Ask the CEO: Would You Pay an Executive Coach?

Daina Trout, CEO and co-founder of Health-Ade Kombucha, AKA the fastest growing kombucha company in the United States, spends her free (ahem, what?) time mentoring younger entrepreneurs. She says it’s an important part of the process that she didn’t have when starting her company in 2012.

Trout explains that often, after speaking with younger entrepreneurs, she'll “discover that they’re trying to have their cake and eat it too. The whole thing about being a successful entrepreneur is that there is some major risk you have to take. That’s the price of the game. Whether it’s a financial or personal risk, whatever it is, you’re taking a risk. I don’t think you’ll meet any successful entrepreneur who didn’t have the moment where they thought, ‘Oh shit, everybody is telling me this is stupid, I’m the only one who thinks this way. I have to quit my job. I have no money.’ Everybody has those stories. So when I talk to the entrepreneurs who are trying to mitigate that risk by keeping their job and their apartments, I tell them, ‘We had to live out of our car, what do you think this is?’” 

Not for the faint-hearted, that’s for sure. “When they talk to me like that, I say, ‘OK, you’re not ready to start a business. Give up your apartment for four years. You can’t live the life you have from a corporate, steady and sturdy job, and also start a business. That’s the whole point.” 

"You can’t live the life you have from a corporate, steady and sturdy job, and also start a business." 

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You can however, make an investment in people who can help you. Early on Trout made the decision to pay an executive coach to guide her. She says the first two years felt like, “physical labor against all odds." She also felt incredibly alone. "I never knew what the next step was. I didn’t reach out to anyone because I didn't know who to reach out to.” 

But in 2014, when the company got its first investment, Trout shares that they took $15,000 to invest in leadership. There was an understanding she explains, that “If we expected to build this into a billion dollar brand and have hundreds of employees we were going to have to get way better at managing people. We were complete cowboys. So I said, ‘We can each have 5,000 dollars, do what you want with it, but it has to somehow build your leadership.’ I put together a coaching program and I’m with that coach still to this day and talk to her every two weeks. I don’t think I would be where I am today without her.”

Health-Ade now has 100 employees. “Meeting those 100 employees is a personal milestone. It’s one thing to lead five people, 25 and then 50, but 100 feels different and I’m being forced to tap into a stronger version of myself every year. This year especially.” 

Of her coach, Trout says, “She hasn’t ‘taught’ me anything. That’s the thing. She's kind of like a really good therapist. She’s an independent sounding board. By the time you have investment you usually have a Board of Directors, but you can’t share every little thing with them. Also, I don't know if this is a gender thing, but most women I know have to get to their answer. That requires talking it out. And it’s usually right, but you have to get there. So having a coach is awesome. She knows everything that’s happening. She knows about my board members and who my employees are. We’ve talked every two weeks for three years. In that hour that I spend with her I’ll come out with a strong action plan to avoid problems I see coming.” 

You don't have to pay to play. There are free mentors out there she shares (like at Create & Cultivate Seattle-- tix on sale NOW!). “My experience has been that when you ask somebody for help, they almost always say they have time.” Noting that there has only been one instance when someone said no. “You get on the phone, talk to people, they’ll answer all of your questions. They’ll share models, structure, the mistakes they’ve made, they’re happy to talk about it.”

She’s self-reflective on this point. “I probably didn’t have to go through those first two years alone. I would recommend finding people who you think did it right and would define as successful, email them. It’s not that hard to find anybody. Just write info@company and say, ‘I’m trying to get some time on the books with blank,’  it will almost always find the CEO, unless it’s Oprah. That might be hard.” However she laughs, “I haven’t tried.” 

She explains that she made a pact with herself, that if she ever got past that stage, “the worst one to be in,” she admits, that she would go back and help fledgling entrepreneurs. “I really try to offer myself as a mentor to women in the first two years who need a little push. The people who really have it in them, they really only need a little push.” 

Would you pay a coach? Chime in below. 

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#Careergoals + #Hairgoals: Find Out Why This Celeb Stylist Is Both

Kristin Ess has been doing hair for more than half of her life. Since she was 15, the hairstylist whose roster includes Lauren Conrad, Lucy Hale, and Halle Berry, has said “yes to anything and everything” that came her way. The stylist and her trademark vibrant redhead has done the salon thing, the editorial jobs, the freelance route, as well as assisting hairdressers she admired for free “a lot.” In 2011 she launched The Beauty Department, aimed at bridging the divide between the glam squad and the every-girl, work she has continued as founder of Kristin Ess Hair. 

Taking on the role of founder it’s only natural that her workload has gotten “more intense,” as there is now “more to see, more to create,” as well as “more to dream up.” But don’t expect her to start slacking as a result. With a new Target collab, she's only getting started.  

“I try to be as original as possible,” says the mane guru. “I don't go on Pinterest and just copy whatever pretty visuals I see. I don't creep other hairdressers and copy what they do. I do my research and try to bring something inspiring to the table.”

Despite her superhuman hair prowess and boss ass hair flips (see: above photo), the mane goddess is mortal. Over the holidays Kristin says she was walking about her house crying, wondering if she would ever sleep again. Between The Beauty Department relaunch, Kristin Ess Hair, the steady stream of content creator, travel, and being down two assistants, she had averaged between three to four hours a night for four days. “I actually googled, ‘Can you die from exhaustion?’” 

She didn’t. 

The hairstylist doesn’t set goals, something she says may be “a big no no according to some, but so far it’s worked for me.” She also doesn’t have habits or routine. “The one and only habit I have is brushing my teeth.” 

As for her relationship to herself and career she’s keeping it real. “I think I've started to judge myself a little bit more in the last five years,” Kristin openly shares, “which I never did before. I thought I would have launched my line sooner, I thought I would have traveled more, I thought I would have lost weight, I thought I'd be more organized, I thought I would have a bigger team. I never would have thought those things about myself 10 years ago. But you get into your 30s and you start being a little harder on yourself. I catch myself in the moment, almost every time. I stop, mentally step back and look at what I am/do/have experienced and I remember I'm doing fucking great.”

When her clients feel good, she feels good. And her number one takeaway for them when they leave her chair is that “That they've been heard. That I get what they want and that I can deliver on what they've asked for.” It’s simple, but powerful and is in harmony with what she sees as one of the next big trends in beauty. “We're breaking down the walls of overpriced beauty!” she exclaims.  

In an industry not known for being soft, rather one that Kristin says “can be very competitive and sometimes nasty,” she’s focused on a positive future. Encouraging “women, both friends and people I haven't met, via social media and throwing down all the YAS KWEENS I can. We’re all in this together and no one woman is better than the rest.” 

While it may seem that the follicular feminist's career is on fire ('cause it is), Kristin remembers a past and “very wise” client who told her, "You never want to be on fire. Fires burn out. You always want to be smoking." 

"You never want to be on fire. Fires burn out. You always want to be smoking." 

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Sound advice that has stayed with her. “I’ve never desired to be the most famous hairstylist on earth. I never needed to have every single celebrity in my chair. I just want to do my job really well for a long time, and hopefully people will love it whether they're famous or not.”

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Kristin will be joining us in Seattle for Create & Cultivate Seattle on September 9th. Nab a ticket now, before they sell out (they always do). 

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We Asked 5 Incredibly Motivated Women One Very Important Question

Do you feel like you’re in the driver’s seat of your career? Even if you work for someone else, you don’t have to be an unwilling passenger. You have the chance every day to create something great. 

So we wanted to know: What Drives You?

What are you motivated by? How do you remain encouraged in cut-throat, 9-9 all-the-time working world?

Read through and then go ahead— take the wheel. You career is all about the journey. 

“My biggest motivation is remembering that it’s not all about me, but the people who may view my work.  It’s easy to get caught up in the selfishness of creating something because at the root of it all, it *is* my name attached to the piece, but ultimately, i’m doing everything for those that don’t know how to use their voice and talent just yet. i also have to remind myself that this path was the only path that i wanted to take when i was a teenager and if 14-year-old Courtney woke up everyday knowing she’d eventually photograph musicians for a living, then the least I could do is fulfill that dream. even when life gets a little rough.” — Courtney Coles, photographer

“I don’t know how to slow down so I am driven by the desire to create something bigger and better every single time we produce a conference. That comes in many forms.  Panels that push the conversation further, mentor power hours that really deliver, and cultivating relationships with brands onsite. There is so much that happens over the phone or email, that when you’re actually able to build relationships with a brand in person, it’s amazing. For instance, Volvo drove their new XC60 into our NYC event but they also provided VIP transport for our panelists and speakers in their XC90. And after seeing ways to integrate in New York – now they are planning something cooler for Seattle. Integration can happen on so many levels and figuring out how creative a brand is willing to be is so much fun. You just never know what a brand will bring to the table and every single moment brings a chance for opportunity. It’s up to me (and you) to grab ahold of the wheel.” —Jaclyn Johnson, CEO Create & Cultivate

“Past professional (and personal) experiences, each with its own lesson, have an amazing way of building on each other and coming together over time. Seeing big ideas come to life by making unexpected connections (and a lot of hard work), drive me to keep on going and see what’s next.”  —Emily Atlier, Marketing Associate, Goop 

“What drives me is the knowledge that the state of the world today was caused by men and women who were not engaged enough in their communities and political processes. That somewhere along the line the narrative of “powerless” was believed, that we still hear the statement of “my vote or voice does not count” when in fact that same vote (or lack thereof) is what got us here today. It is a mere belief that stops most of us from taking our future and lives into our own hands. To change that, I don’t have to cause a mass movement, have millions of dollars, lobby in Washington or convince a senate and the 1% to all of a sudden start looking out for me. No. All I have to do is go into my own family and community and have an empowering conversation, and then another one, and another one...and what’s a simpler solution than that? To make people realize that the future, their future, is not in some politicians hand, but that it is truly and only up to us. Just like it always has been.” —Ann Kleinhenz, co-founder & executive director, Up To Us 

"I always ask the people I meet what they're passionate about, what makes them wake up in the morning; I've found that this is a better indicator of who someone is versus asking what they do for a living. The thing that drives me with my work is the fact that I get to do what I'm passionate about: support artists, build community and use the arts to give back. I recognize that it may not be possible for me to change the whole world, but if I focus on what's in my hands each day (instead of getting bogged down by superfluous details and the "what ifs" of the future), I can make an impact in the world around me; and ripple effects are real.”— Michelle Young, Founder of The Box Presents

So what drives you? Tell us in the comments below! 

