Create & Cultivate 100: Food: Sophia Roe
For Sophie Roe, food is anything that is necessary to maintain life and grow.
For Sophie Roe, food is anything that is necessary to maintain life and grow. It’s a sort of poetry for the holistic NYC chef and self-proclaimed “food and feelings advocate,” who is on a mission to create a new sort of culture around food and wellness.
She encourages her friends and followers to explore the different relationships they have with food, while simultaneously working to renounce the all-too-common toxic narratives around food like shame or guilt. She advocates for more inclusivity in the food industry and is on a mission to empower her community through sustenance. Also note that she can explain the hell out of gluten, once and for all.
To talk to Sophie is to see holistic health in a new light. Her passion and zest is injected into every word, every meal, and every declaration of gratitude. She is helping to pioneer a paradigm shift and making space for a culture that is invested in health as wealth.
How did you get started as a chef? Did you always know you wanted to be in the food industry?
I have always had a relationship with food. Some of my favorite memories with my mother involve food. It wasn’t what I initially wanted to do right out of high school, however a string of events put food directly into my path, and I am so grateful for it!
Apart from being a chef, your bio says you’re a food and feelings advocate, and an empowerment engineer. Can you explain to us how you tie in food with feelings and empowerment?
I believe ‘food” constitutes much more than just the edible variety. Food is so deeply tied to overall consumption, I truly believe there is emotional and mental “food” –the stuff we absorb throughout the day outside of what is edible. Food is so often used as a tool for guilt, shame, pain, etc. which I find to be a travesty because we need every variety of “food” to survive. When we dive deeper, and look at our individual relationships and stories around food, what we end up with is often so a much deeper narrative than we had initially thought. So often a person may want to get their diet back on track, but it turns out they were struggling with an eating disorder, being made fun of as a child, or perhaps is dealing with deep-seeded insecurities. This is why “empowerment” is so valuable in connection to food.
If you could have a meal with someone, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
This is such an interesting question because the answer changes depending on mood and timing. Right now, I’d really love to have a meal with my father. He died before I could meet him, and I think it would be really special to have been able to share a meal with him before he passed away.
What do you crave in life?
Childlike wonder and copious amounts of HAPPY!
What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?
It’s my greatest hope that my work reminds people of who they are, the power they possess, and the knowledge that they can in fact be who they dream of, and more.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“If you blame it on someone else, don’t expect it to get any better.” Ultimately, we are the keepers of our own lives. Always blaming others for what you don’t have or didn’t accomplish (victim addiction) only passes blame, and maybe makes you feel justified…but rarely resolves the issue.
What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?
Being on the most recent cover of Cherry Bombe magazine (issue 12)!I have been a reader of that magazine for years. Its pages have inspired me, and my career in food beyond belief, so it’s a real honor to grace the cover.
Where does your passion/drive come from?
From knowing how painful pain can feel, and how happy happiness can feel.
What keeps you up at night?
All of the hundreds of things I want to make and give to others.
It’s my greatest hope that my work reminds people of who they are.
Whose career really inspires you?
I can’t say because I don’t know what it’s like to exist as anyone but myself. The words of so many inspire me, the actions of so may also inspire me. But to dial in on a person’s career? That’s challenging for me because to the naked eye someone’s career may be super inspiring or filled with greatness; however, I am sure behind what we all see is so much hard work, struggle, and maybe even some suffering. I am more inspired by people themselves, and not so much their careers.
What has been your biggest opportunity or biggest challenge as a young, female entrepreneur?
My own confidence has been the biggest hurdle for me. I am constantly bombarded with self-inflicted imposter syndrome. Finding a place where I believe that I actually deserve a career has been a huge struggle. I had such a tumultuous childhood, so figuring out how to maneuver those memories, and feelings as an adult seeking a career has been my greatest challenge.
What are the common challenges you've seen among women in the food industry?
I think one of the biggest problems with women in the food industry is simply proper visibility! It’s not like suddenly there are tons of women in the kitchen. So many publications talk about this new uproar of females in the kitchen. WE HAVE BEEN THERE THE WHOLE TIME! I think now you’re seeing more focus on women in food because women are paving their own ways in the industry. Women are creating their own restaurants, concepts, publications, etc. I don’t really see this as a struggle, I’d like to think women are just setting themselves free from the standards that have been put in place for so long.
It’s important when things go wrong to stay calm, assess the situation in realistic way & shift gears accordingly.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?
