Yes, This Might Get Weird—Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart On What It's Like to Work With Your Best Friend

We caught up with Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart hosts of the This Might Get Weird podcast, who also happen to be New York Times best-selling author’s, Youtube OG’s and best friends to talk about their upcoming tour, how to turn roadblocks into open doors, what it’s like working with your best friend, and the weirdest things to happen on the pod. 

Photo: @Atwes

Let’s start with introductions. Can you tell us a little about yourselves and gives us a rundown on what the This Might Get Weird podcast is?

MAMRIE: So, Grace and I are best friends who met each other over a decade ago in NYC. We were both put on a sketch team together at the People’s Improv Theater, but our friendship was really cemented after that ended. We both lived in the same neighborhood in Brooklyn and had a mutual love of bloody Marys and creating funny content for the internet. We’ve been besties/partners in creative endeavors ever since.

GRACE: With the podcast, we wanted to give people a little voyeristic look into what we catch up on when we aren’t rolling for an internet video or what we talk about for the thirty minutes over coffee before we dive into a video. don’t know what it is, but Grace and I have a natural tendency to get ourselves into strange situations.

MAMRIE: We also seek them out. Especially since we started the podcast. 

GRACE: So, now we go on our own solo adventures and, basically just live our lives, then come together once a week to catch the other one up over coffee. It’s a lot of belly laughs and shock and random tangents. 

MAMRIE: We call it an ‘hour of your week that you won’t completely hate.’ 

Can you tell us a little bit about TMGW’s origin story? I know there were a few iterations prior to what it is now, can you tell us a bit about that? And why you ultimately decided that a podcast was the medium you wanted to be using?

GRACE: TMGW was born out of a pivot. Mamrie and I got the opportunity to create a Monday to Friday digital series with a production company who brought us the idea and was also picking up the production costs. We wanted to be your 12-minute episode, weekday morning weird Kathy Lee and Hoda. 

MAMRIE: Hoda once told me I was hot but that’s beside the point. 

GRACE: It is. Basically, Mame and I busted our butts for eight months creating this show and trying to bring our pre-existing online audiences over to the party. While we had a loyal base, ultimately it wasn’t the numbers the production company wanted and we got the call that we weren’t gonna be filming anymore episodes. 

MAMRIE: But we also weren’t going to stop what momentum we had. Sure, the base was small but it was mighty. So that morning when we got the call, Grace was at my kitchen counter 30 minutes later, discussing ways to bounce back and also having a Moscow mule way too early to admit. We felt more fired up than fired. 

GRACE: So we decided to not skip a beat and turn ‘This Might Get’ into ‘This Might Get Weird’ the podcast, the next week. We owned the I.P. as executive producers so why not?

You definitely didn’t let your show being canceled slow you down. What advice do you have for people on how they can turn their roadblocks into new opportunities? 

MAMRIE: I’m a big believer in anything that’s worth doing is gonna take hard work. But there’s also something to be said about the path of least resistance. You might have the building blocks for something great, but they just need to be rearranged. Like ingredients in a dish. Put together the wrong way and it could be disgusting, a different way, it's delicious. Also, sorry, I've been binging Top Chef so it's on my brain.

Photo: @Atwes

You have known each other for a long time, what’s the best and the hardest part about working with your best friend? What advice would you give other women who are wanting to pursue a business endeavor with a friend? 

GRACE: Always get your own hotel rooms! 

MAMRIE: Ha. YES! When Grace and I were starting out touring with live shows, doing a travel series, going to conventions we were trying to scrape by and save money anyway we could. Most of the time this meant Grace graciously letting me take the pull out couch. But as soon as you can, make sure you can create literal personal space. 

GRACE: At the end of the day, you need to make sure that if shit hit the fan, you guys would still want to be friends. Working with your best friend is the best, but you still need to be friends first.

MAMRIE: Plus, audiences can smell bullshit, especially in comedy. Our podcast is about having fun with each other. If that isn’t there, people will feel it. Grace and I are in no means perfect. We're legit friends so, of course, we've had our ups and downs. On those down beats, we don't go on tour. We aren't in each others faces. We take a beat, work out our shit... and then can work together. You can't force it.

Let’s talk about your upcoming tour! Give us all the deets and what fans can expect from the show? 

MAMRIE: OH MAN. We are so excited to get back on the road. 

GRACE: Since our podcast isn’t formatted, it’s kind of impossible to go onstage two nights in a row and podcast for an hour. So we are making it a hybrid, part podcast, part stand up and only part-ly figured out so we need to get to work.

And finally, what’s the weirdest thing that has happened on the podcast?

GRACE: Mamrie accidentally pleasured a furry at CatCon a couple weeks ago. 

MAMRIE: Grace swallowed her nose ring twice, and accidentally drugged her self. Also, Devon Sawa has started directly responding to us via Twitter

GRACE: Mamrie left her vibrator at an airbnb last weekend.  And who knows what will happen on this tour. COME OUT! Seriously, its the perfect weird outing for you and your group of gals to have a couple cocktails and hear some tales. No previous knowledge needed.

Buy tickets to the TMGW Tour and prepare to laugh you a$$ off.

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1 in 7 Millennials Favor Company Values When Purchasing—Here's How to Build a Brand With a Purpose

Photo: Michael Kutach

When we buy into a brand today, we want to head home with so much more than just the physical product. We want the added knowledge that we’re also investing in the future of our world from reducing global waste to helping those in need. If this sounds like your buying habits too, well, you’re not alone. Data shows that “nearly seven in 10 U.S. Millennials actively consider company values when making a purchase.” We truly believe that brands who build purpose into their business plan are the future.

That’s why we were thrilled to hear about Yvonne Niami. The former real estate mogul (her father owned a construction company) turned fashion designer has been donating 10% of net proceeds from her brand n:philanthropy to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), the ASPCA, SPCALA, and other local animal charities for the past 15 years. Not only that, their entire office volunteers at the CHLA several times a year. “We close up the office and bring toys to the kids on the cancer floor,” she tells me. “It’s so rewarding. The lovely children, parents, and nurses are always so grateful. We are grateful to be able to volunteer and donate the way we do because of our customers who buy our product. We are so thankful for our consumers.  We couldn’t do this without them.”

So, how do you build charity into your brand and still make a profit? We tapped Niami to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how it’s done and why she felt driven to create a brand with a philanthropic mission.

How did you come up with the concept for n:philanthropy?

I donated to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, SPCALA, and ASPCA for many years before I started n:philanthropy. When I decided to start a fashion brand, I knew it had to have a give-back aspect and that its name should say this loud and clear. n:philanthropy gives back 10% of net proceeds to pediatric cancer research and animal abuse prevention.

Why did you feel driven to create a brand with a philanthropic mission?

I think every brand should give back to whatever cause they are passionate about. If they can’t give funds, they should volunteer their staff’s time. Close up shop for half a day once a month and go volunteer somewhere you feel strongly needs your help.

Source: Michael Kutach

Do you think there is a movement in the marketplace now? Have you seen the change in consumer behavior towards supporting brands with a purpose?

I definitely have and am so happy to see this movement. I think great brands like TOMS, Patagonia, and others have paved the way, but I love that n:philanthropy is the first edgy-cool brand to follow this trend. Our consumer likes to live their life, party a bit, drink tequila with their friends, but has a big heart and cares about the mission behind the brands they buy. They shop consciously and educate themselves on what these companies do to better our world.

How different is it creating a brand with a purpose?

For us, it was easy. Our entire team truly cares about giving back. Creating n:philanthropy with its give back component was a no brainer for us, we were already living that life, we just added fashion to it.

What were some of the initial struggles/challenges you had to overcome when building n:philanthropy?

Just like any new brand, there’s always a stage where you’re working to really get your company out there. In our first year, I couldn’t get people to stop calling us Philosophy. I love that beauty brand, but I was constantly reminding people that our brand is n:philanthropy not Philosophy. 

How did you structure your margins to include the charitable part and still be competitive?

We always try and hit 65% margins. This gives us room to sell to stores and have enough to donate.

What would you recommend to other brands/founders who want to make this part of their plan too?  

Find the charities you are passionate about. It has to start from there. It can be giving back to animal abuse and cancer, like us, or maybe it’s helping our veterans (another important and worthy cause) or helping to stop hunger, donating to environmental causes, etc. Find what’s near and dear to your heart and align with an organization you can give to, volunteer with, or both like we do.

What advice do you have for young founders starting a business today?

The most important thing is the base of where your business starts from. It has to be from your heart. If it starts from a super authentic place, you are already many steps ahead. 

What mistakes did you make along the way that you learned from or even benefited from?  

Oh yes, many mistakes and tons of learning curves. Anyone that tells you they started a business and there were no downfalls is lying. There’s always some struggles but hopefully nothing you can’t come back from. Just learn from it and move on.

Do you think every brand moving forward should have a philanthropic purpose? Share your thoughts and favorite value-driven brands below.

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“People Over Everything”—5 Small Business Owners Share Their Best Advice

In a world where pretty much anything can be monetized—AKA your passions, dreams, and talents turning into your latest career venture—it’s easy to forget the things that don’t have a price tag. Things like community, motivation, and advice. When you’re thinking of throwing in the towel or u-turning away from your goals, it’s the people who support you unconditionally that help you reconsider. It’s also the people that have been through similar scenarios who give the best advice. Starting a business can be daunting and thinking of where to begin can be exhausting.

So, we tapped the shoulders of five women who showcased their passion-turned small businesses at our Mastercard Small Business Marketplace in New York. We have been dying to know what their best piece of priceless advice is—read on for the inside scoop.

Q: What were some resources you found super helpful in launching your business?

Coco Dotson and Breezy Dotson, Founders of Coco & Breezy: “When we launched our business we started with less than $1000 dollars. We had just moved to New York to launch. Since we didn’t have any access to capital our biggest resource was the internet and sharing our brand story in the  rawest and authentic way.”

Teressa Foglia, Founder of Teressa Foglia: “My branding agency, Scout Lab. Finding an attorney and accountant who works with small businesses: Paco De Leon. A strong network for friends and agencies who can support you and be a sounding board for strategic planning. A community of like-minded brands to collaborate and co-promote with. I also attended and continue to attend workshops, panels, retreats and any events that can be educational or inspiring with industry leaders. Some of my favorites are hosted by Create & Cultivate, Soho House, The Assemblage, FashRev, Habitas, Neuehouse, The Wing, HER USA and Industry City.”

Kelsea Olivia Gaynor, Founder of East Olivia: “My most vital resources have consistently been women who I’ve either worked for previously or alongside launching my business. I believe in supporting one another as women, and surround myself with a community of peers and mentors who value sharing their successes and failures. This has continued to be a core priority as I grow my business. I have a tribe of people who hold me accountable for being the leader I've committed to beingbe, and consistently have to be willing to ask for support from that group when I move into unfamiliar areas, which happens quite often in growing a business.”
“When I heard Ginger Siegel, Head of North America Small Business, speak at Create & Cultivate—I knew immediately that she was someone I wanted to connect with. She was someone who I felt could provide insight as I financially planned East Olivia's future. I come from a background with limited financial education and experience, so asking for financial advice can feel daunting and intimidating. For me, it all feels like uncharted territory. However, each time I’ve pushed past my fears to ask important questions or for support in an area that felt overwhelming to me, I am always grateful I did.”

