Four Steps to Crafting the Perfect Job Description for Your Resume

As the number of applicants per corporate job opening rises, it’s important that your resume is effective at articulating your accomplishments and what you can bring to the table. This means creating an accomplishment-based resume instead of a responsibility-based resume and creating a document that is completely unique to you. When you’re trying to craft the perfect job description on your resume, it’s essential that you highlight what you’ve achieved instead of simply stating that you hold a certain skill.

Your resume is your chance to highlight what you bring to the table and why a potential employer should hire you, but if the job descriptions you include don’t do you justice, your resume simply won’t be effective at meeting your needs. This makes writing a resume sound intimidating; however, I’m showing you exactly how to craft the perfect job description on your resume! 

Gather the Basics

When you’re going to craft the perfect job description on your resume, you have to start with the basics. The easiest way to do this is to start with the job description that you were given at work. Ideally, you’ll have the job description you were given by HR, (you should always keep this kind of information for future use) but if not, find a similar job description online that closely resembles your own.

Build Upon What You Have

Take the basic job description and add in other duties that you’ve taken on that go above and beyond what you’re required to do, or if your role has just evolved over time.

If you are technically ad administrative assistant, but you handle company social media accounts and oversee client engagement, that is something you’ll absolutely want to note in your job description. Any time you’re taking on responsibilities above and beyond what you were hired to do, it’s important to articulate them. Show that you’re not just resting on your laurels and that you’re willing to take the initiative to get things done.

Make a List of Your Accomplishments

Anyone can claim that they are a great employee, but very few people can actually show it. Don’t sell yourself short on your resume, and show potential employers all of your accomplishments and achievements. Provide evidence to your claims so that they can see exactly what you can bring to the table and how you will be beneficial if hired.

Ask yourself the following questions: 

• Have you increased sales?

• Have you been recognized for your success?

• Have you implemented process improvements or cost-cutting techniques?

Whatever you have done to improve your company and/or department, you want to show it on your resume. 

The more numbers and specific metrics you can include, the better! Don’t be afraid to calculate numbers from your own data. As long as you can prove your calculations, you can use them on your resume.

Use the Job Description that You’re Applying for

When you’re trying to craft the perfect job description on your resume, use the job you’re applying to so you can integrate keywords and phrases to customize your resume to meet the exact position you’re interested in. When you’re trying to customize your resume to meet a job you’re applying to, the key is to highlight all of the skills and qualifications that the desired job description holds, and downplay unnecessary information.

For example, if you held the title of client relationship manager and did everything from sales to client onboarding, to office management and administrative tasks, but you’re applying for an administrative assistant, you’ll want to highlight the office management and client facing communication, and you’ll most likely want to downplay the sales aspects of your previous role.

This does not mean that you should ever “dumb down” your resume. It’s always great to highlight that you’re smart, strong, and capable, however, when you’re trying to customize your resume to apply for a specific job, you need to highlight the requirements of the given job description and show your potential employer why you will be a great fit. 

Writing a great resume isn’t just about how aesthetically pleasing it is. If you have a beautiful resume that doesn’t articulate your strengths, you won’t get the traction that you’re looking for. Craft the perfect job description on your resume that highlights what you’ve accomplished and why you’re a valuable asset.

---

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

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

 

Solopreneur Tax Tips: The Freelancer

Making your own schedule, choosing your clients, and sweet, sweet freedom—these are just a few of the many perks of freelancing. But with that freedom comes great responsibility…including being on the hook for filing self-employment taxes. Above, content creator Grasie Mercedes—who splits her time between acting, writing, directing, and blogging—sits down with Lisa Greene-Lewis, TurboTax CPA, to learn how TurboTax Self-Employed can help freelancers stay on top of their tax obligations throughout the year. Read on to learn a little more about Grasie and see how TurboTax can help you find deductions, file confidently, and keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. Plus, we're gifting 30 readers with a FREE TurboTax Live Self-Employed product code (valued at $169.99) below—so you can file for free this season!

To quote your Instagram bio, you “do a lot.” You’re an actor, writer, director, and blogger—what do you like most about working on so many different projects?

I love to keep busy and I love everything entertainment, so for me, it just makes sense. Now, more than ever, actors "do it all": they direct episodes of the shows they're on, they create their own series, and they continue to act in everything from commercials to TV to major motion pictures. I think it's wonderful and exciting! Blogging is something I started over eight years ago as a creative outlet to supplement my then-styling career, which was supplementing my acting endeavors. From there, I turned it into a brand/business that I can have forever (or as long as I want)! Having so many things to work on and work toward is so special to me...I never get bored "working" and that's a dream. I'm so grateful to be able to do what I love, every single day. 

What’s your biggest challenge in having so many different business ventures on your plate? The biggest reward?

The biggest challenge is when the various ventures start to interfere with one another. Acting is a crazy business with an unpredictable schedule so there have been plenty of times where I have to miss an event, trip or opportunity because I have to be in town for pilot season or for a callback, etc. When that happens, I just have to weigh my options and then deal with serious FOMO when I see what I missed on social media. The biggest reward is hitting new goals in any given venture. I just signed with an amazing talent agent for writing, I'm developing my first pilot with a great production company, and my first film is still getting accepted into major film festivals! Those are all huge wins for my writing and directing careers, which I started less than two years ago! 

We polled our C&C community and found that many freelancers share the same concerns as Grasie—conflicting schedules and deadlines can make solopreneurship difficult. Luckily TurboTax Self-Employed makes it easy for freelancers to track and file quarterly estimated payments, so you can focus your efforts on your work and your clients.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to go freelance but is worried about how they’ll make a stable living?

This is a tough question. I think you have to weigh your options and responsibilities. When I decided to quit my day job and move to LA to be an actress/creative, I was in my late 20s with zero obligations. It was easy to just go for it because it was just me. No kids, no mortgage...not even a pet! If you have that freedom, then just GO FOR IT full throttle! Do whatever it takes to pay the bills (legal things only, of course). Wait tables, get a temp job, be a barista...all the while, make sure you are working on your creative endeavor daily. If you're responsible for more than just yourself, I would say keep your day job as long as possible, save money where you can and again work on your creative endeavor daily until it's bringing you enough money to quit your day job. The only difference between these paths are that the first one usually gives you more time and freedom to pursue your dream. But regardless of which path you take, the most important thing is to WORK HARD and WORK EVERY DAY on whatever it is that you want to be doing! Dreams are wonderful, but they only come true if you work your ass off. 

What are you most excited about for your business in 2019?

Excited to revamp my blog and to work as a writer and director more! Acting will always be "my first born" and something I'll never stop doing, but creating my own work (TV shows/films) is my number one priority at the moment. 

Want more tips for tax time? Check out our guides for side hustlers and C corp entrepreneurs! or Or you can dive into TurboTax Self-Employed here—and enter to win a free TurboTax Live Self-Employed code below!

Our friends at TurboTax were nice enough to share a giveaway with Create & Cultivate readers so you can file your taxes for FREE this season!

30 readers will receive a FREE TurboTax Live Self-Employed product code (valued at $169.99). Simply fill out the form below to enter to win. The winner will be chosen randomly and contacted via email. Good luck!

Not quite a full-time freelancer?

If you’ve got a side hustle and need help with filing taxes, be sure to check out last week’s guide. Stay tuned for next week’s post for more solopreneur tax tips—and enter to win a free TurboTax Live Self-Employed code below!