As long as you know and understand that at the start of every venture there will be hiccups, and bumps in the road, you sort of give yourself permission to stay calm when you’re staring face to face with one. 90 percent of what I worried would happen, never ended up happening anyway; it’s very important when things go wrong to stay calm, assess the situation in realistic way (leaving the emotion as far out of it as possible), and shift gears accordingly.
What are you most excited for in 2019?
Finishing my first book!!!!
Photography by Annie McElwain Photography
Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE FOOD LIST HERE.
Create & Cultivate 100: STEM & Finance: Shivoni Siroya
“I always think of funding rounds as a mirror to what’s happening internally—it is the best way to get lots of feedback on your business at once.”
Many of us take our credit scores—or the fact that we have them—for granted. Credit is the vehicle to financial stability and growth, yet 3 billion people around the world are currently financially underserved.
Shivani Siroya founded Tala—a tech startup providing micro-loans to entrepreneurs in the developing world—to address this disparity. Not only has Shivani paired her passion for social impact with her tech entrepreneurship, she’s disrupting the entire fin-tech industry with an unparalleled strategy: Analyze credit-seeker’ smartphones with an app that will determine how creditworthy they are. By generating data—texts, emails, GPS coordinates, social-media posts, retail receipts, and so on—Tala’s Android app is able to study a person’s smartphone behavior (literally down to obscure variables like how frequently a user recharges the phone’s battery, how many incoming text messages they receive, how many miles they travel in a given day or how they enter contacts into their phone) and use the data to predict the likeliness of a loan being repaid. Currently Tala’s repayment rate is 92 percent and the platform has reached 2.5 million people globally. Suffice to say, Shivani’s creating the blueprint to something special—something with scale, impact, and the potential to stimulate wealth everywhere. It comes as no surprise that Tala’s 2018 was explosive.
The long and short of it: Add Shivani to your CEO-inspo moodboard STAT.
Can you explain your company and your mission with Tala to our readers?
Tala’s mission is to expand financial access, choice, and control to the 3 billion people who are financially underserved around the world. Through Tala’s Android application, anyone with an Android smartphone in our markets can apply for a loan and receive an instant decision, anytime and anywhere, regardless of their financial history, so they can access customized financial services to take care of business costs, family expenses, and school fees.
And this is only our beginning—our mission doesn't end at opening access, we’ve added in financial tips and will be launching additional products this year to keep putting our customers in charge of their own financial lives.
Tell us a little about the impact Tala has on women and small business owners living in underserved financial communities.
Jenipher, an entrepreneur in her 60s, was one of our earliest customers in Kenya. She ran a food stall in Nairobi’s Central Business District and used Tala loans as working capital, to purchase ingredients in bulk for lower costs. Eventually, with the credit history we helped her build, she was able to walk into a commercial bank and secure a small business loan to support her dream of opening a restaurant. Our mission is to co-build a financial system where stories like Jenipher’s become the new reality. Our lending product opens access to financial services for a class of emerging consumers with potential that only needs to be proven.
If there is one thing you could tell our readers about Tala, what would it be and why?
Building Tala has taught me the importance of knowing and understanding your customers and their entire daily life. There’s a misconception that the people we serve are akin to non-profit beneficiaries and not a viable customer base; in actuality, they are consumers capable of being economic catalysts with significant purchasing power and reading and consuming the same content that we do. But there is no way I would have learned this without spending years living and working alongside them, learning about their personal lives and dreams for their families, and seeing them take action to make their goals a reality.
I’m also excited to share that we’re hiring! If our mission piques your interest, or if you’re ready to fix finance for over 3 billion people around the world, we’re waiting for you. See our global openings at Tala.co/careers.
You’re using your financial background to launch world-changing tech. What is your advice for women wanting to take the leap from an industry like finance to technology?
The opportunity presented by a world like tech is that it is a space where diverse interests can thrive. Though imperfect, this era of “disruption” means that there’s likely a group of people working on solving a problem you’re interested in—do your research and go out and find them! I also encourage you to find mentors that can help you learn the dynamics of the new industry, and join communities you can contribute to and grow with. Most importantly, have confidence in your abilities and your value. Trust that you have something unique to offer your new industry, and work hard to show it!
How important is it for women in tech to build communities surrounding their brands and how has it influenced you and your work with Tala?
For women in tech, starting a new venture can be exciting, yet lonely and difficult. A community can serve as a much-needed constant in a journey that’s likely to be unpredictable.
