Giveaway: Win One of Our NYC Conference Gift Bags!

Not gonna make it to our New York conference this year? No worries—you can still enter here for a chance to win one of the highly-coveted gift bags from our NYC event! Trust us, you’re gonna want to throw your name in for one of these. They’re stuffed with amazing beauty and wellness swag, killer snacks, stationery, tech products, and more!

Enter your information below and you could win all the New York swag of your dreams!

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This Trend Director Shares How Social Media Has Revolutionized Style

Have you ever wondered who makes all those big decisions about what’s “in” in fashion? Us too. We sat down with Erin Fletcher, trend director at Cotton On, one of our Desert Pop Up partners, to find out how her team tackles trend forecasting, buying, and merchandising for the brand.

Below, Erin shares the most rewarding parts of her job, how the industry has changed since she started, and the best advice she’d give to anyone just starting a career in fashion.

Working in trend forecasting/direction sounds like a dream job for a lot of women. Can you tell us a bit about your career path?

I studied design at University and was lucky enough to move straight into the industry once I graduated. I started my career at an iconic Australian retailer which I’d grown up wearing! After working my way up for a few years I took the leap and moved from Australia to the USA where I landed a dream job working for a retailer in Philadelphia – stepping outside my comfort zone, moving across the world was one of the best things I’ve ever done. After a few years in the USA, an opportunity presented itself at home in Australia working for Cotton On which I have always admired. I started my role as the Cotton On Women’s Trend Director in January. My day-to-day role includes creating and setting a vision for trend stories, ensuring the brand’s DNA is protected.

What’s the most rewarding—and most challenging—part of your work?

Rewarding: I work with a creative and dynamic team to deliver amazing and affordable fashion to people on over 18 countries. Working for an Australian based global brand like Cotton On and creating a product that I’m proud of is something I could have only dreamed of when I started out in the industry.

Most challenging? With the introduction of social media new trends are constantly emerging. We’re always working to tight deadlines to deliver the new trends that meet our customer’s needs across the globe.

What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting out in the fashion industry and would like to be where you are someday?

Do more than what’s on your job description! Take every opportunity to learn as much as you can. Don’t be restricted, push yourself to learn from other people and areas. You never know what door it might open in the future.

“Don’t be restricted; push yourself to learn from other people and areas. You never know what door it might open in the future. ”

What are your go-to sources of inspiration for trend forecasting?

Instagram has been a game changer in trend forecasting allowing me to see different trends from around the globe as they’re emerging. I also love to look back on nostalgic references like TV shows and movies from the 80’s and 90’s.

I’m always on the lookout. I find that my weekends are a great time to see what people are wearing on the streets and in my role I’m lucky to travel a lot, which I love! I’m always inspired seeing how people dress differently not only in different countries but different neighbourhoods within a city. New York is a huge inspiration, each borough has a unique look.

Let’s talk about this season in the US. What were some of your trend references for what’s out now?
We’ve been so inspired by 90’s street and surf revival - hello TIE DYE!!!! Being an Australian brand, born on the shores one of Australia’s most iconic surf breaks, Bell’s Beach, I think we really can talk to this first hand! We’re also loving that natural hand crafted vibes like crochet and straw bags. All paired back with your classic denim is going to be huge this summer.

What pieces should we be investing in for summer 2019?

Anything tie dye! The new longer length Bermuda denim shorts, a flippy printed wrap dress and a strappy sport sandal!

How has trend forecasting changed since you started working in fashion?

Global accessibility – geography doesn’t play a part anymore, we’re so connected. I can open my phone and see what people are wearing on the streets of Korea or on the beaches in LA. When I first started you had to physically get on a plane to see global trends. Nothing beats travelling but the introduction of social media and the internet has certainly changed the way we forecast trends and the pace it moves at.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Fortune favours the bold - I accepted a job in a city I had never even set foot in! I moved to the USA and it turned out to be one of the most rewarding & creatively fulfilling times in my life.

If you could go back and tell your 18-year-old self anything, what would it be?

You’ll learn more from the things that you perceive as a negative than those that we’re easy. There will be some bumps along the way, if you can learn from those experiences it makes the success all the more worthwhile.

This post is sponsored by Cotton On. Sign up for Cotton On & Co Perks and get a $10 reward!

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Have a 9-5? Vacuuming Everywhere You Go Will Keep You Fit

As an avid traveler, I’m often caught doing tricep dips in airports and lunges down the hallways of hotels. It may not always be the most convenient to exercise while traveling, but it is always possible! I love sharing easy workouts you can do no matter where you are traveling or how small your hotel room is. These are also great to keep you active at the office!

Exercising doesn’t have to mean a full-out, hour-long workout. It can be as simple as making a few adjustments to your day.

TAKE THE STAIRS

It sounds obvious, but all too often we skip the stairs only to stand and wait for that all too temping elevator. If you can commit to take the stairs instead, you will actually save time and burn calories fast. You can expect to burn about 10 calories for each minute of stairs you climb!  So enjoy the fresh air and take those stairs! The only thing you’ll miss about the elevator is the awkward silence between you and five other strangers crammed in there. 

VACUUM EVERYWHERE YOU GO! 

It’s not quite what you’re thinking…. I’m not talking about cleaning your floors. This is all about tightening up your tummy.  No one can deny the inevitable travel belly bloat that ensues after days of eating new foods and sipping delicious cocktails. One of the best ways to keep your stomach in check is by “vacuuming.” This is where you pull your belly button into your spine, keeping your core tight and engaged. Try to hold this position while breathing regularly for about 60 seconds, relax and repeat. If you can do this regularly, your will notice your lower belly begin to appear much flatter. This is a perfect exercise to do while driving, sitting on an airplane or even just touring your favorite destination. 

DON'T SIT DOWN!

Well, not on a chair at least.  Next time you are stuck in an airport for hours, don’t spend the entire time slumped in a chair waiting for your flight. Instead, try holding a wall sit. Stand with your back against a wall and feet about hip distance apart. Slowly slide down the wall and step feet out 2 feet form the wall.  Make sure your knees are stacked right over your ankles to create a 90-degree angle.  Try to hold this position for 30seconds, come to standing to rest and then repeat. This is an excellent way to build lower body strength and keep you busy while you wait!

Katie Dunlop, CPT is a health and fitness expert. After her own 45lb weight-loss transformation, Katie created Love Sweat & Fitness to inspire women to live fit, healthy, and most importantly, balanced lives. She believes you have to love what you’re doing or you won’t keep doing it. Her goal is to provide fun and effective workouts women will love at any fitness level and with little to no equipment needed. 

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In Her Shoes: Take A Page From This Blogger's Handbook on Motherhood

Lee Anne Benjamin is the cool working mom many of us dream of being. The Austin-based blogger shares her takes on affordable fashion, home design, and #momlife on her site Life By Lee, and while her feed is totally picture perfect, we’re obsessed with how relatable she is on the internet. We partnered with Jessica Simpson to share a behind-the-scenes look at Lee Anne’s life—check out her interview below!

What do you wear when you want to feel most confident (shoes included)?

I’m a big fan of the relaxed-chic look. If I’m going out to an event or a date night I like to wear a pair of distressed girlfriend jeans, a cami or tee, a blazer or moto jacket, and a pair of comfortable, yet chic wedges, booties, or heeled sandals. I’m also a big hat girl so I’ll add a fedra or straw hat if it’s during the summer months. If I’m heading out for a “mommin-around” kind of day I will wear a great pair of leggings, a comfy tunic tee, and a denim jacket. Depending on my hair day I’ll add a baseball cap. I would probably wear sandals or a comfy & chic pair of sneakers.

If you could walk in someone else’s shoes for a day, who would it be?

Michelle Obama. She’s so inspirational, yet so down to earth. I recently read her book, and I was so inspired at how “real” she was & how she shared such normal experiences about her life that we all go through. She is such an amazing role model for so many women. Plus her and Barack are ultimate couple goals in my opinion :)

Describe your style in 3 words.

