I Can’t Afford an Unpaid Internship: Now What?
Summer is the time for internships. But what if you need to get $$?
Image Credit: Camilla Gutierrezh
According to a report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, (NACE) 65% of bachelor degree graduates from the Class of 2015 participated in an internship, and 61% of those interns were unpaid. While internships provide great experience and seem to be extremely important to build up a resume, they aren’t realistic for a lot of students. The number of students obtaining degrees is rising, and so is the number of students in debt, forcing many to work throughout college instead of interning for free.
If you are one of the many students struggling financially, you may be thinking, “I can’t afford an internship. What now?” As much as it may appear that internships are required to obtain a decent job post-graduation, there are many ways to get around not having any on your resume.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE RESOURCES
In a society where everything costs a lot, there are many free resources at our fingertips that are completely underutilized. You may have to work in a restaurant to make money, but that doesn’t prevent you from learning about your desired industry and building skills which would typically be obtained through an unpaid internship.
A great example of this is social media marketing (SMM). If you don’t have the luxury of working as an intern, take advantage of free resources and articles to learn the tools you might learn through an internship. There are a lot of great articles on how to build content and utilize SMM platforms.
LOOK FOR JOBS THAT CAN BE TIED TO YOUR DESIRED CAREER
Working through college instead of taking an internship doesn’t mean that you can’t find a job that relates to your career. This takes a bit of research, but there are a lot of job sites that are geared toward specific careers, making it easy for you to apply to jobs that would boost your resume. (i.e. Dice.com for tech and IT jobs) If there doesn’t seem to be a job site dedicated to the career of your dreams, you’ll have to get creative. The number one issue people have when writing a resume is that they don’t show how the jobs and skills they have relate to the job they’re applying for. You have be creative in how you highlight the skills you’ve obtained so that they correlate to the job to which you're applying.
For instance, if you want to be in journalism but aren’t able to afford taking an internship at a media powerhouse, try to find a paying job in places like publishing companies, universities, or even a library. This might sound odd, but most places have some sort of a newsletter or blog which needs to be written, and if you can observe or get involved in the process, you can utilize this job on your resume as journalism experience. Even if you’re working as an administrative assistant at a company that interests you/aligns with your career goals, you’ll be able to observe and soak up useful information that will help you later.
DON’T PSYCH YOURSELF OUT
We’ve all been there. Don’t compare yourself to others, because all it will do is psych you out. The most important thing is to remember that you’re making a huge accomplishment and taking on a lot of responsibility by working and going to school. This not only shows that you are motivated, but it shows your strength and reliability. When in doubt, remember that employers want to hire someone who can work hard and get things done. Regardless of how many internships someone has, if they aren’t someone who is reliable and works hard to meet goals and deadlines, they aren’t worth hiring.
"When in doubt, remember that employers want to hire someone who can work hard and get things done."
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When writing your resume, make sure you highlight your achievements in each job. Even if your job is unrelated, highlight what you’ve accomplished there. If you’re working in a restaurant, highlight the fact that you consistently provide exceptional customer service, handle customer disputes, and maintain a professional demeanor at all times. Many people have had to work through school to pay the bills, so most hiring managers understand and respect this.
REACH OUT TO YOUR PROFESSORS
If you’re in a class that you love, or one you view to be beneficial to your career, get involved. Talk to the professor and explain that you’re interested in the subject, and would love to get involved in any projects or opportunities that come up. Most professors value enthusiasm, and many have paid positions available for students who inquire about it. If you’re lucky enough to secure one of those paid positions, you’ll get the best of both worlds, (money and experience) but even if you simply get involved in class projects as a group leader, or take part in extracurricular activities, that gives you industry related experience to highlight on your resume.
The more industry related experience you can highlight on your resume, the better, so take advantage of what’s in front of you. This goes back to the first section about utilizing free resources. Colleges offer a ton of resources in career development and education, so reach out and see what they have to offer.
A native San Franciscan, Michele Lando is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and founder of writestylesonline.com. She has a passion for helping others present the best version of themselves, both on paper and in person, and works to polish individuals' application package and personal style. Aiming to help create a perfect personal branding package, Write Styles presents tips to enhance your resume, style, and boost your confidence.
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Why This Blogger Says Don't Worry So Much About Your IG Feed
Not the most typical blogger advice.
Do something special with people you love the most. It's simple advice that most of us forget to take. But for Jacqui Saldana, the woman behind the Baby Boy Bakery blog and Baby Boy Bakery Kids, they are words of wisdom she takes to heart. And part of the reason she created My First Year: A baby journal and My Little Years: A toddler journal dedicated to important moments.
Though she started her blog six years ago with the intention of making friends, it has turned into so much more, including being a way to deal with the loss of her three-year-old son, Ryan. It's been a long, often hard journey, but the Jacqui always puts on strong foot in front of the other and is now happy mama to daughter Mila.
We chatted with the mom and entrepreneur about blogging, next steps, and where she finds joy in the day-to-day.
Read our interview below.
Your honesty and sharing your story has helped so many people. How has it helped you?
Writing and sharing my life, how I deal with grief and the joys found after suffering a great loss have helped me cope immensely. Ever since I was little I have been known to expel my thoughts and emotions to anyone who will listen, because in doing so it helped me process what I was feeling. I wear my heart on my sleeve so to speak. When someones asks “How are you?” I soon rattle off exactly how I am in that moment in time. I guess it could be viewed as a blessing or curse. Being so emotional and open with my thoughts have gotten me into some weird relationships and also heartache. But it has also allowed me to help others close to me and people all over the world. I’m damn proud of my life and what has become of it, sharing it is all I know how to do. I am so blessed it has been a light and hope for others.
When you started the blog did you know anything about the influencer/blog world? What about your background made it a no-brainer?
No, I started my blog nearly six years ago with the only intention of making friends. I was craving conversation with other like minded moms as I was the only one in my friend group who had a child. I felt lonely and turned to the only thing I knew how to do well, talk. I started out sharing recipes and all my motherhood mishaps. I began sharing our daily happenings on social media and as the years went by life happened. As life started to truly unfold I just continued to share. My back-ground is in human development. That was my major in college. I studied humans from birth up until death and I am not really sure if it prepared me for owning my own business and being a social influencer. I think becoming a mother has prepared me more for everything I do now. Upon becoming a mother life took on this new ultra vibrant look. I was birthed into a stronger more resilient woman. Being a mother and business owner is forever under construction if you will. Constantly being worked on, re-built. But it truly is the most rewarding. I am not sure how long this will last, but I work hard everyday and I’ll keep creating and sharing until I join my son up in Heaven!
Where was the learning curve? Something you really had to learn?
I think with owning your own business and running your own space on the internet is a constant give and take. There is never a moment when I take a step back and think “Oh, now I get it!” Meaning I’m always learning and always baffled at how quickly things change. I know I’ll mess up. I know I’ll say “Yes” too often and feel like I am drowning. But what I try to remind myself is that most likely many of us feel like that. I think what I have been forced to learn is that I need to go at my own pace, create things that make sense to me and products I am passionate about. I need to share what I feel and not worry about a picturesque Instagram feed. If I remember all that then I can’t go wrong.
"I need to share what I feel and not worry about a picturesque Instagram feed."
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Why did you decide the first book should be a baby journal and not say, a cookbook?
To be frank I was pregnant and couldn’t find a baby book that fit my needs. I wanted a journal that I could freely write in when I wanted about what I wanted. I wanted something more chic with minimal design. So, I created one! [Ed note: The above mentioned My Little Years.] I remember getting home from the hospital after my daughter was born and the sample copy got delivered just as we were unbuckling her from the car seat. I was high off hormones but I cried such happy tears! I think my time will come when a cookbook that also shares my story will come. I reached out to a publishing company once last year about my cookbook idea and it got denied. I’d be lying if I said that didn’t rattle me and make me scared. With that said, if you know of a good publishing company that would be interested in me let me know! ;)
How did you make the decision to work with Inked Brands?
Inked Brands approached me at a conference with one sentence, “We can make whatever you come up with!” In a few short months I told my husband about this random cooking kit idea I had and we flew to the Inked office and pitched it to them. We then sat together for days brainstorming what this all would look like and Baby Boy Bakery Kids was born. Essentially, I wanted to create products that would bring families together and enhance memory keeping. I wanted to drive home the fact that families need to spend time tougher and capture this time with their children while they have it. All the products I create for my brand Baby Boy Bakery Kids come from my heart and are fueled by my passion for parenthood. A portion of my Baby Boy Bakery Kids proceeds benefit various child based charities each month. It is important for me to give back because as mother I believe in the betterment of not just my own children but ALL children. Inked Brands has allowed me to focus on content creation, design and giving back. Working with Inked Brands in bringing Baby Boy Bakery Kids to life is something I am quite proud of. Our partnership has allowed me to dream up things that make a difference in the lives of families and children all around the world.
How do you hope to continue to grow your blog and community?
I hope to continue what I am doing. I hope to bring new eyes to my brand and my story while inspiring them to live intently. I’d also love to collaborate with other women business owners. When women help other women out magic happens! My dream is to make Baby Boy Bakery Kids a household name wherein both parents and children thrive with my products and make lasting memories.
