“If I'm Going to Be Promoting Health and Well-Being, Why Would I Not Talk About My Own Personal Journey?”
Ashley Tisdale on opening up about her experience with anxiety and depression, launching Frenshe, and more.
Photo: Courtesy of Ashley Tisdale
Listen to the full episode here.
Ashley Tisdale has starred in wildly popular shows and TV movies, playing every character from an enterprising teen as Maddie Fitzpatrick in “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” to a scene-stealing antagonist as Sharpay Evans in “High School Musical.”
But now, she’s stepping into a new role as a health and wellness industry trailblazer.
As the founder of the health, wellness, and beauty site, Frenshe, she’s disrupting a saturated content market by rejecting unattainable beauty standards, confronting mental health stigmas, and opening up about her own self-love journey.
On this week’s episode of WorkParty, host Jaclyn Johson chats with Ashley Tisdale about launching Frenshe, her experience with anxiety and depression, and more.
Subscribe to WorkParty and never miss an episode.
On cultivating a genuine community online…
“You can't create an authentic audience unless you are authentic yourself.”
On opening up about her experience with anxiety and depression…
“If I'm going to be promoting health and well-being, why would I not talk about my own personal journey?”
On navigating missteps and mistakes…
“Yes, sometimes you fail, but it's how you get back up.”
“It's horrible and you feel such a failure, but you don't know where that moment is going to lead you to.”
On loving yourself and combating body-shaming…
“When you can love yourself is when you can love another.”
“If we can start to really love ourselves and our bodies, maybe we won’t be so judgmental over other’s bodies.”
On launching during COVID…
“It was kind of the weirdest timing launching in this moment, but in a moment where we're isolated and we want so badly to connect, I just felt like it was the perfect time.”
On defining success…
“I think of success as being everything as a whole, your family life, your personal life, what you do. It's not about numbers and judging yourself based on what works and doesn't work.”
On switching to a non-toxic lifestyle…
“The only way to change to non-toxic is to know it's a lifestyle, not a diet, and so it's never good to just jump all the way in.”
On her best advice for new entrepreneurs…
“Think of yourself as a start-up until you're not.”
Spritz Social: How to Stay Connected During This Time and Beyond
Our CEO, Jaclyn Johnson and Love Sweat Fitness founder, Katie Dunlop have all the tips.
Photo: Courtesy of Create & Cultivate
It’s safe to say that the past few weeks have tested everyone’s internal optimism meter but it’s while no-one is denying the challenges that we’re facing, it’s important to see the silver lining, or as Katie Dunlop says “choose joy.”
It can be as simple as moving your body, taking time for an at-home facial, or sharing a cocktail with a friend via video chat to stay connected and present during this time.
Enter the Spritz Social.
To kick off this mindful movement, our CEO, Jaclyn Johnson joined Katie Dunlop, the founder of Love Sweat Fitness for a live workout and wellness chat over a Ketel One Botanical Spritz—keep scrolling for the recipe so you can make it at home too!
While the girls shared a lot of tips and advice around self-care and community (which we will get to below!), Jaclyn and Katie also wanted to highlight Ketel One Botanical’s #TipsFromHome initiative. Since bartenders are among those who have been seriously impacted by COVID-19, the Ketel One Botanical team wanted to find a way to give back. So, every time you use the hashtag #TipsFromHome with #DiageoDonation and tag @KetelOneBotanical, Diageo will donate $1 up to $1 million to participating charities such as the USBG Bartender Emergency Assistance Program.
Make sure to show your support by using the hashtag #TipsFromHome with #DiageoDonation and tag @ketelonebotanical so we can help bartenders across the country!
Now, let’s get to the cocktail! Aside from the amazing taste, the best part about Ketel One Botanical is that it’s made with 100% non-GMO grain, and it also has no carbs, no sugar, and no artificial sweeteners, which are all key things Dunlop looks for. “Being someone who is really aware of what I’m putting into my body, having those ingredients, having no added sugar, and using non-GMO grain is so important, and I just love that it’s all in one bottle—all you need is a little soda water and fresh garnish.”
“It makes me feel like a mixologist,” Jaclyn chimes in. “It feels very complicated but it’s so easy and it’s only 73 calories per glass which is great.”
Keep reading to hear more from Johnson and Dunlop’s chat along with their top wellness advice and tips to stay positive.
