Boost Productivity & Concentration with One Simple Switch
Bear with us as we ask you to put down that latte.
It’s 2 PM, you’re on your 3rd or 4th coffee, perplexed as to why you’re still not percolated.
In fact, you’re nodding off, ready to head home and clock out for the day, even though you still have a solid amount of work to get done. It’s a common mistake to think that caffeine will help us stay energized throughout the day, when in fact it’s often doing quite the opposite.
Sorry to break the coffee bean bad news to you, but all the vanilla lattes and black coffees are probably sending you on a vicious cycle of jitters and crashing that’s slowing down your productivity. You feel sluggish, because it’s real.
Part of the problem is that we’ve grown to love the crash and burn; the 2 PM java run is part of our work culture. Think of how many times a week you turn to a colleague and say, “Want to go grab a coffee?” It’s fun, it’s a break from the grind, but it may be the last thing you need.
At a certain point caffeine addicts can’t feel its effects anymore. Beyond that, adding on one espresso shot on top of the last, can dehydrate you— another major flaw in caffeine’s DNA. Dehydration is known to reduce concentration and diminish productivity. Why coffee? We thought you were our BFF for life.
So while it may not be as fun to ask your workmate if they want to head to the water cooler for a late afternoon boost, test it out. Save yourself the java drama and see how water can help you stay just as alert as a shot of pure, heavenly espresso.
DITCH THE 2PM CRASH & BURN
We know that our bodies depend on water. But though caffeine stimulates our sympathetic nervous system and gives us the temporary jolt we need, it also does something else: it make us need to relieve our bladders. The problem with this, is that it is incredibly dehydrating. Every time we use the restroom, we lose water. The less water we have in our systems, the thicker our blood gets and the slower it moves through our veins. That sluggish feeling you’ve experienced? It’s actually happening when our bodies use oxygen at a slower rate.
Coffee also stimulates us in ways we aren’t aware, so though it may not be giving you the boost you need to make it through that Keynote presentation, it could be the reason you’re tossing and turning at night. And without a good night’s rest, you’re going to be tired the next day…hence, more coffee. So, how do you break this cycle? With water.
Good ole H20 hydrates you for mental focus and doesn’t make you want to crawl back into bed. With Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Water, you can power up with its naturally infused electrolytes and minerals that will give you the clarity and creativity to get you through the day. Plus you can feel good while drinking it because it's ethical and sustainable.
CHARGE UP + CLEANSE YOUR BODY WHILE DOING IT
Coffee may be a diuretic, but it’s not flushing out the right toxins that can help our bodies feel revitalized. Also, the more coffee Water, on the other hand, can do that, and manage to keep us awake without the crash. The more water you drink, the more you help your body by flushing out toxins (coffee and caffeine included). Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Water is loaded with potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium, along with many other minerals that make the water naturally alkaline, which helps balance out the over-acidic environment of our bodies. Not something coffee can really fight since it’s pretty acidic itself. The truth is in the science.
MAKE DRINKING WATER A HABIT
Step 1: Hide the Keurig. Step 2: Hide the coffee mug. Step 3: Invest in a water bottle.
It might sound silly, but once you start using a water bottle, especially one with a sipper or straw, you’ll find yourself sipping from the bottle every five minutes, ’til you find yourself drinking five or six bottles of water a day. Your body naturally needs water, so it won’t be a surprise when you find yourself refilling your bottle every hour.
"Need to boost concentration? Step 1: Hide the Keurig. Step 2: Hide the coffee mug."
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This also becomes easier when the water you're drinking, tastes great. Not all water is bottled equally. When your water tastes like chlorine or feels lifeless, you'll be less inclined to drink it. But a good source of water is key when establishing a habit of hydration, and you'll be surprised to find that you actually crave water the way you once did caffeine.
And trust us, the regular visits to the restroom won’t be as bad as the 2 PM crash. You need to get up and move anyway.
5 Essential Office Decor Tips from the Creative Director of High Fashion Home
Make it pretty but useful.
Echo Marble Dining Table, available at highfashionhome.com
Dolley Frearson is Co-Founder and Creative Director of High Fashion Home, a destination spot for anyone looking to revamp a space or choose from a huge variety of high design products equally high on value and quality. But the pieces offered aren't just for the home, no matter what the name says.
With the shift in corporate culture (which, for many means buh-bye to the cubicle!) and the continued surge in startups, office spaces are starting to feel a bit more homey-- or at least somewhere you don't mind spending overtime in. We asked Dolley for her 5 essential tips for creating a "high fashion" office that feels like home/work.
MAKE IT A PLACE OF BEAUTY AND INSPIRATION
People think that an office (home, startup, or otherwise) needs to look like an actual corporate office; bookcases, filing drawers, and executive desk, etc. but it doesn't. Whether you spend 1 hour a day in there or 8 hours, your place of work should be a space that inspires you. So, think about places that inspire you-- whether it's a clean modern space like the Apple store, a hip boutique hotel, a feminine retreat to call you own, or a historical library with art work and books for inquisitive minds. Start with your inspiration and build around that.
Click through for four of my favorite desk picks.
MAKE IT USEFUL
You don't want to build a study that no one uses. Think about who would use it the most and how you would use it. If you have a huge space, feel free to use a dining table instead of a desk (like the above Echo Marble Dining Table at the Create & Cultivate office in LA). With laptops, iPads and wireless printing these days, you no longer need the typical desktop computer technically. If you're like me and like to use your home office as a "study" or "library" for your kids to share, consider a round, oval or rectangular dining table with 4-6 chairs. It's also nice to have a larger table when they need to work on a school project or if your kids want to have a study group at home. If you don't want to share the space with the kids, a large table will still be nice if you need to share the space with your spouse or if you have meetings often or need more surface space for projects.
