Live a Life Doing This With No Regrets

As an undergraduate English major, I thought that nothing could matter more than books. I even told my family that books were my life, and it’s one of many things I most regret saying. After all, we read because we desire a connection with other people and saying that books are your life leaves those relationships out of view in a way that isn’t constructive.

Books are immersive, profound and often transcendent. They feature voices different from our own, reveal another’s consciousness and expose us to lives we’ve never lived. But books are only one part of our realities, meant to show us how to walk outside the pages and experience our life stories alongside other people. The connection between reading and real life is undeniable, but if we never use what we learn in books to help others, then we’re reducing our ability to live meaningfully.

Here are four ways to apply the lessons of fiction to real life:

Remember that character is the heart of fiction.

In several writing workshops, I’ve heard this time and again. Quite simply, the beginning of a book sets up a character and a situation that makes you want to continue the story. Regardless of whether you like a character, you’ll stick with them throughout the book if you find them interesting enough.

In real life, you will meet people who are different than you. Maybe you won’t get along with them at first, but every person you meet knows something that you don’t. Take the time to listen, just as you would to a new character in a book that you’re patiently reading. Sometimes we love the characters we read about, but other times we simply listen to and learn from their struggles. Let real life be a similar exercise.

John Cheever once wrote, “Fiction is art and art is the triumph over chaos … to celebrate a world that lies spread out around us like a bewildering and stupendous dream.” Sometimes reality can feel like chaos, but we succeed together when we celebrate the unique characters in our lives. Celebrate those different from you, and be open to meeting people in surprising places.

Bring the empathy you feel for characters into real life.

This study points to the fact that literary fiction improves a reader’s empathy and even undermines prejudices. Reading is so profound that it can even be used as therapy. Literary theorists have often supported this: As Virginia Woolf wrote, “Books are the mirrors of the soul.”

While most of us book lovers report being devastated that a character died, sometimes we don’t give the same care to people outside of books. While it’s okay to spend time in fictional worlds, use the character studies of great novels to remind you that everyone has struggles that are different from your own. Emerging from a book and listening to a real-life story can help you bond with other people and even consider solutions to problems that we still face.

Maybe you won’t get along with them at first, but every person you meet knows something that you don’t.

Use new metaphors to approach your life.

If you love classic literature, one of your favorite things is probably a brilliant metaphor or a carefully constructed sentence. After all, semantics matter and tired clichés don’t always accurately depict our lives. Ralph Waldo Emerson is right: “The world is emblematic. Parts of speech are metaphors because the whole of nature is a metaphor of the human mind.”

In the same sense, what we call people says much about how we view them. Metaphors often impact the way we approach life and decision-making. Labels and stereotypes can be damaging and should be changed to reflect the kaleidoscope of identity. Help others by advocating for the people in your life so they can identify with words that are unique to their experiences. If we bring metaphors outside of books and into the conversation, then they become meaningful tools to help others better understand different viewpoints.

Make time for other people.

Relationships make the world a better place. That’s why it’s okay to put your reading life on hold for your reality. If you can’t finish that book today, set it aside and spend some time with your family. You can always come back to the book later, but you may not get the same chance to be with the people you love.

Sometimes it’s tempting to turn to books as an escape, but instead, let them be your guide to the human spirit. Do this by sharing the books you read with those you care about. This is another way of making time for people.

It is said that art imitates life and life imitates art. But it may be more complicated than that. While books may contain life, they aren’t life itself. Let your love of books meet reality for a literary life that benefits others in return.

What has reading taught you about relationships with others?

The original version of this article appeared on Darling. Written by Kayla Dean. 

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You'll Never Guess What Demo Is Running the Work Force

Single working women are the backbone for most professional organizations in America.  

According to the Women in the Labor Force: 2015 Databook:

• 59% of women (over age 16) are employed
• 54.3% of employed women are unmarried (never married, other marital status, divorced, separated, widowed)
• Of the 67 million women employed in the U.S.— 74%of employed women worked on full-time jobs, while 26% worked on a part-time basis. 

And in honor of National Single Working Women's Day, we wanted to dig into this a little bit more. 

According to Hanna Rosin's "The End of Men and the Rise of Women," 2009 was the first year where the balance of the workforce "tipped toward women." 

The senior editor at The Atlantic writes, "Women worldwide dominate colleges and professional schools on every continent except Africa. In the United States, for every two men who will receive a BA this year, for example, three women will do the same." 

"Theoretically," she writes, "a twenty-seven- or twenty-eight-year-old woman with no children is at the top o the game. She is, on average, more educated than the men around her, and making more money." ("No children" is a key piece here and discussed below.) 

What do you know about the American Matriarchy? In her book Rosin cites tech as one of the main reasons for the rise of the woman. "At some point in the last forty years," she writes, "the job market became largely indifferent to size and strength. Technology began to work against men, making certain jobs obsolete and making what economists call 'people skills,' ever more valuable. For the first time in history, the global economy is becoming a place where women are finding more success than men." 

In Rebecca Traister's NY-Times best-seller, "All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation," she addresses Rosin's findings.  "While some women are enjoying more educational, professional, sexual, and social freedom than ever before, many more of them are struggling, living in a world marked by inequity, disadvantage, discrimination, and property. It's crucial to unpack what's true and what's not true about female advancement--and single female advancement-- across classes, rich, poor, and in between." 

One of those factors that cannot be ignored is single motherhood. The Times article, the Disestablishment of Marriage, reports that 60 percent of American women who have their first babies before thirty have them out of wedlock. Traister says that, "the economic ramifications of having children are of course felt most keenly by unmarried mothers; a staggering 42 percent of people in families headed by single mothers live below the poverty line." 

But single women are upending tradition. And that's power. "Their growing presence has an impact on how economic, political, and sexual power is distributed between the genders." Single women overwhelmingly voted for President Barack Obama. Single women are changing the definition of family, which directly impacts social policy. "Women," writes Traister, "perhaps those who have lived untethered from the energy-sucking and identity-sapping institution of marriage in its older forms, have helped drive social progress of this country since it's founding." 

Women living without marriage are more able to be both professionally and economically than ever before.

Cheers to you badasses. Today is your day. 

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5 Women of Color You Need to Follow on IG Right Now

Fact: Women of color are dominating the business world. They represent the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S.

According to Fortune “black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S.” A 2015 report found “women own 30% of businesses in the U.S.” Of that, women of color own 14% of these companies. Hello! The facts are all here. From clothing lines to nonprofits to tech startups, let’s just say these 5 women of color are KILLING the entrepreneurial game. You are going to want to follow them ASAP. Here’s why.

1. Morgan Debaun

Company: CEO and Founder of Blavity

About: @MorganDebaun, the founder of @blavity, is a forward-thinking black millennial who is pushing the boundaries of culture and the status quo. As @blavity’s Founder + CEO, Morgan is disrupting traditional media by creating a (much needed) world class community of diverse creators + influencers.

2. Gabrielle Deculus

Company: Founder of Business Rules for Women

About: @BusinessRulesforWomen is a mega media platform making life easier for the emerging entrepreneur. @Gabrielle.Deculus has created an online business community for women that is guaranteed to help you succeed. Looking to grow and expand your business? Business Rules for Women will give you all the tactics, tools, and connections you need to be successful.

3. Grace Mahary

Company: Project Tsehigh- Clean Energy For All

About: Not only can @GraceMahary rock the runway, but she’s the founder and executive director of @ProjectTsehigh. This nonprofit organization has one goal: to decrease global energy and improve the quality of life for impoverished families. Using her entrepreneurial skills, she has worked passionately over the last four years to help get closer to accomplishing her goal. This powerhouse is a force to be reckoned with.

4. Carly Cushnie

Company: Co-Founder and Designer for Cushnie et Ochs

About: @CarlyCushnie is changing the game of fashion. The co-founder and designer for @CushnieetOchs has been featured on Forbes’ “30 Under 30 List,” and she is not stopping there. According to Complex, Carly is showing us how to “let a woman’s most feminine side shine.” She is bringing her beautiful, most alluring seductive side to the runway making Cushnie et Ochs a forefront in the fashion world.

