Drumroll Please... Introducing the Create & Cultivate Marketplace—a Business Toolkit for Women Just Like You

Photo: Smith House Photography

That business? Launch it. That blog? Start it. That side-hustle? Build it. That idea? Execute it.

We get it. Starting something is scary. But we want you to turn down the “I’m not-enough” noise, unlock your potential, ditch the fear, and do it anyway, which is why we’re proud to announce the launch of Create & Cultivate Marketplace.

Whether you’re starting a side-hustle, launching a business, figuring out the freelancer life, or cultivating the career of your dreams, our brand-new business and career bundles have the tools, resources, worksheets, and checklists to help you do it all.

We’ll teach you everything you need to know from start to finish so you can build the brand or a career you’re really proud of. We’re big believers in the phrase “progress over perfection” because in our opinion, done is always better than perfect. 

So, what are you waiting for? Don't sit on the sidelines watching others chase and catch their dreams. Isn’t it time you invested in yourself? Let’s grow! Scroll on to explore our current Marketplace offerings and stay tuned for more.

The Self-Care Bundle

Are you hitting your burnout zone? Being an entrepreneur, creator, heck a lady right now is exhausting. But, don't worry because we tapped experts far and wide to have a conversation about self-care in an age of non-stop work. From a self-care check list and strategies to panel conversations, your new wellness ritual is here. So, sit back, light a candle, and dive into all things taking care of you!

$29.99

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The Venture Capital Bundle

Angel? Venture? Seed? The Venture Capital landscape can be confusing but we are here to help. From a breakdown on how to read (and craft) a cap table to how to raise initial funds, panels with top VCs, and more—we've got your VC questions covered.

$24.99

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The Bootstrapping & Budgeting Bundle

If you're building a small business from the ground-up, we know you're doing everything while you grow. But even if you have an accountant, every founder should know their numbers, and be across every spreadsheet. In this bundle, we show you how to bootstrap your biz with a monthly budget checklist, and more to make sure you're building a financially stable one.

$24.99

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The Marketing Bundle

So you're almost ready to launch your business, but before you hit "go" it's time to get clear on your marketing strategy. Don't stress, we show you how to create a killer marketing campaign for launch along, a media kit checklist, and more. Sit back, relax, and get ready to grow.

$24.99

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The PR Bundle

Congratulations you have launched your brand or business.... now what? We break down how to get your business out in the world from media-worthy pitches to creating brand collaborations that grow your audience. The time is now!

$14.99

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The Branding Bundle

Dreaming of going out on your own one day and launching your own business? Before you take the leap and leave your job, start to map it out first. In this bundle, we show you how to expand on your idea including brainstorming the right brand name, writing a business plan, and crafting the perfect mission statement.

$24.99

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The Launch Your Business Bundle

Ready to launch? Before you hit go we have some key information you might want to consider. Have you thought about trademarking? Copyrights? S-corp vs. LLC? Don't freak out! Our starting-your-business bundle has you covered from A to Z.

$24.99

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The HR Bundle

Running a small business means you're wearing a lot of hats and if your company is under 50 employees, one of them is HR. That means you have to be across everything from hiring to firing. With our HR bundle you'll be able to onboard your employees, provide performance assessment, prevent workplace bullying, and yes, let a team member go when the time comes so you can build a culture of confidence and success.

$29.99

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The Grow Your Instagram Bundle

Get your grid right, girl! We at C&C know the power of a strong Instagram profile. In this bundle, we break down the bio do's and don'ts, presets you need, and our strategy for Instagram success in a pay-to-play world!

$29.99

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The Growth Hacking Bundle

Ready to grow your business from a seedling into a forest? Introducing growth hacking. We've outlined some creative, low-cost strategies from SEO to digital media optimization to help small businesses acquire and retain customers, expand your audience and see it thrive.

$17.99

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The Job Hunting Bundle

It's time to create and cultivate the career of your dreams, but first up, job hunting. Okay, we know how grueling it can be but it doesn't have to be. We've got everything you need to land your ultimate role from resume templates, interview questions, and the all important post-interview follow-up email—the dream is yours for the taking!

$14.99

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The Career-Boost Bundle

If your ambition is getting impatient then you're in luck. We have everything you need to step it up at work from mastering the lingo to ace your next meeting to setting goals (and achieving them)—let's take your career to the next level.

$14.99

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Want all of these and more?

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3 Unexpected Ways Self-Expression Can Help You Achieve Your Career Dreams

Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

As we move further into the 21st century, communication is becoming more diluted, reliant on technology, and devoid of actual human interaction. Whether in personal relationships or in the job atmosphere, nowadays we often communicate using the evolved version of AOL Messenger: relying heavily on emojis, text messages, and assumptions.  But all of these are inefficient ways of conveying a clear message.

Though communicating through emojis may be acceptable with your BFFs, in the workplace, it’s a bit different. Your career persona is the direct result of the words you use. Maybe you’re seeking a raise that will truly make you feel valued at the job you love, or you’re ready to take your big idea to the next level and want to secure an investment from a venture capital firm. Whatever your current career goal, the result you desire is on the other side of powerful, efficient, and effective communication.

Implement the following tips into your conversational conversation at work to make your career dreams a reality.

Speak with authenticity.

Speaking authentically is the most powerful way to communicate, because there’s no conflict with our intrinsic being. In your most authentic state, you will be able to clearly communicate why you deserve a raise, why your idea will fulfill your purpose as a human being, and get others to see the potential of your dream.

Ask yourself the following questions to reveal the authentic answers that will support you in moving powerfully in your conversation:

“What do I want to accomplish through this conversation?”

“What is my purpose?”

“Is this idea in alignment with my beliefs and the organization's goals?”

Be vulnerable with your ideas.

By choosing vulnerability, the message you communicate is not colored by the thoughts and opinions of others. You’re able to confidently expose your ideas and beliefs, which in turn gives others on your team the permission to contribute and expand upon them.

Through your vulnerability, other people feel empowered to act on what fulfills them and is consistent with who they truly are. This creates a connection that will lead to tangible results that grow the organization and accomplishes the greater goal.

Ask yourself the following questions to remain vulnerable in your communication:

“What am I firm believer in?”

“Why does this matter to me?”

“How can the contribution of others help me win?”

Get curious.

By choosing curiosity, you allow listening to be a major part of your communication. Through listening, you allow others to share their valuable ideas, thought processes, and opinions while giving yourself the opportunity to learn something new. Curiosity is the place where a feeling of empathy becomes alive, results become possible, ideas become tangible, and success becomes inevitable.

Ask yourself the following questions in order to expand your knowledge and develop your ideas:

“How can my idea become better?”

“What don’t I know that others may know?”

“If this idea is to become successful, what is the possible overarching impact on me, my team, and the world?”

What’s possible when communication is clear, concise, and curious?

Everything that you have in life is the result of your communication. The things you dream of, the ideas you cultivate, and the tangible results you create become real through the profound ability to express yourself, make clear requests and convey a concise, yet powerful message. When used effectively, you can enroll others in your ideas and create the relationships that will take your businesses to the next level.

“Communication - the human connection - is the key to personal and career success.” - Paul J. Meyer

About the Author: Sarah Harrigan is a Confidence & Relationship Expert and the founder of Design My Vibe, an international life coaching & events service that helps individuals accomplish their personal & business goals through mindset transformation. Through one-on-one & group events, she helps aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs get off the beliefs that are preventing them from reaching higher heights. She frequently writes about confidence, relationships and effective communication for today’s leaders.

This post was published on March 24, 2019, and has since been updated.

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10 Glaring Contract Red Flags You're Not Paying Attention To

Photo: Smith House Photography

Unless you’re a lawyer, navigating a contract is a veritable minefield. Reading the fine print can be daunting, to say the least, especially for content creators who are hustling for every dollar. That’s why we tapped Christopher Dischino, a lawyer who specializes in business law, intellectual property, and corporate transactions, to break down some of the most common mistakes for us.

“Drafting contracts for freelancers often requires a delicate balance of terms, which both protect you and your intellectual property but are not overly onerous to your client,” Dischino tells Create & Cultivate. “When we discuss creating standard form contracts for many of our freelance clients, we discuss not only how they operate but who they are doing business with.”

While it’s important to note that everyone’s particular business operations are unique, below are ten of the most important items Dischino takes into consideration when drafting contracts for freelancers.

Business or Personal

“In order to insulate yourself from personal liability, consider forming a small business corporation or limited liability company and signing all contracts in your company’s name as opposed to individually. Operating through a company may have tax benefits, asset protection benefits, and adds a flair of professionalism to your business.”

Work for Hire

“If you are being hired to create a project or product, it is important to understand who owns it upon completion. Specifically, you should discuss with your client the extent of ownership by both parties upon completion. The U.S. Copyright Act provides that, as an independent contractor, copyright to the work product you create belongs to the creator of the work, unless otherwise agreed in writing. While most clients will expect ownership to be transferred, pay particular attention to any references to “Work for Hire.” If your client expects to receive ownership of the work product, make sure that it is expressly conditioned on payment in full.”

Indemnification Clauses

“Liability is always a concern when completing a project or product for a client. Whenever you see an indemnification clause, read it carefully. Many agreements state that if the work product created infringes on the intellectual property rights of a third party, the party creating the work remains liable for any damages. Likewise, a freelancer should make sure they are indemnified by their client and held harmless if the client utilizes the work in a way, which creates liability due to their own negligence or willful misconduct.”

Choice of Law and Venue

“Almost all contracts will have a clause that establishes where legal proceedings take place, should a dispute arise, and the law that governs the dispute. Make sure that the contract is not governed by laws that you and your lawyer are unfamiliar with and doesn’t require you to show up to court in a faraway land, especially if the dispute is over non-payment.”

Payment Method and Schedule

“Payment terms are often the elephant in the room when negotiating a contract. All too often, individuals or companies neglect to set a payment and deliverable schedule which leads to controversies as time goes on. Moreover, always consider requesting an initial deposit to bill against. Many contracts now require clients to sign a credit card authorization.”

Force Majeure

“Force majeure, which means superior force in French, is often an important red flag to be attentive of when drafting a contract. A force majeure or “unavoidable circumstance” prevents one or both parties from fulfilling their obligations under the contract. In practice, most force majeure clauses do not excuse a party's non-performance entirely, but only suspend it for the duration of the event. For example, a freelance photographer who setups for a beach photoshoot only to find himself in middle of a hurricane, would benefit from a force majeure clause that excuses his non-performance of the contract due to a circumstance beyond his control.”

Expenses

“Who covers the expenses of creating a work and when will they be paid? It is important to differentiate between payment for your services or work and the added expenses that were necessary for the completion of a project or product. From the beginning, establish if hard costs are included within your fee (and if so, consider a larger upfront deposit) or if costs are up and above your fee (if this is the case, establish what costs must be approved or which are pre-approved). Finally, make sure to define if the expenses will be paid upfront or if you will be paying out-of-pocket and requesting reimbursement.”

Scope of Work 

“When do you start and where do you finish? Often times, projects are taken on or products begin with no true direction or trajectory. This lack of organization and parameters may lead to situations where a client continues to request work beyond the scope of what was originally contemplated. It is important to set parameters regarding the project or product so that you comply with what is requested, but also so that you are properly compensated for your work. The more specific and objective the scope, the better.”

Revisions, Drafts and Changes

“Just as important as the scope of your work is the amount of times you will go back to the drawing board, make changes, edits and revisions. For the sake of compensation (and your sanity), it is important to agree upon the amount of changes a client is able to request prior to the start of your work and the rates (whether a flat fee or hourly) at which additional work is billed.”

Termination Clauses

“It is important to set out the exact reasons or basis for which your agreement can be terminated. Termination clauses should not only consist of the client’s basis to terminate you but also considerations for when you need to terminate your client. It’s especially important to make sure that your client cannot terminate you for any reason or no reason without compensating you in full for the work you completed.”

About the Expert: Christopher Dischino leads Dischino & Company, a Miami-based law firm that provides legal advice and strategic consulting for the modern business, the entrepreneur, the free-thinker and those looking for something outside the box. With a knack for the creative and an entrepreneurial attitude, Christopher specializes in business law, intellectual property, and corporate transactions, assisting private clients and corporate entities to establish and expand their businesses domestically and abroad.

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in this article has been prepared for informational purposes only and are not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice.

This story was originally published on April 10, 2016, and has since been updated.

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4 Unexpected Ways to Make Mondays Less Manic and More Productive

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Too often we have that dreaded feeling of obligation on Sunday about all of the things we have to do, should do, or don’t want to do at work the next morning. Some people refer to them as the Sunday scaries or the Sunday blues, but no matter what they’re called, feeling anxious and stressed—especially when you’re not working—is no fun.

While Mondays can be notoriously manic, and ending the day with no real work accomplished is definitely a possibility, it doesn’t have to be that way.

In fact, they can be quite productive, which is less about getting just anything done and more about getting the RIGHT things done—the stuff that will help you grow your expertise, your brand, your career, and your business’s bottom line.

So if the weekend has been feeling five days too short, here are some tips to get you excited for your work week.

1. A PRODUCTIVE MONDAY STARTS ON FRIDAY.

Instead of shutting down your laptop early on Friday and daydreaming about how you’ll spend all of your free time, take 10 minutes to debrief how your week went.

Make a list of:

• Your wins. What went really well? Make sure you celebrate these and enjoy them.

• Unaccomplished tasks. Are they important enough to be carried over to next week? Does it make more sense to delegate them to a team member? Or is it no longer important at all?

• Which situations/tasks feel challenging. A great starting point when writing this list is to think about what you’ve been procrastinating on. Oftentimes, just by writing it down, you’ll see why it’s been so difficult and will be able to understand what you need to move forward.

• Who you want to connect with next week? The success of a small business is all about the community you surround yourself with, so make a note of who you want to reach out to next week and cold-email.

By taking time to review what worked and what didn’t, you can be mindful of your priorities, understand how you can improve your workflow, and get a better idea of what’s been standing between you and that big goal you want to achieve.

2. HIT THE PAUSE BUTTON.

In the early days of my business, I remember being at war with my need for sleep and my ambition to grow my business. I know that many of you feel that same way, especially if you love what you do—but the number one thing you need to have if you want to create meaningful work in this world is endurance. The most effective way to build that is through hitting the pause button.

Take the weekend to practice self-care in whatever form is best for you—go for a walk, reconnect with family, or read that novel that’s been collecting dust on your nightstand.

3. DEFINE HOW YOU WANT TO FEEL.

Ask yourself these two questions:

• How do I want to feel on Monday?

• How do I want to feel on Friday when the week is over?

When you take some time for this kind of self-inquiry, you can get crystal clear on what you need to make your week work for you. Visualize your Monday morning with you feeling whatever emotions you chose—excited, focused, passionate—and then visualize what you’ll feel like Friday afternoon.

Visualization is a proactive way to help you have more control over your workweek instead of allowing you to passively get by in a stress-induced state.

4. SAY “NO.”

While many of us struggle with saying “no,” it’s a critical component of increasing productivity. Think about what tasks you dread come Monday morning or during the week and figure out how you can stop doing them.

You can split this list into two sections:

• What you are able to stop doing today?

• What are you going to stop doing in the future?

Some things take a little more work to let go, delegate, or outsource. But when you commit to no longer doing things out of obligation, you’ll find that you have more free time to spend on work that actually matters.

Mondays don't have to be manic. They can be our most productive day of the week if we plan for them. Instead of spending your Sundays dreading Monday, take these 5 steps and put them into practice. You'll be amazed at how quickly your view on Mondays turns around!

About the Author: Tara Newman is a Leader of Leaders. Through her podcast, The Bold Leadership Revolution as well as her association, The BRAVE Society, she supports leaders as they embrace their ambition and leave the grind behind. Using decades of entrepreneurial experience and a Master’s in Organizational Psychology, Tara is uniquely qualified to teach leaders to run businesses without sacrificing their health, relationships, or integrity by establishing behaviors, habits, and rituals aligned with their vision of success. Connect with Tara on Instagram @thetaranewman and listen to the Bold Leadership Revolution Podcast on her website.

This story was originally published on May 12, 2019, and has since been updated.

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I Have Been Working From Home for Years—This Is How to Do It Successfully

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Given that many companies are implementing work-from-home policies to help flatten the curve and prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Create & Cultivate included!), we decided to reach out to some real work from home-office pros to find out how it’s done. Because, as enticing as working from home sounds in theory, it takes a surprising amount of discipline to stay productive and on-task with all the distractions that come with being at home (we’re looking at you, Netflix, pile of laundry, and sink full of dishes).

Ahead, six full-time WFH experts—spanning a senior fashion and beauty editor who’s been working from home for 7 (!) years to an editorial director who’s been working from home for 2 1/2 years to an acclaimed author who’s been working from home for just 8 months—share their tips and tricks for staying motivated and productive while working from home. Keep scrolling to find out how to establish a morning routine that will set you up for success and how to wind down and disconnect at the end of the day.

Sara Tan, Senior West Coast Fashion & Beauty Editor, Bustle

WFH Experience Level: 7 years

What time do you wake up? What’s the first thing you do upon waking? 

I usually wake up between 6:15 and 6:30 am, depending on how many times I hit the snooze button. It's a habit I'm trying to break, but the first thing I do when I wake up is check my phone. My office's HQ is in New York, so by the time I get up, I've gotten a handful of emails and messages already. 

