11 Badass Women Share Their Thoughts on International Women's Day

Future is Female poster designed by Kimothy Joy

We asked 11 women the following question in anticipation of International Women’s Day (today!!), a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

Q: If you could steer the conversation around International Women’s Day, what would that dialogue be about?

These are their badass answers.

LAUREN MILLER ROGEN 

Oh man, so many important things! I think there are many conversations worth having. But, I think one of the biggest issues that women still face is breaking gender stereotypes that have been laid out for them for generations and generations, so for me I love to celebrate women who really broke the mold whether it be Eleanor Roosevelt, Malala, Beyoncé, or Kamala Harris. Women are doing AMAZING things and I think that there are so many worth highlighting to inspire women everywhere by examining the choices trailblazers made along their way.

DAYA

As women, we need to focus more on building each other up rather than tearing each other down. We need to lead the way to change and we are not going to make progress unless we focus on bringing other women with us so we can rise together.

FRANCHESCA RAMSEY 

I'd encourage more women to be intersectional in their activism. It's important to acknowledge our privilege and remember that there are all types of women from a variety of walks of life that face challenges that we do not. If you're truly committed to advocating for women you have to be willing to stand up for all women regardless of race, sexuality, physical ability, religion, class or gender identity, not just ladies that look like you.

CONSTANCE ZIMMER 

Equality. I find it unbelievable that a woman doing the same job as a man is not making the same amount of money. That's mind boggling to me.

SANAA LATHAN

I want us to focus on anything around mentoring and empowering young girls-- from body image to cultural pride to self-esteem and self-worth.

NICOLE BYER

That all women are beautiful, smart, strong as fuck and special. We also have to listen to each other and remember to be inclusive. There's feminism and intersectional feminism.

LAUREN CONRAD  

I think the progress we've made in recent years is fantastic, but we still a lot of work to do. As women we should do all we can to support each other and continue to move in the right direction. We are always stronger together.

LAUREN PAUL 

I would hope that the conversation is well rounded and that it would make every woman feel celebrated.  Whether you are a politician, CEO or a mother. There is no specific definition to what a strong, empowered woman looks like because that varies for each person. To define that, ultimately creates exclusion because we are all different. In this beautiful chapter where feminism and girl bosses are highlighted (yay!) I really want stay at home mothers to feel celebrated and reminded that they too are hard-working HEROS.

PIERA GELARDI

The world is sitting on a huge untapped natural resource: billions of women who have not been able to reach their full potential. I’d love to create a vision statement and paint a picture of what the world would look like — what greatness we could unleash by bringing Women’s Equality and Empowerment to the forefront. And show that there’s a huge business case for doing this.

MANDY MOORE

I hope the dialogue continues around gender equality and recognizing the need for a larger political, cultural and social shift when it comes to pro-women policies on a global level. When women and girls are empowered, educated, healthy and free of violence, they can recognize their full potential and make an enormous impact on their communities and ultimately the world economy.

SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR

I hope to see more women supporting other women. I have always believed that when women work together we can do anything. So often we are pitted against each other instead of remembering we are a big tribe.

What do you hope for today? Share below!

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Wondering What to Send? There's a Bouquet for Every Career Occasion

Florals have been adorning tabletops for years, but bringing a little bloom to your career is also a good look. And not just for spring.

There are plenty of career occasions where flowers not only spruce up a space, but might even help you get ahead.

And if you’re thinking about sending flowers to a boss, a colleague, or your #workwife, but don’t know where to start, our friends at UrbanStems, the floral brand with fresh blooms delivered to you in minutes, are dishing on the best bouquets for every career occasion.

There's a flower for every occasion. 

THE INTERVIEW FOLLOW-UP

Worried that you’ll seem overeager? You don’t need to send the biggest bunch your potential employer has ever seen, but a unique arrangement that shows you pay attention to trends but are also able to think “outside the bouquet” might just be the edge that gets you the job. And if it doesn’t you will have left an indelible impression, that  might lead to something down the road. .

Opt for: The Blanc: Striking a balance between memorable and professional is key and super chic tulips are always a safe bet. The wow factor gets upped a bit with an unusual variety: “peony” tulips — lush, fluffy blooms that are the spitting image of their coveted late spring namesake.

THE CONGRATS ON YOUR RAISE

Haven’t you heard? The energy you put out is the energy you bring in. If a friend gets a promotion or a raise, congratulate them with a beautiful arrangement that includes a “thriller” flower, because a flower-filled celebration is in order.

What says congrats best: The Tango. Bold colors are the best way to get the party started! The Tango is full of fiery shades of orange and red, and funky stems like ranunculus and parrot tulips make it feel extra special.

THE BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME

It’s inevitable. There are career highs and lows. But when a colleague or good friend really takes a hit, opt for  a thoughtful gesture that will be much appreciated when they’re in the doldrums. Send your pal flowers and a note to remind them that you don’t get flowers without a little rain.

Keep ‘em smiling through the pain with: The Dino. A good laugh is the best way to beat the blues and this quirky dino succulent planter pretty much guarantees a smile. Succulents are easy to care for and super sturdy, so they’ll outlast any rough patch.

THE 'THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY' GIFT

If someone goes out of their way to facilitate an intro, an interview, or patch you in on a deal, a thank you bunch goes a long way. Especially if it’s someone you don’t know very well. They will be all the more willing to help you out next time if you show your appreciation.

Make yourself memorable with: The Mimosa. Garden roses are absolutely fabulous in their own right, but striking colors like yellow and green are completely unexpected. Mixed with feather eucalyptus and dainty wax flowers, it’s sweet and earnest — just the kind of gratitude you want to convey!

THANK YOUR BOSS WHEN THEY DO A GREAT JOB

It’s not as easy to be the boss as it seems. You have a company and salaries and bringing in dollars to worry about all the time. And when you’re the boss, you don’t have someone above you patting you on the back when you do a good job. In fact, it’s a little thankless.

Make your boss smile with: The Cathy. Your boss has enough to worry about, so an ultra low-maintenance air plant is the perfect way to show them some love without adding to their to-do list. Air plants can take a lot of neglect and need almost no water to stay fabulous-looking.

Want more? Head to UrbanStems to find the perfect floral for any function. 

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5 Quick and Easy Ways to Hack Your Work Week

photo credit: Sarah Derweiler

Sure, it's Sunday night and the work week ahead doesn't look appealing. But we want to give you a case of the Mon-yays with a few easy hacks that will start your week off right. 

They're simple, take virtually no time to implement and allow you to get right back to your regularly scheduled evening. 

1. SET YOUR ALARM WITH AN AFFIRMATION

It's easy to moan, groan, and snooze when your alarm goes off Monday AM. After a lazy weekend of sleeping in and waffles at noon, a 7am wakeup call can feel, well, like torture. But you need to head into your week with a positive outlook-- that's the first step to positive outcomes. So, set your alarm to go off with an affirmation. Something that makes you excited to start the day. It's super easy, especially with an iPhone. Instead of keeping the "Label" as "Alarm," fill in a positive saying that gets you rolling out of the right side of the bed. 

That's what we call #mondaymotivation. 

2. LOG OUT OF YOUR PERSONAL INSTAGRAM BEFORE YOU GO TO SLEEP 

The endless Instagram scroll is a hard habit to break, but adding a second barrier between you and the social media time suck might be the pause button you need to not waste time on Monday.

