Create & Cultivate 100: Music: Chloe x Halle

Chloe and Halle Bailey have accomplished more in two decades (they’re 20 and 18 years old, respectively) than many can hope to achieve in a lifetime. The inaugural signees to Beyoncé’s record label, Parkwood Entertainment, this R&B duo were nominated for two Grammys this year for their self-written debut album The Kids Are Alright—all on top of appearing as series regulars in black-ish spinoff grown-ish. Keep your eye on these starlet sisters this year, because they’re just getting started.

On writing and producing their own album…

Halle: Oh yes. Our parents always taught us from a young age that we can do anything we put our minds to and not to be afraid to dive in to do something that may not be considered things for little girls to be doing. My sister is so inspiring to me when she produces. And we write all of our songs from our living room. It’s fun for us. We also feel like this generation is on this wave of learning how to do things on our own and learning how to stand up for ourselves. It’s a big thing for us.

Chloe: I feel very fortunate because we’re given this incredible platform with Beyoncé and [her label] Parkwood, but we’re still able to use our voices and tell the story that we want to tell and create the music we want to create. Beyoncé has always encouraged us to trust our intuition. I’m so grateful because some artists are not able to do that, but we are and it means the world to us.

On the first time Beyoncé heard their album…

Chloe: She said she loved it! And I’m just so happy because if I know Beyoncé loved it, then that’s the only stamp of approval I need, except for my parents and little brother. It even made my heart warm when she said she loved the short film. We like making her proud.

On what inspired their work…

Halle: During the making of this album, we were just documenting our truest feelings, almost like a diary. We put our most sensitive feelings into these words... I’ve been writing down all those feelings that you have as a young girl turning into a young woman, the insecurities and learning how to love the highs of your life as well as the lows. I’ve been learning to accept that everything I have going on now is for a reason and that I’ll end up in the perfect place...in the future, when I’m 30, I can listen to these songs and remember exactly who I was at this age.

“ Beyoncé has always encouraged us to trust our intuition. I’m so grateful because some artists are not able to do that, but we are and it means the world to us.”

On getting to work on Beyoncé’s Lemonade...

Halle: We were very excited. We get there and we’re surrounded by all these beautiful, strong black women. It was such an impactful and wonderful scene to behold. We got a chance to hang out with Amandla [Stenberg], Zendaya and all the other beautiful women. It was just such a wonderful experience. We knew that we were going to be a part of something special just being in that setting, so that was very exciting.

On the best advice they’ve received…

Chloe: “One of the things [Beyoncé] says is to let the world catch up to you; don’t dumb down your art. As fans of hers and two young girls, hearing that from her was an ‘aha’ moment — and a confirmation that we were headed in the right direction.”

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

Photos from Chloe x Halle’s https://www.instagram.com/chloexhalle/.

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 MUSIC LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Beauty: Courtney Adeleye

Courtney Adeleye is a BAWSE. Literally.

The self-made mogul is the CEO of The Mane Choice, Foolproof Body, executive producer of Who’s The Bawse (coming summer ‘19!), and CEO of The Bawse Conference. She launched The Mane Choice hair empire with $500 of her own money and business acumen from growing up with scarce resources in Detroit and putting herself through college. Her entrepreneurship paired with her unique perspective on the beauty industry has made her a force to be reckoned with.

Oh, and that $500 investment in herself scaled to $25 million in sales for The Mane Choice in just four years.

She is the definition of a hustler, but with the spirit of a community leader. Because she didn’t have a mentor as she launched her career, she’s passionate about providing professional counsel to a new generation of entrepreneurial women. Whether it’s through her weekly “Pay My Bill” initiative on Instagram wherein she pays one follower’s bills each week, granting female-driven startups seed capital through Who’s The Bawse, or sharing motivational realness on her Instagram, Courtney has an intimate relationship with her community of aspiring BAWSE babes.

How did the idea for The Mane Choice come about? What made you want to start a hair care line?

After a hair coloring experience went terribly wrong, I went on a rampage to find the best way to fix it, but I wanted a more natural solution. I started to research ingredients and hair products to help with the journey. So, I decided to make my own deep conditioner by blending natural ingredients together. I started a YouTube channel to document my journey to healthy, waist-length hair. Eventually, I shared my deep conditioning recipe with my subscribers, and most of them didn’t want to make it. They preferred for me to make it and sell it to them. The light bulb came on, and that’s when The Mane Choice was born. My husband, Wale, and I started the business with $500. That same deep conditioner was the very first product sold under The Mane Choice name, and the rest is history!

A lot of people have asked you to be their mentor. What’s one piece of advice you would give everyone if you could?

Everyone has a gift! Ultimately, it’s up to you to learn what it is and hone it. Be open minded and receptive to learning and growing—ALWAYS. If you’re not teachable, there’s no way you can evolve. Condition your mind and your body every day. Take it upon yourself to learn something new and exercise, daily. Be introspective; always evaluate yourself—polish your current skills, develop new ones, and expand your limitations.

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

I’ve been able to build some new relationships and nurture existing ones. Social media has been instrumental in helping me to touch people that I may not have had access to before.

What can the beauty industry be doing better?

By not only recognizing that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and colors, but by being intentional and inclusive. All people should see themselves represented in a positive light in the beauty industry. We need to see more variations of beauty. EVERYONE should be represented, as representation matters.

What characteristics make you successful in the beauty industry?

You must be bold, creative, and resilient! The beauty industry is ever-changing, and you must be adaptable, or you’ll be stagnant. Stagnation eventually causes you to become extinct or invisible (at least in the eyes of the consumer).

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

It takes innovation and the guts to take risks. Find your target demographic and shower her with love and attention! You MUST listen to your consumer and be open to not nailing it 100% in the beginning. That creates opportunities to learn and evolve.

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

I’m fulfilled knowing that my way of creating solutions to problems in the beauty industry has simultaneously enabled me to offer livelihoods to some amazing people.

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

Try not to rush the process, yet don’t be afraid to take chances. Enjoy each phase of growth. Learn as much as you can in each “season” of building your business so that you can scale in the best way possible. Many business owners want to grow large, and quickly! Believe it or not, it’s possible to be unprepared for rapid growth, so pace yourself.

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

My biggest highlight, so far, really has little to do with business. It has been the effect that my giving back has on people. What comes second nature to me, can be monumental to others. Recently, my husband and I wanted to do something special for our daughters’ teacher. She works so hard, and when I found out that she was taking multiple buses to get to work, I thought something was grossly wrong with that. It bothered me terribly; it was only natural for me to want her to have reliable transportation, so I bought her a car. It was so fulfilling to just GIVE! The response I received from everyone caught me completely off guard! It was and still is an overwhelming highlight in my life.

“Try not to rush the process, yet don’t be afraid to take chances. Enjoy each phase of growth.”

Where does your passion/drive come from?

I’m heavily driven by my family. Mostly my husband and my children. They’re my ”why!”

