Lindsay Jang of Yardbird Talks Hong Kong Female Bosses

Three years, three successful ventures. Lindsay Jang has seen the kind of success most only ever dream of. In part because she doesn't just dream, she hustles.  

After opening Yardbird (considered by many one of the best restaurants in Hong Kong) with chef Matt Abergel, the duo then opened RONIN and Sunday's Grocery. And then Jang launched MISSBISH, an editorial and e-commerce site focussed on fitness, food, and fashion. And she has two kids (Lili and Ronin). And she still manages to sleep. She's a one-woman ampersand. Did we mention TOPFIT? Her boutique fitness space. The hits keep coming, and yet she has a pulls no punches attitude. How does she do it? We checked in with Lindsay to find out how, her favorite spots in HK, and how she feels about gender roles in business. 

Must eat Hong Kong spot?

Yardbird, RONIN, and Sunday's Grocery... Obviously! 

Must shop Hong Kong spot?

The Lane Crawford warehouse in Horizon Plaza. 

When you want to splurge you head to?

Céline. 

When you want to save?

ShopBop

Best place to unwind?

Happy Foot for a 50 minute foot massage followed by a 75 minute body massage. 

Best place to get caffeinated?

I'm not a coffee drinker, but if I was, I'd head to Coco Espresso. 

How do you make the most of 24 hours?

Wake up early, get my kids off to school, clear my inbox, workout, meet with my teams, hang out with my kids after they finish their daily activities, cook dinner, watch Netflix (if I'm not asleep by then). 

How is the female boss scene different in Hong Kong than New York? 

I feel like people don't talk about it as much in Asia as they do in the US. Gender is not a key point of separation when it comes to success, or at least it's not publicly discussed. 

Other boss women in Hong Kong that you admire? 

Kim Kollar, Yenn Wong, Peggy Chan, Jaime Ho Ku.

The last woman you had lunch with who gave you a great piece of advice? And what was it?

Stephanie Arsham. She reminded me how important it is to unplug and be present around your loved ones. Ignore technology for a few moments and truly engage. 

Something you can get in Hong Kong you’ve never found anywhere else?

An airport check-in in the city center with a high speed train that drops you inside the terminal. Super efficient. HK has the best airport in the world. 

Chinese culture is male-dominated. How does that make you feel as a female boss? Do you think about it?

It never crosses my mind. 

Do you ever change your leadership style based on what country you’re working in?

No. Team building, in my opinion, is the same everywhere. Empathy and positive leadership translates globally. 

Are female entrepreneurs treated differently than male?

Not in my experience. 

Do you get tired of being asked how you balance motherhood and a successful career?

Sometimes, but then I realize that people are genuinely interested so I'm happy to share. 

Are female entrepreneurs treated differently than male? "Not in my experience." 

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When you have time off you:

Sleep. 

If you didn’t live in Hong Kong, you’d live: 

In LA. 

What’s the recipe for success? 

Hard work, kindness, trust. 

Create & Connect: Mel Rod's Stylish Life Depends on Her Phone

In 2010 when Mel Rod created her now popular style blog Mel RodStyle, it was more of a fashion journal. Five years later, having secured past partnerships with major brands like Keds, Smashbox, and Tacori, we’d call it more than an online diary. The speed at which she needs to operate is warp, moving between staying true to her brand, and engaging her readers on social. Every day brings the potential for something new-- plus, the influencer has a wedding to plan. She is on-the-go more than ever, and still admits to preferring the old-school “bulk” of a laptop to her phone.

Which makes the Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard ideal for her lifestyle. This week on the Create & Connect series presented by Logitech, we chat with Mel about figuring out organization, her big dreams, and her favorite part of each day.

+Walk us through your organization process when you multitask.

As much as it sounds silly to say, my life depends on my phone. I am constantly on it and use the notepad and calendar for taking notes and keeping track of my meetings, appointments, etc.

+How do you deal with the busy trap?

Well, first by prioritizing everything on the agenda. I make a list of what is most important or urgent to complete, and I give myself a specific time for each task. And in between, I take breaks to clear my head, and because you just have to. Working out helps me to release stress and gets me right back on track.

"My life depends on my phone." 

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+ As a natural born multi-tasker, how have tools like the Logitech K380 Multi-Device helped your productivity?

I’m old-school and at times I prefer to work from my laptop, but when I’m on-the-go (which is most of the time), it’s difficult to do that. The Logitech K380 has been more than convenient for me because it makes me feel like I’m working from my laptop when I’m on-the-go, and since I’m always on my phone, it just works perfectly with my schedule.

+What is one thing that you wish you could do in your career, but haven't done yet, or are planning to do?

I would absolutely love to design my own shoe line. It’s something I’ve wanted for many years.

+Do you prefer working in an office setting vs. a home setting?

I prefer working from home because it allows me to concentrate without any distraction. I feel more productive when I’m at home.

+With work, life and travel, and even a wedding around the corner, how do you allot time for each without having one overpower the other?

As much as I want to get everything done all at once, it is impossible. You have to do one thing at a time or give yourself a certain amount of time to work on each task. It’s been crazy busy, especially with planning a wedding but luckily, I have people around me that have been more than helpful.

+What's your favorite part about being a busy bee?

My favorite part is that it is never boring. Everyday is a new day and always different.

Oh Deere! Lime Crime's Founder On Being Real in the Beauty Biz

Doe Deere, Founder of Lime Crime

The Lime Crime HQ in Woodland Hills is everything you would expect. It’s bright. The walls are various shades of pink and green. There are neon signs and glossy painted flowers on the walls. 

The indie makeup line, known for its unconventional colors is the brainchild of Doe Deere, a figure who is known perhaps for being equally as unconventional as her brand. Her hair, at the moment, is light purple. She’s in an a-line skirt with white knee socks and a jacket with flowers pinned to the lapels. In person, she's exactly what she portrays online. She is the brand, which is probably in part why it’s so successful. This is no act. 

“Most people that meet me in real life always comment how much I look, sound, and feel the same as I come across on the Internet,” she says. “It’s a bit of a surprising reaction because why would you want to make yourself different?”  This is a valid point, especially given the homogenized state of the beauty industry, because though she's in the business of beauty, what Doe are Lime Crime are offering is not a Facetuned version of beautiful. 

She very honestly talks about being in high school, not feeling beautiful, and being a tomboy. “I felt very alone. I didn’t think that I could be beautiful. I gave up on myself until the day I discovered makeup,” she says, fully confident in her tenor. “I thought wow if this can make me feel this way, wouldn’t it be amazing if I could take this idea, amplify it and give girls and women more tools and colors to feel the same way about themselves?” And that’s how it started. That was the goal behind Lime Crime, a name that came during Doe's eBay selling days, because it was available, was her favorite color, and gave a sense of coloring outside the lines. 

“What that means to me is that I am doing a good job of communicating myself and my brand on the Internet.” Good is a bit of an understatement. Lime Crime currently has over 1.8 million followers on Instagram, and has doubled their office space and team in the last year. Even in the face of more than a few scandals. 

It’s no secret that Lime Crime is polarizing. There are sites dedicated to its demise. A “misguided hatred,” that originally stemmed from what Doe explains as a “quote attributed to her that she never said.” The company was also slapped with an FDA warning in July of this year regarding an ingredient in Velvetines, a vegan and cruelty free line of liquid matte lipstick stains, that is not approved for use in the United States. The FDA issue, which Lime Crime has always refuted as a labeling error, has been resolved entirely as of November, 2015.  “We just got a closeout letter saying that the FDA received our lab results,” she says. “Confirming that it was a mislabeling issue. And we have labeled everything correctly.”  

If Doe seems relatively unfazed by the allegations it’s because she’s confident about what she is building with Lime Crime. In fact, regarding the controversy that’s surrounded the brand she’s the exact opposite of reactionary and divisive. “Even though I am a target. I know I’m not the only one. It’s not unique to me or to Lime Crime. If you are putting yourself out there in a big way, you will always be criticized.”

Moreover she says, “I built this company brick by brick, from nothing. From my attic in Brooklyn. To me my customer is God. There is no way, not a chance that I would ever insult them. I love her. I’m obsessed with this girl. The one in my head I stay up at night working for. Everybody in my company is too.”

And working she is. Regarding their expansion she says, “Doubling the team means becoming double the leader.” 

It's a team she talks about like family. “We challenge each other to bring positive-only energy to the office.” Noting that it is vital that they all, “connect with each other on a human level, and perform better as a unit.” She believes that this approach will help Lime Crime double their revenue again this year. What will also help is new product. “We’re doing hair dye. That’s finally happening.” She’s been dying her hair forever and wanted a product that would fade gracefully and beautifully. She was incredibly involved in its development. It’s part of the reason she moved the company from New York to LA in the first place.

“Doubling the team means becoming double the leader.” 

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“I spent a lot of time doing development by mail and eventually was flying back and forth, but I’m really hands-on,” she explains. “I wanted to work in the lab and create the products with my own hands not just explain to a chemist what I want.” She also never wanted to dig her car out of the snow ever again. 

Now she tests and develops every product— and lives in a climate where makeup looks great year round. “I walk into a lab, nine out of ten times I know exactly what pigments I want to use, exactly what the formula needs to be.” 

When I ask her who she gets dressed for in the morning, she's says, “The future me. Somebody that I aspire to become. The better more evolved version of myself.”  The colors may be unnatural, but this sentiment is not. 

“I love being a woman and being in charge. My goal from the beginning was to cultivate a team of independent thinkers, male or female, who treat each other with respect and speak their mind openly and honestly.” 

“I love being a woman and being in charge."

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And now that she knows she has the right support and no longer feels alone, the future is bright. “I am ecstatic to bring out all the products I've been dreaming of all these years! 2016 is going to be our year -- watch out, world!”

Katherine Schwarzenegger Is the BFF You've Always Wanted

She's currently working out to Justin Bieber's "The Feeling," but we have seriously good feeling about Katherine Schwarzenegger. Yes, of that family with the unmistakable last name who is making moves in the blog world with her eponymous site. What's also unmistakable is that the USC grad, twice published author is not resting on her laurels. From food and fitness advice to fashion and inspiration, her lifestyle game is strong. 

We chatted with Katherine about giving in to fear, the power in vulnerability, and asking herself: WWBD? What Would Beyoncé Do? Make sure to check her out at Create & Cultivate Dallas this January when she talks about defining your personal brand and voice. 

