How to Go Hunting for Your CEO
Let someone else steer the ship.
photo credit: Corrine Kutz
This post originally appeared on Hey Mama.
Written by: Syama Meagher
Scaling your business requires a capable CEO who can steer the ship, make short and long-term decisions, and keep everyone on track. The CEO will also report in to a board of directors, and can marry the bottom line of investor/financial needs with the day-to-day operations of the business. A great CEO will ultimately give you the opportunity to be the Chief Innovator or Chief Visionary of your business. Not all founders should be, or need to be, CEO of their companies. Being the CEO can kill your dream if you are not into financials, managing teams and be willing to separate what’s right for the business vs. what you feel is right. If you think you are ready to hire a CEO then read on to make sure you land yourself a good one.
Evaluating Skill Set and Experience
Bringing a CEO onboard requires that they have a strong skill set and set of experiences that you don’t have. To avoid redundancies, make sure you have a solid list of your core competencies. In addition, you should evaluate your goals with your business. Are you interested in selling it eventually? How big do you want your business to be? Identifying your long-term goals will assist you in finding the right CEO who can make it happen.
“Bringing a CEO onboard requires that they have a set of experiences that you don’t have.”
Personality Profile
I wish there was a Match.com for finding a good CEO. It’s certainly challenging to meet someone who can share a vision for your business, yet also has the right personality to execute on it. A CEO’s primary responsibility is managing the all-star team, and therefore all the major department heads on your big or small team should meet with the CEO to test for fit. A CEO that has been brought on by investors or the founder in a small company without any briefing will be greeted with some resistance- primarily because people are afraid of change. To ensure a smooth transition and high levels of performance, really think about the personality fits of your current employees.
“A CEO that has been brought on by investors or the founder in a small company without any briefing will be greeted with some resistance- primarily because people are afraid of change.”
Hide and Seek
Finding your dream CEO will take time. Angel List is a great place to post your job opening. Angel List attracts innovative businesses and employees in a primarily tech dominated space. I also suggest to my clients that they talk to their current CPA’s and lawyer’s as they tend to travel in C-level circles working with investors, founders and CEO’s. LinkedIn is also a valuable resource to seek out CEOs and vet for experience.
A note on Interim CEO’s
I’ve served as an interim CEO for fashion companies in the past and it’s been useful for companies in two ways. First, it’s great for startups that know they need some guidance and direction as they build the structure and are hiring more key players. Secondly, it’s helpful for brands that are in transition and are having difficulty finding the right long-term fit. An interim CEO will be on board for 6 months to 1 year. A long-term CEO should be someone with your business 5 years +.
How much will this cost?
Expect to pay a full-time CEO between $75,000 – $400,000 a year depending on experience and the size of the business. You can hire a part-time CEO, but that is only really effective in smaller startups. Alternatively, you can hire a strategic consultant who can help groom you with CEO skills and the cost will range between $150-500 hourly. This is not a bad idea if you just need some direction and an experienced advisor.
What exactly should your CEO be doing?
I love Steve Robbins’ job description for a CEO:
A CEO should be doing “everything” Everything includes:
1. Setting strategy and direction.
2. Modeling and setting the company’s culture.
3. Building and leading the senior executive team.
4. Allocating capital to the company’s priorities.
In essence, the failure or success of the company will rest in the hands of your future CEO. This is why hiring a CEO can be such a difficult process and time consuming. Most startup founders will want to stay on as long as possible as the CEO of their ventures, and most investors will want you to stay on as well. Your impact on your business and getting it this far is impressive and all parties involved, employees and investors, will need your passion and vision to stay strong. Good luck making this big decision for your business!
Syama Meagher is a retail strategist and CEO of Scaling Retail. She works with fashion brands and retailers on product and brand launches internationally through ecommerce, wholesale and brick & mortar. Syama has previously worked for Barneys New York, Gucci, AHAlife and Macy’s. To build your brand and create a profitable business visit www.ScalingRetail.com and email hello@scalingretail.com
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What we’re LOL-ing about IRL.
Bless the group chat that gets all of us through the work day and keeps us informed on pop culture's latest phenom.
Not sure where to even start with Kanye, but John Legend came through with the most charitable subtweet of all time.
Serena Williams is giving Meghan Markle wedding advice that pulls at the heartstrings.
Janelle Monae's new music video features incredible female-centric visuals. Please enjoy.
Also, we're LOL-ing at the always amusing round up of the 20 funniest tweets from women this week.
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8 Pieces of Feminist Artwork for Your Home or Office
Feminism for everyone.
Art just has a way of inspiring us to be more creative. If you’re feeling like your space needs a bit more inspiration and beauty added to it, try throwing up a print in your office or adding an extra pillow to the couch in your living room. One of our favorite places to search for unique artwork is Society6. As a community for independent artists, Society6 features art from around the globe and every purchase pays an artist.
Bonus points if the art you’re spicing up your space with is even more motivation to fight the patriarchy.
Here are 8 pieces of feminist artwork we’re loving on Society6 at the moment.
8th of March Canvas Print
See something you like on Society6? Let us know how you’re spicing up your space this summer in the comments!
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What to Expect at our Beauty Summit
New York, we’re on our way!
We’re so close to our first ever Beauty Summit in New York City! We hope you’re ready because we’ve got a jam-packed day of activities for you to enjoy. Starting with breakfast and ending with a happy hour, you’ll be thoroughly entertained.
Here’s what you can expect!
Breakfast from Daily Harvest
10 - 10:30AM
Beauty is from the inside out. Enjoy overnight oats and chia parfaits from Daily Harvest and get ready for the big day!
Lights Camera Action Panel
11 - 11:45AM
The influencers and brands taking the web by storm are joining the stage to tell us what it’s like to be in the spotlight of this new beauty movement.
The Disrupters Panel
11:50 - 12:35PM
We’ll be passing the mic to the women shaking up the beauty industry to tell us what it’s like from the inside out.
Lunch
12:45 - 1:15PM
Enjoy delicious salads and wraps for lunch from our friends at Tender Greens.
Balancing Balance
1:15 - 2:15PM
Ladies from the new frontier of wellness and self-care are joining the stage to remind us that we are our most valuable asset.
Mary Kay Workshop
2:15 - 2:45PM
We’ll be learning how to master the 10-minute face with Mary Kay global makeup ambassador, Luis Casco.
BREAK
2:45 - 3:45PM
Check out all of our fun pop-ups and get freshened up for the rest of the day. Full list below!
Spotlight Conversation
Mario Dedivanovic & Michelle Lee
3:45 - 4:15PM
The Masters Panel
4:15 - 5PM
The Glamstars who are currently killing the glam game will hop on stage to give the 411 on how they get it done.
Keynote Molly Sims in conversation with Kelly Bales
5 - 5:30 PM
Happy Hour
5:30 - 6:30PM
Celebrate beauty and new friends during our Moroccan Oil happy hour! Enjoy cupcakes by Baked By Melissa and safe to eat cookie dough tasting jars by DŌ.
Pop Ups!
Check out all the pop-ups to get your beauty touch ups done and learn about new products and more from our partners!
Is it even a beauty summit if there’s no makeup? Check out the Mary Kay Beauty Stations throughout the day to get a fabulous makeover and stay photo ready all day long.
Stop by the OLLY Vitamin bar to learn more about how taking your essential vitamins keep your beauty game on point.
Our friends at OGX are hosting a braid bar to give you touch ups and a fun style for the day to ensure you’re mane is picture perfect!
Discover your best style with a dry styling session from a Moroccanoil artist, and receive complimentary must-have products from the leaders in argan oil-infused beauty!
Hair done, nails done girl! The amazing ladies at Olive & June will be hosting a mani stations with their new nail art stickers we’ve all been obsessing over. Don’t miss this mani!
For ‘gram-ready GLAM, stop by the Mane Addicts station and get your hair touched up by expert stylists to stay picture perfect throughout the day.
Travel through time with Halston! Take a photo with an original Studio54 disco ball and explore their curated collection of iconic vintage designs and new spring/summer styles with timeless allure.
Stop by the WEN Beach Cabana and snap a fun Instagram pic with your new friends. Shop till you drop and receive a special edition WEN branded coconut!
"Help Yourself" to a cup of confidence and complimentary coffee. At Audible's Help Yourself Coffee stand, featuring life-changing advice from Mel Robbins, author of The 5 Second Rule and the new Audible Original, Kick Ass with Mel Robbins.
#LoveWhatYouSee all day – find the frame that fits your face shape, personality…and completes your entire outfit. And learn more about maintaining vision health. You’ll also get a chance to win a complimentary Clarifye eye exam and frame!
