The Most Inspirational Thing You'll Read All Day
Mel Robbins is breaking down everything.
Mel Robbins used to work all day long. She never set a stop time and so, she never stopped. But the renowned motivational speaker, creator of The 5 Second Rule, and a best-selling author and Audible Original host, is on a new track-- one that took her many years and 5 seconds to figure out.
At 41 her life was a mess. (Self-admittedly.) She couldn't get out of bed. She was unemployed. And then she changed her life with the 5 Second Rule. Laying in bed Mel counted backward from 5 to zero.
In that blip of time she activated her prefrontal cortex, which, according to Mel (and science) "is the part of the brain in charge of decision making, strategic thinking, acting with courage, learning new behavior, and working towards goals."
She's now the host of the Audible Original, "Kick Ass with Mel Robbins," where she talks to real people with real problems. Sound like you?
Read on.
You've said that dreams deserve 5 minutes in the morning before you let the world in. Can this kind of thinking be applied to any point during the day and have the same effect?
Most of us live our day-to-day in a reactionary mindset. We’re rolling through our to-dos, firing out emails, doing the daily chores and tasks, and getting what needs to be done finished.
And, as long as you’re putting out fires, you aren’t moving the ball down the field on what matters most to you. We knock things off of our to-do lists because that feels productive, but because we never actually make any real progress on the things that matter, we often still feel a void in our lives.
Your dreams will never come to life if you’re checking boxes off your to-do list. Instead, you need to take deliberate time each day to make meaningful progress on your goals.
I do this by carving out 30 minutes each morning of protected time to work on my goals.
There’s a reason the morning is the best time to work on your goals–and it lies in neuroscience.
According to Duke University professor and researcher Dan Ariely, we all have a two or three hour window of peak productivity every single day–and it starts an hour after you wake up.
So, if you pop out of bed at 6 a.m., your peak thinking and productivity window is 7 a.m. – 9 a.m.
I do whatever it takes to find 30 minutes before 7:30 a.m. to plan out my day and spend some time on a project that matters to me.
Why else is it important to plan and do the most important stuff first thing? Because it’s the best time for the brain to focus on the tasks or goals that advance your own personal or professional goals.
Answering emails, taking phone calls, sitting in meetings have a way of taking over your schedule and rarely lead to making major improvements in your life.
The concept of “30 before 7:30” cannot be done once you walk into the office. You must do this at home, at your favorite coffee shop, on the train, or sitting in your car in the parking lot.
Do not try to do this at work. The moment you walk into your office, answer that first email, or take that first call–your day is gone. Your attention is no longer being focused on your own goals and dreams.
For your own happiness and to protect the time necessary to focus on the deep work, the first two hours of your day must be grabbed by you. Now, if every once and a while you’ve a morning in which it’s impossible to take 30, you can leave it until the evening. But I’ve found that most of the time “later” becomes “not today.” At night, you’re tired–and you’re about 12 hours past your peak thinking window.
If you are making progress on projects that matter, even if for just a few minutes a day, you are winning the long game.
For our readers who have a hard time setting professional boundaries-- they're burnt out, they're replying to emails constantly, they never say no, they work weekends-- what's your advice?
When I find myself working around the clock, I remember Parkinson's Law.
Parkinson’s Law states that work expands to fill the amount of time given to it, which means that if you never set your own boundaries, you'll literally ALWAYS be working.
And that not only wears you down–it wears other people in your life down, too. A recent study found 33% of people answer messages in the middle of the night. And you don’t need me to tell you that checking your emails at 3 AM puts you at risk for burnout and emotional exhaustion.
Instead of endlessly working and being addicted to your phone from sunrise to sunset, try this: Set a time today that you will absolutely stop working.
As someone who used to work all day long, I was amazed what happened when I started setting a quitting time, something I now do every single day.
Instead of becoming less productive, I actually got more done. With my quitting time in mind, I was more focused, concentrated, and made even more progress.
A quitting time is the difference between an unfocused 12 hours of work or a productive, distraction-free 8 hours–in which you get the same amount of work done.
If you can get serious about managing distractions and removing them, you will find your productivity is off the charts. Every interruption takes 25 minutes to fully recover from and get back into focus mode.
If signing off at 5 PM makes you nervous, try this method for just one day. Before you get to work, take your 30 before 7:30 and plan out your day. Once you get into the office, write your quitting time down and start on your #1 project of the day before you check your email. Keep your phone on silent and your computer’s notifications off. If you find yourself getting tired, get up and walk for 5 minutes.
By 5PM, you will have most likely accomplished as much as you would working even longer.
Try this one day at a time and you’ll find that the extra time to recharge at night actually makes you even more productive the next day!
On a related note, the art of managing distractions is one of the superpowers of the 21st century. If you can tune out the notifications, the noise, and the chatter, you will get twice as much work done in half the time–allowing you to have quality time with your family and loved ones at night.
For young working women there are fear-based thoughts that if they don't do all of the above (are the last one the leave the office, say no to answering emails on the weekend, etc.) there will be someone behind them happy to take their place. What do you say to that?
The key word here is “value.” There’s a major difference between showing up at work (no matter how many hours you are online) and providing real value.
If you make your boss’ life easier and you further your boss’ strategic objectives, you are providing an incredible amount of value–and your boss will not think about firing you, even if you set clear boundaries around your time.
The secret to providing value is to ask yourself one question every day.
It’s to put yourself in your boss’ shoes and ask: What is the most valuable thing that I can do for him/her?
When you choose which projects to work on, you should actively seek to align your workload and your priorities with your boss’ objectives. While it may be more fun for you to work on projects that are not as important, when you become a proactive strategic contributor, you become an invaluable asset to your team.
If you’re currently not a huge value-add to your company, you can change that starting now. Tomorrow, ask your boss to talk and find out his or her strategic objectives–and start to align your work in this direction.
This question also gives you a formula for how you will answer other people who ask for your time and energy at work.
Many of us, especially women, want to please everyone in our lives, and it’s no easier to say no to a colleague or your boss as it is to say no to a friend or family member.
At work, you need to get clear on your priorities. And then, when someone asks you to do something that you don’t have time for or that would hurt your work on your most important projects, here is how to say no without feeling guilty:
First: understand that you are not saying NO to the person. You are saying it to the task. You are also saying YES to prioritizing your own time. If a colleague asks you, acknowledge the request and thank the person for thinking of you, explain why you don’t have the time due to your other projects, and then offer a lifeline by helping them brainstorm another person or offer guidance if they need help.
Second: if your boss is the one to ask for a request, use it as a strategic, high visibility moment. Listen to the request and then say that you are aiming to help them with strategic priorities and ask what is most important for you to focus on: this new project or your current work.
Remember: if you don’t prioritize your time and learn to say no, someone else will be the one to dictate your priorities, which is not the key to making progress at work.
It’s not just important to “say no” to projects that don’t align with your strategic goals. It’s also important to “say no” to being available all the time. If you don’t take care of yourself, it’s impossible show up as your best self. Research shows that today’s pressure to always be accessible has left more than half of workers feeling burned out and in desperate need of a reset button. In the United States alone, 200 million days are lost from work each year due to mental health issues, which is costing employers over $100 billion.
Researchers believe that one reason women are not promoted at the same levels men are is because of burnout. Women face high expectations in the home and at work (especially be having to be “always on” even after work hours).
Being “always on” is impossible. Make sure to prioritize things like sleep, getting time outdoors, exercising, not sitting all day, and spending time with friends.
And, if you’re actively aligning your workload with your company’s top priorities and getting more done in less time by managing distractions, you will become an invaluable employees who can set boundaries–and not have to worry about being replaced by someone else.
Sign up for Audible today! And listen to Kick Ass with Mel Robbins. Change your life already.
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School of Side Hustle Lesson 2: From Concept to Commerce
A creative’s guide to easy e-commerce.
In Lesson One: Create & Cultivate + Weebly talked brand building basics. We worked through some simple, but necessary brand building exercises. And we read up on how Emily McDowell grew her online card side-hustle into a legit brand. So let’s turn the lens on you for a minute.
You’ve done the brand work. You’ve figured out your three adjectives. You’ve played “This Not That,” and you’re ready. But, you’re not. But.... you are. You think. *Scratches head.*
Are you ready? It’s a hard question to answer because the “launch my biz” trepidation tremors are real. Of the hundreds of women we talk to about entrepreneurship the common thread is “the leap.” At one point they’ve all faced the challenge of closing their eyes and sprinting straight ahead. You need guts, because as you know, without guts there is no glory.
