We Talked to 5 Small Biz Owners About How They're Pivoting, Repositioning, and Resetting During COVID
“It’s all about your mindset.”
Photo: Smith House Photo
If there’s one word we’ve heard over and over again this year, it’s pivot.
When COVID-19 hit, small businesses were challenged to throw out the playbook and think outside the box, whether that meant pivoting to digital, driving sales through social media, or partnering with other small businesses in order to thrive.
Seven months later—with brick-and-mortar locations still temporarily closed and in-person events continuing to be canceled or postponed—it’s just as important as ever for small businesses to re-evaluate their business models, reposition their brands, and restrategize their revenue streams.
At our recent Small Business Summit presented by Mastercard, Ginger Siegel, the North America Small Business Lead at Mastercard, hosted a thoughtful discussion on how small businesses can pivot during COVID and beyond with Mattie James, the influencer behind MattieJames.com, Sonja Rasula, the founder of Care Package and Unique Markets, Marissa Hermer, the owner of Olivetta and The Draycott, Jess Rona, an actress, comedian, and the founder of Jess Rona Grooming, and Patty Delgado, the CEO of Hija de tu Madre.
Scroll on to find out how these five powerhouse entrepreneurs are skillfully navigating this unprecedented period and optimistically starting to plan for the “new normal” post-pandemic.
On experiencing COVID-induced delays or disappointments…
“We are all human beings, and we have ups and downs, and I think all of us entrepreneurs have to be gentle and kind with ourselves.” -Jess Rona
“It’s all about your mindset as a business owner.” -Jess Rona
On practicing self-care and staying positive…
“I focus on meditation and self-care because when you’re good, you can handle anything.” -Jess Rona
“When I focus on the things that I do have, even if they’re teeny tiny, that is the real pivoting for me. The pivoting is actively being a puppeteer with your thoughts and pivoting into a positive mindset.” -Jess Rona
On being a DTC business in the current COVID climate…
“COVID has really pushed us to be more responsible for our own in-house production.” -Patty Delgado
“I’m really listening to the needs of my customers and adapting our business model, and all-around business decisions, based around the current climate.” -Patty Delgado
On owning and operating a restaurant during COVID…
“It’s not just about health and safety, but trust in us—in any business.” -Marissa Hermer
“We’re just not a restaurant. We’re a face and a family, and we care.” -Marissa Hermer
On pivoting to digital during COVID…
“We cultivated our community online.” -Sonja Rasula
“I truly am a fan of email marketing, so we really cultivated our email list because those are people who have given us something of value. They have given us their email address.” -Sonja Rasula
“We started talking to our email list a lot more and we are going to have a very specific plan for holiday months.” -Sonja Rasula
On pressing pause and looking ahead…
“For the last month or two, I did take a pause on doing as many things virtually.” -Sonja Rasula
“For me, I pressed pause, so that I could really focus on what the business could look like in 2021 and start to put things into place for that.” -Sonja Rasula
On changing your content strategy as an influencer…
“I noticed that all we really had to shift our story and talk about home life.” -Mattie James
“I had to be really careful that I was authentic to my story and being truthful, first and foremost, but then make sure that anything I told my audience, whether it was organic content about what I’m currently doing or even in partnership with a brand, that I was really speaking to home life.” -Mattie James
“It was really important to me to make sure that I even pivoted the language I used day to day.” -Mattie James
On launching online business courses…
“So many more people want to take online courses, want an online masterclass. Again, they are making that space to learn because people are a little bit more still right now.” -Mattie James
On making cybersecurity a priority…
“I’ve been really active in making sure that I’m paying attention to little things like my passwords.” -Mattie James
“We definitely do spend a lot of time working with the best third parties to ensure our customer and business safety.” -Patty Delgado
On supporting small businesses during this time…
“The whole idea behind Unique Markets was to feature and support small and independent businesses—designers, artists, makers—who are usually bootstrapped, independent, and own their businesses. And because we can no longer do that, I thought about how I could support all of these small businesses in a virtual space.” -Sonja Rasula
“So, I came up with this idea. My mom sends me care packages. No joke, I am a woman in my 40s, y’all, and my mom sends me care packages filled with random stuff, but it’s the thought that counts.” -Sonja Rasula
“I could take all these small businesses that I support and love and put them into a box.”-Sonja Rasula
“The idea is that everything in these care packages is curated by me or small independent businesses.” -Sonja Rasula
“This year it became very clear to me that I wanted to really help all of my fellow female founders, women-owned businesses and BIPOC businesses.” -Sonja Rasula
“Over 75% of the brands that are in all of the boxes are minority-owned or female-owned.” -Sonja Rasula
On paying it forward in the midst of the pandemic…
“It’s been the silver lining to this pandemic for me and our teams to know that we are facilitating and have created a platform for people to give back to the heroes and front line workers.” -Marissa Hermer
“We’ve raised over $50,000 and it truly gives us such joy to be able to give back, but equally our heroes are more nourished knowing that people around the world are thinking about them.” -Marissa Hermer
“I think that community, even global community, now more than ever, when our country feels equally divided, it’s really really important.” -Marissa Hermer
“Spreading happiness now is the most important thing we can do when there’s just so much doom and gloom.” -Marissa Hermer
On being a source of happiness and joy…
“I play with iMovie a lot and make fun videos. I’ll buy music from iTunes and tinker and play around, and tap into my creativity. If you are finding joy through that and you are getting that little fun out of that, I think people want to follow any joy right now.” -Jess Rona
“If you’re posting something that’s joyful, people will be attracted to it.” -Jess Rona
On adapting your selling strategy…
“Since day one, we’ve always been very digitally aggressive across every channel.” -Patty Delgado
“What has changed is our messaging. It’s really important for us to be mindful of our customer’s mental health.” - Patty Delgado
“We’ve shifted our focus from selling content to more mindful and empathetic content, and I think that’s been extremely beneficial for brand awareness and just overall brand-customer intimacy.” - Patty Delgado
On building community…
“While the pandemic has been very intense for all of us, this has been a time where community really does just organically explode if you give people a reason to come together and congregate.” -Mattie James
On the future of in-person pop-up events…
“For 2021, for all types of businesses, I think creating in-person experiences that can be safe and responsible are going to absolutely thrive.” -Sonja Rasula
Psst… If you’re having serious FOMO, join Create & Cultivate Insiders to get unlimited access to all of our Small Business Summit Presented by Mastercard content including video recordings of every panel and workshop download in C&C history.
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What Does It Take to Grow Your Business Successfully? 4 Entrepreneurs Share What's Worked for Them
“You need to build on where you’re going, not just where you’re at.”
Photo: Smith House Photo
So you’ve made the decision to grow your business—congratulations! If you thought that was tough, now the next big challenge begins: Scaling your business for growth. Even if you manage to sell like crazy, you’ll soon have another problem: you have to be able to deliver to all those new customers.
We all know that having a good business idea is just the beginning. It’s how you turn that idea on paper into a product that takes strategy and stamina. Building a brand from the ground up is no easy task, and building a team and culture to scale it is a whole other business entirely.
At our recent Small Business Summit presented by Mastercard, Marla Blow, the Senior Vice President of Social Impact for North America at Mastercard, hosted a conversation on what it takes to scale, grow a team, and stay on top of cash flow to see a business thrive with Arian Simone, the general partner and co-founder of the Fearless Fund, Morgan Mercer, the founder and CEO of Vantage Point, and Sharifa Murdock, the co-owner of Liberty Fairs and the CEO of ENVSN Fest.
If you missed the conversation, don’t worry, we have you covered! Scroll on to read the highlights. If you want to watch the entire chat, you’re in luck! Join Create & Cultivate Insiders to get unlimited access to all of our Small Business Summit Presented by Mastercard content.
On accessing capital as a minority entrepreneur...
“Right now, Black women are receiving .0006% of venture funds. Women of Color are still under a percent, collectively.” -Arian Simone
“There is also a lack of diverse investors. The industry is 80% white male.” -Arian Simone
“It’s going to take a lot of movement and collaboration and allies in order to move the needle.” -Arian Simone
On finding the right employees…
“I want to know that someone believes in my dream. That someone is really on top of it, and wants to be a part of it.” -Sharifa Murdock
“Bringing on the wrong people is just as bad as having the role open, if not, worse.” -Morgan Mercer
On fostering inclusivity and diversity…
“When you think about every single person on your team, they’re all an extension of your values, they’re all an extension of your mission.” -Morgan Mercer
On caring about employees…
“Once you find a good employee, you gotta keep them happy.” -Sharifa Murdock
“Be authentic about it too. Do it because you care and you really want to know how your employees are doing.” -Sharifa Murdock
“If employees feel like they can't actually voice their concerns with a project, they’re not going to voice their concerns with their role.” -Morgan Mercer
“The best thing to do is have an open-door policy.” -Morgan Mercer
On preparing to scale your business…
“You can’t just go out to find someone who will work for you for ten dollars an hour.” -Arian Simone
“You need to build on where you’re going, not just where you’re at.” -Arian Simone
On finding the right funding option...
“Make sure you have really strong allies and make sure you have really strong mentors.” -Morgan Mercer
“Whether it be VCs, whether it be startup programs and accelerator programs, whether it be grants, loans, pitch competitions, there are numerous avenues, and it’s really about finding people who align with you.” -Morgan Mercer
On having different revenue streams...
“The pandemic is a prime example of why we should have multiple revenue streams.” -Sharifa Murdock
“Have different ideas on how your one concept can do different things cause you never know what can happen.” -Sharifa Murdock
On having a mentorship program…
“People who can train you and teach you where they have been are key.” -Arian Simone
On staying on top of cash flow...
“I am the cheapest person when it comes to business.” -Sharifa Murdock
“Stay as tight as you can.” -Sharifa Murdock
On leading a team...
“Leading a team requires the desire to be a leader.” -Morgan Mercer
On finding success…
“Success is incompletion. You always want to get to that next level.” -Sharifa Murdock
Psst… If you’re having serious FOMO, join Create & Cultivate Insiders to get unlimited access to all of our Small Business Summit Presented by Mastercard content including video recordings of every panel and workshop download in C&C history.
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This Female Entrepreneur Built a $500K Company Helping Women Grow Their Businesses on Instagram
Here’s how she did it.
“No one can do it alone. The most important part of entrepreneurship is knowing when to ask for help.”
—Madison Tinder, Marketing and Visibility Coach
As I write this, I’m sitting on the porch of my home, which I bought on my own at 25 years old. If you had told me a couple of years ago that I would be able to buy a home in a new city and not only be financially independent but thriving, I wouldn’t have believed you.
Back then, I thought my path was clear, a bachelor's degree, a master’s degree, then working in the sports industry in my dream city, Dallas. Things didn’t go as planned. I graduated with my masters and, despite internships, classes, and a 9-5 job throughout my program, when I graduated, I didn’t get my dream job at my dream team. I was crushed.
But I pulled myself together and got a job. It wasn’t “the job” but it paid the bills. I decided to start doing social media management on the side as a way to bring in a little extra income. I never thought it would grow into anything more than a side hustle. I quickly went from one client to eight and realized that maybe I could really do this.
Fast forward to today, I transitioned from social media management to marketing coaching online for entrepreneurs. For the past two years, I’ve been growing my business and helping women all over the world grow theirs. My business has become so much more than I ever imagined. I could say it was luck or any other cliché thing people attribute to success, but that’s not the truth.
The truth is a six-figure business doesn’t happen overnight, and there is no formula that you can follow. However, there are a few lessons I’ve learned along the way that I believe helped me reach $500,000 in sales in only one year and launch my first product-based business, Soulful Scrunchies.
Tip #1: Own Your Confidence
No one wants to buy from someone who doesn’t believe in what they are selling. If you don’t believe in your product or service 100%, you should reevaluate. I fell into imposter syndrome when I first started out, it’s normal. But, once I took a step back and looked at the results of my clients, it reminded me that not only are my skills valuable but that I deserve to be in this space.
For me, a huge step was realizing that I didn’t need to be someone else. When I first started as a marketing coach, I didn’t fit the mold of the other coaches in the space. I was younger, didn’t show up on Instagram with perfect curls and cute blouses, I was much more comfortable in a scrunchie and top knot. Being confident in yourself and your business is an ongoing process but it is one of the most important pieces to success
Tip #2: Trust Your Gut
You know how doctors say that you know your body best? Well, the same goes for business. You know your business inside and out. You might get to a point where you aren’t involved in every single aspect of your business, but there are always going to be decisions that fall solely on you. It can be easy to wobble back and forth on big decisions, second guess yourself, and let others' opinions influence you. You have to trust your gut.
A potential client is giving you red flags? Worried that someone on your team isn’t a good fit? You are probably right. Sometimes the best decisions for our businesses are not ones that we stew over, make pros and cons lists for, and are super logical.
Tip #3: Know Your Audience
The key to growth is focusing on your target audience. You need to speak to your audience in a way that is aligned with where they are at. You need to know everything about your audience, beyond demographics. You are going to have to dig deeper to find their story, their struggles, what they are looking for, and their goals. If you don’t have that information, you might as well be speaking to a wall.
Tip #4: Serve First
So many people in the online space get caught up in the next sale that they forget your most important asset is a happy client or customer. They are a walking billboard for you. Showing up and giving them your all should be your number one priority always. Not the likes on your Instagram photo or the sales numbers on a launch but the questions people ask and going above and beyond for your people always.
Tip #5: Invest in Support
No one can do it alone. The most important part of entrepreneurship is knowing when to ask for help. The type of support will vary based on your business, but I suggest taking a look at where you are spending your time and reflect on what is draining you. This may mean deciding to hire help for social media, client management, accounting, design, etc. Or it could mean realizing that you need a mentor to get you to that next level. Having a community will help you prevent burnout, feel less isolated, and have people you can bounce ideas off of.
There is no one-size-fits-all model for building a six-figure business. If anyone tells you otherwise, run the other way. But, through my time as an entrepreneur I’ve learned how helpful and important the tips above can be. If you are feeling frustrated and like your business is not having the momentum that you hoped for, be patient, take action, and remember that no one’s entrepreneurial journey is the same.
About the Author: Madison Tinder is not like most 25-year-olds. Instead of stressing about finding “the job” or making rent, she is a homeowner and runs a six-figure business. She is a marketing and visibility coach based in Louisville, Kentucky, and helps her entrepreneur clients grow and market their brands through Instagram. She’s an Instagram story pro and launched her first product-based business this fall, Soulful Scrunchies.
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Kate Hudson, Tika Sumpter, & More Embrace Authenticity in Business—Here's Why You Should Too
Read on for all the highlights from our Small Business Summit.
On Saturday, October 24th, we heard from some of the most innovative, forward-thinking entrepreneurs at our Small Business Summit presented by Mastercard on what small business looks like today and is going to look like tomorrow. Because if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that there’s nothing that can’t be done when people come together with unequivocal support and compassion for each other.
