the power of women supporting women, and why self-reflection and vision are non-negotiable for long-term success. Whether you’re growing a business during nap time or dreaming about leaving your 9-5, this episode is packed with actionable advice and honest insights for female entrepreneurs at any stage.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How Marina transitioned from corporate to entrepreneurship—and how you can too
Why having mentors and a strong support system accelerates growth
The role of networking in building a personal brand and business
Tips for balancing career ambitions and motherhood
The importance of taking messy action and learning as you go
Why celebrating small wins fuels long-term motivation
How creating a clear vision helps guide your business decisions
How to embrace uncertainty and still move forward
If you're a woman building a business (or thinking about starting one), this conversation is the reminder you need that you’re not alone—and that the risk is worth it.
Learn more about Marina and Create and Cultivate:
Visit the Create & Cultivate Website
Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram
Want to go to Create & Cultivate’s upcoming Festival? Use CODE FINAL20OFF for 20% off your ticket!
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