5. Kitty Cash

Company: Founder of “The I Am Woman Project”

About: A successful fashion publicist and DJ? What more could she do? Well, @kittycash is at it again. The successful DJ Kitty has created a multi-media platform for women looking for some motivation and celebration. The @iamwomanproject is an online community to empower women. DJ Kitty Cash is doing it all, and we can’t wait to watch the @iamwomanproject grow.

These 5 #powerhouse women of color are not only rocking the world of business, but are working to make the world a better place. Now it’s your turn to contribute.  Add some daily inspiration into your life and follow the journey’s of these amazing women. We can’t wait to watch their growing success, can you?

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Sign Language: How to Deal with a Leo Boss

photo credit: Borrelli Illustrations (front); Elle (top)

If you follow J.Lo on Instagram, you know it’s #LeoSeason. But what does that mean for your office? If you have a Leo Boss there are certain traits you have come to expect, but are you adept at navigating the ups and downs of the Lion sign?

Luckily, we speak Leo. And we speak boss.

Date range: July 23rd-August 22nd

Strengths: Loyal, Determined, Confident, Encouraging & Ambitious

Weaknesses: Fragile ego, Gullible, Melodramatic, Stubborn & Vain

Famous Leos: President Barack Obama, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Sandra Bullock

Everyone knows that Leos are loyal, but they are also the King of the Jungle (or Queen, depending on your preference). So that means you better be prepared to give your loyalty as well. Leos are known for having big hearts and your back, but that makes them susceptible to betrayal. Some Leos are too kind for their own good, but don’t mistake kindness for naivete. Leos know what they want and feel powerful and strong to go after it.

With a Leo boss this can sometimes come off as bossy or authoritarian. More Scar, less Simba. But if you give your loyalty, you’ll also be given challenges-- those that you’ll be expected to meet. If you do the spoils to the victor go. Meaning, this is where the generosity of the Leo boss kicks in. Though they crave the limelight and might publically take credit for the success, feel secure that behind the scenes your boss will want to take care of you. If you also crave the spotlight, be prepared to step out of the way and let your boss take this one.

You don’t want to take advantage of your boss’ generosity because it can backfire. Leos are also known for their extreme loyalty, but if you do something to betray that loyalty, you’re going to catch the wrong side wrath. However, Leos don’t hold onto grudges. So the best thing you can do in an instance where you’ve taken advantage of your boss’ trust in you is work hard to rebuild that trust. A Leo will give you a second change, but you have to prove yourself just like they would.

They want to achieve the impossible. This can be encouraging and inspiring to people around them. It can also sometimes feel like there is no way to complete a task. Don’t be discouraged by your boss’ go hard or go home attitude. Learn how to navigate their expectations and you will be in Leos good graces.

Taking charge comes naturally to a Leo. So If you’re losing your footing at work, look to your loyal leader. They will always be willing to lead you to safety-- or to the other side of a presentation, but watch out for their competitive side. You don’t need to compete with your boss.

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Nail Your Next Presentation with These 4 Secret Tricks from Experts

The gift of gab. Some of us have it, others don’t. Still more elusive is the gift of talking ON STAGE. That’s right, in front of people. Not the mirror. And gabbing is the opposite of what you want to do when you present to a room.

With a mic in hand you need to paint a picture, tell a story, and engage your audience with a  straightforward but compelling presentation. How you might ask?

Well, we just went to Spotlight Presentation Academy to find out HOW to create WOW moments.

With the help of the pros at Logitech and TED (you know, those talks you watch at work), we recently got schooled on the art of the presentation. Yes, it is an art. One that is greatly enhanced by Logitech’s Spotlight Presentation Remote, which just so happens to be the preferred presentation remote of TED. It also happens to be the preferred remote of Jaclyn Johnson, Create & Cultivate founder and recent Academy attendee. Why wouldn’t you want to use what the pros do and present like never before?

So we’re dishing (because when we’re not on stage, gabbing about career is so our vibe.)

1. Your speech should be a GIFT to the AUDIENCE.

First things first: the content. You need to make people pay attention. And to do that the first question you should ask yourself is: What are you giving them and what are they receiving? This presentation is NOT about you. Sure it can feel that way when you’re in prep mode, but if you want the audience to take away the magic, you need to take yourself out of the pic.  

So get into the audience’s head. Walk out and don’t say hello, simply START. And remember: generic is the opposite of memorable.

2. Moving with INTENTION, means MOVING AROUND without fear.

Energy is crucial, you must walk out on stage and change the energy of the room. (Which, remember, is why you should walk out and START. No “hellos” needed.)  At TED, it’s what they call the “TED moment” and it’s when you realize you’re in the presence of something truly unique. To engage during the presentation— you need to be able to move around. But you want to make sure you’re confident, in control, and not stressing whether slides are changing or video links are playing. That’s where Logitech comes in. With their new Spotlight Presentation Remote you have total control. Features include: professional slide navigation control, highlight and magnify buttons, and even a timer with a vibration alert. Below Jaclyn shares her favorite features and why.

1. Highlight: With this feature you can point to a specific feature, data point, or part of an image and call it out. ‘The best part,” says Jaclyn, “is you don’t have to turn around and point— you can stay facing forward-- and make eye contact with those TWO people in the back-- without losing momentum. The moment you lose momentum you lose the crowd.”

2. Magnify: if you have a photo with interesting details, or something you want to zoom in on, you can magnify and that will help load up and emphasize the content. “I always want to use bright and bold visuals. Being able to magnify, helps the presentation come alive,” shares Jaclyn.

3. Cursor Control: if you’re embedding video or links, you can play video with the simple click of the button. “No stress, no fear,” says Jaclyn.  

4. Timing: Jaclyn says, “Timing is everything. And you never want to worry if you’re running out of time or have too much time. That can be a speech KILLER.” With a built-in vibration alert, you’ll always hit your mark.

3. You absolutely have to practice your “body work.”

It’s not only about your content, it’s also about your body language. Which means you need to stand up straight and be confident with your posture in a way that allows people to BELIEVE in what you’re saying. If you don’t believe in you,they never will. Here are four more amazing tips to think about:  

1. Speak from your diaphragm

2. Try to make eye contact with at LEAST 5 people in the front and at LEAST 2 people in the back

3. Practice your speech standing on newspaper, the more the crunching you hear the more you are moving

4.  Move with intention (speak with intention as well)

You don’t want to use slides as a crutch because then they become the focal point of the presentation. They should ADD to what you’re saying, not distract. They should be the exclamation point to what you’re saying! Here are some ways you can make that happen:

1. When picking photos don’t use the most obvious — think about how you can illicit the same feeling without being so on the nose... Ask yourself what’s your data your anecdote, or your metaphor. Metaphors are a great creative tool to push the boundaries and make your presentation stand out.

2. Always use big, beautiful photography. And stretch the image the full length of the slide. Don’t simply drag, drop, and assume it’s going to look good. This is a great place to use the magnifying feature on the Spotlight Presentation Remote. You can highlight and call attention to specific spots. Same goes for text-- discussed in the next section.

3. Think about your typefaces and how they’ll look from the audience. You need to make it really clear. You want the audience to be able to see the text-- so stay away from cursive or any typeface that may look cool, but makes your legibility go down. All caps gives off a certain feeling— maybe that’s a good thing, maybe you want to convey anger or excitement. You can also mix up two typefaces and de-emphasize the words that are less important. It all matters.

Have other tips on public speaking that you want to share? Comment below!

photo credit: Ryan Lash / TED

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5 Super Inspiring Women Share Their Need-to-Read Mottos

photo credit: We the People

Are you looking for a some weekend inspo to help you kickass at business and life? We rounded up five our favorite ladies' mottos and words to live by.  

TONI KO, Founder NYX & Perverse 

Starting a business as a 25-year old minority female without any experience running a company was a huge risk in itself. My life motto has always been, “Go big or go home,” closely followed by “do or die.” A lot of the time, I just go for it! I purposely put myself in situations that force me to face my fears, and by doing so, I’m forced to deal with the repercussions, the founder told Career Contessa. 

My father always said he wanted to raise his children “Spartan Style,” where only the strongest survive. He definitely succeeded. I am an extremely mentally and emotionally strong woman who isn’t afraid to take risks. I truly believe that taking risks is the only way to grow as an individual. 