Comfortable. Chic. Effortless.

On your blog, you openly share the ins and outs of being a working mom. What’s been the most rewarding part of sharing both the celebrations and challenges of parenthood?

The connection to other women, and the power to connect other women. I love using my platform as a community, and sharing a common motherhood struggle that I am going through at the moment. In sharing my struggles, there are so many people who can benefit from it. Not only do I get to connect with other women, but my followers get to connect with other women. A lot of women who follow me have things in common that they don’t even know about, and being able to connect them has been really rewarding.

Want Lee Anne’s look? Shop her style from Jessica Simpson below, and get $10 off any purchase of $50 or more with code create10! One use per customer.

Lee Anne’s outfit

Baby Two-Piece Set

Baby Sandals

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In Her Shoes: How This Style Influencer Rebranded Her Blog

Ashley Torres isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. While working as an accountant several years ago, Ashley launched a fashion blog, Pursuit of Shoes (now Everyday Pursuits)—and scored a ticket out of finance and into the fashion industry because of it! Today, she works on her Everyday Pursuits full-time and is proof that if you dream it, you really can do it. We partnered with Jessica Simpson to ask Ashley about her style, blog rebrand, and secret to success—check out her interview below!

What do you wear when you want to feel most confident (shoes included)?

Although I’m in flats and jeans most of the time, I do love to get glam. There’s nothing like dressing up for a black tie wedding and looking in the mirror thinking “I clean up nice!”  A well fitted dress and a great pair of heels always makes me feel 100!

If you could walk in someone else’s shoes for a day, who would it be?

Michelle Obama - girlfriend is GOALS. She is so driven and confident, not to mention funny. After reading her book BECOMING I developed a total girl crush on her. I’d love to see a day in her life post presidency.

Describe your style in 3 words.

Boho, Beachy, Glam

You rebranded your old site, Pursuit of Shoes, to Everyday Pursuits. What was the impetus for the rebrand, and what is the mission of your new site?

What started as a ridiculous obsession with shoes continued to evolve into fashion, beauty, travel, entrepreneurship, and relationships… i.e.: pursuing ALL.THE. THINGS. The older I got the more I wanted to have REAL daily discussions with EDP followers. Enter: Everyday Pursuits.

Love Ashley’s look? Shop her style from Jessica Simpson below, and get $10 off any purchase of $50 or more with code create10! One use per customer.

Kora Pants

Viva Smocked Short Sleeve Top (similar)

Flutter Sleeve Knit Top (similar)

Plunging Strappy One-Piece Swimsuit

Braelyn Leather Flat Sandals

Aprille Espadrille Flatform Sandals

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Create & Collaborate: How Does Your Team Do Its Best Work? (Win a C&C Insiders Membership!)

At Create & Cultivate, we’re big proponents of collaboration over competition. On any given day, we’re working on dozens of projects with hundreds of moving parts—and communication is so important to making sure the job gets done right.

We know these needs aren’t unique to C&C, so that’s why we’re partnering with Microsoft Teams to conduct a survey about teamwork. We want to hear about how your team communicates and collaborates to crush your company goals. Answer the questions below and you’ll automatically be entered for a chance to win a C&C Insiders membership:

TAKE THE SURVEY!

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6 Ways To Brush Up Your Networking Skills

Our New York Conference is inching its way closer to us, and as we get ready for the big day, we want to make sure you’re prepped and primed for the big day.

And that definitely includes networking on site at the conference.

While networking can always seem intimidating, it’s something all of our attendees have mastered on site and have been able to take advantage of for their own professional development, and you should too. If you’re looking for ways to brush up your networking skills, we’ve got you covered with the tips below to make sure you don’t lose out on any opportunities.

Nail down your elevator pitch.

When you’re in a room with 500 other women, you’re going to have to nail down your elevator pitch. Make it concise and straight to the point. No beating around the bush, and no overtly selling yourself. BS tends to reek in a crowded environment.

Put your best foot forward.

When you feel your best, other people take notice. No matter how big or small you are in your career, as long as you continue to engage and ensure that your strategy is always to make a lasting impression, you will see that people will be more inclined to establish a deeper connection with you. Confidence is contagious… and while it may seem simple, a smile goes a long way — it's hard to hate a smile!

Practice makes perfect.

If you’re feeling antsy thinking about what you should say to start a conversation with someone, practice with your friends and see how you can nail down the starting a conversation with a stranger. From the approach, to how you introduce yourself, to what you talk about, make sure you can simulate the an entire conversation with a stranger via your friend. Come in ready with a game plan and see that networking anxiety go away.

Engage with the crowd, but don’t be an attention seeker.

It’s easy to fall into the hole of talking about yourself and letting people know about all the things you do in a networking setting. But take a look back and think about the last person who wouldn’t stop rambling about themselves.

Exactly. Don’t be that person.

This is why it’s important to nail down your elevator pitch and keep it short, clear, and concise. Give people the Cliffs notes to your story, and leave them wanting more so they are more inclined to email, call, or text you and get to know you more. Rule of thumb: always keep them wanting to know more.

However, make sure you’re treating the crowd with the same level of interest as you would want them to give you. Be genuinely engaged in knowing who they are, their career, and their story, and see how you can start building a strong connection.

Don’t give out your cards, trade them.

Of course, we should always come handy with a stellar set of business cards that we're ready to hand out. It’s an obvious tip, but one we have to remind you of. Make sure that your business card isn't generic and can show off your creativity and brand effortlessly.

Also, a rule of thumb to have when you’re networking is to make sure that you’re sure you get as many business cards as you hand out. You don’t want to leave empty handed.

Follow-up.

After you’ve finished meeting a new person and have hopefully gotten their contact information, make sure that you’ve written some notes and remember one key point in your conversation (doesn’t have to be business related, it can be something about your mutual love for Honey Nut Cheerios).

Wait a day or two to follow up, and use that key point as a conversation starter for the next time you reach out to them. Not only is this a good way to remind them that you met, but it will let them know that you were genuinely engaged in what they had to say and who they were.

And if you happen to meet someone at our happy hour on Friday, feel free to email or text them that same night so you can meet on site at Create & Cultivate New York the next day! #BuildYourCCSquad

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C&C Classifieds: Plated, 1stdibs, Future, Activision & More!

Need a new gig? We got your back, girl.

Plated - New York

Digital Marketing Manager

1stdibs - New York

Integrated Marketing Manager

Future - New York

Marketing Specialist

Activision - Santa Monica, CA

Finance Manager

Salted - Santa Monica, CA

Finance Manager

Punchey - Miami

Intern

Serena & Lily - Sausalito, CA

Influencer Marketing Collaborations Coordinator

Modis - Louisville, Kentucky

Sealed Systems Technician

Kotis Design - Remote

Marketing Coordinator

Thrive Marketing Agency - Remote

Freelance Web Project Manager

Stryker - Redmond, Washington

Director of Marketing

ID Agent - Bowie, MD

Digital Marketing Manager

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Mom Knows Best: How This Style Blogger’s Mom Inspired Her Career

Mother’s Day is just around the corner! This month, we’re partnering with Hallmark to bring you the stories of four inspirational women and the mothers who helped shape them into the incredible people they are now. Today, we’re chatting with Cynthia Andrew, attorney and the style and travel blogger behind Simply Cyn, to hear how her mom’s wisdom inspired her career—and how she celebrates her mom not just on Mother’s Day, but every day.

Q: How do you make your mom feel loved?

A: If there’s one thing I’ve learned—gifts are great, treats are nice, but what really makes us feel close and what I know makes my mom happier than anything is real time with me. And especially now that we’re apart and live in different cities, in different countries, it’s a video call, a handwritten letter, or getting her a plane ticket to come visit me.

Q: How are you and your mom similar? What parts of her do you see in you?

A: We are both super loving and super sensitive. But don’t be fooled, I get my street smarts, discipline and work ethic from her as well.

Q: How has your mom inspired your career?