Can you walk us through your morning routine? How does it set you up for a successful and productive workday? 

I'll have my morning coffee, turn on NPR to listen to the news, and continue checking my emails and, yes, Instagram. I aim to get to the gym by 7:30 am unless I sign up for an earlier Barry’s or SoulCycle class. Checking my emails and my schedule and fitting in a workout in the morning put me in the best mindset for a successful and productive day. If I don't get a workout in, I'll spend the whole day thinking about how I'm going to squeeze it in later. I feel like it's my way of meditating and having "me" time before what's usually always a busy day.  

“When you work from home, it’s easy to just plop onto the couch with your laptop, but I make it a point that the couch and the TV are off-limits during the workday.”

Do you have a dedicated workspace in your home? What helps you stay on task and protect your time from cleaning the house, doing laundry, or running errands while you're WFH? 

I do and I think that's really important! When you work from home, it's easy to just plop onto the couch with your laptop, but I make it a point that the couch and the TV are off-limits during the workday. Making a to-do list and a rough schedule keeps me on task, as well as scheduling in breaks because realistically, I'm going to throw some laundry in or pick up some lunch. But as long as I allot myself a small window of time to do those things, then I don't feel guilty about it — it's just part of my schedule. 

How do you prevent work burnout? How do you stay motivated and productive throughout the day? 

After working from home for 7 years, I still struggle with this. It's really hard to disconnect at the end of the day from work because I work where I live! I really try to make an effort to turn my laptop off and not check my work emails after 6 pm, but I have to say, it's really impossible in the line of work that I'm in. But something I have gotten a lot better at is not working or responding to work emails during the weekend. That has really helped me avoid work burnout. 

How do you wind down and log off at the end of the day? How do you separate your work time from your free time? 

I make sure my laptop is out of sight! I take my dog for a walk, I cook, I have a nice, phone-free dinner with my husband, I call a friend. Separating work time from your free time is really about making a schedule for yourself and sticking to it, including when to stop working. 

Nicole Lesmeister, Writer & Editor

WFH Experience Level: 3 years

What time do you wake up? What’s the first thing you do upon waking? 

I wake up around 6:30 am. During this uncertain global situation, I’ve been trying to let myself wake up naturally and get all the sleep I need, but I go to bed around 10:30/11 pm, so my internal clock still gets me up at that time. The first thing I do is (avoid my phone for 30 minutes to an hour) scrape my tongue and do 5-10 minutes of oil pulling to deep cleanse, Ayurveda-style. Wellness truly begins in the mouth!

Can you walk us through your morning routine? How does it set you up for a successful and productive workday? 

I then have a tall glass of warm water with lemon, because when you dehydrate overnight, your brain actually shrinks by 20%! Gotta lube up the ol’ noggin. I brew a pot of hibiscus tea or make a matcha if I’m feeling groggy and have a little quiet time with a book or just with my thoughts while I sip it, before I do some movement. 

Depending on the day, I might do a HIIT or some yoga. I have a go-to flow, but when I feel like mixing it up, I’ll look up a Yoga With Adriene video on YouTube. She has a ton of really great free videos, and there are always video workouts on ClassPass you can do at home, too! 

Moving in the morning is really crucial to me for feeling energized throughout the day and avoiding a wandering mind as soon as I open my computer. It gets the blood pumping and something about a good sweat first thing just makes me feel strong and powerful. 

I do some vigorous dry brushing afterwards, hop in the shower, and make a simple breakfast– my favorite is soft scrambled eggs with some sautéed greens like dandelion and kimchi. 

“I schedule little breaks, so I try to do a significant amount of work on something before I make an afternoon snack, or go to pilates, take a walk, or run to the grocery store. It’s all scheduled in, so I’m not wandering away from work on a whim.”

Do you have a dedicated workspace in your apartment? What helps you stay on task and protect your time from cleaning the house, doing laundry, or running errands while you're WFH?

I have a desk where I always start work, but after I take a pause for lunch I always find myself rotating to sitting at the higher bar area of my counter. I love the afternoon sun that seat gets; it’s a comfy perch and I feel productive there.

I rely on my daily planner from Oh Deer so much. It’s organized perfectly for me with an objective section, urgent section, list section, notes, and even a little space for doodles (!). I reference my Google calendar to see if I have any calls or meetings scheduled, and make a detailed list here right away, listing them in order from top priority to lowest priority of the day. I do this because I like to make an ambitious list that is still realistic, so if my day doesn’t go as perfectly streamlined as planned (they rarely do, right?) then at least the major objectives are taken care of.  

One thing I make sure to do so that I avoid being distracted by errands and house tasks is to add them to my list if I need to do them. I decide what day I can squeeze them into or what day it makes the most sense, and stick to a day and time that I do them. 

How do you prevent work burnout? How do you stay motivated and productive throughout the day?

I set tiny goals for myself, or little deadlines throughout the day. Like, “Let’s do a chunk of this client until noon, and get it done” (or a ¼ of the way done, depending on the project size and deadline, etc). I also schedule little breaks, so I try to be done with something or do a significant amount of work with something before I make an afternoon snack, or go to pilates, take a walk, or run to the grocery store. It’s all scheduled in, so I’m not wandering away from work on a whim.

I also cut myself off from working too late if I have a day in which I start work early, which is ideally most days.  When you WFH, it’s easy to feel like you work a 15 hour day when you don’t account for or schedule in the typical distractions… but even in an office no one works eight full hours. About five true, solid, productive hours a day is typical for the average human. 

If I have a deadline that day, I might work a little later, but essentially I give myself a cut-off time to make dinner and that lights a fire under my own a$$ to get what I need done at a decent time (5 or 6 pm) so I’m not burning out my retinas with blue light into the evening. No one is producing pure gold after dilly-dallying on their computer all day and into the evening anyway. My clients deserve my best self.

How do you wind down and log off at the end of the day? How do you separate your work time from your free time?

Carving out that cut-off time to prepare a nutritious but thoughtfully tasty meal is my ultimate act of self-care (and love language to my S.O.). It’s meditative, resetting, and gives me unwind time after to rest and digest so I can sleep well and be productive again the next day! Sometimes I’ll start my to-do list for the next day in my planner if I’m feeling juiced about it, but most often I just prep the kitchen for the next morning, set out my tea, fill the kettle. Stuff like that.

Depending on the intensity of the movement I did in the morning, I’ll usually try to take a little walk after dinner or some light stretching or foam rolling. Being a writer requires a lot of sitting, so making sure I move my body in intervals throughout the day keeps me from feeling tight and weighed down by my own poor posture (lol working on it) and gravity.

Because my S.O. and I have our shows we like to watch together for some cuddle time on the couch, I always make sure to read a little before bed in some warm light. Gotta allow the eyeballs some non-screen time so that my circadian clock can recalibrate! About 30-40 minutes is lovely, but sometimes it only takes me 15 to drift off.

Kelly Dawson, Freelance Writer and Editor & Editorial Director, Semihandmade

WFH Experience Level: 2 1/2 years

What time do you wake up? What’s the first thing you do upon waking?  

I wake up around 7:00 am. My alarm is on my phone, which has been a habit I've been meaning to break for a while. But I do keep my phone on the opposite wall, away from my bed, so I have to get up to turn the alarm off. The first thing I do when I wake up is open my blinds, open the window, breathe in the fresh air, and make my bed. Yes, I make my bed every morning, and I do think it helps me start the day on a good note.

Can you walk us through your morning routine? How does it set you up for a successful and productive workday? 

Ideally, my morning routine goes like this: I have breakfast, which is shorthand for I drink a strong cup of coffee with food. I watch a few minutes of CBS This Morning while I eat, change, and then do about a half-hour or so of stretches, weights, or cardio—I alternate the days to make it more fun. After that I get dressed, which is always an interesting topic for people who work from home. I know that it's usually perfectly fine if I wear sweatpants, but for the most part, I pick out an outfit, do my hair, and maybe put on makeup. It's nothing that doesn't take 10 minutes or so. I find that if I don't get dressed, I'm not as focused.

Do you have a dedicated workspace in your home? What helps you stay on task and protect your time from cleaning the house, doing laundry, or running errands while you're WFH? 

I have a desk that I work at every day, and I work between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm, give or take. I think the thing that really helps me stay on task is a day planner. Every night before shutting work down I write a to-do list of all the things I need to accomplish for the next day, and I split it into columns. The left side is for the big stuff I have to do—write a story, do an interview, whatever—and the right side is for all the smaller things to get out of the way, like emails to send. I do the hardest ones on the list first, while the caffeine is still flowing, and then move on to the easier ones. I try to keep the list reasonable so that I don't feel panicked about completing everything. And to be fair to myself, whatever doesn't get done carries on to the next day. The goal is to keep from scrambling on Friday, which thankfully hasn't happened yet. I should say that most of my work-from-home schedule is on a weekly basis, which is why I can play with things a little. 

As for email, I only check it at the start of the day, before lunch, and then right before I close up shop. I usually pretend I don't have a TV after breakfast, and I keep my phone either off or out of sight unless I'm using it for work. If I didn't do this it would be a slippery slope into Bravo and Instagram binges.

I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing to do laundry at home during "work hours" if you can swing it. I sometimes use it as a great gauge of time. For instance, like most people, my inbox is a never-ending black hole of notifications. But, I know that my washer takes about an hour to do a standard load. So that's how much time I give to answering emails before throwing things in the dryer and moving on to actual work. The same thing goes for cleaning and errands. If I'm stuck on something, I clean for a bit, run a fast errand, or go for a quick walk. That helps me think things through without staring blankly at my computer or scrolling some site. I still do that, I'm not a robot, but I try to be very aware of how I spend my time. 

When you're in charge of your own work schedule, you can—and should—be flexible. But that flexibility has to have boundaries so that you don't get distracted. If you're more of a morning person, then get up earlier: It'll mean every afternoon can feel like a weekend. If you're more of a night owl, sleep in: It'll mean you can have slower mornings. But tell yourself that you're working, you're not just hanging out at home, and you need to plan accordingly. Of course, I'm saying all of this without children to worry about, which will obviously add a layer of complication to everything. As far as my universal advice goes, just try to be kind to yourself as you figure it out, and do your best to be intentional. I started my work-from-home life as a morning person, spent some time as a night owl, and now I'm in the middle. There are some days that completely get off track, and that's fine too. You'll get back on track tomorrow. 

“The thing that has really helped me successfully work from home, minus a day planner, is my community of office and freelance friends. I check in with them daily, and we either tackle a work problem together or just send funny things to each other. ”

How do you prevent work burnout? How do you stay motivated and productive throughout the day? 

The thing that has really helped me successfully work from home, minus a day planner, is my community of office and freelance friends. I check in with them daily, and we either tackle a work problem together or just send funny things to each other. That helps me feel like I'm not in a little bubble, even if the messages come in little bubbles. On the good days, I'm motivated and productive because I'm really into the work I'm doing and it's all coming together. On the bad days, I motivate myself with things like, "Ok, if I finish this task then I can have some candy or read the new magazine that came in the mail." There's also something to be said about not checking something off my to-do list. Only I would know, but that's enough of a motivator for my type-A personality. If you need someone to hold you accountable, my community also has "motivation buddies." We pair off, and our buddy knows what we need to accomplish and our ideal timeline. Then we check in with each other on how the project's coming along and what kind of support we need to make it happen. 

Work burnout is a real possibility when instead of an in-the-flesh boss, there's just this omnipresent feeling of a boss. That feeling can give you the idea that you have to answer all the emails and do all the things right this second, because this omnipresent "boss" can feed off the guilt and anxiety you have about being at home. First off, working from home is still working, and it doesn't need to be qualified. Working from home is worthy of respect, and it's how a third of the American workforce made its living before the pandemic. At this moment in time, joining our ranks is keeping everyone safer. If you look at working from home as "less than," then you run the risk of wearing yourself out because you're trying to prove that you're just as productive as someone in an office. And we all know a certain someone in an office who makes that thought untrue. 

When feelings of burnout happen to me, I've learned to just let it happen. I try to do the things I have to do for the day, but the rest, I put on pause. No one is going to get mad at you if you don't respond to their email right away, and when you do, it will still find them well. Shut your computer down, keep your phone off, and lay down for a while. Then, call a friend and tell them how you're feeling. Then, make some nachos. Then, listen to a happy song. Maybe two happy songs, depending on what you need. If it's small-scale burnout, it'll pass. If it's big-time burnout, don't be afraid to seek professional help, if you can.

How do you wind down and log off at the end of the day? How do you separate your work time from your free time?

This is a tough one for me, because if I'm writing and in a groove then I don't want to stop. But the honest answer is: I get hungry. I usually stop working when I need to eat dinner. I make a note of where I wanted to go with whatever thought I was working on, and then sign off. Sometimes I'll write after dinner, usually if I'm on a deadline. But usually once I leave my desk at night the work day is over. Lately I've been trying to separate work and dinner with a cool-down walk in between, so we'll see how that plays out in the coming weeks. 

Another honest truth is that it's tough for me to balance work with free time! I've tried to be better about it since the start of this year, but I fail at it a lot. If there's a quote that's in my head whenever I do fail, it's what Toni Morrison's dad told her when she was struggling at her first job. He said, "Go to work, get your money, come home." Home is where the work is, so it's complicated. But home is where life is, too. And right now, when everything feels uncertain, I'm trying to remember to "come home" to my life mentally and physically. I need the balance probably more than ever.

Kamari Chelsea, Strategic Media Consultant

WFH Experience Level: 1 1/2 years

What time do you wake up? What’s the first thing you do upon waking? 

Typically, I tend to wake up around 7:30 am. If you're working from home with your partner (as I am), it's essential that you try to get on the same page with wake up times to avoid feeling envious or lazy when you see your partner sleeping in.

The first thing I do when I open my eyes (or sometimes even before) is repeat an affirmation of gratitude to myself. When you're self-employed and always hustling to make things happen, mental health is more important than ever. It's critical to start your day being thankful for what you already have so that you aren't overcome with a "lack" mentality (especially during these times).

Can you walk us through your morning routine? How does it set you up for a successful and productive workday? 

8 am: My morning routine firmly begins at 8 am because any later makes me feel like I've missed opportunities. I start the day with a hot shower, skincare routine, and picking out a cozy work-from-home look that is presentable enough for any video conferences I may have scheduled. Then, I make a two-minute commute to my office.

9 am: I created a mediation and yoga corner in my office for when I need breaks, but I also use this corner to do a morning meditation and stretch. I set a timer for 10 minutes or play Jhene Aiko's Trigger Protection Mantra for its sound healing qualities; after this, I typically feel safe and ready for what the day may bring.

9:10 am: I make a quick protein-packed breakfast for myself and my husband (usually eggs and a Vanilla Super Coffee). On Fridays, I used to cheat and drive straight to the Starbucks drive-through. Lately, I've been making my own "Starbucks" moment at home using my favorite plant-based coffee mixes.

9:30 am: I log on and feel ready to take on the day!

Do you have a dedicated workspace in your home? What helps you stay on task and protect your time from cleaning the house, doing laundry, and running errands while you're WFH?

One of the best investments I have made since I began working from home is converting one of the rooms in my house into a dedicated office space! It allows me to feel like I have a place to go every day to work and a place to leave when I need to separate work from my home life. I close the door to my office when I'm done for the day or on weekends, and I get to have my own life, away from the energy of work.

This way, during my business hours, I am unable to see laundry, the kitchen, television, or any other distractions. And, when I'm watching Netflix or unwinding with a glass of wine, I don't have my laptop and work notes beckoning me to come back to work.

Separation is a huge aspect of maintaining your mental health when working from home. Even if you find a corner that's set apart from your personal space (not in your bedroom), it will make all the difference by creating structure.

“When you’re self-employed and always hustling to make things happen, mental health is more important than ever. It’s critical to start your day being thankful for what you already have so that you aren’t overcome with a “lack” mentality (especially during these times).”

How do you prevent work burnout? How do you stay motivated and productive throughout the day?

Admittedly, when I first started my business, I burned out pretty hard. I was continually working because I felt the pressure to be "on" since my life was now intertwined with my work. Then, I had a conversation with my Dad and he gave me great insight. He said, "If you earn $100,000 in business, but work 100 hours a week, you're essentially making less than $20 an hour with no benefits." I realized then that I have to value every hour of my life because time is our most precious commodity. It was then that I realized to start capping my hours on specific projects based on the rates I was charging. If you're a full-time salaried employer, this should be even easier—set a rule to shut the computer by 6 pm at least three days a week. You'll be giving yourself an instant hourly raise!

To stay motivated and productive, I use standard systems, including a whiteboard with my daily to-dos. I break them up and task myself with achieving half before lunch and half after lunch. I'm strict about being on “Do Not Disturb” during peak working periods, and I'm BIG into not checking email constantly. Inbox zero be damned!

How do you wind down and log off at the end of the day? How do you separate your work time from your free time?

I love a glass of wine and a trashy reality show as much as the next girl! But first, as soon as I log off, I try to do something physical like spinning, walking, or lifting. This helps burn all the energy of my workday off my body.

Then (and this is admittedly a bit counterintuitive), I guzzle water, take another shower, and wind down (or shall I say, wine down) with my husband by cooking dinner. We rarely eat out, and cooking is a creative task that allows me to feel like I have moments in my day to look forward to doing whatever I want and being super inventive!

