Driven by the idea that creativity can change the world and by the Martin Luther King Jr. quote, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is What are you doing for others?," Sonja has dedicated herself to creating businesses that foster entrepreneurship, spread creative thinking, and grow community. She was recently named '1 of 30 Women Entrepreneurs Changing the World' by fashion mogul Eileen Fisher, and Los Angeles Magazine honored her as one of LA's Top 10 Most Inspiring Women. Sonja is best known for her Unique USA events, the world's largest made-in-America shopping events that she started in 2008. Fueled by her passion for seeing people grow and become more successful through play and being creative, Sonja launched CAMP, a creative business conference, in 2013. After witnessing the amazing success and positive results of CAMP, Sonja decided to create a permanent place for entrepreneurs and creative thinkers... And so The Unique Space was born - an 18,000 sq ft building in downtown LA's Arts District that houses a co-working space, 14 private offices and an event space.
As a workshop leader, motivational speaker and consultant (branding, product development and content), Sonja has worked with a variety of organizations including Nike, Pandora, Disney Imagineers group, GOOD, West Elm, Photo Field Trip, and TED-X. As a consultant she works with both big brands and small businesses on creative direction and design, branding, marketing and new media projects. Sonja also sits on the Board of non-profit 826LA. Her diverse media background before becoming an entrepreneur includes being a former interior designer and star on HGTV, an interactive content specialist (AT&T, Reebok, Food Network, Harlequin), being featured on television (ABC, CBS, HGTV, MuchMusic), and being a writer and editor for a variety of print publications including Azure, Style Ideas, Canadian Living and The Toronto Star.
As a workshop leader, motivational speaker and consultant (branding, product development and content), Sonja has worked with a variety of organizations including Nike, Pandora, Disney Imagineers group, GOOD, West Elm, Photo Field Trip, and TED-X. As a consultant she works with both big brands and small businesses on creative direction and design, branding, marketing and new media projects. Sonja also sits on the Board of non-profit 826LA. Her diverse media background before becoming an entrepreneur includes being a former interior designer and star on HGTV, an interactive content specialist (AT&T, Reebok, Food Network, Harlequin), being featured on television (ABC, CBS, HGTV, MuchMusic), and being a writer and editor for a variety of print publications including Azure, Style Ideas, Canadian Living and The Toronto Star.
Sessions
Sleep Your Way to the Top: Creative Career Advice From an Overachieving Narcoleptic
Monday, May 4 • 12:00 – 12:45pm
Sonja Rasula has narcolepsy. Yeah, the condition when you fall asleep uncontrollably during the day. But despite dozing off multiple times each day, she is a sought-after speaker, consultant and social media influencer who is the founder and CEO of three thriving businesses: Unique USA, CAMP and The Unique Space. Continually focused on cultivating community and supporting entrepreneurship, Sonja partners with and consults with companies such as Nike, Adobe, Square, Shopify and Mailchimp. She is also the contributing editor of the new, redesigned HOW magazine. In this energetic, inspiring and intimate session Sonja will share how her projects became so popular, and the key things every creative needs to embrace in order to create successful, meaningful work. She’ll guide you through a little self-reflection to understand your personality, your place in the community and your intuition.
3 Main Take- Aways:
- Weird, crazy, nerdy - how understanding and embracing your personality will help you go far.
- Learn how understanding and integrating community can help you and your business thrive.
- The fine arts of hustling, positive thinking and trusting your gut.