Click through for four of my favorite dining as desk picks.
TO COLOR OR NOT TO COLOR
For those who like a clean canvas to clear their minds, a neutral wall color with monotone or muted colors in the furniture and accessories is the way to go. Some need color to bring them ideas and energy. If color inspires you, by all means find that perfect artwork or rug that has the colors you love in it. You can also go with a black or dark charcoal gray or any shade of deep blue. I personally love home offices to look like a hidden cave or jewelry box, but that's my way of creating an office retreat. This idea works best with an office room that has higher ceilings and windows for natural light.
DECLUTTER YOUR OFFICE (AND YOUR LIFE)
Declutter your office (and your life) - I'm a strong believer in the saying "tidy house, tidy mind!" I think it's incredibly important to keep your home (and office) organized and simplified. Nowadays, there are so many great boxes, file boxes, trays, etc. to keep you organize. If you start off with the right tools, it will help keep your space in order.
ACCESSORIES ON SHELVES
If you love collecting books and objects, that's fine, but keep them organized and make them look like they have meaning on your shelves. If you have built-ins already but don't have enough books (or any at all), combine your current books or new and beautiful coffee-table books you love with some great accessories like objects, sculptures, pretty boxes, plants, etc. It's great way to inject color and add texture to your shelves. But keep these shelves a bit open so they don't look too cluttered and busy. There are so many great design blogs and Pinterest photos of bookshelves to give you some great ideas.
Startup 101: Your Year One Essential Checklist from Above the Glass
On the precipice of launching your business? You'll need this checklist.
FEMALE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS GROWING FASTER THAN EVER. BUT TO CAPITALIZE ON THE WHIRLWIND OF OPPORTUNITY, YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE STORM FROM WITHIN.
Enter, Danielle Yadegar and Heather Serden, co-founders of the freshly launched Above the Glass, an online platform providing women in business with straight talk interviews with women in business and actionable take-it-to-the-bank advice. Like free downloads, because Above the Glass wants to see you succeed. They believe that, "without a doubt economic empowerment and the capability to start businesses should be available for all women.”
So, if you are on the precipice of launching, download the Startup Essential Checklist from Above the Glass, and get the engine on your business running.
To download the checklist, enter your information on the the form below and a link to the free download will pop-up. Good luck!
Why Business Cards Still Matter & 3 Go-to Sites
Stock not an option.
Just because your entire business lives online does not mean you can’t make an impression in real life. Business cards provide an inexpensive, customized way for you to leave your mark with a new networking connection, collaborator, or client.
And since most business cards are available online, there is really no excuse not to have cute business cards—you can create a bespoke, on-brand card in less than 15minutes and for around $20. Check out these sites to get started.
You can create a bespoke, on-brand card in less than 15 minutes and for around $20.
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VISTAPRINT
Arguably the most inexpensive, basic business cards on the market, Vistaprint offers an affordable, professional way to get the word out about your brand. You can browse their designs or upload your own logo, and the interface is very simple. Standard cards start at just under $10.
MOO
A favorite of creatives, Moo has a clean, easy-to-use website and on-trend fonts, colors and designs. You can choose from a huge collection of the brand’s pre-designed business cards, many of which are specifically tailored to the arts, fashion, beauty and media industries. The company also has a large collection of specialty cards, like spot gloss, raised spot gloss and gold foil. Doubled-sided business cards start at $9.99.
ZAZZLE
Basic business cards at Zazzle start at $21.95, so it’s a little pricier than Vistaprint or Moo. However, Zazzle offers a money back guarantee, so if you don’t like what you create, you can send the cards back for a full refund. The company offers over 50,000 custom templates, or you can design your own.
What is your go-to for business cards? Share with us in the comments!
The 6 Personality Types Every Startup Needs
You're only as good as your team.
Your startup is your tribe.
You spend more time with them than you do with your family (#sorrymom). There are shared lunches and late hours and at certain points, you all wear every single hat. Because when you’re working to build something together, you switch hats, pants, shoes; the words “I can’t do that,” are not part of your vocabulary. In many ways each of you is the "ideal worker"-- something that gender and labor scholars have identified as the person who shows up early, leaves late, never says no, never gets sick, answers emails morning, noon, night, weekends, makes every meeting, is a go-getter, ad infinitum. These are employees who work hard and challenge themselves on a daily basis. In a dream world, every team member of your start-up is that person.
Here on earth however, there are specific people that fit better into certain roles and make the squad function like a well-oiled machine.
THE VISIONARY
Often the CEO. They think big and small, they see far ahead but also catch the tiniest of details right in the moment; the little things you would never even notice. Nothing gets past them, but it's because the Visionary knows how they want to see their vision executed. Thinking outside-the-box is one part of their supernatural abilities. They are highly-functional, fast-paced, and fastidious. "The ways in which people consume everything," says Jaclyn Johnson, Founder and CEO, "has changed significantly. So if we are not evolving, we are not doing our job. We want to help advance the new creators, the thinkers, the other dreamers. And we've only just begun. We don't want to create a pipeline of new workers, we want to burst open the whole channel and see what happens."
"We don't want to create a pipeline of new workers, we want to burst open the whole channel."
