Dream Careers: This Woman Rode a Great White Shark
And five other local Hawaii women crushing it.
photo credit: Pexels
We love the beach as much as the next Cali-girl. But do you know what we love more? Women who are making waves.
That’s right. Ladies who are blue crushing their dreams and aspirations. And since we’re heading to Maui for a fab pop-up at the newly revamped Marriott Wailea with Kelly Oxford, Sophia Rossi, Grasie Mercedes, Whitney Leigh Morris, Carley Rudd and Barefoot Blonde, we wanted to dig into some local Maui women living out their career dreams in paradise.
To join us for our #CCxMarriott popup in Maui on May 20th, hit the link at the bottom of the article to RSVP. First come, first served a Mai Tai.
1. Marissa Eveland and Melissa Jasiny
This Maui-based duo are the co-founders of Issa de’ mar, a swimsuit line that began with a passion for hand-sewing their own swimwear and testing it on the local female surfers to make sure it could stand up to the elements. It did... and locals couldn’t love it more. The line, named after the founders’ combined nickname, “The Issa’s,” paired with the Hawaiian saying for “of the sea,” launched in March 2013. At first they sold suits out of a tiger painted ice cream truck with Roam Hawaii, a mobile marketplace they started with their closest friends. Word began to spread across the island that there were swimsuits that didn't sacrifice on look or North Shore performance. And while the duo may have at first experienced many late nights and tears when hand-sewn pieces didn’t fit as expected, everything is now moving along swimmingly. The brand is currently sold in major retailers everywhere from Hawaii to the Netherlands, proving fashion meets function swimwear is a radical market.
2. Ocean Ramsey
Growing up surfing and driving, Ramsey has always been close to sharks. Whether swimming alongside of them, studying them extensively, or educating others about their existence, sharks of all shapes and sizes hold a special place in her heart. Ocean has made it her life’s work to understand these often misunderstood and feared creatures. She takes daily free dives with sharks (in the open ocean), and now owns two local businesses that are centered around exposing locals and tourists alike to these ocean creatures. She has also hosted a TED Talk titled “How sharks affect us all”.
3. Kimi Werner
A United States National Spearfishing Champion, a certified culinary chef, and an award winning artist, Kimi is a seemingly fearless babe who draws her life’s inspiration from the ocean. Known most readily as the woman who rode a great white shark (literally, here’s proof), we greatly admire her courage for tackling the impossible. Born in Maui, Werner is an accomplished spearfishing champion, but after years of competition, she quit the sport to focus on free driving and enjoying the ocean more holistically.
4. Chef Bev Gannon
Beverly Gannon is one of Maui’s most popular chefs. Born in Dallas, TX, Bev is a local culinary master and owner of several different restaurants on the Island. She is head chef at the Hali’maile General Store and as a result of her successful leadership, is also the author of a popular cookbook: “The Hali’imaile General Store Cookbook. As one of the OG chefs credited with the development of Hawaii regional cuisine in the ‘90s, Chef Gannon is a James Beard award winner.
5. Coco Ho
A member of the the Pro Surf Tour, Coco Ho is a local legend. Born in Honolulu, Coco began surfing at the age of 7. (NBD.) She was the champion at both the 2014 Los Cabos Open Of Surf WQS 6 Star and the 2014 Oceano Santa Catarina Pro WQS 6 Star. Coco has been voted top three in Surfer Magazine’s fan favorite surfer poll. And the pro surfer posed naked for ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue, 2014 saying, “I want people to be able to embrace being strong. It is feminine and it is beautiful.” Mahalo and cheers to that.
Want to attend the event? RSVP here! Space is limited.
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Struggling with What to Get Your Boss on Her Birthday?
We've got options.
photo credit: Doran Poma/ Haute Beauty Guide
The newest line of designer greeting cards from Papyrus and Judith Leiber Couture will meet your needs for multiple upcoming holidays.
Judith Leiber Couture is a name synonymous with elegance, style and sophistication. For more than fifty years, the brand’s incomparable evening bags and crystal minaudières have been recognized worldwide for their meticulous attention to detail and flawless hand-craftsmanship. Frankly, you can’t take your eyes off of them. The same can be said for Papyrus greeting cards, which have made a mark in the industry as the premium, handcrafted greeting cards people give for the most cherished and special occasions.
As part of their Designer Collaboration Series, Papyrus and Judith Leiber Couture have teamed up to develop a beautiful collection of one-of-a-kind greeting card designs inspired by the signature crystal-encrusted evening bags Judith Leiber Couture is known for. Luckily you don’t need a six-figure salary to own a piece of gem-encursted art; if a gorgeous Judith Leiber Couture bag isn’t currently in the cards for you (pun intended), there is definitely a piece in Papyrus’ line that will catch your designer-loving eye.
The line includes an assortment of 15 greeting cards for a variety of occasions, including everyday, birthday and wedding. Also,a large selection of blank cards allows you to customize your message for a number of different occasions, like certain career milestones or personal accomplishments.
Here are our card choices for a variety of occasions that call for a fabulous card sending moment!
IT’S THE BOSS’ BDAY
People often wonder, do I buy my boss a birthday present? Do I not? How do I know how much money to spend? Our response: you can never go wrong with a thoughtful card. In this case, we love both the cake slice or the koi fish designs. (We can already hear the koi/coy puns rolling off your tongue.)
A FRIEND’S RAISE
Celebrating the success of others is paramount to your own success. So, when your best gal pal tells you she came out on top from her salary negotiations, be ready to shower her with warm wishes and congratulations. Tell your friend that they are the unicorn of their company with the unicorn card. If this card doesn't bring out your inner dreamer, we don’t know what will.
A MAJOR MOVE
Is someone in your life taking a leap and heading to the Big Apple to deep dive into the next wave of their career? Reward them for their bravery and conviction with a perfect see-you-later card. And obviously, the meticulously embellished New York card is perfect for this. Not only will this show your encouragement for the big move, but the sparkly design and 1,500 gems also make it frame-worthy keepsake they can keep forever.
LITTLE SIS IS GROWING UP
Graduating from college has so many emotions attached to it; it’s liberating, exhilarating and flat-out terrifying all at the same time. Show your little sis some support by writing her a warm note in the hot air balloon card like, “On to the next adventure, and on your way up”. We think it perfectly captures this moment in her life she can reflect upon for years to come.
These are cards are a ton of fun, but they certainly don’t skimp on the sentimentality either. They feel elegant, but entirely appropriate for all of your celebratory needs. The Papyrus X Judith Leiber Couture collection is now available online at papyrusonline.com. The collection is also launching in select retailers, with nationwide availability coming in October.
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8 Working Moms Share Some Real Talk This Mother's Day
The juggle is real.
photo credit: Pexels
To all you working moms out there we salute you. There is no harder job. And this Mother’s Day we hope you feel inspired by these 8 amazing women. They are founders and CEOs, women of Wall Street and champions for change. But above all, they are mom.
KATIA BEAUCHAMP, CEO & cofounder, Birchbox
Becoming a mom has made me better at time management, delegating and prioritizing. It has truly allowed me to identify my priorities and give me a mental break from always thinking about the business. Before I had children, it was hard to really turn my brain off from work. Now as a mom, I understand how important those mental breaks are in helping me bring a refreshed perspective and approach to my work. It is hard to achieve this ideal notion of "balance," but my approach is to recognize that there will be times when one aspect of your life needs more from you. Overall my goal is two-fold: be present in the place I need to prioritize (work, family, friends and me); be nice to myself. — on balancing a huge career while being a mother to twins (and pregnant)
"Becoming a mom has made me better at time management, delegating and prioritizing."
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YASMINE DELWARI JOHNSON, co-founder, Alliance of Moms
"A man may work from sun to sun, but a woman's work is never done." My grandmother who had 12 kids said this over and over. I cannot tell you how many times I hear Nanny's voice and these words in my head. — on the best piece of advice she’s ever received.