While the chaos and uncertainty were—and are—a lot to reckon with, the silver lining is that it’s been a major conversation starter. The pandemic helped us realize that we need to take care of ourselves a little more; there is need for change and the fight for racial equality still has a long way to go; and the election season reminds us that our voices matter. When talking about the new normal in a post-pandemic world, it’s not just about how it will look like, but what do we want and need it to look like?
So go ahead, sit back, relax, and sip on that glass of rosé you’ve been saving for just the right evening while we serve you some of the highlights from your favorites like Kate Hudson, Tika Sumpter, Lauren Gores Ireland, Morgan Mercer, and more! From creating authentic content, rethinking what it means to be an influencer, fostering inclusivity in the workplace, pivoting to digital, abandoning perfection to building a community, no leaf was left unturned!
The Three C’s: How Tika Sumpter and Thai Randolph Are Using Content, Commerce, and Community to Create a Destination for Modern Moms of Color
“
This is not a sprint, it’s a marathon.”
—Tika Sumpter | Co-Founder, Sugaberry
Panelists:
Tika Sumpter | Co-Founder, Sugaberry
Thai Randolph | Co-Founder, Sugaberry
Moderator:
Jaclyn Johnson | CEO and Founder of Create & Cultivate
On being frustrated with lack of content about Black motherhood…
“There were an array of white spaces, but Black women and mothers were a second thought.” -Tika Sumpter
“When you Google ‘Black motherhood,’ when you think about images of Black motherhood, it’s so heavy, it’s so weighty.” -Thai Randolph
“Where was the joy? Where was the light?” -Thai Randolph
On finding each other and building a partnership...
“One of the things I told our mutual friends was, ‘Sure, I’ll meet with her, so I can explain to her why she should NOT go into this business.” -Thai Randolph
“The big differentiator for me was [Tika’s] emphasis on a tangible call to action.” -Thai Randolph
On marketing a brand for Black, women-identifying consumers…
“Black women make up 7% of the U.S. population but drive 40% of purchases when it comes to certain categories like baby food or packaged goods and juices.” -Thai Randolph
“We are very quick to point out that this isn’t about altruism. This is about business and really catering to a smart and capable and influential consumer.” -Thai Randolph
On putting community first...
“We are creating content that our audience and community actually cares about, and with that content, we’re creating commerce, funneling back into the community to live their best lives.” -Tika Sumpter
On launching a podcast about motherhood…
“What we want to offer to our community is the opportunity of joy through every realm of our verticals in our sight.” -Tika Sumpter
“We not only wanted to bring joy but to also bring real quality content about our bodies. We don’t really talk about IVF enough, we don’t talk enough about different ways to motherhood, different pathways.” -Tika Sumpter
On creating content that resonates with their audience...
“What has been resonating with our audience is the sweetness, and the joy, and the honesty about the interior lives of Black moms who're just mothering.” -Thai Randolph
“We’re not saying suffering doesn’t exist in our community. We’re saying our community deserves joy.”-Thai Randolph
“The idea that someone just carves out and cares so much for Black women and Black moms, and is just totally centered on them—without any sensationalism—is what’s really striking a chord. -Thai Randolph
On dealing with the challenges of the pandemic…
“A lot of wine. I’m kidding, but I’m not kidding.” - Tika Sumpter
“It’s made me realize how many things I don’t need—in life, in general—whether it’s physically or mentally.” -Tika Sumpter
“Connecting is what has allowed me to make it thus far.” -Tika Sumpter
On running a brand during the pandemic…
“It has made us truly digitally native. It has made us agile and adaptable and resourceful in a way that might have taken us longer to grow those skills otherwise.” -Thai Rudolph
“It’s made us think differently about what community means in this new context of a pandemic.” -Thai Rudolph
On supporting Black mothers during times of economic duress and racial injustice ...
“The mental premise of having to jump around from trauma to trauma to trauma is not living anymore—it’s just surviving. And we don’t want to just survive here. That’s the ultimate reason for Sugaberry: it’s to thrive and spread joy.” -Tika Sumpter
“Who stands between the gap of trauma and trauma? We want to be that. We want to stand in that gap for Black women.” -Tika Sumpter
On abandoning perfectionism...
“If you choose wrong, you can always choose again.”- Thai Rudolph
On being a mother and a business person…
“What this pandemic is showing us is that you’ll work it out.” -Tika Sumpter
On giving advice to new founders…
“Make sure you live what you do, chile! This is not a sprint, it’s a marathon.” -Tika Sumpter
“You can do it all! You just can’t do it all at once.” -Thai Rudolph
Plug & Play: How to Streamline Customer Communications for Your Business, Powered by Messenger
“The community you build online is the lifeblood of your business.”
—Danielle Nagel | Owner and Designer, Dazey LA
Panelists:
Danielle Nagel | Owner and Designer, Dazey LA
Sabrina Zohar | Entrepreneur, Sustainability Advocate, and Founder of Softwear
Gianne Doherty | Co-Founder, Organic Bath Co.
Moderator:
Jaclyn Johnson | Founder and CEO, Create & Cultivate
On being authentic with customers during COVID…
“Just being open and honest about what we’ve been going through has been huge for us.” -Danielle Nagel
“It’s important to tell your audience that you’re going through it too.” -Danielle Nagel
On building strong relationships with customers…
“I’m a big believer in asking your customers what they want from you.” -Gianne Doherty
“A lot of my clients have my cellphone number. They’ll DM and send photos, talking about how they love the product and how other people love it too.” -Sabrina Zohar
On attracting people to your business during a pandemic…
“Yes, you can go to all the big brands, but you’re not going to get someone who genuinely cares.” -Sabrina Zohar
On connecting virtually…
“We found that 90% of our customers were on Facebook, so Messenger just made sense. We can meet them where they are.” -Gianne Doherty
“Messenger allows us to chat with customers in real-time, which affects purchasing.” -Gianne Doherty
On implementing customer service…
“If I’m not prioritizing my customers and not giving them that sense of urgency that they’re number one, they’re gonna buy it from five thousand other brands.” -Sabrina Zohar
“As a business owner, once in a while, you get an unhappy customer, and you take it so heavy and so personally. Having a third party who can handle that for you so you can focus on growing the business is such a huge game-changer.” -Danielle Nagel
“Customer communication is vital for trust.” -Gianne Doherty
On using social media platforms to convert sales…
“I use the Instagram platform to show when I’m making something new to be released or launched.” Sabrina Zohar
“The community you build online is the lifeblood of your business.” -Danielle Nagel
On supporting small business...
“Embrace the fact that you’re a small business!” Danielle Nagel
From Pandemic to Profit: How to Pivot, Reposition, and Reset Your Small Business
“It’s really important for us to be mindful of our customer’s mental health.”
—Patty Delgado | CEO, Hija de tu Madre
Panelists:
Sonja Rasula | Founder, Care Package and Unique Markets
Marissa Hermer | Owner, Olivetta and The Draycott
Jess Rona | Celebrity Dog Groomer and Entrepreneur
Patty Delgado | CEO, Hija de tu Madre
Mattie James | Influencer
Moderator:
Ginger Siegel | North America Small Business Lead, Mastercard
On experiencing COVID-induced delays or disappointments…
“We are all human beings, and we have ups and downs, and I think all of us entrepreneurs have to be gentle and kind with ourselves.” -Jess Rona
“It’s all about your mindset as a business owner.” -Jess Rona
On practicing self-care and staying positive…
“I focus on meditation and self-care because when you’re good, you can handle anything.” -Jess Rona
“When I focus on the things that I do have, even if they’re teeny tiny, that is the real pivoting for me. The pivoting is actively being a puppeteer with your thoughts and pivoting into a positive mindset.” -Jess Rona
On being a DTC business in the current COVID climate…
“COVID has really pushed us to be more responsible for our own in-house production.” -Patty Delgado
“I’m really listening to the needs of my customers and adapting our business model, and all-around business decisions, based around the current climate.” -Patty Delgado
On owning and operating a restaurant during COVID…
“It’s not just about health and safety, but trust in us—in any business.” -Marissa Hermer
“We’re just not a restaurant. We’re a face and a family, and we care.” -Marissa Hermer
On pivoting to digital during COVID…
“We cultivated our community online.” -Sonja Rasula
“I truly am a fan of email marketing, so we really cultivated our email list because those are people who have given us something of value. They have given us their email address.” -Sonja Rasula
“We started talking to our email list a lot more and we are going to have a very specific plan for holiday months.” -Sonja Rasula
On pressing pause and looking ahead…
“For the last month or two, I did take a pause on doing as many things virtually.” -Sonja Rasula
“For me, I pressed pause, so that I could really focus on what the business could look like in 2021 and start to put things into place for that.” -Sonja Rasula
On changing your content strategy as an influencer…
“I noticed that all we really had to shift our story and talk about home life.” -Mattie James
“I had to be really careful that I was authentic to my story and being truthful, first and foremost, but then make sure that anything I told my audience, whether it was organic content about what I’m currently doing or even in partnership with a brand, that I was really speaking to home life.” -Mattie James
“It was really important to me to make sure that I even pivoted the language I used day to day.” -Mattie James
On launching online business courses…
“So many more people want to take online courses, want an online masterclass. Again, they are making that space to learn because people are a little bit more still right now.” -Mattie James
On making cybersecurity a priority…
“I’ve been really active in making sure that I’m paying attention to little things like my passwords.” -Mattie James
“We definitely do spend a lot of time working with the best third parties to ensure our customer and business safety.” -Patty Delgado
“I will admit that I have put the responsibility on the third parties and I guess I’m just crossing my fingers and hoping it’s okay.” -Sonja Rasula
On supporting small businesses during this time…
“The whole idea behind Unique Markets was to feature and support small and independent businesses—designers, artists, makers—who are usually bootstrapped, independent, and own their businesses. And because we can no longer do that, I thought about how I could support all of these small businesses in a virtual space.” -Sonja Rasula
“So, I came up with this idea. My mom sends me care packages. No joke, I am a woman in my 40s, y’all, and my mom sends me care packages filled with random stuff, but it’s the thought that counts.” -Sonja Rasula
“I could take all these small businesses that I support and love and put them into a box.”-Sonja Rasula
“The idea is that everything in these care packages is curated by me or small independent businesses.” -Sonja Rasula
“This year it became very clear to me that I wanted to really help all of my fellow female founders, women-owned businesses and BIPOC businesses.” -Sonja Rasula
“Over 75% of the brands that are in all of the boxes are minority-owned or female-owned.” -Sonja Rasula
On paying it forward in the midst of the pandemic…
“It’s been the silver lining to this pandemic for me and our teams to know that we are facilitating and have created a platform for people to give back to the heroes and front line workers.” -Marissa Hermer
“We’ve raised over $50,000 and it truly gives us such joy to be able to give back, but equally our heroes are more nourished knowing that people around the world are thinking about them.” -Marissa Hermer
“I think that community, even global community, now more than ever, when our country feels equally divided, it’s really really important.” -Marissa Hermer
“Spreading happiness now is the most important thing we can do when there’s just so much doom and gloom.” -Marissa Hermer
On being a source of happiness and joy…
“I play with iMovie a lot and make fun videos. I’ll buy music from iTunes and tinker and play around, and tap into my creativity. If you are finding joy through that and you are getting that little fun out of that, I think people want to follow any joy right now.” -Jess Rona
“If you’re posting something that’s joyful, people will be attracted to it.” -Jess Rona
On adapting your selling strategy…
“Since day one, we’ve always been very digitally aggressive across every channel.” -Patty Delgado
“What has changed is our messaging. It’s really important for us to be mindful of our customer’s mental health.” - Patty Delgado
“We’ve shifted our focus from selling content to more mindful and empathetic content, and I think that’s been extremely beneficial for brand awareness and just overall brand-customer intimacy.” - Patty Delgado
On building community…
“While the pandemic has been very intense for all of us, this has been a time where community really does just organically explode if you give people a reason to come together and congregate.” -Mattie James
On the future of in-person pop-up events…
“For 2021, for all types of businesses, I think creating in-person experiences that can be safe and responsible are going to absolutely thrive.” -Sonja Rasula
Click and Connect: How Technology Is Driving Community, Growth, and Innovation in a Digital World, Powered by Dell
“I know that we would not be where we are today without the mentors who helped guide us.”
Lauren Gores Ireland | Co-Founder, Summer Fridays
Panelist:
Lauren Gores Ireland | Co-Founder, Summer Fridays
Moderator:
Jaclyn Johnson | CEO and Founder, Create & Cultivate
On launching the business right away…
“We had the idea and, quite literally, that afternoon we were already taking steps toward creating a business.”
“We truly just started, and never really looked back.”
On tapping into your immediate network…
“Once you have an idea and you start asking people, even within your friends-and-family circle, a lot of times, they know someone who knows someone who can connect you, whether that’s to a lab or a manufacturing facility.”
On knowing when it’s time to bring on a team…
“You get to a point where you realize you can’t do everything.”
“Once you’re with a retailer like Sephora, you can’t operate without a proper team behind you.”
On seeking out mentorship opportunities…
“I know that we would not be where we are today without the mentors who helped guide us.”
“Jen Atkin of OUAI was significant for us. She’s the one that introduced us to Sephora. She guided us when we had big questions.”
“Jamie Kern Lima of IT Cosmetics very kindly sat down with us for hours one day and just gave us so much information and advice, which was so incredible.”
On investing in your own business…
“Before you’re making money, you have to put money into the business.”
On the power of social media marketing…
“It’s remarkable what you can do in the beginning, without a ton of money, on a channel like Instagram.”
“Trying to reach out to the networks that you have, doing gifting, sending things out to people, and investing in getting that product out to people is really helpful.”
“Now that we have grown, whether they’re our close friends or someone that we don’t know, we do pay influencers, and that is now part of our strategy.”
“What Instagram is best for is getting out the message so people can see it and it makes them want it.”
On networking with other brands…
“Reaching out to other brands that feel native to your brand is a really great way to grow.”
Building Big: How to Scale and Grow a Team and Business Successfully
“Leading a team requires the desire to be a leader.”
Morgan Mercer | Founder and CEO, Vantage Point
Panelists:
Morgan Mercer | Founder and CEO, Vantage Point
Arian Simone | General Partner and Co-Founder, Fearless Fund
Sharifa Murdock | Co-Owner of Liberty Fairs and CEO of ENVSN Fest
Moderator:
Marla Blow | SVP of Social Impact for North America, Mastercard
On accessing capital as a minority entrepreneur...
“Right now, Black women are receiving .0006% of venture funds. Women of Color are still under a percent, collectively.” -Arian Simone
“There is also a lack of diverse investors. The industry is eighty percent white male.” -Arian Simone
“It’s going to take a lot of movement and collaboration and allies in order to move the needle.” -Arian Simone
On finding the right employees…
“I want to know that someone believes in my dream, that someone is really on top of it, and wants to be a part of it.” -Sharifa Murdock
“Bringing on the wrong people is just as bad as having the role open, if not, worse.” -Morgan Mercer
On fostering inclusivity and diversity in the workplace…
“When you think about every single person on your team, they’re all an extension of your values, they’re all an extension of your mission.” -Morgan Mercer
On caring for employees…
“Once you find a good employee, you gotta keep them happy.” -Sharifa Murdock
“Be authentic about it too. Do it because you care and you really want to know how your employees are doing.” -Sharifa Murdock
“If employees feel like they can't actually voice their concerns with a project, they’re not going to voice their concerns with their role.” -Morgan Mercer
“The best thing to do is have an open-door policy.” -Morgan Mercer
On preparing to scale your business…
“You can’t just go out to find someone who will work for you for ten dollars an hour.” -Arian Simone
“You need to build on where you’re going, not just where you’re at.” -Arian Simone
On finding the right funding for your business...