Bliss Lau, Founder of Bliss Lau: “When I first started my business I had no credit, so I had trouble getting financing to buy the supplies needed to fill my orders. I built my credit by getting a Mastercard, using the max and paying it off in full almost every month. Eventually, I was able to get a small business loan and a higher balance. Ultimately utilizing my credit allowed us to develop new products seasonally and expand without a huge financial risk or taking on investors.”

Michelle Cadore, Founder of YES I AM, Inc.: "My BBA in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management helped me in many practical ways, and I also learned about plenty of resources while working for NYC's Department of Small Business Services, but nothing beats real life experience. At the end of the day, you need capital to grow your business and thankfully my Mastercard helped pay for those start-up expenses.”

“Many people would never dare take this risk, but if you believe in what you have, and you pour your all into your business then no matter what happens you are already a success.”

— Michelle Cadore

Q: What’s your biggest business goal for the next year?

CD and BD: “Our biggest business goal is that we will raise our first round of funding to help scale our company and DTC business model. We are really excited to grow our team and to bring on great talent that can help build our big ideas. We’ve been bootstrapping since day one of our business.”

TF: “Sales growth. We’ve cultivated an amazing community and develop partnerships that are invaluable— that’s where our focus will always be and this year we’re adding wholesale growth and direct to consumer growth through our online experience.”

KOG: “My biggest goal for this year is to sustain our growth in a consistent and financially healthy way. Building our team of full time and part-time staff is a major part of this goal. As we grow our staff, my responsibilities to our staff grow exponentially. I am committed to hiring talented creatives and offering them the things they deserve like great salaries, quality health insurance, 401k's, and an amazing work environment. In order to accomplish and maintain those standards for my employees I am prioritizing profitable growth above and beyond those hard costs.”

BL: “I am working with all of my gemstone vendors and manufacturers to help them understand the value of respect to the environment and people especially women who are impacted by our products. Transparency is no longer an option it is a must, and I want to help my industry move forward with honesty and respect. It is not about disruption for us it’s about the partnership, shared goals and evolution.”  

MC: “By next year, I want YES I AM Clothing to be the signature clothing brand for empowerment and inspiration while earning $1M in sales.”

Q: What’s the most priceless piece of advice you could give to a new business owner?

CD and BD: “Continue to get to know yourself. In order to be a great leader and founder, you have to make sure you give yourself time to breathe, learn and grow as an individual. We all spend a lot of time working hard but it’s easy to burn out. I know the word self-care can be a little cliché and overused, but it is truly important. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Sometimes people have fears that people may just you from not knowing an answer. But always remember that everybody doesn’t know everything—you learn as you go.”

TF: “Do everything with passion,define your values, mission, and purpose in your brand strategy. Have the right team and agencies aligned with you? Once you have your vision set, don’t compromise your product or service for opportunities that deviate from who you are.”

KOG: “People over everything. Meaning. I believe that the success of my business, while in large part fueled by my passion and hard work, is dependent on the people who stand alongside me. I can only do so much myself. I am the spark, but in order to see my vision, goals, and dreams come to life  I need the right people in my corner. Whether it's your first hire, your mentor, or the freelancers you bring on project-by-project— the people you surround yourself with will directly impact the quality of your work, your ability to grow, and ultimately, the success of your business.”

BL: “Know yourself first. Truly diving into what your independent ideology is, is paramount to staying true to your vision.”

MC: “You have to believe in your business and in yourself. Being a business owner is not for the faint of heart or the easily discouraged. It is your baby and no one is going to love your baby more than you do. You have to eat, sleep, breathe your business with a passion to grow it to a successful level. It can take as long as 10 years to hit your stride and you better be willing to sacrifice. You may lose friends/relationships. You may not have work/life balance. You will have failures or missteps. You will have high highs and you will have lows that will make you want to give up. Many people would never dare take this risk, but if you believe in what you have, and you pour your all into your business then no matter what happens you are already a success.”

Our C+C Community Can’t Get Enough Of This Game Changing Haircare Line—Here’s Why

We get it. Facing a situation that seems to have no solution can be frustrating. Just like when something doesn’t go your way—feeling a lack of solution and control is not ideal. But with a little bit of knowledge-dropping and female support, we can really take on anything. The female community we pride ourselves on being a part of is all about support, confidence, and education. And hair care company, DevaCurl, identifies with the same philosophies.

In 1994, DevaCurl provided the hair care industry with long-awaited solutions for curls. Women with seemingly stubborn, curly hair, were finally able to embrace their beautiful locks with these curl-enhancing products. We love strong, confident women who embrace their natural selves and brands that do too.

But we aren’t the only fans of DevaCurl—our C&C community can’t seem to get enough of these products. How do we know that? Well, we went ahead and asked how DevaCurl helps them to embrace their hair—you’ll love their responses. Read on to see for yourself how people feel beautifully confident just the way they are.

Lynzie Marie

“I love DevaCurl, as a consumer and as a professional. I’m a hairstylist working with clients in the salon, specializing in natural texture, as well as an educator for DevaCurl. It’s an amazing brand.”

Safia Alice

“DevaCurl has not only helped my curls feel healthy and moisturized, but they have me looking like a million bucks.”

Phylicia Anne

“Their products have helped me embrace my natural hair. My curls can be so unpredictable but DevaCurl has helped tame the frizz and create more definition in the curl for more bounce.”

Shannon Varcoe

“I had straight white blonde hair growing up and then in middle school it started to get wavy and is now full on curly. It took years (and some really unfortunate haircuts) but I finally have frizz free but still soft and not crunchy curls because of DevaCurl products. My curly hair has definitely become my signature now. I fully embrace my curly mane and love how easy it is to style my hair each day.”

Amanda Thibodeaux

“DevaCurl has definitely helped my hair stay hydrated and I love the travel packs for when I jetset.”

Sasha Rincon-Camacho

“DevaCurl is a godsend. I’ve always loved my naturally curly hair, but so many of the products I’ve used in the past always made my hair too crunchy, sticky or heavy. Then entered DevaCurl and just like that I had found the perfect formula from shampoos and conditioners to the serum and hair oils, etc. They have been a #gamechanger for my hair, keeping it shiny, light and looking absolutely flawless; no other products on the market have even come close.”

Alexandra Hill

“Growing up, no one I knew had curly hair. My dad had curls but he wasn't much help when I needed to tame my hair. Once he even took me to get a perm in the hopes that it would help with frizz (it didn't do anything, like anything at all). In college, I finally started seeing women with curly hair in magazines and hearing about salons dedicated to curly hair. They all used DevaCurl. I got my own bottles and over 10 years later, I'm still a fan. My current favorite is the DevaCurl SuperCream.I always get compliments on my curls and the scent.”

Maia Alejandro Arcella

“Omg I loooove DevaCurl. After my postpartum shedding I started wearing my hair curly again after 10+ years of straightening only. The first products I bought were DevaCurl and I’ve never loved my natural curls more.”

The Affirmation Boss Babe Hunter McGrady Repeats Daily

Hunter McGrady is the girl crush of 2019. With her third Sports Illustrated Swimsuit shoot, a cameo in Hulu’s Shrill, and a new fitness venture under her belt, she’s showing no signs of slowing down. And for this plus-size model, body confidence is a key factor in her success. That’s why we’re partnering with Bio-Oil® to share how Hunter does it all in style. Read on to find out how she’s changing the industry, how she’s learned to love her marks, and the positive affirmations she’s repeating these days.

Q: First of all, congratulations on your third consecutive year being in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. What does it mean to you to be leading the charge in media in the way you have?

A: Thank you. You know, it has been a wild ride. Essentially I put myself out there and I never know what I’m going to get. Sometimes it’s a lot of hate or sometimes it’s a lot of praise. Either way, I know what’s needed in media right now and that is diversity and inclusivity. I won’t stop fighting for that.

Q: You’ve teamed up with blogger Katie Sturino to launch BabeBody, an Instagram page dedicated to fitness at all sizes. What inspired the page, and what do you hope to achieve through your work on the venture?

A: Yes. We are always being asked for our go-to tips on working out and how to overcome the fear of going to classes. Because maybe you aren’t the best at it or you want to try something without feeling like all eyes are on you. So we created BabeBody as a safe space where women of all shapes and sizes can workout and really authentically support each other. We always lay out modifications and always encourage you to do exactly what you can, nothing more. We have sold out every class with wait lists and it has been incredible. We’re hoping we can take this into other states. We have received tons of asks for that.

“I know what’s needed in media right now and that is diversity and inclusivity. I won’t stop fighting for that. ”

Q: Bio-Oil® is on a mission to help women #LoveYourMarks. What advice would you give to women who might have a hard time embracing the skin they’re in?
A: I got my first stretch mark when I was 16 years old and 114 pounds. It was because I shot up to 6 feet tall by high school. It doesn’t matter your size or height, almost everyone has stretch marks. I learned to love them because to me they signify growth and strength. One of the tools in my self-care arsenal that helps me to love my marks is Bio-Oil®. The skincare oil helps nourish and hydrate my skin, while the act of putting it on gives me a few minutes every day to reflect on the journey that me and my “marks” have been on.  It’s just not something media talks about and that’s why we’ve learned not to love them. It’s time to change that.

Q: Body positivity has taken huge strides these past few years, but it has a long way to go. What do you think needs to happen next for things like plus-size SI covers and starring roles to become even more mainstream and normalized?

A: I think it takes people like SI to continue the incredible conversation. They have done such a great job with it and I think a lot of brands could take a cue from them. We must get to a place where it’s not so shocking to see a plus size woman. It should be normal. I want to be able to walk down 5th ave in Manhattan and feel like I can relate to at least someone in the advertisements in store. A lot of people are afraid of change as well. It’s scary but it’s needed.

“I learned to love my stretch marks because to me, they signify growth and strength. It’s just not something media talks about, and that’s why we have learned to not love them. It’s time to change that!”

Q: You’re a fan of positive affirmations. What’s your go-to affirmation right now?

A: My go-to affirmation since I was 16 years old is “you are enough.” I will say this to myself about 20 times a day. We often forget that we are enough just as we are, where we are.

Q: What’s next for you?

A: I have some exciting stuff coming up in 2019/2020. A possible clothing line is in the air.

This post is sponsored by Bio-Oil.

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How These 5 Female Founders Organize Their Time

Ever wonder how CEOs manage their time and stay productive? This week, we’ve partnered with Project 925, our favorite LA-based workwear destination, to demystify CEO productivity.

We’re chatting with five rockstar female CEOs who are building their companies from the ground up. Read more on how Debbie Wei Mullen from Copper Cow Coffee, Jane Fisher and Jenna Kerner from Harper Wilde, Koh Kim from EVENPRIME, Quynh Onel from Project 925, and Sashee Chandran from Tea Drops spend their time and stay productive.

For context, what’s your company? What stage of growth is it in?

Debbie: Copper Cow Coffee brings Asian-inspired beverages to your home, office, and adventure using the best ingredients and innovative design.  We are best known for our pour over Vietnamese coffee, now distributed in about 3,000 retailers. We closed our seed round of funding at the end of 2018, and the fastest growing area of our business is direct to consumer coffee subscriptions.

Jenna: Harper Wilde takes the B.S. out of Bra Shopping. We’re just over a year old.