We all do it. Especially when we're supposed to be getting back on our grind. But try something different and start this week not lost in the IG black hole. It's hard to pick up the momentum lost.  

You can log back in Monday night. We promise, you won't have missed anything massive.

3.  DON'T COMPLAIN ABOUT MONDAY

The energy you put out is the energy you get back. If you want to have a bad work week, go ahead, complain. We suggest that instead, you jot down a quick list of items you're looking FORWARD to attacking this week. Not all tasks are fun, but pay attention to the ones you feel connected to, and train your focus there. When we accomplish items we are emotionally connected to it gives us the fuel we need to make it through tasks that are mundane or daunting. 

4. MEAL PLAN YOUR WEEK 

It's all too easy to fall into the weekly rut of waiting to eat until the last moment possible. But just as sleep is crucial to productivity, so is food. Without brainfood, you've got brain mush. If you're used to Postmating your meal at the last minute, this is for you. Spend 15 minutes planning out what you want to eat for lunch this week. Reports show that only 1 in 5 workers are taking adequate lunch breaks, but it's not making us better workers.

The way you spend your lunch break affects how productive you are for the rest of the day. When you're eating, do nothing but eat. Multi-tasking when you're supposed to be refueling is the wrong way to go about it. 

5. TRY GOING COLD TURKEY

If you find yourself easily distracted by the internet and all its wiles, you're hardly alone. But there is a difference between checking something for work and checking out entirely. If your concentration level on Monday falls between zero and zero plus, consider using Cold Turkey. It’s a website that temporarily blocks you from going to sites that are distractions and is highly customizable to your needs. 

Have other hacks? Share in the comments below and give everyone a shot a wonderful work week. 

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Write That Down: One CEO’s Major Hacks for Managing the Hustle

photo credit: May Designs 

When Mica May, CEO and founder of May Designs, couldn’t find a pretty and practical notebook to take to client meetings she started making her own— literally stapling pages together. A woman’s gotta do what a woman’s gotta do. The designer did it so well that her clients starting asking where they came from, giving May the confidence boost that she was on to something good.

Now, May Designs offers customized notebooks (and more!) that easily fit into your purse. It’s a lifestyle brand that believes in the power of writing it down to get it done.

Here’s why:

HOLD YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE & WRITE IT DOWN

You may not be surprised to learn that CEO and founder of May Designs, Mica May, abides by the write it down policy— a habit many of us have abandoned. The abundance of apps, notes in our phones, and the landscape of the multi-screen economy may have you thinking, paper? Who needs it? 

But don’t give up on pen and paper just yet. When you write something down, it not only helps you commit that task or goal to short-term memory, but it keeps you accountable to yourself and others. It also helps you manage the day-to-day minutiae. After all, the devil isn't in the details, the devil is the details. Luckily he doesn't like notebooks.  

"The devil isn't in the details, the devil is the details."  

Tweet this. 

Part of that management strategy includes determining what you need to handle over the course of your day and the tasks that you can let others handle. For a long time, May Designs was a one-woman show, but now the CEO makes the point to ask herself, “‘What is on my list today that is something that only I can work on?’ Then I do those things first,” she shares.

That requires writing said “things” down. If you don’t have something to check-off or cross off, you’re using up valuable brain space attempting to keep track of it all. It may be impressive that you can remember everything, but it’s not using your talents wisely. Free up your thinker to come up with brilliant ideas, instead of keep track of tasks. May says, “Writing things down clears your mind and allows you to set clear priorities.”

DECIDE WHAT YOU ARE EMOTIONALLY CONNECTED TO

Speaking of priorities…

There are *obviously* parts of every job that don’t tug on your heartstrings and there are tasks throughout the day that no one will feel an emotional connection to (does anyone LOVE going to the bank?), but finding the joy in your job is an important part of success. There have to be points in your day where you get excited or you will burnout.

“Writing things down clears your mind and allows you to set clear priorities.”

Tweet this.

Mica May, founder and CEO May Designs. 

“When I only had a couple of employees and three babies and my husband was still working full time, we asked ourselves, ‘How are we going to get through a single day?’” May recalls. “So, I wrote down literally every single thing that had to happen on each day of the week—get the kids dressed, take them to school—and put a name by it. I asked myself, ‘Am I emotionally connected to this task? Someone needs to drop Madelyn off at art class at 3 on Wednesday. Do I care if that’s me? Nope, but I want to pick her up because she’s excited to show me what she did, and I can stay and chat with her art teacher at the end of class.”

Consider it finding the joie de vivre in your work day. YES! It exists. The happier you are, the better your work.

DON’T REINVENT THE WHEEL

Overcomplicating the process is not going to get your anywhere. The point isn’t that “writing it down” is new advice, it just so happens to be a crucial step we skip. Getting back into the habit is the hardest part.

May advises blocking your time in 15-minute increments or using a paper calendar paired with a digital "Google Calendar" to help you provide a visual representation of your days and week ahead.

She also says sustainable habits are the key to success. “Truly look at your current habits and be honest with yourself,” shares the CEO. “Do you love the way you are spending your time? What small changes can you make that will maximize your work time vs. your personal life?”

We call that working the write way.

To see everything that May Designs has to offer, click here. And then tell us what your goals in the comments below! Consider it your first step to holding yourself accountable.

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This Bed Can Talk to Your Fitness Tracker

If there was something that could make you smarter, healthier, and happier, you’d be into it, right?

It’s what we’re all in search of: the secret life hack that gets us on track and well on our way to greatness. So what if we told you that secret was in your sleep?

The connection between sleep and productivity has been documented by multiple studies. But what if there was something that could take you beyond good sleep? Something that would help your career goals long term...

“it” exists. 

UP IN YOUR ROOM, WORKIN’ ON YOUR SLEEP

During all stages of sleep, your mind is hard at work, processing new memories, placing them into long-term brain storage, and integrating the new knowledge with past experiences. It’s during this downtime when we allow ourselves to rest that so much crucial brain work gets done. During deep sleep our brains actually drain toxins that have built up over the course of the day. They also consolidate memories, restore energy stores, and solidify knowledge.

And we all know, knowledge is power.

The short of it is: If you don’t downtime you won’t download— which is a critical cog in your internal career machine. Without sleep you aren’t as likely to come up with creative ideas, problem solve, or focus.

“If you don’t downtime you won’t download.”

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A lack of good sleep means a lack of good ideas.

BUT ALSO, WORKIN’ ON YOUR FITNESS

Countless athletes credit sleep as one of the most crucial parts to their success. In fact, many sports professionals have sleep coaches in addition to their regular coaches. For those of us who don’t have a #sleepsquad at our beck and call, there are options.

The “it bed” by Sleep Number is smarter than your average bed. Beyond using its proprietary algorithm and predictive tech to figure out what your sleep “number” should be, it can talk to your fitness tracker. Why does this matter?

It can give you insight into your workout that will allow you to sleep better, which in turn will allow you to function better throughout the day. For instance, if the it bed sees that you ran 5 miles but didn’t sleep well, it will tell you how to improve your workout, which will in turn, improve your sleep. It is constantly sending data to a SleepIQ app you can download. Pete Bils, VP of Sleep Science and Research at Select Comfort says, "Our research found: people who used SleepIQ technology experienced improved sleep quality and more restful time in bed."

