How to Network and Cultivate Relationships That Level Up Your Career
Time to find your biz bestie.
Photo: Create & Cultivate
The strength of your relationships is oftentimes the biggest indicator of your success because, the truth is, no one is successful alone. With a little reflection and strategy, you will find you have more resources available to you through your extended network than you ever imagined. The key to leveling up in your career is defining, building, and nurturing your community.
So how do you find your people and have these relationships constantly working for you? Here are some foundational elements to turn acquaintances into colleagues, and colleagues into your most trusted friends. The ultimate goal is to have people around you committed to ensuring you are consistently leveling up, and for you to have the opportunity to do the same for others.
Take Inventory of Your Relationships
The first step is to assess where your relationships currently are. Reflect on the strength of your network as related to your professional goals. What relationships do you need to build? Are there any you need to let go of that are holding you back? Don’t be afraid of asking for introductions to other people in your extended network.
By the way, if you are the smartest and most successful person in the room, you’re in the wrong room! Push yourself out of your comfort zone to get out to more events where you can level up into elevated circles of influence. It’s not sleazy or cheesy; it’s just a fact that greater access will guarantee greater success.
Get Clarity on Your Value Proposition
When you are trying to create, build and nurture relationships, your #1 focus should be on the value you provide to others. Once you have provided enough value to build a foundation of trust, only then should you begin asking for what you need. So, first things first, what do you provide that other people need? Is it something general, like positivity or kindness, or a special skill or knowledge? Can you make a helpful introduction for someone? Provide solutions for a problem they have? Make a personal recommendation on an inspiring book or life-changing vacation?
“Be yourself. Be vulnerable. Know your worth. ”
Make Meaningful Connections
There are a few keys to creating deeper connections. You will want to be genuinely interested in others and encourage people to talk about themselves. Any two people will have areas of similarity, whether it be a mutual favorite TV show or a favorite food; build on those and remain curious. Asking good, open-ended questions is a foundational element. You have something to learn from every person, so smile and give honest and authentic appreciation.
A sincere compliment goes a long way. The goal in this stage of connection is to deepen the conversation, create a bond, and leave with the other person thinking: I like that person. I enjoyed that brief interaction, and I’d be open to giving that person more of my time.
Ultimately, the best advice to create connections is the simplest: Be yourself. Be vulnerable. Know your worth. We are all drawn to authenticity. Your uniqueness is your greatest gift. So be true to yourself.
“If you are the smartest and most successful person in the room, you’re in the wrong room!”
Master Your CTA
This is where so many people get awkward and miss the mark, but there is no need for it to be that way. Without a call to action (CTA), your connection stalls. You will want to end every conversation with a CTA that is specific and measurable. Examples include: I’m going to message you tomorrow and get the name of the restaurant you recommended. Or, I’d love to know more about how you handle certain challenges in your job. Can I call your office next week and pick your brain?
You don’t want to be caught in that cycle of saying, “Let’s connect again soon.” This essentially means it’s not a priority for you. If this is a person who you want to build a relationship with, take the responsibility to be the one who provides the specific time frame and desired result of the next interaction.
Follow Up or Fail
Good follow-up alone will elevate you 90% above the average person. To solidify the connection, follow up when you said you would. Send a quick greeting within 24 hours. This is where the Power of 3 comes in: You need at least three different touchpoints to deepen a relationship. That means, for example, a follow-up email, a text message, and a coffee meeting.
Add them on LinkedIn and follow them on social media. It is now super easy to stay connected and remain engaged with other people’s lives. Use your DM’s to drop into people’s inboxes on a regular basis.
Ask for What You Need
You’ve now laid the foundation for a reciprocal relationship by identifying specific people who you want in your network. You’ve provided them immense value. You’ve followed up and stayed in contact. Now is the fun part—asking for something you need. It shouldn’t be that difficult once you have established trust. People generally love to help others. But they can’t offer assistance if they don’t know what you need.
Be specific, be grateful, and offer a “no pressure ask.” This means it’s okay if they say no. Not everyone will be helpful to you. Continue offering value, building your extended network, and being of service to others, and you will eventually get exactly what you need and more.
BONUS! Engaging Conversation Deepeners
How did you get started?
What do you enjoy the most?
What are the challenges of your work?
What do you love to do when you’re not working?
That’s amazing; tell me more.
About the author: After more than a decade producing events for high-profile and celebrity clients at powerhouse companies such as Creative Artists Agency and UCLA Anderson School of Management, Megan Accardo left her corporate career to help women navigate theirs. Prior to that, she earned her master’s degree in marital and family therapy (MFT) and ran her own counseling practice, implementing various programs and groups for women. Now, she is providing high-achieving women with the tools they need to reach a greater purpose and live a more impactful life. You can find her weekly on the Power Your Purpose podcast, at her dynamic workshops around Los Angeles, and inside her signature, one-on-one coaching program, From Stuck to Unstoppable. You can find her at @meganaccardo or meganaccardo.com.
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This story was originally published on October 15, 2019, and has since been updated.
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The Definitive Guide to Making Time for Self-Care
Who could benefit from lower stress levels and better sleep?
Photo: Smith House Photo
We live in a time where self-care has a dedicated day on the calendar and a sticker on Instagram. But if you’re like me, finding the time to practice self-care can feel impossible. You’re working from nine to five, building your side hustle, and then it’s time for bed. When can you catch your breath, let alone make time for a face mask?
That’s where I can help. As someone who works a nine-to-five job in addition to freelancing, I’ve tried literally everything (and I mean, everything) to find time for my self-care practice. We’ve all become so accustomed to talking about self-care and hearing about self-care, that we’ve forgotten to allow ourselves the time to do it. I’ve found a few key ways you can incorporate self-care into your day. Because who could benefit from lower stress levels, better sleep, and stronger self-awareness? I’m raising my hand. I’ll assume that you are, too!
Below, I’m sharing the routine that ensures I make time to take care of myself. Here’s how you create your own self-care practice too.
Morning
For me, mornings are the most gentle time of day. You’ve (hopefully) just rested for six to eight hours, and your body is regaining its awareness. Mornings are the perfect time to practice self-care if you tend to have a very busy schedule during the day, have plans most evenings, or consider yourself an early bird. If this is you, then I’d recommend incorporating one of the ideas below into your routine:
Before caffeine, drink 24 ounces of water. So, hydration is not what you had in mind for self-care. But think about it: your body has just spent six to eight hours fasting. It spent the entire evening losing body fluids from breathing, snoring, or sweating—I know, such a beautiful way to describe sleep. By “flooding” your system when you wake up, you’re invigorating your body and giving it what it needs to propel you through the day. Another bonus? It kickstarts digestion.
Read (just not the news). For me, the smell of a newspaper reminds me of mornings with my parents. But the news itself can be disheartening, so I now opt for a book. Even if it’s just five pages with a glass of water or tea, it’s a gentle way to reawaken the mind. The ability to get lost in someone else’s world with a fiction novel allows for your own creativity to flourish. You can ignite the creative left side of your brain and the analytical right side of your brain all at once, thereby enhancing connectivity in the brain and improving brain function—talk about a life hack.
Go on a slow walk. Moving your body in a slow, deliberate way is perfect for clearing your mind and setting your intentions. And, most mornings, the weather is cooler than it will be during the day, so you won’t break a sweat. Try going on a walk without music, too. Whether you live in a busy city or a quiet suburb, listening to your surroundings can be refreshing. You’ll learn more about where you physically are, a form of awareness that is incredibly valuable for feeling good throughout the day.
Afternoon
These self-care practices are all about utilizing that lunch break effectively. Yes, a lunch break! Many of us neglect our lunch breaks. In a study of 2,000 American workers, 51 percent said, “it is rare or unrealistic for them to take a proper lunch break away from their work.” But that may not reflect the laws in your state—confirm your rights here. If mornings are too rushed and evenings just aren’t your thing, here are a few ways to practice self-care during the day:
Listen to a podcast (comedy, preferably). I love laughing. The type that makes your stomach hurt, like those six-pack abs are one joke away. Turns out, that’s a good thing. Laughing has been shown to relieve your stress response, soothe tension, and improve mood. Finding a way to laugh during the day is a great way to release and reconnect with yourself. If you don’t have someone at work who makes you laugh, take the time to listen to a funny podcast. “2 Dope Queens,” “My Favorite Murder,” and “Anna Faris Is Unqualified” are some of my ultimate favorites.
Be a plant. I mean literally. Do as the plants do and stand in the sun for 10 to 15 minutes (be sure to sunscreen up first). While you won't photosynthesize, you will benefit from the added dose of vitamin D, as nearly 80 to 90% of vitamin D comes from sunlight. Plus, most office spaces can be so cold. Warming up in natural sunlight will feel like a much-needed hug.
Chew your food. Now you probably think I’m crazy. Be a plant and chew my food, who is she? Pay particular attention to what you eat for lunch, it’s going to fuel you for the rest of the day. Focus on nourishing ingredients that are full of protein and fiber. And like I said, chew your food and chew it well. Slow everything down. Make it an effort to eat methodically and mindfully, stopping to acknowledge how good the food tastes and how it makes you feel.
Evening
Mornings aren’t your thing and you work through lunch—I get it. Hello to my night owls! These nighttime self-care ideas are meant to prepare your body for rest.
Eliminate decision fatigue. Your “morning self” will thank you for this one. Have fun choosing your clothes for the next day, assembling your lunch, and putting everything back in its place. Put on some music and go all-out Carrie Bradshaw when she sold her apartment. Try on anything and everything that you want to, so you don’t have to do it in the morning. Make it a dance party, because why not?
Cook a nostalgic meal. My favorite meal of all time is spaghetti and meatballs. Something about it reminds me of home. So I make it for any situation—when I’m feeling down and when I’m feeling good. Loving a certain meal for its nostalgic qualities can boost your mood and reduce stress. Plus, I give you permission to forget about the dishes just this once. Future you can handle that.
Dry brush and moisturize. I’m in love with dry brushing, the act of taking a dry, bristle brush and gently pressing it from the skin of your feet to your neck in circular motions. It’s a thorough exfoliation that stimulates your circulation and aids in lymphatic drainage, which can help the body eliminate toxins. You’ll feel vibrant and glowy. Always follow dry brushing with a good, soothing moisturizer. And please avoid dry brushing if you have sensitive skin, you don’t want to cause irritation.
And that’s all, folks! You can do these practices daily, weekly, monthly, or when you remember to—all that’s important is knowing that self-care doesn’t have to be extravagant. It’s showing your body and mind the love it deserves for serving you through the highs and lows.
About the Author: By day, Lily Comba works in business development for an online marketplace. By night, Lily lives an entrepreneurial life. After working as a Career Consultant for two years at her alma mater, Scripps College, Lily developed a passion for helping women in their careers. She embodies the mantra, “If not me, who? If not now, when?” in her work as a career advisor to college students, and creative and business strategist for fellow entrepreneurs. Catch her running around Los Angeles or at lilycomba.com.
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This story was originally published on May 18, 2019, and has since been updated.
10 Money Questions to Ask Yourself (So You Can Afford the Life You Want)
Can I reverse bad credit?
What is your relationship with money? Do you love to save and budget for the future, or are you all about enjoying that hard-earned money and prepared to go into debt for it? Either way, we need to get better at talking about it if we ever want to be better at managing it, and eventually having more of it. Especially when you consider that globally, women control upwards of $20 trillion in annual consumer spending. But sadly, when it comes to managing money and planning for their financial future, women aren’t as independent as you’d expect. A study found that more millennial women cede control to their husbands than women of older generations. Well, our new series, The Money Files is set to change all that by helping women become masters of their own finances so they can manage their money and their future.
Photo: Smith House Photo
Money. We all love spending it and we all want more of it, but saving it is the hard part. It’s not that we don’t want to see more money in the bank (duh) but striking a balance between saving for the future and living the life you want isn’t always an easy one to master. Too often, the pendulum swings farther into the spending camp and before you know it, you’re in the red and playing catch-up with the interest charged on your credit card debt.
Don’t worry, we get it. That’s why we asked Priya Malani, partner of Stash Wealth, to help us all get our finances in order. So, she sent us 10 important money questions to ask ourselves so we can bank that cash, pay off that debt, and live life like a millionaire (well, that’s the dream).
1. What can I realistically do to improve my income level?
Negotiation is never a bad idea as long as you’ve planned for it. Most managers plan for you to negotiate and so there’s wiggle room in your salary range. An annual negotiation is perfectly appropriate. Use the months leading up the conversation to prime your manager and document the proof that you’ll use when going in for the ask.
When is a negotiation not smart? When you go in cold and demand a raise. You’ll want to have data to support your request and documentation of your value-add (even if it’s qualitative, not quantitative). Stay factual and unemotional and above all, leave politics at the door.
Side note: IMHO, wanting to upgrade your lifestyle is not a strong reason to demand a raise. I was recently speaking to someone who was advised to use this strategy and as a business owner, I can say that not only would it not work, but it would leave me with a poorer opinion of the employee’s ability to #adult. Taking e-courses that are tangentially related to your field is an excellent way to demonstrate a commitment to increasing productivity and value and certainly supports your case for a raise.
2. What can I do to reverse bad credit and get my score back on track?
This may sound counterintuitive but start using a credit card and paying it off in full every single week or more often. This is one of my favorite FICO hacks (FICO is an abbreviation for the Fair Isaac Corporation, the first company to offer a credit-risk model with a score). It’s a quick and easy way to positively impact one of the most important parts of your credit score—your credit utilization ratio. Make sure to never charge up more than you can pay off.
If your credit cards are maxed, find ways you can pay down that debt ASAP. Consider selling stuff on FB Marketplace or via Poshmark, getting a roommate, cutting any unnecessary expenses that may free up cash that you can put towards your debt. And once you find the extra money, set up a regular debt repayment automation, so you don’t accidentally spend it.
If you want to explore other actions that may bump your score, download the CreditWise app (it’s free) which includes a credit score simulator. It shows you how different actions will impact your credit score before you actually commit to doing them. I’m a huge fan of this app and use it myself.
3. How much should I be saving for retirement?
There’s no easy answer here because retirement is not one-size-fits-all. You can start by using an online calculator to find out how much you’d need to put away to ensure you’ll replace a portion of your current income by the time you hit your desired retirement age.
Here are the main things you need to think about:
How much you earn now?
Is it just you in retirement or are you providing for someone else?
At what age do you want to retire?
How long do you expect your retirement to last (aka life expectancy—MORBID, I know!)
Once you determine these things, you’ll have the major inputs that will help you decide how much you should be putting away for the exact retirement you picture for yourself. Yes, it’s very hard to picture what your life may look like years from now, but I have three words for you: Playing. Catch-up. Sucks.
