Create & Cultivate 100: STEM: Mandela Schumacher-Hodge Dixon

THE FOUNDER.

Forget thigh gaps, Founder Gym is about representation gaps. Knowledge gaps. Network gaps. 

Specifically, Founder Gym is an online training gym that focuses on underrepresented founders building tech startups. Over the course of 4 weeks, founders complete structured exercises to increase their strength in a core area of startup success, and receive personal training from Silicon Valley investors and venture-backed founders.

Top trainer and co-founder: Mandela Schumacher-Hodge Dixon, says, "As a woman of color in Silicon Valley I have seen first-hand the gaps in knowledge, network, and capital that underrepresented founders experience. Founder Gym is my way of closing those gaps."

More below.

Instagram Handle: @MandelaSH 

Business Instagram Handle: @FounderGym 

Congrats on the launch of Founder Gym! Chat us through what it's all about and the impetus for the company? 

Founder Gym is an online training center for underrepresented tech startup founders. Via four week cohorts led by expert trainers, we help founders develop their entrepreneurial muscles, so that they can successfully navigate their startup journey. As a woman of color founder in Silicon Valley, a global director of entrepreneurship, and a portfolio services director at a venture capital rm, I have seen first-hand the gaps in knowledge, network, and capital that underrepresented founders experience. Founder Gym is my way of closing those gaps. 

So, when someone is launching, what's the biggest mistake they usually make? 

The biggest mistake most new founders make is that they build the solution, before they truly, deeply understand the user and their problem. They are so smitten with their idea of a solution that they invest all their time, energy, and resources into developing it out. Then when they finally launch it, they are confused as to why no one is using it. The issue is they did not first focus on mastering the user and that user's problem. If they had kept their eye on that, they could have intentionally designed a solution with that information in mind, and likely achieved greater early adoption of their solution. 

The biggest mistake most new founders make is that they build the solution, before they truly, deeply understand the user and their problem.

Do you remember your first big mistake and what you took away from it? 

My first big mistake was not asking for help when I needed it. I had imposter syndrome and didn't want to be "exposed" for not knowing something everyone probably thought I should. So rather than seek out advice when I really needed it, I kept my head down. This was a big mistake and a huge waste of time, because I spent countless hours struggling alone, and problems that likely could have been resolved, ended up spiraling out of control. This experience taught me a few things: 1) I don't have to know it all (99.9% of other founders don't), 2) I should ask for help when I need it (99.9% of all successful founders have close advisors and coaches), 3) there are people who are willing to help me, and 4) vulnerability is key - you have to be willing to talk about your weaknesses, if you truly want to reap the benefits of other people's guidance. 

Where do your drive and passion come from? 

My parents always pushed my sisters and I to be our very best - both in academia and sports. Hard work, discipline, and excellence were engrained in me at a young age. Also mortality played a role. Once my father unexpectedly passed away when I was a teenager, I very quickly realized the finiteness of life; that I only have a limited amount of time on this earth and I'm going to make the very most of it. 

How do you feel as a woman in STEM? 

I feel like I am not just a woman in STEM. I am a Black woman in STEM, who grew up in a low- income household, who never took a technology, business, or finance class in K-12 or college, didn't go to an Ivy league school, and didn't know a soul in tech prior to entering Silicon Valley in 2011. My background and lived experiences has shaped who I am, how I interact with this industry, and the way in which I want to make an impact. My existence in this space isn't just about me. This is about what I can do to help other people like me; people who aren't from the tech world and don't have access to it, but who want their shot to contribute to it and benefit from it also.

I am not just a woman in STEM. I am a Black woman in STEM, who grew up in a low- income household, who never took a technology, business, or finance class in K-12 or college, didn't go to an Ivy league school, and didn't know a soul in tech prior to entering Silicon Valley in 2011.

How have you successfully navigated such a male-dominated field? 

Several things have helped me successfully navigate this male-dominated field: an unwavering belief in myself, my ability to learn, grow and adapt, a relentless work ethic, a commitment to excellence, building strong relationships, strong communication skills, and a deep understanding of human nature. 

What are your hopes for young women who are interested in STEM? 

If you are not yet in STEM, but are interested in entering the field, step one is to get clear on why. Why do you want this? Once you are crystal clear on your reasoning for pursuing this path, that will create the motivation that propels you forward to learn whatever you need to learn, meet whoever you need to meet, and do as much as work as you need to do, in order to break into the field and make your dreams a reality. Any path to greatness starts with a strong reason why. 

"Any path to greatness starts with a strong reason why."

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What is your biggest pet peeve? 

People who make excuses, instead of taking personal responsibility. 

What are your biggest fears about running a business? 

My biggest fear is letting the opinions of others drown out my inner voice. In business, that could lend itself to me signing up for things that truly don't align to the type of business I want to run and the type of founder I want to be. I try to ensure that fear doesn't become realized by blocking off time each week to be alone, reflect, think, plan, and ensure my business is still in alignment with my innermost truth. 

What's something you'd like people to know about your job that they probably don’t? 

I work extremely hard. I work in the early mornings, late nights, weekends, etc. Sometimes I even pull all-nighters (even though I'm trying to cut back, because I also recognize the importance of sleep and rejuvenation). I work really f___ hard behind the scenes to create the things everyone else sees later on in public. 

What about your career makes you feel the most complete? 

Doing something that I truly believe in with people I truly enjoy, and having fun every step of the way. That makes me feel complete. 

If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why? 

Oprah Winfrey, because she built her career on listening, learning, and sharing the truths about humanity. 

At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today? 

I think every time I have faced my fears and come out on the other side in one piece, I have grown more confident. I think every time I have received recognition or praise from others, I have grown more confident. So it's been a combination of internal affirmations and external affirmations that have helped me realize my potential and step into my power. I don't think true confidence is an overnight or instantaneous thing. I believe it's developed from experience, and I am still on my journey of experiencing new challenges that will help me evolve into who I need to be, in order to truly, fully embody unwavering confidence. 

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk? 

I didn't receive this advice, but this is the advice I want to give. It's advice that I live by. Don't blindly accept the narrative: "This is just the way it is." That's something that others can easily accept, but I challenge you to question it, push back on it, and even offer alternatives if you're able to. Many problems with society today stem from people blindly perpetuating the same narratives, systems, and behavior they inherited from the previous generations. I'm here to remind you that this is a new time, a new era, and you do have the power to create better ideas and narratives that can positively change the world. 

When you hit a big bump in the road, how do you find a new road? 

If I hit a bump in the road, I try to focus on what's in my control to fix. I try not to complain (which is easier said than done sometimes). Instead, I like to remind myself that struggle is par for the course - it's an expected part of the journey on the road to greatness. And with that in mind, I go for a run, watch a motivational video on YouTube, and get back to it! 

What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day? 

"Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley.

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE STEM LIST CLICK HERE. 

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Create & Cultivate 100: Fashion: Tanesha Awasthi

THE FASHION CURVE BALL

MORE THAN HER BODY.

It's something that most, if not all, women can relate to. 

When Tanesha Awasthi started Girl With Curves in 2011, she paved the way for plus-sized fashion bloggers, stepping out from behind fashion industry constructions. She is a woman with brains, gusto, a champion for the body positive and female empowerment movements, mom (to 4-year-old son and English bulldog), digital influencer, and so much more. Her body may have carved out a place for her in the blogging world, but it's her other more compelling attributes that have staying power.

A well of inspiration to women everywhere, Tanesha challenges women to love their bodies. To love themselves. She believes that self-esteem starts with a healthy sense of realism. And the woman is real.

To point: 2017 was the year of expanding content altogether, covering a wider variety of topics outside of style and beauty that are important to her. She added a Wellness section and a Real Talk column where the blogger vents about things that are bothering her. 

Find out more below. 

In many ways your career through-line is about breaking barriers. First as a WOC in tech and then as a plus-size blogger in a formerly non-inclusive space. Was that always a goal of yours?

Not at all! When I first started GWC it was simply a creative outlet outside my now former career in tech. I never thought it would turn into anything outside of a hobby, let alone a full-blown business. But I did realize pretty quickly that I didn't fit into the "style blogger mold" at the time, in being larger than the majority of women I saw getting attention from magazines. I was happy to know I was different from everyone else by riding the line between straight and plus, because that gave me the option of really standing out in a market that wasn't yet evolved as far as curvy bodies go.

"I was happy to know I was different from everyone else."

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Would you say that your career in tech prepared you for the fashion space?

In ways I think it did, especially when it comes to organization, project and time management. My business partner and husband has a tech background as well (in software Engineering) and we often find ourselves using knowledge and business practices from our past careers to help take our digital media business forward.

Women struggle with self-confidence. With imposter syndrome. But Girl with Curves is about being unapologetically confident. At what point did you find that self-confidence within?

It took me many years to find it - I certainly didn't start GWC as a confident woman who loved her body or herself inside and out. It's been quite the journey and at times I still think I'm searching to find that confidence within myself at any given moment. GWC allows me to get my daily dose of what I call "friendship-therapy" by talking to women who have either gone through similar experiences as myself or are going through the same experiences as I am at any given time. It's a beautiful thing to find people online from all walks of life whom you can relate to on such a deep level, without even knowing them personally! I think of my audience as a community of friends and I've always had an open line of communication with them about the core values GWC stands for self-confidence, self-love and body acceptance.

GWC stands for self-confidence, self-love and body acceptance.

Can you recall a recent hard day when you had to rely on someone other than yourself to pull it together?

I rely on my husband and sisters a ton, but I often vent about things I'm going through in my #RealTalk column on the blog, which I started just a few months ago as a way to openly vent about any and everything that was on my mind. It's nice hearing from readers who can offer me advice or simply let me know that hearing me talk so openly about an issue puts them at ease in knowing they aren't alone. The last #RealTalk was about the downsides of pregnancy that women often don't discuss. Needless to say, it was a popular topic!

"Ignore the negative what-ifs and go for it."

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What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?

Ignore the negative what-ifs and go for it. I've always been an over-analyzer, so ignoring that voice in my head is something I constantly have to overcome, and it was the best advice I got from the CFO (who also became my friend over time) at my former job in tech, who was very supportive of me leaving to pursue blogging full-time.

You're about to give birth to your little girl! How has having a girl changed your approach to parenting? Are there different concerns?

I'm due in 2 weeks! Knowing that I'm having a girl has definitely brought about some anxiety, because girls are treated so unfairly in today's society, along with a whole list of things I went through growing up that most of the women I know also went through, including sexual harassment and discrimination. At the end of the day though, I know all I can do is teach her she can be anyone she wants and accomplish anything she sets her mind to, along with reminding her that her worth is much more than physical appearance.

You also recently launched the Girl with Curves collection exclusively at Dia & Co. What did you learn through that process?

I've always wanted to be a designer, so being able to go through the process with a team of people who believe in my vision and stand for the same values I stand for through GWC was amazing. I can't wait to design more in 2018!

What are you excited for next?

I'm in the process of designing another collection for 2018, as well as continuing to build my team on the digital media side of the business.

What would you consider your superpower?

I have a knack for telling people exactly how to get what they want out of their job, their husbands, whatever it is, I can give some amazing advice that gets results!

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE FASHION LIST CLICK HERE. 

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Create & Cultivate 100 Entertainment: Lele Pons

THE MOST WATCHED.

Lele Pons had the most viewed Instagram Stories in 2017. 

Let that soak in for a second. She beat out Selena Gomez and Kylie Jenner, two names that people associate "most-watched" with. 