Watch: Lesson 2 From Concept To Commerce
Carly Kuhn, AKA The Cartorialist, had to take one such leap. And it all started with a secret Instagram persona. When she launched @theCartorialist she was working full time on “Chelsea Lately.” She had no clue what her illustration side hustle would turn into, nor did she want it to look like she was trying to switch careers. However, Carly did know that she had to show the world the artist within. “Working in comedy,” Carly says, “I thought it may be awkward to tell my coworkers “Hey guys, I started an Instagram account where I draw people, check it out!’”
But she gathered her courage and did it.
“I think the reason I had the courage to actually go through with it was because I had been doing Improv and Sketch comedy for a few years. Let me tell you - standing on a stage with no lines, improvising comedy to a group of strangers seemed much more daunting to me than posting a drawing to the unknown abyss that is the internet! So, I guess you can say, without comedy, I wouldn’t have had the chutzpah to show my art to the world!”
It was that chutzpah that turned into her first sale. “A lot of the monetization happened organically,” she says. “For example, my first paid job (while I was still at “Chelsea”), a PR company hired me to draw a few top magazine editors that they then framed and gifted to them for the holidays. I had no clue how to price this- I think I just made up a number! They came back with their budget, and what worked for them. That’s kind of how it happened in the beginning. And once I had one paid job under my belt, that was my barometer for pricing moving forward.”
With that sale she knew she could take her idea from concept to commerce. If one person is willing to pay, so are others.
But all of those questions about pricing and getting started are tricky. Which is why in Lesson 2: From Concept to Commerce, Create & Cultivate's CEO & Founder Jaclyn Johnson is breaking down a creative’s guide to easy e-commerce.
Now, that’s a lot of info to take in. But here are some of the basics, further explained.
One of the most important touch-points for you brand is your website. And Weebly gives you the ability to create one that tells your unique story. Weebly offers users the ability to tell their unique story. And storytelling is the rock solid foundation of any successful brand. With Weebly you can:
Choose a unique online store design with a customizable theme to showcase your products. Their easy-to-use drag & drop builder helps you launch your online store quickly.
They also offer intuitive and time-saving marketing tools, which are incredibly useful when it’s only you, business party of one. With Weebly you can:
Use customizable email templates, like an abandoned cart or welcome email, to connect with your customers.
Optimize your site for SEO to help search engines discover you. Their analytics tools help you track site performance. Plus, you can further enhance your store with partners from their app center.
Their blog also offers a ton of amazing and useful content for new builders. From the “4 Questions to Ask Yourself When Designing Your Web Store,” to turning a one time customer into a return customer, to how to design your site so that it’s optimized for SEO. When you’re launching there is so much to consider-- the good news is, Weebly has already considered it for you. Seriously. Do you know what your “hero” product should be? Or what people should see first? These are all small details that require patience, thoughtfulness, and attention.
Even as your business grows, there are a million considerations. For Carly, selling is still a work in progress, but she encourages young entrepreneurs to do their research. “I had a hard time pricing out my work in the beginning (and still do!). But today, there are a lot of resources out there. You can approximate the pricing of your work through research. There are a lot of other art/design websites out there that can give you a sense of what is being sold and for how much. Then go with your gut...what feels right.”
She also shares this insider piece of advice: “I feel like I am only now just beginning to get the hang of it! But, what I did learn very quickly is that the holiday season is when most customers want to make their special art purchases. So, if you can launch a site/start selling your work, do it in time for the November/December holiday season!”
As for how she prefers her sites to look and feel? “A website should be clean, clear, not overwhelming to the eye, and user friendly. I typically like a white background with black text, but that’s just me! Let the content speak for itself. If you can’t navigate a website easily, people will leave it after a few seconds.”
Let the content speak for itself.
Whether you opt for a white background with black type, or you’re into a more colorful interface, Weebly has options. But we bet they’ll also tell you, make that website user-friendly, or that user will no friend of yours.
Have more questions, drop us a line below and we’ll get them answered!
Be sure to look back at Lesson One: Building a Brand Online and check in for Lesson 3: Don’t Just Build a Website, Build a Business and Lesson 4: From Market To Marketing.
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C&C Classifieds: Refinery29, Billion Dollar Boy, Mistress & More!
Another Wednesday, another classifieds!
If you've been searching job boards and obsessively refreshing LinkedIn for the latest openings at your dream company, look no further. Your weekly classifieds listing is here with positions in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and more. Weather you're transitioning into a new industry or looking to put that fresh college degree to work, we've got you.
Dive into this week's classifieds listing here and get your resumes ready to rock!
PS.: We're hiring, check out our open positions if you'd like to join the C&C fam!
Create & Cultivate - LA, CA
Capital Hair Products - Washington DC
Billion Dollar Boy - NY, NY
Mistress - LA, CA
Refinery29 - LA, CA
Groupon - CHI, IL
WANT MORE? SEE OUR FULL LIST OF CLASSIFIEDS HERE.
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4 LGBTQ Female Entrepreneurs Changing the Game
Making waves. Making history.
At C&C we're constantly talking to trailblazers. Women who champion others because they champion themselves first. In honor of Pride Month, we're highlighting some of our fave openly out female entrepreneurs.
Left: Gigi Gorgeous, Right: Nicolette Mason
Tim Cook might be the first name that comes to mind when you think openly gay CEO. In fact, before Cook came out, there were no openly gay CEOs in the Fortune 500. But there are countless other women (and men) challenging the status quo of what it means to be an entrepreneur. We love the below women who have forged their own path. Created their own careers. And continue to fight for the rights of the LGBTQ community.
GIGI GORGEOUS
Being inspired keeps up alive. And YouTube star Gigi Gorgeous, currently clocking 2.2 million followers on the video platform and 2 million on Insta, is nothing short of inspiring. Born Gregory Lazzarato, the middle of three brothers, Gigi began sharing YouTube videos from her bedroom in Toronto in 2008. They were confessionals, makeup tutorials, and normal goofy videos with high school friends. At the time Gigi identified as a gay male, receiving support from both her parents. Her brothers appeared in videos alongside her as well. It was after losing her mother to cancer that Gigi posted a video officially identifying as transgender. That was December 2013.
She’s spent almost a decade in front of the camera. She edits all her own videos. She's taken acting classes and made a few moves in the world of cinema. As to who she wants to work with? "Any major star would be amazing," she says. "I really love acting." But she's also broken barriers, working with major brands like Pantene and Crest- what she calls “pinch me moments.” "When I signed the deal for the Crest campaign for 3D White, I bawled my eyes out to my dad, but it shows what you put in, is what you get out.”
"Being a transgender woman I know the hardships that the people in my community go through," she says. "I think it's important to get my story out there for the world to see. We saw this with Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox-- they're huge media icons but they made transgender a household topic and that's really powerful. It changes people's perspective."
For our full interview with Gigi click here.
INGRID NILSEN
In the world of YouTube there are those considered to be “top of their game.” Beauty blogger Ingrid Nilsen is one such name. Her charm and smile are infectious. As is her honesty.
In her coming out video titled, “Something I Want You to Know,” Ingrid told her subscribers the she was gay. The video has over 15 million views to date. "I'm gay," she tells the camera, laughing and crying, "it feels so good to say that."
Though it felt “natural and important" to her, it was also "a big step in bringing my audience closer and letting them in. I didn’t want to hide. I didn’t want to shut them out."
"YouTube has been a space where people can be themselves, and be themselves in whatever light that is that day and receive acceptance," she says. "I think that’s why it’s why it’s so accepting of the LGBQT community. It’s rooted in authenticity and acceptance at its core." For our full interview with Ingrid click here.
Left: Ingrid Nilsen, Right: Rachel Berks
NICOLETTE MASON
We think it's maybe a little too obvious about how much we fan girl over writer and influencer Nicolette Mason, but the sharp-witted bloggers is the real deal. "I never thought working for a fashion magazine was ever in the realm of possibility for me," said blogger and writer Nicolette Mason. "I had the education and the background, but there was no one who looked like me. No one I could look to as an example," she shared. "When Vogue Italia reached out to me and asked if I would be a contributor and a year from that point Marie Claire asked me to come in as a columnist and I penned a column for five years-- it was so amazing and surreal to know that my voice did have the potential and ability to be part of the mainstream."
