This Founder Is Winning the Maternity Leave Fight

Michelle Feiner, founder of Emissaries. 

Michelle Feiner, founder of Emissaries says she is "a hustler and entrepreneur at heart." The mom and business woman created the first U.S. recruiting agency to service the niche of parental leave coverage and "to support the U.S.’ evolving leave policies and growing gig economy."

Maternal and parental leave is a hot 2016 election topic, but it's also something that's been close to Feiner's heart since working in the freelance world herself, often as a maternity fill-in. 

Hear what she has to say about pregnant lady bosses (which, she currently is herself), what policies in the U.S. need to change, and why her company doesn't take a cut of freelancer pay. 

Women in the workplace! From pay gaps to covert and overt sexism, it’s still a complicated place. What has been your experience as a woman in the working world?

I’ve always enjoyed work – even in my teens. I’m a hustler and entrepreneur at heart. My career gives me purpose, fulfillment and perspective. With that said, I have had some negative experiences as a woman in the working world. The most memorable: I was sexually harassed by one former manager many years ago, early in my career. He grabbed a fist full of my butt in front of clients. I turned around and looked him dead in the eye but said no words, out of shock. Unfortunately, this manager had a reputation in the office for this sort of behavior and somehow, he got away with it several times because no one spoke up. I was about to be promoted and I didn’t want to risk the raise. A shame, right? But now, for the most part, I can choose who I work with and altogether avoid shady characters! ☺

You spent a large portion of your freelance career filling in maternity leaves. How did that happen? What’s that trajectory?

The transition from full-time to freelance was one of the easiest transitions I ever made. I created a portfolio. I positioned myself as a freelancer online. I let my professional network know I was available for freelance work and landed my first gig within a couple of weeks. One gig led to another (referrals accounted for the majority of my projects) and fortunately, I was often booked months in advance. A lot of the maternity leave fill-in work I did was in the magazine industry – which is predominately female (read: lots of women inherently going on maternity leave). I raised my hand for the right opportunities, developed a niche in digital sales marketing, constantly networked and was very aware of my reputation as a freelancer and maternity leave fill-in. 

"I raised my hand for the right opportunities."

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For many, the freelance world is a hard, hard hustle that can leave workers feeling undervalued. But you’ve said it made you feel more valued in your career. Can you chat a bit about that?

Freelancing isn’t for everyone. I know many talented people who tried their hand at freelancing yet prefer full-time employment. Personally, I enjoyed the hustle and constant change. Plus, I made more money, worked less and was more focused on producing good work vs. navigating office politics. Maternity fill-ins are particularly amazing projects for freelancers because often the expecting mom is in this planning state-of-mind as she prepares for her baby’s arrival and that translates to the most detailed turnover reports you’ve ever seen! The women I filled in for trusted me to be their ally at work and I truly wanted them to come back to their roles with their workload and team in a good place. Speaking of teams, many of the teams I worked with during maternity leave fill-ins were incredibly welcoming because they were just so stoked the workload wasn’t going to fall on their shoulders while their colleague was out on leave. This is one of the most important benefits of parental leave covers – the entire team feels valued and supported.  

Then came Emissaries. Why was it important for you to start this company?

Most everyone knows parental leave policies in the U.S. are pretty horrible compared to the rest of the world. Starting in 2015 it became a hot topic in the national news. I had the idea for Emissaries years ago when I was freelancing and covering maternity leaves. The timing was right last year and Emissaries launched in November of 2015 in order to support the U.S.’ evolving leave policies and growing gig economy. There are models like Emissaries in Europe and Australia but Emissaries was the first U.S. recruiting agency to specialize in parental leave coverage. On another, but equal note, I wanted to create an agency and marketplace that would sincerely behoove freelancers. We’ve never and we won’t take a cut of freelancers’ pay. That’s vital for attracting the best freelancers to our network. The best freelancers get constant job and gig offers; it doesn’t make sense for them to give up a portion of their pay. It does make sense for them to sign up with a talent-matching agency like Emissaries if it helps them get access to new clients.

Post-launch, you found out you were pregnant, which surprise! has the ability to derail anyone. But you’ve used this to your "professional advantage.” What does that mean and how did you do it? 

I’ve been fortunate and my energy levels are through the roof. Perhaps I’m just excited for my future. Planning for a baby’s arrival forced me to think about the future of Emissaries. One of my immediate thoughts the day I found out I was pregnant (which, mind you was four months post-launch!) was: "what am I going to do with Emissaries?" I'm constantly advocating and evangelizing for parental leave and I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't make a plan for myself. So I devised a plan to build and launch a self-service, online platform that will enable our clients and curated network of freelancers to directly connect while I spend a few months prioritizing my daughter's health. Emissaries' new freelance marketplace (launching in late September at www.emissaries.co) is the obvious next step for the company; it will make sourcing and connecting with qualified freelancers even more turnkey, transparent and affordable. Pregnancy has only encouraged me to expedite Emissaries' growth strategy. As the number of freelancers in our network and the quantity of clients have grown, the natural evolution of the business is to digitize the experience and utilize technology to improve the talent matching process. Many of the pregnant women I help find freelancer fill-ins for share a similar trajectory wherein pregnancy has had a positive effect on their careers.

Speaking of pregnancies— let’s talk about the #pregnantbosses. What does that hashtag mean to you? 

#PregnantBosses celebrates pregnant, professional women. There's a misconception that pregnant women aren't as committed to their careers as their peers - and that's the myth we're trying to dispel by profiling expecting and new moms who are dedicated to and enthusiastic about the future of their companies and careers. Pregnancy doesn't have to derail your professional goals and most importantly, pregnant women should not be seen as less valuable than their counterparts. Quite the opposite, these women are powerful forces! P.S. We welcome new submissions on our site, www.pregnantbosses.com. 

"There's a misconception that pregnant women aren't as committed to their careers as their peers."

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Have you found someone to cover you? When you run a company is it realistic to take time off after baby? 

Obviously, being the founder of a self-funded startup is different than being an employee but I am certainly creating my “village.” I have a team that supports Emissaries and I’m in the midst of interviewing for a role that will be my right-hand person. Emissaries new online freelance marketplace is built to be primarily self-service but of course we’ll have a community to foster, freelancers to vet and support emails to answer. Additionally, I’ll be pausing our full-service recruiting services until I’m ready to recommit to that level of hands-on work. This is my first pregnancy so I’m adjusting as I go while making sure I have the support both myself and my daughter need.

What are some issues you’ve seen affect pregnant working women?

Some feel more professionally motivated and supported than ever before - thanks to improving parental leave policies, evolving corporate cultures and new social norms. Others face unjust challenges of additional gender discrimination and unfounded assumptions that they aren’t committed to their careers or companies. Various global surveys report that 30-77% of pregnant women and new mothers experience discrimination at work (statistics vary by country). Pregnancy discrimination is unfortunately alive and well! 

What would you like to see change?

In general, I think U.S. companies could do a better job of supporting employees - whether they need paid leave to take care of a newborn, a sick loved one or an elderly parent. Much of the opposition to paid family leave is centered around misinformation or confusion, especially around business impact. Particularly where we have data from CA or RI about their experiences, we can correct the record with the real story. I’m a big believer of the mantra: it takes a village. We could also do a better job of thinking about how paid leave affects teams. Many companies simply redistribute that employee's workload to the existing team.

"In general U.S. companies could do a better job of supporting employees."

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Some companies have the foresight to hire a seasoned freelancer to fill in for the individual and support the team. This strategy has many positive effects: one point of contact makes the transition less disjointed, colleagues will be less likely (even subconsciously) to resent the individual on leave, it provides an opportunity to glean expertise and insights from a reputable source in your industry, it's an excellent gesture for companies to demonstrate that they support working parents and an overall wellness-based, balanced culture and lastly, your company will attract and maintain top talent. If employees feel valued, they are more likely to reciprocate with their loyalty and hard work.

How and why is Emissaries rewarding?

We’re supporting two topics at the very forefront of the world’s workforce dialogue –  freelancers and working parents. There's certainly an element of social change to Emissaries’ business model. I'm motivated and inspired to create a new social norm for companies to offer working parent benefits, employees to take paid family leave and better support the booming independent workforce. We’re paving new paths! 

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This One Productivity Hack Will Change Your Entire Work Day

@stephivelez

It's not just quantity when it comes to sleep, it's quality.  Your brain needs those zzzs more than you know to be your most productive and it's something that Sleep Number Chief Strategy and Customer Relationship Officer Melissa Barra knows plenty about. 

Studies have endlessly shown that pulling all-nighters is bad for business and that sleep health is key to mental and physical well-being. 

Melissa, who has a Sleep Number setting of 30, shared that "quality sleep is essential for health and for performance. Sleep affects all aspects of our life – from mental agility, to physical activity, to general wellness.  I am excited to see the beginnings of a cultural shift that recognizes that sleep at the center of a healthy life.  A person that sleeps well performs better!"

WE KNOW PERFORMANCE AT WORK IS AFFECTED BY SLEEP

Like most of us, Melissa says that she feels a difference at work when she doesn't get enough shut-eye. "Sleep is core to performance in every part of my life.” 

"When I’ve had a good night’s sleep, I feel energized, alert and more creative. My problem-solving and decision-making skills are better."

Some of us think we don't need more than five hours. Others think if we don't look at what time we finally close our eyes, we can trick ourselves into thinking we slept longer. But the body knows and so does your brain the next day. Skimping on sleep means skimping on you. 

The right kind of sleep also matters. So...

IF YOU'RE NOT SURE HOW YOU’RE DOING, TRACK YOUR SLEEP

If you lay in bed, wide-awake tossing and turning, you’re not getting quality and restful sleep. A restless state of sleep can have damaging effects on the next day's productivity. 

Melissa explains, "Because I track my sleep, I know that on days I haven’t sleep well, it ends up being the start of a vicious cycle. My workout isn’t as powerful; I don’t eat as well as I typically do; and my productivity suffers! Knowing and feeling that difference really drives me to try to get the best sleep I possibly can."

"A restless state of sleep can have damaging effects on the next day's productivity." 

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Tracking your sleep can help you with your sleep goals, which in turn will help you with your career goals. 

WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR SLEEP

Studies have shown that consuming caffeine six hours before you plan to hit the hay can have haywire effects. You may be technically asleep, but void of the full benefits you should enjoying.

"While I love coffee, I won’t drink it after 3 p.m. because I know caffeine will still be in my system by the time I go to bed and can disrupt my sleep," says Melissa.

Likewise research has found that exposure to the blue light from phones, tablets, and other screens can disrupt sleep and the content can lead to a ‘racing mind’.  Melissa addresses this issue by shutting "down my email and texts one hour before I go to sleep – this also helps me wind down from the day and protects my sleep."

REMEMBER: THE HUSTLE DOES SLEEP 

If you want your brain to be on it's best behavior, you have to treat your body right. 

"I feel most productive on the mornings when I’ve gotten great quality sleep," says Melissa. "When I arrive at the office before anyone else is there. I find that I get my best thinking and best work done during that time."  

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Gal on the Go: The Ultimate Boss Guide to Atlanta

CREATE & INNOVATE in collaboration with Marriott Hotels

photo credit: Kathryn McCray Photography

When we chose Atlanta as the next stop for Create & Cultivate, there were more than a few good reasons. As a growing hub for diversity and tech, Atlanta has also been named #5 in the best cities for female founders with 44.3% of female-owned firms in the city. #nobrainer. 

So it felt natural when we headed to Atlanta this past month in partnership with Marriott Hotels to profile female entrepreneurs and business women living in the City of Trees. Like our San Francisco City Guide, each woman is at a different point in her career. Each with a different focus and personal definition of success and balance.

We stayed at the Marriott Marquis in downtown (Hunger Games anyone?! see elevator shot above) and explored the city, hit up Barcelona Wine Bar, chatted work/life balance, what it means to have a job that puts you up in the air, and why ATL is the place to be. 

MATTIE JAMES, FOUNDER, MATTIEOLOGIE 

photo credit: Chris Payne

Mattie James, lifestyle and business blogger at Mattieologie has broads in Atlanta. Fans and women who listen and take the career advice she doles our seriously (as they should). 

When we met up to grab coffee at the brick-lined Octane near Georgia Tech, one woman couldn't help but approach her. "Are you Mattieologie?" she asked with excitement. 

It was not only a reminder of how bloggers and influencers become their brand-- at least via public perception, but also served as a reminder that dishing out career advice is a big responsibility.

Mattie knows this. It's not only something she's "comfortable with" but also says that her "intentions are whole-hearted." She wants her followers and readers to know that "that power will always belong to them. I'm simply just a guide." 

When she first started Mattieologie she was working a full time job and blogging simultaneously. "I think having a full time job and tackling blogging at a full time level is exactly that. Working two jobs. You have to wear the employee hat - where you answer to management or a supervisor - and then the entrepreneur hat where the last decisions are on you." Pulling double duty was something that forced her to be a better blogger. "It made me take myself seriously," she says. 