The Venezuela-born social media influencer is known for her self-deprecating and hilarious skits. After making a name for herself on Vine and YouTube, 21-year-old Elenora "Lele" Pons, grew her Instagram to over 20 million followers. The model, actress, comedian, and YouTube star has a brand deal with US makeup brand CoverGirl, walked for Dolce and Gabbana last year in Milan, and  shows no signs of slowing down. 

Making people laugh gives her life. 

More from Lele below.

Your IG Stories had the most views, of ANYONE, in 2017. What does that feel like?

It’s so amazing! It almost doesn’t feel real. I’m really happy that people want to connect with me like that. 

What are your goals for 2018?

I just want to get better and keep growing in everything I do. Last year was amazing and I just want to keep building. Specifically, I want to expand into dance and music. I have some ideas that I’m working on and can’t wait for everyone to see.

Are you ever nervous about what you put up on social? Or how people are going to respond?

There are always going to be negative people on social media, but you can’t let that scare you or stop you. Sometimes I post something where I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and it can make me feel a little nervous about how people will respond to it, but I’m lucky enough to be surrounded by endless support.

"There are always going to be negative people on social media, but you can’t let that scare you or stop you."

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Piggybacking on that a little, when you hit a bump in the road, what drives you forward?

Friends, family and my team. They are always there for me and always pushing me to be my best self.

What would you say is your superpower?

I think my superpower is being able to be hyper-focused, but whacky at the same time. I spend hours shooting and editing my videos and it’s a lot of hard work that I take seriously. But, I also know that what I’m doing is making fun videos, so I try not to take myself too seriously.

Why do you think you chose a career that gets people laughing?

I’ve always loved making people laugh. Whenever I was with my friends and family, I’d dance and make jokes and just try to entertain.

Photo Credit: @davisfactor

Hair & Makeup: @SmashboxCosmetics @TheGlamApp @TheOuai

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE ENTERTAINMENT LIST CLICK HERE. 

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Create Cultivate 100: STEM: Pamela Fletcher

FINDING NEW ROADS.

Pamela Fletcher is leading the charge of electric vehicles.

After overseeing the development of the breakthrough Chevrolet Bolt EV, a $37,500 all-electric hatchback that can go 238 miles on a single charge—the first electric car to achieve that kind of range at such a low price point, she aimed higher. 

And cleaner. Toward a zero-emissions world. 

More from the woman finding new roads below.

You've been named one of Fast Company's Most Creative People of 2017. For you, how do creativity and business work together?

Without creativity, there is no business. Right now, at General Motors and Chevrolet we’re reinventing the transportation sector to achieve a vision of zero emissions, zero crashes and zero congestion. This is a new roadmap. It requires creativity as we look for ways to capture customers’ hearts and minds with solutions they might not have considered in the past, such as electric vehicles, ride-sharing, and autonomous technology.

How do creativity and cars work together?

As with so many industries, there is no one way to put the puzzle together. At the beginning of the all-electric Bolt EV program, the team had a blank slate. We brought together different thinking from all parts of the company to create options for an affordable, versatile all-electric vehicle. Even after one vehicle was selected, we kept going back until we got it right. Creativity belongs throughout the whole vehicle process.

You're leading your team at GM toward the mission of a zero-emissions world. We imagine you have to get creative here. You're doing something that's never been done before. How do you manage the day-to-day of that?

Achieving zero emissions won’t happen overnight, or on my own. It’s important to keep an eye on the larger mission while getting laser-focused on the specific goals. For Bolt EV, we aimed for an electric range of over 200 miles. It’s a big step in itself to translate the overall mission down to the individual level. One size doesn’t fit all, and as we look toward a world of zero emissions, it’s true as well. We must transform our vehicles into the future solutions consumers need.

How are you looking big picture?

Zero emissions, zero crashes, and zero congestion is now the driving force for every project. Nowhere else I could work has this scale and scope. This is literally changing the world.

Were you always interested in engineering? We'd love if you shared an anecdote from your childhood that sums up your career trajectory.

My dad enjoyed racing, and my family spent the weekends on the track. I don’t have any brothers, so I was the one in the garage with my dad learning how everything worked. What began as a love of cars and speed has transformed over my career into a love of the technology at the heart of mobility. As I look back at the common thread on projects I’ve taken on, it’s been making technology available and exciting.

Where do your drive and passion come from?

I’m a lifelong learner, and my drive comes from the opportunity to continually re-invent, improve and understand how items work. The pace of technology and its evolution is the fastest it’s ever been, and I can’t imagine a more exciting space to work.

How do you feel as a woman in STEM?

I don’t find myself exceptional because since I was a child, anything I was interested in my parents encouraged. I never heard “girls don’t do this.” That encouragement has translated into me working in areas that I’m interested. It works for me; I can’t imagine doing anything else.

How have you successfully navigated such a male-dominated field?

If you’re doing something you’re genuinely interested in and doing the best work you can, your contribution will stand out. I think it has to come from inside, and finding where and how you can engage and participate in areas you are passionate about.

What are your hopes for young women who are interested in STEM?

Number one, I hope they’ll consider STEM. When I look at my career and friends’ careers that are in STEM fields, most have found them very rewarding. If STEM is for you, then pursue it with everything you’ve got. If it’s not, that’s OK too. Just don’t rule STEM out upfront.

What's something you'd like people to know about your job that they probably don’t?

My job is the best of both worlds: I’m looking ahead to the big picture and how to transform mobility as well as being grounded in the details of bringing technology to life.

"Take the risk and do what you love."

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What about your career makes you feel the most complete?

There are many moments, but I love when you launch a vehicle and then you are driving to dinner and the car you worked on passes you on the road. It’s such a great feeling because those people chose to spend their hard-earned dollars on something you built. It’s not a small decision. Cars are the second largest consumer purchase after a home, so I feel very proud to see vehicles succeed that my team engineered and built.

At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?

I can’t identify a specific point, but I can say that I’ve always made choices to do things I love. Sometimes those choices haven’t been easy, including at the beginning of my career when I took jobs with lower pay or left a company to do the work that really excited me. By relying on my passions, I’ve stepped into this new role that is really changing the future of mobility.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?

Take the risk and do what you love. I had a professor in college who helped me see this when choosing my first job. Opportunities might not come again, so seize them.

When you hit a bump in the road or come up against a problem, how do you find new roads?

I’ve been lucky to lead great teams. When I’ve encountered challenges of time, resources or even inspiration, a team can help find a new road to success.

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE STEM LIST CLICK HERE. 

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Create & Cultivate 100: Entrepreneur: Allison Statter & Sherry Jhawar

THE BTS BOSSES. 

Behind-the-scenes of every famous face and brand deal are incredibly important women, many of whom intentionally shy away from the spotlight. They take the phone calls. Make the deals (or walk away from them). Come up with ideas and branding. They get shit done. 

Such is the case of Allison Statter and Sherry Jhawar, founders of Blended Strategy Group. Never heard of it? There's a reason for that. And #sorrynotsorry for blowing your cover ladies. Both are incredible strategists and entrepreneurs. Allison spent 16 years building her career in the entertainment industry. When she met her business partner Sherry Jhawar, the former Global Head of Marketing for Eos Products, there was instant biz chemistry. Together they founded Blended Strategy Group.

Providing comprehensive commercial, marketing and branding consultation to their clients, Allison and Sherry cut out the middle man-- talent agencies and red tape, instead making a direct connections between the brand and the client. They're like the BitCoin of client/brand relations. As Sherry says, it's important to the founders to "provide a pathway and megaphone for small brands to be heard in this insider’s world." 

More below.  

Blended Strategy arrived on the scene at what we think is the perfect time. People are over-managed. There are so many cooks in the kitchen. Why was it important for each of you to streamline brand and talent management?

Sherry: When I worked internally in marketing at the brand, I found that Hollywood is such an “insider’s world.” If you do not know the right people and have the right level of “cache,” you do not get very far. Naturally, if you work at a big brand with a big checkbook, everyone will take your call…but they also then try and take advantage of you because they assume you do not know any different. It is important to me that we not only provide a pathway and megaphone for small brands to be heard in this insider’s world, but also an unbiased and knowledgeable negotiating representative for the larger brands – all the while, providing the right strategy to all our clients. On the talent side, I found that many times the dots were not well connected between talent’s various partnerships – the partnerships were kept in silos vs being connected so they could amplify each other and the talent.

Allison: When I worked internally at the management company, my biggest challenge was working with the brands on the best way to activate with my talent and how to best leverage them to get them fully engaged. As we all know, there are so many different ways for brands to engage with talent nowadays. Because of that we think it is not just important, but very helpful for brands to have us on board to help them navigate through the entire process so they enter the partnership with talent on a positive note and then continue to work with them in a way the talent feels excited which in return gets them more engaged. With our expertise in both brand management and talent management, we are very valuable to brands.

Navigating partnerships is no easy feat. A co-founder relationship is no exception. How did you know you would work as co-founders?

Sherry: I know this sounds hokey, but before Allison and I decided to start this business together, I felt like there was a force that kept pushing us together (at the time, I was at eos and I worked with her on talent she managed) and I truly felt there is something bigger in business for us to together. I lived in NYC and flew to LA to spend 2 days with her to try and learn as much as I could about her! It is funny in retrospect, but honestly, in those 2 days, I learned that the core Allison and I were very similar people in our work ethic, passion for business, devotion, and closeness to our families and friends, and more. All of those qualities in Allison, along with our very clear complimentary skill sets and knowledge bases, are what made me confident to take the leap of faith and start Blended Strategy with her. In the end, it truly is a leap of faith – no matter how much “research” you do to ensure it will be a good partnership, you truly do not know until you are in it. We are 2.5 years in and still learning about each other! Like any relationship, the key is trying to find time to communicate and not get lost in the shuffle of all the day-to-day hustle.

Allison: For me, I always knew I wanted to have my own business one day, but I also knew I never wanted to do it alone. I am someone who needs my partner riding alongside me, in the weeds with me, encouraging me…. Sherry is that person. In all honesty, I didn’t know we would work as partners but I was so drawn to her that I didn’t really care, I just assumed we would figure it out and that is what we have done. For me, it was that I saw a good person who shares similar life and family values as me. That is at the core of our partnership. We love each other on a personal level first and then all of the professional aspects of our relationship come second to that. It's like a marriage, I know I need her in my life no matter what, I love her, I am so grateful for her, so all of the hurdles we encounter we just work hard to get over them. Not having Sherry as my ride or die is not an option.

Where do each of your respective drives and passion come from?

Sherry: My parents and older brother all worked incredibly hard as I grew up and are all great role models in work ethic and I always want to make them all proud. Many of my close friends are all marketers too and we fuel each other’s careers too. Honestly, I truly love seeing great and unexpected (but thoughtful) marketing come to life, and being able to do that for both our talent clients and brand clients is incredibly rewarding and fun. I love pop culture and I love products and brands– so to have a job that encompasses both, is a dream come true. I mean what other job is it part of work to watch Stranger Things and trawl Instagram!

Allison: I get it from my parents. They are both incredibly hard workers and are both self-made. They grew up in middle-class families and have worked their entire lives and made an impact on me. For me, it's about following in their footsteps and making them proud…. Plain and simple!

Relationships are a huge part of your business. How does someone with no connections begin to build those important relationships?