A: She’s always been non-stop, super ambitious and that has fueled me and made me want to work harder, be better, do better. She also is such a caring and generous person, she has taught me the importance of being generous with whatever you may have- access, experience, wisdom. You may sometimes feel like you have nothing to give (we tend to think of giving as financial), but some of the greatest things I’ve received and given have been non-monetary. And all of that is from her.

Q: What's your go-to mom word of wisdom?

A: You can do this! and Pray about it. They go hand in hand.

Q: What's the latest "I have to call my mom" moment you've had?

A: Stress about a major financial decision—she always gives the best, completely non-judgmental advice.

Q: What is your most memorable card to or from your mother?

A: The handmade ones I made growing up—I was so much more original and crafty back then. Thank Goodness for Hallmark to help me these days—I’ve been able to find the right words to express just how I feel about my mom.

Q: What are you most grateful to have inherited from your mother?

A: Her spirit. I didn’t realize I had it, but my husband who has gotten to know my mom a lot more over the course of our marriage, pointed it out the other day. He was like—you are your mother’s child—and that’s the best compliment ever.

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How to Spring Clean That Overflowing Inbox

According to internet memes there are two kinds of people in this world: those who keep their inbox at zero, and those who don't. 

If you happen to fall in the latter camp of "I'll get to this later" but never do, your email inbox probably feels like an exponential problem — the number rising every day a massive source of anxiety. But thank goodness it's spring, a season for showers, flowers, and cleaning. A season that, without which we might not ever get anything clean.

If your inbox needs a major overhaul here are four steps to slaying this spring cleaning and preventing yesterday's emails from becoming tomorrow's to-do list. 

COMPARTMENTALIZE 

You need to set aside some time to do this. No one said spring cleaning was easy, but write down the most important categories. For example: 

ACCOUNTS>IMPT TO DO*>BOSS**>COMPLETED PROJECTS>FREELANCERS>SYNDICATION PARTNERS>HOLDING***

People tend to overcomplicate their filing system, and they never end up using it. Try to keep the number of folders you create to under 10. That search bar in your email? It's actually incredibly efficient and more advanced than ever before. It does the work of all those sub-categories you're unnecessarily creating. 

* By creating a folder like "Impt. To-Do" you can stop using your inbox as a to-do list. You know what we mean — those emails you send yourself with tasks that need to be completed. Use a different program for this, and create a folder to help you manage projects. 

** By creating a folder like "Boss," you can easily search your boss’s name and drop all emails in this folder. 

*** By creating a folder like "Holding" you can drop cold pitches and emails that you're interested in responding to, but don't have the time to do so in the moment. But then when you do have the time, it's easy to find. You waste so much time searching for that one email, where you can't quite remember the idea, the name, the company... create this folder and start dropping those stray emails in. 

DON'T BE AFRAID TO TAKE ACTION

We tend to think of online space as unlimited, and as such, we never delete anything. But there is no reason why you have to keep every email you receive. 

If it's just taking up space, donate it to the delete button.

DEVELOP A SYSTEM

Once you get it cleaned out, the most important task at hand is developing a system you can stick to — that way you don't find yourself in the same mess all over again. Jaclyn Johnson, Founder of Create & Cultivate likes her inbox at zero when her head hits the pillow — so she developed this attack plan: 

"I get anywhere between 900-1200 emails per day, 1/4 of which I can delete. The rest I put through a tried-and-true system, where I sort my inbox based on a few different categories. Namely: urgent, where I respond right away; non-urgent, which I typically forward to someone else to answer; important and in need of a thoughtful response, which I mark as unread; and inquiry, which could be new business, press, or general questions which I drop and drag into a marked folder. Twice a day (noon and 4pm) I will answer the thoughtful emails, taking time to craft a response. At the end of the day, I will go to the marked folder and answer the less urgent emails. While I strive for a zero unread inbox, it’s unrealistic. The important part is prioritizing and organizing as to not let anything slip through the cracks."

You know what system will work for you. (Email hack: Use the color-coded flags, they are so unbelievably useful.) The best thing you can do is create it and follow through. 

FOR FUTURE ISSUES: CREATE A SPAM EMAIL

We give out our email to a lot of sites. From Netflix to Staples, to sites we can't even remember signing up for. Create a second gmail account where you send all product offers, spam — anything that you know you won’t need to check on a daily basis. If you ever feel like you need 40% off at the GAP, head to your spam email and you'll be sure to find a code. Otherwise, that bulk of AM emails from companies you have no desire to hear from is clogging up your inbox, space in your brain, and might even be causing a few too many unnecessary purchases. This is one tip that will save you time, space, and money. 

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Slow Stories: Slow and Steady — Building An Enduring Personal Brand

For many of us, the digital landscape has played a pivotal role in the development (and success) of our careers. Even in its earliest form, the web has provided a place for creativity and connection to intersect, for side hustles to flourish into lucrative businesses, and for online communities to transcend the web into long-lasting relationships. However, the advent of the internet has also created a new set of standards both professionally and socially that has given rise to the conversation around the troubling effects these expectations can have on our mental health and overall productivity.

This idea, in many ways, was my personal catalyst for pivoting my own business away from the constant demands of pumping out 24/7 content into working with brands to tell stories that have true longevity. And while we've spoken a lot about slow content as it relates to brand content in our past articles, today I want to address this further by honing in on how this can be applied to our content efforts as individual founders and content creators.

In our golden age of influencer marketing and digital entrepreneurship, many women I know (including myself) are presented with the challenge of building personal brands online that are reflective of our professional ambitions while catering to the creative demands of an ever-changing algorithm (if you haven't already, I recommend checking out Tavi Gevinson's hilariously candid take on the Instagram algorithm). This inevitably has created a "performative" environment that has given way to highlight reels and filtered realities. Furthermore, this topic is something that's come up a lot in our recent Slow Stories podcast conversations, and touching on this, here are a few primary trends that have arisen in these interviews with fellow founders:

1. Slow content goes beyond the surface level.

If you remember in our February column, we deduced that slow content is all about creating value and purpose. So while there's absolutely nothing wrong with striving for a swoon-worthy travel photo or striving to achieve and share a 30 under 30 list award, it's equally important to consider what value this content will ultimately bring to your audience and your personal brand beyond just beautiful aesthetics. Furthermore, it's also essential to think what you care about offline and if what you're sharing is reflective of the things that personally matter to you IRL. Establishing this narrative both online and offline is key when holistically creating a consistent personal brand across all channels.

2. As founders, slowing down our content can give us more time to do the work.

With the above in mind, and while it may seem obvious that the less content we create, the more time we have to actually work, the pressure to share the victories (and losses) in real-time has almost become expected of high-profile founders. From CEOs posing in power suits in beautiful offices to sharing "sneak peeks" of upcoming launches, planning and posting these moments can often detract from doing the work that's actually needed to bring your product or services to life. So being mindful about when and what we choose to share in this capacity can ultimately provide us with more headspace for innovation at work versus just filling space online.

3. Slow content will take a long time to become financially viable... unless we change our habits.

Just the other day I came across a friend's tweet who posed the question of how one can take a break from social media when they utilize it to make a living. The reality is that slow content has a very long way to go when it comes to normalizing our content creation and consumption habits. And for those select individuals who rely heavily on monetizing social and content platforms for their income, we'll all have to collectively work together to recalibrate our relationships to content both personally and professionally.

With all of the above in mind, the question then becomes: How do we build a personal brand without personally burning out? Whether you're a fashion influencer posting style photos or a food blogger sharing video recipes, these factors will depend heavily on your industry and your own relationship to content, but the universal starting place is simple: Think about your overarching narrative and how this can be carried through your content long-term. Below are a few tips to start planning a strategy that considers your personal needs as well as your audience’s needs:

1. Refine and redefine your content strategy.

In my first article, I spoke about the importance of creating a content calendar, and while doing this is helpful for long-term planning, it's important to recognize if and when you're overextending yourself or your resources. With that said, many influencers and content creators often face the dilemma of "oversharing" in order to cater to an established content cadence that their followers eventually grow to expect. And if you find yourself wanting to slow down your output, take time to refine and redefine your content strategy, the conversations you want to have with your audience, and what kind of content makes the most sense to do this. For example, it may be a case of putting your energy into one longer-form piece of content versus a series of daily updates that still gets the point across and allows you to really focus on the quality of the content and your message.

