A Boss Lady’s Guide to Steering the Proposal

A proposal. You're a champ at writing them for work, so why shouldn't you be involved in the one that's going to change your life? 

In a recent interview with Billboard magazine Nicki Minaj made clear that she wants boyfriend Meek Mill to give her three rings before they get married. She's a boss, with 10 Grammy nominations, so she's acting like one. Apparently, she's not the only one. 

According to Simon G. Jewelry, the family-owned and operated jewelry company that's been helping men pop the question with the right bling since 1978, this is becoming more of a trend. While men are still orchestrating the proposal, Simon G.'s VP of Marketing and Communications Brooke Brinkman says, “I think we’ve seen more women being a part of the engagement process because men want to make sure their fiancé is happy; she’ll have to live with the ring the rest of her life, so they want to get it right."

STEP ONE: BE CLEAR ON THE CUT

The more specific you are, the better the result. If you're passing a jewelry store, point out preferences with references cuts you like. If he's paying attention, he can jot down what you say, and take it straight to the jeweler when he's ready. 

Sarah from Great Britain, recently engaged says, "Over past few years there were moments where we passed jewelry stores and I would point out my preferences. So I think he had a vague idea!" 

Here are some of the most popular cuts: 

Round: The round brilliant. A round diamond is the most classic, traditional, and most popular shape of diamond. Most designs are made to fit a round diamond.

Square: A square brilliant diamond with sharp corners is a princess; if it has cut corners, it is a square radiant, and if it has soft, rounded corners it is a cushion cut. It has step faceting (rectangular facets, not kite/triangular like a brilliant cut). The square shapes of diamonds are the second most popular category. 

Rectangular: Rectangular shaped diamond cuts include emerald, radiant, and cushions can also be elongated in a soft rectangular shape. Emeralds are elongated step cut diamonds (shortcut: Asscher=square step cut, Emerald=rectangle step cut). An example of the elegant beauty of an emerald cut is Angelina Jolie’s ring. 

After that, there are many other fancy cut shapes of diamonds! Heart, marquise, and pear top the list for engagement rings. 

STEP TWO: DROP HINTS ABOUT THE RIGHT MOMENT 

Knowing how to get what you want, without asking for it specifically is a skill. As a boss, you've been through this with clients and employees. This may seem like an unromantic approach to a proposal, but you want to give your man the tools to do his very best. Don't send him in blind.   

According to a survey conducted by The Knot, which polled 19,000 couples, they found that not waiting for the perfect moment was one of the biggest proposal faux pas. That means, no off-the-cuff proposal is going to do. If you don't want a proposal outside your best friend's birthday party when he's buzzing and looking at you with twinkly eye, don't let it happen-- because not proposing with a ring is also on the list of big engagement no-nos. 

There are so many subtle ways to let him know what you want. If a Jumbotron proposal sounds like your worst nightmare, next time you're at a game, let him know. "That's sweet, but I'm into more intimate settings." And then drop it. He should get the hint. 

The memory of a proposal will last a lifetime, and though the date and place is ultimately at the discretion of the one popping the question, there is no shame in being clear that you want it planned and special. 

STEP THREE: UTILIZE A BEST FRIEND

At work, you delegate. The same works for a proposal and ring, because while there is nothing wrong with being vocal, let's also not forget what this moment and ring represents: love, true love-- which isn't about perfection. Using a friend will not only make him feel less bossed about, but most likely, he'll appreciate the help. 

Betsy from California, married three years, says, " Some of my friends were involved in choosing the diamond so he definitely had guidance!”

You may not be able to plot your engagement down to every last detail (save that for the seating chart), but there's not harm in trying. You're only going to remember it for the rest of your life. 

5 Apps That Will Make You Look Like an All-Star This Year

Move over, paper resume. This year, we’re taking our portfolios digital with these apps that are perfect for displaying your work right at your fingertips.

Are you a creative who needs a chic way to show off your designs? Are you a frequent networker who’d rather have your resume at the touch of a button? These apps let you carry around your tools at all times, so you’re always ready to show off your work, whenever you might need to.

1. Behance Display

For any designer or artist, Behance Display is a convenient way to showcase your portfolio wherever you go. All you have to do is set up your portfolio on Behance.netand then download the app so you can access it at all times. You can choose exactly how you want to style your portfolio on your phone, so the next time you’re out networking, you can use this and avoid showing someone your work in your Photo Library.

2. Worklets

Worklets’ easy-to-use interface allows you to create PDF brochures in a matter of minutes. With the app, you’re able to choose your own photos and text in order to design a professional brochure that can show off any type of work experience. It’s also easily shareable, so you can send your projects off to a new colleague right away—so much better than a boring text simply explaining what you do.

3. Squarespace Portfolio

One great way to showcase your work in a mobile-friendly way is to set up a website on a platform like Squarespace. Though it costs money to join, it’s customizable, user-friendly and you don’t need any coding experience to make something that looks great. And if you do happen to have a Squarespace account, you can then take advantage of its companion apps, like Squarespace Portfolio. This app allows you to sync the galleries from your account into a sleek presentation that you can bring anywhere, even if you don’t have an internet connection.

4. Dripbook

All you need is an account on Dripbook.com to bring your creative portfolio straight to your iPad or iPhone. This app will automatically sync with your online portfolios so you can present your work even when you don’t have access to a computer. Primarily used by creative professionals, Dripbook allows you to set up a visual representation of your work right on your phone.

5. Levo Resume

We had to throw in a little #LevoLove and mention this app that allows you to create a beautiful resume on the fly. Just plug in whatever information you want (education, skills, work history, etc.) and the app will automatically generate a resume with everything you need, including a place for a picture and contact info. Now you’ll never have to be without your resume, and you can quickly tweak it, as needed.

An original version of this article appeared on Levo. 

Getting the Raise You Deserve in 2016

2016 is right around the corner, which means you’re about to be in the midst of drafting up those resolutions. Beyond the standard eating healthy and working out, this NYE make the goal to ask for what you deserve, especially on the job. If you have been waiting to ask for a raise because of company layoffs or downsizing, or you simply don’t enjoy the dance of negotiation, don’t let fear stand in the way of an amazing -- and economically fruitful-- 2016.

According to a study conducted by Payscale, almost half of the American workforce never ask for a raise. Moreover women are more likely than men to state that they are uncomfortable negotiating salary – 31 percent vs. 23 percent. 

