How This Company Helps You Plan Your Wedding Remotely Without Taking PTO
Save the PTO for the honeymoon.
When we think back to the fantasy wedding we dreamt up as kids, the day was filled with effortless joy and a setting fit for a princess. But fast forward 20 years or so, when you’re actually getting married, and the reality is much different — perhaps without the horse-drawn carriage. Finding your match and planning your lives together is a beautiful thing. But planning a wedding? That isn’t always pretty.
It’s becoming more common for couples to take valuable paid-time-off (PTO) to plan their special day. The entire process can feel like a second full-time job. There are more details and logistics that you didn’t think were possible. And while planning your wedding is a precious memory you’ll always have, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice other areas of your life.
And that is where WeddingWire can help. As the destination for couples looking to get things done when it comes to wedding planning, WeddingWire is a smarter way to coordinate your special day. Nearly 83% of couples plan their wedding online — but with so many venues, planners, and suggestions out there, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.
WOMAN WITH A PLAN
WeddingWire provides the most in-depth information, inspiration and planning tools, to help you make choices you can feel confident in. They have a directory of over 500,000 global wedding professionals — local to your ceremony location — and 5 million global vendor reviews. Now that’s comprehensive. And with their Vendor Manager feature, you can find, save, and mark these vendors as “booked.” Save the spreadsheets or sticky notes for another time, WeddingWire has the organization you need at home and on the go. Especially with their app, which includes wedding day countdown, messaging ability vendors, as well as access your wedding planning checklist.
$AVVY PLANNING, MADE EA$Y
Even better? WeddingWire is completely free. And with an average wedding costing close to $30,000, high quality resources that don’t break the bank are truly a gift. Speaking of which, WeddingWire also helps you compare vendor pricing and availability, as well as provides tools for tasks like budgeting. In fact, their Budgeting Tool will help you track spending, set up payment schedules, and redistribute funds. This is the peace of mind you and your wallet both need when planning a wedding.
MAKE YOUR LIST + CHECK IT TWICE
Bringing together two families can be heart-warming and exciting — but the guest list and seating chart can feel like a scramble. The first step, make sure you have a clear understanding of who’s related to who, who’s friends with who. And second, use WeddingWire’s Guest List Tool to build and track your guest list, in addition to marking off whether or not they sent a gift. Pro tip: Have stationary ready for those Thank You notes.
And the seating chart? They have a tool for that. Once you reach this stage in the planning process, this feature can help you lay out your floor plan and drag and drop guests from your list. And if you really want to make sure your in-laws happy, WeddingWire has a Hotel Blocks feature that allows you to find and reserve hotel rooms for your wedding guests. Now everyone will be well-rested, perfectly seated, and gets a Thank You note. Kudos to you!
All this to say, save your PTO for your honeymoon. WeddingWire is the leading online wedding marketplace to help you plan your wedding with confidence. From their app to their budgeting features, WeddingWire gives you the power to plan your wedding efficiently and effectively. Because your big day deserves to be the day you’ve always dreamed of — maybe with that horse-drawn carriage, after all.
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4 Microaggressions You're Not Paying Attention To
You start the call, Jim.
photo credit: Smith House Photography
Overt workplace sexism is easy to spot. Most of the time.
Sexual harassment. Harassing language. Comments about women's bodies, clothing, and the way we speak-- we have a pretty firm grasp on the big NOs. Those are all means for dismissal.
But sometimes sexism is so engrained/are attitudes we've adopted toward ourselves that we don't even notice it's happening. Company culture often starts at the top and gets reinforced by managers, so it’s not hard to see how a toxic culture could breed an environment of harassment, intimidation, and generally offensive behavior.
And it's often up to us to make the shift. Even when presented with evidence, men have a hard time accepting that gender bias is real.
So here are four microaggressions that can slowly chip away at your self-confidence in the workplace.
Are you being asked to start the call?
Whether you’re the most senior person in the room or the most junior, are the women always being asked to dial in to start the call? Pay attention to who is charged with the dial in. It seems small, perhaps petty even, but making or asking for small shifts like these to be made can actually change company culture.
Next time. You start the call, Jim.
You're asked to order lunch.
Everyone gets hungry, but if you're the only woman on the team (or one of few) and you're constantly being asked to order lunch, or do tasks that are often assigned to assistants, it's time to put an end to it.
There is nothing wrong with ordering lunch. There is something wrong if you're the one asked to do it ALL the TIME.
"You should be good at that."
The should that launched a thousand eye rolls. Any time someone suggest that you "should" be good at something based on your gender or race, that's not a compliment. Maybe you are good at it, but it's the intention behind the "compliment."
Your authority is constantly in question
Studies have shown that men often question the authority of their female manager, circumventing their authority and asking make boss before proceeding with a task. Derald Sue Wing, a leading scholar of microaggressions and professor of psychology and education at Columbia University, told Forbes, "“This is the type of climate that many women experience every day,” said Sue. “It can be exhausting and tiring, leading to battle fatigue that is invisible to fellow co-workers and, oftentimes, invisible to female employees. Often, they internalize their feelings and feel less worthy and less capable.”
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Why You Should Stop with the #Squadgoals
You're only showing #HalftheStory.
photo credit: Half the Story
Written By: Karin Eldor
Celebrities, bloggers and founders have been vocal about the negative impact social media has had on their well-being, to the point where many have implemented a detox or complete hiatus from their digital channels. Kanye is currently inactive on social; Ed Sheeran quit Twitter this summer after he was dragged on social due to his Game of Thrones cameo; and Saturday Night Live’s Leslie Jones took a short Twitter break after trolls cyber-bullied her. (She returned two weeks later, because she always gets back up. Yaaasss Queen.)
Chrissy Teigen expressed her dismay when she recently stumbled on a website created with the sole purpose of cyberbullying her. Not only is she often publicly shamed for her parenting choices, but some haters even mock her for being open about her experiences with depression and IVF. Sadly, people can be this mean.
On this World Day of Bullying Prevention (which always falls on the first Monday of October) and with World Mental Health Day around the corner on October 10th, it’s critical to highlight cyberbullying and how we can make strides to take it on—together.
Let’s Get Real
Shoutout to #HalfTheStory for providing a platform for people to create real connections with others, while shedding light on mental health and cyberbullying in the process. Founded by fashion blogger and social media strategist, Larissa May, #HalfTheStory is a global community that encourages people to share parts of their lives that exist outside the standard social media narrative. Life unfiltered. No Instagram highlight reels: just realness.
It currently features over 2,500 stories about bullying experiences, mental health, struggles, and crucial life experiences. People who have openly shared their story on #HalfTheStory include Ban.do founder and CCO Jen Gotch and singer Grace VanderWaal.
According to a recent Teen Vogue article, “cyberbullying can be even nastier than IRL bullying, since people sometimes feel less responsible for their words and less inclined to think before they type.” The article also lists the results of a 2016 study, which states that 34% of people experience cyberbullying at some point in their lives, and that it can have real consequences on one’s mental health.
