Making Moves: New Books, Award Noms, & Netflix Movie Magic
These women are changing the game this week and beyond.
Wanna know the women who are making big moves in business this week? We’re here to make it happen. Every Friday from here on out, we’ll be sharing a list of badass women who have reached envy-inducing goals, from award nominations to development deals and everything in between. This week, we celebrate artists, editors, authors, and entrepreneurs who are making moves and takin’ names. Check ‘em out below!
Our own #createcultivate100 honoree Libby VanderPloeg was nominated for a Shorty Award for her “We Got This (Lift Each Other Up)” GIF. Watch Gina Rodriguez talk about Libby’s internet-famous GIF at last year’s #createcultivateATX.
Create & Cultivate alumni speaker & former Teen Vogue editor Elaine Welteroth dropped the cover for her new book More Than Enough: Claiming Space For Who You Are.
Amy Nelson’s co-working space The Riveter just announced five new office locations: Dallas, Denver, Portland, Atlanta, and Minneapolis.
Julia Collins, the first black woman to co-found a company valued at $1 billion or more, was featured alongside some other fabulous black female entrepreneurs who are changing Silicon Valley. Meet the new guard.
Illustrator Liz Fosslien released her first book, No Hard Feelings: Emotions at Work and How They Help Us Succeed, on Tuesday.
Do you remember the 2017 Fast Company story about Penelope Gazin and Kate Dwyer, two business owners who had to invent a male cofounder to be taken seriously? Their story is being made into a Netflix film, Lady Business, starring Brie Larson.
MORE ON THE BLOG
Solopreneur Tax Tips: The Freelancer
“Dreams are wonderful, but they only come true if you work your ass off.”
Making your own schedule, choosing your clients, and sweet, sweet freedom—these are just a few of the many perks of freelancing. But with that freedom comes great responsibility…including being on the hook for filing self-employment taxes. Above, content creator Grasie Mercedes—who splits her time between acting, writing, directing, and blogging—sits down with Lisa Greene-Lewis, TurboTax CPA, to learn how TurboTax Self-Employed can help freelancers stay on top of their tax obligations throughout the year. Read on to learn a little more about Grasie and see how TurboTax can help you find deductions, file confidently, and keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. Plus, we're gifting 30 readers with a FREE TurboTax Live Self-Employed product code (valued at $169.99) below—so you can file for free this season!
To quote your Instagram bio, you “do a lot.” You’re an actor, writer, director, and blogger—what do you like most about working on so many different projects?
I love to keep busy and I love everything entertainment, so for me, it just makes sense. Now, more than ever, actors "do it all": they direct episodes of the shows they're on, they create their own series, and they continue to act in everything from commercials to TV to major motion pictures. I think it's wonderful and exciting! Blogging is something I started over eight years ago as a creative outlet to supplement my then-styling career, which was supplementing my acting endeavors. From there, I turned it into a brand/business that I can have forever (or as long as I want)! Having so many things to work on and work toward is so special to me...I never get bored "working" and that's a dream. I'm so grateful to be able to do what I love, every single day.
What’s your biggest challenge in having so many different business ventures on your plate? The biggest reward?
The biggest challenge is when the various ventures start to interfere with one another. Acting is a crazy business with an unpredictable schedule so there have been plenty of times where I have to miss an event, trip or opportunity because I have to be in town for pilot season or for a callback, etc. When that happens, I just have to weigh my options and then deal with serious FOMO when I see what I missed on social media. The biggest reward is hitting new goals in any given venture. I just signed with an amazing talent agent for writing, I'm developing my first pilot with a great production company, and my first film is still getting accepted into major film festivals! Those are all huge wins for my writing and directing careers, which I started less than two years ago!
We polled our C&C community and found that many freelancers share the same concerns as Grasie—conflicting schedules and deadlines can make solopreneurship difficult. Luckily TurboTax Self-Employed makes it easy for freelancers to track and file quarterly estimated payments, so you can focus your efforts on your work and your clients.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to go freelance but is worried about how they’ll make a stable living?
This is a tough question. I think you have to weigh your options and responsibilities. When I decided to quit my day job and move to LA to be an actress/creative, I was in my late 20s with zero obligations. It was easy to just go for it because it was just me. No kids, no mortgage...not even a pet! If you have that freedom, then just GO FOR IT full throttle! Do whatever it takes to pay the bills (legal things only, of course). Wait tables, get a temp job, be a barista...all the while, make sure you are working on your creative endeavor daily. If you're responsible for more than just yourself, I would say keep your day job as long as possible, save money where you can and again work on your creative endeavor daily until it's bringing you enough money to quit your day job. The only difference between these paths are that the first one usually gives you more time and freedom to pursue your dream. But regardless of which path you take, the most important thing is to WORK HARD and WORK EVERY DAY on whatever it is that you want to be doing! Dreams are wonderful, but they only come true if you work your ass off.
What are you most excited about for your business in 2019?
Excited to revamp my blog and to work as a writer and director more! Acting will always be "my first born" and something I'll never stop doing, but creating my own work (TV shows/films) is my number one priority at the moment.
Want more tips for tax time? Check out our guides for side hustlers and C corp entrepreneurs! or Or you can dive into TurboTax Self-Employed here—and enter to win a free TurboTax Live Self-Employed code below!
Our friends at TurboTax were nice enough to share a giveaway with Create & Cultivate readers so you can file your taxes for FREE this season!
30 readers will receive a FREE TurboTax Live Self-Employed product code (valued at $169.99). Simply fill out the form below to enter to win. The winner will be chosen randomly and contacted via email. Good luck!
Not quite a full-time freelancer?
If you’ve got a side hustle and need help with filing taxes, be sure to check out last week’s guide. Stay tuned for next week’s post for more solopreneur tax tips—and enter to win a free TurboTax Live Self-Employed code below!
This post is sponsored by TurboTax.
Does My Career Determine My Self Worth?
Nah or yah?
New expectations have begun to haunt women each day. In a world, full of Elaine Welteroth’s, Bozoma Saint John’s, and Sophia Amoruso’s — we feel the pressure to be our own badass career woman.
Scrolling through our social feeds to find these amazing women living out their dreams has altered our reality. Though encouraging and liberating for women in this generation, it can also be discouraging. Quotes such as “choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life” can become discouraging to some when you’re constantly working towards choosing the job you love but you remain stuck in the job you have. You begin to look at yourself and start to believe that you must be doing something wrong (even though you're doing everything in your power to do everything right).
We are hungrier than ever to accomplish our goals and to take the career world by storm. Yet, our expected achievements don’t meet our timelines. We have done everything we can, from cold emailing to going door to door, but somehow, we can’t quite get to the girl boss level we’ve been working our ass off for. Some of us, such as myself, have played it by the book and have gone to college to retrieve that fancy (and expensive) piece of paper.
Now what?
After graduation, I acquired a job that most people would consider “a dream job”. And it was — until I hit a wall. I began to realize that I was not going to learn more than I was taught and a promotion was not coming my way for a while. I felt stuck and devalued. I knew in order to get to the place I wanted to be professionally, I had to make a change. I quit my job, packed up my bags, and moved back home with no job in sight. I took a leap of faith as all the enthusiasts like to encourage dreamers to do. Little did I know, this would be a full year of doors being slammed in my face.
"I knew in order to get to the place I wanted to be professionally, I had to make a change."
Months of applications, cold emails, networking, and going door to door turned into days of no callbacks and “you’re just not the right fit for us”. Other than the retail job I had to get me by — I was practically jobless. After a year of being jobless, I hit rock bottom and depression began to flood my veins. Was I not good enough? I had several internships in the past and over 2 years of professional experience yet I was not worthy enough to be hired.
The lack of success in my career hit me hard. I have always been labeled the go-getter and people looked to me for career advice. I felt my expectations and the expectations of others weigh down on me. Family, friends, and everyone around me saw my constant success for years and when I no longer had that, my identity faded. I realized that I correlated my worth with the success and pace of my career.
