Twas the month before Christmas and all through the home offices, not an entrepreneur was taking time off, not even a tad. All joking aside, as an entrepreneur there is little time off. Hustle is the name of the game no matter what time of year it is! Even in the holiday season, you will find us making magic happen.

For this reason, Tuesdays Together LA (San Fernando Valley chapter) hosted a casual Hot Cocoa, Conversation, and Clothing Collection in lieu of our more structured monthly meeting.

Our free, monthly, Tuesdays Together LA networking meeting is for creatives, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month in 3 different areas in LA. Courtney Paige Ray runs the LA East meeting, Deanna Nash runs the LA West meeting, and I, Holly Gray, run the San Fernando Valley meeting. There are more than 450 Tuesdays Together groups across the US.

As you can see, we are a lively bunch! Thank you to Aurelia D’Amore Photography for capturing all the fun.

To get into the holiday spirit, Tastebuds Catering and Sugar Studio offered to create a scrumptious hot cocoa bar with all the trimmings and sweet treats to celebrate the end of the year.

Along with the hot cocoa bar, we collected gently used men’s and women’s clothing to donate to NoHo Alliance, a local homeless shelter that provides hot meals, showers, clothing, mental health resources, and support for our community in the San Fernando Valley. It’s a small way we can give back and help someone stay warm over the cooler, winter months.

The Conversation

Hot Cocoa and Conversation with the group about the ups and downs of running a business in 2019. Safe to say, many of us are looking forward to what 2020 has in store!

The Hot Cocoa Bar

I am not a crafter by any means, but I was pretty proud of the Christmas Ornament adornment I created the night before. I only burned my finger with hot glue twice! #notadiyer

70 degrees in LA in December is what I like to call a “California Christmas”

Fun Fact:

Truth! Candy canes do not have any fat or cholesterol.

Fun Fact:

Holly Berries are poisonous. How can something so pretty be so deadly?

Fun Fact:

Aztecs used leaves of Poinsettia as a source of reddish-purple pigment that was used for dying of fabrics.

I mean, COME ON! Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows?? Does it get any better than this?

These warm, orange cranberry muffins from Sugar Studio are a holiday dream come true!

Toffee bits, chocolate shavings, waffle cookies, and peppermint candy canes all ideal for adorning the perfect cup of hot cocoa!

Don’t worry, we offered Soy Milk and Oat Milk as well. After all, this is LA!

I am so thankful for the leadership team that helps manage the Tuesdays Together LA San Fernando Valley chapter each month. I could not do any of this without these special, and powerful women! Thank you Julie Harris, Julie Shuford, Natalie Ramirez, Trista Hidalgo, and Margaux Fraise! I love you all to the moon and back!

Wishing you all Happy Holidays and a sweet New Year!