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Kendra is a passionate food enthusiast and lifestyle blogger based in Santa Cruz. As a real estate agent by day, she navigates the vibrant Santa Cruz real estate scene, but her true passion lies in creating delicious recipes and hosting unforgettable gatherings in the midst of the stunning Redwood social scene.
Kendra Thompson is a creative entrepreneur, designer, storyteller, media personality, and community builder based in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. She is the founder of Create with Kendra, Redwood Social, co-founder of the Thompson & Young Real Estate Team, and an equity partner and strategic advisor at SLAY the USA.
Known for her warm, elevated approach to gathering, design, food, travel, and hospitality, Kendra has built a loyal audience by sharing the things she loves most: beautiful homes, meaningful experiences, garden-to-table cooking, and the people who inspire them.
What began as a passion for creating has grown into a multifaceted lifestyle brand reaching thousands through recipes, entertaining, home design, gardening, travel, media, and community-focused events.
Through Create with Kendra, Kendra shares recipes, entertaining ideas, gardening inspiration, travel experiences, and interior design projects that encourage others to slow down, gather often, and create beauty in everyday life.
Her work is rooted in a simple belief: the most meaningful moments happen around a table, in a garden, within a home, or through experiences shared with the people we love.
In 2026, Kendra launched her original series, A Seat in the Kitchen — a food, travel, and storytelling show that explores the people who bring us together around the table.
The series follows Kendra as she cooks alongside chefs, visits farms, wineries, restaurants, and unique destinations, and uncovers the stories behind exceptional food and hospitality experiences.
Whether she’s harvesting ingredients from a garden, creating a seasonal dish with a chef, exploring regenerative agriculture, or discovering hidden travel destinations, each episode offers viewers an invitation to pull up a chair and experience the people, places, and stories that make life richer.
Kendra is also the founder of Redwood Social, a growing women’s community built around connection, creativity, and shared experiences.
Through intimate culinary gatherings, sourdough workshops, etiquette dinners, seasonal celebrations, retreats, and educational events, Redwood Social has become known for creating thoughtfully curated experiences that bring women together in authentic and meaningful ways.
What started as a small idea quickly evolved into a thriving community rooted in friendship, learning, and belonging.
As a licensed California Realtor® and co-founder of the Thompson & Young Team, Kendra combines her passion for design, marketing, storytelling, and project management to help clients prepare, market, and transform homes.
Her background in interior design allows her to see potential where others see challenges, helping homeowners create spaces that are both beautiful and functional while maximizing value.
Working alongside veteran Realtor April Young, Kendra specializes in helping clients throughout Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties navigate buying, selling, renovating, and investing with confidence.
Beyond her own businesses, Kendra is passionate about helping brands grow through strategic partnerships, storytelling, content creation, events, and experiential marketing.
In 2026, she became an equity partner and strategic advisor to SLAY the USA, one of the fastest-growing female-focused media and visibility platforms in the country.
Her role focuses on sponsorship development, experiential strategy, event growth, and helping build opportunities that elevate female entrepreneurs, creators, and business leaders.
As SLAY the USA continues to expand nationally, Kendra is proud to be part of a female-led ownership group committed to creating visibility, connection, and meaningful opportunities for women across industries.
Before entrepreneurship, Kendra built her career in investigative work, conducting background investigations for law enforcement agencies before transitioning into high-level response operations within the technology sector.
That experience developed the strategic thinking, attention to detail, and disciplined execution that continue to shape her businesses today.
It also taught her that the strongest brands, homes, communities, and experiences are built on trust.
At the center of everything Kendra creates is a simple philosophy:
Life is meant to be shared.
Whether through a thoughtfully designed home, a beautiful meal, a conversation around the table, a community gathering, a travel experience, or a story worth telling, Kendra believes the most meaningful moments happen when people come together.
Her mission is to create spaces, experiences, and stories that inspire connection, celebrate beauty, and remind us that the best things in life are often the ones shared with others.
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