How to Perfect Your Pitch and Attract Investors with Venture Capitalist Visionary Arlan Hamilton

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In 2020, venture capital funding boomed—but women’s share shrank. Startups, overall, raised 13% more from venture capitalists in 2020 than in 2019, but female-founded companies raised a staggering $190M less in 2020 than in 2019.

As the founder and managing partner of Backstage Capital, Arlan Hamilton aims to turn these discouraging stats around. Her mission is to minimize venture capital funding disparities by investing in minority founders.

Since she founded the firm in 2015, Backstage Capital has raised more than $15 million (!) and invested in more than 180 startup companies. 

At our recent Money Moves Digital Summit, Salah Goss, SVP of Center for Inclusive Growth at Mastercard, sat down with Arlan to chat with her about her incredible career and gain her insights into how entrepreneurs can perfect their pitch, attract investors, and raise money for their businesses.

ICYMI, we’re sharing a few of the highlights from the conversation below.

Let’s start at the beginning – you have a very untraditional background compared to the traditional VC world–how did you break into the industry and set yourself up for success?

I think what actually helped me break into the industry was the fact that I was different. I'm a woman, a person of color, LGBTQ, I lived in Texas at the time, outside of the major markets, I did not go to college, I didn't have any sort of formal financial education, I did not have any contacts in Silicon Valley––and the list goes on and on. Often, I think the qualities that make us special or different that help us find success, but it takes curiosity and strength to actually lean into them.

I was interested in starting my own company at the time and excited about the prospect of fundraising until I came across some staggering statistics, including the fact that 90% of venture funding goes to white men. Demographically speaking, that means 90% of venture funding goes to a third of the country. It didn’t make sense to me. I began to ask, what if there were funds that did the opposite? 

Over the next three and a half years, I had the patience to talk to people–founders, investors, etc. I received as many ‘no’s’ as one human can get in a lifetime but I kept digging into that question, ‘what if’? I began investing in women, people of color and LGBTQ because that's what I knew. Over time, we've expanded our reach, but there are millions and millions of potential people in this demographic alone.

How do you choose which businesses to fund? What do you look for in a business and/or an entrepreneur?

It's a bit of a moving target because I feel that I continue to evolve as a persona and as an investor, but the one thing that has remained the same–from the time I was homeless and on food stamps and had no money to invest, to investing in almost 200 companies later–is this spark when I look across the table and see someone who reminds me of myself. I look for an entrepreneur who is what I call hungry not thirsty: there’s a passion without desperation. 

As far as the companies and ideas themselves go, if it's something that would take me a decade or more to even hope to accomplish then you have my attention.

It’s safe to say you have been privy to a lot of pitches and pitch decks—What are three crucial elements everyone should include in a pitch deck when raising money and why? 

1. This may be different for different people, and it will be different for different investors. For me personally, it really comes down to authenticity. You do not have to be an extrovert or try to entertain me. It's not necessarily about having a talent for being an entertainer, but rather a combination of pragmatic and passionate, and being able to articulate their story in a way that allows me to dream with them. As Katy Perry says, the best storyteller wins.

2. I speak with thousands of companies and receive thousands of pitch decks a year. I better not know more about your company than you do–or about your competition. Before you go out and ask other people to invest in you, you better invest in yourself and look for the answers in all the different ways that you can. Learn and talk to your peers and talk to people who have been there before you. Talk to the CEOs of fortune 500 companies and find mentorship through other people who are maybe slightly ahead of you in the game or through people who are doing this all with you. There's something that they figured out, or that they learned, or that they heard about that can help you––and you’ll probably help them too!

3. I understand that for some, it’s not only pitching a business, it’s their livelihood. But when I continue to ask someone more questions, it means I’m interested, even if the questions are tough. Sometimes people will shut down, get defensive, or quick to end the conversation when they feel it’s too much work to find the answers. Remember that you're also asking people for tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of dollars, so that's going to be part of the process and you have to be prepared to put in the work. 

Black women are among the fastest-growing entrepreneurs in the U.S.—yet they only receive a fraction of venture capital funding. How can we turn this statistic around and ensure the small business community is actually representative of society as a whole?

That’s a lot of what we're doing at Backstage and hopefully we’re one of many. It has to start with a global conversation and understanding that when companies are backing black women, they're also backing a progressive infrastructure, they're backing healthcare, they're backing all sorts of innovation. It’s not just what the country can do for black women to repair damages, it's also what black women are going to do for the country–and what they have been doing.

5 Ways to Ruin Your Reputation Online (and How to Avoid Them)

Photo: ColorJoy Stock

Society has an obsession with social media. That’s no secret. The mindless scroll is fast-paced and all-consuming. And now that social media has emerged as the leading digital marketing strategy, we expect more from brands and influencers these days, which is why a single social media post has the power to make or destroy your reputation. 

Social media has changed the game as a way to instantaneously communicate globally and has given brands a direct line of communication with consumers to build trust and connect in real-time. However, it’s an illusion that what you sell is more important than what you say. It’s simply not true. What you say is more important than what you sell. 

With the expectation that brands stand for something more these days, it can be tricky navigating the murky waters of reputation. As a brand, you know your consumers want honesty and transparency, but taking that approach isn’t as easy as it sounds. As well-intentioned as some content might be, there is a fine line between being truly genuine or coming across as doing something for a quick buck. Which is why some brands and influencers find themselves in hot water. 

It used to be that a brand could be brought into disrepair by unsatisfied customers or angry clients, but these days it’s more likely that you’ll make a blunder that’ll cost you big time in the consumer trust department. 

With that being said, read on to discover the five ways you can ruin your reputation online, and what steps you can take to ensure your reputation stays intact.

Don’t Drink and Tweet 

Repeat after me: Do not use social media after a few vinos! Not only are you prone to spelling mistakes and grammatical errors, but your moral compass may be slightly off-kilter. Every single thing you say, post or tweet, is public relations. It doesn't matter how incredible your product is, or how great your social ads are performing, all of your hard work can become undone with an alcohol-fueled post. 

Beware the Tokenistic Trap 

There is an invisible line when it comes to being genuine versus coming across as tokenistic. There is a lot more pressure on brands to use their voice and power for causes that have large social impact, and with that comes the risk that you’ll align your brand to a cause that doesn’t truly reflect your brand's values. Embrace authenticity and truly commit to the causes that set your heart on fire. You’ll have much more impact that way. 

Dodge the Delete Button 

Ignoring customer complaints is a massive no-no. Deleting comments and blocking genuine customer irks or complaints is not a smart PR move. You cannot control the narrative when it comes to customer feedback, but what you CAN control is how you manage this. Respond quickly, own up to your errors, and remain professional at all times. Remember, no response IS a response, and no one likes to be ignored, especially when they have a legitimate question or genuine complaint. 

Two-Faces Isn’t Cute 

One of the quickest ways to destroy your reputation is by manipulating your online community into thinking you’re an advocate for a certain lifestyle, but then contradicting that lifestyle in real life. Be authentically yourself, and you can’t go wrong. 

Avoid Trash-Talking 

The entire point of having a social media presence is to connect and build trust with your audience. So if you bad-mouth a past client or customer online, not only does that send the signal that you’re unprofessional, but it also screams disrespect. Avoid the trash-talk and save your reputation from taking a hit.

“Embrace authenticity and truly commit to the causes that set your heart on fire. You’ll have much more impact that way.”

—Kat Orchard, Founder of KK&O and Just Another Girl

About the Author: With 15 years of experience in PR, Kat Orchard is an Aussie publicist by trade, and owns a creative communications agency, KK&O, and online business, Just Another Girl. After working with medium to large-sized businesses across a myriad of communications projects within her agency, Kat noticed a gap for those who have side hustles or are a small business that cannot yet afford the cost of an agency. And so Just Another Girl was born. Kat is also a loving mother to her three-year-old daughter, Poppy. 

About Just Another Girl: Lovingly referred to as JAG, Kat funnels her experience and knowledge, coupled with practical tips into her raw, and at times sarcastic, blog. She specializes in helping female business owners supercharge their words and electrify their PR by offering practical tips and tricks.

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7 Low-Cost Strategies for Small Businesses to Acquire (and Retain!) Customers

Photo: Smith House Photography

Ready to grow your business from a seedling into a forest? Introducing The Growth Hacking Bundle. Designed to walk you through the ins and outs of SEO, content creation, and making waves in the digital space, this downloadable bundle is packed with essentials for acquiring and retaining customers and seeing your small business thrive.

Ready to become a growth hacker? Ahead, we're outlining some creative, low-cost strategies—from SEO to digital media optimization—to help small businesses acquire and retain customers, expand your audience and see it thrive. Keep scrolling for seven important growth-hacking channels to go after when building your user base, and add The Growth Hacking Bundle to your cart for more tips.

#1 SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

Hire a good engineer to build your site in a way that makes your company show up at the top of search results. If that isn’t in your budget, then sign up for a website that has all of that included in the backend like Squarespace or WordPress. Include popular search terms in the copy, tag, and meta-tag all assets on your page, and include hyperlinks out to other sites whenever possible. Download our SEO 101 guide in Insider’s inventory and teach yourself or someone on your team.

#2 SEM (Search Engine Marketing)

Find out what are the most common search terms related to your company, and buy them on Google Ad Words. This is the best-paid strategy to help your business and its URL show up higher in search results.

#3 Product Management

The intersection of user experience, technology, and business. Product management involves closely monitoring user experience/behavior, and editing the technology in response to this behavior in order to best achieve the desired business goals. Google Analytics is the most accessible product management tool.

#4 A/B Testing

Offering your customers two versions of a product and monitoring which one they prefer. Once you find which version they prefer, you can accelerate your marketing efforts to get more bang for your buck.

#5 Facebook/Instagram ADS

Facebook has the capability to track activity across multiple devices (phone, computer, tablet) and best target the users for your product, Facebook ads may seem annoying, but they are the most effective for converting fans into paying customers. Facebook can almost guarantee you customer acquisition, it is up to you to determine whether the price of acquisition makes sense for your business.

#6 Email Capture

Capturing an email from a customer is a sign that they are willing to engage with you beyond just passively observing. Capturing emails allows you to deepen the relationship with your prospective clients through survey questions, distributed content, and calls to action that drive them back to your site, or convert them into paying customers.

#7 List Building

Break your fans and customers into differentiated lists so that you can target them differently from one another, and more accurately play to their preferences.

Ready to take things to the next level and grow your business?

Add the Create & Cultivate Marketplace The Growth Hacking Bundle to your cart, or get unlimited access to our entire library of downloads and videos when you join Insiders.

This story was published on May 6, 2020, and has since been updated.

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This Former CFO Turned Entrepreneur Doesn’t Believe in Failure (and Neither Should You)

Photo: Courtesy of Kathleen Pagan

Walking away from a 9-to-5 job with a steady paycheck and health benefits to start your own business isn’t easy. To help you to take the plunge, we’re introducing a new monthly editorial series The Case for Quitting where we ask self-employed women all about how they successfully struck out on their own, from how they balanced their side-hustle with their full-time job to how much money they saved before handing in their two-week notice. This month, we chatted with Kathleen Pagan, CEO and founder of the homewares company Endlessly Elated. Ahead, she shares how she transitioned out of finance and into home goods, what it really took to quit her full-time job as a CFO and pursue her dreams as an entrepreneur, and why she doesn’t believe in failure.

What was your major in college and what did you want to do when you graduated? 

I obtained a B.B.A. with a concentration in finance upon graduating college. I had an interest in business and thought a financial role at a corporation would be the right fit for me.  

What did you actually do after you graduated? What types of jobs did you apply to and what industry were you looking to break into?

Funny enough, very early on, I subconsciously knew that what I thought I should do, wasn’t necessarily what I wanted to do. I snuck in applications at the Food Network and Martha Stewart Living. Anything that would get me closer to what I secretly loved: the home space. Given my degree and work experience, I had an internship at Morgan Stanley throughout college, I didn’t quite land any of the ones I secretly yearned for. Although the Food Network CEO did respond to an email I had directly sent her, and it was certainly a highlight moment. Ultimately though, I landed a job at Citigroup in personal banking.

How did you get into the homeware space and interior design more broadly?

My journey has been anything but linear. As far as I can remember, my interests in the home space began at an incredibly early age. I remember being about eight and extremely interested in designing my own bedroom, cooking meals with my mom, and entertaining every chance I got.

While carrying out the duties of my demanding career, I nurtured my passions as a home cook and self-taught interior designer (I recently enrolled in classes at Parsons). I created a virtual destination via a blog by the same name, inspired by the beauty of home. From interiors to recipes, I consistently connected with a community of about 20k home aficionados like myself and in doing this, I realized there was a gap in the homewares space.

A gap that did not emphasize celebrating everyday moments, did not provide those thoughtfully designed conduits we all dreamed of, and certainly did not invite the consumer to have a seat at the table. After 37 years on earth, I finally listened to that eight-year-old little girl within me. Twelve months in development, a five-figure investment derived from my own savings, and amidst a global pandemic, I launched Endlessly Elated. My very own homewares company.

And as they say, the rest is history.  

How did you know when it was time to quit your full-time job and strike out on your own? What was your strategy for making the transition?

I spent seven long years strategizing my exit. Exhaustively planning every detail. Saving every dollar. All in preparation to strike out on my own. I even went as far as writing my resignation letter and keeping it in my purse for years in case, as I would tell myself, “Today is the day.”

However, the fact was that no matter how much I prepared, I simply didn’t take the plunge. As they say, I spent years allowing fear to drive the car. Crippled by the idea of failure. It wasn’t until I decided I was worthy of my dreams, worthy of living a life by design that I actually resigned. So, whenever I’m asked this very question, I say, “Yes, you should prepare. Make sure you dot your I’s and cross your T’s, but never and I mean never, stop pursuing your dreams. Find a way to live out your purpose. To share your gifts with the world.” 

How did you prepare for the transition before quitting your full-time job? What, if anything, do you wish you’d done differently?

I think the transition looks different for everyone. For me, it was mostly ensuring I was financially stable while I pursued my dreams of entrepreneurship. I wanted to be able to creatively work on my company without any financial stress.

However, for anyone reading this I say to make a list of what your needs are and prioritize them. That might be paying for daycare or contributing to your mortgage or simply being head of household and needing to pay for it all. Whatever that is, map out a plan that realistically gets you in the vicinity. 

Nothing turns out perfectly planned, so take that pressure off yourself. Trust that you are responsible and know that you will plan to the best of your ability. And once you do, GO FOR IT. Resign, put your head down, and gloriously work through all the things that you have been wishing for. It won’t be easy, but it will surely be worth it.

Knowing what I know now, the only thing I would have done differently was having the courage to believe in myself and my innate abilities sooner, but then again, it’s easier said now that I have made the transition. I believe in the right timing and in the end, the transition occurred at a time when “preparation met opportunity.”

