A few weeks ago I hosted a panel about buying vs. renting with two realtors out in Round Rock, Texas. I learned a lot. I know so many young people / millennials who are more eager to buy than rent now, more than ever before.
I’ve always loved hosting and having friends stay over. I’m happy to be over the roommate phase of my life and lucky enough to live alone. I swear I’m the only 23-year-old in my friend group who enjoys living alone, but what can I say: I’m pretty OCD. I need my sleep and my routine uninterrupted, every single day and night! Over the weekend, I had friends in LA visiting. My best friend Serena (pictured above) and I met at acting camp the year I started my blog. We’ve been the closest of friends ever since – and we both had a common bond at camp: our moms were the camp nurses so we could go for free! Though neither of us pursued acting for a career, there’s something so unique about friends who you can see every day or once a year and pick up where you left off.
Instead of housing them in my apartment (I’m currently living in a very small studio, and excited to move in October) I reached out to a private housing company in Texas that owns different properties large parties can rent. I didn’t know what to expect before we showed up to the house. Let me tell you: I’ve never wanted to buy a house as much as I do now after spending three days at a house with multiple bedrooms each of my friends could sleep in. Lodgewell thrives on allowing guests to have an experience that you wouldn’t get from AIRBNB or VRBO. Does anyone else truly just hate corresponding with hosts when you arrive at a house on AIRBNB? I’m on vacation, not necessarily trying to make new friends.
Tanya Kerr, broker and agent in Austin, says that investing in a house in your 20s can lead to ultimate financial freedom.
“Systematically adding to your real estate investments early on can set you on a trajectory of future wealth. If you’re going to live somewhere, why not invest in your financial future rather than your landlords?”
Last season, you met me in my most unfiltered form. I was co-hosting Season 1 with my best friend Alix, and then I moved to Austin. Filming a podcast, running a summit company company and trying to focus on everything in between became way too much for me. So I took some time off from the podcast world, and I’m excited to be back, and more fearless than before.
I filmed this episode back in March, right when I got back from Istanbul. Remember that crazy snow storm in Texas? Yep, I almost didn’t move to Austin because of that. But wow, I am so glad I didn’t listen to the part of my brain that was trying to convince me not to come here. If I hadn’t moved to Austin, I probably wouldn’t be officially dating my incredible boyfriend (yes, you can be a successful businesswoman and a successful girlfriend too – BALANCE!), wouldn’t have received the tremendous amount of publicity surrounding Mentor Match, and wouldn’t have found true happiness.
This season, meet new friends of mine, get new questions answered, and learn how to be your most unfiltered and fearless self.
A new episode airs every Monday at 5 AM EST!
The New Unfiltered is back! After 150 episodes of my prior podcast This is Life Unfiltered, I took a step back to focus on building up the Be Fearless Summit & Mentor Match.
Couldn’t be more pumped to be back interviewing founders, talking about running a startup & answering new questions every week. New episode up at 5 AM EST every Monday 🎙
Listen on all streaming platforms 😁 #podcast #podcasting #podcasts
Mom, I made it! Good Morning America aired yesterday and the feedback from you guys has been unreal.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I am hosting two different intensive workshops for aspiring entrepreneurs or people who want to get any questions answered by me (and special guests!) on how to stay fearless, get out of your comfort zone and pursue your wildest dreams.
Two dates. Two workshops. I can’t wait to meet you guys!
One week ago tomorrow, I was sitting outside of my apartment balling my eyes out. 10 years into being an entrepreneur, I’m constantly surprised at what does bring me down. Something in my business goes awry pretty much everyday, so I’m used to the ups and downs!
I’ve been rejected so many times along the way that I never feel phased by rejection anymore, but last week I did. It took me 3 days to bounce back from the frustration of how close I was and the inner monologue of how I still “am not good enough” – a monologue every single founder I know goes through like a hamster wheel, over and over again.