Consider “it” the sleep coach you can’t afford.

GET YOUR BRAIN OUT OF FIRST GEAR & INTO FIRST PLACE

The research is in: the link between sleep and productivity is real. Why do refuse to believe it?  No one is the sleep outlier. It’s not the enemy and you certainly shouldn’t do it when you’re dead. Romanticizing the notion of not sleeping is a cultural epidemic. It’s time you shut that idea down and shut your brain off.

If you’re sleeping less, you might *technically* be getting *more* done, but if you’re not sleeping you’re not operating at max capacity. Getting a good night's sleep improves health and thinking. Not sleeping impairs cognition, attention, and decision making. Bils shares, "Quality sleep affects every aspect, every role of your life. Better mood, disposition, attitude and outlook." 

So make a great decision and opt for 7-8 restful hours per night. Your career (and workout) will thank you.

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The Big Lie Killing Your Confidence

photo credit: Raymond Tan

Written by Maxie McCoy for Shine

There's this really amazing skill in life called maximizing your strengths and playing to them whenever possible. Not only does it put you in a position to be more successful, but it also it keeps you feeling energized when you're working within your talents.

From work, to interpersonal relationships, to creative hobbies, playing to your strengths is a great tactic for success.

On the flip side, however, dismissing your weaknesses can hold you back. 

How many times have you ever muttered the words, “I’m just not good at that.” Whether it was spreadsheets, entrepreneurship, painting, surfing, or public speaking, assuming that you’re not good at something and therefore staying away from it is a recipe for dissatisfaction. 

Believing that your talents, skills, and competencies are static is a huge lie you’re telling yourself. 

According to renowned Stanford Psychology Professor Caroline Dweck, the most successful people in life believe that everything develops and grows. They have a growth mindset which is shown to directly correlate to confidence as challenges are met with optimism in order to improve.

Believing that your talents, skills, and competencies are static is a huge lie you’re telling yourself. 

You simply need to rewire your brain to believe that you can absolutely get better at whatever you put your mind and energy toward. Getting into action on new skills helps build self-efficacy and creates new opportunities for you across the board. 

To harness a growth-mindset and improve your confidence start here:

Identify where you feel your skills are innate or predetermined

Where are you staying on the sidelines of your life? What things do you feel drawn towards but have convinced yourself that you’re just not good at?

Identifying these competencies is the first step in creating an action plan to improve them. Try listing out all the things you’ve ever assumed that you’re not good at. Circle the one or two you wish you were better at. And voila, you have a skill worth putting your energy toward.

Measure effort and improvement

No one wakes up as the best gymnast in the world. Nor do they become an amazing public speaker just by breathing. Anyone who is great at something has dedicated time and energy towards it. 

Everything about you can and will get better with effort. If you track and measure where you started and how you progress, you’ll be fueled with more encouragement to keep going when you see the positive outcomes. 

Know It’s Always a Stretch and Act Anyways

Anyone who does something that they don’t feel strong at feels the discomfort of a stretch. The greats? They do it anyways. They level up. The feel the stretch and keep going for it. 

"Anyone who is great at something has dedicated time and energy towards it."

Tweet this.

Having a growth-mindset keeps you moving toward that stretch instead of away from it. Stretching is key to knowing that eventually you’ll be able to reach the new level you so desire. 

Remember these four tips whenever you find yourself “convinced” that you’re bad at something. Harnessing a growth mindset will remind you that you’re not bad, you’re just inexperienced and being hard on yourself. 

If there's something you really want to experience, master, or create... don't let a few shoddy attempts discourage you. Because you're not static. You're not stagnant. You're not still. You're not bad at it. You're just not far enough in to have gotten good. Fiercely believe that you can, and you will.

An original version of this appeared on Shine. 

Sign up for more advice to help you improve your confidence.

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6 Women Share Their Career Struggles

photo credit: Brooke Lark 

So you can’t ride a horse and drink a cup of coffee at the same time. Neither can we. When it comes to life and career we hold ourselves to tippy-toe top standards. We want to be able to do it all and at the same time too. Newsflash: it’s impossible. 

Even the greatest and brightest among us have faced challenges. Like one of our favorite authors and writers Kelly Oxford who once told us she feels like she can’t forge ahead, “every time I have PMS.” The struggle is real, but you’re not alone. Which is why it's all the more important to share these stories, reinforcing the reality that everyone goes through it. 

Read through how 6 amazing women mitigate the hard points in their respective careers.

Lauren Conrad on how her relationship to her career has changed:

“I've been able to find more balance in my career over the last few years. There was definitely a point in my life when I took on too much and was burning the candle at both ends. Since then I've learned the value in saying no and learned to delegate. It can be hard to trust others to work on a brand that you spent so much time on, but you can't do it all.”

“I’ve learned the value in saying no and to delegate.” 

Tweet this. 

Sarah Michelle Gellar on taking a major risk:

“As my career has shifted drastically that has certainly taken some adjustment. At my age it would have been so easy to just stay and continue an already successful career, but instead I took the leap and try something I had never done before. Its been exciting, scary, rewarding and quite the adventure.” 

Rachel Bloom on a point in her life where she thought, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’

“I've never fully turned away from the arts, but there were points in college that my self esteem was so low I didn't know if I could make it in this business.” 

Kristen Ess on challenges she’s faced: 

“The hair industry can be very competitive and sometimes nasty. Other hairdressers/colorists will talk about you as if they know you or circulate gossip and it's a bummer. There were many times when I would hear about something ‘about me’ that was so inaccurate or just plain untrue and I had to learn really early to block that out and know that people who participate in that are just not for me.”

Cleo Wade on a point in her life when she thought, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’ 

“I think we all have mini moments of that feeling throughout our day. Our brain is constantly second guessing our decisions. I think you know you are doing something great if you have moments of feeling overwhelmed. 

“You know you are doing something great if you have moments of feeling overwhelmed.” 

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Lauren Paul on the realities of fundraising and non-profits: 

“Starting and running a non-pro:t is incredible but when you sign up for this you have to know that it becomes a 24 hour job. It was important for Molly and I to look at the hours we were pouring into Kind Campaign and find a healthy balance between that and our family, friends and personal lives. It was also important to figure out how we could take some of the jobs we were carrying and bring people on board to help lighten the load. 

All my sisters out there who work in the non pro:t space know how hard fundraising is. There were many points in the first couple years where we were really struggling to get by financially. We would hold grassroots fundraisers with the occasional sponsor. We made a lot of personal sacrifices as a result. Everything changed a couple years ago when we had a huge fundraiser that raised enough money to make all of our programming free of charge for schools. We are proud to say that all assemblies have been free since 2013!” 

Have something you’re struggling with? Share with us in the comments below. It's self-caring. 

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Hawaii Office Hours: These 6 CEOs Will Answer All Your Questions

You've got questions and we've got answers-- from some amazing powerhouse entrepreneurs. Thanks to our RAD friends at Richer Poorer we are heading to Hawaii tomorrow to join six CEOs to dig in on what it’s really like putting yourself out there.

Over the course of the trip we'll be swapping war stories; the ups and downs, anxiety, stress, burning the midnight oil, and why it's more important than ever to support each other. Everyone needs a tribe. Even bosses. 

