Self Defense: How To Beat Burnout

Slow down, you’re moving too fast. We know. You want to launch the company. Work on your side-hustle. Make both work. But in trying to do it all, you’re DIY’ing your own burnout. 

Seriously. Do any of the below apply to you?

• You catch yourself falling asleep at the desk often. 
• You can’t stop thinking about work/you’re having stress dreams about spreadsheets. 
• Your stress is causing back pain or migraines. 
• You’re not performing on the job, even though you’re at max output. 
• Once you get home you’re having difficulty sleeping. 
• You’re not enjoying things that you used to.

A recent piece in the New Yorker discussed a bit of what we’re seeing: There is an “American obsession with self-reliance, which makes it more acceptable to applaud an individual for working themselves to death.” It continues, “There’s a painful distance between the chipper narratives surrounding labor and success in America and the lived experience of workers.”

Are we chipper or are we being chipped away at? Mental health is a huge player in this wellbeing game. 

So if you answered yes to any of the above, it’s time to get in the practice of self-betterment.

Here are 5 tips to improve your mental health.

Get into a morning routine

From waking up at the same time, to making sure you’re drinking one cup of water for every cup of coffee you down, there’s more than one way to ensure you start the day off right. 

For starters, WelleCo’s hero product, their Super Elixir Greens is the perfect and easiest way to drink yourself to good health at the start of your day. Simply mix 2 teaspoons with water or add to your morning smoothie. New fact: If you drink coffee first, make sure to wait at least a ½ hour, as caffeine will inhibit nutrient absorption!

Benefits of this morning must are: Gut health, digestive function, energy, immune system support, bone health, muscle repair, metabolic function, endurance, liver function, healthy skin elasticity, cognitive function, free radical elimination. Need we say more? 

The better your morning practice, the better the rest of the day. Speaking of practice...

Practice gratitude

Gratitude is a habit. It’s your best ally, capable of improving mental, physical, and relational well-being, all of which are necessary tent-poles for mental health. Think of each (mental, physical, and relational) as big budget blockbusters of your own life that you want to invest in. You will build equity in yourself. They will support the rest of your life. How you improve each of these tent-poles is through gratitude. 

Spend ten minutes before you leave the house in the morning focusing on a mantra of your own making. This mantra can change from day-to-day or it can remain a constant. For instance, if you are grateful for your health, train your mind’s eye on that happiness. They key is practice. 

Maintain your diet

It’s called protein for a reason-- it’s a pro at keeping your energy up and your body balanced. If you’re looking for an easy way to keep your protein levels up, WelleCo has a plant-based nourishing protein powder. 

The WelleCo Nourishing Protein powder does not contain whey, hormones or artificial fillers. It is also much more than a protein, with both pre and probiotics for gut health, rosehip for vitamin C and skin and dandelion for liver health. More so, they contain metabolism boosters to help you maintain a healthy weight. Bonus: for days when you’re RUSHING everywhere, they can be used as a meal replacement, so you don’t end up drained and undernourished. Instead, it’s a quick and nourishing way to keep you going.

Laugh

Science has proven that laughter is the best medicine in many cases. Laughter is proven to decrease stress hormones. It also triggers the release of endorphins, inside feel-good chemicals. Seriously, laughter is an inside (the body) job that benefits you in so many ways on the outside. 

Stress down, feel-goods up? Go follow your favorite meme account and if you’re going to spend time on social media, spend some of that time laughing. 

Sleep

Things to remember: your wallet, keys, and gratitude practice. 

Things to forget: that old adage, “you can sleep when you’re dead.” 

Not so, sweet angels! Our bodies need sleep to repair the work we’ve done during the day. But when our brains and bodies are racing (ahem, those days when we grab a WelleCo Nourishing Protein Smoothie for lunch), it can be hard to hit the breaks. First stop on the sleep train is a calming tea. WelleCo’s Sleep Welle Calming tea is your new nightcap. It is an effective blend of herbs to assist with sleep, anxiety and stress. Pour yourself a ‘cuppa and crawl on into bed!

Okay, all this sounds great in theory but how do we actually practice it IRL? We tapped two entrepreneurial boss ladies for their tips and best practices to keep their mental health on point. 

First, Fran Hauser, startup investor and the author of “The Myth of the Nice Girl,” started taking the Super Elixir to assist her on an upcoming busy, busy (yep, a book launch, for one) time, without totally forgetting her well-being. 

And Elle Macpherson, supermodel and co-founder of WelleCo. The co-founder says, “Since taking 2 teaspoons a day and adopting a predominantly plant-based diet, I have had more energy and felt healthier than ever. It made me realize the profound impact food can have on the way I feel. It has transformed my life.” 

Check out their advice below:

What’s the first thing you do when you notice your energy running on E?

Elle: First thing I do is stop… take 5 mins… quiet, close my eyes, breath 10 counts in, 11 out. For nourishment, my reliable go-to is always a WelleCo Nourishing plant protein chocolate smoothie with homemade almond milk or water plus avocado and a scoop of greens mixed in. Our protein is formulated with organic sprouted brown rice and pea protein that provides all 9 essential amino acids give energy levels a good boost.
 
If I’m craving something to eat, I might have fresh organic almond butter with celery. A great tip I learned from Dr Simone Laubscher PhD is eating walnuts. She loves it because it is complete protein snack that is brilliant for brain function. Eating 12 to 15 walnut halves give you 95 per cent of your daily essential fatty acids. Good reason to eat them every day!

Fran: I get up and move. Even if its a short walk around the block or some simple stretching. Sometimes I watch a funny video of my kids; I find laughter to be a great way to get my energy up!

How do you encourage your team to take things one step at a time, and avoid burning out?

Fran: I think the key to not burning out is to create boundaries around your time. I do this by being really clear about what my priorities are and being comfortable saying no when an ask is outside of my priorities. I think the best way to encourage my team to do this is by modeling this behavior myself.

I think the key to not burning out is to create boundaries around your time.

Tweet this.

What are some routines or habits you have that help you stay on top of your mental health game?

Elle: 1. Take time out. I try and incorporate an activity to de-stress every day, whether it’s meditation, swimming laps, yoga or walking my dogs Bella and Moon.

2. Laughter. I love to laugh. I don’t look for it from entertainment, it comes from my friends and family.  I find laughter opens the heart and smooths conflict. Almost everything can be resolved with a healthy dose of humor.

3. Running alkaline. Every morning, I mix WelleCo SUPER ELIXIR Greens with filtered water. It’s a big boost of nutrients that help support all 11 systems of the body, from my immune and liver systems to cognitive function and healthy skin. It makes me feel calm and happy knowing that my body is not inflamed and fuelled up with everything it needs for the day ahead.

4. Trust yourself. Leading a busy lifestyle with a detail-orientated mind, I have learned to use my intuition more, but for this, I need to slow down and pause often throughout the day. Remember, you can’t see your reflection on running water. 

5. Sleep! Good quality sleep is a big priority for me. I make sure I get seven hours’ sleep a night. I like to make a pot of WelleCo SLEEP WELLE Calming Tea and sip it before bed. It is formulated with valerian, hops, and skullcap that when combined, help calm the body and mind. If I have slept soundly, I wake the next morning feeling calm, replenished and mentally ready to face the day.

Interested in getting in on the WelleCo gain? Use code CREATEHEALTH for free shipping on orders over $50.  

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

Beauty Game Musts this Festival Season

Let’s be honest: do you love festival season for the music, or for the fabulous beauty looks? If you said both, you’re a Nature's Bounty® Hair, Skin & Nails kind of girl. You know that the looks debuted in Palm Springs this month set the tone for summer beauty trends, and you know that taking care of your hair, skin and nails will create a healthy foundation from within for your latest creative look!

This past weekend, Nature’s Bounty joined us at the Create & Cultivate Desert Pop Up Event in Palm Springs, where we had a day full of fun, food, beauty and conversation, not to mention, guests got some super chic pink manicures with adorable festival-inspired stickers to kick off festival season the right way.

Thanks to our friends and partners at Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails, we’ve put together five beauty routine “musts” to prep for festival season, and one beauty challenge, should you accept it.

GET YOURSELF A SETTING POWDER

We all know that festival season brings out the heat, and a sweaty debut isn’t our favorite look. Purchase a setting powder with SPF (yes that Palm Springs sun is no joke) that mattifies, shines and sets makeup. Key for long days in the desert. Its sweat-resistant formula will also smooth your skin’s appearance and reduce shine. Plus, it’s easy to re-apply through the day.

MANI GALORE

We all know un-manicured nails are no fun (re: boring). Spice up your look with a fun splash of color, and make sure your nail game is strong. The best part about festival season is that you have free reign to be bold and daring! So show us what you got!

GUMMY POWER

If you want to look and feel the part this festival season, it’s important to remember that beauty starts from within! While of course doing things like applying your daily moisturizer and sunscreen will always be key, don’t forget to nurture your inner beauty as well.  

Nature’s Bounty® Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies are a delicious addition to your beauty game! These gummy vitamins work from within to support lustrous hair, healthy nails and vibrant skin.*

If you’re new to taking vitamins and supplements and want to test things out first before adding to your beauty routine, check out the Nature's Bounty® Hair, Skin & Nails Challenge, which is a great way to try Hair, Skin, & Nails Gummies or Softgels for one month, risk-free. By providing the vital nutrients your body needs everyday including Biotin, Vitamin C and E, Nature's Bounty is helping you look and feel your best*. Consider it an essential part of anyone’s festival prep routine (you can thank us later)!

UNDER EYE MASK IT

If you want a fresh-face with your braid, but you don’t have time to get up on the zzz’s, a gel eye mask can really do wonders. Eye masks can hydrate and moisturize the delicate eye area for an immediate de-puff effect. With a cooling effect, skin under the eyes is left feeling comforted and refreshed whilst arnica extract helps reduce appearance of baggy eyes and puffiness for an instantly brighter eyed appearance. A gel eye mask treatment is a great idea to prep the under eye area before a big event.

NO MASCARA, NO PROBLEM

If you want to be able to hop from pool party to pool party without reapplying mascara (or, le sigh, having it run down your face) take a hour pre-festival and get your lashes done. There are plenty of spots where you can nab a full or half set of mink lashes. They last for up to six weeks and will actually have people asking, "Did you wake up like that?"