“Make sure you have really strong allies and make sure you have really strong mentors.” -Morgan Mercer
“Whether it be VCs, whether it be startup programs and accelerator programs, whether it be grants, loans, pitch competitions, there are numerous avenues, and it’s really about finding people who align with you.” -Morgan Mercer
On having different revenue streams...
“The pandemic is a prime example of why we should have multiple revenue streams.” -Sharifa Murdock
“Have different ideas on how your one concept can do different things cause you never know what can happen.” -Sharifa Murdock
On creating a mentorship program…
“People who can train you and teach you where they have been are key.” -Arian Simone
On staying on top of cash flow...
“I am the cheapest person when it comes to business.” -Sharifa Murdock
“Stay as tight as you can.” -Sharifa Murdock
On leading a team...
“Leading a team requires the desire to be a leader.” -Morgan Mercer
On finding success…
“Success is incompletion. You always want to get to that next level.” -Sharifa Murdock
A Keynote Conversation With Kate Hudson
“The great leaders are the ones who listen to their team.”
—Kate Hudson | Actress, Author, and Entrepreneur
Panelist:
Kate Hudson | Actress, Author, and Entrepreneur
Moderator:
Aya Kanai | Head of Content and Editorial Partnerships, Pinterest
On finding the right vision for your business endeavor...
“I like being a part of something that everyone can be a part of.”
On connecting with Fabletics…
“It just spoke to me authentically.”
“It was affordable, cute activewear at a time when being involved in something that was affordable—as a celebrity—was considered not cool.”
On defining wellness…
“There’s no other beauty secret other than internally being healthy.”
“It starts with not putting too much pressure on ourselves.”
On creating the right wellness products for INBLOOM…
“How do you get people, in general, to feel excited about feeling good and not daunted by the things you need to do in order to be healthy?”
“We need to be able to educate people about wellness in a way where it feels like, ‘Oh, that’s easy enough. I can start there.’”
On being an authentic entrepreneur…
“I’d rather roll up my sleeves and get involved in the business.”
“I’d rather be proud of what I’m putting out there and fail than make money from something just because it’s an opportunity that I have. I like the long game.”
“I’d much prefer to build than just model.”
On being an empowering leader…
“The great leaders are the ones who listen to their team.”
“Anyone who’s gonna succeed leads with openness and availability in transparency.”
“You have to create a positive workspace.”
On being confident while running a business…
“I’m usually asking for business advice.”
“You gotta love what you’re doing cause people can feel it.”
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5 Simple Ways to Make Smarter Snack Choices While Working From Home
Practical tips for mindful eating habits.
If you were used to working a 9-to-5 office job, it’s safe to say that working from home these past few months has been an adjustment. Distractions and productivity killers abound, from the living room where the television is waiting to lure you into a binge-fest of The Office to the laundry room where piles of clothes are just begging to be washed and folded. And then there’s the pantry, the place you go to beat stress and boredom and to stretch your legs and fulfill your salty, sweet, crunchy cravings.
We know all too well that when the pantry is just steps away, it’s hard to resist the allure of a midday snack break—which could be a good thing! In fact, the American Heart Association states on their website that snacking isn’t “bad” for you if you do it in moderation and make healthy choices. And according to Jackie Newgent, RDN, culinary nutritionist and author of “The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook,” “properly planned snacking can actually help with weight management efforts” and “help keep you satisfied between meals so that you don’t overeat at lunch or dinner.”
We know this idea that snacks provide satiety until the next meal is important, which is why we’ve partnered with the premium, gluten-free better-for-you snack brand Crunchmaster and Lisa Linh, creator of the home, lifestyle, and wellness blog By Lisa Linh, to share simple ways for making smarter snack choices while working from home. As the voice behind the blog By Lisa Linh where she shares healthy living tips, Linh certainly knows a thing or two about eating well on a busy schedule.
Ahead, she breaks down how to snack smartly when you’re WFH all day, from scheduling meal breaks to stocking up on nutrient-dense snack foods.
“
I keep nutrient-dense snacks on hand that are easy to grab and don’t make a huge mess while I study, which is why I prefer Crunchmaster crackers as my go-to.”
—Lisa Linh, Creator of By Lisa Linh
CREATE & CULTIVATE: How does having a set meal routine set you up for success while working from home, and what tips can you share for scheduling meals and snack breaks?
LISA LINH: I found that my most productive days are ones where I schedule breaks and meals. So for me, having a routine not only keeps me focused, but also allows me to perform at my best. My biggest tip is to create a realistic schedule that works for you versus trying to use other people’s templates.
Everyone is different and when you create something just for you, you tend to stick to it more. For example, I only take 30-minutes for breakfast and lunch but will keep a secret stash of snacks that I can grab at my desk throughout the day. Others may give themselves an hour and some even eat at their desk, so do whatever feels most convenient and authentic to you.
What tips can you share on stocking up on nutrient-dense snack foods and what are your go-to good-for-you snacks?
While we have a dedicated snack cabinet in the kitchen, I also keep a snack drawer in our office. I try my best to keep nutrient-dense snacks on hand that are easy to grab and don’t make a huge mess while I study, which is why I prefer Crunchmaster crackers as my go-to.
I love that they’re gluten free, come in a variety of flavors, and are made with 100% whole grain. Not to mention, they have no artificial colors or flavors and 0g cholesterol. Also, the crunch is just so satisfying to hear.
My favorite flavor is Original and my boyfriend loves Ultimate Everything. He actually loves pairing the Ultimate Everything crackers with the salmon poke we get fresh from the market or dipping them in humus. I, on the other hand, like it plain.
We both also love that they’re perfect for when we’re on-the-go. Whenever we’re in a rush to leave the house I just throw one into my tote bag and eat in the car. It also is in my gym bag, as it’s a great post work-out snack as well.
“If you treat your breaks as something “to-do” and schedule them into your day, you’ll eventually fall into the habit of checking in with yourself.”
—Lisa Linh, Creator of By Lisa Linh
What is your best nutrition advice for those of us who want to eat better and take care of ourselves while WFH? How can we be healthier on a busy schedule?
When it comes to taking care of yourself, it is important to prioritize your mental and emotional health first. I always advise my friends to ensure that they feel good from the inside first before tackling their physical health, because you honestly have to be in the right mindset before anything else.
Carving out time for yourself can be tough with a busy schedule, but if you treat your breaks as something “to-do” and schedule them into your day, you’ll eventually fall into the habit of checking in with yourself. Self-care is not just bubble baths and massages either, we have to make time to do all the inner work that’s necessary for us to continue to be our best selves.
In regards to eating better, I’m still personally learning about the type of ingredients that go into our food, and so I often ask for advice from my personal trainer and closest friends, who are nutrition experts. I can’t say that I’m always choosing the healthiest choices but we’re all a work in progress and knowledge is power, so education about nutrition is key.
What are some food staples I should always have in the pantry or fridge to cook healthy meals and why?
I’m going to be honest and tell you that, while I’m big on healthy snacks, I am still working in the cooking department, meaning I don’t cook often. For breakfast, I usually have something easy like apple and peanut butter, a banana and peanut butter toast, or a quick spinach and mushroom pita. For lunch, I tend to have leftovers from dinner, in which the majority of my dinners are ordered via Postmates. My favorite go-to restaurants are Granville, Tender Greens, and local sushi, and Vietnamese restaurants.
Anything else to add?
You only get one body, and while it’s extremely forgiving, it is up to us to really give ourselves the best life we can and that includes taking care of our physical, mental, and emotional health.
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How to Host a Socially Distant Dinner Party for the Holidays That Won't Break the Bank
Tips for making the most of virtual gathering.
The holidays are here and that means more fun, more food, and more time with family and friends. But it can also be panic-inducing with all of the gift-buying and party-planning that needs to be done—and all of this is on top of your end-of-year work schedule. Not to mention the current COVID climate, which calls for planning a whole new kind of virtual, socially distant gathering.
But as you know, the Create & Cultivate team has hosted a few dinner parties (and virtual events!) in our time so we’re very familiar with the preparation required to put on a successful evening. We know that sitting down to plan a party can sometimes feel scarier than putting together a business plan! So, we’re here to help with a few tips, short cuts, and ideas to keep it simple and exceed your guest’s expectations at the same time, whether you’re getting together via Zoom or safely gathering outdoors.
Due to COVID, we recommend following the CDC’s guidelines, as well as any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, when planning any holiday celebration this season.
Photo: Daria Shevtsova from Pexels
Gather the Guest List
A great dinner party (especially a great virtual dinner party!) is all about the mix—of guests, that is! You want to make sure that there is a variety of diverse thinkers, movers, and shakers from the introverted to the outspoken, the flamboyant, and the shy. This keeps the conversation interesting and ensures your guests feel entertained throughout the night and want to stay the three courses, plus dessert! And don’t just invite people you know. Pull people from all aspects of your life, of different talents, and all ages. Perhaps your childhood friend would really get along with your new office colleague, so sit them next to each other and watch them hit it off.
Timeline: 3 weeks out.
Create an Invitation
It’s often overlooked but you don’t want to miss this essential party planning ingredient. The design of your invitation will set the tone for the evening and is an opportunity to build intrigue and excitement for your dinner party. It is also a great way to keep yourself accountable. Once the invitation is sent, there’s no backing out. You can go old school and send printed invitations or you can use a digital invite such as Paperless Post which also conveniently tracks all of your RSVPs and responses too. Include all the important information such as time, location, occasion, dress code, Zoom link, etc. and any other details—don’t be afraid to have fun with it.
Timeline: 2 weeks out.
Design the Tablescape
This is the fun part. There are so many directions you could take but before you decide, start collecting inspiration for the tablescape from the napkins to the vases. We highly recommend setting a festive table even if you’re hosting a virtual dinner party to get into the spirit of the event! We love to use Pinterest or create a saved folder on Instagram. One of our favorites is Athena Calderone’s EyeSwoon for ideas and recipes. The goal is to transform your space into something that makes your guest’s jaws drop, even if it’s just serving as a Zoom backdrop. And it doesn’t need to cost you an entire paycheck either. Think fresh flowers (or garden clippings!), candles, napkins, vases, and a pretty tablecloth. (Pro tip: purchase linen from the local fabric store for the tablecloth and the napkins, wash them, and leave the ends unsewn so they have frayed edges. Choose to iron them or leave them crinkled for a cool, unkempt look).
Timeline: 2 weeks out.
Curate a Delicious Menu
A dinner party is all about the food so don’t forget to plan a delicious spread with enticing appetizers and tasty treats that keep everyone happy all night long. You don’t have to be a top chef either. Why not order it pre-made and ready to go? Whether you’re having an intimate gathering with the people in your household or preparing a virtual holiday feast for the whole extended family, our go-to specialty grocer is The Fresh Market. They have everything you need to elevate entertaining for a memorable and delicious holiday including tons of fully prepared offerings so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time connecting with loved ones. You can even arrange to send meals to friends and family from a distance if you’re gathering around the table virtually, or each household attending your Zoom dinner party can order the meal of their choosing!
Timeline: 1 week out.
Put on a Killer Playlist
If you want to good vibes all night long then compile a killer playlist on Spotify with a mix of old and new to keep the tempo upbeat and exciting. Be sure to plan a playlist that features several hours worth of music too and keep the cadence of the evening’s events in mind. Start the night off with lively tunes as you welcome people, then songs during dinner should be calming and mellow as people are eating and conversing, then pump it up again as guests move from the dinner party to the dance floor.
Timeline: A few days out.
Love this story? Pin the below graphic to your Pinterest board.
This story was originally published on November 1, 2019, and has since been updated.
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Buzzy Skincare Line Summer Fridays Has Thrived During COVID—This Marketing Pivot Was Key
Co-founder Lauren Gores Ireland gives us the inside scoop.
“We truly just started, and never really looked back.”
—Lauren Gores Ireland, Co-Founder of Summer Fridays
Just because a market is saturated doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to disrupt it. Let’s take the beauty industry for example. It’s a $532 billion market, which might seem too daunting to even attempt breaking into, but here’s the kicker: women are leading the way!
When it comes to gender equality at the highest level, the beauty industry comes out on top. In fact, it officially outranks every other profession in terms of the highest percentage of women seen on the board and in executive positions.
Unfortunately, that number is still only 29%, so clearly, we still have a long way to go. But the good news is that women aren’t waiting for the doors to open; they’re carving out their own niche and taking a slice of that billion-dollar pie for themselves.
Lauren Gores Ireland is one of them. The co-founder of the buzzy skincare brand Summer Fridays broke the influencer mold and turned her online community into brand ambassadors. But it’s the brand’s unique marketing initiatives during COVID that has really set them apart from their competitors.
Knowing that people would be stuck at home for summer Fridays this year, Lauren and her co-founder Marianne Hewitt decided to put the summer back into summer Fridays with comfort house calls.
We’re talking a cake collaboration with Sweet Laurel Bakery inspired by their Jet Lag face mask; a Craig’s Vegan Jet Lag-inspired ice cream called Vanilla Cloud, which comes with a mini mask; and a co-branded limited edition collage kit and photo filter with Tezza Barton. So smart!
At our recent Small Business Summit, Dell Technologies brought the co-founder of Summer Fridays and the founder and CEO of Create & Cultivate, Jaclyn Johnson, together for a conversation on how the beloved skincare brand has pivoted its marketing strategy due to COVID, why networking has been key to their wild success, and what the power of social media marketing can really do.
In fact, thanks to DWEN (Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network), Dell is enabling women entrepreneurs across the globe to succeed by helping them navigate business challenges. DWEN has a proven ability to facilitate meaningful connections and bridge access to fellow entrepreneurs and advisors, technology, new markets, and resources needed to scale.
If you missed the conversation at our Small Business Summit, you’re in luck. Below, we’ve compiled all the most memorable quotes from the session. So, get out your notebooks because class is now in session!
On launching the business right away…
“We had the idea and, quite literally, that afternoon we were already taking steps toward creating a business.”
“We truly just started, and never really looked back.”
On tapping into your immediate network…
“Once you have an idea and you start asking people, even within your friends-and-family circle, a lot of times, they know someone who knows someone who can connect you, whether that’s to a lab or a manufacturing facility.”
On knowing when it’s time to bring on a team…
“You get to a point where you realize you can’t do everything.”
“Once you’re with a retailer like Sephora, you can’t operate without a proper team behind you.”
On seeking out mentorship opportunities…
“I know that we would not be where we are today without the mentors who really helped guide us.”