4. If I’m planning on having children, how can I ensure I have enough funds to take care of them on one income? When should I start saving for their schooling?
A good exercise is to stash away 10-15% of your income today and see how it feels. That’s the percentage of your income that will go toward your children for basic day-to-day expenses (not including schooling). If you feel you can manage on 85-90% of what comes in the door, that’s a good indication that you have room for kids, financially.
When it comes to saving for school, it all depends on how much support you want to provide them. 100% of four years at a private institution? 50% of four years at a public institution? Once you have a sense of what your priorities are here, you’ll be able to back into your savings goal. Add that savings goal to the 10-15% I spoke about earlier and plan to live without that money—is it doable? If so, start saving as soon as possible.
Once again, it’s no fun to play catch up and the longer you wait, the more you’ll have to save to be on track for your goal.
5. What would happen if my spouse passed away? How can I plan for that?
This is a not-so-fun thing to think about and plan for but it’s pretty important to do so. When it comes to the financial support your spouse provides, the first step is to decide whether you feel dependent on your spouse's income or if you own property or have kids together. If so, life insurance may make sense. A life insurance person can help you evaluate how much coverage to obtain to ensure that if your spouse passes away, you wouldn’t have to change your lifestyle, in other words, you’d still be able to pay your mortgage and take care of your children in the same way you are now (monetarily speaking).
“Yes, it’s very hard to picture what your life may look like years from now, but I have three words for you: Playing. Catch-up. Sucks.”
6. When should I start investing money? And how do I know what to invest in?
This question deserves a whole article in and of itself. But the long and short of it is this. Investing is a way for your money to grow over time, not overnight. If you think investing leads to a “quick win,” you’re thinking about it all wrong. Wall Street loves to portray investing more like gambling but the fact of the matter is that the sooner you start investing, the more successful you’ll be because money grows with time and you need to be patient for it to work.
As far as what to invest in, this is another area that Wall Street (and the media) portrays completely incorrectly. They make it seem like you're supposed to pick stocks and trade frequently when the opposite in fact is true—slow and steady wins the race. If you’ve ever heard of index funds, you’re on the right track.
Investing is a means to accomplish your financial goals and so technically, no one should tell you what to invest in until they know what you’re investing for. Goal-setting is the first step to knowing what to invest in.
7. How can I save for a house? What do I need to do?
Speaking to my point above, the first step to take is to commit to homeownership as a financial goal. If you’re in a relationship, you’ll want to have this conversation with your significant other. Define the timeframe in which you’d like to accomplish buying a home. Using sites like Zillow can help you evaluate what kind of home you’d like to buy and how much it will cost. Once you know what you’re aiming for, you can back into how much you’ll have to save for a down payment. About 20% is a relatively standard down payment, but many Millennials are opting for 10% down to get into a home sooner. This is totally fine as long as you have the cash flow to cover the mortgage with wiggle room. You don’t want to end up #housepoor.
8. How can I make a budget that still allows me to live the life I want? Are there any apps that I can use?
YNAB is a great app that helps you segregate your cash into different buckets so you can set money aside for your priorities first (rent, bills, student loan payments) and then blow the rest, guilt-free. At Stash, we call it reverse budgeting.
9. Should I have a financial planner? How do I find one that’s right for me and isn’t going to cost too much?
Financial planners serve many purposes, but their main job is to help you consider your short-, mid-, and long-term financial goals and then reverse engineer a game plan that puts you on track in the most cost-effective, tax-efficient way. Some people feel comfortable figuring this out on their own while others feel they might benefit from a guided conversation. A good financial planner can also serve as a mediator when you’re in a relationship and provide that unbiased outside opinion that’s sometimes the exact thing your spouse needs to hear from someone else. Some people feel they’ve done things right and use a financial planner simply for a second opinion from an experienced professional.
Finally, a financial planner knows that you may not know all the things you should be thinking about and makes suggestions to make sure there aren’t any holes in your plan. Stash Wealth is a virtual financial planning firm for H.E.N.R.Y.s™ (High Earners, Not Rich Yet) who are in their 20s and 30s and want to take their financial life to the next level. Stash Wealth is a fiduciary (no conflicts of interest) and charges a one-time flat fee to build you a customized game plan, called the Stash Plan®. Is the Stash Plan® right for me?
10. Do I have enough for an emergency fund? How much should I keep in that fund?
Unlike most financial professionals, Stash Wealth believes your emergency fund should be no more than three months’ worth of your fixed expenses (rent, bills, etc). Most personal financial gurus talk about six to 12 months, but we think that’s crazy for four reasons:
Your emergency fund is supposed to be your first line of defense, not your only line of defense.
Millennials are hustlers. If sh*t hits the fan, we’re at a time in our careers where we are able to reset our incomes pretty quickly (of course, you know your industry best)
We have so many other financial priorities. Waiting until we’ve saved up 6 months in cash, has us wasting precious time that could have been better used to help us achieve other financial goals.
That’s way too much money sitting in cash. As good as the online banks are (and that’s where we’d recommend you keep your Emergency Fund), your money is technically still losing value every year thanks to inflation. Millennials want their money to work harder for them.
“If you think investing leads to a “quick win,” you’re thinking about it all wrong.”
-Priya Malani, Entrepreneur and Founding Partner at Stash Wealth
About the Author: Priya Malani is an entrepreneur and founding partner at Stash Wealth, a financial planning firm for H.E.N.R.Y.s™ (High Earners, Not Rich Yet). After years of working on Wall Street, Priya left to work with millennials, who are largely ignored by traditional financial firms. Stash’s clients are 20- and 30-somethings who make good money and want something to show for it. In addition to running Stash, Priya serves as the resident financial expert for Refinery29. She is a featured expert on numerous sites and speaks regularly at businesses and universities around the country. She appears regularly as a Millennial Money Expert on SiriusXM.
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This story was originally published on August 1, 2019, and has since been updated.
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How to Land the Job You're Overqualified For
Work that cover letter.
Photo: Christina Jones Photography
You have all of the qualifications and more, but you just can’t seem to land the job. Sound familiar? It’s harder to land a job that you’re overqualified for than you might think.
Employers want to hire an employee who is the right fit in every sense of the phrase. If an employer sees you as overqualified, their concern might be that the compensation won’t be enough to keep you in the role, or worse, that you’ll be bored in the role and won’t do well.
According to the Society for Human Resource Management, the result of poor job fit and employee turnover can cost an organization between 50 to 60% of the person’s annual salary. In other words, companies have to be extremely strategic when it comes to hiring, so if an interviewer or hiring manager has any inkling that you might not be the best candidate to fill the role, they will likely go with someone else.
Here are some tips for how to apply for a job you’re overqualified for—and get it!
TAILOR YOUR RÉSUMÉ TO THE JOB
Customize your résumé to meet the exact position you’re interested in. This is important when applying for any job, but when you’re overqualified for a position, it becomes even more crucial.
When you’re trying to customize your résumé to meet a job you’re overqualified for, the key is to highlight all of the skills and qualifications that the desired job description holds, and downplay unnecessary information that might deter someone from hiring you.
For example, if you held the title of client relationship manager and did everything from sales to client onboarding, to office management and administrative tasks, but you’re applying for an administrative assistant, you’ll want to highlight the office management and client-facing communication, and you’ll most likely want to downplay the sales aspects of your previous role.
Note: This does not mean that you should “dumb down” your résumé. It’s always great to highlight that you’re smart, strong, and capable, however when you’re applying for a job that you’re overqualified for, you need to highlight the requirements of the given job description and show your potential employer why you will be great and satisfied with the role.
WORK THAT COVER LETTER
You can only customize a résumé so much. Your cover letter is where you can explain exactly why you want this specific position, and why you would be amazing at it. When you’re applying for a job that you’re overqualified for, use the cover letter to explain why you want to take on a role that may be beneath you.
This could be any reason, from caring deeply about a cause or wanting to work with this specific company, or even something more personal like relocation due to a family member. Whatever your reason is, use your cover letter to explain yourself and show the reader that you truly do want the position even if it might be a lower-level position that you’ve held in the past.
CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE
It’s easy to feel like you’re a shoo-in for the role if you have all of the qualifications and more, but try your best to look at it from the perspective of the hiring manager. Take note of the potential downfalls of hiring someone overqualified for the position, and aim to highlight why that won’t be a problem in your documents. Show all of the reasons why it would be beneficial to hire you and show the reader why you really want the job. Employers want to hire candidates who want to be there, and if you can show that through your résumé and cover letter, you will have a much better shot at securing the role.
Landing a job that you’re overqualified for is harder than you might expect, but if you can persuade your potential employer that you really want to take on the job and that you’re excited about it, the process will be much easier. Remember that it is a risk to hire an employee who is overqualified for a position, and show your potential employer why you’re worth that risk!
About the Author: A native San Franciscan, Michele Lando is a certified professional résumé writer and founder of writestylesonline.com. She has a passion for helping others present the best version of themselves, both on paper and in person, and works to polish an individual’s application package and personal style. Aiming to help create a perfect personal branding package, Write Styles presents tips to enhance your résumé, style, and boost your confidence.
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This story was originally published on May 17, 2018, and has since been updated.
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4 Things to Do Before Asking Someone to Collaborate
Teamwork makes the dream work!
Photo: Color Joy Stock
Everywhere you look, it seems like brands are partnering up to run a giveaway, go live on Instagram, or launch a co-branded product collaboration. It makes sense then, that more and more people would be curious about whether or not their business should join the collaboration party, too.
The short answer is YES, you should definitely collaborate. When we come together to share our resources, ideas, and communities with one another, we are so much more powerful than when we do things on our own.
The long answer is, although collaboration can be an incredible strategy to achieve your business goals (especially during the current climate of social distancing), you can totally miss the mark if you don’t lay the groundwork properly first. Before you take a dip in the collaboration pool, there are a few steps to take so you don’t accidentally do a belly flop:
Know your company inside and out
Identify your “Asks & Gives”
Look for the overlap
Get a warm introduction
Here’s how to do it right.
1. KNOW YOUR COMPANY INSIDE AND OUT
This includes knowing your mission (why you do what you do), vibe (how you communicate what you do), audience (who you do it for), offering (what you do), and execution (how you do what you do). Having that information top of mind will make you sound like the ultimate polished business owner, plus it’ll help you identify great potential partners down the line.
It’s also important to have a super-tight elevator pitch that explains who you are, what you do, for whom you do it, and how you do it. For example, mine is, “I’m a collaboration consultant who teaches individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations to solve problems and achieve their goals by thinking collaboratively and harnessing the power of their network.”
“It’s important to have a super-tight elevator pitch that explains who you are, what you do, for whom you do it, and how you do it.”
Having a clear and concise elevator pitch not only makes it easier for you to explain what you do, it makes it easier for other people to explain what you do when you’re not around (and THAT is how you get great referrals.)
It’s totally fine if you continue to tweak it regularly, in fact, it’s encouraged. My elevator pitch has changed nearly a million times over the last few years, so don’t get too hung up on making it something that will last forever. The most important thing is to make sure it remains true to what your business is today, not six months ago.
2. IDENTIFY YOUR ASKS & GIVES
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when they begin collaborating is not taking time to figure out what they need to get from a partner in order for the collaboration to feel like a success. If you haven’t identified your “asks” (what you'd like to get from a collaboration), you’re much more likely to take whatever the other party offers you, which may or may not be valuable to you or support your goals. The last thing you want to do is not express your needs, and ultimately feel taken advantage of.
“The last thing you want to do is not express your needs, and ultimately feel taken advantage of.”
Another big mistake is when people aren’t clear about what all they have to offer a partner before entering into a collaboration. Thinking through your “gives” (what you can give in a collaboration) helps you identify all the ways in which you can create an even value exchange between you and your potential partner.
There are four main “asks” and “gives:”
Promotion for your/their offering to the other’s community
Content for your/their channels
Hookups for your/their community
Barters for your/their business
The key to creating a collaboration that won’t make either side feel taken advantage of (a big fear I hear from people who are hesitant to collaborate) is to always aim for an even value exchange. What feels beneficial to one person might not matter at all to another, so it’s important to have an honest conversation at the beginning of the relationship to find out what each side values. That way you can ensure that each partner is getting what they need in order for the collaboration to feel like a success.
3. LOOK FOR THE OVERLAP
Much like romantic relationships, not every brand is going to be the right collaborative partner for you. One of the best ways to know whether a potential partner is the right fit is to make sure you share a similar mission (why you do what you do), vibe (how you communicate what you do), and audience (who you do it for). When those three things are aligned, it’s much more likely that a collaboration will be well-received by both of your communities.
“Much like romantic relationships, not every brand is going to be the right collaborative partner for you”
You can also have an overlapping offering (what you do) or execution (how you do what you do), but not both. If you offer the same thing in the same way, you're basically the same company, and that doesn't make for a good partnership. Looking for the overlap also means finding common ground from the get-go. What is it that your brands (or you and the other person) have in common? When you start from that place, you’re both likely to feel seen and respected from the beginning, which ultimately leads to a better working relationship.
4. GET A WARM INTRODUCTION
It’s always best to start collaborating with individuals and brands you already know personally rather than reaching out to total strangers. I like to encourage my clients to build up their collaboration muscle with some "test and learns" with people they trust while the stakes are low. Once you feel confident about your ability to be a great partner and run a successful collaboration, then you can expand past your immediate circles to the brands you don't yet know.
Once you’re ready to take the leap beyond your first-degree network and begin reaching out to some brands that you don’t know (yet), the next move is to get a warm introduction to them from a mutual connection whenever possible. If you can avoid reaching out cold (meaning they’ve never heard of you and have no connection to you), you’ll increase the likelihood that they’ll respond.
“If you can avoid reaching out cold, you’ll increase the likelihood that they’ll respond.”
Consider how different it feels when a stranger emails you directly vs when a friend connects you to someone via email. Our guard naturally goes up when we see a stranger’s email in our inbox, but the same isn’t true for when someone comes to you through a friend you trust.
The easiest way to figure out who might be able to connect you to someone at the brand you want to reach is by using LinkedIn. When you search for the person at the brand who you ultimately want to connect with, you’ll be able to see what connections you have in common. If you can find someone that you know well enough to ask for an intro, reach out (preferably via email instead of LinkedIn Mail) using this template.
“Collaborating with the right partner can be an exciting, rewarding experience for everyone involved, especially when you go about it intentionally and strategically.”