Amanda Montell, Writer & Author of Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language

WFH Experience Level: 8 months

What time do you wake up? What's the first thing you do upon waking? 

Really late. I've become a night owl in this WFH phase of my career (it's like I'm on Hawaii's time zone now) so I find myself working best between the hours of 3 pm and 10 or 11 pm. I don't get to bed till maybe 2 am. I wake up around 10:30 am, peel myself out of bed, brush my teeth, wash my face and hands (!!!), and guzzle a coffee.

Can you walk us through your morning routine? How does it set you up for a successful and productive workday? 

My morning is pretty leisurely. Because my job (writing books) is very solitary with little collaboration and few hard deadlines, I get to set my own pace. As it turns out, that pace requires a lot of warming up. Unless I have to interview a source early in the morning, I start my day with coffee, a small breakfast, hanging out with my dog and two cats, and checking my email/socials. Then, I put on a fresh set of clothes (still loungewear, it's more of a symbol that the day has begun), plug my laptop into my monitor, and review the day's tasks. 

I'm not big into fancy to-do list apps or color-coded schedules—I keep track of everything I need to do for the day in my Google calendar, and I keep my to-do list really streamlined, so I have maybe two or three big work tasks for the day (e.g., write pages 10-13 of the book, pull quotes from the latest interview transcription, call my agent). I never crowd my to-do list, because that feels like I'm setting myself up to fail. My morning routine is all about creating this sense of "I can handle today, today is going to be chill," and approaching it from that relaxed place rather than an anxious one, and usually I wind up being way more productive than I meant to. 

“I never crowd my to-do list, because that feels like I’m setting myself up to fail.”

Do you have a dedicated workspace in your apartment? What helps you stay on task and protect your time from cleaning the house, doing laundry, or running errands while you're WFH?

My porch, my couch, or my dining table, where I have a big monitor that I can easily set up and takedown. I never work from bed. I'm embarrassed to say I'm kind of messy and hopeless around the house, so the urge to procrastinate by doing laundry or dishes is pretty easy to resist, haha. I'm lucky to have my dream job—I'm genuinely obsessed with writing books—so to my great fortune, self-motivating isn't all that hard. Long before I was getting paid to do this work, I was doing it anyway. 

How do you prevent work burnout? How do you stay motivated and productive throughout the day?

I'm very gentle with myself! If I need a break, I take it. Just like I know eating junk food in moderation won't ruin my body because I generally eat pretty healthy, I know that in the end, having "lazy" workdays will get balanced out by having spurts of hyper-productive days. If I have really terrible writer's block, I get up and take a walk or read a few pages of a great book (in the same genre as the one I'm writing, so I don't cross-contaminate) as a palate cleanser. 

When you transition to working from home, there's an awkward period where you're always questioning if you should be getting more done, but after a week or so (sometimes more, sometimes less), you start to find your groove. And of course, it's different for everyone. My old roommate who worked from home was most productive between the hours of 7 am and noon. My partner has all these time management apps he swears by. At a point, you just have to ignore the prevailing wisdom and figure out what works for you.

How do you wind down and log off at the end of the day? How do you separate your work time from your free time?

I normally see friends at the end of the day for happy hour or dinner. Wine typically marks the end of the day for me, haha. But again, I'm fortunate that my work is something I love and would be doing either way, and I actually think that in our current age, strict work-life boundaries aren't necessarily the most realistic or productive for everyone. I'm 28 and have no kids... why should I stop working at 6 pm if I'm on a roll? If I'm motivated to write for an hour at midnight, I let myself. I know my work situation won't be so flexible forever, so for now, I just let myself be sort of loosey-goosey. So far, it's working out well.

Kelsey Clark, Freelance Writer & Content Strategist

WFH Experience Level: 5 months

What time do you wake up? What’s the first thing you do upon waking? 

Despite my best efforts, I am still not a morning person. I usually wake up around 8 or 8:30 am (unless I'm going to a morning workout class) and check my email first thing. Coffee and water are immediate seconds!  

Can you walk us through your morning routine? How does it set you up for a successful and productive workday? 

I've only been freelance for five months now, so I'm still perfecting my morning routine. There's definitely an art to it—it can be incredibly difficult to maintain self-discipline when you're WFH. 

Right now, I wake up, check my email, and drink coffee in bed or on the couch, then either shower or complete some sort of small grooming routine (i.e. wash my face, brush my teeth, brush my hair, etc.) depending on when I'm planning to workout that day. I think it's important to stick to a grooming ritual, even if it's as simple as brushing your teeth and splashing cold water in your face. In my experience, this signals to my body and brain that it's time to wake up.  

From there, I apply my skincare/makeup and get dressed. If I'm staying at my apartment, I usually skip makeup and apply some fancy skincare—I've really enjoyed treating my skin to serums, masks, etc. during the day since I don't have to worry about layering makeup on top. 

As far as my outfit goes, it's honestly leggings and a sweater, which is something I want to work on—I very much believe that what you wear influences your mood! If I'm going to a coffee shop (not right now, obviously), I usually wear very light makeup (i.e. tinted moisturizer, boy brow, mascara) and my standard jeans, ankle boots, and a sweater/T-shirt/turtleneck. I'm based in Detroit now, but most of my work is still based in New York, so in-person meetings are few and far between (i.e. I rarely have to worry about dressing up). 

Routine aside, I aim to be actively working and starting the day's tasks by 9 am with the rest of the world! As much as my night owl self would love to work a 10-7 or 8, I think it's important to be online with everyone else; I feel anxious otherwise. 

“I totally use my phone as a procrastination crutch—it’s incredibly helpful to just have it out of sight, out of mind.”

Do you have a dedicated workspace in your apartment? What helps you stay on task and protect your time from cleaning the house, doing laundry, or running errands while you're WFH? 

Unfortunately, my apartment is too small for a dedicated workspace (I'm moving in a month and can't wait to have a desk!). I do find that I'm more productive if I'm able to head out to a coffee shop, even for just a few hours, but obviously that isn't an option right now. Keeping myself on-task is an ongoing battle, but I have found a few tricks that keep procrastination at bay: 

• I generally leave Netflix/music off, unless I'm doing something more visual like sourcing imagery where I'm not bothered by distracting sound.

• Reward myself with small treats, i.e. when you finish this piece or send all these emails, you can make tea or check Instagram. Small victories! 

• Allot a certain amount of time for each task, i.e. I'll do email outreach until 11 am, then work on this piece from 11 am to 3 pm and the source market from 3 pm to 6 pm, etc. Even if you don't finish each task, it's important to move onto the next or else you can quickly feel overwhelmed/behind. If you stay on task #1 all day, it's easy to feel like your day was a failure. 

• Reserve certain time slots for any errands or small chores you want to do, i.e. at noon I'll take a lunch break and do the dishes. Or when I commute home from this meeting or outing, I'll stop and grab groceries, etc. 

• Honestly, hide your phone. I will literally put it in another room or throw it on the other side of the couch, as crazy as that sounds. I totally use my phone as a procrastination crutch—it's incredibly helpful to just have it out of sight, out of mind.  

• Change your scenery after a while, even if it's just moving from your couch to a chair, or your bed to the couch, or your couch to your friend or significant other's couch. 

How do you prevent work burnout? How do you stay motivated and productive throughout the day?

It's definitely hard to separate work from your personal life when you work for yourself. While I do work the occasional Sunday, I try my best to enjoy my weekends to the fullest and allow myself to take time off and relax just like everyone else. I also have direct control over how much work I take on and which projects to prioritize from a financial perspective, which is really nice. I've had a few months where I was drowning, and the next month, I was able to tweak my schedule a bit to avoid total overwhelm. 

For me, just knowing that everyone else is still working and grinding it out is strangely motivating. I made the choice to go off on my own, and I want to hold myself to the same standards as everyone else in the traditional workforce. It's important to me and my self-esteem to work hard and still feel like an equally productive member of society, even if I'm working from my couch. I want to succeed at my own venture, and I have direct control over that outcome. There's no part of me that decided to go freelance so I could be lazy or sleep in, you know? If anything, the pressure and motivation to succeed are amplified. 

How do you wind down and log off at the end of the day? How do you separate your work time from your free time?

This can be difficult depending on workload, but I think having an after-work activity definitely forces you to log off and signals the end of the workday. For example, my significant other usually comes over after work, so I'm forced to log off and begin my evening wind-down. This can even be as simple as going to a workout class, going to the grocery store, hanging with your roommates, grabbing a drink with a friend, making dinner for yourself, etc. Just some sort of hard stop. These post-work activities also serve as motivation to get your work done throughout the day—i.e. I want to be able to grab drinks with this person, so I'm going to make sure I get all my work done.

Up next: 10 Women Who Have Your Dream Job on How They Fight Burnout, Stay Motivated, and Get Re-Energized for Work

How Putting Your Health and Happiness First Can Improve Your Career

Photo: Smith House Photography

In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) turned their attention to a problem so severe and damaging they called it the “health epidemic of the 21st century.” That epidemic was stress. Fast-forward to 2020, and the WHO has updated its handbook of diseases to include burnout, calling it an "occupational phenomenon" characterized by "feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance from one's job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job.”

We are the first to admit that 80 hour work weeks and side hustles are the new norm. While we certainly aren’t going to be the ones to tell you to stop working your butt off if that is what you want to do, that doesn’t mean we don’t acknowledge that putting your health and happiness above your work is necessary for your general wellness. In fact, when you take care of your personal needs you may find that it benefits your career just as much as your well-being. Scroll on to find out how.

What Stress Does to Your Mind

Stress can cause physical maladies such as headaches, jaw clenching, teeth grinding, muscle spasms, heartburn, and nausea, as well as back, neck and chest pain. Even if you are a super human who doesn’t feel the physical side effects of exhaustion and stress, you might be falling victim to non-physical symptoms such as forgetfulness, disorganization, confusion, trouble learning new information, difficulty in making decisions, nervous habits and overreaction to petty annoyances. To top it all off, according to The American Institute of Stress you may also experience reduced work efficiency or productivity.

Carve Out Some “Me” Time

Everyone's wellness needs are going to be different. Some may not feel their best if they don’t take the time to cook healthy meals. Others may be strongly affected by not being able to spend as much time with their loved ones as they would like. Bookworms may feel more anxious if they can’t spend quiet time reading and escaping their troubles before bed. Think about what is important to you and what makes you feel like your best self, then carve out the time to do it. Seriously, add it to the to-do list and make sure it gets done like any other vital task.

Exercise is a great way to take care of both your physical and mental health at once. Physical activity releases endorphins in the brain and is proven to lower stress levels as well as symptoms associated with mild depression and anxiety. It can also help relax muscles and relieve tension in the body. When you don’t have time to squeeze in a workout, try having a good laugh. Laughing also releases endorphins, which are significantly more powerful than the pain-relieving drug morphine. If relieving stress and pain isn’t enough to convince you, then consider this: endorphins boost immunity which could save you a lot of out of office days come flu season.

It Benefits Your Company, Too

It would financially benefit companies to look out for their employees’ health and happiness, not to mention be the decent thing to do. In fact, workplace stress costs U.S. businesses $300 billion annually. On top of lost productivity, work-related stress causes 120,000 deaths and results in $190 billion in healthcare costs yearly. If employers value the wellness of their employees they should ensure that they are working manageable hours, taking lunch breaks, encourage time off and create a generally positive work environment.

You are entitled to take a breather, play hooky, nap a day away, laugh, cry, whatever it is that will make you feel lighter. Never skip a doctor's appointment for a meeting, leave a few minutes early to make it to that yoga class, go home when you aren’t feeling well, turn off your phone when you are on vacation. If you do this you will be more creative, in control, calm, productive, focused and most importantly happy.

About the Author: Jacqueline DeMarco is a freelance writer with experience in editorial and news writing. 

This story was originally published on September 2, 2017, and has since been updated.

Up next: 10 Women Who Have Your Dream Job on How They Fight Burnout, Stay Motivated, and Get Re-Energized for Work

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The First Four Things You Should Do EVERY Work Day

Photo: Burst for Pexels

If you're working from home and wondering where the week went, don’t worry—we're wondering the same thing. But instead of sitting here thinking about what we haven't yet achieved, we're sharing tips on how to take the next day by the horns. (World domination from there—who’s with us?)

If you're currently lacking in the productivity department, grab some coffee and start making these successful morning habits part of your routine. Ahead, we’re outlining exactly what you need to do to eat the frog, get ahead, and hit all your goals. Feeling pumped? Keep scrolling for more.

1. Eat the frog. 

Mark Twain once said that if the first thing you do in the morning is eat a live frog, you can go through the rest of the day knowing it can’t get any worse. That doesn’t mean you have to go and switch your soy latte for a frog—it simply means you should do your most important assignment first. Studies have shown that you have the most willpower in the morning, so harness your motivation mojo and master your most important task bright and early.

2. Scan for red flags. 

Productivity experts recommend that you not spend your morning reading and answering emails (it can totally derail your good AM intentions). Focus your morning on what you need to get done—not the little things people need from you. Quickly scan your emails to see if there is anything high-priority that will affect your goals for the day, then keep the trains moving. As Julie Morgenstern, author of Never Check Email in the Morning, told HuffPost, “Those requests and those interruptions and those unexpected surprises and those reminders and problems are endless… there is very little that cannot wait a minimum of 59 minutes.” So, if you want to be more productive throughout your day, step away from your inbox in the morning. Seriously.

3. Rally your to-do list. 

Organizing your to-do list might sound like yet another thing to add to the chaos, but doing so is like creating a compass to get you to that golden “closing time” hour. How do you decide which task is “more important” than another? Use time management and productivity expert Laura Vanderkam’s advice and quickly ask yourself five questions: Does it take a step toward a big professional goal? Does your boss say it’s a top priority? Does it make you money? Does it lighten your mental load? Can it only be done today? Once you have your list organized, break down any big tasks into specific actions you’ll take to accomplish them.

4. Check-in with your team. 

It’s small but mighty: Say hello to your colleagues in the morning. Not only will it help you start the day in a good mood, but they’ll be much more likely to help a friendly colleague than a Grumplestiltskin if you need help putting out a fire later that afternoon.

So, there you have it: The four things you should do to accomplish more throughout the workday. Drink coffee, eat a metaphorical frog, and get to work.

About the Author: Elana Lyn Gross is a freelance journalist and founder of the personal and professional development website, Elana Lyn. She has interviewed hundreds of businesswomen for her Career Profile series. Follow her here: @ElanaLynGross on Instagram and @ElanaLyn on Twitter.

This post was published on February 8, 2019, and has since been updated.

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"I Maxed Out All of My Credit Cards and Lived Off Savings"—Now She's Built a $100M Company

You asked for more content around business finances, so we’re delivering. Welcome to Money Matters where we give you an inside look at the pocketbooks of CEOs and entrepreneurs. In this series, you’ll learn what successful women in business spend on office spaces and employee salaries, how they knew it was time to hire someone to manage their finances, and their best advice for talking about money.

“I took a risk and bet on myself. That’s the hardest part. If you don’t bet on yourself, who else ever will?”

—Gail Becker, CEO of CAULIPOWER

Money: like religion and politics, it’s off the table but if there’s one thing we need to talk about more, it’s money, especially as women. Why? Because more women than ever before are starting their own businesses and they’re growing at twice the speed. In fact, a new report found that 42% of all firms are female-owned and women started 1,817 businesses a day in the past year. Despite that, women-owned businesses still struggle to get crucial financing so we need to ditch the taboo and open up a public dialogue to better understand how to raise it, manage it, and grow it. 

Someone who is boycotting that ban is the founder, and CEO of CAULIPOWER, Gail Becker. Since 2017, Becker has built a $100m company and completely disrupted the food industry to become the #1 better-for-you pizza in the U.S. At our recent LA2020 conference, Becker had some no-filter money advice, especially around the topic of raising it. Having taken on two rounds of investment for CAULIPOWER, she knows each entrepreneur must make the right choice for them.  “Just because you can raise more money, doesn’t mean that you should” she told the audience. “It’s not a symbol of how successful you are… or will be.”

Becker also decided against a friends and family round for her startup. “It made me nervous to play with my friends’ and family’s money,” she explained. “I waited as long as I could before seeking outside funding. I used all of my own money initially and maxed out all my credit cards.” There are different ways to fund your business and, ultimately,  it needs to come down to what you feel most comfortable with and what your business needs are,” she explained. “I took a risk and bet on myself,“ she said. “That’s the hardest part. If you don’t bet on yourself, who else ever will?”

So, we tapped the powerhouse founder and CEO to share more of her money lessons, mistakes she’s made, and advice for small business owners. Read on and grab a pen, you’ll want to write these down.

On bootstrapping the company in the beginning…

When I first started CAULIPOWER, my goal actually wasn’t to make money. My dad, who was an entrepreneur and a Holocaust survivor, had recently passed away, and it made me recognize the fragility of life.  I had been working my way up the proverbial ladder of corporate America, and then decided that I really didn’t like the view.  I wanted to do something more meaningful with my life and I realized that I needed to make a change. That, along with my frustration in what I was seeing in the freezer aisle, created an ‘aha' moment that inspired me to launch CAULIPOWER.