I think this online world is ever growing, ever changing. I am doing my best to keep it all moving and grooving with things that are important to me. I can only hope that myself and what I am doing resonates with others and inspires them.
What’s coming up next?
I have some very exciting things coming out this Summer and later this Fall! Think activity placemats for your children, a fun apron collab and the coolest gift box for the children who enjoy time in the kitchen! Plus the third installment to my memory journal collection and a coloring book that takes children around the world! I couldn’t be more proud and excited about what is coming up, it has been the best year yet for Baby Boy Bakery Kids. I love my #BBBKids so much and I am thrilled we are growing so quickly!
What’s something you do every day to find joy?
I find joy when spending time with my daughter, we read a lot of books and she is slowly but surely finding interest in helping me cook. My therapy though is writing my thoughts and emotions. I use my blog as a safe place where I can share my deepest thoughts and my motherhood experiences. Posting on my blog brings me such joy as it has brought me together with such incredible people. I adore my online community. I also take SoulCycle classes regularly and sip on a nightly glass of chilled white wine or rosé after my daughter heads to bed!
For more inspiration from Jacqui follow along her journey here!
To learn more about Inked Brands and the future of influencer commerce, click here.
Arianna Schioldager is Editor-in-Chief at Create & Cultivate. You can follow her @ariannawrotethis.
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C&C Classifieds Nº46: Salt & Straw, 50 Eggs, Create & Cultivate & More
The week is short. Get back at it.
Are you still basking in long weekend holiday bliss? Us too. But we're also ready to get our heads back in the game. The job game, that is.
So even though it's a short work week, we've got an awesome new batch of C&C Classifieds for all you job hunters out there.
FABFITFUN, LOS ANGELES, CA
By CHLOE - NEW YORK, NY
50 EGGS, MIAMI, FL
SALT & STRAW, PORTLAND, OR
STORYFUL, NEW YORK, NY
How to Host the Most Epic Block Party Ever
Inviting Bosses and Co-Workers? Optional
Photo by Pier 1 Imports
Life’s a beach, right? Summer’s just around the corner and we are in full defrost-mode. With warm weather comes vacations (cue the unanimous applause). But vacations don't happen without those highly-coveted vacation days.
We’ve talked before about how important it is that you take those hard-earned days off. It’s about prioritizing self-care from a physical and emotional perspective. But what’s a girl to do when you don’t have any time off this summer but are still craving that vacation buzz? You throw your own little staycation block party, naturally.
We worked with Pier 1 Imports, the go-to destination for everything you need to entertain outdoors this summerto put together an easy to-do list to get the ball rolling on your vacation-inspired block party, just in time for the warm weather! The brand is encouraging people to find the right pieces to create a warm, inviting atmosphere to celebrate the outdoors with family, friends and even neighbors!
1. Set The Dates
Everyone wants something to look forward to. All the more reason to get ahead of it and block off that third Saturday of next month with all your friends… now, no one from your invite list can say they didn't know ahead of time!
2. Gather UpYour Friends
We say, the more the merrier. Of course, you have to consider the available space, but don't skimp on this. Invite people near and dear to your heart and if you can accommodate more, enlist your friends to bring a plus one (romantic or not). Bonus points if you can make a good network connection while on staycation! (The grind never really stops.)
3. Get That Playlist Ready
Good conversation is great, but you need to craft a playlist that will fill the lulls and potentially get guests dancing. Everyone loves an impromptu dance party. And for guests who need little ice breakers to get into the spirit of the day, have a few activities on hand. We’re thinking life-size Jenga, or even a few rounds of Heads Up! are perfect to get everyone in on the fun.
3. Have Attendees Pitch In
Now for the fun (and yummy) stuff… what sort of grub are you planning to serve? We are partial to enlisting everyone on your invite list to help contribute. Is your next door neighbor an undercover baking aficionado? Enlist her to make vacation-themed cupcakes (this has impromptu-Instagram photoshoot written all over it). Make it fun, and give people ownership. John, Camilla, and Becca handle sweets. Robert, Mikaela, and David handle veggies/dips/chips….. we call dibs on the guac (duh!).
4. Set the Mood
Our friends at Pier 1 Imports have all of your stay-cation meets block-party needs covered. From Swingasan chairs (these are so Coachella-meets-beach-vacation-home) to oversized beach umbrellas, decor is a REALLY important part of making a block party a huge success. Not only does it give you a creative project to work on for weeks (hello! new Pinterest board), but it lets you exercise those design muscles you’ve been wanting to strengthen.
When it comes to outdoor entertaining, Pier 1 Imports has the perfect décor pieces to refresh your outdoor space. We encourage you to take the time to try something new with fun, colorful and unexpected pieces (pro-tip: flamingos are all the rage right now, so feel free to incorporate one –or a few – into your decor). See a round-up of some of our favorite items that we’re viben’ for your next block party:
The Goods:
If you plan to take this block party into the wee hours of the morning, lighting is ESSENTIAL. Opt for these white-washed, wooden lanterns that give a soft glow and give it a coastal vibe. Just add one of our Deco Wick™ Outdoor LED Pillar Candles for instant ambience and you’ll be all set!
Can you say conversation starter? This little guy is adorable and gives any table setting instant personality… by the way, the pelican's partial to fish—and crab dip.
Summer time is Rosé time as far as we’re concerned. But instead of the traditional wine glass, opt for something a little more unique. We think this turquoise glassware is perfect for the job. Cheers!
Here at C+C, we take our sun protection very seriously. No one wants awkward sunburns from the off-the-shoulder top you’ll no doubt be wearing. Enter: the Sun Umbrella of your dreams.
We love this accent pillow. Not only does it fit your staycation vibe, it also plays into your sense of fun. It’s a charming conversation starter, and bonus: it matches the glassware!
Who doesn’t love a flamingo? No one! Which is why you should have one or a few on display at your bash. They are the perfect conversation starter, and give your party a “carefree, let’s have fun” attitude.
Calling it now — this is going to be the star of your block-party! It’s a perfect Instagram photo-op and all your festival-loving friends are going to be swooning over it. This chair is guaranteed to make your party such a hit, friends will be begging you to make it an annual tradition (not a bad idea…)
Now you’re basically all set to get this party started! We’ll be anxiously awaiting our invitation in the mail.
Why Crafty Entrepreneurs Are Using This New Trick
Your network is your net worth.
Photo credit: Smith House Photography
Bartering of services = where karma and collaboration collide. Each party pays it forward by helping a fellow entrepreneur, while getting something in return.
When you're both at the same level, this can be an awesome way to cross some business needs off your list, and take it to the next level. (You know, like a logo for your brand, killer headshots, or even some sponsored Facebook ads to promote your biz.)
If managed correctly, this bartering strategy can bring new meaning to “your network is your net worth.” After all, when you’re a new entrepreneur hustling out of the gate, every saved penny counts, especially when your “to do” list is growing in tandem.
For two entrepreneurs more or less at the same “level,” exchanging services can be part of your secret weapon. And if done strategically, it can be a totally boss move.
Spoiler alert: it can take a turn to disaster territory if you’re not on the same page. So if you do decide to straight-up exchange services with a fellow she-entrepreneur, you need to make sure you’re not only scratching each other’s backs, but helping each other rise.
Here are 5 ways to make swapping a key to your success.
KEEP AN OPEN MIND
Don’t dismiss the work you’re doing as part of the trade as “free work.” Seeing the big picture is key. So if the opportunity strikes and you connect with someone proposing a service exchange, hear her out. While following your gut is always sound practice (and recommended if someone is acting shady), it’s important to keep an open mind and listen to the proposal. If it simply doesn’t make sense for you -- perhaps timing isn’t right at this point or you’re unsure about the fit -- then pass and consider it in the future. But if there is potential for you to help someone else while they offer you something in return, then the sky’s the limit.
This new approach to a business relationship needs to happen organically and naturally. The connection might strike up at a female conference or networking event, while hustling at a communal workspace (all the better if it’s a “female-only” one), or even as part of a “members only” Facebook group.
Side note: We don’t recommend tweeting out that you’re looking for “a service exchange,” for any rando to reach out to you. It helps when you’re in a circle of like-minded people, in a *somewhat* vetted community. It’s one of those magical things that can happen in convo, while making connections.
So now that this is on your radar, you’re more likely to spot a potentially awesome opportunity. (You’re welcome.)
MAKE YOUR TERMS CRYSTAL CLEAR
Transparency: Get that on lock. Have a candid conversation about each other’s needs and the terms of your “agreement.” This can mean the scope of work on each side and the conditions of your turnaround time (it’s not fair to email your collaborator and demand something ASAP). Put simply: what each of you is offering needs to be fair and on a level playing field. As much as you might like the person you’ve partnered up with for this exchange, if the person has zero chill, then you’ll need to put the agreement “on ice” and stop it then and there.
Your self-care, work-life balance, reputation, and peace of mind should never be a tradeoff. So if the other person isn’t respecting your boundaries, you need to peace out.
"Your self-care, work-life balance, reputation, and peace of mind should never be a tradeoff."