This post is sponsored by TurboTax.

Does My Career Determine My Self Worth?

New expectations have begun to haunt women each day. In a world, full of Elaine Welteroth’s, Bozoma Saint John’s, and Sophia Amoruso’s — we feel the pressure to be our own badass career woman. 

Scrolling through our social feeds to find these amazing women living out their dreams has altered our reality. Though encouraging and liberating for women in this generation, it can also be discouraging. Quotes such as “choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” can become discouraging to some when you’re constantly working towards choosing the job you love but you remain stuck in the job you have. You begin to look at yourself and start to believe that you must be doing something wrong (even though you're doing everything in your power to do everything right).

We are hungrier than ever to accomplish our goals and to take the career world by storm. Yet, our expected achievements don’t meet our timelines. We have done everything we can, from cold emailing to going door to door, but somehow, we can’t quite get to the girl boss level we’ve been working our ass off for.  Some of us, such as myself, have played it by the book and have gone to college to retrieve that fancy (and expensive) piece of paper. 

Now what?

After graduation, I acquired a job that most people would consider “a dream job”. And it was — until I hit a wall. I began to realize that I was not going to learn more than I was taught and a promotion was not coming my way for a while. I felt stuck and devalued. I knew in order to get to the place I wanted to be professionally, I had to make a change. I quit my job, packed up my bags, and moved back home with no job in sight. I took a leap of faith as all the enthusiasts like to encourage dreamers to do. Little did I know, this would be a full year of doors being slammed in my face.

"I knew in order to get to the place I wanted to be professionally, I had to make a change."

Tweet this.

Months of applications, cold emails, networking, and going door to door turned into days of no callbacks and “you’re just not the right fit for us”. Other than the retail job I had to get me by — I was practically jobless. After a year of being jobless, I hit rock bottom and depression began to flood my veins. Was I not good enough? I had several internships in the past and over 2 years of professional experience yet I was not worthy enough to be hired. 

The lack of success in my career hit me hard. I have always been labeled the go-getter and people looked to me for career advice. I felt my expectations and the expectations of others weigh down on me. Family, friends, and everyone around me saw my constant success for years and when I no longer had that, my identity faded. I realized that I correlated my worth with the success and pace of my career.

I had no desire for a love life, I happily accepted my singleness, and my career became the love of my life — this was my happy reality. Believe it or not, the Sex and the City and Cashmere Mafia lifestyle was #goals for me. Through this year of being jobless, I began to love myself less. What I valued most about myself was non-existent. If I’m not good enough to get a job after a full year, was I good enough at all?

At exactly a year, I finally got hired.

It wasn’t the job I dreamed of but it was a good start. Though back on my feet — I still felt incomplete.

This job did not match my vision. I molded a perfected version of my career since I was a young girl and that dream began to slowly slip away along with my worth. The power woman I thought I was and could potentially be slipped away with my lost worth.

Though I’d given up on myself, I knew that I would hate myself forever if I didn’t try picking myself back up. I couldn’t let my career slide to the waste side. After a month of feeling down – I picked myself back up and decided to keep moving forward. My career isn’t over and I am still worthy.

I began attending networking events again, cold emailing my career idols, and searching for freelance work that would help me stand out during my future job searches. I realized that I could never give up on myself and my dreams. My success does not determine my worth. Most importantly, I had to make opportunities for myself. Your current full-time money making job might suck but don’t limit yourself to that primary source of opportunity. Use your current sucky job as a stepping stone for something better. Make a gradual plan to your dream job and reach out for outside opportunities to spruce up your resume and to gain more experience in the meantime. That’s what you call grinding.

My success does not determine my worth.

Tweet this.

Word of advice to ladies who are out there making it — share your struggles with others so that your fellow go-getters won’t feel alone. We need to know that this feeling won’t last forever.  That’s more encouraging than cheesy quotes and fantasy pictures. For the ladies who are still trying to make it—think smart, keep working, and don’t lose sight of yourself when your dreams begin to break your heart.

And yes — one of my dreams was to write this very article for this amazing organization. If I can do it, you can too.

Epiphany Ciers is a Houstonian tackling the world of fashion. From writing to creating content, Epiphany has her hands in everything. Though determined to make it in the fashion world, Epiphany also has a passion for encouraging and motivating women. Follow her on IG @epiphany.ciers as she navigates the fashion industry and explores the world around her. 

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

5 Steps to Building Your Personal Brand

Whether you know it or not, you have a personal brand that you’re cultivating every day through your online presence. Trust me, I get it—it doesn’t feel natural to tell people “I’m building my personal brand.” It might even feel a bit vain.

The reality is, social media and our online footprints aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Your story and who you are is your personal brand.

I respect those who build their following to step into the influencer space and monetize their following. But right now I’m talking to all of you ladies who are hustling hard in the corporate world, starting businesses, transitioning back into the workforce, growing in their careers and looking to take the next step. There are ways you can be more intentional about how you utilize social media and your presence online to position yourself for your ideal opportunities.

Where should you start? Here are 5 steps for you to start building your personal brand today:

STEP 1: Let’s do a quick social media audit of your channels: 1) Do you have a professional looking headshot & is it updated across all your social accounts? 2) Do you have a consistent username/URL across all your accounts? 3) Do your social bios have your updated work info and link out to a personal website/portfolio or LinkedIn? 4) Is your LinkedIn up to date with current work info, cover image, profile image, and bio? If you answered no to any of these, let’s get them updated now!

“Before we dive in, you need to answer this question:
Where do you want to be this time next year? ”

STEP 2: Before we dive into strategy, you need to answer this question: Where do you want to be this time next year? Do you want to be at the same company, but in a higher position? Do you want to transition industries? Do you want to start a new job? Or maybe you simply want to grow your network? Whatever the answer may be, focus on that goal when building your personal brand. Identify key topics that relate to your goal and create a plan to regularly provide commentary on them online.

STEP 3: Choose two platforms to focus on at a time! Don’t try to do the same thing on all the platforms at the same time. Identify the two platforms that make the most sense for your industry and make a goal to focus on building up those accounts.

STEP 4: Identify key people to follow—industry leaders or people you’d like to be your mentor. When I first joined Twitter back in the day, I was in awe of the fact that I could follow all the people I look up to and learn from them firsthand. You have that same opportunity now, but with even more platforms. Just make sure you don’t clutter your feed—research your current field and dig deeper than the obvious people you should follow. Then build up a genuine relationship through conversations around topics and posts that feel natural (don’t force it).

STEP 5: Create a content calendar and plan ahead! Identify key dates within your industry/desired industry. For example, if you work in fashion, you better be posting/talking about/engaging in the conversation around Fashion Week. If you work in tech, then Apple’s Keynote announcements are important moments for you to be sharing your thoughts and opinions. When you plan ahead, you’ll be able to show up consistently and build your profile within your community.

“When you plan ahead, you’ll be able to show up consistently
and build your profile within your community. ”

I launched Be Digable with the hopes that I could help more female professionals and executives build their personal brands, position themselves as thought leaders, and raise their visibility. I believe more women should be moving into those corner offices! You don’t have to be an influencer to build a personal brand—it’s all about being authentic, sharing your story, and engaging with your community to connect and grow.

For more personal branding tips, you can follow Be Digable on Instagram and sign up for our free email course: 3 Days to a Standout Personal Brand.