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THE CLOSER
The Closer has perseverance and structure like you wouldn’t believe and solutions to any problem. In part it's because they’ve "been, there, done that"— and bring experience from many industries to the table. They know how to work a conversation to their advantage. They are great at team management and turning ideas into action items— especially at executing the vision of the dreamer. Bess Wyrick, Senior Events Producer at Create & Cultivate is our Closer. "It's just not an option," says Bess, "to not get it done. And if you have that attitude at work, don't expect to go very far. You take an idea, or you have an idea, and you make it happen. If it doesn't look or feel right, you do it again. We've nixed entire concepts day-of the conference because it wasn't perfect. I mean, look, there's no wrong way to enjoy a glass of wine, but there is always a smarter way."
THE UNICORN
Part social butterfly part go-getter. The unicorn of the the bunch is known for making magic, and doing it with pep and a smile. Hope Evans, Accounts Director. is as gregarious and unicorn-like as workers come. From meeting with clients to working with talent, she's the ultimate team player. Because part of that sociable charm is the inherent caregiver— keeping team morale up even as stress rises. "It's not magic," says Hope, "it's about chemistry, about making a room feel at ease by making every person feel taken care of-- from talent, to speakers, to sponsors, to everyone who has purchase a ticket. If you treat everyone as an individual, your company will standout as a whole. Especially day of the conference, it's a runaway train that you just have to ride, and make sure everyone is riding along with you. No one falls off this train. No one."
THE NO-NONSENSE TYPE
Follow-through is one of the main traits of the no-nonsense employee. Enthusiastic but firm, the no-nonsense type is a bit like sandpaper— firm, tough, but smooths out anything. For C&C that’s Steph Chang, Director of Events. She’s a nose-to-the-grindstone, no-nonsense worker that will always be crystal clear on what she needs-- especially if she doesn't like the way you're doing something. "When you're planning events you are dealing with so many vendors, sponsors, the venue, parking, food, people, everything-- everything where you can't see the work, a ton of work went into it. So you have to be firm, tenacious, get everything in writing. If you miss one detail, Rome topples. And we've already learned that lesson. From big picture, to the nitty-gritty, nothing is falling apart on my watch, even if it means a sternly worded convo, or two."
THE HEART
You know the person. They're always saying yes. They are there to talk out an idea with you, jump in, give you their thoughts, and share their best ideas-- all the while grinding out what's on their own plate. The Heart sticks on brand and is less concerned with credit than with crafting the right message. At times our Heart, Director of Social Media, Priscilla Castro is a headphones on and head down worker. But tap her shoulder and she's right there with you. "A startup like ours is about the collective, so even though my job revolves around spreading the word, it's important that everyone else on the team is on message as well. Which, yes, means breaking from my to-do list and jumping in where I'm needed."
THE PISTOL
A bit of a worker bee that’s self-motivated, the Pistol is a straight-shooter that fires off ideas, and gets work done at the same speed. The Pistol doesn’t wait for ideas to come to them, nor do they second-guess themselves. Editorial Director, Arianna Schioldager says, "We don't take what we're doing lightly, and the idea that our conferences and content are encouraging young entrepreneurs to take major leaps fuels our days and nights, but that responsibility means we have to always be innovating. Always providing the best. That means tons of ideas. Plenty of which get thrown out. But you have to keep shooting, and shooting straight or we lose the trust of our audience and attendees. We shoot the moon every single day, and even though this makes for tough moments, no one ever said landing the moon was easy."
"We shoot the moon every single day, but no one said landing the moon was easy."
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3 Ways to Be Contagiously Social
Go forth and infect the masses.
Strong women can tell stories that simultaneously rock viral reach and niche connection, and guess what? You’re part of this squad, and we’ve got a name: contagiously social. When we’re contagiously social, it’s not just our stories that ignite, but also the style in which we share them. Best of all, this fierce fusion is surprisingly simple. Just do three things:
Abandon. Obsess. Infect.
1. Abandon labels (hashtags included)
You know the nuances of your industry, platforms, and followers, so trust that your social strategy will work like muscle memory when you let go of labels. Share in the moment. This strategy is so real, it might be surprised to hear itself called that.
Teen Vogue Digital Entertainment Editor Ella Cerón rocks this. She’s a social media savant (Insta, Twitter, Facebook, and beyond), but people know her first and foremost as a funny, know-all fashionista who’s not afraid to get real when breaking news breaks hearts. It’s seamless yet unobvious content strategy focused on real-time stories, personality (on and beyond brand), and community (from close friends to influencers...and by that, I mean Kim Kardashian).
What inspires or surprises you right now? Tell that story, even if it’s not ready-made with a hashtag. There’s both freedom and followers to be found in this relatable-yet-reckless abandon.
2. Obsess over what you love
Reclaim obsession. It’s now a powerful, positive word that screams, “I’m passionate and my own person!” Be the #bosslady of can’t get enough. Champion what you love and pay no heed to “trending.” Start the social convo. Chances are, other women and brands obsess over cheap lipstick, hot sauce, and puns, too. (No? Just me?) Create a project, campaign, or partnership together! When you celebrate shared passion, the right people follow suit, and bam—obsession transforms into collaboration.
Jazmine Hughes and Jessica Kane rock this. Hughes, associate editor at The New York Times Magazine, wrote a brilliant Cosmopolitan story for which she dressed as Empire’s Cookie to explore a question on many women’s minds: Do I deserve this job? (Spoiler alert: Yes, you do.) Kane, director of millennial outreach at the Huffington Post, loves donuts. From HuffPost’s first-ever donut gif to deliciously-hyperlinked out-of-office emails, she bakes this love into her personal and professional brand like a boss.