I fully believe that community is the key to sustainable success. My family taught me the importance of being there for others, and I love sharing ideas and helping others make connections, as I’ve benefited from the help and advice others have given me.
The fellowships and communities I’ve joined are spaces where I can safely share ideas and best practices with peers going through similar hurdles. By serving as some of my first sounding boards, they’ve helped me build my platform as Tala and I have grown.
Community was a significant topic for the Tala team in 2018; we incorporated it within our team offsite, in our speaker series, in community events for our customers and also in community outreach events here in Santa Monica.
“I always think of funding rounds as a mirror to what’s happening internally—it is the best way to get lots of feedback on your business at once.”
You’ve raised one of the largest series b by a woman. When did you realize you had a product to pitch to investors? What steps did it take to get you there?
We actually didn’t start by pitching. An investor heard my story and traction and through that process, our round came together. To get to a point where we were ready to take on investment, our small, scrappy team had already spent a significant amount of time in our markets, making sure we understood our customers, their lives, and their needs and tweaking our product offering in response. We each wore the hat of customer service advocate to make sure we were attentive to how customers were experiencing the product. When an investment opportunity presented itself, we knew immediately where we needed to focus the funds.
Since then, we’ve learned to view funding rounds in relation to our learnings goals, from developing our data models in series A to scaling the business in series C. I always think of funding rounds as a mirror to what’s happening internally—it is the best way to get lots of feedback on your business at once. It’s important to listen and ask for feedback even if you get a no—because you’ll always come out stronger.
Any advice for women looking to take their tech to the table to raise series A or B? What was the biggest difference between the two series for you?
My advice is to do your homework and own the narrative! I cannot overstate the importance of knowing your business’s unit economics, knowing the ins and outs of your market, your customers, and your approach to the opportunity you’re addressing.
Our fundraising strategy always parallels what we are looking for in board members and advisors, and plans for the capital.
What is one app you can’t live without and why?
Whatsapp. I know it’s one that everyone uses—but for me, it’s my lifeline to keeping in touch with my family in India. We have probably over 50 different groups WhatsApp chats going at a time and it always makes me feel like we’re connected even if we’re not seeing each other in person for months.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?
I remember the problem our team set out to solve and the people we’re solving it for. Our customers and our mission are my consistent north star, and honing in on them are extremely helpful. I have also embraced the importance of taking time off to recharge and spend time with friends and family—last year, I hiked Mount Batur, and the rigor of the experience and doing it along with close friends provided refreshment and energizing clarity.
“I never expected to be an entrepreneur – I set out to solve a problem and this was the right path to get to my goal. ”
What are you most excited for in 2019?
Our team experienced a significant amount of growth in 2018—new teammates, new product features, new markets, and increased fervor and clarity towards fulfilling our vision. In 2019, I‘m excited to see how the 2018 foundation that we set will help us create more momentum globally and excited to see us take on some very new audacious experiments and product launches!
What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?
I’m most energized by meeting our customers, hearing their stories of what they’ve been able to accomplish with Tala, and getting their feedback on the product.
It’s just as rewarding to hear that someone used their Tala loan to open a cyber cafe in their community, as it is to hear that same person ask us to create a forum so they can trade entrepreneurial tips with other Tala customers. This tells me that what our team has built is not only working but that our customers trust us enough to share their ideas with us and with each other.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Before founding Tala, an earlier boss encouraged me to “figure it out” after I shared that the data I needed for a four-month project did not exist—and I was already out of the country and needed to return to our team with answers. Being confronted with an information gap that needed to be closed led to me starting Tala and finding out about the problem that we’re focused on solving.
What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?
I never expected to be an entrepreneur – I set out to solve a problem and this was the right path to get to my goal. This perspective has helped me keep a clear focus on our mission, though I occasionally have to pinch myself when I see how fast our team is growing.
What’s your superpower?
Challenging my limits. I love high-intensity workouts and strength training because there’s power in learning that I’m capable of lifting two or three times my body weight—it all comes back to believing that you’ve got that power within you to take on something new. It’s a lot easier to walk into a daunting meeting with potential investors or speak at a large conference when you’ve started your morning by accomplishing what once seemed impossible.
Photography by Annie McElwain Photography
Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 STEM LIST HERE.
Create & Cultivate 100: Beauty: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
“While I absolutely would not be where I am today without a lot of help, and certainly some luck, it really comes down to my own determination and dedication.”