Lindsay Williams is the Founder of Be Digable, a personal brand strategy firm dedicated to inspiring female executives to discover and be confident with their voice in order to authentically share their personal narrative. Lindsay is committed to motivating professionals to step into their own greatness, helping clients position themselves as thought leaders in their field, network within and out of their industries, and share their unique story to leverage greater opportunities.

MORE ON THE BLOG

Solopreneur Tax Tips: The Side Hustler

The side hustle economy is real—37 percent of the workforce has a side hustle (and more than half of the Create & Cultivate staff has one!).

Having a side gig is exciting—you’re about to make more money, after all! But what you might not be prepared for is tax time. Above, our very own C&C employee Tyeal Howell—who moonlights as a podcast host at Bosshood—sits down with Lisa Greene-Lewis, TurboTax CPA, to learn how TurboTax Self-Employed can help side hustlers run their business more efficiently in preparation for April 15. Read on to learn a little more about Tyeal and see how you, too, can use TurboTax to file with confidence. Plus, we're gifting 30 readers with a FREE TurboTax Live Self-Employed product code (valued at $169.99) below—so you can file for free this season!

Tell us a little about your podcast, Bosshood. What inspired you to start the pod?

My best friend Ryan and I launched our podcast Bosshood to give young professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs access to people, resources, and information on accomplishing their career goals and working their way into the positions they aspire to be in. When we were graduating from college back in Ohio, we didn’t have the connections or resources we really needed to launch our careers in New York City and Los Angeles, so we created them ourselves and finessed the glow up. Bosshood is a fresh spin on adulting for millennials who obsess over professional development books, love coffee, and hangout at rooftop parties in cool cities.

What’s your biggest challenge in having a side hustle? The biggest reward?

The biggest challenge is definitely time management. After spending Monday through Friday 9-6 looking at my phone and my computer while sitting at my desk for my day job, the very last thing I want to do is more work. The biggest reward comes after that extra work is done for Bosshood and people text and DM us about how inspiring and encouraging it was for them to hear our stories. It’s even cooler when we travel and people come up to us like, “I loved your podcast interview with Johnathan Jackson on Bosshood! I was inspired and encouraged."

Tyeal’s not alone—we’ve heard from our C&C community that time management is a common problem for many side hustlers. The great thing about TurboTax Self-Employed is that it uncovers industry-specific deductions personalized to your line of work, so come tax time you won’t be racking your brain to think them up yourself. Your purchase also comes with a free year of of QuickBooks, which makes expense tracking effortless—so you have more time to focus on actually building and growing your business.

What advice would you give to would-be side hustlers who don’t know where to start in getting their business off the ground while working at a 9-to-5?

I’d say dedicate one of your weekend days where you’re completely free of work obligations to just brainstorm. Sit at a cafe, write out all of your ideas, and just envision what you want those side hustle dreams to manifest into. Then find someone to hold you accountable for the next steps. Start by starting! And read WorkParty the book!

What are you most excited about for your business in 2019?

I’m most excited to continue learning new things, failing at things, adjusting my strategies, and producing the content. Season 2 of Bosshood will be coming soon and you can subscribe now on iTunes or listen on Soundcloud! Boss up!

Want more tips for tax time? Check out our guides for full-time freelancers and C corp entrepreneurs! or Or you can dive into TurboTax Self-Employed here—and enter to win a free TurboTax Live Self-Employed code below!

Our friends at TurboTax were nice enough to share a giveaway with Create & Cultivate readers so you can file your taxes for FREE this season!

30 readers will receive a FREE TurboTax Live Self-Employed product code (valued at $169.99). Simply fill out the form below to enter to win. The winner will be chosen randomly and contacted via email. Good luck!

This post is sponsored by TurboTax.

Do You Have One of the 50 Best Jobs in America?

Are you are data scientist, marketing manager, physician assistant, or recruiter? If so, congratulations—your job is one of Glassdoor’s 50 Best Jobs In America!

According to the list, the most in-demand job is that of a software engineer (with a staggering 49,007 job openings nationwide!) while software engineering managers make the most money with a salary of $153,000. Data scientists have the highest job satisfaction, with a rating of 4.3 out of 5.

The Glassdoor Best Jobs list is determined based on earning potential (median annual base salary), overall job satisfaction rating, and number of job openings.

See the full list here.

How to Ask Your Boss to Buy Your Create & Cultivate NY Ticket

Tickets are going fast for C&C New York! Don’t have yours yet? Have you considered asking your boss to foot the bill?

While some companies have established budgets for career advancement training, many don’t. If you’re not so lucky, here’s how you can pitch your boss on the paying for your ticket to the NY conference.

RELATIONSHIPS THAT COUNT

The connections and relationships you’ll build at C&C are unparalleled. Where else can you interact with like-minded hustlers, smart CEOs, and boss ladies you’ve looked up to for years on such an intimate level? If you take advantage of the golden opportunities you’ll receive in New York—whether through our mentor sessions, keynote speaker tips, or mingling during happy hour—it could open a myriad of doors...not only for you, but for your company as well.

GETTING A FOOT IN THE DOOR EARLY

Relationships matter, but so does having your finger on the pulse of what’s happening in your industry. Sure, we’ve had keynote speakers like Jessica Alba, Rachel Zoe, and Chelsea Handler on our roster, but also smaller, lesser-known names your boss might not know...yet. This conference is your chance to get your foot in the door before anyone else, introducing you to people, ideas, and relationships you may not have heard of otherwise. Do your research on who’ll be at the conference, round up some stats, and present your boss with a good case of why you think it would be good to get on their radar.

STRAIGHT BUSINESS ADVICE

Sure, there is fun to be had—goodie bags and a power cocktail hour, to name a couple—but C&C gets down to business. The panel discussions offer direct takeaways: You’ll learn from the best in the biz, like Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Michelle Lee, Rebecca Minkoff, and other CEOs who will share the deets on how they built their businesses.

IMPORTANCE OF GETTING OFFSITE

If you spent most of 2018 behind a computer in an office, explain the benefits of hands-on experience. Whether you want to use C&C to work on interpersonal skills—like sticking out a hand and introducing yourself to a stranger—or as the first place to make your mark in the business world, there is nothing like practical application.

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

Tweet this.

CONFIDENCE BOOST

In the same way that a wellness retreat works to revitalize your body, a conference like Create & Cultivate works to boost your brain power...which in turn, gives you a confidence boost like no other. When you leave New York, you'll feel energized, empowered, and ready to dive back into your job with more fervor than ever. There’s something about the energy generated at C&C that gives attendees the focus and confidence they need to really assess and hone their strengths.

NAIL THE PRESENTATION

When you're presenting a new cost to your boss, it's crucial to nail down specifics relevant to your job. Find the speaker, panelist, or mentor that would be most beneficial to you, your team, and your company as a whole. Elaborate on how building a relationship with this person will be of merit to all three. Bosses are interested in ROI, so show them why it’s worth it.

You can find the link to buy tickets here.

MORE ON THE BLOG

Why You Should Be Wary of Online Resume Templates

As a certified professional resume writer, I stay on top of current trends in hiring patterns and resume writing. A lot of people reach out to me asking for flashy resumes that they’ve seen on Pinterest; however, the truth is, a flashy resume won’t get you the job. A lot of the templates online don’t include the information needed on a resume, so today we’re talking about why you should be wary of those templates. Regardless of how pretty your resume is, if the content isn’t there, the pretty resume won’t do you any good.