100 people can remind you of your success, but until you hit your ultimate goal as an entrepreneur, validation from others never seems as relative as it could be in the moments you feel ultimately defeated.
The below video is one I frequently re-visit when I’m struggling with not feeling good enough for my own good, or was rejected like I was last week. I encourage you to watch a few moments of it and then scroll down.
In 2017, I was doing TV segments left and right to make a living – in a new city every single week to afford to do anything I wanted to do since I didn’t have anyone giving me any money or support. Blogging was incredibly hard to monetize and Instagram had only just launched, so I found the back door to get paid by brands to go on-air and host TV segments.
The glamour and the excitement on set was nothing to me. I had never been so depressed and lonely. I was in a new city every week, constantly wishing I could stop going on TV to make enough money to just write and talk about what I really wanted to talk about. I’m so content about the fact I didn’t stop pursuing my dreams because I never would’ve known what it would be like to be where I am today: able to simply run my company and start new ones without having to do so many side gigs I didn’t love doing to pay my bills.
Most people finish high school and then go to college, whereas I did the opposite: decided to pursue entrepreneurship and working in entertainment, which I looked at as a means to leading my dream life as long as I didn’t give up. Way easier said than done. AKA, why I started Mentor Match!
What happened prior to the video above: I pitched a show to a super big production company and landed a meeting with the head producer. To call myself naive would be an understatement. Like, of course they weren’t giving me a TV show. Who did I think I was!?
A few days after getting an email back, I found myself in Burbank walking into a meeting that I thought would change my life.
My life changed in a completely different way – I realized I’d never be successful unless I remained persistent and never defeated.
3 years later, I was filming Fearless Everyday on Radio Disney right across from the building I had the meeting with that producer in. Those 3 years were really rough. I left LA, went back to Boston, kept hosting TV segments that were making me deeply depressed, and I’d go back home and spend the rest of my time pursuing my former nonprofit (Media Impact and Navigation for Teens) along with this blog.
Last week wasn’t much different. I was in the running for a huge show on a major streaming platform (a social media show) with ongoing calls for 6 months with producers and directors. 3 days before my unfortunate rejection, I had even given my passport info, ready to get the call last Friday that I’d be flying to England tomorrow to start filming. I wasn’t chosen. That sucked because I was so close.
Here’s what I remembered about rejection: success isn’t supposed to come easy. If it was, we’d all be founding companies like Amazon and selling our companies for millions. Easy, right?
I was on a call yesterday with the New York Times, and the writer asked me how I pick myself back up time and time again and still remain as passionate about what I do. I’m not certain there’s a straightforward answer to that question, but all I can really say is what other choice do I have? Give up because someone thought I’m not good enough? Heck, I had a show for a year and was constantly told there I wasn’t good enough because I didn’t have millions of followers, yet.
Fuck that.
Were you really that passionate about something if you’re willing to give up that easy?
In preparation of Good Morning America tomorrow, we’ve added over 15 new mentors and categories to Mentor Match. If you’re not familiar with Mentor Match yet, it’s my new program that matches each of you with vetted mentors in a range of different categories. I’m especially excited about the new sports and entertainment category, plus additions to the finance category. I’ve had calls all week with all of these mentors to make sure they’re as ready as we are to help lead you towards following your dreams and leading your most fearless life.
Find your perfect mentor on the shop page here or scroll through our list under the “mentors” tab!
Last year, I did a post on my experience with birth control and removing my IUD. It’s been months and I still stand by my decision: removing my IUD was the best decision. The main reason I removed my IUD was because I just began to realize I didn’t want this foreign object in my body without knowing any long-term side effects. I listened to a podcast with the founder of Phexxi (an on-demand birth control I use) and she said that she’s pretty certain the pill gave her breast cancer, which was enough for me to question all birth control methods! After having an IUD since I was 17 (and loving it – truly was really great, especially as I experimented sexually and really found myself before I ended up in a long-term relationship) I got older and took a lot more attention to things like birth control, skincare and overall wellness. With old age comes wiseness, and with that comes being a lot smarter when you’re intimate with someone!
