We had the good fortune of connecting with Lee Boyles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lee, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
I am healthy and happy and so is my family I am proud of my work as a mother
I will be a great wife, have a great life, and always help those in need
I am grateful, thankful and powerful with God as my leader

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am very determined and rarely take no for an answer. My mother always said “what is the worst they can say….no? They may say yes, but you will never know if you do not ask”. I feel that if you are friendly and provide value, the answer is usually yes. You just have to learn how to ask. Fundraising can be fun raising! My event is still small but growing each year. How long will my Bubbles & Ballgowns go on? I am not sure but my goal is to raise a minimum of $100K! Don’t want to do all the work but want to have a good time? Ladies; dress up, grab a ticket and come watch as Dj Shleep (@notshleep) rocks the runway for our 20 models this year! Always looking for sponsors and amazing auction items! Check us out on Instagram @Bubbles.and.Ballgowns.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Any trip would start with a coffee in my quaint town of El Segundo! We have four coffee shops so there is choice. Then we would most likely head to the beach on electric bikes and let the wind, sun and sand relax our cares away. We definitely would have “bubbles” or a mocktail, and a juicy steak or seafood at the new Porterhouse restaurant. The rest of the week might include trips to neighboring cities for music and comedy. I also love thrifting, consignment boutiques and flea markets….so friends may get dragged along!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The love and security that comes from my children and family has definitely motivated and enabled me to create my non profit Bubbles & Ballgowns. My biggest supporter of the last 57 years however is my mother Sue Bartlett. Mom is 90 and still walking to town, gathering with friends and gardening! Growing up Mom never pushed me into anything. She allowed me to choose my activities. I believe her thought process was to let me find my own way without the pressure of expectations. Many times as an adult I questioned this method. It often felt like I was meandering down a path with no roadmap. Why am I not more driven? Why do I not know what I am supposed to do? What is my purpose?
I had a purpose but it was not to be realized until I kept asking myself, how can I have fun and give back at the same time? Sounded like an immature plan!
I have always loved music and fashion. Scouring the pages of Vogue and Cosmopolitan magazines, I would practice different make up looks and get clothing ideas. I landed a job as a young makeup artist by bluffing my way through an interview at Nordstrom! That was the start of an obsession with all things beauty and fashion.
I was the kid with the OG mixtapes for all my friends. I was always creating playlists for good times. As I aged, I created parties for the ladies and threw in a philanthropy element. After telling a friend that I dreamed of a public event complete with a fashion show, dj and silent auction….she donated her retail space and Bubbles & Ballgowns was born in 2019! It has since grown into a 200 person event and I am able to give proceeds to a different charity of my choice each year. This year’s recipient is childhood cancer organization CJ’s Smile. Stephanie Delfosse created this non profit after the passing of her son CJ, to give financial support and gifts to families and children struggling with cancer, in hopes of bringing smiles to their faces. This year’s event will be 11/30 in El Segundo Ca. and tickets will be on sale at Eventbrite.com starting 9/30. It makes my heart swell with happiness and pride that I have found a fun purpose that helps others.

Instagram: Bubbles.and.Ballgowns

Other: Bubblesandballgowns@gmail.com

Image Credits
@lucibeautyofficial, @Msbeautynbliss

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.