My dad had left me with a small amount of money, and I knew the best way to honor his memory was to follow in his entrepreneurial footsteps.  I knew how hard my father worked for every dollar he made, so I spent each one cautiously. I also put in a fair amount of my own money and lived off my savings. On a personal note, it was an interesting transition for me. I was coming from a comfortable job in corporate America with a comfortable salary, and I was used to a certain lifestyle.

When I started CAULIPOWER, I said goodbye to that life and paid attention to every dollar that I was spending, both personally and for the company. I downgraded my lifestyle significantly, saying goodbye to any shopping (outside of the grocery store) and vacations, and even sold most of my former wardrobe such as purses and shoes online. Even that wasn’t enough to sustain the launch of CAULIPOWER, so I maxed out all of my credit cards and tapped into more of my savings.

While this was the right decision for me, everyone has to choose the route that makes sense for them. For me, this was the only way I could bring my vision to life. I was nervous to take money from friends or family, but that doesn’t mean that’s the wrong choice for others. In hindsight, I have several friends and family who now wish I would have asked. At the time, I just followed my gut and made a choice about how I could make things work without negatively impacting others.

On raising money twice since then…

I raised money for a few reasons. First, the frozen food industry is an extremely cash-intensive business. You have to make the product before you can sell it, and there’s a pretty quick need for money given cash flow. When it comes to raising money, timing is incredibly important. I learned quickly that you should try and build the business as much as possible before you raise money. Why? The smaller your business is, the more of the company you will have to give away when you raise money in exchange for equity. Ideally, it’s best to try and hold off until you’ve made some actual sales.

Having said that, one of the worst things you can do is starve a business from cash. Cash is like fuel. We need it to make our products, to pay for promotions, to hire staff, and to market the brand. The timing of it all is a delicate balance between raising too much money, forcing you to give away more of the company when it is of the least value and starving the business, stunting its growth and first-to-market advantage.

“Just because you can raise more money, doesn’t mean that you should. It’s not a symbol of how successful you are or will be.”

On the most surprising part of the venture capital process…

I was surprised at how personal the process became. It would be easy for someone to interpret reactions as a reflection of the quality of one’s idea. If a VC didn’t want to invest in CAULIPOWER or wanted to wait for more data, I questioned myself. What did that say about my idea? The reverse was also true. When you find a partner that believes in you and is prepared to invest money into your business,  it can be an incredible confidence boost. It’s a moment when you finally think, maybe this idea is not so crazy after all?!

One of the biggest mistakes that some people make during the fundraising process, is the instinctual desire to take money from the first person that offers it. You should always try to take ‘“smart” money—money from people who know more about the industry, category, and process of building a company than you do. What’s most important is to take money from people who will work hard for you and your idea.

Another part of the fundraising process that surprised me was how similar it was to, well, dating?! Remember, they’re not just interviewing you; you’re interviewing them too! You have to ask yourself ‘who do you want to be in the trenches with you for the long-term? Who will be there for you when the times and decisions get tough—because they will! Who shares your vision?

On the most common mistakes people make when raising money…

Raising too much. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. The ability to raise large amounts is not an indicator of the success of your business, rather it’s an indicator that a lot of people will be counting on you and you better deliver.  It’s important to raise what you need, which should be enough to hold you over for a while, but not forever. From there, you can build the company to something bigger, then raise more money when it becomes more valuable. My first round of funding was $2M.  

“One of the worst things you can do is starve a business from cash—cash is like fuel. ”

On the three crucial elements, every pitch deck should include…

First, you need to show the potential of the company or the white space. Why is this the right business at this time? What hole are you filling that currently doesn’t exist? Another crucial element is the data. You should try and show as much data as you can, even if you have to buy some of it. Show the real performance of your product if it's currently in stores, or use other competitive data to give a sense of how it might do. If it’s not already in the market, you need to prove why you believe it would do well, and this is best accomplished by definitive proof points. Show them that you have done your homework and that you don’t expect anyone to just take your word for it.

Finally, you need to show your passion. Most investors are not just investing in the business; they’re investing in YOU, the entrepreneur. If you're not passionate—and confident—about your own idea, then it really doesn't matter how good of a business plan you have.

On how much she paid herself in the beginning…

I didn't pay myself in the beginning. I lived off of my savings from about May 2016 to September 2017. Once I got VC funding, they made me take a salary and I’ve had the same one ever since. For comparison purposes, it is less than 1/5th of what I used to make when I worked in the corporate world… but I couldn't be happier.

On her first hire…

My first hire was someone who helped me fill out the deluge of paperwork I was facing from the retailers, brokers, and distributors. I realized all the time I was spending with paperwork was a huge opportunity cost and that my time would be better spent in other areas of the business. 

On the first big expense as a business owner…

The first order I placed to make the first product.

On when she hired an accountant…

One of the best things about the economy we live in is that you can hire contractors to help you with just about anything. Thanks to some referrals, Google, and some other people I had met in the industry, I came across an agency that performed CFO duties for-hire for small companies. As soon as I got my first order, I knew I had to hire them. 

I strongly believe that the most important thing to know as a first-time entrepreneur is to know what you don’t know and then hire around it. Many entrepreneurs mistakenly believe that they somehow need to know all aspects of their business. Nothing could be further from the truth. Know what you know and then hire experts to fill in the gaps.

“Know what you know and then hire experts to fill in the gaps. ”

On the most important area for business owners to focus their financial energy…

Put it into making the best product or service you possibly can. At the end of the day, you can have everything else figured out, but if you don’t have a product that people want, nothing else matters.  

On why women should talk about money and business more…

When I was in my first marriage and at my old job, I’m embarrassed to admit that there was a lot I didn’t know about my own finances. I wasn’t financially illiterate, but I never made it a priority to become informed. When I got divorced, the need to become financially literate hit me in the face. I remember thinking, “I will never do that again.”

On having a financial mentor…

I did have some incredible people in the industry (and outside of it) that I looked up to, asked lots of questions of and with whom I’ve stayed connected. I never really had a financial mentor, but then again that wasn’t the primary reason why I started CAULIPOWER. My initial goal wasn’t to make lots of money; it was simply to help people have access to better options. If that’s why you start your business though, then that’s fantastic and finding a financial mentor might be the right choice for you. Now that I am running a business and am responsible for other people, the financial decisions I take on have tremendous importance.

On the money mistakes she’s made and learned from along the way…

I think it all depends on whether you’re new to your industry or if you have a background in it. If I had any sort of experience in the frozen food space prior to launching CAULIPOWER, I probably could have made some different decisions. Since that wasn’t the case, I placed a lot of trust in other people. I trusted that they knew more than I did and there’s a fair amount of trust that I probably placed blindly. In some cases, that ended up having a high price tag associated with it.

“If you’re not passionate—and confident—about your own idea, then it really doesn’t matter how good of a business plan you have. ”

On her best money advice for new entrepreneurs…

You don’t have to know all of the answers. You just have to know enough to hire the people who do. Just because you may not be a financial wizard, it doesn’t mean you shouldn't go into business. Just surround yourself with the right people who can teach you…and ask lots of questions. Daily.

I don’t equate money and happiness. The experience of launching and building CAULIPOWER showed me that one of the reasons I was so hesitant to leave my stable career is that I thought I had a great life. There was this inherent fear that if I lost all of those trappings that I had grown accustomed to, I wouldn’t be happy.

Today people who know me often hear me say “half as rich, but twice as happy” and no sentiment could be truer.  Now, I realize that those things didn’t matter at all and the chance to build CAULIPOWER, take a bet on myself and help other people along the way has been the greatest professional joy of my life. I hope these words help to realize the same in you.

To learn more about CAULIPOWER and try their delicious pizzas, visit eatcaulipower.com.

Meet the Co-Founders Disrupting the $532-Billion Beauty Industry With a High-Performance Plant-Based Skincare Brand

We know how daunting it can be to start a new business, especially if you’re disrupting an industry or creating an entirely new one. When there is no path to follow, the biggest question is, where do I start? There is so much to do, but before you get ahead of yourself, let’s start at the beginning. To kick-start the process and ease some of those first-time founder nerves, we’re asking successful entrepreneurs to share their stories in our series, From Scratch. But this isn’t your typical day-in-the-life profile. We’re getting into the nitty-gritty details—from writing a business plan (or not) to sourcing manufacturers and how much they pay themselves—we’re not holding back.

Valued at $532 billion and counting, the beauty industry is on an upward trajectory that doesn’t appear to be letting up anytime soon. Despite the break-neck speed that’s driving the market forward, there’s one skincare brand that’s doing things differently—Furtuna Skin.

Built on a platform of radical transparency, Furtuna Skin is disrupting the industry by creating high-performance, plant-based products that are made with sustainably sourced ingredients—and their approach is paying off. The brand has already developed a cult-like following, including celebrity estheticians like Gina Marie and Shani Darden, to name-drop just a few high-profile Furtuna Skin devotees.

Ahead, Furtuna Skin’s co-founders, Agatha Relota Luczo and Kim Walls, break down how they built a high-performance, plant-based skincare brand from scratch, including why they didn’t write a business plan and what made them decide to go the self-funded route.

CREATE & CULTIVATE: Take us back to the beginning. How did you both meet and what was the lightbulb moment for Furtuna Skin?

AGATHA RELOTA LUCZO: We met first while working on creating organic, natural topical health remedies for our children (which is now our Bambini Furtuna brand). The more time we spent together, the more ideas we had for unique and powerful skincare products for adults. The plants on my family farm in Sicily were so powerful, so potent, that it became abundantly clear to us pretty immediately that we could create something special with these plants. Something groundbreaking that could redefine the very meaning of “clean beauty” by combining ancient wisdom with modern science using high potency organic plants to give beauty lovers high-performance results that they deserve from clean products—something we both struggled to find.

We’re both fiercely driven women who are passionately committed to achieving the best outcomes. We had unique areas of expertise that allowed each of us to bring something to the table that the other couldn’t. And we liked each other. A lot. There wasn’t much of a conversation about whether or not we were going to create Furtuna Skin. It happened because it couldn't not happen. In a way, Furtuna Skin willed itself to live through us. The brand took us both by the heart and that was that. We were off.  

C&C: Did you write a business plan?

KIM WALLS: We had an aligned five-year vision for the brand within a few weeks of deciding we were doing it. With that, we created a product roadmap and began investigating the time and costs that would be associated with bringing those products to life. Our approach was the very definition of a product-driven company. From there, we created a financial model based on our strategy and assumptions. We still use that model today… updating it as we learn. We didn't write a traditional business plan but we agreed on targets to hit and milestones to measure our performance. The bottom line for us has always been that we wanted to create products that would be truly transformational.

C&C: How did you come up with the name Furtuna Skin?

AGATHA RELOTA LUCZO: It was important to us to keep the name “Furtuna” as part of our estate’s name where we forage our ingredients. My husband’s grandparents lived on the farm in Sicily before they moved to the United States. They used to say “Bona Furtuna!” to him with great love and excitement when they would say goodbye to each other. Bona Furtuna means “good luck or good fortune” in Sicilian. His Nona Rose was the inspiration for the farm’s name—La Furtuna Estate. The word “Fortune” is “Fortuna” in Italian, but in Sicilia, it is Furtuna. Our name honors our family, the powerful medicinal heritage of the land, and the great people who are there now and who came before us.

C&C: What were the immediate things you had to take care of to set up the business?

KIM WALLS: All of the standard business pieces like domain, trademarks, social channels. We did all of those things but we didn’t let the logistics distract us from the more complex and challenging work of creating transformational products. We’ve seen too many people get caught up in the logistical details of it all and forget to think big. They shoot themselves in the foot by spending too much time on things that don’t matter unless you actually have a business. That said, intellectual property is important. We invested in locking down our trademarks in all critical markets because we knew that we wanted to create the opportunity for people around the world to experience the seemingly magical power of wildly potent ingredients.

C&C: What research did you do for the brand beforehand?

KIM WALLS: When it came to the plants and the performance of those plants to deliver unparalleled skincare results, we went all-in on research from day one. We knew that what we were setting out to do was incredibly complex, hadn’t been done before in the industry, and that there would be a great many challenges to overcome in the process. We surround ourselves with experts—like Mimmo who is the PhD botanist and biologist on the farm—to help answer the many questions we needed to answer, and to help figure out what additional questions we should be asking. We worked with pharmaceutical experts, ultrasound equipment experts, biochemists, nutritionists, and clinicians with extensive knowledge and niche expertise in a great many areas of science. 

We spent almost all of our time in the early days researching and thinking about the details that would bring our full vision to life. We began with plants growing from the earth to transform them into skincare ingredients, which we then turned into skincare formulas… while also working on the fonts, textures, colors, coatings, materials, brand stories, and overall feel of Furtuna Skin. There was an enormous amount of research. We would each do big bursts of work in our respective areas of expertise and then come back together to share and refine our concepts by truly listening to each other’s thoughts,  perspectives, and feedback… and then do it again. And again. And again. 

We relied on Slack, Dropbox and Google Drive for a long time, and then moved onto programs that would allow for more complicated data associations like the Gantt charts in Asana and the cross-indexing of data and imagery that you can create in programs like Swivvel and Airtable. When you’re starting out though, there’s nothing better than a good old fashioned phone call to work through it all together.

“We approach our partnership like a marriage. Fundamentally, we care about each other and respect each other. When you and your partner want the same BIG things, then the little things don’t matter as much.”

— Agatha Relota Luczo, Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Furtuna Skin

C&C: How did you find the manufacturer/production facility that you use What advice do you have for other founders looking for a trustworthy manufacturer?

KIM WALLS: It is an absolutely monumental task to find the right labs, fillers, testers, designers, teammates, partners, agencies, sources of materials, and more, then to conduct them in alignment so they work together like an experienced orchestra. The difficulty of this process cannot be underestimated. There is no right answer to “who’s right for everyone.” The trick is to truly understand your needs, and then find partners who are excited to fulfill those needs. 

In our case, we needed partners who had world-class track records in creating innovative skincare formulas using new organic ingredients and new processes. We needed people who had the right kind of experience—from pharmaceutical to nutraceutical—who were such deeply entrenched experts that they were comfortable in the space of experimentation and who were willing to dedicate countless hours to bringing together myriad unknowns to create finished skincare products that hit new levels in clean beauty and that would deliver on the results that they promised, from brightening the skin all over to instantly lifting and plumping fine lines around the lip and eye area.

C&C: Did you self-fund the company? Did you do a friends and family round? Or did you raise seed money or initial investment money?

AGATHA RELOTA LUCZO: We’re self-funded. We’ve both been involved in VC-, PE-, and F&F-backed businesses in the past, but we wanted to get Furtuna Skin off the ground ourselves because we wanted to ensure that we would have the time and space needed to develop the highest quality, most effective skincare ingredients from our organic estate in Sicily. For many years, we were working with a complex matrix of unknowns that, because we weren't being pushed for time in the early days, have now resulted in groundbreaking products that we are proud and honored to see empowering our clientele with a deep sense of transformational beauty.

C&C: How much did you pay yourself, and how did you know what to pay yourself?

KIM WALLS: Every situation is different, and there’s no one right way to go about determining when and how much to pay yourself. BUT, you must pay yourself. Even if the number is small, the mental effect is huge. For most people, it is a psychological fact that if they aren’t being paid with at least some cash, they will not give their greatest effort despite best intentions.

La Furtuna Estate in Sicily

C&C: How big is your team now, and what has the hiring process been like? Did you have any hiring experience? What advice can you share?

KIM WALLS: Not including us, our current team is nine people. We both have hiring experience from previous work. We created an organizational chart and have stayed pretty true to that chart so far. Putting in the time upfront to understand which skillsets we needed to find to create and market groundbreaking products helped us think through the roles we need to bring our dream to life. For any given position, we collaborate with internal team members to develop a job description and then begin the search. It is very important to us that we hire to a role, but we do also shape and reshape roles around the people we hire. In the early days, growing a team is like building a jigsaw puzzle, you might not know where one piece fits until another is in place. We want our people to be set up for success, and sometimes that means being flexible about the role each person plays in the company. When starting our company, it was critically important for us to hire people who thrive in a fast-paced environment where things can change quickly, and any team member might need to wear multiple hats. Because we outline the job descriptions and start with an understanding of how people will fit into our world both in the immediate term and the long term, we hire with the future in mind. Equally important to our peoples’ skill sets, we hire for energy. If the “vibe” isn’t there, then we keep searching regardless of the list of accomplishments a person may bring to the table.

We recently learned that the ideal number of people to interview any candidate is four. Data supports that if four team members think someone is a good fit for the role, then the candidate is more likely to be successful in that role. Once we had four people in the company, we started following that rule of thumb. The last bit of advice here is that you probably don’t need to bother checking the references that a candidate provides to you unless it is an extremely junior hire. Leverage your network of friends or even strangers to talk with people that have worked with your candidate before. That’s how you can learn the most about your candidate, and whether or not that person's particular quirks are going to be complimentary with your team… or not.

C&C: As co-founders, how have you developed a good working relationship? What tips can you give to other business partners trying to make it work?