Just a little housekeeping note: once someone introduces you via email, do them a favor and in the next email response, thank them and move them to BCC. I can’t tell you how many emails I’ve been trapped in long past my warm introduction! Also, remember to reach back out to let them know if anything came of their introduction. As someone who connects people all the time, it’s always nice to know if it worked out.
Collaborating with the right partner can be an exciting, rewarding experience for everyone involved, especially when you go about it intentionally and strategically. Always aim for an even value exchange, and remember that it’s in the overlap where communication, connection, and collaboration can happen. Start there, and the rest will follow.
About the Author: Baily Hancock is a collaboration consultant, speaker, and the host of the “Stop, Collaborate & Listen” podcast who’s on a mission to save humanity with collaboration. Join the Collaboration Coalition Facebook Group to find potential partners and receive Baily’s collaboration templates, tools, and tips.
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This story was originally published on May 26, 2020, and has since been updated.
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Stop Competing With Your Co-Workers, It's Not Healthy
Because there is an “I” in competition.
Photo: Angelica Marie Photography for Create & Cultivate
A bout of healthy competition can be used to keep us on track and maintain our motivation, but how do we recognize when this feeling is no longer beneficial? We are all individuals with a unique skill set trying to advance in our careers, but when is competition no longer healthy? When our personal goals start to become greater than the goals of the company, or when our progress starts to be at the expense of a colleague, we have to reevaluate our motives us. What can we do when we start spelling TEAM with an “I?”
Below are four simple ways we can be better at using our competitive energy to benefit everyone on the team.
“I may excel at X, but I need to work on Y.”
As much as many type-A individuals may not like to admit it, we all have a set of weaknesses in addition to our strengths. Gasp! Jot down in your phone or notebook the skills you rock at and the tasks you could use an extra hand. Seek out a colleague who complements your skillset and work together on a project that requires both of your unique talents. It’s important to be honest with this task as the more truthful you are the more likely you will find a perfect match. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts!
“Where have you been all my life?”
In addition to discovering a complementary skillset amongst our colleagues, it can also be helpful to find a match from a social perspective. The more we get to know our co-workers personally, the less “threatening” they are. Discover common interests by grabbing a latte together on break or a glass of rosé after work… you never know, you may just meet a new friend. When we become friendly with our colleagues, their success will often become our own. Find your partner in crime!
“#Squad”
Now that you and your previous nemesis have become friendly and have complemented each other on a recent work project, it’s time to unite together long term! Discover each other’s personal goals within the company and unite together on common long-term business goals. This unity doesn’t only have to be with one other colleague but can include an entire #squad. There truly is strength in numbers.
“Let's celebrate.”
When we accomplish a goal or finally submit a project we have been working on for months, celebrating is part of the journey! As much as it’s enjoyable to celebrate our own personal success, the party is so much better when we can share the moment with an entire team. Following your next submission with your #squad, plan a special night at your favorite restaurant and soak in all the success that has been accomplished together. No such thing as a party for one!
About the Author: Blare June is a lifestyle blogger from Halifax, Nova Scotia. What makes Blare June's blog unique is that in addition to fashion she writes about mental illness, empowerment, and overall wellness. When Blare June isn't blogging, she is working as a physician specializing in psychiatry in Halifax. You can find Blare June on Instagram: @blarejune.
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This story was originally published on April 12, 2016, and has since been updated.
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5 Signs You're Not Being Paid What You're Worth
And what to do about it.
Photo: Christina Jones Photography
Make no mistake, trying to figure out how your salary stacks up against others in your field is a challenge. The unavoidable fact is: people get cagey when it comes to talking money. (Personally, I believe that being more open about these things will only help us close the pay gap, but that's an article for another day.)
If you suspect you're being underpaid, getting a free salary report from Comparably or PayScale and scouring Glassdoor is a great start. But that's all it is—a start. To figure out whether you're being underpaid, you need to pay attention to the signs. Or, as career expert, bestselling author, and former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan (oh, and four other magazines), Kate White says, "You need to be a mercenary for information."
Here are the top five signs you're not getting paid what you deserve.
1. You Never Negotiated Your Pay
I know this is difficult to hear because a large percentage of women don’t. But accepting this fact is the first step. "That's your first clue," says White. "It's a sign that you probably are being underpaid because often if you don't negotiate, you're leaving money on the table." Now, if you didn't negotiate, all is not lost! Make a commitment to yourself to never take a job without negotiating again.
2. You’re Doing More, But Not Being Paid More
This one might sound obvious, but employees let it slide all too often. Just recently a friend's workload was effectively doubled without a plan for a salary increase or title change. When she went to her manager to make a case for a salary bump, he threatened to simply take away her increased responsibility. Don't fall for this. If you're doing significantly more than the role you were hired to do, you deserve appropriately increased compensation. And if you can't get it at your current company, go get it elsewhere.
3. It’s Been Two or More Years Since You Got a Raise
"Here's the problem: the market rate increases faster than the rate within a company where people may be getting 3% raises," says White. "I saw it happen to people who worked for me at different times, and as the boss, you felt bad, but often the company tied your hands.”
“When the new person was coming in and was able to negotiate for a certain salary, sometimes it was better than people on the same level,” she explains. “But again, a company won't necessarily let you say, ‘Hey if I bring this person in at X, I hate the fact that this other person is only making Y.’ So if you've been at a company for awhile, you can practically bank on the fact that you are not doing as well as people coming in from the outside."
4. You Find Out the Salary of Someone in a Comparable Position
This is less a "sign" than a fact, but it's worth mentioning. Again, talking to people about salaries can be tough, but there are ways to get the information you need.
"You could ask a mentor or someone who used to work at your company and has since moved on," says White. "And maybe you could say it in a bit of a cheeky way, like 'If I told you my salary, what amount would make you think, 'Oh my God, she's an idiot?’ You're never going to get someone who left, especially in a lateral move, to tell you what their salary was. But I think if you ask in that way, sometimes people like to answer those types of questions."
"Or find people who have comparable jobs in similar companies,” suggests White. “Without asking what they make, you can say something to them like, 'Would you mind me asking you the range of X position at your company? I love my company but I'm just curious what the range is elsewhere.' I think people will often answer that as well."
However, proceed with caution.
"I've been in situations where people found out salaries by snooping around or having conversations about it in the office, but if your boss finds out it really makes you look small," says White. "So I would say that's something to avoid."
5. You Have a Gut Feeling
I have found this to be true in my own experience, and White confirms to trust your gut. If after a few months of watching and listening, you have the sneaking suspicion you're being underpaid, you probably are.
"I think a lot of times our gut feelings about things like this are absolutely accurate," says White. "It's almost as if you're picking up clues on a lot of different subliminal levels. Maybe a guy on your same level invited people from the office over for drinks and you saw his apartment and realized, 'Wow, that's pretty nice.' Or you notice the vacations he takes. And sure, maybe he's got a trust fund. But all those little things that happen—the way your boss might be evasive, the spending habits of people on your level—all those things end up being almost imperceptible clues that on some subliminal level make your stomach twist a little bit. And you just sort of know.”
"It could be from things people inadvertently say, but the point is that it's not just one thing—it's a combination of those various, vague little things, and what they add up to that speak to you on a subliminal level,” says White. “And a lot of what they say about intuition is connecting the dots and I think you should connect the dots in this case and listen to your gut."
For more advice from Kate White on negotiating and more, pick up a copy of her tell-all career bible, “I Shouldn't Be Telling You This: How to Ask for the Money, Snag the Promotion, and Create the Career You Deserve.”
Written by Kelsey Manning for Levo.
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This story was originally published on April 19, 2017, and has since been updated.
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How to Keep Calm About Money When You Start a Business
#1 Be prepared. Be very prepared.
Photo: Christina Jones Photography
Funding your business is like re-enacting the first scenes of a Bond film. It’s fast-paced, dramatic, and highly unpredictable. But in the end, you know you’re at the beginning of the story, and M(s)r. Bond (that’s you) is very likely to prevail. S/he overcomes the first of the saga’s challenges by acting nimbly and exhausting even the most obscure options. You’ve got this.
Here’s how to suit up, fight on, and tackle any financial challenge (whether it be personal or entrepreneurial) with that calm, cool, and collected charm that only Bond can balance. Because after all, aren’t we all aiming to fight financial obstacles with precision and grace in a beautiful British sports car?
#1 Be prepared. Be very prepared.
Ask any of your more tech-centric friends who their favorite Bond character is and they’ll likely say, “Q, of course.” That’s because Q prepares Bond for any high-speed chase or “sticky” situation. Here’s how to prepare yourself (and your wallet) to be financially ready to take the leap (or free-fall) into entrepreneurship. (Let’s be honest, these are all great for personal money management too).
Build up your credit score if it’s less than 700. You’ll want a good score to open your business account, which can open up some credit lines when you’re strapped for cash. Believe us, this isn't a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.
Secure a little nest egg. While we know some bada$$ founders who had very little sitting in the bank, having an emergency fund to fall back on personally can seriously help with your stress levels.
Know your next 3 steps. Before even publishing your website, know what you need to 1. Start your business, 2. Get your first client and/or 3. Build a community of loyal, paying customers. Stress reduction is all about knowing where you’re headed and how you’ll get there. Think of these as your GPS coordinates to locate that beautiful Aston Martin. You need them to slide into that leather seat and zoom through the road ahead.
#2 List out your priorities (and everything else).
Lists are our best friends. BEST FRIENDS. We have lists for to do’s, to don’t’s, how to do’s, etc., etc. Listing out your priorities might be less of your on-camera Bond persona, and more like your very real, Money Penny (equal bada$$) reality. That’s ok. Your lists will help reassure you at the end of a very long day that you did some good, you defeated some evil, and you know what’s left to accomplish.
Here’s how to get your financial priorities set:
Find the right team. As much as you may think your Bond alter-ego can go it alone, you can’t. He doesn’t. Why would you try? Determine what your weaknesses are early and hire someone better suited to manage that aspect of the business. Even better, find a co-founder. They invest, they’re likely to take as little-to-no income as you, and they work just as hard. (Plus, you then have someone to talk to about all the obstacles that arise).
Negotiate everything. Set a projected cost for all of your assumed expenses. Then mark down where you think you can save 10, 20, 50%. If you’re working with contractors, remember they need your logo just as much as you need their work.
Build SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-based) goals and milestones. List out your necessary milestones for the next year and then set reasonable goals to help you hit those targets. This will help you decide what you should spend money on now and where you can press pause if needed.
Always ask yourself, “What will investors think?” If you’re going to rely on outside investment to help you hit your goals, make sure you’re developing a financial plan that’s aligned with your market, your audience size, and your investment goal. Try and learn how investors think (which is different than business owners!) to craft your messaging and pitch. You can be debonair as all hell, but if your gadgets don’t help you defeat the bag guy, you’ll be left vulnerable.
#3 Be kind to yourself.
After a long, grueling defeat of the villain, what does Bond do? He takes a vacation. And as you’re building up your Bond-like entrepreneurial persona, you should try to too (have you decided on your code name yet?). Taking time away from your business no matter what stage it’s in is always going to be hard. There will always be emails to answer, ideas to craft, missions to crush. And yet, you will never be your full Bond-self if you don’t take the time to recover.
Here’s how we prioritize kindness and self-care even after the most trying days:
Find something to pay attention to after a long day, that isn’t a screen. Nature, anyone?
List your fears and come back to the list often to assess and reframe. At the end of the day, you’re not fighting some evil foreign power who wants the world to end. Try reframing each fear into an opportunity. For instance: “I’m afraid we’ll fail.” Turns into, “If we fail, I’ll only be disappointed if I haven’t given this f&cker my all. If I have, I’ll know I’ve done something great.”
Ask for help. We never do this enough and often by the time we have it’s too late and we’re already drowning in stress. Don’t wait. Find your support network of entrepreneurs, advocates, advisors, colleagues who can help you navigate even the darkest or most uncertain situations.
Build your Bond Backbone with a daily mantra. Here are some thought starters: “I am strong. I am capable. I am right for this. I am wise. I manifest my abundance.”
And there you have it. Taking that entrepreneurial leap can be scary, but when you have the right mindset, a good plan of action, and enough certainty that at the end of your story, you’ll be stronger, more resilient, and ready for anything, you’ll find a feeling of empowerment that far outweighs any obstacle or villain that might stand in your way. Now go out there, embrace your inner secret agent, and become the titan of industry you were born to be.
“H
aving an emergency fund to fall back on personally can seriously help with your stress levels.”
—Maia Monell, Co-Founder and CMO, Nav.it
About the Author: Co-founder and CMO Maia Monell has experience in growth marketing and brand strategy for developing software firms as well as in global women’s development. Prior to Nav.it, Maia worked with sports technology brand Bridge Athletic and holds an M.S. in Marketing Strategy & Innovation from Cass Business School. Maia's background in developing programs for professional female athlete campaigns and Brand Ambassadors gives her the unique experience to develop Nav.it’s authentic voice and brand promise.
About Nav.it: Nav.it is a banking app that helps you build healthy financial habits. Pay down debt, automate savings, track spending, and learn how to more optimistically navigate your financial future with Nav.it's financial roadmap. Nav.it changes behaviors around money by providing personalized tools that build confidence in your money moves. Financial wellness starts here!
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This story was originally published on September 10, 2020, and has since been updated.
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5 Career-Focused TikTokers Who Are Making Us Lolz
Tik Tok, love it or hate, it is here to stay.
Welcome to 5 for 5, where we spotlight 5 women in 5 minutes or less.
Tik Tok, love it or hate, it is here to stay. The platform has seen explosive growth from consumers and creators alike, creating new celebrities and a new distraction for all of us with endless scrolling. In true Create & Cultivate fashion, we love a self-deprecating work meme as much as anyone else and these ladies are doing Oscar-worthy work.
1. Corporate Natalie
Natalie, who actually has a corporate job, nails the hilarity and awkwardness of the Zoom-era with her quippy TikToks. And did we mention she is part of the Create & Cultivate family? Yep! She spoke on our micro-influencer panel at Content Camp. FOMO? All good, check out our membership here.
2. The Shift Creative
Entrepreneur and creative Alexis Andra runs her fabrication and creative studio The Shift Creative with her team in Los Angeles. She brings the real talk to TikTok with her hilarious BTS of her day to day and life as a busy business lady. Bonus? she was on our C&C 100 list year and you can learn about her business here.
3. Nikki Mansch
Nikki, like many of us, is working hard to give her dog the life they deserve… and she is cracking us up along the way. Her relatable memes are giving us life as she pokes fun at emails, co-workers, and more.
4. Kameron Monet
Content creator and lawyer, Kameron Monet, is serving up nothing but piping hot confidence! Her feed is chock full of all the money and “me” motivation you need to get you through the week! We subscribe.
