This Mom Founded a Kid’s Clothing Company to Spend More Time With Her Family

You asked for more content around business finances, so we’re delivering. Welcome to Money Matters where we give you an inside look at the pocketbooks of CEOs and entrepreneurs. In this series, you’ll learn what successful women in business spend on office spaces and employee salaries, how they knew it was time to hire someone to manage their finances, and their best advice for talking about money.

Photo: Courtesy of Fiona Sahakian

In 2010, Fiona Sahakian was a hairdresser and new mom working long hours and daydreaming of spending more time with her growing family when a client introduced her to Etsy. “I was so intrigued by working from home and using my creativity to generate income through a platform,” Sahakian tells Create & Cultivate. Less than a year later, she launched the first iteration of Posh Peanut, a line of handmade accessories that eventually evolved into the beloved children’s clothing brand that it is today.

Fast forward to 2021 and Posh Peanut is a favorite among celebrity moms by the likes of Chrissy Teigen, Gabrielle Union, and Eva Longoria, to name just a few. If you’re not an A-lister you can still add the brand’s coveted pieces to cart—but you’ll have to act fast. Last year, Posh Peanut launched at Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, and the brand’s weekly collection drops have been known to sell out within five minutes (!). But the business wasn’t an overnight success. “I funded my business one sale at a time,” the founder explains. “I spent $500 from my own account for my first ‘big’ inventory purchase. Every sale and every dollar went back into inventory.”

Ahead, Sahakian talks about what it takes to slowly but surely build a successful brand and why hiring an accountant ASAP will save you money in the long run.

Take us back to the beginning—What was the “lightbulb moment” for Posh Peanut? What inspired you to launch your business and pursue this path?

I really wanted to stay home with my growing family. I was a hairdresser working crazy hours over the weekends. When I had my son in 2010, a customer turned me onto Etsy and I was so intrigued by working from home and using my creativity to generate income through a platform. Posh Peanut has evolved over the years from handmade accessories to the softest essentials you can imagine. Although I now work more than ever, it has given me the opportunity to also work on my own terms and around my kids’ schedules. 

Today, Posh Peanut is beloved by celebrities including Chrissy Teigen, Gabrielle Union, Mindy Kaling, Eva Longoria, and more. How did you create buzz around your business in the beginning?

In the beginning, we had no marketing budget but we used social media outlets to rally up fans and our community. Our community built the buzz surrounding our coveted designs with lots of hashtags and resharing. 

Last year, Posh Peanut launched on Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. Congratulations! What has been the biggest challenge in scaling your business and what lessons have you learned along the way? What advice can you share on how to scale a business sustainably?

Our biggest challenge has been keeping up with demand and diversifying our supply chain. Our collections are known to sell out in 5 minutes and our production lead time is 8-12 months out on the calendar. We have had exponential growth in the past two years. Finding new supply chains to meet our growth and finance the business has been our biggest hurdle. We are 100% bootstrapped, and in order to scale to our projected numbers, we need capital.

We have been lucky to have great relationships with our suppliers and banks, and have learned that it is better to grow slow and sustain that growth rather than raising a bunch of capital. We don’t put ourselves in a corner or bite off more than we can chew. I suggest negotiating with your suppliers, banks, and find funding yourself if you do not want investors. There are many great lending programs in the e-comm space. 

How did you fund Posh Peanut? What were the challenges and what would you change? Would you recommend that route to other entrepreneurs? 

Don't run, walk. I funded my business one sale at a time. I spent $500 from my own account for my first “big” inventory purchase. Every sale and every dollar went back into inventory. I didn't pay myself out until many years later. I was lucky enough to have a supportive husband. I also kept my job as a hairstylist until I was able to save enough to focus 100% on Posh Peanut. I didn’t take any loans out or seek investors. 

This path of course is a slow growth, but I wanted to be self-funded. I think many entrepreneurs seek out funding very early on without getting their feet wet. As we scaled, it did become more difficult and with larger inventory purchases we needed more capital. I don’t think I would change the way we funded the business. Although it took us a bit longer to scale, I think it taught us a great lesson of not over-investing in products, growing too quickly, and then figuring out how to sell them. Slowly growing taught us to invest in the correct places. 

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

Payroll. I think you can add tons of people to your team who don't add value, making your financials top-heavy every month. 

What was your first big expense as a business owner and how should small business owners prepare for that now? 

Inventory. Inventory was our biggest investment but also the only way to sell. Negotiate. Negotiate. Negotiate. If you are a product-based company, your inventory will always be the biggest expense. Ask vendors for terms, don't bite off more than you can chew. You can always buy more and replenish when you see demand.

What are your top three largest expenses every month?

Payroll. Inventory. Paid media.

Do you pay yourself, and if so, how did you know what to pay yourself? 

I started paying myself four years ago. I didn't pay myself in the beginning as I used all the money to fund the business. However, every time I hit a goal of X I would take a little bit of the revenue and spend it on myself on something I really wanted. I believe in setting goals and rewarding yourself with a gift, trip, or whatever that thing is that really motivates you to get to that next step.

Would you recommend other small business owners pay themselves? 

If you can, yes! I was lucky because my husband had a good job and paid for the necessities and I was able to save all of Posh Peanut’s earnings to pay for the business expenses. I was able to put every dollar made back in the business. I don't see a wrong or right answer. It's how your personal financials pencil out while sustaining the growth of the business.

Did you hire an accountant? Who helped you with the financial decisions and setup? Are there any tools or programs you recommend for bookkeeping?

We did hire an accountant early on. He helped set up our corporations and made sure our finances were aligned. I did not do any accounting or financials in-house. We did hire a controller a few years ago as the company was scaling quickly. I think hiring an accountant or financial advisor is very important as soon as you see traction in your business. You'll save more money outsourcing finances than trying to do it all yourself. I know how to make the money but I would never have been able to scale without the guidance of professionals.

What apps or software are you using for finances? What’s worked and what hasn’t?

We currently use Avalara for all of our e-comm state taxes and our controller does all the other finances through our ERP system. 

How did you know you were ready to hire and what advice can you share on preparing for this stage of your business? 

Jack of all trades, master of none. When you get to the point of, “Oh, shit,” you need to hire someone ASAP. You have to spend money to make money. Unless you have a degree in finance or lived in this space, don’t try to carry everything on your shoulders. Having a great accountant, CPA, etc. will save you a lot of money in the long run. 

Do you think women should talk about money and business more? Why? 

Yes! Yes! Yes! Why not? Women need to start sharing their experiences more and talk about capital. In a male-dominated space, it is incredibly nice to find other women you can relate to. Hopping on a call to get advice from another woman that understands the struggles is refreshing. You don't feel alone. Women are often more reserved or don't want to ask questions. I wish more women would find confidence and open up with what they are doing in their space.

You’re a mom of two and a founder! How has being a mother changed your priorities and your focus in terms of your career? Do you think motherhood has made you a better business person?

I always say I have three babies, my two kids, and my business. I love what I do. I love my kids to death but I also love working, building teams, and creating community. My career has made me a better mother. My schedule is always run, run, run, but my kids understand why I am doing it, and in the end, it's for them. When I am not working, I am 100% with my family. My career has taught me to slow down and do everything 100% with intention. Especially with my kids.

Do you have a financial mentor, and do you think business owners need one?

Yes, we have consultants for finance. I think when you become seasoned in your industry it's great to have different eyes and mentors in all aspects of your business.

What is your best piece of financial advice for new entrepreneurs?

Know your numbers.

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5 Low-Maintenance Plants for Your Office That Clear the Air, Literally

Photo: Courtesy Ansel & Ivy

For Anum Tariq and Hiraa Khan, the co-founders of the female-founded and female-led plant delivery company Ansel & Ivy, being a "plant person" comes down to choosing the right plant for your space and your lifestyle. So how does that work exactly? Well, they’re like the Tinder for plants—they match compatible people with plants based on their level of commitment and environment.

Well, we called on the green matchmakers to help us find the easiest plants to take care of that not only spruce up the office but also clean the air too—yes, air-purifying plants exist and they’re way cheaper (and prettier) than the man-made versions. So, Tariq and Hiraa gave us the inside scoop on five air-purifying, low-maintenance plants to keep you company during your hectic workdays.

With just a little bit of TLC, these are some of the easiest plants to take care of and are sure to bring life a breath of fresh air to any office space.

Snake Plant, Sanseveria

$83

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Maintenance: Low

Care Instructions: The snake plant is as easy as they come. She will do well in just about any lighting condition, including fluorescent.

Why It's Office-Proof: This trendy, architectural plant is hugely popular for every type of office, from start-up and corporate to home office. She’ll keep her cool, variegated leaves in low-light offices and is nearly indestructible if you forget to water her. She also rids the air you breathe of harmful toxins and debris.

Purifies the Air of: Benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene.

Peace Lily, Spathiphyllum

$83

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Maintenance: Medium

Care Instructions: She’ll need a moderate amount of sun and regular watering to keep her happy.

Why It's Office-Proof: She’s one of the best air purifying plants out there. The nice thing about the peace lily is she’ll let you know when she’s ready to be watered because she’ll start to droop, but will immediately bounce back once she’s hydrated. So if you forget to water her before the weekend, just give her a drink on Monday morning and she’ll be back to her elegant, vibrant self. She’s also great for offices that crank up the air-conditioning since she’s more resilient to cold temperatures than other plants.

Purifies the Air of: Ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

Rubber Tree, Ficus elastica

$83

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Maintenance: Low

Care Instructions: She’s ideal for new plant parents. Sit her in a spot that gets indirect sunlight and only water when the soil has completely tried.

Why It's Office-Proof: The rubber tree is a popular alternative to traditional green foliage. She can grow to be very tall so her dark, glossy leaves will really liven up a bare office corner. She also purifies the indoor air of harmful toxins.

Purifies the Air of: Benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.

ZZ Plant, Zamioculcas zamiifolia

$46

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Maintenance: Low

Care Instructions: She’s one of the toughest plants out there. She’ll do well in almost any lighting condition, including fluorescent. She only needs to be watered when the soil has completely dried out.

Why It's Pffice-proof: The ZZ is ideal for dimly-lit offices. She’s perfect if you travel often and aren’t always at your desk since she’s nearly impossible to kill.

Purifies the Air of: Toluene and xylene.

Dracaena, Dracaena deremensis

$46

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Maintenance: Low

Care Instructions: She does well in low light conditions and doesn’t need to be watered until her soil is completely dry.