“Jen Atkin of OUAI was significant for us. She’s the one that introduced us to Sephora. She guided us when we had big questions.”
“Jamie Kern Lima of IT Cosmetics very kindly sat down with us for hours one day and just gave us so much information and advice, which was so incredible.”
On investing in your own business…
“Before you’re making money, you have to put money into the business.”
On the power of social media marketing…
“It’s remarkable what you can do in the beginning, without a ton of money, on a channel like Instagram.”
“Trying to reach out to the networks that you have, doing gifting, sending things out to people, and investing in getting that product out to people is really helpful.”
“Now that we have grown, whether they’re our close friends or someone that we don’t know, we do pay influencers, and that is now part of our strategy.”
“What Instagram is best for is getting out the message so people can see it and it makes them want it.”
On networking with other brands…
“Reaching out to other brands that feel native to your brand is a really great way to grow.”
Learn more about Dell's Women's Entrepreneur Network (DWEN) at DWEN.com.
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We Answer All Your Money Questions Like “Where Should I Put My Dollars Now?”
Financial refresh this way.
We know first hand when women set their mind to something, they can truly achieve anything. That also applies to confidence around money. When you have the right money mindset and you experience the role it plays in living your best life, you’ll become a formidable force.
So it’s time to ditch all fear, obligation, and guilt that block your healthy views on money to achieve the life you’ve always wanted.
Financial educator, Catherine Alford helped us get to that place with her Morning Money Talk presented by Ally at the recent Future of Work digital conference. She shared tips for getting your finances organized at home and supercharging your savings (because we’d all like a little extra financial padding right about now!). She started her business from scratch with a $10 domain name and grew it to six figures so she knows a thing or two about managing money.
She explained that it’s hard to focus on your job, your side business, or your incredible start up idea if you don’t have your personal finances in order. Additionally, she says the more you save in your personal life, the more freedom you have to pursue your professional goals. Read on to learn about Alford’s three-step savings strategy.
Whenever I'm having those moments where I really don't feel like saving, I think of my three main reasons to save to remind myself why it’s important. Here they are:
Reason #1: Personal Freedom
Personal freedom is a massive deal to me. It's why I became an entrepreneur. I like doing what I want, when I want. I like choosing who I work with and what I spend my time on. I like having a job and still being able to pick up my kids from school. When you save your money and you're smart about how you manage it, the more personal freedom you have. Personal freedom with your finances allows you to walk away from jobs and situations that don't serve you and allows you to have fun too.
Reason #2: Leaving a Legacy
How cool would it be if your great-grandkids said, “Because of Grandma Cat or Grandma Sarah or Grandma Melody, all of us went to college debt-free?” What if, because of the lessons you taught and the discipline you established in your family, it changes the way your family behaves, perceives money, and donates?”
Reason #3: Extreme Generosity
Having savings also allows you to be generous with a friend who really needs help at a certain moment. I love the idea of extreme generosity, and I like practicing with micro generous moments. Remember, the more money you make, the more you can give away and make the world a better place.
How Much to Save and Where to Stash It
I like to have a three-step strategy when it comes to saving.
Get one month ahead.
Establish a solid emergency fund.
Set up sinking funds.
Get into the mindset of believing you're a warrior when it comes to savings and you are going to slash through these goals, however long it takes. If you want personal freedom, to leave a legacy, and to be extremely generous, these steps can help you get there.
Get One Month Ahead
There's a concept called mental load that's been gaining popularity over the past couple of years. It's this idea that women have to do thousands of invisible tasks, things people don't see, things we naturally take on ourselves like emailing our kids teachers or getting a birthday gift for our mother in law. No one assigns us these tasks. It's just that culturally women have taken up all of these tasks, and it is a heavy load on many days.
I don't want money to be one of those things for you, but money takes a lot of time to manage unless you get one month ahead. For me, getting one month ahead is stress-free budgeting, and here's why. When you're one month ahead, you start the month with all the money you need for the month.
The goal is to use your paychecks from this month to pay your bills next month. And if you're thinking, “That would be nice, but that's not possible,” you have to go back to your mindset. Remember, you are a savings warrior and you absolutely can accomplish that.
For some people, they can get one month ahead today by transferring money from their savings accounts and getting started on the first of next month. For other people, it might take a few months to get there, and that’s okay. What’s important is that you start.
Establish a Solid Emergency Fund
For ten years, I've been telling just about everybody to have a three to six-month emergency fund. And this year has completely changed my view on that because now, I am a fan of having six-plus months of an emergency fund.
If you have high-interest debt, like credit card debt, start with a one-month emergency fund. Then, pay off your high-interest debt as quickly as possible and go back and build your savings to six-plus months after that.
If you have low-interest debt, like a car loan or student loans, build your savings up to six-plus months now before aggressively paying those down.
I like to keep my emergency fund separate from my regular checking accounts and my investment accounts. I keep this money liquid. That means I can access it and have it today if I need it.
Set Up Sinking Funds
Sinking funds are little baby savings accounts for all of the big events and unexpected events that might happen in your life. Three examples are car repairs, holiday savings, and vacations.
One of the first sinking funds I ever created for myself was when I started my business, and I really wanted to get a MacBook Pro. I was in my 20s at the time, and it was the most money I'd ever saved. I would save a little bit at a time in an online savings account until I reached my goal.
That was my first experience, and I was hooked because it feels so good to go into a store with cash that you've already saved. There's no guilt, there's no stress, and there's no regret.
It’s the same thing with vacations. Have you ever taken a vacation that’s completely paid for up front? If so, you're not worried about getting home and looking at your credit card statement. If you save for vacations ahead of time and you have all that extra padding, you're actually able to relax. You can also use sinking funds for things like your kid's birthday party or holiday shopping.
To make this easy, Ally Bank’s Online Savings Account offers buckets. So, instead of having five or six savings accounts for various sinking funds, now you can consolidate them into one savings account with buckets inside of it named for your savings goals. This helps you to stay organized and in control of your money.
Bonus Tip: Automate Everything
I know a lot of people aren't fans of automation but for me, automating is everything. I automate my savings and paying my bills because it saves me a lot of brain space. It’s the easiest way to build up a savings account without thinking about it, and that is what I credit the most to being able to build up my emergency fund to what I have today.
If you've never tried automating or it makes you nervous, just try it for a month or so and see how you feel about it. Start by scheduling a small amount of money to automatically transfer to your savings account after you get paid. I know people worry about too much money being withdrawn from their accounts. However, after many years of automating, I have only had a problem two or three times, and it was quickly fixed with a phone call.
I hope with this three-step strategy, you can get started on your path towards financial freedom. Not only will having an emergency fund and sinking funds provide a great financial cushion but having them will also give you incredible peace of mind.
To learn more about Ally, visit ally.com
Ally Bank, Member FDIC
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A Donation-With-Purchase Might Not Be the Best Way to Support a Worthy Cause—Here's Why
Where are your dollars really going?
Photo: Courtesy of Allyn Rose
As a member of the breast cancer community, I’ve noticed an unfortunate trend over the last few years, which is a feeling of unease surrounding what should be our most celebrated time of the year: Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Being one of the most recognized awareness months certainly has its benefits. Billions of dollars have been raised in the fight against breast cancer, leading it to become one of the most largely funded diseases in the world. But with that popularity, comes an unfortunate dark side surrounding the word “awareness.” In the month of October, one would be hard-pressed to avoid coming across anything less than a sea of pink. We see ribbons and slogans affixed to coffee mugs, tote bags, and sports jerseys.
And while many of these organizations are well-meaning and donate large portions of their product’s proceeds to breast cancer research, others have capitalized on their consumers’ ill-informed purchasing-practices. By using the pink momentum, they raise prices or sell products while donating little to no money toward finding a cure. Much of this is due to the linguistic loophole of the word “awareness” which allows companies to profit without repercussion. These pink profiteers have robbed the month of its true meaning, and those who are most directly affected by breast cancer are calling for change from “awareness” to “action.”
But how do we make that change a reality? It’s unlikely that companies financially benefiting from Breast Cancer Awareness Month are going to change their ways without a significant overhaul of the system or a watchdog organization to hold them accountable. But we, as consumers, can do our due diligence when deciding where our charitable dollars go.
Where do we start?
1. Look for recipient disclosure statements.
Most large corporations will state on their websites whom their funds benefit. If you don’t see a charitable organization recipient, consider purchasing elsewhere.
2. Look for organizations that donate money to research (the most actionable cause), patient grants, or educational tools.
Not sure what percentage the particular nonprofit organizations donate towards research or other topics? Check watchdog websites like Guidestar and the Foundation Center.
3. Look for low “donation caps.”
Pay particular attention to “donation caps.” Some companies may say “25% of the proceeds of this product benefit X organization up to $10,000.” Beware of low caps.
Following these simple steps will help ensure that your money is going towards worthwhile causes that will help bring us closer to a cure for breast cancer. And let’s not get discouraged!
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time for us to encourage those in our lives bravely battling this disease to continue fighting and to honor those who may no longer be with us. It is also a time to learn what we can do to educate ourselves on prevention.
Did you know that close to 50% of women discover their own breast cancer through practices like a self-breast exam? That’s why I’ve made it my mission to teach women how to “know their normal” by performing a monthly exam. Not sure where to start? You’re not alone. The Previvor Foundation can help you learn how! For a quick and easy tutorial, visit our Instagram.
“We, as consumers, can do our due diligence when deciding where our charitable dollars go.”
—Allyn Rose, Women's Health Advocate & Founder of The Previvor Foundation
About the Author: As a 24-year-old Miss America contestant, Allyn Rose made headlines across the globe with her controversial decision to undergo a preventative double mastectomy after losing her mother, grandmother, and great aunt to breast cancer. Allyn's story inspired both celebrities like Angelina Jolie and a new generation of women alike to take charge of their healthcare choices. Determined to encourage other women to know that their scars are beautiful, Allyn boldly became the first woman with a mastectomy to model for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. She is the founder of The Previvor, a 501(c)(3) non-profit women's health platform which serves as a resource for women undergoing mastectomy, and the creator of the #SelfExamGram, a social media movement that encourages women to perform monthly self-breast exams.
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Ever Heard of a Shmask? Meet the Hybrid Mask Kids Actually Want to Wear
50% shirt, 50% mask. 100% genius.
“I’m so motivated and so proud to make something that makes this super weird moment a bit softer.”
—Karine Nissim, Founder of Shmask
March 2020 was the month I cried myself to sleep every night.
Between tears, death tolls, and hilarious coronavirus memes, I stewed on about what would be. On how my children's lives would irrevocably change and how ill-prepared I was to parent them in this new normal.
It was out of despair and desperation that I wanted and needed to make this moment better for my children. I couldn't fathom mask-wearing in all its clinical glory as a reality for my family, so I created something better: the first-ever shirt with a mask attached for kids (and grownups).
It's called the Shmask! Shirt meets mask. It is super duper soft, breathable, adjustable, and just so easy to wear.
If you know me, you know I've traveled with a pack of sanitizing wipes in my purse for the last ten years. My elaborate cleansing of all airplane surfaces around my seat is a source of embarrassment to anyone who's traveled with me.
Suddenly, I felt validated.
If I had a dollar for every time I barked at my children not to touch anything in a public bathroom, I'd probably have an extra $30,000.
None of this eased my nerves. I stayed home. I quit my job as a film professor. I came up with the most elaborate routines to properly cleanse our Instacart groceries and Amazon packages. My hands were so dry that I even started to sanitize the sanitizer.
And turns out I hate Zoom. I especially hate it when the image freezes and my four-year-old daughter walks away from the screen but all her classmates get to see me in my pajamas. Without a bra on. I really hate it when it is the only means to console my grieving cousins on the loss of their father.
I put out a question on my Instagram story. "Would you rather send your children to school in a mask or keep them at home?" 70% opted to send them in masks. The thought was unimaginable to me. I resolved to keep mine home. Maybe. I might miss the world though, probably.
But then time went on, and well, it turns out I suck at being a school teacher. And, frankly, after cooking three meals and three snacks a day, doing all the laundry and dishes all the time, I'm not my most awesome self. Also, my kids needed other kids and other grown-ups who know the answers to things without asking Alexa first. Incidentally, Alexa knows a lot about space.
And then, we needed to renovate. A burst pipe left brown water stains across our ceiling which was a real eyesore in every single Zoom angle. Also, my kitchen was a relic of the ‘90s, and I couldn't fathom the idea of spending another six months home-bound cooking in that cave of a room.
An impromptu road trip meant we were suddenly doing things well outside my comfort zone. Hotels. Shared elevators. Public bathrooms. People. Lots of people.
The kids and their masks were such a source of stress. The little one dropped hers on the street and found it 20 minutes later with evidence of heavy foot traffic. My oldest kept playing with it despite touching every surface imaginable first. And my middle son had a habit of putting his on backward.
Photo: Courtesy of Karine Nissim
At this point, I'm out in the world, and I'm living the challenge of required mask-wearing with three young kids. I'm experiencing how that looks for my family of five and for my in-laws who were with us. And, it's a pain in the ass. It could be better, so I set out to make it so.
But here's the thing: aside from pouring over every Vogue issue my mom got in the 80s, and a brief stint as an intern at Harper's Bazaar, I had zero experience in fashion. I loved it though and always have. And I knew the idea was good. So good that I was afraid to tell people who could do it faster and better than me.
And then something supremely magical happened. I started asking "friends" on Facebook questions.
"Are any of you in the T-shirt business?"
"Does anyone know any patent lawyers?"
I peppered these in-between images of my dream kitchen and asking for advice on which oven range to buy. And you know what? People answered me! Lots of opinions on kitchen appliances, but also introductions. Offers of time chatting, getting into how they run their own business, and how I could create mine.
I would look to my husband at night—as we clacked away on our laptops with Friends reruns in the background—and I would say, "I'm not sure what good I've done in this life, but well it's nice to know people will help me when I ask." And they did.
My friends who have ever worked in fashion or who’s input I love would come over in the evening and sit six feet apart on my patio, in their masks, and watch my children model my first Shmask prototypes. They would chime in on the pros and cons of design.
I'll never forget the resounding theme of one of those wonderful conversations. They all agreed: comfort trumped all. A comfortable shirt meant compliance. Compliance with an otherwise alien behavior. If it was soft, breathable, and we could hear their little voices, then they would wear it. And they wouldn’t mind. Neither would we.
So began a slew of conversations with factories, brokers, consultants, and fabric mills. This was also a pain in the ass, and not what eight-year-old me dreamed being a fashion designer would be.
But then my kids would hear me say that they inspired me. I called them my business partners. Mostly, they were reluctant models. But really, they are my muses. It’s their soft cheeks and little noses I want to protect. It’s all of ours. I’m so motivated and so proud to make something that makes this super weird moment a bit softer. And now I hear my kids tell their classmates in Zoom that their mom created something. Something they are proud of too.
Shmask isn’t my first business, but it’s the first time I’ve felt so supported, not just by my family, but by a community of parents who love their children as much as I do. And as much as mask-wearing has been politicized, it’s also been required. And if it’s required, then I want the Shmask to make it easier.