"The better version of myself is the only person I'm trying to keep up with." 

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Like many working women Mattie says she "danced around the idea" of leaving her 9 to 5 instead of giving herself a hard deadline. She says she really made the decision, "subconsciously when I had a baby." But then she was "Luckily let go in June 2015 and got really focused."

The child of immigrant parents who both worked, Mattie learned plenty of lessons about entrepreneurship growing up. "My mom did Mary Kay for years and was incredibly successful at it. The thing I admired most about her is that she dominated both at work and at home. She created a balance that made me believe you could do it all. My dad has such incredible work ethic which I think he passed on to me and my sister. They made us believe in the American dream." Her sister has also been bit by the entrepreneurial spirit.   

Today Mattie is a working mom who says that balance means "making it work by any means possible. And that balance looks different every single day. There are days when I'm an amazing mom, fantastic blogger but dropped the ball as a wife. Tomorrow is another day. Hopefully the day you get it right."

She calls Atlanta "a city of balance." And is always loving on "the food, the people, and the feeling." 

Favorite spot to get coffee: Octane off of Marietta St.

Grab the perfect shot: Whiskey Blue at the W Buckhead

A spot in the city that has special meaning to you: Fox Theatre. Where me and Hubs had our first date.

Your favorite spot in the city to sit still and be creative: Condesa Coffee

Restaurant you can go to time and again and always leave satisfied: Gio's Chicken, Little Italia 

Go when you want to be alone: Brash Coffee

Go when you want to be with friends: Edgewood - Mother, Sound Table, Noni's and other cool bars

Tourist spot that’s a secret guilty pleasure (that everyone should visit): Centennial Olympic Park

COCO BASSEY, FOUNDER, MILLENNIELLE 

photo credit: Kathryn McCray Photography 

Coco Bassey is at the point in her career where Mattie James once found herself. She's working two full time jobs-- what she calls her "professional job" and her "personal brand."

It's important to Coco that she succeeds at both. 

"I've found that working with people who support my vision on both fronts is what has really helped me. My blog is still a solo project, but I have a really supportive family who knows what I'm trying to do." She says she asks herself every day if it's time to focus full time on one or the other but feels like, "everything I've learned in my professional career has really contributed to Millennielle's success. I'd love to keep my double life going for as long as I humanly can... until one or the other takes absolute precedence."

As a woman and student of the world, having lived in five different countries, Coco has learned a lot about business and building relationships from being mobile and adaptable. The current secret to her hustle is "no days off," but that doesn't mean it's not a challenge. She also knows a lot about challenge. She started Millennielle during a time of particular hardship. 

"When I started my blog back in 2013, I was just a few months out from a thyroid cancer diagnosis and treatment," she says. "I had to leave my job out of school because of visa issues, and I was going through a break-up that affected me a lot more than it probably should have — probably because of the former two." She says it felt like "nothing was working for me," but one of her escapes was "admiring the digital spaces girls just like me had created for themselves by way of blogging and/or starting up small businesses." 

"The most successful women I've known have never played it safe," she says, "which is so inspiring to me, because sometimes I feel like I could do so much more to make my mark! What I've discovered though, is that risks come in so many different forms, so I try not to be too hard on myself and just take things one day at a time.

"The most successful women I've known have never played it safe."

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With Millenielle, Coco's goal has always been "to to be a representative voice of all millennial women" and share her unique perspective. "There's only one me with my own story to tell!" she says. "I'm a firm believer of concentrating on bettering myself and reaping the rewards of the work I put in, instead of focusing on what the next person is doing. I think that's what any business-savvy person does to keep their head above the water — comparison is the thief of joy."

Coco didn't take to Atlanta right away, saying "it took a long time for me to fall in love with this city. Growing up in cities like Prague and Berlin I thought living in the South was not for me." And yet, the City of Trees kept pulling her back in and she finally made the decision to "bloom where I'm planted." 

"You may have to dig a little," she notes, "but there really is so much to love about ATL."

Favorite spot to get coffee: Brash Coffee in West Midtown has the smoothest coffee I've had in a long time, and I love the quirky shipping container situation that they have going on

Go shopping: The Shops, Buckhead Atlanta (featured above) 

Take a business meeting: Bread & Butterfly in Inman Park

Favorite neighborhood and why: This is a tough one, but I would have to give it to West Midtown. It's where most of my favorite restaurants are located and I love that the neighborhood hasn't lost its personality, even though it's right in Midtown!

Meet up with other bloggers: Bartaco! Fun cocktails and delicious tacos... who can resist?

Your favorite spot in the city to be creative: Ponce City Market

Go when you want to be alone: Home :)

Go when you want to be with friends: My closest friends live out of town, so whenever I'm looking to have a good girl's weekend out, you'll probably find me at the airport checking in for a weekend getaway! 

Listen to live music: Although I do love a good music festival, arena concerts aren't my favorite. I love smaller intimate gigs, so The Tabernacle is my favorite!

TISHA THOMPSON, VICE PRESIDENT, PUR COSMETICS 

photo credit: Kathryn McCray Photography 

Tisha Thompson didn't start out in the beauty department at PÜR, but in finance. The now VP tells us, " I was an Accountant at the company in the early stages of PÜR getting started.  At the time I was a freelance makeup artist doing weddings and music videos, etc and one day shared my side gig with management and much to their surprise they said hey lets give her a shot on the marketing team.  I then shifted over right as PÜR was in the middle of 6 test stores and now 4000 stores around the globe later I am so excited to be apart of such an amazing brand and team."

She has a proven track record of driving profitability while implementing innovative beauty solutions in a saturated market place-- innovative being the key word. She understands how important it is for a brand to be able to pivot and shift. "PÜR has really reinvented itself in the last year," she says. She's talked about getting the "branding right," which for Tisha means "staying relevant while staying true to who you really are.  For us at PÜR it's so important to not chase the next 'trend' and try to be the most 'trendy' brand but is it important to be on trend." It's a fine balance, but a challenge she's up for and once she understands has to include social responsibility. 

"I recently read a stat that said 58% of women started wearing makeup before the age of 18," she says. "With so many women starting to wear makeup at such a young age I think its critical that we remain socially responsible as a brand and provide the best high performance products that are the very best for your skin.  Being socially responsible and helping women feel beautiful as we say one compact at a time will naturally lend itself room to be apart of women's day-to-day and therefore a critical part of their lifestyle." 

"With so many women starting to wear makeup at such a young age, it's critical that we remain socially responsible as a brand."

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When it comes to Atlanta as the HQ for PÜR, Tisha has this to say: "Atlanta is such an inspiring city.  What I love the most is that it’s a very diverse city and so much like the PÜR customer we are able to serve so many different kinds of people of all different races and skin tones.  As the complexion authority we have products for all women."

Favorite spot to head after you’ve gotten your makeup done: I love getting dolled up when I go out to any of the many events always happening in Atlanta. PÜR is the official makeup sponsor the Atlanta Hawks Cheerleaders and the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders and so I love to attend the games all dolled up so I can tell people this is what the cheerleaders are wearing. 

Go-to spot in the city when you need to relax: Relax what is that?  I always say I will relax when I am dead. But if I ever need a moment I generally go and get a massage.  There are so many good ones but I particularly like Spa Waverly at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel.

Favorite location to have a glass of wine: It’s a little out in the burbs as we say but it's amazing. It's called The Gifted Ferret located in Woodstock, GA. They do FREE wine tastings every Saturday and I really enjoy going to learn about new wines. 

Guilty pleasure “tourist” spot: The Georgia Aquarium.  I really love to go and take family or friends that come to visit because it's really spectacular. 

The one thing about ATL that lives up to its reputation: Nightlife & Music. The night scene is a very vibrant in Atlanta.  There is always somewhere cool to go and listen to great music and have a great time.

Best spot for coffee: Café Intermezzo. I love the vibe!

Best spot on a Sunday: Sunday is reserved for family time.  I love to go for walks with my family and just enjoy the day. 

LYNNETTE COLE, DIRECTOR EDUCATION GLOBAL RETAIL, PUR COSMETICS

photo credit: Kathryn McCray Photography

For more than 16 years Lynnette Cole has been a beauty expert and TV personality, working to empower women to be their best selves. She never expected to be in the beauty industry, but the former Miss USA 2000 is now focussed on on being a global ambassador and makeup educator. "I didn’t have any 'makeup experience'," she says, "but I have always had a love and passion for beauty."

"Growing up my parents always told me, you can be and achieve anything you put your mind to. I’ve always known that I wanted career that combined my passion & drive to make a difference and I’ve always known that I wanted to work for a company that invests in training and growth. In many ways PÜR “ticks” all the boxes."

"Growing up my parents always told me, you can be and achieve anything you put your mind to. "

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"Since I’m not one to be still," she says, "the beauty industry is a good fit because it’s constantly changing and evolving. Being a part of the PÜR team has been a great training ground in so many was, being able to travel to different countries doing what I enjoy is a bonus!" 

PÜR's home base is in Atlanta, but Lynnette lives in Florida and travels for the company. When we met up she was about to go wheels up to Australia. "For me," she says, "traveling has always re-energized my creativity and inner spirit. Being a global brand, it’s important for us to travel and connect with our PÜR Beauties around the globe! Travel also provides invaluable insight, education and hands-on learning." 

That's not to say jet lag and long flights don't take their toll, but there are ways Lynnette manages to #travelbrilliantly. "The one thing that helps me adjust to a 15-hour time difference is adapting my 'home' routine to my travel routine. I get up at 6am, no matter where I am around the globe, exercise and drinks lots of water! But I must give credit to my amazing team! Without them, I’d be a mess!"

As an entrepreneurial woman on-the-go Lynnette advises young business women to "keep educating yourself and broaden your social and intellectual reach by reading, listening to podcasts, watching documentaries, networking and having a mentor. There is so much to gain from someone else’s knowledge and expertise. AND be generous with your success by mentoring and lifting others.

"Success is happiness," she says. "Becoming successful is a combination of hard work, preparation and opportunity. Maintaining success is like a relationship, it requires attention, care, nurturing and respect."

"Maintaining success is like a relationship, it requires attention, care, nurturing and respect."

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The first spot you go when you fly in from Florida: My first stop is always the office!

Favorite spot to head after you’ve gotten your makeup done: I think anytime you pamper yourself and get your “makeup done,” you instantly feel a little pep in your step! I always tell my clients, “don’t waste this look (makeup), call your friends and go out for at least a cocktail”! Personally, I love treating myself for a blow-out at Dry Bar!

Go-to spot in the city when you need to relax: Wherever my friends gather! Recently it’s been Hearth for some “guilt free” pizza!

Favorite location to have a glass of wine: I love trying new places. I’m really excited to try the new French Bistro Le Bilboquet! The Le Boeuf Bourguignon has my name all over it!

The one thing about ATL that lives up to its reputation: Being raised in Tennessee, I appreciate Atlanta’s southern charm and I love the food!

HEIDI DAVIS, NATIONAL SALES DIRECTOR, PUR COSMETICS 

photo credit: Kathryn McCray Photography

As the National Sales Director, Heidi Davis brings PÜR over 25 years of prestige beauty and skin care experience. She's mother of four but also travels for work. Like Lynnette home base for Heidi is not in Atlanta, but she flies in from Ohio. Of the constant movement Heidi says, "I am a gypsy by nature. I have lived in NY, Miami, Orlando and Atlanta before settling in Ohio to raise my family. Traveling keeps me sane."

Her trick for managing travel days and jet lag is "work," but she says she "often won't buy the in-air wifi so people can't reach me, but I can respond to them." 

"I easily bang-out 100+ emails if they aren't coming back in. I take mild amusement knowing when I do connect that my team gets 50 emails in five minutes. Is that a little twisted?" she laughs, "I have to keep them on their toes." 

She says that traveling and "being in the air 50% of my time teaches you a lot. You learn to maximize on your time. Prioritize and put first things first. You know to pack light and to expect the unexpected. I have a mantra - a delayed flight is the universe's way of slowing you down and saving you from something, sometimes yourself.

"I have a mantra - a delayed flight is the universe's way of slowing you down and saving you from something, sometimes yourself."

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She's worked for what she calls "uber-hype brand Urban Decay," but made the decision to leave after the birth of her second baby ten years ago. "I was the National Sales Director," she says,  "and was beginning to feel that Urban just wasn't my lifestyle anymore. Brands are a lifestyle. Your career is a huge part of that lifestyle. I wanted to be part of something that was more me. A brand that was healthy, good for you, with great messaging that empowers women and addressed real life beauty concerns. Representing green eyeshadow called Acid Rain just was no longer "my thing". 

Of the company Heidi says, "We are a true family at PÜR. We leave no man (or woman) behind here. It is a rare and beautiful thing." 

