Give Your To-Do List a Goal-Getter Makeover
Go get ‘em, girl.
The new year is here! It’s time to crush those goals—but first, let’s give your to-do list a little makeover and make getting sh*t done in 2019 as efficient as possible.
First, grab yours and scan the first 5 tasks listed (if you don’t have one, then we have a bigger problem—skip the next two paragraphs and dive right into the most effective tool at your fingertips right this very minute!).
What’s prioritized at the top of your list? Laundry, returning calls or emails, errands you need to run? Chances are your list is a blend of your personal and professional life —what it takes just to stay on top of everything, and not a plan to achieve the longer-term goals you’ve set.
With the daily responsibilities of adulting—your job/career responsibilities, being a parent, a spouse and trying to have a social life, you’re left with a whole lot of chaos and not a lot of time. It’s easy to be sidetracked from your dreams and the “someday” plans that fight for your attention. That’s why I live & die by my daily to-do list—and make sure it’s working for me beyond simply keeping me afloat.
When I take the time to plan out my day and week, I’m more productive, focused and proactive. I find more time for personal activities, and accomplish goals that actually move my business forward. In my post, “7 Sanity-Saving Tips for Busy Mompreneurs” the tip that seemed to resonate most with readers was to make your To-Do List actually work for you. Here are my tips on how to do just that.
C'MON GET "APP-Y"
Using an app on your smartphone to manage your To Do List makes things extremely easy & convenient, since your phone is with you all the time. I love the Wunderlist app, and Evernote, for managing my to-do list because I can keep several running lists of things that need to get done, and update them whenever a thought pops into my head, plus:
Set up a daily to-do, weekly list, and long-term goals, and simply move these tasks around as they become a priority
Set up reminders to alert you when tasks or lists must get done. (As I was finishing up this article, I got an alert from Wunderlist telling me that it was time to finish this article. So meta!)
Quickly add an item to your list as you think of it, clip an article to read later, add a grocery item to your running list and share it with your spouse or assistant (collab! delegate!) and sync to your desktop seamlessly.
Use your smartphone’s dictation feature —just press the little microphone and talk. What could be easier?
PLAN (AHEAD) TO SUCCEED
Now that you know where you’ll make and keep your list, you can set aside 10-15 minutes in the evening to create your action list. In the morning, we tend to grab a cup of coffee, sit down, and tackle never-ending email, right? But at night, when things are quiet and distractions are at a minimum, you can take some time to focus on how to be most productive the following day. Planning your list at night allows you to get everything out of your head and onto your action list. You’ll sleep better after you’ve cleared your mind and can hit the ground running in the morning.
"At night when things are quiet, take some time to focus on how to be productive the following day."
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KEEP IT (CHRONO)LOGICAL
This seems obvious, but as you’re planning your day, be realistic about how long things will actually take, what your absolute “must-do” items for the day are (top of the list and starred!), and how organizing your tasks and errands chronologically and geographically makes the most sense. For example, if you have a lunch meeting that is near a grocery store, plan an extra 15 minutes to run in and save a second time-consuming trip. Make a sub-list of the things you need to get so you can run in and out without forgetting anything. By arranging your day properly, you’ll be amazed at how much more efficient you can be!
EMPLOY THE 3 "Ps": PROJECTS, PEOPLE, PRIORITIES
High Performance expert Brendon Burchard stresses the importance of organizing your day by considering the Projects, People and Priorities that matter most. Thinking this way is key to really moving your business forward and finally accomplishing your bigger goals.
Projects: List the top 3-5 projects you have going right now. Include 3 simple things you need to do to advance these projects—beyond your daily to-dos. Chip away at the bigger goals through smaller, actionable tasks you can tackle each day.
People: Ask yourself, “Who am I waiting on?” (or,“Who is waiting on me?”) If you need a decision, information, or data to complete your part of the task, reach out to the people who can give you what you’re waiting on to move forward on your bigger goals.
Priorities: List the 5-10 urgent things that you absolutely must get accomplished today. List it, do it, cross it off. If it take less than 5-10 minutes, just do it now. Be specific: A task like “answer email” or “organize desk” is too broad and will remain on your list forever. Instead, “return client email re: press plan” or “file papers on desk for five minutes” is more specific and attainable. You may not achieve “inbox zero” or organize your whole office, but even answering a few pressing emails or sorting for five minutes a day will add up.
GET FIRED UP
Start your day in the right mindset, then dive in! Wake up earlier, even by just 10-15 minutes. The goal is to eventually wake up a whole hour early, by starting with 10 minutes each day until you’re adjusted. Before you jump into work head first, get in the right mindset: Meditate for 10 minutes (try apps Calm or Headspace for easy, guided meditations), stretch or exercise, take a shower, and drink lots of water. Ask yourself, “What am I most fired-up about today?!” and start from a place of passion and purpose.
Now you know how to use time to your advantage to really rock your goals! Challenge yourself to see how many spare minutes can you find in your day, and make them count! And tell me, do you have any surefire tips to share about how you organize your to-do list?
Jennifer Berson is the President & Founder of Jeneration PR, a Public Relations & Social Media Marketing firm specializing in promoting beauty, baby & lifestyle brands. Prior to founding Jeneration PR in 2005, Jennifer was a civil litigation attorney in Los Angeles.
Jennifer has been featured in the New York Times, Forbes, Inc., Business Insider, Yahoo!, Entrepreneur Magazine, PR Week, Huffington Post, Fox 11 News, TV Guide Network's "Hollywood 411," PR Web and was profiled on Apple.com. Jennifer was also selected by Babble.com as one of the 10 “Mompreneur’s Who Made it Big!”
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This Skincare Line Founder Shares How She Stays Innovative After 35 Years In The Business
“We do not rest on yesterday’s successes.”
Skincare is having a moment. The industry that’s poised to reach $177 billion by 2024 is growing exponentially and shows no signs of slowing down. But in a world where we’re inundated with product after product on social media, we wondered: How is it possible to stand out among millions of other products that promise to tone, tighten, and brighten better than the next? We sat down with Sandie Tillotson, who cofounded skincare company Nu Skin more than three decades ago, to find out.
How did you originally envision your career? Did you always want to work in beauty?
As a young girl, I wanted to be a teacher. I went on to receive a degree in physical science and a teaching certificate from Brigham Young University. I was married with two small children and had been substitute teaching elementary school classes when I was approached by my mother-in-law. She had used a product she loved that helped her lose a lot of weight and asked me to help her sell it through a direct sales channel. It was at this time that I discovered my entrepreneurial spirit, and I experienced tremendous success as a distributor for that company. Unfortunately, the company later filed for bankruptcy, and I was suddenly unemployed.
But I knew the power of direct selling and believed that skin care was a perfect fit for direct sales. At the time, skin care products on the market were loaded with mineral oils and other harmful ingredients and fillers, and our little group of founders set out to create a new line of products with all of the good ingredients and none of the bad. We created a list of innovative ingredients and hired a formulation expert to create products using only beneficial ingredients. Many told us that it would be too expensive and that we would not be successful, but people loved our products, and we’re still going strong nearly 35 years later.
What was the moment you learned the beauty industry was the right fit for you?
I knew we had something special the day we ran out of product bottles. In the early days, our product came from the manufacturer in bulk, and we packaged it ourselves. It was so effective, it became difficult to keep up with the demand. While we waited for our next bottle order to arrive, our customers started bringing their own containers so they could get our fabulous products without delay. They brought whatever they had—baby food jars, plastic packages, whatever worked—and we carefully measured out product into those containers so we could meet their needs. We knew we were onto something exciting.
Your biography mentions that you’ve done a lot of philanthropic work. What have these efforts taught you as a business owner and leader?
I believe that not only are we the happiest in life, but we are also at our best, when we are “motivated by love.” Great things happen when we are focused on helping others rather than making money. Together, my business partners and I embraced this philosophy, and we infused it throughout the company we created. We wanted to help others be successful professionally so that they could use that success to help improve the lives of others around them. Helping others makes the work we do and the success we find that much more fun and rewarding.
One of the things we did early on was establish the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation – with Nu Skin covering all the operating costs of the Foundation. This was important to us because when someone donates, they know that 100 percent of their donation is going to help improve the lives of children around the world.
What are some key characteristics in your opinion that make female business owners successful?