I had no desire for a love life, I happily accepted my singleness, and my career became the love of my life — this was my happy reality. Believe it or not, the Sex and the City and Cashmere Mafia lifestyle was #goals for me. Through this year of being jobless, I began to love myself less. What I valued most about myself was non-existent. If I’m not good enough to get a job after a full year, was I good enough at all?
At exactly a year, I finally got hired.
It wasn’t the job I dreamed of but it was a good start. Though back on my feet — I still felt incomplete.
This job did not match my vision. I molded a perfected version of my career since I was a young girl and that dream began to slowly slip away along with my worth. The power woman I thought I was and could potentially be slipped away with my lost worth.
Though I’d given up on myself, I knew that I would hate myself forever if I didn’t try picking myself back up. I couldn’t let my career slide to the waste side. After a month of feeling down – I picked myself back up and decided to keep moving forward. My career isn’t over and I am still worthy.
I began attending networking events again, cold emailing my career idols, and searching for freelance work that would help me stand out during my future job searches. I realized that I could never give up on myself and my dreams. My success does not determine my worth. Most importantly, I had to make opportunities for myself. Your current full-time money making job might suck but don’t limit yourself to that primary source of opportunity. Use your current sucky job as a stepping stone for something better. Make a gradual plan to your dream job and reach out for outside opportunities to spruce up your resume and to gain more experience in the meantime. That’s what you call grinding.
My success does not determine my worth.
Word of advice to ladies who are out there making it — share your struggles with others so that your fellow go-getters won’t feel alone. We need to know that this feeling won’t last forever. That’s more encouraging than cheesy quotes and fantasy pictures. For the ladies who are still trying to make it—think smart, keep working, and don’t lose sight of yourself when your dreams begin to break your heart.
And yes — one of my dreams was to write this very article for this amazing organization. If I can do it, you can too.
Epiphany Ciers is a Houstonian tackling the world of fashion. From writing to creating content, Epiphany has her hands in everything. Though determined to make it in the fashion world, Epiphany also has a passion for encouraging and motivating women. Follow her on IG @epiphany.ciers as she navigates the fashion industry and explores the world around her.
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
C&C Classifieds: Golden Word, Create & Cultivate, Hearst & More!
Find your next dream job.
Hearst - New York City
Best Buy - Richfield, MN
American Express - New York City
The Body Shop - Orlando, Florida
WeWork - Seattle, WA
Verizon - Atlanta
Pandora - Atlanta
Procter & Gamble - Grand Rapids, MI
Journeys - Las Vegas
Depop - Remote
We Can All Relate to These Hilarious Workplace Comics
Liz Fosslien’s new book will have you cracking up at your desk.
Some weekday mornings can be rough, even if you love your job. We’ve all had days when we’d much rather keep lounging in bed than get up, throw on a professional (see: uncomfortable) outfit, and fight our way through traffic. Luckily, No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work, out today, is a handy guide to motivating yourself even on the most dreary days. We’ve put together seven hilarious comics by the book’s co-author and illustrator Liz Fosslien that will have you cracking up at your desk.
Some days it can feel like you’re stuck on the project that will never end, working with a team that can’t stop scheduling meetings. But remember: this too shall pass.
The upside to having to wake up super early once in a while? It keeps you grateful for your relative sleeping-in privilege.
Why do passive-aggressive bosses seem to love sending emails so much? One tip to deal with a grumpy manager is to watch for patterns in their mood. If they’re always grouchy before their first cup of coffee, make sure you schedule meetings with them after 11am.
If this illustration resonates a little too much, it’s time to finally pull up the email that’s been sitting in your inbox forever and start typing a reply. We know, we know, it’s so hard! But you’ll feel a lot better once you’ve hit SEND.
On particularly endless days, it’s okay to call in your work BFFs for a quick coffee break (aka a good “I need to get out of this office for a moment” excuse).
Speaking of work BFFs: having good friends at work keeps us positive and healthy. So take a moment to switch over to your private Slack channel and send your favorite colleagues a quick “Thank you for existing!”
Finally, don’t forget to carve out time for yourself. If you’ve been feeling overworked and exhausted all week, it’s okay to leave that networking happy hour ASAP.
Want more relatable workplace comics? Snag a copy of Liz’s new book here!
MORE ON THE BLOG
5 Steps to Building Your Personal Brand
Build your brand and make your move.
Whether you know it or not, you have a personal brand that you’re cultivating every day through your online presence. Trust me, I get it—it doesn’t feel natural to tell people “I’m building my personal brand.” It might even feel a bit vain.
The reality is, social media and our online footprints aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Your story and who you are is your personal brand.
I respect those who build their following to step into the influencer space and monetize their following. But right now I’m talking to all of you ladies who are hustling hard in the corporate world, starting businesses, transitioning back into the workforce, growing in their careers and looking to take the next step. There are ways you can be more intentional about how you utilize social media and your presence online to position yourself for your ideal opportunities.
Where should you start? Here are 5 steps for you to start building your personal brand today:
STEP 1: Let’s do a quick social media audit of your channels: 1) Do you have a professional looking headshot & is it updated across all your social accounts? 2) Do you have a consistent username/URL across all your accounts? 3) Do your social bios have your updated work info and link out to a personal website/portfolio or LinkedIn? 4) Is your LinkedIn up to date with current work info, cover image, profile image, and bio? If you answered no to any of these, let’s get them updated now!
“Before we dive in, you need to answer this question:
Where do you want to be this time next year? ”
STEP 2: Before we dive into strategy, you need to answer this question: Where do you want to be this time next year? Do you want to be at the same company, but in a higher position? Do you want to transition industries? Do you want to start a new job? Or maybe you simply want to grow your network? Whatever the answer may be, focus on that goal when building your personal brand. Identify key topics that relate to your goal and create a plan to regularly provide commentary on them online.
STEP 3: Choose two platforms to focus on at a time! Don’t try to do the same thing on all the platforms at the same time. Identify the two platforms that make the most sense for your industry and make a goal to focus on building up those accounts.
STEP 4: Identify key people to follow—industry leaders or people you’d like to be your mentor. When I first joined Twitter back in the day, I was in awe of the fact that I could follow all the people I look up to and learn from them firsthand. You have that same opportunity now, but with even more platforms. Just make sure you don’t clutter your feed—research your current field and dig deeper than the obvious people you should follow. Then build up a genuine relationship through conversations around topics and posts that feel natural (don’t force it).
STEP 5: Create a content calendar and plan ahead! Identify key dates within your industry/desired industry. For example, if you work in fashion, you better be posting/talking about/engaging in the conversation around Fashion Week. If you work in tech, then Apple’s Keynote announcements are important moments for you to be sharing your thoughts and opinions. When you plan ahead, you’ll be able to show up consistently and build your profile within your community.
“When you plan ahead, you’ll be able to show up consistently
and build your profile within your community. ”
I launched Be Digable with the hopes that I could help more female professionals and executives build their personal brands, position themselves as thought leaders, and raise their visibility. I believe more women should be moving into those corner offices! You don’t have to be an influencer to build a personal brand—it’s all about being authentic, sharing your story, and engaging with your community to connect and grow.
For more personal branding tips, you can follow Be Digable on Instagram and sign up for our free email course: 3 Days to a Standout Personal Brand.
Lindsay Williams is the Founder of Be Digable, a personal brand strategy firm dedicated to inspiring female executives to discover and be confident with their voice in order to authentically share their personal narrative. Lindsay is committed to motivating professionals to step into their own greatness, helping clients position themselves as thought leaders in their field, network within and out of their industries, and share their unique story to leverage greater opportunities.
MORE ON THE BLOG
#GirlCrush: 5 Small Business Owners We're Loving This Month
We’ll take one of everything, please.
Here at C&C, we’re always coming across truly amazing women who are running cool, creative small businesses and shaking things up in their respective industries. Starting today, we’ll be sharing monthly roundups of these budding entrepreneurs, so you can get in on the party and support their work.