The first spot you go when you fly in from Ohio: Typically for coffee. I get on the earliest flight into town so this is a must. We don't have Caribou Coffee anywhere near me in Ohio and it is a lovely change of pace from Starbucks. 

Where you go to recharge: As a frequent traveler I love to recharge at those crazy little massage kiosk things they have in the airport. I will take a massage everywhere and anywhere I can. Atlanta airport by the way is one of the best in the country. Shopping, food, etc.

Favorite spot to have dinner with a colleague: We all love and frequent South City Kitchen. I am a huge fan of shrimp and grits so this is a must for me.

Favorite spot in the city to meet someone new: Chops Lobster Bar is a great place to socialize and I have always had a great time at The Tavern at Phipps. Their Tavern Chips are fun to share over a few post work cocktails.

Secret guilty “tourist” spot pleasure: Tourist spot...You have to go to the Georgia Aquarium. It's amazing!!

Favorite ATL neighborhood: Buckhead. I can shop, eat, and see my secret celebrity crushes all within a few miles of each other. 

Best place to grab a great bite when you’re in a hurry: I don't care what anyone says... Chick fil A biscuits with cheese are amazing and I could eat them daily. My fast and furious guilty pleasure.

The one spot in ATL you’d recommend to anyone: Breakfast at The St Regis - It's the St Regis, need I say more?

Create & Cultivate is visiting 4 more cities across the United States in partnership with Marriott. For our next city, we're heading to Miami. 

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7 Women Holding It Down in Unconventional Jobs

arielealasko.com

Today, women make up 57% of the labor workforce according to the United States Department of Labor. That number continues to grow every year as more and more women take on jobs that are considered "out of the ordinary." 

However, jobs are not meant to be gendered (shoutout to those 11 additional Google career emojis). More people today have dismissed the notion that certain jobs should be assigned based on gender and more women than ever are shattering the gender binary work system. 

From engineering in NASA to woodworking, to being a cannabis business lawyer, here are some of the women that crafting their career by breaking away from the norm and shattering stereotypes.

Denisse Arranda
NASA Engineer

Broadly

Denisse Arranda is one of NASA’s top engineers, and one of the lead engineers its RaD-X balloon project. However, she isn’t working this project alone - the chief engineer and thermal engineer are both female, making it one of the only NASA projects that's led by a team of women. 

Arranda has not only broken past the barrier of being a female engineer in one of the most prominent aeronautic programs in the nation, but she has also paved the way for Latinas in tech as Colombian immigrant. 

Last year, Broadly’s followed Arranda for a day to see what a day in the life of a NASA engineer is like. See it here.

Ariele Alasko
Woodworker, artist

Ariele Alasko

One look at Ariele Alasko’s Instagram, and you will be mesmerized by the wood grain patterns and amazing intricate woodwork that she has mastered over the years. What started as hobby furniture building and a love of carving spoons after graduating from the Pratt institute in BK and has a BFA in sculpture is now full-scale business.

Woodworking is stereotypically thought of as a man’s job, Alasko has created an impressive and profitable business from her work.

Who said woodwork was a man’s job?

Amanda Conner
Legal Cannabis Business Lawyer

Newsweek

Sure, there’s a lot of women who are lawyers. However, not too many are brave enough to take on the role of a legal marijuana business lawyer. 

Amanda Conner is not afraid of taking on that role. Amanda Connor co-founded the Nevada law firm Connor & Connor with her husband, and specializes in personal injury, business law, and started one of the first law practices that are specialized to the newly legal marijuana business. In an interview with Newsweek, she said that the weed industry is a “legal minefield,” because anyone who gets into the field automatically faces scrutiny from the feds and is labeled a criminal. She’s okay with that - she knows that she has to be willing to live with the taboo being associated with her, even though she’s a lawyer. That also means more business for her - her firm might be the only one in the country that takes marijuana providers as clients and helps them through the process of becoming a business.

Ashley Overholt
Barber

Refinery 29

When you think of barber shops, you prob picture an entirely male staff.  However, Ashley Overholt, like many other women, is stepping into barber shops and offering her services.

For 10 years now, Overholt has been able to gain the trust of her clients as a barber. Still, the job definitely comes with its sexist moments. In an interview with Refinery 29, she noted a few customers have asked her “how do you know how to straight-razor shave if you’re a girl.” Being in an overly masculine environment has helped her develop a thick skin and has brushed off the comments by saying “girls can do anything these days. We can vote. We can be police officers and lawyers and presidents. We can do a lot these days.”

Yes, we sure can. 

Brina Lee
Engineer, Instagram

Elle

As Instagram's first female engineer, it's Brina Lee's job to scroll the social platform. Coding wasn't always her thing and she actually says she hated it at first, but now she understands the major impact that just one or two lines of code can have. 

In 2014 Lee told Elle "It's hard as an entry-level engineer to even build your reputation in a company, so I'm not sure if it's being a woman, but I'm pretty sure it does hinder me a little bit compared to an entry-level male. You have to be more aware as a woman. You have to understand that you may not be listened to, you may not be respected as much as the male engineers."

Jacqueline Sharp
Founder of FORT Goods, Furniture maker

View fullsize

The Hundreds

FORT is Jacqueline Sharp's response to not being able to afford furnishing all the rooms in her Mt. Washington home. She found a table saw on Craigslist and began her journey as craftswoman. 

Today, all FORT products are handmade of repurposed, reclaimed materials in the downtown Los Angeles workshop/showroom.  

In 2014 she told the LA Times, "I'm not the greatest craftsman or the best educated business person. My greatest skill is seeing potential."

Apparently in both furniture and herself. 

Kimberly Bryant
Founder and Executive Director of Black Girls Code

Walker's Legacy

After working in biotech for over twenty years, Bryant founded Black Girls CODE in 2011. It is a non-profit organization whose mission is to teach girls of color to become programmers. More than 5,000 girls have participated in the programs.

As one of the first women of color in tech, she broke through that ceiling herself and has shown no signs of slowing down. Bryant has said, "When we generally think of a computer scientist now, it does not look like a woman of color, it does not look of someone that is of Hispanic background. It's very much white male dominant. And that's important for us to show that black girls can code and they can do many other things in terms of a leadership standpoint in this field."

She says this the first step in bridging the digital divide and Black Girls CODE's ultimate goal is to provide African-American youth with the skills to occupy some of the 1.4 million computing job openings expected to be available in the U.S. by 2020, and to train 1 million girls by 2040. She's on an unstoppable mission to change the face of technology. 

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Links We Love: Pinksourcing, SNL's first Latina comic, and what is a "lady"?

It's Friday, and you've been so overwhelmed with work that you haven't had a chance to look over your Facebook feed. Maybe you just needed to look at a few puppy videos to get you to Friday and completely ignored everything else.

Don't worry - we've got you covered with what you missed and what helped make headlines this week:

Kudos to H&M to celebrating the unapologetic lady in their new commercial.

So what is the definition of a "lady"?

Speaking of ladies, have you heard of "Pinksourcing" your business?

Pinksourcing shows the realities of women working in the US, yet women are scolded for working while sick and taking time off for being sick. Point and case this week: Hillary Clinton.

Speaking of women in politics, here's how Obama's female staffers came up with a brilliant strategy to make sure their voices were heard.

Meanwhile, women continue to battle the wage gap. While many of them do ask for raises, they still don't receive them.

However, progress is still happening one way or another: Melissa Villaseñor is just got cast as SNL's first female comic. And OMG, is her Owen Wilson impression the best ever.is her Owen Wilson impression the best ever.

NYFW is almost done, but we're not over the fact that THINX just put on the most empowering anti-NYFW event. Bravo Miki Agrawal.

For the LULZ, remember that guy that tried to say how you should eat Phô? Well, this response is even better and just as ridiculous. 

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4 Positive Steps to Take When You're Denied a Raise

Men make more money than women in the workplace (most of the time).

We know this. It's an issue that has been widely discussed. Just this morning HuffPo released a spoof vid with actress Kristen Bell who touts the benefits of "Pinksourcing" on camera. In the bit Bells says women are "the cheapest, most affordable workforce in America!" AH, THE PAY GAP. It's so funny, except it's not. (It's so much easier to cry into a dollar than 77 cents.) 

One of the often cited reasons for the imbalance is that women are less likely than men to negotiate their wages, i.e. we don't ask. 

Well, not according to a new study published this month showing that that women do ask, they simply don't get. According to Broadly, "After analyzing the information submitted by approximately 4,600 employees over the span of 840 workplaces, researchers found 'no statistical difference' in the likelihood of male and female workers asking for a raise while working with their current employer." 

Researchers discovered that men were 25 percent more likely to receive a pay increase when they asked. 

So what do you do when you ask for a raise and the answer is NO? Here are a few ways to move on and up past the let down. 

ASK YOUR BOSS WHAT STEPS TO TAKE TO WORK TOWARD A RAISE 

So the big B said no. It's rough, however sometimes you’re going to be denied a raise because you don't meet the criteria to receive a raise. We know. If you're asking for a raise you think you deserve one, but you have to be open to the idea that you overlooked a few considerations. 

Or you might have just been doing an okay job without going beyond your role. 

Ask your boss or supervisor where you need to improve and how you can be a more valuable asset to the company. Chances are if you ask how you can improve and grow, your salary will too.

Keep track of everything.

SET CAREER GOALS FOR YOURSELF

Once you've asked about specific areas that need work, set goals and milestones for yourself in the workplace. If you’re up for it, encourage your boss to have review meetings to ensure you’re on the right path.

Be proactive towards your own promotion.

Maxie McCoy, the woman on a mission to inspire millions says, "When you have a clear answer you can do a few things. You can: A) work with your boss and their bosses on a roadmap for getting your output to match the salary you're desiring, B) consider if this is really the right role or company given you have certain value expectations for what you're putting in, C) assess if it's total sexist bullshit OR D) create a counter offer to see if 'no' is really 'no.'"

"DENIED A RAISE? CREATE A COUNTER OFFER TO SEE IF 'NO IS REALLY 'NO.'"

Tweet this. 

DON'T LET REJECTION DISCOURAGE YOU 

You didn’t get the raise, but don’t let the rejection discourage you. A “no” is just another reason to move forward.

The worst thing you can do is let the rejection negatively manifest in your work, which will for sure not help. Grow from the no and survive the rejection.

"GROW FROM THE NO AND SURVIVE THE REJECTION."

Tweet this. 

If worst comes to worst take your talents to South Beach like LeBron James and find a new job that will truly value your skill set. 

Latham Thomas, founder of Mama Glow says this: 

"You know the value you bring to your company- you also are well aware of your self worth. When you ask for a raise and don’t get it, you may have a slew of questions running through your head. The key is rather than to internalize the 'the NO' and start doubting your capabilities and strengths, use it as an opportunity to get a better understanding of how your boss and the decision makers view your particular situation and the surrounding factors. That will give you a clarity and a better idea of what was at play when they made their decision. This awareness can ultimately assist you in getting what you want and where you want to be much faster." 

KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN 

If you know that you’ve gone above and beyond for this job and have sacrificed so much to elevate the company and your position, and still no raise? It’s time to find a new job. 

Jobs need to work for us-- we don't only need to work for them. 

If your current job isn’t meeting your career goals, there’s no harm in keeping your options open.

Make sure that if that’s the case you maintain your work ethic at your current job and hold steady on that solid reputation. You don’t want to get caught up in petty office drama because you didn’t get a raise - it’s not a good look and it’ll come back and bite you when you’re looking for your next gig.

Keep it professional and keep moving on. 

For our NYC readers!! They've got more carreer advice! Catch Latham Thomas + Maxie McCoy LIVE in NYC for their popular workshop 7 Practices for a Gratifying Career

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The One Thing This CEO Says She Won't Do

photo credit: Richer Poorer 

Top shelf products in your top drawer. That's Innerwear company Richer Poorer, minus the hefty price tag. 

Founded six years ago by Iva Pawling and Tim Morse, Pawling says "Richer Poorer is building a brand that makes you never want to leave your house." (But, you will.)

Richer Poorer started at the bottom, literally, launching with colorfully patterned men’s socks and then expanded into women’s and kids’ socks, and underwear. Last December the company made the decision to add men's tees to the lineup. The tees were, "so passionately loved by our customers and friendlies," says Pawling, "that we fast-tracked our women's tee collection launch, and got them to market last month." That was July of this year. According to Pawling, "Women's tees sold out the first day, and have been making up over 20% of our RP.com sales since." 

This success can be tied to what Pawling believes "is the evolution of the Athleisure movement we’re all pretty tired of seeing. Instead of wearing workout clothes all day when you’re not actually working out just because of comfort, we wear our Innerwear that we’re still comfortable in, and feel presentable outside the house."