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TREAT IT AS A PAYING, 'REAL' CLIENT (AKA GO ABOVE & BEYOND)
Tbh, this can be challenging when the paying gigs start to pile on, so make sure to manage expectations and block off your calendar accordingly when you have incoming requests. (Super important: ensure you have time to commit to the ask, even if it’s not for actual income).
As tempting as it might be to prioritize paying customers, you need to shift your mindset and realize that your “trade” is a paying customer. It’s not fair to put off those requests or not give them the same quality and attention you would for anyone else.
You are as good as your word and your final product, so be respectful of timelines, deadlines and boundaries. And of course, this is a two-way street.
Also, since you do have bills to pay, be logical and balance your barter agreements with paying clients. As lovely as it is to help each other out by exchanging services, you need to be practical and earn those dollaz.
#Protip: "You are as good as your final product."
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PSA: like regular income, there can be tax implications when bartering services (even if no actual monetary transaction occurs). Ask your accountant about this to avoid any surprises.
CONSIDER IT CONTENT FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO
Going above and beyond will ensure you produce quality content, which can in turn be used as part of your portfolio (if she agrees). This is what we mean by big picture: yes, when a ton of deadlines are on your plate, you might feel resentful that you committed to the “service exchange”; but remember that the person you’re supporting is a client, who likely has a network of potential clients in turn. So impress her, and your client base can grow exponentially as well.
Tip: Ask the person you’re exchanging services with to write a testimonial for you on your site and LinkedIn, and do the same for her.
KNOW WHEN TO MOVE ON, CHARGE & PAY
The point is to help each other rise -- and once you earn the revenue stream you need, it's time to empower the other person and start compensating them.
The trick is to know when to move on from the “barter” relationship, to the “big time.” Because once you both make it big, it’s time to pay for each other’s services -- and soar together.
Karin Eldor is a writer specializing in career, fashion and lifestyle. After several years in the corporate world as the Social Media Manager and Copywriter at ALDO, she took her side hustle full-time and is now living out her dream as a contributor for COVETEUR, Levo, Shopify, 818 Agency, and of course Create & Cultivate. Her mission is to offer guidance and mentorship to women by aligning with brands that value self-expression, integrity and impact. Follow her on Insta @alwayskarin.
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3 Ways to Get Over 'Busy-itis' and Chill This Weekend
In it to win it.
The feeling of being busy is quite common but does it just actually mean that you’re tired or feeling overwhelmed or burnt out? Do you often answer the question: “How are you?” with “soooo busy” or “things are crazy busy at the moment!”
We’ve all heard the saying, “If you want something done, ask a busy person.” And there is truth to that. However, there’s a difference between working with purpose and intent vs. squeezing as much in as possible.
"Your work is your own and you define your own success."
Busy makes people feel important. It feels good to be busy and there’s a connection to feeling accomplished or successful and wanting to share that with others. Everyone wants to be heard and appreciated. But “Busy-itis” can come from wanting the approval of others and it’s exhausting trying to keep up which can prevent you from doing work you love and being your most efficient and productive self.
It's less about actually being busy with a full calendar and more about how a person wants to be perceived. “Busy-itis” can also come from not being comfortable or wanting to sit with yourself alone. Making the time to slow down can actually take a lot of work. Sounds easy to “sit down” but quieting the mind and looking inward to discover that true confidence comes from within and you don’t need the approval of others. Your work is your own and you define your own success.
Getting over “busy-itis” can be a process but well worth it – there is a chance for you to enjoy every single day to the fullest AND feel proud of your work.
You manifest change and the opportunity for you to enjoy every single day instead of running around like crazy, trying to check everything off your to-do list, see your friends and family and make time for yourself - this doesn't mean taking a workout class to check another thing off your list but truly making time for self care and rest. There will be a moment when you realize that you’re spread too thin and that you chose this busy lifestyle. I’ve been there – you are just completely exhausted and left feeling drained. I wanted to keep pushing myself and kept coming up with the question, when will it ever be enough?
A very common symptom of "busy-itis" is brain fog. Brain fog can be as simple a forgetfulness, confusion or lack of mental clarity. Sometimes we move so fast throughout the day, we are on auto pilot and don't remember how we got from point A to point B. High levels of stress hormones can cause brain fog - feelings of stress, anxiety, anger, fear and frustration. When your mind is fuzzy, you can't retain knowledge as well.
Another common symptom is exhaustion. This is not the same as feeling tired but total depletion which can be caused by stress. Often times we manage our stress with keeping busy and distracting ourselves or trying to completely ignore what is actually going on. If you are frequently getting sick, this is another sign of stress overload or "busy-itis." Do you feel like you are coming down with a cold more often than your friends? Those who suffer from "busy-itis" especially need to listen to their bodies and not power through the day when they are feeling under the weather. If you don't break the cycle, "busy-itis" can snowball into a long term health condition such as depression or heart disease. Just remember that the mind and body are intrinsically connected.
"When we learn to slow down, we begin to truly connect with our work and with others."
Getting over “busy-itis” can be a process but well worth it – there is a chance for you to enjoy every single day to the fullest AND feel proud of your work.
3 Tips for Those Suffering From “Busy-itis”
1. Create a morning routine: Enjoy your morning and wake a little earlier to make some extra time for yourself. This can mean journaling, reading or cooking breakfast. Having a morning breath work or meditation practice can be extremely beneficial and will prepare to take on the day!
2. Redefine your to-do list: Instead of creating a long list, make your to-do list more of an exercise and ask yourself why next to each item. This will help you set your intentions for the day and remind yourself to acknowledge the tasks that you love doing.
3. Remove the word busy from your vocabulary! Come up with another response for when people ask, “how are you doing”. Stop telling people how busy you are. Take a moment to confidently share the work you are doing which will have you build stronger relationships and have deeper connections in the long run!
After many years of “busy-itis” it may be tough to change your thought patterns and automatic responses. But, it is totally doable with these 3 simple steps. When we learn to slow down, we begin to truly connect with our work and with others.
The original version of this article appeared on Shine. Sign up for free, daily advice from Shine.
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You'll Def Want to Stay Here on Your Next Palm Spring Vacay
Meet the woman striking desert gold.
Image courtesy of Bridget Fleming .
Jaime Kowal is a full time freelance photographer whose work has appeared in publications like The New York Times and Conde Nast Traveler-- snapping everyone from Reese Witherspoon the to Dalai Lama. But she's also a full time entrepreneur.
Almost four years ago, the business-savvy Canadian came to Palm Springs on what was supposed to be a ten day vacation, but every day found a new reason to stay: the weather, an exhibit, the endless supply of inspiring architecture. Six months (and one 0-1 Visa later) those reasons were business ventures.
She first struck desert gold with The Amado. A multifamily property build in the 1950s which she renovated, acting as both general contractor and interior designer, her photographer's eye lending its attention to detail to the project.
Next she and partner Chris Pardo opened Bootlegger Tiki, a "Tikeasy" as she calls it, located in the same space as the original Don the Beachcomber restaurant that opened in 1953, and the adjoining Ernest Coffee, which serves up Stumptown Coffee. Between these two spaces she has staff working almost 24/7. Ernest opens its doors at 6am, Bootegger at 4pm, and by the time the bar staff is heading home, the java crew is rising and shining in the desert light.
But why stop there? The Junipero, a six room boutique hotel which celebrated its opening in Feb 2016 is a Spanish Colonial property with Mediterranean architecture and easy Moroccan vibes (yes, please). It's proof that The Amado wasn't just a one hit wonder and why Jaime even recently expanded her work to include a historical property in the exquisite wine county of Prince Edward County in Canada as well. She and The Desert Collective seem unstoppable. But you should definitely stop by one of their awesome properties and check out what the founder has to say below.
Interior of Ernest Coffee. Image courtesy of Jaime Kowal.
She has a renovator's spirit-- the kind of (perhaps mad) genius with the ability to breath new life into places, and it's attracting not only the OG Palm Springs crowd, but the cool travel-on-the-weekends LA kids. Between her ventures she served almost 100,000 people last year.
We caught up with the photog and proprietor to find out how she makes it all work, and why following that one crazy idea might be the best business decision you ever make.
Word is, you came to Palm Springs for vacation and never left. Can you talk about making bold decisions in both business and life and why they are important to you?
I was at the point in my life where I was ready to make some bold decisions. I had planted the seeds of research and exploration, and was clear about my goals. I believe the saying “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”. It was the right time and place. I felt like I was jumping off a cliff and taking a chance but I completely trusted I would be supported. And it turns out I have been more than supported. The most wonderful things in my life have always come from making bold decisions and not looking back. I feel most alive when I’m taking a chance.
Desert relaxation at The Junipero. Image courtesy of Jaime Kowal.
When you’re spreading yourself between multiple properties and businesses how do you stay organized?
I am disciplined with the systems I use to remember and prioritize action items. I get up at 6am every day to do a few hours of work before the barrage of calls, texts and emails begin. I have built a fantastic team and I am now able to delegate which helps tremendously. It’s not a perfect system. Like everyone else I wish I had more time in the day. My inbox creates the most stress as I can’t keep up with the volume. On occasion there are emails I miss or things that don’t get done and I’m learning to be ok with that.
How do you stay sane?