See who we’re inspired by right now below!
Jessica Young, Bubble
Jessica was working as a chef and head of product at meal delivery service Daily Harvest when she started building Bubble, a direct-to-consumer health food company. “Think Farfetch meets Erewhon, but available to everyone in the USA,” she says.
Ally Maki, Asian American Girl Club
After realizing that none of the clubs she was in as a child had any members that looked like her, Ally knew she wanted to create that community. She launched AAGC, an apparel company that redefines what it means to be an Asian woman. (We love their clothes, but we’re pretty obsessed with their marketing, too.)
Anishka Boozer, Gypsy BK
Jenna launched Vichcraft shortly after turning down her dream job in packaging design to pursue her own business full-time. She’s built quite the empire, working on projects for clients like Instagram, NPR, and Hillary for America on top of hosting workshops and selling apparel, prints, and accessories on her shop.
Liz Eichholz and Lindsey Johnson, Weezie
When Liz asked Lindsey an innocent question: "what towels do you use?" Lindsey responded "I actually hate my towels." And thus began Weezie, makers of the softest towels we’ve ever touched.
Come back next month to read all about our February girl crushes!
MORE ON THE BLOG
Day in the Life: Rachel Krupa of The Goods Mart & Krupa Consulting
The genius behind our favorite little shop tells all.
Welcome to the first installment of our new monthly series, Day in the Life! Through this Q&A series, you’ll get an inside look at the day-to-day lives of some of the most inspiring women in business.
To kick things off, we sat down with Rachel Krupa, a true force of change in the health food and wellness industry. At her PR agency, Krupa Consulting, Rachel promotes food and wellness brands through press, social, and events. Her newest venture, a “healthy convenience store” called The Goods Mart, puts her knowledge of that same space to work through what The New York Times calls “A 7-Eleven for all you organic people.” Read on to hear Rachel’s take on routines, self care, and the best snacks at her shop right now.
Are you a night owl or a morning person? When do you do your most important work and why?
Honestly, I’m both… I love getting up early and hammering through emails or taking calls before 9am, and then I get my second wind at 5 or 6pm. I love the quiet, calm feeling in the mornings and the energy that the just post-dusk evening brings. I live for the the sunrise and fall peaks of each day.
What time do you get up? What’s the first thing you do upon waking?
I wake up around 5:45-6:30am – it just depends on my day! But every day, I wake up and roll right into a workout class – Pilates or yoga!
What does your morning, pre-work routine look like?
I like to have a structured morning…wake, workout, and after the workout, I mediate when I get home, drink a liter of water, listen to music, dry brush, oil pull (while showering), take my Chinese herbs, collagen, and sprinkle on some essential oils with quick glance at emails to see what’s coming in…I try to swing by the store before heading into the office if I don’t have a meeting.
What’s your commute like? Do you listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks? Any current faves?
During my commute, I’m either listening to music or rolling calls. I keep it simple — KISS FM, or still listen to Pandora (so old school ☺). Right now I’m obsessed with the “Dreamy Snowy Day” channel.
You own a consulting business and also run The Goods Mart. What’s the best and worst part of running two very different businesses?
Crazy enough, my two business actually compliment each other. Krupa Consulting is a PR agency focusing on food and wellness. We work with incredible restaurants (Shake Shack, Milk Bar, maman, Hanoi House, Monty’s Good Burger, byChloe), the tastiest CPG brands (MatchaBar, McConnell’s Ice Cream, Vital Farms, Good Catch, This Bar Saves Lives), and the best wellness brands (goop Wellness, Clean Market, WTHN, Fleur Marche). Our goal is to build media and consumer awareness and we often discuss how to drive more traffic to their stores, studios, and sites by sharing the cool things they are doing.
With The Goods Mart, I’m pretty much doing the same thing but it’s my own brand.
I’m never not learning something! I’m able to see what consumers are talking about in the store and share it with our brands. It’s FUN to get real time feedback from real customers!
The worst part - I wish there was more time in the day to get more done! And juggling two inboxes can get a little crazy at times.
What are some exciting projects you’re working on this month?
Last week, I was at Fancy Food in San Francisco, a very large specialty food and beverage show where we got to see and taste the new products and trends in food. We had a handful of clients exhibiting, and then I walked the show to find cool new products to bring into The Goods. Also this week, Monty’s Good Burger just launched the Impossible Burger 2.0, we’re doing desk sides with Fleur Marche in New York, and I looked at a few new spaces to potentially open another store!!!
We just signed a few new clients, Kiito (an incredible plant-based protein drink) and Juneshine (a hard Kombucha), so this week we’re in planning mode with them. It’s our time to get really creative and present our ideas. We’re also doing a farm visit with our client Roam, a female-centric cannabis vape company. I love how transparent our clients are and how they welcome us to see all parts of their business. I’m jumping on a red eye on Wednesday (I’m not excited about that), but on Thursday, I’m speaking on a panel. The Goods Mart will be curating all the snacks for the event and we’re bringing in our slushie machine! I’m excited for the event guests to try our kombucha slushies!
Do you ever reach inbox zero? How do you handle the constant influx of inquiries and communication entrepreneurs are so familiar with?
In my dreams, my inbox would be at zero! Earlier in my career, I couldn’t sleep if I had unread emails, but boy, times have changed. Now, I actually mark emails as unread if I need to keep them on my radar.
I also believe email is not always the best method of communication. Slack has been a lifesaver for internal communication for both Krupa Consulting and The Goods Mart. It helps to streamline communication and greatly reduced office chit chat!
What product are you currently most excited about selling at TGM? Why?
It’s really had to narrow them down!
Rind – it’s a local Brooklyn brand that dries fruit with the skins on. The persimmons and kiwis are ridiculously good.
We just brought in a new spice soda called Dona – the pink peppercorn lemon is so refreshing!
I’m also a fan of Laiki (they taste like a Bugle, but with only 3 ingredients) — we’re the first to carry their new Vegan Cheese flavor.
Little Secret Wafers (hello, better-for-you Kit Kat)!
Delish Fish — they taste like a Swedish fish but without all of the artificialness)
Dang Sticky Rice Cakes — I just polished off a bag.
…and last but not least.. our pineapple kombucha slushies!
What are some work habits that help you stay healthy, productive, and on track to reach your goals?
At our office and in the store, I believe you need to create a mood to be more productive and keep energies high – it’s about the smells, the music and the energy of the work environment.
We always have aromatherapy on (or burn incense). In the office, we alternate playlists to coordinate how people are feeling, while in the store, we have some really rad playlists created depending on the time of day.
At Krupa Consulting, we try to step away from our computers during lunch so we’re not eating and working. Each team meets on Mondays to discuss the goals for the week for our clients and then meets again on Thursday or Friday to discuss how the week went. It keeps the communication flowing!
And I’m a believer in getting out of the office during the day to walk around and clear your mind. Every day at 4pm, I walk to get a matcha. It’s my time to clear my mind so I can finish the day strong. It’s also important to add small hints of wellness into your day – rub on a dab of essential oil, think about breathing, talk about something really random to make yourself and other laugh. We all work REALLY hard, but you need to break it up, even if it’s for a minute.
Any favorite apps you use regularly?
Top used apps currently are: Slack, Dropbox, Delta, Square, Instagram, Insight Timer, and Sleep Cycle.
What are you reading/watching right now?
I need to read more books… I have Howard Schultz “Pour Your Heart Into It” on my nightstand.
Before I go to bed, I need to watch an easy show it helps transfer my mind away from emails. My guilty pleasures are The Magnificent Mrs. Maisel, New Amsterdam, and You.
How do you spend an average evening?
An average night is spent doing more emails from home. I turn the lights low, blare some tunes, and spend some quality time with my inbox. But at least two nights a week, I make plans with friends/clients to have dinner and catch-up sessions.
