A Glimpse at our 2019 Houston Style Summit

Photo by Becki Smithouse Photography

Our annual Create & Cultivate Style Summit was one to remember leaving everyone motivated to take their career(s) to the next level. Each year, we leave the Houston Galleria with an even bigger and better experience than before. Influencers both big and small arrived at Houston’s go-to culture hub ready to learn, network, and gain wisdom from influencers we’ve grown to love over the years proving that there’s no such thing as an overnight sensation.

Top 5 Mic Drop Moments From the Day:

• Agatha Ashiofu: Find your passion! Once you find it, the rest will unfold.

• Agatha Ashiofu: Plan and do the work— Sometimes you have to sacrifice fun for long term success.

• Sarah Adam Hafez: Whatever your definition of success might be, you have to put that as a priority. Life is too short to wait and say “what if”— Just start and take it slow.

• Lee Anne Benjamin: In the beginning, I was afraid to share raw moments and what made me unique. Be yourself/share those raw moments. Those are the days where I get the most engagement.

And last but not least, our Keynote Audrina Patridge left us with a charge to:

“Get a lawyer up front, especially one that specializes in your industry.”

Photo by Becki Smithouse Photography

Who said you can’t have beauty and brains? Whoever made that up can kick it to the curb because our panelist hit the runway with effortless style and grace! Fun fact, did you know by day, Agatha Ashiofu is an account and Jaserah Asadullah is a Petroleum Engineer Technologist? Seriously, women do it all and these ladies make it look so easy.

Shop their looks at The Houston Galleria:

• Courtney: Scotch + Soda (outfit), Sam Edelman (shoes). Check out her Instagram to see how it all came together.

• Agatha: Maje (outfit). Can we all agree how major she looks?

• Sarah: AG Jeans (pants), Zara (shoes), Chanel (necklace)

• Jaserah: Sandro (dress and heels). You have to see how Jaserah styled it.

• Lee: Express (jacket and cami), Madewell (jeans). Check out Lee’s full look on her Instagram.

• Carrie: Paige (jeans). We love how she put it all together.

• Jaclyn: Ted Baker (entire outfit) . She styled it to perfection.

Think we’re done? Think again! During the day attendees watched a live 30-minute tutorial filled with tips and tricks from celebrity makeup artist, Jamie Greenberg; making time consuming beauty looks achievable for our attendees!  

If you weren’t able to make it this year, be sure to check back later this week for our recap video. 

Follow and stay connected with all of our panelists, keynote guest, and moderators on social: 

Eye For Style: How to create & cultivate your confidence through your closet: 

Panelist 

Sarah Adam Hafez— @SarahAdamHafez on Insta 

Agatha Ashiofu— @IronyofAshi on Insta

Lee Anne Benjamin— @LeeAnneBenjamin on Insta

Jaserah Asadullah—@SimplyJaserah on Insta 

Courtney Kerr— @Kerrently on Insta 

Moderator 

Carrie Colbert — @CarrieC on Insta 

A conversation with our Founder, Jaclyn Johnson and Audrina Patridge

Keynote Speaker 

Audrina Patridge — @AudrinaPatridge on Insta 

Moderator 

Jaclyn Johnson — @JaclynJohnson on Insta

Makeup Tutorial 

Jamie Greenberg (@JamieMakeup), Model: Brittany Puerto (@BrittanyPuerto) - Make up used for this tutorial was provided by Morphe.

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5 Ways To Build Successful HR Relationships

HR – It's time to tear down the wall. Our job is to build up people, not walls, so let's dig into our why, our purpose, and how we can build successful HR relationships. Prejudice of all kinds exists, whether it be race, gender, sexual orientation, or difference of thought. And for those of us in HR positions, our goal is to let all of these go.

We need to let go of all the things that weigh us down because we can't help anyone if we are carrying such a heavy load. The beginning stages of shedding this heaviness is asking ourselves the hard questions. Are we over processing and over-engineering people to make them fit into a certain culture? Are we putting people into a box instead of looking at the things that they add value to? Are we becoming hypocrites of our own mission?

Get clear

In order to be the change, you need to keep it simple. Your choices are what matters, and getting clear on the tough questions is what will begin tearing down the wall for a brighter future. What do you want that future to be and who will help you bring it to fruition? What are the most important things that your team needs? Start here and focus on understanding what you have in an organization, rather than focusing on what you don't have. What's important to an organization are the people that add value and bring a team to success on both a mental and spiritual level. Every hire is a representation of your company, so you need to define what you want the HR department to look like - good ideas plus good intentions, and a clear mind will create success.

Erase fear

Don’t stand in your own way and let fear run your business. Especially in HR, we need to be the change and to be fearless in our endeavours. Those who have entered into HR are there to be the voice for the ones who can’t speak up. They have integrity and a fiduciary responsibility to ethics and equality for all. We need to eradicate the walls and work with people to bring a positive change into the workplace. Be the HR hero that leads with human compassion and empathy, and the reward will be success and equal opportunity.

Provide support

It’s so important to provide a safe and supportive work environment. This leads to positive ROI, creativity, inspiration and an inclusive workplace where walls don’t exist. It is our time to disrupt, change and evolve. We support the masses – we support everyone and this change begins with education. What drives diversity and inclusion is education for all. Education is our salvation for a brighter tomorrow and has an impact on our communities, our customers and ultimately our ourselves.

Build from the inside out

You must build from within. Today’s statistics prove that there’s still far to go before we see significant success. 71% of people with jobs are looking for other jobs and the average tenure for millennial's is 15 months in their first 3 job positions. Retention rate starts with proper hires, fostering education and growth within a workplace. This is a systemic problem that needs to be addressed. Many work environments place unneeded pressure on employees and view them as replaceable and just a number. They should instead be putting time and energy into building a culture that’s about education and training for success. Recycling employees has now proved to be an issue and has led to a skills gap in this country.

Education is key

You need to look at every role with an education component in mind to ensure success. Companies and the teams within them win when they have education and a solid cultural foundation. Start with the basics and place more of an emphasis on hiring based upon personal qualities and skills. Many things can be learned, and hiring genuine people is extremely valuable to the future growth of a company. When you focus on obtaining quality skill sets and quality people, your company will begin to progress and move forward. This ultimately opens the door and the market for people that are actively looking to learn, work with your inclusive team, and wanting to make an impact. Focus on your active talent and invest and educate the people within your team. And when we focus on education, it leads to diversity and inclusion amongst your entire organization. We did not get into HR to stand down - we got into HR to stand up for inclusion for all, and education is our path to success for all.

Kristy McCann is the founder of GoCoach, an employee training platform.

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Why I Built A Women-Only Coworking Space

If you were to search “women-only spaces” online, you’d find plenty of options, each club unique in their own way. Throughout my career, I’ve never seen women have as many choices as they have right now, whether in work or in personal endeavors, and with that a huge surge of support and mentorship from fellow females that is not slowing down any time soon. And frankly, it’s about time!

This renewed focus of women taking charge of their lives – career, family and personally – has inspired a new wave of niche communities and clubs.  And that’s a good thing! There is a place for every type of person looking for a community. There are so many advantages to being part of a female-owned and operated space – many of those same benefits are what inspired me to open Maison.

Whether you’re figuring out your next career move after years spent dedicated to raising a family, looking for a place to catch up on emails, get a quiet coffee or listen to a parenting expert discuss how to talk about sex with your teenager, I encourage anyone to consider joining one of the many female-centric clubs, like Maison, out there.

Here’s what inspired me to open Maison and why you should consider joining a community like ours, too:

Build balance

Many coed coworking spaces were so cliché – open floor plans, industrial builds. In building a female-centric community like Maison, I wanted it to feel like you were visiting your best friend’s beautiful home, somewhere you would feel comfortable and supported. Sure, you can use the club to finish a deadline or take a meeting, but you can also steal quiet moments to catch your breath, and find events you won’t find anywhere else – a speaker series, Stitch & Bitch, private shopping events, MNDFL meditation classes and mini spa retreats. At Maison, it’s about taking care of the inside as much as it is about the outside.