Nicolette says, "It's the job of content creators and media creators to reflect our real world." For more on Diversity and Representation in Media click here.
RACHEL BERKS, FOUNDER OF OTHERWILD
Otherwild Founder Rachel Berks didn't set out to open a boutique shop slash graphic design studio (making her an official slashie), but when the graphic design world and a brief stint at William Morris designing presentations for fast food companies didn't align with the vision she had for her future, she shifted gears. Otherwild was born in LA in 2012 and just opened a second location in New York this past May.
Now she's focussed less on fast and more on building community and offering an inclusive space for the LGBTQ population. It's the glue that binds Otherwild's followers together and also sets her apart as a business owner. You might recall Rachel as the unapologetic force that brought back "The Future is Female" shirt after seeing the image on HerStory's Instagram, which focusses on the herstory of lesbian imagery. She's also committed to representing the multi-dimensional and expansive queer community. For our full interview with Rachel click here.
Who are some women you admire? Share in the comments below!
Cover photo credit: Thornspike
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How This Charleston Mom Makes Time For Summer Fun
Squeeze more FUN!
Simple summer pleasures are upon us. No matter what your job, summer is the season of FUN. But work does not wait for summer -- unfortunately. With the bulk of the summer ahead of us (YAY!), we're teaming up with Old Navy to tap on-the-go moms across the country to find out how they squeeze more fun out of summer in their cities - while keeping that to-do list managed and inboxes at a minimum.
SUMMER CHARM IN CHARLESTON
Charleston blogger Chassity Evans of Look Linger Love walks us through her charming summer habits with her two kids below.
How does your family “squeeze more fun” out of summer?
Luckily, in Charleston our summers seem to go on forever with plenty of warm days. We make the most of weekends and try not to let any day go by without doing something fun! We love to grill outside, go on a bike ride, and make popsicles. One of our favorite weekly traditions is to hit the local ice cream shop, Old Village Pharmacy, for some laughs and to really connect about things that are on our minds.
SHOP THE EVANS FAMILY OLD NAVY SUMMER LOOKS HERE
As an entrepreneurial mom, there’s a lot of pressure to be plugged in + online. Why is it important to you to make family memories in the summer?
I love my iPhone and my online communities - they keep me connected with friends and family and give me a creative outlet, but as a mom of two young kids who are growing so quickly in front of my eyes it's more and more important to me to be present in the moment. During the summer I get so many more hours of the day to spend with my kids, and I want them to be filled with memories they recall fondly. They're still at that magic age where they love being around me, so I have to soak it up!
Do you have any favorite summer traditions? What is your go-to activity for summer fun with the family?
In the summer we love to swim in our pool, go out on the boat, hit the beach, and eat A LOT of ice cream from Old Village Pharmacy. Sometimes even for breakfast.
Vacations are wonderful but they can also be hard work to plan. Do you have any family vacay planning tips?
We love an easy vacation. The kind of get away that has plenty of down time so we can go with the flow of our moods and energy level. Having a slow morning inside can be just as much fun as rushing out to an activity. If we are staying in a hotel it 100% has to be kid friendly, otherwise none of us will relax. We have a home in the Bahamas and that is definitely our favorite place to get away to. We know the area and know what we want to do so as soon as we get there we can hit the ground running. As for a travel tip, I've learned that when traveling with kids you really can't pack enough clothes!
Having a slow morning inside can be just as much fun as rushing out to an activity.
What can the workplace do to help families inject more FUN into their summer?
I think offering more 3 day weekends or half days would open up families for more short getaways, staycations, and activities!
When you’re not on PTO, how do you keep the family fun going at home in the summer?
We connect over meals at fun restaurants, playing a game in the backyard, or inviting over neighbors. Going for a bike ride is an easy way to share family time!
What are your summer fun hacks?
I should be asking you all this question! I'm no Martha. But I will say that MadLibs will take you far. Remember those little fill in the blank books from childhood? My kids go crazy over these and they're great in the car or at a restaurant!
How do you squeeze more fun out of summer with your family? Let us know in the comments & join the conversation using #unitedstateoffun on social!
SHOP THEIR OLD NAVY LOOKS!
Chassity:
Off-the-Shoulder Linen Blend Shift Dress
Chassity's Daughter:
Girls Knotted Denim Cross-Strap Slides
Chassity's Son:
Linen Blend Pocket Shirt for Boys
Built-In Flex Madras Shorts for Boys
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Finding Honest Inspiration with Working Wonder: Kate Sands
Beauty and fashion blogger Katie Sands is #alwaysbeinghonest.
Beauty and fashion blogger Katie Sands is #alwaysbeinghonest. It’s why she created the hashtag-- and why her Instagram handle is @honestlykate. She’s not only living authentically, she’s creating her own future, using her platform to reflect her journey as a young woman in NYC.
Wondering how? By asking for what she wants. #WorkingWonder.
“If you want it, ask,” she’s told her 100k+ followers. “This is something I always try to live by. You’re not going to get anywhere if you don’t ask for it. What’s the worst that’s going to happen, someone will say no?”
It’s a simple concept that many of us find so hard to execute.
To find out more about Katie, her journey as a blogger, some of her fav beauty tips, and more, read on.
Let's start with the basics. What does the idea of Working Wonder mean to you?
I believe a Working Wonder is someone who can accomplish as much as they can while looking and feeling their best, especially when it comes to guiding others along the way. There are so many people out there who don’t want to share contacts or put in a good word for others, and I can never understand why. Reaching out on behalf of a friend, or even a mere acquaintance, and connecting people is so important in the world we live in and could mean so much to someone. I always admire people who have the ability to make others feel comfortable and welcomed around them.
Life is too short to have a negative attitude and make people feel less than how they should feel - a simple smile and warm personality can go a long way. That’s something I always strive for, whether I’m working or just hanging with friends. Anytime someone is overwhelmed with work, but still takes the time to reach out and make others feel good about themselves, that is a Working Wonder to me.
How has the content and inspiration you share through your HonestlyKate platforms made you feel wonderful?
There is no better feeling than seeing people react in a positive way toward HonestlyKate. I created HonestlyKate at the end of last year as a platform I could use to reflect my journey as a young woman in New York City, trying to grow and inspire as many people I could reach. I know so many people trying to pursue their dreams in the Big Apple — and let’s face it, we all want to look good whether we’re on the subway, at a job interview, or just out for the night with our closest friends, because you never know who you’ll run into. From the beginning, it’s been my goal to inspire girls to curate their own futures and let them in on my fashion and beauty secrets along the way. What better place than New York to do it all?! When I see that my goal of helping inspire women to curate their own futures is working, I get so excited and it all feels so worth it.
You mention the ‘Honestly’ in your name represents authenticity. How do you encourage women to stay authentic while creating content for their audiences?
Don’t try to be everything for everyone, just try to be something for yourself - someone that you are proud of. I try to always stay true to who I am and what I value, no matter what kind of obstacles come along the way. Being honest is what my brand is all about, but I’ll admit it can definitely be hard to not get swept up by the glamor of it all — especially as things grow and evolve. I think it’s key to surround yourself with people that really ground you and remind you of what’s truly important. Cherish those people, and don’t lose them! I always remind myself of the core reasons of why I started to blog: my love for fashion and my passion for helping people be their truest selves. As long as you’re true to yourself and your ambitions, you will always be authentic, regardless of how saturated the industry you are in is.
Don’t try to be everything for everyone, just try to be something for yourself - someone that you are proud of.
Tweet this.
Another important aspect of staying authentic while creating content for a particular audience is to have a clear vision. Of course, this vision can evolve, but it’s good to start with a direct message for your audience and to have a good sense of what you want your brand to showcase. Don’t be afraid to take risks in your style. Don’t be threatened by numbers of followers. Look at your engagement and find the link between what you love and what your audience wants to see or hear from you - figure out how you can relate to them, and in turn inspire them. It’s good to adapt, as long as you always come back to your true intentions and are sure it’s the right direction for you.
What is your advice for younger female entrepreneurs struggling to feel their own sense of wonder? Or, those wondering if they're on the right track?
