Uncommon Opinion: I Don’t Want to Be the Boss
Head honch-no thank you.
Personally, I blame Bruce Springsteen because no one blames him for anything ever, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that we have romanticized the idea of the Boss.
The Boss is in charge. The Boss has flexibility. The Boss takes fancy lunch meetings. The Boss also carries the weight of the company, everyone’s salaries, deals with HR, paychecks, keeps the company afloat, and more.
Head honch-no thank you.
Do you think Grace Coddington wanted to be Anna Wintour? Maybe somewhere along the 25 years she worked for Vogue she thought, ‘I’d like to be Editor-in-Chief,’ shortly thereafter realizing, “Oh no, I’d much rather smile!”
That doesn’t mean she wasn’t aspirational and kick-ass at her job. "Do I dream very much? Do I dream predominantly about fashion?” she asked herself in the 2009 documentary The September Issue. “No,” she answered, “I dream much more about cats.”
I can’t help but feel the same. I have dreams and hopes for myself, but running a company or making Forbes 30 Under 30 aren’t them. Jokes on them! I'm over 30. (Cats have nothing to do with my dreams either.) But why does that feel so uncomfortable to say out loud? As if it makes me less powerful, less feminist, less of the woman I should aspire to be. We hold professional advancement in higher regard than performing well in our position.
Running the show means that if shit hits the fan, it’s your fan and you’re cleaning it. Yes, it also means there is the potential for a high payout. The accolades are more high profile. The dinner party invites might be better and the dream wardrobe more of a reality, but the pretty version of jet-set-dinner-party-squad-goals boss that we see projected through the Valencia filter on IG isn’t real life. Everyone knows that, and yet we are still conditioned to think that "boss" means success.
Well, CE-no thank you. Here are 5 reasons why.
IT’S RESTRICTIVE.
TO me, the idea of being the boss seems like being the Queen or King; neither are roles I’ve ever wanted to play. There are rules, restrictions, public personas— things you can and cannot say, etiquette and financial stressors. Sure, as Queen you don’t need a license to drive (or in the case of Queen Elizabeth to ill) but you are in charge of all your subjects. Or in the case of being the boss, your employees. (Fun fact: Queen E owns all of the swans in the Thames River.)
When you are the boss there are no job requirements. Your job is everything. When you own the company you don’t get a raise because you performed well; most often that money is pumped back into the company to show potential investors that you believe in your idea.
BEING THE BOSS OFTEN MEANS $$. BUT MONEY CAN’T BUY HAPPINESS.
Let’s hit refresh on that always cited Princeton University study published in 2010 that found that happiness rises as income rises up until you hit $75,000 a year. At that dollar point, happiness ceases to improve as you earn more.
The study actually found the opposite to be true. Those who are happiest are proven to be more productive which, leads to better pay.
Not all founders or bosses are unhappy, but the stakes are higher, so is the pressure, and as we’ve heard from Create & Cultivate panelists, “Founder depression is real.”
YOU HAVE LESS JOB MOBILITY.
When you are unhappy or unfulfilled by your job or career path, you can change it. (This should not be taken as advice to monkey around from one career branch to another.) But with less responsibly comes more mobility. When you are in charge, or own your own company, that company has custody over you. You can’t simply pick up and leave— there are people who rely on you after all. No pressure.
Moreover, shuttering your own company and going to work for someone else is viewed as a set-back. Even if it's not true, people view it as a failure. Having to walk away from a company you created is not a position I want to be in.
Being crucified on the cover of Variety as a failure? Seems unpleasant as well. Multi-million dollar payout and all (see point 2).
IF YOU DO WHAT YOU LOVE...
You’ll never work a day in your life. So the saying goes. This is one of those really tired, unrealistic job-related aphorisms that f’s with people’s heads. Even if you love what you do, you will not like it all the time. In fact, you might hate it some days. TOTALLY OK TOO.
As employees we tend to give ourselves more leniency when it comes to the days we don’t like our jobs. When you own the company, or when you’re the boss, there is more pressure to believe in and love the work.
It’s simply not possible to love it all the time. As a founder you have to be obsessed with your company to make it work, but obsessions come in waves. Some days are easier to ride out than others.
When you're the boss it’s very stressful and scary on the days when you’re simply not feeling it.
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH NOT BEING THE BOSS.
So you don’t want to be the boss? GREAT! Let's high-five each other. There are currently almost 10 million boss hashtags on IG.
You can be a high-performer without being in the highest position. Success doesn’t mean car or corner office or cabana. You can create an amazing career without striking out on your own. Being someone's right hand doesn't mean you've chopped yours off.
[If you do want to be the boss: read this.]
Success means going home and having the ability to dream about cats. It means that you are satisfied with the decisions you’ve made for your career. For many people that means acknowledging that you don’t want to own a company or be in charge.
Even it if means you don’t own all the swans, you’ve still got the wings to fly.
Arianna Schioldager is the Editorial Director of Create & Cultivate, and therefore, not the boss. Find her on Instagram: @ariannawrotethis and on this site she never updates www.ariannawrotethis.com
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The Big Lie Killing Your Confidence
Self-doubt is a prickly old thing.
photo credit: Raymond Tan
Written by Maxie McCoy for Shine
There's this really amazing skill in life called maximizing your strengths and playing to them whenever possible. Not only does it put you in a position to be more successful, but it also it keeps you feeling energized when you're working within your talents.
From work, to interpersonal relationships, to creative hobbies, playing to your strengths is a great tactic for success.
On the flip side, however, dismissing your weaknesses can hold you back.
How many times have you ever muttered the words, “I’m just not good at that.” Whether it was spreadsheets, entrepreneurship, painting, surfing, or public speaking, assuming that you’re not good at something and therefore staying away from it is a recipe for dissatisfaction.
Believing that your talents, skills, and competencies are static is a huge lie you’re telling yourself.
According to renowned Stanford Psychology Professor Caroline Dweck, the most successful people in life believe that everything develops and grows. They have a growth mindset which is shown to directly correlate to confidence as challenges are met with optimism in order to improve.
Believing that your talents, skills, and competencies are static is a huge lie you’re telling yourself.
You simply need to rewire your brain to believe that you can absolutely get better at whatever you put your mind and energy toward. Getting into action on new skills helps build self-efficacy and creates new opportunities for you across the board.
