3 Lessons we Learned from Our Create & Cultivate Chicago Mentors
Jot these down.
Start your next meeting with “Is this your best work?”Do you ever just wish someone gave you the playbook for the next five years of your life? Like, imagine if someone really took the time to write out the list of things you need to do step-by-step in order to accomplish your dreams?
Welcome to mentorship.
Disclaimer: It doesn’t actually come with a step-by-step playbook.
What it does come with, are real life lessons, candid advice, and a mutually beneficial relationship.
Everyone tells us mentorship is one of the major keys to success. Cool, but when, where and how do we even start finding a mentor? We all have those same questions. So we tapped some of our mentors from the #CreateCultivateCHI Comcast Mentor Power Hour to break down all the keys to mentorship.
Jeni Britton Bauer is the founder of Jeni’s Ice Cream. After leaving school to start her business, Jeni overcame a ton of challenges, and her business has now expanded to 33 stores across the U.S.
Ebony Lee is the Senior Vice President of Strategic Development at Comcast NBCUniversal. Innovation is central to her role, and she works in emerging areas of growth for the company, including supporting startups in media and technology.
Riyhana Bey is the Director of Brand Execution and Marketing at Volvo. She oversees digital and social strategy and helps execute integrated marketing campaigns.
Maxie McCoy is a career coach, motivational speaker and the author of You’re Not Lost, a tough-loving guide to figuring out your next steps and believing in yourself enough to take them.
We love knowing that Comcast NBCUniversal believes that mentoring matters! Keep reading to get their advice on mentorship below.
On modeling behaviors
One reason mentorship is essential for young professionals is because success leaves clues. Meaning, as people rise to the top of their respective career chains, they leave behind habits and example behaviors that we can model. What are some behaviors or habits that you shaped from mentors along the way?
Jeni Britton Bauer: Never cry “why me!?” Accept unexpected challenges and begin to be a part of the solution immediately.
Every single moment or event is a chance to grow, learn, explore, discover, have fun. Always be aware of and curious about what’s going on around you and of the people in the room and your life will be a great adventure.
Champions are champions because they get good at being beat up, knocked down, and never losing focus. That’s why LeBron is so good at basketball. That’s why I’m good at ice cream. Make your number one trait about resilience. Show the world that you are a champion at never losing sight of your vision of who you want to be and that nothing will stop you. Let that pride fuel you.
Never underestimate the smallest, meekest among us. They are often the most powerful.
These I learned from a Wayne Dyer self-help book in 1993, my grandmother (Enid Scripture), LeBron James, and Frodo Baggins.
Ebony Lee: The smartest people in a room are usually not the ones with all of the answers, but the ones asking the most thought-provoking questions. I’ve seen the greatest leaders use this trick and I completely believe that it has helped shape my success. I keep this in mind all the time, and definitely cut my teeth on this approach early in my career when I was a consultant, and still do to this day. When you’re able to get people thinking and talking, it’s a powerful tool in guiding people to the right answer or approach. Plus, you’ve now given them an ownership stake in a project’s success.
Maxie McCoy: I’ve been on the receiving end of incredible mentorship. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from these mentors is to know where you shine and then optimize for that. There’s never a single path to success. Rather, it’s important to take the best practices you see your mentors or inspirations doing, and then layer your own unique way on top of it.
Riyhana Bey: One of my favorite bosses would start meetings by asking one simple question: “Is this your best work?” If anyone hesitated or said no, he would immediately stop the meeting and ask what it would take to get to your best. He believed in hiring a team that was smarter than he was, and he saw his only role as being a facilitator of allowing others to do their best work. I fully believe in surrounding yourself with people smarter than yourself, listening to them, inspiring them, and getting out of the way of their greatness.
On finding their first mentors
Jenni: When I was 13 I decided that I had no one in my life who could help me become who I wanted to become—my family had broken apart, and it was not a good situation. I was worried about my future. So I wrote in my journal that I was going to find people outside of my immediate family I could model myself on. And that’s what I’ve done since.
I never had real mentors. I studied others I admired from afar and picked up their traits. From Katherine Hepburn to Luke Skywalker, and Aragorn to LeBron James.
Ebony: I found many of my mentors by volunteering for projects that were outside of my scope of work. In taking this calculated risk I expanded my skill set, and I was also able to gain exposure to leaders that I wouldn’t have met or had access to in my day-to-day. It’s happened more than once that these leaders saw my potential and became my mentors, and these are people who’ve guided me through many of my career choices, including my decision to join Comcast.
Maxie: My first mentor came from a cold email that I sent to the then highest ranked woman at ESPN, Rosa Gatti, to see if she’d talk with me about my goals to be a sports broadcaster. I was obsessed with the idea of interning at ESPN while in college, so I joined the Association of Women in Sports Media and highlighted every woman that worked at ESPN. Rosa answered that email. She got on the phone with me. She said I impressed her. And then she proceeded to open a door that put my life on a rocket ship forward, but I still had to run through the doors that she was opening. Normally, I wouldn’t tell people to go cold calling for mentorship, but in this case, it worked for me in a big way. So, don’t expect it, but it is a good reminder that the worst someone could say is “No”...and the best I could possibly be better than you can even believe!
Riyhana: All of my mentors were found the same way. I sat in a room, listened to them speak and was in awe. After that, I sought them all out and volunteered ideas on how could be helpful to them and asked for a value exchange whereby they let me ask as many questions as I wanted. I’m lucky they obliged, and I’ve learned more from lunches with them than entire years of my career.
On mentors and mentees benefiting each other
It’s crucial for us to think of a mentor relationship just the same as any other relationship in our lives. Adding value to your mentor's projects and business goals is just as important as receiving value from them. We asked our Comcast mentors their best advice for creating a mutually beneficial relationship with a mentor.
Jeni: Show up with your homework done. I had one guy I stalked in the food science department at Ohio State University who only said “yes” or “no” to my theories. I would read a science textbook on milk, work at the dairy, make a few discoveries and say to him, “So, if I heat milk like this, the proteins will act like that?” And, “Can I use that to build body instead of stabilizing or emulsifiers?” He would just say, “You are on the right track,” or “Nope.” Nothing is free. You gotta do your work. I learned more from him than almost anyone.
Also, if you aren’t working on or thinking about your thing all hours of your free time, then you aren’t passionate enough. I still do that. Self-care for me is working. It’s what I enjoy most. Don’t ever look for shortcuts from mentors. You are strong and capable, and you need to show that. Unless you’re a rare genius and your idea is so great that it builds itself. And while we’re here, I’ll add that all the money in the world isn’t worth what it will take from you. You’ve got to have a better, more inspiring motivation — like “I want to live a life of adventure and excitement.” Use a mentor to help you focus on the important stuff and then let everything else go.
Never waste time, especially mine.
Ebony: Like any relationship, you need to be truly committed to getting the most out of it. There are a lot of inspiring people you will meet, and while it is tempting to try and cast a wide mentorship net, this doesn’t always work out in your best interest. Really take the time to invest in your relationship with a mentor – and make sure that you’re getting what you need as a mentee. This might mean taking it slow and studying someone before approaching them, and I think you also should ask yourself the tough question about whether there is actually a connection between you and the potential mentor.
Remember you get what you give, and that’s true for a mentor and a mentee.
Maxie: Know exactly where they can provide value. Most great mentor relationships don’t come from “picking their brain” on everything under the sun. Nobody has time for that. Rather, know where their specific expertise can provide insight into your own career and focus your time on that.
Circle back. If a mentor gives you advice and you take it, let them know! If they open a door for you or a connection, let them know how it turned out! These are the highlights of mentor relationships so make sure they know. Show your gratitude. Whether that’s supporting their work, giving them your feedback, or sending a handwritten card, make sure you’re giving as much as your taking. Often, a heartfelt thank you can go a really long way.
Riyhana: I have only one key – you must genuinely admire and respect each other. Mentoring can be as wonderful as being mentored, and both parties have to be engaged and see something special in one another that allows you to make the time and commit to the process over time.
Mentors can be found in various ways and sometimes, they don’t even need to know they are a mentor of yours. Just watch and take notes. Remember ladies; success leaves clues. Study those who inspire you and ask the right questions. Take the advice from our Comcast #CreateCultivateCHI mentors and apply it to your mentor relationships.
What’s your experience with mentorship been? Leave us a comment below to join the convo!
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C&C Classifieds: Dear Media, Starbucks, WeWork & More!
Apply, apply, apply.
Happy Wednesday C&C fam! Now that we're back from Chi-town, it's time to get back to business. We're bringing you a fresh, new lineup of jobs for this week's C&C Classifieds.
Have you ever dreamed of working for Starbucks, WeWork, or even here at Create & Cultivate? Well, you're in luck. We're covering all bases this week with gigs in design, social media, marketing and more.
