Download Now: A Hiring Resource That Answers All Your Questions

Whether you are looking for that first awesome employee or you need to replace a member of your team, every. single. stage of hiring is hard work. And building the dream team from the ground-up? 

To get good workers, you need to put in work. 

Which is why we teamed up with Career Contessa to create the most comprehensive hiring resource. From figuring out how to find applicants, to sorting through resumes, to figuring out what questions to ask to sort through candidates, this download is over ten pages of pure gold. 

Just because you're building your team, yes, your team doesn't mean you have to go at it solo.  

How This Founder Raised A Total of $67 Million For Her Company

Jaclyn Johnson, founder and CEO of Create & Cultivate and Susan Tynan, founder and CEO of Framebridge first met at Create & Cultivate DTLA right before they hopped on stage together. But they vibed immediately. 

There are commonalities that bond entrepreneurs and startup founders. A deep understanding of the hard work, sleepless nights, and putting it all on the line. So the two decided to have real-talk and share it—because that's what we at C&C are all about. 

Since their initial conversation, Framebridge has managed to raise an additional $30 million of funding. This brings Framebridge's total raised to $67 million after the company recently closed a Series C round of funding. 

Create & Cultivate: As a female CEO, what was the process like for raising a round of $30M for the company?

Susan Tynan: Now that we have a real business, what we've built speaks for itself. We raised $30M because we built a business that consumers love. Every nuanced detail we sweat creating this business translates to successful fundraising. Some people might be able to raise based on swagger, but we did because we built something fundamentally good.

Do you have any advice for women who plan on meeting with investors for their business?

Susan: Yes! Paint the big picture. Women have a tendency to be really credible about what we can achieve in the near term. Make sure you're presenting how big of an idea your business and your conviction in leading it.

Learn more business tips from Susan & Jaclyn below.

---

JACKIE: I like to jump right into things. I think most entrepreneurs do. So can we talk founder-to-founder for a moment about the hard moments? The ones where you know you need to pivot, but you have no idea what direction to turn? What do you do in those instances?

SUSAN: You can turn to a lot of people for advice - and I do - but, at the end of the day, the hardest decisions are yours alone. It's important for me to anchor myself in the basics of the business and review, "Why did I found Framebridge? What are we providing customers? How can we keep getting better? What type of organization did we want to build?" I work through most issues by reviewing the fundamentals. Then the answer usually emerges. And I SoulCycle! A 45 minute loud-music workout sorts out a lot for me, too.

JACKIE: Totally. Everyone always talks about needing to answer the ‘WHY,’ in a simple but compelling way. Sort of like an elevator pitch to yourself. It’s definitely not easy in the moments when you can’t answer that.

SUSAN: What are some other big challenges of running your own company that took you by surprise? Was there one big piece of advice you wish you had earlier?

JACKIE: There were SO many. Everyone warns you, this will take over your life and you will work harder than you’ve ever worked before, and there’s a part of you that doesn’t believe it entirely. And maybe if you did believe it, you would never do it. I imagine that’s how people feel about their first kid. Lack of sleep and nonstop travel are both tremendously challenging. So is feeling like no one will ever care as much as you do— and the truth is, they won’t.

I wish someone had told me to get everything in writing. And I mean everything. You live and learn and sometimes that means losing money because you thought spit and a handshake were binding. Newsflash: They’re definitely not.

JACKIE: What was the most surprising part of starting a business for you?

SUSAN: I was surprised by how many people thought I was nuts to try. I left a great salary and a career that looked pretty linear. But what if it doesn't work? So, what? The truth is, I cannot imagine a way I could have grown more personally than by starting this business.

"I left a great salary and a career that looked pretty linear. But what if it doesn't work? So, what?"

Tweet this. 

JACKIE: What was the hardest?

SUSAN: The hardest time - by far - was the period just before we launched. We had raised some money and we had made some big bets - on a warehouse, on our custom packaging, on our site design. And, yet, we didn't have customers! That felt terrifying. Now, everything is based on what we know our customers want. It's much easier, at least psychologically. What has been harder than you expected? What has been easier?

JACKIE: We've never raised money and that’s been both a blessing and a stressor. We’re not beholden to investors, but that also means I’m responsible for making this thing work. Me? I have a company and employees and this amazing community of women who turn to us for career advice… that’s the best feeling, it’s also the scariest.

JACKIE: Let’s shift for a minute from scary to fun. Because this world is fun. You have an idea. The idea starts to take shape, becomes a business, and before you know it, that one idea has snowballed into something HUGE. What was the moment like for you when Framebridge went from idea to reality?

SUSAN: So, the truth is we have no time for reflection. I try to force reflection on other team members so I have a chance to reflect too. Just this week I made Tessa, our Creative Director, take a moment and say - "We're shooting a TV ad - in real life!!"  And, on Cyber Monday last year, we blew away our sales projections and we all went out together. I'll always remember that night, being with that group, and celebrating together. What was your turning point or moment that made you decide to take your idea and turn it into a real business?

JACKIE: I looked around and I didn’t see want I needed. That’s where almost all entrepreneurship is birthed from. I was running (No Subject) and felt a little lost, a little confused by all the moving parts of business, especially those where I was a novice. I started Create & Cultivate as a side project. The response was so overwhelming that I knew it was going to be something big, IF, and this is the big IF, I was willing to commit. Things don’t blow up because they stay a side hustle. If you expect people to get something out of your business, service, whatever it is, you need to be willing to put your heart into it. You can half-heart a side hustle, sure, but if you give it your whole heart, you give yourself the opportunity to create something bigger.  

I think that’s also so important to point out. Committing to your idea gives you the opportunity, it doesn’t mean you will succeed. No matter how hard you work. That’s advice I wish I had early on too and I think is important for our community to understand.

"Committing to your idea gives you the opportunity, it doesn’t mean you will succeed. No matter how hard you work."

Tweet this.

SUSAN: In a short amount of time you have managed to create an unbelievable community of likeminded women from all over the world. For some young entrepreneurs it can be intimidating to network - any advice on making connections that last?

JACKIE: I think it’s intimidating to network because of the feeling of impostor syndrome. The feeling that you don’t belong or you haven’t earned your seat at the table. That comes and goes in waves. Make connections last by believing that you have something important to say and that people want to listen. But also, make sure you’re adding to conversations. That will keep you top of mind. Everyone has impostor syndrome. At least all of the female founders I’ve spoken with and the ones who move through fear are the ones that move the needle and make connections last. 

SUSAN: Well, for sure, I relate on impostor syndrome and the isolation of being a founder. It's weird because you signed yourself up for it, but then you have so much responsibility and no one to turn to. Framebridge employs 120+ people (including 100 more seasonal employees) and they are able to take trips and buy houses and grow their families because of Framebridge. That's incredible.

JACKIE: Speaking of seats at the table, how do you feel when you walk into a boardroom or a huge meeting? Do you feel influential? Powerful? Like you’ve earned your chair?

SUSAN: Good question! I've gotten so much better at these meetings. I'm talking about my business and I know the most about this business and I truly, deeply believe in it. So, it's easier to be confident. And I always play pump up music before I go in (Lose Yourself, Eminem and the mellower Adventure of a Lifetime, Coldplay). And, cheesy, but true, I always do a power pose or two in the elevator.

JACKIE: Cheesy is necessary sometimes. We love a good AM jam around here. And power pose is strong. That’s something that produces actual results. I love a good pep talk too. 

JACKIE: So we do a lot of “real” talk at C&C because it’s important for women to know they aren’t alone, but it’s also important for them to know about the exciting and "everything is possible" side of owning a business. What are the good moments for you? What makes it all worth it?

SUSAN: Customer stories get me choked up. Because I dreamed that if we built this, people would frame special items and they do - things that make them proud or happy or make their friend laugh. I truly get a kick out of each customer who thinks of a creative thing to frame.

JACKIE: I know, I get inspired by conference attendees and women we meet through our platform. That was the whole point—to create a strong social network of women helping each other. There's no feeling quite like it. Speaking of social what do you think is the future of social? Where is it heading?

SUSAN: Well, I think the coolest thing about social is that it self-polices. You have to produce good content. I think that will continue to be the case and maybe even get more competitive. It's very cool that it's not like you can blast out your message without providing something in return —you have to actually earn your following!

"The coolest thing about social is that it self polices. You have to produce good content."

Tweet this. 

JACKIE: I also feel like you have to earn your team. It's not easy to create a solid, well-oiled unit. How did you go about assembling your team? Do you have any hiring advice?

SUSAN: I knew the first members of my team from other companies. So, we liked and respected each other and we're loyal to one another and we have fun. And, now, I try to recruit people who want to work really hard and have a lot of fun. I've realized we only have room for people genuinely excited by what we're doing and people willing to roll up their sleeves. It's tough to interview for those qualities, but we're getting better at teasing it out.

SUSAN: What are your thoughts on hiring friends and family? Do you recommend keeping business separate from your personal life?

JACKIE: Yes, separate. It’s hard to be a boss and a friend. It’s hard to be a friend and employee. There are exceptions of course and every team is different, but instead of making employees out of friends and family, you should hire employees and make a family out of your team.

"Instead of making employees out of friends and family, you should hire employees and make a family out of your team."

Tweet this. 

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

How to Interrupt a Co-Worker the Polite Way

Written by:  Casey Erin

The unfortunate phenomenon of men interrupting women has been getting a lot of press lately.

Whether it’s Senator Kamala Harris being interrupted twice on the congressional floor this past June, or the Facebook Live post that went viral and made #LetLizSpeak a rallying cry, or the recent New York Times article about this epidemic: the constant interruptions women face while trying to speak need to stop.

This concept is not new-- nor is it strictly political. Who can forget when Kanye stormed the stage and hijacked Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the 2009 MTV Awards? It was the “Imma let you finish” heard round the world. (Yes, that really was 8 years ago.) 

