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Is Your Idea Worth Pursuing?

#LifeUnfiltered

green entrepreneurship

As a “green” entrepreneur, meaning around the time when I went full-time with my site and platform, I didn’t really understand much about entrepreneurship. Since I started as a blogger and my brand has evolved since 2016 with the podcast and the summit program, everything happened organically for me. I have gone into almost every idea I’ve pursued completely unaware of what would come out of it, and I attribute a lot of my success to the fact that I never had any expectations.

I always let my drive lead me, prepared to fail and equally prepared for something to come out of it.

Even though I enjoy going into everything having no expectations (it makes life so much more fun) there are ways to grow a company and gain traction. Most of you are probably closer to my age or in your 20s, so I understand that it’s harder to jump right into something. You already have a career and a college degree, so how do you know if pursuing entrepreneurship is the right move?

You don’t need millions of dollars or millions of followers from the beginning to be successful. What you do need is the drive inside of you to pursue something.

There are a few factors I advise people to look at when it comes to deciding if you have the right idea.

1. Is this the type of idea that keeps you up at night? I genuinely believe that all entrepreneur’s have a unique drive inside of them. If you’re not passionate about something, why would you want to pursue it? Becoming an entrepreneur will not be easier than your day job (if that’s why you’re trying to launch a company). There are thousands of other factors to keep in mind! IF you have that drive, follow it. That’s one of the first pieces to the puzzle of success: how BAD do you want something and how HARD are you willing to work for it?

2. I thought about the summit for a year before I brought it to life. It was something that I knew would work because of the track record of what I knew that young people needed, but it also wasn’t something I was ready to take on at the time. I had that burning passion to bring it to life, but I initially sketched myself out of the idea! I knew that I had to pursue it because sometimes I have an idea and it’s like a scratch that I can’t scratch, and so I need to eventually scratch it. I HAVE to try even if I fail because then I know I can move on. In this scenario, I knew TOO much about conferences and how much work goes into them that I went back and forth with whether it was a feasible idea. Once I got that one yes from Drexel, I followed the yes all the way to the finish line.

3. Your best proof that something works is to ask. Ask the people in your life what they think about the idea you have. Put together a focus group in your area and ask for honest feedback. Spend $20 and buy some coffee and chips (something!) and encourage people to join you for a conversation. The worst thing to do is going into building a brand not knowing if you have a product that people need or will respond to.

4. Can you make money off of this? It’s the most important factor in deciding to pursue being an entrepreneur because you can’t be successful if you have to live in a car. With the summit, I knew there was an avenue to monetize the concept because I know that brands need to be in front of this unique demographic. Even something as small as me deciding to put on a live streaming of TILU made me think about how I can monetize that one particular panel at the summit.

If you’re building a brand around a sellable product, there’s always a way to make money. You need to spend a bit more time researching the best avenue for making money the quickest while you’re first starting so that you can live and pursue what you love. You might simply need to keep your day job and pursue this idea as a side-hustle until sales roll in.

5. STOP LISTENING TO WHAT PEOPLE THINK! Oh my gosh, if I had listened to my parents or friends up until I got traction I likely wouldn’t be where I am. Not that I was often deterred from pursuing blogging or the summit, but friends and family are meant to have your best interests at heart and when you call them freaking out about who knows what in the scheme of your company, they freak out too! As Sara Blakely said it, don’t tell anyone your idea who is closer to you until you know you’re diving into it.

No one and nothing is going to hold you back besides yourself.

#FearlessFridays Learning How To Pole Dance

#LifeUnfiltered

#FearlessFridays Growing up, I never talked with my parents about sex or relationships… not even makeup! I love my mom and dad, but they didn’t approach “uncomfortable” topics in the way that I’ve seen other parents do. I think one of the reasons I grew up so fast was because when I turned 17 and moved out, I was completely on my own to learn, which inspired me to make my own mistakes AND talk about them!
 
Social media has created a place for young men and women where they can’t show too much skin without being called a slut, and if they cover up too much, they’re told they look like a nun.
 
I’m 5’10 and if I wear denim shorts with heels, I get told I look like a slut because I should wear longer shorts and just reduce the size of my legs or something! Why isn’t it socially acceptable to be sexually confident?
 