Embrace who you are

I love my life! I love being a mom and I love working, and I don’t want to feel bad about how I choose to spend my time. Too many coed clubs out there are pushing their own agenda and it’s a one size fits all approach to a huge pool. At Maison, we are who we are – our location, demographic and curated programming are really what defines us and sets us apart – and because of that, most of our members are mothers. We want to cater to our members as personally as possible, so if working and learning alongside a bunch of moms is what you’re seeking out, Maison is the right place for you.

Take time out

If you work and/or have a family, chances are your schedule is not entirely your own. Let me tell you, stealing a moment alone at home when you have kids is not easy and I’m sure it’s even harder in a traditional professional environment. I’m here to tell you that it’s ok to have a place just for you. When people ask me if we plan to have childcare at Maison, I am quick to answer that our focus is on you, the grown-up, not the little humans. It would be hard prioritize the competing needs of parents and children under the same roof without compromising our mission statement.

Feel welcome

It’s no secret that female-designed coworking spaces radiate warmth and community. I take a lot of pride in the design aesthetics of Maison – I wanted to build a space that felt like an extension of me and my home, and it’s a place I want you to feel the most welcome. Whether it’s reading in our cozy library, catching up with friends on our cushy velvet couches, or refueling in our fully stocked kitchen, every element was handpicked with purpose so that whether you’re staying for a few hours or just 30 minutes, you have a place that feels like home.

Foster community

Women have become more empowered than ever recently as big issues have risen to the top. Whether it’s how to run a business, manage work-home balance, discussing maternity leave, you can and should be surrounded and supported by fellow females. With clubs designed by and for women, we have the unique opportunity to network and learn with our peers. After all, a rising tide lifts all boats.

Ashley Wu is the founder of Maison.

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Day in the Life: Ariel Kaye, Founder & CEO of Parachute

We’re back with another installment of our Day in the Life series! Today we’re sitting down with Ariel Kaye, founder & CEO of the beloved home brand Parachute. We’re obsessed with her focus on responsible sourcing, customer happiness, and smart scaling. Read on to check out her wisdom for yourself!

Are you a night owl or a morning person? When do you do your most important work and why?

I definitely prefer life as a morning person. My baby girl, Lou, was born in January – she tends to dictate my mornings these days! Now that I’m back to work, mornings are when we get to spend a little extra time together. I also like to work out early in the day, and then I’ll come home to go through my emails.

By late afternoon, I typically start to feel a bit foggy. So if there’s something really important that I’m working on, I like to make sure to carve time out for it earlier in the day. It’s a big change from when I used to do some of my best work into the wee hours of the night!

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

My commute typically takes me about 25 minutes. What I listen to during my drive really depends on my mood. Some days I actually prefer silence, using that extra time to think. But I’m also a big fan of SiriusXM – some of my favorite channels include ‘90s on 9, ‘70s on 7, The Beatles Channel, Soul Town, The Groove, and Yacht Rock Radio. It’s quite a range! I also listen to several podcasts, including The Daily, WorkParty, Goop, How I Built This, and Pod Save America.

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?

As soon as I get into the office, I immediately fill a large glass with water, get to my desk, open my emails and scan for anything urgent. Then I open my calendar and decide how I’m going to use my time between meetings. Hyper-efficiency is a major focus for me right now.

“Creating something that people care about and that has an impact are my favorite parts of being an entrepreneur.”

What are you working on this week?

I’m currently working with my team on some exciting potential partnership opportunities, strategic new hires, and preparing for an upcoming board meeting.

What’s been the most rewarding part of running Parachute? The most challenging?

Creating something that people care about and that has an impact are my favorite parts of being an entrepreneur. Our customers are at the center of everything we do, from developing new products that help them start and end their days feeling their very best, to creating unique and engaging shopping experiences right in their neighborhoods. Thinking of the looks on our customers faces when they touch or feel our products for the first time, or find the exact inspiration they are looking for in one of our stores, is extremely rewarding.

As we scale, so do the magnitude of the decisions and the effects they have on the organization. For that reason, I’m always concerned with staying flexible and supportive as we continue to grow. Start-ups are often measured by the speed of their growth, but growing a brand does not happen overnight – and scaling a business while protecting company culture gets challenging.

Ultimately, I try not to focus on the optics of start up success, but rather the true health of the business, my team, what customers are saying, and how we can provide them the best home essentials and shopping experience in the world.

You’re super involved in the production process for Parachute. Do you still travel a lot for work? What trips do you have coming up?

I do tend to travel pretty often. The majority of my business travel these days is for press opportunities, speaking engagements, visiting potential new store locations and spending time with members of our new communities during our grand opening celebrations. I’m also still very involved in the process of selecting the best possible manufacturing partners to bring our products to life.

Do you ever reach inbox zero? How do you handle the constant influx of inquiries and communication CEOs are so familiar with?

Very rarely! I’ve probably only achieved “inbox zero” twice in the past few years.

When it comes to managing my inbox, it’s all about prioritizing my email responses based on their degree of urgency, and delegating when it makes sense. I also probably wind up deleting 30-40 emails every morning that aren’t relevant to me or my business, or are clearly spam.

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

I make a point of taking a break during the workday to go for a walk around the block, clear my head, and make sure I get some fresh air. I’m also better and more focused when I’ve worked out in the morning, and took some time to get the blood flowing. Being organized and keeping a to-do list definitely helps me make sure that I’m accomplishing everything I need to do. And maintaining good lines of communication with my team so I know where I can support is critical.

“Maintaining good lines of communication with my team so I know where I can support is critical. ”

What are you reading/watching right now?

I just started reading Educated by Tara Westover last night – so many of my friends and Parachute team members have been raving about it. In terms of TV, I’m currently watching “The Act,” “Billions,” and “Queer Eye,” and I just finished “Shrill.”

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

I typically go to bed between 9-11 p.m. There’s no such thing as optimal sleep right now – I’m waking up with the baby!

What’s the most rewarding part of your day?

Getting home after a productive day at the office and spending quality time with my husband and baby girl.

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

I’m a trained opera singer – though you’d probably only know this if we’ve been out to karaoke together and I’ve had a drink or two!

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C&C Classifieds: TheSkimm, The Wing, Glossier, and more!

OK ladies, now let’s get your career in formation.

The Shelf - NYC/Remote

Brand Partnerships

twelveNYC - Brooklyn, NY

Senior Manager, Creative + Development

Blended Strategy - Los Angeles, CA

Manager, Brand & Celebrity/Influencer Marketing Partnerships

Kensho Health - Los Angeles, CA

Intern

The Little Market - Westwood, CA

Graphic Designer

E-Commerce Manager

Google- Los Angeles, CA

Visual Designer

Snapchat - Los Angeles, CA

Product Designer

Pandora - Atlanta, GA  

Creative Produciton Coordinator

TheSkimm - New York, NY

Marketing Associate

Glossier - New York, NY

CRM Marketing Manager

The Wing - Boston, MA

Community Manager

Create & Cultivate - Los Angeles, CA

Senior Event Producer

Barnes and Noble - New York, NY

Marketing Coordinator

Brooklyn Tweed - Portland, OR

Art Production Coordinator

NBC Universal- Remote

TV Production Technology Manager

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5 Tips for Finding a Great Career Mentor

Bumble Booth Wallpaper by Murals Wallpaper

When I was in college, there was a lot of talk about finding a mentor who could guide you through tough career decisions. And to be completely honest, I was a tad skeptical. Why would someone willingly help me? Shouldn’t I hustle to succeed all on my own?

Now that I’m securely on my own career path, I’m beginning to see the benefit of having a go-to gal (or guy) to answer questions I can’t ask my boss, celebrate the wins, and mutually support each other in exciting ways. It’s never too late to find a career mentor and lucky for you, we’re partnering with Bumble Bizz to share five tips on how to find an effective mentor. And once that hard part is over, we’ll cover how to make the most of your relationship.

Dive in below and get two free coins to enhance your experience on the Bumble Bizz app by downloading them here (new users only!).

Tip #1: Identify What You Want + Need

It’s important to start by thinking about the type of person with whom that you want to connect. Try answering these questions:

What industry? Or industries?