The ONLY downside to getting my IUD removed (almost no pain to have it removed, unlike when it went in) was getting my period back. After not having a period for years (which I heavily questioned my OBGYN about, and he said not having a period was actually good for you…) I was surprised to go right back into my normal menstrual cycle. Tampons and pads had been foreign to me for years, so an adjustment period was expected. I bounced back in no time and now have a monthly period which I use an app called Flo to track. That app is genius!
When Hannah approached me, I really saw the vision for the company and appreciated it. I’ve tried a lot of organic tampons, including LOLA, and hate them all. Which sucks, because they’re so good for the environment. But having a period is uncomfortable in general, I can’t spend an extra 15 minutes shoving a tampon that doesn’t even work inside of me, ya know? I’m a big Tampax girl, because they work. What’s remarkable about Hannah is that the pads and underwear are totally reusable – and the brand gives back, too! Upon purchasing from the brand, they give menstrual cups and pads to women in Ethiopia.
Having a period isn’t hard for me anymore – and I no longer feel restricted to using “organic” tampons that don’t work or mainstream ones that harm the environment. Hannah is where the future is heading, and already at!
Extra benefits of Hannah pads:
Less to no itchiness
No added chemicals, herbicides, pesticides.
Non-dyed cotton.
Reusable for 2-3 years (some of our customers use it for longer, but we recommend changing after 2 years. (Economical – saves you money)
Certified organic cotton by the Control Union
FDA certified
Are you frustrated with using skincare products that work for others but not for you? Your friend and even your favorite influencer are raving about the exact same toner, so why does it give you breakouts? Well, one of the most common mistakes people make is to use the wrong products for their own skin type. Warning signs include ineffectiveness, general discomfort, and even acne. So, it’s not your friend’s (or that influencer’s) fault! Some products simply won’t work for you because they aren’t made to address your skin’s specific needs. That being said, to properly care for your skin, you need to understand your skin type. Oily Skin Does your skin look too shiny? That’s because you may have oily skin, especially if you have the following characteristics: • Shiny skin, especially in the T-zone, nose, and chin area • Big pores • Acne, blackheads, and whiteheads Keep the oiliness and blemishes at bay by following a skincare routine for oily skin. Start your routine by washing your face with a cleanser that contains salicylic acid, which can combat excess oil. This ingredient goes deep into your pores, reducing blemishes. But be careful not to over-cleanse, as this may encourage your oil glands to produce more oil. After cleansing, use an oil-free moisturizer, so that you can hydrate your skin properly. Dry Skin Does your skin look dull? Your skin type could be too dry, especially if you have: • Cracked and flaky skin • Rough complexion • Fine lines • Red and itchy patches Without the proper care, your skin can become irritated very quickly. The right skincare routine for dry skin needs to include hydrating products, so that you can fight uneven, dull, and rough skin. Use a light exfoliating cleanser to get rid of dirt, impurities, and roughness. More importantly, use a moisturizing treatment to give your skin all the hydration it needs. Healthy, hydrated skin is less prone to dullness and roughness. Combination Skin Are you unsure whether your skin is dry or oily? Then you might fall under the combination skin type, especially if you have: • Big and open pores • Oily T-zone area • Dryness in your cheeks • Blackheads Combination skin can be tricky to care for because there is a lot to deal with. Care for your combination skin by using a foaming cleanser with hydrating ingredients, because it can combat grease without stripping your skin dry. Then you can use moisturizers with antioxidants or emollients which will help to hydrate and protect your skin. Sensitive Skin Does your skin get easily irritated? This may be because you have more reactive skin, which can manifest through the following: • Redness • Stinging or burning sensations • General discomfort after contact with certain topical products or changes in temperature If your skin is prone to any of the above, you need to soothe and protect it with gentle products. Look for cleansers and moisturizers that don’t have irritants, like sulfates, dyes, preservatives, alcohol, and fragrances. These will keep your skin clean and hydrated, without you having to worry about any adverse reactions. Normal Skin If you can’t relate to the skin concerns stated above, that’s great. If you have a normal skin type, you’ll probably have: • Minimal blemishes • Small pores • Smooth and radiant skin However, this isn’t an excuse to slack off when it comes to your skincare routine. Prevention is better than cure. Keep your skin healthy by using a gentle cleanser to avoid any unexpected irritation. Follow it up with a moisturizer that contains antioxidants, as they can boost your collagen production. Keep your skin amazing by protecting it properly!