We will also be participating in the The JUST MORE panel at The Surfjack Hotel. Sharing the trails and tribulations of business ownership will be: 

Iva Pawling, co-creator of Richer Poorer
Bobby Hundreds, co-creator of THE HUNDREDS and JENNIFER
Jen Gotch, founder and chief creative officer of ban.do
Jeni Britton Bauer, founder of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams and James Beard Award-winning author
Jaclyn Johnson, CEO of Create & Cultivate
Ellen Bennett, founder and creative director of Hedley & Bennett

If you happen to be in Honolulu, RSVP here. However, if you aren't able to make it to the sandy shores, follow along on our Instagram Stories. All week we'll be hosting LIVE office hour sessions with each founder. Submit your questions below. 

If you don't ask, you'll never know. 

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Why 80% of New Year's Resolutions Fail by Mid-February

photo credit: Elle Magazine

Written by: Marah Lidey, co-founder Shine

In the day or two after New Year’s Eve, you likely process a mix of feelings: euphoria and hope for a new year, resolve to change those ‘bad habits’ that held you back last year -- and often, a fresh perspective on who you are and where you see yourself going.

You probably set some goals. But not your friendly neighborhood diner type of goals. No, you set Michelin-star, creme-brulee-boasting, so-fancy-they-serve-the-salad-with-the-baby-fork restaurant type of goals.

You want to work on that six pack every day of the week, write a bestselling novel, give up being the ‘always late’ coworker, save 80% of the money you're making and call that long-distance friend everyday to check in.

We all set lofty goal for ourselves with each new year. Our ambition is one of the many things that makes us so amazing as humans.

There’s just one part of the whole New Year’s resolutions formula that tends to go awry. Our goals often aren’t sustainable. 

Change is hard overnight, and when we set unrealistic, binary milestones for ourselves and subsequently struggle to reach them in a short timeframe, we crash and burn. 

In fact, USA Today reported that by mid-February, eighty percent of resolutions fail.

The good news? There’s an antidote that is 100% within our control: setting goals with self-compassion.

In it’s simplest terms, self-compassion means being kind to ourselves when we feel inadequate or slip up. It's been proven to lead to greater emotional wellbeing and is linked to less depression, anxiety and stress.

Psychologist and researcher, Dr. Kristen Neff, defines self-compassion in three abilities: self-kindness, common humanity and mindfulness. 

Self-kindness

...is about flipping the script and reserving judgement on ourselves (studies have shown that we are 3 times more likely to feel compassion for a total stranger). 

If we are struggling to meet a goal, there are probably valid reasons. Recognize that you’re going to do the best you can, and when you have off days - empathize with where you’re coming from.

Common humanity

...is about realizing that we all are imperfect beings. 

Recognizing that you’re not alone and that you will doubtlessly hit roadblocks along the way, can empower you to rely on community and support for others in moments of self-criticism. There is a 100% chance that someone else has felt exactly the way you do, whether you’re crushing it or struggling.

“Self compassion helps bridge the gap between who we feel we are and who we really are.”

Mindfulness

...is about cultivating an awareness. We can’t be kind to ourselves or rely on the power in shared humanity if we don’t recognize when we’re being particularly hard ourselves.

As Dr. Anna Rowley, Psychologist and millenniall wellbeing expert says, “we can separate ourselves from our negative thinking or feelings of inadequacy. Your boss chews you out for a report she doesn’t like. You have a choice - dwell on what a failure you are or practice mindfulness and acknowledge the feedback and do better next time. By separating ourselves from the emotion - anger, frustration, or self pity - we are available to problem solve.”

Did you know? We are 3 times more likely to feel compassion for a total stranger than for ourselves.

Unfortunately there is a common misconception, that being compassionate with ourselves means that we’re going to take it easy, give ourselves a pass to never improve or become set in our ways.

But the reality is, that when we focus on empathizing with ourselves and meeting ourselves where we are - we can set goals that build on our strengths and realistically help us improve.

“Self compassion helps bridge the gap between who we feel we are and who we really are,” says Dr. Rowley.

She continues: 

“Resolutions are hard to change because we are trying to alter aspects of ourself we aren’t happy with or behaviors we may have ‘lived’ for a long, long time. Many of us set unrealistic or unreasonable goals. 

For example, "I will go to the gym 4 times this week”might be a tough resolution to keep if you have never been to a gym before or you are embarrassed walking into a room full of strangers grunting and heaving. Self compassion is about reducing the risk of feeling like a failure if you don’t nail your immediate goal. 

It also helps us set more realistic compassionate goals. Rather than join a gym I’ll go for a walk or next time I shop I’ll look for a more healthy choice of foods. Self-compassion can help us make smarter choices and offer a helping hand when we mess up - and we will mess up.”

So, this year as you continue to grow, evolve and work on yourself - remember to set goals that allow you to be kind to yourself.

Sign up for Shine to set an intention and track your goals for the year.

The original version of this article appeared on Shine. 

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What You Missed: Work + Wellness Panel at Topshop

There may have been a baby blizzard outside, but our Work + Wellness pop-up at Topshop in Soho was still packed with panelists, audience members, knowledge, and some fab outfits thanks to Topshop Personal Shopper. 

We took it to the audience at times-- asking who felt burnt out, who had cried in the last week, and despite decreased visibility outside, inside the store it was very clear: we all felt the same way-- a little burnt out by the 24/7 nature of work and life, the tech tear, and that no one can do it alone. 

Here are six of our favorite takeaways from last night. 

START YOUR DAY OFF RIGHT

But know that means different things to different people. 

“When I first started working, I was so eager to impress my boss,” shared Colleen Wormsley of Shine. “The sun would go down, I would still be working, and I missed being outside. So in the morning I made the conscious decision to walk. To take the subway farther away, so I could have that 15 minutes in the morning to clear my head. To start my morning that way.” 

Nicole Loher, who works a full time job, trains for triathlons and is a wellness influencer, says that she is constantly taking small steps to get it right, but echoes the idea that ‘right’ and ‘well’ are subjective— a word that host, model, and dancer Ally Love brought up. 

Case in point: the morning of our panel Nicole woke up at 4am to train with her swim coach. “Every day is a work in progress for everyone,” she shared.  

IT IS POSSIBLE TO FULL TIME/ PART TIME & BE HAPPY

Ally Love, who is a part of the “slash generation,” works best when busy. But doing five jobs and attempting to give her one hundred percent to all of them, was proving too challenging. Doing everything for the multi-talented woman meant she had to realize she wasn't going to do it “all” alone. “If you’re going through divorce, you go to a really good lawyer because you want it to end well. If there’s something wrong with you, you go to a good doctor because you want to live. The same thing goes for your career," she explained. "If you want things to go well, outsource to really great people.” 

“I had to ask for help,” she told the audience. “I created a team knowing I had to trust other people who knew what my end goals are and how to leverage opportunities.” 

“Burn out is real,” shared Nicole, piggybacking on that idea. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.” “Find what you love to do in your full time job and try to make sure that your full time and part time job can merge,” explained the wellness influencer who in her full time job likewise manages influencers in the wellness space. 

Or know what you do best. “I made the part time, the full time,” said Jessy Fofana of La Rue PR. Speaking of: 

KNOW YOURSELF

Keeping up with the web and social is a struggle for everyone— from the most seasoned influencers, to those who appear to have their content game on lock, to the women on panel. 

“You have creativity," said Ally, "but creativity comes in different ways. I get creative when I get exhausted. That’s when I find new effective ways to grow. So know your energy type. I need to get depleted to sit down and have a great idea.”