I am a woman of many ideas. Many, many ideas. My husband, also an entrepreneur, will always say, “The idea is nothing without the execution,” which is true. But, also, execution can’t happen without motivation, and that motivation was ever-present as we navigated this new normal.
So during a baffling pandemic, in the middle of a stressful home renovation, on an unplanned road trip, I developed the Shmask: a shirt-meets-mask concept that guarantees a safe and hassle-free solution for families and their kids.
The shirt has an attached-face covering made of soft and breathable fabric with enough space in the nose and mouth area for kids to breathe and speak easily. There is a dip in the back, so it can seamlessly be worn or taken off. With the attached-face covering, Shmask helps eliminate the issue of kids complying with today's mask requirements. They can't lose it, drop it, trade it with their friends, or forget it at home.
About the Author: In addition to being a mom of three, founder Karine Nissim, is also a three-time entrepreneur, an award-winning filmmaker, and professor and the co-founder of DogVacay (which is now called Rover, the “Airbnb for pets”). Shmask started as a passion project to help keep her kids safe during this super weird time. This is the first product of a broader line of apparel for luxe family living called Karine. Super soft clothing that solves the hard problems of our new world. Think protective layers, breathable fabrics, clothes that we can all play and work in, from pick up and drop-offs, Zoom meetings, park play dates, to workouts! You and your fam can look Insta-ready and feel pajama-party good.
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Here's Why You Should Diversify Your Product Range Before You Think You Need To
One product means you have a product, not a business.
Photo: Courtesy of Cathryn Lavery
My first year in business was a much bigger success than I’d expected.
My first real product, the Self Journal, launched on Kickstarter in August 2015. I’d set a funding target of $15,000, and by the end of the campaign, I’d raised $322,695 from a total of 6,531 backers.
It was a huge win that, not only validated the concept of a 13-week productivity and goal-setting journal but also launched BestSelf Co. as a business.
But it didn’t take long for this big win to morph into a problem.
If you’ve ever watched Shark Tank, you’ll know that the Sharks are reluctant to invest in a single product.
There’s a simple reason for this reluctance: one product means you have a product, NOT a business.
Even if you have a winning product, your business is vulnerable because all your eggs are in the same basket. You have a single point of failure, which leaves you vulnerable and wide open.
If something happens to that one product, you’re out of business. And so much can go wrong—2020 has been proof of that.
First up, you’ll have competitors snapping at your heels.
Back in 2015, the Self Journal was the only 13-week goal setting on the market. As the first-of-its-kind planning and productivity tool, it gained traction quickly, especially because it was backed by science and success psychology. Fast forward five years and the market is saturated with 13-week journals.
Add to that, potential supply-chain problems, inventory going out of stock, as well as alternative goal-setting solutions coming onto the market, and your steady stream of sales can soon hit a downward curve.
A single product offering also means you have to find new customers again and again. Finding customers is expensive, especially as the cost of paid ads continues to rise.
With the Self Journal accounting for 99.9% of our sales, I knew I had to diversify.
Plus, the benefits of diversifying are so many. With a suite of products, you:
Spread your risk
Unlock up-sell and cross-sell opportunities to increase your average order value and your customer lifetime value
Widen your potential market
“If something happens to that one product, you’re out of business. And so much can go wrong—2020 has been proof of that.”
—Cathryn Lavery, Co-Founder & CEO of BestSelf Co.
I remember Tony Robbins asking two questions: “What business are you in?,” and, “What business do you need to be in?”
BestSelf Co. used to be a product-first company that sold goal-setting journals.
We needed to become a problem-first company that understood our customers’ challenges so well, we could create products that resolved them. We began to interview our customers in our community for information to really understand their needs.
As we transitioned to a problem-first approach, we unlocked a new creative wave in the business. Initially, we stuck with our productivity and goal-setting core.
For example, we recognized some customers felt overwhelmed by the structure of the Self Journal. They wanted to be more productive and effective in their work and their life, but they didn’t want the day-to-day detail of the Self Journal.
We created the Weekly Action Pad in response, which remains one of our most popular products to date.
Not every product innovation was a winner. There was a time when we invested in a merchandise range. Tees and hoodies didn’t sell as we expected, but we learned from that experience and used the lessons to dive deeper into the core of who we are as a business.
Eventually, we began to think more laterally about the problems we wanted to solve.
We realized lots of our customers enjoyed journaling because, through the process of self-discovery, they got clearer on the goals they wanted to set and past the roadblocks that were in their way.
Market research revealed that writer’s block was a big problem for journalers, so we created a deck of prompt cards to spark creative thinking.
And this product launched a whole new line of prompt decks.
It’s tempting to stick to what you know, especially when your product is doing so well, but you’ll never regret diversifying before you need to. You can’t know how long it will take to find another winner. Sometimes the things you think will fly become the embarrassing flops [we’ve had our share of those too!].
The secret is to keep coming back to the core problems you’re trying to solve.
Solve a real problem, and you can’t go wrong.
“The secret is to keep coming back to the core problems you’re trying to solve.”
—Cathryn Lavery, Co-Founder & CEO of BestSelf Co.
About the Author: Cathryn Lavery is the co-founder and CEO of BestSelf Co., an organization dedicated to helping people become their best selves, fulfill their potential, and lead happier lives. As an Irish immigrant with zero business experience, no personal network, and little resources, Cathryn transformed herself into a serial entrepreneur creating multiple brands and even helping others bring their ideas to life. She is passionate about showing others how to make the change and have the tools to achieve their goals.
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Classifieds: Alice + Olivia, Beautycounter, & Circle Are Hiring!
Eager for a career change? Check out these new listings in marketing, community management, influencer relations, social media, and more
Eager for a career change? Check out these new listings in marketing, community management, influencer relations, social media, and more
FEATURED JOBS
Head of Product, Afterglow- Remote
Digital Associate, Time’s Up- Washington, D.C.
Community Manager, Circle- Remote
Influencer Relations Coordinator, Shine Talent Group- Los Angeles, CA
Talent Manager, Shine Talent Group- Los Angeles, CA
Director of Digital Marketing, Kelly Wearstler- Los Angeles, CA or New York, NY
LOS ANGELES
Associate Manager, Social Media, Beautycounter
Digital Account Manager, Create & Cultivate
Social Media Manager, Kelly Wearstler
Public Relations & Brand Communications Associate, Kelly Wearstler
Sr. Marketing Manager, User Acquisition and Retention, MagicLinks
Sr. Marketing Manager, Lead Generation, MagicLinks
NEW YORK CITY
Marketing Copywriter, New York Post
CRM Manager, Alice & Oliva
Affiliate Marketing Manager, Klarna
Community Manager, Edelman
Marketing Specialist, Aesop
Content & Production Manager, TULA Skincare
REMOTE
Jr. Brand Partnership Development, The Shelf
Account Manager, The Shelf
Part-Time Marketing Coordinator, The Intimacy Experts
Content Strategist , Skillshare
Marketing Intern, Wren
Sales Development Rep, Replicated
“Social Media Has the Power to Positively Change Our Lives If We Let It"—Here's How to Be Authentic Online
Opening up about breast cancer helped this women’s health advocate reach a wider audience.
“Social media has the power to positively change our lives if we let it.”
—Allyn Rose, Women's Health Advocate & Founder of The Previvor Foundation
Keeping up with social media has always been a struggle for me. But it’s never been that I was “too busy” or that I didn’t understand the platforms. The issue was that I didn’t know how to be “authentic” online. I think that’s something that a lot of us can relate to.
How do you balance talking about intimate aspects of your life while still being professional? How do you show a “day in the life” while not fully letting on that you haven’t changed out of your pajamas? How do you talk about your relationship while being respectful and still reserving privacy with your partner? How can you share negative seasons of your life without being a total Debbie Downer? It’s also really easy to start making negative comparisons about your life and the lives of those that you follow. Do people really do their hair and put on makeup every single day? Is anyone’s house that clean all of the time? What type of relationship involves someone picking you up and spinning you around in a picture-perfect embrace on a toilet paper run?
The answer to all of those questions is: “Only the unrealistic ones.” So go ahead and breathe a sigh of relief. But social media matters. It matters because it’s a direct way of speaking to our generation… and that’s a powerful thing.
I started becoming more active on social media in 2015. While Instagram had begun to grow in popularity, it was nothing like it is now. Back then, it was primarily an overly-edited and perfectly-filtered glimpse into the lives of a beautiful few. Today, it has transformed into a 24/7 display of people’s real lives. People now feel comfortable sharing their trials, as well as their triumphs. We see makeup-free faces, stretch marks, postpartum bodies. We see real life.
“The more I shared about the trials in my life, the more my channels began to grow.”
—Allyn Rose, Women's Health Advocate & Founder of The Previvor Foundation
And I think that represents a generational shift. We’re tired of seeing (and trying to live up to) these perfect lives. It wasn’t until I noticed things start to change that I realized just how inauthentic my online presence had become. I constantly felt like I was playing “catch up” with the trends, the lifestyle, and the never-ending display of perfection. I knew that my life looked nothing like my feed and I made a conscious effort to change that.
I threw caution to the wind and started talking about what was really going on in my life: undergoing a preventive double mastectomy at 26. I started sharing the way that I felt about my body post-surgery, the impact that it had on my relationship, and how it would change a lot of aspects of my future. Prior to my mastectomy, I had been a Miss USA and Miss America contestant, I was a full-time model and all of that had been put on hold to proactively remove my breasts in an effort to prevent breast cancer. I did this because by the time I turned 16, I had already lost my mother, grandmother, and great aunt to the disease, and I was determined not to suffer the same fate.
I was shocked to see that the more I shared about the trials in my life, the more my channels began to grow. At first, I thought it was just the rubbernecking effect—people slowing down to look at the damage. But as the years went by, a true community began to grow. That community included women who had already battled breast cancer, those who carried a gene mutation that increased their chances of developing cancer, those who were about to undergo preventive surgery, and even those who just wanted to learn how to better support their friends or family members in the same situation. It was wonderful to be able to talk to others who had been in my shoes and those several years out who could offer me some long term perspective on what life might look like when the “dust fully settled.”
Photo: Courtesy of Allyn Rose
What social media also did was introduce me to the struggles that many women were facing in learning about their options for breast reconstruction after a mastectomy. It got me thinking, “Why is there not a comprehensive resource for women undergoing this surgery? Why are women being forced to message strangers on the internet about these life-changing surgeries?” I put my head down and I got to work.
That’s when The Previvor was born. In October 2019, I launched my nonprofit’s website, a digital women’s health platform that allowed women to be fully informed about all of their choices surrounding mastectomy. As The Previvor grew, so did an even larger community of women who were able to support one another through this very challenging time in their lives. I couldn’t believe that something like social media, something that had given me anxiety for years, was now a vital part of my everyday life. And instead of causing me anxiety and FOMO, it was now bringing me fulfillment and a community of my own.
As the years went by, and I began to face new challenges like trying to start a family. Because of my family’s health history and being the carrier of a known gene mutation, I opted to undergo the IVF process, followed by genetic testing with Shady Grove Fertility. Because I knew that so many women who had undergone mastectomy were also carriers of the breast cancer gene mutations BRCA1 and BRCA2, I decided to publicly share my fertility journey. I hoped that it might remove some of the “fear of the unknown” from other women who may have to go down the same road in the future. I was blown away by the love and support that I received from women around the world. After 10 months of treatment, two egg retrievals, and an embryo transfer, I’m now 18 weeks pregnant with my first child. I really don’t know how I would have navigated this incredibly emotional experience without the support I received via social media.
It’s hard to imagine navigating the last five years without the people I met on these platforms. It gets a bad rap at times, but social media has the power to positively change our lives if we let it. So I encourage you to stop trying to “keep up” and start sharing your most authentic self. You never know where it might lead you.
“I encourage you to stop trying to ‘keep up’ and start sharing your most authentic self. You never know where it might lead you.”
—Allyn Rose, Women's Health Advocate & Founder of The Previvor Foundation
About the Author: As a 24-year-old Miss America contestant, Allyn Rose made headlines across the globe with the controversial decision to undergo a preventative double mastectomy after losing her mother, grandmother, and great aunt to breast cancer. Allyn's story inspired celebrities like Angelina Jolie and a new generation of women to take charge of their healthcare choices. Determined to encourage other women to know that their scars are beautiful, Allyn boldly became the first woman with a mastectomy to model for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. She is the founder of The Previvor, a 501(c)(3) non-profit women's health platform, which serves as a resource for women undergoing mastectomy and the creator of the #SelfExamGram, a social media movement encouraging women to perform a monthly self-breast exam.
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Hey Boss Ladies, Here’s What to Expect at Our Small Business Summit Presented by Mastercard
Kate Hudson, Tika Sumpter, and more.
With more than 30 million small businesses across the country employing over 47% of the country’s total workforce, it’s no wonder small business is known as the backbone of America. But in the midst of COVID, small business owners and entrepreneurs need our help more than ever as they transform their Main Street mainstays into thriving digital ones, which is why we’re taking our annual Small Business Summit presented by Mastercard online and making it free to attend. Yes, free!
On Saturday, October 24th, we’re partnering with Mastercard to host a day of immersive virtual workshops, insightful panels, and intimate mentor sessions. Prepare to walk away with the tools, tips, and tricks you need to build, launch, or take your business to the next level and open your digital doors. Scroll on to find out everything you need to know ahead of the big day (spoiler alert: Kate Hudson and Tika Sumpter will be there!) and RSVP to save your spot if you haven’t already.
THE DATE
Saturday, October 24th, 2020
TUNE IN FROM HOME
First things first! On Saturday, October 24th, you’ll receive an email with the link to access the exclusive Small Business Summit presented by Mastercard event site. Please note: All content will go live on Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), including the launch of the exclusive Small Business Summit presented by Mastercard event site. To find out what time a session is happening in your time zone, use this handy time zone converter.
The digital summit is made up of pre-recorded video sessions hosted via Vimeo and live video sessions streaming via Zoom and Messenger Rooms. We recommend that you have a strong WiFi connection and update to the latest version of Zoom for the best experience. The summit is optimized for desktop, so it is best viewed via a computer or laptop, rather than a tablet or phone.
While the live content is specifically designed to be watched in real-time, you’ll be able to access and view it until Friday, October 30th at 5 pm PDT (Insiders, you have all-access even after the cutoff via your C&C Insiders dashboard!).
THE SCHEDULE
Small Business Summit presented by Mastercard is built just like our in-person conferences, which, of course, you all know and love. We have a stacked schedule with an A-list line-up of speakers so we suggest taking notes along the way.
Want the full lineup? Check out the play-by-play schedule to map out your big day. Please note, all times are listed in PDT (Pacific Daylight Time) and EDT (Eastern Daylight Time). To find out what time a session is happening in your time zone, use this time zone converter.
It’s going to be HUGE so we recommend getting a head start on planning out your day now.