34% of people experience cyberbullying at some point in their lives.
May explains: “As adults, many of us think that ‘cyberbullying’ is only something that applies to a younger generation, but I often overhear conversations about people judging and commenting about others’ social media profiles. The female community is stronger than ever, yet social media still seems to be a barrier to our positive human interactions.”
So how is #HalfTheStory taking the steps towards solving this issue?
About #HalfTheStory
First, here’s the behind-the-scenes story: When social media strategist/producer/fashion blogger Larissa May, a.k.a. Larz, decided to launch #HalfTheStory, she was a student at Vanderbilt University and juggling her other life as a fashion blogger, covering New York Fashion Week for media outlets. While on her way to interview Diane von Furstenberg, a completely burned-out May face-planted: juggling 17-hour workdays took its toll on her.
But the picture that May’s own hyper-curated social media feed painted was that of a girl who not only had everything together, but was living “THE. DREAM.” After all, May wasn’t posting photos of sleep deprivation, debilitating anxiety and stress-infused selfies. So she decided to invest her full self into #HalfTheStory.
#HalfTheStory celebrates hidden human talents, passions, beliefs, and struggles that connect us on a deeper, more human level.
May continues: “By sharing a part of our identity that is not regularly revealed through social media, we can encourage positive interactions on social media. Social media is a very vulnerable place and has opened another door for bullying, exclusivity and Instagram squads.”
"Social media is a very vulnerable place and has opened another door for bullying."
Tweet this.
But these squads are far from #goals.
“When I first started #HalfTheStory, I was balancing two worlds, as a full-time student at Vanderbilt and the NYFW scene. In both parts of my life, individuals expressed their concerns and dissatisfaction with the ‘disconnect’ that social media created. As female leaders, it’s our job to set the precedent for future generations by encouraging positive behaviors on social media, showing support for others, and preventing negative interactions.”
In addition to what #HalfTheStory is doing on social media, it’s also making an impact IRL, with workshops at Universities and Organizations about positive social media use. It has hosted workshops titled "The Power of Social Storytelling" and “Transcending the Stigma” at Fordham, Vanderbilt, The New School (including Parsons), and Miami Ad School, and the team is heading to University of Southern California this month. These interactive sessions serve to give participants a chance to learn about positive social media behavior and share their experiences with each platform.
Here’s What We Can All Do
Here are some tips to help prevent cyberbullying, or at least combat the effects of it, according to Larissa May:
1. Stand up for what you believe in.
Don’t be afraid to share your truth, despite the smoke and mirrors we tend to create on social media. This is stronger than authenticity; it’s having the courage to share your voice in your posts, without worrying about the likes, dislikes or unfollows. Also, keep in mind that like attracts like; so whoever un-follows you as a result of one of your posts is likely not aligned with your brand message anyhow. “Bye, Felicia.”
2. There’s no such thing as #squadgoals. Stop trying to create the illusion of a social media clique.
Yes, the feeling of inclusion creates a sense of community, but it can also have the reverse effect and make others feel lonely. Don’t feed (or buy) into this type of social engineering and instead create an inclusive, empathetic narrative on your social platforms.
"Create an inclusive, empathetic narrative on your social platforms."
Tweet this.
3. If you see a post that causes concern, give your friend a call rather than making a comment.
If you notice a friend’s post in which they seem sad or troubled, reach out rather than commenting on their social feed. #HalfTheStory’s mission is all about bringing the human touch back into our interactions, rather than being out of touch.
Ed note: We are definitely here for this, especially given the tragic events in Las Vegas. If you see something that concerns you, say something. You never know whose life it will save.
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Find Out Why Lisa Ling Is the Most Exposed She's Ever Been
The award-winning journalist is at it again.
Lisa Ling in “Sexual Healing” Credit: Jeff Hutchens
A journalist exposes the truth. They aren’t usually the ones to expose themselves. But in Season 4 Episode 1 of the CNN docuseries This is Life with award-winning journalist and host Lisa Ling, that’s exactly what she does. Strips down. Gets exposed. Quite literally stands naked in front of her subjects and her crew to talk about her body. (You’ll have to tune in for tonight’s premiere to see what we mean.)
Ling says that was an unusual circumstance and a kind of journalistic storytelling we don’t often see. “I try very hard to not become the story. I am the vehicle. Some of the other guys on shows on CNN and other networks, it’s really about their journey." She repeats, "For me, I am the vehicle.”
“I try very hard to not become the story. I am the vehicle."
Tweet this.
However, she says that as “I was watching this young man with a ‘deformed’ body, stand there and talk about the things he loved about his body-- he stood there so confidently, I felt compelled to do it as well. It was one of those moments I didn’t expect I would ever do-- but I shared this very poignant experience with those two.”
The young man she’s referring to is Justin, one of the focal points in Episode 1 ‘Sexual Healing,’ who has cerebral palsy and visits a San Francisco-based sex therapist to deal with intimacy issues. In the episode Justin and therapist both get naked, stand in front of the mirror and talk about things they like.
Ling says, “I look at my body differently now, I still have issues. But I look at it differently after that experience. I was having trouble looking at myself but now I think, I freakin’ birthed two humans. I carried two humans and had them surgically removed from them. I should stand up and be proud of that. And anyone who gives me shit about that,” she laughs, “they can screw themselves.”
Part of Ling’s strength, which she plays to in Season 4, is that she digs into hard topics, sensitive topics, somehow able to be both fully immersed and totally omniscient when needed. Some reporters like to get in the shower without getting wet. Ling does the opposite: she soaks it all in and, in return, gets soaked. Or in the case of ‘Sexual Healing,’ gets naked.
There are moments in the first episode, where Ling attends a group sex therapy session with Psalm Isadora, a known sex expert and relationship guru, who has since passed since the episode was shot. In one scene Isadora instructs the class to pump their arms and yell out “YES,” while she simultaneously shouts, “orgasm is God!” At this moment the camera cuts to Ling, whose face is part horrified part happy: she’s uncomfortable. Admittedly so. “I grew up in a family that was very weird about sex. I was ordered never to have it. Never let my husband see me naked.” She even tells us that it was harder to get naked, stand in front of the mirror, and talk about her body, than it was to report on the front lines of Iraq and Afghanistan-- which is where she started her career.
(L) “Patriot Movement” Credit: Eros Hoagland; (R) Lisa Ling in “Lost Vegas” Credit: CNN
“Because of how I was raised and the pressure that society puts on women, I’ve always felt kind of insecure,” she pauses and corrects herself here. “I’ve always felt insecure. When you watch any episode of television I’ve ever done in my life, I’ve always been very covered up, wearing the same shade of cargo pant. V-necks, but not too low. I have a certain look and one that's not revealing or distracting in any way.”
So why leave that shot in? “In that environment," she says, "which was so freeing and uninhibited, it was really uncomfortable. But if I'm going to allow other people to do something really uncomfortable, sometimes I feel like it’s not fair if I don’t do it myself.”
“I grew up in a family that was very weird about sex. I was ordered never to have it."