2. Decide how personal is too personal.

Many leading influencers and entrepreneurs often take positions on complex conversations relating to politics, religion, and so on. And while slow content is built upon the idea of authentic and honest content, it's still important to establish boundaries so that you can participate in conversations online that make sense for you and your platform long-term.

3. Engage and invite your audience to slow down too.

If you're generally feeling stressed about changing your regular posting schedule, simply start by using social media as a vehicle for it was inherently created for: be social. Connect with your followers and communicate with them. Effective change happens when we hold one another accountable, and inviting your followers into your process as a content creator or founder will ultimately prepare them for any drastic changes, and perhaps even inspire reflection on how they too can apply slower, thoughtful practices into their own content and brand-building endeavors.

Building a brand of any kind in 2019 can be challenging, and if you don't know where to start, I invite you to check out more from this column, and of course, listen to Slow Stories for more candid conversations from some of the world's most innovative founders and creators.

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.

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Here’s to You, Mom: How 4 Entrepreneurs Are Toasting to Their Moms

This Mother’s Day, we’re partnering with Jane Walker by Johnnie Walker to share the toasts some of our favorite entrepreneurs want to share with their mothers. Introduced in 2018, Jane Walker celebrates the many achievements of women and those on the journey toward gender equality and equal representation. Jane Walker’s parent company, Diageo, is dedicated to promoting gender equality in the company—women comprise 40% of Diageo’s executive committee, nearly 40% of its Board, and nearly 50% of Johnnie Walker's expert whisky blending team.

To celebrate moms everywhere, we’re excited to share a few sweet and thoughtful toasts from some of our favorite content creators: Tyla-Lauren Gilmore, Caroline Ingraham Lee, and Maxie McCoy. Plus, we’re sharing a cocktail recipe below that you’re gonna want to make for the special women in your life this Mother’s Day!

Caroline:
”I'd love to toast my mom for staying open... for constantly being willing to learn new things, adapt, evolve, grow, and find new ways to connect with me + love me.”

Tyla:
”A toast to the strongest woman I know. Mom, I don’t tell you enough that I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. From your daily encouragement, to your crazy life lessons, to every amazing haircut you’ve given me. Thank you for being my first friend, my voice of reason and everything in between. All that I am or hope to be I owe to you. Love you, mom!”

Maxie:
”Mom, I dream of the day I will mean as much to someone as you have meant to me. You've shown me – by always being yourself – how to brighten everyday moments just by being there, how to run a business with effort and grace, and why everything is a little more fun with a glass in one hand, lipstick in the other. Having you as my mom is the jackpot of any lifetime.”

Ready to celebrate the boss ladies in your life? Whip up the Yes, She Can cocktail we served our International Women’s Day Dinner attendees last month and raise a glass to women everywhere—after all, they’re the reason we’re here!

YES, SHE CAN

1.5 oz Johnnie Walker Black Label, Jane Walker Edition

1.5 oz elderberry soda

1.5 oz ginger beer

Squeezed & dropped lemon wedge

Cheers!

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Why These Two Women Risked It All to Break into the Food Industry

The saying goes, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” Angela Sutherland and Evelyn Rusli are the epitome of the proverb. As the co-founders of Yumi, the homemade delivery baby food company, they’re challenging the standards of the “Big Baby Food” industry.

It was so important to Angela and Evelyn to fix the static baby food industry that they each left successful careers in other fields to start Yumi. Read on for their story.

Let’s start at the beginning. What whitespace did you see in the baby food market?

Angela: When I was pregnant with my first child, I did what a lot of new parents do — I went down the long, long rabbit hole of Google research. In that process, I came across studies on “The First 1000 Days,” a period of time identified by researchers and doctors as the most important in a person’s life for nutrition. I grew up in Michigan and was largely raised on the idea that adults are the ones who have to worry about their diet — that adults shouldn’t have the cupcakes because of their diet, but kids can eat anything they want because they have their whole life to worry about nutrition. It turns out the exact opposite is true.  

Later, when my daughter was ready to begin solid foods, I was completely shocked to realize just how deficient all of the store bought options were. The big baby food industry is dominated by products that are older than the babies eating them, high in fruit-based sugars, and low in nutrition! I was in disbelief that over the last 100 years, baby food has changed very little and was not giving kids what they need. I felt compelled to do something about it.

Describe the journey from when you first had the idea for Yumi to actually making it a reality.

Angela: As I was uncovering all this research, I was sharing it with my friends, including Evelyn who I’ve known for years. She was working for the Wall Street Journal at the time. As a journalist, she naturally started digging-in and read all the clinical studies I had collected. We went on a trip with my family to Arizona, and while our husbands were ATV-ing, we kept circling on this idea of building a new baby food company to solve all these gaps. Within a few weeks, we both gave our two weeks notice and decided “OK, we’re doing this.” At the time, I was the breadwinner in the family, so I spoke with my husband about it and explained that I would need to take a roughly 100% pay cut but it was for a really, really good cause. He was my biggest cheerleader from day one.

How did you each find the confidence to give up your previous ventures and pursue a new career?

Evelyn: It’s not easy to walk away from a career you’ve been building and nurturing for more than a decade. There are internal and external pressures to stay on that path. When I was 18 and decided to be a journalist, I had a PLAN, and that plan was going perfectly.  But accomplishing a plan you hatched at 18 doesn’t necessarily equal fulfillment. I felt myself increasingly drawn to entrepreneurship; I was enamored by its almost obsessive nature. Everyday, you apply your blood, sweat, and literal tears in the hope that you can change the world in a very particular way. I loved the mission of Yumi from day one.

Angela: Our backgrounds are sort of the perfect complement. I was the math major, she was the English major — she is the words to my numbers. Meanwhile, in my former life as a director of a private equity firm, I was very familiar with the nuts and bolts of operations and what it takes to build thriving, sustainable businesses. I enjoy nerding out on unit economics. Evelyn, meanwhile, is a natural storyteller. She pulls threads together and helps distill complex concepts into more digestible forms. We both saw Yumi as more than a product off the shelf. To succeed, Yumi would have to be a highly scalable business, but it would also have to be a movement, a movement that inspires other families to demand changes in Big Baby Food.

What’s a typical day in your lives like?

Evelyn: One of the amazing things about being an entrepreneur is just how fundamentally — often unpredictably — different each day is from the next. On one day, we could be in the test kitchens working with chefs and nutritionists to develop new recipes. On another day, we could be on the road meeting with potential partners, which includes everything from marketing to packaging to prospective investors. We try to create some boundaries within the chaos, and we both intentionally set aside time to think about big picture strategy and what’s coming around the corner.

One of the hardest things about building a startup is the constant context switching. It can be mentally and physically taxing. But let’s be real — it’s also a lot of fun.  

What is it like working together when you both have very different backgrounds/experiences?

Evelyn: We simply can’t stand each other, it’s really becoming a challenge. Obviously, I kid, she was literally the officiant at my wedding. I’m the godmother to her son. Her family is my family and vice versa. That said, we’re very different in terms of skills and how we approach problems, which certainly leads to arguments about decisions. However, that’s exactly why we wanted to be partners. You need someone who is going to challenge your ideas and push you to see a problem from a different angle. That friction is healthy for a startup.

Angela: For all our differences, I do think our partnership works because we are similar in the areas that matter. Our fundamental values are the same, which is why we’re so passionate about Yumi’s mission. We’re also crazy hard workers, perhaps to a fault. I’ve never doubted for a second that Evelyn isn’t doing everything she can to make this a success. We completely trust each other’s judgment.

Baby food is a contentious industry. How did you choose ingredients and suppliers? What about pricing?