It's time to get out of your head and into the money. You know if you deserve it. So don’t be afraid to ask. 

1. Be realistic. Does your work merit a raise? This the most crucial question you need to ask yourself. If there is any hesitation— we’re not talking self-doubt— it might be critical to wait until you’ve proven you worth. However, if you can say without fail that you meet and go beyond the requirements of your job description, are a key team player, benefit your company in multiple verticals, and know that you are indispensable to the business, what are you waiting for? Start jotting down your talking points now. 

2. Do the research. Simple but important. The average yearly salary increase is 3% a year. However, if you’ve done your homework and know that you are being drastically underpaid, it’s time you let your employers know that you know your worth. Averages vary from state to state, but there are many websites— like glassdoor— that can help you figure out just how many zeros should be at the end of your check. 

3. Ask in the morning, before you’ve had lunch. It may sound odd, but not only do people tend to be more “moral,” in the AM (and therefore more likely to take your proposal into serious consideration), but according to a study out of Cornell and Dartmouth, hunger tends to make people feel entitled. How does this benefit you? While that hangry feeling may not serve you best while meeting with clients, if you’re feeling at all hesitant or nervous, it could make you more assertive, firm, and all the more likely to get a raise.  

4. Know the boss’s workload, schedule, and temperament. Is your boss a morning person? Or does she really hit her stride in the afternoon? Does she like to answer emails without interruption for the first couple hours of the day? Schedule your meeting during a time period that works for your boss. If you’re the kind employee who deserves a raise, you’ll know the right time to ask. 

5. Don’t focus on the negative. Don’t complain. Sitting down with the boss to talk money isn’t the right time to air grievances, talk about how something is unfair, or how you’re doing someone else’s job for them. A salary negotiation should focus on everything you’re doing to benefit your company. Whining is not going to work in your favor. Ever. 

Create & Cultivate: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

December is like the Friday of months. Everyone's brain goes on a bit of a vacation, or on a nostalgic walk through the last year. It happens to the best of us-- the holidays tend to bring out the dreamer. 

It's even happening around the Create & Cultivate office. In part because we've always got C & C on the brain, and the conversations that happen on site at the conferences keep up invigorated year-round. But also because prepping for Dallas is making us a wee bit nostalgic for our favorite moments of 2015. 

So, raise a glass, put on your female alpha hat, and toast to an amazing last year and an even better 2016. 

there's room at the top for everyone; it's harder to get there all by yourself.

Emily Jackson of The Ivory Lane (tweet this)

start each day by sending a selfless email—no networking or plan-making, just a friendly check-up.

melisse gelula of well + good

tweet this

Merry Christmas from everyone at Create & Cultivate! 

Boss Dating Tips from Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe

Whitney Wolfe is the Founder of Bumble. The dating app where women have to make the first move (because you only live Beyonce, amiright all my single ladies?). Which seems to be an approach that many women are taking in both their business and personal lives. But when you’re busy hustling, it’s highly possible that dating falls at the bottom of a very long to-do list. So we checked in with the CEO to find out her tips for dating when you’re a boss, like her. 

1.  When you’re busy, throwing paint against the wall to see what sticks isn’t the best approach. Part of the point of dating apps is to suss people out, “break the ice, keep it lighthearted, and let us be your wing woman,” says Wolfe. Use this opportunity almost as a first date that doesn’t require you to leave your house. (If only dating was actually that easy. *sobs in ice cream.*) 

"Use dating apps as an opportunity almost as a first date that doesn’t require you to leave your house.” 

Tweet this.

2.  There are plenty of fish in the sea, and the pool of Bumble men is on point. But with over 1 million users just about evenly split between men and woman, remember: mercury poisoning is also real— we’re looking at you Jeremy Piven, emoji wink. So you need to manage your expectations about what a dating app can do, in the same way you manage your stress, employees, work load, and email inbox. There’s no magic bullet for anything. Mitigating expectancies is crucial, especially when you’re first starting out.

3. No group photos. Do you head into an investor meeting with a posse? Do you bring your bestie to your business brunch? Nope. If you want to be taken seriously, be serious. Show your face in your profile pic. Wolfe says, “If you have six photos of you and all your friends, it’s going to be harder for you to make great matches.” Beyond that, it’s fine to show that you have friends and you *woop Drake voice* know how to cut a rug, but as a HBIC you should also know there is such a thing as over-selling it. Be confident in you. That said…

4. You’re a Boss in the boardroom. There’s no reason you can’t be Queen Boss on Bumble too. Wolfe says, “There is nothing more attractive than confidence and intelligence.” We’d have to agree. If a man is intimidated by a powerful woman, then he’s not the man for you. Going on a date with him is just a waste of your time. If in in your initial convo he’s trying to one-up you, give him the the ole “BRB” and never come back. 

5. Time and again female CEOs reiterate how important it is to be authentic. When you’re looking for investors, when you’re starting a business, when you’re pitching a client— authenticity and honestly are key when making smart business decisions. Wolfe says, “I would never wear red lipstick in real life, so for me to then put photos with a full face of makeup and red lipstick would be ridiculous. Sure, it might get more right swipes, but it’s not the right kind of men I’d be attracting. It’s not important to have a first date—it’s important to have something authentic and real.”

It’s not important to have a first date—it’s important to have something authentic and real.”

Tweet this. 

6. Use your time wisely, and be online during peak times. There are good times to Instagram (ahem, 12nEST when Europeans are home from work, the east coast is heading to lunch and the west coast is rising and shining), and there are smart times to Bumble. That sweet honey hour for Bumble according to Wolfe, “is at 6pm.” Which just happens to be Happy Hour. Coincidence? Nope. 

Be sure to check out Whitney on the Main Stage this January at Create & Cultivate Dallas, where she’ll be dolling out much more than dating tips. Think: How she landed a spot as the first female guest on Trevor Noah’s “The Daily Show.” 

5 Tips on Landing The Job You Want (& Then Keeping It!)

Soniya Monga is busy. After helping launch LinkedIn Canada in 2010, she was named one of Marketing’s 2013 Top 30 Under 30. Now based in New York, she's been with the networking company for five years, successfully growing her own brand within its ranks. She's now working on global agency partnerships and spent time cultivating and growing global experience based out of Hong Kong for LinkedIn North Asia. From Day 1 (which she spent grabbing office supplies) to Day RN, Soniya's professional triumphs are impressive including speaking at the internationally recognized One Young World (Davos for the cool kids). Which is why we wanted to find out from her just how to land that dream job-- because she's got know-how in spades.    

