Maker Masterclass

When Lily Kramlich-Taylor and Kara Shannon started @Dallasites101 as a hobby Instagram handle in 2015, the recent college grads and Dallas transplants were just looking for delicious food, fun events, and friends in their new city. But something about the account struck a chord. Local companies and brands began reaching out asking the pair to cover events, review food, and enjoy everything they had to offer. Today, Dallasites101 is a full-time job — literally — with Lily leaving her position with Hill + Knowlton Strategies and Kara leaving her job in events for Teach for America to pursue Dallasites101 full-time. With over 180,000 followers and partnerships across the city, Dallasites101 is one of the biggest sources of Dallas content you’ll find.

Banleigh Sullivan is Dallas born & raised Social Media Manager specializing in hospitality & retail-focused clients. With experience from both in-house brands and agencies, Banleigh took off on her own to start Sullivan Social LLC. in February 2020. She has a passion for storytelling, maintaining an aesthetically pleasing newsfeed, & focusing on the quality of social posts vs quantity. She has worked with brands such as Dallas Design District, Galleria Dallas, The Hall Arts hotel, Eatzi's, Krio, and Tiny Victories.

Lizbet Palmer is a third-culture creative based in Dallas, TX. She owns Wayfarist Media, a videography and photography company that helps small businesses, individuals, and nonprofits create beautiful, branded content for their websites and social media.

Amber LaFrance, President & Executive Publicist of CultureHype, has spent the last 11 years pushing the envelope of public relations. Her rule-breaking approach bucks tradition every step of the way, ensuring her clients stand out from the crowd. Amber is a longtime advocate of Texas game-changers who began her career by shining an international spotlight on the state’s vibrant arts & culture scene. With her industry knowledge & unstoppable work ethic, she’s landed clients in top media like Forbes, The New York Times, Refinery29, The Wall Street Journal, Wired, Texas Monthly, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, BuzzFeed, & Women's Wear Daily. In addition to her work with local creatives, Amber now partners with national brands, using her killer connections to create widespread buzz. She is the recipient of numerous industry awards including Fashion Group International of Dallas’ Rising Star Award, CultureMap Dallas’ Stylemaker Award, & Wade College’s Distinguished Achievement Award. Amber believes good PR is about more than selling a story. It’s about building one from the ground-up, & she’s just getting started.