Angela: For us, quality is everything. It is our #1 priority to give babies the highest quality ingredients, sourced from the best organic farms in the country. When you look at consumer trends and the preferences of the modern day parent, it’s clear that this generation has a very different attitude towards food than previous generations. Today’s parents have a much deeper understanding of food, and how it affects their health and wellness. They care about organic, they expect freshness, and they also look for brand transparency.

The legacy brands are out of touch. Last year, Consumer Reports revealed that grocery store baby food brands tested positive for an array of heavy metals. That same week, we put up a map online to show our customers how we pick our farms based on the government’s soil readings. We avoid areas that test high for heavy metals, and we avoid certain ingredients like brown rice, which often tests high for arsenic.

Our pricing reflects the multitude of differentiators that we offer to consumers: high quality ingredients, customized content, shipping straight to your doorstep, and sustainable packaging. As we scale, we will be able to pass along savings to our families, but our consistent growth month-over-month indicates that we’re already filling a huge demand in the market.

Looking back, what’s one thing you would have done differently when you first started out?

Evelyn: We’ve both grown so much from this process, but I think one thing we would have done differently in the beginning would be our approach to hiring. We would have hired more people out of the gate. We would have put more effort into recruiting. At the end of the day, success or failure is determined by the people you have on that bus.

Where do you see the baby food industry going in the future? How do you see it evolving?

Angela:  Hopefully, out of the dark ages. If the baby food industry is still dominated by two-year-old room temperature chicken stew in a jar, I’ll be shocked.

We’re trying to shed an intense light on the Big Baby Food industry. There’s simply no excuse for the low level of innovation, freshness or quality. Most baby foods, including some newcomers, are still laden with fruit-based sugars and are incredibly low in nutrition. We hope that by showcasing the importance of early childhood nutrition that we’ll not only elevate the dialogue on baby food today but will also push the entire industry to improve. Babies deserve it.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Evelyn: Someone once told me that “all businesses are inherently people-based.” In the same way that we apply the saying “It takes a village” when it comes to motherhood, I have seen that the same goes for businesses — they are nourished by people and our extended networks. Since starting Yumi, I’ve lost track of the number of times a friend has helped me work through a problem, provided valuable insights, or served as a resource in some way.   So many people have helped in the making of Yumi. These interactions are a constant reminder to stay humble and to not be afraid to ask for help.

What’s next for Yumi?

Angela: We’re so excited to launch a new line of snacks and finger foods this spring.  It has always been our mission to grow with our customer and to provide offerings for kids as they transition from babies to toddlers. In America, the number one veggie for a toddler is the french fry. That’s absurd. Families deserve healthier options across the 1,000 days. Whether it’s purees, snacks, finger foods, or beyond, we have a lot of work to do.

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Rocky Barnes on the Power of Collaboration, Connections & Staying True to Yourself

If you weren’t at our Desert Pop Up event in Palm Springs a couple of weeks ago, you missed out on a killer keynote with Rocky Barnes, who just announced a new collection at Express that we’re absolutely fangirling over. Read some of our favorite mic-drop moments from her conversation with Keltie Knight below, and check out her to-die-for collection in the photos—it’ll be online and in select stores on May 3!

“An overnight success is 10 years in the making.”

“I think it’s so important to find the right person or brand to collaborate with. Don’t be afraid to say no and find the right match. It’s like finding a boyfriend.”

“When you’re passionate about something, you do it all the time.”

“I don’t want anyone to think there’s a quick easy shortcut to success—it may look like there is, but it’s all about hard work.”

“Make time for face-to-face interactions, take the time to have coffee, say hello—make a personal connection. You have no idea how far that will go in this industry.”

“The best advice I’ve ever received is to never take anything personally.”

“No one is bigger or better than anyone else. Everyone started in the same place.”

“I truly believe in manifestation and being about to visualize your dreams and goals. I’ve manifested everything in my life.”

“Instead of focusing just on that dream job, focus on the way you want to feel. That’s where you should put your focus.”

“Be true to yourself, make some goals for yourself, and think positive about it.”

We’re dying over those lilac boots! Which piece from Rocky’s collection do you have your eye on? Share in the comments below!

This post is sponsored by Express.

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Why "Finding The Yes" Is Key for This Director of Investor Relations

Twenty-nine-year-old Yasmin Moaven is making moves. As the young leader behind the fundraising efforts at Fair, an app that lets customers get a car entirely on their phone, she’s raised more than $500 million in equity capital alongside CEO Scott Painter in a little over a year for Fair…and shows no signs of slowing down.

Buying a car, as we all know, is complicated. Instead of taking out a multi-year auto loan and going into heaps of debt, the Fair app allows customers to shop by monthly payments they can afford, sign for the one they want with their finger, and drive it for as long as they want—with no long-term commitment or even physical paperwork. You just make a one-time start payment, pick up the keys, handle the car’s monthly payments for as long as you want to drive it, and turn it in any time with just five days’ notice.

Create & Cultivate recently sat down with Yasmin (aka Yas) to talk about her path to Fair, being a woman in the trifecta of male-dominance auto, finance and tech, and how “diversifying” doesn’t just apply to investment portfolios.

Describe your career journey. How did you get your foot in the door, and how did you get to where you are today?

I think the biggest factor in paving my career path is that self-discipline has always been at the center of my personality. I was on my way to becoming a collegiate athlete but was injured in an unfortunate accident. After going through a bit of an identity crisis, I set my sights on getting a job at a magazine. That turned into a full-time gig and ended up taking me to New York City.

When I entered the magazine world, it was going through an overhaul with the digital revolution and print was quickly losing value, and I realized that access to cool events - while getting free massacra and blow dryers - don’t really pay your bills. So I moved back to California and took a new job with the City of Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board where I ran Strategic Alliances and Strategic Partnerships. It was when I took on that role, that I crossed over to the tech world because I worked with lots of exciting brands, including a little startup called Uber 😉

Also, around this time, one of my friends started working at TrueCar and introduced me to them. So I applied for a job there and landed it, working in the marketing department for then-CEO, Scott Painter. Within 9 months of landing the job, Scott retired from the company. I left shortly after and joined Sotheby’s to run Marketing and Communications for North and South America. Less than six months into the new gig I got a call from Scott saying, “I started a new company, and I would love for you to join.”

That company was Fair. While other people might have taken some time to weigh out their options, I realized I just wasn’t done hustling yet. The opportunity and the challenge I’d find in a start-up like Fair was something I just couldn’t resist. So I came on as, like, employee number 20-ish back in 2016 and am happy to say it’s been every bit the rocket ride I hoped it would be 😊

“I always tell people that I live in the trifecta of male dominance: auto, finance and tech. That’s definitely a real thing. It can be an intimidating place to live, but it also can be an amazing opportunity to establish something that doesn’t exist.”

Your job could be seen as a “Jane of all trades” position, with work in finance, marketing, and communications. Is this your first position in the finance sector, and how did you transition into the role?

I was the Director of Marketing and Communications for Fair when we launched in the app store in August of 2017. One of the events on our schedule that month was a banking conference that consisted of one-on-ones with a lot of big investors. We had 12 slots, so I started cold-calling all the big partners to set up meetings. Well, nobody told me that most people don’t fill up all the slots - but I did. So when we walked in to talk to one of our large institutional banking partners, the partner there was like, “By the way, this is an insane schedule. I have never seen a company at your stage with this many meetings.” I remember feeling a sense of relief and just nodded my head in pure excitement that I would keep my job another day. LOL.

So I think that got the attention of our CEO, Scott Painter and Chairman, Georg Bauer, and really earned their confidence with my knowledge of our product and my genuine belief that what we were building was a true disruptor. I’d be sitting in on pitch meeting and because I’d worked on the marketing side of things and I knew our messaging and product updates in real time. I was able to chime in a bit more than someone from investor relations normally might.

So after that conference, Scott asked me to head up our investor relations team (a whopping team of one – me). It was one of those situations where I was fortunate enough to have an amazing mentor who saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. Since I took over investor relations, we've managed to raise a little over $500 million in equity capital in a year—all only possible because of Scott’s amazing drive and vision and not to mention our insanely talented team.