5. Loe Whaley
With over 160k tiktok followers and 6.6 million likes, Loe Whaley, is carving her own path on TikTok. The Canadian content creator is giving us all the “we are going back to office” feels. AHHHHHH!
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22 Powerful LGBTQIA+ Leaders, Educators, and Advocates to Follow and Support Now and Always
Listen, learn, and advocate.
Until last year, federal law in the U.S. did not protect employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity—that means just over half (52%) of LGBTQIA+ people in the U.S. lived in states where they could be fired, refused a promotion or training, and harassed at their jobs based on their gender identity and sexual orientation.
It’s little wonder that LGBTQIA+ workers experience high rates of discrimination when looking for work and on the job. In fact, 25% of LGBTQIA+ people reported discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity—half of whom said it negatively impacted their work environment, according to the 2018 MAP report—and 27% of transgender workers reported being fired, not hired, or denied a promotion in 2016 to 2017.
Last June, the U.S. Supreme Court took a long-overdue step in ending these discriminatory practices by ruling that the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, and sex, also applies to discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. And though we are seeing some progress on state-level legislation, there is plenty that needs to change.
LGBTQIA+ voices are still underrepresented in the workplace and in the media. Last year, Fast Company partnered with Lesbians Who Tech & Allies to compile the Queer 50—the first-ever list of LGBTQ women and non-binary innovators—recognizing the need now more than ever to highlight queer trailblazers and advocates across the tech, finance, venture capital, media, and entertainment industries. For their inaugural Pride issue, The Hollywood Reporter honored 50 of the most powerful LGBTQ people in the industry who are making global culture more inclusive.
It’s as Billy Porter so poignantly put, “We as a nation are at our tipping point, the tipping point. One that has been heating towards boiling over for hundreds of years.”
So, we’re using our platform to celebrate and amplify powerful LGBTQIA+ leaders, innovators, and change-makers to support and follow today and every day. This list is ongoing and we plan to continue updating it with more voices who inspire us with their story and their mission.
Ashlee Marie Preston
Cultural Commentator, Social Impact Strategist, Political Analyst, and Civil Rights Activist
As the first trans woman to become editor in chief of a national publication and the first openly trans person to run for state office in California, Ashlee Marie Preston has become a powerful voice for the LGBTQIA+ community on intersectionality, representation, and humanization. “As a black trans woman, I never experience discrimination on a single axis,” she said at our STARZ Summer Speaker Series. “I experience everything at the intersection of race, gender, socio-economic disparity so I felt like all the cards were stacked against me… I got really sick and tired of people presenting us as these hyper-sexualized characters that existed to satisfy a man’s libido. We’re so much more than that.” Preston encourages all of us to be just who we are. “Don’t be afraid to take up space,” she went on. “You should never have to shrink your fatness, your blackness, your brownness, your transness, your queerness.” We couldn’t agree more.
Indya Moore
Actor, Model, and Writer
Indya Moore skyrocketed onto our screens as the aspiring model, Angel Evangelista on the hit FX series, Pose (which features more transgender actors than any scripted television series in history) but the model and actor is also highly regarded as a thought leader and activist and was honored on the Time 100 list as one of the most influential people of 2019. They use their social influence to create awareness and opportunity for marginalized communities, particularly Black trans women. Their work and message have both garnered the attention of fashion brands including Nicolas Ghesquière of Louis Vuitton who featured Moore in the luxury brand’s pre-fall 2019 look book, alongside Michelle Williams and Jennifer Connelly and made them the host of Vuitton’s Paris fashion show. Prabal Gurung sat Moore front row at his fashion show while Joseph Altuzarra took them to the Tony Awards as his date.
Brit Barron
Speaker, Teacher, and Author
In her book, Worth It, Barron shares her story of growing up in an Evangelical megachurch in the '90s where she eventually became a pastor at 26. She eventually met Sami, left the church, came out, and got married. Since then, she has pursued her passion while encouraging others to turn their fears into courage and live a fuller, more vibrant life. As she writes on her website, “choosing freedom is always worth it no matter the cost.” With 10+ years of experience in diversity and inclusion work, Barron recently created a 65-page digital guide Understanding Racism 101 to start educating yourself and for those around you who are asking where to start.
Buy her book and buy her digital guide.
Erica Chidi
CEO and Co-Founder of Loom
It was during her first year as a practicing doula that Erica Chidi had an epiphany and the seeds were planted for what would later become an inclusive wellness space, LOOM. “I looked at the pregnancy, parenting and reproductive health education industry and looked around and realized there was inertia,” she told us in her CC100 2018 interview. “There had been very little innovation and didn't reflect what myself or other people like me would want. It still felt hyper-feminine, dogmatic, essentialist, and polarizing. There wasn't a fresh, moderate, evidenced-based, and inclusive brand that brought together a lot more untraditional modalities and yet worked side-by-side with the medical community to give people better overall outcomes in their pregnancy, their parenting, their reproductive health experience.” Now her vision is a reality. With a focus on sexual and reproductive health, LOOM provides health education to empower everyone. “When people have body literacy and can advocate for themselves, they have better health outcomes. That’s what women and people of color need,” she told Kinfolk.
Liz Kleinrock
Anti-Bias, Antiracist (ABAR) Educator, and TED Talker
We’re often told that religion and politics (and money or consent) are strictly off the table and not open for discussion, but anti-bias anti-racist educator-in-progress Liz Kleinrock strongly believes that we should be discussing these topics often and from an early age. As she explained on the TED stage, “deliberate avoidance of these conversations speaks volumes to our students because kids notice when their teachers—when their textbooks—leave out the voices and experiences of people like women or people of color. Silence speaks volumes.” The key is to break it down into a format that is accessible for young learners.
And if you think kids are too young to learn about issues of equity then hear it from them, in their own words: "We're big enough to know about these things because these problems are happening where we live. And we have the right to talk about them because it will be our life in the future." Hear, hear.
Raquel Willis
Writer, Activist, Media Strategist, and Founder of Black Trans Circles
Through her initiative, Black Trans Circles (BTC). Willis is developing the leadership of Black trans women in the South and Midwest through the creation of healing justice spaces to help heal oppression-based trauma and incubate community organizing efforts to address anti-trans murder and violence. In an excerpt for the NY Times she wrote: “As a writer and a media creator, I want to liberate others and help elevate voices that are often the target of ridicule and erasure. So many of my Black trans sisters have been denied the chance to share their stories and it is my duty to them to help expand that master narrative while also expanding the narrative of queer and trans folks in general.” Here’s to more progress and narrative shifting.
Ashley C. Ford
Writer, Host
If you aren’t familiar with Ashley C. Ford’s work, then we suggest you read this powerful profile she wrote on Serena Williams, or this one with Anne Hathaway, and start following her on Twitter, ASAP. Her work, which has been featured in almost every publication both physical and digital from The Guardian to ELLE and The New York Times, doesn’t shy away from traditionally taboo topics in her work from race to sexuality, and body image. She is also the host of the Brooklyn-based news and culture TV show (and podcast!) 112BK and is in the process of writing her memoir, Somebody's Daughter.
Roxanne Gay
Writer and Author
“As a black woman, as a black queer woman, specificity is incredibly important, because diverse experiences are rarely seen in literature,” she tells The Guardian. It’s racial honesty like this that has positioned Roxane Gay firmly on our must-read list ever since she landed on the literary scene with her The New York Times best-seller, Bad Feminist—a collection of essays spanning politics, criticism, and feminism. She has written several best-sellers since then including Difficult Women, Hunger, and Not That Bad, among more. And while some of her books about her experiences are hard to read, Gay encourages us to read the stories of other lives, of difficult lives, of different lives to engender empathy and understanding. “I read everything. The No 1 thing I tell my students is read diversely,” she explains. “And I’m not talking about demographics, though that’s part of it. Aesthetic diversity, genre diversity. It matters because it just makes us better informed, and it protects us from our worst instincts.”
Janet Mock
Writer, Director, Author, and Advocate
As a writer, director, author, and advocate Mock has brought the stories of other trans and gender-nonconforming people to life, including her own. In her memoirs, New York Times best-seller, Redefining Realness and Surpassing Certainty, Mock shares her struggles with identity, recognition, and purpose and in a world without a roadmap to guide her forward. Now she is bringing the power of representation from the pages of her books to our screens with the hit FX series, Pose. “The fact that I get to go on set and supervise production, write scripts, direct ... it's astounding," Mock tells NPR. "I watch the monitors sometimes ... with tears in my eyes, realizing that these were the sort of stories that I was craving as a young person. There's no over-explaining of our experiences. ... It's just: 'Welcome to our world.'“
Billy Porter
Actor, Singer, Writer, and Director
He is renowned for his showstopping red-carpet outfits (who could ever forget this Met Gala moment) but Billy Porter’s influence reaches much further than his fashion style. The singer, writer, director, and actor (he stars on the FX series, Pose) is a passionate advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. In a recent video on his Instagram page, Porter shared his message for America, calling for action and advocacy for Black non-gender conforming and trans people. "As Black people, we risk our lives every time we leave our homes. As queer people of color that risk is doubled," Porter said. "We move about our days sucking it up, hiding our pain and terror from the world, trying to make ourselves small, so white people and straight people feel comfortable. Our parents try to prepare us for the realities of this world: the fact that the playing field is not leveled, the laws that protect white people do not do the same for us, and that we have to be at least 10 times better at anything we choose to do in life to simply get in the rooms where things happen."
Shantell Martin
Artist and Producer
Exploring themes such as intersectionality, identity and play, Shantelle Martin is a cultural facilitator. Her work has garnered the attention of major brands that resulted in collaborations with Nike, Vitra, Max Mara, Tiffany & Co., and in 2018, Puma launched a global capsule collection featuring her drawings. Her live art performances are visually arresting and take you into her signature stream-of-consciousness and meditative process—watch this monologue and you’ll see why. Her work is a powerful exploration of intention, purpose, and exploration of humanity.
She explained this process in her CC100 2019 interview: “Intention is a very powerful aspect of existence. Essentially, and I think many people whether “artists” or not, can relate to being fueled by a purpose or the search for purpose. This purpose is like the internal line which for me becomes something external with the lines of my art. I have a purpose which is very much tied to exploring the essence of humanity and the world… it comes from a place of pure curiosity and empathy and I feel that intention to connect with the deepest part of myself and YOU is a universal feeling.”
Blair Imani
Educator, Historian, Author, and Influencer
After she realized that the history many of us have been taught was seriously flawed, historian Blair Imani dedicated her career to educating folks and opening people’s eyes to the systematic oppression that endangers marginalized individuals today. She has authored the books “Modern HERstory: Stories of Women and Nonbinary People Rewriting History” and “Making Our Way Home: The Great Migration and The Black American Dream” all while educating the public on institutionalized bigotry via Patreon.
Ingrid Nilsen
Content Creator, YouTuber, and Host of One Step Podcast
Ingrid Nilsen came onto the scene with her first video in 2009, now the California native has over three million subscribers on YouTube and is basically a household name when it comes to beauty and wellness advice. But in June 2015, Nilsen released a coming-out video that went viral (it now has over 17 million views) and she has been a vocal advocate online for the LGBTQIA+ community ever since with videos that cover the best LGBTQIA+ places in New York to the 3 LGBTQ people who inspire me. She has also helped call attention to efforts to repeal the tampon tax and voting, and she’s the host of @onesteppodcast.
Nicolette Mason
Brand Strategist, Creative Consultant, and Contributing Fashion Writer
Nicolette Mason has always amplified marginalized voices and been a true ally and advocate for the diversity and inclusivity movement as it relates to size diversity, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, racial diversity, and more. In addition to her work as writer, she is also a creative consultant and brand strategist working with brands like Target, Dove, and Barbie on diversity and inclusion initiatives. After nearly a decade of working in the fashion industry, she launched Premme, a body-positive plus-size fashion destination, with her friend and business partner Gabi Gregg in July 2017 which has since shut down but as they’re Instagram states, “the premmories will last a lifetime.”
Follow Nicolette on Instagram.
Angelica Ross
Actor, Writer, Producer, and Founder of TransTech Social Miss Ross Inc
Angelica Ross made her debut as Candy Ferocity on Pose, but she’s been a leading figure in the movement for trans and racial equality. When you consider the statistics—72% of trans homicide victims between 2010 and 2016 were black trans women and femmes—it’s easy to see why Ross wants to ensure that these women aren’t reduced to a statistic. “In a situation where black trans women are being killed, who am I to think that I'm so special, that I would make it out alive?” she told ELLE. “It's usually the dark-skinned, black, trans women that are being murdered, and out of that group, that would be me. That would be Candy.”
As the founder of TransTech Social Enterprises, Ross is working to empower trans and gender-nonconforming people through on-the-job training in leadership and workplace skills. As a powerful speaker, she tours nationally to share her mission with business leaders, educators, and the President of the United States.
Megan Rapinoe
Co-Captain of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team
Ever since she co-captained the U.S. Women’s National Soccer team to win their fourth World Cup title, the outspoken Megan Rapinoe has emerged as a new kind of activist athlete who’s unapologetic approach has inspired millions of fans around the world. In addition to gender equality, Rapinoe has spoken out on social injustice (she took a knee to protest racial inequality and spoke openly against mass incarceration), and along with her team, took the U.S. Soccer Federation to court over pay equity. Now, that’s someone who uses their social influence for good.
Mikaela Straus, King Princess
Singer, Songwriter, Instrumentalist, and Producer
Twenty-one-year-old singer, songwriter, and producer, Mikaela Straus aka King Princess is bringing a young queer perspective to pop. Her song 1950 has clearly struck a chord with fans with 124 million plays on Spotify. As Rolling Stone describes King Princess as “a young woman supremely confident of both her sexual identity and singing ability” and the self-assuredness isn’t an act. “I want to get to a place where the story is less about me and my face and more about what the fuck’s going on in this world. How I can be an active voice for gay people but also the music industry,” she tells Rolling Stone. “This is the art we need right now. This is what we need right now. We’re in a renaissance, and we need people to rebel, come forth, and bring messages into art.”
Follow King Princess on Instagram.
Jonathan Van Ness
Hairdresser, Host, Getting Curious, and Star of Netflix’s Queer Eye
We all know Jonathan Van Ness (JVN) as the grooming expert on the hit Netflix series, Queer Eye but it’s his positive outlook and ability to help people see the beauty in themselves that made us all fall in love with him. And that bright outlook and larger than life personality still shine when the camera’s turned off. In real life, JVN is even more wonderful but beyond that, it’s his acceptance of people for who they are and a yearning to know more about the world and his place in it that has amassed millions of fans from around the world. Now he shares those stories on his Getting Curious podcast including his own in the best-selling memoir, Over the Top which details his HIV-positive status and history of addiction.
