We Need to Talk: How I Dealt With Founder Depression and Came Out on Top
Never doubt the underdog.
We Need to Talk is a bi-monthly, anonymous series, where contributors share stories about business, life, and the stuff we don't like to talk about.
Photo credit: Laura Dee
“Worse than losing competence is losing the ability to even tell if you are competent or not.”
It was a sentence I circled around for what felt like twenty minutes. Once I got to “not” I’d find myself back at the start with “worse.”
Not worse. Not worse. Not worse. It began to feel like a mantra where I was trying to convince myself of a feeling opposite of what was happening. I’m “not worse” than I was a year ago. I’m “not worse” than anyone else in my position. Except, I was; at least I felt so in this particular moment.
The piece was written by Hanna Rosin for Lenny Letter. She was chronicling her switch from a 20-year career as a working writer to radio—a medium which she had no experience in. She then found herself back at career ground zero. Now, she is a co-host of the NPR show Invisibilia. It was a bold switch she made in her ‘40s and I was nothing short of envious.
Especially to me, founder of company "X," devouring her words while simultaneously spooning Honey Nut Cheerios into my mouth and wondering, what if I gave it up all too? What if I said screw this entrepreneur thing, the pitching, the selling, the sweat and tears, and pumping my own money into company "X" for the last five or so years, and started over? Would that even be possible? It’s one thing to switch careers, but to shutter your own baby? I don't know, I whispered to myself, I just don't know. Not. Worse. You're not worse.
The last statement is not untrue. My company is profitable, though small. I employee 7 people. They have health insurance and paid vacations and I do the right thing by them. I feel respected by other business people and can hold my own in a conference room full of investors. On the other hand, I feel a wave of uncertainty.
It's a feeling often pegged as "impostor syndrome." When you're not sure why or how you've made it and that soon those rose-colored glasses through which everyone sees you, will become less rosy and more mossy. They'll see that you don't have the experience, the foresight, and will challenge that you are charging exorbitant prices for your services. (Stick to your money guns, you're not. There's a reason someone paid you XYZ to start—you're worth it).
In some cases, impostor syndrome can manifest into something far less talked about: founder depression. They don't talk about it in business school or boardrooms. Women certainly don't seem to talk about it in front of male peers. From what I've seen, they don't even like to talk about it in front of other female founders. But why? What is founder depression and why does it hover like a grey cloud over your professional and personal life?
Starting a business takes a leap of confidence. It’s you telling the world, “Hey, you need this service or this product and I am going to be the one to deliver it to you. Me. Out of the 7.125 billion people on the planet, I have the ability to solve this problem for you…" That’s no small undertaking. And the outcome of all your hardworking and determination to make you company successful may not always end in happiness or perfection. In some cases, it is common to develop a form of depression that is hard to shake. And how does that affect your confidence and ability to sell yourself as a business owner and your product? Telling someone you're depressed feels like the opposite of both confident and competent. Especially as the leader of a business venture that you’re trying to sell to the world. Scary, right?
No one, not even your best, most trusted employee, will care as much as you do about your vision for your business. There are days when you’re completely disheartened, as if the anxiety is a tide waiting to pull you under and all your doubts pull you to the bottom of the ocean. There will be nights when you stare at the ceiling wondering why you started the business in the first place and there are moments where you lose the ability to discern if you’re competent or not.
"There are moments where you lose the ability to discern if you’re competent or not."
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There is no worse feeling—the feeling of incompetence. But it's also temporary. (You should also talk to other founders and understand that this feeling, this doubt, this low—is completely normal.)
As a female founder, you don't want to be perceived as weak. Beyond that, no one wants to feel weak in their leap of faith to launch your own business. I’m telling you to reconsider that feeling. Doubt should be used as a driving force rather than a setback. It’s our missteps that make us stronger. It is our weaknesses that make us reevaluate our strengths and propel us forward.
Look. Here’s what happens on a bad day: an employee quits, three deals blow up in your face, and your dog runs away. You feel completely alone; solopreneur for life.
Here’s what happens on a good day: homeostasis.
Here’s what happens on your worst day: your business folds.
Here’s what happens on a great day: you land an account, something that has been pending for months gets SIGNED, Forbes sticks you on 30 under 30, the most talented copywriter comes to work for you, and your grandma calls to tell you she’s proud.
And that is when you realize, you're "not worse." No. Quite the opposite.
"You are competent." You are brilliantly competent.
This story was originally published on June 26, 2016 and has since been updated.
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Turning a Page—5 Successful Women on the #1 Book That Changed Their Career
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In this age of information, we have everything we need to start a new business, create a website, or set up a budget right at our fingertips—Google is a powerful tool. But sometimes you need a deep dive into the topic to truly understand the scope of what’s required from every angle—that’s when we turn to books. In our new series, Turning a Page, we ask successful people to share their go-to tomes that helped transform their business. Whether you listen to them or need to physically flip the pages (and write notes or underline the text like us!), there is so much power in self-educating. Ready to turn a page in your career? These books will help take you there.
This time of year, there are dozens and dozens of reading lists being published. The best romantic novels, fiction finds, and self-help books get aggregated into lists so you can optimize your free time. And I live for these lists but while I trust these authors and their recommendations, it’s nice to take a page out of an expert’s book.
The experts I’m talking about are successful women who have grown their own businesses and represent aspirational careers and skill sets we all admire. So before you head out on your next vacation or need some reading material for your long haul flight, be sure to take some of these recommendations with you.
Sophia Roe, Chef & Sustenance Maker
Book: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
“This is a hard one, as I am constantly reading, and working on ways to better my approach to business, and evolving personally as well. But consistently The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is the one I always find myself grabbing again, and again. It’s the perfect book for anyone who is struggling with inspiration, motivation, and/or all I wanna do is be a writer, but I’m not writing—why?
“He really gets to the bottom of what it’s like to break down barriers, resistances, and mental blocks that we create in our minds that keep us from following our dreams. It’s also a super quick, and easy read. I’ve easily gifted this book to over 10 of my friends who are struggling with creative blocks. It does such a great job of kickstarting your spirit.”
Jane Ko, founder of A Taste of Koko, Austin Food & Travel Blog
Book: Go Ask Ali: Half-Baked Advice (and Free Lemonade) by Ali Wentworth
“I was walking by one of those book shops in the airport and Go Ask Ali caught my eye and I read it on my flight back. I've been blogging for nine years and full-time for five years. Working with several brands every month, 10-15 on some months, is very stressful and I'm constantly asking myself what am I doing? Go Ask Ali was a hilarious read that reminded me to not take myself too seriously and most things will work out at the end.”
Joanne Encarnacion, Founder of GoFitJo
Book: Pussy: A Reclamation by Regena Thomashauer
“The book that I'm currently reading at the moment that is changing or evolving my business is Pussy: A Reclamation by Regena Thomashauer. This book was recommended by a friend when I mentioned that I wanted to get into relationship and sexuality coaching to help women show up as better partners to themselves and for their partners. Originally I had no idea that the author of this book and I had walked similar stories of pain and struggle in our upbringing. As I dove deeper into this book it gave me a better understanding of womanhood and the pieces of a woman's life that I can help guide and uncover as a women's life coach.”
Karlee Andrews, Founder of Madame Andrews
Book: #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso
“When I read #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso, it changed me. She is unapologetically herself and I admire that so much. Confidence is always something that I've struggled with so when I read her book, I lived through her in a sense. And by doing that, it helped me have confidence that I can accomplish my goals, even if not how I imagined. Confidence, and believing in myself, are the main things that I took away from the book. My goals have changed about a million times through my career, but if I strive to be confident in myself and in what I do, I find that I'm more at peace (even when I'm stressed).”
Taylor Walker, CPT, BARRE, Holistic Health Coach
Book: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F•CK by Mark Manson
“This may sound funny, but The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F•CK was a game changer for me. We live in the age of comparison and FOMO and I felt like I was shifting my brand to fit in with my peers—I started to feel inauthentic and a bit scattered. When brands would pass on a collaboration, I would begin to feel inadequate and harbor unnecessary anxiety.
“After reading the SANGF I was able to re-focus and find my confidence again. What I had thought were missed opportunities turned into an honor that I was even being considered. After reading it, I embraced the unknown with a newfound freshness and ability to forge forward, cultivate new relationships and develop a solid new vision for my brand.”
What book changed your career? Share it with us below?
Make a Difference—3 Steps to Kickstart Your Own Nonprofit Organization
It’s not exactly easy, but it’s worth it.
Jori Hamilton is a writer and journalist from the Pacific Northwest who enjoys covering topics related to social justice, business, and feminism. You can follow her on twitter @hamiltonjori or keep up with her latest work on her Contently.
As a person who is passionate about humanity, it isn’t difficult to see the disheartening array of hardships and problems that desperately need addressing. After recognizing the issues, the next step is to do something about them. Are you passionate and organized? Maybe it’s time to consider starting a nonprofit.
Starting a nonprofit is not exactly an easy task, but it is a powerful way to direct funding, people, and attention toward the causes that matter to you personally. Nonprofit organizations provide a substantial benefit to the communities where they are focused and play a major role in helping to address concerns. If you believe that you have the dedication and ability to start a non-profit organization, here are steps to help you get going.
1. Address Your Issue
There are so many reasons to start a nonprofit. So many, in fact, that it can be hard to choose just one to focus on. Some of your reasons may be:
You’ve suffered through a terrible situation but are willing and able to share your experience to help alleviate the same scenario in other’s lives.
The Pablove Foundation, a nonprofit that raises funding for cancer research, family education, and grants to improve the lives of children living with cancer, is the perfect example of this. Jo Ann Thrailkill lost her son, Pablo, to a rare type of kidney cancer at a young age. She turned her experiences from this hardship into a nonprofit that makes a positive difference in the lives of children living with cancer and their parents.
You have lived through difficulties you hope future generations can avoid.