THINGS TO PREP AHEAD OF TIME
Here are a few things to prep before the big day so it goes off without a hitch:
Make sure you have a strong WiFi connection.
Install Zoom on your desktop computer or laptop and test it out.
Zoom tips:
Find a quiet place to tune in. Try to situate yourself in a small room that does not have an echo.
Try and stay away from noisy electronics and silence your cell phone and computer notifications for an optimal experience.
When possible, limit your internet connection to solely the device you’re using for the Zoom conference.
Set your phone to airplane mode, pause your television connection, ask others in your home to pause anything that may require a strong internet connection, etc.
We will be hosting three LIVE Messenger Room sessions on Facebook throughout the day, you will need to click the live link (which will be accessible via the exclusive Small Business Summit presented by Mastercard event site) at the time of the session to join:
This link will prompt you to view the live session.
Please note: You do not need to log into your Facebook account or have a Facebook profile to join the sessions.
Please use Google Chrome when accessing the link for the best user experience.
Be sure to like, comment, and ask questions during the live broadcast.
Be sure to download the workshop assets so you can follow along with the expert in real-time. Note: Your exclusive workshop downloads will be available starting Saturday, October 24th via the exclusive Small Business Summit presented by Mastercard event site.
Join the Mentor Power Hour Slack channel and peruse the list of mentors who will be answering questions in real-time in half-hour-long Zoom webinars and choose your mentor(s).
We have experts in everything from building brands to raising venture capital to attracting and retaining A-List clients.
If there’s more than one mentor you want advice from, don’t worry! You can hop from session to session over the course of the half-hour if you’d like.
Don’t forget to jot down any questions you have for the mentor sessions ahead of time! You’ll be able to ask your Qs in real-time by typing them into Zoom’s Q&A feature.
GET SOCIAL
Stay tuned for exciting announcements and updates by following along on our social at @createcultivate. Don’t forget to tag @createcultivate and use the hashtag #CCSmallBusinessSummit for the chance to be featured in our Instagram Stories throughout the day! (Psst… Search “Create Cultivate” on Instagram to use our custom GIFs.)
NETWORK
Networking is a huge part of our event and our C&C Small Business Summit Attendees Slack Workspace is a great place to mix and mingle with your fellow Create & Cultivators before, during, and after the big day. We’ve created channels for every workshop and panel, as well as channels for international attendees, networking, and more!
Attendees will receive a link to access our Create & Cultivate Small Business Summit Attendees Slack Workspace in our What to Expect newsletter on Tuesday, October 20th. This Slack channel will remain accessible until Friday, October 30th at 12 pm PDT. Not familiar with Slack? Here are a few tips to get you started:
Download the Slack app to your phone, computer, or both
Complete your account profile with a profile photo, your name, and what you do
Public conversations will happen in the channels (ex: #networking) and are located on the left-hand side of the app. You can also start direct messages with others in the Slack workspace
Hit send too early on a message? Slack has an edit feature! Click the three-dot icon located on the right side of the message to open the drop-down of message options
We’re all about GIFs at C&C! Here are instructions on how to integrate GIPHY into your Slack account.
Our Slack workspace is a busy, happening place on the day of the event. Streamline the notifications you receive by using the “mute” feature on channels that don’t pertain to you. To mute a channel, simply open up that channel, click the three-dot icon labeled “more,” and select the mute option
Most importantly, be kind and respectful of others. If you don’t follow this rule, you will be removed from the Slack group
If you have any questions on the day of the event about navigating the schedule, accessing the workshop downloads, or anything else, you can drop them into the customer service channel in Slack.
C&C INSIDERS’ PERKS
Our Insiders get a ton of perks at all our events—and this summit is no exception. As an Insider, you’ll have access to all of the workshops, mentor sessions, panels, and keynotes via your C&C Insiders dashboard. This content will be uploaded by November 6th, 2020. Not an insider yet? Well, don’t miss out—you can sign up here.
VIRTUAL GIFT BAGS
We know you want ‘em! Complete our post-event survey to receive an email packed with promo codes from some of your favorite brands, including Onekind, Hello Care Package, The Caker, Summer Fridays, and more. You’ll receive the survey in your inbox on Friday, October 30th, 2020.
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES?
Live chat with a C&C specialist on CreateCultivate.com. You’ll see a “Chat With Us” pop-up in the bottom right corner of your screen.
WE ARE SO EXCITED TO SEE YOU ONLINE! Who are you most excited to hear speak? Which workshop are you looking forward to most? Tell us in the comments below!
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"Nothing Was Standardized"—How 2 Frustrated Moms Took On a $61.8 Billion Industry
“Let’s just do it ourselves!”
We know how daunting it can be to start a new business, especially if you’re disrupting an industry or creating an entirely new one. When there is no path to follow, the biggest question is, where do I start? There is so much to do, but before you get ahead of yourself, let’s start at the beginning. To kick-start the process, and ease some of those first-time founder nerves, we’re asking successful entrepreneurs to share their stories in our new series, From Scratch. But this isn’t your typical day in the life profile. We’re getting into the nitty-gritty details—from writing a business plan (or not) to sourcing manufacturers and how much they pay themselves—we’re not holding back.
Photo: Courtesy of Perelel
Did you know that one out of every 33 babies in the United States is born with a birth defect? In fact, birth defects are the leading cause of infant deaths, accounting for 20% of all infant deaths, according to the CDC.
So, when Tori Thain Gioia’s daughter was born with a cleft lip despite not having any risk factors or genetic link, “it really knocked me off my feet” she told Create & Cultivate. “I started looking for answers.” she continued. “I did a lot of research with my OB/GYN and learned that the type of cleft my daughter was born with is often associated with a folate deficiency.”
Shocked is an understatement because Gioia had been taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid which she thought was the same thing as folate. “I later learned that folic acid is the synthetic version of the nutrient folate and some 60% of women cannot transform it into the absorbable format, known as folate.” What’s more, she learned that folate levels during the first nine weeks of pregnancy are crucial to development. “I was frustrated to find that so many prenatals had poor quality ingredients like folic acid and saddened that there was so little education out there about what and when you really in need your prenatal.”
So, she partnered up with friend and fellow frustrated mama, Alex Taylor to change the statistics. When they first met, they had both just given birth and as two people with a lot of startup experience, they were equally disappointed by the current offering for millennial moms.
Today, they’re taking on the $61.8 Billion supplements industry—it’s predicted to reach a value of $349 billion by 2026—with their own prenatal line, Perelel vitamins to be parallel to where our woman is in her journey, there to support her when she needs it most. These supplements have been designed to adapt to your body’s changing needs throughout your motherhood journey. Using only bioavailable, high-quality ingredients at doctor-recommended doses, their formulations offer targeted nutrients for each phase.
Read on to hear more about how Gioia and Taylor are disrupting the supplements space and sparking connection and community with new moms along the way.
On the lightbulb moment…
Alex Taylor: I had also recently given birth to my first child and felt frustrated with my prenatal vitamin experience. I’ve always been incredibly health-conscious, which was only magnified when I was diagnosed with a thyroid disease about seven years ago. I’ve been fortunate to have access to incredible practitioners over the years, so when it came to pregnancy I was especially privy to the nutritional nuances associated with each phase. In a nutshell, I learned that the timing of certain nutrients was paramount.
When I began my pregnancy journey, I supplemented my prenatal vitamin with CoQ10 and additional folate while we were trying to conceive. Once I finally got pregnant, I supplemented with added calcium and iron and tracked down a separate Omega that offered both high-quality DHA and EPA, and so on. I was chasing down vitamins from Amazon, Whole Foods, your name it, piecing together what I understood to be the optimal mix of vitamins. It was a haphazard experience, to say the least. Each morning, I’d line up my various pill bottles and sort out my daily dose, which my husband found very amusing.
What made things all the more confusing was the fact that there was very little credible information online about prenatal vitamin nutrition—nothing was standardized and most of the resources I found were on community forums, which just didn’t cut it. After putting together the puzzle pieces of our challenges, Tori and I knew there had to be a better way.
What we found were three major issues with the current one-size-fits-all prenatal vitamin market:
1. Poor quality ingredients
2. Timing the introduction of certain ingredients was vital
3. Lack of information from credible sources
Appreciating we weren’t MDs, we teamed up with Tori’s OB/GYN, Dr. Banafsheh Bayati, who eagerly validated our concept (and joined as a Medical Co-Founder). Along with Dr. Bayati, we also ran the idea by a handful of other leading OB/GYNs and maternal-fetal medicine doctors who were equally enthusiastic about the need for a more targeted prenatal vitamin with a holistic approach.
From there, we knew we were onto something special, and so, Perelel was born.
“There was very little credible information online about prenatal vitamin nutrition—nothing was standardized.”
—Alex Taylor, Co-Founder, Perelel
On writing a business plan…
AT: In our own way, yes! Instead of writing a memo, we used the exercise of creating a full presentation as a way to crystalize the brand, our product assortment, our mission, and what we hoped to accomplish. We used the deck as a roadmap for the concept, how we’d get it off the ground, and what the financial architecture would be. We built a financial model that contemplates a number of scenarios and strives to ensure a path to profitability. Both exercises have been invaluable tools for us and served as compasses that we often reference and discuss.
On coming up with the name…
AT: Naming was probably the toughest part! We created endless lists of ideas but never seemed to pull the trigger. Finally, Tori called me one evening as I was driving down the 405 and said that we had to pick a name so we could incorporate the business. As luck would have it, we both gravitated toward the same name on our long list of options: Perelel. We chose this name because our goal is to always be parallel to where our woman is in her journey, there to support her when she needs it most. Plus, we loved that our version of the spelling used the root word “pere-” which means “to produce”—a nice wink to the goal of taking our products: to produce a healthy pregnancy.
As soon as we locked in the name, we secured the web domain, social handles, and applied for the trademark. From there, jumped into the formulation process with our doctors while also interviewing manufacturers that met our high quality and production standards.
On finding a trustworthy manufacturer…
TTG: While the FDA does not approve dietary supplements, we manufacture our products in accordance with the FDA’s current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) to ensure quality and safety. And for good measure, we test all of our products for heavy metals, microbes, allergens, and contaminants. To find our manufacturers, we teamed up with a supplement consultant who has 20 years of experience in the space to help us find the right partners while also working hand-in-hand with our team of doctors and Medical Co-Founder, Dr. Bayati, to formulate the perfect product.
Due to COVID-19, we encountered some hurdles as many supply chains were disrupted and manufacturing lines were backed up due to the shutdowns. Eventually, we found an amazing partner who met our long list of requirements. We did many reference checks and Zoom interviews. If you’re looking for a manufacturer, we suggest pulling in a consultant with a deep category experience. There are so many nuances you need to be aware of, and unless you’re an expert yourself, it helps to have the reassurance an insider can offer.
On funding the company…
TTG: We raised a small friends-and-family round, but because we’re focused on proving our concept and establishing the brand, we decided to primarily bootstrap through launch. We have plans to raise a small institutional seed round in early 2021 from the right partners who believe in the mission of the brand and an efficient path to break-even.
“
We chose this name because our goal is to always be parallel to where our woman is in her journey—there to support her when she needs it most.”
—Alex Taylor, Co-founder, Perelel
On paying themselves a wage…
TTG: Right now we’re not paying ourselves, but hope to someday soon! When we reach an appropriate scale, we will both look to take a salary, but as we bootstrap through launch, we’re not.
On the building a team…
AT: We have two primary co-founders along with an OB/GYN who is our medical co-founder. Additionally, we have two full-time employees, an amazing intern, and we have a panel of 9 experts and advisors who support us with content, community building, product review, and development.
Both Tori and I have managed larger operations and teams in the past, so hiring and building out the infrastructure came second nature to us.
On staying on top of the financials…
AT: Tori has a finance background, which spans investment banking, investing, and operations. She also has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a lot of experience building financial plans for very early-stage businesses, so we’ve leaned heavily on her savvy there for sure. That said, strategic finance and operations are a different beast than accounting, so we’ve onboarded a great partner to help us there. We want to be buttoned up and organized from the start so we don’t have to undo (or redo) a lot of work there.
On the biggest learning curve…
AT: There’s never a dull moment, especially when you’re dealing with third-party operators and have supply-chain dependencies. We’ve had to block-and-tackle as we go, making tough decisions. But honestly, the process has helped us build a strong foundation as partners. We trust one another implicitly and deeply respect each other, too.
There are so many nuances you need to be aware of, and unless you’re an expert yourself, it helps to have the reassurance an insider can offer.
—Tori Thain Gioia, Co-founder, Perelel
On having a business coach…
AT: I’ve worked with an incredible coach on-and-off for the past five years or so. He’s helped me build a resilient mindset, grow as a leader, make leaps in my career to better align with my personal values, and has equipped me with tools to not only make better decisions but also insights that have helped me become a better person, too. I am deeply grateful to him. If you can, I highly recommend finding a coach or a mentor you can regularly check in with.
On creating buzz around the brand…
AT: I come from a content, marketing, and strategy background where I’ve built many brands you might know and love today, so building Perelel came second nature to me. Part of it was pulling the more obvious levers such as social media and building our email list ahead of launch through compelling programming, but what’s been especially fun are all of the new and unconventional strategies we’ve been pursuing! Consumer habits are shifting a mile-a-minute so we’ve been focused on understanding fresh ways to engage our customers and pull her into our universe. Think outside the box!
On advice for small business owners…
AT: In the very early days of starting Perelel, I was chatting with a mentor of mine and he shared a story with me: He told me about a dinner he had with Elon Musk, who said being an entrepreneur is like waking up every morning and chewing glass. I laughed it off at the time, but it’s true. You have to be prepared to deal with a whole new set of challenges each day. And these challenges don’t ever go away, no matter how successful your business. Starting and running your own company is not a cakewalk. And it’s definitely nothing like the “girl boss” fantasy you often see portrayed in the media or founder press out there.
On the #1 piece of financial advice for new business owners…
AT: Loaded question! The first is spending the time upfront to do an honest assessment about what capital is required to break-even, even if it’s a range. Forming a point of view as to what your cash needs are in the near and long-term is crucial given there is no business if there isn’t cash. The second piece is being thoughtful about what KPIs you’re targeting to determine what success looks like. We’re trying to identify the metrics that we’ll need to achieve and not fall into the trap of cherry-picking data points to make strategic choices.
On developing a solid working relationship as co-founders…
TTG & AT: We are launching this business while also expanding our families (Tori just had a new baby and Alex is due in December). Fortunately, we are not first-time moms and fully understand what is involved in coming home with a newborn. We have great respect and understanding of what each other is experiencing, and because we are a small, nimble team, we can flex when the other needs to retreat to be with family, but we still feel fully supported by each other. We also knew we would need to have some support, so we brought on two full-time team members to Perelel to help keep the day-to-day rolling when we need to focus on family.
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Classifieds: Square, Kelly Wearstler, & BossBabe Are Hiring!
Ready for a career refresh? Check out these new listings
Credit: Colorjoy Stock
Ready for a career refresh? Check out these remote listings from Square, Wren, Skillshare, & more!
