Why Being Laid Off Turned Out to Be the Very Best Thing for These Founders

Photo: Courtesy of The Hive

We don’t know that anyone really wants to be fired from a job, no matter how unfulfilling it might be. What we know for sure is that our career plans never included layoffs while we were having babies for the first time but what felt, at the time, mildly catastrophic, turned out to be for the very best. 

We both met in the fall of 2017 shortly after welcoming our first children. Kristin had a daughter, Stella, and I had a son named Finn, and together, we bonded over this new chapter of our lives. We had no idea what we were doing (spoiler alert: we still don’t) and quickly bonded over the terror we felt becoming new moms. This new world felt unexpectedly scary, very overwhelming, and if we’re being honest, lonely, so it felt reassuring and comforting to have someone to lean on in such a similar phase of life. We’d meet up a few times a week for walks or drinks, and compare notes on feeding and nap schedules, growth charts, diapers, and eventually, our professional futures.

Kristin had been laid off from her role with a prestigious spinning brand while pregnant and knew that staying home full time with her daughter wasn’t part of her long-term plan. She hadn’t figured out the next step when we met but her entrepreneurial spirit was running wild with ideas and working for herself in some capacity was the dream. As for me, I headed back to a role in public relations that I loved after an (unpaid) four-month maternity leave. Like so many moms before me, I headed back to my desk so conflicted: feeling empowered by bringing home a paycheck but guilty for leaving my child in someone else’s care. Regardless of those feelings, I buckled down and got to work, despite my boss hiring someone for my exact role while I was on leave. I shook my insecurity off, showed up every day to prove myself, but despite my best efforts, it wasn’t enough for my boss, who fired me for “poor performance” exactly two months after returning to work.

Even now, three years later, I shudder remembering that feeling of inadequacy. On top of not fitting back into my pre-pregnancy clothes, losing my hair from a huge postpartum shed, and struggling to juggle pumping and working and being a great mom and wife and daughter, I was also unemployed. It sucked.

“Looking back, our respective job losses were stepping stones into a different and more satisfying career path, and for that, we’ll forever be grateful.”

I quickly jumped back in the saddle and began freelancing for clients in need of PR, and would still frequently meet up with Kristin and our kids. At this stage, our children were older and much squigglier than their newborn selves, so our usual go-to spots around our hometown of Hoboken, NJ, became impossible for us to visit. It felt like the town we loved so much had overnight become a place where we didn’t quite fit in. We were either at a spot meant for kids that didn’t fulfill our needs or at a coffee shop or restaurant that wasn’t accommodating to young children.

“I wish there was somewhere for us that would also be engaging for our kids,” Kristin said one day. I remember agreeing (while struggling to contain my baby, Finn, and sip my coffee), and suddenly, both our wheels were turning. We couldn’t stop thinking about this place: a shop that was designed for adults with great retail products, awesome food and drinks, and a place for children that would allow for their caregiver to take a break. It sounded too good to be true, but as we began looking into this business model, we found tremendous inspiration across the world. These cafes existed and were wildly popular internationally, from what we could tell from reviews. We fantasized about a space like this in Hoboken, New Jersey and started with a Pinterest board, which gave way to a business plan, and us cold-calling the owners of businesses we admire so we could ask them questions about their own experiences.

As we progressed in our planning, we kept coming back to one question, which helped quell our fears about opening a new business: If someone else opened this exact business tomorrow, how would we feel? And our answer was always the same: We’d be devastated. There was forever a worry that we wouldn’t make it, of course. Having had no experience in the coffee industry, there was the risk that we wouldn’t know enough to be successful, but there’s Google, there are the peers who become allies, there are other business owners who want to help you when you don’t know the answer. Failure isn’t an option when you put in the work and have people supporting you along the way. 