The types of issues you see in the world can be greatly influenced by your background, and you may be in a unique position to help make a positive change. For instance, if you are a minority, it may be perfectly obvious to you that there is a need to increase diversity in STEM. A nonprofit designed to offer assistance and opportunities for minorities in the field may be just the ticket.
You are in a strong position to make a difference. Your upbringing or educational background may give you greater insight into how exactly to solve specific problems in the world today. Take Shanay Thompson, who started the nonprofit Every Kid Fed. Thompson was previously a model and is now a medical school student who realizes her unique experiences give her a profound opportunity to help tackle childhood hunger in a way that helps avoid common stigmas.
You are passionate about tackling difficult topics and reaching people.
A large part of running a nonprofit is convincing people to donate money or time to your cause. This means you have to be passionate enough to make them see why your cause matters. Some of the most difficult tasks to garner support for involve problems that are not in our backyards, such as wildlife conservation or climate change action. If you are passionate about a cause, a nonprofit may be the perfect way to express it.
2. Recruit Passionate People
After coming up with the perfect idea for a nonprofit and thinking through the ways you’d like translate your passion into action, the next step is to find the right people to help you make it a reality. Running a nonprofit is a great deal of work that may done on a volunteer basis for a long time, and you cannot be expected to do it all by yourself. Finding the right people who share your ideas and goals can ensure your nonprofit will thrive throughout the potentially difficult times ahead.
As you begin to put together your team, take steps to make sure everyone is on the same page and moving toward the same goals. Develop solid working relationships and work on team building right off the bat. This can help you to identify strengths and weaknesses, as well as communication styles in the team that can help you to move through workflows more efficiently in the future.
Additionally, start looking for partners and organizations that you can do work with. For example, if your nonprofit will focus on increasing English literacy in neighborhoods with recently settled immigrants, connect with local refugee centers and schools that may be looking for additional help. Consider your costs as well: Are there local businesses that may be willing to contribute time or space for practicing conversational English or exploring job opportunities?
3. Organize, Finance, Market
You have an idea, a plan, and a team; now it’s time for the most important and difficult step: getting off the ground. Organizing and financing a nonprofit can work in similar ways to a for-profit company. Clear budgets that account for all monthly expenditures are necessary to meet qualifications of a nonprofit and attract investors.
Nonprofit organizations are tax-exempt, which means they are able to redirect those funds into community-benefitting activities. It also means a boatload of paperwork at both the federal and state levels. Documents must be submitted yearly to both the IRS and any state-level revenue agencies to ensure you retain your nonprofit status.
Finally, you’re cleared to implement your idea with your team. In order to get off on the right foot, start with a strong marketing plan for your nonprofit—one that exemplifies who you are and what you have to offer your community. Get your name out there as much as possible. When it comes to your first public appearance, make sure it is clear everyone knows what you’re about. Work to create demonstrable improvements that you can point to and show off your success.
There are many, many noble reasons to start a nonprofit. If you are considering doing so, evaluate your idea and develop a strong plan. As things begin to come together, build a strong team, organize finances, and start marketing. Soon you’ll be making a difference to be proud of.
Are you starting a non-profit organization? Or do you have one already? Share it with us below.
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From Here On Out: 16 Steps to Financial Success for Every Stage of Life
The first day of the rest of your life.
This story was originally published on February 17, 2019 and has since been updated.
THE SOONER YOU START CRAFTING A FINANCIAL PLAN, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF HAVING A LIFETIME OF FINANCIAL SUCCESS.
Have a 401k? Are you putting your dollars into an IRA? Do you know the 50-30-20 rule? You want to set out on your own, buy a house, plan for retirement? There's no time like the present to give yourself the present of a future. So let's talk money, honey.
YOU'RE TWENTY? WELCOME TO ADULTING.
No longer a teen, no longer relying on your parents to bail you out of tricky financial situations, and perhaps paying for your own health insurance. Your twenties are when you first really start to understand the inner-workings of earning, saving, and planning for your future. Especially since you're facing down an overcrowded job market and some oh-so-painful student loans. The Class of 2015 is the most indebted in history, the average student owing $35k, and many others taking out second loans for grad school.
In order you prep for a secure future, in your twenties you should focus on saving-- and that means living below your means. You might be tempted to blow that first big(ish) paycheck, or YOLO it for a bit, but if you're dropping dollars you don't have and racking up hefty credit card debt, you're screwing yourself. Forget FOMO, you should be more concerned with FOMRO (fear of money running out.)
Forget FOMO, you should be more concerned with FOMRO (fear of money running out.)
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1. PAY YOURSELF FIRST. You've heard of treat yo'self. This is pay yo'self. This catchy tagline is intended to encourage saving. Even if it's a small amount every week, you need to start putting money away. Here's a tip: If you're using cash and you break the bill, deposit the rest of the amount into savings.
2. YOU NEED AN EMERGENCY FUND. If you lose your job, get sick, or are unable to work, financial planners suggest having an emergency fund that can cover a month's expenses. That way you're not dragging yourself into debt when you're already down.
3. LEARN THE 50-30-20 Rule.50 percent of your income should cover needs like rent, food, and transportation costs. 30 percent should cover things you want like night's out with friends, the occasional trip, maybe a new pair of shoes. 20 percent should be put away. This doesn't always work out every month, expenses pop-up, but you should be tracking your finances too see how close you're hitting the goal.
4. STOP GETTING PARKING TICKETS. You need to be financially responsible now and stop wasting money. If you have a pile of unpaid parking tickets in your glove box, it's time to take a good hard look in the mirror and at those parking signs.
5. START SAVING FOR RETIREMENT NOW. If it sounds crazy, it's not. LearnVest, a financial program that is accessible to everyone, released a study finding that a planner who starts putting $600 a year away at the age of 25 will have $72k by 65.
6. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF 401(k) EMPLOYER MATCHING PROGRAMS. It's hard to think about the "future" when it feels like a distant nebulous blob. And you're first thought at putting money into a 401(k) or similar program might be: I want this money now. However, if you're lucky enough to land a job where your employer offers a contribution-matching 401(k) do not overlook this opportunity. It might mean a slightly smaller paycheck, but it's free money for your future. You'll barely even notice it, but you will notice the chunk of savings you've accumulated by the end of the year.
ALRIGHT, YOU'VE HIT YOUR STRIDE IN YOUR THIRTIES
If you learned how to save and plan in your twenties, in your thirties:
1. ALL OF THE ABOVE RULES STILL APPLY. You need to consistently practice saving-- both for short-term and long-term goals. Want a house? That down payment doesn't come cheap, and to get a bank loan you need to have proven steady income, and cash in the bank.
2. CREATE A DEBT-FREE-BY-40 SCHEDULE. You should also aim to be completely debt-free by the time you hit forty. That way you enter the big 4-0 able to focus on your nest egg instead of those student loans.
Beyond that many of us typically make some very significant financial decisions in our thirties, like buying the aforementioned starter home, or starting a family. You might have more money in your thirties, which means it's prime time to be even more careful about how you spend. It's called lifestyle inflation-- don't get caught in it. When we have money in the bank we feel a little freer to spend on "unnecessaries," which can be dangerous. Treat yourself, sure, but don't treat yourself right out of a comfortable future. Short term pain, long term gain.
"Don't get caught in lifestyle inflation in your '30s. Live within your means."
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3. PAY YOUR BILLS ON TIME. If you're looking into home ownership, you can be sure the bank is looking into you-- and every bill you pay, or haven't. From checking if you've paid your car payments on time and haven't lagged on other bills, to seeing what you spend monthly. If you have creditors chasing you down, you can bet your bottom dollar that those bigger life purchases are going to be impossible to acquire. Good credit is a must if you want a good rate from auto loans to mortgages.
4. START INVESTING. You need mix up your investments by starting a stock portfolio which sets you up for greater financial security in the long run.
5. BUY A COOKBOOK. All that money you spend out eating out in your twenties? It's time to meal-plan in order to financial plan. Americans spend more money on eating out than on groceries. And with apps like Postmates making food delivery a cinch, we're tossing away dollars.
6. STOP BLIND SPENDING. We tend to work longer hours with every passing decade. And the app economy has made convenience very appealing-- but it's at a high cost. Apps like the aforementioned Postmates make it easy to spend without seeing. What the tech banks on is that you're not registering how much you're actually spending. A five dollar delivery here, six dollars there-- in the immediate it seems small, until you realize you've spend 300 the last month of delivery fees. That's 300 dollars you could be putting in savings or an emergency fund.
WELCOME TO FORTY & THE REST OF YOUR LIFE
1. OUT OF DEBT? YOU SHOULD BE, OR CLOSE TO IT. Wild to think about it, but in your forties you're closer to retirement than you've ever been before.
In 2013 data showed that the average female worker in the U.S. retires at 61. You should be as close to out of debt-- especially with those student loans, than ever before.
You shouldn't be paying off your student loans while paying for your kids to go to school.
2. INCREASE YOUR SAVINGS. From your emergency fund to how much you're putting away for retirement. Since the aim for your forties is to be out of debt, you should be able to reallocate those fund into savings. Your life is probably a little more expensive than it was in your thirties and the stakes are a bit higher. So even if you're making more money, that mortgage, cost of kids, and that nicer car don't pay for themselves.
3. MAXIMIZE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS. Currently, for 2016, the 401(k) and IRA contribution limits are $18k and $5,500, respectively. In your forties you should be maximizing these contributions, especially if your employer matches your donations.
4. START A COLLEGE FUND, IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY. If you're planning to send your kids to college, it won't come free or easy. Higher education comes at high costs. According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2015–2016 school year was $32,405 at private colleges, $9,410 for state residents at public colleges, and $23,893 for out-of-state residents attending public universities. That doesn't include: housing, meals, personal transportation, or books.
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These 5 Resume Mistakes Are the Worst—Here’s How to Fix Them
You only have six seconds to impress a recruiter—make yours memorable.