What job title? Or what career path?

What information are you hoping to gather?

Why is this career mentor important to you?

Your answers to these questions will help you find clarity, which is important when finding a mentor. You should know what you want before diving in, so that your communication is stronger and your confidence is higher.

Tip #2: Matching Made Easy

Now for the fun part. Finding your mentor! This is much easier than you could imagine, especially now that social media is breaking ground in exciting ways. There are two ways that you should approach this step of the process:

Ask those personal connections. Text, email, and call family and friends, letting them know what you’re looking for (thanks for Tip #1, you’ll be squared away here). If someone can make a personal introduction for you, amazing. You can also try searching on LinkedIn, but keep in mind that an expensive premium account will only let you get super specific with your search. And that’s exactly why I recommend Bumble Bizz instead.

Go digital. Bumble Bizz connects professionals who are actively looking to share and learn from each other. They believe that networking shouldn’t feel so hard or, worse, uncomfortable. What does that mean? You can make life-changing connections at your own pace and on your own terms. Bumble isn’t just about dating anymore, it’s helping you cultivate the career of your dreams.

After you’ve downloaded the Bumble app, you start by crafting a headline, which is essentially an elevator pitch. Focus on what you do, what you’re good at, and what you’re looking for. For example, mine might be “Partnerships Associate looking to expand her passion for writing and developing brand narratives.” This headline will be what first catches someone’s eye, in addition to the photo that you choose. Speaking of which, your photo should be the perfect combination of LinkedIn professional and casual. Headshots are great, but don’t feel inclined to select something that’s not reflective of your true personality.

Another great part of Bumble Bizz? The Profile Prompts. You can answers questions like “The career person I admire the most is,” “Where do you want to see your career 5 years from now,” “My work mantra is...” and more. These will serves as great ice breakers when first starting a conversation with someone new.

“Another great part of Bumble Bizz? The Profile Prompts. You can answers questions like “The career person I admire the most is,” “Where do you want to see your career 5 years from now,” “My work mantra is...” and more. These will serves as great ice breakers when first starting a conversation with someone new. ”

Tip #3: Lean In

Don’t be afraid to reach out first, especially on Bumble Bizz. You’ll want to express what excites you about a person’s professional experience and what you’re looking to connect about. You can follow this simple template for sending that first message:

Hi [First Name],

I’d love to connect with you about [insert interest]! I’m also [mutual ground], so I know that we could both benefit from joining our networks.

Here’s what that looks like in real life:

Hi Chelsea,

I’d love to connect with you about your experience as an Editorial Director! I’m also passionate about writing and have worked in editorial for several years, so I know that we could both benefit from joining our networks.

Then, you’re off! Ask for their email address when the timing feels right so you can easily transition from the app and into “real life.” Emailing will allow you to schedule a time to chat on the phone or in person.

Tip #4: Schedule Monthly or Quarterly Check-Ins

After you’ve had your first conversation, whether that’s over the phone or in person, and you’ve determined that this is someone you’d like to lean on in the future, schedule monthly or quarterly check-ins. Be courteous of the other person’s schedule, and ask them what structure is mutually ideal. Having a recurring call or in-person coffee means that you can save any big discussions—like career transitions, negotiating contracts, etc.—for when you have their undivided attention. You can, of course, talk to them in the meantime, just don’t be messaging them every single day.

Tip #5: Keep Them Updated on Your Wins

Talking about your accomplishments might seem awkward. But it shouldn’t be. It’s not bragging to share your wins (both big and small) with your network! When you get a raise, promotion, secure a new client, or anything that makes you feel successful, share that with your career mentor. They’ll celebrate with you, keep it in mind, and help you get to the next step when you’re ready for it.

What are your best tips for finding a career mentor? Share in the comments below!

This post is sponsored by Bumble Bizz.

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Money Matters: Christina Stembel of Farmgirl Flowers

In today’s Money Matters series (see the others here!), we’re diving into the wallet of Christina Stembel, founder of the company we’ve all got our eyes on, Farmgirl Flowers! Christina is one of those rare gems who doesn’t just have a stellar eye for visuals, she’s got the left-brain financial smarts to make a successful company out of it. Read on to find out how she spends her company money—and her best advice for other business owners!

Where do you think is the most important area for a business owner to focus their financial energy?

Really knowing their numbers. Not the pie in the sky financial model that looks great if everything goes exactly as planned numbers, but the nitty-gritty do our unit economics truly work, where’s our money going, and how much is costing us to acquire a customer kind of numbers numbers.

What was your first big expense as a business owner?

My first website cost a little more than 10% of the total amount of savings I had to launch my business and get it to the point of being self-sustaining. That was super scary to spend that before I had any way of knowing if it was going to work.

How did you decide what to pay yourself? 

I didn’t pay myself for the first five years. I could have earlier but chose to reinvest the money back into the company instead. This helped me to afford a tiny marketing budget long before I would have been able to if I had instead used the tiny profit we had to pay myself with.

How did you decide what to pay employees? 

It’s always been based on what we can afford to pay them. Back at the beginning, this started at minimum wage and has grown. Offering benefits was also a goal early on, but it took a few years before I could afford to do it. Next came the 401K. As a bootstrapped company we add pay tiers and benefits as we can afford to financially.

What are your top three largest expenses every month?

1. Shipping (FedEx), which we actually subsidize by over a million dollars a year. It’s also our biggest customer complaint [shipping cost]. We often hear that we’re gouging them in shipping prices in order to make profit off the extra charges, but in truth, we pay FedEx much more than we can charge our customers.

2. Labor

3. Flowers

How much do you spend on office space (dollar amount or % of expenses)?

4% of expenses

How much do you spend on employee salaries (dollar amount or % of expenses)?

We separate out employee salaries into both COGS and expenses. Blended it’s 20%.

How much are you saving (dollar amount or % of expenses)? When did you start being able to save some of your income?

We intentionally run as close to 0 as possible and reinvest all margin back into growing the company. Being bootstrapped that’s what we’ve needed to do in order to grow our business.

“Knowing your numbers personally and professionally is power - it helps you to control what’s happening and take charge of where you’re going.”

What apps or software are you using for finances? How did you decide when to hire a financial advisor (if you have one)?

We use Bench for accounting.

Do you wish you’d done anything differently in your financial journey as a business owner?

I can’t wait until I can afford to hire a CFO or Director of Finance, but haven’t been able to yet due to budgets (#bootstrappedlife). I brought on a part-time CFO last year and it did not work well, so wish I hadn’t wasted the money.

Why should women talk about money?

To de-mystify it and make it less overwhelming. I think many times women think that they’re not good at finance just because they don’t understand it, but they probably are better at it then they give themselves credit for. Knowing your numbers personally and professionally is power - it helps you to control what’s happening to you (or you business) and take charge of where you’re going.

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Icons of Our Tribe: How GoDaddy is Celebrating the Everyday Entrepreneur

Women are shaking things up in the workforce now more than ever, and here at C&C, we’re proud to share their triumphs. That’s why we’re partnering with GoDaddy on their Icons of Our Tribe campaign, where they’re sharing stories of badass women who are turning their everyday passions into entrepreneurial pursuits. Below, we chatted with two icons who are breaking the mold and making a name for themselves in their respective industries. Read on to meet the ladies killing the fragrance and fitness games!

Carina Chaz, Dedcool

Carina Chaz believed the fragrance industry needed an update—so she took matters into her own hands. In 2016, she launched Dedcool, a vegan, cruelty free, uni-sex, and non-toxic fragrance brand that’s quickly become a cult favorite.

How did you come up with the name Dedcool?

I just said to my friend one day, “That’s so deadcool,” and she was like, “Wait…” It was our way of giving a middle finger to the fragrance company as a whole.

What was your goal in creating a new fragrance company?

I created Dedcool as my approach to the non-toxic beauty space. I wanted to create beautiful, wearable scents that are good for you and good for the environment.

Do you have a background in the beauty industry?

I was born into a family that created beautiful cosmetics. I was always helping them in their lab and manufacturing facility.

