Slow Stories: Why It’s Important to Slow Down as a Digitally Minded Founder
“My biggest ideas come from times of quiet and reflection.”
Photo: Courtesy of Slow Stories
As we collectively experience an intense period of isolation and uncertainty due to COVID-19, we must also embrace the opportunity to (re)learn how to live in the moment. Since the inception of Slow Stories, themes around presence and slowness have informed so many conversations with my guests. Enter Jessica Latham of Social Studies.
In honor of the recent launch of Slow Stories Podcast season four, I'm thrilled to share an exclusive (and particularly relevant) follow-up portion of my chat with Latham here on the Create & Cultivate blog. If you haven't had a chance to listen to the episode yet, Latham is the co-founder and CEO of Social Studies, a modern party rental company that offers a variety of tablescape designs and products that make it easy to plan the party of your dreams.
While this episode was conducted before any of the challenges that arose from COVID-19 began, the topics explored in this conversation transcend our current landscape and offer an essential reminder: community is a gift. Enjoy the full episode here and discover even more insights from Latham below.
RACHEL SCHWARTZMANN: Why is it important to slow down as a digitally minded founder? Can you share an instance of when slowing down inspired innovation at work?
JESSICA LATHAM: Slowing down is so important for thinking about the bigger picture. Sometimes we can get so caught up in the day to day to-do's, and it's extremely important to find quiet time to think and strategize. I'll take a day or two a month for myself to work from home for this reason. I also find that my biggest ideas come from times of quiet and reflection—usually during a run or long walk by myself.
Based on your professional experiences, what would you prioritize as the top three pillars of "slow" content? Are there any stories or content series from Social Studies that you can point to or that you think really embody this practice?
From my perspective, we're talking about content that is truthful, thoughtful, and authentic. We try to instill all three of those things into everything we do at Social Studies. How are real people entertaining and gathering? What's it really like to throw a big event? We have a section on our editorial site called Hungry, Sober & Mad that talks about party disasters. Authenticity is what Social Studies is all about. Gathering, slowing down, being together in real life, sharing moments and memories—but in a very real way. We always say parties are not perfect. What matters most is just getting together. Spill the wine, who cares! What's more authentic and real than that? This is the good stuff in life.
In our podcast episode, we spoke a lot about being present. Is there a particular piece of content or story that made you "stop in your scroll" and inspire you to reconnect with the world around you?
I'm honestly inspired every day. I love to see how our customers are using Social Studies and how our product is bringing joy to their lives, helping them connect with others, and create memories. It genuinely makes me so happy and so grateful that I get to do this for work.
With a literal slow down of content comes the need for more experiences. How do you think events can serve as a form of slow content/thoughtful storytelling?
The real content of life is our memories. The things that stick with you, in your DNA forever. The constant content and media coming at us on a daily basis is fleeting. What sticks are our experiences; our memories. These experiences become the stories of our lives. It's the most important content there is. We hope to inspire people to gather more, put their devices down, and truly let life in.
Do you have any final words of wisdom that you'd like to share regarding slowing down, creating enduring content strategies, or building a conscious business?
I think, as founders, we have a responsibility to be thoughtful about what we are putting out into the world. We should be asking ourselves everyday questions like: is this authentic, is this true, how will this make our readers and customers feel? We should be inspiring each other, lifting each other up, and bringing people together. Community is what gives us hope, joy, and makes us feel alive. If you create content and business with these things in mind, it will endure.
About the Author: Rachel Schwartzmann is the founder and CEO of The Style Line LLC. She created The Style Line in late January 2011 via Tumblr and has fostered The Style Line’s brand in its growth since then. Rachel has been featured in esteemed sources including Forbes, Refinery29, and MyDomaine and has also spoken at Create & Cultivate and Columbia University on establishing a unique brand point of view and entrepreneurship. On October 1, 2015, Rachel took The Style Line in a new direction as a boutique content company with the introduction of its slow content agency CONNECT(ED)ITORIAL.
You can follow Rachel at:
The Style Line: @thestyleline (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
CONNECT(ED)ITORIAL: @connecteditorial (Instagram)
Rachel Schwartzmann: @rachelschwartzmann (Instagram) @RMSchwartzmann (Twitter)
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Slow Stories: Creating and Consuming Content During the COVID-19 Outbreak
“We've never had more tools at our disposal to create content that inspires action.”
