If you’re not yet familiar with Cash & Rocket and find yourself in Palm Beach on April 25, you will be soon. Thirty red sports cars, driven by over 70 women from across the world, all dressed in red, will roll onto the island for a car show and evening fundraising event at Palm House, sponsored by UBS International.
Founded in 2011 by Julie Brangstrup, the platform brings together a global network of women across industries, using a highly visible road trip format to raise funds and awareness for charities supporting women and children, all while building a sense of community. Since its founding, Cash & Rocket has raised over $6.6 million, with 100 percent of funds from driving teams and auctions going directly to its partner charities.
The U.S. tour kicks off this week, running from April 23 to 26 across four cities in the Southeast. The route begins in Charleston, continues through Savannah and Jacksonville, moves on to Palm Beach, and concludes in Miami on April 26 with a final fundraising event in the Design District.
Ahead of the event, PALMER spoke with its founder about the thinking behind it all, from the symbolism of the red cars to the reality of building a global community of women working toward a shared philanthropic goal.
Alicia Pestalozzi: I would love to start with the red cars. It’s such a strong visual. What does red represent for you?
Julie Brangstrup: I remember watching the movie “The Woman in Red” as a kid. She walked into a venue in this red dress, and I just thought, “Wow.” Even if she might not have felt secure on the inside, it didn’t show. That red dress made a bold statement, saying, “Here I am, now watch, I’ve got this.” And so I thought, you know what? We’re all going to wear red. And the funny thing is, it is powerful. When you see women all wearing red, the T-shirt or the jumpsuit, and the cars coming together, you notice it much more than if you had 30 supercars in different colors.
And it looks good. I’m very visual. We do a style guide for every day and evening, and I love that part. Every lunch, every dinner has a different creative element, different speakers, different themes. You come away thinking those four days were so inspirational. You’ve learned about wellness, finance, tech, whatever the focus is. And you’ve connected.
AP: You’ve built something that is both a community and a platform. How do you think of it?
JB: You don’t have to be into cars. The cars are just the platform. We’re bringing together sport, fashion, experience, and social impact. When people buy cars now, it’s not just about status. It’s about experience and community. And that’s what we’re doing. You can come into it through different angles. Some are interested in sport, some in fashion, some in the social impact. It gives women different ways to connect, and it gives brands a way to engage with that. It’s an experience you can’t really access otherwise.
AP: What does that experience feel like for the women on the tour?
JB: They take four days away from work, from their children, their lives, to really give back, connect, and learn. And that commitment is what makes it meaningful. The dinners and conversations are so important. I always say, I want them to stand up afterwards and go, “Wow, I had no idea.” You come back, even at my age, and you’re still learning. There’s nothing better than that, new insights, different views, a new way of understanding something. The goal is that they leave with that and also with new friendships they wouldn’t have had otherwise.
Julie Brangstrup
AP: There’s also an element of women supporting women, which feels very real here.
JB: It creates that realness. Life isn’t perfect. If you can’t talk to your friends or your community and learn from each other and have each other’s back, then you’re missing something. When you see 70 women driving together into a city, all these red cars, it’s powerful. They’re there because they want to give back, but also because they want to learn from each other and be part of something. There was a study recently that said 45 percent of women in high positions feel lonely. They want to be part of a moment, a movement. We still don’t have equal opportunities, even now. So this is about coming together, not just for the charity work, but for each other.
AP: You’re also expanding that community beyond the tour.
JB: Yes, this year we’re launching a global app. It will be free. Women and girls can go on it, hear stories, follow what we’re doing with the charities, and find people who inspire them. It’s about guidance. You’ve just started your first job, what do you do next? Or you’re going through a tough time. The more open and trusting we can be with each other, the stronger that connection becomes.
AP: You’ve raised over $6.6 million for partner charities. How do you stay connected to the ones you support?
JB: We visit the charities. That’s very important to me. Sumbandila in South Africa is one we’ve supported for years. They find incredibly intelligent children, often with no support system, and give them education all the way to university. But it’s not just education. It’s nutrition, healthcare, a home, a family. I’ve seen the children go through the program and now they’re in great, fulfilling jobs. That’s why we do this. You’re not just changing one life. You’re changing a whole community. Once they make it, they go back and help others in their villages.
AP: And the women involved in Cash & Rocket see that firsthand?
JB: Yes, absolutely. Every year we go, and the women are invited. We always say, bring your children, show them what you’ve done. I’ve brought my children every year. The children also have to fundraise to come on the trip, which is important, because they understand what it means. Last year my daughter brought her friends from school. They all had to raise money themselves, and they were so proud of it. My daughter did this sale on the street, it was hilarious, but they were so committed. And then when they arrive and see where the money goes, it becomes very real.
For me, it’s also very personal. I have six children, so to take one child at a time and go on that trip together, just the two of you, is very special. You get that one-on-one time, and you create memories. I took my son, and we ended up going on safari together. Those moments, you don’t forget them. And for the women, it’s the same. They see exactly where the money is going, who it is helping, what the communities look like. That transparency is very important to me. I don’t want to just hand over money. I want to see the end result, meet the children, follow the process. When you see it, when you really witness the impact over time, it changes everything.
AP: How does the fundraising work?
JB: Each of the 30 teams fundraises individually through their own platform. Then we have a silent auction and a live auction at the end. All of that money goes directly to the charities. We don’t hold it. We are the fundraising platform that brings everything together.
AP: How do you choose the women who participate?
JB: It’s about a mix. Different industries, personalities, nationalities. I don’t want everyone from one place. About 50 percent are new every year. We grow through the network. We ask women to introduce others. That’s how the community expands. They often become very close. They support each other through everything. Work, divorce, children, life. They live in different places, but they stay connected. They go on holidays together. They become godmothers to each other’s children. It’s a sisterhood. You have that at school, then you lose it a bit, and this brings it back. There’s nothing better than watching women uplifting each other. And also, being honest. If someone is vulnerable, that’s not weakness. That’s strength. Life is not perfect, and it never will be. You learn from each other’s journeys.
AP: You’ve mentioned in the past that you test the route yourself. Do you actually go and drive it in advance?
JB: Yes, twice. I go and test the whole route two times. That’s how much I like driving!
AP: Are you driving as well during the tour?
JB: Every time. I mean, I do fly ahead sometimes to check what’s happening, but when I’m in the car, I drive. I’m such a control freak, I never let my co-pilot drive. She just has to be good at the music and navigate, and I’ll take care of the rest.
AP: What are you most looking forward to on this U.S. route?
JB: I’m excited to show Charleston. A lot of Europeans have never been. It’s changed so much, it’s beautiful. And each city is very different. You feel that shift every day. Palm Beach especially has a great energy right now. I’m excited for people to see that. In Miami, we’re closing down the Design District. All the cars will be on display from midday into the evening, with a DJ and a live auction. It will be a big moment.
AP: How do you describe what happens when you arrive in a city?
JB: I always say we create controlled chaos. All the cars, everything in red. It’s bold, it’s visible. But it’s structured and it has meaning. That’s what makes it work.