What advice would you give to someone who’s just starting a business and doesn’t know their first move?
It’s creating a vision—how do you want to make that vision come true? With anything, there will be rejection, but you just can’t let it get you down. Do what you do best.

Olivia Young, Box + Flow

Olivia Young was destined to be an entrepreneur. After years as a brand director in the hospitality industry, she knew it was time to start her own gig: Box & Flow, a boxing and yoga studio. In her words, “it’s the physical iteration of  feeling resistance and easing your body and your mind to sort of show you, you can do anything you want, you just have to do it.”

What is the best part of your day?

I call my mornings my “magic hours.” I’m typically up by 5am, make breakfast, see how my body feels and where my head is, answer a couple of emails, and then by 6:30am, I’m typically out the door for a run so I can feel free in my own body before I assign myself to any other tasks or any other person.   

Why is balance one of your biggest values?

In fitness and wellness, there’s so much of a focus on under-indulgence. To me, it’s about finding balance within, and ultimately it’s not about how you look, it’s about how you feel.

What have you found to be the most challenging part of entrepreneurship?

Because it’s a 24/7 business, building a team that understands the bigger picture and curating a group of like-minded humans who believe in changing the world. A year and a half in, I’m finally finding my people, the people who are in it with me to build something bigger, to dig deeper, to challenge themselves and make an impact that’s far surpassing physicality.  

What advice would you give to somebody starting out doing what you’re doing?

Get clear on what’s motivating you. Make sure you’re starting for a clear reason, for a clear version that’s from your heart not your ego—because you need ego and confidence to believe in yourself, but you also need genuine passion—otherwise it’s just another business.

Want to read more about GoDaddy’s icons? Check out the full Icons of Our Tribe program here!

This post is sponsored by GoDaddy.

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Four Reasons Why You Should Create a Separate Email Just For Your Job Search

Most people don’t think about it, but it’s always a good idea to create a separate email account when beginning your job search. In a time when we’re constantly bombarded with emails about everything from sales, to job postings, to birthday parties, and work requests, creating separate email accounts can make a big impact on your productivity and sanity. Here are four reasons why you should create a separate email just for your job search.

Your old high school email account shouldn’t be on your resume

Let’s be clear: Your old high school email account (i.e. your old AIM username) should not be on your resume. If you have an email along the lines of doglover101 or hottamale3000, it’s important that you create a new email account to use for professional emails. Create an email with your first and last name, or some combination of your initials to create an account that is acceptable to use on your resume. Your friends might not mind that you use an old email address with a silly username, but potential employers will. Make things easy and create a simple email address to use for all things job search.

It allows you to prioritize emails accordingly

Finding a job is hard. There’s no way to get around it. This gets amplified when you’re trying to juggle your job search, your current job, and other responsibilities like family, friends, and self-care. Creating an email account for your job search allows you to prioritize emails accordingly, so you can be sure to see job search emails quickly after they come through.

When it comes to finding a job, it’s important that all emails you send are timely, clear, and free from errors. By creating a separate email dedicated to  your job search, you create separation so you can prioritize whatever comes specifically to that email. Messages about the big department store sale can wait; however, an email from a potential employer cannot. When all of your emails end up in one inbox, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by sheer volume or simply lose an email within a sea of messages. If you create a separate email account just for your job search, you’ll know exactly when you get a high priority email and can ensure to respond quickly, professionally, and efficiently.

“Creating an email account for your job search allows you to prioritize emails accordingly, so you can be sure to see job search emails quickly after they come through.”

It will free up your everyday email inbox

Depending on how you go about your job search, you may be getting emails when new jobs become available. This is a great tactic to help you stay abreast of new opportunities, but it can begin to clutter your inbox. By creating a separate email, you can free up some space in your main email account. Doesn’t it sounds nice to have an inbox that doesn’t have a million unread messages in it?

It removes any potential conflicts that could arise from using a work email

A lot of people use their work email to apply for jobs and for personal use, which can become an issue. Companies can legally look at employees’ work emails to monitor activity and ensure it aligns with company policies. If you’re applying to other positions from a work email, chances are that you’re violating some sort of code of ethics, and you’re likely sharing personal information such as why you’re interested in leaving your current role. This kind of information can be used against you.

If you feel like this is unheard of and don’t feel like your company is paying attention to these details, you’re likely wrong.
A recent survey conducted by Alfresco, a digital business platform, suggests that 98% of companies monitor their employees’ digital activity, while 11% of employees aren’t aware that their company captures digital activity at all.

Specific results showed that 87% of companies monitor email, 70% look at your web browser history, 55% monitor Slack or Chatter, 41% check your work voicemail, and 34% look at Facebook or LinkedIn.

If you’re trying to create a more organized inbox, one of the easiest ways to start is  creating a separate email account for your job search. This will give you a professional email address to include on your resume, help you prioritize job search related emails, help you organize your current inbox, and ensure that you keep your current work email and job search emails separate.

Michele Lando is a certified professional resume writer, personal branding expert, and founder of Write Styles. She has a passion for helping others present the best version of themselves both on paper and in person, and works to polish individuals' application package and personal style. Aiming to help create a perfect personal branding package, Write Styles provides resources to enhance your resume, professional appearance, and boost your confidence. Michele strives to help others gain the confidence to put their best foot forward in a personal and professional light.

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What To Expect At Our 2019 Style Summit

Houston—we’re coming back to ya! Our fourth annual Style Summit is right around the corner. We’re hosting a day of amazing panels, instagrammable moments, fashion and beauty tips, and an amazing keynote speaker all at The Galleria in Houston! Get ready to learn tips and tricks from your favorite fashion & beauty bloggers, get major discounts from shops around the entire mall (more details below), plus enjoy glam treatments, cocktails and more! The first 200 guests to arrive will receive a swag bag with goodies from L'Occitane, Madewell, NYX Professional Makeup, Morphe, Toni & Guy, AG Jeans, Aveda, Blanco Tacos + Tequila, Shake Shack, Scotch & Soda, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Reminder that Create & Cultivate Insiders can skip the line, so be sure to snag your membership before the event!

Explore The Galleria and save! We partnered with The Galleria to offer a Style Summit attendee discount throughout the entire day. All you have to do is show your confirmation email at checkout to receive the discounts.

CUSTOM JACKETS

Have you ever wanted a personalized jacket? Now’s the time! Before the Summit, purchase a jacket from Saks Fifth Avenue or one of these retailers, then get your jacket customized with calligraphy at the C&C event—just show your receipt!

AG Jeans: 30% off all denim and leather jackets

AllSaints: 20% off all leather jackets

PAIGE: 20% off all denim jackets

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Style Summit at The Galleria

Saturday, June 1 | 1:00PM-5:10PM

WELCOME

1PM - 2PM

It's time! Head over to the Saks Fifth Avenue Wing at The Galleria to get a glam treatment and grab a seat!

Reminder: The Style Summit is an RSVP event, and it is still a first-come, first-serve event. We suggest arriving early to guarantee entrance & a great seat. Make some new friends with your neighbors while you’re at it!

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BEAUTY TUTORIAL

2PM - 2:30PM

We’re working with Morphe, NYX Professional Makeup, and Origins to show you the tips and tricks you need to know to get your glam game 💯!

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STYLE CONVO

2:30PM - 2:50PM

Our favorite fashion influencers are hitting the runway to show you some of their best summer looks from Scotch & Soda, Ted Baker, AG Jeans, Sandro, Maje, PAIGE, and Club Monaco!

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PANEL: EYE FOR STYLE

2:50PM - 3:35PM

Want to know how to create & cultivate confidence through your closet? We’re sitting down with Courtney Kerr, Sarah Adam Hafez, Agatha Ashiofu, Jaserah Asadullah, and Lee Anne Benjamin to hear how they style their lives as successful content creators.

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KEYNOTE: AUDRINA PATRIDGE

3:35 - 4:10PM

Come hear from Audrina on her career, goals, and style advice for all of us.

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HAPPY HOUR

4:10PM - 5:10PM

Cheers! Time to toast to a day well spent with your fellow create & cultivators!

Want to win a $500 Simon gift card, $100 AllSaints gift card, and a free ticket to attend the next Create & Cultivate conference? Complete the Social Checklist you receive upon checking in and you’ll be entered to win!