Share what you love. Feelings and followers will be mutual. It’s the best answer to Mariah Carey’s enduring question, “Why you so obsessed with me?”
3. Infect with unique style
How is a huge part of storytelling. Take Tasty, for example. All it took was some sharp overhead camera footage in the kitchen, and now our Facebook feeds (pun intended!) are filled with BuzzFeed’s mac and cheese miracles. It’s all about style, so once you have your story, shake up how you share it. This could be visual or verbal, but it’s gotta be vibrant.
Fashion designer Misha Nonoo rocks this. Nonoo launched New York Fashion Week’s first-ever #instashow with her SS16 collection. Nonoo brought it to the hashtagged height of #NYFW with the help of 30 #bosslady influencers like Lena Dunham (hey, 2.4 million+ followers, nice to meet you). Media loved it, and it caught on: Nonoo just wrapped up her fall 2016 instashow in partnership with rewardStyle, this time using her personal Instagram and shoppable links with LiketoKnow.it. Now you see this content—monetized-yet-meaningful, Insta over in-person—and this style—larger images made from the ‘gram grid—from the best brands, corporate accounts, and small creative projects.
Stories and style infect our industry, and soon, we see their symptoms everywhere. We spread a brilliant bug. And don’t worry—“new” doesn’t have to mean “never before.” It’s all about finding fresh ways to fuse your what with your how.
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You’ve got something compelling and contagious to share. Go forth and abandon, obsess, and infect. I can’t wait to catch this wildfire.
Aileen McGraw is a writer on on a mission to redefine sartorial by fusing all things social, art, and editorial. Her work intertwines stories and strategy to amplify the bold and the not-yet-told. She’s been published in the Huffington Post, majestic disorder, and Chickpea Magazine, among others, and currently rocks content strategy at Microsoft. She lives by the words, "There's no such thing as too spicy." Find Aileen’s portfolio here.
Maskimize Your 2016: How to Put Your Best Business Face Forward
We got face masks in our bag, swag.
It’s the night before a big business meeting and you’re stressed. It’s totally normal, but do you know what happens when you have a mini-freak out? Your skin often has a mini flare up. Research shows that people are more likely to respond positively to good skin, so we asked our friends at Origins how to make sure we’re all putting our best business face forward this year. Their advice? Mix and mask your way to glowing success – and skin!
To maximize success, Origins just released a totally new innovation in masking to obtain even greater high performance results. Maskimizer™ Skin-Optimizing Mask Primer is the first-ever mask primer to prep, prime and hydrate skin, leaving it more receptive to the high performance benefits of Origins masks. Just a few spritzes of Maskimizer on clean skin before mask application enables you to mask and relax.
Next, choose one of Origins Single-Use Mask Pods, which are also perfect for carrying in your purse or stashing in your desk if you’re on the go. There are so many fan-favorites to choose from, but here are our favorite combinations!
Don’t Fret Before a Meeting with a Potential Client: Use Out Of Trouble™ 10 Minute Mask To Rescue Problem Skin
When you’re meeting one-on-one with a new client, your face is front and center, but nerves and stress can make you red and blotchy. Get “Out of Trouble” before your meeting with an easy ten-minute mask. This super absorbent mask redefines texture and wards off future outbreaks. That way, you’re securing your future by emphasizing your business know-how, and not your problem skin.
Go Into That Job Interview with Gusto: Use Original Skin™ Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Glowing skin is like a great hair day, it can give you the confidence boost you need before meeting with a potential employer. After all, you want them to focus on what you’re saying, not any skin issues. Show them how you’re a true “Original” by outlining your best traits and what you can add to the company. Your glowing and radiant skin is a bonus.
Ask for a Raise with Confidence: Use Clear Improvement™ Active Charcoal Mask To Clear Pores
A meeting with the boss can be stressful, even to employees who are in good standing. But if you’ve shown “Clear Improvement,” that’s the mask you should use. This active charcoal mask clears your pores, absorbs environmental toxins, and dissolves impurities. Which means, while you’re outlining the progress you’ve made as an employee and giving your boss reasons to give you a raise, your skin is working for you as well.
Before Flying In for a Meeting: Use Drink Up™ Intensive Overnight Mask
Hopping on a flight to pitch a new client can seriously dehydrate you. So what’s girl boss on-the-go to do? Before you take off, opt for the “Drink Up, Intensive Overnight Mask.” The avocado and apricot kernel oils instantly quench compromised moisture reserves and help build a reservoir for tomorrow— which you’ll need once you’re up in the air.
And remember the best way to leave a killer impression in any meeting, is to be yourself. The best you is the one that’s comfortable in her skin— we’re just helping you give it some major glow.
The 5 Clutch Business Tools Every Startup Needs Now
Cutting out and pulling ahead of the competition starts here.
Managing the day-to-day stressors of a startup is, well, stressful. These five tools will help you mitigate and manage, so that you have time to focus on the million + 1 other tiny details. No one ever said rising, grinding, and making your own way was easy!
Breather: Your Place to Pitch
A startup doesn't always come with a cute office space. In fact, most of the time it's you hustling from your living room in the attempt to get your idea off the ground. Well, think of Breather as your wings-- because you should never pitch where you eat. If you need a space to look professional, Breather is your new startup BFF. Take meetings with potential investors or new clients in one of their rentable spaces. The way it works is simple. Sign up on their site for free, and book "peaceful and practical" spaces when you need them.