As vocal coaches who help people create a deeper understanding of what effective communication really looks like (and train women to use their voice as a powerful tool for expression and connection), my co-founder Julie and I are confronted with this daily request from women, at Vital Voice:

“How do I avoid being interrupted - and how can I jump in when I need to?”

There is a lot of advice out there for women on how to use your voice (some good, some . . . not so good), so we’d like to offer our perspective as voice and communication coaches, honed through both our own experiences and our clients’.  Here is our advice on how to manage interruptions to ensure they are not getting in the way of your career, development or even your emotional health.

We’ve broken it down into 3 distinct parts: 1- understanding your own situation better; 2- solid tactics for stopping the interruptions; 3- the added bonus of how to interrupt when it’s called for.   

How to analyze the situation

It helps to try and understand where this interruption is coming from. Can you read the other person’s motive in interrupting you?  Different styles require different reactions -- which is why, as a voice coach, I hate most “tips and tricks” articles or blanket statements about how women should talk. There is WAY too much nuance in communication for one-size-fits all solutions!

1) Status/Power - One of the ways in which actors analyze a theatrical scene is to look at the status differences between the characters.  Who is in charge here?  How do people interact with that person?  Are the people in the meeting nervous or at ease? Perhaps feeling like they need to suck up?  Are people interrupting others to display their own power or demonstrate dominance?

"There is WAY too much nuance in communication for one-size-fits all solutions!"

Tweet this. 
 

2) Habit/Personality - Full disclosure: I myself am known as an interrupter. In my case, it mostly comes from growing up in an enthusiastic, talkative, extroverted family where interruptions and parenthetical comments and cross conversations are the norm. I have worked very hard to be more conscious of these habits, but I still mess up. (It’s nothing personal!) If you are dealing with a “benevolent/oblivious interrupter” like me, just keep plowing - or consider speaking with us in private to tell us how you feel. We'll get the hint, and likely be more embarrassed that we interrupted you than upset that you interrupted us back.  And if you’re an interrupter, put some extra brain cells toward making sure YOU are not the elephant in the room!

3) Culture/Unconscious Bias -  As has been repeatedly documented (such as in that NY Times piece), “manterrupting” is a very real and pervasive phenomenon.  In addition, we’re dealing with a culture of impossible double-binds for women when they DO manage to get a word in: we’re often told “don’t be too aggressive but don’t be too soft either!  Don’t be too emotional, but for heaven’s sake, no one likes an ice queen!” Kamala Harris was “hysterical.” Hillary Clinton was “shrill.” Elizabeth Warren was given a warning . . . you get the picture.  We could unpack this stuff all day long, but it’s out there, and it affects both how you are seen and heard, and how people respond to you.  We need an awareness of the possible consequences -- good and bad -- for standing up for yourself and others, and the bravery to handle it.  

I do believe very strongly that the MORE women speak up, stand out, and call out interruptions, the easier it becomes for others to do so and the more we have to examine the cultural factors that cause this in the first place.  We’re making unconscious bias conscious so that we can change it!  So here are a few strategies to help you:

How to handle being interrupted:

1) The direct response: “I wasn't quite finished with my point - (dive back in).”  How you deliver this depends on what kind of interrupter you are dealing with.  If the interruption is coming from a place of enthusiasm or obliviousness, humor and pleasantness is your friend.  (And ladies, I’m NOT telling you to smile, but here is where a genuine, unforced smile can actually go a long way.) However, if you are dealing with a bully who will only respond to an equal show of force, it’s time to marshal your inner badass and say it simply and directly.  

"The MORE women speak up, stand out, and call out interruptions, the easier it becomes for others to do so."

Tweet this. 

2) The compliment and recover:  'Great point! Now (back to what you were saying)'  This falls into the category of “gender judo” for me - people expect women to be pleasant and nurturing?  Sure, you can give them a taste of that!

3) The team approach “Amy - it seems like you have more to say on that. (Ask related question)”  If you are uncomfortable intervening on your own behalf, sometimes the best way to practice is to help someone else who is being interrupted! The women in Obama’s White House found this wing woman approach to be an effective tactic, both when being interrupted or when they needed to reinforce and amplify the point that a friend made in the room. Here’s how it works: When one woman made a good point, another woman would repeat it, and give credit to the originator. This technique -- which they dubbed “amplification” -- made an idea harder to ignore or steal. Recruit a partner in the room to do this for you, and do it for a colleague.

4) The empathetic approach - Here’s how it works: “I hear what you’re saying, Steve.” (Give some reiteration of his point - then finish your statement.) Sometimes the quickest way to turn an interrupter into an ally, or to disarm a bully, is to make them feel seen and heard.

5) The boss approach - “We'll get to that/your idea/your point in a second. (Continue yourself, or throw to the person who had been interrupted.)” This one is for when you are facilitating the meeting. Not only are you EXPECTED to be in control here, you can help create the kind of meeting culture that you want to see in the world!

How to interrupt if you must:

There are certain office cultures where you are expected to be a dynamic part of the conversation, and there are certain teams where the only way you'll get a word in is by diving in headfirst.

The most important part of ALL of the following scripts is physicality and breath: Practice letting yourself really sit in your chair.  Our standard advice to clients is “let your butt be big” - seriously, it works. Make a deliberate postural shift to draw attention to yourself (in theater we call this “pulling focus”), take a full inhale (not the little catch breath we sometimes take when we want to jump in), and speak on the exhale with energy and confidence.  It's less about volume than it is about a full connection with your body and breath, and the ability to land your words on the intended listener.

Here are some options:

1)  “I'd like to jump in on that.”
2)  “I've been doing some research and here's what I'm seeing.”
3)  “What a great point Mark!  My observation is that . . .”

      The Last Word

Try these tips out next time you get Kanye'd; not only will you be using your voice to make an impact, but you’ll also be teaching the offenders that you won’t be silenced.  

A final note: All of us -- interrupters and interruptees, men and women, introverts and extroverts alike -- can work to create a conscious meeting culture where voices and ideas get heard.  Conversation is a dance: stay experimental, observe what works and feels right for YOU, and keep practicing!

Casey Erin Clark is a professional actress who, after 18 months on tour with Les Mis, read the book “Half the Sky” and got very fired up about issues facing women in the world today.  The answer to “what can I do?” came out of her passion for the human voice.  Casey co-founded Vital Voice Training, a voice and speech coaching company (whose public speaking clients include C&C keynote speaker Piera Gelardi!) on a mission to change the conversation about what women are “SUPPOSED” to sound like. Forget masks or imitation: this is your voice amplified -- not just louder.  Casey sang her first solo at 4 and was branded “bossy” back in kindergarten — she can recommend the best breakfast in most major cities in the US — and is happy to demonstrate the Lafayette speed rap from Hamilton. @vital_voice

MORE FROM OUR BLOG 

Elizabeth Chambers Breaks Down What It Takes To Build A Successful Team

Breanna McKendrick Photo

If you weren't present at our 2018 Style Summit, then what were you even doing on Saturday? JK, that's why we're giving you a full breakdown of the day's events. 

Our keynote speaker, Elizabeth Chambers, is a woman who wears many hats and also a role model for so many women out there. From being the CEO and owner of Bird Bakery, and also a wife and mother, she manages to keep everything as streamlined as possible and still take really good care of herself. 

During our last conversation of the day, Elizabeth dished on how she went from a career in journalism and hosting to entrepreneurship. 

So how exactly did she go from juggling positions to starting her own business? "Me starting a business was full circle. It felt like a homage to the people who have taught me the most important life lessons," she explained. But what really gives you that drive to make the jump? "When you have something that you believe is the best in its lane, you want to share it with everyone," she said. 

As a business owner, wife, and mom she's still managing a jam-packed schedule. But she insists that no one is ever going to get 100% of you if you're not fully focused. That's where motivation and productivity come into the picture. "Uni-tasking has made me so much more productive," she said. "Focus on your tasks as you’re doing them. It makes you so much more productive," she explained. 

Elizabeth doesn't ignore the fact that self-care should and always should come first, no matter how busy she gets. "You have to take care of yourself and you have to have the energy for the people around you," she said. She also swears by the oxygen mask theory, in which you must help yourself first before helping others. #Facts. 

The businesswoman is also known for being heavily involved in the hiring process for Bird Bakery. Building a business is knowing that you’ll have to wear a lot of hats. Keep your standards high," she said. You have to find team members who you can trust and then delegate. "I realized building a team and letting go has let us expand and do so much more," she added. 

As for what she wants to leave behind? "I hope my legacy is that I’ve treated people kindly and fed them well," she shared. Trust us Elizabeth, you have fed us well with all of those delicious treats and confections. 

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

How to Make Money on Your Social Channels

Whether you are an entrepreneur launching the next great news content site or a blogger with a huge social following, making recommendations for things on your social platforms encourages your audience to click and buy. We covered the basics of affiliate marketing in an older post, but for a short refresher, affiliate marketing means you can earn revenue by placing trackable links to get paid when your users shop. But once you’ve got the basics down, what’s next?

Know Your Platform!

Social media is arguably the most challenging way to convert users to make a purchase. Why? While perusing Instagram and Snapchat, users want to be inspired and see their friends and family alongside inspiring images. When users are in the mindset to consume content on these platforms, they don’t always want to be immediately directed to a new page to make a purchase. With that in mind, using social media to direct people back to your site is a great way to drive traffic and allow the user to know where to shop a little later.

Instagram Posts: Include “Shop link in bio” in your caption and direct your followers back to a page featuring Instagram posts tagged with the products you are featuring. ShopStyle Collective has a tool called Looks & Collections which makes it simple! The best part? You can link to multiple items, making it even easier for fans to shop your entire look.