Be sure to check-in with Soniya at Create & Cultivate Dallas, where she'll be a mentor and panel moderator.

PICK WHICH GAME YOU'RE PLAYING

A big part of success is picking which game you’re playing. In the tech industry people refer to this as pivoting, but I think it can apply to careers. If your current plan or company isn’t working for you, pivot to a new one where you can win. Choose to be somewhere where you’ll be valued.

"Choose to be somewhere where you’ll be valued."

Tweet this. 

BE UN-CONFIDENT WHEN TRYING SOMETHING NEW 

Let yourself see how things become less scary through experience. When I was working at LinkedIn in Asia, doing business in Korea felt scary and was the definition of being outside of my area of comfort. I didn’t know the language, understand the cultural nuances, or frankly feel qualified to have a seat at the table. But trip after trip, the challenge became subsequently less intimidating. It taught me to always to consider your audience and who you’re talking to, and to respect that audience immensely. 

CRAFT A CAREER ACCORDING TO YOUR STRENGTHS

Growing up, I always thought that having a profession was the ultimate pinnacle of success. By calling myself a doctor, lawyer, etc., I was under the assumption that this would be most fulfilling. For some, this is true, and that’s wonderful, but I quickly realized that following passion projects, thinking about ideas and finding a way to package that into a job I love, has been most gratifying. 

DON'T BE AN IDEA STEALER OR KNOW-IT-ALL

Instead be a question asker – asking questions is simply the best way to break through, challenge yourself and the environment around you. I think the art of inquiry is often the most underrated form of expression. Whenever I've asked the most questions being new to a job, team or country, I've found it helpful in breaking barriers and learn 10x faster. Also, know-it-alls aren't fun to be around or work with - give credit wherever you can. 

"The art of inquiry is often the most underrated form of expression."

Tweet this. 

WHETHER YOU REALIZE IT OR NOT, YOU'RE SELF-EMPLOYED

Think about picking a career where growth is dependent on the quality of your decisions – this can ensure you’re positioning yourself to over-index for skill vs. time, and can potentially generate a higher pay off. At my time at LinkedIn specifically, I’ve been fortunate enough to work in multiple “start-up like” environments, which meant doing everything from ordering envelopes to talking to CEOs of global companies in the same day. You may not be an entrepreneur in the traditional sense, but it’s important to act like one.

Whether you want to lead and build a company some day or make high impact in your current job, self-improvement is for everyone. There are clearly more than five things you can and should do to optimize for career success, however, making intentional choices throughout your career will hopefully help you land the job you want...and keep it!

Since 2010, Soniya Monga's career journey with LinkedIn has grown exponentially. The maven built their presence in Canada and took the helm as the company's global agency partnership lead. She was also named Marketing's Top 30 Under 30 when she was regional account director for LinkedIn, North Asia. Hear some of Soniya's best tips for building strategic partnerships and how she's been able to expand the brand internationally at her mentor session at Create & Cultivate Dallas.

Spend the Night: C & C Has a Guest Bedroom You'll Want to Stay In

It's not every office that has a guest bedroom. Sure, some offices have break rooms and play areas. Like the Google office-- which insists that its employees having fun at work. But office dynamics have changed. Gone are the days (or so we hope for you) of drab little cubicles. 

"We want the office to feel comfortable," says Jaclyn Johnson, Founder and CEO (and tenant of a pretty boss office herself). "We have so many people coming in and out from out of town, some who crash here, others who need a brief respite, and it's wonderful that they can wake up here, feel inspired, and walk downstairs and have morning coffee with the crew." 

It's a logic that follows the flow of Create & Cultivate's mission: to be an inclusive, enterprising, and empowering space for all, especially those trail blazing female entrepreneurs. 

To make this space a reality, Veronica Valencia of The Design Hunters opted for a blend of smaller LA-based companies. 

"It's not the most standard," says Veronica, "to be asked to design a bedroom in an office, but that's the magic of Create & Cultivate. There's nothing standard about it." 

Accounts Director Hope Evans says, "It's like having a sense of familiarity in your office. So when we work long hours and burn the midnight oil-- even if we aren't napping--  it still feels like home. And C & C is like family, so it make sense."

Companies like Fragments Identity, heralded by 28+ year design veteran Tammy Price, Venice-based luxury bedding co. Parachute Home, Framebridge, and Artfully Walls, deck out the space. 

Veronica says, "We wanted the guest room to feel cool and calm. You can never go wrong with white bedding.... especially in a concrete loft. It really brightened up such an industrial space! The white bedding, and mix of bold art work and rustic side tables, worked well together and gave off such good Cali vibes. Perfect for out of town guests!"

Click through the above photos to take a little tour and check out some of the products used below. 

Fragments Identity: Mali Indigo Blues Pillow, Black and White Natural Mud Cloth Pillow, and throw.  

Parachute Home: Percale Venice Set. 

Framebridge & Artfully Walls: Veronica teamed up the two again in the guest bedroom. Watery Bliss in Irvine Slim White Custom Frame. 

Photos courtesy of Ala Cortez. 

The Great Bitch Conundrum of 2015

Let’s talk about the capital B word. Not boss— a word we use a lot around the Create & Cultivate office (because *high-five us* we meet a ton of Boss Women on the daily). We’re talking Bitch, a word that yes, means lady dog, but also one that has been used as a term of derision since the 15th century. Phrases like “son of a bitch,” were meant to chide promiscuous women. An 1811 dictionary refers to the word as "the most offensive appellation that can be given to an English woman.” conundrum 

Fast-forward to the 1920s, when women gained the right to vote. During the time period of 1915-1930 the use of the word in print almost doubled— when men were all, let’s get rid of this Susan B(itch) Anthony.  

Then came the second wave of feminism, where women like attorney Jo Freeman, who authored the book, The Bitch Manifesto in 1968, made a solid attempt to co-opt the word. In her book Freeman writes: “A woman should be proud to declare she is a Bitch, because Bitch is Beautiful.” During this period it looked like the term was ready to be shaped into something new. It had all the potential to align itself with feminist goals. In a way, this happened.   

Since the 1970s women have steadily fought to reclaim the word, to shift its power. Think: Head Bitch in Charge, Boss Bitch, Bitch Media, Betches, books like, Bitch: In Praise of Difficult Women, on and on. (The word usage in print is at an all-time high.) Such reclamations turn negative words into positive affirmations. They create unity amongst marginalized groups while diminishing the power of the oppressor. 