We filed official paperwork to launch our LLC, sunk our savings into a joint account, secured a small business loan, and signed a lease on our space, months before anyone knew about COVID-19. The pandemic delayed our opening and, if we’re being honest, terrified us into thinking no one would ever give us a chance, but six months after opening, our shop is alive and well. The Hive officially opened in November 2020, almost exactly one year after we first signed our lease. It’s exactly what we dreamed it would be: a welcoming place for adults to get great coffee and food, a place to discover new brands and cool products, and a safe space for their littles to play. We opened in the midst of a global pandemic and have altered our model slightly by removing the majority of our seating and rather than allowing anyone to play in the designated playspace, we’ve introduced private reservations to allow us control over volume and to sanitize everything between each booking. Despite the challenges and delays we faced, we’re immensely proud to say that we’ve been profitable every month since opening our doors.

Looking back, our respective job losses were stepping stones into a different and more satisfying career path, and for that, we’ll forever be grateful. In fact, having the security of a job and a paycheck likely would have been more than enough of a reason for us not to take the leap into pursuing our dream. We may never forget that feeling of being told our jobs were eliminated (because let’s be serious, being fired sucks!), but the road we’ve paved so far is brighter, friendlier, and a whole lot more fulfilling and for that, we’ll forever be grateful for losing our jobs.

About the Founders: Before launching The Hive, Catherine Willhoit spent fourteen years working in public relations, specializing in the beauty industry, working for large companies like Dermalogica and IT Cosmetics, along with small, indie brands, to tell their stories and spread consumer awareness. After having her first son in 2017, she began reevaluating what mattered in her career and very slowly made the transition from PR into the coffee and retail space. The Hive is her first brick-and-mortar business and when she’s not at the shop, you can find Catherine outside whenever possible, taking hikes with her kids, long walks with her dog, or taking day trips to one of New Jersey’s many beautiful beaches. Catherine currently lives in Jersey City with her husband, Kevin, their sons, Finley and Miles, and their rescue pup, Egan.

Having spent over a decade working in retail merchandising for brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, Victoria’s Secret, and SoulCycle, The Hive is very much a fusion of Kristin Karotkin’s professional and creative passions. Her happy place has always been in the kitchen baking and playing hostess for family and friends, with a fondness for celebrating moments, both big and small. Having grown up in New York and going to Cornell for her undergraduate degree and NYU for her MBA, Kristin spent her summers growing up at the Jersey Shore with her family and currently lives in Hoboken, NJ with her husband, Sam, and two kids, Stella and Harry. 

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Did You Know These Seemingly Innocent Interview Questions Are Illegal?

Photo: Smith House Photo

So, your interview is off to a great start. Your résumé is perfect, and the hiring manager is clearly impressed. It’s going so well that it almost feels like a meetup with an old friend rather than a formal interview. This is usually a good sign, but be careful—you might be offering up unnecessary information that could hurt your chances of landing the job. 

It’s widely known that federal laws prohibit direct questions about race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and all other protected classes, but sometimes the question isn’t so direct. So, what are the seemingly innocent questions to be cautious of during an interview? We break it down for you below to ensure you know the best way to successfully navigate your job interview.

Are you planning to start a family soon?

Starting a family is an exciting and monumental moment in a person’s life, but unfortunately, employers could potentially view it as an inconvenience or question your commitment to the job ahead of you. A new hire looking to start a family could mean possible lateness, frequent sick days, doctor’s appointments during work hours, and long absences at the company’s expense.

How to Answer: I’m not at that point in my life yet. I am interested in what a career path looks like at this company. Can you give me more detail?  

Can you work on the weekends?  

Most corporate employees are off the clock on the weekends even when overtime is required. If you’re a salaried employer, the company might expect you to be available on the weekends or on short notice if there is an emergency. But unless Saturday and Sunday are required workdays, the interviewer shouldn’t ask about weekend availability. This question could be seen as an attempt to find out the applicant’s religion. Although it may not be, candidates may feel forced to share religious obligations when asked this question.

How to Answer: Of course, if you nailed an interview for your dream job and are eager to put in the extra weekend hours, then, by all means, say “yes.” You can also assure them that you will attend to any unexpected emergencies at your earliest convenience without divulging any other information. 

Do you own a car?