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

Typically, I’ve seen them have challenges with adaptability. When times change, and hair styles and techniques evolve, some of them either refuse to just go with it or they wait as long as they can to learn new techniques or polish up the ones they have.

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

Just like in life, you deal with it. In the beginning, it may knock the wind out of you, but you assess the situation, learn from it and use it as a catalyst to grow. Sometimes the solution won’t be obvious, so you may have to really dig deep and request the help of your support system, and/or mentor.

Whose career really inspires you?

Right now, the owner of Amazon, Jeff Bezos. He’s a beast! I truly admire his work ethic and business savvy!

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

For 2019, my mission is to be on all hair care aisles, not just the ethnic/multicultural section…I am most excited about the possibilities. They are infinite!

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 BEAUTY LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Fashion: Shiona Turini

Shiona Turini is bold. When she wanted a job in fashion, she walked into YSL and asked for one.

Shiona got what she wanted. After an internship, she served on the PR team at YSL for three years before moving on to jobs at magazines like W, Teen Vogue, and Cosmopolitan, then moving into consulting and styling.

Today, Shiona is the costume designer for the hit HBO show Insecure (dream job, right?), among an already-impressive resume filled with clients like SZA, Nike, and New York Magazine. Oh, and she was also a stylist on Beyoncé’s Formation music video in 2016. Casual.

Below, she talks the difference between fashion and costume styling, her aesthetic, and what she wants to change about the industry.

How did you get your start in the fashion world?

I showed up at the doorsteps of YSL one day with little notice and stalked the girls there until they gave me an internship. To be honest, my real entry was my knowledge and passion. YSL was the first major house to put a black model on the runway. I admired the history and heritage of the house as well as its foresight; it made me work ten times harder to be there and appreciative of every opportunity I had. After interning, I was asked to join the PR team and gladly obliged.

You went from a fashion editor to having your own consulting business, and now you’ve stepped into the world of costume design. What inspired you switch paths throughout your career?

I’ve been extremely privileged to be able to follow my passion for storytelling with clothing across a few fields. While every title comes with different process, my responsibility remains the same in a sense. As an editor, I worked closely with brands and oversaw the fashion and accessories market at a few incredible publications I was able to learn from really innovative stylists, and was also given the opportunity to produce content. Consulting and freelance styling was a logical next step. I saw the industry changing, I was evolving as a person, and I wanted to be in greater control of my own path. I got to marry my understanding of brand needs with my passion for creating beautiful videos and images, while still styling music videos, commercials and some red carpet. My venture into costume designing came out of my genuine love for TV and changing tides in the fashion industry. It wasn’t a planned path, but when the opportunity presented itself - it felt like the right next chapter. Still, in all spheres, I find myself asking the same storytelling questions for characters and editorials: what is the backstory, who is this girl/ character, what inspires them and what is their aesthetic?

Your Instagram is a hub of fashion inspiration. How would you describe your aesthetic?

Once an editor, always an editor. I use the same careful consideration I comb through my work with to curate my grid. When it comes to my personal style, I definitely have a recognizable M.O.: catch me in a flowy skirt or high waisted pant, and never not a crop top. I love to sprinkle in a great shoe pic - the previous accessories editor in me insists. Also, as someone who loves travel, I want my page to be reflective of the amazing experiences I've had all around the world. Ultimately, it's all about balancing bright colors and mixing two of my favorite things: fashion and travel - all cohered by rap lyrics in my captions because that's what feels most natural to me.

How does being a costume designer for television differ from everyday styling?

So much of that depends on the job, the character and the script. What I have loved so much about costume designing is being a part of the character development and evolution of a person on screen. Both have a creative root and aim to make the person or character look like the best version of themselves. But costume designing is much more real. There is no retouching, you have to be so detail oriented in the process - how will this fabric move, how will it sound, how will it react day 3 of shooting? How does it play with the other characters and how will it look in changing environments? Depending on action, we may need multiples of a look and everything, must be fit to perfection, especially for principal characters - there is no clipping or editing in post. It’s quite a different approach but it’s all about finding the best options that work for each character. The pace is also considerably different - with costume designing, there are so many elements, moving storylines, and bodies to dress to meet one vision that it is a lot more intense, and it's all about tempered fantasy. While with editorial you're almost encouraged to play up the extravagance in fashion, the costume designing I have been a part of so far is about the balance of fantasy, TV magic and reality.

What do you think people crave when they get dressed in the morning?

People want to feel like the best version of themselves and comfortable in their own skin. Style is intrinsically linked to this!

What should every woman have in her wardrobe?

A well-tailored suit. It’s a classic professional look and can be broken up into separates. The ultimate multi-tasker in your wardrobe.

“My passion and drive, especially in fashion, come from a deep-seated respect for those who came before me and the roads they’ve paved, and knowing that is is a privilege to be able to do what I do for a living.”

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

On a lot of my projects, I'm given complete autonomy to create. Being able to exercise my creative muscle daily is truly fulfilling—something I don't take for granted.

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

"It's just fashion."

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

Going freelance and realizing that I can transform my name into a business that people gravitate to has been a highlight. I was linked to large corporations for a large portion of my career, so stepping outside of that was really daunting, but I'm finding that the successes and challenges in creating on my own or alongside others (fashion houses, editorial hubs, etc.) from my perspective and knowledge are one and the same.

Where does your passion/drive come from?

My passion and drive, especially in fashion, come from a deep-seated respect for those who came before me and the roads they've paved, and knowing that is is a privilege to be able to do what I do for a living. It all makes me even more motivated to achieve my goals and set new standards.

Whose career really inspires you?

Patti Wilson. June Ambrose. Misa Hylton.

Whose style inspires you?

Diana Ross is my number one style icon. She's bold and unapologetically fabulous. Mahogany is one of my favorite movies - She's a vision in bold colors and dramatic flair. I also have the pleasure of working and collaborating with Melina Matsoukas. She has an incredible sense of style and vision; her finger is on the pulse of the upcoming and new and she isn't afraid to take risks with fashion.

What has been your biggest opportunity or biggest challenge?

My biggest opportunities are often my biggest challenges. When I was approached by the team at HBO to costume design for Insecure, the prospect was both exciting and intimidating. I had never worked in TV before and was jumping in mid-season all while relocating and managing several other projects. It helped to mentally change the frame. To approach the position not as a challenge, but an opportunity to learn and grow outside of my field.

What are the common challenges you've seen among women in the fashion industry?

What I really love about the industry is that I get to work and surround myself with strong female voices and opinions from all different walks of life. Still, I do not see as many women of color in these spaces as I should. I do not think that black women and minorities are given as many opportunities in these spaces. It's quite frustrating because we know the value of having different voices at the proverbial table; the lack of diversity is a disservice to the industry.

