With Mari Launches Founder Field Trips, a New Kind of Experience for Female
The Californer/10355810

LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. - Californer -- With Mari, founded by marketing strategist and entrepreneur Mari Milenkovic, is launching Founder Field Trips, a new series of intimate experiences designed to help female founders step outside their routines, gain fresh perspective, and connect with other entrepreneurs.

The first Founder Field Trip takes place Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Old Towne Orange, California, with attendance limited to six founders.

The concept grew from Milenkovic's experience hosting founder retreats in Lake Como, Italy, where she saw how stepping away from business creates space for new ideas, stronger relationships, and renewed enthusiasm for entrepreneurship.

"Founders spend so much time inside their businesses making decisions and thinking about what comes next," said Milenkovic. "Founder Field Trips create a reason to step outside that routine and come back to your business with a different perspective."

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A Business Field Trip Through Old Towne Orange

The day begins with coffee and intention setting in the Orange Circle before moving through a series of curated experiences with local businesses and entrepreneurs.

Participants will attend a private screen printing workshop at Casa Lulo, where each founder will design and print a piece to take home.

The group will then join Elizabeth Mahoney, founder of Care x Elm, for a Style Discovery Walk through women owned vintage and boutique shops. Mahoney's styling experience includes years with Ralph Lauren in New York.

Stops include Full Circle Marketplace, operated by The Hub OC nonprofit, where purchases help fund free after school care through the Youth Centers of Orange.

The day concludes with lunch at Gabbi's Mexican Kitchen, where local founders will join the group for conversations about entrepreneurship and business building.

"The goal is real access," said Milenkovic. "You are walking through businesses with the people who built them and hearing the stories behind what you see. Those conversations can give you lessons you can apply to your own business the next morning."

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Designed for Meaningful Connection

With only six participants, Founder Field Trips are built around genuine conversation and connection. Every detail is planned, including the workshop, guided style experience, coffee, lunch, and itinerary.

Participants leave with something they created, new connections, insights from other business owners, and a fresh perspective on their own work.

Event Details

Founder Field Trip: Old Towne Orange, CA

Wednesday, September 23, 2026
9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Old Towne Orange, California
Six seats available
$497 per person
https://luma.com/4pduftrp