The world of investing could be seen as a “boys’ club.” What is it like being a woman in investing?

I always tell people that I live in the trifecta of male dominance: auto, finance and tech. That's definitely a real thing. It can be an intimidating place to live, but it also can be an amazing opportunity to establish something that doesn't exist, and to open their eyes to the idea that a woman can sit at that table, too, and have a real voice.

I’m incredibly happy that both the leadership at Fair and I are really aligned to empower more women to be in the room. But of the 250+ pitches we’ve done as part of our fundraising efforts, easily 95 percent have been with men, so obviously there’s still a lot of work to do.

“It’s your choice to step up and hustle, it’s your choice to see the glass half full instead of empty and it’s your choice to diversify.”

What is your go-to strategy when pitching an idea?

First, I am a firm believer in knowing your audience. I think a big part of why I've been able to succeed in my role is because I listen first and observe second. For me, it's really important to hear what the investor wants and go from there. Sometimes their goals don't align with ours, and that’s when you have to know when to walk away so you don’t waste anyone's time. It’s incredibly important to know when to cut your losses and move on. That’s why you take all those hundreds and thousands of calls and meetings—because finding the “yes” can be a tedious process and it’s definitely a two-way street.

How do you go about building strong relationships with investors?

It's about being responsive, understanding what they're asking for, and getting them what they need - fast. There are so many deals out there and the world is awash with capital. So the hard part is being an investor in the equation, because there are so many opportunities. Finding the Airbnb, Uber or Fair 😊 in the haystack can be a challenge.

Ultimately, the more receptive you are to that reality, the quicker you can cast the net, and the more likely investors will be willing to hear your vision and story. It really is all about relationship-building, trust and staying in touch. Never give up an opportunity for an update! Best email subject line: “(Insert Company Name) Update”

Fair has a unique business model. How do you pitch something so different to potential investors?

It's a little different depending on the investor audience. On the venture side, they’re looking for the big vision --the disruptive story that you’re going to change whatever category you’re in. On the private equity and growth side, it’s more about the unit economics penciling and adoption-- are you a real business and at scale? So a big part is being able to peel the onion for them slowly. I think it's just knowing your audience, and that goes back to just listening and understanding their investment goals. At the top of every call I have them give our team context, the size of their fund, typical check-size and investment thesis so that the team can focus on the parts of the pitch that are relevant to that investor.

For example, if the investor has funded companies in ridesharing or the gig economy before, they're going to ask questions in that context, and you have to be able to frame what you’re doing around that thesis. Your ultimate goal is to get to the next call and then to the data room so they can conduct due diligence, because once they’re in there that means you have their attention. It's all about connecting the dots, and no two pictures you draw are ever the same.

“it didn’t matter how many times my CEO or my mom or someone else in the room told me I was good at it. I had to believe it. And the moment I did was the moment I really felt like I hit my stride.”

So what's your favorite part about your job?

The best part of my job is that I truly believe in what Fair is doing. I’m a huge believer in financial literacy, and unfortunately for most people their car is a high-friction investment. Unless you have great credit to access an auto loan or a big pile of cash on hand, you don’t have the luxury of owning a car without going into copious amounts of debt.

Fair is looking to change all that. We want people to look at the car as something they can access like everything else in modern day life—like their Spotify, Netflix or even their gym subscription. After all, most monthly payments for a basic car aren’t much more than what some people spend on their phones every month. And since that car is going to consistently depreciate while you pay it off, why would anyone want to own that thing?

So instead of consumers borrowing a ton of money to buy a depreciating asset, Fair is offering access to a car in a whole new way. And in some cases they wouldn’t be able to access a car through a traditional lease or loan.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

This is kind of a cheesy quote, but it's one of my favorites: “You're a nobody to everybody until you’re a somebody to yourself.” That is a huge one for me. I’m a pleaser by trade, and what I’ve had to learn very quickly, especially in this role and working in tech, was to believe in myself and find validation from within. Until I started to believe that I could do this myself, it didn't matter how many times my CEO or my mom or someone else in the room told me I was good at it. I had to believe it. And the moment I did was the moment I really felt like I hit my stride.

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your 16-year-old self?

Diversify and invest in yourself by being intellectually curious.

I've been in media, I've worked in city government, I've worked in auto tech and now I'm in financial tech. I've had the opportunity to work in so many different roles, not because it felt natural, but because I wanted to learn.

Through those roles, I’ve also learned that some of the most successful individuals diversify how they invest their time and their money. Learning to quantify my financial goals and finding other forms of income outside of just my paycheck has been an important part of building my financial confidence as well.

Also, there’s this myth that if something didn’t work it’s because you didn’t work hard enough. But don’t for a minute think that if something didn't work out that it means it's not going to work out better in another way. It sounds very whimsical, but everything does happen for a reason. It's your choice to step up and hustle, it’s your choice to see the glass half full instead of empty and it’s your choice to diversify.

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Mom Knows Best: This Lifestyle Blogger Shares How Her Mom's Words of Wisdom Have Changed Her Life

How has your mom inspired your life? This Mother’s Day, we’re partnering with Hallmark to share the stories of four inspiring women whose mothers have shaped their lives in special ways. There’s truly nothing like receiving the perfectly well-chosen card from a loved one, and Mandy Ansari of Girl and The Bay is a true believer in that idea. Read on to hear how her mom has made her into the successful woman she is today—and to see the card she’s sending her mom (pssst…Mother’s Day is May 12, so if you haven’t found the perfect card for Mom, now’s the time!).

Q: How do you make your mom feel loved?

A: When it comes to giving love, my love language is gifts. Growing up, I loved spoiling my mom with things—whether it was a gift I made for her in school, an ornament or that pair of espadrilles she told me she liked (that I saved my lunch money for months to buy). As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to realize that while giving gifts is how I show love, my mom values quality time. It’s something I have to work on and be more intentional about, but my mom feels the most loved when I make time for her—clearing my schedule for activities we can do together when we’re in the same city or just being better about FaceTiming her regularly.

Q: How are you and your mom similar? What parts of her do you see in you?

A: My mom is such a youthful soul. She’s so lively, energetic, active, really channels that joie de vivre, tries anything once and always down to tear up a dance floor or travel the world. While I can appreciate a good nap, I love that we share the same love for life. I’ve noticed even more in the past few years how her ability to be spontaneous and present has shaped me into the woman I am today, especially when it comes to traveling.

Q: How has your mom inspired your career?

A: My mom and I couldn’t be more different when it comes to our career paths. She’s analytical, love to crunch numbers, detests public speaking and sends me multiple emails a week to proof because she hates writing. While our brains, talents and skills in the workplace lie on opposite sides of the fence, my mom’s work ethic is strong and something to be admired. My mom came to America when I was 3 and hit the ground running. She didn’t know any English and didn’t know exactly what she wanted to do, but dove right into academic and often juggled several jobs at once. She did everything from working the assembly line at a bakery to working at the post office. Since then, she’s held high-powered roles at Fortune 500 companies like Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, and Google. She is a perfectionist and stresses out about every last detail when it comes to work, which she’d say is a point of weakness. However, her dedication to doing things right, owning up to mistakes quickly, meeting and exceeding her goals, and working her way up in companies while displaying gracious leadership have taught me invaluable lessons. She continues to inspire my work ethic and career path daily by simply being herself and humbly leading by example.

Q: What's your go-to mom word of wisdom?

A: When I left my lucrative, stable and incredible job of 6 years this past year to pursue solopreneurship, I was excited but oh-so-scared. I had a few meltdowns very early on when I wanted to turn back around and dive right back into the corporate grind. I called my mom in a panic and she said, “Ok, so you give this a year and you realize you miss the corporate 9-5. So what? You apply for jobs like anybody else would and jump right back in. You’ll have gained experience and satisfaction knowing you tried.” It was a bit out of character for her because she’s absolutely not a risk taker (opposite of me), but she was able to look past her own mom fears to give me the advice I needed. I think of that “So what?” she threw at me every single day!