I believe we each have our own talents and gifts that we bring to everything we do. It is up to us to discover what our strengths are, and then to use them to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. When I became a mother, I learned how important it was to nurture and care for others. I found that for me, loving others and giving of myself without expecting return – in my home and in my professional interactions – was the best way I could care for others. At the same time, we need to know when to separate emotions from business decisions. Do not take things that happen in business personally, but learn how to separate and handle them without letting it affect you emotionally.
What’s the key to maintaining relevance and encouraging growth after so many years in business?
At Nu Skin, creation and innovation are central to everything we do. We do not rest on yesterday’s successes, but instead look to the future and what we can offer next. In fact, in our last earnings release, we reported our fourth consecutive quarter with revenue growth of 20 percent or more. How many 35-year-old, multi-billion dollar companies can say that? This is a tribute to the great team of people we have – both our employees and teams – who are connected by a common cause of being a force for good in the world and together have created a great environment for both company and individual growth and development.
What makes Nu Skin stand out from its competitors in a crowded space?
While we have developed products that are proven to work and that people love, our real differentiator is our culture of empowering people to improve lives. Over the past 35 years we have built a worldwide sales force who are successfully sharing our products and opportunity through social media. This “force for good” philosophy, coupled with our dedication to helping people to discover their best selves, are what make us unique.
Just yesterday, I received a video message from a woman who through tears shared how grateful she was that she wouldn’t have to work this Christmas and could enjoy the time with her family. Nu Skin not only allows her to set her own schedule, but through her Nu Skin business she has been able to purchase food and gifts to share with others this Christmas. She was thanking me, but I reminded her that she was the one who did this for herself and her family through her sharing and caring for others.
With an emphasis on all things digital, how has the company structure changed in recent years?
The digital age has made it possible for people to get the word out about our products faster, easier and to more people than ever before. Technology helps our sales leaders be more efficient and successful but doesn’t take the place of a personal connection. People use our products and join our global family because of personal relationships and recommendations based on trust. And at the end of the day, every person wants to know that you care for and are there for them.
Where do you see the beauty industry heading in the future?
As is the case with almost any industry right now, the beauty industry is changing rapidly. Right now, we are seeing a huge demand for in-home beauty devices that deliver spa-like results. Technology is enabling people to understand their unique skin care needs and discover more personalized regimens. Innovation is always on our minds, and we are constantly improving our products and looking for additional products our customers want and need. As science discovers new ingredients and technology offers us new products to share, we will embrace those innovations and develop new strategies to share with our Nu Skin family.
You’re known for creating a unique global marketing plan. Any tips or insights you can share with our readers who are looking for ways to market their businesses internationally?
Even as we were just starting our business, we had the hope of expanding globally—we even named our new business Nu Skin International to reflect that thinking. The first market we expanded to was Canada, and even with the proximity and similarities to the United States, we needed to work with a different currency and label our products in two languages. Fast forward to today and we have expanded to nearly 50 markets.
Our goal in each new market has been to establish a reputation as a solid corporate citizen and industry leader. We do this by working closely with local government officials and building trust with our sales leaders and customers by keeping our promises. It is this trust that allows us to grow and continue to be successful.
Along the way, we have made mistakes and learned valuable lessons. One of the most important questions we would always ask ourselves, and still do, before expanding into any market is whether we have the cash and other resources necessary to properly support the market. If we don’t, we don’t open the market until we are ready.
How do you stay current and up-to-date on the latest trends in the business world?
I’m both a businesswoman and a person who loves to learn. As I’m traveling the world, I constantly look at countries, cultures and customers through the lens of a business owner. Everywhere I go, I search for trends and product ideas that will delight and improve the lives of our customers. I also get invaluable advice from my children, grandchildren and our global family of leaders who keep me in touch with current health, beauty and social media trends. What would we do without our amazing millennials?
It’s Monday morning and your schedule for the day is packed. What are the first things you do to prepare for the day?
My day always begins with a Facial Spa treatment to wake up my skin. It feels incredible! I follow that with a shower where I use my LumiSpa, Liquid Body Bar and, depending on time, some of our other great Nu Skin shower products. After breakfast I take my LifePak and other daily Pharmanex supplements I love. The other day, I counted the number of Nu Skin products I use before I walk out the door every day and got to 40. I guess you could say that I’m a “product of the product!”
What is one skincare product you can’t live without?
When the airlines lost my luggage for three days, I missed everything! But I learned that my health and beauty “must haves,” were Pharmanex LifePak vitamin supplements, Nu Skin 180 Face Wash and our ageLOC Tru Face Essence Ultra moisturizer. Lucky for me, I was attending a Nu Skin event and plenty of people were there who were motivated by love to share their supply with me!
What’s your go-to song to sing in the shower?
I’m not much of a shower singer, but anyone who knows me will tell you I absolutely love music. I listen to and enjoy all genres of great music and have an extensive collection of playlists. One of my favorites is a playlist I’ve been compiling of songs that empower women. When I listen to these songs, I’m inspired to believe in myself and do my very best in everything I do. Here’s the link.
Enjoy, and feel the power you have to change your life and change the world!
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C&C Classifieds: Create & Cultivate, GeekHive, OpExpert & More!
Nab your dream job.
Create & Cultivate - LA
GeekHive - Remote
OpExpert - Remote
North Highland - Orlando, Florida
Florida Business Consulting - Miami, Florida
Hurricane Junior Golf Tour - Winter Garden, Florida
Diversey - Charlotte, NC
Jukin Media - Los Angeles
Uber - Seattle
University of Washington - Seattle
FirstPro - Pennsylvania
Miss Independent: More Single Women Own Homes Than Single Men
She got her own house, she got her own car…
Who run the world? Single women, apparently. On average, single women own around 22 percent of homes, says Apartment Therapy. A study from LendingTree found that while women make only 80 percent of what the average man does, they still own about nine percent more homes than single men.
Among the energizing location-specific stats:
In New York, single women own 82 percent more homes than men.
In the Los Angeles metro area, women own 77 percent more homes than men.
In New Orleans, women own nearly twice as many homes as men—27 percent vs. 15 percent.
Check out the study for more stats. Single ladies are literally owning it, and we are here for it.
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5 Things You Should Never Delegate
Sometimes DIY is best.
Small business owners, do you have a hard time giving up control? We understand the fear. If you do it wrong, it can lead to expensive mistakes, damaged brands, and poorly-managed teams...but do it right, and there are tons of benefits to gain: You’ll free up your calendar and have more energy to focus on high-level, big-picture tasks. You’ll also quickly achieve goals, while allowing your small business to scale.
That said, there are some tasks that should never be taken off your plate. As a small business owner, you should be laser-focused on creating the best business plan, workplace, and community that you can. Here are five things you should never delegate:
1. Call the shots for every major business decision
It’s your company. Never assign high-level moves or major business decisions (significant changes to the business, investments, partnerships, etc.) to anyone but yourself. Even when you hire a strategist or consultant, you’re still the person who should have the final say. It’s your business—own it.
2. Don’t delegate anything you don’t understand
You can’t effectively manage what you don’t comprehend. One area where business owners often fail is understanding finances. Many think it’s time-consuming and tedious and therefore want to hire it out right away—but how can you make important decisions for the future without knowing how and why to allocate resources? How can you make informed business moves without comprehending the state of your finances? Understand your finances and the scope and extent of each of their roles, then consider hiring an accountant, bookkeeper, controller or other support.
3. Do all of the hiring and firing yourself
The strength of any small business lies in the strength of its team. When you do all of the hiring on your own, you’ll be sure prospects fit with your vision. After hiring, build relationships with all key personnel and take charge of motivation, inspiration, and employee morale. Make sure employees feel like important contributors to your team.
It’s equally vital to handle firing. Of course, a manager can fire an employees on your behalf, but it’s your job to share the value of their contributions and to make sure their exit is a fair and professional one. Your business’ reputation lies in your hands.
4. Create a strong company culture
It’s imperative that the boss personally cultivates and sets the tone for their company’s culture. If they don’t, it will organically come into being by way of the words and actions of their employees. Set a culture that encourages others to speak up, share ideas, and voice concerns; motivate others to “own” their areas of the business; and look for the right fit (in terms of personality and in values) in every new hire you bring aboard.
5. Personally welcome all new employees
No matter how great your managers may be, nothing can replace the feeling of being personally welcomed by the CEO on day one. Your employees will start on the right foot and have an easier time acclimating to your company’s culture when standards and expectations come straight from you.