Why It's Office-Proof: If your desk isn’t by a window and you still want some lush greenery, she’s your gal. She’s perfect for those who want a plant with benefits, without the care commitment.

Purifies the Air of: Benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene.

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This story was originally published on October 3, 2019, and has since been republished.

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Guess What? Your Dream Job Exists Right Now

Photo: ColorJoy Stock

As I was networking and meeting with mentors, I kept getting asked the same question over and over again: what’s your dream job? And over and over again, I was stumped because the thing is, I don’t have a dream job. I’m lucky enough to know what I’m interested in but that doesn’t mean I have a singular career in mind. But I learned quickly, that’s totally OK. There are so many expectations about landing your dream job, but here are the most common myths that, we promise, you can totally let go.

1. You need to know what your “dream job” is.

When people did ask me what my dream job was, I found an easy solution was just to tell people, “I’ll do anything,” but as one woman reminded me, that answer can seem unfocused and uninspired. Instead, I learned to tell people I want to work with a creative and curious team that’s passionate about how digital media can enhance storytelling. It’s not a normal “dream job,” but it’s a clearer picture of what I want to do, and it’s that kind of vision that will help lead me to a dream job in the future.

2. Your dream job exists right now.

As technology continues to change and companies’ needs grow and adapt, it’s important to remember your eventual dream job may not exist yet! And that’s totally OK. It would have been impossible 10 years ago to tell YouTube star Justine Ezarik that in the future, her dream job would consist of making video content for a website that at that time wasn’t even around.

As you weave through your first few jobs, make sure to keep your eyes and ears open for new opportunities. This might even mean listening to your passions and creating your own dream job. Janet Mock said, “I’ve always said that authenticity is the first pathway to any kind of success. To me, it’s my yellow brick road. Only by living my truth have I been able to achieve any kind of semblance of the dream.”

3. Even if you land your dream job, you won’t be able to make enough money.

I’m sure we’ve all had that one person in our lives that has something negative to say when we tell them our dream job. And a lot of times that negative thing happens to revolve around money. (As a journalism student, this happens to me far too often, and trust me, there’s not enough side-eye in the world for those people.)

Brit Morin, the founder of Brit + Co., knows this all too well. When she was looking to switch careers, she knew she was interested in the creative arts industry. But instead of getting immediately discouraged by a typically difficult field, she did research and found out she could conceivably make money going after what she wanted (turns out the creative arts industry is a $34 billion market!).

Morin shows it’s worth really researching and looking into your dream job because often what you find may surprise you. There’s more than meets the eye, and if you’re willing to put in the hustle, you can probably find a way to do what you love and make it work.

The original version of this article appeared on Levo written by Madison Feller.

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This story was originally published on April 1, 2017, and has since been updated.  

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Be Prepared—6 Tough Interview Questions (and How to Answer Them)

Photo: Altea Alessandroni for Pexels

So you've landed an interview—congratulations! Standing out in a sea of resumes is no easy feat, but the hiring process is far from over.

Now it's time to knock your interviewer's socks off. If you really want to wow, you’ve got to do your homework and be as prepared as possible. You’ve picked out the perfect outfit, researched all there is to know about the company, and printed your resume, but you can’t stop there. What will really get you hired is your stellar answers to the interviewer’s questions—not that super cute blazer (sorry!). We’re here to help and make sure you don’t go into the interview blind!

While the process can be long and nerve-wracking—these are questions that potentially alter your future after all—there are some difficult interview questions you can bet on being asked. Read on, practice, and go crush that interview!

1. Tell me about yourself. 

This is a little like the "What do you do?" question that can be so stressful. It's asking you to sum yourself up in a succinct but engaging way. You want to grab your interviewer's attention without delving into your life story. 

What the interviewer really wants to know is a little about your personality, but also what about you will add to this particular company. Do not have a scripted response. This should be tailored for each interview and you should talk about where you are professionally. 

DO talk about why you got into your particular field and how it relates to your background. What it is about your line of work and experience that is specifically "you." When and where you adopted your dog is cute, but save it for after you get hired. 

2. What is your biggest weakness?

I'm a workaholic. A perfectionist. Type A. I never give up, to a fault. None of these answers the question. Using this question as an opportunity to #humblebrag is not the way to go. Instead, they show that your biggest weakness is an inability to address where you're lacking and you come off cocky. Everyone has weaknesses, including the person sitting across the table from you, and self-awareness is a good trait.

3. What would your previous employer say about you?

This question needs to be answered based on how you left your last company. If you were fired, and you've still listed that position on your resume, don't try to hide it. Instead, use this question as an opportunity to explain where you went wrong and what you learned. 

If you left your last job on good terms and your former boss is willing to be a reference, this is a great way to back up what you say. 

If you had an exit interview, you can pull directly from that conversation, and is a reason to ask for an exit interview if your employer doesn't offer one upfront. However, a resume doesn't have to include every job you've ever had. 

That said, be prepared for this one: 

4. Are there any jobs you've omitted from your resume?

This is a particularly tough one. If you've left a job off your employment history there are usually two reasons: it was a short, contract position (90 days or less) that didn't add anything but a few extra lines to your resume, or you left on really bridges burned, bad blood, terms.

There are certain jobs we take that are fillers or contract jobs that give us the ability to pay our rent, or brush up on skills (a great point to highlight). Feel free to mention jobs that you took as "in-betweeners." Even if it's a job that you think is beneath you and your skills, tell your potential employer about it. The willingness to work while you're "not working" highlights an ethic to stay on the grind even if you aren't employed full time. 

If there really is bad blood between you and a former employer, and an interviewer point-blank asks you this question, you don't want to start a new work relationship off by lying. You can talk about what happened in more vague terms without mentioning the name of the company. As scary as it can be, this is a great opportunity to show your humanity, own your failures, and end on a high note by explaining what you learned. 

5. What are these gaps in your employment history?

This piggybacks on question #4. Sometimes gaps are omissions and sometimes they are simply times when you were unemployed. If there are gaps, be prepared to explain what you were doing during this time. 

If you don't have an answer because you used your fun-employment time as just that, let this be a lesson: Don't sit and wait for the job to come to you. The harder you hustle the greater the reward. There's a good chance that if the job comes down to you and someone who took a class or another job during their unemployment, you're probably not getting that position. 

The hustle never sleeps or stops—even if you're not getting paid. You are responsible for your future, no one else. 

6. Is there anything you want to ask me?

If you say, "No, I think I've got it," be prepared to kiss that job goodbye. You just spent 30 minutes with the person in charge of hiring you and if you don't have any questions, you haven't done your research. Show that you are willing to go the extra mile (hell, block) for the company. These questions should NOT be about salary, benefits like vacation days, or how long you have to wait for your first performance review and promotion. Climb the ladder sure, but wait until you get hired to take a step up the rung. 

Look into clients they've worked with, their greatest successes, and figure out a question or two that shows that your battery is fully charged up for them i.e. not questions that show you're only looking out for you. These are questions that show you are also willing to go outside of your job "description" and get involved in multiple verticals. 

Good luck and be your best-prepared self. This is your year if you want it.

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This post was originally published on January 20, 2016, and has since been updated.

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Yes, You Need to Wear Sunscreen at Your Desk–And More Tips for Summer-Ready Skin

Photo via Jessica Franklin

The summer we’ve been waiting almost two years for is almost upon us–and like many, we plan to double down on the fun. But before we hit the road or head to the beach, we also plan to double down on our sun care routine. 

Looking ahead to the season of long days and busy weekends outdoors, we tapped Coppertone’s Dermatologist Partner, Dr. Nava Greenfield, to answer our most pressing sun care questions, and share the summer skin care essentials she shops and recommends.

The summer staple she’s stocking up on this season is the new Coppertone Glow Spray–a convenient, easy-to-apply lightweight spray sunscreen from Coppertone, that is blended with an illuminating shimmer to give your skin a beautiful glow, while stopping up to 98%* of the sun’s most damaging UV rays (*97% for SPF 30; 98% for SPF 50).

“I recommend this for anyone who is looking for a convenient, lightweight spray sunscreen that not only protects skin from the sun’s damaging UV rays but leaves an illuminating shimmer on your skin. It’s so easy to reapply and perfect for those long sunny days by the pool!”

Not only does Coppertone Glow offer broad spectrum sun protection, but the new, convenient spray format helps achieve that healthy-looking summer glow while keeping skin protected from the sun, making it the stylish glow-getters go-to.

Ahead, Dr. Nava Greenfield shares her tips for summer ready skin, and three ambitious and radiant women share how they incorporate the Coppertone Glow Spray into their sun care routines. Keep scrolling for the ultimate glow-getter tips to help you maintain that glow, all season long.

What does summer do to our skin?

The summer affects our skin in many ways, but the most significant effect is exposure to more ultraviolet light from the sun. 

How much sunscreen do I need?

Generally you need to apply about one shot glass full of sunscreen to any area of your skin that will be exposed to the sun, and about two finger-sized dollops to the face alone.

Should sunscreen come before or after other products? 

Sunscreen should be applied last, and right before any makeup. It comes after your face wash, your antioxidant, and your moisturizer.

How do I know what sunscreen is best for my skin?

There are so many different types of sunscreen on the market, it can be confusing! Regardless of your skin type, Coppertone Glow Spray SPF 50 gives all skin tones a beautiful, illuminating glow while protecting skin from up to 98% of the sun's most damaging UV rays. It provides both UVA and UVB protection and leaves skin feeling hydrated, smooth, and silky after application. Coppertone Glow is also a great option because it is water-resistant (80 minutes).

Do I need to wear sunscreen indoors? 

I would recommend wearing sunscreen every day, whether or not you plan to go outside. This is because if you are near a window, the UV rays from the sun can travel through the glass and still damage your skin. I ask my patients to incorporate sunscreen into their skin care routine every single day, and that they will be happy about making it a habit for years to come!

Does makeup with SPF work?

Yes it definitely does, but it is usually not enough to protect your skin. You would need to apply a lot of makeup for your skin to truly be protected. For that reason, I recommend using a broad spectrum SPF every day in addition to your makeup.

Do I really need to reapply sunscreen throughout the day?

Yes, you do. Thinking you are protected from only your morning application is misleading. 

Does sunscreen expire? Can I use last year’s sunscreen this year?

Sunscreen does expire, just like everything else that is liquid based and bottled.  The chemical structure of ingredients and preservatives break down over time and may no longer be effective after their expiration date. Check to see if last year's product has expired. If not, go right ahead and use it this season! But if it has, do your skin a favor and buy a new bottle.