Sherry: I am huge proponent and fan of LinkedIn and reaching out to people on there. If you write to someone with a thoughtful and personalized message, you would be surprised how many people will write you back. Most people do not take the leap of faith to do this and it is a great platform! Additionally, it was interesting, when I first landed in here 2.5 years ago and started this business with Allison, I didn’t know many people in this industry. The few people I did know, I worked hard to foster those relationships and with new people that I met, I invested time to get to know the people and truly connect. If you are knowledgeable, honest and hardworking, people will gravitate to you and build trust in you. I feel lucky in many of the new relationships I have made in this business, as they are people I would never have gotten to know in my prior career.

"If you are knowledgeable, honest and hardworking, people will gravitate to you and build trust in you."

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Allison: Networking is key. Don’t stop networking. Leverage your friends' relationships, don’t be afraid to ask for introductions. I used to think I needed to do it all myself and then I realized that the support and the introductions are the most helpful when building relationships. I also think being consistent and honest is important. Once you get one person to trust you and build that relationship you have a strong foundation to work off of. One day you will wake up and be grateful you asked for the intros and that you hustled to network because you will have your own incredible network and people will be coming to you asking for help. Always return the favor!

How do you hold onto them?

Sherry: It is important to make time to see these key relationships on a someone consistent basis to stay connected. Sending interesting articles or news to the person is also a great way to stay connected. It takes work, but with the relationships that are worth fostering and holding on to, making them a priority is critical.

Allison: Make an effort to check in with them frequently, see them for lunch or drinks, drop them a “just saying hi” email and ask how they are. These small gestures go a long way.

Sherry, you are the former Global Head of Marketing for eos Products. I remember the moment when that lip balm became everything. It remains the brand's most ubiquitous product. When you're talking to celebs and influencers specifically about product dev and the strategy around it, do you suggest creating something that is niche and specific and expand from there? What are your marketing secrets?

Sherry: Yes, the ubiquitous eos Sphere (or Egg Shaped Lip Balm as many call it) is something special that I am so proud to have been a part of creating, launching and building. As for my marketing secrets, you need to hire Blended Strategy to get those! Haha! Just Kidding! In all seriousness, while eos created a truly unique product it actually wasn’t a niche category – lip balm is a huge category and we created a new approach to the category that was cool, beauty-oriented and fun vs functional. That is the key thing in product development – how are you going to address a category need in a unique and differentiated way. It can be through innovative packaging or it can be by a new approach to communicating the benefits of the products. One of our brand clients, OLLY vitamins reinvented the vitamin category by calling out the end benefit you get from taking the vitamins vs the ingredients. People do not know what various ingredients actually do, but they do know how they want to feel after they take them – was crazy that no other brands were communicating their product message that way. Also, another thing both Allison and I tell clients who want to start brands is that they should start with a focused and small assortment – not launch 40 skus at once, but 3-10 skus and build from there.

Start with a focused and small assortment – not launch 40 skus at once.

Sherry, what is your favorite thing about working with Allison? And Allison, same to you.

Sherry: Allison is one of the most open people I have ever met. There are no walls, no layers of the onion to peel back – just an open and honest approach to things. It is incredibly rare and incredibly refreshing. It is because of that, that I trust her immensely.

Allison: Sherry is the hardest working woman I have ever met. Her passion comes out in everything she does and it is truly incredible, it inspires me. She makes me want to do better every day. Her commitment not just to our business as a whole, but down to the details of our work is something I am so grateful for. I love every day that I get to work next to her. RIDE OR DIE!

What are your biggest fears about running a business?

Sherry: Disappointing my business partner and the team who works with us and relies on us.

Allison: Letting Sherry down, letting my family down and of course letting our team down.

What would you each respectively consider the biggest challenges facing young female entrepreneurs?

Sherry: As far as we have come in elevating females, most industries still have males at the top. Beauty for example – all these rising female-founded beauty brands from Anastasia Beverly Hills to Ouai Haircare to Glossier to many many more. But still, the top people at all the big beauty conglomerates are men. So being taken seriously as women entrepreneurs is still something that continues to evolve – but progress has been made and will continue to be made!

Allison: While it is clear women are now being taken seriously and have an incredible runway to start businesses, I still think we are faced with living in a man's world. Why does it have to be such a big thing that there is a boom of badass women right now… why can't we just be part of the overall story that we sit next to men and have the same abilities as them? I think that we are still being put in this bubble is a challenge.

"Why does it have to be such a big thing that there is a boom of badass women right now?"

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What about your respective careers makes you each feel the most complete?

Sherry: Coming to work every day and seeing a team that enjoys coming to work, is proud of what they do, and feels they learn from me and Allison. It is a priceless feeling that fuels me every day. Also doesn’t hurt when we get an email from a prospective brand or talent client saying they have heard good things about Blended Strategy! Love that in just 2.5 years our name is getting out there as a viable option for both brands and talent to utilize for marketing and branding services!

Allison: For me, it's two-fold. There is the part about walking into our office every morning knowing that Sherry and I built our business from the ground up and its ours. That fuels me everyday and I still walk in and pinch myself and feel incredibly lucky and blessed. The second piece is seeing our team and how much work and effort they put into our business. Both of those things combined complete it all for me!

To both: If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?

Sherry: Ellen! She makes people laugh, interviews people from all walks of life and seems to have fun doing it! Seems pretty fun to talk to people and ask them who their favorite muppet is!

Allison: Anyone in the Royal Family….. first and foremost because I love all of the philanthropic work they do. It is really inspiring. Second, because they are royalty and let's be real, they are fascinating!

At what point in your careers did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the women you are today?

Sherry: I had a moment at eos, where I looked at our advertising creative which I had led the strategy work on, our overall marketing plan, the products themselves, and all the relationships I had built around me, and I realized I was really good at my job and that I was having so much fun doing it too. I had come into my own at that moment and knew I had the trust of the Co-CEOs at eos and everyone around me – and it was an incredible feeling.

Allison: For me, I had worked for dad for 16 years and I needed to get out from under his wing and I also felt like I had done everything I could for him. I had my third son and did a lot of soul-searching about leaving my kids everyday and being a working mom. It had to really be worth it for me and so I took a leap of faith and left the job security I had working for my dad to start BSG. Best decision I ever made! And, icing on the cake was how supportive both my mom and dad were.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?

Sherry: The best advice I was given, was being told that the hardest thing as a business gets more successful, is saying no to what might be great opportunities. This is something that one of the Co-CEOs of eos told me and it was beyond helpful to me as eos got extremely successful – we couldn’t do all the great things coming the brand’s way all at once as it would tip over the brand and also stretch the team too thin. And the same is true at Blended Strategy – Allison and I consistently sit together and evaluate the how, the what and the when in growing our business and have had to say no to potentially great opportunities because it just wasn’t the right time for them.

Allison: Best advice I have ever gotten is to be ok not doing it all. I have minor OCD and I need everything to be perfect in life and in business. As a working mom that is impossible. I had a friend tell me it was ok to let 50% be my new 100% and that it’s ok to not do it all. It really has helped me prioritize and balance it all.

When you hit a big bump in the road, how do you find a new road or a detour?

Sherry: I like to talk through things to see if I can get to the solution. I rely on Allison and several of the girls on our team to be sounding boards for me when I hit a bump. I do fully subscribe to the philosophy that things do happen for a reason – so even bumps or disappoints along the way are there to help guide us to the right outcome.

Allison: I rely heavily on Sherry during the bumps. Another reason its nice to have a partner, I don’t feel alone when we have to make hard decisions or we are faced with bumps. Sherry and I really support each other and will sit together and talk through the bump and we get through it and then it becomes a distant memory!

What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?

Sherry: “Where Does the Good Go” by Teagan & Sara. It was the song that Meredith Grey and Cristina Yang “dance it out to” in their last scene together on Grey’s Anatomy. I loved that moment of that friendship and that song just lifts me up.

Allison: “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey. A classic and my all time favorite!

Photo Credit: @davisfactor

Hair & Makeup: @SmashboxCosmetics @TheGlamApp @TheOuai

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE ENTREPRENEUR LIST CLICK HERE. 

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Create & Cultivate 100: Entertainment: Emma Roberts & Karah Preiss

THEY'RE LIT.

"Nobody reads anymore" is an untruth for Emma Roberts and Karah Preiss, friends and co-founders behind Belletrist, the site that celebrates great books and the people who read them.

And yes, reading, in and of itself, is a form of entertainment-- one of the best and oldest forms of entertainment we might add. 

Every month, Belletrist features a different book and a favorite independent bookstore, both hand-picked by Emma and Karah.

Though they live on opposite coasts, the actress (Emma) and voracious reader (both) are forever connected via words. 

After co-founding Belletrist in 2017, Emma says that she read more books than she ever has before, but that doesn't stop people from questioning her on set. "When I'm reading a book on set, some people will come up to me and ask, 'You read?' And I say: 'What part of that is
surprising? Because I'm an actress? Because I have blonde hair? What is it that literally stopped you in your tracks to be shocked that I can read and do read,' that's really crazy. And they're like, 'Well it just didn't seem like you would read.' So, I ask 'why?' And no one can really give me an answer. I always find that interesting. I would actually assume somebody reads before I would assume that they don't read. Being an actress, I think that people are just surprised that you do anything else," she wrote on Belletrist while interviewing "Abandon Me" author Melissa Febos. 

But we are certainly happy both women are readers. The more the merrier. Plus, with their platform, they're not only getting noses in books, but they're sticking theirs places we'd love to go. Through Belletrist Emma had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interview Joan Didion, as well as Carmen Maria Machado, author of the inimitable "Her Body and Other Parties."

More below. 

Favorite book you read in the last year: 

Emma: "The Rules Do Not Apply" by Ariel Levy. This book is an account of Levy's life, toggling between life as a young girl and a woman trying to navigate the overwhelming burden of a choice that we all feel as we reach adulthood. Contrary to what many people think, it's not just a story of a woman's miscarriage. It's an important book about what it means to "want it all" as a woman in the 21st century. 

Emma, on finding the woman who would become one of her favorites: 

Emma: When I was eighteen and living in New York City, I met a boy. Because this boy was a writer, he was trying to write—probably about me, I thought. It turns out, he wasn’t. Either way, he wanted me to shut up, and so he handed me a book from his bookshelf. The book was Play It As It Lays. 

The author was Joan Didion. I had never heard of her before, but because I wanted to come across as sophisticated I said nothing and started reading in the other room. 

From that moment, I fell in love with Joan and not in a casual way. You don’t just read Joan Didion. Joan Didion begins to inform your life. She makes you look at places, like California, New York and Hawaii, differently. She changes the way you view grief and loss. She humanizes celebrities like John Wayne and Joan Baez. She forces you to understand that a journalist is not just somebody who reports the news, but rather someone who makes history. She changes the way you keep a journal, even though you know you might be the only person to ever read it. She makes you feel like you might possibly be the reporter of your own life, not just living it. 

I’m not the only woman or person who has thought these things about Joan Didion, and I certainly won't be the last. However, there is a part of me, and I think there is a part of every person who reads Joan, that wishes she was all their own.  

Belletrist January Book Pick:

"The Immortalists" by Chloe Benjamin. We adore this novel and cannot wait to discuss many of the philosophical questions raised throughout!

On their friendship:

Emma: We literally love books. I think that’s been the strongest part of our friendship. We met through mutual friends, and it was one of those things where people thought maybe we wouldn’t really become that close, but we ended up becoming really close because of…

Karah: Books.

Emma: … a love for reading and just wanting to learn more, read more and … she [Karah] really imposed such a reading list on me.

On their hopes for Belletrist:

Karah: We said we want to do what Kylie Jenner has done to lip kits …

Emma: … for books.

Karah: For books.