When you’re a small business owner, it can be tempting to want to do it all alone. It’s crucial to spend time on these five vital strategies and tasks, but when it comes to the rest of your work, take a step back and think about how you can delegate to make it easier to focus on the big picture. What can you delegate this week?
Syama Meagher is CEO and chief retail strategist of Scaling Retail, a boutique retail consulting firm working with clients around the globe. The agency advises startup, growth stage and enterprise CEOs on everything from the art of negotiation and industry best practices to mental frameworks and capacity building for new hires. Discover what Scaling Retail can do for you at www.ScalingRetail.com.
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Cure the Bunnyitis: 5 Ways to Speak With More Confidence
Speak up—here’s how.
The following is an edited excerpt from Step into Your Moxie by Alexia Vernon.
As women, we often spend several hours curating what we are going to wear before a job interview, an important client meeting, or an appearance onstage. Our clothing provides context, and when not done right, disruption, to the ideas we speak and argue on behalf of. Yet I’m also making an impassioned plea that we put as much energy into choosing our words. To step into the fullest expression of your moxie, you need to address these linguistic “bunny habits” that can diminish your impact—even when you think you are communicating with a positive mindset.
Here are some of the most important bunny habits to conquer:
Making unnecessary “I think,” “I feel,” “I believe,” “I mean” statements
Whenever you open your mouth to speak, it’s inferred that what you are about to say is what you think, feel, believe, or mean. Yet women will often plug the word I, followed by one of these verbs, at the start of an idea they are sharing. When we do this, we send the message, “What I’m saying is untested. I might be wrong. And whether or not I am, don’t take what I’m saying too seriously. I’m swimming in self-doubt.”
Using too many adjectives and adverbs
Most women are adept at describing people, feelings, situations, and so forth with descriptive words. Real influence, though, comes from showing our own and others’ qualities in action. For example, rather than saying, “I’m a hard worker,” show how you identified a solution to a problem your team presented you with: “I reduced our expenses by 20 percent and increased our net revenue by 30 percent.” When we overuse adjectives and adverbs, it often signals that we are choosing ineffective verbs, which leads me to the third bad-bunny habit.
Overusing weak verbs
We make poor verb choices several ways. Often we use passive verbs. We consistently make statements like, “I am working hard in my career” instead of, “I secured twice as many contracts for my company than projected.” Or we say, “She is a great speaker” rather than, “Her words elicit trust and commitment.” Other times, we fail to select verbs that convey our unique point of view. Did she “walk into the room” or did she “saunter?” Are you “finding your voice” or are you “reclaiming, and shouting from the rooftop, your point of view?” Strong verb choices empower our communication.
Asking unnecessary approval-seeking questions
When you find yourself about to ask a question because you are seeking approval or validation, skip it. Examples of this include questions like, “Do you agree? What do you think? Want to give it a try?” Instead, share what you think, feel, believe, and mean (without saying think, feel, believe, and mean). “Our country needs more female CEOs.” Or “Butternut squash ravioli followed by a tiramisu and Italian coffee is the best. dinner. on. Earth.” And, thanks to your modeling, other people will likely tell you what they think and feel too.
Using “Sorry” when you are anything but
The chief way to go bunny is by saying “I’m sorry”—and usually, it’s when we have no reason to be. “I’m sorry, I actually asked for the dressing on the side.” “I’m sorry, I didn’t get that email.” “I’m sorry, I have something to say, dang it, gimme some face time!” We might say I’m sorry because we feel as if we have inconvenienced someone when we are asserting ourselves. Sometimes we say “I’m sorry” because it feels like the polite thing to do. Other times we do it because, knowingly or not, we are actually hoping for others to take responsibility for their mistakes. Certainly there are times when an “I’m sorry” is warranted. And during these times, we have an opportunity and responsibility to say how we have learned from our mistake and how we will self-correct moving forward. Cleaning up messes is sexy; so is stepping into one’s moxie.
Alexia Vernon is the author of Step into Your Moxie. Branded a “Moxie Maven” by President Obama’s White House Office of Public Engagement, she is a sought-after speaking and leadership coach who delivers transformational keynotes and corporate trainings for Fortune 500 companies and other professional groups and organizations, including the United Nations and TEDx. Visit her online at www.alexiavernon.com.
Excerpted from the book Step into Your Moxie: Amplify Your Voice, Visibility, and Influence in the World. Copyright ©2018 by Alexia Vernon. Printed with permission from New World Library — www.newworldlibrary.com.
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How to Ask Your Boss to Buy Your Create & Cultivate NY Ticket
It’s so worth it.
Tickets are going fast for C&C New York! Don’t have yours yet? Have you considered asking your boss to foot the bill?
While some companies have established budgets for career advancement training, many don’t. If you’re not so lucky, here’s how you can pitch your boss on the paying for your ticket to the NY conference.
RELATIONSHIPS THAT COUNT
The connections and relationships you’ll build at C&C are unparalleled. Where else can you interact with like-minded hustlers, smart CEOs, and boss ladies you’ve looked up to for years on such an intimate level? If you take advantage of the golden opportunities you’ll receive in New York—whether through our mentor sessions, keynote speaker tips, or mingling during happy hour—it could open a myriad of doors...not only for you, but for your company as well.
GETTING A FOOT IN THE DOOR EARLY
Relationships matter, but so does having your finger on the pulse of what’s happening in your industry. Sure, we’ve had keynote speakers like Jessica Alba, Rachel Zoe, and Chelsea Handler on our roster, but also smaller, lesser-known names your boss might not know...yet. This conference is your chance to get your foot in the door before anyone else, introducing you to people, ideas, and relationships you may not have heard of otherwise. Do your research on who’ll be at the conference, round up some stats, and present your boss with a good case of why you think it would be good to get on their radar.
STRAIGHT BUSINESS ADVICE
Sure, there is fun to be had—goodie bags and a power cocktail hour, to name a couple—but C&C gets down to business. The panel discussions offer direct takeaways: You’ll learn from the best in the biz, like Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Michelle Lee, Rebecca Minkoff, and other CEOs who will share the deets on how they built their businesses.
IMPORTANCE OF GETTING OFFSITE
If you spent most of 2018 behind a computer in an office, explain the benefits of hands-on experience. Whether you want to use C&C to work on interpersonal skills—like sticking out a hand and introducing yourself to a stranger—or as the first place to make your mark in the business world, there is nothing like practical application.
"To make your mark in the business world there is nothing like practical application."
CONFIDENCE BOOST
In the same way that a wellness retreat works to revitalize your body, a conference like Create & Cultivate works to boost your brain power...which in turn, gives you a confidence boost like no other. When you leave New York, you'll feel energized, empowered, and ready to dive back into your job with more fervor than ever. There’s something about the energy generated at C&C that gives attendees the focus and confidence they need to really assess and hone their strengths.
NAIL THE PRESENTATION
When you're presenting a new cost to your boss, it's crucial to nail down specifics relevant to your job. Find the speaker, panelist, or mentor that would be most beneficial to you, your team, and your company as a whole. Elaborate on how building a relationship with this person will be of merit to all three. Bosses are interested in ROI, so show them why it’s worth it.
You can find the link to buy tickets here.
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How to Use Affirmations to Reach Your Career Goals
Put it out into the universe.
What do you think of when you hear about affirmations? Most people think affirmations can only be used for self-confidence and self-love. But the truth is, affirmations can be used to manifest your professional dreams as well.
The most common way to use affirmations is to say them out loud. Simply say them aloud one after another. If there’s one you absolutely love, you can repeat just that one over and over. Another tip is to look in the mirror while you’re saying them, because it really helps your subconscious mind align with what you’re saying.
Whether you’re looking for your dream job or trying to grow your side hustle, here are four situations in which affirmations can help your reach your goals.
Enhance your everyday life at work
Practice these affirmations during your commute or your 10-minute self-care break at work (Don’t have one yet?! I highly recommend carving out time on your calendar for you).
“I am an asset to my company and am appreciated for who I am and what I do.”
“My job inspires me and is my creative outlet.”
“My co-workers and I work together really well, making work fun.”
“I have a great relationship with my boss who respects me and my ideas.”
“Working brings me joy because I absolutely love what I do.”