When is the last time you updated your resume? Months ago? Years ago? Whether you’re actively looking for a new job now or are considering making a career change in the future, keeping your resume in tip-top shape is crucial. In order to differentiate yourself from other applicants, you’ll want to avoid making these five mistakes on your resume so you stand out to recruiters. Knowing from personal experience in the recruiting world, recruiters only give about six seconds to review a resume—ten if they’re feeling generous. All this to say: you need a stellar resume, and we’re here to help.
Read on to learn about five resume mistakes we see all the time and how to fix them.
Resume mistake: Typos and grammatical errors
Quick Fix: I’m going to be frank with you here—there is no excuse for having typos and grammatical errors on your resume. But that’s easy to fix. Especially with GoogleDocs corrections and the plethora of extensions that you can add to your browser. Just install the Grammarly extension in your Chrome browser and it will check all of your documents including emails and give you suggestions. All of our editors at C&C use it. It’s just nice to know that someone’s got your back.
Resume mistake: Not customizing your resume
Quick Fix: Ever heard of a burrito? Typically made with beans, rice, cheese, salsa, and the like? Your resume shouldn’t look anything like that. Let me explain. There are two types of resumes that you should have—a burrito resume and a targeted resume. The burrito resume is, often times, only for you. It lists every career experience you’ve had with as much detail about each experience as you see fit. This resume should not be sent with a job application, that’s where your targeted resume comes in. Your targeted resume should be customized to the job that you’re applying for—for example, if I’m applying for a job in influencer marketing, I should list experience that involves analytical, creative, and customer service experience. Everything else should be kept out. And now who’s hungry for a burrito?
Resume mistake: Lack of detail
Quick Fix: Instead of simply stating what you did, explain in more detail the work that you have accomplished.
For example:
1. Ran influencer campaigns on YouTube.
2. Executed over 200 YouTube influencers by sourcing, negotiating, and launching campaigns with talent directly, resulting in over 1,000+ new customers and $200,000 in product sales.
Number one doesn’t provide enough information to get a recruiter interested, whereas number two is equal parts quality and quantity. You want to explain what you did and quantify your work as much as possible.
Resume mistake: Too long
Quick Fix: If your resume is targeted for the job that you’re applying for, chances are, you should be able to keep it to one page. And one page is truly the ideal length for your resume. Especially when a recruiter is shifting through hundreds of resumes a day, you don’t want them to immediately see that your resume is two or three pages long and dismiss it. Short and sweet, while simultaneously detailed and effective.
Resume mistake: Overly visual (or not visual at all)
Quick Fix: The design and layout of your resume is just as important as the quality of your statements. And while I typically would encourage you to showcase your personality through design, when it comes to your resume, you’ll want to lean towards a more minimalist look. I’d recommend capping your resume to three colors—black, white, and something of choice. This is only if you absolutely feel the need to show color, your resume will stand out without color too. You can, and should, explore some of the templates that Microsoft word or Google offer.
About the Author
Syama Meagher is the Chief Retail Strategist at Scaling Retail. They have launched brands around the world, through a combination of expert advice and creative marketing strategy. Scaling Retail believes in the power of hard work to grow and build your businesses. Discover Scaling Retail at ScalingRetail.com.
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Out of Office, Out of Mind: The Ultimate Guide to Taking PTO Without Guilt
When it comes time to actually take advantage of vacation hours, many of us feel anxiety: How will my work get done? What if my team needs me? Am I going to come back to a ton of work to catch up on? We break it down.
Ahhh, PTO. There are few abbreviations that make us so giddy. But when it comes time to actually take advantage of vacation hours, many of us feel anxiety: How will my work get done? What if my team needs me? Am I going to come back to a ton of work to catch up on?
We hear you. That’s why we’re partnering with Microsoft Teams to share the ultimate guide to taking PTO without leaving your coworkers in the lurch. Read on, reach out, and get that vacation planned, girl—you’re about to go on a guilt-free getaway.
1. Make a formal PTO request. This step is easy—obviously, you should follow your company’s handbook in requesting time off (whether it be through an HR system, email, or calendar) and get it approved by your manager before moving forward.
2. Share your vacation schedule with your team. If you have a shared team calendar, input your PTO as soon as you know you’ll be vacationing. If you’ll be gone for an extended period of time, give your team plenty of notice so they’re not caught off guard—otherwise, a week or two in advance works well so it’s on everyone’s radar.
3. Adapt your workflow. You might be leaving, but your work’s not going anywhere. Work with your direct manager to figure out the nitty-gritty of what’ll happen in the office while you’re gone. Move deadlines, reschedule meetings, and start conversations about assigning crucial tasks to other employees.
“Will you be checking email while you’re gone? Or are you going totally off the grid? Share your availability to set reasonable expectations (and boundaries) for your colleagues while you’re away.”
4. Come up with a coverage plan. Your coworkers will be picking up your slack while you’re gone (bless them). Work with your boss to delegate your responsibilities while you’re OOO, then use a project management tool like Microsoft Planner to reassign projects that need to be completed in your absence.
5. Remind your boss. As the date of your departure approaches, give your supervisor a friendly reminder that you’ll be out of office soon, and reassure them that your responsibilities are being taken care of by your team. Your PTO schedule isn’t likely top of mind for them, so they’ll appreciate a second notice.
6. Set your away message. Will you be checking email while you’re gone? Or are you going totally off the grid? Share your availability to set reasonable expectations (and boundaries) for your colleagues while you’re away.
7. Hand off remaining work. If you’ve followed the steps above, you shouldn’t be panicking last-minute about leaving the office. Wrap up what you need to do on your last day, then send out a message in your team chat with any updates on projects they’ll be handling while you’re out.
8. Go forth and vacation! Today’s the day! Take your mind off those deadlines and kick back and relax. You’ve (literally) earned it.
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How Big Is Your "But"?—4 Simple Ways to Kick the Bad Habit
Stop making excuses.
“But,” it’s probably one of the most crippling words in our vocabulary and often the hardest to kick. Think about it. So many of us have dreams and goals that end with “but.”
BUT… I don’t have enough time.
BUT… I’m not good enough.
BUT… It’s already been done.
When we add “but” or “someday” or “if only” to our dreams we often hold ourselves back with an excuse for inaction. Because the truth is we have as many hours in a day as Beyoncé, self-discipline and endurance can trump talent, and there’s enough room for all of us to chase our passions. If we want to create a life that we love, a life where we feel deeply fulfilled, it takes self-awareness and action. You have to know what you want and then actually show up to pursue them.
Sounds pretty obvious right? But there are so many feelings that can creep up and distract us from reaching our goals. Here are a few types of kryptonite that we’ve all fallen victim to:
Fear
Fear is the number one thing that holds people back from finding (and living out) their full potential. Fear is tricky to notice because it can sneak into our subconscious as a tiny seed of doubt, slowing us down with thoughts like, “I don’t have what it takes,” “what if I fail,” or “what will people think?" and so on. Over time though, these small thoughts can snowball, leaving even the best of us with a pile of “what ifs” that can paralyze us from taking action.
Perfection
We all want to put our best selves out into the world. But the attempt to be “perfect” can also keep us stuck. It’s easy to get caught up in all the details, which can lead to self-sabotaging our growth as we wait for everything to be “just so” before we move forward.
Feeling Overwhelmed
So many of us walk around carrying the weight of unneeded stress and feeling overwhelmed—chasing our version of success one check mark at a time. It’s so easy to get caught up in all-of-the-things that we think we should be doing, including those menial tasks that don’t actually help us gain any real ground toward our goals. But the truth is, complexity is the enemy of execution. Working in an endless state of feeling overwhelmed isn’t proactive and it slows down our efficiency and progress.
Loss of Excitement
When we’re passionate about something, our desire can outweigh and override the hustle needed to reach our goals. But if we lose the excitement and the passion behind what we’re working toward and why, our drive can easily fizzle away as well. This can leave us feeling unmotivated and quite honestly, blah about the work in front of us which opens the door to any type of excuse or distraction.
So how do we kick the excuses and stay focused on our goals when the feelings of fear, stress, overwhelm, or a lack of motivation stand in our way? Here are four quick tips to help you kick the “but...” and stay on top of your game.
1 | Make sure your vision is clear.
Take some time to really visualize your goal. When you have a clear vision, and you’re working toward something that you're passionate about, your desire can propel you past the doubt or fear. The future vision of your goal coming to life can act as a springboard to push you forward out of the struggle (whether it be stress, overwhelm, or just feeling meh).
2 | Prioritize and Plan.
Take time to thoughtfully break down your goals. When we have huge dreams, it's easy to get overly ambitious and want to accomplish everything all at once. But when you take on more than you can handle, it can quickly lead to that feeling of being overwhelmed which in turn can lead to burnout. So, it’s important to pull the reins and remember that it’s a long-term game. Be strategic in planning out how you will reach your goals; break them up into annual, quarterly, monthly, and weekly mini-goals (working forward one step at a time).
3 | Take Action—again and again.
It’s easy to take action when we’re in the zone, but sometimes we have to commit to ourselves and take action even when we don’t necessarily feel like it—i.e. when fear walks in the door.
It’s also natural for our brains to coax us to stay in the comfort zone, to resist change. But if you want to reach your goals, you have to be willing to put in the work and embrace the not-so-great feelings sometimes. I'm not saying that you need to subscribe to a lifestyle of stress or overwhelm, but it’s important to expect seasons of hustle–where you'll have to roll up your sleeves and put in the work.
4 | Choose your thoughts.
Too many of us listen to our thoughts instead of choosing which thoughts we actually want to think. (Let that soak in for a moment.) We may not have a choice over our circumstances, but we can always choose our thoughts. There’s a lot of mindset training out there, but a quick way to keep your thoughts in check is to use a simple mantra that can help you to stay grounded and focused.