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

Even with as many internal issues as the fashion industry has, I would change the perception of it to the outside world. Someone, please get us a PR agency! More than anything, we're a group of (mostly) forward-thinking doers and have a lot to share and teach. It's refreshing to see now that music, art and tech, (industries people are taken seriously for years) are becoming larger, more vocal components of fashion. I think that's a reflection of outsiders beginning to understand the value of what we do and how various fields can have a symbiotic relationship with us.

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

Finding new roads is all about getting out of your comfort zone - saying ‘yes’ to opportunities that aren’t necessarily in your wheelhouse, and being open to learning. There’s an illusion in many industries that everyone knows what they’re doing. Sometimes, you have to trust that even without past experience, you can figure it out. Before Insecure, I’d never costume designed but I trusted myself to take my knowledge of the industry to the department and I’ll never look back.

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

I’m currently the costume designer for Queen and Slim, a movie written by Lena Waithe, and directed by Melina Matsoukas. I’m excited to work under these women and watch it all come to life.

VIEW THE ENTIRE CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 FASHION CATEGORY HERE!

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Create & Cultivate 100: Art & Design: Laci Jordan

There seems to be a common theme with the artists the C&C team has connected with this year. Almost all of them were on the path to what they thought was a “good” career—a nurse, a lawyer, or, in Laci Jordan’s case, an F.B.I. agent. Casual.

For Laci, her leap of faith to become a full-fledged, fully autonomous artist began with a challenge for herself: Specifically, a 30-day illustration challenge where she would create and publish a new illustration every day for a month. By day 21, that bet on herself paid off (more on that below!). Now, years later, Laci is a sought-after illustrator whose work synthesizes pop culture, streetwear, intersectional feminism, and identity politics. Her portfolio is rich in colors—amplified by burnt oranges to corals to cobalt blues—and her affinity for sneakers is immediately apparent. She’s an advocate for inclusivity in the art and design space, and is passionate about seeing more women of color represented in the arts, which shines through in her illustrations of people. The reality is, you just feel cooler just by viewing her art.

Below, Laci share a bit more of her nontraditional journey and elaborates on the importance of being your own biggest hype woman.

You went from working for the FBI to Walt Disney, and now you’re killing it as a freelance artist. What inspired you to make that jump and take matters into your own hands?

Thank you! Honestly, I reached a point where I hit a glass ceiling in my 9-to-5. My role at the time wasn’t fulfilling anymore and I didn’t see much room for growth. I started looking for jobs around the area but I never found a listing or role where I wouldn’t be placed in a box. Nothing excited me.

Simultaneously, I was dealing with guilt of not being able to create illustrations as often as I wanted because of other creative projects. I decided to challenge myself to a 30-day illustration challenge. By day 21, my inbox was very overwhelmed with illustration requests from publications and brands that I admire. That’s when a little light bulb came on—I realized that with a great level of hustle and faith, I could create the type of career I want without working in a corporate structure. I decided to bet on my own magic.

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

During my senior year of college and after graduation, I did a few internships and remote design positions. Even though that experience was great, I think my true career started when I moved to Los Angeles to intern with Walt Disney Imagineering. During my time at Disney, I was exposed to multiple disciplines and and variations of art + design. One discipline that I realized I really gravitated to was illustration, in particular vector illustration. It was something that I dabbled in previously but never took it seriously or really knew how to approach it.

When figuring out what to draw, I immediately go to the things I love, such as black culture, music, fashion, etc. Those categories became my “niche,” but my niche is forever evolving. I believe I can create my way into any arena.

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

I have super weird and crazy ideas of where I see my life going and my capability to inspire people around the world. I want to do everything from illustration to working on visuals for Rihanna and Beyonce. Those dreams keep me inspired.

Sometimes there are moments that while I’m inspired, I just don’t have the energy to create or I’m having a block. When that happens if I can, I travel or I try to focus on something else and come back to the issue with fresh eyes.

I’m also a huge fan of podcasts and interviews. I love to constantly soak in information and learn about people doing cool stuff in different spaces. It keeps me going. For example recently I saw media girlboss ScottieBeam receive a contract at Wilhelmina Models. It was so amazing to see a black girl that looks like me be in that space. It’s a reminder and proof you can do anything.

Who are some female artists that inspired your past? Who do you think is a rising star?

Its so weird to talk about the “past” because while I’ve been creating for years, I’m just coming into myself and figuring out the things I’m truly inspired by. To be honest, my exposure to women artists in college and after (until I became active in social media) wasn’t the best. I knew of a few fine artists but wanted to look to someone more graphic-based. After searching and really diving into the design world, I found designers such as Jessica Walsh—her ability to create in different worlds always amazes me and is something I strive to do.

Now that platforms like Instagram are here, it’s much easier to find artists. There’s a ton of people I’m inspired by and that I see killing it in the design and creative space. When I think of rising stars (other than myself) haha, I think of people like Sage Adams (SZA Creative Director), Kelly Shami, Ravie B, and D'ana of COVL. I also love Andrea Pippins; she’s a vet in the game but her work is amazing and always super inspiring.

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

Three things: Inspiring people, highlighting and representing POC, and continuously surprising myself by beating my own goals and expectations.

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

If you build it, they will come.

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

Honestly, getting this far, haha.

For 2018, I have two highlights: Working with Jordan (three times) and a writeup on my life and work in Forbes. While both brand names hold weight, it’s not just about that for me. With Jordan, it’s a brand I’ve admired and invested my money in my whole life. I made a goal to work with them in 2018 and actually did it. Those projects are a constant reminder I can do exactly what I put my mind to. Forbes was huge to me because I thought no one was looking at me on that level, so it taught me my potential reach and true influence. Both projects were confirmation that I could quit my 9-5, which was the highlight of the year.

What keeps you up at night?

One or two things. Either I have a bunch of ideas and I want to stay up and brainstorm, or I’m tossing and turning at the idea of not obtaining certain goals—those thoughts are now going in one window and out the other, but I still have them.

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

I tend to work in a few different spaces, from streetwear to activism, and there are different challenges in each space. Common challenges are equality in both pay and opportunities. I also hear people say that they can’t find women artists or artists of color when recruiting; leading to another challenge in visibility—I’ve heard this a TON in the corporate space. Good thing it’s platforms like Women Who Draw and Women Illustrators of Color that give a directory of dope artists.

Never, ever, ever stop learning. The internet is free.99

Tweet this.

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

If you’re from the south, you’ve probably heard the phrase “there's more than one way to skin a cat” (sorry, cat people). The meaning is there’s always another way to do something. I love problem solving and figuring out that other route, so when any bumps occur, I immediately try to figure out a plan B to get to back to plan A. Usually, the answer is right in front of me and I need to take a step back to realize it.

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

Bet and believe in yourself

Put in the work (do self projects, don’t wait on jobs)

Put your work out there (if not, how will people know you?)

Never, ever, ever stop learning. The internet is free.99

Have a voice and don’t be afraid to use it

What are you most excited for in 2019?

The unknown and new opportunities. I’m ready to make crazy dreams come true and embrace the unexpected ones.

