While it might not be the most thrilling topic to read up on, it’s essential for your own success that you understand what this new law means for you and your business. Aside from the tax rate, here are four other areas of most people’s lives that are likely to be affected.

1. Self-Employed Persons – A Tax Deduction

One of the most significant sections of the recent tax reform is the addition of a Qualified Business Income Deduction, which provides a reduced tax rate to certain businesses. This deduction may be as great as 20% of the business net income.

However, calculating the actual deduction can be complex as Congress provided several factors, including income, the profession, amount spent on wages and property acquired as factors in determining the deduction.

2. Owning a Home

Owning a home in California, New York and in other high property value states has just become more expensive.

Deductions for state income and local (sales and property) taxes paid are now capped at $10,000 combined, which will profoundly impact taxpayers in states with high home values and property taxes. In California, for instance, the residents pay some of the highest state income taxes in the country. This means that their tax deductions for the taxes they pay are severely limited; thus, their tax bill will likely increase where applicable.

3. Having Children

Under the previous tax law, families could claim a $1,000 credit for every child under the age of 17. This credit began to phase out for couples earning more than $110,000 per year. The credit has now been doubled to $2,000 per child, and the phase out threshold has been raised from $110,000 to $400,000. For people who don’t earn enough in a given year to pay taxes, they can still claim the credit, but their child tax credit refund is now limited to $1,400 per year. Note that the new law also changes the guidelines for 529 education savings plans, which may now be used to pay tuition at private schools and religious schools, and to cover homeschooling expenses.

4. Getting Divorced

The new tax law makes a fundamental change in the way that alimony is taxed. In any divorce commenced after December 2018, the spouse paying alimony cannot deduct it and the spouse receiving the money no longer pays taxes on it. The IRS claimed that 361,000 taxpayers had claimed an alimony deduction in 2015; this new tax law eliminates that deduction. This may make negotiations regarding spousal support more contentious.

All of these big changes may require additional effort as you look to filing next year’s tax return, but don’t panic — overall, the new tax law gave much more than it took away, if you know how to take advantage of it! The tax penalty for lack of health insurance is eliminated, and individual tax rates are lower across the board, standard deduction amounts and the child tax credit increase, leaving more money in your pocket. However, if you rely on itemized deductions for things like state and local income tax, unreimbursed business expenses, casualty losses and spousal support [alimony] payments — all of which have been affected — to reduce your taxable income, you need to know how these changes affect you.

Thirty years ago, Steve founded what would become Moskowitz LLP (www.moskowitzllp.com) to help businesses and individuals navigate the complex tax code. Today, Steve and his team offer top-notch client representation because they want the new tax law to work for you. Contact Steve and his team today at 415-394-7200, or visit www.MoskowitzLLP.com to schedule a consultation and learn how to use the new tax law to legally minimize or eliminate your taxes if you qualify.

The post Headline: The Tax Code Has Changed: Have You? appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

The United States has some of the lowest voter turnout rates of any established democracy — about 40% for midterms. And if you’re a Millennial? Well, then it’s even worse: we’ve got the lowest voter turnout of the adult generations — and yet we’re on track to be the largest voting group!

But to be the largest voting group, see, we have to actually vote.

There are all kinds of lame excuses people use to forgo voting:

It won’t make a difference.

I don’t care.

I have to work. 

Well, let me tell you: it DOES make a difference, you SHOULD care, and take advantage of early voting! Get thee to the polls. Get an absentee ballot. There are options. And while we’re at it, if you’re in a position of power — help other people vote. Give your team time off, would you? Give a neighbor a ride to the polls. Babysit, or cover a shift if you already voted. Make snacks to share while you’re in line. We are all fighting on the same team here, and though we may not agree about everything, we all must acknowledge that democracy cannot function without active voter participation. Every vote matters, every ballot matters, every voice matters.

If we all vote, we all win.

Most of you reading this are probably women. Remember last year when women weren’t allowed to vote? How much did that suck, right?

Oh, wait, no, that wasn’t last year, that was 1918. The amendment granting suffrage was passed in 1919, and ratified in 1920. Which means women haven’t even had the right to vote for a full century yet — that’s how recent all this is. In the grand scheme of history, that’s less than a blink. Women spent decades fighting for the right to vote through protests, hunger strikes, jail time, and dedicated, passionate sacrifice. They fought for you. How can you possibly say your vote doesn’t matter?