Were you worried about money? What advice can you share for people who are worried about leaving a steady paycheck to start a new career? 

This was my number one fear. The steady paycheck narrative. But here’s the thing, is the paycheck really steady? Yes, it might be regularly paid but is it firmly fixed? We all know someone who has been put in a room only to be shocked by the news that restructuring was occurring, and they would be laid off. 2020, was a culmination year of this very situation. Unfortunately, so many individuals were furloughed or completely laid off. So, I ask you, is anything really steady?  

I will never tell you entrepreneurship (or starting a new career) is easy. It is the HARDEST thing I have ever done. At times, it can be scary and lonely, but it is also the most rewarding. Doing your life’s work. Living on purpose. Living a life by design is all worth the journey of taking the leap.

Did you save up first or did you just jump in headfirst?

I am definitely a planner, so I did not jump in headfirst. In 2012, the year of my dad’s death and ultimately the reason I had my “am I living a fulfilled life?” epiphany, I started saving every dollar. Maxing out my 401k, investing in the stock market, and skipping out on as many shopping trips and vacations that I needed to. 

By the time I resigned in 2019, I had saved the equivalent of two years worth of my CFO salary between my liquid savings and investments. This also included a five-figure investment for startup company costs. It took me seven years to do this, lots of sacrifices, but I did it. I was intentional and ultimately walked away feeling empowered that I had set myself up to be financially secure.

What's the most important thing you have learned from making a big change in your career life?

That I am worthy. Yes, that is a full sentence because anything more would give the sentence a justification and it simply doesn’t need it. You are worthy because you are.

When you look back and reflect on your previous career do you have any regrets or are you still really happy with your decision?

I absolutely have no regrets and know for sure that it was the best decision, the most rewarding one I’ve ever made.

I am extremely grateful for the opportunities and lessons that my career taught me. Looking back, the dots always connect. If it weren’t for my finance career, I wouldn’t have had the knowledge on how to manage my business finances, make solid financial decisions, create budgets and inevitably scale my company. It is important to remember that we all learn from our paths no matter how disconnected they may seem from what we ultimately desire. 

Going after what you deserve in life takes confidence and guts. Does confidence come naturally to you or did you have to learn it? What advice can you share for women on cultivating confidence and going after their dreams? 

Confidence is something that I can truly say has come with age and wisdom. There are aspects of my life that I’m extremely confident about and there are others that I sometimes have to remind myself of my “badassery” (my favorite Shonda Rhimes’ word). I’ve learned that when fear, the killer of confidence, creeps in, to give myself examples of things I’ve achieved. Examples of times I have succeeded. This inevitably boosts my confidence and serves as a reminder that I can do anything I put my mind and efforts on.

So, cultivate your confidence by constantly reminding yourself that you are a force to be reckoned with. That before this very moment there have been plenty of instances where you have overcome obstacles. That believing in yourself, having that confidence is what got you here and it will certainly get you to your next chapter.   

It’s easy to celebrate the wins, but how do you handle failure or when something hasn’t worked out for you?

My idea of failure has had a complete makeover over the years. My theory is simple, I don’t believe in it. See, failure can only occur if you stop trying. The only way you can literally say you failed at something is if you gave up. If you don’t, if you get up every single time you are knocked down, then you can’t fail. Ask any successful person how they’ve achieved success and they’ll tell you they never stopped moving. They did whatever it took to get them to their goal. So, failure doesn’t really exist. It’s simply an obstacle in disguise. 

What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made and learned from along the way?

Ahh, I’ve made plenty. It’s part of everyone’s journey, right?

But, I would say that my biggest mistake thus far was not listening to my own intuition as it related to my career. Not trusting my own instincts and ignoring my gut, which always proved to be correct. It’s hard to look back and know that at times I chose a different path simply because I didn’t believe my inner compass. That if I had just listened, my life may have looked very different. Although I don’t regret much, I can certainly say it was a huge disservice to myself. A mistake I am very cognizant to not repeat. 

What is the #1 career or money book you always recommend and why?

“Year of Yes” by Shonda Rhimes is definitely a must-read. This is neither a career book nor a money book, but I do think it is one that inspires you to go after your dreams. To believe that if you simply say yes to everything that scares you (usually you are only fearful of the things that secretly make you tick) your life would completely change, and you too could live a life full of passion and purpose.

What advice can you share for someone who is thinking about leaving their current gig to pursue their side-hustle or passion?

As Nike’s slogan says, “Just do it.” I used to be extremely afraid to tell people to pursue their passions, for the fear that if something didn’t work out I would be to blame, but the truth is that most of us are responsible for our choices, and not telling you to go after what makes you tick is not only a disservice to you but also to those gifts that have been embedded within you. Simply imagine if Oprah had asked us and we told her to stay the “safe and steady” course. To continue her career as a local news broadcaster. Today, we wouldn’t be witnesses to all of her greatness. Don’t let anyone do that to you, but most importantly don’t do that to yourself. The moral of the story is you only have one life, so make sure to make it count.  

Anything else to add?

Yes. We must remember that saying yes to things that are out of alignment with what we know to be true for ourselves is inevitably swaying us away from the very things that make us who we are and who we were meant to be.

Photo: Courtesy of Endlessly Elated

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After Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, This Entrepreneur Found the Confidence to Take on the Fashion Industry

We know how daunting it can be to start a new business, especially if you’re disrupting an industry or creating an entirely new one. When there is no path to follow, the biggest question is, where do I start? There is so much to do, but before you get ahead of yourself, let’s start at the beginning. To kick-start the process, and ease some of those first-time founder nerves, we’re asking successful entrepreneurs to share their stories in our new series, From Scratch. But this isn’t your typical day in the life profile. We’re getting into the nitty-gritty details—from writing a business plan (or not) to sourcing manufacturers and how much they pay themselves—we’re not holding back.

Photo: BKM Photography, Courtesy of Shobha Philips

Shobha Philips can remember feeling frustrated by the lack of nude bras available in her skin tone for as long as she’s been wearing one. But it wasn’t until she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro that she discovered the confidence to start her own lingerie line and address this glaring lack of inclusivity in the fashion industry. “It was a nine-day journey, and it was the most physically and mentally challenging thing I had ever done,” the founder tells Create & Cultivate of the climb. “Coming down from the summit, I realized what I was capable of, and suddenly starting a business seemed less intimidating.”

After summiting the tallest free-standing mountain in the world and experiencing this perspective-altering epiphany, she started Proclaim, an inclusive lingerie line. And true to her vision, there is an intention behind every element of the brand, from the name and mission to the ethical production of each garment. The brand’s pieces are made from earth-conscious fabrics (think wood pulp and recycled plastic bottles) and cut and sewn by skilled workers in Los Angeles who are paid fair hourly wages rather than per piece (a practice that often promotes wage exploitation and unsafe work conditions).

Ahead, Philips tells C&C how she brought Proclaim to life, from how she found the right manufacturing partners to why she used her own savings to fund the business.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what you were doing professionally before launching Proclaim? 

I studied marketing in school and had a few corporate roles in supply chain before starting Proclaim. I always knew in the back of my mind I wanted to start my own business—it just took a while to figure what that business would be.

Did you write a business plan? If so, was it helpful, and if not, what did you use to guide your business instead and why did you take that approach? 

I started several versions of a business plan, but what I ended up with before launching Proclaim was more of an outline than a full-on business plan. I ended up pivoting and adapting throughout the development process and the first year so much that it felt like my business plan would have been invalid almost instantly. I do think it is important to think through each of the components of a business plan, but perfecting a business plan document was not something I focused on.  

How did you come up with the name Proclaim, and what are some of the things you considered during the naming process?

I had a long-running list of possible names on a spreadsheet that I shared with friends and family to get their feedback. I wanted a name that spoke to the bold and disruptive vision and I had for this business, and in the end, Proclaim was the one that just felt right and resonated with people the most.

What were the immediate things you had to take care of to set up the business? 

Setting up separate business accounts for checking and credit cards was important to keep track of business expenses and to keep them separate from personal expenses. I also made sure the domain name and social media handles were all available with the business name. 

What research did you do for the brand beforehand?

I did not have a design background so I spent almost a year and a half researching the fashion industry in general and really trying to learn everything I could about bra construction and manufacturing. I purchased a ton of bras and took them apart to see how they were made. I also just had a lot of conversations with friends about their bras; what they loved, what they didn’t. I spent that year consuming all the information I could about this industry I was jumping into. 

How did you find and identify the manufacturers that you work with? What was important to you during this process and are there any mistakes you made and learned from along the way?

Making connections for sourcing material and manufacturing took a while. It was a lot of Google research, cold calls, and dead ends trying to find the right partners who aligned with the brand values of being a sustainable and ethically made brand. I would recommend taking your time with this step. It takes a while to find the right manufacturing partners. I remember feeling like I was not moving fast enough and was anxious to get my collection made, but I think it’s such a crucial component to your success that it’s worth taking your time.

Photo: Marissa Alves, Courtesy of Shobha Philips

How did you fund Proclaim? What were the challenges and what would you change? Would you recommend your route to other entrepreneurs? 

I used my own savings to fund Proclaim. As a values-driven brand, I wanted to be able to bring my vision to life without compromising for investors and outside stakeholders. As far as what I’d recommend to other entrepreneurs, I think it depends on the industry and what success looks like for you. For me, success was bringing a product to life that I felt needed to exist. If your goal is to be like the next Amazon, you’ll probably need outside capital. 

Did you hire an accountant? Who helped you with the financial decisions and setup? 

I have an accountant for taxes and I do all of the bookkeeping with Quickbooks. I recommend keeping up with it weekly because it does become daunting if you keep putting it off.

How did you promote your company? How did you get people to know who you are and create buzz?

Proclaim has grown mostly through Instagram. I’ve been lucky that I’ve had a lot of success on the app reaching like-minded people organically who believe in our mission. I started the account six months before launching so by the time we launched, there were already a few thousand followers who supported the vision.

Do you have a business coach or mentor? If so, how has this person helped you, and would you recommend one to other entrepreneurs?

I’ve met so many amazing women on this journey of running a business. There are a handful of women who are fellow designers and fashion entrepreneurs with whom I am in constant contact during the week. We help each other with everything from sourcing issues to marketing strategies and everything in between. My business would not be where it is today without the support and guidance of these fellow small business owners.

What is one thing you didn’t do during the setup process that ended up being crucial to the business and would advise others to do asap?

I’d say, make sure you’re building your email list from day one. Make it easy for customers who discover you to sign up on your website and social media pages. It is such a powerful and relatively inexpensive tool; I wish I had focused on it earlier.

What is your number one piece of financial advice for any new business owner and why?

Find a good CPA! Even if it seems pricey when you are first starting out, in the long run, it will save you money.

Photo: Marissa Alves, Courtesy of Shobha Philips

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5 of Your Most Pressing Money Questions–Answered

Photo: ColorJoy Stock

COVID has shown us how quickly unexpected events can throw our plans off course. Now, more than ever, it’s important to plan ahead–especially when it comes to your finances. Whether you're bootstrapping your business, setting up your retirement fund, or simply learning the financial basics, it pays to pay yourself forward. Investing in your future will pay back dividends. 

To help you master your own financial future, we teamed up with Ally for our recent Money Moves digital summit to host a mentor power-hour with five financial experts to answer your most pressing money questions.

In case you missed it, we’re sharing a few of the Q&As from our Money Moves mentor session. Read on for some sage financial advice from our five mentors who know quite a bit about the importance of investing in yourself, your business, and your financial future.

Jack Howard serves as the Senior Director of Wealth Advisors Operations for Ally Invest.  In this role she manages the day-to-day operational processes of the Wealth Advisor business.  She is also responsible for the Ally Invest Inclusive Wealth strategy that is part of the Ally enterprise Financial Social Inclusion (FSI) efforts and serves as secretary for the Ally Charitable Foundation. Prior to joining Ally Invest, Jack served as Senior Director of Ally Corporate Citizenship.  She was responsible for the creation and execution of strategic programs for the organization’s financial literacy program, corporate giving initiatives and employee giving/volunteerism programs. 

Jack graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and is currently a student in Syracuse University’s Master of Science in Communications Management program. An active professional, Jacqueline is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She also serves on the national board of directors for the American Bankers Association Foundation and Society for Financial Education and Professional Development (SFEPD), as well as the Boys and Girls Club of SE Michigan.

Jacqueline has a deep passion for helping Brown and Black communities build wealth through economic mobility. Her work has earned her a spot as one of the 15 women on the inaugural Next list - an extension of the American Banker Most Powerful Women in Banking program.

Q: Investing can be intimidating–what advice do you have for someone who’s new to investing and doesn’t know where to start. How do I overcome the intimidation factor?

JACQUELINE: As a first-generation stock investor, I know what it feels like to be paralyzed with fear because you don’t know what to do first. I am the daughter of a police officer and teacher who had pensions to fund retirement, so the stock market was not a topic of discussion at my dinner table during childhood. After graduating from college, I realized the importance of owning stocks as a piece of my wealth building strategy. I started small and made a $25 contribution to the 401K provided by my employer. As my salary increased, I contributed more, hired a financial advisor, and opened a Roth IRA account.  I also worked hard to eliminate credit card and student loan debt.  Over time, I became obsessed with understanding money and wealth building.  Now, I am constantly listening to audio books and podcasts, watching CNBC or reading the Wall Street Journal and Barron’s.  All of those efforts helped me to better understand money and investing.  So, my top tips for new investors: start small, automate the process and make a commitment to learning.

Allyson Byrd is also known as the “Profit Accelerator™ and she is celebrated as one of the world's most trusted leadership advisors and sales experts for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Today, her and her team executive produce exclusive virtual membership communities for influencers with online audiences over 1 million in reach. Allyson’s clients generate a collective $33 million-plus in sales revenue annually. She and her team have coached 7500 entrepreneurial leaders to create $260 MILLION in NEW revenue over the past 9-years. You’ll be able to hear more of Allyson’s journey to success from an underprivileged life on food stamps, a dad in prison and single mom raising two kids to the ultra-passionate successful leader she is today and the undeniable stand she has for women rising into their greatness in her latest collaboration with Amazon Prime TV. Allyson’s press features include CNN, USA Today, NPR, Time Money, Forbes, Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, CNBC, MSN, Black Enterprise, Essence and Entrepreneur.com.

Q: If this last year taught us anything, it was the importance of planning for the unexpected. As a small business owner, how can I be better prepared financially for emergencies?

ALLYSON: The last year taught us many lessons and brought significant stress to women business leaders all over the world. We found ourselves questioning how to properly position our services, pivot our product lines and staff our teams amidst a global pandemic and a world-wide racial reckoning. This was not easy, but we survived. 

There are (3) things that I shared with our clients averaging $250,000+ annually to keep them on track and committed to success. 

1. When money stress hits, do NOT discuss the stress. Focus on the pivot. Ask yourself, “What is my lowest hanging fruit to sell and position to the market?” Your job is to sell with intention, sell fast and secure your cash flow.