In your book, “I Just Graduated…Now What?” Honest Answers from Those Who Have Been There,” John Legend is quoted as saying, “It’s not wrong to be afraid.” Why do you think we are so determined to always appear brave and bold?

I think people don't really value fear as much as they should. So much is learned when you're afraid to do something. When somebody graduates college, there's so much pressure from everyone and society to come out of school brave and ready to go into the world with confidence and having a concrete plan. For most people this isn't the case. I felt very unconfident post-college and I felt like those four years were supposed to prepare me for everything I would experience in the real world and the reality was, I felt very under prepared. We should really give people a break and applaud them for being afraid, especially when they're able to express their fear openly. This humanizes us and allows us to know that it's OK to not always have everything together, because that's impossible. At the end of the day this pressure to be brave and bold all the time just puts an unnecessary amount of pressure on everyone to always be perfect and never show their flaws. I have found when I show my flaws, amazing and beautiful things happen and I actually end up learning so much about myself and about life, that should be encouraged more often.

"So much is learned when you're afraid to do something."

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To that point, there is also a degree “putting your best face forward.” When is it OK in life to be vulnerable? 

I don't think there's enough emphasis put on the idea of being vulnerable. Being vulnerable is definitely a really scary thing, you never know what's gonna happen, how people might react, what life will hand you, etc. But it's almost always guaranteed to be a huge learning experience for you. I think most of us wait to be vulnerable when were in a really safe place because that's when it feels most comfortable, but I think we should try to be more real more often. I'm not saying to pour your heart out all the time, but pay attention to your feelings and express them. You don't always have to have it together around your friends and family, and chances are when you decide to let your walls down and be vulnerable, you will be humanized and allow others to also feel their feelings. What I've learned is that when you allow yourself to be vulnerable is when you allow yourself to really feel and then to grow.

What to you do when you don’t have “the answer?” 

The first thing I always try to do when I'm searching for the answer to something is to look at how I feel in my gut. I know a lot of people always say to trust your gut but sometimes it's easier said than done. A lot of times I overthink things so when I need that extra reassurance. I always like to pay attention to how I really feel in a situation and go with that. If that doesn't work, I always ask myself "what would Beyoncé do?"

How can vulnerability be powerful?

I think vulnerability overall is incredibly powerful thing because you're at your most honest with yourself and with those around you. So that right there is a powerful thing. Vulnerability humanizes us and allows our flaws to be exposed and that's a big risk.

"I always ask myself 'what would Beyoncé do?'"

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When has your fear had a positive effect?

Fear can protect you which is a positive thing. If you are in a relationship and you're afraid then you know to get out. Fear can also block you. It can prevent you from doing a lot of great things and really living. So while fear is inevitable, it should hopefully be something you don't allow to control your life.

We’re always asking those older than us for life advice. But what is a memorable piece of advice you received from someone much younger than you?

I get a lot of great advice from people younger than me because I have a big family and at a certain point age doesn't matter – we  all hang out together. I think one of the best pieces of advice that I got from my youngest brother, Christopher, was in reference to a person I was dealing with who wasn't giving me what I wanted or needed in a relationship. I was venting to him (my family is very close) and he said to me that not everyone knows HOW to love and live the way we do. You need to accept people for they are and love them for their great parts, but also love their flaws. Half the time I think he is a prophet because the things he says at his age are insanely brilliant and this talk I had with him was life changing. It helped change the way I look at people and what I am able to expect from them as well. 

You published your first book as a twenty-year-old at USC. Which goes to show that it’s never too early to jumpstart a career-- and many feel like they have to have it figured out before graduating. What would you say to those struggling with college/work balance?

It's normal. Don't think that anyone isn't struggling with the college and work balance because everybody is. I think where we get messed up is when we think we have to have it all figured out. The reality is you never have it all figured out and you are constantly learning for the rest of your life about how to balance. So definitely don't think that you have to have it figured out before or after graduating because even if you think that you do, it will change 1 million times. We all struggle with that balance, but I think the best you can do is do what feels right for you. It's definitely important to be able to work hard and take your career seriously but also to put a huge amount of focus and attention on your friends and your family and things that make you happy. When I was writing my first book, one of the best pieces of advice I received was from my mom – she said that you will work hard and spend time on your career but at the end of the day your job won't be holding your hand or wiping tears or helping you up, that comes from relationships, whatever kind that might be. So put focus on your career but also on your friends, family and partner. 

What are some small, daily ways we can use our voices for positive change? 

The smallest and easiest way we can actually make a big change every day is simply by treating people with kindness. You would be surprised how different your life could be and the lives of people you interact with could be if we could just be kind to one another. Life is hard, people are struggling and hurting, so just by being kinder to others you will make yourself happier and change the course of another persons day. 

What’s one small change you’ve made that’s had a huge impact on your life and career?

Definitely cutting out the negativity has had an overall huge impact on my life and career. Your '20s are for learning all the messy things: how you want to live your life, what kind of people you want around you, what's important to you as an adult, etc.. When I made the decision to remove a lot of the negativity in my life-- whether that was people or situations, everything improved so much. It's a hard thing to do but it's the best thing that you can do. 

Another big change that I made in my life was to try to remove all judgment. I think we judge people's decisions so much and we don't pay attention to our own life. We criticize and judge people's every move instead of just letting people do what they want-- it begins to consume our lives. The moment you let people do what they want and choose to love them instead of judging them you will be a freer and happier person. 

What’s your go-to outfit? The one you’d throw on every day if you could get away with it?

Probably black skinny jeans, black ballet flats, and a black t-shirt. That's my easiest go to outfit that requires zero thinking. I make sure to have my favorite pieces of jewelry on 24/7 so it makes the outfit look more put together even if I just throw it on. I never take off my jewelry so that always helps with basic easy outfits like this one.

Best piece of advice you’ve received from your mom? 

That's a tough one because she gives me so much great advice. One that I can think of off the top of my head would be the importance of a handwritten thank you note. I used to hate doing it when I was younger but I now write all my notes on stationary. It’s timeless. I would say the biggest peace of advice my mom taught me that changed the way I view people and interact with people is the importance of treating everyone with kindness because you never know what someone's life is like at home. Whenever someone is rude or mean for no reason, have compassion for them and give them a smile because you don't know what they are going through. They could have a dying parent, a sick child, a bad marriage, recently let go a work, heartbroken, etc. Life is HARD, we are all human and we struggle, so if someone behaves badly to you for no reason or doesn't treat you kindly, know it probably isn't about you and about something worse that is causing them pain. Have compassion always and send love.

A woman you admire:

My mother (and Beyoncé).

If you could tell your generation one thing it would be:

Change is a good thing. A lot of people in generations older than ours look at the fact that we change passions, change careers, change locations etc as unstable and I think we should look at it as exciting and a good thing in life. Our generation can have several different jobs by the time they are 30 and that's okay. I think it gives us the chance to try a lot of things and hopefully find what we are passionate about and be able to have a career around that. It can be discouraging as well and hard to get the acceptance of other generations but just do you, it's all a process that will hopefully lead to a bigger and better version of who you are. 

Create & Connect: Aimee Santos Gives Us Her Life Hack

Aimee Santos of Swell Mayde is a natural born maker. Or as she calls herself, a “mayker.” As both designer and style blogger, she's had to figure out how to strike a balance between the two and thrive in the face of chaos.

She's always in the midst of multitude of creative projects. Whether she's sourcing and dishing what we need to be wearing (and buying for friends and fam) this holiday season. Or teaching us how to DIY an envelope wrap skirt, we are always amazed by how she finds the time to keep the momentum in her work life and manage productivity. 

Which is why she’s part of this week’s Create & Connect with our friends at Logitech! We pick her brain below to see how her career has flourished, and how she's managed her hectic life with the help of tools like the Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard.

+What side projects do you indulge in aside from blogging and designing?

Drawing and making jewelry.

+What is the one life hack that has helped you be more productive?

I love to start my day early. I feel so accomplished by the end of the day.

+How do you balance designing and blogging?

Stay organized and keep a detailed calendar.

+How important is a work life balance for you, or do they intersect?

So important. I need moments of the day/week that I can relax and re-energize myself.

+How do tools like the Logitech K380 Multi-Device keyboard help you be more productive and manage multitasking?

Having a keyboard for my phone and iPad is life-changing. I am able to finish tasks much faster. It also allows me to multi-task so easily since I can connect multiple devices to it and switch between them with a touch of a button.

+What is the one thing you like to add under your belt but haven't had the chance to do yet?

Interior designer/real estate developer.

+How do you deal with the busy trap?

Try to stay organized.  When I feel overwhelmed, I take a moment and schedule out my day/week. It instantly de-stresses me to know that I can get through everything with proper planning.

"Stay organized and keep a detailed calendar."

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Make sure to check out Aimee’s blog here at swellmayde.com, and if you’re looking for the perfect holiday tech gift to get you started this Black Friday, be sure to add the Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard to your shopping list!

Tina Craig Reveals How She Turned a Blog into a Business

Tina Craig of Bag Snob.

Starting your own business is a little like raising a human. The hours required are endless and you never stop working. Or thinking about working. Or dreaming about work. So if you're going to turn a hobby into a business, it better be something you love. Something that Tina Craig and partner Kelly Cook of Snob Essentials (formerly Bag Snob) know plenty about. 

In 2005, the site began when the then stay-at-home moms were sharing their love of bags via a Moveable Type account. This was before the ubiquitous presence of social media. Before there were models for affiliate partnerships.  They were Internet pioneers dreaming of Birkins-- and it paid off. 

Originally Bag Snob featured on-point and honest reviews that readers came to trust. Over the last ten years, the site has grown exponentially, incorporating seven different Snob categories including: beauty, fashion, and even "Tot Snob." The duo also launched their own line, Snob Essentials in May of 2014, which sells through their e-commerce platform and HSN. 

Today with revenue reported in the seven-figure range, it's clear Tina and Kelly have hit their stride, and managed to get their hands on a couple of Birkins in the process. 

We caught up with Tina to chat bags (obviously), blogging, and her best piece of #snobwisdom. Be sure to catch Tina on her home turf at #CreateCultivateDallas this January! 

You’ve been at this since 2005. Which means, you're officially double-digits and turned a blog into a booming e-commerce affiliate marketing business. How have you seen the industry change for the better? For worse? 

I think change is always good, and it’s also a necessity. On the upside, the shift and consequent growth has created an entire industry of multi-media platforms from where individuals are able to share their opinions with the world. 

Where do you see it heading? 