In fact, did you know women’s suffrage came down to one single vote? After the amendment passed, they needed 36 states to approve it. The last state to approve it — the 36th state — was Tennessee. Tennessee’s vote was tied 48-48. And ratification then came down to One. Single. Vote.

That last vote was Rep. Harry T. Burn, a 23-year-old Republican who had been opposed to the amendment. But then his mother wrote to him to “be a good boy,” and vote to approve it.

And Harry’s momma must have raised him right, because that’s exactly what he did.

So don’t ever say your vote doesn’t matter. One single vote granted suffrage to half the adult population of the United States! Sure, not all votes carry that much weight every time — but you never know how your vote might just tip the scale. Each and every vote matters — so never waste or neglect yours.

Incredible women made incredible sacrifices to give you the right to vote less than a century ago. Their victory — and the final vote that sealed it — shows how great a difference one person can make. It shows how essential a right this is, and how precious a responsibility.

Honor those women by exercising the right they fought for.

Don’t make excuses.

Vote.  

The post No Matter Your Party, No Matter Your Beliefs, You Have One Responsibility appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

Entrepreneurs, freelancers, and business owners often get into their field so that they have more control over their schedule. What they don’t tell you when you get started is you can often feel like you have less control; after all, you don’t have an office to leave, or a boss to tell you ‘good job, see you tomorrow!’ You just have your own long list of to-dos, and when that list gets overwhelming we want to buckle down, power through, and just. Keep. Working.

So when Halloween rolls around in the middle of the week? Well, maybe we’ll just have a pumpkin spice latte and work until 10 pm again anyway.

I’m here to tell you why that’s not a great idea. And I’m not going to talk about self-care.

Don’t get me wrong; self-care is important! But you already knew that, didn’t you? Which is why I’m going to go over something else, something you might not have thought of:

Participating in Halloween can be good for business.

And I don’t just mean participating while you’re at work. I mean actually taking a half day off, closing your computer, and getting involved in the festivities. Halloween is a community event; neighbors and kiddos will be coming to your door, someone down the street might be having a party, the community center might be having a harvest-themed bingo night — whatever it is, people are getting together! And guess who makes up 100% of your customer base?

That’s right: People.

New entrepreneurs can often get lost in that long list of to-dos, stuck at their computer or office all day (and night), probably getting piles of work done but missing out on the people they need to connect with. Getting involved in your community as a representative of your business doesn’t just build relationships, it can build customer loyalty, attract new and better talent, increase brand awareness, and more. Participating in community events isn’t just a way to relax and enjoy yourself (although it certainly is that) — it’s a way for new people to see you and your business in a positive light, build trust, and ultimately learn more about your work and product.

A lot of things we do in business are check marks: we finish something, we check it off. We know we’re making progress.

But a lot of things can’t be measured by a mark — they’re part of a long game, an investment of time and relationships that slowly but steadily builds stability for your company.

Investing in your community — even just in your own neighborhood — can ultimately make a powerful difference in your business trajectory. Those investments over time are what can make the difference between a company that’s barely getting by — and a company that’s standing profitably on it’s own two feet.

So what are you doing still reading this?

Log off. Go home! And go enjoy the festivities. Your business will be better with a little community.

The post Why Time Off For Halloween Is Good For Business appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

Fortunately, there are still games and studios out there who remind us that we are in fact making progress — that there is room for women in this industry — and Soma Games is one of those fantastic studios.

Not only did they just release “Lost Legends of Redwall: The Scout,” a beautiful stealth-adventure game based on the famed book series with a female lead character (Sly scout “Sophia” the mouse), but one of the team leads for developing this game was Art Director Erin Marantette.

Marantette was always interested in games, but never saw herself working in the industry. Though growing up she played Pokemon, Halo, Fable, League of Legends, and more, it wasn’t until an encouragement from her older brother that she started to believe she could get involved.

“When I was in middle school, we were looking at the Fable 2 art book when my brother told me, ‘You could do that.’ He planted the seed of interest — the idea that I could be more than a consumer of games, that I could influence and create them,” Marentette explains. And later, pursuing an art degree in college, it was through another branch of support that she was able to really break in. After confessing to a professor that she would love to use her art degree to make games, that professor introduced her to Chris Skaggs, the CCO/COO of Soma Games. “That connection got me an art internship after my freshman year during the summer of 2011, where I learned about the inner workings of a game company.” She kept up the relationship and now, seven years later, she’s the Art Director at the same company.