IF YOU’RE FLYING IN

Make sure to hydrate. A lack of fluids can leave you looking tired after a long flight-- and that’s the last thing you want. Plus, the more you hydrate, the more you glow.

What are your beauty tips for festival season? Share in the comments below! And be sure to take the Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Challenge.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. 

photo credit: Becki Smith House Photo

_________________________________________________________________________________

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

Kate Bosworth on #MeToo, Her New Movie & Her Solid Sense of Self

On Saturday, actress and producer Kate Bosworth joined us as keynote for our Desert PopUp with MINI at the The Commune at the Ace.  

Taking the mic in front of 1000 attendees, Bosworth shared about the ups and downs of Hollywood, what it takes to make it, and keeping a solid sense of self through the years. “My whole life has been swinging from the rafters, whether as an artist or student,” she shared.

Swings that included risky moves. 

“I moved to LA on my own when I was 18,” Bosworth said about deferring from Princeton. Even though she was the first in her family to be accepted to Ivy League, she knew she wanted to be an actress. Her family was “thrilled,” but she had her sights set on making it in Hollywood. “I had a little studio apartment and started going on audition after audition after audition.” Furthering, “A lot of those roles didn’t have a lot of meat there.” All of the sudden Blue Crush landed in her lap. She felt plenty of affinity with the character, knowing, she said, “of what it was like to have a dream and want to achieve that dream.” But to also, “feel self doubt and fear.” Although she had never surfed, she went in to read for the breakout role that ultimately became hers.

But she didn’t land it immediately. The powers that be loved her for the part, but she needed to be able to surf. Bosworth had no idea how to ride a wave or paddle out. So the producer Brian Grazer and director John Stockwell told the novice they were going to try and cast real surfers for the role. That process would take about three weeks. During those three weeks Bosworth didn't twiddle her thumbs. Instead, she went out and found herself a surf instructor in Malibu. “For about 3-4 weeks and for 6-7 hours per day, I somewhat learned to paddle and not be a total amateur.” At the end of that time she called up both Grazer and Stockwell and asked, “Would you please watch me surf?”  

She landed the role not because she was the best surfer, but because she was determined. She was athletically focused. “That’s something I like to impart on anyone starting out their career,” she said, “have focus, be determined, and know what you love and you will find a way.”

"Have focus. Be determined. Know what you love. And you will find a way."  

“I look at my twenties with fondness and a lot of cringe moments,” Bosworth shared. “It’s only through experience that you learn things. You have to be willing and open to fail, which is hard for ambitious people. But you are going to fail. That will lead to something bigger and better.”

Most recently the actress has flipped her actress cap to producer for Nona, a film that chronicles sex trafficking work in Central America. Nona is an acronym for “No Name.” It tells the story of a girl from Honduras searching for a better life. “It was important for us to show the how,” Bosworth shared. “These are victims of very serious crimes and they are preyed upon.” The referenced "us" is Bosworth's husband a co-producer, Michael Polish, who also wrote and directed the film. It is the first feature from the pair through their newly formed production company, Make Pictures Productions.

As for the future, she’ll continue to make work that matters to her-- and that matters to her husband. “He loves women’s stories,” the actress explained. “I feel truly grateful to be married to a partner who talks the talk and walks the walk. And even in our most intense moments we’ll find something to laugh about pretty quickly.” What makes it work? She laughed, “A lot of kissing.”

What Bosworth doesn’t find a laughing matter are the #MeToo stories coming out of Hollywood. However she feels hopeful. “We all feel really similar and I think that’s really powerful. A female collective is happening right now, and as women in male-dominated work spaces, regardless of profession, we all felt a need to buckle down.”

“I love women,” she continued. “I love working with women. The one thing as an actress that’s very unsatisfying is that it’s very rare that you work with another actress. You’re often the ‘girl’ cast among six men. What’s great about this is that we’ve found ourselves working together. I do have a lot of hope. I think dialogue is important first and foremost. This isn’t a singular experience. This is a collective experience and we are better united.”

Arianna Schioldager is Create & Cultivate's Editor in Chief. Find her here. 

Photo credit: Becki Smith House Photography. Find her here.  

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

The Critical Step You Need to Take Before Asking a Question at the Office

By: Michele Lando

Let me Google That For You which has the tagline “For all those people who find it more convenient to bother you with their question rather than search it for themselves.” has become an online sensation, resulting in Gifs, memes, and more. 

There’s nothing wrong with asking a question as long as you’ve taken the proper precautions before doing so. The critical step you need to take before you ask a question at the office is simple.

Google it.

It sounds so easy and like it should be common knowledge, but there’s a reason googling prior to asking a question has become a widely appreciated internet joke. All jokes aside, taking action before asking a question about how to complete a task or what a term means will make a big difference in your career.

Why taking action will make a difference

The internet gives us the power to look up and learn just about anything, yet it seems that more and more people are lacking the drive to seek out answers themselves. According to a study done last year, 72% of CEOs are concerned about the availability of key skills such as research. There’s no problem in asking a clarifying or an explorative question, but asking to define a term or how to complete a simple task on a widely used software may come off as lazy.

By the time you type out your question in an email, you could have typed that question into your email browser and very possibly obtained the answer. Taking action and seeking out information before posing the question to someone else will help you get recognition for your initiative, will help you complete your job more efficiently, and will save everyone time.

Even if you don’t find the answer, doing research will benefit you

Even if you aren’t able to find an answer, researching your question before asking it will enable you to ask an informed and educated question. When you pose a question at work, superiors will often ask if you have done research on it, or they will point you in that direction. If you’ve already taken it upon yourself to do this step, it will make the process easier for everyone. 

If you aren’t able to find what you were looking for, you can articulate this, or ask a clarifying question if your research provided conflicting answers. This shows motivation and highlights that you are willing to work for the answer instead of simply asking someone else to do it for you.

If you don’t research your question before asking, it could cause tension

From a managerial or customer service side of things, it can be very frustrating when someone asks a question about a definition or how to complete a task that could easily be accomplished by searching the question online.

Asking someone else instead of taking initiative and searching for this information yourself comes off as lazy and can also come off as disrespectful. This might surprise you, but asking someone else how to do something instead of looking up how to do it yourself can suggest that you don’t value their time. At the end of the day, time is money, and wasting someone else’s time will never serve you well.

Questions can be great tools to help you grow and thrive at the office, however it’s important that you make sure to take action and research your question before you reach out to someone else. If you take initiative, do some research, and seek out answers before asking, you’ll become more productive, more efficient, and more adept at key skills which have been waning.

What makes up a good question in your opinion? Let us know in the comments?

---

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.

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

Influencers Share How to Celebrate Confidence and Beauty

photo credit: Jessica Bordner Photo 

How do your beauty and confidence line up?

It was a hot topic of the day when we gathered in Miami for our Create & Cultivate x Clinique “Best Face Forward” panel. Attendees received makeovers and tried out the Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer, enjoyed drinks and had new headshots taken before sitting down to get inspired by our panelists.

Joining C&C founder Jaclyn Johnson on panel were an awesome array of women in the beauty space in Miami.

Annie Vazquez, is a fashion, travel and beauty expert and journalist who has been coined as one of the pioneers of Miami’s fashion blogging community.  She is the founder of The Fashion Poet and was voted Miami’s Top Fashion Blog by the New York Times.

But that doesn’t mean that she went into the her career fully confident.

“When I first started, I was a journalist,” Annie shared on panel. “When I moved over to blogging I asked myself, ‘Do I really want to do this? Do I really want to put myself out there for criticism?’” Her internal answer was, “Let me just do it.”

You learn to do what you want and not worry about who is going to leave you a comment. It’s a business. And even at the end of the day, if this isn’t your business it’s important to have self-love.

Martha Graeff, is a former model, stylist and Womenswear buyer for Harvey Nichols. Fashion and beauty are in her blood.

But she also had to work on building confidence.

“When I was a model,” she shared, “I would go to twenty castings and hear no. There are so many other beautiful girls. And you’re always hearing no. No. No. No. You’re not good enough. That girl has better skin. It’s always rejection. Modeling breaks you. But it also makes you stronger because you deal with rejection constantly. When I stopped modeling and started blogging I felt a hundred kilos off my shoulders.”

When it comes to negative comments online, they all agree that there have to be boundaries. Hugette Montesinos, is the Editor in Chief and Creative Director for DISfunkshion Magazine. She is also a trained life coach and college professor.

“With this mega-digital era, we don’t set boundaries any more,” Hugette shared. “For me, I have to set boundaries with what I consume-- and what I allow into my life, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.” When it comes to social media, the EIC explained, “I’m not going to aimlessly browse. I’m going to connect and share.” She furthered, “You obviously don’t have control over what comes into your inbox or private messages but you do have control over whether you chose to entertain that thought or not. We have so much more power over our thoughts. For me, every time something negative comes it, I’m able to say, ‘I’m not going to entertain this thought and I’m going to bounce it out.”

It’s one of the reasons she started DISfunkshion. “I started the mag because there was nothing out there that I could enjoy and read,” she explained. “The motto and thought-process was to create a movement that looked at beauty from the inside out. Than from the outside in-- which is what culture teaches us.”

photo credit: Jessica Bordner photo

Martha piggybacked on this idea a bit explaining, “We post our best photo on Instagram. We use five different apps before we post it. Maybe we’re not really happy, but we’re smiling.” She says meditation has changed the way she feels about everything-- and before she wakes up and checks her phone, she meditates. ‘It’s really changed the game for me and the way I see other people’s lives.”

“We need to celebrate how we’re born,” Annie added. “And that’s it.”

Daniella Ramirez, is a Miami-based blogger and the founder of Nany’s Klozet. She was born in Caracas, Venezuela, moved to Miami to attend college and hasn’t left! “When I was growing up it was all about perfection,” she said. “I remember being 9 and in my ballet class. My teacher told me, if you’re not skinnier by tomorrow, you’re not dancing.” She says it’s not the same anymore. “If you had told me 12 or 13 year old self that I would be working with brands and having this careers, I would have said, ‘I’m not tall enough for that, or I’m not skinny enough for that.’ But the world is changing and we’re accepting different body types and beauty and it’s what we should continue to do.”