What is the ideal pre and post sun skincare routine?

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! One day in the sun can have effects for many days after. Moisturize before you go outside and then apply your sunscreen. The sun dehydrates your skin. After a day in the sun, wash with a gentle cleanser and apply a glycerin or ceramide or hyaluronic acid based serum or moisturizer liberally to your skin, and twice daily for the next week. 

Jessica Franklin

“Self-love is one of the most important ways to maintain a glow from the inside out.”

–Jessica Franklin

Share your sun care routine. How do you get your skin summer-ready?

Growing up I wasn’t as consistent with protecting my skin from the sun as I am now. I used to actually lay in the sun for hours tanning with barely any sunscreen. Now that I’m older and more aware of the damage the sun can cause to my skin, my sun care routine involves making sure my skin is both moisturized and protected. I use the Coppertone Glow Spray because it is lightweight, easy to apply, and blended with an illuminating shimmer that gives me a beautiful glow while protecting my skin from the sun’s most damaging UV rays. This leaves my skin not only protected, but photo ready too!

Beauty is being confident in your own skin. What are your tips to maintain your glow?

Self-love is one of the most important ways to maintain a glow from the inside out. I’ve realized that if I truly love who I am, then I won’t worry about what other people think as much, and my confidence will radiate. It’s not always easy because insecurities are inevitable, but I try to remind myself of this daily–I often talk to myself and repeat affirmations such as, “I love you, you’re beautiful, you’re amazing,” etc, and this helps me maintain my glow!

Tyla-Lauren

“Taking care of your mental health is key for glowing from the inside out.”

– Tyla Lauren

Share your sun care routine. How do you get your skin summer-ready?

I change my skin care routine each season because my skin always needs different things throughout the year. For summer, it’s all about SPF, exfoliating and achieving the perfect glow. I exfoliate to keep my skin bright, I apply SPF like Coppertone Glow at least every 2 hours to keep my skin protected and I constantly moisturize to keep my skin glowing all day long.

Beauty is being confident in your own skin. What are your tips to maintain your glow?

For me it’s always about being my authentic self and being intentional with everything I do. Also, taking care of my mental health is key for glowing from the inside out!

Jera Bean

“Find the humor in day to day and try not to take life too seriously. There is nothing more gorgeous than a big smile–and the more you do so, the more you can spread that same feeling and energy to others.”

– Jera Bean

Share your sun care routine. How do you get your skin summer-ready?

I am all about some summer skin! Here's how I get my skin summer ready:

• Exfoliate! Love a good scrub while showering.

• Moisturize! Slather it on everywhere!

• Self tan! I usually mix in some self tanner drops into my moisturizer.

• Protect and glow! Before getting dressed, I use my Coppertone Glow to both protect myself from the sun, and to give me a lil of that summer shimmer!

Beauty is being confident in your own skin. What are your tips to maintain your glow?

Here are my three tips to maintain your glow from the inside out:

1. Fill your cup with what gives you joy! Whether that's moving your body with yoga, taking walks with your dog, or reading a good book. Take time away from your screens and from work to tap into the things that make you happy.

2. Embrace your quirks and as I love to say, "let your freak flag fly!" Our personality is what makes us unique! So often we're afraid to stand out due to fears like "what will people think?!" or "what will people say?!" The truth of the matter is, not everyone is going to jive with you, and that's ok because you weren't put on this earth in order to receive everyone's approval. The more you can step into YOU, the less you'll seek other people's validation and the more authentic you can truly be... and that is a beautiful thing!

3.  Find the humor in the day-to-day and try not to take life too seriously. There is nothing more gorgeous than a big smile or laughter, and the more than you do so, the more you can spread that same feeling and energy to others.

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The first 100 readers to enter their information below will receive a complimentary Coppertone Glow box, which includes the NEW Coppertone Glow Spray, Coppertone Glow Lotion and some additional summer essentials to help you get your glow on. Make sure to share how you’re getting your glow on this summer tagging @CoppertoneUSA and using #CoppertoneGlowUp. 

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15% of the World’s Population Lives With Disabilities—Here’s How to Make Your Website More Accessible

Photo: ColorJoy Stock

There have been many points throughout our history where society has had to reflect on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Although there has been some progress, the Black Lives Matter movement, which was re-ignited following the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and countless others, made us realize how much work still needs to be done. As a result, many of us have engaged in discussions about racial injustice in our personal lives and businesses began to consider their roles and opportunities on how to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives as well. 

As a technology advisor who has partnered with several small business creatives across many industries, I have observed many businesses move into action by revisiting their brand core values, publishing statements across digital touchpoints, and hiring DE&I specialists to assist them in their efforts. While I applaud their efforts, they seemed to miss one more important aspect that must be addressed in order to truly be inclusive, and that is accessibility. As Tim Berners Lee, the creator of the World Wide Web Consortium so wisely put it, “The power of the web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect.”

Here’s how you can take steps toward making your digital presence inclusive and accessible—and why it matters.

What Is Web Accessibility and Digital Inclusivity?

Just ICYMI, accessibility has become the new buzzword across all things digital over the past several months, especially after we’ve all had to rely more on technology and digital media to connect, communicate and maintain some sense of community. As the world shut down during the pandemic, we had to rely on the web, escalating the need for websites to be more accessible to everyone. This is why you might have even noticed accessibility features on your smartphone and social media platforms like Instagram that allow you to add alternative text for images or auto-generated captions for videos. I believe that tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Apple realize the importance of making their tools more accessible and they see it as the future.

Quite simply, accessibility means the quality of being able to be reached or entered by everyone. But when you apply accessibility to the web, we refer to it as the practice of making your website usable by as many people as possible. Traditionally, we think of accessibility as being about blind users, deaf users, and those who need to navigate a website by voice, screen readers, or other assistive technologies. 

The primary disabilities that business owners should take into account when thinking about accessibility are:

• Blind people using screen-readers

• People with other visual impairments like color blindness

• Deaf or hard of hearing individuals  

• The motor-impaired who use the keyboard to navigate

• People who suffer from epileptic seizures

• Those with cognitive and learning disabilities

According to a recent fact sheet published by The United Nations, approximately 15% of the world’s population, (an estimated 1 billion people,) live with disabilities. According to the CDC, 26 %, that’s one in four adults in the United States, have some type of disability. As the world’s largest minority group, it often surprises me that accessibility is not addressed along with DE&I conversations, especially after we had to rely so much on the web due to the world pandemic shut down.  

I often use the term digital inclusivity to describe the practice of bringing it all together by creating a digital footprint for your business that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible. It’s very easy to understand how diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility can get lumped together, but it’s important to recognize that they don’t all mean the same thing:

• Diversity: The practice of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.

• Equity: The quality of being fair or impartial.

• Inclusion: The action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure.

• Accessibility: The practice of being able to be reached or entered by everyone.

As you can see, each aspect overlaps and intertwines to create a broader perspective and portray a positive image to your target audience. That's why the benefits of creating a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible business are substantial. But don't you don't have to take my word for it. Studies show that businesses with more diverse, inclusive teams and accessible content see 15 times more revenue and sales, as well as an increased ROI.

Making your web presence accessible also comes with additional perks like boosting up your SEO, speeding up your site for visitors using mobile devices or slower network connections, and making it easier for visitors to have options in the way they absorb your content. So, not only does it increase your profitability and your visibility, but it's the right thing to do. 

How Is Digital Inclusivity Connected to ADA Compliance?

Aside from expanding your reach and making it easier to connect to a broader audience, there is one more aspect regarding digital inclusivity and accessibility that is important for business owners to know about—ADA compliance.  

ADA compliance is another term that has gained popularity in recent months which stems from the federal law passed in 1990 called the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Although the laws passed under this regulation were originally geared toward certain businesses with physical locations, the law was expanded upon in 2010 to include standards for accessible design which mandated certain types of businesses to make all electronic and information technology like websites, be accessible to those with disabilities.

ADA compliance laws vary from state to state and there aren’t any clear rules, which makes it very tricky. As a result, many businesses of all sizes have received ADA lawsuits and demand letters for having websites that weren’t accessible. And these lawsuits are on an intense rise. For now, the only recourse is to follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) which isn’t a legal requirement but acts as a great reference point for recommendation on how to improve accessibility. These guidelines were created by the World Wide Web Consortium (WC3), an international organization focused on maintaining web standards.

Simple Ways to Make Your Website More Accessible

So, let's talk about how to make your web presence digitally inclusive and more accessible. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or money, especially if you incorporate a few simple practices whenever you upload content to your website:

1. Create a consistent, organized layout.

Provide your website visitors a clear path towards what you would like them to do. Menus, links, and buttons should be organized in a way that they are distinct from one another, and are easily navigated throughout the entire site. This also makes it easier if a user needs to zoom in and make the elements larger.  

2. Try to avoid the use of sticky headers or menus. 

Headers that stay on the screen and continue as you scroll down can make your web pages appear crowded and overwhelming.  

3. Add alternative text to every image.

Alternative text is the hidden copy that gets attached to media files like images that appears if the media fails to load. Not only does it help screen-reading tools describe images to a visually impaired website visitor, but it acts as an SEO booster by helping search engines to crawl and rank your website better. A win-win!  

4. Create captions for videos embedded in your site that have audio.

By including captions, you are allowing users to read what is being said in your videos. (Bonus: this is also an SEO booster!)

5. Incorporate text transcripts for video and audio content.

It acts as another SEO booster by adding text transcripts to your website pages and helps hearing-impaired users understand the content that would otherwise be inaccessible to them.

6. Be mindful of the colors you are using.

It’s important to have enough contrast between foreground elements, background colors, text, link text, and body text. 

7. Avoid overly script fonts.

Although script fonts can be beautiful, they might be difficult to read.

8. Make sure that videos or image rotating wells that play automatically have the ability to be paused or stopped.

Giving users the option to stop movements may make it easier for people who may suffer from epilepsy.  

Why Digital Inclusivity Matters and Should Be A Priority

The benefits of making your web presence accessible and digitally inclusive are huge. It opens up the potential for you to expand your outreach and ensures that you aren’t shutting people out. There’s no reason to exclude anybody, especially since it’s relatively easy to avoid doing so. Aside from protecting you from possible lawsuits, it also has wonderful SEO boosting tendencies that will create increased traffic and conversions which ultimately will positively impact your bottom line. 

“There’s no reason to exclude anybody, especially since it’s relatively easy to avoid doing so.”

