The Female CEO Who Turned Sophia Bush Down
And the actress' rad response.
Sophia Bush, actress and activist, keynoted our Style Summit at the Simon Mall Houston Galleria this past weekend, and we're still on a high from the knowledge she intentionally slammed, forget dropped-- this wasn't casual, on stage.
If you missed out, we're sharing 6 of our favorite moments to keep you motivated through your work week.
On being a tender-hearted softie who takes no shit.
I’ve had to learn, sometimes, how to scream and swear at the phone and then not send it. You know, write the draft of the response to the person who deserves it, but then channel Michelle Obama, ‘when they go low, I go high,’ and I delete it. But still I am really learning the art of a good clapback and I deserve that. Simply because I exist in public does not make me a receptacle for people’s garbage.
It’s taken me 15 years, but I think I’m sort of an expert.
"I am really learning the art of a good clapback and I deserve that."
Tweet this.
On activism being a huge part of her story and advice to women
You have to find the thing that lights you up and that can be in a good way, or a bad way. What sets you on fire? What makes you so angry? I read a lot about what’s happening in the world today and I’m pissed, I’m so pissed all of the time, and that FIRE that it calls up in the gut of my gut, I’m like, this is why I can’t be quiet. It’s really easy to turn off the news. And look, today is Saturday. My best friend and I laid in bed all morning and ate french fries and drank iced coffee and watched Fixer Upper-- I needed a day. But we have to pay attention and I think the first and foremost step to becoming a more engaged more active member of society, is to pay attention.
On the internet life.
I would encourage everyone here to make the easiest free investment ever. For the next week, please every day, leave a really lovely compliment on at least one of the accounts of women you follow. Please once a day. Because most of the people who take the time to leave comments are assholes. The really nice together people, are scrolling and liking, but we’re busy. So we can really tilt the conversation by leading it with positivity.
On personal style.
When we look at the ways we express ourselves and the ways each of us still might be feeling like maybe today’s version of expression was a risk? Support each other. Whether that’s girls who tend to dress in menswear or girls who love to show off their bodies or girls who are fully covered and wearing a hijab. Love on women. Love on them and tell them they are beautiful. Tell them that their style is sick, even if it’s different from your own. I can’t wait to be eighty and be like Iris Apfel meets Georgia O'Keeffe. I’m gonna be such a silver-haired old lady wearing crazy shit out in the desert collecting bones and painting them.
Her advice to her 20-year-old self.
I was so nervous about letting people down. I didn’t know that when I was 21 and started working in television that I didn’t have to answer every question journalists asked me to be polite. What is polite anyway? Figure out what’s important to you and you don’t have to open up your life in ways you don’t want to. You don’t have to please other people before you please yourself. You don’t have to stay in a job that makes you unhappy. You don’t have to stay in a relationship that makes you unhappy. If you’re pretty sure that guy you’re dating is lying to you, he is. Let it go. I learned that one the hard way.
"You don’t have to please other people before you please yourself."
Tweet this.
I really wish I could look at her and say ‘you already know, stop worrying about what other people know or think or want from you more than you worry about how you feel in the root of the root of yourself.’
On putting yourself out there.
Women are often so reductive about ourselves. Men don’t say I think. Women say I think. You might write an email and say I just think it would be so wonderful to know you. No you know it would be wonderful to get to know that person. That CEO who you idolize or whoever that person is, say: "It would be such an honor for me to spend a morning with you. I have a couple of questions that I know your expertise would be so valuable." Stop saying I think I could benefit, I think I would like to-- no you know what you’d like. You know what you can do. Just go for it. I’ve done that. Last year, I sent an email to an incredible female CEO who I admire so much basically asking the same question. She was so lovely in response and said I’m incredibly strapped for time as it is and what free time I have goes to my kids but thank you so much for writing this email to me, the compliment that you paid me really means the world, and I do hope that in some point when we’re in the same city we both have some free time and we’ll get together. I was like I’m so sad but you’re so classy. It made me feel so good to know that I made her feel good.