JULES LEYSER, co-founder, Alliance of Moms
Society's narrative that women can have it all is creating an enormous amount of pressure and stress. I am definitely a feminist and never more so than right now but I think its fine for women to do it all just not necessarily all at the same time. Its pretty impossible to be a full time working mom who looks like she's ready to shoot a magazine cover on a daily basis as well as be able to debate the nuances of the refugee crisis in Syria. But that's what held up to us as the model for female success. I would like for the conversation to be more about self care rather than competing in some social media race for who can get the most followers. — on changing the conversation for women
SARA FOSTER, producer, writer & actress
I don't raise my daughters with the mind set of having to fight for their empowerment. Maybe that isn't smart, but I raise them with the idea that it's already in them. It's there, so no need to fight for it. Honestly, we have vaginas. We have all the power. -- on the power within
MELISSA GRILLO ARUZ, VP of Platform, Forerunner Ventures
"Stop pretending like you aren’t important.” I think every little girl should grow up with this one as it is something that many young girls struggle with especially during their early adult years. — on the best piece of advice she’s ever received
REBECCA MINKOFF, founder, Rebecca Minkoff
Some days I do, but other times of course I don't. It's impossible to strike the perfect balance every day. I think a lot of it is trial and error and more than anything about trusting yourself. Knowing when to step in and knowing when it's okay to step back. — on whether or not she feels like “supermom”
JENNI KAYNE, founder, Jenni Kayne
After I had my second child, I really struggled for that first year. It was really challenging to balance having to kids and running the business. — on a time in her life she found incredibly challenging
SALLIE KRAWCHECK, CEO, Ellevest
Right after I had my daughter, I cried to my mother that I couldn't do my job and be a mother to two little ones. She brushed off my tears and said (in a pretty brusque way), "Of course you can. You're just going to be really tired for awhile." She was right. — on the best piece of advice she’s ever received
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The Top Career Concerns New Grads Have During Their Job Search
It's almost time to toss those caps.
photo credit: Pexels
Written by: Meredith Lepore
Here comes the class of 2017. Graduation ceremonies are already in full swing which means many members of the class of 2017 have (hopefully) already started their job searches. As much as college prepares you for many things, we know that there are a lot of knowledge holes actually when it comes to entering the real world and specifically the job market. New grads naturally have a lot of questions. Staffing firm Robert Half found some of the top concerns on the class of 2017's mind and provided some great tips.
Question #1: I don't meet all of the requirements listed in the job description – should I apply anyway?
This is a question you will often have throughout your career. Robert Half says if you meet three-quarters of the requirements, apply for the job. Job descriptions often depict a perfect candidate that doesn't really exist.
Question #2: I have a great internship. How can I approach the firm about parlaying this into a full-time role?
Robert Half says have that talk with your manager sooner rather than later. You need to convey that you would really like to stay and even suggest how you can play a role in the future but be flexible as to what the entry-level position may look like. If your manager doesn't have the budget to hire you, ask for referrals to other departments that might.
Question #3: The career I'm interested in has nothing to do with my major. How do I start my search?
Quite a common one. The strategy is to talk to everyone possible: Professors, parents, older siblings of friends, grads from your college from the previous year. Also research local firms online to see if they hire new grads. Build a Levo profile (here!) and join professional groups in your field of interest.
Question #4: I can't get a job without experience, yet I can't get experience without a job. What should I do?
The great chicken before the egg conundrum that all new grads face. Robert Half says be sure to highlight the experiences you do have, especially ones that show your soft skills and customer service abilities. This can be anything from restaurant and retail jobs, to volunteer work, internships and student activities like being on the newspaper. This shows you can balance.
Question #5: The well-known firm I want to work for just turned me down. Should I keep trying to get in there?
Definitely follow up with the hiring manager but don't only consider the biggest brands and well known firms. Be open.
Question #6: The salary for my first job offer seems low. Do I have any leverage to negotiate?
Always #Ask4More but do be aware of the market rates for an entry level role. Do your research. Check out The 2017 Robert Half Salary Guides.
The original version of this article appeared on Levo.
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This Shocking Detail Is Going to Change the Way You Use Instagram
The social times are a-chh-h-anging.
photo credit: Becki Smith/ Smith House Photography
Photos came first and then Instagram changed the entire game. On a monthly basis Instagram is used by 700M plus people worldwide. And it's not only influencers. Brands have totally revamped their marketing strategies and rely on the social platform to grow their businesses. That’s huge. And it’s not going away.
At Create & Cultivate NYC, we chatted Claudine Cazian, Lila King, Lauren Wirtzer-Seawood, and Virginia Nam, all of whom work in different verticals at the social platform, about how to do it right and drive impact in a meaningful way.
It may come as a surprise that the concept of "get your grid right," is shifting. No doubt, people love pretty pics, but Cazian, Head of Entertainment Partnerships at Instagram, says that old way of thinking of the 'gram is wrong. (Don't stress, yet.)
Social is changing. The way we use social is changing. And you should assume that your strategy should shift as the platform does.
1. RIGHT NOW, FOCUS on MAKING STORIES YOUR NO. 1
You may be surprised to hear that right now it’s more about your Insta Stories, and the “Explore” section, over the actual “feed experience.”
In the last year since Instagram added Stories, it has added 100 million global users to the platform. That means, those 100 million user have never known IG without Stories. It's a vital part of how they do social-- and it's where you should be focusing your efforts as well.
As to how? Cazian says 5-8 great stories per day is a solid number and will help grow your following.
"5-8 great Instagram Stories per day will help grow your following."
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If you’re working a big event, Virginia Nam, who works on the fashion partnerships team with Eva Chen, says that you should “front load the best content.” People don't love seeing a million tiny dashes, but if the first 5-8 stories are compelling it will draw them in to watch the rest. If you're posting so-so content as you go, you're more likely to lose their attention.
When it comes to creating compelling Story content, Lila King, who leads global news and publisher partnerships, suggests using different formats (i.e. a still, followed by a video, followed by some Boomerangs) and mixing it up is key! Throw in some front-facing (#selfies) with some rear-facing camera action. People want to see the behind-the-scenes. And even though "news" isn't typically associated with selfies, King says people love to see "the human factor."
2. YOUR ENGAGEMENT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR GRID
This might be hard to hear, but when it comes to engagement and content, Instagram is “mobile first.” So while we’ve been working hard to “get our grids right,” Instagram is all about “real-time” in-the-moment pics. All four women agreed that pretty, neat, "mosaic patterns," etc., are not what's driving new followers to your page. And four out of four said that making it pretty is currently the wrong strategy. "It's engagement over grid, every time," said Cazian.
At the conference, panel moderator Arianna Schioldager asked the crowd, “How many of you don't post videos because you are scared of how messy it makes your feed?” A sea of hands raised. “GET OVER IT!” called out Cabizan. “It’s a huge opportunity you are missing.”
Most people are using Instagram via their feed, which means you have to hook them while they are scrolling.
3. THINK ABOUT THE EXPLORE PAGE & THEN STOCK THOSE SHELVES
When you think IG, your first thought should be how people consume social. To see it in real time, take a trip over to Instagram’s Explore page and look at how the content is displayed.
Since “Stories” are the first thing in the “Explore” section, followed by “Video” (which is super attention-grabbing), then followed by "Photos," you need to make sure you keep your “shelves” stocked with content.
If you aren’t creating content for all three mediums, you are missing out on exposure opportunities at every turn, shared Lauren Wirtzer-Seawood, Head of Music Partnerships.
4. SHOULD YOU TURN YOUR PROFILE INTO A BIZ?
Are you a brand or a person? Or are you a little of both? If your goal is to grow your following and you have a business, it seems obvious that you should have a business profile. But some things are too big to see.
Some bloggers and influencers have been reluctant to do this. They want to remain authentic to their audience. They don’t want to feel like they’ve ‘sold out.’ But it’s possible that you’re selling yourself short.
Business profiles have hidden benefits. You can access your Insights, have people contact you, and sponsor a post every now and then.
5. ACCOUNTS WHO ARE USING THE NEW FEATURES WELL
Virginia Nam highligted Philip Lim as a fashion brand using the carousel feature the right way. She specifically references this post, as a one that really got it right. It shows a final product and the behind-the-scenes content people crave.
Lila King shared that the The NY Times does a great job with their IG Stories content.
Arianna Schioldager is Editor-in-Chief at Create & Cultivate. You can follow her @ariannawrotethis.
How are you using Instagram's new features to grow? Share in the comments below!
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We're Pretty Sure This Is the Easiest Way to Calm Presentation Jitters
Get you some zen at the office.