If we call ourselves bitches, it becomes ours.

Or does it?

For many, the social dynamics and gender politics of the word are still confusing. Can a man call a woman a bitch? What about when a woman calls a man a bitch? Can a woman call another woman a bitch? And what about when people call Hilary Clinton a bitch? In 2013, in a series of tweets, Kanye West asked the following question: "I usually never tweet questions but I struggle with this so here goes... Is the word BITCH acceptable?” Followed up by: “Is it ok to use bitch as long as we put BAD in front of it? Like you a BAD BITCH.”

"If we call ourselves bitches, it becomes ours."

Tweet this. 

This is where we have to consider intent. The problem lies in how how the word is used and by whom. The problem is in the nuance. 

As Cynthia Bailey from the "Real Housewives of Atlanta" explained, “In this group we use the term bitch as a term of endearment and also in a disrespectful way.” And that’s the gist of it. Context matters. Intonation matters.  I can be a boss ass bitch.  I can reclaim the word for me. But the most important word in that thought is not bitch, but "me." I can make a conscious decision for bitch to mean something different. I can own my bitch. But don't think for one moment that if someone else makes that decision for me, we're not going to have more than some bitchy words. 

Why Your Digital Business Could Use Some Offline Love

You'll hear it a million times: scale. Can you build an epic audience? Does your platform have reach? Only do things that are replicable and *scalable.* And in that constant push, that repeated tech-startup infused, online platform- anchored sentiment, a massively important strategy for your brand gets overlooked: offline engagement. Real world activation. Human-to-human love. Game changer.

I spent the most crucial time of my career to date immersed in creating and growing the offline communities at Levo - a network of 30 cities averaging 7 professional development events a week globally. As an organization, we saw the way this brand came to life in rooms of a hundred or in circles of 5. We were able to be an ingredient and a catalyst in the professional success of these connections. And I got to be the woman leading the offline charge.

As my life and career transitioned away from being the chief guerrilla love fare officer at Levo and into building my own digital brand of inspiration at Maxie, I thought long and hard about why and how the same offline love I'd created at Levo should be integrated into my personal brand strategy. Here's why:

Never underestimate the power of a mighty few

Call them brand ambassadors. Call them groupies. Call them fierce supporters. Whatever you call them, they matter. And when you engage with them past the tweets and emails, you create a tether of energy that will carry your message and brand far and wide.

This can look different for any company.

At Levo it was a formalized (and kick ass) Local Leader program. For me, it's getting myself on the road and speaking as much as possible– so I can do what I do best with live audiences. For fashion lines, think creative pop up shops. And for bloggers, take a page out of my girl The College Prepster’s book who always amazes me with the time she spends with loyal fans in any city she goes - hello group coffee dates!

It's a virtuous cycle

Feel free to laugh at this sketch (TK), which was originally created on a train from the Silicon Valley to San Francisco sitting alongside a genius mentor and personal sage, Gina Bianchini of Mightybell. She was the first to demonstrate to me how what we do offline feeds into our online platforms and vice versa. When you're able to connect the two and allow them to continuously support each other, the entire brand gets bigger and bigger.

What does that look like for you?

Making sure that your engagement offline has a way of funneling back to your site.  And creating a unique digital experience for them there. My oh so bunk, solopreneur way of doing this is emails from all of my speaking events and handouts of beautifully designed collateral with special codes and unique links (and love-infused follow up emails). With a more robust tech team you can look into NFC technology, and other cool ways of tracking humans engaging with your brand.

Whatever “how” you come up with the goal is simple: nurture the connections you made in person with love, humanness, and support online.

Immediate, examinable feedback

Want to know what is resonating and what is not? Interested in knowing which of your stories affect people and which fall flat? Which products people can't keep their hands off and why? Get in a room. Ask the question. Watch their faces. Take note of their energy.

Yes, Facebook analytics, GA, counted pins and open rates are killer data to drive your business. Data, however, means shit unless paired alongside anecdotal feedback. Figure out what resonated what doesn't by getting real humans in the room and engaging with them around your business.

For me this happens in the conversations during the mentor sessions I host at Create + Cultivate (who's joining mine in Dallas??) I get to see what people are asking. What advice they write down. What their blocks are. It’s fodder, insight, and material for months of business planning.

But for you it can be as simple as having five of your most recent customers joining a google hangout with you. It could be taking your spring purse line to the table at a beach and see who stops and why. Or hosting a thank you for following me party in your backyard. It doesn't always have to be a crazy strategic business busting soirée. It can be casual. It can be accessible. It just requires your presence and obsessive curiosity into the human nature behind your market.

Hi, MONEY. 

Cold. Hard. Cash. Bigger brands have a hard time accessing audiences - especially of young professional women like many of us cater to. If you can prove that your audience is large enough, and you're tapped into them so much so that they will show up. To a dinner party. To a store opening. To a workshop. You've hit a gold mine.

"The best marketing strategy is an obsessive focus on being human." 

Twitter. 

There are so many businesses out there who would kill to be involved in your offline strategy. Big and small. Engage them and discover for yourself an entire revenue stream that can open for you through offline activation and events (ahem, no one does this better than C+C queen goddess herself, Jaclyn). 

Whatever you're doing, big or small, fashion or law, don't keep your business only in the digital sphere. Get out there. Talk to your readers and your customers. The best marketing strategy is simply an obsessive focus on being human. 

Create & Connect: Aimee Santos Gives Us Her Life Hack

Aimee Santos of Swell Mayde is a natural born maker. Or as she calls herself, a “mayker.” As both designer and style blogger, she's had to figure out how to strike a balance between the two and thrive in the face of chaos.

She's always in the midst of multitude of creative projects. Whether she's sourcing and dishing what we need to be wearing (and buying for friends and fam) this holiday season. Or teaching us how to DIY an envelope wrap skirt, we are always amazed by how she finds the time to keep the momentum in her work life and manage productivity. 

Which is why she’s part of this week’s Create & Connect with our friends at Logitech! We pick her brain below to see how her career has flourished, and how she's managed her hectic life with the help of tools like the Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard.

+What side projects do you indulge in aside from blogging and designing?

Drawing and making jewelry.

+What is the one life hack that has helped you be more productive?

I love to start my day early. I feel so accomplished by the end of the day.

+How do you balance designing and blogging?