“It’s also super important for us to normalize, ‘normal,’” Hugette added, to the nods of everyone on panel.

How do you feel about beauty? And how do your beauty and confidence line up? Share in the comments below!

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

6 Things to Text Your Boss Today to Make Her Freak

April Fools' suffers many fools, namely those who aren't paying attention to the date. And while it's fun to play pranks on friends and fam, there are true April 1 lovers who take it to the next level: their boss. 

Now first, a disclaimer. Before you embark on a text prank of the foolish variety aimed toward the person who employs you-- know their humor. We can't stress this enough. If you don't have the kind of relationship or the kind of boss who appreciates a well-placed prank, skip it and do something silly tomorrow-- like cover their car in sticky notes. 

If you've thoroughly assessed the situation and know it will be fun, or total torture, for all--  proceed. 

1. I QUIT. 

This is the big one. Sure to get your boss' heart rate rising. 

Danger zone: Red. Hide under your desk Monday am. 

2.  I’M NOT WHO I SAY I AM.

Are you Lara Croft? Maybe.  

Danger zone: Yellow. A little bit a mellow with a side of WTF. 

3.  I'M HAVING A BABY AND IT'S YOURS. 

Scientifically impossible. 

Danger zone: Yellow. Keeping it chill and silly. 

4. I'VE BEEN OFFERED ANOTHER JOB.

It pays double. 

Danger zone: Yellow. Proceed with caution. 

5. I NEVER SIGNED MY NDA.

Just had a chat with the LA Times.  

Danger zone: Red. You better bring her donuts in the morning. 

6.  LOVE YOU. MEAN IT. 

Because it's totally mean to make your boss sweat bullets on a Sunday. 

Danger zone: Green. A well-placed 'love ya' can go a long way. 

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

From Boring to Beneficial: How to Handle a Slow Day at Work

Written by: De'Osha Randolph

We’ve all been there.

Some days in the office that are so hectic and fast-paced, it feels like you blink and it’s time to leave. There are others that go by so slowly you feel as if you’ll barely make it out alive. All of your deadlines are met, your inbox is organized and you’ve even gotten ahead on a few projects but there are still six hours left in on the clock. It’s going to be a long day.

The truth is, no matter how fun and engaging your job may be, no one is exempt from the occasional boring work day.

Instead of falling into the black hole of endless Instagram scrolling, catching up on Netflix shows, online shopping or checking the clock every five minutes -- a slow day in the office is the prime time to get ahead on some major career goals.

A boring work day doesn't mean you can't get anything productive done, so I’ve laid out a few tips and tricks to help you successfully cross the finish line of a slow day.

Work on your side hustle

We all have one! And since your workload is light, what better time than while you’re already up and active. A boring work day is the ideal time to finish your business plan, brainstorm new ideas or create content for your your passion project. Use the down time to research industry-specific news and trends, and hone in your your goals! You’ll thank yourself for using your time wisely.

Listen to Podcasts or an Audiobook

Podcasts are my new favorite thing, and there are so many to choose from that cater to your interests. Whether you like news and politics, murder mysteries, or even if you just want to learn something new; there’s a podcast to meet your desires.

The WorkParty podcast will arrive in August 2018! Hosted by Create & Cultivate CEO and author of WorkParty™, Jaclyn Johnson, this weekly podcast will break down the business of being a modern working woman. Be sure to tune in!

Audiobooks are growing in popularity and are another fantastic way to stay mentally engaged during a slow day. Audiobooks are awesome because they allow you to multitask while listening to a story, and is a lot faster than reading a regular book. A great narrator will enthrall you into the story and bring the characters to life. Listening to good audiobook will definitely help a boring day fly by.

Budget

Admittedly, this is probably not the first thing you want to do when it comes to making a boring day more entertaining, but it’s a good idea if you want to take control of your cash! Creating a monthly or weekly budget will help you understand your cash flow and see what’s coming in and leaving  your accounts, and will help you save more and spend less. A great way to feel like you're really adulting.

Update your resume and LinkedIn profile

Updating your resume isn't just for when you're looking for a new job. In fact, according to CareerCast, keeping your resume current is part of a smart long-term career management strategy. It’s recommended that working professionals update their resumes several times throughout the year.

Did you just complete a major project? Earn a certificate? Learn a new skill? Add it to your resume and LinkedIn Profile.

You may not be looking for a new job, but someone could be looking for you. LinkedIn is one of the most popular networking platforms, and whether you're in the market for a new job or not, it’s always advantageous to keep your career profiles updated. It’s a great way to show potential employers and business partners what you're made of.

Network

Remember the person you said you wanted to schedule a coffee meeting with, but never got around to doing it? Do it now! Networking is essential and there is never a bad time to reach out. Use a slow work day to look through your contacts and schedule meetings or phone calls to expand your network. You never know what new doors can open after a friendly interaction.

It’s hard to predict the ebbs and flows of work life. But when things in the office slow down, that doesn't mean you don't have to. Let’s keep pushing, we’ve got this!

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

Tips and Tricks to Avoid ALLERGY FACE®

This post is sponsored by ZYRTEC®

Watery eyes, red nose and puffiness… the dreaded beauty challenges that often come with seasonal allergies. Or, as ZYRTEC® coined it: ALLERGY FACE®!

It’s not a good look.

But what happens when you’re prone to the dreaded ALLERGY FACE® and you have to show up at *gasp* an outdoor event?

It’s an allergy-prone woman’s nightmare. Especially for those of us at Create & Cultivate – Half of our events are outdoors. And if you’re anything like our founder, and CEO, whose allergies can run amuck during the Spring, you know how stressful it can be to keep allergies at bay. Not anymore!

Here are some tips and tricks for making sure you can face the world (and outdoor events) this spring.

Spring into action

Did you know there are only 92 days of the spring season? Which means, when you need relief, you need it fast. If you know you’re heading to an outdoor event where your allergies are likely to act up (i.e. cue the puffiness and watery eyes) you should absolutely prepare in advance.

“The last thing I need when I’m on stage is to be sneezing or have puffiness. I make sure to take ZYRTEC® the week leading up to any event. It’s a product that starts working hard at hour one and works twice as hard when you take it again the next day, which is an absolute must to prep for any last minute snafooz or sneezes,” shares C&C founder Jaclyn Johnson. “In addition, following some of my favorite beauty tips for combatting ALLERGY FACE® helps me look amazing so I can put my best face forward at any outdoor events this spring!”

ALLERGY FACE® See Ya Later

Go ahead and stop and smell the roses because celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg offered a few beauty tricks and tips for dealing with allergy-related beauty challenges. (Uh-huh that puffiness  and red nose we mentioned. You’re not Rudolph after all. Cute as he may be.)

To combat a red nose, Jamie says, “Use a green-tinted concealer to help cancel out redness. Apply a full-coverage foundation all over the face followed by a translucent powder to help set the foundation and keep it lasting.”

If watery eyes are your issue, the makeup artist, who works with celebs like Jordana Brewster, advises that, “A bold, glossy lip is a great way to distract from watery eyes, especially when you don’t feel like wearing a lot of makeup.”

Also, a cooling moisturizer can help rid your face of puffiness. When you’re back at home, don’t use something that can make it worse. “Make sure makeup removing wipes are marked gentle and for sensitive skin or you’ll run the risk of worsening redness from ALLERGY FACE®,” shares Jamie.

However you swing it, spring is coming. So it’s best to prepare!

Do you have allergies? Sound off in the comments below on what beauty tips you follow to combat ALLERGY FACE®

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

7 Reasons to Start a Podcast for Professional Gain

Written by: Ahyiana Angel

This year, the share of Americans who report being familiar with the term “podcasting” is now 60 percent (or 168 million) and the share of American women listening has increased year-over-year: coming in at 24 percent this year, which is up from 21 percent the year before (2017).

Go women, go! 

U.S. podcast listeners earn on average $10,000 more than the average American and podcast consumers tend to be more tech savvy as well as more likely to use social media than the average American, but if you’re still on the fence about creating a podcast, I'll give you a few more practical reasons to podcast.

Establish a Brand or Industry Presence

There are plenty of digital marketing options available now when looking to make your mark online. However, entering a space where the cost of entry is low and the competition for attention is not at its peak can serve you well when you’re just getting started. Podcasting allows you to begin establishing your brand without even launching a website because initially you can drive all of your traffic to the page created for you by your podcast host.

Further An Existing Business or Brand

A podcast can help provide direction and offer a way to streamline content for an existing business or brand. If you already have a brand established, a podcast is a strategic way to make an extension for your brand, blog, product or website. When I started podcasting the bulk of my audience engaged with my brand via Instagram. When I launched the Switch, Pivot or Quit podcast it offered a way for me to provide more content and create ways for the audience to stay engaged off of social media. You can crate audio content via your podcast that compliments the messaging you are publishing through other mediums. Think about the way that your current audience consumes your content. Can you capture their attention in a more effortless way with a podcast by meeting them where they already are, perhaps on their phone? A podcast is another way for you to speak to your audience and potentially provide more depth and a stronger connection.

Connections are key to professional expansion and your podcast can be the through-line. 

Become An Expert

If you are looking for ways to expand your presence within your industry, it is quite reasonable for someone to develop into an expert in their space by being the host of a podcast. By consistently talking about a specific topic, reporting on it and interviewing people regarding said topic, you can become engrained in the conversation by default. Your name will become more searchable with relation to the subject matter as well. You may then find yourself being invited to be a guest on other podcasts, participating in other media interviews as well as speaking engagements. Maybe you'll even get a book deal from it like the ladies of Being Boss podcast.

Develop a Community

Since podcasting is known to be a medium of media that creates an intimate environment for you and your listener, you can create a strong connection between you and your audience. You have the opportunity to speak directly to your audience using a voice that is just as authentic as when you engage with your friends. For this reason, among others, your listener begins to really feel like they know you as a person. They like you as a host, which then turns into a feeling like you're a friend in their head. This creates an affinity and when enough listeners feel this way you naturally begin to see a community of like-minded people forming. To take it a step further you can establish routine ways to engage online via social media as well as offline via live podcast meet-ups. By exploring relatable personal journals the You Had Me at Black podcast has done a fantastic job of creating a loyal community of listeners which has resulted in sold out live shows and even a podcast tour to meet the listening communities demands.