I think true experts will emerge as important curators to help edit the constant influx of material absorbed (and in most cases, not quite absorbed) by our increasingly overloaded generation, as well as help mitigate the habit of over-sharing that comes with the prevalence of social media. 

What have you learned about being a non-snob “Snob” in the fashion industry? 

Being nice is easier and less time-consuming than being rude. Also, treat everyone the same. It’s the right thing to do, you don't know what hardships or battles people are going through-- a kind word or gesture can change and brighten someone's day. Plus you never know when the person sitting next to you will turn out to be the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company. (This has happened to me more times than I can count.) Lastly, helping others just feels good. 

When you first started, social media platforms like Instagram weren’t a thing. How have they changed your relationship to your work? 

Platforms like Instagram have not only allowed for a closer connection to our readers but a direct dialogue with brands. I met one of my (now) IRL besties, Aliza Licht, who’s also known as DKNY PR Girl, from Twitter. She saw a scathingly negative review I wrote on a Donna Karan bag and challenged me on it via a tweet. I respected her forthrightness and began tweeting with her regularly. Our tweets became well-known and attracted a bevy of other friends we called the Twitterazzi (our Twitter squad includes Erika Bearman, a.k.a. Oscar PR Girl). Our relationship blossomed and we (Kelly and I) subsequently designed a capsule bag collection for DKNY, the first of its kind between a major brand and a blogger. 

"Achieving your dreams doesn't mean it's time to relax."

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Do you think it’s possible to enter and be successful in the blogging world at this point?  Especially for fashion bloggers who don’t have a “snob” budget?

Absolutely! We started Bagsnob.com with $20 and our love of bags. There is always more room for new and unique voices in any industry. 

If your favorite bag could talk, it would say? 

Pay more attention to ME! You have too many bags. 

Your best piece of #snobwisdom? 

Never give up, and don’t be afraid of change. I am the most persistent person, I will try and try again and rarely give up. Even if I don't achieve a certain goal, I always feel I have succeeded as long as I learned something along the way.    

What does “It’s in the bag” mean to you now that you’ve established your brand? 

It means I now have to work twice as hard! Achieving your dreams is one thing and as satisfying as it is, once accomplished, it doesn’t mean it’s time to relax. Maintaining your dreams is another issue entirely, and that’s what true success is all about: Working hard, enjoying success, and never sitting back and declaring yourself “done” is what it’s all about. 

For everyone coming to Dallas for Create & Cultivate, what are some secret must-shop spots you are willing to give up? 

Dolly Python! My friend from LA scored a full-length blonde mink coat with Neiman Marcus tags for $250 from this vintage boutique. Also, VOD, which is a supremely well-curated store from former Dallas Morning News fashion editor Jackie Bolen. And finally, 4510, the ultimate one-stop shop for luxury goods (and my favorite!).

That Good Good with Sakara Life

                                                      The Founders of Sakara Life

One of the secrets of success is to consistently pursue your goals. Even when you think you've achieved them, keep going. But juggling a full schedule and your dreams is impossible without the proper fuel. Brain food. Body food. Overall nutrient-dense, well-being food, that doesn't scrimp on taste (or count calories!). Which is where Sakara, a ready-to-eat wellness delivery program, comes into the picture. 

Focus in on Whitney Tingle and Danielle Duboise in a Brooklyn kitchen in 2013. That's when  they dropped everything to give their all to Sakara and the idea of a nutrient-based lifestyle program. Their first deliveries were made via bicycle and the two quickly attracted clientele like Gwyneth Paltrow, Lena Dunham, and a group of Victoria Secret models like Lily Aldridge and Erin Heatherton-- all of whom we would equally classify as #goals.  These are women who work hard for what they have, and make their food work for them, which is what Sakara is all about. 

We chatted with the founders about going for it, feeling sexy, and that tricky little b word we spend so much time thinking about: body. 

You've created such an amazing service for busy individuals. What do you feel sets Sakara apart from other food delivery services?

Whitney: We are not just a food delivery system - we are a nutritionally designed lifestyle program that heals the body on a cellular level. We like to say we’re like a personal chef and nutritionist, rolled into one sexy package. But beyond the quality of food and nutritional integrity of the program, we really, truly aren’t just food. We are a lifestyle. Yes, we’re delivering you breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but we’re also reminding you to slow down and smell, feel, taste, and thoroughly CHEW your food. We’re teaching you about the health benefits of goji berries, asking you to pair your meal with a powerful mantra for the rest of your day, and reminding you to love yourself. 

Danielle: We also refuse to sacrifice taste or gourmet quality for health – because we know you don’t have to. We work with chefs from top restaurants around the world, like Le Bernadin and Jean Georges, to come up with unique, inspired meals that are outrageously delicious in addition to being good for you. Our philosophy is that food should make you feel sexy—eating clean should be fun!

How did you master the logistics of delivery?

W: It’s not easy! But it was a really important part of the business for us. We wanted to make this way of eating as easy as possible, so we had to deliver everything straight to our clients’ doors, ready to eat. We’re constantly working to improve our delivery process to make Sakara the best possible experience for our clients. After mastering meal delivery in New York & LA, our next challenge was figuring out how to ship our meals nationwide – which is coming soon! 

What do you wish you had known in the beginning?

W: That when kale and salt combine they can create quite a sulfur stink bomb! That sulfur is so good for your body (it aids in detoxing), but most people are not fans of that smell. We love stinky kale though! 

D: That’s a tough one because everything we’ve been through has been such an amazing learning lesson, I can’t imagine not experiencing it. I guess just to reassure myself constantly not to be afraid. To take the leap, hire on the expensive people, move into the big space, etc. Put it out there, connect to a bigger mission, make space for success, and work your butt off to get there.

"Put it out there, connect to a bigger mission."

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Your business has rapidly expanded across the US. How do you keep up with all the different locations and employees?

D: Communication is key! Every week we have a meeting at our New York City headquarters, and both our Brooklyn-based kitchen team and our LA office call in and participate. It’s a great opportunity to check in and make sure we’re all on the same page and headed in the right direction.

W: We also make a point of spending in person time at all locations, with all employees. As we grow, it’s important that everyone is connected to the mission of Sakara – that’s what fuels this beautiful fire!

What advice would you give busy females who are struggling with finding the time to eat healthy?

D: Well, this is the whole reason we started Sakara—to make it easy for busy women (and men!) who want to be healthier but can’t find the time. It’s so important to make your health a priority and take care of yourself, not only for your waist line, but also for your relationships, career, etc. We talk a lot about optimizing your day by outsourcing things to experts, so that you can focus on the things you excel in and the things you love to do. Whether it’s laundry, cleaning, workout plans, or meal delivery, let people take care of you, so that you can take care of everything else, and still feel great.

W: Aside from a Sakara meal delivery program, which makes it super easy to eat healthy all day long, it’s really important to keep your pantry stocked with healthy foods – because that’s what you’re going to reach for. We’ve struggled a lot in finding high quality, fresh whole food pantry items and snacks, which is why we’ve created our own! All of the deliciousness will be launched very soon in our Clean Boutique!

We love your mantra of "food should make you feel sexy"! What are your go-to meals or personal favorites?

D:  Foods that are messy, juicy, flavorful, and I can eat with my hands. Anything from our Indian Spices Samosas to our new Cardamom & Chocolate Cookies.

W: Our Youth & Beauty Salad is one of my favorite meals in the world. But, I also feel pretty sexy eating some French fries in my dress and heels.

What has been your proudest moment with the business?

W:  I’ll never forget the first time a client told me her Sakara story. It was at our first S-Life event and this beautiful, commanding, vibrant woman was explaining to me how she had been diagnosed with Lupus years ago and had been seeing countless doctors and taking countless medications ever since and nothing was working. Her life had spiraled completely out of control until she stumbled upon Sakara (this was back in the early stages of Sakara, so we like to think the universe brought her to us). After 2 months of Sakara she was completely off her meds, full of energy, kicking butt at the job she almost lost, head over heels in love, and finally feeling like herself again. She’s still a client today. We get stories from clients like this everyday and Danielle and I spend some together reading them each day to help ground us and bring us back to why we’re doing this.

D: It’s hard to say! Moving into our own beautiful space in Soho…becoming bicoastal…growing our business to support over 60 brilliant employees who believe in Sakara.

What is next for Sakara?

D: We just launched our meal delivery program in Miami, which has been on our list for so long! Now, we’re gearing up to unveil our revamped Clean Boutique, which has everything to help our clients live clean, have fun, and feel sexy while doing it (everything from dark chocolate to vegetable chips to our rose water cocktail mixer). Stay tuned, because there’s more super-exciting news coming soon!

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GIVEAWAY.

Guys! We are so excited to team up with Sakara Life and are giving away of week of their meals to a busy entrepreneur (like yourself!). Enter to win by filling out the form below. (Note this giveaway is only open to residents of New York City, Southern California, Greater Boston, Washington D.C, Philly and select NY, NJ, and CT counties.) Giveaway ends 11/27/15! 

Create & Connect: On-the-Go with Go-getter Puno DosTres

When you work as a creative, the need to produce quality innovative work is always on your mind-- even if that means you’re working on multiple projects at once. That’s how us creatives function, and we find solace in the chaos of multitasking. Our friends at Logitech get it, and that’s why we’re in love with their new K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard. A piece of tech that allows us to do just that.

In celebration of the release of the K380 Multi-Device, we’re highlighting some of the hardest working women in the digital space. All of whom have multiple projects under their belt, and whose careers have thrived off of multitasking and efficient productivity.

This week, we are featuring Jennifer Puno, better known as Puno DosTres. Puno is a creative from Los Angeles who quit her day job to build to her own business. Today, Puno has co-founded Map and PeopleMap.co with husband Daniel, co-founded ilovecreatives.com with none other than Eva Goicochea, does UX/UI design, and dabbles in photography and styling. Is there anything this girl hasn’t done? We caught up with her in between hustles to chat about traveling with total strangers, avoiding the pitfalls of “busy,” and making every minute count.

+What is your favorite thing about working on the go?

The freedom! This past summer, Daniel and I went on an epic trip in Europe that started in Copenhagen. Our intention was to stay for only three weeks, but we started swapping homes with a few different people on behomm.com and ended up staying for two months! It’s not easy traveling and working, but if I am super disciplined and the internet is on point, I can get about 2-4 hours of work done in a day. It really helps to stay in one city for 2-3 weeks.

+What are some of the best relationships or projects that have come from traveling for work?