I’ll also toss in, weekends are very much a time for self-care. I regularly get massages, acupuncture, and IV drips. I need to give my body some TLC because I know I push it hard.
When do you go to bed? What’s your “optimal” # of sleep hours?
I tried to be in bed by 11pm, but normally it’s closer to midnight! I aim for at least seven hours a night, but I feel good as long as I have more than six hours.
What’s the most rewarding part of your day?
Going to work! I love what I do and the people I get to work with daily. The teams at both Krupa Consulting and The Goods Mart are stellar; they put their heart and soul into it. I’m inspired by them daily. We also get to work with so many outstanding brands.
At The Goods Mart, we’re able to introduce new, better options to our customers and have them leave with smiles on their faces. Shopping can be FUN!
Solopreneur Tax Tips: The Side Hustler
Learn what it takes to file taxes when you’ve got a full-time job and a side hustle.
The side hustle economy is real—37 percent of the workforce has a side hustle (and more than half of the Create & Cultivate staff has one!).
Having a side gig is exciting—you’re about to make more money, after all! But what you might not be prepared for is tax time. Above, our very own C&C employee Tyeal Howell—who moonlights as a podcast host at Bosshood—sits down with Lisa Greene-Lewis, TurboTax CPA, to learn how TurboTax Self-Employed can help side hustlers run their business more efficiently in preparation for April 15. Read on to learn a little more about Tyeal and see how you, too, can use TurboTax to file with confidence. Plus, we're gifting 30 readers with a FREE TurboTax Live Self-Employed product code (valued at $169.99) below—so you can file for free this season!
Tell us a little about your podcast, Bosshood. What inspired you to start the pod?
My best friend Ryan and I launched our podcast Bosshood to give young professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs access to people, resources, and information on accomplishing their career goals and working their way into the positions they aspire to be in. When we were graduating from college back in Ohio, we didn’t have the connections or resources we really needed to launch our careers in New York City and Los Angeles, so we created them ourselves and finessed the glow up. Bosshood is a fresh spin on adulting for millennials who obsess over professional development books, love coffee, and hangout at rooftop parties in cool cities.
What’s your biggest challenge in having a side hustle? The biggest reward?
The biggest challenge is definitely time management. After spending Monday through Friday 9-6 looking at my phone and my computer while sitting at my desk for my day job, the very last thing I want to do is more work. The biggest reward comes after that extra work is done for Bosshood and people text and DM us about how inspiring and encouraging it was for them to hear our stories. It’s even cooler when we travel and people come up to us like, “I loved your podcast interview with Johnathan Jackson on Bosshood! I was inspired and encouraged."
Tyeal’s not alone—we’ve heard from our C&C community that time management is a common problem for many side hustlers. The great thing about TurboTax Self-Employed is that it uncovers industry-specific deductions personalized to your line of work, so come tax time you won’t be racking your brain to think them up yourself. Your purchase also comes with a free year of of QuickBooks, which makes expense tracking effortless—so you have more time to focus on actually building and growing your business.
What advice would you give to would-be side hustlers who don’t know where to start in getting their business off the ground while working at a 9-to-5?
I’d say dedicate one of your weekend days where you’re completely free of work obligations to just brainstorm. Sit at a cafe, write out all of your ideas, and just envision what you want those side hustle dreams to manifest into. Then find someone to hold you accountable for the next steps. Start by starting! And read WorkParty the book!
What are you most excited about for your business in 2019?
I’m most excited to continue learning new things, failing at things, adjusting my strategies, and producing the content. Season 2 of Bosshood will be coming soon and you can subscribe now on iTunes or listen on Soundcloud! Boss up!
Want more tips for tax time? Check out our guides for full-time freelancers and C corp entrepreneurs! or Or you can dive into TurboTax Self-Employed here—and enter to win a free TurboTax Live Self-Employed code below!
Our friends at TurboTax were nice enough to share a giveaway with Create & Cultivate readers so you can file your taxes for FREE this season!
30 readers will receive a FREE TurboTax Live Self-Employed product code (valued at $169.99). Simply fill out the form below to enter to win. The winner will be chosen randomly and contacted via email. Good luck!
This post is sponsored by TurboTax.
Do You Have One of the 50 Best Jobs in America?
Software engineers rejoice.
Are you are data scientist, marketing manager, physician assistant, or recruiter? If so, congratulations—your job is one of Glassdoor’s 50 Best Jobs In America!
According to the list, the most in-demand job is that of a software engineer (with a staggering 49,007 job openings nationwide!) while software engineering managers make the most money with a salary of $153,000. Data scientists have the highest job satisfaction, with a rating of 4.3 out of 5.
The Glassdoor Best Jobs list is determined based on earning potential (median annual base salary), overall job satisfaction rating, and number of job openings.
See the full list here.
C&C Classifieds: Kate Spade, RGI Events, Covet PR, Heartbeat & More!
Dream jobs ahead.
It is time to bid your current job adieu? You’re in luck—check out the positions below to find your new gig.
Kate Spade - NY
Create & Cultivate - LA
RGI Events - Washington, D.C.
Annie Campbell Inc - Los Angeles
Aha! - Remote
Earthjustice - Seattle, WA
Bonobos - Seattle
Netflix - Los Angeles
IVY - NYC
The Creative Group - Nashville
Slow Stories: Introducing the Slow Stories Column
“For all intents and purposes, I was busy—but I sacrificed the energy and resources that I needed to implement sustainable systems for my business long-term.”
Phoebe Cheong for The Style Line
They say that time flies when you're having fun (and getting a lot done in the process), but as I look back on the years of building The Style Line from a Tumblr blog to a website to a boutique content company, I've only just started to realize how fast my life accelerated as a result of this path. And even with all of the boxes I've checked over the years, sometimes it's hard to shake off the feeling that things just aren't growing or moving quickly enough.
As a small business owner, I know that I'm not alone in feeling overwhelmed by the constant inundation of articles, content, and expectations set forth for female founders to "make moves" (and move quickly) in the workplace. For a while, I understood this as something that's just part of the game and I followed the unwritten rules of modern entrepreneurship. I networked, I applied for the accolades and awards lists, I secured press, I built my personal brand, I hired and evolved my team, and I created SO MUCH content for both The Style Line and our CONNECT(ED)ITORIAL agency clients. For all intents and purposes, I was busy — but even as I continued to fill the "slower" periods with projects or events to demonstrate the company's continued momentum, I sacrificed the energy and resources that I needed to truly implement sustainable systems and expectations for my business long-term. And as a content business, this obviously played a role in thinking about how to continue approaching storytelling in a deeply meaningful way.
If you're familiar with The Style Line, you know that we pride ourselves on producing thoughtful, original content. Inevitably, the stories we publish on the site catalyzed us to pivot the company into a service-based business with the introduction of our agency CONNECT(ED)ITORIAL. Since we started the agency in October 2015, we've been discerning about working with brands who value quality, longevity, and creativity in their storytelling — all things that are part of what is now being called the slow content movement. This idea is something that we've taken a position on here at CONNECT(ED)ITORIAL through our client work and also internally with the introduction of our new podcast Slow Stories which deep dives into this movement through candid conversations with brand builders and founders.
With all of that said, I'm so thrilled to be able to bring this important topic to the Create & Cultivate community in Slow Stories' namesake column here on the C&C blog. Each month, we're going to be assessing slow content's important role in our constantly changing business climate along with exclusive insights from industry innovators who share their take on "slow content," exclusive snippets of our Slow Stories podcast, and much more. It is my hope that these stories equip you with the tools and guidance you need to create content with longevity. Because if I've learned anything from adopting this thoughtful approach, it's that slowing down our content doesn't mean we're missing out on opportunities, but instead, creating the space we need for creativity, innovation, and happiness to help us tell the stories that matter.
Ahead of our next article, here are a few things to look at when thinking about what slow content means to you and your business.