MAYA ANGELOU, POET 

I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.

TINA FEY, WRITER, ACTRESS, PRODUCER

“When faced with sexism or ageism or lookism or even really aggressive Buddhism, ask yourself the following question: ‘Is this person in between me and what I want to do?’ If the answer is no, ignore it and move on. Your energy is better used doing your work and outpacing people that way. Then, when you’re in charge, don’t hire the people who were jerky to you.” via Bossypants

GRETCHEN CARLON, former FOX NEWS ANCHOR

The lesson in the dream isn’t whether our fight to get to the top is for something big or small. It’s to realize that a good, happy life isn’t just handed to us. We need to work for it. We need to strap on the heavy bags and take the first step forward in the long journey up the mountain. Yes, we’ll all sweat, complain and wish we were somewhere else (maybe on that beach in Nice…). But we’ll also develop the strength to say: “I’ll make it to the top — no matter what.” via Motto 

JANET MOCK, AUTHOR

"For me, it’s always been Maya Angelou. Her work, her memoirs, have always been building blocks for me. She’s also been a blueprint to go out and say that #1: My life story is worthy of being heard, #2: I can write it myself, I don’t have to give it to someone else, and #3: There’s more than one book about my life experiences and yes, you can be a memoirist and you can do it in a literary form that is also accessible. She was super important to me." via Medium 

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New Study Shows Have Fun First, Work Later

By: Naomi Hirabayashi, co-founder Shine

*This piece originally appeared on Shine, a free daily text to help you thrive.*

Work hard, play hard. We’ve habituated ourselves to feel like this is the only appropriate order of things.

We save up our movie nights and dance parties for the weekends. We hold out on that calming bubble bath until the end of the day. We don’t let ourselves Netflix and Chill until we’ve pushed through all (OK, most) of those backed-up emails.

Yet new research shows that waiting to have fun until after we’ve worked doesn’t necessarily make it more enjoyable.

In fact, the study shows that fun is just as fun even if you haven’t “earned it” and it can actually motivate us to work smarter.

Fun is just as fun even if you haven’t earned it.

 

Tweet this. 

Ed O’Brien, a professor at the Chicago Booth School of Business, discussed his new research in Harvard Business Review:

“We built a makeshift “spa” in the laboratory — with a massage chair and footbath — for 259 ever-at-work University of Chicago students. Students could choose to come during the weeks right after their stressful midterm exam period or during the weeks right before midterms began. (We had essentially the same number of students show up at both time periods, and they were of similar age, gender, etc.) They predicted their enjoyment before visiting and rated their experience afterward.”

The results:

“We found that while the students who visited the spa before midterms predicted that the experience would be less enjoyable due to looming midterms exams, they actually enjoyed themselves just as much as those who visited the spa after midterms.”

While happy hour before work might not be realistic (or desirable), the powerful message that not only are we allowed to loosen up in between all of our obligations -- but it can actually make us more motivated and better equipped to handle our busy days, is a welcome one.

How can we enact this in our daily lives?

By flipping play on its head and finding ways to start (instead of just finishing) with fun.

1. Dance before you leave the house in the morning; you don’t have to wait until Friday night to do throw on some #TBT 90s hits or to let DJ Khaled remind you that ‘we the best’.

2. Pre-game a big meeting with a funny video that puts everyone in a good mood or share a random fact you recently learned with the group.

3. Swap a weekday / weekend routine; typically save dinner with a friend for the weekend? Get an extra boost of joy by going for a breakfast or lunch catch up during the weekday.

Whatever your version of fun is, remember: you don’t have to earn it. You already deserve to enjoy yourself and by incorporating more play at the beginning, you’ll give yourself a catalyst to stay motivated and keep hustling.

photo credit: Geronimo Balloons

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Shine is a free daily text message experience that makes it easier to live a more intentional life. Each weekday morning, Shine sends curated content and actionable tips across confidence, daily happiness, mental health and productivity. Why? Because we all need a little help to get through the day—and Shine’s got your back. To sign up, text “SHINE” to 759-85 or go to www.shinetext.com to learn more.

Follow Shine on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook: @ShineText

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5 Ways to Be a Strategic Slacker

We've made it. It's Friday. Which means it's almost time to kickoff those boots and stick your toes in the ocean or your nose in a book-- whatever suits your weekend fancy will do. 

It's time to slack.

But what about the work week slack? Is it possible to kick your feet up at your desk and STILL be incredibly productive. Perhaps they aren't as at odds as your might think. Here are the 7 magical ways to slack at work and still get shit done. Most employees are only productive four hours a day. 

Call it failing upwards. 

1. TAKE AN EXTENDED BREAK 

Or really, take any break. Chances are that 15 minutes you’re legally allowed twice a day goes unused. You get busy, you get buried. It’s common. But when you’re working that hard your brain stops functioning at optimum output. So take a walk and grab a coffee. (Or bring water along for the jaunt, since dehydration during the workday can also lead to an kaput of creativity.) 

Whatever you do, use it. Especially when you’re feeling stuck. 

2. SHUT YOUR COMPUTER OFF AND READ

Word to the wise: always bring a book to your office. Sure, powering down your computer and taking a break from responding to emails may feel out of the question, but here’s an important one to ask yourself: when you’ve hit a slump is it better to stay stuck or read yourself out of it? Stand up. Give your spine a stretch and then crack the spine on a book. Seeing words come together in unexpected ways might be the jumpstart your brain needs. It’s not work, but it will work for you. 

3. MEDITATE 

We’ve all read about the benefits of meditating in the morning or before bed, but meditating in the office can bring clarity, calm your nerves before presentations, and de-stress high impact situations. Stress brings on emotions. Some of which are not beneficial to us in the work environment. Meditating at your desk (or in the storage closet) can help bring clarity and the right kind of emotions to your decision making. For instance, if you’re about to blow your top at a co-worker, take a beat. Meditate. And come into the situation with a clear head. It might look like you’re not doing a thing, but you’re being incredibly productive for you and the company’s well-being. 

4. PLAY GAMES ON YOUR PHONE 

While we don’t suggest scrolling through the IG during the work day, there are word games and brain games you can play to whip that brain into shape. You could opt for memory, attention, and problem solving apps like Luminosity, or try an app like Happify, that helps you build skills for lasting happiness. And being happy at work directly affects your productivity. So come on, get happy. Play a game or two. 

5. DON’T MULTI-TASK 

Sometimes it feels like the busier you are, the better you’re working. Untrue! You don’t have to do multiple things at once in order to get things done. Slow down and work on one thing at a time. It might feel like you’re slacking at first, but once you see how quickly you start ticking things off your list, you just might abandon the multi-tasking addiction. 

We want to know… how do you do work slack? Share below!

8 Incredibly Inspiring Quotes from Our Live Your Adventure Series

This week started with an adventure. Alongside Eddie Bauer and inspirational women like Melissa Arnot Reid, Lexi duPont, Ruthie Lindsey, Alyssa Ravasio and so many more, we traveled to three cities (LA, SF, and NYC) in three days to host our Live Your Adventure popup. We laughed (a few of us cried) and we came together to build an even stronger community. Click through to read some of our favorite quotes from the events.

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What Up Real World: 5 Recent Grads On What’s Next

The panic hits! You are suddenly a second semester senior starting to realize, “Wait, I have to find a job! I need to start making money! I'm not sure what I want to do!” Totally normal. The Washington Post found "only 27% of college grads had a job that was closely related to their major." And though some grads work all of college to secure their dream jobs, most have no clue what field they even want to be in. Does the anxiety ever end?

Maybe.

Fast-forward. 

You are a recent post-grad in your new position. That old familiar panic starts to set in: “How do I feel about my job? Where do I see myself going? Do I even like what I am doing?” In a poll published by the Huff Post it was found "nearly 80% of workers in their 20s, said they want to change career paths." So if you aren't exactly loving your first job...it is completely normal. 

The transition from college into 'the real world' is a learning experience. As a recent college grad myself, I thought who better people to ask than my friends? We're all in the same boat. So I spoke with 5 post-college grads to help us get a clear picture of what the beginning of their journey looks like and where they see themselves going in the future. It's nice to know all 5 grads have their own goals set, but are waiting to see where their paths take them-- one step at a time. 