I’ve been in Austin about 6 months now, and I have loved every single minute of my time here. I just signed a lease for 15 months starting in October, that’s how much this city has taken my heart. I have a boyfriend! A new bike and a helmet! Many cool new friends! And a gym I really enjoy going to that I never thought I’d like walking into. I had friends in town over the weekend from LA and the girls were asking me how I really compare Austin to LA. The main differences include:
People in Austin are nice. They’re genuine, interested in you as a person and not always your career, and fun!
Austin is a city, where (to me) LA is a town filled with many other towns in it. Brentwood, West LA, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Marina… Getting from one side of LA to the other can be a nightmare at rush hour (Austin traffic is no fun either, but I’m not often in a car) which prohibits you from seeing friends who live in other areas.
LA is a harder city to make friends in, so I feel like between having to schedule time to see your friends days in advance because LA is so big and then not being in an environment where you can go out and make friends easily is a little isolating. LA weather is amazing, the culture is pretty dope (at the end of the day, LA is the place everyone goes to become something and someone) which is never a boring environment to be around.
Since I know I’ll be in Austin for a while, and still have the option to go to LA since my other apartment is there, I decided to find a safer mode of transport compared to what I was doing, scootering. Some of you may remember when I was at Radio Disney working on my show Fearless Everyday and flipped over on a Bird scooter and almost died. Fun fun times.
ESPIN Bikes generously offered to send me one of their newest electric bike styles, the AERO. Retailing at $1,300, this bike gets me from point A to point B in half of the time. Perfect for commuter and city riding, I chose the green AERO instead of silver because the green is so fun!
The bike is great because I can bike normally or turn on the “engine” setting, which is either P1, 2 or 3, and all of a sudden I’m peddling at up to 3x the speed. From my apartment to the gym, ESPIN has changed my LIFE.
I can’t have a bike without a safe helmet, right mom? I initially bought a $17 helmet on Amazon before I realized that biking is a #culture. I felt like I had to get the safest and trendiest helmet on the market, so I approached BERN helmets to see if they’d hook me up. I was sent the Hudson helmet in white that matches the aesthetic of everything I wear on my bike! Just like I’m starting to wear sunscreen, I’m starting to really invest in anything that makes me live a safer life.
Truly excited to see Mentor Match inspiring people of all ages to get out of their comfort zone and ASK for help. The mentor/mentee relationship isn’t like therapy: this relationship is unique and more business-focused. You can’t approach mentors like you’d DM someone who inspires you or your friend: if you’re looking to create the conversation with someone about potentially being your mentor, it’s important to look at the relationship as a business relationship from the get-go.
When I was interviewed for this piece, one of the questions made me think of imposter syndrome. Since mentorship is an active and usually free service for both sides, I feel like so many of you are thinking
“What makes me good enough to have this person mentor me?”
“They’re too busy…I’m not reaching out…”
“I feel like I’m not at the level to have so and so mentor me…”
I get it. Asking for “help” in this way isn’t always easy or comfortable. The more comfortable you get with being open and honest about your strengths and weaknesses, the more skilled and intelligent you’ll become. There is no downside to getting mentored!