I practice yoga, eat healthy and go for acupuncture to balance my body physically. My mental respite comes from humor. It’s hopping on FaceTime with my girlfriends to break up my long days to talk about anything but business. We make jokes and laugh and it shifts my mood every time. Personal connection and quality conversation is important to me and I meet with friends or clients for dinner or drinks regularly. I love getting away for the weekend if I can.
Inside the Junipero. Image courtesy of Jaime Kowal.
What are some of the most challenging aspects of being a small-business owner?
It sounds cliché but for me the most challenging aspect is finding the balance between my personal and business life. Setting boundaries and finding time to relax or turn off is tricky. I haven’t taken a real vacation in two years. I’ve come to realize my business is my life. I apply my creativity and expression to the business. My team are my extended family. We spend so much time together it’s inevitable. The only way to handle the long days and constant demands is to be at peace with it and make it fun and meaningful. It’s a marathon. I feel like I’m surfing a really long wave…
What are some highlights?
I love bringing people together and building community. I genuinely love and care for the extended web of people in my life. I now have a staff of twenty and it has been fascinating to see their relationships grow over the past few years. We share similar values and support each other. That care extends to our interactions with guests at The Amado and The Junipero, and to our customers at Ernest Coffee and Bootlegger Tiki. We served almost 100,000 people last year! We literally have a personal connection with each and every one of our customers, and community and relationships have grown from that.
Secondly, we are offering products and services that make people happy. Everyone loves Palm Springs and we’re offering a beautiful place to stay, a caffeine fix, and craft cocktails. It doesn’t get better than that.
Orange doors welcome you in at The Amado. Image courtesy of Melissa Gidney.
Were you always business-minded and savvy, or is it something you grew into?
I have always been entrepreneurial. I remember literally writing business plans for fun when I was a child. I see opportunity for growth, change, design, or efficacy everywhere I go. I have learned over the years that where many people see blocks I see a creative challenge. I’m not scared to try something new.
"I’m not scared to try something new."
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When someone comes to stay at one of your properties, what can they expect?
Our properties are design-driven and detail oriented. The Amado is a classic example of mid-century modern architecture and The Junipero was originally built as a Spanish Colonial home. The decor is inspired by the unique architecture of each property and provides a direct experience of the relaxed lifestyle that Palm Springs is famous for. The outdoor areas are built for poolside lounging and dining. We’ve integrated large-scale works of original photography and art throughout, integrated natural and organic materials and stocked the kitchens with all kinds of cooking utensils. Each suite is fully contained with a dining room, living room, bathroom, kitchen and king bedroom so guests have privacy but can come together in the common areas. We rent the entire property out to groups every weekend who are celebrating bachelorette parties, family reunions or birthdays. They love having their own private compound they can make their own for a few days.
Why do you think Palm Springs continues to be such a destination spot?
It’s the perfect storm. The weather is amazing. It’s within close proximity to LA, San Diego and Las Vegas. It offers great restaurants and bars, quirky day trips to the desert or mountains, incredible architecture, the best mid-century furniture and thrifting, cultural events and parties every night of the week and something new every visit.
What’s next on your Palm Springs takeover?
I do have a few exciting projects I’m exploring right now with different partners but it’s too early to talk about!! :) I can say they would be a natural extension of what we are already offering.
"Once you begin the process the next step appears."
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For someone looking to get into the hospitality business, what words of advice or encouragement do you have for them?
Trust your instinct and stay true to your vision. I had a lot of trusted friends, advisors and contractors challenge me in the beginning. They thought I was crazy and taking too much of a risk. But I had a vision and I stuck to it. And if you don’t know where to start, just start somewhere. Once you begin the process the next step appears.
Cover photo: Sarah Sherman Samuels.
The original version of this article appeared on our site on Feb 5th 2016.
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Need to Read Now: ABC Shark & Investor Calls Out Men Big Time
Send this to your dad. Tell him to thank you later.
What else do women have to do to be taken seriously?
Seriously.
We're still battling egregious sexism in tech and finance. This week made the blatantly clear. And earlier today, Chris Sacca, a former American venture investor (he was an early investor in Twitter and Uber), and ABC Shark Tanker with a front-seat to the happenings in Silicon Valley published the following essay on Medium. (We encourage everyone to click and read the whole thing.)
A crucial except reads:
“In my mind, because I hadn’t acted in a way that exploited an imbalance of power or vulnerability in a VC-founder relationship, I’ve generally considered myself one of the “good guys.
But’s that’s the crucial lesson I am learning right now in real-time: It’s the unrelenting, day-to-day culture of dismissiveness that creates a continually bleak environment for women and other underrepresented groups. I contributed to that, and am thus responsible for the unfairly harder road that everyone other than white men must travel in our industry.
I am sorry.
It’s also become clear to me that I didn’t consistently use my power and influence to call out bad behavior by industry peers. The passive acceptance of exclusionary words and deeds is not okay.”
To this we say YES, but we also want to know why? Is it something we said? Or wore? Or didn’t. Does misogyny and gender-biased investing really run that deep? Yeah, it does and a vital element of what Sacca is saying is that even well-meaning men are part of the sexist hamster wheel. To this we say: work harder. The investor is going on record that “As a white guy, even before I made any money, I benefitted from extensive privilege.”
A privilege not afforded to women or any minority.
"Even well-meaning men are part of the sexist hamster wheel."
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Outspoken entrepreneur, founder and CEO of MakeLoveNotPorn and self-professed “Michael Bay of Business,” (she blows shit up) Cindy Gallop took to her Twitter in praise of Sacca’s words. Gallup tweeted: “Tech world has missed out on many female-founded potential unicorns bc of systemic bias + sexual harassment.”
It’s a bias that runs through almost every single meeting. Even though, as Austin mayor Steve Adler pointed out at the beginning of June in response to an angry letter about a female-only screening of Wonder Woman, “What if someone thought you didn’t know that women invented medical syringes, life rafts, fire escapes, central and solar heating, a war-time communications system for radio-controlling torpedoes that laid the technological foundations for everything from Wi-Fi to GPS, and beer?”
Yeah, what if. Again, is there something else we need to do to be taken seriously? More beer? Better GPS to steer you away from your sexism?
Earlier this month, Neil Blumenthal, co-founder and CEO of Warby Parker, told the crowd at inaugural Vanity Fair Summit that as his wife, Rachel Blumenthal, was securing funding for her company Rockets of Awesome her experience was vastly different than his. “When my wife was raising money,” the CEO shared with the crowd, “every male VC would ask, ‘How do you spend your time?’ She would say, ‘What do you mean?’ What they meant was, ‘You have kids.’” This was always a deterrent for male investors. Neil went on to say, “When I raised money VCs would use kids as a reason to bond with me. ‘Oh I have a great nanny recommendation.’ It’s insanity.”
Here’s ONE of the many problems woman face: it’s the every damn day micro-aggression (like those that Sacca refers to) that make women question their own competence. Micro-aggressions grind slow, but they grind fine. And they make us wonder if we truly do deserve a seat a the table. Or the money. Or the position. (Yes, we do.) But it’s hard to continually pump yourself up, when the world around you wants to bring you down. Or when we have a sitting President calling out a woman’s supposed freakin’ facelift on his Twitter. Talk matters.
"Micro-aggressions grind slow, but they grind fine."
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So does putting your money where your mouth is. Investing in female-led and diversified companies IS the future. Those who aren't on board are welcome to fall off the ship. Men aren’t owed a life-preserver at this point.
Women like 52-year-old former Wall Street maven, Sallie Krawcheck know this. Krawcheck who once ran such elite institutions as Merrill Lynch, Bank of America, and Smith Barney, is leveraging her 30 plus years of professional expertise to help women build and invest wealth and “unleash women’s financial power.” With Ellevest, Krawcheck is on a mission to close what she calls the “gender investment gap,” an extension of better-known disparities such as the gender pay gap and the gender debt gap. “I have become truly convinced that getting more money into the hands of women is a positive for everyone,” explains Krawcheck, asserting that the “gender investment gap” costs professional women hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, over their lifetimes. “Closing this gap helps the women themselves, but also their families, society, and businesses. It also solves a lot of society's problems: for example, the retirement savings crisis is actually a women's crisis, given how much longer we live then men (and that we retire with less money than they do).”
Cindy Whitehead, CEO and founder of the Pink Ceiling is on the same mission. “What rips the sheets off in the morning for me is fighting injustices," the CEO shares. "It is an injustice that women get 2% of funding. It’s a ridiculous idea that half of the population only has 2% of the good ideas.”
They say a woman’s work is never done. But not this time. This time men should heed the words of Sacca and put in the work.
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Why "Insecure" Star Feels Good as a Black Woman in Hollywood
The future of TV is fierce AF.
R: Yvonne Orji by graphic illustrator Monica Ahanonu
When Insecure actress Yvonne Orji says, "I feel good as a woman in Hollywood. I feel good as a black woman in Hollywood," you can tell she means it. And she doesn't think her job would be easier if she were a man. "No, because I like being a woman. I think there is beauty and benefit to being a woman. I like being able to go into male-dominated spaces and blow people’s minds away."