In an attempt to teach myself and hopefully all of you to loosen up and care even less about what people think, I enlisted Secret Pole Dance Studio to teach me how to pole dance. I love my body and my mind, and I want this slightly hilarious video of me being awkward to inspire you to get out of your comfort zone today, tomorrow and next year. #FearlessEveryday #LiveLifeUnfiltered

3 Ways to Combat Bullying

#LifeUnfiltered

Last week I followed the story of the kid who was bullied because of his height. My friend Hannah initially sent me the article, and it was a total tear jerker. Bullying is real and it happens everyday in real life and online. The rise of popularity in social media has only made bullying more severe, leading kids to self-harm and even commit suicide. A decade ago, no one would have thought that a comment on a social post or a post on Facebook could stem so much depression and anxiety among people of all ages, but it does.

I’ve spoken out about bullying since the beginning of my career. I started my blog to overcome the classic mean kids in middle school and my own personal insecurities. As I’ve gotten older, I would be lying if I said that I don’t deal with situations of bullying now. There have been moments in my business and in my personal life where I have had to take a step back to understand how people who are so much older still have the evil streak to put someone down. It’s terrible! Sometimes I find myself feeling uncomfortable to talk about what happened, but I’m learning that the more I can talk about bullying, the easier it is for you to help overcome what you’re dealing with.

We all have bad days. We have weak moments and times where we will take whatever we are thinking (positive or negative) and put it on someone else. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apologize or take it to a new level by posting someone on social media. You’ll regret that, so keep your social media clean and avoid putting someone down regardless of how angry or sad you may be.

3 WAYS TO COMBAT BULLYING: 

  1. Reach out for help. I never felt comfortable talking to my guidance counselor and my mom wasn’t as involved as I wish she had been when it came down to more personal situations. Had I felt comfortable reaching out to a close friend or someone in the school, I would have. If you are like me and didn’t feel comfortable talking to anyone, call one of the online hotlines out there. We made a full list on M.I.N.T. and you can find a free resource in every state right on that website. The minute you feel sad or angry, call. 

2. Parents, it’s your duty to be involved. Research Snapchat and Tik Tok. Understand what makes YOU comfortable and what makes your kids UNCOMFORTABLE. Begin the conversation without any anger or aggression, and simply sit your child down to explain to them the difference between kindness and meanness. What it means to put someone down and what it means to be put down. Slowly, your child will begin to feel like they can open up to you. As the adult, if there is a case of bullying that your child discloses to you, don’t shy away from bringing it to the principal. If that fails, go to someone above the principal. You may need to approach a PTA group and have them help. You are in a better position to combat bullying by having more people on your side!

3. Start an organization in your home town. I know you may be scared to share your experiences, but you’ll slowly learn that the more you talk about what is going on in your school, you’ll realize you’re not alone. Ask your guidance counselor or principal what the rules are on starting an afternoon club, and ask a few of your favorite teachers and friends to show up for the first day. Email a local restaurant in your community and ask if they’ll give you food. Make it happen! We can’t combat an epidemic without talking about it, and that begins with you.

#WCW: Sarah Goody, Teen Activist

If you’re not familiar with my series #WCW, I decided to start profiling women across the world who inspire me. Since I don’t have the opportunity to interview everyone on my podcast or on a show, I figured I could just as efficiently spread their message through Life Unfiltered. A few weeks ago a Forbes writer forwarded me an email from a young adult who had reached out to her, and I was happy to invite Sarah to be this weeks #WCW! Let’s hear how she lives life unfiltered.

A: What sparked your interest in Climate Change?

Sarah: I was first introduced to the climate crisis in the 6th grade. My class spent a month dedicated to exploring the causes and effects of climate change. This was an eye-opening experience for me. I had never felt so personally connected to a social justice issue. Most problems I had witnessed before such as gun violence, immigration rights, racism, etc. did not seem to apply to me on a personal level. The climate crisis was very different. I discovered that I played a key role in the increase of CO2 in our atmosphere, and without urgent action, global warming will result in the extinction of the human species.

 A: How would you advise someone who is trying to be vegan but doesn’t know where to begin?