AGATHA RELOTA LUCZO: We approach our partnership like a marriage. We’ve both been happily married for a long time, so we have practice doing this. Fundamentally, we care about each other and respect each other. We let each lead in the areas we’ve entrusted to each other. (I lead the creative function, and Kim leads the executive function.) Our partnership is part of what makes the work feel good and the journey worth taking. Tips for others would be to say the hard things. Be honest with yourself and your partner. Be willing to give in and to see when you are wrong. Make the big decisions together by taking time upfront to thoroughly talk through your perspectives. If your roles are clearly defined in the beginning and you butt heads about something, then if it isn’t your lead role, give in. Let it go, and do it because you remember that you entrusted this person with the responsibility to lead where they are leading and that you share a common vision and goal. When you and your partner want the same BIG things, then the little things don’t matter as much.

“In the early days, growing a team is like building a jigsaw puzzle, you might not know where one piece fits until another is in place.”

— Kim Walls, Co-Founder & CEO, Furtuna Skin

C&C: Did you hire an accountant? Who helped you with the financial decisions and set up?

KIM WALLS: Oh yes. Business is business. We had a freelance bookkeeper and accountant very shortly after we started spending money. As is true with most things in life, we knew that if our foundation wasn’t strong, we wouldn’t be able to focus our attention on what matters most to us—creating beautifully clean and effective, high-performance skincare that brings a deep sense of transformational beauty into the lives of our clientele.

C&C: What has been the biggest learning curve during the process of establishing a business?

KIM WALLS: It is SO hard to wait sometimes. Most skincare products take anywhere from six months to a year to create and get to market. In our case, we start with people on the land who are wild foraging many of our ingredients. The extra time it takes to forage and then turn those plants into skincare ingredients, then test them for quality, purity, and effectiveness before we can even begin to use them to make skincare products can feel like forever by comparison to how most products are made in our industry. After we had our first finished formula, we were so excited to share it with people that we rushed to order some components (caps for our bottles) that we didn’t truly love. In the end, we scrapped those and made our own custom caps that we do truly love. In that haste, we created a lot of complexity for ourselves that we probably shouldn’t have. The old saying, “patience is a virtue,” is one that we need to remind ourselves of constantly.

C&C: How did you get retailers to start stocking your product? Were you told “no?” What advice can you share?

AGATHA RELOTA LUCZO: We launched on our own site and with our friend and partner Shani Darden, an esthetician who we respect immensely for her extensive knowledge, integrity, and the results she brings to her clientele. Retailers are calling us now, so you’ll start seeing us more and more in 2020.

When it comes to choosing retail partners, it is all about fit and sell-through. Sometimes it takes a long time to make retail happen, but if the fit is there, the product is great and you can drive customers to their stores to buy your products, then magic can happen. Most fundamentally, most retailers care about two things: a) will you drive traffic into their store, and b) will enough of the customers they already have want your products to make it worth their shelf space. Most retailers have metrics that they adhere to—like $10K per week in sales of any brand, for example. Find out what their metrics are and prove that they will sell enough of your product for them to exceed their metrics. With that, you’ll probably get the chance to partner with the retailers you want.

C&C: Do you have a business coach or mentor? How has this person helped? Would you recommend one?

AGATHA RELOTA LUCZO: We are unbelievably lucky to have one of the most successful businessman in history (literally) on our board, so when he talks we listen. We always seek outside advice to check our big assumptions. Mentors have been pivotal to the success that each of us have experienced in our lives. Most of the time, it isn’t a planned relationship. People who love to mentor get as much out of that relationship as the mentee because they love to teach and share their knowledge. If you want a great mentor, be someone who is worth mentoring. Come with great questions, show progress, listen, and act accordingly, tell your mentor how you have benefitted through their advice by sharing specific progress with them. They will probably get as much joy from your success as you do. Sharing progress that is partially attributable to your mentor will remind them of the value they are getting out of the relationship and make them want to give you more.

C&C: How did you promote your company? How did you get people to know who you are and create buzz?

KIM WALLS: We both knew a lot about marketing when we started, but marketing changes at light speed. It is important to both of us to stay relevant in our knowledge and to bring rockstars onto our team who focus exclusively on the most current forms of marketing at any given time. For example, we partnered with Shadow PR, an outstanding agency, and have leaned on their expertise and relationships. We also have relationships of our own from working in the beauty industry for decades. We work with celebrity estheticians like Gina Marie and Shani Darden, who have been incredible. They use our products in their facials on their amazing clients, and we’re also lucky to have the support of VIP friends like Jamie Greenberg and Lauren Roxburgh who share their love for the benefits of our products with their clientele too. 

On the question of marketing spend as a percent of revenue, the rule of thumb in our industry is to spend about 15% of revenue on marketing to scale. These days, the average percentage is increasing. In the early days, the vast majority of cash in a consumer brand is spent on marketing because you probably don’t have much (or any) revenue to speak of, so your spend probably can’t be considered as a  percent of revenue. The best advice we could give is to create reasonable goals for your business and then figure out what it is going to take to hit those goals and how much it will cost to do the things you think you need to do to hit the goals. Measure. Repeat. Measure. Repeat.

“If you want a great mentor, be someone who is worth mentoring. Come with great questions, show progress, listen, and act accordingly, tell your mentor how you have benefitted through their advice by sharing specific progress with them.”

— Agatha Relota Luczo, Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Furtuna Skin

C&C: What is one thing you didn’t do in the setup process, that ended up being crucial to the business and would advise others to do asap?

KIM WALLS: We have started other businesses in the past, and we learned a lot of things the hard way, so we were in a more informed position this time around. We've made fewer mistakes, thankfully! From experience in our prior lives, we’d share that you must get comfortable with the basics of finance, at the very least, or you will definitely hurt yourself. Too many entrepreneurs underestimate the importance of nailing these essentials. If you don’t already, then learn to truly understand your balance sheet, P&L statement, and cash flow…. and maybe, more importantly, learn to understand the business drivers that most influence the outcomes represented by those basic documents for your endeavor.

C&C: For those who haven’t started a business (or are about to) what advice do you have? 

KIM WALLS: Don’t get decision paralysis, and recognize that progress takes lots of different forms. There’s no one right way to accomplish what you want to accomplish. Recognize that it might be insanely hard to do what you want to do and accept the challenge in full light. When you get stuck (which you will) move forward no matter what. Look hard in the mirror when you make a mistake and set up a specific process so you don’t make the same mistake twice.

C&C: Anything else to add?

AGATHA RELOTA LUCZO: Yes! We need more and more women out there living up to their full potential and exceeding their self-imposed personal limits. Go hard at your dream, and keep going. When one dream doesn’t pan out, pick a new one. Enjoy your feeling of purpose and drive hard.

Our friends at Furtuna Skin were nice enough to share a giveaway with Create & Cultivate readers!

One lucky reader will receive a year’s supply of Furtuna Skin products. Simply fill out the form below to enter to win. *U.S. residents only.* The winner will be chosen randomly and contacted via email. Good luck!

Giveaway now closed, thank you for entering! We will email the winners directly.

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3 Things That Are Holding You Back at Work

Photo: Bru Santos for Pexels

Most of us spend half of our waking hours at work, five days a week—sometimes more! According to a recent study, the average full-time employee works 47 hours a week (yes, that’s 7 hours more than the standard 40). It’s no wonder so many of us name work as the most stressful aspect of our lives.

The good news is that with a few tweaks to your environment and brain, you can increase your productivity, decrease your stress, and advance faster than you’d expect. Based on cognitive science from a feminist POV, here are the top three ways you’re holding yourself back at work—and three solutions to start implementing today.

1. You’re underselling yourself—to your colleagues and yourself.

Imposter syndrome is no joke (even Martha Stewart isn’t immune to it). It’s also not an accident.

Women are socialized to constantly doubt themselves, underestimate their abilities, and believe that others are more qualified and talented than they are. Studies show that when women are primed with stereotypes about their abilities, they perform more poorly on cognitive and skill-based tests.

The insidious thing about this socialization is that it gets absorbed into your brain and then floats up into your consciousness as if it’s your own thoughts. So you don’t think, “Women aren’t good at project management, so I must be bad at my job.” Instead you think things like, “I’m not as organized as I should be and don’t think I’m doing a good job.” You think that because the thought came into your brain, it must be true.

Once you have that belief, your brain is constantly looking for evidence to justify it—which means you don’t show up as a confident badass who’s happy to take credit for her work, promote herself, and volunteer for new responsibilities. If you’re not going to kick ass at work, what’s the point of spending all your time there?!

The cure for imposter syndrome is to learn how to notice, evaluate, and change your negative thoughts about yourself.

2. You aren’t using your calendar correctly.

What’s on your calendar? Personal appointments, holidays, birthdays? Some of you are feeling advanced because you have work deadlines on there, too, and think that’s what I’m going to recommend.

NOPE.

Here’s how you should be using your calendar: schedule out every bit of work you have to do, from now until forever.

Did you just pass out? It’s OK, get the smelling salts. I’ll wait.

Here’s what I’ve discovered from coaching hundreds of high-powered women of all professions: 99.9% of us have no idea how we spend our time.

Knowing how much time you have and what you’re using it on is crucial for two reasons:

First, it helps your brain relax. When you just have a long to-do list and some deadlines on your calendar, what your brain thinks is, “I have a lot to do, and I don’t know when I’m going to do it.” That thought is stressful. So your brain keeps thinking that over and over and never gets an answer.

Second, it’s miraculously the cure for both doing too little and trying to do too much. When you block out the time you’re going to spend on every element of your work, you’ll quickly learn when you’re wasting time on social media, gossiping, or napping under your desk. You’ll also learn when you’re setting unrealistic deadlines and goals. Calendaring is where the delusions of perfectionism and the “I’m too busy” lie run into a concrete picture of reality. Want more info? I have a podcast about my organizational system you can find here.

3. You think multitasking is a thing. (Alternative: your phone is running your life.)

Do you take pride in being a great multitasker? Here’s the truth: You’re taking pride in not really ever getting anything done. Multitasking is a myth. It’s your brain’s way of distracting itself on the regular. Studies show “multitasking” makes your short-term memory worse, makes you less productive, and causes more mistakes. Imagine you’re trying to find a path through a forest, but you kept blacking out every three minutes and coming back into consciousness three minutes later. Do you think you’d get through that forest as quickly as if you were conscious and working on getting out the whole time?

The number one multitasking enabler right now is electronic notifications. Imagine trying to get something done while a toddler pokes you every 45 seconds yelling, “PAY ATTENTION TO ME.” That’s what’s happening when you have your email, Slack, text messages, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat all pinging away at you on your computer and phone all the time. It’s impossible to focus when you’re giving yourself constant stimulation and reasons to look at a different part of your device.

The solution is simple to explain but challenging to do: TURN THAT SH*T OFF. Remember in #2 when we decided to schedule out work? That should include scheduling time for Slack, email, and social media. Even if you work in a fast-paced comms-driven environment, you truly can go 15 minutes without checking your devices. Start there. Close out every notification on your computer, mute your phone, and work on one thing at a time for 15 minutes. Then check all your notifications for 15 minutes, then back to working on one thing. Slowly increase the periods you’re able to focus working, and decrease the frequency of notification checking until you’re actually making progress on your real work. Don’t believe your brain when it tells you it’s part of your job to check your email every 30 seconds. Your brain is a dopamine addict, and notifications are its drug of choice. Like any addiction, it’s uncomfortable to go through withdrawal, but you’ll be amazed at how much your life improves on the other side!

This story was originally published on April 6, 2019, and has since been updated.

About the author: Kara Loewentheil is a Certified Master Coach, speaker, and author who left a career defending women’s rights in the courtroom to empower women where it all starts: In their own minds. Using cognitive science and a feminist perspective, she teaches women how to literally rewire their brains to get patriarchy out and self-confidence in. Her podcast, UnF*ck Your Brain, has been downloaded 3 million times and teaches concrete brain-change strategies to women all over the world.

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6 Questions You Should Ask When Your Dream Job Turns Into a Total Nightmare

Photo: Smith House Photo

You worked hard to get this job. You scored a meeting, nailed the interview, and landed yourself in a seat you've been dreaming about since graduation. But then something horrible happened: you realized that the inner workings of the company didn't line up with your expectations. Or you've encountered a workplace foe. Or maybe you and your boss, not matter how well you initially hit it off, are forever at odds. 

The problem with dream jobs turning sour is that we tend to hold on to them because of how sought-after the positions are. But surely you've heard the saying one man's trash is another's treasure. This job might be the bees knees for someone else and the wrong hive for you. However, before you bounce, ask and answer these six questions honestly. 

Are Your Expectations Too High?

The small prob with "dream" anything, is that there's always an underside. The dream hangover, if you will. No job is perfect, and if the expectation was that it would be, you need to check your battery and your priorities. 

No job is brunch and selfies and fashion! all the time, and if you were expecting a front-row seat to fun and fancy-freebies, remember that late nights, tough moments, doing it wrong and getting called out for it, are all part of the dream. 

Are You Part of the Problem?

This is hard for most people to answer, because it's impossible to see the tornado's destruction when you're swirling around inside of it. But if you and a co-worker are really butting heads and leaving a trail, paper or otherwise, of destruction in your wake, there's a good chance it's not only on her. Sit yourself down and give yourself a proper pep talk about relationships in the workplace, and your hand in the issue. 

If you are truly attempting to make an impossible situation work, and it's really not panning out (and driving you to tears on the way home) it might be time to walk away. 

Were You Hand Held at Your Past Job?

Maybe you've been thrown in with the sharks and you weren't ready for it. Dream jobs are typically highly competitive, hard knock environments, and you need to be able to hold your own—not someone else's hand.

This has a bit to do with expectation as well. If your former employers weren't as "tough," because they gave you outs, or let you go home early, or didn't expect more, it's time to try harder.

In short, you need to kill it, and kill it every day. If you are unhappy because you're in over your head, swim UP. No matter how strong the current, you can be stronger, and that just might shift your nightmare back into a dream. 

It's foolish to think the "dream" will be simple. 

Do You Feel Undervalued? Maybe You Are. But Have You Done Anything About It? 

Are you feeling frustrated because you ARE KILLING IT, and no one's noticing? First, realize that to make a company run well and effectively, everyone is going above and beyond; you're not the only one. You are supposed to be doing everything. (Or everything you can to be the best at your job.) If you're expecting heaps of praise, re-read question #1. 

But if you're truly feeling undervalued and as a result are considering bouncing, ask for a meeting with your supervisor and express your frustrations. If you're bottling everything up, you may end up blowing what really is a dream. Have the convo before you opt out of a great opportunity. 

Are You Just Being Sensitive? 

Controversial word, sensitive. It implies that you're too emotional, and emotional in the workplace is usually directed at women. So how does one determine whether if they need a thicker skin, or it really is the job? One, no job should come at the expense of your health or well-being. 

However, if you're crying at work, before you give up, run what you're feeling by someone else who can be objective (i.e. don't take this to your boss). Ask your business bestie's (if you don't have one, find one) advice, and actually listen to their input. If they say you're overreacting, take their word for it and give your dream job another shot. 

Like any relationship, a healthy work relationship won't be perfect all the time. 

Are You Unable to Read Your Boss' Mind? 

BIG problem. As an employee you should be a psychic and ten steps ahead of your boss all the time. JK BABES. But part of being a good employee, and therefore a happy one, is anticipating what your boss wants. If you aren't great at doing so, find out how to get on your boss' good side.

This post was published on March 8, 2019, and has since been updated.

PAIGE Celebrates the Women Who Are Walking It Forward With Intimate L.A. Dinner—See the Photos!

No matter how many times you hear it, “step into your power” can be an intimidating phrase to initiate on your own. Summoning the courage to boldly leap into the unknown isn’t a simple task, even for the most confident person. So, what does it take to make that first step?

Visibility is so important. There is so much power in seeing someone you identify with, pave the way before you. That’s why we joined forces with PAIGE to launch the Walk It Forward initiative which shines a light on the modern disruptors—Chrissy Rutherford, Poppy Jamie, Dani Austin, Angela Fink, and Gracy Mahary—who are paying it forward with an outstretched hand behind them, beckoning us to walk this way, too.

To celebrate our fearless five, we held an intimate dinner in Los Angeles for International Women’s Day where PAIGE co-founder and CEO, Paige Adams-Geller paid tribute to those who step out of their comfort zone to challenge the status quo and lift each other up along the way. After all, every journey starts with a single step.

Click through the photo gallery below to see all the photos from the special night.

Read all of the Walk It Forward interviews HERE then comment below with the person who has paved it forward for you and given you the courage to step into your power, too.

Can You Afford to Take an Entry-Level Salary?

Photo: Polina Zimmerman for Pexels

When it’s your first job offer, salary negotiation might not be the first thing on your mind—and you’re not alone. In fact, just 38% of recent college graduates negotiate with their employer upon receiving a job offer, despite the fact that three-quarters of employers saying they typically have room to increase their first salary offer by 5 to 10%, according to a study by the personal finance site NerdWallet.

Of course, when it comes to negotiating salary, there is no one right solution for everyone, and in this case, the answer depends on which of two major career groups you fall into—people starting out at the bottom and working their way up in their career and people starting at a higher level or specialized position and working up from there. Regardless of where you start, determining your entry-level salary requirements is a must!

Scroll on to find out if you can afford to take an entry-level salary and what that number should mean to you.

People Starting at the Bottom and Working Their Way Up in Their Careers

In many industries, you’ll find yourself starting at the very bottom working your way up the ladder of authority. Such industries include marketing, design, and some forms of IT (among many others). In these industries, people often start as an intern, assistant, or in admin which are known for lower pay grades.