That’s not to say she is blind to the discrepancy in Hollywood. Race issues. Age issues. Wage issues. There’s no way to avoid them.
"I like being able to go into male-dominated spaces and blow people’s minds away."
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Her journey through Hollywood certainly hasn't been without sexist moments. Having first made a name for herself on the stand-up circuit, Orji says there was always a moment where the announcer would prep the crowd. "Are you ready for a woman? are you ready for a woman?" they'd ask. These are the micro-aggressions that continuously diminish women at work. "They never do that for man," she says and it's no laughing matter. "Apparently," says Orji, "there are rules as a female standup comic. You can’t be pretty, skinny, and funny. Pick one. You can’t be all these things. To be funny, you have to be overweight, and you have to be dirty with your jokes." That's not the case for Orji. "I do clean comedy and just really want to make people laugh in a positive way. Yes, I know how to work out and put on makeup. Why are there so many fractions in order to make people laugh as a woman? You don’t hear this from guys. You can just be funny."
But she's never let those intros deter her or hold her back. "I stand my ground and stand my own. This is me. I am not backing down. You may not know me now, but by the time I finish my set, you’re going to think I’m incredibly funny."
These are also stereotypes she’s been working to break with Insecure, which is about to release its highly-anticipated second season on HB0. Orji plays BFF Molly (a high-powered DTLA attorney) to Issa Rae's character, Issa. The show has been properly lauded for being an important show with great roles with great roles for women as well as one that tackles social and race issues while avoiding cliches. "Molly can be insecure. Everyone can be insecure. And that happens in life. You have one thing set and then you don't. You’re dating someone, but then you want a new job. You have the job, but you don’t have the relationship. There are always things that aren't working."
Orji and Rae on Insecure.
It's this kind of material, and the specifically multi-faceted role she's currently playing, that makes Orji love being a woman in this town. "Especially now," she says. "With the type of content we put out there and the content creators that are allowed to have their voices expressed." She brings up Living Single. “There were shows that were popular in the ‘90s that featured strong black characters, and then that fell off for a minute. There was a gap in programming." But shows like Living Single allowed for the progress and next iteration of strong black female-led comedies. i.e. you can be a high-profile black, female attorney who also doesn't have it all together. It's the true Millennial experience, where women, and here specifically black women, are more than one thing.
When asked about the latest success of Wonder Woman and Gal Gadot, Orji quotes an article that talks about how true success will be when a female-led movie is allowed to fail and Hollywood will still make another. “Men have been failing for years. And they are still given development deals and big deals with studios. There is so much pressure on women. ‘Oh if this fails, Hollywood will NEVER make another movie like this. It HAS to be great.” It’s a dangerous setup. For Orji, “Divide and conquer doesn’t work here,” she says. Not if Hollywood wants to make progress. "Women helping other women is the way." And it's why she explains, "It’s so important for Issa and I and why we work really hard at it. It’s also more comfortable to look around a set and see a female sound tech, a female executive producer." She brings up award-winning director extraordinaire Ava duVernay, a champion for diversity in Hollywood. “It’s the same thing with directors like Ava. When people say, 'I don’t know another black actress.' Ava will say, 'Well, how about her?'” We bring up the all-female set of Zoe Lister-Jones’ new movie Bandaid. “Ooh, checkmate, Hollywood,” she says. Except Orji isn’t sitting around waiting for Hollywood to make its move. She’s making her own. Taking her future into her own hands— a space where she is clearly comfortable. She's been tied down with ADR for Insecure Season 2 (which returns Sunday, July 23rd of HBO) and she's also hard at work on her own show, First Gen, which draws from her stand-up and her experience as a Nigerian-American and the daughter of two immigrants.
"I came to Hollywood as an intern in the writer’s room and I didn't really know what that meant, but I saw how much power exists in there. With First Gen, maybe I didn’t know structure, but I knew people. And you have to be willing to take the risk. At least for me. It was up to me to take this into my own hands." Thats’s the kind of go-getter she is. And that part is so crucial.
"I stand my ground and do my thing as me. I can go toe-to-toe with the next guy. There is strength and power in being a woman: we are smart, we are creative, and we are compassionate. Are there great women out there doing amazing things, with a guy coming in not doing anything extravagant and everyone thinks what he’s doing is amazing, but yet she has to prove herself? Yes, that does still exist and it does still suck, but not to the point where I want to be something other than an African immigrant black woman. No, no, no! I’ll take my portion, I like it."
She also notes there has to be more diversity because the women at the forefront of society are more diverse. “Who is going to play the First Lady (Michelle Obama), who is going to play Oprah?” she asks. Good questions. We have a couple of answers and a strong feeling she'll be in the running.
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Check Out the Newest Vogue Approved LA Venue
You'll want to get married here.
Lourdes Hernández, a Spanish indie and folk singer-songwriter known as Russian Red, moved to the United States from Madrid with a successful music career in tow. But when she got here, she had a bit of a crisis. “I stopped making music,” she shares, “and I didn’t know what I wanted to do. We didn’t have the church space yet.” She didn’t even know if she was going to stay in the US.
That church space, built in 1905, is now known to the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles as The Ruby Street. It’s bright. Blue. And boasts the church's original stain glass windows. Not surprisingly, it plays host many weddings. “We opened and people just wanted to get married here,” she says. ‘“In that way the building has taken on a life of it’s own.” The first event was not a wedding. It was a music show where Lourdes, AKA Russian Red, performed as did Meryl Streep’s son Henry Wolf. The space wasn’t yet complete. She says the doors were still “trashy,” and there were about 120 people present, but it created a buzzy word of mouth that got people inquiring. The Ruby Street currently hosts around five to seven events per month, mostly weddings, but the space has seen dinners, workshops, baby showers, and above-mentioned music events-- though she says, they'd like to do more shows.
"They" is Lourdes and her boyfriend Zack (and business partner), who is the one who found the church. Lourdes says, “It became very meaningful. It helped us stick together and learn that we were not only romantically compatible, but compatible in business as well.”
The duo is now two years in, after completing a record breaking six-month renovation. “The hardest part is having the vision,” she shares, “but having to adapt as you go. Sometimes the building doesn’t let you do what you want.”
Lourdes doesn’t see her two careers as separate. “They are very much related,” she says. “To put a space together like this, you need to have a creative force to make every decision. To have an aesthetic equilibrium and to create home in a space. They’re not two different things, it’s the same for me.”
“Now things co-exist with me. Or I co-exist with them. It’s a nice balance. When you work hard and create a space for yourself, you flow with it, instead of stressing.” For a woman handling two careers, it’s nice to hear that she’s not at a breaking point, but rather has found the balance that we’re all so desperately in search of. “Every decision that we make about our lives— it needs to come from the same place,” she says. “Even if it means sacrifice, it still a decision that you’re making. It’s your responsibility.”
"When you work hard and create a space for yourself, you flow with it, instead of stressing.”
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The sacrifice she made when she stopped creating music turned out to be her biggest blessing.
“Making decisions like that is hard sometimes. I was in the infinity.” But the artist says that (however scary) decision opened so many doors. ‘It expanded my life.” She now has what she calls “a very specific way of approaching music. I used to play festivals and tour all year long. Music was my life and that was it. For me that became a nightmare at a certain point I thought, there can’t be just one way to do this. No way.” Today, alongside running Ruby Street, the creative has been recording music, “on the side,” and in May she put out a covers album, Karaoke. This August, Lourdes will hit the road in Spain and Mexico for about three weeks.
“I have such a weird, but amazing flow,” she laughs. “I don’t know how things come to me.”
We say, keep ‘em coming.
Photo credit: Hilary Walsh for Vogue Spain + The Ruby Street
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How #Girlgaze Founder Amanda de Cadenet Plans to Create $$ Jobs for Young Women
All that hustle has to lead to something.
Amanda de Cadenet pulls very few punches. “If I have zero interest in the question,” she tells us, “I won’t answer it.” It’s a refreshing frankness from the founder and CEO of The Conversation and now, #girlgaze, a multimedia photo project designed (and recent book!) to support girls behind the camera. The project's first exhibition, #girlgaze: a frame of mind, opened at the Annenberg Space of Photography in October 2016 and ran until February 2017. It featured work from up-and-coming female and gender non-conforming photographers. It was received with open arms.
As the tale of implicit career bias goes, only one-third of professional news photographers are women. Which begs the question: whose eye is capturing what's important? The goal for de Cadenet is to get more perspectives seen, and begin championing that potential early. “It’s so important for girls to understand that they have the power,” the photographer slash founder says.
“It’s so important for girls to understand that they have the power.”
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And understanding it they are. According to de Cadenet, the #girlgaze community is seeing exponential growth. “We are growing so fast that our heads are spinning. Our little team is just trying to keep up,” she shares while noting that this is good news. “Girlgaze is obviously a much-needed platform.” One that focuses on empowerment, something, she shares, “is anything that facilitates a person feeling better about themselves, or good about themselves. Building self-esteem is empowering. For me that means hiring more women across the board in various sectors, because careers build self-esteem.”
That means getting dollars. #girlgaze isn't only about giving women the platform, it's about getting them jobs. "Our goal is to close the gender gap one job at a time," she says. "My hope is that we give as many girls as possible the opportunity to work and share their point of view with the world by creating paid opportunities and ways to connect with each other and the people who write checks."