Align yourself to your dream job
Be sure to accept your current job with unconditional love and practice these affirmations before starting your day.
“I accept my current job and am grateful for the opportunities it has given me.”
“I am open to new and unexpected experiences, opportunities and sources of income.”
“I am worthy of my dream job, and my dream job is ready for me.” (Feel free to insert what your dream job is – the more specific, the better!)
“New opportunities fall into my lap easily and effortlessly.”
“I love and surrender to the process of getting my dream job.”
Empower yourself to pursue your business idea
Before you even have time to think it, let go of the belief that you aren’t good enough to start your own business! Let’s stop the “who am I to be doing this?” questions! These affirmations will bring more clarity and confidence into your life—the next step is for you to take action!
“Every day, I am becoming my highest-self and am gaining clarity for my true purpose.”
“I am a successful entrepreneur and business owner.”
“I love infusing my passion and purpose into my new business.”
“I have a gift to share with the world and am good enough to start my own business.”
“I let go of the need to know every single detail behind my life, my business and my purpose.”
Stop doubting your side hustle
Don’t keep thinking of your side hustle as “just” a side hustle. If you keep treating it as if it only belongs on the side, it’s going to stay on the side (thanks to the law of attraction). Think about it like a business and give it love and attention so it can grow. Here are the affirmations I used to give my side hustle the respect it deserved:
“I am confident in my passion and know that it will support me emotionally and financially.”
“Money flows to me from unexpected sources, in increasing quantities to help me fuel my dreams and share my gift with the world.”
“I believe in what I’m doing and know that it’s worthy of being a flourishing business.”
“The possibilities are endless, my ideas are limitless and my success is inevitable.”
“I am proud of all that I have done so far and am excited for the amazing opportunities that are already on their way!”
Does putting your affirmations out into the world sound scary or impossible for you right now? Don’t worry— if you can’t find a time and a place where you can comfortably say them out loud, grab a journal and write them down. I recommend having a separate journal for affirmations to keep them all in one place. Feel free to have fun with these affirmations: You can say them out loud, journal them, or even make one of them your phone wallpaper. There are no rules or limits—your only job is to feel the magic.
If you want even more affirmations and tips on how to use them in your everyday life, hang out with me on Insta (@affirmationaddict) or check out my blog. I’d love to have you on this journey with me so we can share the power of affirmations with the masses. Happy affirming! - Payal Aggarwal
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Why You Should Be Wary of Online Resume Templates
There’s more to your resume than design.
As a certified professional resume writer, I stay on top of current trends in hiring patterns and resume writing. A lot of people reach out to me asking for flashy resumes that they’ve seen on Pinterest; however, the truth is, a flashy resume won’t get you the job. A lot of the templates online don’t include the information needed on a resume, so today we’re talking about why you should be wary of those templates. Regardless of how pretty your resume is, if the content isn’t there, the pretty resume won’t do you any good.
The truth about a lot of the flashy resume templates online
First of all, it’s important to note that most of the resume templates you see online are created by designers who have no background in resume writing, recruiting, or hiring. They are coming from a completely visual background. A lot of the resume templates circulating the internet right now are minimalistic, eye-catching, and look more like a work of art than a resume—because many have no real information on them. These templates don’t often offer the space needed for the right information about you, your experience, and your skill set.
Infographics are another popular style of resume known for their attractive nature. While they may appear to hold a lot of information, I have yet to see an infographic resume that actually contains the necessary information needed on a resume. Additionally, many recruiters agree that infographic resumes rarely work when applying for corporate jobs as they don’t pass through applicant tracking systems.
What kind of resume will help your job search?
A resume alone will not get you a job. A resume is tool that will help you get an interview. Your resume, interview, personal brand, connections, and a lot of other factors will help you get a job. Hiring doesn’t come down to your resume alone.
To create an effective resume that will help you in your job search, you should make sure your document meets the following requirements:
It highlights your value and gives concrete metrics and achievements to show what you’ve done
It is accomplishment-based, not responsibility-based
It is free from spelling and punctuation errors
It is aesthetically pleasing and easy to read
When you’re trying to create an effective resume to help you land your dream job, it’s important to keep in mind that a great resume contains information that highlights your value. An online resume template or a flashy resume with no information won’t get you the job. Resumes that are focused on visual appearance rarely have the right information that recruiters and hiring managers are looking for. Resume templates are often created by graphic designers who focus on creating a document that is visually appealing, not on creating an effective resume to meet your needs. Instead of using an online resume template, use the visual aspect for inspiration to create a document for yourself, or reach out to a certified professional resume writer for help!
Written by Michele Lando, Certified Professional Resume Writer
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C&C Classifieds: Aurate, Harper & Scott, The Brand Guild, & More!
New year, new career!
Harper & Scott - New York, NY
Create & Cultivate - LA, CA
KATERRA - Seattle, WA
FabFitFun - LA, CA
Christian Dior Couture - NY, NY
Veritude - Durham, NC
ZAGG - Irvine, CA
SapientRazorFish - Austin, TX
Foreo - Las Vegas, NV
5 Key Tips to Build a Great Website
Everything you need to know to build a better site.
5 Key Tips To Build A Great Website
Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, graphic designer, or crafting queen, having an awe-worthy website is the best way to showcase who you are and what you do. If you’re like me, you’re quick to jump when a website isn’t eye-catching or user-friendly. The internet is a crowded space, and being able to differentiate yourself can feel nearly impossible. So what do you do when you want to launch your own website? Enter Weebly.
YOUR BRAND, YOUR CHOICE
With Weebly, you can choose from an unlimited number of colors and typography options right from the Dashboard to build your brand. Website design is about more than a logo or color palette, in order to build trust and legitimacy with your shoppers, it’s integral that you communicate a clear brand throughout your website. Don’t be one of those websites that people immediately abort. If you have no idea what branding you should use, Weebly’s ecommerce themes give you a built-in consistent look, getting you up and running in no time. And from there, you can easily customize your site with “drag and drop” elements, all to your heart’s content. It’s basically magic.
SHOW US THE WAY
Let’s talk about navigation. No one likes feeling lost or confused, which is why a clear navigation should tell visitors (ahem, and Google) what your site is all about. An intuitive site structure should make it easy for visitors to explore your content—plus, it helps Google determine what's important on your site. And ultimately, Google can bring more visitors to your website. See the beautiful cycle?
From the Weebly Dashboard, use the "Pages" tab in the Site Editor to design the navigation. Easily click and drag your created pages underneath each other or add new pages as you see fit. Weebly's navigation menus adjust automatically to reflect the order you create. Before you get started, remember that navigation should also be consistent throughout the site. And be sure that you aren't providing dead-ends within your site that leave visitors unclear on where to go next or how to get back to where they were.
BUILD WITH INTENTION
We’ve all heard the saying, “less is more.” This applies to websites, too. One great Weebly tool for creating deliberate design elements is the Color Block app. Color Block helps you highlight and make specific messaging, such as a call to action that pops using just the right color. Having a sale? Make it stand out. Launching a new product? Be heard. Weebly can help.
PRETTY PICTURES, PLEASE
Answer this: What catches your eye more — black text on a white background or a photo? While minimalist style can be beautiful, websites need those eye-catching elements that draw the visitor in. And that’s exactly why photos are crucial. Weebly research shows that more than 75% of online shoppers say that product photos are “very important” when shopping online, meaning a bad photo (or no photo at all) could cost you. Have a product you can’t photograph yourself? Sign up for Weebly Photo Studio, or what I like to call Ship-Shoot-Send. Simply ship Weeby your products, have their expert photographers shoot the product photos, and then they’ll send your products back to you with those photos to download.
MARKETING 101 (NO DEGREE REQUIRED)
Pat yourself on the back—you just built an entire website using Weebly. What’s next? Flaunt your stuff, of course. Don't be afraid to show off your work to the world. Grow your audience with Weebly’s powerful marketing tools, which includes integrated email marketing with Weebly Promote, built-in SEO features, and much more.
All advice aside, remember: Your first website does not need to be perfect. Did you ride your bike perfectly the first time? Probably not. Good things come to those who are methodical in their work—and when building a website, Weebly helps you create something that you’ll be proud of for years to come.
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Looking Back on 2018—Our Best Year Yet!
BEST. YEAR. EVER.