Photography by Annie McElwain Photography

Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica 

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

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Create & Cultivate 100: Food: Ayesha Curry

Food is Ayesha Curry’s love language.

Building relationships and fostering connection through home cooking is one of the many talents that make this multi-dimensional, multi-tasking, multi-hyphenate mama so remarkable. Motherhood is her muse, and she feels closest to her faith with her kids in the kitchen. She says it’s where her balance begins and she can just “be.”

Given the amount on her plate in 2019, balance will be critical. From TV hosting to launching restaurants to developing cookbooks to her latest venture, winemaking, America’s Sweetheart will be on her grind.

What is your process for recipe development? Where do you source your inspiration from?

Try, try, try again... I love to cook with seasonal ingredients, so I usually find inspiration at my local farmers market or grocery store. I also like to take dishes I’ve had out at restaurants, say on a date night, and recreate them at home. I love taking an elevated dish and figuring out how to make it more approachable.

You’ve recently delved into winemaking. What has been your hardest challenge so far—TV, cookbook writing, winemaking or restaurant-starting and why?

Hands down the cookbook, because I took on every aspect of it from the recipe development to the food styling to the photography. I was very hands on.

You must know the Bay Area inside out. What are your favorite food spots in the city you call home?

International Smoke, Michael Mina and Pabu when I’m feeling sassy and want some sushi.

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

Prince.

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

When I see families coming together and building stronger relationships through food.

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

Don’t take no for an answer, and that it’s OK to be imperfect.

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

Highlight: Forbes 30 Under 30!

Where does your passion/drive come from?

Watching my mom work so hard growing up instilled in me an entrepreneurial spirit. I love to have an idea and watch it manifest into something bigger.

What keeps you up at night?

Right now, my 5-month old! But sadly, a lot of times it’s a to-do list.

Whose career really inspires you?

Jessica Alba. Michelle Obama.

What has been your biggest opportunity or biggest challenge as a business owner?

Figuring out how to turn negatives into positives. Take the mistakes and failures and make something out of them.

Take the mistakes and failures and make something out of them.

Tweet this.

What are the common challenges you've seen among women in the food industry?

Being taken seriously, and making sure that our opinions are heard and matter.

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

You just persevere.

What are you most excited for in 2019?

The relaunch of my new food and lifestyle destination website, Homemade, the expansion of my restaurant concept International Smoke, and the premiere of Family Food Fight (my new show for ABC, which I host and executive produce).

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE FOOD LIST HERE

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Create & Cultivate 100: Content Creator: Mama Cax

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How do you hope to inspire your followers?

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

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

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

What about your work makes you feel the most fulfilled?

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

Whose career really inspires you?

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

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

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

Where does your passion/drive come from?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What are you most excited for in 2019?

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

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photography by Annie McElwain Photography

Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica

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

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Create & Cultivate 100: Beauty: Felicia Leatherwood

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What characteristics make you successful in the beauty industry?

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

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

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

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where does your passion/drive come from?

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

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

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

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

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

Whose career really inspires you?

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

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

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

Photography by Annie McElwain Photography

Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica 

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 BEAUTY LIST HERE.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What are you most excited for in 2019?

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

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

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Create & Cultivate 100: STEM & Finance: Sarah Kunst

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What are you most excited for in 2019?

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

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

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

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

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

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

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

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

What’s your superpower?

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

Photography by Annie McElwain Photography

Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica

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

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Create & Cultivate 100: Entrepreneur: Kenesha Sneed

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

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

When did you know art was your thing?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tweet this.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Who inspired you the most in your life growing up?

My mother and King Oprah.

Whose career is inspiring you today?

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

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

What are you most excited for in 2019?

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

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

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 ENTREPRENEUR LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Beauty: Frederique Harrel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What characteristics make you successful as an influencer?

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

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

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

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where does your passion/drive come from?

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

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

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

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

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

Who’s career really inspires you?

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

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

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

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 BEAUTY LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Health + Wellness: Koya Webb

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What keeps you up at night?

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

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

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

Whose career really inspires you?

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

What are you most excited for in 2019?

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

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

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Create & Cultivate 100: Content Creator: Candace Reels

Candace Reels didn’t create The Female Collective for us—but we’re so glad she did it anyway. TFC, an online community and philanthropic organization, aims to help women come together, tell their unique stories, and feel empowered to tackle the missions that matter most to them.

When Candace launched the collective, she didn’t intend for it to be public—she did it for herself as a way to motivate herself and promote self-love. The account grew, and so did Candace’s ambition; she soon launched a clothing line (think “feminist fight club” t-shirts) and pivoted the account to the large-scale community it is today.

We look up to Candace because she parlayed a personal project into a burgeoning space for the women who needed it most. Read more about what motivates her below.

Your company, Female Collective, was founded because you hated your job. Tell us more about how you used that lack of inspiration to build a brand.

I was at a really low point in my life and I needed something to motivate myself to the next step on my life journey. I didn’t know what that would be, but I knew that I needed to create something from my lack of inspiration. That’s when I decided to create an Instagram account where I would post inspiring and motivating content to help get my life together. It’s not always easy to create when you’re not feeling inspired, but it’s definitely what you need to do. It’s important to get how you feel out in your writing, art, or in whatever type of content you create. This release will help you move forward to where you need to go in life.

Who did you have in mind when you created Female Collective?

Honestly, Female Collective started off as my own self love, inspirational, and motivating account. I didn’t tell anyone about the account and didn’t use hashtags; it was literally just a personal account that I created to help me get to the next step in life. What ended up happening was people found it and starting sharing my content. I learned that yes, I started this account to help myself but there were so many other women who were going through the same thing I did and needed this just as much as me.

What has been your biggest opportunity or biggest challenge?

I would say that my biggest challenge has been myself. I tend to talk down on myself and compare myself to others. Which is the number one thing to NOT do when you have your own business or what you shouldn’t do as a human. I found the best way to overcome that is to go within and remember why you started in the first place. The journey is going to be hard, but you must celebrate the small victories and know that there is room for everyone to succeed and your time will come.

What keeps you up at night?

Our current political climate, specifically the GOP and all of the ridiculous things they are doing. Fortunately the Democrats won the House back and that has help me sleep a bit better.

Female Collective isn’t just a community—you also donate to various organizations. What causes has FC helped support in the past, and why do you see giving back as an important part of your business model?

I knew when I decided to create clothing for Female Collective that I wanted to give back to organizations that have been doing great work for years. I find it important to give back because that’s one of the many ways in helping to create the change that we want to see and helping those who are in need. By donating money to these organizations you are helping them stay in business and by helping them stay in business you are helping individuals who desperately need these orgs to live, grow, and learn. Some of the organizations that FC has supported are RAINN, Planned Parenthood, Black Girls Code, Global Fund For Women, Girl Rising, and Everytown.

Who inspires you? Who do you look up to in your industry?