I've just started doing more "strangercations" where I travel with a complete group of strangers. I know, sounds super Road Rules, huh? On my first strangercation, I went to Iceland and took Star Trek photos, which led to a hunt for hot springs in California.

Just recently, I went to Sayulita with Coast To Costa and helped them build their website. If anyone wants to go to Baja, come with us!

+How do you deal with the busy trap?

Calendly keeps me in check by putting rules on how many meetings I can book a day. I also find that when I work out on a daily basis, I prioritize my day better.

"I don’t dwell on tasks."

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+With so many projects running at the same time, how do you manage focusing from one project to the other?

I start hiring as soon as I can by automating as many processes and finding really smart, resourceful people that are super fun to work with. Also, I don’t dwell on tasks or over complicate processes. If I do, it’ll just never get done or becomes super annoying.

+What is your #1 hack when it comes to staying productive and keeping focused?

Harvest is the one app that really forces me to track my time. It’s not easy and I don’t like doing it, but every minute counts when you’ve only got about 10 hours in the day to work after working out, eating, sleeping, and re-doing that cat eye three times.

+How do tech tools like the K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard help you stay productive?

With the K380 Multi-Device, my fingers are elevated so I can type all day long. I also have a wacom tablet that I used instead of a mouse. It was a bit of a learning curve to get used to, but I can’t live without it. My wrist doesn’t hurt anymore, I’m super precise, and it feels more natural when I’m designing. If I had to work with a mouse, I physically feel like my body has to stop and that’s super frustrating. Same thing with typing too long on my iPhone, my fingers feel swollen. Does anyone else feel that way? :)

+How do you celebrate ending a productive week at work?

Usually a really good beer or super delicious meal. If it’s crazy productive, I love to cozy up in the bed and just veg out with Daniel.

Meet the Speaker: Stephanie Mark of The Coveteur

                                                                                                                             Stephanie Mark of The Coveteur

Securing a feature on The Coveteur has become a symbol of "you've made it" amongst the fashion set. Created in 2011, the site began as a fun side project-- where two childhood friends had the idea of diving into the closets of the most stylish street style stars and tastemakers.  The idea blew up. Big time. The site is now a prospering digital hub for fashion, profiling huge celebrities, offering shop-able closets, and has officially claimed its spot as a household name. In short: the coveteurs have become the coveted. 

We sat down with co-founder and marketing director, Stephanie Mark, to find out what makes the girl boss tick. Spoiler: when she says her favorite quote is, "Do whatever you want," we know she means it. (Get even more insight at Create & Cultivate Dallas when she speaks on our "Finding your Angle" panel!)

Your first job: I filed papers at a doctor’s office.

Your first girl crush: Ginger Spice

Favorite form of exercise: Boxing

In high school, you were voted “Most likely to... have a career in fashion.”

Last thing you do at night before you go to bed: NETFLIX

Thing you can’t resist buying in the checkout line: Anything travel size from the checkout at Sephora. Everywhere else: a bottle of water and a magazine.

Your local coffee spot: I love the green tea at the Soho House in Toronto.

Go-to cocktail: Tequila Soda with a lime- it is basically the unofficial drink of The Coveteur.

Favorite time of year: Summer and fall.

Best gift you’ve ever received: My first nephew was just born- so that is by far the best gift I have ever received. In terms of fashion- my parents got me a Hermès watch when I graduated from Parsons.

Next thing on your to-do list: MOVE! I am moving to New York and I need to start setting up my place there.

Proudest moment: Starting The Coveteur.

Favorite quote: Do whatever you want.

"Do Whatever You Want!"

 Tweet This.

THIS OR THAT

Your wallet: Totally organized, or packed with ATM receipts?

PACKED. And my purse. I call them both mobile garbage cans.

Saturday morning or Sunday night?

TIE!

Karaoke: In the crowd or on the stage? If on the stage, what song?

Stage. Anything (and I mean ANYTHING) from the '90s.

Shopping: In store or online?

In store.

In flight: work, nap, or movie?

Nap or watching endless amounts of TV shows.

At parties: On the dance floor, deep in conversation, by the snacks?

Dancing…with snacks.

Check out some of our other Create & Cultivate Dallas speakers featured on The Coveteur including: Tina Craig Bag Snob, Katherine Power of Clique Media , Hilary Kerr of Clique Media , Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere and Sophia Rossi of Hello Giggles.

Meet the Speaker: Sophia Macks of Beyond The Mag

Founder and CEO of Beyond The Mag Sophia Macks has defined a brand for herself through creation, curation, and collaboration. With all the proper ingredients for a brand that thrives off of culture and fashion, Beyond The Mag has established itself as one of the most visually stunning platforms to date. It's her amazing vision that has racked in amazing collabs with Coach, Chanel, Barneys New York, and Harper's Bazaar (just to name a few.)

With all the focus on Beyond The Mag, we wanted to have a little fun and get to know Sophia a little more before we see her in January at Create & Cultivate Dallas. Get inside Sophia's head and make sure to catch her on Brand Vibes: How to create a brand that lives beyond the blog bubble at Create Cultivate Dallas! 

Your first job: 

Marketing Coordinator at WeWork 

Your first girl crush: 

The Olsen Twins. Duh.

Favorite form of exercise: 

Horseback riding

Which Disney character are you: 

There's been a precise evolution: 3 year old Sophie was Wendy from Peter Pan, 7 year old Sophie was Nala from Lion King, this was followed by a large, Disney-free time gap, and now I'm the flying carpet from Aladdin. 

In high school, you were voted “Most likely to..."

"create my own world & live in it.” They weren't wrong.....

Last thing you do at night before you go to bed: 

Watch a documentary 

Thing you can’t resist buying in the checkout line: 

Ugh, that Wintergreen Trident gets me every time!

Your local coffee spot: 

Starbucks on 43rd and 3rd. So basic! :/

Go-to cocktail: 

Old Fashioned

Favorite time of year: 

October 15th through end of Thanksgiving weekend.

Best gift you’ve ever received: 

Puppies. Olivia (Portuguese Water Dog) in 2002 and Daisy (Cockapoo) in 2014.

Next thing on your to-do list: 

"Dive the Titanic" and "write thank you note" are side by side with 50/50 chances of actually happening first. Stay tuned.

Proudest moment: 

When I made Beyond The Mag into a profitable business. 

Favorite quote: 

"Your word is your master."

"Your word is your master."

Tweet this.

THIS OR THAT

Your wallet: Totally organized, or packed with ATM receipts?

Contrary to popular belief, it's totally organized. 

Chocolate or Vanilla? 

Chocolate. Though I don't mind a good swirl of 20% vanilla, 80% chocolate.

Saturday morning or Sunday night? 

Sunday night, oddly. 

Dinnertime responsibilities: Cooking or doing the dishes? 

Neither! I set the table with clashing prints.

Karaoke: In the crowd or on the stage? If on the stage, what song?

On stage - anything from the RENT soundtrack or "Can't Fight The Moonlight" by Leann Rimes

Shopping: In store or online?

Both, but I'm famous for my online hunting skills amongst friends.

In flight: work, nap or movie?

A "Napvie" - the act of napping while simultaneously watching a movie. 

At parties: On the dancefloor, deep in conversation, by the snacks?

Eating snacks on the dancefloor whilst engaging in deep conversation. That conversation ends immediately when I run out of snacks.

Create & Connect: Crafting a Balance with Eva Goicochea

We’re natural born doers and multitaskers. There’s always a million things we want to do, and with a hunger to hustle, we’re going to do it all. However, when it comes to managing tons of projects at the same time, you have to know how to balance all of them at once and known how to seamlessly move your focus from one to the other. That’s why we’ve partnered with our friends at Logitech, in celebration of their new K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard,  to highlight some of the most hard-working women in the digital space that have put multiple projects under their belt whose careers have thrived off of multi-tasking and efficient productivity.

This week, we have Eva Goicochea, digital brand strategist, entrepreneur and born traveller at heart. Eva, a Jill of all trades, has managed strategy and web design for many notable brands such as Virgin Atlantic, Herschel Supply Co., and Shinola, just to name a few, and most recently, she has co-founded Tinker Watches and Maude. However, with all these clients and projects, Eva has maintained her own personal brand with her beautifully curated Instagram, so to learn on how we could be more productive in our own careers, we caught up with Eva and picked her brain a bit.

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+ From your Instagram, we can see that you're a natural wanderluster. How have you found the balance when it comes to traveling, work, and life?

Because I run my own small studio and we're prelaunch with Maude and Tinker, I've been able to weave together a travel schedule that accommodates deadlines. If I have to work while I'm away, I'll make sure to find a co-working space or a coffee shop with elbow room and I'll try and link up with local clients to put in face-to-face time. Exception: In October, I didn't plan well and logged 17,000 miles of traveling without downtime. Needless to say, the emails piled up.

+As a natural born multi-tasker, how have tools like the Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard helped your productivity?

I often hesitate to answer emails on my phone as the keys are frustratingly small. The Logitech K380 Multi-Device keyboard makes using my phone for productivity and communication super simple since it connects via Bluetooth. If I'm out and need to answer emails, I don't have to lug around my laptop anymore!

+ What tips/tricks have you learned about keeping yourself organized when you're on the go?

I first set the expectation for communication by creating a thoughtful out of office reply, then I update my Dropbox and Wunderlist so that I have access to my work/to-dos from wherever I am. 

+ What’s the best part of being busy?

When you juggle multiple projects, it's easy to be motivated by the variety and, because you're interests are split, you have to be efficient and be productive. I find that the busier I am, the happier I am.

"I find that the busier I am, the happier I am."

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+ How do you deal with the busy trap?

Organization is my best friend so I like the idea of scheduling everything anyway. If you agree to meet me for coffee, expect a calendar invite! So I don't deal with it—I celebrate it. (Shaking my head).

+ With Tinker Watches, Maude, and your roster of clients, how do you shift your focus from one project to another?

I typically set my day up in thirds: Current Business (clients, emails, etc.), New Business, and Tinker/Maude. I also use the different desktop feature on Mac (F3). It makes focusing so much easier.

+With producing digital content, strategy, marketing, branding, web design, and even becoming a founder of two companies, are there any more skills that you want to add under your belt?

IF I had the time, I'd learn how to code.

Stay tuned for our weekly Create & Connect series presented by Logitech, and learn more about the Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard here!