A great piece of advice that I once received from a mentor is that it’s okay to feel stuck, or to feel like you aren’t doing enough — everyone feels that way at one point or another. And when that feeling comes, take a few steps back and ask yourself why you started doing what it is you are doing. Don’t be afraid to fall, because most of the time you will be falling in the right direction.
I also think that young entrepreneurs get stuck on this idea that everything has to be new and extremely original, and I believe that in the world we live in, authenticity is key — but it’s okay to take inspiration from the people around you and channel it to fit your own aesthetic. Once you feel more comfortable with the idea that everything doesn’t have to be extremely original and new, you can start to take the pressure off of yourself and focus that energy into putting a new spin on the things you’re passionate about.
Don’t be afraid to fall, because most of the time you will be falling in the right direction.
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Do you think there is a difference between 'beauty' and feeling 'beautiful?'
I believe the word “beauty” refers to everything on the outer layer of the self. It’s the more superficial level. Your skin, your hair, your body shape — these are all visual elements that contribute to your outer beauty. But being beautiful is something that radiates from within. When someone emanates positive energy and inspires those around them, that is beautiful. That’s what we should all strive to be and feel.
What do you hope other women feel about themselves and the concept of "beauty?"
I hope women view themselves as beautiful from within. The outer layers come later. One of my aspirations for creating HonestlyKate was to promote a positive image of what it means to be and feel beautiful, and for me, that meant using fashion and beauty to help others develop confidence within themselves. Beauty is all around us but feeling beautiful is something all women need help with at times, and that’s what I wanted to help others with.
So, speaking of beauty... we all have our own tips and tricks. We recently found out that only 20% of visible skin aging comes from the natural aging process. Mary Kay®'s TimeWise Miracle Set 3D™ helps protect your skin against the rest – what else do you incorporate into your beauty and wellness routine to combat the environmental and lifestyle stressors that contribute to premature skin aging?
Oh, there are so many things! The number one habit I’m trying to get rid of is always drinking out of a straw! I know it sounds silly, but I’ve read multiple times that it’s horrible for aging in your face. It’s just so much more fun for me to drink out of a straw than not to! Another huge tip to help combat stressors that contribute to premature aging is to take a step back or a day off. A lot of times I realize that I’m stressing over things that are so minute in the grand scheme of things. It’s easy to get carried away with the little stuff, but taking a step back really helps to ground you and recognize what’s truly important.
Working out is one way for me to de-stress. I try to break a sweat at least three times each week. It’s tough when you’re so busy, but at the end of every workout class I’m reminded of why it’s so important to get the body moving, it really does combat stress and release good endorphins. I’m also trying to cook more for myself, which can be really difficult as an influencer. There are always dinners and events with people and brands that offer such delicious food, but at times it can be overwhelming. I now know it’s okay to say “Hey, can we meet for coffee instead?” Finding the right balance is important.
When do you feel the most wonderful?
I definitely feel the most wonderful when I’m working on my non-profit, Kate’s Closet! I can’t say too much about it yet... but stay tuned. Giving and helping others, especially those who really need it, is so important to me — it’s what makes me feel like I’m having a real positive impact on the world.
Who is a woman you would consider a Working Wonder? Someone, you want to give a shout out to?
My biggest fashion Working Wonder is Patricia Fields! She single-handedly created what a New York woman should emulate in beauty, fashion, and attitude. Both in Sex and the City, and now with Younger. One of the reasons I began my blog was because of my passion for costume design, it’s something I studied in college and always had my heart set on. My whole life I acted in plays and musicals, but then I realized that fashion and beauty were two things I also wanted to focus on for my career. Patricia Fields paved the way for me (and so many others) and showed us how to marry the two. She showed us that it’s possible to be passionate about more than one thing. She never takes credit and is always behind the scenes, but I think she deserves a major applause!
We'll be featuring wonderful women paving the way in their careers as part of our new Working Wonders series with Mary Kay. Check back for more inspiration and wonderful words of wisdom.
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This CCO Says There's No Longer One Way to Do This
Changing the game.
After working her way up at two other major fashion houses, Marie Mazelis came to Halston. Looking to introduce a generation of new Halstonites to the heritage brand that pretty much defined the '70s, Mazelis had her work cut out for her.
But what she knew was that dressing had fundamentally changed. Specifically, dressing for work had fun-da-mentally changed. And when she took control as Chief Creative Officer, she knew this had to be incorporated into Halston's offerings. That dressing had become interchangeable.
Read more from Mazelis on the why and how, fashion dress codes (there are none) and lasting power of Halston.
The business world (for most of us) is more casual than ever. In what ways have you seen a difference in the way women dress for work?
I think how we dress overall has become a lot more personal and much more relaxed. There isn’t just one acceptable way to dress for the office. Women no longer have two separate wardrobes – one for work and one for the weekend. They’ve become interchangeable. It’s all in the mix, it’s how you put things together.
What do women want from their work wear?
Comfort, ease, versatility... Also, I think, longevity… They want things that won’t be out of style next season. Today’s woman is very savvy, and she’s willing to invest in quality that will last. She is also looking for something unique and special, with attention to detail.
How has the way you dress for work changed over the course of your career?
Interesting question. Working in fashion, I was never really confined to a “dress code”, so the changes in how I dress for work have been mostly influenced by changes in my life. My days now are a whirlwind - filled with meetings on color, embroidery and prints… Fittings, and photo shoots, and sketch reviews... And when I’m not working, I’m out and about with my two boys. All this leaves little time for anything else, so I’ve had to simplify. I’ve developed a “uniform” of sorts. During the week I wear all black – all my favorite pieces that are easily interchangeable, which I update with new silhouettes each season. It’s one less decision to make before 9am.
In your last seven years at Halston how have you addressed the changing needs of women?
I have focused on creating designs that are lasting – both in quality and aesthetic. Halston brand is known for its timelessness and modernity. There are so many vintage Halston pieces that look as if they had been designed today. To make Halston glamour more accessible, our collections have expanded to include more casual pieces, giving options for dressing up or down, and thus offering more versatility and value. As I mentioned earlier, it’s all in how you put things together. Like when you wear a cocktail dress with flats, it feels more casual and relaxed, making it appropriate for day.
What are some major trends you're forecasting for this year?
It feels like everything is on trend. It’s all in play. So it’s more about having your own unique point of view.
How do we update our office basics?
For me acquiring a new piece of clothing is about the emotion it evokes. Dressing for work can become so routine, so mechanical in a way… I love resetting from time to time with something that makes me feel really happy when I reach for it in the morning. Invest in pieces that inspire you.
Can you recommend 6 easy adds to any closet?
An iconic Halston silhouette, this classic jumpsuit is an easy all-in-one outfit.
A great option from desk to dinner. Layer a jacket over it for day, put on some heels for night.
A fun piece to complete any look, whether with jeans or a cocktail dress, it adds a touch of glam.
Classic Halston, this timeless dress should be in every woman’s wardrobe.
One of my favorite tops this season. I love the delicate ruching detail and the flowy, effortless silhouette.
Gotta love a great slide! A summer must-have, wear these with anything for a relaxed, yet put together look.
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How to Pack an Extra Bit of Protein in Your Day
Mairzy doats and dozy doats and liddle lamzy divey.
We don’t want to call you out, but your snack choices are questionable.
And when you’re clocking long days at work, you want snacks that fuel your performance. Not choices that slow you down.
Which is why we want to serve up a new option-- one that you can blend, shake, mix and beyond-- even right from your desk.
Leading almond butter producer, Barney Butter is launching the nation’s first-ever powdered almond butter! Barney Powdered Almond Butter is a completely natural defatted product made using only California’s best grade almonds in a 100% peanut-free facility. After going through an all-natural expeller pressed process with absolutely no chemicals, the Powdered Almond Butter has only 45 calories, 1g of fat and a powerful punch of 6g of protein per serving.
Here are a couple of ways you can enjoy it straight from your desk.
With only 1 ingredient (almonds!), our Powdered Almond Butter gives you a clean, nutrient dense option and checks so many boxes: peanut free, Paleo, Keto, Vegan, gluten-free.
For an additional way to enjoy almond butter, Barney Butter’s Powdered Almond Butter will be available starting June 1st (today!) at BarneyButter.com for $9.99, and at retailers nationwide shortly after.
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C&C Classifieds: Billion Dollar Boy, BE SOCIAL, Havenly & More!