FEATURED JOBS
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Director of Digital Marketing, Kelly Wearstler- Los Angeles, CA or New York, NY
Social Media Manager, Kelly Wearstler- Los Angeles, CA
Public Relations & Brand Communications Associate, Kelly Wearstler- Los Angeles, CA
LOS ANGELES
Brand & Content Manager, BossBabe
Digital Account Manager, Create & Cultivate
Sr. Marketing Manager, User Acquisition and Retention, MagicLinks
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NEW YORK CITY
Community Manager, Edelman
Growth Marketing Specialist, Venmo
Marketing Specialist, Aesop
Content & Production Manager, TULA Skincare
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Product Marketing Manager, SoundCloud
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Sales Development Rep, Replicated
Performance Marketing Manager, Vital Proteins
Project Manager, Silverline
Sr. Paid Marketing Manager, Webflow
I Launched a Non-Profit Women's Health Website With $0 and No Experience in Web Design
It’s the “Wikipedia of Mastectomy.”
“The goal was to put women back in the driver’s seat of their healthcare choices and allow them to advocate for themselves (sometimes even with their own doctors).”
—Allyn Rose, Women's Health Advocate & Founder of The Previvor Foundation
This October marks 10 years that I’ve been part of what’s known as the “Breast Cancer Community.” I once heard it referred to as “the worst club with the best members.” I don’t think I could put it better.
In 2010, I was a college senior at the University of Maryland, College Park. Like most students, I was trying to soak up the final few semesters with friends, mastering procrastination, and asking myself the age-old soon-to-be-grad question: “What’s next?” While avoiding finishing one of my final papers, I received an e-mail on my sorority’s listserv entitled “Breast Cancer Charity Pageant.” I opened it—anything to avoid another 5 pages on legal theory. The e-mail was inviting students who had a connection to breast cancer to enter a new beauty pageant, benefiting a breast cancer non-profit. I was intrigued. Something inside of me said, “Just give it a try.”
“
I was far from what you’d consider the beauty queen type. I wore high-top sneakers, leather jackets with studs and was a former member of a punk rock band.”
—Allyn Rose, Women's Health Advocate & Founder of The Previvor Foundation
My mother had lost her second battle with breast cancer just a few years prior and I knew that she would have given anything to see me in a beautiful gown, participating in something like a pageant. But you have to understand, I was far from what you’d consider the “beauty queen” type. I wore high-top sneakers, leather jackets with studs and was a former member of a “punk rock” band. Not exactly Miss USA. But throwing caution to the wind, I filled out the form, submitted my best MySpace profile picture, and pressed send. What happened next changed the trajectory of my life forever. I ended up not only becoming a contestant but winning that pageant (which, looking back, was nothing short of a miracle). Fast-forward three years, and I would have the opportunity to compete in Miss USA and Miss America. For a punk rocker at heart, it still doesn’t feel real.
As a Miss America contestant, I chose to advocate for preventive healthcare as part of my charitable platform. As the daughter, granddaughter, and niece of women who lost their lives to breast cancer, I knew just how important it was that I be proactive in my breast health. At that point, I had already made the decision to preventatively remove my breasts in an effort to avoid breast cancer and hopefully prolong my life. This came after a hard conversation with my father where he had looked me straight in the eye and proclaimed “If you don’t take this seriously, you’re going to end up DEAD DEAD DEAD… just like your mother.” I was only 18 at the time, but the “kid gloves” had come off. My father knew that he needed to be that brusque with me if I was going to take it seriously. It gave me the long term perspective that I needed.
“
While I didn’t end up walking away with the Miss America crown, I was given something that, looking back, was even better—a platform to speak to my generation.”
—Allyn Rose, Women's Health Advocate & Founder of The Previvor Foundation
A few months before the Miss America pageant, I received a call from a journalist asking about my decision to undergo surgery. I happily shared my story and looked forward to having a nice newspaper clipping that I could put in my scrapbook. I wasn’t prepared for what came next. I woke up the next morning with 17 missed calls, voicemails, a barrage of unread e-mails. I was now the top trending story on every major U.S. and international media outlet with the headline: “Miss America contestant, 24, to undergo preventative double mastectomy” and my quote “I’m choosing life over beauty.” The story seemed to take the world by storm. This was prior to Angelina Jolie’s revelation and women in the “beauty industry” simply weren’t talking about things like this. Hell, most people didn’t even know that a surgery like this even existed.
Before I knew it, I was speaking at events across the country, I appeared on all the morning talk shows, I was asked to give a TEDx talk and my world didn’t stop spinning for months. While I didn’t end up walking away with the Miss America crown, I was given something that, looking back, was even better—a platform to speak to my generation. I knew that this was not an opportunity afforded to many people, so I put my plans to attend law school on hold and began working as a passionate advocate for preventive healthcare and educating women on their healthcare choices. As the years went by, I felt driven to do something more than simply share my personal experience—I wanted to provide others with a resource to help them in their journey.
Photo: Courtesy of Allyn Rose
At age 26, I underwent a bilateral double mastectomy, becoming a Previvor— removing both of my breasts in an attempt to “previve” breast cancer. Being so public with my surgery and having had a positive cosmetic outcome, I soon started being inundated with messages from women all over the world asking about my surgery: “Are your implants over or under the muscle?” “Did you keep your nipples?” “Do you have fat grafting?” “Do you have any sensation remaining in your breasts?” I quickly realized just how difficult it was to be fully informed on topics like genetic testing (to identify if one carries a breast cancer gene mutation), types of mastectomy, and the accompanying options for reconstruction. Even having earned an honorary Ph.D. in Google, partnered with some of the best doctors in the world, and really having done my due diligence in preparing for surgery, even I didn’t have all of the answers. This didn’t sit well with me. And one day, I said to myself, “I need to stop waiting around for things to be different. Why not just build it myself?” So, with a budget of $0.00, no experience in web design, I set off to create what would become The Previvor Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit digital women’s health platform nicknamed the “Wikipedia of Mastectomy.”
In October 2019, The Previvor went live, becoming a one-stop-shop for women wanting to learn about ALL of their breast health options. The goal was to put women back in the driver’s seat of their healthcare choices and allow them to advocate for themselves (sometimes even with their own doctors). Breast reconstruction had become an “assembly line,” with physicians offering patients one option for breast reconstruction and “out the door you go!” I wanted women to know that there are numerous options for surgery and what’s best for one woman’s body might not be what’s best for yours. And the more informed you are prior to surgery, the more likely you are to be satisfied with the outcome. My best advice: If your doctor says no to the surgery and you think is best for your body, it’s probably time to get a new doctor.
The Previvor continues to grow, providing additional resources, and creating a community of empowered and informed women. To learn more or to donate, please visit www.ThePrevivor.org.
“
If your doctor says no to the surgery and you think is best for your body, it’s probably time to get a new doctor.”
—Allyn Rose, Women's Health Advocate & Founder of The Previvor Foundation
About the Author: As a 24-year-old Miss America contestant, Allyn Rose made headlines across the globe with the controversial decision to undergo a preventative double mastectomy after losing her mother, grandmother, and great aunt to breast cancer. Allyn's story inspired celebrities like Angelina Jolie and a new generation of women to take charge of their healthcare choices. Determined to encourage other women to know that their scars are beautiful, Allyn boldly became the first woman with a mastectomy to model for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. She is the founder of The Previvor, a 501(c)(3) non-profit women's health platform, which serves as a resource for women undergoing mastectomy and the creator of the #SelfExamGram, a social media movement encouraging women to perform a monthly self-breast exam.
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The Best Money Advice From the Founders of ClassPass, Birchbox, Drybar, and More at the U.S. Bank Women and Wealth Summit
“Know it, manage it, don’t fear it, and don’t let it control you either.”
On Thursday, October 8th, we tapped industry-disrupting entrepreneurs and experts for the private U.S. Bank Women and Wealth Summit, a virtual event exclusive to U.S. Bank clients. Inspired by the recently released U.S. Bank Women and Wealth Insights Study, it’s safe to say we didn't hold back on discussing all the important topics around women and wealth, from exploring how women are making their mark on communities through philanthropic giving to diving into the systems that cause the gender wealth gap and how to dismantle them.
The afternoon of thought-provoking conversations was led by noteworthy female founders including Payal Kadakia, the founder and executive chairman of ClassPass; Katia Beauchamp, the co-founder and CEO of Birchbox; Alli Webb, the co-founder of Drybar and Squeeze, and more. Then, Gunjan Kedia, Vice Chair of Wealth Management and Investment Services at U.S. Bank took to the virtual stage with Jaclyn Johnson, founder and CEO of Create & Cultivate to share her story of immigrating to the U.S. to become one of America's Most Powerful Women in Finance, with her division responsible for more than $7 trillion in assets under management or administration.
Although the event was exclusive to the U.S. Bank audience, don't worry, we wrote down all the most quotable moments for you! Read on for the highlights.
Fireside Chat With U.S. Bank's Gunjan Kedia, Vice Chair of Wealth Management and Investment Services
Panelist:
Gunjan Kedia | Vice Chair of Wealth Management and Investment Services, U.S. Bank
Moderator:
Jaclyn Johnson | CEO & Founder, Create & Cultivate
On being a leader…
“Leadership is fundamentally about everyone but you.”
“I very humbly believe that your title comes with your career, but leadership comes with your point of view.”
On entering a successful company in a high-powered role…
“First, seek to understand, then seek to change.”
On being empowered by your finances...
“Being on top of your money affairs is so empowering. It gives you so much confidence that it’s worth investing in.”
On paying it forward by working in the finance industry…
“It is hugely satisfying personally to see someone smile a little bit because you helped them through a difficult decision.”
On managing your money…
“I’m not going to make you believe it’s the most fun thing you do, but I want you to believe it’s not optional.”
On saving, saving, saving…
“‘I save first, and I spend second’ is a mindset that’s very important.”
On getting started…
“You have to invest in educating yourself.”
“Don’t fear making terrible decisions. Just don’t make huge terrible decisions.”
“Think about what $5 a day does for you 30 years from now if invested wisely.”
On making smart money moves during COVID...
“Right now, interest rates have come down very dramatically so if you have debt you should look at it and see if you can restructure it.”
On maintaining your income…
“Income continuity is very important to building wealth.”
On cultivating a healthy mindset around money…
“Money is a way to achieve what you want to do with your life.”
“Know it, manage it, don’t fear it, and don’t let it control you either.”
On switching industries to spend more time with her family…
“If anyone thinks that motherhood doesn’t disrupt a career, I’d have to respectfully disagree.”
On giving advice to working moms…
“Don’t give up, stay in the game.”
“Life works out, but you never plan it.”
Keynote Conversation With Actor and Entrepreneur Tracee Ellis Ross
Panelist: Tracee Ellis Ross | Actress, CEO, and Executive Producer
Moderator: Jaclyn Johnson, Founder and CEO, Create & Cultivate
On becoming an actor..
“Acting gave me access to everything about myself—everything was at play in the world of acting and I felt completely alive and could use all aspects of myself.”
On how the industry has changed…
“There are so many different ways to discover talent, and to have your gift and talent be seen.”
“There is a democracy in the industry now, that people are able to not just be one thing.”
On aging in Hollywood…
“I have always wanted to get older. I am always excited about birthdays. You get wiser, more comfortable in your skin. I am grateful at this age to be able to have at my fingertips what I have at my fingertips because I know what it means to me and what I want to do with it.”
On starting her business, Pattern Beauty…
“It is a task and a half to be a founder and CEO of a company. A successful company is not based on good intentions or even good ideas, it has to be combined with a really good operational process and strategy.”
“I retain majority ownership, I have full creative control, it is my brand, it is my idea and that means I get to run it the way I want.”
“I believe in shared power. I believe in a table filled with voices, I believe in people bringing their whole selves to work.”
“I believe in a business that doesn’t just make money but also gives back to the community.”
On confidence around money…
“I have always been an outspoken individual but I did not know how to negotiate on my behalf and I did not know how to talk about money.”
“Culturally, women are not taught to talk about money. We have been taught that women are not meant to take up space and not rock the boat. We have also been siloed off from each other particularly as Black and Brown people so we don’t share information with each other and you always think you are alone. And when you think you are alone, it is very scary to show up for yourself because you don’t know; you have nothing to compare it to.”
“Don’t be afraid to ask for support and ask for help. You can be transparent. If you go somewhere to ask for support and they make you feel wobbly, try somebody else.”
“I believe in people being paid fairly and equally for the jobs that they do.”
“I strongly believe in women and WOC fighting for equity—for having a stake in what they create.”
On sharing the table with other women…
“My confidence has come from the collective energy of other women. They have taught me how to navigate my life—not on my own as this siloed individual, but with this collective spirit and information of all of us.”
“You want to have people in your circle who are steps ahead of you and steps behind you.”
On advice she’d give her younger self…
“Things take longer than you think they are going to take.”
“Trust the process.”
“The questions are more important than the answers but there is such a sense of fulfillment when you stop looking for that answer and it just appears on your plate.”
Investing With the Heart: Building Thriving Communities by Combining Social Responsibility With Charitable Giving
Panelists:
Ruby Pediangco | Senior Philanthropic Advisor, U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management
Arian Simone | General Partner & Co-Founder, Fearless Fund
Shiza Shahid | Co-Founder, Our Place
Rebecca Minkoff | Co-Founder & Creative Director, Rebecca Minkoff, and Co-Founder, The Female Founder Collective
Moderator:
Sacha Strebe | Editorial Director, Create & Cultivate
On being a woman and a philanthropist…
“We are nurturers. We are givers. We multiply anything that is given to a woman.” - Arian Simone
“It’s no longer a luncheon activity. It is an activity of smart women who want to maximize their capital and do good at the same time.” - Rebecca Minkoff
On being inspired by your upbringing…
“My parents instilled in me the concept of sadaqah jariyah, which is this idea that you should do something in your life that will live long after you’re gone.” - Shiza Shahid
“I’ve learned from my work what happens when you help a woman earn a dollar: She invests 80-90% back for her family and her community. It is typically 30-40% for men.” - Shiza Shahid
On finding new solutions to old problems...