The truth about a lot of the flashy resume templates online

First of all, it’s important to note that most of the resume templates you see online are created by designers who have no background in resume writing, recruiting, or hiring. They are coming from a completely visual background. A lot of the resume templates circulating the internet right now are minimalistic, eye-catching, and look more like a work of art than a resume—because many have no real information on them. These templates don’t often offer the space needed for the right information about you, your experience, and your skill set.

Infographics are another popular style of resume known for their attractive nature. While they may appear to hold a lot of information, I have yet to see an infographic resume that actually contains the necessary information needed on a resume. Additionally, many recruiters agree that infographic resumes rarely work when applying for corporate jobs as they don’t pass through applicant tracking systems.

What kind of resume will help your job search?

A resume alone will not get you a job. A resume is tool that will help you get an interview. Your resume, interview, personal brand, connections, and a lot of other factors will help you get a job. Hiring doesn’t come down to your resume alone.

To create an effective resume that will help you in your job search, you should make sure your document meets the following requirements:

• It highlights your value and gives concrete metrics and achievements to show what you’ve done

• It is accomplishment-based, not responsibility-based

• It is catered to the specific job you’re applying for

• It is free from spelling and punctuation errors

• It is aesthetically pleasing and easy to read

When you’re trying to create an effective resume to help you land your dream job, it’s important to keep in mind that a great resume contains information that highlights your value. An online resume template or a flashy resume with no information won’t get you the job. Resumes that are focused on visual appearance rarely have the right information that recruiters and hiring managers are looking for. Resume templates are often created by graphic designers who focus on creating a document that is visually appealing, not on creating an effective resume to meet your needs. Instead of using an online resume template, use the visual aspect for inspiration to create a document for yourself, or reach out to a certified professional resume writer for help!

Written by Michele Lando, Certified Professional Resume Writer

MORE ON THE BLOG

Ask The CEO: Should You Go Into Business With Your Partner?

In 2009, Courtney Nichols Gould left her job as a tech startup executive, moved to Los Angeles, and took a beat to think about what she wanted to do next. While in LA, she reconnected with an old colleague, Gordon Gould, who was researching how nutrition affects children’s brain health. The two joined forces and launched SmartyPants, a vitamin company with a sharp focus on high-quality ingredients, affordability, and great taste. Coincidentally, she and Gordon also fell in love and got married, so her business partner is now her real-life partner, too.

We checked in with Courtney on her biggest hurdles, best advice, and what it’s like to run a multimillion-dollar business with her spouse.

How did you step into the wellness space?

SmartyPants started out as a conversation among friends and shared struggles in finding an elegant, high-quality, palatable, and affordable solution to gaps in our diets and our family’s diets. Initially, we just wanted to launch a comprehensive solution for parents, but as soon as we launched our “baby” online back in 2011, we heard from so many parents that they wished we would make a comprehensive supplement for them to use as well. We realized the problem we were trying to tackle was great. Any problem takes time, attention, and likely money to solve, so being able to put all that energy toward solving a problem for a much larger group of people moved our interest to an all-out obsession that has been the engine for our growth—both in the number of customers and retailers we serve (from Amazon to Whole Foods to Costco) to the number of grant recipients we reach through our work with Vitamin Angels (8 million grants and counting!).

If you could go back to year one, what piece of advice would you give to yourself?

Every unpredictable nightmare increases your company’s capacity to handle its much bigger future—which turns a negative into a very big positive.

What do you think are some of the biggest hurdles in the wellness space today?

I think the scariest one is the “everyone is an expert” issue. Wellness has become one of the biggest growth areas for investment, which means a ton of money is flooding in, so ill-founded ideas can get resources. That might have negative consequences for investors in a field like fashion or mattresses, but in a field that intervenes with someone’s health, consequences are felt by the end user themselves. Combining that growth with primarily online sales without the kind of checks that retailers require (proof that you are testing and producing your products in accordance with FDA guidance) can create the very real risk that someone could become hurt, which is bad for all of us.

“Having someone in the trenches with you, husband or not, is critical to make sure you are leading with your best ideas.”

tweet this

What is the best part of having a Co-CEO? And what’s it like working with your husband?

Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely and stressful business. Having someone in the trenches with you, husband or not, is critical to make sure you are leading with your best ideas. Bouncing things off each other ensures more rigor around your thinking and also means you can have a bad day and someone else can help step in and vice versa. Most of the great businesses I admire have a team at the helm. Working with your significant other can be hard, and it can be amazing! It’s all about communication. We feel really lucky to have been able to build this business together and for our kids to witness the amount of work required to build something from scratch.

Do you have any advice for women who are considering getting into business with their partners?

Make sure you have different skill sets. It works for us because we have very different areas of expertise. I run the business with a focus on product design from beginning to end, and he is our chief data scientist with a strong expertise in e-commerce—the foundation of our business.

What about your job makes you feel the most complete?

Being able to see that we are having a real impact: Through providing a better product to our customers; by showing other companies they can make better choices and still be profitable, which helps to change the industry as a whole; and by putting a matching grant in place with Vitamin Angels before we launched. That allows us to have a much bigger impact than we ever thought possible.

Where do you see the wellness and vitamins industries in the next 5 years?

I think you will see an increasing focus on quality and efficacy and a lot of new and interesting formats to drive compliance. With a lot of investment dollars out there, there will be plenty of competition, and that’s always a good thing for the end user.

What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received?

1. Never do or say anything you wouldn’t want to see printed on the front of the New York Times.

2. It’s how you make the hard decisions—that no one will ever know about—that shows you where your integrity lies.

MORE FROM THE BLOG

How Women in Charge Unwind and Get Out of the Office

We’ve all been there. After a long couple of weeks or months at work, we get the itch to unwind and get some time out of the office. For those work-from-homers, the need to step away from computers and working area is just as real too. As many of us know, being a boss means that you are always ready to go and plugged in, and many entrepreneurs sacrifice perks like vacations and weekends, and even late nights to put in the work needed to run a successful business.

We treated a group of fierce female founders to our first ever Out of Office Retreat, in partnership with Chandon. From fashion and jewelry designer, to winemakers, bloggers, and more, everyone who joined deserved a much-needed break. So, what did we do? We headed to the Domaine Chandon winery in Napa, California, sipped on bubbly, hopped on a hot air balloon, heard from inspiring women, and so much more. Keep on reading for some takeaways from the well-deserved time off.

First up, a balloon ride. The theme of the retreat was overcoming fears and taking flight, so what better activity? If there is one thing that holds so many of us back each day from growing as individuals, achieving high levels of success and becoming the best version of themselves, fear is definitely at the top of the list.  High achievers, regardless of occupation, understand that taking risks and massive action is a vital part in getting from where you are to where you want to go. And that goes for in life, and in business.

Many of our guests faced their fear of heights and others simply crossed off this bucket list item. We took a ride across the lovely town of Napa, and got to bond, snap some pics, and of course enjoy more bubbly.

Next, the group toured the Domaine Chandon winery, where Pauline Lhote is a lead winemaker. It’s important to note that she’s one of the few women in charge across the winemaking industry, and has worked her way up the ladder with Chandon for many years.

After a relaxing lunch outside, our getaway attendees sat through an inspiring conversation with Rebecca Minkoff, Baublebar’s Daniella Yacobovsky, and Pauline Lhote. We also invited our Create & Cultivate scholarship winners along for the ride, Afenya Montgomery of the ICANCollective, and Samantha Santana of Samantha Santana designs. Ahead, some key points from the conversation.