If you are starting out with a low authority or unspecialized job, your first salary isn’t very important because you will most likely move on (and up) from there, however, you do need to see how low you can go to still be able to live within your means. Salary negotiation here means figuring out what you need to survive while you find your way.

Determining How Low of a Salary You Can Afford to Take at Your First Job

1. Map Out How Much Money You Spend: If you’re new at creating a budget, there are a lot of great apps such as Mint that let you input your information so you can see your total spending. This app will also give you tips and notifications to make sure you’re on top of your finances.

2. Determine How Much You Want to Save: Once you’ve determined how much you spend, you can then determine how much you want to save. Mint can help you do that, or you can always set up an appointment with a financial advisor at your bank. Consultations and advice are usually free of charge, so this is a great option if you want to speak with someone face to face when discussing your finances.

3. Determine What the Average Salary Is for Your Job and Region: It is important to be aware of the average salary for your position based on location in order to ensure you are not being underpaid or taken advantage of. A great tool for this is the Bureau of Labor Statistics where you can see average wage data based on job, state, and metropolitan area. While your first salary may not be very important in determining your salary throughout your career, it is important to make sure you are being fairly compensated for your time and effort.

4. Consider All of the Numbers: Once you’ve done the three steps above, you can now consider all of the numbers to determine the realistic lowest salary you can accept. While experience is important, the bottom line is that you need to be able to pay your bills. If you need to cut back here and there, (i.e. take public transportation instead of Uber, or start packing your lunches) so be it, but you must be able to afford necessities such as food, housing, and medical expenses with a little extra to spare in case of emergency.

The most important aspect of your first job is to gain necessary industry experience (and "get your foot in the door), but make sure you accept a salary that is realistic for you—one that you can survive on. Companies are often open to negotiation, so don’t feel pressure to take the first number offered to you. No one started out as a marketing exec or magazine editor without doing a lot of grunt work prior to it, so no one will expect you to be the highest-paid person in the company when you’re first starting out.

“No one started out as a marketing exec or magazine editor without doing a lot of grunt work.”

People Starting Out With Specialized Skills and/or Training

On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are a lot of people who go into a specialized career, or one that requires extra schooling, (i.e. the medical field, engineering, coding/programming, etc.). People with postgraduate degrees often start out with a relatively high level of authority, meaning that you couldn’t just jump into the position and learn as you go. You need to know what you’re doing and have specialized training or education in order to be in that role.

For these kinds of jobs, your first salary does matter. The reason behind this is that you are coming in at a higher level than other people, therefore you have less room to grow. Think of it this way: If you start out as an administrative assistant but work your way up to an executive or CEO, you’ve basically gone from zero to one hundred. However, if you start off as a doctor, engineer, or manager, you really can only become more experienced in your role and be given more authority, so instead of going from zero to one hundred in your career, you’re starting off at sixty-five or seventy and moving up to one hundred.

Because there is less growth in specialized careers, your first salary sets the tone for all the jobs to come. Companies often ask what your previous salary is so that they can give you a proportional salary increase, and sometimes save themselves a little bit of money. In a specialized career, your first salary does matter, but if you do find yourself underpaid and overachieving, there is a way to remedy the situation. It all comes down to knowledge and confidence.

How to Negotiate Salary If You’ve Been Underpaid

This actually goes for both specialized and unspecialized positions: let’s say you find yourself severely underpaid based on statistics and your accomplishments. When you go to interview for other positions, make sure you are armed with facts and evidence to support your desired pay increase. 

A great way to explain your situation to an interviewer is as follows: 

“I am aware that I am being underpaid at my current job, however, I have learned x, y, and z from this experience/job, and based on information posted by The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average pay for this position in this area is x. Due to my accomplishments of a and b, I’m aiming for a salary of $x.” 

If you give a statement like this, you will come off as knowledgeable, confident, and motivated. Having evidence of your achievements and statistics will also make you appear researched and show interviewers that you have put effort into getting fairly compensated.

The Salary Requirements Checklist

If you’re sitting there wondering, “How important is my first salary?,” think about the many different factors that go into it. Make a checklist and answer the following questions:

• Is your position specialized/did you need special training to qualify for the position?

• If you’re not in a specialized position, is there room for growth in your career?

• How much money do you need to make to pay off your current expenses?

• How much money do you want to be able to save each month/year?

• How much money does the average person in your job/region make? (consult the Bureau of Labor Statistics)

• Are you willing to take a lower salary (that’s still realistic) to take a job that you love or one that will provide you a lot of experience?

• And, if so, are there areas that you can cut back on your spending in order to accommodate for this? 

• If you’re already past the point of a low first salary, do your research, itemize your accomplishments, and show people why you deserve the higher pay!

The original version of this article appeared on Career Contessa, written by Michele Lando.

This post was originally published on September 18, 2016, and has since been updated.

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The C&C Team Swears By These Wellness Products for Staying Healthy and Focused at the Office

This post is in paid partnership with OLLY.

Photo: Smith House Photo

Most of us work too hard—it’s just a fact. According to a recent study, the average full-time employee works 47 hours a week (yes, that’s 7 hours more than the standard 40). On top of that, four out of five of us eat our lunch at our desks without stepping away from our screens. And, to top it all off, we only put 54% of our paid vacation days to good use. Look, we get it—it can feel near impossible to prioritize self-care when you’re trying to get to inbox zero, reply to every Slack message, and hit those tight deadlines.

So, in the interest of multi-tasking and seeking ways we can take a moment for ourselves without leaving our desks (hey, baby steps, right?), we partnered with our friends at OLLY and asked our Create & Cultivate team to share the wellness products they swear by for staying healthy and focused at the office—and our colleagues did not disappoint. Spanning stress-reducing gummies to glow-inducing collagen peptides, these are the products that our co-workers here at C&C HQ keep stocked in their desk drawers at all times.

Keep scrolling to find out how you too can squeeze in a moment of self-care during your 9-5.

Maeve Casey, Account Manager

My Office Self-Care Staple Is: OLLY Daily Energy

It’s My 9-to-5 Go-to Because: I’m not a coffee drinker and sometimes I need a little pick-me-up to give me that extra boost of energy. I take this every morning for sustained energy throughout the day. Olly Daily Energy gummies do just that while tasting amazing.

OLLY Daily Energy

$13.99

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Alyssa Sage, Marketing Manager

My Office Self-Care Staple Is: OLLY Goodbye Stress

It’s My 9-to-5 Go-to Because: Who isn’t stressed out these days? These gummies are my go-to during an especially busy work week, or when I’m traveling for an event. They’re extremely calming and help me crush through my heavy workload days.

OLLY Goodbye Stress

$13.99

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Carly Johnson, Sr. Director, Brand Marketing

My Office Self-Care Staple Is: OLLY Collagen Gummy Rings

It’s My 9-to-5 Go-to Because:  I am always open to testing different skincare regimens that could potentially help prevent aging and these Collagen Gummy Rings are my newest obsession. They do their part to eliminate fine lines and wrinkles but if I am being completely honest, they are absolutely delicious, too.

OLLY Collagen Gummy Rings

$19.99

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Sacha Strebe, Editorial Director 

My Office Self-Care Staple Is: OLLY Active Immunity Berry Brave

It’s My 9-to-5 Go-to Because: We are always on the go—when one show ends another one begins. This delicious gummy vitamin is my savior because it keeps my immunity in check so that when life gets tough, I get even tougher. 

OLLY Active Immunity Berry Brave

$13.99

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Nairi Najarian, Sr. Director, Digital Marketing

My Office Self-Care Staple Is: OLLY Sleep

It’s My 9-to-5 Go-to Because: Our team clocks a lot of miles when traveling coast-to-coast to all the amazing cities that graciously host our conferences and summits. We have the ATX Pop-Up in March and our Beauty Summit in New York this May, so packing my OLLY Sleep gummies inside my carry-on is my must before a flight. They definitely mellow and calm my mind down, so I can rest up and catch some much-needed zzzs before the next stop! 

OLLY Sleep

$13.99

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Cierra White, Talent & Sales Coordinator 

My Office Self-Care Staple Is: OLLY Glowing Skin

It’s My 9-to-5 Go-to Because: Every day is the perfect day to put your best face forward. OLLY’s Glowing Skin helps me do just that with its perfect mixture of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and sea buckthorn. I not only feel good but my skin looks good! That’s why Glowing Skin is my go-to!

OLLY Glowing Skin

$13.99

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Megan Beauchamp, Managing Editor

My Office Self-Care Staple Is: OLLY Goodbye Stress 

It’s My 9-to-5 Go-to Because: When I’m on deadline, these stress-relieving gummies help bring down my cortisol levels without compromising my ability to focus, which is exactly the mindset I need to be in to get the job done. Plus, they taste just like berries (always a plus!).

OLLY Goodbye Stress

$13.99

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Neha Kumar, Chief Operating Officer

My Office Self-Care Staple Is: OLLY Undeniable Beauty

It’s My 9-to-5 Go-to Because: A few months after having my baby, I experienced extreme hair loss. I started taking these supplements and I now swear by them. My hair is much fuller and radiant. 

OLLY Undeniable Beauty

$13.99

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Up next: 10 Women Who Have Your Dream Job on How They Fight Burnout, Stay Motivated, and Get Re-Energized for Work

I Beat the Algorithm With This Video App and Gained 680K Followers—Here's How You Can Too

This post is in paid partnership with Adobe.

Photo: Amber Torrealba

The word algorithm can send shivers down the spines of even the most successful brands, but as the classic phrase goes, if you can’t beat em’ join ‘em. And by that we mean, beat the algorithm code by creating the content it’s looking for. Sounds easier said than done but one person who has done that is pro skimboarder Amber Torrealba. The California native started out in basketball (she played for seven years) before realizing her passion for skimboarding, and eventually taking it pro. 

But while she truly has carved out a successful career in the skimboarding world, Torrealba has also made a splash as a videographer. She creates and edits her own videos for Instagram, garnering 120,000 followers and 440,000 on TikTok, too. Her passion is clear. You can tell she loves what she does and it gives a visual window into her world. It’s why Adobe asked her to be an ambassador for the brand. As an Adobe Premiere Rush Ambassador, Amber was involved in the early stages of Premiere Rush, beta testing the app and providing feedback on features and the direction of the product.

Now, she travels to conferences like Create & Cultivate (where she hosted an exclusive workshop) to share her knowledge on building a brand, growing a following, and social media content creation. Amber also hosts workshops and training on how to use Premiere Rush and is a member of the Rush Insiders. And while Instagram hasn’t officially said that video is prioritized over photos, since it auto-plays in your followers’ feeds, it definitely grabs their attention over a static image while they’re aimlessly scrolling. In short, videos compel people to stop and look.

Ahead, Torrealba talks us through her career trajectory, how she built a personal brand on Instagram using video, her partnership with Adobe, and her tips for creating compelling videos for social media.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Amber Torrealba (@ambertorrealba) on Feb 16, 2020 at 10:52am PST

On turning her passion into a profession…

I realized my passion for skimboarding after changing paths from skateboarding and basketball where I grew up in Florida. After practicing every opportunity I could in college and after work, I eventually turned pro. I didn’t know at the time how I was going to make a living off of it, but I knew I wasn't going to give up. Just as much as I would train, I was building my brand through photo and video edits using programs such as Premiere Rush for social media. I gave up everything I had to drive to California and pursue this career, and my life changed from there. 

On the key to her success…

It’s always been about how much work I put in, and how patient I am through the process. Everything has taken persistence and time to develop, and I just had to stay strong through the ups and downs, believing in who I am and what I love. My key to success was that money was never a driver for me, I just want to do what makes me happy every day.

On turning a personal brand into a business…

During and after college at UCF, I was working on a lot of digital design, ads, and really loved photography. But after making my first edit on Instagram, I was hooked on how many different aspects of creativity went into making a video—it was like surgery on the timeline. I taught myself everything based on what made me stoked and the type of vibe I wanted others to get from my videos.

I didn’t see many girls making videos of action sports, and I was always the only girl at the skatepark or skim spot, so I wanted to throw some media out there. I would film everything and travel solo to different parts of the world for sponsors, which helped me learn how to develop my flow with editing. I then realized how impactful video could be, not only for my brand but for others as well.

On creating content that stands out online…

The best tip I can give is to find your own style and continue to grow with it. What’s helped me stand out is the type of editing, transitions and feel my videos give. This I could only learn through years of practicing and learning from my own work. I always value feedback from many different perspectives to help me continue to see how the market is changing as well. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Amber Torrealba (@ambertorrealba) on Jun 11, 2019 at 11:02am PDT

On making mistakes…

Some of the biggest mistakes I’ve made are where to invest time. Time is one of the only things we can’t get back, so where and what brands you spend it with has been vital for my career. There have been times where I didn't invest enough time in a brand or relationship when I should have. But it’s also taught me to never give up and there’s always another opportunity around the corner if you create it.

On being an Adobe Ambassador…

I’ve been creating videos on-the-go with Adobe now for two years, and Premiere Rush has been a huge addition to my workflow. I was involved in the early stages of Rush while filming the video release, providing feedback for the features, and now hosting workshop presentations and working with the Rush insiders group. It’s been awesome to partner on videos that fit with both of our brands and inspire more people to get into video editing through workshops and passion projects.

On using Adobe Premiere Rush for editing videos on-the-go…

Using Premiere Rush is by far the most fluent and efficient way to create video on-the-go for me. I’ve been able to turn around projects for my clients and events within hours because I have everything I need to edit a quick project in Rush. Having multiple tracks, aspect ratio, titles, speed control and other features I’d usually need my computer to do, helps me get things done right on the spot. This has allowed me to have more time to do what I need on my trips and to get started on a project that I could finish later in Premiere Pro. The fact that I can work on the same project on my phone and then finish it on another device, is extremely helpful. I also love using it for vlogs, creative vertical videos, stories, and sharing directly to apps like TikTok and Instagram.

On growing a social following of 680K…

It really comes down to branding and valuing the community. Using Rush I’ve been able to keep my branding consistent across social media platforms such as using its titles and transform features. There has to be a reason for people to spend their time watching your work, and I try to make sure I think about that when creating videos to keep people engaged. I love giving others a perspective that they might have not seen or thought about when it comes to video or a vibe, such as using audio, voiceover, and color grading features in Rush. If you find your own style and be consistent, it can start to resonate with your audience. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Amber Torrealba (@ambertorrealba) on Mar 24, 2019 at 8:55am PDT

On the secret to making a viral video…

I think a post on any platform is more transparent than some realize. Social media has been around for a while so everything is saturated. What attributes to the success of the post is more of a well-rounded concept. Is it so relatable, or so far unrelatable that it draws attention? The keyword is attention. If you can unlock the secret to gain someone’s attention through the proper presentation, going viral is more in the picture.

On her top five tips for creating viral videos…

Uniqueness, creativity, vibe, story, and authenticity. There are so many different ways to edit your timeline of a video, but it comes down to the final export, and how you would feel if you were someone else that just scrolled to your video, given there are a million other ways to spend their time instead. What makes them want to watch yours?

The best way to get started in video editing is to just start, and learn through your work. Rush has been the easiest way for me to grab and go, import to a timeline and quickly get started. 

To learn more about Adobe Premiere Rush, visit adobe.com. For more information on Torrealba, visit:

YouTube Highlights

Amber x Babin Interview for Adobe

Amber’s Story

Amber’s Instagram

Angela Fink Looked Fear in the Face to Follow Her Intuition—She Hasn't Looked Back

You know the feeling. It starts as a soft whisper, calling you from deep within. You push it to the side and it pauses for a moment until eventually, your spirit turns up the volume dial and the noise is too hard to ignore anymore. This is your intuition talking. You can only push her aside for so long before she makes herself known and you are forced to confront her call.

Angela Fink clearly recalls this calling a few years ago. “I was driving in the car with my husband, and I said I'm ready to start something for myself,” Fink recalls. “I was working as a stylist and felt boxed in by a few of my then clients. I knew that I needed a space where I could create without restrictions and then the next day I started a blog called The Fashion Sight.” 

Fink is so glad she looked fear in the face to follow her intuition because, today, she is pursuing her passion for a living collaborating with her husband, Kelly Bolton to create editorial-style imagery for her 116K plus followers. Last year they launched their branding, creative, and content consultancy We Are Dumont where they help other brands bring their stories to life. And if that wasn’t enough to keep her busy, Fink is also a mom to her daughter, Lola and an ambassador for No More Plastic. 

In honor of International Women’s Day, we partnered with our friends at PAIGE to put the spotlight on five incredible women who are marching to the beat of their own drum and walking it forward with an outstretched hand bringing the rest of us along for the ride.

So, read on to hear more about Fink’s many creative pursuits, how she uses clothing to step into her power, and her advice so you can too.

CREATE & CULTIVATE: You launched your own creative agency last year—What is it all about?

ANGELA FINK: Dumont is about working with people, brands, and designers to create something special for them. Each project is catered to that brand. We do everything from branding to creative direction, strategy, and full-service production. 

We are different because of our point of view. You come to us because of who we are and what we can produce. Our work speaks for itself. I wasn't scared. I had been a stylist and creative director in the past, and it felt like a natural progression for me. 

You are an ambassador for No More Plastic. When did you join this movement?