Although Marantette recognizes that sexism is a problem in the industry, it’s not something she’s experienced at Soma. “I’m lucky that my experience has been so positive, especially because I hear of so many hard and difficult [experiences]. Some are of embarrassment, shame, or harassment.

“My experience has not been that [at Soma]. I’m an outlier. I’ve felt uplifted, listened to, and given opportunities to grow as an artist and as a leader.” Soma Games, also known for “G Prime: Into The Rain,” is eager to see the industry change, and works to create a culture to reflect that. Marantette explains that part of the reason for choosing a female lead in the new Redwall series stemmed from that goal.

“As a company we felt that this decision was important,” she says. “We wanted to bring female representation to the front of our game. It was, in part, a response to the GamerGate harassment movement within the state of the gaming industry.”

Soma Games provides an artistic home for Marantette, where her responsibilities range from creative direction — she’s behind most of the character design of the Redwall games — to managing and leading a team of artists. “The art style is…my responsibility,” she explains. “As a a team we spent a month sifting through previous work to help nail down our design guidelines and terminology [for the Redwall game]. As we create new assets and bring in more people to the team, it is my responsibility to make sure the new members are up to date with our style guides and that the new art meets our standards.”

While Soma Games has been an enthusiastic support for Marantette’s career, she says outside support is helpful for navigating the industry as a whole. She cites her husband with this support, as well as a team of fellow gamer women. “I have found support in a community of women who work in Game Development. When I have questions or frustrations that are related to gender specific issues, they have been wonderful in giving advice and support. We give feedback on art pieces, listen to soundtracks made by each other, and help each other with career specific issues.”

That support is essential because, as Marantette explains, there’s really no clear path to break into the gaming industry. “Everyone’s story is different,” she says. “A lot of people go from their relevant university degree to an internship or junior position in a company. That’s what happened for me. However, I know plenty of people who came from separate careers, are self-taught, or entered the game industry through one job and then switched departments to where they are now.”

If gaming is a career dream for you, there might not be one clear entry point — but finding a supportive company like Soma is an excellent start. Add that with a community of like-minded peers (maybe a mastermind?) helping you grow, and you’ll be well on your way.

Plus, if Marantette and Soma have their way, each new generation of women will find the industry exponentially more supportive than the last.

“My hope is to see the industry change,” Marantette says. “I hope that by being apart of it, I can help change perspectives and lay a solid foundation for women in the future.”

The post “Lost Legends Of Redwall” Boosts Female Representation in Gaming — Both On and Off The Camera appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

In The G&E Show, the power couple tells us how it is when it comes to the “business of marriage.”

“We’re not perfect, but we’re figuring it out. We have a very good thing, and we’ve been very successful. If I can fast-track somebody else’s success or help another couple get on the same page, then it’s worth it,” says Elena. “I want other people to experience victories — real victories.”

For her, balancing love and business comes easy when you are part of a dependable team. After more than a decade of being married, Elena and Grant have learned to validate each other and review their goals together; they always want to make sure they’re in alignment. According to them, success in this arena is about showing up for your partner.

“It’s holding myself to a higher standard, actively assuming a more responsible role, and holding myself accountable — not just in my marriage, but for others,” she says. “It means showing up 100% in my marriage.”

Early on in their relationship, Elena was responsible for pushing her husband to become a billionaire. She maintained that it was an attainable target and a goal she pushed him to achieve. “Everything should be about chasing down the money. Where’s it coming from? Go get it. Don’t waste any time. Bank it once you have enough of it. Put it into a real estate investment, because it’s a real hard asset that’s not like a 401k,” she says.

As you can tell, Elena Cardone is chock-full of advice on everything you need to know to up-level your business and your life. Don’t believe me? Read on for her key insights.

Just be ready to take notes, because you’re going to want to remember this.

1. ELENA CARDONE ON HOW TO BUILD AN EMPIRE

Cardone is also a businesswoman in her own right. Born in Madrid, Spain and raised in New Orleans, she started modeling when she moved to Los Angeles at 17.  She appeared in numerous high fashion print editorials and national commercials. The former actress also starred on the NBC series USA High, and appeared on guest starring roles on C.S.I., George Lopez, N.C.I.S., LAS VEGAS and Two and a Half Men. Now, Elena plans to add another title to her resume: Author.