Thanks to all of you, 2018 was our BEST. YEAR. EVER. Your passion inspired our small-but-mighty team to bring you the biggest and best events we’ve ever hosted, and Create & Cultivate is forever changed because of all of you. Below, we’re sharing 10 of our favorite moments from 2018. Can’t wait to see where you all take us in 2019!
1. Create & Cultivate 100
Back in January, we kicked off the year by introducing you to 100 badass women in everything from music and entertainment to STEM and entrepreneurship. We were so inspired to start off our year by sharing their amazing stories!
2. Create & Cultivate LA
We were so excited to reveal our panelists for Create & Cultivate LA: Chrissy Teigen, Kim Kardashian, Lauren Conrad and more amazing women showed up to make this our best conference yet! LA was a day that changed the way our team dreams and executes events—we’re going into the new year with plans to do 2019 even bigger and better, and we can’t wait to show you what we’ve got in store for you next.
3. Gina Rodriguez at Create & Cultivate ATX
“When I’m alone and I read something nasty or hurtful, and want to be like, ‘Why do I do this?’….and then I come to this event, and I’m like, ‘Yeah, it’s fucking worth it.’” - Gina Rodriguez shared so much wisdom with us in Austin, and we were THRILLED to see how many of you showed up to see her speak (the line formed at 4am!).
4. The #CCDesertPopUp with Kate Bosworth
We hosted an event in the middle of the desert during one of the craziest party weekends in Palm Springs…and you guys showed up in crowds to support us! We loved hearing from Kate Bosworth and seeing all of you connect, converse, and inspire each other. We truly are so lucky!
5. Our Mini Road Trip!
Back in April, we hit the road to spread a little inspiration on the west coast. From Palm Springs to LA and up to San Francisco, we gathered inspiring entrepreneurs like Catt Sadler, Payal Kadakia, and Taylor Sterling to chat about corporate responsibility, philanthropy, and how to focus on more of what matters in your community.
6. Our First Beauty Summit
In May, we jetted to New York to host the first-ever Beauty Summit and hear from some of the best in the biz on how they’re shaking up this billion-dollar industry. The beauty category has historically been a boys’ club, but you’re all changing that: The beauty space has more female executives and board members than any other industry!
7. Brunch with Nicole Kidman
Back in June, we (super casually) hosted Sunday brunch with Nicole Kidman. It was a highlight of our summer!
8. The WorkParty Book, Tour + Podcast
This summer, our CEO Jaclyn Johnson released her book, Work Party, and an accompanying podcast where she digs deep with talented women like Kristen Bell, Bobbi Brown, Sara Blakely, and Sophia Bush. Oh, and we roadtripped on a 10-city book tour with Emily Shuman, Lisa Price, Rebecca Minkoff, and so many more amazing women. We were so excited to read your thoughts on the book/podcast, and thanks to your support, we’re hard at work on season two—stay tuned!
9. Create & Cultivate Chicago with Jennifer Hudson
Who better to take our keynote stage in Chicago than the Chi-town legend herself, Jennifer Hudson? J-Hud shared tons of advice on staying true to yourself, trusting your gut, and defining your own version of success. We ended the night with a surprise donation to her charity and our big balloon drop announcing our Miami Vision Summit!
10. Our Out Of Office Retreat
CEOs are plugged in 24/7, 100% of the time. In September, we pulled a few of these inspiring women of the office for a day of relaxation, meaningful connections, and conversations about “the big picture” for their biz—oh, and wine and hot air balloon rides, too! We can’t wait to see what they (and all of you!) accomplish in 2019! Happy New Year!
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5 Apps That Will Help You Get Sh*t Done In 2019
Check, check, done.
Here at C&C, we love a good checklist. Seriously, the entire team breathes and lives by checklists, and they keep us organized no matter what. With so many events to plan and maintaining a strong online presence, it’s essential for us to have all things streamlined, up-to-date, and trackable.
Here are five of our favorite apps for creating lists and getting shit done.
TickTick
iTunes
TickTick is seriously a game changer. We discovered the app a while ago and have been hooked ever since. You can find your tasks in both a calendar view and timeline view on the app, and set up a checklist that can be marked off on your mobile phone or desktop. You can also set up specific reminders for each of your tasks so that there’s no excuse for not getting them done.
Google Keep
We all love Google, right? Well it was only a matter of time before the online giant created a tool to make our lives even easier. Apart from Gmail, Chrome, Google Docs, and Google Calendar, we now have Google Keep. Also accessible on mobile or desktop, Keep allows you to put together a list and share it with others. However, it’s not just any old list. You can add sticky notes, images, voice notes, and more to your checklist.
Wunderlist
Wunderlist
Wunderlist is another app that allows you to share your checklist with others. Create a personal to-do list or one that you can share with your team to track a specific assignment. Your team members can collaborate on the list via the comment tool and can add notes as well. You can use Wunderlist on your mobile phone, desktop, your Apple Watch and more.
Evernote
Evernote
Evernote is one of the OG note-taking apps. It’s very popular among college students and professionals, and is definitely designed for your work-related tasks. You can add images, videos, attachments and more to any of your lists and access them anywhere on the go. Evernote is unique for its cloud-based storage, which makes it easier for us to save everything we need.
Clear Todos
Clear Todos
If simplicity is key to your life, then so is Clear Todos. The easy-to-use app makes the basic checklist experience more enjoyable and pleasing to the eye. This one will set you back by $4.99 on the App Store, but if you need to get your life together then it’s worth the price.
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5 Preventable Startup Culture Mistakes
Hustle hard, but don’t make these common mistakes.
Every founder knows that culture is crucial to a startup’s success — as Fred Wilson says, “If you want to be in business forever, you need to build a culture that sustains the business” — but there are a few common mistakes that startups make when creating their culture:
1. YOU THINK CULTURE JUST "HAPPENS."
Running a startup means your burn rate is always in the forefront of your mind, and as a result, everything takes a backseat to getting to MVP. Culture can be fixed later, right? The truth is that “culture” is just another way of saying “how we work here,” and by the time you get to your MVP, it will be deeply entrenched.
FiveStars’s founder Victor Ho never took the time to officially define the culture— he felt it was too “cheesy.” But as they grew from 40 to 80 employees, their culture got diluted and as people clashed over ways of getting work done. As quoted in Fast Company, Ho described it as “one of the hardest periods of the company.” Rather than waiting to define your culture, consciously shape your culture while you build your MVP. You don’t have to go on an expensive company retreat, or write an elaborate culture deck. It can be as simple as writing down five words that describe your culture and once a month, as a team, discussing whether they’re still appropriate.
2. YOU THINK HIRING MORE PEOPLE MEANS SUCCESS.
Celebrating is so important because success at a startup can be so rare in the first months. It’s comforting to be able to point something that’s a clear sign it’s all working. And as Buffer’s founder noted, “Team size is easy to understand. Sometimes it impressed people when I told them how big the company was, and I was proud to share it.” But the company brought on too many people, too fast, and was forced to lay off 11% of the company. Protect team morale by tracking more accurate measures of success, and find ways to celebrate small wins regularly.
3. YOU SPEND TOO MUCH ON PERKS.
Bribing employees is a common Silicon Valley practice — what else are meals by gourmet chefs, meditation classes, and laundry service but attempts to get more work out of employees? And those bribes don’t come cheap: shrinking VC funds forced Dropbox to cancel its free shuttle and and limit free meals a few years ago.
If you really want your team to do their best work, regardless of your compensation budget, give them meaningful work. Show them how their work is directly impacting the organization, and how the organization is making a difference in the world. In other words, give them purpose. Oh, and don’t worry — “purpose” doesn’t necessarily have to be a product or service that saves the world (though that’s a plus); it just means that you have a compelling vision and mission.
4. YOU OVERWORK PEOPLE IN PURSUIT OF THE PRODUCT.
Signing up for a startup is a commitment; long hours and outrageous goals are part of the bargain. But push too hard, and you’ll flare out. At Zynga, for instance, long hours, “aggressive” deadlines, and an obsession with performance metrics led to a talent drain, and even hampered its ability to acquire companies. To prevent burnout, hold regular check-ins with your team to help them manage workload and stress levels. And don’t forget to check-in with the founder: 30% of founders report being depressed, as opposed to only 7% of the general population.
Again, we’re not saying you won’t spend some long nights and weekends at this office, but don’t make it a cultural norm.
