Hello Sunshine, a subsidiary of Candle Media, marked a significant milestone in its journey to empower and connect women through storytelling with the inaugural “Shine Away” event.
Held in collaboration with AT&T, this marquee consumer event brought the Hello Sunshine community together for a day of connection, entertainment, and joy on Saturday, October 21 at Rolling Greens in Downtown Los Angeles. The event was a resounding success, featuring a lineup of influential speakers, performances, and opportunities for attendees to engage with Hello Sunshine’s mission of uplifting female voices.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 21: (L-R) Jennifer Garner, Kellyn Smith Kenny, CMO at AT&T, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling attend Hello Sunshine’s Shine Away, Connected by AT&T, at Rolling Greens on October 21, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images for Hello Sunshine)
The event began with a warm welcome from Hello Sunshine’s founder, the renowned actress Reese Witherspoon. With her passion for storytelling and her dedication to changing the narrative for women, Witherspoon set the tone for the day’s discussions and interactions. She stressed the importance of creating connections through storytelling and recounted her initial inspiration for starting Hello Sunshine: “I was hearing fascinating perspectives of women’s experiences in my everyday life that I was not seeing reflected in television, film, or advertising. I realized that in order to fix the problem, I had to be part of the solution.” Reese Witherspoon was not alone in this endeavor. Throughout the day, she was joined by Jennifer Garner, Mindy Kaling, Tracee Ellis Ross, and other influential women in conversations moderated by AT&T’s Chief Marketing & Growth Officer, Kellyn Smith Kenny. These discussions explored the power of connecting, the impact of storytelling, and the lessons learned on the journeys that led these women to the intersection of storytelling and entrepreneurship.
The central theme of the event revolved around the idea that when women come together, they have the power to change everything. Kellyn Smith Kenny, Chief Marketing & Growth Officer of AT&T, remarked, “Today’s event was so inspiring and truly showcased when women have the opportunity to connect with each other, we really do have the power to change everything.” The immersive experience of Shine Away included brand activations, book signings by Reese’s Book Club authors, relaxation in the AT&T Recharge Lounge, and a variety of food options from local women-founded food trucks. Shine Away’s programming was curated to inspire and empower attendees. It featured a wide array of conversations with top talent across entertainment, media, literature, and more. From discussions on entrepreneurship and making lasting change in the world to exploring the importance of embracing passions and navigating life’s challenges, the event provided valuable insights and advice.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 21: Dove Cameron performs onstage during Hello Sunshine’s Shine Away, Connected by AT&T, at Rolling Greens on October 21, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images for Hello Sunshine)
Attendees also had the privilege of interacting with beloved members of the Hello Sunshine community, such as Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin from The Home Edit, who shared their secrets to keeping spaces joyful and clutter-free. Other sessions delved into topics like burnout culture, balancing work and family life, and the journey of authors in finding and writing their own stories. Shine Away is deeply rooted in Hello Sunshine’s mission to uplift female voices and change the narrative for women through the power of connection. This event is the first in a series, offering fans the opportunity to connect with inspiring entrepreneurs, authors, athletes, musicians, and each other. It brings to life the culture-defining brands within the Hello Sunshine universe, including The Home Edit, Reese’s Book Club, Fair Play, and Unicorn Space. After a day filled with empowering conversations and engaging activities, the event concluded with a soulful performance by Dove Cameron, leaving attendees inspired and motivated.