Don’t forget to stop by the otterbox pop up to get a “device makeover” experience from Otterbox and their brand new collection. Leave the booth with a clean phone and a new case!
Headshot Station
After you’re all done up go get your new headshots taken in the photo studio and update those social media profile pics!
New York we cannot wait to see you!
Who's ready? Comment below to say hello to fellow attendees.
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Catt Sadler on Walking Away, Equal Pay & Her Work with J.Law
All while drinking tequila + laughing.
Becki Smith House Photographry
On Thursday, Journalist, Executive Producer, & Entrepreneur Catt Sadler took the stage at the San Francisco leg of our MINI More of What Matters traveling speaker series to talk about her very wild few months.
Taking the mic with C&C Founder + CEO Jaclyn Johnson, Catt shared her experience leaving her job of 12 years and what it was like to publicly tell her story of pay inequality.
ON HOW SHE DECIDED TO LEAVE
"It started with #METOO. Brave, beautiful, bold women were telling their stories and I was in awe of the women coming forward saying I don’t care what people think, I don’t care about being judged. This is my truth. And meanwhile, I find out that I’m making half as much as my male counterpart and I was down and upset. But because of these other women, I thought I cannot settle, I cannot be complacent. I can’t pretend to go through life essentially denying what I knew was so wrong. And that helped me find my voice. It was contagious."
ON WALKING AWAY
“The hardest part was that I had made up my mind weeks before my exit. Imagine going on live TV for weeks knowing that: A. You were going to leave your job of 12 years. B. Knowing why. And C. Knowing that you were going to tell that story and holding that very close. Last December was a very trying month. That last day was the hardest day of my career. I had to say goodbye + thank you to the viewers. Inside it was devastating.”
ON HOLLYWOOD WOMEN STANDING WITH HER
“I still don’t have the words. It was Amy Schumer who organized that unbeknownst to me and it took a lot of balls for all of those women to do that. I was at home in my bed and I did not know what to do in that moment. I’m pretty sure my phone exploded. And I was used to being there on the carpet so it was a really bitter sweet day to be watching from the sidelines. They said my name but I feel like it was really just a symbol for what’s happening to women all over the country, not just Hollywood. I was in awe of their bravery that day.”
What she’s been through hasn’t left her jaded at all. The candid conversation turned to the future and Catt gave us the low down on what’s on the horizon for her… including but not limited to a book + a lil something she’s executive producing with Jennifer Lawrence.
ON THE FUTURE
“I have so much faith in the next generation because I think they’re way more clear cut. It was so simple to my boys. And they were just like well that’s not fair. It was just that clear to them and that fueled me to move forward. I’ve heard from so many girls wanting to interview me for school projects & I’ve been doing those more than other interviews because they’re just so fun. These young girls now are using their voices. We weren’t talking about gender or gender inequalities when I was in school. I have a lot of faith that change is on the way.”
"I have a lot of faith that
change is on the way."
ON KEEPING HER HEAD UP
“We’re all really hard on ourselves and it’s nice to be conscious of that. We’re in a moment where I feel like, thank God we have our sisters. More than ever, we’re speaking out, standing up for one another + going to battle for one another. That definitely gives me strength. What happened to my career has been almost like a death. It’s had ebs and flows but it’s also very isolating and scary because I need to figure out how to pay the bills but I’m really lucky to have a community to lean on.”
ON HER CAREER TRANSITION
“It’s been such a transition but I’ve been able to do so many new things. In Hollywood, everything is so overly produced. My goal is to start having real conversations with women. With my site, I’m hoping to give women a place to be inspired. I want to talk real talk and will have interviews on the site soon. I want to drop the armor and fairness so stay tuned for naked with Catt."
Catt’s new site is being built + she has big plans to drop this summer with fabulous content with outstanding women. You can get her updates by signing up here.
ON WHAT’S NEXT
“We all get so caught up. For me 2018 is about an awakening of sorts. Getting woke and living with purpose."
“I can say that I am executive producing a documentary series with Jennifer Lawrence. And I would have never dreamed in a million years. The goal is to deep dive into what it’s like to be a woman in the workplace. It will look at pay disparity but also the evolution of the working woman and where it’s good in the world and what we can learn from places like Iceland. I’m most excited about this project right now.”
“Above all, I want to get back into the trenches and interview people again. I want to make change and give people experiences that they can watch and be inspired by and apply to their own lives.”
Becki Smith House Photography
WHEN WOMEN SUPPORT WOMEN…
“If we support one another, everything fast tracks. Change is inevitable. When we battle for one another that’s change and we all want it for one another. And everyone benefits. Families. Societies. Everyone. This is how it should be.”
I NEVER THOUGHT IN A MILLION YEARS…
“This is the Jennifer Lawrence piece. This is how hard times can serve you in a wonderful way. I literally thought to myself, I am getting to Jennifer Lawrence because I had heard her Sony story. Oprah tells you to listen to your gut, and I always thought we had a connection so I reached out. And she really came through and that’s rare. She fueled me and gave me permission to believe that I can do this. We all need those people.”
"She fueled me and gave me permission to believe that I can do this. We all need those people."
I WANT MY LEGACY TO BE…
That I operated at the core with Love and acceptance.
That I was a good mom. This means more to me than anyone can understand.
That I was a champion for women to know their worth.
All while having fun and drinking tequila and laughing while doing it.
Becki Smith House Photographry
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Summer Is Coming: What Are Your Road Trip Essentials
Take their lead, and live out loud.
Hitting the road during summer is a rite of passage.
Everyone needs the inspiration of a wide open highway, the wind blowing through their fingers, and the smell of possibility in the air. What’s out on the horizon? There’s only one way to find out: take the MINI wheel and go.
And since summer is just around the corner, we checked with three of our favorite women, who happen to travel a ton, what is on their road trip essentials list.
TAYLOR STERLING
FOUNDER, THE GLITTER GUIDE
What are your road trip essentials?
A rockin' playlist, my iPad, a face mask, a good book, and lots and lots of snacks.
Do you have any tips and tricks for traveling for work?
1. Whenever possible pack only a carry-on.
2. Keep a small foldable bag in your purse or tote bag for any extra purchases.
3. Create a capsule wardrobe for the trip
4. Always pack extra chargers
5. Pack a top or spare outfit into your carry-on if you have to check a bag. That way if you have meetings when you arrive you have an outfit incase anything goes wrong with the one you're wearing.
6. Invest in noise-canceling headphones. Nothing worse than being super tired from noises for your meetings!
ANINE BING
FOUNDER, ANINE BING
What are your Road Trip essentials?
Number one is a great playlist, music is key.. Something hydrating like the True Botanicals Nutrient Mist that I'm loving right now.. Sunglasses, an enormous water bottle, and then lots of snacks - I'm addicted to candy and popcorn, both very essential for a good road trip. Also, a great companion to go in and out of talking to!
Do you have any trips and tricks for traveling for work?
I have to travel quite a lot for work. I take our big Lenny cashmere scarf with me every time I get on a plane, it's so cozy and warm. I always make sure to eat a substantial meal before I travel because airplane food is just not my vibe, and you don't want to find yourself hungry for hours.. of course I always bring candy and snacks to nibble on throughout though. For international travel, you just cannot nap or sleep during the day when you get to your destination. It will mess up your whole sleep cycle.. So just get through the tired feeling and go to sleep early and be prepared to wake up early.. I like to take a Melatonin the first day or two to help me get on a rhythm. And then drink more water than you even think you should!
KATE BOSWORTH
ACTRESS & PRODUCER
And because both women mentioned a great playlist, we had to ask the actress and style icon....
What's on your Road Trip Playlist?
Haim I love. Beyoncé obviously. Twin Shadow-- which my stepdaughter introduced me to. And Beach House.
Need an updated road trip playlist? Here's ours to keep the vibes right on your next road trip!
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New job, who this?
On Wednesdays, we post new jobs and you get your life together. If you feel a big career change on the horizon or just want to see what your options are, you're looking in the right spot. Our weekly classifieds have arrived with positions in LA, New York and even the comfort of your own bed.
WFH for the win.
Enjoy ladies!
Briogeo Hair Care - NY, NY
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Green Queen: Why Women in Weed Have the Power to Change Everything
Puff, puff, pass this article to a friend.
Let’s be blunt.
Jazmin Victoria Hupp co-founded Women Grow, the largest professional network in the cannabis industry. Since its launch in 2014, Women Grow has connected over 25,000 entrepreneurs at events in 45 cities across the US & Canada. The organization hit $1 million in revenue in 2015, with no outside funding.
Its focus is to connect and empower diverse people to launch national cannabis businesses and to serve diverse customers. Hupp herself is a self-described feminist who once told Edibles Mag, “I love the real meaning of feminism and I am angry the word has been f***d with by people who don’t believe that women and men should be equal.”