#OOORetreat Convo Takeaways

“I think it’s more important to be authentic versus being on all the time.”- Rebecca Minkoff

“Surround yourself by really incredible people and count on them to bring that brand on vision to life.”-Daniella Yacobovsky

“You’re going to fail, you’re going to learn, you’re going to grow.”-Rebecca Minkoff

“Every woman is a superwoman.” -Rebecca Minkoff

“That’s the great thing about my job is that there is no typical day.” -Pauline Lhote

“Whenever I feel afraid, I tap into the part of me that’s most confident.”-Rebecca Minkoff

“You’re going to fail, you’re going to learn, you’re going to grow.”-Rebecca Minkoff

The retreat was special for so many reasons but we’ll admit that our favorite part was that we spent our days discussing issues that matter to us, plus what we can all do about them. We shared resources from website designers to PR and communications, and discussed the parts of a business that really move the needle. While our days were packed with activities, the brainstorming and collaboration was completely reenergizing, and we all left with new goals and new ladies to call our friends. 

Check out all of the photos from the #OOORetreat weekend in our full album here.

How do you make sure to take time away from the office to unwind? Let us know in the comments below!

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

These MBA Programs Prove It’s Never Too Late to Start Fresh

As we all get further in our careers, many of us have the same thought: Should we go back to school? To be back in school sounds like a dream come true, but unfortunately it’s not one that becomes a reality for all of us.

Whether it’s for career advancement purposes, or switching career paths, getting a second degree can be beneficial for more reasons than one.

This has become clearer as the gender gap continues to narrow between men and women with advanced degrees. Women with advanced degrees are skyrocketing and will soon surpass men. We are graduating in higher numbers and we're the majority of the workforce, so of course, we should see the same patterns in secondary degrees. Among adults 25 years old or older in the US, approximately 10.2 million women have advanced degrees compared to 10.6 million men. The gap is narrowing since more and more women have thankfully found the resources to continue their education.

Let's look at some of the baddest ladies in the game. The #SELFMADE women that are running fortune 500 companies and more!

• Youtube’s CEO Susan Wojcicki earned her MBA from UCLA

• Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg and Mary Erdoes, the most powerful woman in finance and CEO of J.P. Morgan Asset Management, both have MBAs from Harvard

• Melinda Gates, Co-Chair at The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has an MBA from Duke.

These are just a few of the boss women who have continued their education and kill it in the workforce.

Listen, in the past, there were a lot of hurdles that stood in the way of earning an advanced degree but it's really becoming more flexible and easier for women and men of all backgrounds to make earning an MBA work around their schedules.

Three different MBA programs at Strayer University can help you break out of a career rut, grow a business, or learn to lead. Check them out:

The Strayer University MBA

This program is designed for us working adults. It can be completed entirely online, meaning that those who don’t have time to go into a classroom can still get the experience. Also, Strayer takes into account previous education and work experience, which can mean a shorter timeframe for getting it done. Plus, there’s a variety of different programs for different interests, so if you’re looking to switch gears and explore new areas, you can. These include Accounting, IT programs, and Health Services Administration just to name a few.

The Digital Entrepreneurship MBA

In today’s content-driven and virtual world, it feels like we need to be online all the time. No matter your industry, yes finance and education included, it’s time to get your mind digitally-friendly and with the times. Strayer’s Digital Entrepreneurship MBA combines media insights with business skills that can help get students ahead of the curve.

Through live-streaming, optimized courses for mobile devices and tablets, and lessons from execs from companies like Amazon, getting your mind in the game is so much easier.

You can explore courses in digital business operations, technology, business social media, business law, and a lot more.

The Jack Welch Management Institute MBA

Ranked as a Top 25 Online MBA Program by Princeton Review, the Jack Welch Management Institute redefines the MBA experience with an entirely online yet interactive curriculum for students.

Powerful lectures, insightful reading, video messages and experiential exercises are delivered by top executives like Jack Welch, Warren Buffett and C-suite leaders from Starbucks, McDonald’s, Netflix and more.

This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Strayer University.

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

Top LA Recruiters Dish 8 Interview Mistakes to Avoid

"Grandma Dawn is turning 89 this year and still comes to the office every day," says Natalie Levine over coffee (mine) and mint lemonade (hers).  She can't drink caffeine after 2pm, "or she'll be up all night," explains her sister Emily.  

The referenced "office" is Century City-based Career Group Companies, a staffing firm specializing in full-time and temporary placement of administrative staff for today's leading companies. Founded in 1981 by the sisters' then 25-year-old mother, Susan Levine, it remains a family run business. 

Emily serves as Vice President, Natalie as Senior Account Manager, and dad, Michael Levine is CEO. Grandma Dawn, "in her Chanel and Etro," is an office staple. 

 "Our mom was a pioneer of the boutique staffing firm," says Natalie, "when staffing was all about making the deal, instead of the people side of the business."

It's this hands-on people-centric approach that propels Career Groups clients' businesses forward and makes a difference in applicant's lives. The company now employs approximately 150 people with offices in LA, New York, Redwood Shores, San Francisco, and Connecticut.

Candidates come to Career Group Companies by appointment only and leading companies rely on the CGC to deliver top notch direct hire and freelance/temp candidates for their open jobs. "We are essentially job match makers," they explain. "We grant candidates access to exclusive companies, and we serve as their counselors along the way. We are there for every step of the process, from assisting with their resumes, interview tips, delivering the offer, and more." 

Jobs are their job. And we make jobs are our business. 

So for the graduating class of 2018, who better to ask the the do's and don'ts of the interviewing process? According to Emily and Natalie here are 8 common mistakes you should avoid:  

1. NOT WRITING A THANK YOU NOTE 

Or not proofreading a thank you note. This is a chance to show off your writing skills, so a typo in a follow-up letter is most definitely a red flag. It’s important to thank the interviewer for their time. Hiring managers want to move forward with candidates who leave a positive impression and have good manners!

2. NOT ASKING QUESTIONS AT THE END OF AN INTERVIEW 

Even if an interviewer is extremely thorough during the meeting, it’s always important to convey interest and come prepared with questions. A lot of applicants don’t realize that they should ask questions.

3. NOT BLOCKING YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA

Most companies are checking Instagram, Facebook, Google searches, IMDB, and more. You shouldn't have anything (public) on the internet that you wouldn’t want HR at a company to see before even meeting you. First impressions cannot be taken back and it’s important to remember that companies are concerned with their own reputation, and want to bring people into their companies that are aware of their presence.

4. DON'T LIE ON YOUR RESUME

If you didn’t receive a college degree, do not put that you graduated! Fact check your GPA. Triple check your dates of employment. Candidates will lose offers at the end of an interview process if a background check exposes falsifications on the resume or application. Honesty is the best policy here, always.

5. DON'T INFLATE YOUR PREVIOUS SALARY 

Be accurate about your previous salary. Don’t inflate your previous salary to get a higher offer. Companies will pull w2s to verify earnings more often than not. If you didn't make the dollars, it doesn't make sense to pretend you did. 

Job Application Tip: "Don’t inflate your previous salary to get a higher offer."

Tweet this. 

6. NEVER BE LATE. EVER.

Being on time means being 10 minutes early. You need to allot time for parking problems, traffic, and any to other unforeseen circumstances. There is no excuse to be late to an interview because it shows a lack of foresight and consideration that you will likewise bring to the position. 