Much like asking about weekend availability, an employer shouldn’t directly ask you if you have a car unless the job requires you to use your own vehicle. Most job seekers have seen “must be able to commute to X location” on a job post. The employer most likely wants to make sure that you’ll be able to make it to work on time, especially in places where public transportation is limited.   

The Equal Employment Opportunity Office has a different take on this question. They consider it protected financial information, so not hiring someone based on their answer is discriminatory. This question also puts physically impaired individuals who are unable to drive at a disadvantage. Asking why someone doesn’t have a car could leave a disabled candidate feeling forced to disclose their impairment.   

How to answer: Politely inform your interviewer that you weren’t aware the job required you to use your own vehicle. This will prompt them to share their true intentions for asking the question which will most likely be related to attendance. Assure them that you will be able to get to work at your scheduled time.

Are you a member of any cultural organizations?

Being a member of a cultural organization has many benefits. Members are usually required to do volunteer work and/or maintain a high grade point average and are able to obtain prestigious internships through alumni connections. Sounds like a great bullet point on your résumé, but it can also be used by interviewers to discern your race.

A simple statement like, “Which one is that? I think I’ve heard of it before,” during a phone interview could be seen as prying for that information.

How to answer: You can list the member requirements and benefits without sharing the cultural aspects of the organization. This information can be found online with a quick Google search, so keeping it on your résumé is a great way to avoid any company with such bias. 

Can you list your emergency contacts?

Has your interview ever gone so well that the interviewer replaces “if you are hired” with “when you start” while listing off the day-to-day duties of the position? They may have suggested that you complete some paperwork to get it out of the way even before an official offer has been made. 

One part of the new employee packet that you can ditch without an official offer is the “Emergency Contacts” page. This information can reveal your sexual orientation and national origin if you decide to list your significant other or parents’ names. Additionally, questions about the relationship between you and the people you live with are prohibited for the same reason. 

How to answer: Inform the interviewer that you need a bit more time with one or more pages of the packet. Ask them if you have the option to fill it out at home and bring it back on your first official day. 

Do you drink?

More companies are starting to offer unique perks in order to attract and retain amazing talent. Happy hours and on-the-clock fiestas have become a common occurrence. Casually asking if you’re a social drinker while explaining the company culture could be their way of trying to see if you’ll fit in. 

However, this question might not fly with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Asking about alcohol consumption could force a candidate with a prior substance abuse issue to disclose their medical condition/diagnosis.  

How to answer: Keep it short and sweet. Feel free to answer with a simple “yes” or “no.”

What was your previous compensation? 

Try to put yourself in a business owners’ shoes for a moment. You’ve found the perfect employee on paper and they’re even better in person. The only thing that could make their dream candidate even more ideal is if their salary expectations are within budget.

Don’t talk yourself out of the salary you feel you deserve by mentioning your past pay.  Employers know that one of the keys to retaining amazing candidates, like yourself, is offering a competitive salary and benefits package, so know your worth going in and be prepared to confidently navigate this conversation.

How to answer: Try to steer the conversation away from past compensation by politely but firmly stating why you deserve your desired salary. Mention that this number is based on your skills, experience, current salary trends, and the work required for the position. 

Tip: Be Prepared

Ultimately, it’s up to you to determine whether or not you feel comfortable answering possibly coded questions. Before proceeding, consider how your answer will affect your chances of receiving an offer of employment. If you’re confident that you want the job, then be sure to craft a response that steers the conversation in a positive direction. 

Practicing your answers to these and other standard interview questions will make sure nothing throws you off your game. When interviewing, keep in mind that employers are most likely not trying to trick you, but you should always do your research and be prepared. It’s a good idea to understand the law and know your protections. 

About Career Group: Career Group Companies is a boutique recruiting firm that specializes in temporary and full-time administrative placements. We work with leading businesses, constantly raising the bar to provide a premium approach to search that others can’t reach. We take the time to get to know our clients and candidates, so we’re in a better position to make well-informed matches that we know are going to work.

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This story was originally published on June 10, 2019, and has since been updated.