Get your applications ready and good luck!
iDGroup - LA, CA
Dear Media - LA, CA
Richer Poorer -LA, CA
Create & Cultivate - LA, CA
WeWork - NY,NY
The Healthy Drink You Should Be Sipping At Your Desk
For a healthy gut and clear mind.
Just like all of you, we know how important office snacks are. In the midst of emails, calls, meetings, and being busy overall, we need something to refuel us and help us power through the day. That 3 pm slump? Yup. That’s not fun for anyone.
And because we love to always throw some logic your way. Here are some facts about taking a break in the middle of your workday to enjoy a little something extra after being at your desk all day.
Snacks bring teams together! A quick snack break can encourage bonding among colleagues.
You and your team will be more focused and productive for the rest of the day.
Breaks are essential for mental clarity, and sipping on a healthy beverage is never a bad idea.
Having healthy snacks available makes employees feel valued and appreciated.
Healthier options can decrease the amount of sick days team members take.
We’ve been highlighting some of our favorite snack options here at C&C, and the team is already a big fan of Health-Ade kombucha and sip on them almost daily.
“Because not all kombucha is created equal.”
What if we told you that your midday pick-me-up can also help your gut and overall health as you sit at your desk? Well, you better believe us. A lot of us gravitate towards snacks that sound great but aren’t always necessarily great for us. That’s where our favorite bubbly beverage comes in to add some fizz, a little bit of sweetness, and a dose of healthy probiotics all around.
Detoxification, energy enhancement, and an immune system boost are just a few benefits of the bubbly probiotic tea. Our healthy snack of the moment is Health-Ade kombucha, which creates some of the best-tasting kombuchas around, with fun, refreshing flavors and Instagrammable packaging to match.
So, why is it so good? Well, Health-Ade brews their kombucha 100% the old-fashioned way, in small 2.5-gallon glass jars to prevent plastic and metal leaching. And those quirky, delicious flavors such as Jalapeño-Kiwi-Cucumber? They’re always flavored with fresh ingredients, including cold-pressed juice from organic produce. Our guts are already happier just thinking about it.
As a team, we’re all about convenience and Health-Ade has made an effort to make employees everywhere happier and healthier with the in-office “kegs”. That’s right, you can easily have kombucha on tap and grab some whenever you’re in the mood for a glass.
For those regular kombucha sippers out there, this is great news because it removes having to purchase your own bottles from the equation! Plus, it’s a great way to experiment with some new flavors that weren’t already on your radar.
Not sure how to get it? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered in that department as well. If you’re interested in getting Health-Ade on tap for you and your coworkers, get in contact with their team to coordinate further.
Happy sipping!
What’s your favorite healthy snack to have at work? Let us know in the comments below!
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Jennifer Hudson's Best Quotes from C&C Chicago 2018
The Chicago native dropped some knowledge.
You've seen her on your TVs, the big screen, heard her albums, her judge's seat on The Voice, and if you were at C&C Chicago this past Saturday, you heard her keynote conversation there. Jennifer Hudson is a multi-faceted powerhouse and we had no doubt that she'd have some killer knowledge to share with our audience. In one big room full of entrepreneurial, creative, badass women, J.Hud ignited the fire in our bellies with her real-talk advice on business, personal growth, and more. Ahead, her best quotes from the night.
“If it’s not worth working hard for, it’s not worth it at all.”
“I don’t do a single thing for money. Everything I do is because I love it.”
“There’s no set formula for success. Success to me is what you love and what YOU value.”
“You can have all the talent in the world, but you need to have a business sense too.”
“If you don’t like something, just change it! You have the power to do that.”
“I always say: I can show you, better than I can tell you.”
“I want my legacy to be for people to see me as a human being and see my heart.”
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How This Tool Changed The Way We Do Business at Create & Cultivate
Collaboration at its best.
Photo Credit: Jessica Bordner Photography & Smithhouse Photography
Here at C&C, we believe that teamwork makes the dream work. Behind every successful brand and company is a hardworking, collaborative team helping make all of the magic happen. As a small team for an exponentially-growing business, we’re tiny but mighty and are always looking for new tools to help us work more efficiently. Email is great and all, but once conversations are going in 500 different directions it’s so easy to lose track of what’s to be done. Communication is key, but we all know what it’s like to have our minds going in circles at work and like we need to take a breather.
ENTER: Microsoft Teams. Our gamechanger. Our northern star. Our hub for everything.
Pulling off a conference the scale of Create & Cultivate Chicago is no easy feat for a team of 10. It’s 70 speakers, 1,5000 attendees, and 50+ brands, vendors and partners. Plus, our content game needs to be on point. As you can imagine, we’re pulled in a lot of different directions and all have different tasks and duties when planning such a large event. Whether it’s production to-dos, editorial assignments, or social media content planning, using Microsoft Teams has helped us move forward in a simpler, more efficient direction.
So, how exactly did we get the job done to create the magic that was C&C Chicago? We’re laying that all out for you along with how it can help your own business, and how the tool has helped change the way we work going forward.
Photo Credit: Smithhouse Photography
Onboarding
We obviously had our own way of doing things, so we tapped Microsoft Teams experts to get us started using the new platform. A Microsoft Teams trainer came in to help the team with everything from getting an account to demonstrating the different ways we can use it across departments and throughout the workday.
One of the things our team was happiest to learn is how simple Teams makes office communication. Through its chat system, we can ask as many questions as we’d like, give direction or get feedback from our colleagues. Seriously, who has time for getting up and walking over to anyone’s desk all day long? We were sold.
The overall reaction was an ecstatic group of women, who were more than excited to get stuff done in an easier, faster way. Some comments at the kickoff meeting and demo include, but are not limited to:
Create & Cultivate: A New Hope (For you Star Wars nerds)
Guys, work is lit
I feel like life will never be the same
It’s like the freshman year, senior year meme but for to-do lists
Besides the immediate onslaught of .gifs that were shared, it was obvious that project management & processes would become instantly easier using Teams because of the ability to assign tasks, track their progress, and confirm completion. For a team that loves to be efficient, we geeked out about it pretty hard. We even tapped our teams for the tips and implementation tips that we should include in this blog post!
Oh, and we can’t forget to mention that Teams can be used on desktop and mobile, so if you’re ever on-the-go, you can still leverage their amazing mobile app to do your work along the way. It also shifts our on-the-go group texts into organized work-related conversations.
You can sign up to try teams for yourself and also try an interactive demo for the platform to get a firsthand experience on how Teams really works. Check it out here.
Pro-tip: Respond to your manager with Michael B. Jordan gifs for an always enhanced work experience.
Process Change
As mentioned above, we were the most excited about having more streamlined communication. Rather than sending individual emails or messages to team members, we’re now able to create different Teams within the hub that included chat conversations, organized to-do lists and central hub for all moving documents.
Identify Your Teams
For example, we created conversations for each team when planning for Chicago. The first thing we did was agree which teams needed to be made and under those umbrella Teams, what conversations needed to be had. For us, we separated the Chicago Team into our different projects in order to discuss and follow-up on different areas of the event and the status of things: Production, Talent, Digital marketing, Graphics, Social and Editorial. Each Team has a General tab where all members can provide blanket updates or team brainstorms! As you can see, we also have Teams for future events and general team conversations to use moving forward. A lot of them follow the same outline so once you have a skeleton of what you need, you can always duplicate for new projects.
Optimize & Organize Your Teams
Once you identify the Team theme and projects/conversations within that team, we set a Teams transfer date. This was important for us because it allowed each team to think through what existing documents, files, and conversations needed to be transferred into Teams in order for this to improve our workflow. We agreed that we should start fresh on the first of the month. During the transition time, each group met and walked through the different apps and tools available through the Microsoft Teams hub (hint: it’s a lot!) and what would be the most beneficial for each group. We also incorporated documents that we were already using and pulled all important pieces into one central place.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the best tools found in Teams that small business owners can leverage.
Planner: This tool allows you to create different ‘boards’ for your employees. These boards act as project management tools in order to keep track of what’s been done and what hasn’t. They can be split into different categories such as not complete, in progress, completed, etc.
One Note: It’s exactly what it sounds like--a note-taking tool. What makes it so efficient is that you can use it right in the Teams app, rather than having to open any separate tabs and making it difficult to focus on more than one thing at a time. We like to use OneNote during our meetings to jot down anything important.
Smartsheet: Let’s face it, we all use more sheets than expected. This comes in handy for tracking and updating any important lists, budgets, sponsor obligations, and more.
Who: This one is mostly for the managers of your biz. You can search for any of your employees based on what they’re working on, who they’re working with, and more.
If you’re a content creator, we *HIGHLY* recommend creating a digital Team where you can leverage the Planner App to implement your content calendars, graphic design assignments, and review meetings into Teams to have everything in one place for our team members to always refer to. This streamlining has changed the game for our digital team and helped both managers, coordinators, and designers across the board.