Again. Blunt.
She told us, “Women are better than anyone at working within a system that wasn’t created for their benefit.” Can’t say we disagree. And it’s why she’s a Green Queen, through and through.
Find out more from the founder below.
There’s a lot of water cooler talk about how legal marijuana could be the first billion-dollar industry not dominated by men. How does Women Grow factor into this? So, Women Grow is dedicated to “creating and cultivating”—women to be leaders of the cannabis industry. Why was it important for you to focus solely on women?
Women will purchase the majority of marijuana products after full legalization and the end of marijuana stigma. Marijuana is known for being a medicinal product, a wellness product, and a recreational product. On the medicinal side, women make the vast majority of medical decisions for their families and purchase 92% of over the counter medicines. On the wellness side, women are the prodimineent buyers of wellness services like yoga and acupuncture. On the recreational side women purchase the majority of wine & liquor that will be consumed at home. Women are desperate for a sugar-free and low calorie alternative to alcohol. As the stigma around marijuana ends, you’ll see women switch from a bottle of wine to a vaporizer at night. So since women will be the dominate purchasers of marijuana, it turns out that other women are best equipped to create the marijuana products and buying experiences that women want. Additionally operating a marijuana business today requires navigating a complex system not created for your success and it turns out women are better than anyone at working within a system that wasn’t created for their benefit.
I focus on women because they are the greatest untapped resource on this earth. They are already installed everywhere but working at half their capacity. When you upgrade the women, you upgrade the lives of everyone around them.
"I focus on women because they are the greatest untapped resource on this earth."
2015 you held your first summit. What was that like? What did you see that was inspiring?
Women Grow’s first summit was for just 125 women in the mountains of Colorado (the event has since grown to over 1,000). The black market of cannabis required business owners to be secretive and isolated from their peers. They had few people to ask questions or get support. We heard some stories from women in emotionally and physically abusive work relationships that had no one to turn to when what they were doing was illegal.
After legalization, women in weed were able to come out of hiding. By placing these women in community they were able to share knowledge and support for the first time. And we were able to take everyone through hours of business education to fundraise for their company. Now I get to attend office openings and anniversary parties of many of the companies founded after that first event. It’s an amazing feeling to see the staff of six women hired by one woman who sat in the front row of the event.
How has your business changed the last three years?
I ran Women Grow as CEO for the first two years and wow did I ever have a hero complex. I hated to see people struggle so I would give people the answers instead of mentoring them through the learning curve. So Women Grow expanded quickly to 66 cities and 3 countries but that growth wasn’t sustainable. I had built an large system that was dependent on me instead of creating independent leaders. This is one of the core reasons that we contracted when I left my role as CEO. I’m excited to see how Women Grow will blossom under Dr. Chandra Marcias, Gia Moron, and Kristina Garcia.
I also didn’t anticipate that many women had more experience fighting against each other than helping each other succeed. In my experience, women have a culture of destructive gossip that cycles negativity between each other. Instead of bringing feedback to the person who we’d like to challenge, we bitch to our friends about it.
Why do you think it’s important to decriminalize weed?
Cannabis (aka weed, pot, marijuana) is one of the safest and most effective plants we were gifted on earth. Our body naturally produces cannabinoids (the elements within cannabis) to regulate our body. When your body’s regulation is off, cannabis can supplement.
Cannabis is also one of the most flexible medicines, specializing in many of the symptoms women suffer from most. I use cannabis to fall asleep at night, to reduce inflammation in my body after yoga, and to balance my stomach when I eat the Standard American Diet.
Women Grow had no outside funding. What did you know about launching a business?
I caught the entrepreneurial bug as a kid and started launching websites at age 11. I started running theatre productions shortly after that and theatre teaches you a lot about running a business. You’ve got to pick your strategy (the play), hire your team (casting), get everyone to work together (rehearsals), sell tickets (marketing & sales), and deliver your product (opening night). Most companies never get to delivering their product so theatre was a great container to practice that cycle with lower stakes.
While I was in college for theatre, my computer broke and so I took a job at Apple for the employee discount. At age 20, I transferred to an independent Apple store called Tekserve in New York City and got a deep dive on every shade of a sales, repair, and consulting business. As an internal entrepreneur at Tekserve I got to create new offerings within the container of an already operating business. I got great at the creation, marketing, and launch of new things but was never responsible for operating what I created for more than a year. During that time I was also a director at Women 2.0, helping women become VC-backed founders with events in dozens of cities. Through Women 2.0 I was immersed in equity funding and Lean Startup methods.
"When your body’s regulation is off, cannabis can supplement."
In the Spring of 2014, my grandmother died and I took a few days off to reexamined my life purpose and what I was contributing to the world. Cannabis had just been fully legalized in Colorado and Washington so I decided to visit Denver for the first legal 4/20 celebration. I went to a huge event with a hundred different cannabis businesses and only met one female business owner. I realized that in this new blue ocean, women could have an unfair advantage in what would become a care-based industry. With that in mind, I met Jane West, who had already started to organize female business owners in Denver and we launched Women Grow in August of 2014.
For new entrepreneurs, what is your advice for starting?
We launched Women Grow with about $26,000 in founding memberships. Instead of going to investors for our startup capital, we went directly to our customers, female entrepreneurs, and built the business to about a $1M in revenue. The challenge with going to investors early is you have to immediately start serving two masters, what your customers want and what your investors want. By building the initial business on just customer revenue, you are more likely to create a business aligned with what your customers want before confusing it with investor advisors. You’ll also be able to get much better terms for those investments when you have a proven model versus them funding an idea on paper.
Starting your company based solely on revenue ensures that you scale your expenses with your revenue. If you use your outside funding for operating costs, you often end up in a situation with a high burn rate (money spent exceeding your revenues) and a ticking clock that forces you to raise even more money before you’ve proven your product works. Instead prove you can deliver something your customers want at a low cost and then raise funds to market the fuck out of it. Most companies raise money before getting that product fit correct and burn through it.
So many women are struggling at work. They’re burning out. You create happiness through a practice of yoga, meditation, cannabis consumption, and self-love. Can you chat about how these practices have improved your quality of life?
First I had to realize that my inner reality was creating my outer reality. By that I mean if I felt scarce, I would experience scarcity in my business. If I felt in flow, I would experience flow in my business. I stopped taking a salary from my company for the last two years to focus on self-work to work on myself and clear out the inner debris.
We all know that working out your physical body improves how your body functions. What I found is that I also had an emotional (a.k.a. energetic body) that needed just as much care. I tried dozens of practices and my current favorites are: meditation, Kundalini Yoga, Emotional Freedom Technique, ecstatic dance, sanskrit chant, and cannabis-infused baths.
This summer I’m launching a new company based on this self-work, called Rage Palace. Rage Palace is an event for women to release anger and workout their emotional bodies. We’re bringing together dozens of local practitioners to lead women through activities from sledgehammering a car to dance to crying on a grandmother’s shoulder. We’ll launch in San Francisco this summer and then tour the event as we perfect the formula.
What’s an exciting product you’ve seen hit the market?
I’m loving Treatwell’s Wellness & Balance tinctures. These are non-psychoactive, meaning they don’t get you “high” but give you all the benefits of cannabis for your body. It’s like taking the vitamin you didn’t know your body was missing.
You were named a genius entrepreneur. What’s it like to be called a Green Queen?
Honestly I don’t get called a Green Queen by anyone but reporters, they love puns. [editor's note: it's true, weed do.]
What’s your proudest accomplishment to date?
Losing 60 pounds by changing everything in my life that made me want to overeat instead of following some silly diet. I realized that food was my go-to comfort substance. It kept me awake and made me feel better in the short term. In the long term it was masking how I was abusing my body to make money. We hired a new CEO for Women Grow and I spent a year pulling apart all my bad habits. Losing weight wasn’t even a goal, it just naturally came off as I stopped compromising myself.
What do you hope to see from women in weed?
Everything. Women in weed have the power to change our workplace cultures, our medical outcomes, our wellness practices, and even how we party on Friday night. I’m excited to see how replacing alcohol with more thoughtful substances might lead to a decrease in sexual assault. I’m excited to see how commercial hemp can replace fossil fuels in every instance where we’re using non-renewables. I’m excited to see how living in alignment with nature could be.
What would you consider your superpower?
I can tell what you need before you even know you need it. Basically, I can read people and anticipate their needs. It’s what makes coming up with new businesses so much fun because I can make stuff that you hadn’t thought of, but once you see it you know you need it.
Want more from the cannabis culture? Check back on our Green Queens series in partnership with MISSBISH. We'll be featuring a woman in weed per week!