7. LEAVE THE COFFEE IN THE CAR

Don’t bring a beverage to the meeting (it's too casual), don’t chew gum, don’t have your cell phone out or on, and make sure you aren’t wearing a lot of cologne or perfume. 

8. DON'T FORGET TO DO YOUR RESEARCH 

Do your homework on the company you are interviewing for! That goes for the person you are interviewing with as well. 

To be considered by Career Group send your resume to their website directly! You can apply to jobs on: www.careergroupinc.com, www.fourthfloorfashion.com, or www.syndicatebleu.com, and your resume will be routed directly to a recruiter. 

And be sure to check back for more from Natalie, Emily, and to hear about their soon-to-be launched startup, Work Grades, that's set to deliver "unparalleled transparency to the employment sector by taking the guesswork out of references." 

MORE FROM THE BLOG

5 Ways to Prepare for Self-Employment

Photo credit: Sarah Natasha Photography 

Nowadays the term “entrepreneur” is part of our normal vocabulary, but no one striking out on their own becomes an overnight success. If you’re thinking about pursuing self-employment and running your own company, here are five ways to properly prepare yourself for setting out on your own. 

DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Self-employment is not for the faint of heart. If you are committed to pursuing the pros of working for yourself, you also have to be hyper-aware of the cons. As you contemplate leaving the financial stability of your corporate job, begin to evaluate the added stresses that come with being a company that is a party of one. For example, I thought critically about having to pay a very expensive health insurance bill every month where previously health insurance had somewhat silently been deducted from every paycheck.

"Self-employment is not for the faint of heart." 

Tweet this.

I determined that the stress of that monthly payment would be more worthwhile than the stress I was feeling from my corporate gig where I was feeling unchallenged and unfulfilled. I also looked at what I would be doing from a day-to-day basis that couldn’t be covered by a team. I’d be offering clients my services from the ground up and they’d all be handled by me - no delegating up or down on a team. By thoroughly researching what your new normal will look like, you’ll be in for less of a shock when you become accountable only to yourself.

 NETWORK 

By far the most valuable thing I did in preparing for self-employment was tapping into my network. I began seeding to my friends, family and acquaintances that I was planning to leave my job to consult and one by one my network grew.

Everyone wanted to put me in touch with someone who’d had the courage to do what I was planning to do. I began speaking to loads of other freelancers and consultants and I came prepared to every meeting with a list of questions. Every encounter held a powerful and helpful takeaway and the more people I spoke with, the more my network expanded and the more business leads I started to pull in. Those I spoke with also were incredibly valuable when it came to setting the costs for my services, determining what tools I’d need to invest in and helping to provide guidance on how to successfully manage my business. 

GET ORGANIZED OPERATIONALLY 

There’s a lot that goes into operating your own business and some of the things may even surprise you. Before you leave your job for the land of self-employment, I recommend starting to get the pieces of the operational puzzle in place. One of the first steps I took was finding a lawyer who could incorporate my business. Then I set up a business banking account so I had a checking and a savings account for the company and also a credit card for all expenses. I got set up on Quickbooks to run the financial side of my business and also built a forecast so I was setting goals for myself to meet from a revenue standpoint.

"Before you leave your job for the land of self-employment get the pieces of the operational puzzle in place."

Tweet this. 

Next came working with my lawyer to draft contracts and other necessary paperwork I would need to run my business from a client services perspective. I also developed a capabilities deck I could send to prospective clients, built a website, ordered business cards and developed a list of companies I was interested in speaking with. Once everything was done prior to leaving my job, it was easy to hit the ground running pursuing business because I had prepared all of my operational to-dos. 

PLAN FINANCIALLY 

Before you commence self-employment, you have to first accept that you won’t know from where your next paycheck is coming. Which translates to having to prepare financially for those inevitable times that you won’t have steady pay coming in. Knowing I lived in the most expensive city in the world, I put pen to paper to determine what living in New York was really costing me every month in regards to expenses. I signed up for a Mint.com account to build out a budget and for two months tracked my expenses. Once I had an idea of averages in particular categories, I built out an expense worksheet for myself that included rent, health insurance, groceries, travel, utilities, etc. I knew I wanted to have whatever that number was per month times six saved before I pulled the plug on my corporate job so that when the time came to dip into savings, I felt OK doing so.  

"Do the math and start saving accordingly before you up and leave your job."

Tweet this. 

Do the math and start saving accordingly before you up and leave your job. You’ll be far better off down the line for having done so.

THINK LONG TERM 

When you begin working for yourself you’ll feel like you need to say yes to whatever initial projects come your way because you fear the unknown. But when you accept projects or clients that you don’t feel passionate about, you’re defeating one of the best perks of being your own boss: the ability to say no. While you certainly need to pay your bills, you shouldn’t take on work that you don’t feel capable of delivering on or for people or brands that don’t make you feel invested in the work. If you begin to take on projects you’re not jazzed about, you are limiting the hours you have a month to pursue and accept jobs that will not only give you income but also fulfillment.

Meghan Donovan is the founder of mmd communications, a public relations and influencer marketing agency in New York City helping to elevate lifestyle brands with dynamic, meaningful ideas. In addition to her decade of experience in the marketing industry for major brands like Procter & Gamble and Virgin America, she also pens the popular life + style site, wit & whimsy. You can read more about her journey to self-employment here. 

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

10 Mic Drop Moments from C&C Chicago 2018

If you've been following along, then you know we took over House of Vans in Chicago for our C&C conference. The Windy City welcomed us with open arms and Vans provided the perfect space for us to build our beautiful dream conference. We decked out the space with beautiful furnishings courtesy of Deny Designs, and Instagrammable moments thanks to Name Glo, Vince Camuto, Bic Soleil, Volvo, and so many more. The pros at WeWork provided VIP guests with a cozy lounge for networking between panels, Comcast provided an in-depth mentor power hour with some of the fire-hearted women in the game and JC Penney took over our stunning outdoor stage and treated our guests with a music-filled post-conference happy hour to celebrate an unforgettable day.

Throughout the day we heard some killer quotes from our speakers and moderators that deserve some major credit. Ahead, some of the biggest mic-drop moments of the day. 

---

"Full ass EVERYTHING."

- Rachel Tipograff, Founder & CEO MikMak

 

"I'm not too expensive. You just can't afford me yet."

-Blake Von D, Attorney & Influencer

 

"The sooner you embrace the messiness in life; the sooner order will show itself."

-Lori Wright, Microsoft

"The only boundaries I have now are the ones I set for myself."

-Marianna Hewitt, Co-founder of Summer Fridays & Founder of Life With Me

 

"To be an entrepreneur in 2018 you need hustle, passion, and no fear."

-Shay Mitchell, Actress, Producer, & Influencer

"The best advice I've ever received: Feedback is a gift."

-Alli Webb, Co-Founder of Drybar

“If it’s not worth working hard for, it’s not worth it at all.”

-Jennifer Hudson, Singer, Actress, Philanthropist

“People need to learn how to rest, rather than learn how to quit.”

-Ben Silbermann, Co-Founder & CEO of Pinterest

"Know your value, know your worth, and know what you can bring to the table."

-Reesa Lake, Partner & EVP at Digital Brand Architects

“Don’t ever let technology replace the importance of personal relationships.”

-Julia Simon, Chief Legal Officer of Mary Kay

“Figure out what you need to make your life easier. That’s how you run a one-woman show.”

- Maxie McCoy, Author of You're Not Lost & Public Speaker

Thank Yous!