Instagram Stories: Swipe up to Shop! For those that have the ability to link in stories, it’s simple to create a shortlink via ShopStyle Collective and direct users to swipe to shop. ShopStyle’s tools auto detect that the user is coming from Stories and offers them the option to enter an email to get a link to shop, or to shop immediately. We’ve seen a huge increase in conversion on “Swipe up” by giving users the option to enter their email and stay within Instagram, or to shop immediately.

Facebook: Yes, that’s right: Facebook. It’s may not be as cool as Instagram, but Facebook is the silver bullet of driving shopping through social. It’s easy to link out and engage with your community — and it’s easy to do targeted advertising to get links in front of the right people. Focus on building your Facebook community by engaging users and seeing what works organically in order to diversify ways to monetize through social.

Hilary Sloan is a director of business development at ShopStyle, the leading fashion search destination, in charge of ShopStyle Collective, the fastest growing network of top fashion and lifestyle influencers worldwide, currently 14,000 strong. Sloan’s team works closely with influencers to successfully monetize their digital shopping content. In addition, Sloan works closely with ShopStyle’s product team, identifying and innovating against future trends and new platforms to create proprietary tools that influencers can use for revenue generation and brand building. When not at ShopStyle, Hilary can be found applying all her skills to her own mini influencer, her dog, Ella Bean.

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

8 Ways to Motivate Your Monday, Sunday Night

So many of us experience Monday blues comes Sunday night. But taking small steps Sunday night to prep for the week can make all the difference. 

We're not saying you'll love going back into the office first thing Monday, but you might have a different feeling about your week by hump day. 

Plan your meals. 

This is a simple step to saving time during the week. Food preparation allows for easy grab-and-go lunches that are healthy. They save you money (which, saves on stress) and, according to the World Health Organization, with the right ingredients you can boost your brain power by 20%. And who doesn’t need an extra brain boost? Dark leafy greens, salmon, and nuts all boost cognitive function. Plus you won’t waste 30 minutes trying to decide what to Postmates to your desk. 

Fill in your calendar. 

Filling in your calendar frees up a lot of space in your head. If you start Monday AM knowing exactly what you have to tackle, you can jump right in, instead of spending the morning trying to get organized. Moreover when we handle tedious tasks during down time, instead of during a stressful morning, we’re less likely to make errors. 

Draft emails. 

OK. While this may feel like “working” on Sunday, spending 30 minutes to an hour to draft important emails you want to go out Monday morning can help you sleep soundly on Sunday night. If you find that you toss and turn all night because you’re stressed thinking about Monday morning, this small step that feels like work, ends up working for your sleep habits. 

And a good night sleep should be top priority on Sunday. 

Write a Monday to-do list, broken down by hour. 

This is a trick that very busy people use. You don’t have to plan the whole week— in fact working just one day in advance has shown to make workers more productive. Chart your Monday by the hour, and as each 60 minutes passes, check it off. The momentum of productivity (i.e. crossing something off a list) has a very positive effect on your work and how you feel about the work. 

    For example: 

• 9am. Answer emails
• 10am. Meeting with team
• 11 am. Come up with creative ideas for Thursday pitch
• 12n. Draft interview questions for X 

Declutter your space. 

Change your sheets, make the bed, organize your mail. Studies show that clutter undermines your productivity, so don’t let this happen to you. 

This includes YOUR CAR. Most of the time we talk about decluttering space, people think about their home, especially a home office or their bedroom. But if you commute to work, and your car looks like the inside of frat house, that’s the FIRST space that’s on your mind when you get to the office. And it can effect your work. 

Collect those old Kind bar wrappers, the coffee cup in the center console, and the shoes and jacket you tossed into the backseat. The cleaner the space, the clearer your mind. 

Pay any outstanding bills, fill prescriptions, and go to the market. 

These are the kind of tasks that stress anyone out, especially when their work week is jam-packed. And small tasks that float around in the back of your head take up BIG amounts of space. Check them off and get ready to check-in to Monday. 

Work out. 

It’s one of the best ways to get your week off on the right, healthy foot. Working out has been proven to improve concentration and mood, both of which are in hot demand come Monday. 

Have a glass of red wine, read a book, have a meal with friends… 

Whatever works best for you to relax, with Monday on the horizon, it’s too easy to slip into a negative state of mind. But that not only effects your sleep it also effects which side of the bed you wake up on Monday AM. 

Your mood matters, so do something to put your mind at ease. Oh and did we mention that red wine significantly improve memory and motor skills. Cheers to you Sunday night! 

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

How to Show Jet Lag Who's Boss

I own an international travel company so naturally, I travel a lot for work. There are months where I spend more nights in hotel beds than my own. However, I am not one to complain. Traveling for work has afforded me great opportunities; I have met some incredible people in other countries and I have spent way too many boisterous nights dancing and sipping on national liquors all in the name of work. I have been able to keep up with a transcontinental schedule by creating a routine out of the chaos. I also called on some of my other globe trotting lady friends to get their input on how to stay balanced when traversing so many time zones. 

ON JET LAG

This might be the worst aspect about travel. Jet lag can lead to fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and digestive upset. Basically, it sucks. My friend Kalsoom, who travels to Pakistan on a regular basis highly recommends taking natural melatonin supplements that help control your sleep. I always use the long plane rides and overnight flights as an opportunity to start to get my body adjusted to the time zone I will be landing in. Neck pillows, eye masks, large scarves that double as a blanket, and noise canceling head phones (per Kalsoom’s suggestion) make the process of avoiding jet lag much easier. 

ON STAYING HEALTHY

Exercise and being active is of high importance to me and it is what helps manage my stress levels. Before I take off, I usually check to see if there is a gym near where I am staying and particularly, the classes they are offering. Classes are a great way to immerse yourself in the local community and culture. For example, I have taken champeta and zumba classes in Colombia, yoga in Mexico City, and signed up for beach boot camp on the shoreline of Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janiero. Beyond that, I use running as a way to see the city or roam new neighborhoods. There is no better way to explore a city than by foot.

"Keep up with a transcontinental schedule by creating a routine out of the chaos."

Tweet this. 

If time is tight and I have to do a quick HIIT (high intensity interval training) workout in my hotel room, I use apps like Nike Fit Club and ProDay. All will make you sweat and often no equipment is needed. 

ON LIVING OUT OF A LUGGAGE

As soon as I arrive to my hotel, I unpack my luggage and organize everything. It takes a quick fifteen minutes, but allows me feel more settled in rather than on-the-go. Beyond that, I treat myself by bringing along some sort of luxury item so it feels special. For example, when I am home, my body wash is basic, but when I travel, I splurge on Malin Goetz Rum Body Wash. It might seem simple, but for whatever reason it works for me and gets me excited about my trips. It is all about the mental games you play with yourself when you are traveling so much. 

On a practical level, I always take my time when preparing for my trip. Being rushed or anxious that I forgot to pack something important is not worth the stress for me. Rather, I block out a few hours in my calendar, use it as an excuse to catch up on podcasts and do it with calmness. I always try to pack a fun wardrobe where pieces can be mixed and matched and be used for all types of occasions. Jewelry (which, barely takes up any space) is an easy way to take an outfit from day to night as well as a bold lip color. Because I love exploring a location by foot, comfortable, but stylish shoes are the first items I pack. A similar pair to these or these, have worked really well for me. 

ON MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS

I get asked about this a lot. My husband and I both travel a ton for work and this year has been particularly intense. We have had several occasions where I will be flying in and he will be flying out the next day. We are both at a point where we are hitting major strides with our careers, in our early thirties, and have both worked hard to get where we are. In short, travel is not slowing down for either of us. We are fully supportive of each other going big or going home for the next few years. That being said, our relationship is of high priority and we have seen (and felt) what happens when we are not proactive about maintaining it. One of the biggest challenges is communication and starting to feel disconnected. When he is sometimes sixteen hours ahead or I am not getting back to my hotel room until one in the morning, hopping on a call is difficult and sometimes the last thing either of us want to do. However, we make texting each other the best thing that happened to us every day a priority. That makes us feel like we know what is going on in each other’s lives and it keeps our work travel positive. 

"We make texting each other the best thing that happened to us every day a priority."

Tweet this. 

Maintaining relationships with friends and family can also be difficult when you are on the road. My friend Corey -- who has lived in Nairobi, Kenya for the past few years and is often traveling to very remote and rural areas of the country-- uses technology and social media to her advantage. Although she has tried to keep a blog, send long email updates to friends, or schedule the habitual Sunday night Skype call with her parents, she has found that social media makes it easier (and faster) to maintain relationships while abroad. Whether posting an Instagram picture of your travels, sending a Snap Chat of your commute to work, or even playing a quick round of Words with Friends, you can use the breadth and ease of technology to stay connected to those you care about. While no substitute for in-person catch-ups, these short, virtual "touches" help maintain the foundation for long-term, quality relationships. And that's #nofilter. 

Sticking to the above allows for work travel to continue to feel fun and exciting instead of starting to have it feel burdensome. 

###

Katalina Mayorga is the CEO and founder of El Camino Travel. El Camino was featured in AFAR in their 2015 Vanguard Issue under, "Surprise Is the New Luxury" category, as well as Mashable, the Guardian, Marie Claire and Forbes for their innovative approach to travel. El Camino works closely with local tastemakers to curate off-beat experiences for small groups of people to unique locations. The trips all come with a creative photographer in tow, so that their travelers can thoroughly enjoy their experiences while ensuring that their memories are captured and that they will have great social media content. In addition, a percentage of profits are donated to a local social entrepreneur working to better his or her country.

MORE FROM OUR BLOG 

Why You Shouldn't Aim For Online Virality

If we were to ask you what was viral two years ago, or even a year ago, would you remember? Unlike the first viral videos almost 10 years ago like Charlie Bit My Finger or David After Dentist, you probably don’t remember much between then and now.