Before or after the event, shop the entire mall for discounts below!

In-Store Events: Valid 6/1/19

• AG Jeans – Swing by AG Jeans to shop and enjoy complimentary champagne.

• Origins - Enjoy a free mini facial service; call 713.623.2255 to make your reservation.

• Aveda – Enjoy a relaxing 20-minute deluxe Jade Roller Ball facial.

• Fig & Olive – Stop by the Frosé Soiree Happy Hour and enjoy $4 Frosé, $1 Oysters and $5 Flatbreads.

• Invicta – Receive a gift of your choosing with any in-store purchase.

• NYX Professional Makeup– Visit the store and receive 1 of 5 mini lessons; call 713.623.2255 to make your reservation.

• Scotch & Soda - Enjoy refreshments during the Hi Brutus, Bye Popeye Launch Party from 4-6 PM.

• The Body Shop – Enjoy complimentary skincare and makeup consultations, facials and hand massages.

• Sandro - Swing by Sandro to shop and enjoy complimentary champagne & truffles.

  Special Offers: Valid 6/1/19 – 6/2/19

• AG Jeans – 30% off all denim and leather jackets.

• AllSaints – 20% off leather jackets. 

• Aveda – Buy an Invati Travel set for $37 then buy your Invati full-size 3-step-system and receive the full $37 back. 

• Aveda – Receive a free full-size Pure Abundance Style Prep with a $65 purchase.

• The Body Shop – Purchase two full-price items and get a third for free; receive an additional 10% off any purchase of $30 or more.

• Invicta – Buy two watches and get four watches free; buy one watch get one free (with a 5 year extended warranty).

• L’Occitane en Provence – Enjoy a free mini-facial at the boutique.

• Madewell – 20% off your entire purchase.

• MCM – Receive a MCM branded notebook with any in-store purchase.

• NYX Professional Makeup - 20% off any purchase of $20 or more.

• PAIGE – 20% off all denim jackets.

• Scotch & Soda – Receive a complimentary Brutus Tote when you spend $250 or more in-store.

• Toni & Guy – Receive a complimentary travel hairspray with any service.

• The Westin Oaks & The Westin Galleria – Texas Summer Sale: Stay Longer, Save More (Stay 2 Nights Save 10%/Stay 3 Nights Save 15%) .

  • Description: Available for Thursday-Sunday stays; Booking Window: May 20-Sept 2, 2019; Stay Window: May 27-Sept 2, 2019.

  • Offer: Stay 2 nights, get 10% off (Rewards Members - 15%); Stay 3 nights, get 15% off (Rewards Members - 20% off).

  • How to book: Go to www.marriott.com/HOUGW and apply Non-Member Code "D3Q" or Member Code "M96" in Corporate/Promo/Set # in "Special Rates" - Rate will display as "Stay Longer, Save More" Special Rate.

• The Westin Oaks – Enjoy a Sangria drink special available in the Lobby Bar. 

• Morphe - 15% off Morphe Core (valid 6/1/19 - 6/9/19).

Must show Style Stummit RSVP confirmation email at time of purchase. Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. Limit one offer per purchase. Not valid on gift certificates, gift cards or prior purchases. No cash value. Offer subject to change without notice. See store for details as some restrictions apply. Valid only at The Galleria. Expires 06/02/19 unless otherwise stated above.

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Who's ready? Comment below to say hello to fellow attendees!

MORE FROM OUR BLOG

How Crown Royal's Purple Bag Project is Helping Troops Feel Closer To Home

Imagine being in the military, serving overseas, far away from friends and family, and receiving a generous care package from someone who simply wanted to brighten your day. 

For nearly a decade, Crown Royal has been helping to facilitate care packages sent to service men and women overseas through their nonprofit partner Packages From Home. Recently Crown Royal formalized their generosity efforts and launched The Crown Royal Purple Bag Project, pledging to pack 1 million purple bag care packages for active-duty military (and those affected by natural disasters) by 2020.

We were proud to bring this incredible generosity platform to our ATX Popup and invite attendees to pack the iconic Crown Royal purple bags with snacks, essentials, personal care items and notes of encouragement. The Crown Royal Purple Bag Project is all about helping to facilitate the afterlife of the brand’s iconic purple bags (which come enclosed around bottles of Crown Royal Fine De Luxe Blended Canadian Whisky) in a more purposeful way.

Want to get involved? If you’re of legal drinking age and have a Crown Royal bag you’d like to donate, you can drop it at a Crown Royal mailbox in your local spirits retailer or you can follow the mailing instructions here!

This post is sponsored by Crown Royal. #ThePurpleBagProject 

Live Generously and Life Will Treat You Royally.

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"Confidence Comes From Knowing Your Worth" & Other Key Takeaways From Our NYC Priceless Conversations Panel

How did you turn your business idea into something priceless? At our New York conference, we partnered with Mastercard on our Priceless Conversations panel to ask five of our favorite ladies in business exactly that. Women are contributing more than $3 trillion to today’s US economy, and Mastercard is putting the spotlight on several of those incredible business owners through a new national advertising campaign that celebrates and tells the stories of women business owners who are driving impact. We at C&C are so excited to be a part of the program with our Women’s Business Advisory Council and a small business marketplace at our NYC conference.

Moderated by Cheryl Guerin, Executive Vice President of North America Marketing & Communications at Mastercard, our Priceless Conversations panel was filled with incredible advice from Kelsea Gaynor, Founder of East Olivia; Bliss Lau, Founder of Bliss Lau; Brianna "Breezy" Dotson, Co-Founder of Coco and Breezy; Piera Gelardi, Co-Founder of Refinery 29; and our own Jaclyn Johnson, Founder & CEO of Create & Cultivate.

Want to hear some insider advice from these boss ladies? Read on for some of our fave mic-drop moments from the event!

Jaclyn: You have to start saying, “This is a business, and I’m going to take it seriously.” It completely changed the trajectory of all things Create & Cultivate for me.

Piera: You do need a strategy, but it doesn’t always need to be a five-year plan. Agility and following our intuition has allowed us to deliver what our audience is looking for, work on new platforms that didn’t previously exist, and work with brands as well.

Breezy: [My sister/business partner] and I had anxiety about raising capital. As black women, we were afraid to ask for money. When we started this company, we didn’t know sh*t, and we made it work. Stepping into this new lane of asking for funding and understanding it all makes me realize, I know I’m going to figure it out.

Bliss: If there’s one thing I’ve always done, I always knew exactly down to the penny how much money I wanted to make.

Breezy: Our goal is to take away the anxiety from asking from funding and share our knowledge with everybody else. Know that you are worth it, and it’s OK to ask for money.

Kelsea: I funded my business off relationships and intuition. It was really about staying true to what the brand meant to me. My PTO days were my funding.

Piera: It’s critical to maintain majority control of your business. When you give away 80 percent of your business, you lose the ability to move your business in the direction you know it should go.

Jaclyn: If you’re going to go the self-funded route, there’s a big level of sacrifice. I didn’t pay myself for a very long time. You are the driving force; you are the one keeping an eye on cash flow, but you’re also the one who takes all the flack when things go wrong.

Breezy: Don’t be afraid to fail. Have self-awareness so that when you do fail, you know how to do better next time.

“Our goal is to take away the anxiety from asking from funding and share our knowledge with everybody else. Know that you are worth it, and it’s OK to ask for money.”

— Breezy Dotson

Jaclyn: When my business took off, my mom told me to fall in love with the business side of my company. Not only as a business owner, but as a woman, it’s really important to know your where you stand with your financial health.

Piera: I think about how I can take my strengths into areas that are less familiar for me. I had this pivotal moment where I was sitting in a meeting with all these executives and a lot of people who’d gone to business school and I remember having the most severe imposter syndrome—feeling like a kid at the adults’ table. It was really alienating for me, but I said, “you know, I’m just going to bring curiosity to it.” I would start asking clarifying questions. I thought i was going to be laughed out of the room, but what started happening is people would lean in to hear the answers and thank me afterward, because they didn’t understand it either. That’s when I realized i could take my strengths into meetings and leverage them to grow, learn, and develop all sides of myself.