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3 Mistakes You're Probably Making on Your Résumé

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While writing a résumé is necessary for everyone, it can be an incredibly arduous task. It’s not intuitive and it’s not something broached in school, so many people are forced to make do with what they know. But how do you create a document designed to help you succeed when you've never been taught how? 

Whether or not you’ve created your résumé on your own or acquired help, there are three mistakes you’re probably making. Fear not, because they are simple fixes that will instantly make your document more effective.

You Don’t Have a Skills Matrix at the Top

I always say this, but by far one of the most important things to include on your résumé is a skills matrix up at the top. This should land below your headlining statement and above your professional experience, but it is extremely important that it’s toward the top of your document. This is where you’ll include any specialized skills, software knowledge, languages, etc. It’s a surefire way to highlight what you can do for the company and what skills you possess.

One study shows that hiring managers and recruiters look at individual résumés for an average of 7.4 seconds each, so it is essential that you highlight your skills at the top of your document. This way, if they only read one section of your document, they will immediately be able to tell if you qualify for the position, or not. You want to give readers an easy and effective way to see what you can do and what skills you possess. By providing this information at the top of your résumé, readers don’t have to dig through job descriptions to figure it out.

You’re Not Writing Your Résumé WithYour Desired Job Description in Front of You 

You need to write (or edit) the document as if you’re applying for a specific position. What does this mean? It means that you need to go through the job descriptions that you’re interested in and integrate keywords and phrases throughout your document.

Perhaps you’re happy with your current role, but you eventually want to further your career within the same industry. Do a bit of research and find industry-specific roles that interest you, and use those job descriptions for inspiration. Do they utilize keywords or phrases which you can utilize in your résumé? Does a job description have a more eloquent way of wording one of your job duties?

If you’re not using current job postings to help you write your résumé, you’re doing yourself a disservice. See how industry professionals talk about jobs and utilize that in your document. Using industry jargon will help you appear more professional and knowledgeable about what you do. Some companies also have bots that "read" résumés before they do, to weed out the ones that don't make sense. 

You’re Highlighting Your Job Duties and Not Your Achievements

“Subjective terms and clichés are seen as negative because they don’t convey real information,” says Rosemary Haefner, VP of human resources at CareerBuilder. “For instance, don’t say you are ‘results-driven;’ show the employer your actual results.”

It is absolutely important to highlight the specifics of your role, however, if you’re only highlighting the job description and not your achievements, your résumé will not be as effective as it could be. You want to show potential employers what you have accomplished so they can get a better idea of what you will bring to the company and what you can do for them.

If you only talk about the role you played but don’t show them what you did within that role, your résumé will not serve you well. Include as much data and metrics as possible. Here are some great examples of metrics to include in your résumé:

• How many accounts did you manage?

• How much in sales volume did you secure (weekly, monthly, or annually)?

• Did you reduce cost (either by a percentage or dollar amount)?

• How many clients did you interact with (daily, weekly, monthly, or annually)?

• Did you surpass a quota?

• Did you manage a team? If so, how many team members did you manage?

• Did you work with any notable clients or vendors?

You may not have metrics off the top of your head, so go ahead and calculate them. Do some research and figure out your personal statistics! As long as you can prove your work and your numbers, you can include them on your résumé.

If you’re one of the many people making these mistakes, all you have to do is fix them and move forward. Writing a résumé is hard, so don’t dwell on your missteps. Learn from them and continue to improve. If you get really overwhelmed, reach out for help. There are people out there (like me) who are willing and able to help. If you ever get discouraged, remember that there’s a reason why certified professional résumé writers have a job.

About the Author: A native San Franciscan, Michele Lando is a certified professional résumé writer and founder of writestylesonline.com. She has a passion for helping others present the best version of themselves, both on paper and in person, and works to polish individuals' application package and personal style. Aiming to help create a perfect personal branding package, Write Styles presents tips to enhance your résumé, style, and boost your confidence.

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This story was originally published on June 2, 2018, and has since been updated.