To harness a growth-mindset and improve your confidence start here:
Identify where you feel your skills are innate or predetermined
Where are you staying on the sidelines of your life? What things do you feel drawn towards but have convinced yourself that you’re just not good at?
Identifying these competencies is the first step in creating an action plan to improve them. Try listing out all the things you’ve ever assumed that you’re not good at. Circle the one or two you wish you were better at. And voila, you have a skill worth putting your energy toward.
Measure effort and improvement
No one wakes up as the best gymnast in the world. Nor do they become an amazing public speaker just by breathing. Anyone who is great at something has dedicated time and energy towards it.
Everything about you can and will get better with effort. If you track and measure where you started and how you progress, you’ll be fueled with more encouragement to keep going when you see the positive outcomes.
Know It’s Always a Stretch and Act Anyways
Anyone who does something that they don’t feel strong at feels the discomfort of a stretch. The greats? They do it anyways. They level up. The feel the stretch and keep going for it.
"Anyone who is great at something has dedicated time and energy towards it."
Tweet this.
Having a growth-mindset keeps you moving toward that stretch instead of away from it. Stretching is key to knowing that eventually you’ll be able to reach the new level you so desire.
Remember these four tips whenever you find yourself “convinced” that you’re bad at something. Harnessing a growth mindset will remind you that you’re not bad, you’re just inexperienced and being hard on yourself.
If there's something you really want to experience, master, or create... don't let a few shoddy attempts discourage you. Because you're not static. You're not stagnant. You're not still. You're not bad at it. You're just not far enough in to have gotten good. Fiercely believe that you can, and you will.
An original version of this appeared on Shine.
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How This Blogger Is Fighting the Plus-Size Retail Problem
Throwing retail a curve ball.
As a size 14/XL fashion blogger, one of my top pet peeves is being denied the experience of brick and mortar shopping.
I would love to spend a Saturday out shopping with girlfriends, but I almost never do it. And here’s why: even though I represent the average size woman in this country, I can’t walk into most brick and mortar stores and fit clothing on my body.
Take J.Crew and Madewell for instance. Two brands that are steeped in Americana and accessibility, unless you wear above a Large in which case you are directed to shop online. Let me repeat, I wear the average size in this country, but I can’t walk into J.Crew and buy a sweater! Does anyone else think that is nuts? My bruised ego aside (and trust me, it is bruised), do these retailers know how much money they are leaving on the table? Jenna Lyons, I love you girl but what are you thinking?!
Looking at it objectively, it’s not hard to see how this came about. As the ultimate luxury good, fashion has always been an industry built on exclusivity. Unless you possess the required means, access and body type, high fashion simply is not available to most.
Maybe the problem is that for too long this high fashion “you can’t sit with us" mindset has trickled down to the retail level, creating a world where average women like myself can’t walk into an average store and shop.
But if the old model is a trickle down from fashion into retail, I think we are starting to see a new model: a trickle up from social media into retail.
"We are starting to see a new model: a trickle up from social media into retail."
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Thanks to social media, body positive women like Ashley Graham, Iskra and their over 6 million combined followers have given a voice to an entire swath of previously ignored women. Women like me who spend on handbags because we can’t walk into a store and buy clothing, or who are too frustrated with shopping to enjoy it as an activity with friends.
Thanks to the influence of social media, we are seeing mass brands start to welcome more of us with open arms. This can only mean a win-win for everyone, retailers included (cha-ching!). Aerie has been at the forefront of this with their popular #unretouched campaign and commitment to inclusive sizing in their brick and mortar stores. At Ann Taylor there are rumblings of a plus line launching this year (yes please!). And while Kate Spade isn't exactly a mass clothing retailer, did you know they carry up to size 16 in store?
I think we all know there’s enough room for everyone in the retail world. And it’s refreshing to see brands starting to wake up! Here’s to hoping the day that I can walk into J.Crew and buy a sweater can’t be far off.
Katie Sturino is a size 12(ish) New Yorker who believes great style can look chic at any size. She started the12ishstyle.com to introduce girls like her who wear sizes 12-18 to fashion forward brands across extended and plus sizes. Click here to read her piece on Turning "Big" Into Business.
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6 Women Share Their Career Struggles
The only way out is through.
photo credit: Brooke Lark
So you can’t ride a horse and drink a cup of coffee at the same time. Neither can we. When it comes to life and career we hold ourselves to tippy-toe top standards. We want to be able to do it all and at the same time too. Newsflash: it’s impossible.
Even the greatest and brightest among us have faced challenges. Like one of our favorite authors and writers Kelly Oxford who once told us she feels like she can’t forge ahead, “every time I have PMS.” The struggle is real, but you’re not alone. Which is why it's all the more important to share these stories, reinforcing the reality that everyone goes through it.
Read through how 6 amazing women mitigate the hard points in their respective careers.
Lauren Conrad on how her relationship to her career has changed:
“I've been able to find more balance in my career over the last few years. There was definitely a point in my life when I took on too much and was burning the candle at both ends. Since then I've learned the value in saying no and learned to delegate. It can be hard to trust others to work on a brand that you spent so much time on, but you can't do it all.”
“I’ve learned the value in saying no and to delegate.”
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Sarah Michelle Gellar on taking a major risk:
“As my career has shifted drastically that has certainly taken some adjustment. At my age it would have been so easy to just stay and continue an already successful career, but instead I took the leap and try something I had never done before. Its been exciting, scary, rewarding and quite the adventure.”
Rachel Bloom on a point in her life where she thought, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’
“I've never fully turned away from the arts, but there were points in college that my self esteem was so low I didn't know if I could make it in this business.”
Kristen Ess on challenges she’s faced:
“The hair industry can be very competitive and sometimes nasty. Other hairdressers/colorists will talk about you as if they know you or circulate gossip and it's a bummer. There were many times when I would hear about something ‘about me’ that was so inaccurate or just plain untrue and I had to learn really early to block that out and know that people who participate in that are just not for me.”
Cleo Wade on a point in her life when she thought, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’
“I think we all have mini moments of that feeling throughout our day. Our brain is constantly second guessing our decisions. I think you know you are doing something great if you have moments of feeling overwhelmed.
“You know you are doing something great if you have moments of feeling overwhelmed.”