Stay organized and keep a detailed calendar.

+How important is a work life balance for you, or do they intersect?

So important. I need moments of the day/week that I can relax and re-energize myself.

+How do tools like the Logitech K380 Multi-Device keyboard help you be more productive and manage multitasking?

Having a keyboard for my phone and iPad is life-changing. I am able to finish tasks much faster. It also allows me to multi-task so easily since I can connect multiple devices to it and switch between them with a touch of a button.

+What is the one thing you like to add under your belt but haven't had the chance to do yet?

Interior designer/real estate developer.

+How do you deal with the busy trap?

Try to stay organized.  When I feel overwhelmed, I take a moment and schedule out my day/week. It instantly de-stresses me to know that I can get through everything with proper planning.

"Stay organized and keep a detailed calendar."

Tweet this. 

Make sure to check out Aimee’s blog here at swellmayde.com, and if you’re looking for the perfect holiday tech gift to get you started this Black Friday, be sure to add the Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard to your shopping list!

Startup Toolkit: Get on Track with These Amazing Business Tools

Image via Opendesk

Creating and managing a business isn’t easy. If it was, success would grow on money trees. And though the struggle is part of the process, it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Let's say you’ve started your business, but now you need tools. Apps to make sure you're meeting all of your goals-- and your meetings.  

To get your week started off on the right foot, we’re listing some of the best websites and apps to keep you on the right track to building a strong business!

Learnvest

If you’re just starting your business and are looking for a financial planner, Learnvest is for you. Knowing exactly where every nickel and dime goes is key to growth. Learnvest helps you keep strict tabs on your finances in both a simple and affordable (bonus!) way. Not only that, you get personalized advice that is aimed at both your personal and business financial goals. Get your financial plan in action and climb one step closer to the top of the ladder. 

GoLive HQ

You know your company or brand isn’t set without a proper website. It's the face you show the web world. So forget that pretty (but boring) template that’s been used time and again. What you need is to call GO LIVE HQ for the most dynamic web design that’s right for your brand. The amazing all-girl team at Go Live HQ will Hook. You. Up. These web-savvy ladies will connect you with web designs, brand resources, and Go Live workshops that make web design easy as pie.

Mailchimp

If you haven’t thought about including a newsletter into your brand’s digital strategy, then think again. Even if you feel intimidated by the idea, Mailchimp makes creating and sending out newsletters simple. Not only is Mailchimp easy to use, but the service allows you to send emails at optimized times, and provides you with analytics that track newsletter campaigns and click-through rates. As the chimps say: send better email. 

Asana

Some people work off their notebooks and write down every little thing they need to do every day. It's old school. It works. Sort of. Asana helps you project manage a lot better. It helps you craft a perfect to-do list. It also assists in managing team projects. You and your colleagues can check off tasks that are done, as well as easily see what still needs to be completed. It's effective digital teamwork. You do want to be organized, right? 

Slack

Slack is the perfect way for you to communicate with your team. You can transfer files, integrate the tools that you already use for work (like Asana, Mailchimp, Twitter, Dropbox, and Google Drive), as well as categorize conversations based on what department you’re in. With Slack, you might just (happily) say goodbye to your outdated email, and switch to the platform that makes communication and team productivity much easier, more streamlined, and more transparent.

Shake

As a business owner, you have to know what contracts and legal agreements are going to keep your business running. That’s where Shake comes in. Shake is an app that allows you to create, sign, and send legally binding agreements in seconds. Perfect for business owners and freelancers alike, Shake aims to remove the stress of creating legally-binding agreements. If you’re hiring ,or just got hired for a freelance gig, Shake is going to be a lifesaver for you.

Pedal To The Metal: LA Accelerators To Jumpstart Your Idea

For months now, you’ve been set on making your business idea come true. You have the idea set in stone, and you’ve mastered your plan down to a T, but you just need a little bit of a financial push and some proper coaching on how to get your business off the ground. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of help available to get you up and running!

If you’re looking to kick your business into gear in Los Angeles, you’re in the right place. Now, more than ever, today’s prosperous world of Silicon Beach has been able to churn out successful companies, all with the help of accelerators and incubators that are designed to make your business grow at an exceptional pace. To give you your first boost in helping your startup grow, we’ve listed some great accelerators and incubators in LA that will set you up with the tools you need to get your idea to a million-dollar level. (You can thank us later.) ;)

1. Science, Inc. Santa Monica, CA

As one of Silicon Beach’s most successful accelerators, Science has been able to implement its transformation strategy taken from experience at leading technology firms like News Corp, American Capital, AOL, and IAC to many fresh startups. They’ve got you covered on everything from technology, digital marketing, human resources, product, design, and business development, and have racked in 12 acquisitions, over $1B+ in exits, and have founded 8 companies. If companies like Medium, This Is Ground, Dollar Shave Club, MeUndies.com, and Dog Vacay can hang with these guys, you should too. Trust us, you’ll be in good hands.

2. MuckerLab - Los Angeles, CA

You can think of MuckerLab as school for startups. MuckerLab dedicates itself to all of its students, making sure they’re tapping in onto all the details that will make their business succeed, and having established CEO’s mentor them as well. With companies like StyleSaint, TaskRabbit, and Bloom Nation, you can see how strategies followed by MuckerLab has made companies like these widely successful. 

3. Amplify - Venice, CA

Both a creative workspace and a curriculum-based accelerator, Venice-based Amplify is one of the OGs when it comes to accelerators in LA. Amplify has been able to add 40+ startups businesses to its portfolio, including RadPad, Sensay, Clutter, and The Bouqs. Not only do they invest in your idea, but they also offer amenities and creative workspace to you as a coworkers, making sure you feel right at home.

4. Originate - Los Angeles, CA

Established as a digital product development and venture firm, Originate helps design, build operate, and invest in transformative software products. They look for some of the brightest and boldest innovators to work with, and help them reach their business goals with their team of designers, developers, product strategists, and investors. If you’re looking to build a digital product, work with teams that have helped Flipagram and MileIQ become successful, and are ready to become a partner (not a client) with an accelerator, Originate is made for you.

No Gym Required: At Home Work-Outs from Love Sweat Fitness

I created Love Sweat Fitness as a community where women can come to be inspired, and inspire one another to live fit, healthy—and most importantly—balanced lives!