"Your success level is not established by how active you are, but how productive you are."

Tweet this. 

“I need to use a lot of my unnecessary energy to tap into the power within in,” Love told the crowd delving in a little deeper. “Other people have that direct connection. Your success level is not established by how active you are, but how productive you are. Trust that inside of you.” 

BE CONSCIOUS

“For people who are working weekends and nights and feel like there is an expectation that they put in a lot of time— there probably is that,” said Rebecca Willa Davis, Deputy Editor for Well + Good. “But I also think that even in our downtime we are taxing our systems. We’re watching Netflix while we’re on our phones, while we’re eating dinner, while our friend is sitting next to us,” she said. “We're not fully embracing our downtime." 

Rebecca understands that the content game is 24/7. “When you send out a newsletter seven days a week, there’s no way to get around that.” But she qualified, “There are ways to make sure that free time feels like downtime, so when I am working, I’ve had some relief.” 

It other words: unplug, get outside, and pay attention to the friend sitting next to you. 

“Think about how your non-work time will benefit your future work time,” added Colleen. “Some of my best ideas that I never would have thought of happened because I turned off, went and saw a friend and had a conversation.” 

AND ALSO BE A CONSCIOUS BOSS

Rebecca shared that she typically sets aside nights and weekends to get emails out, but even though that schedule works for her, it wasn’t the healthiest for her team. 

“When I was sending out these emails late at night or on the weekends, the people on my team felt like they had to be on at all times because their boss was on at all times.” Adding, “I think of work and wellness as not only wellness for myself, but wellness for my team.” 

So what did she do? She downloaded an add-on that schedules when her emails send. “It’s so simple,” she explained, “but allows me to work within the schedule that works best for me, without imposing on other people.” 

ON AT ALL TIMES? 

Do we need to turn up or turn off? 

Millennial burnout is real. Nicole shared that a few years ago she was working for a company she was so passionate about, but spread too thin. “It was a taxing, emotional rollercoaster,” she said. She was crying every day, working 15 hour days, and she was only 23. “I wasn’t able to focus on myself, get in my workouts, or even see my friends and family.” She left that job, without anything lined up, and then wrote about it openly on the internet. She credits this as her own “personal point of becoming well again and moving on.” 

"When you let go of something good, you’re only making way for something great.” 

Tweet this. 

“It took a lot to admit to myself that I was burnt out. It was a really scary moment to quit my job. But I think 2017 is a great year for millennials and the slash generation because you don’t have to be one thing anymore. When you let go of something good, you’re only making way for something great.” 

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The 5 Ways to Pitch Your Boss to Attend Create & Cultivate

photo credit: Tyler Joe for Elle

Tickets for C & C NY are about to SELL OUT, which means it's time to act. 

That might mean pitching your boss to foot the bill. This is a smart move, and we are here to tell you how to sell your boss on it. 

Some companies have established budgets for job-specific and career advancement training. Some don't. Either way, here are our 5 top reasons to get your capital B Boss to send you to NYC.

RELATIONSHIPS THAT COUNT

The connections and relationships you have access to at C & C are unparalleled. Where else can you interact with #squadgoals and #bossgoals on such an intimate level? Sure, it's easy to ignore an email. A follow-up email. Even a voicemail. But if you take advantage of the golden opportunities in New York, whether through our mentor sessions, it could open a myriad of doors-- not only for you, but for your company as well.

Not to mention, the mentor sessions are heralded by our attendees as some of the useful stepping stones they've ever had.  

GETTING A FOOT IN THE DOOR EARLY

Big relationships and partnerships matter, but so does having your finger on the pulse. This is something that Create & Cultivate and our team members excel at. Sure, our past keynotes like Jessica Alba, Rachel Zoe, and Chelsea Handler have seen huge success, but there are smaller, lesser known (though on the path to blowing up) women who your boss might not be aware of… yet.

The conference is your foot in the door, to introduce you to a wide array of valuable partnerships. Round up a list of all potential female entrepreneurs changing the game and brands that will be onsite, research their stats and why you think it would be good to get on their radar now, and sell your boss.

DIGITAL EDUCATION BOOTCAMP

Sure there is fun to be had-- goodie bags and a power cocktail hour, but C & C gets down to brass tacks. The panel discussions, from putting brand before business to why content will always be Queen, gives attendees direct takeaways. You're learning from the best in the biz, like Rebecca Minkoff, Aimee Song, and CEOs who are sharing how they built their businesses. They're there to pass on how they did it, while also encouraging you to forge ahead.

IMPORTANCE OF GETTING OFFSITE

The work environment has changed, and working from a mobile office is one tenant of the new working world. However, beyond working on-the-go it's important to get out of the office and put your skills to good use. As they say, if you don't use it, you lose it. If you spent most of 2016 behind a computer or in an office, explain the benefits of hands-on experience. Whether you want to use C & C to work on interpersonal skills-- like sticking out a hand and introducing yourself to a stranger-- or as the first place to make your mark in the business world, there is nothing like practical application.

"To make your mark in the business world there is nothing like practical application."

Tweet this. 

CONFIDENCE BOOSTING

In the same way that a wellness retreat works to revitalize your body, a conference like Create & Cultivate works to boost your brain power, which in turn gives you a confidence jolt like no other. When you leave New York you'll feel energized and ready to dive back into your job with more fervor than ever. Which isn't to say you don't give it your all now, but there is something about the energy generated at C & C that gives attendees the focus and confidence to really assess and hone their strengths.

BONUS: TELL YOUR BOSS YOU'LL BRING HER HOME YOUR VIP SWAG BAG...

And remember when you're presenting this to your boss, it's crucial to nail down specifics that are relevant to your job. Find the speaker, panelist, or mentor that is most beneficial to you, your current position, and your company as a whole. Elaborate on how building a relationship with this person will be of merit to all three. Give your boss deliverables. If you tell her you're going to have a conversation with , make sure you're breaking down why this is relevant. Bosses are interested in ROI.

So get to pitching and follow these words to tickets here.

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Wanna Be a Blogger? Rocky Barnes Shares 9 Inspiring Ways to Help

photo credit: Jessica Bordner Photography 

With almost a million followers on IG and years of blogging under her fashionable belt, Cali-bred Rocky Barnes knows a thing or 9 about how to build a following. "People want to see your fashionable life," she told the audience at our first Style Summit at Sawgrass Mills. We've got the 9 ways she's suggests doing so. 

So go ahead, have your own Super Bowl Sunday-- building your career.

1. "Some brands will elevate you, and vice versa. It's all about finding the right match when collaborating.

2. "There's always something you can do, and you have to find what platform works best for you."

3. "Quality over quantity, you don't have to stick to keeping up with the Joneses in social media."

4. "Instagram is a good archive for your content. It's not a home for all of your content."

Tweet this.

5. "Do what you feel is cool, forget about the likes. It's a bigger picture idea of what you want your world to look like."

photo credit: Jessica Bordner Photography

6. "I believe in the block and delete policy."

7. "Don't get lost in what other people are doing."

8."Don't take anything personally, because it's not about you."

Tweet this.

9. "You are the creator of your own world. Give your audience a view into it through your social media." 

