Create & Cultivate 100: Content Creator: Mama Cax

At age 14, Mama Cax was diagnosed with bone and lung cancer that resulted in a leg amputation at the hip.

At age 28, Cax walked the catwalk at New York Fashion Week. Having a disability hasn’t stopped her—she plays wheelchair basketball and goes rock climbing—and she’s a reminder to all of us to be ourselves...unapologetically.

Below, Cax gives her two cents on body positivity, authenticity, and what she’s excited about in 2019.

You made your catwalk debut at New York Fashion Week! Tell us a little about the experience. Were you sights ever set on NYFW?

I started modeling a year ago, and fashion week was never on my radar. There are very few people with disabilities in the fashion industry let alone the catwalk so when the opportunity came up I didn't hesitate. I knew it would be a way to break barriers and help open doors for others by showing it is possible.

You’ve turned a traumatic experience and turned it into something positive. How do you maintain that positive outlook on life?

People often assume that I’m an extremely positive person; the truth is I’m quite the pessimist. But I’m very goal-oriented and ambitious. I think what often keeps me going is knowing that I can’t change the past and the future is not guaranteed, therefore I have no choice but to make the best of the present.

How do you hope to inspire your followers?

I hope I can inspire my followers to dream big and know that they can accomplish whatever they put their minds to.

There’s a big emphasis on body positivity and inclusion in media, especially when it comes to fashion. How do you see social media changing as the movement evolves?

Social media is so unpredictable but when it comes to fashion. It has the power to level the playing field. Before social media, models were recruited at malls and on the streets by “experts” and only a select few (thin, tall, young & white) could be models. Social media has shown the different kinds of beauty that exist while giving a voice to those who have been underrepresented. Unfortunately doctored images of women are still very much present, even in the body positive community. People are seeking diet plans and cosmetic surgeries more than ever and social media is one of the culprits. I think people will continue to chase unattainable bodies (whatever that looks like in the future). I do believe that there are positive bubbles on social media; as consumers it’s up to us to decide if we are going to follow accounts that make up desperate and enviable or follow those who make us appreciate who we are.

What about your work makes you feel the most fulfilled?

Knowing that my words and the things I do have impacted people that I have never met from across the globe.

Whose career really inspires you?

I don’t think I have one specific person in mind. Women in general; those who couldn't follow their passion but raised phenomenal women; and those who valued the sacrifices of previous women and have followed their passion all while using their power and privileges to empower, uplift and protect others.

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

Whenever I doubt myself, a friend always tells me “ You can do it, you’re Mama Cax”—which taught me that there is power in owning your story and knowing who you are. Now whenever I have doubt I whisper to myself “I am Mama Cax” it has allowed me to not take anything less than what I deserve.

Where does your passion/drive come from?

When others doubt me or simply tell me I can’t, I get this evil grin on my face ready to prove them wrong.

When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?

I have encountered several hurdles but I think i’m relentless and armed with several plans so I always pull through. What has really helped me is having a main goal and whatever obstacle steers my wheels will put me on a different path but my eyes and heart remain on a main goal. It helps to keep reminding myself that this is not a race so it’s ok to slow down.

What’s next for you? What are you most excited for in 2019?

In 2019 I plan on accomplishing a lot but also taking lots of time for self care and pampering myself. I’m excited about some fashion and beauty campaigns I have coming out soon.

I recently started a degree in disability studies, hoping to further my knowledge in order to be a stronger advocate for inclusion.

I’ll be a speaker at SXSW in March furthering the conversation on inclusive design to discuss “How Adaptive Design is Transforming Brands.”

My biggest mission this year is to run the New York City Marathon In November—lots of training ahead but I’m excited to see how far I can push and challenge myself.

VIEW THE ENTIRE CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 CONTENT CREATOR LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Entrepreneur: Bobbi Brown

Any woman born before 1990 was introduced to Bobbi Brown by way of her iconic brown lipstick and liner combo. Thankfully, makeup trends have changed, largely in part to Bobbi, who is widely regarded as the foremost beauty industry expert.

Today you can walk into most department stores and spot her namesake brand immediately. Her authority is well-documented and deserved, as she spent the last two decades as a entrepreneur, creative director, author, and editor in the beauty and health space. From her early days as a freelance makeup artist, to her tenure as COO at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Bobbi has a keen eye for trends, quality formulas, and branding.

While Bobbi stepped down from her role at her eponymous makeup brand in 2016, which was acquired by Estee Lauder in 1995, she remains an active thought leader and boss in the industry. Last year alone she released her ninth book, aptly titled Beauty from the Inside Out, which also parallels her latest initiative, justBobbi.com. The modern lifestyle platform publishes editorial content that explores the intersection of wellness, beauty, and travel. Seriously, that’s just one of her latest ventures. The woman doesn’t stop! Below she shares a bit more about what she has in store and how she approaches the business of beauty.

You’re the founder of not only Bobbi Brown cosmetics but also Just BOBBI, Evolution_18 and The George Montclair boutique hotel. Do you see any common threads behind the missions all of your business ventures?

All of my businesses are lifestyle-inspired. I want people to live their best lives, and be inspired by where they are, what they eat, what they wear, etc. In everything I create, I try to provide people with things they can incorporate into their lives.

When you get a new idea, what’s the very first thing you do with it?

When i get a new idea, I either text someone on my team to put it on our agenda or activate it myself.

You mentioned you want The George Montclair to attract the creative spirits. What do you think creative entrepreneurs need in order to thrive?

I know creators need a great environment, good light and energy, and follow a healthy lifestyle so they are clear minded.

EVOLUTION_18 is more than a brand, it’s a lifestyle. How do you hope it inspires people to take more control over their health?

A healthy lifestyle isn’t just about healthy goods. It’s about balance and fun and experiencing life. EVOLUTION_18 offers lifestyle inspired products that taste good, give energy, a stop a sweet tooth after a cocktail.

What’s next for the Just Bobbi brand?

Stay tuned … we just launched our fifth product, De-Bloat, which is something I love having on hand in order to sometimes squeeze into my little black dress.

When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?

By nature, I am a very positive person. When things hit a bump, I usually take a moment to see what to do next. Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards. And for me, it gives me an opportunity to change gears.

“A healthy lifestyle isn’t just about healthy goods. It’s about balance and fun and experiencing life.”

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

I love collaborating with a team that pools their expertise to work project to project. I especially love working with younger people who add a different perspective to the process. And as a visual creator, I love creating content to tell a story.

Who are the first three people you think an entrepreneur should hire?

First, an administrator to help you get things done and fixed if needed. Second, a personal assistant who can multitask. Someone who can strategize and operationalize your ideas. Third, a creative team to implement your ideas.

Who inspired you the most in your life growing up?

Growing up, my family inspired me. My grandpa who came to America to find fame & fortune. My parents, who taught me hard work, life skills, and mostly to do what I love.

“I want people to live their best lives, and be inspired by where they are, what they eat, what they wear, etc. In everything I create, I try to provide people with things they can incorporate into their lives.”

Whose career is inspiring you today?

All entrepreneurs who concept, analyze, and visualize a white space idea. Richard Branson, Emily Weiss, Jeff Radue, Ty Haney, and more.

What are the common challenges you've seen among female business owners and entrepreneurs?

Many women face challenges of rise and lack of confidence. Combined with the challenges of motherhood and family is real.

What are you most excited for in 2019?

So much…check back in 2020 and see what’s next.

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE ENTREPRENEUR LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Music: Hayley Kiyoko

Her fans call her “Lesbian Jesus,” but you can call her Hayley.

The winner of Billboard Rising Star and MTV’s Push Artist of the Year awards, Hayley doesn’t see her work as an “agenda”—she’s just being herself, and her listeners are here for it. The Girls Like Girls singer is normalizing what’s, well, normal, and she’s the refreshing dose of self-worth that music and media needs in 2019.

Read on for Hayley’s thoughts on confidence and why she owes her fans her career.

On teaching self-love…

"I think it’s just important for people to lead by example. My motto is to help people love themselves sooner. I can’t teach them how to do that. They have to figure that out on their own—that’s their journey."

On finding her voice…

“I was like, 'Holy shit, I don’t have a choice. This is something that I have to do because no one else is doing it. It forced me to step into my own as an artist. And this is something I’ve always wanted to do—be loud and sing about sexy girls."

On normalizing all forms of love...

"I think [queer artists are] what’s giving people encouragement to really be more comfortable with themselves. That’s how life is. If you see two girls falling in love and normalizing that, then [people] can go, 'I can fall in love, too. I can be that person. I can look like that. I can get a girl that looks like that.' If they see that, then they can believe it. It’s just how we are."

On the pressure of being the Lesbian Jesus…

“To be able to share [my work] with other people is such a beautiful thing. I never really had that community growing up. I really just want to continue to focus on the art. I think that's my responsibility and that's where the pressure is: constantly putting out good work and being truthful and honest with everyone.”

“I think [queer artists are] what’s giving people encouragement to really be more comfortable with themselves. That’s how life is.”

On how her fans have shaped her career…

“My fans have always been in the forefront, really pushing and climbing with me. I've been unsigned most of my career and they’re the reason why I got signed. They’re the reason why I was able to do my own headlining tour. No one else would take me on tour to open for them. We've really created our own opportunities and platform, so it's my job to see it through and be a good representation.”

This interview has been edited and condensed from multiple sources (1, 2, 3).

Photo Credit: Andrew Boyle

Photos from Hayley Kiyoko’s Instagram.

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 MUSIC LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Content Creator: Joy Cho

Joy Cho is the OG blogger. She started her namesake blog, Oh Joy!, in 2005 (the stone ages, when you consider Instagram launched in 2010), with no intention of taking it full-time.

Then social media happened.

The internet boomed, and so did Joy’s career. She became a household name in the blogger space, hiring a full-time team of employees and taking on partnerships with dream brands like Target and Urban Outfitters to design everything from wallpaper to Band-Aids to baby clothes.

Amidst it all, Joy keeps a level head, reminding us to focus on our priorities and know it’s OK to ask for help. This boss blogger is charging full speed ahead in 2019, and we’re so excited to see what she does next.

You were one of the first bloggers in the lifestyle space. How has the industry changed, for both better and worse?

I started my blog in 2005 before social media really exploded into what it is today. To be honest, I had no idea what I was doing back then since those of us that started in the OG days were really all doing it for fun. There was no model of what blogging could be or that it could turn into a full-time job. Back then, it was much more scrappy. I remember I would take photos of magazine images I loved and then upload those to my computer to post...it was a PHOTO of a PHOTO! Ha! But there was something so innocent and pure about it that I didn’t have any expectation of what I should be doing so I just did what felt right.

The evolution to what social media has become today is a crazy one. It’s become so much more polished and professional which has made all of the content visually stronger, but it’s also made it feel too perfect in some ways. I think we are evolving back to more personal touches and real moments though. And those of us who do create all of our own content are working to still create the images and stories that we do best, but are also working to bring in parts that remind readers that we go through the same ups and downs of life as well.

You’ve grown your business from a blog to a media and product empire. What advice would you give to other content creators on scaling their business?

You have to look at your strengths and what makes you unique to help you decide where to expand next. For me, expanding into designed products was a natural transition because I had previously worked as a graphic and product designer before I had my own business. I knew what to do so it was easier to pitch myself. If you’re great at writing, a book might be the next step. If people are obsessed with your style and taste, then a shop could be a great way to go. Don’t look at what others are doing to emulate their steps or successes, instead look at others’ successes as fuel for your fire to find what’s next and best for you.

Your parents came to the US with $600 in their pockets and created four businesses from scratch. What has their perseverance taught you about business?

They truly taught me that you can create something from nothing. I originally wanted to create a bedding line when I first started my business, but once I looked into how expensive it would be to manufacture those items, and the lack of funds I had in my bank account to do so, I knew it wasn’t the right fit for me. So my company started as a freelance graphic design business because I could earn money right away offering my design services. I didn’t need to spend any money investing in anything new. My parents worked so hard day and night, and I watched that throughout my childhood. At the time, I didn’t understand why or appreciate their hard work, but years later, I have so much respect for all they did and all they sacrificed to build a life for our family.

If you could work with any brand in the world, who would it be?

Oh wow...that’s a good question. One of my bucket list brand goals got checked off when we worked with Target for three years on an exclusive production collection in which time we launched 15 collections with them! I don’t have any specific new brands on my list just yet, but would love to move into working with a car brand, airline, or hotel to bring Oh Joy! within those categories.

What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?

My biggest surprise has been that my career has evolved so much differently than I had expected..and for the better. Because of social media and the ability to use it as a tool for growth, we have ebbed and flowed as things have evolved and I have taken paths I wasn’t necessarily planning and some paths I never even knew existed. I used to plan out my businesses goal with 5 and 10 year plans, but now I love looking just a year or two ahead as it all changes so much so fast that I try to be more flexible and evolve as it feels right.