My two biggest inspirations are my parents, they have helped me become the compassionate and passionate human that I am today. My other inspirations also include Angela Davis, Maya Angelou, and Shirley Chisholm. Those three women are ones that inspire the work that I do everyday. What they accomplished in life during an extremely hard time for a black woman helps get me through life challenges today. They were able to do so much in a time they weren’t allowed to. And because of them I have much more opportunity as a black woman to thrive in this society.

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

Being able to give back to organizations that I love and receiving so many DM’s of women saying how thankful they are that Female Collective exist. They are so thankful for a safe space online were they feel celebrated, supported, uplifted, and empowered. I started Female Collective as my own self love/self care journey and I’m so grateful that it has become that for so many other women.

I started Female Collective as my own self love/self care journey and I’m so grateful that it has become that for so many other women.

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What does activism mean to you?

Activism to me means taking a stand for something you believe in or something you’re against. Not just stating it, but taking actionable steps in creating the change you want to see. There are so many ways you can activate in your community, big or small. Marching, volunteering with or donating to organizations that support what you believe in, starting a movement on social media, having courageous conversations with your friends and family, and calling out people when they have done something wrong in your eyes. There are additional ways to go about it, these are just a few.

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

When I hit a bump or hurdle, I usually take a few steps back and recharge. Sometimes you exhaust yourself to no end and you feel uninspired. I usually talk to my mom, journal, meditate, and read one of my favorite self help books. When you have your own business you’re constantly judging your success to others, feeling lost, and confused. That’s why it’s so important to find ways to get yourself back on track and remember the goal that you set in your mind.

What are you most excited for in 2019?

IMPEACHMENT!! Kidding, not kidding. But the political side of me is excited about the future of the Democratic party. There were so many firsts that happen this year at midterms. This is the first time in American history that we have elected more than 100 women to the U.S House of Representatives and i’m so excited to see what they will do. On the career side I’m excited for the many opportunities that will be coming Female Collective’s way and I hope that more people will learn about what I’m doing and that it continues to be a safe space for ALL women. Last, but not least on a personal side i’m excited to continue my self love journey. The person I was when I started FC is far different from who I am now. I hope I continue to become more confident in who I am and know that I can accomplish anything I set my mind on.

Photography by Annie McElwain Photography

Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica

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

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Create & Cultivate 100: STEM & Finance: Krystle Rowry

The Food Network. Disney. Cole Haan. Estee Lauder. These are just a few of the clients web designer and digital strategist Krystle Rowry has on her roster, and she’s adding more as we speak. But she’s not just a big-brands designer—Krystle also builds sites for content creators around the world via her business KrissDidIt.com. She saw a need in the community for clean, well-designed sites (or “online homes,” as she calls them) for entrepreneurs, so she filled it—and she went above and beyond to do it. Her work has been featured by BuzzFeed, Essence, Refinery29 and more.

Below, she tells us what makes her tick.

You’ve worked with some very popular brands and content creators helping them bring their vision to life on the internet and beyond. What’s been your favorite project to design and execute?

Oh goodness—that’s like asking which is my favorite child! If I HAVE to choose, I'd say designing the B-School program along with founder, Marie Forleo, and her incredible design team. The program has changed the lives of so many and given them the tools to build a business and life they love. It's been an honor to be apart of something with such an incredible positive impact.

Where do you go for inspiration and fresh ideas?

I find the best ideas when I'm out and about in Los Angeles. Whether it’s seeing the billboards, interior designs of a new jewelry shop, or the menu design at a restaurant, all of it inspires me and fuels my creativity.

What are your top 3 most-used apps at the moment?

Instagram, Pinterest, Spotify

You’ve shared on social media how important mentorship is to you, and you consistently support other creatives on their journeys. Who has been the biggest mentor for you professionally?

Before I started designing for Marie Forleo, she was actually one of my greatest mentors through her online program, B-School. From her lessons and guidance, I learned not only how to grow my business, but also the importance of personal development.

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

I aim to be very strategic when it comes to my business and career, so when I need to switch gears, I find it's best to take some time for myself. During this time, I take a look at what isn't working and explore how I can be better fulfilled going forward. I look at these hurdles as a time to learn, pivot and get excited for what's next.

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

For the last 5 years, I have been fortunate enough to mentor over a hundred talented and driven creative entrepreneurs. I try to have a couple of one-on-one calls every week and it’s the highlight of my day. Seeing their businesses flourish and their lives change has been the most fulfilling part of my career.

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

“Done is better than perfect.”

If you could live a day in the life of any other woman, who would it be? Why?

Beyonce. Her talent is unmatched and it would be amazing to know how it feels to move a stadium full of people who have such a deep appreciation for what you do.

“I remember being a teenager who loved coding websites but not knowing who to turn to or where to go for advice because I didn’t see any women succeeding in web development. Representation matters and the future is looking bright!”

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

The most common challenge I've seen is the expectation we put on ourselves to balance it all. We want to be great wives, daughters and mothers while still running a successful business. It can be terribly overwhelming, but I know letting go of the expectation can take a huge weight off.

What do you hope the future looks like for women entering into technical careers and entrepreneurship?

My hope is that women feel empowered and supported when entering into technical careers and entrepreneurship. I remember being a teenager who loved coding websites but not knowing who to turn to or where to go for advice because I didn’t see any women succeeding in web development. Representation matters and the future is looking bright!

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

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Create & Cultivate 100: Entrepreneur: Nancy Twine

Before her 30th birthday, Nancy Twine had already left her successful career in finance at Goldman Sachs to pursue her next adventure: starting a hair care company.

Taking that chance paid off. Nancy’s brand, Briogeo (the combination of two words—Italian for “vibrant” and Latin for “of nature”), offers women a plant-based natural hair care and made her the youngest African American woman to launch a line at Sephora. But Nancy’s success wasn’t sheer luck—she’d been working to perfect the recipes for her hair care products since she was a young girl, mixing up natural remedies with her grandmother. Briogeo’s formula is free of sulfates, silicones and parabens, instead incorporating natural oils, vitamins, and antioxidants. It’s a smart move in this era of wellness, and we can’t wait to see where Nancy takes her company next.

Diversity in hair care products has been long overdue. What was the moment you decided to take the leap and break into the industry with Briogeo?

After working in finance and within the same team for 7 years, it felt right (and normal!) to be ready for a change. Ultimately, launching Briogeo was inspired by the experience of making natural products at home with my family and later wanting to have a larger impact on the natural beauty sphere by launching my own plant-based hair care product line. These childhood memories ultimately inspired me to do something greater with the passion for creating and start my own clean beauty line.

What are some daily habits you have that contribute to your success?

One of the major keys to success for Briogeo has been staying true to who we are from the beginning.

Find something you REALLY believe in and that you won't quit until you've succeeded. Some people think that finding success as an entrepreneur is easier than it is. It's the most difficult and challenging undertaking I've ever experienced - but the key is to keep going.