—Myrna Daramy, Digital Media Optimization Expert

About the Author: Myrna Daramy is a digital media optimization expert (DMO Expert for short.) She helps small businesses optimize their marketing strategies across all digital platforms as well as overcome the overwhelm of tech by bridging the gap between marketing and technology.

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The Simple Trick That Helped Me Double My Income in a Month

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I’ve always felt chronically underpaid. With a master’s degree in history and a passion for social media marketing, I applied for 347 jobs in a single year before I got my first “real” job (yes, I kept a list)—working four part-time jobs at once during that time—and my first-ever salary clocked in at a whopping $30,000. I thought I’d struck gold, and I foolishly believed that my salary was going to be enough to pay for rent in Nashville, living expenses, insurance, my phone bill, building a savings, and the massive chunk of student debt I had after earning two degrees. 

After my dream job turned out to be a nightmare, however, I started to get desperate. I took a part-time paid internship at a publishing company hoping to turn it into a full-time position and—surprisingly—it worked. A month later, the owner of the company pulled me into his office and asked me if I wanted a job taking over as the director of marketing.

Obviously, I said yes. I went from intern to leading a department overnight, and I happily accepted the $35,000 salary—completely unaware that it wasn’t anywhere near the industry standard—and clung to the promise of a raise within six months. Six months later, armed with countless spreadsheets and a report on everything I’d accomplished on behalf of the company, I walked into my boss’ office and asked for my promised raise. 

And he laughed at me. 

Even though I quit the job soon after, I’ll never forget that moment or the way it impacted my career (and more importantly, my salary growth) from that point on. Even though I knew I should negotiate, I found myself wavering in every conversation about money for years to follow. At my next job, when I discovered that my predecessor had been paid a whopping $25,000 more than I was, I accepted it—telling myself that they’d get me up there eventually—but after two years spent trying to prove myself worthy, I was told to “be grateful” for the amount I was given.

Eventually, I started believing that I would never break past $50,000. It was too much—too high to achieve—and despite ten years of experience, two director-level positions, speaking gigs, and a slew of clients who were obsessed with my work, that belief turned out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. No matter what I did, no matter how many books or courses or life coaching sessions I took, the line didn’t budge. And my self-worth tanked.

I’d always believed that something was better than nothing, so I found myself accepting every opportunity that came my way. A freelance writing gig that barely paid above minimum wage? I’ll take it. A $3,000 class that promised to teach me how to build a successful online business? I’ll buy it. An unpaid speaking gig? I’ll do it. I wrote and published my first novel. I launched a podcast. I created digital products. I sold an online course. I hustled and created and pushed myself to do more, but no matter how much of myself I gave away I felt like I couldn’t get anything in return.

I barely made $10,000 during my first year of self-employment. 

Eventually, I knew something had to give. Work felt like I was attempting to lift a 500-pound weight, and—even though it wasn’t budging—I was constantly exhausted from the effort. Instead of letting myself continue to feel like a failure while half-heartedly juggling everything I’d built over the past several years, I made the difficult decision to let everything drop. I was grateful and privileged enough to have a partner who kept most of our finances afloat, so I maintained my core clients and said goodbye to maintaining my podcast, my writing, my social media platforms, my course, and more. I needed time to decide whether or not I even wanted to pick those things up again, or if I was ready to admit defeat.

Barely able to function, I remember telling my therapist that I was ready to give in, but that I wasn’t sure how I could survive a desk job. Over the last three years, I’d learned to love my independence and my ability to set my own schedule, and I was terrified that the only way I could be “successful” and hit that $50k mark was if I threw myself into a 60-80 hour a week corporate job that obliterated my free time...and my happiness.

“Forget the $50k thing, that’s a separate issue,” my therapist said. “What is your time worth? Not just the time you’re working, what is your free time worth?”

“Like, hourly?” I asked. 

She nodded. 

If I was honest, I didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about my hourly rate. I accepted whatever was offered because I was grateful for the work, and the idea of my free time having a dollar amount next to it didn’t sit well. Why would it have an hourly rate attached to it? It’s just the time I wasn’t working. It doesn’t have worth. 

Except it did. If my time had value—and even my free time had value—then that could change everything I did, and not just in my career. Later that day, I told my partner about the question and he asked if I had an answer. I laughed awkwardly and joked, “I don’t know. Seventy-five dollars an hour.”

It was more than double the amount that I was making as a freelancer, but it was a joke—it wasn’t real—so it felt safe to dream. It was just a post-therapy conversation, after all, not a quote for a potential client, so it didn’t mean anything...until I found myself watching a movie on Netflix that I didn’t even enjoy and wondered, “Is this worth $75 and hour?”

It shocked me when the answer was no.

Slowly but surely, I found myself asking that question more often than not. It shaped my decisions of how I spent my time, and I realized just how much time I was wasting on things that didn’t even bring me joy. It was like I was Marie Kondo-ing my free time, and—while sometimes the answer was a resounding yes, like when I took a much-needed break to play three hours of Animal Crossing on my Nintendo Switch—it changed the hobbies I engaged in, the people I talked to, and even my business. 

I started saying no to low-paying work. I ditched the mentality that something was better than nothing and started looking for clients who could afford to pay me more. I quoted higher than I ever had, and within a month I doubled my income. Eventually, I realized that I was earning the same amount of money working part-time that I made at my first full-time job. I was ecstatic, and I even started turning away work that no longer fit my goals. Because my time had value, because I had value, the decisions I was making as an individual and as an entrepreneur started to change.

Slowly but surely, I stopped undercutting myself at every turn. Over the next few months, my business exploded. I doubled a massive proposal to a new client at the last minute—fully expecting them to negotiate for a lower rate—and was stunned when they accepted it as is. I hired an assistant, plucked up the courage to fire a client who was mistreating me, and even walked away from my lowest paying gig.

In the end, I realized that feeling underpaid was just that: a feeling. I didn’t have a $50,000 upper limit. I was my upper limit. I was the one holding myself back, I was the one consistently accepting less, and I was the one who let my imposter syndrome talk me out of tens of thousands of dollars. It was only once I decided what I was worth—and owned it—that other people could see it too.

“I ditched the mentality that something was better than nothing and started looking for clients who could afford to pay me more.”

—Jandra Sutton, Founder of The Wildest Co

About the Author: Jandra Sutton is a writer, entrepreneur, and founder of The Wildest Co, a creative agency specializing in content creation, branding, and marketing for busy entrepreneurs and small business owners. She's also the host of The Wildest Podcast, a weekly personal development podcast in 10 minutes or less. You can follow her on Instagram @jandralee.

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Pro Tip: Networking Is About Giving

Photo: Smith House Photo

Welcome to our series Pro Tip where we’ll be sharing expert advice on hot-button career issues that are a part of our day-to-day lives—issues like productivity, funding, budgeting, and being a good boss.

Today, we’re sharing tips on an often-misunderstood matter: Networking. Whether you’re self-employed or climbing the corporate ladder, we all feel the pressure to “network” our way to the top. But to become a networker who generates leads instead of a desk full of other people’s business cards takes one simple ethos…  

Networking Is About Giving

It isn’t about reaching out only when you want or need something or seeing how many people you can “connect” with on LinkedIn. Networking is about actively helping others and genuinely wanting to do it.

See, when you’re consistently networking and providing your skills and knowledge to other people, you’ll find you will rarely need to ask for help because the power of giving is infectious. People want to help people who help them and if the people you’re investing your time into aren’t sharing the love - then it’s time to find some new people.

Below are a few tried and true habits for being an active and giving networker.

How Can I Help?

Every time I connect with someone new the first question I like to ask is, “How can I help?” You’d be surprised how often it catches people off guard. “You want to help me?" Of course, I do!

When we offer to help we open a door, we make a friend and we learn something new. It’s also where the true connection begins because it creates the opportunity to make an impact on someone else. As the old cliché goes, by helping others we help ourselves.

Make Introductions

Sometimes, all it takes is meeting the right person to take a project to the next level. If you have a connection who’s looking for what someone in your network can provide, connect them. If you think two of your connections would be better simply by knowing each other, connect them. If you think an introduction could lead to some new business for someone in your network, CONNECT THEM. No matter what the reason, help others expand their networks by offering to make introductions for the people whose work you believe in.

Offer Your Time

Our most valuable asset is time, and when you offer it to others, it goes farther than any other networking tip I can give you—especially if you’re self-employed because you’re not only the sole representative of your business but you’re the sole proofreader, manager, marketer, designer, advisor, and everything else in between. Offer up your time to help review assets or be a sounding board to people who are in similar positions to you and build your community.

Stay Present

How many of us feel defeated every time we post something about our business on social media and NO ONE responds to it the way we imagined they would? Be the person who does. Stay present and actively engage with the things people in your network are sharing about their business and ideas. Share their content with your own audience.

Beyond social media, continue to be in people’s lives and follow up consistently. Share articles on topics you think would benefit them, set up a coffee meet-up with another person in your network, and keep practicing these techniques to help make yourself a consistently active and giving networker.

About the author: Audrey Adair is a seasoned freelance communications professional and founder of The Scope, a platform providing resources and community to freelancers and the self-employed. Connect with The Scope on Instagram and join their email list to receive your free resource, The Freelancer Starter Kit.

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This story was originally published on February 9, 2015, and has since been updaetd.

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3 Tips to Pitch (and Win!) Business Virtually

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At this point in the pandemic, we’ve all learned how to set up flattering lighting and stage a professional background for video calls, making the most of our WFH attire and makeshift home offices. But pitching (and, more importantly, winning!) new business virtually is a brave new world requiring a completely different set of skills. Here are three tips to help you level up your virtual pitch game and close the deal from behind any screen.  

#1 Make time for a tech-check. (And then re-check!)

I know it’s tedious, but a thorough tech run-through and rehearsal are critical to the success of any pitch, let alone a virtual one.

While Zoom has become synonymous with virtual conferencing, plenty of potential clients, customers and partners use other platforms. Be prepared to learn and adapt to their preferred system—whether that’s Microsoft Teams, Google Meets, Cisco WebEx, etc.

And don’t wait until the last minute. Make sure everyone on the team has the latest software version installed (buy the premium subscription if necessary) and rehearse on that platform for every meeting leading up to the pitch. Get familiar with the interface, know how to optimize presentation mode for video and sound, and make sure you plan for hard-wired internet when necessary.

Remember to turn off notifications (that Slack ding will kill the vibe), charge all devices, double-check headphones, and do several tech rehearsals to work out any kinks well in advance. 

#2 Read the virtual room. 