Photo credit: Smith House Photo
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
The 5 Key Blogger Takeaways from Our First Style Summit
The 5 keys you need to know to create a strong blog and brand.
Photo by Jessica Bordner
What a 2017 it’s been for us at C&C! And it’s only January.
Last week alone, we launched our first ever Create & Cultivate 100 list, and then hopped on a plane to Florida for our very first Create & Cultivate Style Summit at The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills.
If you couldn't make it to Fort Lauderdale and missed out on Saturday’s Style Summit (and the amazing florals thanks to Designs by Darenda), we’ve culled some of the best tips from our amazing panelists. From how to utilize your Instagram feed as a business medium, to creating a brand and a business as an influencer, to diving into doing fashion full time.
IF YOU WANT TO BLOG FULL TIME, YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT TIME.
Contrary to what the outside world may think, blogging= not so simple. You don’t get 100K followers overnight, and brands don’t come running to partner with you because you own a blog.
Although they have established large followings, many of the bloggers from Saturday, including Stephanie Hill of The Style Bungalow, Nikole Powers of In High Demand, and Symphani Soto are still looking to grow their followings.
And getting to where they are has taken considerable time. “You have to give it time and invest the time and energy in creating good content and creating a great brand,” says Stephanie. “It doesn’t come easy.”
USE YOUR REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE AND APPLY IT TO YOUR OWN BUSINESS
Blogging full time may be a dream job for many, but for many influencers it started as a side hustle. Use this to your advantage. How?
For those starting out, a rule of thumb to follow is to absorb as much knowledge as possible, which seems obvious, but success is in the details. Pay careful attention to how your current role might help inform your business strategies as a blogger. Also be sure to cultivate relationships and don’t burn bridges.
“The industry is very small,” says Kristen Leahy of Fancy Things Blog. “I’ve applied my knowledge I’ve learned in the PR industry to running my blog, and the connections I’ve made have helped me grow my blog as well.”
Gorgeous florals by Designs by Darenda.
ALIGN WITH PARTNERSHIPS THAT MAKE SENSE FOR YOUR BRAND
Making money. At the end of the day, that’s also what blogging is about. And when you’re first getting started it’s very tempting to say “yes” to dollars. Forget outfits, you need to pay rent.
However, when you’re building a brand, you want to make sure that you are committing to a collaboration that will help your brand in the end. “When working with a brand, you have to think whether they’re going to help or hurt your brand,” says Nikole Powers.
Also, it’s not all about the money. Keep in mind that you’re also creating brand that is a reflection of who you are. “If you become a blogger just to make a lot of money,” says Stephanie Hill, “this gig is not for you.”
In short: “Don’t be a sellout,” says Natalie Suarez, who took a moment in between dropping knowledge to hit the Sideshow Booth with sister Dylana (see below) and snap a few shots.
INVEST TIME IN MAKING A MEDIA KIT
While your website and your social media channels serve as an archive for all the amazing content that you have created, when you’re looking to grow your brand and establish a professional presence, you have to invest time in creating a media kit.
All the girls on panel this weekend have created their own media kits, whether they made it from scratch or bought a template on Etsy to help them start. And it’s also not rocket science if you feel intimidated by creating one.
“My media kit is simple and states the facts. Report impressive numbers, add beautiful imagery that you already have on your blog, and showcase notable collabs,” says Stephanie Hill. “Also, make it as easy as possible for brands and potential collaborators to read your deck. They don’t have time to read essays.”
Natalie and Dylana Suarez in the Sideshow Booth.
BUILD CONTENT TO YOUR OWN STANDARDS, NOT ANYONE ELSE’S, AND STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF
Last, but certainly not least, the one key to creating a brand as an influencer is to make sure that you’re creating YOUR OWN BRAND. Blogging is a very competitive field, to say the least, so you have to make sure that your content is able to stand out and not blend into what everyone else is doing.