2. Get LOUDER in your marketplace. Our tendency when stress hits is to go quiet and enter protective mode. Choose from a place of power and connect with your audience like never before. Do the things others aren’t doing so you can curate success for your business in ways others are not. 

3. Finally, as the business leader–center yourself. Know your numbers, meet with your accounting team (bookkeeper, accountant, heck… this may be you having a meeting with you) but whatever you do, don’t hide behind your numbers, stand on them. Have a clear picture of where you are so you know where you’re taking the business. 

Financial stress can cause us to take our mind off our business goals, slide away from leading with discipline and throw us quickly into a state of overwhelm and fear. 

Use affirmations like the one below to kick off your breathwork or meditation because if you’re riddled with anxieties and high-stress emotions, your business and your bottom line will soon follow.

REPEAT AFTER ME: I am a vibrational match for financial prosperity because I choose to only allow massive well-being. I stay in the place of already receiving monetary abundance from all sources that are for my highest good and greatest joy.

Stay the course. It’s the ebb and flow of business and keeping your mind centered, your energies focused and your intentions clear will get you through the storm and back into the sunlight of your success. 

Britney “Jeanine” Canidate is the owner and founder of Britney Jeanine & Co., a business coaching firm based in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia. Serving as the head Business Coach and Pivot Strategist, Britney believes that every entrepreneur should build a business they are most passionate about—even if it means slapping fear in the face and pivoting accordingly. Wife, mom of 2 and a business owner for over thirteen years, Britney has established herself as an industry leading business and brand strategist, and has supported clients across a multitude of industries. From corporate executives, high-ranking government officials and thousands of creative entrepreneurs, Britney has intently positioned her expertise in order to build a business focused on greater results, revenue and retention. Known for her spunky-tough-love approach, creativity, strategic mind and attention to detail, Britney is a proud graduate of Georgetown University where she received her Masters in Public Relations & Corporate Communications, and a Florida State Seminole with a background in Finance & Marketing. Using her signature system, you can find Britney working with experienced [yet transitioning entrepreneurs] who are ready to confidently plan their pivot without compromising their coins and credibility.

Q: I am currently working full-time for an employer but I plan to launch my own business soon–where is the most important area for me to focus my financial energy right now in order to take the leap?

BRITNEY: What a great question... and it's awesome that you're starting to think of this now. A mistake I often find those starting new businesses make is: investing based on what others are doing, and not based upon their OWN goals/needs.

So here is my advice:

• First define your brand by outlining your what, why, how, who and who not.

• Then focus on the who and determine how you can solve their problem(s).

• Now that you have the solution to their problem(s), package it up... is it a product, service and/or program...

• Now it's time to launch it into the world... who are the key people that can help you make this happen?

So to answer your initial question... your financial energy will go into "the key people that can help you make [your launch] happen".

 Maybe it's inventory samples? Maybe it's a business coach? Perhaps it's a brand designer or operations strategist... but the question still remains—who are the key people that can help you make the launch of your new business happen? Start there.

Alaina is an accountant, certified financial coach, author, and content creator. She helps busy people who struggle with budgeting and time management use a paper planner to get organized. She shares her easy approach to productivity & finances through her YouTube channel and has amassed over 75,000 subscribers and 3.5 million views on the platform. Her work has been featured in Yahoo Finance, Martha Stewart Living, Wired, The New York Weekly, The Huffington Post, and she was recently selected as one of LA Wire's 40 under 40. Alaina lives in New Orleans, Louisiana with her husband Torrey and their two daughters Tori Michelle and Alyssa Jade.

Q: I’m reevaluating how I split up my finances in the wake of 2020. How much cash should I keep in my savings and checking account?

ALAINA: Here is how I break down cash in my accounts:

Checking Account: I keep a small cushion in this account (no more than $200 - $500) just to cover any unexpected expenses from my daily spending. I don't like to keep more than that just in case my debit card is compromised.

Short Term Savings Account: With my short-term savings account, I am keeping money for any repairs or things that don't happen every month (like birthdays). In this account I keep one month of expenses. 

Long Term Savings Account: This is my emergency fund. I would keep 3 - 6 months of expenses in this account in case you may lose your job. If you have a very secure job or you can get a new job very easily, I would keep 3 months, however if you are self-employed or your job is unstable, I would keep 6 months of expenses.

Savvy Girl Money is a financial platform created to inspire women to reach their financial goals.

Q: I’m saving up to buy a home, but I’m worried that my credit score is too low. How can I increase my credit score and maintain it?

ASHIRA: The best way to increase and maintain your credit score is to start paying all your bills on time. A late payment can have a substantial effect on your score.

You want to keep your credit card utilization ratio under 30%. Your credit card utilization ratio is calculated by dividing your credit card balance by the total credit card limit. Make sure each individual credit card utilization is under 30%. Credit utilization makes up roughly 30% of your credit score, this makes it one of the most important factors in increasing or maintain your credit score.

You could also dispute negative or inaccurate items reported on your credit report. The best option is to write a letter to the three credit bureaus explaining why the information is inaccurate and provide evidence. Make sure to mail the letter certified mail with return-receipt requested as proof you sent the letter.

Why the Best Path to Success Is Your Own, According to Nutrafol’s Founders

Listen to the full episode here.

The experience of thinning hair is not only a physical journey, but an emotional one. Many people, especially women, suffer from hair loss and thinning without support or understanding of why it is happening. But the truth is, this is an incredibly common experience for both men and women, and something that affects hundreds of millions of people in the U.S. alone.

For this episode of WorkParty, Jaclyn sits down with the founders of Nutrafol, Giorgos Tsetis and Dr. Sophia Kogan, MD, to dive into their personalized and education-driven approach that has helped thousands and thousands of people suffering from hair loss around the world. Join the party on social @workparty and stay in-the-know at workparty.com.

Subscribe to WorkParty

and never miss an episode.

Topics in this episode include:

• The emotional journey of hair loss for both men and women

• Taking a holistic approach to create and market a product with a personalized solution

• Cultivating a community and providing customers with support throughout the emotional journey

• Education and resources to help cope with hair loss

• Developing a product that helps treat and target concerns throughout different phases of the life cycle (youth to adult development, stress, menopause)

• Challenges (and wins) in entrepreneurship

• Finding the path to success through personal experience

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"After I Lost My Business and Went Bankrupt, I Thought My Professional Life Was Over"

Photo: ColorJoy Stock

Several years ago, my fitness brand encountered some serious challenges, which all could seem rather unremarkable for those not deeply in the trenches and drama—Breaking News: Small Business Closes!—but over the past year, many people have asked for my advice on how I pivoted quickly, kept my chin up, and returned with confidence, celebrating what I can uniquely offer this world.

For the most part, I’d say I’m pretty resilient and I’ve bounced forward quickly. Maybe it’s because I’m not risk-averse and I don’t like to do anything small. I can assure you that it looks a lot more elegant than it was, and is. There are days I feel like a rockstar and some days that I question my worth. But one constant is I’ve learned that failing is not only inevitable in some capacity, but it also creates progress. I believe failure creates knowledge. Knowledge creates vision. Vision creates change. And change is what we need.

As you read my perspective it’s important to know where I’m coming from: As a life-long athlete and a huge believer in fate, I’m a shameless optimist. Forward, for me, is the only direction I go. The rotator cuff injury that forced me into retirement as a D-1 SEC cheerleader led me to rehab my shoulder through pilates, which led to creating my own fitness method, Cardio-Cheer-Sculpting. When a bad real estate transaction and a seven-year-long lawsuit (that ultimately ended my company) led me to believe that there was a better way to expand my fitness business online in 2015. 

Due to the pandemic, many businesses were turned on their heads overnight, forcing many to learn the art of adaptation immediately, or else. It saddens me to watch so many small businesses scramble to go online so fast. My digital transformation didn’t come from a pandemic and wasn’t forced to happen in the blink of an eye. For years I wanted to find a way to bring my method to the masses without opening an army of brick-and-mortar studios, dealing with complex operations and the risk of even greater fixed costs. I wanted to use my energy, sweat, and unique talents in a different way. 

There was a time in 2017 to 2018, after I lost my business and went bankrupt, that I thought my professional life was over. Every day I would wake up and recite my mantra: Laur, just keep going. Be in the moment, even if it’s an awful dumpster fire moment. Be flexible. Keep moving forward. I could have easily broken down but I chose not to. Okay, so I did once on the kitchen floor, but who’s counting? 

Here are my top tips on how to pivot your career. 

1. Identify Your Vision 

What is your passion? What are you fighting for? Purpose crushes obstacles. You want a career that you can wake up to every day and be passionate about. A career that involves doing things that you would choose to do even if you weren’t being paid to do it. Be clear on what you want you’re trying to manifest. Don’t put mixed messages out into the universe, as it will only attract confusion into your life. 

2. Be Optimistic 

You have to literally be your own cheerleader. You cannot have a positive life with a negative mind, nor can you achieve your goals if you don’t believe in yourself. Believing in yourself and what you can achieve is imperative to move forward in life. Believe to achieve. When you combine the power of positivity with the power of visualization, you’ll set yourself up to win. 

3. Connect With and Lean on Your Network 

Surround yourself with the people in your life who help you realize your true potential, even when you may not see it yourself. 

4. Keep Evolving 

You have to be forward-focused. We live in a really fast-moving world. 2021 is like the flash, right? You can never assume that just because you did it one way that you can just rinse and repeat. You have to keep moving, changing, learning, and never ever be predictable. 

5. Focus on Staying Healthy and Strong 

Your mind and spirit are just as important as your body. Keep your spirit alive. People will try and break you down. Do not make yourself small for anyone and do not allow others to break your spirit. 

6. Embrace Uncertainty 

Lean into it and grow with it. You don’t have to have all the answers right now. Everything is temporary. My lowest days set me up for the most growth. They broke me down and ultimately really fired me up.  

7. Get Excited 

Shake the Etch A Sketch! Big things are happening, the sky is the limit, nothing is impossible, and there’s nothing like a clean slate.

“You want a career that you can wake up to every day and be passionate about. A career that involves doing things that you would choose to do even if you weren’t being paid to do it.”

—Lauren Boggi, Founder of Studio LB

About the author: Lauren Boggi is a fitness expert, celebrity trainer, innovator, founder of Studio LB, and the creator of Cardio-Cheer Sculpting, which combines cheer choreography and cheer conditioning. A 15-year industry vet, certified pilates instructor, and mom-of-one, Lauren has gained notoriety nationwide, appearing on shows like the Kris Jenner show, The Doctors, and in publications such as The New York Times, People, Vogue, Shape, Fitness Magazine, and Forbes. Seen as a thought-leader within the industry, Lauren’s energy, authenticity, and ability to drive user experience and foster human connections have helped her create a passionate and dedicated community worldwide.

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How to Answer the Question "Is My Job Right for Me?"

Photo: Smith House Photo

So much effort goes into applying, interviewing, and securing a job that once you’ve solidified yourself in a position, it’s hard to think about ever leaving. However, changing jobs and pivoting professional paths is an essential part of one’s career. By age forty, the average Baby Boomer has changed jobs around 11 times. And with the growth of the gig economy and desire to be your own boss, it’s becoming less and less likely that the first full-time job you get is the one you stick with for good. 

To figure out if your current job is right for you, many things should be considered. Asking yourself if there’s growth potential, if you like the company culture, and if you enjoy the work you’re doing, these are all factors you should consider before diving back into that job hunt. And while no job is ever perfect, asking these things of yourself is sure to jumpstart your thinking and guide you in the direction that’s right for you. 

1. Do you enjoy what you’re doing?

One of the first questions you should be asking yourself is this: “Do I like what I do every day?” Obviously, no one job is completely perfect, and you’re never going to enjoy all of your responsibilities all of the time. It’s a well-documented fact that “finding your passion” is too simplistic of advice to take when evaluating your current job. But the general idea is that you should look forward to coming in and do the work you do every day, and truly believe it’s meaningful. And if you do, you’ll be 20% more productive. But if you find yourself falling out of bed every morning and dragging yourself to do work you don’t even believe in, then maybe it’s time for a change.

2. Do you have a healthy relationship with your boss?

Now, let’s be realistic here. I’m not saying you’re out every weekend at the karaoke bar crushing cocktails together, having a healthy relationship with your boss doesn’t mean you’re best friends. It means that you feel like you can be communicative with them, you are working towards the same goal, and you feel like they advocate for you.

This also means that every superior-associate relationship will look different, and that’s okay. Not every individual prefers the same leadership styles. Some might prefer a manager who is hands-on and gives lots of direction, and another person in the same position might hate someone like that. But the fact of the matter is this, 58% of the workforce say they trust a stranger more than their boss, and if you’re a part of that percentage, you should try looking for a change.

3. Is your compensation fair and does it align with your experience level? 

Even at a dream job, it’s easy for resentment to build if you haven’t gotten a raise in 18 months. Especially if you look on a website like Glassdoor and find out you’re making 60% less than most of your counterparts.

At the end of the day, compensation needs come down to what benefits, perks, and salary you require to both succeed in your role and live your life. If these are not being met, it might be time to either ask for a raise or look elsewhere.

4. Is your commute doable?

This is a special shout-out to our professionals living in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., who are amongst the individuals in the US with the longest commute times. Commutes can be stressful, and sometimes not worth it. A study done in 2017 discovered that an extra 20 minutes added to a commute equates to a 19% pay cut. 

Of course, commute time isn’t the only thing you should consider when evaluating your trips to and from work. Are you still able to live nearby your friends and family? Are you close to a range of restaurants, bars, parks, and schools? The answers to some of these questions should help decide if your current situation is right.

5. Are you expanding your skillset, and do you see a growth trajectory?

A great job challenges you and encourages you to hone your skillset while fostering your existing talents. For most professionals, an ideal job also encourages continuing education and employee growth. If you don’t see these things in your current position, you might want to look for something more, but before you do, have a conversation with your manager that addresses where they see your role going in the long term. Perhaps even request approval to attend an event or take a class that will sharpen your skills. And if your current company doesn’t encourage these growth paths, then it might be time to say goodbye.

While general, these five guiding points are sure to help you evaluate if your current position is right for you. And while it’s important to remember that not every job will check off every box, you have a right to leave your desk at the end of every day feeling satisfied with the work you put in for your company. Leaving a company and going into the dreaded job hunt can be risky and tiresome, but trust that finding the right position will pay off in the end.

About the Author: Susan Levine is the president and founder of Career Group Companies, a leading recruiting firm based in Los Angeles, with offices in New York, San Francisco, Orange County, and Greenwich. Their divisions, comprised of Career Group, Syndicatebleu, Fourth Floor, Avenue Pacific, and Events, span a variety of industries. They specialize in executive and administrative support, marketing and design, fashion, events, and c-suite-level placements. As a widely recognized industry name, they pride themselves on placing top-tier direct hire and freelance talent in their dream jobs. They use their expertise to impact the lives of their candidates and improve the company culture of their clients, one exceptional match at a time.