Once you have the tech situation nailed down, plan for the chemistry and flow parts of the meeting. Remember that social cues like first impressions, handshakes, eye contact, and body language are trickier to read, so you’ll have to adjust.  

Avoid awkward moments like long pauses or people talking over each other as much as possible. Establish meeting ground rules and communicate them to the group during the introduction. For instance, if you prefer your client or prospect not to interrupt throughout the presentation, ask that everyone please mute their computers until the dedicated Q&A session at the end. 

Since you won’t have the usual verbal or visual cues to signal that things are going well, just assume they are! Jokes won’t always be met with laughs, but pretend they landed and keep rolling. Say people’s names, improvise, and find ways to connect—like referencing something one of the clients has said in the past. Remember that this is a pitch, not a TED Talk.  

#3 Plan for everything so nothing throws you off. 

Create a murder board of scenarios to mentally prepare yourself and/or your team that anything that could happen. What if the primary decision-maker is late—will you start without them or get going? What if sirens go by while you’re speaking? What sort of small talk can you prepare to avoid those awkward first five minutes where everyone is still joining the meeting? What if someone submits a text comment or question that the presenter misses? 

During the pitch, create a “second screen environment” where the team can communicate off video—phones with an open group text or Slack channel underneath raised laptops is an easy set-up. Designate a secret “cruise director” to help you navigate the meeting—someone from your pitch team who has a smaller speaking part so they can keep an eye on the potential clients’ reactions while others are presenting. They can send texts or Slack messages like, “Client X seemed to be really into that, lots of head nodding, go into that further.” This person should also have universal host privileges to be able to mute a participant who is accidentally causing background noise.

If you have smart plans for the usual (and unusual) interruptions, clients will appreciate that you’ve made the meeting feel more seamless and comfortable. 

Ultimately, once you adjust for logistics, virtual pitching is a lot like in-person pitching. You need to be prepared, think on your feet, and connect with your audience. Now you just need to make sure your kid doesn’t scream or your dog doesn’t bark while you do it. 

“If you have smart plans for the usual (and unusual) interruptions, clients will appreciate that you’ve made the meeting feel more seamless and comfortable.”

—Genna Franconi, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Trade School

About the Author: Genna Franconi is co-founder and managing director at Trade School.

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10 Journal Prompts to Start Your Workday Feeling Inspired and Motivated

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While most of us are still attached to doing everything on a phone, tablet, or computer, one of the best ways to get out of your own head is to write your thoughts down. This is where writing prompts come in handy! These prompts are tailored to make you think spontaneously and a little deeper about certain topics. 

Not only do these questions expand your mind but can be an easy way to find inspiration or even a new attitude. Scientific evidence also proves that writing accesses your left brain, which is more analytical. While your left brain is working, your right brain is free to create, therefore cultivating a more wholesome thought process you might not experience without the element of writing involved. 

Try out these 10 writing prompts and start your workday off on the right foot.

1. What is one thing that would make you smile today?

2. What do you think you can do more of?

3. How do you define success in your current role?

4. What does a “perfect workday” look like?

5. How will you resolve any stress you feel today? 

6. Where are you indulging in negative thoughts?

7. Name two things you’re thankful for at your job

8. What is one thing you can do today to feel more organized?

9. What makes you feel most empowered? 

10. What’s something you feel obligated to do and why? 

It’s easy to become complacent in your job which can make you forget what your passions were in the first place. Make sure to step back and look at the larger picture, whether that be considering a new job, career shift, or even a fun entrepreneurial adventure. Writing all of your thoughts out can help you fully understand how you’re actually feeling. 

“Writing all of your thoughts out can help you fully understand how you’re actually feeling.” 

—Abbey Adams, Digital Marketing Coordinator

About the Author: Abbey Adams currently works at a full-service ad agency as a digital marketing coordinator. Throughout her time as a writer and media maven, she’s remained passionate in her love of sharing stories, curating content, and inspiring women. You can usually find her cuddled up on the couch binging “Sex and the City” (for the 20th time) or listening to a new album on repeat.

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10 Dos and Don’ts of Networking

Photo: Christina Jones Photography

Networking is a necessary evil, but when used for the forces of good, it’s an amazing tool that ignites opportunity through relationship building. Learning how to do it well is a skill set unto itself and one that takes practice. Most of my business mantras don’t come from Kid Ink, but with regards to networking, I completely agree with him: “Let’s just be honest. Let’s be real.”  Here are a few dos and don’ts to help you get through your next networking event. 

1.  Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself.

While it can be intimidating to roll up on someone and start a conversation, it’s often necessary. There is no shame in admitting that bum-rushing your way into a conversation isn’t your favorite approach for relationship building. Sincerity often goes a long way so be honest and acknowledge your discomfort. If you’re from the cool and confidant school of networking then know what you plan to say to engage your audience.

2.  Try and be a friend first.

Don’t go in for the kill and start with your elevator pitch. The me, me, me approach is never a big hit! Genuinely be interested in whomever you are speaking to. Most people love to talk about themselves so start there. Ask questions about who they are, where they are from, and what they do before you hit ‘em with the glory that is you.

3.  When sharing info about yourself, be sure to keep it concise yet interesting.

Have the basics ready, but make sure it doesn’t sound scripted. Talk with passion and confidence, but make sure it’s an inclusive conversation and not a sales pitch.

4.  Keep it short and sweet.

If communicating via email or social media messaging it is important to keep it short and sweet. Copy-heavy outreach is usually skimmed or wholly ignored.  The subject is as important as the text in the body. A creative subject gets your email opened and read.

5.  Bring a wingperson.

Sometimes having a friend or business associate at your side that knows you well allows you to play off each other and makes the conversation a little more natural and informal. AND NEVER FORGET YOUR BUSINESS CARDS!

6.  Do something to make yourself memorable.

A funny story, a quick anecdote, or a seemingly unrelated question about your conversation partner’s life will make you stand out and give you a chance to follow up via email and reference your own originality. A little humor and wit can go a long way.  This is especially important if you are at a networking event where everyone has similar goals and lots of conversations are happening.

7.  Look for commonality.

It’s great to find a parallel interest that you can bond over. It doesn’t matter if it’s work-related or totally inane and random. Whether it’s a mutual passion for Fetty Wap, a love of DIY crafts, or a commitment to binge-watching “Homeland,” finding common ground is a great way to solidify yourself in the hearts and minds of whomever you're chatting with.

8.  Don’t be too thirsty.

If you sense that whomever you're speaking to isn’t interested: gracefully bow out. It’s like dating, it’s way better to be the ghoster rather than the ghostee.

9.  For networking in the online space, don’t be afraid of the “cold pitch.”

Especially if you can find a way to engage with someone that will prevent it from feeling totally random. There is no shame in doing a little research without taking it to stalker-ville. It makes you seem prepared and shows that you’re not interested in wasting anyone’s time. You are reaching out for a reason.

10.  Make sure you follow up.

Follow up in some capacity a few days to a week later. Keep the conversation going with new questions and interests so your relationship can evolve. Make a plan for a future meetup.

About the Author: Jessy Fofana founded La Rue PR over ten years ago after successfully directing public relations and marketing initiatives for an impressive list of well-known fashion, home décor, lifestyle and cosmetics brands, and retailers.  With an experienced team of professionals, LaRue PR covers all the bases including print and digital media coverage, influencer relations, synergistic brand partnerships, and more.  LaRue PR provides the skill and experience of a large agency with the creativity, dedication, and affordability that can only be offered by a boutique firm.

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This story was originally published on February 20, 2019, and has since been updated.

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A Millennial's Bucket List for Achieving Financial Freedom (Step 1: Start ASAP)

Photo: Smith House Photo

If you’re a millennial who wants to achieve financial freedom sooner rather than later, there are several important money moves you should be making now. If you wait too long, you’ll spend your later years catching up rather than going on vacations, upgrading your house, or taking early retirement.

Ideally, you want to start making these money moves while you’re in your 20s and 30s, so you’ll be able to reap the benefits of your financial strategy for a maximum length of time. Here are the bucket-list items you should start checking off to set yourself up for financial freedom.

1. Create a budget.

A budget is essential. Make a list of all your income and expenditures, and add them up to see how you’re making out, monthly and annually. If you’re seeing a surplus, that’s great—but if not, you’ll need to tighten your budget by figuring out the amounts you need to make, save, and spend in order to make ends meet.

Even if it looks like you’re doing okay balancing your monthly budget, if there is room to scale down your spending, you should. Save a little extra and reroute that money into an investment.

2. Build an emergency fund.

One major car repair, injury, appliance replacement, or other big-ticket items can really set you back financially. Create an emergency fund against these possibilities and only dip into it when absolutely necessary. This way, you aren’t maxing out your credit cards or depleting your other funds if something unexpected pops up.

If you struggle with building up your fund, have extra money deducted from your paycheck so you’ll get a refund at tax time, then funnel that money into your emergency fund. And think of it this way: If you’re fortunate enough not to need your emergency fund, then you’ll be ahead of the game financially when your 50s arrive.

3. Set up a retirement fund.

Too many people wait to start saving for retirement until they reach middle age, which is way too late. Many millennials are tracking to follow suit, with two-thirds of them having saved nothing yet, despite the fact that they see retiring around age 61 as a reasonable goal.

Experts typically recommend that young adults should open an IRA or other retirement accounts,  and definitely should invest in their 401(k) accounts, especially when employers offer matching funds. In fact, many Americans, in general, are missing out on this financially smart benefit. A solid rule of thumb is to put about 15 percent of your pay annually into a 401(k).

4. Think big.

A savings account is a smart idea; however, it’s not going to yield a big return via interest nor ferry you to early retirement. But if you do have money saved, then you have the option to make significant and potentially lucrative investments.

For instance, you could buy a rental property. You can list your home on vacation rental sites, collect rent, pay your mortgage, stash away the remaining funds, and build some equity. Over time, you might even want to add a property or two to your portfolio.

Or start your own business. Got an idea, passion, or golden opportunity? Take an entrepreneurial leap! Many businesses can be launched right from home on a shoestring budget. Put a plan together, get the word out on social media, then attend trade shows and other networking events to promote yourself and build your company.

These two options or similar ones put your wallet to work, and can eventually position you for solid financial footing down the road.

5. Take a few investment risks.

Even if you're risk-averse, it’s not a bad idea to know how the world of investment works. Done right, it’s a venture that can be quite lucrative. Look into investing just a little at first, whether in stocks, bonds, commodities, real estate, your sister’s promising business, or another opportunity. Then watch your investment carefully to see if and when it pays off. If it doesn’t, look to shift into another type of investment.