Tweet this.
When asked if there are moments where she’s felt she's gone or taken something too far, she says, “This coming season I embedded with the militia in Arizona and one of the conditions of getting the interview with these guys was that I had to fire a semi-automatic weapon. I am virulently anti-gun, but I did it and was actually really good at it. But I definitely did think to myself ‘Is this the kind of thing I want put on television?’ But in the end, despite political differences, of which there were many, especially since she was with them post-election, something she calls "personally quite devastating," she walked away with something useful. "What I came away with and what I very often come away with when I’m working on these kinds of stories, that despite different political ideologies, we have some common ground. No matter where I am or who I’m with we always get to the humanity of every story.”
Over the course of her career and with 'This Is Life,' Ling has been granted unprecedented access to many groups, like the Mongols. Though she says she’s not trying to “uncover stories,” she does bring a voice to stories that haven’t been publicly told, explaining she thinks a journalist is a storyteller. But even now, those stories don’t simply land in her inbox. “I fancy myself as a bit of a hustler,” she says. “I’m a very persistent person. I can be aggressive in my own way. You have to constantly be pushing to get the stories that you want told, told. I know that I can’t get complacent or stagnant. These kind of episodes are going to come to me, I have to find them and I have to push for them if I really want to do them.”
“This is Life with Lisa Ling,” premieres tonight, October 1 on CNN. In addition, she has a digital series coming out this fall, “This is Sex with Lisa Ling,” where she explores the enduring taboos around sex in this country.
Arianna Schioldager is Editor-in-Chief at Create & Cultivate. You can follow her @ariannawrotethis.
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F*ck Cancer Founders On Turning The F Word into a Rallying Call
Giving all of the f*cks.
Giving all of the F*cks.
Pink products to raise awareness and walks to raise money, but when it comes to a cancer diagnosis there is one word on everyone’s mind: fuck.
When Yael Cohen Braun’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 it was certainly a word that crossed her mind. So she made a shirt for her mom to wear in recovery. That shirt read: Fuck Cancer. That slogan became a non-profit by the same name, one that addressed the perils of the disease with wit and humor and that rallied people around sentiments felt by everyone when facing down the Big C. It’s a message of empowerment with a built-in rallying call. A big FU to the big C, if you will. Even Yael’s title at the non-profit, “Chief Cancer Fucker,” reminds people to not get beatdown by the disease and that there is a community of support.
Julie Greenbaum, co-founder and CRO, got involved in 2010 after her mother passed away from ovarian cancer. Honoring her mother’s legacy is what motivates and fuels her day-to-day.
“My mother was one of my greatest mentors, her positive attitude was always something I admired, something she instilled in her children,” Julie shares.
Yael was working in finance when her mom was diagnosed. She looked around for support, unable to find an organization willing to engage and do what Yael thought needed to be done: namely, activating youth’s participation in the fight, which including encouraging them to talk to their parents about early detection screenings and prevention efforts. Everything she found was pink and pretty— something that cancer is not. Engaging a digitally savvy crowd was also an important part of spreading the prevention message.
The women came together after realizing, “that by joining forces we would be able to make a greater impact in the Cancer space. Our desire was to create and stronger more impactful charity. We bonded over this overarching goal.”
Now some people don’t love the word fuck. That’s a given. But the co-founders aren’t concerned. They aren’t trying to be doctors or politically correct. First and foremost they are daughters, bonded by an experienced shared by so many. “I'm learning how important it is to grant yourself the freedom to live your life authentically,” says Julie who dropped out of college to focus on running the charity full time. “To really get to know yourself by exposing yourself to as many opportunities as you can. It has taken time and maturity to develop this comfort.”
In between running Fuck Cancer, and being new mom to Jagger, Yael also runs motherlucker.com, a honest breakdown of the realities of motherhood. The day-to-day can feel overwhelming; “we’re a smaller team and oftentimes we’re forced to juggle many different responsibilities,” Julie shares. But says, “Life doesn't owe you anything. You owe it to yourself to make your life the best that it can be.”
The includes remaining “constantly inspired by our team and the amazing people I continue to meet. I continue to feel a strong sense of determination and confidence in knowing that our charity is making and difference and playing an important role.”
Links From Our Group Chat: Sofia Vergara Is Making Bank & A Brand New CoverGirl
You better work.
Tomorrow is... dun. dun. dun... October. We're not sure how we got here. It feels like just yesterday we were heading to SXSW to host our first conference of the year-- and now, well. It's almost the end of 2017. That's crazy.
What's also crazy you ask? The news! It's a wild ride out there. This is what we passed back and forth this week in our office.
How did we never realized what a freakin' hustler Sofia Vergara is? Stack that paper.
Did you know that Sally Hansen was a real person. We didn't either.
Unrelated: a record number of Americans contracted STDs in 2016. Practice safe sex.
CoverGirl debuted its newest ambassador: Maye Musk, 69, who has been modeling for five decades. She is also a dietitian and nutritionist with two master’s degrees.
You can't be a boss if you don't understand yourself first.
Also, can we link to our own content? Cause there's another Sophia we couldn't stop talking about this week..
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Being Interviewed? Here Is the Only Piece of Advice You Need
Ok.. so it's three pieces of advice. We're givers.
photo credit: Smith House Photography
So. It's finally happened. The day has come when an editor or blogger has reached out to YOU because they want to profile you/your business/your brain on their outlet.
Has the panic set in yet? While there is plenty of advice we could dole out-- be AUTHENTIC ( are you sick of that word yet?), be honest, be prepared, ask for the questions in advance so you can prep, know your audience, know your interviewer and check out their past work-- the list goes on. And while most of that advice matters, we're sharing our top three picks.
1. Contrary to what you just read-- Don't ask for the questions in advance.
Does that scare you? It should. Be nervous. Revel in nervous. The best content comes from a place of discomfort. And as such, the best interviews aren't prepared. If you're accepting the interview in the first place, you should have trust that you're in good interviewer hands. But pre-planned answers and media training. You know your work. You need to trust in yourself as well. Actress Zoey Deutch once told us, "I don't know if media trained Zoey is a role I want to play." And asking for questions in advance is just that-- you playing a role.
2. Do it over the phone or in person.
Everyone has gotten pretty lazy when it comes to the interview. In part, the email Q&A is the fault of the content churn and burn-- you can't produce multiple in-person interviews per day. Transcription is time consuming. It's much easier to send things via email and have the subject do the work for you. Everyone is guilty of this because there isn't enough time. TIME YOU DEVIL.
But WHEN and IF possible always ask to do it over the phone or in-person. Your responses and your personality will shine through in the piece. That's what you want the public to see.
And if you're the interviewer, or green to this whole profession and feel more comfortable conducting an interview over email, today's the day: it's time to step out of your comfort zone. That's where the good content is.
"Today's the day: It's time to get out of your comfort zone."
Tweet this.
