#creativemorningslisbon

On Friday, March 21st, despite the remnants of a major storm that had swept through Lisbon just days prior, our creative community gathered in full force at Impact Hub Penha de Franca for an inspiring session of CreativeMornings Lisbon. The morning was filled with energy, connection, and creativity, setting the stage for a memorable event.

The session kicked off with a lively performance by SwayRow, whose unique blend of funk got everyone in the mood to embrace the day.

Following the music, our brand new hosts, Truth and Laurine, introduced the CreativeMornings concept and their ideas to expand and ehance the events, bringing fresh enthusiasm to the gathering.

We were also delighted to receive a heartfelt video message from the New York Headquarters, wishing our Lisbon team well as we embark on this new stage of our journey.

This month’s global theme was "Parallel," and we couldn’t have asked for better speakers to embody the concept than the brothers Zaciu (”za-choo”), Sergio and Oliver, the creative minds behind ImmigrantFoodie, a popular Lisbon restaurant review handle on Instagram (30,000 followers).

Their presentation took us on a winding journey through their experiences in filmmaking, food, and the immigrant hustle, illustrating how creativity often flourishes in the spaces between different worlds.

The brothers shared their personal stories and insights, emphasizing the importance of continuous growth: "Be great at your thing, but never stop learning."

When it comes to unlocking your own innate storytelling capability, they advised, "Find the things that make you laugh - that's your voice. Everyone has one."

What makes your perspective authentic to you can be found in the things that you find funny and entertaining, highlighting the importance of laughter and play in keeping the creative fires burning!

In a world brimming with ideas, they encouraged us not to hold too tightly to a single concept: "Don't cling to one idea. Create more. Let the best rise to the top."

They concluded with a powerful reminder that "Good ideas don't die, they just circle back," reinforcing the notion that creativity is a cyclical process, with timing at play for many of the best ideas. If something doesn't work right now, it doesn't mean it never will. Stick a pin in those ideas and you might just find there's an opportunity for them later!

As the event concluded, it was clear that the Zaciu brothers had left a lasting impression on all attendees. Their insights into the immigrant experience and the creative process resonated deeply, encouraging everyone to reflect on their own parallel paths.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on that grey and rainy morning, demonstrating that even in challenging times, our community comes together to celebrate creativity and connection.

On Friday, March 21st, despite the remnants of a major storm that had swept through Lisbon just days prior, our creative community gathered in full force at Impact Hub Penha de Franca for an inspiring session of CreativeMornings Lisbon. The morning was filled with energy, connection, and creativity, setting the stage for a memorable event.

The session kicked off with a lively performance by SwayRow, whose unique blend of funk got everyone in the mood to embrace the day.

Following the music, our brand new hosts, Truth and Laurine, introduced the CreativeMornings concept and their ideas to expand and ehance the events, bringing fresh enthusiasm to the gathering.

We were also delighted to receive a heartfelt video message from the New York Headquarters, wishing our Lisbon team well as we embark on this new stage of our journey.

This month’s global theme was "Parallel," and we couldn’t have asked for better speakers to embody the concept than the brothers Zaciu (”za-choo”), Sergio and Oliver, the creative minds behind ImmigrantFoodie, a popular Lisbon restaurant review handle on Instagram (30,000 followers).

Their presentation took us on a winding journey through their experiences in filmmaking, food, and the immigrant hustle, illustrating how creativity often flourishes in the spaces between different worlds.

The brothers shared their personal stories and insights, emphasizing the importance of continuous growth: "Be great at your thing, but never stop learning."

When it comes to unlocking your own innate storytelling capability, they advised, "Find the things that make you laugh - that's your voice. Everyone has one."

What makes your perspective authentic to you can be found in the things that you find funny and entertaining, highlighting the importance of laughter and play in keeping the creative fires burning!

In a world brimming with ideas, they encouraged us not to hold too tightly to a single concept: "Don't cling to one idea. Create more. Let the best rise to the top."

They concluded with a powerful reminder that "Good ideas don't die, they just circle back," reinforcing the notion that creativity is a cyclical process, with timing at play for many of the best ideas. If something doesn't work right now, it doesn't mean it never will. Stick a pin in those ideas and you might just find there's an opportunity for them later!

As the event concluded, it was clear that the Zaciu brothers had left a lasting impression on all attendees. Their insights into the immigrant experience and the creative process resonated deeply, encouraging everyone to reflect on their own parallel paths.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on that grey and rainy morning, demonstrating that even in challenging times, our community comes together to celebrate creativity and connection.

Magical Morning ✨

Last Friday, March 21st, we gathered at Impact Hub in Penha de França for a morning filled with inspiration, creativity, and connection. ☕️ This event was extra special as it marked the hosting debut of Truth and Laurine, who brought their own energy and chemistry to the stage!

We were thrilled to welcome our first-ever guest musician, Sway Row, whose melodies set the perfect tone for the morning. And let’s not forget our incredible first parallel coupled speakers, the renowned restaurant critics behind ImmigrantFoodie, who dished out wisdom alongside insights on food, culture, and storytelling. 

This is just a sneak peek! Stay tuned for the full blog post coming soon, packed with more highlights and reflections.

📸 More moments, more smiles, more magic—our Flickr page is about to get a serious glow-up! Keep an eye out for the full album dropping soon on https://bit.ly/MorningAlbum

Keep an eye on our instagram https://bit.ly/InstaMornings

Photography: Violetta Pelts

On February 14, in the heart of Lisbon, we gathered not just to celebrate love, but to honor a deeper kind of love — love for humanity. At the center of this gathering stood Isabel Jonet, a leading voice in social impact in Portugal, sharing her journey of giving and generosity.