6. Rethink your location.

If you’re living in an expensive city, consider a change of scenery. These younger years are a perfect time to try out new places, anyway. So why spend thousands a month on sky-high rent or property taxes? By moving to a more affordable city, you could save loads on rent and living expenses. For example, Omaha is a cheaper market than Los Angeles. Take your savings and put them to work toward your financial goals.

7. Watch your credit spending.

As millennials, we are firmly a part of the digital spending revolution, which is convenient but makes it easy to overspend. When you can’t pay off your credit card bill every month, you’re charging too much.

To avoid accumulating credit card debt, pay close attention to your spending, delete shopping apps off your phone (or at least keep yourself logged out), and track your receipts. If you’re already in debt, consider debt consolidation so you can get back on track. (And speaking of debt, if you’re still carrying student loans, look into loan forgiveness programs or refinancing.)

At this point in your life, you’re young enough that small moves can make a big difference to your financial future. While age 60 might sound far off, the passage of time can surprise you. If you’re looking to get on track toward fiscal stability, now is the time. Check off these bucket list items and watch your financial freedom begin to become a reality.

Written by Molly Barnes, Digital Nomad Life.

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This post was originally published on June 5, 2019, and has since been updated.

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This Little Trick Will Double Your Productivity ASAP

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If you are an entrepreneur, you likely spend your time feeling like a cocktail of inspired and deflated, generative and stuck, or focused and scattered. Sound about right? You may be familiar with the reality that being busy is different than being productive, yes? You want to work smarter, not harder.

So, whether you work for yourself at home in your sweatpants or are part of a high-profile startup hustle (or both!), here is a great way to maximize your productivity and clarity. Time batching. It’s an über-simple technique that can change the way you work. It can help you get more done by helping prevent you from spending twenty minutes deciding what to focus on!

Here are four easy steps to set yourself up for success.

“Time batching is an uber simple technique that can change the way you work.”

1. Time Batch

Sit down with your week’s commitments, deadlines, tasks, and errands. Use small pieces of paper, and write only one task per paper. Write down everything you can think of. No task is too small. Include everything that you want and need to have happen in your workweek. Once you’ve gathered them, sort them into these three popular categories of work themes (or, make up your own!):

• Marketing & Managerial Mondays: This would include writing emails, scheduling meetings, all marketing and PR tasks, event planning, anything sales related, purchasing plane tickets, submitting applications to events and jobs, strategizing business development, continuing education, making phone calls, managing mailing lists, scheduling social media for the week, printing for the week, preping for clients and meetings.

• Word & Website Wednesdays: Write blog posts and all content for the week, update classes and events on website, write and send newsletter, draft/complete all writing commitments, graphic design for all materials, track last week’s web analytics, reading and research for clients and obligations, create content on all upcoming projects, branding tweaks, anything that involves writing!

• Financial & Follow-Up Fridays: Follow-up on all relationships, emails, projects, and events, tie up any loose ends before the weekend, send out thank-you cards, send invoices, accounting and book-keeping, track PayPal and bank accounts, log all tax-related expenses, pay quarterly estimated taxes, tally mileage from the week for deductions, manage investments and debt, pay credit card, deposit all checks.

2. Track It 

Now that you have three thematic piles of work tasks, automate and log them. Apps are a great way to keep track of your to-do lists, and have them with you and synced throughout all devices. Create the three main lists (M, W, F) and then fill in all tasks from your paper piles. Once you’ve logged everything, look at each item and set deadlines for those that have them. Also, some things are one-offs, while others happen weekly. Set the appropriate repeat settings for weekly tasks.

3. Schedule Time Blocks 

Schedule blocks of time to get your batches in. Most successful productivity experts agree that unless it’s on your calendar, it’s basically imaginary and it’s not happening! Ideally, find at least two to three-hour chunks when you can focus on one list. Some choose to batch every day, some prefer a few non-batch workdays. Your other days without time batching can be more organic, perhaps you take the day off, or you let your schedule be more fluid and muse-honoring.

4. Work It

When you sit down to start your batch session, review your list and pick the three most urgent and important tasks. Don’t get distracted by urgent things, important is the key word here. Begin with those. If you have a super-session and power through all three tasks, you can always revisit your list, or go do a handstand and call your mom. Regardless, the feeling of completing your focused three-task list will encourage continued focus wizardry on your next session.

Truth: A massive part of working with time batching is remembering something that is “off-topic” when you are in “batch mode” and adding it to the necessary list, instead of completely switching gears to blog your magical new matcha donut recipe when you should be updating spreadsheets. (Just make sure to post your matcha donut recipe, because that sounds delish.)

An original version of this article appeared Darling magazine, written by Abbi Miller.

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This story was originally published on April 22, 2018, and has since been updated.

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9 Things No One Tells You When You're Starting a Business

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The one common thread that ties all entrepreneurs and founders together is that there is no rule book, especially if your company is developing an entirely new category or business model. There is no path to follow or leadership style to mimic. It can be a daunting experience but if you’re up for the challenge, it will be one that undoubtedly changes your life, for the better.

But if you’re a new founder or about to start a company and reading this in despair, then don’t stress, because there are a few things everyone should do when starting a business. Think you can cut it on your own but wondering how to start a business? Here are nine things to consider before you take that leap of faith and start your own business. 

1. Begin with revenue.

It’s nice that you have a dream, but the reality is that you will need to make money. Whether you are planning on pitching to investors or building a customer-funded business, you will need cash flow. Cash flow is the heartbeat of your business. Author and entrepreneur Seth Godin says, “It pays to have big dreams but low overhead.” Overhead are things such as rent, payroll, and other monthly expenses. Make a plan and write specific goals for how you are going to make money.

2. Protect your IP.

IP stands for intellectual property. Trademark your work and spend time on your privacy policies from the beginning. Talk to a trademark lawyer and make sure you are covering all your bases in the legal sense. Have a designated spot for organizing all paperwork, legal documents, and trademarks. Trust me, you will get a lot of paperwork mailed to you and you want to make sure you don’t throw away something important because you thought it was spam.

3. Market yourself.

Free marketing on social media is the key to growing your start-up with low overhead. Research social media marketing ideas, and do your homework. Study businesses that are doing what you do. Know your target audience and study CRM (customer relationship management) within your company. Where is your ideal customer currently spending their money if not on you? Connect with like-minded small business owners, and learn from each other. I am currently in a mastermind group with seven female, small business leaders in Nashville. We get together every other week to discuss various aspects of running a small business. Be proactive and curious. Ask questions.

4. Know your “why.”

If cash flow is the heartbeat of your business, then why is the actual heart. If you can’t write down the internal, external, or philosophical problem your company is working to solve, your business won’t have a backbone. As Frederick Nietzsche said, “He who has a why can endure any how.”

5. Understand yourself so that you can make great hires.

“Organizations are never limited by their opportunity. They are limited by their leader,” according to Dave Ramsey. You are the leader. You need passion, integrity, humility, courage, and self-discipline. Know your strengths, weaknesses, and leadership capabilities so that when the time comes to make a hire or seek support, you know where you are lacking. Become self-aware and discern in what areas you need to improve.

Start by taking personality tests that give you insight into your tendencies. My go-to test for myself and my team members is the DISC profile. Every interviewee that we are seriously considering hiring takes this test before we offer a position. Your interview process should be extensive. Turnover can kill a start-up. 

6. You are NOT the boss.

Your customers are the boss. Your customers are the hero. It’s ALL about your customers. The story about how and why you started your company isn’t as important as how and why your customers need your product. Learn how to serve your customers, but know that once in a while your customer might be wrong. Remember that you have the freedom to occasionally “fire” a customer. Embrace the concept that your product is not for everyone.

7. Build structure and find balance.

Professionals show up and do the work when they don’t feel like it. Become obsessed with time management or you will begin drowning in chaos. Build a structure for your business so that you can find a healthy work-life balance. Read time management books and find a routine. 

8. Build a tax savings account and an emergency savings fund. 

Finances and managing cash flow are two of the biggest distractions for any business. If you don’t have a CFO from the start, hire an accountant and/or bookkeeper, and build your savings. An emergency fund for your business can be anywhere from three months to a year of overhead expenses you have saved in the case of sudden disaster. Move money into your tax savings account every month and don’t touch it. Every quarter, while millions of business owners are scrambling to move around money for taxes, you’ll be able to stay hyper-focused on developing your business.

9. Embrace change and challenges. 

“Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between the obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both into their advantage,” notes Seth Godin. You will face many obstacles, ups, and downs. I could spend all day telling you about all of the bumps I’ve experienced in the last three years, but then I would be talking the problem—not the solution. Godin says, “You’re going to do your best work, and it’s not going to work. Taking it personally will cripple you.” It’s ok to be unprepared when you start. There are many variables you cannot control no matter how organized you feel. You will be much more stress-free if you learn to embrace change and don’t grip your business by the throat.

About the Author: Emily Howard, founder, creative director, and CEO of Consider the Wldflwrs, a jewelry company based out of Nashville, Tennessee. An original version of this article appeared on Darling.

This post was originally published on May 3, 2019, and has since been updated.

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Follow Your Dreams, Err No, Your Gut—and Other Clichés of Success We Need to Ditch

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Chances are you’ve heard one of the following clichés at one point in your life when seeking out career advice: “If you can dream it, you can achieve it;” “Pursue your passion;” Work hard, dream big;” and “Follow your dreams.”

It might have been at your high school or college graduation, or at a conference from a motivational speaker. You may have seen it emblazoned on the front of a greeting card to commemorate one of your life accomplishments, or on Instagram where the post has garnered thousands of likes and reposts.

They are clichés intended to make us feel inspired to go for the next big thing, a reminder to stay focused on the grand prize of that imaginary picture of success we all have. But how do these clichés work in the real world where things are not as simple and clear-cut? 

It is time to get real about what it means to achieve in the real world and move past the clichés. Your success depends on it. Let’s take a look at the most famous clichés rewritten as real-world advice.

If you dream it, you can achieve it adjust accordingly.

It all starts with a dream–the dream college, the dream job, or the dream life. Knowing what you want and being able to imagine it first is essential to achievement. If you can dream it, more than likely you can map out a plan to go after it.

The first step in moving past this cliché is knowing that following your dreams will often involve detours, failures, pitfalls, and disappointments. It often involves dismantling the “master plan” and having to create a new one. It means revisiting who you thought you would be and accepting you might want to be something else.