Kiara LeBlanc, Saje Natural Wellness VP and Creative Director, knows it can be a challenge to stay on top of your personal wellness amidst a hectic day on the job. When she needs a reboot, she reaches for essential oil blends to help shift her mind and body into a greater state of wellness whenever she needs it, wherever she finds herself.
Whether you are running from meeting to meeting, or jumping from conference call to boardroom presentation, here are three wellness tips Kiara recommends for maintaining your well-being at work.
BREATHE DEEP & CALM THE PRESENTATION JITTERS
“You’ve got five minutes until the big meeting – you’re feeling the stress, but you want to shine. I reach for a balancing blend of geranium, roman chamomile and orange to help me get in the zone in mere seconds with the help of a Saje Breath.”
How to do a Saje Breath
- Pick your favorite essential oil blend (we recommend Stress Release) and roll onto the palm of your hand
- Rub both hands together to activate the essential oils
- Cup your hands over nose and mouth and take a deep breath
- Hold your breath for a count of three, then release slowly
- Repeat as often as you like (and definitely before you deliver a big presentation)
GET OVER THE 3PM SLUMP WITH A MIST
“Instead of reaching for your second almond milk latté, recharge with uplifting peppermint, bright lemon and stress-reducing rosemary. Carve out a moment for yourself by spritzing Energy Revitalizing Mist and pick your energy back up, the natural way.”
Any time you need a pick-me-up, mist three pumps of Energy into the air above your head, close your eyes and breathe deep.
DIFFUSE CALM IN A HIGH-TRAFFIC OFFICE SPACE
You’ve got an end-of-day deadline and it feels like someone has plunked your desk down on the subway platform during rush hour. Keep an Ultrasonic Diffuser (we love the sleek aromaOm) by your desk and create a natural sanctuary, no matter how busy your office is. Our Brainstorm Diffuser Blend was formulated to help you get back on track when your attention starts to fade. Myrtle and clary sage are powerful essential oils for bringing balance and calmness to the mind.
“Diffusing essential oils is my escape to nature. Depending on the blend I choose I can create the experience I am craving. They act as a fast, natural way to tune out the buzz of my surroundings and that never ending to do list and to connect back to nature.”
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You'll Never Guess What Birchbox Co-Founder Calls Her Secret Weapon
Call her the career ninja.
photo credit: Birchbox
Before launching Birchbox in the fall of 2010, CEO and co-founder Katia Beauchamp had to figure out how to get the attention of some of the world's biggest beauty brands. The recent Harvard Business School grad knew that her love of beauty and style combined with her finance background were a winning biz combo, but getting the heads of brands like NARS and Kiehl’s to pay attention was a different story. But Beauchamp, along with fellow Harvard grad and co-founder Haley Barna, kept it simple. They cold emailed presidents, CEOs, and executives at major companies with a subject line about reimagining beauty retail. It was their way in. And it worked.
Today, the $10-a-month subscription service that ships sample-sized products to consumers, has made good on that subject line promise. Birchbox has more than 1 million subscribers, sells full-size products on its website, and most recently announced profitability.
We chatted with the CEO about those infamous cold-emails, why she hires new moms, and raising money while female.
Let’s talk about cold-emailing. You’ve said that you and your co-founder started cold-emailing CEOs in the beauty industry to get the idea in front of them. What are a few things that every cold-email should include?
I cold-emailed several presidents, CEOs, and brand managers in the beauty industry and the majority of people responded! Here are some tips:
1. Have a compelling subject line. It needs to motivate the reader to open the message. At the very least it should say something more than "Hello" or "Looking to get in touch." I used "Reimagining beauty online."
2. Keep the email concise. The email should be short enough so that a person can read it without having to scroll down on his or her phone. The less time and energy it takes to read it, the better.
3. Don't attach a business plan to explain the idea. That's asking a lot. Try a one-pager that briefly describes the idea/value proposition. We framed our one-pager by introducing the brands as the stakeholder and how Birchbox could help that brand.
4. Ask for something that’s easy to say yes to. I asked CEOs and brand managers for five minutes of their time to give me advice. Those emails eventually turned into a meeting and the meeting turned into a pitch. Those pitch meetings ultimately led to partnerships with massive brands, early on.
You’ve said your secret weapon is hiring new moms because they are productive, efficient, and grounded. Why do you think this is important?
There’s a real appreciation at Birchbox that moms remain ambitious in their careers. This may not sound revolutionary but I believe this perspective can unlock the power of women at work and benefit all parties. The ideas of flexibility and ambition can seem at odds for some, but we have worked to give our team that space and see it pay off. As far as putting it into practice, we place an emphasis on on-boarding moms as they transition back to work, as a core part of our maternity policy. This has built stability and trust between us and our team members, and continues to provide value for organization. We have extremely talented people, who come back to work with energy, excitement, and a new perspective.
"We place an emphasis on on-boarding moms as they transition back to work, as a core part of our maternity policy."
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You interned at Estee Lauder during college, what about that experience made you want to get into the beauty industry? Did you have any mentors coming out of the experience that helped along the way to founding Birchbox?
I co-founded Birchbox in 2010, technically, as an outsider from the beauty industry. I did have one taste of the industry as an intern for the Estee Lauder executive training program while attending Vassar College. It was a very competitive program, which was something that initially attracted me to the opportunity. That summer, I fell in love with the business of beauty. At 19, I met Leonard and Evelyn Launder, and other executives with whom we now partner. I was struck by the passion of the Estee Lauder employees and for the beauty industry. I distinctly remember realizing that this industry was special and unique, and that it wasn’t the norm for people to feel so connected to what they did for work. I now recognize why this was the case; the Lauders and their executives put energy into their culture and they had a reciprocal passion for their people. Additionally, the beauty industry has unique and fascinating dynamics with a wide appeal. It doesn’t typically follow macro consumer trends in terms of the overall economy and the strength of the business (inelastic demand!). There are very healthy margins and a seemingly endless ability to reinvent and shift demand. Clearly, my internship experience had a lasting impression.
After starting my career in real estate finance, I went to business school thinking about shifting industries. Luckily, six months before graduation, Hayley and I had the idea for Birchbox. Seven years later, I still feel somewhat new to the party, but also truly embraced by this industry and grateful to so many of the insiders that have supported us from the beginning.
Work-life balance is now a buzz phrase. Why do you think everyone is so focused on finding a balance? And what has that meant to you throughout your journey?
My personal perspective is that this concept is becoming less and less relevant in its traditional meaning. Traditionally, work and life were stark extremes where the expectation was little overlap. Today, there is a lot more awareness in the value of having more blurred lines in these two areas that allow for a person to feel connected to their whole self. I am grateful to care so much about my work that it is something I want to spend time thinking through. I am stimulated by the challenges and motivated throughout my days, not just during specific hours. That said, I also believe it is critical to disconnect from work and have space to develop in other areas of interest. From experience, this allows us to bring more energy and a fresh perspective, but it doesn’t always need to happen during specific times of the day or week. I have learned the value in taking 10 minutes during the work day to meditate, or 20 minutes to walk outside and appreciate the world outside of our bubble. I also have experienced wanting to have meetings on a weekend to speak to a colleague or mentor about the company. There is no perfect work-life ratio but it is important to feel connected to who you are and what brings out your energy and motivation for life.
"There is no perfect work-life ratio but it is important to feel connected to who you are."
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Photo by Tory Williams
Talk a bit about the transition into a brick-and-mortar space. What was the full strategy behind that move? And how did you know you were ready?
We opened our first brick-and-mortar store in Soho, New York in July 2014. It was never our original plan to go the brick-and-mortar route, but as we learned more about our customer and her shopping habits, we realized we could add value to her beauty experience in the offline world. We experimented with pop-ups and saw how excited and engaged our customers were. They were hungry to experience the Birchbox brand in a tangible way, and it helped them understand the full scope of our value proposition. When we opened our permanent location in Soho, we thought carefully about how to create a new, unique type of retail experience for women who typically haven't enjoyed shopping for beauty. For example, we merchandise everything by category (hair, makeup, skincare, etc.) instead of by brand, which is a more approachable, efficient way for our customer to discover new products. We just opened a store in Paris, so we’re thrilled to be able to connect with our French customers a deeper way too.
And your expansion into Birchbox Man in 2012? Did you find it challenging to shift from a brand focused on selling to women, to a brand focusing on men and women?
