Hello Sunshine's Shine Away: An Experiential Weekend of Empowerment, Connection, and Growth

Hello Sunshine, part of Candle Media, successfully hosted its second annual Shine Away event, connected by AT&T, on October 5th and 6th at NYA Studios in West Hollywood. This groundbreaking, female-founded event brought women together from across the country—and as far as Japan and Belgium—to reclaim their joy, reignite their passions, and discover meaningful tools for transformation.

Founded by Reese Witherspoon, Hello Sunshine’s mission is to celebrate and elevate women by putting them at the heart of every story. Through engaging media, storytelling, and community-building, Hello Sunshine continues to light the way for women as they chart their own paths forward. Shine Away builds on that mission, offering an immersive, two-day experience filled with curated programming, bespoke activations, and transformative conversations with leading voices from the worlds of media, literature, business, and beyond.

A Celebration of Women’s Power and Possibility

The weekend was hosted at the state-of-the-art, female-founded NYA Studios, where over 1,250 attendees experienced a dynamic environment designed to inspire and foster connection. Guests were greeted by custom vignettes, enchanting floral arches, and creative installations that transformed the studio into a vibrant celebration of women’s stories, growth, and empowerment. Both the West and East campuses of NYA Studios were activated, with empty sound stages and outdoor spaces reimagined into panel stages, a rooftop VIP lounge, and immersive brand experiences.

Throughout the weekend, Shine Away provided attendees with opportunities to explore Hello Sunshine’s rich portfolio of brands and projects, including The Home Edit, Reese’s Book Club (RBC), The Hello Sunshine Collective, and The Bright Side podcast, as well as a range of film, television, and music projects that reflect Hello Sunshine’s dedication to telling women’s stories.

Powerful Brand Activations and Partnerships

AT&T, the presenting sponsor, curated thought-provoking panel discussions that highlighted the power of connection in personal and professional success. Attendees explored how building authentic networks can transform careers and foster resilience. AT&T also hosted the AT&T Recharge Lounge, an expansive space where guests could relax, recharge their devices, and enjoy hand massages. In addition, professional headshots and personalized LinkedIn consultations were available to support attendees’ professional development.

Chase Ink, in collaboration with the Hello Sunshine Collective, presented the Shine Away Marketplace, a beautifully curated collection of women-owned small businesses. The marketplace offered attendees the chance to connect directly with inspiring female entrepreneurs, explore their products, and purchase meaningful gifts—while supporting women-led businesses and fostering entrepreneurial spirit.

L’Oréal Paris brought their iconic “Because You’re Worth It” campaign to life through the Women of Worth experience. The space featured affirmation cards, reflective moments, and inspiring stories from L’Oréal’s global ambassadors. Attendees also enjoyed a live recording of The Bright Side podcast, which focused on overcoming imposter syndrome and stepping into one’s personal power.

At the Reese’s Book Club Bookshop, presented by Sheraton Hotels, guests explored all 100 RBC book selections and had the opportunity to meet and engage with some of their favorite authors through book signings and meet-and-greets. All books were available for sale in partnership with female-founded, Zibby’s Bookshop.  The space also provided a relaxing atmosphere for book lovers to connect and reflect on their favorite reads.

The Home Edit Experience, in partnership with Eli Lilly and Company, brought together creativity and advocacy with a beautifully designed home organization display that celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Clea Shearer of The Home Edit, alongside fellow breast cancer survivor Olivia Munn, and Dr. Thais Aliabadi had a heartfelt conversation led by Mary Alice Haney on the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare, also sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company.

Throughout the weekend, attendees enjoyed exceptional food and beverages catered by Joan’s On Third, a beloved Los Angeles culinary institution. The exquisite fare, combined with the lively atmosphere, made every meal an opportunity for connection and reflection.

Shine Away was created in response to the insight that women, facing unprecedented levels of burnout, are unable to find time to focus on themselves. While fostering connection at every point of the experience, the event’s talent provided attendees with actionable tools for personal and professional growth including Tatyana Ali, Dr. Thais Aliabadi, Brooke Baldwin, Andi Bartz, Ellen Bennett, Sara Blakely, Julia Boorstin, Kate Bowler, Lauren Ling Brown, Sydney Carter, Cari Champion, DéLana R.A. Dameron, Kerry Diamond, Laura Dern, Ashley Elston, Diana Flores, Ashley Flowers, Karla Gallardo, Kathleen Griffith, Dr. Mary Claire Haver, Francesca Hogi, Connor Holloway, Shamicka Jones, Asma Khan, Nancy Jooyoun Kim, Amanda Kloots, Lauren Makler, Gillian McAllister, Heather McMahan, Olivia Munn, Nadia Munno, Candace Nelson, Hannah O’Flynn, Candace Parker, Danielle Ponder, Julie Rice, Rainbow Rowell, Gabriela Safa, Octavia Spencer, Catherine Steadman, Cassandra Thurswell, and Naomi Watts, as well as a special performance by The Castellows.

Hello Sunshine’s Shine Away was produced by experiential agency Mirrored Media.