This has been edited and condensed via Belletrist.

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE ENTERTAINMENT LIST CLICK HERE. 

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Create & Cultivate 100: Fashion: Emma Grede

NOT JUST GOOD. GREAT.

As the co-founder of Good American, the inclusive denim line Emma Grede launched with Khloe Kardashian in December 2016, there was a lot of pressure to perform. But with a focus on inclusive sizing and showing the product on various models on its website, the duo found immediate, chart-topping success. 

It was the biggest denim launch in apparel history. NBD. With sizes ranging from 00 to 24, that they don't separate into "petite" or "plus-size" categories, the label relied on social-media marketing, featuring the product on an array of women on its Instagram. They've now expanded into bodysuits and sweats, as modeled by Khloe herself. 

Originating from a convo between Khloe and Emma about what it means to be a woman today, Emma shares “We believe everybody deserves to be shown off. Fashion should be made to fit women, not the other way around. Body ideals really have shifted in the last few years.”

Here's to shifting the industry, one Good pair of jeans at a time. 

Read more from Emma below. 

What an amazing year you've had! In 2016 you and co-founder Khloe did one million in sales on day one. Did you ever anticipate such wild, record-breaking success?

I knew we were going to be successful because I knew we had made a killer pair of jeans that doesn’t exist in the marketplace and I was sure women would react positively to that, but No! I didn’t expect that first day of sales and I didn’t anticipate the year we’ve had either.

As a company how do you one-up yourself on that? And stay ahead of the game?

You have to constantly and consistently do two things, one listen to your customers, what do they want, what can they not get and what can you do better for them? And then you need to act on that information from a product development perspective and keep improving what you do.

Your husband also co-founded a denim line that has seen astronomical success. What kind of jean talk happens in your household?

Ha ha! Yes it is quite odd but Jens, who owns Frame denim, and I have worked together for over 10 years now, first in the fashion agency group he founded - Wednesday Group- with his business partner Erik Torsteensen and now with Good American, so we literally talk shop all the time. Our business are our hobbies as well as what we do professionally but we also have two children together, so sometimes there just is no space for us discuss business and that creates a nice balance.

What would you say most prepared you to launch a company?

Good American isn’t my first company, it’s my third! But I would say all my experience leading up to now. Working in the fashion and entertainment business has given me an appreciation for what’s important and that’s product. If I look at how I spend my time it’s all in creating the best possible product.

When do you feel the most empowered?

At about 8:30 am every morning! I’ve worked out, had breakfast with my family, taken my little boy to school and I’m on route to the office listening to a Podcast……somedays I’d like to turn around and head back to bed!! But most days I’m feeling on fire at about 8:30 am!!!

What do you find most empowering about working alongside Khloe?

Khloe is the real deal as a business woman, she’s one of the most positive people I know and she’s also importantly, a really hard worker. She puts her all into every task, she’s super passionate about what we do and that’s both inspiring and empowering.

"We wanted to liberate women from an unreal external projection."

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People always say a co-founder relationship is like a marriage. Why do you think you and Khloe work well together?

Ultimately we have a respect for one another and what each of us does. Khloe is very open-minded and she’s learned a lot from her time in the business with her various ventures, which is where my respect for her comes.

What's the Good Squad about and why is it an important part of the brand?

The Good Squad is so important to us, we believe very strongly that it’s so important to show a real representation of women in fashion and the wider media landscape. We wanted to liberate women from feeling as though they need to live up to an unreal external projection of how they should be. Our girls come from all over the world, from all different backgrounds, have different shapes, sizes and are all working hard to realize their dreams and potential.

"We believe very strongly that it’s so important to show a real representation of women in fashion."

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When do you feel the most pressure?

At about 8:30 am every morning- Ha!! I feel pressure going into photo shoots and filming things, I really don’t do well on camera.

When do you feel the most relaxed?

On Sundays. I love Sunday brunch, the newspapers, hanging with my babies -- that’s just the best and most relaxing for me.

Any upcoming Good American news you can share with us?

YES! We just launched our spring 2018 collection and new styles will drop weekly! We are also very close to releasing our line of maternity denim called ‘Good Mama’. Launch details will be released on Good American’s social media channels very soon!

What would you call your superpower?

I’m really good at motivating people and just getting stuff done, out the door, over the line. That’s my super power.

Photo Credit: @davisfactor

Hair & Makeup: @SmashboxCosmetics @TheGlamApp @TheOuai

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Create & Cultivate 100: Content Creator: Orion Carloto

THE ONE TO WATCH. 

Orion Carloto is in Flux. 

 But her approach to life's realities has a twist. 

After writing for Local Wolves magazine, Orion decided to bare her soul, publishing her first book of poetry, Flux. With original illustrations by artist Katie Roberts, Orion pulls from her own experiences with love and loss, creating a safe space for the brokenhearted. Solitude, sex, and yearning for simpler times dot her pages. 

Born in a small town in Georgia, the writer and poet first became popular on YouTube. Such is the world we live in. But growing up with her nose in a book and stuck deep in her own imagination, Orion was never fated to stick to the video platform. (It doesn't hurt that she understand the art of a good pic.)  A fan of hot coffee, the color yellow and baring it all on the page, she's a Gen Xer to keep an eye on. As she writes on her Instagram, which has over 500k followers, "2017 was magical for many reasons. I traveled the most I’ve ever traveled. I wrote music. I moved to NYC. I came out as bisexual. I fell in love with a beautiful woman. I released my very first book of poetry and prose. I healed."

In this digital age when many young influencers take to video to express themselves, it's refreshing to see the 21-year-old take to paper. 

More from Orion below.  

Where do your drive and passion come from?

If anyone taught me how to go after the things you want the most in life best, it would be my mother. I know it's a cliché to praise one's own mother, but that woman has continuously enlightened me with the importance of working smart and working hard. Make mama proud.

When you run into a career obstacle, what drives you forward?

Pulling inspiration from everything that's surrounding my life. Literature, films, strangers, travel, music, photographs, stories, big cities, and the people that I love with my entire being. That's what pushes and excites me to move forward. Or by traveling to a place that I've never been to before. Experiencing unfamiliar places has a funny way of pulling heaps of creativity out of you.

What was it like putting your first book of poetry out in the world?

If I could describe that experience in one word, it would be bittersweet. Releasing 'Flux' was something I've always dreamt of achieving even before it was written. Yet, when the social release day came about, I was completely beaming and overwhelmingly terrified all at once!! My heartbreak, something that once only belonged to me, now lives on the shelves of thousands of people and I'm still trying to adjust to that.

My heartbreak, something that once only belonged to me, now lives on the shelves of thousands of people and I'm still trying to adjust to that.

Will you do it again?

Absolutely without a doubt! Exposing your vulnerabilities is a tough position to be in, but I wouldn't trade that experience for the world.

Since you work with curious creatives, where do you think good ideas come from?

My best ideas come from warm coffee in the morning, the people I cross souls with, and both the strange and endearing endeavors my life takes me on. 

You have a young following with a ton of ideas and feelings. Based on what you read and see from them, if you ran the world, what one law you would enact?

Easy-- a law that ensures and protects everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community across the entire world.

"Exposing your vulnerabilities is tough but I wouldn't trade it for the world."

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What is your biggest pet peeve?

People who constantly interrupt!

What's something you'd like people to know about your job that they probably don’t?

I think it's easy for people to assume that just because I'm a writer, that I write every single day! Truthfully, it takes a thoughtful sit down, complete solitude, and feeling inspired for me to successfully write a new piece that I'm proud of. Although I try to journal every day, when it comes to poetry or prose, I find myself greeting writers' block more often than I'd like.

What about your career makes you feel the most complete?

When others can connect with my words and truly feel them while reading. To me, that makes me feel like I'm doing something right.

If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?

Malia Obama. I know being a college student is her full-time "job" at the moment, but MAN, could you imagine having Barack and Michelle as your parents?!

At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?

I can think back to two points in my life. The first was when I began working with my excellent team of strong and confident women. Like my manager, Rana Zand, for example. Watching her work ethic and absorbing her continuous advice inspired me to take charge and to absolutely never stop no matter the obstacle. The second was the moment I finished writing my first book. It was that moment that I let go of all of my heartbreak. I gained an appreciation and better understanding of who I am as a person and my potential in achieving absolutely anything I put my heart to.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?

Patti Smith said it best, "Build a good name. Keep your name clean. Don’t make compromises, don’t worry about making a bunch of money or being successful — be concerned with doing good work and make the right choices and protect your work. And if you build a good name, eventually, that name will be its own currency."

What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?

Anything Amy Winehouse!

Do you have any resolutions for 2018?

To begin and finish my second book. Oh, and also to be reasonable at texting people back much faster.... not days later.

Photo Credit: @davisfactor

Hair & Makeup: @SmashboxCosmetics @TheGlamApp @TheOuai

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Create & Cultivate 100: Health & Wellness: Melissa Arnot Reid

THE SUMMIT MASTER. 

Nothing can stop her she's all the way up (on the top of Mt. Everest without supplemental oxygen).

She may be the first American woman to successfully summit and descend Everest without supplemental oxygen, but Eddie Bauer guide Melissa Arnot Reid has said that “being the first is irrelevant.” As one of the world’s most revered climbers, she has summited Everest 6 times, holding the record for an American woman. (Nepali Lhakpa Sherpa has 7 summits as of 2016, the most of any woman, anywhere.) Despite her near-mastery of the mountain, Arnot Reid remains in humbled by it, all-too aware of its indiscriminate power over even the most skilled and seasoned climbers. Its with this humility in mind that Arnot Reid co-founded The Juniper Fund to provide financial support to families of local workers killed in the mountains of Nepal.

Find out this world class athlete literally climbed her way to the top.

On August 7th of 2017, you and Maddie Miller broke the record for the fastest time to summit each state’s high point in 41 days, 16 hours, and 10 minutes. WOW. Just Wow. And also, why? What compelled the 50 Peaks challenge?

We completed this challenge in August of 2016 after 3 years of planning. It was really Maddie's idea- a way to have an adventure framed within a goal. Our goal was to complete the peaks in 50 days but when it became clear we might be able to get the speed record we decided to go all out (aka, no sleeping).

Mentorship is a huge part of Create & Cultivate? Did you have a mentor? And why is mentorship important to you?

Mentorship is a totally lost art. I never had a mentor and I had to make a lot of mistakes of my own, which is why I have dedicated myself to trying to be a solid mentor for the next generation of young female climbers. I work with a 15, 18 and 22 year old and it is super rewarding to see where they are going with what tools I can share with them.

Is there a climb where you would say you learned the "hardest" lesson?

My hardest lesson came on a climb in 2010 when my partner was killed in an ice avalanche while we were together. I had always felt that I was making safe decisions so I would always be safe but that moment reminded me and taught me that mother nature is in control and all you can do is respect that. It changed the path of my life.

You're the first American woman to ascend and descend Everest without supplemental oxygen. What's it like to be the "first" in something? Does that make you feel more pressure to perform?

I think that being first is a little scary but also wonderful because it shows others what is possible.

Everyone always talks about the ascension. But what's the climb down like?

The climb is one thing but the descent is so much more serious- you are already tired and have so much to lose. Each step matters, there and back.

Where does your boundless ability to push yourself come from?

I have a deep personal curiosity of what is possible for me. That keeps me pushing myself and trying new things.

What would you call your superpower?

Perseverance and a real ability to tune out discomfort.

If you could give a room of women one piece of advice, what would it be?