As a personal trainer and fitness instructor I am constantly asked what it takes to lose weight and keep it off. The answer is quite simple; eat clean balanced meals and workout consistently. Easier said than done right? Between jobs, families, friends and other obligations, it can seem impossible to make this happen, but I promise you it’s not and it’s 100% worth it.

There is a misconception that in order to be fit you need to spend hours in the gym. It’s just not the case.

tweet this

There is a misconception that in order to be fit you need to spend hours in the gym. It’s just not the case. I should know...before starting my fitness career, I lost 45 lbs. without stepping foot inside of a gym. In my experience, women are looking for the same thing: Quick and effective workouts they can easily incorporate into their daily routines, and I am all about creating workouts that will do just that.

Beyond wanting to look great, working out offers amazing benefits for your mental, physical and emotional well-being. You can expect all of the following to be improved from each sweat sesh: mood, creativity, immunity, cognitive function, better sleep, and less stress. I know we could all use some more of all of this!

The most important piece of advice I can share with anyone starting a new workout routine it to listen to your body and don't be afraid of weights! I love mixing up weight training, circuits, intervals and other high-energy exercises to ensure you get the absolute best results in a short amount of time. I wanted to share one of my favorite at-home workouts with you. I also have tons of great workouts you can do ANYTIME on my YouTube channel as well!

What You’ll Need:

·      Towel

·      Water

·      1 Set of Dumbbells

What to do:

·      Complete each exercise moving as quickly as you can

·      Take 2 min break after completing all exercises

·      Repeat set 1-2 more times.

 

Step By Step Exercises

Burpees: 10

• Start standing up with feet hip distance apart
• Hop down and back into a plank
• Hop knees forward and out of your plank
• Exhale and come back to standing
CHALLENGE: Explode into a jump as soon as you return to standing

Butterfly Crunches: 20

• Laying on your back, press soles of the feet together to touch, knees open wide
• Hands rest behind your head, elbows out wide
• Draw the belly button into the spine
• Exhale as you lift the shoulders off of the ground
• Lower back down one inch when you inhale, then repeat
CHALLENGE: Lift and lower your feet in time with your shoulders

Squats With A Shoulder Press: 15

• Start with feet hip distance apart and your weight back in your heels
• Sit back and down, lowering to bring hips in line with knees
• Keep chest lifted and keep knees stacked over heels

• Bring weights to shoulders as you sit into squat
• Push through heels to come to standing and squeeze booty at the top

• Exhale and press weights overhead as you stand

Bicycle Crunches: 30

• Laying on your back, bring knees to a table top position
• Rest hands behind head with elbows open wide
• As you exhale, lift right shoulder off the mat, crossing to meet left knee at center while right leg elongates to hover
• Switch to opposite side (left shoulder to right knee) and repeat

Walking Lunges: 20

• Step right foot out into a lunge
• Knee stacks over ankle on front leg
• Keep pelvis tucked
• Pushing through front heel, step feet together and switch legs

Plank Jacks: 20

• Start in plank position
• Keep hips and booty down in line with heels and crown of the head
• Jump feet apart about two feet
• Exhale and jump feet back together
• Repeat in and out

Katie Dunlop, CPT is a health and fitness expert. After her own 45lb weight-loss transformation, Katie created Love Sweat & Fitness to inspire women to live fit, healthy, and most importantly, balanced lives. She believes you have to love what you’re doing or you won’t keep doing it. Her goal is to provide fun and effective workouts women will love at any fitness level and with little to no equipment needed.

Ask Camille Styles: How Do I Build My Following?

On Instagram, we asked what you wanted to learn from the lovely Camille Styles and your questions came pouring in. Camille is a blogger and party stylist living in Austin, Texas, and the author of the book Camille Styles Entertaining. As her name would suggest, she has an impeccable eye and is known for transforming a space and making the whole thing seemed effortless. Below, she answers a question that we're sure tons of you are wondering about, and this is just a taste of her wisdom! Catch Camille live at #CreateCultivateDALLAS, where she'll be speaking on the panel Brand Vibes: How to create a brand that lives beyond the blog bubble.

Casuallydisheveled: As a new blogger, how do you build a following outside of your friend's group?

Creating a blog requires energy, resources, creativity, and most of all, time, so it’s natural that we all want an audience reading and appreciating our efforts. However, the first thing to realize is that building a following is usually a slow process—one that I’ve been working on for the last seven years, since I launched my blog. The second most important thing to keep in mind is that your audience will only stick around if you’re creating great content. So while it’s important to strategize about your promotional efforts, creating high quality original work should always be first and foremost.

While it’s important to strategize about your promotional efforts, creating high quality original work should always be first and foremost.

tweet this

With that being said, there are a few strategies I’ve used over the years that have significantly helped to build my following and get the word out about CamilleStyles.com. Here are the most successful ones: 

• Just say yes to collaborations. This is probably the most important one, especially if you’re a new blogger. In the early days of my blog, I jumped on every opportunity to be interviewed, featured, or contribute to another site, even if it required an outlay of time and energy on my part and I wasn’t getting paid for it. Remember: value doesn’t have to come in the form of cash. Exposure and promotion can be an incredibly valuable way to grow your readership, so look for any opportunities and say “yes” to any that come your way. 

• Be proactive about getting what you want. Even if tons of opportunities aren’t coming your way, you can be proactive about going after them! Think about what unique point-of-view you have to offer as a blogger, whether it’s in fashion or food or lifestyle, then offer to contribute to sites that are bigger than yours in exchange for promotion. I can’t tell you how many times I styled photo shoots, wrote stories, and pitched new ideas to larger media outlets just to keep getting my name out there in front of their audiences. Over time, that exposure adds up.

• Brand yourself on social. It probably goes without saying that you should have a strong social media presence if you’re hoping to grow your audience. But have you spent time thinking about and cultivating your unique personal brand on your channels? Every tweet, Instagram, and Facebook post is a building block that defines your brand message. Take some time to articulate what sets you apart as a blogger and determine your brand vision, then write it down. Now you’re ready to be strategic in the messaging that you put out there on social, and this is what will make you memorable and build a following that keeps coming back for more. 

When it comes to building your brand, start with these small steps, but don’t be afraid to dream big! It may seem like a daunting task at the beginning of your journey, but if you keep at it, before you know it you’ll have built something great. And since being a blogger is all about having the opportunity to do what you love, don’t forget to enjoy the process!