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This story was originally published on October 28, 2019, and has since been updated.

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How to Shift Your Mindset to Help You Update Your Résumé More Effectively

Photo: ColorJoy Stock

Very few people enjoy writing or updating their résumé, but it is necessary. The best way to dive into this task is to shift your mindset so you view it as a positive experience. 

Have you ever stumbled upon an opportunity too great to pass up, only to find out that you need to apply for it as quickly as possible? People find themselves in this situation more often than you might expect, and if you don’t have your résumé updated and on hand, it could create a big problem.

Instead of thinking of updating your résumé as a necessary evil, think of updating your résumé as your opportunity to look back at your accomplishments and pat yourself on the back. Here’s how to get started.

Think of It Like This...

In her new book, “Your Twenties” career coach Jessica Smith tells her readers to “think of updating your résumé as a special time to admire all you’ve accomplished.” Shifting your mindset and taking this perspective when updating or writing your résumé helps to create a more positive experience, and also helps you accept credit and acknowledge all that you’ve accomplished. The biggest challenge people face when writing their résumés, and throughout the job search in general, is selling themselves short and underestimating their value. Think about this when you update your résumé. Be proud of your accomplishments, take credit where you deserve it, and highlight all that you can bring to the table. 

Here are some guidelines on how to highlight your accomplishments and write an effective résumé.

Decide How You Want to Portray Yourself

Most people don’t think much about it, but you are a walking billboard, and you have the power to give off whatever perception you want through your résumé. The first step to writing a great résumé is to figure out what kind of jobs you’re interested in applying to, and then figure out how you want to portray yourself for those positions. 

Perhaps you want to focus on one area of expertise to highlight on your résumé, or maybe you want to present yourself as an expert in the field as a whole. Figure out what you want your résumé to say about you, and stick to it. If you want to focus on one area of expertise, ensure that it is visible throughout your document. On the other hand, if you're going to present yourself as knowledgeable in different areas, make sure that you touch on each of those specialties in every job description.

Make a List of Your Strengths

A key factor of any résumé is a skills matrix at the top. This ensures that someone can look at your document and quickly tell which skills you possess. If you know that you aren’t proficient in a specific software or could use some work in a specific area, don’t include it. You want this list to highlight only your strongest areas so that an employer or hiring manager focuses on your strengths and not your weaknesses. By omitting areas that you need to work on, you will only draw attention to what you’re good at.

Make a List of Your Accomplishments

Anyone can claim they are a great employee, but very few people can actually show it. Your résumé is your opportunity to present the best version of yourself, so show potential employers all of your accomplishments and achievements, and provide evidence to your claims so that they can see what you bring to the table and how you will be beneficial if hired. Think about what you’ve accomplished that’s measurable: Have you increased sales? Have you been recognized for your success? Have you implemented process improvements or cost-cutting techniques? 

Whatever you have done to improve your company and/or department, you want to show it on your résumé. Don’t be afraid to calculate numbers from your own data. As long as you can prove your calculations, you can use them on your résumé. Want more data to use? Ask your manager. Phrase it in a way that shows that you’re trying to improve, not potentially leave the company. A good way to ask is something like this: 

“I’m trying to compile some data to measure my progress in this role and see how I can continue to improve. Is there anything you feel I’ve been particularly successful with or an area you feel I excel at?”

This will give your manager an opportunity to give you praise and potentially give you some constructive criticism as well, both of which will be useful when writing a résumé. That being said, phrasing your question like this will provide you with some information without giving away that you’re looking at other job opportunities.

When it comes to updating your résumé, it’s important to shift your mindset to position the experience in a positive light. It’s your opportunity to pat yourself on the back and acknowledge all the amazing work you’ve done! This is your time to be proud of yourself and articulate all that you have to offer. Highlight all of your skills and achievements, do the research, and put forth the best document possible. Your résumé is your opportunity to present the best version of yourself, so take advantage of that and show people what you want them to see!

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 styles. 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 August 22, 2018, and has since been updated.

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10 New Beach Reads We Can't Wait to Take on Vacation

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Now that it’s officially summer, chances are you’re looking for your next beach read. Ahead, we’ve compiled a list for all of you Create & Cultivators who crave career-driven fiction with strong female characters and non-fiction reads that will give you a boost to become an even better version of yourself. Whether you’re in the mood for some self-help, a sexy thriller, sweet romance, or a bit of office drama, there’s something for everyone.

"Your Fully Charged Life" by Meaghan B. Murphy

$24

SHOP

This book is the perfect guide for becoming more energetic, happy, and fully charged every day. Written by magazine editor Meaghan B. Murphy, this guide is filled with personal experiences, learnings from positive psychology and neuroscience, and inspiring stories. It presents new ways, big and small, that you can make a difference in all aspects of your life and impact others in a positive way.

"While We Were Dating" by Jasmine Guillory

$15

SHOP

Ben Stephens has more to worry about than getting in a committed relationship, including family drama and a huge ad campaign he just landed with Anna Gardiner, a major movie star. Anna is using this ad campaign as a distraction as she waits to hear if she landed the role in a big movie that will make her a household name. Ben and Anna are instantly attracted to each other and their flirtations turn serious after Ben helps Anna during a family emergency. They soon plan to turn their infatuation into something more suited for the spotlight, but will they both be content with this fake setup?

"Just One Look" by Lindsay Cameron

$25

SHOP

After falling from the corporate ladder, Cassie Woodson takes a temp job reviewing correspondence for a fraud suit in order to pay her bills. After finding emails sent between Forest Watts and his wife, Cassie becomes invested and starts to find meaning in her life again. She starts spending her days reading over their email exchanges, slowly becoming more and more obsessed with their lives. After staging a chance meeting with Forest, Cassie starts devising a plan to take his wife’s place.

"Dream First, Details Later" by Ellen Marie Bennett

$25

SHOP

Written by entrepreneur and founder of the multi-million-dollar company, Hedley & Bennett, Ellen Marie Bennett provides a simple guide to following your dreams, no matter what. Inspired by her experience as a 24-year-old line cook who offered to make new aprons for the kitchen staff even though she had no company or plan, she offers a new perspective on following your dreams by crushing doubt and second guesses. Pick up this book to learn how to step out of your comfort zone and get started on a dream project.

"Del Rio" by Jane Rosenthal

$16

SHOP

District Attorney Callie McCall has slowly watched her hometown, Del Rio, California, go from a thriving farm town to a run-down, dying town. She decides that now the perfect time to launch her political career and attempt to make a difference in the town she was born and raised in. However, when the dismembered body of a migrant teen is found in one of Del Rio's surrounding citrus groves, Callie faces a career make-or-break case that takes her to the west coast of Mexico and a secretive tropical paradise before coming back home to face the most politically connected and wealthiest family: her own.

"The Other Black Girl" by Zakiya Dalila Harris

$25

SHOP

Nella Rogers faces isolation and microaggression as the only Black employee at Wagner Books. When Hazel, a new Black editorial assistant, arrives and works next to Nella’s cubicle, she is overjoyed to have someone to talk to. However, Hazel is soon elevated as the office darling and leaves Nella far behind. Soon after, threatening notes start appearing on Nella’s desk telling her to leave Wagner immediately. Confused by the notes, she assumes Hazel has left the notes behind but soon realizes that there is more at stake than her job.

"The Heart Principle" by Helen Hoang

$15

SHOP

Anna Sun accidentally achieves success when her YouTube video of her playing the violin becomes viral. Soon after the video’s success, Anna finds it difficult to replicate the video and becomes burnt out as a result. On top of that, her longtime boyfriend asks for an open relationship before committing to more, hurting Anna deeply. She decides to participate in an open relationship as well, planning on multiple one-night stands with the most unacceptable men. Anna soon meets Quan Diep, who accepts her unconditionally and offers more than sex. When tragedy strikes her family and Anna takes on an unexpected role, she and Quan end up fighting for their chance at a relationship.

"Mona at Sea" by Elizabeth Gonzalez James

$15

SHOP

After graduating college at the top of her class and the job of her dreams in her grasp, everything seems to be working perfectly for perfectionist Mona Mireles. That is, until the 2008 recession strikes, and she ends up unemployed and living with her parents. Mona finds herself completely adrift in life and love and is on the path of a downward spiral of bitterness and self-pity. She uses humor and a cynic outlook in order to face her new life which is filled with job searching, navigating her parent’s failing marriage, and figuring out the complexity of adulthood.

"The Photographer" by Mary Dixie Carter

$26

SHOP

Delta Dawn makes a living from taking photos of New York’s elite and editing them to look like perfect, happy families to their viewers. She spends her days hopping from one photo shoot to the next, but when she takes pictures for the Straub family, she doesn’t want to leave and finds herself wanting to be part of the family’s glamourous life. From babysitting their daughter to becoming a close family friend, Delta seems to have everything in place until questions are raised and she soon finds out that manipulation doesn’t come as easy.

"Write My Name Across the Sky" by Barbara O’Neal

$23

SHOP

Gloria Rose is an influencer in her ‘70s living her best life in the Upper West Side with thousands of Instagram followers who adore her. However, everything starts to fall apart when her old lover is arrested for art theft and forgery. Gloria decides to run, but her plan gets complicated when she must help the nieces she raised. Willow has returned home after a failed album and relationship while Sam faces the imminent loss of her video game company and her boyfriend due to her uncontrollable anger. The three women must work together to overcome their loss and face their future.

About the Author: Abby Cunningham is a junior at Auburn University studying public relations and minoring in marketing and industrial and graphic design processes. Abby is currently the online and social media editor for her school’s newspaper, The Auburn Plainsman. She is also a part of Auburn’s student-run public relations firm, literary magazine, and yearbook. Abby is usually found spending her day on TikTok, color coding her plans for the month, or settling down with a good book.

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3 Ways to Boost Your Confidence During a Sales Call

Photo: ColorJoy Stock

When I first started my coaching business, the thing I dreaded the most was hopping on Zoom for an intro call with a potential client. The term “sales call” made me nervous and at times it even felt like the walls were caving in when I thought of making an offer.

Ever felt that way? If so, you’re not alone.

Pitching your services in real-time with a person staring right at you can feel daunting, and in the beginning, it was definitely a challenge for me. I would do all these breathing exercises and meditations right before but still felt uneasy and ungrounded going into them.

Now? I've grown to enjoy sales calls, or what I like to call sales conversations because they're such a great way to build trust with a potential client. 

They also usually convert between 35-50%, which is much higher than email offers, which convert at 1%, or webinar offers which convert between 3-5%. 

So if you’re anxious when you do these calls, or even dread doing them in the first place, that’s ok! And it’s also important to embody the truth that they’re a chance for you to serve someone, get to know them in a deeper way, and potentially work with them long-term. 

Many of my clients, most of whom are also in the coaching, healing, and consulting industry, tend to struggle with this if they’re just getting started. But once they integrate a few key (and very simple) things, they’re off to the races. 

Here’s a list of the most important tips and tricks that help boost confidence (and sales) on intro calls. 

#1. Focus on the potential client getting clarity and confidence around their goals. 

One of the first questions I ask on these calls is, “If you could wave a realistic magic wand, what would you achieve in the next six months to a year?” This helps the person on the call get in a space of possibility and clarity about what they really want. What a gift!

With the focus on them and their needs, you can really tune into their desires and establish a solid rapport with them. And the more presence you bring to the clarity process, the more people will trust you and feel that you care about them.

People buy from people they trust so a side-effect of this is that it increases the likelihood of them investing in you and your services. Win-win!

#2. Keep asking open-ended questions. 

The #1 thing I advocate for when it comes to having profitable and feel-good sessions is to not coach during the session. If this is difficult for you, remind yourself of this intention: be of service and bring them to a place of clarity.

By asking great questions, you can reveal what they most need and want, but it’s not usually helpful to try and solve all their problems in one go. Once you get to the offer portion, the same applies. Tell them the basics of your service, let them lead with questions, and if they’re not sure about something, ask an open-ended question.

For example, if they say they don’t feel ready to invest, you can ask something like, “What would make this a yes for you?” or “Tell me more about that.” This often works better than attempting to convince or persuade someone into buying something, since people tend to naturally get defensive.

If you have great questions at every stage of the sales process, your prospect will be more receptive to hearing more about your offer, asking deeper questions about it, and potentially sign-on. 

#3. Help them make a decision that feels good to them.  

If your goal is to ensure your prospect is happy with their decision, they're more likely to sign on with you on the call or in the future. If they end up signing on at the end, yay! Signing on with you should feel like a celebration for both parties involved.

And if they don’t, make sure they “walk away” from the call feeling good. You never know when they might reach out to hire you! So release any attachment to that outcome and stay open to what may be because ultimately, it’s all of the highest good. 

In short, the best rule of thumb to follow for these types of calls is to follow what feels good. This will guide you towards the most intuitive and effective sales process and subsequently lead to more sales. Your gut never lies! So here’s to bringing more ease and flow to this.

“If your goal is to ensure your prospect is happy with their decision, they're more likely to sign on with you on the call or in the future.”

—Kimberly Lucht, Business Coach

About the author: Kimberly Lucht is a business coach who helps women make their first six figures doing what they love. She’s been featured in Money, Business Insider, Well + Good, Greatist, Create & Cultivate, and more.

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How Lesbians Who Tech & Allies Founder Leanne Pittsford Is Increasing LGBTQ Representation in Tech

Photo: Courtesy of Leanne Pittsford

Welcome to our monthly editorial series A Day in the Life where we ask successful women we admire to share the daily minutiae of their professional lives, from the rituals that set them up for success to their evening wind-down routines. This month, we caught up with Leanne Pittsford, founder of Lesbians Who Tech & Allies and Include.io, to talk about making the tech industry more inclusive, bringing LGBTQ women and non-binary tech folks together, and being included in Fast Company’s Queer 50.

Tell us a bit about Lesbians Who Tech & Allies and what inspired you to launch your business. What whitespace did you see in the market? What need did you want to fill?

Ha, such a big question. Basically, when I started my tech company back in the day, I struggled to find LGBTQ women as role models and peers. Every event I went to, I noticed LGBTQ women were missing from the conversation. I wanted to make sure our voices were represented and I knew if I struggled finding a community then maybe there were others who were looking for the same thing. Turns out, there were so many more than I originally anticipated. Since the start of Lesbians Who Tech & Allies, I’ve seen more communities coming together creating organizations to make tech more representative and it’s really impactful.

You’re also the founder of Include.io, a platform that connects diverse tech job seekers with great companies. What compelled you to launch this platform? 

I’ve always been involved in LGBTQ organizations and have made an active effort to continue creating conversations around representation and inclusion in workplaces, tech specifically. I was the senior director of equality in California, which led the fight against Prop 8 (which aimed to make same-sex marriage illegal). I kind of fell in love with tech after being so in the trenches with this campaign. The data, the community, and the passion is really what led to my career moves. Through shared experiences and talking with others, I realized that a lot of other queer tech folks experienced the same issues within the tech space.