Can women really “have it all?” Is that a myth?

Yes, they can. But your definition of “having it all” changes over time. I remember when working out 5 days a week was my life. It was what I did in my free time, and I wouldn’t feel like myself if I didn’t exercise. Those were the days before other priorities came into play...having a business with multiple employees, having two kids, building a house, and all the other things that make up my current life. That’s not to say I don’t value exercise (I do!) but something that used to be so important to me now gets a lower priority on my list of things to do because I want to maximize my time with my kids when I am home from work. I want to put them to bed every night, and be there for school drop-off’s. Those are the things that are important to me now. Some day, I’ll get back to my five days a week at the gym ;)

You have to look at your strengths and what makes you unique to help you decide where to expand next.

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What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

Ultimately, it's JOY. Joy from the work that we do everyday to bring happiness to others. Joy that I have in knowing I have taken my company further than I could have one my own. Joy that I have happy employees who are all thriving in their jobs. The JOY in knowing that I did this! I am responsible for all of these paychecks, and WOW...how incredible is it that I can have a business that can do that? And JOY in knowing that all of these people wherever they end up going or evolving in the future will take what they have learned with me to their future adventures and affect others in their own way.

What are the common challenges you've seen among female business owners and entrepreneurs?

Questioning yourself..questioning your fees, rates, saying yes or no to a job or client. Men rarely question themselves in business. They decide what they want to do, and they stand by it. Women tend to worry about whether they are priced too high or whether people will like what they have to offer or not. I am so guilty of this myself, and I’m always reminding myself in those moments of insecurity, what would a guy do? I want to see women—myself included—feel more confident to stand by the work, the numbers, the money, and the decisions we make!

When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find new roads + switch gears to find success?

Whenever I’m feeling in a slump, I know it’s time to try new things. That doesn’t mean changing my business completely, but what are new ideas, new concepts, new parts of the business I could explore? Even though my work is creative and always different, after a while, everyone needs to change things up to stay inspired and excited.

What does 2019 have in store for Oh Joy?

Ah, so many fun things!

I am getting back into the education side of my business. I used to do a TON of business workshops and consulting before my kids were born, and I’m excited to get back to some of that. I’m launching an online class to teach small business owners how to grow a team. It’s a topic that not a lot of people cover but so many people need direction on especially when they are first getting ready to hire employees.

As for products, we have more pet accessories coming out with Petco. We are launching shoe collections (both for kids and adults!), dinnerware, backpacks, pillows, and more!

On the content side of things, we will continue to create happy content for you daily...some in collaboration with brands and sponsors we love, and some are simply ideas we come up with that we want to share with you.

Finally, I’m currently building a house which will be finishing late summer! I’ve been chronicling the whole thing over at Oh Joy, and it’s been such a fun (sometimes stressful) project that I can’t wait to keep sharing with you!

Photography by Annie McElwain Photography

Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 CONTENT CREATORS LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Food: Courtney Cowan

You’d be hard-pressed to find a C&C team member who doesn’t have a deep love for Milk Jar cookies. In the dessert world, you haven’t lived until you bite into one.

But Courtney Cowan’s journey to the founder of Milk Jar is anything but typical. The cookie aficionado started as just that: an aficionado who perfected her chocolate chip recipe as a teen. She spent her early career working, as many Angelenos do, in entertainment. Baking was just a hobby.

As a TV producer, Cowan became accustomed to long hours, multitasking, and strategic decision making on the job. All of these skills translated to making Milk Jar Cookies a reality and transforming her sweet pastime into a full-fledged business in 2013. Now, the entrepreneur and serial baker wakes up at 3:00am every day and is prepping the bakery by 3:30am. Her business caters to an international fanbase, shipping cookies to eager tastebuds across the world. But if you find yourself with some downtime in Los Angeles, treat yourself to a hand-rolled homemade cookie baked daily at the Milk Jar Cookies HQ. As Courtney says, “Drop by, grab a warm cookie and a jar of cold milk; it’s our happy place, we hope it becomes yours, too.”

What was it like making the shift from the entertainment industry to the food industry? Did you have any challenges along the way?

In some ways, it was a natural transition in that my job as a producer was one of managing timelines, budgets, people, and ultimately quality control of the final product. Also, with as many as 10 episodes in various stages at once, I honed my skill of juggling multiple projects simultaneously and how to strategize, prioritize and delegate.

On the flip side, I literally knew nothing about opening a restaurant in Los Angeles, so everything was a challenge. Navigating the laws & licenses and using the commercial equipment were the things that intimidated me most, so I did a ton of research and asked a lot of questions. I scheduled informational meetings with a few restaurant owners, which helped lift the veil, and from there I was able to put my head down and make it happen.

How many batches of cookies did you make before you landed on the perfect recipe? How did you manage to be patient during the whole process and not give up?

Oh man, so many! It was a process over the course of many years. In my teens, I came up with a new twist on a classic Chocolate Chip cookie recipe. Then, as I learned more about the science of baking and how even the smallest of tweaks could make a big difference, I became fascinated and would experiment more. I finally landed on the final recipe after hundreds of batches. And, it was easy to be patient - at the time, baking was simply my hobby, and I loved every second of it. Not to mention, I got to eat the fruits of my labor, and even an imperfect cookie is a good cookie!

If you could have a meal with someone, living or deceased, who would it be and why? What would you eat?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I would love the opportunity to thank her for championing women, compliment her on her backbone of steel, and ask her how she stays resolute. And, I guess we’d eat whatever it is that superheroes eat.

What do you crave in life?

I crave adventure, more downtime to be with the ones I love, and peace of mind. I get great satisfaction out of working so hard, but I could use a little more play in my life.

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

I absolutely treasure the role Milk Jar plays in our community and the lives of our customers. From the newlyweds whose first date was at my shop, to the flight attendant who flies from Texas to LA just to get our cookies, and the woman who moved to Italy and pays to ship our cookies overseas; the personal stories of how Milk Jar impacts their lives never get old. To be part of a person’s history is incredibly special and brings me an immense amount of joy and pride, as I never would have imagined this recipe I created in my little apartment kitchen could touch so many people in such a deep way.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

My dad always told me that the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time, and that has served me very well in my life, and specifically in business ownership.

What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?

The biggest highlight so far has been Milk Jar being featured in the December 2017 issue of Oprah Magazine and on The Today Show within a couple weeks of each other. That was pretty amazing!

Even an imperfect cookie is a good cookie!

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Where does your passion/drive come from?

I truly believe in the product and brand I’ve created and their ability to spread joy & love, which is what I set out to do. It has not been an easy 6 years, but even in the toughest times, I keep believing and know that if I keep showing up every day and doing the work, great things will come.

What keeps you up at night?

The never-ending list of things that need to be done, both immediate and big picture, is always nagging at my brain. The day-to-day responsibilities and problem-solving oftentimes get in the way of inspired thinking about growth. I think this is something that is universal to entrepreneurs—there are 24 hours in a day, and you’re going to use every one.

Whose career really inspires you?

I really admire what Jeni Britton Bauer has done with Jeni’s Ice Creams. She took her time in growing it to what it is now and worked hard to maintain the soul and sense of community she established at the beginning. Plus, that’s some delicious ice cream!

What has been your biggest opportunity or biggest challenge as a woman in the food industry?

My biggest challenge thus far has been securing additional funding, despite being in business over 5 years with millions in revenue and consistent 25% growth year over year. I don’t know if it has anything to do with me being a woman, but perhaps it hasn’t helped.

If a new path isn’t clear, I take out my machete and bushwhack my way.

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When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?

I’ve learned that I can’t be too precious with certain aspects of my business. If something isn’t working, I’ve got to let it go, pivot, and keep moving. I let my values and purpose guide me but look for a new path forward. If a new path isn’t clear, I take out my machete and bushwhack my way.

What are you toasting to in 2019? What are you most excited for?

I am toasting to growth and expansion in 2019. I’m most excited about opening a second Milk Jar storefront and working on my cookbook!

Photography by Annie McElwain Photography

Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE FOOD LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: STEM & Finance: Lisa Mae Brunson

STEM industries are driving the future, and Lisa Mae Brunson is hellbent on making sure that women have a seat at the table. The social innovator is the founder of Wonder Women Tech, a platform, community, and conference series for women and underrepresented groups in STEM fields. The non-profit offers coding classes, workshops, hackathons, diversity career fairs, STEAM camps, community inclusion activities, thought leadership, and other dynamic programming geared towards empowering women, girls, people of color, LGBTQ, the underrepresented, and other diverse communities.

Lisa is quick to call out her industry, noting that while women constitute half of the total population, only about 20 percent of executive roles at tech companies are occupied by women. Her mission is to change that statistic, and that begins with fostering relationships, prompting a societal dialogue around inclusivity, working with Fortune 500 companies, and empowering a new generation of STEM talent.

Lisa is a modern day Wonder Woman ready to make a global impact, and she’s working diligently behind the scenes to ensure a diverse future where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

When did you discover a need for something like Wonder Women Tech and what inspired you to pursue it?

There has always been a need for diversity and inclusion to be a focal point for governments, companies, and businesses to develop strategies and solid initiatives. It became really clear to me that women and the underrepresented needed another platform that provided opportunities that went beyond the stage, and included mentorship, career development, and access to job opportunities when I developed my first Wonder Women Tech Conference in 2015. So many people got behind my vision and wanted to see WWT come to life and support in meaningful ways, from providing venue space, to raising their hand to speak, to sponsoring with funding and partnerships.

What separates Wonder Women Tech from any other women in tech conference?

From day one, Wonder Women Tech has forged partnerships with mayors, governments, schools, Fortune 500s, organizations, and individuals to create a dynamic ecosystem where policy, empowerment, and exploring the cross-sectionality of industries is accomplished. Working directly with those who make policy, and who educate our future and current generations, as well as with the companies that drive the global market, provides us the opportunity to scale globally, create dynamic solutions, and bridge the gap across industries. We also build our foundation on collaboration. Working together within an aligned partnership is what will create the greatest impact. We are not an “event,” we are creating change.

What is your advice on getting the next generations further involved in the technology industry?

Reach out and provide opportunities for youth to be exposed to STEAM fields and activities. Mentor where you can so that these students can feel empowered and see living examples of the generation who are innovating before them. Teach our youth to be leaders and watch them develop into powerful forces within the tech industry. Where possible, providing funding, education, and access to programs so there are no economic or other barriers to entry.

You’re also the founder of the I Am Equality Campaign. What do you see for the future of equality and representation in the field of technology?

I am thrilled to see more companies and organizations creating initiatives that provide visibility for the underrepresented, as well as education and community building. My focus in 2019 is to inspire people to think about how they build a “Culture of Belonging,” beyond “diversity and inclusion,” and provide the foundation for cultivating equality and a safe space for representation within workspaces and communities. The powerful movements we have seen over the last few years have provided a fertile ground for these kinds of initiatives to bloom and blossom. Companies are not only becoming more aware of the importance of equality and representation within the tech industry, but they are also putting money and support behind these projects.

What is one app you can’t live without and why?

Right now the best app I am using is WhatsApp. It allows me to keep in communication with my team which is spread across Hawaii, California, Texas, Florida, D.C., Canada, Brazil and London, as well as my international partners. This free app is a lifesaver!

When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?

I like to think of myself as the “Pivot Queen.” One thing I have learned as a visionary is that you have to take the concept of “failure” in stride. I’ve come to understand that everything I do is R&D (research and development) and it provides me the opportunity to innovate again and again. Early in my career, I used to get really upset and sad when I met with “failure,” but I have since learned to pick myself up, celebrate the small and large victories, and commit to learning what I need to let go of and what I need to improve for the next iteration. I have taught myself and my team to focus on celebrating the fact that we are still here, and we are taking steps forward.

What are you most excited for in 2019?

I am very excited to finally have our 501(c)(3) status which will allow us access to grant funding, which will allow us to create an even greater impact and hire staff! And I am excited to host our first LatinX Summit in Brazil and explore climate change and conservation, a new program focus.

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

Whenever I feel like giving up, I go to my inbox, find my folder marked “Testimonials,” and read the hundreds that I have filed away over the years. The lives that have been impacted by the work we do are what keeps me inspired and committed to this work. I am grateful that every single day I am not only doing what I love, but we are creating real change that is becoming its own legacy. That is definitely fulfilling.

“Rev. Jesse Jackson told me something so basic that it was also profoundly powerful—he said, “You just have to show up.” Those two words are something I carry with me every day when I feel like giving up.”

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

I had the honor of interviewing Rev. Jesse Jackson on my stage in 2017, and at the time I was feeling really defeated with burnout. I asked him how he continued to move forward when there are so many doors slammed and it feels like the civil rights movement and efforts towards equality are taking a step backwards. Rev. Jackson told me something so basic that it was also profoundly powerful—he said, “You just have to show up.” Those two words are something I carry with me every day when I feel like giving up. I get out of bed, and I show up!