“It’s been really important to stick to my routine as much as possible.”
—Katie Dunlop, Founder, Love Sweat Fitness
JACLYN: How have you been staying positive during this time?
KATIE: This time definitely has been a challenge. I think for a lot of people it’s such a shift being home so much and if you are used to going to work out classes or to gyms or just to meet up with your friends to work out, it’s a big mental shift, not to mention all of the other things that people are going through right now—that can be really stressful.
It’s been really important to stick to my routine as much as possible. That has been extremely helpful. I have always been an at-home workout girl so that part is normal to me, but the biggest thing is scheduling that time into my day and making sure I have that dedicated 10 or 15 minutes. Then I know that I’m going to do something for my body, that’s my time. This has not only been great physically but mentally it has also helped me stay on track.
What’s the first step you should take when starting a fitness community?
My community was built from my 45-pound weight loss journey, so I think the biggest thing is really finding a reason to connect with other people. You have to have some kind of common goal and common interest that motivates you to come together. So, for me, it was finding other women who understood what I was going through and what I went through. Being able to share that experience was really unique. Having that purpose, or you can say your “why” or whatever it is, just something that you feel really passionate about and are able to share but also give a unique perspective on.
And maybe on something that’s missing. So, for me, I didn’t have a community going through my own journey and I really felt like I needed to feel connected to other people and I couldn’t find that anywhere. So, that’s why I was able to start Love Sweat Fitness and now that community has really grown massively over the last two years. But I think the key is having that clear vision of what you want to see.
“My whole life, my mantra has been “choose joy.” —Katie Dunlop, Founder, Love Sweat Fitness”
How have you been sleeping? Normally I can sleep anywhere but lately, it’s been a little stressful and we’re also in a new house, so I think it’s also the newness of that. So, what tips do you have?
I’m actually sleeping better now than I have normally. I’m typically a bad sleeper, I always have been. I feel like I always need a lot of sleep and I’m always tired, but I’m not great at being a solid sleeper. So, for me, going back to routines, I have a very specific night routine that I start a half hour before I actually want to get into bed, and it’s everything from my skincare that I try to treat as a little mini-facial every night and really take time, not just throw it on. From putting on my essential oils, dimming the lights, reading, listening to music.
Having that routine really just sets your body and mind into sleep mode—that’s helped a ton. But exercise will help you sleep better too. Just being able to move your body throughout the day and giving it a little work is definitely a huge help too.
I’ve really been trying to focus on self-care—slowing down my skincare routine, doing a face mask once a week—things I don’t normally do all time, but now I have a little extra time to think about it.
Do you have any mantras that help you stay positive?
My whole life, my mantra has been “choose joy.” My mom has always said that to me in every situation, so my mind always goes there. That’s the biggest thing for me is just trying to stay focused on all the good things that are happening and not to take away from some of the really sad and unfortunate things that are going on right now but I think trying to see the good in most situations, find the things that are uplifting and positive, and my community is a source of positivity.
I also search the #TeamLSF hashtag and I see thousands of women posting and encouraging each other and sweating it out. That gives me so much joy and helps me realize I am not just here for me, I’m here for this whole community to stay positive, to uplift each other, to come together, and that’s really, really powerful.
Now, you can kick off your own Spritz Social with friends and say “cheers” over a Ketel One Botanical Spritz by using the simple (but very delicious) recipe below:
To learn more about Ketel One Botanical, visit ketelone.com/botanical.
This post is sponsored by Ketel One Botanical. Please drink responsibly.
PLEASE DO NOT FORWARD TO THOSE UNDER LEGAL DRINKING AGE
LEGAL NEWSLETTER DISCLOSURE:
KETEL ONE BOTANICAL. Made With Vodka Distilled With Real Botanicals And Infused With Natural Flavors. 30% Alc/Vol. © Double Eagle Brands, B.V. Imported by Ketel One USA, Aliso Viejo, CA.*
*Note: Any KOB materials that feature the bottle and/or NO Sugar, NO Carbs claims also requires the additional following statement either above or below the mandatory line in the same size type: Per 1.5 oz.: 73 Cals, 0g Carbs, 0g Protein, 0g Fat
PLEASE DO NOT FORWARD TO THOSE UNDER LEGAL DRINKING AGE. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.