Become An Early Adapter

Although podcasting has been around for years, it is still a rapidly growing space. In the current climate of advanced technology at your fingertips, creating a podcast just feels more accessible to the masses at this point. There is a very low barrier to entry. Most of us can create a successful podcast if we just put our mind to it and add a little effort and work.

I like to think that podcasting will operate similar to the growth and popularity of YouTube. There was a time when the world looked at people creating video to upload to YouTube as a silly hobby, but now some of the early creators have audiences in the millions and they are generating just as much in revenue. The early adapters and early creators will see a large amount of success as more and more people start to become podcast listeners. Currently, only a fraction of the possible listening population is tuned in so there is tremendous room for growth.

Let Your Ideas and Voice Be Heard

Many people just want to be heard, they have something to say and they are just waiting for an audience to listen, that is why we create. Developing a podcast where you can speak about topics of interest to you can be a great way to flex your knowledge, understanding and voice with regard to a specific industry or social topic. Your podcast will allow you the opportunity to become a part of the conversation. You can establish your content as a go-to source for those interested in your industry or topic.

Your podcast is now a form of media, media that can serve as a platform for guests to gain publicity.

 Build Professional Relationships

Creating a podcast with a show format that incorporates guests will allow you the opportunity to reach out to peers and industry professionals that you admire in an effort to invite them to be a guest on your podcast. In thinking strategically, you can reach out to people that you would like to build a relationship with. Your podcast is now a form of media, media that can serve as a platform for guests to gain publicity. Most people love publicity for their work or cause. Now you are in a position to offer something of value, which can result in the making of a valuable connection with industry colleagues. Connections are key to professional expansion and your podcast can be the through-line. 

Just like starting anything new, podcasting can seem intimidating at first. In an effort to make your entry into podcasting as smooth as possible, you can check out an in-depth course via Mediabistro called “Tools, Tips and Tactics for Creating a Killer Podcast” and I created the “Beginner's Guide to Creating, Launching + Marketing a Podcast” in which you can learn everything you need to know to enter the world of podcasting in 60 minutes or less!

---

Ahyiana Angel is traditionally published author and host of the Switch, Pivot or Quit podcast, who is affectionately known as the Chief Encourager. She is a seasoned executor who eventually blocked out the world’s ideas of success, quit her highly coveted position at the NBA, moved to London and traveled the world for a stint, then followed her passion in writing to find her purpose in encouragement. Mastering the art of note-worthy ideation, Ahyiana taps into her more than 12 years of professional business marketing experience to lend her thoughts on professional development, digital marketing, contemporary brand styling and more. However, Ahyiana enters her zone of genius when speaking to audiences about her 4 Ps: publicity, publishing, personal development and podcasting.

SPQ PODCAST  | SPQ WEBSITE  |  INSTAGRAM  |  TWITTER

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

Seven Questions to Ask Yourself When You Need Courage to Say Yes to Life

Written By: Enuma Okoro

We’ve all been there. Faced with an exciting decision that could alter our daily and professional lives in a big way but daunted by what saying YES could mean. We wanted it sure but not right NOW! Are we really up for the task? Is it biting off more than we can chew? What if we fail? But then again, as the saying goes, “What if we fly?”

Courage isn’t just required in dangerous situations. Saying yes to big potentially amazing life experiences also require courage. And it’s perfectly normal to be afraid in the face of even big decisions that could help you move towards your goals. Change can be scary, even beautiful change. But once we acknowledge that it’s alright to be scared we have to keep moving from there and make the best decisions towards living our best lives. We have to find the courage to say yes in the face of our fears.

WHAT IF WE FAIL? WHAT IF WE FLY?

When an opportunity comes along that could take us to the next level in our career or in our personal lives it will usually require facing down those fears and having to release something in our lives to make room for what’s being offered. When I find myself with a major life opportunity in front of me it can be tempting to spin into over analyzing and worry about whether or not to step out of my comfort zone and into this new space full of so much potential but also so much of the unknown. So I’m learning to ask myself some key questions to help me make the best decision and to move forward towards what I imagine could be my best life. I start by getting to the heart of anything that could keep me from saying yes to my life.

What am I afraid of?

When I really ask myself this question and have to answer aloud I usually find that my fears, if I can even articulate them, are sort of irrational. They don’t make sense when spoken aloud. And as a result, they are forced to diminish in size. If I am able to articulate fears that make sense then I try turning the fear around to see what’s on the other side. I often think that our fears offer us clues to what we really want.

I often think that our fears offer us clues to what we really want.

Tweet this.

How is saying “yes” to this invitation in line with the kind of life I want to live?

It’s basically another way of asking if this option on front of you is in sync with your sense of purpose and the intention for your life. Asking this question forces me to reassert my values, the non-negotiables, what I believe my overall purpose is (which can play out in different ways over the course of my life,) and the life I want. It’s always powerful to speak aloud the particular things I desire and need for the particular season of my life.  If, for instance, I know I’m ready to channel my love for storytelling through travel writing then I also know I need and desire the freedom to travel and curate travel stories. I’d have to keep that in mind when trying to make a big life shifting decision.

Three years from now what would I regret if I turned this invitation down?

I use 3 years because I’ve found in my own life experiences that it takes about that long for a major life decision to show its seasoned fruits. Taking a new job, moving to a new city or country or starting a business or venture.

Is there anyone in relation to this decision that I’m trying to please or that I’m afraid of disappointing?

This can be a tough question to ask because often the answer is yes. Very few of us, especially women, are raised to do things solely for our own benefit or desire. We’ve been falsely taught that is selfish and bad. We subconsciously carry other people along with us and make decisions based on their potential responses to us. Whether it’s a parent or partner or even strangers we think we have to compete with or impress. We owe it to ourselves (and to all those waiting for the amazing things we’ll do when we live from our grounded honest selves) to make the best decisions for ourselves regardless of what anyone else thinks.

We owe it to ourselves to make the best decisions for ourselves regardless of what anyone else thinks.

Tweet this.

What added advantages or opportunities could come from saying yes?

Sometimes we forget that life is not static. Every decision we make sets in motion a slew of other things in our lives. One of my favorite quotes about decision-making is from the book, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. “Making a decision was only the beginning of things. When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision." One yes can lead to a million other beautiful yeses.

What could I learn from this new opportunity?

If we’re not learning in life we’re not growing. I think every big invitation in life that I say yes to should not just be an opportunity for me to shine and flourish but also for me to learn and grow.

And finally I ask myself, “Will I be happy?”

Could I wake up every morning and be content and happy about saying yes and going forward with this choice and this change? Life is too short and full of too many other possibilities for anything else.

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

The Weinstein Company Went Bankrupt

As expected, the Weinstein Company, went belly-up bankrupt. Smell ya later perpetrators. 

Reported first by Variety, the outlet states, "The Weinstein Co. announced Monday that it had filed for bankruptcy, finding itself unable to survive the allegations of sexual abuse leveled against co-founder Harvey Weinstein last fall.

The company may yet be able to reorganize and continue to produce TV shows and films under new ownership. Lantern Capital put in a 'stalking horse' bid, which provides a floor for a bankruptcy auction."

But what does filing for bankruptcy really mean? And what on earth is a stalking horse bid? Does the headless horseman ride him into your town? Sadly, no. (Childhood dream, smashed.)

So we're breaking down some familiar and unfamiliar terms. 

BANKRUPTCY: WHAT EVEN IS IT?

As a young woman I first started to dig into the concept of bankruptcy in 2010. That's right. The first year R&B superstar Toni Braxton claimed $50,000,000 in debt and chapter 7'd her life. Un-break her heart. But then she filed for bankruptcy a second time. 6 months after that second filing in 2014, Braxton purchased a $3 million dollar home in "The Oaks" neighborhood of LA. How does that work? It's confusing that most people who file bankruptcy emerge in one piece. 

Contrary to popular belief, many folks think that filing bankruptcy wipes out all debt obligations. That's not exactly true. You still have to pay off at least some of your debt, and what kind of bankruptcy you file will determine how that works. 

So, let's break down the two most common types of bankruptcy. 

You've likely heard of a Chapter 7 filing and a Chapter 13 filing (there are also chapter 11 and 12 filings-- the latter of which is only for farmers and fisherman, which is sexy), but for most of us who aren't 50 million in debt, we don't know the difference. 

According to FindLaw.com, "Chapter 13 bankruptcies generally fall under the reorganization category, meaning that you will probably be able to keep your property, but you must submit and stick to a plan that will allow you to repay some or all of your debts within three to five years."

Chapter 7 bankruptcies normally fall in the liquidation category, meaning your property could be sold in order to pay back your debts. Property in this case could mean a car of second home. To file Chapter 7 you have to meet certain financial eligibility requirements-- your income being the most important factor. 

So does the Weinstein Company filing bankruptcy mean it's going down for good? No. Will it ruin their credit? Didn't Harvey already do that? 

For more light reading on the subject of bankruptcy click here. 

WTF IS A STALKING HORSE 

Since I don't spend my days perusing bankruptcy webbies, I had never heard this term. (Horse terms I do know include: "Get off your high horse," "Eat like a horse," and my fave "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.") 

[side bar: comment your favorite horse idioms in the comments below and let's be internet neiiighbors.] Back to biz. 

According to The Cut, "The sale of TWC to an investor group lead by former Obama administration cabinet member Maria Contreras-Sweet and billionaire Ron Burkle fell through earlier this month. On Monday, the Weinstein Company released a statement expressing hopefulness about a new investor, Lantern Capital Partners, who submitted a 'stalking horse' bid to purchase the company in advance of a potential bankruptcy auction. 'The Board selected Lantern in part due to Lantern’s commitment to maintain the assets and employees as a going concern,' TWC said in the statement. 'The Company hopes that this orderly sale process under the supervision of the Bankruptcy Court will allow it to maximize the value of the Company’s assets for the benefit of its creditors and other stakeholders.'"

A Stalking Horse offer or bid is as follows: A stalking horse offer, agreement, or bid is an attempt by a bankrupt debtor to test the market for the debtor's assets in advance of an auction of them. The intent is to maximize the value of its assets or avoid low bids, as part of (or before) a court auction.