“She is always there to ground me with wisdom, hard truths and tenderness only a mother can provide. ”

Q: What's the latest "I have to call my mom" moment you've had?

A: Oh man, there are so many. This past year has been full of change—I left the West Coast, where I lived within 10 minutes of almost all of my family, for the very first time in my life to move to New York City. Not having my mom or supportive family just a few minutes away has been an adjustment. Not only have I made made a big geographical move, but I’ve lost over 100 pounds while undergoing major changes in my career and personal relationships. I’ve had a lot of moments where I’ve felt extremely lonely and lost. Of course, my mom has been the first call I’ve made. She is always there to ground me with wisdom, hard truths and tenderness only a mother can provide.

Q: What is your most memorable card to or from your mother?

A: My mom LOVES buying cards and I LOVE saving them. She’ll see a card months before a birthday or holiday and purchase it because she knows exactly who she needs to give it to. Since she hates writing and says she has a “hard time expressing emotions in words,” she loves finding cards that echo her sentiments. So, she’ll often send me those fun, over-the-top cards that are tri-fold (more words on the card means the less she’ll have to write). I look forward to receiving her cards every single year. My favorite card she has ever given me was the most recent one (and they’re always Hallmark) because it truly felt like something she would say to me herself. The card’s message was uplifting, empowering and encouraging as her motherly love has always been to me, but it was also filled with the type of wisdom I seek from her time and time again. Here’s what the special card said:

A little guide to life for a lovely daughter on her birthday:

Be good to yourself. There are some things everyone deserves—Love, respect, time to recharge. Never settle for less.

Seek out your dreams. Start small. Take it as it comes. Even a butterfly has to inch along before getting its wings.

Listen to your heart. Trust your gut. If the way seems unclear, look within you.

Let your voice be heard. You have a story to tell and opinions that count. And a difference to make.

Stay curious. Wonder. Take every opportunity to learn. Knowledge is a gift. It will take you places.

Hold on to what's important. Let worries go. No matter how you look at it, some things just don't make sense. The way you choose to carry on is what really matters.

And when you make that list of what you want in life, make another list of what you've got. Be sure to start with all the things that make you a beautiful person. There are so many.

Most of all, remember you're loved. Always.

Q: What are you most grateful to have inherited from your mother?

A: My mom has so many qualities I hope to inherit and embody, but the one that I am most thankful for is her graciousness. My mom is not only quick to forgive, but she has a rare ability to see both sides of any situation. She never passes judgement and can always show sincere empathy to all parties involved. She has passed down the ability to have supernatural grace for others and I am so thankful for this trait (her sweet dance moves and taste in fine cheeses are a close second).

This post is sponsored by Hallmark. See what a card can do at hallmark.com.

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Making Moves: Promotions, App Upgrades, and Calling Out Inequality

Every Friday, we here at C&C like to celebrate all of the moves women are making in their industries. And as always, this was a good week for women. Read on to see women getting promotions, speaking up against inequality and discrimination, and more!

Billboard

Sylvia Rhone has been promoted from president to chairman and CEO of Epic Records. In this position, she will have control over the label’s creative direction and management of the label. Rhone was the the first African American woman to be the chairman of a major record company when she was made chairman and CEO of Warner Music Group's Elektra Entertainment Group in 1994. That’s music to our ears!

The Hollywood Reporter

Abigail Disney, the granddaughter of Walt Disney, called out the Disney Company for contributing to economic inequality in the US. She called Disney CEO Bob Igar’s $65.7m salary in 2018 as “insane” and noted that the lowest-paid company employees only make $15 an hour. Way to speak up, girl!

Global Dating Insights

No filter necessary. Bumble is beginning to develop an AI-enhanced “private detector,” which will screen unsolicited nude photos sent through the app. Bumble CEO and founder Whitney Wolfe Herd and Bumble’s parent company founder Andrey Andreev are working together to make the internet a safer and friendlier space for women.

Variety

Way to call out workplace discrimination! Former CBS executive Whitney Davis recently published a letter in Variety detailing the discriminatory and toxic culture present within CBS. She details the racism she personally experienced, as well as racist comments spoken about other people of color. Davis attributes the network’s toxic environment to its “white problem,” and it bringing awareness to the systemic racism present in the entertainment industry.

Better Make Room

Sign on the dotted line. Michelle Obama, the Reach Higher Initiative, and Better Make Room are hosting a College Signing Day on Wednesday, May 1st. The Reach Higher Initiative was started by Obama to encourage more high school students to pursue a college education. The event itself will have a multitude of celebrity guests and performances.

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Don't Be a Bore: 4 Ways to Engage Your Audience in a Meaningful Way

We all know how integral it is to have a following. To have an audience. Whether those people are reading your blog, buying your products, or double tapping your pictures, in order to have a brand or business you must have an audience.

However, if there’s one thing potentially more important than the size of your audience, it’s how likely that audience is to engage with you. Do they convert? Will they buy? Are they sharing insights? Are they so invested in what you’re building that they tell everyone they know? If they’re engaged, they’ll do all of the above.

So while it’s important to build that audience, it’s equally as important to engage with them. Here’s four valuable (and easy!) ways to do that:

STORYTELLING. STORYTELLING. STORYTELLING.

Even the most perfect shot won’t mean high engagement. So if you feel like your images, blog posts, or messages aren't nailing it, think about how often you’re sharing relatable stories. You can close the delta between your beautiful brand and meaningful engagement that adds to your audience's lives via storytelling. It’s in your stories, which naturally communicate trials and rumbles and victories, that someone will feel more connected and engaged to you. No, you don’t have to get all existential about the details of your morning in order to tell a good story, but don’t forget to open up about the life behind the brand. The message. Or the service. Through storytelling, you’ll build trust – which is the north star of any well-executed brand and business.

“Open up about the life behind the brand. The message.”

SWIPE RIGHT...TO 'VIDEO'

Ain’t nothing hotter right now than hot sauce in your bag, and video. Everything, all the stats, point to video. I could source and quote a million articles that make the point that we already know intuitively (“is video engaging?”). The better question to ask regarding the topic is... how. No, you don’t need to hire a full production team, yet. No, you don’t have to invest thousands of dollars in equipment. But you should try getting a feel for how video best integrates with your goals. Maybe in blog format? Swipe right in your iPhone to change from photo to video and get rolling. Or maybe you want to show your audience what’s going down at the event? Hi, SnapChat and Instagram stories. Or maybe you’re having lunch and an epic convo with your fellow boss biz woman of a friend, go live on Facebook and give audiences an insight into your problem-solving. Video rocks engagement like no other, and the barrier to entry is the lowest it’s ever been, both financially and in effort.

Example: Easiest of easy? Facebook videos shot on your iPhone in Bali. #justsaying

TWO WAYS WILL GO A LONG WAY

Think about your most avid readers, buyers, followers, share-ers… Have you followed them back? These ambassadors of your work are the entire reason you likely do what you do. It seems so simple but treating your audience and being there in return to follow what they are up to can go a crazy long way. Do you need to follow every single person that follows you? No and no. Always follow back your biggest supporters. Nothing encourages engagement and loyalty like treating your biggest supporter with a little support back.

Example: Take a cue from Sophia Macks of @beyondthemag. She does this. And I do say it’s workingggggg.

HAVE A CONVERSATION. LIKE, A REAL ONE. 

If you had a friend, advisor, boss, or sibling who was always giving her opinion, thoughts, and ideas but never asked for yours, how would you feel? If engagement with your audience isn’t where you want it to be, consider the opportunities that you’re giving your audience to ask. Have you opened up the space for them to do so, whether it’s with a final question before the comment section on your blog, or in the comments of your Instagram? Have you given your audience permission to chime in? Often, that’s all it takes.

Example: Take a look at this post from Amy Locurto. Lesson 101 on how to do this well. She not only asked, she demanded!