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Why I Quit My Highly Coveted Job When I Was 8 Months Pregnant

image credit: Rick Rodney Photography

A recent study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology confirms what women have known since the dawn of time—that we're damned if we do and damned if we don't. While this spot-on summary of the female experience could conceivably refer to just about anything (ranging from kegeling wrong to doing kegels), in this scenario, we're talking about taking maternity leave. More specifically, that a look at the attitudes of 200 working men and women in the US and the UK finds that a "woman who took time off was seen as less committed and competent at work" while the woman who didn’t was "judged to be a worse parent, a less desirable partner and a less caring person." SEEMS REASONABLE. 

Speaking of fair—the Pew Research Center reports that of 41 developed nations, the US is the only one doesn't mandate paid maternity leave. To put our antediluvian policies into perspective: Estonia offers more than a year and a half of paid leave to new parents, while 31 of the 41 aforementioned countries have modest plans in place for fathers, with Japan, Korea, Portugal, Norway, Luxembourg and Iceland leading the way, offering a minimum of two months leave for new dads.

On the other end of the spectrum, there’s the US, where the Department of Labor found that 1 in 4 women return to work within 2 weeks of giving birth. If you’ve yet to firsthand experience the miracle of life and all its glorious indignities (speaking of: see pooping article here), it’s quite common for women to bleed from their vaginas and wear industrial diapers for up to six weeks postpartum. Frankly this is on the lesser end of the symptom spectrum, which includes: leaky breasts, perineum pain, abdominal cramps, difficulty urinating, cracked nipples, postpartum depression, and on. Needless to say, two weeks ain’t gonna cut it.

Amazingly, while the US ranks dead last for parental leave and the majority of mothers return to the office before they’ve even had a change to slather themselves in nipple butter and get a decent night’s sleep, we’re still finding it in our cold, capitalist hearts to judge the fortunate few who’ve received a couple of measly paid weeks leave. Talk about getting the sh*t end of the positive pee stick.

In my personal experience as a woman living, working and expecting in California-—the state considered to be the gold standard of maternity leave for the United States (which, is kind of like saying a Southwest Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Salad is the healthiest thing on the McDonald's menu)—the system is broken. Without a full legal team in your corner, it’s nearly impossible to decode and navigate. Case in point: After two years of running a successful freelance business, I found myself four months pregnant, craving stability (AKA a reason to put on pants in the morning) and accepting a full-time offer as Editorial Director for a popular fashion brand that sells Pantone perfect mules to a customer base that’s probably 17% aspiring mommy blogger. It felt like a perfect match. 

Now, while I didn’t take the job for the promise of paid maternity leave, it was definitely a perk I firmly and directly addressed with Human Resources during the interview process. I was explicitly mislead that I would be getting said perk. Foolish me for not getting this in writing (always get it in writing kids). because as my due date approached and I began coordinating the plan for my departure, it became clear that my employers had no intention of giving me any paid time off. Fine print: I had not been at the company for one year. Under the California Pregnancy Disability Leave Law I was entitled to keep my job with up to four months unpaid leave, however, being a stubborn-ass feminist and not wanting to feel like a disposable resource, I politely gave my two weeks notice.

Women across the United States deal with this every single day, as a vast number of companies remain committed to shelling out the bare minimum. Why wouldn't they? It's what they're legally allowed to get away with. Even those that claim to be feminist. Take for example, recent headlines haunting the fashion world outing female founders whose internal company structures don’t practice the feminist agendas they preach. This fauxminist phenomenon runs so deep that the humorists at McSweeney’s even penned a  “Guide for Brands That Have Recently Discovered Women.” It encourages companies patting themselves on the back for “rah-rah-ing women” on their twitter to ask themselves, “Does our family leave policy reflect the real world or was it drafted with giraffes who give birth standing up and then go about their business in mind?”

Thankfully, there's growing minority of modern thinkers-—including Netflix, Etsy, Spotify, and a slew of tech heavy-hitters-—who are realizing that supporting mothers is not a frivolous expense, but an investment in their future. One such pioneering label is Innerwear brand Richer Poorer. Despite being a startup, the company extends all female employees a full, 12-week paid maternity leave and even offers the dudes a flexible six-week paternity leave policy that is a transition back into full-time.

"Supporting mothers is not a frivolous expense, but an investment in their future."

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“Regardless of our size, we are very much a people and family-first business at Richer Poorer,” says co-founder and CEO Iva Pawling. “My Co-Founder Tim and I are both parents, so we hold a lot of value in supporting the other parents on our team, and especially the new, or soon-to-be-new bunch.” While the logistics of being small and having a valuable team member out on extended leave are certainly complicated, Pawling says it’s a choice to make a long-term investment in the business, and one that’s proven to work. “We really have found that the rest of the team picks up the slack in their absence and carries the projects or responsibilities forward.”

No brainer:

Internal company structures should practice the feminist agendas they preach.

Even if you're lucky enough to work at a company with some kind of paid parental leave, knowing your rights and navigating the loopholes and complexities of the system can feel like it requires PhD. Full disclosure: numerous phone calls and hourlong wait times to determine my own eligibility for government wage replacement since returning to freelance has brought this writer to tears on more than one occasion. (I may have threatened to call the police on one representative. Their crime? Deliberately withholding information). My child is due in a week, and I’m still not totally clear on what, if anything, I’m entitled to, and how exactly to go about claiming it.

That’s where Lauren Wallenstein, Founder of Milk Your Benefits, a consultancy that helps expectant parents maximize their parental leave in the State of California, comes in. Wallenstein explains that expectant mothers often mistakenly believe that they are entitled to at least 12 weeks of leave. This is frequently not the case, due to varying factors including duration of employment, hours worked, employer size, etc. She says that many times confusion around leave is exacerbated because employers are themselves unclear of how to correctly explain and administer benefits due to lack of standardization. I’d venture to say many employers prefer their employees to remain in the dark and disempowered about these decisions.

“Expectant parents need to ask for written policies so that they can interpret the available benefits for themselves,” Wallenstein urges. “Never depend on what a friend or coworker tells you as the information is very often incorrect or is being incorrectly applied to your case. If human resources answers your leave questions, make sure you get them in writing and have HR provide the source documents that formed the basis of those answers. Most importantly, if something doesn't sound right to you, don't settle. Milk Your Benefits can help you sift through the paperwork so nothing is left on the table.”

“Expectant parents need to ask for written policies so that they can interpret the available benefits for themselves." 

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In a Wall Street Journal Op Ed, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki argued that “Paid maternity leave is good for mothers, families and business.” As evidence, she cited that the rate at which new moms left Google fell by 50% in 2007 when the company increased paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 18 weeks. She should know, as she was Google’s first employee to take maternity leave in 1999. This sentiment is echoed by Wallenstein, who says that “forward-thinking employers recognize that paid parental leave benefits act as a retention tool for employees.” Furthermore, she notes, “Parents who receive paid leave and who are physically and emotionally ready to return to work are more likely to feel a sense of loyalty to that employer and are less likely to leave their jobs. When an expectant parent gets the sense that the employer is encouraging a short leave, is being stingy with money, or is being less than helpful explaining benefits, it leaves a powerful and lasting bad taste in their mouth. Because what it suggests is a company ethos that doesn't value work/life balance.”

Until paid leave is mandated for all, the burden will continue to fall on business owners to implement change, start a dialogue, and set precedents. “The responsibility is on all of our shoulders, men and women alike who are in position of power as employers, to make the right decisions and to become more vocal about the subject of both maternity AND paternity leave,” says Richer Poorer’s Iva Pawling.

If doing what’s right for new parents and ultimately for your business isn’t enough to incentivize employers to step up to the plate, perhaps they’ll be motivated by the desire to avoid ending up as the target of a scathing Glassdoor review. When Donald Trump’s approach to maternity leave is a more progressive than yours, it’s perhaps time that you engage in a healthy dose of soul-searching. And while you’re at it, please remind yourself that before you were all up in the boardroom, you too were snuggled up in a cozy womb.

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Jane Helpern is a freelance writer, copywriter, and founder of Jane Says Agency. She enjoys helping brands find their voice, writing about fashion and feminism, and walking-at-an-incline-with-wine™

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The Stress-Free Way to Refresh Your Work Wardrobe

As working women, we understand how difficult it can be to fit everyday activities into our schedules. We’re way too busy for leisurely activities such as shopping, but does that really mean we should miss out? After all, every woman wants (and deserves) to look and feel fabulous in her clothes! We should all be able to stay on top of the latest trends and update our wardrobes whether it be for in the office or play.

So, what are our options when there’s no time to peruse endless racks at the mall, camp out at the next trending sample sale, or spend a few hours scrolling through your favorite online shop? You turn to the next alternative, and that’s shopping right at home with your own personal Stylist (and a few of your best girlfriends, of course!). Yes, you read that right. Think you can’t afford a personal Stylist—what if I said you could get one for free? Yes, you read that right.