Take the first step. Ignore the end goal, it always seems overwhelming if you are looking 20 miles down the road. Just take the first step and you will be surprised at what momentum you create.

What's your favorite advice you've ever received?

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams- (it's a Thoreau quote). It is my guiding principal. Don't be timid, go after your dreams.

"Don't be timid, go after your dreams."

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How much of a climb is psychical? And how much is mental?

100 percent both. You need to be strong the whole time but you also need to believe in yourself and keep those mental traps from weighing you down.

What do you think you'll be doing as an 80-year-old lady?

I hope climbing on a sunny day with my husband and family. Something outside for sure. I am an outdoor animal, I don't think that will change with age.

What new challenges are you excited to face in your lifetime?

I am always looking for new ways to learn and push my own boundries. Anything where I am learning I consider an adventure.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Philanthropy: Monique Coleman

THE EQUALITY AMBASSADOR. 

She's using her platform to make real change. 

From High-School Musical to the United Nations, actress and activist Monique Coleman has dedicated her life and celebrity to empowering girls and women. Recently named the UN’s newest Girl Up Champion, the GimmeMo talk show host continues to uplift, using her platform to advocate for keeping girls around the world educated, healthy, and safe. Named the first ever United Nations Youth Champion in 2010, Coleman visited 24 countries in just six months, tackling the most pressing issues affecting our at-risk youth.

While you may know her as Taylor McKessie from the hit High School Musical franchise, her true passion lies in fighting for human rights.

More from Monique below.

Name: Monique Coleman

Instagram Handle: @_moniquecoleman

Where do your drive and passion for Girl Up come from?

My passion stems from my deep belief that empowering girls does change the world.

Philanthropy means the "love of humanity." It's so beautiful and simple. What does it mean to you?

To serve without limits.

Much of your work involved traveling. What have you seen on your journeys that inspired you to keep going?

I’m amazed at the resilience of humanity. The strength of a mother to walk for days with her family to escape a war; the dedication of young students who see education as a way to a better future; the pride of a village who receives clean water. I’m also inspired when I see how little it takes sometimes to make an enormous impact.

What have you found to be the most pressing issues facing today's youth?

Self Esteem, Comparison, Feeling like their voices aren’t heard.

Do you think you've found your true calling?

I believe my purpose is to empower, inspire, and motivate people however the form that it takes is ever evolving.

What about your career makes you feel the most complete?

The ability to use my platform to make a difference.

If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?

The Dalai Lama. I’d love to spend my days engulfed in teaching Peace & Compassion.

At what point in your life did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?

Still working on it :)

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?

Nothing is ever “life or death” unless it’s literally “life” or “death”

What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?

I don’t. I cry.

Photo Credit: @davisfactor

Hair & Makeup: @SmashboxCosmetics @TheGlamApp @TheOuai

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Create & Cultivate 100: Food: Marissa Ross

PAIRS WELL WITH OTHERS.

Notes of brilliance, with a hint of sarcasm, finishes strong.  

That's Marissa Ross as a wine. *We know nothing about wine.* But we are the exact kind of reader and drinker the wine writer has empowered. Wine, for most, is a scary subject. *Do you taste cherry? Is it peppery? Can wine be fuzzy? I feel fuzzy. Why am I swirling this glass? hits floor.* 

'Cause look, shoving our nose into a glass and inhaling wine notes, makes most of us feel like imposters. Marissa has loosened up that stigma, writing about vino like as one writes about their favorite other binges. Wine and Amazon Prime, ya'll. 

She's got haters, ya-- those who says she's unqualified. And she responds to them. (SHE GIVES NO DAMNS.) She does however give great IG Story, is the author of Wine. All The Time, The Casual Guide to Confident Drinking, is Man Repeller's "go-to wine expert," and looks damn good in a red lip (see above) with a red (see above) in hand. 

Don't put a cork in her. She's not even close to done. 

More from Marissa below. 

Name: Marissa A. Ross

Instagram handle: @marissaaross

So when Mindy Kaling writes this about you, “Can I just be Marissa, please? I want to be hilarious and sexy and smart and insanely knowledgeable about wine.” Where do you go from there?

The retirement home! [laughs] You can't really top that.

Now let's back it up. When did you first realize that you could write about wine in a way that made people want to know more?

February 3rd, 2015. I'd been making videos and writing about wine since 2011, but it wasn't like a "thing." I never went viral, I didn't have insane traffic. Honestly, I'd have like fourteen hits, and half of those would be me neurotically rereading and editing my own work. Writing about wine was something I did for me because I genuinely enjoyed it, and honestly, never in a million years thought about it as a career. But February 3rd, 2015, Grub Street published an article about my wine writing and videos by Sierra Tishgart and my life changed forever. I woke up that morning to fifty-something emails from literary agents, publishers, magazines, all asking me to write about wine. It was like a cartoon anvil falling out of the sky on my head. I couldn't believe it. It's still hard for me to believe.

Why do you think wine makes people so nervous/like they have to know so much?

I think of wine and its culture on this constant pendulum, swinging between being for the people and being for status. In the 1990s, we hit a peak of wine being for status; it was used to show off money, to show off intellect, to show off "taste," just like people brag about Rolexes, Ivy League degrees or Leonard Cohen albums. People are nervous and feel like they have to know so much about wine because wine culture made sure we felt that way. Not only was "good" wine exclusive, but so was the information around it. But now that pendulum is swinging back, and people are realizing that wine is not just for them, but for everyone. It's really exciting for me to see more people enjoy wine, and be empowered by it.

"Wine is for everyone."

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Best wine night memory:

It would be impossible to choose just one. Wine is so special because it is so much about set and setting. I've had the best nights in the countryside of Umbria, the wine bars of Barcelona, just in my backyard with my husband.

Worst wine might memory:

I used to do these under $10 wine review videos for Hello Giggles called Wine Time. The first time I ever shot anything, I was being very cocky and thought for some reason I could do two episodes back to back. As it turns out, if you drink nearly two bottles of $3, you will inevitably-- and mysteriously-- end up crying on your neighbor's couch for no apparent reason and then going home to spend the rest of the evening puking straight wine. Glad I got that mistake, and valuable lesson, out of the way, right away.

How deep into a glass should one actually put their nose?

As someone who has a long nose and constantly has wine on the end of it, I say as deep as you damn well want!

What is your biggest pet peeve?

It's a tossup between winesplaining, and when finished plates are left on the table for long periods of time in restaurants.

What's something you'd like people to know about your job that they probably don’t?

I don't just drink wine all day. (laughs) [ed note: laughs]

IYO-- How can we stay original when we are so saturated with other people's work?

I think it's important to immerse yourself in art that is outside of what you personally create in your career. You want to stay inspired, to be seeking fresh perspectives, to push yourself in new directions. Sometimes those directions don't work out like you'd like, but you're still moving forward, and you never know where those directions will lead you.

"It's important to immerse yourself in art that is outside of what you personally create in your career."

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What about your career makes you feel the most complete?

Five star Amazon reviews. I'm kidding! The thing that really completes me, is that I get to empower others. I meet people all the time that were so afraid of wine, that are now confident and enjoying wine more than ever because I was able to give them the tools and information they needed in an accessible, fun way. I feel really fortunate every day that I have the opportunity to tell people that think they can't, that they can.

If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?

Bourdain, of course. Who doesn't want to travel the world eating and drinking all the delicious things? Or Amy Sedaris. Her new show, "At Home with Amy Sedaris" is a dream show to me-- hilarious comedy and commentary with a midcentury slant. Like if I could somehow trade half of Bourdain's job with half of Sedaris', that would be the ultimate for me.

At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?

It was before I had a career, back when I dropped out of school and moved to Los Angeles. I had no money, no connections, no prospects. Every day I wrote and told myself I was a writer, that I was going to be a writer, and that nothing could stop me. I know my career seemingly happened overnight, but there were many failures, dead ends, and shitty day jobs before any success. I had to have confidence in my work and in myself very early on to keep going no matter what. That relentless, blind confidence, combined with the confidence of finding success by working through failure, is what makes me the woman I am today.

Every day I just wrote and told myself I was a writer, that I was going to be a writer, and that nothing could stop me.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?

Don't let "perfect" stand in the way of good.

"Don't let "perfect" stand in the way of good."

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When you hit a big bump in the road, how do you find a new road or a detour?

I take a deep breath and I look around, and I listen. There are opportunities around us every day; we're often just too busy looking and listening to everything else to notice them.

What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?

"Forest Green" by Mike G. or "The Spiteful Chant" by Kendrick Lamar.

Photo Credit: @davisfactor

Hair & Makeup: @SmashboxCosmetics @TheGlamApp @TheOuai

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE FOOD LIST CLICK HERE. 

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Create & Cultivate 100 Music: Hannah Lux Davis

 

THE CREATIVE WARRIOR. 

Hannah Lux Davis attended Create & Cultivate and now she's on our C&C 100 list. Let that sink in.

Also let it sink in that the creative powerhouse is one of the most sought-after music video directors in the game. Having worked with talent like Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Miley Cyrus, Hailee Steinfeld, Demi Lovato, , Jessie J, and Tinashe, the 31 year old is unstoppable.

Her videos have racked up billions of views. Yes, BILLIONS. (Other words that start with B: Boss, Badass, Big Cheese.) 

After moving from Seattle to LA, where Hannah attended the Los Angeles Film School. When it came to her final project, she made a music video instead of the typical short film. 

It's that kind of creative hustle and risk-taking that have made her successful. She PA'd on multiple sets, just to make contacts. She did the same thing working as a makeup artist. The whole time she was networking like nobody's business/made it all her business. She may not have known what was going to happen, but she did know how to throw her name in the race. 

And she just keeps running shit. 

More from Hannah below.

So. We HAVE to bring it up, because it makes us giddy. You attended Create & Cultivate. What was that experience like?

It was inspiring to be in a space with dozens of like-minded women, all eager to write their own story in whatever capacity that meant to them. The atmosphere was all also incredibly special with its attention to detail. Everything from the neon signs to the chairs we sat on felt curated.

Was there advice you took from that day that you still apply to your career?

What stuck with me the most is the importance of persistence.

You've worked with the most amazing set of female artists. What has that experience been like?

My interest in music videos began with artists like Britney, Christina, and Avril, so to be working with this new era of female artists has really been a dream come true. It's been challenging but incredibly rewarding. Each artist has their own set of idiosyncrasies and it's different every time. As a director, the collaborative process is one in which you have to be receptive, confident, and just enjoy the ride!

"What stuck with me the most is the importance of persistence."

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Is there a standout moment for you?

Anytime I get to work with Ariana on a project for her music, it's always pretty major for me. I have so much respect for her as an artist. She's so in tune with herself (on top of being crazy talented). When we work together it's a real collaboration. She's at a point in her career where there usually aren't too many other voices involved, so it's always really liberating, for both of us, to just be creative and go for it! I definitely cherish our relationship. Directing the visuals for her Dangerous Tour was a real honor.

Another standout moment would be directing the Demi Lovato: Simply Complicated documentary. The premiere itself was such a trip! It was insanely rewarding to watch the film with a huge audience and I was so excited about the positive reaction it received. It was easily the hardest project I've ever done!

Where do your drive and passion come from?

The work! I just want to make cool shit and you can't do that if you don't have drive or passion

When you run into a career obstacle, what drives you forward?

I always say that every job is a learning lesson. These learning lessons usually have a common theme: communication. Whether it's assuming someone understands my vision, not checking in with certain departments, not testing something ahead of time, or not fighting for something I know I need to execute the idea, I always take something away from the project. The size of that lesson varies of course, but there's always a unique obstacle of some sort that presents itself...and I'm grateful for it! Like, "OK COOL! That happened. It won't happen again!". Knowing I'm learning and growing each job definitely drives me forward!