She is currently working on the release of her new book, Build an Empire – How to Have It All, where she plans to inspire and equip others find the path of success in their careers and their relationships. “I’ll just tell you exactly what you need, just as if you started at ground zero,” she says. “You need a purpose.”

In the book, she plans to discuss what you need to know, and who you need to become — but the focus won’t be on money or marketing.

“You’re either building an empire, or you’re destroying one. If you are trying to build an empire, every single decision you make and every action you take should be from that viewpoint,” she explains. Using this strategy, “you will start to eliminate wasteful, even harmful, actions — and increase positive, beneficial moves that actually will advance you down the playing field.”

She adds another essentially Cardone tip: Don’t try to build your empire alone. Surround yourself with a team of like-minded people who will support your success. Find your tribe, and never stop learning.

“When you rise to the top, you need to take certain responsibilities and sacrifices and wear your hat as that role,” she says. “Knowing your roles is also very valuable in the empire.”

To achieve success, Cardone believes you have to stay close to the people who have your best interests at heart, and distance yourself from those who don’t. Stay away from anyone trying to hold you down.

“You MUST eliminate the people in your life who are liabilities. Liabilities are people who are determined to keep you the same. They don’t want to see you change or better yourself, so they will let you off the hook, give you sympathy (different from compassion), or worse, try to convince you to party instead of focusing on work.”

Download our Fall 2019 issue for FREE, featuring Elena Cardone

2. ON WORKING AS A TEAM

The G&E Show, available on iTunes at the Cardone Zone, gives the Florida-based couple a chance to collaborate and spend time working on a project they are both passionate about.

“In our relationship, we don’t bring 50/50. I bring 100; he brings 100, and we freaking rock it. We’re 200%,” says Elena. Topics range from “Be the Solution, Not the Problem,” to “Surviving the Slump,” and are chosen to spark conversations among their listeners.

“We’re always looking for new challenges and new friends. She’s always pushing me to do more, to be more, and I do the same for her,” Grant, named one of Forbes’ 25 Marketing Influencers to Watch in 2017, tells HER Magazine. “She’s grown in her ability to communicate effectively, and she’s grown in her financial awareness!”

By working to solve problems together, the couple knows they won’t take each other for granted.  The Cardones work together to reach their goals — a trait both her and Grant believe is essential in making every relationship succeed.

“We know what our purpose is as individuals and as a team — always,” she says. “When you fight wars and battle side by side, no matter the outcome, it builds not only the love but the trust in each other as partners.”

There is never a moment when they don’t support each other, which they credit as key to making their relationship work. A good tip: Before you can get on the same page as your partner, you need to figure out what you want to accomplish first — today, tomorrow, and every day.  Write down goals and understand the importance of why you are doing it.

“As a mother, she runs our house great. As a wife, I couldn’t ask for a better spouse. She lets me be me and doesn’t step on my toes when it comes to letting me run my five businesses. She runs the house, I run the companies — and it works! We aren’t doing a marriage or a job, we’re just doing our lives,” says Grant.

“I am genuinely his biggest fan, so I do whatever it takes to get him and our brand known,” she says. “I love when I see an idea that we thought of manifest in the real world and turn out to be a successful venture. It makes all the blood, sweat and tears moments worth it. It makes us more fortified as a couple when we celebrate real accomplishments and have victories.”

Although she has a great system with her husband, she holds value in finding time for personal development. “You’ve got to do your own thing,” she says. “Learn something new that challenges you.”

3. ON LIFE (& MONEY) LESSONS LEARNED

Cardone explains that focusing on being ethical, and surrounding herself with moral people, has been a key part of her growth.

“Work on bettering yourself,” she says. “Become an asset to yourself and others. All your spare time should go into self- improvement or training that will help you be more knowledgeable and prepared in your business and life.”

Her husband emphasizes that this woman is about integrity. “Ethical people — like Elena — achieve the results they desire and create success for themselves and their family,” he says. “She does what she has told others she would do.”

It’s a lesson that Cardone learned the hard way. Everything is always evident in hindsight, and she believes partying in her past was a major setback to her real potential.

Drugs and excessive drinking “had horrible side effects of depression, insecurities, self-doubt, lack of motivation and such an overall sense of self-invalidation,” she says, “that caused further bad decisions and prevented me from actually pouncing on a good opportunity when it was in front of my face. I never confronted that these effects were real, and even justified using drugs as a means to enhance my ‘creativity,’ when truthfully it did the opposite.”