Freshbooks: The Fresh Way You Get Paid
If billing clients and keeping track of invoices is SBT (small business torture) Freshbooks is your savior. Freshbooks is an accounting software program that makes it easy to keep track of billing. Built specifically for small business owners to get organized and get paid, you’ll be tracking time, logging expenses and invoicing your clients with efficiency. It will make you look professional and gets that money in the bank an average of 5 days faster (based on a Freshbooks conducted of 2,000 users) than what you're used to. That's a whole business week.
Sell Hack: A Cold Email Is DOA If You've Got the Wrong Contact
Cold emailing is the new cold calling, but without the right contact you're wasting a fair amount of time sending off emails to info@bemyclient.com. Generic email accounts will sometimes get forwarded to the right place, but when you're attempting to build your business, the right contact is a golden ticket. Sell Hack gives you just that, and was created to make prospecting on the Internet easier. It's a simple plugin that gives you the option to search and build out email lists. So create an account, look up the people you want to pitch, and start hacking into success.
Bench Accounting: For the Numbers You Don't Want to Crunch
Make keeping your finances in order Bench's problem. For small businesses and small business owners, Bench collects all your financial data and turns it into tidy financial reports. Which means no: data entry, number crunching, or worrying that you are going to severely screw up your entire life with QuickBooks. Bench offers you a personal bookkeeping team, ready to tackle all of those receipts. You'll get financial statements every month and year-end reporting. It also makes TAX SEASON a breeze.
Sunrise Calendar: Keeping You Organized and On Time
So you don't have the capital for a personal assistant? Not a problem. Sunrise Calendar is a free calendar made for Google Calendar, Exchange, and iCloud that automatically syncs between your phone tablet and computer so you can access your calendar from anywhere. Fashionably late is not a thing in the startup world.
What It Takes to Become Two of the Most Successful Female Architects in America
“I have learned to talk hunting and fishing and SEC football.”
“Oh…I guess girls are going into architecture now.”
In the 1970s, this was the type of pronouncement one might hear as a female high school student trying to ask a professional architect about his job. And by “one might,” I mean it was Jane Frederick’s real life. The architect in question was likely not trying to be rude—female architects were still a fairly new concept at the time. Nowadays, women earn about 42 percent of architecture degrees in the United States, but they only hold about 25 percent of industry jobs. So: progress, but not enough.
Becoming an architect is no small feat—it usually takes about eight years of post-graduate training to complete 5,600 internship hours and seven exams—but you don’t hear encouragement toward the field as often as you do other go-to prestige categories like law and medicine. So, what is it really like to be a female architect today? For this piece, I spoke to major success cases: first, Jane Frederick, the principal architect at Frederick + Frederick, a small, well-established South Carolina firm that specializes in custom residences for hot, humid climates. She is a Fellow in the Aspen Global Leadership Network and currently serves on the American Institute of Architects Board as one of three at-large directors.
Then we have Courtney Casburn-Brett, the youngest entrepreneur-architect in the United States. Again, in an industry with an exceptionally long path to licensure, a 40-year-old professional is considered a “young architect.” Casburn-Brett started college at 14, was working for one of the top firms in the world at 20, and started her own firm when she was just 24.
The Early Years: “I’m lucky I stuck with it.”
It is perhaps no surprise that Casburn-Brett’s fast-track to architecture began at an early age. “We moved around a lot when I was young, and I was fascinated by how different all the houses we lived in and all the schools I went to were,” she says. “And I loved to draw. I would draw these buildings that I was experiencing depending on where we were.” For her 11th birthday, Casburn-Brett’s parents gave her graph paper and an architect’s drawing tools, including a scale and tracing triangles, and explained to her that this interest of hers could actually be a job one day. “From that point on, I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” she says.
With an interior designer mother and an engineer father, architecture was a perfect synthesis for Frederick in more ways than one. “I was strong in math and really enjoyed art, and I felt like it was a good mix of the two,” she says. But female architects were few and far between at that time. Starting college at Auburn in 1978, there were only six women in Frederick’s architecture class of 50 people, and she did not have a single female professor.
Fast forward to 2004, when Casburn-Brett started at Auburn, and the class gender gap had thankfully closed a bit. She entered the first architecture class at Auburn that was half women, half men. Since then, however, “I’ve found that the higher I’ve climbed, the fewer women I’m around,” she says.
Climbing the Ladder: “I just didn’t fit in at all.”
In Casburn-Brett’s first job at SOM, the legendary firm behind projects like the Freedom Tower and the Sears Tower, she was lucky to find a female role model in her immediate team manager. “She was this really powerful, go-getter woman,” she says. “I was able to see the way that she interacted both with her peers and the next tier above her.”
Graduating in 1982 during the recession, Frederick was not so lucky. She started out working at a small firm in Washington D.C. who hired architects not as employees but as independent contractors. Frederick found herself babysitting for one of her co-worker’s kids to try to make ends meet. At her next job, Frederick was happy to discover her first female co-worker, but her boss ran into a cash flow problem yet again. “Then I worked in another job where I was not only the only woman but the youngest employee,” says Frederick. “That was the most challenging job I ever had. It wasn’t like they were unkind or anything, I just didn’t fit in at all.”