Our guests were able to stay fueled throughout the day thanks to our food and beverage sponsors. Health-Ade kicked off the day with breakfast and of course some kombucha for our guests to sip on as they got settled for the day. Sweetgreen provided a delicious array of salads for lunch, and McDonald's came through with a food truck for a mid-afternoon bite. OUI by Yoplait, RX Bar, and Luna also had snacks prepared for everyone to nibble one. And of course, OLLY had our backs with a variety of vitamins for guests to stay clear-headed and healthy for panels and networking.

It wouldn't be a C&C conference without a fully-stocked bar to enjoy while making your way to through the event. Chandon provided mini-bottles of its summer-themed bubbly, and the Crown Royal team mixed a delicious variety of cocktails. Of course, there were other options such as everyone's favorite La Croix, and Icelandic Glacial water to stay hydrated in the Chi-town heat. 

One of our biggest hits was the pop-up market, which featured everything from beauty touch-ups to business pitching opportunities and relaxation. Our guests got to try the buzzy Dyson Super Sonic blow dryer, and both Sexy Hair and Living Proof featured the latest products for both volume and styling. Nordstrom Beauty had so many of its best-selling brands available on-site, and our beauty babes loved it. 

The Pinterest team put a twist on their activation with tarot cards for building your future, and Pacifica Beauty emphasized gemstones and healing crystals for boosting girl power. The Microsoft Teams squad also introduced everyone to the collaborative platform that can boost team communication and productivity, while WeddingWire showed all the busy ladies that nuptials don't need to be put on hold if you plan like a boss. Our Chicago ticket-holders also had the opportunity to sit back and relax at Serena & Lily's Lake Michigan-inspired hangout. 

Method Home even managed to take over the restrooms with a mix of hand soaps, rainbow bright decor and cell-phone holders in every stall. 

Once again, thank you to ALL of our C&C Chicago partners and speakers, we couldn't have made the day so special without all of your hard work and dedication to women in business!

Did you have a favorite quote from the day? Drop it in the comments below!

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

Why Sophia Bush Says She's a Tender-Hearted Softie—Who Takes No Sh*t

SOPHIA BUSH IS A FORCE. 

Read on.  

Sophia Bush is the woman you want your daughter to grow up to be. 

She's also the woman who would tell you to encourage your kid to be their own person. Forge their own path. It's certainly what she's done. The activist and actress jumpstarted her career when she dropped out of the University of Southern California at 21 to join the CW TV show One Tree Hill. On her 30th birthday, she built a school in Guatemala with the Girl Project. She's raised money for those affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, lived on $1.50 a day to raise awareness about global poverty, taken to her platforms to call the GOP "heartless," supported diversity in Hollywood, gay marriage, and women everywhere. 

We caught up with the powerhouse to ask, well, everything about her drive, passion, and badass squad (like the very rad, Ruthie Lindsey). 

Read on.

You made a name for yourself in Hollywood, but activism has always been in your heart. What do you want to be remembered for?

What we do is not who we are. That’s true for all of us. Our careers, no matter what kind, are simply a piece of our greater life puzzle. So personally, I hope that the people who matter most to me remember me as a passionate person who stood up for others. As a woman who was for other women. As a friend who showed up to the best of her ability. And as a tender-hearted softie who took no shit. 

I hope that the people who matter most to me remember me as a tender-hearted softie who took no shit. 

You’re heading to Houston pre-Style Summit. Why is it important for you to be there early?

It’s devastating to see the effects of Harvey on Houston. But seeing folks step up and show up to help is deeply inspiring. I’m just hoping to do my part and lend a hand where I can. Beyond donating and sending clothing and other supplies, knowing that I have the opportunity to lend a literal hand means a lot to me. Our government may be lead by petulant children who feel that arguing about whether science is real or not — newsflash: It is. Arguing that it isn’t is as stupid as claiming that gravity doesn’t exist—but we as citizens can sidestep the madness and show up for our neighbors. That’s what makes this country so great. Us, and our commitment to and support of one another. 

You’ve said that in your early career you felt treated like a “chess pawn.” Which, so many women experience, inside Hollywood and out. How did you come to understand your power?

Understanding power is an interesting notion, and I believe that it’s closely tied to self-worth. But self-worth is not a fixed destination you arrive at and then poof! You never feel insecure, or threatened, or anxious, again. Sadly. Wouldn’t it be great if it was!? As those notions of power and worth apply to career verticals, there are systems and behavior patterns in place that subjugate and challenge women everywhere. In every business. From micro to macro aggressions, we face consistent and unrelenting adversity. It’s exhausting. And for me, refusing to be treated as a chess pawn or a plaything or an object was a reaction to that adversity, and it's blatantly and undeniably unacceptable. There is only so long that people can and will put up with circumstances that are flat out wrong. Using my voice, and standing up for myself and those around me has made all the difference.

"Self-worth is not a fixed destination you arrive at and then poof! you never feel insecure."

Tweet this.

How have the past few years changed your thoughts on what your next five years look like?

The past few years taught me a lot about what I want, and also about what I will not tolerate. The positive and negative ends of the spectrum of recent experiences have both been great for goal setting. Everything is a lesson. And it all boils down to the truth that I’m ready to take more control of my career and what it looks like. That will affect projects I want to helm — as an actor, a producer, a director — and the way people working on those projects feel when they come to work. And that’s what I’m looking forward to most. Creating environments that feel safe, freeing, creative, and open. That’s perhaps the greatest way I’ve come to understand my power thus far. And I’m so looking forward to what’s next. 

"Champion other women. And you’ll draw in women who do the same for you." 

Tweet this. 

You’re surrounded by such a stellar squad. Can you chat a bit about the moment when you knew female friendships would power you through?

I cannot remember a time when that truth wasn’t clear and apparent to me. The adage “it takes a village” exists in our cultural lexicon for a reason. We are communal beings. We find greater happiness in a community than in solitary existence. And my community of women is such an exceptional example of that truth. We are a family. We lift each other up. We challenge each other. We support each other in work, family, play, and adventure. I’m in awe of my friends’ brilliance and boldness. Their creativity and their capacity for love. I cannot say enough good things about them. We are a tribe of women that is truly for other women. And if you want friendships like that? Be a woman like that. Be for other women. Collaborate with other women. Champion other women. And you’ll draw in women who do the same for you. 

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

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

WorkParty Book Reviews Are In!

We know we've been talking about the WorkParty book launch for quite some time, but today is the big day! A few of our friends have already gotten their hands on the book, and the reviews are rolling in steadily.

We're so happy that early readers have enjoyed the work and life lessons that Jaclyn Johnson has put into words. The real-talk, no BS advice and mantras found throughout WorkParty can elevate every woman's career and help them build the future of their dreams. Ahead, you'll see what the critics are saying and why they feel that WorkParty should part of your next reading list. Grab your copy here and check out the reviews below. 

Brit+Co

“Part memoir, part inspirational mood board, and part detailed business guide, Johnson couples her own business acumen with stories from leading female entrepreneurs to encourage bosses around the world to embrace failure, cultivate the career of their dreams, and create their own WorkParty.”

Read more.

Glitter Guide

“We love super smart boss babe, Jaclyn Johnson and everything she has created with Create & Cultivate. We’ve been lucky enough to get an advance copy of this book and you’ll definitely want to order this ASAP.” Read more.

Read more. 

