How to Recreate the Look of Create & Cultivate at Home
Transform any room in your house.
Create & Cultivate and High Fashion Home are aesthetically a great fit. And we can never get enough of the vignettes created at our conferences. If we could transport them into our own living rooms, we would. (And you can.)
We checked in with HFH co-founder Dolley Frearson about the company's presence at C&C, best sellers, and how to transform any room in your house.
What about High Fashion Home speaks to the C&C girl?
I think HFH speaks to the C&C girl because we offer them the freedom to choose from a large section of high-style and high-design products that caters to her intelligence, creativity, and individuality. The C&C girl knows how to create her own look; she just needs the right selection/mix of products ranging from timeless and modern to bohemian and eclectic. She loves being fashion-forward and different, but the space must be practical and functional as well.
Who is the ‘High Fashion Home' woman?
She is a confident, worldly woman who loves high-design home décor that suits her modern, eclectic lifestyle. Home décor is important to her because her home/space is her sanctuary that brings her joy and allows her to create memories with family and friends. She loves inspiration and to get lost in her discoveries. Decorating is a journey to her. She is also a savvy shopper who will not compromise on quality and enjoys a seamless, transparent and authentic customer service experience.
"The C&C girl knows how to create her own look."
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We create little vignettes on site at C&C that end up being the most photographed, but what is the best way to update a room? What pieces can we add to create updated “vignettes” at home?
I would say artwork, rug, pillows, and accessories...or any combo of these.
What are your favorite items on the HFH site?
Current faves: Camino Swivel Chairs, Celfie Vases, Revelation II Artwork, Gigi Mongolian Fur Chair, Gold, Wildwood Candleholder, Brass, Chloe Fossil Clam Lava Coffee Table, and Solo Dining Chairs.
What are some of the best sellers?
Camino Chair, Adagio Buffet, Gigi Mongolian Chair, Allura Bench, light gray, Teak Block Coffee Table, Alexa Desk, Gold, Twilight Glow Artwork, Amelia Bed, Duet Natural, William Sofa, Vance Emerald, Ian Sofa, Duet Natural, and Miller Sectional, Crevere Cream
And what makes the store both online and the Houston brick and mortar unique?
What makes our online store and brick and mortar unique is our carefully curated selection of furniture and home décor accessories and how we create room ideas to inspire our customers. Our store is 125,000 square feet and four stories and for those who have shopped in our Houston store, they will tell you that is like a home décor mecca. It would take hours to walk through the store which is a good thing and a bad thing. But the best part is our layout and merchandise mix. We really love to mix it up and it's our goal and mantra to inspire our customers. It's wonderful when you hear first-time or long-time customers say that our place is so inspirational and their favorite place to go and wander. It's so flattering because we know how important their time is and the fact that they want to spend it in our "home"...that just makes me feel so proud of our work and our team.
We are also very proud of our wonderful manufacturing partners and eco-initiatives. We take the time to seek out products made from salvaged or sustainably harvested wood, plant-based materials, recycled fibers, and USA-made upholstery. About 95% of our upholstery products (sofas, sectionals, beds, chairs, etc.) are bench-made in the North Carolina. We are also committed to our partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation; For every piece of furniture sold at our store and online, we plant a tree -- so far, that's over 120,700 trees planted!
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C&C Classifieds Nº14: New Opportunities For November
Say hello to your new gig.
November is here, and as a new month is here, you might be feeling the winds of change in your career as well.
Kick off the month with a fresh batch of job listings for you to apply from our good friends at Mr. Kate, HomeAway, Target, Saatchi & Saatchi, JustFab, Brit + Co, Digital Brand Architects, Daniel Wellington, Crate & Barrel, and many more!
To get full access to our classified listings, just enter your name and email below. Good luck!
If you have signed up for access to the C&C Classifieds before, click here.
Good Girls Revolt: How 4 Powerful Career Women Asked for Raises
In honor of boss women everywhere.
Have you sunk into watching "Good Girls Revolt?"
On Friday, Amazon released their newest binge-worthy show based on Lynn Povich’s 2012 book The Good Girls Revolt, about a gender-discrimination lawsuit filed by her and her peers at Newsweek in 1970. The series follows a group of young female researchers at "News of the Week," who ask for equal treatment. (Sound familiar? It should.) GGR operates in the past and present, addressing the on-going struggle of female employees and their inability to out-earn male colleagues-- or simply earn an equal wage.
In the pilot, Nora Ephron (played by Grace Gummer) questions why she and other female researchers are scrambling over research assignments that will be handed off to the men. "All that's left to do is make yourself indispensable," says peer Patti Robinson (played by Genevieve Angelson) when Ephron first joins the team.
So in honor of good girls revolting and equal pay, here are 4 boss women who have asked for more money, more flexibility, and more respect.
LILLY LEDBETTER
“I went over and interviewed with Goodyear in 1978, and I worked for Goodyear tire company for 19 years before I found out that the males were making 40 percent more than I was making for working the same job. Someone left me a little torn sheet of paper and tipped me off anonymously, listing my base pay and their base pay. The first thing that popped into my mind when I saw it was how much I had lost on overtime. I thought about my retirement and my 401(k) and my social security, because what you earn is what determines your retirement. I was just humiliated and embarrassed, to say the least, that a major corporation could do me that way. The company I worked for told me when I [was] hired there: ‘If you discuss your pay, you will not have a job here.’ So no one ever discussed their pay. I never knew. I had no idea how much someone else was making … After I got that tip, I filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the wheels went into motion with the company.” — Self, January 2016
MICHELLE OBAMA
“I took my last job [before my husband entered the White House] because of my boss’s reaction to my family situation. I didn’t have a babysitter, so I took Sasha right in there with me in her crib and her rocker. I was still nursing, so I was wearing my nursing shirt. I told my boss, ‘This is what I have: two small kids. My husband is running for the U.S. Senate. I will not work part time. I need flexibility. I need a good salary. I need to be able to afford babysitting. And if you can do all that, and you’re willing to be flexible with me because I will get the job done, I can work hard on a flexible schedule.’ I was very clear. And he said yes to everything.” —Parade, June 2014
SHERYL SANDBERG
“When I was negotiating with Facebook’s founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg for my compensation, he made me an offer that I thought was fair. We had been having dinner several nights a week for more than a month and a half, discussing Facebook’s mission and his vision for the future. I was ready to accept the job. No, I was dying to accept the job. My husband, Dave, kept telling me to negotiate, but I was afraid of doing anything that might botch the deal. I could play hardball, but then maybe Mark would not want to work with me. Was it worth it when I knew that ultimately I was going to accept the offer? I concluded it was not. But right before I was about to say yes, my exasperated brother-in-law, Marc Bodnick, blurted out, ‘Damn it, Sheryl! Why are you going to make less than any man would make to do the same job?’
"Was it worth it when I knew that ultimately I was going to accept the offer?"
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My brother-in-law didn’t know the details of my deal. His point was simply that no man at my level would consider taking the first offer. This was motivating. I went back to Mark and said that I couldn’t accept, but I prefaced it by telling him, ‘Of course you realize that you’re hiring me to run your deal teams, so you want me to be a good negotiator. This is the only time you and I will ever be on opposite sides of the table.’ Then I negotiated hard, followed by a nervous night wondering if I had blown it. But Mark called me the next day. He resolved the gap by improving my offer, extending the terms of my contract from four to five years and allowing me to buy into the company as well. His creative solution not only closed the deal, but also set us up for a longer-term alignment of interests.” — Lean In, March 2013
GLORIA STEINEM
“The most ironic that comes to mind is that Time magazine asked me to write an essay about the early women’s movement. It was a long time ago — it was maybe in the ’70s. First of all, they asked me to do it because they didn’t have a woman on staff. Secondly, I did it under deadline because it never occurred to me that they would pay me less than they did men writing the same essay. Time had a page in each issue in which there was a personal essay. When my agent got the check, he told me that I was getting paid less than men who wrote the same essay. So, I wrote the editor of Time and complained and he sent me a Gucci purse. I took the purse back to Gucci because I needed the money and tried to get cash for it and I couldn’t.” —Fusion, December 2015
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Create & Cultivate ATL's Most Instagrammable Moments
Doing it for the gram.