What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?

I hope I am wonderfully surprised all the time. To date, receiving the multi-year commitment from Mayor Garcia and the City of Long Beach continues to be the catalyst that sparked the success and growth of Wonder Women Tech. That investment in my vision is what fuels the magic that my team and I will continue to create in the years ahead. #WeAreFuture

Photography by Annie McElwain Photography

Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 STEM & FINANCE LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Beauty: Felicia Leatherwood

Felicia “Hair Whisperer” Leatherwood has over 26 years of experience as a world-renowned celebrity hairstylist and natural hair expert. Her work and industry veteran status is rooted in the idea of holistic health and fundamentally loving yourself, which is a true inside-out approach to haircare. That’s why it’s no surprise that her work has been featured in Vogue, Variety, Essence, Elle, and Ebony.

You might know Leatherwood as the hairstyle hitmaker behind all of Issa Rae’s character’s hairstyles on Insecure, but Felicia has been building her empire for much longer than the hit HBO series has been on air. She’s also the go-to hairstylist for several other leading actors in Hollywood, including Ava Duvernay, Will Smith, Jill Scott, and Viola Davis (...not to namedrop or anything, but damn).

Leatherwood has developed groundbreaking products, solutions, and techniques for natural hair care over the past several decades, and she also conducts hair care workshops for audiences around the globe under the brand and slogan “Loving Your Hair with Natural Care.” For women with kinky or curly hair, her work is a godsend.

As 2019 comes into full view, the cultural dialogue around representation and inclusion continues to underscore all aspects of business. For Felicia, Hollywood’s embracement of natural hair and natural styles is a way to promote self-love and connect with a new generation through her art.

How did you get you originally step into the hairstyling world?

My mother didn’t know how to do my hair as a child, so at 9 years old, I took matters into my own hands and taught myself. The rest is history.

You also created a product, the FL Detangler Brush. What inspired you to launch your own product and business outside of hairstyling?

I needed something that could continue to support the hairstyling community with the proper tools. There just aren’t enough tools to support the health of our hair, so the product was to keep healthy hair/tresses. The product I created helps men and women maintain the health of their hair.

Working with celebrities sounds like it can put a lot of pressure on you. What’s been the biggest challenge and the biggest reward in having a famous roster of clients?

The biggest challenge is when award season comes around and I get requested for multiple people on the same day, which means I’d have to come up with multiple hairstyles that are completely different from each other. The biggest reward is at the end when I sit down and see everyone on the red carpet looking phenomenal, and the next day hearing of all the compliments they received on their hair.

What characteristics make you successful in the beauty industry?

I think my sense of humour, my knowledge of naturally-textured hair, and the fact that I am a hair nerd have all contributed to my success. I probably care about your hair more than you do :)

What does it take to build a beauty brand from the ground up in today’s world?

It takes really being open to learning more about social media and social media marketing. Being aware of where the future of marketing is going, what kind of content will keep you relevant, and what consumers are looking for as it relates to the business.

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

I feel the most fulfilled when people leave me feeling more knowledgeable and empowered about their hair.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever been given?

“Don’t look at anything as a failure, but as an opportunity to learn how to do it better the next time.”

What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?

The highlight has been working on Insecure with Issa Rae and being able to create so many hairstyles that viewers feel empowered by and proud to see on the screen.

“Sometimes the challenge, at least for me, has been getting women to change the way they feel about their hair and embracing the beauty that they were born with.”

You have a large presence on social media. How has it impacted your career?

What social media gives you is more of a platform to get more exposure. So I have been able to reach more women and give more people an understanding of their hair, and for that I am grateful.

Where does your passion/drive come from?

What keeps me going is watching so many women emerge into confidence about their hair.

What are the common challenges you've seen among female hairstylists?

Sometimes the challenge, at least for me, has been getting women to change the way they feel about their hair and embracing the beauty that they were born with.

When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road and switch gears to find success?

When ants are on a mission to get to a destination and you put something in their path, they will always find a way or an opening around whatever is blocking their path. They will always continue to push along until they find that opening. I’ve adapted to this lifestyle and however you block my path I will always keep pushing to find that opening or way around to reach my intended goal.

Whose career really inspires you?

Issa Rae, because she knows how to stay focused, she’s driven, and she really uses her success to support and give opportunity to those around her.

What’s next for you in 2019? What are you most excited for?

I have three companies that I am running and I’m really excited to watch them grow, so that I can give opportunities to more people and support their growth.

Photography by Annie McElwain Photography

Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica 

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 BEAUTY LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: STEM & Finance: Janice Bryant Howroyd

Janice Bryant Howroyd was paving the way for female empowerment before “female empowerment” was a term people used. She launched her workforce solutions company, Act 1, in 1978, well before the She-EO movement. And her trailblazing ways have paid off—she was the first African American woman whose company generates more than $1 billion in annual revenue. She’s a force in the business world, and we’re excited to share her advice for other women chasing their dreams below.

You’re the first African American woman to operate a company that generates more than $1 billion in annual revenue. Tell us a little about Act 1 Group and why you think it’s been such a successful venture.

In 1976, having arrived in Los Angeles on what I initially intended as a vacation, my sweet sister Sandy encouraged to me to extend my stay.  These many years later, I’m filled with gratitude that she did. By 1978, I had begun to build what today is a global enterprise servicing with brick and mortar from 32 countries!  The ActOne Group products and services are truly universal across industries. Our clients represent a broad array of enterprises across every business landscape. The top industries served include consumer products, manufacturing and distribution, transportation and logistics, utilities and renewable energy, IT and technology, construction and engineering, financial services, pharmaceuticals, material sciences, healthcare, entertainment, food and beverage and public sector agencies at the local, state and federal level.

Our corporate culture is customer-focused, consultative and entrepreneurial. Success is rooted in our philosophy and approach to innovative solution design and commitment to customer service. As an organization, we thrive by standing solidly on our “FEET”:

· Freedom to Innovate: reflects the type of employees we attract, how we lead them, and how we approach our customers in a consultative and value adding manner.

· Excellence of Delivery: we do not make shallow promises, we are reliable, and differentiate ourselves through our flexible services.

· Everything Matters: we hold ourselves accountable to the past, present and future so we always provide a result.

· Time to Understand: reflects our proactive interest in the best long-term result, whether listening to a customer or perfecting our operation.

You’ve previously said “It still matters in business more what someone else says about you than what you say about yourself.” Tell us a little about the meaning behind that mantra and how word of mouth has affected your business.

We operate in a competitive industry on a global scale. Identifying, attracting and placing individuals on temporary or permanent work assignments is core to our business, regardless of the size and scale of the labor program we are managing. We have found, through decades of experience, that peer referrals are the best and most consistent source of talent. Similarly, in presenting our company and its solutions to new clients, the best voice, on our behalf, is that of our current customers.

We achieve success through a “client for life” philosophy, which encapsulates who we are as an organization. Within our staffing business verticals, our mission is to find, to understand, and fulfill the needs of another. In doing so, we become more than a staffing placement agency, but rather a career advisor to the working class seeking an ally to gainful employment, continuing education, skill development, and personal advancement. At the corp-to-corp level, client for life is practiced daily through an “everything matters” approach to customer service. If it matters to you, it matters to us. This mantra has resulted in long-term relationships with our client partners, as well as an evolution of innovative service and technology solutions we have implemented with clients, large and small, over decades of account management. As relationships with our clients mature, these same clients have been our most effective advocates in helping us attain new business with new clients in new markets, worldwide.

In 2017, you were appointed to the Federal Communications Commission’s Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE). What’s been the most rewarding part of serving on the advisory?

Serving the FCC in an advisory capacity on Diversity and Digital Empowerment is something I take seriously and with gratitude.  Many communities today are not prepared for day-to-day digital communications, let alone disaster readiness. Infrastructures and business that offers jobs and life needs require digital access and those communities not well serviced are not attracting this forward economic empowerment.  Working with the nation’s top experts across fields of knowledge that support building out better sustainable communications is significant. Add to that the ability to impact how women, minorities and other other disenfranchised persons are supported in our nation’s build out and treatment of these persons - and you readily understand the gratitude I feel for the ability to contribute.  

““Never compromise who you are personally to become who you wish to be professionally.”  That’s a really big self commitment for many, especially as cultures continue to rub, blur and evolve.”

What advice do you have for women with great ideas that are afraid to launch them?

Communicating with clarity, purpose, passion, and honesty will enable you to serve others in a profound way. One thing that  I always tell my audience that whatever it is you want in life, don’t wish for it, work for it. It is a guiding principle taught by my parents and I have followed it from day one. Through effective communication, hard work, and empowerment of self and others, success can and will be achieved - so long as you believe in yourself and invest the time and energy required to launch any great idea. At the end of the day, more people regret what they did not do than anything they ever did!

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

Joy in seeing those around me achieve success in life and work is one of the greatest gifts of my work. Growing up in Tarboro, NC, the most professional people I saw on a daily basis were the teachers and preachers in our community.  While I have immeasurable respect for these professions, I know that advancing the worker is a part of the solution to healthy living I can best contribute to. Our company is in the people business, making connections between individuals and companies each and every day. Each connection we make presents unlimited opportunities from which individuals, companies and communities grow.  This is powerful! We work with educational institutions as well as corporations. Our value is driven by how well we honor the worker. At AppleOne, it is intentional that we’ve ALWAYS had our founding principle be “The applicant is the center of our universe!” This includes interns as well as temporary and professional/full time workers - across 32 countries!

You founded Act 1 in 1978. How has the company grown, changed, or shifted priorities with the rise of the internet and social media?

The internet and social media have enhanced how we interact with the community at large, moving from local interaction to a more “glocal” approach to market branding and broadcast messaging. However, as a family-owned, private enterprise, we still believe and value human interaction. Although job postings and marketing initiatives are more easily communicated via the internet and social media, our recruiters, talent advisors, and client service teams still emphasize personal, one-on-one communication to drive superior results.  Early in our development of workforce technologies, I understood that a competitive advantage would be to ensure that ‘technology become our geography’, as this offered competitive opportunity for ActOne Group amongst a field of publicly funded companies.

Here’s another interesting aspect: As a public speaker and champion of education, inclusion, and empowerment, social media has allowed me to connect with a vast and diverse population. On a daily basis, I’m able share those professional and personal moments that assist so many people.  

What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?

While not surprising, it certainly is a highlight of my career that our children have embraced what we do and have chosen to build careers supporting the family business. The gift of seeing Katharyn and Brett adopt the values and enjoyment of advancing people’s careers incorporates so many of the desires of my heart.  Brett has chosen to work in leadership in our company and Katharyn works on our technology and branding innovation. That they are cooperative in their respective chosen areas of contribution means the world to me. That they authentically and passionately live by the values rewards me in the most magnificent manner!

When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?

In my family, as in many, we live by the principle that “We fall down. We get up!”  Our parents encouraged us ‘stay watchful’. They often would tell to pay attention to everything because everything matters!  Sustained by these beliefs, I’m confident of my ability to succeed. This eliminates the wasted time of worry. Worry does not ever pay.  Solutioning does!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Growing up as John and Elretha Bryant’s kids, we were fueled with many Mommyisms and Dad’s sayings.  They all rank best prize. One that I took as my personal mantra years ago is: “Never compromise who you are personally to become who you wish to be professionally.”   That’s a really big self commitment for many, especially as cultures continue to rub, blur and evolve.

What are you most excited for in 2019?

Everything!  Notable - In 2018, I finally established my STEM placement service, AllSTEM.  AllSTEM’s mission is To create powerful connections for STEM professionals and employers.  It goes right back to what I saw, and wanted to impact, in my childhood community. Enabling competent and valued workers to have valuable and growth oriented careers.  What a blessing!

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 STEM & FINANCE LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: STEM & Finance: Sarah Kunst

A 2016 study revealed that black women head up only 4% of women-led startups and raise an average $36,000 in funding—or about .01% of the money pulled in by the average successful startup.

Sarah Kunst is in that 4% minority. “Here we are in a country that celebrates black women like Beyonce and Serena Williams—and startup founders who share their race and gender cannot land even 1% of all venture funding,” she wrote in Fortune Magazine after the study was published.

Against these statistical odds and institutional advantages of whiteness and maleness, Sarah has excelled. She is the managing director of Cleo Capital and an investor and entrepreneur who has worked at Apple, Red Bull, Chanel & Mohr Davidow Ventures, to namedrop a few. She was the founder of LA Dodgers-backed app ProDay, a subscription workout app that allows users to workout alongside professional athletes and fitness celebs. Oh, and she’s also a contributing editor at Marie Claire—as her hobby. If her resume isn’t evidence enough, Sarah is a force to be reckoned with and a role model for women trying to break into the boys’ club that is the world of venture capitalism. When she gives you advice, you write it down.