As president of the Portuguese Federation of Food Banks Against Hunger and the Lisbon Food Bank, Isabel has dedicated decades to fighting food insecurity. Under her leadership, Portugal’s Food Bank network has grown to 21 banks, driven by an innovative management model that prioritizes efficiency and process optimization. Her impact extends beyond Portugal, inspiring similar initiatives in Angola, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.

Isabel began with a simple yet profound message: We are part of a whole. Every action we take, every word we share, and every initiative we support contributes to something greater than ourselves. “Be connected to build a better world,” she urged, emphasizing how technology and digital platforms are transforming the way we engage with social causes.

With each slide, she painted a vision of giving not as a singular act, but as a cycle—a movement that grows through awareness, participation, and shared responsibility. She posed a question to the audience: What is my role in the world? It wasn’t rhetorical; it was an invitation. A challenge to reflect on our responsibilities as citizens, as individuals with skills and resources, and as people capable of making a difference.

One of Isabel´s most remarkable achievements is the Food Bank’s online campaign. In just one week, it united 4,000 donors, collected 150 tons of food, and raised €190,000 across 91 countries. But beyond the numbers, it was proof that even the smallest actions—clicks, shares, and donations—can create ripples of change.

Beyond food donations, Isabel is a fierce advocate for volunteerism. Her energy was infectious as she spoke about Bolsa do Voluntariado, Portugal’s largest volunteering platform with over 700,000 registered volunteers, and Volunteerbook, a Facebook-integrated application that amplifies the reach and impact of volunteering through social networks.

"To give a hand, you just have to move a finger," she reminded us.

As she reached her final slide, she left us with a question that lingered long after the event ended: What mark do we want to leave?

Isabel´s talk was more than an inspiring keynote—it was a call to action. A reminder that each of us has the power to connect, share ideas, and do more. And as we stepped out into the Lisbon morning, we carried with us not just her words, but a renewed sense of purpose.

Because love for humanity isn’t something we celebrate just one day a year. It’s something we build—together—every single day.

Photography: Matej Simko 

O tema de outubro foi escolhido pelo capítulo de Cleveland, e quando soubemos que íamos andar em MOVIMENTO, soubemos que tínhamos de nos movimentar em grupo. Assim, nasceu o primeiro evento nacional CreativeMornings, com Porto e Lisboa lado a lado.

E só poderiam vir coisas boas da união de duas comunidades muito criativas. Logo para começar tivemos a DJ Tété Funky Leaf que nos trouxe boa música, muito Groove e boa disposição. E depois foi tempo de descansar e relaxar numa aula de Yoga com a Marta Afonso.

Dois momentos divertidos que antecederam a nossa oradora: Inês Ponte Grancha. Enquanto primeira mulher a ganhar um campeonato de rali em Portugal, a Inês está sempre em movimento. Um movimento perpetuo entre três profissões que exigem muita criatividade: Copiloto, Fisioterapeuta e Mãe.

A entrada no mundo dos ralis foi feita pelas mãos do pai.  Se no início o trabalho foi feito para o lugar de Piloto, o destino ditou que seria como Copiloto que o futuro se iria escrever. Esta é uma tarefa difícil que exige muito estudo, precisão, atenção e comunicação constante.

“O que eu digo tem que causar uma reação por parte do piloto, por isso não posso dizer algo que ele nunca tenha ouvido ou que não saiba o que significa”.

No meio disto tudo, a nossa convidada move-se num mundo maioritariamente de homens. O universo dos Ralis em Portugal, e mesmo a nível mundial, é masculino e tal apresenta desafios acrescidos para todas as mulheres que queiram ingressar neste mundo. Realçando este facto, a Inês relembrou o momento em que recebeu o convite para ingressar uma das melhores equipas de Ralis do Campeonato Português.  Um convite que foi um misto de reconhecimento pelo seu trabalho, mas também como jogada de Marketing e Publicidade. O talento da nossa convidada provou que não há distinções de género, apenas engenho, trabalho e muita dedicação.

Inês Ponte Grancha reconhece que o trabalho de Copiloto é muito exigente e normalmente feito a tempo inteiro, mas não podia deixar de lado duas outras paixões: a fisioterapia e a maternidade.

Como consegue conciliar tudo? Nas palavras da própria deve o seu sucesso à vontade de querer provar a si própria que era capaz; à família que é a sua base e estrutura de apoio; à separação constante entre as três profissões e foco total na que está a exercer naquele exato momento; a nunca ter sido demasiado ambiciosa ou passado por cima de alguém; e ao facto de se ter mantido sempre positiva, mesmo quando tudo desmorona.

“Nos momentos difíceis temos que nos agarrar sempre ao que é bom.”

Foi um evento divertido, sempre em movimento e cheio de boas surpresas. Um evento que não teria acontecido sem os nossos parceiros: o Veloculture que tão bem nos recebeu; a Senzu, oBean’Go, a Trindade Pão Artesanal, o Shoyce, o abcoffee, a Honest e a Greenalyn por nos alimentarem com um pequeno-almoço fantástico; ao Gerador, Porto Canal e Rádio Portuense que nos fazem chegar mais longe.

O próximo evento é já no próximo dia 13 de novembro e vai ser muito radical. Inscrevam-se! Até lá sigam-nos na vossa plataforma favorita: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Flickr ou Spotify.

Texto: Mariana Monteiro