Create & Cultivate was only two weeks ago, but we're still on a high from all the good vibes and decor like it was yesterday.
We don't mean to brag, but if you've followed us on Instagram, you've probably already seen some of the amazing decor that helped make Create & Cultivate Atlanta come alive.
Take a peek at some of the shots that we can't get over from C&C ATL this month, along with the amazing sponsors that helped make it happen.
A special thanks to:
High Fashion Home, Wabi Sabi Textile Co., Bermuda Dream, Reform Fibers, Accent Decor, Icelandic Glacial Water, Le Grand Courtâge, The Photo Bus Atlanta, Passion Roses, Illy Coffee, The Sweet Petite, Grey Ghost Bakery, and RobotBooth.
Photos by Kelley Raye Photography, Sidney Ellen Photography, & Eliza Kennard Photography.
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The 4 Non-Negotiables to Look for When Hiring
The secrets to building a great team.
photo credit: Sara Forrest
Katherine Warnock, General Manager at Darling says that one of her greatest strengths as a leader in business is her ability to hire and create a dynamic team.
Katherine says, "through the years my love for people, in all their uniqueness, coupled with my background in strategic, creative and branding-based management has developed a keen eye for talent."
Instead of trying to answer the impossible blanket questions, "how do you build a team?" she tries to point to the rarely promoted non-negotiables when it comes to building a dynamic, driven and seamless team. Here are her top four:
1. CULTURE
This is one of the most important elements I look for when hiring. I am always asking myself when making a hire, “Is this person going to add to our culture or bring it down?” I want contributors, not distractors. I want peaceful seekers of excellence and bold communicators, not toxic gossips or entitled mentalities. I’m very protective of the atmosphere I, as a manager, am asking my staff to spend a majority of their time in. I learned long ago that one must tend to culture the same way one tends to a garden — with intentionality, love and a commitment to warding off the weeds.
2. IDENTITY
Sense of self. I want to know who you are and that you know who you are. It is important to me that you know not only your strengths, but that you are also at peace with your process in the areas you still need development in. The art of process and development is so often overlooked by managers. I have no problem hiring people that still need development. I do, however, steer away from hires where I do not feel a potential employee is self aware of what they do and do not bring to the table.
I love someone who knows their weaknesses and who isn’t afraid of the fact that they are still on a journey. I can work, mentor and shape those types of people. I don’t have room for ego or pretenses; I do have time for process.
3. RESPECT
Do they honor well? Honor and respect are the foundation from which I manage and are therefore traits that I require in any hire that I make. I want to build a culture around people who understand the potency of respect and of giving honor to those above them, around them and below them. I will not hire someone that lacks in this.
So many organizations and businesses today want to see the world changed, sustainable enterprise garnered, people united, impactful reach developed and walls broken down; it’s all an admirable pursuit that starts here, both in making the posture of respect and the ability to honor requirements in any hire.
"I want contributors, not distractors. I want peaceful seekers of excellence and bold communicators."
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4. TEACHABILITY
Can this person be molded? Or do they think they have arrived? Can I give them constructive feedback that yields mature dialogue? Or will I be met with defensiveness? When hiring I want to make sure I am building a team of teachable people who embrace and esteem the importance of growth. I do not care if you have a list of accolades as long as Steve Jobs or Mother Theresa, if you are not willing to press into the best version of yourself, alongside a community trying to do the same, then I will not hire you.
Bottom-line, no one sprints to line up for constructive feedback. It is hard and vulnerable for all of us, but I want to search out those who are brave enough to invite and even pursue feedback. That’s how we grow, by allowing that which we cannot see about ourselves, our blind-spots, be brought to the forefront so we can get there faster, together.
What makes me good at my job? I’ve learned that these foundational pillars can be replicable for anyone, anywhere — employer and job seeker alike — if we are willing to follow them and in equal measure let them mold us. I doubt many would disagree with the above, as they are all virtuous and estimable traits. To that end I’m not actually saying anything new or controversial here.
I’m more asking the next wave of business leaders and business makers (employees) to go beyond the singular, yet necessary, pursuit of abilities by expanding their scope to include these markers which will serve them and the vision far more than skills alone ever could.
An original version of this article appeared on Darling.
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Links We Love: Sexist News, The End of Vine & a Few LOLs
Because it's Friyay, and you deserve a laugh.
Take a read and then call your mom. She misses you.
In news you already knew: cable news has a terrible prob with sexism.
This company keeps you warm. It also has onsite child care, paid parental leave, and 100% mom retention.
According to Glassdoor, if you want work/life balance these are the best jobs.
Brand bravo. Secret releases a powerful #stresstest ad about what it means to be a woman.
The life and death of a social media platform. The Vine climbs no longer. RIP.
Find out why this WOC landed on the cover of Marvel.
A good example on how to write a cover letter. (Just in case you want to work through the weekend.)
Want a 23-minute ritual that will transform your entire day? Right this way.
For some EL OH ELs this Halloween weekend. This is too real. Be safe out there kids.
Miss Iceland was body shamed. So she did this.
It's very useful to be bilingual.
The wait is almost over. Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life hits Netflix Nov. 25. Drink lots of coffee this weekend in celebration.
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Top Hacks for Busy Working Travelers
It's not always easy, but we make it fun.
Who run the world? Women.
But we’re also running all over the place. Taking business meetings and holding court in different areas of the country. We jump on planes (never to conclusions) and we’re constantly on-the-go.
At the least that’s how it is for the team behind Create & Cultivate, and we know we’re not alone. From scouting locations to heading out town for conferences and popups, we’re up in the air and out of town quite a bit. Traveling for work isn’t always easy, but we’ve found a few ways to make sure it’s fun.
Here are some of our favorite travel hacks:
Where to Stay: Use HomeAway Vacation Rentals
Travel for work may not be “vacation,” but with more than 1.2 million rentals in 190 countries, HomeAway offers a smart solution to lodging costs for employees.
The benefits are multifold, especially when and if you’re traveling with your whole team. First, it’s less expensive than renting multiple hotel rooms, especially when you factor in the cost of food. More so, having a kitchen is both a financially and emotionally beneficial. Room service charges add up. So does heading out for every meal. Beyond that, being able to gather in a kitchen (or cozy up on a couch) with your work squad when you’re OOT gives you the much-needed creature comforts of home.
Our team is like family, especially when we’re on location. We pull so many late nights the week leading up to the conference. From midnight oil burning computer cram sessions to early AM (being able to make coffee in the morning is key to getting out the door) powwows, having the team in one place is also one less thing to worry about. Instead of solo working in the wee hours of the night, we’re in it together. Being in a home together is one of the ways we keep sane.
We stayed at a 4-bedroom bungalow in the Kirkwood neighborhood in Atlanta. The home was spacious and perfect for our five-person team (and we made more than a few late-night pizzas).
Spent many late nights gathered around this table.
When you’re away, you can also be home.
How to De-Stress: Pzizz Yourself to Sleep
Stress is an inevitable challenge when you travel for work. There are deadlines and time changes. Even the most seasoned business travelers are plagued by insomnia and burnout, both of which drastically affect your performance.
One of the best rated sleep apps, Pzizz (which, has made a fan of J.K Rowling) has a patented algorithm that plays a sleep-optimized mix of music, voiceover and sound effects. They work together (just like your #workcrew) to quiet your mind, put you to sleep, keep you asleep, and wake up feeling refreshed. If you know it’s going to be a long week, getting to bed on time is one of the best things you can do for your body. A well-rested team is a well-oiled machine.
How to Pack: Only Bring a Carry-On
One of the best things about staying in a home vs. hotel is that most homes come equipped with a washer and a dryer. A MAJOR travel hack because it means you can fit everything into a carry-on and not have to worry about paying for baggage or losing it.
When traveling and packing for work trips you need to curate your suitcase the same way you would a proposal: remove the fluff and keep it tight. You can successfully travel (and still look good) for a week with a carry-on.