What are the characteristics you look for when investing in someone’s idea or business?

While the market and product have to fit and there has to be a compelling reason that the company could become a billion dollar company, the thing I look for most is a founder who I totally believe in and who won’t quit until they achieve their goal. Someone who is humble, hard working, and a deep thinker I can count on to make me money.

What is your advice for women who want to pitch their businesses to a VC firm?

Research, research, research! So much about getting investment dollars is understanding all of the subtle things about how investors think. Read about their firm, read their Linkedin and other social media, read or listen to interviews with them—the more you know about the people who are going to give you money, the more effectively you can pitch them. Learn a ton about your market as well. Know which companies are already in market, know the total market size, what’s driving growth...There are so many barriers to fundraising, especially for women, but no one reading this has the barrier of not being able to use the internet to research. Use that as your secret weapon. Look at pitch decks and pitch contests or demo days of companies your investor has funded. Be voracious about data gathering and use it to get your money!

As an advisor, can you tell us a little about what this role entails and the kind of work you do?

I help companies. It can be really basic block and tackle things—introducing them to a realtor for office space or someone to put product in their gift bags—or it can be huge things like investor intros, revenue planning, hires and fires. But I’m there to serve the company and be a sounding board to the founders.

You’re also a contributor for Marie Claire. With so many things on your plate, what lead you to take this on and why do you think it’s important for women to explore different avenues of creativity?

I’ve always had a toe in media and I love the team at Marie Claire so it was a no brainer. I also choose to fill my free time with hobbies like this instead of other things. It really energizes me and introduces me to new people and experiences. I think it’s totally fine to focus on your day job and reserve the rest of your time for leisure, but I love to have my hand in several things. Do what feeds you; if that’s doing a lot of stuff, don’t let the leisure lovers get you down!

What do you think your biggest hurdles are in your job, day-to-day and/or long-term?

The hardest part of investing is thinking both long term—when will a company exit, what is coming next for an industry or sector, what is the strategy of the next fund, etc.—while acting and living in the day-to-day.

What is one app you can’t live without and why?

Uber! The ability to get anywhere I need to be with the tap of a button is a life changer.

When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?

I used to see every obstacle as a hurdle to jump. Now, I pause and see if they are instead a speed bump and a sign to slow down or go another direction. I think life sends signs and sometimes we’re too busy achieving to focus on if the direction we’re headed in is still the best fit for us. We don’t stop totally until we’re dead, but there’s no shame in pulling over, turning around or driving slowly sometimes. We are not Mario Andretti.

What are you most excited for in 2019?

Love! Loving my job, people and the experiences I have. If that’s the guiding light, everything else gets a lot easier.

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

Helping people build their dreams. It’s so amazing to be able to be a tiny part of someone’s destiny and mission in the world.

“Nothing is easy, so stop trying to figure out easy and instead focus on enjoyable, fulfilling, meaningful.”

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

“You know what’s easy? Nothing.” Nothing is easy, so stop trying to figure out easy and instead focus on enjoyable, fulfilling, meaningful.

What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?

I never thought I’d be running my own venture fund at 32. It’s been a crazy ride with surreal highs and rock-bottom lows, but I’ve learned so much and met so many people who inspire me that I can’t imagine doing anything else.

What’s your superpower?

I tend to default to “yes.” Yes moves you forward. If it’s a new experience or someone you trust and your gut isn’t screaming “NO,” make time for things and see what happens.

Photography by Annie McElwain Photography

Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 STEM & FINANCE LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Entrepreneur: Kenesha Sneed

Kenesha Sneed had spent years as an art director and motion graphics designer when she decided to try a new hobby: ceramics. She enrolled in a community class, but it didn’t take long before Kenesha wanted to pursue her hobby professionally. So she decided to give her full-time job the boot—and thus, Tactile Matter was born.

Kenesha’s collection includes everything from pottery and statues to throw blankets and accessories. She's collaborated with brands like Instagram, Call Your Girlfriend, Refinery29 & Saint Heron, and she’s been featured in Glamour, Apartment Therapy, Kinfolk, and Design*Sponge. We can’t wait to see where Kenesha takes her work in 2019.

When did you know art was your thing?

Art has always been a part of my life and, creating was the only thing I felt good at when I was growing up. As a kid I would get progress reports that said, “she needs more work in math and science, but she really has an interest in drawing.” Which we all know is subtle shade for “get her some crayons and hope for the best!”.

Younger me never thought she’d pursue an artistic career because of the negative stigma that said artists don’t equate to success. Though my parents weren’t artists themselves and I wasn’t born into that world, I’m grateful for them both encouraging me to explore a creative path.

In 2005, I had no idea what motion graphics was or that I would spend the next four years of college at Otis, sleeping under my classroom desk or pulling all nighters to get projects finished. Or that I’d spend the next decade after school working as a motion designer, later an Art Director.

I’ve had opportunities that allowed me to live a creative life. Whenever there’s a moment I ask myself what the hell am I doing? I’m beyond thankful to even have the emotional support that lead me here in the first place.

What questions did you ask yourself before you stepped away from your full time gig to pursue being a an independent artist full-time?

My internal monologue was all over the place. “Will I be able to continue doing what I love?”, “Will I get paid equal or more than what I’m earning now?” Also let’s talk about the weight of being the only black artist in that workspace at the time. There was a feeling of guilt I know many POC feel in majority white spaces. I was like “If I leave, no one here will look like me.” This is why representation is so important.

After sitting on too many questions for weeks, a friend asked me the only question that mattered. “If you choose to stay, will you feel fulfilled?” You have to reach out to the ones who keep you sane in those moments.

What was it like seeing your work in stores for the first time?

I still feel the exact same way I felt the first time, which is a mix of relief, anxiety, thrill, remorse, freedom. There’s a lot that goes into creating, so anytime I see my work in a shop or in someone’s personal space, there’s a sense of validation for myself.

When you get a new idea for a project, where do you even start?

Sleep, water, coffee are necessities to get going or I’ll be running on fumes through the day.

There’s no standard routine for making an idea turn into something but no matter the medium I’m using, I start with sketching my ideas on paper. That’s the only way I know how to unpack my thoughts. From there anything goes and no two processes are the same.

You’ve mentioned in past interviews that you’re ready to see more women of color creating things. Representation in these spaces is so important. Were there black female artists that inspired you in the past to pursue art?

I’ll always be rooting for black women to have more opportunities for success and fill more seats in more spaces because let’s be real, we work too hard not to.

My early memories growing up were inspired by the works of Monica Stewart or Ernie Barnes, who my parents had a print of “Anniversary” hanging on their bedroom wall.

Also artists Augusta Savage, Lois Mailou Jones, Kerry James Marshall, Gwendolyn Knight, Basquiat, Pegge Hopper immediately come to mind.

Who was the first person you hired for your business and how much of a difference did it make?

I’m someone who’s very protective of my personal space and this was the first year I acknowledged there’s no way to do it all solo. I was grieving so heavily that there was no conceivable way to navigate a business on my own, let alone be a creative functioning human on top of it all.

My manager stepped in presumably from the heavens to save my work-life, holding me accountable for my actions and I sleep better at night because of her.

I also welcomed an intern who brings a positive light every time she comes in the studio. There’s something so inspiring about someone who wants to learn and soak up everything. I’d take being a mentor over a boss any day.

Both have been a crucial part of getting through this year and that’s been one of the most transformative forms of self-care I could give myself.

Sleep, water, coffee are necessities to get going or I’ll be running on fumes through the day.

Tweet this.

What are the common challenges you've seen among female business owners and entrepreneurs?

1st. I’m not a business expert. I make mistakes all the time and I’m okay with that. We all get stuck, It’s about learning to get unstuck and moving forward. Here’s a few life hacks I’ve found useful:

Have conversations about money and don’t be afraid to ask the person next to you what their getting paid. It’s scary but I learned a long time ago if I didn’t know what my peers were earning who do the exact same job, I’d be getting paid far less.

There are companies and brands that want your voice, your time, your creativity but don’t want to pay you your worth. Stand firm in trusting yourself and your value. Feel free to say no to anything that doesn’t serve you.

There’s too many unnecessary pressures we put on ourselves to be doing a specific thing by a certain age. It’s such a distracting feeling that gets you nowhere. Know that some of the greatest artists, musicians, activists, got their recognition later in life.

Read this book. And this. Also listen to this.

When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?

Whew. I’ll let you know when I find out!

All I know is there’s no straight and linear path to success. First you need to really define what a career or success looks like to you ie. high salary? paid benefits? creative freedom? A career is a cute word for a never ending hustle so no matter what success looks like for you, be willing to put in the work.

I’d love to only focus on being an artist and spend my days creating but the reality is a lot of time and energy is put into work that has nothing to do with making a thing. The back end of creating is sometimes more work than the project itself.

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

A friend told me there’s nothing more important than asking for help, it will free up the mental space needed to do something that serves you. Those were game changing words I needed to hear in that moment.

What are two qualities you think every entrepreneur needs in order to be successful?

Accept there’s no such thing as instant gratification. Every single thing takes time so be prepared to put in the hours. There’s what feels like a never ending vortex of time, energy, passion, money, failure, excitement, stress, love that goes into creating. It sounds like a miserable amount of feelings but I’m here for all of it.

“2018 has shown me that there’s nothing in life worth taking for granted. Enjoying the time you have with friends and family is crucial to being a better you.”

Who inspired you the most in your life growing up?

My mother and King Oprah.

Whose career is inspiring you today?

The list is longer than my brain has capacity for but here’s a few — Amy Sherald, Ava DuVernay, Jessica Williams, Kehinde wiley, Kimberly Drew, Greg Breda, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Cleo Wade, Melina Matsoukas, Phoebe Robinson, Elaine Welteroth.

Some next level women in my life who are doing the work and always inspire me — Aiesha Bailey-Mannle, Aminatou Sow, Ann Friedman, Kristina Bing, Erica Chidi Cohen, Sarah Blank, Jenny Ko, Lauren Machen, Anica Cramer, Allison Kaylor, Jaimee Dormer.

What are you most excited for in 2019?

2018 has shown me that there’s nothing in life worth taking for granted. Enjoying the time you have with friends and family is crucial to being a better you.

Even though there’s a list of projects I’m excited for next year, I’m more excited for any quiet moment that allows me to just be present.

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 ENTREPRENEUR LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Fashion: Tamara Mellon

Tamara Mellon, a founder of Jimmy Choo, would give Carrie Bradshaw a serious run for her money when it comes to her shoe collection.

While Tamara has been no stranger to the press over the past two decades—from notable business decisions to sensationalism about her personal life—she’s only making headlines these days with her fresh Los Angeles beginning. The former fashion editor come shoe queen spent decades building her empire in New York’s Upper East Side, but has since relocated to LA to launch her namesake brand...for the second time.

“The next generation of luxury brands will not be built the way that I built Jimmy Choo,” Tamara told the Los Angeles Times last year, this time opting for a direct-to-consumer model and cutting out luxury retailers. Cutting out the middleman makes Tamara Mellon shoes available at a lower price point. The shoe mogul is stepping out and inventing a new kind of accessible luxury.

You went from co-founding Jimmy Choo to launching your own namesake brand. Why did you venture out on your own?

After 16 years of building that company, I wanted to create a next-generation luxury brand with an all-new business model. I saw the future as direct-to-consumer. So I trusted my gut and went for it. It was important to me to rewrite the rules and create a company that gives women what they want, for both customers and employees.

What is the Tamara Mellon aesthetic?

My favorite decade is the ‘70s and it’s reflected in the brand. Our aesthetic is both masculine and feminine, and classic with an edge. As for the voice, it’s very forward-thinking. We seek to empower women to own their voice, not find it. We know they already have a lot to say.

Why is it important for models to pay it forward and use their voices?

When Jimmy Choo reached a certain size, I started to feel that it was important to us that platform for good, and to help other women. In today’s world, brands can no longer be neutral. They have to take a stand for what they believe in.

When you get to a certain point in your career, it’s important to speak up. I wanted to start that with this brand right out the gate, rather than having it come years later.

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

The team. I love coming in and working with all of the incredible women around me. Everyone is passionate, unapologetic, and is not afraid to speak up about the issues or matters that are important to them.

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

Don’t stop working, never give up.

What’s been the biggest highlight of your career to date?

Being able to launch a second luxury brand with all the learnings from the first.

“I want to break old fashion behavior of ‘it’s cool to be cruel’ and make it cool to be kind. ”

Where does your passion/drive come from?

I love designing shoes; it’s what gets me into a state of flow. And fear of failure!

Whose career really inspires you?

Gloria Steinem. She’s my hero.

Also, Michelle Obama. She’s a woman that I’m continually impressed by. She’s a great public speaker. She has presence, gravitas, and is always passionate about what she says. I would take her advice any day.