At Create & Cultivate NYC (Spring 2019), we had the opportunity to listen to the fabulous Ashley Graham. She shared a simple but powerful mantra that she uses to remind herself of her worth, “I am bold, I am brilliant, I am beautiful.” So good, right?!
Regardless of where you are in chasing your dreams, and no matter how big your “but” is, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Everyone with a pulse deals with their own kind of fear and doubt. Chasing big goals isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.
If you’re serious about reaching your and living your fullest potential you’ll need to get comfortable being bold and taking action again and again (despite the fear). And it all starts with kicking the excuses and the “but” out of your vocabulary.
Sasha Kill is the founder and lead designer at Outlaw Creative where she’s on a mission to empower entrepreneurs to grow their brands in remarkable ways. With an extensive background in marketing design and online strategy her clients include best-selling authors, celebrity chefs, world renowned artists, and multiple self-made 7 figure businesses. You can find her insights on design, marketing, and branding on www.outlawcreative.com.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Built a Billion-Dollar Empire—Here's What We Learned
They don’t seem to put a stylish foot wrong.
In our eyes, the Olsen twins can do no wrong. From their iconic style we all want to mimic to their tenacious business acumen, the stylish duo haven’t put a (stylish) foot wrong since they launched Dualstar, at just 6 years old. Now, they’re building a billion-dollar empire that runs the gamut from fashion to fragrance with their brands Elizabeth and James and luxury line, The Row—arguably the Hermès of America. In 2011, their parent company, Dualstar recorded over $1 billion in sales.
On top of that success, they are also incredibly well respected in the fashion community, having won three CFDA awards. It's pretty clear that these stylish sisters know what they’re doing. But we want to know how? According to an interview with Vogue, the Olsens bought out the former owners of Dualstar when they turned 18 and took a break from acting to focus on the business. You might ask how they had the qualifications to run a billion-dollar company at such a young age, but as Mary-Kate quips, “Well, at that point we had been working eighteen years.” Fair point.
To glean a little more insight—and in honor of their birthday today—we read through some of favorite interviews with them (they’re notoriously shy so this required an internet deep dive) and pulled together their best business advice so you too can build a billion-dollar empire.
“We were always hard workers as kids. It’s just the way we are, the way we were raised. Our work ethic was everything, and that never left us. We like to work hard, and we like to try to do everything 100%. In fact, it’s actually almost impossible for us not to. Sometimes you succeed and sometimes not so much, but it’s learning.”
—Mary-Kate Olsen, as told to WWD.
“We’ve been exposed to so much. We were very fortunate to have parents and people around us who wanted us to be part of the creative meetings and the business meetings, and we would just sit and listen and be sponges. At that time in your life, you really are a sponge. And we’ve learned so much from people we’ve been exposed to in our lives—interesting people from different walks of life, different CEO’s. The list goes on and on. Mary-Kate and I have always taken advantage of our time with those people and walked away learning a thing or two.”
Ashley Olsen, as told to WWD.
“The thing about us is we think big. Huge.”
Mary-Kate Olsen, as told to Vogue.
“If you want things to be perfect or beautiful, it’s a lot of hard work. Nothing comes easy. That’s just the way we were raised; that’s what we believe is necessary to do something different.””
Mary-Kate Olsen, as told to British Vogue.
“I am not great at not being able to control the end product.”
Mary-Kate Olsen, as told to Allure.
“ It takes a lot of discipline but we’ve always been very driven, and we enjoy what we do. It’s what we know.”
Mary-Kate Olsen, as told to The Telegraph.
“We were always involved in the conversation. We worked so much that they wanted to make sure that we knew exactly what was happening and why—and our opinions mattered.”
Mary-Kate Olsen, as told to The Telegraph.
“It was about taking a step back and reflecting on our past, all the things that we’d learned, then deciding how we take all the knowledge that we have from the range of businesses that we’ve been in, and do it the way that we want to do it.”
Ashley Olsen, as told to The Telegraph.
“We didn’t want people to know that we were behind it. We had learned so much about building brands and talking to a specific customer. We did it with our faces at the beginning, and we knew we didn’t want to do that anymore. It’s far more fun this way.””
Ashley Olsen, as told to The Telegraph.
“Thank God our parents wanted us to be involved,” Ashley says. “Running a fashion company, it’s just as important to understand numbers as it is to have a design point of view.”
Mary-Kate Olsen, as told to Newsweek.
“We work as a team, side by side every day. At times it can get overwhelming, but at the end of the day, you care so much that you find the energy to keep going: Balance will always be a struggle.”
Mary-Kate Olsen, as told to MyDomaine.
““Don’t be afraid to take risks—well-informed risks.””
Ashley Olsen, as told to MyDomaine.
“No is a full sentence.”
Mary-Kate Olsen, as told to MyDomaine.
“I think we’re lucky [working hard] comes quite naturally for us. We don’t need so much time to sit and think and ponder. But then I have a husband, two step-kids and a life; I have to go home and cook dinner. I ride horses on the weekends. You find the thing that helps you relax and if you don’t have it, look for it. Or you get burned out and then you’re not productive.”
Mary-Kate Olsen, as told to Net-a-Porter.
“I’ve always been a worker. It has taken me a lot to figure out how to take a vacation.”
Ashley Olsen, as told to Net-a-Porter.
How These 5 Female Founders Organize Their Time
Ever wonder how CEOs manage their time and stay productive? This week, we’ve partnered with Project 925, our favorite LA-based workwear destination, to demystify CEO productivity.
Ever wonder how CEOs manage their time and stay productive? This week, we’ve partnered with Project 925, our favorite LA-based workwear destination, to demystify CEO productivity.
We’re chatting with five rockstar female CEOs who are building their companies from the ground up. Read more on how Debbie Wei Mullen from Copper Cow Coffee, Jane Fisher and Jenna Kerner from Harper Wilde, Koh Kim from EVENPRIME, Quynh Onel from Project 925, and Sashee Chandran from Tea Drops spend their time and stay productive.
For context, what’s your company? What stage of growth is it in?
Debbie: Copper Cow Coffee brings Asian-inspired beverages to your home, office, and adventure using the best ingredients and innovative design. We are best known for our pour over Vietnamese coffee, now distributed in about 3,000 retailers. We closed our seed round of funding at the end of 2018, and the fastest growing area of our business is direct to consumer coffee subscriptions.
Jenna: Harper Wilde takes the B.S. out of Bra Shopping. We’re just over a year old.
Koh: EVENPRIME is a digitally native, clean skincare brand based in Los Angeles, designed in Korea. Our products were created to help make young men (and women!) feel handsome. Our team is inspired by brands like Helmut Lang, Theory, Maison Kitsuné, and by iconic ’90s video games like Final Fantasy and Metal Gear Solid. We’re an early-stage company getting ready to launch our rebrand very soon.
Quynh: Project 925 is a workwear destination that’s glamourizing the weekday. We’re here to help women build a work wardrobe they’re excited about and celebrate the careers they're working so hard to build. Project 925 is in beta mode and accepting orders!
Sashee: At Tea Drops, we create loose leaf tea, without the tea bag -- in very fun, whimsical formats! We’re about 3.5 years old, available in about 2,500 retail stores including Neiman Marcus, Whole Foods, and Anthropologie, as well as online.
Where do you currently spend most of your time?
Debbie: Setting up the foundations for growth. Bootstrapping the business for the first two years meant that I was doing every job - design, operations, marketing, trashman, you name it. Now with our investment, we are building a team, systems, and customer experience meant for our ambitious plans for growth in 2019 and beyond.
Jenna: Early stage Co-CEO means doing everything from fundraising and setting high-level strategy, to figuring out how to keep our office plants alive. Thankfully, I’m better at the former than the latter. We’re growing the team and spending quite a bit of time thinking about what roles and skills are needed to get us to the next level.
Koh: Building the right team and culture. To be able to recruit the best people, we have to be able to articulate a vision worth pursuing and a role worth taking. The best people will stay because they’re learning and feel empowered. That comes from culture.
Quynh: As a solo Founder and only full-time team member – I’m spread across all activities. I’ll go from refining my vision for what I want Project 925’s impact to be, to building our financial model, to packaging boxes and everything in between. Given our early stage, most of my time is focused on growth initiatives.
Sashee: We are a small team of five people given our scope, so a lot of us wear many hats. Most of my time is spent supporting my team, as well as investor relations and overarching strategy (marketing, brand, team).
How do you start your week?
Debbie: Sunday evenings, I write a recap to my lead investor, and then Monday we kick off with a team meeting to: 1) highlight progress we’ve made from last week, 2) see what’s on our plate for the week, and 3) call out any issues or challenges we are currently struggling with. It’s a great way for everyone to sync, find synergies, and quickly problem solve as a team.
Jenna: Each Monday morning before our team All Hands meeting, I lay out the top three to five things I need to get done that week, in a running list with all of the priorities from weeks prior. It keeps me both focused and accountable.
Koh: On Sunday evenings, I write down my top three projects I have to get done for the upcoming week. Every morning, I meditate for five to 10 minutes before doing my workouts or light walk along the beach. This allows me to clear my head and set the one task I have to get done first thing when I walk into the office.
Quynh: I spend about one hour on Monday mornings doing two things: (1) review my high-level goals for the quarter – it’s a powerpoint with a heatmap representing progress towards each goal, (2) decide on the top two to three areas I should/can focus on and create smaller tasks on my Scrum board (fancy word for a prioritized list, documented in Trello). It’s never a perfect list, and higher priority things always get added mid-week, but it helps me stay focused.
Sashee: Mondays are reserved for team check-ins -- where I set one-on-ones with each team member to set priorities together for the week. This also helps clarify where I might have gaps or areas that I need to spend more time on. I’d like to say that I’m a task master and have two to three high level priorities, but the reality is that some weeks are more clear than others. Sometimes you truly are responding to fire drills, but other times you feel more in control when you are able to focus on the stuff that matters. The goal is to have more weeks where you feel in control :)
What’s your best productivity hack?