How you ask? This is our proven strategy: two pairs of versatile pants (one denim, one ‘fancy,’) four t-shirts (assorted colors), two blouses, three pairs of socks, four pairs of underwear (remember you have a washing machine), one dress or fancier outfit, a pair of heeled boots and dress shoes, and one magical, cozy outfit that reminds you of home.
If you’re going to be staying in a city for longer than two days, hit up the local Target and buy bath products in their travel section. You can get everything you need for under $10 (which, is much cheaper than checking luggage). Bring your jewelry or accessories in your purse.
On the plane you should wear: sneakers, leggings, t-shirt, and carry your larger coat.
That’s all you need. Truly. Try it once and you will never check another piece of luggage for work again!
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#HeyLauren: Are We Addicted to the Hustle?
Just one more deal before bed.
"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.
photo credit: Kelley Raye
An advanced google search for “hustle” and “women,” results in 13,500,000 quotes, images, and articles attempting to inspire us to Hustle Hard (insert muscle emoji) with messages like: “Real woman hustle,” “Good things come to those who hustle,” and my personal favorite, “If she ain’t got no hustle, then she ain’t worth shit.” (insert blank face emoji.) While the intention—to motivate us to try our best—is clear, the tactic is warped and the message falls horrendously short of empowerment.
Over 40% of household breadwinners in the U.S. are women ( U.S. Bureau of Labor), and women are the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S, making up 30% of privately owned businesses.
So, in many ways it appears that our #Hustle mentality is working for us, but at what cost? My concern is that the #Hustle is another of our reactions to the patriarchal system that we are attempting to overcome. As a clinician, I see women everyday (just like you!) hustling their tails off to meet deadlines, prove their abilities, close the big deal. At the same time, they’re exhausted, feeling less than satisfied, exhibiting a nervous energy that hardly makes life enjoyable. To me, the #Hustle is simply a glorified manifestation of perfectionism in the workplace, and it needs to be viewed as such before we #Hustle ourselves directly out of the very game we’re equipped to dominate when in tune with ourselves, unaffected by the noise, and achieving balance.
"It appears that our #Hustle mentality is working for us, but at what cost?"
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The #Hustle is appealing, of course. I’d go as far as to say it’s addicting! We’re human-beings, and humans tend to repeat anything that feels good. For women, especially, nailing the presentation and bringing home the bacon feels SO damn good. Let’s face it— while becoming increasingly common, doing so remains against all odds. So, it can feel intoxicating. I get it! Let me be clear, I’m not preaching mediocrity for the masses. Mediocrity makes my skin crawl. Instead, I’m suggesting that balance is best. While it may seem risky, I’m willing to bet that your performance and quality of life both improve when you hop off the #Hustle hamster wheel and into you. When you’re in tuned with yourself, your voice, your relationships, and your community, there ain’t no telling what you can accomplish. Bottom line—the #Hustle is limiting your potential. It’s certainly not fueling it.
To increase life satisfaction and performance simultaneously, let’s take a page out of the overcoming perfectionism handbooks that is guaranteed to have you #Hustling toward your health. With health and balance working for you, the sky’s the limit!
Here’s how:
LOSE THE STINKIN' THINKIN'
There are ways of thinking—Black and White thinking, Catastrophic Thinking, Awfulizing, and The Shoulds— that are synonymous with the #Hustle and lead to hamster wheel hell. In lieu of internalizing these negativistic thoughts, recognize the debilitating patterns and let ‘em go. It’s typical practice in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to swap the “irrational” thoughts for more “rational” ones. Because your thoughts make complete sense, given the patriarchal society you’ve unintentionally internalized, I choose to call them self-destructive vs. self-promoting thoughts, instead. NOTE: Even changing the language is a necessary part of working counter to the current of pathologizing women and gives us permission to be ourselves—as we are, today.
GET BACK TO THE BOUNDARIES
Your time matters. Your relationships matter. Your community matters. We’re all in this together, and we need you. It’s important to keep your character—honesty, accountability, responsibility, and integrity—in tact. Doing so will allow you to easily set boundaries and save yourself for the living part of life. Meeting deadlines and slaying the day are fine and dandy, as long as you can do that, while feeling the value and meaning in your presence.
GET IT DONE!
Enough with the procrastination, too! You spend as much time talking about the #Hustle as you do #Hustling. Most of the time, it’s because you’re afraid your product won’t be “good enough”. I suggest a cognitive shift. Crush your “to-do” list with a Do it to get it done mindset. The result will surprise you! In dropping the self-prescribed standards, you’ll engage in a lot less bitching and a lot more doing. You’re welcome!
"Crush your 'to-do' list with a do it to get it done mindset."
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FORGIVE YOURSELF (AND OTHERS, TOO!)
Compulsive behaviors are born out of pain, low self-esteem, and the like. The answer is NOT to continue with self-destructive patterns. Instead the answer is to let go of past upsets and disappointments and treat yourself as you would a loved one. The #Hustle can’t hold a candle to self-compassion when it comes to feeling good. So, if you’re going to compulsively do anything, I motion for compulsive self-care seven out of seven days of the week.
GET TOUGH ON GUILT
Fear, guilt, and shame fuel the #Hustle mentality. The answer is exposure! You’re afraid to take the day off? Take two! Worried you’ll let your team members down? Well, you’re a team member, too. Even more— when balanced, your work is on time, on point, and on top. So, really, run toward discomfort! The key is to get comfortable being uncomfortable.
THINK BIG PICTURE
There’s no such thing as a make or break situation. Nothing and no one can make or break you, other than you. So, take it all in stride—one day at a time. We’re all on a quest to “meet our purpose”, but you are your purpose. Without you, you’ve got nothin’. And, you’re integral to the big picture. So, it’s high time to treat yourself with the value you possess between your head and your toes.
Following these tips will allow you to shine through the #Hustle with ease, balance, and grace, keeping in mind that yes!—your contribution to the world is ultimately important. BUT, You are your contribution! #HustleToYourHealth and the rest will follow (ten-fold!).
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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.
TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS:
Gal on the Go: The Ultimate Boss Guide to Miami
Y'all feel me?
CREATE & INNOVATE in collaboration with Marriott Hotels
photo credit: Yesi Flores
Miami is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States. It is also full of female entrepreneurs who are thriving in the Magic City.
So we headed to Miami this past month in partnership with Marriott Hotels to profile three women working and living in the city. Each has a unique relationship with Miami, two of whom having emigrated to the US. These women shared their #travelbrilliantly hacks, tips for success, and why Miami is the city for them.
We stayed at the newly renovated Marriott Stanton South Beach , taking in the sun, sand, and soaking up all the culture Miami has to offer.
GABRIELA GUZMAN, FOUNDER THE JUPITER CIRCLE
LOCATION: LITTLE HAVANA
photo credit: Erica Melissa
Gabriela Guzman, founder of The Jupiter Circle, just finished hosting her Group Strategy Session with six women entrepreneurs. "I've been hosting one-on-one sessions or larger workshops up until now," the creative entrepreneur says, and "I'm excited to lead a more intimate group of women learning from one another, supporting each other and diving deeper into their brand and social media. I believe sisterhood makes everything better."
Her shared creative office space in Little Havana is a perfect example of this. She found the space with her friend Nadia, and they brought in a third friend and business woman, Jen. "We loved being able to create the space in line with our vision, taste and values. Today we also host "Brand New Mornings" in the space - free monthly meetings for creative entrepreneurs to chat about branding, creativity and business."
"I believe sisterhood makes everything better."
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In regards to the neighborhood she says, "Little Havana reminds me of the homey feeling of Santo Domingo in the 80s. People say 'hi' to you when you're walking down the street, there's salsa playing in the background, and there are options for delicious Latin American food all over the neighborhood. We have a community of artists and makers as neighbors and it's amazing."
Gabby grew up in the Dominican Republic and moved the United States when she was 19. At the time, she says she felt the need to make "sensible" career decisions, and worked for Consulting and Human Resources in New York for several years. Then at 28 she found herself pregnant with her son, laid off, and used it as the impetus to define and pursue her passions professionally. "I started working in Communications at Planned Parenthood Federation of America. I loved using my creativity in my work and became so excited to see the power of content and social media platforms to inspire action and make ideas spread." She then felt that calling, that inescapable 'what if,' to "do things 'my way,' own my time and spend much more time with my son. I had never before considered becoming an entrepreneur, but suddenly, starting my own thing was the only option."