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What You Missed from Our Work + Wellness Pop-up at Topshop

2016 was about balance, but this year the topic on everyone's mind is wellness. Sure, they go hand-in-hand, but we're widening our gaze. 

Which is why we gathered at Topshop at the Grove LA last night to chat with Lizzy Okoro, the founder and EIC of BUNCH Magazine, Christina Topacio of Jig + Saw, Maya Washington, also known as Shameless Maya, and Tara Sowlaty and Jessie De Lowe co-founders of How You Glow. 

The conversation veered from finding boundaries while pushing yourself to the bigger picture of wellness as vibrancy. Here our 5 of our favorite takeaways. 

1. SHARE YOUR IDEAS 

There is a fear that if you share what you're working on, someone will come along and snatch it up.

Lizzy Okoro says it isn't so. "Tell everyone your idea, no one will steal it," Lizzy told the audience. It keeps you accountable.

"Tell everyone your idea, no one will steal it."

Tweet this.

Christina echoed the sentiment. "If someone steals it, it was never yours to begin with; it was never going to pop off." 

2. THE TECH ADDICTION IS REAL 

Jessie, who in addition to How You Glow, works as an Art Therapist says that she's seen an upsurge in social media and tech addiction, and that it's not going away any time soon. To combat the blue screen haze craze, the glowing gal and mama-to-be practices a phone free bedroom. She doesn't have a bedside table, which makes keeping her phone out of her room at night easier. 

"I don’t bring it in bed with me, it’s not allowed. If you don’t look at it right before you sleep and right when you wake up, there is 20 minutes of clarity," Jessi shared. She also urged attendees to find healthy boundaries in how, when, and why they are consuming content. "The digital world isn't real," she said, while acknowledging that it's still an integral part of our lives and businesses. "You can't see it and you can't smell it," she said about digital, making it all the more important to get outside. 

photo credit: Josh Escueta

3. FIGURING OUT HOW TO 'THROW IN THE TOWEL'

Most of the women on panel had the ah-ha moment when they knew they had to leave one job to focus full time on their passion. 

Christina recently shut down her blog of ten years, Profresh Style, to focus full time on her new Jig + Saw venture. "The money can't be the driver of any entrepreneurial dream," she told the crowd. "You'll always fall broke." Lizzy, who was working as a school admin during the day and BUNCH at night, had her moment when she knew she couldn't do both. "I was sucking at being an employee, sucking at BUNCH, I wasn't a good friend, a good girlfriend, and at that point I realized, I had to go." Qualifying, "Well, 'go' in 6 months, I couldn't afford it." 

The Editor in Chief added, "When you literally. just. can't-- all the time, that's when it's time." 

Jessie kept it simple but straight-forward. "If your job is making you physically ill," she shared, "it's time to go." 

5. ABANDON DANGEROUS THINKING 

Lizzy brought up the cult of busy and hashtag glorifications that take us down the dangerous rabbit hole of wanting to work all the time. "#sleepwhenimdead," shouldn't be a thing. She was burning the candle at both ends when a friend told her, "Listen, if you take a night off, go to the movies and your business fails, you need to get out of that business." It stuck with her. 

Maya, who's social experiment with Shameless Maya and "shamelessly" promoting herself for 365-days was an act of truly accepting her whole self, told the crowd to "be aware of what’s trending, but be aware of what works for you."  

"It’s so easy to get caught up in the hype, but you’re going to lose," she said. 

photo credit: Josh Escueta

5. ACCEPT 'VICES' 

The How You Glow gals are all about balance. Working out, eating healthy, and indulging. Jessie shared with the audience that they should "build in allowed vices, so it doesn't feel like you've messed up."

Paraphrasing Picasso, Tara told the audience one of her favorite pieces of advice is to "Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist."

6. WITHOUT RISK... NO REWARD

Maya brought it home telling attendees, "You gotta give up to gain."

"You gotta give up to gain." 

Tweet this.

"I had to give up so much," she shared about her career. "Personal relationships, sleep, everything came at a cost. So you need to evaluate what your priorities are, but also really examine yourself. You are in control of your life." 

We are heading to NY next Thursday for at Work + Wellness panel at Topshop Soho. Get in on the convo and RSVP now! Space is limited. 

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The 5 Key Blogger Takeaways from Our First Style Summit

Photo by Jessica Bordner

What a 2017 it’s been for us at C&C! And it’s only January.

Last week alone, we launched our first ever Create & Cultivate 100 list, and then hopped on a plane to Florida for our very first Create & Cultivate Style Summit at The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills.

If you couldn't make it to Fort Lauderdale and missed out on Saturday’s Style Summit (and the amazing florals thanks to Designs by Darenda), we’ve culled some of the best tips from our amazing panelists. From how to utilize your Instagram feed as a business medium, to creating a brand and a business as an influencer, to diving into doing fashion full time.

IF YOU WANT TO BLOG FULL TIME, YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT TIME.

Contrary to what the outside world may think, blogging= not so simple. You don’t get 100K followers overnight, and brands don’t come running to partner with you because you own a blog.

Although they have established large followings, many of the bloggers from Saturday, including Stephanie Hill of The Style Bungalow, Nikole Powers of In High Demand, and Symphani Soto are still looking to grow their followings.

And getting to where they are has taken considerable time. “You have to give it time and invest the time and energy in creating good content and creating a great brand,” says Stephanie. “It doesn’t come easy.”

USE YOUR REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE AND APPLY IT TO YOUR OWN BUSINESS

Blogging full time may be a dream job for many, but for many influencers it started as a side hustle. Use this to your advantage. How?

For those starting out, a rule of thumb to follow is to absorb as much knowledge as possible, which seems obvious, but success is in the details. Pay careful attention to how your current role might help inform your business strategies as a blogger. Also be sure to cultivate relationships and don’t burn bridges.

“The industry is very small,” says Kristen Leahy of Fancy Things Blog. “I’ve applied my knowledge I’ve learned in the PR industry to running my blog, and the connections I’ve made have helped me grow my blog as well.”

Gorgeous florals by Designs by Darenda. 

ALIGN WITH PARTNERSHIPS THAT MAKE SENSE FOR YOUR BRAND

Making money. At the end of the day, that’s also what blogging is about. And when you’re first getting started it’s very tempting to say “yes” to dollars. Forget outfits, you need to pay rent.

However, when you’re building a brand, you want to make sure that you are committing to a collaboration that will help your brand in the end. “When working with a brand, you have to think whether they’re going to help or hurt your brand,” says Nikole Powers.

Also, it’s not all about the money. Keep in mind that you’re also creating brand that is a reflection of who you are. “If you become a blogger just to make a lot of money,” says Stephanie Hill, “this gig is not for you.”

In short: “Don’t be a sellout,” says Natalie Suarez, who took a moment in between dropping knowledge to hit the Sideshow Booth with sister Dylana (see below) and snap a few shots.  

INVEST TIME IN MAKING A MEDIA KIT

While your website and your social media channels serve as an archive for all the amazing content that you have created, when you’re looking to grow your brand and establish a professional presence, you have to invest time in creating a media kit.

All the girls on panel this weekend have created their own media kits, whether they made it from scratch or bought a template on Etsy to help them start. And it’s also not rocket science if you feel intimidated by creating one.

“My media kit is simple and states the facts. Report impressive numbers, add beautiful imagery that you already have on your blog, and showcase notable collabs,” says Stephanie Hill. “Also, make it as easy as possible for brands and potential collaborators to read your deck. They don’t have time to read essays.”