Who’s someone’s style that you love?

Again, Gloria Steinem. I’m serious. She is 84 and has incredible taste. I also have a pair of the same aviators that she wears. She’s always been known for bridging feminism and fashion.

What has been your biggest opportunity to date?

Creating an office culture for young women that I’m proud of. Every employee has equity in the company, and a seat at the table.

What would you change about the fashion industry if you could?

Two things. First, I would create more opportunity for women in the C-Suite. Second, I would promote inclusivity over exclusivity, to break the stereotypes in the industry. Even customer inclusivity. Break old fashion behavior of “it’s cool to be cruel” and make it cool to be kind.

What are some of the challenges you’ve seen female fashion designers have to face?

If you look at big luxury groups, men still have all of the top executive roles and there is an inequality in pay in the fashion industry. Women have to deal with that power struggle.

Women also aren’t seen as creative heads. There has been a slow change, like Clare Waight Keller at Givenchy, but it needs to be across the board.

When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?

By not giving up, and by taking my ego out of it and continuing to push through. When hit with a hurdle, you have to reevaluate and pivot.

What’s next for you? What are you most excited for in 2019?

I’m excited to enter into our third year and continue to grow a business that resonates with women across the country. We’re also expanding our categories to offer more than shoes.

And we’re planning to open more stores, so even more women can experience the brand offline, in real life. Lastly, I’m most excited to go tour college campuses with my daughter, Minty.

VIEW THE ENTIRE CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 FASHION CATEGORY HERE!

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Create & Cultivate 100: Content Creator: Alex Elle

Alex Elle is the voice you didn’t know you needed to hear.

The blogger-turned-poet-turned-podcast host got her start as an author in an unlikely way—through self-affirming notes written on tiny pieces of paper (check out her Instagram for a dose of love and motivation). Her breakout book of poems, Words From A Wanderer, was an instant success, and Alex knew she had found her niche.

Over the next few years, she released five more books, including her latest: Today I Affirm: A Journal That Nurtures Self-Care. Oh, and as if that wasn’t enough, she also hosts a weekly podcast called Hey Girl, wherein she has intimate conversations with women who inspire her.

She, in turn, inspires us. Read on to find out why.

Your writing is so raw but so relatable. Did you feel vulnerable sharing it when you were first starting out?

Thank you! I still feel vulnerable when I share my writing. It’s my heart’s work. I think vulnerability is good, so I lean into it. People relate to authenticity and I truly believe that being vulnerable helps amplify that.

What advice would you give to young writers who are nervous to share or publish their work?

Take your time! Don’t be in a rush. Also, be proud of your work prior to public display. If you’re looking for outside validation (on social media) refrain from sharing until you’re able to stand in the truth of your work.

If you weren’t a writer, what would you do instead?

I would want to name cosmetic colors.

What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?

The highlight of my career has been building a community near and far, in person and online. It blows my mind how writing, storying telling, and standing in comradery can shift the dynamics of sisterhood and self-love in such a positive way, time and time again.

Why is self-care an important part of being an entrepreneur?

Self-care as an entrepreneur keeps me level-headed and present. I cannot go without harmonizing time for myself in work and life. Taking care is needed in order for me to be my best self.

Tell us about your “A Note To Self” exercises.

Writing notes to myself, or affirmations, are gentle ways to remind me of my truth and keep me grounded in it. Putting things down on paper is a vital part of my life. It’s a lifeline, almost. Notes to self give me clarity on so many different levels.

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

Showing other people that there is power in their stories and that they do not need to shrink to make anyone else feel comfortable.

My mantra: no rain, no rainbows.

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When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find new roads + switch gears to find success?

My mantra: no rain, no rainbows. Hurdles have happened and will continue to. Remembering that I have to face the grit to get to the glory is what keeps me steadfast and moving forward through adversity.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

It’s better to start over than to stay stuck. - My mom

What are you most excited for in 2019?

Teaching more workshops and retreats and building community through writing practice! I am also thrilled to share my new journal Today I Affirm with the world. It’s going to be a great year.

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 CONTENT CREATORS LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Content Creator: Jenna Kutcher

If you’ve been on the internet in the last year, you probably know Jenna Kutcher.

The photographer, Instagram pro, podcast host, and new mama has been everywhere this year. Over the past few years, Jenna has grown her small-town photography business into a million-dollar brand. But what we love most about her has nothing to do with her work: Jenna is real. Like, really real. Talk-about-infertility-on-the-internet real. And in a world where feeds are filled with perfectly-curated photos and captions, it’s a refreshing revelation we could all take notes on.

You’d think, given her resume, that Jenna would be one of those “stretched-too-thin, busy-all-the-time” types, but the truth is: Jenna has it figured out. She’s the queen of outsourcing, and she really does practice what she preaches: Focus on what’s important, and success will follow. Below, she talks about why.

You’re a photographer, podcast host, influencer, and condo flipper—you stay busy! What appeals to you about being an entrepreneur with your hands on a lot of projects, versus holding down one 9-to-5?

At the age of 23, I walked away from corporate America and I haven’t looked back. There isn’t a day that goes by where I’m not filled with gratitude the minute I wake up knowing that I get to do what I love (and do it from home in yoga pants) every day. I’ve always been a multi-passionate human being and so I always have a lot of projects on my plate but the diversity keeps me dreaming and creative and it forces me to work smarter not harder and make the right hires. Being an entrepreneur means I get to craft my dream life and I am lucky enough to get paid to do what I love. For me, time is my currency, not money, and so spending each day on things I enjoy means more to me than anything else.

Tell us a bit about your podcast, Goal Digger. What do you hope women feel when they listen to your show?

Oh, where do I begin? The Goal Digger Podcast started as an experiment and has turned into a show that gets over a million downloads each month. When I created the show, I wanted to create a workshop-style podcast where people can leave and take action in their life and business, so the podcast is a mix of tangible takeaways and inspiring stories of women who are out there living and working on their own terms and creating their dream lives (while being candid and honest about the behind-the-scenes mishaps, mess-ups, and mistakes!) I want people to see, learn, and hear about successful women so they can see their own potential reflected in the women who are out there doing it!

What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?

Truly, I’m looking at her right now. I recently had my first baby after a three year fertility struggle and I wasn’t sure how becoming a mom would impact my drive for business and work. For the past eight years, my business has been my baby and so I was fearful that I couldn’t do both. As my miracle babe sleeps next to me right now, I couldn’t love her more but I also couldn’t be more proud of the business I’ve built and will continue to grow. I am surprised at how natural motherhood feels to me, but how I still have that fire in me to do more, create more, and help more women rise up. I want to show my baby girl what’s possible for her and show her that you can be both an amazing mom and a career-oriented woman.

Congratulations on Baby Kutcher! You’ve been vocal in sharing your struggles with infertility, a topic that’s still considered taboo by many. What inspired you to be open about your experience?

I sometimes joke that I’m like Jim Carrey on Liar, Liar; I just can’t be inauthentic. Transparency to me is as easy as breathing air, and so sharing the highlight reel of my life doesn’t feel right if I don’t include the struggles, the hardships, those seasons of trial. Shying away from the hard feels so out of alignment for me and as someone with influence (heck, we all have influence), I want to start a dialogue about the things that a lot of us face behind closed doors and tell the whole story, not just bits and pieces of it. Opening up about my hardships or struggles has opened more doors for real community and relationships to happen online and if I need to be a voice to help others know they aren’t alone, then I will happily step up to the plate. My feed, my online journal isn’t just about marketing or perfect shots, it’s my legacy and you better believe my legacy story has bumps in the road that have made the triumphs even sweeter.

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

It’s the power of reaching one person that drives me. A lot of people look at the number under their name to measure their reach or impact and I believe in focusing on impacting lives one by one. If I can grow my following one by one, if I can impact one person with a caption, or inspire one person with an episode, I will make a bigger mark than if I focus on appealing or speaking to the masses. I don’t want to add to the screaming match of marketing or social media, I want to whisper the right message to those who are needing it. So each day I focus on connecting on a one-on-one level and pray that the ripple effect will reach all the people who are needing what I am putting out there.

Whose career really inspires you?

Joanna Gaines has really been a hero of mine for so many reasons. Not only is she undeniably exceptional at design, I admire her ability to set up boundaries to protect herself and her family. I love how she’s expanded and scaled her brand in so many directions without losing touch of her taste or who her customer is and how she’s clung to her faith in a way that inspires others. I believe that she’s proof that you can “have it all” and that it’s okay to step back in different seasons to realign with what’s most important to you.

Transparency to me is as easy as breathing air, and so sharing the highlight reel of my life doesn’t feel right if I don’t include the struggles.

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If you could photograph any one person or event, who or what would it be?

Oh goodness, this is a tough one. There are so many powerhouse women out there that I would LOVE to photograph. One thing I never tire of documenting are love stories of power couples, the kind of couples who have their own passions and projects but also support and work together for a greater good. I am a giant fan of Michelle Obama, so I think doing a couples session with her and Barack would be so wicked special. I admire them so much as individuals and how they show up for one another in marriage!

You split your time between Minnesota and Hawaii. Why did you decide to buy property in Hawaii, and how does the split time affect your business? Do you work on specific projects in each home?

It’s true, we are lucky enough to spend three months out of the year on our favorite island, Maui. We own two condos, The Kutcher Condos, and enjoy them so much. When we aren’t on the island, we rent the properties out to our friends and followers and invite others to enjoy the spaces we intentionally created. Hawaii has been a really special place for us over the past few years. It started as a bucket list vacation, then we returned for our first month long sabbatical, and now we go there often to rest and relax.

It’s a grounding place for me, so when we go, we work very minimally and try to enjoy the island life and a slower pace. It’s a time for us to recalibrate and come together as a couple. I can be a workaholic because I love my job, so Hawaii is a place where I come back home to myself and dream! We have the absolute best of both worlds being close to family in Minnesota and enjoying the seasons and the beauty of Duluth and Lake Superior and then escaping from the cold to put our toes in the sand.

When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find new roads + switch gears to find success?

I don’t consider anything a failure. I look at everything I do as an experiment that can yield results. I mess up often and encourage my team to mess up, too, so we can learn and grow and troubleshoot together. My mantra is that “busy is not a badge of honor” and so I love to systemize, strategize, and plan my work really intentionally so that when I am working, I am focusing on only the things that I can do and delegating the rest. I think it’s important to not take things too seriously and to remember that it’s okay to pivot and pivot often if something doesn’t go exactly how you thought it would. We are always learning, growing, shifting, and dreaming of what’s next and taking a good look at what’s been working, what didn’t quite work, and how we can serve the world better!

What are you most excited for in 2019, both in your personal life and in business?

Man, 2019 is going to be a year unlike any other. With the addition of our sweet baby girl, I knew that I wanted to really give myself time and space to settle into motherhood without the pressure of being on the road or having to commit to a lot of engagements… so I said “no” to just about everything and I have an entirely blank calendar for this year which I can fill based on what feels best for not just me, but my family. I’m putting my head down in new ways and focusing on The Goal Digger Podcast and serving my online community, two things I can do from the comfort of my own home, and then sneaking away to the island with Drew and Conley to enjoy this new season of life and to be as present as we can manage to be. I used to think of saying “no” as a negative thing but now I am reminded of how great it is to protect your best “yeses” and this year’s best “yes” is going to be family first and letting the rest fall into place! It’s going to be an amazing year!

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 CONTENT CREATORS LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Entrepreneur: Kendra Scott

Family, fashion, and philanthropy. These are the founding principles that fuel Kendra Scott—both the billion-dollar brand and the iconic woman behind it.

The powerhouse started her namesake in her Texas bedroom in 2002 with no capital behind her, aside from a $500 investment in herself (her mom was her first official employee!). And the aforementioned principles are not just branding fodder—they have guided every decision Kendra has made in her business. Armed with a tenacious attitude and and her own designs, building her empire from scratch means Kendra’s touched every element of her business. From material sourcing to handling door-to-door sales with her young son in tow, there is nothing she hasn’t done in business that doesn’t reflect her principles.

Now Kendra Scott's jewelry, home decor, and products are sold at retailers including Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, hundreds of boutiques, and at more than 75 Kendra Scott brick-and-mortar stores where she’s been able to reinvigorate the brand and build relationships IRL with customers. She’s a mother, a champion for women at work, and a venture-capital-raising CEO you should take several notes from.

You started your business with $500. What was more important in those early days, the people in your corner or the determination in your heart?

It’s always a combination of the two, isn’t it? In 2002, I saw an opportunity to bring something unique to the jewelry industry, and failure was not an option for me. I knew I had to succeed to provide for my family, and that more than anything is what fueled my passion. But if it hadn’t been for the people in my life who believed in my dream and gave me the support I needed to succeed, I would not be where I am today.

Why do you think the fear of failure holds us back?