Want even more? Register to participate in the Slack Session co-hosted with MISSBISH. Green Queens in the Cannabis Industry is going down April 25th at 6:30 PST, mark your calendars and sign up here.
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The 8 Tiny Business Issues You’re Not Addressing
That are going to cause BIG problems.
I’ve worked on all sorts of businesses with different people, personality types, and motivations. A through line with all of them: you have to pay attention to the small stuff, because the small stuff can turn into the big stuff. Molehills to mountains, as they say. And it's not great to be stuck on top of Everest with no gear.
Here are eight small issues you could be overlooking that have much bigger implications if not addressed sooner than later.
ONE
You haven’t faced your fears or at the very least surfaced what those fears are. Any person who starts a business has fears, insecurities, triggers. Having a really straight talk conversation with yourself and writing down what your fears are will get them out of your head and onto paper (physical or digital). A lot of times these fears, insecurities, triggers are intuitive sensations that we don’t have language for. They can creep up without us realizing and unconsciously sabotage us. Digging deep, bringing those fears to the surface and recording what they are, forces you to to create language for them so that as they pop up along the way, and they will, you will recognize them more easily and take them head on.
TWO
You haven’t decided WHY you actually want to build this business. Having an idea, knowing you’ve got the ability to execute it: all great stuff. But have you asked yourself what you want your business to do for YOU in the future? Thinking through and jotting down how your business fits into your overall life mission (determining what your life mission is in the process) is hugely important. This is a big question to answer but even taking a stab at answering it will be a helpful tool to in you connecting your business effort with a clearer purpose, so that you can do what’s right for YOU and get quicker into solving the problem at hand as you face different business challenges in the future.
THREE
You haven’t incorporated resting and recharging into your strategy. You haven’t made “whitespace time” a priority. I’ve seen a lot of owners fill their time with busy-ness--they equate constant movement with progress. All that go, go go energy is good for nothing if you’re not also balancing it with some chill, chill, chill energy to regroup, let things settle in, and give your business building muscles a chance to recharge. At the beginning of your business determine how you’re going to build “whitespace time” into your strategy. Otherwise, say hello to burnout.
"You need to make whitespace time a priority."
Tweet this.
FOUR
You haven’t thought about how you’re going to make money -- MONEY. You have a business idea. You even know how to market it. You’ve got the network to start spreading the word and you’ve got the messaging and your target audience down pat. But have you thought about how you’re going to make money? Building that audience is one thing. Making money is another. Build your business with money and profits on the brain right out the gate. Taking the time to put together a financial plan--even if it’s rough and dirty--that can evolve as your business evolves will help you keep the lights on and set your business up for more sustainable growth.
FIVE
You’ve made someone a cofounder when they shouldn’t be. There are a lot of reasons why I’ve seen this happen. Some business owners have been scared or didn’t realize they were scared to go at building their business alone (see #1-- if the person maybe knew this was a fear they would’ve probably been able to manage this) so they bring on a cofounder. Sometimes people make someone a cofounder because they don’t have money to compensate them as an employee so they make up for it in giving them cofounder status. Whatever the reason is, make sure you’re bringing on a cofounder to augment your business, not satisfy an insecurity or out of not being able to pay (there are other creative ways to compensate--apprenticeship, barter, etc.!).-- you won’t be setting up that person nor yourself nor your business for success if they’re brought on for any other reason besides being a strategic leadership partner.
"Business mistake: You’ve made someone a cofounder when they shouldn’t be."
Tweet this.
SIX
You haven’t decided what you’re okay saying no to. Your time is a precious commodity. And you’re one person. If you haven’t figured out what you’re okay saying no to, next thing you know your calendar is chock-full and you’re taking coffees with people without really knowing how to maximize your java date. Being able to turn a conversation into something that will help you grow your business is a skill. But so is saying no to meetings that don't make sense. You need to focus on the more important aspects of your business that deserve your attention. Get laser focused on what you’re going to say “no” to (nicely of course).
SEVEN
You haven’t determined who to go to for what. Think through the strengths of the people in your network and uncover how they can help you. This will help you be clearer and more strategic in your asks of them. People like to help but don’t waste the wrong ask on the right person.
EIGHT
You haven’t written any of your plans down. If you’re starting a business chances are you’ve been thinking about it for some time and you’ve finally gotten to a place where you’re ready to pull the trigger. You’re ready to take that leap. Pause and jot down, even quickly, what your current plan is. You don’t have to do a full-fledged strategy; it doesn’t have to be fancy. Writing down what success looks like for your first week, month, year will help you avoid blockages going forward--this is not only a great way to clarify your thinking it’s a great way of firming up the commitment to yourself.
Alison Gilbert is a business coach and consultant. She’s helped over a dozen owners and entrepreneurs grow profitable businesses quickly and efficiently, including such companies as Well+Good, Levo League, Maiyet and Plum Alley. Prior to building her consultancy she was hire number four and COO of food media company Tasting Table where she grew it into a forty person team reaching a readership of millions. Visit her site and schedule a free consultation.
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Why Your Self-Worth Can't Be Attached to Your Blog
How do you put your best face forward?
How do you put your best face forward? It's a question that has been on our minds a lot as we've traveled from Miami to Dallas talking with influencers and beauty bloggers moving the needle forward in the beauty industry.
It's why we hit the road for the Create & Cultivate x Clinique “Best Face Forward” panel. Not only so attendees could receive makeovers and test out the Beyond Perfecting Foundation + Concealer, but so that they could also get inspired by our panelists. Dallas didn't disappoint.
C&C Marketing Director Heather Records was joined onstage by 5 amazing women, who know all about the pressures of a public persona.
Courtney Kerr, is the blogger and influencer and editor of KERRently, a website that showcases her personal style, beauty tips & tricks, favorite recipes, interior design inspiration, travel diaries, & shopping inspiration.
Stephanie Taylor Jackson is a fashion and lifestyle blogger, stylist and content creator for brands.
Ashley Robertson is the founder of The Teacher Diva, a Dallas-based blog about fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.
Amanda Miller is the founder and Dallas-based blogger behind The Miller Affect.
Kate Padgitt is the founder of the fashion blog Lonestar Southern.
They all had their own nuggets of gold to drop. Read through to get inspired by some of our favorites.
ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THE PRESSURE ONLINE
“My self worth can’t be attached to my blog. It can’t be attached to how many followers I have or how many likes I get.”-Kate
“You have to accept that some people are going to like you and some people are going to think you taste like soap.” -Courtney Kerr
“There might be people throwing stones, but guess what? Their arms are going to get tired.”-Courtney Kerr
ON KEEPING IT REAL
"It’s a photo and you don’t know what went into it. Don’t let it make you feel little.”-Kate
“I want my followers to follow me because they like who I am.”-Amanda Miller
"When I'm feeling like Stephanie, when I feel like me, that's when I feel the most beautiful." - Stephanie Taylor Jackson.
ON PUTTING YOUR BEST FACE FOWARD
“It’s all about getting rest and making sure to have to have a balanced meal in order to truly put your best face forward.”-Steph Taylor Jackson
"I love experimenting with the latest brands latest products."-Courtney Kerr
"Beauty is something that I just started diving into late last year, but I'm really enjoying it."-Stepahine Taylor Jackson
'For me, beauty means confidence. There are days where I'm not feeling it, want to put on sweatpants and eat an entire pint of ice cream. I felt like I woke up feeling like Wayne's World. But it's all about confidence. If you fake it, it can allow your confidence to shine through. But also what you feel inside, is what comes out on the outside." -Courtney Kerr
"Anything that inspires me, I find the beauty in."- Kate
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Green Queens: Flower Shop Is Creating New Lewks For Cannabis Brands
Green dreams roll thru.
Suzanne Shpall, the Creative Director over at Flower Shop taught us a new word: potpreneur.
It’s exactly what it sounds like, someone who is paving the way in the marijuana industry. Which, is exactly what Shpall and Lorna Donohoe, Flower Shop’s Head of Marketing are doing. Shpall works on designing new looks for cannabis brands, where Donohoe focusing on mainstreaming said brands. The company itself is a branding, marketing and PR agency comprised of entertainment, advertising, social media and cannabis experts. One of their clients is Mr. 4/20 himself: Snoop Dogg.
Donohoe is the former SVP of Global Marketing for Playboy, so controversial topics don’t fall far from her apple tree, but the duo are putting forth amazing creative work for their clients. In many respects, it’s a dream job. A fluffy white cloud of weed smoke where they imagine and execute branding for many of the cannabis brands making their way to market. “Our clients have the dopest product out there,” Shpall says, with, possible pun intended. “With my expertise in compliant packaging and sourcing, FS is able to work with clients to develop innovative packaging options so each of our brands can have product on-shelf that is totally unique to them, and completely compliant.”