One Size Fits All: How Stowaway Cosmetics Was Built To Last

Stowaway Cosmetics Co-Founders Chelsa Crowley and Julie Fredrickson

What if we told you that probably more than half of the makeup that you have in your collection is probably expired? Trust us, we're grossed out too and are refreshing our makeup bags thanks to the brainchild of Chelsa Crowley and Julie Fredrickson: Stowaway Cosmetics.

Chelsa and Julie's idea for Stowaway was born from necessity, and nurtured with hard work and determination. If you haven’t already heard, Stowaway Cosmetics is a perfect example of kickass female entrepreneurs wasting no time to produce a product that serves a very practical purpose and educates women about their cosmetics. Focusing on how makeup is never finished, which leaves users hoarding expired makeup in their makeup bags, Chelsa and Julie produced a line of cosmetics that are petite, practical, portable, and are meant to be finished before they expire. We caught up with Chelsa & Julie to find out what it means to survive and thrive in today’s beauty industry.

Some of the best business comes from spotting holes in the market, which seems like exactly what you ladies did - when did you have this revelation about how much make up goes to waste?

The idea sprouted over breakfast when we were discussing our very different frustrations about beauty. Julie at the time talked about her “gift with purchase and box of the month club” problem where she would scout out these smaller sizes that made more sense to her often mobile life. Whereas, I was talking about the size and safety issues in the industry. I hated spending so much cash on products that never stood the chance of being finished before they expired, let alone, not ever having a clear understanding of what was “safe” out there. Beauty is overall pretty self-regulated and that’s a scary thought.

What were your first steps in making this revelation into a business?

It really was one of those “once you see the problem, you can’t unsee it” for us. We continued to chat about and and to be honest, it all happened very quickly. Julie went head first into marking up docs on her thoughts, the industry, the opportunity, budgets we would need to get it off the ground, etc. Meanwhile, I headed out to meet with factories and began putting together what is now our first collection of products. It was important to us to feel super buttoned up, or as buttoned up you can feel in while venturing into the unknown, before we went out to raise capital for our company. For timing purposes, we worked on this and self-funded for 6 months until we felt we were in a good enough place to talk to investors, 3 months after that we had the capital, and 6 months from there we launched the company. So like I said, it all happened very fast considering the amount of things we had to get done in that time frame.

"Beauty is overall pretty self-regulated and that’s a scary thought." 

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What challenges have you faced starting a business in the beauty industry in particular? How do they differ from your previous projects?

Delivering consumers incredible value by offering direct to consumer beauty requires capital and quick scaling, luckily, Julie had previous experience in starting something from scratch with her entrepreneurial spirit and I had the beauty knowledge. I guess you can say that ignorance is bliss, maybe if we knew ALL of the challenges before we started it would have deterred us but instead we tackled each one as they popped up.

How do you feel your experience in e-commerce benefited you? What would you advise an individual who doesn't have the same experience?

E-commerce is a very executionally and operationally challenging discipline. On the surface it seems sort of easy (just design a nice website, put it on Shopify and be loud on social media) but building scalable, cost efficient and consumer friendly experience requires a lot of focused tactical work. It is also quite technically demanding as a lot of best practices from data integration to user experience requires specialist knowledge.

Growth and acquisition in e-commerce is especially complex (ask me about using CRM data to build & prime lookalike audiences cross platform without having access to DMP by encoding pixel tracking via i-frames on your earned media!)

How do you balance each other out?

We really are the ying to each other's yang. Our skill set doesn’t overlap in the slightest which is really helpful at the stage where divide and conquer is crucial for our time and bandwidth constraints. We joke that it’s our super power.   

How do you stay current with industry trends to evolve your business?

Julie is obsessed with trade publications like Beauty Packaging but also compulsively reads financial reports. You would be surprised just how much you can learn from the investor reports of the big conglomerates. They have to report to their investors (aka the public) every quarter and disclose their costs. If you read between the lines accounting will tell you the REAL story of what is and is not working.

What was your biggest initial investment?

Our products! A lot of time, care and of course money went into developing and manufacturing our line. Cosmetics isn’t like say the apparel industry where you can do a small run of a couple dozen products and see how it goes. You have to commit larger production runs or else the mixing and pourings of the formulations might not turn out right.

What do you wish you had known in the beginning of launching Stowaway?

Ignorance may actually be bliss! Sometimes not knowing how hard something is going to be helps you get it done!

What has been your proudest moment with the business?

Surviving and thriving.  At every step there is always some new challenge that feels insurmountable (launching, scaling, keeping people interested) but somehow we always muscle our way through it!

"Ignorance may actually be bliss! Sometimes not knowing how hard something is going to be helps you get it done!"

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How do you manage the 24/7 schedule of running a company?

Ha! Ask us when we’ve figured it out.

What have been some of the lessons learned since launching Stowaway?

If you put in the work you can build a business. Don’t get us wrong, it is way harder than it looks or sounds but if you are willing to sacrifice and put in the the hours, it is super rewarding.

As your company continues to grow, how do you stay in tune with your consumer's specific needs and market trends at the same time?

Our company is still so young (not even a year old!) that I'm not sure we have the best insight yet. We keep on top of market trends and especially take our customer feedback to heart but we also never plan to be a trendy sku-intensive company. We will also help women by giving them the best of the best in limited selections because decisions fatigue is real. 

Stowaway stands out in the beauty market by focusing on being small. What tips would you give to anyone trying to find their own niche in a saturated market?

I’m not sure we even like to think of ourselves as niche--our whole concept is right-sized and these are the sizes you should have been using all along. If anything, our limited sku and vision to make women’s lives easier is the angle we want to tackle. We never plan to be super sku intensive, we know that decision fatigue is real so ensuring our customers that we did the research so they don’t have to goes a long way with today’s woman.

To answer your question however, I think it's important to find something that you really really want that's not already out there. Chances are, if you want it that badly, others probably do too.

Good Vibes Only: Lauryn Evarts on staying positive & building a brand

Spend more than a few minutes on Lauryn Evart's blog The Skinny Confidential, and you will want her to be your best friend. She's smart, relatable and has a girls-night-out sense of humor. She's also drop-dead gorgeous with a passion for healthy living. Lauryn will be speaking at Create & Cultivate Dallas on our Brand Vibes: How to create a brand that lives beyond the blog bubble panel, so we caught up with her in advance here. 

You recently did a post about focusing on positivity on social media. What tips do you have for using social media in a positive and proactive way, as opposed to just using it to wallow in FOMO?

I think it’s really important to follow people who radiate positivity. I like my daily social feeds to consist of inspiring entrepreneurs, people I look up to, specific charities, business tips, and people in my industry. If you follow negativity on social media, you subconsciously absorb that downer vibe, even if you don’t notice. I love waking up to a positive and motivating social media feed in the morning. It starts my day off on the right foot.

You’re very open on your blog about sometimes not having great days. How do you decide how much and what personal information to share?

I would say that I share 45% of my life on The Skinny Confidential and the remaining 55% of my life I keep to my family, my friends , and to myself. I have always referred to The Skinny Confidential as my alter ego and my alter ego is not every single part of me. Overall I’m very private in many ways; I don’t show my bedroom, family stuff, my whole relationship, etc. I think it’s really important to differentiate work life and personal life. And as a blogger that can get tricky, but I make a conscious effort to keep them separate.

I think of the blog as the meat & bun in my hamburger. The rest is just added touches.

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How do you define TSC brand and how have you worked to build it outside of the blog?

I have always viewed the blog as the platform for the brand. When I first started blogging, I knew that the blog was the foundation of the brand. I think a lot of people go into blogging thinking of starting a brand, but I have always gone back to the blog, and grew the brand from there. I think of the blog as the meat & bun in my hamburger (if the hamburger was my brand, LOL ). The rest is just added touches.

How did TSC book come about? What tips do you have for other people who want to take their blog into a book format?

"The Skinny Confidential Book" was a natural extension of the blog. Before I started the blog, I laid out a map of where I saw my brand in two years. A piece of that was a book so that's always been a goal of mine, to write a book. It was the next natural step. Ultimately it was really exciting to extend the blog into a book, and share fresh new content in the book that I had saved up over time.

If you are a blogger looking to get a book deal, I’d say it is important to keep your posting consistent ( at least 5 times a week ), find your voice, and make sure you're posting quality. Also, I think it’s also a good idea to go into blogging with the idea of eventually writing a book—that way you will know what to share on the blog and keep separate tidbits for your book. Since I knew I wanted to write a book, I was very careful about scheduling my content accordingly. As you can imagine, my iPhone notes app is FULL!

What would you say are the three keys to a successful blog?

The first key to a successful blog is to grow with your readers. The readers are what make the blog and you always want to gauge what they like and what they don't like. You also want to respond and engage with the readers. I see a lot of bloggers that get so big and don’t have time to interact with their readers. The readers are what make the blog, so I’ve always put a major effort into interacting with them. Without them, The Skinny Confidential wouldn't exist.

You list perverted humor as one of your likes. Can you tell us a dirty joke? ;)

I have a veryyyyy dirty sense of humor so I definitely wouldn’t call myself a conservative blogger. I like to tell it how it is, even if that means it’s disgusting/weird/inappropriate. Some people don't like to share that side online, but I feel like life is too serious sometimes so you should have a little fun. I also think that humor makes dry, uncomfortable subjects more interesting. If you want a dirty joke, read my posts on: camel toes, organic tampons, boob jobs, vagina steaming, and Kegels.

What tips/tricks/tools do you use to manage your time while working for yourself?

I have a lot of ideas & can sometimes be all over the place, so I rely on my team to keep me on track & help me stay focused. For someone who just started blogger, I'd recommend setting a time every day to JUST DO IT. It is kind of like brushing your teeth - you just do it. Blog every day. Even if you're sick, tired, hungover, whatever. Excuses are like assholes, everyone has one. Really though, no one is going to hold you accountable but yourself, so staying on track when it comes to blogging is so important.

What is the biggest thing you’ve learned from blogging?

The biggest thing I have learned from blogging is authenticity is golden. I've also learned how many women there are all over the world that want to connect and tell their story. Everyone truly has a story to tell. I’ve learned to step out of myself and learn from other people's experiences; I’ve learned a lot about other people’s spirituality, holistic experiences, wellness journey, boyfriend problems, life struggles, & much more. The Internet makes it possible to connect with anyone, anywhere. It's great.

How do you build a community with a blog? With readers and with other bloggers?