Emily K. 

Last month I graduated from USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. I studied Public Relations and minored in Communications in the Entertainment Industry. Just a few days after graduation, I began my job at Viewpoint, which is a public relations firm located in Beverly Hills. I’m currently working as a Talent Publicity Assistant. The job is exactly what it sounds like. I’ve been working at Viewpoint for about a month now, and every day brings something new. It’s hard to say exactly where I want to end up career-wise, but I could definitely see myself sticking to this path and eventually becoming a publicist. I could also see myself going down other paths in the entertainment industry. Only time will tell!

Zoe S.

I recently graduated from Lehigh University with a double major in sociology and women's studies with a minor in public healthy. Naturally, I had no idea what I wanted to do with that discipline, nor did I have any clue what skill set beyond college it prepared me for. As I proceeded through my college years, I got more and more confused with my own personal expectations post college. I did not know what I wanted to do. I could not envision where I belonged in this massive industry that is carved out for post-grad college kids. All I knew was that I wanted to be in a field that allowed me to interact with people. I love people; talking to different people, connecting with people, learning from as many people as I could. Yes, I would describe myself as a "people person," which to some might be a cop out, but for me it's my truth. I ended up being hired at this amazing company called ChowNow in which people are the focus of the business. We help business set up their online ordering, which may not sound so glamorous or stereotypically lucrative for a recent college grad, but that is false. Not only is it an amazing place to work with an incredible culture that cultivates strong, incredibly ambitious people, but, everyday, it is my mission as an account coordinator to interact with people. I never imagined finding a job that satisfied both my creativity and desire to belong to the growing "trendish" industry, while simultaneously allowing me to exercise my love of people, but, needless to say, I found the job that is absolutely perfect for me. Now, I have no idea where I'll be in 5 years from now or where I'm going in terms of big picture, but I know that I'm one step closer to figuring that out, and that is just alright for me.

Mackenzie H. 

After recently graduating from The George Washington University I am now working as a Recruiting Coordinator at Publicis Health. Publicis Health is the third largest advertising network in the world, and first largest health network! I'm passionate about people and their careers, as a recruiting coordinator I pay an integral part of the Talent Acquisition process. Even though I'm just starting out, I see myself working hard to lead a Talent Acquisition team to facilitate growth and change within a health-based organization.

Nina B.           

I just recently graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Elementary Education. For the summer I am working with a non-profit whose goal is to promote literacy for children coming from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and LAUSD schools. In August I will be starting a job as a teachers assistant in a second grade classroom. However, next year I hope to have a classroom of my own and eventually go back to school to receive my masters in Special Education. My future is very undecided, but for now that is the plan.

Emily P. 

I just recently graduated from the University of Michigan. I am now moving to Austin to start my career at Facebook as an SMB Account Manager. I have always been fascinated with the interconnectivity of organizations through the shared purpose of helping others in their communities. I see Facebook as the perfect place to jumpstart my career as it is a platform for connecting people and organizations on a worldwide scale. I hope to continue to strengthen my knowledge of change management, practical development skills and positive leadership practices while gaining invaluable experience from the incredible people I will have the chance to work with.  My ultimate goal is to strive for impactful change that has the ability make a difference on multiple levels - helping communities join together to change lives through corporate social responsibility.

Every person starts somewhere. Each person has their own individual journey. Hopefully the experiences shared by these recent college grads can help the rest of us feel a bit more at ease and accepting of our unknown paths. 

Are you a recent grad in a job that you're MEH... about? Or maybe you LOVE what you're doing. We'd love to hear from you either way... Hit us in the comments below. 

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Meet the 8 Women Living Out Their Career Adventure

Would you say your career is an adventure? For these 8 women, all of whom will be joining us at our Eddie Bauer pop-up next week, are doing just that. Why? Because adventure drives us forward. It's at the center of every great story; the beginning of every leap. And it's why Create & Cultivate teamed up with Eddie Bauer to bring you a three-city tour of change-makers, record-breakers and radical women who have dreamed big and dared bigger, and are willing to share their tales with you. They live out loud. They unapologetically follow their dreams. And they're sharing how they do it.  

Lauren McGoodwin, Founder of Career Contessa

I live my adventure in my career every day as an entrepreneur. I come from a more corporate (i.e. safe) background and I'm very risk averse so going out on my own to launch Career Contessa has been one hell of an adventure! Of course, the more risk I take, the more I learn from them—either as successes or failures— and the more inspired I am to add, or sprinkle in, the adventure into other parts of my career. That might mean agreeing to be a keynote speaker in front of hundreds of people or directly reaching out to a brand I love or launching a new service like online courses on Career Contessa.

Lee Tilghman, Founder of Lee from America 

Every single day is different. I'm inherently a planner and nothing gets me more excited than crossing items off my to-do list, but my career as a blogger and lifestyle persona keeps me spontaneous and always on the edge of my seat. It keeps me balanced. I like how my job pushes me out of my comfort zone every day- whether it's speaking about issues that are close to my heart or getting vulnerable about my past, I'm always putting my heart on the line. 

Claire Smallwood, Founder of She Jumps

This question evokes my personal responsibility to always be an authentic leader of my organization, and more often than not, that doesn't mean being the fastest, most gnarly, or highest-achieving person. It means having some non-negotiables: try at least one new activity per year, teach at least one new thing to a new friend, and think back to the person I was 20 years ago—would my 12 year-old self be impressed with what I am doing now?

"We have to be willing to always come back to the original call of adventure."

Tweet this. 

Basically it all comes down an existential mindset—none of us get into a career to find out it's more about emails and networking than blisters and sweaty backs, but we have to be willing to always come back to the original call of adventure that brought us there in the first place.

Ruthie Lindsay, Influencer, Stylist & Motivational Speaker

I feel so fortunate because most of my work is on the road. Oftentimes I get to travel and work with some of my best friends but I also love when I don't because I tend to make even more new friends than I would have if I had my pals with me. I love seeing new cultures and meeting locals. I love waking up in new towns or new countries and anticipating all the beautiful things and humans I will meet that day! It's a constant gift and thrill to get to live that adventure as part of my work! I feel so incredibly thankful for every opportunity! 

Rachel Schwarztmann, Founder and CEO, The Style Line

I live my adventure by remembering that my career is an adventure! I know the last thing anyone wants to hear is the cliche “it’s just as much about the journey as it is the destination” but in a lot of ways embracing the unexpected experiences that comes with being an entrepreneur has provided me with so much perspective. Now more than ever, I’m understanding that’s what makes the adventure all the more rewarding. 

Tara Sowlaty, co-founder of How You Glow

I live my adventure in my career because I have centered my career around exploring and finding new and amazing places to share with others. A big component of my site is my travel guides, where I curate and highlight my favorite spots both popular and off the beaten path from around the world. It's not just traveling around the world where this magic can happen though, it also occurs at home too. I really try everyday to find the adventure and new excitement in daily life, no matter where I am. 

Noel Russell, Community Organizer at Covenant House & Hope Slanger 

John Muir says that when we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.

I would venture to say, that based on his social action and engagement, humankind was a big part of this entangled community he's referencing.

My daily adventure is helping trace these connections between us in plain sight.

Helping us see ourselves in the person sitting at the table across from us, the person in line ahead of you, the person living in a tent in the park.

Helping us push back the lines we draw around the things we're comfortable with, the spaces familiar to us.

Helping us reflect our interconnectedness back to one another, see value and beauty in that,

And then helping move us to action.

This is my exploration into the unknown.

My job challenges me, and those I engage with, to stretch our self-imposed limits of hope, our personal cap on care, and carefully structured sense of identity to include those across every spectrum of demographic, experience, culture...it challenges us to love wildly, recklessly and without abandon.

Day after day, the topography of my journey is marked by the growth of new heart muscles, the action of advocacy, and the fierceness of newly formed kinship.

"The topography of my journey is marked by the growth of new heart muscles."

Tweet this. 

My everyday adventure is found in envisioning a world where everyone is seen and known, where there is no “other,” where everyone belongs to everyone - then waving people over to catch a glimpse for themselves. 