A lot of lessons and tools she credits as invaluable to her success came later in her career, delayed because of her party lifestyle. Basic things she regards as essential now took a while to become a part of her strategy. For example, she wishes she would have known earlier how important it is to multiply your money; i.e., find a way to have your money working and earning income. She also used to believe that buying a home was a good investment, a common idea she now discredits heartily.

“That is a lie and a rare exception. Homes are liabilities that don’t pay you every month. In fact, they are pigs that need constant money thrown at them to maintain and keep up. I wish I would have known to invest in multi-family real estate assets, where you get paid every month from tenants,” she explains.

“Being a woman in power is not as easy as it might seem,” says Alla Mazurenko, one of Elena’s closest friends. Alla was a fan of Grant, and a friendship flourished after she became inspired by Elena’s determination.

“Elena gives the first impression of being unstoppable, that she will break all the barriers toward her goal — but behind that army-strong determination lies a wise weighing of priorities. Every person has her vision and wants to fulfill her potential. Elena has taught me to wisely evaluate the benefit of any action.”

4. ON THE DAILY HUSTLE

To manage all her roles as a mother, wife, host, and author, Elena doesn’t have time to make excuses for not getting things done.

“Cut out all the loaf time that doesn’t contribute to the forward motion,” she says. “As your empire grows and you become busier and busier, you will eventually have to hire people. This is a good thing. You will need people to do the things that you don’t HAVE to do. I utilize the valued people of my empire to get things done while I spend time with family — but this develops as you expand.”

In an average day for Elena Cardone, she’ll take her children to school, work out with a trainer, and then have another training session with a martial arts instructor. In the afternoons, she works on her book and brainstorms topics for the podcast, before picking up her kids from school, helping them with homework and making dinner.

“I usually read a bedtime story, and then I’m back with Grant catching up on social media, watching a movie, or plotting futures,” she explains of her routine.

5. ON FOCUSING ON THE FUTURE

Elena is in the final stages of writing her book, which will be available for sale at grantcardone.com — and she promises to include the necessary items for creating an empire-building toolbox. She’s also heading on a global world tour to expand her brand, all while striving to be an incredible mother who uplifts and inspires her two young daughters on their path to adulthood. “I am excited about our real estate portfolio and the opportunity we are providing for others to be a partner with us on that,” she says.

Although she maintains a lot on her plate, she always has something to look forward to. Her strategy is to focus on the future, and keep her attention on one simple thing: that which can you win together, with your partner — and with yourself.

“Learn how to be your own best friend,” she says. “Push yourself, be honest, forgive yourself and encourage yourself to gut up and do what’s right!”

Photos by Lyman Winn

The post Elena Cardone Wants YOU to Build an Empire appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

Much of the focus on #backtoschool, whether it’s a share on Facebook or a targeted marketing campaign, tends to focus on students and parents of students. They’re going through a big change; they’re kissing their summer breaks good-bye and either mournfully or enthusiastically marching into the school year. But there’s another group undergoing that same transition, and I’d venture to say they might need a little more of your support: Teachers.

Teachers, at most schools, have already been back at work for at least a week or so, and now they’re finally welcoming students back into their classrooms. Teachers are saying good-bye to their own summer vacay, which often for teachers isn’t a vacation at all but simply a time for their own professional education. They are prepping their classrooms and their lesson plans, getting to know 40-100 new students (give or take, depending on the school), and doing their best to establish a healthy classroom culture with the sea of new faces before them. Teachers aren’t just educators, after all — they’re mentors, supporters, coaches, cheerleaders, counselors, and crisis managers. Teachers are the ones who raise a generation of educated citizens, who provide support for adult students, who make arguably one of the biggest differences in our culture through their generosity.

The problem is, teaching is a profoundly difficult career path for even the most passionate, dedicated among us. This time of year is an opportunity to remind teachers that you’ve got their back — that you appreciate them and, more importantly, that you’re ready to support them. How, exactly?