Maybe you’ve never heard of cabi before: Cabi is the solution to the frustration and inconvenience of shopping. It offers a unique “pop-up boutique” shopping experience in the comfort of the home, where a cabi Stylist provides personalized styling, and presents a designer collection to you and your friends. Your Stylist will curate looks for you based on your lifestyle, help ensure you get just the right fit, and show you what works and doesn’t work for your body shape. The result? A fun, stress-free shopping experience surrounded by friends, with a trusted Stylist guiding your choices.

So, what’s a girl to do when she needs a new blazer for work? Find a cabi stylist near you, and get your office attire on point.

How It Works

At a cabi Fashion Experience, a Stylist presents the seasonal cabi collection (usually 80-100 pieces in a varied size range), sharing educational fashion and styling tips all along the way. After the presentation, you can try on the clothes, while the Stylist works with you on fit and helps put together looks based on your needs—this part of the experience is personal to you! And of course, no shopping experience is complete without the trusted fashion advice of your girlfriends—as you all try on your favorite pieces, you’re able to share thoughts on each other’s selections and to encourage each other to step out of your comfort zones.

Becoming a Stylist

Becoming a cabi Stylist yourself might be something to consider, too! Maybe you’re looking to work remotely or pick up a side hustle for some extra cash, or maybe you’ve recently suffered a job loss, want to get involved in fashion, or need a little bit of a creative outlet. Whatever your situation—cabi offers a simple business model that balances the realities of a busy woman’s life, while having very real earning potential, building relationships, and serving other women through her business working as a fashion Stylist.

Cabi has created thousands of opportunities for women to have a relevant, liberating and profitable career. You can find out more information on how to become a cabi Stylist yourself here.

Tips from cabi Design Team

How to dress for your shape: A huge part of nailing down the best work wardrobe for you is to dress for your body type. Determine if your shape is triangle, rectangle, diamond, hourglass, pear, etc. You can find a full breakdown on dressing for your shape here.

The perfect fall color palette: According to the styling experts at Cabi, there are three colors that should be on your radar this fall: red, gold, and currant. The shades are all perfect for the changing season and are complementary to one another.

Day-to-Night looks: Find some multi-functional pieces that can be worn from from day to night. A lot of us working women have a busy schedule outside of the office too, and that involves a lot of after-work plans. Rather than stressing over an outfit change, find pieces that can work for plenty of different occasions. The perfect example would be a jacket that works well with a dress but also just as well with a pair of jeans.

Rather than experiencing another shopping nightmare, shop the cabi way!

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Create Your Own Dream Job: Meet the Woman Who Taught Herself Graphic Design

photo credit: Anelise Salvo & Hey Mama

Anelise Salvo not only left an unfulfilling career behind to follow her dream of becoming a graphic designer, but she is completely self-taught. So don't ditch out on your dreams quite yet. Remember what mom used to say? Where there's a will, there's a way. 

Anelise is here to tell you it is possible and breaking it down in six easy steps that anybody can follow. Her story below. 

Like most people, I received an undergraduate degree in a field I ended up doing nothing with post-graduation. I studied Political Science, and while it enchanted me with dreams and aspirations of saving the world while living in a United Nations compound in a remote village in a far-away land, “real life” hit me with student loans that needed tending to that the non-profit world was, needless to say, not cut out for. I took any job I could get for the majority of my mid-twenties just to make some significant dent in my education-turned-debt. I learned a lot, but most importantly, I learned what I wanted from a career and what I could not stand another day of. I needed to be able to pick my ideal location and have independence and I would never again work for a cause I had no passion for.

Flash forward to today. I own a boutique graphic design studio, specializing in crafting custom WordPress websites and designing brands for outrageously superb humans and I’m happy to report I. LOVE. MY. JOB.

You may be wondering, how?! How did I go from knowing literally nothing about design to running my own design business. Well ladies …I’m here to share what I did and how you can do it too:

1. Absorb: Learn as much as you possibly can and seek out the masters

A: Start by learning the founding principles of design – what makes good design, what is the history? This is vital to understanding where graphic design is today and it’s also critically important to know the rules first, so then you can break them later (not the other way around). Good design can look so simple, but trust me, it doesn’t just happen. It takes intention, practice and critiques. To do this, read books (this is a fave, as is this) and take online courses through sites like Skillshare.

I did take an InDesign 101 course at my local city college the second I quit my cubical job, but the pace of learning dragged on, so I resorted to 100% online learning.

B: When you feel you have a good understanding of step A, then start to find other graphic designers who are doing their craft reeeaallllyyyy well. Learn from them. Email them and ask questions. Study them and their work. Chances are, if you surround yourself with well-crafted design, you will start to emulate it in your practice and then eventually, you will start to create original practices because you now know the founding principles.

2. Practice: Bring your knowledge into the Adobe Suite

A. Sign up for the Adobe Suite (at this point you only need InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop) and, wait for it…yep, take more classes. This is the time to practice what you just absorbed and that can be done by committing to taking X amount of classes per week. I learned most of what I know through Skillshare graphic design and web design classes (with some hand lettering classes sprinkled in the mix) and Nicole’s Classes; Illustrator, InDesign and Branding 101.

B. Hire yourself to create something. Anything. By doing this you will struggle to figure out how to achieve what you are looking to achieve and through this process you will learn so much. At this point, utilize YouTube like it’s your best friend. Don’t know how to use the pen tool? No problem. YouTube it. This cycle is such an important part of learning on your own, so don’t rush it.

3. Don’t Say No: No job is too small. Do them all

Put your skills out there to your friends and family! Offer your services and you will be amazed at the things people ask you to do. You will learn a lot. Fast. When you get a request to make a flyer for a retirement home’s 10th annual pot-luck, trust me…don’t say no (even if you want to). You never know what that opportunity will bring; from learning a new skill, meeting a potential new friend, or a client with a job that may be more up your alley.

4. Find Your Niche: Do one thing really well

They say it takes 10,000 hours and yea, they are probably right. But in the meantime, start to hone-in on what you get excited about doing and do more of that. I firmly believe it is better for you and your future clients to do a few things really well instead of doing a bunch of things kinda well. By making your offerings short and concise, you are able to work on the things you dream about instead of things you dread. Don’t worry, this has taken me years to figure out.

5. Take an Hour: The learning never ends

Set aside one hour a week dedicated to learning. Be it learning by reading design-related articles or taking a class on a design element you have yet to tackle. Even when you feel you have it down, chances are you could benefit from refining your skills and soaking up new inspiration. Whether you’re taking graphic design on as a profession or not, this mindset will help you keep current.

6. Collaborate: PR is your best friend

A very fun and effective way to get your name and craft into the world is to collaborate with other creatives. Reach out to people whom you admire and make some magic. Styled photoshoots are a great way to show off your hand lettering talents, or your skills in invitations or print design. At this point, you will quickly realize that whatever you put out into the world you will get back, so choose your collaborations wisely so you are staying true to your niche and don’t find yourself being hired for jobs outside of your “love zone.”

The original version of this post appeared on Hey Mama. 

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ITK: How to Use Affiliate Links the Right Way

Where do content and commerce collide? “In a beautiful space,” said Amazon Fashion Director Kate Dimmock to a crowd of hundreds of women at Create & Cultivate NYC at the Knockdown Center in Brooklyn. “What’s important for you to know is that every piece of content that you create is shoppable and able to be linked to affiliate links,” she added.  

And then the influencers took to Amazon Fashion’s "Content Meets Commerce" panel to share their tips on affiliate linking, how to navigate the content world, and what it means to be a successful blogger.

First they broke down some myths. The blogging world is “overcrowded.”

Or is it?

This is something we hear time and again, and what many members of our audience ask-- how do they break into an overcrowded market? How do they stand out from the pack?

Mary Orton, creator of Memorandum and co-founder and CEO of Trove, took a moment to break down the “so crowded” myth of the blogger world. “There are a lot of bloggers and content creators,” she shared, but then mentioned how many new restaurants open up in Manhattan. “Every time a restaurant opens on your block, you don’t say, oh no annoooother new restaurant. If you are being yourself. If you are presenting a unique POV, people will find it compelling. There is room for everybody. That’s important to keep in mind and don’t be discouraged by.”  

Cynthia Andrew of SimplyCyn added, “Content is king. It’s really about what you bring to the conversation. “Every day I’m finding someone new and I’m following them and adding them. I wouldn’t say that it’s too saturated. But you have to understand that there is competition and it is harder to get eyes. Which is why you have to be consistent. You have to care about quality, more than quantity. There are people who post four times a day who aren’t adding anything to the conversation.”

Courtney of Color Me Courtney got her MBA young, at 21, but says she looked like “a numbers nerd on paper.” So she started her blog to break into the fashion industry in a less nerdy way. She told the audience, “Have true intent. The blogging game has changed in the last two years-- it has become a major monetization opportunity. But you shouldn’t start out to hit a bottom line. You should start to create content and to create community.”

"Have true intent. The blogging game has changed in the last two years-- but you shouldn’t start out to hit a bottom line." 

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Lauryn Evarts of The Skinny Confidential advised the audience to “Think of a niche. I see a lot of girls get into blogging and they’ll email me and say, ‘I wanna be a lifestyle blogger.’ But that’s not where I would start. It’s so broad. Lifestyle blogger is the long-term play. Start niche. Like farming sea-monkey niche. And expand from there. You need to think about your niche as an upside-down triangle. The tip is your niche and the wide-part that you grow to is ‘lifestyle blogger.’ I think that is the trick to being a successful blogger.”

Content meets commerce-- it’s a relationship that goes hand-in-hand, but how do you do it?

This was the main question of the day: How do platforms work together to drive sales and earnings?

Mary Orton took on the big picture. “A lot of social platforms started out as a place that allowed quality content to thrive and content creators to be discovered. We’re seeing a lot of people struggling with that  because these social platforms follow a similar life cycle. So ownership of your content is critically important,” she shared. “Be smart about where your content lives and that your business is diversified. You don’t want to become too dependent on a social media platform whose algorithm can change on a dime.”