Photo: Courtesy of Slow Stories
The spread of COVID-19 has upended the business community on a global level. However, living in an age of profound interconnectivity has brought people together in ways that we never expected—especially on social media.
Like so many others, I've tirelessly refreshed my news and social feeds and watched as they've unearthed a variety of responses to the uncertainty that we're all facing. Recently, I've also ruminated on the ways content can play a role in facilitating productivity in a time that will inevitably call for slowing down in nearly every aspect of our lives.
In one of my earlier columns, I outlined a few key pillars that our initial podcast interviewees attribute to the slow content movement. But as I look at the below touchpoints again (and in the context of present-day challenges), I find myself thinking about how we can take these one step further:
Slow content provides value and purpose.
Slow, thoughtful content has a clear intention. Whether it is to inspire or educate, creating content in this climate forces us to think about how we can provide value beyond our immediate business goals. Ask yourself: Can I provide value to my community by sharing a founder anecdote or reposting a fun image that evokes laughter? Even in a professional context, times of uncertainty offer the opportunity to create value for our customers in new (and necessary) ways.
Slow content considers data and fact-checking.
Content can be an incredible tool to drive conversations forward. Still, the spread of misinformation can also make it difficult to discern the difference between what is fabricated and what is real. During times where there is an uptick in sharing information, creators and businesses can engage with their community by using content to call attention to credible institutions and outlets.
Slowing down our relationship to content makes us nicer, more well-rounded people.
In a rapidly-changing news cycle and digital sharing landscape, slowing down our relationship with content can create more mental runway to think about the things that add value to our lives (beyond our devices). In the case of a global pandemic, finding a balance between staying aware and engaged while establishing healthy digital consumption habits will be essential in how we relate to one another through this trying time.
With so much hanging in the balance, our professional endeavors are certainly no exception. Many people in my own network have begun to think about how content and storytelling will play a role in their brands over the next few months. Below, I'm sharing a few things to consider as we recalibrate our routines and work through the challenges that are becoming increasingly present in our digital age.
Re-evaluate your communications strategy.
When there's an increase in online communication, content creators and business owners have the opportunity to streamline—and in some cases, reevaluate—their content, PR, and brand messaging so that the message they wish to convey is consistent across all communications channels. Use this time to think about what your brand wants to say, how you want it to come across, and how it can stay in-line with your usual voice and tone to avoid sounding inauthentic to your followers or customers.
Create content that inspires social/philanthropic participation.
We've never had more tools at our disposal to create content that inspires action.
However, it's essential to consider how to do this in a way that encourages inclusivity. From sharing charity donation stickers on Instagram Stories to creating bespoke content that ties in more personal brand narratives, creating content that can diversify how your community can get involved can elicit a powerful response. Thinking holistically about content in this way will also create more avenues for charitable goals to be reached, too.
Pause the post.
One of my interviewees said it best: "There is power in the pause." As we become more inundated with content from all directions, we have another option at our fingertips: to pause and step away. As consumers of content, we often forget to be discerning in what we choose to engage in a landscape that demands so much of our time and attention. Communicating what you want (and don't want!) from your favorite brands can be valuable feedback for business leaders to make informed decisions about their future storytelling and brand strategies. At the other end of the spectrum, if you're a content creator and unsure about how to proceed with your current storytelling efforts, use this period to take a step back and reflect. Your followers will thank you for it in the long run.
The points I've laid out in this article only scratch the surface of what we can be doing online. In any case, I hope this piece provides a jumping-off point for you to make thoughtful decisions about the kinds of stories you or your brand wants to tell in the near future. For more insights and musings on creating slow content and stories with longevity, I invite you to check out the ”Slow Stories” podcast (stay tuned for new episodes launching this spring) along with articles from my column here. And, most importantly, I wish you all health and happiness in this tumultuous time.
About the Author: Rachel Schwartzmann is the founder and CEO of The Style Line LLC. She created The Style Line in late January 2011 via Tumblr and has fostered The Style Line’s brand in its growth since then. Rachel has been featured in esteemed sources including Forbes, Refinery29, and MyDomaine and has also spoken at Create & Cultivate and Columbia University on establishing a unique brand point of view and entrepreneurship. On October 1, 2015, Rachel took The Style Line in a new direction as a boutique content company with the introduction of its slow content agency CONNECT(ED)ITORIAL.