The Jupiter Circle has evolved with Gaby as she becomes more clear about what fuels her and can make the greatest impact. "Today," she says, "I help women entrepreneurs define a solid foundation for their business growth, with an authentic brand and a solid social media plan that fits their life and vision."
Morning coffee spot: There's a coffee spot around the corner from our office, San Lorenzo where I get my morning café con leche. It's essentially sugar + milk + coffee and it's perfection.
Place you go when you need a little (or a lot) of inspiration: I'm an extrovert and I get a lot of inspiration from connecting with my closest girlfriends. There's a beautiful courtyard (see photos) right behind our office and we'll hang there and talk things out for hours.
Tourist attraction that’s a guilty pleasure: The Perez Art Museum (PAMM) is absolutely stunning and has one of the best views in the city. It's an absolute must see place. I try to go as often as I can.
The *one* restaurant where visitors have to try that *one* dish: The pan con bistec at Doce Provisions in Little Havana gives me absolute life.
Best place to watch the sunset: I love finding chill beaches in Miami where I can hang with my son and a few close friends. Right by my house Matheson Hammock is a great spot to relax and wind down the day.
Best place to hang when the clouds open up: There's so many! One of my favorites is Crandon Park in Key Biscayne.
Spot in the city you love to be still: This is going to sound crazy, but after not driving for 10 years, driving (without traffic) has been surprisingly therapeutic. When I need to clear my head I find myself just getting in the car and driving around neighborhoods I love. Just driving and listening to music and being in the moment with nowhere to go.
"When I need to clear my head I find myself just getting in the car and driving around neighborhoods I love."
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Best drink in Miami: When you're in Miami you HAVE to try a mojito - preferably the one at Ball & Chain at Calle Ocho.
ASHLEY ASPINWALL, BLOGGER & FOUNDER SIDE SMILE STYLE
LOCATION: WYNWOOD
photo credit: Yesi Flores
A relative newbie to Miami, Ashley Aspinwall is still getting used to the heat and she doesn't drink coffee, which means she hasn't tried Cuban coffee. "I hear it's very potent," laughs the Dallas-bred fashion blogger.
Ashley began blogging her senior year in college after a bad breakup-- "I needed a project," she says. "I had been reading blogs for a couple of years and thought to myself 'I can do that!' and just kind of hit the ground running."
Her parents didn't entirely agree and weren't sold on her ability to create a lucrative career. So she took a job in the corporate world out of college, a stint she credits as "as one of my biggest motivators to make my blog successful."
"I learned pretty early on how valuable being your own boss can be. From setting your own schedule to creative control, the autonomy was such a drastic change. I’m not sure I can ever go back! Although, having a knowledge of corporate infrastructure and that mentality has definitely helped me when I’m working with bigger brands."
Now Ashley has come a long way from her first post where she "was wearing a camel sweater and bright red jeans, awkwardly posing on my apartments fire escape." She's also a long way from home. "Miami is SO different from Dallas," the blogger explains, "which I think is the most exciting thing. I’ve never lived near the water, and I’m getting to experience so many cultures on a daily basis."
She says the making friends and building professional contacts hasn't been the easiest. "Honestly this has been an area that I have definitely struggled in. Due to my busy travel schedule, making new friends hasn’t been the easiest, especially in a transient city like Miami. On the professional end, I always try to attend any events that I’m in town for and make sure to follow up with any contacts I make in the process. With blogging, you never know who could bring you your next job!"
Travel hacks:
1. Drink a ton of water. Constantly flying is super dehydrating and your skin will seriously thank you for loading up on the H20.
2. Peppermint Oil. It is the swiss army knife of essential oils. I use it for headaches, nausea, stinky uber rides, you name it!
#TravelBrilliantly with: "Peppermint Oil. It is the swiss army knife of essential oils."
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3. I always bring a cashmere travel wrap with me on every trip I take, because planes are freezing.
4. I try to carve out at least a few hours at the beginning of a trip to go off on my own and explore without a plan. It helps me to get the lay of the land and I almost always discover something I never would have found in a guide book.
Favorite spot to shoot: The Beach
Best place to grab a juice: JugoFresh
Tourist spot you haven’t hit up yet, but want to: Joe’s Stone Crab
Secret spot in the city that’s just for you: The Key Biscayne Lighthouse - the beach is never crowded and it’s so beautiful!
Best place to meet new colleagues: Bachour Bakery and Bistro
Best morning meal to grab on the way to the airport: Old School Breakfast at S&S Diner
Most walkable neighborhood: Brickell
Favorite place to dance: FDR at the Delano
Best spot for after work drinks: Sugar Bar at the East
Best Cuban food: Versailles has the best Vaca Frita hands down and you can’t beat the atmosphere!
DANIELA RAMIREZ, BLOGGER & FOUNDER NANY'S KLOZET
LOCATION: DOWNTOWN MIAMI
photo credit: Gabriel Sanchez
Fashion blogger Daniela Ramirez of Nany's Klozet says that "Miami is basically the capital of Latin America."
The Venezuelan-born beauty says she loves being about to speak Spanish every day and buy Venezuelan food in all supermarkets. "Personally," she says, "I'm also a short flight away from home and from my husband's hometown, Puerto Rico. Professionally, many main hispanic magazines and big hispanic fashion brands are based in Miami. There are great opportunities for Latina bloggers here."
She loves shooting downtown for a couple of reasons. "While I love Miami's gorgeous ocean and palm trees, it can get repetitive when it comes to blog backdrops or when I need to do fall-ish outfits." So she says that "Downtown has a great city vibe that can be very versatile. Our downtown is not that big, but there are certain corners that work amazingly."
As for getting comfortable in front of the camera she urges upcoming bloggers to not be shy. "People are naturally curious...some will stare, some will ask you- but most people are just going to keep going with their lives. Also, be aware of your surroundings. I always let people walk by, I try not to interfere or be in their way. You can also avoid shooting in peak hours; for example, Downtown Miami is empty after 5pm."
Travel hacks:
1. Do not wear makeup on your flight and stay hydrated. I've realized that my skin feels dull and dry if I wear makeup while traveling.
2. Always bring the next day outfit in your carry on, in case your bag goes missing.
3. Always think versatile pieces to avoid over packing- things you can re-wear at least two times.
Best place to get coffee: Panther Coffee in Wynwood
Favorite spot for a date night: Lagniappe House
Favorite place to dance: Ball & Chain, El patio
Best walkable part of the city: Miami Design District
For a healthy meal you head to: Manna Life (see above photos!)
The one tourist attraction that’s a guilty pleasure: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
The one tourist attraction you’ve never visited: Jungle Island
The one place any visitor has to hit up: Wynwood (24th Street for Art, Graffiti walls and great small places)
Favorite spot in the city to feel inspired: The Perez Art Museum (PAMM)
Best part of the city to see classic “Miami” art deco style: Ocean Drive
Best place to watch the sunset: South Pointé Park in Miami Beach
Create & Cultivate will be visiting 2 more cities across the United States in partnership with Marriott. For our next city, we're heading to Charlotte. Be sure to check back to see more of the series.
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Rashida Jones Launches New Jewelry Collection with Iconery
Don't call it a collab.
Making a statement. You can do it with words and you can do it with jewelry. Rashida Jones, whose new jewelry collection was unveiled today, has now done both. The actress and activist partnered with Iconery, the online destination for jewelry fanatics, to design a collection that drew on personal memories, using, for instance, her father's pinky ring as the model for her Square Ring.
“I wanted a return to Seventies, Eighties bold, iconic symbols and what better way to do it than make it yourself?” Jones explained to WWD.
Which is exactly what Iconery allows. It's also why founder and CEO Ivka Adam makes it clear that this is Jones' collection, not a collaboration. "We 'power' fine jewelry collections," Adam says. "In other words, we facilitate the design, manufacturing and distribution of collections on behalf of celebrities, influencers, and brands. They come to us to make their design vision a reality, and building their own brand is more important than ours."