Snap To It: Using Snapchat to Build Your Brand

How's this for a snappy statistic (pun totally intended): 41 percent of teens use Snapchat, and it's the third most popular social network (after behemoths Facebook and Instagram). In the 18-29 demo—the ultra-coveted millennial age group— 26 percent cop to using Snapchat, and a remarkable 70 percent of those users are women. There are about 26 million Snapchat users in the U.S. alone, and they send a whopping 400 million snaps a day. So if your brand isn't already on Snapchat, now would be a good time to start! Here, we've got you covered with a few tips and tactics to for making the most out of it, whether you're jumping in for the first time or just want to grow your audience. Now, snap to it!

Geofilters

For whatever city you’re in, there is for sure to a filter to match your location. Think of it as Snapchat’s digital postcard that uses a cool filter to let all of your followers know where you are. Not only can Snapchat’s geofilter feature show artwork to match the city you’re in, but if you’re hosting a large event (concert, party, festival, conference, etc.), you can also add a geofilter for your event! With a geotag filter, its a sure ticket to have tons of people share about your event to all their followers on Snapchat.

Snapchat stories

The next level to Snapchat geofilter feature is having your own Snapchat story for your occasion. Just like every city has a Snapchat story, so can your event! Give everyone who is coming to your event a chance to add your snaps to the curated Snapchat story for a chance to be featured! Not only does this give a chance for your attendees to engage more in Snapchat, but it also allows people who were not able to come to your event see it on their Snapchat feed worldwide.

When your brand has exciting news, head to Snapchat and build up anticipation by announcing it in a series of snaps.

tweet this

Story lines

Do you have something exciting to announce or want to start a recurring series that lives on your Snapchat? Build up the anticipation by planning out a storyboard of how you want to announce your news in a series a snaps, and then put it into action. Not only will a story line project your message better than just a snap that lasts 10 seconds, but it will also increase your views after people see that a long series of snaps means there’s something exciting to announce.

Snapchat exclusives

When you give your followers on other platforms exclusives if they follow you on Snapchat, get ready for the views to come flooding in. Exclusivity always wins, so use Snapchat as a tool for that if you have some behind the scenes action going on, or create a promo code that's just for your followers. 

If you’re already experienced with Snapchat, what are some of the tactics that have worked best for you? Let us know below!

Priscilla Castro is Create & Cultivate's Director of Social Media and Community in Los Angeles. She also does social media client work at (No Subject), and was previously Editorial Director at BeautyCon. Follow her @kodeofkondukt. 

Ask: Jessy Fofana of LaRue PR answers your public relations questions

Last week, we asked what you wanted to know from PR maven Jessy Fofana. Jessy founded her agency, LaRue PR, more than seven years ago after previously working in magazine publishing and founding (and later selling) her own cosmetics company. She knows her stuff, and will soon be covering everything PR for the Create & Cultivate blog. To kick it off, she picked a few questions to answer here, and warned us she wanted to answer them all.

cassandramonroe  What are qualities that PR agencies or personnel look for in a blogger/creative person that determines whether or not they feel like a collaboration is a good fit?

It’s always great to collaborate with a partner or influencer that approaches what they do with a creative spirit, but also like a brand/business owner.  Being responsive and having a media kit and rate card ready with available stats and numbers is always appealing. Partnering with a blogger that is truly interested in the product/service they are going to collaborate on is best.  It’s wonderful to team up with someone who has done their own research and is bringing creative ideas to the table that tie in what works best with their audience. Of course design, layout, image quality and general aesthetic sensibility are important, but if a PR person has reached out to you with interest they have decided you are “on brand” and the right fit.  If you are an emerging blogger trying to work with a company for a collab, it’s important to know what you are about and why you feel the partnership would be beneficial. I also suggest starting with smaller businesses that might be more accessible and approachable. Finally, it’s important to have a nice working relationship, to meet deadlines, to be responsive and to share post partnership results.

 
mommynotes What are some good tips for negotiating with PR companies as a brand, particularly when your budget is small?

This is a great question and one that I’m sure a lot of small biz owners new to working with agencies and consultants might have. If you are interested in working with a PR firm, it’s important to find a boutique agency that has experience working with small businesses or startups. PR firms usually create their pricing structure based on time, so you want to make sure that you whittle down what your goals are and where you would like the focus to be. A good PR team will offer input and advice on this as well and can advise on where your business will see the most benefit and how to streamline efforts and costs. Some agencies will create a retainer agreement that is tiered or that increases over time to accommodate a new business.  Approaching PR on a project basis (ex: product launch, around an event, or seasonally) is another way to limit the expense and create specificity for the campaign. Finally, if you find an agency or freelancer that you feel is a great fit, talk to them. While there are industry standards, there is no hard and fast rule and if someone sees the potential, they may be willing to negotiate. I’ve tried to move mountains for brands that I really believe in.
 
miss.collective  I would love to know what approach you recommend to targeting publications after hosting an event to have the greatest success rate of getting published. Thanks!

With events there are a few different strategies to consider. We typically look at any event and consider a three-pronged approach to press coverage that includes pre-event press, “live” event press, and post event press. Depending on what your event goals are, maybe only one of these applies, but it’s important to consider all angles. If you are looking for press coverage to drive attendance and foot traffic, pre-event coverage and “live” coverage are a necessity. If your goal is to showcase a private event, the focus is typically post event outreach. For this there are a few things you need to have at the ready. Event PR usually has the best return on a local or regional level, so putting together a hit list with the best area print, digital and broadcast media is essential. Do your research and make sure you find the right contacts at each outlet. Look at who has covered similar events in the past, check titles and beats and reach out.   Have all of necessary info ready, in either a press release or an event one-sheet and share a few low-res images to help create interest and excitement. If media didn’t attend the event, it’s important to have a photographer on site who can share event images for press inclusion. Timing is important. You can pitch for post-event coverage before the function happens to try and secure an exclusive story. If you have trouble getting interest in advance, then immediately following the event—ideally the next day—work on pitching it with all the juicy images and info.
 
mirabellamarket What is the best way for a handmade business on Etsy to gain traction and increase sales? How can we bring our products to the masses?