I think so much of it stems from the belief society has ingrained in us that we have to be perfect. We are terrified of making a single misstep, but what I have learned over the years is that failure can actually be a gift. The failures we go through become a bridge to the next place in our lives, a better place, where we use what we’ve learned to help us grow. Don’t expect a life without challenge, heartbreak, and struggle. We must go through a few setbacks in order for us to reach that place of success in our lives.

Who was the first person you hired for your business and how much of a difference did it make?

My mom! She was my first employee, and she still works with my company today. Back then, our office was my spare bedroom and our distribution center was my dining table. Those early days were hard, and there were so many times that I felt discouraged and was tempted to give up, but my mom was my rock who always told me to keep going. She is a huge reason why “Family” is one of our company’s core pillars today.

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

There is so much about my job that I love. I get excited every morning to come to work, which is such a privilege to say. But I am most fulfilled by our ability to use this success to do something much more impactful – to make a positive impact on my community and to leave a lasting legacy of giving back. Having a billion-dollar business means that we have the resources to give back millions of dollars every year. Since we started keeping track of our giving in 2010, we’ve given $25 million back to impactful causes around the world. We have the means to change lives for the better, and that's a gift I don't take for granted.

When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?

You must learn to pivot quickly and adjust to what’s happening around you, and to sometimes let go of your idea for how things should be or what you want—because there may be something even better in store, something that will light you up and keep you passionately committed for years to come. And occasionally, you must learn to fall flat on your face.

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

The best “real talk” moment I’ve had lately is on the question that female entrepreneurs get all the time: How do you find a work-life balance? There is no such thing! My roles as a mother and a CEO are constantly competing for my attention, and there’s no cookie-cutter solution to doing it right. I believe as women we should let go of the pressure to have the perfect “balance,” commit to being the best mom and businesswoman we can be, and embrace each day as it comes.

Who are the first three people you think an entrepreneur should hire?

If an entrepreneur can identify the three areas where they are weakest, I’d say their first hires should be three people that bring strength to those same areas. I find that’s almost never the case, though, because as entrepreneurs we like to believe we can do it all! It typically takes a while—and a few lessons learned—to realize that we are so much stronger when we learn to accept and trust the strength of others on our team.

“It’s so easy to focus in on the numbers and the benchmarks, but my top priority is always ensuring that we hold true to the foundation of who we are: Family, Fashion, and Philanthropy. No matter how fast we grow, I am determined never to lose sight of that.”

Who inspired you the most in your life growing up?

I caught the “fashion bug” from my Aunt Jo, who was a buyer for a local department store in my hometown. I can still remember the afternoons we spent together in her basement, analyzing slideshows of the latest New York runways. My mother was the first one to teach me about being an entrepreneur. She sold Mary Kay makeup, and I have always been inspired by her commitment and determination. Those two women have made a huge impact on the woman I am today.

Whose career is inspiring you today?

I’ve admired her for years, but I still look to Oprah as my biggest inspiration. She is a constant source of hope and encouragement to millions of women around the world, and I love her message that anything in life is possible when you believe, work hard, and lead with kindness. I got the chance to meet her for the first time this year, and was absolutely blown away! That’s a moment I will never forget.

If you could live a day in the life of anyone else, who would it be?

I always joke that if I weren’t a designer, I’d want to be a Broadway actress. My dream would be to spend a day playing Maria from The Sound of Music (although of course, no one can top Julie Andrews…)!

What are the common challenges you've seen among female business owners and entrepreneurs?

There’s one challenge that hundreds of entrepreneurs eventually face, and that I myself still face today: When you wake up one morning and are running a company that is bigger than it was the night before. The pressure is always there…How do you continue that rapid growth pace? How do you keep up the momentum? It’s so easy to focus in on the numbers and the benchmarks, but my top priority is always ensuring that we hold true to the foundation of who we are: Family, Fashion, and Philanthropy. No matter how fast we grow, I am determined never to lose sight of that.

What are you most excited for in 2019?

I am excited to make an even greater impact in the way we give back in 2019. In the coming year I will be fulfilling a lifelong ambition of mine with the launch of the Kendra Scott Foundation, which will be committed to areas of need for women and children. More to come soon!

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 ENTREPRENEUR LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Beauty: Frederique Harrel

"Beauty should not be acquired at someone else's expense."

These are the words Freddie Harrel lives by. The UK-based Parisian fashion blogger and self-proclaimed confidence coach turned a frustration within the hair care industry into a booming, ethical business of its own. Freddie was on the hunt for synthetic extensions for her own big, bold, beautiful hair, but was disappointed by the quality of the products available. She started experimenting by making her own synthetic extensions and a few years later, Big Hair No Care was born.

Since beginning her foray into the business side of hair, Freddie has used her platform to advocate for women’s empowerment with SHE Unleashed, a workshop series where women of all ages come together to discuss the issues that impact the female experience, including the feeling of otherness, identity politics, unconscious bias, racism, and sexism. She was also the Cosmopolitan Influencer of the Year in 2018 and is a renowned TEDx Talk speaker.

Harrel’s brand is so much more than ethically-sourced hair products—it’s evolved into a community of women who want to take back the confidence that the patriarchy robbed from them. At the helm of this movement, Harrel is a fierce force who wants to inspire a generation of women to embrace their true selves.

When did you realize you could make a business out of your presence online?

It took me a while and each time it was accidental. I had had my blog for just under a year when I left my career as a digital strategist to be a personal stylist for ASOS. There we were basically full-time bloggers; there was no job like it. It taught me to take blogging seriously and showed me the financial side of things. When they let me go, I knew I didn’t want to go back to digital marketing—the exposure I got online really made me want to work with women on confidence, so I knew that after that job I would need to create the next steps myself. I trained as a coach and launched the SHE Unleashed workshops the following year, in 2016. I wasn’t making a lot of money from the blog at this point, so I really had to build everything up, whatever I was going to be. Around this same time, my husband got offered a job out of the blue in Geneva, and it was such a good opportunity we had to seize it! But I was very worried it would put a stop to my career, as there was nothing going on in Switzerland for me. So I launched Big Hair No Care! I had already developed the product years before, when I got grossed out by human hair and tired of the horrific synthetic alternatives you find on the high street. I found this lady in China, we created this style, and that’s what I was wearing when I launched the blog. It was never my goal to launch a beauty brand, let alone a hair one, but with such a short notice, BHNC was the quickest business idea to set up.

What are some of the biggest challenges and rewards you’ve faced by displaying your life online?

I’ll start with the rewards because they outweigh the rest by far! The biggest reward is the community! All these like-minded ladies who follow me online and share their stories and journeys with me. By making myself vulnerable, I’ve found people who’ve been through the same things as me, and it has been extremely cathartic in some occasions. As for challenges, they’re mostly around people sharing their unsolicited opinion.

How do you decide which brands you do and don’t work with?

I mostly work with fashion brands, but also services and tech brands. When it comes to fashion brands, I try to stays away from super fast fashion retailers with very low prices, because you know they’re probably taking shortcuts when it comes to their workforce of the environmental consequences. But I realize that this is now a privilege I have, to be able to turn down offers from brand I don’t agree with. I also decide based on the message of the campaign, be it around self-love or supporting young entrepreneurs.

Tell us about Big Hair No Care. What was the inspiration behind it?

Big Hair No Care started because I absolutely love a huge Afro. My hair has so much less volume, so I add extensions to it. I used to use human hair but wasn’t a huge fan, so I starting doing a bit of research in to synthetic options on the high street—none fit my criteria, so I found a supplier and designed the the extensions I wanted. When people kept asking me about my hair and I would tell them they were extensions, they kept asking where from and I had nowhere to direct them to. I eventually launched it as a brand when we moved to Geneva, and extended the range with another texture. Everything happened so quickly—I had never planned to have a hair business.

My line offers clip-in extensions, which are made to match your texture. You don’t need to wash, condition, or detangle them, so they are really great for people who don’t have much time or experience. The aim is to make the natural hair experience faster, easier, and more inclusive. This idea that black women are “extra” and spend senselessly on beauty needs to stop, and hair care needs to be made easier. I wanted a brand that would allow us to save this time and money for things that uplift and empower us so we can put this time and money towards therapy, travelling, a mortgage, evening courses, etc.

Big Hair No Care is a hair business, but it’s also a self-confidence business, a self-love business, and a business by and for black women. I’m hoping to help change the culture of black beauty and make it so much easier, be a culturally-aware brand striving to be ethical, equal, and social, ensuring more and more black people make money from this industry.

“I was born as a black woman for a reason, and I just want to make sure I don’t miss it. ”

What characteristics make you successful as an influencer?

I think my vulnerability. I’m very positive as a person, but positive doesn’t mean happy. Happiness is a full time job, and I share a lot of my lows with my audience. In an age where social media gives us the impression that everyone else is living their best lives, it’s nice to be able to come across people who make vulnerability comfortable, and I hope to be one of these people.

What does it take to build your personal brand from the ground up?

I wouldn’t really know to be honest. I still don’t understand how I got there, but you can’t really compare circumstances. Working as a personal stylist definitely helped in the early days, and having big hair too, ahah! But I’d say consistency is key! That’s why I’m so honest online, because I would have given up a long time ago if I was portraying an ideal I couldn’t keep up with. I guess if you’re doing you, you’ll always find inspiration on what to share (eventually, there are moments I wonder what this is all about). Engaging with your followers, listening and talking with them—I’ve made great virtual friends since this IG journey! Then there are all of these specific tips you can find on how to grow your brand, but I wouldn’t really know—I hate myself for worrying so much about these things sometimes, so I’m just doing me. At some point they said videos are the future, I tried and beat myself for it, but YouTube isn’t for me, and that’s okay.

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

Speaking with other women, and entrepreneurs, getting together with them! I’m also having so much fun (and panic!!) dreaming of the future of BHNC and putting things in motion. As mentioned earlier, I really intend to change the culture. There’s no OPI or Essie when it comes to black hair, there’s no big sister like Glossier. Who’s talking to young girls? Our hair is one of the things that sets us the most apart, especially when growing up and trying to find your spot. Who tells them they’re enough? Who says their hair is beautiful and fun to play with? I want to be on their side for the rest of the journey. 63% of black women wear protective styles—what brand is honing the conversation around that? I want to be that brand.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever been given?

You are what makes your business different! It always boils down to you. No one can copy who you are, how you think, how you see and perceive things. You have to be your very best friend through it all, because you’ll hit the floor countless times.

What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?

So many! Being featured in most of the printed press, being awarded Influencer of the Year by Cosmopolitan this year, being at a stage where other brands share my vision of BHNC and want to help, so so many highlights!

You have a large presence on social media. How has it impacted your career?

Well, it’s been the best marketing tool to build BHNC, without my own personal brand it would have been impossible! It allowed me to meet and/or befriend people I would not have had access to had I not been popular online. It opened so many doors for me.

Where does your passion/drive come from?

I’m intense!! I speak too much, I’m loud, my laugh is loud, I get super excited, I don’t rest easy, I don’t know—I’m just intense! But I LOVE to feel helpful. I still can’t believe that a lot of people look up to me, you ought to have seen me growing up! I was never a cool girl! So now that I have these people rooting for me, I don’t want to disappoint. I want to create things they’ll be excited about. I was born as a black woman for a reason, and I just want to make sure I don’t miss it.

What are the common misconceptions you’ve heard about influencers?

Easy money. To a certain extent, absolutely! But you also pay with both your sanity and self-esteem.

When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road and switch gears to find success?

My dad would always tell me whenever I’d tell him I was hitting rock bottom, that it was actually exciting because it’s when I fall that I find all my resources. When I go low, I go really low, and it’s very painful. I think it’s my survival mode that kicks in. I usually grant myself a small pity-party then I rush to the drawing board. I just have to, I can’t afford to sink (Did I tell you I was intense?)

Who’s career really inspires you?

Sophia Amoruso! Talking about someone who’s hit bumps and turned them into successes! I love her attitude!

What’s next for you in 2019? What are you most excited for?

Expanding BHNC, moving to NYC as result. New life in a new place, I absolutely can’t wait!!

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 BEAUTY LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Art & Design: Asiyami Gold

Sometimes you need to quit nursing school to become who you actually want to be.

For the Nigerian-born Asiyami Gold, the decision to quit nursing school to pursue a career in the arts came as a disappointment to her parents. But that decision also opened up a new door, one that allowed her to travel the globe, create an international community, and achieve prestige in a number of creative fields. The model, designer, photographer, creative director, and storyteller is a jack of all trades, and master of most. Scrolling through her Instagram is akin to flipping through a moodboard, as the tones, landscapes, and intimate portraits tell singular stories. Not to mention, her self portraits and their corresponding captions are so stunning and raw, you’ll find yourself deeply invested in her journey. She leaves ego at the door, and transparently shares her evolution through her art and world view.