Adam launched Iconery last year on the premise of producing fine jewelry on-demand using 3D printers. Early on she made the decision to "power other brands rather than build our own. From my background at eBay, where I worked with collectibles sellers around the world, I fell in love with supporting other people’s passions."
Still, the partnership between the brand and celebrity have to align. Andrea Linett, founding Creative Director of Lucky mag and, now Iconery's Creative Director, explains why Jones was the perfect choice for the company's first celebrity line. "The people we choose really have a point of view, which is what Iconery is all about," says Linett. "We bring an authenticity to the collections when they’re designed by influencers and 'cool girls' — they know what they want and they actually get to make it and share it with everyone."
Adam echoed this thought. "First and foremost, she [Rashida] embodies 'the Iconery girl:' she’s cool, kind, independent, and informed. While we’re still a young company we have to be very deliberate in how we build our brand and where we spend our resources. We want to bring collections to life for people we admire and adore working with, who also help communicate our values to the world."
"We want to bring collections to life for people we admire and adore working with."
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"Second," Adam says, "[Andrea] already had a relationship with Rashida so the trust was immediately there. It made the business side of the process much easier and efficient, and Andrea 'got' Rashida’s vision for the collection."
Adam maintains that now is the right time for a celeb collection for a few reasons. "In our first year of being live," she explains, "we’ve already launched collections for several influencers and fashion designers. We started by working with those with whom we had a relationship. They had to fit into our brand ethos, but it was important to start with friends so we could get real, honest feedback to improve our process."
Now they will be tracking how various influencers, celebrities, and brands convert differently. "My hypothesis is that people who have smaller, more engaged followings convert better," Adam says, "but the big names build brand awareness and trust. We deliberately waited to launch a celebrity until we really felt like we had everything in order."
In order and ready for order. The Rashida Jones Collection which includes a mix of statement rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces, launched today! There’s a Mariner chain necklace, square hoop earrings, a chunky square ring with an offset black diamond, and other pieces that use symbols like the ankh and hamsa. Of the collection, Jones says, "I like the idea that we wear jewelry to unite us and protect us in core beliefs. We need that right now."
And you need a piece from this collection.
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Why Diversity and Representation Matter in Business and Media
Important takeaways from the #CreateCultivateATL "Shattering the Glass" panel.
photo credit: Sidney Copeland
Gigi Gorgeous looked into the Create & Cultivate crowd this past Saturday in Atlanta and said excitedly, "There is so much diversity under this tent!" The audience cheered, acknowledging the importance of representation at the conference.
The six women on stage, Gigi, Jodie Patterson, Nicolette Mason, Daniela Ramirez, Maya Penn, and Mattie James were gathered to discuss the importance of diversity and representation in business and media. Nicolette put it simply, "People deserve to see themselves in the media."
Here are some of the other important takeaways.
ON NOT PUTTING OURSELVES IN BOXES
Jodie Paterson, co-founder of (recently sold) DooBop and mother of a trans son, Penelope, told the crowd, “We have to be able to choose all of the things that we are, not just one. We have to let our whole selves out."
"I never thought working for a fashion magazine was ever in the realm of possibility for me," said blogger and writer Nicolette Mason. "I had the education and the background, but there was no one who looked like me. No one I could look to as an example," she shared. "When Vogue Italia reached out to me and asked if I would be a contributor and a year from that point Marie Claire asked me to come in as a columnist and I penned a column for five years-- it was so amazing and surreal to know that my voice did have the potential and ability to be part of the mainstream."
ON HOW TO OVERCOME STEREOTYPES
Maddie James, moderator and the blogger behind Mattieologie kept it simple, but succinct “Stories kill stereotypes,” she said. The more we share, the more the outliers become part of the cultural narrative.
This was echoed by Jodie who said, "I see diversity as a domino effect. Diversity is some of us taking the first steps and putting ourselves out there and then asking and demanding it from all. If it's stunted in one area, it's stunted in all areas. People see and feel their way through change, not just statistics. It’s our job to tell stories. It’s also the media’s job to let the story happen."
"It’s our job to tell stories. It’s also the media’s job to let the story happen."
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Gigi agreed. "Being a transgender woman I know the hardships that the people in my community go through," she shared. "I think it's important to get my story out there for the world to see. We saw this with Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox-- they're huge media icons but they made transgender a household topic and that's really powerful. It changes people's perspective."
"When you start sharing stories," said Jodie, "people are able to see and feel their way through change, rather than statistically analyze change.
ON THE MEDIA'S ROLE IN RESHAPING THE NARRATIVE
Maya Penn, CEO of Maya's Ideas, and the youngest (16) on the stage told the crowd, “I think the media needs to start stepping up. They need to say we need more diversity.”
Nicolette added, "It's the job of content creators and media creators to reflect our real world."
Maya said no one should feel like an odd one out. "We need diverse voices to show that representation matters. In non-traditional fields like STEM and science."
“I think the media needs to start stepping up. They need to say we need more diversity.”
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"My third child is trans and we did a video with Cosmo and it received 9 millions views," said Jodie. "It's the media's job to allow the story to unfold. I read this quote that everything is copy, meaning if you slip and fall on a banana, people laugh at you. If you slip and fall on a banana, and then you tell people, you own the laughter because that's your story."
"There have been baby steps along the way," explained Nicolette, "but there is so much more room to include diverse voices."
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The 10 Must Read Takeaways From Create & Cultivate ATL
Save yourself some stress and read this.
photo credit: Kelley Raye Photography
The speakers at Create & Cultivate never disappoint. They never fail with the mic and knowledge drop. Here are ten of our favorite moments from last weekend at #CreateCultivateATL.
AYESHA CURRY ON NOT GIVING YOURSELF BOUNDARIES: “The moment I gave myself a ceiling is the moment everything fell apart. The moment I removed the ceiling, things started happening. I threw that ceiling in the garbage.”
ADRIANNA ADARME OF A COZY KITCHEN ON MOTIVATION: “My motivation was I didn’t have a Plan B. And that still really motivates me. There is so much competition and so many people that are super talented, and to honor the place where I’m at I have to think that way.”
"I didn’t have a Plan B. And that still really motivates me."
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MANDY KELLOGG RYE OF WAITING ON MARTHA ON THE HUSTLE: “I worked two full time jobs for two years. Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s beginning or end. I bet none of you followed me when I had 100 followers. This is sacrifice and struggling with finances. Just keep fighting the good fight.”
RACH MARTINO ON SPENDING THE MONEY: “Hire a professional photographer. That first hundred dollars was really hard to give up, but it changed everything for me.”
DOLLEY FREARSON CO-FOUNDER OF HIGH FASHION HOME ON HARD WORK: “Practice like you’re in second, play like you’re in first. It’s a [Steph Curry] quote that applies to the business world because it is about pounding the pavement, putting in the hours and working really hard. Know your competition, respect the competition and push yourself to the limit in any industry. In the end it ends up elevating everyone’s game.”
"The moment I removed the ceiling, things started happening. I threw that ceiling in the garbage.”
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SUSAN TYNAN FOUNDER OF FRAMEBRIDGE ON THE ‘TOP’: “You’re the one ultimately responsible, so you can’t throw blame anywhere else.”
IVKA ADAM ON BEING FOUNDER OF ICONERY: “If you’re not comfortable with uncertainty it’s important to bring someone in as a partner who is comfortable with it, or find ways to bolster that. Ultimately if it’s too rocky for you, it may not make sense for you to start a business. You are unsure every day; it’s so up and down. You have to know yourself and how you handle uncertainty."
IVA PAWLING CO-FOUNDER OF RICHER POORER ON ROLES AT THE TOP CHANGING: “The guy isn’t always the numbers or the brains behind the operation. And the woman is not just the creative. Don’t get hung up on it.”
ANNA LIESEMEYER OF IN HONOR OF DESIGN ON FINDING YOUR TRIBE: "Whether it’s a friend or significant other, it helps to have an outside perspective to give you a set of wings."