Koh: EVENPRIME is a digitally native, clean skincare brand based in Los Angeles, designed in Korea. Our products were created to help make young men (and women!) feel handsome. Our team is inspired by brands like Helmut Lang, Theory, Maison Kitsuné, and by iconic ’90s video games like Final Fantasy and Metal Gear Solid. We’re an early-stage company getting ready to launch our rebrand very soon.

Quynh: Project 925 is a workwear destination that’s glamourizing the weekday. We’re here to help women build a work wardrobe they’re excited about and celebrate the careers they're working so hard to build. Project 925 is in beta mode and accepting orders!

Sashee: At Tea Drops, we create loose leaf tea, without the tea bag -- in very fun, whimsical formats! We’re about 3.5 years old, available in about 2,500 retail stores including Neiman Marcus, Whole Foods, and Anthropologie, as well as online.

Where do you currently spend most of your time?

Debbie: Setting up the foundations for growth. Bootstrapping the business for the first two years meant that I was doing every job - design, operations, marketing, trashman, you name it.  Now with our investment, we are building a team, systems, and customer experience meant for our ambitious plans for growth in 2019 and beyond.

Jenna: Early stage Co-CEO means doing everything from fundraising and setting high-level strategy, to figuring out how to keep our office plants alive. Thankfully, I’m better at the former than the latter. We’re growing the team and spending quite a bit of time thinking about what roles and skills are needed to get us to the next level.

Koh: Building the right team and culture. To be able to recruit the best people, we have to be able to articulate a vision worth pursuing and a role worth taking. The best people will stay because they’re learning and feel empowered. That comes from culture.

Quynh: As a solo Founder and only full-time team member – I’m spread across all activities. I’ll go from refining my vision for what I want Project 925’s impact to be, to building our financial model, to packaging boxes and everything in between. Given our early stage, most of my time is focused on growth initiatives.

Sashee: We are a small team of five people given our scope, so a lot of us wear many hats. Most of my time is spent supporting my team, as well as investor relations and overarching strategy (marketing, brand, team).

How do you start your week?

Debbie:  Sunday evenings, I write a recap to my lead investor, and then Monday we kick off with a team meeting to: 1) highlight progress we’ve made from last week, 2) see what’s on our plate for the week, and 3) call out any issues or challenges we are currently struggling with. It’s a great way for everyone to sync, find synergies, and quickly problem solve as a team.

Jenna: Each Monday morning before our team All Hands meeting, I lay out the top three to five things I need to get done that week, in a running list with all of the priorities from weeks prior. It keeps me both focused and accountable.

Koh: On Sunday evenings, I write down my top three projects I have to get done for the upcoming week. Every morning, I meditate for five to 10 minutes before doing my workouts or light walk along the beach. This allows me to clear my head and set the one task I have to get done first thing when I walk into the office.

Quynh: I spend about one hour on Monday mornings doing two things: (1) review my high-level goals for the quarter – it’s a powerpoint with a heatmap representing progress towards each goal, (2) decide on the top two to three areas I should/can focus on and create smaller tasks on my Scrum board (fancy word for a prioritized list, documented in Trello). It’s never a perfect list, and higher priority things always get added mid-week, but it helps me stay focused.

Sashee: Mondays are reserved for team check-ins -- where I set one-on-ones with each team member to set priorities together for the week. This also helps clarify where I might have gaps or areas that I need to spend more time on. I’d like to say that I’m a task master and have two to three high level priorities, but the reality is that some weeks are more clear than others. Sometimes you truly are responding to fire drills, but other times you feel more in control when you are able to focus on the stuff that matters. The goal is to have more weeks where you feel in control :)

What’s your best productivity hack?

Debbie: Working out in the mornings. This was something that I struggled with in the early days of the company, but that I now am a stickler about, even in the most stressful of times. Not only does it give me twice as much energy for the day, it sets the tone of having started off my day with self-care, making me a much more generous and patient CEO for the day.  

Jenna: I take 10-15 minutes to tag each item in my to-do list with how long I think it should take. This helps me evaluate how important something is, so that I don’t spend too much time on items that aren’t important in the long-run. Also, during times when I feel overwhelmed by a 20-item to-do list, this exercise helps a list seem much more achievable if I know it should only take 60-90 minutes to knock out.

Koh: Making my bed in the morning (J/K but actually). I use a productivity planner to help me better prioritize my time. Writing down tasks with time estimates by hand helps me mentally  commit and get into execution mode.

Quynh: Batch processing my tasks (including checking email) and avoiding multitasking as much as possible. Multitasking and context switching can negatively impact productivity by as much as 40 percent (according to the American Psychological Association).

Sashee: Putting my phone in airplane mode when I have something that requires more intense concentration. I also like to break up tasks into more manageable chunks. For instance, I tell myself, “How many emails can I respond to in the next 10 minutes?” It focuses my time, and makes me respond quickly to the easy emails, and flag the others for when I have more dedicated time to focus on them.

How do you evaluate your productivity? How do you know you’re on track?

Debbie: I evaluate my productivity by how much I’ve supported the needs of my staff. I’m lucky to have made some great early hires, and I know my team is the key to taking my business to the next level. I view my job now as getting what my team needs to succeed in order to hit the productivity goals we’ve made together.  

Koh: I spend at least one hour on Friday reflecting on the past week: wins, what didn’t get done, what I learned, and how I feel about the week. Since I track how much time I’ve spent on tasks in my productivity planner, it makes it really easy for me to see what’s working and not working. Also, it’s fun to look back six to 12 months from now on what we accomplished or learned.

Quynh: Outside of reviewing my goals powerpoint on Monday mornings, I keep a time log (in excel). I track my time in 15-minute increments and have categories that tie to business functions and personal activities. It sounds daunting, but it’s a habit that takes seconds and forces me to be more mindful of how I’m spending my time. I have a weekly summary that helps to: (1) confirm with data, not feeling, how much I’m working and what I’m actually doing; (2) inform me what activities are taking up too much of my time that I can potentially hire someone to help me with.

Sashee: On a broader scale, I do quarterly lookbacks where I dive deep into what was accomplished, what was missed, and what’s in progress from every aspect of the business. On a weekly basis, we have team meetings that really set forth our weekly and quarterly goals. Everyone has their own key performance indicators of what success is. Our weekly business review provides a good measure of if we are on track.

Quynh Onel is the founder & CEO of Project 925, a new destination for women's workwear.

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These Branding Gurus Share Why Storytelling In Business Matters

When many people think of launching a business, they think about the financials, clients, and other logistics—but building a strong brand identity often falls to the wayside. Bliss Lau and Jasmine Takanikos, the instructors of the Centering Your Brand course at Open Campus at The New School, want to change that. After all, creating a strong brand is integral to your company’s success. Below, Bliss and Jasmine share why personal branding matters, the details of their class, and the branding tips you need to know for your biz.

Q: First things first: For those who aren’t convinced, why should I care about crafting my personal brand?

BLISS: Regardless if you are an entrepreneur launching a business or an individual, knowing how to tell your own story is imperative to the process of crafting your future. I don't see it as a personal brand, but rather being in control of your own narrative.

JASMINE: You are building a personal brand everyday, whether you are conscious of it or not. One of the principles in my BrandHuman Methodology is “Perception Value,” which is a strong currency in our current age of the social economy.

Q: Tell us a bit about your New School class, Centering Your Brand. What takeaways do you hope your students leave with?

JASMINE: We created our course, Centering Your Brand because we believe that creative companies need more than just a good idea to thrive in today's economy. I help bring strategy and a clearly defined purpose while Bliss helps nurture the creative expression with a long-term mindset. The class is built upon a Socratic method that aids each student in their development to bring an idea to reality. We want our students to experience some form of transformation. We have built a program around the concept of intensive learning- there are big wins for our students if they commit to the process. If they apply discipline and passion, the learning outcome is a full brand outline, inclusive of back-end strategy and development.

BLISS: CYB is a self-discovery process explored through our Socratic method of teaching paired with real life examples from our own experiences growing our companies. We are honest with our students about both our successes and failures. Students hopefully take away a comfort in knowing that perceived risk in taking the next leap is important. And whether they “fail” or not, it is all part of the process of growth. We hope the class will help them move on a realistic path towards their goal.

Q: Jasmine, your company, BrandHuman, goes beyond the average branding and marketing firm. Can you tell us a bit about your mission?

JASMINE: BrandHuman is a methodology, and daily practice of how you function as an entrepreneur and intrapreneur. We are committed to serving the creative communities through directional and profound programming. My branding firm is called Candor Branding.

BLISS: If I may chime in here, BrandHuman is also incorporated into CYB, and Jasmine’s firm Candor incorporates BrandHuman with her strategy work. Her firm not only helps with naming, but also provides a full multi-dimensional kit for a company of colors, sound, atmosphere, strategic targets, expansion and has now begun to explore how spaces and environment are important to a brand’s footprint. Candor takes a holistic approach to working with creative clients by acting as a vessel to refine and communicate their vision.

“You only get one chance to launch. Make sure you are really prepared. There is no need to rush. ”

Q: Let’s say I’m launching a new company. What are the top three branding tips you’d offer to a business newbie who wants to connect deeply with their audience?

BLISS:

1) You only get one chance to launch. Make sure you are really prepared. There is no need to rush.

2) Be flexible and ready to fine-tune and adjust details based on how your audience reacts.  Often times, what we think they want is different than what they actually want. An entrepreneur’s flexibility to pivot can affect their success or failure.

3) At this moment, every brand needs someone to be the face of it. Prepare yourself for how to communicate your mission at the drop of a dime. You never know who you might meet!

JASMINE:

1) Ask yourself why you are in the game—have a deep purpose, this creates the drive.

2) Know your value and or the value of your services, be confident in this.

3) Hire a designer or agency who understands how your brand needs to be activated through design.

Q: Especially in today’s social-first market, the personal really is professional—what advice do you have for the entrepreneur who might feel uncomfortable building their personal brand alongside their company?

JASMINE: Develop a strategy for what is considered personal. Not every business requires that the owner is personally exposed. Often it is not necessary. Take a deep dive into what value it brings your work. If it is a must, then it is time for you to evolve. This is a vital part of growth. Map out what you are willing to share and create a content strategy.

BLISS: The beauty of owning your own business is that you make the rules. There is no need to be personal if you are not comfortable doing so. As long as you know your boundaries, then sharing your ideas, thoughts, mission, and vision do not need to cross over to exposing personal information.

This post is sponsored by Open Campus at The New School.

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How This Marketing Director Stays Innovative and Agile in the Age of Social Media

After more than a decade in marketing, Rachel Curry, Director of Marketing, Owned Channels for Volvo, knows the secret to success in the industry. But as social media and content creation is changing the way we consume ads, branded content, and marketing, how is she pivoting to adapt? She shares her advice below—plus, how she’s challenging the status quo and the advice she wishes she could give her younger self.

Q: Your brand just rolled out an incredible resource in the automotive community, sharing crash data with not just Volvo, but with any and all car companies. How did your team make that decision, and how are you leveraging it within marketing?

A: We’ve collected real-world data since the 1970s to better understand what happens during a collision. As a result, it has been possible to identify what injuries arise in different crashes for men, women, and children. To help make cars safer for everyone, we are now sharing our research with the world—just like we did when we released the patent on the three-point seatbelt. It’s reassuring to me that we do our best to make our cars are just as safe for women and children, as men.