From acclaimed fashion model to actor, designer to businesswoman, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley has done it all. The multi-hyphenate mogul’s latest venture, Rose Inc., offers an insider peek at some of Rosie’s favorite beauty products, makeup tutorials, skincare tips, and interviews with some of your favorite beauty gurus. Rosie takes a hands-on approach to her site, with a “Memo From Rosie” section dedicated to personal notes from the founder herself.
In addition to everything she’s working on for Rose Inc., Rosie will be our keynote speaker at Create & Cultivate New York! Check out her interview below, then join us in the city to get all the advice she’s learned from launching her namesake brand.
You’ve become a household name after years of putting in hard work as a model, and some acting work. What prompted you to venture off into beauty?
Beauty has always been a passion of mine and a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember, starting as a passion and ending up in a career. Growing up I would sit and watch my mother in awe while she would get ready for work or a night out. I loved seeing how she could transform into this striking, confident woman. It was then that I began to understand the way makeup could alter a person’s demeanor or mood. As a teenager, I always enjoyed experimenting with makeup and trying out the newest products.
Over the last 16 years as a model, I’ve spent countless hours in the hair and makeup chair learning from all the incredible artists I’ve been lucky enough to work with. Every time I’m in the chair I find I learn something new and creative and have made special friendships and memories along the way.
Rose Inc. for me is a place where I could bring my passion to light and hopefully create an inspiring online destination where I can highlight my favorite artists, peek inside the bathrooms of some of our favorite influencers, tastemakers and professionals, and where we could explore, interview and discuss new products, tips and tricks with the top experts in the industry.
What was the inspiration behind Rose Inc. & its aesthetic?
In looking at the landscape of beauty websites, I thought it was important to create a space that was curated by someone who has been in the industry, sat in the makeup chair, and had firsthand experience of the impact that these products and routines can have on your life both physically and emotionally.
We have features and stories that cater to every type of woman, whether you want to know more about your favorite beauty icon or you’re in search of some serious advice for your next must-have product. We want to reach women all around the world and hear what they have to say about the beauty space.
The brand launched in May and is taking off swiftly. How did you build that bond with your audience?
I think with any brand it’s all about authenticity and honesty. I hope that it’s clear when people come to the site or spend time with me that they can see I have a true affinity for everything beauty related. Building a bond with your audience is an ongoing process, it’s a two way street. We love to hear what our readers have to say, what they want to read or watch and then we try to deliver what it is they are asking for.
What characteristics make you successful in the beauty industry?
Passion, drive, and a clear vision. When you embody those characteristics everything else will fall into place.
What does it take to build a beauty brand from the ground up in today’s world?
When I look at what’s happening in the beauty industry right now and see what’s working and what’s not, I see that it’s about having a clear point of view for your brand and believing in something bigger than the product itself. Creating a sense of authenticity and dialogue with your consumer while exploring innovative and exciting products that make people feel their very best selves.
What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?
I love meeting new people who inspire me both creatively and mentally, as this has been an ongoing learning process for me. Seeing each of our initiatives through to completion, and hearing positive feedback from our readers, makes this all incredibly worthwhile and gives me an immense sense of pride!
What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever been given?
I feel lucky I get to talk to so many brilliant people across this industry. I think the best thing I have heard lately was about the importance of delivering something that is unique and infused with your own personal style.
What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?
Without a doubt, launching Rose Inc. It certainly feels like a new chapter in my life and while it feels like an organic next step for me because it’s my passion, becoming a founder is quite the departure from modelling, I do feel some days that I’m learning a lot on the go!
Where does your passion/drive come from?
This is a question I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to articulate properly because a passion for this industry is something that has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. An appreciation for and fascination with all things beauty related is something that struck me from a very young age.
I often find that as women, we tend to attribute a lot of our success to a fluke. I try to remember that while I absolutely would not be where I am today without a lot of help, and certainly some luck, it really comes down to my own determination and dedication.
What are the common challenges you've seen among female business owners and entrepreneurs?
I often find that as women we tend to attribute a lot of our success to a fluke. I am sometimes inclined to feel this way about my own life and career, and while I try to remember that I absolutely would not be where I am today without a lot of help, and certainly some luck, it really comes down to my own determination and dedication.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road and switch gears to find success?
I think that becoming a mother has given me a completely different perspective on the ups and downs that I face in my career. My personal life is a priority for me, so when I hit a bump in my career, I am reassured by the fact that that is not the be all, end all. I truly believe in visualizing what you want for your future, and eventually, you can get there.
Whose career really inspires you?