I joined last summer. My family and I travel a lot; we mostly drive to remote locations that are visually out of this world. We would find trash littered everywhere, plastics sitting in the most beautiful sand dune you have ever seen, and that's when I said no more plastics and reached out on how I could help make a difference. 

My daughter has started at a plastic-free school, and we limit our plastic intake in our own home. 

Going plastic-free is a huge undertaking in a world where so many things we purchase, including food and necessities are covered in it—How have you navigated that path?

Going plastic-free is a huge undertaking—it’s everywhere. I try my best to be aware of what I purchase and what comes into our home. A few small changes I made were replacing plastic vegetable bags with reusable ones and swapping zip locks with silicone versions.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

International Women's day should be every day. We should honor friends, mothers, grandmas, daughters every day for how special we are and what we create in this world.

You seem so bold and self-assured—what advice do you have for others who want to summon that courage too?

Practice kind self-talk. We all are so hard on ourselves. Give yourself a break. We are all doing the best we can—reminding myself of that makes the pressure melt away and I can become my best self. 

How we appear on the outside can impact how we feel on the inside. As a fashion icon, we look to you for style advice so, what do you wear to feel confident?

Finding what works best on your body and what feels right is the two tells for an empowering wardrobe. I found myself buying into trends, but it wasn’t right. Through much trial and error, I went towards pieces that made me feel confident and secure. It's about testing out what you feel good in. 

How does clothing make you feel self-assured and ready to take on the world? Why?

My clothing is apart of me—it shows people around me how I feel about myself. If I feel confident, I dress like it; when I feel daring, I take unexpected pieces and mix them if I'm having an off day and don't feel like myself I find pieces that make me feel strong, empowered and confident. 

How do you shake off the fear and doubt to pursue your innovation/dream?

Wow, this is hard. I am not going to say I don't have fear or I seamlessly go through life. I battle with this. That monkey mind creeps in and it creeps in often. I know where I want to go is not where I am currently, and in order to get there, I need to put my boots on and walk through the mud as my mom would say. It works, one step in front of the other and then before you know it you are through it to the other side. 

What’s a piece of advice you’d give to women starting out in your field?

Listen to podcasts, read books, speak to other women in your field. Don’t do it alone. Build a team, grab coffee with someone you admire. I learn every day from my friends. 

What is the hardest decision you’ve ever had to make professionally?

Asking for what I am worth. Wow, oh wow, this took me a while to get down but you are worth it so ask for it! 

What traits do you need to succeed as an entrepreneur or founder in the competitive start-up environment?

Write down exactly where you want to go and who you are—follow it, read it often and don't veer too much from it. 

The filtered world of social media often hides a lot of the hard work and hustle behind-the-scenes—What’s a lesson we can all learn from your mistake/s?

Don't overthink things. 

What does it take to be the first and pioneer a new space? 

Radical passion. 

You can’t be it if you can’t see it. Why are representation and visibility so important to you? 

Social media is such a powerful tool. It's a space where we can be ourselves and share it with the world. When I first started shooting editorial style shoots with my husband, we would travel to remote places. I was nervous about how it would be received, but the more I did it, the more I felt like I was showing who I truly am. This space is about who you are and who you want to be, it's a visual timeline of growth and change, and there is real beauty in that. 

Seeing people pave the way can give us the confidence to do it too. Name someone who walked it forward and inspired you to step up too?

My sister Jillian Dempsey. She showed me to think outside the box and never give up on your path. 

Click here to learn more about the other fearless women who are walking it forward this International Women’s Day.

Mentor Monday: 3 Things a Resume Expert Wants You to Know

Photo Courtesy of: Create & Cultivate

Did you know that Create & Cultivate has an Insiders membership program? There are SO many perks to being a member but one of our most popular is the monthly mentor sessions. These monthly digital videos give members some serious facetime with experts across various fields, and the opportunity to get personalized answers to all of their pressing business and career-oriented questions. Members can register for these informative live streams ahead of time and send their own questions to be answered in real-time.

Recently, professional resume writer and personal branding expert Michele Lando hosted a mentor session for our Insiders to answer all of their burning resume questions. As the founder of Write Styles—a provider for personal branding through curating clients’ resumes and self-confidence while navigating the workforce—Lando is very well-versed in the do’s and don’ts of resume drafting.

Here are three key takeaways from the mentor session to apply to your own resume today:

1. Less is More.

“You don’t want your document to be so over-the-top that someone doesn’t actually focus on the information.” In this portion of the Mentor Session, Michele Lando is referring to the design and layout of your resume. When it comes to color palettes or eye-catching graphics, Lando recommends double-checking that your design enhances the information, rather than taking away from the information. After all, you are promoting your own skills, not your aesthetic eye (unless you are applying for a graphic design position, in which case Lando says there are exceptions).

2. Your side hustle may be worth leaving off.

“Anytime you go to include anything on your resume … make sure it sticks within the focus you’re trying to highlight and the skillset that you’re trying to highlight.” Here, Lando honed in on tweaking your resume based upon the position you are applying for. For example, if your side hustle does not support any skills that could be useful to have for your potential new job, it may be better to just leave it off. Additionally, Lando points out that if you’re applying for a job that requires a large time commitment, it may be smarter to remove your side hustle because people may be concerned you do not have room in your schedule to take on another career.

3. Don’t be afraid to step into a new industry.

“Keep an open mind. When you’re trying to switch industries, I think the first thing to consider is that it’s not all-or-nothing. It is one step at a time.” If you’re trying to transition careers but feel like your lack of experience in that field is leaving you feeling less qualified against other candidates, Lando does not feel that this is a cause for serious concern. Instead, she recommends that you start taking informational classes so that you can display on your resume that you have at least a baseline understanding of what you are wanting to transition into. Also, she suggests using your current job to your advantage in the meantime. See what pockets of your current workspace you have yet to explore, and ask to sit in on projects, take on different roles, and try to explore other opportunities.

Be sure to sign up for our program sooner than later to hear who will lead the next mentor session! For more information on our membership program, check out our FAQs page.

“Don’t Be Scared to Fail—Failure Is a Part of Life" and Other Empowering Quotes From C&C's PROJECT WOMENS' Event

In paid partnership with PROJECT WOMENS.

Photo: Courtesy of Create & Cultivate

We’ve all felt the transformative power of fashion. Whether it’s wearing a power suit to that important meeting or finding the perfect dress for your best friend’s wedding, what we wear has a huge impact on how we feel.

This has seen a huge demand for clothing and shoes in recent years. In fact, the global apparel market is projected to grow in value from 1.3 trillion U.S. dollars in 2015 to about 1.5 trillion dollars this year. But the question is, how are we evolving the industry to stay ahead of the curve and not just in terms of trends but the business of fashion from the manufacturing to marketing?

We joined forces with the country’s largest fashion trade show, PROJECT WOMENS to ask those questions and more. Held twice a year, MAGIC is filled with rows upon rows of fashionable booths filled with the next season’s must-have clothing and trends before they hit the boutiques. Project Women’s is one of the events held within the show and we were thrilled to partner with them this August to host four eye-opening panels with boundary-pushing founders and leaders in the space.

Read on to learn more from our panelists including how to generate online buzz around your brand, what it takes to be sustainable (and profitable), why the inclusivity movement is more than just good marketing; and how Camila Coehlo turned her Instagram followers into buyers.

Workshop title—The Buzz Kit: How to Generate Online Buzz Around Your Brand

Nairi Najarian, Senior Director, Digital Marketing

“Establishing your brand identity is the first step.”

“A true marketing campaign is more than just an advertisement. A campaign is a series of marketing-related activities that work to support a predetermined goal. And your goals are two things: defining or reinforcing your brand and lead that into conversions.”

“When you’re bringing your campaign to life it’s important to have your target customer at the forefront of things.”

“Don’t try to emulate another brand’s business or campaign or identity.”

“At the end of the day, your brand belongs to the customer.”

“A negative review is also a good review because people are talking to you.”

Carly Johnson, Senior Director, Brand Marketing

“Instagram is very, very saturated so the first thing to identify is where is there a white space. How will you be able to stand out so that people will continue to follow you and engage with you.”

“As a general rule of thumb, we like to do one paid content post for every three or four organic posts in your feed.”

“People really do appreciate transparency, so when you pair up with another brand, explain to them why.”

“To build an organic following you need to clean up your account and get rid of the fluff.”

“Know the trends that are making the rounds on Instagram and make them a part of your strategy.”

“Instagram is constantly changing its algorithm, so you need to understand what kinds of content that the algorithm is looking for. Currently, that algorithm is looking for what’s trendy.”

Sacha Strebe, Editorial Director

“Don’t be intimidated by there being so much saturation in the space because you can find your own point of view and differentiate yourself.”

“You can try to beat the algorithm by engaging—commenting, liking, and sharing. It creates almost a subculture of conversation and community within a post.”

“The first priority of a pitch is to grab their attention.”

“Don’t write clickbait. Keep it simple.”

“Tailor your pitch. Don’t send everyone the same thing. Think about who you’re writing it to.”

“Editors are people too, so tap into that human element.”

“Pitch yourself. Have a bio at the bottom of each pitch and tap into that personal element.”

“Double-check everything. It is super critical to avoid even the smallest spelling errors. This is for an editor; they write for a living.”

Want this presentation in your inbox? Enter your details at the below address to get the free Buzz Kit Download HERE.

Why going green will get you in the black—How sustainability is good for the planet and your bottom line

Karen Housel, Sustainable fashion and lifestyle blogger, Sustainable Daisy

“I had an ‘ah-ha"‘ moment one day when I was looking at my closet and realized that about 80% had been worn by someone before me.”

“It can be difficult to implement all these layers of sustainability. When you’re first getting into the movement it can almost seem very impossible to achieve. It takes time.”

“Just because something is old, or has been worn before, doesn’t mean it’s any less than something brand new.”

“Ask yourself, who made my clothes? That really enforces accountability.”

Deb Shepherd, Founder, Clothed in Abundance

“The more I was getting into debt (and the more ashamed I was getting of my shopping) the more I realized, why am I doing this? What am I trying to prove? I really had to look inward and see what is this façade I am trying to create and why does this matter?”

“I started thinking why don’t I become more intentional about things and how I’m spending my money which got me into thrifting. It got me thinking about the impact when I buy a $20 dress: who’s making that and are they having a livable wage within a safe work environment and ethical conditions?”

“When you’re starting out, the easiest thing you can do is to wear what you already have in your wardrobe, getting things repaired or even exchanging with friends.”

“I try to shop slowly, and think do I really want this piece? Then I will save up for it slowly.”

“I look for brands that align with my values and that I can afford.”

Valeria Hinojosa, Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Influencer

“I wanted to be a better human and be more connected. I literally Googled ‘how to be a better human being.’ I started researching and seeing all these things about sustainability. That’s what allowed me to transform my connection with nature with my lifestyle.”

“Sustainability makes you a better person and a happier person.”

“Here are three tips that actually helped me tremendously: The first one is we’re in a society that is used to consuming and then throwing away, that is what we need to avoid. We produce four pounds of waste on a daily basis and that is not biodegradable, so just having that in mind.  Second, whenever something breaks have it fixed. Third, vegan leather is not sustainable, and silk is not cruelty-free. Reading labels is crucial.”

“Before you start your business, sustainability has to be in the core and heart and soul of your company.” 

“It doesn't matter how sustainable a product is when it comes in plastic packaging.”

“Of course we all want to make money, but at the same time sustainability, community, respect, compassion need to be deeply rooted in the mission of everything you do.”

“The most important thing is to realize your power as consumers.”

“If brands see that the money is sustainability, they will start going green.”

“If you see that a brand is using too much plastic, send an email. They actually listen and they want to become better. Stop being a robot who buys things wears them and throws them away and start asking questions.” Valeria 

Whitney Leigh Morris, Creator, Tiny Canal Cottage

“Reading more and learning more about the climate crisis gave me no other choice but to go down this path. You can’t learn about what’s going on and not give a shit if you’re human.”

“I ask myself a checklist of questions before I buy anything. And it’s amazing, depending on what you have in your checklist, how few items make the cut. If you actually hold to your standards there’s not a lot you can buy. When you ask was it ethically produced, were the materials sustainably sourced, and what is going to happen to it when I’m done with it, the decisions will be made for you.” 

Let’s Represent: Why the inclusivity movement is more than just good marketing

Nicolette Mason, Designer, Fashion Writer, and Creative Consultant

“I don’t have a problem with the word plus size, I think it’s necessary as industry language, that means something for sizing. I have a problem when it is used as a qualifier or a way to tokenize people.”

“What we have to shift, is our associations with the term plus-size and take away the stigma.”

“If you want to get around language; if you don’t want to say plus-size or curve or you’re afraid of offending people, employ people like us who truly represent the size range and demographic you’re trying to reach and make it part of the visual language.”

“Make sure that within brands and the people making decisions that there is diversity represented there. It’s not enough to have diversity in marketing; your office and place of work need to be diverse.”

“We have to think really critically around issues of privilege and access and who is given opportunities. When I was in school it was a given that we would all take unpaid internships in fashion, which isn’t realistic for most students trying to support themselves. So getting rid of unpaid internships entirely so people outside economic privilege can get relevant experiences in their field and taking chances on people who might not have relevant experience and trusting their vision and investing in their growth is key. Also looking outside our immediate networks for applicants.”

“Hire from the people who are engaging with your brand already.”

“About 68% of women in America wear a size 14 or larger but 17% of the product offering is available in plus-sizes. That 68% of women are desperate to shop and are looking for brands. But it’s not enough to just offer inclusive sizing and assume they will sell themselves. It is the responsibility of the brand to build trust and resonance and make awareness part of their mission. There must be a follow through with marketing.”

“Nobody wants to feel like the step-sister hidden in the other room—we want to be part of the conversation and front and center.”

“Something I’ve heard for years is that brands have to uphold this idea of what’s aspirational. I think it’s really time that we think about what this means. This idea that there is only one body type or one presentation or one look that people universally aspire to is actually really toxic and is really missing an opportunity.”

Jazzmyne Jay, Plus size content creator and body activist

“Before I do anything, including this panel, I ask right away am I the only plus-size person, am I the only black woman, am I the only anything? I’m not trying to be a token anymore.”

“You can teach people how to do things but you can’t teach people how to be passionate about something or how to stand up for your brand. Tap into those people you know already love you.”

Clementine Desseaux, model, and entrepreneur

“Plus-size models and straight-size models weren’t really modeling together so we decided to call on our friends and put together an all-women team and show the fashion industry that it is possible to put all those women together and still look good. Because people had always told us it didn’t look good and wasn’t ‘Vogue-worthy’. Then it debuted in Vogue and we proved it was ‘Vogue-worthy’.”

“A lot of brands are claiming they are diverse when they really arent, so it’s doing the extra work to see if it’s just their thing now or if it’s always been their thing and they’re really gonna follow through with inclusivity.”

“You don’t have to represent everyone at once. Throughout one campaign you can’t represent everyone but as you change and grow it’s about consistency and making sure as you go you’re pulling from pools of everyone out there.”

Sarah Tripp, Content Creator, and Founder, Sassy Red Lipstick

“Growing up we didn’t see people like us in the media, being dressed for shows or simply shopping in stores, or as a mannequin or online model. That’s why this is so important. We want ourselves and future generations to have the representation and to feel like they’re included and worthy and that they can look fabulous and amazing and dope.”

“We are demanding it now as consumers. You need to make our sizes and you need to include us.”

“Being authentic and real is best the way to create a community on social media. That’s it, that’s the secret.”

“This idea that this plus-size market isn’t shopping, they won’t buy, you won’t sell out, is so wrong. We want to buy from you, let us buy from you.”

“I really appreciate brands that take the time, the money, and the effort to show different models for one product online.”

Under the Influence: Why Camila Coehlo Built Her Community First and Her Business Followed

Camila Coelho, Brazilian-American fashion and beauty entrepreneur and founder of the hit Camila Coelho Collection

“In high school, I felt very different and I didn’t fit in. That affected me back then but also made me stronger.” 

“My mom said, “Camilla, you will stand out by being different.” and that stuck with me.” 

“I’ve always been super proud of my Brazillian heritage and I always wanted people to accept my culture.”

“The less production you do the better a video performs. People want more real-life and less edited content. All you need is an iPhone and good light.” 

“One thing that really helped me, in the beginning, was that I was on every platform, even if I was sharing the same content on all of them. It is very important to be on everything. I just joined TikTok.” 

“As long as you’re happy and having fun with social media, do it. If it’s stressing you out don’t.”

“I have never paid for any boosting. I’m really proud to say that I never have. I really believe in good content and it’s better to prioritize content rather than to pay for it.” 

“The first and most important part of achieving our goals is to write it down, say it out loud, and look yourself in the mirror and say I am going to achieve this. You have to believe in what you’re saying. Our words have so much power, so much more than we think. You really have to believe in it.”

“As a brand, especially in the beginning, you have to listen to everyone, because you want your brand to be for everyone.” 

“We can always grow by listening to our consumers.”

“If you’re doing something that you’re passionate about its going to be worth every second. You are going to be stressed but if you love what you do you will be thankful every day that you are doing it.” 

“As a boss, I’ve learned how to express myself more. In the beginning, I had a hard time expressing myself especially things I wasn’t happy with. I think I’m a kind boss but now I know how to express myself without hurting someone’s feelings or being ignorant.”