Q: You run a team that’s constantly coming up with new ways to market your product online and off. How do you continue to stay creative in an ever-changing marketplace?

A: I read… every chance I get! I love Wired and Harvard Business Review and because I’m often on a flight, it allows me the time get inspired by new ideas. Most of my work is in digital channels, but I still love a print subscription! We’re not the biggest car brand, so the team is extremely creative by nature, our CEO Håkan Samuelsson is a major disrupter in the industry so fresh thinking is actively encouraged at every level of the organization. The key to creativity is to surround yourself with curious people who will ask questions and challenge the status quo.

“The key to creativity is to surround yourself with curious people who will ask questions and challenge the status quo.”

Q: You’re in charge of messaging for Volvo Car USA across all their channels, which means you’re the ultimate content calendar owner. What are some resources or tools you use to plan out messaging across all platforms?

A: My work wife, the director marketing for campaigns and I work extremely closely and we strategize after every executive meeting and debrief on business priorities. Our teams collaborate on a calendar on key milestones, with enough flexibility that we can jump on opportunities when they arise. We’re a tight, nimble team – and over-communication is key! We also watch the data to understand what content resonates on each platform – we don’t set it and forget it!

Q: You’re a marketing director in the car biz, which is often considered a boys’ club. How do you see your role as an opportunity?

A: I think it’s a huge opportunity to shake things up and challenge assumptions! Women in tech and automotive are under-represented, so I strongly advocate for gender equality and female advancement within our organization -  about half our marketing team is female. Platforms like Create & Cultivate help show that women are in these roles now, and thriving!

Q: What advice do you wish you could go back and give your younger self?

A:  Be your own advocate – it’s ok to challenge the status quo, don’t apologize for negotiating for what you want. Feedback is truly a gift… I learnt that later than I should have, but embracing any opportunity to improve is a great catalyst for growth, personally and professionally, so don’t shy away from it. If you’re not getting feedback, be sure to ask for it.

Q:  What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting a brand and needs some digital marketing tips in a world that’s so saturated with content?

A:  Own your data. Data is king. Whether it’s your subscribers to your newsletter, cookies for retargeting, customer purchase behavior or even preparing to calculate your customer lifetime value – own your data!  Platforms are constantly changing and it’s tough to keep up – but what’s yours they can never take away and will only be incremental value in the future. Keep one eye on the work in hand, and one on the horizon so you see what’s next.

Q: What are you most excited about for your work in 2019?

A: I think the automotive industry is about to experience more change in the next 10 years, than it has in the last 50. I’m excited to be part of it. At Volvo we lean in to that disruption, and want to make our consumers lives easier, safer and less complicated… oh and more women in the drivers seat!

This post is sponsored by Volvo.

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Day in the Life: Ariel Kaye, Founder & CEO of Parachute

We’re back with another installment of our Day in the Life series! Today we’re sitting down with Ariel Kaye, founder & CEO of the beloved home brand Parachute. We’re obsessed with her focus on responsible sourcing, customer happiness, and smart scaling. Read on to check out her wisdom for yourself!

Are you a night owl or a morning person? When do you do your most important work and why?

I definitely prefer life as a morning person. My baby girl, Lou, was born in January – she tends to dictate my mornings these days! Now that I’m back to work, mornings are when we get to spend a little extra time together. I also like to work out early in the day, and then I’ll come home to go through my emails.

By late afternoon, I typically start to feel a bit foggy. So if there’s something really important that I’m working on, I like to make sure to carve time out for it earlier in the day. It’s a big change from when I used to do some of my best work into the wee hours of the night!

What’s your commute like? Do you listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks? Any current faves?

My commute typically takes me about 25 minutes. What I listen to during my drive really depends on my mood. Some days I actually prefer silence, using that extra time to think. But I’m also a big fan of SiriusXM – some of my favorite channels include ‘90s on 9, ‘70s on 7, The Beatles Channel, Soul Town, The Groove, and Yacht Rock Radio. It’s quite a range! I also listen to several podcasts, including The Daily, WorkParty, Goop, How I Built This, and Pod Save America.

Mark Twain said, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” What’s the first thing you do when you get into the office/to your desk?

As soon as I get into the office, I immediately fill a large glass with water, get to my desk, open my emails and scan for anything urgent. Then I open my calendar and decide how I’m going to use my time between meetings. Hyper-efficiency is a major focus for me right now.

“Creating something that people care about and that has an impact are my favorite parts of being an entrepreneur.”

What are you working on this week?

I’m currently working with my team on some exciting potential partnership opportunities, strategic new hires, and preparing for an upcoming board meeting.

What’s been the most rewarding part of running Parachute? The most challenging?

Creating something that people care about and that has an impact are my favorite parts of being an entrepreneur. Our customers are at the center of everything we do, from developing new products that help them start and end their days feeling their very best, to creating unique and engaging shopping experiences right in their neighborhoods. Thinking of the looks on our customers faces when they touch or feel our products for the first time, or find the exact inspiration they are looking for in one of our stores, is extremely rewarding.

As we scale, so do the magnitude of the decisions and the effects they have on the organization. For that reason, I’m always concerned with staying flexible and supportive as we continue to grow. Start-ups are often measured by the speed of their growth, but growing a brand does not happen overnight – and scaling a business while protecting company culture gets challenging.

Ultimately, I try not to focus on the optics of start up success, but rather the true health of the business, my team, what customers are saying, and how we can provide them the best home essentials and shopping experience in the world.

You’re super involved in the production process for Parachute. Do you still travel a lot for work? What trips do you have coming up?

I do tend to travel pretty often. The majority of my business travel these days is for press opportunities, speaking engagements, visiting potential new store locations and spending time with members of our new communities during our grand opening celebrations. I’m also still very involved in the process of selecting the best possible manufacturing partners to bring our products to life.

Do you ever reach inbox zero? How do you handle the constant influx of inquiries and communication CEOs are so familiar with?

Very rarely! I’ve probably only achieved “inbox zero” twice in the past few years.

When it comes to managing my inbox, it’s all about prioritizing my email responses based on their degree of urgency, and delegating when it makes sense. I also probably wind up deleting 30-40 emails every morning that aren’t relevant to me or my business, or are clearly spam.

What are some work habits that help you stay healthy, productive, and on track to reach your goals?

I make a point of taking a break during the workday to go for a walk around the block, clear my head, and make sure I get some fresh air. I’m also better and more focused when I’ve worked out in the morning, and took some time to get the blood flowing. Being organized and keeping a to-do list definitely helps me make sure that I’m accomplishing everything I need to do. And maintaining good lines of communication with my team so I know where I can support is critical.

“Maintaining good lines of communication with my team so I know where I can support is critical. ”

What are you reading/watching right now?

I just started reading Educated by Tara Westover last night – so many of my friends and Parachute team members have been raving about it. In terms of TV, I’m currently watching “The Act,” “Billions,” and “Queer Eye,” and I just finished “Shrill.”

When do you go to bed? What’s your “optimal” # of sleep hours?

I typically go to bed between 9-11 p.m. There’s no such thing as optimal sleep right now – I’m waking up with the baby!

What’s the most rewarding part of your day?

Getting home after a productive day at the office and spending quality time with my husband and baby girl.

What’s something not a lot of people know about you?

I’m a trained opera singer – though you’d probably only know this if we’ve been out to karaoke together and I’ve had a drink or two!

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Desk-Side: This YouTuber Shares How She Stays Motivated Through Challenging Times

If you’ve been on YouTube in the last five years, you’ve probably already heard of Dani Austin. The vlogger/blogger has been on the content creation scene for years, and she’s got this thing down to a science. But between running her channel, writing for her blog, and crafting the perfect Instagram post, Dani doesn’t have a lot of down time. That’s why we partnered with Glade® Essentials Room Mist to find out what keeps her going strong—and how she gets it all done in her gorgeous Dallas home! Read on to get to know Dani.

Q: How long have you lived in Texas?

A: I have lived in Dallas my entire life, and my favorite things about living here are the people and the margaritas!

Q: What’s your morning routine?

A: I wake up, cuddle the dogs, go for a run, and do my devotional.

Q: How do you set the tone for a great day at work?

A: The Glade® Essentials Room Mist in Mandarin & Mimosa makes me happy—because nothing is more powerful than smell!

Q: What are you looking forward to most this year?

A: One of the projects I’m most excited about is working on the Sassy Club tour! The Sassy Club is an app that I’ve created to help women connect all over the country.

Q: Who inspires you most?

A: My grandma, who is 92 years old, inspires me most. That chick can still drive a car and she has the best style!

Q: What’s a fun fact about you?

A: I have an extra rib!

Q: How do you stay motivated through challenging times at work?

A: When I hit a hurdle in a project in my career, I blast Taylor Swift and give myself a pep talk.

See Dani’s full interview here:

This post is sponsored by Glade.

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How This Production Company Founder Is Sharing Authentic Stories in Hollywood

Stephanie Noonan Drachkovitch didn’t always know she wanted to be in television. But after interning for a local talk show, she knew it was her calling. Fast-forward to today, and Stephanie is the president and co-founder of 44 Blue Productions, an award-winning production company leading the field in unscripted and non-fiction TV with shows like Wahlburgers and Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry.

Read on to hear how Stephanie moved up in Hollywood, her advice for women looking to work in television, and how she stays confident in a male-dominated industry.

Describe your career journey. How did you get to the position you’re at now?   

My mom went to Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, was a voracious reader and talented writer, and inspired my love for magazines—between that and my infatuation with Mary Richards on the Mary Tyler Moore Show, I became a magazine journalism major at U of Oregon.  

After interning through the Magazine Publishers Association one summer, I got an internship at the daily live talk show on the local ABC affiliate in Portland, Oregon, and that began my love affair with live television! I went from production assistant (my duties ranged from warming up the audience to running the teleprompter and gathering props for the weekly household hints segment) at KATU to associate producer at WPVI’s AM PHILADELPHIA to Executive Producer at WCAU, the CBS Owned and Operated station then in Philadelphia.  I was their youngest EP at the time, doing a live daily issue-and-entertainment based talk show. Lots of decisions every day in the control room!

I then joined Telepictures in Los Angeles as a producer of a daily news magazine, then KRON in San Francisco to EP their live daily show. At that point my now-husband and I had started our own production company with the dream of producing our own shows. We lived in the Bay Area, and he was running it while I had the steady paycheck. I got offered a job as a studio executive at Disney in LA, so we decided to jump on it as an opportunity to move our fledgling company back to LA where we could return to the center of the entertainment industry.  That led to a 13-year career as a studio exec, where I went from Director of Development at the Disney division that launched REGIS & KATHIE LEE (now LIVE WITH KELLY & RYAN), then moved to Vice President of Development at Group W Productions, Executive Vice President of Development at UK indie Pearson Television (now Fremantle), back to Disney as Senior Vice President of Development (we launched WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE during that period) and finally, Senior Vice President of Development at Warner Bros./Telepictures (we launched THE BACHELOR and ELLEN while I was there).  After surviving five studio jobs and working for a new boss nearly every three years, my husband convinced me to jump out of the crazy studio world and return to 44 Blue in 2003. I’ve been with our company ever since!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?  

My dad taught me to go for it and “always leave it all on the field.” Never wonder “what if I’d only….?”  My favorite advice to give to others: “You can’t win if you don’t play.” Which is just another way of saying you don’t get something unless you ask, so be fearless about reaching out, introducing yourself, asking for what you need—whatever form it takes.  My other favorites: Everything leads to something. On time is late and early is on time. Always send a thank-you note.  