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C&C's Founder Shares Her Tips for Scoring & Succeeding at a New Job
“If you learn your boss’ love language, you'll be in a really good place.”
If you’re a regular Create & Cultivate reader (or maybe even a member!), you need no introduction to our founder, Jaclyn Johnson. The Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree started her own company at 23, then sold it in 2016. Now, at the helm of C&C, she’s helping women around the world create and cultivate the career of their dreams. And that’s exactly why she’s a member of our new Mastercard Women’s Business Advisory Council. Throughout the year, members of the council will be popping up at events and online with advice on how to get your small business off the ground—stay tuned to learn more!
Jaclyn shared with Teen Vogue the story behind C&C, the challenges she’s faced, and the best way to get on your boss’ good side—read an excerpt of the interview below.
TV: You started Create & Cultivate when you were still pretty young, and it became so successful in a relatively short amount of time. Some people might look at your journey and think you made it look easy. But in reality, what challenges did you face?
JJ: Well, it wasn't a short amount of time. That's something that everyone always thinks. But the first [Create & Cultivate conference] was in 2011, so it's actually been going on for over seven years. In terms of the growth, it's obviously grown a lot. But there's so much hard work and intensity behind it. For a while, I was running both companies: I had my old company, [marketing agency, No Subject] and Create & Cultivate at the same time. I was working 150-hour weeks balancing both teams, running both financials — it was so much and so intense. I mean, it's great it looks easy, but it definitely hasn't been that way.
TV: What about before Create & Cultivate — what were some of the biggest challenges you faced in the earlier years of your career?
JJ: [With] my first company, there were so many different challenges. Number one is trying to be the boss when you yourself don't have that much work experience — trying to navigate those waters and learn. At the the beginning, I took a lot of things personally and really didn't manage myself well because I was so invested in everything [and] I was so young and not equipped to handle things.
TV: How did you overcome those challenges?
JJ: Experience. You get better over time; it gets easier over time. You'll be a better problem-solver. You just have to go for it, make mistakes, and learn along the way.
TV: Did you ever have moments early in your career or when starting Create & Cultivate when people didn't take you seriously because you were young or because you’re a woman?
JJ: Oh yeah, all the time. Even [with] the AV guy today: I [asked], "Can we lower the music?" He said, "Who's asking?" And I said, "The person paying you." It happens all the time. People think I'm really young. [...] At happened at the beginning of my career all the time. It's one of those things where you just have to have the confidence and the presence of mind to put people in their place, move on, and keep focusing on your own stuff. Head down, focus on the work, and then you no longer have to prove yourself because you know deep down that you deserve to be where you are.
TV: It seems some people feel like when they’re in college, they already have to know their career path. What do you have to say to that?
JJ: In college I had no idea how many jobs there were out there. I think it's like, a lot of people are like, "Oh, I can be a doctor, a lawyer." Like you can be all ... You can be marketing, you can be in whatever. Now, it's so different because you can be a content creator, you can have four gig jobs that add up to your full time payment. You can kind of create your own career, and it no longer has to be the fact that you're going to be in a company for 15 years. You can start a company, you can be an independent contractor, you can be an influencer. So I think that now, there's so many paths, so I think [college is] really just about now college giving you the tools that you need to go into the world and know what you want to do.
TV: When someone is applying for their first job, what are some of the biggest dos and don'ts they should remember?
JJ: I think the biggest thing is a lot of people, when they go in for interviews, are thinking that they're the only one being interviewed. But the reality is you should also be asking questions in the interview as well and seeing if it's a mutually good fit for you. A lot of people come in and they're just answering all my questions, [and when I ask], "Oh, do you have any questions?”, [they say], "No." But there should be so many questions [you ask, like], “What's the culture here? What are the hours here? Do I have to travel? What's your goal for me?” The best interviews I've had are [with] women who also ask questions, so I think that's something to take note of.
“The reality is you should also be asking questions in the interview and seeing if it’s a mutually good fit for you. ”
TV: Can people negotiate in their first job out of college?
JJ: Oh, yeah, definitely. I mean, I think you have to go into it knowing what you need to live and save. What is that final number? And then try to get to that number. And then if you don't [get that] immediately, ask for a reevaluation in three months. Always ask for reevaluation in three months, because if you're crushing it in three months and they don't want to lose you, they're going to bump you up to what you want to be at.
TV: What are some of the biggest things you look for when you're hiring?