Kelsea: Be unafraid to partner with people who will support you.

Breezy: It’s important to wear all hats, so when you do hire a team, you can understand all sides. That way, you can be a leader who can delegate well, so you can focus on the bigger picture.

Kelsea: Confidence comes from knowing your worth. When you get turned down, you’ll know it’s not because of you, but because it’s not a good fit.

Breezy: If you don’t know something, ask. Don’t be afraid to ask someone to be your mentor.

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We Asked 15 NYC Attendees What They're Cheersing to This Summer

This post is in paid partnership with Ketel One Botanical.

If you’re anything like us, you love celebrating the wins of other women. That’s why we teamed up with Ketel One Botanical to find out what our C&C family is “cheersing” to this summer! We polled our community and are so impressed by what you’re planning this season—from business anniversary celebrations to new ventures, exciting travel plans to pursuing new opportunities.

We’re raising a glass to each and every one of you this summer! Join us in cheersing our C&C community with a glass of Botanical Spritz. It’s sugar-free and the perfect way to kick off your happy hour—scroll down for the recipe!

🍹 WHAT ARE YOU CHEERSING TO THIS SUMMER? 🍹

“I’m cheersing to finally decreasing my work hours at my full-time job so I can ramp up my hours for my side hustle blog!” - Diane

“I’m looking forward to squeezing in some R&R around my day job and planning the next half of the year.” - Kate

“Traveling and finding new spots to collection inspiration!” - Brandi

“I’m looking forward to working with my first client.” - Moliehi

“I’m working on a lifestyle reset as a rediscovery of myself.” - S. Angelique

“I’m so excited to be almost done with my rebrand that will launch this summer!” - Harmony

“I’m excited to launch my startup and get my name out there!” - Michelle

“A week-long vacation in Canada. First time I’ll be able to unplug in months!” - Tory

“Finding a new role where I can feel invigorated and ready to take the next step in my professional journey.” - Amberli

“Streamlining and automating most of my process—I am starting finally have a legit design process that is great for myself and my clients!” - Ally

“Getting to feature my designs at a local popup!” - Kait

“Working on a script for a web series and starting a blog!” - Deme

“I’m excited to travel to Spain for the first time!” - Heldine

“Getting traction and press for my company!” - Michelle

“Celebrating our second business anniversary!” - Gina

KETEL ONE BOTANICAL SPRITZ

1.5oz Ketel One Botanical

3oz club soda

Fruit or herb garnish

Combine in a wine glass over ice and enjoy!



This post is sponsored by Ketel One Botanical. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY. 

KETEL ONE BOTANICAL.  Made With Vodka Distilled With Real Botanicals And Infused With Natural Flavors.  30% Alc/Vol. © Double Eagle Brands, B.V.  Imported by Ketel One USA, Aliso Viejo, CA.

Ketel One Botanical is a first-of-its kind spirit made from vodka distilled with real botanicals and infused with natural fruit and botanical essences. Made with 100% non-GMO grain, this 30% ABV spirit is an exceptionally smooth, fresh-tasting drink with no carbs, no artificial flavors, no added sugar and no artificial sweeteners. Ketel One Botanical is available nationwide in three varietals: Peach & Orange Blossom, Cucumber & Mint, and Grapefruit & Rose. For more information please visit www.ketelonebotanical.com.

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C&C Classifieds: Vestique, Something Social, J Public Relations, & More!

OK ladies, now let’s get your career in formation.

Vestique- Charlotte, NC

Graphic Designer

Something Social - Los Angeles

Account Coordinator

J Public Relations - Multiple

Future Hire - Social Opportunities

Future Hire - PR Opportunities

Kendra Scott - Austin

Technical Designer

Director Design Intent

Thinkful - Remote

Social Media Manager

Ticketmaster - Los Angeles

Senior UX Product Designer

Live Nation Entertainment - Atlanta

Production Runner

22Squared - Atlanta

Influencer Marketing Associate

American Heart Association - Dallas

Associate Digital Marketing Manager

Sony Music - NYC

Marketing Coordinator

Director of Urban Marketing

Styleseat - San Francisco

Head of Production Design

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Slow Stories: Slow and Steady: How Sustainable Relationships Lead to Quality Content

The more experience I've gained throughout my career, the more I'm continually reminded that all good things take time. And as I look back at how my company has evolved as a whole, I attribute its success to our ability to remain committed to a singular vision — and with the acknowledgment that it takes a village to keep the wheels turning. Since launching Slow Stories in October 2018 (and subsequently, this column earlier in the year), I've outlined the many ways to approach slow content and storytelling in your own endeavors. And whether you run a small business, manage a large team, or embrace a "solopreneur" venture, cultivating sustainable relationships is an essential part of building brands and telling stories with real longevity. Enter my latest article.

Even with the accessibility of technology, communication tools, and social media platforms, we're constantly faced with the challenge of fostering substantive relationships both in our personal and professional lives. That is in part, why slow movements in industries like fashion, food, and business have started to pave the way for conversations about the importance of simplifying in the digital age so that we can create more space to focus on the people in our lives just as much as the products that we're selling. This idea has been especially prevalent in this season of the podcast:

1. Transparent communication ensures long-term success.

Many of my interviews so far have touched on the importance of finding the courage to facilitate harder conversations with higher-level decision-makers, managers or clients. While this can sometimes lead to discomfort, it's something to work through so that you can create the best (and most honest) work long-term. 

2. Checking in with your people matters.

With the above point in mind, a lot of the women I've been speaking with this season bring up the important matter of checking in with your internal team specifically. Providing the opportunity for everyone to pause and weigh in on certain initiatives is a way to hold one another accountable to your company's overarching brand mission, and in turn, make sure it's amplified consistently and thoughtfully across channels. 

3. Use online as a vehicle to build offline relationships.

While it may seem like a no-brainer, these interviews have also reinforced the idea that digital platforms and storytelling should be a driver for offline relationship-building. As professionals in content and marketing, it's essential to spend time away from our devices and create an environment for discovery and connection that might not be possible digitally, but in turn, can inspire compelling storytelling online.

With all of this in mind, and in the case of this column, when it comes to creating compelling content, there needs to be a level of trust. So much of the successful storytelling we see online and on social media is a result of collaboration and shared expertise — but this is something that takes a level of focus and commitment to establish. Below are a few steps to consider when creating healthy and lasting professional relationships:

1. Human relationships = humanized content.

Tactically speaking, building relationships in a professional setting may be a strategic move, but it is key to balance your work-related aspirations and ensure that you are respectful of the other person's talents and needs. When looking to create big-picture relationships, make sure to come from a place of authenticity, which can ultimately lead to discovering shared experiences that can make your content and storytelling that much more relatable. 

2. Build your network, but nurture older relationships, too.

While we're taught to attend as many events or engage in as many networking opportunities as possible, it's critical to consider the idea of "quality versus quantity" and be selective about how you spend your time — and who you spend your time with. In the content and marketing space, having a robust roster of people to call upon is vital as this industry is dependent on fresh perspectives, unique skill-sets, and diverse thinking. And while I'm all for meeting new collaborators, clients, and friends, it's important to also keep in touch with older peers. You never know when there might be a project opportunity that you can reconnect over.

3. Establish communication workflows and set boundaries accordingly.

As the owner of a service-based business, creating and fostering long-term relationships is a two-fold approach: client-facing and internally with my team. This in itself can be a lot to manage as a small business owner and can sometimes lead to certain relationships taking priority over others. However, as my network and client roster have both grown in tandem with one another, I've learned that the best way to attend to everyone appropriately means that it's essential to set expectations and boundaries accordingly and based on the communication needs of the particular individual. Doing this will provide a baseline understanding of what your team and/or clients can expect from you regarding how you communicate and what means you use to stay in touch. If you're able to establish these guidelines, this will ensure proper communication channels so that all involved parties can remain in touch and see a project through — content or not — to its fullest potential. 