1. Establish What Slow Content Means to You
Terms like "slow" or "sustainable" don't necessarily have a uniform definition, and are often put into practice in unique ways depending on individual circumstances. We'll explore this idea more in our upcoming stories, but in this context, it's good to think about how to incorporate slow content into your marketing strategy so that you don't overextend yourself and your company's resources. If you're unsure where to start, ask yourself questions such as: Is it about slowing down and creating a realistic posting schedule that your brand's current team can handle? Is it a matter of only sharing content that fits within a particular theme, color palette, or medium? Thinking about these things can help identify the critical pillars around the kind of content that aligns best with your brand, which in turn, can shape a content strategy that is thoughtful, consistent, and focused for the long haul.
2. Plan a Content Calendar
Once you've established the above details, logistically one of the most effective ways to slow and streamline your day-to-day content tasks is to plan ahead. Implementing a content calendar three, six, and even twelve months in advance can help create a bigger picture around what you're trying to say through your content and storytelling efforts. Having this framework mapped out will also allow you to make more informed decisions about what resources you'll need to bring that content to life. By doing this, you and your team now have a sustainable system in place which creates more time and energy to create the content itself with clearly defined goals and timelines.
3. Create a Content Budget
Finally, when talking about slow content in the past, the idea of quality vs. quantity has arisen more times than I count. So, when considering the above two points, one other important factor in crafting a slow content strategy is to think about the production and creative costs associated with creating "quality" content. Implementing this will ultimately force you and your team to be strategic when it comes to budgeting for these resources — and if anything, engaging in this is an exercise in slowing down and thinking big picture in itself. Stay tuned for more on all of this in next month's article!
Rachel Schwartzmann is the Founder and CEO of The Style Line LLC. She created The Style Line in late January 2011 via Tumblr and has fostered The Style Line’s brand in its growth since then. Rachel has been featured in esteemed sources including Forbes, Refinery29, and MyDomaine and has also spoken at Create & Cultivate and Columbia University on establishing a unique brand point of view and entrepreneurship. On October 1, 2015, Rachel took The Style Line in a new direction as a boutique content company with the introduction of its slow content agency CONNECT(ED)ITORIAL.
Meet Our New York Conference Speakers
Get your notebooks ready, ladies.
Do you have your tickets for our New York conference yet? We have some ah-mazing speakers in store for you. Scroll through to read up on the incredible women you’ll get to learn from at our NY event on May 4th!
First things first—we cannot wait for our keynote with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley! The acclaimed fashion model, actor, designer and businesswoman will be chatting with Allure editor-in-chief Michelle Lee (another one of our idols!) on all things business, beauty, and striking out on your own. Rosie launched a new site, Rose Inc., last year, so she’ll come to the event full of advice on launching a brand from the ground up. You’ll also hear from:
Lisa Price, founder of Carol’s Daughter. Lisa founded Carol’s Daughter in her Brooklyn kitchen in 1993 and has since built a haircare empire she sold to L’Oreal.
Rebecca Minkoff, fashion designer. In 2001, Rebecca designed a spinoff version of the “I Love New York” t-shirt. The piece appeared on the Tonight Show and Rebecca has been a household name in fashion and accessories since.
Holly Thaggard, founder & CEO of Supergoop! When Holly’s close friend was diagnosed with skin cancer, she decided to focus her career on sun protection people actually want to wear. Her products are now available in stores nationwide.
Noor Tagouri, journalist. When Noor was younger, she was told she would never be the TV news anchor she dreamed to be if she continued to wear her hijab. Today, she’s a successful journalist covering identity, culture, and politics—and she’s a Tedx alum.
Gabby Bernstein, speaker & New York Times bestselling author. As a motivational speaker, yoga teacher, and meditation expert, Gabby has been featured on Oprah’s SuperSoul Sunday and is a regular expert on The Dr. Oz Show.
Marie Forleo, entrepreneur & host of MarieTV. Marie gave up her 9-5 job security to follow her passion: coaching others to find theirs. Today, her online training programs are beloved by thousands.
Jaclyn Johnson, founder & CEO of Create & Cultivate. When Jaclyn saw a gap in conversations, resources, events, and community for female millennial entrepreneurs, she launched Create & Cultivate to fill that gap. She’s since built it into the conference and digital platform we know and love today.
Katie Sturino, founder of The 12ish Style and Megababe. Katie launched her blog, 12ish Style, to fill the fashion industry void between size zero and plus size. Then she launched Megababe to fight thigh chafe and boob sweat in style. Today, both the blog and the brand and powerhouses in body positivity.
Erin Silver, head of social media at Volvo. After stints at Burberry, Rebecca Minkoff, and Ralph Lauren, Erin took her social smarts to Volvo, where she’s changing the game in influencer relations and strategy.
Jaime Schmidt, founder of Schmidt’s Deodorant. Jaime turned her hobby of making natural deodorant into a wellness empire—the brand became so successful, she sold it to Unilever in 2018.
Nabela Noor, content creator and activist. As a beauty vlogger, Nabela is breaking barriers around body positivity and self-love. Her nonprofit Noor House provides housing, education, and food and water access for Bangladeshi families.
Nicole Tollefsrud, influencer development manager at ShopStyle. With more than a decade of experience in influencer relations, Nicole has a unique look at the intersection of brands and social amplification.
Cynthia Andrew, attorney and blogger. Attorney by day and lifestyle blogger by night, Cynthia’s career is anything but traditional. She’ll share how both gigs have influenced her path as an entrepreneur.
Tezza, creative director and influencer. Tessa Barton is the ultimate multi-hyphenate. As a musician, creative director, stylist and traveler, she’s building an influencer empire via her own personal brand.
Hilary Sloan, director of business development at ShopStyle. Previously at SheFinds and PopSugar, Hilary has an inside look at how commerce and content intersect.
Maxie McCoy, motivational speaker and writer. In 2010, Maxie realized she wasn’t happy at her corporate job—so she left. Today, she’s a motivational speaker who inspires others to “build a deep sense of self belief and the rest will follow.”
Tamara Mellon, fashion designer. Tamara cofounded Jimmy Choo in 1996—and then left the company to do it all again under her namesake brand, Tamara Mellon. This time around, she’s doing it minus the markups and high prices.
More speakers coming soon! Keep checking back for updates—and grab your tickets for the New York conference here!
Create & Cultivate 100: Our 2019 Launch Party
See what you missed at this year’s 100 launch party!
This week, we celebrated 2019’s epic #createcultivate100 launch with a killer celebration in LA! Along with our amazing partners Chevrolet, OM Booth, and Found Rentals, we hosted the party of the year—complete with a palm reader, amazing music, and even a doorbell you could ring for champagne and cookies!
We were so excited to see so many of our 100 honorees there, from Hilary Swank and Whitney Port to Tess Holliday and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. We loved putting together this list—our honorees buck tradition, break barriers, and pave the way for so many women that come after them. We’re inspired by them every day.
Check out photos from the event below!
C&C Classifieds: The Shops at Park Lane, The Brand Guild, Blended Strategy, & More!
Find your next big break.
Whether you’re actively on the job hunt or just seeing what’s out there, find your next big break below!
Blended Strategy - Los Angeles, CA
The Shops at Park Lane - Dallas, TX
The A-List - Los Angeles, CA
The Brand Guild - Washington, D.C.
Create & Cultivate - Los Angeles, CA
Poshmark - Remote
The Creative Group - Gallatin, TN
Amazon - TN
Hulu - Seattle, WA
Splice - New York
Ogilvy - New York
Hearst - Charlotte, North Carolina
Harper + Scott - New York
Create & Cultivate 100: Entertainment: Lana Condor
“The people know knew you before fame had your best interest at heart before anything happened.”
Lana Condor was 2018’s It Girl. Between her starring role on the Netflix adaptation To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before and her part as Jubilee on X-Men: Apocalypse, Lana has built a fan base far and wide. And from the looks of it, 2019 will be no different—Lana is starring in Deadly Class, a Syfy series based on the comic of the same name. She’s proving she’s got quite the character range, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
You have quite the varied fan base! Many of us know you for your role in To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, but you also have a ton of fans from your role in X-Men: Apocalypse. What did you enjoy about working on such different films?