It's also a way of dressing that works well for moms, a role Pawling knows herself as mother to son, Ford. It's simple, casual, and perhaps mostly importantly, convertible. She'll wear their tanks to yoga and then wear the same tank with a fancy necklace, skirt and heels to dinner on the weekend. "Our products are blank canvases," she says. 

From scratch beginnings to a Shoes.com acquisition, we caught up with Pawling to talk mom and mogul-hood, the evolution of Richer Poorer, and if it's possible to hustle your way to happy. (She says yes, with one major "duh" caveat.) 

Mom and mogul. These roles are not mutually exclusive these days, but that doesn’t mean they’re simple. How do you do it? 

The only way I do it is with lots of help and planning. My husband and I split parenting duties pretty evenly so that we can seamlessly parent on our own when the other one is traveling or tied up, and Ford has total consistency. We also have a really great nanny as well who we couldn’t function without. She fills in the holes for us when we both have early morning meetings, crazy schedules, etc.  

One of the reasons I wanted to start my own company was because I knew I wanted to be a mom, and wanted to have control over my time out of the house. I stayed home with Ford on Fridays until he started pre-school, which was such a gift. Having one day of the week that was just for him and I to go to music class, go to the park, become besties, was great. The flip side to that coin is that running your own business does not come with a three month maternity leave, so I was back in the office a week after having him. Sacrifice is the name of the game. 

Also, lots of planning and foresight is needed to keep our life organized and running smoothly. I have found that parents with careers get much more efficient with their days almost instantly, so we pre-plan everything we can. A month in advance for travel if possible, and every Sunday go through the coming week’s logistics of meetings, drop offs and pick ups. 

How do you NOT do it?

I do not prescribe to being a martyr for my child by sacrificing myself. I love my child more than anything on earth, but I also love working and my career. Fitness is really important to me so I still squeeze it in as consistently as I can. What I learned early on was that I am not a good mom for Ford if I am not doing what I need, to be happy.

"I do not prescribe to being a martyr for my child by sacrificing myself."

Tweet this. 

Taking care of myself mentally and physically allows me to be really present and engaged during the time I have with him, rather than in my own head battling myself. 

What are some parts of modern motherhood that you don’t buy into?

Parenting as a sport and the mommy wars. The judgment in parenting is something I have great disdain for. It’s become very present in the last decade, likely because of social media, but it is one of the most destructive things we do to each other. The topics are endless – epidurals, breastfeeding, sleep training, organic food, co-sleeping, potty training. We are all doing our best, and doing what we believe to be right for our child, so I really wish the divisive speak would come to a stop. 

Similar question, slightly different approach: If there was a part of modern motherhood that would end up on sale… what would it be? 

Unsolicited advice. After I had Ford I was totally blown away with how much direction strangers feel compelled to give when it comes to parenting. There is no other subject matter that this happens with, only parenting. And while I think most people mean well, as a parent with a young child the – shoulda / coulda / wouldas – are exhausting during a fairly confusing time when you are just trying to find your own way. 

photo credit: Richer Poorer 

In what ways did the role of founder help you prepare for your role as mom? 

There is nothing that prepares you more for parenthood, than running your own business. The parallels are endless. I was really prepared for becoming a mom to flip my entire world over, and while it certainly did from a priority perspective, on a day-to-day basis I felt like it was so similar to the early day of Richer Poorer.

In the world of a start up, the business changes all the time. The second you think you have things on lock, everything shifts and you have to dig back in to adjust. Kids are exactly the same. You think you have them figured out, and they do something like START WALKING. 

And the sleep, oh the sleep. My sleepless nights and learning to function on not very much of it began when I started Richer Poorer, so once Ford arrived it felt very similar and like old hat. 

Are there ways your leadership changed postpartum? 

My leadership style definitely changed postpartum. It softens you at the core, so I think I’m a lot more understanding than I was before. I give people a bit more rope when we make mistakes. On the flip side I’ve become a lot more direct and decisive since I can no longer afford to burn the midnight oil at the office. I require efficiency out of our team and they’ve become really good at moving through things quickly.

What are some ways you think Richer Poorer is disrupting the market?

Two ways – by defining a new category for the industry that is focused on how we’re dressing these days, Innerwear – and working really hard to be part of the solution for retailers in this really turbulent and tough market. 

We believe there is a new way of dressing that has taken over most of our wardrobes that is really focused on comfort, utility and simplicity – your Innerwear. We’re determined to be the brand that makes your favorite pieces that live at the top of your drawer, that you can’t wait to put on every day – tees, underwear, socks, sweats, etc.

There is a lot of doom and gloom in our industry right now with the shift in consumers buying habits, and quite a few brands are either launching with the plan to just be direct-to-consumer, or established ones are trying to shift their model to stop doing wholesale and only do direct-to-consumer. We really believe that you need to build both channels to support each other, in order to grow a strong brand. We are focused on working with our retailers to create unique buying experiences in their stores that tell our brand story rather than just product, and give the customer a unique way to shop that they can’t necessarily get online. 

photo credit: Richer Poorer 

When you’re repositioning what are facets you have keep, where do you have some wiggle room?

The defining brand tenets of what Richer Poorer was built on haven’t changed – Elevate Everyday – Honest Hustle – California Born. 

Elevate everyday speaks to not only our why, which is to create great products that make people’s days better in the simplest of ways at an attainable price point, but also our internal culture at Richer Poorer. We are here because we love what we do. We are lucky to be in this passion-driven industry, so I firmly believe it is our obligation to treat each other really well, both internally and all the people we work with outside the walls of our office. 

Honest Hustle is how we do it, we are as scrappy as can be and work our asses off. This was born out of necessity because we had no dollars or budget for anything when we started, and we still instill this in every employee that enters our world. Limited resources force people to think outside the box and work smarter, and we’ve almost always seen better results from that. 

"Honest Hustle is how we do it, we are as scrappy as can be and work our asses off."

Tweet this. 

We’re a California Born brand, and it informs our overall aesthetic from product to photography. California is a dream of a place to get to live in, the entire world knows this, so we embrace it and love it. 

So short story long, we religiously adhere to these tenants with everything we do as we’ve repositioned the brand, so it still feels like the same Richer Poorer, but better.

When you shifted from the traditional wholesale model did you learn anything new about the customer?

We shifted our model in December with the launch of our first apparel item, mens tee shirts on our direct-to-consumer site, which helped us understand our customer a lot better. 

The first thing we learned was that our customer wasn’t price sensitive to our brand. They were willing to spend more with us if the product was good. This was a great eye-opener for us as it gave us the confidence to speed up our timelines on the new product categories we wanted to offer. 

The second thing we learned was launching a product direct-to-consumer first, then wholesale channel second is really, really helpful for growth of the wholesale channel. The customer is now walking into the shops asking if they have our tees and wanting to touch and feel it, but buying it right away. Historically if they had seen it there first, it may take a few visits to convince them that they wanted to actually buy the product. Now it’s instant. 

How did this shift change your business? 

It changed our entire business because it was proof that there is in fact a way to run a true hybrid model that supports both the wholesale and direct-to-consumer channels. 

We’ve since spent the last six months strengthening our supply chain, internal processes and adjusting calendars so that we can get items to market on faster timelines that are focused on direct-to-consumer, all while maintaining a consistent solution for the traditional wholesale calendar. 

Running on two paths at once has been really difficult, so we’re lucky that we have an insanely committed team that is excited by these changes and sees that as a team we are committed to being the change in the industry, rather than the dinosaur that gets left behind. Tim and I are always pushing our team to think differently and iterate what we do quickly. We tell everyone that we expect what they are doing today to be different six months from now because they are making our products, processes, just everything we do, better as they learn more and grow.

"We are committed to being the change in the industry, rather than the dinosaur that gets left behind." 

Tweet this. 

Simply, what is an honest hustle? 

The Honest Hustle was derived from our original company rally cry, that – Humble beginning make for great stories. Tim and I started Richer Poorer with little more than a few dollars, a mountain of inspiration and the drive to create something we could share with the world. 

Seeing a brand through - from a simple idea to a truly functioning business -required having the perseverance to guide it and us through hundreds of roadblocks. It demanded an unwavering spirit, some serious scrappiness, honesty with ourselves, and a lot (A LOT) of hustle. As our team grew, it was important to us to maintain these values, so we named it the Honest Hustle as an easy way to define it. 

The honest hustle has become a way of life to me. It’s a commitment to being the best, most honest version of yourself in what it is you chose to do with your life. Regardless of whether you are running your own business, in your dream job, or your first job – it’s a belief that working as hard and smart as you can will lead you to the next best step, and so on. Be proud of what you do and how you do it.

Can you hustle your way to happy?

Yes! I entirely believe this if you are doing work that is meaningful to you. As human beings, we derive immense happiness and self-satisfaction out of accomplishing things. I read about how important the feeling of accomplishment is to humans in a really great book called Brain Rules before I had Ford, and it describes this starting in children as early as a few months old through adulthood. I know for myself, when I leave a day at the office and have been able to cross a big thing off my list, I feel great. 

I say this with the caveat that work alone will not make you happy. Human connections and relationships are the most important thing. Duh. 

We can't wait to have Iva Pawling join us #CreateCultivateATL this October on View From the Top: The Do's and Don'ts from the Women Who've Done It. 

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10 Steps to Have the Best Morning, Every Morning

With the hustle and bustle of life it’s easy to push aside the true importance of a morning routine. Even though waiting until the last second to crawl out of bed and rushing out of the apartment with spilling coffee in one hand while emailing with the other is of the norm it’s not a beneficial way to start the day. The basic fundamental is this; you have to set yourself up for success if you are serious about achieving your goals. Taking care of yourself mentally is just as important as taking care of yourself physically. If it isn’t already, it should be a priority to start off your day on the best foot possible.

Here are 6 simple adjustments to make to your morning routine that will have a huge impact on your day:

GO TO SLEEP AT THE SAME TIME EVERY NIGHT

Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is the first step in waking up ready to kick ass. I know that it's one of things that is easier said then done, especially when you get sucked into Stranger Things, but getting your body on a sleep schedule is like winning a gold medal. Give your brain the suggested seven to eight hours of sleep to decompress so when you rise you are ready to grind.

SET YOUR ALARM 15 MINUTES EARLIER 

Giving yourself the coveted extra 15 minutes in the morning will make you feel like a whole new person. Instead of hitting your alarm and rushing to get out of bed and speed out of the house like a mad person soak up the time to stretch and mentally prepare yourself for the day ahead.

NO CELL PHONES ALLOWED

I recently set a new rule for myself: I will not check emails + social media until my feet hit the floor in the morning and from my personal experience I can tell you it absolutely changes how I start off my day. I used to lay in bed and before my eye balls were even fully opened I would be multi tasking between double taping a Insta post I missed while dreaming and reading emails that make me want to throw my phone across the room. So, before I even got up to brush my teeth the mood of my day would already be set because of someone else. No ma’am, no more of that!  Your morning should be reserved just for you. Do yourself a favor and before you go to sleep turn off the notifications on your phone so when you wake up and roll over to turn off your alarm you aren’t bombarded by technology before you even realize it’s time to wake up!

MAKE YOUR BED 

Turns out your mom had a reason behind nagging you every single morning before school. Making your bed helps you get started on a productive path before you even walk out the front door. Starting your day off on the right foot, with a made bed, will put you in gear to check off your to-do list.

#QOTD

Reading a motivational quote every morning can provide a solid framework for the day ahead. Soaking in positive words will motivate you to stay in the right direction and not get detoured by negative thinking.

BUT FIRST...

I know that drinking coffee is what all the cool kids do but I have news for you, there is something else you should be drinking in the morning. Do yourself a favor and swap out coffee for lemon water. Lukewarm water with fresh squeezed lemon juice has numerous benefits; starts your metabolism, cleanses your mouth and throat and also gives you that extra kick of energy that you may need in the AM. If you’re looking for a dash of daily detox, add a tiny amount of cayenne pepper to the water.

PEP TALK 

Sometimes you just have to look yourself in the mirror and give yourself the pep talk,”Hello beautiful. You’re a bad ass babe, you got this. Love you.” I’m not even trying to be funny, you gotta do what you gotta do! The world can be a big bad scary place sometimes so reminding yourself that you got your back isn’t the worst idea.

SWEAT IT OUT

There is no denying that starting off your day with a killer workout helps set the mood for the day. If you are one of those people (guilty) that can get up and check a workout off the list before the sun rises then all the more power to you. If you prefer to work out after work, I won’t judge you too much ;) either way, getting a little movement in before breakfast is always a good idea. Suggestions? A two-minute plank or 20 jumping jacks; whatever gets your blood moving.

SPREAD THE LOVE 

Whether you’re kissing your dog, roommate, boyfriend or calling your mom,spreading love provides you with a positive start and keeps you focused on what’s really important, even through the stressful days.