The art of relationship building is in a constant state of evolution as we work to keep up with the changing expectations of the modern workplace. And coupling this idea with the changes we see in content and brand-building, it's never been a better time to find your tribe and work together to tell stories with impact! For more on slow content and brand-building I invite you to deep-dive into past articles in our column, and of course, follow along with the Slow Stories podcast on iTunes.

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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How to Build a Successful Corporate Career After Years As a Stay-at-Home Mom

The summer after my oldest daughter’s freshman year of high school, I had a mini identity crisis when I suddenly realized my kids weren’t going to need me forever. I’d been a stay-at-home mom for 15 years and had no idea what I wanted to do or even could do. For years I had been fully focused on my kids, and my former life as an ad agency copywriter and freelance writer were distant memories. “You need to get it together,” I told myself. And I did, landing a writing position at a Fortune 100 company (Target!) – with just a handful of current writing samples, no idea how to use Outlook, and almost no experience interviewing. Getting the job felt like a freaking miracle, and entering corporate America for the first time at age 43 (!!)  was both daunting and empowering.

But I did it, and you can too. Here are a few tips.

Get some experience - it’s not as hard as you think

I hadn’t worked in years, so before I started applying for jobs, I did some freelance writing for our local newspaper. It happened almost by accident: I had an idea for a story and emailed the editor. She liked the idea and suggested I write and submit it. I did, they published it, and that led to many more writing assignments. Without those published articles, I’m not sure I would have been considered for any jobs, since my other published writing samples were ancient. If you’re in the same boat, try getting current experience however you can. It doesn’t matter how small the project or organization. You don’t have to get paid for it. Just get out there and do something in the area you’re looking to get back into. Try volunteering your time at your kids’ school or reaching out to small companies or nonprofit organizations and offer to help them out. You’d be surprised by how many will say yes. (I recently did this myself - I reached out to a nonprofit organization in Seattle that really touched my heart, and I’ve been working with them doing pro bono writing for the past few months.)

Get your family on board

Going back to work will impact your whole family. Make sure they’re fully on board because it’s going to be a big adjustment and will mean more work for them. A friend with an intense career who has three kids told me that her husband, a professor, does more than 50 percent of the work when it comes to taking care of the kids and the house – and that for them, this division of labor was the only way to manage their crazy schedule. I shared this with my husband and made sure he was up for it. (He was, and his awesome support made the transition much smoother for all of us.)

Get the inside scoop from friends and connections

A friend of mine worked at Target headquarters, so before I applied for the job I reached out to her and asked a million questions. She helped prep me for my interviews by explaining how the company was structured and what the company’s culture was like. She also gave me advice on what to wear. (Three separate days of interviews meant three interview outfits! Stressful!)

If you know someone at a company you’re interested in, reach out to them and offer to take them to coffee or lunch. They can provide valuable insight and will likely be very happy to do so. Have good questions ready and be respectful of their time.

Give it six months

I was very nervous about the thought of working full time and how it might impact my three daughters. I was also afraid it might turn out to be a huge mistake. The same friend who told me to make sure my husband was on board also gave me a piece of advice that saved me. “Give it six months,” she said. That’s enough time to get over the hump and truly assess if it’s right for you. And if it’s not, you can leave. Six months felt very doable. Knowing it didn’t have to be permanent if it truly wasn’t right gave me the freedom to move forward.

Be realistic

The job I applied for and landed was a perfect fit for me, but it was also at a lower level than most people my age. And it was fine. Since starting that first job seven years ago, I have switched companies, been promoted several times, and doubled my initial salary.

Ask for help and Google like crazy

If you’ve been out of the workforce for any amount of time, you’re going to have a learning curve. An embarrassing example for me was when my boss asked me to pull together a best practices document for a project I was working on. I literally did not know what a best practices document was. But I googled it, figured it out, and got it done. Sometimes asking for help or asking questions is the right approach. And sometimes you just need to figure it out yourself.

Nancy Brandt is a Twin Cities copywriter and editor who spent years in corporate communications at both Target and 3M. She now spends her days writing, editing, brainstorming, and collaborating with companies of all sizes. She also helps high school students find their voice when writing their college application essays and does pro bono work for several nonprofits. Find Nancy at NancyBWriting.com or follow her on Instagram.

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Desk-Side: This YouTuber Shares How She Stays Motivated Through Challenging Times

If you’ve been on YouTube in the last five years, you’ve probably already heard of Dani Austin. The vlogger/blogger has been on the content creation scene for years, and she’s got this thing down to a science. But between running her channel, writing for her blog, and crafting the perfect Instagram post, Dani doesn’t have a lot of down time. That’s why we partnered with Glade® Essentials Room Mist to find out what keeps her going strong—and how she gets it all done in her gorgeous Dallas home! Read on to get to know Dani.

Q: How long have you lived in Texas?

A: I have lived in Dallas my entire life, and my favorite things about living here are the people and the margaritas!

Q: What’s your morning routine?

A: I wake up, cuddle the dogs, go for a run, and do my devotional.

Q: How do you set the tone for a great day at work?

A: The Glade® Essentials Room Mist in Mandarin & Mimosa makes me happy—because nothing is more powerful than smell!

Q: What are you looking forward to most this year?

A: One of the projects I’m most excited about is working on the Sassy Club tour! The Sassy Club is an app that I’ve created to help women connect all over the country.

Q: Who inspires you most?

A: My grandma, who is 92 years old, inspires me most. That chick can still drive a car and she has the best style!

Q: What’s a fun fact about you?

A: I have an extra rib!

Q: How do you stay motivated through challenging times at work?

A: When I hit a hurdle in a project in my career, I blast Taylor Swift and give myself a pep talk.

See Dani’s full interview here:

This post is sponsored by Glade.

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How to Fire Someone (Without Getting Sued)

On paper, it looked like the perfect fit. The applicant had all the experience you wanted, an engaging interview, and proficiency in three languages. But a few months (or years!) into the job, and you just aren’t feeling it anymore. That’s usually the time I get a call from the entrepreneurs I work with saying, “It’s just not the right fit. Can we fire them?”

Of course you can. But…how to do it and what the risk level is depends on the individual facts. Here’s the process I walk through with clients contemplating a termination:

Is termination fair? Does the employee know that their performance or conduct isn’t up to par? If they have violated a company policy, is the policy in writing, and has the rule been enforced equally?

Does the employee have any potential legal claims? Have they been paid properly, given mandatory meal breaks or overtime?

Consider the timing. Has the employee recently complained about working conditions or pay? Has the employee taken sick leave or had any medical issues? You want to be careful that the timing doesn’t seem retaliatory for any complaint or protected time off.

Once you’ve decided to move forward, you have to prepare for that difficult termination meeting. I can offer some pointers to hopefully make a tough transition a bit less painful:

Don’t wait.

There’s never the perfect time, and there’s always an excuse not to do it today. There’s no best day of the week or time of day that makes it easier, but waiting to notify the employees comes with the potential risk that they get injured at work, diagnosed with an illness, or even get pregnant, making the termination timing seem retaliatory.  If you must wait to conduct the termination, document your decision internally and the reason that you are waiting. Perhaps draft an email to your business partner saying, “I agree we need to terminate Sally because of the performance issues we discussed. Let’s plan to do this next Tuesday when you are back from vacation.” That way, if something comes up before the termination date, you have some protection against a retaliation or discrimination claim.

Identify the best way to communicate.  

Make every attempt to do it in person rather than by phone or Skype.  Have a company witness present. Give the employee a chance to respond or tell their side of the story, even if it can’t change the outcome. Tell the truth about the reason for termination; don’t make it a fake layoff if you are replacing the position. Whatever you say can be used to discredit you in the event an employee does pursue legal action.

Consider any security issues.

This includes employee security, data and technology resources, and confidential company information. Be sure you have electronic access to everything you need for business continuity purposes, get any confidential material before the employee leaves the premises, and if you think the employee is prone to violence, hire security to assist.

Have the paperwork ready.