Today there are tons of blogs that will tell you that virality is the gateway to your brand's success and getting it off the ground, but everything that goes up must come down. In a nutshell, here's why you should not focus on making virality a strategy for your brand.

Viral Content Is Here For a Good Time, Not A Long Time

Should brands look to achieve the same level of virality as a popular cat video? Prob not. Those cat videos aren’t trying to sell, convert, or gain customer loyalty. Brands should be thinking big picture and the lifespan of a viral video. Gen Z is said to have an 8-second attention span, which means it’s onward and onward.

Unless you have an efficient word-of-mouth organic strategy or a built-in strategy that is going to live beyond the virality, it’s not worth investing in production and energy in what will either fail to go viral or make you the flavor of the week.

Viral content becomes popular at the speed of light, is the talk of the town for one week, and then fizzles out of conversations. The investment made in content that aims for virality is also not promising. There have only been a handful of brand campaigns that went viral. Moreover, there's a good chance your campaign will not catch fire. So just a rule of thumb: if virality is your first goal when launching a campaign, you should head back to the drawing board.

"If virality is your first goal when launching a campaign, you should head back to the drawing board."

Tweet this.

The Internet Can Smell When You’re Trying Too Hard

Think again about the last viral video that sticks out in your memory. It probably wasn’t a branded video. Most likely it came from someone online who made content without actually intending to become viral.

When brands try to emulate that, the internet can be very unforgiving when pointing out a try-hard brand. Especially when a brand does not understand what viral trend they decide to engage in, things can definitely turn south. (Prime examples here and here.)

Don’t Have An Expiration Date: Be Relevant Always & Consistent

Now why exactly do you want to be viral? Popularity is one thing, but how long is that going to last and is it really going to convert into sales for you?

Focus on more evergreen efforts that ensure your work and campaign outlast a trend. You don’t want to create content that easily dips into internet obscurity.

"Authenticity and consistency are keys to a thriving brand. Don’t bet on temporary success."

Tweet this.

Ensure that your content is always stellar and relevant, and never tries too hard to be something it’s not. Authenticity and consistency are keys to a thriving brand. Don’t bet on temporary success.

6 Ways to Get Back on Business Track

June gloom brings more than cloudy, grayish weather. It’s also the year’s mid-way point, the pit stop on our journey to NYE that reminds us of those lofty goals we set on Jan 1. And that can make some of us as gloomy as the weather. In part because we’re looking at everything we’ve yet to accomplish, leaving us feeling like tail chasers. 

But let’s make this a coffee cup half full situation and get back on the grind. Here’s how to set yourself and your business goals right once more. 

REVIEW

Where’s that list you wrote? Whether scribbled on paper, the notes section in your phone, or stored in your memory bank, it’s time to review. Look at what you have accomplished and what you haven’t. Do a brutally honest assessment of where you are. Reflection is a fundamental skill set of successful people. This time put it to paper-- if it’s not already.

 "Reflection is a fundamental skill set of successful people."

Tweet this. 

WHY WORDS ON PAPER? 

Two words: Accountability and commitment. Though many sites report the findings of the “1953 Harvard study” or the “1979 Yale study” both said to have found evidence correlating the act of writing down goals and the long-term performance of people, neither such study ever took place. However, putting your goals to paper does make you more accountable. For your mid-year review put your goals in two columns: A and B. In column A write down what you’ve already accomplished. In column B write down what you want to or have yet to accomplish. Notice if one column greatly outweighs the other. If the scales are tipped in favor of column B, consider creating a third column: C. Column C should be the space where you really hone in on what is realistic and important. Ask yourself if your goals have changed. Moving forward focus your efforts on C, instead of feeling overwhelmed by B.

WRITE DOWN THE HABITS YOU NEED TO NIX

Is there a side hustle you’ve been putting off because you’ve grown complacent/sucked into a Netflix hole? Have you stopped learning and listening and thereby found yourself in a creative rut/sucked into a Netflix hole? Chances are you’ve picked up a new bad habit or two in the last six months. They’re kind of like gophers that way-- always popping up in unexpected places. You don’t have to wait until New Year’s to reset. Use the start of summer (this coming Thursday, June 21st) to get the habits off your plate that are crowding out the other important and sustainable items.

CONSIDER USING A VACATION DAY OR TWO

This may feel counter-intuitive, but If you’ve been hitting it hard since the beginning of the year, that's counter productive. It could be time for a break. If you think of your brain like your computer, you know that you have to shut it down every now and again, otherwise it will start crashing. Endless spinning wheel of death where creativity ceases to flow and information exchange comes to a halt. You don’t have to hit professional rock bottom before you crawl back out. In 2014 42% of working Americans didn't take a single vacation day. Not one. In 2013 Americans collectively squandered 169 million vacation days. Yet this pattern is taking its toll on workers, proving to have a negative ripple effect on employee mental health, productivity, even the economy.

REACH OUT TO THAT *ONE PERSON*

This is an easy step to take, and yet we all know that the easiest step is often the hardest. There’s always that *one professional person* you keep meaning to reach out to, but never do. Maybe it’s a cold call or maybe you even have an introduction, but for some reason you can’t bring yourself to follow through. It may not be career changing-- for now-- but it could be the one domino that sets the others on a roll. As soon as you finish reading this, go write that email and send it off.

LET GO AND LET GO (FOR REAL, LET IT GO)

Have you heard that spring cleaning closet rule? That if you haven’t worn it (leopard print body con dress) in a year, it’s time to donate? Well, the same goes for your to-do goal list. If there is a goal that’s been lingering, weaving its way from one year to the next, without much progress, it's time to let it go. Holding onto something we can’t commit to takes up valuable space in our brains. Much like that one person, you know what the one goal is. We’re not telling you to give up on your dreams, but if you’re not working toward it, maybe it’s not your dream?

And remember: Sometimes yes, you have to look back in order to look forward, but once you have your sights set firmly ahead, hold eye contact with the future. It’s your best bet.

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

How To Meditate At Work When It All Becomes Too Much

We've all felt stressed the F out at work, and that's probably never going to change—sorry. But rather than sulking into your anxious state of mind, why not try and get your zen on like all of the wellness bloggers you follow? Believe it or not, you can get in your zone at work and not feel like the workday took you down. Here's how to chill and stay chill at work when your inbox looks like it's at a million. 

Practice Breathing Exercises 

As basic as breathing exercises may sound, they're a huge help when it comes to relieving stress. Taking deep breaths slows down your heart rate and helps reduce the sense of anxiety. Getting your stress under control is one way to improve your health, and breathing exercises can help get you there. Hillary Clinton even used alternate nostril breathing as a way to cope with getting through the 2016 election. Hey, if it’s good enough for a presidential candidate, it’s good enough for us.

Plug In Your Headphones

It’s obviously not chill to blast any audio from your work computer, especially if you don’t have your own office. For us desk babes, headphones are heaven sent when it comes to meditating.  When you get to squeeze in some downtime, take advantage of pre-recorded meditation sessions from YouTube and some binaural beats. You’ll get in a meditation session at your desk or zone out to some chill tunes without anyone around you getting disturbed.

Download An App 

Stepping out for lunch today? Download a meditation app such as Head Space or Calm and get your moment of zen. These guided meditations are right in the palm of your hand and are great for the times you’re able to get outside and catch some fresh air. Look out for meditations that help kickstart your creative juices and productivity so that you can kill the rest of the workday. The best part about these is that they’re usually short, and you won’t face the guilt of being away from your desk for too long.

Try Team Meditation

Get your fellow boss ladies (and guys!) involved in your meditation. It’s honestly something we can all benefit from and will help everyone get their work done more effectively. Book the biggest conference room you can find, preferably in the middle of the workday, and play a guided meditation out loud for you all to follow. If you live in a larger city, there are plenty of meditating professionals who work with companies all of the time. Grab an expert to come along and show you and your coworkers the best way to stay balanced and refreshed in your office.

By: Andrea Navarro

 

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

The Career Tactic That Will Get You One Step Closer to Becoming A Boss

“They” say those who can, do; those who can't, teach.

We’re flipping the script and calling BS on this one. Because those who “teach” in a mentorship role are doers and next-level leaders. So much so, they serve as role models to the eager protégées who learn from their wins and their fails. 

We know that having a mentor (or four) is a critical component to success. It’s a two-way street, really, because becoming a mentor and imparting your wisdom on the lucky candidates under your wing will serve you in more ways than you know. 

Mentorship has always been an important tenet at Create & Cultivate; in fact, the mentor sessions are a key component of the Create & Cultivate conference. And while the Bosses imparting their truths to keen attendees are at the top of their game, they are clearly honored and stoked to be advising the ladies in their mentoring sessions. 

So if you’re looking to take your career to the next level, it might be time to consider becoming a mentor. 

Here are 6 reasons why:

IT MAKES YOU AN EXPERT

Whether you’re meeting with your mentee(s) on the regular or serving as their mentor on the phone or via Google Hangouts, they will try to absorb every tidbit of wisdom you’re sharing. And when you’re focusing on your trade, you’re becoming an expert on the topic as a result -- whether you realize it or not. 

So if the pesky feeling of Imposter Syndrome creeps its way into your psyche every now and then, kick it to the curb with your renewed “expert vibes.” 

After all, even though you’re slaying career-wise, every now and then you might second-guess your path, passion or purpose. This is normal! 

Sometimes our inner critic / doubter / hater gets the best of us and makes us wonder, “Have I got what it takes?” Being a mentor and the ensuing validation it offers might just be enough to give you the confidence boost you need. 