Any woman who has accomplished her dreams, through hard work and determination, while remaining true to herself and a good person.
What’s next for Rose Inc. in 2019? What are you most excited for?
I’m excited to work with even more unique and inspirational people from across our industry, and share their stories with our readers. The beauty world is constantly evolving and in order to deliver the most thoughtful, and hopefully helpful, content, we will continue to seek out exciting new products, ideas, and innovators.
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 BEAUTY LIST HERE.
How Your Own Language Can Make or Break 2019
Your language is as on purpose as your success.
Language is powerful. As we enter 2019, would you believe that the outcome of your year may ultimately reflect the words you use to describe your experiences throughout it? As many people set goals and become more mindful of their habits, there’s no better time to make a conscious effort to become more aware of your language.
Words were my first love. Now, as a communications professional, they are the foundation of my professional living. As I’ve spent time around other entrepreneurs and successful business people, I’ve become aware of a common thread among them: their language is as on purpose as their success.
Consider making these three changes to begin experiencing the benefits of an immediate, more positive perspective and, ultimately, a more successful life.
“Have to” versus “get to”
How often do you hear colleagues talk about how they have to complete a project by a certain deadline or they have to get to work early for a big meeting? While the reality of those circumstances may be true, their characterization is disempowering.
Instead, imagine if your colleague said that they get to do those things. This phrasing reframes the commitments as opportunities instead of chores. Beyond changing the way other people experience the description of your obligations, it also reinforces a more positive perspective about your own commitments. The effect of this change is that you become more grateful for the plans you have, making them more enjoyable, instead of feeling burdened by tasks.
“Should” versus “will” versus “excited to”
The word “should” implies that the action is unlikely to happen and lacks urgency and significance. “I should start writing that book,” or “I should ask for a promotion” begins to sound like you’re giving yourself a pass to forego the leap between action and outcome. Changing “should” to “will” immediately conveys commitment and a stronger belief in yourself and from others that you’ll follow through.
Want to take it step further? Add a word that describes how you want the action to make you feel, and you’ll set yourself up to experience it that way. “I’m excited to have this conversation with my boss,” or “I’m grateful to have been chosen for this assignment.” Immediately, you’re in a position to feel the way you’ve described.
“Challenge” versus “opportunity”
What if the situations that most challenge you are actually opportunities for betterment? A business owner may be challenged when an employee leaves to pursue a new opportunity, and the inclination may be to simmer in frustration or feel daunted by the process of filling the role.
But what if this change is an opportunity to bring on someone with fresh ideas who’s even better equipped to support your work and grow your business? If you believe that’s the case, you’re more likely to focus on and find the person that meets those expectations. By changing the language you use, you can adjust your vantage point on a challenging situation and gain more control over the outcome.
This year, challenge yourself to make an intentional choice to find opportunities for growth and positive momentum that can result from encountering difficult situations. Making these changes may not come naturally at first and will take practice. Like any goal, the key is to stick with it.
After all, the outcome may depend on it.
Julia Bonner is the founder and president of Pierce Public Relations, a national public relations agency that helps individuals and brands accomplish their business goals through strategic PR programs. She frequently writes about communication, leadership and personal branding and has been published in outlets such as Fast Company, The Muse and The Nashville Business Journal.
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5 Entrepreneurs & Execs Share How Technology Has Changed Their Careers
“Your setbacks are a setup for a really great comeback.”
From social media to emails, podcasts to presentations—technology affects every facet of our lives at work. And it’s changing every day.
We wanted to know how some of our favorite technology leaders and entrepreneurs are using technology to build brands and products, as well as how the women behind that technology made it happen, so we teamed up with our friends at Dell last week to host the #DellExperience Power Players pop-up chat at CES. We loved listening to Alicia Quarles chat with Rachel Tipograph, Kimberly Bryant, Rakia Reynolds, Gerri Tunnell, and Stephanie Hallford about how their careers have evolved—and how they’re shaking up the industry themselves. Below, a few of our favorite tips from the pros:
Their best piece of business advice…
“Invest in your voice. Your ability to be a powerful orator will get you much further than any other skill.”
- Rachel Tipograph, founder & CEO of MikMak
“Step into the unknown. As women I think we’re always trying to think 10 steps ahead and always know what’s next, but where the real growth and opportunity lies is in the unknown.”