5. YOU DON'T FIRE JERKS BECAUSE THEY'RE SMART.
Hiring the best talent is highly competitive, but ignore the “no asshole” rule at your own peril. Despite their superior skill set, their personality will destroy your team culture, not to mention their productivity. In one of our engagements, we worked with an executive whose attitude turned the rest of the team against him. This led him to protect his own job by guarding his data more and more closely, leaving the startup completely in the dark when making crucial decisions.
The best way to avoid this problem is to carefully screen for jerks during the interview process, listening for self-centered answers and trash talking past employers. (As Raylan Givens of Justified noted, “If you run into an asshole in the morning, you ran into an asshole. If you run into assholes all day, you’re the asshole.”) But if one has slipped past your radar, talk to them and make it clear how you expect their behavior to change. If they don’t shape up, then it’s time to go your separate ways — the rest of the team will thank you.
Written by Paula Cizek, Director of Knowledge & Editorial at NOBL. NOBL is an organizational and team design consultancy that unleashes the creativity and capability of teams through new ways of working.
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How to Make New Year's Resolutions That Last
Don’t be so hard on yourself.
In the day or two after New Year’s Eve, you likely process a mix of feelings: euphoria and hope for a new year, resolve to change those ‘bad habits’ that held you back last year -- and often, a fresh perspective on who you are and where you see yourself going.
You probably set some goals. But not your friendly neighborhood diner type of goals. No, you set Michelin-star, creme-brulee-boasting, so-fancy-they-serve-the-salad-with-the-baby-fork restaurant type of goals.
You want to work on that six pack every day of the week, write a bestselling novel, give up being the ‘always late’ coworker, save 80% of the money you're making and call that long-distance friend every day to check in.
We all set lofty goals for ourselves with each new year. Our ambition is one of the many things that makes us so amazing as humans. There’s just one part of the whole New Year’s resolutions formula that tends to go awry: Our goals often aren’t sustainable.
Change is hard overnight, and when we set unrealistic, binary milestones for ourselves and subsequently struggle to reach them in a short timeframe, we crash and burn. In fact, USA Today reported that by mid-February, eighty percent of resolutions fail. The good news? There’s an antidote that is 100% within our control: setting goals with self-compassion.
In it’s simplest terms, self-compassion means being kind to ourselves when we feel inadequate or slip up. It's been proven to lead to greater emotional wellbeing and is linked to less depression, anxiety and stress. Psychologist and researcher Dr. Kristen Neff defines self-compassion in three abilities: self-kindness, common humanity and mindfulness. Here’s how you can use self-compassion when making your resolutions:
Self-kindness
...is about flipping the script and reserving judgement on ourselves (studies have shown that we are three times more likely to feel compassion for a total stranger).
If we are struggling to meet a goal, there are probably valid reasons. Recognize that you’re going to do the best you can, and when you have off days—empathize with where you’re coming from.
Common humanity
...is about realizing that we all are imperfect beings.
Recognizing that you’re not alone and that you will doubtlessly hit roadblocks along the way, can empower you to rely on community and support for others in moments of self-criticism. There is a 100% chance that someone else has felt exactly the way you do, whether you’re crushing it or struggling.
“Self-compassion helps bridge the gap between who we feel we are and who we really are.”
Mindfulness
...is about cultivating an awareness. We can’t be kind to ourselves or rely on the power in shared humanity if we don’t recognize when we’re being particularly hard ourselves.
As Dr. Anna Rowley, psychologist and millennial wellbeing expert, says, “We can separate ourselves from our negative thinking or feelings of inadequacy. Your boss chews you out for a report she doesn’t like. You have a choice—dwell on what a failure you are or practice mindfulness and acknowledge the feedback and do better next time. By separating ourselves from the emotion—anger, frustration, or self pity—we are available to problem solve.”
Did you know? We are 3 times more likely to feel compassion for a total stranger than for ourselves.
Unfortunately there is a common misconception, that being compassionate with ourselves means that we’re going to take it easy, give ourselves a pass to never improve or become set in our ways. But the reality is that when we focus on empathizing with ourselves and meeting ourselves where we are, we can set goals that build on our strengths and realistically help us improve.
“Self-compassion helps bridge the gap between who we feel we are and who we really are,” says Dr. Rowley. “Resolutions are hard to change because we are trying to alter aspects of ourself we aren’t happy with or behaviors we may have ‘lived’ for a long, long time. Many of us set unrealistic or unreasonable goals.
For example, ‘I will go to the gym 4 times this week’ might be a tough resolution to keep if you have never been to a gym before or you are embarrassed walking into a room full of strangers grunting and heaving. Self-compassion is about reducing the risk of feeling like a failure if you don’t nail your immediate goal.
It also helps us set more realistic compassionate goals. Rather than join a gym, I’ll go for a walk or next time I shop, I’ll look for a healthier choice of foods. Self-compassion can help us make smarter choices and offer a helping hand when we mess up…and we will mess up.”
So this year, as you continue to grow, evolve and work on yourself, remember to set goals that allow you to be kind to yourself, too.
Written by: Marah Lidey, co-founder Shine
Sign up for Shine to set an intention and track your goals for the year.
The original version of this article appeared on Shine.
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C&C Classifieds: Create & Cultivate, BAGGU, Tarte Cosmetics, & More!
2019 is the year you crush it.
Create & Cultivate - LA
BAGGU - SF
Tarte Cosmetics - NY
Design Within Reach - Stanmford, CT
Essence - NY
Our Go-To App to go From Boss to Best Dressed Guest This Season
Boss to best-dressed? There’s an app for that.
As working women, we all know that convenience comes first when it comes to most things. In the beauty department, that rule of thumb applies as well. Think about it, who has the time to dedicate an hour to styling and perfecting an everyday makeup or hair look? We bet the answer is slim to none. On the other hand, that doesn’t mean that we should sacrifice feeling our best for dedicating more time to our work schedules. Not now, not ever.
What if we told you that amping up your beauty look could be made a whole lot easier and you won’t have to do a thing? If you don’t believe that it’s true, then you’re wrong. Yes, you can get an A-list look in the comfort of your own home, without breaking the bank, and without worrying about strict time constraints. And if you’re wondering why allow us to explain how you can get your hair and makeup did while catching up on emails, conference calls, etc.
Meet the Glam App
The Glam App is beauty on demand--literally. If you need the help of experts when it comes to your own glam, then this trusty app has got you covered and right from the palms of your hands. Glam App offers services from full red carpet-style makeup to everyday blowouts and simple nail polish changes. Seriously, whatever is on your beauty radar can be done via Glam App, especially when you don’t have the time to handle it for yourself. However, that’s not all.
We’ve partnered with Glam App because it’s embodied in the convenience that we’ve been looking for. The prices are budget-friendly because looking and feeling your best shouldn’t burn a hole in your wallet. On the other hand, it’s beneficial for anyone who’s looking to work as a stylist or makeup artist on the app. If you’re a beauty aficionado and have the skills to share with the world, the Glam App gives you that work-life balance that is so important. Glam App allows stylists to act as freelance artists, which means setting their own hours, building clientele and managing schedules and appointments.
Oh, and did we mention that you can book a service immediately? Yes, you read that right. For those days where you have little to no time on your plate to worry about beauty, you can still pencil in a quick service. Stop waiting on everyone else’s schedules when you don’t have the time!
If you’re looking to upgrade your glam this season in and out of the office, consider trying Glam App for all of your needs. It’s fast, affordable, and filled with a roster of professionals in the beauty industry, so what are you waiting for?
We could all use a little beauty TLC, and Glam App has got us covered.
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Our First-Ever Create & Cultivate Scholarship Winners
Congratulations to our three amazing winners!
We’re so excited to announce the winners of our first-ever Create & Cultivate Scholarship in partnership with Chandon! We selected three winners to attend each of our Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami conferences, with round-trip travel, a one-night stay, and a ticket for a friend. These women exemplify what it means to be an entrepreneur, and we were thrilled to host them at C&C! Here’s what we were looking for in a candidate:
1. The business is majority female-owned/female-led (majority defined as minimum 51%)
2. The business is U.S.A. founded + operated in at the time of application
3. The applicant is 21 years or older at time of application
4. The business revenues do not exceed $150K in year prior to application
5. The business has a defined purpose and mission and a specific use for the fundsH
And below are the lucky winners! Stay tuned to find out who will win $10,000 in funding for their business on behalf of Create & Cultivate and Chandon!