We’re glad you asked. Here’s a few ways to get started:

1. Donate. Many teachers use sites like Donors Choose to fund various classroom projects, because the majority of anything beyond the most rudimentary supplies often comes out of teachers’ pockets. They’re given little to no budget to work with, and their salaries (as we all know) are extremely limited. Ask your teacher if they have a Donors Choose page, or another site where you could donate to help with supplies. Or, barring that, simply ask them — is their anything you could pick up? Extra points if you include chocolate and/or alcohol in this ‘donation’; they probably won’t ask for that, but experience tells us they’ll appreciate it.
2. Be Aware of Their Time. Listen, we know that involved parents are an important part of a child’s education — but time is a limited resource. Teachers are normally not — I repeat, NOT — paid for overtime, so every email you send asking to change a grade or schedule a meeting eats directly into their paycheck. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ever make requests, of course — just be aware you are one parent or student of many, and save the emails and extra meetings for essentials. Remember, teachers care about you, your student, and their work — they’re obviously not in this for the money — and if they could, they’d spend all their one-on-one time with EVERYONE. But they can’t, so don’t expect them to. Protect their overtime, because it can be difficult for them to protect it themselves.
3. Volunteer. If you really want to get some face time with the teacher, offer to help rather than continually asking for more. Do they need a classroom aide? Help grading papers? Coordinating an event? Consider what you might be able to contribute and then offer accordingly. You can volunteer for one-off events, if your schedule is limited, or on a weekly/daily basis if you have more wiggle room. You’ll build a great relationship, and probably learn a lot in the process.
4. Express Gratitude. You’d be surprised how far a kind word, email, or thank-you card can go. Teaching is often a hugely thankless job; teachers are in it for love, not for acclaim, and as such often miss out on the recognition they so deserve. Just letting a teacher know how much you appreciate their work can make a world of difference. For that matter, don’t forget to reach out to teachers from years past! We all have that one (or five) teacher that made a lifelong difference in our own little world; why not send them a letter, letting them know how they changed you for the better? Back-to-school can be a fantastic reminder of all the teachers who’ve poured into us; take it as an opportunity and let them know how much it meant to you.

September can be an equally joyful and stressful time for teachers, and as the job gets more and more difficult, less and less people are diving into the career. If we want more generations of great teachers, we need to support them in their work. It’s too important a burden to expect them to bear alone — our future quite literally  depends on their success. So this year, every time you see a reminder for back-to-school festivities, remember your teachers — and find a way to make their lives easier.

The post 4 Ways to Support Teachers During #BackToSchool appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

It’s a video that splices together a simple scene of Serena Williams practicing tennis as a child with her father — with shot after amazing shot of some of her most epic and iconic games.

“Very good, Serena Williams.” 

It’s that last line that gets me. The very last line of the video — don’t worry, no spoilers — and it’s just her dad, reassuring her that she did a good job, and reassuring us, the viewers, that yes indeed, this is Serena Williams. She really was once a wee little thing practicing her serve on the neighborhood tennis courts.

And she became the best tennis player in the world.

The #inspo part of this video is clear — and powerful. We all have to start somewhere, whether that’s a young girl practicing tennis, or a new mom starting her first business in between naps, or an office temp angling to be the first female CEO of her company someday.

We all gotta start somewhere, and it’s okay to dream big. Serena’s dad specifically says: “This is you, at the U.S. Open.” Talk about getting your hopes up! But then there — a shot of Serena actually at the U.S. Open, and you think, Huh — maybe big dreams aren’t so crazy after all. 

But as fantastic as that message is, that’s not why I cried. Wanna know what really struck me about this video? What really pulled out the ol’ tissue box?

The power of parenting.

Personally, I am a complete sucker for dad-daughter relationships, and this was a beautiful one — but it absolutely speaks to the power of any kind of parent, or parent figure. How we talk to our kids, how we teach our kids, and how we believe in our kids makes a difference. The voices we use, the time we spend, the encouragement we give time and time again — that matters. And in the grand scheme of things, good parenting can mean the difference between a natural talent —

And a world champion.

So thanks, Serena’s dad, for showing us what a great parent can be. And thanks, Serena, for inspiring us to keep pursuing our dreams, especially while rocking a tutu.

Now just watch this ad, and try not to cry — I dare you:

The post I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying! (re: That new Serena Williams Nike ad) appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

“I fell into a product line because I had a full clientele that I wanted to give the best products and service to,” she says.

Borboleta Beauty clients include celebrities like Katherine Heigl, not to mention our own HER Magazine Founder Nineveh Madsen. In the early days of the business, Madsen used to visit Jaynes’ rented booth space at a salon — and even receive the occasional home visit. Jaynes was, in fact, one of the earliest contributors to HER Magazine.