Does the stalking horse ride off in the sunset with the company assets? Again, this shit is complicated and there are pros and cons to this approach. National Real Estate Investor does a good job breaking down the pros and cons in language that makes sense. 

Did this help or are you more lost than ever?

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

Why the Worlds of Fashion and Tech Are Merging

What do fashion, design and tech have to do with each other?

Well, A LOT, based on the GameChangers panel hosted by Dell x Create & Cultivate in Austin this week.

When it comes to innovation and change, technology is enabling better engagement with consumers and brands, as well as creativity and efficiency. Technology is evolving the fashion industry and fashion is influencing technology. Read through for the hot topics of the day and how technology is the future of fashion - in store and online.

THE TECH IMPACT ON THE FASHION INDUSTRY  

Speed is of the essence in the modern world and tech helps us get there. “Obviously a lot has changed with the internet,” shared Charcy Evers, a fashion and retail trend analyst. “‘The consumer wants, what she wants, when she wants it, on her own terms. And if she doesn’t get it, you lose her.”

That’s a scary but exciting proposition. Charcy asked the crowd in attendance, “Where does the creativity of the designer end and tech take over?” She also told the crowd, ‘it has to be seamless, or else I’m out the door,” of her experiences with tech. And it’s true.

“Things are working much closer of the speed to market,” but the key is finding the sweet spot.  You can jump on something too quick and your customer is not ready for it, or you can miss the boat,” explained Evers.

“Our audience appreciates that done is better than perfect,” Morgan DeBaun, founder of Blavity, shared. “They want it now. We have to keep up with that expectations and let go of our perfection. We learn a lot about our audience just by listening.” There was also the recognition that content creation is a 24/7 job and in order to keep up you need tech that works for you.

“I’m really careful at looking at my analytics and seeing what people are paying attention to,” explained Genevieve Padalecki, the massive blogger behind the platform Now and Gen, who boasts an unheard of 25% engagement rate. “My biggest platform is Instagram because I feel like it’s the most honest and real.”

HOW TECH INFLUENCES FASHION AND VICE VERSA

The two concepts go hand-in-hand. The lines are blurred, if not already merged.

Nicola Honeycutt, Dell’s Principal Designer, told that crowd, “We look to industries like fashion and textiles for trends and inspiration for our color and materials in our products -like the Rose Gold aluminum and Alpine White woven glass fiber in our New Dell XPS 13 laptop. And new colors can actually be invented with advances in technology. It’s pretty amazing.”

The industry is changing fast across the board. Today, two out of three Millennials prefer to shop online rather than go to a physical store, with 80% of Americans having made an online purchase in the last month! We know that millennials are influenced by tech and that their affinity for tech is reshaping the retail space.

As retail and fashion trend analyst Charcy Evers explained, “What’s driving trends today is the innovation that’s happening in technology. With every new innovation the customer’s mind and behavior is altered, so the expectation has changed.” Consumers expect products like the New Dell XPS 13, which combines both fashion innovation and tech in one device.

How do you see fashion and tech coming together in your world? Share in the comments below.

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

Poppin' By: Why A Rebrand Was the Best Choice for This Popular LA Florist

Introducing "Poppin' By" a Create & Cultivate profile series in Partnership with Chandon. Every month this year we're profiling a female entrepreneur, popping by their work space and enjoying a bit of bubbly. Here's a cheers to amazing, working women!  

Kelsey Harper, the creative brain, founder and florist behind one of LA's most sought-after floral and event design companies, had to do the impossible.

After years of going by FLOWER GIRL LOS ANGELES, Kelsey was given an option: battle it out legally for the name or change it.

For many entrepreneurs the thought of a rebrand is a nightmare. For Kelsey, it represented opportunity. *Note, this is the frame of mind common amongst successful entrepreneurs. There are no doors, only windows.* Of the opp, Kelsey says, "I decided that I would rather invest the money I would have spent on a lawyer, into a beautiful cohesive rebrand. I had outgrown the name, it felt young and tired and I also felt confined by the words "Flower Girl" and “Los Angeles."

In other words: Kelsey's flower vase is half full. 

So, inspired by her fortitude-- April showers bring May flowers after all-- we popped by Kelsey's new space Matriarch Floral in the newly launched Fred Segal LA to chat new beginnings, old names, and the flower that she's just not that into. 

You trained as a special effects makeup artist. Then moved to Maui. And your love of florals grew. What was the point you knew you wanted to shift careers?

I started doing flowers as a hobby for the families I nannied for and assisted. After almost 8 years of being on someone else schedule, I knew my next step would be to work for myself. I did not have any formal flower training, but my love for taking a raw material, combining it with others texturally and color wise really made me so happy. In the back of my mind my dad always told me, "Do something that makes you happy, and you’ll never work a day in your life,” and flowers were that for me. While it is a lot of physical labor, I still wake up excited about my career. 

"Do something that makes you happy, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Flowers were that for me."

Were you prepared to launch your own biz? 

I was not at all prepared. I was inspired by my two best girlfriends who had both started their own businesses in the fashion industry and I learned from making many mistakes and being careful not to repeat them. I still feel like I would benefit from taking a business class or two. 

At what point did you decide to rebrand to Matriarch?

After a potential legal battle for the name “Flower Girl” I decided that I would rather invest the money I would have spent on a lawyer, into a beautiful cohesive rebrand. I had outgrown the name, it felt young and tired and I also felt confined by the words "Flower Girl" and “Los Angeles". I wanted to redefine my brand in a way that didn’t restrict me from working in different creative areas or places and also use a name that really resonated with me, something that was strong and feminine, and something that wouldn’t cause brand confusion with many of the other “Flower Girl” brands that were popping up in different cities, further diluting it. 

What influenced the decision to take out a retail space?

After having an online shop for so many years, I wanted to take the opportunity to really get out in the field and meet some of my loyal clients who I had never met in person. Also, I wanted to offer same day delivery and pick up for those who needed something sooner than the next business day. After 6 months in the space, I’ve realized that people still prefer to shop online, so we have transitioned the space into a beautiful plant and gift shop during the week and are there creating fresh bouquets and arrangements on the weekend when it's a bit busier, to avoid waste. 

Is it beneficial to be in a space with other retailers? 

It’s really amazing feeling like a one stop shop for people who are looking for a gift and want to incorporate fresh flowers. The family like environment is inspiring, and a lot of the shops in Fred Segal are female run. 

What would you call the most fun/exciting aspect of your business?

It’s really fun executing my clients' visions in my own interpretation. Each arrangement is custom made to order so that we can really capture what we think our recipient might enjoy. The large scale installations are my favorite part of what I do. It forces me to think outside-the-box, as sometimes we are creating/executing things that haven’t ever been made before. 

"Each arrangement is custom made to order so that we can really capture what we think our recipient might enjoy."

What’s the hardest part?

Balancing work life and family life is always a challenge. I want to be a present mother but also a good business owner and sometimes I’m needed in both areas at the same time. Also, managing accounting and emails has always been a challenge. This last year I brought on an accountant and studio manager to help in both areas and it has definitely positively affected business. 

For those who want to work with big companies, how do you get in with names like Chateau Marmot and Sunset Towers?

Being an LA native, I am lucky enough to call some of the large businesses I work with friends. I think working with people who you know and people who trust your vision, whether the business is large or small, is my best advice. Sending free/ promo arrangements or work is also a nice gesture to say hello and give a client an idea of what you’re capable of. 

What’s been the craziest request you’ve ever received?

The installation we did for Depeche Mode earlier this year was pretty insane. We installed in the window of Fred Segal, over 3,000 red roses that floated across the 18ft window and were suspended from the ceiling. We had creative freedom but the installation was definitely difficult to assemble. Each rose had a water tube attached to keep them alive for a full week.  

Favorite floral of the moment: 

Spring is definitely here early this year and I am loving a greenery called Spirea. It is such a beautiful color and the little white blossoms are so dainty and have beautiful motion. 

Flower that you’d like to see put on pause:

Gerber daisies are definitely at the bottom of my list. 

Your turn! Be sure to Pop BY and visit Kelsey at Matriarch Floral in store at Fred Segal Sunset:

8500 Sunset Blvd. 

West Hollywood, CA 90069 

Check her out here: www.matriarchla.com

And follow along on her floral adventures here @flowergirllosangeles

Be sure to check back next month for the next installment of Poppin' By. 

Photo credit: Tyler William Parker

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

Why Beauty Is About Inclusivity on Every Level

Photos by Klarisse Gepilano

Makeup can make you feel empowered.

That was the topic of conversation at the CoverFX “Power Play” panel held tonight in Los Angeles at the Bumble Hive. Hosted by TINTED founder, Deepica Mutyala, the women *and man* with mics talked everything from diversity in beauty to their favorite feature. It's all about loving yourself! With her platform and YouTube channel, Deepica has always been a champion of bringing change to how we see  beauty. 

As such, a core part of the TINTED mission is to push the conversation forward around diversity and inclusion in the beauty space. For their part, CoverFX has always showcased range in their shades and has consistently shown that they appreciate the #TintFam in their message, espeically with their newest Power Play foundation launch. And that's exactly what they chatted about. 

To find out what all the buzz was about, keep reading for some of our favorite quotes from the evening and be sure to watch the above Live video! 

First up: "Beauty is about inclusivity on every level. Supporting and empowering all the shades in between,” explained the TINTED founder. “It’s not about a race or ethnicity. It’s about making sure everyone know there’s a space for them.”

ON BEAUTY STANDARDS 

"I really want them to admire other people’s beauty without questioning their own. There is space for everyone. -- Ami Desai on how she wants her kids to see beauty

“The beauty industry's responsibility is to eliminate the standard of beauty. There is no standard. We need to stop putting a standard to beauty. Being a male in beauty is definitely a different experience. When it comes to beauty it’s always ‘girls, girls, girls.’ I want to eliminate standards and stereotypes. Any guy can wear makeup if they want it. Do what you want if it makes you happy." -- Influencer Victor Ramos

Photos by Klarisse Gepilano

"There is no standard. We need to stop putting a standard to beauty.”

ON 'THE WORK' 

“Stop the mindset of the ‘token’. It’s not just black or white or something in middle. There is a whole spectrum in between. Don’t just put someone in and check a box because it’s very obvious.” -- Deepica Mutyala on encouraging brands to end tokenism. 