Finally, if you find yourself jealous of her style (which, you will), revel in the fact that she founded a fashion label, A.Au. You, too, can attempt to borrow some of that Gold that makes Asiyami so damn cool.

What do you think it takes to make it as a successful photographer today?

Being a successful photographer requires one to have a vision in order to adequately communicate their ideas through visuals. You also have to have the talent for engaging with your subject in a way that allows you to leave knowing more about them and making them trust you to see them the way they see themselves, but even better. Overall, a successful photographer should be able to evoke an emotion by making their work so palpable that it is deeply felt.

You travel the world for your work. What are some of the most memorable trips or projects you’ve made on your adventures?

When I traveled to Colombia several years ago, I played with the idea of leaving something behind with the people who shared their stories and time with me through my lens. I invested in a small Fuji camera and myriads of film packs. After capturing my subjects, I exchanged their time with me with a Polaroid shot of them; that way they would always remember their encounter with me each time they looked at that picture.

Tell us how you got your start as an artist, and how you eventually found your niche.

I strongly believe that we are all born artists, and some are blessed to have parents who recognize these gifts at a tender age and so begin to foster their children’s gifts. I unfortunately did not have that growing up. In the 5th grade, I painted my first canvas that was recognized by my school and awarded for being the best painting by a student at the time. My parent’s response to my award was contrary to my expectation. I grew up in a country where art was respected but not revered which then led me to treat the arts as it had been painted: “Art is a hobby; it doesn’t put food on the table.”

Later on in life in high school, I picked up a $200 Sony camera that allowed me to document moments in my life that I cherished. As the world was heading to digital—such as storing memories on Facebook, I had a deep nostalgia for hard copy photos, and photo albums one could physically flip through. I would document my friends, our outings, my life at the time and journey to CVS pharmacy to print hard copies for memory’s sake.

Although my parents didn’t give much reverence to photography as a career, they loved documenting me and my siblings while we were growing up. The first thing my dad will give to visitors when they stopped by the house was a photo album and some light refreshments to welcome them. Through those photos, he would tell stories, referring back to how he felt and what that particular moment in time meant to him. In my adult life, I found myself doing the same thing. I picked up a camera when I turned 15 and never looked back. I enjoyed documenting life and the beauty that I saw in things that others didn’t deem as beautiful.

As time progressed, I fine-tuned my work, studied what I liked about photography, and executed my vision. I didn’t start out paying attention to my “niche,” and if I’m being completely transparent I wouldn’t say I have even found my niche. What I can say confidently is that I love documenting beautiful things and giving life to things that are often taken for granted. Through my work I’m able to offer a different perspective on how people may perceive their everyday “norm” and that to me is what really makes it all magical.

What do you think is the hardest part of building a career as a creative director?

Meeting other people whose vision align with yours and having clients who are able to communicate their products in a way that allows you to build a storyline that is true to the brand’s identity.

People look to you for inspiration, but where do you go to feel creatively inspired?

As someone who has to constantly seek out a new way of seeing things to feel creatively inspired, I look to the source of it all. I pay attention to my surroundings, I take trips to places that challenge me and also allow me to marvel at the beauty that is Mother Nature.

There are also a handful of people whose work online inspire me. I’ve been a huge fan of Jamie Beck; she was one of the first people I followed on Instagram. It has been interesting following her journey through visuals and seeing how her work has evolved over the years. Adding to that, I am mesmerized by Athena Calderone’s love for creating beauty which oozes through every photo so making it almost contagious. I find the clarity and aesthetic of Alice Gao’s work very inspiring. Nneka Odum’s ability to visually paint her experiences with her subjects both in photo and in words makes the online experience so visceral that it’s deeply felt. All these women feed different parts of me and allow me to engage and see the beauty in all spectrums of photography.

Do you feel that the power of social media has impacted your career as a photographer at all?

Absolutely! Each day I get to share my story with 200k+ people—something that would never would have happened without social media. It has allowed me to connect and seamlessly build on a vision that would have taken years to even get started had I went down the path of being a nurse.

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

I feel the most fulfilled when I’m able to conceptualize an idea and birth that idea into something tangible that can be felt. I feel even more fulfilled when one person sees my work and it inspires them to go out in the world and also fulfill what they have been called to do. Being an “influencer” isn’t about the free clothes and the #ad—I’m grateful for those things because they foster other projects and ideas, but in a world where we are all becoming more alike, it is important to remember that someone in my position has a moral obligation to communicate from a voice true to where they are at that particular point in time. We are not acting in service of others when we don’t articulate our failures as much as we do our triumphs. It’s important that people look at what I’ve done and also go in pursuit of their individual callings with vigor.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

I get asked from time to time “how do I build a following?” I will always respond with the fact that I didn’t start out worried about the numbers. There’s a misconception that you have to be extremely wealthy to live a certain kind of lifestyle, but I believe in living within one’s means and starting where you are.

What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?

My first feature in a magazine. I was featured in Atlanta magazine as one of the top bloggers in Atlanta. When I brought the magazine home my mother screamed and danced around the living room.

I’m also surprised when people meet me and talk to me about how my work has served as an inspiration for them to also trust their calling and pursue whatever they desire at that moment.

What keeps you up at night?

My legacy. I question: What am I leaving behind? When I’m gone, what will still be here to serve others that I was a part of? The thought of building something greater than me that will serve for generations to come is what keeps me up at night.

What are the common challenges you've seen among female creatives in business?

I think the need for genuine support from other women in the industry. Emphasis on “genuine.”

Being able to dissect our failures & put the pieces back together from a more informed perspective is key to finding true success.

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When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?

I go back to those bumps and examine where I miscalculated. Once I arrive to a consensus on why things didn’t pan out, I ensure to execute my process differently the next time. Switching roads isn’t always necessary but being able to dissect our failures and putting the pieces back together from a more informed perspective is key to finding true success.

Artists have it tough when it comes to pricing talent/skills. What’s the best advice you have for artists/designers/photographers out there who are working to turn their creative skills into a career?

Know your worth and never settle for anything less than that. The brands that respect you and see your value will always meet you where you are. It’s not always about the money, it’s also about the relationship. I’ll rather secure an ongoing relationship with a brand and get paid less, than get paid a lot once and never hear from them again.

What are you most excited for in 2019?

I’m excited about some projects that I have in store. I think 2019 is about manifesting a lot of things that I have been hesitant to pursue due to my fear of not succeeding or not being to execute my ideas concisely.

I’ve been toying around with the idea of starting my nonprofit for creatives in my hometown Abua Odual. I’m excited about pursuing the things I want to achieve with more vigor and my evolution as an individual.

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE ART & DESIGN LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Health + Wellness: Koya Webb

For Koya Webb, a great day is just one flow away.

The former competitive track and field athlete combines the work ethic and dedication of an athlete with simple practical holistic health practices that anyone can follow to live a healthy and active lifestyle.

It’s hard to name something the wellness expert doesn’t have her hands in. Each day brings something different because, well, she has a lot of titles: yoga teacher, personal trainer, holistic health and wellness coach, author, motivational speaker, and professional fitness model, to name a few. Or, as her clients refer to her, a “transformational specialist.” She’s also the founder of the Get Loved Up movement, a source for all things yoga, holistic health, and integrated nutrition. The subscription app provides yoga flows, mindfulness meditations, sculpting workouts and tutorials for cooking plant-based vegan recipes, in addition to a community of self-care seekers and direct access to Koya.

Get Loved Up is not your generic fitness or yoga app—it’s a platform that makes healthy living a priority in a fun, accessible way. (And for the budding yoga-preneurs, don’t miss out on the Get Loved Up 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training!)

You’re an ex-track athlete. How has your background influenced your current career, and has your mindset on wellness changed since then?

Being an athlete most importantly taught me the importance of discipline, consistency, and teamwork. My track injury lead me to yoga and guided me into the lifestyle of taking better care of myself.

You’re a big advocate of eating vegan. How do you think a plant-based diet affects our day-to-day health?

Eating a plant-based vegan diet gives you the optimal nutrition you need without the negative side effects of getting nutrition from animal products. A vegan diet is also better for our environment as we use fewer resources and reduce our carbon footprint by adopting a plant-based diet.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Treat others how you would like to be treated...including animals.

What advice do you have for busy entrepreneurs who might be putting their wellness regimen on the back burner?

The healthier you are, the more you can accomplish each day. When you take care of yourself, you have more than enough room and time to take care of others and work.

If you weren’t working in health, what career path would you choose?

I’d be a singer for sure. I just produced my first single “Be Loved” with a music video last year and it was SO much fun! I want to let my creative juices out more so I plan to sing and dance more this year.

Watch our interview with Koya Webb on the set of our Create & Cultivate 100 photoshoot.

What keeps you up at night?

Social injustice and the state of our government. I feel politics are a bit out of control. It’s always been rough but now it’s getting nasty. Some of our leaders can’t even be looked up to as good role models for our kids, and that should be a prerequisite...at least be decent person who is kind and loves ALL people.

When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find new roads + switch gears to find success?

I know consistency is the key. I have to keep pushing and find a way no matter what. Happiness is success to me, so as long as I’m happy, I’m a success. I use challenges to make me stronger.

Whose career really inspires you?

Oprah and Michelle Obama inspire me the most. Oprah has been a lifelong business and “live the life of your dreams all while blessing the world with your gifts and talents” inspiration to me, while Michelle Obama is an inspiration of how you can be a successful leader, wife, and mother and still live your purpose. I draw daily inspiration from both of these women and how they move in the world.

What are you most excited for in 2019?

I’m most excited about my first book, “Let Your Fears Make You Fierce.” It comes out June 11th!

VIEW THE ENTIRE CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 HEALTH & WELLNESS LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Entrepreneur: Rachel Krupa

Spaces and places help make us. At least, this is part of the philosophy behind The Goods Mart, Rachel Krupa’s brainchild.

Dubbed the “7-Eleven for All You Organic People” by The New York Times, The Goods Mart is disrupting the traditional convenience store model with socially-conscious products made easily accessible through reimagined community spaces. Because even in an on-demand economy, people still crave community—or at least a place to pick up the snacks they crave or quickly grab pantry staples. As of 2019, The Goods Mart has two brick-and-mortar locations in New York and Los Angeles, and its accessible-good-for-you-food movement is only getting started.

While many people think of good ideas, Rachel Krupa is someone who not only thinks of them, but acts on them. She spent over a decade building a career in PR with an emphasis on food and wellness, which made for a strong foundation for her “a-ha” moment with The Goods Mart. She kept imagining a “better-for-you-7-Eleven,” and because it didn’t exist yet...she built it. She’s got Big Entrepreneur Energy and isn’t afraid to show it.

The Goods Mart was recently named “A 7-Eleven for All You Organic People” by the New York Times. NBD. How did Goods Mart manifest from an idea to real life?

I feel everything that I’ve done in my life has brought me to The Goods Mart—from growing up in small town Michigan and working in the hospitality industry both as a server and publicist to launching a countless number of startups in the food and wellness space. When I first had the idea of opening a better-for-you 7-11, I started to tell friends, and they all seemed to think it was a good idea, so I toyed with the idea more and talked about it more frequently. I believe there are two types of people: talkers and doers. I’m a doer, so after telling so many people, I HAD TO OPEN the store.

Your LA Goods Mart location accepts EBT cards. Why was ensuring this level of accessibility important for you?

By accepting EBT, we’re able to further our mission to make better options more available, it was a small step to make BIG change for everyone! The week we opened in Silver Lake, a customer asked us if we accepted EBT and told me why it was so important to her. I’m very grateful for that amazing mom who fueled our mission to accept EBT/Snaps.

When did your entrepreneurial journey start? Were you thinking of business ideas as a child?

My parents were very hardworking and instilled a strong work ethic in me. I never thought of myself as entrepreneur, just as a hard worker. I’ve always been a very independent person and have always wanted to do more, learn more, and rarely take no for an answer. I LOVE making people smile and shaping conversation to evoke change. A guiding principle in my life has always been, “If you’re not happy, why are you doing it?” When I was younger, my parents called me a serial intern: I interned at my university’s event department, in D.C. with a congressmen, at Michigan’s Democratic Constituent Relations office, and at Major League Baseball in New York, which led me to my internship with Lizzie Grubman PR, the catalyst for my PR career over 15 years ago. OMG! I never had a yearning to start my own PR agency, but in early 2010, I felt burned out, so I started Krupa Consulting as a bridge to what I was going to do next. But then clients and friends kept referring incredible business my way, hence, the true birth of Krupa Consulting. Eight years later, I wasn’t feeling burned out. I was just yearning to “Do More” and help change the food system. Enter The Goods Mart.

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

Two fold answer: Educating consumers/customers on new products or switching their perspective on things. I also LOVE working with and talking to our customers at the store, seeing people come in, discovering new products, or just feeling great about paying only $1.25 for a cup of coffee. It’s incredible. Also helping to build a community around the store is rewarding beyond words.