Back in 2011, our female customers told us they wanted a Birchbox experience for the men in their life, so we tested a limited-edition gift box filled with men’s grooming products and lifestyle accessories. It sold out in less than three days. We thought it would just be women purchasing for men, but it wasn’t. It turns out guys were buying it for themselves too. With that customer insight, we put the wheels in motion to launch a men’s vertical and debuted BirchboxMan four months later in April 2012. We’re grounded in discovery, so just like with our women’s product, our try-before-you-buy sampling model is all about helping men upgrade their routines. However, there are some important differences. For example, we knew that men were less likely to talk about grooming products so we added lifestyle to the subscription to help with the vitality. We continue to test and iterate on the product for men, but believe that there is a big opportunity to serve this very different and underserved consumer base.
Over Birchbox’s lifetime, you’ve raised 71.9M. Did you ever feel at a disadvantage because you were two female founders pitching a product built for women?
It's a challenge to pitch a female-oriented business to mostly male investors who don't inherently relate to the value proposition and pain points you're working to solve. When we first started Birchbox, it took many no's before we heard our first yes. In part, we learned to better represent the opportunity, and eventually found investors who did appreciate the total addressable market, as well as relate to the human value proposition that we saw. I do believe that more gender diversity for investors will help female-focused and female-run businesses access capital more effectively.
"I believe that more gender diversity for investors will help female-run businesses access capital more effectively."
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Were you selective when it came to choosing investors? Or was it all about collecting capital?
We decided pretty early to raise capital once we tested the concept. We launched a beta in business school to understand whether it was a viable model, whether the unit economics were sufficient, etc. We met with dozens of investors, some independent and some institutional. Ultimately, we chose individuals (largely venture capitalists) who we connected with the opportunity and believed in it’s massive potential. We are so appreciative for their individual contribution to our business as well as recognizing that they could grow their investment with the business.
Any decision that you’ve made that you'd change if you got a do-over?
No. Of course, there have been mistakes along the way! My firm belief is that it is much more valuable to be naive than try to anticipate or know every pitfall or weakness. First, you can’t really “know” until you experience the hard. It shapes you and constantly sets a new standard for challenges you tackle. Second, putting one foot in front of the other is more digestible than expending energy on every impending challenge. Take things in stride as you do with every aspect of tackling an opportunity.
Arianna Schioldager is Editor-in-Chief at Create & Cultivate. You can follow her @ariannawrotethis.
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C&C Classifieds Nº37: Create & Cultivate, TenOverTen, Richer Poorer & More
Photo by Savannah Stark of Traditional Pattern
We are fresh off #createcultivateNYC and the inspiration is flowing. From learning how to bootstrap a small business, to engaging audiences of an established brand, we learned so many useful things. All week long, we're publishing content directly from our panelists, so that those of you who couldn't make it (next time!) are able to enjoy the golden nuggets of knowledge! Why not start here: 7 Key Takeaways from Keynote Gloria Steinem including why "we are woke"!
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Pointe Studio by Richer Poorer (OC)
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3 Influencers Share Why It's Vital to Celebrate Success
A pat on the back. A round of applause. A glass of bubbly...
photo credit: Becki Smith/Smith House Photography
Celebrate good times. Come on! But, for real, come on! It's all too easy to get caught up in the one and done mentality, especially with startup life. Most of the time we're thinking, 'on to the next!' and that's what this environment decrees, but we also need to be patting ourselves on the back from time to time. (Or every day, your call.)
It's vital to celebrate your accomplishments. From raises to title upgrades to knocking a presentation out of the park, a sense of pride and happiness in our work is what propels us forward. We find motivation in joy. And it's something that Framebridge knows a lot about.
At their #CreateCultivateNYC popup, the company known for simplifying the custom framing process (legit providing a bridge between the frame and the framer), celebrated the wins of speakers by framing personal mementos and displaying them in their booth (see above).
We checked in with three of the conference speakers to find out why they think we should honor these special moments, and in true boss fashion, each had their own take on what that means.
photo credit: Tory Williams
"It’s important to celebrate the momentous milestones because in such a fast-paced, competitive, and evolving industry, it’s easy to lose track of why and how you are where you are. It’s definitely nice to take a moment to celebrate all the hard work you’ve put in and acknowledge the people that have helped you accomplish that." -- Arielle Noa Charnas, @SomethingNavy
"It’s easy to lose track of why and how you are where you are."
Tweet this.
photo credit: Tory Williams
"In a startup environment, it’s easy to blow through small achievements without realizing them because you’re already on to the next thing. But, the bigger we get, the more we realize how meaningful it is to set way fewer, way more aggressive goals and celebrate hard when you hit or beat them. It makes you better—it’s a part of growing up as a business!"-- Tessa Wolf, Creative Director @Framebridge
"Set way fewer, way more aggressive goals and celebrate hard."
Tweet this.
photo credit: Tory Williams
"I'm a 'now what?' girl by nature. As I hit a particular goal, I'm already moving on to setting the next one. Instead, making a conscious effort to celebrate my success gives me a confidence boost to propel myself above and beyond my next goal." -- Carly Heitlinger, @TheCollegePrepster
"Making a conscious effort to celebrate my success gives me a confidence boost."
Tweet this.
What are you proud of and want to celebrate? Share in the comments below!
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Why Gloria Steinem Told the Audience at Create & Cultivate NYC "We are woke."
The icon is unstoppable.
Photo by Tory Williams
On Saturday evening, to a crowd of hundreds of empowered women (and a few dudes) feminist icon Gloria Steinem took the Create & Cultivate stage. Over the next 40 minutes, Steinem, in conversation with fellow famous feminist Amy Richards, chatted everything from The Golden Rule to aging to finding your path, and why now, even in what she called the face of a disastrous Trump presidency, she considers herself a forever "hope-a-colic."
Read through for our favorite takeaways from the woman who shaped the women's movement.
1. YOU CAN BE ADDICTED TO THE GOOD STUFF.
The 83-year-old icon, who started her career writing under a man's name, told the C&C audience that she's a "hope-a-holic."
"I hope we're beginning to approach the end of one structure and the beginning of another," she said in regards to the Trump administration. Adding, "When it's no longer universally human, it's political." Therein lies the motivational rub to get moving and get political.
2. AGE AIN'T NOTHING BUT A NUMBER.
When an audience member stood up to ask the trailblazer what she would tell her 15-year-old self, Steinem laughed and said that though age changes, the person inside does not. "You can't live in future," she shared. "Hello, you can only live in the present. We only have our five senses in the present."
Adding, “Here's the secret of age: You’re still the same person, but after you hit 50 or 60, you’re free like you were when you were a little girl." Joking, "Except now you have money, and your own apartment.”
3. NO ONE IS TRULY ALONE.
As a woman with a self-actualized career, Steinem never married, never had children, but surrounded herself with a sea of motivated women (including Amy Richards, who shared the stage with Steinem and worked with her on the Viceland series "Woman").
"Being an organizer is being an entrepreneur of social change," Steinem said. "But the more you tell your story, your dreams, and your entrepreneurial hopes, the more you will see that you're not alone in either your striving or your doubts. You will be better able to move forward by sharing."
4. WOMEN NEED TO REVERSE THE GOLDEN RULE.
Though she said that men need to follow The Golden Rule (treat others as you wish to be treated), Steinem said that women need to do the opposite. "We need to treat ourselves the way we would treat other people," she told the millennial audience. It's that simple. Be kind to yourself.
Photo by Becki Smith
5. SHE'S FOUND THE GOOD IN THE FACE OF THE CURRENT ADMIN.
Steinem might have dubbed the current administration "a disaster," but she also said the sitting President is "a big-time consciousness raiser." (How's that for a hope-a-holic?) Bringing up the historical Women's March on Washington, Steinem said, "It was the first protest led by women that was joined by men." She also urged the women in the audience to, "Be honest. Speak the truth."
6. SPEAKING OF MEN, SHE'S NOT DISCOUNTING THEM FROM THE CONVO. (But she does want to change it for them.)
Steinem might have called the masculine experience a "prison" and "bonkers," but she also said that it is vital that we show males "the path to empathy." Noting that feminism benefits all people.