3. Learn how to speak in Tweets.
Sure, Twitter may have upped the character limit to 280 for some users, (and man, people don't like it) but you still need to talk in Tweets. Call them "sound bites" or "quotables," just don't call them late for dinner! But really, if you want your interview to be shared (which, is the goal for most) you need to make sure that it is sharable. That doesn't mean dumbing down your language. Brevity is the soul of wit. Wit gets Tweeted. Wit gets shared.
When we get nervous we tend to ramble. Rambling lives at the corner of no one is reading and high bounce rate. Don't overthink sounding smart. Sound human. Be human. (Goes back to not asking for questions in advance.)
Many women we've spoken to are masters at this. Kristen Bell. Sophia Bush. Yvonne Orji.
Examples include:
"Don’t let your feelings of self-worth come from detached clicks."
"Let social media be fun. Don’t let it be important."
"I stand my ground and do my thing as me. I can go toe-to-toe with the next guy."
But they're famous you say. People pay attention to them no matter what. Did you ever think people started paying attention because they knew this was key to mastering the interview?
Think about it.
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Bizz What? Jen Gotch Is Dishing All Her Best Business Advice
Q&A is the new T&A.
If you're like us, Jen Gotch's Instgram stories are at the top of your must-watch list. Every. damn. day. The CCO and Founder of the fun-centric Ban.do has built a brand with cult-like following of millennials. #FORBES. While she might not like to admit it, she's pretty D.O.P.E. at this whole business thing. And when she's not making us laugh (and/or cry and/or laugh-cry) on IG stories, she shoots an advice series called Honor Roll answering fan-submitted questions about business-related things + more.
Watch her spill on spill some solid bizz advice for anyone looking to turn that side-hustle into a full time thing.
Q: I'M THINKING OF STARTING A BUSINESS. ANY ADVICE?
Q: WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR REACHING POTENTIAL FOLLOWERS WITHOUT A LARGE FOLLOWING?
Q: HOW DO I GET STARTED ON MY OWN BUSINESS WITH LIMITED MONEY?
BONUS. Jen also designed a super soft, short sleeve t-shirt as a little tribute to her advice series and 15% of the proceeds will be donated to writegirl, an la-based creative writing and mentoring organization that promotes creativity, critical thinking and leadership skills to empower teen girls.
Love these? We'll be sharing more videos starring JG soon. Leave your burning business questions below!
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Create & Cultivate Classifieds No 58: Covet PR, Ritual & US!
Summer is over. (Sad face.) Get a job!
Hey you! Looking for a little boost in salary right in time for fall? You've come to the right place. Knowing what's out there on the job market can be a helpful resource in one of two ways: 1) when you are attempting to negotiate that raise you so deserve OR 2) when you've decided it may be time to move onto better and brighter things. Either way, staying up to speed is MAJOR KEY. So here are six new jobs to keep ya fresh.
ALSO, while we have your attention, you're going to want to check out this bomb-dot-com piece we published about the ONE WORD our favorite boss babes want you to stop using. Trust us, you're going to be removing "just" quicker than quick.
Create & Cultivate - Los Angeles, CA
Ritual - Los Angeles, CA
The Infatuation - New York City, NY
Covet PR - San Diego, CA
J Public Relations
WANT MORE? SIGN UP TO RECEIVE OUR FULL CLASSIFIEDS LISTINGS HERE.
photo credit: A Pinch of Lovely (right); White and Wander (left)
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The One Skill This Owner Says All Small-Biz Employees Need
Read this if you work on a small team.
Maybe you’re employee #4 at a brand-spankin’-new startup. Or you’ve launched your own thing, made a couple hires (go you!), and are looking to gently coax the most productivity out of your team. Even if you can count the number of employees at your company on one hand, small teams can be mighty.
The small-team dynamic is singular. You’re agile and energized. Communication flows easily. Ideas blossom, are seen to fruition, and are celebrated (or mourned if they fail, which—let’s be real—can happen!). You feel true ownership in the company and its outcome. Not to mention that coworkers frequently become as close as family, easily trading sibling-esque banter that can make work feel like play. But certain things that fly at big companies (like flying under the radar), are a no-go on small teams. Employees’ contributions are obvious, which means pulling your weight and then some, and also learning skills that don’t always align with your background or, frankly, job description (not necessarily a bad thing!).
One woman who knows this better than most is Alice Rossiter, the Boston-based 27-year-old founder of Alice’s Table, a new company that throws chic flower-arranging events in cool venues around the country, and also teaches people how to host their own workshops so they can launch a creative career or side hustle. (And you know we love a side hustle.) They just graduated from Techstars, have thrown events in half of the states in the U.S., have onboarded nearly 100 event Execs, and frequently collaborate with companies like Good Housekeeping and Country Living.
And they have 6 employees.
So we reached out to pick her brain for some advice on how to achieve small-team success.
What are the benefits of a small team?
With a small team communicate is much easier. We’re all on the same page about projects. In fact we all sit in the same room! We all rely on each other's work so much that each person feels accountable to get their job done. Also a small team is great for building strong relationships.
What are some ways an employee on a small team can excel?
Being a team player is key! There are always projects that don’t clearly fall in anyone’s lap so over-performers pick up those balls and run with them. It’s also important for you to be constantly learning. You might not come in knowing anything about Facebook ads, for example, but if your company decides to give them a go, you’ll be willing to figure them out and try to make them as successful as possible.
“I am a true believe that grit is the key to success.”
Tweet this.
How has your team stepped up in the past?
On a small team it’s inevitable that unexpected tasks will come up. For us it happens every week—that's the nature of an event-focused business! My team has gone above and beyond countless times, from working through customer-care complications on the weekend, to rushing to an event after work to take photos for an exciting press opportunity that we would have otherwise missed. We’ve had to problem-solve flower deliveries going missing in the middle of the country and hurricanes canceling our flower orders. Above all, working for a small company takes agility and passion.
What’s your take on work quality vs speed?
We all have endless task lists—even more so on a small team—so time-management is extremely important. I can be a master procrastinator, so I feel the pain! I encourage my team to set aside time each day to work on tasks that are easy to complete, in addition to dedicating blocks of time to bigger think projects. When you strategically plan out your work, it automatically sets a time limit and typically that focus produces a higher quality result. The best small-team employees don’t labor indefinitely on a single task—they just can’t! There’s not enough time! You have to make sure that ‘great’ doesn’t get in the way of ‘done.’
What’s more important: Talent or motivation?
Motivation, always! The number one skill I always look for is work ethic; someone willing to go the extra mile to find the right answer. Anyone can learn a skill if they have the drive! When I started dreaming about Alice’s Table, I didn’t know much about flowers and now I can whip up a professional arrangement in under five minutes! I am a true believe that grit is the key to success.
Would you recommend that employees learn other parts of the business?
Completely! When I launched Alice’s Table I was CEO (of myself), chief bucket washer, trash collector, customer-care agent—you name it! Understanding each team member's role (and how your roles intersect) usually unlocks ideas for ways you can help each other out.
Should employees push for regular brainstorming sessions?
“I’ve always had the mindset that many heads are better than one. We all bring different perspectives to the table, and those contributions help keep our ideas fresh and propel our business forward. We have multiple strategy sessions as a team each week.”