IT CAN OPEN YOUR EYES TO A WHOLE NEW PERSPECTIVE

Imagine being a mentor to the next Uber founder? They might be right there, in the next batch of millennial leaders. And if you are currently mentoring a high school student, then you are likely gaining amazing insight into the generation younger than millennials, dubbed Generation Z (a.k.a. Gen Edge).

You’re getting direct access to these brilliant and ultra tech savvy minds, and this can open your eyes to a whole new business idea or new way of doing things. So enjoy and stay dialed into these a-ha moments. 

YOUR PUPIL MIGHT JOIN YOU ON YOUR QUEST FOR WORLD DOMINATION (#SQUADGOALS)

As you impart your truths and help pave the way for the bright young leaders of tomorrow, you might spot a spark in one of them and realize they should join your team. 

Whether they join you on a freelance or full-time basis, imagine the magic that can be created when you find the right people who share your vision and complement you in the best ways possible. 

IT'S REWARDING AND FULFILLING

Throwing it back to Create & Cultivate Los Angeles this past May, where kindness was one of the key themes. All the keynote speakers emphasized the importance of being nice, and Rachel Zoe shared her open-door philosophy as a boss. 

Helping someone else make the most of their career is the ultimate way of paying it forward. When you feel fulfilled and happy to help an up-and-coming dynamo, it adds to your gratitude bucket, which is a popular element in becoming successful. So make karma your kween and pay it forward by helping others as a mentor. 

"Make karma your kween and pay it forward by helping others as a mentor."

Tweet this. 

Eventually the student might even become the teacher -- the ultimate “yaaasss!” moment. 

IT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED 

When someone is looking to you for advice and wisdom, you need to make sure you’re up for the challenge. This is the perfect motivation to keep your expertise sharp, on-point, and always ahead of the game. After all, if they’re looking to you for inspiration, you need to make sure you’re worthy of their spotlight. 

IT KEEPS YOU GROUNDED

The appreciation your mentees experience when receiving your expert advice and dedication is enough to light up your day, and give you all the feels.

Remember that you can be a mentor to different people, at different stages of their careers. This is a great way to stay on your toes and be reminded of what it’s like to be in the very early stages of your business. 

As well, online platforms like Glassbreakers allow you to sign up as a mentor to modern women from diverse backgrounds, and you get matched up with women with common career goals. 

READY TO MENTOR? 

The whole “mentor-mentee” relationship requires chemistry, kind of like finding a partner. So try to be in tune with the people you encounter throughout your day-to-day, who might just become your protégées, pretty organically. Or seek out some lucky candidate(s) to take under your wing, with a local “Big Sister” program or mentoring organization.

However you go about it, embrace it, because being a mentor is the gift that keeps on giving. 

Karin Eldor is a coffee-addicted copywriter, with a long-time love for all things pop culture, fashion and tech. Ever since she got her first issues of YM (remember that one?) and Seventeen in the mail, she was hooked on the world of editorial content. After earning her Communications degree, she spent 6 years honing her craft as a Senior Editor for AskMen.com. More recently, Karin enjoyed gramming and strategizing as Social Media Manager at ALDO. Today, she is Chief Content Writer at 818 Agency and a social media consultant.  

More from our blog: 

6 Mobile Apps That Will Help You Get More Organized

Do you feel like your life is currently in shambles? It's time to get organized, girl. We spend so much time glued to our phones all day, not realizing they can be our pocket-sized assistants on any given day—and let's face it, we all need an assistant right? Ahead are a few mobile apps that could help you get your sh*t done the easy way. 

Tick Tick

Think of Tick Tick as your ultimate to-do list. When your phone's calendar just isn't cutting it, this is where you pop in all of your day-to-day tasks. Need to go food shopping? Check. Need to walk the dog? Check. You get the gist of it, and it's super helpful to pull up and update every day. You can also set alerts for yourself and rank them from highest priority to lowest. 

Mint

Running low on cash? You probably lost track of your coins after your brunch order last weekend. Mint is here to be your financial assistant by keeping track of all your purchases. If you've signed up for any subscriptions that you forgot about, this is where to find them to hit cancel finally.  Mint also gives you a clear picture of where most of your money goes into, and yes we've felt guilty after seeing our charts. Use mint to set a better budget for yourself and be a little stress-free financially. 

Planoly

If you're obsessed with Instagram (because who isn't?), then you'll need to get on Planoly. This app is the first visual planner for the 'gram. While other apps allow you to either preview your feed before posting a photo or schedule posts in advance, this one does it all. It even has relevant hashtags for you to choose from to boost your engagement. This one's definitely for the social media queen, but it's free so why not give it a try?

Venmo

We barely know anyone who doesn't have Venmo yet, but if you haven't hopped on the bandwagon, here's why you should. Venmo is a free digital wallet that quickly allows you to send money back and forth for owed payments. You can request money from friends, and send them whatever you owe them on the fly. All you have to do is link your bank account or debit card to get started. While the app runs on a business day schedule, you now have the option to send money in a few minutes for a small fee of 25 cents. 

Evernote

Jotting everything down from a meeting isn't the most fun part of a job, but we know it needs to get done. To better organize your notes, or transfer handwritten ones to a digital file, try Evernote. This one is available on both desktop and mobile, but anything stored on your account automatically syncs onto your device. So you can read notes on the go, or type new ones out on your phone if there's ever anything pressing. 

GroupMe

You're probably so tired of your phone's battery running low due to your squad's constant group texts. If you're part of multiple group chats, then our hats go off to you and your storage plan. That's where GroupMe comes in to solve all of your texting needs. Rather than having all of your conversations on your phone's regular inbox, run them through GroupMe and have them all in one place. Another major plus is that any phone can participate in a GroupMe chat, and users without iMessage aren't being left out. Win-win. 

By: Andrea Navarro

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

Be a Business Wildflower: How to STAND OUT in Your Next Meeting

You’ve heard of FOMO— Fear of Missing Out, but what if you’re missing out in a meeting or at a company event because you’re a bit of a business wallflower? 

We’ve all seen and heard of wallflowers- standing alone on the back wall at the dance, getting picked last for sports teams or formal dates. And you may be thinking, ‘That’s totally not me…I’m queen of the social scene!’ But are you queen of the boardroom? Or do you get too shy to speak up when you’re face-to-face with a big client or the company CEO?

Don’t fret. It’s normal and it’s a part of growing yourself as a business woman. You’re a wildflower at heart; you just need a little water and the chance to bloom.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with our friends at Wildflowers Skincare to show you not only how to put your best face forward with some of their amazing products, but also how to make sure you’re seen, heard, and presenting yourself with the most girl boss confidence. 

MAKE AN IMPRESSION 

You’ve heard the saying a million times- ‘you only get one chance at a first impression.’ And while your first instinct may be to knock ‘em dead with the killer outfit you just bought (can we get an amen for suede being the ‘it’ fabric this season?), but it may leave your client or potential business partner turned off. Remember, you’re dressing to impress the client you want! The best thing you can do to make that leap from wallflower to wildflower is to follow classic business dress rules for your first meeting or two to gauge the situation. Start with a fresh face (Wildflowers Gentle Cleansing Powder is our go-to travel friendly formula) and apply natural looking makeup. Craving a little bit of bold? A classic red lip is a great way to add a little sass! Next, use basic wardrobe pieces to create a strong foundation for your outfit. A pencil skirt paired with a buttoned up white top and a cool statement necklace makes a feminine, but classic statement. Just can’t kick the urge to accessorize? Throw on a fun statement heel. It’ll up your confidence knowing you’re rocking your favorite shoes.

GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD

There are some overlapping techniques between public speaking and speaking up at a conference table. The first is that the person who cares the most— is you. 

You’ve seen the graphic. There are two bubbles— one stating “Where the magic happens,” and the other “Your comfort zone.” It shouldn’t come as a surprise that they don’t overlap. The first step to getting out of your comfort zone is the hardest one. Next time you’re in a meeting and you have an idea, write it down. 

Writing it down serves as a constant reminder any time you look down to take notes that you have a great idea for the topic at hand! Send a follow up email after the meeting, thanking everyone for their time and quietly sneak in your suggestion. This takes a little bit of the pressure off, so you can feel more comfortable to bring it up again, out loud, in your next meeting.

The first time you do it is the scariest, but 2016 is all about growth!

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, MAKES PERFECT

OK. There is no such thing as perfect, but there are vast improvements— the likes of which you will never see if you don’t work on it at home. You’re not going to wake up one day and be a clutch public speaker. And, contrary to what you may think, not even the very best public speakers were simply born with the knack. 

There are plenty of famous known introverts that have had very public careers— Steve Jobs and Sheryl Sandberg to name two. You might be thinking, what? How?! They’ve been able to get up in front of millions of viewers to give speeches on television and at conferences. It’s true, but it also goes to show that if you want something bad enough, nothing will hold you back. Practice every day until you feel like you’ve got the hang of it, then stand up in the boardroom and knock it out of the park!

FAILURE ALSO MAKES PERFECT 

You probably just read that title and thought “Um, what?!” But, hear us out. Every business woman you know has had a flop idea, been shut down in a business meeting by an unprofessional colleague, or has totally botched their presentation to a client. Failure is an important part of the process because it teaches you how to navigate those awkward and uncomfortable moments so you can come out on top next time! When these things happen, take a bit of a breather. Splash some water on your face or relax with a nice face mask (hint: the Wildflowers Detoxifying Clay Masque does the trick for us every time) and go over what happened.

"Failure also makes perfect." 

Tweet this. 

How can you be better prepared? What steps can you take to diffuse a situation? How can you transform your idea to better fit your client’s needs? Then the next time you’re faced with potential setback, use what you’ve learned to kick butt and take names!

The transition from business wallflower to #beawildflower is a process, but it’s totally worth it when you’re becoming your best boss girl self. There’s enough success to go around, so practice your pitches, dress to impress, and don’t be afraid of failure. Every experience gets you one step closer taking over the world!