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Lauren Paul on the realities of fundraising and non-profits:
“Starting and running a non-pro:t is incredible but when you sign up for this you have to know that it becomes a 24 hour job. It was important for Molly and I to look at the hours we were pouring into Kind Campaign and find a healthy balance between that and our family, friends and personal lives. It was also important to figure out how we could take some of the jobs we were carrying and bring people on board to help lighten the load.
All my sisters out there who work in the non pro:t space know how hard fundraising is. There were many points in the first couple years where we were really struggling to get by financially. We would hold grassroots fundraisers with the occasional sponsor. We made a lot of personal sacrifices as a result. Everything changed a couple years ago when we had a huge fundraiser that raised enough money to make all of our programming free of charge for schools. We are proud to say that all assemblies have been free since 2013!”
Have something you’re struggling with? Share with us in the comments below. It's self-caring.
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C&C Classifieds Nº26: Style House, Covet Public Relations & The Brandman Agency
Looking for your next career move?
Helping you get over the hump of hump day is a brand new batch of C&C Classifieds. We're keeping you on track to make moves. So polish off your resume, take a look at these companies, and re-do your cover letter. Because word to the wise: it should 100% be tailored to the company you're applying to.
STYLE HOUSE (NEW YORK)
THE BRANDMAN AGENCY (NEW YORK)
SWEETGREEN (NEW YORK)
CREATE & CULTIVATE (WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA)
Want more?
FULL ACCESS TO CLASSIFIEDS HERE
If you have signed up for access to the C&C Classifieds before, click here.
Hawaii Office Hours: These 6 CEOs Will Answer All Your Questions
Shaka brah.
You've got questions and we've got answers-- from some amazing powerhouse entrepreneurs. Thanks to our RAD friends at Richer Poorer we are heading to Hawaii tomorrow to join six CEOs to dig in on what it’s really like putting yourself out there.
Over the course of the trip we'll be swapping war stories; the ups and downs, anxiety, stress, burning the midnight oil, and why it's more important than ever to support each other. Everyone needs a tribe. Even bosses.
We will also be participating in the The JUST MORE panel at The Surfjack Hotel. Sharing the trails and tribulations of business ownership will be:
Iva Pawling, co-creator of Richer Poorer
Bobby Hundreds, co-creator of THE HUNDREDS and JENNIFER
Jen Gotch, founder and chief creative officer of ban.do
Jeni Britton Bauer, founder of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams and James Beard Award-winning author
Jaclyn Johnson, CEO of Create & Cultivate
Ellen Bennett, founder and creative director of Hedley & Bennett
If you happen to be in Honolulu, RSVP here. However, if you aren't able to make it to the sandy shores, follow along on our Instagram Stories. All week we'll be hosting LIVE office hour sessions with each founder. Submit your questions below.
If you don't ask, you'll never know.
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The 5 Interior Design Instagrams You Need to Follow
Clean space, clean mind.
Clean space, clean mind. We're rounding up five of our favorite ladies who are killing the interior design game.
Whether you want to scroll their feeds for a little #mondaymotivation, or follow them full-time, they've got the eye.
SARAH SHERMAN SAMUEL of @SARAHSERMANSAMUEL
The interior designer and mom makes it look easy... and beautiful. But on her blog she always shares the behind the scenes of making it look so effortless. And she'll help you start small-- like with these DIY copper plant stands.
ELENI of @MYPARADISSI
Sharing design inspo with readers around the globe is what Eleni does on a daily basis. After spending ten years of her career studying and working as an architect, the Crete-born designer behind My Paradissi launched her online paradise in 2010.
AMBER LEWIS of @AMBERINTERIORS
The LA-based interior designer and Shoppe owner knows about hustle. She always knows how to transform a space and is what we call interior design #goals. Oh, and did you know: she got her start when her boss ENCOURAGED her to quit.
LUCY of @THEDESIGNFILES
It's the most popular design blog on the Gold Coast, but we happen to love it on the West Coast. The award-winning Aussie blog will show you the ropes-- from how to craft a space to how to cook a fish. Because if you can't entertain in your awesome space, what's the point?
JUSTINA BLAKENEY of @THEJUNGALOW
Our favorite pattern and plant guru, no interior design list is complete without Justina. With a head for business and bold colors, she's created her own style. And if you want to strike out on your own, take notes. Justina flourishes in the multi-hustle world.
Are you an interior designer? Share your handle in the comments below so we can take a peek!
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Why 80% of New Year's Resolutions Fail by Mid-February
And what you can do about it.
photo credit: Elle Magazine
Written by: Marah Lidey, co-founder Shine
In the day or two after New Year’s Eve, you likely process a mix of feelings: euphoria and hope for a new year, resolve to change those ‘bad habits’ that held you back last year -- and often, a fresh perspective on who you are and where you see yourself going.
You probably set some goals. But not your friendly neighborhood diner type of goals. No, you set Michelin-star, creme-brulee-boasting, so-fancy-they-serve-the-salad-with-the-baby-fork restaurant type of goals.
You want to work on that six pack every day of the week, write a bestselling novel, give up being the ‘always late’ coworker, save 80% of the money you're making and call that long-distance friend everyday to check in.
We all set lofty goal for ourselves with each new year. Our ambition is one of the many things that makes us so amazing as humans.
There’s just one part of the whole New Year’s resolutions formula that tends to go awry. Our goals often aren’t sustainable.
Change is hard overnight, and when we set unrealistic, binary milestones for ourselves and subsequently struggle to reach them in a short timeframe, we crash and burn.
In fact, USA Today reported that by mid-February, eighty percent of resolutions fail.
The good news? There’s an antidote that is 100% within our control: setting goals with self-compassion.
In it’s simplest terms, self-compassion means being kind to ourselves when we feel inadequate or slip up. It's been proven to lead to greater emotional wellbeing and is linked to less depression, anxiety and stress.
Psychologist and researcher, Dr. Kristen Neff, defines self-compassion in three abilities: self-kindness, common humanity and mindfulness.
Self-kindness
...is about flipping the script and reserving judgement on ourselves (studies have shown that we are 3 times more likely to feel compassion for a total stranger).
If we are struggling to meet a goal, there are probably valid reasons. Recognize that you’re going to do the best you can, and when you have off days - empathize with where you’re coming from.