“Being the entrepreneur she is today, Kim definitely isn’t doing lashes anymore! She’s running a lash empire,” says Madsen. “She had a big vision for her business back then, and it’s been so amazing to watch the growth.”

COLLABORATION OVER COMPETITION

In search of quality products that would make women feel amazing, Jaynes knew she was on to something. She researched and developed her own lash line of soft, natural-feeling lash extensions with clean adhesives for her clients. It wasn’t long before other artists wanted to buy from her.

“I wanted women to have support and not feel judged. The beauty industry can be very ugly, and I wanted to raise it and be an example that we can be kind and successful and not tear each other apart,” she tells HER Magazine.

Named after the Portuguese word for butterfly, Borboleta is a beauty brand and lash line that honors the ideal of empowering beauty by embracing diversity. The beauty company empowers thousands of women every year to take control of their professional lives through training programs like The Lash Academy, which provides both aspiring and seasoned lash artists the chance to keep growing. “I wanted to provide training and education that brought unmatched value to lash artists, to continuously master their craft and create successful, long-lasting careers in the industry,” she says.

From the beginning, Jaynes wanted to create a brand that stood for something.

“She’s a collaborator, not a competitor, and we need more women like her in business,” says Madsen, who is a big fan of Jaynes’ personal style and work ethic.

“I think, like with any entrepreneur, what’s helped her reach success is that she has kept going. She didn’t stop. I remember that it seemed like almost overnight her business exploded, but it’s been years and years of hard, consistent work. She gives a lot of credit to her team, and that’s so important as a CEO — being a good leader,” says Madsen.

Inspired by her love for working women, Jaynes attributes her company’s success to doing whatever it takes to make things happen.

These days, the lash entrepreneur starts her day in the office at 8:30 am in meetings with her different teams.

“I check in on all of our employees and see how they’re doing, and what projects they’re working on. I go through social media and see what is happening in our industry,” Jaynes says. “I strategize a lot with marketing and product and forecast latest trends in our industry. I usually end my day with a yoga class in the evening.”

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

When the training program was just getting started, Jaynes was running everything. “I was very overwhelmed, and I constantly found myself hitting obstacles,” she says.

During one of her first eyelash extension training sessions in New York City, the hotel she was presenting at refused to provide tables for models to lay on for the demonstration, she recalls. Instead of panicking, Jaynes realized she needed to find a solution without wasting any time.

“I caught a cab, ran to Home Depot, and bought 6 X 4 picnic tables and loaded them back into a cab. We had a successful training, and no one even knew about the tables and how we got them,” she says.

“Today our education program is the most sought out in our industry and we are considered the largest training program for lash extensions. We no longer lay our models on picnic tables,” she adds.

Without any formal business training or experience, Jaynes created a product line that was “artistically inspiring,” and a training program for lash artists. “I learned from mentors, past bosses, managers, and other professionals in my life — I never went to business school,” she says.

By being available 24/7, hiring the right people, and never giving up, Jaynes was able to create one of the leading lash extension companies in the industry.

“In the end, this is what brings me the most joy; to help others achieve their goals and love what they do.”

Follow Borboleta Beauty on Instagram @BorboletaBeauty

The post Kim Jaynes’ Borboleta Beauty Empire appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

Now, on the one hand, we all kind of get this. We see it happen. Women are less likely to negotiate raises, too; we have a history of not asking for what we need in business, mostly because we’re often shot down or judged as ‘demanding’ or ‘abrasive’ when we do. Case in point, this study also found that, of the people who do seek financing, men are more likely to actually get it — 38% of men receive financing, versus only 31% of women. Women have more barriers to finding funding, it’s true — but if this study is to be believed, the biggest barrier is, in fact, ourselves.

You can’t receive what you never ask for.

If we’re going to start breaking though those other barriers, we have to start putting ourselves out there. If you’re a HER reader, there’s a good chance you’ve at least thought about starting a business, if you aren’t running one already. Have you ever sought out funding? Have you ever met with an investor? Do you have a pitch ready for when you do?

Or have you decided that you’re just going to figure it out for yourself, and never take the risk of asking?