I love to interview other women. I am a big fan of collaborating and not competing. Supporting one another in the blogging community is so important. And really, there is no need to tear each other down; there's plenty of room for all of us. I also like to build a community with my readers. When I created TSC Bombshell Body Guide, I listened to my readers and I created the guide based on their requests/questions/suggestions. Engaging is key, the reader will tell you the right direction. Listen to them & engage.

What has been your proudest moment with your career?

The proudest moment of my career thus far is probably the launch of my book. I've also been able to work some brands that I absolutely love, which is awesome because they're organic, authentic partnerships. And stay tuned because I'm working on an upcoming project that's totally different for me. Very excited! The ultimate goal though is to continue to inspire and motivate women from all over the world.

Giving Back: Lauren Scruggs Kennedy on building philanthropy

Lauren Scruggs Kennedy, the founder and editor of Lolo Magazine, is truly a beautiful person. And no, we're not just talking about how gorgeous she is. She recently started The Lauren Scruggs Kennedy Foundation with a mission to help provide prostheses to women in need, and, alongside Bethany Hamilton, she co-founded a yearly retreat for girls with missing limbs. We caught up with Lauren—who'll be speaking at #CreateCultivateDallas and also just happens to be a Dallas native—to talk about building philanthropy, her own story, and where to get Dallas's best almond latte. 

How did the idea for Lolo come about and how did you want to differentiate it from other fashion websites? 

Ever since I was little, I have been very artistic and was always so enthralled by beautiful editorials. To me, style has always been more than appearance; I see it as a reflection of personality as well as a depiction of how you view yourself. After interning for the Gossip Girl wardrobe department and the Michael Kors showroom in New York, I truly gained an understanding of what I enjoyed specifically in the fashion industry. To keep myself challenged and infused with creativity in Texas, I decided to start my own blog. It kept me very engaged, and for the first time I had an interest in dissecting fashion into words. At the same time, my good friend connected me with a woman in Dallas who had her own online fashion magazine, and she took me under her wing. She introduced me to the Fashion Week world, and I became enthralled with reporting on shows in NYC, Paris, and Montreal. After graduating college, I wanted to encompass my love for people, business, and creativity into one. That’s what led me to starting my own website.

How did you meet the other Lauren of Lolo and how did you decide to work together? 

So it's kind of crazy, but I had just moved to California when a mutual friend introduced me and Lauren. We immediately connected over the phone, and she was running the mag for a year before we finally met in person!

Can you tell us a little bit about your story that inspired some of the philanthropic work you do now? 

Almost four years ago, my life took a big shift. My calendar paused, my career path changed, and my platform increased after a night of injury, or what my subconscious defined as a 'depletion of beauty.' I was sucked into a plane propeller; the blade cut into my brain and the left side of my body, resulting in the loss of my left eye, left hand, and half my head of hair post-surgery. I have realized brokenness can be so beautiful even amidst the unexpected suffering. I feel like I relate so much more to pain now after experiencing it, and that has led me to want to give and pour specifically into young girls about the aspect of beauty.

I have realized brokenness can be so beautiful even amidst the unexpected suffering.

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How did you meet Bethany Hamilton?

She reached out to me shortly after my accident, and we connected instantly on Skype! It was one of those "friends for a lifetime" moments that happened initially. I am so grateful for her. She has the most precious heart! Her life, perspective, and ambition is such a picture of beautiful hope! Working with her has been such an amazing experience. We have learned so much, and it's such a joy to work together to encourage girls who have been through similar life-altering experiences.

What has been one of your most memorable experiences from the retreat that you put on?

Watching the girls surf is so moving. It represents something so much more than the action; I watched so much fear diminish as almost every girl entered into the circumstance thinking it would be impossible to accomplish. It was empowering to see the excitement pouring out of the girls, and watching them work together represented how much close community can change our lives.

How did you decide to start your foundation?

After my accident, I was in the rare situation of my insurance covering the entire cost of my prosthetic arms. I thought this was typical until I started meeting precious girls who either heavily disliked their fake-looking prosthesis, could not get one because of the high cost, or were unaware of where to go to receive a beautiful customized prosthesis. I developed a huge burden after hearing so many stories, especially after knowing the wholeness and healing my prosthetic arms brought me. Soon after, I partnered up with a wonderful mentor of mine and a dear friend who each had a similar story and an identical vision! After much research, we recognized that there was no organization that provided the beautiful coverings to the prostheses, and that is one of the most important parts for women! We want to bring hope, restore dignity, and ignite faith in young women with limb loss by providing beautiful prostheses. I am so excited to build relationships with these women and stand alongside them in their journey. 

Why is it important to you to give back? 

I want to share the same comfort I received and still receive from others! I am still overwhelmed as I reflect on how people close and far encouraged and provided for our family in every imaginable way!

What advice would you have for women who are looking to add a philanthropic element to their work? 

I believe it's so important to be involved in something you feel deeply passionate about. It causes you to fight harder for the cause and encourage giving so much more if it stands as a personal element in your life! 

Finally, what are your favorite spots in Dallas and where do you recommend people visit when they’re in town for C+C? 

R + D Kitchen is my second home...the food is insane and the service is beyond and has become like family. My other all-time-love is the almond milk latte from the T room at Forty Five Ten. Nothing compares! La Duni on McKinney Ave is so adorable and delicious for brunch too + you can walk around the cute shops after!

Catch Lauren in Dallas speaking on our panel Style Vibes: How to define your personal brand, manage transparency and define your voice.

Real Mom, Real Talk: Work Life Balance is a Myth

It’s the million-dollar question for every working mom. How do you balance your job and your family? It’s a valid question and worth discussing if for no other reason than it’s reassuring to hear that other working moms struggle with this too. My opinions on this topic are quite strong and I’m happy to share with you exactly what I’ve said at numerous business panels over the last eight years: Work life balance is a myth.

More than that, it’s a hurtful myth because I don’t think anyone actually achieves it and yet we feel positive that other women somehow have. So when we feel off-balance and we’re struggling to keep all our balls in the air, we assume it’s just because we haven’t figured out work / life balance. It becomes one more thing you’re failing at as a mom beyond forgetting it was weird and wacky hair day at school and buying the wrong kind of yogurt. Ugh! I detest anything that makes women feel unworthy or less than, so allow me to debunk this ridiculous myth.

Work/life balance… it’s description implies that those two things live in harmony, perfectly divided up on the scale of your life. My work and home life have never, ever been balanced evenly on any level. Even when I was a seventeen-year-old sandwich maker at the Substation in my hometown… even then there were days when a big project at school meant that I couldn’t work as many hours. Or accepting a lucrative Saturday shift (ripe with tip money) meant that I couldn’t hang out with my friends. Work and personal life will always battle each other for supremacy, because both require your full attention to be successful. It’s doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong, it’s just how life works.

Work and personal life will always battle each other for supremacy, because both require your full attention to be successful.

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Sometimes my boys have school activities or doctor’s appointments and I have to leave work to be present for those. Likewise there are days when we have a big photo shoot at Chic or I have to travel for business, which means missing a couple of evenings at home. The scale is never balanced; it’s an ever-moving thing that constantly shifts back and forth based on what requires my attention that day. I think that’s real for most of us moms and the only way we’re going to get past this mythology that some people have it all figured out is to start being honest about what our lives and priorities really look like. Here, I’ll go first…

My Self – In my early days as a mom and entrepreneur I wasn’t a priority at all. I would run myself ragged taking care of everyone else and never once worried about how it all might affect me. This was a disaster. I got really sick at least once a year. I was always stressed out. I was always struggling with my weight. It was a mess. Then someone pointed out that I couldn’t take care of anyone properly if I didn’t first take care of myself. My health and well-being is now my biggest priority. I get eight hours of sleep every night… yes, eight. Not six or even seven, eight full hours. I eat well, I drink water by the bucket load, I haven’t let Diet Coke touch my lips in over two years. Yes, I’m still addicted to coffee, but we can’t win ‘em all.

I don’t think the goal is ever to be balanced ladies, I think the goal is to be centered.

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I took up running and schedule my time so I get in at least twelve miles a week. I carve out several hours a week for prayer, church and volunteer work because my faith is extremely important to me. I don’t think the goal is ever to be balanced ladies, I think the goal is to be centered. If I prioritize myself and make sure I’m grounded and centered then everything else runs smoothly… even when it’s running at a hundred miles an hour!

My Marriage – I’m sure that many parents would naturally list their children as their first priority, but my marriage will always be the most important relationship in my life. Dave and I have a weekly date night and we take an annual vacation—wait for it—without our children. When we’re at home we’re playing interference with three little boys so it’s essential that we get to hang out with each other and act like real live adults. Because we’re both so supportive of each other’s careers it can be really easy to start to neglect our relationship, which has happened numerous times over the years. So rather than risk slipping into somewhere unhealthy, we’ve agreed to make each other our first priority.

My Kids – I have three little boys; Jackson (8) Sawyer (7) and Ford (3) so even when I’m not at work, I’m always on the go. I take all three boys to school every day unless I’m traveling. I leave work by five to relieve the nanny and then it’s dinner, baths, books, bedtime, etc. Now that I’ve painted that picture I will back up and tell you about the first two years of running my company. I worked like a maniac. I was often in the office by eight in the morning, which means I was never able to do school drop off. I got snarky notes from moms at school about missing field trips and bake sales and I cried myself to sleep about them more nights than I can count. Nobody ever sent snarky notes to my husband for having to work during a field trip— but that’s a diatribe for another time. Most evenings I got home around 7pm which means I missed dinner. It was a really difficult time, but that kind of workload is also part of being an entrepreneur and running a startup. Some people will argue that I lost valuable time with my kids, and I won't disagree. I’ve since scaled back my time at work in order to present for those moments I missed for two years. But what I will say is, those three little boys have watched their mom build a company from the ground up. They’ve seen first-hand the power of hard work and dedication and for being that example to them, I’m proud.

My Work – I wont pretend that there weren’t times where work didn’t take up most of my attention. I also wont pretend that those weren’t the times that were hardest on my marriage, my health and my ability to be the kind of mom I want to be. Now that I’m more established in my career, I’m better able to get my work done during office hours. Also three years in means I have the help of my incredible assistant and staff, so it doesn’t all fall on my shoulders. Of course there are times when work gets hectic, but I push to make sure my family gets make-up time if I’m away. Remember, it’s a scale that slides back and forth. Some seasons of your life will require more attention in one area than another, and that’s ok. Give yourself some grace because, “this too shall pass.”