Common humanity
...is about realizing that we all are imperfect beings.
Recognizing that you’re not alone and that you will doubtlessly hit roadblocks along the way, can empower you to rely on community and support for others in moments of self-criticism. There is a 100% chance that someone else has felt exactly the way you do, whether you’re crushing it or struggling.
“Self compassion helps bridge the gap between who we feel we are and who we really are.”
Mindfulness
...is about cultivating an awareness. We can’t be kind to ourselves or rely on the power in shared humanity if we don’t recognize when we’re being particularly hard ourselves.
As Dr. Anna Rowley, Psychologist and millenniall wellbeing expert says, “we can separate ourselves from our negative thinking or feelings of inadequacy. Your boss chews you out for a report she doesn’t like. You have a choice - dwell on what a failure you are or practice mindfulness and acknowledge the feedback and do better next time. By separating ourselves from the emotion - anger, frustration, or self pity - we are available to problem solve.”
Did you know? We are 3 times more likely to feel compassion for a total stranger than for ourselves.
Unfortunately there is a common misconception, that being compassionate with ourselves means that we’re going to take it easy, give ourselves a pass to never improve or become set in our ways.
But the reality is, that when we focus on empathizing with ourselves and meeting ourselves where we are - we can set goals that build on our strengths and realistically help us improve.
“Self compassion helps bridge the gap between who we feel we are and who we really are,” says Dr. Rowley.
She continues:
“Resolutions are hard to change because we are trying to alter aspects of ourself we aren’t happy with or behaviors we may have ‘lived’ for a long, long time. Many of us set unrealistic or unreasonable goals.
For example, "I will go to the gym 4 times this week”might be a tough resolution to keep if you have never been to a gym before or you are embarrassed walking into a room full of strangers grunting and heaving. Self compassion is about reducing the risk of feeling like a failure if you don’t nail your immediate goal.
It also helps us set more realistic compassionate goals. Rather than join a gym I’ll go for a walk or next time I shop I’ll look for a more healthy choice of foods. Self-compassion can help us make smarter choices and offer a helping hand when we mess up - and we will mess up.”
So, this year as you continue to grow, evolve and work on yourself - remember to set goals that allow you to be kind to yourself.
Sign up for Shine to set an intention and track your goals for the year.
The original version of this article appeared on Shine.
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What You Missed: Work + Wellness Panel at Topshop
There may have been a baby blizzard outside, but our Work + Wellness pop-up at Topshop in Soho was still packed with panelists, audience members, knowledge, and some fab outfits thanks to Topshop Personal Shopper.
We took it to the audience at times-- asking who felt burnt out, who had cried in the last week, and despite decreased visibility outside, inside the store it was very clear: we all felt the same way-- a little burnt out by the 24/7 nature of work and life, the tech tear, and that no one can do it alone.
Here are six of our favorite takeaways from last night.
START YOUR DAY OFF RIGHT
But know that means different things to different people.
“When I first started working, I was so eager to impress my boss,” shared Colleen Wormsley of Shine. “The sun would go down, I would still be working, and I missed being outside. So in the morning I made the conscious decision to walk. To take the subway farther away, so I could have that 15 minutes in the morning to clear my head. To start my morning that way.”
Nicole Loher, who works a full time job, trains for triathlons and is a wellness influencer, says that she is constantly taking small steps to get it right, but echoes the idea that ‘right’ and ‘well’ are subjective— a word that host, model, and dancer Ally Love brought up.
Case in point: the morning of our panel Nicole woke up at 4am to train with her swim coach. “Every day is a work in progress for everyone,” she shared.
IT IS POSSIBLE TO FULL TIME/ PART TIME & BE HAPPY
Ally Love, who is a part of the “slash generation,” works best when busy. But doing five jobs and attempting to give her one hundred percent to all of them, was proving too challenging. Doing everything for the multi-talented woman meant she had to realize she wasn't going to do it “all” alone. “If you’re going through divorce, you go to a really good lawyer because you want it to end well. If there’s something wrong with you, you go to a good doctor because you want to live. The same thing goes for your career," she explained. "If you want things to go well, outsource to really great people.”
“I had to ask for help,” she told the audience. “I created a team knowing I had to trust other people who knew what my end goals are and how to leverage opportunities.”
“Burn out is real,” shared Nicole, piggybacking on that idea. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.” “Find what you love to do in your full time job and try to make sure that your full time and part time job can merge,” explained the wellness influencer who in her full time job likewise manages influencers in the wellness space.
Or know what you do best. “I made the part time, the full time,” said Jessy Fofana of La Rue PR. Speaking of:
KNOW YOURSELF
Keeping up with the web and social is a struggle for everyone— from the most seasoned influencers, to those who appear to have their content game on lock, to the women on panel.
“You have creativity," said Ally, "but creativity comes in different ways. I get creative when I get exhausted. That’s when I find new effective ways to grow. So know your energy type. I need to get depleted to sit down and have a great idea.”
"Your success level is not established by how active you are, but how productive you are."
Tweet this.
“I need to use a lot of my unnecessary energy to tap into the power within in,” Love told the crowd delving in a little deeper. “Other people have that direct connection. Your success level is not established by how active you are, but how productive you are. Trust that inside of you.”
BE CONSCIOUS
“For people who are working weekends and nights and feel like there is an expectation that they put in a lot of time— there probably is that,” said Rebecca Willa Davis, Deputy Editor for Well + Good. “But I also think that even in our downtime we are taxing our systems. We’re watching Netflix while we’re on our phones, while we’re eating dinner, while our friend is sitting next to us,” she said. “We're not fully embracing our downtime."
Rebecca understands that the content game is 24/7. “When you send out a newsletter seven days a week, there’s no way to get around that.” But she qualified, “There are ways to make sure that free time feels like downtime, so when I am working, I’ve had some relief.”
It other words: unplug, get outside, and pay attention to the friend sitting next to you.
“Think about how your non-work time will benefit your future work time,” added Colleen. “Some of my best ideas that I never would have thought of happened because I turned off, went and saw a friend and had a conversation.”
AND ALSO BE A CONSCIOUS BOSS
Rebecca shared that she typically sets aside nights and weekends to get emails out, but even though that schedule works for her, it wasn’t the healthiest for her team.