"They’re not supposed to show emotion or admit failure. It’s crazy and it shortens your life." She continued, "Show the ways in which it [feminism] is good for men. It lengthens their lives." She also said we need to "humanize the masculine role which is killing men. It’s not about asking for sacrifice, it’s about showing compassion. It is possible to go forward in a different way, and I think we are."
7. SHE CALLED UPON EVERYONE TO FIND THE COMMON THREAD IN OUR HUMAN EXPERIENCE.
The "patriarchal, hierarchical, bullshit," as Steinem calls it, has only been around for about 500 years. The social activist, who often cites indigenous cultures in her talks spoke of a time when, "People were linked. They were not ranked. Women controlled their own bodies. Languages didn’t have he and she. People were people. There was not a concept of ownership."
Arianna Schioldager is Editor-in-Chief at Create & Cultivate. You can follow her @ariannawrotethis.
For more #CreateCultivateNYC recaps, check back this week. We'll be posting our favorite advice from the conference.
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Scene & Overhead: Exclusive BTS of Our Kickoff Create & Cultivate NYC Brunch
The conference was a smashing success. But first, we brunched.
photo credit: Tory Williams
We kicked off our magical #createcultivateNYC week with a boss brunch in the city thanks to our friends at Tinder. There's nothing quite like coffee, mimosas, and stacks of Little Park pancakes to get the conversation going.
Create & Cultivate CEO and founder, Jaclyn Johnson, kicked off the morning festivities with a personal tidbit-- the newlywed met her (now) husband on Tinder. Which, of course, brought up the changing times and success stories!
Lauren Probyn, Tinder's Director of Marketing Events, chatted about the increasing rate of success stories and how the company is starting to see the first wave of what they've dubbed "Tinder Tots." (AKA kids born to Tinder matches.)
Naomi Hirabayashi, co-founder of Shine, which recently announced it's surpassed half a million users in its 1-year and finished a successful 2.5 million dollar seed round, has seen the firsthand benefits of making wellbeing accessible. (Interpersonal relationships being an integral part of the well-being train.) "I think we're at a tipping point in society," she said to the table, which included Forbes' Emily Drewry and Olivia Rose Wright, founder of Rallier. "The old model of meeting a person ONE way was so isolating. It's now more in your power to figure out what you want."
"The old model of meeting a person ONE way was so isolating. It's now in your power to figure out what you want."
Tweet this.
Speaking about figuring out what you want, Brand Strategist and Maude co-founder, Eva Goicochea shared a bit of advice. "My mom always used to say, 'your job doesn't exist yet.'" Noting that we don’t know what the future of the workplace looks like (so look out!)
Florals from Urban Stems adorned the tables where NYC-based blogger Rach Martino joked about Twitter's emergence as a comedic platform, noting that her boyfriend and his friends screenshot tweets and send them back and forth. "It's like the guys version of Instagram," she laughed.
And NYC-based blogger Noelle Downing dropped this little anecdote about dealing with the ever-changing blog world. "I was in Germany and did an Instagram Live from a hot tub wearing a bathing suit," she said. During the Live Steam there were plenty of commenters throwing shade about how the brunette beauty shouldn't be live streaming in a bikini. Post-stream, Noelle said she received lots of DMs from her followers asking, how she deals with rude comments. She told them, "I don't spend my time on negativity."
We call that something to toast to.
Be sure to click through the above gallery to see all the gorgeous images from the event!
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This Crazy Stat Will Change the Way You Think About Your Evenings
Something you do every.single.night is affecting your sleep.
photo credit: pixabay.com
Every night before you go to sleep, to recharge and reset for the next day, you do this thing. We know you do, because we do it too. You scroll Instagram. Even when you tell yourself you’re **NOT GONNA TOUCH THAT PHONE** somehow, it ends up in your sleepy hand. And it’s destroying your slumber.
Science has shown us that blue light, AKA, light that comes off any electronic or tech, messes with your body’s natural ability to produce the oh-so-necessary sleep hormone melatonin. It was discovered on accident that humans are incredibly sensitive to blue light, however,
Studies prove that light is the most powerful cue for us when it comes to our circadian rhythms. And it is closely related to our melatonin production. Melatonin is present in low levels during the day, is released a few hours before bedtime, and peaks in the middle of the night (in other words, when it’s darkest). Looking at light suppresses melatonin (terrible news for bedtime tech abusers who have a hard time self-motivating to turn their devices off). But OFF they MUST go! A day without good sleep is groggy, unfocused, and not nearly as productive as you’d like it to be.
So what are the steps you should take to ensure that you rise refreshed and ready to greet the workday? Our friends at it™ bed dished some of their best advice (and yes, it involves cookies). Read on weary workers!
Limit screen time. Instead of checking your emails before bed, or scrolling Instagram for inspiration, opt for something non-tech related. Read a book or do some light yoga to de-stress. You should likewise highly consider taking the television out of your bedroom. It’s so easy to fall asleep binge-watching your favorite shows, but find a new way to get that brain to unwind. Your body will thank you.
Take a warm shower or bath before bed. Doing so forces your body to redouble efforts to get rid of heat, resulting in cooler skin when you snuggle into bed – easier to fall asleep!
Lavender/Chamomile are two herbs that will help you drift off to sleep faster. Add them to a bath for an extra sleepy boost before bed! (Come make lavender or chamomile bath salts at the it™ bed booth!)
Have an oatmeal raisin cookie: Yes, indulging a little bit will get your sleep on the right path. Oats contain both magnesium and calcium and are high in carbs, which means you’ll get a lot of neurochemical serotonin to help make you sleepy. You’ll get to bed much easier after this light snack, but keep it to one (maybe two!) to avoid trying to fall asleep on a full stomach.
Keep things cool: Use a small fan to lower the temperature and get good airflow around the room. Remember, cooler is better for sleep. But note: Studies show that going to bed with warm feet will help you fall into deeper sleep faster.
And remember: routines before bed teach your body to unwind (necessary for everyone, but especially busy, working women with full time jobs AND side hustles). So whatever your routine is, prioritize it.
Tell us! What screen-free activities do you include in your nightly routine?
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C&C Classifieds Nº36: Sweetgreen, MikMak, A Design Partnership, & More
Here's to work friends becoming real-life friends.
A job is a job. You go in, you work hard, you leave everyday. But what if you could get more out of the experience? Say a Work-Fam? Work Wife? New Crew? Yeah.. a new job offers not only new professional potential, it also opens you up to a whole new social crew that you can get to know. We spend so much of our time at work, it helps if you're making the best of it. Your future squad could be at any of the below companies. All you've got to do is apply. Say hello to #SquadGoals.
sweetgreen (LA)
A Design Parntership (CA)
Saje Wellness (NY)
MikMak (NY)
Bearpaw Partners (ATL)
The Beach Company (CHS)
Want More?
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A Day in the Life: How This President and Blogger Handles Two Jobs
On the move and loving it.
photo credit: Memorandum
Mary Orton, co-founder and President of Trove, and editor at the wildly popular blog, Memorandum, knows all about hustle. No two days are alike for the bustling beauty, who, in August of this year will celebrate the first year anniversary of Trove, the addictive mobile style app that she co-founded with her husband. Bringing together all of your favorite fashion bloggers into one beautiful, shoppable place, Trove allows you to find outfit inspiration, save favorites to a digital closet, and shop everything from the palm of your hand. With a schedule like Mary's it's no wonder she wanted to find a way to bring this content to consumers who, like her, want access to great style inspiration quickly and easily on the go.
So what is her day-to-day like? How about hour-to-hour?
From 6am inbox purges to morning coffee to design and investor meetings, the CEO does more than look the part-- she’s actively involved in every aspect of her business. And yes, she eats at her desk just like the rest of us.
Read through to find out what it’s really like to run a startup and a successful blog at the same time. Be impressed and then, get inspired.
6:00 AM: I violently slap my iPhone alarm into snooze mode and proceed to do this roughly 2-7 additional times over the course of the next 25 minutes. After reluctantly exiting my cozy sheets (muttering obscenities), I army crawl to the kitchen where I throw my Bialetti on the stove. Even the promise of coffee does Pavlovian wonders for my not-a-morning-person-ever self. While the coffee starts, I throw on gym clothes, grab my iPad and head back to the kitchen in the hopes that my coffee is ready and my email inbox is manageable. With coffee in hand and a hard boiled egg (or scrambled eggs if I'm feeling really bold and didn't hit snooze too many times) I start reading the news and triaging my email inbox.