NICOLE RICHIE ON TAKING THE 'EASY' ROUTE: "If your want to save yourself some energy, just be yourself. There's nothing else to be. We each have something to bring to the table. I think instead of looking outward and focusing on what everyone else is doing, you have to have trust and faith enough in yourself to know that you’re going to bring something totally different.”
And honorary mic drop from our own editorial director:
"We're not here to play the game, we're here to change it."
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BTS: Our #CreateCultivateATL Speaker Dinner with Crown Royal
An exclusive look at our speaker dinner last week.
We can't believe it's almost been a week since we sat down to delicious cocktails from Crown Royal Vanilla and even more delicious convo at our speaker dinner at the W Atlanta in Downtown. Is it possible to FOMO post event? We think so.
So we're throwing it back to a night of "bests." Where Sarah Michelle Gellar called the night's specialty Vanilla Fashioned cocktail the "prettiest drink ever" she's ever seen. Where the Beckerman Twins, Cailli and Sam deemed their personalized monogrammed bags, "the best takeaway ever." (Which, we'd have to agree.) And countless boss ladies from Nicolette Mason to Adrianna Adarme of A Cozy Kitchen and Ingrid Nilsen raised a glass and toasted to being in a room filled with amazing female energy.
The Crown Royal Vanilla Fashioned is "the prettiest drink ever."
- Sarah Michelle Gellar
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Jaclyn Johnson, founder of Create & Cultivate addressed the speakers, telling them that the kick-off dinner is an event that she looks forward to every year. "It is an honor to have each and every one of you here tonight," she said, "and I am so excited for you guys to experience the conference tomorrow."
Click through the gallery below and enjoy the night's cocktail recipe from Crown Royal!
Vanilla Fashioned
1 sugar cube soaked in orange bitters
2oz Crown Royal Vanilla
Frozen flowers
Flamed orange zest
Place the sugar cube in a rocks glass with orange bitters, top with 2oz Crown Royal Vanilla. Once the sugar dissolves you put in your ice (containing frozen edible flowers) and stir! Orange peels are a great garnish (and you can even ignite the citrus oil when you squeeze the peel by a lit match).
Cheers!
10 Must-Have Products for 10 Million Women On-the-Go
We know how stressful being a boss on-the-go can be. Don't break a sweat.
@thecultofshe
October is Women’s Small Business month. A time where we support and acknowledge the nearly 1200 women who are starting new businesses every day. A time where we celebrate the momentum of the 10 million women who are innovating in their careers.
According to the Survey of Business Owners women-owned employer firms employ 8.9 million people. They generate 1.4 billion dollars. The societal and economic impact is clear.
Dove has always encouraged women to be confident. Not only to define beauty on their own terms, but to be as bold with their ideas. Beauty confidence filters into boss confidence. And it inspires other women to likewise be their best selves. If you can’t see it, you can’t be it.
To celebrate the 10 Million Strong, here are 10 must-have products to make the life of the on-the-go-get-em business woman all the better.
Designed for the mobile lifestyle, this lightweight bracelet also doubles as a charger. Get rid of on-the-go anxiety about a dead battery, charge up and then charge into that meeting. That seat at the table is yours. Or charge during the meeting. Because, multi-tasking.
For the 32-hour business trip, you want a carry-on that can handle anything that comes its way. With a built-in USB port, sturdy shell, and a design to fit almost all airlines carry-on restrictions, you can get in and out of any airport with time to spare.
Suave Keratin Infusion Dry Shampoo
On-the-go doesn’t leave a lot of down time. If you need a touch-up or a little refresher, you can get to the root of the problem with a spritz of dry shampoo. Revive your hair, extend your blowout, and look fresh. (It’ll be our little secret.)
Amazon Echo
As founder it may feel like you’re on a small business quest alone, but you’re not. That voice you hear in the background is the sound of Alexa, the brain behind the Amazon Echo. The hands-free speaker you control with your voice. It plays music, controls lights, reads audiobooks, the news, and answers any pressing question you might have. Like, Alexa, what’s my commute? Or Alexa, set a timer for 30 minutes. And you can crank out those morning emails and get out of the house on time.
Dry Spray Antiperspirant
You don’t have time to wait around, and with Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant you don’t have to. It goes on instantly dry so you can just shake, spray and go. Plus, it lasts up to 48 hours -- because it’s important to stay dry during high-stakes moments -- and also cares for your skin. The last thing you want to worry about in a pitch meeting are your underarms.
Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant was a sponsor at Create + Cultivate Atlanta.
The 2017 Planner
Your life might depend on your phone, but what if you lose or break your phone? Every well-prepared boss woman always has a backup, and the best way to make sure that you’re not breaking a sweat when tech fails is to have a planner with you.
Wifi Hotspot
There will be times when you need to answer an important email that requires more than what your phone can do. Even in 2016, wifi is not easily accessible in every corner of the world, so make sure you’re ready with a handy wifi hotspot to save you on any occasion. Because the wifi always, always manages to pull a vanishing act when that 11th-hour email needs to go out.
Airborne or Vitamin C
If work puts you up in the air, you’re susceptible to poor plane air quality and are more prone to getting sick. Stock up on the vitamin C and drinks lots of fluids. The first step to making sure you’re your best self while traveling is taking care of your physical health first.
Business Cards
When you’re traveling, you’re ready to network. But don’t ever miss out on an opportunity to introduce yourself to any potential clients-- whether on the conference room floor or in line at the TSA security check. For every situation, make sure you have your business cards easily accessible. Moo makes all kinds of cards for the modern, creative professional.
Parachute Percale Venice Set
When you finally crawl into bed after a long day’s work or make it home after a trip, you should experience joy. The joy of expertly woven sheets crafted from Egyptian cotton. The joy of affordable luxury. The joy of knowing you gave your day your all.
Sarah Michelle Gellar Talks Transitioning From Hollywood to Startup Founder
"At the end of the day you want the brand to be bigger than the person."
photo credit: Kelley Raye.
Successful women from different careers who now run a startup.
That’s the story behind Sarah Michelle Gellar and Galit Laiblow co-founders of Foodstirs who took the Create & Cultivate stage this past Saturday in Atlanta to an audience of over 500 attendees. They talked a lot about taking the concept from idea to reality, overcoming doubt, as well as shifting out of their previous roles.
‘Part of being an entrepreneur,” admits Laibow, who ran a successful PR firm or 12 years, “is not being afraid.”
They made the jump after shopping for ingredients for a baking play date with their kids. “Ingredients,” says Gellar, “that had more consonants than vowels.” Thus, Foodstirs was born and switch into roles that hadn’t previously imagined for themselves.
“As an actor I’ve watched my industry change,” Gellar explains. “When I started you were either a movie actress or a television actress or you were serious and you did theater; the three didn’t meet anywhere. Then it changed and people realized you could jump from medium to medium.” She was looking for something else when the opportunity arose. ‘Ways,” she says, “[I] could still innovate and still be creative. Also, I’m a mom now, I have two young kids at young and I don’t want to be working 19 hour days and not see my children.”
“Even when you’re a producer you still have other people to answer to. It’s not necessarily the product you intended to make. What I’ve loved,” she says about her new role as founder, “is that now when we have an idea, what you’re seeing is everything we wanted it to be, because it's up to us and only us. It’s our battle to win. It’s so satisfying in a way I’d never experienced and it’s using my reach and creativity in a new way.”
"What you’re seeing is everything we wanted it to be, because it's up to us and only us."
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As for the partnership Laibow says she was hesitant to partner with a “celebrity.” Having come from the PR world she knew that celebrity doesn’t give a brand a fast-track to success; sometimes it's the opposite. “There are so many celebrities putting their names on things and the consumer is much more savvy. I did have a lot of reservations. I knew that if we did have a celebrity it had to be someone who was really passionate. Sarah and I had many late nights talking about it and she really believed it in. She’s a real co-founder. We both invested our own money and time and we don’t get paid right now.”
“It’s been fascinating,” says Gellar, “you think we would have each just done what we’re good at; it doesn’t work like that. In the beginning there were days when it was just us. Neither of us knew how to HTML code so I went and learned how to HTML code our emails. They were maybe not the best or the most professional, but that’s how you start and that’s how you learning.”