SET + INTENTIONS

You don’t want to do all the above just to walk out the door unsure about your next move. What is top priority? What will make you feel most accomplished by the time you lay your head back down on your pillow? What is the one thing you should do today that will get you one step closer to your goal? Whatever those answers are, make it happen. No excuses.

"ALWAYS REMEMBER TO FALL ASLEEP WITH A DREAM AND WAKE UP WITH A PURPOSE."

rise and shine,

chels

Chelsea Briche runs the popular blog The Millennial Miss. A platform for young women surviving their twenties with grace and a lot of humility. The platform is Chelsea's "pledge to you, the ones who haven’t quite figured it all out yet. That we, together, will immerse ourselves in every single thing possible; explore, love a lot, love a little, and never touch the ground."

An original version of this story appeared on Millennial Miss. 

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Hey Lauren: How Do I Avoid the Dangers of Like-Chasing?

"Hey, Lauren" is our new bi-monthly column from licensed psychologist Dr. Lauren Hazzouri.  Dr. Hazzouri is a TV show host and founder at Hazzouri Psychology, where she’s carved out a successful niche treating women who are psychologically healthy—but trying hard and not getting satisfaction in various aspects of their lives. Through her life experience and training, Lauren’s developed a program that allows women to live meaningful lives and feel fulfilled doing it. Lauren is founder of HeyLauren.com, a project for women, where she provides evidence-based insights on job stress, relationship woes and everything in between.

Taking a cue from society, millennials put undue pressure on themselves to get on the right path to meet their purpose—today! Long gone are the days of getting a boring, mundane job that builds life-skills and pays the rent upon graduation. This generation is all about the greater good, fulfillment and branding themselves and their ideas! The problem is that often times, personal branding begins without having had the variety of experiences, relationships, and time to get comfortable in their own skin and really shore-up a sense of self. 

This dilemma, what I refer to the cart before the horse quandary, puts millennial women at risk of being ultimately vulnerable to the appraisal of others, leading to what I call Like chasing, the never-ending altering, morphing, and becoming (not first-rate versions of themselves) second-rate versions of established brands and images that people and society Like a million plus times a day. 

When we see that Kim Kardashian gets zillions of likes for this and Kylie doesn’t get as many for that, we naturally accommodate our personal repertoire. This cognitive process has been explained by social-learning theory for decades. It certainly isn’t rooted in "Keeping Up with the Kardashians." Research tells us that likes trigger the reward center of the brain, reinforcing and perpetuating our behaviors on social. We want to be liked!—and that’s okay. It’s just part of the human-condition and there’s no shame in the human game!

But, there’s a big difference between nurturing the self and building a brand. It appears that we’re exhaustively instructing millennial women how to brand themselves without providing insight on how to be themselves, hence the obsession with appealing to “the market.” Think about it— In order to be successful, a brand must be “directly connected to consumer needs, emotions, and competitive environments.” And, millennial women are doing just that ( with themselves, competing with each other!). Ergo, they morph into what the consumer ( i.e., follower) responds to in a positive way—rebranding after rebranding, Like chasing. 

"There’s a big difference between nurturing the self and building a brand."

Tweet this. 

It makes perfect sense! As human-beings we long to be a part of and are hard-wired to respond to things socially. We also long to be seen but fear being seen in a critical way. So, branding allows us to exercise control over how and when we’re seen by others. Of course, it would like a win-win. If only it were that easy!

It’s important to remember that social media changes how we interact with our social environment, not how we develop as human-beings. To be fulfilled, we must respect ourselves and others, have the ability to connect in a meaningful way and become our true selves—regardless of the number of likes! 

Only your true self can make your unique contribution to the world, and that’s the reason you started branding yourself and your ideas in the first place. Isn’t it? Great, so let’s get started. 

A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE PLEASE!

Spend less time painting a public-self portrait and more time becoming your ideal-self ( the person you want to be). Of course, you can document your journey with several selfies, but it’s important to be aware that this journey is on you, for you—not about you, for your followers.

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU

The goal is to take responsibility for ourselves and our lives by acting in our environment much the same way we would respond in a vacuum with no outside influences. In life, we can only control what we say and do. Much of the time, to respond appropriately, we must wait for our emotions to dissipate and our rational mind to resurface. It’s been said that our power lies in the space between stimulus and response.

"Our power lies in the space between stimulus and response."

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Becoming familiar with that space is so important. It allows us to hold on to our power, to ourselves!

BECOME THE PUPPETEER ( VS. THE PUPPET!)

Use the reinforcement to get you where you want to be! Now that you know that the reward center of your brain is triggered with the likes you receive on social media, only post pics of you doing things that close the gap between your real self ( who you are today) and your ideal self ( the person you want to become). Instead of posting pics that capture your night out, post pics on your journey of personal growth and development.

GET FAMILIAR WITH YOUR THOUGHTS

Thoughts lead to feelings and feelings lead to behavior. Each of us has many thoughts, up to 70,000 per day! The goal is to get so familiar with your thoughts that you can instantly recognize the irrational thoughts—those making you feel down, scared or worried, or like you need to Keep up with the Kardashians! Once you know which thought patterns cause the unwanted feelings, you can change them. If you change how you think, you can change how you feel and how you behave.

REFLECT ON YOUR CORE BELIEFS

At times, the old, negative, irrational way of thinking can be stubborn. Some thought patterns can be resistant to change because of what we believe about ourselves, other people, life in general and the future. Fortunately, you can choose what you believe. Change your Core Belief from “I’m stupid,” to “I’m smart.” Then, act as if! Do the things that smart people do—read, watch documentaries, discuss ideas vs people. In doing smart people things, you learn ( you get smarter). And, just like that— “I’m smart!”

Following these tips will get you on the path to becoming your true self, one that’s resilient to the influences of social media and can make your unique contribution to the world. From my perspective, that’s something worth branding!

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Dr. Lauren’s on a mission to bring psychology to the public. She contributes to a variety of online publications, provides candid talks to women’s organizations across the country, and was recently cited in Forbes. Lauren’s next appearance is on September 9, when she will deliver a Ted Talk entitled Life Works. Her talk is said to highlight various aspects of the book she’s currently writing on “how to do the human-being thing really well.” 

Dr. Lauren is the 2016 recipient of The Psychology in the Media Award from The Pennsylvania Psychological Association and is a member of The American Psychological Association. For more from Lauren, visit @dr_lauren  and sign up for her weekly newsletter at HeyLauren.com.

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Amanda Chantal Bacon Knows She'd Make a Great SNL Skit

“Very early on I didn’t align with industry standards and I was OK with that.”

We’re chatting with Amanda Chantal Bacon, founder of Moon Juice, ire of Father John Misty, about the beauty industry and though the entrepreneur and mother knows that she’s fodder for what she calls "cynical humor," she remains dedicated to what matters to her. 

"I'm into nature, and health and consciousness-- and that,” she says, “has nothing to do with beauty and fashion industries. My mom was in the fashion world and I was raised in New York in the fashion world and I wanted nothing to do with that. I was like the weird daughter from Ab-Fab.”

  Chantal Bacon says it's a disconnect that began during the onset of womanhood. “It was probably around puberty,” she says, “when I realized, ‘oh there is this whole world out there and this projection on women,’ and I started to feel the expectation that I was meant to be ’pretty.’” It didn’t vibe.

She says this need "to be pretty" was really at its height during the ‘80s and ‘90s-- the Model Search “Are you the next cover girl” and Victoria Secret catalogue days. “It all felt really off to me. The boobs, the push-up bras, the lipstick, the inherent weakness that I saw. I was really cognizant of how that got imprinted.” To her point, by 1997, Victoria’s Secret was sending 450 million catalogs a year and seeing a return of $661 million in mail-order sales alone.

“Seventeen was all about ‘how to have perfect hair,’ ‘how to wear the right lip gloss,’ ‘how to put on that eyeshadow,’” she says. “I was 13, I was just getting boobs and didn’t want to do that, it didn’t resonate with me and I didn’t think it looked good.” Then she got to high school and Cosmopolitan was running covers on “‘How to give the best blow job,.” She says “All of that information started collecting in me and I really didn’t want to train on my free time how to give a better blow job. I didn’t want to keep up with the shimmery eyeshadow world.”

So she didn’t. “I wasn’t a tomboy, but I did play sports, I really liked writing, nature, and being funny with my friends.” She started on what’s become a lifelong journey to re-examine beauty. “I think it really starts with a baseline of what is actually safe to put on and in our bodies,” she says. “Beyond safe what is truly going to be beneficial and unifying.”

Even as a young woman, Chantal Bacon says “I was not going to align with anything that did not feed my body, was not in harmony with the planet, and told me that I was in my prime during an age when I was not my strongest. None of us feel our strongest when we’re 17 or 18. When we’re 21 or 22. My god, if I look back at that and see that that’s what was being projected on me, that’s when I was most desirable, that’s when I was most beautiful-- that’s completely off.”

"I was not going to align with anything that told me I was in my prime during an age when I was not my strongest."

Tweet this. 

She brings up the “George Clooney, Clint Eastwood thing.”

“There’s the thought that with age men become more handsome, sexier, they have more mystique-- that’s great I love that for men. I find that to be very true. I also find that to be true for women.”

“It’s one thing for everyone to look beautiful,” she adds, "but when we take unhealthy measures to get there or ruin the planet and environment in the process, that makes no sense, especially if you’re thinking about beauty as longevity.”

###

photo credit: Katarina Dickson

Moon Juice is Chantal Bacon's grown-up response to the discrepancies she felt as a teen; an inside-out approach to beauty. 

The business, which began with a tiny shop on Rose Ave. in Venice, now has four locations, the most recent of which opened on Melrose Place this past summer. The brand's organic and wild-crafted herb mixtures will be available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Net-a-Porter, Urban Outfitters Free People-- about 70 retailers in all. So, she's figured out how to scale "juice," something that she says started as "a fun party trick at first.” (The Moon Dust products, not raw juices, are suitable for beauty resale.) 

Chantal Bacon was juicing for herself at the time and convincing other people that cold-pressed juice tasted great. “They wouldn’t want to try it and then they’d take a sip and it would blow their mind.” A trained chef, who "loves food," she was working a full-time job “with crazy hours, six days a week and could not keep up." 

"I’d always joke that juicing was like a full-time job, until that joke didn’t feel like a joke anymore.” It was then she realized, “This is the full-time job that I want, this is the life that I want. It was a leap, but it was leap that had such a natural urge behind it that there was nothing else for me to do.”

Other people like to joke as well, especially about Chantal Bacon’s lifestyle, food diaries, and social media posts about crystals. She's not blissfully unaware, but it doesn't slow her down either. “We like parody and I’m sure I’d make a great SNL skit. I can understand that. I totally get that. In my dream next job I get to do a TV show about how wacky and wild what I experience is. The characters that I know, my friends, the stuff that really happens-- if you think the Elle article was bad or me asking for someone to anonymously return the crystal that they stole from us, if you think that’s bad, you should see what’s really going on. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. I live a very different lifestyle and my friends live a very different lifestyle. The things that we talk about are just way out there.”

She does say that she thinks there is a more loving way to be humorous, but then adds, “for me-- other people can do what they want.”

“I get all types of reactions. I get hate,” which, she hesitates to call hate, “but I get just as much love. I get more people that write to me and say, ‘Thank you so much, I felt lost and confused and knowing that you’re out there and doing similar things is comforting.’”

“My favorite is when I get teenagers that come out and see a different version of a female and how I explore my femininity. I think it’s different than an actress, a model, someone selling perfume.” She's referring to concepts like growing old with grace and a more holistic approach to beauty. 

She knows that "the movement" is polarizing, but that “it takes a while for people to figure out if it’s a path they’re interested in.” She also agrees that ”it’s a lot easier to figure out if it’s a path you’re interested in if you have expendable income.” 14 servings of Beauty Dust, for instance, cost $30, a bigger jar costs $65.

However she encourages people to look at what they’re spending money on. “If you do want to make changes, maybe you need to reconsider the kind of coffee you buy or the car you’re leasing. Or reconsider how often you need to buy seasonal fashion items or get your nails done. Or rather than getting your hair dyed or highlighted in a certain way, you could focus on something that would grow your hair.” Chantal Bacon lets her grays fly. 

“It’s re-examining what you want to choose to invest in,” she says, asking, “Why do we feel comfortable investing so much money in automobiles, premium gasoline and car washes, but OK with putting our bodies second to that? There is a disassociation we have with our bodies.”

“Why do we feel comfortable investing so much money in automobiles, but OK with putting our bodies second to that?”

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“And I do challenge people to do some price comparison,” she says of Moon Juice's often lambasted pricing.  

As for the pushback, it's par for the course. “I think I am a figurehead to a movement that is rapidly emerging. When there is something that’s different, it challenges people and whenever there is a moment when you look at someone and can’t see yourself completely in them, it’s uncomfortable." 