Sarah: For those who would like to transition to a vegan lifestyle, I recommend starting off slow.  You don’t have to wake up tomorrow morning and stop eating animal products. Instead, you can transition to a plant-based diet at a pace that is right for you. As a first step, try to dedicate one meal of your day to vegan food, or as an alternative to ordering a meat burger try a veggie burger. These small steps will make the idea of going vegan much less overwhelming and will teach you how easy it is to transition to a plant-based diet. Keep in mind that you don’t have to be 100% vegan to make a difference. Maybe you decide you just can’t imagine living without cheese. That’s Ok! You can still make an effort by reducing your intake of other animal products like meat or eggs. There are many resources online for going vegan, some of my favorites are the Vegan Society and ilovevegan.com

 A: Do you have a role model that has helped spark this determination in you?

Sarah: Oh my gosh, so many! One that truly sparked my determination to take climate action is my friend, Charles Orgbon. In 7th grade I attended a camp called Youth Empowered Action Camp and Charles was my camp counselor. At the time I was having a difficult time finding my role in the climate movement. I didn’t know any “youth activists”, I had only seen a few on social media. I was skeptical of my capabilities and on the verge of giving up altogether. Charles showed me that I was wrong and that I had the power to make real change. Charles founded a non-profit organization called Greening Forward when he was 12 years old and told me all about his experience as a climate activist. I finally felt capable of making change and became determined to try and fight for climate justice.

 A: How do you plan to incorporate your fight for climate change into the future?

Sarah: Activism has taught me where I fit in the world, and that is inspiring change for the advancement of society. I want to die one day knowing I played a role that changed history. I will not stop fighting for climate justice until I see a promising future for society. I see myself pursuing a career with a focus on climate activism, whether that be through politics, business, or leadership. I promise you that activism will forever be a part of my life.

A: What is one small thing that citizens of the United States can do to contribute to the fight for climate change?

 Sarah: Spread the word! Educate and share information about the climate crisis with your friends and family in person and on social media. In order for politicians and leaders to listen to us, we must show that the people of the United States are united for climate justice. But how can we unite for climate justice unless everyone is aware of what is happening? I like to challenge myself to start one conversation every day with someone new about the climate crisis. It is an easy way to contribute to the fight for climate justice on a daily basis.

#FearlessFridays Let’s Talk About Your Body

This is part of a paid partnership with JCPenney.

Happy #FearlessFriday! There’s been a lot of talk in the media surrounding bullying over the past 24 hours and I want to chime in to that topic in an upcoming blog post. But today I appeared on a D.C. morning show called Let’s Talk Live to discuss body positivity among young people. This is a key area of focus for me because I know how many people out there struggle with loving their bodies. The journey towards self-love takes time. I would be lying if I said that I wake up and love every part of my body every day. I don’t! Sometimes I love being an entrepreneur and sometimes I wish I wasn’t! Sometimes I love my stomach and sometimes I don’t! I’m a work in progress, and I think that it’s important to remember that you’re only human. You can’t be satisfied 24/7. Or maybe you can be, and that’s cool too!

Shopping for denim & swimwear are two of the hardest styles for women to shop for in my opinion and personal experience. The lighting is always bad in dressing rooms (hello, every possible thing on my stomach that I hate) and the denim I end up trying on never fits me! That’s why I was excited to go on air and discuss this particular line of denim that was specifically made for women and by women. The brand teamed up with women in sizes 2-24 to test this denim to make sure that it was up to the task of making them all feel fearless. It was, and I got a chance to test the denim too, which I approved. There’s nothing like a sexy pair of skinny jeans or a bootcut to make you feel ready for anything.

All of these looks are available at JCPenney stores and JCPenney online.

Stay tuned for next weeks Fearless Friday…I’m learning how to pole dance!

ASK FOR MORE MONEY: HERE IS HOW!

When I hosted the first Be Fearless Summit at Drexel University, I met a few young people who were just as passionate about the summit and asked to continue working with me as we worked on landing the next summit. I said yes and have loved meeting new people through this summit!

Over the last few weeks my assistant and some of the girls I hired to help have approached me about raising their pay. As a CEO, it’s important to me that the people on my team are just as passionate and also HAPPY about the work they are doing. If someone is unhappy working for me, that only makes me unhappy. I said yes, and they both replied saying they were scared to ask me and didn’t know how to ask for more money.