“Fail is the first attempt in learning. I don’t see failure as a bad thing. I see it as exercise. When you exercise,” adds Gellar, “you want to work out until your muscle fails so that it grows bigger and stronger. To me those are the steps in learning. That thought in your head is invaluable.”
"Fail is the first attempt in learning."
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“I always wanted the brand to stand on its own,” Gellar says, “I’m not the face of the brand, but I am the co-founder. At the end of the day you want the brand to be bigger than the person. I don’t want to first thing you think of to be me, I want the first thing you think is ‘Wow! That tastes really good.’”
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Brushing Up: You're Waiting Too Long to Swap Your Toothbrush
And what this new company is doing about it.
Claire Burke wants you to brush better. Which is why she and Goby, co-founder Ben Goldberg, are sinking their teeth into the business of oral hygiene. It may not sound like the sexiest venture, but it's one full of possibility. Last week Goby launched their first product, the first-ever direct-to-consumer rechargeable electric toothbrush combining unprecedented value and convenience. The toothbrush is available for $50 with a subscription and replacement heads start at just $4. The charging station has no cords and is designed to minimize post-brushing build-up. Sound like a dream clean?
We caught up with the entrepreneur to talk why teeth and how Goby is changing the game.
Can you tell us a little about your background? How did you end up as the co-founder of Goby?
I graduated from NYU’s Stern School of Business before working at investment bank Lincoln International for six years. Simultaneously, I pursued my personal passion for film and media by co-founding a production company. In 2013, I left investment banking to pursue an MBA at Columbia Business School. While at Columbia, I immersed myself in media and technology, working for The Raine Group, Hearst, theSkimm, and Female Founders Fund, each of which expanded my interest in startups and exposed me to the value and power of brand. I met Ben through a mutual friend from business school and was immediately drawn to the Goby mission. Deemed “Cavity Claire” by my family growing up, I was inspired by my own struggles with good oral care and was determined to enhance consumers’ oral care experience by creating a value-driven oral care product with a relatable brand personality.
With Goby you’re hitting a few of major markets and key trends— direct-to-consumer, health and beauty, and the membership business model. We’ve seen many businesses go this route. Why was now the right time for teeth?
We saw a significant opportunity to disrupt oral care because oral health is an overlooked space in health and beauty. Oral health is important! Many diseases have oral manifestations, oral issues are the leading cause of missed school and work days and 50% of people aged 30 and older have some form of gum disease. Leveraging the direct-to-consumer / membership business model was a natural starting point for us to enhance the brushing experience for consumers across the country. The average consumer changes their toothbrush every nine months as opposed to the dentist-recommended three months, so we offer a subscription to ensure that our customers can keep both their mouths and brushes clean without having to worry about running to the drug store.
"The average consumer changes their toothbrush every nine months as opposed to the dentist-recommended three months."
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What went into research and development? How long did it take from concept to product?
We tested all the various models on the market to determine which features were necessary and which were superfluous. We assessed dozens of other products, surveyed friends, family and colleagues and ultimately designed a product that fits seamlessly into the modern consumer’s lifestyle. From concept to product, it took about two years.
Why was the design element so important?
Design was important because it folds into so many aspects of the value proposition -- creating something intuitive and user-friendly that breaks through the currently overcrowded and over complicated market, ultimately providing the consumer with the best possible brushing experience at a fraction of the price of the competition.
How do you get people to look at something that they’ve used their entire life and think about the possibility of doing it differently?
It wasn’t as much about rethinking, but rather maximizing the consumer’s time and taking the onus off of the consumer -- having them think less about brushing and replacing, while simultaneously improving the quality of their brush and ultimately the state of their oral health.
Was it a hard sell?
We had been working on Goby for nearly two years, bootstrapping the vast majority of the way. The funding process was definitely not easy, but fortunately, our investors appreciated the problem we were trying to solve because they experienced the same problem firsthand -- frustration with today’s current oral care products. For both Goby and our investors, we experienced a pain point, and felt there must be a better way.
You have an investor specifically geared toward early stage tech products that transform consumer experiences for the better. How did you approach those meetings?
First, we tried to clearly articulate the problem. What we found with the investors that ultimately invested was they personally experienced the problem, too, and saw value in our solution. Second, it helped that the market opportunity is significant. Everyone brushes their teeth, but most people don’t do it well. Electric toothbrushes provide value, yet less than 15% of people in the U.S. use them. Goby’s improved experience has a measurable impact on consumers’ oral health.
From your perspective, what goes into building a strong brand?
Developing a brand personality that the consumer can connect with, while simplifying and maximizing the consumer’s experience with the product.
Why do you think there hasn’t been much innovation— aside from bristles and grip— in the toothbrush space?
In the electric toothbrush space in particular, there hasn’t been much innovation because the market is dominated by two large companies and is thus zero-sum. For the incumbents, there’s no need to innovate from a business model, messaging or experience perspective, but consumers are consistently expecting more from the brands with which they affiliate. Goby aims to resonate with those who are looking for an easier, relatable and more affordable oral care experience.
What do you hope to achieve with Goby?
We want to improve oral care by providing a brush that is affordable, intuitive and relatable -- overall, we want to enhance the oral care experience.
Cavity Claire, your nickname as a kid. If you had to blame one food, what was your go-to indulgence as a kid? And now?
I always had and always will have a sweet-tooth. I can’t blame my cavities on one specific food item, but in general, sugar was the culprit.
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#CreateCultivateATL: Our Favorite Quotes From Yesterday's Panels & Keynotes
All the quotes to get your week started off right.
We can't begin to describe the feeling of how inspired we are after spending an entire day with 500 amazing boss women under the Atlanta sky. Create & Cultivate Atlanta is a wrap and we are so happy that it was by far one of our best yet with so many amazing speakers, sponsors, and all of our amazing attendees who have also inspired us as well!
If you missed out on this weekend's festivities, don't fret! We'll be sharing video soon from our keynote speakers, but for right now, take a look at all of our favorite sound bites from our speakers that will serve as the perfect mantras for your Monday to get you inspired. And if you attended, comment and let us know what were some of your favorite lessons that you took away from our panels and keynotes yesterday!
Links We Love: Reading Material For Your Trip To #CreateCultivateATL
Reading material for your trip to Create & Cultivate ATL.
#CreateCultivateATL is tomorrow, and we can't contain our excitement!
We've been busy all week preparing to bring you our most spectacular conference yet, and if you've been busy like us, you might not have had a chance to look over the news this week. Don't worry, we're just as excited, but it doesn't mean we have to put staying-in-the-know on pause. Check out our favorite links this week below:
Michelle Obama 2020: Her speech at Hillary Clinton's rally yesterday left us speechless.
Chobani is leading the way for new parental leave policies in business.
Samsung just can't catch a break. Sayonara, Galaxy Note 7.
If you're in digital marketing, you're gonna want to see these stats ASAP.
Obsessed with the new Mac smell? There's a candle for that.
Why You Need to Stop Putting Yourself Down ASAP
beWell's Kelly LeVeque is talking practices that are bad for our carreers.
For certified holistic nutritionist, wellness expert and health coach Kelly LeVeque, the hustle began four years ago.
During that time she worked two jobs, "weekends and nights," she says, "and today, I have a book deal with Harper Collins (pub date: April 2017), celebrity clientele (pinch me) and solely run my private practice Be Well by Kelly."
We caught up with the LA-based lady to chat health (of course), happiness (yes!) and why we should all stop putting ourselves down (forever!!).
Tell us a little about your background? Why did you get into the health space? I have always loved health! After graduating from USC, I took the corporate path though health and wellness working for Fortune 500 companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Stryker and Hologic, and Agendia specializing in cancer and personalized medicine, offering tumor gene mapping and molecular sub-typing to oncologists. My career in medical science meant I had to keep up with cutting-edge research on how diseases develop and how they can be treated. I loved the deep thinking required, especially the statistical analysis—deciphering data for statistical significance, distinguishing between causation vs. correlation, and understanding why study design mattered so much. My career enabled me to go deeper in my passion; I would mine nutrition based pubmed research and build my own opinions around current research. I became the one my friends leaned on (for weight loss, autoimmune diseases, allergies, bad blood tests etc.) so when I let them know I would be going back to school to follow my passion not my paycheck they weren’t surprised.