Yes, she burns Palo Santo. She rarely wears makeup. She rocks her grays and she eats foods that most of us can't pronounce (rehmannia and schisandra), but whatever your incense preference might be, getting incensed over it is not the Moon Juice way. It's about asking, “Does this make you feel good about yourself in a long-term sort of way? Not, does this make you feel good about yourself for five minutes when you look in the mirror or for a month of your life where you stay on top of a practice that feels sustainable for a moment."

It's about feeling, "nourished and healthy. On a soul level, asking, is this good for your soul?”

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3 Ways to Maintain Excellence in the Workplace

The words that every eager job seeker yearns to hear amidst ongoing applications and interviews are: You’re hired.

The relief that comes when the human resources department of your desired company calls and informs you that you’ve been selected for the position is positively overwhelming. A megawatt smile stretches its way across your face and you liken your emotions to The Little Engine That Could.

But after dedicating a significant amount of time to the position and mastering the ins and outs of the workplace — and observing the politics of the business — you begin to notice that you are exceeding the expectations of the role and are not being properly compensated for it. Whether the sought after compensation is verbal praise, an increased salary, leniency on hours, or additional gifted days off, your toleration threshold has lowered and the undervalued itch begins to scratch.

Though it can be easy to complain to coworkers, abandon your role and run for the hills of another company, slack off in your position, or unashamedly and inappropriately wear your emotions on your sleeve, none of these quick fixes allow you to nurture one of the most valuable and respected employee traits: character.

As eager and driven employees, our goals are set to move from point A to point B as quickly as possibly. While drive is necessary and healthy, the workforce journey is much more than just an increased annual salary and a title change on your business card. The ups and downs that your career will take you on can teach and refine you as an individual … if you let them. Character is so rarely praised, yet is integral in leading a healthy staff and propelling a business for success.

"...the workforce journey is much more than just an increased annual salary and a title change on your business card."

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In your waiting to switch jobs or for increased compensation, and between those moments of great exasperation and defeat, choose to build and strengthen your character. From character, excellence overflows and the desire to endlessly perform to your best becomes priority.

Here are three ways to maintain excellence in your workplace:

WORK TOWARD YOUR NEXT JOB

Though you may feel you’ve mastered all you can in your current position, challenge yourself with tasks that can translate over to your next job. If you finish a task early, ask your boss for additional projects that you can apply your own creativity to. Be willing to extend yourself outside of what you know and learn skills that your next position may require. Keep in mind that your portfolio is a reflection of you, so be proud of what you showcase to future employers and perfect as many skills as possible in your present position.

LEAVE A COMPANY ON A POSITIVE NOTE

The last way that you would want an employer to remember you is negatively. You may be in the process of interviewing for outside positions, but intentionally maintain a positive attitude while at your current company. You have worked hard in your role and want the option of listing your supervisor as a reference further on down the line. Industries are small and your path with current employees may cross later on, so choose a positive attitude that reflects integrity and character.

REALIZE THAT LIFE IS MORE

 It can be easy to find self-worth in your job title and salary, but true meaning and purpose are not dependent on your resume or monetary worth. People are why the workforce functions, so focus on nurturing and maximizing those relationships and networks. If there is an individual at your company that you admire, grab lunch with them and pick their brain. Perhaps you have a coworker that is struggling with something outside of work — ask them how they’re holding up and invite them out for coffee. You may never be in the same circles again with the people that currently surround you, so maximize the time that you have with them.

Though the feeling of defeat can overtake us at times, seek the positive in your current role. Character is widely valuable to you as an individual and is something that can never be taken away by an employer, no matter how undervalued they make you feel. Strive to attain it.

Have you struggled in certain role at work? What did you learn from it?

The original version of this article appeared on Darling Magazine. 

Image via Marlena Pearl Photography

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NYFW: Our 10 Favorite Female Designers From Day 1 & 2

thechrisellefactor.com

It’s that time of year when New York Fashion Week takes over our Instagram feeds, fashion bloggers give us a sneak peek on who and what’s walking down the runway, and all the news outlets are telling us what to wear next Spring.

While we can always expect the best from top designer labels like Tommy Hilfiger (who is unveiling a pretty exciting collaboration with Gigi Hadid), Rodarte, Altuzarra, Jason Wu, and Calvin Klein, there are some fly under the radar designers that deserve the equal recognition as the rest of the top fashion houses. Not only that, in an industry that is dominated by male designers, we’re glad to see that there’s an abundance of female designers that are setting the tone for spring trends and bending the rules of a typical runway show.

We’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite female designers that have been showing their amazing designs so far at NYFW - check them out.

1. Cinq À Sept NYC

If you follow Create & Cultivate Dallas alumni Natalie Suarez on Instagram, then you might be familiar with the New York-based label Cinq À Sept NYC. If it doesn't ring a bell, her and her sister Dylana wore these awesome “Suarez Sister” jackets to their presentation.

Spearheaded by Jane Siskin who introduced the brand last year, it is one of the brands that are offering some of the most beautiful designs for their S/S 2017 collection. Cinq À stays true to its name in delivering designs that are perfect for late afternoon/happy hour gatherings, the French way.

2. Ulla Johnson

Ulla Johnson’s collection will make you feel like you’re walking into a garden dream. This theme was present in her AW 2016 show she had this past February and it remains consistent in her SS 2017 collection, with a refreshing update.

The New-York based designer stunned NYFW yesterday with her beautiful bohemian collection with beautiful colors, free-flowing fabrics, and cozy knitwear that is destined to be a Spring 2017 must-have.

See more from Ulla's collection here.

3. Creatures of Comfort

If there is a collection that we will be sure to wear in the office, it is Jade Lai’s Creatures of Comfort S/S 2017 collection. With its fresh and bright minimal color palette and structured designs, it is a minimalist’s dream come true.

See the full collection here.

4. Misha Nonoo

Misha Nonoo loves to bend the rules. Last year, she skipped NYFW to take her show off the runway and put it right on Instagram. Her bold move received much critical acclaim, which was a perfect strategy for today’s digital age.

This year, the tech-savvy designer didn’t disappoint in giving her digital audience what they wanted, and she revealed her new collection via Refinery 29’s Snapchat in a Live Lookbook that we can’t get enough of. You can view the full roll-out of her Snapchat cookbook here on her Instagram. 

5. Rachel Comey

Rachel Comey has been in the game for 15 years now, and her designs today are just as refreshing as when she debuted at NYFW 2001. However, in the 15 years that she’s been a designer, she’s grown so much from not knowing what a line sheet was when she was preparing for her first show to having Tracee Ellis Ross headline her fall 2015 dinner.

Now for her label’s 15th anniversary, Rachel stepped outside of the box with her S/S 2017 runway show, by embracing the influence of streetwear and putting her show on the sidewalk outside of the Crosby Hotel. It’s a short step from the Lincoln Center, but a big move for traditional NYFW runway shows.

6. Claudia Li

It’s 2016, and more and more people are embracing unisex fashions that break away from typical gender constructs. And no, that’s not to say that Claudia Li’s S/S 2017 collection has taken the “boyfriend jean” to a new extreme.

Claudia Li’s fourth collection includes 25 pieces that are meant to defy what’s considered feminine and masculine with boxy and oversized pieces juxtaposed with soft tones and floral detailing. Safe to say her collection is a tomboy’s dream come true.

See her full collection here.

7. Alejandra Alonso Rojas

Alejandra Alonso Rojas’s Spring 2017 collection was able to bring a different level of minimalism and sophistication to NYFW. Alexandra’s inspirations for this collection were her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, which is evident in its vintage yet modern feel. Safe to say that this will be one of our office favorites that are perfect for those that want to embrace a “nonchalant aspect of dressing up.”

8. Noon by Noor

Noor Rashid Al Khalifa and Haya Mohammed Al Khalifa joined forces to create Noon By Noor in 2008, and 8 years later, their vision has grown into a cool and cohesive label that was evident in their NYFW runway show this week. This collection is another minimalist’s dream come true with its limited color palette, yet their use of textures and sheer fabric definitely amplify a sense of variety in the collection. Based on previous collections, the Al Khalifa cousins have met a new level of sophistication in their new collection that we’re loving.

9. Michelle Helene

Fresh-face to NYFW Michelle Helene might be new to the scene, but her designs speak volumes to her knowledge of design. It's evident that tulle and sheer fabrics are going to be a must-have next Spring, and Michelle is no stranger to that. With her mixing matching colors, tribal-inspired patterns, and fabrics, her collection maintains a cohesiveness that is seen in seasoned designers.

Michelle Helene, you're going places. 

See her full collection here.

10. Tanya Taylor

Last but not least, one of our favorites this week was Tanya Taylor’s beautiful and colorful SS 2017 collection. Layers and crochet details are in and we’re not mad at it at all, especially if Tanya set the bar with her amazing collection. Also, the colors in her presentation this week might just flood into every aspect of our Spring color palette, because all we want is to embrace the feel good vibes of her collection.

You can view her full collection here.

What are some of your favorite collections thus far at NYFW? Let us know below.

Links We Love: Banks Behaving Badly, Lena's in Hot Water & a Small Pox Hospital?

Coming back from Labor Day weekend making you play catch up with work, with not enough time to check what went down on the internet this week?

We've got you covered with some of our favorite headlines that helped shaped this week.

"I am part of the first generation of women not truly dependent on anyone." Stacy London shares about not playing by societal conventions and being a new classification of person. 

Humans of New York asked Hillary Clinton about being cold and unemotional. She answered. 

Bobby Kim, co-founder of the Hundreds, talks why the future of Brand is people. 

ITK: Down by the banks there's been some hanky panky. Yesterday Wells Fargo was fined $185 million for opening oh, just a couple million fake accounts. 

Jen Gotch's Ban.do business has a sparkly and pink exterior, but the center is serious business. 

Fainting models and a small pox hospital. The disaster that was Kanye West's Yeezy Season 4. 

The age of the female combat soldier is coming. What happens when women lead soldiers into battle?

Apple killed the headphone jack, but why? And will it make us talk to each other again?

Does that mean Apple is building a lifestyle? Prob. 

If you ever felt you were the Latina version of Little Miss Sunshine when you were a kid, this is for you.

9/11 15 years later: how it shaped this woman's anxiety-ridden childhood.

Matt Lauer won't stop interrupting Hillary Clinton, but lets Donald Trump's lies slide? Here's why this week's NBC's commander-in-chief forum was a sexist disaster.

There's a rebel in all of us, including girls who want to be storm troopers: the amazing new Star Wars ad from Target.

Clients say some crazy things. Was it as a crazy as the things this one client said to Strategy Creative?  

Time to put your headphones on: Lady Gaga just dropped her first song in three years. 

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Why Nicole Richie Would Make the Best BFF

Inventor. Artist. Ex-Girlfriend. Australian. These are all titles Nicole Richie took on in season 2 of her VH1 series "Candidly Nicole." But while it's universally accepted that Richie is a quick-witted comedic Queen, capable of the above and more, she also takes her businesses (multiple), her friendships (more than multiple), and her role as mother (just 2) very seriously. 

Almost nine years ago Richie launched House of Harlow 1960, shortly after the birth of her first child, becoming mom and mom to her career simultaneously.

“At that time I had so many fears,” she says. “I had a newborn baby. I was twenty-six. I was starting a new business. I was one of three people that I knew with a baby that was my age. I had no idea what the future would bring. I didn’t even know if I wanted to turn it into a full-blown brand yet.” 

Which, is exactly what is has become. The initial 50-piece costume jewelry line has developed into ready-to-wear, eyewear, footwear, and handbags. The most recent collection was released in partnership with Revolve. 

Though entrepreneur wasn't exactly a role she imagined for herself, Richie got a taste of that business life, liked it, and last November held the inaugural Pearl xChange in Los Angeles. It is her live-event series for women who want to make connections, share knowledge, and listen to speakers like Gwyneth Paltrow and Marianne Williamson drop some. 

At first glance, it’s very similar to Create & Cultivate. That’s not a problem for Richie, who was a keynote at Create & Cultivate Atlanta in conversation with HelloGiggles co-founder Sophia Rossi. 

“This is a perfect example,” Richie says, “of how two people in the same business with the same interests understand that we each have strengths. Joining together only helps us spread our wings, reach even more people, build the energy and make the vibration stronger.”

“Joining together only helps us spread our wings, build the energy and make the vibration stronger.”

Tweet this. 

It’s the matter of competition being able to life us higher, together, not further apart and it’s a direction she’s focussing a lot of her energy. “I am able to see other people’s strengths where I have weaknesses. That’s not putting myself down, that’s understanding who I am and wanting to build myself up and make myself stronger. I’m so excited to be a part of the Create & Cultivate conference and spend time with other like-minded people who have been in this business longer than me.”

This approach is a through-line with Richie and many of her successful friends. 