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Laziness or negativity on set! It gets me off my game and brings the energy down.

What is it like being a female director in such a male-dominated world?

I'd be lying if I said it wasn't awesome. Now more than ever, brands, artists, and agencies understand that they need a female's perspective, and I'm loving what's being created! That being said, there are a TON of female directors in the music video and commercial space and a ton of really great talent. I don't know how much longer people can continue to say "male-dominated."

Do you get tired of hearing the words "male-dominated?" (We do.)

Yes.

What's something you'd like people to know about your job that they probably don’t?

It's a lot of writing! If someone were to tell me 10 years ago that I'd be writing as much as I do on the daily...well I actually don't know what I would have done, but I wish someone would have warned me!

IYO-- How can we stay original when we are so saturated with other people's work?

This is tough. When writing music video or commercial treatments it's expected to include tons of imagery to support your written concept, and it can be hard for everyone to step away from those visuals. Originality comes with practice. It comes with taking the time to find your voice - and the understanding that you need to listen to it.

"Originality comes with practice." 

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What about your career makes you feel the most complete?

I believe what I'm doing now (and will do in the future) truly encompasses all of my passions. For as long as I can remember. I've been into visual storytelling, fashion, makeup, music, and sports - and it has ALL come together in this career that I've made for myself. I pull from all of my passions to direct. For example, I used to do makeup, and now I get to creative direct looks for massive artists. I used to play the drums growing up, and now, when I edit, I cut to music and communicate with music composers. Most recently, I directed a Gatorade commercial and got to work with athletes! It's super fun to combine all my passions under one umbrella! I also get to work with my fiancé (he's my Executive Producer) and my best friends every day. That's pretty awesome.

If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?

TBH... a busy stay-at-home mom with a SICK house and tons of kids!

At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?

Turning 30 was good for me. Competition in my industry is brutal and I found myself constantly comparing myself to others - professionally and personally. "This person is booking more work!", "That person's doing cooler projects!", "She looks way better than me while doing all of that!"... a lot of that kind of thing. Once I turned 30, for whatever reason my mind settled quite a bit. I'm not saying I'm made of confidence now, but with age comes a bit of wisdom and appreciation for all artists. I know I've put in my time and deserve to be here.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?

This industry can be demanding and chaotic. My rep, Tommy LaBuda and I will have the occasional pep talk (these are quite often actually, haha) about tuning out the noise prioritizing what's on my plate. He's someone who reminds me that when I take time for myself, ideas will follow!

What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?

Such a sucker for this song... Florida Georgia Line ft. Nelly, "Cruise"!

Photo Credit: @davisfactor

Hair & Makeup: @SmashboxCosmetics @TheGlamApp @TheOuai

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE MUSIC LIST CLICK HERE. 

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Create & Cultivate 100: Content Creator: Karen Okonkwo

CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO. 

Karen Okonkwo of TONL, a platform which seeks to transform the idea of stock photography by displaying images of diverse people and their stories around the world, has said, “For people to feel welcome in any industry, they need to see online that there are other people that look like them, in those particular fields. Imagery, in the form of advertising, is the first step in saying, ‘hey you are welcome and we want you here.’ That angle is very powerful and underutilized.” 

“Sometimes, especially in the black community we feel tokenized,” she's explained. "I’m not trying to act like the spokesperson for the black community. I’m simply someone who is trying to provide change and influence. I may have some missteps along the way. Try to give people grace as they launch their businesses and feedback.”

But representation is of the utmost importance to the entrepreneur and content creator. For TONL, photography and storytelling can help humanize and hopefully diminish the stereotypes and prejudice against black and brown people, especially. They are committed to showcasing the ethnic backgrounds of every day people. And the Nigerian-American social entrepreneur believes anyone can do this. 

“If you don’t see what you want— anyone who has a skill set, be that change. Start your own Facebook group or start your own meet up, or agree to mentor one person, that’s how we create that cascade of people. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help, either. That knowledge is there for you to take." 

More below on why she says she's a secret gangsta. (We don't think it's too secret.) 

You've said that with TONL it was not only important to create a database of diverse photographs, but to also tell the stories behind the people in the shots. Why was this important?

Often times the narrative for people in our community is already decided for them: criminal, thug, loud, low income and the list goes on. We felt that it was important that we allow the underrepresented the opportunity to tell their own stories; allow us to really get to know them. The hope is that people reading will embrace who these people are and not what they think they are.

When your work is redefining a category, what are you up against?

The biggest hurdle for many of us is access. We are up against household stock photography names so we have to not only be up to speed but one level better as a niche business.

How hard is it to fight the system?

Based on so many racial injustices, it is very hard to fight the system. It's the same system not designed for the underrepresented in the first place.

Where do your drive and passion come from?

I attribute my drive and passion to my Nigerian roots. We are fighters, competitors. We strive for excellence in the littlest and biggest things-its just in our nature and a part of our culture. My Dad is a successful entrepreneur and my Mom is a hardworking woman with several accolades under her belt so I had great examples growing up.

"I attribute my drive and passion to my Nigerian roots."

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When you run into a career obstacle or road block, what drives you forward?

When I run into a career obstacle, my why drives me forward. I know that I'm positioning myself to impact the world tremendously and so for every obstacle I know it's just a groove, a stepping stone for the best that is yet to come. 

What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is when people smoke cigarettes in front of public facilities, especially the hospital! I hate cigarette smoke around me period!

What are your biggest fears about running a business?

My biggest fear within running a business is not being able to properly compensate people helping to build our business. When you're bootstrapping, you have to be very careful in how you try to expand, but you also want to be fair to those willing to put in the work to see your business to fruition.

When you're bootstrapping, you have to be very careful in how you try to expand, but you also want to be fair to those willing to put in the work to see your business to fruition.

What's something you'd like people to know about your job that they probably don’t?

I handle the Marketing and Business Development for TONL. I think sometimes people think that I'm a photographer and I can't help but chuckle because that's not my strong suit. I mean, don't get me wrong, I can take some okay pictures, but I leave all of that to Joshua, Temi and Sam.

What about your career makes you feel the most complete?

I feel so complete whenever our phone buzzes with a new order. It tells me that someone was able to solve the long, frustrating issue of locating imagery of people of color online. It makes me pleased to know that we are a trusted outlet for that.

"When I run into a career obstacle, my why drives me forward."

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If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?

I would love to be Oprah for a day! She is my mentor from afar and it would be an honor to see life through her lens.

At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?

I had moved to Seattle for a Medical Sales position and while the job was everything I had wanted professionally and financially, I knew it didn't align with my deepest desires. All the while, I was starting to build new friendships in a city where I knew no one, hosting events and really making a name for myself in that realm. A friend of mine complimented me on how well I through events and suggested that I turn it into a business. It was at that point that I decided to take charge with full confidence and start my very first business which is still in existence today: Party With a K, LLC.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk? 

Give it to God. There is so much power in that piece of advice because when you realize that God has it already planned out for you, you can just sit back on autopilot mode. Every move we are making in life has been set forth before we were even conceived. When you understand that, you live life with an immense amount of peace.

What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?

Cardi B's Bodak Yellow has me hella hype these days! I'm a secret gangsta so it's fun to rile up that side of me haha.

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE CONTENT CREATOR LIST CLICK HERE. 

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Create & Cultivate 100: Health & Wellness: Massy Arias

THE MOST FIERCE. 

There are body goals, and then there’s Massy Arias aka MankoFit.

With 2.4 million Instagram followers, the rockhard rockstar is setting the precedent for workout ethic with a holistic approach to body and mind wellbeing. What began as an effort to overcome depression soon became a life-saving lifestyle for the fitness fanatic, who says that failure is the ultimate opportunity for learning. As a certified personal trainer, Arias aspires to shape futures, not just as six packs.

Follow along for MankoFit’s thoughts on cheat days, motherhood, and more.

Name: Massy Arias

Instagram Handle: @massy.arias

When did your passion for fitness begin? Do you have any cheat days? If so, we can’t tell.

About 5 years ago when I went through a depression. Fitness was my outlet to beat it. I don’t believe in cheat days. I like food and I eat healthy. If I decide to have something that has less nutritional value and a bit more calories than usual per meal, I don’t consider it cheating. I am just eating what my body felt like eating.

What are the basics of a healthy morning routine for busy women?

Fitness and nutrition isn’t a size fits all approach in my book. When it comes to my habits in the morning, I’ve established a routine for myself. I prep the night before so it’s easy to make the things I love in the morning. Overnight oats, oatmeal pancake batter, and even overnight Greek yogurt are my top choices in the morning especially if I am super busy.

You were super honest about learning to accept your post-preg body. What have you learned about your body since having your daughter?

Since having my daughter I’ve learned I’m a superwoman. I did something amazing that took close to 10 months, it’s going to take time to feel like myself and look the same way I used to before her. I love my body even more because it was the body that helped me bring my daughter into the world.

"Since having my daughter I’ve learned I’m a superwoman."

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Are there parts of your life that have become more clear since her birth?

Every aspect of my life and even I have changed since giving birth to Indi. I have become a better trainer, daughter, and wife. I can relate to a whole new “hood” I’ve never been able to relate with; motherhood and parenthood.

What’s the legacy you want to leave on your community?

The day I die, I’d like people to remember me as someone who taught how to be fearless and how to create their own destiny. I would love my daughter to say I was her motivator and role model.

"I would love my daughter to say I was her motivator and role model."

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What advice do you have for women working towards cultivating the career of their dreams?

Have Integrity. Don’t give up on your big goal once things get tough because I didn’t. The tougher it got for me, the more I learned how to navigate the things that today are easy for me to accomplish. I have never lowered my standards and I haven’t lost integrity to get the things I’ve wanted in my career. Too many people fall short and lower their standards for the things they want at the moment not realizing they are compromising their goals. Look at the big picture and don’t settle for less.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

When my husband eats my food. Drives me insane especially when I ask beforehand if I should get extra of “that something” and he says, “no.” Then it’s gone and I want to scream.

Top 3 artists on your workout playlist?

Leikeli 47, Major Lazer, Kendrick Lamar. (Cardi B but until she makes more music, I’ll continue playing Bodak Yellow, lol).

What's something you'd like people to know about your job that they probably don’t?

I handle all my social media, create my programs from top to bottom, and all the decisions I make for my supplement company are my own. From ingredients to new products. I don’t play around with neither my business or my fans. The reason I am here today is because of them and they deserve me staying genuine and telling them only the truth.

What about your career makes you feel the most complete?

I love what I do. I’ve been complete ever since I started helping people and doing fitness. I LOVE what I do. I think I’ve found my purpose and I hope my love for fitness and helping others shows even if those who show me support haven’t met me directly.

If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?

I’d trade jobs with Ayesha Curry. I happen to be really good in the kitchen and she seems to have so much love and passion for cooking that it looks so rewarding. You can tell she loves what she does.

"I’d trade jobs with Ayesha Curry."

At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?

At the point, I had a serious talk with my mother and I had anxiety about everything I was doing. She told me to read Ecclesiastes in the Bible and that was it. I never doubted myself. I’m very spiritual and that gave me so much confidence because of the man above always, ALWAYS, backs me up.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?

The best advice I was given was by my mother. She’s always told me to be myself and not try to be what people expect me to be.

When you hit a big bump in the road, how do you find a new road or a detour?