The assignments feature is also very helpful for managers to look over their respective teams, rather than having to constantly follow-up on the status of their tasks. We can add updates, due dates, assign teammates, and create digital checklists for feedback and edits so that there are no missed steps during the feedback and approval process.
We previously found ourselves having too many separate conversations and taking meetings that filled up our workdays and real-talk feedback that would sometimes be lost in conversation. Now we can do all of that using the tool and spend more time working and getting our tasks done on time and even quicker than before.
Photo Credit: Jessica Bordner Photography & Becki Smith of Smithhouse Photography
Tips From Our Team
Because we’ve been using Teams for a ton of different things, we wanted to give you all more insight on how we’re doing so for different aspects throughout our company. Here are some feedback and tips from the different C&C verticals in which we like to use Microsoft Teams.
Production: Our production team is the backbone of all our C&C events, so they need to be in constant communication with both each other and vendors. Teams can be used to gather information on budgets, invite lists, talent updates, and of course the layouts for our events. When heading on-site, the checklist functionality is clutch so nothing gets left behind! Our production team can also brainstorm any ideas for future events and separate them using Teams.
Editorial: Our digital editor relies heavily on a content calendar for strategizing and planning, in connection with our marketing team. Teams allows her to update the status of any co-branded content pieces, deadlines, and future blog posts to go live on our website. If there isn’t time for an editorial meeting, it’s also a great tool for brainstorming and putting together future ideas for the site through the notes tool and of course, chatting with her direct manager. The Planner tool is also a huge part of editorial workflow because it helps us delegate a concept, assigned writer, review, scheduling and completion for each of our posts.
Design: Our graphic designer uses Teams to put together her to-do list for the day, as she designs assets for all of our different outlets. Whether it’s decals for Chicago, Instagram Stories, gifs, newsletter content, and more, she has a lot of things to keep track of. She also uses Teams to chat with her direct manager in regards to any new assignments and daily updates.
Lunch: Sometimes we forget to eat and we all have to have each other's backs to make sure we get fed and are fueled for the day ahead. The lunch team is everyone's favorite team and this way no woman gets left behind.
Fun (duh!): We like to work hard, and that doesn’t mean we don’t play just as hard. Teams helps us plan and get suggestions for any future team outings, dinners, happy hours and more. Whether it’s sharing the hottest gossip or much-needed puppy photo, Teams has us covered in the fun department. You can even make your own memes.
While we wish we could invite you into our little WorkParty, the best thing we can do is tell you that Microsoft Teams helps you work smarter, not harder. For a startup and a small team, this is key because you need to put your time and resources towards the things that really matter!
We encourage you to join us in streamlining the way your team plans and executes different tasks. If you’re interested, Microsoft Teams is free for all to use and a great tool for small businesses all across the board.
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10 Mic Drop Moments from C&C Chicago 2018
Here’s everything you missed.
If you've been following along, then you know we took over House of Vans in Chicago for our C&C conference. The Windy City welcomed us with open arms and Vans provided the perfect space for us to build our beautiful dream conference. We decked out the space with beautiful furnishings courtesy of Deny Designs, and Instagrammable moments thanks to Name Glo, Vince Camuto, Bic Soleil, Volvo, and so many more. The pros at WeWork provided VIP guests with a cozy lounge for networking between panels, Comcast provided an in-depth mentor power hour with some of the fire-hearted women in the game and JC Penney took over our stunning outdoor stage and treated our guests with a music-filled post-conference happy hour to celebrate an unforgettable day.
Throughout the day we heard some killer quotes from our speakers and moderators that deserve some major credit. Ahead, some of the biggest mic-drop moments of the day.
"Full ass EVERYTHING."
- Rachel Tipograff, Founder & CEO MikMak
"I'm not too expensive. You just can't afford me yet."
-Blake Von D, Attorney & Influencer
"The sooner you embrace the messiness in life; the sooner order will show itself."
-Lori Wright, Microsoft
"The only boundaries I have now are the ones I set for myself."
-Marianna Hewitt, Co-founder of Summer Fridays & Founder of Life With Me
"To be an entrepreneur in 2018 you need hustle, passion, and no fear."
-Shay Mitchell, Actress, Producer, & Influencer
"The best advice I've ever received: Feedback is a gift."
-Alli Webb, Co-Founder of Drybar
“If it’s not worth working hard for, it’s not worth it at all.”
-Jennifer Hudson, Singer, Actress, Philanthropist
“People need to learn how to rest, rather than learn how to quit.”
-Ben Silbermann, Co-Founder & CEO of Pinterest
"Know your value, know your worth, and know what you can bring to the table."
-Reesa Lake, Partner & EVP at Digital Brand Architects
“Don’t ever let technology replace the importance of personal relationships.”
-Julia Simon, Chief Legal Officer of Mary Kay
“Figure out what you need to make your life easier. That’s how you run a one-woman show.”
- Maxie McCoy, Author of You're Not Lost & Public Speaker
Thank Yous!
Our guests were able to stay fueled throughout the day thanks to our food and beverage sponsors. Health-Ade kicked off the day with breakfast and of course some kombucha for our guests to sip on as they got settled for the day. Sweetgreen provided a delicious array of salads for lunch, and McDonald's came through with a food truck for a mid-afternoon bite. OUI by Yoplait, RX Bar, and Luna also had snacks prepared for everyone to nibble one. And of course, OLLY had our backs with a variety of vitamins for guests to stay clear-headed and healthy for panels and networking.
It wouldn't be a C&C conference without a fully-stocked bar to enjoy while making your way to through the event. Chandon provided mini-bottles of its summer-themed bubbly, and the Crown Royal team mixed a delicious variety of cocktails. Of course, there were other options such as everyone's favorite La Croix, and Icelandic Glacial water to stay hydrated in the Chi-town heat.
One of our biggest hits was the pop-up market, which featured everything from beauty touch-ups to business pitching opportunities and relaxation. Our guests got to try the buzzy Dyson Super Sonic blow dryer, and both Sexy Hair and Living Proof featured the latest products for both volume and styling. Nordstrom Beauty had so many of its best-selling brands available on-site, and our beauty babes loved it.
The Pinterest team put a twist on their activation with tarot cards for building your future, and Pacifica Beauty emphasized gemstones and healing crystals for boosting girl power. The Microsoft Teams squad also introduced everyone to the collaborative platform that can boost team communication and productivity, while WeddingWire showed all the busy ladies that nuptials don't need to be put on hold if you plan like a boss. Our Chicago ticket-holders also had the opportunity to sit back and relax at Serena & Lily's Lake Michigan-inspired hangout.
Method Home even managed to take over the restrooms with a mix of hand soaps, rainbow bright decor and cell-phone holders in every stall.
Once again, thank you to ALL of our C&C Chicago partners and speakers, we couldn't have made the day so special without all of your hard work and dedication to women in business!
Did you have a favorite quote from the day? Drop it in the comments below!
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The Best Negotiation Tips We Learned at Our Chicago Conference
The Art of Negotiation panel, presented by LUNA spilled all.
Our Chicago conference was a day full of inspiration and career advice from women of all different walks of life. A big topic of the day was negotiation—you know, that one word that makes so many of us cringe. A surprising statistic that the audience learned was that only 30% of women are negotiating. Yes, you read that right.
During our Art of Negotiation panel, presented by LUNA, our speakers discussed the taboo topic both openly and honestly, which is the only way to move that conversation forward. The truth of the matter is that if women aren't freely discussing all things money, then negotiations aren't going to happen and the gender wage gap won't narrow or disappear once and for all.
Today also happens to be Women's Equality Day, so what better time to dish on money and negotiations? The year might be 2018, but the wage gap is prevalent and on our minds more than ever. Women earn 20% less than men do on average, for doing the same job with the same experience. Learning to negotiate and knowing your worth is the first step in closing the gap in order for women to be paid fairly and equally for their work and services.
Earlier this year, LUNA launched its 'Your Worth is Worth Negotiating' initiative to kick off the conversation that a lot of us tend to avoid, and the discussion continued during our conversation this past Saturday in CHI-town. Moderated by Maxie McCoy with an introduction by LUNA's Juliana French-Arnold, speakers Zoë Scharf, Reesa Lake, Blake Von D, and Robin Li fed our audience logic and real-talk advice on what it takes to negotiate effectively and confidently. Ahead are some of the biggest takeaways.
"Know your value, know your worth, and know what you can bring to the table."-Reesa Lake, Partner and Executive Vice President of Digital Brand Architects
Once women are self-aware of their value and worth, they're unstoppable. If you can confidently share your skills, experience, how you've contributed to your company, how you've helped it grow, what you plan on doing next, and more, then you can navigate successfully throughout a negotiation setting. If you don't think that you have what it takes, then that's what is setting you back.