So while you can make $ on sponsored IG posts, monetizing content on your platform with affiliate links and programs like Amazon Fashion’s are vital to the longevity and success of your business.

“My Instagram can go away tomorrow,” Evarts noted. Which is why she continually works on growing her audience on channels that aren’t beholden to someone else’s platform. “I didn’t go into blogging solely to monetize,” the outspoken blogger explained. “I went in to provide value. That’s one of the most important things. You need to establish value and trust with your readership before you think about money.”  Orton echoed this sentiment saying, “Monetization opportunities will come. Any time you focus on monetization opportunities only, that’s when it comes across as commercial. It’s not only important to know this in the beginning, but throughout your journey.””

It was three years into blogging for Cynthia Andrew, who is attorney by day, blogger by night, when someone mentioned to her, “You should be using affiliate linking.” Andrew said it sounded like a “headache,” but then realized how much earning potential there is. Today she tries “not to overlink. I link to things I like. But I use it as an additional tool because brands want to see the information.”

“No one knows if you’re actually able to drive sales,” said Courtney, “but with affiliate linking you can show proof of concept to brands who want to see those numbers.” The colorful blogger also shared, “Now if I wear anything over a hundred dollars, I also link to something similar that is under a hundred dollars.”

"With affiliate linking you can show proof of concept to brands who want to see those numbers.”

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It all ties back to providing the most value and creating community among your followers. It’s not about selling out. “No one wants to be sold to,” said Lauryn. “Talking about something organically on your platform is so powerful.” Don’t forget it.

To learn more and sign up for the Amazon Fashion Influencer Program, please email fashion-influencer-program@amazon.com.

photo credit: Becki Smith/ Smith House Photography

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Sign Language: How to Deal with a Gemini Boss

graphic credit: Chloe White 

Does your boss leave you to figure it out on your own? But then also, not…? Does she feel like a moving target that you can’t seem to hit? But wouldn't want to because she’s also the sweetest, most fun-loving boss you’ve ever had? Oh girl. Your boss must be a Gemini. 

The twin sign that is both quick-witted and sociable but can switch on a dime to her more serious side. For a worker bee, it’s hard to know which boss you’re going to get come Monday (or any day) morning, so we’re breaking down a couple ways to deal. 

Date range: May 22-June 21

Element: Air 

Lucky Numbers: 5 - 14 - 15 - 18 - 26 - 31

Strengths: Enthusiastic, witty, intellectual, great communicator 

Weaknesses: Lack of consistency, superficial, anxious, lack of decision making 

The best part of a Gemini is that she is considered the best at seeing both sides of the situation. Highly-intelligent and communicative, she is ruled by the motto “I communicate,” which means she is going to want to talk things out. She is ruled by logic, but since she is able to see both sides, she can also argue both sides. When people say don’t fight with a Gemini, you’ll lose— they’re often right. In the workplace this can be hard. 

The safest way out of a disagreement is to use the fact that “the twins” of the Gemini sign are never idle. Use this to your advantage and don’t expect to take up too much time belaboring one issue. When talking to your boss, know what you want to say, present it, and move on. You’ll both be in a better headspace. 

Ruled by Mercury, the Gemini boss has a first rate mind with unique and original ideas— probably what landed her in the boss seat. However, a fast mind often leads to an “on-to-the-next” approach. She can get bored if she’s not being WOW’d and needs to be challenged. If you see her eyes glazing over during a presentation, chances are you’ve lost her. This can feel like a blessing and a curse. Use this trait to you're advantage and present out-of-the-box ideas. We bet she’d be willing to take a risk on an idea you think is too out there. She’s a little impulsive. Not always great when it comes to feedback… but more fun when it comes to saying ‘yes.’ 

A little wild in the working world can be difficult. Inconsistency is part of her nature, so if she loves an idea one moment and hates it the next, don’t feel discouraged. Find a way to update it. Expand it. What she’s doing is challenging you to make it better. So you always need to be game. Don’t get too attached to one idea, because it may very well not play. 

The Gemini boss can get a little restless, so you need to keep her in the loop on what you’re doing. It may feel like overkill to always be sending updates, but it’s a way to give her peace of mind and also keep her off your back. The best way to avoid feeling micromanaged is to stay one foot ahead of the email. Quick bullet-point updates at the end of the day are a good way to let her know, you’re on top of your tasks.

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Dream Big, But Abandon These 4 Dangerous Expectations

image credit: Jenna Peffley 

There's nothing wrong with holding onto your dreams and doing your damnedest to make them a reality, but expectations are the root of all failure. Mainly because there is no way for reality to hold up against them. Reality is messier. Reality is murkier. Reality keeps you real. 

This year, we want you to dream big.  But we want you to ditch these expectations that only lead you down the rabbit hole.  

1.  THAT YOU'RE OWED SOMETHING 

You're not "owed" anything. 

It's tough to accept that simply because you work hard, hard work doesn't always pay off-- at least in the immediate. But it's true. 

There are plenty of other busy bees working equally if not harder than you. It's why every creative or successful entrepreneur we speak to tells us the same thing: work, work harder, and then by golly! work some more. 

You're not owed a raise, a promotion, or a job. It's hard to argue with hard numbers. But in order to get a raise or advance your standing, you need proven metrics. You need case studies. You need to be able to not only show but prove your worth. Don't work for the congratulations, but because you enjoy it. 

2.  NEEDING TO "WIN"

Never take a deal you can't afford to lose. If you're expecting that your career or business rests entirely on closing ONE deal or making ONE sale, it is a one-way ticket to failure. Why? The energy you bring to the table will likely not be one of composure or clear-headedness, but they'll be able to smell that insecurity on you. People don't like insecurity because it makes them question not just you, but themselves as well. 

"Never take a deal you can't afford to lose."

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More so, an obsession with winning can prevent you from doing so. You become so focused on advancing that you don't pay attention to what's in front of you: the small, over-looked details that will trip you up and allow others to get ahead. And when you do get tripped up... it's time to ditch this next expectation. 

3.  THAT YOU ARE THE SMARTEST 

Self doesn't always know best. And most successful people will tell you to surround yourself with people smarter than you are. There is always something to learn, and if you think that you're the smartest person in the room, either look harder or find another room. 

The expectation that you will be the smartest, the fastest, the [insert any est here], can actually be more detrimental than beneficial to your well-being. This article on women who regained their confidence after graduating to Harvard speaks to this. The three women describe the daily difficulties and high expectations as such: “Succeeding was the baseline. There were fewer opportunities to excel and do something praiseworthy.” It gave each of them a complex to get over, before they were able to get ahead. 

4. THAT YOU NEED TO WRITE A "WAY WAY TOO LONG" GOAL LIST 

Tina Wells, CEO and founder of Buzz Marketing Group says, "Know what you're going to do," and that "goals are important and you need to set targets that also have deadlines associated with them."

However, the marketing guru warns, "You should not have more than three goals." The why of these goals are equally as important. "For every goal you set, you should have a reason for why you want to accomplish that goal," say Tina. "If you don’t have a reason, then it shouldn’t be one of your goals!"

If we set too many goals, we have the expectation that we will and can achieve all of them. But overreaching is the first step in over expecting. You don't have to aim low, but aim just slightly about where you want to go. That way, if you fall slightly below your expectation, which is common, it doesn't feel like a failure that stops you from moving forward. 

You can land on your feet and your dreams stay alive. 

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You'll Never Guess What This Top Blogger Says Is More Valuable Than Being #1

Photo credit: Keiko Lynn 

Before Live Journal, there was Open Diary. A platform that OG, now Brooklyn-based blogger Keiko Lynn, used as a personal outlet. Today her blog KeikoLynn.com is a space where the self-proclaimed "restless adventurer" shares her take on fashion, beauty, and her daily life.  

We caught up with Keiko to chat all things  influencer and why you have to be willing to put in the time, without any immediate return. 

After more than decade in the blogosphere (shout out to your 1999 Open Diary) how have you been able to stay true to yourself?

Since the primary focus of my blog started out as a personal diary, it's actually pretty difficult to not stay true to myself. I named my blog "Keiko Lynn" before I ever intended for it to be more than just a personal outlet, but it still maintains that personal feeling. If I ever strayed from my true self, I'd have a lot of friends and family and loyal readers to answer to. 

You didn’t set out to build a brand, but that’s what you’ve done. How do you feel about person as brand? Did you ever have any hesitation?

It happened so gradually that I didn't really contemplate it, before or as it was happening. I am the opposite of an overnight success. It was little things here and there, starting with blogging for Cingular when I was on LiveJournal, or having a magazine featuring me in a photo shoot, etc. I would just think of them as solitary opportunities that I couldn't pass up, not as stepping stones in my career path. It was years before it became a career, and by that time, "Keiko Lynn" had been my online (and real life, of course) identity for long enough that I didn't think I should change it. I still don't think of myself as a brand. I never think, "Is this on brand for me?" I just know what I do and do not like; I know myself. 

"I never think, 'Is this on brand for me?' I just know what I do and do not like; I know myself."

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Do you consider yourself an early adaptor? What are some other important traits to have as a blogger and influencer? 

When I started my current blog, I was a young and perpetually broke independent clothing designer, so everything I wore was handmade or from a thrift store, and most of my photos were taken with a self timer. That was what blogging was like, back then. We were remixing what we had in our closets. Now, we have bloggers who are starting out with a whole creative team behind them; they're coming in with photographers, beautiful web design, and a closet full of current, contemporary and designer clothing. I think that's amazing, and if you have the wherewithal or creative contacts to start a blog as a legitimate business platform, why not?! That's what's so cool about modern blogging -- you don't always have to go through the awkward growing stages that many of us went through. But I probably wouldn't have had a fighting chance, with my wide-angled, self-timer photos and second-hand clothing, if I weren't one of the early adopters. Even now that I have an actual closet (I didn't, back then), at least half of what I wear is vintage or thrifted...and I still take many of my own photos.  I'm in a very particular niche, and I'm well aware that I was lucky to have early exposure. 