Natalie and Dylana Suarez in the Sideshow Booth. 

BUILD CONTENT TO YOUR OWN STANDARDS, NOT ANYONE ELSE’S, AND STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF

Last, but certainly not least, the one key to creating a brand as an influencer is to make sure that you’re creating YOUR OWN BRAND. Blogging is a very competitive field, to say the least, so you have to make sure that your content is able to stand out and not blend into what everyone else is doing.

“Don’t build your content to live up to everyone else’s standard. Do you,” says Kristin Clark of Living In Color Print. If you tune out of what everyone else is doing, you can create amazing content on your own. “Be inspired by others, but always make sure you are always doing you,” as Nikole Powers would say.

What were your favorite takeaways from Create & Cultivate Style Summit this weekend? Let us know below!

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How the CEO of C&C Built a Truly Original Company

What’s does it mean to be a New Original?

It means you’re forward-thinking. A free thinker. You get outside the box and you pull people along with you. You see a hole in the market and go after it with everything you have. You trust your gut.

Which is exactly what happened when Jaclyn Johnson launched Create & Cultivate. After digging around the internet for answers about what it means to be a woman in business, she came up empty. What she ended up creating is a life and business fuller than she ever imagined.

With double-digit conferences under her belt and plenty more to come this year, American-made luxury eyewear brand STATE Optical Co. caught Jackie in between meetings to chat about what it’s like to be a boss in 2017.

Who has influenced you most?

I am consistently inspired by the women around me, I get to meet so many incredible women who are working hard to shatter the glass ceiling, push each other further and taking on challenges to pave the way.

What is your definition of excellence?

Your own version of getting it right.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

We need women in power, we need women taken seriously and we need real systemic change when it comes to women in power.

Head over to State Optical Co. to read the full profile on Jackie where she shares her key insights to success as their latest New Original ambassador. She also happens to look damn good in glasses.

7 Tips to Doing Influencer Integrations the Right Way

Living In Color Print

Working with influencers is an essential part of growing your brand—they can help spread awareness, garner press and introduce you to a new audience. Here, our partner DBA —a digital talent agency that reps some of the top talent in the influencer sphere—put together some tips for building great partnerships and successful relationships that will keep everyone happy.

1. Identify goals for your campaign: Setting goals is one of the easiest ways to ensure your brand’s relationship with any influencer is a smooth one and most importantly, a productive one. Be it brand awareness, product sales or heightened engagement, make sure you have a clear outline of what it is you are trying to accomplish before the start of any campaign.

"Have a clear outline of what it is you are trying to accomplish before the start of any campaign."

Tweet this.

2. Investigate before you jump: Do your homework. Ask for media kits, and consider influencers and content creators who have a track record of helping brands reach their goals.

3. Mind the Details: When you do your initial outreach, have as many details ready to share as possible. This helps avoid surprises and keeps all parties on the same page.

4. Set a timeline: Timing is everything and that is especially true when working with influencers. Always be sure that your contract outlines set times for content previewing and posting. And don’t forget to be specific about which time zone the deadline lives in.

5. Provide a briefing document: A brief creates sets the guidelines so creativity can flourish and it’s a very necessary tool when working in the influencer space. Make sure your brief includes:
• All image requirements (do assets need to be in portrait or landscape?)
• Styling directions
• Share copy guidelines (key messaging, hashtags/tags, FTC disclosures)
• Do’s and Don'ts (do they need to avoid competitive products? does the outfit need to be head-to-toe? can talent use affiliate links?)

"A brief creates sets the guidelines so creativity can flourish and it’s a very necessary tool when working in the influencer space."

Tweet this.

6. Understand your influencer’s creative lens: When you work with influencers, you do so to capture their unique spin on your product or service, so keep in mind their voice and the types of content they are known to produce. Most importantly be sure to identify the style of post you are envisioning (collage board, personal style post, etc.)

7. Set up a kickoff call: This should be done before any work is done by the influencer.

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3 Steps to Hone Your Professional Speaking Skills

 “Well, you see, ummm, I just think that if we were to…”

Do you ever sound like this? Unsure of yourself and hesitant when you try to communicate in a professional setting? When you begin your career it can be tough to find your voice as a young professional. Conversing confidently in our personal lives is an accomplishment in and of itself, never mind the added pressure of the boardroom!

As a young woman starting out in the workforce, I have made my fair share of mistakes when communicating and have identified areas to improve. However, I’ve also found methods that work to speak in a voice that is true to you. Keeping these suggestions in mind will help you to grow and develop your style so you can best present yourself throughout your career.  

THINK ABOUT YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE

While communicating in a professional setting is certainly different than an everyday chat, this is where the root of your voice is found. Being a professional does not mean that you have to give up your signature sense of humor or your penchant for using words like “penchant”. In fact, when you tune into your natural tendencies you can better communicate your ideas and make connections because you are not preoccupied with what you think you should be saying.

KEEP YOUR AUDIENCE IN MIND

Just as you wouldn’t talk to your grandmother exactly as you talk to your friends, the same goes for your professional life. As young career women transitioning to the working world we have to get our bearings and understand the difference between a talk by the water cooler and a strategy session with management. Although it may seem obvious, we have to avoid being too familiar too quickly.

I learned this lesson when I first entered a new position and was going through training with my team. The extensive time we spent together allowed us to become comfortable and build a lighthearted rapport. When I interacted with my supervisor I was inclined to make jokes and behave as I had with my coworkers. After seeing his taken aback reaction, however, I realized that while it was perfectly acceptable to speak that way with my team, it was not an appropriate way to communicate with my supervisor. You have to look at the foundation you have laid with someone and should generally be more formal if you are unsure.

DON’T LET YOUR AGE DISSUADE YOU

As we are just starting out in our careers it can be difficult and downright nerve-wracking to voice our opinions and take a metaphorical and literal seat at the table. After all, we are new to the game, doing our best to build positive relationships, and don’t want to be the young person who said the “wrong” thing. What we must realize is that we were hired (or are making it as entrepreneurs for all of my self-starters out there!) for a reason: because we have experiences and skills that make us valuable and enable us to contribute productively to our organization. It is up to us to believe this and to act accordingly.

When you are struck with thoughts like, “I’m too young/inexperienced/new to the field for my comments to be valued,” it is essential to reframe your mindset. Appreciate that your fresh eyes and different life experience will bring up points that may not otherwise have been realized. Additionally, if you speak in a clear and concise manner I can promise you that the focus will be on your ideas, not your age.

When I was recently meeting with a manager in my organization (who I admire and aspire to be like) and her entire team, I was hesitant to make suggestions and speak up. I feared that if I said something that wasn’t well received in front of these senior leaders I would look bad and my qualifications would be questioned. However, I decided that the alternative of keeping quiet and missing an opportunity to add value would be far worse. When I shared my idea it was met with enthusiasm and I ended up taking a larger role on the project because of it. While every instance will not work out in this way (believe me, I’ve had my fair share of ideas that have been passed over), it is better to believe in yourself and speak up than to let your age be a deterrent.

If we want to be established and effective professionals, we must be true to ourselves, mindful of any situation we are in, and confident (never cocky!) in our abilities.

* * *

How do you foster a mindset that allows you to professionally contribute? What tips do you have for other women they define their voice?