“When I was sending out these emails late at night or on the weekends, the people on my team felt like they had to be on at all times because their boss was on at all times.” Adding, “I think of work and wellness as not only wellness for myself, but wellness for my team.”
So what did she do? She downloaded an add-on that schedules when her emails send. “It’s so simple,” she explained, “but allows me to work within the schedule that works best for me, without imposing on other people.”
ON AT ALL TIMES?
Do we need to turn up or turn off?
Millennial burnout is real. Nicole shared that a few years ago she was working for a company she was so passionate about, but spread too thin. “It was a taxing, emotional rollercoaster,” she said. She was crying every day, working 15 hour days, and she was only 23. “I wasn’t able to focus on myself, get in my workouts, or even see my friends and family.” She left that job, without anything lined up, and then wrote about it openly on the internet. She credits this as her own “personal point of becoming well again and moving on.”
"When you let go of something good, you’re only making way for something great.”
Tweet this.
“It took a lot to admit to myself that I was burnt out. It was a really scary moment to quit my job. But I think 2017 is a great year for millennials and the slash generation because you don’t have to be one thing anymore. When you let go of something good, you’re only making way for something great.”
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The 5 Ways to Pitch Your Boss to Attend Create & Cultivate
It's not even a hard sell.
photo credit: Tyler Joe for Elle
Tickets for C & C NY are about to SELL OUT, which means it's time to act.
That might mean pitching your boss to foot the bill. This is a smart move, and we are here to tell you how to sell your boss on it.
Some companies have established budgets for job-specific and career advancement training. Some don't. Either way, here are our 5 top reasons to get your capital B Boss to send you to NYC.
RELATIONSHIPS THAT COUNT
The connections and relationships you have access to at C & C are unparalleled. Where else can you interact with #squadgoals and #bossgoals on such an intimate level? Sure, it's easy to ignore an email. A follow-up email. Even a voicemail. But if you take advantage of the golden opportunities in New York, whether through our mentor sessions, it could open a myriad of doors-- not only for you, but for your company as well.
Not to mention, the mentor sessions are heralded by our attendees as some of the useful stepping stones they've ever had.
GETTING A FOOT IN THE DOOR EARLY
Big relationships and partnerships matter, but so does having your finger on the pulse. This is something that Create & Cultivate and our team members excel at. Sure, our past keynotes like Jessica Alba, Rachel Zoe, and Chelsea Handler have seen huge success, but there are smaller, lesser known (though on the path to blowing up) women who your boss might not be aware of… yet.
The conference is your foot in the door, to introduce you to a wide array of valuable partnerships. Round up a list of all potential female entrepreneurs changing the game and brands that will be onsite, research their stats and why you think it would be good to get on their radar now, and sell your boss.
DIGITAL EDUCATION BOOTCAMP
Sure there is fun to be had-- goodie bags and a power cocktail hour, but C & C gets down to brass tacks. The panel discussions, from putting brand before business to why content will always be Queen, gives attendees direct takeaways. You're learning from the best in the biz, like Rebecca Minkoff, Aimee Song, and CEOs who are sharing how they built their businesses. They're there to pass on how they did it, while also encouraging you to forge ahead.
IMPORTANCE OF GETTING OFFSITE
The work environment has changed, and working from a mobile office is one tenant of the new working world. However, beyond working on-the-go it's important to get out of the office and put your skills to good use. As they say, if you don't use it, you lose it. If you spent most of 2016 behind a computer or in an office, explain the benefits of hands-on experience. Whether you want to use C & C to work on interpersonal skills-- like sticking out a hand and introducing yourself to a stranger-- or as the first place to make your mark in the business world, there is nothing like practical application.
"To make your mark in the business world there is nothing like practical application."
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CONFIDENCE BOOSTING
In the same way that a wellness retreat works to revitalize your body, a conference like Create & Cultivate works to boost your brain power, which in turn gives you a confidence jolt like no other. When you leave New York you'll feel energized and ready to dive back into your job with more fervor than ever. Which isn't to say you don't give it your all now, but there is something about the energy generated at C & C that gives attendees the focus and confidence to really assess and hone their strengths.
BONUS: TELL YOUR BOSS YOU'LL BRING HER HOME YOUR VIP SWAG BAG...
And remember when you're presenting this to your boss, it's crucial to nail down specifics that are relevant to your job. Find the speaker, panelist, or mentor that is most beneficial to you, your current position, and your company as a whole. Elaborate on how building a relationship with this person will be of merit to all three. Give your boss deliverables. If you tell her you're going to have a conversation with , make sure you're breaking down why this is relevant. Bosses are interested in ROI.
So get to pitching and follow these words to tickets here.
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C&C Classifieds Nº25: Team One, Camron PR, Of a Kind & More
photo credit: Jessica Bordner Photography
TEAM ONE
Art Director (Dallas, TX)
Please email resume and portfolio to gabrielle.thammavong@teamone-usa.com
OF A KIND
Web Production, Editorial and Social Media Assistant (New York, NY)
CAMRON PR
Senior Account Executive (New York, NY)
sBe GROUP
Marketing & PR Coordinator (Los Angeles, CA)
WARNER MUSIC GROUP
Manager, Fan Engagement (Burbank, CA)
Want more?
FULL ACCESS TO CLASSIFIEDS HERE
If you have signed up for access to the C&C Classifieds before, click here.
Wanna Be a Blogger? Rocky Barnes Shares 9 Inspiring Ways to Help
Getting after it on Super Bowl Sunday.
photo credit: Jessica Bordner Photography
With almost a million followers on IG and years of blogging under her fashionable belt, Cali-bred Rocky Barnes knows a thing or 9 about how to build a following. "People want to see your fashionable life," she told the audience at our first Style Summit at Sawgrass Mills. We've got the 9 ways she's suggests doing so.
So go ahead, have your own Super Bowl Sunday-- building your career.
1. "Some brands will elevate you, and vice versa. It's all about finding the right match when collaborating.
2. "There's always something you can do, and you have to find what platform works best for you."
3. "Quality over quantity, you don't have to stick to keeping up with the Joneses in social media."
4. "Instagram is a good archive for your content. It's not a home for all of your content."
Tweet this.
5. "Do what you feel is cool, forget about the likes. It's a bigger picture idea of what you want your world to look like."
photo credit: Jessica Bordner Photography
6. "I believe in the block and delete policy."