"Empowerment is anything that facilities a person feeling better about themselves."
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Where The Conversation addressed the fears and realities of women-- bringing the conversations taking place in Amanda’s kitchen about postpartum depression, sex, and gender stereotypes to light, #girlgaze has intentionally focused on the younger generation. "My audience was getting younger and younger-- that doesn’t happen," she says. The multitasking mama (of three) had to ask herself, why it was happening. What content was missing? She saw the gap, realizing that young girls’ exposure to the media, subtle racism and sexism and misogyny, was deeply affecting their self-esteem. “Something does well when it’s needed,” de Cadenet explains. And there was a need.
“They were getting impacted,” she says. “They wanted guidance younger, so I consciously made a choice to create something for them. Creativity is the vehicle for change for a lot of young girls that I know.” A generation she thinks highly of, citing young feminists like Rowan Blanchard. ‘It is our job and my commitment, now more than ever," she says, "to not abandon these issues and to support the next generation of girls tenfold... You have to take stock on a situation before you can change it and then you can create realistic tools.” For the lifelong activist and journalist #Girlgaze is one such tool, helping uplift strong female voices and views.
She also recently published, "It's Messy," a book of essays that came at the behest of her followers and focuses on the Brit's own story. "I wrote 'It's Messy' because many women and girls asked me to,” she explains. "The chapter subjects are curated by my social media audience and I pretty much stuck to what they wanted to know about except TMI about my sex life." The TMI part is debatable.
While it may seem that oft outspoken de Cadenet shares exactly what is on her mind, when it comes to young women sharing their POV she wants them to know, "Just speaking up without that consideration is not always smart. It doesn't need to be complicated, but stay truthful to your point of view no matter what and know your audience.”
Photography by Amanda de Cadenet
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C&C Classifieds Nº45: The Infatuation, Chatbooks, Lovely Bride & More
Be kind to yourself. Apply today.
You want options? We've got options! On this week's listings we've got lucky number 45! If you're looking for a job or maybe you're in the mood for a fall move... check out the below. And if your job plans do involve a move, check out these tips on how to apply for out-of-state jobs in 2017.
THE INFATUATION, NEW YORK, NY
CHATBOOKS, PROVO, UT
LOVELY BRIDE, SEATTLE, WA
LA CROIX, MIAMI, FL
PRESSED JUICERY, LOS ANGELES, CA
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Women Apologize for Their Answers More, But They Also Do This
And it's time to nix it.
photo by Brittni Mehlhoff
Though Siri will tell you that she's genderless, there is a distinctly female quality to her voice (at least in her US version). There's a business reason for that: people tend to react more positively to female voices. And yet, women are less likely to speak up in meetings than men. Why would this be? In his book Wired for Speech, Stanford communications professor Clifford Nass wrote that people prefer for our technology to help us, but we want to still be its boss. In other words: even in tech, the female voice is interpreted as more subversive.
In January 2015, Lean In founder Sheryl Sandberg and Wharton business school professor Adam Grant published an op-ed in the New York Times titled "Speaking While Female." The piece outlined multiple pieces of research showing that in the workplace, women speak less, are "manterrupted" more, and have their ideas more closely scrutinized.
Well, it's time for a change. It's time to speak up. Here are five ways to chime with confidence in your next meeting.
KNOW THAT YOUR THOUGHTS ARE WORTH SHARING
We're not talking garden-variety comments that don't contribute to the task or meeting at-hand, but it is important to speak up at least once in a meeting. Otherwise your colleagues and higher-ups will start to think you have nothing to add.
The biggest hurdle is speaking up for the first time, and if you're not quite ready, next time you’re in a meeting and you have an idea, write it down.
Go home and practice saying that idea out loud in multiple different tones. Find the one that resonates with you, that feels like most authentic. Next time you’re in a meeting draw on that at-home experience and be heard!
ENUNCIATE
If you’re pitching a business or trying to sell your boss on an idea, you need to be articulate and concise.
Attention to the small details of your speech can actually give you with a sense of confidence that you didn’t know you had. Elocution may not be taught in school anymore, but vocal clarity brings vocal confidence. And nothing derails a confidence train like being asked to speak up or to stop mumbling mid-sentence.
"Vocal clarity brings vocal confidence."
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So, work on enunciation, clarifying all of your consonant sounds and varying your vowel length— these small changes can make a significant difference in how you’re heard.
SPEAK SLOWLY
There is a difference between being excited about what you’re sharing and rushing through your idea. When you speak too quickly what you are conveying is that you’re nervous or that what you have to say is not valuable.
If you’re speaking, hold the room’s attention, slowly and confidently. If you’re making them wonder whether you believe in what you’re saying, there is a good chance they aren’t going to believe in it either.
EXPAND YOUR VOCABULARY
We’re reading less. There’s no way around it. However with dropping book sales comes a dropping vocab. One of the best ways to make sure that you’re ever-expanding your word base is by reading. This can be as simple as reading a page out loud every night when you get home. It can be any kind of written word, from fiction to newspaper. Not only will this exercise help you practice enunciation, but you’ll start to learn words without even trying.
The next time you speak up in a meeting, you’ll find there is much greater fluidity to your speech and you’ll be drawing on a bigger vocabulary base.
DON'T DISQUALIFY YOURSELF AT THE END OF YOUR STATEMENT
We hear a lot about women apologizing for their answers in advance and how we should nix this from our speech. What we hear less about, is discrediting yourself at the end of a statement or an idea.
This can be as simple as ending a presentation with one of the following colloquialisms: I guess, I don’t know, I think. Make sure that you are ending as strong as you start. Be certain beginning, middle, and end.
Sometimes when we get to the end of what we say, and it isn’t resonating quite right with a room, we get nervous and qualify it with a, "does that make sense?" Stick to your verbal guns, even if the room doesn’t agree. You can still sit back down with as much gusto with which you stood up.
Have tips for speaking up in meetings? Share in the comments below!
Arianna Schioldager is Editor-in-Chief at Create & Cultivate. You can follow her @ariannawrotethis.
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Rad Art for Your Office That Sparks Creativity
Look at greatness. Be great.
Why does it always seem like our best ideas come to us in the middle of the night? And then when we need it most, we lose our creativity? Like when we’re building out a proposal for a huge client? Or sitting down for a meeting with our boss? It happens to the best of us. And we’re here to say, don’t let creativity blues get you down. Opt for artwork instead.
Because once you hit that slump there is a way to get back on track. Minted’s design marketplace connects you to unique products from the world’s best emerging artists. It’s where you find work from independent artists and make it your own. These pieces of art can help cultivate your creativity in the workplace and get you back on track.
With limited edition art from the world’s best emerging artists, styled uniquely for you, Minted will bring it to life with personalized art styling services starting at $79. That’s what we call bang for your creative buck.
Here are some of our favorites.
BRING A LITTLE OUTSIDE TO YOUR INSIDE
Being locked inside the office all day can be tedious. Peeking outside your window, and seeing the shining sun can make you feel even more eager (hello official start of summer).
Studies have shown that people who get up and move are more productive and more creative. So why not dance? Inspired by these “Dancing Palms,” who knows what you’ll think of mid arms-in-the-air wave? And if you’re feeling fond of the frond theme, this is another great option: a Cali-inspired print to bring you back to a state of good creative vibes.
Dancing Palms by Gray Star Design.
Art yields tranquility. Feeling stressed in the office can leave us lacking motivation. Gazing up at a calm picture can help bring us back to a state of relaxation and the ability to clear our minds. If you are looking for tranquil vibes, this may also work for you. And according to Google, blue is the most productive color.
Blue Cactus by Wilder California.
Sitting at your desk dreaming of summer? Well, there is a way to bring some sunshine into your office.This serene art deco picture of a “Guard Chair, Santa Monica” will motivate you at work, making you feel like you are outside enjoying a nice summer day.
Guard Chair, Santa Monica by Jacquelyn Sloane Siklos.
ART CAN ALSO INSPIRE CLIENTS (& CLOSE DEALS)
Put yourself in your client’s shoes: you walk into an office and you’re greeted it’s austere white walls. Do you feel at home? Do you feel your most creative? You might feel a little uncomfortable, like you can’t touch anything. Which, as the client, is exactly the opposite of how you want to feel.
Art can also help connect you to your clients on an emotional level. Don’t get dragged into stagnant and uncomfortable meeting. Escape to a dreamlike place with Undertow.
Or opt for abstract.
Abstract art can spark abstract thinking-- a must for when you’re spitballing idea with a prospective or current client. Bonus: yellow is an energetic color that is an instant mood lifter. So go ahead and elevate your office space.
Abstract Layers 1 by Kelly Nasuta.
GET OUT-OF-THE-BOX & OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY
Out of ideas? Feel like you hit a dead end? All it takes is one flash of an idea to get the rest flowing. Typewriters inspire creativity. Writers creativity comes from a keyboard, so what better way to spark your ideas than looking at one?
Ever catch yourself day-dreaming, wishing your were somewhere other than your office? Well, these Parisian Windows will make you feel a little more a part of that dream. Taking you to a world of fantasy for a minute will help kick-start your creativity in the office.