Debbie: Working out in the mornings. This was something that I struggled with in the early days of the company, but that I now am a stickler about, even in the most stressful of times. Not only does it give me twice as much energy for the day, it sets the tone of having started off my day with self-care, making me a much more generous and patient CEO for the day.
Jenna: I take 10-15 minutes to tag each item in my to-do list with how long I think it should take. This helps me evaluate how important something is, so that I don’t spend too much time on items that aren’t important in the long-run. Also, during times when I feel overwhelmed by a 20-item to-do list, this exercise helps a list seem much more achievable if I know it should only take 60-90 minutes to knock out.
Koh: Making my bed in the morning (J/K but actually). I use a productivity planner to help me better prioritize my time. Writing down tasks with time estimates by hand helps me mentally commit and get into execution mode.
Quynh: Batch processing my tasks (including checking email) and avoiding multitasking as much as possible. Multitasking and context switching can negatively impact productivity by as much as 40 percent (according to the American Psychological Association).
Sashee: Putting my phone in airplane mode when I have something that requires more intense concentration. I also like to break up tasks into more manageable chunks. For instance, I tell myself, “How many emails can I respond to in the next 10 minutes?” It focuses my time, and makes me respond quickly to the easy emails, and flag the others for when I have more dedicated time to focus on them.
How do you evaluate your productivity? How do you know you’re on track?
Debbie: I evaluate my productivity by how much I’ve supported the needs of my staff. I’m lucky to have made some great early hires, and I know my team is the key to taking my business to the next level. I view my job now as getting what my team needs to succeed in order to hit the productivity goals we’ve made together.
Koh: I spend at least one hour on Friday reflecting on the past week: wins, what didn’t get done, what I learned, and how I feel about the week. Since I track how much time I’ve spent on tasks in my productivity planner, it makes it really easy for me to see what’s working and not working. Also, it’s fun to look back six to 12 months from now on what we accomplished or learned.
Quynh: Outside of reviewing my goals powerpoint on Monday mornings, I keep a time log (in excel). I track my time in 15-minute increments and have categories that tie to business functions and personal activities. It sounds daunting, but it’s a habit that takes seconds and forces me to be more mindful of how I’m spending my time. I have a weekly summary that helps to: (1) confirm with data, not feeling, how much I’m working and what I’m actually doing; (2) inform me what activities are taking up too much of my time that I can potentially hire someone to help me with.
Sashee: On a broader scale, I do quarterly lookbacks where I dive deep into what was accomplished, what was missed, and what’s in progress from every aspect of the business. On a weekly basis, we have team meetings that really set forth our weekly and quarterly goals. Everyone has their own key performance indicators of what success is. Our weekly business review provides a good measure of if we are on track.
Quynh Onel is the founder & CEO of Project 925, a new destination for women's workwear.
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Exclusive Survey: We Asked Working Women About the State of Teamwork
32% of women said this was the hardest part about working on a team. Any guesses?
Behind every strong woman is five other strong women who proofread her email real quick when they had a second. Teamship is at the core of women making things happen—so when we wanted to know exactly what it’s like for all of you who are out there running teams and turning your dreams into careers, we asked.
We partnered with Microsoft Teams to tap hundreds of modern working women to learn more about how they communicate, collaborate, and crush it with their team. One of the biggest takeaways was the 32.3% of women surveyed said that the hardest part of working on a team is poor communication. Here are some of our favorite stats about teamship below!
Make sure your team is reaching its full potential with Microsoft Teams - a hub for all teamwork and communication!
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5 Ways To Build Successful HR Relationships
Building successful HR relationships comes from building up people, not walls. Here are some ways you can start cultivating better connections.
HR – It's time to tear down the wall. Our job is to build up people, not walls, so let's dig into our why, our purpose, and how we can build successful HR relationships. Prejudice of all kinds exists, whether it be race, gender, sexual orientation, or difference of thought. And for those of us in HR positions, our goal is to let all of these go.
We need to let go of all the things that weigh us down because we can't help anyone if we are carrying such a heavy load. The beginning stages of shedding this heaviness is asking ourselves the hard questions. Are we over processing and over-engineering people to make them fit into a certain culture? Are we putting people into a box instead of looking at the things that they add value to? Are we becoming hypocrites of our own mission?
Get clear
In order to be the change, you need to keep it simple. Your choices are what matters, and getting clear on the tough questions is what will begin tearing down the wall for a brighter future. What do you want that future to be and who will help you bring it to fruition? What are the most important things that your team needs? Start here and focus on understanding what you have in an organization, rather than focusing on what you don't have. What's important to an organization are the people that add value and bring a team to success on both a mental and spiritual level. Every hire is a representation of your company, so you need to define what you want the HR department to look like - good ideas plus good intentions, and a clear mind will create success.
Erase fear
Don’t stand in your own way and let fear run your business. Especially in HR, we need to be the change and to be fearless in our endeavours. Those who have entered into HR are there to be the voice for the ones who can’t speak up. They have integrity and a fiduciary responsibility to ethics and equality for all. We need to eradicate the walls and work with people to bring a positive change into the workplace. Be the HR hero that leads with human compassion and empathy, and the reward will be success and equal opportunity.
Provide support
It’s so important to provide a safe and supportive work environment. This leads to positive ROI, creativity, inspiration and an inclusive workplace where walls don’t exist. It is our time to disrupt, change and evolve. We support the masses – we support everyone and this change begins with education. What drives diversity and inclusion is education for all. Education is our salvation for a brighter tomorrow and has an impact on our communities, our customers and ultimately our ourselves.
Build from the inside out
You must build from within. Today’s statistics prove that there’s still far to go before we see significant success. 71% of people with jobs are looking for other jobs and the average tenure for millennial's is 15 months in their first 3 job positions. Retention rate starts with proper hires, fostering education and growth within a workplace. This is a systemic problem that needs to be addressed. Many work environments place unneeded pressure on employees and view them as replaceable and just a number. They should instead be putting time and energy into building a culture that’s about education and training for success. Recycling employees has now proved to be an issue and has led to a skills gap in this country.
Education is key
You need to look at every role with an education component in mind to ensure success. Companies and the teams within them win when they have education and a solid cultural foundation. Start with the basics and place more of an emphasis on hiring based upon personal qualities and skills. Many things can be learned, and hiring genuine people is extremely valuable to the future growth of a company. When you focus on obtaining quality skill sets and quality people, your company will begin to progress and move forward. This ultimately opens the door and the market for people that are actively looking to learn, work with your inclusive team, and wanting to make an impact. Focus on your active talent and invest and educate the people within your team. And when we focus on education, it leads to diversity and inclusion amongst your entire organization. We did not get into HR to stand down - we got into HR to stand up for inclusion for all, and education is our path to success for all.
Kristy McCann is the founder of GoCoach, an employee training platform.
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Why I Built A Women-Only Coworking Space
“With clubs designed by and for women, we have the unique opportunity to network and learn with our peers. After all, a rising tide lifts all boats.”
If you were to search “women-only spaces” online, you’d find plenty of options, each club unique in their own way. Throughout my career, I’ve never seen women have as many choices as they have right now, whether in work or in personal endeavors, and with that a huge surge of support and mentorship from fellow females that is not slowing down any time soon. And frankly, it’s about time!
This renewed focus of women taking charge of their lives – career, family and personally – has inspired a new wave of niche communities and clubs. And that’s a good thing! There is a place for every type of person looking for a community. There are so many advantages to being part of a female-owned and operated space – many of those same benefits are what inspired me to open Maison.
Whether you’re figuring out your next career move after years spent dedicated to raising a family, looking for a place to catch up on emails, get a quiet coffee or listen to a parenting expert discuss how to talk about sex with your teenager, I encourage anyone to consider joining one of the many female-centric clubs, like Maison, out there.
Here’s what inspired me to open Maison and why you should consider joining a community like ours, too:
Build balance
Many coed coworking spaces were so cliché – open floor plans, industrial builds. In building a female-centric community like Maison, I wanted it to feel like you were visiting your best friend’s beautiful home, somewhere you would feel comfortable and supported. Sure, you can use the club to finish a deadline or take a meeting, but you can also steal quiet moments to catch your breath, and find events you won’t find anywhere else – a speaker series, Stitch & Bitch, private shopping events, MNDFL meditation classes and mini spa retreats. At Maison, it’s about taking care of the inside as much as it is about the outside.
Embrace who you are
I love my life! I love being a mom and I love working, and I don’t want to feel bad about how I choose to spend my time. Too many coed clubs out there are pushing their own agenda and it’s a one size fits all approach to a huge pool. At Maison, we are who we are – our location, demographic and curated programming are really what defines us and sets us apart – and because of that, most of our members are mothers. We want to cater to our members as personally as possible, so if working and learning alongside a bunch of moms is what you’re seeking out, Maison is the right place for you.
Take time out
If you work and/or have a family, chances are your schedule is not entirely your own. Let me tell you, stealing a moment alone at home when you have kids is not easy and I’m sure it’s even harder in a traditional professional environment. I’m here to tell you that it’s ok to have a place just for you. When people ask me if we plan to have childcare at Maison, I am quick to answer that our focus is on you, the grown-up, not the little humans. It would be hard prioritize the competing needs of parents and children under the same roof without compromising our mission statement.
Feel welcome
It’s no secret that female-designed coworking spaces radiate warmth and community. I take a lot of pride in the design aesthetics of Maison – I wanted to build a space that felt like an extension of me and my home, and it’s a place I want you to feel the most welcome. Whether it’s reading in our cozy library, catching up with friends on our cushy velvet couches, or refueling in our fully stocked kitchen, every element was handpicked with purpose so that whether you’re staying for a few hours or just 30 minutes, you have a place that feels like home.
Foster community
Women have become more empowered than ever recently as big issues have risen to the top. Whether it’s how to run a business, manage work-home balance, discussing maternity leave, you can and should be surrounded and supported by fellow females. With clubs designed by and for women, we have the unique opportunity to network and learn with our peers. After all, a rising tide lifts all boats.