7. "Don't get lost in what other people are doing."
8."Don't take anything personally, because it's not about you."
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9. "You are the creator of your own world. Give your audience a view into it through your social media."
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What You Missed from Our Work + Wellness Pop-up at Topshop
Looking good and feeling good = #2017goals
2016 was about balance, but this year the topic on everyone's mind is wellness. Sure, they go hand-in-hand, but we're widening our gaze.
Which is why we gathered at Topshop at the Grove LA last night to chat with Lizzy Okoro, the founder and EIC of BUNCH Magazine, Christina Topacio of Jig + Saw, Maya Washington, also known as Shameless Maya, and Tara Sowlaty and Jessie De Lowe co-founders of How You Glow.
The conversation veered from finding boundaries while pushing yourself to the bigger picture of wellness as vibrancy. Here our 5 of our favorite takeaways.
1. SHARE YOUR IDEAS
There is a fear that if you share what you're working on, someone will come along and snatch it up.
Lizzy Okoro says it isn't so. "Tell everyone your idea, no one will steal it," Lizzy told the audience. It keeps you accountable.
"Tell everyone your idea, no one will steal it."
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Christina echoed the sentiment. "If someone steals it, it was never yours to begin with; it was never going to pop off."
2. THE TECH ADDICTION IS REAL
Jessie, who in addition to How You Glow, works as an Art Therapist says that she's seen an upsurge in social media and tech addiction, and that it's not going away any time soon. To combat the blue screen haze craze, the glowing gal and mama-to-be practices a phone free bedroom. She doesn't have a bedside table, which makes keeping her phone out of her room at night easier.
"I don’t bring it in bed with me, it’s not allowed. If you don’t look at it right before you sleep and right when you wake up, there is 20 minutes of clarity," Jessi shared. She also urged attendees to find healthy boundaries in how, when, and why they are consuming content. "The digital world isn't real," she said, while acknowledging that it's still an integral part of our lives and businesses. "You can't see it and you can't smell it," she said about digital, making it all the more important to get outside.
photo credit: Josh Escueta
3. FIGURING OUT HOW TO 'THROW IN THE TOWEL'
Most of the women on panel had the ah-ha moment when they knew they had to leave one job to focus full time on their passion.
Christina recently shut down her blog of ten years, Profresh Style, to focus full time on her new Jig + Saw venture. "The money can't be the driver of any entrepreneurial dream," she told the crowd. "You'll always fall broke." Lizzy, who was working as a school admin during the day and BUNCH at night, had her moment when she knew she couldn't do both. "I was sucking at being an employee, sucking at BUNCH, I wasn't a good friend, a good girlfriend, and at that point I realized, I had to go." Qualifying, "Well, 'go' in 6 months, I couldn't afford it."
The Editor in Chief added, "When you literally. just. can't-- all the time, that's when it's time."
Jessie kept it simple but straight-forward. "If your job is making you physically ill," she shared, "it's time to go."
5. ABANDON DANGEROUS THINKING
Lizzy brought up the cult of busy and hashtag glorifications that take us down the dangerous rabbit hole of wanting to work all the time. "#sleepwhenimdead," shouldn't be a thing. She was burning the candle at both ends when a friend told her, "Listen, if you take a night off, go to the movies and your business fails, you need to get out of that business." It stuck with her.
Maya, who's social experiment with Shameless Maya and "shamelessly" promoting herself for 365-days was an act of truly accepting her whole self, told the crowd to "be aware of what’s trending, but be aware of what works for you."
"It’s so easy to get caught up in the hype, but you’re going to lose," she said.
photo credit: Josh Escueta
5. ACCEPT 'VICES'
The How You Glow gals are all about balance. Working out, eating healthy, and indulging. Jessie shared with the audience that they should "build in allowed vices, so it doesn't feel like you've messed up."
Paraphrasing Picasso, Tara told the audience one of her favorite pieces of advice is to "Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist."
6. WITHOUT RISK... NO REWARD
Maya brought it home telling attendees, "You gotta give up to gain."
"You gotta give up to gain."
Tweet this.
"I had to give up so much," she shared about her career. "Personal relationships, sleep, everything came at a cost. So you need to evaluate what your priorities are, but also really examine yourself. You are in control of your life."
We are heading to NY next Thursday for at Work + Wellness panel at Topshop Soho. Get in on the convo and RSVP now! Space is limited.
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C&C Classifieds Nº24: Beyond Yoga, Clare V., NPR & More!
Is Feb 1. Do you know where your job is?
photo credit: Jessica Bordner Photography.
80% of New Year resolutions fail. But your job hunt doesn't have to fall into that category.
This week, we have listings from Beyond Yoga, NPR, Clare V. and more. To get full access to this week's classifieds, enter your info below!
CLARE V.
MOD CLOTH
FULL ACCESS TO CLASSIFIEDS HERE.
If you have signed up for access to the C&C Classifieds before, click here.
You Really, REALLY Deserve This Galentine’s Giveaway
Celebrate your team of boss ladies with gifts that say something more!
That special day to show your love is right around the corner. Forget Valentine’s Day, we’re talking about Galentine’s Day. The best holiday coined by superwoman Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation (#LeslieKnope2020), takes place February 13th.
To get us all in the Galentine’s Day spirit, we’re throwing a giveaway with Knock Knock, independent maker of clever gifts, books, and whatever else they can think up. Knock Knock’s array of desk accessories help you organize, prioritize, and express your wittiest, boss lady self.
We’re giving away a bunch of #knockknockstuff for you and your besties to dazzle your desks with, plus some dough to spend on a special Galentine’s Day brunch—a prize worth $500!
Here’s what’s up for grabs:
1. All Out Of Pad
How many times have you fantasized about that glass of wine while at work, only to get home and realize you are all out of wine? You wouldn’t wish that on your worst enemy, let alone your BFF. The All Out Of Pad makes sure there’s always a drink around when she needs it most.
2. Pep Talk Nifty Note
The pep talks you give yourself—the ones in front of the mirror with your game face on—can be crucial in developing confidence. Everyone needs a boost from time to time. So pass on the power of the Pep Talk to your work wife.