I totally understand: sometimes I’m uncomfortable asking for money from a brand for a podcast ad or a blog post. Talking about money is never an easy conversation to partake in. I’m in an unusual position because most of my employees work remotely, and I don’t have a full HR department or monthly sit downs with them like many larger companies do to touch base on progress and growth.

Always think of the topic of money like this:

What value do you bring to the table, and does the brand or person you’re asking for more money from value you as an individual?

The response you would hope to get back from them is that they equally value you and are glad you asked for a raise. If you get a condescending or demeaning response back, that means that they don’t value you as an employee and you can find another job!

I like to give a pay raise every 6 months. To me, that’s a healthy growth cycle to track the progress of whoever is working for me. I wouldn’t start working for a company and expect a pay raise the next month – you shouldn’t either.

HERE ARE 3 WAYS TO ASK FOR MORE MONEY FROM YOUR EMPLOYER:

 

  1. EMAIL! Email is fabulous because it’s not personal. You can email me and tell me you hate me and I won’t care. Come up to me at my office and say that…well, I won’t be smiling! Begin the email thanking your employer for the opportunity to work for the company, and express your respect for how much you’ve grown as a person through the job. From there, explain in bullet points the reasons why you are requesting a pay raise…like with ($5 etc.) more per hour you’d be able to properly give the attention to this client, or simply be honest and say you are struggling with balancing work/home life so would appreciate a pay raise to allocate the proper hours per month to the company.

 

  1. Set an in person meeting. I love meeting with someone in person because you can instantly gage their vibe. You don’t have to worry about following up via email or questioning if they hate you when you ask for more money- you can find out on the spot! Start the conversation by again thanking them for having you involved with their brand, and explain that you think your work efforts have proven a (15%, for ex.) raise. BOOM.

 

  1. Let your boss come to you. After about 6 months, most bosses will suggest a pay raise after seeing quality work. You can wait until then so that you don’t have to approach the conversation on your own, even though I totally suggest you ask first.

How have you asked for more money in the past? #LifeUnfiltered

 

109: Forget About Me? You Owe Me Money!

Being an entrepreneur is hard. But how do you do that if you’re not making any money? In this episode, I guide you through how I managed to make money when I was first building my brand before launching my podcast or getting my Radio Disney show. Websites like Upwork and Fiverr are your new best friends, and don’t be afraid to work a more traditional job (at a coffee shop or a mall) while you’re working on your side-hustle. You’ll go full-time soon enough, I promise!

Listen to me talk about living life unfiltered below for episode 109!

Time Management: How I Handle My Time

I put an Instagram poll up yesterday asking you guys what you want me to talk about, and I got a big response about time management and money! I have a love/hate relationship when talking about money, but I’m going to go for it and film an episode Tuesday. No holding back!

Additionally, I’m speaking with an organizing mentor Monday for TILU and that episode will air on Wednesday!

Mark Twain once said, “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”

What’s that mean? Handle more of your bigger, time consuming tasks in the morning. Don’t wait until 4 PM to film that podcast episode or wrap up that business proposal. It’s worse to email something to someone else out of office hours and way better to do that in the earlier part of the day. When 4, 5 and 6 PM come around you don’t want to be struggling to finish a proposal of some sorts when you could be heading home.

A lot goes on in one day for all of us. From waking up to working out to going to work and remembering to eat, how do you make sure there’s enough time in a day to handle it all!?

I would like to say I have perfected time management now that I have a team and can afford to have an assistant helping me with my scheduling. Outsourcing has made my life easier.

Back in the day when I was BROKE I constantly felt like I was running 100 MPH without knowing where the breaks were.

Am I doing enough?

How do I keep doing this everyday for the rest of my life if it doesn’t work out?

Can someone help me!?! But I’m so broke I can’t afford to pay anyone so back to writing every task and phone call down in my notebook. 

These were sentences that would run through my head on repeat. That doesn’t mean I don’t struggle with time management now, I just know how to handle a lot at once. I’ll remind you first how important keeping a schedule is.