Overtime, I've been able to control the impulse of "freaking out" about most things. After seeing things go wrong hundreds of times, you brain starts to adapt and realize that it's never the end of the world. There's always a solution and no set back is too large to overcome. I do work hard and think about work a lot - and there's got to be balance to that. I try to spend my weekends focused on myself - and not on my business. I allocate a few hours on Sunday night to prep for the week, but other than that, I really focus on unplugging fully to give my mind a break. It's really important. I'm trying to make meditation and yoga a more regular part of my wellness routine, but I still struggle finding consistent time during the week, but I'm working on it!

What does a typical day look like for you?

It greatly depends on whether it's a week day...or the weekend! During the week, I try to get up no later than 7am so I can squeeze in a quick workout or meditation. If I'm lucky, I can get through all of the overnight emails (we have several international retailers and vendors) before I get into the office. I always have my best days when I can manage to be productive before the work day actually starts. I live in Union Square, so my commute is relatively simple - just 3 stops on the 6 train to our NoMad office, where I typically arrive by 8:30am. My mornings typically consist of team meetings, calls, and working my way through e-mails. I typically take a late lunch around 2pm before re-focusing back on projects at my desk. I don't travel as often as some of my other entrepreneur friends. I find that traveling can set me back quite a bit with projects I'm working on, so I only travel if it's absolutely necessary. I'm a very hands-on CEO in a very fast paced business - so there's never a real break during the day! I typically get home between 7:30p - 8:00p and cook dinner before finishing the day with a read.

“Never rush into launching an idea. Part of success is taking the time to be thoughtful and smart about your approach. Often we can get excited and impulsive by our own ideas and feel the need to rush them through. Slow and steady wins the race!”

What was your biggest hesitation when you started Briogeo?

Briogeo has never taken any outside VC investment, and very early on it was difficult funding the various needs of the business, so I was constantly dipping into my personal savings to fund the business until we became profitable.

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

Rushing to get a new product launch underway, which we ultimately had to stall. Sometimes brand's are faced with tight timelines to launch new products, but I learned very quickly that it's not worth sacrificing putting your best foot forward in order to hit a deadline.

Never rush into launching an idea. Part of success is taking the time to be thoughtful and smart about your approach. Often we can get excited and impulsive by our own ideas and feel the need to rush them through. Slow and steady wins the race!

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

Perseverance & grit.

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE ENTREPRENEUR LIST HERE.

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Create & Cultivate 100: Fashion: Nicolette Mason & Gabi Gregg

Representation matters. Just ask Nicolette Mason and Gabi Gregg.

As fashion industry veterans and OG bloggers, Nicolette and Gabi teamed up to address a lack of premium and stylish designs in plus-size retail. The duo has spent their careers in the fashion industry and have repeatedly been frustrated by the lack of plus-size statement pieces inspired by high fashion, streetwear, or seasonal trends. The reality is that without access to stylish wardrobes, there is an implicit message to plus-size women: This is what you can, and cannot, wear. This message is reinforced constantly throughout all facets of culture, and this powerhouse pair decided: Enough was enough.

Enter Premme. The brand brainchild of Mason and Gregg was born out of a love of fashion and the recognition that the industry is still lacking when it comes to the wants and needs of plus-size women. This mission of the brand is to provide plus-size women with bold, fashion-forward statement pieces without compromise. Screw socially-reinforced hegemony—Premme is about embracing who you are and looking fine AF while doing it. Because the thing about capitalism is that if consumers make enough noise and demand increases, the more inclusive the market must become. Keep your eyes peeled as Mason and Gregg take 2019 by storm, advocating for more accessible fashion and plus-size representation.

What was the inspiration behind Premme?

Premme was born out of our frustration at the lack of stylish, quality options in the plus-size market. Our designs are statement pieces that are inspired by trends from the runway and street style.

You’re friends and co-founders. Why does that business dynamic work for you?

We’ve both been leaders in the plus-size community for almost a decade and have very similar career trajectories; we’ve both been fashion editors, influencers, designers, and brand consultants, and we saw similar issues with the status quo. Because we started as close friends, we are able to communicate easily--we also share similar values and aesthetic taste which helps!

How would you describe the Premme aesthetic?

The Premme aesthetic is feminine, bold, and unapologetic. We like to encourage our customers to break fashion rules and provide her the wardrobe to do just that: From prints and colors to crop tops and cut-outs, our designs are about pushing fashion forward.

What do you think people crave when they get dressed in the morning?

A mix of comfort and style, and pieces that make them feel confident as they walk out the door.

What should every woman have in her wardrobe?

We both love moto jackets—they add a little personality to any outfit and work over everything from a tee and jeans to a frilly dress.

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

Hearing from our customers and community about how our clothing makes them feel good in their skin is definitely the most fulfilling part of our job!

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

Maintain your integrity and trust your gut.

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

The first day that Premme launched was such a career high—the feedback and excitement from our followers was palpable, and watching as the clothing we worked so hard on sold out was unforgettable.

Where does your passion/drive come from?

We’re both passionate about social justice and equality, and we’ve chosen to pursue a creative career that affects change: giving plus-size women access to designs and styles they’ve been told (either directly or through what’s currently available for them to shop) that they shouldn’t wear. The lack of options is really astounding—68% of women are plus-size while the plus-size fashion market only accounts for 17% of the womenswear market. It’s not okay and we feel a responsibility to help change things.

What keeps you up at night?

Donald Trump.

Whose career really inspires you?

Emily Weiss.

What has been your biggest opportunity or biggest challenge?

Funding—it’s really sad how little VC funding goes to people of color and/or women.

What are the common challenges you've seen among women in the fashion industry?

Hiring practices are still problematic, not just for models but for all positions, race, size and overall looks still play a huge role. Opportunities are still going to the most “attractive” people by European standards.

“The lack of options is really astounding—68% of women are plus-size while the plus-size fashion market only accounts for 17% of the womenswear market. It’s not okay and we feel a responsibility to help change things.”

What would you change about the plus-size industry?

We’d love if there were more quality, trend driven clothing options, more diverse and size-inclusive casting, and more body positive language and messaging.

Whose style do you love?

Rihanna, Solange, Tracee Ellis Ross.

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

Being a strong leader is definitely about flexibility and being nimble when you confront problems. We’ve both learned that bumps and hurdles are actually opportunities to grow and become better at our jobs.

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

Growing and scaling Premme to the business we know it can be. We’re a super new brand and have so many ideas that we can’t wait to show the world! Not to mention, we want to body positivity to reach as many people as possible.

Photography by Annie McElwain Photography

Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica

VIEW THE ENTIRE CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 FASHION CATEGORY HERE!

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Create & Cultivate 100: Food: Sophia Roe

For Sophie Roe, food is anything that is necessary to maintain life and grow. It’s a sort of poetry for the holistic NYC chef and self-proclaimed “food and feelings advocate,” who is on a mission to create a new sort of culture around food and wellness.