The most important trait to have as a blogger is tenacity. I've known many people who started blogging and gave up after awhile, when they didn't see immediate growth. Overnight success stories usually only look like overnight successes. You have to be willing to put in the time without any immediate return, and keep going until you build yourself a base. It will come, but you have to keep going.

"You have to be willing to put in the time without any immediate return."

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What are some shifts you’ve been hesitant to adopt, but eventually jumped on board?

I am famous for being late to just about every social media platform. My very first tweet was something along the lines of, "Let's see how long this lasts..." 

Do you ever feel like, enough! No more apps, no more sharing, I can’t possibly add one more “must” to my social lineup?

I feel like that almost every day of my life. I drew the line at Periscope. I won't do another one...I can't!! Although Instagram just added their very Snapchat-like feature, and I might end up giving that a try. I'm trying not to be the last one for that.

We’ve talked to a few bloggers about unexpected difficulties and the BTS realities, but what are some BTS unexpected joys? 

I have made some wonderful friends through blogging, whether bloggers, readers, or people in the fashion and beauty industry. When I moved to NYC, I barely knew anyone. I had one friend and a LiveJournal friend, and my roommate and I had only met a few times before living together. Making friends in a new city is so difficult, and the blogging world really opened me up to a whole community.

How do you come up with creative ideas?

With style, I look to the past. With makeup, I look to both the past and the runways. But mostly, I just garner inspiration from everyday life, whether it's someone I pass in the streets or a page from a current read.

What’s a business aphorism you live by/what’s one you don’t think rings true anymore?  

As trite as it sounds to "stay true to yourself," it's something I live by in both work and in my personal life. But I also think it's important to let yourself evolve naturally; the two are not mutually exclusive. 31 year old me is not exactly the same as 19 year old me. Part of staying true to yourself is allowing yourself room to grow and evolve. What doesn't ring true anymore is that you have to always be number one. Staying power can be just as valuable.

"What doesn't ring true anymore is that you have to always be number one. Staying power can be just as valuable."

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What do you think you’d be doing without the advent of social media?

I think about this often, because when you're in this sort of career, you have to be on your toes. What if it all went away, tomorrow -- what would I do? I imagine I would go back to my roots and start a new clothing line or invest in starting a makeup line, which is something I've always dreamed of doing. 

How do you feel about the term influencer?

What do you think is the future of influencer? I prefer the term when referring to other people, and don't mind when others use it to describe me -- but referring to myself as an influencer feels strange and boastful. The truth is, we're all influencers in some way. Some just have a larger audience.

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How to Build the Ultimate Support Network

C&C is all about hugs, not mean mugs. And if you want to build out your support squad in 2017, we tapped major marketing boss and founder of BuzzMG Tina Wells to give us insight on how to do so. 

JOIN LOCAL SOCIAL CLUBS

It’s important to build your personal network, and joining social clubs is a great way. Not only will you be exposed to great events, you’ll also meet potential clients, employees, and friends. Check out clubs like the Union League for “Young Friends” memberships, as well as the Young Friends clubs at your local museums, orchestra, and ballet. 

JOIN ASSOCIATIONS 

If you’re a female entrepreneur, look into local chapters of the National Association of Women Business Owners. If you are starting a plumbing company, check out the local chapter of a national plumbers association. You’d be surprised how many fields have associations. You can receive great product discounts, invitations to great conferences, and a network of peers. Entrepreneurship can be lonely, so cultivating a group of peers is important. And of course, there is the newly formed Young Entrepreneur Council (I’m a board member!). 

CREATE A SMALL GROUP OF 5 LIKE-MINDED ENTREPRENEURS 

You may have already heard of these “mastermind” groups. But what do you call a group for those who haven’t yet mastered something? Call it whatever you like, but build one – quickly. Make sure that the four other people you engage don’t have competing businesses, and think of ways you can help each other. I know of groups that meet monthly and each member has to come to the meeting with at least one lead for another member of the group.  Also, be mindful of time. You’re all very busy entrepreneurs, so don’t schedule more than 60 to 90 minutes once each month. 

HOST A DINNER/HAPPY HOUR EACH MONTH & INVITE NEW PEOPLE

Consider this your start-up marketing expense! Host an event for a select group of people you want to get to know. Be strategic in your invitations, and make sure you personally meet and greet each person who’s on your list. Allow each person to bring a guest if it’s a happy hour. If you’re hosting a dinner, it’s OK to extend the invitation just to that person. Also, make sure that the people you’re inviting can benefit from getting to know your other guests, not just you! I love to cook and entertain people in my home, so I usually host dinner parties once a month. At this point in my career, my parties are more about hanging out with my friends and mutual support. But they’re always fun! So don’t make it all about business!

DON'T MAKE WITHDRAWALS WHERE YOU HAVEN'T MADE DEPOSITS 

It’s really unfair to email people asking them to mentor you when you have nothing to offer them.  I know it sounds harsh, but it’s true! I get hundreds of requests for mentorship each year, and the ones I normally respond to (outside of the tip sheet I give to everyone) are the people who say, “can I take you to coffee?” The reason is, that small gesture shows that the person believes in a mutually beneficial relationship.

"Marketing #Protip: Don't make withdrawals where you haven't made deposits."

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I have a good friend who built his entire business off of taking people for lunch – even when he barely had the money to do so. And he was able to convince some pretty important people to have lunch with him and eventually fund his business. If you ask him his secret to success, he’ll tell you it was simply asking people to lunch. 

GIVE BACK

My most important contacts professionally have been a result of my philanthropic work. I tend to join the marketing committees of non-profits I work with, and meet other people and collaborate on ideas. They get to see my skills firsthand and evaluate me as a colleague. You shouldn’t join an organization you’re not passionate about just to meet people, because that will backfire. But if you have an opportunity to partner your skills with a deserving organization, generating new business will be a nice result.  

PARTICIPATE IN CONFERENCES & PANELS

I really like to spend time working – whether it’s at home or in the office. And while I love to travel, I don’t like being away from the office during the week. But I will make the exception for the right speaking engagement. Panels have been a great way for me to make new friends and expand my professional network.  I’ve met some of my best friends on panels, and it makes sense. The best organizers work to place people with synergies on panels together. If you can have an hour conversation together on a stage, you probably will want to spend more time getting to know those people.

Tina Wells, founder and CEO of BuzzMG, earned her B.A. in Communication Arts graduating with honors from Hood College in 2002. Currently a Wharton School of Business student for marketing management, Tina continues to create innovative marketing strategies for numerous clients within the beauty, entertainment, fashion, financial, and lifestyle sectors. Tina has worked with clients including: Dell, Girl Scouts of the USA, Maidenform, SonyBMG, PBS, P+G, Sesame Workshop, and American Eagle Outfitters. 

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Why Kopari Co-founder Says Great Leadership Isn't About Gender

The daughter of an entrepreneur (and surf legend Joey Cabell), some might say Kiana Cabell, co-foudner of the cruelty-free organic coconut beauty brand Kopari Beauty, has business in her blood. But it's the company's lightweight Coconut Sheer Oil that's on her body. Working since the age of 12, she's always be a go-getter goal setter. Unafraid to fail, the Honolulu-raised business woman knew she could take the coconut cooking craze (she's also a certified organic chef) and apply it to beauty.

Dedicated to exploring the different ways coconut benefits the body, inside AND out, Cabell, along with co-founders, beauty entrepreneurs and industry veterans, Bryce Goldman and James Brennan, launched with a firm understanding of their miracle multitasking ingredient. Today, the Kopari Beauty success is so real that some Hollywood heavy hitters have gotten involved.  It's a startup tale that proves successful entrepreneurs know their business from soup to coconuts. 

We caught up with Cabell to find out how she launched, what scared her, and her standout moment as a business owner this year.

What was your first job and are there any lessons you learned early on that help you today as an entrepreneur?

My father was an entrepreneur himself - he founded the Chart House restaurant chain - so those practices were instilled in me from a young age. It was important to him that I set up values and worked throughout my childhood. From the age of 12 and on, I spent every summer working at the Chart House as a hostess. I cleaned menus, greeted guests, managed the seating arrangements and answered calls, and that definitely helped position me as a self-starter. I began networking and really honed my communication and organization skills. Above all, I found that starting in the workforce early instilled in me a unique drive and understanding that hard work truly pays off. 

People always tell you to find the white space in business. So what prompted you to start Kopari? Where did you see that white space?

I was initially inspired to go into the natural food space by attending New York’s Natural Gourmet Institute to become a certified organic chef. Consumer awareness of health and wellness, and a greater concern over what you put in your body, was quickly growing and I saw an opportunity within that movement. I never ate with any dietary restrictions, but I enjoyed learning more about nutrition and the benefits of good, clean ingredients and wholesome foods. I ultimately took what I learned at the Gourmet Institute and applied it to Kopari. Similar to the organic food movement, there was a wellness trend in the beauty space. I capitalized on the growth in awareness of the ingredients consumers were slathering on their skin, as well as a mounting love for coconut oil, to co-found a brand that really addressed an unfilled niche in the market. The movement for coconut products in food was blowing up, but in the beauty space, it was just now kicking off. I really just recognized that this was my time.

Can you tell us about the initial stages of your company. How did you get funding to get it up and running? 

Everything came together so quickly. I was lucky enough to have two amazing partners, James Brennan (also the co-founder of Suja Juice), and Bryce Goldman who is an accomplished beauty industry veteran. They both really helped on this end. Additionally, we all reached out for initial funding from close friends and family, who were happy to contribute. They really believed in us and that was when we first knew that we were onto something.
 