What moment in your career are you most proud of?

Besides the sale of our company to Red Arrow Studios after three decades of hard work and wondering if we’d make payroll on Fridays, it would be our series MARRIED TO THE ARMY: ALASKA.  As an Army brat whose mom raised three kids during the turbulence of the Vietnam War era, I was determined to tell the real-life stories of what military families were going through during the height of the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan.  It took five years of trying to get access from the Department of Defense, but we finally got the “yes” to allow us to embed in the lives of real-life Army wives at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, ironically where my parents met.  That led to our Gracie Award-winning MARRIED TO THE ARMY: ALASKA for Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network in 2012.

What do you love most about working in unscripted and nonfiction television?

It’s introduced me to so many people from all walks of life, from around the country and the world—from Army wives in Alaska to content creators in India—it’s allowed me to tell stories of people and places whose stories have not been told.  It’s such a rewarding genre because you are meeting the real people who are living real lives—not fictionalized where everything wraps up neatly in an hour because you can write it that way. When we tell the stories of real people, we become part of their lives. We are thankful that they trust us with their stories and invite us in.  I treasure the relationships and the people I’ve been able to meet over the past three decades!

What advice do you have for women looking to become showrunners?  

If you want to become a showrunner, you have to put yourself out there, say you want it, but also be willing to fail and accept responsibility for your mistakes and when you could’ve done better. You have to be willing to learn every day, from every show and every interaction. Each series is different and teaches you something new.  It’s important to realize that showrunning is not just about being creative or being a visionary storyteller. It also takes strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Be open to new ideas and points of view. Read everything you can about how to inspire and lead. It will show on the screen!

44 Blue is about to head into its 35th year, how does your company and its content stay relevant and fresh after all these years?  

Great question! We always try to look around us, as well as down the road as far as we can and ask ourselves what else we could be doing to push ourselves to try new things, explore new worlds, teach ourselves new skillsets. For example, last year we did our first SnapChat projects and brand commercials,  and this year we’ve launched a podcast initiative and are doing short-form series for IMDB. We can’t be afraid to try new things that test our creative chops and business models.

How do you speak up and have confidence when in an industry that’s so male-dominated?  

I’ve never been asked that—I guess I’ve never been intimidated by speaking up, and I’ve made sure to always push myself to speak up—maybe because I grew up as a military kid and my parents always encouraged me to speak up?  But that said, I do still remember at one job not wanting to be taller than my boss (I’m 5’9”) and so I never wore heels. I guess I didn’t want him to feel intimated by me. Then one day I was like “forget that!” I should be able to be as tall as I want—who cares if he’s intimidated!  And out came the heels haha! Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In book is an insightful read into what we sometimes do to unintentionally hold ourselves back.

What’s next for you and 44 Blue?

I can hardly wait to see - we have an amazing team of people that inspire me every day when I walk in. Our new series Jailbirds just debuted on Netflix on May 10, our tenth and final season of Wahlburgers is currently airing on A&E, and we’re working on a new series with FOX called First Responders Live that premieres in June. We have a few more projects coming out this year - both on linear and some new initiatives in the digital space - that I can’t say too much about at the moment, but we’re incredibly excited. That’s why I love this business. Things change by the minute—the sky’s the limit!  

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How This Physicist Is Challenging the Birth Control Industry

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Elina Berglund isn’t your typical company cofounder. Originally a particle physicist, Elina was unimpressed with the birth control options offered to women, so she went about creating her own. Today, she is the CTO and cofounder of Natural Cycles, the only FDA approved digital birth control.

Below, Elina shares how she created Natural Cycles, how she transitioned from physics to business, and the best advice she’s ever been given.

What whitespace did you see in the birth control industry, and how did you go about filling it?

Natural Cycles came out of a personal need of an effective, easy-to-use, hormone free birth control method. When I did not find such a product on the market, I started reading up on the scientific literature on how the basal body temperature can indicate when you ovulate and hence when you are fertile and not. Using my knowledge from particle physics (I was currently working at CERN on what would lead to the Higgs discovery in 2012), I started crafting an algorithm that gives a green day if there is no risk of fertility that day and a red day if one needs to use protection in order to prevent pregnancy.

Not long after I realized what a huge unmet need this is among women worldwide for such a hormone free birth control option and that many women don’t use any birth control at all, or very non-effective methods such as the rhythm method, since they haven’t found a method that suits them.  

How does Natural Cycles work? What sets it apart from other birth control options?

Natural Cycles comes in the form of an app and a basal thermometer. The user measures her temperature in her mouth when she wakes up in the morning and enters it into the app. Then, the algorithm is run in the background and returns a red day if she needs to use protection that day or a green day if she definitely is not fertile that day.

Natural Cycles is the only FDA cleared, digital birth control method. The method has been shown repeatedly in several studies published in peer reviewed journals to be 93% effective under typical use and 98% effective under perfect use (which is when the user does use protection when the app gives red days).

Natural Cycles fills the void in the family of birth control methods for women who are looking for an effective and non-invasive hormone free method. It also has the additional benefit of being able to be used for planning a pregnancy. As our average user is 30 years old, we often see women first use the app to prevent pregnancy for a few years, until they are ready for the next step and then they on average get pregnant quite quickly as they’ve by now really learned how their unique cycle and body works.

Why was it important for you to create Natural Cycles?

I think it is really important to provide women with different types of birth control options as there is no one size fits all when it comes to birth control, as different women have different needs and which also often changes throughout the reproductive lifetime.

Then, I also feel that women’s health is an under-researched and under-developed area in general, and I’m happy to make a contribution by developing the first FDA cleared birth control app, but hope to contribute even more in the future.

Your background is in physics, and you even worked on a project that received a Nobel Prize. How did you make the shift from physics into business and the tech industry?

Yes, in some sense it is very different but in another sense very similar. I still work with data and research and use programming and advanced statistics as the main tools, just with a different purpose. Then on the other hand, the business and the tech world is quite different from the world of physics and academia, so I do think I’ve learned quite a lot in the last years by changing paths.

You cofounded Natural Cycles with your husband. What has it been like being married to your business partner?

Yes, I did! I think it has mainly been a source of strength as we are almost always very aligned, and it is amazing to be able to share such a passion, which Natural Cycles is to both us. There are of course a few down sides as well, for instance it is really hard to stop talking about work in the late evening when it would probably be better for us to think about something more relaxing.

“One should always consider: ‘What is the worst that could happen, and how likely is that?’”

What is the best advice you’ve ever been given? What’s the best piece of advice you have to share?

My dad often said that “People too often let fear control their lives.” I think he is right in the sense that we often take decisions based on a too risk-averse profile, especially women.

One should always consider: “What is the worst that could happen, and how likely is that?” This is what I thought about when giving up my career in physics and not having a salary for a while when creating Natural Cycles. I thought that I had enough savings to get by for a while and hence the worst case that can happen is that Natural Cycles does not take off, but I’ve then still learned about how to develop an app, and I might end up getting a job at Google instead.

How do you hope female contraception will evolve in the future? Where do you see the industry going?

Well, I hope there will also be more options for male contraception, although I think it’s unfortunately unlikely in the nearer future.

I hope female contraception will also keep evolving, of course, but I think there is an increased need for more solutions driven by the tech industry to compensate for that the pharmaceutical industry unfortunately has cut back funding in this area.

Here in the United States, female sexuality is still pretty taboo. How do you see your company combating that stigma?

We do try to spread knowledge more generally about birth control, female sexuality, and how the women’s reproductive system works. We’ve seen that unfortunately there is a big education gap when it comes to these topics. We are trying to address that, and we do see a huge interest from our users’ side in understanding their bodies better and everything around it, which is exciting.

You have a daughter, what are the biggest lessons you hope to teach her?

Oh, so many things of course! Just like I was at her age (she is 4), she is already curious about so many things about how nature and the universe works. I am trying to spark more of that interest by answering all her questions and discussing with her.

What’s next for you? What’s next for Natural Cycles?

We’ve moved to NYC last fall, following the FDA clearance to build up a team here as we believe that the US market is and will be very important to us going forward. It’s very exciting to be here and learn about what kind of user is ideal for us here and how to best reach her.

We are also expecting a little baby brother next week, so that’s of course quite a big thing for us :)

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Martha Stewart on Growth, Imposter Syndrome, and How She Wants to Be Remembered

What. A. Legend. When we found our we’d be graced with the presence of the one and only Martha Stewart as one of our keynote conversations at our New York conference, we may or may not have collectively lost it at the C&C office. And, of course, Martha did not disappoint. Though she admitted she doesn’t suffer from imposter syndrome (LOL, can you share your secrets, Martha?!), she did offer some sage advice that only a woman who’s been killing it in business for decades could know. Read on for her tips on growth, hiring, and what she wants her legacy to be.

On whether print is dead…

“Even though magazines are now, again, failing and closing, due to the digital world—we still produce a beautiful magazine every single month.”

On having more than 8,000 products in her line…

“We found that even though we were giving people the how-to ideas, many people wanted the product, so it was a perfect way expand into product development. We continue to do products in many different categories.”

“I want to see which method of selling works the best. Can we improve those ways of selling?”

On the longevity of her product line…

“We’ve been making beautiful, useful, well-made products for a long time, and I want to continue to do that in a big way. We want to be where the customer wants and needs us.”

Advice for women looking to grow a team and find their forever employees…

“Find someone who is competent, exciting, curious. And you have to be able to train people and spend time with a new employee.”

On imposter syndrome…

“Take the reins. Be a strong, willful, self-possessed person. You have to be if you’re going to be in business for yourself. You have to be able to let stuff run off you—you can’t dwell on the problem.”

“I have a silly little motto: When you’re through changing, you’re through. You have to be able to change and swerve to adapt.”

Advice for younger self…

“Stay true to your beliefs.”

“Be a strong, willful, self-possessed person. You have to be if you’re going to be in business for yourself.”

Last text to Snoop…

“I wished his mom a happy birthday!”

Life hack for busy working women…

“2-3 housekeepers.” 🤣

Where she gets her energy…

“Green juice!”

On her legacy…

“I want to be remembered as a good woman who is a good teacher; one who is fun and has accomplished a lot.”

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This Trend Director Shares How Social Media Has Revolutionized Style

Have you ever wondered who makes all those big decisions about what’s “in” in fashion? Us too. We sat down with Erin Fletcher, trend director at Cotton On, one of our Desert Pop Up partners, to find out how her team tackles trend forecasting, buying, and merchandising for the brand.

Below, Erin shares the most rewarding parts of her job, how the industry has changed since she started, and the best advice she’d give to anyone just starting a career in fashion.

Working in trend forecasting/direction sounds like a dream job for a lot of women. Can you tell us a bit about your career path?

I studied design at University and was lucky enough to move straight into the industry once I graduated. I started my career at an iconic Australian retailer which I’d grown up wearing! After working my way up for a few years I took the leap and moved from Australia to the USA where I landed a dream job working for a retailer in Philadelphia – stepping outside my comfort zone, moving across the world was one of the best things I’ve ever done. After a few years in the USA, an opportunity presented itself at home in Australia working for Cotton On which I have always admired. I started my role as the Cotton On Women’s Trend Director in January. My day-to-day role includes creating and setting a vision for trend stories, ensuring the brand’s DNA is protected.