Balance. It’s the word of the year, but it’s also super hard to achieve. And it doesn’t happen all at once. What is a healthy way to work toward balance?
I try to instill balance in my clients by giving them light structure (Be Well Fab Four) around what they should eat and breaking down their rigid food rules and cleansing habits. Binging and cleansing cycles swing you back and forth like an out of control pendulum ball. Happiness and health are attained when you find that small swing. Balance isn’t when you stop moving and live a rigid, on-plan, perfect life; when you are focused on a perfect food day you aren’t present, and most likely you are anxious, irritable and thinking about food all day. Instead focus on turning off hunger hormones and thoughts about food and know it be okay to swing a little from time to time. Balance is found with intentional movement to eat clean, sweat and even enjoy a glass of wine with friends. Accept who you are, love who you are and build a lifestyle focused on health, not some abstract idea of “perfection.” So if you have a glass of wine with friends one evening, jump into an app on your phone and schedule a workout or plan to have a fruit free low glycemic smoothie the next morning to bring yourself back into alignment, or both.
"Happiness and health are attained when you find that small swing."
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How do you set realistic goals?
Stop trying to do it all at once and enjoy the journey! Transforming our mindset, our nutrition and our bodies is a journey. It takes practice to be present; to see that big leaps start with small steps and to not get discouraged if we have setbacks. Learn to enjoy it by breaking your “big goals” down into attainable action steps that can reinforce how strong, brilliant and beautiful you are. Just look at the week ahead of you: Plan a workout with a friend and create a healthy meal plan to nourish your body. Step by step, you’ll build a healthy lifestyle, and moments of clarity and opportunities for fun will follow. By focusing on eating real and nutrient-dense food, and striving to build a healthy, active lifestyle, you’ll take the important first steps to being well and it will naturally become a lifestyle. True progress happens when we enjoy making it happen and when we get out of our own way. When you try to change more than one thing at a time chances are you will be overwhelmed and give up. Maybe for just 2 weeks you commit to have a Be Well Smoothie for breakfast, you will be surprised how that positively affects the rest of your life.
People have a fear of fat. What else are we afraid of that we shouldn’t be? (existential life question…)
Stop fearing change; change your career, get out of a bad relationship, determine if your nutrition habits or “lifestyle” is no longer serving you and change, nothing needs to be forever. Don’t just cling to a mistake because you have invested time and energy making it, convinced your friends or family it was right or invested time. You only have one life to live; live it without regrets by having the guts to adjust your ships sail as needed. Stop waiting for your inner voice to scream, the change will be harder to make, instead trust your voice and make a calculated change sooner rather than later.
"Change your career, get out of a bad relationship; nothing needs to be forever."
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You’ve said that punishing yourself for failing is unhealthy. We all do it. What are some other habits we can kick to the curb that will benefit our well being both personally and professionally?
Stop putting yourself down! As women, we need to stop allowing one another to openly bash themselves; “I am,” I can’t,” or “ I am sorry” solidifies those opinions of ourselves and undermines our ability to rise above it. The next time your friend says, “I am fat” simply respond with “that’s great, you have one more” if they do it again, make them stand up in front of everyone and name three things they love about their body. We need to help one another break this horrible habit immediately.
How do you see health as related to our careers?
Your nutrition, activity and stress levels directly affect the health and wellness of your career; working actively to remove the stress from your life can also be a good way to get going on the things you want to achieve. Stress reduction is not a one size fits all formula, but there are a few techniques I recommend to help my clients start their day. Meditate via an app, or start your day with a walk or workout. These exercises can provide clarity, comfort and help you prioritize your day. Even doing 15 minutes of exercise or mediation in the morning can move the negative unaligned thoughts from your mind.
What’s a great recipe that will get us energized and feeling productive in the am?
I always start my day with one of the low sugar, meal replacement smoothie recipes I created for my clients! My Be Well Smoothie formula helps develop a blood-sugar balancing meal in any flavor with enough protein, fat and fiber to keep you full for four to six hours, feed your microbiome, turn off hunger hormones and nourish your body with amino acids, fatty acids and phytonutrients. It limits fruit to 1/4 -1/2 cup, depending on your body composition goals, and some are totally fruit free. A killer go-to is my Spa Smoothie, loaded with greens, cucumber, avocado and lemon. (find my recipe below!).
THE “BE WELL” SPA SMOOTHIE
1/4 avocado
2 Tbsp. chia seeds
1 small Persian cucumber
1 handful of spinach
1 lemon, freshly juiced
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (love Perfect Fit)
2 cups unsweetened nut milk
DIRECTIONS:
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
Never Have A Fashion Emergency Again
Avoid a wardrobe disaster.
Source; 9 to 5 Chic
It’s 5pm and you’re wearing the outfit you spilled your sad desk lunch all over. You have a drinks meeting with a client at 6pm and no time to head home to change. Do you cancel and thereby run the risk of losing new biz, or do you reach into your cubby and pull out your emergency outfit? Yeah, it’s a thing for boss ladies everywhere.
From desk to drinks. Or desk to holiday rooftop parties, there are a few key items you need at in case of a work fashion emergency. And if you need it, it can probably be #foundatsimon. Simon is the name behind America’s iconic shopping destinations. Chances are, your favorite mall is a Simon center.
With their help we’re rounding up five items you should stock at your desk for those ”just in case” moments. Because you never know when you need to show up and give them a fashion show down.
1. DRY SHAMPOO FOR LAST MINUTE TOUCH-UPS
This lands at the top of every fashion emergency checklist because it’s the most important. Dry shampoo is your ultimate hair saver. Maybe you didn’t have time in the am to wash, maybe you did-- and just didn’t feel like it. Spray it-- don’t say “no thanks” to an opportunity because your hair doesn’t feel up to it. No excuses, least of all having to wash your hair.
2. A SMALL CLUTCH IN THE SEASON’S LOGO MANIA TREND
If you cart a work bag or backpack to the office and last minute dinner or drinks pop up, keeping a clutch or small shoulder bag in a cubby will allow you to leave your bigger bag at the office. Transfer the items you need that night to the smaller purse, and head out without feeling like you’re lugging along your weekender. Bonus: all your office stuff and very important papers are already there come next morning. Opt for a color that pops like the Gucci red leather GG Marmont Shoulder Bag.
3. NAIL POLISH REMOVER WIPES
You’ve been typing all day and still didn’t manage to notice your cracked and chipped mani. We get it. You’re that focussed on the grind. But 6pm has arrived, dinner with a potential client is looming and your mani is not cutting it. You’ve got three minutes to wipe it off and head out the door and make an impressive first impression. Grab a set of Instant Nail Polish Remover Wipes at Sephora. They will quickly and easily remove even the darkest colors.
4. AN EXTRA OUTFIT
If it seems excessive to you, think about how many times you’ve spilled on yourself when you have to take a conference call at your desk. Instead of relying on a stain removing stick, which sometimes works and sometimes makes smudges worse, why not opt for chic evergreen outfit? A pair of high waist, dark wash Levi’s from Anthropologie fit just about any situation. A pair of white mules are simple and stylish to slip into. And an off-the-shoulder men’s shirt.
No one will ever know you spilled your 3pm caffeine pick-me-up all over your pants.
5. MINI SEWING KIT, SAFETY PINS & FASHION TAPE
If you’re not in a rush Simon has tailors on site for alternations. But if you don’t have time to swing by, make sure that you have a mini sewing kit handy, with needle, thread, fashion tape, and safety pins. You never know when a strap might break or a button might pop. Fix it on the spot and then head out to pop that bubbly and close that deal.
And if you'll be at C&C Atlanta this week, you can stock up at Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza, two amazing Simon centers with retailers ranging from Sephora to Chloe.
For more fashion, beauty and lifestyle tips, go to SAID, the online destination for the style conscious. Here, you’ll discover the best in fashion, beauty, culture, food and design because style really is a lifestyle. So start exploring. Get inspired. Be heard. If it’s worth talking about, you’ll find it on SAID.