New job, who dis?
Calling all goal diggers! If you've had your eyes out for a new position at your dream company or a relocation opportunity in a new city, you're in the right place. Your weekly classifieds are here and we’re excited to share that we’re back on the list with a new job opening within the #createcultivate dream team!
Dive in and enjoy ladies!
Create & Cultivate - LA, CA
BE SOCIAL - LA, CA
Billion Dollar B0y - NY, NY
Pinterest - LA, CA
ONEHOPE Wine - LA, CA
WANT MORE? SEE OUR FULL LIST OF CLASSIFIEDS HERE.
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How to Live Life On Your Own Terms
You only got one shot.
What do you want?
Four simple words. One big question.
The kind of question that’s on our minds a lot—especially as we get older. What do we want from our careers? What do we want from our friends? What do we want from ourselves?
How do we take the steps to live life on our own terms? Because between work and work it can often feel as though we have no time for ourselves. In fact, Gallup reported that the well-being of Americans was on the decline in 2017.
So we’re chatting through some ways to live the life you want.
LET GO OF PERFECT AND JUST GO FOR IT
There’s no such thing as perfect, so why do you keep striving for the unattainable (and unrealistic and unhealthy) goal? You have strengths. You have dreams. Don’t let perfect stand in your way.
STOP CRUSHING ON CRUSHING IT
We gotta talk. We know you want to be the best and crush it at your job, your relationship, your friendships, but it’s too much. You can’t be all things to all people all the time and maintain time for your sanity.
The allure and romanticized version of having-it-all is nothing like the real thing. So, do us a favor, stop trying to crush it and just do it.
LET YOUR HAIR DOWN (OR UP)
Your hair has a lot to say. It goes wild at times. Other times it’s a bit tamer. It makes sense, your hair is an extension of you. And you can’t deny that a great hair day can flip that frown right-side up. Move freely. Show shine. As a side note: Sounds like a pretty amazing life motto.
FORGET GOAL LISTS
Go with your gut. Not your goals. Even if this feels counter-intuitive, you need to give yourself breaks from those #goals lists and realize that you already are #goals. In the words of the queen T: “I am constantly amazed by Tina Fey. And I am Tina Fey.”
So what do you say? Are you ready to live life on your own terms and let that hair down?
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School of Side Hustle Lesson 1: Building a Brand Online
The living room side hustle. It’s a real thing.
An astounding 83% of Create & Cultivate followers want to start their own business. They want ownership over their careers. They want the ability to take their goldmine of an idea to the next level. What prevents them from moving forward? The tools. (And at times, the willpower.) Which, is where the Create & Cultivate x Weebly series for side-hustlers comes to the rescue. We’ve prepared four amazing Lessons to walk you through the steps you need to take your side hustle to full-time gig.
Aided by the advice and lessons from women who have paved the way, we are going to walk you through the “how” and “what” of it all -- from the tip to tail of launching an online biz, starting with entrepreneur Emily McDowell who is going to take us through the process of building a brand online.
So let’s start at Emily’s beginning, which like many of you, began in her bedroom where she was writing and drawing back in 2011. (Nod along if this is the position you find yourself in now.)
Again, like many of you, her first online store was through Etsy. “I started out by selling illustrated prints on Etsy in 2011,” the founder of the Emily McDowell Studio shares. “I added my first cards to the shop in January of 2013.” However later in 2013 after launching the Emily McDowell wholesale card line the company, “launched the e-commerce site and began to drive traffic there.”
This is a natural jump for many online sellers. And it’s something we discuss in our new series with Weebly. In the below video Create & Cultivate Founder + CEO Jaclyn Johnson is breaking down the most topline basics of brand building.
Watch: Lesson One
Building a Brand Online
For entrepreneur Emily McDowell, the core of her brand is bolstered by what she calls the defining characteristics of her company’s identity. (In the above video, refer back to the “This Not That” exercise.)
“In my mind,” the entrepreneur explains, “a brand is the core characteristics of a company’s identity: its personality, its story, what it stands for, what differentiates it, what customers experience when interacting with it. Taken together, these brand characteristics are responsible for the emotional connection between company and customer, and that emotional connection is what makes a customer choose one brand over another.”
Since her foray into ecommerce in 2013, her business has grown. “People needed help knowing what to say in certain situations, and our cards do that, the founder explains. “If you can solve a problem with your product, it’ll be a lot easier to stand out.”
From a super practical perspective, Emily shares that, “In order to be taken seriously by retailers and sales reps, my experience is that you need to have a minimum of about 40 styles in your line, half of which should be birthday cards.”
But that is incredibly card specific. If you’re wondering how to build a “you” company, Emily breaks out her process.
AKA, do what Emily did. Take it from the living room to the boardroom.
“When you think about the brand you’d like to create, what are the three adjectives you would use to describe it?,” she challenges you to ask yourself.
“This exercise distills the brand you’re trying to create into three words that represent it. The descriptors can be anything, but choose them carefully, because moving forward, a very simple way to create brand cohesion is to ensure that have everything you create or offer embodies those three words.”
She furthers, sometimes you have to kill your darlings. “You have to be willing to kill even your favorite ideas if they don't fit the three words (not one or two, but all three), because if an idea doesn't fit, it's not right for your brand. I'm not gonna lie, this hurts, but ‘because I like it’ is not a good enough reason to add something to your brand offering."
"‘Because I like it’ is not a good enough reason to add something to your brand offering.”
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As your company grows, as Emily’s has, you can always refer back to those words. Think of them as your port in a storm, when orders are coming in too fast or you’re having trouble keeping up, go back to the words and remember why you started and what your brand is about. This process has helped the Emily McDowell Studio expand. In January of 2018, the Studio joined forces with fellow Southern California-based, women-owned companies Knock Knock and Sisters of Los Angeles to become the Who’s There Group.
Now, if you’re sitting there thinking, but I already have a side-hustle, this doesn’t apply to me. Au contraire. Emily encourages women already in business to, “ask five people to describe your products or business using three adjectives. Are the words consistent from person to person? Do any of them resonate with you? Are they in line with what you’re trying to communicate? If not, where’s the disconnect between what you’re doing and how people are perceiving it? That’s your road map to what needs to shift, because a brand is only as successful as consumers’ perceptions of it.”
What you should take away from that whether you are new to branding or have been trying to build your biz for a minute is that consistency is key.
As Jaclyn mentions in the Lesson One School of Side Hustle video:
“The who and the why of your brand matters."
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"This is where using a platform like Weebly has immense value add over a site like Etsy. You own your story. You’re not simply plugging it into a pre-existing template. This is all about you. So get ready to tell them what you’re about.”
People want to see original.
This is also something that Emily inherently understands. “In a world of recycled quotes and memes, I think it’s refreshing for people to see original writing. It’s pretty easy to make work that looks like ours, but writing is harder, and the longer we’re around, the more important it’s become to our identity.”
She adds, “We also don’t try to be everything to everyone. First, it’s impossible, so you’ll make yourself crazy trying. But you’ll also end up watering down your brand so much that you’ll lose your identity. I’d rather have 100 engaged followers, who are on board with us and what we stand for, than 1,000 followers who scroll past our posts. As a company, our values and political beliefs are important to us, and I think having the privilege of a platform also comes with the responsibility to post about issues that disproportionately affect people whose voices are less easily heard. Does that mean we sometimes lose followers and get the occasional nasty message? Yes, but it also shows what we stand for, which helps us stand out.”
Have more questions, drop us a line below and we’ll get them answered!
Be sure to look for what knowledge we’re dropping next with Weebly! Lesson 2: From Concept to Commerce | Lesson 3: Don’t Just Build a Website, Build a Business & Lesson 4: From Market to Marketing.
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Building a Selfless Squad with Working Wonder: Ally Love
Find out how a little sweat can do wonders for you too.
Ally Love’s name is a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy. This empowering and inspiring woman has hearts in her eyes and joy in her soul. The host, model, dancer, producer, and founder of LoveSquad has created a career where she’s in charge.
Case in point: she created LoveSquad to share her own personal journey to find fulfillment. It has evolved into a means to unite people, to motivate readers, to help others push their limits, improve their habits, and finish everything with Love.
Wonder how she does it all? Read on to find out more about Ally’s Squad, her day-to-day, and why a little sweat can do wonders for you too.