Now, let’s talk about your workday routine! First, are you a night owl or a morning person? When do you do your most important work and why?

In my old life, I was a night owl. Now, post two babies, I am a whenever-the-coffee-hits-my-bloodstream person.  

What time does your alarm go off, and what’s the first thing you do upon waking?

What alarm? I am just breastfeeding all night right now. I typically just set a mental alarm. I take too much advantage of the snooze button when I use them. 

What does your morning, pre-work routine look like?

Feeding all the children and pups, and making my Moka pot coffee with beans from one of my favorite coffee shops.

Mark Twain said, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” What’s the first thing you do when you get to your desk?

I usually send a few voice notes to a few teammates to check-in for the day’s to-do list! 

What are you working on this week?

Pride Summit! We just launched the agenda today! 

What’s been the most rewarding part of running your business? 

My favorite part is being in the Castro Theatre with all of my people, and feeling the energy that only comes from thousands of LGBTQ women and non-binary folks getting together in one room. I never would’ve thought that something I started would end up being the largest LGBTQ professional event and the largest event for women in tech globally (last year, anyway). Not to mention this year’s Fast Company’s Queer 50. Knowing we are responsible for making the invisible, visible is everything. 

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

Twice a year, usually two to three weeks after Summit. 

What is your go-to work lunch?

Cheez-Its.

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Why Adopting This Simple Money Mindset Could Change Your Life

Photo: Smith House Photography

“Did I really just do that?”

That was my immediate thought after hiring my first business coach a little more than a year ago. It was the most money that I’ve ever spent on myself—$7,000 to be exact—and honestly, the most money I had spent on anything in my life.

Putting that amount down was scary beyond belief. I thought I was crazy, but I was also done playing small. I was done thinking that I or my vision wasn’t worth it. I was done having a money mindset that dollar bills were scarce and hard to earn.

And I knew deep down that to get a return, I would need to invest. In myself. Pretty big jump considering that at the time I felt hesitant to spend $35 on a workshop. But this is what I realized: money is meant to be in a healthy cycle of giving and receiving, making and spending.

If one part of that cycle is blocked, like when you try not to spend money at all or don't ask for what you're worth, the whole cycle gets thrown off and creates a clogged financial situation that feels strained and uncertain. Maybe you’re good at spending money, but if you feel guilty about it, it blocks the flow just as much. Spending and investing your money should feel good. 

So here’s a thought that can turn things around…

"There's always more where that came from."

This mindset reminds me that whatever I spend or invest comes back to me in some way. If I end up paying more on a dinner bill split among friends, I’m convinced it'll come back to me in some way. If I invest in an online course, I believe a return will come back to me in some way.

But without some sort of initial investment, there can’t be a return. And if all or most of your money is going towards rent, food, and Ubers, with little to no personal development expenses, you’re missing out on one of the biggest ways you can change your life. 

As a life and business coach, I've worked with dozens of women who, at first, had a strong resistance to spending money on themselves, and here’s what one of them has to say about this:

“Working with my coach has confirmed that I am worth investing in financially, emotionally, and spiritually. I’m worth that investment, and because I’ve decided that I’m worth it, I’m reaping the benefits, and that investment is being returned to me in the form of clients, improved relationships, and a better version of myself.”

So, if spending money on yourself feels selfish or indulgent, ask yourself these questions: 

1. Are the financial decisions I’m making right now leading towards the most fulfilled version of myself? 

2. Are they helping me reach my biggest goals and dreams?

3. Are they amplifying my impact in the world along with my quality of life?

If you answered no to some or all of these questions, what could you invest in to help you grow and develop financially, emotionally, or physically? Maybe it’s by investing in the online therapy you’ve been thinking of, your own business coach, or a personal trainer that you’ve been dying to work with. 

If at least a portion of your disposable income goes towards those types of expenses, then you’re bound to have a more fulfilling life. So don’t hold yourself back by not investing in the things that’ll help you grow.

It’s not self-indulgence. It’s self-investment, which is arguably the best expense on your bank statement.

About the Author: Kimberly Lucht is a life and business coach who helps female entrepreneurs make their dream business a reality. Degree-trained in psychology, Kimberly has previously directed and grown start-ups that help women blast through limitations and go after their dreams. As a life coach now, she has helped dozens of women massively increase their income, productivity, and overall fulfillment in life through in-person workshops, online programs, and one-on-one coaching. Kimberly has been featured in Money.com, Thrive Global, along with a variety of other media outlets and she currently lives in New York City.

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This story was originally published on September 13, 2019, and has since been updated.

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We Traded Our Morning Coffee for Matcha Collagen for a Week—Here’s What Happened

How do you start your day? If you’re like 64% of Americans (ourselves included) it likely starts with a cup of coffee. In the mornings we like to practice what is known as “procaffeination,” or the tendency to not start anything until we’ve had at least one cup of coffee and until the caffeine has had a chance to kick in.

Coffee has become such a ubiquitous part of our lifestyle and our culture, with more Americans choosing it per day than any other beverage. But in the pandemic era of WFH, caffeine can become a mental and emotional crutch. More people are feeling the pressure of an always-on work culture with the shift from in-person meetings to virtual ones. This, combined with a year of irregular sleep schedules and coping with a collective uncertainty, can have you reaching for an extra cup (or four) to feel like you can keep up. In a world that doesn’t ever switch off, burnout is very real—and so is our addiction to caffeine. 

If you’re anything like us, it’s likely hard to imagine starting a typical morning without coffee—in fact, the mornings without coffee commit to memory in much greater detail–and so the thought of giving it up permanently seems unbearable. 

But, what if we told you there's a replacement that could give you natural, sustained energy without the caffeine crash you would normally get from coffee. What if it also included a variety of age-defying benefits as well as those for digestive health and joint health, AND improved endurance, while helping the body maintain balance with stress-relieving and immune-boosting properties.

Enter Further Food’s Matcha Collagen Peptides.

You’ve likely heard of matcha before; a high-grade green tea that has been ground into powdered form. Because of the unique way that it is grown and harvested, matcha has more antioxidants than other green teas and is considered a true nutritional powerhouse. 

Further Food combined delicious, superior tasting organic matcha (cultivated by a 10th level Japanese Tea Master, the highest level of Chasi and one of only 13 people in the world to hold this certificate) with their best-selling hydrolyzed collagen peptides and organic cordyceps mushroom into one clean label product that delivers all-day glow, all-day energy, and plenty of benefits.

These three ingredients are a powerful combination, according to Further Food’s Chief Science Officer, Dr. Chris Oswald, D.C., Licensed Nutritionist and Functional Medicine Practitioner. “Collagen is great for a variety of beauty benefits such as glowing skin, thicker hair, and stronger nails. It also has additional benefits for digestive health and joint health. The combination of collagen with matcha and cordyceps mushrooms gives you a daily beauty fix while also delivering mental clarity and productivity benefits from the natural caffeine found in matcha and endurance and fatigue-fighting benefits associated with cordyceps.”

Inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine, Further Food's Matcha Collagen has all the benefits of collagen with the ancient healing powers of adaptogenic mushrooms. All of their products are formulated by doctors and backed by nutritionists, health experts, and herbalists.

If, by now, you’re feeling “matcha curious”, and wondering if you would survive or thrive if you traded your coffee for matcha for one week—well, so were we. 

So, the C&C put Further Food’s Matcha Collagen Peptides to the test for a week and logged our results. Keep scrolling to read the verdict! 

Jessica, Director, Accounts

FIRST IMPRESSION: To be totally honest, I am not normally a matcha fan which is actually why I was so eager to give up coffee for a week and add this to my morning ritual! I noticed how easily the powder blended with the steamed milk and the flavor was nice. I felt like I had ordered a $7 matcha latte!

FINAL VERDICT: I find that with my morning coffee, I can be jittery and anxious. I always crash around 2 or 3 PM and need another cup—with Further Food’s Matcha Collagen powder in my latte every day, I noticed sustained energy throughout the afternoon and early evening and didn’t even catch myself thinking about my cold brew! I also felt a lot more focused on each task, rather than jumping around my to-dos as I normally do, I really felt like I could spend the time needed to get my work done efficiently. Overall I feel good and am excited to keep this up to see how the collagen affects my skin.

JESS’S MATCHA RITUAL: Each morning, after I made myself and my (almost) two-year-old daughter breakfast, I made myself a hot matcha latte with steamed oat milk and one scoop of Further Food’s Matcha Collagen powder. Occasionally, I added a little bit of cinnamon, cardamom and honey just for a bit of an elevated morning drink and used my super whisk to make it really foamy! It was really nice to enjoy while we shared our breakfast.

Sarah, Associate Marketing Manager

FIRST IMPRESSION: I love a good matcha–so much that I justify spending $7 on one at a coffee shop here in Los Angeles, and mostly because I have never been successful at making it myself at home (though I’ve tried!). I have been on the hunt for a good matcha for a minute now, and I won’t name names but I still have a few pouches sitting in my pantry that just weren’t up to par. 

Naturally, I was a little nervous that this one would fall short but I was happily surprised. The matcha whisked together well, tasted as delicious as I expected, and I liked that it saved me an extra step by including collagen and cordyceps. Collagen has always been a part of my daily beauty routine–I definitely notice a difference in my hair, skin and nails when I’m incorporating it daily.

FINAL VERDICT: As a lover of at home coffee and a victim to not so great matchas of the past - I’m stoked to continue to incorporate Further Food’s Matcha Collagen into my morning routine! Not only was I happy to skip the step of adding my daily supplement of collagen to my morning beverage (work smarter, not harder!) but I genuinely saw a shift in my energy levels. 

I wasn’t watching the clock for the next appropriate time to have another cup of caffeine but was more often shocked when 4 PM rolled around and I had powered through the afternoon without my normal second cup. 

SARAH’S MATCHA RITUAL: I consider myself to be exclusively an iced beverage person, regardless of the temperature outside. This, for the most part, has made dissolving supplements in my morning beverage… tough, which is why I was pleasantly surprised at how easily Further Food’s Matcha Collagen dissolved, even at room temp.

Not to #humblebrag but I nailed my at home iced matcha latte and knowing that my matcha powder already was packed with the collagen I needed made the experience that much better. First thing in the morning, I boil some water and add a scoop and a half of the Matcha Collagen. After a good whisk, I set it aside to make myself some breakfast. When I’m ready, I pour my matcha over a big glass of ice, top it with some foamy oat milk, and enjoy! 

Drea, Director, Content

FIRST IMPRESSION: Coffee for me, is more about ritual than the caffeine. It signifies a moment all to myself each morning, before the day’s distractions and obligations begin, and where time is measured by volume of sips remaining rather than by the hands of a clock. Though I usually cap this ritual at one cup, I’ve practiced it since my college days. I was a bit nervous to see how my body would respond without the additional caffein and prepared myself for an epic headache–and was surprised that I felt…totally normal. 

As an avid collagen addict, I was really impressed with how well the powder dissolved in hot water – usually matcha requires a special whisk (and a little bit of effort) to achieve a perfectly smooth consistency. With only a few stirs, Further Food’s Matcha Collagen was completely blended, which is actually an indication of a high quality matcha. The taste was exactly what one would expect from matcha–no subtle notes of the collagen or cordyceps. 

FINAL VERDICT: Honestly, I think I may have become a bona fide matcha drinker as a result of this experiment. Especially towards the end of the week, I felt a noticeable difference in energy that was more sustained and less scattered. The matcha–and maybe the cordyceps or the combination of the two– provided a sense of calm and clarity that by comparison, made me realize how anxious coffee had been making me feel. I’m not sure I would have ever noticed the feeling if it weren’t for comparison. 

DREA’S MATCHA RITUAL: The first thing I do in the morning is put water on to boil. My matcha ritual is pretty minimalist, even more so than my coffee ritual without the extra step of adding collagen, but I might try adding it to smoothies next week (and will report back). Once the water boils, pour over 2 scoops of Further Food’s Matcha Collagen. Give it a few stirs and then add a splash of unsweetened oat milk. Sip and enjoy!

USE CODE: CC15 to get 15% off any Further Food product at FurtherFood.com (new customers only) 

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5 Ways to Develop Your "Soft Skills" (AKA the Stuff No One Taught You in School)

Photo: Create & Cultivate

I spent four years in college, three years in law school, and ended up with a lot of school debt, yet I still felt unprepared for my first “adult” job. I realized about 95% of the classes I took didn’t teach me anything about how to communicate effectively, lead a team, manage my time, or be flexible doing work different than what I was hired for.

Unfortunately, these aren’t always the core skills that you are taught in school. However, they are the soft skills that we all need to be successful. These are areas that employers value, which is why it’s critical to work on and emphasize these soft skills every day.

Not sure how to get started? Here are a few pointers for getting ahead of the game.

1. Focus On Your Work Ethic

In the early stages of your career, it may feel hard to stand out amongst people who have more experience or are older than you. The type of person who always stands out is the one who has a strong work ethic. I would rather be known as a hard worker who people can count on than just being labeled “smart.”

Always show up on time, meet deadlines, respond to emails promptly, maintain a positive attitude, be accountable, and be dependable. These are areas only YOU have control over and they are what will make you invaluable. Remember, talent will get you in the door but your work ethic will keep you in the room. 

2. Study Leaders

Every leader has a different style, and all leaders are not created equal. Identify three to five leaders who you respect and look up to and write down their characteristics of what makes them a good leader. Some you may know personally and some you may not. Study them, follow them, dissect them.

I personally look up to Oprah. Her leadership style is inspirational and motivational. People like her and trust her and therefore respect her. One of my leadership tests is “what would Oprah do”?

3. Develop Your “It” Factor

Some call this executive presence, but I prefer “it factor.” This is the ability to attract and engage people—and it doesn’t matter whether you’re an executive or not.

Practice how you enter a room. Are you poised, polished, and prepared? Evaluate whether you effectively speak up. Do you dress the part? Are you confident? Are you self-aware? Every true leader has mastered the skill of having a presence that people respect and want to follow.

As the saying goes, a leader without followers is just someone taking a walk. 

4. Hone Your Communication Skills

Learn to pick up the phone, check the tone of your emails, evaluate your body language and say yes to giving the presentation when you want to say no. Communication is a skill that will serve you throughout your career so learn how to do it well. This is a teachable skill and the more you focus on it the better you will get.

We live in a very digital-dependent world, but there is still something to be said about good ole fashioned interpersonal communication.

5. Be Empathetic

Some believe that empathy is the hardest soft skill to learn but also the most important one to master. Empathy is the ability to understand and share another person’s experiences and emotions. It requires listening more and talking less. Empathy will increase loyalty, accelerate productivity, expand engagement and encourage collaboration.