Ashley Wu is the founder of Maison.
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Desk-Side: This Fitness Influencer Shares Her Best Tip To Grow Your Following
“Always remember that comparison is the thief of joy. You are you, and that is your power.”
Katie Austin’s energy is infectious. The fitness personality and TV host genuinely wants to make people feel good—including herself—and that work all starts in her home office (where she keeps a set of weights, of course). Today, we’re partnering with Glade® Essentials Room Mist to share the story behind Katie’s successful brand. Read on to hear what motivates her and what she loves most about her job.
Q: Where’s home to you?
A: I was born and raised in Alexandria, VA, so I’m an East Coast girl at heart. But I went to USC, so I now live in Los Angeles. I’ve been working here for approximately three years post-grad and am absolutely loving LA.
Q: What is self-care to you?
A: So it might seem a little bit cliche, but the thing that I love to do for self-care, and my definition of self-care is obviously taking care of my body inside and out.
Q: What’s your go-to treat for a productive day?
A: I like to make myself a smoothie to keep me energized throughout the whole entire day.
Q: What productivity tips do you have?
A: My number one tip for productivity is to wake up early in the morning. I always feel more ambitious. There’s just something about a morning vibe where you just get stuff done. I also love to keep my home office fresh to keep my mind up to par. I like natural light, I can’t have clutter, and I love the Glade® Essentials Room Mist to keep my space always feeling fresh.
Q: What have you been working on lately?
A: So I am currently working on some new app updates for my membership program, which is a new workout every single day. So if you haven’t checked it out, make sure you check it out! Plus, I am always working on revamping some of my activewear line, which is always entertaining and fun.
Q: What’s the hardest part about being an influencer?
A: The hardest part is definitely scrolling through Instagram and comparing myself to other girls and other influencers out there. So always remember that comparison is the thief of joy. You are you, and that is your power.
“Always remember that comparison is the thief of joy.
You are you, and that is your power.”
Q: What advice do you have for someone looking to grow their following?
A: The advice that I would give to someone trying to grow their following is just to stay authentic and true to yourself. Plus, that consistent content will always take you far.
Q: You keep weights at your desk—why?
A: Yes! I like to just pump it up every now and then when I feel like I’m getting in a little bit of a work rut. It helps boost your brainpower actually.
Q: What would you do if you had more free time?
A: If I had more free time, I would definitely be traveling more (as if I don’t travel enough already). But that’s definitely on my list. Plus I love sports a lot so I want to be involved in more sports any way I possibly can. Anything recreational or club, even ping pong.
Q: What do you think you would do if you weren’t a fitness influencer?
A: I would have to say what sets me apart, why I’m different is my bubbly personality. So in my next life I would have to say that I would be a pop star because I’m an amazing shower singer, I love to dance, and I love to be the center of attention. Just kidding!
Q: What’s the best part of being an influencer?
A: I would have to say the best part about my job is being my own boss, which is so fun. But at the same time that means I have to keep myself accountable 24/7, which can be kind of hard to stay motivated that much. Then I’d have to say the most rewarding part about what I do is helping other girls live their best life. It’s so gratifying to hear when other girls have gained that confidence and gained that self-love.
See Katie’s full interview below:
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How to Protect Yourself on Social Media
What don't you want a complete stranger to know?
photo credit: Vibe Tribe Creative
Social media is arguably the most powerful tool currently circulating in our society. Whether you use it for marketing, networking, business or personal pleasure it’s a part of our daily life. For me, I use it for all of the above – every single day of the year. I spend hours a week ensuring that what I post is aesthetically pleasing to the eye and that my followers gain something by reading the caption / link attached.
Recently, an incident occurred that I wanted to bring to light in hopes that you will never find yourself in a similar position -- or, if you do, you will know the proper steps to take.
I was sitting in the middle of a work lunch when I got a Facebook notification from an acquaintance that I hadn’t spoken to in well over a year. Intrigued by what she could possibly have to say, I threw my table manners aside and opened up the message. To my surprise I saw the words “Cosmetic Dentistry” plastered next to my smiling face. I thought to myself “what in the bleep is this?!”
Click link
New web browser opens: Yoursmilebecomesyou.com appears
I see the below.
At first I thought HEY! THAT’S ME! and then I thought wait, that’s me…
As I sat there staring at the website like a deer in headlights I didn’t know what question to ask first. How did they get my picture? Where did they get my picture from? Is that legal? Shouldn’t they have asked my permission? Do I call them? Do I call my mom? Do I call anyone? Am I being a baby for feeling completely freaked out that my face is being splattered across a major association’s website without my consent?
Pause.
For the record: I have never, ever, had any version of cosmetic dental. This smile of mine is au naturel and I would like to take this moment to thank my parents for blessing me with it.
Once I cooled down I put my business hat back on and broke down the appearance of this matter. Here I am, an author of a blog and face behind a growing brand with a smile to reflect my positive outlook on life. How in the world is it going to look to have a young woman who consistently preaches positive life reminders yet hides the “fact” that she went under the dentist’s drill.
To be honest, before that moment I had never given serious thought to safety issues when it comes to social media. All of my social media accounts are public: Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, Pinterest – you name it, you can see it. I let my followers into my life on a daily basis. From traveling across country to visiting my boyfriend to candid moments with my best friends. From huge career steps and everything in between-- it’s all there when you type in @MillennialMiss. The thing is, I want it to be there. There as in my social media platforms or the sites I've given permission to use my image and link back. But not to a company that has ripped my picture off my photographer's Pinterest page without acknowledging me as a person, let alone asking for my consent.
So I did something that I had never done before in my entire life – I called a lawyer. After I brought him up to speed, he hardly batted an eye lash before telling me that using my photo to promote cosmetic dentistry without my permission was against the law. The following day we dove head first into procedural steps to file a lawsuit.
To be crystal clear – this post is not about me standing up for my rights as a person let alone a person with a brand attached to her name but instead I want to take this unfortunate situation and use it as an opportunity to provide some simple tips on how to stay safe on the internet. The truth of the matter is, you never know where your picture may end up. Scary thought, huh?
I know that to the naked ear this all may sound a bit silly, but social media holds a lot of power. It is crucial that we, as women, know how to protect ourselves.
Combining research with personal experience, I have compiled a list of tips of safety measures to take when using social media:
1. When creating social media accounts make sure to use a password that is stronger than your pets name. Use a password that no one would be able to crack and keep it private!
2. Provide minimal information about yourself as possible and stay away from publicly listing your address. Always double think when filling out these forms, what wouldn’t you want a complete stranger to know?
3. Even though “check ins” are of the norm, be cautious of when you do so. Tagging your exact location (i.e: where you’re brunching) in real life gives a further glimpse into your whereabouts which, can lead to someone easily following you. Enjoy your time with the ones you’re with and save your posting for afterwards.
4. If you tend to use a public, work, or friend's computer log out of your social accounts after each use.
In hopes this post served as an eye opener to consistently be mindful of what you post online and that every single one us is entitled to exercise our rights.
Tag me,
Chels
Chelsea Briche runs the popular blog The Millennial Miss. A platform for young women surviving their twenties with grace and a lot of humility. The platform is Chelsea's "pledge to you, the ones who haven’t quite figured it all out yet. That we, together, will immerse ourselves in every single thing possible; explore, love a lot, love a little, and never touch the ground."
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What You Need To Know To Fight Blog Envy
Jealousy and envy are never pretty and never get you anywhere.
Blog envy feels really shitty, and it happened to me too!
I was merrily browsing the blogosphere… getting inspired and happily devouring all sorts of fantastic-ness that people in the world are creating. I happened to stumble onto a lifestyle website… and was instantly drawn into all the shiny pretty-ness she had on offer. I started dreaming of all the fun I could have if I created a blog just like that! I imagined having an incredible studio where I created all sorts of cool creative things that I shared with the world, and then I saw myself in a floaty kaftan in some exotic location, sharing snippets of me with a cocktail in hand on some sandy beach...
Sigh… it was a fun moment.
But I was snapped back to reality pretty quick when I realized that I don’t have a lifestyle blog. I was just wanting what someone else had… and that it isn’t ME!
Ugh… Blog envy was a little sneaky right there!
It's super easy to get caught in a whirlwind of comparison and jealousy… whether you see someone doing something way more incredible than you, their business is so much bigger than what you have created, or whether they create prettier stuff, they have cleverly managed to infuse who they are into what they do, or maybe they are just soooo much cooler than you see yourself!
Whatever the motive for comparison, whilst it’s more natural than we’d care to admit, the only thing it’s offering you… is distraction. You're being called away from what you are created to do.
Let's imagine what happens if you chase that shiny object.
You start blogging about cocktails, then you share your kaftan holiday at home, you remember that your blog was actually about ____[insert chosen topic here] - so you quickly write a ____ [insert chosen topic here] type tutorial, then you spotted someone's blog about their shoe love… oh yes, must share that new pair of shoes I bought! Then you found a cool quote - so you share that, plus your supper recipe, that webinar you wanted to do, then there was that piece of art you created, oh- and your favorite color this month, then that pen you bought, oh shit… another _____[insert chosen topic here] post needs to be written.
Very soon, you’ve found yourself floating in all sorts of directions… and quickly feel a sense of restlessness… knowing that something just doesn’t FEEL right…. experiencing confusion and overwhelmed and just feeling all over the place.
Shiny objects can be dangerous! So how do we get around it? It’s important to remember that we are all on our own blogging journey.
1. It all starts with knowing why you blog in the first place!
By being powerfully intentional, knowing what your dream is, and why you do what you do… everything else starts falling into place. It makes it so much easier when you have clarity and know what your purpose is!
2. Once you have your core pegged… you need to work out your Awesome Sauce [that special something you offer the world].
Know what makes YOU special… that you were born to do in this world!