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How I Empower My Team and Create a Culture of Systematic Trust (Yes, It Is Possible)

Photo: Create & Cultivate

The proof is in the stats. Millennials value company culture more than any other generation that’s come before them. In fact, according to Forbes, on average, millennials would be willing to give up $7,600 in salary every year to work at a job that provided a better environment for them. At We Are Rosie, our culture is built around systemic trust. We have a core belief that people have the best chance of success when they are treated with dignity and respect, and that comes along with trust. We want a team that can confidently demonstrate self-motivation, personal responsibility, and confidence.

My goal as a founder was to create a more human-centric approach to work and to build a community that reflects the company’s core values. My diverse childhood experiences as the child of a refugee have made me truly aware of what it is like to be overlooked, underestimated, and marginalized. This inspired me to want to cultivate a professional experience for my team where they are seen and appreciated as whole human beings. 

Trust can be tricky for all leaders but particularly challenging for founders. I’ve used the analogy more than once that We Are Rosie is my third child. As a leader, it’s important to find the balance between seeing your vision through to fruition (helping your baby become a productive member of society) and identifying the friction points where you (and your baby) are better served by allowing others to take the reigns.

Ever heard the phrase by Steve Jobs that says, “It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.” This is the crux of trust and it’s one of the many reasons we are so tedious in our hiring process for both our core employees and the incredible freelance consultants we deploy into large organizations. I actually believe that trust can, many times, be more important than experience when making a new hire. When you establish trust during an employee screening process, you are better able to create an environment for this person to thrive within your organization. You are also creating an opportunity for you to be the best leader you can be by avoiding the pitfalls that come along with mistrust.

As we move into an era where distributed and remote teams are the new norm, trust, or lack thereof, can make or break your team’s ability to achieve. When employees feel heard and respected, they will deliver their best work. I want people to be seen. I want people to know how much we appreciate the unique treasures they bring to our business. I want them to take ownership of their work and time. I want to support individuals as they recognize that there is a better way for work to happen.

Through my experience starting and growing a business, I’ve found six concrete action items that create a culture of systematic trust. 

1. Embrace the Model You Serve 

In addition to helping our clients discover better talent solutions, we also tap into our dynamic community of consultants. We turn our client's needs into possibilities through a fresh perspective and expertise. Our core team is small, but our power, by way of the We Are Rosie community, is mighty. 

If you're unwilling to use the product or service you're providing to your clients, you are missing out on truly understanding the pain points that your clients experience and how to speak directly to them with solutions.

2. People First

Within the advertising industry (and many others if we're honest), the focus remains on the product or service, not the people producing the work. We're humanizing the way we do advertising by keeping our people first. Time is precious, and people want to work in a way that makes sense for their lives. The work comes and goes. It will always be constant. The people are what makes it magic. 

3. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff 

Our work moves fast and quickly. I set the example for my team to let go of the small things, which keeps us focused on building and collaborating together. When problems arise, we address them quickly, learn the lesson, and forget the details. 

Most people start businesses so they have more control over their lives. It’s all for nothing if you are miserably trapped within your company. If you aren't having fun, you might want to reconsider your perspective. A small trick I’ve learned is that any time I catch myself saying or thinking “I have to” do something, I reframe it to “I get to” do this thing. That small mental shift takes me from a place of complaining to a place of gratitude. 

4. Honesty Is the Best Policy 

Embracing difficult conversations fosters an environment of trust. Being truthful about strengths and weaknesses keeps everyone clear on the best way to approach the work. If you're not being honest about your perspective, your energy will reflect that to all of those around you. Show up every day in your truth, and everyone around you will do the same. 

5. Communication

It sounds cliché, but communication is vital. We achieve all of our goals through simple, clear, and timely communication, both internally and externally. No jargon allowed. Furthermore, we hold ourselves accountable to our timelines, our words, and our shared values. There is no blame game. We own it, address it, and move forward. It's a powerful, crazy concept that also works in all relationships.

6. Be Candid in the Hiring Process

When hiring great people, you must be honest about expectations. This is especially true with consultants that have other client responsibilities and time commitments outside of your business. This is actually one of the best benefits of working with consultants. There’s no need for the fake mask that tells you, “I can do it all because you’ve asked me to.” There’s no reason for the fluff, so don’t add any. Speak candidly about what’s expected and be open to hearing what’s expected from you. This process builds a tremendous foundation for trust.