"If my value was zero, you would not have come to me."-Blake Von D, Attorney & Influencer
Sometimes, you just have to lay down the law with anyone who's trying to offer you less than what you're worth. If they feel that you're worth much less than your value, then why should they attempt to work with you in the first place?
"Knowing what other people value companies that are similar to yours is very important."- Robin Li, Vice President of GGV Capital
This can pertain to small business owners, who are looking to market their product or service. On the other hand, this can also work for negotiating a salary and knowing what the standard salary for your field of work. You won't learn the proper value of what you're bringing to the table until you learn what others in the same area of work are valued as or are bringing home as income.
“Think about the potential you have to add and remember that you’re offering this person something that is really beneficial to them.”-Zoë Scharf, Co-founder of Greetabl
A negotiation is just as much about the other person than it is about you. Sure, you can know what you're worth, but they may need to be reminded that you're only here to help them. Have some facts ready about why your services will benefit this person and their business and help them grow even further.
“You have to be willing to hold off and say ‘no’ when you’re negotiating.”-Maxie McCoy, Writer & Public Speaker
A lot of us don't like using the word 'no', and that needs to stop today. Don't let anyone get away with taking advantage of you and your market value. It may be uncomfortable, but be prepared to walk away and reject a deal that doesn't benefit both parties or cater to your own needs.
"I'm not too expensive, you just can't afford me yet."-Blake Von D, Attorney & Influencer
This was the quote that caused a loud cheer from our audience! In the ultimate #facts moment of the panel, Blake said what a lot of us are thinking but never say to anyone on the other side of the table. It's true. If anyone thinks that you're charging too much when you clearly aren't, then they can't afford you. Point. Blank. Period.
Are you part of the 30% of women who negotiate? If so, let us know your own tactics for getting the deal you want. If not, what's stopping you?
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How to Have the Perfect Staycation When You Need a Break from Reality
When there’s no time for a real vacation, a staycation will do.
By: Tia Johnson
One of many saying my Pop-Pop bestowed onto me was, “It’s not where you’re going. It’s where you’re at.” In other words, focus on where you are and what you can do right now as opposed to constantly wishing to be somewhere else and not living in the moment. It’s okay to be present and just because you’re not where you want to be doesn’t mean you can’t make the experience enjoyable. That’s the mindset I want to focus on here. Let’s pull together some resources to make an epic stay-cation!
Below are seven cool ways you can enjoy the rest of your summer sans hopping on a plane to an all-inclusive resort.
Continue Doing What You Love
Whether it’s a dance or wine party, continue to do what makes you happy. A reason why Summer vacation is such a big deal is due to the memories that are created. Don’t stop doing what ignites your creativity and your soul. Remember, you make the vacation. The vacation doesn’t make you.
Throw A Movie Marathon Party
Take a weekend to watch all of the Harry Potter movies. For the weekend party, make HP themed food and drinks, decorate with the HP props, invite a few of your gals over for HP trivia, make HP themed gift bags, go all out! Do one marathon a month and have it at another girlfriend’s house each time if possible.
Have an At-Home Spa Day
This can be done by yourself or with a group. Buy spa items, such as candles, facial masks, rose water sprays, rose quartz face rollers, robes, slippers, face towels, and basins to soak your feet in. Also, purchase rose gold themed champagne glasses, a few bottles of prosecco and a gallon of orange juice to make mimosas. Turn off your phones, spend the day in the bathrobes, soak your feet in the basin filled with warm water and peppermint Epsom salt, and play Words Against Humanity or 20 questions. Afterward, use the rose quartz face roller and spray rose water on your face and neck. Don’t forget to create a playlist!
Attend Local Events
Google “Things to do in X city” or “Things to do in X city this weekend. During the Summer, there are many free concerts, festivals, or movies at the park. You can also have a picnic at a park. Some paid events in your city may include Dîner en Blanc, the all-white party held at a public location but the location is kept secret until the day of the event!
Stay At A Local Hotel Or B&B
Let someone cater to you by spending a weekend at a nice hotel where you can sleep in, order food, try their amenities, and recenter yourself.
Go For A Three-Hour Cruise
Wear your little black dress, leave your worries at home, and dance the night away for three hours. The three-hour cruises usually include a nice buffet, a fun DJ, and a positive atmosphere. You can take your drink to the deck and stare at the night sky while you feel the cool breezes from the river brush against your face.
Do That Thing You Have Been Putting Off
How cool would it be if you can say, “I finish writing that book” or “I started my blog and I already have 10 posts live on the website!” Finally accomplishing that thing you have been putting of is so satisfying that FOMO won’t be a factor for you.
BONUS: Create a scrapbook documenting all the things you have done this Summer. This will serve as a kind reminder that you don’t have to go far to have a good time!
Based in Philadelphia, Tia Johnson is a spiritual lifestyle entrepreneur, an international speaker, Amazon best-selling author, podcaster, blogger, and creator of The Spiritual Lifestyle Collective. Through spiritual teachings and healing, such as chakra and Reiki, she helps her clients to pinpoint the limiting beliefs that prevent them from living a phenomenal life they love, to heal emotional setbacks, and to create strategic plans to execute proactive actions on a personal or entrepreneurial level.
ORE FROM OUR BLOG
Why Sophia Bush Says She's a Tender-Hearted Softie—Who Takes No Sh*t
Don't even.
SOPHIA BUSH IS A FORCE.
Read on.
Sophia Bush is the woman you want your daughter to grow up to be.
She's also the woman who would tell you to encourage your kid to be their own person. Forge their own path. It's certainly what she's done. The activist and actress jumpstarted her career when she dropped out of the University of Southern California at 21 to join the CW TV show One Tree Hill. On her 30th birthday, she built a school in Guatemala with the Girl Project. She's raised money for those affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, lived on $1.50 a day to raise awareness about global poverty, taken to her platforms to call the GOP "heartless," supported diversity in Hollywood, gay marriage, and women everywhere.
We caught up with the powerhouse to ask, well, everything about her drive, passion, and badass squad (like the very rad, Ruthie Lindsey).
Read on.
You made a name for yourself in Hollywood, but activism has always been in your heart. What do you want to be remembered for?
What we do is not who we are. That’s true for all of us. Our careers, no matter what kind, are simply a piece of our greater life puzzle. So personally, I hope that the people who matter most to me remember me as a passionate person who stood up for others. As a woman who was for other women. As a friend who showed up to the best of her ability. And as a tender-hearted softie who took no shit.
I hope that the people who matter most to me remember me as a tender-hearted softie who took no shit.
You’re heading to Houston pre-Style Summit. Why is it important for you to be there early?
It’s devastating to see the effects of Harvey on Houston. But seeing folks step up and show up to help is deeply inspiring. I’m just hoping to do my part and lend a hand where I can. Beyond donating and sending clothing and other supplies, knowing that I have the opportunity to lend a literal hand means a lot to me. Our government may be lead by petulant children who feel that arguing about whether science is real or not — newsflash: It is. Arguing that it isn’t is as stupid as claiming that gravity doesn’t exist—but we as citizens can sidestep the madness and show up for our neighbors. That’s what makes this country so great. Us, and our commitment to and support of one another.
You’ve said that in your early career you felt treated like a “chess pawn.” Which, so many women experience, inside Hollywood and out. How did you come to understand your power?
Understanding power is an interesting notion, and I believe that it’s closely tied to self-worth. But self-worth is not a fixed destination you arrive at and then poof! You never feel insecure, or threatened, or anxious, again. Sadly. Wouldn’t it be great if it was!? As those notions of power and worth apply to career verticals, there are systems and behavior patterns in place that subjugate and challenge women everywhere. In every business. From micro to macro aggressions, we face consistent and unrelenting adversity. It’s exhausting. And for me, refusing to be treated as a chess pawn or a plaything or an object was a reaction to that adversity, and it's blatantly and undeniably unacceptable. There is only so long that people can and will put up with circumstances that are flat out wrong. Using my voice, and standing up for myself and those around me has made all the difference.
"Self-worth is not a fixed destination you arrive at and then poof! you never feel insecure."
Tweet this.
How have the past few years changed your thoughts on what your next five years look like?
The past few years taught me a lot about what I want, and also about what I will not tolerate. The positive and negative ends of the spectrum of recent experiences have both been great for goal setting. Everything is a lesson. And it all boils down to the truth that I’m ready to take more control of my career and what it looks like. That will affect projects I want to helm — as an actor, a producer, a director — and the way people working on those projects feel when they come to work. And that’s what I’m looking forward to most. Creating environments that feel safe, freeing, creative, and open. That’s perhaps the greatest way I’ve come to understand my power thus far. And I’m so looking forward to what’s next.
"Champion other women. And you’ll draw in women who do the same for you."
Tweet this.
You’re surrounded by such a stellar squad. Can you chat a bit about the moment when you knew female friendships would power you through?