You can follow Rachel at:
The Style Line: @thestyleline (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
CONNECT(ED)ITORIAL: @connecteditorial (Instagram)
Rachel Schwartzmann: @rachelschwartzmann (Instagram) @RMSchwartzmann (Twitter)
MORE ON THE BLOG
Slow Stories—Literally, Slow Down: How Taking a Content Break Can Lead to Successful Storytelling
The turtle wins the race.
Photo: Courtesy of Slow Stories
Ahead of the season three launch of the Slow Stories podcast, I'm thrilled to return to our namesake column after a summer-long hiatus. When I wrote the most recent article in July, I was on the tail end of a period where I had essentially been operating on autopilot. Naturally, this ran counter to the idea of slow content and the themes that we explored last season on the podcast.
While my work certainly didn't stop this season, taking a brief pause from this particular initiative allowed me to recalibrate how I am able to fully implement a slower and more thoughtful approach to content across my personal and professional channels. As things kick into high gear for the upcoming fall/holiday content craze, I'm sharing a few things to think about if you're planning to rethink your content strategy during a high energy time.
Create Context
The most direct way to set the tone for a slowdown in content is to establish context as to why your audience can expect changes. This can range from a formal announcement outlining concrete details and timing of a content hiatus, or if you're unsure as to how long you need to recalibrate, subtle changes in your content calendar over an extended period. If you're a personality or individual content creator, I also encourage revisiting my April article, which also touches on the importance of boundaries. At the end of the day, whether you're a personal brand or business, it is at your discretion to decide how much you share online about the choices you're making within your company.
Adjust Your Posting Cadence
If you don't want to shock your followers with an unexpected silence, ease them to the changes by establishing a routine that is more in-line with your current content calendar. For instance, if you're in the middle of a visual rebrand and don't know how to incorporate this transition in your content, include elements that are reflective of your upcoming relaunch (i.e., inspiration imagery that contains colors from your brand color palette, behind-the-scenes creative imagery, etc.).
Or if it's a matter of the kind of content you want to step away from for a while, think about alternative ways to stay engaged with your audience. For example, if you are looking to step away from more highly-produced content, you don't have to stop publishing entirely. Instead, you can focus on "off the cusp" content geared towards mediums like Instagram Stories or Snapchat versus content that traditionally requires more planning on a blog, website, or Instagram feed.
Consider What a "Storytelling Sabbatical" Might Look Like
Regardless if you're in a marketing or content-focused role, creating content can be a full-time job in our current business landscape. Many modern companies have introduced sabbatical programs for tenured employees to take time off away from work and come back feeling recharged. The same thought-process is worth exploring in roles that require "always-on" responsibilities. While it would be challenging to step away from digital storytelling completely, if you are in a leadership position, consider implementing breakpoints that allow your team to immerse themselves in their field outside of the office.
Perhaps there is an opportunity to facilitate an offsite retreat or outing. For individual team members who may need to recharge, consider covering charges for a co-working space or an industry conference (like Create & Cultivate!) that will enable them to still add value to the company while also providing space for personal growth. The most compelling content and stories derive from innovative thinking. Sometimes all it takes is stepping back for a moment to inspire a considerable leap forward in the long run.
With the above points in mind, if you can take a content hiatus (either personal or professional) here are a few ways to maximize your time:
Regroup with Your Team or Collaborators
Whether you're in a corporate team or a solopreneur, storytelling is a collaborative effort. Use the time away from your devices to encourage face time to brainstorm and reconnect with those you work with closely.
Relaunch and Revise
When it comes to creating content with longevity, timing is crucial, so take the added time off to experiment and refine your content strategy, branding, or medium.
Redefine Your Definition of "Content"
Finally, think about how content exists in a modern landscape. Can events or experiences be content? Does content take shape in the form of a book or printed entity? Posing these questions will inspire new ways of thinking about how to disseminate your brand's story so that it keeps people on their toes while still connecting with in-the-know consumers.
These are just a few thought-starters to think about as you plan an upcoming content break and how to make the most of that precious time away from your screen. And if you need some inspiration during that time away, I encourage you to listen to the slow stories contributed by creative professionals in CONNECT(ED)ITORIAL's community.