- Kimberly Bryant, founder & CEO of Black Girls Code
“Understand that things take time. We see so much glory through social media, but more people have to tell the story behind the glory. If you understand that things that time, you compete with yourself less and less.“
- Rakia Reynolds, founder & CEO of Skai Blue Media
“Vote with your heels. If you’re at a job you don’t feel is working, walk in and be vocal, or go find a job that will reward you for being you. Too often, people stay in a place where their skills are not fully realized, and you have to know the time to either walk in and ask for change or walk out.”
- Gerri Tunnell, SVP of Marketing, Dell
“It’s OK to say no.”
- Stephanie Hallford, VP & GM, Business Client Platforms at Intel
On starting a new venture…
“The part that I love about my job is the part after you’ve learned a bit but you don’t know everything, and you have just enough time to think about things in a really different way from everyone else.”
- Gerri Tunnell
“Your setbacks are a setup for a really great comeback—and everybody loves a comeback. Look at it as an opportunity to innovate and build something new.”
- Rakia Reynolds
On inclusion in the industry...
“We need to look at what it means to be a black woman, or a gender-nonconforming person, or a disabled person in technology. Where that intersectional line happens is where we see the biggest gap. We can’t solve that unless with have a broader discussion around what inclusion and diversity looks like across the spectrum.”
- Kimberly Bryant
“We all have unconscious biases, and it’s so important to understand what those are so you can come from a place of understanding and action.”
- Gerri Tunnell
“Great leaders make other leaders. I’ve had people pour into me, and I’ve gotta pour support back into others.”
- Rakia Reynolds
Dell’s new XPS 13 is thin and light with an innovative top mounted HD webcam and has up to 21 hours of battery life. The XPS 13 is a beautiful and powerful product that helps powerful women get the job done.
On the future of tech...
“I want to see a young woman that has risen through the ranks of the tech industry and is the CEO of an emerging field. I want them to be able to break the barriers so much so that there won’t be a need for a Black Girls Code in the future.”
- Kimberly Bryant
“Young women are so socially-conscious about what they do and the mark they leave on the world. In the future, these women will be in places of power and will use technology for good.”
- Kimberly Bryant
CES 2019 was a hit and we were so happy to see so many of our Create & Cultivators there. This was our first time at the event and we’re so grateful to have had the opportunity to partner with Dell, who has been a real champion of women in the tech space. Same time next year? Sounds like a great plan to us!
This post is sponsored by Dell.
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How This CMO is Transforming the Cannabis Industry For Your Health
“We are building a leading modern wellness brand, not a cannabis brand.”
What happens when women and cannabis join forces? As it turns out, success. dosist, an award-winning California-based wellness brand, is proof. Their proprietary cannabis pen offers a safe, consistent dose of formulas created to promote sleep, pain relief, calmness, and more. We were thrilled to partner with the company, named Fast Company’s most innovative brand in 2018, to host a happy hour our Miami Vision Summit. Below, we chat with Anne-Marie Dacyshyn, chief marketing officer, about what women bring to the table in the wellness industry and how dosist is transforming healthcare...one dose at a time.
You joined Dosist in July. What appealed to you about the company, and what did you most look forward to?
What appealed to me about joining dosist were three key and powerful things: First, it offered me the chance to be part of a monumental global shift where this incredibly powerful and therapeutic natural resource is on a trajectory towards widely adopted legalization, which is huge from a wellness perspective. Next, I was inspired by dosist in particular in that it had already pioneered and innovated a game-changing proprietary dose control device and targeted formulations, all aimed at helping people naturally manage their health and happiness. And finally, the leadership team and brand culture led by CEO Gunner Winston was beyond inspiring, so when it all added up I knew this was a chance to make history in not only transforming the cannabis category, but also transforming how people think about healthcare, working with an incredible and talented team along the way.
Women hold more executive positions in the cannabis industry than the average U.S. business. Do you think women bring a unique perspective to the category, and how do you see female-led companies changing the future of cannabis?
To start, at dosist we are 100% focused on the wellness side of cannabis use, and in fact are building a leading modern wellness brand vs. a cannabis brand. And I believe it is that important distinction and focus on health and wellness that has attracted an influx of women into the space and into our brand in particular, as consumer history has shown us that women have often been the catalysts in helping shape and drive the new global “modern wellness” platform as they continue to seek out and demand natural alternatives to support their wellness routines. So, from there it is only logical that more women are stepping in and helping drive this initiative and conversation through key roles, to help accelerate the access to and development of more cannabis-based wellness products.