I cannot remember a time when that truth wasn’t clear and apparent to me. The adage “it takes a village” exists in our cultural lexicon for a reason. We are communal beings. We find greater happiness in a community than in solitary existence. And my community of women is such an exceptional example of that truth. We are a family. We lift each other up. We challenge each other. We support each other in work, family, play, and adventure. I’m in awe of my friends’ brilliance and boldness. Their creativity and their capacity for love. I cannot say enough good things about them. We are a tribe of women that is truly for other women. And if you want friendships like that? Be a woman like that. Be for other women. Collaborate with other women. Champion other women. And you’ll draw in women who do the same for you.
Arianna Schioldager is the former Editor-in-Chief at Create & Cultivate. You can follow her @ariannawrotethis.
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How to Go on Vacation with $1,000 or Less
We all need some PTO.
By: Tia Johnson
I have learned over the years that you don’t have to spend large sums of money to go on vacation and have a lovely time. Whenever I see a person win a prize vacation for a total value of $5,000, I would become confused. Several questions come to mind: Why does that vacation have to cost $5,000? Does it include food and drinks? What about an excursion or a tour? I believe that’s one of the main reasons why some people think they can’t go on a nice vacation unless they save their money for at least year or make considerable sacrifices to afford a vacation. Let’s look at seven creative ways you can go on a vacation for a $1,000 or less.
Think of a Cost-Effective Plan
Having a game plan for how you will make the most of your vacation will save you from rushing to travel on holiday weekends or other popular travel periods, which can lead to overspending. Your game plan can consist of beach hopping with friends. For example, several weekends can be dedicated to going to the beach. You can stay at a house or an apartment via Airbnb, buy food that’s easy to cook, such as burgers and vegetables you can grill, and split the cost with your friends or whoever you're traveling with.
Look for Combo Deals
Groupon, Expedia, and Gate1Travel have getaways with hotel and airfare (and sometimes an excursion) included at various price points. Some trips (hotel + air) are as low as $499 when you travel with a friend. Other trips are for all-inclusive resorts where you don’t have to pay for food and drinks because it’s included in the price. However, you can go to a local market to buy food so you won’t eat out as much or you can pack your snacks in your checked bag.
Go on a Road Trip
My friends and I are going on a road trip from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Ottawa, Canada. We will split the cost of gas and we buy food for the journey. We rented a house through Airbnb that cost $97.62 per person. Based on our last road trip to Canada, the price of gas will be around $14/person and the price of food will vary. Think about where you can split the costs.
Book in Advance & Leave on a Thursday
Companies like Amtrak have deals where you can purchase tickets for cheap if you purchase it weeks in advance and preferably on an “off day” like a Tuesday or Thursday. Peak days are Fridays and Mondays because most people depart on Fridays and return on Mondays.
Repurpose Your Wardrobe
Going on vacation usually means a trip to your favorite clothing store to buy a few articles of clothing. However, why not repurpose what you have? Below are several ways you can repurpose your clothes:
Create your own distress jeans look by cutting and ripping your jeans.
Cut your jeans and make them shorts.
Tie the bottom of your shirt into a knot on the side on in the back.
Cut off the sleeves of a shirt.
- Make a crop top shirt by cutting your shirt in the area just above your navel.
BONUS: If you are a blogger who has been consistent with posting good content and can provide a media page, you can ask a hotel representative if they are willing to collaborate with you. The collaboration will consist of you offering to write a blog post and an Instagram post about the hotel and, in return, you receive a complimentary stay.
Based in Philadelphia, Tia Johnson is a spiritual lifestyle entrepreneur, an international speaker, Amazon best-selling author, podcaster, blogger, and creator of The Spiritual Lifestyle Collective. Through spiritual teachings and healing, such as chakra and Reiki, she helps her clients to pinpoint the limiting beliefs that prevent them from living a phenomenal life they love, to heal emotional setbacks, and to create strategic plans to execute proactive actions on a personal or entrepreneurial level.
C&C Classifieds: MikMak, Bread&Butter, InStyler & More!
Your future is here.
It's Wednesday, so you already know what time it is. That's right, it's a whole new round of C&C Classifieds for the ladies looking to revamp their resumes and CVs.
From marketing and design gigs to positions in social media and merchandising, there's something for every kind of boss babe out there.
Take a look at the listings for yourself and see what it's going to take for you to send your resume.
Good luck!
InStyler - LA, CA
Jessica Krewson Creative - Remote
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How This Brand is Using Science to Solve Everyday Hair Problems
Bye, bye, bye bad hair days!
Most things we’ve learned about our hair came from watching our mom's hair care routine or maybe even stealing our older sisters products. When we think about hairspiration, iconic ladies from television come to mind. One example is the girls from Friends–Monica, Rachel, and Phoebe. Let’s be honest, the Rachel haircut practically took over the 90s. Or what about Topanga’s hair from Boy Meets World? Where do we even start? The shine, the volume, the bangs. Goals.
What does it take to get these looks? Maybe it was the hairspray; maybe it was the blow dryer. We may never know. What we do know is that there are a few myths most of us believe about our hair that just aren’t true. We’re shedding light on 3 of these myths with the help of our friends behind the Dyson Supersonic™ Hair Dryer.
Great innovators solve the problems that others tend to ignore. That is why Dyson has re-invented the hair dryer to solve common problems men and women face on a daily basis (i.e., slow dry time, loud noises, heavy machines, extreme heat, etc.).
After four years, $71 million invested, 600 prototypes and 1,010 miles of hair tested, the Dyson Supersonic™ Hair Dryer has revolutionized the beauty industry. With a motor that spins six times faster than a formula one race car and a microprocessor that prevents extreme heat damage, this hair dryer is a real game changer.
Topanga may not have had a Dyson Supersonic™ Hair Dryer, but she definitely didn’t wash with cold water either.
Myth 1: Cold Water Does Not Make Hair Shiny
There is a common misconception that rinsing hair in cold water makes it shine. The key to shiny hair is to protect it from extreme heat damage. Healthy hair reflects more light than damaged hair. That’s why Dyson engineered intelligent heat control–a microprocessor measures the temperature 20 times per second to help protect against extreme heat damage and to preserve natural shine.
Myth 2: Higher Wattage Does Not Equal More Power
Higher hair dryer wattage means more power–fact or fiction? Fiction. It's a myth that higher wattage means more airflow. The Dyson Supersonic™ Hair Dryer has Air Multiplier technology which converts high-pressure air into a high-velocity jet. The result is fast, powerful airflow at just 1600 watts.
Myth 3: You Cannot Reverse Hair Damage. But You Can Prevent It.
Next, the Dyson team set out to answer the question: can you reverse hair damage with serums and treatments? They found that hair treatments can improve the look of your hair, but cannot repair the underlying hair damage. When hair is exposed to extreme heat, small pores from within the strands scatter light and make hair look dull. When hair is healthy, the inner cortex remains intact, and light reflects in a single direction, making hair look shiny.
What have you learned about your hair recently? Let us know in the comments!
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WorkParty Book Reviews Are In!
Have you ordered yours yet?
We know we've been talking about the WorkParty book launch for quite some time, but today is the big day! A few of our friends have already gotten their hands on the book, and the reviews are rolling in steadily.
We're so happy that early readers have enjoyed the work and life lessons that Jaclyn Johnson has put into words. The real-talk, no BS advice and mantras found throughout WorkParty can elevate every woman's career and help them build the future of their dreams. Ahead, you'll see what the critics are saying and why they feel that WorkParty should part of your next reading list. Grab your copy here and check out the reviews below.
Brit+Co
“Part memoir, part inspirational mood board, and part detailed business guide, Johnson couples her own business acumen with stories from leading female entrepreneurs to encourage bosses around the world to embrace failure, cultivate the career of their dreams, and create their own WorkParty.”
Glitter Guide
“We love super smart boss babe, Jaclyn Johnson and everything she has created with Create & Cultivate. We’ve been lucky enough to get an advance copy of this book and you’ll definitely want to order this ASAP.” Read more.
POPSUGAR
“Desperately in need of a mentor at work? Let Jaclyn Johnson fill that void. The CEO and founder of Create & Cultivate has gifted all of our careers with WorkParty, which not only includes inspirational nuggets of wisdom from Johnson's rise to the top, but also from other leading female entrepreneurs.”
Refinery29
"In WorkParty, Jaclyn Johnson generously shares the secrets to her success: be nice, take risks, and work your butt off. Whether you're looking to turn your side hustle into your main gig, or thrive in your corporate job, this is the book you need to take your career to the next level — on your own terms."
Want more? Read reviews from early readers over at goodreads.com.
Have you ordered your copy of WorkParty yet? If not, what are you waiting for!? Get your hands on the next best thing for your bookshelf and career. WorkParty is officially available for purchase and don't forget to catch us on the first WorkParty book tour kicking off next month!
