Being in New York, I definitely took advantage of the amazing internships the city had to offer. I was a Magazine Journalism major so I interned at Avenue, New York Moves, and then eventually landed at Condé Nast interning at Traveler and Self. My internships were hugely important to my career because they were a great way to figure out what I liked (and what I didn't) and to get real insight into how these businesses worked. 

What I found working at magazines was that I was more interested in the marketing side of things and creating campaigns, which led me to my first real job—at a marketing agency called Attention!

Well, my story is a little interesting because I got laid off. I was killing it in my career in NYC, had a great job at a great company, a six-figure salary, and tons of responsibility at the age of 23. Then the company transferred me to LA, and I got laid off shortly after. MAJOR BUMMER. 

I was definitely freaking out. I had always been this person who was “killing it” at their career and all of a sudden, nothing. I spent a few days in sweatpants, crying. Then I emailed a few people in my network letting them know I was looking for a job or freelance opportunities. 

Luckily, opportunities began to roll in. I landed a few clients, ended up getting office space, more clients, then employees, and, very naturally, (No Subject) was born. I created the agency I wanted to work at, and I went after clients I liked. I didn't always get them, but after a few short months, I ended up working with some of the brands I idolized. 

The reality was I didn't have much to lose. It was just me, my laptop, and an idea and it worked. I think it takes a lot of trust in yourself and your vision to keep moving and keep going.

Oh yeah! There were definitely quiet months, crazy clients, and business issues I didn't know too much about. It was a roller coaster. You absolutely need a crew of people around you when you go off on your own, whether you're freelancing or starting a company. The “yes” people tell you to keep going, the “realist” team keeps you in check along the way, and the “naysayers” give you that hustle to make it work.

I haven’t had one mentor. My mentors are my friends, often my age, also running their own businesses, killing it in their careers, making moves, and supporting one another along the way. I think our peers can be our mentors—we can vent about what it's like to be an entrepreneur and have real talk about the triumphs and tribulations that go along with that. I can send out an email to my #bosslady network that says something like “Anyone have a good accountant?” and within five minutes, there are 20 recommendations. We are all in the same boat and helping each other out.

Create & Cultivate started as a way for me to connect with other female entrepreneurs and creatives, hear amazing people speak, and just enjoy some cocktails! 

At the time, it was a small, fun side project, but it kept growing on its own organically. Year after year, it kept getting bigger and taking up more time (in a good way!) so there came a point where I had to treat C&C like a business, hire a dedicated staff, and really go for it. I invested my own money into the company to kick it off since it was something I truly believed in, and now we are a team of five and growing! 

Balancing the two businesses is always interesting. Luckily, (No Subject) is a well-oiled machine at this point so it operates on its own with an incredible team behind it, and we get to work with amazing clients that have been with us for years. For C&C, it’s the Wild Wild West and that's exciting. Every day is so different!

I wish someone told me in college how crucial networking is to your career. I was always under the impression that good grades, talent, and a killer work ethic would get me where I needed to be. But the reality is your network is crucial to that process. It definitely doesn't come easy, and it definitely takes time. There are people who email me now asking to speak at C&C, and I've emailed them maybe 100 times before with no response. It’s the nature of the game. 

My approach to networking is: 

1. Make it organic. Don't try and force a conversation or a partnership right off the bat. 

2. Maintain your network. You have to meet with people, keep in touch, send the occasional text. 

3. Help people out with zero expectation of anything in return. I like doing this, making people money or introducing them to someone important, etc. I have been doing that my whole life, and it really comes full circle.

4. Be a pleasure to work with. I truly love my job and my work, and I want people to have an amazing experience working with me and my companies. Your reputation is often your resume.

6:30AM: My dog typically wakes me up for a morning walk. I make my fiancé take him. Hit snooze.

6:45AM: I’m up! If it’s a slow day, I will go for a hike or squeeze in a spin class. If not, I will make a coffee and start getting ready.

7:30AM: Typically out the door and en route to the office. I like getting there before everyone to get some quiet work time in.

7:45-9AM: Check emails, work on unfinished business, call my mom or sister.

9AM-12PM: Usually calls, meetings, team meetings etc.

12-2PM: Lunch if I'm lucky—I usually eat on the go or scarf something down quickly.

3-7:30PM: Back in action at the office. Calls, meetings, team meetings, etc.

7:30PM: If I can get out early, I will try and grab a drink with a friend or head out to dinner.

10PM: Bad TV, followed by bed.

The biggest takeaway I have is that as women, this is our time. I have never seen so many smart, cool, motivated, and ambitious women coming together and pushing each other forward. The cultural shift is real, and I am excited to see where it goes.

Thank you! I am a big fan of making my home “a sanctuary.” I want to relax when I walk in the door. 

I try to turn off via Soul Cycle classes, hikes, lazy Sundays, and what I call “no makeup weekends” where I kinda just gel out. I also love gardening and keeping our succulent game strong, hiking with our pup, having a glass of wine, and meeting up with friends! My crew is made up of super busy entrepreneurs so we all cut each other slack when it comes to making plans, but then we'll get down to it and sort of “check each other.” Like: "You have been working too hard. I'm coming to get you, and we are going for lunch." Sometimes you need that.

When I started out, I think was a bit naive to the fact that people didn't always have my best interests in mind. I made a lot of handshake deals that blew up in my face. At the time it was the worst, but in the long run, it was a great lesson to learn. No matter how simple a deal is, get it in writing.

Take time to enjoy your successes and celebrate. In this fast paced start-up world, it's GO GO GO and often times you let really great moments just fly by. I wish I had spent time celebrating milestones along the way.  In terms of general advice, I would say: do your research about the business you want to start. Find your competitors. Find your potential customers and talk to them about what they want and what's missing from their lives. Create your business around that need.

Coffee. Just kidding. I am truly just enjoying the momentum I have now. I have been working at this for a while, and it hasn't been an overnight success. I think I am just enjoying the ride.