 Rachel Hollis is the founder of the popular lifestyle blog The Chic Site and Los Angeles-based event-planning firm, Chic Events.  At 27, she was named by Inc. Magazine as one of the “Top 30 Entrepreneurs under 30.” Hollis is also the author of the Amazon Bestselling women’s fiction series, “The Girls” published by Lake Union Publishing.      

TCB: Side Hustle Queens, Part II

All hail the side-hustle—the art of pursuing a passion project even when it's not the only thing on your plate. Here, the second part of our series on talented woman who are getting it done, even when there's a lot to do.

Name: Courtney Halverson

Full Time Gig: Film and TV Actress

Current Side Hustle: Fashion Blogging over at Pretty Little Fawn.

Elevator Pitch: I'm a bit of a hodge-podge, but I think in the best way possible. Because I started as an actress when I was young—I started in film when I was 13—it made the side hustle of blogging a lot easier. I was already comfortable(ish) with a camera, so the only thing that was hard was learning how to express myself rather than a character. I still find myself posing a little too much, and keeping my reader's at arms length because I'm so used to hiding myself behind someone else's words. I've had to work hard to break down the barriers and share as much as I can. I think I'm getting better at it the older I get—probably because pretending is exhausting!   

How you balance the two: I started blogging a few years ago when I was in between filming, and to be honest, when I was bored. It helped me through a slower patch in my career and gave me something to remain focused on. Now that I'm busy on both sides of my career, the balancing has become more important. As much as I love blogging, I have to remind myself that acting has always been and will always be my first love, and that blogging is something I do for fun. So sometimes that means skipping out on a blogger-party in favor of working on lines, and remembering to not wear things that are too 'fashion-y' to an audition where I'm supposed to be an average college student.

Name: Natalie Alcala

Full Time Gig: Senior Editor, Racked LA

Current Side Hustle: Founder, Fashion Mamas

Elevator Pitch: Fashion Mamas is a members-only network for local moms who work in the fashion industry—designers, editors, stylists, models, publicists, bloggers, etc. This influential group meets often for playdates and other outings to discuss work, share baby stories, swap style notes and seek non-judgmental support, all while watching our little ones grow together. Fashion Mamas LA launched December 2014 with 10 members, and we're now nearly 100 members strong. Next up: Fashion Mamas NY!

How you balance the two: Organization is key. I toggle between my two inboxes all day long, side by side, and place items in their designated folders as they come. Also, being an early bird helps, because I'm often up and ready for the world by 5am, plowing through my work before my son wakes up at 6:30. Having a child really tests both your productivity and efficiency. You know that old saying, "You have as many hours in a day as Beyonce"? I get it now. You'd be surprised how much shit you can get done in 24 hours!

Name: Kaitlynn Carter

Full Time Gig: The Western Wild

Current Side Hustle: Foray Collective

Elevator Pitch: Western Wild is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about everything from what I'm wearing, to dating advice, to the chia breakfast parfaits I made this morning. Foray Collective is the new fashion e-commerce site I've developed with a friend, which serves as a venue for emerging designers and style influencers to come together so consumers will have a uniquely curated shopping experience.

How you balance the two: Western Wild is my day-to-day focus and something that I am constantly coming up with new material for and being creative with. Foray Collective is what I see as a long term project. I'm passionate about both so it's easy to balance the two! As long as you love what you're doing, there's always time.

 

 

Name: Marah Lidey (left), Director of Mobile; Naomi Hirabayashi (center), Chief Marketing Officer; Chloe Lee (right), Jr. Software Engineer, all at DoSomething.org

Photo by Keri Goff

Current side hustle: Co-creators of Shine

Elevator pitch: Shine is a daily text to help you slay the day. 1 in 2 working women say that they struggle with issues of self-doubt or feel a lack of confidence at work. We want to use technology to change that!

How you balance the two:

Marah:

One of my very best friends passed away last year, and I always used to ask her the same thing. She’d crush her full-time job and have 2-3 things going on the side at the same time. She inspired me in so many ways and made me realize, that I myself feel more balanced and creative when I have a full plate of diversified projects. While I don’t believe being ‘busy’ should ever be a point of pride, I love the feeling of being mentally stimulated throughout the whole day—and kicking my boots (hi Fall) off at the end of the day, knowing I crushed multiple projects across totally different verticals.

Like with other passion projects, when working on Shine I am able to start my day by thinking creatively about something personal that I care about, and at the same time be hyper-organized, passionate and on-my-feet in my day-to-day role as Director of Mobile at DoSomething.org, where I work on a lot of exciting cross-functional mobile projects. I’m loving getting to pursue two passions at once.

The other major factor that helps with balance is that all three of us work full-time at a place that not only encourages entrepreneurship and side hustle, but exemplifies it. Both our current CEO (who is leaving to rock another social change org) and our incoming CEO have created social ventures on the side that have a massive impact today. It’s been so inspiring to see two badass women lead a growing organization, and build new initiatives on the side at the same time.

Lastly and maybe most importantly, having a partner that I can rely on, bounce ideas off of and relax with has made all of the difference at this exciting time. My boyfriend is an incredible resource for me and he, along with some awesome friends, has made realize how important it is to have a strong support system when you’re pursuing multiple passions at once!

Naomi:

1. To balance both, you need to find your place and your people.

My place: I work at an organization that breeds creativity, entrepreneurship and hustle. The vibe of the DoSomething.org office feels way more Silicon Alley start up then not-for-profit org. When we hire, we look for three things in the new employee: will they hit a home run in 90 days, would you want to be in a bunker with them (DoSomething.org is a straight up family) and finally will they be doing something cool in five years? Doing cool shit is part of the DoSomething.org world and part of the culture that DoSomething.org leadership, Nancy Lublin and Aria Finger, have built: we move fast, we’re passionate, and we create.

My people: Remember that friend in high school (Hi, Jenni Bobbio!) that you would talk to for two hours on the phone with (high likelihood: it was the famed clear, plastic landline of the 90s)? You had just spent all day together but those conversations, covering everything from boys, to school stress, to your parents (they just don’t understand), etc., was pure elation. In Marah and Chloe, and in a different stage of life, the topics may have changed but the feeling is the same. I can’t get enough. Our conversations are full of honesty, vulnerability, and productivity and I love it. They’re my people and that matters a lot when you’re doing something on the side, getting less sleep, and working on something purely out of passion. Lastly, having a partner that gives me daily confidence, drive and inspiration makes all of this whole (Hi, Ruar!).

2. Side hustle is an advantage, not a distraction.

Ever heard of Le Pain Quotidien? In addition to having a killer happy hour deal (half off wine until 9pm, amazing), the friendliest staff around (shout out to the team at the Flatiron location!), and free wifi, LPQ (yeah, we’re on that acronym level) also serves as the unofficial Shine office.

At least twice a week, before work, we’re meeting to hustle away at Shine at LPQ. Usher confessions, yes, I have a lot more coffee and croissants in my system but getting a head start on the day with a passion project is addicting.

As a result, by working on Shine, my time management has approved, my creativity has improved, and my focus has improved. If the project is right, aka: you’re in love with it, side hustle isn’t a distraction from your full time job, it’s an advantage. Your knowledge and experience gets validated, you own something which makes you feel more confident, and that competency transcends to your personal and professional sense of self.

3. It’s easy to balance things you f’ing believe* in.

I believe in Shine. I’m obsessed with it. I believe in DoSomething.org. I’m obsessed with it. In the words of the great philosopher, Eminem, you only have one shot, one opportunity. I believe in the work I do. The growth and success of DoSomething.org and the growth and success of Shine result in, respectively, more young people taking action around social issues they care about and more women gaining confidence to own their day and their career. Seeing the big picture and being obsessed with the societal impact of your project / org’s success makes it very easy to balance.

Chloe:

By being involved in a project you’re genuinely passionate about and allowing for personal time. Shine is a project that I love working on and as an extra bonus, I’m fortunate to adore my friends who I’m working on it with. I feel lucky to be involved in a project with my best friends while having a blast and learning a ton. This passion and respect for your partners is key to balancing the two because then, it sort of comes naturally.

When the side hustle is something you find yourself prioritizing in your week, you know you’re involved in the right thing. Shine is a project that I love working on in my free time and it’s so important to me that I want to do my best work on it. I also know that I produce my best work when I have some me time, so in order to balance things in life, I prioritize Shine and other personal aspects of life, try to practice good communication, and am open to rearranging my schedule.

Communication is key for this, both with close ones you spend your time with and partners you’re working with. Luckily, I have the best people surrounding me both in life and Shine that it’s easy to be honest when anything has to give or take. Even more so, the support and enthusiasm about Shine both from Marah and Naomi and friends and family not directly involved (especially from my parents and my boyfriend) makes me work even harder around Shine.

Lately, I’ve been waking up early to settle into my day and work on Shine -  it’s been a great way to start the morning with a project you’re passionate about and sets a great energy for the day. In fact, many of our Shine meetings are in the morning - there’s no better way to start off with best friends and positivity!

Cool Job Alert: Fiona Boyce, Director of Social Media + Brand Content for Commune Hotels + Resorts

Imagine this: You have a job that involves traveling the world, immersing yourself in the role of pampered hotel guest, and documenting it on social media. That pretty much sums up Fiona Boyce's job—except that it also involves a ton of hard work, scrupulous attention to detail and some serious number nerdery. Here, we talk to Fiona about everything from making contacts and interpreting analytics to building a cohesive brand and how to avoid the sunset rabbit hole in the process.

You're the Director of Social Media + Brand Content for Commune Hotels + Resorts. What does that job entail?

Commune Hotels + Resorts is comprised of three brands, Thompson Hotels, JDV Hotels, and our newest brand: tommie. My day-to-day includes overseeing the social media profiles for our hotels (35 hotels and counting), our incredible internal social media community management team, working on the content of our brand blogs (Upper Stories/Thompson Hotels, Joyride/JDV Hotels, and our Chicago Athletic Association blog), and discovering and executing social media and digital brand partnerships.

What attracted you to working in the hospitality industry?

I started my career working at a social media agency where I worked on a variety of accounts, but was drawn to the luxury lifestyle brands. I love to travel, and it made sense when we signed on hotel/hospitality clients I would work on those accounts. What I loved about working with boutique lifestyle brands is that it wasn't just about the physical hotel product. Art, music, design, and food were all equally important brand pillars and critical to the guest experience. "Lifestyle" hotels combine my love of travel infused with other elements to make for a really diverse content mix.