I'll be back with my next article in October, but until then, check out these highlights from our season two podcast contributors:
Episode: Brandy Pham of PLANOLY on Creating Content with Purpose and Empathy
Opened by fashion illustrator Jeanette Getrost. Jeanette shares why The Florence Academy of Art Instagram page inspires her.
Opened by digital strategist and Written Coffee founder Ellie Eckert. Ellie shares why the book Applied Empathy resonated with her.
Opened by jewelry designer Grace Wong. Grace shares how Company of One speaks to what she's trying to do as a solo, small business owner.
Episode: Kathryn Duryea of Year & Day on Fostering Vision, Values, and Enduring Stories
Opened by Michelle Toney, co-founder of Morrow Soft Goods. Michelle shares a couple of books that have inspired her to slow down and lean into her imagination.
Episode: Carolyn Witte of Tia on How Content Can Shape How We Think About Modern Healthcare
Opened by Matisse Bustos-Hawkes, founder of Otro Lado Communications. Matisse shares why a podcast snippet featuring Sabrina Hersi Issa inspired her.
Episode: Alisha Ramos of Girls' Night In on Storytelling That Inspires Self-Care
Opened by Erin Allweiss, co-founder of No. 29. Erin reflects on two notable talks that resonated with her at the TED Conference.
Episode: Michael Ventura of Sub Rosa on Applying Empathy in Business and Storytelling
Opened by Veronica Souza of Vero Branding. Veronica shares why rediscovering a manifesto from her favorite cookbook reinvigorated her to slow down.
Episode: Tanya Taylor on Slow Content, Sustainable Style, and Standing up for Women Everywhere
Opened by Avery Cox, an interior designer. Avery shares why a compelling photography series by Anna Boyiazis inspired her.
To learn more about what slow content means and what it can mean to you, check out my first column here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rachel Schwartzmann is the Founder and CEO of The Style Line LLC. She created The Style Line in late January 2011 via Tumblr and has fostered The Style Line’s brand in its growth since then. Rachel has been featured in esteemed sources including Forbes, Refinery29, and MyDomaine and has also spoken at Create & Cultivate and Columbia University on establishing a unique brand point of view and entrepreneurship. On October 1, 2015, Rachel took The Style Line in a new direction as a boutique content company with the introduction of its slow content agency CONNECT(ED)ITORIAL.
You can follow Rachel at:
The Style Line: @thestyleline (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
CONNECT(ED)ITORIAL: @connecteditorial (Instagram)
Rachel Schwartzmann: @rachelschwartzmann (Instagram) @RMSchwartzmann (Twitter)
Slow Stories: Slow and Steady: How Sustainable Relationships Lead to Quality Content
“As I look back at how my company has evolved as a whole, I attribute its success to our ability to remain committed to a singular vision — and with the acknowledgment that it takes a village to keep the wheels turning.”
The more experience I've gained throughout my career, the more I'm continually reminded that all good things take time. And as I look back at how my company has evolved as a whole, I attribute its success to our ability to remain committed to a singular vision — and with the acknowledgment that it takes a village to keep the wheels turning. Since launching Slow Stories in October 2018 (and subsequently, this column earlier in the year), I've outlined the many ways to approach slow content and storytelling in your own endeavors. And whether you run a small business, manage a large team, or embrace a "solopreneur" venture, cultivating sustainable relationships is an essential part of building brands and telling stories with real longevity. Enter my latest article.
Even with the accessibility of technology, communication tools, and social media platforms, we're constantly faced with the challenge of fostering substantive relationships both in our personal and professional lives. That is in part, why slow movements in industries like fashion, food, and business have started to pave the way for conversations about the importance of simplifying in the digital age so that we can create more space to focus on the people in our lives just as much as the products that we're selling. This idea has been especially prevalent in this season of the podcast:
1. Transparent communication ensures long-term success.
Many of my interviews so far have touched on the importance of finding the courage to facilitate harder conversations with higher-level decision-makers, managers or clients. While this can sometimes lead to discomfort, it's something to work through so that you can create the best (and most honest) work long-term.
2. Checking in with your people matters.
With the above point in mind, a lot of the women I've been speaking with this season bring up the important matter of checking in with your internal team specifically. Providing the opportunity for everyone to pause and weigh in on certain initiatives is a way to hold one another accountable to your company's overarching brand mission, and in turn, make sure it's amplified consistently and thoughtfully across channels.