“Don’t build your content to live up to everyone else’s standard. Do you,” says Kristin Clark of Living In Color Print. If you tune out of what everyone else is doing, you can create amazing content on your own. “Be inspired by others, but always make sure you are always doing you,” as Nikole Powers would say.
What were your favorite takeaways from Create & Cultivate Style Summit this weekend? Let us know below!
ORE FROM THE BLOG
#CCStyleSummit: What You Need To Know
All you need to know to get ready for this weekend.
We’re officially a few days away to our very first #CCStyleSummit this weekend! As we’re putting the finishing touches on pop-up at The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills this weekend, we want to make sure that you’re set for success for an amazing day of panels, keynotes, and fun!
If you are looking to make your way out to Fort Lauderdale this Saturday, here are all the things you need to know and what you can expect at the Style Summit:
Get there early! The first 100 attendees will receive a $75 Simon Gift Card - don’t worry you will have plenty of time to shop!
The last 200 attendees will receive a $25 Simon Gift Card as well!
First 200 attendees will also receive a limited edition Create & Cultivate tote bag with goodies!
The Style Summit will be located in close proximity to the Burberry store at The Colonnade Outlets. To locate the store, please see the mall map here.
Parking is free, and valet options are available at Sawgrass Mills as well!
Please make sure you RSVP’d, received a confirmation email from us at Create & Cultivate and also bring a picture ID if you want to partake in cocktail hour.
Coffee and Conversation will start at 10AM, which will give you enough time to get settled in and mingle before our first panel at 11AM!
Looking to show off your styling skills? Make sure to stick around for the Style Challenge at 3PM--- two lucky team members that hashtag #CCStyleSummit on Instagram or Twitter during the Style Challenge will be chosen to win a $100 Century 21 Gift Card and a $50 Bloomingdale’s Gift Card!
There will be tons of exclusive in-store offers for C&C Style Summit attendees from Century 21, Elie Tahari, Furla, Ippolita, Le Creuset, Maje, Rag & Bone, Sandro, The Kooples, The Webster, Valentino, Vilbrequin, Wolford and Neiman Marcus Last Call, and Vince!
Exclusive lunch options will also be available for C&C Style Summit attendees from Paul Bakery, Grand Lux Cafe, and Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar.
We’re excited to come to Fort Lauderdale this weekend, and we hope you are too! Please make sure to show us how you’re getting ready for this weekend using #CCStyleSummit and #FoundAtSimon and tagging @CreateCultivate and @ShopSawgrass! See you this Saturday!
MORE FROM THE BLOG
Never Have A Fashion Emergency Again
Avoid a wardrobe disaster.
Source; 9 to 5 Chic
It’s 5pm and you’re wearing the outfit you spilled your sad desk lunch all over. You have a drinks meeting with a client at 6pm and no time to head home to change. Do you cancel and thereby run the risk of losing new biz, or do you reach into your cubby and pull out your emergency outfit? Yeah, it’s a thing for boss ladies everywhere.
From desk to drinks. Or desk to holiday rooftop parties, there are a few key items you need at in case of a work fashion emergency. And if you need it, it can probably be #foundatsimon. Simon is the name behind America’s iconic shopping destinations. Chances are, your favorite mall is a Simon center.
With their help we’re rounding up five items you should stock at your desk for those ”just in case” moments. Because you never know when you need to show up and give them a fashion show down.
1. DRY SHAMPOO FOR LAST MINUTE TOUCH-UPS
This lands at the top of every fashion emergency checklist because it’s the most important. Dry shampoo is your ultimate hair saver. Maybe you didn’t have time in the am to wash, maybe you did-- and just didn’t feel like it. Spray it-- don’t say “no thanks” to an opportunity because your hair doesn’t feel up to it. No excuses, least of all having to wash your hair.