Let's start with the basics. What does the idea of Working Wonders mean to you?
It means being selfless in the approach to make the world a safer, and better place by championing diversity, and equality.
How has the work you do with LoveSquad made you feel wonderful?
LoveSquad is about community. So, the fact that I’m able to empower and encourage others through confidence, tactile takeaways, and support, is what makes me feel wonderful, and more importantly, makes others feel wonderful.
LoveSquad believes in being multifaceted, sweating on the outside and taking those first steps to improving what’s on the inside. How do you encourage women to actually take those first steps?
I encourage women to begin with conversation. This is the first step and ultimate process for change. It’s through conversation, that we are able to find creativity, cultivate ideas, and work through concepts.
What is your advice for younger female entrepreneurs struggling to feel their own sense of wonder. Or, those wondering if they're on the right track?
If struggle is your current position, I would always advise young entrepreneurs to take a break. Take a couple of days to be present, gauge the health of the business, and prioritize your objectives. From there, you can get advice from a mentor, or a trusted friend on whether you should continue to pursue this career path.
Take a couple of days to be present, gauge the health of the business, and prioritize your objectives.
Do you think there is a difference between 'beauty' and feeling 'beautiful?'
I think they are one and the same. They are both subjective, offered to everyone, and both do not indicate or dictate your self-worth.
What do you hope other women feel about themselves and the concept of "beauty?"
That they don’t have to be “beauty” or “beautiful” unless they want to. It’s a label, however not the end-all-be-all.
So, speaking of beauty... we all have our own tips and tricks. We recently found out that only 20% of visible skin aging comes from the natural aging process. Mary Kay's TimeWise Miracle Set 3D helps protect your skin against the rest – what else do you incorporate into your beauty and wellness routine to combat the environmental and lifestyle stressors that contribute to premature skin aging?
I love vitamin C toner to remove dead skin and invigorate my color.
When do you feel the most wonderful?
I feel most wonderful when I’m a part of a conversation that is not only inspiring but providing insight that could potentially encourage and change lives.
Who is a woman you would consider a Working Wonder? Someone you want to give a shout out to?
I think that Elaine Welteroth is doing an incredible job standing out front and center as a woman- as even more as a black woman, she is an example to all women to get out and be the change we want to see, to stand up and advocate for justice and equality.
We'll be featuring wonderful women paving the way in their careers as part of our new Working Wonders series with Mary Kay. Check back for more inspiration and wonderful words of wisdom.
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Boo Freakin' Hoo: What to Do If You're Being Professionally Ghosted
Scary stuff out there.
Ghosting is the worst. Like, hello, it's me. But where did you go? I've emailed 47 times, called, left you 12 voicemails, DM'd, Snapchatted, written a thank you note, and sent a MF'ing carrier pigeon with macaroons.
You call me a stalker, I call it being thorough. The collective "they" told me, in the working world it's important to follow up. It shows tenacity. It shows that you're willing to go the extra mile!
But it's also important to recognize when it's simply not working. The above may be an exaggeration, but professional ghosting happens and it's more difficult to navigate than relationship ghosting. Especially if you have to see the person who is ignoring you in the workplace. Water. Cooler. Awkward.
Here are four common and rather uncomfortable PG (professional ghosting) scenarios and how to handle them. Because while everyone loves a macaroon, it might make you look like a macaloon.
YOU HAD A BOMB.COM INTERVIEW, FOLLOWED UP, & NEVER HEARD BACK
This one is pretty simple and the closest to relationship ghosting as it gets. What do you do? Move on. Accept that it wasn't the right fit and focus your efforts elsewhere. What you may have thought was the perfect job for you, there are countless reasons that it wasn't. (At least according to your not-future employer.)
While it's frustrating and can make you a little blue in the ankle boots, the right opportunity is somewhere else.
Keep the email and the contact in case you have reason to reach out in the future, and go sew your wild working oats elsewhere.
YOU PITCHED YOUR BOSS A FAB IDEA, FOLLOWED UP, & SHE'S STILL IGNORING IT
Knowing when to push an idea harder with your boss is a very tricky, gray area. It depends on your relationship, how she likes to be approached,
There's a possibility she simply forgot and your follow-up got buried under a pile of pressing to-dos. There's also the chance that she hated it, dismissed it, and has already moved on.
First, ask yourself if it really, is the great idea it is in your head. We can get a little blinded by our egos and attached to ideas that aren't working. If you still think it's top-notch, run it by a colleague you trust. If they think it's great, pop by your bosses office and ask if they have 30 seconds. For the third attempt, an in-person F/U is the best.
That way you can really gauge their reaction. An email is easy to ignore. Plus it shows a boldness and drive that will be appreciated, even if the idea is not.
If your colleague is less enthusiastic than you expected, move on, and wow your boss with the next 10 ideas.
SOMEONE REGRAMS A PHOTO, DOESN'T CREDIT YOU, & DOESN'T RESPOND TO YOUR REQUEST FOR CREDIT
Creative professional deserve credit for their work, and if someone isn't polite enough to tag you or respond to two requests (make the first one polite, the second can be a little more stern), report the photo. Sometimes it's a simple mistake or a busy Social Director who overlooks the tag.
Make it Instagram's problem. Because while it feels a bit like tattling, it's even more childish of a company or person to refuse credit. You work hard and deserve the tag.
YOU'VE REACHED OUT TO A FRIEND/COLLEAGUE/
FORMER BOSS FOR AN INTRO OR RECOMMENDATION AND... CRICKETS
Using key contacts to crack open closed doors is part of the circle of working. And even though it can be really uncomfortable asking for professional favors, we all do it. However, it is quite possibly one of the worst feelings when you ask for a favor and you get straight ignored-- especially when you're asking a friend.
Here's how to handle by contact and situation:
- Asking a close friend for a contact or recommendation: follow up with texts, calls, Facetime. Snapchats, show up on their doorstep with dinner. Close friends are fine with your crazy. Plus, if you land a job you can buy them all the wine.
- Asking a friendly acquaintance for a contact or recommendation: follow up once, say how much you'd appreciate it, and if they don't respond, try to find another way in. Some contacts are awkward to give out, and it's easier for people to ignore you than say no. But you need to accept that just because you ask, that doesn't give you a right to their Roladex.
- Asking a former colleague or boss for a contact or recommendation: email first and ask if you can steal three minutes of their time on a call. In most instances you should avoid texting-- unless you were close and consider them a friend, in which case, see above. But if your relationship was strictly professional, keep it that way, and make the request formal. Say that the request is time sensitive, and if you don't get a rather quick response that reasonably meets your deadline, there's your answer. Don't stress over one contact. Redirect that energy into finding someone different to ask. You might get a courtesy email down the line, saying something like, "I just saw this, sorry I couldn't be more helpful." IF, they can still be helpful, here's your chance to hook them. If it really is too late, send a polite reply. You never want to burn a professional bridge because of a personal resentment.
Arianna Schioldager is Create & Cultivate's editor-at-large. You can find her on IG @ariannawrotethis and more about her at www.ariannawrotethis.com
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You're Going to Regret How Much Time You Spend on Social Media
To like or not to like?
How do we put this lightly? All that time you spend in the black hole of scrolling and liking, you’re going to regret it. Hear us out.
We’re not here to chastise you for engaging with your online community. Hardly. Successful social media growth comes from authentic engagement. But we all know the difference between good business practices and a two hour black out. And it's time you take stock of your social media habits.
MAKE SPACE FOR CREATIVITY TO HAPPEN
It’s one thing to be inspired by someone else’s content. It’s quite another to copy it all together. And WE KNOW. The content creation burden is real and sometimes it feels like you can’t come up with anything new. Sometimes when we’re stuck, we scroll. We turn to social media to get inspired. This is often counter-productive.
If you spend too long “getting inspired” it can hurt more than it helps on multiple fronts. First, you spend a whole lot of time looking at what other people are doing, instead of working on your own grind. You need to give yourself time and space in IRL to experience the world. Take in air. Those tiny boxes on IG have a lot of power, but they shouldn’t have power over you.
Second, no matter how strong your resolve, you start to play the comparison game. The more you compare, the less you create. The harder you are on yourself, the less productive you are. We’re not blaming the medium for the message. Rather it’s on you to power down your phone and power up your brain.