Back at SOM, Casburn-Brett started noticing that there really is a difference in how people interact with men and women in the industry. She says: “One of my favorite stories is about one of the leaders in my studio, an older gentleman who had been practicing hospital architecture for almost 50 years. He had this habit of micromanaging everything that I did. I had been out of school for a year and I wasn’t a licensed architect, so it made sense that he would want to keep an eye on his younger employees. But everything that I did, he would follow up my email with additional information or constantly insert himself, even when I was doing my job well. It drove me crazy because he didn’t do it to one of my male colleagues on the team.”
Instead of writing it off as something she would “just have to deal with,” Casburn-Brett took action. “I marched upstairs to his office and I told him that what he was doing, whether or not he was aware of it, was undermining my ability to do my job well. I said that if he would let me just do my job, I would take responsibility for any mistakes I made and we could re-visit the conversation, but if I didn’t make a mistake, it would save him a lot of time and effort,” she says. After that conversation, Casburn-Brett says he became her greatest mentor: “At that point, I don’t think he really knew the way that his behavior and training were coming across. To his credit, as soon as I brought it to his attention, he immediately changed the way that he interacted with me and treated me on the team. I learned that sometimes you just need to be a little more assertive.”
Of course, being an assertive woman also puts you on a tightrope of sorts. In her next job at a small development company in the South, Casburn-Brett was once told by a male colleague that her attitude was “very I-am-woman-hear-me-roar.” She remembers thinking, “Wow, that is an extremely inappropriate and a horrible thing to say,” but also taking it as a lesson on how to interact with different types of people. She explains: “What was a direct, business-oriented, confident approach to my work in the setting of New York wasn’t translating the same way here. My confidence level didn’t change, my competence level didn’t change, but the way I was being perceived did. I don’t want to suggest that you should necessarily change your behavior based on the people around you, but you do have to have an awareness about the best way to interact with certain people. So now that I’m a business owner and I interact with so many different types of clients and vendors, I find myself trying to actively at least show the warmer side of my personality if I’m being that direct all the time.”
Becoming Your Own Boss: “You get more control that way, but it’s tough.”
Without any female mentors in architecture—let alone those who had started their own firms—Frederick just became one herself. “I was 26 when I got my license, and six months pregnant when I passed my test,” she says. “And I was like, ‘I need to pass this test because once I have a baby I’m not going to be able to,’ which is what a lot of young women find. It’s very difficult to do with a family because you need that time to study.” She passed. And when her oldest daughter was born, Frederick set out on her own, doing freelance work from home that amounted to about six hours a day. A few years later she moved to South Carolina and opened Frederick + Frederick alongside her husband—a firm that has been going strong for almost 30 years.
Both Frederick and Casburn-Brett appreciate the freedom they have found by starting their own firms, though the challenges are many. “You get more control that way, but it’s tough,” Frederick says. “You have to bring the work in, and if there’s a recession you have to figure out how to make it through, but if that’s your temperament, it’s a really good route.” She acknowledged that at major firms you’ll have the opportunity to work on bigger projects, but that can be difficult as well. “One thing I’ve heard from other women is that in large firms they sometimes tend to get pigeon-holed doing interior architecture instead of doing say, big tall buildings,” Frederick says.
As she approaches the four-year mark of her company, Casburn-Brett is grateful that her client relations have been overwhelmingly positive. “I’ve definitely been fortunate that my story has brought to me the types of clients that I really want to work with,” Casburn-Brett says. “Being a woman is a part of that story, but it has more to do with being tenacious and young and going after something that other people may not have had the gumption to go after, like starting a business and getting a license at this stage in my career.”
What No One Tells You: “I have learned to talk hunting and fishing and SEC football.”
Casburn-Brett says the most important thing she’s learned is to come to the table prepared. “I want to make sure that I’m the person at the table with the answers, because I don’t want to give anyone any reason to doubt me and think that it has something to do with my gender,” she says.
And as Frederick has learned in her 35 years in the industry, having street smarts is just as essential. “One thing that’s really different is doing construction site visits—typically you are dealing with men, so I have learned to talk hunting and fishing and SEC football,” she says. “The other thing that might make a difference is I’m really tall—I’m 5’9—and I think that’s an advantage for me.”
Frederick urges young women to consider something she didn’t have the opportunity to consider when she was applying to architecture school. “Even though most schools now are mostly 50-50 male-female overall, I would check and see how many women there are who are full professors,” she says. “Not that you can’t have a man that is a mentor, but having some women there too is really important.”
Once you graduate, she adds, keep doing that type of research. “When you’re looking for your first job, really look at what the culture is like,” she says. “Make sure that it’s a diverse office, which will have a broader mindset and often have more flexible policies, particularly if you have small children or want to have children. Those types of firms can be large or small.”
As for architecture’s youngest entrepreneur, Casburn-Brett’s best advice is to make like Nike and just do it. “This is exactly what I knew I wanted and I went for it,” she says. “So whenever there were times that I could have given myself an out or it seemed hard or even impossible, there was no, ‘It might be easier to XYZ.’ I’ve never had a plan B. I was going to get into architecture school, I was going to be an architect, I was going to be a small business owner. I didn’t waste any time thinking about whether or not I should try to execute a different plan. I found a way through.”
Up In the Air: 3 Ways Boss Women Fly Hydrated
It's 10pm and you're in the airport lounge waiting to board a redeye for your business trip across the country. It's a flight path all too familiar to you-- after all, the hustle can sleep on a plane. Why not make moves across the country to make moves with your career the next day? You say it's time well-managed.