For me, one of the best parts of this career is the fact that it’s never boring and I get to do such different things every day, and also meet incredibly diverse people. X-Men: Apocalypse truly changed my life and so did To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, but both in very different ways. X-Men: Apocalypse was my first experience and job in the industry. So it really kind of threw me in with the sharks. I learned the basics for what it means to work on a film set and the standards of professionalism, based off my amazing co-stars. I got very lucky on that set that I had such great role models to look up to and learn from, and I’ve definitely brought what I’ve learned from that cast with me throughout the rest of my career. X-Men also taught me what it like to be in a big studio film and the responsibilities that come with representing a franchise! To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before was my first leading role, and that movie gave me a chance to kind of exercise the leadership characteristics I learned from watching my co-stars in X-Men. I truly loved working on both, even though they were so different from each other, it was such a thrill to be a part of both projects.
What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?
I think one of the biggest highlights thus far in my career has been being on Jimmy Fallon. I’ve watched him religiously for years now, so the fact that I got to be on the show and meet him and do a skit with Bryan Cranston was absolutely surreal. When I was waiting behind the curtain backstage to go on, I was close to tears because it felt like such a dream come true.
What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?
Meeting all the people who watch the films and hearing their stories. I love when young girls come up to me and tell me about their experience in school and how we can both relate.
You’ve previously said “I’ve never been more aware of my Asian-ness and femaleness than working in Hollywood.” Tell us a little about your experience with that awareness, and what you hope can change within the industry.
I was adopted by an incredible American family when I was very young and we moved all over America throughout my childhood. So each state and environment really shaped me into who I am today. I was well aware of my ethnicity, but I was also well aware of my environment being a major factor in my identity. I lived all of my childhood just thinking of myself as Lana, not ignorant, but less defined by what I looked like, and more defined by who I am as a person, my likes, my dislikes, etc etc. So then coming to Hollywood was definitely a change for me, because in the beginning of my career I noticed that the first thing people see is what you look like, then they gauge from there whether or not you’re the right product for them. Now I definitely see a change in that and the industry is starting to see actors for their personality and talent.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find a new road + switch gears to find success?
I rely so much on the support of my family and loved ones when I am going through hard times or bumps in the road. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned throughout my short career is that you need to keep your loved ones and the people you knew before “fame” close and celebrate them because they truly loved you and had your best interest at heart before anything else happened.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
I was freaking out one day and overwhelmed and my grandma said to me “Lana, you’re completely valid in feeling this way, but right now the laundry is done and we got to take care of that because that’s what’s in our control and our immediate task at hand.” And that really put so much into perspective for me because I realized I can get so wrapped up in my career etc. and forget to just take a breath and not take things so seriously.
“I try not to compare myself to others, because I know our stories are all different and were unique. I just try and do what I’ve always done on social media: Be as true to myself as possible.”
Social media has been around for much of your life. How do you remain authentic in the age of Instagram?
I think because it’s been around for the most of my life, it’s just an average normal part of it, so I don’t glorify it because I’m used to it if that makes sense. I’ve always been pretty transparent with who I am as a person and I’ve done the same with how I handle my social media platform. I try not to compare myself to others, because I know our stories are all different and were unique, and I just try and do what I’ve always done on social media, which is be as true to myself as possible because that’s all I really know how to be. The good and the bad!
Which women in your industry do you look up to most? Why?
I look up to Sandra Oh more than anything. What she has done for the Asian community in terms of representation and providing so much hope and inspiration has truly been incredible. I was so emotional during the Golden Globes this year because I just watched her up there, so truthful and confident and vulnerable and brave all at the same time, and it made me so proud. And made me think that we’re truly moving in the right direction in this industry and truly are making huge changes. Which is obviously very exciting.
What are you most excited about working on in 2019?
I’m obviously very excited to shoot the sequel of To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. But there are also a couple of secret projects that I can’t wait to share with everyone that I’m very excited to do, because I always love to try new things and surprise people!
Photo Credit: Riker Brothers
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 ENTERTAINMENT LIST HERE.
Create & Cultivate 100: Art & Design: Magdalena Kokoszynska
Magdalena has an eye for detail and sees opportunity in every challenge. In her words, she does “everything, whether big or small, with integrity and honest passion.”
When Magdalena Kokoszynska found her path, she stuck to it. With nearly 12 years under her belt on the creative team at Chevrolet, she’s risen the ranks from creative designer all the way to lead color and trim designer and cites seeing her overall vision come to fruition as a constant source of inspiration in her role.
Magdalena has an eye for detail and sees opportunity in every challenge. In her words, she does “everything, whether big or small, with integrity and honest passion”—and for that reason, we’re honored to share her story below.
You’re the lead creative designer at Chevy. Tell us a bit about what your day-to-day life looks like on the job.
A color & trim designer’s average work week is never dull. Each day holds something new and exciting. The most important thing for me to remember is to keep focused on the overall design vision and take small steps everyday towards creating that captivating and enticing design that will speak to the customer. One of the things I enjoy most about each day is that I get to work cross-functionally and collaboratively with my counterparts in engineering and marketing to find the best design solutions that not only push innovation but that are production feasible.
You moved to the United States from Poland when you were just six years old. How has your past influenced your work?
My life started in Poland where I was born and raised. At the age of 6 my family and I moved to the United States to New York City. I spent my childhood and my early adult life in New York. Adjusting to NYC life was both thrilling and terrifying at the same time. New York City is known as the capital of the world and a melting pot of all diverse cultures, living there has given me a greater appreciation and acceptance of different cultures and people, which is important when designing vehicles for our diverse customers. What’s special about New York City is its vibrancy and energy, its unapologetic qualities and ruggedness which give it its character.
If you weren’t a designer, what career path would you choose?
I would probably be a lawyer. The investigative part in me the curious part and my inquisitive side always wants to go beyond what I know and what I see to understand the whole picture and come to the best most holistic solution. For example, as a designer I love investigating and understanding not only the hows but the whys, understanding the way things are engineered a certain way, what types of processes there are and why they are most efficient but I also enjoy the analytical aspect and the process of coming to one concrete plan or solution.
What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?
I was honored to be a part of the Southeastern Michigan Girl Scout event this past year that was sponsored by GM. It gave me an opportunity to speak about my experience and career here at GM and to inspire young girls to pursue a future in automotive design.
From where do you draw inspiration for your work?
For me creative or artistic inspiration is a sensory experience that it is shaped by our life experiences, it is a feeling inside, the catalyst that ignites a creative fire. I tend to get inspired by things that surround me, whether it is something tactile, music or spoken words, or a surrounding environment, for me it always comes back to the senses, those memories remain in my mind in almost a poetic way. Most importantly when it comes to inspiration I try to keep my mind open to be inspired when I least expect it, in moments that might seem mundane, ordinary or everyday it is in those moments of silence and monotony that some of my biggest inspirations come.
It is important not be fearful, and to know who you are, and trust your instincts.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find new roads + switch gears to find success?
I’ve learned in my life that patience is truly a virtue, so I try my best to be patient. They say, if at first you don’t succeed try, try and try again, and I firmly live that every day. A bump or hurdle might just be what you need to grow and to move outside of your comfort zone, so I have learned to accept these bumps as small opportunities. It is important not be fearful, and to know who you are, and trust your instincts. And most importantly to dream big, because only you can create the dream within yourself. I didn’t always know where the roads would lead but I always met people along the way who helped me in the right direction, be thankful for those people and seize those opportunities.
What advice would you give to young artists and designers just starting out in their career?
Be yourself! Be true to who you are and believe in yourself, your talents and strengths. One thing that I have learned is that there will always be obstacles; but as long as you are true to yourself, maintain your integrity and work hard, you can be successful. Perseverance and passion for what you do can truly move mountains and there cannot be success without hard work. And most importantly be humble because you never know what you might learn from others.