Why did you decide to start online only?

Digital and social was where everything was moving. We knew that we could create a lot of buzz, drive traction, and create demand via a thoughtful, well-constructed online and social presence. As opposed to reaching out to retailers as so many brands do, we had them coming to us.

As opposed to reaching out to retailers as so many brands do, we had them coming to us.

Let’s talk for a minute about finding co-founders and taking the leap. What does your team look like? How did you know you wanted to go into business with them?

Initially, it was myself, Bryce Goldman and his wife Gigi Goldman, and James Brennan, and we immediately had great synergy. We were all on the same page with what we wanted to create, but everyone brought something unique to the table. Obviously our team has grown substantially since launch, but the four of us continue to balance each other well, and our team does the same.

Starting a biz is no small undertaking. Were there any lifestyle changes you had to make in order to make the leap?

Like my father, I was very entrepreneurially-minded. I never really had a traditional 9-5 job, so starting a business where you’re working the 9-5 plus was a different experience. I have learned a lot along the way when it comes to maintaining a good work-life balance, but I definitely still struggle with knowing when to “turn off."

Were there any growing pains? Did you ever doubt your decision?

I never had a traditional job and didn't come from a background of having my own business, but I have always been a hustler and a doer, so it came pretty naturally. There were definitely times when I was in the day-to-day and would get frustrated with the little things that you’d never think about; but I had to learn along the way. Now, I feel confident in what I do and it feels amazing. Sometimes you can be the person that gets in the way of yourself, but you have to put your head down and just get it done.

"Sometimes you are the person that gets in the way of yourself, but you have to put your head down and just get it done."

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Natural skincare and skincare products are definitely having a moment. How do you continue to stay out in front of trends and make sure that your business has legs? 

Naturally, coconut oil lends itself to so many versatile uses which give our products endless multitasking possibilities. The versatility helps maintain a steady stream of innovation and the ingredient itself paves the way. Our use and knowledge of cutting-edge technology and complementary ingredients keeps us in front of the trends and our competitors.

You’ve attracted some high profile investors like Karlie Kloss and Ashton Kutcher. What was it like in those meetings? Have you seen a benefit to bringing on big names? 

I actually didn’t meet with them personally. Most of the relationships are through my co-founder James Brennan's connections from working with brands like Suja Juice. Although, I am excited to be meeting with Shay Mitchell at the end of the month! 

The benefit is providing Kopari with clout, and lending greater recognition to the brand. It’s validating to have some of the biggest, most recognizable names in the entertainment and beauty industries supporting and investing in our brand. It’s just another sign that we’re on the right track!

What platforms have been the most helpful in spreading the word about Kopari?

Definitely social media, and Instagram by a landslide. Consumers really connect with our lifestyle imagery and our packaging lends itself well to visuals. We recently did a big micro-influencer push that was extremely successful, but we also prioritize cultivating and maintaining relationships within the industry. 

How do you continue to utilize digital even as you’re set to launch into 340 Sephora stores? 

We use our digital channels to have a direct line of communication to our customers. We use our ecommerce store not only to sell our full line of products that aren’t sold in Sephora stores, but to also further educate the customer on the products - how to use them, their benefits, why they’re different, etc. Having a digital presence through our online store, as well as through various social media channels allows us to communicate directly to our customers for feedback on what they like or don’t like about our products, how the packaging could be improved, as well as what they want to see next.

What accomplishment are you most proud of in the past year? Or, what has been a standout moment for you as a business owner?

The growth of Kopari and where we are now, hands down. Knowing that the products and all of our success is real, and recognizing people’s awareness of the brand, combined with the overall growth of Kopari has been my biggest source of pride this past year. Additionally, I am extremely proud of where I am personally, today, compared to where I was when we started Kopari. I think that rings true for the team too!

Is there anything about your leadership style that differs from your male colleagues?

We’re all so different and I don’t think it’s a gender thing. I like to jump into things, make mistakes and figure things out through trial-and-error. As a leader, I know what I like and what I want, but I’m also very easy-going and laid-back.

Is there anything you were super intimidated by that you jumped in to learn? And what kind of difference has that made?

I was really intimidated by everything; the whole business. Starting a company is like drinking through a firehose all the time. From building a team and brand, to managing the marketing, social and public relations piece, it’s all super new to me and I just jumped right in to learn everything. I’m continue to learn something new every day.

"Starting a company is like drinking through a firehose all the time."

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When you are having a crazy day, what is your go-to for winding down?

I love to do power yoga. It’s enough of a workout that I can’t really think about anything else while I’m doing it, and yet it’s still relaxing and calming.

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ITK: Tips for Co-Founder Success

Many of us have a vision of launching a business with co-founder who is the perfect compliment to our right brain or left-brain selves. Strong creatives tend to seek business strength and vice versa, but actually finding the perfect fit can be more difficult than we like. This is largely because we 1. Travel in circles that tend to be more like us 2. Don’t understand our own personalities, weaknesses and core competencies 3. Are eager to find someone that when we do we say “YES” too quickly. There is a formula to finding the right partner and setting yourself up for success. Lets dive in. 

YOUR INNER GAME

Your capacity to understand your traits as a leader is essential. Are you passive aggressive? Can you hire people well, but struggle with firing? Do you think you are always right? Maybe you have self-worth issues. Or, like me, maybe you are a work-a-holic and treat your business like it’s your first-born. No matter what your unique personality type, it's critical to understand how you work and to be honest about it. Launching a business is not the time to work through your personal baggage, but you are the center of your business so these things do come up.  You need to square away personal obstructions and work through anything that might keep you from performing at your optimum. I suggest making a list of how you like to work, what types of personalities you have worked well with in the past, and what might someone else need to know about you to know if you are a good fit for them. Do you like to do things last minute but never miss a deadline? Your potential co-founder will need to know not to worry about your commitment. 

"Launching a business is not the time to work through your personal baggage."

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WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE

Aside from bringing a great idea to the conversation you need to stack up your skill sets. I always ask my clients to make lists: what are they really good at, what would they like to learn, and what is something that they would have to hire out/have zero interest in learning. If you are a creative that struggles with business matters or vice versa it's important to itemize the specifics. I work with a lot of clients that are creatives and need a business backbone, and let me tell you, you can be successful doing it on your own, but its definitely easier when you are working with someone who loves MS Excel if you hate it. 

MATTERS OF MONEY 

Who pays for what? With a biz partnership it's cleaner if both parties can equally split liability and expenses. Not only does this keep things feeling balanced, but there is true shared ownership. If going 50/50 is not a possibility and you are looking for a co-founder to fund the operation, you might actually be looking for an investor. In my experience having a co-founder that's really an investor can muddy decision-making processes. A co-founder should be able to bring something beyond money to the table. They should have skills and expertise that will relate directly to the day-to-day operations. If your co-founder is unable to invest as much money as you are or nothing into the business it’s critical that you stipulate in your operating agreement how your investment gets paid back over time and if/when the company dissolves. At the end of the day this is about playing fair, doing what’s right for the business and yourself. 

"Having a co-founder that's really an investor can muddy decision-making processes."

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DOING BUSINESS WITH FRIENDS & LOVERS 

In theory it’s a wonderful idea to start a business with a friend or romantic partner. Working with someone you know you already like and have things in common can be very rewarding, but it does require knowing yourself very well to pull this off successfully. Before launching into a business idea with someone you care about make sure to ask yourself and him or her- why now? Why would you two be the best to do this together? What complimentary traits do you have? Discuss how long you want to test the process and have a trial period together before committing to a contract. And yes, you will want a contract! Business amongst friends/lovers can still get ugly and you want to have a contract out of respect for you and them. The goal is to preserve the relationship and possibly launch an amazing business!

TINDER FOR CO-FOUNDERS 

I wish there was Tinder for Co-Founders (kind of like Bumble BFF...). But as of now there are only co-founder sites that really focus on technology. Sites like CoFoundersLab, FounderDating, and Angellist are a few places to look if you are looking to start an ecommerce site, otherwise I suggest good old fashion LinkedIn and reaching out in Facebook groups, friends and family. As you would on a first date, you need to make sure to meet your potential co-founder for coffee or a drink and not just trust the phone or email. You wouldn’t marry someone without really knowing him or her right? So why would you risk your financial investment working with someone you don’t know well. (Jessica Alba jokes that partnering up with her co-founder is like an arranged marriage.) I suggest dating around. Dating around means having lots of coffees and working on small projects with someone to test out the personality styles and core competencies. Think of it as an experiment. You could sign an NDA, but really, it's not necessary unless you have a patent pending. Ideas are easy come, easy go, but execution is hard. You need a partner you can execute with that has a shared vision. Don’t expect your first couple dates will yield a co-founder! Be patient.

"Ideas are easy come, easy go, but execution is hard."

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Some people are not co-founder types and that can be as useful to know about yourself as is finding the right partner. Business owners who fly solo must take it upon themselves to find the right help to get things done. It's impossible to think you can run a business all by yourself- you simply won’t scale. You need support, someone to challenge you, and someone to fill the holes.  

Syama Meagher is a retail strategist for brands and retailers. She helps entrepreneurs launch and grow fashion business through ecommerce, wholesale and brick & mortar. Syama is a former at Barneys New York, Gucci, AHAlife and Macy’s.  To build your brand and create a profitable business check out www.ScalingRetail.com and email hello@scalingretail.com 

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Refresher Course: You Need These 3 Networking Reminders

photo from Who What Wear

In a recent interview, Scott Uhrig at Agile.Careers explained that “Roughly 80% of jobs are never posted–probably closer to 90% for more senior jobs. The competition for posted jobs is insane…the best jobs are almost never posted.” If a job isn’t posted, you’re going to have a pretty hard time applying for it online. So how do you get to the jobs that aren’t ever posted? The answer is simple: networking.