Color us green with envy about the job these two Green Queens are doing.
Read on to find out more and why Donohoe calls being named a Green Queen a double-honor.
How did you get involved with Flower Shop?
Suzanne Shpall: About 2 years ago I launched my own edibles brand, called Highland Pantry, and was looking for help with PR / Marketing when I was introduced to Flower Shop. Once I met the team there, I knew I wanted to be involved. Having run my own cannabis brand, I have gleaned a unique understanding of what it takes to build a business in cannabis. Before joining the wacky world of weed, I worked in fashion as a designer, product developer and buyer for a handful of high-end Los Angeles based brands, then moved on to the food industry where I successfully ran my own gourmet, gluten-free cookie business.
Lorna Donohoe: I was running my own consultancy, dipping my toe in the water on a few cannabis projects. I felt like this industry was on the precipice of exploding and this cultural and defining moment only comes along every few decades. I also really believe in the power of this plant from a medicinal and health and wellness perspective, so I basically decided to sell my wine bar and wind down my agency and focus only on cannabis. There weren’t a lot of agencies dedicated to cannabis branding and marketing and it is something the industry really needs. I thought Flower Shop was one of the few that was doing sophisticated work and had a seasoned team so I basically stalked them until they hired me.
What in your background prepared you to work in this industry?
SS: All of my experiences and past careers, from working as a designer to product development and running my own business, have helped me get to this point. On top of all the skills I have from past work, I’ve gleaned the ability to be insanely organized (Im a bit anal when it comes to workflow) and agile when the project takes unexpected turns.
LD: I was the former SVP of Global Marketing for Playboy (who have gaming interests-- casinos and online-- as well as a huge array of consumer products in the market). I also worked with a lot of liquor and beer brands so became very good at working in highly regulated environments as well as helping to mainstream sensitive or adult brands. Additionally, I work in the wine business (just sold my organic wine bar) and feel wine has a lot of parallels with cannabis - agriculture, terroir, tasting notes, clones, appellations, - so I have a perspective and understanding of marketing and branding that is perfect for the cannabis industry.
Was there ever any pushback from people in your life?
SS: The opposite, only constant requests for “samples.”
LD: I think my mom is a little cautious. It took her years to get used to Playboy and understand it was a legitimate and real business. Now I'm like,”Hey mom, I've left booze and now I’m in cannabis.”
”Hey mom, I've left booze and now I’m in cannabis.”
What are some of the exciting projects you’re working on?
SS: Most of my current projects are still forthcoming, so can’t say much. But I definitely have a current fave. I’ve been working with one of the largest distribution companies to develop a brand for them and I can’t wait to see it in market - think ‘90s house parties, DJ battles, and street art.
LD: Honestly, this sounds like such a cliché, but everything I work on is exciting. The whole industry is emerging and it’s chaotic and challenging and thrilling, all at the same time.
One of our clients Heally (getheally.com) is a tele-health company, (founded by women) that gives you on-demand personalized medical visits with a doctor from your phone/ home. It’s a game- changer in the way people see a doctor, but they’re also doing a lot of advocacy work with ex-athletes who have become addicted to opioids and lobbying for research programs as well as efficacy studies. That’s exciting that you can go see a cannabis doctor, the same way you see your GP- for headaches, pain, or whatever ails you.
And some of the brands that we work with like Dr. Robb Farms and Island Cannabis Company are really doing big and innovative work with clean cannabis.
What are the biggest concerns for clients?
SS: Our clients have the dopest product out there. With recreation there is so much opportunity but also so many additional requirements specifically around compliant packaging, which can feel totally daunting. And the stock options out there are super basic. With my expertise in compliant packaging and sourcing, FS is able to work with clients to develop innovative packaging options so each of our brands can have product on-shelf that is totally unique to them, and completely compliant. Banking of course is also an issue, due to cannabis still being federally illegal, so everyone has that cash money on the mind!
LD: It varies - some are concerned with getting socials shut down and the inability to effectively market their brand. Some, with their bank accounts getting closed and others about the cost of becoming legal and compliant, which means they have less money to spend on marketing and product development. Taxes are a big concern.
What are you most excited to see from the cannabis industry in 2018?
SS: Impeccably designed products and rad consumption spaces.
LD: Education and de-stigmatization of cannabis - more women learning about this powerful plant, more females executives and founders - I think the industry is a really great place for women and the future looks great. I also think we will start to see more wellness and medicinal applications of cannabis for seniors, those fighting addictions, chronic pain, and more, which will help with de-stigmatizing cannabis.
Is it cool to see social acceptance? You both live LA and there are shops and billboards about weed delivery programs. It’s a brand new day.
SS: Totally. It’s awesome to be part of an industry’s growth and maturity, to be building brands that will dictate the next generation of the industry. I think with this also comes acceptance of those industry and community members who have been doing this since before it was cool. Growers who have been harvesting since the ‘70s, dispensaries who have been running their businesses in ‘the grey area’ to service their patients for years, paving the way for the mainstream, and advocates who have been pushing for research and acknowledgment of the magic of this lady-plant.
LD: Yes, it’s great but as an industry, there is a responsibility that comes with that - education, inclusion and social justice. There are a lot of people that fought this fight to legitimize cannabis that have not been acknowledged or that have been shut out. There are whole communities that have been destroyed because of the war on drugs. So, we still have a lot of work to do.
“There are whole communities that have been destroyed because of the war on drugs. So, we still have a lot of work to do.”
What are some of the challenges you face as women in the weed biz?
SS: Overall, this industry is a rad place for women to innovate and occupy leadership roles. As this industry grows into itself, I am excited to see women at the forefront.
That’s not to say it’s perfect. I still find myself the only woman in the room at some meetings, and some stereotypical dynamics do still play out. I have been fortunate enough though to surround myself with people who are amazingly creative, supportive and respectful of one another, regardless of sex or race. My boss particularly, Evan Eneman the founder of Flower Shop, is so supportive and allows my team so much room for experimentation.
LD: Often, I'm the only woman in the room at a meeting, but I am used to that from working in my previous roles. I do think this industry is much more open and female-friendly than most though.
Who are some women in the biz that you admire?
SS: This is the toughest question! There are so many..but a quick list:
Ariel Clark - a kickass lawyer making serious moves and advocating for this industry as well as her clients
MissGrass - go read / shop it alllll
Anja Charbonneau - LOVE everything about Broccoli
April Pride - an epic lady-potrepreneur with a super fun brand
My mom, Sherry - the inspiration behind my brand, Highland Pantry, and perfect example of the next generation of this industry / community
LD: There are so many women in this business I admire. I have heard the cannabis industry has one of the highest percentage of female executives and founders. I really admire Ariel Clark and Nicole Neubert of Clark Neubert Law Firm. They’re not only kickass attorneys but they do some amazing pro-bono work.
And Senator Kirsten Gillibrand who is co-sponsoring The Marijuana Justice Act.
What does it mean to you to be named a Green Queen?
SS: My green-dreams come true.
LD: What an honor - and I'm from Ireland so that's a double honor.
Want more from the cannabis culture? Check back on our Green Queens series in partnership with MISSBISH. We'll be featuring a woman in weed per week!
Want even more? Register to participate in the Slack Session co-hosted with MISSBISH. Green Queens in the Cannabis Industry is going down April 25th at 6:30 PST, mark your calendars and sign up here.
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What to Expect from Mary Kay at the Beauty Summit
New product reveals and everything.
Are you ready for a face skincare game-changer from Mary Kay®? You should be. Beauty Summit attendees will be getting the first-look at an exciting new product range designed to help fight the realities of aging. Plus, Mary Kay® will be helping you learn about your skin, destress, and consult with onsite staff all day long. We've only got a few tickets left so be sure to grab yours today to join the fun!
IN THE MORNING
Experience the free radical and stress-fighting juice station.
Kick your day off by taking a step in the direction of well-being. Pick from a selection of juice options and power up for the day.
DURING BREAK
Treat yourself by de-stressing with a shoulder massage.
That’s right. Mary Kay® wants you to de-stress. Part of looking good is feeling good-- from the inside out. And a little shoulder massage is the perfect reminder that you need to take time to relax and focus on self-care.
ALL DAY
The Science of Skincare
Mary Kay® Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Lucy Gildea, will be on hand to answer skincare questions and offer expert advice surrounding the new and exciting launch from Mary Kay®. Bonus! Every attendee will receive a mini set of this new product range!
Be a beauty entrepreneur!