“The more you compare, the less you create.”
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SORRY, BUT WHEN DID BINGEING BECOME A GOOD THING?
We joke about binge-watching. We happily share with our co-workers that we watched all of Handmaid’s Tale in one sitting. But is it really a laughing matter? (In the case of Gilead, no def not.)
But sorry guys, bingeing is bad news. On anything. WE KNOW THIS. So why do we keep romanticizing it? We’ve been a little hoodwinked by the marketing of it all.
"Bingeing is bad news. Why do we keep romanticizing it?"
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While, admittedly, there has been limited research on the effects of binge-watching or binge-scrolling, reported feelings include: loneliness, worthlessness, and depression. These are not the conditions in which creativity thrives or business grows. Acknowledging that the behavior is addicting is an important step.
Still, a 2013 survey by Netflix showed that 73% of the respondents viewed binge-watching as a socially acceptable behavior. Socially acceptable or not, as this Business Insider piece points out, building positive alternative activities is vital. We say not only for your mental health, but for your career as well.
Spend one week tracking how much time you actually spend on social media. The results will surprise you and likely challenge you to change your behavior. Once you adjust your social media habits, see if your world sparks up a bit-- if you're a tad more creative. If your ideas get outside of the box. We'll bet you a like they do.
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Are You Afraid of Commitment?
It’s like the dark, but for adults.
The stats are in. Though Millennials have long been accused of job-hopping and not taking anything seriously, they actually know how to hold down a job.
According to recent research from the Pew Research Center a fifth of millennials have been with their company for five years or longer, which falls in line with the stats around Generation X.
Compare that to the typical US worker who, as of January 2016, had been in their current job for 4.2 years, up from 3.5 years in 1983, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
When it comes to relationships, the data shifts a smidge. Specifically, more than half of all millennials (59%) have never married, and 9% are in domestic partnerships, per data collected via Gallup poll. So what gives? Are we able to hold down jobs, but not relationships? Are we afraid of commitment?
We say no. And we have some ideas as to how you can put a ring on your career and embrace commitment.
Embrace the One-Year Career Mentality
We have to first acknowledge that there has been a shift. There is no longer a straight and narrow career trajectory. It’s highly unlikely to see anyone in a 40 year career. In fact, some people say the only constant is change.
This shouldn’t scare you off, however. It should fire up your furnace. Enter: the 1-Year Career.
It’s not what you think.
According to Baily Hancock, “The 1-Year Career is a whole new way of thinking about work and your place in it. It encourages you to evaluate your professional happiness far more frequently than the generations before us had to, setting short-term goals and achieving them with small, actionable steps year after year throughout your entire career.”
So yeah, contrary to what it sounds like, it does not mean you should go leapfrogging across jobs and careers every 12 months.
Rather, says Baily, you should think about your career in one-year increments. By doing this, “it enables you to focus on only the next couple of steps ahead of you.” She explains, “We’re far less likely to feel overwhelmed when we consider not what we’re going to do with our entire life, but instead, what we’re going to do in the next 365 days. One year seems doable; long enough to accomplish a good amount, but short enough that we can plan for most of the variables that life may throw at us.”
What Else Might Life Throw At You?
A bouquet at your BFF’s wedding, perhaps. Don’t be afraid to catch it.
Or feelings.
Committed doesn’t only mean to one person.
Committed can be to your job. To your family. To your best friends. And it’s the new trailblazing, forward-thinking concept from Simon G., the leader in the world of fine jewelry.
Through Committed, Simon G. is expressing their commitment to quality, love, unity, kindness and so much more. Commitment can mean many things to different people whether to family, career, friends, or values. From the beginning, Simon G. Jewelry has celebrated the best of life by offering jewelry that exceeds expectations through inspired individuality and a ceaseless passion for detail. With decades of knowledge and experience, Simon G. knows the value of commitment over the long term, and their work honors this legacy.
Committed is bold, modern, and memorable. Which, is exactly the kind of woman you are.
What are some fresh, new ways you show your commitment? Comment below.
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Why You Need a Mid-Year Check In
Don’t be stressed AF.
We see you, working on that self-improvement. It’s not only for New Year’s resolutions. It’s a process and it takes time. So if it’s time for a mid-year check-in-- you know, the spring cleaning of the body and the mind, we have some good news.
We’ve got the boost you need. Supermodel Elle Macpherson developed the Welleco superfood and protein powders with her partner, nutritionist Dr Simone Laubscher.
Not surprisingly there has been growing popularity around the Welleco Super Elixir and the Welleco Nourishing Protein, the brand’s hero products. In part, because the benefits are numerous. But also because combining the two products can boost your metabolism and kick-start healthy living. Which, is exactly what every busy working woman needs.
A little about both products: The Welleco Super Elixir is an alkalizing green mixture with four different probiotics that focuses on a healthy gut. It’s made using cold-pressed bio live ingredients and has a whopping other 45 key ingredients, such as kelp, pomegranate, turmeric, that help restore your body’s pH levels.
The Welleco Nourishing Protein is an organic protein powder made with sprouted brown rice, pea protein, and Peruvian cacao. It's vegan but contains all nine essential amino acids like those found in red meat, eggs, chicken, and fish.
Everything is backed by science, and driven by nature.
11 Benefits of this Super Elixir
1. Reduce Stress
Who doesn’t want that? All of us. There are so many reason you should reduce your stress, but we’re going to focus on one. Stress levels increase cortisol levels. And if you have high cortisol, you have some stress reduction to do. Unfortunately, cortisol levels are highest in the AM, right around the time you have your 8:00AM coffee. And coffee happens to contribute to high levels of cortisol. Replacing your morning coffee with a Super Elixir shake will not only release your stress, but it also might keep you from reaching for the coffee pot.
2. Fight Off Fatigue
Is that a yawn we see? We know we just told you about cortisol and caffeine, but don’t fret yet. The Super Elixir can provide energy for your brain and body body. Plus, the 9 essential amino acids in the Nourishing Protein are essential for ramping-up endurance and energy.
3. Blast Bloat
The pre and probiotic boost in both the Super Elixir and the Nourishing Protein help keep your intestinal tract healthy, which in turn keeps that belly from bloating.
4. Help Sort Skin Issues
Many Super Elixir drinkers have reported that their skin has improved after a week+ of incorporating the Super Elixir into their routine. The truth is stress affects your skin and your collagen production. So, in reducing your stress, you’re also improving your skin. Glow on girl. Plus, the nourishing protein has skin-boosting nutrients, vitamin C from Rosehip to boost collagen and acai and pomegranate for antioxidants.
5. Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation is brought on by stress (stress increases cortisol which increases inflammation), environmental factors (smoke, pollution, sun), diet, lack of sleep (when you are not getting good sleep your body is fatigued, which puts pressure on your organs resulting in inflammation). The Super Elixir hits all of these pain points. Specifically, its turmeric ingredient is high in curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties.
6. Balance the Body pH Level
Our bodies are pretty great at maintaining the pH of our blood. But outside factors like poor diet, alcohol, and pollution can affect the acid-blood balance of our blood. Keeping a good pH in the body is crucial to feeling good. And the Super Elixir has both whole food and superfood ingredients formulated to nourish our bodies at the cellular level. Its alkalizing proprietary green blend supports pH balance.
Speaking of feeling good…
7. General Feel-Goods
Between the digestive enzymes in the Nourishing Protein which help support metabolism when combined with diet and exercise. Plus it’s packed with pre and probiotics which help keep our guts balanced and plush with the right kind of friendly bacteria. And f your gut feels good, the rest of you follows.
8. Maintain Your Immune System
You don’t have time to get sick. When combined, the maitake and shiitake mushrooms in the Super Elixir help maintain your immune system. And when you’re shaking new hands and making deals happen all day, you want to stay healthy. Turmeric also has immune boosting properties and the ability to combat bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
9. Get Yourself a Brain Boost
The Omega 3s in the Super Elixir assist in cognitive function. So instead of hitting the coffee bar for your 3pm slump, try to eliminate the slump altogether.
10. It’s a Slump Buster!
Feeling groggy and in a slump? Dandelion Leaf is often used as a caffeine-free coffee option. Which means it can bump you right out of that slump. It also contains vitamins A, C, and K, plus a dose of calcium and potassium.