I hit bumps every day. I don’t look at failure or anything for that matter as a negative. I’ve learned a lot more failing or through bumps in the road than I have when everything is going great. I learn from the situation and I find a solution. But I keep moving forward with applying what I’ve learned and hopefully not make that mistake again.

What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?

"Stronger" by Tank.

Photo Credit: @davisfactor

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE WELLNESS LIST CLICK HERE. 

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Create & Cultivate 100: Beauty: Cara Santana

THE BOLD BEAUTY. 

Cara Santana is keeping it real. 

Though she lives her life under a microscope, she's never shied away from speaking her mind, telling her truth, or posting a make-up free shot on her Instagram, which boasts over 820k followers. 

To point: After the most recent Golden Globes weekend, Cara posted a photo showing half of her face "done," and the other half completely make-up free. "It’s a glamorous weekend..but don’t forget, when the make up comes off, we are all the same and every single one of us, just as beautiful. #nofilter #noretouching #truebeauty#beautyexpectations," she captioned the photo. 

Though the beauty influencer and actress recently bid farewell to The Glam App, an on-demand beauty service she co-founded in 2015, she told her IG followers, "Thank you all for your amazing support and contributions to this incredible journey I have taken. A special debt of gratitude to the amazing team, the fantastic stylists, to all of you who supported the company and the amazing partners." 

 She's a woman who took a risk and launched a very successful biz. Not every actress and influencer has the ability to say that. Nor does every actress and influencer have the ability to say they shaved their head. Yep, Cara's done that too and it helped shaped her relationship to beauty. 

Read more from the bold Cara below. 

Name: Cara Santana

Instagram Handle: @CaraASantana

Being surrounded by an industry that puts such an emphasis on "beauty." What has that word come to mean to you?

Beauty to me is the ability to exude confidence and empowerment.

Do you remember a moment when you first felt beautiful?

When I was 18 years old I shaved my head 5 days before my brother's Bar Mitzvah, much to my mother's chagrin. It was for a project I was doing. It was scary. So much of my femininity and beauty was wrapped up in my appearance and the superficial aspects of my aesthetic. I remember vividly having a moment after I had done it, standing in the mirror at 18 years old and saying to myself this is you - no hair, no make-up, - nothing. Love yourself now or you never will. And I was suddenly empowered and felt beautiful. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate hair or make up - obviously, but I am not hostage to it. My beauty comes from being me.

"Love yourself now or you never will." 

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How has your relationship to beauty changed as you've gotten older?

It's love/hate. Kidding. Listen, honestly, it's a battle. Your face changes. Some of those changes, I love. For instance, the loss of my baby fat. My cheek bones are in full view. Some of those changes I hate, like fine lines. I just remember that 18-year-old girl in the mirror and tell myself to embrace who I naturally am. And now there is a larger budget on skincare and make up.

Where do your drive and passion come from?

My mom. She taught me the value of hard work, of being a strong, independent woman. She is 60 and still works 80 hours a week. And she never compromised, she has it all - a 38-year-old marriage, 2 awesome kids (lol), a successful career and the respect and admiration of her colleagues. She is perseverant, doesn't conform, and has paved her own way. She would work a full week, be at every family dinner, have date night with my dad, run the Junior League and show up at every extracurricular activity we had. She basically never slept and still doesn't, but I suspect she likes it that way. And I am glad I had that example.

IYO-- How can we stay original when we are so saturated by other people's work?

Knowing who you are and what separates you from everyone else and focusing on that. There is only one you, so be you.

What about your career makes you feel the most complete?

Candidly, I don't really feel that complete at this moment, which I am okay with. I am 32 and I think it's probably premature to feel complete. I enjoy the struggle, the grind and putting in the work and I feel like I have a lot more of that to do before I feel complete professionally.

I enjoy the struggle, the grind and putting in the work and I feel like I have a lot more of that to do before I feel complete professionally.

If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?

I don't think I could choose a person, but I can say if I wasn't an actress, an influencer and business owner, I'd probably do something in social justice or law.

At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?

You know it's funny, for me the biggest challenge is finding the balance of being a strong assertive woman who is likable and effective. Taking charge isn't important to me, you can lead in a variety of ways, my confidence is built for sure - but the issue for me is really identifying the woman I want to be and how to navigate THIS world in a way I am proud of. It's really been hard for me, I am still figuring it out.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?

Take your criticism seriously, but not personally.

When you hit a big bump in the road, how do you find a new road or a detour?

I couldn't answer this question so I asked all the people in my office from my Executive Assistant to my COO and they all said, I just go over the bump, hit the bump, swerve the bump or go straight through it. Apparently, I am not very malleable.

What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?

Eric Clapton's "Pretty Girl". It's my fiancé and I's song and he proposed to me while it was playing. It always makes me smile.

Photo Credit: @davisfactor

Hair & Makeup: @SmashboxCosmetics @TheGlamApp @TheOuai

TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE BEAUTY LIST CLICK HERE. 

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How CRWN Magazine Founder Is Changing the World by Being Herself

Real Queens fix each other's CRWNs.

“Don’t touch my hair! “ Many of us have heard Solange Knowles sing about it, but Lindsey Day co-founder of CRWN magazine is doing something about it.  Lindsey launched CRWN, a hair and lifestyle magazine for black women, with longtime collaborator, Nkrumah. It’s no secret that women of color go to inexplicable lengths to transform their natural hair to Caucasian standards of beauty.  It’s an arguably negative cycle of self-denunciation with a great financial and cultural burden.  However, in this age of information saturation, there has been a surge of natural hair influencers on social media and a boom in Black hair care products.  Both Nkrumah and Day felt compelled to contribute to this movement, finding that the one thing missing was “a premium magazine documenting the phenomenon, or authentically portraying our narrative”(Day). And thus, CRWN magazine was born, a culturally aware art platform that prides itself on showcasing only NATURAL Black hair. 

Day is no stranger to running magazines, uplifting social morale, or being on the cusp of innovation, but the road to her existential success was not direct.  She landed her first full time job at Interscope Records, while also editing a blog called “livelevated.com” with collegiate friend and creative director Nkrumah.  At the time they were working in the corporate music industry and found a little haven in this side project.  During Lindsey’s six years with Interscope, she witnessed the economic crash and the corporate industry flip inside out due to expanding technology.  This uncertainty drove Day to crave ownership.  And in 2009, she co-founded “Made Woman,” “an online magazine that helps young professional women connect and learn from each others’ careers.” 

She quit Interscope, worked full time at MW, and took some freelance gigs along the way.  One of which turned into a full time position with Intern Queen, doing content, business, and project management, honing in on her digital marketing skills.   

As she was approaching 30, the wordsmith needed a change.  She reconnected with Nkrumah on a Brooklyn rooftop in 2014, where they reflected on ownership, career, and voids in the marketplace, but most importantly “what life would look like if we could sustain ourselves by serving our people.” That was the beginning of CRWN.

CRWN is a quarterly print magazine with an e-commerce offering.  It is 100% independent and self-funded, and has built successful advertisement relationships based on its ability and promise to stay true to its core message of authentic Black culture.   This authenticity is what drives the owner. Lindsey says it’s her “love of my people, and the work,” it’s about seeing “a woman or girl flip through CRWN and her eyes light up…or when a sister confides in me about her hairstory and how CRWN is a place where she can finally see herself…These are the reminders that CRWN is so much bigger than Nkrumah and myself.”  A profound feeling that most of us hope to evoke at some point in our life.   

CRWN is culture. It is the Black musicians, painters, photographers, writers, activists, and visionaries of a culture that have never been honestly represented in the media, nor maybe even to it themselves.  It is healing Black people in America by saying ‘it is beautiful to be you.’  The team at CRWN feel a moral obligation to tell their story and document their culture.  In years to come, Lindsey sees CRWN growing into a “true media platform and hub for the culture,” where creatives and business people alike can come and “cut their teeth,” as she says. 

CrwnMag Issue no. 01; CrwnMag Issue no. 02. 

The co-founder's ability to show up, persevere, work hard, and trust her gut instinct, has brought her to a place of ownership, pride, humanitarianism, and cultural revival.  She has created a tangible change in the Black community, and most importantly, an awareness of truth and self-love.  In a world where African Americans have been systematically misrepresented, discredited, and traumatized throughout the course of history, Lindsey Day and CRWN have created a haven of acceptance, beauty, self-love, and open conversation.  The powerhouse tells it like this, “This is the first time in my life I’ve known I’m walking in my true purpose.”     

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

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Celebrating #WorldKindnessDay with the Founders of The Kind Campaign

Killing it with kindness.

Kindness Day was born when a collection of humanitarian groups came together on November 13, 1997 and made a “Declaration of Kindness”. Donating books, food or clothes to your local community is a great way to celebrate. However, these boss ladies went even further and launched an entire campaign.

Both Lauren Paul and Molly Thompson, co-founders of The Kind Campaign experienced bullying in middle and high school. Experiences that shaped who they are and gave them the first-hand knowledge needed when they launched Kind Campaign. 

While attending Pepperdine University, Lauren had the opportunity to intern for Tom Shadyac on his documentary project, I Am. Wanting to do something since being "severely bullied" in middle school, Lauren shares that the experience working on a documentary gave her the idea to work on a documentary of her own. One that specifically addressed the issues of bullying. 

Lunch in the Broadway Cafe at Pepperdine was the starting point, when both Molly and Lauren enthusiastically said, “YES” to an “uncharted adventure.” 

“It was during that life-changing lunch,” shares Lauren, “that I pitched the idea about creating a documentary.” Molly was all-in. “From that moment on,” she says, “we dove head first into everything. The moment we turned on the cameras and held our first interview for the film, we both knew there was a huge potential for something greater.” 

That was in 2008. Bullying wasn’t the hot-button topic it is now. They didn’t know if people would be willing to open up about their experiences. But the moment women and girls started talking it was clear that the issue had been swept under the rug for too long. Like Lauren, Molly had her own share of bullying experiences in high school. “Bullying specifically between females,” shares Molly, “was not addressed. It was almost expected and accepted as a rite of passage.”

The college seniors were about to launch a movement. 

Those initial interviews for Finding Kind, paved the road toward Kind Campaign, which officially launched in February, 2009. Since inception, Molly and Lauren have spoken at over 400 schools in North American and the UK, activated 390 Kind Clubs across the globe, and Lauren shares that “Kind Campaign Assemblies are now hosted by faculty and volunteers almost every day of the school year.” The co-founders are getting ready to head out on their 12th Founders Assembly Tour. 

It’s been an incredible journey for both. Lauren grew up in Orange County and Molly in Dallas, but after sharing a laugh over a YouTube video their junior year of college the two became “fast friends.” 

“It feels very surreal looking back on the last several years,” shares Molly who gave birth to daughter Lyla last August and understands the power of the messaging more than ever. “When we first started Kind Campaign, we were running on passion and adrenaline, pulling all nighters and barely scraping by with enough funds to keep going and spreading the movement.” Now the goal of offering free global programming is a reality. 

Lauren knows that more than ever young women need to know “that they matter, they are heard and they are equal. That no one can tell them who they are and what they can and can't accomplish.” She also brings up the power of social media and the influence it has over girls’ self-esteem. “There needs to be more conversation about how to have a healthy relationship with your phone. To remind girls that their worth is not determined by how many likes or followers they have.” Adding, “This is something we ALL need to hear and think about.” 

More from the co-founders below. 

What do you think young women and girls need to hear now more than ever?