Once you’ve learned all about the amazing new product, the booth will be equipped with iPad station staffed by Mary Kay®. They’ll help attendees to discover more about the brand, and learn about the opportunity to become a consultant.
2:15-2:45 - GO WITH THE GLOW!
Mastering the 10-Minute Face with MARY KAY® Global Makeup Ambassador Luis Casco
Get the beauty tutorial you’ve always wanted. @luiscascomakeup, Mary Kay® Global Makeup Ambassador, will teach attendees how to get their skin glowing from the base up. Luis is a firm believer in your skin being the canvas for your makeup look - and glowing skin is always in!
Can't wait to see you there, don't forget to grab your tickets!
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Hey Karl, You're Not Untouchable
Remember when Chanel put on that "faux feminist" protest?
“Recent months have seen a seismic shift in public discussion of sexual misconduct in the workplace — and the fashion industry is no exception — yet it is clear that we as a society are only just beginning to understand the size and scope of the problem.”
So read the opening to Model Alliance founder Sara Ziff's statement released Wednesday in response to Karl Lagerfeld's “disgraceful comments” in a Numero Magazine interview last week, noting how they “underscore just how much work we still have to do.”
It should be noted that Lagerfeld once insisted to Elle UK, “I’m very much into [feminism], and my mother was also a great admirer of a certain feminist of the 19th century,”
Clearly.
photo credit: Margaret Zhang via Instagram
Ziff said, “While not surprising (Lagerfeld is well-known for offensive comments and body-shaming women for their weight and appearance), Lagerfeld’s assertion that models should ‘join a nunnery’ if they don’t want their pants pulled down is, nonetheless, outrageous.”
She furthered, “Demeaning treatment and pervasive conditions of sexual harassment and abuse have plagued the fashion industry for far too long — and as they are finally coming to light, the people who enable these conditions must be held accountable. Mr. Lagerfeld’s flippant dismissal of reports of abuse, and his characterization of models who have come forward as ‘stupid,’ ‘toxic’ and ‘sordid creatures’ who should quit their profession if they do not like how they are treated surely demands action.”
She continued by asserting the need for her work with The Model Alliance.
“The Model Alliance and its allies refuse to tolerate bullying or abuse — be it physical or verbal — in our industry. The fashion industry should be a place where creativity and self-expression flourishes, and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect on the job. Times have changed — and, with it, fashion’s moral standing and accountability must as well.”
To find out more about Sara and The Model Alliance, Click Here.
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C&C Classifieds: The Spare Room, Richer-Poorer + Us!
Get those resumes hot and ready.
Spring cleaning season is still in full effect. Your next career move could be just around the corner. Or just below this text. Dive into this weeks classifieds listing to find out what opportunities are out there. Also, we're hiring! Read below to find out how to join the C&C fam.
Get those resumes hot and ready ladies.
Create & Cultivate - LA
The Spare Room - LA
Richer-Poorer - CA
Future of Storytelling - NY
BH Cosmetics - LA
WANT MORE? SEE OUR FULL CLASSIFIEDS LISTINGS HERE.
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Self Defense: How To Beat Burnout
Slow down, you’re moving too fast.
Slow down, you’re moving too fast. We know. You want to launch the company. Work on your side-hustle. Make both work. But in trying to do it all, you’re DIY’ing your own burnout.
Seriously. Do any of the below apply to you?
- You catch yourself falling asleep at the desk often.
- You can’t stop thinking about work/you’re having stress dreams about spreadsheets.
- Your stress is causing back pain or migraines.
- You’re not performing on the job, even though you’re at max output.
- Once you get home you’re having difficulty sleeping.
- You’re not enjoying things that you used to.
A recent piece in the New Yorker discussed a bit of what we’re seeing: There is an “American obsession with self-reliance, which makes it more acceptable to applaud an individual for working themselves to death.” It continues, “There’s a painful distance between the chipper narratives surrounding labor and success in America and the lived experience of workers.”
Are we chipper or are we being chipped away at? Mental health is a huge player in this wellbeing game.
So if you answered yes to any of the above, it’s time to get in the practice of self-betterment.
Here are 5 tips to improve your mental health.
Get into a morning routine
From waking up at the same time, to making sure you’re drinking one cup of water for every cup of coffee you down, there’s more than one way to ensure you start the day off right.
For starters, WelleCo’s hero product, their Super Elixir Greens is the perfect and easiest way to drink yourself to good health at the start of your day. Simply mix 2 teaspoons with water or add to your morning smoothie. New fact: If you drink coffee first, make sure to wait at least a ½ hour, as caffeine will inhibit nutrient absorption!
Benefits of this morning must are: Gut health, digestive function, energy, immune system support, bone health, muscle repair, metabolic function, endurance, liver function, healthy skin elasticity, cognitive function, free radical elimination. Need we say more?
The better your morning practice, the better the rest of the day. Speaking of practice...
Practice gratitude
Gratitude is a habit. It’s your best ally, capable of improving mental, physical, and relational well-being, all of which are necessary tent-poles for mental health. Think of each (mental, physical, and relational) as big budget blockbusters of your own life that you want to invest in. You will build equity in yourself. They will support the rest of your life. How you improve each of these tent-poles is through gratitude.
Spend ten minutes before you leave the house in the morning focusing on a mantra of your own making. This mantra can change from day-to-day or it can remain a constant. For instance, if you are grateful for your health, train your mind’s eye on that happiness. They key is practice.
Maintain your diet
It’s called protein for a reason-- it’s a pro at keeping your energy up and your body balanced. If you’re looking for an easy way to keep your protein levels up, WelleCo has a plant-based nourishing protein powder.
The WelleCo Nourishing Protein powder does not contain whey, hormones or artificial fillers. It is also much more than a protein, with both pre and probiotics for gut health, rosehip for vitamin C and skin and dandelion for liver health. More so, they contain metabolism boosters to help you maintain a healthy weight. Bonus: for days when you’re RUSHING everywhere, they can be used as a meal replacement, so you don’t end up drained and undernourished. Instead, it’s a quick and nourishing way to keep you going.
Laugh
Science has proven that laughter is the best medicine in many cases. Laughter is proven to decrease stress hormones. It also triggers the release of endorphins, inside feel-good chemicals. Seriously, laughter is an inside (the body) job that benefits you in so many ways on the outside.
Stress down, feel-goods up? Go follow your favorite meme account and if you’re going to spend time on social media, spend some of that time laughing.
Sleep
Things to remember: your wallet, keys, and gratitude practice.
Things to forget: that old adage, “you can sleep when you’re dead.”
Not so, sweet angels! Our bodies need sleep to repair the work we’ve done during the day. But when our brains and bodies are racing (ahem, those days when we grab a WelleCo Nourishing Protein Smoothie for lunch), it can be hard to hit the breaks. First stop on the sleep train is a calming tea. WelleCo’s Sleep Welle Calming tea is your new nightcap. It is an effective blend of herbs to assist with sleep, anxiety and stress. Pour yourself a ‘cuppa and crawl on into bed!
Okay, all this sounds great in theory but how do we actually practice it IRL? We tapped two entrepreneurial boss ladies for their tips and best practices to keep their mental health on point.
First, Fran Hauser, startup investor and the author of “The Myth of the Nice Girl,” started taking the Super Elixir to assist her on an upcoming busy, busy (yep, a book launch, for one) time, without totally forgetting her well-being.
And Elle Macpherson, supermodel and co-founder of WelleCo. The co-founder says, “Since taking 2 teaspoons a day and adopting a predominantly plant-based diet, I have had more energy and felt healthier than ever. It made me realize the profound impact food can have on the way I feel. It has transformed my life.”
Check out their advice below:
What’s the first thing you do when you notice your energy running on E?
Elle: First thing I do is stop… take 5 mins… quiet, close my eyes, breath 10 counts in, 11 out. For nourishment, my reliable go-to is always a WelleCo Nourishing plant protein chocolate smoothie with homemade almond milk or water plus avocado and a scoop of greens mixed in. Our protein is formulated with organic sprouted brown rice and pea protein that provides all 9 essential amino acids give energy levels a good boost.
If I’m craving something to eat, I might have fresh organic almond butter with celery. A great tip I learned from Dr Simone Laubscher PhD is eating walnuts. She loves it because it is complete protein snack that is brilliant for brain function. Eating 12 to 15 walnut halves give you 95 per cent of your daily essential fatty acids. Good reason to eat them every day!
Fran: I get up and move. Even if its a short walk around the block or some simple stretching. Sometimes I watch a funny video of my kids; I find laughter to be a great way to get my energy up!
How do you encourage your team to take things one step at a time, and avoid burning out?