3. Use online as a vehicle to build offline relationships.
While it may seem like a no-brainer, these interviews have also reinforced the idea that digital platforms and storytelling should be a driver for offline relationship-building. As professionals in content and marketing, it's essential to spend time away from our devices and create an environment for discovery and connection that might not be possible digitally, but in turn, can inspire compelling storytelling online.
With all of this in mind, and in the case of this column, when it comes to creating compelling content, there needs to be a level of trust. So much of the successful storytelling we see online and on social media is a result of collaboration and shared expertise — but this is something that takes a level of focus and commitment to establish. Below are a few steps to consider when creating healthy and lasting professional relationships:
1. Human relationships = humanized content.
Tactically speaking, building relationships in a professional setting may be a strategic move, but it is key to balance your work-related aspirations and ensure that you are respectful of the other person's talents and needs. When looking to create big-picture relationships, make sure to come from a place of authenticity, which can ultimately lead to discovering shared experiences that can make your content and storytelling that much more relatable.
2. Build your network, but nurture older relationships, too.
While we're taught to attend as many events or engage in as many networking opportunities as possible, it's critical to consider the idea of "quality versus quantity" and be selective about how you spend your time — and who you spend your time with. In the content and marketing space, having a robust roster of people to call upon is vital as this industry is dependent on fresh perspectives, unique skill-sets, and diverse thinking. And while I'm all for meeting new collaborators, clients, and friends, it's important to also keep in touch with older peers. You never know when there might be a project opportunity that you can reconnect over.
3. Establish communication workflows and set boundaries accordingly.
As the owner of a service-based business, creating and fostering long-term relationships is a two-fold approach: client-facing and internally with my team. This in itself can be a lot to manage as a small business owner and can sometimes lead to certain relationships taking priority over others. However, as my network and client roster have both grown in tandem with one another, I've learned that the best way to attend to everyone appropriately means that it's essential to set expectations and boundaries accordingly and based on the communication needs of the particular individual. Doing this will provide a baseline understanding of what your team and/or clients can expect from you regarding how you communicate and what means you use to stay in touch. If you're able to establish these guidelines, this will ensure proper communication channels so that all involved parties can remain in touch and see a project through — content or not — to its fullest potential.
The art of relationship building is in a constant state of evolution as we work to keep up with the changing expectations of the modern workplace. And coupling this idea with the changes we see in content and brand-building, it's never been a better time to find your tribe and work together to tell stories with impact! For more on slow content and brand-building I invite you to deep-dive into past articles in our column, and of course, follow along with the Slow Stories podcast on iTunes.
Rachel Schwartzmann is the Founder and CEO of The Style Line LLC. She created The Style Line in late January 2011 via Tumblr and has fostered The Style Line’s brand in its growth since then. Rachel has been featured in esteemed sources including Forbes, Refinery29, and MyDomaine and has also spoken at Create & Cultivate and Columbia University on establishing a unique brand point of view and entrepreneurship. On October 1, 2015, Rachel took The Style Line in a new direction as a boutique content company with the introduction of its slow content agency CONNECT(ED)ITORIAL.
MORE ON THE BLOG
Slow Stories: Slow and Steady — Building An Enduring Personal Brand
“If you're generally feeling stressed about changing your regular posting schedule, simply start by using social media as a vehicle for it was inherently created for: be social.”
For many of us, the digital landscape has played a pivotal role in the development (and success) of our careers. Even in its earliest form, the web has provided a place for creativity and connection to intersect, for side hustles to flourish into lucrative businesses, and for online communities to transcend the web into long-lasting relationships. However, the advent of the internet has also created a new set of standards both professionally and socially that has given rise to the conversation around the troubling effects these expectations can have on our mental health and overall productivity.
This idea, in many ways, was my personal catalyst for pivoting my own business away from the constant demands of pumping out 24/7 content into working with brands to tell stories that have true longevity. And while we've spoken a lot about slow content as it relates to brand content in our past articles, today I want to address this further by honing in on how this can be applied to our content efforts as individual founders and content creators.