What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?
I have a true passion for learning. I have been with GM almost 12 years and every day I learn something new. Every day I strive to learn more and more about all aspects of the business to reach the goals that I have set for the future. I have been fortunate to have so many great experiences as a designer at GM. It’s always exciting for me when I can see my ideas and creative vision come to fruition.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
A professor in college once told me “The way you do anything, is the way you do everything, have heart.” Meaning, do everything whether big or small with integrity and honest passion.
What are you most excited for in 2019?
I am most excited for the unexpected surprises that will come, and the uncertainties that turn into delights, that inspire us to grow. And most importantly to continue to learn and grow in all aspects, as a designer and an individual and inspire others along the way.
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE ART & DESIGN LIST HERE.
Create & Cultivate 100: Music: Ashley Tisdale
“Let go of fear of failure because there is no such thing.”
Is there anything Ashley Tisdale can’t do?
The actress, singer, and influencer may have risen to fame via Disney Channel, but her life since has been filled with so much more: a hit debut album, several starring roles in film & TV series, a fashion line, and most recently, a booming cosmetics brand (she acquired her namesake brand, Illuminate by Ashley Tisdale, from BH Cosmetics last year).
So what’s next for this busy entrepreneur? She’s returning to music for the first time in a decade to produce the album we all need to hear. Symptoms, her forthcoming album, is based on Ashley’s experiences with anxiety and depression—she wants to break the stigma around talking about mental health, and we can’t wait to watch her do it.
You’re about to release a new album, Symptoms. Tell us about your return to music after a 9-year hiatus.
It feels great to be back in music. It’s been a long time but I feel Symptoms is the most authentic thing I’ve done. For the first time, fans are gonna really get to know me personally!
Symptoms is based on your experiences with anxiety and depression. Was it intimidating to put yourself out there in such a vulnerable way?
It’s definitely scary! I’ve never really let people in like this and you feel kind of naked, but I think it’s too important to finally speak about these things and what I go through. I just wanted to make someone feel less alone in their journey!
Why do you think it’s important to share your struggles with mental health?
I think it’s easy to think that we all live perfect lives because of social media but it’s so important to also share that no one lives a perfect life we all have different issues and struggles. Anxiety is so acceptable now but there is still a stigma around depression and I want to break that!
You rose to fame via Disney Channel. Do you look back fondly on your High School Musical days?
Yeah! It was such a great experience, it feels like a lifetime ago.
What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?
I would say taking over Illuminate and becoming CEO. Years ago I would have never thought that was gonna be a role I would fill or even be confident to handle and yet here I am!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Let go of fear of failure because there is no such thing. Everyone goes through ups and downs and it is what gets you to the next step! It is truly a journey.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find new roads + switch gears to find success?
Staying positive. Don’t let bump or hurdles scare you, usually that’s a challenge you are meant to grow from! Just keep going and let your intuition guide you.
Let go of fear of failure because there is no such thing.
What about your job makes you feel the most fulfilled?
Being creative! I love working and love being creative in everything I do. I also love to keep learning. I can’t just be an actress because it’s not in my blood to sit and wait for the next job or audition. I love working on so many things and just being creative in general.
What guidance would you offer to young women who are chasing their dreams in entertainment?
Nothing comes easy, it takes hard work and never giving up. You will cry, you will tell yourself it’s not worth it and at times you will feel like you failed but don’t listen to those voices and keep going because you will never get to where you’re going if you quit.
What are you most excited for in 2019?
I’m excited for everyone to hear the full album Symptoms and to see all the exciting things we’ve been creating at Illuminate Cosmetics!
Photo Courtesy of Ashley Tisdale
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 MUSIC LIST HERE.
Create & Cultivate 100: Music: MILCK
“I encourage women to spend more energy working towards a vision they believe in, rather than fighting against a vision that they disagree with. “
“I can’t keep quiet,” says the chorus of what became the anthem for the 2017 Women’s March. Written by MILCK, known to her friends as Connie (her stage name is a combination of her initials and last name, Lim, spelled backwards), the song became a viral sensation after a video of the haunting melody circulated online.
Connie wrote the song, a part of her larger debut EP This Is Not The End, in the leadup to the 2016 election. The entire album evokes heartfelt determination—it’s a call to action, but a call to be kind to yourself, too. And it led to some of the high points in her career thus far: performing with Yoko Ono at the 2018 Women’s March, singing at the ESPYs to honor survivors of the Larry Nassar case, and writing dozens of songs we can’t wait to hear.
When you listen to Connie talk about writing her music, you can feel the intention behind her words. She doesn’t just speak her truth—she encourages you to speak yours, too.
Your hit song, Quiet, became the anthem of the Women’s March on Washington. Did you expect such a strong reaction to the song?
I wrote the song at the end of 2015. At that time, the biggest acts in music were like Chainsmokers. The music was more produced and dancey. When I left the studio the day I wrote “Quiet,” I thought to myself, “I finally wrote my thesis. I finally wrote the feelings that were stuck in my throat for years.” I didn’t think it’d be a viral hit. I actually didn’t know how the song would survive in the noise of the modern world, as I view it as such a gentle rebellion song.
What was your inspiration for Quiet?
There are so many different reasons why I had to write “Quiet”. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always felt a bit out of place. A bit too opinionated. A bit too passionate. A bit too rebellious. A bit too rowdy or goofy. The pressure to be a skinny, well-behaved, kind, considerate, smart, and beautiful girl was tremendous. I felt like I wanted to scream. Take the pressures of embodying a narrow definition of femininity, and multiply it with two conservative, first generation, Chinese parents, and that was my existence for a very long time.
Because I was not encouraged to truly express my opinions in my loving, yet traditional and strict household, I desperately needed an outlet to speak my truth, so singing and songwriting have always been my outlets. I wrote “Quiet” when I was 28 years old. I was starting to reach an age of maturity and “IDGAF” strength, and I was digesting all the suppressed rage and hurt from years of being silenced by both loved ones and abusers. The beautiful thing about a woman about to enter her 30s is that she has potential to unleash a marvelous strength. And that’s where I was at. I was armed with my years of experience in songwriting, and years of pain. I took those two things, and released the lump that was stuck in my throat. As an Asian American woman, I felt catharsis in breaking stereotypes and rounding out the image of the Asian woman by expressing my desire to be bold, rebellious, loving, and free.
The song is a rallying cry for justice and change. Does it ever feel heavy to carry that responsibility and be the face of such a huge movement?
The good news is that the movement has many faces, as there is no such thing as one person being the voice for a movement. A movement requires unity amongst a crowd of voices. It’s more like a choir. I just happened to lead the first #icantkeepquiet choir with a vision for unity and harmony.
That being said, right after the song went viral, I did feel a tremendous amount of pressure to say the most loving, yet most brave thing with everything I did. I actually got a bit burnt out from the tremendous amount of analysis about world politics, feminism, and activism. On top of that, I signed with Atlantic Records, and I was finding my voice as a recording artist, and learning to work with a team. Overnight I went from being a one woman DIY show to a signed artist with a team of 15 people helping me keep up with the momentum of the movement and the song. After two years of traveling and sharing of my story of survival and finding my voice eventually got to me, and I took a couple weeks off to focus on just making beats on my production rig with close friends. I had to find the joy in music again, and allow myself to sing about anything I wanted, regardless if it was going to fit into the movement or not. After all, freedom for women to express whatever they are born to express is the ultimate goal of this movement; that is why I am freeing myself from any expectations, and letting myself simply be true to myself.
Tell us about the rest of your album, This Is Not The End. You wrote it right before the election.