Samantha Santana
Samantha Santana Creative | Instagram
Tell us a little about your business and what makes it unique.
My business, Samantha Santana Wallpaper & Creative Studio, is a design studio in which I create photographic realistic and illustrated removable wallpapers and other goods. Many are created with real florals that I style in real space. I also provide custom design services to other small businesses and larger brands, helping them create wallpaper, packaging & branding artwork, photography, textile design, etc. Every aspect of my business right now is done through me. Design work, packaging, accounting, branding, social media, and, hopefully soon, printing. I am trying to save money and buy a printer. I would like to manufacture my own product out of my garage, to better control quality and lower my prices.
What makes my business unique is that I design everything in house with real flowers, as I use to be a florist. I sought to find a way to work with fresh florals without working in the event industry, and the idea for my style of surface patterns and artwork was born. I am so glad people really seem to like what I do!
How has attending Create & Cultivate helped you take your business to the next level?
Attending Create & Cultivate this past year has helped my take my business to the next level in multiple ways. Firstly, the application process for the Los Angeles scholarship program aided me in laying out my goals for the year and strategize how to achieve those goals. I expanded my product line and designed lots of new work. Secondly, the networking I was able to do at the Los Angeles Summit help me land multiple features in print and online publications, such as Origins Magazine and Thoughtfully Magazine. These publications help legitimize my work as a retailer and an artist, leading me to more sales and, more importantly, my biggest client yet. I can't share what business it is, but it is HUGE. Like, I was blown away this business wanted to work with me, and I can't wait to share that work and the wallpaper install in a few months. I really can not wait to see what the next year holds for me, and Create & Cultivate truly played a huge part in encouraging my hustle and expanding my business.
What are your goals for 2019?
My goals include launching 10-15 new removable peel & stick woven wallpaper patterns, launching a notebook, fabric and cell phone case line, and expanding my wholesale business. Ideally, I'd love if I could provide wholesale and drop shipment product for retailers to carry in their brick & mortar and online stores. Similarly, another goal of mine is to collaborate with other artist, innovators, and small business owners. I am currently working on a line of florist wallpaper collaborations, and dream of expanding to other artist as well. Likewise, I'd like to grow the licensing side of my business by finding a artist representative to share my work with other brands for use in their product lines. Lastly, I would like to generate enough income to hire one employee to help me with office management and my shipping department, so I can focus on creating new artwork and developing new wallpaper innovations and product lines.
When you look back at 2018, what is the most successful or exciting memory you recall?
Looking back on 2018, I have to say my most successful and exciting memory was the birth of my daughter, Juniper, with my husband, James. She is sitting in my lap right now grabbing the keyboard as I type! Juni has changed everything for me, and part of the reason now I work so hard to stay self-employed. I want to be available for her and someday show her all the cool work her mama produced while pregnant and through her first years. It has been so hard to be the primary caregiver while working, but it’s so worth the sacrifice. Second to birthing a human, I would say my most exciting memory was my hot air balloon ride with Create & Cultivate and Chandon. I was so terrified, but it turned out to be a magical experience (like riding a cloud). I truly have checked off a few bucket list items this year I had no idea I had!
How would a $10,000 grant help you take your business to the next level?
If I won $10,000 in funding, I would invest the money in 4 specific ways. First, I would expanding my wholesale inventory, which would gain me the ability to provide wallpaper and custom wallpaper lines to retailers. Secondly, I would hire an employee to help with business operations so I can focus on creating new artwork and product. Thirdly, I would invest in product development for notebooks, fabric, woven blankets, art prints, and phone cases. Lastly, I might also use the funds to purchase a new camera for my floral photography.
Afenya Montgomery
The iCan Collective | Instagram
Tell us a little about your business.
The iCAN Collective (innovation, collaboration, accountability, network) connects diverse entrepreneurs to resources that allow them to create, launch, and scale a business. We're a Chicago-based company curating premium events featuring successful business owners to share advice and their entrepreneurial journeys with attendees. We are all about creating meaningful content and experiences for diverse entrepreneurs, creatives and leaders. We're the only organization doing this work quite like this, with a focus on multicultural entrepreneurs! I want people to see representations of themselves in business, media, and corporate leadership in a way that they may have never seen before.
How has attending Create & Cultivate helped you take your business to the next level?
Attending Create & Cultivate was a game changer for me! I learned to really put myself out there. It's so easy to think that your idea is only a good one to you, but sharing with others like you makes all of the difference. Being surrounded by like-minded women that all wanted the same things out of life as me was so motivating. I listened to the fireside chat with Ben Silberman (Pinterest) and have been working on a strategy to use Pinterest to grow my reach and brand. I learned from Alli Webb (DryBar) how filling a gap in the market can be the key to a profitable business. During the Mentor Power Hour, I connected with Ebony Lee, Senior VP of Strategic Development at Comcast and was able to build a relationship that led to a potential partnership with her company. I met far too many amazing people to name, but I took away so many actionable tools, tips, and resources to lay foundation for an amazing 2019 and beyond. Create & Cultivate is for the woman who knows where they want to go and just needs some help getting there. The conference was EVERYTHING because you are able to hear the stories of people who started out just like you and have made so much impact in their businesses and careers. Being able to witness success on this level in such a relatable way lets you know it's possible, and that you can do it, too. I'm taking my business to the next level because C&C gave me more confidence, motivation, and inspiration to really go for it—to seriously go out there and get everything I am working towards. Attending this conference was a blessing, and I will keep going back!
“Create & Cultivate is for the woman who knows where they want to go and just needs some help getting there.”
What are your goals for 2019?
Creating a more solid business foundation, increasing digital content, growing my community and increasing brand awareness, increasing revenue through sponsorships and creating additional income streams (products and services).
When you look back at 2018, what is the most successful or exciting memory you recall?
One of the most exciting moments in my life, period, was winning this scholarship. That's a given!
Looking back on 2018, I am proud of myself for launching my new #GoalGetHer initiative and hosting my second-annual conference. #GoalGetHer is not only an inspirational hashtag, but also an event series supporting women (and men) in building viable businesses. These events empower, inspire, and motivate attendees to embrace their gifts, conquer goals, and create a foundation for building successful businesses. The November conference created a safe space for people to learn from each other, share ideas, and build strong networks through collaboration. Following [C&C CEO] Jaclyn's journey has really helped me strengthen my own business skills, get an even thicker skin, and push through obstacles to make IT happen. 2018 has been about finding my strengths and being strategic about creating a brand that's built to last. All of the year's wins and losses have been about learning more than anything else. I'm grateful for every single experience.
How would a $10,000 grant help you take your business to the next level?
I would use the funding to support the efforts of my new #GoalGetHer series. We recently launched this series of events that focuses on conquering goals, creating your own opportunities and building lasting businesses and brands. I HAVE to keep providing this content for men and women that need it and this funding will help me do just that.
Sasha Flynn
Tell us a little about your business.
Adore Adorn is a direct-to-consumer e-commerce jewelry brand. I personally design every piece. The brand was built on a set of 10 mantras that exist to keep us in check and add something to the world—rather than take away. Fashion can be ephemeral these days, but we like to think that the natural materials used in jewelry has an opposite effect. I know that I hold an incredible amount of power within my creativity. For my customer, every fashionable expression is documentation that they have a choice to purchase with purpose. Adore Adorn works directly with our suppliers to source goods that are sustainable and crafted with love. We do our best to not overwhelm the planet with too much stuff as we are small batch, and sometimes custom-only. We design to last. We provide keepsakes that can be held within your lifetime and carried on, if chosen.
How has attending Create & Cultivate helped you take your business to the next level?
The Vision Summit was all about believing and creating. For me, I found the most value in being amongst peers who spoke on the panel, as well as meeting some great women during the networking sessions. I reached a point earlier this year where I was really stuck with my social media persona... I felt like I was having a hard time getting my message across and I realized it was because I didn't feel I could authentically share the place I was in. My year consisted of putting my head down and working, with no fun stuff like traveling and socializing. I took my personal Instagram page down for about 4 months, and I allowed my marketing assistant to work on Adore Adorn's social media pages, solely. I couldn't figure it out—but I was just "over it." The summit felt like the opposite of what I'd been feeling. I connected with creatives that were “doing the work" on social media and truly creating results. The messages from the panels let me know that everyone struggled with it from time to time, but that consistency and staying true to who you really are‚even if that only reaches a niche audience—is what will make your presence stick. Of course, I shot a lot of content on that day, and I have since been a lot more actively engaged. I think the summit gave me fresh eyes to realize that I wanted who I am online to match who I already feel I am, offline. So, thank you!
