Why I created The Pink Social

October means so much to me.

[As seen in Wayzata Life & Deephaven Life magazine October, 2020]

As a 9 year old, I had no idea how to keep the memory of my recently deceased mom alive. Family and friends seemed to avoid the topic, most likely to prevent a stir-up of emotions (mine and theirs). Fast forward to my first job out of college, a coworker introduced me to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. This annual event took place not far from home, so I was especially excited to attend...and I've attended the walk every October since. I won't brag about how long it's been (how old I am), but I will say that I'm months away from being the age my mother was, when she passed away after a long battle with Metastatic Breast Cancer.

The American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer rally became a tradition for my family and I. We proudly walk as Team Marilyn, in memory of my mama.

Fast forward a little more, we're in the midst of the multi-level marketing craze. Remember that, like 2014-ish? It was so popular, I had numerous friends and acquaintances asking me to host a "party". I thought, why not make it an event (I love event planning). An evening where all these brand ambassadors can be vendors, and guests can shop them all in one space while socializing, sipping and snacking! Thus, The Pink Social was born. That night, each vendor donated a portion of their proceeds to the cause (Making Strides Against Breast Cancer), we learned more about self-exam breast pads (available from one of the vendors), and grew the size of Team Marilyn.

The event was a great success. And I knew then, it could be so much more. I loved working with and promoting eager women-run businesses, and was excited to find local business owners within our community to grow the event.

The following October, Excelsior's Pique Travel Design gifted us use of their event space, and The Pink Social has had the good fortune to make use of the beautiful venue every October since. Our event features local women vendors (makers, artists, entrepreneurs and small business owners) providing a unique shopping experience encouraging guests to shop local for the cause. Guests enjoy local celebrity emcees, inspiring local speakers, a fashion show, silent auction, prizes, sips and treats!

It's really an annual ladies night out. You'll walk away with an uplifted spirit and your holiday shopping nearly complete.

Another unique experience at The Pink Social is a showcase of local Breast Cancer survivors and current warriors. Thanks to Tracie Bea Photographie, we have a gallery of images of women touched by this disease. Each lady selects an image to represent themselves, and along side is a printed telling of their story. Each story is so unique and inspiring. Yet also so similar and poignant.

Through this fun and exciting gathering, we raise money to help Breast Cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. Funds go toward groundbreaking research and provide patient services including a live 24/7 helpline, free rides to chemo, and free places to stay near hospitals. But this crucial work cannot be done without the help of people like you. Thanks to the support of our guests, volunteers, vendors, sponsors, and donors, we’ve helped fund life-saving breast cancer research, crucial patient services, and education and prevention initiatives. While this year's event (live online) will not look the same, I hope that the recent pandemic will unite us all in giving, so the American Cancer Society of MN can continue providing accurate, scientific information about COVID-19 and cancer.

Get your tickets to The Pink Social today so you can get a sneak peek at silent auction items, and learn more about this year's vendors! Proceeds from tickets, silent auction items, and vendor contributions all go to the cause, supporting local Breast Cancer warriors, care-givers and researchers.

BONUS: Get your Swag Bag by purchasing a VIP ticket!