What is the one skill you’d recommend all small-team employees possess?
“Everyone needs Excel skills! Tracking your data is key and as a small business you usually can’t afford all the fancy tools, but Excel always does the trick!”
On the other hand, what’s one thing that someone on a small team should never do?
Never be afraid to ask questions. For example, we just closed our first round of fundraising. I encouraged everyone to ask questions because it was important to me that everyone on my team knew what was going on, and why we were making certain decisions as a company. We would never grow if we never asked questions, even the silly ones.
“You have to make sure that ‘great’ does not get in the way of ‘done.’”
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How do soft skills come into play?
As a team of six, we work extremely closely—five feet apart to be exact! Strong communication and interpersonal skills allow our team to challenge each other, but also to take time to celebrate our successes!
Startups are often encouraged to fail fast and pivot, since they usually don’t have the resources to keep a failing idea afloat. When should someone be able to realize that a certain strategy might not be working?
I always tell my team, ‘If something seems to be heading south, speak up!’ We’re all about process-building, but if a process isn’t working and is causing more mental exhaustion than progress, it’s either time to revisit, or move on all together. Since we’re constantly growing and trying out new systems, I try to remain flexible when setting timelines. Our team checks in weekly on a variety of projects to make sure we feel confident in the direction they’re heading. Identifying a roadblock is the most important step to fixing the issue and pushing the business forward!
How do the best small-team members handle failure?
Failures feel like sh*t—it’s just a fact of life. Every startup has good days and bad days (or, as we like to say, good hours and bad hours). On a small team we thrive off of each other’s energy, so, even when faced with a loss, it's important to keep our heads up, reflect, and move forward. I’m also working harder to celebrate our victories (big and small), because taking time to enjoy the wins puts the hard times into perspective. Plus, we all need to pop a little bubbly now and again!
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4 Times Glam App Comes Through in the Clutch
Glam is a state of mind.
Makeup doesn’t make the girl, the girl makes the makeup. And we hope you know you’re gorgeous through and through-- because. you. are. freaking. gorgeous.
But occasionally, whether for a special occasion or due to lack of time, you need a glam squad to come through on-demand.
In 2015 Cara Santana, alongside close friend and celebrity makeup artist Joey Maalouf to launch the Glam App, available in 22 cities across the country.
Today, with the push of a button, the Glam App delivers beauty experts to your front door. (Or office door.) Offering services that range from a blow dry, to make up applications, to a mani-touchup. Here are five ways the service comes through in the clutch! So you can grab yours and head out the door.
You’re About to Meet the Microsoft CEO
OK. While we realize this isn’t an everyday occurrence, this did happen to us during Create & Cultivate Seattle. And Glam App made sure that we looked the part before going to shake the hand of Satya Nadella. NBD.
Truth is, sometimes biz life throws you a curve ball and you need to be able to act quickly. Instead of freaking out that you don’t have your makeup bag and that your hair is a hot mess, all you have to do is push a button, request a service, and march off like a boss to holler at Satya.
Your Boss Needs You as a Last Minute Plus One
The invites that make their way into your boss’ inbox don’t often make their way to yours. Listen, those RVSPs come with time, but every so often she’ll ask you to be her +1 to an event, even though you might be sitting at your desk feeling like a -2.
Push that glam button. Even if you don’t need makeup or hair services, this would be the perfect time to get a quick mani. With all the hands you’ll be shaking at the party, you want those fingers polished when you’re passing out biz cards.
You Need to Treat Yourself Cause You Got a Raise
We are on-the-go women with very little time to take care of ourselves. But celebrating our accomplishments is vital to our next success. It’s a confidence boost that every self-made woman needs.
If you just got a raise, or are about to get a holiday bonus, you can baby-splurge, get your makeup and hair done and hit the town with your #workwife to celebrate. You deserve it.
Um… It’s About to Be Holiday Party Season
How many invites are too many invites? When it comes to holiday time you have to make some tough decisions about what to RSVP yes to. But you shouldn’t have to make tough decisions about how good you look.
To easily take your look from office to office party, get glam right at your desk while you fire off the final emails of the day. That’s called glam multi-tasking.
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C&C Classifieds Nº56: Microsoft, Krupa Consulting, Loeffler Randall & more
Where my career dogs at?
photo credit: Alyssa Dawson
Jobs! How many of us have them? How many of us need them? Jobs!
We've got them. On this week's Create & Cultivate Classifieds, we have options from fashion houses to tech powerhouses.
And whether you're looking for employment or the chance to relaunch your career, it might be time to dust off that resume!
Krupa Consulting - Los Angeles, CA
Loeffler Randall - New York, NY
Participant Media - Los Angeles, CA
Amazon - Santa Monica, CA
Microsoft - Seattle, WA
Fight Stage Fright: Five Killer Steps to Speaking on Panel
From light stalking to cheat sheets.
Photo: Alyssa Dawson
Written by: Michelle Newbery, President of The Mine
I’ve had the opportunity to attend and participate in many panels over my career. The first one I ever attended was the Lowe's Women’s Leadership Summit, an annual event created by Lowe’s to empower women in retail and foster diverse thinking. It was an amazing experience that helped shape my career path at Lowe’s (which owns The Mine), inspired me to pursue my goals, and motivated me to help other women find success.
As President of The Mine, it was an honor to be asked again to be a panelist for the Create & Cultivate Conference at Microsoft Headquarters in Redmond, Washington. I’m deeply invested in the entrepreneurial pursuits of my fellow women in business, and I take my role in this event very seriously.
Here’s how I approached preparing for this year’s event:
1. Research the other presenters, and be prepared to get (a little) personal.
Organic dialogue between panelists always resonates with audiences, and it’s much easier to do if you can quickly and easily establish a genuine rapport with them. I was once on a panel at the Forrester’s Digital Transformation Event with other Lowe’s execs and we discussed the challenges of balancing speed with quality, and how to find middle ground that helped create The Mine as a very nimble part of the Lowe’s organization. The audience enjoyed the discussion, but became even more engaged when we framed “finding the middle ground” in a context of the Lowes.com VP’s love of barbecue and my tastes as a vegetarian. We talked about how compromise can lead to creative solutions, much like those we rely on at The Mine. In short, personalizing the story – revealing something about yourself to both the audience and your fellow panelists – can increase engagement across the board.
2. Know your audience, and know how to connect with them.
Who attends the event and what are they most interested in? How can you personally relate to them and share your own experiences in a way that will both inspire and help them get further, faster? I remember being at the Time, Inc., Home Summit and how designers there appreciated hearing about how e-commerce can positively impact their business. They also enjoyed learning about how we work with designers like Alexa Hampton; how meaningful those relationships can become. It’s easy for me to speak from the heart to designers about design, because it’s a passion of mine. But, what if you face an audience with interests that don’t dovetail so well with your own? It’s important to spend time learning about what you do have in common, so you can be prepared to best resonate with your audience.