Even as automation changes the future of the workplace, in order to stand out from the competition (humans and robots) you will need to practice and hone empathy. Treating people the way you want to be treated is not just a principle for preschoolers—it applies even more so to “adulting.” I’m sure we can all remember a boss who let us take off unexpectedly or a co-worker who offered to help you meet a pressing deadline. Take this skill seriously and watch your career flourish.

About the Author: Arika Pierce is a millennial and Gen Z success coach who helps younger generations develop the tools needed for success in business, leadership, and life. She is also the author of “The Millennial's Playbook to Adulting,” a one-stop resource on everything from personal branding and networking, to job hunting, finances, and mental and physical health.

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This story was originally published on October 15, 2019, and has since been updated.

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How This One Trick Can Help You Land That New Job

Photo: ColorJoy Stock

Need a confidence boost? Try this to see how many jobs you're actually qualified for.

Figuring out your transferable skills is key to transition into a new role or a new area of your career. Most people get extremely intimidated by exploring career opportunities outside of their comfort zone, however, what people often don’t realize is that there are a lot of skills that are transferable between careers. If you’re feeling a little down on yourself or just need a confidence boost, do a quick search to see what transferable skills you hold and how many jobs you’re actually qualified for. The results will likely surprise you (in a good way)!

Why is it important to figure out your transferable skills?

If you want to explore new career options, it’s key to figure out your transferable skills and highlight these on your résumé. You might think that the first step to furthering your career is having a great résumé, but in order to create a résumé that will best serve you, you need to decide what you want to gain from it. Why? Because a truly great résumé is catered to the jobs that you’re applying for and highlights the transferable skills that you hold. If you don’t know what kind of jobs you’re going to be applying for, you can’t highlight the right transferable skills and utilize the correct wording and phrasing to ensure that you align with the requirements of the job.

Here’s how to figure out your transferable skills and land that next job.

Don’t focus on the job title

People tend to box themselves in with specific job titles. When you’re trying to figure out your transferable skills, it’s very easy to get stuck on the job title, so instead of searching based on job titles, search based on your skills. This will open you up to new opportunities and give you a better perspective about what job is right for you and what kind of jobs you’re qualified for. You never know what job opportunities are out there until you do a broader search based on the skills you have instead of searching for a specific job title.

Browse through current openings

The easiest way to do this is by going to job sites and searching for one of your strongest (or favorite) skills. For instance, if you’re extremely skilled and enjoy working with Adobe Photoshop, search “Photoshop” and see what kind of positions come up. This will help guide you in the right direction. Similarly, if you excel at project management, customer service, or using specific software, you can search those terms as well to get a better idea of what kind of jobs focus on those skills.

Additionally, if you’re really feeling stuck, you can simply browse through current job openings without keyword searching them. If you’re taking this route, browse through job openings, go through the job descriptions, and highlight the skills you have. This will help you gather information about what transferable skills you can highlight based on different areas of work. It will also give you a better idea of what kind of jobs you can apply to going forward.

Take note of important skills that are repeated in multiple job descriptions

Research suggests that CEOs now rank adaptability and collaboration on a par with traditional skills such as problem-solving and risk management. Due to the rise of startups and small businesses, employees are often required to wear many hats, work with cross-functional teams, and adapt to the role as situations arise.

As a job seeker, these are crucial skills that you want to highlight. Instead of writing “adaptable” on your résumé, show employers how you have adapted to various situations. For example, you could say something along the lines of “hired as an administrative assistant and served as an editorial assistant managing social media postings, website content, and liaising with contributors to organize submissions.” This highlights your ability to go above and beyond your role and shows that you adapted based on company needs.

For an easy way to put together your thoughts and gather information about what you’ve accomplished, create SOAR stories (Situation, Obstacle, Action, and Result) for yourself.

Figure out what words and phrases to include

Do some research on what businesses are actually looking for in a candidate and pay attention to trends of required skills or experience in your industry. Is there software that you continually see as a job requirement?  When you browse potential job opportunities, are there any specific skills required? How about certifications? Is there any specialized training that could benefit you when it comes to your job search?

The more research you can do, the better. You want to get a better understanding of what potential employers and recruiters are looking for in candidates within your field so you can highlight these transferable skills and requirements on your résumé.

Exploring new career opportunities can be intimidating, but if you figure out what transferable skills you hold, you might be surprised at how many jobs you’re actually qualified for. Instead of focusing on specific jobs titles that you think will be the right fit, focus on figuring out your transferable skills and go from there!

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 styles. 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 April 18, 2028, and has since been updated.

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39 Successful Founders Share the Podcasts That Transformed Their Businesses

There’s no denying that podcasts are the hottest medium of the moment. In 2021, people have already spent 15 billion hours (yes, billion with a B) listening to podcasts (insert exploding head emoji here). And, thankfully for all the entrepreneurs out there, there’s no shortage of business podcasts to download for mentorship, guidance, and expertise straight from founders who’ve learned tough lessons the hard way.

For a fresh crop of listens to add to our weekly lineup, we tapped 39 successful founders to find out which business podcasts they subscribe to for advice and inspiration. From a must-listen-to series about the struggles that successful entrepreneurs have overcome to a series of interviews centered around women in tech, these are the podcasts they listen to on repeat. Trust us, you’ll want to have your headphones at the ready.

Chriselle Lim

Co-Founder of bümo

The Podcast: How I Built This

Why You Recommend It: It has helped me to understand the struggles of entrepreneurs which was very comforting during my journey building bümo, but it also has allowed me to dream big of what could be. The conversations are not sugar-coated and show you all the highs and lows from start to finish.

The Best Business Tip: You don't have to have a blueprint to follow when you start a business you just have to do the next best thing, and step by step you will find your own way. 

Dianna Cohen

Founder and CEO of Crown Affair

The Podcast: The podcast that transformed my leadership style is any podcast with Adam Grant. Adam Grant is an organizational psychologist who has a thoughtful approach to leadership and teamwork. I first heard him speak on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert (another favorite pod) and have continued to follow his work and podcast, WorkLife with Adam Grant, directly.

Why You Recommend It: From Adam’s ability to reframe concepts like imposter syndrome to his scientific approach on feedback, or the thoughtful conversations he has with leaders and innovators like Jane Goodall and Ester Perel, I really enjoy his approach to teamwork and leadership.

The Best Business Tip: His conversation with Brené Brown is one I keep coming back to. Having been trained in work cultures and high-growth startups that didn’t allow space for vulnerability at work—it’s now something I practice with our entire team. I’ve found that the capacity to be vulnerable (while still having a productive, problem-solving attitude) has allowed us to embody our brand mission around care and taking your time, even in a fast-growing startup environment. 

Abigail Cook Stone

Co-Founder and CEO of Otherland 

The Podcast: The Entreprenista Podcast

Why You Recommend It: I am so inspired by hearing all the founding stories and behind-the-scenes notes of how female founders got their start, as featured on The Entreprenista Podcast. To me, it is all about inspiring other women and creating a supportive community—if I can do it, they can do it, too!

The Best Business Tip: My biggest takeaway from the guests on the podcast is that you should always trust your intuition. As women in business, the podcast reinforces that you are your best asset.

Samara Walker

Founder of Àuda.B 

The Podcast: The podcast that transformed my business and mindset as a founder is How I Built This with Guy Raz. This podcast propelled my mindset as an entrepreneur allowing me to navigate building a startup from a different lens without scarcity, self-doubt, and learning to accept failures as wins. I operate from a mindset of abundance and count my failures as opportunities to pivot, iterate and learn. Failures have come within various forms especially monetary losses, but once I've experienced a hardship, I assess the situation and always use the experience as a learning moment to grow and push myself forward. I've become a better founder, leader, and visionary for Àuda.B because of the amazing founders having the opportunity to share their journeys on How I Built This. 

Why You Recommend It: From my personal experience, being authentic and vulnerable are two major keys to being a successful entrepreneur. The founders on the podcast share their highs and lows which provide listeners with realistic expectations of what being an entrepreneur comes with. Social media paints a false narrative of entrepreneurship and or building start-up and this podcast really reshapes the true narrative. Founders dish the real from beginning, middle, and now! 

The Best Business Tip: Believe in yourself even when no one else does! Understanding your vision and passion will see you through, too often founders hold the vision of the future but the world doesn't latch on until there's a wave of others.

Nichole Powell

Founder of Kinfield

The Podcast: Female Startup Club

Why You Recommend It: One of the best things you can do is learn from other founders, and the interviews on Female Startup Club are perfect for that. Host Doone Roisin has chatted with female founders from skincare brands like Black Girl Sunscreen (and Kinfield!) to food and apparel companies to physical retail, like Chillhouse. It feels like listening to your friends talk about how they built their brands—casual yet informative.

The Best Business Tip: Investor funding is not always the answer. I loved the episode with Farmgirl Flowers founder Christina Stembel talking about her journey with bootstrapping her company Farmgirl Flowers to $60M+ revenue. There are many ways to fund and grow a business, and it’s exciting to hear success stories from founders who chose funding paths that aren’t often reflected in the media.

Emma Bates

Co-Founder and CEO of Diem

The Podcast: Women in Tech Podcast

Why You Recommend It: I love the variety of topics and people host Espree Devora features on the podcast. As a woman in tech, it’s an amazing resource to gain insights from other women across the industry.

The Best Business Tip: My overall takeaway from the podcast is that each one feels actionable. When I’m lacking a little “get up and go” energy, it never fails to motivate me to keep pushing, deploying, and executing! It’s not about anyone else’s journey, it’s about the one you carve for yourself.

Nicole Williams

Head of Creative and Comms at Headquarters  

The Podcast: How I Built This

Why You Recommend It: HIBT is probably one of my main go-to’s for hearing from entrepreneurs and learning about their rise, big wins, and fails along the way. I always find it to be compelling to understand the motivations behind any business and hear about the challenges that come with growth and scaling. Whether it's the husband and wife duo behind Lonely Planet talking about their earliest guides, James Dyson spouting wisdom around innovation, or Lisa Price building Carol's Daughter from her home in Brooklyn, the stories of entrepreneurship and taking risks are inspiring.

The Best Business Tip: Surround yourself with talented individuals who are better at what they do than you are. I think this is a recurring theme across many of the HIBT episodes both in the individuals you partner with as an entrepreneur but also in the teams you build. 

Ariel Okin

Founder of Ariel Okin Interiors and Fenimore Lane 

The Podcast: The Second Life podcast hosted by Hillary Kerr helped me as I was pivoting careers, and I love listening to the inspiring stories of other women who have pivoted too. 

Why You Recommend It: Hillary is an excellent interviewer, and really does her homework on every subject. She asks such insightful questions, and draws parallels between stories to create learning lessons for the listener. It's such a great place to get inspiration for anyone who is pivoting careers or afraid to make the jump! 

The Best Business Tip: Delegation does not equal weakness—a great tip from Eva Chen's episode. Being able to successfully delegate and know what you aren't good at to free up time for what you are good at is an essential skill for entrepreneurs and business owners.

Chloe Songer

Co-Founder of Thousand Fell

The Podcast: How I Built This

Why You Recommend It: This might not be a well-kept secret—but while I was still working for Gap Inc in my full-time role I would binge How I Built This episodes all day long. HIBT is an honest look into founders’ stories—the risks they took, the uncertainty that they faced, the mindset around the founder role and leadership, etc. It is amazing to hear all of these different voices and stories and picture myself in the same position in the future. 

The Best Business Tip: I loved—and still think about daily—the Stonyfield Yoghurt story—Gary Hirshberg went everywhere to find funding for his business and was maniacal about cash flow—he had his cash flow mapped down to the hour! He was also tasked with trying to convince people that organic was important in the early ‘80s, and to me, this journey is so similar to trying to convince and educate people to switch to sustainable and circular products. Other incredible episodes include Dyson, WeWork, and Cisco Systems & Urban Decay.

Lisa Buhler

Founder and CEO of Lisa Says Gah

The Podcast: Business of Fashion

Why You Recommend It: I get a lot of their approaches to retail as a whole, from fashion’s approach to plus-size to combating anti-Asian racism in fashion, they touch on relevant topics that our business is experiencing.

The Best Business Tip: Stella McCartney has some sage advice: value collaboration and mutual learning over competition; “be a fighter” when it comes to securing better incentives for sustainable practices, and always look for new information on how to be better. “You never stop learning when you work sustainably,” she said. And I agree, it’s all about learning, and that’s what our tiny and mighty team is all about. We want to be the best and we know we can’t be perfect but we are marching toward that.

Nicole Gibbons

Founder of Clare

The Podcast: I love Guy Raz’s How I Built This 

Why You Recommend It: The entrepreneurship journey is so hard and I really enjoy hearing other founder stories. Hearing successful entrepreneurs share their stories of the ups and downs and how they came out on top is so encouraging and inspiring! 

The Best Business Tip: I really loved the episode that featured Peloton founder John Foley. Peloton is now close to a $30 billion-dollar company, but in the early days, he had a really difficult time getting investors to buy into his vision. He pitched around 3,000 investors and faced so much rejection and persisted. And now his company is one of the most successful and most valuable companies in the world. The lesson: Stay the course, be unwavering in your vision, and have enough to keep going, even when people think you’re crazy. The difference between a lot of successful entrepreneurs and the ones that don’t have great outcomes is the lack of grit to keep going.

Nina Mullen

Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Hilma

The Podcast: Unfinished Biz 

Why You Recommend It: Unfinished Biz is a podcast hosted by two partners at VMG, a VC firm. They interview successful entrepreneurs on how each business started and chronicle the various bumps they experienced along the way. I especially love this podcast because it is focused on a business (rather than consumer) audience, so the guests are incredibly candid and you really feel like you are getting an inside look at their business. My co-founders and I always listen and share learnings from the episodes! 

The Best Business Tip: The episode with the founders of RXBar is one of my favorite episodes because it shows the importance of starting with a clear idea of who your customer is and what a dedicated marketing strategy looks like to target that customer. We all think of RXBar as a mainstream brand today, but when they first started the founders were focused on the niche paleo and CrossFit customer. They were targeted on how they reached those early customers and only scaled from there, after they had that loyal base. Highly recommend!

Kailey Bradt

CEO and Founder of Susteau

The Podcast: Female Startup Club

Why You Recommend It: It gives great perspective into the early stages of starting a business. In most podcasts, you hear from founders who already did it. These are founders who are currently doing it. Doone is a phenomenal host as well and really is on a mission to bring exposure to young female entrepreneurs.

The Best Business Tip: In a recent interview with the skincare brand Topicals, I loved learning about their approach to launching by focusing on education and not on product. It made me rethink how we launch new SKUs and shifted my focus from a traditional marketing strategy to focusing on educating our community first. Topicals also made great use of Twitter, which I am incorporating into our brand marketing now!

Tai Adaya

Founder of Habit

The Podcast: I listen to NPR’s Up First every morning!