Some states, including California, require that employees be paid at the time of termination, so check the state in which your employee is located to make sure you are issuing final pay properly (including accrued but unused PTO if required by law or your policy). Also check on any state-mandated termination documents or letters that you need to give a terminating employee.  You may also want to consider whether offering severance pay in exchange for a release of legal claims makes sense. It’s usually cheaper than resolving a claim on the back-end, and if you are seeking capital, it’s helpful for potential investors to know the company has cleaned up any potential employment liabilities. Check with an attorney who can assist in preparing all termination documents.  The dollars spent up front are far less than those spent to resolve a claim on the back-end.

Communicate to the rest of the staff.

While you need to be mindful of employee privacy, you can’t really ignore the fact that they just watched a coworker pack up their desk or just received a text from. Address employee morale with empathy and a plan for moving forward, e.g. “I know Sally was an important part of the team, and we have already taken steps to find someone with XXX experience who we think will be a better match for the upcoming team projects.”

Sahara Pynes is an attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP whose practices focus almost exclusively on minimizing liability against lawsuits through preventative counseling on a range of employment issues.  She works directly with business owners and their management teams to enhance company culture and provide practical strategies to manage human resources and risks. Sahara was named one of Angeleno Magazine’s Most Dynamic Women of 2018.  If you’re a business owner who doesn’t know what forms to give a new hire, how to properly classify and pay employees/contractors, or just wants to button up their HR issues, reach out to Sahara at SPynes@Foxrothschild.com to see if she can help.

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How This Production Company Founder Is Sharing Authentic Stories in Hollywood

Stephanie Noonan Drachkovitch didn’t always know she wanted to be in television. But after interning for a local talk show, she knew it was her calling. Fast-forward to today, and Stephanie is the president and co-founder of 44 Blue Productions, an award-winning production company leading the field in unscripted and non-fiction TV with shows like Wahlburgers and Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry.

Read on to hear how Stephanie moved up in Hollywood, her advice for women looking to work in television, and how she stays confident in a male-dominated industry.

Describe your career journey. How did you get to the position you’re at now?   

My mom went to Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, was a voracious reader and talented writer, and inspired my love for magazines—between that and my infatuation with Mary Richards on the Mary Tyler Moore Show, I became a magazine journalism major at U of Oregon.  

After interning through the Magazine Publishers Association one summer, I got an internship at the daily live talk show on the local ABC affiliate in Portland, Oregon, and that began my love affair with live television! I went from production assistant (my duties ranged from warming up the audience to running the teleprompter and gathering props for the weekly household hints segment) at KATU to associate producer at WPVI’s AM PHILADELPHIA to Executive Producer at WCAU, the CBS Owned and Operated station then in Philadelphia.  I was their youngest EP at the time, doing a live daily issue-and-entertainment based talk show. Lots of decisions every day in the control room!

I then joined Telepictures in Los Angeles as a producer of a daily news magazine, then KRON in San Francisco to EP their live daily show. At that point my now-husband and I had started our own production company with the dream of producing our own shows. We lived in the Bay Area, and he was running it while I had the steady paycheck. I got offered a job as a studio executive at Disney in LA, so we decided to jump on it as an opportunity to move our fledgling company back to LA where we could return to the center of the entertainment industry.  That led to a 13-year career as a studio exec, where I went from Director of Development at the Disney division that launched REGIS & KATHIE LEE (now LIVE WITH KELLY & RYAN), then moved to Vice President of Development at Group W Productions, Executive Vice President of Development at UK indie Pearson Television (now Fremantle), back to Disney as Senior Vice President of Development (we launched WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE during that period) and finally, Senior Vice President of Development at Warner Bros./Telepictures (we launched THE BACHELOR and ELLEN while I was there).  After surviving five studio jobs and working for a new boss nearly every three years, my husband convinced me to jump out of the crazy studio world and return to 44 Blue in 2003. I’ve been with our company ever since!

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

My dad taught me to go for it and “always leave it all on the field.” Never wonder “what if I’d only….?”  My favorite advice to give to others: “You can’t win if you don’t play.” Which is just another way of saying you don’t get something unless you ask, so be fearless about reaching out, introducing yourself, asking for what you need—whatever form it takes.  My other favorites: Everything leads to something. On time is late and early is on time. Always send a thank-you note.  

What moment in your career are you most proud of?

Besides the sale of our company to Red Arrow Studios after three decades of hard work and wondering if we’d make payroll on Fridays, it would be our series MARRIED TO THE ARMY: ALASKA.  As an Army brat whose mom raised three kids during the turbulence of the Vietnam War era, I was determined to tell the real-life stories of what military families were going through during the height of the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan.  It took five years of trying to get access from the Department of Defense, but we finally got the “yes” to allow us to embed in the lives of real-life Army wives at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, ironically where my parents met.  That led to our Gracie Award-winning MARRIED TO THE ARMY: ALASKA for Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network in 2012.

What do you love most about working in unscripted and nonfiction television?

It’s introduced me to so many people from all walks of life, from around the country and the world—from Army wives in Alaska to content creators in India—it’s allowed me to tell stories of people and places whose stories have not been told.  It’s such a rewarding genre because you are meeting the real people who are living real lives—not fictionalized where everything wraps up neatly in an hour because you can write it that way. When we tell the stories of real people, we become part of their lives. We are thankful that they trust us with their stories and invite us in.  I treasure the relationships and the people I’ve been able to meet over the past three decades!

What advice do you have for women looking to become showrunners?  

If you want to become a showrunner, you have to put yourself out there, say you want it, but also be willing to fail and accept responsibility for your mistakes and when you could’ve done better. You have to be willing to learn every day, from every show and every interaction. Each series is different and teaches you something new.  It’s important to realize that showrunning is not just about being creative or being a visionary storyteller. It also takes strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Be open to new ideas and points of view. Read everything you can about how to inspire and lead. It will show on the screen!

44 Blue is about to head into its 35th year, how does your company and its content stay relevant and fresh after all these years?  

Great question! We always try to look around us, as well as down the road as far as we can and ask ourselves what else we could be doing to push ourselves to try new things, explore new worlds, teach ourselves new skillsets. For example, last year we did our first SnapChat projects and brand commercials,  and this year we’ve launched a podcast initiative and are doing short-form series for IMDB. We can’t be afraid to try new things that test our creative chops and business models.

How do you speak up and have confidence when in an industry that’s so male-dominated?  

I’ve never been asked that—I guess I’ve never been intimidated by speaking up, and I’ve made sure to always push myself to speak up—maybe because I grew up as a military kid and my parents always encouraged me to speak up?  But that said, I do still remember at one job not wanting to be taller than my boss (I’m 5’9”) and so I never wore heels. I guess I didn’t want him to feel intimated by me. Then one day I was like “forget that!” I should be able to be as tall as I want—who cares if he’s intimidated!  And out came the heels haha! Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In book is an insightful read into what we sometimes do to unintentionally hold ourselves back.

What’s next for you and 44 Blue?

I can hardly wait to see - we have an amazing team of people that inspire me every day when I walk in. Our new series Jailbirds just debuted on Netflix on May 10, our tenth and final season of Wahlburgers is currently airing on A&E, and we’re working on a new series with FOX called First Responders Live that premieres in June. We have a few more projects coming out this year - both on linear and some new initiatives in the digital space - that I can’t say too much about at the moment, but we’re incredibly excited. That’s why I love this business. Things change by the minute—the sky’s the limit!  

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C&C Classifieds: Twelve NYC, Telia Agency, Hourglass Cosmetics, & More!

Need a new job? Look no further—we’ve rounded up the best openings of the week for you!

Twelve NYC - Brooklyn, NY

Assistant, Design + Development

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SEO Strategist

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Project Manager

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PR Account Supervisor – Startups

PR Senior Account Executive

Soda Pop Public Relations - Los Angeles, CA

Media Relations Specialist

ID Group - West Hollywood, CA

Assistant Architect/ Designer/ Hospitality Manager

Hospitality Marketing Assistant

The Media Grind - Pacific Palisades, CA

Social Media Manager

PersonalizationMall.com  - Burr Ridge, IL

Digital Paid Search Manager  

Merchandise Buyer - Life Stages

The Dallas Girl Gang Team - Dallas, TX

Summer Intern

HarperCollins Publishers - San Francisco, CA

Marketing Manager

Volvo - Rockleigh, NJ

Senior Specialist, Brand Marketing

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