The Cape

What advice would you have for someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

The best advice I could give if you're looking to go into social media is to begin your career at an agency where you'll be exposed to a variety of brands and industries. You can figure out which one speaks to you, and go from there, but it helps to give you a baseline understanding. Also, never underestimate the value of an informational interview. You can make contacts that might be beneficial to you down the road. Don't be shy about reaching out!

A lot of people assume that social media is ‘just updating Instagram.’ Can you give us some insight into what actually goes into handling social media for a big company, and how it is different than just updating your own accounts?

Although Instagram is my favorite social channel, there is much more that goes into our social media strategy than just beautiful, aspirational photos. A large role of our social media is to assist with larger sales and marketing goals, which we support through our content creation. We also are always looking at the analytics of our postings, and determining how to increase referral website traffic and revenue through our postings. I spend quite a bit of time in Google Analytics and on our social software getting really nerdy about numbers, but you have to have them to show value of the program to key stakeholders that like to see hard data.

Epiphany

What is the hardest part of your job?

Making sure that we don't fall down the rabbit hole of sunset and dog pictures, although it's what our followers like to see! They perform better than any other types of content, however we have to make sure that we remain true to other brand pillars as well!

What is the best part of your job?

Traveling to amazing places around the world and getting to experience our hotels through a traveler's perspective. When we open a hotel in a new location, I fully immerse myself in what the traveler experience will be, where they'll go, what they'll see, eat, and do. It's fun, I feel like a mini-expert on places I haven't even visited!

tommie

What has been one of the most exciting things you have worked on at Commune?

Right now I'm working on the launch of our newest brand, tommie, which will open next year in NYC. Working on launching a brand is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I'm so honored to be part of it!

What advice do you have for people about getting creative in their corporate jobs?

There's room for creativity everywhere, don't be afraid to speak up and pitch your idea! Also, I can't stress enough the importance of finding time to pursue some type of creative outlet beyond your job. Even if you have a job that involves creativity, it's good to work on your own thing on the side—it might even make you think differently in your day-to-day!

Even if you have a job that involves creativity, it's good to work on your own thing on the side.

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What are the key aspects that make a brand’s social media presence engaging and cohesive?

Being authentic, timely, and human.

Thompson Miami Beach

What are some common mistakes that brands make?

Jumping on trends that aren't right for their brand just because it is popular on the internet. Your customers are smart and can see through it! Stay true to who you are as a brand—it will keep you relevant in the long run.

What are your favorite travel Instagrams to follow?

@escapebklyn is my favorite source for weekend destinations, @fathomwaytogo is my go-to news source for all things travel, @alexstrohl has the most incredible nature images that make me want to be deep in the woods, and @afarmedia which is my favorite new travel magazine with stunning images from around the globe

Want to learn more about getting creative in your current job? Check out our Pushing Boundaries Not Buttons panel at #CreateCultivateDallas!

People Who Do: Jessie Artigue of Style + Pepper

We're natural born creators and cultivators, which means we're always on the move. Doing what we love, doing what we need to get to that next step, and doing what we can to help others.

That's why when Sara Haile, creator of People Who Do reached out to collaborate on a series celebrating those "who do," we were totally game. We continue the series with Jessie Artigue, lifestyle expert, consultant and founder of Style + Pepper. Get to know the colorful gal below.

Name: Jessie Artigue

Occupations, affiliations, and projects: Lifestyle Expert at Style + Pepper, Podcast Co-host at Marriage is Funny, Mentor at Pepperologie

Why is it important to you to do and create?

I’ve always been someone who had a hard time sitting still. Once I realized that I could harness that energy to pursue a career doing things that I love, it was like a lightbulb went off and I have hardly slowed down since. The drive to keep moving and keep creating is something that I just can’t ignore, and has become a part of my identity that I can’t imagine life without.

To date, what accomplishments (of any kind) are you most proud of?

I think this would have been a tough question to answer a few months ago. I used to feel like I had to list a fancy national news appearance or brand partnership, but ever since launching Marriage is Funny earlier this summer, I can honestly say that it is my absolute best work. I am so proud and honored by how well it has been received so far, and working with my husband has changed me in ways that I could never have expected. It is incredibly humbling to hear the generous feedback from listeners who tell us that the show makes them feel like a better partner. Encouraging people to love each other well is the best possible accomplishment I can think of.

Encouraging people to love each other well is the best possible accomplishment I can think of.

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#1 motivating mantra to get through tough moments: I tend to skip the mantras and head straight to the prayers. Always helps me to remember that I’m not alone, and that everything belongs. (Even the rough patches.)

What’s your favorite thing you’ve learned so far this year?

I’m continually learning that I’d rather be known for my warmth than my strong-will.

What’s your favorite lesson you’ve ever learned, ever?

Trust steadily, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly.

What are some of the ways that you relieve stress?

Whipping up healthy meals in my kitchen and working out are both sure fire ways to calm me down. Running, pilates + power flow yoga are my Rx.

Favorite method for logging any kind of inspiration: Give me a decent seat on an airplane and a stack of old-fashion magazines and I’m a happy gal.

You lead such amazingly creative and forward-thinking projects that focuses on the digital space. What’s the biggest thrill that you get from them?

The brainstorming process is usually my favorite part! I love balancing client goals with our own strategic offerings, and the dynamic nature of the digital space makes for SO many exciting opportunities. 

What is one thing that is so satisfying in your career that you wouldn't be able to do if you had chosen another career path?

The ability to have a flexible schedule is something that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to give up. 

Top five people you would invite to a dinner party: Steve Carrell, Jimmy Fallon, Kristen Wiig, Mindy Kaling and my husband Gerard.

Three words that you want to be remembered by: Faithful. Generous. Free-spirited.

What’s the next goal? Carving out a new normal in Southern California, and continuing to daydream about a TV version of our podcast. ;)

What advice would you give to someone who's trying to follow in your career path?

Don’t start a blog as a full-time source of income. Use it as a portfolio, embrace it as a fun side-project, and diversify your revenue streams. 

Freelance photographer Sara Haile has always seen the importance of pursuing creative ideas of any kind. She created People Who Do to highlight the importance of balancing creativity with motion, and to show a deep appreciation for the motivation it takes to show up and excel at your craft. 

Meet the Speaker: Emily Schuman of Cupcakes & Cashmere

We're not ones to pat ourselves on the back, but sometimes we can't help it—and this is one of those! Our lineup for #CreateCultivateDALLAS is already killer and is only going to get better. To get you all worked up and as excited as we are, we're going to introduce some of the awesome women who'll be there. Here, Cupcakes & Cashmere founder Emily Schuman, who'll be speaking in our keynote conversation. Get to know her here, and IRL in January!

Your first job: Camp counselor

Your first girl crush: Anna Chlumpsky in ‘My Girl’

Favorite form of exercise: Dancing

Which Disney character are you? Abu from ‘Aladdin’

In high school, you were voted: “Most likely to play a professional sport.”

Last thing you do at night before you go to bed: Listen to an audio book.

Thing you can’t resist buying in the checkout line: Mentos. I pretend they’re just mints, even though the strawberry flavor is simply candy.

Your local coffee spot: Go Get Em Tiger

Go-to cocktail: Hendricks martini, a little dirty

Favorite time of year: Fall, October specifically

Best gift you’ve ever received: My push present, a beautiful Anita Ko ring

Next thing on your to-do list: Get through my inbox

Proudest moment: Becoming a mom

Favorite quote: Work hard, be nice.

This or that:

Your wallet: Totally organized, or packed with ATM receipts? Packed with ATM receipts (and gum wrappers, rubber bands, etc.)

Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate. For everything but ice cream/shakes, then I prefer vanilla!

Saturday morning or Sunday night? Saturday morning!

Dinnertime responsibilities: Cooking or doing the dishes? We switch off, day to day.

Karaoke: In the crowd or on the stage? If on the stage, what song? On the stage, if I have enough liquid courage. Then I’m singing/butchering a classic, something like ‘American Girl’ by Tom Petty.

Shopping: In store or online? Online

In flight: work, nap or movie? Work while watching a movie.

At parties: On the dancefloor, deep in conversation, by the snacks? Eating snacks on the dance floor.

Buy tickets for #CreateCultivateDALLAS here!

Tomboy KC's Guide to Living It Up In Dallas

Lynsey Eaton traded a life of practicing law in Los Angeles for one of blogging in Dallas, where she's the executive editor of Tomboy KC, a fashion and lifestyle site she co-runs with actress Katie Cassidy. You can catch Lynsey at #CreateCultivateDALLAS, speaking on our panel The Art of the Pitch: How to Present, Sell and Negotiate your Big Idea. In the meantime, we caught up with her and got her to give us some of her favorite places in her adopted city—because we know that if she loves them, we'll love them too (and so will you, obvi.)

"Both my husband and I were working as attorneys full time in Los Angeles and we were looking to make a transition.  Because Katie and I had plans for Tomboy KC and I could work from anywhere, we made the decision to move to any major metropolitan city that had the right job for my husband.  Dallas just happened to be it. When I first moved to Dallas, I wasn’t sure what the culture would be like.  With so much going on, moving from Los Angeles to Dallas didn’t automatically resonate as the right move for someone working on a lifestyle/fashion site.  But over the last two years, so much has changed in Dallas. It is growing in ways I never could have imagined and gaining a lot of national attention from the fashion industry—and for good reason.

Dallas style is evolving. There is still a very classic preppiness and Southern femininity that permeates the City.  That said, there is this strong undercurrent of a cool, self-expressionist vibe that has really started to take hold.  I’m excited about that. The work culture is supportive and Forbes recently put it on its list of “Best Places for Business and Careers.” And aside from having some of the best food in the country (you don’t know BBQ until you’ve stepped foot in Texas), Dallas has some amazing transitional neighborhoods (like Lower Greenville and Bishop Arts) that are really giving the city a new cool culture."—Lynsey

On date nights, hit Gemma.

Best coffee shop: Magnolias Sous Le Pont

Best brunch spot: Henry’s Majestic

Best romantic restaurant: Gemma

Best clothing store: Forty Five Ten

Best neighborhood for strolling around on a Saturday afternoon: Bishop Arts

Best neighborhood for bar hopping on a Saturday night: Lower Greenville

Favorite place to pamper yourself: ESPA

Best place to go for an iconic ‘Texas’ experience: The Rustic

The first place you take an out-of-town visitor: The rooftop at HG SPLY CO

A Berry Bramble at HG SPLY CO