JJ: Team players. People who come in and would never say, "That's not my job." We want someone who can wear all the hats, be all hands, jump in, do things that are outside of the box, think creatively, [and] come to the table with ideas. Anyone who doesn't want to just be like, "I'm marketing, so I do marketing." [I look for] anyone who's like, "Hey, I'm going to jump in and take out that trash because it's full at the event." Or, "I'm going to jump in and go to this meeting for you because I know you're busy." Anyone who's down to do that — especially in a small company, it's vital.
TV: Aside from negotiation, once you're in your first job, what are the biggest dos and don'ts?
JJ: Number one is learn your boss’s communication love language. Are they a list person? Are they an email person? Are they a pick up the phone person? How do they communicate, and what kind of style do they like? Learn that and do that, because you want to be making your boss happy. If you learn their love language, you'll be in a really good place. I think that's number one.
Number two is working with your teammates to build rapport, because those are the people that are going to build you up and hold you accountable. Especially if you're going into a team that's been established for a while, what are the ins and outs of that team? What is everyone's function? How does everyone work together? [Learn] the rhythm of that group balance.
TV: What advice do you have for people who want to start something or have an idea but think they’re too green or too young?
JJ: No one's too green anymore. If you have an idea, if you're solving a problem, if you're excited about that, then go for it. [...] Big risk, big reward. But also, be strategic in the way you're approaching things.
TV: If you could go back and tell your college self one thing, what would it be?
JJ: I would say that you shouldn't be so hard on yourself. I think there's ebbs and flows. I went through so many crazy things in my twenties [that] I thought were the end of the world. And everything was fine. Everything happens for a reason, and enjoy the journey, enjoy the failures, enjoy the successes, enjoy the heartbreak, the enjoy the love that you get. Enjoy all those things. That's what makes you you.
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RSVP Now! For An Intimate Evening in LA with Create & Cultivate & Club Monaco
Space limited!
We’re teaming up with Club Monaco to host a little GNO in our hometown of Los Angeles! Come mix + mingle with fashionable ladies, shop + enjoy a conversation with our very own Jaclyn Johnson, Geri Hirsch of Because I’m Addicted + Courtney Halverson of Pretty Little Fawn. Enjoy champagne while you shop the Fall 2017 collection + explore the ever-evolving notion of the modern woman.
The evening is open to the public with RSVP, but it will fill up fast. Be sure to sign up + show up early to gain access!
THE DETAILS
Date: September, 14th 2017
Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm
The Location: Club Monaco
401 N Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, California, 90210
Our Club Monaco pop up event is free & open to the public. RSVP is required & does not include a plus 1! We suggest arriving early as space is limited!
*By signing up, you are opting in for emails from ourselves and our partners. You will always have the option to opt out.
RSVP Closed
Two CEOs Walk Into a Conference Room
What follows is not a joke.
The original version of this article appeared on Darling.
Darling and Create & Cultivate have a long-standing relationship. Some might even call it a BFF-work friendship, seeing as CEO Sarah Dubbeldam of Darling and Jaclyn Johnson CEO of C&C have been friends for over five years.
So when Darling thought it would be fun for the two of them to get together, and have a quick catch-up, we thought, of course! What's better than getting real IRL?
Sarah, with and Darling managing editor Teresa Archer stopped by our West Hollywood office to meet up with Jaclyn and talk a little about why we love women, supporting female-owned companies, and the memories from the early days.
Teresa Archer: At the beginning of where you started, did you envision where you were going?
Jaclyn Johnson: It’s so funny because I always think the best businesses have no business plan. For me, when I started it was purely happy accident. I got laid off of my job before I started No Subject and the only way to go is up from rock bottom.
I always tell people, for me, it wasn’t like “I have a business plan, I have all this outreach.” It completely happened naturally and the way it was supposed to. Similarly, with C&C I was really young. I was 23, I didn’t know a lot about starting a business. I was the creative, I had all these ideas but I didn’t know about taxes and cash flow — all those things as a business owner you need to know about. So I hit a lot of trials and tribulations early on and really C&C manifested from that. I really wanted to start a community where freelancers could get together and ask, “What are you doing?” and “What’s working for you?”
So it really started out more DIY and retreats, but morphed based on my personal experiences and also the ones I heard from the other women. I saw women really need this advice, they really need a community where it’s giving you hard-hitting facts but also looks like something you want to be a part of; not a gross conference room or a legal zoom.