7:00 AM: Depending on the weather and my workout plan for the day, I usually hit the gym or the pavement for a morning sweat sesh. My go-to workouts are barre classes, circuit training or long runs along the water watching the city wake up.
8:15 AM: Back home, I jump in the shower and start the process of making myself look like a presentable human being. As the co-founder of Trove and a style blogger, my go-to weekday looks are typically professional and classic with a trendy, urban edge.
9:00 AM: I make an iced tea in my favorite travel tumbler and with a protein bar hanging halfway out of my mouth, I hit the office! No two days are ever the same, but if I can, I typically try to concentrate meetings in the mornings and computer work and conference calls for the afternoon, so my mornings are usually hectic. On Mondays we always have Trove team meetings where we set objectives for the week and update everyone on different areas of the business. The rest of my mornings are typically spent running all over the city to design meetings, investor meetings, brand meetings and meetings with lots of other folks across the industry. If navigating NYC traffic and subway systems were an Olympic sport, I'm fairly confident I would make the podium.
12:00 PM: If I don't have a lunch meeting, I'll usually grab a salad and eat it at my desk while catching up on emails. I'm addicted to this quinoa and arugula salad at LPQ. It's insane and super healthy, which is good to offset my very unhealthy affinity for cheeseburgers and fries. And burritos. And also Indian food. Oh and CUPCAKES. You don't even know.
2:00 PM: On Tuesdays, I meet with my team that helps manage the business and operations of my blog, Memorandum. We touch base on upcoming posts that I'm planning and solidify plans for photo shoots, video content, and brand collaborations. I've recently started a YouTube channel and have been getting more and more into video--it's wild but so much fun! Since starting my blog three and a half years ago, I've gotten really into photography, but videography is still new to me. It's so much fun to bring my style content to life in this way.
3:30 PM: If I don't have any afternoon meetings, I usually have at least one or two conference calls. At Trove, we work with business partners and bloggers from all over the world, so often spend a couple hours in the afternoon on the phone or Facetime with them. For our business, there's no place like New York--of course, the fashion and technology community here is just incredible--but having so many touchpoints around the globe makes my job really fun and interesting.
7:00 PM: At this point in the day I'm either heading home or heading to drinks and dinner. We live in Tribeca, and are frequenters of Locanda Verde, Tiny's, Weather Up and Distilled. At Distilled, they always serve this crazy good seasoned popcorn at your table, and it's my mission in life to figure out how they make it.
9:00 PM: Once home, I settle into my home office to work on upcoming blog posts. My husband is not only the co-founder of Trove and the CEO of the business, but he also takes all of the photos for Memorandum, which we usually snap either on the way to the office, or in-between meetings during the day. I always keep my DSLR in my bag and we've gotten pretty good at it, so we can capture an outfit in 5-10 minutes when running from one thing to the next. People often comment on the movement captured in our photographs which makes me laugh, because it was borne out of necessity and the reality of my hectic work day, rather than a super conscious artistic choice.
10:00 PM: Once I'm done writing my upcoming posts, I then have to spend an hour or so going through the photos that we took that day and getting them ready. I'm an obsessive reader, but seldom have time to sit and read anymore so I've gotten completely addicted to audiobooks which I always listen to while going through photos in the evenings.
11:30 PM: Once the photos are done and the blog post for the next day is scheduled, I hit the sack! Although if I'm being honest, I'm extremely lucky if this happens as early as 11:30 PM. It's often much deeper into the early morning hours. But, hey, gotta support that coffee industry right? Just trying to do my part over here.
If you're heading to #CreateCultivateNYC be sure to check out Mary on panel, where she'll be sharing her know-how on Content Meets Commerce.
ETW: One Last Shot to Attend C&C NYC
We're offering attendees the chance to bring their BFF and #livegenerously.
photo credit: Smith House Photography
Create & Cultivate isn’t just another conference. Sure, there’s networking and learning. There are mic drops left and right. Our speakers lay down the truth when it comes to the ups and downs of running a business, how they’ve learned from their mistakes, restructured strategies, mitigate the crazy world of social, and make every day count.
They pay it forward, entrepreneurial style.
And it’s a day where you get to grab the bull by the horns. Some people roll solo. Others roll with their BFF or biz partner at their side. But everyone comes to get inspired, collaborate, and create relationships that count.
So if you’re rolling to C&C NYC, here are a few of hacks we recommend.
PRINT OUT THOSE BUSINESS CARDS
Get ready to shake hands. Lots of hands. And despite what you might think, business cards are still an amazing way to make a great first impression. A speaker or mentor will be way more likely to take your card than they will put your info in their phone. There are a lot of people to meet and being aware is part of the networking game.
HASHTAG #CREATECULTIVATENYC & SHOUTOUT TO OTHER ATTENDEES
Want to take this a step further? Search the hashtag and DM people who are also attending. See someone you want to meet up with? Go for it. This is the new frontier. Be bold and be brave. It will make your day more meaningful.
FOR THOSE BRAVE SOLO ROLLERS -- NOMINATE A FRIEND TO COME WITH
We see you and we love you for making the investment in you. Which is why we want to give you the opportunity to bring your BFF along. We know it’s not easy to network. So with the help of our friends at Crown Royal, we’re offering you the opportunity to #creategenerously and nominate a friend to join you for the day. Those entrepreneurs aren’t the only ones who get to pay it forward.
Here’s how it works:
Crown Royal, AKA the world’s most generous whisky, is offering you the chance to win a VIP ticket for a friend to attend #CreateAndCultivateNYC with you! If you’re 21+ live in the Tri-State area and have purchased a GA ticket, comment on our Instagram here, and tag a powerful and independent friend who wants to attend using #Contest. To enter for a chance to win them a VIP ticket because you’re the best friend they’ve ever had.
Spring's Hottest Festival Season Outfits to the Work Rescue
Because everyone deserves some FTO (festival time-off).
photo from French Connection
Be honest. How deep have you scrolled into the #festivalfashion hashtag to find your outfit inspo? With over half a million tags we’re guessing you’ve gone dark for hours. But there is a light at the end of the festival dressing tunnel.
And if you’re a little stumped on how to put together outfits that will carry you from Bonnaroo to Outside Lands, we’re connecting you to the brand that has effortless festival style in the bag.
Just launched, French Connection’s midsummer collection is right on time for festival-inspired styles. Scroll the below. Find your faves. And remember pics, or it didn’t happen.
Boho babe it, just like your mom did
The style that makes an appearance every time the weather gets warm. You can keep it flowy, simple, and oh-so-easy to dance in with a boho look that throws it back to music fests of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Because you want something you can shake in ‘til the sun sets. This look is effortless in every way.
Hit the here to stay off-the-shoulder trend
It's here for a good time and a long time. Simple, but chic. That’s how to to the festival circuit. The winning off-the-shoulder look is here to stay the summer long (#fashionstaycation). And with a plunging V, you’ll feel breezy and ready to roam the festival grounds. This look is pretty-meets-practical. *Bonus* looks rad with high-tops or sneakers.
Do a tee and denim, the festival way
Cropped and wide-legged is the denim silhouette of the year, and luckily, it’s perfect for long festival days where comfort dressing is key. Paired with a landscape tee and sneakers, it’s an outfit you won’t have to think twice about, but everyone else will.
Do yourself a fashion favor & get into festival vestivities
A raw-edge denim vest with embellished pockets and collar is the perfect way to amp up the ten pairs of jean shorts you already own. You can be charming with a side of danger. (Which coincidentally sums up how we feel about festival season in general.)
Jumpsuit up to get down
Everyone knows that a jumpsuit makes for the least fussy and the most playful outfit. This classic red jumpsuit says you’re ready for an adventurous festival rollick (it’s great for climbing onto shoulders), which a touch of elegance on the side (and also lounging in the grass). Loose, lovely, and perfect for pairing with high top sneakers for weekend-long extravaganzas.
Be safe out there and remember: bosses wear sunscreen.
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The 5 Keys to Conquering Your Credit
Do you know how healthy your finances are?
Sponsored ad by Chase Slate®
How would you answer these questions: “Do you have healthy finances?” “Do you often spend more than you make every month and dip into your savings?” “Do you know where the BULK of your income is going?”