This is Not The End is a collection of songs that I wrote as I was learning how to defend myself from my own demons. I was freeing myself of shame, fear, and doubt. Some of the songs are to soothe myself, like “This is Not The End,” my cover of “Ooh Child,” and “ Black Sheep.” Other songs were experimenting with my anger, like “I Don’t Belong to You.” “Undercover” is a vulnerable confession about not wanting to hide who I am anymore. “Call of the WIld” is a very personal song about my fears of needing to leave my lover for a bigger calling. All in all, these are songs about a woman who is done people pleasing and role-playing. This is her moment to declare boundaries, find her voice, and reunite with her wild freedom.
What’s been the biggest surprise or highlight of your career to date?
One of the biggest surprises was singing with Yoko Ono on stage during the 2018 Women’s March in NYC. I was just about to get up on stage to sing, and the protest organizers (who are so amazing, btw) asked me if “I’d be okay with” Yoko Ono being onstage with me, holding a sign that says “Peace is Power.” I remember laughing when they asked me if I’d be “okay” with it. Are you kidding me?! It’s the brave and bold Yoko Ono!! Of course!
One of the biggest highlights of my career so far was singing onstage at The ESPYS, when over 100 survivors of the Larry Nassar case walked onstage to accept the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. They used “Quiet” in the video to tell their story to the world, and as a songwriter, I couldn’t have been more proud to see my own words of survival be a part of other survivors’ stories.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you find new roads + switch gears to find success?
My mother taught me to be generous. My father taught me to never blame others. I taught myself to take big risks, and trust in my vision. I also believe that we are exactly where we need to be, because there’s either a lesson we haven’t learned yet, or there’s a test being given to us to see how much we truly want something. I find that a lot of people get discouraged too easily. I am abnormally patient, and am very obsessed with self-help books, etc., so this combination makes for a good combination for pursuing an arduous industry like that of music.
When I’m at a bump or hurdle, I like to take a look at my own actions. I like to hold myself accountable. Sometimes I can be too hard on myself, but I do think this intense passion to be better is the reason why I am here.
I also like to take time to myself, opt no for social hangs, and really journal out my thoughts. I like to also write music during these times to comfort myself. I also let myself do nothing, and to rest, as well, because sometimes we get into bumps in the road because we are burnt out or losing perspective.
I also like to turn to my village. I have consciously built a village of mentors around me who are honest with me, inspire me, challenge me, and who I love to just hang out with on down time. I found these mentors by offering my time and energy to “intern” for most of them for free. Over time, we’ve become close. I turn to my village of amazing leaders for advice.
If I am feeling like the energy is stale in my world, I like to open and challenge my ways of thinking by taking different types of people out for coffee or dinner, and asking them about their views on the world, and their dreams. I ask how I can help them accomplish them. Helping others can energize and inspire me, while also reminding me that I am just one drop in the ocean, and that it’s good to not always take myself too seriously.
I encourage women who are fighting for change to spend more energy working towards a vision they believe in, rather than fighting against a vision that they disagree with.
What would you say to women who, too, are fighting for change—but are just plain exhausted by what’s happening in politics?
From these past couple of years of observation, I have noticed that activism can be generally divided into two different types: reactive activism, and proactive activism. I have decided that I will spend 15% of my time on reactive activism, where I am reacting and dissenting the things that I don’t like seeing from my government officials, or from the people in my own community. The other 85% of my time I will spend doing PROACTIVE activism, where I have set out a long-term goal for what I want to help change in the world, and then commit to that path. For example, if we look at the people behind the pro-life movement, we can see that, even if we disagree, they have been relentless. They have been working towards their vision of abolishing abortions for years. They have stayed dedicated to a long term strategy. Even though I am pro-choice, I must respect that type of diligence.
So, I encourage women who are fighting for change to spend more energy working towards a vision they believe in, rather than fighting against a vision that they disagree with. We must learn to articulate the world we want to see, and work towards it. For me, I will be focusing on creating my long-term social activism plan, so that I can be confident that I am putting my energy towards something that will make a longstanding impact.
Which women in your industry do you look up to most? Why?
I look up to the women in the industry who are holding themselves accountable to build as much skill to empower themselves, and then to empower other women around them. I think it’s really important for us to lift each other up as we navigate a male dominated industry. Right now, one in 50 producers of the top songs are female. I admire the women who are building community to help create the leaders of the musical madame movement.
What keeps you up at night?
Oh, this is a great question. I sometimes can’t sleep because I am thinking about all the storytelling that I want to continue doing in order to help break stereotypes, and bridge people together. I think about the people who are so hurt that they turn to hate, and I wonder about their childhoods, and their upbringings. I wonder if their hate could be cured and turned around. I also stay up thinking about people who are living life silenced by oppression. I think about how privileged I am to be able to express my opinions. I feel pain when I think about how some women don’t have that luxury. I think about how kids in poor areas don’t have music programs in their schools. I think about kids who haven’t seen the ocean with their own two eyes. Oof. There’s so much.
What are you most excited for in 2019?
I am most excited to release new music, and to find new ways to connect with my audience. I am a bit of an aloof human being who likes time away from social media, so I am trying to find creative ways to find joy in communicating through technological platforms. I also am relieved that music still has an old school impact on the hearts of listeners, so the idea of releasing new music to reach my people is SUPER exciting. I have spent the past year experimenting with different sonics to find who I truly am, beyond “Quiet”. I wrote 42 songs last year, and by song 39 I found the heartbeat of my next sonic phase. I have come up with some tracks that I am so proud of, yet also nervous to release, and I think that’s a good sign, because that means the songs are so honest that I feel naked by releasing them.
Photo Credit: Jen Rosenstein
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 MUSIC LIST HERE.
Create & Cultivate 100: Health + Wellness: Ibtihaj Muhammad
Ibtihaj Muhammad made history at the Rio Summer Olympics when she was the first Muslim American woman to wear a hijab while competing for the United States in the Olympics.
Ibtihaj Muhammad made history at the Rio Summer Olympics when she was the first Muslim American woman to wear a hijab while competing for the United States in the Olympics. Then, she made history again when she medaled. Now, after writing a memoir about her life leading up to her experience at the Olympics (Proud: My Fight for an Unlikely American Dream), she’s an active voice for young women pursuing their dreams despite obstacles. Below, she shares her story and what keeps her moving forward.
On misconceptions about Muslim athletes…
We exist. For the Olympic team, for the United States, I’ve changed the narrative for the Muslim community in the way that we’ve been perceived. And if you take that a step further and look at the way Muslim women see themselves, these young girls who haven’t had anyone at this level of sport do that on the world stage — compete at the highest level of sport. To do that is changing the way Muslim women think about themselves and perceive themselves.
On refuting stereotypes…
The chances are for anyone that you won’t go to the Olympic Games. You certainly will not medal. For me, I’ve always spent my entire life pushing back against society’s limited expectations of me, not only as a woman but as a person of color and a Muslim. Being the first Muslim woman to represent the United States and bring home a medal for a country was a great opportunity to push back against the narrative that has been perpetuated in the media and Hollywood. It’s just not true.
On how she quiets her anxiety…
The doctor explained how performance anxiety was manifesting itself with physical symptoms of fatigue and more. She gave me exercises I could use whenever I felt the symptoms coming on, to de-escalate my mind from its anxious state. Every morning I’d spend 15 minutes in prayer and meditation, which helped me start my day from a calm, centered place. On competition days I’d take another 15 minutes to focus on my breathing and my thoughts. I would repeat to myself over and over, “I’m ready. I’m prepared. I’m strong. I’m capable. I’m a champion.” (I like to call them my Muhammad Ali mantras.) These mantras helped me visualize the future, to see myself scoring points and winning. I learned to use my mind to shape my reality.
“Self-care is important. It is not a sign of weakness to seek help when you need it. ”
On self-care...
Self-care is important. It is not a sign of weakness to seek help when you need it. In fact, it’s brave. I turned damaging thoughts into thoughts of success and positive mantras. It’s truly amazing what the mind can do when directed in the right way. I hope readers are reminded that we all face obstacles and challenges—and that anything is possible with hard work and a dream.
This interview has been edited and condensed from multiple sources (1, 2, 3).