There’s this drawing of “the path to success” and it shows everybody thinks it’s A to B, but in actuality it’s all winding and crazy and it’s true! I mean we [Sarah and I] have known each other forever and I feel like it’s so funny to see your friends skyrocket like this. Six years ago we were like, “We have ideas!” Now, we have companies!
… the only way to go is up from rock bottom.
Sarah Dubbeldam: Yeah, we started with our mission statement which was just this concept of somehow the world being better. Originally I wanted to write a book, but we thought people have already written books about this kind of thing, so what’s a continual conversation? And we landed on a magazine.
From the beginning I wanted it to be a blog and a magazine. There wasn’t social media then, that came later. We always knew we wanted to do retreats and events and video was kind of a small inkling in my mind and I didn’t know how to do it. I was kind of the opposite [to Jaclyn] I was like, “I need a business plan!” I was an art major and I”m a creative, visionary person and I didn’t know how to do that so I partnered up early on with some people who were business majors at my college.
It was always so complicated and terrible. I had 95 versions of the plan on my computer and I was Googling “business plans” and I’d download these PDFs. Super extensive and some even said, “You just need a 1-sheet and charisma…”
JJ: [laughing] A 1-sheet and charisma! Amazing!
SD: Yeah, I was really confused about how to actually start. Same thing as you, though, we just started online content, which led to the print. It was about taking advantage of opportunity. You have to focus and figure out the shortest path to helping the business grow. That’s the hardest thing: not getting sideswiped by ideas that aren’t what you should be focusing on. Now we’re going into video because its just the most natural next step from the magazine. Darling has become a media company so that we can reach out past print and keep the dialogue we’ve started going in a really active way.
You have to focus and figure out the shortest path to helping the business grow.
TA: Awesome. What’s each of your most precious memories of the early days?
JJ: It’s funny; things sometimes happen at such warp speed that we’ll joke and talk about, “Remember that office we had that was so teeny and weird slash under construction the whole year we were there?” There are so many moments where you never think in a million years you’ll end up where you’ll end up.
I remember getting so excited about signing deals that were $2,000 and I was like, “We’re rich!” I always tell people when you’re first getting started to enjoy the beginning because once you are in it, you are IN it and you can’t even get your head up for five seconds to say, “We’re doing a great job, congrats!”
It’s always so funny to look back on, like original logo ideas. It’s horrifying! But it’s kind of the best, because you think “I can’t believe this is what I did.” All the archives show how far you’ve come.
SD: I think that my best memory of those days is shipping magazines out of my living room…
JJ: Oh, amazing!
SD: Yeah. We had like a million padded mailers in our living room, all the way to the ceiling, tables set up and our interns coming to ship them from our home. Our landlord even came and said, “You’re running a business out of your house, I’m gonna kick you out!”
The second memory is when Anthropologie emailed us to buy magazines and we didn’t know what to do. They ordered a magazine and one day we put a shipping label on that said, “Anthropologie Headquarters.” We realised that they had emailed us and were trying to buy magazines on our site but we had no wholesale set up. They were our first big retailer.
All the archives show how far you’ve come.
TA: Ok, last question. What do you each love about the other person’s brand and company?
JJ: Oooh I love this question! I am obsessed with Darling’s aesthetic, I feel like it’s very on point. I feel like there are very few brands you can look at and say, “That’s so Darling.” You’ve done such an amazing job, from the magazines to the dinners to the photo shoots to the website. You’ve built a brand that has such a feeling, an emotion and cinematic quality to it. I feel like that’s very hard to do, it’s so crowded in the market, it’s hard to differentiate yourself, but that’s what you guys have done.
SD: Thank you! Likewise, because I’m such a visual person I remember first going to your website and remember the colors, the bold font. It’s so clear what you do as a vision. From the beginning it was such a clear mission.
And your events are just gorgeous! I mean, even looking at your Instagram you get such a feeling of, “I wish I was there!” Your attention to detail is just perfect, from invites to the promoters you choose, you’ve made C&C be the coolest “next big thing.” It seems the coolest thing to be at for women in business and influence. You’ve really branded yourself as “We’re the best at this.”
So there you have it. We really, really like them and they like us. Stay in contact with Darling and check them out at Darling Magazine.