As for how this influx shapes businesses at dosist we believe the best products and brands come out of companies with a culture that fosters and promotes diversified thinking across the board. So for us that comes from building a diverse leadership team that is not just about gender diversity, but also diversity across backgrounds and experience, and it’s all of these factors that are paramount to achieving our goals.
“There is still so much misconception and stigma that exists around this amazing plant, so it is imperative for us to ensure we are always educating first and foremost about its potential as a powerful therapeutic tool.”
Dosist is run by a more diverse leadership team than the average brand. What advantages does this have, from both a marketing perspective and an internal one?
We’re certainly proud to have a female CMO, CFO and a diverse team. But we’ve never thought about it in terms of hiring quotas. At dosist we are committed to developing talent around three principles – inspiration, collaboration, and accountability. And, do you share our vision of transforming healthcare? It’s those shared values across the team, combined with our commitment to innovation in products, therapeutic formulations and consumer experiences that inspire and differentiate us in empowering consumers to naturally manage their health and happiness.
What differentiates dosist from other companies in the cannabis space?
To start, at dosist we are focused on an entirely different approach in that we are building a leading modern wellness brand which uses cannabis to provide relief from some of today’s most common ailments through science and innovation. Our products and formulas are engineered to take the guesswork out of cannabis treatment, and create consistent, safe and effective results for our consumers.
We achieve this through a few key things. The first is our proprietary and award-winning dose pen, that uses superior vaporization technology to activate the key cannabis compounds in our targeted formulas and delivers a precise 2.25 mg dose each and every time, notifying the consumer of a complete dose with a slight vibration. Dose control is imperative to effectively using cannabis as a therapeutic tool, and we are the leaders in this technology and initiative.
Next, we worked with leading cannabis scientists to engineer our six targeted formulas:
Bliss, Sleep, Calm, Relief, Arouse and Passion, to deliver optimal health benefits without the sometimes overwhelming effects of THC. From reducing pain and inflammation to getting a better night’s sleep our formulas are expertly engineered to elevate your health and happiness naturally.
And last, we are dedicated to being the leader in providing education and awareness for consumers about cannabis. There is still so much misconception and stigma that exists around this amazing plant, so it is imperative for us to ensure we are always educating first and foremost about its potential as a powerful therapeutic tool. We are committed to breaking through the pre-existing barrier of misconception and ultimately removing the stigma that still exists.
What about your job makes you feel most fulfilled?
In short, all of it. From the opportunity to be a part of something that is so impactful to so many people’s lives and the incredible stories we hear from our customers every day, to the amazing and talented group of people and partners that I get to work with (like partnering up with Create & Cultivate at Art Basel!), it’s an incredible journey we are on to help people discover cannabis and utilize it as a safe, therapeutic alternative medicine. So it’s all of that and more that keeps me fulfilled, inspired and grateful.
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Create & Cultivate 100: Health + Wellness: Katie Austin
On top of serving major ab envy, Katie Austin is building a fitness empire.
On top of serving major ab envy, Katie Austin is building a fitness empire.
The trainer, health coach, author, blogger, and model may have picked up a thing or two on how to inspire confidence through fitness from her mom—the iconic queen of spandex and home fitness tapes, Denise Austin. Katie has followed in her mother’s footsteps by building a community of fitness seekers and an app for those looking for new routines, recipes, and ways to get sore.
The former D1 college athlete knows a thing or two about conditioning the human body, and that deep-seated discipline is now powering her career. Below, the 25 year-old health expert sat with the C&C team to talk about what’s next for her digital wellness movement.
You played D1 lacrosse at USC. How has your background in sports affected your career path?
I’ve played lacrosse ever since I was 7 years old, so I think it taught me hard work, discipline, and time management from a young age. Those attributes have definitely helped me start my business and my career. I think playing sports definitely played a huge role in wanting to do fitness as a career, too. I did running/lifting tests for lacrosse since middle school, so fitness has really always been a part of my life. I love being surrounded by athletes. There’s a strong work ethic to every athlete out there that I really respect.
Being a fitness influencer is a big responsibility—what do you hope young girls and women take away from following you online?
I think being a fitness/health influencer is the best- just because you’re giving girls a positive takeaway. I really hope girls can learn how to better themselves, but in a real and practical way. It’s really important in this day and age to know that a lot of the stuff you see online isn’t attainable in real life. I want to empower girls with easy ways they can get fit, eat healthy, but still live their damn life.
If you weren’t working in fitness or social media, what would you be doing instead?