"In the last three years, there has been a steady rise in hate crimes every single year and we have an administration that is targeting asylum seekers, immigrants, LGBTQ people, HIV-positive people, women, and families,” he told Allure. “I think your approach to beauty can be political protest all the time… I think that knowledge is power and knowing the importance of the decisions you make with the money that you spend is literally a political protest. Everything, really, can be when you think about it."
Laverne Cox
Actress, Documentary Film Producer, and Prominent Equal Rights Advocate
We all know and love Laverne Cox as Sophia Burset in the critically acclaimed Netflix original series, Orange is The New Black, but what you might not know is how groundbreaking her casting was, not just for the show but for trans women in Hollywood as the first trans woman of color to have a leading role on a mainstream scripted television show. Since then, Laverne has continued her work and advocacy with her empowering message of “moving beyond gender expectations to live more authentically.” And she continues her string of “firsts” from being featured on the cover of TIME Magazine to an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series to a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
Arlan Hamilton
Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Captial, Author of It’s About Damn Time, and Host of Your First Million
Here are some startling stats: Only 12% of venture capital funds are invested in companies with at least one female founder, according to All Raise. Additionally, of the $425 billion raised in VC funding since 2009, a mere 0.32% went to Latinx female founders and .0006% to startups led by Black women. Arlan Hamilton, the founder and managing partner of the venture capital firm Backstage Capital, is on a mission to tip these statistics in the right direction. Since launching in 2015, Backstage Capital has invested over $7M in 130 companies led by underrepresented founders, according to the company’s website. It’s no wonder we included her on our 2018 Create & Cultivate 100 list.
Leanne Pittford
Founder of Lesbians Who Tech & Allies, Include.io, and Tech Jobs Tour
In 2012, Leanne Pittsford organized a series of happy hour networking events for lesbians in technology. Fast-forward to 2020 and what started as a small gathering of just 30 people has grown into Lesbians Who Tech & Allies, a veritable tech community of 40,000 members with chapters in 40 cities. Since then, the 2019 Create & Cultivate 100 honoree has founded two more companies to help underrepresented people in tech land their dream jobs: Include.io, a mentoring and recruiting platform, and Tech Jobs Tour, a series of networking events across the country to bridge the gap between tech companies and prospective job candidates.
Lena Waithe
Producer, Writer, and Actor
In an industry where diversity and inclusion are seriously lacking, Lena Waithe is paving a way for Black and queer women on and off-screen. She started her career as a production assistant for Ava DuVernay's I Will Follow, went on to be a writer for Fox's Bones, and was a producer on Justin Simien's 2014 film Dear White People. She’s gone on to found her own production company, Hillman Grad Productions, and produce films such as The Forty-Year Old Version and Queen & Slim as well as television shows The Chi and Boomerang. And notably, in 2017, she became the first Black woman to win an Emmy for best writing for a comedy series for her work on the Netflix series Master of None, which returns May 23 and will follow Lena Waithe’s character Denise and her partner Alicia, who is played by Naomi Ackie.
We will be continually updating this list of powerful LGBTQIA+ leaders to continue supporting and amplifying the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community. Please share your suggestions with us in the comments below!
This story was originally published on June 10, 2020, and has since been updated.
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"If You Aren’t Growing in a Role—Whether That's Your Title, Salary, or Responsibilities—Leave ASAP!"
Cassandra Dittmer makes the case for quitting.
Photo: Courtesy of Cassandra Dittmer
Walking away from a 9-to-5 job with a steady paycheck and health benefits to start your own business isn’t easy. To help you to take the plunge, we’re introducing a new monthly editorial series The Case for Quitting where we ask self-employed women all about how they successfully struck out on their own, from how they balanced their side-hustle with their full-time job to how much money they saved before handing in their two-week notice. This month, we caught up with fashion stylist Cassandra Dittmer who has not once but twice left a full-time job to start her own venture. Here are her tips for when it's time to put in your two-week notice.
What was your major in college and what did you want to do when you graduated?
Apparel merchandising and design with an emphasis on international relations. I wanted to be a fashion designer or work in trend forecasting.
What did you actually do after you graduated? What types of jobs did you apply to and what industry were you looking to break into?
I graduated and 48 hours later drove out to Los Angeles. I was looking to break into the fashion industry and definitely wasn’t looking to be in entertainment. I had interned the previous summer for a celebrity stylist and she offered me an unpaid gig while I was looking for paid work. I took the opportunity so that I could be boots on the ground in L.A. looking for work and taking freelance styling jobs. I fell in love with the styling industry and, at the time, was only interested in styling gigs.
How did you get into fashion?
I was always interested in fashion from a very young age. I grew up in rural Iowa and always loved how dreamy and artistic the fashion industry appeared. It seemed so glamorous and foreign to me. My mom got me really interested in personal style and runway shows very early on. She was always dressed to the nines and instilled in me the mindset to dress for yourself and cultivate a deep sense of personal style. Where I grew up had absolutely nothing related to the fashion industry. Every internship started with a lot of cold emails. Instagram didn’t exist at the time and I would exhaust myself emailing every stylist in the industry for an interview. Eventually, I flew out to L.A. one weekend my junior year of college and literally knocked on doors until I could convince someone to hire me as an intern.
What was it like balancing your full-time job with your passion? Do you recommend starting a side-hustle while you have a full-time job?
I barely know any other way at this point because I am constantly piling on my projects and keeping myself really busy. I think starting a side hustle when you have a full-time job is the most responsible way to start. Side hustles are important to staying agile and open-minded. I find that I access different parts of my brain when there is less pressure attached to the outcome and that brings out a whole other side of my creativity.
How did you know when it was time to make the transition from side-hustle to full-time? What was your strategy for making the transition?
When you can make the economics make sense it is definitely the right time to leave a full-time job. Starting any new company or venture always takes more time and capital than anticipated. The strategy is to create a schedule and stick to it. It sounds simple, but it takes a lot of discipline to put in that after-hour work and source that reserve brain energy. I started with a lot of exploratory calls and coffee dates. I would reach out to everyone I knew who had experience related to my side hustle and start to build the research out. Don’t sleep on the research and product development portion of starting a new company. This foundation should be solid before you take a leap.
How did you prepare for the transition before quitting your full-time job? What, if anything, do you wish you’d done differently?
Twice I have left a full-time job to start my own ventures. The first time, I left a full-time styling gig to start my own styling company. Styling is a unique industry because it’s very difficult to grow your clientele while maintaining full-time employment. At times, I wish I had waited longer and had more clients so that I didn’t have to bootstrap so hard. Other times I wish I hadn't stayed so long (almost five years) in an assistant role. If you aren’t growing in a role—whether that’s your title, salary, or responsibilities—leave ASAP! I had very little business experience and spent most of my time working directly with artists. I wish I had prioritized my business acumen as acutely and with as much emphasis as I focused on the creative.
Were you worried about money? What advice can you share for people who are worried about leaving a steady paycheck to start a new career?
Money was my #1 concern when leaving my job. I was luckily in zero debt but had very little savings when I changed careers. There is a lot of legwork and preparation that can be done while maintaining a full-time job. I used to make 3-month, 6-month, and year-long projections and work backward from that. I have started many collaborations and designed projects by working only 3-5 additional hours per week. Set that schedule and commit to it. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, paralyzed, and not know where to begin. The hardest part for me is starting and staying organized. I always like to approach any new venture in bite-sized chunks. Start small and accomplish things weekly so that you are giving yourself positive reinforcement.
“You will find more fulfillment and joy out of becoming the best version of yourself.”
—Cassandra Dittmer
Did you save up first or did you just jump in headfirst?
I wish I had saved more, but I just jumped in headfirst! I think it’s hard to find the balance between boldly betting on yourself and being naive. I only saved about 15% of my annual income at the time I quit and would not recommend starting a new venture with that little savings.
What's the most important thing you have learned from making a big change in your career life?
I have found cultivating and maintaining a set of ethics and standards is crucial. If you can create a business that truly reflects who you are as a person and maintains high standards you will be successful. It is crucial to add real value to your customer or client. When you have cultivated a community of people and you are truly listening to their needs, you will add far more value, and therefore be indispensable.
It’s easy to celebrate the wins, but how do you handle failure or when something hasn’t worked out for you?
I try to meet failure with a humbled mindset. I work hard to remove my ego from the situation as failure often feels so personal. At the end of the day, in business, you have to have resilience and persistence. It’s important to keep evolving and realizing that everything isn’t personal. Failure is an opportunity to grow stronger as well as be more strategic in your decision-making. It’s also nice to take a bit of time and recharge yourself when you are forced to restart. I can’t create anything meaningful when my brain isn’t clear.
What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made and learned from along the way?
Working without contracts and making business decisions based on a handshake. I have been burned many times before, typically financially, by later realizing there is not an alignment in terms. It sounds simple, but get everything in writing and take the time to do it right the first time!
When you look back and reflect on your previous career do you have any regrets or are you still really happy with your decision?
At times, I have reflected on leaving a cushy job to leap into the highs and lows of self-employment, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I find immense joy in poking holes and finding gaps in the industry and market. Being my own boss and having my own company allows me to be more agile, take bigger risks, and therefore have greater rewards and fulfillment.
Going after what you deserve in life takes confidence and guts. Does confidence come naturally to you or did you have to learn it? What advice can you share for women on cultivating confidence and going after their dreams?
I am naturally confident, but also very self-deprecating and critical. I oftentimes wish I wasn’t so hard on myself, but I have big goals and know that requires being uncomfortable and taking calculated risks. It isn’t productive to compare yourself to others, especially other women. Everyone is dealt a different hand and has different lived experiences. All you can do is focus on your capabilities and work within those constraints. You will find more fulfillment and joy out of becoming the best version of yourself.
What is the #1 career or money book you always recommend and why?
It’s been years since I have read Seth Godin’s “Linchpin,” but the title sticks out to me because I remember reading it right around the time I left my first job to start my own styling company. I remember thinking that becoming indispensable and learning how to add real value as a critical mindset to embody.
What advice can you share for someone who is thinking about leaving their current gig to pursue their side-hustle or passion?
Make sure that you are providing a service that adds value and making decisions that are solutions-based. I have made many decisions in my ego and based on what I thought was cool and that doesn’t always translate. It’s important to take a step back and build a community around the product or service you are looking to sell. Entrepreneurship and the fashion industry are both highly glorified, and it really isn’t that glamorous 99% of the time!
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I’ve Been a Publicist for 15 Years—These Are My Top Tips for Getting Buzzworthy Press
Spread the word.
Launching a business is one thing, but generating buzz around a business is another thing entirely. In fact, one of the most common questions we get from entrepreneurs, small business owners, and brand builders at both our digital and IRL events (and even on our social media channels!) is: How do I get buzzworthy press? So, to help answer that question, of course, we tapped our network of public relations pros.
Ahead, 17 publicists share their top tips for grabbing an editor’s attention. From writing a subject line that gets a response to securing an interview for their clients, the pros divulge their tried-and-true methods for crafting cold emails that stand out from the crowd, building relationships with media, and more. Scroll on for a masterclass in public relations (and grab a pen because, trust us, you’re going to want to take notes!).
Taylor Osumi
Account Supervisor at Autumn Communications
Experience: 9 years
The Tip: Do your homework! I know it sounds so cliché, but knowing not only what editors cover but how can mean the difference between an immediate pass or a potential story for a client. Make sure to skim topical news each morning and take the extra time to connect the dots and show why and HOW it can ladder back to your client in a meaningful way that audiences will care about. As a gut check, I always ask myself, “If I were skimming the online headlines and news, would this story angle I’m pitching or client news I’m sharing get me to pause and click to read further as a consumer?”
Why It Works: Too often it may seem enticing to take the quick and easy route as a publicist, but it’s easy to forget that media are receiving hundreds of pitches a day on top of meeting their writing deadlines and fulfilling project tasks. I also always remind junior staff that media are people too—there is (really!) a person behind the email address who has passions and interests. Build a rapport with editors and make the effort to establish a true human connection with someone you pitch and interact with frequently—it truly goes the extra mile. Some of my favorite and strongest media relationships have been with people I’ve worked with digitally for YEARS, but have admittedly only met a few times in real life.
Meghan Patke
President and CEO of Modern Currency PR
Experience: 16 years
The Tip: Be authentic.
Why It Works: I always try and encourage my team to step into the journalist’s shoes and ask yourself what you are trying to convey, and why this is a compelling story?
Practice active listening and reading; be informed of what’s out there and take your time.
If you can work your way back from the end goal, and feel confident that you have a timely and compelling “hook,” the rest just flows naturally. You never really need to force a good pitch or idea, and being authentic, well researched and read, and taking your time and enjoying the process of being a storyteller and brand-builder on behalf of your clients is a joyous process. I’m the daughter of academics and English professors, and love getting lost in the art of good writing and storytelling, and to take one’s time in crafting an idea, all in service of advocating for your clients, most of whom have truly remarkable and noteworthy stories to tell. A true privilege to be entrusted with such a responsibility, day in and day out.
Also, another good rule of thumb, quality oftentimes trumps quantity. No longer are we living in a day and age where a press release distributed over a wire service is as compelling or lands your story more visibility. Your goal is to be heard above the noise in this overly saturated market of news and content.
Oftentimes, you work tirelessly for months with one journalist and media outlet on one single long-form story that so beautifully captures the spirit of the client and experience—it’s so well worth it, and something I truly treasure. And as always, keep the long game in mind.
Kamari Guthrie
Founder and CEO of Kamari Chelsea
Experience: 16 years
The Tip: I tell my clients who are looking to get noticed, "Do something radically good." Millennials and Gen Z now make up billions in consumer spending, and they are most loyal to brands that are going beyond authenticity, and status quo charity. They're falling in love with brands that are leaning in and radically adjusting their strategy to do the right thing. For example, if a brand is the first to start including more diverse people in their ads and ethos (think Barbie or Calvin Klein's latest ads with Chika), or if a brand is treating its employees with fair pay, respect, equity, and inclusion (think Jose Andres paying his furloughed employees during the COVID pandemic), it is more likely to become buzzworthy than a brand that simply donates proceeds of a product one-time or occasionally does employee volunteer days. Think about how your brand can create a "blue ocean strategy" that sets them apart by doing something wildly impactful and good for their industry and society as a whole.