Fifteen years ago I would have said that traditional PR is really the only cost-effective way to bring visibility to any small business. It still is a great tool, but over the years, the scope of what PR includes has broadened and now there are so many more resources available. Social media has created entirely new outlets for visibility. Now influencer relations and strategic marketing are an important part of any PR strategy. When you have a handmade business, it’s important to get creative and to have a plan of attack. When I was in my 20s I started a “handmade small business” with a friend. Over the course of a number of years we grew our sales, and ended up selling our start-up to a multi-million dollar fashion label. One of the key factors that helped that sale along was the buzz we had created for ourselves via PR. In addition to creating exposure and sales it lent our fledgling business credibility. Don’t be afraid to pursue media coverage. I went out guerilla-style and just pitched our product and story to a ton of editors and we ended up getting featured in some of the most popular fashion and lifestyle magazines (Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle etc.). At the time I was just starting out and didn’t have a ton of PR experience, but I just pounded the pavement and believed in the product. I think that same strategy is still worthwhile and now that are a multitude of mediums to go after. 

Try an organized “spaghetti-at-the-wall” approach and see where you get interest and where you get return. Make a hit list of media outlets where you would like to land your product, research contacts and try reaching out (it’s often better to start with a more junior assistant, writer or editor). Figure out a few brands that are similar in size, or slightly larger, that have a complimentary rather than competitive identity and reach out about a co-branded social media collaboration to grow awareness among your respective customer base. If the collaboration is cool, look to get a bit of press coverage on it. Incentivize your existing customers and market directly to them with original (and hopefully not annoying) promotions. Social media is a way you can share your brand identity and connect with your end consumer on a daily basis.  Try to be sincere, create worthwhile content and don't be too focused on sales. Keep at it. Don’t give up. All of this takes time and keep in mind with PR specifically, you are bound to get a bunch of “NOs” before you get that “YES,” but usually that “YES” is really worthwhile.

Jessy Fofana founded La Rue PR over ten years ago after successfully directing public relations and marketing initiatives for an impressive list of well-known fashion, home décor, lifestyle and cosmetics brands and retailers.  Having worked in both digital and print magazine publishing as well as co-founding a fashion and lifestyle brand that she later sold, Jessy and her team at LaRue PR understand exactly what it takes to create the kind of take-notice, multi-faceted campaign that delivers brand-changing buzz.  With an experienced team of professionals, LaRue PR covers all the bases including print and digital media coverage, influencer relations, synergistic brand partnerships and more.  LaRue PR provides the skill and experience of a large agency with the creativity, dedication and affordability that can only be offered by a boutique firm.

.

Smash Past The Noise: How to kill it in a crowded Instagram space

My head is still reeling from the wealth of useful insight & information I learned at the most recent Create & Cultivate event in Chicago. Most notable were those addressing what it takes to stand out in today’s crowded social media space. Whether you chooseone platform or a few in particular, the tip to stand out from the masses, is by just that. Standing out!

Case in point. #tbt to a hip crowded NYC rooftop bar. Around 60 social mavens stilettoed their way to a balconies edge, held their Rose wine up to the sunset sky, and proudly Instagrammed their dime-a-dozen Picasso. #nofilter. Perfect picture? Sure. Easy photo? Why not. Predictable? Absolutely!

Now to be perfectly clear, there is nothing wrong with posting images that are popular and trending. But if you want to stand out, or get featured by a hot digital publication you might want to rethink a couple of strategies, starting with these 5 easy tips.

I was voted 'best use' of Paul Smith's pink wall.

1. Just Because Everyone's Doing It, Doesn't Mean You Have To. This is a hard one as we see that great engagement comes with great composition. If you copycat trends you will always be a step behind. The goal is to put YOUR signature on a style, not follow behind one.

Actionable tip: Try a new angle on a common theme e.g. Ice cream cone from a dog or ant’s eye view, as opposed to a bird's-eye view.

2. Put Down The Phone. Hey I get it, it’s easy to follow what other people do when we have our heads buried in our social feed & it’s on constant repeat! There’s new inspiration everywhere that’s just begging to be found. I promise you, all you have to do is say YES!

Actionable tip: Go to a magazine stand or bookstore and browse magazines or art books you might not have seen before. Be inspired by a different genre.

3. Time To Engage. What I love about Instagram is the sense of community that has been built, especially when you don’t even know most of your audience. But it feels like you do right? Comment back, like people's photos, even if you don’t follow them. By engaging with your audience and being social with them, it lets them know you value them.

Actionable tip: Reply to most of your comments, for you will create raving fans that value the time you took to answer a question, or just a simple emoji back. Engagement will let you skyrocket!

4. Story Time. Sometimes it’s the who, what, and why of a shot that draws people in. A good story can be just as compelling as the image itself. It helps explain it, entice it, and adds value to your feed.

Actionable tip: Perhaps talk about the behind the scenes reasons for the shot. What it meant to you, or how it makes you feel. Your audience wants to connect with you on many levels.

5. Staying True To Your Brand. A savvy audience can see a lie a mile away. The more transparent, and the more you have FUN, the more your brand and personality will shine through.

Actionable tip: Write down who you are and who aren’t. Create a rule book for your brand based on these brand guidelines to help keep you on track.

6. Stats. By using simple tools like Iconosquare to measure engagement and look at the best posting times, you will find out what your audience likes. This will allow you to know which content performs better, hence what to showcase more of.

Actionable tip: In order to stand out from the noise you have to a/b test which images work for your audience. Find your style, test the waters, watch your stats—cause your audience will tell you what they like and what they don’t.

For this post, I used Madewell's #totewell hashtag to be featured in their campaign.

7. Tool Kit. Here’s a simple yet effective arsenal of what I use and how it works. For photo editing I use Snapseed, and then Instagram's own editing tools. Both are simple and effective. For framing I use Diptic, where you can customize borders, add text, and color correct as well. For hashtag strategies, use different ones depending on what the content is. Flowers are different to outfits and food. Be strategic, and put them in the comments. Try new hashtags as what's trending also changes. A lot of brands will have their own campaigns. It's a great way to hashtag the campaign brand to get noticed.

Actionable tip: Watch what your peers are doing. If you know someone doing extremely well, what is it that they are doing? Look at their hashtags, and photo tags. You have up to 20 photo tags, so use them! Tag brands, style groups and IG accounts that promote you on their page.

For more tips & tricks on standing out in a crowd, join us in Dallas for the next Create + Cultivate for our Style Vibes panel on how to define your personal brand!

Melinda Fleming is the founder of Curated Cool, an online destination where the world of fashion, travel and art come together. Curated Cool offers tips & advice on standing out from the masses, & finding those cool one-of-a-kind pieces. Wanderlust has Melinda flying around the world over 100,000 miles a year. Follow the adventures @curatedcool