"We have an opportunity to speak out. That’s what encourages change. When I’m on set, I’ve found that my skin tone is very hard to match. There’s always been a struggle. It’s a big problem. It’s so important to have brands like CoverFX because people will just slap whatever they want on your face and get you out there." -- Actress Ajiona Alexus on being on set in Hollywood 

“Sometimes all people see is the beauty. But deep down, it’s important to know, beauty is only one thing--  the work you do behind the scenes, needs to be a beast. Show the world your true worth and talent.” -- Ajiona Alexus on her Tweet, "Sometimes you gotta be a Beauty and a Beast." 

Sometimes you gotta be a Beauty and a Beast. 

Tweet this.

“I remember telling myself OK if no one is gonna be at Sephora, I’m gonna be at Sephora.” -- Victor Ramos on not waiting for someone else to be "the first." 

“We’re not going have brands tell us what we need. I think we’re the first generation that’s saying 'We’re calling the shots and we’re gonna celebrate everybody.'” -- Victor Ramos on the importance of his work. 

"I’ve always been passionate about animal rights. I’ve spent so much time creating resource for people. CoverFX is cruelty-free and completely vegan. In every area consumer voices are huge. It’s so exciting to see how many people are putting their truth out there." -- Tashina Combs

ON SELF- ACCEPTANCE & SELF-LOVE

“You should feel great how you are, exactly how you are.” -- Deepica Mutyala 

“As a kid, beauty was my way of fitting in. Now it’s my way of standing out.” -- Deepica Mutyala 

“As a kid, beauty was my way of fitting in. Now it’s my way of standing out.” 

“Here I am. You’re going to have to accept me as I am.” -- Victor Ramos 

“I love my skin tone. When I was younger I went through ‘that phase.’ You’d always see the blonde guy, but I’ve learned to appreciate myself so much it’s almost weird.” -- Victor Ramos 

“I love my nose, even though I don’t. It’s my paternal grandfather’s. Everything on your face is a roadmap to where you’ve been and where you’re going.” -- Ami Desai 

Photos by Klarisse Gepilano

Did you tune in? What were your favorite quotes of the night?

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

 

4 Important Ways To Tell If You Have Analysis Paralysis

photo credit: Becki Smith House Photo 

If you're anything like 99% of the working world, you're likely suffering from something dubbed analysis paralysis. 

Analysis paralysis or paralysis by analysis is the state of over-analyzing (or over-thinking) a situation so that a decision or action is never taken, in effect paralyzing the outcome.

*Plays Stuck in the Middle with You on repeat while staring at computer.*

Do you have it? Here is are four simple questions to ask yourself and get out of your analysis rut. 

1. How much do you rely on Google?

Diamonds may have been a girl's best friend at some point, but Google has swiftly pulled into the lead. But be careful: over-Googling is akin to hoarding. If you're stuck in a hole searching for answers to questions that even the world wide web can't answer, you might be hoarding answers.

And let's face it: you will always find a counter-point to an argument online. That's half of what the internet is for. So stop Googling and start with the search bar within.

"Stop Googling and start with the search bar within." 

Tweet this.

2. When is the last time you made a decision and stuck to it?

It's natural to second guess yourself, especially when you consider the speed at which everything moves. From tech to content we're working at seriously rapid paces. But if you're constantly playing teeter-totter with your decisions, it's not only hindering your productivity, but it's also hurting your brand. Sticktuitiveness doesn't only apply to toughing it out and seeing a project though. It also applies to making up your mind and sticking to a tough decision.

Leaders make decisions. Period.  

3. How much of your day is spent receiving and managing information vs. doing your job?

Email has presented a bit of a paradox. Sure, it makes getting sh*t done easier than ever, but it also means managing your inbox is a full time job. In order to move the needle, there must be a point during the day when you don't check your email and you simply do the work. And if you need help figuring out how to do that-- check out how these 5 bosses handle their inboxes. 

4. Are you always in search of a *better* solution?

This is tricky because on the surface, better is "better."  But sometimes the "best" solution is the available one. Some people are forever in search for other, so-deemed better alternatives. But if the hunt for "better" prevents you from nailing down a solution, it's no solution at all. And *perhaps most importantly* studies have shown that this kind of behavior can lead to depression, perfectionism and regret.

Do you feel paralyzed? Chime in below and let us know. We'll respond with helpful tips. (We think.)

MORE FROM OUR BLOG 

Roundtable Topic: Should You Invest In Cryptocurrency?

graphic: Chloe Cecilia 

The value of bitcoin fluctuates. That’s cool, right? But what does it mean? Cue us banging our heads against a wall. As self-diagnosed non-techfluents we really tried to understand cryptocurrency. Bitcoin by Bitcoin.

And still, we felt lost. Cue: sad violin.  

So we went to the experts because we want to gain some cointelligence. Here's who we tapped. 

Sarah Austin: A two-time venture backed startup founder and renowned entrepreneur, Sarah’s known for her work with artificial emotional intelligence agents (NBD). Having seen Silicon Valley firsthand, she is also the founder of CodingFTW, a nonprofit organization established to assess and address the gender divide that is so prevalent in the technology industry. (Big deal.)

Lisa Frame: Lisa is based in LA and the head of Content at crypto and financial startup Stackin. She’s also the creator of Crypto Obsessed, a cryptocurrency group managed by women. (Obsessed.) 

Madeline Mann: As the head of People Operations Operations at a blockchain technology company, Gem, Madeline is used to explaining blockchain to people. (YES!) She also is the host of Self Made Millennial where she posts videos weekly on how to find and excel in your career.

Nicole Loher: She began her career at Tumblr, obsessed with with social media and emerging technologies within the digital space. She’s now Global Digital Editor at Christian Louboutin and teaches at NYU. (Prayer hands.)

If anyone can explain crypto, it’s them. And thank goodness. Dig into the below.

You’re welcome.

What is the easiest way to explain blockchain to a confused non-tech nerd?

Madeline Mann:  Imagine you are back in first grade. Your teacher hands out gold stars for good deeds. The teacher makes one kid in charge of keeping a tally in her personal notebook of how many gold stars each student has. You all grow uncomfortable with this...is she giving herself more gold stars? She was absent the day I got my gold star, was it recorded? How accurate is her account? You all decide to change the system from centralized to decentralized. Everyone takes out their notebooks and copies down her account of the class' gold stars. From now on EVERYONE in the class writes down when someone gets a gold star. Now everyone has their own record of truth and no one can cheat and give themselves more gold stars because when their amount is compared to what everyone else has recorded then it will be proven as a faulty star. This is the principle behind blockchain, it is an archive of actions that is spread across thousands of computers so that it is near impossible to tamper with the information.

Sarah Austin: Blockchain is a technology that allows companies a transparent and secure way to store data in ordered records.

Lisa Frame: Without using terminology like “nodes” or “ledgers,” a blockchain is a distributed record book. Each “block” or “line item” in the book is a transaction that is verified by thousands of other computers not just one person, bank or foundation.

It’s basically the equivalent of sharing a photo publicly on Instagram to verify your outfit is smoking hot, instead of sending one photo to your roommate. You now have a record of hundreds of people verifying that your outfit is goals. It takes out the middleman, which makes it decentralized. Our current banking system is centralized. This means we rely on their private record keeping.

Centralized banking is basically a controlling ex who tells you to change outfits because your dress is "too short," according to “their records.”

Centralized banking is basically a controlling ex who tells you to change outfits because your dress is "too short," according to “their records.”

Tweet this. 

Nicole Loher: Simply put, blockchain provides a decentralized database of transactions (as it relations to bitcoin) that everyone within the “network” (i.e. that owns Bitcoin) can see. To simply further - the network is a chain of computers that must approve of an exchange of currency before it can be verified and recorded. Think of it as a decentralized stock market.

OKSO. BITCOIN. What do blockchain and bitcoin have to do with each other?

Lisa: Bitcoin purchases are verified through the blockchain. Instead of one bank saying “yes, she owns Bitcoin” you have thousands of computers, around the world, verifying your purchase.

Sarah: Blockchain is also associated with "Bitcoin" (a popular token), "cryptocurrency" (digital tokens of all kinds) and ICOs (Initial Coin Offerings). A token is a feature of a blockchain technology. With all the buzz and hype around Bitcoin, and money being raised from the sale of digital tokens, there is a growing misconception around the actual value of building a business. This notion needs to be recognized by entrepreneurs who want look past the buzz of cryptocurrency and focus on the underlying Blockchain technology to create new value.

Can you give a sensible analogy that most anyone could understand?

Madeline: Blockchain is to Bitcoin as Windows 10 is to Microsoft Office. Blockchain is the underlying technology of Bitcoin, and Bitcoin is the first and most well known example that utilizes blockchain technology, but blockchain can be utilized in countless other ways.

Bitcoin is the first and most well known example that utilizes blockchain technology, but blockchain can be utilized in countless other ways.

Nicole: Bitcoin is the buzzy cryptocurrency that everyone is talking about. There are many types of cryptocurrency, Bitcoin just happens to be the CocaCola stock of this market. The Bitcoin network orders transactions (think of it like a buy in the New York Stock Exchange) by putting the transactions together into groups called blocks. Each block contains a definite amount of transactions and a link to the previous block.

Speaking of buzzy. Why and how did cryptocurrency start to matter?

Lisa: Now is the answer. Why it matters is because cryptocurrency could be as a big of a technological breakthrough as the telephone or the internet. The blockchain technology is the real breakthrough as it solves the double spend problem. Where bad people could conceivably spend digital money more than once. It's also bigger than just Bitcoin. We can now transfer digital property safely. It has the potential to be much bigger than just a digital currency also. Someday all of our contracts could be done through crypto, such as real estate and legal contacts, our medical records could be on the blockchain. The possibilities are really endless.

Madeline: Cryptocurrency allows people to own their wealth without a central party, like a bank lording over it. It also presents exceptional ease of use both domestically and across borders that allows for rapid transfer of wealth. For example, for me to send a friend $100 it takes roughly 5 days for our banks to reconcile the transaction. With most cryptocurrency transactions it takes just a few minutes or hours to reconcile. With the rise of ICOs (initial coin offerings) it allows companies to raise money through token sales with the public, where consumers can invest in companies and projects they believe in (think Kickstarter on a larger scale). This could highly benefit women entrepreneurs, and in fact we've seen several high-profile ICOs led by women, such as Propy and Paragon! ICOs present an alternative to VC funding, a group that has been shown statistically to be unconsciously biased towards giving funding to companies with male founders. ICOs present a new avenue to funding where biases and pedigree may become less pronounced.