“Rachel Zoe is an example of a woman where there are a lot of parallels in our careers,” says Richie. “That being said, do we look at each other as competition? Absolutely not. Rachel is Rachel and I’m me. We’re two individuals. We have different lives. I’m so happy for her and I love going out and supporting her." 

“Rachel has been very open with me,” she adds, “and this is very important to say, she’s been so open about the ins and outs of her business. She's never once said, ‘You’re on your own.’”

This approach has only helped them both. You can do it by yourself, Richie explains, “but you’re really limiting yourself. I can only get so far on my own."

She brings up longtime friend Sophia Rossi, who likewise understands the sisterhood of business. “Her business is HelloGiggles," says Richie. "It’s online, it’s so different than what I do, but we have found ways to collaborate and I’m really passionate about my friendship with her. She’s somebody who is a true connector. She has no skin in the fashion game, but she loves me and she wants to see her friends succeed.” Friends like Clique Media co-founder Katherine Power. “Sophia started a few years after Katherine, but she is the first person to say, ‘I just copied everything Katherine did. I listened to everything she said and she was my mentor.’” 

“Those girls are the perfect example of two friends going after kind of the same thing but who have done nothing but support each other and maintain the closeness. You’re never going to produce the same thing, it’s just not possible. We don’t have the same souls.”

With Pearl xChange Richie wants to take this notion a step further. “When I hear other girls say, ‘Oh, I don’t have a lot of girlfriends,’ or ‘I don’t trust other girls,” I, personally, don’t understand what that means,” she says. “We have to get over that. It has to be a thing of the past and it’s really important to me. To say, or ask, ‘How can I help?’ ‘What can I give?’ and ‘What is the one thing that I have that I can offer?’”

She brings up advice Marianne Williams gave the audience at the first Pearl xChange. “She spoke a lot about us understanding our own strengths and how that takes more confidence than we know. Feeling good within ourselves about what we have to offer— that’s harder than a lot of people think.”

Adding, “There is no how-to book, but the idea of ‘this is how you do it’ can be thrown out. You can create your own way.”

“The idea of ‘this is how you do it’ can be thrown out. You can create your own way.”

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In her thirties Nicole feels more confident and secure in her decisions, her "own way," than ever before. That means exploring and pushing herself and finding new sides of who she is. “You really have to put yourself out there, give everything that you have, and do it authentically.” 

“It’s been a slow and steady process of me finding the confidence in myself to take the reigns of my own business and my own life.” 

“I think the key is to find the thing that you love and figure out how to turn that into a business. And just be that. Don’t worry about being anything else. Then you’ll feel like your life has alignment and true flow.” 

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Rock the Vote President Says Young Female Voters Are Louder Than Ever

This November marks one of the most historic elections. Ever. Not only did Hillary Clinton make history when she secured the win as the first female nominated by a major political party for President, but Millennials, the biggest and most diverse generation the United States has ever seen are primed to be a driving force at the polls. In 2008 and 2012, voters under 30 were a crucial piece of winning the presidential election. They stand to make the same impact this election year. 

It's something that Rock the Vote, the non-profit, nonpartisan organization committed to galvanizing youth to vote has been encouraging since 1990. 

It was 26 years ago when a bikini-clad Madonna motivated generation MTV to vote. Wrapped in an American flag and rapping about former Presidents Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln, she delivered the first PSA for Rock the Vote.

Today, according to Rock the Vote, the diversity of Millennials is not simply reflected in age, background, ability or race, but in the way Gen M approached problems, finds opportunities and envisions the future. 80 million strong, it is a generation that wants a better, more just future for all. Young women are a driving force behind that vision. According to RtV "anyone who ignores the importance of young women in this election, does so at their own peril."

"Anyone who ignores the importance of young women in this election, does so at their own peril."

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In a poll released earlier this month with Rock the Vote's partner USA Today, they found that 73% of women between 18 and 34 strongly disagree with banning an entire religious group from entering to the United States. They've also found young women across the country who are engaged in issues that matter to them, like defending access to reproductive rights, reforming the criminal justice system, and securing equal pay.

Young women are poised to make a big difference in the world by voting for candidates who will elevate the issues they care about across every office, not just President. It's why Create & Cultivate has teamed up with Rock the Vote. From encouraging young women to register to talking about issues that matter most, we asked Rock the Vote President, Carolyn DeWitt about the importance of this election, the power of the vote, and a generation that's only getting stronger.

 Why is it important for Rock the Vote to be at Create & Cultivate?

It’s so important for us because we know that young women are some of the most passionate and engaged people in this country. Young women are playing a more vocal role than ever before in their families, communities, politics, business and across every facet of American life.  Create & Cultivate is a place for young women to come together and learn how to carve out a life for ourselves that makes us proud. At Rock the Vote, we know that participating in elections is also a way, one of the most important ways, that women can shape our futures.

What kind of galvanization have you seen from young women this election cycle?

Young women are getting louder about the issues we know affect our lives. From demanding equal pay for equal work, pushing back against sexism and defending our access to reproductive rights, this election cycle has been one where women are speaking truth to the powers that be. We may want different things, we may have different visions of where we want to be in life, but we are empowered to fight for it and we are only getting stronger.

What do you think a female POTUS would do for the future of our country?

This is a really big milestone for our country—one that has been long overdue. Across the globe, we currently have a record number of female world leaders. This is important because women often approach challenges differently and are often more likely to consider the direct impact of policies on women. But more than that, we are seeing that issues are the driving force behind engagement in elections. Young women are becoming more independent.  We want to go to college and not experience crushing debt. We want to get paid what we’re worth in the workplace. We want to turn the tide on climate change and leave for our kids and grandkids an environment that is healthy. No matter who is president come November, we are going to keep fighting for these issues.

"Young women are becoming more independent. We want to get paid what we’re worth in the workplace."

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Do you remember the first time you voted and what that feeling was like?

The first time I was eligible to vote in an election, I was living in Kenya. It was a midterm election. I wasn’t particularly interested in politics; in fact, I would say I was completely turned off by politics. But, I had seen the impact of democracy and the power those in office had over their country and its people. I witnessed that the right to vote, especially free from intimidation was something I had that those around me didn’t. I had visited countries and knew people who had died fighting for a democratic system. I couldn’t take that right for granted. I went to the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi and completed an absentee ballot. 

Why is this election so important for young women?

There is a lot at stake this election. It’s easy to forget how far women have come in the last few decades and that it wasn’t that long ago that women didn’t have rights over their bodies, protection against domestic violence or harassment in the workplace or equality in places of education, including school athletics. This election, we’re not only fighting for progress, but we’re also fighting against regression. We are more independent and stronger than ever, but there is still work to be done from access to reproductive rights to equal pay. We are also more likely to play active roles as advocates for our families, our friends, and our communities and will fight for the issues that impact the lives closest to us. We know that when we work together we can change the course of our country and build an inclusive system that works for all of us.

"When we work together we can change the course of our country and build an inclusive system that works for all of us."

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What have you seen and learned as a business woman that you can share with our audience?

I’m so grateful that I have had the experiences that have shaped me into who I am today, leading Rock the Vote during this critical time in our nation’s history. I have experienced the democratic process here at home and abroad, in an effort to build more just and equitable institutions. When I was in South Africa, I met with various leaders who helped end apartheid and set up a democratic state and the victims who were imprisoned under apartheid. In Kenya, I was part of the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission to build a more democratic state. As an adult, I’ve been the primary advocate and caretaker to a family member with disabilities. Whether as a mother, daughter, sister, neighbor, or employer we often play the role of caretaker and advocate for those in our lives. To me, that means it’s even more critical that we use our voice to express our values in the democratic process. I will always be working to build and protect democracies and fighting for a political system that welcomes everyone’s perspective.

To register and Rock the Vote click here.

Share why you're voting this election in the comments below! 

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You're a Freelancer and You Lost a Client, Now What?

The freelance world is full of competition. (Read up as to why we think a little competition among women is more than OK.) 

Sometimes you’re competing against other freelancers and sometimes you’re competing against yourself. Like when a steady client all of the sudden PULLS the PLUG and you’re left scrambling to cover your monthly nut. (Click here for key financial rules to follow at any age.)

When it’s you against your bank account, we want you to come out on top. 

Because it doesn’t matter how great you are at your job or how well you interface with clients, it happens to the best of us. Directions and budgets change. The people who hired you leave positions and bring on a new person. Sometimes the relationship has simply expired. 

Here are four ways that will keep you from getting lanced by the roller coaster world of working for yourself. 

WORK IT OUT WITH UPWORK 

Great people can be hard to find, so make yourself findable with the world’s largest online workplace. Upwork has over 5 million registered clients who post over 3 million jobs annually. The site also boasts over a billion dollars worth of work done annually. That’s money going into other pockets. 

You apply, create a profile that focusses on your very niche (and very impressive) skills, and start hunting. Browse jobs in over ten different fields, from writing to design and creative. There’s a new job out there for you, so go find it. 

2. BE AS COLD AS ICE

Sometimes jobs find us but most freelancers have to find the job. It's called a hustle. 

So you lost one job? Use it as a reason to find two more. Build a list of one hundred clients that you want to work for and reach out. The most successful “cold” emails offer a service instead of asking a question. 

"The most successful cold emails offer a service instead of asking a question."

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Don’t ask if someone is hiring, show them with data and specific examples of what you can do for them. Karin Eldor, self-employed copywriter and social media strategist says this of cold contacting: “Hit up the job boards of the brands you love most to see if there are any postings for your skill-set, and fire off those applications and emails.  

She adds, “Set a goal of reaching out to four contacts per day -- the wider your net, the more likely you'll get some bites. The key to cold emailing and increasing the chance of a reply is making your email short and to the point: start with flattery, then hit 'em up with your expertise in a short tagline about yourself. You need to intro what you do, what your specialty is, and how you can help them.”

3. FOCUS ON WHAT’S WORKING, TO MAKE SURE YOU KEEP WORKING

“Losing a steady client can shake you to the core,” says Karin. But all freelancers agree that going negative is as bad as going dark. 

Jane Helpern, writer, copywriter, and editorial director living in LA, says it's “Easier said than done but try not to take it personally. Don't waste your time wondering what went wrong, or if it's something you did. It's endlessly more productive to focus on improving one aspect of your professional package, whether it's refreshing your website, tightening up your social media presence, or tricking out your desk setup. It's kind of like a revenge body, but for your career.”

"Focus on improving one aspect of your professional package. It's kind of like a revenge body, but for your career.”

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4. SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS

Unsubscribe from everything that's wasting your time and sign up for everything that will advance your finances. From our Create & Cultivate Classifieds to ilovecreatives job boards. 

Karin says, “sign up for newsletters from freelance-oriented websites and make sure to visit job boards that list contractual gigs, on the daily -- it's a freelance world, and we're just living in it. We have big love for ilovecreatives lately, as they send weekly digital classifieds for creatives.” 

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What Kelly Mindell of Studio DIY Learned From a 13-Year-Old

photo credit: Studio DIY 

DIY is more than project-based crafting-- it’s an attitude, a lifestyle, and according to Kelly Mindell of Studio DIY it's also about making life a party. Born and raised New Jersey, Kelly says she's been a DIY-er since birth and an entrepreneur since 15. She moved to LA in 2011, founded her business the same year, and has put her crafty head and hands to good use since.

Dedicated to a good time, Studio DIY gives readers the kind of excited feeling they had as kids. Think: the moment the piñata broke open and candy rained from the sky. The time you had donuts for dinner. The day you spend running through sprinklers. It's joy in motion.

It's also a lot of work. 

We caught up with Kelly to talk biz, what she's learning from younger generations, and the one thing she's bad at (that you'd never, ever expect). 

How do you DIY your life?

I've always been one to ask questions and not play by the rules. In high school, I asked if I could do an independent study to build my portfolio instead of spending hours in classes I knew I wouldn't use. In college, I did the same and built Studio DIY during the process! I've always worked tirelessly to make these situations my own and, well, if that's not the true basis of DIY, I don't know what is!

How do you DIY your business?

What I love most about DIY is that it's all about figuring things out and finding a solution, and lord knows that running a business involves figuring things out on the daily. The cool thing about blogging is that no two blogs or business models are the same, so I get to make Studio DIY completely my own... and make things up along the way, too

What was the learning curve for you taking something that was crafty and project-based and scaling it into a business?

Was? How about "is"? Ha! Building and scaling this business is a constant learning curve! DIY blogging takes so many hours, such extensive overhead and so much man-power all while things are changing constantly. I have to learn to grow my revenue, bring on and manage new team members and determine which new avenues for the brand are the right ones to take. And that's all in my spare time!

"DIY blogging takes so many hours, such extensive overhead and so much man-power."

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Where do you see the movement heading? Are you interested in getting into the world of AR/VR?