Why You Recommend It: It’s important as a business leader to be aware of what is going on in the world so I love this quick but content-rich AM briefing. Our society is a system and everything is linked together. As the leader of a company in a healthcare category, it’s important to me to stay up to date on healthcare access especially. I listen to job numbers to get a feel for consumer sentiment. It’s important to stay aware of M&A and business activity and cultural happenings. Habit uses pop culture to communicate ideas around health. I’m always listening!

Elizabeth Egan

Co-Founder of Dally

The Podcast: How I Built This

Why You Recommend It: You can read all the how-to books or blogs you want, but there’s no better way to learn than to hear the real, unvarnished stories about building companies from founders who did it. A company’s path is never linear and you learn more through failures than successes. The host, Guy Raz, does an excellent job extracting the stories of the more challenging moments from founders—some for the first time ever on public record.

The Best Business Tip: In Brooklinen’s episode, the founders talked about the specific issues they had with customs and immigration on their first order. Well, I was about to make the same mistake they did when I listened, but managed to fix it in time after hearing what the founders did wrong. Make sure to file an import bond application!

Ariel Garcia

CEO and Founder of The Blog Stop

The Podcast: Unstrictly Business by Do Well Dept.

Why You Recommend It: I love how the podcast redefines "success" as a business owner and how to get there. It goes beyond sales and marketing strategies and upholds personal wellness as a key element of success. There is a focus on the care of the individual, which, I think, is hugely overlooked in the business world - in both leadership and company culture.

The Best Business Tip: In building a business, it's easy to feel like we need to be in control of every minute and every moment. That if each minute isn't dedicated to being productive or furthering a goal, it's a minute lost. But in reality, slowing down and taking care of ourselves IS a way to stay in control and, ultimately, be the one to choose what our lives look like. Being a slave to productivity isn't freedom. Freedom is the ability to take a day off, sleep in late if we need it, or give our entire team a Friday off after a busy season.

Lulu Pierre

Founder of Boho Locs

The Podcast: Sales Funnel Mastery 

Why You Recommend It: Host Jeremy Reeves offers very practical advice! When I was first starting my business, I just needed a few pieces of key advice to get me going on my journey. Through this podcast, I learned about lead generation and how to best communicate with customers along their sales journey to really build that brand loyalty and affinity. I found it very helpful and there are tips and tricks I learned from the podcast that I still implement in my business to this day. 

The Best Business Tip: The main thing I’ve learned is the importance of constantly staying in touch with your customers and meeting their needs wherever they are at.

Meg Young

Founder and CEO of Cailini Coastal

The Podcast: Whiskey & Work with Kelsey Murphy 

Why You Recommend It: This is a must-listen-to podcast if you're an aspiring entrepreneur or on the cusp of a big career, especially if you're nervous to make the leap! I started listening to this pod two years before I made my own career change from 13 years in PR to start an e-commerce shop in the home space (which I knew nothing about) and the episodes not only motivated me to make the change but provided education on what steps to take to successfully do so. Kelsey is a business and life coach who offers solo pods—where she discusses everything from imposter syndrome to strategic marketing—and interviews with inspiring and relatable everyday entrepreneurs (as well as some notables!) about their career journeys. It's a feel-good podcast that will leave you inspired and confident to follow your gut and your dreams while making sure you strategically plan for all that being an entrepreneur truly entails. 

The Best Business Tip: One of the themes of Kelsey's podcast is trusting and listening to your intuition. I am a very intuitive person, but when fear enters it's easy to ignore. Kelsey's own personally successful career change, as well as that of all her many guests, all had a common theme about knowing when something is NOT right and actively making the change to unlock your real potential and find a career that brings you true fulfillment. Her episode with Marie Forleo is one of my favorites! I personally made the career change, and I now fully understand exactly what she talks about. I am finally not only doing something I am good at but something that truly brings me joy.

Tiffany Staten

Founder of London Grant Co.

The Podcast: Second Life and How I Built This, especially episodes with Drybar Founder Alli Webb and Carol's Daughter Founder Lisa Price. 

Why You Recommend It: Before launching London Grant Co., I was consumed with doubt surrounding my ability to pivot into the unknown and vast territory of CEO. Sometimes, all you need is a vulnerable story from another founder who took the same leap. Every story won’t resonate, but I guarantee there will be one that speaks to your soul and serves as the universe sending you a gentle whisper that says do it. Second Life is especially focused on inspiring stories of women who've made a successful career pivot. As a mother transitioning from corporate drop-out to beauty founder, I found my tribe. 

The Best Business Tip: Do it… and do it scared. I’ve learned that you’ll never be truly ready, and you’ll never have all the answers. But, the opportunity of a lifetime to invest in yourself awaits. As a mother, and someone who finds comfort in the safest road most traveled, I needed to hear women take small, meaningful steps forward that lead to huge rewards—both personally and in business. I have flashes of Lisa Price and Ali Webb in my head all the time because their stories made me feel that this journey wasn’t actually insurmountable. More than anything, I felt seen, and sometimes that’s all the motivation it takes to move the needle. 

Jacqueline Tatelman

CEO and Co-Founder of STATE

The Podcast: When we first started out, I burned through How I Built This. I loved to hear how some of the best brands in the business started, how they grew, how they failed, and how they got back up again. I was fascinated by the range of stories and would covet the tidbits of information I gained from each listen. There were a few episodes that really stuck with me and when we were experiencing a business “low,” I would think back to the stories I heard and remember it’s all par for the course. It helped me keep my head down, my eyes open, and plow through it.

Why You Recommend It: I think everyone knows that How I Built This is a must-listen. Every entrepreneur needs to know that the journey is not easy. I feel the new How I Built Resilience series is now also a must-listen, especially with where the entrepreneurial landscape is right now. It’s amazing to hear from other leaders how there will be light eventually, you must stay passionate and always focused."

The Best Business Tip: It’s incredible how sometimes you hear things at the perfect time and place. I recently listened to the episode with Kenneth Cole. Kenneth Cole was actually my first job out of college and I absolutely loved my time there! I was so proud to work for a brand that revolutionized the idea of mixing business with a profound political/social justice message. I loved how Kenneth created Kenneth Cole productions, his clever spirit, and how the relationship between the brand and the powerful messages it stood for was so natural and organic.

When we were building STATE, I reflected a lot about how easy it was to mirror that energy. Recently, we were contemplating a shift in our messaging to satisfy some outside advisors and when I listened to this episode, it reminded me of where we came from and why our mission is intrinsic to our success and the continuation of the business. I love the thought of that one day when we’re the entrepreneurs on the other end of the microphone on How I Built This, there will be someone out there who will be listening, and it’ll be a message at their perfect time and place.

Kiku Chaudhuri

Co-Founder of Shaz & Kiks 

The Podcast: Second Life with Hillary Kerr

Why You Recommend It: I love how honest the conversations are with these women leaders about their career journeys and all of the various twists and turns. The host, Hillary, makes sure to highlight the non-glossy parts of entrepreneurship and really convey the full story, with all of the good and the bad, which I think is really important for aspiring entrepreneurs and fellow founders to hear. 

The Best Business Tip: Towards the end of each episode, the host asks the guest about their failures and mistakes. Each one is unique to their story but also you learn the most from that one question. One common thing is that EVERYONE has had failures and challenges, even the most successful people, and to always remember that you learn the most when you fall.

Emma Kemper

Principal Designer at Emma Beryl Interiors

The Podcast: How I Built This

Why You Recommend It: In How I Built This, Guy Raz interviews successful entrepreneurs about how they got to where they are. It's so inspiring to hear the ups and downs of building huge household name businesses. One thing I especially love about it is that the interviews are very honest about the struggles and hurdles entrepreneurs have to face with their companies and that the podcast doesn't paint a rosy picture. I always find myself rooting for the companies by the end of the episodes and having a newfound respect for the people behind the businesses. 

The Best Business Tip: Your company only really fails when you quit. There are so many highs and lows in growing a business (and sometimes the lows are devastatingly low) but if you believe in your company you should always stick with it. There are so many huge brands that I've heard discussed on the podcast that have had incredible lows but have persisted and seen huge success on the other side of those roadblocks.

Dr. Lisa Creaven

Co-Founder of Spotlight Oral Care

The Podcast: Second Life

Why You Recommend It: It's truly inspiring and uplifting to hear honest stories about women growing, learning, and going for what they want in their careers. Hillary Kerr's background in journalism shines through on every episode which makes the podcast more personable.

The Best Business Tip: I think just understanding that career pivots are not easy or straightforward for anyone, but they're always worth it is something I've picked up from this podcast in general. That theme seems to ring true in every episode. Before I became full-time at Spotlight Oral Care, I was running my own dental practice. The decision to become full-time at Spotlight Oral Care and stepping away from the practice was a mix of emotions I had to work through. Listening to these career pivots in such a positive and real way gives me insight and reassurance… there's endless opportunity out there!  

Cary Lin

Co-Founder of Common Heir

The Podcast: I’m pretty sure How I Built This with Guy Raz is already on most people’s lists, but one of the podcasts I enjoy most is How’s Work with Esther Perel because she explores the emotional side of work and relationships. 

Why You Recommend It: I was already a fan of her hit series, Where Should We Begin? Ester does a beautiful job exploring interpersonal dynamics in the workplace, and the emotions we bring to those relationships are similar to those we have in our personal lives. I think her work is all the more essential as we come to terms with a hybrid remote/office environment. I think the early stages of building a company are all about building key relationships—with co-founders, vendors, early partners—and that it’s important to find ways to communicate, listen, and understand other perspectives. The way that Ester guides these therapy sessions helps me remember that being vulnerable, actively listening to others’ needs, and preserving through difficult conversations is essential to being a good founder. 

The Best Business Tip: One of my most memorable episodes is The Break-Up, in which two former fighter pilots co-founded a successful business. The conversation unravels the challenges of blending the personal and professional, and their differing attitudes towards success and failure, risk tolerance, and how critical it is to have those conversations early and often and to not sweep things under the run and leave things unspoken. Good communication and expectation management are essential, as is recognizing the burden or role others have taken on that you might not realize because you’re in your own “hero narrative.”

Jean Brownhill

Founder of Sweeten

The Podcast: The Happiness Lab by Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos

Why You Recommend It: So much of entrepreneurship is a mental game, and you need resilience to survive. Dr. Santos provides a lot of research and insights on how to protect your mental energy.

The Best Business Tip: Running a business takes a lot from you; if you don't protect your own resources, no one else will. 

Side Note: There is also an episode of Malcolm Gladwell's Revisionist History called The Lady Vanishes that made a huge impact on me. The episode explores the world of art and politics to examines the strange phenomenon of the “token,” the outsider whose success serves not to alleviate discrimination but perpetuate it.

Terri Rockovich

CEO and Co-Founder of Jinx 

The Podcast: Group Chat

Why You Recommend It: Group Chat is a must-listen for entrepreneurs because the hosts are business owners, investors, and most importantly: real people just trying to figure it out. They fold humor into the realities of growing a challenger brand, discuss hot news to keep you in front of world happenings and give real takes on culturally relevant topics.

The Best Business Tip: These guys constantly host and interview entrepreneurs that provide so many pieces of valuable advice, asking provoking questions that help tease out the formula for which each person uncovered success for their given project. The most valuable takeaway for me is "how you pivot is how you prosper." Because the majority of success stories do not happen overnight, but instead are earned over a stretch of many years that require a maniacal focus and a high comfort level with failing and learning.

Vanessa Quigley

Co-Founder of Chatbooks

The Podcast: The Life Coach School

Why You Recommend It: Very early on when starting our business, I had to learn how to not take things so personally. For example, instead of letting a bad app review ruin my day, I needed to view that circumstance through a neutral lens so that I could learn from it. I learned some very helpful cognitive tools from Brooke Castillo of The Life Coach School podcast that helped me develop more self-awareness and expand my potential. She also teaches important concepts related to money, like it’s okay to want money. Money is good. And money will come as we create real value. It also sparked the idea to create my own podcast about something I do have a lot of experience with—motherhood! I have seven children ages 13 to 26 and on The MomForce Podcast, I share what I’ve learned thus far and call on incredible guest experts for help on the stuff I’m still trying to figure out!

The Best Business Tip: I especially loved Episode 161 of Life Coach School, which is all about money beliefs. For so many entrepreneurs, money is a real scarcity. But there is real power in abundant thoughts like “Money is easy,” “Money is fun,” and “I love creating value.” Challenging my beliefs has allowed me to be open to more possibilities and opportunities to create value for everyone!

Cherie Hoeger

CEO and Co-Founder of Saalt

The Podcast: Startup Therapy

Why You Recommend It: From problem-solving operational challenges to creating core values and an advisory board, I love Wil Schroter and Ryan Rutan's no-nonsense approach to tackling the real, everyday struggles of entrepreneurs in the startup phase. There are not many places that you can gain so many practical solutions in such a short amount of time, and they do it with candor and humor that's engaging and entertaining.

The Best Business Tip: One episode from Wil and Ryan talked about why smart founders stay in customer support. They emphasized customer support as a critical function of leadership, right up to the founder and CEO. Having regular exposure to customers helps keep us accountable and in touch with customer needs to make better strategic decisions.

Amanda Goetz

Founder and CEO of House of Wise

The Podcast: How I Built This with Guy Raz

Why You Recommend It: This podcast is one of the most popular podcasts about business and growth for good reason. Each episode shares stories from real founders, including their highs and their lows. The show never shies away from diving into the tough parts of being a founder. It shares first-hand experiences about success and how every single success story also has its fair share of scary moments throughout its growth. It's honest and real and I love it.

The Best Business Tip: Recently, How I Built This added a new digital franchise to their weekly series that dives into how brands have built resilience into their operations and with their teams throughout this past year. I launched House of Wise in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, so resilience is in our DNA, and I think each of these new episodes offers great takeaways for every entrepreneur and employee alike, as all of us navigate this new world and new consumer mindset.

Ona Diaz-Santin

Celebrity Hairstylist and Owner of 5 Salon & Spa

The Podcast: The John Maxwell Leadership Podcast 

Why You Recommend It: Leadership skills at their finest!

The Best Business Tip:

What does it take to be a team? 

T- For tolerance of each other’s weaknesses because we all have them.

E- Encouragement of each other’s successes because we all have them.

A- Acknowledgement that each of us has something to offer.

M- Mindfulness that we need each other.

Mimi Ausland

Co-Founder and CEO of Free the Ocean

The Podcast: The podcast that continues to transform my relationship with business and money is On Purpose with Jay Shetty.

Why You Recommend It: After reading Jay's best-selling book “Think Like a Monk,” I began listening to his podcast, On Purpose and I'm so glad I did. In the podcast, Jay speaks to finding purpose, living our lives with intention, using our time and energy wisely, the importance of gratitude and giving back, and much more. On Purpose is inspiring and authentic and it's refreshing to hear a top male podcaster speak to these things. If put into practice, the principles Jay and his guests talk about will translate into becoming a more successful entrepreneur with greater impact. For these reasons, this podcast is a must-listen for female founders and aspiring entrepreneurs alike!