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#Breadwinners: Women Changing the Face of Top Household Earners
Get to know the new female breadwinners.
Today marks Women’s Equality Day. A date selected to commemorate the 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. Today also marks the launch of the first ever Breadwinners Campaign.
Breadwinners was conceived to highlight women who are redefining success-- women who are the primary household earners and who are changing the landscape and conversation around what it means to bring home the bacon.
The passion and project of Alisa Leonard, founder of Hello-Q, Leonard says, "The highest wave floats all the boats - as female Breadwinners we need to be that wave. I believe our greatest achievements can be to lift up other women, and in turn everyone."
"The highest wave floats all the boats - as female #Breadwinners we need to be that wave."
Tweet this.
Make no mistake. This is powerful. Female enfranchisement is no longer a demand, it’s a reality. And the female breadwinner is on the rise...
In 2013 the US Census released data showing that 40% of household breadwinners were women-- specifically mothers. According to a 2015 McKinsey report (Power of Parity), closing the gender pay gap and increasing opportunities for women would add $2.1-4.3 TRILLION to the US economy.
Women, like Create & Cultivate founder Jaclyn Johnson who has earned her success through dedication and tireless work. “If it was easy,” says Johnson, “everyone would do it. Just know to keep moving, keep pushing forward and don’t be scared to ask for help.”
Women like Jennifer Stith, VP of Bumble who says, “My entire adult life I have sought total financial independence. And though traditionally the term breadwinner has had a predominantly male connotation, today I know many couples with two people contributing as equals to the livelihood of their homes and families. In 2016, I don’t think a breadwinner needs to stand alone in a home anymore.”
A wise woman once told us, “If you can’t see it, you can’t be it.” Now you can do both. Our founder was featured, along with 34 other influential, game-changing women. Women entrepreneurs and executives across media, tech, art, finance. Those that run Fortune 500 companies and those at the helm of startups. There is no limit to who a #Breadwinner can be and we are committed to changing the conversation.
We are proud to collaborate with Hello-Q on this initiative. View the full list of Breadwinners and check out their stories and follow #Breadwinners on Instagram!
To participate in the #Breadwinners Project Survey click here. The #Breadwinner Project Survey is kicking off an ongoing research initiative into the needs and challenges of American female breadwinners. The mission of this initiative is to further our understanding of the rapidly growing female breadwinner population and use these insights shape innovative, strategic solutions for both the private sector and public sector that empower equality and inclusion for women in the work force.
We are committed to driving innovative change that empowers women in the workforce. By taking a few minutes to participate in this survey, you are helping inform and shape that change. This survey was created in partnership with Hello-Q.com, Create + Cultivate and theTACTILE.co
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The Importance of Celebrating Our Biggest Accomplishments
The best moments in life are worth framing.
As we move on up through our careers and lives, there are always those little souvenirs that remind us of how far we’ve come. Whether it is our college diplomas, our very first ultrasound, our first signed deal with a client, or a heartfelt recommendation letter from a boss, these all symbolize great achievements on our journey. And yet we are often so consumed (and excited) by the hustle, we often forget to stop and be proud of or give attention to our accomplishments.
So we're taking a moment to highlight moments we are proud of-- the experiences that might not seem big to the world, but mean the world to us.
Framebridge asked Sona Gasparian, Grasie Mercedes, Leura Fine of Laurel & Wolf, and our very own founder Jaclyn Johnson to frame special moments or achievements in their lives.
Check out the frames below, and see the story behind why Sona, Grasie, Leura, and Jaclyn chose them!
AN ENGAGEMENT
"This was one of the most exciting, happy and natural moments of my life. We snapped this photo right after he asked and you can see I still have tears in my eyes. It's something that I treasure very much!"
--Jaclyn Johnson, Create & Cultivate
AN INVITATION
"I'm a huge fan of Chanel and a little obsessed to be honest, so to be able to attend the show in Paris was a total dream come true."
-Sona Gasparian, Simply Sona
MEMENTOS FROM A FIRST JOB
"I decided to go with a bunch of lanyards and my ID from my days working at MTV. It was my first job out of college and being a PA then a producer really trained me for the hard work, organizational skills and personality it takes to be a good actress and blogger. "
-Grasie Mercedes, Blogger + Actress, Style Me Grasie
A THANK YOU NOTE
"I chose the thank you note that Kelsea Ballerini sent us because it represents the incredible work we do at Laurel & Wolf everyday. The opportunity to design Kelsea's dream apartment and knowing the way we have changed her life in such a meaningful way is something that is truly inspiring. It is humbling to have worked with such a gifted and exciting young talent but most importantly, I'm inspired by helping all people design the life they deserve."