3. XOXO Sticky Notes
Is there anything better than finding cute notes where you least expect them? Stick it to your bestie with an XOXO Sticky Note where she’ll never expect it —her oven, her yoga mat, inside her car—the possibilities are endless.
4. Send Some Friendship Fill in the Love® Postcard Set
When a text simply will not do, these friendship postcards save the day! Skip the Hallmark cards and send 24 of your favorite gals a fill-in-the-blank postcard. Tell them how you really feel with postcards like, “There’s a word for friends like you: ________,” or, “Two words: ________ ________.”
5. Why You’re My Bestie Fill in the Love® Journal
This fill-in-the-blank book will let your bestie know exactly how you feel. Just complete each line and voilà: you have a uniquely personal gift your BFF will read again and again.
6. #Goals Pad
Here’s a Galentine’s Day activity idea: Sit down with your pals and write down 12 goals you have for this year. And then set a date toward the end of every month to check-in with each other. This pad is the perfect tool to keep yourselves on track.
7. Affirmators! 50 Affirmation Cards to Help You Help Yourself—without the Self-Helpy-Ness!
Betting on you is the first and most powerful step to take down the road of confidence and success. Pick from the deck, read them aloud, and share these Affirmators with your BFFs during brunch and toast to mutual future wins.
8. I Totally Got This Inner-Truth™ Journal
This journal is filled with upbeat prompts and motivating quotes to get your day going. If your work bestie or life bestieis feeling a little down about where they are in their career, remind them to spend a few moments every morning writing three things that they’re grateful for. What you put out is what you get back.
9. Sorry Not Sorry Sticky Notes
Truth is, women apologize more in the workplace than men. This has been discussed, studied, and written about extensively. The real deal is apologies are often about wanting people to like you. But guess what? Your Galentine already likes you. So stick this note on your forehead if need be and make 2017 the year of no more people pleasing. We promise you and your BFF will be pleased with the results.
…ON TO THE GOOD STUFF! We don’t want you to simply GIVE gifts to your gal pals, we want you to GET TOGETHER. Hug, high-five, and toast with three of your best girlfriends on us. Knock Knock and C&C are giving one lucky winner a prize package that includes: Four (4) Galentine’s packages complete with all of the above for the winner to dish out to her besties of choice. Plus, a $200 Visa Gift Card to splurge on a Galentine’s Day brunch. Winner will be notified via email. XOXO.
GIVEAWAY.
Enter to win below! Giveaway ends 2/7/17, 11:59PM PST. This giveaway is now closed. For full terms and conditions click here.
The 5 Key Blogger Takeaways from Our First Style Summit
The 5 keys you need to know to create a strong blog and brand.
Photo by Jessica Bordner
What a 2017 it’s been for us at C&C! And it’s only January.
Last week alone, we launched our first ever Create & Cultivate 100 list, and then hopped on a plane to Florida for our very first Create & Cultivate Style Summit at The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills.
If you couldn't make it to Fort Lauderdale and missed out on Saturday’s Style Summit (and the amazing florals thanks to Designs by Darenda), we’ve culled some of the best tips from our amazing panelists. From how to utilize your Instagram feed as a business medium, to creating a brand and a business as an influencer, to diving into doing fashion full time.
IF YOU WANT TO BLOG FULL TIME, YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT TIME.
Contrary to what the outside world may think, blogging= not so simple. You don’t get 100K followers overnight, and brands don’t come running to partner with you because you own a blog.
Although they have established large followings, many of the bloggers from Saturday, including Stephanie Hill of The Style Bungalow, Nikole Powers of In High Demand, and Symphani Soto are still looking to grow their followings.
And getting to where they are has taken considerable time. “You have to give it time and invest the time and energy in creating good content and creating a great brand,” says Stephanie. “It doesn’t come easy.”
USE YOUR REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE AND APPLY IT TO YOUR OWN BUSINESS
Blogging full time may be a dream job for many, but for many influencers it started as a side hustle. Use this to your advantage. How?
For those starting out, a rule of thumb to follow is to absorb as much knowledge as possible, which seems obvious, but success is in the details. Pay careful attention to how your current role might help inform your business strategies as a blogger. Also be sure to cultivate relationships and don’t burn bridges.
“The industry is very small,” says Kristen Leahy of Fancy Things Blog. “I’ve applied my knowledge I’ve learned in the PR industry to running my blog, and the connections I’ve made have helped me grow my blog as well.”
Gorgeous florals by Designs by Darenda.
ALIGN WITH PARTNERSHIPS THAT MAKE SENSE FOR YOUR BRAND
Making money. At the end of the day, that’s also what blogging is about. And when you’re first getting started it’s very tempting to say “yes” to dollars. Forget outfits, you need to pay rent.
However, when you’re building a brand, you want to make sure that you are committing to a collaboration that will help your brand in the end. “When working with a brand, you have to think whether they’re going to help or hurt your brand,” says Nikole Powers.
Also, it’s not all about the money. Keep in mind that you’re also creating brand that is a reflection of who you are. “If you become a blogger just to make a lot of money,” says Stephanie Hill, “this gig is not for you.”
In short: “Don’t be a sellout,” says Natalie Suarez, who took a moment in between dropping knowledge to hit the Sideshow Booth with sister Dylana (see below) and snap a few shots.
INVEST TIME IN MAKING A MEDIA KIT
While your website and your social media channels serve as an archive for all the amazing content that you have created, when you’re looking to grow your brand and establish a professional presence, you have to invest time in creating a media kit.
All the girls on panel this weekend have created their own media kits, whether they made it from scratch or bought a template on Etsy to help them start. And it’s also not rocket science if you feel intimidated by creating one.
“My media kit is simple and states the facts. Report impressive numbers, add beautiful imagery that you already have on your blog, and showcase notable collabs,” says Stephanie Hill. “Also, make it as easy as possible for brands and potential collaborators to read your deck. They don’t have time to read essays.”
Natalie and Dylana Suarez in the Sideshow Booth.
BUILD CONTENT TO YOUR OWN STANDARDS, NOT ANYONE ELSE’S, AND STAY TRUE TO YOURSELF
Last, but certainly not least, the one key to creating a brand as an influencer is to make sure that you’re creating YOUR OWN BRAND. Blogging is a very competitive field, to say the least, so you have to make sure that your content is able to stand out and not blend into what everyone else is doing.