Recent studies done by LinkedIn show that nearly 85% of people have used networking to find or obtain a job. If jobs aren’t posted online, you’ll need to leverage your connections to get inside knowledge about positions pertaining to your career. This task sounds daunting, but if you take initiative, it’s a fairly simple process.

Surround yourself with industry professionals whom you enjoy

While you might find friends at work, that isn’t always the case, so it’s important to put yourself in situations where you can meet others and build new friendships (or at the very least, make new connections).

Attending networking events in your field of work is a great way to meet people in your field and gather inside knowledge on potential jobs. While you may not be connecting with the people at your office, industry events give you the opportunity to find others in your field who you mesh with. If you enjoy what you do, finding others who enjoy it as well will hugely benefit you. 

No idea how to find networking events in your area? Check out the links below to figure out what’s right for you!

• Create + Cultivate (we host local pop up events on top of our conferences!)
• Six Degrees Society
• Career Contessa
• Levo League

Often networking organizations have local chapters so you get to know people in your area. This is a bonus if you’ve recently made or plan to make a big move and are trying to meet new people!

Join a professional organization

This doesn’t just mean attending networking events. Joining a professional organization that is specific to your line of work gives you access to networking events, industry insights, job opportunities, and gives you up to date information about the job market. As an added bonus, professional affiliations look great on your resume! Finding an organization might take a bit of research, but almost every industry has an organization which has huge benefits for members.

Here are a few examples:

• PIHRA- Professionals In Human Resources Association
• National Student Nurses Association
• Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches
• American Marketing Association

There are associations and memberships for almost every profession you can think of. It might take a little digging, but just utilize your google search skills and you’ll easily find something that works for your needs. If you do become a member/affiliate, make sure you take advantage of all the perks. Join online or in person groups, connect with others in your industry, and sign up for newsletters so you can get the latest industry information.

Ask for an introduction

This can seem awkward if you’re not used to it, but asking someone for an introduction to a mutual connection or friend can benefit you greatly.  Browse LinkedIn for people who work at a company you’re interested in or hold a position that you’d like to gather more information about and see if you have any mutual friends. I recently had a friend ask for an introduction on LinkedIn, which led to a great conversation about a potential job opportunity. Recent studies show that as humans, our first impulse is to help others, so introducing two connections with the goal of helping one party will likely pan out well.

More specifically, people often are more likely to help those that they have a connection with, so acknowledging a mutual friend or acquaintance will help with that as well. There’s a reason that the saying “squeaky wheel gets the oil” is so common. Asking for an introduction may force you out of your comfort zone, but the worst thing that can happen is that someone will say “no.” In the long run, the benefits of asking for an introduction far outweigh the potential downside.

________________

Networking is has always been important, but as the online job search becomes more and more daunting, networking is more crucial than ever before. This simple skill is something that will help you further develop your career, make new connections, and potentially land you the job of your dreams. If you’re not currently networking to help with your job search, use these three tactics to help you get in the game and improve your networking skills for the better.

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

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The Top 3 Questions All New Bloggers Should Ask Themselves

photo credit: Blame It on Mei 

With a degree in graphic design and a masters in business admin, Mei Jorge, the Cuban-born blogger behind the fashion blog Blame It on Mei, had her pick of careers.  But the Miami-based fashionista shares that, "It is very gratifying to know that I can inspire women to look and feel their best no matter the price tag, age, lifestyle, or even personal circumstances. Even though I love graphic design and have had a lot of fun in that career, I have always been passionate about fashion."

For years she skirted around the suggestion from friends that she should start a blog. "I pushed that idea aside," she explains. "Only to find myself wondering 'what if' a few years later. I finally took that big step and I couldn’t be happier about doing so."

We caught up with Mei to talk the importance of design, why her style is steeped in the traditions of Latin women, and the three questions new bloggers need to ask themselves. 

How does your background play into your content? 

My feminine style is flavored with the traditions of the Latin women. In our culture, feeling sassy is intertwined with timeless style, and our days are bursting with vibrant colors and music. Because Miami is an extension of my Cuban background, it’s easy for the customs, colors, and cuisine to inspire my colorful looks. Even when I wear muted or neutral tones, I always add a pop of color. 

What is it about the Miami blogging scene that is different from the rest of the country?

Miami is such a dynamic and eclectic city. There is always something to do, a new place to see, or a new restaurant to try. Events like Art Basel and Swim Week have made the Miami fashion scene one not to miss.  And because of our coveted beaches, warm climate, and especially large blogging community, many brands choose it as their destination to host events or launch products.

Since you studied Graphic Design, how important is a logo? 

A logo is one of THE most important aesthetics of a brand. That is how your audience will visually identify you so I strongly suggest with a professional if you are unsure about where to start.

How much time did you spend designing your own site? And what are some tenets of site-building that you think bloggers should consider? 

Initially, I took a few days to research, design, add widgets, and customize it to my needs. I am always trying to improve it, which makes it an ongoing project. Because of my graphic design background, I obviously had an advantage. However, building a website is not only about the pretty aesthetics. Finding a good host, searching for the right customizable template, whilst also learning the ins and outs of your publishing platform, takes time. If you are somewhat savvy, you can try to build it yourself but even then it takes time. It will probably take more time than if you hire a professional.

How did some of your first partnerships come about? Did you reach out to brands with a media kit? Did they reach out to you?

Most of my first partnerships reached out to me directly.  At that point in my blogging journey, I was hesitant to reach out to any brand. After I gained some confidence and became member of a few blogging communities, I finally designed my media kit and reached out to some of my favorite brands.

How are you working to evolve your brand? 

My brand is an extension of myself, my style, and my personality. By being consistent, adding value to my content, and being relatable to my followers, I keep true to my mission; which is to inspire women to be confident in their daily lives.

"I keep true to my mission; which is to inspire women to be confident in their daily lives."

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photo credit: Blame It on Mei

What is the “big picture” goal for you as a blogger?

I would love to work with a large retailer to create and design my own line of clothing and accessories. As an influencer, this would be a huge accomplishment and the climax of the hard work and dedication I have put into my brand. 

Where do you think the blog/influencer world is heading?

The blog/influencer world is experiencing a growth phase that will eventually reach maturity. Currently, brands and influencers alike are learning that influencer marketing will become more meaningful in the years to come. This type of marketing will take over traditional mediums, it’s just a matter of time for brands who are not already aware, to grasp the concept.

What tips and tools are you using in your day-to-day to keep up with the changing world of social?

I try to keep myself informed, thus I am constantly researching the newest changes to the different platforms. But more importantly, I see what my audience responds to. At the end of the day, social media may change but I want to stay as loyal to my followers as they are to me.

"Social media may change but I want to stay as loyal to my followers as they are to me."

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Are you utilizing stories on IG?

Yes, I am really enjoying it and so are my followers. It can be hard to connect to your audience with a still image, but through the Stories feature, your followers get to know you on a one-on-one basis. They get to relate to your everyday life and see that you are no different than them. 

If someone wanted to start a blog today, what are the top three questions you think they should ask themselves before they get started?

1.  What is the main reason why I want to start a blog? Be specific; do you love writing and want a book deal? Do you have an on-air personality and want to be on TV? Do you want to help others? 

2.  Can I commit to blogging consistently? Blogging is a very self-sacrificing career, but it definitely comes with very rewarding opportunities and experiences. But if you want to grow your blog, commitment is a trait you will need to possess. 

3.  Am I willing to work hard? Blogging is hard work. It takes many hours in a week to plan your editorial calendar, reply to emails, pitch to brands, be active in your social media channels, prepping for a photo shoot, among other tasks. But with dedication and commitment you will reap the benefits. 

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Exclusive Video: 3 Self-Made Women Get Away From It All

in partnership with Marriott Hotels

photo credit: Brecht Vanthof

Want to know how boss women manage their busy careers with travel? We headed to the Wailea Beach Resort in Maui this past weekend in partnership with Marriott Hotels to chat with female entrepreneurs, an NY Times best-selling author, lifestyle bloggers, and all around badasses to host our #CCxMarriott popup. We luau'd and clinked our Mai Tai glasses as the sun went down, but we also made time for talking about the travel business of business. 

Watch the below videos to see what Kelly Oxford, Grasie Mercedes, and Leura Fine all know about traveling brilliantly.  

KELLY OXFORD, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR & WRITER  

GRASIE MERCEDES, BLOGGER & ACTRESS

LEURA FINE, CEO & FOUNDER OF LAUREL & WOLF 

video credit: Brecht Vanthof

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5 Blogger Tips That Are Anything But Basic

photo credit: Pop Sugar

The sheer number of articles written about how to be a blogger proves at least two points:

1. That it is not as simple as taking a pretty picture and;

2. That there are a lot of people trying to be bloggers

We all know by now that it's not an easy job. So we’ve rounded up some of our favorite tips and tricks from past C&C speakers and bloggers we love.

1. Courtney Kerr says to keep it personal. Do you need to build your own app? Maybe not.

“I am a human and I’m not an app. If I want a nail apt I don’t mind downloading an app. If I want a car to come pick me up, that’s an app thing. I think an app takes away the personal encounter I have with my readers and almost seem like I'm saying, 'Well you’re not good enough to interact with me on Kerrently.com'— it takes all the personal out of it.”

The blogger and influencer says a large part of your success happens in that personal space. Don’t overlook that.

2. Caroline Harper Knapp of House of Harper says that to work your analytics you have to pay attention to where people are spending time.

What does that mean? In this multi-screen economy, really figure out where people are spending chunks of time digesting your content. The blogger says: “Your Google analytics can tell you where readers are looking at your content— mobile or desktop. Make sure that everything is just as user-friendly on a smartphone as it is your site." She also notes that" People really want to consume content via video."