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Serena & Lily's CEO Shares How Women Can Stay Confident at Work
This is what it’s like to be a woman at the top.
Photos: Instagram/@serenaandlily
Here at C&C, we're fortunate enough to chat with women at the top of their careers all of the time. Our most recent interview features Lori Greeley, CEO of Serena & Lily, who's killing it in the design space at the moment.
You've likely seen Serena & Lily designs and stores that offer a breezy California approach to potential customers. But what does it take to take a brand forward and be at the head of one of today's most popular lifestyle destinations? That's where Lori's expertise comes in.
Just like a lot of us, she ended up switching her major and dove head-first into an industry where more women should, in fact, be at the top. We chatted about switching your career path, being a female CEO, diversity in the workplace, and so much more.
Create & Cultivate: Where did you go to college and what did you study?
Lori Greeley: Bucknell University where I studied Psychology (after realizing that Biology/Pre-Med was clearly not my calling).
You’ve spent your career in the fashion and retailing businesses, and have taken some really big brands to the next level. Did you always want to work in corporate retail or was your journey unexpected?
I did not have a grand plan to work in retail. I think like many of my peers, it was an obvious contingency plan. I had worked in stores or as a waitress all through high school and college and always had an interest in fashion (I have vivid memories of favorite outfits from age 3). After graduating with a liberal arts degree, career options were obviously pretty uncertain. I ended up being recruited into an executive training program at a regional department store and my career in retail began. I quickly discovered that being a department store merchant was uninteresting to me. The role was much more focused on negotiating good deals than having a strong influence over the product offering or customer experience. I was uninspired in this environment even though I had moved quickly through the training program. Fortunately, I was recommended to a store business in Ohio by a very nice woman in the market which ultimately lead to my long career at Victoria’s Secret. I joined VS only a few years after it had been acquired by Les Wexner of Limited Brands and stayed on that journey for 20 years, playing several roles from associate buyer to CEO. At VS my role evolved from retailer to a focus on brand building where we embraced the concept of “a brand is a story well told.” To deliver on this concept it’s important to understand your customer as a best friend. Knowing your customer informs decisions from product design to pricing, to brand voice. To wrap this question up, it was a journey, not a plan. A combination of being competitive and unafraid of taking risks has made my journey a successful one.
You also serve on the Board of Directors for other businesses. Do you feel that more women are being welcomed into those positions or is there still work to get done?
I’m lucky to serve on boards that are very gender balanced. I am also fortunate to serve with men and women with diverse work experience, age, and ethnicity. There has been progress made in the last few years to recruit more women to boards, but we’re a long way from parity. Honestly, the only way the pace of the progress will improve is with a strong commitment to change led by chairmen and male directors. The positive impact to business results has been documented for years with indisputable facts, and yet the change is slow.
"There has been progress made in the last few years to recruit more women to boards, but we’re a long way from parity."
What is the best part about being a female CEO?
It’s hard to pinpoint what’s unique about being a female CEO (since I’ve never been a male CEO). What I love about the position is that you’re able to create an environment where people can be at their best. I believe in encouraging people to take risks and step out of their comfort zone. Some of the people I’ve had the most pleasure of working with were not considered obvious future leaders early in their careers. I love scouting talent and seeing people develop into high impact players and being able to recognize that contribution with life-changing promotions.
What is the most challenging part about being a female CEO?
There has been much written about the topic of work-life balance, especially when it comes to juggling motherhood and a career. I am fortunate enough to be married to a wonderful man who was willing to pursue a career with a more flexible work day than mine and who was always happy to share the responsibilities of parenting with me. Admittedly, if I had to do it over, I would have been more present for my daughter’s school events earlier in life (simply because they grow up so fast). Thankfully, this helped me to discover that modeling a healthy work-life balance as a CEO by being transparent about leaving the office to attend a tennis match or a concert made my team feel more comfortable leaving the office for important personal commitments. Technology has also made it so much easier to flex between work and home responsibilities.
"Every role has the opportunity to contribute to the business’s success in very tangible ways."
What’s the best thing about working at Serena and Lily?
At the risk of sounding sappy, I love so many things about leading the next chapter of the Serena & Lily brand. I spent my career prior to S&L in lingerie, but my passion was always home. I also love the beach so an interior design brand that’s inspired by coastal living is a dream come true. My husband and I were born and raised in the northeast so having the opportunity to live in Marin and explore Northern California has also been really inspiring. And last, but certainly not least, are my colleagues at S&L. We are a very small team and we all wear many hats. This creates an environment where every role has the opportunity to contribute to the business’s success in very tangible ways.
At our Create & Cultivate conferences, we meet so many young women who want to work their way up the corporate ladder. Is there any advice you can give to young women to help them remain confident in the workforce and have their voices heard?
This is such a good question. I believe strongly in having a lean organization that allows for young women to have meaty roles early in their careers. Who you work for also really matters - if you don’t aspire to have your boss’s role in the future or you don’t admire their leadership style, don’t waste too much time on their team. That said, you can learn a lot from poor leadership. Some of the things that shaped my leadership style most were experiences where my boss behaved in a manner that I vowed never to mimic. Ultimately, I would advise women to not wait to be invited to speak up. Ask questions you truly do not know the answers to, not just the ones where you are simply hoping to showcase your brilliance. When in a meeting - soak it up and remain mentally engaged even if you’re not in a position to speak or actively participate. Use these opportunities to build muscle by “testing” yourself in the early years before you’re the one in the position of accountability.
What is one thing you wish you knew in your 20s that you now know today?
I honestly like the way I “played” my 20’s. In hindsight, I might have had loftier career aspirations earlier, but the truth is that I was never shy about putting my opinions on the table and challenging the status quo. When possible, perform at the next level before being recognized with a formal promotion.
How do you stay inspired to continuously lead a team and brand successfully?
Customer feedback, beautiful products, colleague relationships (surrounding yourself with people who give you energy), and one of the great things about being a retailer is the daily report card you get from your customers in the form of sales.
Is there any exciting Serena and Lily news that you can share with us today?
We are very excited to continue to introduce new people to our brand through our catalogs, digital advertising, social media and the opening of more design shops in inspiring neighborhoods across the country. The design shops will offer guests the chance to work one-on-one with expert design advisors to explore styling options and bring their vision to life. As you may know, we opened our newest design shop in Lincoln Park earlier this year and are looking forward to the addition of beautiful new locations in Pacific Palisades and Dallas. Our collection also continues to expand to encourage more creativity in our customers with the depth of our new assortment. We have some exciting new bedding collections and are introducing an entirely new nursery collection in a few weeks… the first major introduction in over 10 years. We designed the collection to be sophisticated with the same quality and design details that we include in all our products for the home.
Don't forget to stop by the Serena & Lily Lake Michigan-inspired experience at Create & Cultivate Chicago!
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How to Start Your Mornings Off on the Right Foot with One Simple Trick
Plus, a Free Treat for our Chicago Conference Attendees
Dirty Penguin
Having our morning cup of coffee is a pivotal moment for starting our day on the right foot. But a rushed morning just makes the rest of the feel like an avalanche of crazy.
We’re firm believers that you should wake up feeling like your best self in order to kill it at work every day. Rather than rushing to get ready in the AM and running to check your email inbox, make it a point to take some time for you, clear your mind, and get right on track.
Have you ever thought about what you typically do while your coffee is brewing?
While it may not be the longest amount of time, those few minutes can be used for the greater good. We’ve teamed up with our friends at Stumptown Coffee for a list of activities that you can accomplish while brewing your morning cup of Joe to help get your mind right for the workday ahead. Pop some coffee into your drip brewer or French press and try one of the following activities.
Write a List of Affirmations
Jotting down a few positive affirmations is a great form of practicing self-love, and it’s simple enough to do while waiting for your coffee. If you’re in a funk, or just need a better start to your day before work, remind yourself of the things that bring you happiness and that you’re grateful for. Check out some examples targeted towards confidence and success below.
I am so grateful for my life.
I feel happy and enthusiastic about my life
I will be successful in all of my endeavors
I am confident in my future
Make Your Day’s To-Do List
The team here at C&C lives and breathes by to-do lists. Seriously, we use them for everything and don’t know how we would accomplish any of our tasks without them. As you wait for your morning coffee, take a minute to jot down all of your tasks that must be accomplished for that day. You can write down everything from the day’s list of meetings and calls to your own personal assignments and errands. It’s a great idea to use the notes section on your mobile phone during this short amount of time if you don’t have a pen and paper lying around for you to physically write everything down.
List One Thing You’re Grateful for That Day
If you’re not into the idea of executing a full list of positive affirmations, you can always take the time to think of one thing you’re grateful for that day. Believe it or not, this can change every day depending on certain circumstances or events occurring throughout your life. This could be anything as big as your overall health or something as small as the delicious cup of coffee you’re about to drink.