Parisian Windows by Annie Montgomery.
Wanting to escape work for a little? The sky’s the limit with this piece. Having an image that excites your imagination will help you take a step back and expand your mind in the office.
Confidence is the key to success. “Magnifique” staring at you in big gold letters instills will self-esteem in oneself and helps get those ideas flowing. If you like this vibe, you may want to group a few of these together to shake things up.
Or make it a mantra. Displaying calm, motivating, and inspiring quotes in your office will help bring back your free flowing thoughts of creativity. Seeing is believing. Sometimes we simply need the words right in front of us.
Nice Work; Humble Word both by Heather Francisco.
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Startup 101: How to Build Brand Trust from Scratch
Started from the bottom. Now... what?
I was inspired to talk about how to engage potential customers and build trust after a recent search on LinkedIn. I was searching for a sales funnel and email marketing specialist, and I came across several people who claimed to be consultants or specialists for hire. When I wanted to learn more, I couldn’t find anything about them online. No reviews, no website, and no information about why or how someone could hire them. This is an immediate red flag for me, but when I thought more about it, I realized that maybe people just don’t know how to engage potential customers and build trust.
As a personal branding expert, I often discuss why it’s important to cultivate a personal brand and optimize platforms like LinkedIn, so I was astounded that so many people who want to be hired as a consultant or expert don’t know how to create an online footprint. If you do not know how to maximize your online footprint, you are hurting your career and losing business. When you’re not a heritage brand, your online footprint is even more important when you’re trying to engage potential customers and build trust.
Optimize your LinkedIn profile
This is the first step of engaging potential customers. If you’re not on LinkedIn currently, create an account now. This is one of the most widely used platforms in career development, so underutilizing LinkedIn could be detrimental for your career. You’ll want to make sure your profile is fully optimized, but on top of that, make sure that your contact information is prominent, especially if you’re interested in getting hired for your services.
"If you don't know how to maximize your online footprint, you're hurting your career and losing business."
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Highlighting your expertise and how you can help others is also one of the most important aspects of engaging potential customers. Show examples of your work and your professional achievements to show potential customers exactly what you can do for them.
If you are offering professional services and are a registered business, create a company page on LinkedIn where people can learn more about your business and see that it is legitimate. Creating a company page on a trusted platform like LinkedIn helps build trust in your own brand.
Demonstrate a professional brand
If you’re offering professional services, you’ll want to demonstrate a professional brand that’s consistent across all channels. This means creating uniform content and being present on a company website, LinkedIn, Google, Yelp, and social media. The more channels and social platforms you utilize, the more reputable and trustworthy your brand becomes. If someone is unable to find a source of your work, including examples, contact information, and recognition, they’re unlikely to trust you as a brand and a professional. If you can’t establish trust among consumers, you won’t have a successful business.
Utilize referral marketing
Referrals, recommendations, and testimonials are a huge part of building online trust and maximizing your online footprint. When a trusted friend tells you about a business, you transfer that trust to the company. Use LinkedIn recommendations, Yelp reviews, and customer testimonials on your website to help build trust and highlight your achievements. If real customers can attest to your quality of work and what you have accomplished for them, you will be able to establish yourself as a reputable resource.
As a side note, building up your presence on sites like Yelp will immensely help you because consumers trust that you cannot buy good reviews on that platform. Yelp uses algorithms which test and verify the reviews before posting them, which creates another level of consumer trust. When you’re using a trusted platform, it can appear more legitimate than simply writing down a customer testimonial with no verification.
Cultivate a consistent personal brand across channels
Creating a cohesive personal brand is extremely important for developing your career, and using consistent branding across channels helps build your credibility. Think about it this way: If you search for a person or business and see multiple platforms and channels come up with the same information and visuals, you can assume that this brand has put in the time to create a consistent branding strategy. If you see different visuals, as well as inconsistent verbiage and service offerings across platforms, it’s harder to believe that the brand is professional and trustworthy.
________________
When considering how to optimize your online footprint, you want to focus on a few main factors:
- Providing resources such as contact information and examples of work
- Creating a consistent brand across channels
- Creating trust through reviews and testimonials to establish yourself as a reputable source of work
The more information about yourself as a business professional you can put out there, the more trusted you will become. Note that this is not personal information, but information about business like business contact information, business information, services offered, etc.
A native San Franciscan, Michele Lando is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and founder of writestylesonline.com. She has a passion for helping others present the best version of themselves, both on paper and in person, and works to polish individuals' application package and personal style. Aiming to help create a perfect personal branding package, Write Styles presents tips to enhance your resume, style, and boost your confidence.
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Ask the CEO: Would You Pay an Executive Coach?
Where do you spend the money when you're struggling?
Daina Trout, CEO and co-founder of Health-Ade Kombucha, AKA the fastest growing kombucha company in the United States, spends her free (ahem, what?) time mentoring younger entrepreneurs. She says it’s an important part of the process that she didn’t have when starting her company in 2012.
Trout explains that often, after speaking with younger entrepreneurs, she'll “discover that they’re trying to have their cake and eat it too. The whole thing about being a successful entrepreneur is that there is some major risk you have to take. That’s the price of the game. Whether it’s a financial or personal risk, whatever it is, you’re taking a risk. I don’t think you’ll meet any successful entrepreneur who didn’t have the moment where they thought, ‘Oh shit, everybody is telling me this is stupid, I’m the only one who thinks this way. I have to quit my job. I have no money.’ Everybody has those stories. So when I talk to the entrepreneurs who are trying to mitigate that risk by keeping their job and their apartments, I tell them, ‘We had to live out of our car, what do you think this is?’”
Not for the faint-hearted, that’s for sure. “When they talk to me like that, I say, ‘OK, you’re not ready to start a business. Give up your apartment for four years. You can’t live the life you have from a corporate, steady and sturdy job, and also start a business. That’s the whole point.”
"You can’t live the life you have from a corporate, steady and sturdy job, and also start a business."
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You can however, make an investment in people who can help you. Early on Trout made the decision to pay an executive coach to guide her. She says the first two years felt like, “physical labor against all odds." She also felt incredibly alone. "I never knew what the next step was. I didn’t reach out to anyone because I didn't know who to reach out to.”
But in 2014, when the company got its first investment, Trout shares that they took $15,000 to invest in leadership. There was an understanding she explains, that “If we expected to build this into a billion dollar brand and have hundreds of employees we were going to have to get way better at managing people. We were complete cowboys. So I said, ‘We can each have 5,000 dollars, do what you want with it, but it has to somehow build your leadership.’ I put together a coaching program and I’m with that coach still to this day and talk to her every two weeks. I don’t think I would be where I am today without her.”
Health-Ade now has 100 employees. “Meeting those 100 employees is a personal milestone. It’s one thing to lead five people, 25 and then 50, but 100 feels different and I’m being forced to tap into a stronger version of myself every year. This year especially.”
Of her coach, Trout says, “She hasn’t ‘taught’ me anything. That’s the thing. She's kind of like a really good therapist. She’s an independent sounding board. By the time you have investment you usually have a Board of Directors, but you can’t share every little thing with them. Also, I don't know if this is a gender thing, but most women I know have to get to their answer. That requires talking it out. And it’s usually right, but you have to get there. So having a coach is awesome. She knows everything that’s happening. She knows about my board members and who my employees are. We’ve talked every two weeks for three years. In that hour that I spend with her I’ll come out with a strong action plan to avoid problems I see coming.”
You don't have to pay to play. There are free mentors out there she shares (like at Create & Cultivate Seattle-- tix on sale NOW!). “My experience has been that when you ask somebody for help, they almost always say they have time.” Noting that there has only been one instance when someone said no. “You get on the phone, talk to people, they’ll answer all of your questions. They’ll share models, structure, the mistakes they’ve made, they’re happy to talk about it.”
She’s self-reflective on this point. “I probably didn’t have to go through those first two years alone. I would recommend finding people who you think did it right and would define as successful, email them. It’s not that hard to find anybody. Just write info@company and say, ‘I’m trying to get some time on the books with blank,’ it will almost always find the CEO, unless it’s Oprah. That might be hard.” However she laughs, “I haven’t tried.”
She explains that she made a pact with herself, that if she ever got past that stage, “the worst one to be in,” she admits, that she would go back and help fledgling entrepreneurs. “I really try to offer myself as a mentor to women in the first two years who need a little push. The people who really have it in them, they really only need a little push.”
Would you pay a coach? Chime in below.
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The Future Is Freaking Us Out: New Study Shows Robots Are About to Do This
Hold on to your hats (and jobs) kids.
So it turns out Jamaraqui was right. The future is made of virtual insanity.
Because last week Gallup released a poll that sent us straight into the void. Literally. Of the study's three major findings, there is one that has us wondering the if, why, and most importantly the when of it all.
We break down our top two concerns below.
1. WE DON’T WANT TO FREAK YOU OUT BUT AI IS A REAL THREAT TO REAL JOBS
According to Gallup's analysis, millennials are the generation most vulnerable to the threat of AI and automation. Don't want to be replaced by a robot? We feel that. (and robots never will, cough, cough. NEVER!)