What’s the most rewarding—and most challenging—part of your work?

Rewarding: I work with a creative and dynamic team to deliver amazing and affordable fashion to people on over 18 countries. Working for an Australian based global brand like Cotton On and creating a product that I’m proud of is something I could have only dreamed of when I started out in the industry.

Most challenging? With the introduction of social media new trends are constantly emerging. We’re always working to tight deadlines to deliver the new trends that meet our customer’s needs across the globe.

What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting out in the fashion industry and would like to be where you are someday?

Do more than what’s on your job description! Take every opportunity to learn as much as you can. Don’t be restricted, push yourself to learn from other people and areas. You never know what door it might open in the future.

“Don’t be restricted; push yourself to learn from other people and areas. You never know what door it might open in the future. ”

What are your go-to sources of inspiration for trend forecasting?

Instagram has been a game changer in trend forecasting allowing me to see different trends from around the globe as they’re emerging. I also love to look back on nostalgic references like TV shows and movies from the 80’s and 90’s.

I’m always on the lookout. I find that my weekends are a great time to see what people are wearing on the streets and in my role I’m lucky to travel a lot, which I love! I’m always inspired seeing how people dress differently not only in different countries but different neighbourhoods within a city. New York is a huge inspiration, each borough has a unique look.

Let’s talk about this season in the US. What were some of your trend references for what’s out now?
We’ve been so inspired by 90’s street and surf revival - hello TIE DYE!!!! Being an Australian brand, born on the shores one of Australia’s most iconic surf breaks, Bell’s Beach, I think we really can talk to this first hand! We’re also loving that natural hand crafted vibes like crochet and straw bags. All paired back with your classic denim is going to be huge this summer.

What pieces should we be investing in for summer 2019?

Anything tie dye! The new longer length Bermuda denim shorts, a flippy printed wrap dress and a strappy sport sandal!

How has trend forecasting changed since you started working in fashion?

Global accessibility – geography doesn’t play a part anymore, we’re so connected. I can open my phone and see what people are wearing on the streets of Korea or on the beaches in LA. When I first started you had to physically get on a plane to see global trends. Nothing beats travelling but the introduction of social media and the internet has certainly changed the way we forecast trends and the pace it moves at.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Fortune favours the bold - I accepted a job in a city I had never even set foot in! I moved to the USA and it turned out to be one of the most rewarding & creatively fulfilling times in my life.

If you could go back and tell your 18-year-old self anything, what would it be?

You’ll learn more from the things that you perceive as a negative than those that we’re easy. There will be some bumps along the way, if you can learn from those experiences it makes the success all the more worthwhile.

This post is sponsored by Cotton On. Sign up for Cotton On & Co Perks and get a $10 reward!

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Why These Two Women Risked It All to Break into the Food Industry

The saying goes, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” Angela Sutherland and Evelyn Rusli are the epitome of the proverb. As the co-founders of Yumi, the homemade delivery baby food company, they’re challenging the standards of the “Big Baby Food” industry.

It was so important to Angela and Evelyn to fix the static baby food industry that they each left successful careers in other fields to start Yumi. Read on for their story.

Let’s start at the beginning. What whitespace did you see in the baby food market?

Angela: When I was pregnant with my first child, I did what a lot of new parents do — I went down the long, long rabbit hole of Google research. In that process, I came across studies on “The First 1000 Days,” a period of time identified by researchers and doctors as the most important in a person’s life for nutrition. I grew up in Michigan and was largely raised on the idea that adults are the ones who have to worry about their diet — that adults shouldn’t have the cupcakes because of their diet, but kids can eat anything they want because they have their whole life to worry about nutrition. It turns out the exact opposite is true.  

Later, when my daughter was ready to begin solid foods, I was completely shocked to realize just how deficient all of the store bought options were. The big baby food industry is dominated by products that are older than the babies eating them, high in fruit-based sugars, and low in nutrition! I was in disbelief that over the last 100 years, baby food has changed very little and was not giving kids what they need. I felt compelled to do something about it.

Describe the journey from when you first had the idea for Yumi to actually making it a reality.

Angela: As I was uncovering all this research, I was sharing it with my friends, including Evelyn who I’ve known for years. She was working for the Wall Street Journal at the time. As a journalist, she naturally started digging-in and read all the clinical studies I had collected. We went on a trip with my family to Arizona, and while our husbands were ATV-ing, we kept circling on this idea of building a new baby food company to solve all these gaps. Within a few weeks, we both gave our two weeks notice and decided “OK, we’re doing this.” At the time, I was the breadwinner in the family, so I spoke with my husband about it and explained that I would need to take a roughly 100% pay cut but it was for a really, really good cause. He was my biggest cheerleader from day one.

How did you each find the confidence to give up your previous ventures and pursue a new career?

Evelyn: It’s not easy to walk away from a career you’ve been building and nurturing for more than a decade. There are internal and external pressures to stay on that path. When I was 18 and decided to be a journalist, I had a PLAN, and that plan was going perfectly.  But accomplishing a plan you hatched at 18 doesn’t necessarily equal fulfillment. I felt myself increasingly drawn to entrepreneurship; I was enamored by its almost obsessive nature. Everyday, you apply your blood, sweat, and literal tears in the hope that you can change the world in a very particular way. I loved the mission of Yumi from day one.

Angela: Our backgrounds are sort of the perfect complement. I was the math major, she was the English major — she is the words to my numbers. Meanwhile, in my former life as a director of a private equity firm, I was very familiar with the nuts and bolts of operations and what it takes to build thriving, sustainable businesses. I enjoy nerding out on unit economics. Evelyn, meanwhile, is a natural storyteller. She pulls threads together and helps distill complex concepts into more digestible forms. We both saw Yumi as more than a product off the shelf. To succeed, Yumi would have to be a highly scalable business, but it would also have to be a movement, a movement that inspires other families to demand changes in Big Baby Food.

What’s a typical day in your lives like?

Evelyn: One of the amazing things about being an entrepreneur is just how fundamentally — often unpredictably — different each day is from the next. On one day, we could be in the test kitchens working with chefs and nutritionists to develop new recipes. On another day, we could be on the road meeting with potential partners, which includes everything from marketing to packaging to prospective investors. We try to create some boundaries within the chaos, and we both intentionally set aside time to think about big picture strategy and what’s coming around the corner.

One of the hardest things about building a startup is the constant context switching. It can be mentally and physically taxing. But let’s be real — it’s also a lot of fun.  

What is it like working together when you both have very different backgrounds/experiences?

Evelyn: We simply can’t stand each other, it’s really becoming a challenge. Obviously, I kid, she was literally the officiant at my wedding. I’m the godmother to her son. Her family is my family and vice versa. That said, we’re very different in terms of skills and how we approach problems, which certainly leads to arguments about decisions. However, that’s exactly why we wanted to be partners. You need someone who is going to challenge your ideas and push you to see a problem from a different angle. That friction is healthy for a startup.

Angela: For all our differences, I do think our partnership works because we are similar in the areas that matter. Our fundamental values are the same, which is why we’re so passionate about Yumi’s mission. We’re also crazy hard workers, perhaps to a fault. I’ve never doubted for a second that Evelyn isn’t doing everything she can to make this a success. We completely trust each other’s judgment.

Baby food is a contentious industry. How did you choose ingredients and suppliers? What about pricing?

Angela: For us, quality is everything. It is our #1 priority to give babies the highest quality ingredients, sourced from the best organic farms in the country. When you look at consumer trends and the preferences of the modern day parent, it’s clear that this generation has a very different attitude towards food than previous generations. Today’s parents have a much deeper understanding of food, and how it affects their health and wellness. They care about organic, they expect freshness, and they also look for brand transparency.

The legacy brands are out of touch. Last year, Consumer Reports revealed that grocery store baby food brands tested positive for an array of heavy metals. That same week, we put up a map online to show our customers how we pick our farms based on the government’s soil readings. We avoid areas that test high for heavy metals, and we avoid certain ingredients like brown rice, which often tests high for arsenic.

Our pricing reflects the multitude of differentiators that we offer to consumers: high quality ingredients, customized content, shipping straight to your doorstep, and sustainable packaging. As we scale, we will be able to pass along savings to our families, but our consistent growth month-over-month indicates that we’re already filling a huge demand in the market.

Looking back, what’s one thing you would have done differently when you first started out?

Evelyn: We’ve both grown so much from this process, but I think one thing we would have done differently in the beginning would be our approach to hiring. We would have hired more people out of the gate. We would have put more effort into recruiting. At the end of the day, success or failure is determined by the people you have on that bus.

Where do you see the baby food industry going in the future? How do you see it evolving?

Angela:  Hopefully, out of the dark ages. If the baby food industry is still dominated by two-year-old room temperature chicken stew in a jar, I’ll be shocked.

We’re trying to shed an intense light on the Big Baby Food industry. There’s simply no excuse for the low level of innovation, freshness or quality. Most baby foods, including some newcomers, are still laden with fruit-based sugars and are incredibly low in nutrition. We hope that by showcasing the importance of early childhood nutrition that we’ll not only elevate the dialogue on baby food today but will also push the entire industry to improve. Babies deserve it.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Evelyn: Someone once told me that “all businesses are inherently people-based.” In the same way that we apply the saying “It takes a village” when it comes to motherhood, I have seen that the same goes for businesses — they are nourished by people and our extended networks. Since starting Yumi, I’ve lost track of the number of times a friend has helped me work through a problem, provided valuable insights, or served as a resource in some way.   So many people have helped in the making of Yumi. These interactions are a constant reminder to stay humble and to not be afraid to ask for help.

What’s next for Yumi?

Angela: We’re so excited to launch a new line of snacks and finger foods this spring.  It has always been our mission to grow with our customer and to provide offerings for kids as they transition from babies to toddlers. In America, the number one veggie for a toddler is the french fry. That’s absurd. Families deserve healthier options across the 1,000 days. Whether it’s purees, snacks, finger foods, or beyond, we have a lot of work to do.

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How This CEO Is Saving the Planet, One Vintage Dress at a Time

Shilla Kim-Parker wants you to save money—and the planet. That’s why she started Thrilling, an online marketplace for vintage and secondhand clothing stores. Shilla saw a disconnect between her favorite shops and the shopping method that best fits her lifestyle, so she filled the void herself.

Here, Shilla shares how she made her dream a reality, how Thrilling is working to better the planet, and the advice she has for other women of color in business.

How did you come up with the idea of Thrilling, and how did you transform that idea into a reality?

The goal of Thrilling is to make secondhand shopping more popular, modern, accessible, and most importantly - more of a habit for more people.

Secondhand shopping has always been near and dear to my heart. Not only is it a treasure hunt, but growing up in a household with limited means, it was a great way to find unique and fantastic clothes at a great value. It’s also one of the best ways to reduce your environmental impact and support local business owners. Win-win-win.

As I’ve gotten older - I’m now a working mom, with a toddler at home and a baby due in just a couple weeks - I no longer have the time to shop in this way.

Secondhand shopping is about the journey, it’s a fun afternoon or weekend activity - but I found that I no longer could dedicate the time to sift through racks. I yearned for a way to shop these stores from the palm of my hand, in the few spare moments I have between meetings or on the couch post kids’ bedtime. And that’s how the idea of Thrilling was born.