When you establish trust during an employee screening process, you are better able to create an environment for this person to thrive within your organization. You are also creating an opportunity for you to be the best leader you can be by avoiding the pitfalls that come along with mistrust.

About the Author: Stephanie Nadi Olson founded We Are Rosie from a genuine realization of what it feels like to “not belong.” As a young mother with a career and also as a daughter of an immigrant parent of color, she knew what it felt like to be overlooked and marginalized. Because of this, she wanted to create a home and opportunity for people who often feel discounted. We Are Rosie is an extension of the work she has done with refugees her entire life and her soul’s calling to create a better way to do business. Stephanie has worked closely with big brands and major tech companies her entire career, so she has a unique 360 view of industry practices and the need for transformation.

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

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6 Tips for Being Productive Under Pressure

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Maybe you’ve been feeling it lately. That overwhelmed feeling you get when your to-do list is long but your worry list is longer? There’s a lot on your plate right now. There are scary, uncontrollable things happening in the world, maybe in your personal life and yet time doesn’t stop for your business. I feel you. Some days the last thing you want to do is answer emails or join video calls. One of the worst feelings is a big agenda and no motivation to work on it. 

I work a 9-to-5 job and have created a multi-six-figure online business. Needless to say, my checklist each day can get pretty long, and more than that, juggling both mentally can sometimes be a challenge. But, over the years, I’ve learned that, even though I might not be able to control every stressor that comes my way, whether it’s in my personal or professional life, there are ways I can stay productive even when pressure mounts or stress takes over, and you can implement them as well. 

1. Put Your Blinders On 

I like to call it shiny object syndrome. It’s when we get distracted with the latest and greatest and lose sight of the task or goal at hand. This is a productivity killer. To prevent this, set plans, lots of them. Have daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, and five-year goals written out and share them with someone who can help hold you accountable (team, partner, a coach/mentor, etc.) and put them somewhere where you can see them often. Whenever you are going through your task list ask yourself if it supports your top three long-term goals, if not put on your blinders and keep moving. Clearly set goals also help prevent decision fatigue which is super important in preventing burnout. 

2. Add It to the Calendar

Put it in the schedule, always. Whether it’s following up on an email, calling a team member, or an important meeting, add everything to a calendar. Keeping all your to-do’s in one place will help you feel less scattered and less distracted. When we don’t have a clear way to organize our time it can create extra noise. Instead of focusing on one task at a time, we are nervous that we are forgetting something. 

3. Work With Your Energy

Prioritization is key. This means I align my tasks with my energy levels so I can’t procrastinate. For difficult items that require a lot of brainpower or for the "I don’t really want to do tasks," I move to my high energy times. For me, I do the most difficult tasks in the morning to create a free-ing feeling for the rest of the day. By the end of the day, most people have made so many decisions that your brain is exhausted. You don't want to leave difficult tasks for this time as the quality will be poor or you simply won't do them- creating a cycle of broken self-promises!

4. Focus on Feeling, Not Just Doing

How do I want to feel today? Do you ever ask yourself that? Instead of running through your to-do list first thing in the morning, ask yourself how you want to feel that day. It shouldn’t be the same each day. One day it may be “productive” or “energized” but it may be “calm” or “sleepy” another. Claim those feelings and let yourself feel them. Doing this allows you to accept the “slow” days, appreciate them, and not beat yourself up if you don’t have the most productive day. Here’s the secret, productivity doesn’t always mean work, often it means taking care of yourself. 

5. Start the Clock

Set a timer. The toughest part of anything is getting started. Set a two-minute timer and just start. For me it’s writing content, I have to tell myself that if after two minutes I don’t want to work on that anymore I can stop. It’s your easy way out, no shame, no guilt. But chances are, once you start it will get you into a FLOW state and you can then create for hours. It’s like the Pringles effect; once you start you can’t stop. Turn off ALL distractions (once you get distracted it takes your brain nine minutes to get back on track) phone in another room, not other tabs open, and get in your flow.