Nicole: Cryptocurrency (i.e. Bitcoin specifically) was kind of an accidental side project by way of a person (who is still yet to be confirmed) that goes by Satoshi in the late 2000s. Essentially what he created was the first decentralized “peer-to-peer electronic cash system” in order to prevent double spending. This was incredibly advanced for that time.

Bitcoin is the buzzy cryptocurrency that everyone is talking about. It just happens to be the CocaCola stock of this market. 

Why doesn’t anyone know who Satoshi is?

Lisa: We will never know the real answer but I can think of 5.6 billion reasons why! One theory as to why Satoshi never came forward was that governments would try to come after he or she to try to cut off the head of the snake. Remaining anonymous prevented them from having a face to attach to Bitcoin and letting the technology stand on its own.

Sarah: Because that person doesn’t want to be discovered. Probably because Satoshi is afraid of going to jail.

Madeline: Satoshi Nakamoto is the pseudonym of the person or persons who invented Bitcoin and their identities have never been revealed. The draw of Bitcoin, and blockchain at large, is that the technology utilizes a decentralized network so that no central party owns the information recorded on the blockchain, like a bank or an information aggregator like Facebook. At its core, there are no "leaders" or "owners" of the Bitcoin blockchain which is why an anonymous creator fits perfectly with the mission.  

What does it mean to “have” a Bitcoin?

Lisa: From a technical standpoint, owning a Bitcoin means having possession of the private key for the number of Bitcoin(s) you own. Like having the code to the safe to get your money. From a simpler standpoint it's like owning a stock. You have the right to sell it or transfer it to whomever you want.

Sarah: It’s just another way to buy goods and services. It also may mean that someone is holding Bitcoin as an investment.

Madeline: A misconception is that to have bitcoin you have to buy a whole Bitcoin, which discourages many new people from investing because they have sticker shock. But a Bitcoin can be split into one hundred million pieces. Therefore a person can invest any amount and still experience the ups and downs of the market. If you invest $200 when Bitcoin is at $13k and it goes up to $20k as we've seen, then your investment would have swelled to around $320. Not bad!

Right not bad. Which leads to investing. Why is Bitcoin stock worth so much?

Madeline: First of all, I want to dispel the misconception that buying Bitcoin is similar to buying stock in a company. There are no underlying business fundamentals to Bitcoin - no stream of cash flow that you can discount to present value. There is no "Bitcoin Corp." The value is based on the community collectively believing it has value. Bitcoin effectively combined the attributes of scarcity and utility to create a "digital gold" for the internet age. Bitcoin is scarce because it is an deflationary currency, in that only 21 million bitcoins will ever be in circulation. There's 12.5 bitcoin released approximately every 10 min, and that amount halves every four years until we hit the ceiling of 21 million. It has utility because bitcoin allows individuals to have full and uncensored control over their own wealth, by converting it and securing it digitally on the Bitcoin blockchain. Bitcoin, and cryptocurrencies in general, also facilitate the nearly instantaneous and inexpensive transfer of value anywhere in the world, 24/7.

Lisa: The same reason why anything has worth! Supply and demand. There are currently just over 16.7m Bitcoin in circulation and the maximum that will ever exist is capped at 21 million. This set cap is well known, making its scarcity transparent. Some people consider it a great store of value because of this, like digital gold. Imagine if the world's gold supply was capped at 21 million ounces. One ounce of gold would likely be worth a million dollars or more.

Nicole: There are two trains of thought here. As Bitcoin is the most popular coin, and the one that is most frequently traded, we've seen two vastly different markets emerge (note: the first being totally speculative). There's a lot of hype around cryptocurrency that banks will begin opening cypto trading desks in 2018 - like stock trading. There's a theory that these financial institutions are fueling the conversation and pumping money into the market, so it's at it's prime when it hits mass and the government actually figures out how to regulate this circus. In the meantime, the news and all your pals are talking about it, making this a really crazy cycle of inflation. The second is just, well, the general public is interested so they're buying. Bitcoin is, as I said, the first cryptocurrency and the one that's most easily tradable on an open market, like Coinbase. It's the shiny new toy of the financial world - a world that's so behind the times - so everyone is interested and looking.

It's the shiny new toy of the financial world - a world that's so behind the times - so everyone is interested and looking.

If anyone can invent a cryptocurrency, how is it worth anything?

Lisa: Well, anyone can start an online business. Some companies will continue to have value and some won't. Like anything there will be winners and losers. There are something like 1,300 cryptocurrencies. They're not all going to make it, but a lot of them, such as Bitcoin, have a good chance at holding their value and going up. Bitcoin also has first mover advantage, meaning it was first to the market. Plus it's name is now synonymous with cryptocurrency, like Kleenex with tissues.

Madeline: Ultimately the worth is based on the community collectively believing it has worth. Just like a diamond ring or a Louis Vuitton bag, they are priced so high because consumers value them. I do caution you all be aware of what you invest in because there are scams - artificially inflated tokens and dubious ICOs that are not good investments.

If someone *raises hand* wanted to invest in Bitcoin or another kind of cryptocurrency today, would that be a smart move?

Lisa: Research! I personally think the biggest mistake someone can make is investing in something they don’t truly understand or believe in. It’s extremely volatile and you could lose a lot of money. It's also a good idea to really try to wrap your head around blockchain technology. That's the game changer! Also, only invest what you’re okay with losing because you could lose every penny you put in. How can women educate themselves more on cryptocurrency? I really love community threads like Reddit or FB groups! It’s nice to be able to ask questions and get feedback from a like-minded folks without feeling embarrassed or judged. Watch as many videos as you can, read as many articles or books. Immerse yourself in this new world.

I also recommend reading the White Papers of each coin you're interested in. These papers should accomplish a few things: inform you on their project, what they want to accomplish, their roadmap and methods for meeting those goals. Google all the jargon you don’t understand or ask groups their thoughts. Oh, and trust your gut. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Tweet this. 

Madeline: In short, absolutely, it can be a smart move. Do your research and only invest money that you would be willing to lose. The invention of cryptocurrency has given rise to a wild and unregulated new capital market for investors. There are incredible opportunities there, but you need to carefully research the underlying technologies in order to confidently ride out the incredible volatility that cryptocurrencies experience every day. Values have been known to increase by over 100% a day, and decrease by 95%+ in the same time span.

Sarah: BTC or ETH are not a bad investment so long as you consider yourself willing and ready to potentially lose the money you invest, but who am I to give investment advice? I’m not a financial advisor. I do think it’s smart to diversity your portfolio and Bitcoin is now it’s own asset class.

Nicole: Well,If someone wanted to invest in Bitcoin or another kind of cryptocurrency today, would that be a smart move? You know, honestly, it's like trading within the stock market...except you don't have an advisor. That's on you.

How can women educate themselves more on cryptocurrency?

Sarah: Study up ladies! Read, read, read. I read “The Age of Cryptocurrency” and found it to be a useful book to get started with.

Madeline: Come to meet-ups, we hold one at the Gem office called the Los Angeles Ethereum Meetup. I'm also a part of several women's Facebook groups where we chat about investing, all levels welcome.

Nicole: Be wary of what's out there and take everything at face value. Do your own research, but also know Reddit is a phenomenal place to start.

Have more questions! Comment below and we'll get them answered! 

THE MORE YOU KNOW. 

Why One Model Called This the Best and Most Diverse Panel Ever

“Sometimes I wake up after days like yesterday & I think “how is this my life?” How did I get so incredibly lucky to not only speak on panels about body positivity & being a boss with some of the strongest women I know, who happen to be my friends and who are ACTUALLY CHANGING THE WORLD?! I know the answer, I got here from really hard work, privilege & never taking no for an answer. Not listening to people who said I was too short, too fat, too tattooed, too outspoken, too much, myself. I was reminded yesterday that there is still so much work to do, and that we ALL have to keep showing up for not only ourselves but marginalized bodies & people. Thank you to @createcultivate for having me & to @jessbeegood from @livestrong_com for moderating the best & most diverse panel I’ve been a part of to date.”

So wrote Tess Holliday on her Instagram following Create & Cultivate Los Angeles this past Saturday. Joining her on panel, were @ihartericka, @mamacaxx, @mynameisjessamyn, and @danikabrysha. The group of women went in on everything from the “body positive” movement and whether they believe in it to how they identify. 

Below are some of the amazing highlights from the panel. 

Jessamyn Stanley
Yoga teacher, body positive advocate, and writer    

Jessica Bordner Photography

On panel, Jessamyn said she’s interested in disrupting the industry beyond visibility. She not only wants to be seen but to be heard and understood.  

“I came to body-positivity to really understand myself in a more whole way. I am attached to the understanding for all human beings that who we are on the inside dictates who we are on the outside.”

“I have so much conflict, thinking about where we are with body positivity and actually cracking the mainstream. I am one of very few fat, black, queer, yoga teachers. Or that’s what people think. It’s patently false. There are so many people who look so many different ways. The fact that anyone would find my presence anywhere surprising is frustrating on a deep level.” 

Though she says she never intended to be the face of a movement, and still doesn’t think of herself in that way, she’s not mad at it. “If there is going to be a cracking of the mainstream, I’m not upset to be in that space. Visibility is critical. Living my truth and just existing can have an accidental purpose.”

She continued, “I think we need to get to a place beyond television, advertising and movies to be our ‘goals’ for life."

Eff the rules she said.  Do what you do. Love who you are. That’s the only plan."

Ericka Hart
Cancer warrior, activist and sexuality educator

Jessica Bordner Photography

Ericka Identifies as a black, queer and femme woman. She spoke on the importance of being clear with how she identifies because it holds weight in a room. She mentioned that when people feel uncomfortable with her being queer, it’s a reflection of a problem they are facing internally. “If someone has a problem with me being queer, they really just have a problem with themselves,” she told the room. 