Also, spending time with a shelter full of teenagers always calls for a spirit of adventure - even when it's just dinnertime…and especially when its chore time.

Becca Skinner, Photographer 

Adventure is (luckily) a regular part of my career because my work is based around it! Being an adventure photographer means I get to regularly be outside and capture images of places and people recreating and protecting parts of our landscape. That usually means spending many days and nights outdoors.

Top photos left to right: Noel Russell, Tara Sowlaty, Lee Tilghman

Bottom photos left to right: Ruthie Lindsey, Rachel Schwartzmann, Claire Smallwood 

The list for our adventure pop-up is closed; you can join the waitlist here. 

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The One Travel Essential Every Eco-Conscious Working Woman Carries

Summer means travel. Plain and simple. But when you’re a working woman there’s nothing simple about powering down. Is there such a thing as a working vacation? (Some say no.) We say yes. Anything is possible when you’re committed to a healthy hustle.

So we’ve rounded up some of the best summer travel products from Mark & Graham’s swag summer shop. All that’s left for you to consider is how you’re gonna phrase that out of office message.

1.     Concourse Boarding Bag

While most working women are struggling to find “the” perfect tote, we’re happy to report you’re done searching. We are all constantly on the hunt for a bag that can be used for multiple purposes; such as traveling, carrying your laptop, chargers, etc. Well, Mark and Graham’s Concourse Boarding Bag is the answer to all of your problems. It is the perfect size tote with an adjustable strap perfect for traveling, zipper closer, and extra pockets. What more could any working girl need?

2. Leather Charger Roll Up

Don’t get it twisted. Your cords that is. Carrying around all of our chargers, headphones, and electronics can get to be rather annoying. This Leather Charger Roll Up is definitely what every working woman needs to help stay organized. Now, go get your roll up monogrammed and pick the color that best suits you, we promise you won’t look back. (Or lose something essential.)

3. Cosmetics Case

You need makeup and toiletries that travel as well as you do. Therefore, we need the perfect size cosmetic case. Mark and Graham have made our dream 2-in-1 travel case, with plenty of room and a removable pouch (this one is for your carry-on). This cosmetic case will make your traveling 100% easier and more organized.

4. Kennedy Garment Bag

Keeping your clothes wrinkle free can be a challenge when traveling for meetings. This Kennedy Garment Bag is the perfect option for helping keep your outfits looking good as new. Make sure you go get yours monogrammed to add some color to your new travel accessory.

5. Jet-Set Carry-On Spinner

Plan on getting away for only a few days? There’s no need to check luggage if you’re not checking out entirely. Parking smart is part of being a savvy traveler. No chance of lost luggage here. This hard case suitcase will fit all of your essentials with perfect pockets, monogram decal, and tons of space.

6. S’well Water Bottle

Buying bottled water at the airport can get so expensive. But staying hydrated when you travel is a must— for your health, your skin, and your energy levels. With a S’well Water Bottle you spend a little to save a lot (including the environment). Especially since so many airports now how water refill stations. Drink it down before you hit security. And fill it up when you get to the other side. For women on-the-go this is an essential way to save money, the planet, and stay hydrated.

Have summer travel plans? For work or pleasure? Share with us in the comments below!

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Free Weekend Download: The Business Plan You Can Use Now

You have your BIG idea. 

You've started talking to people. People are responding well. You think, I can actually do this. Create this. Start this. But then in a meeting someone asks you if you've drafted your business plan. Rewind. Business plan?   

You try downloading one off the internet, and then another, but they all look so different. You wind up more confused than ever. 

Business plans can be subjective, but they really should cover a set list of topics to tell the best story for themselves and any future business partners, employees, investors, etc.

From what it looks like to what it needs to include, the co-founders of Above the Glass are dishing. They created a business plan checklist to help direct your research and business plan creation. 

Fill out the below to download! 

I Can’t Afford an Unpaid Internship: Now What?

Image Credit: Camilla Gutierrezh  

According to a report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, (NACE) 65% of bachelor degree graduates from the Class of 2015 participated in an internship, and 61% of those interns were unpaid. While internships provide great experience and seem to be extremely important to build up a resume, they aren’t realistic for a lot of students. The number of students obtaining degrees is rising, and so is the number of students in debt, forcing many to work throughout college instead of interning for free.

If you are one of the many students struggling financially, you may be thinking, “I can’t afford an internship. What now?” As much as it may appear that internships are required to obtain a decent job post-graduation, there are many ways to get around not having any on your resume.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE RESOURCES

In a society where everything costs a lot, there are many free resources at our fingertips that are completely underutilized. You may have to work in a restaurant to make money, but that doesn’t prevent you from learning about your desired industry and building skills which would typically be obtained through an unpaid internship.

A great example of this is social media marketing (SMM). If you don’t have the luxury of working as an intern, take advantage of free resources and articles to learn the tools you might learn through an internship. There are a lot of great articles on how to build content and utilize SMM platforms.  

LOOK FOR JOBS THAT CAN BE TIED TO YOUR DESIRED CAREER

Working through college instead of taking an internship doesn’t mean that you can’t find a job that relates to your career. This takes a bit of research, but there are a lot of job sites that are geared toward specific careers, making it easy for you to apply to jobs that would boost your resume. (i.e. Dice.com for tech and IT jobs) If there doesn’t seem to be a job site dedicated to the career of your dreams, you’ll have to get creative. The number one issue people have when writing a resume is that they don’t show how the jobs and skills they have relate to the job they’re applying for. You have be creative in how you highlight the skills you’ve obtained so that they correlate to the job to which you're applying. 

For instance, if you want to be in journalism but aren’t able to afford taking an internship at a media powerhouse, try to find a paying job in places like publishing companies, universities, or even a library. This might sound odd, but most places have some sort of a newsletter or blog which needs to be written, and if you can observe or get involved in the process, you can utilize this job on your resume as journalism experience. Even if you’re working as an administrative assistant at a company that interests you/aligns with your career goals, you’ll be able to observe and soak up useful information that will help you later.

DON’T PSYCH YOURSELF OUT

We’ve all been there. Don’t compare yourself to others, because all it will do is psych you out. The most important thing is to remember that you’re making a huge accomplishment and taking on a lot of responsibility by working and going to school. This not only shows that you are motivated, but it shows your strength and reliability. When in doubt, remember that employers want to hire someone who can work hard and get things done. Regardless of how many internships someone has, if they aren’t someone who is reliable and works hard to meet goals and deadlines, they aren’t worth hiring.

"When in doubt, remember that employers want to hire someone who can work hard and get things done."

Tweet this. 

When writing your resume, make sure you highlight your achievements in each job. Even if your job is unrelated, highlight what you’ve accomplished there. If you’re working in a restaurant, highlight the fact that you consistently provide exceptional customer service, handle customer disputes, and maintain a professional demeanor at all times. Many people have had to work through school to pay the bills, so most hiring managers understand and respect this.

REACH OUT TO YOUR PROFESSORS

If you’re in a class that you love, or one you view to be beneficial to your career, get involved. Talk to the professor and explain that you’re interested in the subject, and would love to get involved in any projects or opportunities that come up. Most professors value enthusiasm, and many have paid positions available for students who inquire about it. If you’re lucky enough to secure one of those paid positions, you’ll get the best of both worlds, (money and experience) but even if you simply get involved in class projects as a group leader, or take part in extracurricular activities, that gives you industry related experience to highlight on your resume.

The more industry related experience you can highlight on your resume, the better, so take advantage of what’s in front of you. This goes back to the first section about utilizing free resources. Colleges offer a ton of resources in career development and education, so reach out and see what they have to offer.

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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Why Crafty Entrepreneurs Are Using This New Trick

Photo credit: Smith House Photography 

Bartering of services = where karma and collaboration collide. Each party pays it forward by helping a fellow entrepreneur, while getting something in return.

When you're both at the same level, this can be an awesome way to cross some business needs off your list, and take it to the next level. (You know, like a logo for your brand, killer headshots, or even some sponsored Facebook ads to promote your biz.)