Here's the deal. Millennials are much more tech savvy than older generations, but they also lack fewer managerial skills. In the past, this has been a plus ++++ on a resume. Millennials have helped move companies forward, adopt new operating systems, and move everything online, but younger workers' positions are more likely to be automated, and AI technologies now exist to do just that. AI can't manage a team, but it can input data and find flaws in operating systems and do it a whole lot faster and likely cheaper than human labor. Plus AI doesn't need health benefits. This is one of those shitty facets of capitalism. If it's likely to save a company money, it's likely to happen. According to the poll, nearly four in 10 millennials (37%) are at high risk of having their job replaced by automation, compared with 32% of those in the two older generations.
So what’s a living, breathing, human worker to do? For one, stop job hopping so often and make sure you are continually growing your skill set and value to the company. AI can't oversee a team, but you're never going to lead one if you keep doing this--
2. & WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? MILLENNIALS ARE JUMPING COMPANY SHIP FASTER THAN EVER
Millennials now represent the largest generation in the U.S. workforce -- and many don't stay with their company for the long term. Why this presents a problem/a major disruption for the modern workplace is multi-fold. Though millennials report having Gallup finds that only 29% of millennials are engaged at work. Gallup estimates that millennial turnover due to lack of engagement costs the U.S. economy $30.5 billion each year.
Employers need to focus on getting them to STAY with the company. Many millennials are job-hoppers, but this doesn't need to be accepted as the new normal. You want you employees to feel valued, especially as AI threatens to take over work. Gallup reports that 21% of millennials changed jobs within the past year, and six out of 10 millennials are open to different job opportunities right now. Make your employees feel both valued and engaged and they are less likely to jump ship.
If there are jobs within your company that are likely to be replaced with AI, get prepared as a leader of what that means for your company and your employees. Leaders should be asking the same question employees are: what will this workplace look like in the future?
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#Careergoals + #Hairgoals: Find Out Why This Celeb Stylist Is Both
beauty boss.
Kristin Ess has been doing hair for more than half of her life. Since she was 15, the hairstylist whose roster includes Lauren Conrad, Lucy Hale, and Halle Berry, has said “yes to anything and everything” that came her way. The stylist and her trademark vibrant redhead has done the salon thing, the editorial jobs, the freelance route, as well as assisting hairdressers she admired for free “a lot.” In 2011 she launched The Beauty Department, aimed at bridging the divide between the glam squad and the every-girl, work she has continued as founder of Kristin Ess Hair.
Taking on the role of founder it’s only natural that her workload has gotten “more intense,” as there is now “more to see, more to create,” as well as “more to dream up.” But don’t expect her to start slacking as a result. With a new Target collab, she's only getting started.
“I try to be as original as possible,” says the mane guru. “I don't go on Pinterest and just copy whatever pretty visuals I see. I don't creep other hairdressers and copy what they do. I do my research and try to bring something inspiring to the table.”
Despite her superhuman hair prowess and boss ass hair flips (see: above photo), the mane goddess is mortal. Over the holidays Kristin says she was walking about her house crying, wondering if she would ever sleep again. Between The Beauty Department relaunch, Kristin Ess Hair, the steady stream of content creator, travel, and being down two assistants, she had averaged between three to four hours a night for four days. “I actually googled, ‘Can you die from exhaustion?’”
She didn’t.
The hairstylist doesn’t set goals, something she says may be “a big no no according to some, but so far it’s worked for me.” She also doesn’t have habits or routine. “The one and only habit I have is brushing my teeth.”
As for her relationship to herself and career she’s keeping it real. “I think I've started to judge myself a little bit more in the last five years,” Kristin openly shares, “which I never did before. I thought I would have launched my line sooner, I thought I would have traveled more, I thought I would have lost weight, I thought I'd be more organized, I thought I would have a bigger team. I never would have thought those things about myself 10 years ago. But you get into your 30s and you start being a little harder on yourself. I catch myself in the moment, almost every time. I stop, mentally step back and look at what I am/do/have experienced and I remember I'm doing fucking great.”
When her clients feel good, she feels good. And her number one takeaway for them when they leave her chair is that “That they've been heard. That I get what they want and that I can deliver on what they've asked for.” It’s simple, but powerful and is in harmony with what she sees as one of the next big trends in beauty. “We're breaking down the walls of overpriced beauty!” she exclaims.
In an industry not known for being soft, rather one that Kristin says “can be very competitive and sometimes nasty,” she’s focused on a positive future. Encouraging “women, both friends and people I haven't met, via social media and throwing down all the YAS KWEENS I can. We’re all in this together and no one woman is better than the rest.”
While it may seem that the follicular feminist's career is on fire ('cause it is), Kristin remembers a past and “very wise” client who told her, "You never want to be on fire. Fires burn out. You always want to be smoking."
"You never want to be on fire. Fires burn out. You always want to be smoking."
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Sound advice that has stayed with her. “I’ve never desired to be the most famous hairstylist on earth. I never needed to have every single celebrity in my chair. I just want to do my job really well for a long time, and hopefully people will love it whether they're famous or not.”
Kristin will be joining us in Seattle for Create & Cultivate Seattle on September 9th. Nab a ticket now, before they sell out (they always do).
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C&C Classifieds Nº44: Be Social, catstudio, Leaf Group & More
You want options? We've got options
Classifieds No. 44
get a jump of your job hunt
Yesterday officially marked the first day of summer (what up long days and sweet summer nights, we see you.) But have you seen our newest job listings? We know it's tempting to endless summer it forever, but is that really what you want? We thought not.
Say hello to our newest batch of job listings.
BE SOCIAL, SAN DIEGO, CA
CATSTUDIO, MID-ATLANTIC, NORTHEAST
LEAF GROUP, SANTA MONICA, CA
COUPAR COMMUNICATIONS, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
THE PABLOVE FOUNDATION, LOS ANGELES, CA
THE MINE, KIRKLAND, WA
We Asked 5 Incredibly Motivated Women One Very Important Question
See for yourself.
Do you feel like you’re in the driver’s seat of your career? Even if you work for someone else, you don’t have to be an unwilling passenger. You have the chance every day to create something great.
So we wanted to know: What Drives You?
What are you motivated by? How do you remain encouraged in cut-throat, 9-9 all-the-time working world?
Read through and then go ahead— take the wheel. You career is all about the journey.
“My biggest motivation is remembering that it’s not all about me, but the people who may view my work. It’s easy to get caught up in the selfishness of creating something because at the root of it all, it *is* my name attached to the piece, but ultimately, i’m doing everything for those that don’t know how to use their voice and talent just yet. i also have to remind myself that this path was the only path that i wanted to take when i was a teenager and if 14-year-old Courtney woke up everyday knowing she’d eventually photograph musicians for a living, then the least I could do is fulfill that dream. even when life gets a little rough.” — Courtney Coles, photographer
“I don’t know how to slow down so I am driven by the desire to create something bigger and better every single time we produce a conference. That comes in many forms. Panels that push the conversation further, mentor power hours that really deliver, and cultivating relationships with brands onsite. There is so much that happens over the phone or email, that when you’re actually able to build relationships with a brand in person, it’s amazing. For instance, Volvo drove their new XC60 into our NYC event but they also provided VIP transport for our panelists and speakers in their XC90. And after seeing ways to integrate in New York – now they are planning something cooler for Seattle. Integration can happen on so many levels and figuring out how creative a brand is willing to be is so much fun. You just never know what a brand will bring to the table and every single moment brings a chance for opportunity. It’s up to me (and you) to grab ahold of the wheel.” —Jaclyn Johnson, CEO Create & Cultivate
“Past professional (and personal) experiences, each with its own lesson, have an amazing way of building on each other and coming together over time. Seeing big ideas come to life by making unexpected connections (and a lot of hard work), drive me to keep on going and see what’s next.” —Emily Atlier, Marketing Associate, Goop
“What drives me is the knowledge that the state of the world today was caused by men and women who were not engaged enough in their communities and political processes. That somewhere along the line the narrative of “powerless” was believed, that we still hear the statement of “my vote or voice does not count” when in fact that same vote (or lack thereof) is what got us here today. It is a mere belief that stops most of us from taking our future and lives into our own hands. To change that, I don’t have to cause a mass movement, have millions of dollars, lobby in Washington or convince a senate and the 1% to all of a sudden start looking out for me. No. All I have to do is go into my own family and community and have an empowering conversation, and then another one, and another one...and what’s a simpler solution than that? To make people realize that the future, their future, is not in some politicians hand, but that it is truly and only up to us. Just like it always has been.” —Ann Kleinhenz, co-founder & executive director, Up To Us
"I always ask the people I meet what they're passionate about, what makes them wake up in the morning; I've found that this is a better indicator of who someone is versus asking what they do for a living. The thing that drives me with my work is the fact that I get to do what I'm passionate about: support artists, build community and use the arts to give back. I recognize that it may not be possible for me to change the whole world, but if I focus on what's in my hands each day (instead of getting bogged down by superfluous details and the "what ifs" of the future), I can make an impact in the world around me; and ripple effects are real.”— Michelle Young, Founder of The Box Presents
So what drives you? Tell us in the comments below!