Fran: I think the key to not burning out is to create boundaries around your time. I do this by being really clear about what my priorities are and being comfortable saying no when an ask is outside of my priorities. I think the best way to encourage my team to do this is by modeling this behavior myself.
I think the key to not burning out is to create boundaries around your time.
What are some routines or habits you have that help you stay on top of your mental health game?
Elle: 1. Take time out. I try and incorporate an activity to de-stress every day, whether it’s meditation, swimming laps, yoga or walking my dogs Bella and Moon.
2. Laughter. I love to laugh. I don’t look for it from entertainment, it comes from my friends and family. I find laughter opens the heart and smooths conflict. Almost everything can be resolved with a healthy dose of humor.
3. Running alkaline. Every morning, I mix WelleCo SUPER ELIXIR Greens with filtered water. It’s a big boost of nutrients that help support all 11 systems of the body, from my immune and liver systems to cognitive function and healthy skin. It makes me feel calm and happy knowing that my body is not inflamed and fuelled up with everything it needs for the day ahead.
4. Trust yourself. Leading a busy lifestyle with a detail-orientated mind, I have learned to use my intuition more, but for this, I need to slow down and pause often throughout the day. Remember, you can’t see your reflection on running water.
5. Sleep! Good quality sleep is a big priority for me. I make sure I get seven hours’ sleep a night. I like to make a pot of WelleCo SLEEP WELLE Calming Tea and sip it before bed. It is formulated with valerian, hops, and skullcap that when combined, help calm the body and mind. If I have slept soundly, I wake the next morning feeling calm, replenished and mentally ready to face the day.
Interested in getting in on the WelleCo gain? Use code CREATEHEALTH for free shipping on orders over $50.
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Beauty Game Musts this Festival Season
Six ways to look fresh and fierce.
Let’s be honest: do you love festival season for the music, or for the fabulous beauty looks? If you said both, you’re a Nature's Bounty® Hair, Skin & Nails kind of girl. You know that the looks debuted in Palm Springs this month set the tone for summer beauty trends, and you know that taking care of your hair, skin and nails will create a healthy foundation from within for your latest creative look!
This past weekend, Nature’s Bounty joined us at the Create & Cultivate Desert Pop Up Event in Palm Springs, where we had a day full of fun, food, beauty and conversation, not to mention, guests got some super chic pink manicures with adorable festival-inspired stickers to kick off festival season the right way.
Thanks to our friends and partners at Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails, we’ve put together five beauty routine “musts” to prep for festival season, and one beauty challenge, should you accept it.
GET YOURSELF A SETTING POWDER
We all know that festival season brings out the heat, and a sweaty debut isn’t our favorite look. Purchase a setting powder with SPF (yes that Palm Springs sun is no joke) that mattifies, shines and sets makeup. Key for long days in the desert. Its sweat-resistant formula will also smooth your skin’s appearance and reduce shine. Plus, it’s easy to re-apply through the day.
MANI GALORE
We all know un-manicured nails are no fun (re: boring). Spice up your look with a fun splash of color, and make sure your nail game is strong. The best part about festival season is that you have free reign to be bold and daring! So show us what you got!
GUMMY POWER
If you want to look and feel the part this festival season, it’s important to remember that beauty starts from within! While of course doing things like applying your daily moisturizer and sunscreen will always be key, don’t forget to nurture your inner beauty as well.
Nature’s Bounty® Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies are a delicious addition to your beauty game! These gummy vitamins work from within to support lustrous hair, healthy nails and vibrant skin.*
If you’re new to taking vitamins and supplements and want to test things out first before adding to your beauty routine, check out the Nature's Bounty® Hair, Skin & Nails Challenge, which is a great way to try Hair, Skin, & Nails Gummies or Softgels for one month, risk-free. By providing the vital nutrients your body needs everyday including Biotin, Vitamin C and E, Nature's Bounty is helping you look and feel your best*. Consider it an essential part of anyone’s festival prep routine (you can thank us later)!
UNDER EYE MASK IT
If you want a fresh-face with your braid, but you don’t have time to get up on the zzz’s, a gel eye mask can really do wonders. Eye masks can hydrate and moisturize the delicate eye area for an immediate de-puff effect. With a cooling effect, skin under the eyes is left feeling comforted and refreshed whilst arnica extract helps reduce appearance of baggy eyes and puffiness for an instantly brighter eyed appearance. A gel eye mask treatment is a great idea to prep the under eye area before a big event.
NO MASCARA, NO PROBLEM
If you want to be able to hop from pool party to pool party without reapplying mascara (or, le sigh, having it run down your face) take a hour pre-festival and get your lashes done. There are plenty of spots where you can nab a full or half set of mink lashes. They last for up to six weeks and will actually have people asking, "Did you wake up like that?"
IF YOU’RE FLYING IN
Make sure to hydrate. A lack of fluids can leave you looking tired after a long flight-- and that’s the last thing you want. Plus, the more you hydrate, the more you glow.
What are your beauty tips for festival season? Share in the comments below! And be sure to take the Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Challenge.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
photo credit: Becki Smith House Photo
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Kate Bosworth on #MeToo, Her New Movie & Her Solid Sense of Self
More like a pink crush.
On Saturday, actress and producer Kate Bosworth joined us as keynote for our Desert PopUp with MINI at the The Commune at the Ace.
Taking the mic in front of 1000 attendees, Bosworth shared about the ups and downs of Hollywood, what it takes to make it, and keeping a solid sense of self through the years. “My whole life has been swinging from the rafters, whether as an artist or student,” she shared.
Swings that included risky moves.
“I moved to LA on my own when I was 18,” Bosworth said about deferring from Princeton. Even though she was the first in her family to be accepted to Ivy League, she knew she wanted to be an actress. Her family was “thrilled,” but she had her sights set on making it in Hollywood. “I had a little studio apartment and started going on audition after audition after audition.” Furthering, “A lot of those roles didn’t have a lot of meat there.” All of the sudden Blue Crush landed in her lap. She felt plenty of affinity with the character, knowing, she said, “of what it was like to have a dream and want to achieve that dream.” But to also, “feel self doubt and fear.” Although she had never surfed, she went in to read for the breakout role that ultimately became hers.
But she didn’t land it immediately. The powers that be loved her for the part, but she needed to be able to surf. Bosworth had no idea how to ride a wave or paddle out. So the producer Brian Grazer and director John Stockwell told the novice they were going to try and cast real surfers for the role. That process would take about three weeks. During those three weeks Bosworth didn't twiddle her thumbs. Instead, she went out and found herself a surf instructor in Malibu. “For about 3-4 weeks and for 6-7 hours per day, I somewhat learned to paddle and not be a total amateur.” At the end of that time she called up both Grazer and Stockwell and asked, “Would you please watch me surf?”
She landed the role not because she was the best surfer, but because she was determined. She was athletically focused. “That’s something I like to impart on anyone starting out their career,” she said, “have focus, be determined, and know what you love and you will find a way.”
"Have focus. Be determined. Know what you love. And you will find a way."
“I look at my twenties with fondness and a lot of cringe moments,” Bosworth shared. “It’s only through experience that you learn things. You have to be willing and open to fail, which is hard for ambitious people. But you are going to fail. That will lead to something bigger and better.”
Most recently the actress has flipped her actress cap to producer for Nona, a film that chronicles sex trafficking work in Central America. Nona is an acronym for “No Name.” It tells the story of a girl from Honduras searching for a better life. “It was important for us to show the how,” Bosworth shared. “These are victims of very serious crimes and they are preyed upon.” The referenced "us" is Bosworth's husband a co-producer, Michael Polish, who also wrote and directed the film. It is the first feature from the pair through their newly formed production company, Make Pictures Productions.
As for the future, she’ll continue to make work that matters to her-- and that matters to her husband. “He loves women’s stories,” the actress explained. “I feel truly grateful to be married to a partner who talks the talk and walks the walk. And even in our most intense moments we’ll find something to laugh about pretty quickly.” What makes it work? She laughed, “A lot of kissing.”
What Bosworth doesn’t find a laughing matter are the #MeToo stories coming out of Hollywood. However she feels hopeful. “We all feel really similar and I think that’s really powerful. A female collective is happening right now, and as women in male-dominated work spaces, regardless of profession, we all felt a need to buckle down.”
“I love women,” she continued. “I love working with women. The one thing as an actress that’s very unsatisfying is that it’s very rare that you work with another actress. You’re often the ‘girl’ cast among six men. What’s great about this is that we’ve found ourselves working together. I do have a lot of hope. I think dialogue is important first and foremost. This isn’t a singular experience. This is a collective experience and we are better united.”
Arianna Schioldager is Create & Cultivate's Editor in Chief. Find her here.