When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?

It’s about making mistakes so you can learn from them. When bumps or hurdles happen, I like to think about what caused the problem and how can we resolve it. It’s about working through the WHY.

Who are the first three people you think an entrepreneur should hire?

Every entrepreneur should evaluate their strengths and weaknesses… it’s about putting together a team that accentuates one another. I’m also a believer in finding an amazing assistant to help keep you organized and be better.

If you don’t try, how do you know? You will spend days, months, or years wondering… what if… stop that and just DO!

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What’s the best piece of #realtalk advice you’ve ever been given?

If you don’t try… how do you know? You will spend days, months, or years wondering… what if… stop that and just DO!

Who inspired you the most in your life growing up?

My parents – they busted their butts to make sure I could do everything I wanted to do.

What keeps you up at night?

Ideas… things I want to do with The Goods, my clients at Krupa, and for my teams.

Whose career really inspires you?

Oh, that’s a tough one… I don’t have one person, but multiple clients that hustle and grind each day to make their business the best rock. Christina Tosi really sticks out. She’s the definition of hustler. She has built an INCREDIBLE business and never seems to run out of energy! She’s in the business of putting smiles on people's face one cookie, truffle, or cake at a time!

What has been your biggest opportunity or biggest challenge?

My biggest opportunity and biggest challenge are the same: to create a new category in retail—a natural convenience store that is accessible!

What are the common challenges you've seen among female business owners and entrepreneurs?

Confidence in yourself and confidence in your idea and business.

What are you most excited for in 2019?

I’m so excited to continue to expand The Goods Mart, open new stores, help launch new products, and introduce our customers their new favorite snacks!!! 2019 is also going to be an amazing year for Krupa Consulting… we have an incredible team and new clients starting this year that will only make our company better!

Photography by Annie McElwain Photography

Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica

VIEW THE ENTIRE CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 ENTREPRENEUR LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Entertainment: Sophia Bush

Sophia Bush has had a year, on screen and off.

It began with a development deal with 20th Century Fox, which gave her the reins both in front of and behind the camera. She’s now hard at work both producing and starring in CBS’ forthcoming Surveillance, an NSA spy drama on CBS, meaning her days involve not only acting but also reviewing scripts, casting, hiring—and if you didn’t already know her for her starring roles in hits like One Tree Hill, Chicago PD, Incredibles 2, and our old fave, John Tucker Must Die, you’d think she was a seasoned producer, hearing the way she talks about running a set.

Sophia has also been a prominent voice in the #MeToo movement. She’s adamant that Time’s Up be not just about Hollywood, but every industry, because, in her words, the problem is a systemic, psychosocial, societal problem. But she knows her influence as an admired woman in Hollywood, and she’s committed to using that influence for good.

Read on for Sophia’s take on flipping the script, in more ways than one.

You signed a talent and development deal with 20th Century Fox last year. Tell us about your starring role in ​Surveillance​ and what other exciting things you’re working on through the contract.

Entering into this next phase of my career, and being able to check a few more boxes on my goals list, felt very empowering. It’s meant reading countless scripts and sifting through mountains of material to find the things that speak to me. First and foremost that meant zeroing in on a new show to both star in and produce. This marks my first time fulfilling roles on both sides of the camera simultaneously, aside from the episodes of One Tree Hill that I both acted in and directed. Shout out to my fellow ladies in the DGA! That meant I was part of meeting with and ultimately hiring our director, the incredible Patricia Riggen, who served as an executive producer and my North Star on set. That means I was involved in casting for every role. I screen tested many actors myself, alongside Patricia and David C. White, our writer & creator. And I was able to set a tone on set. To make sure that everyone knew that they were heard, cared for, and would be protected if the need ever arose. It was so incredibly fulfilling and I cannot wait for more.

You starred in ​Incredibles 2 ​and are now hard at work on ​Surveillance​—two very different projects. What’s been the most challenging and enjoyable parts of working on each?

Well, when you make an animated film you can go to work in sweatpants, so that’s a real bonus! And to learn from Brad Bird and the incredible team at PIXAR was a real dream come true. And on a story where the ladies take the lead, no less I’ll happily work for them for the rest of my life!

Surveillance is a more traditional working environment. Long hours. A set that requires a flight away from my home to get to. But within those “tough” descriptors was also so much joy. Incredible attention to detail with everything from the script and what we’re saying with it. From wardrobe to set design. It was perfect. I was more energized than I’ve ever felt on a set. More alive. Being so invested in each and every aspect of the job made it feel so deeply connected from the jump off. If I can be that happy at work every day, I’ll do this job for as long as I can.

What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?

This year, certainly. Making films and shows that I truly believe in, with wonderful people, that have been deeply inspiring and completely healthy? That’s been a real earned joy.

Where does your passion/drive come from?

I think of it like a fire. I’m not sure where it was lit, but I know that it happened when I was young, and I’m in no danger of my fuel running out any time soon!

What piece of wisdom would you share with young women just starting out in the entertainment industry?

I’d say to women in ANY industry that you need to work hard, cultivate a real community of women, take constructive criticism as a challenge to better yourself, and also refuse to take abuse of any kind. Speak truth to power. Even when your voice shakes.

​In the age of #TimesUp, how do we flip the narrative that the onus is on women to change how they’re treated in the workplace?

I’ve been frank about my experiences over the years, as have many women thanks to #TimesUp, because women need to know that they are not alone. And that mistreatment in the workplace is never okay. It should not be our responsibility to quit, to give up our financial security, our hard-earned positions, or our careers, because abusive people cannot keep their hands/words/body parts to themselves. Companies and employers need to make reporting safer, need to ensure that victims are not retaliated against, and need to actually punish abusers. Period. And women as a collective need to call for these changes, and we need men to back us up and join the chorus as well.

Which women in your industry do you look up to most? Why?

I look up to Ava DuVernay, Reed Moreno, Kerry Washington, and Oprah. Julianne Moore. Amy Adams. All of these women have forged their own paths, told their own stories, and offered truth about real, deep, human experience to their audiences. And they’ve fought to do so. They remind me never to give up pressing for more transparency and honesty.

Pain is information. Take it as such, grow from it, and figure out how to do better and work smarter next time.

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When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?

Bumps and hurdles are part of the journey. No one, and I mean NO ONE, has had a life or career without hardship. Pain is information. Take it as such, grow from it, and figure out how to do better and work smarter next time.

If you weren’t working in entertainment, what career path would you choose and why?

I’d be a journalist. Nothing matters more to me than telling true, empathetic stories about people. And journalists dedicate their lives to doing so, all over the world. They have my ultimate respect.

What are you most excited for in 2019?

I’m most excited that over 100 women will be sworn into the United States’ most diverse Congress in history. It’s about damn time.

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 ENTERTAINMENT LIST HERE.

Create & Cultivate 100: Entertainment: Lili Reinhart

Lili Reinhart is wise beyond her years. Even after she scored a starring role on Riverdale, the subversive CW take on Archie Comics, she lost precisely zero percent of her humble personality. Talking to Lili is like talking to a best friend—she wants you to know about her rocky journey to Hollywood, her commitment to doing work she’s passionate about, and how she’s trying to post less about her personal life on Instagram.

When Lili’s first audition tape was turned down by the casting team at Riverdale, she didn't take no for an answer. She somehow got another chance at auditioning, and the second time, she killed it. The rest, of course, is history.

Lili may only be 22, but she knows what she wants, and we can’t wait to watch her go get it.

You moved to LA alone at age 18. What advice do you have for other young women on chasing their dreams, even if they’re scary?

I think the most important thing to tell yourself is that it could take multiple tries in order for your dreams to come to fruition. I ended up moving back home to recuperate after my first time living in LA. I was there for 5 months, burned through my savings account and eventually had to go back home to save money. Nothing fell into place immediately, that’s for sure. I actually spent 2 months in LA when I was 16 as well, auditioning for whatever I could. My success didn’t happen overnight. I started auditioning for projects when I was 12 years old and finally booked my big Riverdale role when I was 19. Chasing your dreams is always going to be scary, but it will be easier if you remind yourself that it takes patience and perseverance for good things to come.

What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?

I think one of the highlights of this career has been the opportunity to travel. I grew up wanting to travel the world, but I had never even been to Canada when I booked Riverdale. Since then, I’ve gone to Paris, Mexico City, and all over the US for work-related press or conventions. Also I’ll be going to Milan in the springtime.

When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?

Sometimes it’s all about being at the right place at the right time. It’s different for everyone, of course; no two paths towards success look the same. But, for example, with me… moving to LA was the right choice. It just didn’t workout the first time. It was only when I moved back again, did I have the chance to audition for Riverdale in person. It was the right project, the right role, and I was in the right city to audition in person. The stars had aligned when just a year earlier, they hadn’t. So I think it’d be harmful to think that a path or road isn’t working for you just because of one failed experience. I always say, keep trying. Exhaust the path, if necessary, until you need to find a new one.

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

It’s incredibly fulfilling to be a working actress. This is something that I’ve wanted to do my entire life. And to be honest, I didn’t have too much doubt about my making it in the industry when I was growing up. I felt discouraged and frustrated a lot, of course, but I think I always knew deep down that this was what I was good at and that everything would work out. Nothing else felt right. I didn’t give myself a plan B. I didn’t go to college to study anything else, I had no backup plan. I was going to be an actress. Period. So I think it’s incredibly fulfilling to be in the position where I am today. I’m glad I didn’t doubt myself, though at times other people saw my dreams as being unrealistic or out of reach.

On Riverdale, you play the beloved Betty Cooper. What would you say to people who might typecast you as a one-dimensional “girl next door” character moving forward?

I think that’s up to me not to be typecast, honestly. I have to choose the right roles for myself. I am not interested in auditioning or being part of projects where I would be playing the girl next door, or a young detective. I’m only seriously looking at projects where the role doesn’t remind me of Betty. It’s up to me to show my range in the upcoming roles that I’ll play. People can try to typecast me, but I’m not going to let it happen.

You’ve been pretty adamant about keeping your personal life out of the press. How do you handle the pressure to share your daily life that comes with being in the spotlight?

Hmm. I’m not sure I’ve done too good of a job at that, honestly. I like to say I’m going to keep my relationship private and my family-life private… but it’s hard. I’m an open person. I like to share things about myself and share glimpses into my world. Sometimes I share too much, or give too much of myself away. But it’s something I’m working on. I’ve only been in the spotlight for two years so I’m very much still learning my limits. One of my new year’s resolutions was to keep my life a little more private in general. I don’t need to share as much. It’s nice to have some mystery and not let the world know everything about where you are, who you’re with, what you’re doing, etc. etc.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

The one piece of advice that really has held true for me is when I was told “Your heart will never lead you astray.” And it’s true. If I don’t feel passionate about something— I don’t pursue it. Let’s take roles for example: if I read a script and it has amazing producers, has a huge budget, big celebrities attached… but it doesn’t resonate or connect to me on a spiritual level, then I won’t pursue it. If something doesn’t give me butterflies or make me excited, it’s not worth my energy. I only want to give myself to things that strike a fire within me. And it can be hard to stay true to that in this business, any business or any aspects of life in general. But I plan on sticking with that piece of advice throughout my career.

Social media has been around for much of your life. How do you remain authentic in the age of Instagram?

I’ve realized recently how difficult it is for some people to remain authentic in their social media platforms. But to be honest, I’ve always been myself. I’m not trying to present myself in a different way or paint myself in the most beautiful light. I’m just me. I don’t think much about what I post, I just do it. That’s what keeps me authentic, I think. Also what get me in trouble sometimes, but whatever. If you’re actually having to stop and think or study whatever you’re posting… then it’s probably not coming very naturally.

If I don’t feel passionate about something, I don’t pursue it.

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Which women in your industry do you look up to most? Why?

I had the privilege of being in the audience for the Glamour Women of the Year Awards and I saw Viola Davis speak. I was hanging onto her every word. She’s such an incredible woman and speaker. I just think she’s so wise and has so much to say about being a woman in this industry. Lady Gaga also has always been an idol of mine. She’s so talented and, to me, she’s the kind of person you’d want to go to for advice. She’s outspoken and she has always had a vision for her work which I find very inspiring.

You’ve previously said you don’t want to do another 22-episode show because it takes up your whole life. What do you want to pursue next?

Films. My heart really lies in the film industry. Television has given me the most incredible opportunity to create a platform and have a consistent job. Also, I’ve met some of the most important people in my life through Riverdale. But at the end of the day, I want to be in movies. So I hope to pursue film projects when I’m on hiatus from Riverdale each season, for however long we run. It would be a dream of mine to be in a 19th or 18th century period piece. Maybe someday.

Photo Credit: James Wright

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 ENTERTAINMENT LIST HERE.

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