3. Create a target list.
Who’s going to be at this event that you want to meet? You should always start networking before you get there. It only takes a moment to browse or start following an Instagram or Twitter feed to get familiar with what kinds of things interest the people you want to meet. If they have written a book or an article, read it. Mentioning it can make for a pretty irresistible conversation starter.
4. Make a cheat sheet and fill it with WOW.
Okay, so it’s not really a cheat sheet, but hopefully it got your attention – because these days fast facts and one-liners have the kind of social “stickiness” that big speeches lost long ago. Coming prepared with key statistics and talking points you can easily reference will help you show up authentically and build creditability. That’s what I learned at Create & Cultivate New York, an amazing conference to help women literally create and cultivate the careers of their dreams. Those women really knew the power of social media and were ready to use it. Audiences now have more socialsavvy than ever – they’ll Tweet you before you’re even ready, so keep your cheat sheet and WOW metrics close at hand.
5. Leave the script at home.
This is a tough tip to follow, but it’s important. It’s better to be natural, and maybe a little flawed, than to recite canned material like a robot. Be able to talk spontaneously about your facts, not just recite them. Preparing you message is important, but whem I’m facing an audience I try to relax and share by ideas more naturally by infusing personal stores and humor were possible. As a mom of a teenage daughter and tween son, I have a lot of material. Keep it professional, but keep them guessing. That’s how we can win over our audiences as panelists with presence.
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Why Genevieve Padalecki Says the World Is a Crazy Place Right Now
But nothing can stop her.
Rocking a black "We Should All Be Feminists" tee on Saturday at Create & Cultivate Seattle, digital darling Genevieve Padalecki took to the Microsoft stage to chat all things tag, snap, story, and social.
Though the Cali-native, who now calls Texas home, admits she's relatively new to the social game, she's clearly caught onto the rules. Genevieve boasts a highly engaged audience-- woman's got a 25% engagement rate. If you're wondering what that means, know it's relatively unheard of in the blogging world.
So what does the actress (she's classically trained), blogger (of Now and Gen), mom (of three), and wife (she met husband Jared on the set of Supernatural) think about this crazy, social world we live in? We found out. From how often she posts to her thoughts on political content, you've got to read through!
You launched your blog this year and saw immediate success. As part of the launch strategy you worked with skincare brand Elemis and crashed their site with a giveaway you hosted, thats MAJOR!.... How has the transition been going from social only content to long form blogs?
It’s been really surreal! I loved working with Elemis as I actually love their products, so it felt like an organic partnership that was really natural and aligned. Also, I’m breastfeeding currently as I have a 6 month old and so I’m really cautious of beauty brands that are low chemical and more natural. We decided to host a giveaway on the blog as part of our launch strategy - my followers really love a giveaway, and it was fun to create a space for them to participate! Yes, they actually BROKE the link in bio on Instagram...we were all trying to figure out why the link wasn’t working and TONS of comments were coming in, and after a LOT of confusion we figured out that they crashed the site where the giveaway was hosted! Pretty crazy!
I enjoy creating long format content because I get to tell more of a story. Long form blogs provide a space for narrative to build and for people to go deeper...I always think of social as a “tease” and a great place to foster community, but long form blogs are a DESTINATION where you can drive people and encourage them to go deeper...which is really fun in the beauty space, because we’re always looking to discover new products...but I especially love it for some more of the emotional pieces, like blogs about parenting, or an open letter that my husband wrote to our 3 children on the blog which was really rad too. The letter really moved people and was WAY too long for a social post!
"Authenticity always wins. Be unapologetic about who you are, and have no fear."
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What’s changed the way you create content the most in the past year? Do you love it or hate it?
I am really new to the social media game. I officially launched my Instagram prior to my blog earlier this year in March, and became really strategic about what I wanted to post about and promote. I had been private on Instagram for a while, but figured it was time!
We all know video is happening with IG LIVE and Facebook Live and algorithms propping up video the most. How are you all using it to build your businesses?
I only post once per day, and try to get more active in stories. I use my static “feed” as a place to post more curated things, and photos that I want to have a level of “permanance.” I use IG Stories to post what’s happening in real time, mainly of the kids eating...there is always a TON of food! I’m a big foodie and I love to cook, so that content tends to go there. Kids and food. LOL.
From a business perspective, your audience wants to really connect authentically. Videos, especially in stories since they delete after 24 hours, gives people a really inside look. I’ve seen a lot of engagement in stories, as well as fans screenshotting the stories because it’s much more intimate, fleeting, almost uncensored….there used to be a lot of focus on curating a gorgeous feed, which is still important, but there is so much connectivity in IG Stories, Boomerangs, videos...it’s also a place where I share my thoughts on the political climate or what’s happening in Texas (with the hurricane, for example).
There’s literally a million places we could be sharing content if we wanted. How do you decide what platforms to use? And what type of content goes where?
Social media is kind of like hosting a party. If you are creating an experience for your people, they will hang out there with you. It can be anywhere you are really, heavily engaged. Which is why there are “experts” in each space - youtube, pinterest, etc. Instagram is where I hang out because it’s the platform I’m most interested and engaged with personally.
"People are really looking for permission to be real."
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As a mother who shares these amazing moments with your family, how do you decide what to share and how to share it when it comes to your family? Do you stick to any self made rules?
Personally, I try to be as open as I can about motherhood being messy. My most vulnerable posts, when I felt like I SURVIVED through a day, have gotten some of the most beautiful and best responses. I think people are really looking for permission to be real. I want to create a safe space and open up some of that dialogue.
I decided to launch my new blogging business while I was 9 months pregnant, I basically gave birth to my new baby and my blog at the same time. It hasn’t been easy, and I don’t want to hide that. There is a level of perfection that people try to project on social media, since everything is so highly curated. I love a pretty picture too, but I also try to balance brand partnerships and the curated stuff that I shoot with a photographer with a selfie I shot at midnight breastfeeding my baby and zoning out to Bravo. We all can be a little more vulnerable.
You’ve collaborated with brands, you’ve put political issues into the work, which as a new content creator that can be scary-- how are you deciding on content and what you want to put out into the world?
One of my first collaborations straight out of the gate was with Pop & Suki. One of my friends is a co-founder, and when Odette was born, we decided to announce our baby name on a heart keychain with the brand and created a space for others to personalize hearts with their names on it. 50% of proceeds went to the Human Rights Foundation, and the other 50% went to Planned Parenthood. We raised over $200,000 for these causes.
Not everyone is going to like what you stand for. And that’s fine, because there are enough people out there who will show up and stand beside you to do what’s right. The world is in a really crazy place right now, and anything I can do to spread awareness I will show up and do. Maybe it will reach one person, or two, or three...that is the beauty of having a platform. Use your platform for good.
I’m constantly amazed about how many brands are aligning with more causes every day. People are really conscious right now, and awake. They want to know they are spending money with a brand who is doing something to better the world.
I also worked with SECRET who launched a new campaign about transgender people, and what it must feel like for them to walk into a restroom and feel judged. That is a reality for many people, and something that should be shared and neutralized.