How This Clean Beauty Brand Is Protecting Our Oceans

In case you weren't aware, June is World Oceans month. While it's always important to try our best to keep the environment as clean and protected as possible, the focus is on just that this month. Our oceans take up about 70% of the Earth, making them one of, if not, the biggest source of life. So if you're heading to the beach anytime soon or in for some water-related activities, try and make an effort by picking up three pieces of plastic you see for example. 

We've partnered with REN Clean Skincare, and the Surfrider Foundation, for our own efforts in honor of World's Oceans Month. As part of its new mission to be Clean to skin and Clean to planet, REN Clean Skincare has pledged to produce zero waste by 2021. Later this summer, REN Clean Skincare will be relaunching its award-winning Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Anti-Fatigue Body Wash into a 100% recyclable bottle with 20% plastic reclaimed from the ocean and 80% plastic recycled from empty plastic bottles.

Both REN Clean Skincare and the Surfrider Foundation are dedicated to the cause of keeping our water-centric playgrounds clean for all of us to enjoy. 

More than eight million tons of plastic appear in our oceans every year—yes, you read that right. With so much waste disposed into our water, we took our cleaning efforts to the Hamptons with REN Clean Skincare, the Surfrider Foundation, and some of our favorite New York ladies. We're hoping to raise awareness on this ongoing issue that could severely damage the quality of Earth's ocean water through a beach cleaning day for World Oceans Month.  

During the beach cleanup initiative, the scene may have looked clean from afar but participants quickly learned otherwise. In one hour, 2.5 pounds of waste was found on the beach. The waste found included:

•  4 balloons
• 38 cigarette butts
• 5 glass bottles
• 2 plastic bottles
• 10 plastic bottle caps
• 5 plastic bags
• 5 straws
• 2 plastic utensils
• 11 plastic food wrappers
• 2 children's toys
• and more...

The day was followed by an eco-conscious lunch in the Hamptons, with zero straws of course. Influencers who attended this effort also shared some insight about what they learned and their own sustainability tips. 

Sai De Silva reduces her waste footprint by recycling her clothes as much as possible. As an influencer who receives plenty of clothing gifts, she makes sure to donate them or sends them off as hand-me-downs. As a bonus tip, she also suggests reusing toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls as pots for your plants by closing the bottom and adding in some soil. 

Jessica Franklin learned that a lot of the waste found on beaches is consumed by fish, which can then affect any of us who consume fish as well. One of the ways she practices sustainability is through her diet as she is a pescatarian. She chose this lifestyle because of the large amount of water that goes into feeding other animals, such as cows. 

Natalie Suarez doesn’t use any plastic water bottles and swears by recyclable bottles, and by recycling everything else that she possibly can. That includes packages, plastic, glass and more. 

Rachel Martino learned that even the smallest items could affect our beaches and the ocean. Such items include bobby pins and plastic bottles, which are often found lingering in the sand. In efforts to reduce her own waste footprint, she only washed her hair once a week which helps save a lot of water. 

Rachel Nguyen believes in reusing as much as possible, rather than purchasing more recyclable household items. She also believes it’s important to use clean beauty without any synthetic ingredients or packaging because our skin is such a prominent organ of ours and it absorbs everything. 

Candace Hampton’s favorite takeaway from the beach cleanup was that everyone should make an effort to recycle and reduce waste as much as possible to make more clean beauty products. The experience also inspired her to use less plastic water bottles and less plastic in general.

If you're heading to the beach this summer, try cleaning up any waste that you may spot around you. On the other hand, if you can't make it down to a beach this summer, you can learn more tips on how you can help the initiative on the Surfrider  Foundation site. 

What Is Clean Beauty?

We're living in a time where beauty brands are changing the way they manufacture and package their products. It seems as though clean beauty is the topic of the moment, but the descriptor can be confusing. To be clear, clean beauty is defined as products that are produced and formulated without any harmful or toxic ingredients. Such ingredients include sulfates, parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, and more. 

REN Clean Skincare chooses only bio-actives that benefit skin health and ingredients that protect the efficacy of the formula. It’s a brand consiststing of clean, safe skincare, with no toxins, no hard or controversial chemicals, and no potential irritants, ever. 

REN Clean Skincare's goal to help the planet is for its packaging to produce zero waste by 2021. It swears by recyclable packaging, refillable solutions, bottles with reclaimed ocean plastic and so much more for a waste-free future. Most importantly, REN Clean Skincare has taken action with global activist partner, Surfrider Foundation by cleaning up beaches and oceans worldwide. 

MORE FROM THE BLOG

 

 

7 Things Every Working Woman Should Keep At Her Desk

Got a new job? Congrats! So, now what are you going to put in that brand new desk of yours? Will you personalize it with some small touches such as photos or décor? Who knows. But there are some staples that every working woman needs. Apart from basic office supplies, we can all benefit from stocking up on the following seven items. Keep these in mind once you've settled into your desk.

Extra Chargers

Don't be that girl who's asking her new coworkers for a charger on her first day. It's likely that your phone is a huge part of your job, so you don't want it to run out of juice. To save yourself the extra headache of searching for a charger, always have a backup at your desk. If worst comes to worse, at least have the USB cord that could easily stay plugged into your computer throughout the day. 

Stain Remover

It happens to the best of us. You might spill our lunch onto that new white shirt you bought at the Zara sale, or a pen casually decided to explode all over your pants. The easiest way to solve this inevitable mishap is to have some stain remover at your desk. There are even stain remover pens available now that won't take up a ton of space, and work just as effectively. 

Feminine Products

Want to be the office hero? Keep some lady products stocked at your desk. You know us working women can't always rely on their offices to be stocked with the good. That time of the month could sneak up on us, and it's essential to be prepared for a worst-case scenario. Prefer specific brands of tampons or pads over others? That's another solid reason to take matters into your own hands. 

Shoes

Look. You never know what kind of day you're doing to end up having. While most would tell you to keep a pair of flats at your desk, we're telling you to keep both flats and heels available at all times. Could you imagine being sent off to an important meeting in your not-so-new pair of sneakers?  On the other hand, maybe you love wearing heels but have an unexpected day full of running around ahead of you—that's where your flats come in. Trust us, you'll thank yourself later. 

Tissues

Getting up to go to the restroom every time they you need a tissue is super fun, right? Not so much. Whether it's allergy season or your eyes have a habit of watering up, keep a stash of tissues at your desk. They also make it easier to clean up minor things quickly, and you can always get a cute cover for your box.

Hair Ties

Sometimes we just want to throw our hair up, but we can't do that without keeping some hair ties nearby. If you're in a professional setting, it's not a good look to keep hair ties around your wrist, even though we're all guilty of this. Buy a pack of some hair ties at the drugstore and keep them with you at work. Hair dilemma solved. 

Snacks!

Of course, we couldn't leave snacks off of this list. We all need that extra fuel to keep us going throughout today and to hold us over until lunch. Some snacks that are great for keeping at your desk are pretzels, nuts, rice cakes, and bars. You won't regret having something to munch on when your stomach is asking for it!

Honorable Mentions

• Books
• Candles
• Mirror
• Sweater
• Fragrance
• Deodorant
• Makeup (and makeup-remover wipes!)

By: Andrea Navarro

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

 

School of Side Hustle Lesson 4: From Market to Marketing!

For those of you just joining our Create & Cultivate x Weebly School of Side Hustle Series, where have you been? Missing out, that’s where.

Luckily, we love a recap.

In “Lesson One: Building a Brand Online,” we talked to Emily McDowell, founder of The Emily McDowell Studio about the basics of brand building.

In “Lesson Two: From Concept to Commerce,” we talked to illustrator and artist, Carly Kuhn (@theCartorialist) about her advice for selling online and what kind of websites she prefers.

In “Lesson Three: Don’t Just Build a Website, Build a Business,” Kelsey Kelley of KKelley Designs walks us through her hustle and flow.

Caught up? Good. Because it’s full steam ahead for “Lesson 4: From Market, To Marketing.”

Watch:  Lesson Four From Market to Marketing

At stage right, we’ve got @DazeyLA.

Dazey LA is a brand that stands out.

And yet it’s founder, Danielle Nagel, says she started off the same way so many businesses begin: with a side hustle. (Are you sensing a pattern here?!)

“I started off with odd jobs for friends, print shops, doctors offices, and slowly worked my way up,” Danielle shares. “Fast forward 6 years later and I was full-time designing apparel graphics for large companies like Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Forever 21, Macy's and Nordstrom to name a few! I had a great career as a young designer but all I really wanted was to start my own brand and design shirts that stood for something.”

The idea of standing for something and taking a stand against fast fashion was vital to Danielle’s success. From the start her brand has been about transparency-- this wasn’t only a marketing ploy.

But like so many others, even Danielle had the concept, she had to take “the leap” we talked about in Lesson 2. “I still always say my biggest challenge was actually gathering the courage to start Dazey. It took me years to finally do it. Self-doubt and other peoples negative opinions can so easily slip in. Of course, it wasn’t easy sailing after that, every season of my company presents new challenges. You just have to learn to take them one at a time. Believe in yourself.”

Photos by @Dazey_LA

Danielle adds that she had to work to be taken seriously. “It can be hard to be taken seriously, especially when I come skipping into a factory wearing pink shoes and spice girl buns. I may not look it but I can be a tough bitch when push comes to shove and I will stand my ground and protect my company. Ask for a better price and better product every single time! Find production people you trust and who respect you. It will save you some serious headaches. Never forget you are already endlessly brave for starting a company in the first place, use that power!”

This is something we talk about at C&C all the time: Your power tools. Standing your ground. Protecting your company. Walking into a warehouse and asking for exactly what you want.