Know that dreams will change throughout your life and you will be in redrafting mode often. Dreams evolve at the same speed that you are evolving as a person. One minute you can have a dream of owning a house and a car and another minute you are dreaming of traveling the world—and this can be said for all other dreams you may have. 

If you can dream it, you will learn that real life will make you adjust accordingly when you begin to face obstacles and setbacks on your journey. When you have an epiphany about that dream job you thought you always wanted or that life you always chased after, you will be faced with going back to the drawing board.

Being able to pivot and draw wisdom from the trials and tribulations is what will make your accomplishments so much more meaningful in the end. Accepting that it won’t be linear is the first step in maintaining your focus on any dream.  

Know that in real life, you can continue to dream as you evolve and adjust those dreams to your new realities. It won’t mean you’ve failed in achieving anything, it just means you are accepting you will always be in a state of growth—an essential place to be to make strides in success.

Pursue your passion purpose.

Everyone has a passion. It can range from politics to non-profit work to the arts. Our society has always been enamored with the idea that simply having a passion and focusing solely on that can grant you the key to success. Just pursue what you are passionate about and everything will fall into place, right? Wrong.

We’ve all heard the stories of people who have tried to follow their passions and have had to switch gears in order to make a better living or maintain a family. Just because your day job does not revolve around your life passion does not mean you haven’t unlocked the key to success.

Having a passion in life and being able to make a living off of it is wonderful, but oftentimes that is not the case, especially if you are just starting off in your field. Know that this is okay. The good news is if you cannot pursue your passion to make a living, you can always focus on pursuing your purpose.

You can find your purpose by analyzing some of your passions. Does your passion involve helping others? Does it involve contributing a special skill? What can you take from your passions and make relatable to your current situation? Take a closer look at your passions and you will find there is often a deeper purpose that can translate to any job you may have.

By finding your purpose you will open more doors and possibly find you have more than just your passion, but rather a mission that can carry you through many careers and down many paths in life.

Work hard, dream big then, work harder.

“Work hard, dream big” is one cliché that almost nails it, but in the real world it goes more like this: Work hard, then work harder. Following this revised version is where you will start to see the fruits of your labor.

Finding success at any stage of your life means putting in the extra effort. Going above and beyond the expectations and going the extra mile. When you work harder, you shine brighter.

When you bring your all to a job, you establish yourself and your brand at the top tier level. And in order to maintain this status, you will have to continue to work harder every single time as you raise that bar.

Every step up, you will be required to outdo the last. So, yes, keep dreaming big but know that you will be tasked with working even harder as you inch closer to achieving that dream.

Follow your dreams gut.

As noted earlier, your dreams will evolve. You will change and your notion of what real success means will also change. This brings me to the final cliché reworded for the real world: Follow your gut.

As you move throughout life, do not depend on the dreams you have drafted to be the definitive guide, because they will change over time. Instead, follow your gut as you move through jobs, friends, and life and use it as your compass. It will never fail you. Your inner voice will dictate what direction you are being drawn to and oftentimes there is a good reason for it. It is taking you to a place you belong to.

Learning to trust yourself is the key to achieving success on your own terms. You are the only person who will know what is best for you. You are the one who will determine what true success looks like.

At the end of the day, your life and dreams cannot be captured in a cliché; they are far too complex. Remember to stay agile with your dreams, find your purpose as you analyze your passions, work harder every single time, and follow your gut; this is real-life advice that goes beyond the clichés to help you move closer to what you really want in life.

About the author: Brenda Duran is a writer, communications specialist, and creative. She can be reached at bduran5@yahoo.com and at bduran.com.

This story was originally published on September 18, 2019, and has since been updated.

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Together Forever? How to Choose the Right Business Partner

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It’s said that two heads are better than one. Albeit usually true, sometimes it depends on which two heads. Having the right partner is the foundation for a successful business. However, finding that partner may be the hardest part of starting your business. 

There’s no better teacher than time and personal experience. There are, however, certain lessons we can learn from others who have lived through similar experiences. And so I offer the following.

Have Common Goals

In the most literal sense, this means you should both understand the goals of the business and what milestones the entity is trying to reach and at what points. On a deeper level, it is important to understand the bigger picture behind reaching those goals and what expectations each partner has for the future.

One partner may want fortune while the other wants fame, one may want to help the world, while the other wants notoriety. While having goals that are aligned makes it easier, it is also acceptable to have different goals so long as they complement each other. For example say one partner is not interested in the money only in helping the community, while the other feels that making a fortune is the ultimate goal, in making certain decisions regarding the direction of the business: prices, events to attend, clientele to cater to, and so forth, this may cause an issue.

This shouldn’t be a deal-breaker, however, if your goals are not aligned then the business itself cannot achieve those goals simultaneously. This should be a conversation prior to the commencement of the business. 

Have Respect for One Another

Respect is not only fundamental for how you treat each other but also for the success of your business. You should respect the person as a human and also as a professional. 

Respect achieves three main things: First, it makes your working environment pleasant and efficient. Next, if you truly respect your partner you likely also trust him or her. Lastly, your clients will trust and respect them as well.

The day you lose respect for your partner, the partnership and likely the business, will crumble. The respect should be mutual; your partner should appreciate what you bring to the team as well. Having mutual respect will go a long way when days get tough. 

“For better or worse partnerships are tested in the real world in ways that no amount of preparation can guarantee survival.”

Find Someone Who Complements Your Strengths and Weaknesses

More often than not finding a partner seems like it’s about the other person. However, the best way to find the perfect match is to do some introspection. Analyzing your strengths is usually the easier of the two tasks, and while important to know and value what you contribute to the team, it is equally, if not more important to know your weaknesses.

Finding someone who not only complements your weaknesses with their strengths but also knows how to properly handle your shortcomings is fundamental to a long-term partnership. Recognize your flaws and appreciate someone who can handle them. 

Know What You Value Most

Some value charisma, others honesty, and others willingness to take risks. Whatever, qualities you feel are going to contribute most to the success of your business and achieving your goals those are the qualities you should find in your partner. While ideally we find a partner that has it all, it’s slightly unrealistic, and so having certain priorities when making a decision can facilitate that process. 

Personality Matters

Yes, having an attractive, funny, and witty partner is a dream, however, this isn’t about finding a date. It’s about finding the perfect complement to boost your chances at success. And so in general, yes, you should enjoy their company. However, attributes of their personality regarding how they solve problems, how they deal with a crisis, what makes them happy or satisfied, and their attitude towards different situations is what matters when choosing your partner.

While these tips should be used as a guide or thoughts to keep in mind, there truly is no way to ensure that a partnership will succeed.  For better or worse partnerships are tested in the real world in ways that no amount of preparation can guarantee survival. But if you’re lucky enough to find that perfect partner, your business is sure to reap the benefits.

“Recognize your flaws and appreciate someone who can handle them.”

—Brenda Schamy, DiSchino & Schamy, PLLC

About the author: Brenda Schamy has a multi-faceted background in criminal defense, immigration, corporate counsel, and entertainment law. Due to her extensive entrepreneurial experience, Brenda is particularly skilled in business management, taking on the role of a forward-thinker who actively anticipates the needs, concerns, and opportunities of our corporate clients. Brenda excels at looking beyond the legal scope of business and works closely with our clients to actualize their goals.

Prior to founding Erickson & Schamy (now DiSchino & Schamy, PLLC), Brenda was a Miami Dade Public Defender. With over sixty trials taken to verdict, she is especially comfortable in a courtroom and is always ready to fight for her clients’ interests. Throughout her legal career, Brenda has also been heavily exposed to immigration, music, and the entertainment industry.

This story was originally published on April 8, 2019, and has since been updated.

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You Need to Stop What You're Doing and Make a Marketing Plan Right Now

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Very few small business owners want to sit down and write out a marketing plan. Even fewer want to regularly review what’s being implemented, how it’s performing, and what needs to be revised. 

I had a realization recently, after coming across an alarming statistic saying that half of small businesses operate without a marketing plan. My realization? Marketing plans are like annual pelvic exams. No one wants to do them, but we know we must so we call, make the appointment, and go in and get it over with. 

Unlike an annual pelvic exam, however, marketing plans can make us money. Marketing plans aren’t just nice to have, they’re imperative to planning where we’re going and how we’re going to get there. Baseball great Yogi Berra once famously said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up someplace else.” The same goes for marketing. 

Here are seven reasons you need to stop whatever it is you’re doing right now and draft your plan:

1. Direction: It forces you to think about where you want your business to go, in addition to what’s working and what’s not. 

2. Purpose: It sets measurable goals.

3. Motivation: A marketing plan creates motivation, and even better, once the plan is in place, it allows you to delegate and have more time to work on the things you are good at and love. 

4. Time: You’ll spend less time reacting to things if you are working proactively.

5. Value: You’ll provide more value to your clients because you’ll be laser-focused on their needs, challenges, and motivations. 

6. Organization: Your marketing plan will organize your time and prioritize what you are doing. If everything is equally weighted as a priority, nothing is a priority.

7. Revenue: You’ll earn more money. Do I need to say more?! You’ll maximize all marketing dollars you spend because it’ll be well thought out and you’ll put metrics in place to measure if it’s working.

How to Get Started With a Marketing Plan Outline

I've helped hundreds of small business owners over the years simplify their marketing to have more time and energy to do the things they love. (I've been in business development for 15 years and have owned a strategic marketing agency specializing in small business for the last five). 

In my business, we’ve identified four pillars of writing and effectively implementing a successful marketing plan. These pillars are intent, insight, infrastructure, and action. Answer the questions below to get in the right mindset for planning your business. Then go download our free content calendar template, which will help you organize the specific tactics on which to move forward  (including blog posts, social media, and email marketing). 

1. Intent: What do I want to accomplish? (Don’t get lazy here. “Get more business” doesn’t count. It’s not specific enough). Identify your SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Timely) for the next 30, 60, 90, and 180 days. 

2. Insight: What do I know about my customer? What data do I have about them? Who they are, what they do for work, where they hang out online, what questions do they have, what answers do they need? How long does it take for my customer to make buying decisions?

3. Infrastructure: What do I have already that can be used for marketing? Content (blogs, brochures, flyers, business posts, etc.)? An email list? Social media channels and an audience?

4. Action: Given what you've developed as a goal, what data you know about your customer base, and what you currently have, what can you accomplish? Does your goal fit with your overall goal and messaging as a brand? Does your infrastructure allow you to be successful?

Do you currently know enough about your customers to effectively motivate them? What additional assets need to be created? What is the flow of the user experience? What should your audience see first and where should they be pointed next? What information should be offered at each stage?

