Simple Pin Podcast: Using Pinterest as a Lookbook for an Event & Creating Unique Experiences
Host: Kate Ahl
Guest: Ellen Yin (Cubicle to CEO, former Mrs. Oregon America)
Date: February 18, 2026
Overview
In this engaging episode, host Kate Ahl welcomes Ellen Yin of Cubicle to CEO to discuss the power of unique experiences in entrepreneurship, the innovative use of Pinterest as a collaborative event-planning tool, and the importance of building intentional business communities. Ellen shares insights from her unconventional journey through pageantry, her experience hosting the Bloom Together event, and her company's major 2026 pivot to a subscriber-supported premium podcast model. The episode is rich with actionable takeaways for business owners looking to expand creatively and connect more deeply with their audiences.
Key Topics & Insights
1. Embracing Unique Life Experiences as an Entrepreneur
- Ellen’s Pageant Journey (02:02–04:26)
- Ellen describes her spontaneous dive into pageantry and how it paralleled her entrepreneurial spirit.
- Quote:
“Part of my approach to life is like, let me collect as many unique memories as possible. And so I always like to put unique experiences on my bucket list. And so this just ended up being one of them.” — Ellen (03:12)
- Business Parallels with Pageantry (04:51–07:03)
- Pageantry and entrepreneurship both center around storytelling, showing up for your cause, and networking.
- Skills from each environment enhance the other, especially with public speaking and adaptability.
- Quote:
“A lot of the skills that I learned through entrepreneurship... really came into play in the pageant world as well. And if anything, the pageant world added to my skills.” — Ellen (05:26)
2. Pinterest as an Event Lookbook & Collaborative Tool
- Addressing a Common Pain Point: ‘What Do I Wear?’ (08:00–09:02)
- Ellen created and shared a Pinterest board to visually communicate the dress code and set the tone for her Bloom Together event.
- Quote:
“I just don’t think a lot of people would have even put together to share a Pinterest, I guess, lookbook.” — Kate (08:52)
- Why Pinterest? (09:02–11:38)
- Chose Pinterest for its ease of curating and sharing visual inspiration over more cumbersome options.
- Ellen envisions taking it further by making future boards editable for attendee contributions, enhancing community spirit.
- Quote:
“Pinterest is just such a great way to crowdsource ideas and for people to feel like they’re co-creating something... it kind of makes it feel more like a community effort, which was the entire point of Bloom Together.” — Ellen (10:40)
- Organic Community Contribution (11:38–12:53)
- Attendees began sharing their outfit plans, which deepened the sense of collaboration before the event even began.
3. The Power of Intentional Community in Events
- Diversity and Networking at Bloom Together (13:55–16:50)
- Attendees spanned industries: brick-and-mortar, e-commerce, media, academia, real estate, and more.
- Diversity of backgrounds fostered richer idea exchange and creativity.
- Quote:
“I really think that was a strength of our event... to bring together a diversity of people at future events.” — Ellen (16:39)
4. Business Model Pivots: Moving to a Premium Podcast Community
- Rationale for a Paid Podcast Model (19:07–25:08)
- Sustaining and enhancing the podcast means moving from a free to a subscriber-supported show.
- Ellen’s team invited loyal listeners to join a paid waitlist to co-create aspects of the relaunch, such as artwork.
- Quote:
“How do we work with our listeners to co-create a product?... How do we create an even better experience for our listeners so they truly feel like every episode is like a masterclass?” — Ellen (22:50)
- Why Own Your Audience? (25:08–28:41)
- In the age of AI and shifting algorithms, owning your platform (versus renting it via social) increasingly matters.
- A private podcast community creates richer dialogue and more intentional connection.
- Quote:
“We want to pull that back into the inner fold of those who are invested, those who want to build with me and those who want to have a more intimate part of that story.” — Kate (25:26)
- Intentional Community Building (28:41–31:36)
- Both Kate and Ellen reflect on the creative freedom, stability, and engagement that private communities offer, compared to social media's unpredictability.
5. Thinking Like an Asset Owner: Business Longevity & Wealth
- Business as an Asset (31:36–32:45)
- Ellen recommends thinking beyond day-to-day operations—strategize for business valuation and personal wealth.
- Quote:
“I think having your own community is one of those assets where it’s like I own control… Anytime you can move something into an asset that you own, it’s a smart move for your business.” — Ellen (32:27)
- Challenging Listeners for 2026 (33:47–36:57)
- Venture outside your business “bubble” for inspiration—try new experiences, hobbies, or communities.
- Develop a personal wealth strategy—move business profits into long-term investments.
- Quote:
“So I would really challenge anybody listening to either go for a bucket list experience, right?... getting into different communities, trying new skills, whatever it may be, it keeps you on your toes and… expands your creativity.” — Ellen (34:00)
Most Memorable Quotes
-
“Let me collect as many unique memories as possible.”
— Ellen (03:12) -
“Pinterest is such a great way to crowdsource ideas and for people to feel like they’re co-creating something.”
— Ellen (10:40) -
“When you kind of create your own, as you said before, like sacred space... it’s a totally different thing.”
— Ellen (30:10) -
“Any time you can move something into an asset that you own, it’s a smart move for your business.”
— Ellen (32:27) -
“So I would really challenge anybody listening to either go for a bucket list experience... learn a new skill or join a community... outside of business.”
— Ellen (34:00)
Notable Moments & Timestamps
- The Serendipity and Impact of Pageantry (02:02–04:26)
- Bloom Together Event Planning and Pinterest Lookbook (08:00–11:38)
- Community Threads & Attendee Outfit Sharing (11:38–12:53)
- Fashion as an Icebreaker & Deeper Networking (14:04–16:50)
- Pivoting to a Subscription Podcast — The Why and the How (19:07–25:08)
- Experimentation with a Paid Waitlist (23:30–25:08)
- Discussion on the Need for Owned Communities in 2026 (25:08–31:36)
- Advice on Treating Your Business as an Asset (31:36–32:45)
- 2026 Challenge — Seek Inspiration & Build Wealth (33:47–36:57)
How to Connect with Ellen Yin
- Newsletter: CEO Standup — Weekly case studies & business lessons
- Instagram: @cubicletoceo (podcast & business) | @ms.ellenyin (personal/investments)
- Waitlist/Subscription: Links in show notes
Actionable Takeaways
- For Event Planners:
Use Pinterest to visually communicate event themes and encourage collaboration through editable boards. - For Business Owners:
Get outside of your niche—attend diverse events, study other industries, and look for cross-pollination of ideas. - For Creators:
Own your platform and foster intentional communities for greater engagement—and future business value. - For All Listeners:
Treat your business as an asset. Make time for unique life experiences—they’ll fuel your creativity and longevity.
This episode is a masterclass in creative thinking and intentional community-building, blending practical tips with inspiring stories about stepping out of your comfort zone—both in life and in business.