The Best Business Tip: My "aha" moment was hearing Jay say, “Nobody is going to create our lives for us.” This seems almost too simple to be game-changing but it has stuck with me since hearing it. Hearing this, I realized not only the importance of intention but also action. Before making a goal in business, we need to consider the investment and the life it requires before making it our goal. Then, we can get clear with our intentions, spring into action, and create the life we want!

A specific episode recommendation is "Arianna Huffington on How Setting Small Micro Habits Can Help Combat Burnout and Exhaustion.” Arianna speaks to her past struggle with finding a work-life balance and the dangers of encouraging constant productivity. She mentions how quality sleep, breathing exercises, and taking breaks to get outside, are key not only to our mental health but also to productivity. I really appreciated hearing this from such an accomplished entrepreneur.

Erin Treloar

Certified Health Coach and Founder of Raw Beauty Co.

The Podcast: Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield 

Why You Recommend It: Amy’s podcast is the absolute best at delivering actionable marketing tools that drive profitability while going above and beyond to serve your customer.  She shares expert interviews, execution plans, and behind-the-scenes secrets that leave you with concrete action items you can implement right away and she does it all with the most encouraging and empowering voice. 

The Best Business Tip: Build your product or service for your ideal client by connecting with them and including them in the process. I highly recommend episode #324 “Email List Growth Strategies That Will Transform Your Business.” 

Imane Fiocch

Founder and Owner of Neon Lace Company

The Podcast: More Than One Thing  

Why You Recommend It: Athena Calderone’s guests come from all different industries and share how they’ve arrived at their current career landing spot. Many of her guests wear multiple entrepreneurial hats which speaks to multi-hyphenates and out-of-the-box thinkers/creators. 

It’s also a must-listen for anyone who is looking for advice or support whilst changing careers or embarking on a new creative endeavor. I found her podcast very helpful when I was navigating a career change from the beauty industry. At the time I was worried that my other passions and creative interests wouldn’t be accepted and I would be pigeonholed into one thing people knew me for. Listening to Athena’s personal career path encouraged me to take a leap and launch my own business. Her voice is also incredibly soothing and very easy to listen to!

The Best Business Tip: The biggest lesson I learned through Athena and her guests is summed up in the title of her podcast—More Than One Thing. As humans we are multi-faceted, we often have many interests, and our careers aren’t always linear. Listening to More Than One Thing helped me understand that a non-traditional career path is okay and I’m not the only one!

Katie Wilson

Co-Founder of BelliWelli

The Podcast: Reaching New Heights

Why You Recommend It: Megan Gallagher brings on phenomenal entrepreneurs whose stories are both fascinating and illuminative. She has a unique ability to get to the heart of the matter and help guests share the juiciest details of their journeys. 

The Best Business Tip: Megan did a podcast episode with Meaghan Murphy, about growing into a positive person. They stressed that your personal narrative is your own choice. In other words, you are in control of what you tell yourself. This has helped me hugely as an entrepreneur. It's easy to get caught up in what I could have or should have done, but I've made a conscious effort since listening to that podcast to CHOOSE to send myself positive feedback as often as I can. I'm in charge of my narrative.

Niambi Cacchioli

Founder of Pholk Beauty

The Podcast: Beauty Is Your Business

Why You Recommend It: I love it because it’s business owners asking other founders questions—they’re able to ask questions that only a founder would think about. They have multiple hosts from different cultural backgrounds on the show so you’re getting multiple perspectives from guests and hosts. It’s the first podcast I heard that talked about trends in beauty tech, bringing to the light Korean skincare and African descent skincare way before it had hit on a national scale.

The Best Business Tip: My favorite episode was with Charlotte Cho from Soko Glam. She talked about working towards creating an accessible and inviting set of beauty regimens for the North American market and how it needed to go beyond the Korean beauty culture. She had to teach this new market how to use these products for the skin. The focus was on how to translate to customers how these products and ingredients will benefit them and how to use these rituals in their everyday life. And this is why at Pholk we do so much skincare education; it’s not only about cultural values and cultural ties. Making it simple and easy to understand how to use these products.

Alyssa Wasko

Founder of DONNI

The Podcast: Unlocking Us with Brené Brown has been a constant source of inspiration to me in both my personal and professional life. I also look to The Business of Fashion Podcast for fashion news and Second Life with Hilary Kerr, whenever I am lacking creative energy or in need of a confidence boost.

Why You Recommend It: Courage and vulnerability are two things that Brené constantly preaches, and her outlook attributes to my mindset while effectively leading my team through the good and unpredictable times. Her recent episode with Aiko Bethea really touches on this and is worth more than one listen.

Hannah Bomze

Co-Founder and CEO of Casa Blanca

The Podcast: How I Built This

Why You Recommend It: This podcast is full of tangible, relatable stories about what it takes to build a business. Guy Raz is great at facilitating honest and insightful conversations with his guests about the entire process of starting a business: the creation, where things went wrong and how they were fixed, growth and expansion, etc.

The Best Business Tip: The episode with Whitney Wolfe, the creator and founder of Bumble, was especially insightful. She was able to take all of her experiences, frustrations, highs and lows, and focus them towards building and creating something that would have a positive impact on the world around her. Bumble was also designed specifically to empower women, which is also a core principle at Casa Blanca.

Margarita Arriagada

Founder of Valdé Beauty

The Podcast: What Works

Why You Recommend It: Tara McMullin does an incredible job of leading conversations with guests across a breadth of topics related to building a thriving business. She is very thought-provoking. Not formulaic, yet shares principles and examples to consider that are actionable. I love that in every case there is consideration of the business with personal life balance and development. 

The Best Business Tip: I took away a lot from the episode “Writing the Second Draft of the book "To Sell With Love" with author Finka Jerkovic.” I was intrigued by this podcast because it was within a series titled: Working the Plan. And also by the title of the book "To Sell with Love." My takeaways were:

What is the process really of writing a book when you've never written one before? This was relevant because I draw parallels on how I narrate my brand's journey and story unfolding like a book. In fact, the packaging of my product simulates a book. 

What does “selling with love” look like. I have always thought that I was not good at selling. The traditional wisdom on selling or pushing products, I have never related to. Yet I created a brand to sell products. The actual book and the rationale on how to sell from a place of love, completely resonated with me and validated my conviction on how I want to see the brand thrive.

While the brand may be about you, it's not personal. I did not expect to hear that while a brand or product emanates from your perspective, experiences, and events in your own life, you need to treat the brand like a product and detach from the personal relationship one might associate because it comes from you. If people agree or disagree with your opinions, it does not define who you are because it is not all of who you are. I'd felt I had to prove my worth and that of the brand. This topic provokes a different perspective. 

Elyce Arons 

CEO and Co-Founder of Frances Valentine

The Podcast: The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale 

Why You Recommend It: It is so inspirational. I first listened to this before I left for college, and have listened to it over and over again throughout the years. This was recorded sometime in the ’50s, so there is some (unintended) sexism, but the message “you are now, and you do become, what you think about" is still very true. It means everything you become is guided by your own mind. The podcast focuses on success as the progression of a worthy ideal. Follow your dream, pursue your goals, do not conform, but have courage, keep a positive attitude every day, and wake up and decide to be happy.

The Best Business Tip: If you think in positive terms, you will get positive results. Build what you imagine and you can help others in the process.

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Please Don't Do This—5 Things to Avoid After Getting Fired

Photo: Christina Jones Photography

Getting fired can seem like the end of your career, perhaps even the end of your world. It can severely rock your confidence and lead to fear and anxiety for what the future might hold, with questions like, “How could this happen?” “Will I be able to get hired again?” “What will my family and friends think?” racing through your mind on a loop. Along with sadness and fear comes anger, a common and very understandable response to this highly unfortunate (but more common than you think) event in one’s professional life, particularly if you feel like your termination wasn’t warranted.

Of course, nobody wants to find themselves in their boss’ office having that uncomfortable “you’re being fired” conversation. The fact is, though, getting fired is far from the end of the line in your career development—and your life. As horrible as it feels, most people who get fired bounce back. A 10-year study that tracked over 2,600 executives discovered that of those that got fired, 91% of them bounced back and found a new position that was just as good or better than their last. There’s no reason why you can’t join their ranks and come out of the situation stronger than before!

There are a few important things to consider if the fateful day comes where you find yourself being fired. How you react immediately and in the long-term aftermath can say a lot about your character and how successful you’ll be as you forge ahead in the professional world. Here’s what to do if you get fired (and what not to do.)

1. Never speak disparagingly about your previous employer.

When trying to find a new job, avoid spewing any *disses* toward your previous company, in-person or on social media. Speaking or posting negatively about your old employer can reflect poorly on you to potential employers, painting you as ungrateful, immature, or as having a bad attitude. Remaining respectful when explaining why your relationship with your last company wasn’t ideal demonstrates real maturity. It’s even better if you can put a positive spin on things, like explaining how much you learned from the experience.

2. Never retaliate.

Retaliation post-firing can manifest in several ways—blasting your colleagues or company in an angry Tweetstorm, initiating a confrontation, stealing office equipment, etc. Don’t do this. We promise you, it won’t be worth it, and will more than likely make the whole situation worse by potentially burning any bridges you still have at the company.

It’s very possible that future employers will conduct thorough background checks before deciding to bring you on, and if they seek feedback about your performance, your former employer is much more likely to speak poorly of you if you retaliate after your termination and much more likely to give you a positive recommendation if you handle yourself professionally.

3. Don’t be afraid to discuss the why behind your termination.

We get it, when you’re in the middle of being fired, you may feel like fleeing the scene as fast as possible. Keep in mind, though, you’re owed an explanation for your termination and a thorough one at that. It’s likely that you’ll receive some sort of feedback during your termination conversation—your work ethic is lacking, you’re unfocused, you have an attitude problem, etc. (ICYWW, these are a few of the most common reasons people are fired).

However, you have a right—by federal law—to get a more in-depth picture of where you went wrong. For example, where were the specific areas your employer sees you lacking? What could you have done better? This type of detailed feedback will be invaluable to you in your next position to avoid making the same mistakes twice.

4. Never shy away from asking for help—you just might get it.

There is no harm in asking your employer or colleagues for a recommendation before you leave. It may seem counterintuitive, but it’s still likely they will say yes, making your life easier as you re-enter the job market. You should also ask about how the company will handle any inquiries from potential employers about your time there.

You are entitled to know whether they will provide details about your departure, the dates of your employment, or any other related information surrounding your tenure with the company. You may be able to negotiate with them about the details they disclose, which could really help you protect yourself from unwanted hardship during your job search.

5. Never believe this is the end of your career—you will turn this around.

Getting fired can make you doubt your abilities and potentially question your self-worth. It is important to give yourself the time and space to grieve and feel your feelings—anger, sadness, fear; these are all completely normal, and there is no shame in allowing yourself time to go through them. But don’t let this one unfortunate event derail your future. Come up with an action plan for your next steps, including what you are going to do to find your next job. This downtime is also a great opportunity to network and develop a list of references to list as you apply to new positions.

Though it’s cliché, there is some merit to the saying, “getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to me.” This is an opportunity to make a fresh start and take the time to find a new position that suits you, rather than jumping right into the same situation that could lead you to similar negative patterns. Take the necessary time to collect yourself and recognize that getting fired does not define you, and then commit yourself to moving on in your career, seeking out the opportunities that align more closely with your skills and passions. 

About the Author: Susan Levine is the president and founder of Career Group Companies—a leading recruiting firm based in Los Angeles, with offices in New York, San Francisco, Orange County, and Greenwich. Their divisions are comprised of Career Group, Syndicatebleu, Fourth Floor, Avenue Pacific, and events that span a variety of industries. They specialize in executive and administrative support, marketing and design, fashion, events, and C-level placements. As a widely recognized industry name, they pride themselves on placing top-tier direct hire and freelance talent in their dream jobs. They use their expertise to impact the lives of their candidates and improve the company culture of their clients, one exceptional match at a time.

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This story was originally published on August 28, 2019, and has since been updated.

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How Tracey Wigfield Worked Her Way From ‘30 Rock’ Writer’s Assistant To Emmy Award-Winning Comedy Writer

Photo: Courtesy of Tracey Wigfield

Listen to the full episode here.

Do you remember your favorite television shows growing up––the shows that not only got you through your adolescence, but where you discovered your first ‘tv crush’ or shed a few tears during that ‘one episode’ that tugged on your heart strings and left you wanting more? We’ve all been there. And we bet you can recount those memorable scenes and quotes too. So where do the creators of these newly reimagined television shows even start when they want to reintroduce their beloved show back to the world? And how do they continue to keep their episode topics relevant and trending in an industry where the audience's attention is so quick to jump ship? 

Today I’m sitting down with producer and Emmy Award-winning writer, Tracey Wigfield, to discuss exactly that - how she helped create and write the critically-acclaimed and reimagined Saved by the Bell TV series on NBCUniversal’s streaming service Peacock. We’ll be tapping into the reimagined show, and the path that got her there - including her winning an Emmy alongside co-writer Tina Fey (Hello, amazing partner!) - and how she balances being a working mom in the process. Join the party on social @workparty and stay in-the-know at workparty.com.

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On Her Career Journey

“I just kind of spent the first five months after school, I remember feeling like, “Oh my God, I’m floundering, I don’t even have a lead.”

On Being in the Writer’s Room 

“It was very intimidating at first, because everybody’s talking really fast and everyone is really funny and pitching jokes and stuff and it felt overwhelming, but multiple people took me under their wing.”

On Working With Tina Fey

“I felt like it took me a year to not be terrified to open my mouth around her because I was just in awe of her.”

On Reimagining Saved By The Bell

“It felt like themes of privilege and wealth disparity and education and equality sort of were right on the table and that seemed really exciting and kind of unexpected for a Saved by the Bell reboot.”

On Finding the Balance When Merging Comedy with Challenging Social Issues

“What exactly do we want the end point of our message to be? And making sure we have these larger conversations about what we want to be saying about harder topics...just so everyone is clear, before you know, making it funny.”

On Advice For Aspiring Show Writers and Content Creators

“The funniest things to me are things and observations that feel true.”

On Balancing Motherhood With Career

“It’s a struggle but I also think I’m very lucky to be in a position where I have some power over my schedule. When you’re the boss...you are able to make your own hours.”

On The Traits That Got Me Where I Am

“I really love my job–I think that’s a big one. I don’t think you can be successful at something if you don’t.”

On Her Best Career Advice

“You know the answer often, and even when you’re in situations where you’re not quite ready to be doing this big job or whatever, you actually do have everything you need to be doing it.”

On What Success Looks Like to Her

“I think it’s making the life for yourself that you want, and then once you do that, using the power you have to empower other people to do the same.”