Today we’d like to introduce you to Marah Lago.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I didn’t come from the military world.
My background is in brand building, design, and entrepreneurship. I spent years co-founding and leading a global jewelry brand, learning how to build something from nothing, how to scale without losing soul, and how to tell stories that actually mean something. What I’ve always cared about is craft, intention, and community, not noise.
Military Creator Con started because of a conversation, and then a realization.
My co-founder and husband, James, comes from the military community. Through his work, his service, and his network, he was constantly surrounded by incredibly talented military-connected creators: veterans, spouses, and service members who were writing, filming, podcasting, designing, building businesses, and creating meaningful work. What struck both of us was not a lack of talent. It was a lack of space.
There were conferences for entrepreneurs. There were events for influencers. There were military transition programs. But there wasn’t a space built specifically for military-connected creators of all kinds: writers, filmmakers, podcasters, designers, photographers, founders, and educators. People creating with purpose, not chasing clout.
From my side, I saw something else. I saw creators doing serious work without access to the same rooms, resources, or relationships that exist elsewhere in the creative economy. I saw people building in isolation, without a shared ecosystem, without a place that treated their work as legitimate, professional, and worthy of investment.
So we decided to build the room ourselves.
Military Creator Con was never meant to be just another event. It was designed to be a gathering with standards; a place where experience matters more than follower count. Where learning is practical, conversations are real, and collaboration isn’t performative. We were intentional from the beginning about culture before scale, substance before hype.
What began as a shared frustration turned into a national conference, and then into something bigger: a growing ecosystem for military-connected creators who are building something real. My role has always been to bring structure, vision, and long-term thinking. James brings lived experience, trust, and deep connection to the community. Together, we built something neither of us could have built alone.
Military Creator Con exists because the community deserved more than scattered resources and surface-level support. It deserved a home.
And we’re just getting started.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has it been a smooth road? Not even close.
Building a conference is equal parts logistics and psychology. There are a thousand moving pieces, and every single one carries a quiet question underneath it: will this work? Will people show up? Will it be interesting? Will it actually deliver value for everyone in the room?
The hardest part hasn’t been the mechanics, although there are plenty of intricacies there. It’s the insecurity that comes with building something you care deeply about. When you’re creating a space for other people, especially a community you respect, the stakes feel personal. You want attendees to feel it was worth their time and investment. You want speakers to feel honored and supported. You want sponsors to feel aligned, not sold to. You want volunteers to feel proud to be part of it.
What I know is this: if everyone walks away saying, “That was amazing. I can’t wait until next year,” then we’ve succeeded. That’s the bar. And that’s the moment I imagine when the doubt creeps in, because I know exactly how I want this to feel when it’s done.
Sponsorship has been one of the biggest challenges. Not because people don’t want to support it, but because asking for involvement requires clarity, confidence, and trust. You’re not just asking for money. You’re asking someone to believe in a vision that’s still being built. That can feel vulnerable.
At the same time, it’s also been one of the most encouraging parts of the process. James’ relationships and credibility within the military community have opened doors, and more importantly, the community genuinely wants to support one another. Once people understand what we’re building and why, the response has been generous and sincere.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But it’s been meaningful. And every challenge has reinforced why this needed to exist in the first place.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work began in the jewelry world, where I specialized in a rare gemstone and built a company from zero to eight figures over eleven years, completely unleveraged. We were fully vertically integrated, with mining operations, five factories around the world, and nearly 780 retail doors carrying the line. It was intense, demanding, and one of the most extraordinary learning experiences of my life.
I wasn’t just building a brand. I was learning, daily, what it actually means to be an entrepreneur.
What I’m most proud of isn’t the scale, though that mattered. It’s the people. I spent time at the mines, working alongside miners and watching entire campos, whole towns, come together to celebrate holidays, share meals, and build something better for their families. Over time, I watched those pueblos grow from tin roofs and dirt floors into solid homes with real kitchens, the kind where you make the best café when someone comes to visit. Being connected to the prosperity of an entire community could sound daunting, but it never felt that way. I loved the people. I worked hard. And together, we built something meaningful.
On the creative side, I designed every piece myself, appeared on television as a guest designer, and navigated the public-facing side of a growing brand. I was honored with a JCK Jewelers Choice Award and previously named to Who’s Who of International Entrepreneurs. The recognition was gratifying, but it was never the part that mattered most.
What stayed with me were the women I met at trunk shows and personal appearances. They were curious, kind, enthusiastic, and generous with encouragement. Those conversations mattered. Each one pushed me to do better, even if it was something as simple as showing up with more presence, more care, or even just a bigger smile.
Being creative can be a lonely business. You make something, then send it out into the world, hoping it resonates enough that someone will choose it, value it, and spend their hard-earned money on it. That vulnerability never really goes away.
At this stage of my life, I still want to create, but in a different way. I want to build something that matters beyond a product. A movement. A community. A life filled with camaraderie, mentorship, and collaboration. That desire is what led me to where I am now.
I think I can do it.
And I know I’m just getting started
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The simplest answer is: show up.
Military Creator Con is built almost entirely by volunteers. People who believe in the mission and are willing to contribute time, talent, expertise, connections, or energy because they want this community to thrive. There’s no big machine behind it. It works because people care.
There are a few very real ways people can support and collaborate with us. Sponsorships and brand partnerships matter, not just financially, but because the right partners help us expand what’s possible for attendees, speakers, and creators. Collaboration matters too. We’re always open to working with people and organizations who align with our values and want to build something meaningful, not transactional.
But honestly, one of the most powerful forms of support is simply helping us get the word out. Word of mouth has been everything. The military-connected community is incredibly tight-knit, and when people share this with intention, it carries weight. That’s how momentum builds.
We’ve also been incredibly grateful for local support. Texans have shown up in a big way, including leaders like Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, a Marine veteran, who has opened his city and his venue to us. That kind of belief, that kind of welcome, sets the tone for the entire event and reinforces that this isn’t just a conference passing through. It’s something the community is proud to host.
At the end of the day, supporting Military Creator Con doesn’t require a specific title or role. If you see value in what we’re building, there’s room for you. Jump in where you can. Share it. Contribute. Collaborate. Advocate.
That collective effort is what’s making this possible
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.militarycreatorcon.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/militarycreatorcon
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/militarycreatorcon/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@militarycreatorcon