Why It Works: The number one reason this works is that Millennial and Gen Z buyers are the most socially conscious shoppers we've seen, and they want to hear more about brands that are doing the right thing. 93% of global consumers want to see more of the brands they use support worthy social and/or environmental issues. More and more, reporters look for opportunities to tell stories about brands that exemplify "radical good."
Sophie Weill
Founder of Nude Nation
Experience: 11 years
The Tip: This might sound cliché, but the best tip for getting buzzworthy press is being discerning when it comes to who you represent and only taking on clients you are entirely aligned with and believe in. I'd also say that aside from having your finger on the pulse of what is relevant and understanding the mindset of the consumer, the second most important thing is really understanding the demographic of the outlet you are pitching and what type of content gets them the most traction.
Why It Works: Only taking on clients you believe in wholeheartedly works because if you don't, that lack of authenticity will translate in every pitch, you won't be as creative and the editor will see right through ultimately resulting in lack of coverage. When it comes to deeply understanding the outlet and what does well for them this works because, at the end of the day, the outlet is looking for content that resonates with their community and is going to get them the most eyeballs. If your client can offer expertise, a product/service, a testimony or a story that will help the outlet achieve that, then it is more likely than not that they will be interested in running it.
Danielle Alvarez
Founder and CEO of The Bonita Project
Experience: 10 years
The Tip: My tip for getting buzzworthy press is a catchy email subject line and a short upfront, with bullet points that give the press some angle options on how to cover my client. Put your editorial shoes on and think what an editor would headline the story and what they'd want to cover—make their job easier.
Why It Works: I compete with so many other publicists to grasp an editor's attention, and while sometimes my emails get ignored, the ones that don't are because the subject line enticed them to open my email and I kept the upfront short. Sometimes we want to share too much but it can become an overwhelming read. Make it short, sweet, and use bullet points. It's easier to read and gets the pitch straight to the point.
Amanda Jacobs
SVP of AZIONE PR
Experience: 13 years
The Tip: Craft a compelling story, and remember that media covers the news.
Why It Works: A lot of markets are crowded, and for most consumer goods, something similar usually already exists out there so you need to have a strong story and brand narrative that separates your brand from what’s on the market. When pitching a new product or idea, I always ensure the story I’m telling highlights the key points of differentiation; why is this brand/product better than anything else the editor has heard of? I like to remind clients that "media covers the news” and if we don’t have news to talk about, how can we creatively craft a story that positions a brand to culturally relevant news? For example, I like to think about how we can lean into specific narratives or trends that we're seeing in the marketplace, and how our clients are driving those trends and tapping into the cultural zeitgeist.
Alysha Light
Founder of FLIGHT PR and co-founder of Joint PR
Experience: 15 years
The Tip: Share your expertise! Establishing yourself as a thought leader is PR gold. And what’s great about this is you don’t have to do this with every media outlet—even becoming a go-to with just a few in your industry can do wonders for your business and your brand.
Why It Works: Think about what it’s like for writers and journalists today, especially in light of the pandemic when many have seen their colleagues and teams cut or furloughed. They are literally pitched hundreds of times a day, with 99% of people just vying for their attention. You stand out from the crowd if you make it less about what you can get and more about what you can give, both to the writer and also to their readers. Be willing to share your expertise, unique insights, and point of view.
Simona Rozhko
Founder and CEO of evna media
Experience: 9 years
The Tip: Know who you're pitching editor-wise and have a solid understanding of the reader of the outlet you're pitching. It's not a one size fits all approach. There are different types of editors at every publication; features editors, deputy editors, associate editors, managing editors, directors, etc. Similarly, there are different demographics and lifestyle habits of readers at each outlet. While stories and angles can overlap sometimes, it's important for publicists to keep grooming their research and be diligent about the pitch angle they're sending to an editor and their respective outlet.
Why It Works: If you're not already close with the editor, they will feel a sense of thoughtfulness from you knowing what their lane is. The worst thing is getting pitched something that doesn't fall into their vertical or vein. The more you can relate your client, brand, or product to an editor and outlet's reader the more it makes sense for them to be featured. This works for evna media pitching strategies a lot. You should be pitching smarter, not harder. It's a two-way street though, editors need publicists just as much as publicists need editors. We run into responses like "kindly passing on this" too, but sometimes that offers an opportunity to brainstorm together where you can counter with a different angle or something that might make more sense for their editorial calendar for that moment. We are storytellers for our clients so there are always ideas pumping.
Christina Cattarini
Founder of CC PR
Experience: 12 years
The Tip: Timing is key when it comes to securing buzz-worthy press.
Why It Works: It’s important to constantly pay attention to the news cycle and know what’s happening in the world so you can find new and creative ways to not only work your client/brand into the narrative but also make them stand out.
Laila Dar
Founder of Rani Public Relations
Experience: Publicist for 6 years and an agency owner for 1 year
The Tip: Get straight to the point.
Why It Works: Editors have incredibly stressful jobs. Between juggling meetings, interviews, reading, researching, writing, and the day-to-day stresses of work-life, they’re also being flooded with pitches nonstop. If you were in that position, would you want to sit down and read a six-paragraph pitch about why XYZ brand is so amazing? Heck no! That's why you need to get straight to the point with your email pitch. Pinpoint exactly why your brand story or product is a good fit for that editor’s audience, then communicate that with a quick intro, concise bullet points, and links to your website/social channels. Don't forget to include an image that best represents your brand and the story you are trying to communicate. Before you send that pitch, ask yourself: Would an editor be able to skim through this email and immediately understand what my brand is all about? If the answer is yes, then you’ll be one step closer to buzzworthy press.
Nikole Flores
Head of PR at Little Voice PR (a.k.a LVPR)
Experience: 12 years
The Tip: My #1 tip for getting "buzzworthy press" would be leveraging something that is of the "moment" and/or culturally relevant.
Why It Works: We live in a world where news travels and breaks faster than ever before, so unless you're pitching something disruptive, you need to be able to leverage the current news cycle and what's trending. In order to stay on top of that, you have to have a voracious appetite for reading all types of media and coming up with a strong storyline. A great founder story is something we find very valuable as a way to connect a brand with consumers.
BJ Coleman
President of Image Elevators, Inc.
Experience: 20 years
The Tip: My number one tip for getting buzzworthy press is understanding the art of persuasion.
Why It Works: Your heading, subject line, and the first sentence in your announcement must be attention-grabbing and alluring! Persuasive communication is key to catching the eye of a reporter and convincing them their audience is best to receive your news item. Any true PR professional understands that persuasive communication can get you everything you need—it’s all in how it’s presented and how it’s said!
Ingrid Quiroz
Owner and Publicist of dallasprmaven
Experience: Publicist for 10 years and agency owner for 2 years
The Tip: My “BVT” Checklist
Why It Works: I work with a diverse range of creatives and entrepreneurs, and sometimes they can get ahead of themselves and think they’re ready to get coverage. However, in order to create buzzworthy press, all moving parts need to be aligned. I basically go through a quick checklist that I call BVT (branding, voice, and time) before even considering their story or announcement media-worthy. Each brand/entrepreneur has to have their branding updated and ready, ensure the person who will be connecting with the media is prepared and energized to answer any press inquiries, and also, from a time perspective, they are available to take on these interviews once confirmed. Nothing is worse than pitching, getting interest, and my client isn’t available.
Benjamin Almeter
Founder and Managing Director of Dispatch
Experience: 8 years
The Tip: Create a story worth telling.
Why It Works: Put yourself in the editor’s shoes. Their jobs revolve around uncovering news and telling stories people want to hear. How can you make your story compelling and more newsworthy? Is it a timely hook, identifying a new trend, doing something that hasn’t been done before?
When brainstorming initiatives, new launches, activations, etc with teams—we’re always thinking, “Ok, but what’s the story.” Building the story into the execution itself is a big step in guaranteeing a buzzworthy launch.
We also focus heavily on creating excitement around a story opportunity. If we can’t get the editor excited about the initiatives ourselves, we look to the influences of that editor—i.e., who are they following on Instagram? How can we get those people talking about what we’re up to? That way the editor isn’t just being told by a PR they should be paying attention, they’re stumbling upon the story opportunity themselves.
Rachael Matican
Founder of Rachael Matican Consulting
Experience: 14 years
The Tip: Put thought into who you’re reaching out to and why and be a publicist people want to work with
Why It Works: It’s important to know your client/brand and what you’re specifically pitching and to whom. Make sure you’re doing your homework and finding editors or journalists that will find your pitch relevant. Be informative without overloading, no one wants to read a novel on a new product launch or a generic press release. Tailor your emails to be specific to the outlets and editors you’re reaching out to. Editors get so many emails every day so make sure you’re sending something that makes sense to them.
Also, this may seem obvious but get back to people quickly. Even if you don’t have an update or an answer right away, let the editor know you’ve received their email/request and that you’re working on it. And then actually get it done quickly. This doesn’t go unnoticed and they’ll remember your sense of urgency, even if it wasn’t that urgent. Be the publicist they want to work with and continue going to for their stories, photoshoots, etc.
Lastly, I don’t believe in being overly formal. There is a time and place for everything, but I represent mainly fashion brands and I’m talking about clothing most of the day, there should be some fun with it. I recommend sending emails in a tone that doesn't come across as impersonal or too formal. Seeing a stale subject line or a pitch about a product with no imagery is definitely off-putting. I’ve seen subject lines that look like an email blast, that is a quick way to have your email go unread. Emails to editors should be personalized, maybe you follow an editor on IG and saw they were on vacation recently, mention that. Or perhaps there was an article of theirs that you recently read and it resonated with you in some way, share that with them, especially if it has something to do with what you’re reaching out about.
Jessy Klein-Fofana
Founder and CEO of LaRue PR
Experience: 23 years
The Tip: Share newsworthy, timely info. Info and insights that are relevant to what is happening in the world around you.
Why It Works: “New” is always compelling to the media as is “news.” Things that are definitively related to current events in the news, pop culture, business, are always compelling when pursuing press.
Jane Richards
Founder of JSR Communications
Experience: 9 years
The Tip: Get to the point, quickly! Once you have thoughtfully researched a reporter's beat, lead with what makes you and your company unique—and always include a call to action. If you can share what sets you apart from competitors, you will stand out as an expert in your field, and somebody the reporter would benefit from connecting with. Since reporters receive upwards of 1,000 pitches each day and only have a few seconds to review your email, you need to pique their interest right off the bat.
Why It Works: When you have only a few seconds of a reporter’s attention, succinctly share who you are, what you do that is novel, and why you have a valuable perspective to offer. Being respectful of their limited time is key for media relations. And remember, even if you don’t get an immediate reply, reporters keyword search through their inbox when they are sourcing for stories, so your pitch and call-to-action live on in their inbox and can rise to the top for future articles.
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4 Tips to Land a Job After an Employment Gap
Make your work come back.
Photo: Create & Cultivate
Figuring out how to find a job after a career break can be frustrating. Many jobs want to hire candidates with recent work experience, and if you don’t have that, the job application process can be extremely daunting.
While it may feel as if you’re stuck in a perpetual state of unemployment, there are many ways to get back into the workforce after extended time off.
Stay active, and show this on your résumé!
Most of the time a career break happens due to other obligations. Whether it’s raising children, taking care of a sick family member, or other personal reasons, taking time off from traditional employment rarely means that you’re just sitting around twiddling your thumbs. Even if you’re not working for profit, one of the most important things to do when you’re trying to find a job after a career break is to highlight what you’ve been doing. This can be anything from volunteering at a school or local charities, to any side projects or side jobs you’ve taken on.
Highlighting how you’ve been staying active in your community will give you something to put on your résumé and it will help you network. You never know who you’ll meet and who will notice your work ethic. Volunteering isn’t only about networking, but it gives you something current to put on your résumé. If your last position ended years ago, your résumé may get overlooked simply because of the fact that there is nothing current on it. However, if you highlight what you’ve been doing in the interim, (i.e. volunteering, raising kids, caring for a family member, etc.) you can use that to fill in the time where you weren’t working. Even if you volunteer once a week or once a month for a span of time, you can use that to fill in employment gaps. As an added bonus, a study found that volunteering is associated with 27% higher odds of employment.
Network
Networking is essential to finding a job, but when you’re coming back after a career break, it becomes more important than ever. According to studies done by Glass Door, referrals are associated with a 2.6% to 6.6% higher chance of an accepted job offer. Reach out to recruiters, friends, and industry professionals to put the word out there that you’re looking for a position. Often people won't know that you’re in the market for a new role, and if they don’t know, they can’t help you. It’s a very small world, and you never know who might have an industry connection or information on an upcoming availability.
Go out and get coffee with friends or family in your industry. Pick their brain and ask if they have any suggestions for how to find a job after a career break. They may know of an opportunity which you can use to boost your résumé or skill set.
Another great option is to reach out to recruiters. There seems to be a negative stigma about working with recruiters, however it can be wildly beneficial, especially if you have a large employment gap on your résumé. Recruiters often have inside knowledge on positions that haven’t been posted to the public. They also have direct interaction with hiring managers and will be able to get your résumé in front of someone immediately. How do you get in touch with a recruiter? Do a simple google search or look for recruiters on LinkedIn. Recruiters are always looking for strong candidates, so if you can reach out and highlight your motivation or skills, they will almost always be willing to help with your job search.
Take a Class
Are you volunteering and networking but still find yourself with extra time on your hands? Take the opportunity to learn a new skill or brush up on old skills by taking a course. If you want to get out of the house and have somewhere to go, look into community college courses. Don’t want to make that sort of commitment? Go for online courses you can do at your own pace.
Do you notice that a lot of jobs require QuickBooks or another specific software? Take an online tutorial or course so you learn about the program and can put it in the skills matrix of your résumé. You don’t need to become an expert on it, but if you can take a course to familiarize yourself with the subject or program, you’ll be able to include that information on your résumé. Ensuring that you have the skills and software knowledge that employers are looking for will help you find a job after a career break.
At the very least, watching YouTube tutorials will give you a better understanding of how the software works. This way you can include “Familiar with [software]” on your résumé. Including this phrase will help your résumé become more searchable, and will bring you up when a hiring manager or recruiter searches for candidates with that software knowledge.
Explore Contract or Temporary Positions
The temporary employment industry employs millions of Americans. While there seems to be a negative connotation with the words “temporary” and “contract,” these positions can open many doors for you. Contract and/or temporary work can help you in four main ways:
It will give you current work to put on your résumé
It gives you immediate income while you’re searching for a long term position
It lets you network with industry professionals
It gives you the opportunity to show off your capabilities
If you excel at your temporary position, chances are that you will meet people who can a) point you in the right direction, b) know of a job that may interest you, or c) will work with you to keep you at the company but progress to an area that best suits your qualifications.