“Don’t build your content to live up to everyone else’s standard. Do you,” says Kristin Clark of Living In Color Print. If you tune out of what everyone else is doing, you can create amazing content on your own. “Be inspired by others, but always make sure you are always doing you,” as Nikole Powers would say.
What were your favorite takeaways from Create & Cultivate Style Summit this weekend? Let us know below!
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C&C Classifieds Nº26: The Narrative Group, HelloGiggles, CMG & more!
New week. New opportunities.
Opportunities come and go, but with a new week here and a new round of C&C Classifieds to brighten up your Wednesdays, we have opportunities for you, galore!
This week, we have brand new classifieds for you from our friends The Narrative Group, Hello Giggles, Clique Media Group, Away, and more from CAA and Universal Music Group. Get a sneak peek at this week's classifieds below, and sign up below to get access to the full list of classifieds!
If you have signed up for access to the C&C Classifieds before, click here.
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#CCStyleSummit: What You Need To Know
All you need to know to get ready for this weekend.
We’re officially a few days away to our very first #CCStyleSummit this weekend! As we’re putting the finishing touches on pop-up at The Colonnade Outlets at Sawgrass Mills this weekend, we want to make sure that you’re set for success for an amazing day of panels, keynotes, and fun!
If you are looking to make your way out to Fort Lauderdale this Saturday, here are all the things you need to know and what you can expect at the Style Summit:
Get there early! The first 100 attendees will receive a $75 Simon Gift Card - don’t worry you will have plenty of time to shop!
The last 200 attendees will receive a $25 Simon Gift Card as well!
First 200 attendees will also receive a limited edition Create & Cultivate tote bag with goodies!
The Style Summit will be located in close proximity to the Burberry store at The Colonnade Outlets. To locate the store, please see the mall map here.
Parking is free, and valet options are available at Sawgrass Mills as well!
Please make sure you RSVP’d, received a confirmation email from us at Create & Cultivate and also bring a picture ID if you want to partake in cocktail hour.
Coffee and Conversation will start at 10AM, which will give you enough time to get settled in and mingle before our first panel at 11AM!
Looking to show off your styling skills? Make sure to stick around for the Style Challenge at 3PM--- two lucky team members that hashtag #CCStyleSummit on Instagram or Twitter during the Style Challenge will be chosen to win a $100 Century 21 Gift Card and a $50 Bloomingdale’s Gift Card!
There will be tons of exclusive in-store offers for C&C Style Summit attendees from Century 21, Elie Tahari, Furla, Ippolita, Le Creuset, Maje, Rag & Bone, Sandro, The Kooples, The Webster, Valentino, Vilbrequin, Wolford and Neiman Marcus Last Call, and Vince!
Exclusive lunch options will also be available for C&C Style Summit attendees from Paul Bakery, Grand Lux Cafe, and Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar.
We’re excited to come to Fort Lauderdale this weekend, and we hope you are too! Please make sure to show us how you’re getting ready for this weekend using #CCStyleSummit and #FoundAtSimon and tagging @CreateCultivate and @ShopSawgrass! See you this Saturday!
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How the CEO of C&C Built a Truly Original Company
The path in front of her was clear.
What’s does it mean to be a New Original?
It means you’re forward-thinking. A free thinker. You get outside the box and you pull people along with you. You see a hole in the market and go after it with everything you have. You trust your gut.
Which is exactly what happened when Jaclyn Johnson launched Create & Cultivate. After digging around the internet for answers about what it means to be a woman in business, she came up empty. What she ended up creating is a life and business fuller than she ever imagined.
With double-digit conferences under her belt and plenty more to come this year, American-made luxury eyewear brand STATE Optical Co. caught Jackie in between meetings to chat about what it’s like to be a boss in 2017.
Who has influenced you most?
I am consistently inspired by the women around me, I get to meet so many incredible women who are working hard to shatter the glass ceiling, push each other further and taking on challenges to pave the way.
What is your definition of excellence?
Your own version of getting it right.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
We need women in power, we need women taken seriously and we need real systemic change when it comes to women in power.
Head over to State Optical Co. to read the full profile on Jackie where she shares her key insights to success as their latest New Original ambassador. She also happens to look damn good in glasses.
Celebrating 60 Years of Redefining Beauty
Free to be beautiful.
The last 60 years have been a daring exploration in change. We’ve witnessed the rise of the female entrepreneur. Birth control was approved. We marched and made some noise; some of us burned bras and set fire to the world in the process. Females now outpace males in college enrollment. And we have more women of color in the Senate than ever before. We changed history. We made history.
It’s because we care. We care about our future and the future of generations to come. We care about the world and how we move within it. We care about ourselves and each other.
And for over 60 years, Dove has been providing the same great superior care and championing real beauty for generations of women. Your grandmother who never thought she’d vote for a female president. Your own mom who fought the stigma of being a working mother. And now you. You’re part of a generation that is redefining everything, especially beauty standards.
When it comes to beauty over the last 60 years, just about everything has changed. Trends have come and gone (so long 1980 and everything you brought), hairstyles coiffed, curled, and then chopped, but some beauty essentials are as relevant now as they were half a century ago. This month, Dove is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its iconic Dove Beauty Bar, which has remained unchanged since its launch in 1957.
To commemorate this milestone, Dove released a new video showing a retrospective of iconic beauty moments and the Dove brand’s heritage of featuring real women in its ads and caring for their skin. Women have redefined beauty, built confidence, and challenged stereotypes, and it is the brand’s honor to have been by their side since 1957, caring for them every step of the way, and making way for a new norm to be established: one that focuses on redefining beauty.
We are excited to have partnered with Dove to not only bring you a list of 10 groundbreaking women in the beauty industry, but to celebrate their 60 years of superior care. For a limited time in January and February, 2017, the Dove Beauty Bar will be engraved with the word ‘care.’
It’s one of the most important words when it comes to beauty. Self-care. Carefree. It also just so happens to be the first four letters of one of our favorite words as well: career. Coincidence? We think not.
Together, we can keep redefining beauty for the next 60 years. Share how you will continue to redefine beauty and #RaiseTheBeautyBar on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. And click here to read the list of our 10 amazing Create & Cultivate 100 Beauty honorees who have been catalysts for change and inspiration.