However, it can ravage your body. The mixture of recycled plane air, low humidity environments, and the moisture zapping tendency of winter, can leave you with dry skin, itchy eyes, and you're even more prone to catch a virus. So, what's a boss to do?
Drink Water
This may seem obvious, but for anyone on-the-go a drink and a movie sounds much more appealing (especially on a redeye) than a bottle of water. But make a point to buy a big one before you get on your flight, and make sure you finish it by the time you land.
Flyers tend to nix big bottles of water to avoid annoying their aisle mates by heading to the bathroom every hour, but lack of water and sleeping on a plane make for the perfect recipe for fatigue. Which, IS THE LAST thing you need when you're trying to nail down and impress an investor.
Have trouble remembering? Make it a game and take a sip every time the stewardess turns on the seatbelt sign.
Take Emergen-C or Airborne
It's not in your head that you always get sick on a plane. The air inside the cabin of a plane usually has a humidity level of 10 to 20 percent, which is much lower than typical indoor humidity of 30 to 65 percent. This low humidity level actually affects your health. When your airways are moist, the lining traps viruses from entering your body. When they are dry, those germs have a one-way ticket to your body.
Pack an immune booster in your carry-on.
Pack the Right Moisturizer
Dry, itching skin is the worst. So is a dehydrated looking face. You want to look fresh-faced and rested when you step off the plane. Yes to has a new line formulated specifically for dry skin. The Yes to Coconut is a natural collection that combines nourishing moisturizers like coconut oil that's perfect for skin in need of heavy hydration. To wipe away impurities and makeup try the Coconut Cleansing Wipes. The Ultra Hydrating Facial Souffle Moisturizer is non-greasy and super hydrating. And a dab of Ultra Hydrating Overnight Eye Balm says bye bye to dry eyes as you say hello to a new city.
9 Killer Public Speaking Tips from Top Female Entrepreneurs
Get ready to pick up this mic we're about to drop.
Jittery hands, racing heart, blank mind. If you're climbing the career ranks, there is a good chance you've experienced one or all of these emotions when you get up to give a presentation or a talk. There's no escaping it, and the earlier you accept that public speaking is going to be a part of your career, the better. After all, practice makes perfect (or so said Tina Craig of Bag Snob this weekend at Create & Cultivate Dallas).
Whether you're prepping for a pitch meeting or you're planning to one day give a world-changing TED talk, we asked the industry best to give their quick and dirty tips for getting up in front of a crowd or an investor.
ANNIE LAWLESS, NY TIMES BEST SELLER, CO-FOUNDER SUJA, CREATOR BLAWNDE.COM
"Don't filter yourself because everyone can tell. Be authentic-- that will help you be conversational. And don't worry about what you think they want to hear."
DANIELLE DUBOISE, CO-FOUNDER SAKARA LIFE
"Memorize three things you know you want to say. Don't memorize anything else because you'll sound like a robot. And have a code word for yourself. Mine is solar plexus, for when I tap into my power."
SOPHIA RIVKA ROSSI, CO-FOUNDER HELLO GIGGLES
"The key to public speaking is to disassociate, j/k, to connect to what you are expressing, and just remember no one really ever cares more than you do."
JACLYN JOHNSON, FOUNDER CREATE & CULTIVATE
"The worst thing you can do on stage is think about yourself. What matters is the audience. So get out of your head and your inspirational insight will find a way into theirs."
JULIE RICE, CO-FOUNDER SOULCYCLE
"Speak from your heart. Everyone can understand passion...oh yeah and 'takeaways.' Leave people with something actionable."
TINA CRAIG, CO-FOUNDER BAG SNOB
“I talked about the end user, as if she was there.” On “Shirley,” the character she created and used when pitching HSN. Adding, "You do anything enough, and it becomes fun. Practice in your sleep."
HILLARY KERR, CO-FOUNDER WHO WHAT WEAR, CLIQUE MEDIA
"Some people thought we were cream puffs, but we were smart. I like to say it was like being bitten to death by a butterfly." On early fundraising meetings for Who What Wear.
RACHEL ASHWELL, FOUNDER RACHEL ASHWELL SHABBY CHIC
"Be truthful. It's too easy to say what you think sounds good."
ELIZABETH CUTLER, CO-FOUNDER SOULCYCLE
"And concise."
Mic drop, Elizabeth. *claps*
15 of the Most Quotable Moments from Create & Cultivate Dallas
Be inspired. Stay inspired.
There are so many brilliant moments at each Create & Cultivate, it's hard to pick our favorites. So we're rounding up a few that we couldn't not share. Click through to be inspired by the very best.
5 Pieces of Must-Know Advice from C & C Dallas
Yesterday at Create & Cultivate these ladies (and one gent) dropped some serious knowledge.
Snapchat has DJ Khaled and his major keys, but yesterday Dallas had all the keys to creative, entrepreneurial boss success when Create and Cultivate hit Lofty Spaces. The energy was electric. Attendees were on fire with their outfits and questions for panelists. And the speakers, let’s say they knocked the yee out of the haw.
Here are five MAJOR KEY takeaways from yesterday’s Create & Cultivate Dallas.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MISSION
We heard this reiterated a couple of different ways yesterday, but there's not doubt that buzzword of the day was MISSION. Everyone from the Soul Cycle co-founders to Stephanie Mark of The Coveteur made it clear: the goal SHOULD NEVER BE FOLLOWERS OR MONEY. You start with an idea you believe in and make that carry your business and fuel those late nights.
"Trying to get 500k on Instagram is not a goal or a business plan."