6. Automate as Much as Possible

Work and non-work related. Less time on tasks that suck up your energy means more time on tasks that fill you up. This may mean investing in systems for invoicing, tech work, or posting to social or something like meal delivery that takes one more thing off your plate. 

Entrepreneurship is challenging. There will be unbelievable pressure and stressors that will take their toll on you if you let them. But, they don’t have to cripple you or stop you in your tracks. I hope that these tips can help you move through the challenges and allow your business to keep growing through it all. And remember to have some fun—the pressure we feel is often the pressure we put on ourselves. Chances are, entrepreneurship isn't the first time you've faced this type of pressure. But it is your opportunity to take it off!

“Instead of running through your to-do list first thing in the morning, ask yourself how you want to feel that day.”

——Cara Barone, Business Coach and Strategist

About the Author: Cara Barone is a brand consultant by day and a business coach and strategist by night. She juggles a corporate 9-to-5 job with her thriving online business and helps others do the same. She helps high-performing corporate women and coaches gain confidence and clients, without sacrificing their corporate salary, sanity, and health.

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3 Strategies to Help You Answer One of the Hardest (and Most Common) Interview Questions

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Let’s be honest, even if you practice and come in prepared, job interviews are stressful. Don’t worry, you’re not alone in feeling this way—92% of employed Americans feel stressed out about job interviews. With that in mind, some questions can be more difficult to answer than others. By far, one of the hardest and most common interview questions people stress over is how to talk about their weaknesses in a job interview. This is such a difficult question to answer because there’s an art to it.

You don’t want to say the wrong thing to make yourself look bad, but you also don’t want to come off as though you think you’re perfect and have no weak points. It’s all about balance and showing how a weakness can work in your favor or educate you going forward. It sounds a little weird to think of weaknesses working in your favor, but believe it or not, when you phrase weak points correctly, this is often the case.

Here are three strategies to help you answer one of the most common interview questions: “What’s your biggest weakness?”

Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses ahead of time.

First and foremost it’s important to be prepared. If you don’t, you’ll likely stumble and just say the first answer that comes to mind. This answer might not be as eloquent as you’d like. To ensure this doesn’t happen, prepare in advance and come up with a list of your strengths and weaknesses. Strengths tend to be easier to come up with, but weaknesses can be more difficult because it’s common to want to hide a weakness in an interview. No one likes to acknowledge weak points.

Some examples of weaknesses might include:

• A desire to please, which results in taking on too many projects at once.

• Looking at achievements objectively to gain the required confidence in a new role.

• Software proficiency. You can always talk about wanting to learn more about specific software.

• Area of the job. It’s perfectly acceptable to note that you’re very interested in a particular area of a job, however, you don’t have as much experience with it so you’ll need to learn more through hands-on experience.

Don’t be ashamed about having a weakness.

Everyone has at least one area where they can improve so it’s important that you don’t get down on yourself when you’re exploring your weaknesses. Exploring your weak spots can be a great opportunity for growth. By taking note of areas of improvement, you can use this to your advantage, take on some continuing education, and learn what you need in order to develop a well-rounded understanding of your industry and/or role.

Additionally, self-awareness is a huge asset and is considered to be a big strength. While you may be weak in one area, acknowledging this and showing your own self-awareness will help highlight your strength and value as a candidate.

Share what you’ve learned from it or how you’re working to improve a weak point.

Wondering how to answer “what’s your biggest weaknesses?” in a job interview? It’s all about framing your weakness in the right way and spinning it into something positive. Everyone is human, so recruiters and hiring managers expect that each and every person will have at least one weak area. It’s just about acknowledging yours and showing how you can actually use your weakness to your benefit. It might sound crazy, but your weakness could really be a blessing in disguise.

Perhaps your weakness is self-confidence. If this is the case, try phrasing it like this:

“In the past, one of my weak points has been self-confidence, however upon writing my résumé and looking at my achievements on paper, I’ve been able to build that confidence to help me move forward in my career in a more confident manner.”