Any final advice for all the content creators out there in handling whatever gets thrown their way next?
Authenticity always wins. Be unapologetic about who you are, and have no fear. Perfection is bullshit, just find your voice and have a vision for what you want to create. Make sure to stand for something. That’s how you will find your tribe, keep giving, consistently.
Photo Credit: Smith House Photography/Alyssa Dawson Photography
Arianna Schioldager is Editor-in-Chief at Create & Cultivate. You can find her here.
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Cultivating Vuja De Is Great for Good Business
Looking at something familiar with a fresh perspective.
Why do we do things the way that we do them?
When it comes to business this is an important question to ask. Do we operate on auto-pilot day-to-day? Do we respond to client emails in the similar fashion? Do we ever think outside the box? There is an aspect of work that's monotonous. We find ourselves in situations that are very familiar, moving sluggishly through the day's to-dos.
This is especially true of jobs that require routine. It makes many of us frustrated, bitter, and bored, and eventually less productive than we should be. But watching the clock is no way to go through your day.
Enter vuja de. It's the reverse of deja vu, thought up by the late comedian George Carlin who told his audience it is “the strange feeling that, somehow, none of this has ever happened before,” even though it has in fact, happened many times over.
It's a feeling where all of the sudden you can look at a Groundhog day, month, year, and see it with fresh eyes. It's how the comedian went through most of his life able to come up with fresh material. And it's something that can be wildly helpful when you're stuck in a professional rut.
Here are four tips for cultivating VUJA DE.
THINK I'LL GO FOR A WALK OUTSIDE. NOW.
(go right now.)
New ideas and insights often come from looking at a similar situation in a different light. That one project you've been working on that isn't quite working, take a walk. You may be looking at the exact same buildings, people, cars, coffee shops surrounding your office, but brain imaging has shown that after just 20 minutes of walking your brain LIGHTS UP, releasing a protein called BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor). What BDNF has the ability to do is repair the memory neurons in your brain-- effectively acting as a reset switch. So when you head back into the office or that drab cubicle, you can look at the exact same problem with a new eye.
PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS IN THE BACKGROUND
What are you focussing on? Maybe you look at a computer screen all day. Or perhaps there's a photo on your desk that's your go-to for zoning out. (JK we know you scroll Insta at work.) But what are you really looking at? We don't only continuously scroll our tech, we've started applying that practice to work. It's time to get your thumb off the screen and your finger on the pulse.
If you heighten your senses to pay attention to "background" noise (for those who do yoga you've probably experienced this sensation during Shavasana) you will bring new ideas to the forefront. It seems silly, but if you're having a hard time doing this, squint.
"It's time to get your thumb off the screen and your finger on the pulse."
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WHAT IS THE INTENTION BEHIND WHAT YOU'RE DOING?
This is something that Beyond the Mag founder Sophia Macks brought up at Create & Cultivate Dallas. There is a lot of repetition in the blogging world: cupcakes, macaroon, ice cream cones against brick walls.. it gets old. But when you set an intention behind what you're doing you can make something very similar feel and look brand new. But you have to work on cultivating the meaning behind the idea. Are you posting a shot of cupcakes because that's what's hot? Give it meaning and you will give it staying power.
SHIFT SOMETHING SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT
Setting schedules and being organized can prove immeasurably useful when you're a busy person. But if you have every moment of your life and work penciled in, something autopilot kicks in and you fall asleep at the wheel. However, here's the good news: you can erase pencil. If you have a team meeting every Monday at 10AM and ideas are starting to feel stale or your team isn't bringing the best to table, change the time of the meeting. The setting is still the same, the people are still the same, but this tiny shift can actually cause a shift in thinking. A different time of day will produce different ideas. If you always have your meetings in a conference room, try meeting in the kitchen, or on the rooftop garden. A very simple switch can prove significant.
WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, EAVESDROP
Info is there. Ideas are too. It's all around you, often coming out of the mouth of a stranger. And though we've been told it's rude to listen in on others' conversations, you're not doing it for gossip's sake-- you're doing it because a simple word or turn of phrase can legit change how you interact with your world and your work.
Arianna Schioldager is Create & Cultivate's editorial director. You can find her on IG @ariannawrotethis and more about her at www.ariannawrotethis.com
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C&C Classifieds Nº54: Kind, Lululemon & Microsoft
Coming in hot.
Seeing as we're at Microsoft Campus this week for #CreateCultivateSEA it's only fitting that we've got a listing from a place consistently voted one of the top places to work among millennials. Want to count yourself amongst them? Check out our newest listings below!
Prominent Hospitality Company - Los Angeles, CA
Kind - Los Angeles, CA
Torrid - Los Angeles, CA
Microsoft - Seattle, WA
Lululemon - Seattle, WA
GrubHub - Chicago, IL
WANT MORE? SIGN UP FOR THE FULL LIST OF CLASSIFIEDS HERE.
Photo credit: Club Monaco
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RSVP Now! For An Intimate Evening in LA with Create & Cultivate & Club Monaco
Space limited!
We’re teaming up with Club Monaco to host a little GNO in our hometown of Los Angeles! Come mix + mingle with fashionable ladies, shop + enjoy a conversation with our very own Jaclyn Johnson, Geri Hirsch of Because I’m Addicted + Courtney Halverson of Pretty Little Fawn. Enjoy champagne while you shop the Fall 2017 collection + explore the ever-evolving notion of the modern woman.
The evening is open to the public with RSVP, but it will fill up fast. Be sure to sign up + show up early to gain access!
THE DETAILS
Date: September, 14th 2017
Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm
The Location: Club Monaco
401 N Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills, California, 90210
Our Club Monaco pop up event is free & open to the public. RSVP is required & does not include a plus 1! We suggest arriving early as space is limited!
*By signing up, you are opting in for emails from ourselves and our partners. You will always have the option to opt out.
RSVP Closed
How This Wedding Company Is Defying Tech Industry Norms
Is it possible to marry your job?
Weddings and tech. It's the perfect union. From simplifying the wedding process to making the entire process more productive, it's easy to say "I do," to the concept. Plus, tech nerds should get excited as VR makes its way into the planning process. (More on that below.)
For all other needs, wedding planning starts here, with WeddingWire. So does progress in the workplace. Ranked as one of Washington's Best Places to Work, find out why this company is solving problems for couples as well as their own employees.
Let’s start simple! Weddings and tech. How do the two work together?
Consumers have had online resources for many things over the years. You could plan a vacation, decorate a house, find a doctor, or order a car to pick you up with just a few clicks, but people had difficulty planning and finding wedding vendors online. WeddingWire, the leading global online destination for couples looking to get things done throughout their wedding planning process, creates and leverages technology to support the way couples experience all other things in their daily lives. This use of technology meets couples and wedding vendors where they are online, making wedding planning a more streamlined, convenient and productive process.
How has WeddingWire simplified the process of getting married?