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Soul Cycle co-founders Julie Rice and Elizabeth Cutler told the crowd that their mission has always been simple: "to put joy and empowerment into their business."
Sakara Life co-founder Danielle DuBoise encouraged the audience to make sure that their work “is a mission driven business, because it will change your trajectory.” Adding, “When times get tough, you can make it so it’s not about you. Stay true to your mission because that is what will carry you through.”
WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE, JUST WORK B.
What we see on stage is pretty and inspiring, but is also the result of late, wee-morning work hours, tears of exhaustion, missteps, hustling two jobs to fuel to the passion project, and even moving back in with mom and dad.
At the end of day what everyone on these stages has is a propensity to work, work, work— something they reiterated to attendees time and again.
From Annie Lawless telling the crowd: “Any entrepreneur will tell you, you are always working, but for you it’s not a job, it’s a dream.”
To Emily Schuman explaining to a captivated audience: “Have patience. I’m sitting up here talking about all of these things I’ve done, but it’s taken a really long time. Have determination and patience and believe in yourself.”
On her early days of self-taught Photoshop Katherine Power told the crowd: “You just have to get it done.”
Kendi from Kendi Everyday said something rather similar: “You just have to decide to do it. And then do it.”
IT’S QUALITY AND QUANTITY
There is something to be said that “done is better than perfect”— which, is an adage we heard a couple of times from the stages yesterday. But when the world is watching you need to be on your A-game. Matt Crump of #candyminimal fame explained to the crowd the importance of delivering on both quality and quantity if you want to grow your following.
“I was working two jobs,” he said, “and moved back in with my parents. But I would make sure that what I was putting out was thoughtful and consistent. If it’s your passion, you make it great, and you make it work.”
Tina Craig of Bag Snob also made clear that in addition you need to know all sides of what you’re doing.“If you want to get in the business,” she said, “get in the back end of the business. Not just the fun. Not just the selfies.”
In the age of social platforms you have to consistently pump out content, but it needs to be solid.
A BAD RELATIONSHIP CAN RUIN YOUR WORK SPIRIT
We heard this sentiment repeated three times and we think it’s worth repeating here.
First, Whitney Wolfe CEO and Founder of dating-app Bumble asked the crowd to consider what a bad relationship has the ability to do. “If you’re in a bad relationship,” she said, “it can destroy your life.”
On a lighter (but also totally serious note), Soul Cycle CEO Elizabeth Cutler told everyone, “No deadbeat boyfriends for anyone who works for us.”
This also applies to work relationships. Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power are coming up on their ten year workaverssary and told attendees, “WE obviously have a friendship but it’s business first and foremost. You have to be respectful.”
THERE’S NEVER THE RIGHT TIME
Waiting for the perfect day to come along to take a risk? Not gonna happen.
When Danielle DuBoise and Whitney Tingle (who just made Forbes 30 Under 30) started Sakara Life they had a combined 700 dollars. Annie Lawless (also on Forbes' coveted list), who dropped out of law school and started delivering juice around San Diego in her 2-door coup, had less than that. If you’re waiting for lightning to strike, the stars to align, or enough money in the bank, there’s a good chance you’re going to miss your shot. There is someone right now taking that risk.
Tze Chun of Uprise Art told the crowd: “When you’re starting a company just saying it’s real, makes it real.”
Whitney Wolfe said, “There are so many days when it’s terrible. But if there is one good relationship taking place out there, it’s all worth it.”
And Soul Cycle boss Julie Rice put it clear as day: “Whatever you’re doing now, I actually only think there is one skill you need, and that’s making shit happen.”
Get ready for our announcement on Feb 15th about the next Create & Cultivate. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear where we are heading next!!
ITK: How to Price Yourself Part II Based on IG Follower Count
In a #followforfollow world, there's serious money to be made.
Instagram is a powerful visual marketing tool, and a highly engaged audience is something that brands are willing to pay good money for. Studies have shown that Instagram provides brands with 25% more engagement than other social media platforms.
What brands are looking for is a good like to follower percentage-- about 10% and engaged commenters who have long-term interest in your feed. For example, not a group of followers you got for #followforfollow. If you've purchased your followers, the engagement will never be what you need. A better way to spend your time (and not money) is figuring out how to position your brand and self so that your engagement is real. There's something to be said for faking it till you make it, but with IG, it's not the case. It doesn't look good to have 50k followers, 36 likes, and 1 comment from your BFF on a post.
However, if you have a big, authentic following (congrats!), there is money to be made.
Figuring out what to charge a brand can be tricky, especially when you're just starting out. What they are banking on is targeted marketing that increases brand awareness and leads to sales.
Here is a reasonable breakdown of what you can change. Keep in mind, there is no one size fits all model, and price points depend not only on the brand's bank account but also how specifically you're targeting an audience. If you are posting for an athletic wear line, and you're a yoga instructor with a high follow count, you might be positioned to charge more.
You can also charge more based on case studies and proven ROI driving traffic.
This is often done two ways. The first is with a dedicated hashtag created by you and the brand. With websites like Keyhole, you can track how and where the hashtag has been used.
Second, if the brand provides you with a dedicated Bit.ly link that you can share in your bio (you'll often see this listed in the IG post as "link in bio") they can track how much traffic you're driving from that link. The more clicks, the more green.
A Boss Lady’s Guide to Steering the Proposal
How to be vocal about cut and timing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Getting the Raise You Deserve in 2016
Did you know you should ask when you're hungry...?
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.
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.”
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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.”
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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."
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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."
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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.