Not gonna lie, we’re still riding the high from last week’s inaugural Swipe Up event!

Hosted by Mavely and Later, nearly 100 top-performing creators from 23 states joined us in Chicago for a first-of-its-kind creator commerce summit focused entirely on scaling, strategy, and sustainability in the modern creator economy. The all-day event featured  hands-on workshops, expert panels, and behind-the-scenes insights from industry leaders and top creators alike. From the programming to the partnerships, every element of Swipe Up was designed with intention, and the result was one of the most impactful creator events we’ve ever produced.

The Highlights Reel

Welcome/Opening Remarks

The day kicked off with a high-energy welcome, including a hype reel celebrating the power of the creator community, followed by inspiring opening remarks from Evan Wray, President of Later and co-founder of Mavely. Evan shared the story of how Mavely began and where it’s headed, emphasizing our vision of building a more sustainable, profitable future for creators, and, perhaps most memorably, sharing that the invited attendees had driven a total $274 million in sales during their time with Mavely!

Interactive Workshops

The Next Stage: Strategic Scaling for Seasoned Creators

Led by Mavely’s Creator Education Manager, Shauna Hollinger, this workshop walked creators through the business-building frameworks that support long-term success, from launching digital products to hiring and leading a team. The session encouraged attendees to think beyond brand deals and start operating like CEOs.

The Long Game: Future-Proofing Your Creator Business

Led by Later strategists and creator community experts Ciara Strickland and Lauren Vilips, along with special guest speaker Varshini Satish from Snap Inc., this session focused on building a business that can weather algorithm changes, platform shifts, and evolving trends. Attendees explored strategies around audience ownership, income diversification, and staying relevant in a fast-changing space.

Straight from the Source: The Realities of Brand Campaigns

Led by Mavely campaign strategists Sophia Wharton and Haley Courtney, this workshop offered a rare look behind the curtain of brand collaborations — from how creators are selected to what success really looks like from a brand’s perspective. Creators walked away with practical ways to position themselves for premium partnerships.

Creator Panel: Next-Level Affiliate Strategy

One of the most popular sessions of the day, this live panel featured top affiliate earners in the Mavely network, Lakisha “Keesh Deesh” Grant (Dollar Diva Group), Jen Taylor (@jen.taylor.style), and Kallie Davis (@best.of.target), sharing their biggest breakthroughs, most effective systems, and what they wish they knew when they started. Led by Shauna Hollinger, the conversation was honest, actionable, and filled with insights seasoned creators could immediately apply.

Keynote: Krista Williams

Closing out the day was Krista Williams, founder and host of the popular Almost 30 podcast, with a powerful keynote on building a career rooted in impact, intention, and alignment. Her talk served as an inspiring reminder that sustainable success starts with a clear sense of purpose.

  Later CEO Scott Sutton wrapped up with a heartfelt thank-you to all attendees, not just for making Swipe Up a success but for being an integral part of Mavely and Later. Scott’s closing remarks reminded everyone in attendance that the most special thing about being part of Mavely by Later is the strength of our community when we come together.

Closing on a High Note

After a day of strategy, storytelling, and serious inspiration, the Swipe Up happy hour sponsored by Walmart brought everyone together one last time to relax and celebrate. Over drinks and conversation, creators mingled with each other, connected with brand reps, and continued the conversations sparked during the workshops. It was the perfect way to end a day that was all about community, growth, and creator empowerment.

 

 

Experiences That Inspired

Beyond expert strategies and actionable insights, Swipe Up was also about sparking creativity and connection. Throughout the day, creators explored immersive experiences that encouraged reflection and self-expression, including:

• A tarot card reading station for a little future-focused fun

• A Magic Mirror photo op where creators captured standout moments in style

• A vision board creation station designed to bring 2026 goals to life

These fun activities added a layer of personal magic to the day, creating share-worthy memories and even more opportunities for connection.

Real Reactions from Real Creators

The energy and enthusiasm from the Swipe Up community didn’t stop when the event ended; it echoed in every DM, recap post, and voice memo creators shared with us after. Their feedback confirmed what we hoped: the workshops resonated, the conversations mattered, and the investment in their businesses was worth it.

One creator called the event “a 10/10 experience,” adding, “I walked away with actionable steps, not just fluff.” Another told us, “Every speaker brought the heat. This wasn’t surface-level advice—it was advanced strategy that I can apply immediately.” And perhaps one of the most meaningful sentiments: “I’ve never felt more seen or supported as a creator. Thank you, Mavely.”

Our community is at the heart of everything we do. Your growth is our mission, and your trust means everything. Hearing this feedback from our first class of Swipe Up attendees made all our efforts more than worthwhile, and inspired us to deliver even more impact and insights with next year’s event.

A Sincere Thank You to Our Sponsors

Swipe Up wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of our incredible brand partners, Stanley, Walmart, Snapchat, King Krumb, Hairitage by Mindy, Allure, FlavCity, Groupon, Ultima Replenisher, and Mauna Loa. Each of our sponsors helped elevate the day (not to mention making our gift bags truly unforgettable!)

Every creator left with an exclusive Swipe Up tote packed with goodies from our sponsors, along with some cool Mavely swag. The gift bags were a true reflection of the kinds of brands that value and champion the creator community.

Looking Ahead: Swipe Up 2026

With Swipe Up’s first year officially in the books, planning is already underway for next year’s event. In 2026, creators can expect more of what made this year so powerful — deeper content, new voices, expanded brand partnerships, and opportunities to connect with the peers and partners shaping the future of the industry.

If you weren’t able to join us this year, we hope to see you at Swipe Up 2026. In the meantime, be sure to check back often for more Mavely University sessions, helpful creator tips, and inspiring stories from the Mavely creator community.

Stay tuned for updates on Swipe Up 2026, along with live webinars and other fun in-person creator events coming to your area this year. Bookmark our Events page to stay in the know.

Not on Mavely yet? Join us now and jumpstart your content creation and affiliate marketing goals for 2026!