How Cassandra McClure Champions Women-Owned Businesses Through Community and Clean Living

How can we flip the script on traditional networking and create genuine connections that empower women entrepreneurs? In this episode, I sit down with Cassandra McClure, a strategic business advisor, international industry speaker, and the creative director of Clean Living Media. Cassandra takes us behind the scenes of her journey to becoming a powerhouse mentor for women entrepreneurs, sharing how her major health crisis completely changed her perspective on beauty and business. She discusses her approach to creating intentionally curated events, such as the Clean Living Renewal Retreat during Oscar's weekend, and how she's helping brands think differently about sustainability and impact through her collective. Key Talking Points:In this episode, we discuss… Cassandra's journey from makeup artist to clean beauty advocate after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease How she's creating accessible, women-focused events as alternatives to expensive industry networking The importance of community-first entrepreneurship and building genuine connections Her mission to champion women-owned businesses and amplify innovative, sustainable brands The Clean Living Renewal Retreat during Oscar's weekend in Bel Air, and how it supports emerging female entrepreneurs How clean beauty extends to a full lifestyle approach and circular sustainability practices The power of voting with your dollars by supporting conscious, women-owned businesses Time Stamps: [01:30] Introduction to Cassandra McClure and her various initiatives [ 04:50] Cassandra shares what story she's looking to tell more of in 2025  [06:20] The importance of storytelling in building community connections  [08:15] How Cassandra's events background influenced her approach to business  [11:30] The origin story behind the Oscars weekend Clean Living Renewal Retreat  [15:45] Why Cassandra focuses specifically on supporting women-owned businesses  [19:30] The challenges of PR costs for emerging brands and how her collective helps  [22:40] Discussing the event details for March 1st and 2nd in Bel Air  [25:20] Cassandra's health crisis that led to discovering clean beauty  [29:15] Her journey to founding the Clean Beauty Podcast (now Clean Living)  [33:00] The importance of conscious innovation in sustainable products  [36:45] Taking small steps toward more conscious living and consumption  [40:10] How California's regulations create positive ripple effects nationally  [44:00] Final thoughts on creating your own opportunities and community Connect with Cassandra McClure: Website: Clean Living Magazine and Clean Living Collective— Link Here Social: Instagram | LinkedIn Connect with Ashley Graham: Thank you for listening! Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more expansive content and stories here. Follow Ashley Graham (@simplyashleygraham) and The Conscious Publicist (@theconsciouspublicist) on LinkedIn. If you loved this episode and want to further support the show, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcasting platform!Apple | Spotify | Blog | Business Copyright 2026 – The Conscious Publicist® – All Rights Reserved