But you also want tools on the backend to do the same. You want tools that work for you-- not against you. Tools that make your site searchable. Tools that make sure you are getting all of eyeballs on your product.

Katie Swett, Director of Product at Weebly knows all about this. When it comes to marketing 101, Katie says,

“Learn to use your tools! The big brands have huge marketing teams and budgets to power intelligent marketing. BUT a lot of that power is now available to small businesses." 

Tweet This.

Platforms like Weebly Promote can help you automate campaigns, personalize content, and market uniquely to different segments.

Katie also encourages those new to marketing to be sure to collect email addresses. “Don’t wait to get started with marketing! Even if you are not ready to sell your product, it’s always a great idea to create a Coming Soon Page that collects the email addresses of people interested in learning more about your business. This list of subscribers can start small with friends and family, but will be meaningful over time,” she says.  

As Danielle has, Katie encourages new brands to get to know their customers. “Respond to them when they reach out on social media, ask them questions, listen to their complaints and use that information to build a community that reflects your brand.” More so, she says you need to, “Be your authentic self! You have a huge advantage when you’re starting, you can be real and authentic with your customers. That’s harder for bigger brands to do. Tell you story, be transparent, make them feel like they’re talking to a human. That’s the little guys secret weapon.”

It was certainly part of Danielle’s secret weapon.

So let’s fill up your arsenal a bit more.

We’ve touched a bit on marketing, but we want to dig a little deeper. In Lesson 4: From Market to Marketing, Jaclyn Johnson talks with Katie who is going to walk you through marketing tools and techniques, which include Weebly's latest product, Weebly Promote, an integrated marketing platform.

As discussed in Lesson 4's video, an essential part of marketing, is the kind of grassroots engagement you do with your followers. Because, once you’ve built your brand, your site, and your following, you need to keep said followers engaged. It’s an important part of the game. So we asked Katie Swett for some other pro-tips on how tools like "Weebly Marketing" and help you build and maintain your customer base." These automated tools allow you to work smarter, not harder.

With Weebly you can:

• Build brand awareness and drive traffic to your site by creating Facebook ads right from the Weebly platform.

• Use the benefits of Automation. Abandon Cart Emails allow you to automatically detect when a customer leaves a cart with products in it and sends them an email follow-up with their abandoned products. This lets you potentially win back customers you may have lost without doing any work.

• Try different prices, sales, offers and messaging and see what works best for your audience. Weebly has an Insights dashboard that gives you analytics on your computer or phone so you know what's working (and what's not) right away.

• Break your audience up into targeted groups. Then you can send different emails to people that visit you every week, than you do to people who have only visited one. Or, different emails to people who normally buy mens clothes, than you do to people how normally buy womens. This personalization helps you send more resonant emails to smaller groups, without overwhelming people with too many.

• Build up a list of subscribers.  Email marketing is still the most effective marketing tool to maximize your ROI (return on investment). It’s is how you start a relationship with your audience, and how you will ultimately turn visitors into customers.”

For Danielle, part of her marketing plan means connecting with her customers on a “deeply personal level” as well as “sharing what the day-to-day life of an entrepreneur really looks like.”

It’s all about connection.

Katie likewise encourages small businesses to connect with their customers on an intimate level. She says, “Social media has made it easier than ever to start communicating with potential customers. We always recommend heading out to farmers markets or craft fairs to have those face to face conversations with your customers. You will be amazed how grateful they are to speak with you and learn more about your story. In turn, you will get real feedback from customers that can dramatically shape how your grow and iterate.”

That doesn’t mean it’s the right direction for everyone, but for Danielle and Dazey LA, it gives her work meaning. “I noticed so many of the boss babes I looked up to didn’t share the nitty gritty or their biggest tips and tricks,” Danielle says. “Those were the things I was dying to see when I was still in my corporate design job daydreaming of starting a company. Being open has hands down been my biggest asset. So many small businesses feel the need to look more professional or bigger than they actually are. I choose to do to the opposite and embrace being a small one-gal company. People are so much more excited to support something small, real, and relatable. My suggestion to people is to be as true to yourself and your mission as possible. Align your beliefs with your company and then promote the hell out of it!”

Ahh. Promote the hell out of it. That’s part of your job as a small business. And you need to get comfortable with self-promotion, even if there are other parts of launching that scare you.

Danielle assures all her side-hustle people who are unsure of the next step that you don’t have to know “business” to create a successful business. “You don’t have to know anything!! You just need to find the people who do." I knew how to design shirts and that was basically it. You learn so much as you go and there is no rules to follow. Put yourself out there and you will figure it out. It’s the wild west baby! - Also Google is your best friend.” Shop Danielle's latest collection here. 

And so is Weebly, we would add.

Have more questions, drop us a line below and we’ll get them answered!

Be sure to look back at Lesson One: Building a Brand Online, Lesson 2: From Concept to Commerce, and Lesson 3: Don’t Just Build a Website, Build a Business.

MORE FROM THE BLOG

The Trick to Avoiding Burnout Isn't Delegating or Meditating

photo credit: Memorandum 

This whole business of building your dream career is not for the faint of heart; we know this. 

Delegate! The productivity hackers command. Automate! The digital marketing experts implore. Meditate before meetings! Suggest the self-care gurus. And yes, a healthy mix of all of the above will go far in helping to grow and expand one’s professional empire. The problem is that in the quest to outperform, overdeliver and yes maybe even overachieve, we often miss out on a powerful, potentially easier way.

What if I told you there was a nearly foolproof, feel-good tactic available to you? Right now. Something basically guaranteed to activate a serious mood-boost, along with a burst of motivation, creativity and enthusiasm for yourself and your team? A strategy that will help to drive demand for your products and services, build extreme team loyalty and attract your right people and opportunities your way, like a magnet.

So what is this powerful career cocktail?

Professional recognition.

Employees who do not feel adequately recognized are twice as likely to say they’ll quit in the next year, which seems likely as a Gallup poll conducted in 2016 found that employees often feel their best efforts are routinely ignored. In fact, the number one reason Americans leave their jobs is that they don’t feel appreciated. And yet, the Aberdeen Group found that only 14% of organizations provide managers with the necessary tools for rewards and recognition.”

Seriously.

So how do we turn this around? Here are 3 ideas: 

Seek out PR opportunities for your experts

The standard protocol is often to have the CEO act as the mouthpiece for a company, whether or not she is intimately involved in the subject matter at hand. Instead, make company PR a group effort. Encourage your team to seek out opportunities to write articles, contribute expert quotes, submit for career interviews, apply to speak on panels, heck, give a keynote speech. Share the spotlight with the experts who are helping you succeed and everyone wins. If you’re an employee, being opportunities like this to the table and argue your case.

Earmark budget (and-time) for awards and celebrations

Every cent matters, particularly in a startup environment. But take note of a World at Work study that found 46% of senior managers view recognition programs as an investment rather than an expense. From that perspective, consider putting money aside for external and internal recognition opportunities. Whether you apply for industry awards, incentivize an employee of the month program with a half day of paid-time-off, or host a quarterly peer-recognition love fest complete with seasonal snacks, ensure everyone knows these programs (and the core value of appreciation) are a company priority. 

Write love letters

One of my career maxims is to ‘lead with generosity.’ This idea aligns well with one of my favorite quotes by the French philosopher Simone Weil, particularly apt in our multi-platform, multi-distraction world: “Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” (It's also free.) 

One of my favorite strategies to bust through my own burnout is to send out emails of appreciation. I send them to people I know and complete strangers, anyone whose work I am inspired by, anyone who has gone above and beyond for me in a meaningful way.

No matter where you are at in your career, you have every opportunity to build yourself up - and those around you - through a heartfelt note of appreciation. 

By adopting formal-or even informal-recognition practices for yourself and your team, you’ll enjoy perks like an improvement in outside perception, an easier time attracting top talent, higher customer satisfaction, lower turnover, less frustration, a more highly engaged workforce and better business results overall. 

Now that sounds like something worth celebrating.

---

Crosby Noricks is the founder and director of PR Couture, the sourcebook for fashion and lifestyle communicators. As part of the site’s own 10-year anniversary celebration, Crosby launched The Bespoke Communication Awards, a global online award program established to recognize excellence among agencies, in-house teams, individuals and brands. The BCAs include a free “Favorites Category” nomination form for 6 awards, including ‘Breakout Lifestyle Brand’ and ‘Favorite Industry News Source/Publication’ - submit your faves today!

  MORE FROM OUR BLOG

Studio DIY's Kelly Mindell Shares Her Summer Traditions

Simple summer pleasures are upon us. No matter what your job, summer is the season of FUN. But work does not wait for summer -- unfortunately. With the bulk of the summer ahead of us (YAY!), we're teaming up with Old Navy to tap on-the-go moms across the country to find out how they squeeze more fun out of summer in their cities - while keeping that to-do list managed and inboxes at a minimum. 

SUMMER FUN IN LA LA LAND

Los Angeles blogger Kelly Mindell of Studio DIY shares her summer fun hacks with her son below. 

How does your family “squeeze more fun” out of summer?

We've instated "Family Fridays" in our house so we get to spend Fridays doing fun activities with our son, Arlo! Sometimes we'll go on a big adventure to Disneyland or just a quick one to our local park, but it's so nice to squeeze in that extra day together!

SHOP THE MINDELL FAMILY OLD NAVY SUMMER LOOKS HERE

What are some of your favorite picnic memories or summer traditions?

We picnicked everywhere in the summer. We lived a block away from the park so we were there ALL the time but we also took picnics to the town pool or the beach. My mom is the one person I know who doesn't like a pb&j. But she'd make it for me, for every picnic. Strawberry jam, crustless and diagonally cut, obviously! It's always the little things you remember most, right?? 