POPSUGAR

“Desperately in need of a mentor at work? Let Jaclyn Johnson fill that void. The CEO and founder of Create & Cultivate has gifted all of our careers with WorkParty, which not only includes inspirational nuggets of wisdom from Johnson's rise to the top, but also from other leading female entrepreneurs.” 

Read more. 

Refinery29

"In WorkParty, Jaclyn Johnson generously shares the secrets to her success: be nice, take risks, and work your butt off. Whether you're looking to turn your side hustle into your main gig, or thrive in your corporate job, this is the book you need to take your career to the next level — on your own terms."

Want more? Read reviews from early readers over at goodreads.com. 

Have you ordered your copy of WorkParty yet? If not, what are you waiting for!? Get your hands on the next best thing for your bookshelf and career. WorkParty is officially available for purchase and don't forget to catch us on the first WorkParty book tour kicking off next month!

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

Free Download: Start Hacking Your Business' Growth

Have you heard about hacking your way to a successful business? 

What if we told you that it's possible to grow your business with little to no money? All you have to do is become a hacker. Not Angelina Jolie circa 1995 cyberpunk thriller. There's no hacking into databases or leaking sensitive information. 

And no, you don't need to start taking IT classes. We’re talking hacking your own marketing techniques and taking smart and strategic shortcuts that will successfully bring attention to your brand. It’s taking marketing to the next level and thinking out-of-the-box when creating campaigns.

Want to know more? Download the Growth Hacking Checklist from Above the Glass, the online platform giving women business tools and resources, below. 

4 Must-Have Mentalities for Female Entrepreneurs

by Jaclyn Johnson

As a female entrepreneur, I have been faced with challenges, opportunities, dead ends and open doors. I've learned firsthand that when you have to be your own best friend and your harshest critic, your mentality is everything. Here are a few things I've learned along the way.

1. Done is better than perfect:

Now, many people might say this isn't the best approach to business. However, in a world that is moving a mile a minute, often being the first to market is key. So just get it out there. Holding back and fixing any last minute imperfections with your product, site, brand, app, whatever, won’t necessarily bring about a successful launch or business. So just being able to put your product or company out in the world and iterate on it is a beautiful thing—take advantage of that.

2. Your gut is probably right:

I have had to learn this lesson the hard way. Opportunities will present themselves, people will say they want to help you out (and often times, they will) but other times you’re being taken advantage of. Trust your gut and put your foot down.

3. Hard decisions lead to better results:

You will face many hard decisions and it will feel like it is impossible to recover or deal with the decisions you are going to make, but trust me it is worth it. Harder decisions get easier to make over time. Don’t get sidetracked by the minutia—always envision the long game.

You will fail and that’s okay. You will mess up, you will be wrong, and that's okay, too. It's okay because you’re human after all. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Simply accept it and move on.

As a type A, “don’t worry I got this” individual, I realize how hard this can be, but it is crucial that you are your own number one fan and your own support system.

4. You’re a boss, not a bitch:

Don’t confuse the two like other people so often seem to. You are running a company and with that comes a lot of delegation and management, so don’t feel bad for telling an employee that what they did wasn’t satisfactory. It’s okay to say no if your employee asks to leave early on a busy day. You are a boss and as such you have to play that role and lay down the law when necessary.

This post first appeared on the Create & Cultivate Facebook. Follow us for more.

It's Black Women's Equal Pay Day: Here's Everything We Want You to Know

Today is Black Women's Equal Pay Day. If you're not sure what that means, allow us to fill you in. This means that Black women had to work full-time during all of 2017, and this far into 2018, in order to catch up with what white men earned in total in 2017. In other words, black women earn 38% less than white men. 

To put it into perspective, imagine losing 38% of your entire salary or imagine making a purchase online and only receiving 38% of your order once it's delivered. That is the reality that Black women in America face every single day. But it doesn't end there. Black women also take home 21% less than white women in the same respective fields. 

The reasons for highlighting this day are endless, but some stand out in particular and are a huge contribution to the problem. A study revealed that one in three Americans are fully unaware of the pay disparity between Black women and white men, and 50% of Americans are unaware that there is an income gap between Black women and white women, including hiring managers. In order to see the changes that must be made, this conversation can't stop anytime soon. 

This pay gap exists across all industries, too. It doesn't matter if these women are Black doctors, creatives, educators—you name it. A Black woman still makes 38% less than her white male counterparts working at the same level, and 21% less than white females. 

"There are currently zero Black female CEOs running Fortune 500 companies."

SOME HARD FACTS

• The pay gap starts as early as the age of 16 at a rate of 16% and grows from there.

• More than 80% of Black women are the 'breadwinners' in their household, so this affects them and their families tremendously.

  • Providing groceries, a home, paying tuition and more all need to be put into perspective.

• Over the course of a 40-year career, the average Black woman loses more than $867,000 as a result of the wage gap.

  • In some states, this disparity is a lot worse. (i.e. in Virginia the total lifetime losses due to the wage gap total to $1,833,800.)

• Almost one-half of white men say that obstacles to advancement between themselves and Black women no longer exist at work.

  • Only 14% of Black women agree with that statement.

• There are currently zero Black female CEOs leading Fortune 500 companies.

  • Ursula Burns left her post as the CEO of Xerox in 2016.

• Black women who have a Master's Degree only make slightly more, approximately less than $2,000 more, than white men with just an Associate's Degree.

© Tempest

WHAT IF BLACK WOMEN WERE PAID FAIRLY?

• If this pay gap were closed, Black women would bring home almost $870,000 more over the course of their career.

• The extra earnings of each Black woman would pay for three years of groceries.

• There would be room for more Black women to purchase homes, earn diplomas, pay off student debt faster, and lead more financially comfortable lives.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

• Legislative action is a start. Representatives need to enforce anti-discrimination laws in the workforce in order to make sure this isn't starting at the top.

• Employers need to act and be aware of their employees receiving fair and equal compensation, especially those at the same level.

• Unionization is crucial.

  • Among full-time workers, Black women who are union members make 23% more than Black women who are not union members.

• We, as a society, need to keep the conversation going and talking about this. The numbers show just how unaware plenty of Americans are when it comes to this issue. In order to take any steps forward we must continue to educate those around us.

WHAT OUR AUDIENCE HAD TO SAY

On August 7th, 2018, Create & Cultivate hosted a live Twitter chat for Black Women's Equal Pay Day in partnership with 21 Ninety, Tribe, and blkcreatives. We wanted to get real responses from real Black women who face this pay disparity every day of their careers. Here are some of the most staggering responses we received.

• "I asked for a 20k raise at my last company to bring me up to market rate. I was given 10k & more work. I found another job making 25k more."- Anastasia

• "I also think it's worth noting that the MONEY is NOT the only thing you want to negotiate. If the money isn't where you want it to be, talk about work from home days, additional vacation days, other opportunities for you to feel VALUED!- Erica

• "Some employers really don’t understand how much you may be spending daily just to get to work on time. That’s just transportation costs as an example. Opening up and telling them may open their eyes to bigger problems going on that they may be more willing to help solve."- K. Doug

• "There’s a difference between an unfair offer and a struggle offer. I normally don’t write for free, but for a startup that I believe in? Sure. But people don’t magically start valuing you—especially when you’ve already said they don’t need to."- Dawn

For more tips check out 21 Ninety's FREE guide on negotiating your worth. 

By: Andrea Navarro

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

Download Now: A Hiring Resource That Answers All Your Questions

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

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

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

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