Chances are good you said “yes,” to the first question, “maybe” to the second, and “no” to the last. Everyone wants to think that they are doing well (or at least OK) financially, but we also innately avoid looking at the nitty gritty dollar details. The ones that make us do a double take and realize, maybe our finances aren’t actually that healthy. The cost of living is high (!!) and that can be hard to stomach.
So, what’s a modern working millennial woman to do? Rip off your blinders and look. According to Brittney Castro, Certified Financial Planner™ and Chase Financial Education Ambassador, it’s the only way for you to secure your future and status as a financially wise woman.
“As a Certified Financial Planner™,” Castro shares, “I talk to modern millennial women all the time, and I think it’s important to recognize that women in this age group have a diverse mix of financial goals, from paying off student loans, to increasing their income, to improving their credit, to saving for a down payment on a house.”
What you do with your money today drastically impacts your future. If you’re wondering where to begin, read through Brittney’s five keys to conquering your credit and achieving financial health below. Then, check her out at #CreateCultivateNYC this May where she’ll be speaking on a panel on behalf of Chase Slate.
MAKE A MONEY DATE WITH YOURSELF
You make regular dates to check in with friends and family. See how they’re doing and what’s going on in their lives. The same concept can (and should) be applied to your finances. If you don’t know where your money is going, there’s a good chance you’re not doing the best at saving.
So, make a date. Put it in your calendar and don’t flake!
Brittney suggests this plan of action:
- Schedule a specific time, once a week, to review and plan your budget. This can empower you to keep tabs on your spending habits.
- During your money date, plan for upcoming expenses, such as birthday gifts or special outings, and adjust your budget accordingly.
PAY YOUR BILLS ON TIME
“Another simple but powerful way to improve your financial health – pay all your bills on time,” says Brittney.
“Payment history is the most important factor when it comes to calculating your credit score (generally 35 percent of the score),” she says.
Building credit is an important part of financial health. There are many big steps (ahem, buying a home) that aren’t possible without good credit. Even if you think you’re going to be renting forever (get financially savvy and you won’t!) you need to take the steps right now to secure your future.
According to Brittney, “The credit information that a lender requests could mean the difference between paying huge interest fees and potentially securing the deals we want.”
The gist? “Set up payment reminders or enroll in automatic payments so you’ll never forget,” says Brittney.
USE THE TOOLS THAT ARE READILY AVAILABLE TO YOU
The internet actually wants you to succeed. It’s true! The information superhighway is literally an information SUPERHIGHWAY that charts ALL OF YOUR SPENDING. You don’t have to balance a checkbook or tally up receipts. It’s all there waiting for you to explore.
Brittney says, “Take advantage of tools that empower you to make savvy financial decisions and manage your credit and finances with confidence.” Whether you’re using your smartphone or your laptop, there are numerous services and apps that want you to succeed!
“For example,” says Brittney, “The Chase Slate Credit Dashboard gives cardmembers access to their FICO® Score and a graphical analysis of their 12-month score history.”
Knowing your credit score helps you assess where you stand and how close or far you are from achieving your goals and creating the life you want.
GO ONE STEP FURTHER BY CHECKING YOUR CREDIT REPORT
In addition to monitoring your credit score, checking your credit report is essential to making smart financial decisions.
“Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com to get a free, in-depth overview of your credit history,” says Brittney. “Review the report closely for any errors – late payments or amounts owed that are incorrectly listed – and immediately remedy with the credit bureau.”
And if you think checking your credit report might negatively impact your score – think again! When a lender makes an inquiry – a request for your credit report information – there is a small impact on your credit score. However, these so-called “hard inquiries," which can happen when you apply for new credit or a loan, begin to fade in impact after the first 12 months and drop off your credit report completely after two years.
WHEN IN DOUBT, USE THE 50-30-20 RULE
What’s that? Brittney explains, “Using this rule – 50 percent of what you earn (net income after taxes) is allocated to living expenses, 30 percent is spent on nonessentials (like eating out and shopping) and the remaining 20 percent goes to your savings account. This approach is easy to implement, and can be adjusted to your personal money priorities.”
While we tend to notice the big expenses (as they make the biggest immediate dent in our savings), it’s often the little ones that get us in the end. Every time you order takeout, press BUY on the pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing, or opt for a morning latte at your local coffee shop instead of making coffee at home, you’re spending money that could easily be put in your savings, or go toward paying your bills.
Let’s think about the coffee example for just a second (and actually do the math). If you buy a latte every morning at $4/cup, seven days a week, 365 days per year, that’s over $1,400.00 dollars in lattes (!). The cost of pressed juice is even higher.
Use the 50-30-20 rule to determine exactly how much of your income you can safely allocate to these types of non-essentials. Then, you can move forward with confidence, knowing you’re making steady progress toward your financial goals.
Have other financial questions? If you’re heading to NYC, write them down and be ready to ask Brittney during the Q&A when she joins us on “Just Do It: A Real World Guide to Channeling Your Entrepreneurial Spirit” on behalf of Chase Slate.
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C&C Classifieds Nº35: Giant Noise, Beyond Yoga, Career Contessa & more
Network. Network. Network.
Did you know – around 85% of people have used networking to get a job? That's a LOT of people. But networking can be a pain, to say the least. From overt flattery to shallow conversations to awkward follow-ups, sometimes it's not an ideal experience. We published an article this week that's out to change your mind about the whole thing. Three tips that will hone your skills and make networking WORTH IT? Seriously.
And hey, while we have you... the below jobs are just sitting here waiting for you to apply! Minimal networking required (we know, almost too good to be true).
GIANT NOISE (ATX)
CAREER CONTESSA (LA)
BEYOND YOGA (LA)
INTERMIX (LA)
COS (DC)
PLANET INTERACTIVE (NYC)
Want More?
FULL ACCESS TO CLASSIFIEDS HERE
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Ask the Expert: Pro Beauty Tips for Looking Polished at AM Meetings
And every other work-related beauty question you've ever had. (We asked.)
photo credit: Spring
Look, most of us don’t have time to get ‘the world is my runway’ ready in the am. There are meetings to take, deals to close, coffee to grab, errands to run… the list goes on. But we know that looking the part, helps fuel your confidence. So how does one put their best face forward when they have so little time and so much to do?
Enter: The Expert. We got the scoop from Laura Mercier’s very own Benjamin Ruiz, LM’s Director of Global Creative Artistry, on how to feel put together while not spending a full two hours in front of the mirror (ain’t nobody got time for that).
So here you are! Your 6 need to know beauty questions answered. (Insert prayer hands here.)
Q: I want to look amazing for an early pitch/investor meeting/interview. What are my go-tos for looking polished, but professional. Amazing, but not over-the-top. How do I achieve this?
Benjamin Ruiz: Focus on your skin and creating a natural look that will look and feel pulled together. Make the skin a priority by selecting either a foundation or Tinted Moisturizer that best complements your skin tone and use it to even out the complexion, rather than adding heavy coverage. The goal is to ensure that your skin looks like skin. If you have any redness or problem areas, apply a concealer, like Secret Camouflage, to conceal these concerns.
To ensure your makeup stays flawless, set your makeup with a translucent powder to lock in your complexion products. Try using a velour puff to press-and-roll the powder onto your face, ensuring contact with the foundation for longevity. For cheeks, select colors that are fresh and resemble good health, like a soft peach, rose or even a neutral brown. Apply to the apples of the cheeks and pull the color outwards, fading as your move to the center of the year. Keep your eyes polished and elegant with a long-wearing eye color, like Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour, which are incredibly quick to use, lasts all day and give a beautiful look with very little effort. Simply swipe them on the eyelid at the last line and blend upwards towards the crease with your fingertips. As you move towards the crease, begin to fade out. Use a contrasting or deeper shade to smudge a soft liner look at the last line for contrast and definition, finishing the eye with mascara. For lips, select a shade that is easy to maintain since you may not have the luxury to touch up during the meeting. Select a color that complements your skin tone and brightens your teeth; you can never go wrong with a shade that is similar or slightly deeper than your natural lip color.
"For lips: Select a color that complements your skin tone and brightens your teeth."
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Q: Are there products I can incorporate into my nighttime routine that will help me in the AM?
BR: The rule of thumb is don’t skip skincare – you don’t have to have a complicated routine but have a routine nonetheless! Commit to removing your makeup every night with a makeup remover and use a moisturizer. These two steps will make your skin thank you and reward you in the morning.