11. Digestion Aid
Psyllium husk is a non-soluble fibre that aids digestion. It is also responsible for helping lower cholesterol levels in the body and lowering glucose levels too. Moreover, it will keep ya regular. (Which reminds us about an important article we wrote on that very topic.)
ENTER TO WIN!
So now that you’ve read about the benefits, it’s time to try it yourself. And guess what? We are teaming up WelleCo so you can win 90 Days of WelleCo Super Elixir greens. Click here to enter to WIN.
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C&C Classifieds: BrandLinkDC, FabFitFun, The Shelf & More!
New opportunities have arrived.
June gloom may be upon us over on the West Coast, but that does not mean your job hunt needs to be gloomy too. Freshen up those cover letters and get that resume tailored ladies. A fresh batch of classifieds is here for you to dive into and plenty of new opportunities are on the horizon.
Enjoy!
BrandLinkDC - Washington DC + NY, NY
DBA - LA, CA
Bare Snacks - SF, CA
The Shelf - BK, NY
FabFitFun - LA, CA
WANT MORE? CHECK OUT OUR FULL LIST OF CLASSIFIEDS HERE!
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Should You Switch to Cold Brew?
99 problems but your coffee ain’t one.
You’ve been drinking piping hot coffee since your lips first tasted the joys of java. But it might be time for a switch. Why? One, change is good. It’s about to be summer and chances are, a cold-brew will do your body good. And yes, it’s oh-so-refreshing on a humid summer day.
Beyond that, we’re sharing some of our favorite reasons to make the switch to Chameleon Cold-Brew. First up, it lasts the day long…
THAT’S RIGHT, COFFEE LOVERS, YOU CAN SIP ON IT ALL DAY
Cold-brew coffee is already, well, cold. You don’t have to worry about reheating it and dealing with that bitter aftertaste. Instead, go cold.
IT’S LESS ACIDIC THAN HOT BREWED COFFEE
If you’re having a bit of tummy trouble with hot coffee, it would be worthwhile to make the switch. Sources report that cold-brew may have up to 67% less acid than traditional brewing methods.
If you switch to cold brew, you got 99 problems but your coffee ain’t one.
KNOW WHERE YOUR COFFEE COMES FROM
What you put in your body is important to you-- so why should your coffee be any different? Chameleon Cold- Brew is committed to organic, premium and sustainably sourced cold-brew coffee. At Chameleon all green coffee purchases are cupped by a licensed Q grader and scored as a specialty grade, above 80pts using Specialty Coffee Association cupping protocol. To find out more about their coffee quality, spot sourcing, and organic certification click here and know what you’re drinking.
YOUR PALATE WILL LOVE IT
WIth cold-brew you tend to get the best tasting coffee in the world. OK, OK. That might be subjective to individual taste buds, but the lack of heat helps extract the original flavor of the beans. You know, that bitter taste that we add cream and sugar to avoid.
Bonus: you might end up using less sugar and cream, which is a benefit to your body overall.
REDUCE YOUR RISK OF SLEEP PROBLEMS
You shouldn’t drink any caffeine before bed, but on average cold brew contains around 20% less caffeine per 100 grams that other brew methods. According to the Huffington Post, “Caffeine is soluble in water, and the hotter the water used to brew coffee, the more caffeine is extracted ― meaning you get more caffeine out of the beans and into your coffee.”
YOUR NEXT CUP IS ONLY A BOTTLE AWAY
We know your type. Your morning cuppa is on your mind when you hit the hay at night. And with the 32oz Coffee Concentrates, you can enjoy coffee your way, first thing in the morning. No time wasted waiting for it to brew. And the results are in, people l-o-v-e the Chameleon Cold-Brew Concentrate. It’s certified organic, fully customizable: Enjoy it hot or iced, black or creamy, sweet or bold. Using a 1:1 ratio, add your favorite mix-in. It’s just coffee, water, and natural flavor.
So, let us know. Are you ready to make the switch?
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Frames For When You Finally Admit You Need Glasses
You’re a four-eyed goddess.
Eye care is self-care. And as you get older you tend to lose the ability to focus (it’s totally normal!) and some of us (hello, me) have needed glasses since high school-- or earlier.
But 4-eyes is no longer an insult, and TBH it never was. And picking frames….so much fun. Thankfully our friends at LensCrafters have a ton of amazing options for when you finally admit, it’s time for glasses.*
GO FOR THE GOLD
Simple with a touch of flair, this Prada frame is uncompromisingly crafted. As well as understated and elegant. With a slight cat eye that’s right on trend and corner white enamel detail, this is a go-to for summer.
BIT OF AN EDGE
We’re gonna Coach you for a sec on fashion frames. The detailing on this Coach frame is spec-tacular. We’re loving the gold and tortoise combo, but it’s the silver floral work that truly deserves your attention. (And will likely garner the attention of others.) These babies are made for out of office days.
UPGRADE ON A CLASSIC
Ray-Ban has dominated the sunny shades category for years now. It’s likely you have a pair of Aviators somewhere in a top drawer. But have you checked out their optical line? Classic good looks... that’s what these gold Aviators are.
PINK IS FOREVER
If pink is your favorite color, this pair of blush eyeglasses from Michael Kors can be your new go-to. Pink isn’t going anywhere-- nor should it. And with these frames, all trends will be crystal clear.
TORTOISE IS YOUR PURPOSE
With a gold tone logo at temples, this classic pair of Tory Burch tortoise eyeglasses will forever be in style. And you’ll be able to see your emails! That’s what we call a win-win.
*Shop similar styles on LensCrafters.com
But it’s not just about fashion. It’s also about eye health. The bonus happens to be: Eyewear is one of the most flattering and fashionable accessories you can own. A great frame can complete your entire outfit and they are super fun to shop for. But don’t forget to get your eyes checked. You can’t get a cute pair of glasses without first getting an eye exam. It’s not only crucial to maintaining vision heath, but your overall wellbeing. LensCrafters latest eye exam Clarifye, digitally scans your entire eye to pinpoint your prescription and give your doctor a new level of precise detail. In just 60 seconds, your eye doctor will know more about your eyes than a traditional eye exam ever could.
And with Clarifye it’s easier and faster to spot the warning signs for common health risks like diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and allergies. Find a LensCrafters near you to book an exam: https://www.lenscrafters.com/lc-us/findclarifye
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Meghan Markle Is Already Using Her New Platform to Talk About This
God save the Duchess.
Yes. Meghan and Harry are married. We've seen the pics. Scoured the hashtag. And gleaned everything we could from Serena Williams' Instagram story. And, as it's been discussed, the ceremony on Saturday was a break from tradition symbolizing a kind of togetherness we've been wanting and waiting for.
But before she was Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle was proud feminist, defender of equal rights. Even as a wee 11-year-old Markle. And the royal fam isn't shying away from these details.
In the newly added "About the Duchess of Sussex" section on the official royal website, Meghan's official "About" explains how she protested a sexist Procter & Gamble ad for dish soap.
“From a young age, The Duchess had a keen awareness of social issues and actively participated in charitable work,” the page states. “Aged 11 she successfully campaigned for a company to alter their television advert that had used sexist language to sell washing-up liquid.”
The page also talks about her charity work and her role as the UN Women's Advocate for Women’s Political Participation and Leadership. "In this role," the page states, "she gave a speech on the importance of gender equality on International Women’s Day for UN Women in New York City."
And then, pulled and bolded for the world to read is a quote from Meghan's speech that day: "I am proud to be a woman and a feminist."
Sure, royals aren't "allowed" to have political opinions*, in public, but in making that statement Meghan's pull quote on the very visible and very official royal website is, in-and-of itself a bold statement.
The "About" section goes on to say "In 2017, Her Royal Highness undertook a second learning mission with the organisation when she visited India with World Vision to bring a greater awareness to girls' lack of access to education. In the slum communities of Mumbai, The Duchess witnessed the work of the Myna Mahila Foundation who empower women through access to menstrual hygiene products and employment opportunities. Struck by her experience, she wrote an op-ed for Time Magazine about the stigmatization of menstrual health management and its long term hindrance to girls’ education."
If there was ever a question about the role Meghan would play in the family, consider this a step in a very positive, very feminist direction. The Royals, and their PR peeps, know people are reading and watching. And it appears as if someone is keen on making her voice heard. (As if there was any doubt from our end.)
*Feminism isn't really a political statement.