2. A SMALL CLUTCH IN THE SEASON’S LOGO MANIA TREND
If you cart a work bag or backpack to the office and last minute dinner or drinks pop up, keeping a clutch or small shoulder bag in a cubby will allow you to leave your bigger bag at the office. Transfer the items you need that night to the smaller purse, and head out without feeling like you’re lugging along your weekender. Bonus: all your office stuff and very important papers are already there come next morning. Opt for a color that pops like the Gucci red leather GG Marmont Shoulder Bag.
3. NAIL POLISH REMOVER WIPES
You’ve been typing all day and still didn’t manage to notice your cracked and chipped mani. We get it. You’re that focussed on the grind. But 6pm has arrived, dinner with a potential client is looming and your mani is not cutting it. You’ve got three minutes to wipe it off and head out the door and make an impressive first impression. Grab a set of Instant Nail Polish Remover Wipes at Sephora. They will quickly and easily remove even the darkest colors.
4. AN EXTRA OUTFIT
If it seems excessive to you, think about how many times you’ve spilled on yourself when you have to take a conference call at your desk. Instead of relying on a stain removing stick, which sometimes works and sometimes makes smudges worse, why not opt for chic evergreen outfit? A pair of high waist, dark wash Levi’s from Anthropologie fit just about any situation. A pair of white mules are simple and stylish to slip into. And an off-the-shoulder men’s shirt.
No one will ever know you spilled your 3pm caffeine pick-me-up all over your pants.
5. MINI SEWING KIT, SAFETY PINS & FASHION TAPE
If you’re not in a rush Simon has tailors on site for alternations. But if you don’t have time to swing by, make sure that you have a mini sewing kit handy, with needle, thread, fashion tape, and safety pins. You never know when a strap might break or a button might pop. Fix it on the spot and then head out to pop that bubbly and close that deal.
And if you'll be at C&C Atlanta this week, you can stock up at Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, two amazing Simon centers with retailers ranging from Sephora to Chloe.
For more fashion, beauty and lifestyle tips, go to SAID, the online destination for the style conscious. Here, you’ll discover the best in fashion, beauty, culture, food and design because style really is a lifestyle. So start exploring. Get inspired. Be heard. If it’s worth talking about, you’ll find it on SAID.
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
The 411 On The #CreateCultivateATL Break & Pop Ups
Prep yourself before you wreck yourself.
Photo by Arnelle Lozada
The countdown is on for Create & Cultivate Atlanta this month, and while we're planning what places to visit, who to meet and even what to wear, we want to make sure you're ready for the big day too.
We have so much in store for C&C ATL, including all of the pop-ups you'll be able to check out during our break (5PM-6PM)! Check out all of our sponsors that will be hosting amazing pop-ups and treats for you to check out and shop below!\
Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream
A special treat for all of our VIP guests from Jeni's! Head over to the VIP lounge during break for some splendid ice cream!
Dove
#ShakeSprayGo with Dove at their booth and snap a pic at their featured GIF photo booth!
Squarespace
Learn how to step up your blog game and make the most out of your website and the Squarespace Studio.
Amazon Fashion
Take a break and at the Amazon Fashion booth and treat yourself with a black and white mani with a special design, and enter to win one of their amazing giveaways!
Crown Royal Vanilla Pop Up Bar
Grab a sip of Crown Royal's new vanilla-flavored whisky, and check out Adrianna Adarme's (A Cozy Kitchen) cocktail workshop in a special breakout session during break!
Kendra Scott
Stop by the Kendra Scott airstream and shop their winter and signature collections, create your own custom piece of jewelry at the Kendra Scott Color Bar™, or spin the prize wheel for a chance to win!
Papyrus
Get inspired with Papyrus and stock up on stylish cards to create a lasting impression! Visit during Happy Hour to enjoy coffee, cards, and sweet treats.
Simon G. Jewelry
Visit their booth and check out their try-on station to check out all the diamonds (and even snap a pic of them) and their "king pop" popsicle stand for a cool treat!
bebe
Visit bebe to enter to win a $500 gift card by taking a photo at their floral photo wall, grab a boozy popsicle, get a free key chain pom-pom and mini bebe Bubbly champagne, and meet and greet with Jessi Malay during the break!
it bed by Sleep Number
Visit Sleep Number to check out their newest brand it bed (and dream in it too), and also take a break by recharging and refreshing yourself at their relaxation lounge! Did we mention that they'll also have a great swag giveaway?