“I’m used to not seeing myself,” said Ericka. “But I’m really interested in disrupting beyond viability. So yes, I walked topless at New York Fashion week, and that felt amazing. But what I’m interested in is the fact that W Magazine just released at stat that said 0.4% of [fashion] shows this year were diverse. I don’t know how many shows exist at New York Fashion week, but there are many. If you look at the Fashion industry it’s not interested in being diverse and it’s not interested in giving it back to the black and queer and trans people who invented it. I’m interested in actually making the institution different— the system different. We have to be critical about diversity and inclusion. It’s so much more than visibility.” 

Tess Holliday
Model, Author, Momma & Feminist Founder of @EffYourBeautyStandards  

Jessica Bordner Photography

“We all should just do whatever the fuck we wanna do. And whatever feels good for us,” the model said to a cheering crowd. 

“I didn’t see anyone who looked like me. I wanted to be the person that I didn’t see. I started putting myself out there on social media. I’ve been doing it now for eight years.” As a US size 22 Tess told that crowd that she is still the only model for her height and size signed to a major agency. But she is committed to seeing that change.  “I’ve accomplished what everyone said was impossible, and I’m hoping to help other people do the same.” 

Tess also spoke on how she had to break away from waiting on other people to reassure her on things. She used to be stuck in a place where she needed her decisions validated by those around her, but she’s not interested in that anymore. She now knows that she has the power to reassure herself.     

"My best piece of advice would be to be yourself and be authentic. Do something that you love, and don’t be afraid to not do what you love. Just go for it!"

Danika Brysha
Plus size model and founder of @ModelMeals

When Danika started her modeling career she was faced with tons of negative criticism around her size and her curves.

She said, “I heard from people, ‘You have such a pretty face,' but they were just insinuating the rest of me wasn’t up to par, and that just wasn’t true.” 

“I spent my whole life feeling like not enough. To get into the plus-size industry and recreate my normal of what beautiful looks like is incredibly powerful.”

MamaCaxx
Survivor and Role Model

Jessica Bordner Photography

“Body positivity is really embracing marginalized bodies,” shared MamaCaxx. 

“In college I used to have a cover prosthetic. My goal was to hide and conceal. The very first time I decided to take off that cover, I remember it took me two weeks to actually leave my house. I had so much anxiety.” When she did leave the house and subsequently decided to have a photoshoot with a metal leg, Caxx explained that the recurring comments surprised her. “People were commenting that they’d never seen a black girl with a prosthetic,” which she said, is not her world. “What you think of disability is not what it is at all. It’s only one identity. And it crosses all people. Black, white, queer, women, men.”

She continued, “In the fashion industry I don’t see a lot of people with visible disabilities. But what you gain from fair representation goes such a long way.” 

What brands do you think are succeeding at fair representation? Let us know in the comments!

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

What One Teacher Says Is the Real Job of Educators

Written by: Amanda Oliver 

I was a school librarian in a DC public elementary school for six and a half years until I resigned in January of this year. On October 17, 2017, we thought we had an active shooter in our building and went into a frenzied lockdown. Five seconds after I received a text message from my colleague that said ACTIVE SHOOTER double doors opened and a line of 22 second graders came through, headed to me.

For everyone who is not a teacher, you can imagine this moment: rushing them into the classroom, putting paper over the windows, locking the door. You can imagine what it means to be this kind of adult — one responsible for the lives of 22 children.

Teachers are aware of this responsibility every day. Specialists, like I was as the school librarian, are aware of what it means to be responsible for every student in the building for at least 45-minutes once or twice a week. We know all of them.

What you can’t fully imagine, if you are not a teacher, is the information that will rush through your brain.

Their parents’ faces. The beautiful things these children have said to you over the last few years (the horrible things, too). Every holiday and Teacher Appreciation Day card, every post-it they stole from your desk to write that they love you, the books and authors they like best, their favorite outfits, their favorite read aloud, the bad things that have happened to them that are in case files in the main office, the good things they want to share the moment they see you. The ones who still can’t tie their shoelaces. The strength of each of their hi-fives. Which kids they play with at recess, who eats school lunch and who brings it from home, which ones take the bus, which ones have baby siblings they can’t wait to kiss on the foreheads at the end of the day, which ones have older siblings that they try, hilariously, to emulate, and on and on and on and on.

Non-teachers don’t know what it means to be the keepers and protectors of that beautiful information.

Non-teachers don’t know what it means to recognize in one horrible instant that you are all that stands between them and a bullet if the gunmen makes it to you.

But I never wished for a gun that day. I never wished I had a gun to fight back with.

I thought about how many of them my body could cover. I thought about where would be best to hide them and which angle they would be most visible from. I thought about how thick the bookcases were and if they could take a bullet. I thought about the strength of a deadbolt. I thought about the weakness of glass. I thought about what size body could fit through a broken window.

I never wanted to kill whomever might have been on the other end.

Because teachers, more than most others, can recognize a child in anyone. They’re uniquely interested in understanding what might have happened to them to bring them here, from the six-year-old with anxiety, to the teenager with a gun, to the adult with a gun. And I hate that person, that person with a gun, but I also think about how we failed them. Society, parents, schools, mental health providers, child protective services. I think about how someone, or many someones, failed them.

I won’t be able to say this the way I want to, but: until we fix all of the very, very fucked up pieces in our society, the best defense we have is stricter gun laws. And for anyone to deny that is absurd. And to arm teachers, to even suggest arming teachers, is such a horrible example of where we’re at.

The situation that day ended up being a terrible miscommunication, based in fear and news that there was an active shooter in the building behind us. After many hours of searching, this turned out to be false information. We didn’t know this until the school day was nearly over. I have never been more scared and exhausted in my life.

I work with adults now in a public library and I have a whole other perspective on how awful the world can be, but I also see the children in every single adult that comes in that door. I see how society failed many of them. 

But if the students in Florida are an example of our future, I have to believe some of this can change. If my former students are an example of our future, I have to believe some of this can change.

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

The 10 Best Quotes from #CreateCultivateLA

We're not your typical conference.

We have magical shit that happens. From keynote Kim Kardashian dishing her best career advice to our audience (she's not into lazy) to Chrissy Teigen real talking going back to work with postpartum depression, we're sharing some of our favorite mic drop moments from the day. 

Chrissy Teigen: It’s important to do something you love on a daily basis.”

Kim Kardashian: “Show up. Do the work. Don’t be lazy. There’s no short cut.”

Aimee Song: "You should find joy in just creating and posting content, not the numbers. If you don't, then you should do something else." 

Kim Kardashian: “You have to have your shit together mentally, to put out great product.”

Lauren Conrad: “Whatever you do, you’re going to have tough days. So make sure you have as many great days as you can.” 

Nina Dobrev: "I stop following people if it looks like they're just posting because they're getting paid to do something."

Traci Inglis of ShoeDazzle & JustFabOnline: “Being a business owner is a status, being an entrepreneur is an attitude.” 

Anine Bing: “If you surround yourself with great people then you can achieve higher goals.”

Kimmie Greene of Quickbooks: “What comes easy to you is still a gift. Don’t feel bad when you charge what you're worth.”

Jen Gotch of Bando: “Take connection over transaction.”

Have favorites from the day that you want to share? Comment below!

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

Nina Dobrev’s workout playlist and best fitness advice

Nina Dobrev is an actress and fitness fanatic. You may recognize her from her roles in Return of Xander Cage and Flatliners. When she’s not busy filming on set, Nina is in the gym with her girls.

Get the scoop on her new Les Mills GRIT workout, what’s on her gym playlist and the one fitness routine every on-the go woman needs in her life below!

Tell us about your girls you workout with, what do you love about group workouts?
I am lucky enough to have an amazing group of girlfriends who all love working out as much as I do. For me, it makes the experience much more fun. Especially when we do our weekly dance classes. It doesn’t feel like a workout, we have a great time and we sweat which a bonus! I’ll take a group workout with my ladies over a solo workout any day.

What are your essentials to a healthy lifestyle as an on-the-go girl always working on the next big thing?

Working out for at least 30 minutes each day is my Zen time that keeps me going. I make sure to put my phone down and completely unplug so I can focus on doing something good for my body.

Can you chat us through how working out with Les Mills has changed how you feel about your body?

Les Mills GRIT has transformed my body completely. To put it simply, these workouts kick my ass! Les Mills GRIT workouts work every single muscle in the body and have allowed me to build strength that I never had before. Once I started seeing results, I couldn’t stop.

How do you juggle your fitness and wellness routine while filming on set?

I am fortunate enough to have Lissa (Lissa Bankston, Reebok X Les Mills International  trainer) with me, we make time every single day. 30 minutes, everyone can do it. Even after the hardest, longest days, I have learned to hold myself accountable for making this time no matter what.  However, what’s amazing about Les Mills is that they offer workouts you can truly do anywhere, anytime – with or without a trainer, or even a gym.  Les Mills On Demand workout programs let you workout from online anywhere.  They have 15 minute to 55 minute classes available for people of all fitness levels so it really gives you no excuse to not find the time. 

How does maintaining a wellness routine affect your positivity and perspective?

Maintaining a consistent wellness routine is so important to me. I love working out. It’s in my body, it’s in my soul, and it’s part of who I am. Sleep, and the proper fuel are also vital to maintaining wellness as well. I won’t settle for less than 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night, and I start each day with a special shake packed with protein and vitamins to help kick start my day.

IYO, what’s the one fitness activity every working women should try to do at least once a week?

If I had to recommend one fitness activity that every woman could fit into their schedule just once a week, I would have to say the #LikeNina Les Mills GRIT workout that I developed with Reebok and Les Mills. It’s quick, only 30 minutes, but it is SO hard. The best results come from the hardest work, and I am a firm believer that everyone can make time for a 30 minute workout each day.

Go-to playlist you listen to when you’re working out: 

Woman - Kesha
She Wants Me Dead - CAZZETTE
Lose Control - Hedley
No Problem - Chance the Rapper
Feel It Still - Portugal. The Man.
Most Girls - Hailee Steinfeld
Sorry Not Sorry - Demi Lovato
All Night - Steve Aoki, Lauren Jauregui

Coming to C&C LA? Nina will be joining us on our Keeping It One Million panel at this year’s conference, don’t miss it!

What’s on your workout playlist? Let us know in the comments below!
 

MORE FROM OUR BLOG