As an entrepreneurial mom, there’s a lot of pressure to be plugged in + online. Why is it important for you to make family memories in the summer?

Summer felt so magical as a kid and I am so excited to recreate that feeling for my children. A few years ago, my mom recently gifted me 25 years worth of scrapbooks documenting every memory and major moment of my childhood. It is my most treasured gift! I hope to do the same for Arlo so we're trying to be better about taking our real camera with us instead of our phones, so we don't feel the need to also check in on emails while capturing some of these memories for him! 

Do you have any favorite summer traditions? What is your go-to activity for summer fun with the family?

I grew up in New Jersey, so every summer we took a long family trip to the shore. We stayed at the same hotel every time and saw the same friends every single year. It was such a fun tradition and we all looked forward to it. While we now live on the other side of the country, we're looking forward to finding our "spot" here on the west coast and starting that tradition this year!  

Vacations are wonderful but they can also be hard work to plan. Do you have any family vacay planning tips? 

The biggest thing I've learned about traveling with a little one is that you have to take things a bit slower! We like to pick just one thing a day we want to do, see or eat and let the rest of the day fall into place from there. That way, if we fit in more in a day it feels like a bonus! Plus, we are able to keep our family on somewhat of a schedule so the transition back to real life is easier, too!

The biggest thing I've learned about traveling with a little one is that you have to take things a bit slower!

Tweet this.

What can the workplace do to help families inject more FUN into their summer?

I've seen several companies have employees work a few extra hours during the week so they can spend one Friday a month with their family or even a half day every Friday during the summer. It's totally worth putting in those extra hours to get a solid chunk of extra time with your kids to get out and experience something new!

When you’re not on PTO, how do you keep the family fun going at home in the summer?

We take a lot of "adventure" walks around our neighborhood with different destinations! Sometimes we just check out all different the plants, leaves, and animals, sometimes we say hello to neighbors and sometimes we hit up the park or our favorite coffee shop for a treat. 

What are your summer fun hacks?

Arlo has recently become obsessed with bubbles so this summer I'm planning on filling an inexpensive kiddie pool with bubble mix and using hula hoops to make giant bubbles with him. I think he's going to go crazy for it!

Want even more summer fun? Check out Kelly's site, Studio DIY for some MAJOR inspo!

How do you #SqueezeMoreFun out of the summer with your family? Let us know in the comments!

SHOP THEIR OLD NAVY LOOKS! 

Kelly:

Shirt (available in select stores)

Shorts

Bow tie sandals 

Arlo:

Denim Jacket

Floral shirt

Shorts

MORE FROM THE BLOG

This One Is For the Nice Girls At Work

Attention all nice girls, let’s really talk. Being the nice girl is honestly nothing nice. Both in our personal lives and on our grind (a.k.a our work life) we get treated as outsiders. Before I get into this, let me describe what a nice girl is: the girl who puts their best self forward every day with a positive attitude and tries their best to avoid the negativity that surrounds them. We are the opposite of the girl who always gives you an attitude, has nothing nice to say, and well— somehow finds the wrong way to talk to you.

In this new age of social media people are continuously trying to put each other down, and somehow it is all becoming normal. With all of the conflict around us, I’d rather be the light at the end of the tunnel. There is no reason to feed into all the negativity, but instead, I believe it’s important to put my best foot forward each day with positive affirmations and a level head. Someone needs to be the positive one in the friend group, right?

Growing up through adolescence and now in my adult life, people have always tried to take advantage of my nice girl attitude and have attempted to discredit my ability to get things done (as if being nice would ever prevent me from being successful anyway). I’ve had friends who have teased me for not being “tough” enough and coworkers who’ve advised me to be more “stern”. A message to everyone out there: my presence of niceness does not mean the absence of a backbone. It also definitely does not mean you can run over me; I can and will speak up for myself when I feel I need to and not when you feel I should - I can do that with a smile, too.

The nice girl side effects don’t stop in your personal life, however. Like I’d mentioned, you’re expected to be even more stern in the workplace. Personally, I’ve been told several times to be tougher, and worse - it’s often been implied directly or indirectly that I might not make it far. Question is, what’s so wrong with holding on to good character? Are we really a little too positive? Does not conforming to the ideal “boss attitude” intimidate you? Do you feel that you can take advantage of me? Does my good character offend you? All hell no’s!

There has been several (and I mean several) instances in the workplace that has really made me rethink if I should shift my attitude - should I conform and be rougher on the edges? I’ve had a boss feel that she could scream at me. I’ve even had a coworker be rude to me daily (and we all know that’s uncalled for). I felt that I got those responses because somehow being nice meant, “I am less than and I don’t deserve to be respected.” Don’t get me wrong though, as I said before, I will speak up for myself, but somehow when you show too much niceness people forget what respect is even on the days you demand it. Even if you speak up when needed, it’s somehow laughable and isn’t taken seriously because you’re “just the nice girl”.

Somehow the nice girls get painted as a villain. I’ve had people get irritated with me because I’m too nice. We even get victimized for following our authentic behavior because we don’t want to be the “mean” girl everyone else wants us to be— well, at least I do. It’s a double edged sword - a lose-lose game.

You know what— yes, I am the nice girl and I am proud of it. I’d rather spew positivity into the workplace and in my personal life. I’d rather respond with a smile and a nice comment. I really want to help you, and no I don’t want to be lunged into any work drama. No, I am not faking any of it. I’m beaming with the utmost sincerity.

You know what— yes, I am the nice girl and I am proud of it. I’d rather spew positivity into the workplace and in my personal life.

Advice to those telling us not to be who we are: let us, the nice girls, speak our truth. We are nice but that is not a green light to take advantage of us - we’re human just like you. We decide to pick positivity over negativity because we believe it makes a better atmosphere for everyone. We decide to treat others the same exact way we want to be treated. Most importantly, we decide to not emerge ourselves into drama. We will not stoop down to some petty level of negativity because we will kill with kindness (a skill few can master and most are fearful of). We like the nice girl that we are and man, it feels good to be nice. What can we say, we’re living our best life. Nice girls are total badasses.

Guess what? We don’t have to turn into this grumpy person to be successful. We can greet you with smile. We can be morning people. We can be okay with someone you may not be okay with. You know it’s acceptable to be likable, right? Sometimes it’s not necessary to have something mean and criticizing to say.  Ladies, you don’t have to be this mean girl to get ahead, because guess what - men definitely don’t have to follow the same standards as we do to reach the same end goal.

Listen ladies, don’t be afraid to be exactly who you are. There will be people will try to put you down or cramp your style, but you are a special kind of person. Find your place at work and don’t move for no one. Trust me, I know, you are the positive person everyone wish they could be. Continue to live your truth. Continue to be that light wherever you can be. This world needs more of us, more nice girls.

Written by: Epiphany Ciers. Follow her here: Online Portfolio. 

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

5 Women Share When They Feel the Most Fearless

Fear is normal. It keeps us safe. It can even motivate us to get our ducks in a row.

But every woman knows that moment, when you hit your stride, and a surge of fearlessness surges through you. The moment where you know, “I got this.”

It’s a get up and go after it feeling that is empowering. And contagious.

So we asked five women to share when they feel the most fearless. We encourage you to do the same in the comments and pass on the good vibes.

Allie Greenberg, Senior Brand Marketing Manager, Richer Poorer

“This is corny,” says the Marketing Manager at LA’s favorite inner-wear company, “but after a really good, sweaty workout.”

“Or,” the new mom says, “when Sadie [her daughter] and I take a stroller walk around the neighborhood-- I’m so overwhelmed with happiness that nothing can touch me.”

She adds, “Wine also does the trick.”

Paige Bowen, co-founder of Bowen House

Known for their one-of-a-kind furniture pieces, the “daughter,” behind the mother-daughter team at Bowen House, says she feels the most free and fearless after delivering a custom piece to a client.

“Whenever we create really custom pieces for clients I’m always really inspired,” Bowen says. “Then, fear sets in right before it’s delivered.” Luckily that feeling doesn’t last long. “It’s probably right after I see how perfect it looks and the client loves it that I’m the most fearless. It’s like a mini-high.”

Adri Contreras, Senior Events Director, Create & Cultivate

“Fresh out of the salon,” Adri says, “is when I feel the most fearless. I color my hair. I get highlights and when they are glossy and everything is blown out, I feel unstoppable.” However the event director knows that there isn’t always time to hit up the salon, especially before traveling for big conferences. So she keeps things spruced with Moroccanoil Color Complete Collection. The Protect & Prevent Spay super easy to bring along in her suitcase. By shielding hair from environmental factors including UV rays, pollution and thermal damage, Protect & Prevent Spray helps reduce brassiness and fading at the source. And it’s proven to work. After 10 washes, the Moroccanoil Color Complete Collection is scientifically proven to extend color life and vibrancy by 100%. Those are the kind of numbers we like over here.

“Look good, feel good,” says Contreras.

Aideé Chavez, Founder @MexicanYogaGirl

Friends and fam do it for this writer and content creator.

“I feel the most fearless around the people I love and love me back,” Aideé says. “My family and friends are such a sweet place for me. When I am around them I love how I laugh and the stupid stuff I feel open to say, how all my insecurities can be on blast for them to see and yet in that, there is this power where we connect with each other in a way that gives me the energy to go out into the world feeling and loved.”

Can we get a #same?

Brittany Littleton, Activist, Rescuer & Rehabilitator @LitteLoveRescue

“I feel the most fearless right after getting through hard situations. Any time I feel afraid or unsure of myself I remember those times and look at how far I’ve come. Last year was truly the hardest year of my life,” the single mama shares. “I thought I wouldn’t get through it. Then I had my son and I felt-- fearless isn’t even the word for it. I felt invincible.”

What makes you feel fearless? Share below!!

MORE FROM OUR BLOG