She encourages her friends and followers to explore the different relationships they have with food, while simultaneously working to renounce the all-too-common toxic narratives around food like shame or guilt. She advocates for more inclusivity in the food industry and is on a mission to empower her community through sustenance. Also note that she can explain the hell out of gluten, once and for all.

To talk to Sophie is to see holistic health in a new light. Her passion and zest is injected into every word, every meal, and every declaration of gratitude. She is helping to pioneer a paradigm shift and making space for a culture that is invested in health as wealth.

How did you get started as a chef? Did you always know you wanted to be in the food industry?

I have always had a relationship with food. Some of my favorite memories with my mother involve food. It wasn’t what I initially wanted to do right out of high school, however a string of events put food directly into my path, and I am so grateful for it!

Apart from being a chef, your bio says you’re a food and feelings advocate, and an empowerment engineer. Can you explain to us how you tie in food with feelings and empowerment?

I believe ‘food” constitutes much more than just the edible variety. Food is so deeply tied to overall consumption, I truly believe there is emotional and mental “food” –the stuff we absorb throughout the day outside of what is edible. Food is so often used as a tool for guilt, shame, pain, etc. which I find to be a travesty because we need every variety of “food” to survive. When we dive deeper, and look at our individual relationships and stories around food, what we end up with is often so a much deeper narrative than we had initially thought. So often a person may want to get their diet back on track, but it turns out they were struggling with an eating disorder, being made fun of as a child, or perhaps is dealing with deep-seeded insecurities. This is why “empowerment” is so valuable in connection to food.

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

This is such an interesting question because the answer changes depending on mood and timing. Right now, I’d really love to have a meal with my father. He died before I could meet him, and I think it would be really special to have been able to share a meal with him before he passed away.

What do you crave in life?

Childlike wonder and copious amounts of HAPPY!

What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?

It’s my greatest hope that my work reminds people of who they are, the power they possess, and the knowledge that they can in fact be who they dream of, and more.

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

“If you blame it on someone else, don’t expect it to get any better.” Ultimately, we are the keepers of our own lives. Always blaming others for what you don’t have or didn’t accomplish (victim addiction) only passes blame, and maybe makes you feel justified…but rarely resolves the issue.

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

Being on the most recent cover of Cherry Bombe magazine (issue 12)!I have been a reader of that magazine for years. Its pages have inspired me, and my career in food beyond belief, so it’s a real honor to grace the cover.

Where does your passion/drive come from?

From knowing how painful pain can feel, and how happy happiness can feel.

What keeps you up at night?

All of the hundreds of things I want to make and give to others.

It’s my greatest hope that my work reminds people of who they are.

Tweet this.

Whose career really inspires you?

I can’t say because I don’t know what it’s like to exist as anyone but myself. The words of so many inspire me, the actions of so may also inspire me. But to dial in on a person’s career? That’s challenging for me because to the naked eye someone’s career may be super inspiring or filled with greatness; however, I am sure behind what we all see is so much hard work, struggle, and maybe even some suffering. I am more inspired by people themselves, and not so much their careers.

What has been your biggest opportunity or biggest challenge as a young, female entrepreneur?

My own confidence has been the biggest hurdle for me. I am constantly bombarded with self-inflicted imposter syndrome. Finding a place where I believe that I actually deserve a career has been a huge struggle. I had such a tumultuous childhood, so figuring out how to maneuver those memories, and feelings as an adult seeking a career has been my greatest challenge.

What are the common challenges you've seen among women in the food industry?

I think one of the biggest problems with women in the food industry is simply proper visibility! It’s not like suddenly there are tons of women in the kitchen. So many publications talk about this new uproar of females in the kitchen. WE HAVE BEEN THERE THE WHOLE TIME! I think now you’re seeing more focus on women in food because women are paving their own ways in the industry. Women are creating their own restaurants, concepts, publications, etc. I don’t really see this as a struggle, I’d like to think women are just setting themselves free from the standards that have been put in place for so long.

It’s important when things go wrong to stay calm, assess the situation in realistic way & shift gears accordingly.

Tweet this.

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

As long as you know and understand that at the start of every venture there will be hiccups, and bumps in the road, you sort of give yourself permission to stay calm when you’re staring face to face with one. 90 percent of what I worried would happen, never ended up happening anyway; it’s very important when things go wrong to stay calm, assess the situation in realistic way (leaving the emotion as far out of it as possible), and shift gears accordingly.

What are you most excited for in 2019?

Finishing my first book!!!!

Photography by Annie McElwain Photography

Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica

VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE FOOD LIST HERE.

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How One Blogger Discovered the Value in Her Work, and How You Can Too

You don't need to write a novel to tell a story.

Paola Mathé is the embodiment of this. A storyteller at heart, the blogger and Creative Director was born a dreamer from a small town in Haiti. Paola moved to the United States during her teenage years, where she lived in a one bedroom apartment with her family in Newark, NJ.  Of her mother, the creative shares, “She’s had a very tough life and over the years I’ve seen her get stronger and smarter." It's certainly helped shaped the woman Paola has become. 

A driven individual, Paola was the first in her family to graduate from college, receiving her dual bachelor's degree in Economics and French Literature at Drew University. Post-grad she went on to launch a career in hospitality. As is the narrative with many bloggers, she started Finding Paola as a creative outlet during a time when her career was soaring. She recalls getting “four promotions over the course of about six months--I was dominating and living that life," she says. "But I got really into it [the blog] and made time. I was working 50-60 hours a week, managing all of these different people but really wanting to be creative. So that’s what I started doing. And I remember thinking, I don’t have much, but how can I create this? How can I show people that they can live without having much?”

This was during 2009 when the blog in its infancy was called Finding Paola: Lost in New York. What was she searching for? Was she truly lost? Not exactly. “I was writing about things I was not familiar with but were intriguing and exciting. I was really trying to find who I was. I started seeing this girl," she says self-referentially, "who, whether she had someone to go to an event with or not, she would still show up, she would meet people, network, and then I started seeing me changing in front of me-- doing all these things I was never comfortable with, really trying to get stronger.”

She was busy documenting different events, but the content evolved over time to include her personal style. "I tried to keep up with that, while also being as honest as possible." She says that having a blog, especially before the dawn/explosion of social media was really hard. “I felt like everyone was studying a manual I didn’t have and everything looked the same. I didn’t want my blog to be that because my life is full of color and I felt like my story was so different from the blogs I was reading. I remember subscribing to a lot of them, trying to follow and keep up and then unsubscribing because I didn’t relate. But then I’d wonder why they were getting so popular. I didn’t realize that at the time my blog was also getting popular. I thought it would just be friends and family.”

“I felt like everyone was studying a manual I didn’t have."

Tweet this. 

Occasionally she'll read her old posts to see how much she’s grown, although many have been lost as she’s transitioned platforms over the years. “A lot of posts don’t migrate," she laughs recalling the days when twenty views would get her really excited. “I thought the only person reading it was my mom because she was terrified of me being in New York and wanted to keep tabs on me.”