• Brief: Write down what everyone on the team should know about your business, including branding tone, mission, purpose, etc. 

• Brainstorm: Use what you have and build off of it! For example, we have over 1K subscribers - let’s email them weekly and include offers. We have 5K followers on social media - let’s create a piece of content where they can opt into our mailing list. We have a handful of great blog articles - let’s put them together into a guide and offer it to build our email list.

• Schedule: Look back at your SMART goals and your brainstorm list and make 30-day and 90-day plans.

• Delegate: Gather your team on a call, review your plan and creative brief, and delegate tasks to get started! (You may only have one other person; that’s OK! If you don’t have anyone yet, consider hiring a virtual assistant)

• Review: You will be continuously gathering more data and coming up with more and more ideas. The important part is not to STOP anything and pivot. Stick with your 30-day plan and check things off your list. Review and analyze what’s working, and what’s not, when jumping into the next 30 days.

After you take the time to go through these steps, I guarantee that you’ll feel your creative juices come back. You can move forward with confidence because the basics (the foundational pieces) are being taken care of.

It’s important to understand that there will be cycles to your marketing plan. You’ll start small; you’ll add things over time, based on what’s working and what’s not. You'll pass more things off your plate as they’re up and running. This will leave you the time and energy to actually focus on the part of your business that you love.

Also? The silver lining is that when you have thought things through and made the plan, each thing builds upon another thing. This means that your marketing dollars will be maximized because all the things are working together rather than the scattershot approach created when you throw 5 different things out. Better yet, you can diversify your efforts, similar to those 5 different “things,” but they will all lead back to the same specified goal. 

“If everything is equally weighted as a priority, nothing is a priority.”

—Shanna Goodman, Founder of AMP’D

About the author: Shanna Goodman is the founder of AMP’D, helping people build businesses that give them life. She is a brand strategist with 15 years in business development and five of those years as a brand strategy agency owner specializing in small business. She is a regular contributor for Business Insider, Forbes, Fit Small Business, and Working Mother.

About AMP’D: AMP’D arms small businesses with actionable insights to succeed and grow, helping create life-giving, sustainable businesses in the process. With comprehensive programs and resources, we help clients uncover, discover, plan, and implement ways to generate new revenue and a sustainable business. Download our free content calendar template or learn more at ampdnow.com.

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This story was originally published on January 7, 2021, and has since been updated.

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5 Tips to Have the Most Productive Day Ever

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Time waits for no woman, but who says you’ve got the hours to hang around and wait for time? We’ve all got meetings to take, conference calls to make, places to be, and deals to close. But mastering the art of time management in order to cross everything off your to-do list every day is easier said than done.

In fact, studies show that business leaders waste an average of 21.8 hours a week. We repeat: A WEEK. Instead of getting consumed by the hours in the day, or the lack thereof, here are five ways to watch the clock and have your most productive day ever. Here’s how to make every minute count, from the time you wake up to the time you log off.

1. Pick a Realistic Time to Wake Up

You know your body and you know how much sleep you need to feel rested and ready to take on the day. And yet, we all tend to get a little overzealous when it comes to setting our alarms the night before. If I set my alarm an hour early, we rationalize, I will get a jump on my day.

Call it wishful thinking or good intentions, setting our alarms earlier than needed has the opposite effect than intended. When the early am hits, we hit snooze, falling in and out of that interrupted sleep until the moment we dash out of bed in a hurry. It’s a terrible way to start the day.

One, it makes us feel like we already missed our mark. That even though we didn’t need to wake up early, we should have. This mentality creeps into the rest of our day and doesn’t allow us to be our most productive or confident selves. When you start the day disappointed in yourself, it’s that much harder to recover.

Two, alarm-hitting snooze sleep is almost worse than no sleep at all. You’re groggy and multiple studies have shown that this kind of sleep inertia reduces productivity and focus.

So be realistic about what time you need to get up. Pretending you’re going to rise at 6 am is not useful when you could sleep until 7 am and wake up bright-eyed and ready to get after it.

“We’ve become so concerned with rapid-fire quick responses that our emails are lacking in quality.”

2. Turn Your Internet Off for 45 Minutes Each Morning

Scroll through your emails on your phone quickly to make sure there is no pressing emergency, but once your computer comes to life, switch the internet off.

Give yourself 45 minutes to respond to emails in a thoughtful and valuable manner. We’ve become so concerned with rapid-fire quick responses that our emails are lacking in quality. If you’re the type to email the way you text, this pause will prove productive.

Not only will you think through your answers with more clarity, but you won’t be distracted by other incoming messages, emails, or lose yourself to a Facebook news feed.

3. Time Batch It Out

Time batching is a simple way to approach the day that reduces clutter and increases focus. Group activities together (emails, phone calls, blogging—i.e. writing multiple posts at one time) and see how it improves your product.

By batching out the tasks in your day, you can see exactly where your hours (like your money) are going.  Productivity breeds productivity.

“If time was an app, it’d be Postmates. We use it without realizing how much we’re spending.”

4. Think About What “Time Well Spent” Means to You

If time was an app, it would be Postmates: We use it without realizing how much we’re spending.

You can’t purchase more time. Taking stock of your day and looking at how you spend your time will move you into the following days with confidence. If you’re really spending your time “well”—which is different for everyone—it’s infectious.

We don’t want to know how much time we’ve wasted scrolling social media for “research” or texting a colleague.

Watching the clock doesn’t have to be a negative. In fact, watching the clock can help you, professionally speaking. Keeping track of your time worked and just how much you’ve accomplished in a day can be helpful in assessing where you are losing valuable hours.

5. Stop Watching the Clock

OK. Disregard *for a second* what we said above. 

Time batching and keeping track of your hours is important, but only to a point. Within the time that you’ve allocated for yourself, don’t check the clock like a kid waiting for the lunch bell to ring.

Being productive is more important than checking to make sure you’re being productive. If you’re in the swing of it, by all means, keep rolling.

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This story was originally published on February 3, 2019, and has since been updated.

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3 Quick and Easy Recipes to Make When You're Too Busy to Cook

Here at Create & Cultivate, we know how busy life can get. Amidst a hectic schedule, it is far too easy to forget to take care of yourself in the mix. However, therein lies the contradiction: if you do not properly nourish your body, you won’t be able to perform anywhere near your best. So, we sat down with food blogger Kenzie Burke, who gave us a few of her favorite quick, easy recipes, and explained why it’s important to make time for food.

“I am a huge proponent of cook it once, eat it two or three times.”

—Kenzie Burke

Create & Cultivate: How can we food prep when we feel like there’s no time? What is a good hack?

Kenzie Burke: My mindset is that no matter how busy you are, there is always time to do things that matter to you. I understand what it is like to be insanely busy. Some days I cannot even manage to text one person back, but I know that I need fuel to perform at my best. It’s possible that you’ll have to stay awake 20 minutes later than usual to make tomorrow run smoother, or perhaps you swap out prep cooking in place of your evening Instagram scroll. Give yourself this gift. This probably isn't the answer anyone wanted to read but, where there is a will, there is a way. As mentioned before, I am a huge proponent of cook it once, eat it two or three times.

C&C: You are anti-diet—why? What is your food philosophy?

KB: My food philosophy is ‘make it a lifestyle.’ You’ve got to fall in love with your life. You have to wake up every day enjoying what you are doing or you just won't live a satisfying life. I believe this sentiment carries over into the foods we eat. You have to love what you eat and want to eat well. I’ve found that those who diet seem to fall off quite easily and feel limited and trapped. In my practice, I get to the root reasoning behind eating well. Why do you want to eat well? For your health? Body? Family? Taking care of your body is taking care of you.

You cannot show up as your best self for your friends, family, partner, and career if you don’t put your own oxygen mask on first. Find your why. To be more specific about what I love to put in my body, I really focus on whole foods. For lunch and dinner I try to make half my plate a veggie. I love to optimize digestion with food combining and plant-based food. I explore this concept further in my e-book as it has changed how I feel at an almost soul level. I feel like I vibrate on a whole new frequency.

3 Quick and Easy Recipes to Try This Week

Artichoke Heart Salad

Courtesy of Kenzie Burke

Ingredients:

Romaine lettuce
Cucumber
Chickpeas
Olives
Artichoke hearts
Red pepper flakes

Ingredients for the dressing:

3 large lemons
3/4 cup olive oil
2 cloves of garlic
Salt and pepper to taste

Note: This makes a big batch you can keep in your fridge and use throughout the week.

Directions:

Chop romaine into fine pieces, peel and cut cucumber. Plate lettuce and cucumber with chickpeas, olives, artichoke hearts, and top with red pepper flakes. For the dressing place all ingredients into your blender and blend. This dressing stores well in the fridge. Finish salad with this simple salad dressing.

Tropical Bub Smoothie

Ingredients:

Cup of frozen mango
1 banana
Chunk of cucumber
Spinach or lettuce
Chunk of ginger
1 date
Coconut water
Spirulina powder
Shake of cinnamon

Directions:

Place ingredients in a blender and blend!

Simple Chickpea Pasta

Ingredients:

Chickpea pasta
Handful of cherry tomatoes
1/2 an avocado
1/2 of a lemon
Drizzle of olive oil
Salt and pepper
Nutritional yeast

Directions:

Cook the noodles by following the directions on the package they come in. In a sauté pan; sauté the cherry tomatoes on medium heat in olive oil until they are soft.

Once the pasta has finished cooking plate the pasta with the cherry tomatoes, sliced avocado, and finish the dish with a drizzle of olive oil, squeeze of 1/2 of a lemon, salt, pepper, and nutritional yeast.

This dish is ready to eat. It is also good cold.

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This story was originally published on September 5, 2019, and has since been updated.

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How to Stress Less, and Find Joy in Your Finances with Ashley Brooke

Welcome to this special episode of WorkParty as part of our Budget Broadcast Series in partnership with You Need a Budget (YNAB), designed to educate everyone on the power of building a budget.

Whether it’s starting a business, saving for a trip, or taking control of your finances once and for all, a budget (of all sizes) can help you accomplish those dreams. YNAB is the leading personal finance platform that has helped hundreds of thousands of people take control of their finances–including our guest today.

In this third and final episode of the WorkParty and YNAB Budget Broadcast Series, I’m sitting down with Ashley Brooke to chat about money mindset–how to overcome common obstacles, manage money stress, and budget for fun–not just for fear. Join the party on social @workparty and stay in-the-know at workparty.com.

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