Molly: That they are strong, powerful, beautiful, inspiring, unique, and more than capable of accomplishing anything that they put their minds to. And then remind them of this over and over and over again in order to combat the mixed messages that women and girls are fed by the media, by what is going on in our world today, by the experience that they have at school or in the workplace, and by the things that they start to tell themselves because it has become so ingrained within them. I think more than anything they need to be encouraged and allowed to be whoever it is they truly are, rather than to be told what it is they can or can't do, or be put in a box. Now, more than ever, I think we need to remind ourselves and our peers that we are enough, more than enough; and no one can take away our intellect, our self-respect, our beauty, our talents, our voice, or our worth

How can we each carry kindness into the world?

Lauren: Serving others doesn’t necessarily mean starting your own non-profit or dedicating your whole life to community service. One of my favorite quotes was said by Howard Thurman. It reads: “Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

I deeply believe in that motto. There is nothing better than a person who comes alive when they tell or show you what they do or what they’re passionate about, whether that’s being a teacher, sailing, owning a bakery, being a lawyer, singing or being a mom. You will be the best you if you find a way to do what you love and love what you do.

Molly: Every single person has the ability to change the course of someone else's life, just by being awake, being aware, and being kind. We truly do not know the battles that others face in their day-to-day lives, so if we just focus on ourselves and our ability to carry kindness into the world, and we are a light in someone else's life (however small it may be), we have the chance to make someone's day and even save their life.

What is a time in your life when you thought, 'I can't do this anymore?'

Lauren: When I went through my experience being bullied in middle school I remember waking up every morning and thinking that there was no way I was going to make it through another day of school.  I went to bed every night not wanting to wake up in the morning. I truly lost myself.  But with the support of one friend and my family, I was able to dig myself out of that depression and now I look back and that dark time and know that it all happened for a reason.  Without that experience, I would not be doing the work I am doing. I am now able to stand in front of hundreds of girls in our assemblies and remind them that their school experience is just one chapter of their story.  That no matter how dark the chapter is that you are in, there is a whole life ahead of you, waiting to be lived, filled with love and adventure.

What's a surprising story you heard during a school assembly that's stuck with you?

Lauren: Rachel is a girl we met during our last Spring tour while in Utah. At the end of all of our assemblies, we take a picture with the group of girls we are speaking to and post the picture on Kind Campaign’s social media. We were scrolling through the girls comments on her school’s photo and came across this comment from Rachel:

“I was at the Kind Campaign assembly at Draper Park. You guys really changed my point of view on everything. I can relate to everyone in the film. Every girlfriend I've had, I have lost.This morning when I woke up I was thinking about committing suicide. I came to school today on the verge of tears. Once I got in and sat down I wasn't really paying attention but once I watched the movie and I was in tears. I came up and shared my Kind Card. It was about one of my best friends. He stood by me through all my hard times. Once I got home I realized that even though some girls can be rude and don't understand what their words can do that it shouldn't be worth dying over. I called my best friend and talked to him for an hour. I was just crying my eyes out. Your assembly today? Yeah, it saved my life.”

We were really moved after reading that and immediately connected with her through Instagram and offered further support with our in-house counselor. Our on-call therapist counsels girls and parents who write to Kind Campaign and need extra conversation and support. This service is free of charge. I still keep in touch with Rachel and she is happy, healthy and doing so well!

What does female empowerment mean to you?

Molly: Everything. Female empowerment is everything. Celebrating each other, our accomplishments, our differences, our failures and our victories so that we feel emboldened and proud of who we are with the knowledge that we are good enough. It has taken on a new meaning since having Lyla. Even though it's always been important to me, now it's even more personal. Not just for myself, not even for all of the incredible young women we meet through our work, but for her - my little heartbeat. She needs to know her worth and feel supported and celebrated. Not judged and picked a part, scrutinized under a more harsh microscope than others.

"Female empowerment is everything."

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Lauren: It means getting to know yourself. Loving and respecting your body, heart and mind. It means doing your best to let go of those female insecurities we all harbor. It means feeling genuinely happy for other women and celebrating their beauty, uniqueness and accomplishments without going to a jealous or competitive place. Don’t be a part of drama and gossip.

What’s on your career bucket list?

Lauren: I’ve always dreamt of writing a book. I would also love to continue speaking in other countries.  Molly and I took our Kind Campaign Founders Assemblies to the UK last year and I would love to see our programming continue to spread globally.

Molly: Honestly, in so many ways I feel like I've already exceeded what any bucket list could capture. Not to sound cheesy, but I really do feel so unbelievably lucky to be in the position I am and do what we do. We have always said, "If we can just impact one person, then it has all been worth it." And thanks to social media for making this world seem so small and allowing us to see Kind Campaign's impact, we have the opportunity to hear from that "one person" who has been impacted on a regular basis. So I guess my career bucket list would be to keep Kind Campaign's messaging current enough as time goes on to continue to have such a profound impact on people. And to meet Oprah.

F*ck Cancer Founders On Turning The F Word into a Rallying Call

Giving all of the F*cks.

Pink products to raise awareness and walks to raise money, but when it comes to a cancer diagnosis there is one word on everyone’s mind: fuck. 

When Yael Cohen Braun’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 it was certainly a word that crossed her mind. So she made a shirt for her mom to wear in recovery. That shirt read: Fuck Cancer. That slogan became a non-profit by the same name, one that addressed the perils of the disease with wit and humor and that rallied people around sentiments felt by everyone when facing down the Big C. It’s a message of empowerment with a built-in rallying call. A big FU to the big C, if you will. Even Yael’s title at the non-profit, “Chief Cancer Fucker,” reminds people to not get beatdown by the disease and that there is a community of support. 

Julie Greenbaum, co-founder and CRO, got involved in 2010 after her mother passed away from ovarian cancer. Honoring her mother’s legacy is what motivates and fuels her day-to-day. 

“My mother was one of my greatest mentors, her positive attitude was always something I admired, something she instilled in her children,” Julie shares. 

Yael was working in finance when her mom was diagnosed. She looked around for support, unable to find an organization willing to engage and do what Yael thought needed to be done: namely, activating youth’s participation in the fight, which including encouraging them to talk to their parents about early detection screenings and prevention efforts. Everything she found was pink and pretty— something that cancer is not. Engaging a digitally savvy crowd was also an important part of spreading the prevention message. 

The women came together after realizing, “that by joining forces we would be able to make a greater impact in the Cancer space. Our desire was to create and stronger more impactful charity. We bonded over this overarching goal.”

Now some people don’t love the word fuck. That’s a given. But the co-founders aren’t concerned. They aren’t trying to be doctors or politically correct. First and foremost they are daughters, bonded by an experienced shared by so many. “I'm learning how important it is to grant yourself the freedom to live your life authentically,” says Julie who dropped out of college to focus on running the charity full time. “To really get to know yourself by exposing yourself to as many opportunities as you can. It has taken time and maturity to develop this comfort.” 

In between running Fuck Cancer, and being new mom to Jagger, Yael also runs motherlucker.com, a honest breakdown of the realities of motherhood. The day-to-day can feel overwhelming; “we’re a smaller team and oftentimes we’re forced to juggle many different responsibilities,” Julie shares. But says, “Life doesn't owe you anything. You owe it to yourself to make your life the best that it can be.”

The includes remaining “constantly inspired by our team and the amazing people I continue to meet. I continue to feel a strong sense of determination and confidence in knowing that our charity is making and difference and playing an important role.”

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

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

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

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

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

She didn’t. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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How One Famous Seattle Creative Totally Changed the Art Game

Blowing up in more ways than one.

Jihan Zencirli, the creative genius turned balloon boss @geronimoballons, behind the colorful art installations that billow up buildings and blow up your Instagram feed, found out she was good at balloons in 2011. 

A “tad lonely child” Jihan says that she spent a majority of her youth on the floor next to her bed, with a pen, journal, magazines, and three-ring binders equipped with plastic sleeves. “I spent hours pulling out articles and images,” she shares, “filing them into the binder and making lists and detailed notes of the things I wanted to do in my life, and the specific year I wanted to achieve them by.” 

It was this early act of planning and dreaming that set her in motion. “I never made the goal of being a balloon artist,” she says. “But I did plan and yearn and dream for an adult life of travel, red shoes, late bedtimes, being independent, making a living by using my hands to create, and,” she adds, “dating Jimmy Fallon.” 

The artist acknowledges herself as her biggest challenge, in part stiffened by the need to plan. And like the rest of us she's not “above saying in bed, trolling the internet to leave snarky comments about past purchases on Amazon when I’m down in the dumps.” 

Her first business failure came young. At 10 the budding entrepreneur went to Tokyo for the summer and attempted to sell origami tulips door-to-door. “It was perhaps my most useful life experience of humbly putting myself out into the world and waiting to see if the world smiled back.” They may not have smiled then, but her 80k followers on Instagram are certainly smiling now. They smile at her work, which needs to be seen to be believed, and her all caps captions that have little to do with the photo, but everything to do with being human. It's the perfect presentation juxtaposition: here is a magical work that transports your imagination and here is this small, but meaningful fact about me. "WORST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY MOTHER:" she wrote on January 3rd,  "DECEMBER 2000, READING MY JOURNAL AND FINDING OUT THAT MY SECRET BF TYLER CHRISTIANSEN SQUEEZED ONE OF MY BOOBS."   

Her work also nabbed the attention of one particularly smiley social presence. 

In 2011, Joy Cho of Oh Joy! blew up her balloon spot, sharing an image of Jihan’s work with her followers. Jihan calls it “a bit of luck.” a bit of an understatement. “A yo-yo designer and creative director” until that point, Jihan had been steadily creating for decades. The helium hasn't gone to her head. "Overnight," she says, "I had a PayPal account of $30k from people who had seen the images, traveled to my website and clicked 'buy now.'" It was ready, set, Geronimo. 

She often falls asleep in her day’s clothes, “sometimes I don’t even take off my shoes,” she says, joking it might be her secret to success. Actually, “yes,” she decides, “I’m going to swear by it.” This lack of habit or ritual, though at variance with the planner in her (in both the binder and balloon sense), is in harmony with the side of her that knows reinvention is an important part of her path. “It’s natural to need change,” she says, “and it’s healthy to create endings.” 

"It's natural to need change and it's healthy to create endings." 

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Some of those plans include buying back her great-grandparents’ home in Seattle, renovating it “to look identical to how it was in the ‘60s and ‘70s with shag carpet and green walls.” Traveling through Nigeria to “study the new generation of musicians influenced by afrobeat, afro juju and yo-pop, waka.” Acquiring the aforementioned red shoes also remains a priority. Whether she’ll sleep with them on remains as up in the air as her creations. 

She finds time to head to Korean Spa and “periodically recalibrate as needed,” having learned that the trick to being a good planner means learning to “sit back and enjoy watching as it all plays out.” That includes “being at peace with with myself in every aspect, including the most vulnerable and taboo— which is being naked.” (See above note about Korean Spa.) “Nakedness is a metaphor for me,” the artist shares, “it’s about feeling no need to hide.” It’s the kind of exposure she used to hide from, now feeling like “I’m at the end of a 31 year yawn, and am relaxed and at peace with everything in myself, imperfect as it is.” 

And while we love the magic she creates, the fancy it inspires, how far and away and up she can take us, this might be our favorite thing about her: “In the car and shower, I practice my impersonations. If I had more time, I'd sit in front of a mirror working out all four characters of a 1990s Ovaltine commercial, perfecting each facial movement and expression.”

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

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

This article was originally part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Entrepreneur List Here.

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