Being as I run my own company, it’s not easy to maintain a set schedule every day, which is why I always like to stay consistent with when I workout, when I go to bed and when I meditate. You’ll notice that keeping the most minor (yet important) parts of your day consistent help you stay more organized throughout the day.

productive time management tips

I’m not one of those people that has a organized planner and suggests you all buy a planner to organize. What happens if you’re a student and have nothing to do all day besides class? Write your morning ritual in your planner and something at the end of the day that you’ll do everyday in your planner. By putting those few tasks in your planner, you’ll feel more organized than before (and busier!)

If I’m busier than usual (like during summit season) I write down a list of daily tasks in my notebook. I keep my notebook with me at all times because I don’t like to write notes in my cell phone. I bought a sticky note planner from Molly & Rex that has made my notebook extremely organized. I write “payments” and “tasks” and “brands” etc., on the stickies and organize my notebook with those. The M&R line has a fabulous selection of products that are affordable and have helped me stay organized and manage my time better.

Separate your business and personal life as best as you can so that you learn to turn off when you get home. I keep my working hours between 9 AM – 6 PM, so if someone is calling me after 6 PM unless it’s urgent, I won’t answer.

If someone calls you randomly, don’t answer! There are times when you’ll have to be strict with your schedule and random people calling you to ask a question about an email you probably didn’t have time to reply to don’t help you keep your time managed. 

Something I wish I did back in the day when I was starting is used an online phone scheduler like Calendly. Now I use Zoom and Uber Conference for scheduling (both are free) and I’ve noticed that I feel much more organized when scheduling a call that way vs. who is calling who directly.

I can’t preach enough to many of you aspiring entrepreneurs that if you are passionate and driven to be successful with what you are pursuing, you need to make the time for it. If you have a day job and are working on a side project, get up one hour earlier or go to bed one hour later. Don’t spend your time THINKING about getting up earlier, just GET UP EARLIER. You can’t be passionate about something without any passion.

I hope these tips help you!

Haute Couture Styles

Only few brands get the honor of presenting in Paris twice a year. I thought I’d share my favorite shows with you since I’ve gone to PFW and LFW a few times but usually watch from afar nowadays! 

Valentino Haute Couture: A New Silhouette

One of the most looked-at shows in all of Haute Couture is always Valentino. I have admired Valentino for years, and this show left me breathless, just like the others. However, this season Pierpaolo Piccoioli seems to be searching for new shapes, new silhouettes, ways to accentuate women through volumes and color blocks that we haven’t seen before. You’ll see pieces with over-the-top bows, voluminous skirts and ruffles that look like skirts but are actually pants (pants are extremely rare for Valentino Haute Couture), all accessorized with dramatic, oversized earrings, blazers or feather boas. Throughout the collection, you see many new colors that Valentino has never used, but you still will find that iconic red throughout the collection. Being a bit more realistic, for those wanting to save up for the new rockstud bag, or just to marvel, websites like luisaviaroma.com has the entire new Valentino collection for women available now. Italian artists never fail to disappoint!

Maison Margiela Artisanal: Upcycling Bourgeois

Creative director John Galliano decided there are too many clothes in the world. He is absolutely right. Consumerism has taken over the world and his idea for this collection was to ease into a revolution. All of the materials you see in this collection are from thrift shops, furniture shops, and are all second-hand. By seemingly what is magic, Galliano and the Margiela team managed to transform what to us would be garbage, into these intensely intrinsic jumpsuits and dresses, barely covering our most coveted body parts. Big coats with ruffle, scarf like details hanging off the side, men wearing skirts and cinched-in at the waist jackets, extra over the top hats, and famous Leon Dame with his extra dramatic walk are some of the highlights of this collection. This collection is androgynous and sustainable, 2 of the major directions our culture and society is heading in, as Galliano and Margiela predicted many years ago. 

With all of the issues going on in the world, Haute Couture can be a beautiful escape for us all. Imagine someday being able to try on the most beautiful and delicate pieces in the world. That is the magic of haute couture, because only 0.001% of us will actually be able to ever do that. For now, we can dream. It’s the dreams that gets us through our long days and keeps us going. Thank you Paris for this magic and dream you bestowed upon me. 

What show was your favorite show at Fashion Week or if you got lucky enough to win my New York Fashion Week giveaway and went?