This piece originally appeared on Career Contessa.    

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6 Quick and Dirty Tips for Marketing Yourself

photo credit: Bloguettes 

Are you looking to grow your following in 2017? Here are 6 quick easy to follow tips. 

1. BUILD TRUST

If you’re asking yourself what’s more important going viral or a steady band of dedicated users, think on this:

Exposure is great. It can make you feel like you’re doing something right and the world is catching on for good reason. But exposure can also leave you bare naked in the public eye with no plan to backup your following. Trust is the most important element to growing exposure and that doesn’t usually happen with a viral hit. You want to grow your influence steadily, giving your followers a reason to stick with you, not give you a 15-second-of-fame career.

2. MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY

If trust builds brand loyalty, than consistency builds brand recognition. According to Lauren Hooker, founder of Elle & Co, “recognition is key to branding. It's why we automatically think of Chipotle when we see a foil-wrapped burrito or Apple when we hear Siri's voice or an iPhone ringtone. These businesses don't switch things up regularly; they maintain consistency across all of the visual and invisible components of their brand.”

She advises, to “choose fonts, colors, and imagery and use them over and over again. Over time, people will begin to associate those design elements with your business and easily recognize your graphics.”

“Consistency,” adds Lauren, “also makes your brand appear professional.” Speaking of…

3. ALWAYS APPEAR PROFESSIONAL

We turn to Lauren again for this, who says, “First impressions are huge; they can make all the difference between someone taking you seriously or writing you off. If you're just starting your business, you don't have to look like you just started your business.”

4. DON’T EXPECT INSTAGRAM TO DO IT ALL FOR YOU

Instagram is an amazing tool that can broadcast your brand to millions of people. That’s the goal after all. But it’s not a magic app.

Instagram is the connector, it’s not the business. Use it wisely (and maintain consistency), but if you want to market yourself, you need to cast your net wider. There are a TON of fish in the Instagram sea and you need the social platform to funnel back into something else.

"Instagram is the connector, it’s not the business."

Tweet this. 

Whether it is a website, a service, or a product there needs to be something. Especially if you want to build out your brand to do more than schlock products in paid posts.

5. PARTICIPATE IN OFFLINE EVENTS

A like will never replace a handshake. And in many ways, they are not even comparable. You can pay your rent with a like, but you can bank on an IRL relationship. That means, attending conferences, like the upcoming Create & Cultivate New York, where you meet with like-minded professionals. Or pitch yourself to companies to speak on panels.

6. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR COMPETITION

Marketing yourself isn't solely about you. You can't change the game if you're standing in one place. While an authentic brand is a successful brand, you also need to have a leg up on the competition. That means keeping in tune with what they're doing. 

Fine tune your marketing efforts as you go. Pay attention to their audiences and see what they want and how you can provide a better service or product to them. Learn from their mistakes, and know that you can do much better.

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How to Rejoin the Workforce After Extended Time Off

Courtesy of Bloguettes

Figuring out how to get back into the workforce after extended time off can be frustrating. Many jobs want to hire candidates with recent work experience, and if you don’t have that, the job application process can be extremely daunting.

While it may appear as if you’re stuck in a perpetual state of unemployment, there are many ways to get back into the workforce after extended time off.

STAY ACTIVE 

Even if you’re not working for profit, one of the most important things to do when you’re trying to get back into the workforce after extended time off is to stay active. Start volunteering at a local charity or at local businesses/community centers.

When you have a large employment gap and you’re looking for a job, the worst thing you could do is sit around. Staying active in your community will give you something to put on your resume and it will help you network. You never know who you’ll meet and who will notice your work ethic. A recent government study found that volunteering is associated with 27% higher odds of employment.

Volunteering isn’t only about networking, but it gives you something current to put on your resume. If your last position ended years ago, your resume may often get overlooked simply because of the fact that there is nothing current on it. However, if you start volunteering, you can use that to fill in the time where you weren’t working. Even if you volunteer once a week or once a month for a span of time, you can use that to fill in employment gaps.

NETWORK

According to studies done by Glass Door, referrals are associated with a 2.6 to 6.6 percent higher chance of an accepted job offer. Reach out to recruiters, friends, and industry professionals to put the word out there that you’re looking for a position. Often people won't know that you’re in the market for a new role, and if they don’t know, they can’t help you. It’s a very small world, and you never know who might have an industry connection or information on an upcoming availability. 

Go out and get coffee with friends or family in your industry. Pick their brain and ask if they have any suggestions for how to brush up on your skills and get back into the workforce after extended time off. They may know of an opportunity which you can use to boost your resume or skill set.

Similarly, reach out to recruiters. People seem to have this notion that it’s better to get a job on your own instead of working with a recruiter, however, it is the complete opposite. Recruiters often have inside knowledge on positions that haven’t been posted to the public. They also have direct interaction with hiring managers and will be able to get your resume in front of someone immediately. How do you get in touch with a recruiter? Do a simple google search or look for recruiters on LinkedIn. Recruiters are always looking for strong candidates, so if you can reach out and highlight your motivation or skills, they will almost always be willing to help with your job search.

TAKE A CLASS

Are you volunteering and networking but still find yourself with extra time on your hands? Take the opportunity to learn a new skill or brush up on old skills by taking a course. If you want to get out of the house and have somewhere to go, look into community college courses. Don’t want to make that sort of commitment? Go for online courses which you can do at your own pace.

Platforms such as Lynda.com charge a small monthly fee and offer courses in many different areas. They’re all video based and let you take your time to finish them at your convenience. Aside from giving you something to do, this gives you the opportunity to add more to your resume. Have you noticed that a lot of the positions you want to apply for require knowledge of a specific software? Look it up and watch a tutorial video so you can put that you’re familiar with the software on your resume!

EXPLORE CONTRACT OR TEMP POSITIONS:

While there seems to be a negative connotation with the words “temporary” and “contract,” these positions can open many doors for you. Contract and/or temporary work can help you in 4 main ways:

• It will give you current work to put on your resume
• It gives you immediate income while you’re searching for a long term position
• It lets you network with industry professionals
• It gives you the opportunity to show off your capabilities

There is truly no downside to temporary work. While it’s not always smart to take a position in an industry or path you’re not interested in, temporary work gives you the opportunity to explore your options and networking opportunities.

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While it may be intimidating and daunting, there are many ways to get back into the workforce after extended time off. The most important things are to stay active and highlight your skills and abilities. Don’t be stagnant and wallow in your sorrows. Take charge of your life, get out there, and make something happen!

A native San Franciscan, Michele Lando is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and founder of writestylesonline.com. She has a passion for helping others present the best version of themselves, both on paper and in person, and works to polish individuals' application package and personal style. Aiming to help create a perfect personal branding package, Write Styles presents tips to enhance your resume, style, and boost your confidence.

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photo by Jessica Bordner Photography

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We also worked with Rockstar Catering owned by Rachel Pintarelli, a total boss babe, to come up with a super fun menu. The food and mimosa station was adorned with calligraphy menu's by Natalia from Papel & Co. The lush and bright florals ran across the entire table were orchestrated by Beth from Southern Floral Company and we had incredible succulents courtesy of Shop Succulent owned by Jessica De Gennaro .

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photo by Jessica Bordner Photography

Want more? The ladies at One Hundred Layer Cake have even more images and details about the tips and tricks that went into the event.