Photo credit: Becki Smith House Photography. Find her here.
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Professional Opinion: LLC vs. CORP
Having practiced law within the creative industries for a number of years, I’m rarely shocked when an individual tells me that they work free-lance and have been operating without a company. That being said, there’s never a better time than now to take action! If you are individual considering starting your own company or already have a business that you operate in your personal name, the single most important first step in building a foundation for your business is choosing the proper entity. Having a good attorney and and new, easy-to-use accounting software for small businesses, makes the entire process a cinch.
As you probably know, perhaps the most popular form of business entity today is the limited liability company. However, various alternatives exist that are all worth considering. Incorporating a business, whether in one form or another, is an effective way for entities to insulate owners from personal liability, facilitate management of the business, benefit from numerous tax advantages and even take on investors.
This article sets forth the basic considerations for limited liability companies and corporations, and provides some preliminary guidance to help you as you begin planning for the growth of your business.
The Corporation
The corporation is one of the oldest and most recognized form of legal entity. Most states have an abundance of well-established laws governing the formation of and operation of a corporation. Corporations are generally favored by investors and companies with a large number of shareholders. Corporations are allowed an unlimited number of shares, shareholders and can even create different classes of ownership or “stock”. Furthermore, growing companies looking to go public or take on significant angel or venture capital investors, owners should be aware that only corporations are eligible for initial public offerings.
Growing companies looking to go public or take on significant angel or venture capital investors, owners should be aware that only corporations are eligible for initial public offerings.
Corporations, like limited liability companies, are entities which separate from their owners. Owners or “stockholders” of a corporation are generally not liable for the debts and obligations of the corporation. The incorporation process begins with the filing of the entity’s Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State and requires registration in any state where it is conducting business. Following filing and registration, the Board of Directors must hold an Organizational Meeting where the Board will select officers, adopt bylaws, and conduct other appropriate business.
Most states do not have rules that require a minimum number of owners that a corporations must have, but rather a single person is capable of being the director, officer, and shareholder of the company. Corporations have a three-tiered management structure. Officers, who run the day to day operations of the company report to the Directors, who are responsible for overseeing the fundamental decisions. Directors act in the interest in of the stockholders in overseeing fundamental business decisions. Different classes of stock (i.e. common and preferred) and voting rights for each class, are generally set forth in the corporations Shareholder’s Agreement, Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation, to which all the shareholders are bound. It is important to note that all decision making between the directors, officers, and shareholders may be modified by a Shareholder’s Agreement. Shareholders’ Agreements can also provide for a number of other complex rights and restrictions on ownership of the Company, but we’ll save some of the more complex matters for another article.
Generally, we refer to plain, vanilla corporations as “C-Corp”. What many entrepreneurs don’t know is that corporations can elect taxation under Subchapter-S of the Internal Revenue Code (creating what’s called an “S-Corp”). A corporation that does not elect S-Corp status is taxed separately from its owners, typically between 20 and 40 percent on its net income, which takes into account state franchise taxes assessed to the corporation. When a corporation decides to issue dividends to its owners, each dividend is subject to taxation as well, which is why these entities are often referred to as “double-taxed.”
What many entrepreneurs don’t know is that corporations can elect taxation under Subchapter-S of the Internal Revenue Code (creating what’s called an “S-Corp”).
However, a corporation may avoid the “double-tax” by filing as an S corporation. Similar to partnerships, S corporations are pass-through entities that do not pay income taxes at the corporate level, but only at the individual owner’s level when income is allocated among owners. In order to qualify as an S corporation, there can be no more than 100 shareholders, all shareholders must be individuals and generally must be U.S. Citizens or Green Card holders.
The Limited Liability Company
In recent years, the development of the limited liability company (“LLC”) has changed how many business are structured. The LLC is a hybrid legal entity that adopts many of the features of the corporation as well as traditional rules regarding partnerships. The LLC is becoming increasingly popular because it offers limited liability to its members for all of the LLC’s obligations as well as tremendous flexibility in its ownership structure.
LLCs are formed by filing the Articles of Organization with the state in which the LLC does business, which include similar information to a corporation’s Articles of Incorporation. Due to the fact that the laws surrounding LLCs are not as developed as corporation rules, most states require that LLC’s have Operating Agreement. An Operating Agreement is signed by an LLC’s owners or “members”, is drafted to structure an LLC’s financial and functional decisions and provide rules and regulations governing the transfer of ownership, addition of new owners, tax rules and decision making authority. Additionally, the Operating Agreement outlines how profits and losses will be distributed and how and when meetings will take place, and govern succession planning, such as procedures agreed upon for buying out or transferring ownership interests when members leave the LLC. Unlike corporations, LLCs do not have a formal management structure and can tailor their Operating Agreements to fit the business’s organizational needs. An LLC can have different classes of members making the business form flexible in management, financing, and operational aspects. A properly tailored Operating Agreement can save a lot of headaches in the future.
What many people do not know, is that the LLC, unlike the corporation, is the most flexible entity for tax purposes and may elect to be taxed as a corporation, an S-Corp or as a partnership. By default, LLCs are taxed as a partnership (unless another election is made). Accordingly, all profits and losses of the partners in a partnership.
What many people do not know, is that the LLC, unlike the corporation, is the most flexible entity for tax purposes and may elect to be taxed as a corporation, an S-Corp or as a partnership.
In many states, owners of an LLC with more than one member are granted certain additional protections from creditors. Some states like Delaware, afford the same protection to single Member limited liability companies.
All in all, entity selection and tax election are issues that are unique to every business. These choices will not only help starting your business on the right foot, but will pave the way for future success. We always recommend speaking with an attorney to help guide you through the process. DiSchino & Company offers flat fee packages to help get your business off the ground. We specialize in corporate and intellectual property law and cater to companies of all shapes and sizes in the fashion, arts, design, hospitality, food and beverage and tech industries.
Christopher Dischino leads Dischino & Company, a Miami-based law firm that provides legal advice and strategic consulting for the modern business, the entrepreneur, the free-thinker and those looking for something outside the box. With a knack for the creative and an entrepreneurial attitude, Christopher specializes in business law, intellectual property and corporate transactions, assisting private clients and corporate entities to establish and expand their businesses domestically and abroad. His experience allows him to create value for his clients by using resourceful structuring techniques to help minimize unnecessary costs and risks. Get more info on Christopher and his law firm here.
Why You Deserve a Spring Break
Why is it just for kids?
An unbothered, sweet week of silence. Or raucous good time in Tulum. However you choose to take a break, is fine by us-- as long as you take it.
According to a recent Gallup poll only six in 10 Americans took a vacation in 2017. The same poll claimed, “Employers might do well to examine how to encourage vacation time in a way that benefits their workforce's engagement as well as their employees' overall well-being, including such radical policies as having no vacation policies at all.”
Which brings us to-- SPRING BREAK. Why do we lose that precious time known as spring break as adults? Sure, there are emails to be answered and dial-in conference calls to be managed, but it’s vital that you take a brain break.
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?)
And when you’re on said break, you need some sweet footwear. Here are some of our favorite ADULT SPRING BREAK options from Dolce Vita.
A white boot is very of-the-moment. And there is something super romantic about this embellished western-style bootie. Bonus: it looks great with a cold one in hand.
An update on the wedge, that can easily transition from day-to-night. This is what we call a perfect packer. Wear it to the beach. Wear it to cocktails. There is nothing that the DANE can’t do. (Sort of like you. Hello multi-tasker.)
We love a little lace-up sandal in caramel that elongates your leg. (Too bad it can’t elongate your vacation.) But, hey, with a little R&R you’ll go back to work looking to the future.
This is the essential summer sandal. Which means, your feet can be on vacation, even if you aren’t. (But please, as previously stated, take a break!)
And finally, what’s spring break without a slide? Like the embellished Celita in blue, which has the has the ideal amount of edge for everyday wear. Even when you’re back at your desk.
Have spring break plans? Share in the comments below. It just might encourage someone else to take a break too!
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C&C Classifieds: Shine Influencers, DBA, Stand Up to Cancer + more!
All the honies, making money!
When it's time to go, you just know. If you're looking for a fresh gig and the next big move for your career, you're at the right place. Tighten up that LinkedIn profile and scan through your resume for any room for improvement. We've got a fresh batch of classifieds right here and ready for you.
P.S. We're hiring!
Dig in ladies, get to the paper.
Create & Cultivate - LA, CA
Shine Influencers - LA, CA
DBA - LA, CA
Stand Up To Cancer - LA, CA
The Real Coconut - Santa Monica, CA
Puppy Spot - LA, CA
WANT MORE? CHECK OUT OUR FULL LIST OF CLASSIFIEDS HERE.
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