-Leura Fine, CEO of Laurel & Wolf
About Framebridge:
Framebridge is an online custom framing company, and the easiest way to custom frame and highlight all the special moments in your life as well as the things you love.
They're making what has typically been a frustrating and expensive process into something easy, accessible, and beautiful. Whether it’s having them print and frame special photos or sending them a meaningful painting, invitation or textile - Framebridge is all about celebrating the things that matter most to you. Best part? Prices start at $39 and only go up to $159 - making it a fraction of traditional custom framing.
How it works: If you have a photo or a digital print (you can pull right from your Instagram feed!), just upload it to their site or app. They'll print it, frame it and ship it to you ready to hang. If you have a physical piece you want to frame (canvas art, old photos, flags, matches - anything!) just tell them the size of the piece and they'll send you pre-paid packaging. You'll just put your piece inside and drop it off at UPS. It will come to their studio, where their team will custom frame it for you and ship it back to you in just a few days.
Not sure what frame looks best with your piece? They have in house designers ready to help. Oh, and they also have a gallery wall service! Check them out at framebridge.com.
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Resource Roundup: Ignite Your Business With These Four Tools
Start the fire with these amazing resources.
When you’re starting a business, you’re going to need an arsenal of tools to help you make all the right connections and teach you the tricks to get your business off the ground. You could go on LinkedIn and reach out to your entire network and pick everyone’s brains on their best marketing tips, or cold email a few founders and see what were their biggest hardships when they started their company, but you still have to go beyond that.
We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite resources that take you away from hours of online research and let you make IRL connections that are meant to make a lasting impact.
General Assembly
General Assembly (GA) is a global educational company on a mission to empower a global community to pursue work they love. Focusing on the most relevant and in-demand skills across data, design, business and technology, GA is confronting a skills gap through best-in-class instruction and providing access to opportunities.
GA works with students online and in person across 15 campuses in 4 continents. GA also works with companies as partners in course development and graduate placement as well as helps companies stay competitive in today's digital landscape. Additionally, GA’s focus on affordable and accessible education combined with their education-to-employment approach is helping to create a diverse talent pipeline.
If GA sounds like the place where you want to start taking notes to apply to your business asap, you’re in luck! If you’re in Los Angeles this Monday, March 21st, our founder Jaclyn Johnson will be having a keynote as a part of GA’s #OffCampus festival. Find out all the details and RSVP here!
Creative Mornings
Created in 2008 by Tina Roth Eisenberg, aka Swissmiss, Creative Mornings came to life out of a desire for an ongoing, accessible event for New York’s creative community. The concept was simple: breakfast and a short talk one Friday morning a month. Every event would be free of charge and open to anyone.
Today, Creative Mornings has grown far beyond its New York border and has taken over 137 cities worldwide and has brought some of the most creative minds from music, business, design, marketing, advertising and so many more. Not only that, Creative remains free thanks to the support of their generous sponsors and partners. Anyone is welcome to attend, just RSVP to their events, and you’re all set.
The Book Shop
If you work in marketing or advertising and are still looking to sharpen up your skills in the field, The Book Shop is for you. The Book Shop offers you the chance to work harder than you’ve probably worked at anything in your life with some of the biggest creative professionals to create big ideas that change companies. With the one-on-one interaction that they offer, not only are you getting knowledge from some of the biggest head honchos in the biz, but you’re making amazing connections that will help you career in the long run. The Book Shop works to be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life that will ultimately land you the career you’ve been dying for.
ThinkLA
If you’re based in Southern California, thinkLA is a non-profit association founded to promote LA as a network of creativity and innovation in media, marketing, and advertising. With their memberships, you’re able to tap into their unparalleled networking and social activities, year-round knowledge-building through their events and programs, and be able to volunteer at their industry-related charities like Ad Relief and MAT Program. ThinkLA has been able to bring in some of LA’s biggest visionaries, dreamers, innovators, and creators into their network, so if you want to hang with the cool kids in LA, join ThinkLA.