If managed correctly, this bartering strategy can bring new meaning to “your network is your net worth.” After all, when you’re a new entrepreneur hustling out of the gate, every saved penny counts, especially when your “to do” list is growing in tandem.

For two entrepreneurs more or less at the same “level,” exchanging services can be part of your secret weapon. And if done strategically, it can be a totally boss move.

Spoiler alert: it can take a turn to disaster territory if you’re not on the same page. So if you do decide to straight-up exchange services with a fellow she-entrepreneur, you need to make sure you’re not only scratching each other’s backs, but helping each other rise.

Here are 5 ways to make swapping a key to your success.

KEEP AN OPEN MIND

Don’t dismiss the work you’re doing as part of the trade as “free work.” Seeing the big picture is key. So if the opportunity strikes and you connect with someone proposing a service exchange, hear her out. While following your gut is always sound practice (and recommended if someone is acting shady), it’s important to keep an open mind and listen to the proposal. If it simply doesn’t make sense for you -- perhaps timing isn’t right at this point or you’re unsure about the fit -- then pass and consider it in the future. But if there is potential for you to help someone else while they offer you something in return, then the sky’s the limit.

This new approach to a business relationship needs to happen organically and naturally. The connection might strike up at a female conference or networking event, while hustling at a communal workspace (all the better if it’s a “female-only” one), or even as part of a “members only” Facebook group.

Side note: We don’t recommend tweeting out that you’re looking for “a service exchange,” for any rando to reach out to you. It helps when you’re in a circle of like-minded people, in a *somewhat* vetted community. It’s one of those magical things that can happen in convo, while making connections.

So now that this is on your radar, you’re more likely to spot a potentially awesome opportunity. (You’re welcome.)

MAKE YOUR TERMS CRYSTAL CLEAR

Transparency: Get that on lock. Have a candid conversation about each other’s needs and the terms of your “agreement.” This can mean the scope of work on each side and the conditions of your turnaround time (it’s not fair to email your collaborator and demand something ASAP). Put simply: what each of you is offering needs to be fair and on a level playing field. As much as you might like the person you’ve partnered up with for this exchange, if the person has zero chill, then you’ll need to put the agreement “on ice” and stop it then and there.

Your self-care, work-life balance, reputation, and peace of mind should never be a tradeoff. So if the other person isn’t respecting your boundaries, you need to peace out.

"Your self-care, work-life balance, reputation, and peace of mind should never be a tradeoff."

Tweet this.

TREAT IT AS A PAYING, 'REAL' CLIENT (AKA GO ABOVE & BEYOND)

Tbh, this can be challenging when the paying gigs start to pile on, so make sure to manage expectations and block off your calendar accordingly when you have incoming requests. (Super important: ensure you have time to commit to the ask, even if it’s not for actual income).

As tempting as it might be to prioritize paying customers, you need to shift your mindset and realize that your “trade” is a paying customer. It’s not fair to put off those requests or not give them the same quality and attention you would for anyone else.

You are as good as your word and your final product, so be respectful of timelines, deadlines and boundaries. And of course, this is a two-way street.

Also, since you do have bills to pay, be logical and balance your barter agreements with paying clients. As lovely as it is to help each other out by exchanging services, you need to be practical and earn those dollaz.

#Protip: "You are as good as your final product." 

Tweet this. 

PSA: like regular income, there can be tax implications when bartering services (even if no actual monetary transaction occurs). Ask your accountant about this to avoid any surprises.

CONSIDER IT CONTENT FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO 

Going above and beyond will ensure you produce quality content, which can in turn be used as part of your portfolio (if she agrees). This is what we mean by big picture: yes, when a ton of deadlines are on your plate, you might feel resentful that you committed to the “service exchange”; but remember that the person you’re supporting is a client, who likely has a network of potential clients in turn. So impress her, and your client base can grow exponentially as well.

Tip: Ask the person you’re exchanging services with to write a testimonial for you on your site and LinkedIn, and do the same for her.

KNOW WHEN TO MOVE ON, CHARGE & PAY

The point is to help each other rise -- and once you earn the revenue stream you need, it's time to empower the other person and start compensating them.

The trick is to know when to move on from the “barter” relationship, to the “big time.” Because once you both make it big, it’s time to pay for each other’s services -- and soar together.

---

Karin Eldor is a writer specializing in career, fashion and lifestyle. After several years in the corporate world as the Social Media Manager and Copywriter at ALDO, she took her side hustle full-time and is now living out her dream as a contributor for COVETEUR, Levo, Shopify, 818 Agency, and of course Create & Cultivate. Her mission is to offer guidance and mentorship to women by aligning with brands that value self-expression, integrity and impact. Follow her on Insta @alwayskarin.

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3 Ways to Get Over 'Busy-itis' and Chill This Weekend

The feeling of being busy is quite common but does it just actually mean that you’re tired or feeling overwhelmed or burnt out? Do you often answer the question: “How are you?” with “soooo busy” or “things are crazy busy at the moment!”

We’ve all heard the saying, “If you want something done, ask a busy person.” And there is truth to that. However, there’s a difference between working with purpose and intent vs. squeezing as much in as possible. 

"Your work is your own and you define your own success."

Busy makes people feel important. It feels good to be busy and there’s a connection to feeling accomplished or successful and wanting to share that with others. Everyone wants to be heard and appreciated. But “Busy-itis” can come from wanting the approval of others and it’s exhausting trying to keep up which can prevent you from doing work you love and being your most efficient and productive self. 

It's less about actually being busy with a full calendar and more about how a person wants to be perceived. “Busy-itis” can also come from not being comfortable or wanting to sit with yourself alone. Making the time to slow down can actually take a lot of work. Sounds easy to “sit down” but quieting the mind and looking inward to discover that true confidence comes from within and you don’t need the approval of others. Your work is your own and you define your own success.

Getting over “busy-itis” can be a process but well worth it – there is a chance for you to enjoy every single day to the fullest AND feel proud of your work.

You manifest change and the opportunity for you to enjoy every single day instead of running around like crazy, trying to check everything off your to-do list, see your friends and family and make time for yourself - this doesn't mean taking a workout class to check another thing off your list but truly making time for self care and rest. There will be a moment when you realize that you’re spread too thin and that you chose this busy lifestyle. I’ve been there – you are just completely exhausted and left feeling drained. I wanted to keep pushing myself and kept coming up with the question, when will it ever be enough?

A very common symptom of "busy-itis" is brain fog. Brain fog can be as simple a forgetfulness, confusion or lack of mental clarity. Sometimes we move so fast throughout the day, we are on auto pilot and don't remember how we got from point A to point B. High levels of stress hormones can cause brain fog - feelings of stress, anxiety, anger, fear and frustration. When your mind is fuzzy, you can't retain knowledge as well. 

Another common symptom is exhaustion. This is not the same as feeling tired but total depletion which can be caused by stress. Often times we manage our stress with keeping busy and distracting ourselves or trying to completely ignore what is actually going on. If you are frequently getting sick, this is another sign of stress overload or "busy-itis." Do you feel like you are coming down with a cold more often than your friends? Those who suffer from "busy-itis" especially need to listen to their bodies and not power through the day when they are feeling under the weather. If you don't break the cycle, "busy-itis" can snowball into a long term health condition such as depression or heart disease. Just remember that the mind and body are intrinsically connected.

"When we learn to slow down, we begin to truly connect with our work and with others."

Getting over “busy-itis” can be a process but well worth it – there is a chance for you to enjoy every single day to the fullest AND feel proud of your work.

3 Tips for Those Suffering From “Busy-itis”

1. Create a morning routine: Enjoy your morning and wake a little earlier to make some extra time for yourself. This can mean journaling, reading or cooking breakfast. Having a morning breath work or meditation practice can be extremely beneficial and will prepare to take on the day! 

2. Redefine your to-do list: Instead of creating a long list, make your to-do list more of an exercise and ask yourself why next to each item. This will help you set your intentions for the day and remind yourself to acknowledge the tasks that you love doing. 

3. Remove the word busy from your vocabulary! Come up with another response for when people ask, “how are you doing”. Stop telling people how busy you are. Take a moment to confidently share the work you are doing which will have you build stronger relationships and have deeper connections in the long run!