I've noticed that readers, myself included, are placing more and more value on the personality behind the content, versus the content itself. Now that the DIY and blogging markets are so saturated, it's often the person behind the business that people relate to, are interested in or want to build a relationship with. One of the best things I did was start showing and sharing more of myself on my platforms. Sure, I create larger-than-life projects for a living, but I'm also a person... who struggles with infertility, who steps over a pile of clothes to get to her bed, and who really likes watching Teen Mom and eating pizza on a Friday night. It's fun to share those parts of me and build connections with my readers on a much deeper level. And I think that's becoming more important than ever. 

What are you learning from the younger generations, especially as it’s related to tech and social media?

So much! I have a growing tween and teen audience and it's been fascinating to learn how differently they consume media. My 13 year old niece helped out at the office over the summer and I quizzed her about everything she knew so I could learn more. YouTube is integral for reaching their generations and that's precisely why we recently launched our YouTube channel. 

Life is not a Pinterest board. Can you walk me through the BTS reality-- how much goes into it?

I work around the clock and the work is still never done! Our studio looks like a never-ending craft tornado blew through it. I work with my husband which is rewarding and challenging all at the same time. Most nights our dinner consists of avocado toast eaten on the couch while answering emails. I have certainly not mastered a work life balance, but I know that this is the season to work my hardest so my priorities can shift in the coming years. 

How have you grown up as a business woman in the digital scene?

I've gone from being a one-woman show to managing an incredible team. I've also gone from knowing nobody in the industry to now calling my colleagues some of my best friends. Both have been some of the most rewarding experiences in my career, and I am thankful every day for the amazing community of women that surrounds me!

What social platforms are most relevant to your business? Are there platforms you’re more hesitant to grow? 

Instagram has been by far the most relevant and important, as far as community building goes. It's where my largest and most interactive audience lives. And Pinterest is integral as far as circulating content and exposing it to new eyeballs each day. It's a big traffic driver. Snapchat has also become far more important to me than I ever expected.

On the flip side, I know I'm not the only one who was thrown for a loop when Instagram Stories launched. On the surface, making the jump from Snapchat back to Instagram seems like a no-brainer (one app, better view counts), but I treat Snapchat very differently than Instagram. Snapchat is my core audience and almost like a built-in focus group. I love having one-on-one conversations over there and posing questions to get real time answers. Yes, I can do that on Instagram Stories too, but the audience is much larger and therefore the response much more overwhelming. It has been nice to have a smaller platform like Snapchat so I can build more intimate relationships. That said, I'm sure I'll find a way to incorporate Stories soon enough!

photo credit: Studio DIY

What parts of your career would you say have expanded your mind the most? 

Without a doubt the amazing community that surrounds me, both with fellow bloggers (now friends) and readers. Our community spans the world and it has been so fun, and eye-opening, to learn more about them. About how they learn, what they like, how they range from being 13 to being the grandmother of a 13-year-old. How cool is that!? I love being able to interact with people of all walks of life on a daily basis.

Is there anything you’ve found that you’re just not good at? 

Well I have terrible handwriting! Ha! Learning to be a manager has been a huge struggle for me, but as a boss, that's not something that I can just "not be good at" so I'm learning as I go! But the handwriting thing... that's just hopeless! 

How do you separate person from brand?

Right now, it's quite a blurred line! Now is the season in life where I am fully immersed in my business and my personal life and business life blend together quite often. However, soon enough the business will be much bigger than myself, and I will be much more fiercely protective over my personal life once there are little ones in the mix!

Your husband Jeff is an integral part of your team. How did you go about building the rest of it? 

When I knew it was time to hire someone, I determined two things: what I wasn't good at and what took up the most of my time. Getting what you're bad at off your plate is the most important thing because there's always someone else out there who's good at it. So that was the first major hire I made. Then, when I was in a better financial position, I was able to start taking off the tasks that I was good at, but that took up more time than I had. As the business grows, I continue to look at these two pain points and hire accordingly!

"Getting what you're bad at off your plate is the most important because there's always someone else out there who's good at it." 

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What’s next! 

We're putting a lot of effort into our new YouTube channel and we're about to launch the biggest endeavor yet for Studio DIY, but that's all I can say... for now! On the personal side, Jeff and I are excited to start growing our family in the near future and begin a whole new adventure as parents!

VIP Tickets for #CreateCultivateATL are ALMOST gone. To hear Kelly speak on "You Do You" grab a ticket before it's too late!

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Top 5 Things to Remember When You’re Searching for a Job

photo credit: Sugar & Cloth

Looking for a new job is hard. It's as simple as that, and it’s easy to forget these top 5 things to remember when you're searching. You may be working long hours at a day job while searching for the career of your dreams, or you may have left a job only to spend countless hours searching for a new position. Whatever situation you may be in, you’re not alone.

Searching for a job can be a long and tedious process, and it's easy to feel dejected, however it is important to keep your spirits up and remember that everything always works itself out. It doesn't make it any easier at the time, but often when you look back upon a time you were struggling, you'll see how far you've progressed. To make it a little easier on you, I've rounded up the top 5 things to remember when you're searching for a job:

DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY, AND TRY TO LOOK AT THINGS FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

You may have applied to hundreds or thousands of jobs, and it's easy to get down on yourself, but it's always important to look at things from a different perspective. You have no idea who's on the other end, sifting through applications. Sometimes jobs are only posted for legal reasons, even when the company has a candidate in mind. Don't take it personally if you don't hear from an online job application. Chances are that it has nothing to do with you!

REMEMBER THAT YOU’RE LIKELY ONE OF HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF APPLICANTS 

Because we have such easy access to job postings through online job sites such as LinkedIn, it is very common to be one of hundreds or thousands of applicants. The problem is that even if you’re completely qualified and would be a great candidate for the position, you may get passed over due to the sheer volume of candidates applying. Often there are so many applicants that determining which candidates should move forward is like finding a needle in a haystack. Be patient, make your application great, and don’t make the mistake of thinking that you’re the only person to apply.

"Be patient, make your application great, and don’t make the mistake of thinking that you’re the only person to apply."

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DON’T APPLY TO EVERY JOB UNDER THE SUN

Recruiters call this tactic “spray and pray,” and it’s not a tactic that anyone in the hiring industry would recommend. Contrary to popular belief, applying to more jobs is not better. The quality of each application you submit is much more important than the quantity. It’s much better to apply to a few jobs that you really want, and focus on customizing your resume and cover letter to each position than to cast wide net and apply to a lot of jobs with the same resume and cover letter. 

When you use the same general resume and cover letter to apply to a plethora of jobs, recruiters and hiring managers can tell. By using terms such as “your company” instead of actually writing out the company name, or not referencing specific aspects of the company and/or job description, it becomes transparent that you’re using that resume and cover letter to apply everywhere.

What’s wrong with that? It gives off the notion that you’re too lazy to customize your documents, and that you don’t care about the company which you’re applying for. Make sure you show the hiring manager and/or recruiter who you really are and pour your soul into each application. It may be a pain at the time, but your effort will show through and benefit you.

YOU HAVE TO WANT IT, AND SHOW OTHERS THAT YOU WANT IT

I often see people who are applying for jobs they aren’t super excited about, and it is always very apparent in their applications. When on a job search, you have to be determined and know what you want. If you want something bad enough and work hard enough to get there, it will show through in your resume, cover letter, interview, and overall actions. Companies want to hire people who know what they want and will work their butt off to get there. If you’re neck in neck with another candidate, a company will almost always choose the candidate who wants it more. If you’re passionate, you’ll work harder, and that’s what kind of employees companies want to hire. If you can show how much you want the position in your application, you’ll always have good results.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO USE YOUR CONNECTIONS 

This is one of the biggest mistakes people make. A lot of people seem to be afraid of using their connections because they don’t want it to appear as though they got the position because of who they know. It’s not ideal to be handed a job just because you know someone with authority, but reaching out to people you know in a similar field or work in a company you want to work for is always a good idea. 

There may be a job opportunity coming up that you would only hear about through an internal source. You’ll still need to submit a resume and go through the application process, but reaching out to a contact could present you with a new opportunity that you had no idea existed. Remember that if you won’t reach out and use your connections, there are plenty of people who will, and they will be the ones to hear about new opportunities before anyone else. Chances are that you will never regret reaching out to a connection to let them know you’re looking for a job.

It can be hard to keep your spirits up during a job search, but remember that countless people are facing the same struggles as you, and at some point or another, every single person has been there. Take advantage of free time if you have it, and become the best version of yourself. Take a class, do some volunteer work, and polish your application package. No one will look down upon you for taking time to improve yourself. Regardless of how you’re handling your job search, don’t forget about these top 5 things to remember when you're searching for a job.

A native San Franciscan, Michele Lando is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and founder of writestylesonline.com. She has a passion for helping others present the best version of themselves, both on paper and in person, and works to polish individuals' application package and personal style. Aiming to help create a perfect personal branding package, Write Styles presents tips to enhance your resume, style, and boost your confidence.

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4 Steps to Keeping Your Voice in the Online World

photo credit: Irida Mete

By Alisa Nelson

What’s the difference between copying an idea and stealing it?

I was taught by a math professor but the deeper concept holds true across the board. The difference between copying someone’s idea and stealing it is that stealing involves your own creativity and voice as you adapt the idea into your specific context. When we are copying, we are trying to fit the pieces of someone else's life into our own. The result is commonly to give up or lose momentum and I believe it happens for two reasons:

1. Since it wasn’t your goal or vision to begin with, you don’t really know why you’re going after it so when the road gets a bit bumpy, you don’t have that deep soul drive that helps you keep going and you don’t know what you’re supposed to do next. It's like following step-by-step instructions that don't account for your specific situation. 

2. You get a little ways down this new path and realize you lost your own voice. Creativity stalls because you aren’t speaking (or living) in a way that shows who you are. 

It’s difficult to be vulnerable when they aren’t your words and as Brené Brown has shown us, vulnerability is crucial for creativity and innovation. Copying someone else’s vulnerability - even if they are a close match - will leave you feeling dried up in the end.

"Copying someone else’s vulnerability will leave you feeling dried up in the end."

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I write on this from the perspective of a newer online entrepreneur who struggles to stay focused on my own brand as I try to reach my own audience. Maybe you can relate? Our own uniqueness means that we can do similar things and yet speak from a totally different perspective. But we like lists. We want someone to come alongside us and tell us how to turn who we are into a business - or at least a cohesive message. Remember what I said about vulnerability? Bringing who you are, including your need for growth and maturation of your brand, is the best way to spark your creativity and this allows you to actually reach the people you want to reach and influence their lives. From experience, simply copying how other people use Instagram or their writing style won’t get you their results.

So how do you go about staying focused on your brand amidst the overstimulation of the online business world?

1. Write a clear and specific mission statement that includes your target audience and what you are trying to inspire them to do

2. Filter every new idea - blog post, product, social media theme, etc - through that mission statement.

3. Look for the principles behind the success of your online peers - rather than copying their method, identify the bigger ideas that fuel their success. Do they have killer headlines? Do they share personal stories? What kind of value do they offer to their audience? Once you spot the bigger concept, seek to grow your own capability in that area so you can apply it to your brand without losing what makes you unique.

4. Go back to your personal WHY. Why did you start your blog? Why do you love what you do? Remind yourself frequently and let your creativity flow from your confidence in the message you are standing behind.

These steps can seem silly when you’re “on” - you know, when you’re motivated, brainstorming, and getting tons of engagement from your audience. The advantage to having a written out mission statement is for the moments when you aren’t getting engagement. When ideas aren’t coming and you feel like you’re floundering for inspiration. Rather than reaching for social media and looking at what everyone else is doing, dare to take a step back. Go outside, let your mind wander, and get back in touch with your WHY. For me, that has occasionally meant dropping the direction I had been moving in so I can do a course correction. Other times, it’s just staying quiet on social media for a brief period as I refocus. In the end, consistency is only valuable if it is bringing you closer to your desired outcome.

What do you do when you start to lose vision? What habits do you use to stay consistent while maintaining your voice and personal creativity? Share in the comments below. 

An original version of this article appeared on Blog Society. 

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Gridwork: 10 Instagrammers Keeping Us On Top of Our Visual Game

With Instagram constantly evolving, you have to make sure you step up your game with the visuals to keep up with the rest of the amazing feeds. 

However, there are those times where you get in a creative block and you need a creative boost to find that one photo that will fit your feed perfectly. If you need a little boost to get your creative juices flowing, you’re in luck. Lucky for you, we keep our eye on some of the most amazing Instagrammers that are killing it on their own visual game. 

Check out the 10 Instagrammers that are killing it at their own Instagram feeds that will for sure give you visual inspiration for your own feed.

@jamdownflava

@thetaable

@local_milk

@tanagandhi

@darngooood

@elsewhere

@haarkon_

@emaritraffie

@teachesofpeaches

@thisisprima

Who are your favorite Instagrammers to follow for inspiration? Let us know below!