Whether couples choose to tackle their wedding planning tasks on their desktop or on their mobile device, WeddingWire provides the most in-depth information (including a database of over 200,000 vendors and 3 million consumer reviews), inspiration and planning tools, to help them make choices and feel confident in their selections. WeddingWire’s various educational resources, like the wedding date guide, provide valuable information and education to couples to help them be more informed when reaching out to vendors, and features such as WeddingWire’s customizable wedding geo-filters, allow couples to personalize their big day in a fun and convenient way.
It feels natural to take the wedding process online. What are some of your best tips and solutions for engaged couples?
Set your budget: Couples tend to underestimate how much they’ll spend on their wedding by about 40 percent, so it’s important for couples (and anyone else contributing to the wedding) to discuss and set a budget early on. WeddingWire’s budget tool helps couples organize all their costs, planned and unexpected. Need more information on what to expect? Check out the WeddingWire Budget Guide.
Do your research: Do your homework to ensure you work with vendors that fit your budget and understand your vision. WeddingWire allows couples to search, compare and book from an extensive database of over 200,000 vendors. Plus with over 3 million reviews available from recent newlyweds, couples can feel confident and empowered to make the best choice when it comes to selecting their wedding vendors.
Enjoy the planning process: Be sure to celebrate your #JustSaidYes moment and take some time to enjoy being engaged to your partner. Browse WeddingWire for inspiration, involve friends and family, and have fun with the experience!
The tech space is predominantly male. Some people say it’s a pipeline problem. And yet 40% of WeddingWire’s product development team is women (when the average is 18%). Why was hiring a female team important to WeddingWire?
WeddingWire’s primary goal is to hire the best talent. The best talent are those that bring a diverse group of thought to the company. Without diversity, you are not looking at business problems from all perspectives and therefore, unable to provide the best experience for all users. Women are a huge part of that diversity in thought and we are committed to ensuring they have an equal voice at the table, as well as equal leadership opportunities within the organization.
"Without diversity, you are not looking at business problems from all perspectives."
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Additionally, while we are a tech company focused on the wedding planning process, we organically attract diversity across all genders not just women. WeddingWire defies gender generalizations even when the wedding industry is typically thought to be female-dominated: founded by four non-white men, 40% of our product development team is female (vs the average of 18%).
How did you go about finding the talent?
Referrals from current employees are one of WeddingWire’s most valued recruiting methods. The WeddingWire team is deeply proud, committed and motivated and their recommendation for personal and professional contacts to join our team, is the greatest way to find the best talent. Additionally, the strength of WeddingWire’s talent brand supports our hiring efforts. With its unique employee experience and regularly ranked as one of Washington’s Best Places to Work, WeddingWire is able to recruit competitively for top talent. (Interested in applying, learn more at https://www.weddingwire.com/corp/careers!)
What are your thoughts on the “pipeline” issue?
WeddingWire is proud of the diversity in its application volume which enables us to hire the best talent for the roles across the product and tech organizations. We have seen a notable increase in the interest of all individuals to secure positions in the tech industry; however, we would love to see more early education in technology. We know this would only continue to further roles in the tech industry as a career option for young women!
How else does WeddingWire support women in tech?
WeddingWire’s culture is about overall inclusivity. Not just for women, but for everyone. We promote a culture of flexibility for all employees. This can be highlighted specifically with working parents as they transition back to work after parental leave. Additionally, coaching is an essential part of WeddingWire’s leadership programs. Through the Manager’s Certification and Leadership Development Programs, WeddingWire is dedicated and encourages mentorship.
What have you seen in tech world that excites? Both for your own platform and for women developers?
Sara Zalowitz, VP of Product Management, is very excited by the advancements in 3D videos and Virtual Reality. These technologies open a whole new world for how users consume content, and it is particularly exciting in the Wedding Industry as it allows for couples to truly see how a venue looks before reaching out. It can be a true game-changer.
Photo credit: WeddingWire Instagram
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Why You Should Use Your Vacations Days
And how to pack for them!
Work hard. Play hard. Right?
Lately, not so much.
In part that's due to a common misconception in office culture that those who work the longest hours are the hardest working employees. Vacation is seen as a luxury, instead of a right, and it's made it so that few full time working Americans are taking time-off. In 2014 42% of working Americans didn't take a single vacation day. Not one. In 2013 Americans collectively squandered 169 million vacation days. Yet this pattern is taking its toll on workers, proving to have a negative ripple effect on employee mental health, productivity, even the economy.
Taking your vacation days is necessary. So don't be scared to ask. (Put those requests in writing now!) Studies have shown that the respite effects of a vacation can increase productivity, concentration, and creativity, by as much as 80 percent. There are even companies offering bonuses to employees who use their vacation days. (Sounds like a dream, right?)
Summer may have ended with a bang yesterday, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't continue to take time to yourself when necessary. And if you can't go on vacation, you can at least dress for it, with a little help from our friends at Bobeau Collection. From the city to the desert to the beach, Bobeau has head-to-toe styles you need to get out of town and on your way to well-rested.
CITY ESCAPADES
If you're going to vacation in the city, you need a wardrobe with a bit more structure. Opt for a matching two-piece like the above Pleat Front Blouse and Emilia Stripe Palazzo Pant. You can create four outfits from four simple, but chic pieces. All you have to do is add a black Elsa Palazzo Pant and a white Double Layer Tank to your packing list. It's smart dressing, the city way. You can go from the museum to drinks to dinner and beyond.
DESERT HEAT
If relaxing in the dry heat of the desert with a mojito in hand while taking in the neutral palettes of the landscape sounds right up your vacation alley. You only need a few key elements for the laid-back escape. Put your phone on silent for a weekend and enjoy the cacti in a Maxi Skirt with a white Lace Aplique Knit Top. Breezy and tumbleweed easy. Because you should look fresh while you refresh.
BEACH VIBES
Finally, if a white sand beach with picaresque palms and hammocks between the trees is your dream vacay, look no more further. All you need is a couple of bikinis, some lightweight coverups and a dress or two. The above Sleeveless Slit Tunic is ideal for morning walks down shore. And the below effortless Camellia Palm Print Maxi goes from cabana to dinner to dancing at the beach bar. Tulum, here you come.
No matter where you're headed make sure you head somewhere. A little you time is one of the smartest decisions you can make to feel reinvigorated and in your best boss headspace.
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Links From Our Group Chat: Invisible Panty Lines & Sexism at Work
These things are unrelated. We promise.
It's Labor Day weekend (woohoo) which means plenty of time to catch up on good reads you've been putting off.
Grab a cocktail (or a coffee), sit outside, and enjoy the wise words from strangers on the internet. It's the American way.
Women are underrepresented in economic departments (not surprising) and this is how their colleagues talk about them.
Speaking of sexism, Ellen Pao wrote a must-read about the trial she lost and sexism in Silicon Valley.
If you hate thongs, here's how to "hide" panty lines. Sorry Cisco.
This UK retailer removed gender labels from these kids' clothes. No gender assumptions here.
All of the movies coming out this fall, discussed here. What will you be watching?
The road to recovery in Houston begins.