The problem is, so many of us don’t just not ask, we consider asking to be paramount to leaping off a cliff and expecting to fly. It sounds outlandish, foreign, ridiculous, impossible — and so we never even consider it. We never even start a casual research process to figure out what ‘finding an investor’ might entail. We simply drain our savings and scrape by in the hopes that it will be enough. And sometimes, sure, that works. But sometimes, oftentimes, it doesn’t — because businesses take money to run. So the business either fails, or succeeds at such a great personal cost, it may as well have been a failure.

You don’t have to run your business that way. If you’ve got an idea for a great business, it’s absolutely possible to find funding for it. But you’ll never find it if you don’t try — you’ve got to put yourself out there. Find an investor. Find a mentor. Find support. Find funding.

Let’s move that needle for the next study, shall we? You can’t receive what you never ask for.

So start asking.

The post Find Your Funding: It’s Time For Women To Ask For More appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

In order to really make the most of social media platforms like Instagram, it’s time for us to take back control. We are the ones controlling the content we see, remember? Scrolling your feed doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Just make sure you’re following the change-makers; make sure you’re following accounts that will really encourage and inspire you to grow your business.

Not sure where to start? We rounded up some of our favorites: these 10 Instagram superstars will teach you about entrepreneurship, marketing, and most importantly — how to create the life you want. 

1. Jenna Kutcher

Jenna Kutcher just may be the queen of Instagram. Not only does she have 506,000 loyal followers, but she has perfected the art of creating a gorgeous feed while staying completely relatable. Jenna is a professional photographer who now teaches fellow entrepreneurs how to build an online audience, and her Instagram stories usually have me laughing out loud while I sip my coffee.

2. Sara Blakely

Sara Blakely is the creator of SPANX, and she shares all the behind-the-scenes of her entrepreneurial adventures on Instagram. You can usually find her leading company meetings, speaking at major events, and making intricately-shaped pancakes for her four kids. 

3. Melyssa Griffin

If you are a blogger who is struggling to monetize, you need Melyssa Griffin in your life. Melyssa teaches bloggers how to turn their hobbies into thriving businesses, and shares even more in her podcast.

4. Lewis Howes

If you are ready to take your business to the next level, Lewis Howes in a must-follow. He is the host of the School of Greatness podcast, as well as an author, speaker, and teacher. He can also teach you how to grow your Instagram following, and you can start by watching what he does on his own page.

5. Rachel Hollis

All writers, both experienced and aspiring, need to become friends with Rachel Hollis. She is the author of the hit book Girl, Wash Your Face and inspires women around the world. She also has some of the most real and authentic Instagram stories, from barely making a deadline in her bathrobe to flying around the world to speak.

6. Joanna Gaines

As if you’re not already following her, but I thought I’d remind you that Joanna Gaines is still one of our all-time favorite entrepreneurs. And just because she is preparing to welcome her fifth baby does not mean that she’s slowing down anytime soon. Follow along to see her TV appearances, Magnolia adventures, and time on the farm.

7. Lori Harder

Lori Harder may still look like a fitness model, but she is now focused on a different mission: to spread the message of ‘tribe’ to women everywhere. Lori is passionate about teaching women to create the communities and support they need. She is currently on a book tour for A Tribe Called Bliss and takes us along for all the excitement.

8. Jay Shetty

If you’ve ever found yourself succeeding at higher levels, but wondering if it’s really worth it, follow Jay Shetty right now. Jay is a storyteller and speaker who is on a mission to make wisdom go viral. He shares ancient teachings in a fresh way, and you’ll not only walk away feeling inspired, but will learn what it takes to make a viral video as well.

9. Amber Lilyestrom

Ever feel burnt out along this entrepreneurial journey? Connect with the inspiring Amber Lilyestrom for your daily dose of purpose and a loving kick to get moving. Amber is a brand and business coach who shares all of the behind-the-scenes on her journey, which took her from ‘new mom’ to a million-dollar business in just a few years.

10. HER Magazine

We are so honored to be your destination for women who mean business. The HER Magazine Instagram feed features the latest articles, behind-the-scenes nuggets, and takeovers from some of our most inspiring contributors. Our goal is to make your Insta feed inspiring, encouraging, and full of resources to get what YOU need for your entrepreneurial lifestyle. And don’t forget to tag us for a chance to be featured! 

Did we miss any? Who are your must-follows for business and career inspiration?

The post 10 Instagram Accounts Every Entrepreneur Should Be Following appeared first on HER Magazine ™.