3. Then it comes down to continually sharing that AwesomeSauce, people will naturally become attracted to you…
4. Rinse and repeat… Keep at it, keep persisting and sharing your awesomeness with the world… so that you create a business and live you love!
Et Voila!
So the next time a little bout of jealousy hits… remember that you have something incredible to offer this world… that ONLY you can give… and there is no need to focus on what others are doing, but if that twinge of blog envy hits again...
Here are some ideas to help you when blog envy hits:
When someone’s business appears incredible, bigger, and uber successful:
First remember… it has come with a lot of effort, and as you implement your plan, your business will also grow…
Then spread some love and good vibes their way
So if someone has built a really great business:
Let’s celebrate that they have found their AwesomeSauce, and have been able to make a go at it!
Then go back to your big dream… and do what you’re called to do!
When someone is doing something that is shiny and exciting:
There are many incredible ways to position yourself, but if their method is not right for your business, don’t feel pressure to “have to” follow their path!
Repeat after me: "That has been wonderful for them, but it isn’t where I’m taking my special offering right now…"
Then get back to working on that special something you are creating.
When someone has become really successful in a similar blogging space to the one you’re in:
Let’s remember that there is enough space in this world for all of us!
Spread a little love instead!
When they are just so much cooler than you think you are:
We are all cool in our own special way… to our tribe… and anyway - you don’t want to be a copycat.
Find your AwesomeSauce… that “thing” that makes you “cool”
...and rock your AwesomeSauce baby!
This piece originally appeared on Blog Society. Emma Weise wants to live in a world where entrepreneurs feel confident in the brand they are putting out in the world. She gets to help coffee drinking, lipgloss rocking, sneaker wearing entrepreneurs create a brand experience their clients will adore, helping them serve their AwesomeSauce to the world - and she has some delicious treats for you here.
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Weighing the Pros and Cons of Job Hopping
Will it ruin your career?
Weigh the pros and cons of job-hopping to ensure you're always making a smart transition.
The concept of job-hopping—staying at a company for just one to two years before switching to the next—is a much-discussed topic. And people have a lot of opinions about it.
Many people believe that being labeled a job-hopper is a red flag to future employers. I’ve even heard that a pattern of job-hopping can ruin your career. Conversely, I’ve also heard many benefits of switching jobs.
And honestly? There’s truth in both arguments. To help you decide whether or not job-hopping is right for you, let’s analyze the pros and cons:
THE PROS OF JOB HOPPING IN YOUR CAREER
1. JOB SATISFACTION
One of the main benefits of switching jobs is finding one where you can learn, grow, and be happy. If you’re miserable at a job, should you stay for more than two years? Think about what you liked and disliked about the job and use it to guide your choices moving forward. Don’t choose a new job without proactively analyzing whether the job is right for you. This will increase your chances of job satisfaction and the likelihood that you’ll stay for at least two years.
Don’t choose a new job without proactively analyzing whether the job is right for you.
2. INCREASE YOUR SALARY
Another benefit of switching jobs is that you may make more money. According to a recent study, the median pay raise for 2014 was 3%. According to research from Wharton management professor, Matthew Bidwell, hiring managers will pay 10% to 20% more to hire people with a proven track record. If you negotiate your offer effectively, you could make significantly more at another company.
3. MOVE UP FASTER
There are a lot of companies that only offer reviews and promotions once or twice a year. This doesn’t allow for fast upward mobility. One way to increase your title (and your pay) is to get hired at a new company. In fact, Ryan Kahn, a career coach, founder of The Hired Group, and author of Hired! The Guide for the Recent Grad, told Forbes that, “Job hopping is replacing the concept of climbing the corporate ladder.”
If there isn’t room for growth at your current company, switching jobs may be the best way to learn new skills, take on more responsibility, become a manager, and ultimately, advance your career.
THE CONS OF JOB HOPPING IN YOUR CAREER
1. DAMAGE YOUR REPUTATION
If you have a history of job-hopping, it is possible that future employers will think that you’ll be likely to leave quickly, if hired. They may not want to invest time and resources into training if they think you won’t stay for long.
Use your interview as a time to show that you’ll be committed to the company. Ask well-researched questions and offer statements like, “I’m really passionate about [the company’s] mission and the role, and would want to stay for a long time. What would advancement and growth look like for this position?” You’ll probably be asked why you left previous positions and why you are looking to leave your current one. Be prepared to tell your story and explain your reasoning.
2. LOSS OF SKILLS
If you like your job, you’re learning, and there is room for growth, why leave? According to a paper by Matthew Bidwell, it takes external hires two years to build relationships and learn how to be effective at the organization. Bidwell also notes that, “If you like where you are, stay there. Or at least understand how hard it can be to take your skills with you. You think you can go to another job and perform well, but it takes a long time to build up to the same effectiveness that you had in your previous organization. You need to be aware that often your skills are much less portable than you think they are.”
Bidwell also found that external hires have lower performance evaluations. “There is a much greater risk of being let go during those first few years, mainly because they may not develop the necessary skills and thus will not perform as well as expected. Then, too, they might decide to leave voluntarily.”
Before leaving a job at the two-year mark, consider the pros and cons. If you’re happy and learning, it may be worthwhile to stay. Advocate for yourself and try to get a promotion and raise internally. If you’re miserable or there is no room for growth, it’s okay to leave—just make sure to evaluate the new role and company to increase the chances that you’ll stay.
An original version of this article appeared on Career Contessa. Written by: Elana Lyn Gross
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Millennial Burnout Is Real. The Question Is: Do You Have It?
We want to do it all. At what cost?
We want to do it all—but what happens if doing it all drives us to a place where we can't get anything done?
Millennials are not invincible—but we love to tell ourselves we are. I recall multiple occasions when concerned friends and family members warned me, "Careful you don't burn out!" And I recall as many occasions when I just shrugged it off before heading to my next commitment.
For most millennials, it starts in high school when you’re expected to take on countless extracurriculars. College is no breeze, but you get through it with the grades your parents expect and with a smattering of internships you somehow tuck between classes. Your friends are right there with you, juggling it all and joking that “overworked” is the new “normal.”
But then there’s adulthood.
I dove head-first into my first job while handling two apartment moves, a hectic social life, and then—because I wasn’t stressed enough—I took on additional volunteer work. My high school and college self could handle juggling, but I quickly realized I hadn’t accounted for the real world pressures of independence and a competitive work environment.
The trouble with burnout is that it strikes when you least expect it. You're overworked, overstimulated, and striving for excellence in a world that sets the bar high. And as a millennial, you’re setting your own bar even higher.
“The trouble with burnout is that it strikes when you least expect it.”
We know ourselves better than anyone, yet we internalize societal pressures and put aside our needs. We want to strengthen our personal brand, maintain an active social life, all while striving for that sweet work-life balance—when balance means we just sort of never stop working.
We. Are. Tired.
And who can blame us? Fortunately, though, we can change that. Here are signs you’re nearing burnout and some ways to stop it before it happens.
SIGN 1: Someone asks what’s most important in your life and your answer is ‘everything.’
We want to do it all. But what happens if doing it all means sacrificing healthy sleeping and eating habits? Not worth it.
You know the word “prioritize,” but a lot of millennials struggle with the concept. There's so much to do, and in the Digital Age, it feels like everything needs to be done immediately. Ever have someone give you a hard time about not texting them back immediately? I hate to break it to you, but you can’t do it all at the same time. You’ll burn yourself out, guaranteed.
SOLUTION: SLOW DOWN + STREAMLINE
I say it's time to cut some of the dead weight. Start by taking a look at your schedule for the next week. Is there anything you'll be doing that fills you with dread? See if there's a way to maneuver yourself out of it. Our entrepreneurial tendencies mean we often say “yes” to every opportunity. But people will be supportive of your need to take a step back. Be honest about your concerns, say no, then stick to it.
Next, try making a to-do list. It may seem archaic, but listing out what needs to be done per day and then checking those items off your list can give you a great sense of accomplishment. It will also allow you to visualize what’s most important and what can be left for another day.
SIGN 2: You panic if you leave your iPhone (and thus instagram) at home
As millennials, we've been raised with limitless information and countless ways to communicate. We’re encouraged to build our identities on social media, reinforcing our public image with well-edited photos of party going and staged selfies. That’s a lot of pressure, and it’s time consuming. Suddenly, the need to share means we’re permanently plugged into our devices.
SOLUTION: DON'T GIVE IN TO THE PRESSURE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Remember that you exist in the present and that person is enough. If your work life isn’t contingent on your social presence (meaning you’re not working as a social media marketer), reevaluate your participation on social platforms.
How often are you pulling up Twitter or Instagram to share? Try actually counting how many times a day you open the app. The results might be staggering, but you’ll have to face your problem honestly.
That time can be better spent sleeping, cooking healthy meals, or exercising. Yes, these options may initially seem less appealing (thanks to social media, too many of us have no sense of how to be alone), but they can drastically improve your overall health and energy levels.
Put your phone in another room before you go to bed so you won’t be tempted to check it in the middle of the night or immediately when you wake up.
Consider committing to only checking Instagram (or Twitter or Facebook) once a day.
Disable your push notifications. They’re both tempting and distracting. You’ll be more productive without them.
The next time you plan a fun activity or take a trip, commit to not photographing it. Instead, just focus on enjoying it.
SIGN 3: You know your body needs a quiet night in, but when friends text, you wind up going for yet another night out. that’s five days in a row.
This may seem like an obvious point, but we often forget to take care of ourselves. We get a text from a friend asking to meet for dinner as the workday comes to an end. Instead of heading home to get an early night’s rest, we talk ourselves into meeting for happy hour and feel pressured into the next bar or restaurant down the street.