P.S. we have a special offer for all of our C&C Chicago attendees! Stumptown is offering a gift to anyone who’s in Chi-town during the weekend. Swing by their Chicago cafe with your Create & Cultivate conference pass for a FREE cold brew or coffee to enjoy between August 24th - August 26th!
Stumptown Coffee Roasters Chicago
311 N. Morgan Street
Chicago, IL 60607
Open 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day
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Free Download: Start Hacking Your Business' Growth
No, we're not talking Angelina Jolie circa 1995.
Have you heard about hacking your way to a successful business?
What if we told you that it's possible to grow your business with little to no money? All you have to do is become a hacker. Not Angelina Jolie circa 1995 cyberpunk thriller. There's no hacking into databases or leaking sensitive information.
And no, you don't need to start taking IT classes. We’re talking hacking your own marketing techniques and taking smart and strategic shortcuts that will successfully bring attention to your brand. It’s taking marketing to the next level and thinking out-of-the-box when creating campaigns.
Want to know more? Download the Growth Hacking Checklist from Above the Glass, the online platform giving women business tools and resources, below.
11 Words To Eliminate from Your Vocabulary ASAP
#takecare love, Drake.
Photo credit: Smith House Photography
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Are you currently trying to lose weight, quit smoking, get more sleep or attain some other life-improvement goal? Do you find yourself saying any of these words to yourself? Which ones do you find yourself saying most often? What are you doing to counteract that negative effects? Have you noticed positive results from your positive thinking?
Here are 11 to eliminate from your vocab. Start with this weekend... see if it transfers into the week.
Thank us later.
#11 BUSY
Think you’re too busy to go to the gym or spend more time with your kids? Think again. If you tell yourself, ‘I’m too busy to do it because...’ you’ll always make yourself right, says author and personal development coach Noah St. John. “But you’re making excuses for yourself,” he says. “How much longer are you going to listen?” Figure out what your excuses are (like being too busy), and then start asking yourself the right kind of leading questions. Instead of “Why am I so busy?” ask yourself, “Why do I have so much time to do what I need to do?” St. John suggests. Even though you won’t feel like you have a lot of time at first, asking the question will lead your brain to seek the answer. The answer might be, “Because I have good time-management skills” or “Because I eliminated something nonessential from my schedule and replaced it with something more important.” Keep asking those types of “afformation questions,” and you’ll surprise yourself with the answers.
#10 NEVER
The old adage “never say never” is especially true when it comes to meeting your goals because it’s a toxic word that will sabotage your progress. “When you are trying to lose weight, for example, if your automatic thoughts are saying, ‘I’m never going to reach to my goal weight,’ and those are the words circling in your head, it will be almost impossible to lose weight because you’ve already set yourself up for failure,” says clinical psychologist Kate Cummins. Sure, it may take you a while to reach your goal weight, quit smoking or reach whatever personal development goal you’ve set for yourself, but it will happen with patience and persistence. “Instead of focusing on this negative self-talk, remember to tell yourself positive things,” Cummins says. “Write loving notes to yourself on your mirror like, ‘Hey there, healthy and slender woman,’ or ‘You got this—keep up the good work!’”
#9 SHOULD
“Saying ‘I should’ve gone for a run’ makes you feel guilty for not going on your run,” says life coach and author Belinda Anderson. “Instead, say ‘I intend to go for a run’ or ‘I choose not to go for a run today.’” The latter options are more empowering and give you back the decision-making authority. The word “should,” on the other hand, makes whatever task you feel like you should do seem tedious or undesirable. When you tell yourself that you’re choosing to do something—whether that’s going to the gym, quitting smoking, going to bed earlier or spending more of your time volunteering—your mind automatically reframes the task as something that you want to do, rather than something you’re forcing yourself to do. So replace “should” with words like “choose,” “intend,” “desire,” “want” or “could.”
#8 STUPID
Just as you want to avoid calling yourself (or anyone else) a failure, you really should avoid negative adjectives in general. “The mind is a heat-seeking missile—it will move rapidly in the direction you point it,” says personal and career coach Beverly Flaxington. “If your thoughts and beliefs are constantly negative, then failure is what you’ll get. You want to think, self-talk and out-loud talk only about what you want. Drop the negative viewpoints entirely. They are destructive.” So if you find yourself fixating on what you perceive as your negative aspects, choose to intentionally turn your thoughts around to focus on your strengths and abilities. Instead of saying, “I haven’t quit smoking yet; I’m so stupid,” tell yourself, “I am strong for making the decision to quit smoking.”
#7 TOMORROW
If you keep pushing things off until some distant tomorrow, you’ll never get them done. The common trap is to say, “Oh well, I didn’t eat well today, so my diet starts tomorrow.” But that allows you to keep delaying and to never really start. Instead, pick a concrete and realistic start date and stick to it. “Keep yourself accountable. If you don’t do it tomorrow, when will you do it?” says author and personal development coach Noah St. John. More than just a start date, though, you need to have a reason to keep you motivated. “You need to have a ‘why to,’ not just a ‘how to,’” says St. John. So whether that’s losing weight to lower your blood pressure and risk of diabetes or to quit smoking so you can set a good example for your kids or get fit so you can feel great in your bathing suit next summer, pick a reason and remind yourself of it daily.
#6 LUCKY
Sure, some days you might feel lucky—and that’s great! But you should never use luck as an excuse for why you can’t do something or to discredit someone else’s accomplishments by saying they’re lucky. “There is such a thing as luck,” says author and personal development coach Noah St. John, “but you need to marry luck with hard work.” A quote (erroneously attributed to Thomas Jefferson) states, “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” St. John also warns against the temptation to compare your life to the lives of people you follow on social media. So while you’re envying someone’s abs or arms, don’t tell yourself that they’re just lucky, remind yourself that they had to work hard to achieve the body they have and that if you work hard, you can achieve your goals as well.
#5 FAILURE
Calling yourself a failure is a surefire way to ensure that you fail in whatever you do. In that sense, you are your own self-fulfilling prophecy. “You want to be the most positive coach to yourself that you can possibly be,” says Kate Cummins, Los Angeles-based licensed clinical psychologist. “So by doing that you take ‘I’m no good’ and change it into ‘I am good, and I’m going to do this’; or ‘I’m a failure’ into ‘I have failed in the past, but I have also won, and I will win this time.’” But, at the same time, you don’t want to lie to yourself. “Make sure you leave room for disappointment,” Cummins says. “If your expectations are perfection, you are setting yourself up for failure. Forgive yourself, be patient with change and give yourself room to grow.”
#4 CAN'T/WON'T
Saying things like “I can’t eat that pizza” and “I won’t lose weight if I don’t work out” is actually working against you. “When you are trying to make change happen, stay away from negative language,” says personal and career coach Beverly Flaxington. “It is important to fill the mind with the positive ‘what do you want’ ideas and not confuse it with negative terms. The mind will drop the ‘can’t’ or ‘won’t’ and will focus on what you do not want to do.” Plus, many times those can’t and won’t statements simply aren’t true. Instead, focus on what you can and will do. Tell yourself things like “I can have one cheat meal a week,” “I have plenty of healthy and delicious snacks to keep me full” or “I will lose weight because I’m sticking to my workout routine.” The one exception to this, of course, is actual physical limitations. If you truly can’t eat something because of food sensitivities or do something in the gym because of an injury or physical handicap, your mind may naturally remind you as a protection mechanism. Still, it’s important to focus on what you can do instead of what you can’t.
#3 TOO MUCH/NOT ENOUGH
It’s easy to think that we’re either too much of the wrong thing or not enough of the right thing. But that just reinforces the embedded presupposition factor of the brain, says Noah St. John, author of “Book of Afformations” and founder of SuccessClinic.com. “If you ask yourself, ‘Why am I not enough?’ your brain naturally starts to search for the answer, acting like a computer or Internet search. You find whatever you’re searching for.” Rather than presupposing you’re not good enough, St. John recommends “afformations” (no, that’s not a typo), which reframe your questions to lead your mind to search for better answers and avoid the endless repetition of the commonly prescribed “affirmations.” In this case, try asking yourself “Why am I enough?” You’ll set your brain on the right path and you’ll be delightfully surprised with what your mind can come up with. To paraphrase Henry Ford: “Whether you think you’re wrong or you’re right, you are.”
#2 JUST/ONLY
How many times have you caught yourself saying, “I only ran three miles today,” or “I'm just emailing you to let you know...” or “I just did a yoga DVD” (as opposed to an intense gym session)? It’s time to put a stop to that. “Avoid thinking of any day as test of your character,” says Emily Balcetis, associate professor of psychology at New York University. “Whether you run three miles or only three blocks, today is not a statement about you as a person.” Instead, take every day as a chance to progress a little bit further. “People who approach challenges and goals with a growth mindset rather than as a test of their fixed nature don’t see setbacks as failures but as opportunities to develop skills and learn better habits,” she says. So even if you didn’t run as far as you wanted to on a given day, tell yourself that, regardless of how many miles you logged, any run is better than no run and that you were able to make time in your busy schedule to do something good for yourself.