After many years of “busy-itis” it may be tough to change your thought patterns and automatic responses. But, it is totally doable with these 3 simple steps. When we learn to slow down, we begin to truly connect with our work and with others.

The original version of this article appeared on Shine. Sign up for free, daily advice from Shine. 

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Need to Read Now: ABC Shark & Investor Calls Out Men Big Time

What else do women have to do to be taken seriously?

Seriously. 

We're still battling egregious sexism in tech and finance. This week made the blatantly clear. And earlier today, Chris Sacca, a former American venture investor (he was an early investor in Twitter and Uber), and ABC Shark Tanker with a front-seat to the happenings in Silicon Valley published the following essay on Medium. (We encourage everyone to click and read the whole thing.)

A crucial except reads:

“In my mind, because I hadn’t acted in a way that exploited an imbalance of power or vulnerability in a VC-founder relationship, I’ve generally considered myself one of the “good guys.

But’s that’s the crucial lesson I am learning right now in real-time: It’s the unrelenting, day-to-day culture of dismissiveness that creates a continually bleak environment for women and other underrepresented groups. I contributed to that, and am thus responsible for the unfairly harder road that everyone other than white men must travel in our industry.

I am sorry.

It’s also become clear to me that I didn’t consistently use my power and influence to call out bad behavior by industry peers. The passive acceptance of exclusionary words and deeds is not okay.”

To this we say YES, but we also want to know why? Is it something we said? Or wore? Or didn’t. Does misogyny and gender-biased investing really run that deep? Yeah, it does and a vital element of what Sacca is saying is that even well-meaning men are part of the sexist hamster wheel. To this we say: work harder. The investor is going on record that “As a white guy, even before I made any money, I benefitted from extensive privilege.” 

A privilege not afforded to women or any minority. 

"Even well-meaning men are part of the sexist hamster wheel."

Tweet this.  

Outspoken entrepreneur, founder and CEO of MakeLoveNotPorn and self-professed “Michael Bay of Business,” (she blows shit up) Cindy Gallop took to her Twitter in praise of Sacca’s words. Gallup tweeted: “Tech world has missed out on many female-founded potential unicorns bc of systemic bias + sexual harassment.”  

It’s a bias that runs through almost every single meeting. Even though, as Austin mayor Steve Adler pointed out at the beginning of June in response to an angry letter about a female-only screening of Wonder Woman, “What if someone thought you didn’t know that women invented medical syringes, life rafts, fire escapes, central and solar heating, a war-time communications system for radio-controlling torpedoes that laid the technological foundations for everything from Wi-Fi to GPS, and beer?”

Yeah, what if. Again, is there something else we need to do to be taken seriously? More beer? Better GPS to steer you away from your sexism?

Earlier this month, Neil Blumenthal, co-founder and CEO of Warby Parker, told the crowd at inaugural Vanity Fair Summit that as his wife, Rachel Blumenthal, was securing funding for her company Rockets of Awesome her experience was vastly different than his. “When my wife was raising money,” the CEO shared with the crowd, “every male VC would ask, ‘How do you spend your time?’ She would say, ‘What do you mean?’ What they meant was, ‘You have kids.’” This was always a deterrent for male investors. Neil went on to say, “When I raised money VCs would use kids as a reason to bond with me. ‘Oh I have a great nanny recommendation.’ It’s insanity.”

Here’s ONE of the many problems woman face: it’s the every damn day micro-aggression (like those that Sacca refers to) that make women question their own competence. Micro-aggressions grind slow, but they grind fine. And they make us wonder if we truly do deserve a seat a the table. Or the money. Or the position. (Yes, we do.) But it’s hard to continually pump yourself up, when the world around you wants to bring you down. Or when we have a sitting President calling out a woman’s supposed freakin’ facelift on his Twitter. Talk matters. 

"Micro-aggressions grind slow, but they grind fine."

Tweet this.

So does putting your money where your mouth is. Investing in female-led and diversified companies IS the future. Those who aren't on board are welcome to fall off the ship. Men aren’t owed a life-preserver at this point. 

Women like 52-year-old former Wall Street maven, Sallie Krawcheck know this. Krawcheck who once ran such elite institutions as Merrill Lynch, Bank of America, and Smith Barney, is leveraging her 30 plus years of professional expertise to help women build and invest wealth and “unleash women’s financial power.” With Ellevest, Krawcheck is on a mission to close what she calls the “gender investment gap,” an extension of better-known disparities such as the gender pay gap and the gender debt gap. “I have become truly convinced that getting more money into the hands of women is a positive for everyone,” explains Krawcheck, asserting that the “gender investment gap” costs professional women hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, over their lifetimes. “Closing this gap helps the women themselves, but also their families, society, and businesses. It also solves a lot of society's problems: for example, the retirement savings crisis is actually a women's crisis, given how much longer we live then men (and that we retire with less money than they do).”

Cindy Whitehead, CEO and founder of the Pink Ceiling is on the same mission. “What rips the sheets off in the morning for me is fighting injustices," the CEO shares. "It is an injustice that women get 2% of funding. It’s a ridiculous idea that half of the population only has 2% of the good ideas.”

They say a woman’s work is never done. But not this time. This time men should heed the words of Sacca and put in the work.

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Women Apologize for Their Answers More, But They Also Do This

photo by Brittni Mehlhoff

Though Siri will tell you that she's genderless, there is a distinctly female quality to her voice (at least in her US version). There's a business reason for that: people tend to react more positively to female voices. And yet, women are less likely to speak up in meetings than men. Why would this be? In his book Wired for Speech, Stanford communications professor Clifford Nass wrote that people prefer for our technology to help us, but we want to still be its boss. In other words: even in tech, the female voice is interpreted as more subversive. 

In January 2015, Lean In founder Sheryl Sandberg and Wharton business school professor Adam Grant published an op-ed in the New York Times titled "Speaking While Female." The piece outlined multiple pieces of research showing that in the workplace, women speak less, are "manterrupted" more, and have their ideas more closely scrutinized. 

Well, it's time for a change. It's time to speak up. Here are five ways to chime with confidence in your next meeting. 

KNOW THAT YOUR THOUGHTS ARE WORTH SHARING

We're not talking garden-variety comments that don't contribute to the task or meeting at-hand, but it is important to speak up at least once in a meeting. Otherwise your colleagues and higher-ups will start to think you have nothing to add. 

The biggest hurdle is speaking up for the first time, and if you're not quite ready, next time you’re in a meeting and you have an idea, write it down. 

Go home and practice saying that idea out loud in multiple different tones. Find the one that resonates with you, that feels like most authentic. Next time you’re in a meeting draw on that at-home experience and be heard!  

ENUNCIATE 

If you’re pitching a business or trying to sell your boss on an idea, you need to be articulate and concise.

Attention to the small details of your speech can actually give you with a sense of confidence that you didn’t know you had. Elocution may not be taught in school anymore, but vocal clarity brings vocal confidence. And nothing derails a confidence train like being asked to speak up or to stop mumbling mid-sentence. 

"Vocal clarity brings vocal confidence."

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So, work on enunciation, clarifying all of your consonant sounds and varying your vowel length— these small changes can make a significant difference in how you’re heard. 

SPEAK SLOWLY 

There is a difference between being excited about what you’re sharing and rushing through your idea. When you speak too quickly what you are conveying is that you’re nervous or that what you have to say is not valuable. 

If you’re speaking, hold the room’s attention, slowly and confidently. If you’re making them wonder whether you believe in what you’re saying, there is a good chance they aren’t going to believe in it either. 

EXPAND YOUR VOCABULARY

We’re reading less. There’s no way around it. However with dropping book sales comes a dropping vocab. One of the best ways to make sure that you’re ever-expanding your word base is by reading. This can be as simple as reading a page out loud every night when you get home. It can be any kind of written word, from fiction to newspaper. Not only will this exercise help you practice enunciation, but you’ll start to learn words without even trying. 

The next time you speak up in a meeting, you’ll find there is much greater fluidity to your speech and you’ll be drawing on a bigger vocabulary base. 

DON'T DISQUALIFY YOURSELF AT THE END OF YOUR STATEMENT

We hear a lot about women apologizing for their answers in advance and how we should nix this from our speech. What we hear less about, is discrediting yourself at the end of a statement or an idea. 