Tell us a bit about how your business model works. How does Thrilling support small businesses?

There are more secondhand stores in the US than there are Starbucks and McDonalds, combined. These stores are mostly run by women, who are typically the sole breadwinner for their families. All together they do about $15 billion in sales, but 95% of these sales are completely offline.

The thing that makes secondhand shopping so much fun - the fact that every item is unique - makes it extremely difficult for e-commerce. The amount of work involved is huge, which is why most of the current e-commerce platforms don’t work for these store owners. And yet, these store owners feel enormous pressure to go online, as relying on local foot traffic for business no longer pays the bills.

That’s where Thrilling comes in. We do all the tech and logistics for these store owners and put whatever items they want online. We create a custom page for them on our site, which they use that page as their website. Now they can finally sell to customers across the country or around the world.

What are the environmental implications of your company?

It can take up to 1,000 gallons of water to make a single item of clothing. New apparel production is a leading contributor to pollution, and Americans wear clothes on average 7 times before throwing them in the trash. Worse, clothes are not easily biodegradable.

Buying an item of clothing secondhand reduces its waste impact by nearly 75 percent. In this day and age, when the environmental issues facing our planet is an urgent crisis, shopping secondhand is a fantastic way to do our part.

“I am black, I am the daughter of a Korean immigrant, I am a mom, I am pregnant, I am mid-career. Needless to say, Silicon Valley did not know what to make of me!”

What advice do you have for other women of color looking to start businesses of their own?

I am black, I am the daughter of a Korean immigrant, I am a mom, I am pregnant, I am (was) mid-career. Needless to say, Silicon Valley did not know what to make of me!

For my fellow women of color - Perseverance! Many people will tell you “no" or “you can’t.” The standards you’ll have to meet will be higher. There are institutional barriers in place that will prevent you from getting funding as easily as others.

But keep fighting. We need you. Our society needs your leadership, our community needs your representation, our economy needs your businesses.

The real problem is that people from underrepresented backgrounds face greater risk in starting a business - usually we don’t have the same family resources, the same networks, the same access to capital others do.

So my real advice is for those in positions of power - be a part of the solution, be an agent of change. And especially help women of color in the very earliest phase of their company/idea building process.

What are you most proud of within your work at Thrilling?

Giving back is built into our ethos. And we are proud to incorporate community service and outreach whenever and wherever we can.

As an example, we are delighted to be partnering with Goodwill Southern California on “best of Goodwill” collections that will be sold exclusively on our site. The first collection goes on sale March 15th, and it is curated by Ali Mandelkorn, Janelle Monae’s genius stylist. The majority of the proceeds go towards Goodwill SoCal’s incredible workforce development programs, in particular job training and assistance for the homeless.

What’s next for Thrilling?

We have been (happily!) overwhelmed by the response and demand from local vintage and secondhand store owners, from across the states and even as far away as Japan and Sweden. So we will continue to quickly ramp up the number of store partners we work with and the number of cities that we operate in.

We are also working on some fun and innovative partnerships with artists, celebrities, and designers - stay tuned for more on that front this spring!

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How This Med School Student Is Helping End Childhood Hunger

Shanay Thompson does it all: medical student, NBC contributor, former model. But she didn’t stop there. In 2017, upon realizing the prevalence of food insecurity among at-risk youth she mentored, Shanay founded Every Kid Fed, a nonprofit organization that focuses on ending childhood hunger.

Below, Shanay shares how she manages her time, what advice she has for women of color looking to start their own nonprofit, and what she wishes people knew about food insecurity.

You were a Wilhelmina model before you quit to pursue medicine. When did you realize you wanted to change careers, and how did you go about making that career shift?

When I started modeling, my intent was to do shoots here and there for fun while I was in school, until one day I started getting booked for shoots and shows that I didn’t want to pass up. Throughout college and graduate school, I would be on the plane or backstage in hair and makeup at New York Fashion Week, doing coursework, and when I got into medical school, I knew I had to make some serious adjustments. After having modeled for spectacular designers, fashion magazines, and doing pageants in between - as thrilling as it was, I wanted to do more in terms of impactful work. I knew I wanted to empower women on a larger platform and put my education to good use, so I met with my agent in 2015, and terminated my contract amicably. Modeling will always have a special place in my heart, as it was such a integral part of my life for years. I still keep in touch with friends in the modeling industry and attend shows, so I’d say it’s certainly a win-win!

How did you first come up with the idea for Every Kid Fed? How did you transform that idea into a reality?

I mentored at-risk teen girls in Berkeley, CA,  where I held after-school workshops and field trips that focused on self-esteem, empowerment, and academics. I started noticing after a few years there was a substantial increase in my mentees asking to take some of the snacks I provided during our workshops home for them and their siblings, and if they could borrow money for lunch. That’s when I started asking questions. I asked counselors and teachers if they had encountered students asking them for food and they said all of the time. I even asked an elementary school cafeteria manager, and she said on multiple occasions her kindergarten students asked her for seconds and thirds during lunch because they don’t eat enough at home. Hearing that made me spring into action. Not only is the public school lunch system flawed, there’s the severe affordable housing crisis in the Bay Area, along with gentrification. Families, who have worked hard to build a comfortable life for their families in cities like Berkeley, Oakland, San Jose, etc. are now struggling financially and are at risk of being displaced or already have been. But there’s more:

1. Parents who struggle to make ends meet but still make slightly over the amount required to qualify for free/reduced lunch program have children who are food insecure. Those children often resort to stealing food.

2. Students who do qualify for the free/reduced lunch program, often get bullied, and are labeled as poor in front of their peers, so they skip eating altogether.

3. Students who utilize the free/reduced school lunch program still go hungry, as the meals aren’t enough to sustain them throughout the day.

With that information, I created Every Kid Fed. Each food pantry location is on campus in a discreet location for students in need. The school pantries complement the free school breakfast and lunch programs by providing access to food for all food insecure children during and after the school day has ended, on the weekends and during holiday and summer breaks. The pantries are stocked with non-perishable food and vegan/vegetarian-friendly options. I started off by using some of my funds to stock the pantries, and now we have secured partnerships with local businesses and companies to keep the pantries stocked. We now have fed over 9,000 students in need, since launching in July 2017.

““Trust your vision and don’t let fear deter you from making an impact.””

You’re in your last semester of medical school, and you were recently made a medical contributor at NBC. How do you manage your time with all of your different responsibilities?

It is truly such an exciting time for me, and life is certainly busy! I feel like I do a great job with keeping a great work/life balance and the key is organization and simplicity. Each week I make a small list of my goals in my agenda, and I keep a set schedule in the Awesome Note app of everything from my clinic schedule, business travel, meetings, events, yoga and pampering time, and more. I highly recommend that app.

What does a typical day look like for you?

6am: Yoga or pilates and while getting ready, I’ll have Project Juice delivered for breakfast and check the stock market since I have shares in few companies. I then check my schedule for the day, emails, and check in with my executive assistant Elaine regarding Every Kid Fed, then head to the hospital.

8:30am-Noon: Morning Clinic

Noon to 1:30: Lunch - I spend that time studying, replying to emails, sometimes squeeze a meeting in, or do the online food shopping for my pantry locations.

1:30-5:00: Afternoon Clinic

6:30ish: Cooking a vegetarian dinner while listening to podcasts, or going out to dinner with my love.

9pm: Catching up on health news and working on my next assignment for NBC.

10:30-11pm Bedtime!

What do you wish more people knew about child food insecurity?

The facts. Whenever I explain Every Kid Fed, I always give statistics. Currently, 1 in 4 children in California are food insecure, and 7.9 million Californians are living in poverty. Second, is the devastating ramifications that go beyond a growling stomach - hunger impedes on the ability to learn and achieve optimal physical and mental health. Low-income children are the most vulnerable especially in schools. Many of them suffer in silence, so it’s our duty to be an advocate and to make sure no child ever has to worry about where their next meal will come from, and to give parents who are struggling to feed their family a helping hand.

What advice do you have for women of color looking to start their own nonprofit?

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. As black women, we have been conditioned to jump higher, run faster, be stronger, independent and yes, we are strong, independent warriors full of black girl magic - but it is absolutely OK to ask for help. You can be great, but behind every successful person or business, there is help. I had trouble with this in the beginning, but when you decide to start a nonprofit or anything for that matter, it is 100% a collaborative effort.

How do you go about creating change in a community?

Know what you want to accomplish and be passionate about what you do. Creating change doesn’t happen overnight, so you have to be prepared for the long haul. Your conviction to the end goal is what allows it to come into being.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Trust your vision and don’t let fear deter you from making an impact.

What and/or who inspires you?

Meeting new people inspires me everyday. As a student doctor, medical journalist, and social entrepreneur, I’m constantly meeting new people and listening to their stories. It truly keeps me motivated to do everything I can to cultivate positive change and inspire the next generation.

What’s the next step for you and Every Kid Fed?

We have now transitioned into serving high poverty elementary schools exclusively, and are continuing our work to end childhood hunger by partnering with city councilmembers and the CA Department of Education to implement universal school lunch in all California schools. This will erase the stigma, peer shaming, and increase free school lunch participation. We are also launching our $10 or less meal recipe division on our website in April for parents. As for myself, I’m preparing for the launch of my new book, She Can, releasing on June 18th,  graduating from medical school, starting residency, working on more exciting projects and gearing up for a much-needed vacation to Italy! If you’d like to help Every Kid Fed in any capacity, please visit everykidfed.org.

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Muslim at Work: Two Women Share Their Stories

It’s #MuslimWomensDay, a day for celebrating Muslim women around the world and giving them the spotlight to share their stories. Since 2000, there has been a 50% increase of Muslim women in the workforce across the globe. But 61% of US-born Muslims say they have experienced discrimination at least once in their lifetime, and 68% of Muslim women believe the way the Media depicts Muslims is “unfair.”

Below, we spoke with Eman Idil Bare and Dalia Mogahed about their experiences being Muslim women in America, microaggressions in the workplace, and what non-Muslims can do to be better allies to the Muslim community.

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Eman Idil Bare

Journalist, Fashion Designer, Law Student

What do you do for a living? Tell us about your career journey.

Haha, this question always stresses me out! I do a lot. I am a journalist first and foremost. I primarily work on longform investigative stories, but I also write a lot of fashion features for some semblance of balance.
Then I am a fashion designer. And most recently, a law student. To some people, my career journey might seem a bit...scattered. But there is a reason and a purpose, I promise! The nucleus of everything I do is social change. I went to journalism school because I did not like the way people who looked like me had their stories told. But working as a journalist showed me that the problem was much bigger than how a reporter told a story. And it seemed like the only way I could really grow my career was by selling myself as a “hijabi” reporter. Frustrated, I decided to take a break from journalism...and go to fashion school. I needed time to think my next few steps, and school was my comfort zone. And it was the best decision I ever made.

I was able to reground myself and figure out my purpose. That led me to launching my fashion line, and those experiences led me to law school. The most important lesson I have learned in my life is that nothing has to be linear.

You hired all black models for your runway debut at NYFW—and the show was amazing! Tell us about that experience.

I wanted to build my own table. I am at a point in my life where I am able to create the things that I once advocated for. I am tired of asking for inclusion from the fashion industry, or from any industry. I think that any brand that does not have employees that reflect the markets they cater to are making that decision intentionally. I did not see women who looked like me on runways as a child, so I decided to make my own brand because I deserve to be represented.