There is truly no downside to temporary work. It’s not always smart to take a position in an industry or path you’re not interested in, temporary work gives you the opportunity to explore your options and networking opportunities.
While it may be intimidating and daunting, learning how to find a job after a career break isn’t as hard as it seems. The most important things are to stay active and highlight your skills and abilities. Don’t be stagnant and wallow in your sorrows. Take charge of your life, get out there, and make it happen!
About the author: A native San Franciscan, Michele Lando is a certified professional résumé writer and founder of writestylesonline.com. She has a passion for helping others present the best version of themselves, both on paper and in person, and works to polish individuals' application package and personal style. Aiming to help create a perfect personal branding package, Write Styles presents tips to enhance your résumé, style, and boost your confidence.
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This story was published on September 23, 2018, and has since been updated.
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Hey, Savvy Savers! Here's What to Expect at Our Money Moves Digital Summit Presented by Mastercard
Rebecca Minkoff, Julianne Hough, and more.
Photo: Smith House Photo
Money. Let’s talk about it. We’re tackling the taboo topic and calling in the experts for some #realtalk about everything from building financial confidence and setting a budget to buying your first home and investing in your future. Join us on Saturday, May 15th for our Money Moves Digital Summit presented by Mastercard for a day filled with inspiring conversations, hard-hitting workshops, motivating mentor sessions, and a live competition to see three founders pitch to a panel of judges for the chance to win a $10,000 small business grant.
Like all of our C&C events, our lineup for Saturday is next-level. Venture capitalist Arlan Hamilton is taking the virtual stage to share her tips for how to secure the bag, then Rebecca Minkoff is sitting down with Jaclyn Johnson to discuss carrying a company through financially challenging times for a live episode of WorkParty, and Julianne Hough is taking the mic to talk about diversifying your income and managing multiple revenue streams. Trust us, you won’t want to miss out!
Read on to discover everything else we have in store for this jam-packed day, and if you haven’t already, be sure to buy your digital pass ASAP!
THE DATE
Saturday, May 15th, 2021
TUNE IN FROM HOME
First things first! On Saturday, May 15th, you’ll receive an email with your link and password to access the exclusive Money Moves presented by Mastercard event site. Please note: All content will go live on Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), including the launch of the exclusive Money Moves presented by Mastercard event site. To find out what time a session is happening in your time zone, use this handy time zone converter.
Money Moves presented by Mastercard is made up of pre-recorded video sessions hosted via Vimeo and live video sessions streaming via Zoom. We recommend that you have a strong WiFi connection and find a comfortable place to tune in from home. Money Moves 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, May 21st (Insiders, you have all-access even after the cutoff via your C&C Insiders dashboard!). Tickets will be available to purchase until Wednesday, May 19th.
THE SCHEDULE
Money Moves 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), as C&C headquarters is located in sunny Los Angeles. To find out what time a session is happening in your time zone, use this time zone converter.
NETWORK
Networking is a huge part of our event and our Create & Cultivate Money Moves 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 Money Moves Summit Attendees Slack Workspace in our What to Expect newsletter on Wednesday, May 12th. This Slack channel will remain accessible until Friday, May 21st. 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.
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.
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, May 15th via the exclusive Money Moves presented by Mastercard event site.
Don’t miss the opportunity to get real-time advice from small business owners, venture capitalists, and other experts during Mentor Power Hour.
Join the Mentor Power Hour Slack Channel and peruse the list of mentors who will be answering questions in real-time in hour-long Zoom webinars and choose your mentor(s).
We have experts in everything from creating a budget to getting invested to setting financial goals. 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 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 #CCMoneyMoves for the chance to be featured in our Instagram Stories throughout the day! (Psst… Search “Create Cultivate” on Instagram to use our custom GIFs.)
C&C INSIDERS’ PERKS
Our Insiders get a ton of perks at all our events—and Money Moves presented by Mastercard is no exception. As an Insider, you get in for FREE and you’ll have access to all of the panels, keynotes, mentor sessions, and more after the Friday, May 21st cutoff via your C&C Insiders dashboard. 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 Rebecca Minkoff, American Airlines, SoFi, ALLY, Fresh Vine Wine, Partake Foods, Melanie Marie Jewelry, and more.
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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From Brand Story to Brand Guidelines: All of Your Branding Needs, Covered
Make the brand of your dreams a reality.
When you’re launching a business today, there’s one crucial element you can’t afford to leave out: your brand’s identity. In fact, businesses who focus on building a strong identity around their brand have a higher credibility, integrity, and loyalty among customers.
Branding is essential to successfully market your business, but at first attempt, shaping a brand identity can be an overwhelming task. Traditional branding agencies can be expensive, especially for a modest start up budget.
Thankfully, ZeBrand is removing the traditional barriers to branding and putting the reins in your hands to take the first step. The platform’s AI-powered algorithm learns your preferences and goals, providing a more agile and streamlined approach that allows anyone to brand their way—regardless of skills, budget, or expertise. With ZeBrand, emerging businesses can find their brand voice for a fraction of the time and cost than when hiring a branding agency.
From building your brand story to crafting brand guidelines, and everything in between - ZeBrand offers accessible tools that eliminate the barriers that stand in the way of making the brand of your dreams a reality.
So what elements constitute a strong brand identity? The checklist below contains the essentials to get you started.
Mission Statement – A strong brand identity is anchored in an enduring mission statement. A brand mission statement determines your brand’s purpose, and explains WHY you exist. It’s the essence of your business’s goals and the underlying philosophy. This is the foundation of building a brand that truly represents your organization.
Vision Statement – Simply put, vision statements are an extension of your company mission statement, which describes what you want to do and achieve in the long run. Whether that’s five, ten, or even fifteen years ahead, your vision statement sets a definitive direction of what your company will look like in the future.
Core Values – Like a person, a company has a set of guiding principles that help you connect with your target audience and build trust. These are the values that you uphold and emulate through your brand and business. They are the heart and the soul behind your ‘WHY’ and help govern decisions – small and large – across every facet of the business.
Positioning Statement – In order to help your customer realize your brand’s value, you must identify and amplify what is uniquely distinct about your brand and offering. This is often referred to a positioning statement, which tells your customer, either explicitly or implicitly, what they can expect from your product or service.
Brand Story – Summarize your brand personality, what your mission statement is, and the vision of your brand. Define where you are and where you want to go. By reading this, users will feel inspired and have a deep understanding of the essence of your brand and what makes your business unique.
ZeBrand just launched their brand story module which takes users on a journey to craft their brand story and narrative, including background, mission, vision, core values, and solutions or offerings.
Brand Guidelines – As your business grows and you start to interact with more stakeholders, it’s important for everyone to be on the same page as you when it comes to communicating your brand identity. Brand guidelines instruct others on how your brand should be presented to the world. In addition to your brand story and some or all of the terms above, brand guidelines also include visual components such as your brand’s logo, color palette, typography, photography and specific use cases for other styles of content.
Start with this free 5-minute questionnaire to discover how ZeBrand can help turn your vision into a reality.
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How Wordaful Founder Liz Hernandez Prioritizes Her Mental Wellness While Working From Home
From meditating to journaling, she takes time for mental health breaks.
Photo: Johanna Brinckman
Welcome to our editorial series A Day in the Life where we ask successful women we admire to share the daily minutiae of their professional lives, from the rituals that set them up for success to their evening wind-down routines. This month, we sat down with Liz Hernandez, creator of the innovative storytelling platform WORDAFUL. Her secrets to success? Keeping a detailed daily schedule, prioritizing mental health breaks, and going to bed before 10 PM. Read up on her WFH tips below.
Tell us a bit about WORDAFUL. What inspired you to create a platform focused on the importance of how we communicate with others and ourselves?
I was inspired by the need for connection. I spent ten years on morning radio engaging with listeners through storytelling. It’s a special format because you can’t see each other and you’re relating purely through words and emotions. Sharing my vulnerabilities was a catalyst for listeners to call and share their same experiences. The connection was powerful.
Once I left radio and started in television, I missed that human interaction. At the same time, I had a strong desire to make a positive impact in my community. I understood the importance of self-talk and how the words we choose can shape our lives. Any negative messaging we grew up with can be overridden and replaced with encouraging words.
WORDAFUL launched as a passionate project shortly after my mother lost 90 percent of her speech as a result of Alzheimer’s. The gift of communicating is often taken for granted. When my mom lost her ability to use her words, I wanted to be responsible with mine.
Are you a night owl or a morning person? When do you do your most important work and why?
I’m a morning person. The most important work I do is writing. I’ve learned to write in the morning when my mind is fresh and I’m firing on all cylinders. However, when inspiration strikes at night, I have to go to the computer and get it down on the page.
What time do you get up, and what’s the first thing you do upon waking?
I wake up around 6 AM. As soon as I open my eyes, I say “thank you” to my Creator. Then it’s coffee accompanied by gratitude journaling.
What does your morning, pre-work routine look like?
I take a quick glance at my emails. If there’s nothing urgent, I head out for a morning walk with my french bulldog, Albondiga. Breathing fresh air and moving my body is a great mood and energy booster before I start work.
Mark Twain said, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” What’s the first thing you do when you get to your desk?
I light a scented candle. It makes my workspace more inviting and it’s a nice way to do self-care. Then I open up my planner, review my to-do list and prioritize my schedule.
What are you working on this week?
I’m currently writing new WORDAFUL episodes. I’m scheduling the rollout of our new tees and sweatshirts and prepping for the launch of our Affirmation Cards for Kids!
Photo: Johanna Brinckman
What’s been the most rewarding part of running your business? The most challenging?
The most rewarding part of running this company is the community that is being created and the support it’s giving people. Before the pandemic, we held a monthly event for women to gather, connect and share their stories. They walked in as strangers and left as friends. It was amazing to watch these WORDAFUL Women events grow across the country as well. Last year, we launched an online membership where we could all meet and continue the conversations. It has been a place of comfort, growth, and healing.
The most challenging part is wearing all the hats from creative, marketing, finances, scheduling, and so on. I am very fortunate to have two women on my team whose efforts and energy are equilivant to a team of ten.
Do you ever reach inbox zero? How do you handle the constant influx of inquiries and communication founders are so familiar with?
I feel fortunate that most days my inbox doesn’t feel overwhelming. My team does a great job of filtering emails by their degree of importance or urgency. Then, I schedule time on my to-do list to send replies.
What is your go-to work lunch?
Salmon over salad. If I’m craving more carbs, I’ll add in some rice. Followed by espresso, of course.
What advice do you have for balancing the minutiae of day-to-day tasks with big-picture planning?
Create a detailed daily schedule with your most important priority on top and the steps that are required to move you towards your goal. I’ve learned that if it’s not in your schedule, it’s not going to happen.
What are some work habits that help you stay healthy, productive, and on track to reach your goals?
I take my mental wellness seriously. Staying committed to daily self-care rituals is important to me so I start each day with gratitude journaling. Then, I take a break midday to mediate for 30 minutes. Both of these exercises help me to remember my “why” in pursuing my goals.
Any favorite apps you use regularly?
Instagram is what I use most. It allows me to stay connected to friends and our online community. I also love Duolingo, a language app that keeps me on top of my Spanish.
What are you reading/watching/listening to right now to help you wind down at the end of the day?
I’m listening to early episodes of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” I love how she used her platform as a classroom to teach us about ourselves and the importance of sharing our stories. She says a powerful line in the beginning of the podcast: “Every single person you ever will meet shares that common desire, they want to know, do you see me, do you hear me, does what I say mean anything to you?” It inspires me every time I hear her say it.
When do you go to bed? What’s your “optimal” number of sleep hours?
I go to bed around 9:30 PM. When I get 8 hours of sleep I perform my best.
What’s the most rewarding part of your day?
I really cherish going on my daily walk. I love being outside in nature, listening to good music, and playing with my dog.
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You Need to Ditch This If You Want to Be a Better Leader—Here's How
It’s time to get your boss on.
Photo: Create & Cultivate
Millennials are not only taking over the workforce, they’re quickly stepping into more and more leadership roles. In fact, a 2017 study found that the millennial leadership trajectory is as follows:
2.6 years: Entry-level to mid-level
5.3 years: Higher mid-level to senior
6.9 years: Senior level to c-suite
8.4 years: C-suite to CEO
More millennials are moving into leadership roles where they can finally execute on visionary ideas and implement change that they wished those who came before them would. Despite the value millennials bring to the workforce, we’re all a work in progress, and becoming a better leader is necessary for many of the millennials who are new to the role.
Keep these ideas in mind as you grow into your leadership position, which bodes well for your career and the organization. You may find that you garner greater respect and get more done as you learn and develop the skills necessary to manage an organization. Read on to find out what you need to do (and ditch) to become a better leader.
Let Go of Fears
Be better: Stop second-guessing yourself.
Fear of personal failure was the number one fear in a 2016 poll of Americans. And for millennials, this fear is often masked as “imposter syndrome.” Imposter syndrome can be defined as the feeling of being inadequate, despite continued success. A whopping 70% of millennials experience this, in both work and life, but why?
“Millennials might feel impostor syndrome more as they’ve entered the workforce at a time of outrageous technological advancements and constant comparison on social media,” says Breena Kerr of The Hustle.
She continues, “Technology is growing so fast that most of us are learning something new on almost every project we work on. And that can make you feel like you don’t have the expertise you should.”
To be a better millennial leader, you must ditch the fear and find confidence in what you do, and channel that when managing employees and making decisions. Trust your intuition and your skills—this is a requirement for leaders who want to see growth and success in their position.
Strategize Effectively
Be better: Find solutions that are effective—not just fast or easy.
A McKinsey and Company study of 80 organizations around the world, of varying sizes and industries, found that effectiveness was one of the top four attributes of a great leader.
When you focus on being effective, rather than making decisions or problem solving based on what’s easiest or fastest, you become a stronger leader. “Often leaders assume that as long as they have ideas, a vision, and a sense of purpose, that will be enough to lead the way forward,” says David Grossman, CEO of Grossman Group. “If only it were that easy. In truth, good leaders know the importance of planning and clearly spelling out the path ahead.”
Find the best brainstorming style for you and use that to flesh out ideas fully and effectively. A simple pros and cons list may be all you need to shake out the best solutions.
Communicate
Be better: Be authoritative and flexible.
Being a leader requires great communication skills, which can be challenging for some millennials. “The real reason millennial leaders struggle to communicate doesn’t lie in their ability to have reasoned, productive exchanges with other people,” explains Kimberly Fries, a millennial communication and leadership coach. “Instead, it lies in their circumstance, the very style of their leadership, and their personality.”