“Anything that puts you out of the status quo gives you a deeper perspective and allows you to be far more creative in solving challenging issues.” - Shiza Shahid
On using life experiences to inspire giving back …
“Working at a nonprofit is very close to my heart, however, I believe that if we’re to solve the most pressing challenges, we need businesses to step up.” - Shiza Shahid
On providing education, access, and connection to the female founder community…
“I was tired of seeing the same few women being asked to speak on panels and then being asked, ‘What's it like to be a female founder?” as if we were polar bears.” - Rebecca Minkoff
“Founders teach founders best. We've been through it.” - Rebecca Minkoff
On influencing positive change in our communities…
“I'm the answer to my problem.” - Arian Simone
“Black women are the most founded, yet the least funded.” - Arian Simone
“We are the first Women of Color fund that is built by us, for us.” - Arian Simone
On investing your wealth into your personal values, ideas, and perspectives…
“It's very rare that I've invested in anything that's been owned and operated by a man because I am putting my money where my mouth is.” - Rebecca Minkoff
“Take the time to do some self-reflection and think, ‘Why am I passionate about education for children?,’ ‘Who influenced me?’ Once you do that reflection, you begin to have a story to tell and it ignites a fire.” - Ruby Pediangco
“It's that laser focus on what's important that really has flourished all of their endeavors.” - Ruby Pediangco
On finding mentors and providing advice to others…
“It's one thing to give somebody capital. It's another thing to equip them with the skills in order to put that capital to work.” - Arian Simone
“Rather than putting it into Google, you are able to talk to another woman and say, ‘Hey, how did you do this?’ and it doesn’t mean it’s high-to-low, it’s side-by-side.” - Rebecca Minkoff
On ensuring your values align with your philanthropic efforts…
“Take a sheet of paper, draw a line down in the center, and think of three things that are important to you other than your family. And on the other side, think of charities that you have given to or wherever you’ve invested your money to. Look at that sheet to see if there is alignment between the two.” - Ruby Pediangco
On encouraging more women entrepreneurs to consider philanthropy…
“It’s absolutely fine if you can’t give today. You can give in the future.” - Ruby Pediangco
On creating connection, impact, and community…
“Women of Color, by nature, bring to the table an element of social impact. By nature, that is just what is happening.” - Arian Simone
On making charitable giving an active part of one’s life…
“I’m not just handing over my money. I am handing over my time.” - Rebecca Minkoff
On finding a thoughtful approach to help build thriving communities…
“There is no trade-off between deep ambition and trying to do the right thing. It’s more and more complimentary.” - Shiza Shahid
“What we have to do, in this moment, is think hard about what we stand for and then be consistent in it. Not just when it’s fashionable.” - Shiza Shahid
“Speak with someone older than you to inform your perspective.” - Ruby Pediangco
Closing the Gender Wealth Gap: A Conversation About the Multibillion-Dollar Disparity
Panelists:
Divya Gugnani | Co-Founder & CEO, Wander Beauty
Katia Beauchamp | Co-Founder & CEO, Birchbox
Alli Webb | Co-Founder, Drybar & Squeeze
Lindsey Boyd | Co-Founder, The Laundress
Moderator:
Beth Lawlor | President of Private Wealth Management, U.S. Bank
On experiencing the gender gap early on…
“The minute I got out of college, I told myself, ‘I don’t want to be financially dependent on anyone but myself.’” - Divya Gugnani
“Early in my career, I was really naive about the gender gap. In my mind, as a young person just starting a career, I thought, ‘But we’re doing the work, we’re closing the gap.’”- Katia Beauchamp
“I wanted to learn and earn that right [of having a voice in the room].” - Katia Beauchamp
On starting a business despite challenges...
“I surrounded myself with people who are smarter in ways I’m not and can help bridge that gap for me.” - Alli Webb
“You have to follow what you’re excited about doing.” - Alli Webb
On finding the right market to thrive in...
“There was a major void in the market for proper cleaning products seventeen years ago.” - Lindsey Boyd
“I was excited about getting out of the house, getting away from my kids, and doing something for me, which turned into, ‘Oh my god, there is a massive hole in the marketplace,’ and, ‘Why isn't anyone doing that?’” - Alli Webb
On raising money and learning about finances through experience...
“We called on people that we knew and believed in us.” - Lindsey Boyd
On investing in female-founded companies…
“We really have to change the entire ecosystem.” - Divya Gugnani
On empowering your employees…
“Allow people to do what they're passionate about within your organization.” - Lindsey Boyd
On simultaneously being an empowered mother and successful entrepreneur…
“Entrepreneurship prepared me to be a stronger mother and motherhood gave me a perspective that is so needed and useful as an entrepreneur.” - Katia Beauchamp
On working hard to create sustainable growth…
“I was always the person that was working a bit too hard and everyone was like, ‘You’re making us all look bad.’ I expected that from everyone else around me.” -Alli Webb
“A good seven, eight years I worked like a dog. I loved it, but I was exhausted.” - Alli Webb
On empowering other women to overcome financial obstacles…
“We had interns that are now in VP positions.” - Lindsey Boyd
“We’ve done classes for our employees to give them the ability to do more than what they went to school for or what they thought they were able to do.” - Lindsey Boyd
“Get smart [about money] and share it with everyone.” - Divya Gugnani
On taking control over your financial future…
“It’s about figuring out how to be financially fluent and become financially literate.” -Divya Gugnani
“We shouldn't be ashamed of what money can do.” Katia Beauchamp
On having money conversations openly...
“Make it an okay thing to talk about at a girl’s dinner.” - Divya Gugnani
“Socializing the conversation around investment needs to happen!” - Divya Gugnani
On being and finding a mentor…
“[Mentorship] is going the change the landscape on every level.” - Lindsey Boyd
“Men help each other and have each other’s backs, and it’s with money.” - Katia Beauchamp
On being money-savvy in male-dominated spaces…
“Come to the table as strong as a man.” - Alli Webb
“We need to see more female investors writing checks.” - Divya Gugnani
“Always come prepared for any review or employee conversation.” - Lindsey Boyd
The Future Is Female: A Conversation on Building Generational Wealth for Women
Panelists:
Jesse Draper | Founding Partner, Halogen
Sarah Kunst | Managing Director, Cleo Capital
Payal Kadakia | Founder & Executive Chairman, ClassPass
Moderator:
Jaclyn Johnson | Founder & CEO, Create & Cultivate
On empowering women to invest with confidence…
“We need more women creating billion-dollar businesses, then investing back into the ecosystem.” - Jesse Draper
On being an angel investor…
“If you can buy a Birken, you can angel invest.” - Sarah Kunst
On taking ownership of your finances...
“Don’t think you can be smarter than the market.” - Sarah Kunst
“You should only invest in things you understand.” - Jesse Draper
“Money is not something that limits you, but energizes you.” - Payal Kadakia
On bridging the generational wealth gap…
“Investing in women solves all of our problems.” - Jesse Draper
“It’s my job to carry the torch forward to help other women succeed as well.” - Payal Kadakia
“The biggest thing I want to be able to invest in is people and to create wealth for other people.” - Payal Kadakia
On finding female founders to invest in…
“You already have a network and you already know who you want to invest in. I promise you do.” - Sarah Kunst
“I literally just slide into their DMs, and I say, ‘I really want to learn more about your business.’” - Sarah Kunst
On taking risks with money…
“It’s about making those trade-offs about what matters and what doesn’t.” - Payal Kadakia
“Women assess risk at a completely different level from men, so you are already derisking your investments, I assure you.” - Jesse Draper
On working toward financial freedom…
“My thought is always, ‘How do I make more money?’ Not, ‘How do I ask someone to give me more money?’” - Sarah Kunst
On creating wealth that improves the lives of future generations...
“There are organizations like the Los Angeles Ballet that wouldn't exist without female philanthropists at all, so I see that as a major component of what I do: Give back to my culture and performing arts.” - Payal Kadakia
“Invest in stuff you can’t afford to not see in this world.” - Sarah Kunst
On growing with the market…
“Your goal is just to keep money in the market and grow as the world generally grows.” - Sarah Kunst
On learning from the mistakes of others…
“I started studying the Vanderbilt House, they were one of the first formative families in America, and they lost all their money. They tried to hold on to it, and that is a risk.” - Jesse Draper
On building wealth with purpose…
“My main conclusion is that it is a lot harder to oppress people with money.” - Sarah Kunst
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"Treat Every Dollar Like It's Your Last": How My Hispanic Heritage Helped Me Bootstrap and Self-Fund My Business
In this op-ed, Stephanie Montes shares how her upbringing influenced her approach to saving, and starting a company.
Written by Stephanie Montes, Founder and CEO, Nue
When it comes to my finances, I've always been a perpetual saver. Since my first job (as a sales associate at the mall), I started putting money aside. I didn't have a specific goal in mind for my savings, but when it came time to start my brand, I knew just where to turn for funding.
I have this little trick I use to keep myself in line: I keep only what I need and am willing to spend in my checking account and squirrel away everything else in my savings. Of course, when emergencies arise, I transfer funds as needed, but for the most part, that savings account remains as untouched as possible. The illusion of a small dollar amount in my checking account makes me think twice about spending—it actually tricks me into thinking I have less money than I really do.
While I credit my growing savings to this tried-and-true method, I believe I ultimately owe my money-saving ways to my mom. She made a comfortable salary at a job she's held since before I was born but never lived beyond her means. While she and my dad put my two siblings and me through private school until senior year, we lived a fairly frugal lifestyle. We rarely ate out, especially if there was food to be made at home, and we never wore name-brand clothing.
I don't know if it's generally something all first- and second-generation immigrant families experience, but many of my Hispanic friends grew up the same way too. They ate dinners according to a schedule, usually repeat meals that could feed the entire family affordably. (And everyone knew you ate what mom made, whether you liked it or not.) They wore hand-me-downs from older siblings and cousins, none of which were expensive, and those were then passed down to younger relatives.
My mom even drove a beater car when I was in middle school and only upgraded when she absolutely had to—again, not because she couldn't afford it, but because she strongly believed her money was better in the bank. When I asked her why she chose to live so modestly, she told me she believes it came from her own upbringing. With nine siblings (the average size of Hispanic families from her generation) and a widowed mother, she and her brothers and sisters all began working young. At 16, she was finally able to buy her own school clothes and save her money to buy a car one day, but more importantly, she learned the value at an early age. It clearly stuck, not just with her, but with me too.
I'm a 30-year-old woman, and I still hear my mom's voice in the back of my mind asking, "do you really need that?" when considering a big purchase. And while sometimes I want to splurge on an expensive bag without feeling guilty, I'm glad I've inherited this desire to save.
When it came time to fund my brand Nue, I had a healthy amount sitting in my savings account. I wrote Nue Inc. a $10,000 check to get it off the ground debt-free and without outside investment to dilute my stock. The teller practically had to pry it out of my hands, because like with any investment, this was a major gamble, but I slept a lot better at night knowing that I wasn't up against interest rates or, worse, risking the hard-earned money of a friend or family member. When it was all said and done, though, it felt so damn good to say that I was able to do it on my own!
The money went quickly. I spent my initial investment on filings (like trademarks and corporation registrations), product, packaging, web design, graphic work, and Nue's first photoshoot. All along the way, I treated it with the same caution as I do in my personal accounts. I splurged where it was important and penny-pinched when necessary. For example, Nue's packaging is a bit more expensive because it boasts a soft texture on the outside that feels silky to the touch. This was important because it helps give the product a luxury feel, exactly the vibe I wanted to convey from the very beginning. On the other hand, I knew I couldn't afford to launch with additional shades and product offerings. Since manufacturers have such high minimum order requirements, I had no choice but to scale back my original plan to launch with five skin tones and settle for three instead. The truth is, this is the smarter route anyway. As the demand grows, so will the shade and product offerings.
“When it was all said and done though, it felt so damn good to say that I was able to do it on my own! ”
As Nue has gained traction in the last nine months, profits are again, cautiously reinvested into the company. While I initially couldn't afford PR, growing sales have provided a bit of a budget to hire the help of an agency in Q3. I've also made multiple reorders of products to keep our shelves stocked, all at the company's expense and not my own.
I've heard from fellow founders that product-based businesses are a money suck and constantly required further investment. So far, my philosophy of treating every dollar like it's your last is proving to be successful. Think twice about where you spend it, be frugal, know your budget, and don't live beyond your means.
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5 Ways Fear Can Propel You as an Artist
Don’t let it hold you back.
“
When you use your greatest fears to guide you in your creative work, you uncover the deepest, most genuine pieces of yourself—in your life, and in your art.
—Meera Lee Patel, Artist and Author of “Create Your Own Calm”
Shifting your perspective toward fear and approaching it as something that can help you, rather than harm you, is key in allowing fear to move you forward. When you pull fear towards you and listen to it more closely, you discover that as an artist, it’s one of the most useful tools you have. Here’s why.
1. Vulnerability connects you with others.
Making work that is honest, straight from the heart, and that allows others to see you for who you are is terrifying.
It’s not easy to feel exposed, and especially when unveiling yourself means inviting others to judge and critique you. You trim your words and soften your emotions, creating work that is watered-down and accessible, not realizing that you’re doing yourself (and your work) a disservice.
The truth is that the world wants your raw, unfiltered work—writing that bites, paintings that elicit emotion, films that cause you to question the thoughts you think and the actions you take. Vulnerability is a road that brings you closer to others, and when you make art that reflects who you are, it brings you closer to yourself, too.
2. Creating from pain encourages healing.
The fear of letting go is rooted in a fear of the unknown and a belief that anything you haven’t experienced yet will negatively affect you. Your brain is designed to protect you, and that often means staying in the same place—after all, what you haven’t discovered can’t hurt you.
Focused on self-preservation, your brain refuses to acknowledge that beauty lies in the unknown. If you draw your pain closer, you can creatively draw from your well of history to create art that is healing for you and for others. Eventually, you’ll find that you’re shaping a whole new future filled with surprise and delight.
3. Self-reflection leads to the best work.
The fear of looking within is scary, and you might be unsettled by what you find. What if your imposter syndrome begins to take over? What if you uncover painful memories that haven’t yet healed? As artists, we procrastinate because we think we need to be the perfect version of ourselves to make perfect art.
Art isn’t perfect, though. In fact, the best work has visible flaws, marks, and outlines that explain who the artist is and how the artist thinks. The stories that you have hidden inside you are the ones other people want to see, and the only way you can share them is by taking the time to uncover them.
4. Honest work draws a loyal audience.
How often have you created something that you thought another person would like, instead of drawing the lines or choosing the colors you were actually pulled towards? It usually takes a long time (and building up a well of confidence) to realize that when you make the work you’re meant to make, the people who connect with it the most will find it and support it because they find themselves in it.
5. Failure is a door to creative growth.
As an artist especially, it’s tempting to continue to creating work in the same voice or style that has become comfortable, brought you success, or that already resonates with your audience. The fear of failure can convince you that any step in a new direction will be a mistake and one that will erase any progress you’ve already made. The chance for failure is the chance to learn something new—to begin again. As an artist, it’s a beautiful opportunity for growth.
If you welcome failure into your creative process, you’re inviting more than the opportunity for success or learning new skills into your life—you’re inviting creative evolution. The more open to failure you are, the more chances you will take in your art. You can try new techniques, experiment with media, and try on different creative voices until you find the one that feels most authentic to you. Nothing is more important than continuing to grow as an artist.
As an artist, you have a responsibility to respect yourself and your work by making sure it is an honest reflection of who you are and how you interpret the world around you. When you use your greatest fears to guide you in your creative work, you uncover the deepest, most genuine pieces of yourself—in your life, and in your art.
About the Author: Meera Lee Patel is a self-taught artist and the author of “Create Your Own Calm.” She creates work to inspire and encourage others to connect with themselves, each other, and the world around them. She lives in the northern woods of Nashville, Tennessee.
“Create Your Own Calm” by Meera Lee Patel
$16
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