Well I am also a sports host! I co-host a Friday night show on Fox Sports West, and do some basketball hosting here and there. So I would definitely be pursuing that a bit harder!
Tell us about a time you failed, and how you turned that moment into opportunity.
Ohhh many of times!! So I have an app now, with workouts, recipes, challenges, etc., and it looks like it was super easy for me to just build something like that. Well, nobody knows that I actually built an app before.. I saved up $20,000 in college, and put it all towards an app. Long story short, it was terrible hahah. But I waited two years, and tried again!! It wasn’t a failure because I AM SO HAPPY it happened! I learned so much about what went wrong, how to make it better, and go stronger the next time. Every failure teaches me something great.
Where does your passion/drive come from?
Two answers. My parents! They both came from nothing, and grew their businesses from the ground up in their twenties. They inspire me like crazy! Then second, the girls who follow me and my workouts. I see their posts, stories, or messages to me and it makes me just want to help more and more people across the world.
What would you say to the haters who think Instagram isn’t a “real” job?
I’ve actually lost a friend over this… She would make fun of me for “instagramming for a job.” And it used to bother me, but now it doesn’t. Bring on the haters- they have no clue how much work goes into creating content, building a brand, creating and managing a blog/app/site, maintaining customer service, engaging back to your audience, pitching yourself, and SO much more. It’s funny though, because whenever a friend who isn’t a social media influencer sees the amount of work we put in they always say, “oh my gosh, I had no idea.” So I think it’s really that people just don’t understand it.
Watch our interview with Katie on the set of our Create & Cultivate 100 photoshoot.
What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?
Seeing girls feel accomplished, feel confident, and feel so great about themselves!! Even if it’s just a recipe they like of mine, or a workout, if I can just make another girl happy in the slightest, I feel fulfilled!! Truly.
What are some of your hobbies outside of fitness?
Hanging out with my friends! Anyone who follows my instagram stories… first off, I am sorry. I like to have fun haha. I love my girlfriends. And Sex and the City for the 38th time.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find new roads + switch gears to find success?
I can definitely get down on myself when I hit a bump or hurdle. First off, I make sure to calm myself down and try not to be stressed out! Then I reassess what went wrong, or how I can be better. To keep up my motivation, I like creating new projects. I like to think of new creative things, guides, series, challenges, etc. I always like to switch it up with new content!
What are you most excited for in 2019?
Most excited about being 25, and really feeling like this is the first year I KINDA know what I’m doing with my life. Haha but seriously…
Photography by Annie McElwain Photography
Photoshoot skincare provided by Dermalogica
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12 Questions to Ask Yourself to Unearth Your Life's Mission
Turn your passion into purpose.
"What’s your overall goal?”
It's the first question I ask any entrepreneur, client, friend, (just about anyone) who is in the midst of a career transition or looking to start or grow a venture. I follow it up with, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? Life-wise.” The question is basic and BIG.
But answering that question, or at the very least attempting to answer that question, creates clarity; crystal clear or not, it's an important step in the right direction to figuring out Life with a capital "L." And guess what? Your business is part of that Life. So before nailing down a business mission, start with your life goals.
You don’t have to have the destination 100% set (if you do, awesome) but you do need a map so that when you get lost or head down a path less traveled and find yourself in parts unknown (which, is inevitable and healthy) you have a map to consult--to help you redirect and continue on.
Answer these 12 BIG LIFE questions and you'll find that in the process you'll get further clarity on your business mission as well.
1. Visualize yourself in 10 years. What do you see for yourself? What/who do you see yourself surrounded with? What do you see yourself doing?
2. What do you feel the most fearful of right now?
3. What are you willing to sacrifice to stay true to you? What are you okay saying “no” to?
4. What areas of your life are humming?
5. What areas of your life do you want to make changes in?
6. What do you wish you were doing more of that makes you happy?
7. What kinds of problems do you enjoy solving the most?
8. What about you makes you uniquely you?
9. What are your values?
10. Who are some other people in your life that you admire? Why?
11.What are some commonalities in the people that you are drawn to?
12. What aspects of who you are do people find energizing?
Alison Gilbert is a business coach and consultant. She’s helped over a dozen owners and entrepreneurs grow profitable businesses quickly and efficiently, including such companies as Well+Good, Levo League, Maiyet and Plum Alley. Prior to building her consultancy she was hire number four and COO of food media company Tasting Table where she grew it into a forty person team reaching a readership of millions. Visit her site and schedule a free consultation.
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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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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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