Iconery
Visit Iconery to shop their on-trend pieces from their most popular designers (Stone Fox Bride, Luv Aj, Victoria Six, Anne Sisteron, Mata Brenner, Mara Carrizo Scalise) including pieces few collections. They'll also be holding a giveaway for a chance to win one of their top selling necklaces!
Daniel Wellington
Daniel Wellington is on tour and the mobile pop-up shop is making a VIP stop at Create Cultivate! The Time Traveler will be showcasing all DW collections, including it's newest Classic. The pop-up is fully equipped with a coffee serving station, complimentary leather embossing, and an interactive Photo Booth. You can also enter to win a watch by snapping a pic in the Photo Booth and posting to Instagram using the hashtag #DWonTour!
Simon Malls
Not only will Simon be welcoming you to our attendee happy hour on Friday, but their pop up at Create & Cultivate will allow you to shop from their highlighted brands. Not only that, but they'll also be hosting a giveaway for you to enter!
Mark & Graham
Head over to Mark & Graham's pop up to get a sneak peek at their new fall product, and get on-site calligraphy from ATL calligrapher Ashley Buzzy with the purchase of a new leather zip pouch! You might want to get your monogram, or favorite short saying on it (Rosé all day, anyone?) Also, make sure to shop and pick up a glass of champagne during break!
Framebridge
Visit Framebridge for a chance to win a gallery wall! Find out how many tape measures there are in their bowl, and you just might be the lucky winner if you guess right! Also, let Framebridge know what you want to frame and for whom this holiday season and the best entry gets a frame for themselves and a frame to gift for the holidays. Not only that, they've created free digital downloads you can get on their site. They will print and frame them, and the link to that will be in your gift bags!
Richer Poorer
Richer Poorer will be debuting its newest addition to its innerwear line- the bralette- exclusively at Create & Cultivate- a month before it launches to the general public! In addition, they will be offering tee and muscle tank bundles available only at their booth!
Stop by H2O+ Beauty to check out their reimagined skin and body care lines that combine the power of pure water with the latest advances in skin care technology. Enjoy a consultation with their certified esthetician and sample products recommended just for you. Take home travel sized samples and enjoy discounts on their full collection.
Also featuring pop-up activities from:
Don't forget to #TreatYoSelf by heading over to the Beauty Lounge and checking out the pop-ups below!
BeGlammed
Head over to BeGlammed's pop-up beauty bar to get gorgeous makeup touchups and hairstyling. At the booth, beGlammed’s Founder Maile Pacheco will host a series of contouring sessions throughout the day where you can learn how to sculpt the perfect cheekbone. Hairstyling will focus mainly on braiding and dry styling. Also, pink bubbly champagne and delectable cookies will be available to the pop-ups participants!
Zeel
It's going to be a long day, so make sure to take a breather at Zeel's pop-up and get a 5-10 minute mini-massage. You deserve it, girl.
Shea Moisture
Visit Shea Moisture's Pop Up to check out 6 of their star collections, and also treat yourself with quick touch ups and braids done by celebrity hair stylist David Lopez at their beauty stations! Also, guests will receive one full-sized product as well.
Sara Happ
You should treat yourself, but also remember to treat your lips with some love! Head over to Sara Happ's pop-up to visit their lip scrub station, and learn more about all things Sara Happ!
Nubian Heritage
Visit Nubian Heritage's pop up to travel around the world and grab a passport to visit each of their collection stations. Once you've finished your trip and have your passport stamped, you'll receive a small gift bag with a full-sized product and a leather passport holder. Also, they'll be offering hand massages and will also have bite sized desserts inspired by their Coconut & Papaya collection.
Learn more about the full day schedule here, and see you all in two weeks!