Describing herself as a shy child surrounded by strong women in Haiti, including her mother, Paola says, “I remember always trying to be in charge of her money. I would always try to calculate everything. How much does sugar cost and how much does rice cost? I was shy, but I was very observant. I had very strong opinions and I knew when I was older I wanted to be treated a certain way. I remember being in this house full of women. My mom didn’t like to be alone so when we lived in our family house in Haiti she surrounded herself with friends-- people who weren’t relatives but I would call them cousin. I saw how all these women lived. As a little girl I saw their love lives, how they cried, how they handled things, and I remember sitting there-- because in Haiti it’s very strict you can’t just get into grown folks business-- and thinking about what I liked and didn’t like. That’s why Fanm Djanm is important. They were all strong in their own way, but I didn’t want to be treated how they were treated. As I got older and older I found myself solving problems. And I realized that I could solve problems and be creative.”

She is referring to her company, Fanm Djanm, a head wrap collection and popular lifestyle brand launched in 2014 that celebrates the strength of women while empowering them to live boldly. It means “strong woman" in Haitian Creole. 

She keeps the two brands separate. 

Fresh looks from Fanm Djanm

At first she was running both, going back and forth between Instagrams, but now employs “a team of talented young women who work with me. A very small team." Paying members of that small team is incredibly important to her, noting that she knows really talented women who work for much bigger brands for free. “I really believe in them and I know they will go far,” she says of her team, wisely knowing young women need champions. "I lived in Newark and you kind of feel like there’s no world outside of Newark and the whole world wants you to fail. It’s not true. You have to leap. You have to seize life and see it from different perspectives.”

She further explains why it was necessary to separate the two brands. "Fanm Djanm," she says, is “about celebrating strong women, so I shouldn’t be the only strong woman." It's rather sensible. "I am surrounded by strong women all the time and they’re what inspires me. There are days when I don’t want to get out of bed and I have think about someone who inspires me. Then I have that extra something to get up and try.”

Try and do. Both are happening in her world, which includes a recent move with her husband from NYC to Austin, TX, a transition she openly shared as hard in a recent blog post. In short: She hasn’t made complete peace with the move yet. Her office remains there, as does her small team. 

In New York Paola says she walked everywhere. In Harlem she would see strangers and approach them, asking about their life, their stories and if she might photograph them. She hasn't found this yet in Austin. 

“I would go up to a stranger in the street if I thought they had a story or they’d be an amazing person to have a conversation with. I love talking to older women a lot. I started photographing older women in Harlem and I would approach them and tell them how beautiful and amazing they are. They would look at me like I was crazy-- that’s how you know you live in an ageist society," she adds. "When you tell an older woman she’s beautiful often they think you’re making fun of them or it surprises them.”

She also digs in on another known vestige of an ageist society: the list. “People think you’re failing at life because you’re not doing something before you’re 30. I know so many amazing people who didn’t start to find themselves until later. When I meet a woman who says, ‘I’ve been doing this for a while, but it wasn’t until I was 45 that I really found my voice,’ to me that’s really inspiring. These aren’t just women breaking the rules but those who are doing something positive and impactful for their communities. I want to showcase stories like that."

It's her spirit, willingness to move forward and try her hand at something new is what makes her voice unique. She also happens to have a badass vision, knowing her way around color and a camera. “I go to bed dreaming about it because I know it’s potential," she says excitedly about the company. And I still can’t believe that I’ve accomplished what I have from nothing.”

"I think I used to say ‘I’m living my dream’ before I actually was. I think now I am living my dream because I can wake up and turn something down or say, I’m not into that I’m sorry-- or say, I do think I can do this, but for more money.”

“I can do this, but for more money.”

Tweet this.

The combined result of saying no and knowing your worth, two things that Paola has developed over the years, is Fanm Djanm. The blogger does feel like she’s struggling to ensure that sponsored content remains true to her voice. “Everything that I do I have to be passionate about," pausing to note, "I’m privileged enough to do this, right?” She says that when sponsorship opportunities do arise, most brands want to tie her story to it.

While she's priming herself for greatness and Paola is still getting used to people telling her story. “There was a video recently of me and I started crying because I was like WHO is this woman, WHY are they using these words to describe her-- oh it’s me and...” She's in awe. As she should be, sharing one last story. 

“I painted the floors in my office in Harlem myself. I was tired and I wanted to get it done, because customers don’t care if you’re painting the floors, they want what they’ve ordered. But I was tired and I sat down and was looking around. And I remember thinking, “Oh my God, this is me. This is mine."

She laughs. "The woman who wrote the piece about me in the New York Times described it as a matchbox and I was like 'damn, not even a shoebox?' But still, its my colorful matchbox."

photos courtesy of: Finding Paola

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

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This Month in Money Moves: Blavity, ClassPass & Framebridge

It must be summer because women are on FIRE.

This month we've seen some major money moves from some of our favorite C&C Alumni. Read below for the inspo you need to finish out this week like these BOSSES. Then, go show these ladies some love on their pages. 

#SupportFemaleOwnedBusiness

Morgan DeBaun | Blavity

In our new favorite company memo, Morgan DeBaun announced her Series A round of funding for her media company Blavity INC. 

"So are we rich now or nah?" 

Morgan and Blavity INC raised $6,500,000 in her first very significant round of funding. This means the company will be able to grow faster by investing in engineering to fuel their many brands, investing in employees, and expanding benefits. There was also a mention of increasing the fruit delivery to twice a week. Which is V. IMPORTANT.  

"I’m incredibly proud of how our small team has worked together to consistently deliver on our mission to create a platform, company, and a vibrant ecosystem, with our community at the center." Morgan states to her employees in her company memo. We couldn't be more excited to see Morgan become the media mogul she was meant to be. 

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Payal Kadakia | ClassPass

Founder and Chairman Payal Kadakia announced this week that ClassPass raised $85M in series D funding. This latest round brings ClassPass’s total funding to $255 million. #GOALSAF

So, what's next for everyone's favorite health + fitness app? 

#1 Taking ClassPass everywhere. Time to go international, baby!

#2 ClassPass Live! Hi, taking amazing ClassPass classes from the comfort of your home. 

Follow Payal

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Susan Tynan | Framebridge

Susan Tyran was an early Create & Cultivate supporter and we might be some of the most passionate Framebridge supporters out there. Her custom framing company (seen at many C&C conferences), announced the close of a $30M Series C financing. Launched in 2014, the custom framing company has changed the way consumers custom frame the creative and meaningful pieces in their lives. And every single order is produced in house. 

Susan explains to Create & Cultivate, “Now that we have a real business, what we've built speaks for itself. We raised $30M because we built a business consumers love. Every nuanced detail we sweat creating this business translates to successful fundraising. Some people might be able to raise based on swagger, but we did because we built something fundamentally good.”

This new round of financing will go towards innovation, expanding manufacturing and refining the delivery process.

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Know more ladies making money moves? Share them below!

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