This can be as simple as ending a presentation with one of the following colloquialisms: I guess,  I don’t know, I think. Make sure that you are ending as strong as you start. Be certain beginning, middle, and end. 

Sometimes when we get to the end of what we say, and it isn’t resonating quite right with a room, we get nervous and qualify it with a, "does that make sense?" Stick to your verbal guns, even if the room doesn’t agree. You can still sit back down with as much gusto with which you stood up. 

Have tips for speaking up in meetings? Share in the comments below! 

Arianna Schioldager is Editor-in-Chief at Create & Cultivate. You can follow her @ariannawrotethis. 

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Rad Art for Your Office That Sparks Creativity

Why does it always seem like our best ideas come to us in the middle of the night? And then when we need it most, we lose our creativity? Like when we’re building out a proposal for a huge client? Or sitting down for a meeting with our boss? It happens to the best of us. And we’re here to say, don’t let creativity blues get you down. Opt for artwork instead.

Because once you hit that slump there is a way to get back on track. Minted’s design marketplace connects you to unique products from the world’s best emerging artists. It’s where you find work from independent artists and make it your own. These pieces of art can help cultivate your creativity in the workplace and get you back on track.  

With limited edition art from the world’s best emerging artists, styled uniquely for you, Minted will bring it to life with personalized art styling services starting at $79. That’s what we call bang for your creative buck.

Here are some of our favorites.

BRING A LITTLE OUTSIDE TO YOUR INSIDE

Being locked inside the office all day can be tedious. Peeking outside your window, and seeing the shining sun can make you feel even more eager (hello official start of summer).

Studies have shown that people who get up and move are more productive and more creative. So why not dance? Inspired by these “Dancing Palms,” who knows what you’ll think of mid arms-in-the-air wave? And if you’re feeling fond of the frond theme, this is another great option: a Cali-inspired print to bring you back to a state of good creative vibes.

Dancing Palms by Gray Star Design.  

Art yields tranquility. Feeling stressed in the office can leave us lacking motivation. Gazing up at a calm picture can help bring us back to a state of relaxation and the ability to clear our minds. If you are looking for tranquil vibes, this may also work for you. And according to Google, blue is the most productive color.

Blue Cactus by Wilder California. 

Sitting at your desk dreaming of summer? Well, there is a way to bring some sunshine into your office.This serene art deco picture of a “Guard Chair, Santa Monica” will motivate you at work, making you feel like you are outside enjoying a nice summer day.

Guard Chair, Santa Monica by Jacquelyn Sloane Siklos.

ART CAN ALSO INSPIRE CLIENTS (& CLOSE DEALS)

Put yourself in your client’s shoes: you walk into an office and you’re greeted it’s austere white walls. Do you feel at home? Do you feel your most creative? You might feel a little uncomfortable, like you can’t touch anything. Which, as the client, is exactly the opposite of how you want to feel.

Art can also help connect you to your clients on an emotional level. Don’t get dragged into stagnant and uncomfortable meeting. Escape to a dreamlike place with Undertow.

Undertow by Julia Contacessi

Or opt for abstract.

Abstract art can spark abstract thinking-- a must for when you’re spitballing idea with a prospective or current client. Bonus: yellow is an energetic color that is an instant mood lifter. So go ahead and elevate your office space.

Abstract Layers 1 by Kelly Nasuta. 

GET OUT-OF-THE-BOX & OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY

Out of ideas? Feel like you hit a dead end? All it takes is one flash of an idea to get the rest flowing. Typewriters inspire creativity. Writers creativity comes from a keyboard, so what better way to spark your ideas than looking at one?

The Typewriter by Cristiane.

Ever catch yourself day-dreaming, wishing your were somewhere other than your office? Well, these Parisian Windows will make you feel a little more a part of that dream. Taking you to a world of fantasy for a minute will help kick-start your creativity in the office.

Parisian Windows by Annie Montgomery. 

Wanting to escape work for a little? The sky’s the limit with this piece. Having an image that excites your imagination will help you take a step back and expand your mind in the office.

LA Sky by Alexandra Nazari. 

Confidence is the key to success. “Magnifique” staring at you in big gold letters instills will self-esteem in oneself and helps get those ideas flowing. If you like this vibe, you may want to group a few of these together to shake things up.

Magnifique by Marabou Design. 

Or make it a mantra. Displaying calm, motivating, and inspiring quotes in your office will help bring back your free flowing thoughts of creativity. Seeing is believing. Sometimes we simply need the words right in front of us.

Nice Work; Humble Word both by Heather Francisco. 

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Startup 101: How to Build Brand Trust from Scratch

I was inspired to talk about how to engage potential customers and build trust after a recent search on LinkedIn. I was searching for a sales funnel and email marketing specialist, and I came across several people who claimed to be consultants or specialists for hire. When I wanted to learn more, I couldn’t find anything about them online. No reviews, no website, and no information about why or how someone could hire them. This is an immediate red flag for me, but when I thought more about it, I realized that maybe people just don’t know how to engage potential customers and build trust.

As a personal branding expert, I often discuss why it’s important to cultivate a personal brand and optimize platforms like LinkedIn, so I was astounded that so many people who want to be hired as a consultant or expert don’t know how to create an online footprint. If you do not know how to maximize your online footprint, you are hurting your career and losing business. When you’re not a heritage brand, your online footprint is even more important when you’re trying to engage potential customers and build trust.

Optimize your LinkedIn profile

This is the first step of engaging potential customers. If you’re not on LinkedIn currently, create an account now. This is one of the most widely used platforms in career development, so underutilizing LinkedIn could be detrimental for your career. You’ll want to make sure your profile is fully optimized, but on top of that, make sure that your contact information is prominent, especially if you’re interested in getting hired for your services.

"If you don't know how to maximize your online footprint, you're hurting your career and losing business."

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Highlighting your expertise and how you can help others is also one of the most important aspects of engaging potential customers. Show examples of your work and your professional achievements to show potential customers exactly what you can do for them.

If you are offering professional services and are a registered business, create a company page on LinkedIn where people can learn more about your business and see that it is legitimate. Creating a company page on a trusted platform like LinkedIn helps build trust in your own brand.

Demonstrate a professional brand

If you’re offering professional services, you’ll want to demonstrate a professional brand that’s consistent across all channels. This means creating uniform content and being present on a company website, LinkedIn, Google, Yelp, and social media. The more channels and social platforms you utilize, the more reputable and trustworthy your brand becomes. If someone is unable to find a source of your work, including examples, contact information, and recognition, they’re unlikely to trust you as a brand and a professional. If you can’t establish trust among consumers, you won’t have a successful business. 

Utilize referral marketing

Referrals, recommendations, and testimonials are a huge part of building online trust and maximizing your online footprint. When a trusted friend tells you about a business, you transfer that trust to the company. Use LinkedIn recommendations, Yelp reviews, and customer testimonials on your website to help build trust and highlight your achievements. If real customers can attest to your quality of work and what you have accomplished for them, you will be able to establish yourself as a reputable resource.

As a side note, building up your presence on sites like Yelp will immensely help you because consumers trust that you cannot buy good reviews on that platform. Yelp uses algorithms which test and verify the reviews before posting them, which creates another level of consumer trust. When you’re using a trusted platform, it can appear more legitimate than simply writing down a customer testimonial with no verification. 

Cultivate a consistent personal brand across channels

Creating a cohesive personal brand is extremely important for developing your career, and using consistent branding across channels helps build your credibility. Think about it this way: If you search for a person or business and see multiple platforms and channels come up with the same information and visuals, you can assume that this brand has put in the time to create a consistent branding strategy. If you see different visuals, as well as inconsistent verbiage and service offerings across platforms, it’s harder to believe that the brand is professional and trustworthy.

________________

When considering how to optimize your online footprint, you want to focus on a few main factors:

• Providing resources such as contact information and examples of work
• Creating a consistent brand across channels 
• Creating trust through reviews and testimonials to establish yourself as a reputable source of work

The more information about yourself as a business professional you can put out there, the more trusted you will become. Note that this is not personal information, but information about business like business contact information, business information, services offered, etc.

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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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