The experience was life changing. I loved seeing how happy my models were to notice that they had men and women doing their hair who actually knew how to care for black hair. It was the first time most of them walked in a show and did not feel like an afterthought. In 2019, models needing to bring their own makeup to shoots isn’t “unfortunate,” it’s racist. And we need to address it as such.  

What are some of the microaggressions you’ve personally faced as a Muslim woman in the workplace?

This is an email that the communications director of a school board in Ontario sent me:

I think what a lot of people fail to understand is that my entire existence, as a black Muslim woman, threatens a lot of people’s sense of privilege. People really think that Muslim women are oppressed, or black women are inferior. Because of the nature of my work, a lot of the people I interview are men in positions of power. They aren’t use to someone who looks like me holding them accountable. And a lot of the times, they snap. This is email. And they expect me to back down. But Somali women aren’t known to be passive, and I am loyal to my roots.

Also - shout out to Terry. If you’re reading this: No, you can’t “speak to my manager.”

Do you think things are getting better or worse for Muslim women in the workplace, and what factors contribute to this?

I think we need to remember that there are different kinds of Muslim women. A lot of Muslim women are white passing. And a lot of Muslim women don’t wear hijab. So, for some Muslim women, I think their privilege allows them to benefit from their proximity to whiteness.

Black Muslim women will always carry the weight of being Muslim and Black. And yes, I think it is getting much harder for us. And I think it is the responsibility of non-black Muslim women to ensure that it gets better for all of us. Which sometimes just means reminding the world that there are Muslims who have to deal with Islamophobia, and anti-blackness.

The contributing factor? A racist President and the white supremacy that fuels him.

What can non-Muslim women do better to support their colleagues in the workplace?

Honestly, acknowledging that we are not a homogenous group. And that even though we are Muslim women, we still have individual personalities. I think that gets lost a lot.  That we are our own person. “What do Muslim women need” is as difficult to answer as “what do white women need.” The most important thing anyone can do is acknowledge that.

What advice would you give to another Muslim woman who might be facing adversity in her workplace?

I think sometimes as Muslim women, or as marginalized women, we can be too forgiving. It takes zero effort to be a good person, or to treat another human being like a person. Do not blame yourself, and do not think you need to change who you are to accommodate a workplace that does not value you.

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Dalia Mogahed

Director of Research

What do you do for a living? Tell us about your career journey.

I help build bridges and strong communities with research.  The formal job title is “Director of Research” at The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding. I am here after my time at Gallup heading Muslim studies there. Before that I was pursuing my MBA at the University of Pittsburgh.  I am grateful to be paid to do what I love.

Your TED Talk, What It’s Like To Be Muslim In America, was one of the most-watched talk of the year. Why do you think it resonated so well with its audience?

I’m really taken aback by the success of the talk and so grateful that folks find it resonates.  I had hoped to reach people’s hearts with my story and weave the power of the facts about Muslim Americans into that personal narrative.  I think our current political moment has a lot of people searching for that human story, and for facts to replace the fear we are fed in so much of our political discourse. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share my story and research.

You lead research and thought leadership programs for ISPU. What are some of the most interesting or surprising findings you’ve come across in your work?

How much time do you have? Our discoveries are constantly surprising me, even though I’ve been at this for nearly two decades.  We discovered for example that American Muslims are the most likely faith community to condemn violence targeting civilians, contradicting Islamophobic tropes about the community.  We also found that mosques are a source of moderation, where frequent attendance is linked to greater civic engagement and service to society. We found that Muslim women surpass their male counterparts in education, and what truly oppresses them is not their faith or hijab, but Islamophobia and racism.  We also found that Islamophobia is bad for everyone who cares about freedom and safety in America.  The more the public is led to endorse Islamophobic tropes, the more they also support violence targeting civilians, authoritative policies and discrimination against Muslims. We also discovered that though white supremacist are responsible for the majority of American casualties at the hands of ideologically motivated violence, Muslim alleged perpetrators receive 770% more media coverage for foiled plots compared to white nationalists.  

“Hijab is an issue of religious freedom and freedom of expression and the liberal position should be to defend a woman’s right to choose or not choose it.”

What are some of the microaggressions you’ve personally faced as a Muslim woman in the workplace?

I have been blessed with mostly supportive and inclusive work environments in my career.  Where microaggressions come in are more often from random people in the public, or online, where I’ve endured literal campaigns of hate targeting me.  In the public, microaggressions often take the form of passive aggressive “pity” for me as a hijab-wearing Muslim woman. The assumption is that some man forced me to dress this way, or that I was brainwashed or socialized into “accepting second-class status” as one woman put it.  To me, assuming covering is oppressive is itself extremely misogynistic. It unconsciously is built on the idea that a woman’s power stems from her physical allure versus her intellect, and therefore by covering her physical self she is “oppressed.” Yet, when men are fully covered no one says they are oppressed.  I find that extremely problematic. I of course know that some women are forced to wear hijab, and that hijab is sometimes politicized, and this is absolutely wrong. But just because something is sometimes forced on women doesn’t make it inherently oppressive even when freely chosen.

Imagine applying this logic to sex.  Women are sexually assaulted in staggering numbers all over the world. Human trafficking is a global industry of billions of dollars. Rape is a weapon of war. But this does not make sex inherently oppressive to women when freely chosen. Imagine a campaign to ban women from having sex in order to “liberate” them? It would sound absolutely ludicrous to most people and banning hijab to liberate Muslim women should sound equally ludicrous.  According to ISPU research the vast majority of American women who are Muslim and wear hijab chose to do so.  The majority say it is an act of religious devotion or an expression of identity.  Hijab is an issue of religious freedom and freedom of expression and the liberal position should be to defend a woman’s right to choose or not choose it.  

Do you think things are getting better or worse for Muslim women in the workplace, and what factors contribute to this?

As a cautious optimist, I think things are getting better.  I say that because we now have a language for calling for equality.  We have laws and precedents to respond to discrimination. We have growing public awareness of the reality of anti-Muslim discrimination, and this wasn’t the case even 10 years ago.

What can non-Muslim women do better to support their colleagues in the workplace?

Women of all faiths and no faith should see each other as partners.  This means listening, getting to know each other as people, bragging about each other’s work, and amplifying each other’s ideas.  It also means interrogating our unintended biases and asking sincere questions rather than assuming.

What advice would you give to another Muslim woman who might be facing adversity in her workplace?

I actually get this question on a very regular basis, sadly.  My advice is never ever assume the whole world is against you.  Look for allies, don’t isolate yourself or believe the hate is the majority, because we know it’s not from rigorous research.  Most Americans want to live in a country where no one is targeted for their religious background. If the issue is a legal one, don’t be afraid to take legal means to address it if all other attempts at addressing it out of court have failed.  The most important thing is to surround yourself with people who love you and who support you. Take care of yourself emotionally and spiritually. Don’t let hostile people penetrate your heart.

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Money Matters: Katie Sturino, Founder of 12ish Style and Megababe

In today’s Money Matters feature, we sit down with Katie Sturino, founder of The 12ish Style, a plus-size fashion blog, and Megababe, a cult favorite anti-chafing stick. Below, Katie shares how she manages finances for two rapidly-growing brands—and what she wishes she’d known when she started it all.

Where do you think is the most important area for a business owner to focus their financial energy?

I think it is very important for business owners to invest their financial energy into making a high-quality, high-performance product. But the second place to place financial energy is PR. It doesn’t matter how much time or money you spend on a product if no one sees it.

What was your first big expense as a business owner?

Placing our first order for bottles for Megababe Thigh Rescue.

How did you decide what to pay yourself?

I don’t pay myself; everything we make goes back into the business.

What are your top three largest expenses every month?

Our top expenses per month are our PR department and our product. Currently, we only have hourly employees.

“I wish I would have stopped listening to other people sooner.”

How much are you saving? When did you start being able to save some of your income?

My income comes from my 12ish business—anything larger than a certain amount I put right into my savings account.

What apps or software are you using for finances? How did you decide when to hire a financial advisor (if you have one)?

We use Quickbooks for our finances.

Do you wish you’d done anything differently in your financial journey as a business owner?

I wish I would have stopped listening to other people sooner.

Why should women talk about money?

If we don’t talk about money, then financial conversations are always left up to someone else, usually a man in our life. Money is power and freedom. Sadly, I see so many women at the mercy of their partner financially, which means that a lot of the choices they make are not their own.

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"There Are No Lucky Accidents" — Natasha Lyonne on Authenticity, Advocacy, and Imposter Syndrome

We were beyond excited to host Natasha Lyonne as our keynote speaker in Austin this year! As the co-creator, director, executive producer, and star of the Netflix hit series Russian Doll, Natasha knows what it means to hustle. With more than 30 years and 70+ movies under her belt, she’s not just an industry powerhouse, but a role model for any woman who’s chasing her dreams. Below, we’re sharing some of our favorite mic-drop moments from Natasha’s keynote panel.

On hiring an all-female writers’ room for Russian Doll:

“The people that were best for the job happened to be women. It was really about surrounding myself with allies.”

“My hope is that we hit a tipping point where we’re restored to a point where men and women can work together as equals, where we all learn to work together beyond gender.”

“I felt additionally empowered to be the most 360 version of myself when working with a group of women.”

On imposter syndrome:

“An admission of inner brokenness is OK. That’s the stuff that makes us who we are. And Michelle Obama’s recent book helped me recognize that—because I was like, ‘Surely this woman has cracked this.’ But her experience of ‘Am I enough?’ is healing to read.”

“My goal in making a show like Russian Doll would be that it allows me to continue to speak very transparently around my own experience and acceptance. That’s our grit. That’s what makes us who we are.”

“At every level, everyone is constantly experiencing imposter syndrome and asking ‘Am I enough?’ and ‘Am I taking up too much space?’ It’s just necessary to push past it.”

On being your true self:

“I was afraid of not letting it all hang out in all its messiness. I think we embrace it and celebrate it in someone else, but as soon as it’s our own, it’s like a deep shame spiral.”

On finding your tribe:

“Find something safe in this life and let it tether you.”

“Something I love about working with women is that we spend so much time unpacking things like having kids that there’s something very fun about getting to get in the zone and watch them crystallize in this other pocket.”

On social media:

“The one thing I would caution the kids is compare and despair. Don’t buy the lies of social media. Everyone is architecting a make-believe life.”

“Proceed on social media with caution. Spend the time having human interactions. Life experience can’t be beat.”

On shining light on real issues through her work:

“I’m glad to have been a part of OITNB, but I’m happier that there was some attention or awareness brought to the prison industrial complex. The heavier aspect of working on the show for years as as team has been intense, processing what we’re really doing.”

On changes in Hollywood:

“It’s complex to know what’s changing. We’ve had good news in Hollywood, but let’s see how it tracks into the new world.”

“It’s a good time to be a woman in film, but the numbers aren’t there yet. These are early days.”

On work, success, and looking back:

“Directing an episode of Orange is the New Black was very healing around my own self-doubt, worthiness, and steadiness—there was something about the fact that the producers, and Netflix, and the cast were all open and inviting to it. I would be at the monitor just weeping. It was healing for me.”

“We work hard in life. There are no lucky accidents.”

Advice she’d give her teenage self:

“You’re in the war, but the war will be over. I promise. Hang tough, babe.”

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