What are your goals for 2019?
In 2019, we hope to offer our mid-luxury goods to a wider range of consumers that enjoy personalization and customization. We think jewelry is the perfect way to offer goods that are unique to the consumer. Jewelry, by nature, has the ability to last for generations. The story of a piece can be passed down amongst loved ones without ever reaching the "grave." With the direct-to-consumer model, we will have the opportunity to maintain closer customer relations and build something that is truly meaningful.
When you look back at 2018, what is the most successful or exciting memory you recall?
2018 was CRAZY demanding! I opened a showroom in Atlanta, GA this year. It took me almost 6 months to design the space and make it fit within the brand aesthetic. I worked with Savannah College of Art and Design to hire recent graduates across 4 different majors to assist in the process and help elevate my brand. The showroom is an intimate space where customers can come in and design made-to-order custom jewelry and enjoy the experience of learning about natural stones, crystals, energy, and so much more. We partnered with WeWork to open a showroom in their Buckhead location. They have been so gracious to allow us to completely customize the space to fit the Adore Adorn brand. The entire experience has been one for the books, but above all, reaching new people to spread our message has been the best part. We just have so much that we'd like to share, which is why I was extremely excited to close out the year with Create & Cultivate, along with the potential of a business scholarship.
How would a $10,000 grant help you take your business to the next level?
We hope to use the $10,000 in funding for marketing the unique stories of creative women across the United States. We are story-tellers at heart and hope to build a documentary/content segment that highlights women that are using their life experiences and know-how to build companies that are unique and marketed towards the smart consumer (such as the Adore Adorn target consumer). We hope to fund a marketing campaign that allows the world to see these non-celebrity and non-influencer women for the strength and humanity that they have built in their respective industry.
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This Easy Analog Resolution Will Make 2019 Your Best Year Yet
Technology doesn’t always win.
Lately, it seems that more and more invites for all things festive and fun come via email rather than the postal service, especially over the holidays. While tracking RSVPs online simplifies the party-planning process, it doesn’t mean we should give up on traditional correspondence. A card is a classic way to let somebody know you appreciate them while making a lasting impression. Don’t believe us? Take it from our C&C Atlanta keynote speaker, actor and activist, Meghan Markle, who told us that she often sends out and loves to receive handwritten thank you notes. "I can't tell you how few of them I get," she said, "but one hundred percent of the time, I end up remembering that person."
It’s an approach to business and life that can easily be worked into your 2019 resolutions. Here’s how!
SEND A WARM NEW YEAR GREETING
So, you didn’t get around to taking the picture-perfect holiday card. Not a problem. The New Year is the perfect time to send someone special a card that wishes them the best in 2019. Thinking of others is a great way to start your January off on the right foot.
HANDWRITE YOUR THANK-YOUS
Make a “thank you list” and check it twice because they pile up as fast as the presents you receive. From grandparents to bosses, to hosts of holiday parties and gatherings, you will have a lot of thanking to do. Hit pause on sending out digital appreciation; just like it’s fun to open a present, there is nothing like opening a piece of mail.
"Hit pause on sending out digital appreciation; there is nothing like opening a piece of mail."
Tweet this.
Not only that - writing out a thank you note goes a long way to show your appreciation and will last longer than an email. People are more likely to hold onto thank you notes and beautiful cards to display around their office or living space. Think of a card as a sweet memory in return for their generosity.
MAKE IT WORTH REMEMBERING
Remember the old rule “show, don’t tell?” A well-written and memorable thank you note follows this line of thought.
You don’t have to write a novel to create meaningful thank you notes or New Year’s wishes; you can express how much you appreciate their generosity in one or two sentences. Single out a memorable moment. What it felt like opening the gift. An instance in which you’ve since used it. Use these prompts to express your thanks and wishes for a happy and healthy 2019.
BONUS: IT HELPS YOUR COMMUNICATION SKILLS
We’re used to firing off emails. (Anyone else ever met their email quota for the day? Yep, it’s a thing.) Digital communication may be quick, but it isn’t necessarily the most meaningful or effective. It’s important to honor the practice of sending letters, writing notes, and thank you letters to keep relationships strong and grounded in real-life.
Think of the last time you opened a letter and thought, “Wow, what a great feeling.” Be sure to pass that feeling on as we enter 2019. It will not go unnoticed.
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Ask The CEO: Should You Go Into Business With Your Partner?
Communication is the foundation of a great relationship, work or otherwise.
In 2009, Courtney Nichols Gould left her job as a tech startup executive, moved to Los Angeles, and took a beat to think about what she wanted to do next. While in LA, she reconnected with an old colleague, Gordon Gould, who was researching how nutrition affects children’s brain health. The two joined forces and launched SmartyPants, a vitamin company with a sharp focus on high-quality ingredients, affordability, and great taste. Coincidentally, she and Gordon also fell in love and got married, so her business partner is now her real-life partner, too.
We checked in with Courtney on her biggest hurdles, best advice, and what it’s like to run a multimillion-dollar business with her spouse.
How did you step into the wellness space?
SmartyPants started out as a conversation among friends and shared struggles in finding an elegant, high-quality, palatable, and affordable solution to gaps in our diets and our family’s diets. Initially, we just wanted to launch a comprehensive solution for parents, but as soon as we launched our “baby” online back in 2011, we heard from so many parents that they wished we would make a comprehensive supplement for them to use as well. We realized the problem we were trying to tackle was great. Any problem takes time, attention, and likely money to solve, so being able to put all that energy toward solving a problem for a much larger group of people moved our interest to an all-out obsession that has been the engine for our growth—both in the number of customers and retailers we serve (from Amazon to Whole Foods to Costco) to the number of grant recipients we reach through our work with Vitamin Angels (8 million grants and counting!).
If you could go back to year one, what piece of advice would you give to yourself?
Every unpredictable nightmare increases your company’s capacity to handle its much bigger future—which turns a negative into a very big positive.
What do you think are some of the biggest hurdles in the wellness space today?
I think the scariest one is the “everyone is an expert” issue. Wellness has become one of the biggest growth areas for investment, which means a ton of money is flooding in, so ill-founded ideas can get resources. That might have negative consequences for investors in a field like fashion or mattresses, but in a field that intervenes with someone’s health, consequences are felt by the end user themselves. Combining that growth with primarily online sales without the kind of checks that retailers require (proof that you are testing and producing your products in accordance with FDA guidance) can create the very real risk that someone could become hurt, which is bad for all of us.
“Having someone in the trenches with you, husband or not, is critical to make sure you are leading with your best ideas.”
What is the best part of having a Co-CEO? And what’s it like working with your husband?
Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely and stressful business. Having someone in the trenches with you, husband or not, is critical to make sure you are leading with your best ideas. Bouncing things off each other ensures more rigor around your thinking and also means you can have a bad day and someone else can help step in and vice versa. Most of the great businesses I admire have a team at the helm. Working with your significant other can be hard, and it can be amazing! It’s all about communication. We feel really lucky to have been able to build this business together and for our kids to witness the amount of work required to build something from scratch.
Do you have any advice for women who are considering getting into business with their partners?
Make sure you have different skill sets. It works for us because we have very different areas of expertise. I run the business with a focus on product design from beginning to end, and he is our chief data scientist with a strong expertise in e-commerce—the foundation of our business.
What about your job makes you feel the most complete?
Being able to see that we are having a real impact: Through providing a better product to our customers; by showing other companies they can make better choices and still be profitable, which helps to change the industry as a whole; and by putting a matching grant in place with Vitamin Angels before we launched. That allows us to have a much bigger impact than we ever thought possible.
Where do you see the wellness and vitamins industries in the next 5 years?
I think you will see an increasing focus on quality and efficacy and a lot of new and interesting formats to drive compliance. With a lot of investment dollars out there, there will be plenty of competition, and that’s always a good thing for the end user.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received?
Never do or say anything you wouldn’t want to see printed on the front of the New York Times.
It’s how you make the hard decisions—that no one will ever know about—that shows you where your integrity lies.
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