SOLUTION: MANAGE EXPECTATIONS AND PRACTICE SAYING “NO”
It’s difficult to tell your friend no because you want to sleep. Chances are, they’ll put on the pressure and make a few jokes at your expense. But that extra time for self-care is crucial to avoid burnout. You will miss many more happy hours if you’re completely exhausted, depressed, stressed, or even physically ill. As hard as it may be to make time for it, self-care is crucial.
If you’re like most millennials, you may need to actually schedule your nights in so you don’t make plans on top of them. Put them on your calendar and stick to them.
Consider limiting drinking to weekends. Late nights are exhausting, but you’ll only feel more run-down if you’re dehydrated and hungover.
For the friends who tend to pressure, make advanced plans and offer them the specific days you’re available. Then they won’t expect you to text on the nights you’re not.
Single? Delete your dating apps. If you’re feeling frantic and exhausted, you’re not going to be your interesting self anyway. Make your self-care your priority until things calm down. Trust us, Tinder will be there when you get back.
Whether you’re on the cusp or already drowning in a pool of burnout, it’s never too late to take your life into your hands. Reflect on how you got to where you are, cut yourself some slack, then use our tips to get back on track. As millennials, we hate the thought but: sometimes we need to take a step back to move forward.
Do you think millennial burnout is a real thing? Why or why not? Chime in below.
An original version of this article appeared on Career Contessa.
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3 Things To Consider Before Becoming A Digital Nomad
Choosing to work and travel the world is now easier than ever.
It seems like everywhere we look, more and more people are choosing to become digital nomads and embracing the #workfromanywhere lifestyle. While the thought of living and working on the road is what a lot of people aspire to do, it’s important to realize that once you take the leap, it isn’t all just sangria on the coast of Spain (although that is an added perk).
When you’re thinking about becoming location independent, either working remotely for a company, freelancing, or realizing that your current business simply requires an internet connection and a good cup of coffee... it’s important to remember these three things:
Slow Travel Is Sustainable Travel
When you’re starting this new chapter of your life, odds are you’re going to want to book a ticket around the world and head to a different country every week. Heed my advice: slow travel is sustainable travel.
If being a digital nomad or location independent is something you want to keep up for a while, make an effort to be in one place for 3 to 4 weeks at a time so you can truly make the most of your experience.
Being on the road takes time and energy, but when you’re fully immersed in a place for around a month, there are endless benefits. You’ll be able to feel settled, create a routine, and most importantly be able to be present instead of worrying about the next plane ticket you have to buy or when the next train leaves.
When you opt for slower travel, it also allows you to become fully immersed in the culture you’re in. When you’re in a new country or city for 4 to 5 days, you’ll only just scratch the surface of what it has to offer.
Learn How To Work Smarter, Not Harder
Don’t believe the Instagram hype. Being a digital nomad doesn’t mean that you’ll be on the beach in the Amalfi Coast all day long or ziplining through Guatemala from sunrise to sundown. While these new experiences might be part of your journey, don’t forget that you’ll still need to work to pay the bills (and lattes).
Choosing to work from anywhere will force you to work smarter, not harder. With new experiences, people, and places at your fingertips, you’ll learn how to get the essentials done in less time so you can enjoy where you are.
A few ways to keep things under control especially when starting out....
When planning your travel, think about where your team or clients are based so that you don’t have to work odds hours. Let’s be real, conference calls at 2 am in Thailand isn’t ideal.
Create a new schedule that allows you to still respect your ideal working hours while you’re on the road so you can stay balanced and happy while still checking off items on your to-do list.
Consider spending “off-peak” hours exploring so that you aren’t stuck behind a computer all day long. If you’re traveling through Europe and your team is in the U.S., consider taking the morning hours to get to know your new city so that when everyone else is headed into the office (6 hours later) you’ll be readily available without regret.
Find Community That Fosters Deep Connection
“Why do I need to find community? I have my friends and family at home as my support system.”
While that may be true, one of the things that connects us as human beings is shared experiences. When you start life on the road, you’ll find yourself longing for real connections with others who are on the same path. Loneliness as a location independent worker is real.
While you’ll meet a lot of new people, it’s important to go the extra mile to foster relationships that aren’t just surface level.
Many people who work and travel choose to stay at coliving spaces exactly for that reason. Coliving is an up-and-coming trend where you live and work with other like-minded people for a period of time, normally between 2 - 8 weeks.
Something I’ve seen time and time again at one of the leading coliving spaces in Europe is when you’re in a place that offers both personal and professional development, you seem to connect on a deeper level. Sharing a space and certain experiences with others positively impacts life on the road and creates long-lasting friendships.
Choosing to work and travel the world is now easier than ever and such a rewarding experience at the same time. Be sure to do your research before you get ready to take the leap and remember that slow and steady wins the race. You want to make the most of your digital nomad experience and when you set yourself up for success before even leaving home, you’ll have that much more of an opportunity to thrive along the way.
Sienna Brown is an entrepreneur and expat thriving on the coast of Spain. Her mission is to teach others how to build a life that they love. She’s the founder of Las Morenas de Espana, a platform teaching women of color how to move abroad and thrive. She also leads business development at Sun and Co., one of the leading coliving spaces in Europe. Follow her on Instagram @siempregirando and reach out sienna@siempregirando.com
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Desk-Side: This Actor & Blogger Shares How She Finds Balance When Working From Home
“The best part about being a blogger is getting to connect with women from all over the world.”
Courtney Halverson is a busy woman. An actor by day and an influencer—well, also by day, she spends her waking hours running lines, shooting content, and blogging about all of it on her site, Pretty Little Fawn. So when she gets time to relax, she really takes advantage. We partnered with Glade® Essentials Room Mist to hear how Courtney puts a little balance in her hustle—read on below!
Q: How long have you been in Los Angeles?
A: I’ve lived in LA for about six years.
Q: What’s something most people don’t know about you?
A: Fun fact about myself, I can turn the shower on with my feet.
Q: How long have you been acting? What do you love most about it?
A: I have been working as an actress since I was a kid. I actually just had a film come out set in the 1950s, which is great because I love all things vintage. But the best part about being an actress, is getting to become a lot of different people. I mean, I have worn a lot of different hats.
Q: What are your essential tools when prepping for a role?
A: A cup of coffee (needed), a highlighter, and whatever script I’m currently working on.
Q: What’s your favorite room in your house?
A: My favorite part of the house is definitely the cloffice (closet-office). It’s definitely my happy place in the house because it’s where I get to work on my other job of being a blogger. It’s where I style looks, create content, and do what I call “research,” a.k.a. reading magazines.
Q: Since you work from home a lot of the time, how do you instill work/life balance in your space?
A: After a long day of learning lines and writing blog posts, I like to relax in my living room. For me, it’s all about unwinding and setting the mood. The Glade® Essentials Room Mist is my go-to—I love the Mandarin & Mimosa scent. It helps clear my mind and let me know work is done for the day.
“The best part about being a blogger is getting to connect with women from all over the world. ”
Q: Who is your style icon?
A: 100 percent Alexa Chung.
Q: What’s the best part about being a blogger?
A: The best part about being a blogger is getting to connect with women from all over the world. Second best part? Creating content.
See Courtney’s full interview below:
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Desk-Side: This Successful Style Influencer Shares What It Takes to Build a Full-Time Blogging Career
“Sometimes I wish that I had a superpower where I snap my fingers and everything is organized.”
If you’re looking for a new style muse, look no further than Sheryl Luke. As the voice behind Walk in Wonderland, she’s made her blog her full-time venture—something many of us only dream of doing. That’s why we partnered with Glade® Essentials Room Mist to hear Sheryl’s advice on what it takes to become a blogger and influencer full-time. See her sage wisdom below!
Q: How long has LA been your home?
A: I’ve lived in Los Angeles for about 13 years. I live with my husband and my puppy.
Q: How long have you been a blogger? What’s your favorite thing about being a blogger?
A: I’ve been blogging for about five years now. The most rewarding part about being a full-time blogger is that I get to make my own work schedule.
Q: How do you start your day?
A: To start my day I love a fresh cup of coffee, and I love a clean scent.
Q: What tips do you have for someone looking to be a blogger?
A: For anyone starting in the industry, my tip would be to have a good, strong work ethic. I think that’s gotten me to where I am.
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of being an influencer?
A: Because I live and work in the same space, I have to find new ways of staying productive, so my productivity hack is actually getting ready. It keeps me in my work mode all day long. I’m super blessed to be doing what I’m doing, but if there’s one thing that I find challenging is constantly staying creative. But the fun part is I get to dress up every day and work with a ton of amazing friends from fashion to beauty and lifestyle. My typical work day is answering my emails, scouting locations, prepping looks. But if there’s one thing I wish I had more time for is actually shooting.
Q: How do you create an inspiring workspace even when you’re working from home?
A: Through scent. I use Glade Essentials Room Mist Mandarin & Mimosa and the bright scent keeps me going all day long. I wish you could smell it; it reminds me of Capri Blue’s Volcano candle!
Q: How do you finish your day?
A: After a long day, I love to unwind. So I shut my computer down, set aside my phone, spend time with my husband, and take my puppy for a walk. One other thing I’ve also been enjoying is also cooking. I’ve been cooking a lot of Indian food lately.
“For anyone starting in the industry, my tip would be to have a good, strong work ethic. I think that’s gotten me to where I am.”
Q: What’s your favorite fashion piece you own?
A: The one thing I cherish most is my mom’s vintage earrings. They’re from the ’80s, and they stay really close to my heart.
Q: What’s one question you always get asked?
A: People always ask, “Why Walk In Wonderland?” I’ve always wanted a huge, walk-in closet where I walk in and feel like I’m in Wonderland.
Q: Do you have any habits you wish you could break?
A: I hit snooze a lot. I snooze between 30 minutes sometimes to even an hour. And I’m a bit of a mess. Sometimes I wish that I had a superpower where I snap my fingers and everything is organized.
Q: If you weren’t blogging, what would you do?
A: If I wasn’t blogging, I’d probably have a clothing store.
See Sheryl’s full interview below:
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