This shows that you’ve put in the effort to work on yourself, put effort into your résumé, and analyzed what you’ve accomplished at work to evaluate progress and hold yourself accountable. These are all very beneficial traits in a candidate.

If one of your weaknesses is taking on too much at once, try acknowledging it like this:

“One of my biggest weaknesses is the desire to please people. I don’t like saying no to a project or responsibility, however, I’ve noticed that when I take on too much, I’m not able to reach my full potential on every project. Realizing this has helped me prioritize and only take on projects within my bandwidth so that I can be sure to put the best quality forward in every project I execute.”

Ultimately, showing how something helped you grow or change for the better will always work in your favor.

People always ask me how to answer “What’s your biggest weakness?” in a job interview—it’s one of the most common interview questions, after all—and the truth is that the answer will differ from person to person. As long as you prepare and show what you’ve learned or how you’re working to improve your weak area(s), you’ll answer the question well and show potential employers how your self-awareness adds to your value as a candidate.

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

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This story was originally published on July 24, 2019, and has since been updated.

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Do You Have the Top 7 Traits for Entrepreneurial Success?

Photo: Create & Cultivate

Are you cut out for the crazy, hectic, and yet super fulfilling life of being an entrepreneur? We’ve worked with countless business owners over the years, and thanks to our conferences and digital summits, we spend a lot of time with startup owners, owners of growing companies, even people juggling four or five companies at once. Unfortunately, not every business owner will make it for the long haul, but I’ve definitely noticed seven traits that are common threads among those who do well.

Do these traits sound like you? Read on to find out if you have all of the elements required to be a successful entrepreneur.

1. You’re Curious.

You don’t ever think you know it all, and you’re always learning, experimenting, and hungry for more, no matter how long you’ve been in the business. Your vision and passion inspire others to action and your curiosity keeps your business innovative. 

2. You’re Highly Engaged.

You always know what’s going on with every aspect of your business. When there’s something you should know but don’t understand, you talk to the experts on your team until you get it (whether that’s your manufacturing team, your CFO, your company’s attorney, etc.). 

You’re also actively engaged with your employees. You understand that the success or failure of your business ultimately relies on you.

3. You Have a Big-Picture Vision.

You understand why you’re in business and you’re able to take a step back and see your company for what it is. You understand that entrepreneurs tend to be serial business launchers and you aren’t overly attached to your current projects. 

You also have an end desire in mind, whether that’s where you’d like your business to be in 20 years or when and how you’d like to sell it.

4. You Have an Even Temperament.

You maintain a calm, even-tempered demeanor at work no matter what’s going on. You don’t take out your stress on others or let the urge for control of the call of anxiety get the best of you. You can be relied on to always keep your cool. This trait helps you make clearer and more balanced business decisions. It also sets the tone for a healthy-functioning work environment. 

5. You Have Excellent Negotiation Skills. 

You walk into every negotiation situation knowing what it is you want and what you’re willing to give up to the other side. You work on improving your negotiation skills every time. Negotiating is a huge part of business— from negotiating with vendors to everyday smaller negotiations with the members of your team.

6. You Surround Yourself With Top Talent.

You aren’t threatened by the prospect of not being the smartest person in the room. You know that you don’t know everything and that there’s always more to learn. As such, you make it a point to surround yourself with people who excel in different disciplines and areas of business. This extends to your social groups but also the members of your team and your consultants. 

7. You’re Willing to Work on Any Area of Your Business.

You don’t reserve your efforts for CEO or co-founder activities. You take care of whatever needs taking care of and don’t make a big deal of it. 

About the Author: Syama Meagher is the CEO and founder of Scaling Retail, which has launched brands around the world using a combination of expert advice and creative marketing strategy. We believe in the power of hard work to grow and build your businesses. Discover Scaling Retail at www.ScalingRetail.com.

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This story was originally published on August 25, 2019, and has since been updated.

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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

Photo: ColorJoy Stock

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

Photo: ColorJoy Stock

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

Photo: fotografierende from Pexels

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)

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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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