In our golden age of influencer marketing and digital entrepreneurship, many women I know (including myself) are presented with the challenge of building personal brands online that are reflective of our professional ambitions while catering to the creative demands of an ever-changing algorithm (if you haven't already, I recommend checking out Tavi Gevinson's hilariously candid take on the Instagram algorithm). This inevitably has created a "performative" environment that has given way to highlight reels and filtered realities. Furthermore, this topic is something that's come up a lot in our recent Slow Stories podcast conversations, and touching on this, here are a few primary trends that have arisen in these interviews with fellow founders:
1. Slow content goes beyond the surface level.
If you remember in our February column, we deduced that slow content is all about creating value and purpose. So while there's absolutely nothing wrong with striving for a swoon-worthy travel photo or striving to achieve and share a 30 under 30 list award, it's equally important to consider what value this content will ultimately bring to your audience and your personal brand beyond just beautiful aesthetics. Furthermore, it's also essential to think what you care about offline and if what you're sharing is reflective of the things that personally matter to you IRL. Establishing this narrative both online and offline is key when holistically creating a consistent personal brand across all channels.
2. As founders, slowing down our content can give us more time to do the work.
With the above in mind, and while it may seem obvious that the less content we create, the more time we have to actually work, the pressure to share the victories (and losses) in real-time has almost become expected of high-profile founders. From CEOs posing in power suits in beautiful offices to sharing "sneak peeks" of upcoming launches, planning and posting these moments can often detract from doing the work that's actually needed to bring your product or services to life. So being mindful about when and what we choose to share in this capacity can ultimately provide us with more headspace for innovation at work versus just filling space online.
3. Slow content will take a long time to become financially viable... unless we change our habits.
Just the other day I came across a friend's tweet who posed the question of how one can take a break from social media when they utilize it to make a living. The reality is that slow content has a very long way to go when it comes to normalizing our content creation and consumption habits. And for those select individuals who rely heavily on monetizing social and content platforms for their income, we'll all have to collectively work together to recalibrate our relationships to content both personally and professionally.
With all of the above in mind, the question then becomes: How do we build a personal brand without personally burning out? Whether you're a fashion influencer posting style photos or a food blogger sharing video recipes, these factors will depend heavily on your industry and your own relationship to content, but the universal starting place is simple: Think about your overarching narrative and how this can be carried through your content long-term. Below are a few tips to start planning a strategy that considers your personal needs as well as your audience’s needs:
1. Refine and redefine your content strategy.
In my first article, I spoke about the importance of creating a content calendar, and while doing this is helpful for long-term planning, it's important to recognize if and when you're overextending yourself or your resources. With that said, many influencers and content creators often face the dilemma of "oversharing" in order to cater to an established content cadence that their followers eventually grow to expect. And if you find yourself wanting to slow down your output, take time to refine and redefine your content strategy, the conversations you want to have with your audience, and what kind of content makes the most sense to do this. For example, it may be a case of putting your energy into one longer-form piece of content versus a series of daily updates that still gets the point across and allows you to really focus on the quality of the content and your message.
2. Decide how personal is too personal.
Many leading influencers and entrepreneurs often take positions on complex conversations relating to politics, religion, and so on. And while slow content is built upon the idea of authentic and honest content, it's still important to establish boundaries so that you can participate in conversations online that make sense for you and your platform long-term.
3. Engage and invite your audience to slow down too.
If you're generally feeling stressed about changing your regular posting schedule, simply start by using social media as a vehicle for it was inherently created for: be social. Connect with your followers and communicate with them. Effective change happens when we hold one another accountable, and inviting your followers into your process as a content creator or founder will ultimately prepare them for any drastic changes, and perhaps even inspire reflection on how they too can apply slower, thoughtful practices into their own content and brand-building endeavors.
Building a brand of any kind in 2019 can be challenging, and if you don't know where to start, I invite you to check out more from this column, and of course, listen to Slow Stories for more candid conversations from some of the world's most innovative founders and creators.
Rachel Schwartzmann is the Founder and CEO of The Style Line LLC. She created The Style Line in late January 2011 via Tumblr and has fostered The Style Line’s brand in its growth since then. Rachel has been featured in esteemed sources including Forbes, Refinery29, and MyDomaine and has also spoken at Create & Cultivate and Columbia University on establishing a unique brand point of view and entrepreneurship. On October 1, 2015, Rachel took The Style Line in a new direction as a boutique content company with the introduction of its slow content agency CONNECT(ED)ITORIAL.