The mom and influencer echoes what Kerr has to say about apps and personalization. “People want to see you and hear your voice. They want to know you. That’s a focus for us right now. Asking my audience to download something feels like too many steps."

3. Olivia Watson of Livvyland says to really focus on mobile experience.

Mobile is the gateway to your blog. If people are having an enjoyable experience with your content on their phone, they are more likely to convert to online (computer) readers.

“I would focus on having a really great mobile experience. And then call it a day. If your site is built the right way it will update across all of your platforms,” Watson shares. 

4. Build your email list from the start.

Everyone is very (verrrry) focused on growing their follower count, but zeroing in on that number isn’t the only thing you should train your sights on.

Your email list should be your day 1. You need to get into inboxes. Social platforms are awesome, but as an influencer or blogger you are beholden to that platform. Building your own email list is the way to connect with your followers directly in the exact way you want to do it.

Plus, if you ever want to write a book? Guess what? A publisher will ask you have many email subscribers you have. It matters.

5. Scratch your own itch

This is the new twist on being authentic. You need to create content that your readers love, but you also need to create content that is real to you.

Don’t look to the left or right of you when it comes to creating content. Hone in on what you’re good at and build a base from there. Austin-based blogger Camille Styles is great at this. She shares, "We want to empower women and show our readers how to be the healthiest happiest they can be. Topics around wellness and mental health are really important to us. Those have been some of the topics that perform the best.”

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

Do you have any great tips for blogging? Sharing is caring below.

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Survey Shows That Women Still Feel Men are Intimidated by their Success.

photo credit: Becki Smith/Smith House Photography 

Create & Cultivate's NYC conference was full of inspirational women with diverse career paths and experiences. We wanted to capture their insights by running a Tinder poll to see how they answered some of today’s important questions about being a woman in business. We were fascinated by some of the results: for example, 55% of women said they didn't know what they wanted their career to be right after college. Your career is a journey - you don't have to have it figured out right away.

Scroll through to see some of our favorite findings from attendees. 

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Why This CEO Says You're Not Firing Fast Enough

This past weekend, we gathered 150 female entrepreneurs and creatives in Maui at the Wailea Marriott Beach Resort to talk business, brand building and bold moves. 

Our Keynote Speaker, Leura Fine, CEO of the fastest growing interior design disrupter start up, Laurel & Wolf, left our audience feeling enlightened, entertained and inspired with her candid conversation with our founder Jaclyn Johnson on life as a CEO, the ups and downs of building a business and how to be a better boss. Below, we put together our 5 key takeaways from the conversation of which you can view in full here. 

1. The title 'CEO' means many different things along the way.

Leura explained that when she was CEO of 3 people vs. 10 people her role changed, from 10 to 25 another change and another change and so on and so forth. The point is, your role as CEO should change over time as you hire people.  The role should expand from a more tactical day to day role to more strategic. You have to get to a point where you are trusting the people you hire and then the people they hire in order to scale effectively. 

2. You are not firing fast enough. 

Firing, something no one likes to talk about, but is so crucial to growing your business effectively. Leura explained it's not only important to hire quickly but fire quickly as soon as you know someone is not a fit either culturally or with the work. Keeping an employee for too long that isn't a fit can be just as detrimental as not having anyone in the position at all. 

3. Keep your board small. 

Leura explained that many tech companies and start ups start putting together really big boards and start handing out equity right at the beginning. Leura says, for her, building out a small but highly strategic board is much better than having multiple voices in your head and in the room. Think long and hard about strategic partners, investors and money and make sure they also bring something to table besides just cold hard cash and opinions. 

4. Communicate differently to different people. 

As a founder, Leura says, you have to say things differently to different people. She explains, communicating with her development team vs. her marketing team can require different types of conversations and ways of communicating. Once your company gets to a certain size the communication structure can easily breakdown, even people who sit right next to each other might not be communicating effectively. Leura says they put into place strategic meetings and events to ensure everyone is on the same page and work is getting down as effectively as possible.

5. Don't overpay yourself. 

Leura says she is "the lowest paid person on her executive team" and that's okay. She talked about how she didn't pay herself at the beginning of the company and then eventually took a salary that basically just covered her costs of living. She stressed how important it is to hire super capable people especially in senior level positions and that often comes with a hefty price tag or the allure of equity within a company that is growing. For her, the big pay off will be her equity stake in the company not necessarily her salary and as a CEO this is a common strategy. 

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Why This Food Blogger Says There Is No Beauty without Imperfection

image credit: Photography by Turkan 

It's fitting that Aran Goyoaga, twice over James Beard Award finalist, food blogger and fountain of gluten-free recipes, says that "everyone should take Instagram with a grain a salt." 

Food has been a part of Aran's story from the beginning. As a child in the Basque region of Spain, "surrounded by pastry chefs," it never occurred to the now Seattle-based culinary mind behind Cannelle et Vanille, that baking would be her path as well. "My family encouraged me to go to university, travel the world, get a higher education and get away from the blue collar job that baking was," she shares. "When I was growing up cooking for a living did not have the same aspirational career perspective that it does today." She ended up going to university, where she studied business and economics. "It was only after I finished my studies, moved to the US and found myself so far away from my family that I realized that pastry was the one bond that kept me connected to my roots." Her first stop was Florida, where the professional pastry chef worked for a large hotelier. A job which taught her reigns and ropes of all aspects of the kitchen. She initially stopped working to stay at home and raise her son. But the kitchen called her back. And food became her gateway to photography. Her photos have been described as romantic, unfussy, and nostalgic. Many writers have described Aran in the same way. 

Today, the mother of two, baker, food stylist, author and photographer of the cookbook Small Plates & Sweet Treats, stays grounded and connected to her heritage through cooking and baking. "I have always loved working with my hands," she adds. 

image credit: Photography by Turkan

We met up in her gorgeous photography studio by Pike Place Market to chat social media, building a brand, and how her works feeds her soul. 

How do you decide what to show, what to keep private? And how to be/not be a brand?

I am not sure what connotation "to be a brand" has (it probably means different things to different people) but I don't necessarily identify myself with that term. I suppose that with every piece of work I choose to show the world through social media, I am establishing a style, a personal taste, an affinity to something, but I don't generally want to sell anything or push product on people. I engage in some advertising work that I relate to or products I might naturally use but honestly my goal is to develop personal content that has an emotional narrative so branding doesn't really fit into that so easily. My instagram account is a bit of a cinematic world view that I have. Visual narrative is what drives my work and I would say I focus very much on that aspect. Sure, what I show is part of my life: my friends, my children, the food we eat, the places I see, but it has a very specific filter and I am not trying to say that is everything my life is. Everyone should take Instagram with a grain of salt.

After working for a large hotelier, what work lessons did you bring into your own business? 

I loved working in a big team, especially in a company that has such high standards for service, but honestly, it made me realize that I love working for myself and making the kind of work that I want to do. I love the flexibility of working for myself despite the perils of instability. 

Can you tell us a bit about the new project you’re working on and why making something that feeds your soul is important? 

I spent big part of 2016 working on a new video series that explores my relationship with food, from my family roots to an eating disorder, to feeding the creative soul I never thought I had, to being open to the world and let go of a lot of the rigidity that ruled my life for so long. It is the manifestation that there is no beauty without imperfection. The series is called "A Cook's Remedy"  [ed note: the first few episodes released early 2017]. I have produced the series with an incredible team of women in Seattle called Common Thread Creative. I am so excited to put it out into the world.

"There is no beauty without imperfection." 

Tweet this. 

image credit: Photography by Turkan

You moved from Spain to South Florida and have settled in Seattle. What about the city feels like home? 

Seattle reminds me a lot of the Basque Country where I grew up. It's a lot larger and more majestic than the landscape of my youth, but there is a similar quality to a lot of northern countries that make it feel like home. The rain, the green, the introspection... Seattle is a city that looks forward and inward and that is a perfect balance for me. Makes me feel safe. 

Aran's recommendations below: 

Favorite market to buy your ingredients: Ballard farmer's market on Sundays, especially between May and October.

Have a morning cup of coffee: There is so much great coffee in Seattle that it is hard to choose. I love the morning vibe at Oddfellows. It truly is the place to get inspired in Seattle. And The Fat Hen makes incredible lattes. I also love Porchlight Coffee and Records for the obvious reasons: Coffee and music. My two favorite things in the world.

Eat a delicious gluten-free meal: Again so many places. I am just going to name a few because one wouldn't be enough. The lamb burger with no bun and fries at Tallulah's, the roasted vegetables and Jersey salad at Delancey, anything at Sitka & Spruce and Whale Wins (so many gluten-free options), baked eggs at The Fat Hen, pho at Ba Bar, Juicebox for almost everything on the menu, tacos at Copal, London Plane for their papadum and salads, Stateside for amazing Vietnamese and the list goes on.

"Seattle is a city that looks forward and inward."

Tweet this.

Take your family out to dinner: Pho is the one thing we all agree on so Ba Bar is definitely our spot. Also El Camion which is a little taqueria in Ballard, especially in the summer. We are a family of simple tastes. 

If you had to take a ferry to one island, which would it be and why: Vashon Island because that is where my dear friend Carolina lives and I love visiting her there.

Tourist spot in Seattle that you’ve never visited: The Underground Tour... I've heard it's interesting, but just creeps me out a bit.

Favorite spot in the city to sit and be still: That is the one thing that is abundant in Seattle. Just take a hike in Discovery Park, Lincoln Park, a walk around Greenlake.....all around us.

Best free entertainment in Seattle: Going to KEXP radio station and watching one of their live performances. The new space is incredible with La Marzocco coffee shop and Light in the Attic record store. It's close to my home and love spending time there.

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

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