The Little Market's Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla Share How Motherhood Has Inspired Them

What better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than surrounded by over 100 women?

Such was the inspiration for Lauren Conrad and Hannah Skvarla, co-founders of The Little Market, a non-profit marketplace for fair trade goods from artisans around the world.

“This day has an extra special meaning to me,” says Conrad, 33, who, with Skvarla, gathered the group of women for an intimate lunch at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica on Wednesday. “It’s a day for us to acknowledge the accomplishments we’ve made and the things we still want to achieve.”

Adds Skvarla: “International Women’s Day is a reminder to celebrate those who fought before us to pave the way for our right to vote, our right to autonomy over our bodies, our right to self-determination. With that celebration comes the recognition of a responsibility to carry forward their work and not take any of it for granted.”

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Friends like Haylie Duff, Sarah Olsen Wright and JoAnna Garcia Swisher enjoyed Casamigos cocktails, Pressed Juicery juice and treats from Sweet Laurel Bakery as they listened to breathtaking musical performances by MILCK, Kina Grannis and Leah James. Guests were also able to partake in an aura reading photo booth by Auragami.

In just five years, The Little Market has expanded from helping eight artisan groups in five countries to 68 female artisan groups in over 28 countries.

And now that both Conrad and Skvarla are mothers (Conrad has 19-month-old Liam with husband William Tell; Skvarla has 4-year-old Liora and 9-month-old Luca with husband Ryan), the pair feel even more inspired to do good.

“Becoming mothers has motivated us to work harder,” says Conrad. “A lot of the artisans we work with are trying to support their families and we understand that there is nothing more important than the well-being of your children.”

Says Skvarla: “We have a responsibility to help other moms. We want to do everything we can to help break the cycle of poverty for women so their children can have better and brighter futures.”