At the end of the day, engage with your online audience in the same way you would if they were sitting right in front of you. Which reminds me, if they ARE sitting right in front of you, share your energy and love. Show up as that fine person you are. Ask questions. Tell stories. Give hugs and high fives. Engagement goes a very long way in garnering support and business.

 Maxie McCoy is the energy designer of Maxie, where she shares soul wisdom on the digital video series #maxie and her weekly writings. If you want your spiritual and emotional IQ shooting to the stars, Maxie is the place to be.

Let Maxie be your guide to unlocking your brilliance by following along at maxiemccoy.com. Maxie offers soul sessions, workshops, one-on-one coaching, and words of wisdom you really shouldn't miss. 

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Day in the Life: Amy Nelson of The Riveter

In today’s installment of our monthly Day in the Life series, we’re going behind the scenes with Amy Nelson, founder of the wildly successful women’s coworking space The Riveter, which has location in Seattle, Austin, LA, and Dallas, with spaces in five more cities forthcoming. Below, Amy gets real on what it’s like to run a business based all over the country—all with three children (and another on the way)!

What time do you get up? What’s the first thing you do upon waking?

One of my girls is undoubtedly up by 6 am… but if I beat them to it, I’m up at 5am. I read through news updates (Fortune’s BroadSheet is a favorite) and head down to the treadmill in our garage. I love to start the day with a work out. Even if it’s only 20 or 30 minutes - and it often is - it’s a little bit of “me time” to stay balanced.  (And right now, at 32 weeks pregnant, I’m definitely walking and not running!) We also have “family breakfast” at our house, as it’s a better time for my husband, myself and the little girls to spend quality time together than at night. It’s something I really cherish.

What’s your commute like? Do you listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks? Any current faves?

Each day’s needs are different. I use commute time for calls with board or team members, wrangling childcare, scheduling doctor appointments, mentally preparing for meetings and speaking engagements, etc.  Both my company and my family are in a period of growth, so this means I haven’t been able to settle on a routine. I do love listening to two podcasts - Committed (by the amazing Jo Piazza) and Dot Complicated (with the best host, Randi Zuckerberg) - when I have the chance!

“Block out times with your team and for yourself where you forgo phone calls and quick meetings and instead use the time strategize toward a clearly defined objective.”

Mark Twain said, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” What’s the first thing you do when you get into the office/to your desk?

Apparently I could learn a lot from Mark Twain. I don’t have a regular-enough day to have a blanket statement. Airport as the office? Often. The Riveter locations and coffee shops in other cities are my floating desks. I do regularly sweep through unanswered email and check in on priorities with team members early in the day.  I also look at my calendar so I can remind myself of the day’s priorities! (Also, let’s be honest. Wherever I am, priority number one is a cup of coffee.)

What are you working on this week?

This week, I’m preparing to give a keynote address at WNORTH in Whistler on Advocating for Mothers in the Workplace (fun!) and preparing the deck for our board meeting next week (less fun - but crucial!).  I’m simultaneously working on our upcoming Riveter openings in Dallas, Portland and Denver. And I’m also working on making sure I get enough sleep and water. The third trimester is no joke. It’s such a busy time!

You have coworking spaces in four cities, with plans to launch in five more cities soon. How often are you traveling, and what do your days on the road look like?

I’ve traveled 3-4 days a week for the past two months (and will be keeping the pace until I am a month out from my due date in early June!), mostly for speaking engagements and to visit cities where we are opening The Riveter locations. My days on the road consist of meeting business and social innovators in our soon-to-be-Riveter homes to learn about their work, exploring amazing opportunities to work with other amazing women-led movements, spending time with key stakeholders and really laying the ground-work to ensure that our new space is a success. What is special about The Riveter is that, as we expand across the country, we are creating spaces and community that are an extension of the already-existing ecosystem of each city. It’s important for me to take the time to build those relationships and learn from other business leaders and community members, and that’s what I prioritize with my travel. No two Riveters are the same, nor should they be.

What advice do you have for balancing the minutiae of day-to-day tasks with big-picture planning?

It’s so difficult to balance time “on the business” versus “in the business” and I work to perfect this process every day. One tip I would give is to set very clear, tangible long-term goals for yourself and your company. Throughout the week and as needed, block out times with your team and for yourself where you forgo phone calls and quick meetings and instead use the time strategize toward a clearly defined objective. As a daily action item, make time at the end of each day to reflect on your work - you should be able to connect every task you did in the day to the big picture.  The other piece of advice I have is to tie all of the “small acts” to each of your “big goals.” If the small isn’t tied to the big, you have to question whether it’s a good way to spend your time!

What are some work habits that help you stay healthy, productive, and on track to reach your goals?

I strive to have some understanding of every aspect of the business and, by extension, a working relationship with every employee at The Riveter. It’s important for me to understand all the moving pieces of the company if I am tasked with leading the whole. This allows me to learn from the very talented individuals on my team, no matter if they’re on the ground in Austin leading events or in the C-Suite with me directing our operations. I can weigh in where I can to optimize productivity and also keep the company on track to where we need to be.

What do evenings look like for you?

There’s always an element of chaos getting everyone home from afternoon activities, preparing dinner and getting three small children ready for bed. When I’m in town, I do try to make it home for afternoon activities once a week so I can join in on swim lessons, dance, or whatever else is going on! Once the house is quiet, I normally take another hour or so to finish up work for the day and plan for the day ahead. This is also the only time I have to spend with my mother (who lives with us) and also my husband, so we’ll debrief our days and catch up.

When do you go to bed? What’s your “optimal” # of sleep hours?

10:00pm is typical. I strive for 7 hours of sleep a night.

What’s the most rewarding part of your day?

Spending time with my little ones, by far! It is incredibly rewarding to watch them grow and see what they accomplish daily. I love their energy and joy, and I learn so much from them every day.

What’s something not a lot of people know about you?

I love to camp.  From the age of 13-20, I attended and later worked at a camp in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area between Minnesota and Canada.  I went entire summers without running water and spent endless weeks on the water, paddling miles. My husband is from Minnesota and, coincidentally, went to camp in the same area, and we can’t wait to take the girls camping when they are a bit older.

Love what Amy had to say? Check out our other Day in the Life features here!

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In Her Shoes: This Fashion Blogger Shares Why You Should Treat Your Side Hustle Like a Full-Time Job

Coco Bassey’s life has been anything but typical. The Nigerian-born New York- and Atlanta-based content creator spends her days in the corporate marketing world and her nights and weekends hustling away on her fashion blog, Millennielle. As a cancer survivor who grew up in Canada, Czech Republic, Nigeria, Germany, and the USA, she’s got a world view most millennials don’t, and it shows. We partnered with Jessica Simpson to chat with Coco on her personal style and professional pursuits—check out the Q&A below!

What do you wear when you want to feel most confident (shoes included)?

Even though I love a dressed-up moment every now and then, my everyday personal style is all about comfort and elevated basics! To me, nothing beats a pair of flattering jeans and a crisp white button-up shirt, especially when worn well. I gravitate towards comfort when it comes to footwear too, my shoe collection is full of statement sneakers, flatforms and block heels!

“The only way a creative idea becomes a full-fledged reality is when you dedicate enough time to it to help it grow.”

If you could walk in someone else’s shoes for a day, who would it be?

It would easily, hands-down, be Rihanna’s.

Describe your style in 3 words.

Elevated, feminine and effortless.

You balance a job in corporate marketing with your work on Millennielle. What advice would you give to women who want to pursue a creative idea while working full-time?

Treat your creative endeavor as professionally as you do your full-time job — that means monthly planning, reporting, pitching new business… and delegating tasks that you simply cannot take on yourself. It can be really easy to get home from a full day of work and want to turn off your brain for the day, but the only way a creative idea becomes a full-fledged reality is when you dedicate enough time to it to help it grow!

Love Coco’s style? Shop her look from Jessica Simpson below, and get $10 off any purchase of $50 or more with code create10! One use per customer.

Adored Wide Leg Crop

Moya Lace Trim Knit Top (similar)

Caiya Block Heel Sandal

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