Q: I have been pulling all-nighters getting ready for this presentation, but I want to put my best face forward. How do I best disguise dark circles?
BR: Before concealing, make sure the eye area is well hydrated with an eye cream or serum. When concealing, select a shade that matches your skin tone. Apply a very small amount of concealer with a brush only to the areas of darkness and work in light layers until you’re confident you have the right coverage. Set it and lock it in by applying a light set of powder.
Q: For women who don’t ‘do’ makeup. How can they achieve a very simple, but fresh face in the am that doesn’t require a lot of time?
BR: Keep it simple and use your fingertips to apply everything. Focus your time on the features you want to accentuate, from glowing skin or using natural soft tones for the eyes, lips and cheeks. Start by applying a tinted moisturizer to gently even out the skin. Now, add a cream cheek color to the center of the apple of your cheeks, melting it into the tinted moisturizer, making sure to soften the edges and set entire face with power. Keep eyes and lips simple, you just want to gently enhancing these areas. With fingertips, apply a small amount of eyeshadow to the center of your eyelid at lash line and blend up, it should immediately fade into skin tone as it moves up the eyelid with less intensity. Finish the lips with a lip stain or gloss. For a longer lasting lip, line lips with a lip pencil and fill in and top with your favorite stain, balm or gloss.
Q: If I only have time for three products-- what are my go-tos?
BR: If you're in a pinch for time and need to get out the door quick, use these three products to create a complete look: foundation, lipstick and mascara. Apply foundation with fingertips where needed to even out skin and then come back with a light tapping motion to add extra coverage for spots and under eyes. This works fairly well when time for concealer isn't possible. Next, use a lipstick in a flattering color for you skin to the apple of the cheeks. Finish the look with mascara and since you won't be using a liner, wiggle the mascara wand to the base of the lashes to help define lash line, do the same to the bottom if you wear mascara there. With these three products you can have a fast and rather complete look in record time!
Q: I have meetings that are going to last ALL day. How do I make sure I look as bright-faced in the PM as I did in my AM meeting?
BR: I cannot stress enough how important a foundation primer is to your overall makeup. It creates a smooth, even surface for applying foundation to help your makeup last longer and stay color-true. If you’re able to refresh your makeup, touch up with a finishing powder that adds subtle luminosity, like Candleglow Sheer Perfecting Powder, gently dusting all over the face. Add a bit of highlighting concealer under the eyes to brighten the face.
Have other questions? Add them in the comments below!
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
Two CEOs Walk Into a Conference Room
What follows is not a joke.
The original version of this article appeared on Darling.
Darling and Create & Cultivate have a long-standing relationship. Some might even call it a BFF-work friendship, seeing as CEO Sarah Dubbeldam of Darling and Jaclyn Johnson CEO of C&C have been friends for over five years.
So when Darling thought it would be fun for the two of them to get together, and have a quick catch-up, we thought, of course! What's better than getting real IRL?
Sarah, with and Darling managing editor Teresa Archer stopped by our West Hollywood office to meet up with Jaclyn and talk a little about why we love women, supporting female-owned companies, and the memories from the early days.
Teresa Archer: At the beginning of where you started, did you envision where you were going?
Jaclyn Johnson: It’s so funny because I always think the best businesses have no business plan. For me, when I started it was purely happy accident. I got laid off of my job before I started No Subject and the only way to go is up from rock bottom.
I always tell people, for me, it wasn’t like “I have a business plan, I have all this outreach.” It completely happened naturally and the way it was supposed to. Similarly, with C&C I was really young. I was 23, I didn’t know a lot about starting a business. I was the creative, I had all these ideas but I didn’t know about taxes and cash flow — all those things as a business owner you need to know about. So I hit a lot of trials and tribulations early on and really C&C manifested from that. I really wanted to start a community where freelancers could get together and ask, “What are you doing?” and “What’s working for you?”
So it really started out more DIY and retreats, but morphed based on my personal experiences and also the ones I heard from the other women. I saw women really need this advice, they really need a community where it’s giving you hard-hitting facts but also looks like something you want to be a part of; not a gross conference room or a legal zoom.
There’s this drawing of “the path to success” and it shows everybody thinks it’s A to B, but in actuality it’s all winding and crazy and it’s true! I mean we [Sarah and I] have known each other forever and I feel like it’s so funny to see your friends skyrocket like this. Six years ago we were like, “We have ideas!” Now, we have companies!
… the only way to go is up from rock bottom.
Sarah Dubbeldam: Yeah, we started with our mission statement which was just this concept of somehow the world being better. Originally I wanted to write a book, but we thought people have already written books about this kind of thing, so what’s a continual conversation? And we landed on a magazine.
From the beginning I wanted it to be a blog and a magazine. There wasn’t social media then, that came later. We always knew we wanted to do retreats and events and video was kind of a small inkling in my mind and I didn’t know how to do it. I was kind of the opposite [to Jaclyn] I was like, “I need a business plan!” I was an art major and I”m a creative, visionary person and I didn’t know how to do that so I partnered up early on with some people who were business majors at my college.
It was always so complicated and terrible. I had 95 versions of the plan on my computer and I was Googling “business plans” and I’d download these PDFs. Super extensive and some even said, “You just need a 1-sheet and charisma…”
JJ: [laughing] A 1-sheet and charisma! Amazing!
SD: Yeah, I was really confused about how to actually start. Same thing as you, though, we just started online content, which led to the print. It was about taking advantage of opportunity. You have to focus and figure out the shortest path to helping the business grow. That’s the hardest thing: not getting sideswiped by ideas that aren’t what you should be focusing on. Now we’re going into video because its just the most natural next step from the magazine. Darling has become a media company so that we can reach out past print and keep the dialogue we’ve started going in a really active way.
You have to focus and figure out the shortest path to helping the business grow.
TA: Awesome. What’s each of your most precious memories of the early days?
JJ: It’s funny; things sometimes happen at such warp speed that we’ll joke and talk about, “Remember that office we had that was so teeny and weird slash under construction the whole year we were there?” There are so many moments where you never think in a million years you’ll end up where you’ll end up.
I remember getting so excited about signing deals that were $2,000 and I was like, “We’re rich!” I always tell people when you’re first getting started to enjoy the beginning because once you are in it, you are IN it and you can’t even get your head up for five seconds to say, “We’re doing a great job, congrats!”
It’s always so funny to look back on, like original logo ideas. It’s horrifying! But it’s kind of the best, because you think “I can’t believe this is what I did.” All the archives show how far you’ve come.
SD: I think that my best memory of those days is shipping magazines out of my living room…
JJ: Oh, amazing!
SD: Yeah. We had like a million padded mailers in our living room, all the way to the ceiling, tables set up and our interns coming to ship them from our home. Our landlord even came and said, “You’re running a business out of your house, I’m gonna kick you out!”
The second memory is when Anthropologie emailed us to buy magazines and we didn’t know what to do. They ordered a magazine and one day we put a shipping label on that said, “Anthropologie Headquarters.” We realised that they had emailed us and were trying to buy magazines on our site but we had no wholesale set up. They were our first big retailer.
All the archives show how far you’ve come.
TA: Ok, last question. What do you each love about the other person’s brand and company?
JJ: Oooh I love this question! I am obsessed with Darling’s aesthetic, I feel like it’s very on point. I feel like there are very few brands you can look at and say, “That’s so Darling.” You’ve done such an amazing job, from the magazines to the dinners to the photo shoots to the website. You’ve built a brand that has such a feeling, an emotion and cinematic quality to it. I feel like that’s very hard to do, it’s so crowded in the market, it’s hard to differentiate yourself, but that’s what you guys have done.
SD: Thank you! Likewise, because I’m such a visual person I remember first going to your website and remember the colors, the bold font. It’s so clear what you do as a vision. From the beginning it was such a clear mission.
And your events are just gorgeous! I mean, even looking at your Instagram you get such a feeling of, “I wish I was there!” Your attention to detail is just perfect, from invites to the promoters you choose, you’ve made C&C be the coolest “next big thing.” It seems the coolest thing to be at for women in business and influence. You’ve really branded yourself as “We’re the best at this.”
So there you have it. We really, really like them and they like us. Stay in contact with Darling and check them out at Darling Magazine.