She breaks it down further, explaining that this struggle with communication comes down to three things:
Their disposition to be diplomatic and non-confrontational
Differences in generational preferences with communication
A credibility problem
To combat these innate issues, focus on communicating clearly and effectively while embracing the strengths of your employees and maintaining your authority. Be flexible and willing to adapt communication skills as employees need, especially when working with a mixed generational team. For example, some employees will do better with emails and chat, while others need more in-person time; adjust for both to be a better millennial leader.
Be Authentic
Be better: Listen attentively.
In a world filled with social media, where we’re surrounded by the perception of who someone is, it’s easy to be inauthentic. Especially in a role of authority, where you want to command the respect that a leadership role commands. Yet, authenticity is critical in business.
When you’re hyper-focused on the image you’re portraying to others, it’s hard to build true and lasting relationships that you need to be successful in business—relationships with mentors, financial advisors, and most importantly, with employees:
“Authenticity—both in business and in networking—is important for establishing reciprocal relationships with others,” says Ted Rollins, entrepreneur and founder of Valeo Groupe. “Long-term, rewarding professional partnerships don’t begin with a selfish attitude.”
When you listen and remain authentic in both your decision-making and interactions with others, you’ll be better at driving the ship.
Start Leading
Keep these ideas in mind as you grow into your role and take steps in your career. Authenticity, effectiveness, communication, and confidence are all critical for all high-level roles—both getting and keeping them. When you work toward becoming a better leader, you boost both your career and your position within your current role.
About the Author: Jessica Thiefels has been writing for more than 10 years and is currently a full-time writer, content marketing consultant, and business owner. She’s been featured in Forbes and Business Insider and has written for Manta, StartupNation, Glassdoor, Lifehack, and more. Follow her on Twitter @Jlsander07 and connect on LinkedIn.
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This story was published on August 29, 2017, and has since been updated.
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How to Take Control of Your Finances and Cultivate Confidence Around Money
Your budgeting game is about to change.
Welcome to this special episode of WorkParty titled Money Talks, a Budget Broadcast Series in partnership with You Need a Budget (YNAB), designed to educate everyone on the power of building a budget.
Whether your financial goals are aimed at booking the vacation in Europe you’ve been dreaming about pre-lockdown, paying off your high interest credit card debt, or simply starting to save for the future—a budget (of all sizes) can help you accomplish those dreams.
To kick off our first of three Money Talks episodes, Jaclyn is joined by Jesse Mecham, the founder of YNAB, the app designed to be your best money-saving friend.
Get your notepad ready and press play on episode one! Your budgeting game is about to change.
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Mom Point: Perfect Presents For Mother's Day
Shop Mother’s Day gifts from Hallmark.
“Motherhood” can be described in as many ways as there are many kinds of moms. Moms are tough and tender, fancy and fierce, warm and wise. They’re nurturing, compassionate, resilient and bold. And sometimes, they’re not actually your mom, but rather a mother figure – someone whose advice you can always trust, who has stood by you through thick and thin and who you love like family.
Moms also make mistakes. They teach us it’s okay not to be perfect. How to say, “I’m sorry.” How to forgive others. And how to forgive ourselves.
And after so many years of love and laughter and tears, they know when it’s time to let go … just enough, but not quite all the way.
So this year, let’s show all the moms in our lives how grateful we are for their giving, loving, perfectly imperfect selves. Let’s tell them how lucky we feel. And let’s thank them for all that they are.
We asked three stylish women to reveal the perfect presents from Hallmark for every kind of mom. Keep scrolling to see what gifts they’re giving to the leading women in their lives this year.
“I love that Hallmark has a wide variety of products. No matter who you’re shopping for, you can always find a card and gift that fits their personality perfectly!”
–Maddie Obray
To whom did you send a Mother’s Day card/gift to and why? Which card and gift did you choose?
My mom loves flowers so I picked out the Loved Mother’s Day Card With Floral Heart Wreath in Gift Box and the Bright and Happy Day Vase of Flowers 3D Pop-Up Card. My mother-in-law loves the spa so I got her the Spa Day Self-Care Kit.
What makes it a great gift?
These are great gifts because the products I picked have specific meaning for my mom and mother-in-law–they will know I was thinking about them when I picked out the gifts.
What message did you want to get across to them? How did sending a card and gift help convey your message and emotions in a more meaningful way?
I just wanted them to know I love them and care about them. I know when they get these gifts they will feel loved and appreciated!
Why is Hallmark your go-to shop for Mother’s Day gifts?
I love that Hallmark has a wide variety of products. No matter who you’re shopping for, you can always find a card and gift that fits their personality perfectly!
Best advice you learned from your mom?
My mom leads by example and I’m always trying to be more like her. She is kind, compassionate, strong, caring, loving, genuine, and always puts God and family first. She is also the best grandma to my daughter! I don’t know what we’d do without her.
How did sending a card make you feel?
I always love sending cards because it’s such an easy gesture to let people know how much they mean to you. I love knowing it will brighten their day when they see it and read the message inside.
Maddie’s Mother’s Day Gift Picks
HALLMARK
Loved Mother's Day Card With Floral Heart Wreath in Gift Box
HALLMARK
Spa Day Self-Care Kit, 6 Pieces
HALLMARK
Bright and Happy Day Vase of Flowers 3D Pop-Up Mother's Day Card
“Gift giving is one of my love languages and a way I love to express my love to others. I love being able to shower my mom with gifts on her special day to remind her just how special she is.”
– Jalisa Vaughn
To whom did you send a Mother’s Day card and gift to and why? What card and gift did you choose?
My mom to make her feel special this Mother’s Day. I got her a Hallmark Paper Wonder pop up card as well as Lavender-Infused Crew Socks and a Spa Day Self-Care Kit so that I could express how much she means to me not just on this special day but every day
What makes it a great gift?
I love the variety of self-care gifts because she deserves to feel pampered, and the pop-up card really makes a statement! I know she’ll be wowed when she opens this gift.
What message did you want to get across to them? How did sending a card and gift help convey your message and emotions in a more meaningful way?
The importance of self-care and self-love. It was a tangible expression of my feelings for my mother.
Why is Hallmark your go-to shop for Mother’s Day gifts?
Hallmark is always my go to for Mother’s Day gifts because they always help me tangibly express my emotions and their gifts allow my mom to have keepsakes that she can reflect on for years to come.
Best advice you learned from your mom?
One piece of advice that I hold tightly to is, “when you keep God first, He will take care of His.”
How did sending a card make you feel?
Gift giving is one of my love languages and a way I love to express my love to others. I love being able to shower my mom with gifts on her special day to remind her just how special she is.
Jalisa’s Mother’s Day Gift Picks
HALLMARK
If You Can Read This Lavender-Infused Crew Socks
HALLMARK
You're a Blessing Hummingbird 3D Pop-Up Mother's Day Card
HALLMARK
Spa Day Self-Care Kit, 6 Pieces
“Hallmark always has the perfect cards to express exactly how I am feeling.”
– Dayna Bolden
To whom did you send a Mother’s Day card and gift to and why? What card and gift did you choose?
I decided to send a Mother’s Day card to my mother-in-law because she has been such a huge help to our family, from watching the kids, to keeping the house in tact while I am busy working. She has been a great help to me and has made my job easier.
I chose a Hallmark Mother’s Day Card and Hallmark’s Spa Day Self-Care Kit.
What makes it a great gift?
I love this gift for my mother in law because she works so hard she deserves a little me time at home. She also loves painting and doing my daughter’s nails, that is her favorite thing to do on the weekends, so this kit would make her so happy!
What message did you want to get across to them? How did sending a card and gift help convey your message and emotions in a more meaningful way?
The message I want her to know is that she is valued and appreciated. By giving a simple gift that I know she will love will show how much we love and value her presence in our life.
Why is Hallmark your go-to shop for Mother’s Day gifts?
Hallmark has always been my go-to destination–Hallmark always has the perfect cards to express exactly how I am feeling and the selection is great. I also love the selection of meaningful gifts that all moms will love and appreciate.
Best advice you learned from your mom?
My best advice from my mom is to work hard with everything that you do. She has instilled this in me by not just telling me, but showing me daily with how hard she works in her career and for her family. I knew I would always be successful solely on how she instilled work ethic in me.
How did sending a card make you feel?
Sending a card made me feel happy and blessed that I have mothers in my life that I am close to and value every day.
Dayna’s Mother’s Day Gift Picks
HALLMARK
Spa Day Self-Care Kit, 6 Pieces
HALLMARK
My Mom, My Friend Mother's Day Card
HALLMARK
Home Is Where Mom Is Quote Sign
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"For Years, I Struggled With Mom Guilt"—These 3 Things Helped Me Pursue My Passion Guilt-Free
And “balance” isn’t one of them.
“You can be a mother and have a successful career or business, but you have to let go of perfectionism.”
—Tanya Dalton, Productivity Expert, Bestselling Author, and Speaker
The perfect mom always picks her kids up from school. The perfect mom always bakes homemade cookies for the class bake sale. The perfect mom never misses her kid’s game.
Chances are you’ve said a version of one of these sentences to yourself at one time or another. Perhaps it’s a regular occurrence, plaguing your thoughts with intense feelings of guilt with every move you make.
I have been there. In fact, at my breaking point, I found myself turning around in circles in my kitchen, unsure of where to begin on my mile-long to-do list—a to-do list that I believed would make me into a failure of a mother if I did not check off every single box. Needless to say, overwhelmed and guilt-ridden, I crumbled to my kitchen floor. It was in that moment I realized there had to be a better way. I realized I loved my children more than anything, but I would not be of any value to them if I was unhappy.
I had to remind myself that going after my own passions did not make me a terrible mother. And I am here to tell you it doesn’t make you one either.
In reflecting back on the day I sat on my kitchen floor 10 years ago, there are three major shifts I made in my life that changed the way I think forever. By doing so, I was finally able to relinquish the hefty side helping of guilt and shame that came with my favorite role in life: mother to my two children. Learning to finally let go of those feelings, and give myself the freedom to pursue other roles in my life—like business owner and CEO—has made me an even more present mother.
You can be a mother and have a successful career or business, but you have to let go of perfectionism. Perfection is the monster I’ve grappled with my entire life, and no matter what, I have always lost. Perfect does not exist, and the sooner you realize it, the sooner you can get out there living your life. In fact, I challenge you to stop using the word “perfect” in your life. Yes, things can be “ideal,” but if you are waiting around for perfection, then I hope you’re ready to wait for quite a long time.
Here are the three steps I took to get to where I am today. I hope by sharing these, many of you will decide it is time to do the work and kick “mom guilt” to the curb for good. Because you only have one life to live and it's yours.
#1: I uncovered the limiting beliefs I had that were holding me back.
We all have limiting beliefs that hold us back. Some common ones I hear are: “I will never be a morning person. I just cannot start my day early like some people.” Or maybe it’s something like: “I’m so bad with numbers, so there is no way I can handle the finances for my business.” Okay, now just add on being a mother to those statements and you can see how these beliefs really just begin carrying on a life of their own…
“I will never be a morning person. I just cannot start my day early like some people...and maybe if I actually could I would have time to pack lunch for my kids every day like a good mom should.”
See where I am going with this? Out of nowhere, we made up a rule in our own head that does not even exist in the real world! As I like to say, we have to stop telling ourselves these old stories.
If you are having trouble uncovering what your limiting beliefs are, allow me to share the “fifth why” exercise, something I use with both the women I coach, as well as my own kids!
The first step is to focus on the areas of your life that feel challenging right now—there is no wrong answer here. Don’t think, just write your thoughts down. Start by looking at the painful parts of your past—the things you regret or perhaps feel remorse for not doing. Where are the places where shame blooms and grows, the parts of your past you don’t want to repeat?
As a next step, you’re going to start the fifth why exercise, and yes, it is as easy as it sounds. Like any three-year-old you’ve been around recently, it really is as simple as asking yourself “why” until you uncover the true meaning behind your limiting belief. As an example, let’s say you wrote down “I am afraid to start my own business.” The next question would be, you guessed it: Why? From there, I find it is usually right around the fifth why that you get to the true root feeling, such as, “I am afraid to fail.” “I am afraid my family will go broke.”
After doing this exercise, I think you will find that your limiting beliefs aren’t as scary as you think they are when you put them down on paper and get them out of your head. Only when you acknowledge that they exist can you actively make choices to disrupt those patterns and make strides in the direction you really want to move. After all, the first step to overcoming our limiting beliefs is to first recognize what they even are!
#2: I got really clear on my core values so that setting boundaries and saying “no” became easy.
What you value in life needs to be the North Star of your business or career. Every single move you make in your career should be in alignment with your guiding values.
Once you get clear on your values, it is amazing how much easier the word “no” becomes, a word that used to trigger that feeling of guilt inside of me, which is the theme of this article.
For example, one of my core values is family, which is a deciding factor in each and every business decision my husband and I make for our company. If I am invited to speak at an event that conflicts with a family event or doesn’t really resonate with the message I am trying to bring to the world, then the answer really becomes crystal clear: No.
#3: I permanently removed the idea of “balance” from my life because balance is bogus.
Here’s a secret many productivity experts won’t tell you: balance does not exist. Trying to achieve balance will inevitably lead to you feeling like a failure. It is all about achieving harmony and leaning into what I like to call “counterbalance.” There is never going to be a time in your life where you can perfectly balance all of the important roles you carry. Remember, we are avoiding the word “perfect” because it too does not exist.
Instead, I encourage you to lean into your different priorities when the time comes. If I have a huge launch to prepare for at work, then I make a point to tell my family that mom is going to be focused on work for the week. But that doesn’t mean the following week won’t look completely different. There are weeks where my entire focus is college trips with my son or volleyball games for my daughter. In fact, last week I went on a much-needed vacation with my family and did not turn my phone off of airplane mode for 10 glorious days. Why? Because the priority I was leaning into for those 10 full days was my family. Nothing else.
If I had “balanced” then my kids would have risked waking up to mom sitting at the breakfast table, beautiful beach scenery and fresh air be damned, clutching her cell phone and furiously typing, wasting away the precious moments we have left before my son goes off to college and begins his future.
Balance is bull. Let’s achieve harmony together. I know we can.
About the author: Tanya Dalton is a nationally recognized productivity expert, best-selling author, and speaker. Tanya serves as a growth strategist for female leaders in the corporate and entrepreneurial sectors. Her 12-month mentorship program, The Intentional CEO, helps entrepreneurs grow thriving businesses and thriving personal lives. Tanya is also the founder and CEO of inkWELL Press Productivity Co., a company that provides tools that work as catalysts to help women do less while achieving maximum success.
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