#1 FAT/UGLY
Women may be notoriously guilty of saying, “I look fat today,” and it’s human nature to be self-deprecating. But in order to form a better (not to mention more accurate) self-image, it’s important to get rid of negative adjectives. “You don’t want to associate with negative terms,” says Beverly Flaxington, author of “Self-Talk for a Calmer You" and The Human Behavior Coach. “Catch yourself using self-defeating talk and make a conscious choice to change the talk. Instead of ‘fat’ you are ‘getting healthier,’ instead of ‘ugly’ you are ‘beautiful in my own way.’ You may not believe these things if you use overly positive language, so I advocate for using something more neutral to replace negative terms.”
What words do you say instead? Share your thoughts, questions and suggestions in the comments section below.
The original version of this post appeared on LIVESTRONG.com
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C&C Classifieds: Create & Cultivate, Blended Strategy Group, Dermaflash & More!
It's time for some more awesome job listings, courtesy of C&C Classifieds!
This week's batch includes some awesome gigs in the worlds of marketing, social media, project management and more! And yes, we're hiring here at Create & Cultivate!
Get your foot in the door in these different industries and get ready to make your mark!
Create & Cultivate - LA, CA
Blended Strategy Group - LA, CA
Dermaflash - CHI, IL
hello.me - Remote
Rare Global - LA, CA
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The Best Time of the Week to Apply For Jobs
Timing is everything.
photo credit: Becki Smith/Smith House Photography
There is a lot of speculation regarding the best time of the week to apply for jobs, and some data to back it up, but the truth is that there are a lot of factors that go into good timing.
You’ll always be among many applicants, but try to apply outside of the application rush
It’s important to remember that when you apply online, you’re one of hundreds of applicants, so it’s ideal to apply at a time when your resume might be among a smaller bunch of applicants. Most people apply to jobs when they have free time, so often people submit a job applications on the weekend. Since most companies are closed on the weekend, resumes and applications pile up, which makes it harder to get through and more likely that your application will get passed over. Applying on the weekend won’t make or break your application, however if you can avoid it, you should.
Opt for a time when someone will see your application come through
Coming from experience working in a recruiting office, if your application happens to come through as someone is sitting at the computer sorting through the applications, your resume is very likely to get viewed. This doesn’t guarantee anything, but if someone does see your application come through, you’ll make more of an impact than if your resume was one of a hundred sitting in a pile from the weekend.
Try to apply at a time when people might be going over the resumes. For example, 10 am on a weekday, once people have settled into the office and don’t have any afternoon exhaustion.
If you’re applying via an internal referral or a connection, apply on their time
If you’re sending your resume to a friend or connection to be submitted, the timing on their end won’t matter much, but make sure you’re providing your information to them upon their request. If someone asks you to provide your information to them by a certain date or time, make sure you get everything to them either prior to or at that time. Don’t be late.
GlassDoor estimates that being referred by someone at the company boosts your chance of successfully landing a job as high as nearly 7%. If someone has been kind enough to improve your chances of landing a job, make sure you work with their desired timeline. They may ask you to get it to them by a certain point so they can optimize your chances of success, or maybe they want to review your resume to give you pointers. Whatever your reasoning is, don’t question it and ensure that you get everything to them when they want it.
______________
Ultimately, the best time of the week to apply for jobs depends on many different factors such as employee engagement, and number of applicants. While there are times that are more optimal than others to apply, there is not one perfect time that will give you a higher chance of success. The bottom line is that your resume has to be great to make you stand out. You can use these tactics to give your resume a higher chance of success, but at the end of the day, your application should speak for itself regardless of when you apply.
A native San Franciscan, Michele Lando is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and founder of writestylesonline.com. She has a passion for helping others present the best version of themselves, both on paper and in person, and works to polish individuals' application package and personal style. Aiming to help create a perfect personal branding package, Write Styles presents tips to enhance your resume, style, and boost your confidence.
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How to Create a Zen Meditation Space and Improve Your Career at the Same Time)
It’s all about balance.
I’m not going to lie — the first time I tried to meditate, I felt utterly ridiculous. I’d read about all of the benefits and how it was going to be “completely life-changing,” but for the most part, I just sat there with my eyes closed and worried I was doing it wrong.
No one bothered to tell me that there’s a bit of a learning curve when it comes to meditation. You can’t just plop down on a pillow and become a master in 15 minutes. Like so many things in life, it takes practice. However, once I got the hang of it, I found it to be just as cathartic as all the meditation and yoga blogs had promised.
The benefits of meditation most often touted are lowered blood pressure, more restful sleep, and stress relief. For this anxiety-ridden writer, it was the promise of reduced stress that really called to me. I hoped that by lowering my stress levels I could find a bit of peace in life — but I never expected it to have the impact it did on my career.
Meditation & Your Career
Even people that absolutely love their jobs are subject to work-related stress. And since stress can have a serious effect on our mental and physical health, it’s important we find healthy ways to deal with it. One of those ways is meditation.
When we’re under physical or mental pressure, our bodies release stress hormones (e.g. cortisol, adrenaline, norepinephrine) and go into “fight or flight” mode. However, researchers from the Benson-Henry Institute found that practicing meditation causes what they call the “relaxation response” — this is effectively the opposite of “fight or flight.” Their studies have revealed that the relaxation response not only lessens stress and anxiety, it also positively affects heart rate, blood pressure, and brain activity.
Being able to tap into meditation exercises in the office can reduce stress, help you to make better decisions, enhance your creativity, and boost your concentration. What’s more, it can give you the perspective you need to deal with workplace anxiety.
One of the nicest things about meditation is that it can be practiced almost anywhere — I’ve done it in my car and even at my desk. All it takes is five to 10 minutes of meditation during your lunch break to release tension and get some clarity. That said if you really want to make the most of your meditation, practicing for 30 minutes to an hour every day is better — especially if you have a dedicated space at home to do it in.
Designing a Summer Meditation Space at Home
While an indoor meditation space is awesome for year-round use, an outdoor area can really shake things up (in a good way!) Summer mornings and evenings are the perfect time to get outside and meditate. There’s something so soothing about meditating when surrounded by nature. You can feel the breeze on your skin, hear the birds in the trees, and smell the sweet summer air. It’s heavenly.
Here are the fundamentals you’ll need to create a zen summer meditation space:
Privacy
It’s difficult to meditate when you feel exposed. Create a feeling of safety and security with fencing, hedges, trees, trellises, umbrellas, folding screens, or hanging tapestries.
Flora, Stone, & Water
When creating a meditation area, it’s important to incorporate the elements.
- Even though you’re already outdoors, you’ll still want to add some greenery into your space. Use your senses as a guide when choosing plants — look for pleasing textures, brightly colored flowers, and calming fragrances.
- Stone will add to the strength and stability of your space. Use flat stones, river rock, bricks, and pavers to build an altar, labyrinth, or rock sculptures.
- A recirculating patio fountain will not only bring water into your outdoor haven but also produce a marvelous sound to train your focus to while meditating.
Comfort
A truly refreshing meditation session will call for a certain amount of comfort. Fashion a comfy spot to meditate by layering outdoor rugs, cushions, and throw blankets. To help beat the heat (and avoid a sunburn), tie fabric to trees or structures to create a shaded cover.
Lighting & Decor
Minimalism is the best approach when it comes to decorating your meditation area — you don’t want it to be overly cluttered and distracting. The trick is to select decor that fills you with a sense of serenity and tranquility. Popular items include meditation beads, crystals, bells, singing bowls, wind chimes, and affirmation stones. Light your space with candles, fairy lights, decorative lanterns, or a fire pit.
Conclusion
Your summer meditation space can be as small or as large as you’d like. Personally, I prefer a cozy nook to a large, open space, but it’s all about personal preference. Choose a space that brings you peace and turn it into a meditation haven.
Spend at least 20 minutes each day meditating outside. Close your eyes, follow your breathing, and practice visualization. You can do this before work, after work, or both. The more you practice meditation, the more you’ll see the benefits. So grab a cushion, go outside, and get your summer meditation on—you’ll be feeling happy and centered in no time!
Liz Greene is a feminist, makeup enthusiast, and anxiety-ridden realist from the beautiful city of trees, Boise, Idaho. When she’s not writing, she enjoys eating fancy cheeses, fantasizing about what life would be like if she had an Iron Man suit, and re-watching Venture Bros. episodes for the 100th time. You can follow her latest cosmetic misadventures on her blog, Three Broke Bunnies or follow her on Twitter @LizVGreene
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