“Don’t be scared to fail. Failure is part of our life. If you really are passionate, do it. It won’t be easy and you will have struggles but if you believe in something, do it.”

“I would say to myself in the early stages, don’t have FOMO or feel less than anyone else. With social media, you’re constantly seeing everyone doing everything and you’re feeling like you have to do what everyone else is doing. Focus on yourself more than other people. That’s a great way to be more unique and more creative.”

“The biggest sacrifice I’ve made for my career is giving up weekends and nights with my friends.”

“I feel the most fulfilled when I accomplish a goal.”

“My best life hack is to be positive even when everything is going wrong.”

"We're Stronger in Numbers" and Other Magical Moments From the First-Ever Polka Dot Summit

On January 25th & 26th, 2020, Create & Cultivate joined forces with Disney's Minnie Mouse for the first-ever Polka Dot Summit in honor of National Polka Dot Day. We celebrated in true Create & Cultivate fashion by inviting modern-day muses to the stage who, like Minnie, are bold, fun, fashionable, and classic—and, most importantly, inspire people all over the world to be positively themselves.

It was a jam-packed two days filled with major mic-drop moments. Karena Dawn and Katrina Scott of Tone It Up kicked things off with a heart-pumping workout, Dr. Deepika Chopra taught us how to cultivate happiness (and led a spontaneous dance party), Disney character artists Jeff Shelly and Miran Kim showed us how to draw Minnie and her other pals, and Minnie herself spread joy everywhere she went. To everyone who came, thank you for joining us—and to those who couldn’t make it, don’t sweat it. Below, we’ve compiled the key takeaways from our positively inspiring weekend with Minnie and the gang.

Read on for the sagest soundbites from our panelists and keynote speakers, including Lindsay Peoples Wagner, the editor in chief of Teen Vogue, Katie Sturino, the founder of The 12ish Style and Megababe, Alex Morgan, the co-captain of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, and more. 

Panel: Positively You—How to Cultivate Confidence Inside and Out

Panelists:

Quigley | Influencer & Content Creator

Aysha Harun | Content Creator

Jaci Marie Smith | Content Creator and Podcast Co-Host, What We Said

Glen "Coco" Oropeza | Celebrity Hair Stylist, Glen Coco for Hair

Paige Adams-Geller | Co-Founder & Creative Director, PAIGE

Moderator: 

Sacha Strebe | Editorial Director, Create & Cultivate 

On overcoming fear… 

“One of the biggest things that I had to teach myself is that everything is on the other side of fear.”—Glen "Coco" Oropeza

“That moment when you search inside—and you put on the blinders, and you tune out the noise, and you believe in yourself—that’s when change happens.”—Paige Adams-Geller 

“It’s easy for someone to give you an idea, but it takes courage and bravery and momentum to put it into action and make it yourself.”—Paige Adams-Geller

On being positively you…  

“With any insecurity, be it with a birthmark, your weight, or the size of your feet it'll be with you until you leave, so embrace it.”—Aysha Harun

“When it comes down to it, I want to share things I love, so people who gravitate to that are the community I’ve built.”—Jaci Marie Smith

On navigating negativity in the comments section… 

“Constructive criticism can be helpful, but I only try to take advice and criticism from people I admire and respect and who have my best interests in mind.”—Jaci Marie Smith

 “Whoever made the comment is probably suffering or hurting, so I just take a moment to say, ‘I wish you well,’ and then I go on with my day.”—Quigley 

“If you know yourself, then negative comments won’t affect you as much.”—Aysha Harun

“I never give it any energy—I think it’s a waste of time. To me, it’s just bad juju.”—Glen "Coco" Oropeza

On knowing your worth… 

“One of the best pieces of advice I learned early on was know your worth and don't be afraid to say no to an opportunity.”—Aysha Harun

“Should I do it for that low rate? I don’t think I should because it brings the whole industry down. They’ll keep hunting for someone who will do it for that low rate. If you accept those low rates, then everyone does poorly because of that.”—Glen "Coco" Oropeza

On investing in yourself… 

“Investing in yourself is so important. I think it’s so important to set aside a little money to make sure you're going to grow.”—Aysha Harun

Panel: Keynote Conversation With Lindsay Peoples Wagner

Panelist:

Lindsay Peoples Wagner | Editor in Chief, Teen Vogue

Moderator: 

Jaclyn Johnson | Founder and CEO, Create & Cultivate

On achieving success at a young age… 

“I still hustle. It is still always a hustle—don’t be fooled.” 

On being Teen Vogue’s editor in chief… 

“Everything we do is about making young people feel seen and heard.”

 “I’ve been careful about giving people chances that other people wouldn’t.”

On seeking out a mentor… 

“Don’t wait for someone to save you or give you the keys.”

On finding work-life balance… 

“The general rule is that I don’t do anything on the weekends, the only person I see is my husband I watch ‘Law and Order’ and ‘CSI’ and I zone out.”

On loving the color red...

“I felt like I needed a boost when I was starting in fashion and I wasn’t wearing head to toe designer.” 

On defining your personal style… 

“A lot of times, it’s just trying and not being so scared to take a little bit of a risk.”

Panel: Bold Moves—How to Fashion the Life and Career You Love

Panelists:

Jeanette Ogden | Founder, Shut the Kale Up

Gemma Correll | Cartoonist, Writer, Illustrator, GemmaCorrell.com

Meghan Rienks | Influencer, Actress, Author, and Podcast Co-Host, Don’t Blame the Pod

Noelle Scaggs | Singer-Songwriter, Fitz & The Tantrums; Food + Travel Influencer, Adventures With Scaggs, LLC.

Brittany Sky | Creator, Artist, DJ 

Moderator: 

Sacha Strebe | Editorial Director, Create & Cultivate

On building community… 

“It’s so powerful to have community because it truly builds you up. We’re all in this together we should all be building each other up.”—Jeanette Ogden

On staying true to yourself and your brand...

"I think you can tell when someone isn’t being authentic with their artwork, there’s just something off about it."—Gemma Correll

"If you really believe in what you’re doing, you’ll find a throughline."—Meghan Rienks

"It’s about allowing yourself to really shine and not be afraid to show that off."—Noelle Scaggs

"I say ‘no’ to a ton of stuff. It’s my favorite word."—Meghan Rienks

On overcoming challenges… 

"There are going to be people who punch at you every day, and you have to remember that, at the end of the day, you’re the one who walks in your shoes, not them."—Noelle Scaggs

On taking risks… 

"When you're fashioning your career, it's about not being afraid to change your stripes every now and then."—Noelle Scaggs

“If you feel it in your gut and you know what you’re passionate about, just take the leap because what’s the worst thing that could happen?”—Brittany Sky

On dealing with rejection… 

"They’re not saying no to you, they’re saying no to your offer, so don’t take it personally."—Brittany Sky

On partnering with brands...

"I want to make a long-term brand, this isn’t just a get rich right now thing. I want to be honest with my followers because they’re my friends, my family."—Jeanette Ogden

"This isn’t ad space, this is my diary."—Jeanette Ogden

"I’m just really upfront and forward and I know what I want and what I like and I know myself and my audience."—Meghan Rienks

On doing what makes you happy… 

"As long as you’re doing what makes you happy, you’re going to see the money."—Brittany Sky

On breaking through creative blocks...

"I read, preferably something that has nothing to do with what I’m trying to do."—Gemma Correll

Panel: Keynote Conversation With Katie Sturino

Panelist:

Katie Sturino | Founder of The 12ish Style and Megababe

Moderator: 

Jaclyn Johnson | Founder and CEO, Create & Cultivate

On Minnie Mouse as a style icon…

“I love that she is bold with style and fashion and print. She’s a curvy girl and she’s not afraid to rock color.”

On launching 12ish…

“People didn’t understand and still, to a certain extent, don’t understand how to talk about size.”

“This is a blog for people who feel ignored by the fashion industry.”

“I was trying to provide hacks, but it really turned into a body acceptance movement way beyond clothes.”

“Just like myself, people were really desperate to find a fashion blog where they saw a body that looks like theirs.”

On creating #MakeMySize…

“It wasn’t meant to be a callout culture thing, it’s much more about letting the brands know that I want to wear their clothes.”

“It’s the part in ‘Pretty Woman’ where she walks in with the cash. That’s me every time—I have the cash.”

On the importance of diversifying…

“If it wasn’t a job 10 years ago, who’s to say it’ll be a job 10 years from now.”

On hiring the right people…

“I need someone who never looks at me and says, ‘That’s not in my job description.’”

On finding inspiration…

“I really like surrounding myself with inspiring women. It’s very inspiring to just see someone doing it.”

On authenticity…

“It’s important to be the kind of person that people feel like they can be real with.”

On being an entrepreneur…

“People are always trying to put out the success vibe, like #flyingprivate, but I’m like, #iminataxi.”

On her legacy…

“I want to be known for making people feel good.”

Panel: Keynote Conversation With Alex Morgan

Panelist:

Alex Morgan | Co-Captain, U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team

Moderator: 

Jaclyn Johnson | Founder and CEO, Create & Cultivate

On taking risks… 

“You’re never going to get the reward unless you take the risk.”

 On being a pressure performer… 

“What’s really helped me in pressure-intense situations is the self-belief that I have and betting on myself.”

On supporting other women… 

"We’re stronger in numbers."

On starting an apparel company with her teammates… 

"We wanted to invest in ourselves and it paid off."

On the importance of sports… 

"There’s so much that sport can give you that you can’t learn otherwise."

On the state of gender equality in sports… 

“We won’t stop until we’re not discriminated against at all. Until we’re given the same opportunity to do what we love and make the same amount.”

“We’ve tried to educate people on the fact that we do make as much revenue, or more, for our employer and that, in turn, means that we should receive the same amount or more, potentially.”

"Progress is good, but it’s never at the rate that you want it to go."

On maternity leave… 

"If work is what you love to do, you shouldn’t think that you have to put that on hold to start a family. We can do both."

On surrounding yourself with women who lift you up… 

"Having a group of women that support you unconditionally is important."

On being a leader… 

"It’s important not to change the integrity of who you are. To change something that you do or say because you’re a captain or a leader is not what leading is all about."

On where her confidence comes from… 

"I get my confidence from a lot of my teammates, and I get a lot of confidence from proving myself right."

On the importance of staying grounded… 

"Remember where you started and how you got there, and know that the process is more important than the outcome."

On the value of self-care… 

"Don’t hold yourself back, make sure that you’re fulfilling yourself."

See more photos from the event!

Photography: Smith House Photo

5 Simple Ways to Supercharge Your Career This Leap Day

This post is in paid partnership with LinkedIn.

Photo: Smith House Photo

Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.

It might be an old cliche but we can honestly say that after the thousands of interviews we’ve conducted on stage or online at Create & Cultivate, this one actually rings true. Camila Coelho affirmed it during her recent keynote conversation; “You are going to be stressed but if you love what you do, you will be thankful every day that you are doing it.”  

When you consider the average person spends 8.8 hours per day at work—that’s a little more than 9,000 hours per year or one-third of your life—it becomes pretty clear that you should choose a job that you really love. If you’re reading this nodding your head in agreement, then it might be time to kickstart yours – whether that’s brainstorming ideas for your side hustle or improving your skills to get that promotion, there are so many ways to further your professional journey and take it to the next level.

And with Leap Day this Saturday, February 29, you now have a full day to put that plan into action. But the question is, what would you do to boost your career if you had an extra 24 hours? Now’s your chance to write down your goals and make it happen.

Not sure where to begin? Don’t stress. We partnered with our friends at LinkedIn to help you get started. They have millions of jobs and the community to help find the one meant for you. No matter what stage you’re at in your job journey from just starting out to pivoting onto a different path or leaving a job, LinkedIn is here to support you every step of the way. From updating your LinkedIn Profile to connecting with people in your field and listening to career-focused podcasts, ahead we share some simple ways you can boost your career in 24 hours. Let’s go!

Freshen up your LinkedIn profile

In many cases, your LinkedIn profile serves as your first impression with hiring managers and recruiters, so it’s a good idea to make sure it’s up to date and best represents you as a professional. According to LinkedIn, 65% of people believe that the impression you make online is just as important as the one you make in person. This first impression can be key to landing your next opportunity.

1. Add a Profile Photo

According to LinkedIn, people who have a profile photo get up to 21 times more profile views. Your profile photo should be both professional, but also approachable, so people can get a true sense of your personality. Pro tip: Use a simple background and try to make sure your face fills up 60% of the frame, so the focus is all on you.

2. Location

LinkedIn found that members who have locations listed on their profiles receive up to 19 times more profile views and are up to 23 times more likely to be discovered in searches. Adding your location makes it even easier for you to be connected to your next opportunity.

3. Summary

This is your career snapshot. Think of it as your personal “elevator pitch.” List your skills and highlight your strengths. Pro tips: try to sum up your experience in about 40 words and include keywords that you’ve seen featured in descriptions for jobs you’re interested in. Lose the jargon. And be your authentic self.

4. Experience

Start with your current position. According to LinkedIn, professionals who have their current positions listed on their profiles are discovered up to 60 times more in searches. You can also write about projects, accomplishments, and the value you bring to your team and organization. Keep it clear and concise. Bullet points work great here.

5. Pictures and Videos

Showing your accomplishments is a great way to share more about yourself. LinkedIn is introducing Featured, a new section on your profile where you can showcase posts or articles you’ve published on LinkedIn, as well as media like images, links, and documents. Highlighting your work helps you demonstrate your expertise to your network, grow your audience and build your brand. 

6. Education

Be sure to include where you went to school and what you studied. According to LinkedIn, adding your education leads up to 17X more messages from recruiters. 

For more information, visit Rock Your Profile and discover how to create a LinkedIn profile that brings your personal career story to life, whether you’re just starting out, seeking to advance, or making a career change. Instructor Lauren Jolda, head of the "Rock Your Profile" team at LinkedIn, offers tips on tailoring each section, starting with the key insight that a LinkedIn profile is unique and shouldn’t be approached exactly like a resume.

Tap into your network

Today, networking is an essential part of the job search. Even if you’re not hunting down a new job, having connections in your field is incredibly valuable. Through your LinkedIn network, you can get introduced to someone you might like to connect with which increases your chances of getting hired by nine times. When it comes to networking, make it easy on yourself. Make sure you've added the people who you interact with in your everyday life. You never know if a friend is connected to someone who works at your dream company.

Take an online course

Whether you’ve been eyeing that corner office and want to step up into a managerial role, or you’re launching a side hustle and need to know the basics of SEO, there are so many online courses now that can help you get there. Even if you’re happy in your role, you should always be open to learning and improving so your skills don’t stagnate. Then you’ll be ready for that promotion or job change when the opportunity strikes. The beauty of online is that you have an entire catalog of courses at your fingertips. Most of us are too time-strapped to attend a physical college, but online courses bring the education to you.

LinkedIn Learning is a great place to start and can help you bridge the gap between the career you want and the skills you need. Their personalized learning experiences and courses are taught by real-world professionals and there is a massive library of more than 15,000 topics for you to choose from that span every level, industry, and profession including creative, business, and technology courses. Access free LinkedIn Learning course, like this one titled “Making Recruiters Come to You” with tips and tricks to attract recruiters, such as how to make yourself more easily discoverable and connect with recruiters. 

Listen to career podcasts

No one can deny the rise in podcast popularity and it’s easy to see why. These digestive sound bites can open up a world of possibilities, deliver endless inspiration, and motivate us to take those crucial next steps in our careers. The best part is you can tune in and learn while you’re commuting to work, taking your lunch break, or walking the dog. So why not use your 24 hours to tune into the new LinkedIn podcast Hello Monday with Jessi Hempel where she explores the changing nature of work, and how that work is changing us. What does work mean to us? Should we love what we do? How can we switch it up? Her guests, including Anna Faris, Seth Meyers, and Elizabeth Gilbert, share the many lessons they learned on their own career journey that apply to your own, too. A few others we recommend are WorkParty, GoldDigger, Second Life, WSJ Secrets of Wealthy Women, Glossy, Boss Files, NPR’s How I Built This, and The Influencer Podcast.

Reorganize your workspace

It might not seem like organizing your desk can boost your career, but here are some compelling stats that might change your mind. Firstly, clutter is surprisingly hard on our brains. Your brain is constantly processing visual information, and this study found that too much clutter can make it hard for it to be efficient. So reducing unnecessary stimuli aka clutter can reduce stress and help you to stay focused on your goals. 

Secondly, an unorganized space can decrease your sense of self-worth and make you feel depressed. A 2010 study from the University of California revealed that women who described their homes as being cluttered or filled with unfinished projects were more likely to be depressed and fatigued than women who characterized their living spaces as being restful and restorative. They also found that women who lived in cluttered environments had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Plus, decluttering and organizing actually releases those feel-good chemicals called endorphins. So we really can see no reason not to clean up your desk. It’ll reduce stress, help you hit your goals, and put you in a better mood. 

Here are some ways to shape-up your workspace:

—Put time on your calendar. If you don’t schedule it, it won’t happen. Go through your desk drawers and throw away what you no longer need and file what you do.

—Buy chic trays and filing systems to organize your paperwork, pens, and notebooks.

—Clean out your email inbox. 

—Add a vase with fresh clippings and flowers or a low-maintenance succulent (science says it’ll make you happier and more productive).

So make this year’s Leap Day count and choose one or more of these activities to boost your career.